For the second year now, I decided to take to the streets with my flowered bicycle and baskets full of apples. Last year I hit up the intersection of Bay and King, in the heart of Toronto’s financial district. This year, we went for a slightly different demographic, venturing a little further North to Yonge and College. Though there are many areas of the city that could use a little boost of nutrition, I chose this one because the four corners of this none-too-pretty part of the city plays host to Tim Hortons, Starbucks, Tutti Frutti (a candy store), a Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacy and just off from the corner is Frans, a 24-hour greasy spoon diner, McDonald’s, Burger King and numerous pubs. These, friends, are potentially the greatest contributors to the ill states of mental and physical health of which we suffer.
I was curious to see if I could persuade anyone to forgo their lunch time coffee and instead have an apple. The little stumbler of this plan was that I kept catching people coming out of the coffee shop and so their hands were already full- a coffee in one hand and a ciggie in the other. No room to spare for a bite of health in the form of a locally grown Macintosh apple.
Once again, people were dumbfounded by catch-free generosity, though I must admit, unlike the suits down at King and Bay, they were mostly willing to make eye contact, lots of big thanks, and some people even came around again to grab another.
The highlight, of course was when my new friend Ron, who also goes by the moniker ‘The Street Professor’, decided he wanted in on the love sharing. He explained to me that he was a superior salesman thanks to his ‘unmatched gregarity’, and that he has been working in sales forever. Ron is the anti-Meghan, wearing head-to-toe-black, and big scary skull and cross-bone jewelry. Watching the video when I got home, I realized that as he was chasing people down the street harassing them to take an apple and my biz card, he also kept taking calls on his ear piece and pumping fists with random seen-better-days people. Now, I don’t like to make assumptions, but something tells me The Street Professor and I, we’re not selling the same kinda goods.
All I know is that it was fun; as much fun as last year with the added benefit that no strangers asked for hugs this time around. If at least one person decides to take an apple as a snack this week instead of getting a Tim Hortons donut or a Starbuck half-caf-double-soy-vanilla-mocha-coffee-free-latte or a bag of fuzzy peach candies, well, then my job was done well. At the very least, I know that 100 or so people had a great, health building snack today. For that alone, I can sleep well tonight!
For those of you who generously made donations. Thank you from the itty bitty bottom of my big heart. That money went to a very great cause.
This is absolutley gorgeous! I think people might throw the apples at me if I tried something like that in the middle of Sydney. By the way, you look radiant and healthy which was probably the main selling point, not Ron’s ‘unmatched gregarity’.
Love the photos!
This is inspiring! We are doing a Halloween activity at my workplace and I think I might have to borrow your idea and hand out apples instead of candy.
)
This made my day! I loved everything about this, even the street professor! LOL! Too funny!
how colorful and bright you are on a street full of black and brown. Really, everyone is wearing black and brown except you.
So, even if they did not take an apple – at least your brought some color to someone’s life that day and I am sure a smile!
I love this.
I watched the video last night and thought in my head “where did Meghan find that man!?!?” Such a starck contrast to you in your beautiful jacket and floral embellished braids.
I love the picture of the little girl with the apple – it brought her a lot of joy so I think that means a job well done.
I love it!!!
Yesterday my husband ordered the lunar hormone balance e-tutorial for me!!!woo hoo! I’m off to get some supplies!
Thanks Meghan!
Hey, that’s my old neighbourhood! Too bad I don’t live there anymore
I would’ve loved to come down for a sweet apple!
Hahaha! Hilarious… Ron is just classic. And you’re right; everyone really is wearing black and brown. Congrats on a great sequel. Never realized how full of fast-food that intersection is. Definitely needs some health.
Love it! I was thinking about your apple day when I saw your bike before cooking class last week and was wondering if you were going to do that again. mmmm I think I’ll get an apple!
Steph
LOVE IT
YOU are the cheeriest person I have ever “sorta” met!
KEEP IT UP Meghan!
People will automatically want some of what “you have”
your disposition and your sweet laugh!
Happy Thursday.
I have an apple in my lunch sack today!
If I didn’t need it for my own fuel…I would happily find someone to give it too!!!!
my co workers are already mowing down halloween candy!
here it comes!
such a cute jacket Meghan! Handing out apples is such a good idea!
What a kick! You definitely looked like you were having fun, as did the Street Prof. Great pics!
meghan, what on earth am i supposed to do with your cuteness. it is a good thing you are on the world wide web because people need to know and to see it for themselves. anything else with be just unfair.
thanks for spreading the love. remind me to tell you about the stewed apples i made for b’fast. amazing!!!
I just found your blog and absolutely LOVE it. I have been reading it like crazy for the last 2 days. Thank you for all the great information you share with others.
I love this! I manage a store and we brought in a big basket of apples for my staff a couple weeks ago… it was so nice to see them grab an apple at lunch instead of something from the vending machine!!
PS I was wondering… I am trying to kick my gum addiction… but I love the security chewing on a piece of gum after a meal out or at work brings me in ensuring my breath is fresh. Do you have any recommendations for a healthier minty alternative on the go??
I’ve just come back to watch the video – I didn’t have time this morning. I laughed when you said the same thing in my previous comment. I am so done wearing black, brown and gray! My girls will be so happy as I have like 13 shades of gray shirts in my closet : )
This. is. amazing.
This is awesome!! I remember the last one.
Hey- I was wondering if you would help spread the word about my contest to win a menstrual cup- http://bit.ly/37VFvi I would really appreciate it!
Thanks!
I loved watching your video on this last year and loved this one even more! You are so sunshiney and adorable, inspiring me to wear more COLOR! Nothing but goodness can come from it!
Now that song is going to be stuck in my head all day…..
Keep up the health-spreading-love!
College and Yonge isn’t sketchy! Unless of course you were referring to the food options.
The only place that I will eat near campus if I am stuck without enough food is Ginger, which is actually called Green Fusion or some such now. The situation is quite dire!
I love it! great idea. You gotta give us word next time you plan on doing it… It sounds like a hoot, and who can say no to free apples? btw, you may want to check out the toronto couch surfing group… i think they give out free hugs at kensington on sundays
Yay! I love that. Any photos?
[...] Apple A Day: The Sequel « Making Love In The Kitchen [...]
Do it!
So we did our apple giveaway in the library. The staff and faculty here were really impressed and some students also. We found one apple thrown into the grass outside the building. We gave out 6 dozen apples and they were gone by 5pm. Very successful and we will do it again next year, if not before. Thanks for the great idea.
a quick trip to the bathroom to brush is the BEST option!!!
Would you mind sharing your stewed apples recipe? I love hot breakfasts, especially this time of the year