Toronto Planted Expo with the Vegan Fashion Show

Planted Expo is in Toronto's Enercare Centre for the March 23-24, 2024 weekend, hosting over 150 plant-based companies and brands for those that do not consume any food made or derived from animals. Vegans also replace animal-based products, including items used in fashion, with non-animal alternatives which you can see during Saturday's Vegan Fashion Show. You can see more of the Vegan Fashion Show on my post here.

Some of the models at the Vegan Fashion Show

Vickki Lenola is the producer/director of the Vegan Fashion Show which will begin at 12:35pm with an opening talk followed by the fashion show which will finish around 1:30pm. It is truly amazing the clothes they can make from plant-based products which can replace items like leather and feathers to help make the world more cruelty-free.

This vegan exhibition is at Enercare Centre in Exhibition Place, open from 10am till 5pm each day and you can purchase tickets online at Planted Expo. Visit the show and see plant-based offerings of everything from food and drink to travel and lifestyle businesses.

The show also features many knowledgeable vegan speakers to educate and inspire visitors to the show (schedule copied below). A special addition to the lineup of speakers during the day you can always buy evening tickets to see Dr. Michael Greger, author of How Not to Age and several famous netflix docuseries, tell us how to live longer. The presentation will also be recorded for podcast.

There are a lot of healthy, happy people in Hall D of the Centre and you learn quickly that it's not just tofu, it is really incredible how many food types are now made with plants. If you like food and drink samples this is the place for you.

Saturday, March 23
10:15 AM - Welcome and Land Acknowledgement
10:20 AM - Nick Avis
10:50 AM - Ella Magers
11:30 AM - Genesis Butler
12:35 PM - Vikki Lenola & The Vegan Fashion Show
1:45 PM - Nimai Delgado
2:35 PM - Dr. Loomis & Caryn Dugan
3:35 PM - Margaret Coons

Sunday, March 24
10:20 AM - Welcome and Land Acknowledgment
10:30 AM - Dr. Michael Greger
11:30 AM - Carleigh Bodrug
12:15 PM - Chuck Carroll
12:50 PM - Robert Cheeke
1:50 PM - Doug McNish
2:45 PM - Harvey Lewis
3:30 PM - Margot Freitag
4:10 PM - Best in Show Awards

Canada 150 winning ONE Condoms

Canadians took to designing condom wrappers with a certain amount of humour with hundreds of entries received by ONE Condoms. Contest judges selected their top 50 designs and public voting has produced a number of winners, including grand prize by Emma Scott with an "I'd Tap That' design followed by her other design "Get (P)laid" which came in second.

“I never thought I would be so excited to see my art being ripped up and thrown away, but here I am putting my designs onto ONE Condom wrappers for all consenting adults across Canada,” said Emma Scott. “This contest was the perfect way for me to sprinkle my sense of humour into my design work, and I'm so glad Canada loved them!”

Other runners-up included a rooster Loonie, some moose doing it, Canadians apologizing in bed and a toque reference.

“I couldn’t resist such a quirky contest in celebration of this great country of ours. I was laughing throughout the entire process of creating this design, and I’m thrilled that I could bring that feeling to other people. I hope it makes people laugh all over this wonderful and loving country,” said A. E. Thompson, who created the “Loonie ONE” design.

Some regional winners included these designs.

And some staff picks.

“We’re so impressed by all the designs across Canada, from loonies and lumberjacks to condom igloos and beavers,” said Davin Wedel, founder of ONE Condoms. “Starting condom conversations, ONE Canada-Condom at at time!” Winners get a cash prize and a one year supply of condoms with their winning artwork. ONE Condom will also donate tens of thousands of condoms to Canadian organizations which promote sexual health education and outreach.

"Condoms are the most effective way to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancies. ONE was founded in 2004 with the core belief that if you put interesting and engaging artwork on condom wrappers, it helps start a conversation about the use of condoms and safer sex. ONE’s signature, circular condom wrappers feature hundreds of different designs and unique design collections."

Blue Friday and Blue September

It's time to be blue #Toronto as prostate cancer awareness takes over September and holds a special Blue Friday on September 14, 2012. "Get Blue! Face Up to Prostate Cancer" wear blue or paint your face blue this Friday. The month long campaign started in the US but it should spread into Canada.

"Funny man, Donald Faison (supplied photo at top), from the comedy series Scrubs, is also putting his popularity to good use and supporting the campaign. Faison said, “I will be affected in some way in my life by prostate cancer, whether it is me, a brother, or a friend – it is bound to happen. Everyone around the age of 40 should have a conversation with their doctor about their prostate and get it checked…"

Doctors say that many deaths from prostate cancer can be prevented by early detection and they recommend eating right, know your family history and see your doctor if you are over 40 years-old to develop a proactive prostate care plan.