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For Today's Real Human BEING Extraordinary

Editor's Note

As the days of August slide to an end, we at queeniebrownmagazine.com commit to passionately and resolutely immursing ourselves in as many remaining festivals, BBQs, garden parties, beach strolls, picnics, hikes and whatever else the final days of summer have to offer. We appreciate the crimson, cozy, appeal of fall, but in this North Western hemisphere, summer is far too short.We send praise for these blissful, balmy, heat-filled days and soak in the sun's brilliant rays.

When the Month with Most Birthdays Across the Globe waves its final farewell, September will step forward, bringing with it emerging vibrant colours on our deciduous guardians. Outdoor gatherings will rave on but must compete with back-to-school activities and the upswing in life routines, not to mention, family traditions. Preoccupation with "life" may be mandatory at this time, but remember the outdoors still call. Take a final visit to a local farm. Supporting farmers can not only be fun, educational and rewarding, it is the difference between them thriving or merely surviving. Speaking of thriving, local vendors count on our patronage to do more than survive, as well. This issue features one such entrepreneur who shares how farmers' markets help sustain more than a dream. Get up close to goats, sheep, pigs and horses, pick apples, drink cider, stroll pumpkin patches and select the perfect pumpkin (or pumpkins) in preparation for next month's customs.

If you are looking for a different experience to de-stress and unwind, our second feature in this issue offers an adult playful way to do just that. Her idea is so unique, it is obvious. You may find yourself wondering, "Why didn't I think of that?" Both our features in this issue offer excellent gift ideas, friends and family members are sure NOT have, so, if you are in Toronto or SW Ontario's quaint town of Cobourg, drop by.

Speaking of "dropping by," our neighbours in the Southern Hemisphere are entering the season we are about to leave. Many seeking adventures or choosing to extend these perfect temperatures take this quieter time for tourists to get away. Brazil, Peru and Tanzania, for example, are good destinations if you don't mind rain showers. Physically fit adventurers can explore Brazil's Amazon Rainforest and catch sight of watering wildlife. Peru's cultural events are an excellent way to fully immerse into the community, and any one of Tanzania's game parks or music festivals is a sure way to change your perspective on life.

However you decide to honour this season of transition, remember, these are the days for which we will soon long. So, enjoy!

Conversations With...

Gail Lynch

If Gail's name sounds familiar, it is because we introduced her in our May 31st Spring 2025 issue, "We LOVE This!" segment. We were so excited about what she was doing, we had to share her information video from Jelly Social https://jellysocial.ca/ weeks before actually speaking with her.

Gail's story is one of passion, perseverence, and following one's heart triumphing over adversity. Her story begins during a time when the world was experiencing one of its most chaotic, distressing, life-altering moments. At a time that was filled with confusion, fearmongering, distress and extreme social upheaval, Gail's adopted land of 30 years did something unprecedented: it issued a city-wide lockdown.

With no place to go, leaving her hands idle, Gail decided to execute a project she had placed on the back burner. She built a bar - on her patio. Once her bar was completed, she invited friends and neighbours for a visit. Gail made cocktails, and happy guests praised her delicious creations. Fortunately (for us), as a non-drinker, Gail could not fully participate in her "six feet apart" social gatherings. She could not even sample the alcoholic beverages she blended for guests. To our good fortune, this dilemma forced Gail into a determination: she was going to create beautifully delicious cocktails with zero-alcohol and truly be a part of the experience.

Now, some would say, blending alcohol-free cocktails is nothing new... but, this is where Gail's story gets more exciting. Already, unimpressed with having to settle for drinks like pop or juice or water when socializing, Gail set about creating drinks with the unique taste of spirits without the alcohol component! Yep. You read that correctly. Gail began creating spirits with ZERO alcohol.

Personally, I did not know it was possible to have gin, for example, be ZERO proof. In fact, the concept of alcohol-free spirits was something the makers themselves did not entertain. There just was no market for such a drink... was there?

Gail knew that there was a market - and it was rapidly growing.

Since 2021, Gail has gone from purchasing the necessary natural ingredients to blend her own zero spirits (through a long, grueling and precise process, by the way), to introducing her cocktail creations at pop-up events then to revolutionize the industry. A no small feat considering the resistance she faced as a newbie in a well-established industry.

Along with creating delectable, alcohol-free, spirits for every taste, Gail was dedicated to using real ingredients like fruits, shrubs and spices as opposed to processed flavours. Gail is building a bold, entertaining community with every carefully crated drink.

When I had the privilege of speaking with Gail, it was minutes after she attended a Vendor information session held by The City of Toronto. Her direct, sharp wit, and love of getting things done was palpable. She shared her Six-month to Six-Year plan which included: becoming a bonifide City of Toronto Vendor - increasing her network and customer base; including food pairing with the spirits that stocked the shelves of her tasting room and bottle shop; then hosting a Mindful Drinking Festival.

Considering that this pop-up creative now also hosts in her own brick-and-mortar space, complete with in-house chef, that Mindful Drinking Festival is not too far away! We plan to be one of the first in line for tickets.

Visit Gail at https://zero-bar.ca/ or Insta: https://www.instagram.com/zero_cocktailbar/?hl=en Also, head to 223 Carlton Street East for a cocktail class, delicious food, a dance or listen to live music and SHOP!

ZERO Cocktail Bar is Toronto's first alcohol-free bar and currently the only one of its kind in Toronto. So, go join this joyful experience!

Own Your Right to take up SPACE.
Joseph McRae has.

Big UP Yourself

We first saw him on Browngirl Chee's Vlog https://www.youtube.com/@browngirlchee3408 in a happenstance street encouter. Now, he is WOWing judges on 'Project Runway' Season 21!

Beverly

Verano Food was named in memory of Sunday walks after church with Beverly's grandmother (of the same name), and the lingering aromas of cloves and alluring spices from people's homes as they prepared Sunday family meals.

Beverly, Founder and Food Creator, is like the best friend you didn't know you needed: calm, sincere, and - real. Her "all natural" vibe is more than a fad, more than a lifestyle. "All natural" is quintessentially Beverly. She wears her hair in a natural style, and does not wear make-up because she believes she cannot enhance what God gave her. Even when it comes to pharmaceuticals, Beverly drinks water to stop headaches; if her body hurts she soaks in Epsom salt baths; and, as for medicine, that's what blended spices are for.

Growing up in Barbados, Beverly explained that buying processed foods was not an option. It was impractical to purchase something one could make at home - particularly when said item was extremely expensive. Vegetables, fruits, herbs and spices were the more sensible choices. Shops sold bulk items like cashews, as well, so when a young Beverly decided to eat "nothing that had lived," she made her own cheeses and milk. As a young woman, Beverly found the experience of processing her own foods so fulfilling, she would have opened a tea cafe with home-made baking, but the funding did not pan out.

Beverly confirmed that eating naturally does require commitment. But, the secret to maintaining that commitment is to shop for less, more frequently, and use everything purchased before returning to the store. This way, one has less waste and is encouraged to be creative with the leftover items at hand.

It was this practiced process that started Beverly on the journey of experimenting with food and producing tasty meals. Her meals were so good, she began making plates for friends. She then began tailoring her ingredients to accommodate their food intolerances. It was at this time it occurred to her that mixing sauces and spices with intolerances in mind was of major importance to her. She would use naturally sourced ingredients - free of the usual allergens!

Answering The Ontario Agri-Food Venture Centre's (OAFVC) call for favourite recipes led Bev to joining a 6-week program to build a product. That program turned Beverly's life-long practice into a sprouting business. Pun intended... thank God for family and friends who help with staffing her market stalls at farmers' markets, and managing her social media.

During our conversation, I asked Beverly what advice she had for entrepreneurs wanting to build a product. She said, "Passion drives you. Focus on the end goal but keep believing in yourself and be open to the universe. Listen because sometimes what you end up doing is not what you intended to do in the first place. Be open to shifts. The universe does speak to you, so stop for a minute, be quiet, and listen to what is being said."

VeggUP is a premium small-batch condiment made with simple, easy-to-pronounce ingredients. Of course, it is suitable for vegan and vegetarian lifestyles. If you catch Beverly at a market, you will be rewarded with her newest item: Mango Bliss. Coming soon is a BBQ mango sauce as well as a mix of blended spices available for the gift-giving season.

Visit Beverly at https://veranofood.ca/ or https://www.instagram.com/veranofood.ca/?hl=en

Conversations With...

Spearheaded and primarily funded by Northumberland County, federal, provincial/state, and territorial agricultural programs and services like OAFVC are available to entrepreneurs and farmers across North America.

If you need or would like to see financial and professional support continue, contact your representative, add pressure by encouraging others to do the same.

Big UP Yourself!

Know YourSelf

Much is the noise rattling around us, creating stress, fear and disharmony that rocks us to the core. As a world, we have survived difficult years: bombarded with the message that "there is no hope," "these are the worst of times," "We (as a society) are the most divided we have ever been." The globe literally rages with fire, flooding, mudslides and disease.

You may feel like you have no control, but stop, just for a moment. Breathe.

Know that human existence is shaped by your constructs, by our constructs.

Nature did not create the separation of humanity. Humanity did. That means if you believe we are the worst we have ever been as a society (which is not true, by the way), you can change that.

Just like you never noticed yellow cars, but the moment you do, all you see are yellow cars, you can easily shift the construct. A simple way is to smile.

Does that sound too simple?

A smile can promote connection and a positive mood in others, making them feel happier, more comfortable, and more open to interaction. It conveys friendliness and trustworthiness, and its contagious nature can trigger positive emotions and stress reduction in the observer. A simple smile can brighten someone's day, foster social bonds, and improve the overall mood of a social setting.

Also, when you smile, it has a positive effect on your brain and body, releasing neuropeptides that help fight stress; neurotransmitters: dopamine, endorphins and serotonin, will relax the body, lowering heart rate and blood pressure; serotonin will serve as an anti-depressant/mood lifter.

Changing the world is simple because

seeing a smiling face activates the region in the observer's brain that processes sensory rewards, so smiling at someone can make them feel like they received a reward. Sure, there will be those who resent, reject, feel uncomfortable with feeling good. Think nothing of it. Leave a little "feel good" for them when you walk away.

If stress or overwhelming feelings return, ask yourself one thing: is the upset actually important to you or is it the thrill of drama?

You have a zero-judgement safe space. Be honest with your answer, then get on to what is relevant to your life.

Once "drowning out the noise" is mastered, fewer distractions and manipulations will cause an effect.

Looking into society will no longer induce stress because what is reflected will make you smile.