Non-Fiction
Digital Authoring, Articles, Blogs, Speeches and More
From blog posts to analytical essays, from feature articles to heartfelt speeches, I strive to take away valuable experience from each opportunity and apply all that I've learned to the new projects I pursue. I deeply value the input and objectives of all individuals and organizations I work with as I strive not only meet the desired outcome but also to ensure the collaboration process is as seamless and meaningful as the final result.
For personal or business related projects, references and writing samples are available upon request. Please connect with me via the contact page to discuss ideas and objectives for your personal or professional projects.
We will collaborate to transform your ideas something tangible.
Sample Article
"Hemp Food 101"
Written for the Hemp Federation of Canada in 2021
Hemp is a valuable resource that provides people with various health benefits. Hemp can be grown sustainably to positively impact our environment and the agricultural industries around the world.
When we consider hemp as a food product, our focus turns to hemp seeds, oils and protein powders. The hard seeds from hemp plants are harvested, dehulled and cleaned to expose the treasure within; extremely nutritious inner kernels referred to as hemp seeds or hemp hearts. These hemp seeds, which are essentially a nut, contain no to little CBD or THC, so consumers will not feel the psychoactive high associated with marijuana.
Hemp is a great source of fiber, as well as nutrients and vitamins, including but not limited to B-vitamins, Vitamin E, magnesium, iron and zinc.
Hemp has a nutty, earthy flavour and can be added directly to dishes such as salads, smoothies and cereals, or they can be mixed with water to serve as a flavourful alternative to dairy-based milks and cheeses. The hemp seeds can also be pressed to make hemp seed oil.
Hemp seeds contain over 30% fat and are rich in omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. The omega fatty acids will break down during the cooking process so it’s recommended that hemp seed oil be used as a finishing oil instead of a cooking oil to maintain as many as the nutritional benefits as possible.
Amino acids are the building blocks for proteins, and hemp is considered a complete protein because it contains all nine essential amino acids. While calories from chia seeds and flaxseeds contain 16-18% protein, hemp seed calories contain more than 25% of high-quality protein.
Hemp protein powder is made by grinding pressed hemp seeds into a fine powder. There are many benefits to consuming hemp protein powder. Hemp protein helps repair and strengthen muscles and tissues in the body and can serve as a hypoallergenic substitute for people with soy, gluten, egg or dairy sensitivities.
The seeds contain globular proteins, edestin and albumin, which make enzymes, antibodies and hormones, all of which contribute to a healthy immune system. Arginine and omega-3 help lower blood pressure and therefore reduce the risk of heart disease, meanwhile omega-6 fatty acids are associated with metabolism and brain function. Proteins produce twice as much energy as carbohydrates, and they take longer to break down in the body, so this not only increases energy levels but helps to sustain those levels for longer throughout the day. The fiber in hemp seeds helps people feel fuller for longer periods of time and this can assist with reducing cravings and losing weight. The essential fatty acids and Vitamin E can relieve eczema and dry skin, as well as condition and soothe the scalp.
Hemp crops remove and trap significant amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, especially because of its quick growth rate, an average of 4-5 months per crop. Hemp naturally suppresses weeds and resists insects, so because it requires little to no pesticides and herbicides, it contributes to the long-term sustainment of agricultural land. It returns about 70% of its nutrients back into the soil and because of this, requires less fertilizer than traditional crops. Hemp can be grown in water scarce regions and is known to use one third of the water required for cotton crops. Most hemp-derived products are non-toxic, biodegradable and renewable. The fibers and stalks can be used for clothing, construction materials, plastics and biofuel, and much more.
Not only is hemp sustainable and affordable, there are so many reasons why hemp is also nutritious. As plant-based proteins increase in popularity, and as society becomes more aware of the food industries’ environmental impact, it’s no surprise that the popularity of hemp seeds, oils and proteins continue to increase. Please consider using hemp for not only a healthy body for yourself, but for a healthy planet for everyone.
Sample Business Profile
"Around The Block From Memory Lane"
Small business profile school assignment for Periodical Writing
Warren Hales, owner of Around the Block consignment store, sets a sterling silver fruit knife back onto the navy velvet of the flatware chest sitting on the counter before him and meets the gaze of the man standing across from him, his sympathetic smile contrasting his customer’s solemn expression. The customer, a man looking dignified in dress pants and a long trench coat, holds his palms parallel to one another to demonstrate the limited amount of space in his newly purchased condo. His voice thick with emotion, he explains that he has little use for his deceased mother’s favourite set of cutlery.
The mother-of-pearl handles of the silverware shine beneath the lighting fixtures that dangle from the store’s ceiling, and the knives’ ferrules are smooth and lacking any visible scratches. They are in good condition, and the man standing across from Hales hopes for a substantial offer. Hales gently explains that while it was a nice set of knives, the resale value would not match the offer that the man had hoped for.
The man’s forehead creases across each of his shapely eyebrows, a frown tugging at the corners of his mouth. Hales suggests the man keep the knives since they didn’t take up too much space and predicts that he’ll regret selling them if he doesn’t think he’ll be financially compensated for the emotional value he feels.
“When my parents died, there was a little brass Buddha that sat on the back of the stove,” Hales says. “Made in China, 1950s, maybe worth a dollar. But it was the one thing in the house that my sister and I fought over because it had real sentimental value to us. It had zero intrinsic value, but it meant a lot.”
The man nods in agreement and understanding, utters his gratitude and walks out of the store with his knives and a sentimental smile, a smile Hales can’t help but share.
Hales, 49, opened his own consignment store, Around The Block, after working at The Elegant Garage Sale on Bayview Avenue in Toronto for eight years. Before opening Around the Block, Hales was renovating houses with a team consisting of his family members when he discovered that he enjoyed working for himself and felt ready to manage his own store. Hales ensures that people who bring in their belongings are financially compensated for those valued items, and that those shopping at the store feel the quality of the products is worth the numbers on the price tags. “People who buy things can see they’re used, but they’re still loved and still valuable.”
Around The Block is sells both modern and vintage items. Formerly located on Avenue Road, the business’s rapidly growing inventory soon required a larger store space – 7,000 square feet to be exact. Now situated on Lesmil Road in North York, Hales says they no longer see the people who stopped in on their daily walk to No Frills, yet many loyal customers come out of their way to shop at the new, larger location.
Around The Block serves as an agent between the seller and the buyer. Some people bring in their items because they’re redecorating or downsizing, meanwhile others are clearing out spaces after getting divorced or the death of a loved one. Whatever the reason may be, it can be an emotional experience when a sense of loss is associated with getting rid of belongings. “A lot of the time you have to let people talk. They have to tell you their story. Whether it’s big trauma or little trauma, it is still trauma,” says Hales.
Unlike most consignment stores that ask their clients to take back their unsold belongings after a set amount of time, Around The Block is committed to selling everything that is brought in. Even though some things take longer than others, there’s never a problem with inventory not moving.
An item is suitable for Around The Block if it is in good condition, has a broad appeal and is unique. Investing too much time and effort into an item that requires a lot of repair diminishes the store’s profit. Gold and silver pieces are tested for authenticity and all pieces of artwork are researched before they are mounted. Colourful paintings varying in size ornament the 145-foot-long wall that extends from the front counter to the large windows at the rear end of the store.
After 60 days on the shelf, the price of an item becomes reduced by 10% and there are many buyers who become excited by the prospect of a discount, however over half of the items are sold within the first two months. The people who choose to wait are taking a risk that an item will be gone by the time they return for its discounted price.
Once given to the store, the sentimental value associated with a piece isn’t transferrable to another person. People can only be compensated for the piece’s intrinsic value, and sometimes the emotions and memories associated with an item can prove to be more valuable than the sum of a cheque mailed at the end of the month once an item has sold.
The knowledgeable team at Around The Block values the personal tastes and desires of all customers, whether they’re getting rid of things, acquiring new things, or doing both. Through valuing quality and individuality in both the pieces they sell and the people they work with, Around The Block is helping people let go, but also hold on.