I remember my father raising bees and extracting honey when I was a child on the farm. If I had to guess, I would say that he did this just to satisfy his own sweet tooth. He loved honey, in all its forms — liquid, creamed and solid. Fresh honey is a liquid, and over […] Read more
Stories by Sarah Galvin, BSHEc

Lavender not just for making soap — try it in the kitchen
Sequim, Washington, (pronounced squim) is the second largest lavender producing region in the world. Only Provence, France, produces more. This is quite an accomplishment, considering lavender was only introduced in the 1970s. With the dairy farms shuttering and the local economy sliding, residents met to discuss a revitalization. They were set to put Sequim on […] Read more

Great to enjoy the fruits of the Okanagan Valley’s labours
The Okanagan, in the southern interior of British Columbia, is fondly known as Western Canada’s fruit basket. With today’s quicker, modern highways and mountain passes, many families make a fruit-picking expedition to the Okanagan every summer. The tree fruit industry in B.C. has about 400 commercial growers who farm about 15,000 acres of apples, pears, […] Read more

Food Day Canada encourages us to eat Canadian cuisine
Twenty years ago Food Day Canada was established through the Parliament of Canada. It is celebrated on the first Saturday every August. Anita Stewart, a broadcaster, food writer and activist who has been called the “patron saint of Canadian cuisine,” worked tirelessly to make this a reality. She championed chefs and home cooks alike, traversed […] Read more

Selecting the right dishes is key for a successful picnic
Picnic spots are chosen for ambience. Throwing down a blanket beside water with wonderful views and nearby trees for shade makes casual picnics special. You should select foods that transport well and are prepared in advance. But keep it simple. Take hydrating beverages like water, iced tea or lemonade. Use a good quality cooler or […] Read more

Barbecue is an ideal way to enjoy the great taste of beef
Serving up amazing local beef on the grill is a great way to celebrate Canada Day. There are two choices for the fuel for barbecue: gas or charcoal. Gas is convenient and heats up in a matter of minutes, but you can’t beat charcoal for the heat needed to get a good hard sear. When […] Read more

Make something special this year for your favourite father
Preparing breakfast or breakfast for dinner is a nice way to show Dad you love him. Simple comfort food never disappoints. Take your bacon and eggs to the next level with these recipes and ideas. The best scrambled eggs This is a recipe for a single serving. Multiply all ingredients by the number of people […] Read more

Blueberries offer a bonanza of taste and healthy eating
Blueberries have been labeled as a superfood because of their many health benefits. They are packed with anthocyanins, which reduce inflammation, and are powerful antioxidants important in heart and brain health. Anthocyanins are also responsible for the dark, rich colour of the berry. Every handful of blueberries contains iron, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, manganese, zinc and […] Read more

Grab a plate of whatever you like
Casual meals are the best meals over the busy summer months. They can be as simple or complicated as you make them. They are also a good way to use bits and pieces of ingredients in the refrigerator and pantry. Plan to have lots of tongs, wooden picks and small forks available to keep guests […] Read more

Mushrooms are a hearty and flavourful addition to meal
In addition to being tasty, mushrooms are hearty and flavourful. Specialty mushrooms, such as shiitakes, oysters, enoki, morels and chanterelles, are now often found in regular grocery stores.