Brown sugar adds flavour to a traditional banana bread. Add nutritious berries to the side and your plate is complete.  |  Jodie Mirosovsky photo

Winter meals with decadent taste can also be nutritious

One of the joys of winter for me is having more time to spend preparing food in my own kitchen. While it is an amazing experience to dine out, there is great satisfaction in plating gourmet menus that you have created. While not all recipes are a success, as my family will attest, together we […] Read more

Try healthy goat cheese with crackers as a winter snack staple. Prepare to be pleasantly surprised.  |  Jodie MIrosovsky photo

February is a good time to highlight the power of three

February was named after the Roman Februalia, a month-long festival used to celebrate purification that leads to harmony. Today, many of us associate this month with National Heart Month, which in many ways has a connection to the historic teaching. We should strive for harmony among people, with our health and in our homes. When […] Read more

Thai red curry chicken is a popular restaurant or take-out dish that is easily made at home.  |  Sarah Galvin photo

Mid-winter meal preparation can use a little inspiration

We all need inspiration from time to time, especially in mid-winter. I reached out to friends and family for their favourite meals, and this was the response — a few healthy, easy meals to break up the winter while we await the local, fresh garden produce in a few months. Thai red curry chicken If […] Read more


The dough for German honey cakes is made and then allowed to sit for several days before baking. A small batch of warm cookies can then be made as needed.  |  Betty Ann Deobald

Centennial good reason to reflect on nation’s food history

Canada’s 100th birthday in 1967 seemed to be an appropriate time to explore and enjoy the exciting recipes that made up the Canadian cuisine culture. Emmie Oddie’s “I’d Like To Know?” column in The Western Producer received numerous request for recipes that reflected this heritage for use at centennial buffets, family gatherings and picnics. One […] Read more

This spicy one dish meal is a tasty way to warm up.  |  Jodie Mirosovsky photo

Get into those corners — they may hold tasty treasures

The holidays are but a memory and the winter cold has set in. I am always inspired to clean, organize and update my home after the vibrant decorations are all taken down and the place looks rather dull. This unusual desire to clean also extends to the cupboards, refrigerator and freezer. Getting into the corners […] Read more


Wheat berry salad stores well in the refrigerator for a few days.  |  Sarah Galvin photo

Diabetics can eat well while still watching their health

Refined carbohydrates are unhealthy for people with diabetes. Instead, choose whole grains, a variety of vegetables, low fat meats and dairy products to stay healthy. Our bodies break down carbohydrates into sugar. This raises blood sugar levels. Complex carbohydrates, such as whole grains, break down more slowly so they are preferred. A registered dietitian will […] Read more

Oven roasted ginger dill salmon can be served family style on a platter or on individual plates.  |  Sarah Galvin photo

Effort to eat healthier starts with the right food choices

It is a new year and resolutions aside, many of us feel a renewed commitment to healthy eating. Make vegetables, fruits and whole grains the focus of your diet. Include fish, legumes and nuts and use olive or canola oil instead of butter. Foods to avoid for a healthy heart include red meat, bacon, hot […] Read more

This chiffon cake was made with vegetable oil, an ingredient seldom found in a 1950s farm kitchen.  |  Betty Ann Deobald photo

Rural women had lots of questions for the WP in 1950s

In the 1950s, rural women had many questions about building or renovating their farm home, selecting and adapting to new electric appliances, how to launder and remove stains from new types of textiles and how to plan healthy meals for their families, among a long list of topics. A young farm wife, Mrs. Emmie (Ducie) […] Read more


Golden beets pair well with the orange vinaigrette. Any colour of beets may be used.  |  Sarah Galvin photo

Salads add colour, freshness, nutrition to holiday meals

Whether it is for the turkey dinner or for another time during the holiday season, salads add colour to the table and freshness to the menu. They also add nutrients. These are a few winter salads that may pique your interest. Prosciutto, pear & burrata salad Burrata is a ball-shaped Italian cheese made from cow’s […] Read more

 A selection of varieties of tinned fish, preferably ones that are MSC certified sustainable, will ensure there is something for everyone. Clockwise from top left: Bar Harbour brand sardines packed in water, smoked mussels in oil, smoked sprats in oil, smoked scallops in oil, solid light tuna in olive oil.  |  Sarah Galvin photo

Tinned Fish

Tinned fish has made a big comeback. Once seen as an economical way to feed the family, tinned fish is showing up in gourmet markets. It is one of this year’s trendiest foods. Tinned fish is also healthy. It is a good source of lean protein and omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential nutrients and […] Read more