Yes – it’s that time of year where there’s an insane amount of food events. I went to the Toronto Food and Wine show on Friday, took a rest on Saturday and went to two food shows on Sunday. (Toronto Garlic Festival and the Canadian Health Food Association Trade Show).
Todays blog post is going to be dedicated to the CHFA Trade Show as I want to share with you some of the trends I noticed. I walked around the show for almost 3 hours but needed more in order to walk thru the 800 exhibitors that are at this show.
Naturally I picked up some samples to take home plus I sampled plenty while I was walking thru the show. No need for breakfast or lunch.
1. DRINKS – I spotted: cold pressed watermelon , blueberry juice, water infused with a variety of flavours and fruit, and more. This category seems to be exploding!!
2. TUMERIC – There was tumeric tea and a tumeric drink that caught my eye. Something tells me that we are going to see more and more products that contain this spice.
3. PUFFED QUINOA – I’m guessing that this is going to be the new “granola”. I can see myself sprinkling this on top of my yogurt with fruit or integrating it into fruit crisp recipes.
4. BARS – Cricket bars, and sprouted bars and more!! I actually first got introduced to Cricket Bars on a trip to San Francisco last year so I’m delighted to see that they are now in Canada.
5. COCONUT – Not exactly a new trend but it’s certainly continuing to grow. I sampled the Wasabi Coconut Chips and can’t wait to try them in a salad or crushed on top of a piece of salmon.
Hopefully you will see many of these products in local health food stores, and even in the health section of major grocery stores in the near future.
For more information:
Please visit the Canadian Health Food Association Website: www.chfa.ca
bars, blueberry, CHFA, Coconut, Crickets, drinks, quinoa, Trade Show, tumeric, Watermelon
Activities, FoodJune 12th, 2014
Last week, I attended the launch of the TELUS House Toronto Rooftop Community Garden. I went to the event, as these days I’m in awe of anything related to gardening. Would you believe….I’m presently living in an apartment WITHOUT a balcony. Don’t get me started.
I absolutely adore their philosophy: “Because the environment matters to YOU and you matter to US”.
To build this garden was not an easy project. They had to take into consideration – the shade, the wind, finding the right soil mixture and many other factors. The garden will feature many varieties of vegetables and fruit too. What’s kind of neat, is that the produce will be sold to the employees and the proceeds will go back into the community. Plus the produce itself will be donated back to those in need.
They thought of everything – including a watering team!!
I couldn’t help but notice that they are growing watermelon. To be honest, I’m already looking forward to attending their Harvest Party to see what grew!
After many years of planning – TELUS now has a 5th floor space that is truly admirable. You should be applauded for your commitment to the environment and to to the community.
Congratulations and Happy Gardening!!
community, Garden, harvest party, Philosophy, rooftop, Telus, Watering Team, Watermelon
Last year, I received a watermelon and some interesting carving ideas!!. I am normally one of those people who simply likes to cut up watermelon into chunks or slices but I was up for the challenge to be a bit more creative. I decided to make a hedgehog out of the watermelon and it was a HUGE HIT. It wasn’t hard to make and the kids thought I was supermom!! (always a good feeling..LOL).
This year, I received a watermelon too but when I looked at the amazing website (you should too)…I was overwhelmed when deciding what should I carve? I simply stared at the website and needless to say, the watermelon stared at me in the fridge. (infact it’s still there – I went out and bought two new ones).
All my problems were solved, when I was introduced to a woodcarver (and artist), Siggi Buhler. I told him about the watermelon challenge and my “carving problems”….he was all too happy to help.
Here’s what happen.
a) I brought the watermelons and necessary tools!!
b) Siggi started to do his magic with the watermelon. (I was the assistant – of course)
stage one...
some upper teeth and an eye gets carved..
some bottom teeth gets carved
Voila - A Watermelon Shark
Many thanks to Siggi for his help.
Siggi - relaxing after "the watermelon challenge"!!
PS Watermelon are still out in the grocery stores. I encourage you to go to the watermelon website and click on carvings and try this fun activity at home.
hedgehog, shark, Siggi Bugler, Watermelon, Watermelon carving
This is what’s in the liquor cabinet. Not bad eh?
no wine in there...LOL
As you know, I am a huge scotch and beer fan. However every once in a while, I really crave a cocktail. Yesterday was one of those days. But sadly I have NO clue how to make one. So I googled a recipe, watched a video and minutes later I was chopping up watermelon to make my first ever watermelon martini. I feel so grown up!
A few years ago, my dinner guests asked “what should I bring”. I told them “bring everything you need to make a mojito – we never serve cocktails EVER”. He came with a huge bag full of EVERYTHING one would need to make a mojito. It was perfect and I was in awe.
OK back to the watermelon martini. This is how I made it.
a) blend watermelon in a mixer (I added a touch of lime juice too – a touch)
b) add vodka..I used some good organic Prairie Organic Vodka
c) shake with lots and lots and lots of ice. Don’t you love my fancy shaker?
I'm so fancy!!
c) strain into a martini glass and garnish with fresh mint.
Please share your favorite cocktail recipes with me. I have till July 24th to enjoy a few cocktails before DD (darling daughter) comes back from camp.
cocktails, Ed Phillips & Sons, Martini, Prairie Vodka, Watermelon
