Code’s Corner Organic Farm
Farming with a purpose . Certified as an organic farm, Code’s Corner is run by the very energetic and charming Denise Code and her husband Bill. Denise, a former dietitian and Bill, a doctor, are very passionate about what they are doing. It is little wonder that health and well-being are what drive their farming philosophy; they have made it their vocation to provide healthy organic food to the residents of the Cowichan Valley. Code’s Corner Organic Farm’s journey started in 1993, when the couple decided to move to Vancouver Island. They named the 7 and ½ acres farm after...
Read MoreOn The Garden Path
The Season for Winter Squash. We know fall has arrived when piles of colourful squash start gathering at the roadside stands. Last year I enjoyed spectacular display at McNabs Farm, where Farmer McNab told me he was growing 100 different varieties of squash, 50 of which were pumpkins, and that he had shopped the world for the seeds. I was quite amazed to discover them sold out by end of the growing season – Canadians sure love their squash! We grew a good selection of winter squash on the farm this year – butternuts and buttercups, spaghetti and acorn, red kuri, Turk’s turban,...
Read MoreGlen Eden Organic Farm
Certified Delicious! Originally from London, UK Howard and Sally Green met in Toronto where they were both working in an advertising agency. Interestingly they discovered that they shared a common interest for gardening. They left Toronto, turning their caps towards the West Coast in search of a quieter life. Soon their gardening interest took over and retirement plans of sunbathing, traveling or resting on their laurels quickly turned into a farming frenzy. The 8 ½ acre property located on Cowichan Lake Rd, was acquired in 2002 and a great amount of work and effort as well as extensive...
Read MoreOma’s Pflaumen Kuchen
Granny’s Plum Slice.This is one of my summer favourites, my Grans used to have a farm and we had an Orchard, including plum trees. Oma used to make a plum cake baked in a tray from the first batch that we pulled off of the trees, it’s the best – Oma’s baking always was. This particular sheet cake is not sickening sweet, it preserves the tartness of the plums and the dough is rather dense. You can add ground filberg nut flour to give it that special nutty touch You will need: 250gr. Unsalted butter 200gr. Sugar 2 eggs 1 lemon zested 3ml Vanilla Pure...
Read MorePerfect for afternoon tea …
A little while ago, over on Local Loves Nanaimo, I made a TON of pumpkin puree using fresh local pumpkin and decided to have a baking marathon. So far I’ve shared my pumpkin pie recipe as well as my twist on the classic roasted pumpkin seeds. Well today, I’m going to show you how to make pumpkin bread! I’ve never made pumpkin bread, or even tasted it, before this! But I had it in my mind that it was the same as banana bread, only with pumpkin. My educated guess was right! This festive autumnal loaf is super moist, with the right amount of pumpkin and spice (and everything nice!). It’s...
Read MoreFresh from the Cowichan Valley!
The 8 ½ Acres Farm is located just North of the Highway 18, this family farm has it all. Mike Shelten and Talyn Martin grow various seasonal fruits and vegetables all year long. Among their usual products you may find garlic scapes, greens and beans, berries, herbs and many more! Although farming isn’t an easy job and working in this line of business means constantly facing new and unpredictable challenges, adapting to fluctuating weather conditions, and working long hours, these charming farmers enjoy the lifestyle farming offers. The fact that they are able to spend their days...
Read MoreMiso Marinated Ling Cod
I came across this fish dish working for Oceania Cruise Lines, We originally used Black Cod, it was the second course in a 5 course promotional luncheon put on for the Italian press in Venice that visited the ship while in port – Yes Cruise Lines promote their ships when ever possible. I really liked it because of its simplicity, the Miso marinade really complements the Fish’s natural flavour. In the original it was served wrapped in a banana leaf with Sticky sushi rice as a side Miso Marinated Ling Cod & Spiced Vegetable Couscous for 4 Ingredients 900gr Fresh Ling Cod filet...
Read MoreLawn to Food
It’s a very unsuspecting location to find Lynda Smith’s business. In the middle of a Comox neighborhood where homes sit on lots not much larger than a quarter acre, an active vegetable farm is in production year-round. Lynda, founder and operator of Lawn to Food, is immersed in a small business that not only brings fresh, organic and plentiful food to her family’s table, but allows her to educate and coach others to do the same all while sharing the fruits of her labour for others to enjoy. “We had always gown food but I was always the one doing it and the one preparing it and I...
Read MoreEstrogen & Progesterone
As the level of wisdom appears to increase for women over the years, (aka aging), the level of estrogen production gradually begins to decrease. During a woman’s reproductive years, estrogen and progesterone levels are programmed to support the possibility of reproduction. When estrogen, progesterone (and testosterone) are in the groove, they are in a harmonious balancing act. The amount of each hormone produced depends on a complex feedback system to the brain. Stress, and diet affect that feedback mechanism and it can throw that hormonal dance offbeat. The role of progesterone is critical...
Read MoreHappy Hormone Health
Nutrition and hormone balance is one of my favorite subjects because not many people realize that we can use our own mouth to send a message … not that kind of message. The food you eat sends messages to your hormones. Hormones are the messengers for all functions of the body, from heartbeat to libido. I’d like to think the Cabernet I so enjoy is speaking to me in sultry passionate whispers … A diet that is high in refined carbohydrates (white bread and rice, alcohol, sugars of all kinds, or straight up candy – to name a few) sends some messages to our hormones that are not very nice....
Read MoreStress Is An Inside Job
Taking care of your health through the holidays will help you to cope with the stress that is sometimes associated with this festive season. Well look no further than your kitchen cupboards because there are many proactive steps you can take to have a healthy and happy holiday season. Although we can’t always control the external environment, we do get a say when it comes to our response – particularly to stress. It is our response that has the greatest impact on health. When we experience a stressful situation, the “fight or flight” hormone called cortisol is released from the...
Read MoreLocal Sourcing Brings Rewards
Scott DiGuistini and Merissa Myles set out on a five year business plan to bring wholesome, high quality food to the community while doing their part in land stewardship in support of local agriculture farming. Yet, in less than three years, the Comox Valley couple surpassed their goals and have taken their business, Tree Island Gourmet Yogurt, to a whole new level. Production has grown beyond the ‘mom and pop’ shop initially set on their Old Island Highway site to become a yogurt supplier for top restaurants, to 125 independent and franchise grocers on Vancouver Island, now with the...
Read MoreCider Is The New Beer?
Right under my very nose … I had driven by many times and had thought to myself, “Oh! What industrious people who’ve moved onto Gabriola.” New barn – impressive! Planting acres of apple trees and cultivating 25 varieties of apples seemed an enormous venture to me, the drive-by observer. Ravenskill Orchards has been tending, grafting and watering over the past few years and has evolved into the most expansive pedestrian orchard ever, right here on Gabriola. Keith and Martie Mackenzie saw the dream. They bought 27 acres of undeveloped land in 2002. Through clearing and cleaning,...
Read MoreFarmers’ Markets Go Online
As a farmer’s daughter it was only natural that I would be a part of the “back to the earth” movement here on the Island in the 70s. I have always promoted local farmers and their products, and I am delighted to learn of the COW-OP group here in the Cowichan area. I support them and their concept totally and encourage others to do the same. Trish SummerhayesOwner/Publisher Island Womanislandwoman@shaw.ca Buy Local! Buy Fresh! – A farmers market meets the internet for convenient year-round shoppingOnline shoppers in the Cowichan region are...
Read MoreBack To School Nutrition
It’s been about a month now of making lunches and sending our children off to school with a decent amount of food to keep them energized for the day. By now, somewhat of a routine has been established, focused around meal planning and preparation. But how much emphasis has been placed on actual nutrition. We are talking about the quality of the food and not just the quantity. Feeding some of the fussiest of eaters can be a chore in itself, let alone ensuring they are getting a properly balanced meal. And once that brown bag leaves the house, there’s no guarantee the kids will even eat...
Read MoreFrom Field to Fridge
We all do it and most of the time, we do it several times a day … eating food, cooking it, buying it, and sharing it with family and friends. Most of the time, it comes in quick bites and the more convenient the better. Many people lead busy lives that don’t include time to sit down and enjoy a meal, instead choosing to eat on the run or practicing distracted eating while performing a handful of tasks at once. Maybe it doesn’t need to be like that. Give it time, time to think, time to choose, time to eat and enjoy. How much importance do you place on the food you put in your...
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