by Jennifer Ashleigh – If you are a Peninsula local, then you will likely know of the popular North Saanich Flavour Trails festival, traditionally held over one jam-packed weekend in high August when you can (quite literally) smell blackberries ripe on the vine. This festival is envisioned as a “self-guided rural ramble” where farms and […]
Flavour Trails, Reimagined Read More »
by Joan Saunders & Tania Tomasewska – Born and raised on Vancouver Island, I now can admit that I never liked salmon until my late 20s. The problem was that I never had it prepared in a way I enjoyed until I met a good friend who became my “salmon sensei.” A fisherman and teacher,
From the Kitchen with Off the Vine – Local Pairings for the Grill Read More »
by Alyssa Madill, Feed the Fire Nutrition & Wellness – As stress has been on the rise, so have supportive lifestyle suggestions like meditation, more sleep and nature therapy. But what about food? When you make wiser choices, seek support and eat well, you have a greater chance of beating stress. So let’s dive into
Inside Out – Holistic Nutrition Supports Mental Health Read More »
by Joan Saunders – I am going to freely admit something that may elicit either knowing nods or gasps of dismay: if I had to choose between chocolate and lemon, I would always pick lemon. I know! If you’re passionate about chocolate you might be recoiling in horror, but I do love the tang of citrus
From the Kitchen – When Life Gives You Lemons… Read More »
by Tania Tomaszewska – When the “Covid Lockdown” started and things ground to a halt, I thought that my wine exploring would come to a standstill and this might actually be a “dry” chapter in my life. Well, that thinking lasted about four days. A large part of my “new normal” is attending or hosting
Off the Vine – DIY Virtual Wine Tastings Read More »
by Joan Saunders – While I know that families and friends often expect certain meals at certain times of the year, it’s tempting to change up the menu and try something new. This can sometimes yield unexpected results; I’ve had both praiseworthy and cringeworthy evenings where the meal was either a glorious success or an
FROM THE KITCHEN – Switch It Up Read More »
by Tania Tomaszewska – Historically, the wine world has been a male-dominated bastion. But more and more women are jumping barriers to lead in this realm – as sommeliers, winemakers, owners or in other ways to bring wine adventure and education to consumers. When I learned that Seaside’s focus this issue is “Women to Watch,”
OFF THE VINE – Wine Islands Women to Watch Read More »
by Deborah Rogers – It won’t have escaped the notice of anyone who’s been in a liquor store recently that there’s been an explosion in the beer section. Craft brewing is having a day (well, a decade) and there are more varieties than you could reasonably sample. What’s interesting is that they’re coming from small
BEHIND THE SCENES – Creating a Classic Brew Read More »
by Deborah Rogers – “To learn how to feed my family.” “Following my doctor’s recommendation.” “I don’t want to keep buying vegetables, then putting them in the compost!” These were some of the reasons given when participants of a new “Plant-Based Foods” cooking class were asked why they were there. And me? Well, I was
DEB’S DAY OUT – Demystifying Plant-Based Cooking Read More »
by Joan Saunders – It’s February and our thoughts turn to … chocolate. This well-loved, bitter, rich, decadent, delicious ingredient is an extremely versatile kitchen staple as it can move from savoury to sweet, from main course to dessert. One of the best ways to show some love, whether it’s Valentine’s Day or not, is
FROM THE KITCHEN – Show Some Love Read More »
