Wanderlust and Words

I began writing about food that was good, clean, fair – and local – in 2010 when I visited Victoria, BC, and was so impressed by the Island’s emphasis on local food. I wanted to explore what was happening in that area in Saskatoon and began interviewing and writing about Saskatoon food businesses and entrepreneurs. The first issue of Flavourful Saskatoon was published 10 years ago on February 17, 2011. That’s a long time and I’m ready to expand my scope. I’ll always care passionately about supporting local farmers and food businesses, but I want to share with you some of my other interests.  I’m a writer and an introvert so please consider these weekly postings as my conversation with you. They’ll cover an assortment of topics from art and books to food and travel. I hope you will enjoy it, but I also appreciate that I have changed my focus and some of you will no longer be interested – and that’s okay. And don’t worry – as you’ll see from today’s post, there will still be lots of ...

Local News  The first episode of Jenn Sharp’s Flat Out Food docuseries launches on Feb. 24 on Citytv.  In the Garden  A California teenager has helped install seed libraries in all 50 states .  In the Grocery Store  Alicia Kennedy explains why she only eats natural peanut butter . The addition of palm oil or hydrogenated vegetable oil in standard peanut butter is convenient because it prevents separation and extends shelf life, but it is environmentally unsustainable: “What we take from the planet and don’t give back has consequences, even when we’re talking about something as seemingly trivial, as seemingly classed, as peanut butter. These small choices, these differences of a dollar or two, are meaningful.”  I’m a huge fan of beans as a cheap, sustainable source of protein, so I’m delighted to discover Slow Beans , a group of Slow Food bean farmers who are dedicated to safeguarding legumes as an agricultural priority and increasing their consumption....

“The mind is like an umbrella – it functions best when open.” – Walter Gropius   Local News    There’ll be an old-time outdoor dance at the Saskatoon Farmers’ Market from 12-2 pm , Feb. 13 and 20 .  Longing for bagels and cream cheese? Check out The Bagel Shop at 200 Avenue B South (old location of Little Bird Patisserie). I’ve heard it’s owned by the group that also operates Congress Beerhouse and a few other Saskatoon restaurants. It may be winter, but Our Farm is still providing Saskatoon with fresh, organic greens. You can pick up their microgreens at Dad’s Organic Market or enjoy during a meal at Calories or Citizen Café.  I was so sorry to hear that Collective Coffee ’s last day of business will be Feb. 28, 10 years after they opened in 2011.  It’s winter, we’re in the midst of a pandemic, and there are so many hungry people in Saskatoon. I donate on a regular basis to both the Saskatoon Food Bank and Food Not Bombs Saskatoon . Here are some ot...

Welcome to February! The days are a little longer and winter is a little bit shorter. My Christmas cactus is flowering and there are buds on 5 of my amaryllis. Long live sunshine and flowers! If you’re busy perusing seed catalogues, why not consider growing spices , such as dill, fennel, or mustard?  Local News  The Forest Grove Free Food Donation Box is one family’s attempt to address hunger in Saskatoon .  I’m not dining out at the moment, but that doesn’t stop me supporting local businesses. I highly recommend the pecan pie brownies from Prairie Ink , the black bean and lime sandwich from Earth Bound Bakery & Kitchen , and the citrus cardamom buns from Sparrow .  Food Trends   The thought that goes into developing new food products is quite astonishing. Here are two articles about future food trends based on flavour and colour . People are looking for adventure, travelling the world through their taste buds and there will be an increased desire for exoti...