April 1, 2017
So this morning I am off to begin a 30 day yoga challenge at Moksha Yoga across the street. What am I getting myself into? Can I even hold any of the yoga positions? I am better at hiking, walking, swimming and leisure biking occasionally (not to mention lunching) but my friend suggested we do it and I took her up on it. Granted, it’s good to surprise your body/muscles as they can get used... View Article
March 27, 2017
The last couple of weeks have been busy with food events and other local activities. First was the International women’s Day dinner organized by local chef Aman Dosanj. You can read about here. Next, our “foodie crew” attended a cooking class at Mission Hill Winery, the Tuscan-like sprawling estate on top of the hill overlooking the Okanagan lake. Recently,Vancouver Magazine declared the winery “the anchor piece of architecture in the entire Valley”, and for good reason.... View Article
March 19, 2017
Cooking with beans in Mexico is a different experience than cooking beans at home. Even the dry beans you buy at the local Mexican supermarket are more fresh and cook in no time. I still soak them in water for a few hours but this is only because old habits die hard. We have had a few bowls of black bean soup throughout the Yucatan over the last few years and they are quite delicious.... View Article
March 17, 2017
What and Why International Women’s Day was special this year in Kelowna. With the hashtag #BEBOLDFORCHANGE women around the world gathered to celebrate social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women by holding various events and raising money to better their communities and beyond. Here in Kelowna a limited number of lucky guests were treated to a memorable dinner to celebrate women and forge a better, more gender inclusive world. Fittingly, the proceeds from our... View Article
March 12, 2017
We have been back at home for about a week and I am slowly getting back to my routine. We have even bundled up and went for a long walk in the snowy weather, braving the icy footpath. It felt great, especially stopping for an espresso at one of my favourite Italian cafes. I like to have a reward for my efforts and even a simple walk can be turned into an “event”. My health... View Article
March 8, 2017
It’s good to be back in my kitchen after three months away. We came back from visiting first the Mayan Riviera and then Central America where the weather was warm and sunny, only to face the last of the snow and cool temperatures of latitude 50° at home. For some strange reason it makes me feel better knowing that the Champagne region in France is also at the same latitude. Ahhh, champagne. The first adjustment... View Article
January 31, 2017
Fennel is a perfect for winter salads and it pairs beautifully with citrus fruits that are also in season during the winter. Orange and fennel is a classic combination but I like the extra tang of a grapefruit with it as well, lightly sweetened with a drizzle of honey and the crunch of candied nuts. Slice the fennel thinly with a mandolin and chop up the fennel fronds to use in the salad as well.... View Article
January 30, 2017
Potato salads are one of my favourite foods. I mostly make them in the summer but sometimes if I find nice potatoes I make them regardless of the season. For this recipe I found smallish red skin potatoes that worked perfectly in this salad. I steamed them over boiling water, then sliced them into rounds and drizzled the oil over while they were still warm. I then drizzled a couple of tablespoons of the vinegar... View Article
January 18, 2017
Salads are always welcome as part of lunch or dinner, and sometimes they make lunch or dinner. This is a refreshing winter salad incorporating the segments and juice of a pink grapefruit into both the salad and the dressing. The salad itself is a blend of winter vegetables and greens, meaning it does not call for tender summer salad leaves but rather for sturdier vegetables like green and red cabbage, romaine, red peppers, celery, carrots... View Article
January 16, 2017
The weather down here on the Mayan Riviera has been unusually cooler, still in the 20s but a lot of warm tropical rain and clouds. Fittingly, soup was on the menu this week to go with a shredded green salad with citrus vinaigrette. Both were quite delicious so I thought I’d share them on the blog. Salad in the next post. I find that dried beans that I buy here cook much faster than the... View Article
January 14, 2017
As much as I enjoy going out for breakfast at one of the beautiful beach restaurants in this area, once in a while I have to put my cooking skills to use and make something at home other than the routine oatmeal that I usually “have to have”. Chilaquiles, a classic Mexican breakfast dish, is one of my favourite Mexican style breakfasts. Although it is seemingly a quick dish to make, it is composed of... View Article
January 11, 2017
Sometimes I just crave this soup but to get the one that satisfies my craving I have to make it at home. It’s really quite a simple soup to make, you just need the patience to brown the onions slowly so the soup has the characteristic rich caramelized flavour. You finish the soup in the oven with grilled bread and plenty of cheese that melts and gives the soup the unique topping that one cannot... View Article
