When asked about a typical family recipe, I’d have to say stir-fry. I don’t know how my father learned to make it. He has never been to China, but somehow for as long as I remember, my father has been making these tasty and healthy meal that could be made in no time whatsoever. It was such a typical recipe and I later asked him to teach me to make stir fry. Of course, I make it for my family and it is always a favourite of ours.
Visiting my closest friend in Hamilton, Ontario, our four boys played until exhaustion. And then some more. We were all starving and she whipped up the best vegetarian chili I’d ever had.
One of my favourite cities in the world is NOLA, the beignet capital of the world. While you can get different flavours and spice mixes in just about every restaurant, jambalaya universally contains okra. We planted okra in our garden last summer, and very quickly, New Orleans jambalaya became a mealtime favourite.
After just returning from the Philippines, and having traveled to several countries less fortunate than Canada over the past few years, I can’t stop thinking about the effect of food on the health of a community. In Liberia, for instance, citizens had access to potatoes, fish, coconuts and chicken but scarcely few fruits and vegetables. Last week in the Philippines I witnessed intense poverty, but the prevalence of fruit trees, rice fields (photo below) and meats made the communities far less taxed and happier. Even in our thriving country of Canada, we have some severe food shortages. From now on, we should think about how to ‘feed it forward’.
It is always a challenge to get kids involved in meal preparation but we encourage you to turn off the tech and make some beautiful memories in the kitchen with your loved ones. Food is always a huge part of any family tradition, and involving the kids in the kitchen will teach them life skills as well as cutting down your chores. Especially during the busy winter months with short days, snowy activities and homework, mom and dad need all the help you can get.
As you will see in the video – the whole family is ill right now! This Greek Lemon Chicken Soup is a nourishing, delicate recipe that punches with flavour and hopefully makes everyone in my house better! This recipe calls for couscous, but you can replace this with quinoa, orzo or larger-format Israeli couscous.
I call this recipe ‘secret’ because it is just so good. It’s my ‘secret weapon’ when I forget I’ve invited people for dinner and haven’t had time to cook anything spectacular, so I pull this from the freezer and douse a bit more wine on top as it bubbles away in a favourite Le Creuset casserole.
Just over ten years ago I moved from Ontario to British Columbia. In addition to the three hour time change and milder climate, I was baffled that prices could be so different in the two provinces. Fitness studios, manicures and spas are a much better value on the west coast, but life’s staples are considerably more expensive. It’s not just the million dollar teardown homes that blow family budgets, but gas and groceries take a huge dent out of monthly paychecks compared to what the family spent in Ontario.
What could possibly be better than spending Valentine’s Day in a fabulous restaurant while also giving to kids’ charities? HEART SHAPED PIZZA!
Yes – it’s back!
On February 14th for one day only (take-out, delivery or the best option – while dining in) at Boston Pizza, small and medium sized gourmet or create-your own pizzas will exude more love than usual. And this love moves farther afield than just the grins and memories your family is creating on Valentine’s Day.
One dollar from every heart-shaped pizza sold on February 14th supports Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects, which is committed to connecting kids with role models in their communities to ensure they have a bright future.
Boston Pizza hopes to raise at least $520,000 for Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects with the 2016 Valentine’s Day heart-shaped pizza program.
As parents, we know that it takes a committed community to raise a child. Watching my own kids develop, I count our blessings daily. We have health, lots of friends willing to lend a hand, and many ‘Aunt’ or ‘Uncle’ figures that guide and mentor, providing advice and perspectives for situations that arise. We are very lucky, and many children out there have none of the positive influences that have surrounded my family. It’s therefore crucial for me to support Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects. The Foundation partners with organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters, JDRF, Kids Help Phone, Live Different, the Rick Hansen Foundation and other programs that mentor kids to reach their full potential.
As well, from now to February 14, patrons can also purchase a Boston Pizza ‘Peel and Win Heart’ for a minimum donation of $2 where everyone will have the chance to win either $2 off dessert, $5 off $25 on Takeout and Delivery, a free starter, Panookie or Flatbread Pizzatizer. They just keep giving!
So make a date with your family at Boston Pizza to review their mail bag filled with school Valentines, and maybe while you’re there you can send a few heart-shaped pizzas to the people who bestow kindness on your family. After all, you can’t send heart-shaped flowers that also pack a punch in the charity department too!
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions are our own.
The words ‘Super Bowl’ brings a lot of things to mind. Aside from the obvious, football, I always think of gatherings, friends, and incredible food. While some foods are classic football party fare and will never go out of style, sometimes a little menu reinvention is necessary. A staple in our house, chowder is a weekly request during the cold winter months. Paired with a thick crusty bread for dipping, this recipe often needs doubling as even my 9 year old goes back for extra heaping servings! This recipe is easily tweaked for clam or shrimp lovers, too.