Food Day Canada with Home Economist Mairlyn Smith

celebrateWe’ve paired up with Food Day Canada® to celebrate amazing Canadian grown ingredients.

All across Canada you will find some of the most amazing ingredients and at no time is the harvest more spectacular than in July and August.

Let us introduce you to Professional Home Economist Mairlyn Smith who has West Coast in her blood but lives in Eastern air.

After speaking with Mairlyn, I wanted to sit in her backyard, have a cup of tea, plan a menu, go to a market and then ‘play’ in her kitchen to create a sensational meal!  Of course with a glass of wine!

#OCanadaFood with Professional Home Economist Mairlyn Smith

Mairlyn Smith | www.canolaeatwell.comIf I had to describe Mairlyn Smith in one word, it would be vivacious!  She delivers knowledge and information with unparalleled enthusiasm, passion and humour.  As the only Professional Home Economist in the world who is also a an alumnus of the Second City Comedy Troupe, her humour flows like wine.

Her interest and passion for food started at age four.  Her mom invited her into the kitchen to make brownies.  “It was just one of those mixes.”  She couldn’t believe how you could blend all those ingredients and create something so good. “It was magical!”  As a teenager she loved to cook and experiment in the kitchen.  This love has never waned.

Why is Mairlyn so passionate about Canadian food?

Growing up on the west coast her family ate plenty of salmon, vegetables, fruits, mushrooms – local food and produce from their garden. “We were so healthy.”  Mairlyn is very proud to be Canadian and “loves our huge, wonderful country”.

She is an ardent supporter of eating seasonally, local grown Canadian food.  Why?

  • It tastes better
  • It supports those who live here.
  • It is good for our environment, our economy, our health.
  • It is the right thing to do.

What are her favourite Canadian foods?

  • Salmon
  • Asparagus
  • Barley
  • Naked (hulless) oats
  • Berries – strawberries, blueberries, raspberries …
  • Scallops
  • Lobster
  • Beans/pulses
  • Mushrooms
  • IÖGO yogurt

These lesser-known Canadian products, which pack a powerful nutritional punch, are also incorporated into her diet:

  • Dulse (seaweed)
  • Hemp-hearts
  • Flaxseed
  • Cold-pressed Canola oil
  • Oat bran
  • Pulses
  • Dried blueberries/cranberries

 Mairlyn’s Message to Canadians:

To live a fabulous life, get into the kitchen, choose Canadian ingredients, experiment, have fun and live an active lifestyle.  “Peace, love and fibre!”

To be inspired, entertained and learn, check out Mairlyn’s website at www.mairlynsmith.com Follow her Facebook or Twitter at @MairlynSmith

#OCanadaFood Challenge: Celebrate Canada’s Amazing Ingredients!

twitter-party

Food Day Canada® and Canola Eat Well are challenging Canadians to cook all-Canadian menus starting July 16th leading up to Food Day Canada, August 2nd. Through social media, @CanolaGrowers and @FoodDayCanada will be asking Canadians to post photos of their #OCanadaFood. 

Tag & Win!  Tag your photo on Twitter with #OCanadaFood between July 16th and August 2nd and be entered to win a prize pack (valued at $100) from Canola Eat Well.

The Guidelines:  The ingredients must be Canadian grown and harvested.  If there are accompanying beverages, they also must be Canadian in origin.

Join the Twitter Party! Join Canadian chefs, farmers, home cooks and food lovers, Tuesday, July 29th from 8pm – 9pm EST. RSVP to receive reminders for the event! Participate in the #OCanadaFood Twitter Party and be entered to win 1 of 2 prize packs (valued at $100 each) from Canola Eat Well.

What are you waiting for? Find Canadian ingredients at your local grocery store or farmers markets, harvest your garden, grab your canola oil and get cooking!

Eat Well…Sandi Knight

Sandi Knight | www.canolaeatwell.comSandi Knight is a farm wife and mom of two grown children who is passionate about agriculture, food, cooking and gardening.

She believes one of the keys to a healthy, balanced lifestyle is by making the kitchen not only a place to create nutritious, flavourful meals but also by making it a place a dance!

Check These Out!