Country Grocer Friends and Family Summer 2016

Country Grocer’s quarterly food and lifestyle magazine

Friends& Family Summer 2016 | Complimentary

CYCLE FOR LIFE

Riding for hospice care

Sun-sational Sunfest

GREAT SUMMER GRILLING Tips and tricks for the grill

Country greats in Lake Cowichan www.countrygrocer.com

w

Norwegian Gold is the BEST way!

SUPER CRITICAL OMEGA

ULTRA EPA OMEGA

• Supports

• Fights

• Lowers cholesterol • Promotes

• Helps arthritis

heart health

mood balance

When it comes to choosing a fish oil for you and your family,

QUALITY COUNTS.

inflammation and joint pain

• Lowers triglycerides

TRUE 3rd Party certified for purity, potency and sustainability

ON SALE

until Oct 1st, 2016

To learn more about Norwegian Gold fish oils, please visit www.renewlife.ca 2 » Friends&Family » Summer 2016 | countrygrocer.com

A sunny summer welcome

IN THIS ISSUE

SUNFEST Sun-sational summer festival has new digs in Lake Cowichan

Summer is here and it’s one of our favourite seasons of the year!

10

4

From barbecues and beaches, to camping and concert festivals – summer is an PETER CAVIN, DIRECTOR, opportunity to COUNTRY GROCER enjoy time with family and friends, plus all our beautiful Island has to offer.

Among the many initiatives we have happening at Country Grocer this summer is fundraising for Cycle of Life Tour to benefit hospice care on the Island. Once again, we’re proud to have team members joining this year’s ride. Read more about the tour and our fundraising efforts on page 4. And a big thank you to Chef Michael Williams for cooking a deliciously healthy dinner and breakfast for the riders.

Coming July 17, we welcome the Women’s Ride Day to Cobble Hill to benefit women in need. Learn more about this exciting event on page 26, or visit www.canadianwomensrideday.com.

And at the end of July we welcome Sunfest to the town of Lake Cowichan. Our Lake Cowichan store is gearing up for all the new visitors and a weekend full of fantastic music. Hope to see you there!

We hope you enjoy the summer edition. If you have any story ideas, please feel free to email us at marketing@countrygrocer.com Peter Cavin

CYCLE OF LIFE Ride for hospice care

SUMMER GRILLING

14

> RECIPES – PAGE 12: Homemade Sausage Rolls Editor Jennifer Blyth

jblyth@telus.net

Group Publisher

Penny Sakamoto psakamoto@blackpress.ca

Cashew & Quinoa Stuffed Peppers

Chocolate Avocado Pudding

Sales Patty Doering pdoering@vicnews.com Circulation

250-360-0817

Associate Group Publisher

Oliver Sommer osommer@blackpress.ca

www.blackpress.ca 818 Broughton Street, Victoria, BC V8W 1E4 Phone 250-381-3484 Friends & Family magazine is published quarterly by Country Grocer and Black Press. The points of view or opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher of Friends & Family. The contents of Friends & Family magazine are protected by copyright, including the designed advertising. Reproduction is prohibited without written consent of the publisher.

Friends&Family » Summer 2016 | countrygrocer.com » 3

Island cycles for hospice care Country Grocer Spinners join Cycle of Life Tour to raise funds and awareness for hospice

Dave Hubscher and Bill Peppy lead the Country Grocer Spinners on this year’s Cycle of Life Ride for Hospice

JENNIFER BLYTH PHOTO

JENNIFER BLYTH The Country Grocer Spinners join cyclists from across the Island this July, putting foot to pedal to aid end-of-life care and bereavement support for families.

The team is once again training for the annual Cycle of Life Tour, a 200-kilometre ride through scenic southern Vancouver Island that raises money and awareness for the invaluable hospice care provided in local communities. Hospice services include essential end-of-life palliative care, counselling, bereavement support and at-home patient care.

Founded four years ago by Victoria’s Graham Robertson and Beth Turner, on July 23 and 24, the Cycle of Life welcomes 60 riders for an unforgettable cycle tour experience to help keep Vancouver Island Hospice Care in motion. With participation once again sold out, the tour ventures through the beautiful Saanich Inlet, Cowichan Valley and Gulf Islands and includes an overnight stay on Salt Spring Island.

Tents are set up for cyclists’ arrival, with hot showers and cold drinks at the ready, along with live entertainment and a hearty dinner and breakfast cooked by Country Grocer chef Michael Williams.

“Community events like the Cycle of Life Tour simply could not happen without the generous support of our sponsors,” says Tom Arnold, Director of Fund Development at Victoria Hospice.

“We rely on our community – our incredible donors and tireless volunteers – to fulfill our mission: to provide quality end-of-life care for all. Donations fund almost half of Victoria Hospice’s annual operating costs and are critical for the ongoing operation of programs for patients and families and for education and research. Last year Victoria Hospice raised more than $3 million dollars, a remarkable accomplishment made possible by community events like the Cycle of Life Tour.”

Heading the Country Grocer team again this year are

HERITAGE HOUSE

Independent Supportive Living for Seniors Independent living in a friendly and cosy facility with only ten suites ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

Spacious bedsitting rooms Private bathrooms Common dining room Three meals a day Morning coffee and afternoon tea

To view by appointment please call Teejay between 10am - 5pm, Mon - Fri. 250-381-5243

✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

Light housekeeping Laundry facilities Non-smoking building Wi-Fi, hydro and basic cable included

SOUTH ISLAND

Property Management Ltd.

507 Government Street, Victoria BC, V8V 2L6

4 » Friends&Family » Summer 2016 | countrygrocer.com

Meat Operations Manager Dave Hubscher and Bakery Operations Manager Bill Peppy.

“I originally signed up last year as I thought it would be a great motivational thing, but soon realized what a great cause it was as well,” says Dave, who took advantage of a spring trip to Italy to get a jump on his training. “I really didn’t know much about hospice, but I was soon filled in and was amazed how many people around they’ve already touched.

Hospice care provides end-of“I’m very happy that life care focused on palliative Country Grocer is part of treatment. Hospice services it again and happy to ride across the Island rely heavily for this great cause,” Dave on community donations and says. events like the Cycle of Life Tour In addition to the $100 to continue providing care and registration fee, participants comfort for dying patients and must raise at least $500 in their families. pledges, and thanks to generous sponsors, every dollar Hospice staff and volunteers raised stays on Vancouver work to address the needs of Island to support local hosthe bereaved as well as those pices, note organizers from of the dying, offering emotional, Victoria Hospice, honoured psychological or spiritual support to take on the organization using a variety of programs of the Cycle of Life Tour geared to all age groups. and continue the legacy

started by Graham and Beth.

“It’s just an unbelievable experience,”says Bill, an avid cyclist.

“The people who organize it and the passion they have for hospice care, it’s just a great cause and I’ll keep riding and doing these things as long as I can.”

To donate to the Country Grocer Spinners’ Cycle of Life fundraising, or learn how you can volunteer, visit www.cycleoflifetour.ca.

Did you know?

The Cycle of Life Tour supports Vancouver Island’s hospices: • Victoria Hospice Society • Salt Spring Island Hospice Society (Bessie Dane) • Sooke Hospice Society • Cowichan Valley Hospice Society • Nanaimo Community Hospice Society • Oceanside Hospice Society (Parksville/Qualicum) • Alberni Valley Hospice Society • Pacific Rim Hospice (Tofino/Ucluelet) • Campbell River Hospice Society • Comox Valley Hospice Society

CHIC® Liquid Vinyl SYSTEM CHIC Liquid Vinyl is not a paint but a revolutionary coating system engineered to provide a beautiful and extremely durable finish that acts like a shield of armour protecting your walls from the elements.

With thousands of colours to choose from, CHIC® is proven protection for all kinds of stucco, masonry, wood & composite siding.

• Weatherproof • Low Maintenance • Repairs Cracks • Highly Breathable • Low Carbon Footprint

www.liquidvinylsystem.com

Residential & Commercial Applications

Victoria 250-858-6308 • Nanaimo 250-740-5225 6 » Friends&Family » Summer 2016 | countrygrocer.com

Nancy Vieira

Call Nancy Direct (250)514-4750 for Victoria & Southern Vancouver Island wL

$162,000 1 bed / 1 bath 1 acre in a prime location.

TC-1 (Tourism Commercial-One)

DUNCAN $165,000 Building Lot on 1.40 Acres Walk To Beach! Allows mobile or home.

Ne

wL

SOOKE

ng

$445,000 3 bed / 3 bath Unique renovated heritage house on .99 acre backing onto a forest & stream.

isti

ng

$449,900. 10 Acres with panoramic ocean and mountain views. Road access to site and drilled well.

EAST SOOKE

$930.000 11 acres zone fo 4 houses! Private oceanfront, Cove with beach.

$339,900 4 bed / Fullly fenced .20 acre w finished basement with s

$988,000 Revenue oceanfront property, forested acre with cove. Three rental units in private 3 storey home and boathouse (cabin) with lovely views of Sooke Basin.

$458,000 4 bed / 3 bath. Private level entry home with full walk out basement on beautifully landscaped & very sunny ocean view home on 2.51 acres. Plus Huge 30'x26' shop, dog run, and pond. Municipal Water.

$498,000 ALR RI level 65 ACRES on G located on Southern Van

$600,000 7.42 Acre, breathtaking wild coast Virtual tourswest at www.nancyvieira.com oceanfront lot info@nancyvieira.com on the tip of de Fuca Strait, TollJuan Free 1.800.665.5303 on the SW coast $930,000 3 bed / Victoria 250.384.8124 of Vancouver Island 11 acres zoned for 4 h West Shore 250.478.9141 oceanfront, Cove w

SOOKE

PORT RENFREW

SOOKE $479,900 4 bed/3 bath Over 3000 sq.ft. on 4 levels!

Amazing Ocean Views!

EAST SOOKE

LD

isti

SOOKE Ne

SO

$364,900 3 bed/3 bath with views. Upper Legal Half Duplex (two storey). Private backyard. Top two floors. 1 left. NO FEES.

$249,000 Lot 3 Mark Lane Ocean view Building Lot in beautiful Willis Point area.

3 RESIDENCES

TY

$225,000 2 bed / 2 bath Ocean & Mtn Views from this well located home. Walk to beach or store!

CENTRAL SAANICH

wL

$199,900 2 bed Private view deck to enjo Elevator. Top F

PORT RENFREW

$444,900 4 bed / 2 bath Privacy plus on .36 acre. 2192 sq ft creekside home with beautiful views.

SOOKE

PORT RENFREW

SOOKE

ng

FRENCH BEACH

isti

PORT RENFREW

Ne

Sooke 250.642.3240 Duncan 250.746.8123

$1,8 Damali

Indulgences Fab focaccia

Throw something a little different on the barbie this summer with Country Grocer’s own made-in-house focaccia bread. With a host of fresh flavours, including jalapeño peppers, olives and feta cheese, you’re sure to find a variety to tempt your taste buds ... especially warmed on the grill!

Belmont burgers

Belmont Meats has added a twist to the pre-made burger selection with their juicy prime rib burgers, quick and easy for those busy nights when you don’t have time to make it from scratch. Look for them in the meat department freezer, where you’ll also find sirloin and Angus beef varieties.

Say cheese!

Enjoy a taste of the old country with this delicious selection of cheeses produced and packaged in the UK. Among the deli department’s tasty favourites are Red Leicester, Dubliner and Cheshire...perfect for summer sandwiches or on their own.

Your Lakeside Resort in the City!

Your Lakeside Resort in the City!

TOLL FREE 1.800.565.1144 4700 N. ISLAND HWY (19A) PHONE 250.758.1144

WWW.INNONLONGLAKE.COM Your Lakeside Resort in the City!

TOLL FREE 1.800.565.1144

NANAIMO V9T 1W6 TOLL FREEB.C. 1.800.565.1144 PHONE 250.758.1144

4700 N. ISLAND HWY (19A) NANAIMO B.C. V9T 1W6

FOLLOW US ON

4700 N. ISLAND HWY (19A)

250.758.1144 NANAIMO B.C. V9T2016 1W6 | countrygrocer.com 8 PHONE » Friends&Family » Summer

WWW.INNONLONGLAKE.COM

FOLLOW US ON

WHAT’S IN STORE Cheer for BC cherries

When it comes to cherry season, it’s only the best from British Columbia for Country Grocer.

Thanks to this season’s sunny, warm weather, you’ll find a bumper crop of the sweet, juicy fruit waiting in the produce aisles from Oliver, BC’s Okanagan Harvest. Enjoy!

Coffee for one

Sample a wide array of warm beverages with these single-serve pods compatible with the K-Cup systems. Flavours include French vanilla, French roast and dark roast coffees, English toffee and hazelnut cream...plus some varieties that are 100 per cent biodegradable to reduce the waste. Perfect for lazy mornings on the patio.

Nourishing nosh

Stave off between-meal hunger with a yummy new Special K Nourish bar.

Crafted with wholesome ingredients into tempting gluten-free flavours including dark chocolate and almond, and cranberry and almond, there’s a lot to like but no artificial colours or flavours.

FOR ALL YOUR FIREPLACE NEEDS

WOOD • GAS • ELECTRIC

Come see our new Gas & Wood Showroom!

LOCALLY MADE

SHOWROOM OPEN: MON-FRI 9AM - 4:30PM & SAT 10AM-4:00PM • 2189 Keating X Road • 250-544-6769 • warmupyourlife.com

Friends&Family » Summer 2016 | countrygrocer.com » 9

PHOTO BY BARRY CALHOUN

Sunfest

sets down roots in Lake Cowichan

JENNIFER BLYTH

The town of Lake Cowichan will more than double in population July 28 to 31, all in the name of good music.

And that’s in addition to the regular summer visitors and those venturing into the valley for the day for this year’s Sunfest country music extravaganza.

The town of about 6,000 permanent residents will welcome an estimated 7,000 to 9,000 campers to the Sunfest site, in addition to the same amount of visitors travelling to the community for a single day of music. Some 40,000 “person days” in all are expected over the four days, says Jenn Pollner, manager of the town’s Country Grocer store, who is helping the Cowichan Lake District Chamber of Commerce plan for the event.

After 15 years in the Duncan area, Sunfest 2016 has acquired permanent digs in Lake Cowichan at the 172-acre Laketown Ranch. The move means increased capacity for parking and camping, improved reserved seating and a natural amphitheater concert bowl, set against a backdrop of beautiful natural scenery.

The permanent site also allows organizers to create infrastructure specially crafted for the event, state-of-the-art staging and production, a festival village and more.

The hugely popular event has grown from a two-day concert showcasing Canadian performers to a four-day extravaganza of world-class entertainment that strives to provide economic benefits to agriculture, social programs and the local economy.

Past headliners include the likes of Tim McGraw, Keith Urban and Alan Jackson. Among those joining American country superstars Carrie Underwood and Dierks Bentley on the Sunfest stage this year are Canadian music icon Dallas Smith, Chase Bryant, one of the “Top 10 Country Artists to Watch for 2015,” The Road Hammers, one of Canada’s highest-selling country trios, and High

10 » Friends&Family » Summer 2016 | countrygrocer.com

Valley, the brother duo of Brad and Curtis Rempel who blend bluegrass, classic country and pop.

The impact to Lake Cowichan itself is far greater than a weekend full of great music, and the town and business community will be throwing down the welcome mat for visitors, Jenn says.

The potential exposure for the region is significant as festival attendees come from as far away as Canada’s East Coast, throughout the US and overseas.

“Economically it’s the biggest thing to happen in 30 years, so we need to be prepared and put our best foot forward,” Jenn says.

With much of the music scheduled for later in the day, the Chamber of Commerce has planned a three-day festival in three local parks, featuring music, activities, not-for-profit booths and more, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. A farmers’ market will showcase the best of the region and then there’s the lake and river activities the community is known for, from leisurely tubing down the Cowichan River to boating on the lake.

With parking at a premium, buses will transport festival-goers between Laketown Ranch and the town, while day-trippers will find additional parking areas set aside. Several strategically located pop-up information stations will provide maps, visitor information and weekend itineraries.

Being the busiest weekend for the town already, local stores and restaurants are also in on the planning, with many – including Country Grocer – offering additional patio space to accommodate the influx of guests, Jenn says.

The Lake Cowichan Country Grocer, located near the entrance to town, will host a big outdoor barbecue with patio seating, in addition to a pop-up store at the Sunfest site, where campers can pick up all the essentials, along with a few ready-made items like sandwiches and fruit trays, Jenn says.

With the permanent site, Laketown Ranch also opens the doors to additional events, like the Legends Valley Music Festival Aug. 26 to 28, bringing the likes of Sublime with Rome, the Sheepdogs, Bif Naked, the Dirty Heads and more – visit www.legendsvalleymusicfestival.com for details.

“We’re going to be a new festival destination,” Jenn says.

PHOTO BY BREEZE PHOTOGRAPHY

SUNFEST STAR

Singer, songwriter and actress, Carrie Underwood rose to fame as the winner of the fourth season of American Idol in 2005. She has since become one of the most successful artists in any musical genre, and was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 2008 and the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in 2009. Her numerous music awards include seven Grammy Awards, 17 Billboard Music Awards, 11 Academy of Country Music Awards and nine American Music Awards.

GET YOUR TICKETS!

Sunfest tickets start at $75 for the Thursday kick-off to $699 for a full event VIP pass. A Saturday general admission ticket, which will get you in to see Carrie Underwood and others, is $125, while a Sunday pass – including Dierks Bentley, is $115. Learn more at sunfestconcerts.com.

* No MSG * No MSG * Gluten-Free * Gluten-Free ** Dairy-Free Dairy-Free * Naturally Naturally Smoked Smoked with with Hardwood Hardwood * Proudly Proudly Produced Produced Locally Locally On Vancouver Island

Onwww.hertelmeats.ca Vancouver Island www.hertelmeats.ca

Friends&Family » Summer 2016 | countrygrocer.com » 11

Gregg Eligh photos

RECIPES from Chef Michael

Homemade Sausage Rolls

Servings: about 16 sausage rolls Preparation Time: 30 minutes Cooking Time: 25 minutes Ingredients: 1 kg ground pork, beef or chicken 1 Tbsp. red pepper flakes 1 Tbsp. sea salt 1 heaping teaspoon ground cumin 1 heaping teaspoon ground coriander 4 cloves garlic, minced 3 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar ¾ cup bread crumbs (whole wheat if possible) 450g Gerard’s puff pastry, defrosted overnight in the fridge 1 egg, beaten Method: 1. Combine ground pork with chilli flakes, salt, cumin, coriander, garlic, vinegar and bread crumbs. I find mixing with your hands is the best way to incorporate everything evenly. It will take a minute or so of good mixing and kneading.

2. Now unroll the puff pastry on a floured work surface and then roll the sausage.

Aim for cylinders about an inch in diameter and the same width as the puff pastry.

3. Lay one of the sausage cylinders on top of the puff pastry close to one of the ends of the roll.

4. Roll the pastry over the sausage until it overlaps on itself slightly and make a mark. Unroll the pastry a little and cut it where you marked it.

5. Once cut, brush lightly with egg wash where the pastry overlaps and then roll back up again. Gently pinch together to prevent it from unrolling and then set the roll on a baking sheet so that it sits with the overlap down.

6. Repeat this process until all your sausage is used up. Leftover sausage can be used to make hamburger patties and left over puff pastry can be refrozen.

7. Brush all the rolls with egg wash, sprinkle with chilli powder and salt (if desired) and toss into the freezer for 30 minutes to firm them up.

8. If you want to serve them immediately, cut with a sharp knife into the desired size after chilling. Place on a baking tray with space between each roll and bake for about 25 minutes in a preheated 375°F oven.

9. Alternatively, leave the rolls in the freezer and once frozen, cut to size and keep them frozen in a freezer bag.

10. When you want to enjoy one, simply defrost for 30 minutes at room temp and then bake as per above.

Cashew & Quinoa Stuffed Peppers

Servings: 3 Preparation Time: 30 minutes Cooking Time: 25 minutes Ingredients: 3 large peppers, halved with seeds and veins removed 1 cup quinoa (dry, uncooked) 2 Tbsp. coconut oil 1 yellow onion, diced ½ cup raw cashews 1 bulb garlic, roasted 1 cup cherry or grape tomato, chopped 1 bunch green onion, sliced Olive oil Balsamic vinegar Sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste.

1 cup Balderson smoked cheddar, shredded Method: 1. Roast the garlic by cutting off the top to expose each clove, drizzle with oil and then bake at 350°F until nicely browned.

2. Cook the quinoa with a ratio of 2 parts water to 1 part quinoa. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat to minimum.

Simmer 10 minutes and then remove from the heat, leaving the lid on and let it sit for another 10 minutes.

3. Transfer the quinoa to a mixing bowl.

4. Preheat a large fry pan and then add the coconut oil and onions. Sauté until lightly browned and softened.

5. Crumble the cashews into the pan with your hands enough to break them up a little. Sauté for another couple of minutes and then transfer to the mixing bowl with the quinoa.

6. Squeeze the garlic out of the bulb, chop a little and also add to the mixing bowl along with the tomato, green onion, olive oil, balsamic, salt and pepper. Stir very will and give a taste. Adjust seasoning if necessary.

7. Stuff the quinoa mixture into the peppers, top with cheese and then bake in a 400°F. Bake for about 20 minutes until the cheese is melted and browned slightly and the peppers are softened.

8. Serve warm or room temperature and enjoy.

Variations: • Any leftover stuffing mixture can be eaten by itself as salad.

12 » Friends&Family » Summer 2016 | countrygrocer.com

Chocolate Avocado Pudding

Servings: 4 - 6 Preparation Time: 15 minutes Cooking Time: 5 minutes Ingredients: About 100g or 3 oz. semi-sweet dark chocolate (70 per cent cocoa or darker) 1/3 cup coconut milk (not light) 2 ripe but firm avocados 2 Tbsp. quality cocoa powder (optional) 2 Tbsp. unpasteurized honey (optional) Pinch of salt Method: 1. Chop the chocolate into small chunks and gently melt in a double boiler. I used three squares of Baker’s brand chocolate for this recipe and it worked well.

2. Once melted, take the chocolate off the stove and stir in the coconut milk until totally combined. Set aside for a moment.

3. Pit the avocados and then place them in a food processor and puree until nice and smooth. If you don’t have a food processor, you can mash the avocados by hand, but you will need to be thorough.

4. Add the cocoa powder for a double chocolate kick and if you have a sweet tooth, you may want the honey too, but both ingredients are optional. Finally, add the salt and thoroughly mix again until everything is incorporated. If mixing by hand, use a whisk at this point.

5. Now add the chocolate/coconut milk blend and once again mix thoroughly.

6. You can serve immediately or chill and serve later. If you decide to chill, the pudding is going to thicken up in the fridge as it gets cold. You may want to stir a quarter-cup of water into the pudding before chilling so it’s not too thick.

Variations: • Want a great chocolate icing for cupcakes or cake? Skip the water and chill and spread this on your dessert instead of the usual sugar jolt.

Industries & Foundry Ltd.

ALUMINUM • BRASS • BRONZE • IRON • Custom & Ornamental Casting • Pattern Making • Bronze Plaques Cemetery Markers • Date Plates • Production & Reproduction Work

103-1017 Dunford Rd, Victoria

250-474-0037 • 1-877-474-0037 • www.achinbackfoundry.com

CHEF MICHAEL WILLIAMS

The dreaded label…

AND HOW TO READ IT.

Choosing the most nutritious packaged foods can be a very confusing task.

Sometimes it’s as though you need a PhD in molecular biology just to understand if the ingredients are real food. Furthermore, glancing at the various packages in the aisle, the messaging thrown at you can seem overwhelming. Take one particular granola that will remain nameless. They offer a few different flavours, including a “light and crispy” offering. The package reads “30% less fat than our original.” Seems like a great way to save some calories, right?

Well, I compared the original to the light and things got confusing quickly. The serving size of the original is 2/3 of a cup, whereas the light was only 1/2 cup. Why on earth would they change the serving size? Well, the end result changes the nutritional value from 8g of fat in the original compared to 5g in the light. This is a big drop if you just glance at the info without looking closely, but I did the math and when you compare 1/2 cup to 1/2 cup (which makes a heck of lot more sense) it is actually 6g for the original compared to 5g for the light. Although the light is marginally lower in fat, it is not close to 30 per cent lower, and even worse is the fact that it’s actually higher in total calories because of an extra dose of sugar. The end result is the light will increase your calorie intake, making it not very light at all in my eyes. If you’re doing a side-by-side comparison, make sure it is apples to apples.

Terms like “natural,” can be applied to many foods and have very little factual mean-

Beehive

Dry Cleaners Same Day Service

ing. One package I read said that it was “free of preservatives” as well as being made with all natural ingredients. One of the ingredients used is “cultured celery extract.” Sounds healthy enough, only cultured celery extract is also known as nitrite which is a preservative.

Does this seem confusing?

Another coined term to watch out for is “sugar free” or “free of sugar.” Products labeled as such will usually have used either artificial sweeteners or juice concentrates in place of sugar to gain sweetness. I usually try to avoid ingredients such as Splenda, aspartame and the like due to much conflicting research on their health/side effects. As for fruit juice concentrates, I personally view them in the same category as sugar since just like sugar, they are highly processed and concentrated; meaning I try to consume them minimally.

“Made with real fruit” sounds like a nice and healthy attribute to a packaged food, right? The only problem is that there is no minimum percentage of real fruit needed in a product to be able to use this phrase on the package. Many products with “real fruit” will actually have sugar as their main ingredient for the filling and then add a little fruit concentrate for the “real fruit.” In some cases, the real fruit is not even the listed flavour on the package, so beware.

To make life easier, for those times you need to purchase pre-made product, I live by the mantra that if you can’t pronounce all the ingredients, it’s probably best to look for an alternative. Although this is not always

necessary, I feel it’s better to err on the side of caution than to consume some potentially harmful substance on a day-to-day basis. Take a look at your options and read all of the ingredients. If you’re seeing a list that is 16 ingredients long with a bunch of hard-to-pronounce words, there may be a better option out there. Also pay extra attention to those packages with the coined terms such as fat-free, sugar-free, all-natural, light, gluten-free, real fruit and the like.

Sometimes they’re just what they say, but often these terms are used to divert your attention. In the end, when you can take packages and pre-made foods out of the equation, you take the guess work out. The healthiest and most affordable course of action is to make as much of your food from scratch as possible and as usual, you’ll find lots of great recipes at countrygrocer.com to help, so get cookin!

Put Your Home in Our Hands

Put Your Home in Put Your Our Home in Hands Our Hands

111-2244 Sooke Road

250.474.1122

ENS! ST SCRE U J N A H MORE T We sell and install vinyl windows, solarium screens & replace broken sealed units.

FREE ESTIMATES

P NR Screens Ltd.

Call Tita 250-391-8484 Call 250-391-8484 for a free Rental Analysis for a free Rental Analysis

250-652-4612 • 6680 Mirah Rd. Saanichton

Friends&Family » Summer 2016 | countrygrocer.com » 13

BY THE NUMBERS

50

Years a tomato variety has been grown and re-grown via seed-saving to be considered heirloom.

Source: West Coast Seeds, www.westcoastseeds.com

“ Serving customers on Vancouver Island for 50 years and a proud partner of Country Grocer since 1999.”

Vanillablossom “We Bottle the Sun”

Get You rs Today

Pure Madagascar Vanilla Extracts and Pastes Try our PURE Madagascar Vanilla Bean Paste CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE RECIPE Ingredients: 1 Cup Butter, ¾ Cup Yellow Sugar ¾ Cup White Sugar, 2 Large Egg 1 Tsp Baking Soda dissolved in hot water 1 -375 gm package of semi – sweet chocolate chips 2 Tsp Vanillablossom Pure Madagascar Vanilla Extract, 2 ¼ Cups all purpose flour, 1 Tsp salt

1. Beat butter, yellow and white sugar until light and fluffy scraping sides of bowl as you go 2. Add 2 eggs and beat till creamy 3. Add baking soda and hot water mix 4. Add Vanillablossom Pure Madagascar Vanilla Extract 5. Gradually add flour and salt 6. Form balls of cookie dough between 1-2 “in diameter.

7. Bake @ 350 for 12 min or until golden brown on a greased cookie sheet.

Makes approximately 60 cookies at 3” diameter

1 Tbsp Vanilla Paste = 1 Vanilla Bean Great for home made Créme Brule, Custard or Ice Cream.

Vanillablossom

Saanichton, BC V8M 1Z8 250-893-9962 vanillablossom.com

14 » Friends&Family » Summer 2016 | countrygrocer.com

2.7

Length in meters a Pacific halibut can reach, weighing up to 300 kilograms.

Source: DFO, www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca

95 7 Percentage of Canadian cherries that are grown in B.C. Source: BC Cherry Association, bccherry.com

BILLION Number of hot dogs expected to be eaten in the US during “peak season,” from late May through Labour Day. Source: National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, www.hot-dog.org

215,000 Number of jobs the Canadian dairy industry supports in Canada.

Source: the Dairy Farmers of Canada

SUPPORT SUPPORT SUPPORT

LOCAL LOCAL get the freshest get the freshest products products get the freshest products

support local support local businesses businesses support local businesses

minimize the minimize the impact environmental environmental of your food minimize the impact

create jobs in of your food create jobs in environmental impact your community

your community create jobs in your community

of your food

learn more about

learn more about where your food where your food learn more about comes from comes from where your food comes from

look for forthe thelabel label look

look for the label BC Made BC Made BCOwned Owned BC

BC Made BC Owned

OrganicLand 2% Milk 1L OrganicLand UPC:2% 1-00001-00011-0 GR Milk 1L UPC: 1-00001-00011-0 GR

OrganicLand 2% Milk 1L Learn about Localize UPC:more 1-00001-00011-0 GR

localize score

9.7 9.7 10 10 9.7

localize score

localize score

10

more info

more info

more info

at localizeyourfood.com Learn more about Localize at localizeyourfood.com

Sensational summer foods New to the grill, or struggle to get the restaurant finish on your favourite cut?

We turned to the experts for their tips and techniques.

Canadian Beef offers a step-by-step guide to great grilling.

Start with grilling steak or medallions such as top sirloin, rib eye or strip loin or marinating cuts like inside round, cross rib or sirloin tip. Thick-cut steaks or medallions – “thick-cut single-serve steaks shaped to fit neatly on the plate” – will make it easier to get the doneness you like, from medium-rare to well-done, they note.

To season, simply rub a grilling steak all over with your favourite seasonings. For marinating, pierce medallions all over with fork, place in large sealable freezer bag with one cup (250 mL) of your favourite marinade and refrigerate for four to 12 hours, then discard marinade.

While you can also marinate grilling medallions for flavour if you like, keep the time to just 15 to 60 minutes.

Cook grilling steaks on medium-high heat, to desired doneness, turning twice or more during cooking. Marinating steaks and medallions are best cooked to medium doneness, they advise.

Open 7 days a week, 8am - 3pm All Day Breakfast & Lunch including vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options

250-590-2412

5325 Cordova Bay Road matticksfarm.com

Drive it.

Bike it.

Walk it.

Shop it.

call ahead for take out!

Pantone Dark Blue C C: 100% R: 0 M: 93% G: 37 Y: 6% B: 154 K: 3%

Pantone Cool Gray 11c C: 65% R: 85 M: 57% G: 85 Y: 52% B: 89 K: 29%

HEX: #00259a

HEX: #555559

16 » Friends&Family » Summer 2016 | countrygrocer.com

Fully Wheelchair & Stroller Accessible parking close by

Fully Licensed

serving local beer, cider, Caesar’s and specialty coffees!

101 - 1234 Esquimalt Road | 250-590-2412 www.sunnysidecafe.ca | Sunnyside Cafe Esquimalt

Don’t know if your steak is “done”? When you think it’s close to ready, insert a digital rapid-read thermometer sideways into steak to know how well it’s done.

A meat thermometer is also the best way to avoid one of those common chicken grilling mistakes: overcooking.

“Because grilling is so much quicker, it’s easy to overcook your chicken,” note the pros from the Chicken Farmers of Canada at chicken.ca. “Using a food thermometer is the smartest way to ensure your chicken is grilled to perfection. Not only is it the most precise way to tell if your chicken is done, it’s the best way to know that it’s safe to eat.”

Insert the thermometer probe into the middle of the thickest part of the meat (not touching any bones) and check for an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for cuts, 180°F (82°C) for a whole chicken. If cooking more than one piece of chicken, be sure to check each piece separately.

Some say, “This is the world’s best hummingbird feeder.”

hummingbird HIGH PERCH™

FEEDER

It’s the new High Perch™ for unobstructed view of the birds.

Now in 4 sizes 4 oz., 8 oz., 12 oz. and 16 oz.

• Lifetime Guarantee • Easy to Clean • Ant-Moat - Blocks • Made in U.S.A. Crawling Insects • Bee and Wasp Resistant 3631 Shelbourne Plaza • 250-595-3595

RECEIVE AN ADDED

$

100OFF with this AD With the purchase of 2 or more appliances only!

Lansdowne

APPLIANCE GALLERY Serving Victoria for over 25 years.

2517 Douglas St, (At Bay), Victoria • 250-383-1275 We service all makes of major appliances in your home with certified trained technicians.

Friends&Family » Summer 2016 | countrygrocer.com » 17

Looking for someone to act for you in your senior years?

• 42 years a lawyer • Compassion & integrity • Preparation of wills, representation agreements, power of attorney and health care agreements • Probate and estate processing including sale of estate goods • Will look after provision for your present health care needs or property management • Financial planning resources

F. Kenneth Walton Law Corporation

250-595-5368 Victoria BC

• Willing to accept appointment as executor of your will or as an attorney under a power of attorney or representation agreement • Will attend at your home • Will do estate court cases

Call me for a free consultation

250-595-5368

Insuring peace of mind for over 40 years

Cooking with the lid up is another common mistake that prevents chicken from cooking evenly. Keep the lid open when lighting the grill, but keep it down while cooking. “Often grillers will cook with the heat on high to compensate for the heat lost from an open grill, using more energy and burning the chicken’s skin before the flesh cooks. Instead, always grill with the lid on and the heat hovering around medium. Then, rather than keeping watch on the open grill, only lift the lid long enough to use a food thermometer to check the doneness of chicken.”

For more information, tips and recipes, visit www.beefinfo.org and chicken.ca.

Don’t forget the extras

After you’ve picked out your protein of choice from the Country Grocer meat department, head over to the produce section for these barbecue-ready potatoes. Choose foil-wrapped bakers for the barbie or campfire, or, if the grill’s full, opt for flavoured baby potatoes from the Little Potato Company that will cook up in no time in the microwave.

Duck into a new meat

Country Grocer Meat Operations Manager Dave Hubscher has something a little different for home grillers to try this summer: ground duck meat.

A new Canadian product from Brome Lake Ducks, try the versatile ground meat in place of ground beef, where “its unique and appealing flavour will add character and originality to your favourite recipes,” the company suggests.

Try it in a sensational summer burger, or, for something a little lighter, Dave cooked it up in a frying pan with a few favourite spices, and added it to some spinach and mayo for a basic – but yummy – wrap.

Looking ahead to fall’s comfort food requests, try it in your favourite moussaka or meatloaf recipes, or to give meat pies or shepherd’s pie an all-new twist.

The all-natural, preservative-free lean ground duck meat is frozen immediately after cutting to retain its freshness and includes only duck breast and duck fat.

The Rockhound Shop Rock Polishers Jewelry Tools Stone Beads Jewelry Making Supplies

Christie-Phoenix (Victoria) Insurance Brokers 101-4430 W Saanich Rd, Victoria T 250-386-1454 F 250-386-0604 www.christiephoenix.com

18 » Friends&Family » Summer 2016 | countrygrocer.com

Open Tuesday thru Saturday 777 Cloverdale Avenue •

250-475-2080

www.rockhoundshop.com

Quality & Durability backed Quality Durability backed Quality &&Durability backed Quality Durability backed by a Full&Lifetime Warranty aFull FullLifetime Lifetime Warranty by aaFull Warranty byby Lifetime Warranty At Milgard, we stand behind every window and patio door we build with our Full Lifetime Warranty.

Our window promises that and we will repair replace any defective window, At Milgard, we standwarranty behind every window patio doororwe build with our Full Lifetime door or skylight free of cost to thepromises original homeowner—parts and laborany defective window, Warranty.

Our window warranty that we will repair or replace AtAtMilgard, wewestand behind every window and patio wewebuild with Milgard, stand behind every window and patiodoor door build withour ourFull FullLifetime Lifetime included. sure to askofthe professionals at S B Windows And Doors door orBe skylight free cost to the original homeowner—parts andfor labor Warranty.

Our window warranty promises that we will repair or replace any defective window, Warranty.

Our window promises that will repair replace more information. included.

Be sure warranty to ask the professionals at Swe B Windows Andor Doors for any defective window, door free doorororskylight skylight freeofofcost costtotothe theoriginal originalhomeowner—parts homeowner—partsand andlabor labor more information.

included. included.BeBesure suretotoask askthe theprofessionals professionalsatatS SB BWindows WindowsAnd AndDoors Doorsforfor more moreinformation. information.

SB Windows and Doors SB Windows and Doors 5276 Polkey Rd 5276 Polkey Rd

(250) 746-9570 Duncan (250) 746-9570 SB and SBWindows Windows andDoors Doors simon@sbwindowsanddoors.com Duncan 5276 Polkey RdRd 5272 Boal Rd 5276 Polkey simon@sbwindowsanddoors.com V9L6W3 5272 Boal Rd V9L6W3

(250) (250)746-9570 746-9570

All-Inclusive Senior Living

Be well Men’s Health Day with

JENNIFER BLYTH

www.shannonoaks.com Baptist Housing

Enhancing Seniors Living - Since 1964

Oak Bay (Victoria)

250-595-6257

o c d o R s r o i r e t n I s e i r Drape

All it takes is a half-hour this September to better understand your health.

That’s the message to men on the South Island from the Island Prostate Centre, hosts of Country Grocer Men’s Health Day Sept. 10.

From 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., the annual event brings experts from various fields to Tillicum Mall, offering a host of tests to provide men with a snapshot of their health, explains Leanne Kopp, executive director of the Island Prostate Centre.

“It’s just a really comprehensive day of testing,” Leanne says. “There’s a lot of really good information.”

With many people today lacking a family doctor, it’s even

GOBIND FARMS

&

Commercial and Residential

Motorized Blinds Hotel Needs Upholstery Draperies

• Fresh Berries • Delicious Varieties of Jams & Syrups • Garden-Fresh Vegetables • Try Our 100% Pure Juices

Furniture Repairs Roses from the Garden

250-656-4642

rodcointeriors@shaw.ca www.rodcointeriors.com 20 » Friends&Family » Summer 2016 | countrygrocer.com

Strawberries Blackberries Loganberries Tayberries Raspberries 6929 Veyaness Road off Keating X Road 250.652.0182

more important that people take charge of their wellness. “People need to be proactive in terms of looking after their health care,” Leanne says.

At the core of Men’s Health Day is the opportunity to receive free PSA testing, which screens for the possibility of prostate cancer.

PSA – Prostate Specific Antigen – is a protein produced by the prostate gland, and a PSA blood test is a simple test used to determine a man’s PSA levels. Most men with prostate cancer have an increased level of PSA in the blood. While PSA levels can sometimes be high when there is no cancer present, and some men with prostate cancer have low PSA levels, rising PSA levels have been clearly shown to indicate cancer growth. For this reason, the Prostate Centre recommends all men over age 40 create a baseline PSA and be tested annually for prostate cancer.

Organizers are planning to once again welcome about 650 men through the day. Last year, 33 of

those tested had elevated levels for prostate cancer. If they hadn’t come to Men’s Health Day, they wouldn’t have known. “Let’s save one life at a time,” Leanne says.

In addition to PSA testing, experts will be on hand to offer blood glucose testing for diabetes, blood pressure testing and neck and throat screening for cancer. Organizers also welcome a massage therapist, an exercise therapist, a chiropractor and Alzheimer and dementia prescreening. Also new this year will be hearing testing Leanne notes. “It’s all about creating that one-stop shop for men,” she says. “If you have an extra half-hour, you can get all these tests done and be on your way. Take an hour, come down and look after your health.”

All the tests are offered free and results are sent to the person’s family doctor.

The life-saving event wouldn’t be possible without support from Country Grocer and Westcoast Ride to Live. “We wouldn’t be able to do this without them,” Leanne says.

Induction & Fuel Injection Service

Brake Service Oil Service Electrical Exhaust Tires

Ask about B ProtectioG Plan* n

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Canadian men. In 2014, it was estimated that 795 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer on the Island and 115 men died from the disease. If caught early, these numbers could be significantly lower.

• On average, 475 Canadian men will be diagnosed every week; • On average, 83 Canadian men will die of the disease every week; • 1 in 8 Canadian men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime; • When caught and treated early, prostate cancer has a 90 to 95 per cent survival rate.

• Common symptoms of prostate cancer include: need to urinate often, especially at night; intense need to urinate; difficulty in starting or stopping the urine flow; inability to urinate; weak, decreased or interrupted urine stream; a sense of incompletely emptying the bladder; burning sensation or pain during urination; blood in the urine or semen; painful ejaculation.

• Learn more at www.islandprostatecentre.com

Transforming disability into ability.

Out of Province Inspection Diesel Fuel Service

Did you know?

OVER 40 YEARS EXPERIENCE SERVING AUTOMOBILES

RACKSIDE AUTO SERVICE LTD.

A FULL SERVICE AUTO REPAIR FACILITY

784 Fairview Rd. (250) 383-5509 www.tracksideautoservice.ca

At Discovery School, learning disabilities are transformed into valuable skills & abilities. Students work at their own pace in small classes, with focused, individualized instruction.

Enrollment is limited. For more information or to arrange a tour, visit www.discoveryschool.ca, call Sherri Ko at 250-595-7765 or email principal@discoveryschool.ca

Suppliers of quality pork, born and raised on Vancouver Island

TANNADICE FARMS LTD. Heather & Allen McWilliam, Courtenay

www.tannadicefarms.com

Friends&Family » Summer 2016 | countrygrocer.com » 21

PETS

PART OF THE FAMILY Meet Liberty a.k.a. Libby.

Libby is a seven-month-old Silver Lynx Point Scottish Fold and she travelled all the way from Brooklyn, N.Y. to live in Duncan with her mom, Brittany.

Her hobbies include fetching bottle caps, window gazing and eating.

Libby also has a special talent: she has been toilet trained since she was three months old with the CitiKitty. The system starts with a full litter pan that fits inside your toilet – be sure to use clump-free litter so you don’t clog your toilet – and every few weeks you progressively cut the hole larger and reduce the litter. Eventually your kitty will aim for the water because it’s cleaner and covers their scent better.

I know your next question: “Does she flush?”

No, Libby hasn’t be trained to do that, but a simple flush is a lot easier than cleaning a litter box!

SHOW US YOUR PET

Share a photo and a few words about what makes your pet special by emailing Friends & Family editor Jennifer Blyth at jblyth@telus.net

THE THE CAMELOT CAMELOT

Independent Retirement Living with Supportive Services Independent Retirement Living with Supportive Services

Retire Victoria!

Retire in in charming charming Victoria!

22 Bedroom Suite for for rent rent Bedroom Premium Premium Suite Call book aa tour! tour!

Call Today Today to to book

Delicious meals Delicious chef chef prepared prepared meals 24 response 24 hour hour emergency emergency response House & fresh fresh linens linens House keeping keeping & Victoria’s charming James Bay Bay Victoria’s charming James Managed by a Licensed Strata Property Manager Managed by a Licensed Strata Property Manager

455 Victoria 455 Kingston Kingston Street, Street, Victoria 250-384-3336 250-384-3336 www.novapacific.ca www.novapacific.ca 22 » Friends&Family » Summer 2016 | countrygrocer.com

Soil sense Get the most from your garden with a foundation of good soil

S

uccessful gardeners know the foundation for happy plants is rooted in the soil.

At Country Grocer, that soil, compost and mulch comes from Cinnabar Valley Farms. Crafting exceptional garden products for more than 30 years, the second-generation family-run business south of Nanaimo has built a reputation on the quality of both its ingredients and the end products, says Cinnabar’s Tyler Heisterman, who runs the business with his wife, Mandy.

Cinnabar has its own peat bog it uses to augment its soils, all from the Island. Tyler also sources his compost ingredients directly from local farmers so they know exactly what’s going into their compost products – meaning gardeners know what’s feeding their plants. Building those relationships over many years, “we have a lot of control as to what’s in our products,” Tyler says.

“We get inquiries all the time from all over the province and one of the most common is ‘What’s in your compost.’ We’re very fussy about the ingredients we use. If you’re growing your own vegetables, you’re doing it for a reason, so we really try to control the variables.”

The result is that customers know what they’re getting from one growing season to the next. “It’s very consistent from year to year.”

For gardeners, choosing the right product begins with pinpointing the job at hand. All purpose garden soil, Cinnabar’s garden blend of peat soil, sand and composted manure, is a good choice for those creating new garden beds this summer and ideal for annuals, perennials and trees and shrubs, Tyler suggests.

For planting or augmenting existing gardens, amending the soil with manure or compost adds more available nitrogen (food for the plants), aerates the soil and improves drainage, which encourages healthy root development. For best results, spread 1 to 2 inches of manure or compost on existing soil and mix, Tyler recommends.

Managing heat, water control and weeds in summer can come down to a good mulch. Bark mulch is among the most popular and will help retain moisture in the soil and cut down on weeds – and make those that do sprout easier to deal with. To both mulch and add to the soil, mulching with compost can be a good choice. “Top dressing with some compost will add more to the soil – it’s a great way to mulch and fertilize all in one step,” Tyler says, noting as compost breaks down with rain and watering it releases nutrients into the soil.

How much?

• How much soil or mulch will you need? Cinnabar Valley Farms says that generally, one yard (750 litres) will cover an area 10 feet by 10 feet, three inches deep.

• For new lawns, a minimum of three inches is recommended. To topdress lawns, spread soil approx one-inch deep over existing grass. Rake over so grass blades are visible. Overseed if desired.

• For beds, soil depth is determined by what you’re planting.

Consider the root ball of the plant and ensure at least 6 to 12 inches of soil below the roots. The more soil, the better. Work the new soil into the existing soil to gain extra depth.

proudly proudly

MADE IN CANADA

MADE IN CANADA

From our trees to your table!

From our trees to your table!

LB MAPLE TREAT CORP. LB MAPLE TREAT CORP. 100% PURE MAPLE SYRUP 100% PURE MAPLE SYRUP CLASSIC PRODUCTS CLASSIC PRODUCTS

www.lbmapletreat.com www.lbmapletreat.com Friends&Family » Summer 2016 | countrygrocer.com » 23

Top Shelf

Bookkeeping Ltd.

LOCAL MOVES LONG DISTANCE MOVES

We Do Taxes - Efile Service 2 Convenient Year - Round Locations

Efile

101-76 Gorge Rd West

250-388-9423

from

$57

• Storage Facility • Expedited Service • Blanket Wrap Service • Expert Packing • Mid-month Specials • Moving Box Sales & Rentals • Replacement Insurance • 1 hour Minimum (local) • 500lb Minimum (long distance)

1253 B Esquimalt Rd

250-590-4050

Locally owned and operated since 1994

ER 2013 TO RC H AWAR D WI NN

FO R TR US TW OR TH INE SS

FREE ESTIMATES 250-216-0276

“You will be moved by our service!”

878 Viewfield Rd., Victoria info@atobmoving.com atobmoving.com

Let us change your backyard into your favourite vacation spot

EFFORT = CONCRETE RESULTS Locally Owned and Operated

Ready-Mixed Concrete Concrete Accessories Victoria’s Only Liquid Colouring System Gravity Wall Blocks OPEN MONDAY-SATURDAY 765 Industrial Way • 250-478-0555 • www.iconcrete.ca

Full Maintenance Contracts Available

250 544-0806 • www.pondsvictoria.com

Full maintenance contracts available

AERO Furnace, Duct & Chimney Cleaning One per customer. May not be combined with any other offer or promotion.

Expires October 31, 2016.

FURNACE & DUCT CLEANING

260*

$ only

*per furnace

NO PER VENT Charges Ever

for the furnace duct cleaning!

CHIMNEY SWEEP

120

$

Free safety inspection

CLEAN, FAST SERVICE ANYWHERE IN VICTORIA

250-479-0090 • aeroservices.ca FURNACES AND AIR DUCTS • DRYER VENTS • CHIMNEY FLUES • HEAT RECOVERY SYSTEMS

24 » Friends&Family » Summer 2016 | countrygrocer.com

MEET THE TEAM

a

passion for produce

There isn’t much about produce that Rob Johnson doesn’t know. Marking 45 years in the grocery industry, Rob started at 16 and has never looked back. Over the years, he’s worked in just about every role, from grocery clerk and product merchandiser to produce manager and store manager.

“The passion and the love for this industry have driven me in my life and always will,” Rob says.

First connecting with what would become Country Grocer back in 1992, Rob worked with Wally Large and Henry Zwynenburg at their Food Country stores, supplying produce and marketing support, before joining the Island-grown company in 2001 as Director of Produce Operations for Island Independent Buying Group and all of the Country Grocer stores. “I have been working now for the group for 15 years and have enjoyed every minute,” he says. “It has been a wonderful journey and I am honoured to be a part of helping and watching the company grow to where we are today.”

After more than four decades, Rob enjoys the fact that every day is different. “It’s rewarding to work with the produce managers and their staff and watch their passion for this wonderful industry grow, to see their joy and excitement in having a great week in sales and to see how they have grown in their merchandising skills,” Rob says.

“The most important thing is to be able to bring our customers the very best quality produce I can buy for them. Quality and freshness are now the most important aspects of our industry, and our customers want the very best quality they can buy for their family.”

The industry itself has changed dramatically over the years. “We now have way more variety for our customers year-round,” he says. “With the produce buying power we now have I can buy produce from all over the world – from Europe, South America, Chile, Africa, Australia, China, Japan, India, Mexico, United States and all of Canada.”

At the same time, “one of the biggest changes for B.C. and the Island is that customers want products grown locally. They want to support our growers and farmers. Over the years I’ve built strong relationships with many local growers from the Island to the Okanagan. You’ll always see a B.C.-grown product on ad every week when the produce is available,” Rob says.

Key to Rob’s role with Country Grocer is his membership in the 145-member B.C. Produce Marketing Association, serving on the board of directors for 12 years, with four years as vice-president and the last two years as president.“Our most important mandate is help increase the consumption of produce in B.C. We represent every part of the industry, from growers to wholesalers, trucking, food service, retailers, packaging and more. It’s been an honour to be president and be part of all the great things we do for the industry.”

When not “on the job,” Rob enjoys spending time with his three children, Crystal, Sheldon and Brandon, camping, fishing and participating in the B.C. classic car world, including the Country Grocer-sponsored show in Duncan, which he’s been a part of for the last 15 years.

“And to all of my friends at Country Grocer and Island Independent Buying Group, thank you for letting me be a part of your lives and building a great future at Country Grocer.”

New and Pre-Owned Motorcycles!

WE BUY BIKES!

★Apparel ★Gear ★ATV ★ Motorcycle ★Scooter ★Parts for all makes and models

GET. MORE. ACTION. The Motorcycle Guys 1234 Esquimalt Road

250-386-8364 action-motorcycles.com

Savour delicious Nana’s Samosas from your local Country Grocer Choose from Chicken Samosa / Beef Samosa / Vegetable Samosa / Tandoori Samosa / Butter Chicken / Vegetable Pakora… you will definitely be back for more!

Convenient Comfort Foods with a Global Taste

Friends&Family » Summer 2016 | countrygrocer.com » 25

TIDBITS

Women ride for women Country Grocer Cobble Hill hosts fourth annual Women’s Ride Day July 17 The Cobble Hill Country Grocer will roar to life Sunday, July 17 as hundreds of women riders cruise in for the fourth annual Canadian Women’s Ride Day. Departing from the store parking lot, riders enjoy a scenic cruise to Lake Cowichan and back to the store, where they’ll enjoy food by donation, music, a huge silent auction, raffle,

Bring the whole family and DISCOVER

vendors and other activities.

The growing event is all in support of local non-profits and charities that assist women in difficult circumstances and to date, the non-profit organization has donated more than $10,000 to community-based groups. Founded in Victoria in 2013, the Canadian Women’s Ride Day was created to empower women and to raise funds for women in our community. The Ride Day creates an opportunity for women to share their passion for motorcycling and its camaraderie, and to promote safe riding.

While the ride itself is women-only, others are welcome to join the festivities at the store and are encouraged to volunteer.

“It’s part of what we do here to support community,” says Cobble Hill assistant store manager Maurice Gaudreault.

Located right off the Trans Canada Highway, the Cobble Hill Country Grocer is perfectly positioned to host the event, which expects considerably more than last year’s 150 riders.

A whole host of others – some 500 to 700 at least – are expected to stop by through the day, Maurice says.

“As a motorcycle rider myself, I like hosting big motorcycle events here every summer,” Maurice adds. “Motorcycle riders are very generous when it comes to raising money for the community.” Registration begins at 9 a.m. after which the women will depart in twos for the cruise to Lake Cowichan.

For more information, visit www.canadianwomensrideday.com or check out their page on Facebook.

Class 1 & Class 3 Driver Training Now serving Duncan

Bring this ad on Country Groucer to get

$1.00 OFF

General Admission Expires Dec 21, 2016

Eagles – Owls – Hawks – Ravens - Bears and more!

Wildlife Garden - Magical Field of Stones Raptor presentations – Interpretive programs Public Viewing open daily March 7th thru December • 9am - 5pm Watch our website for details of 2016 special events and interpretive programs

North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre 1240 Leffler Road, Errington, BC 250-248-8534 | www.niwra.org

26 » Friends&Family » Summer 2016 | countrygrocer.com

Forklift Safety Certification Offering Manual & Automatic Transmission Training Dangerous Goods 250-655-0432 2046 Mills Rd. West, Sidney www.csttdrivertraining.com

TIDBITS

Baked fresh, in-store Your standard raisin bread is made all the better with the addition of a full bounty of raisins. Prefer something savoury?

More cheese, please! And whether it’s sliced and grilled on the barbecue or served on the side of a Caesar salad or summer soup, a traditional sourdough is delish.

It’s all part of Country Grocer bakery department’s renewed focus on all the goodies they make in-store, from scratch, notes Bakery Operations Manager Bill Peppy.

The initiative aims to raise awareness of Country Grocer’s dedicated team of in-house bakers, and the recipes – some classic, some new – that tempt the tastebuds of customers. Even better, ingredients are fresh, delicious and sourced as locally as possible, allowing for seasonally inspired recipes.

Remember last summer’s Triple Berry Muffins loaded with Saskatoon berries from the Cowichan Valley? They were such a hit customers started asking in spring when they’ll be back, Bill says.

(Good news, the early season should have them available from the July long-weekend through September.)

The company had also been without a great sourdough for some time, a gap Bill has rectified with his “Signature Sourdough.”

“It’s something people have been missing. It’s going to be

baked fresh everyday, with a nice crusty top and the soft, tangy middle.”

Looking for a slightly sweeter treat? The bakery’s fresh fruit and whipped cream cake has received a warm welcome and will be fresh in store through summer.

More ideas for the bakery? Feedback is always welcome, Bill notes. “In my role I can tweak a recipe to make it better,” he says. And with the company’s focus on local, seasonal ingredients, expect more “limited time” items, so enjoy them while they’re here, then enjoy the next season’s bounty while you await their return.

FREE CONSULTATION Avoid Bankruptcy Achieve Financial Freedom

SOLVE YOUR DEBT PUZZLE Colleen Craig CPA, CA, CIRP

FEDERALLY LICENSED

250-386-8778 www.cecraig.com

Friends&Family » Summer 2016 | countrygrocer.com » 27

IN YOUR COMMUNITY BC SHARING

COWICHAN VALLEY To Aug. 27 – Footloose, the musical.

Cut loose with the audience favourite, from the Chemainus Theatre Festival.

Info: Chemainustheatre.ca or 1-800565-7738.

June 25 – Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre Annual Wooden Boat Festival, 1761 Cowichan Bay Rd., Cowichan Bay. July 16 and 17 – Antique Truck Show, with vintage and antique logging trucks on display at the BC Forest Discovery Centre. Info: bcforestdiscoverycentre.com/ July 16 and 17 – Toe-tapping tunes from the Chemainus Bluegrass Extravaganza and Festival.

Info: www.chemainusbluegrass.com July 23 & 24 – Cowichan Valley Grape Escape Bike Tour. Enjoy local hospitality, wines, artisans, cuisine and breathtaking scenery while raising money for multiple sclerosis. Info: www.cowichanvalleygrapeescape.com

On-going in all Country Grocer communities – Support local food banks by looking for the BC Sharing donation pads at the till. Simply add $2 to your grocery bill and 100% goes to your local food bank!

Aug. 20 – Chemainus Jazz Festival brings wonderful bands to Waterwheel Park. Info: www.cvcas.com

LAKE COWICHAN July 23 – Honeymoon Bay Days.

Honeymoon Bay Community Society, Cowichan Lake Recreation and the Honeymoon Bay Fire Department host this fun, family event. Pancake breakfast at Honeymoon Bay Hall, parade, entertainment and more.

Info: www.cvrd.bc.ca July 28 to 31 – Sunfest Country Music Festival, Laketown Ranch, Lake Cowichan. Largest outdoor country

Preparing Excellent Cuts since 1932

the

music festival west of the Prairies, featuring headline acts including Carrie Underwood and Dierks Bentley.

Info: sunfestconcerts.com Sept. 8 to 11 – Summer Mixed Curling Bonspiel, with prizes, entertainment, golf tourney and more at the Cowichan Rocks Curling Facility.

Info: www.cvrd.bc.ca

NANAIMO July 22 & 23 – Bathtub Days Street Fair, downtown Nanaimo.

Info: www.dnbia.ca Aug. 19 to 21 – Vancouver Island Exhibition, agricultural exhibition at Beban Park. Info: viex.ca

RENAISSANCE retirement residence

“ T H E A R T O F L I V I N G W E L L”

Tours from

Monday to Saturday 10am to 4pm

The Best Choice in Retirement Living, Quality and Convenience Our Walking Score 92. “Walking is our Best Medicine” Hippocrates 400 BC 6200 Ledingham Road, Courtenay, BC V9J 1M5 250.334.2960 • 1.888.593.7773 • Fax: 250.334.9580 gunbros@telus.net

28 » Friends&Family » Summer 2016 | countrygrocer.com

Availability is limited.

Call for a tour today.

1188 ESQUIMALT RD. (VILLAGE CENTER) 250.386.1188 | www.renaissancevictoria.com

what’s in the

Aug. 26 to 28 – Summertime Blues Festival, Muffeo Sutton Park. Info: www.nanaimobluesfestival.com

BAG

SALT SPRING Saturdays, to Oct. 29 – Salt Spring Island’s Saturday Market, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Ganges.

July 1 – Canada Day on Salt Spring Island, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. in Ganges Village. Show & shine, outdoor wellness fair, the Kidz Zone with games, snacks, barbecue and fireworks at dusk. Info: www.saltspringtourism. com Oct. 2 – 17th annual Salt Spring Island Apple Festival, at Fulford Hall, 2591 Fulford Ganges Rd., and other venues. Info: saltspringapplefestival. org/

VICTORIA June 29, July 13 & 27, Aug. 10 & 24 – Esquimalt Recreation and Esquimalt Lions hosts an outdoor cinema night at Bullen Park. Bring a camping chair or a blanket.

Concession available. Free admission.

Sunset start. Info: esquimalt.ca

What must-have items will be in your grocery bag this summer?

Emma Davenport Summer fare is as easy as salads and fruit for Emma Davenport, who enjoys shopping the Royal Oak Country Grocer on her way to the beach.

1. Watermelon 2. Macaroni salad 3. Raspberries 4. Fruit Source Bars 5. Pomegrantate

6. Crispers crackers 7. Lemonade 8. Grapes 9. Dried mango 10. Bounty bar

July 10 – Classic Caddie Show & Shine, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Fort Rodd Hill & Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites of Canada.

Aug. 7 – Gorge Swim Fest at Esquimalt’s Gorge Park, 1 to 3 p.m.

Take a dip in the warm ocean water.

Info: www.esquimalt.ca

July 15 – Hockey for Food road hockey fundraiser & food drive for the Mustard Seed food bank, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mayfair Shopping Centre. Teams of players (5 + 1 goalie) register on-line and raise food and funds.

Info: mustardseed.ca.

Aug. 20 – Esquimalt Lantern Festival at Captain Jacobsen’s Park, 6 to 10 p.m. Enjoy a magical evening of light, music and entertainment.

Bring your lantern and participate in a lighted walk along the Westbay Walkway to Barnard Park.

Info: www.esquimalt.ca

Featuring

Since 1917

88 PIANO’S FOR SALE HEINTZMAN PIANOS

Rentals I Sales I Restoration I Tuning New & Vintage I Keyboards I Pianos

2328 Government Street • 250-384-3935

Esquimalt sEniors

We are pleased to offer the following non-medical services for Esquimalt seniors (65+) • Housekeeping • Transportation • Light Yard Work • Light Repairs & Maintenance • Grocery Shopping Call 250-385-2635 ext. 201 for more information

Friends&Family » Summer 2016 | countrygrocer.com » 29

STYLISH, SPACE-SAVING SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR HOME.

7 Community Locations COBBLE HILL 1400 Cowichan Bay Rd. 250-743-5639 8am to 9pm 7 days per week

What could be better than a little more stylish, wellorganized space? Murphy Wall-Beds has been in business for over 22 years.The space-saving Murphy Wall-Bed and companion custom cabinetry are crafted right here on the Saanich Peninsula.

“We focus on quality,” says owner Tom Bazin. “We make a quality product from beginning to end.”

Using patented, engineered Murphy bed hardware, quality materials and local construction expertise, ensures the excellence customers have come to know and expect from the Better Business Bureau-accredited business.

Bazin credits shop foreman James York as an essential component to the local company’s success. With the company since its founding more than two decades ago, “he’s probably the most experienced Murphy bed expert in North America,” he says.

Whether you’re trying to stretch the space you have or are looking to maximize space when down-sizing, Murphy beds are perfect for creating a dual-purpose room, guest room and craft or fitness room, for example. Others appreciate their flexibility in a bachelor or assisted living suite.

In addition, “there are all kinds of different space-saving solutions that go hand-in-hand with the Murphy beds,” Bazin says, noting their designers and craftsmen can custom-craft virtually any cabinetry to complement your bed. And with the Murphy beds accommodating the same variety of mattresses as a conventional bed, optimal comfort is ensured.

Unsure just how a Murphy Wall-Bed will fit into your home? Take advantage of our free design service to help you envision how a bed will work in your home, including a special computerized drawing and design program that allows you to get a three-dimensional view of your room, before you commit.

LAKE COWICHAN 83 Lake Cowichan Rd. 250-749-6335 7am to 10pm 7 days per week

SALT SPRING ISLAND 374 Lower Ganges Rd. 250-537-4144 7am to 10pm 7 days per week

CHASE RIVER (NANAIMO) 82 Twelfth St. 250-753-7545 7am to 10pm 7 days per week

ROYAL OAK (VICTORIA) 4420 West Saanich Rd. 250-708-3919 8am to 10pm 7 days per week

BOWEN ROAD (NANAIMO) 1800 Dufferin Cresc.

250-591-5525 7am to 10pm 7 days per week

ESQUIMALT (VICTORIA) 1153 Esquimalt Rd. 250-382-5515 8am to 10pm 7 days per week

Certified Organic Coffee

2

BLACK BURGUNDY - PANTONE 188 RED - PANTONE 186

1.25

DARK GREEN - PANTONE 342 LIGHT GREEN - PANTONE 356 GOLD - 457

LOGO TO MAINTAIN 1.25 X 2 RATIO

IVORY - 0c 1m 10y 0k

LET US SHOW YOU HOW TO INCREASE YOUR USEABLE SPACE. CALL US TODAY! 250-744-2195 OR 1-800-670-5505 3075 DOUGLAS STREET | VICTORIA WWW.MURPHYBEDS-VICTORIA.COM Vancouver Island’s Only Authorized Murphy Bed Dealers

30 » Friends&Family » Summer 2016 | countrygrocer.com

www.creekmorescoffee.com

Set Sail for Spectacular West Coast Scenery.

Frances Barkley — Cruise spectacular Barkley Sound on the Frances

Barkley. There are year-round sailings to Bamfield, and June-September sailings for Ucluelet and the Broken Group.

Experience the Wilderness of Barkley Sound at Sechart Lodge!

Lady Rose Marine Invites You!

Overnight Cruise Special!

Sunday Morning depart Port Alberni aboard the Frances Barkley - your destination Sechart Lodge. Arrive around 11 am. Enjoy the rest of the day to experience the beautiful scenery. Capture the abundance of wildlife that lives in the Barkley Sound. Try our many hiking trails or beachcomb our picturesque beaches. Relax with a glass of wine while watching eagles and our phenomenal sunsets, or watch the whales from our hot tub. After a delicious dinner sit around the campfire and enjoy the comradery of fellow guests and staff. “Hope you like to sing!”  Monday Morning depart Sechart Lodge aboard the Frances Barkley heading for Ucluelet where you will have time to explore the shops or visit the new aquarium.

Return back to Port Alberni sailing through the Broken Group Islands, arriving at 7 pm.

Cruise & Accommodation Special Includes:

• Round trip passage for two aboard the Frances Barkley • One night stay at the Sechart Lodge • Breakfast, lunch and dinner (alcohol beverages extra) • Smiles, laughter and wildlife free

Tel: 250-723-8313 TF: 1-800-663-7192 April - Sept.

437 Lady Rose Marine R001731608.indd 1

Only

$

349.00plusfortaxtwo people Valid July & August 2016

WHALING STATION LODGE

ladyrosemarine@telus.net www.ladyrosemarine.com 2014-03-03

11:42 AM

® This summer, relax with MICHELIN This summer, relax with MICHELIN®

MICHELIN®® MICHELIN

DEfENDErTM TIrE DEfENDErTM TIrE

• Stops up to 9 metres shorter than a leading competitor11 • Stops up to 9 metres shorter than a leading competitor • Lasts up to 33,000 km longer than a leading competitor22 • Lasts up to 33,000 km longer than a leading competitor • Can save up to $336 worth of fuel at $1.25 per litre33 • Can save up to $336 worth of fuel at $1.25 per litre

1 Based on internal wet braking test results versus the Goodyear® Assurance® ComforTred® Touring tire, 185/65R15.

1 size Based on internal wet braking test results versus the Goodyear® Assurance® ComforTred® Touring tire, 2 Based on commissioned third-party wear test results versus Continental® ProContactTM with EcoPlus size 185/65R15. tire, size 215/60R16.

2 Technology Based on commissioned third-party wear test results versus Continental® ProContactTM with EcoPlus 3 Based on fueltire, efficiency estimates from rolling resistance testing versus the Yokohama Avid TRZ tire, Technology size 215/60R16.

DefenderTMAvid tire.TRZ Actual 215/60R16, over theestimates warrantedfrom 145,000 kmresistance tread life testing of the MICHELIN 3 size Based on fuel efficiency rolling versus the®Yokohama tire, on-road savings may size 215/60R16, overvary. the warranted 145,000 km tread life of the MICHELIN® DefenderTM tire. Actual on-road savings may vary.

MICHELIN®® MICHELIN

® PrIMACYTM TM MXV4 ® TIrE PrIMACY MXV4 TIrE

• Get more miles for your money11 • Get more miles for your money • Get better control when you need it most • Get better control when you need it most • Enjoy a quiet, comfortable ride • Enjoy a quiet, comfortable ride 1 Comparison among MICHELIN® Performance Touring products.

1 Comparison among MICHELIN® Performance Touring products.

MICHELIN®® TM MICHELIN

LTX TM M/STM 2 TIrE LTX M/STM 2 TIrE

• Longest lasting tire in its class - 32,000 more kilometres11 • Longest lasting tire in its class - 32,000 more kilometres • Great traction, great confidence • Great traction, great confidence • Built strong - 3 MICHELIN®® steel belt strong • Built strong - 3 MICHELIN steel belt strong

1 Based on p-metric wear test results versus Bridgestone® DuelerTM H/T 684 II, Goodyear® Fortera TT. 1 Based on p-metric wear test results versus Bridgestone® DuelerTM H/T 684 II, Goodyear® Fortera TT.

® ®

www.michelin.ca www.michelin.ca

The “Michelin Man” is a registered trademark licensed

by Michelin America, Inc. The “Michelin Man” is aNorth registered trademark licensed

by Michelin North America, Inc.

† †

SIDNEY

† Certain conditions and limitations apply. Ask your details orand visitlimitations www.michelin.ca/promise. † dealer Certainforconditions apply. Ask your dealer for details or visit www.michelin.ca/promise.

250-656-5544 SIDNEY 250-656-5544 9817 Resthaven Dr.

PARKSVILLE

250-248-2055 PARKSVILLE 250-248-2055 555 East Island Highway

VICTORIA

250-386-6367 VICTORIA 250-386-6367 616 Gorge Road East