Minter Country Garden Holiday 2015

HOLIDAY 2015

Winter Fragrance

in the Garden

Seasonal Colour

& Edibles

WINTER

HUMMINGBIRDS

AVAILABLE AT SELECT GARDEN CENTRES.

Available at select Garden Centres. While supplies last.

Contents

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The Chef Parsons Project:

Creating the perfect appetizers for your holiday cocktail party

Christmas Gifts We Love Create a Unique Christmas Holiday Palette Tips for Hosting a Cocktail Party The Chef Parsons Project Stay Energized During the Winter Months Decorating your Christmas Mantle Fabulous Fall & Winter Fashions Extraordinary Christmas Greens

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20 This publication may not be reproduced, all or in part, without written consent from the publisher and Minter Country Garden. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of all content in the publication, however, the publisher will not be held accountable for omissions or errors. Note that products may vary between retailers and regions, and supplies may be limited. Pricing is subject to change and is not valid with any other offer. Home & Garden Showplace is a registered trade mark for use by its members, of which the Garden Centre Group Co-Op is an alliance member. Photo credit to Proven WinnersÂŽ for a selection of photos provided to this magazine.

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F ROM the

Owners

A

s we approach ‘the season that sparkles’, excitement is building. To celebrate the Christmas spirit, we transform our garden store into a ‘Minter’ wonderland.

Thousands of lights twinkle merrily, the best varieties of fresh green and lovely snow-flocked trees are adorned with the latest trends in holiday decorations, the intoxicating fragrances of cedar and pine fill the air and our fashion line gets a whole lot more glamorous! The atmosphere truly dazzles the senses!

And have we ever stocked our shelves with some very indulgent treats for you… as well as unique gifts for everyone on your list! You will delight in discovering everything from gourmet mulling spices and specialty hot chocolates to oneof-a-kind ornaments and the ever practical Haws watering can!

To dress your home, you will want to see our large selection of beautiful seasonal porch pots, festive indoor planters and holiday wreaths. Our traditional and funky new poinsettias, elegant orchids and stunning table centres will make Christmas decorating a snap. We will help you minimize time and maximize results!

At this time of year, we also need to remember our winged friends. Over-wintering birds, hummingbirds and bees benefit greatly from sources of nectar, but unfortunately too often winter gardens are neglected. With the milder temperatures we’ve experienced these past few years, winter and early spring flowering perennials and shrubs serve dual purposes: nourishing wildlife and lifting everyone’s spirits. Few things are more cheery on a grey day than fresh new blossoms emerging.

Our team members can assist you in finding the right varieties for a full and blooming winter garden straight through to spring!

Our goal this coming holiday season is to inspire you with plants and décor that will enhance your home and garden with colour, style and fragrance.

Wishing you all a winter that is both merry and bright!

The Minter Family

Brian, Faye, Lisa and Erin

HOLIDAY 2015 • 5

6 • MINTER COUNTRY GARDEN - 604.792.6612 - MINTERGARDENING.COM

Helleborus Move over poinsettias, there’s a new ‘it’ plant for winter enjoyment!

Beginning in December with Helleborus niger (better known as the Christmas Rose) and ending in May with the huge family of Helleborus orientalis (or Lenten Rose), helleborus, when planted outdoors, provide five months of continuous colour at a time of year when our gardens appreciate it the most.

Most varieties prefer morning sun and afternoon shade or dappled shade. All need well-drained soil to get established and perform well year after year. To ensure good drainage, work up to 50% fine fir or hemlock bark mulch into the planting hole. They are perfectly at home in containers, though keep in mind they will not be as hardy as when planted in the ground.

Once established, virtually all helleborus are very easy to care for and maintain. As an added bonus, as much as we like them, deer don’t!

Helleborus blooms can also be enjoyed indoors as long-lasting cut flowers, or as potted plants for a shorter period of time.

When using helleborus as living decorations inside, be sure to keep them relatively cool at 12-15°C. Cooler entry ways and north or east facing windows are the best locations. Just keep them moderately moist and mist the foliage and flowers with lukewarm water to help them acclimatize to your home.

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Helleborus are truly remarkable plants and make welcome gifts for anyone!

Here are some of the best varieties of the Gold Collection: 1. JOSHUA: Zone 4.

Lovely, slightly fragrant white blooms aging to light green Nov-Dec. 2. JACOB: Zone 4.

Loaded with long-lasting pure white blooms Nov-Jan, making it ideal for indoor holiday décor.

3. JOSEPH LEMPER: Zone 4.

Very large, pure white blooms Dec-Feb. Superior garden performance.

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4. PINK FROST: Zone 5.

Burgundy buds open to soft pink blooms that mature to burgundy Jan-Mar. Red stems, silvery-green foliage.

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5. CINNAMON SNOW: Zone 5.

Pink buds open to creamy white flowers dusted with warm rose and cinnamon with a dusty rose reverse. Dec-Feb. 6. SHOOTING STAR: Zone 5.

A showstopper! Dusty rose buds open to white blushed with rose, then mature to sage green. Dark red stems. Mid-Jan to mid-March.

7. PLATINUM ROSE: Zone 5.

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a

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b

Photo credit: www.skagitgardens.com

Bright rose buds open to creamy flowers that fade to dark rose. Large, blue-grey leaves and red stems. Mid-Jan to mid-March.

8a&b. ‘SPRING PROMISE’ SERIES: Zone 5.

A beautiful collection of orientalis helleborus that offers cheery blooms from mid-Feb to mid-Apr, carrying your garden right into spring!

HOLIDAY 2015 • 7

Cool

New varieties of swiss chard (red-stemmed ‘Discovery’, yellowstemmed ‘Eldorado’ and ‘Canary Yellow’, pink-stemmed ‘Flamingo Pink’ and ‘Bright Lights’, a delightful combination of all these colours) are now being grown not only as delicious food but also as ornamental focal points … they are that lovely!

After a -8°C cold spell, they recover quickly, needing time just to thaw out.

Veggies E

in Winter Pots

dibles, grown in containers, in winter. That’s crazy, right? Not necessarily. With a little protection, many container grown foods will tolerate a temperature of -5 to -8°C. Larger containers (18-24” wide and deep), filled with very porous soil for good drainage, work best. Pro Mix HP (high porosity) soil mix is ideal. Locating the containers in the warmest spot on your patio also makes a huge difference.

So, what to grow? Kale is a superfood, and four edible varieties, ‘Winter Bor’, ‘Red Bor’, ‘Rip Bor’, and a unique white and green variety called ‘Kosmic’, are all cold tolerant, attractive and tasty. Mix these kales together for a beautifully creative display, and salad!

Lettuces are quite resilient, however, as temperatures drop, we need to rely on cold-weather varieties like ‘Corn Salad’ and ‘Winter Density’. These old European winter varieties take considerable frost, down to -8 to -10°C. They will shrivel in the cold but will bounce back with an even sweeter flavour.

Growing indoor herb gardens can be quite challenging.

Outdoor herb gardens are a lot easier, especially if you choose hardy herbs like chives, marjoram, mint, oregano, parsley, sage, thyme and ‘Arp’ rosemary. Protect them with ‘N-Sulate’ cloth when the temperature dips below -5 to -8°C and you will have flavourful herbs all winter long.

‘Bright Lights’ Swiss Chard Photo credit: www.burpee.com

It’s time to rethink growing food on the patio for winter enjoyment.

The odd cold spell can present a few challenges, but with some creative protection, you can have ‘Kosmic’ Kale wonderful fresh produce right Photo credit: (c) 2015 SuperNaturals outside your door!

Grafted Vegetables, LLC

NEW beginnings

E

ven though winter doesn’t officially begin until December 21, 2015 at 8:48 P.M. PST, we tend to think of winter as half over

by New Year’s. Here at Minter Country Garden we actually look forward to the winter solstice, as the days start getting longer again and because we think of it as a time of new beginnings in the home and garden.

• Everyone wants to get healthy after holiday indulgences – why not start by cleaning the air in your home with indoor tropical plants? The lush foliage fills the void left by the Christmas tree and there are several types of tropical plants that remove toxins and purify the air.

• Clean up deciduous trees by pruning and dormant spraying.

Dormant spray should be applied three times over winter for best results, but be sure not to use it on peaches, nectarines, apricots, maples and nut trees. New to pruning? Sign up for our Pruning Seminars in January! Visit mintergardening.com for details.

• Road trip with Brian! Get inspired at the amazing Northwest Flower and Garden Show in Seattle and enjoy the ride with fellow garden enthusiasts – onboard entertainment provided by Brian.

Book a spot on our Bloomer Bus Friday, February 19, 2016. This trip always sells out, so book early.

Pick up/drop off available in both Chilliwack and Abbotsford. Must have valid passport and travel medical insurance.

ROAD TRIP

BLOOMER BUS TO THE NORTHWEST FLOWER & GARDEN SHOW IN

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON

FEB. 19, 2016

DEPARTS @

7:30

RETURNS @

21:30

*FULL TICKET DETAILS AT MINTERGARDENING.COM*

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Available at Select Garden Centres

HOLIDAY 2015 • 9

Flickering Candles Canvas Print

Hanging a canvas on your wall that portrays Christmas will help get everyone in the holiday spirit! The candles hanging in this print add warmth to your home – you can blow them out to turn off!

Special Price $29.99

Christmas Gifts Jewellery & Watches

Jolly Snow Children Figurines These festive, jolly figurine children in the snow are cute, playful and make the perfect gift for anyone that loves to decorate.

Special Price $69.99 each. 50 cm high.

Love... we

Every woman loves to receive a little bling. Perfect for the holidays or any special occasion. Necklace & Earring Set $34.99, Bracelet $14.99, Watches $19.99 and up.

Holiday Lanterns

Lanterns are cozy, decorative, inviting and are available in many shapes, sizes and colours.

Try something new by putting your lanterns on your front porch, or setting them on your dining room table. A flameless timer candle will add the finishing touch to this great gift.

Available at select Garden Centres. *Styles may vary by store.

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Amaryllis in Santa Sack

Fantastic Christmas bulb that will grow into a beautiful red Amaryllis. This makes a fantastic hostess gift for the holidays.

Special Price $14.99, while supplies last.

Cranberry

LUV my Lug

Function, Fashion and Colour, Lug bags are designed for women, men & families on the go. Perfect gift for holiday travelers and day to day life.

Ocean

Sophisticated Indoor Christmas Planter An indoor planter with a poinsettia, decorative trim and a beautiful pot will accentuate the home during the holiday season.

Gift Cards The gift for someone who has everything!

Trend Setting Boot Socks

The ideal gift for the trendy fashion forward woman. Many styles and colours are available to choose from.

Welcome Planter Filled with Christmas Foliage Accenting your front porch will let your neighborhood know you’re serious about the holiday season. Add a bow, berries, and pinecones, and you’re ready to go!

Available at select Garden Centres. *Styles may vary by store.

HOLIDAY 2015 • 11

Create A

Unique

Christmas Holiday Palette

By Martha Vandepol

A

n emerging trend this holiday season is using colour palettes to decorate Christmas trees and rooms in your home. Break out of the traditional red and green colour scheme with some unique and original hues that will wow family and friends. It may seem daring to aim for brown instead of red, or blue instead of green, but experimenting with some of these colours can be very rewarding.

Choosing a colour palette for holiday decorating may seem a daunting task but it is actually quite simple. One method is to select the colours from some of your favourite décor items in your main living space – maybe a silver champagne bucket, a velvety blue throw, or an antique wine goblet from your grandmother. By combining the tones from various rooms, you will create a palette cohesive with your current décor. Take these items with you as you shop for holiday ribbon, ornaments, silk flowers and additional Christmas decorations so that you can match new with existing items.

Keep an eye out for colour combinations that catch your attention, whether it is in home décor, fashion clothing or holiday decorations. As you do your holiday shopping, there may be one particular Christmas tree that takes your breath away. Focusing on the colours of that particular display will give you a colour palette that you are instinctively drawn towards.

Maybe it is a romantic combination of rich red, deep burgundy, and shiny and glittering gold that creates the elegance and beauty of this grouping that you love. Use some artificial poinsettia stems, berry sprays and holly ornaments to emphasize the gorgeous heritage of this holiday scheme. You can coordinate your current holiday decorations to work with these hues, adding the additional colour elements with new items.

Ask for assistance at your favourite shop when creating a new colour scheme. Most Christmas stores will have qualified design staff that can assist you in transitioning your current palette to a new, refreshing arrangement. Let them know your overall décor colour and they can make suggestions on how to update it. For example, adding silver to an already gold décor will create a mixed metallic modern palette. Even adding some black tones, such as lanterns, or velvet black ribbon, will add to this subtle 12

but sophisticated look. When the lights and candles are lit, these colours will shine throughout the evening. Another emerging trend is a combination of layered green, birch white and browns such as those found in burlap, fresh holiday foliage, owls and all things natural. These earthy accents blend well with all wood and beige tones, and bring an organic, trendy, upscale look to seasonal décor. This vintage colour palette is warm, welcoming and lends nicely with existing country décor.

Don’t be afraid to search your favorite colours online or on Pinterest. By typing in your wall paint colour, you will probably see some complementary hues featured on any given website. Creating a Christmas Palette board on Pinterest will group all your favourite ideas together. Take a look at them to find the common colour theme, style or decorating idea that you love. Save these ideas on your phone or tablet and take them with you when doing your decoration or ornament shopping so you have a quick and easy reference when you need it.

Your new colour scheme for Christmas decorations should seamlessly fit your home décor colour scheme to create a complete and harmonious look. Don’t be afraid to pack away holiday decorations for a few years because they just don’t fit this year; when they re-emerge, they will look fresh and welcome once again. By using these tips to create a colour palette that is uniquely yours, you will be inspired to create stunning and beautiful holiday décor this Christmas season.

HOLIDAY 2015 • 13

Tips for Hosting a

C ocktail Party

By Donna Moss

T

he Christmas season is almost upon us! There are many people out there who love the opportunity to show their creative flair and host their own cocktail party for family and friends alike. We have compiled some helpful tips to help make your party the talk of the town – whether you are a veteran planner or you plan to test your hand for the first time this year.

A cocktail party during the festive season is always a great way to see family and friends. You can choose to invite your closest friends for a more intimate gathering, or keep the invitation open for visitors travelling into town this time of year. Extending the invitation to those visitors is a great way to meet new people. The more the merrier!

An elaborate and elegant table should be the focal point of your party. Decide if you want your guests to walk around the table or whether to push it against the wall to make it one sided. If you choose to centre the entire table, put down glass 14

tiles, add fresh garland down the middle and use candles to add ambience to the room. Adding holly and red berries to the garland will give your display a beautiful pop of colour.

For a more formal party, gold or silver accents will give a sophisticated look to your table. You can decorate with more height if a table is pushed against a wall, as the decorations will be placed at the back of the table. Using inexpensive glass blocks to elevate candlesticks, silver reindeer and other holiday dĂŠcor will certainly make your table extraordinary.

Choosing the right menu for any event can cause anyone some stress. A simple guideline for choosing the right menu for your party is that younger crowds love to eat, while older crowds love to nibble. If you choose to go with hors d’oeuvres, choose six or seven that are easy to prepare before hand or only require easy last minute heating, slicing or arranging.

Time your appetizers throughout the evening instead of preparing everything for the start of your event.

Presentation is everything, so jazz up your platters of food with a touch of holly, a Christmas ornament or some festive foliage. Change up those vegetables by placing them in glasses lined with dip to allow for smaller portion sizes. Another option would be to take small vases and use a separate one for each type of vegetable. Arrange the vases in a straight line with the dip in front of the vegetables for a presentation that is functional and beautiful all at the same time.

Napkins are a must at any party, but don’t go for plain, boring red. Find some with a Christmas scene that will match your décor. You can even bring some humour to your table with napkins with fun sayings on them to make your guests chuckle. Something like “It’s the holiday season, let the overeating begin!”

The drink station is a popular place at any party. You can create a signature drink to surprise your guests and make sure that your bar is stocked with a nice mix so your guests can choose their own. A nice treat for everyone is a pitcher of water with a mixture of fruit and mint leaves for those that prefer nonalcoholic beverages. This will also allow all your guests to stay hydrated during the party. Tie a different holiday decoration on

each glass or write names with a washable marker so guests can use the same glass throughout the evening.

Because everyone loves sweets, an elaborately decorated dessert bar is a great way to end the evening.

Small bite sized options including chocolates, fresh fruit and even vases filled with candies will make this a delectable area. Provide fresh coffee, hot apple cider or hot chocolate as a great finishing touch. Embellishing your tables with silver platters, votive and floating candles and fresh cedar will make this a destination station.

As your guests are getting ready to leave, make sure that you extend your personal holiday greetings as they depart. This allows you to ensure that they are safe to drive home, and gives you an opportunity to give them a parting Christmas gift.

A small ornament, scented pinecone or holiday scented candle will ensure that they remember your fantastic event!

Most of all, enjoy your evening. Everyone is there to have fun, socialize and spend time with each other. Using these tips will ensure that you’re remembered as the hostess with the mostest!

FA M I LY FA V O U R I T E

Holiday Wassail 1 gallon apple cider 1 cup brown sugar 6 oz. lemon juice 6 oz. frozen concentrated orange juice 1 tbsp ground nutmeg 1 tbsp whole cloves 1 tbsp whole allspice 4 to 6 cinnamon sticks 2 cups brandy 1 cup vodka 1 bottle sherry wine Combine all ingredients except the last three ingredients.

Bring to a hard simmer. Simmer for 1 hour.

Add the last three ingredients. Simmer for an additional 15 minutes. Scoop out the spices and serve in glass mugs with cinnamon sticks and fresh orange slices. This recipe can be refrigerated and served cold as well.

Little Quick Fire® HOLIDAY 2015 • 15

Happy Holidays 16

$59.99

$49.99

$79.99

$44.99

HOLIDAY 2015 • 17

complicating it. I’ll buy chorizo sausage and just chop it into chunks, maybe some prosciutto, and my parfait. On a separate board I’ll do five different cheeses; on yet another board I’ll do a spread of different vegetables; I’ll also do some hot food. Something I’ve been serving lately is a sumac and panko crusted shrimp, which is really easy: take some sumac and panko in a bowl, add some herbs and toss some tiger shrimp in it.

Double bread them so they’ve got a nice crust on them, and then just throw them in the freezer. I’ll do that two days before my party and then when guests come over I’ll pop them into the deep fryer and, boom, you’re done! Now you’re offering your guests meat, seafood, vegetables, cheeses – it gives you a nice selection.

The Chef Parsons Project:

Creating the perfect appetizers for your holiday cocktail party

By Jeff Cleaver The holidays are here, that special time of year filled with friends, family, and of course, food - lots and lots of delicious food! The merriment isn’t complete without your annual holiday cocktail party and hosting it means asking those time-old questions: What appetizers do I serve?

How do I serve them? And how do I ensure that my guests enjoy themselves while ensuring I still get to enjoy their company?

I chatted with renowned chef and TV personality, Jason Parsons, to find out what the professionals are serving for their holiday cocktail appetizers, and I’ve got good news: you can feed your guests like the pros while still having a great time! Chef Parsons is here to tell you how.

Q: People don’t want to be stuck in a chair at holiday cocktail parties while they eat. What’s an appetizer that can keep up with the party?

Chef Parsons: I like the idea of picking at finger foods, so I always do boards and things like that. I’ve had a signature chicken liver parfait that I’ve done at [Peller Estates Winery Restaurant] for 10 years now and in the last couple of years I make it every time that I have a party at home.

It’s a really flavourful, impactful dish that’s also familiar and not too intimidating. I can put out all different types of food and everyone always gathers around that parfait. If I have time, I’ll make myself a little relish or chutney to go along with it, or I’ll just hit up one of the specialty stores to pick up a preserve; for my last party I picked up a sort of merlot-shallot jam that went really well with it. We do an ice wine reduction in there but people at home don’t have to do that.

Q: How many different appetizers are needed to please most guests?

Chef Parsons: You always wonder “How am I going to get a balanced meal out of it?” I’ll do charcuterie boards, again without over

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It also depends on the size of the group: if it’s a larger group I’ll do that kind of stuff, but if it’s a smaller group I’ve done some fun last minute things too. I’ve been experimenting with pizzas all winter and had some friends over. I had all of these [pizza] toppings prepped, so while my guests were there we’d roll out some pizza dough and I’d be like “Ok! What do we want on this one?” We’d put on a bit of this and a bit of that and cut them into small pieces for everyone to pick at. When there’s a chance to customize what you’re eating people get really excited about the food.

Q: What kind of ingredients do you gravitate towards during the holidays?

Chef Parsons: I tend to get into lots of brussels sprouts and things like that. I’ve gotten away from putting things on a cracker – the old standard canapés – because it’s just so boring.

I make a “Bubble & Squeak”: It’s literally just bacon, chopped brussels sprouts, and some potatoes and you just fry it and chop it up pretty fine. Then cut some baguette on a really aggressive angle, rub it with some garlic and truffle oil, and put [the baguette] in a panini press to create these warm, sort of crustads. You simply put some of that [Bubble & Squeak] on the baguette and you’re done.

Q: Sorry…did you just say “Bubble & Squeak”?

Interesting name.

Chef Parsons: Yeah, well it’s a bit of a refined version of it, but in

England, where I grew up, there’s a traditional dish called Bubble & Squeak. Everyone eats roasts in England – that’s pretty much all we ever do! So it’s the leftover roast, leftover vegetables, and leftover potatoes chopped up and then you fry it up and it is really great!

Q: What are your favourite time-saving techniques for Christmas cocktail appetizers?

Chef Parsons: When doing a dinner party I want to be doing two –

maybe three, maximum – things on the night of. Something that I find always works well [for saving time] is mini-pulled pork. You can get those mini buns and you either make your pulled pork or buy it, put it on the stove – it’s done. When someone’s ready to eat you put some of the pulled pork on the bun with a bit of mustard and serve them.

That way if you’ve got 40 people coming but only five arrive at first you’re not worried about things getting cold; whatever you can do in advance, the better.

Q: What is a fairly safe wine pairing to serve before dinner if you’re serving multiple appetizers?

Chef Parsons: I would serve our Peller Estates Ice Cuvee. It’s a sparkling wine, so it truly pairs with almost any type of food.

Q: Everyone has a favourite holiday dessert. What’s yours and why?

Chef Parsons: Well, I’m a junk food guy – I really am! But I’ve always loved the traditional trifle and holiday squares – equivalent to [Canada’s] Millionaire’s Shortbread Bars – that my mum used to make, which is why I’ve put them in my cook book.

If I was doing a party, miniature-trifles are always fun. I make them in little dishes so everyone has their own to eat and you can put oranges in there - all of that feels very Christmassy to me.

Q: You’re a renowned chef at Niagara-on-the-Lake’s premier dining destination (Peller Estates Winery Restaurant), a longtime TV icon on City TV’s CityLine, and co-author of 3 Chefs: The Kitchen Men. What can fans expect to see next from Chef Jason Parsons?

Chef Parsons: Well, it never stops down here, I can tell you that! We

have the fine dining experience at the Peller Estates Winery Restaurant, which is focused on farm-to-table tasting menus and local ingredients, but this year we opened The Barrel House Grill, which is my project right now.

We partnered with Alfresco Grills and Natural Landscapes Design and built this beautiful outdoor restaurant - it’s off the charts! It has a prototype custom pizza oven and massive barbecue. We’re doing thin crust Italian-style pizzas, my signature burgers, playing around with poutine - and I’m making my own sausages too, which were inspired by a NYC restaurant called DBGB Kitchen & Bar by Chef Daniel Boulud. What I love about that restaurant is that it holds that gourmet, fine detail approach, but applied to comfort bar foods. He has a sausage menu there and I was like “oh man, I’ve got to do this!”

So, at Barrel House Grill we have a balsamic lamb and mint sausage, we have an apple chardonnay pork sausage, we have a wild boar and cabernet sausage, and we make all of those in-house. They’re for sharing around the table and I just love that.

I’ve discovered that I can share what I do at home: things that aren’t too hoity-toity, finicky or overwhelming for people. In a way, it feels like I’m bringing CityLine to the winery! When you come here you can sit down in the [Winery Restaurant] and have a 7-course tasting menu, sampling the best-of-the-best, or you can sit outside at The Barrel House Grill, have a glass of wine, some sausages, and poutine!

Well. I’m starving now!

Chef Parsons: Good! We’re open! Come on down!

About Chef Jason Parsons Executive Chef, TV Personality, Author

In a word, Parsons describes his career as “blessed”. Since his apprenticeship under Chef Nigel Didcock at the age of 14, Parsons has used his resume to hone his craft and satiate his curiosity for cuisines by working in some of the industry’s most illustrious kitchens: Chewton Glen, Cliveden Hotel in Britain, Waterloo House in Bermuda, Hillebrand Winery Restaurant in Niagara-on-the-Lake, as Executive sous Chef at Biff’s in Toronto and was integral in the opening of Langdon Hall in 1989, which is now considered one of Canada’s top restaurants.

As a sage to his students, Chef Parsons relays that which has served him well: “If there are chefs that you’re interested in, go and work for them. Go and learn different styles of food by working with different chefs. If you were in university and you wanted to learn history, you’d take a history course; if it’s economics, you’d take an economics course and so it is with cooking. I wanted to learn French cuisine so I went…to England!

But I sought out a French chef that I wanted to work for and I learned

Signature Icewine Chicken Parfait Ingredients: 300 grams chicken livers 240 ml Vidal Icewine ½ cup shallots 1 clove garlic – peeled 2 sprigs thyme 3 whole eggs 300 grams unsalted butter Method: Place shallots, garlic and Icewine in a pot and reduce until dry. Meanwhile bring the livers, eggs and butter up to room temperature. Now puree in a high speed blender and season.

Pass through a medium strainer and pour into ceramic terrine moulds. Cook in a water bath at 275 ºF. Cook until the mixture starts to tighten up (approx 45 minutes to an hour). Just like crème brulee. Allow to cool and then chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours to firm up. Serve once chilled.

Recipe by Jason Parsons Executive Chef / Peller Estates Winery Restaurant

about his food; when I wanted to discover North American cuisine I went to Chicago and worked with Chef Charlie Trotter; when I wanted to learn about the ocean and all of the beautiful fish, I worked and lived in Bermuda for a year and a half.”

Chef Parsons keeps his palette excited through travel on a more leisurely basis now. After many years of traveling the world’s cuisines, Chef Parsons says it was time to come home: “Even though I wasn’t born here, Canada is my home. I’m a true Canadian. I’ve found paradise: the Niagara region, which is so well known for its grape-growing climate is equally amazing at growing incredible produce. My restaurant is all about taking advantage of the region – we literally write our tasting menus everyday from what’s coming in the backfields of local farmers.”

“It’s a good life. It’s a busy one, but it’s a good life.”

- Chef Jason Parsons.

Chef Jason Parsons is Executive Chef at Peller Estates Winery Restaurant, TV personality on CityLine, and co-author of 3 Chefs: The Kitchen Men.

HOLIDAY 2015 • 19

StayENERGIZED DURING THE WINTER MONTHS

s a nutritionist, one of the biggest complaints I hear from my clients throughout the winter is that as summer fades away, so does their energy. All of a sudden, their carb cravings hit in full force, and they’re lucky if they make it to the gym once a week.

A

This year, that doesn’t have to be the case for you. Here are five tips to keep you energized during the winter months:

1) Get Your Vitamin D

With Canadian temperatures dipping so low in the winter, it can be easy to want to stay bundled up inside. The problem with this is that not getting outside prevents you from getting any vitamin D. In addition, depending on where you live, it may not be sunny during the winter months, so even if you are outside, you may be lacking adequate amounts of the sunshine vitamin. Vitamin D is closely linked with mood, and those with low levels of vitamin D are more likely to experience depression, a disorder that can result in low energy.

Grassroots Health recommends 8,000 iU/day of vitamin D for an adult, and the liquid form of vitamin D3 is best.

2) Move Your Body

You probably already know that exercise is good for a whole host of conditions like weight loss, heart disease and sleep, but it will also boost your energy.

Researchers at the University of Georgia found that sedentary, healthy people who engaged in as little as twenty minutes of exercise, three days a week over a six week period, experienced a boost in energy and reported less fatigue compared to those who stayed sedentary.

3) Eat Enough Protein

In order to keep your cravings down and your energy up, make sure you’re eating enough protein. By starting the day off with a protein smoothie, or eggs, you will naturally avoid dips in your energy. For lunch, rather than opting for pasta or a sandwich, try having a green salad with roasted root vegetables, avocado and a small baked chicken breast. According to Chinese medicine, the roasted root vegetables have a warming effect on the body, which is important in the cooler months. Also, the lack of bread will help you avoid the dreaded afternoon slump.

20

4) Go Easy On The Coffee

This one might sound counterintuitive, as caffeine boosts your energy, right? Well, caffeine boosts your energy in the very short term; but in large quantities, and combined with stress, it can actually tax your adrenal glands, resulting in sluggish energy all day long and disrupted sleep, particularly in the 2 a.m. - 4 a.m. timeframe. Slowly reduce your coffee intake and replace your coffee with green tea, a drink that still has some caffeine to boost your energy, but that also has a calming effect at the same time.

5) Do Something You Enjoy

Last, but certainly not least, don’t underestimate the energizing effect that doing something you really love can have. It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays and life in general. Aim to take 30 minutes out of your day every single day to do something you love, whether that’s reading a book, going for a walk or calling a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while.

I hope these five tips help you stay energized over the winter.

For more health tips like these and a free energy boosting meal plan, visit my website at www.healthyeatingandliving.ca.

Mandy King, CNP, is a Holistic Nutritionist and the founder of HEAL (www.healthyeatingandliving.ca), the popular blog dedicated to having you looking and feeling amazing with food.

A diagnosed celiac, Mandy focuses on improving digestion, boosting energy and gaining more balance in life, through mouth-watering gluten free and dairy free recipes.

DECO R AT I N G YO UR

Christmas Mantle

M

antles are the heart of any home - an area to show off your collection of photos, memorabilia from vacations, beautiful bouquets of flowers and flickering candles on ornate candlesticks. The holidays are the perfect time to show off your festive flair for decorating and to pull out all the stops to make your mantle a Christmas masterpiece.

By Ruth Van Belle

will best be showcased, based on preference. Place ornaments in vases randomly or in such a way that invokes memories of Christmas past.

If you are not sure about glitter, a traditional mantle may be the perfect solution. Place your garland down the centre of your mantle, add your micro lights, and place some of your most treasured figurines such as Santas or reindeer throughout.

Another option is pulling out your Santa photos from years gone by and placing them on the mantle. Intermingle garland throughout these pieces. You can also add medium size pinecones or red berries and tuck them into the garland. This creates a beautiful traditional mantle.

If you still are not sure what to do with your mantle, Pinterest and many holiday issues of magazines are a great place to gather some ideas. You may not see exactly what you want to create, but it may provide you with direction and inspiration.

Now that your mantle is done, finish off your fireplace. Beautiful poinsettias in large baskets set on each side of the hearth are a perfect finishing touch.

Candlescape mantles are beautifully romantic and set the mood for Christmas. To create this effect you need clear vases and floating candles. Use as many vases and as much or little variation in style as you like. The first step is dressing up your vases. Add gold or silver balls to the bottom of the vases, varying the amount to give dimension and different amounts of “glitter.” Fill your vases with water leaving approximately 2” from the rim. If Christmas balls are not your style, you can add food colouring to the water or leave as is. Once all vases are decorated to your liking, place the largest vase in the middle of the mantle and place the others surrounding the focal point.

Once your mantle is exactly how you like it, take your floating candle by the wick and gently place it into the water so as to not get the wick wet.

Last but not least, take the time to enjoy what you have created and the memories you will make this Christmas season. The first step is to turn the lights down, turn the Christmas lights on, put the music on low, grab your favourite beverage and let the Spirit of Christmas flow through you.

Another elegant mantle can be created using Christmas balls, ornaments or even beautiful vintage and heirloom pieces, along with glass pedestal vases. Place garland down the centre of your mantle and add Christmas lights. Battery operated micro lights with a timer are perfect for this. Once you have added your garland and lights, place your vases anywhere on your mantle. Some examples of vase placement are going from taller to smaller, or placing vases in such a way that your ornaments

HOLIDAY 2015 • 21

Fabulous FALL & WINTER FASHIONS

F

ashion is truly becoming seasonless. Women want to introduce lighter colours to their winter wardrobes, which is changing our perception of seasons and colours.

Lighter colours, transparency and cutouts are new for fall/winter 2015-16.

Summer pastels are now becoming staples in our winter wardrobe.

When discussing fall 2015 fashion trends, it becomes evident that designers are focusing everything around the 60s and 70s, and the cold weather! Most of the country experienced record breaking freezing temperatures last winter and we need to be kept warm and cozy, but still look stylish.

The 70s mod, and hippie inspiration, gives us a good dose of nostalgia, with the right touch of femininity with collared tops, flouncy skirts, ruffles on blouses and low stacked heels. The 70s vibe will remind some of us of disco, and Saturday Night Fever, as suede, flares and boho chic are everywhere this fall.

Groovy baby‌can you dig it?

This season, earthy neutrals are combined with bold patterns emphasizing burnt oranges, olive greens and browns. Marsala, a warm winey red-brown, was the pantone colour of the year for 2015. Flattering against many skin tones, marsala pairs well with neutrals, such as warmer taupes and grays.

Fringe has been refined this season, and really is quite a lovely, flirty trend. It adds a shimmy to each step and will be found on everything from dresses and tops to capes and ankle boots.

Important shapes and accents to keep in mind for fall – high necks (funnel and mock), collarless coats, velvet and embellishments, multi materials and metallic details.

22

Fashion Trend Alert #1: Have Fun with Tights

Fashion Trend Alert #4: Ribbed & Cable Knits

Tights covered the legs of models during fashion week.

Whether you pick simple black thick tights, fishnets, patterned or fleece lined, they are a great accessory to wear under a tunic, long chunky sweater or even a cocktail dress. Tights are a great way to keep your legs warm this winter!

Prepare to get cozy this fall/winter season with an amazing selection of ribbed, cable knit Fair Isle and jacquard sweaters.

The selection is endless. From round necks to turtlenecks, fringe detail, asymmetric hemlines, to cropped and oversized - you are sure to find many fabulous sweaters to keep you warm this season.

Fashion Trend Alert #2: Capes & Ponchos Fashionistas are not superheroes, but we sure love the capes and ponchos, and are rocking the look!

This season you will see dressy, and casual, styles to wear to work, run errands in or even to a fancy cocktail party. The style is not only functional, but also fashionable, and should be an outerwear staple in every girl’s closet.

Fashion Trend Alert #3: Mad for Plaid Super saturated colour palettes add vibrancy to the check and plaid patterns for fall. Antique green and true red will brighten up our mood this winter. Look for out-of-focus checks, tonal checks as well as the tartan in everything from shirts and dresses, to shoes, blanket scarves and capes.

Fashion Trend Alert #5: Accessories Pearls are making a huge comeback, but they are not exactly the ones that our Grandmother wore. Chunky pearl necklaces, bracelets and cuff earrings are the new rage. Keep an eye out for faux fur and velvet on dresses, coats, even shoes and purses this season. Little luggage bags, with double handles in bright colours and patterns, are a great alternative for an evening clutch, and can brighten up that little black dress. Bling is back in style. Tassels will be found on earrings, necklaces, shoes and tops. Bling is back in the form of statement earrings and brooches.

When out shopping for your fall/winter wardrobe don’t forget to look for these hot trends.

Kim Burns, Fashion Buyer Art Knapp Port Coquitlam, BC

HOLIDAY 2015 • 23

I EXTRAORDINARY

christmas greens

Photo Credit Paul Zammit

Toronto Botanical Garden, TTGG 2016

ndependent Garden Centres offer a variety of holiday foliage that you simply don’t find anywhere else.

With competitive pricing and qualified staff to provide you with information about each type of product and decorating advice, you won’t have to make multiple stops to purchase all your winter urn needs.

Different types of foliage will take your pot from ordinary to extraordinary!

Specialty Greens

Magnolia

Seeded Eucalyptus

Dogwood

Large leaves with a glossy green front and velvety brown back

Beautiful grey-blue color, draped effect

Twigs finish off a holiday container beautifully by adding height and dimension

• Fantastic addition to any holiday containers, wreath or table arrangement • Great for all natural, winter container • Perfect size to “nest” pinecones, artificial fruit or shiny baubles

• Excellent for adding detail and class to a holiday arrangement • Available in dyed burgundy as well, and can easily be spray painted the colour of your choice

Oregonia

Noble Fir

Similar to boxwood but light green and cream variegated leaves

Staple green bough from West Coast

• Great filler for containers • Pairs beautifully with magnolia leaves • Will keep true colour all winter • Transitions a pot from “Christmas” to winter as it has a different texture than the traditional Christmas foliage 24

• Very versatile for use in arrangements, wreaths and swags • Excellent needle retention for long lasting creations • Stiff backing makes it perfect for door swags • Adds texture

• Bunched together they make a perfect focal point or bold statement • Red, green and yellow twigs available

Variegated and Green Holly Branches have either dark green or variegated leaves • Prickly leaves – great for floral arrangements, submerging in water, placing on food trays • A must have for the holidays

Silver Fir

Ilex Berry

Beautiful fan-shaped evergreen

Classic, rich red berry synonymous with holiday decorating

• Gorgeous dark green needles with silver backing • Excellent for making door swags

• Brightens up any outdoor arrangement, wreath or indoor table arrangement • Where climate does not allow for outdoor use, weather proof berries are a great alternative

Blue Berried Juniper

Incense Cedar

Stiff silvery green branches with clusters of blue berries

Beautiful draped effect for planters and wreaths alike

• Great vertical accent that fills open spaces • Perfect for wreaths, or indoor floral arrangements

• Prized for its bright golden buds • Wonderful aroma and lacy foliage

Basic Greens

White Pine

Cedar

Balsam

Excellent for structure and weeping effect

Great for filling containers with dense colour

Great container filler

• Provides great colour and texture in projects big and small • Limitless uses

• Excellent weeping habit gives holiday containers a high end look • Many varieties available, but most popular are Ontario and BC cedar

• Excellent colour contrast between greens and blue • Lovely citrus-like fragrance

HOLIDAY 2015 • 25

W

armer winter weather patterns have brought about many changes to our gardens, including the creatures who visit them.

Hummingbirds are not migrating as far south as they used to and we need to provide a suitable habitat to keep them safe and healthy. The Anna’s Hummingbird is the only one of the four Pacific Northwest Hummingbirds to stay this far north during the winter months. This tiny green jewel needs lots of liquid sucrose to retain heat in the cold. Providing winter feeders and winter flowering plants are two great ways to supplement their diet.

Anna’s hummingbirds do not like to share so multiple feeders will encourage more activity (and less competition!). Use a ratio of 1:4 for nectar (one part sugar to four parts water); do not use honey or food coloring. Be sure to keep the solution from

Mahonia media

Winter

Hummingbirds freezing if the temperature drops. Should night temperatures dip below 0° C, simply put the feeder inside at night (hummingbirds only feed during daylight hours) and re-hang at first light. Alternatively, you can make the feeders festive by wrapping Christmas lights around them to provide extra heat or tape hand warmers to them (which will last approximately 7 hours).

Sasanqua camellia

Winter Jasmine

These little wonders also forage on insects, so hang feeders near plants in order to provide them with protection and possibly protein. The best winter blooming shrubs and perennials to offer natural nectar for hummingbirds are: • Mahonia media (Oregon Grape) has lovely yellow flowers • Sasanqua camellia • Ribes sanguineum (Flowering Currant) • Hellebores • Winter Jasmine nudiflorum

Enjoy months of colour, entertainment and the satisfaction that you’re growing a winter wildlife garden!

26 • MINTER COUNTRY GARDEN - 604.792.6612 - MINTERGARDENING.COM

Ribes sanguineum

HOLIDAY 2015 • 27

Fall & Winter

Containers

As the weather turns cooler and wetter with shorter daylight hours, wouldn’t it be wonderful to brighten up your patio with some great winter colour? It’s easier than you may think, but to succeed you will need a different strategy than spring/summer.

Here are the three key elements.

The Containers

The Soil

Terracotta, in our climate, tends to absorb moisture and is prone to cracking in winter. Quality, wellfired lacquered pots are usually fine, as are resin and quality plastic pots. Larger containers have greater soil mass and therefore the plants fare better in winter weather.

Group a number of containers together, varying their heights, to create an artistic display.

Porous, very well-drained soil is a must. In winter, standard potting mixes hold too much moisture and that tends to cause root rot.

To open up the soil, improve drainage and avoid this problem, mix a third measure of fine fir or hemlock bark mulch into a quality high-porosity potting soil. This is essentially a professional nursery mix that is ideal for all winter plants.

Contorted Filbert

‘THRILLER’ FOCAL POINTS:

• Red, yellow and ‘Midwinter Fire’ bush dogwoods • Contorted willow and filberts • Funky colourful conifers

Euphorbias

FILLER COLOUR:

• Evergreen euphorbias • Colorful heucheras and heucherellas • Winter flowering heathers (whites are best) • Nandinas like ‘Gulf Stream’ and ‘Sienna Sunrise’

Heucheras

BERRIES:

• Wintergreen (Gaultheria. Edible!)

• Deciduous holly • Pyracantha

Deciduous Holly

SPILL OVERS:

The Plants Today there are many hardy plants that do well in winter containers, and so much beautiful evergreen foliage is now available that even pots without flowers look stunning. Most hardy plants will do nicely down to a temperature of -8°C. Below that they will need some protection. The easiest method is to simply situate the containers in a sheltered area out of severe cold winds and wrap them with insulating material like the easy-to-use fabric called N-Sulate, which can make up to a 10°C difference in the temperature. As soon as the worst of the cold is over, remove and store the insulating fabric and your pots are good to go. Remember: if the containers are under eaves, they will need to be kept moist.

To the right is a list of our favourite winter container plants.

28 • MINTER COUNTRY GARDEN - 604.792.6612 - MINTERGARDENING.COM

• Evergreen grasses like Carex ‘Evergold’, ‘Everillo’ and ‘Eversheen’ • Variegated ivy • Berried cotoneasters

Carex ‘Evergold’

WINTER FLOWERS:

• Violas and pansies (Try the new ‘Cool Wave’) • Mini cyclamen

Mini Cyclamen

Winter Perfume

Cinnamon, fresh fir and peppermint are traditional holiday fragrances, but step outside your door at this time of year and let your garden blow you away with incredible winter perfume (yes, even in the middle of winter)! The most sensational scents come from: 1. Viburnum ‘Pink Dawn’ (Viburnum bodnantense): Grows 6-10’ HxW. Zone 5. Blooms October through to April.

2. White Forsythia (Abeliophyllum distichum): Grows 3-4’ HxW. Zone 6.

Performs well in semi-shade. Blooms in March.

3. Wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox): Grows 4-6’ HxW. Zone 6.

Does best against a wall. Blooms February to March.

4. Skimmia ‘Rubella’ (Skimmia japonica): Grows 3-4’ HxW. Zone 5.

Evergreen and does well in part to full shade. Blooms February to March.

5. Lemon Cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa ‘Goldcrest’): Grows 6-8’H x 2’W (slow growing). Zone 7. Foliage has a delightful lemon fragrance.

Ideal for containers.

6. Himalayan Sweet Box (Sarcococca humilis): Grows 17-24” HxW. Zone 6. Prefers part to full shade. Unique ‘wispy’ white flowers.

Blooms January to March.

7. February Daphne (Daphne mezereum): Prefers full sun and grows 3-4’ HxW. Zone 3. Flowers mature to poisonous berries, so do be cautious.

Blooms February to March.

8. Chinese Witch Hazel (Hamamelis mollis): Grows 8-13’ HxW. Zone 6.

Stunning orange and red varieties are also available. Blooms late December to February.

9. Paperwhite Narcissus Bulbs: Grow happily indoors and make a wonderful gift!

10. Prepared Hyacinths: Also for indoor blooms. Easy to grow.

Unless otherwise stated, all prefer full sun and well-drained soil.

CHILLIWACK

CULTURAL CENTRE

Give the gift of art with the

Chilliwack Cultural Centre!

Save $5 on tickets for select shows!

For more details visit: www.chilliwackculturalcentre.ca/ ChristmasAtMinters/ HOLIDAY 2015 • 29

MAKES CHRISTMAS LIGHTS AS EASY AS Ready, Set, GO! 1-2Glow Christmas Lights are a brilliant innovation from Lumineo that makes decorating the Christmas tree fast and easy. These Christmas tree lights are simple to install and they’ll save you precious time for what’s most important during the holidays. With the new 1-2Glow lights by Lumineo your Christmas Easy set up tree lights: tree will be lighted perfectly in 5 minutes and 2 easy steps: That’s it! You’re done and your family’s Christmas tree has never looked better. 1-2Glow is as easy as Ready, Set, GO!

HANG OVER TOP

The Last Set of Christmas Lights You’ll Ever Buy:

Save money – and the environment!

1-2Glow lights are so tough that you can walk on them! They’re virtually indestructible and rated to provide at least 50,000 hours (over 5 ½ years) of continuous light, which means your 1-2Glow lights will survive year after year.

1-2Glow lights are made with energy efficient LED bulbs that reduce energy consumption by up to 90% compared to traditional incandescent Christmas lights. Our 126 LED strand uses about 8 Watts of energy, making these lights environmentally considerate while saving you money on your energy bill.

Suited for indoor or outdoor use, 1-2Glow Christmas Lights come in a variety of options to achieve the ideal ambience for your home and yard: • 1-2Glow lights come in 73.8 ft. strands covering trees up to 7 ft • LEDs per string:

WRAP AROUND

Save time and money this Christmas with the easy to install 1-2Glow lights

by Lumineo. Available at Garden Centres near you this holiday season.

- Normal Density for a traditional look (7.5 cm between each Christmas light) or - Compact Density for 3 times as many lights per strand (2.5 cm between each Christmas light) • Colour and tone: - Cool White - Warm White • Effects: - Twinkle Lights - with 8 different settings to choose from

30 • MINTER COUNTRY GARDEN - 604.792.6612 - MINTERGARDENING.COM

Great for all your lit holiday decorating ideas.

So durable and long lasting, you can even walk on them!

Where great gardens begin.

604.792.6612 Toll Free: 1.800.661.3919 10015 Young Road, Chilliwack, BC

mintergardening.com