June • 2022
globalheroes.com CANADIAN-GROWN GINSENG
It’s in our Roots. Ontario is the premier supplier & global leader in the production of safe, high-quality ginseng. Visit GinsengOntario.com for more information.
FOOD HEROES & FEEL GOOD RECIPES ADVERTORIAL
A Deep-Rooted History of North American Ginseng For centuries, ginseng has been used to support overall health and wellness. Panax Quinquefolious ginseng (also known as North American Ginseng or NAG) is Canada’s largest field-grown horticultural export crop and one of our oldest trades. The commercial history of the root is traced to the early 1800s when a Jesuit priest and missionary among the Iroquois found the plant near Montréal. Soon after, the Jesuits started shipping dried roots to China. Ginseng is believed to be the first trade between Canada and China. In Ontario, the ginseng industry achieved its large-scale, commercial beginning through the efforts of Clarence and Albert Hellyer with wild ginseng seeds. Ontario’s clean water, unique terroir, and climate provide unmatched quality, distinctive taste, and aromatic fragrance. To this day, growers are still producing ginseng in southwestern Ontario with this genetic heritage. Ginseng grown with the genetic lineage in its native soils is what contributes to its premium benefits.
WHAT IS GINSENG? North American ginseng grows slowly, taking approximately three to five years to reach maturity. Light-coloured roots grow from a single stalk, with long oval leaves and red berries. The entire plant is captivating, but the true medicinal value lies in the root. THE ROOT OF HEALTH Indigenous and Chinese cultures have long praised North American ginseng as the miracle “man-root,” due to its man-like shape and belief that it is beneficial for every part of the human body. Ginseng contains an active compound called ginsenosides, and they have some incredibly powerful health benefits for your brain, body, and spirit, including stress reduction, improved cognitive function, improved immune system response, and reproductive support.
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QUICK AND REFRESHING GINSENG SMOOTHIES Ginseng smoothies are a delicious and easy way to ensure you are getting in your daily servings of fruit and vegetables! Ginseng goes well in tropical, berry, and fresh green smoothies. Try adding Canadian ginseng to your favourite smoothie recipe to boost adaptogens that may improve your mood, immunity, and general health and wellness.
Powdered root Powered extracts (in capsules) Tea Tonic—this is the form often used by Chinese Medicine practitioners
HOW TO ADD GINSENG TO YOUR DIET Ginseng root has traditionally been used in tea, soup, and rice. Still, it can easily be added to many of today’s cuisines and modern functional foods like energy drinks and bars, smoothies, coffee, stir-fry, stews, oatmeal, and puddings.
WHERE CAN I BUY NORTH AMERICAN GINSENG? Ontario is one of the world’s leading suppliers of safe, highquality ginseng. Look for the “Running Root” logo on consumer products. This ensures the product is grown in native Ontario soil and HOW IS GINSENG USED? is 100 percent North American Ginseng is found in a variety of Ginseng. A list of ginseng retailers product forms but is typically and certified sellers can be found used as: on the Ontario Ginseng Growers • Dried root (bought whole or Association (OGGA) website, cut into slices) ginsengontario.com.
© COURTESY OF ONTARIO GINSENG
Ingredients • 1 cup (125 mL) prepared smoothie of your choice • 1/2 tsp (2.5 mL) Canadian Ginseng Root Powder Directions
© ONE FOR THE WALL
1 For every 1 cup of prepared smoothie, add 1/2 teaspoon of Canadian ginseng root powder. Blend on high for 15 seconds or until well incorporated. 2 Note: Ginseng’s unique flavour profile also pairs well with warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, or nutmeg.
Equal Access to Meals: No Questions Asked constraints, however can also be accessed by residents who are in need of a meal, whatever the reason. We do not ask questions, because food insecurity is experienced and looks differently for everyone.” Working on the philosophy that good food fuels us, Wood explained that every meal made in their kitchen is made with a focus on nutrition and high-quality meals that resemble restaurant quality.
ALLIE MURRAY
Food insecurity is an issue that impacts people in many different ways, and this is the driving force behind Good Food Impact, a community initiative based in Stouffville, Ontario. Good Food Impact, formerly known as The Good Food Project, began in July 2021 as a research project for Stouffville resident Emma Wood. Before starting her project, Wood recognized the need for a service like this in her community and with the resources from her project, she launched the volunteer-run initiative. “Food and community go hand-in-hand,” Wood shared. “At Good Food Impact, we know our connection to the communities we work in is vital. We are grateful for the support from the community and our community partners.” Their work begins in the kitchen, where their Kitchen Director creates recipes that are distributed to the community through
© COURTESY OF GOOD FOOD IMPACT
their community partners at the Whitchurch-Stouffville Food Bank and local shelter Hummingbird Hub. Beginning with the idea for a recipe, the Kitchen Director creates something fun and flavourful. The team then tries the recipe before bringing it into the Good Food Kitchen, then the Grocery Coordinator sources ingredients from local stores and community gardens.
Once everything is set, the cooks make the meals and distribute them throughout the community. “By providing access to meals, food insecure, income insecure, and any resident in need of a hearty, healthy meal will be able to access one, free of charge,” Wood said. “The meals are meant to target residents who are unable to eat adequately due to financial
TEX-MEX BOWL A well-loved and straightforward recipe, the Tex-Mex Bowl from Good Food Impact can be easily adapted for all likings! Ingredients • • • • • • • • •
1 tsp cooking oil 1 medium onion ½ red bell pepper ½ green bell pepper 2 cups black beans ¾ pound chicken breast Taco seasoning 2 cups rice 1 cup frozen corn
• 1 cup shredded cheese • 1 jalapeño pepper Directions 1 Prepare rice as per package. 2 Chop onions, bell peppers and jalapeños. Set aside. 3 Cut the chicken breast into 1-inch cubes and saute over medium-high heat until cooked through. Then add taco seasoning and a bit of water until the chicken is completely tossed in sauce. Set aside. 4 In a skillet over medium-high heat, add onion and cook until softened. Next, add bell peppers and cook for 2-3 minutes. Then add black beans and frozen corn. Cook for 2-3 minutes, until everything is heated through. 5 Now it’s time to assemble the bowls! Start with a rice base, then add the vegetable mixture and top with the chicken. Sprinkle ¼ cup of shredded cheese and garnish with jalapeño peppers. Enjoy with salsa, sour cream, or guacamole! ADVERTORIAL
