Wednesday, September 3, 2014

A great guide to griling veggies like a pro

I have the good folks at Fix--in particular Florida BBQ Association Judge Robyn Medlin Lindars--to thank for this super-duper guide to grilling veggies.

I had a handle on peppers and asparagus, but have to admit I didn't know the trick about removing the silk from the corn before throwing them on the barbecue, nor have I tried barbecuing artichoke hearts.

With so many vegetables still growing in our back yard (thanks to my husband, a self-taught gardener), this guide comes at a great time and is one I'll refer to often.


Take a hike, Skittles: here's to natural candy

Check out these treats I discovered at the Shipyards Market in North Vancouver's LoLo neighbourhood recently: all-natural hard candies from Germany's Candy Meister and exquisite truffles by Richmond-based Coconama.

Made by a couple from Berlin, Candy Meister's traditional, hard candies don't just sound good; they are good. We sampled a few (like Green Woodruff Leaves) and came home with three bags: Little Fruities, Sweet Raspberry, and everyone's favourite, Sour Apple.

Most are gluten-free, and all are suitable for vegans and vegetarians. For health-conscious folks, there are no crappy colours or preservatives.

Same goes for the fabulous chocolates from Coconama, which are made by a couple who used to run a confectionary in Japan. No artificial colours here; rather, the goodies get their brilliant colors from ingredients like green tea and mango.


I love supporting both of these companies for their dedication to high-quality ingredients and fine products. These are treats you can feel good about indulging in.