Bioregionalism

For the past few months I have been making a list of foods I can eat (in Fredericton) on the 100 mile diet…and comparing the list to foods I can eat on the Bioregion diet.

The Bioregion diet was a term given to me by Speelville Mills. I googled Bioregionalism and....everything clicked. I am not limiting my choices, I am making choices that help strengthen the economy, locally and regionally. Most of the foods I buy are from Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and PEI.

Here are a few quotes from their site:

What is bioregionalism?

"Bioregionalism is a fancy name for living a rooted life. Sometimes called "living in place," bioregionalism means you are aware of the ecology, economy and culture of the place where you live, and are committed to making choices that enhance them".

Bioregional eating

"Food is a basic necessity of life. One of the highest-impact actions you can take is to buy food grown locally and organically whenever you can.

If you live in a place that doesn't have a year-round growing season, ask yourself if you really need to eat lettuce or fresh strawberries in December, or if you could enjoy feasting on vegetables and fruits from the root cellar and locally-grown food frozen, canned or dried from the summer's harvest. Eating a diet appropriate to the climate not only avoids the costs and damage of transporting food; it is also healthful and wise."

I decided not to post the food lists. Once I started reading the Bioregion site…I just didn’t see the purpose to the lists. It is not about what you can and cannot have…it is about how you want to live.

This year has been all about how I could actually change the way I purchase food for all seasons.

Bioregionalism has been around for a long time. I have been trying to live it for the last few years…I just didn’t know it had a name.

http://www.greatriv.org/bioreg.htm

And the Winner is.......

Sobeys on the north side.

This morning was busy. I had appointments and errands to run. I also had to buy a few groceries and pick up wine. I debated whether to go to the south side Superstore, about 3 blocks away, or drive to Sobeys on the north side. I knew it would be busy everywhere and time is precious. I chose Sobeys.

I clocked myself as I left the house. I drove to the north side, picked up the wine, then parked in front of Sobeys. I found everything I needed, plus I had asked for help in finding one item. Mission accomplished. I returned to the car and headed home. I looked at the clock as I entered the kitchen…I had been gone 38 minutes.

This has to be the best place to shop in Fredericton.

My top ten Canadian picks for 2008

1. Speelville products ( August 4 post)
2. Carrots from the market ( Oct.29 post)
3. Apples ( Nov. 25 and April 27 post)
4. Yogurt from the market ( Oct. 29 post)
5. Dare Grains first snack crackers( Feb. 11 post)
6. Northumberland Max Apple Cranberry juice (Jan.24 post)
7. Pelee Island wines (March 13 post)
8. Cultures de Chez Nous Leeks ( Jan. 14 post)
9. Kamut pasta (Nov. 11 post)
10. New Brunswick pears ( Sept.6 & 7 post)

No Waste

This year I have really been using my slow cooker. I use it to make my apple/rhubarb sauces, soups, meals….and the newest one…. (and maybe the best)…porridge. I have tried a lot of new recipes, especially meals…always hoping for leftovers.

I love being able to stretch a meal into at least two. One thing I found by purchasing only Canadian…is our fresh products cost a bit more. I still buy them, but will try to make them go further as well.

So, between the slow cooker, and stretching fresh produce…I have found meals can be simpler and healthier. Our portions have certainly become smaller.

I feel I have appreciated my food this year. I certainly don’t feel I wasted my time…or my food.

Garlic and Wine

Last Christmas, I was given a fantastic book “Cooking with BC Wine”…by authors Troy and Cheryl-Lynn Townsin. It is a guide to the wineries of British Columbia. I hope to visit a few wineries some day, until then, I will continue to drink their wine…….and occasionally use it for cooking.

There are many great recipes in this book using BC wine. Below is the best pork roast recipe I have ever tried. And the easiest.

Garlic Roast Pork

Serves 8

Ingredients

1 cup BC Pinot Noir
5 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tsp dried rosemary
1 tsp dried oregano
1 boneless pork roast (5-6 lbs)
6 garlic cloves, halved

1.In a small bowl, mix together crushed garlic, rosemary, oregano and BC Pinot Noir. Place roast in a large plastic or glass container, add marinade and cover. Marinate overnight.

2.Preheat oven to 325 F. Transfer pork roast to a Dutch oven. Make 12 1-inch slits in the meat with a sharp knife and insert a garlic half in each slit. Pour marinade over the meat and cover.

3.Roast for 35 minutes per pound or until a meat thermometer inserted into the centre of the roast reads at least 160 F.

4.Let sit for 10 minutes before slicing.

Just Sayin……

Well…it is December, and in a few weeks my little project will come to an end. It certainly doesn’t feel like a whole year….and it really doesn’t feel like a project. It is just a natural way of shopping.

I want to mention brand names. There are many top brands in our grocery stores that have Canada on the packaging…I try to avoid most of those. The only “big” brand names I purchase are McCain’s and President Choice. I have not been purchasing brand names like Kraft, Campbell’s, Heinz etc. Most of those brands have US/Canadian companies but I am just not sure about the crossover.

When I am shopping, I am hoping to find a Canadian business, local if possible. I have found quite a few new products. The seed butters, pastas, potato chips, Speelville products and a few varieties of apples have all been very tasty and worth the switch. Most are organic; all are Canadian businesses and products.

There are Canadian products in our stores. We just have to look for them. I hope by naming them on this blog, they will be easier to find. It is worth the effort.

Just sayin……

Not Jean Luc...

Wow.....we do grow peanuts in Canada. Picards peanuts. The things I learn from having this blog. Thank you so much for sending me the information. I have not checked the entire site ...just the section on how they grow peanuts in Ontario. I certainly will be looking for this product...and if I cannot find it, I will ask local grocers to start supporting this company. Wow....peanuts in Canada. Check this site out....

http://www.picardspeanuts.ca/about-us