five reasons to go raw

1. energy that keeps me going and going
Adding more raw to my plate means that I am eating live energy! What that gives me is a wonderful sense of wellbeing that has me jump out of bed everyday. In fact because I have been eating this way for a while now, I am now a very enthusiastic long distance runner. (Yes, it gives you that much energy)

2. good for you food that tastes good
It tastes so good. Mother nature was not messing around when she decided to create her menu. The flavours of organic, seasonal fruits and vegetables are truly sublime. No additives or flavour enhancers are needed. Every fruit or vegetable, nut or seed has a very distinct flavor and texture to appreciate.

3. it's quick and easy
It is so quick. I use a blender, a food processor and a knife to create my recipes. I want them to be flavour filled and look great but I also want them to be quick and easy.

4. keeps me feeling young
As a woman of 38, I feel younger than I ever did at 18. Eating greens keeps you young and eating spinach is so much cheaper than Botox!

5. i found my calling
Being a raw foods presenter and chef is such a fulfilling calling. To be able to share the power of raw foods in a way that people respond to and knowing it makes a huge difference to people lives is very rewarding. It transforms not just how they feel but how they look at themselves and the world.

get hooked on raw with 'lulu lifts'

Easy to make, Kemi designed these little energy balls just for us! They’re the perfect firecracker-of-a-snack when you’re feeling the need for a little pick-me-up.

lulu lifts
• ½ cup cacao
• ½ cup brazil nuts
• ½ cup almonds
• ½ cup raisins
• 3 tbsp raw honey
• 2 tbsp flaxseeds
• a splash of vanilla extract
• water to bind

Place all ingredients (except raisins and water) into a food processor and process until combined. Slowly add water to bind the mixture. Fold in the raisons then roll into balls and refrigerate or freeze.

[Kemi’s note: Cacao is a natural stimulant. Because of this you may want to avoid giving it to children. You can replace it with natural cocoa powder or carob. You may want to add a little more honey if you use carob.]

Want more raw in your life? Check out Kemi’s Raw Kitchen for some serious foodspiration!

My 10 year vision for myself has me waking up bright an early each morning, hitting a local farmers’ market with a mini-me in tow and getting inspired in the moment to cook up a delicious, seasonal and healthful meal for my family that day. Romantic, right? I love the idea of buying bread from the baker, meat from the butcher and produce from a farmer. For now, my shopping habits are less whimsical and more grocery store but every time I get to a market I feel a pang in my heart that connects me to my future self. Here are few tips for shopping ‘market fresh’.

1. the early bird gets the worm freshest produce
Get there early for the cream of the crop. You’ll beat the crowds and earn a little extra face-time with the farmers. It’s a passion and a science to cultivate beautiful produce so don’t underestimate their knowledge when it comes to how to pick and prepare whatever is in season.

2. bring small bills
Often times farmers’ markets will be cash only – do your local vendor a favour and bring the smallest bills you’ve got – you’ll save them from running out of small change and land yourself on their good side (which is a great place to be)!

3. do a once around first
Scope out the scene before you start filling up your basket with goodies – it’s the only way to discover who’s offering the best stuff for the best prices!

4. byo-bag
Everybody wins when you use a reusable shopper. From minimizing waste for the environment to saving the vendor a few cents a bag, it’s an easy way to earn some good karma (and a more reliable way to carry a melon home). Plus, we happen to know a little place that has some great reusable shoppers!

5. know what’s in season
If you know what’s in season you’re more likely to come home with the best tasting stuff. Simple. Check out the app ‘Seasons’ for an easy guide to what’s fresh when, in your region! Bonus: it even lets you know of markets happening close to you!

6. just because it’s a farmers market doesn’t mean it’s local
Take the time to read up on what kind of market you’re headed to. Read the ‘rules’ of the market for insight on what kind of produce you might be looking at. It’s not uncommon for markets to allow vendors to offer commercially-purchased and imported goods. Talk to the people behind the counters for the full story on where you’re food is really coming from – they’ll know it best.

7. organic or not organic?
Here’s another sneaky one – just because something isn’t labeled “organic” doesn’t mean it isn’t produced following organic principles. Certifications can be very expensive and can discourage small local farms from receiving the official documentation. Ask the farmers about their philosophies and make the call accordingly!

8. have a method to your madness
It’s not a bad idea to spend a little time strategically thinking about the order in which you buy stuff. Purchasing heavier items first is great because you’ll want them at the bottom of the bags but you’ll end up having to lug them around. Buying lighter items first is easier on the biceps but will require a rearrange half way through your shop. It’s a personal preference thing but worth considering!

9. take your time
Farmers’ markets are best shopped when you are not on a schedule. Try to avoid “fitting in” a trip on an already busy day - if you’re anything like me you’ll get flustered and stressed. Take the time to soak in the experience and do it right. You’ll leave relaxed and inspired to get creative in the kitchen.

vegan pork. impossible? we think not.

Before I get too ahead of myself, let me introduce you to my new favourite thing (aside from coconut oil, that is) – jackfruit. This mother of a fruit (seriously, it’s the largest tree-borne fruit known to mankind) should get an academy award for its star performance as pork in this sandwich. Not only does it, when properly prepared, take on the appearance of meat but its heartiness and mild flavour also really helps it own the part. The fruit is rich in dietary fibers and potassium and is packed with vitamins and nutrients making it an awesome, natural, vegan alternative to meat.

your shopping list:

pulled jackfruit sandwich

You can find the recipe I used on the blog, Clean Green Simple.
She offers a ton of insight into the recipe and some awesome photographs so you know exactly what you’re getting yourself into. I highly recommend checking it out!

the good, the bad, the ugly (mostly good though)

• yum, yum, yum. Did I already mention I'm a fan?  – I’ll be making this again and again and again
• once you have all the ingredients it’s very quick and easy to make #winning
• jackfruit can be a bit tricky to find – your best bet for scoring the stuff  is at an Asian grocery store
• this recipe calls for 100% jackfruit in brine (can) – which is what I used. Rumor around the office is that fresh jackfruit can be quite stinky so experiment at your own risk!

Whip it up, you won’t regret it and let us know if you love it too!

Editors note: After speaking with Alli and her love for this nut oil I was inspired to do a little experimenting myself. Getting carried away would be an understatement. I may or may not be completely covered in the stuff… and also added it to my morning smoothie. Have you gone cuckoo for coconut oil too?

13.1 smoothies for 13.1 miles

1. Green Machine Smoothie – Whole Living
2. Cherry Almond Vanilla Smoothie – Running To The Kitchen
3. Kale Spinach and Pear Smoothie – Joy The Baker
4. Tropical Green Smoothie – 52 Kitchen Adventures
5. Preet’s Special Smoothie – Yyoga + OrganicLives
6. Power Protein Smoothie – Whole Living
7. Mango Coconut Water Smoothie – Whole Living
8. The Mojito Smoothie – My New Roots
9. Crunchy Coffee Fix – Runner’s World
10. Banana Oat Smoothie – Martha Stewart
11. Pineapple and Banana Smoothie – Whole Living
12. Key Lime Pie Protein Smoothie – Peanut Butter Fingers
13. Gingered Beet Smoothie – With Style & Grace
13.1 Raw Blizzard – Rawified (Hey, with all that running we're doing we deserve a sweet, healthly(ish) treat! And yes, that’s Blizzard like DQ Blizzard.)

I first met Kate on Heartbreak Hill in Boston, where she was (rather aggressively) cheering on marathoners, sometimes leaving the sidelines to run next to friends, helping them up the toughest part of the Boston Marathon. As an athlete training for Ironman Mont Tremblant (her goal is to do it in under 11:15), a keyleader at lululemon Burlington and a nutrition student (currently working on her Masters with a concentration on sports nutrition), Kate was the perfect person to take on the task of inventing our very own recipe for Seawheeze Bars.

the requirements were:

• the bars had to be easy and quick to make
•  they had to be nutritious and good for post-run recovery
•  they had to be delicious

Kate tinkered in her test kitchen and came up with this vegan, gluten-free recipe that you can make as a recovery treat after your next long run for SeaWheeze training.

seawheeze sea salt caramel bars
Makes 12-15 bars

ingredients
• 4 cups of fresh pitted Medjool dates (about 48 dates)
• 3 cups of raw cashews
• 4 tablespoon chia seeds
• 2 tsp sea salt
• dash of vanilla extract (optional)

directions
1. Place the pitted dates in a bowl and soak in water for 15 minutes. (This can be longer or shorter depending on the amount of time you have. The purpose is to soften them to make them process more easily into a paste). Drain the dates.

2. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit

3. Put all ingredients (dates, cashews, chia seeds, sea salt and vanilla (if you are using it) in a food processor. Process the mixture for about a minute. You may need to stop the processing and scrape the sides of the bowl and then process again.

4. Once the mixture is smooth, form the mixture into bars with your hands and place on a cooking sheet.

5. Bake* the bars for 15 minutes. Remove and put them on a pan with wax paper or parchment paper and place in the freezer until you are ready to enjoy!

*the purpose of baking the bars is to take out stickiness, not to make the bars crunchy. Your final bar should be soft yet still together.

where's the caramel?

The caramel flavour in the bars comes from the dates. By processing them, you get a smooth, sweet caramel-like substance without the heavy cream and butter which is what "real" caramel is made of (plus loads of sugar). Dates provide great fuel for runners, and is much easier on your stomach than its non-vegan. sugar-filled counterpart.

quick nutrition synopsis

dates
Great source of easily digestible energy for a pre-run snack or for post-run recovery to replenish your glycogen stores. Rich in antioxidants, iron and potassium.

cashews
Good source of protein, B-vitamins for energy and magnesium to help with muscle function and prevent muscle cramps and muscle soreness fatigue.

chia seeds
Easily digestible fuel, that’s rich in omega 3 fatty acids, antioxidants, protein, vitamins and minerals. Chia was made famous in the book Born to Run as it was the super seed of the Tarahumara tribe. Chia seeds are a staple in their diet because of their ability to provide an abundant source of energy and nutrients.

sea salt
Salt is essential for muscle function. Runners lose salt through sweat (and can lose a lot especially when training and racing in the summer heat!) and if the electrolytes are not properly replaced, this can lead to muscle cramping, soreness and fatigue. Consuming a high quality sea salt is better than table salt since the sea salt contains the trace minerals essential for your well-being and it is not processed like table salt. It’s free of additives, bleaching agents and stabilizing agents.

(vanilla extract)
Kate made the vanilla extract optional because she’s allergic and can't have it, so she couldn't taste test with it but in typical caramel sea salt recipes, it calls for vanilla. It also is not providing much nutritional value for runners.

feedback from the office

I made the bars at the office with Heather from our Oakridge  store and we passed out samples for feedback. Note – this batch was eaten straight out of the oven without cooling & freezing:

the verdict...

“I am a hardcore "bar" addict (larabars, luna bars, elevate me, you name it - comes with being paleo-ish) and liked how moist and soft they were compared to the others that can be really dry” – Steph, Ecommerce

“Creamy, delicious, nutty and not too sweet. I really loved them. I honestly can't believe they didn't have butter in them - they tasted so good, I assumed they must be bad for me.” – Lesia, Brand Experience

“As a person who does not regularly eat any kind of bar, I thought they were tasty. I think if you’re planning on cutting them into larger pieces though they might need to be a teeny bit more firm?” – Melissa, Brand Experience

Thank you to Kate for developing our first-ever recipe for the lululemon test kitchen! If you’re wondering what’s next for our recipe developer, she plans to be working as a sports nutritionist by July 2013 and will write a cookbook for endurance athletes by January 2017. You can also check out what she's up to on her personal site, Iron Nourishment.

We’re heating things up in Albuquerque! With our new store opening a few weeks ago, we turned to our local team to find out what’s HOT, HOT, HOT in ABQ. Pink skies, hot air balloons and chile that’ll set the roof (of your mouth) on fire, here’s what we suggest you get up to if you want to discover ‘The Land of Enchantment”.

if you happen to be in albuquerque (for 24 hours or less…)

coffee
Satellite Coffee is a locally owned and operated caffeine shop, where you can feed your addiction with a tasty Mexican Latte that has hints of cinnamon and sweet chocolate.

eat
After a hike up the Sandia Mountains, treat yourself with a New Mexican meal in Albuquerque’s North Valley. El Pinto offers a charming hacienda environment in the lush riverbed of the Rio Grande. When asked “red or green” by your server, they’re asking about your preference in chile, not for your favorite color. Be sure to try the Chile Con Queso to start and Flat Blue Corn Green Chile Enchiladas!

yoga
We love Blissful Spirits Hot Yoga studio! If you’re up for a challenge, check out our ambassador James’ hot Hatha classes or Nicole Law’s Yoga Sculpt. In the mood for something spicy? Give Pilates Caliente a try. Our ambassador Kelly, will get you fired up while strengthening and conditioning those long lean muscles.

beer
La Cumbre Brew Company offers award-winning beers in their Euro Style Brew pub where dogs and laughter are welcome company. Order a Green Chile Cheeseburger from the food truck outside and, if you’re a hops fan make sure you try the Elevated IPA!

sleep
Built in 1926 and converted into a hotel in 2010, Hotel Parq Central is a boutique hotel at the gateway to Downtown Albuquerque. It’s a great blend of historic elegance and contemporary comfort. Watching one of our New Mexican sunsets from the hotel’s rooftop lounge will show you why we’re called the Land of Enchantment…

Headed to Albuquerque or playing tourist in your own town? Check out our new store and ask the team for even more recos!

Contrary to popular belief it is still possible to get lost (even if you have an iPhone). Portland, you seriously tested our bearings and put Siri to work. Despite frustrated “aarghs”, wrong turns and the brief 20 minutes when we COULD NOT FIND VANNA, it was hard to stay mad at you and your strange street system because you are just, oh so charming. With every wrong turn came a new discovery – here’s what we found:

if you happen to find yourself in portland (for 24 hours or less)…

eat
Who thought we’d be passing up a glass of Oregon Pinot and fine dining to sit outside alla picnic bench and woof down a Whiffie Pie? I’m pretty sure that while I was living in Toronto I had strict rules against this. Somehow Portland has managed to master the food cart culture and bring charm where no charm has ever been brought before. We hit up the carts at SE 12th and Hawthorne, ordered an array of grub, including but not limited to PB&J poutine (for serious) and sat under the twinkling lights while watching the crowds gather. It was truly romantic in a ‘summer-loving-Grease kind of way.

sleep
If you’ve got a keen eye for design (or simply just appreciate a good night’s sleep) then Hotel Monaco comes highly recommended. Exuberant patterns and colours are splashed across every surface making each twist and turn down the halls an exciting one. The staff is friendly, the rooms are large (with a sitting area to boot) and the hotel is located in a convenient central location. Added bonus: they welcome your fluffy friends too!

sweat
You may know Alex Cole from the popular 80s dance show, Solid Gold - we know him as our Sunday morning yoga instructor (and YoYo Yogi studio owner) who lead us through a Soul Shakin’ 9am class. If there’s one thing you must do while in Portland, it’s this class.

Coffee
Get your java fix with a hot cup of Portland’s famous Stumptown roast. Hit up the flagship location or score a mugful at Lovejoy Bakers and treat yourself to a post yoga pastry or breakfast sandwich too – that’s what we did!

sweet treat
There are really no words to describe Voodoo Doughnuts it’s just simply something you have to see for yourself. For the real experience put in the time and wait (yes, there will be a line at all hours, every day) and grab a maple bacon doughnut at the original location. If you’re in a hurry, you can skip the wait and score yourself this famous Portland treat in a jiffy at their NE Davis St. location.
Good to know: you can grab a famous pink box to go and fly them internationally with you.
Also good to know: your coworkers may be mad if you don’t deliver. Whoops!

Just one more (brief) stop ahead in Seattle, then we are homeward bound!

We can’t help but daydream our way through spring with visions of sing-along, top-down, hair-blowing-in-the-wind road trips with our best pals. This is, after all, what summer’s all about, right? Between

snack-time

No need to make pit stops for snacks – plan ahead so you have both sweet and savoury (healthy) snacks to combat cravings and the munchies. Save your time, money and indulgences for meals since they are harder to plan for anyway.

travel friendly snacks
• apples/bananas with a natural nut butter
• raw mixed nuts or trail mix
• bliss balls
• carrots and hummus
• pita chips
• a few pre-made PB&J sandwiches
• plenty of water in reusable bottles (freeze a few to use as ‘ice’ for your cooler)

dining out

One of the best parts of visiting a new town is getting a taste of the local culture (literally). The name of the game is balance – sip a glass of wine, munch on an order of fries and then make healthy choices when possible.

eat this, not that at restaurants
• if you’re hungry enough for an appetizer, order a house salad with a vinaigrette dressing or a cup of broth-based soup (rather than cream-based). If those appies don’t tickle your fancy, split a small plate with your dining buddy (think hummus with veggies or pita bread, ahi tuna or a shrimp cocktail)
• go for items that are grilled, baked or steamed and resist ones that are fried or battered (think grilled chicken or salmon with a baked potato or steamed veggies)
• if your sweet tooth needs taming, order sorbet or fresh berries (nature’s candy, I tell you!) or split a more decadent dessert with the table. Guilty - I’m never one to deny myself the gift that is chocolate
• remember that most restaurants are quite accommodating these days for specific dietary needs or preferences, so don’t be afraid to ask questions or to make substitutions. How big are the portions? Is it enough to share? Can I sub steamed broccoli for cheesy broccoli? Side salad for the fries? Brown rice for white rice?

stretch your legs

When it comes to long trips don’t let your roadmap interfere with your training plan. Get out to stretch your legs and spend a little time discovering the cool cities you’re passing through.

staying active on the road
• look for a local lululemon in the city and check out their community board for tons of info on the best studios, local events and complimentary classes going on during your stay
• practice yoga outdoors (think park, mountain top, beach) or in your hotel room. Check out the gift of yoga or a yoga app for a more guided practice
• rent a bike (or bring your own on the back of your car) - bike share programs (like Bixi) are all the rage! Go for a ride and explore your surroundings
• no equipment? No problem. Lace up your sneakers and head for a run. Use a resource like MapMyRun to find safe and reliable routes!
• take advantage of hotel amenities, run your own mini-bootcamp in the gym, play tennis or do a few laps in the pool

Summer is so close we can almost taste it and the sampler plate of warm, sunny days in March was a nice touch, Mother Nature. We’re already filling up our calendars with weekend trips and mini-vacays. Have any other foolproof road-trippin’ tips for staying healthy on the go?

It’s that dark leafy green that’s taking over produce aisles, giving the potato a run for its money (as far as chips go) and is turning fruit smoothies green with the promise of a disguised dose of nutrients. Fort Worth keyleader, Cami Hamann, tells us what’s up with kale.

reap the benefits of kale

Momma’s right (but isn’t she always?). Vegetables are jam packed with various vitamins and nutrients and kale is no exception. The dark green has an abundance of antioxidants that help fight off cancer-causing free radicals and can also aid in lowering cholesterol and reducing inflammation.

nutritional value
One cup (130g) of kale contains:

• over 1000% of your daily-recommended value of Vitamin K
  (supporting bone growth and regulating blood clotting)
• over 350% of your daily value of Vitamin A
  (helps vision, growth, bone formation, tissue repair and red blood cell production)
• 5g of fibre
  (like yoga, fibre helps the digestive system function and detoxify the body)
• 35 calories 

a kale massage

give it a good rub
Ever wondered why your kale never tastes quite the same as the one from the Whole Foods salad bar? It’s probably because you weren’t making it with love. Kale is a tough green and requires a little extra TLC. Massaging it softens the leaves making them tastier, and easier to eat and digest. To give them a proper rub down:

• remove the leaves from the thick middle stem
• wash and dry the leaves
• tear leaves into bite size pieces
• toss the leaves in a bowl with a drizzle of olive oil and salt
• get your hands in there and go for it. You’ll notice the kale turn from a muted colour to a lively green and that’s your indication that it’s ready (and relaxed). *roughly five minutes

kale recipes

• kale chips
• mediterranean kale salad
• green kale smoothie

source: eat raw vegan

kale chips

• 1 bunch of kale
• 1tbsp olive oil
• ¼tsp salt

Directions: Preheat oven to 350°F/180°C.  Remove kale leaves from the middle stem and tear leaves into bite size pieces. Wash and thoroughly dry the leaves.  In a mixing bowl toss the leaves with the olive oil and salt.  Lay the kale out on baking sheets and bake until the chips get crispy, careful not to let them burn (about 10-15 minutes.)

*Ed. Note: I learned the hard way that although kale chips are very delicious (and nutritious), they don’t make for a great road trip snack as they can become quite stinky in confined spaces.

mediterranean kale salad

• 1 cup dry quinoa (quinoa is the only whole grain that is a complete protein)
• 1 bunch of kale
• 1.5 – 2 cups chopped tomato
• 1.5 – 2 cups chopped cucumber
• ½ cup Kalamata olives (about 20)
• fresh mint, parsley and chopped garlic (to taste)
• lemon juice (to taste)
• 3tbsp olive oil

Directions: Prepare 1 cup of quinoa as directed and toss with the juice of 1/2 a lemon.  Add chopped mint, parsley and garlic to taste creating a tabouli flavor. Chop and massage the kale and add to your quinoa mixture with additional lemon juice and 3tbsp of olive oil. Toss the salad until the leaves are coated. Add the chopped tomato, cucumber and Kalamata olives. Enjoy! Serves 4.

green kale smoothie

• 2-3 leaves of kale
• 1 banana
• 1 cup blueberries
• 1 cup water or unsweetened almond milk
• ice (optional)
• stevia or 1tsp maple syrup (optional)

Directions: Combine ingredients in a blender and blend well.
*Get creative by sneaking kale into your favourite smoothie recipes. Kale has a strong earthy flavor so just be sure to use a banana to disguise its presence.

Kale is a great January green since it reaches its peak in the middle of winter (when quality greens are often lacking). Do you embrace the strong kale flavour or are you hard at work camouflaging it? How do you incorporate this super-food into your diet?

We don’t think we need any reason to share the things we love. Here’s what’s been making us think, act, create and laugh this month.

From their blog to this stunning book, we’re soaking up everything Design Sponge has to offer.

How many Downward Dogs ‘til we can yoga-breakdance like Alex Yde?

Whisker Works presents handmade hilarity leaving no set of lips undusted.

Wunderkit is keeping us ‘wundering’. We’re anxiously awaiting the release of their app!

Punchfork makes the world your Oyster Fitzpatrick.

Training Mobs get people sweating together. No flash mobs here.

Summer, if it's done right,  is alternating bouts of heating up and cooling down; and being so busy having fun that you've barely got time to splash water on your face. Summer is also about gorging yourself on the juiciest fruits that nature has to offer. I love the way fruit refreshes me - it's like a big drink of water and a shot of energy - combine that with a sharp cheese like feta or blue and you have a healthy and hedonistic summer snack.

watermelon and feta salad

• 8-ounce package baby arugula
• 4 cups watermelon  (cubed)
• 8-ounce package feta cheese, crumbled
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar glaze

Spread arugula on a large platter. Scatter watermelon and feta over the arugula.
Drizzle with balsamic glaze and pepper to taste.

(If you can’t find balsamic glaze in the supermarket, you can make it by reducing 3/4 of a cup of balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan to 3 tablespoons)

fig and mozzarella salad

• 1 bowl of soft, green, salad leaves
• handful of basil
• 6 figs
• 6 medium bocconcini balls
• 6 slices of parma ham
• 6 tablespoons of oil
• 3 tablespoons of lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon of honey

This is a very visceral recipe to get your fingers into.  Tear up the basil, the bocconcini and the ham. Toss these with some soft green leaves and place the cut, splayed figs on top. Combine the oil, juice and honey and drizzle over the salad. Season to taste. (When choosing your figs, you want them soft and ripe - they don't ripen after they've been picked. Fig connoisseurs look for a droplet in the small hole at the bottom of the fruit.)

image: flickr-Dito

caramelized pear and blue cheese salad

• 2 tablespoons of butter
• 3 tablespoons of white vinegar
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 2 pears (quartered and cored)
• 1/2 cup of walnuts
• 4-ounces arugula
• 6-ounces blue cheese (sliced)

Heat the butter, vinegar and sugar in a fry pan. Add the pear and walnuts and cook over a medium heat until the pear is soft. Place the arugula in bowls and top with the pears, walnuts and blue cheese. Spoon the pan juices over the top.

Summer fruits and salads are more refreshing than that shower after hot yoga. We'd love for you to share some of the ways you maximize the summer crop and your favourite go-to summer salad ideas in the comment section below.

what else are we excited about this summer?

• the Vancouver Bust Out!
• Wanderlust festivals
• the return of our favourite tanks

image: flickr-absurd hero If you need a peanut sauce to go with the rolls, try here.

We all made a big fuss over Kate's and William's royal nuptials. Your mom's kind of a big deal too, so treat her like royalty. For all the meals she's cooked, all the eggy chins she's wiped, why not put a little extra effort into mom's brunch this mother's day? After all, it's the most important meal of the weekend.

hollandaise sauce recipe

Eggs Benedict (benny to his friends) with Hollandaise sauce really captures the regal extravagance of a weekend breakfast. Hollandaise gets an unfair rap as being temperamental and, frankly, not worth the effort. If you're willing to give him a second chance, this quick and dirty version of the classic is as easy as it is delicious.

ingredients:

• 3 egg yolks (save the whites for a pavlova)
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• salt to taste

directions:

1. Combine yolks and lemon juice in a blender.
2. Heat the butter in a pot until it starts to bubble.
3. With the blender on, add the butter slowly (if you add the butter too quickly, you'll cook the egg and you sauce will be lumpy).
4. Taste and add the salt and lemon as needed (I like a lemony sauce).

one more thing

Need more reasons to quickly make eggs benny?

• It’s easy to prepare in advance. This 'How to Poach an Egg' video offers tips for poaching eggs up to two days in advance.
• It’s easy to dress up. A little Hollandaise sauce and a sprinkle of herbs creates a real wow factor.
• It’s easy to justify. Sure, it's a little more indulgent than your usual breakfast but all that protein is great for muscle building (and great motivation to go for another run).

Do you have bigger plans to celebrate your mom? How will you make this year more memorable than last?

image: Tim Snell

We're celebrating the return of colour this summer and what better way to celebrate the arrival of Grapeseed than with a bottle or three of vino. It could just be the wine talking but we think it's a pretty sassy shade.

grapeseed, a colour and so much more

I grew up in Oliver, a little town in the South Okanagan. It’s the “Wine Capital of Canada” and its semi-arid climate produces some of the most incredible wines around. Wine is a part of who I am. My mum has been in the industry for years, and I have friends who are winemakers, sommeliers, tasting bar managers ... the whole wine gamut.

There are few things I love more than sipping a big, bad Meritage or Merlot on the patio at Burrowing Owl in Oliver. Watching the South Okanagan sun set, and feeling the heat of the desert disappear into night is an event that everyone should experience once in their lifetime.

1/2 corked marathon

One of my favourite wine experiences takes place in Oliver every year – it’s called the “1/2 Corked Marathon”.  (It's so good that this year's event sold out in less than 48 hours.) Basically, you run about 20km through the vineyards of the Okanagan, sampling wine at wineries along the way. Could anything be more heavenly? Wine + cardio + costumes = my happy place!

personal rituals

favourite wine

Stoneboat 2007 Pinot Noir. Violet, cherry, berry ... it’s a truly delicate and classic pinot noir. I catch myself having dreams about it.

Cave de lugny - Cremant de bourgone it's pink, it's bubbly, crisp and refreshing; everything you should look for in a bubble.

One of my favourite things about drinking wine, aside from the drinking of course, is the opening of the cork and capsule. Wax? Metal? Plastic? Cork? The feeling of opening the bottle tells a story unto itself!

What the winemaker hopes you’ll experience when settling into that next bottle goes far beyond the wine: bottle weight, ease of opening, texture of the label. They all matter and they all craft part of the story but for me the cork and capsule experience is the "lives happily ever after."

If you could visit any wine region in the world, where would you go? Napa? Tuscany? Bourdeaux?

want more?

• See our latest offerings in Grapeseed, Pink Mist, Citron and Tango Red.
• Try our bliss balls.
• Tell us your drunken thoughts. We love feedback.

grapeseed deep breath tank