CONGRATULATIONS...
GREEN WAY FUELS!

On December 13th, 2008, Green Way Fuels Inc. opened the doors to Alberta's first biodiesel retail station. Located on main street in Turner Valley, this innovative family-run company is an exciting environmental contributor to bringing top quality alternative fuels to Albertans at a fair price. Green Way Fuels Inc. is operated by Terry and Jaimey Farnese. Jaimey is also the newly appointed Director of the Alberta Biodiesel Association.

What is Biodiesel? Biodiesel is a clean burning alternative fuel, produced from domestic, renewable resources such as vegetable oils. It is made through a chemical process called "transesterification". The process leaves behind two products -- methyl esters (the chemical name for biodiesel) and glycerin - a valuable byproduct usually used in soaps and other products. ( www.biodiesel.com  )

FLAVOURS OF
ORGANIC HOME

THE HISTORY OF VALENTINE'S DAY is quite obscure and through the centuries many cultures have created their own legends. The one legend that seems to get the majority vote is that Valentine’s Day originated during the third century from the ancient Roman festival Lupercalia which was held annually on February 15th. Apparently marriage was frowned upon by Emperor Claudius. He felt that married men were more emotionally attached to their families and did not make good soldiers. Some variations of the legend say that though marriage was banned, during the festival young men were assigned a young women companion for one year, after which they traded in their partner the next year.

Anyway, with young lovers being torn apart there was much sadness. Relating to the passion of love, a bishop named Valentine became an underground connection where lovers could be joined in the sacrament of matrimony. Once Emperor Claudius got wind of this he sentenced Valentine to death.
During Valentine’s short term on death row he fell in love with the jailer’s blind daughter. Through his passion for her and his deep faith, Valentine miraculously restored her sight. Before he was put to death, Valentine sent his sweetheart a letter signed “From Your Valentine”. Valentine was executed on February 14, 270AD. Later, around 496 AD, Pope Gelasius declared February 14 a day to honor Valentine, who by that time had been designated a Saint.

WHEN "CHOICE" NEEDS TO BE REEVALUATED!

One year ago, Flavours Of Organic was launched as an insert in Rising Women Magazine ( www.risingwomen.com ) , a popular business, health and lifestyle publication that has been publishing in Calgary, Alberta Canada for 11 years.

Though the response for our articles and recipes have been great, it is still astonishing to note how many readers simply don't get what "organic" is all about. While researching the countless resources surrounding the organic paradigm, all tote great accomplishments as to why the growth in this industry is making leaps and bounds. Without trying to sound like activists, what we don't understand is why the message is not getting through to the masses. Why isn't "sustainable living" LAW as opposed to choice?

Okay, understandably it is hard to erase the years of damage

 we have created as a society as a whole. Industry, economy,

profit, growth -- all have definitely giving us the luxuries we reap today. But when do we put our foot down and say "enough is enough!"... ...starting with those who are steering our consumer decisions: Government, Industry and Media!

Why are cloth shopping bags still just another "point-of-purchase" item at our tills? Why is buying plastic baby bottles void of bisphenol A still a specialty item? Why are our beauty products still topped with toxic, cancer aggressive ingredients? The term "Choose Organic" is getting old. There is too much of a learning curve with too little time to allow "choice" when it comes to these, and all obvious offending products.

WE HAVE NO CHOICE...we need to start now and set strict laws and regulations that put LIFE back into our lifestyle.

Taste the difference! Minimum refining and processing gives fresh flavour. Naturally ripe, and picked at its peak moment, intensifies these flavours .Taste test comparisons challenge whether local or organic ingredients do in fact come out on top. Results: Single tastings of fresh ingredients are preferred more often.

Know the people who supply your food - Choose your local farmer, baker or small manufacturer. They can be found either in your neighbourhood speciality stores, at the Farmers Market or at your local health food store. Many farms also have u-pick and open farm shops that cater for the weekend tourist eager to try fresh produce. They will take time to explain what makes their products different and how they are grown or produced. It's worth the visit!

Know what you are eating - Always read the list of ingredients. If you are buying multiple-blended ingredients, check out the complete list. Most processed foods contain high levels of salt and sugars which act as preservatives to replace more natural ingredients that have limited shelf life. When making baked goods, flavours are masked by the baking process, high sugar and salt, and other more dominant flavours. Try instead to add extra flavour from lemon, cinnamon or vanilla and see for yourself the way your taste buds react!

Discover new ingredients - Legumes (peas and beans) provide a great source of low-impact protein and are

 renewable, sustainable and locally grown. They are available in flour, whole or grits and can easily be incorporated into your favourite recipe. The Canadian diet consists of large quantities of animal-based protein and the cost to the environment is huge - from the simple cost of feed to the extended cost of factory farming with the use of antibiotics and growth hormones.

Be healthy - Use more plant-based ingredients such as flax and sunflower seeds and oats. These are available from local crops. Our digestive system breaks down these kind of foods quickly and easily. Also look for breads that contain high fibre and natural grains. The fermentation process of making them break down the starches and sugars naturally creating easily digestible food.

Buy only what you need - Cut back on waste by knowing which ingredients have a limited shelf life. Learn how to store ingredients for maximum freshness. Low temperatures and dark storage provide the ideal conditions as well as the use of glass containers or safe plastics .

Reduce your impact - Choosing bulk ingredients reduces packaging and ensures freshness. Ingredients stored for long periods of time lose their nutritional value and give unpleasant flavours and odours.

Create Memories - Share recipes and home baking with family and friends. Take photographs and keep a scrapbook of favourites.

Contributed by Brian Hinton of Lakeview Bakery, Calgary 6449 Crowchild Trail SW Calgary, Alberta
Phone: (403) 246-6127   email: info@organicbaking.com
www.organicbaking.com

FLAVOURS OF
ORGANIC HOME

FLAVOURS OF ORGANIC MAGAZINE
Calgary, Alberta Canada    403 608-3710
media@risingwomen.com