Happy Nutrition Month! Every March, Dietitians of Canada spearheads a month-long campaign to highlight nutrition as an important part of our health, and to help motivate and guide people across the country to better food choices. This year’s theme is Celebrate food… from field to table! which is particularly relevant as many of us are becoming more concerned about where our food comes from and how it is produced.

To celebrate Nutrition Month this year, I decided to snoop around and find some of the ways that we can eat local in and around Calgary:

• CHOMP Around Alberta is a virtual one-stop shop for information regarding local eating around the province. The site, developed by Travel Alberta and a handful of other organizations, is divided into several sections:
  • Off the Eaten Path suggests different culinary trips you can take, highlighting local producers and restaurants that specialize in local cuisine along the way. Want to plan your own trip instead? Take Your Fork on the Road leads you to the Alberta Farm Fresh Association website. Each year the association publishes a guide/map of all their members, which include vegetable, fruit and protein (meat and egg) producers who sell their goods on-site – a great way to meet the farmers and get to know where your food comes from.
  • Don’t want to travel too far from home? The Urban Forager section takes you to the Alberta Farmers’ Markets Association website – we are lucky enough to have two year-round markets right here in Calgary (Calgary Farmers’ Market and Crossroads Market), but there are also a handful of seasonal markets (usually open through the summer and into fall) inside and outside of the city that are definitely worth a look. Find out where they are by visiting this interactive map.
  • Not sure what’s in season? A handy Harvest Calendar highlights the vegetables, fruit and meats that you can find during the different seasons, as well as products that are available year-round.
  • Not much of a cook? The Redefining Dining & Wining section is a portal for the Dine Alberta program which provides a directory and map of restaurants that source local food.
  • CHOMP Around Alberta has been around for almost three years without much fanfare, but last month, the province launched its Explore Local campaign, which will hopefully reignite interest in producers, chefs and consumers alike for local food and sustainable development.
• Ever heard of community-supported agriculture (CSA)? Farms across the country are trying to drum up more business and increase their financial security buy asking people to buy “shares” in the farm. In return, shareholders get to pick up a box of farm-fresh produce every week during the harvest season. There are currently two CSAs that have pickup locations in Calgary – Thompson Small Farm near Carbon, AB and Oxyoke Farms near Linden, AB (403-546-0110, pickups at Knox United Church). The Good Food Box run by the Community Kitchen Program of Calgary is a similar program, but not all of the produce is local.
• For those who like to shop online, spud! is an online grocer that delivers directly to your home. The company sells all-organic produce, and about half of its other grocery products are organic as well. The website lists the producer of every single item available, and often there is a vendor profile as well. However, the quality of the produce can be a little spotty, so sticking with the more processed goods (dairy products, breads, grains, etc.) is probably your best bet.
• Slow Food is a movement that began in the 80s in Italy as a response to the growing fast food industry in Europe, and has since spread around the world. The Calgary branch carries on the Slow Food mandate of protecting regional cuisines and ingredients by hosting workshops and food and wine events in restaurants across the city.
• In an impressive show of marketing, I recently received a Twitter request from Pantry Pup. They are a new company so their product line is currently quite small, but right now they carry Canadian organic wild rice and locally made artisanal pasta which they’ll deliver free to your door!
• Educate yourself on the issues! The Calgary Food Policy Council (also at http://calgaryfoodpolicy.blogspot.com) is a non-governmental organization that advocates for a sustainable, local urban food system. Their interests run the gamut from community gardens, food security and organizing the Calgary Food Summit to more fringe practices of beekeeping and backyard chickens.

What are your ways to celebrate local food in Calgary?

I started a project called Pamela in 2009, and now I have an online site. The site will be updated with new items very soon. Until then please check out the existing stock of books and zines.

It took me several days to muster up any sort of introduction for this next band on SHOT AT THE DARK. Their personalities shine in the thickest of rain, their positivity stands firm in the strongest of winds, and their creativity grows tall in a barren forest.

Hailing from Kelowna BC, Cayne McKenzie, David Menzel, and Andy Huculiak are three musicians with a unique style all their own. Each one of them taking their role in the music world to a whole new level, making a three piece band sound and feel like hundreds.

We Are The City have become a never-ending force here in Canada, and are making their way through our amazing city one more time during their RECKLESS BRAVERY TOUR. So please take sometime to come be inspired by one of our new favorite bands to be part of SHOT AT THE DARK.

We are proud to present WE ARE THE CITY.

Thank you so much to Candice from Cantos Music Foundation for allowing us sometime to hang out. Thank you to Nicole Irene for introducing these amazing men to us.

Thank you to We Are The City for being a part of SHOT AT THE DARK.

SHOT AT THE DARK is produced by Reuben Bullock, Justin Huculak, and Brock Mitchell

Chow Down in Cowtown is an (almost!) weekly account of Calgary’s most awesome eats from Ceci n’est pas un food blog.

B. is currently in the process of installing hardwood throughout the entire main floor of his house, which means less culinary adventures and more going out for brunch! I was especially spoiled recently because the seafood-hating B. took me to Big Fish, a seafood restaurant owned by Cuisine Concepts, who also owns the adjoining Open Range as well as Diner Deluxe and Vue Cafe.
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Got an awesome dog? EMAIL in their name, breed, favorite treats, other information you want to include and pictures to have your pal featured on CalgaryisAwesome!

Today’s dog featured on BLOG YOUR DOG is Jessica’s BFF- Lola! Here is what he has to say about him:

NAME: Lola aka, Hola Lola, Lola Bean, Lala Lola and Lil’ Munchkin BREED: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel FAVORITE SNACK: Homemade treats she loves the most! OTHER INFO: Lola is a Yoga Dog and is learning how Freestyle Dance.

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A local artist opportunity?  Ever wonder how people get their work in those random little spaces downtown?  I think I may have stumbled upon a clue…the City of Calgary’s OPEN SPACES: Window to a View.  This is an venture for local artists in our city, providing  a unique space to showcase some art downtown.

The location: the windows facing the Telus Convention Centre LRT Station (between 1st St and Centre St S.E.)

The method:  the deadline has been extended to March 24th, 2010, and you can apply for this by visiting:
City of Calgary OPEN SPACES

“Each of the selected artists have an eight-week slot, which includes a week for installation and a week for de-installation. The juxtaposition between the artists’ respective windows provides a diverse visual experience for the visitors of this public space, while the increased interest in the area works to address some of the social issues associated with this downtown gathering place.”

There are plenty of music events around CGY this weekend to match ‘How you Feelin.’

Feelin Like a Good Date Night? Head down to ‘The Gateway’ (SAIT) and check out the CD release party of ‘Matt Blais’ w/Noel Johnson, Friday March 5, 9pm

Feelin Like a Tough Guy? Head down to the ‘Big Four Building’ (Stampede Park) and get metal with ‘Megadeath,’ Saturday March 6, 6pm

Feelin Like a Minor? Head down to ‘The House’ (Kensington) and get serenaded by ‘Songs to Remember us By,’ Friday March 5, 8pm

Feelin Like a Dancer? Head down to ‘Hifi Club’ (10th Ave) and show off your moves to ‘Keys N Crates,’ Saturday March 6, 10pm

Feelin Like some Style? Head down to ‘Broken City’ (11th Ave) and get some with ‘Endangered Ape’ & Bikeland, Friday March 5, 8pm

Feelin Like somethin Different? Head down to the ‘Plaza Theatre’ (Kensington) and enjoy ‘Friendo, Manchild and Hunter Gatherer,’ Sunday March 7, 8pm

Bringing together some of the best restaurants the city has to offer, Dine Out Calgary promises to be “The Ten Tastiest Days of the Year”. From today until March 14, participating restaurants are offering set lunch menus for $15 or $25, dinners for $25 or $35 and/or gourmet menus (many with wine pairings included) for $85. This could be an inexpensive way to try some of the places you’ve always meant to try! Go to the website and take a look at some of the menus and make your picks, then make your reservation and make sure that you say that you are going for “Dine Out Calgary”. I’ve already picked out a few restaurants to try this next week and a half, so look for some more Chow Down in Cowtowns coming your way!

Well Bonjour, Hello, Hola, Ciao from www.calgaryisawesome.com.  We have another fabulous ticket giveaway announcement.  We will be doing an entry draw for 2 tickets that will get you into Hawksley Workman on March 17 at the Jack Singer Concert Hall.  All you have to do is email events@calgaryisawesome.com, give your name, number, and say ‘Hello’ to us using another language.

GOOD LUCK!!

Looking for something to do this Saturday night? Come down to PARKSHOW taking place at the Chinese Cultural Centre on March 6th.  Doors open at 8:30PM with a $15 donation for entry.

This spring’s PARKSHOW theme will be a playful twist on a haunted and whimsical antique porcelain dollhouse. The show will highlight a number of big names in Calgary’s creative and design fields, including Kyle Noland and House of Nonie, as well as a performances by musician Lauren Mann and dance group House of Dangerkat.

Operating since 2008, the group now officially known as PARK stands by their mission statement: Promoting Artists | Redefining Kulture. Look forward to future PARK events including their annual summer outdoor artisanal market PARKSALE, and the semi-annual music-fashion-art PARKSHOW.

For more information visit www.ourparkonline.com.