Etcetera

Cuispro Foam Pump

Unnecessary soap in our lakes and oceans is a bugbear of ours, so we were excited to try this new Foam Pump from Cuisipro. It’s not only more environmentally friendly but economical too, as you use 25 percent liquid soap to 75 percent water – and the result is a lovely, creamy, thick foam which feels great on your hands. It comes in a choice of eight colours and has a strong suction cup to keep it in place, a great addition next to the sink! $13-19 in stores and at zestspot.com and cuisipro.com.

The Alberta Box, Winter Edition

It’s the season for gift boxes, and there are some great choices this year, but it doesn’t get more convenient than to pop in to your local participating Sobeys, Safeway, or IGA and pick up The Alberta Box, which houses items from 24 Alberta producers as well as a coupon book with 23 money off or get one free vouchers from some of our favourite local food and drinks makers! There’s also a leaflet with information on each producer – it’s time for the support local feel good factor! $50

Beyond Meat Sausages

As well as being found on menus in Calgary restaurants and in grocery store freezers, Beyond Meat is headed to your breakfast table with Beyond Breakfast Sausage Links. Gluten-free, and packed with plenty of protein, they’re a perfect plant-based pairing with your pancakes or waffles. Most importantly they’ve got great texture and flavour, which can be hard to achieve with meatless options. $8 pack of 8, widely available in stores.

Zoglo’s Incredible

The plant-based eating trend shows no signs of stopping, and there are plenty of options to choose from. Toronto-based Zoglo’s has introduced their Incredible line -12 new options that are varied and versatile, from cutlets to shawarma, all lactose-free and excellent sources of non-GMO proteins. The Incredible Meatballs and 3 Mushroom Burger made great alternatives for a quick dinner, while the Beef Strips did the trick with stir-fry vegetables. Around $7 at FreshCo and Calgary Co-op.

Wild Folk Non-Alcoholic Classic Cocktails

Dalia Kohen was the founder and owner of Calgary’s The Coup for 15 years, so we already know that anything she does is going to taste superb, as well as being local, organic, and ethical. It’s no surprise then that her two new canned sparkling cocktails are some of the best we’ve tried! Made with a blend of natural herbs and botanicals, Vermouth Spritz and Sparkling Negroni are everything you’d hope for – with a bonus, they’re zero-proof! $5-7 237 mL cans. drinkwildfolk.com for stockists.

The Laughing Cow Mix

Staple of the lunchbox, picnic hamper, and COVID-safe cheeseboard, The Laughing Cow (we used to love saying La vache qui rit as it made us laugh too and sounded so sophisticated!) is celebrating 100 years this year, and has just launched two new flavours with legumes: Chickpea with Herbs and Red Bean with Paprika. They’re tasty, spreadable, quick, and oh-so versatile for appies, handhelds, or just snacking. Still in a round box with eight triangular portions, $4-5 in major grocery stores.

5am Lemon Box

Kick up your gifting! Ontario’s Audrey Jamieson, of 5am Lemon, has created a range of customized gift boxes, presented with your message and your photographs that will really surprise the recipient! Each box has a removeable greeting card and side panels that showcase photos or fridge-worthy quotes (magnets included) but unlike wrapping paper, they’ll want to keep it instead of recycling. Boxes $14 and gift sets from $16 for a Chocolate Lover’s bundle. Order online at 5amlemon.com.

Oikos Drinkable Oat Yogurt

There’s no good reason to skip refuelling our bodies. The folks at Oikos have come up with Oikos Oats and Seeds, a great option for when you’re on the run and trying to fit it all in. Drinkable Greek yogurt combined with fruit, oats, and seeds, makes for a quick, nutritious snack that isn’t too sweet or thick, and will fill you up to make the most of your days. We especially love the vanilla, apricot, oats and seeds flavour. 190 mL $2 widely available in grocery stores.

Ninja Foodi Deluxe Tendercrisp Pressure Cooker

This all in one from Ninja has so many functions that we leaned on additional relatives to test them all! It’s a pressure cooker, steamer, slow cooker, and yogurt maker. But with the Crisping Lid, a quick (and easy) change, it air crisps, bakes/roasts, and broils too. And more… it sous vides, and has a food dehydrator. With a cookbook full of clever ideas and menus, we tried several “one-pot” meals - all with well-cooked protein, starches, and crisp veggies. $280 at Canadian Tire and good housewares stores.

Thrive Wagyu Beef Bars

Fourth generation Alberta ranchers, the Ball family, supply high-end restaurants with premium Wagyu beef cuts, and are now using the remaining high-quality Wagyu to make their beef protein bars. You’ll read that they’re free of gluten, nuts, soy, and dairy, but we’re hugely impressed with the superb flavours and texture – they’re next level! In Honey Lime & Black Pepper, Maple Apple & Blueberry, Chorizo, and Coffee & Cocoa flavours, snag them at Sobeys, Amaranth, and Nutter’s. 43 g $5.

Bruce County Nut & Fudge

Sisters, Melissa, Yvonne, and Tanya, have been creating hand-melted and decorated chocolate, fudge, and nutty treats for over 18 years - and now they’ve released two new delicious caramel candy apple flavours: Hot Chocolate - dipped in Belgian milk chocolate, wrapped in toasted marshmallow, and dusted in cocoa; and Figgy Pudding - dipped in gingerbread-infused caramel, topped with dried figs, roasted walnuts and drizzled with spiced Belgian chocolate. Yum! $15-20 at nutandfudge.com.

The Sipster’s Pocket Guide to 50 Must Try BC Wines

Somehow, author and BC wine expert, Luke Whittall has managed to achieve the near impossible: sum up our nextdoor, BC wine region into a mere 50 bottles of must-try wine. Written in a breezy, comfortable, informative fashion, and in many ways brutally honest, this guide will no doubt entertain and inform the armchair BC wine enthusiast, or more likely, get you ready for wine country visits. Touchwood Editions $20-22.