#VanWinterLove by Vancouver Courier

THINGS TO DO IN THE CITY WE LOVE.

Shine Bright in the

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WELCOME

WELCOME TO OUR

Winter wonderland

inter in Vancouver is truly a special time. While much of the country is locked in a deep freeze, we Vancouverites are lucky enough to get to experience winter on our own terms. Snow dusts our local mountains, not our streets, allowing us to hit the slopes at a mo-

Contents Style 5 Arts 10 Event listings 13 Food 16 Wine 20 Beer 22 04

ment’s notice. The city comes alive with holiday spirit, with a seemingly endless array of festivals and parades. And what could be better than warming your bones with some delicious comfort food? Keeping busy in the winter is never an issue; there’s always something exciting happening every night of the week. The biggest problem most of us have this time of year is how to juggle our busy social calendar. So let #VanWinterLove be your guide to everything awesome in Vancouver this winter: the music, the art, the fashion, the food and the fun! We hope #VanWinterLove inspires you to enjoy this winter to the fullest.

–#VanWinterLove Team

#VANWINTERLOVE is produced by and is exclusive property of Glacier Media Inc. Copyright 2015. VanWinterLove.com PUBLISHER: Dee Dhaliwal EDITOR: Rob Mangelsdorf ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER: Gail Nugent DESIGN: Adrian Cunningham LAYOUT: Tara Rafiq SPECIAL PROJECTS: Janine Jurji CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Kristyn Anthony, Patty Javier Gomez, Niki Hope, Alex Hudson, Anya Levykh, Michaela Morris, and Jennifer Scott. Email info@vansummerlove.com to advertise in our upcoming summer issue.

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STYLE

Winter wears on Main

5. Todd scarf by Wood Wood at Nouvelle Nouvelle, 208 East 12th at Main, $108. Made in Italy from 100 per cent virgin wool, this stunner scarf – available in other colours, including black and grey – will keep the wind out and the warmth in, and look gorgeous doing it.

o matter what the trends dictate, winter is always a time for the classics: a tailored coat, a turtleneck sweater, stylish booties, an everyday bag. What’s nice about opting for sophisticated investment pieces for this time of year is that they can last season after season and still look fresh and pair well with the latest trends. Main Street’s boutiques carry quality clothes that will endure throughout the season and beyond. Here are some stylish Mount Pleasant finds that will be cozy favourites for more than just a single season.

6. Filippa K booties in cognac, Eugene Choo, 3697 Main, $495. These stunners from Filippa K, a revered Scandinavian brand known for simplicity and quality, are the kind of boots that make an outfit and move effortless from day to night.

1. Minimum Sebina wool-blend trench coat at Still Life For Him and For Her, 2315 Main, $260. This double-breasted, belted trench offers sophistication at a reasonable price. Minimum is a Danish fashion line that is also available up Main at longtime Mount Pleasant staple Eugene Choo. 2. Clara loafers by Grenson, available at Umeboshi Shoes, 3638 Main, $440. Grenson, an English heritage brand that has been making shoes since 1874, merges edgy fashion with a classic staple for a statement shoe that will add the right hit of style. For a thriftier version, check out the black Miista Juliette tasseled loafer at Still Life For Him & For Her, which cost $198.

Chinatown’s Charlie & Lee). It’s no surprise the line – which started in Vancouver, but is now based in Montreal – has become such a success by filling a void in the market for cool understated handbags. The Stowe handbags are also available in Mount Pleasant at Nouvelle Nouvelle, 208 East 12th at Main Street.

3. The Stowe’s Frances backpack at Umeboshi Shoes, 3638 Main, $315. The Stowe’s line of handmade bags is the darling of hip boutiques (including

4. Brixton Tiller hat at Still Life For Him and For Her, 2315 Main, $80. This wide soft brim round top felt hat with a leather strap adds some free-spirit chic to your winter look.

THINGS TO DO IN THE CITY WE LOVE

7. Neuw Splits Turtleneck at Still Life For Him & For Her, 2315 Main, $110. This ribbed turtleneck is the ultimate comfort piece that can be paired with jeans or a skirt, adding an effortless chic vibe to a fall look. –NIKI HOPE

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STYLE

One scarf, four ways...

t’s the merging of two Vancouver greats: Jackson Rowe scarves and Yaletown’s BeautyMark. The makeup and accessories store has carried Jackson Rowe boho and traditional scarves, which range in price from $49 to $87, since the line launched in 2012. “I think the quality is really good for the price, and it’s just really on trend,” says BeautyMark co-owner Kendra Lovick. “It’s just a really great company to work with.” In an inspired move, Kendra Lovick and her business partner in beauty, Tayler Rogers, included – with the shop’s scarf display – images that show four different ways to wear the scarves – wrap around, belted, shawl, and snowman. “For both Tayler and I, we love scarves and we wear them all the time. It was actually easy to us you just like throw it on or whatever, but then we started to realize not everyone finds it that easy,” Lovick explains. “We would tell people and show them, and they would just be mystified by the whole thing.” They decided to unwrap the mystery with clear visuals that show just how versatile scarves can be. “My favourite thing about a scarf is you can wear it into movies and flights, and it’s a blanket,” Lovick says, adding with a laugh, “It’s a good-looking blanket.” You can also move through the seasons with a single Jackson Rowe scarf – wearing it belted with a jacket in the fall and then wrap it around your neck for warmth in the winter, then add it as a wrap, around a light jacket in the spring. Lovick offers up her tricks of the trade when it comes to getting four distinct stylish scarf looks.

around front points. Step 5: Fluff!

1. WRAP AROUND Step 1: Grab scarf by corner. Step 2: Drape scarf over neck with the ends hanging down your back (try and have one end hang lower than the other). Step 3: Grab opposite ends and pull back over your shoulder. Step 4: Fluff!

3. SHAWL Step 1: Drape one edge of the scarf across shoulders. Step 2: Pull other edge down towards your elbows so that it wraps around your arms to create a kind of sleeve.

2. BELTED Step 1: Start with scarf completely unfolded. Step 2: Fold corner to corner to make a triangle. Step 3: Place over shoulders. Step 4: Place belt around your natural waist, leaving the back of the scarf free, and fasten belt

4. SNOWMAN Works best with scarves that are long and rectangular. Step 1: Drape Scarf around neck. Step 2: Toss one end over shoulder. Step 3: Fluff! –NIKI HOPE

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STYLE

Crafting poetry with paper

ith patience beyond anyone’s wildest dreams, Tara Galuska creates art by “writing poetry with paper”. As a “paper artist”, Galuska’s work combines the interactive elements of illustration and sculpture. Born in Zimbabwe and raised (and trained) in Sydney, Australia, Galuska has been a Vancouverite for four years now, engaging in and strengthening the local arts scene. She has become a growing figure on the art radar not just with her own work, but also through her active involvement in the advancement of the arts with movements like Papergirl Vancouver (PapergirlVancouver.com). What is your favourite accessory (for home or personal)? I simply adore sparkly shoes and consider them a must have for all seasons and occasions! How would you describe Vancouver’s artistic/creative community? I believe that community in all areas of life is essential and specifically connecting with and fostering a sense of community with artists and other creatives is a very high priority for me. The main ways I connect to and build my community of like-minded folks has been through Papergirl and THRIVE Studio. I’ve also met some of the best people ever at art openings and other fun creative events. It is amazing who you might meet when you leave the house! Some people collect old cameras and typewriters. Do you collect anything? I collect houseplants to kill! I guess that is a bit of an exaggeration as I have had some luck in the last year, but I’ve murdered countless houseplants in my quest to become queen of the plants and live in a home that is like a beautiful jungle. Finish this sentence: My day is

Dan Toulgoet photos

not complete without… Our cat Bijou tucking my husband and I into bed! When she sees Bill brushing his teeth she will rush down the hallway and wait on the bed for our arrival. Once she has finished kneading the covers between us she runs out to the door to join her cat sister Daisy for the rest of her evening. A great way to end the day! If you could describe your artistic style in one word, what would it be? Whimsical! Do you have a favourite creative space? I feel so lucky to have a dedicated room in my home to do my work in! Some of the best

things about it are the sloping wall, the peace and quiet and the cozy chair in the corner for my cats to take naps in. Not only do I love being able to pop my head out and say “Hi!” to my husband Bill, it’s also very conveniently located for someone goes to bed at around 2am or sometimes works through the night. If you could speak to a room of youth who were considering careers in the arts, what would your advice be? If you are an artist or need to work in the arts you know it already. This knowledge might only be a whisper in your life right now but I urge you to listen to it. By ignoring it, I strongly suspect that you are potentially doing a disservice to the world by not following the urge to embark on a career in the arts. Don’t leave this life by being stingy with what you were put here to do. Feeling scared? Realistically consider what the worst thing that can happen to you if you embark on a career in the arts? I, myself, take comfort in the fact that there have been no death certificates issued reading “Cause of death: Art!” –JENNIFER SCOTT

THINGS TO DO IN THE CITY WE LOVE

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2015-10-16 8:54 AM

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MUSIC

Vancouver inspires k-os on latest album

“I

’m a Toronto dude. That’s never going to be out of me,” k-os reflects. “Anywhere I go, I’m going to be a Toronto dude.” It’s no surprise that the veteran rapper identifies so closely with the Ontario capital: he was born there, his family and longtime friends live there, and he even put the CN Tower on the cover of his latest album, Can’t Fly Without Gravity. When reached by phone, he’s

hanging out at the Toronto offices of his label, Dine Alone Records. But even though the 43-year-old who introduces himself as Kheaven Brereton considers himself a Toronto dude, he has actually lived in Vancouver since 2009. He first visited the West Coast in the mid-‘90s on a tour with the Rascalz, and he remembers, “As soon as I came over the bridge, I thought it was the most magical place. I told Red1 from the Rascalz, ‘I’m going to move here.’” Although he didn’t make good on that promise for more than a decade, he finally settled down in Vancouver’s Gastown neighbourhood, and he considers the city a refreshing change from the industry-driven commercialism of Toronto. “You can tell the guys who are from Vancouver because they’re really down to earth and they love rap first,” he reflects, citing locals like Madchild, Moka Only, Shad and Matt Brevner as personal favourites.

“They’re real MCs, and I think Vancouver has real MCs. I know that when I walk the street, there’s so many people who love hip-hop in Vancouver, and that’s why I moved there. Because I feel it’s still pure there.” Vancouver’s spirit of artistic freedom helped to inspire Can’t Fly Without Gravity, which is an anything-goes mosaic of stylistic experiments that captures k-os’ signature eclecticism at its finest. It’s a grab-bag of sounds, ranging from the clubby synths of “WiLD4TheNight (EgoLand)” and “Hussle & Flow” to the energized soul of “Dance in Yo Car” to

the futuristic wonkiness of “Rap Zealot.” One notable left-field standout is “Steel Sharpens Steel (Still in Love),” which assaults speakers with a full-throttle surge of punk guitars. The track features a distorted vocal sound that was captured on a laptop using the microphone from a pair of headphones. “A lot of the vocals that I did on this record were on iPod headphones, at least the first verse,” k-os explains. “I would do them, and capture a moment early in the morning, or late at night after I got home from a party. And it sounded great.” In addition to dabbling in a grab-bag of styles, k-os also celebrates classic hip-hop on Can’t Fly Without Gravity, most notably with “Boyz II Men,” a star-studded who’s who of Canadian rap that features Saukrates, Kardinal Offishall, Choclair, King Reign and Shad. “I think the new rap generation in Canada has a problem with being Canadian,” k-os says of his decision to recruit his countrymen as guests. “We come from a generation obsessed with American culture. I felt like this is a good time to say, ‘No — here are some dudes that are Canadian, some of them you’ve heard of, maybe one or two you haven’t.’” This is k-os’ ultimate goal: not to highlight Vancouver’s advantages over Toronto, but to celebrate and improve our country’s rich hip-hop climate. “In America, if you’re from New York, you’ll take a trip over to Colorado,” he observes. “You’ll go see what’s going on in LA because you want to see your country and know what Americana is. For me, I want to know what Canadiana is. That’s why there’s that term ‘Go west, young boy, go west.’ Because you figure out a lot when you do that.” –ALEX HUDSON • k-os performs at the Commodore Ballroom on Wednesday, Dec. 9. Doors at 8pm, tickets at Ticketmaster outlets, or online at Ticketmaster.ca

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NOV

WHAT’S ON

PAN PACIFIC CHRISTMAS WISH BREAKFAST Receive a

21ST CENTURY FLEA MARKET These popular European-style collector markets feature 185 tables of bargains on deluxe 20th century junque. Nov. 15 at the Croatian Cultural Centre. 21cpromotions.com

complimentary hot buffet breakfast in return for a new unwrapped toy given to needy children during the holiday season. All donations given to the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau. Nov. 26 from 6–9 am. PanPacificVancouver.com

THE BARRA MACNEILS CHRISTMAS TOUR

TALES OF A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS The

The treasure of the East Coast, this maritime folk group journey across the country on their annual holiday tour. Nov. 21 at 8pm at St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church. CelticFestVancouver.com

Jerry Granelli Trio, accompanied by the Coastal Sound Children’s Choir, perform an evening of stories and music to capture the spirit of the Christmas season. Nov. 29 at 2pm and 7pm at Vogue Theatre. CoastalJazz.ca

DEC VANCOUVER CHRISTMAS MARKET The annual market

Barra MacNeils, Nov. 21

CANDYTOWN Spend the day at the annual street celebration where Yaletown is magically transformed into a winter wonderland with family-friendly activities, horse-drawn carriage rides, and of course, Santa Claus. Nov. 21 from 12-7pm at Mainland Street. Admission is free. FROZEN Elsa, Anna, Olaf and Kristoff strap on their skates and take to the ice to magically whisk you away into the wintery world of Arendelle with dazzling special effects as you sing and dance along. Nov. 25-29 at Pacific Coliseum. DisneyOnIce.com

THINGS TO DO IN THE CITY WE LOVE

Hansel and Gretel: An East Van Panto, Dec. 2-Dec. 3

lights up downtown bringing together one-of-a-kind food, gifts, and fun for a family-friendly Christmas experience. Nov. 21Dec. 24 from 11am-9pm at Queen Elizabeth Plaza. VancouverChristmasMarket.com

FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

VanDusen Botanical Garden annual holiday lights festival takes place Dec. 1-31, from 4:30-9pm every night (except Dec. 25). VanDusenGarden.org

HANSEL AND GRETEL: AN EAST VAN PANTO Theatre

Replacement brings back An East Van Panto stepping way off the beaten path for this year’s edition with the weird and wonderful tale of a butt-kicking brother and sister team, a cute little cannibal witch and their journey into the wilds of the East Van wilderness, to deliver a fantastic holiday treat. Dec. 2-Jan. 3 at York Theatre. Tickets.TheCultch.com

MAKE IT! THE HANDMADE REVOLUTION Shop for one-

of-a-kind handmade items from over 250 of Canada’s hottest urban artisans, designers, and crafters. There will be something for everyone from fashion and accessories, to art, jewelry, and baby items, to home décor and stuff for the guys. Dec. 3–6 at the PNE Forum (2901 East Hastings St.). $7 at the door. MakeItShow.ca

GET SNOW GLOBED!

Take your picture inside the giant snow globe with a suggested minimum donation of $5. Visit Harbour Centre from Dec. 4 – 24 from 11am–3pm. All proceeds donated to The Kettle Society to help British Columbians living with mental illness. HarbourCentre.com

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WHAT’S ON CHRISTMAS AT CANADA PLACE Come down to Canada

DEC

Place from Dec. 12-30 from noon to 6pm daily to enjoy the classic holiday scenes of the Woodwards Windows, capture your Christmas memories in a 15-foot snow globe, visit Rudolph’s Theatre and the Avenue of Christmas Trees, and take part in a variety of arts and crafts activities for the whole family. Christmas.CanadaPlace.ca

TOQUE A curated craft fair,

produced and presented by the Western Front showcases local artists, designers, and artisans offering everything from ceramics and jewellery to artisan edibles and one-of-a-kind objects at this annual event, widely considered ‘a true artists’ fair with a solidly local feel’. Dec. 4-6 from 11am-5pm at Western Front. Admission by donation. Front.BC.ca

GOH BALLET’S THE NUTCRACKER

THE CHRISTMAS STAR

The Vancouver Welshmen’s Choir performs a program of Christmas and holiday classics featuring the Magee Secondary School choir. Dec. 5 at 7:30pm at Shaughnessy United Church. VWMC.ca

AN OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS The Kay Meek

Centre presents a double bill of two great shows to help you feel warm and fuzzy this holiday season featuring Grandpa ‘n Me followed by a Special Christmas Concert with vocalist Cayla Brooke accompanied by Bill Sample on piano. Dec. 10-12 at 8pm at Kay Meek Centre. KayMeekCentre.com

THE WIZARD OF OZ A wicked

Menorah Lighting, Dec. 6

MENORAH LIGHTING

Celebrate the first night of Chanukah, with the lighting of the tallest Menorah in Canada, the Silber Family Agam Menorah, with live entertainment. Dec. 6 at 5pm at Vancouver Art Gallery.

RETRO DESIGN AND ANTIQUES FAIR Favoured by

family musical of the story you know and love as Dorothy and Toto, off to see the wizard, journey down the yellow brick road through the magical land of Oz. Dec. 10-Jan. 3 at Gateway Theatre. GatewayTheatre.com

LUMIERE Shine bright this winter in the West End! Visit the West End on Dec. 11 and 12 for light installations, live entertainment, light parade, free ice skating, a festive trolley tour and more! WestEndBIA.com/lumiere

This heart-warming production is sure to delight audiences of all ages with more than 200 glittering costumes, dramatic sets and valuable lessons – all danced to Tchaikovsky’s memorable score performed live by members of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra. Dec. 17-22 at the Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts (777 Homer St.). GohNutcracker.com

MUSICA INTIMA - A CHRISTMAS STORY

Join Musica Intima for their popular Christmas concert and celebrate the sublime music that makes the holiday so special. Traditional holiday favourites with contemporary marvels, offering new and established audiences an opportunity to enjoy contemporary choral performance in an inviting and traditional space. Dec. 18 at St. Phillip’s Anglican Church (3737 West 27th Ave.) and Dec. 19 at Christ Church Cathedral (690 Burrard St.). MusicaIntima.org

Goh Ballet’s The Nutcracker, Dec. 17-22

designers, collectors and antiques dealers alike, this fun Sunday fair features 175 tables and booths of fabulous finds for you and your eclectic abode. Feb. 21 at the Croatian Cultural Centre. 21cpromotions.com

THINGS TO DO IN THE CITY WE LOVE

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VANCOUVER CHAMBER CHOIR Vancouver Chamber

Choir presents A Dylan Thomas Christmas (Dec. 18) and A Charlie Brown Christmas (Dec. 19) at Shaughnessy Heights United Church (1550 West 33rd Ave.). Each concert starts with English, German and international songs of the season conducted by Carrie Tennant, including a special appearance of her accomplished Vancouver Youth Choir. VancouverChamberChoir.com

THE NUTCRACKER Ballet

BC presents the timeless holiday classic in which a child’s favourite Christmas toy comes to life, and whisks her away to a magical kingdom. Dec. 29-31 at Queen Elizabeth Theatre. BalletBC.com

WHAT’S ON

JAN

FEB

SALUTE TO VIENNA A New Year’s concert to celebrate the ageless beauty of Viennese music with a program of Strauss waltzes and sweeping melodies accompanied by costumed dancers for a presentation of romantic vignettes. Jan. 1 at 2:30pm at Orpheum Theatre. VancouverSymphony.ca

A NIGHT IN VENICE Eine Nacht in Venedig, one of the most beautiful of the Strauss operettas, is performed in three acts, and sung in German, under the direction of Nancy Hermison and conducted by Jonathon Girard. Feb. 4-7 at Chan Centre for the Performing Arts. Music.UBC.ca

VANCE JOY “Riptide” in-

THE (POST) MISTRESS This fun and quirky one-woman cabaret-style show is the surprising story of Marie-Louise, Lovely, Ontario’s resident postal worker. Feb. 4-28 at Goldcorp Stage at The BMO Theatre Centre. ArtsClub.com

die-pop-singer-songwriter from Australia performs with special guest Reuben and the Dark for the first of two nights on his Fire and the Flood North American Tour. Jan. 12 and 13 at 8pm at Orpheum Theatre. LiveNation.com

21ST CENTURY FLEA MARKET These popular Europe-

an-style collector markets feature 185 tables of bargains on deluxe 20th century junque. Jan. 17 at the Croatian Cultural Centre. 21cpromotions.com

BLUE RODEO Cuddy and his country-rock crew return to town for two nights in support of their latest release, Live At Massey Hall with special guest Terra Lightfoot. Jan. 26 and 27 at 8pm at Orpheum Theatre. Ticketmaster.ca Blue Rodeo, Jan. 26 and 27

LEFTOVERS Writer and comedian Charlie Demers uses his standup as a story-telling tour-de-force in this production, a complex and moving story about personal loss, ideology, and why the dreams of millions have gone unfulfilled in this world we’ve created. Jan. 2630 at 8pm at York Theatre. Tickets. TheCultch.com

THINGS TO DO IN THE CITY WE LOVE

Garth Knox, Feb. 13

GARTH KNOX Experience the

sounds of an original and exotic instrument – the viola d’amore – in the hands of celebrated, virtuosic Irish soloist Garth Knox, formerly of the Arditti Quartet. Feb. 13 at 8pm at Orpheum Annex.

SONGS OF LOVE The Vancouver Cantata Singers perform a program from Johannes Brahms’ Liebeslieder Walzer, with music by John Greer and John Corigliano, with the Bergmann Piano Duo. Feb. 14 at 3pm at Orpheum. RETRO DESIGN AND ANTIQUES FAIR

Favoured by designers, collectors and antiques dealers alike, this fun Sunday fair features 175 tables and booths of fabulous finds for you and your eclectic abode. Feb. 21 at the Croatian Cultural Centre. 21cpromotions.com 15

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FOOD

What’s in season for the winter

he nights are getting colder, the days darker and everything is beginning to get damp and wet. It’s time to get your woolies out and cuddle up with some warming foods to beat the cold. Traditionally, the cooler months would mean fresh, local food becomes scarce, but luckily we live in a city and province that is thriving. BC has an amazing array of different veggies and fruits to enjoy all year round. I personally start living off kale and root veggies during the cooler months, roasting foods in my oven or slow cooking in my crock pot. Summer’s departure doesn’t have to be depressing, and lucky for us, we are still getting warm enough weather to still enjoy a crisp outdoor meal full of variety. This winter, I invite you to explore some local foods that will not only warm your body but also your soul (cue corny music here). Fall into the taste of this cool season with these tasty local foods that you can enjoy now.

KALE Get your daily fix of greens with this awesome delicious goddess of a veggie. High in iron, vitamin C and other great nutrients, you can enjoy it sauteed, in salads or even add it to your morning smoothie. Or just eat it straight-up raw like nature intended. SQUASH No, I’m not talking about the game, I’m talking about the cornucopia of awesome that is this well-known starchy veggie. It is inexpensive and high in nutrients such as vitamins A and C. Enjoy it roasted or in various soup/stew forms. TURNIP Its bitter tasting greens are fully packed with calcium and it’s also a good source of vitamin C, an antioxidant vitamin 16

that also contributes to the health of your bones and skin. My favorite way to eat them is mashed with some butter and salt and pepper. Brings out the awesome flavors straight to the point. CRANBERRIES If you, like so many others, have ever suffered from a UTI, than you are quite familiar with the taste of cranberries, more specifically cranberry juice. Or maybe it’s your favorite side at holiday dinners. Either way, there are lots more ways you can enjoy this vitamin C- and fibre-packed tiny red morsel. For the canners, cranberries make a great jam, you can also add it to any baking that you do. Cranberry muffins or bread anyone? Yes please! GARLIC Known to lower blood pressure, cholesterol and ward off vampires, these little bulbs pack a punch of medicinal and flavorful benefits. Make sure to add them to meals at the end of your cooking times to reap their many benefits. –PATTY JAVIER GOMEZ, R.H.N.

RECIPE ROASTED ROOT VEGGIES INGREDIENTS: 3 carrots 3 medium-sized potatoes 1 turnip 5 cloves garlic whole 1 onion chopped 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar 1 tbsp olive oil Fresh rosemary and sage ½ tsp dried rosemary Salt and pepper to taste DIRECTIONS: • Preheat oven to 375F (190C) • Toss ingredients together in a casserole dish or cookie sheet. • Bake for 30-45 minutes, checking and stirring often until all veggies are soft enough to stick a fork through. • Let cool for 2-3 minutes, and enjoy! THINGS TO DO IN THE CITY WE LOVE

WINTER EVENTS

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FOOD

The many wonders of the slow cooker

his time of year I want to do nothing more than curl up in a blanket with a hot beverage, binge on Netflix or one of my vampire books and smell the delectableness of a hot meal simmering in my slow cooker. This is my happy place. Yes, every winter I have a steamy love affair with my slow cooker, we start off slow, maybe with some classics like stew, chicken soup, bone broth to warm my soul. By December, things start getting intense: chili, curries, and congee. By mid-January, my slow cooker has found a permanent place on my kitchen counter: it’s here for the long haul and this is when things really start to steam up. I don’t even use my stove anymore. Whole chicken, roasts and overnight oatmeal are all products of light prepping on a Sunday night and tuck neatly into the warmth of my reliable crockpot. Now you don’t have to have a love affair with your slow cooker to enjoy it and reap it’s awesome benefits. You can experiment and see how things go. I like to think of it like dating, take it out for a spin and see where things end up? Maybe you find you have nothing in common and won’t salivate at the thought of your soup slowly bubbling with anticipation for you to consume. Or maybe just maybe you will be surprised to know that it’s meant to be. There are many benefits of using your slow cooker, here are just a few reasons to start a steamy love affair with your crockpot.

NUTRITION The lower temperature cooking help

preserve nutrients that can be lost when food is cooked rapidly at high heat, which can happen often on your stove, specially if it’s electric. Using a crockpot is also a great way to experiment with fresh local produce to let their flavour and nutritional value shine through. COST EFFECTIVE No matter what walk of life you are from, all of us can benefit to save some cash. Using your slow cooker is cost effective in so many ways. My favorite is to make large portions and freeze them for future meals. Saving money can be pretty delicious. TIME MANAGEMENT Who doesn’t need more time during the day to get stuff done? Cooking is one of my favorite pastimes, but sometimes even

I can’t find the time to whip up something delicious from scratch. Slow cooking helps me to be creative in a different way that a stovetop does and it’s so easy and fast, I have so much time to do so many other things while I just wait for the crockpot to do its thing. Time used wisely and effectively. EASY CLEAN-UP If you hate doing dishes, then this is a great option for you. Reap the benefits of using cooking with little to no clean up! Most recipes only require dicing, chopping and placing ingredients into the crockpot and setting the timer. All you have left is to wash that knife and rinse that chopping board and just wait. LOWER ENERGY USAGE Using your slow cooker will less energy than your electric stove. This is a great easy way to go a little green in your household, it’s always a good time to get sustainable! –PATTY JAVIER GOMEZ, R.H.N.

RECIPE SLOW COOKED YAM AND POTATO CURRIED SOUP (VEGAN) INGREDIENTS: 1 large yam, peeled and cut into small pieces 5 small potatoes, peeled and cut into small pieces ½ white onion, finely chopped 4 cloves crushed garlic 1 tbsp coconut oil 2 cans of coconut milk 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar 1 tsp yellow curry paste ½ tsp cumin seed ½ tsp mustard seed Chili powder Salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS: • Combine all ingredients into the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. • Be sure to check in once and a while and stir.

THINGS TO DO IN THE CITY WE LOVE

INSTA CONTEST!

Our #vansummerlove winner happy as can be!

Tag your winter in Vancouver photos with #vanwinterlove for a chance to win a $1,000 eat, shop and explore prize pack.

Deadline: January 24, 2016. Winner will be chosen at random and contacted via Instagram.

#VANWINTERL VE

Warming wines

s much as I hate to admit it, I feel the chill at night and see rain in the forecast. My shift in behaviour clearly indicates that winter is around the corner. I’m hauling out my sweaters and wouldn’t say no to curling up by the fire after sundown. Even my drinking habits have changed. Those chilled reds I’ve been chugging all summer simply aren’t quite as tempting to me now. Instead, I find myself cracking open rich, more robust reds. When you’re in need of comfort as well, you can certainly seek out familiar favourites like Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. Like a cozy blanket they’ll fend off the foul weather when it sets in. Otherwise, spice up a nippy Thursday night by being adventurous. The warmer climes of Southern Italy, Portugal and Greece offer lots of unique gutsy reds that will keep you toasty while stimulating your curiosity. All of the recommended wines are perfectly suited for a barbecue if you are still braving the elements. They’ll be equally comfortable inside beside slowly braised meat. Either way, they are guaranteed to take the edge of any chill and help you transition smoothly into the autumn. –MICHAELA MORRIS

WINE

2013 MONTES

‘Classic Series’ Cabernet Sauvignon Colchagua Valley, Chile • $14.99, BC Liquor Stores When I am craving a good ol’ Cab Sauv, the Montes always delivers, especially for the price. It’s friendly enough to drink on its own with lush cassis and dark chocolate along with mint and tobacco. A classic with steak.

2010 PEDRO CANCELA

‘Seleção do Enólogo’ Dão DOC, Portugal • $16.99, BC Liquor Stores A trio of exotic sounding grapes: Touriga Nacional, Alfrocheiro and Tinta Roriz make for a warming and hunger inducing red. Subtly gamey with wild berries, fragrant herb, cinnamon and lots of minerality, it makes my mouth water for duck sausages.

2011 DI MAJO NORANTE

‘Ramitello’ Biferno Rosso DOC, Italy • $21.99, BC Liquor Stores The Ramiltello brings together Montepulciano and Aglianico, two of southern Italy’s delicious indigenous varieties. The result is a full-bodied, ripe and savoury red with flavours of black plum and licorice. If you are heroically persisting with the barbecue, more power to you! Try this with grilled lamb chops.

2008 BOUTARI

Grande Reserve Naoussa PDO, Greece • $22.99, BC Liquor Stores The Coles notes: Naoussa is the region (in Northern Greece) and Xinomavro is the grape (which some people compare to Italy’s Nebbiolo if that’s of any help). Sweet spice, dried fruit, leather and a hint of autumn leaves. Firm but enticing, it really begs for a meaty, mushroomy stew.

2013 LE VIEUX PIN

Prices exclusive of taxes.

‘Cuvée Classique’ Syrah Okanagan Valley, BC • $50, winery direct and private wine stores One of my top BC picks in the recent Judgement of BC tasting, the Cuvée Classique is a fairly dark and brooding style of Syrah. Expect black pepper, Bing cherry and inviting meaty notes. If you’ve hunted down some game meat for dinner this would work a treat.

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Dockside Restaurant in the Granville Island Hotel offers delicious West Coast cuisine with panoramic views of False Creek. A superb wine list and delicious house-brewed craft beers compliment every meal.

In the Granville Island Hotel 1253 Johnston St, Granville Island 604-685-7070 Dockside Restaurant open 7 days a week, 7am-10pm www.docksidevancouver.com

#VANWINTERL VE

BEER

Three breweries that offer more than just a good pint

ctober means the return of BC Craft Beer Month, and there are now – thankfully – dozens of local, craft, micro (even nano) breweries offering hoppy delights of all sorts. Not many such breweries, however, offer extensive (if any) food menus to go along with their liquid offerings, but three new openings are starting a new trend. –ANYA LEVYKH

TRUCK STOP AT RED TRUCK BEER COMPANY

Located at the site of the original Vancouver Brewery at the mouth of historic Brewery Creek, Truck Stop offers the requisite 24 taps with a rotating selection of the brewery’s seasonal, limited edition and classic beers. The food menu, which you can enjoy in the 120-seat space that includes a fair-sized patio, is classic diner fare with a few West Coast twists. Dishes like buffalo fries with blue cheese and tomato might be for the more adventurous, but the barbecue pork belly sandwich ($13) is a sweet-and-spicy mountain of meat that is well drizzled with sriracha mayo and stuffed with slaw. For more temperate palates, try the corned beef hash with eggs and Texas toast ($10). RedTruckBeer.com

RED RACER AT CENTRAL CITY ON BEATTY

This new pub from the local brewery and distillery is about all things barbecue, and offers great deals on platters of brisket or pulled pork ($16 each), as well as daily specials like whole barbecued chicken, beef short ribs, and even lamb ribs. The cornbread is stuffed with a jalapeno-laced ricotta and is moist and delicious, as are the burger bowls. Finish with the gin and citrus panna cotta for a boozy treat. As for the drinks, in addition to its own extensive offerings, this brewery pub also offers a surprisingly decent wine list, with a healthy by-the-glass selection, as well as solid cocktails, like the Seraph Gimlet with key lime, soda, lemon and egg white, or the Forbidden Fruit brunch cocktail with Hangar One Spiked Pear, Calvados, orange Curaçao and Prosecco. CentralCityBrewPub.com

BIG ROCK URBAN EATERY

The latest addition to the local brewery scene, Big Rock just opened their brewery a few months ago, and the Urban Eatery opened as part of the package. The menu here is comforting and inventive. Chicken liver mousse is made with brandy and served with beer jelly and flatbread made from spent grain. The flavours from the beers are infused into a number of dishes, like the hop salt served with the crispy chicken skins, or the Big Rock-infused kielbasa that’s part of the charcuterie board. That kielbasa also makes an appearance in the banh mi, which is loaded with the chicken pâté, prosciutto, Korean barbecue sauce and fennel slaw. The drinks list here also extends to a good selection of local wines and spirits, as well as some interesting cocktails, and spirits flights that are a steal at $10 for four tastings. BigRockUrban.com

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November 27

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