GO KEITH GO!

We would like to wish Keith Stark ,our Vancouver Key Account Manager, and his team mate Mike Hunter all the best in the BC Bike Race this Weekend!

Keith is a former Canadian National Champion and BC Cup Champion, and was a 5 time national team member in both road and mountain bike. His favorite foods to fuel his rides are Ultima Replenisher Orange, Honey Stinger Pomegranate Energy Chews, Sharkies Citrus Chews, and Honey Stinger Coconut Pro Bars.

Mike Hinter, Keith's Team mate for the BC Bike Race, is the current masters BC Champion and is leading the BC cup again this year!

All participants in the BC bike race this weekend will receive 1 case of Honey Stinger Protein Bars in their race kits, a pound of Kicking Horse Coffee when they finish the race, Sharkies and Honey Stinger chews will be handed out at aid stations through out the course, and Ultima will be served up on the course as well. And if that wasn't enough, Kicking Horse Coffee will be served all day every day at this event. Sounds like these race participants will be ready to ride!

Good Luck everyone!!! GO KEITH GO!

Downward Facing Dog

Everyone who remembers their first yoga class will probably admit to giggling at the term "downward facing dog". But when you learn to relax into this pose, it quickly becomes one of your favorites. It is interesting to look at the origins of this pose - It really is quite similar to the streach Fido does when getting up from a nap.

Yoga Journal says: Down Dog calms the brain and helps relieve stress and mild depression; it helps relieve the symptoms of menopause; it relieves menstrual discomfort when done with the head supported; it helps prevent osteoporosis; it improves digestion; it relieves headaches, insomnia, back pain, and fatigue; and it is therapeutic for high blood pressure, asthma, flat feet, sciatica, and sinusitis.

So next time you get up from a move called "couch potato" - try a "downward facing dog" and feel the benefits.

Quick snacks & drinks to keep you flowing druing yoga class... try GoMacro MacroBars & Ultima.

To keep your feeling of balance through out the day drink Vastu Chai.

Namasté...

BC Bike Race 2009

Picture this... one epic journey... two mountain bike tires spinning toward a common goal... three podium spots awaiting at the end of each stage... four scenic ferry sailings... five mental breakdowns on your quest to the finish... six nights to meet new friends from across the globe... seven days of spectacular west coast mountain biking... and countless incredible tales of your legendary adventure that will keep you pumped for weeks to come!

More info at: http://www.bcbikerace.com/Race_Info/

Planet Foods will see you there June 28 to July 4, 2009.

Stay Strong & Healthy!

Maple-Flavored Scallops With Watercress Sauce

Receipe from:

Les gourmandises d'Isa (http://lesgourmandisesdisa.blogspot.com)

Serves 4

12 large scallops

Marinade:

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp curry powder

½ tsp ground coriander seeds

1 tbsp Maple Flakes

2 tbsp olive oil

1 green onion, minced

Watercress sauce:

1 tbsp butter

2 green onions, minced

2 cups (500 mL) watercress

½ cup (125 mL) chicken stock

½ cup (125 mL) 35% cream 1 tsp flour + 1 tsp butter = beurre maniéSalt and pepper to tasteWatercress leaves for garnish

In a bowl, combine scallops and marinade ingredients. Marinate for 1 to 2 hours in the refrigerator.

In a saucepan, melt butter to sweat the green onions and watercress... Add chicken stock and cream. Simmer for 1 to 2 minutes over low heat and add beurre manié. Season with salt and pepper. Purée sauce in a food processor and return to pan.

Melt a dollop of butter in a frying pan. Cook scallops for 2 to 3 minutes per side. Pour a thin layer of watercress sauce onto plates, add scallops, and garnish with watercress leaves.

5 Reasons to Use Equinox Maple Flakes

Top 5 reasons to use Maple Flakes as part of a well balanced diet:

1. Provide texture and flavor along with sweetness so you use less (a plus), but get more taste (also a plus).
2. Contain important minerals like manganese and iron.
3. Have half the calories of a teaspoon of sugar.
4. Allow you to buy natural, unsweetened products and add just enough sweetness.
5. All natural and pesticide- and allergen- free, so they are safe for the whole family to use.
   
   

Tomorrow (June 17) we will Tweet quick Recipes all day that use Canada's Equinox Maple Flakes.

Ayala's Herbal Water on a Hot Summer Day

Why Customers are looking for Ayala's Herbal Water:

"Ayala's Herbal Water is an all-natural, USDA organically certified beverage with zero calories, zero artificial additives, and zero preservatives. It's made by blending hand-selected, organically grown herbs with purified water. The result; a refreshing taste and enchanting aroma. Since its launch in the US in August of 2007, Ayala's Herbal Water has raked up several awards, including being named one of Prevention magazine's favorite waters. It is the first nationally available organic certified enhanced flavored water in the market. " ~ U.S. Foodlink June/July 2009

Perfect for Summer, Perfect for Kids, Perfect for you! Enjoy!

Highwood Crossing Farms ~ Globe & Mail

Tony Marshal from Highwood Crossing Farms got a great mention in the Globe + Mail yesterday. We are proud to call them Local. Check it out here!

Support Highwood Crossing and the Calgary Interfaith Food Bank in the Put the Boots to Hunger program we are participating in this July. For every Kilogram of Pancake Mix purchased in Calgary Highwood Crossing will donate 1$ to the Calgary Interfaith Food Bank.

1$ buys 4$ of food.

Patsy Pie Gluten-free FAN gets a PF-goodie-bag!

PatsyPie gets lots of Fan Mail. Here's a happy gluten-free customer from Edmonton.

"Kudos to PatsiePie for amazing chocolate chip cookies and brownies. I was amazed at how great they are. Other gluten-freen baking companies need to sit up and take notice of PatsiePie. Nothing else compares. You have the best store bought GF cookies and brownies I've ever tasted. Just like homemade, but faster! I look forward to discovering the taste of your other products. Congratulations on a fabulous product for Celiacs." ~ Candace K. Edmonton, Alberta

Thanks Candace, your PF-goodie-bag is on it's way!

We would love to hear from everyone, send us a note about your favorite Planet Foods product & where you found it. If we post it you get a PF-goodie-bag too! Send your story to shelly@planetfoods.ca and don't forget to include your address!

p.s. We like photos too!

Host an Green Book Party

Earth Friendly Books Do you ever find yourself walking endlessly through the local book shop wondering what's good a read? Below is a list of some environmental books that are on my current favourites list:
The Omnivore's Dilemma - Michael Pollan
Silent Spring - Rachel CarsonThe Sacred Balance - David Suzuki
Stupid to the Last Drop - William Marsden
Garbage Land, On The Secret Trail of Trash - Elizabeth Royte
Ecoholic - Adria Vasiland
the book I've just started into: The Hundred-Year Lie - Randall Fitzgerald

Why not host an Enviro-Book Club for friends, family co-workers or neighbours? You’ll get to spend time with like-minded people who and they'll always be somethingto talk about! Remember to obtain your books sustainably - your local library, used bookstore or online at www.Abebooks.com are all great places to start looking.You can even start your own 'lending library' at your place of work too!I know there are plenty more great environmental books out there so please let me know if there are any that you think are outstanding! I'm happy to add them to my list of 'must reads'. Until next week, live well, eat well and love one another! Cheers,Kerri

More Green Tips for World Environment Day

Reusable grocery bags, they are stronger, bigger, and insulated. People are still using plastic! And double bagging! – Mike

Car Pool; Buy Local; Use environmentally friendly cleaning supplies – Clay

PatsyPie says:
Don’t use bottled water.
Take your own cup to coffee shops
Turn the water off while brushing your teeth. Turn back on for rinsing.
Compost
Buy organic when possible.
Buy locally grown products
Walk more, drive less
Use the dishwasher after 9PM at night.
Wash clothes in cold water
Use non-phosphate detergents.
Turn lights off when not necessary.
Check the best fish to buy so we don’t endanger certain ones.
Eat more vegetarian.

Green Tips For World Environment Day - June 5th

1) "Ride your bike to work" ~ Keith
2) "Recycle, take short shower instead off taking baths, and shut off your furnace when your not home." ~ Jesse
3) "Did you know that milk containers have a recycling fee now. 25 cents for the big ones. 4 of them make a dollar....
My recycling tip was using milk containers for starting plants in the house...like grandma used to do." ~ Shelly's Mom
4) "Always use a travel mug for your morning cup of coffee/tea instead of disposable cups." ~ Greg
5) "Use a cloth’s line instead of the dryer." ~ Greg
6) "Used Coffee grounds are considered a brown for your compost bin." ~ Shelly

World Environment Day ~ June 5th

Tomorrow is World Environment Day. Visit us on Twitter or here on the Blog to hear tips & tricks on how to keep our planet Strong & Healthy. Tips will come from Planet Foods Staff and family through out the day. Stay tunned!

Celiac Birthday Idea

We have monthly birthday parties here at Planet Foods, and this last month we celebrated a fun birthday for a celiac. Cake was out of the question, so we sandwiched homemade ice cream between PatsyPie Ginger cookies. Mmmm....