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Sea-buckthorn: A super food

June 5th 2013

Berries rich in antioxidants have become increasingly popular in recent years. We’re all familiar with blueberries, red currants and cranberries, but some bold and enterprising farmers in Canada are helping us to discover others.

One such discovery is the vitamin-rich sea-buckthorn fruit. In fact its vitamin C content is 30 times greater than oranges while its vitamin E content is more than wheat, corn and soybeans.

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Fine dining at maximum security in Toscany

June 3rd 2013

Fancy a fine dining experience with a difference? I’d like to recommend the “Cene Galeotte” at Fortezza Medicea in Volterra (not far from Pisa). At only €35 (about $47) for a 6-course meal, including wine, you’ll have a memorable experience.

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Turning off pain through diet

June 1st 2013

Originally published in the Journal de Montréal on June 1st, 2013.

A growing body of research suggests that changes in one’s diet could alleviate – and in certain cases, even bring an end to – chronic pain.

The Seignalet Diet, developed by French physician Dr. Jean Seignalet, is becoming increasingly popular in Canada thanks to Jacqueline Lagacé’s best-seller “Comment j’ai vaincu la douleur et l’inflammation chronique par l’alimentation” (literally “How I turned off the pain with an anti-inflammatory diet”, shortly available in English).

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May 29th is World Digestive Health Day

May 29th 2013

From time to time, everyone suffers from some form of digestive discomfort. For some of us, these events are not occurring often, but for others, cramps, bloating, heartburn, constipation, etc. are symptoms with which they must deal almost every day. In Canada, it is estimated that over 20 million people suffer from digestive disorders every year!

May 29 marks the International Day for digestive health. Held annually since 2004 by the World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO), this day is an opportunity for everyone to learn more about making the right food choices to maintain a healthy digestive system. You will find trustworthy, up-to-date and very valuable information on all digestive disorders on badgut.org, the website of our partner, the Gastrointestinal Society (GI).

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Luxury cantaloupe melons fetch $16,000 at auction in Japan

May 27th 2013

The season for locally-grown cantaloupe melon has just started in Japan. A pair of 3.7 kg Yubari melons sold at auction last Friday for 1.6 million yen (about $16,000), one of the highest prices ever paid for the coveted orange-fleshed fruit.

In a country where a single apple can cost more than $5 and a presentation pack of 20 cherries sells for over $100, Japanese shoppers are used to paying high prices for their fruit. While imported melons cost “only” about $30, Yubari melons fetch high prices because they are considered a status symbol, like a fine wine, with many buyers presenting them as a gift to friends and colleagues.

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The importance of court-bouillon

May 25th 2013

Originally published in the Journal de Montréal on May 25, 2013.

Poaching fish in a court-bouillon is ideal for enhancing its delicate flavor. This is a vegetable broth, flavored with fresh herbs and vinegar or wine, which must be made in advance and then cooled. Court (French word for “short”) means that it is neither long in its preparation time nor too rich in taste.

Fish is cold poached then brought to a simmer, while shellfish and crustaceans are dropped into a hot court-bouillon. In the case of fish, it is very important to keep the broth at simmering point, without ever the bringing it to a rolling boil to preserve the delicate flavor of the flesh.

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Tap water is safe in Montreal

May 24th 2013

After 36 hours of stocking up on bottled water during what was the biggest boil water advisory in Montreal’s history, residents can once again drink from their faucets. All tests turned up no harmful bacteria is present in the city’s drinking water source.

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