If you’ve driven down Ojibway Parkway you may have seen the building with the large “Dainty” logo on the side. This is Dainty Rice’s rice mill, the only facility of its kind in Canada. While the rice is imported from the U.S., it is processed here in preparation to be shipped throughout the country.

You can purchase Dainty Rice at Zehrs and A&P. While they do offer some precooked rice, Dainty has a line of natural rices including Jasmine, Basmati, and Long Grain & Wild Rice.

Why should you offer rice as a side dish? Because it’s a complex carbohydrate and…

“Rice protein is considered one of the highest quality proteins compared to that of other grains. It has all eight essential amino acids necessary building blocks for strong muscles. It is also one of the few foods that is considered non-allergenic. Rice contains no gluten, fat, cholesterol or sodium, making it very well suited for people with special dietary needs.“

Everyone who tells me that they can’t have carbs because they want to lose weight or they’re “doing Atkins” need to give their heads a shake. Nutrition books will tell you that complex carbohydrates (starchy foods with sugars that take longer to break down but supply you with energy) are imperative to fueling your body.

“Nutritionists recommend that over half of our caloric intake should come in the form of complex carbohydrates.”

Relax and have your dinner with a starchy side like a potato or steamed rice. Your body will thank you.

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According to Foodland Ontario “there are approximately 90 acres devoted to pepper production in Ontario (about 60 acres in the Leamington area)”. That’s great news for those of us who live in the area. You can drive through the county and buy fresh peppers at many roadside stands or visit stores like A&P who carry local peppers.

Why Choose Peppers?

“With a mild flavor and crunchy texture, bell peppers can brighten a salad or make a quick snack. Plus they are rich in essential nutrietns — green bell peppers have twice as much vitamin C by weight as citrus fruits, while red bell peppers have three times as much.” TopHealth Newsletter

Other facts about our bell buddies:

• Peppers are a good source of vitamin A
• Most greenhouse peppers in Ontario are produced in hydroponic systems

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Another great resource in our area are the honey bee farmers. Check out Sun Parlor Honey, located near Cottam; it’s “among the largest honey producers in the province”. They are open year round, Monday to Saturday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Here are some honey facts from Sun Parlor’s website:

• honey is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, giving a quick energy boost to the body
• honey contains protein, vitamins and minerals
• honey is cholesterol free

Sun Parlor’s honey is 100% pure and contains no additives or preservatives!

Like to learn more? You can visit one of your local apiaries, contact Sun Parlor Honey through their website, or check out the honey harvest process on YouTube, starring the Essex County Beekeepers’ Association.

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