The Manger Santé et Vivre Vert expo serves up a bevy of new eats
It was all about quality, purity and going organic at this year’s Manger Santé et Vivre Vert March 15-17, when the Nation made its annual pilgrimage to investigate trends and sample the latest healthy food fare.
While in previous years a particular buzz food – such as blueberries, pomegranate or elderberries – has always been touted as the newest miracle cure, this time it seemed every booth had an organic/purity slant.
With so much talk in the media about food safety and product recalls, Canadian and US refusals to label genetically modified (GMO) foods and unsustainable farming practices leading to major issues like soil erosion, it’s a wonder that we hadn’t seen this trend being pushed sooner.
Perusing the aisles of this mega-show with thousands of other patrons, the first thing I came across was a tomato-packed kiosk labeled, “Le Pays de Tomate” (“Tomato Land”) hosted by Tomates Lacoste.
“These are tomatoes produced in the Charlevoix region in eastern Quebec. They have an incredible quality as the water in that region is very pure and crystalline and the air is fine and fresh and so environment is ideal. They are the best tomatoes on earth!” exclaimed Fanny Drouin of Tomates Lacoste.
Sampling the merchandise, the cherry tomatoes were amazingly fresh; they were sweet, firm and bursting with juices upon first bite. They possessed a candy-like quality so you could almost eat them like a treat instead of a dietary staple.
Next up, I was drawn to the Épices de Marie Michèle booth to enjoy a variety of new salt, spice and flavoured oil products from this Quebec company.
They were offering tastings of flavoured oils. There was a lovely “garden” olive oil that was seasoned with various vegetables and herbs that is ideal for salads. They also featured shallot (onion) oil as well as a grape-seed oil that was perfumed with vanilla. While mesmerizing on its own, they suggested using it on waffles and pancakes or in muffins.
What was really interesting was that it contained absolutely no sugar and yet was so reminiscent of the vanilla birthday cake of my childhood that I found myself swept up in nostalgia. It was truly impressive.
Michèle said that using this oil for cooking pancakes or waffles produced incredible results.
For more info: www.lesepices.ca/
If you’ve been hearing a lot about quinoa, it may be because officials from the United Nations and the Andean countries of Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia launched the International Year of Quinoa in February. The idea behind this is to raise awareness of the incredible nutritional, economic, environmental and cultural value of a food that has been cultivated for thousands of years.
On hand at the show was Clara and husband Martin from GoGo Quinoa, a popular brand that has created a series of quinoa-based products, including pastas, chips, hot cereals, pancake and cake mixes.
“Quinoa is delicious on its own; it has a high nutrition profile and that is what makes quinoa so special. It is gluten free, plus it is high in protein so you can use it to replace meat in a meal. You are making a green choice if you choose to eat it in lieu of commercial meat,” explained Clara.
For those who have never tried it, the nubby little grain is a bit like a couscous or a rounded rice but larger and chewier and contains significantly more protein. Using it as an alternative to your average starch is a wonderful way to add a lot of nutrient value to a meal while reducing fats and processed foods.
For more info: www.gogoquinoa.com/
For those unable to buy organic produce locally, the Jardins de l’Écoumène booth offered seeds to those willing want to grow their own. And, while many in Eeyou Istchee are faced with a very short growing season, it was suggested that indoor pots for tomatoes would be a great way to grow something delicious at home.
“You can grow all sorts of varieties of cherry tomatoes and we also have all sorts of heirloom seeds that are becoming popular again. These tomatoes are different because the skin is pretty velvety and they are very attractive,” said Jean-François, the gardening expert manning the booth.
For more info: www.ecoumene.com
For those looking for a green way to clean their homes or residue-free detergents that are ideal for those with skin allergies, Bio-Vert was on hand to showcase their locally made Quebec products.
Sophie from Bio-Vert recommended the company’s new floor cleaner, which she says has the same muscle as other floor cleaners without polluting the environment or leaving any chemical residue. A certified ecological product, these cleaners blow apart any myth that something natural can’t do the same job as a chemical-based product. Take that Mr. Clean!
For more info: www.bio-vert.com/
When it came to other cleaning products, one thing I found myself completely unsure of was the Laundry Ball by SmartKlean, a futuristic-looking pod for your laundry that claims to replace one year’s worth of detergent.
Apparently, this mineral-laden contraption can save you hundreds of dollars and spare the environment while it spins around your washing machine.
While I would need to see it to believe it, I would love to hear from anyone willing to give it a shot.
For more info: www.smartkleancanada.com/
Over at the Café AGGA table I was delighted to see a wonderful solution to a nagging environmental problem. While Keurig and Nespresso coffee machines are all the rage (especially in Eeyou Istchee), they have also created an incredible amount of waste.
Café Agga has come up with a solution by making its own biodegradable packaging. It makes an incredibly delicious espresso without the guilt of wrecking the environment with needless waste.
The coffee being sampled was “Espress Orgasmo” and the name summed it up. Wow!
For more info: www.cafeagga.com/
This year I was given the opportunity to take home a number of products to test and review.
First up was a product called Stress Rescue L-Theanine (chewables) by SISU, an all-natural relaxation product that the woman behind the counter claimed was great for anyone who finds that they can’t stop their mind from racing.
The tablets tasted like a Sweet Tart candy and, lo and behold, 20 minutes later, I actually did feel relaxed. With this expo being held in a frenzied, jam-packed room, I was certainly feeling stressed prior to taking the tablet. It gets my stamp of approval!
For more info: www.sisu.com/
I also had the opportunity to take home a canister of Genuine Health’s Greens+ in acai and mango flavour for review. And I have to say I am hooked!
I had heard about the “superfood antioxidants” powder offered as a daily supplement, to which you add water and drink. Friends who had used it said it made them feel great.
The sales rep said the product makes your body more alkaline as opposed to acidic thus strengthening the immune system. It also cleanses the body and strengthens cells, he said, improving digestion and improving the appearance of your skin.
I decided to take this product instead of a vitamin for the last 10 days and I can attest to the fact that it gives you an energy boost – plus my skin has never looked better. While it can’t perform miracles, I think it could be a great thing to take if you find yourself in a situation where lots of leafy greens are not readily available.
For more info: www.genuinehealth.com
