May - Planting Seeds

 “In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.” 
― Margaret Atwood, Bluebeard's Egg

I'm loving this quote and spent the month of May embracing it.  I've spent several hours outside basking in the sunshine, pulling weeds and planting seeds.  This is a wonderful metaphor for what May was all about for Zengarry as well.  

We've been planting seeds for the future in the Zengarry kitchen.  Training new staff, making new contacts and nurturing new plans and ideas.  Soon these seeds will take root and sprout and you will all get to enjoy the fruits of our labour!

In the meantime here is are a few of the things we've been doing over the past month.

What we ate....

We wowed Mom with these Blackberry Brie Bites on Mother's Day. Click here for the recipe.

I was inspired by the fresh local asparagus to create this Asparagus Mushroom Tart recipe. Click here for the recipe.

I fell in love with the Shiitake Mushroom 'Clams' at The Hogtown Vegan Restaurant in Toronto.

My new favourite breakfast is the 'Loaded Savory Oatmeal and Lentil Bowl' from the Oh She Glows! cookbook. YUM!

What we did...

• We added UPC bar codes to our packaging  (we are now super-official) and you may have noticed our new containers.  They are made from 50% recycled plastic and are 100% recyclable.  We love them.
  

• We brought Zengarry Cashew Cheeses to Toronto and the the GTA!  They can now be found on the shelves of select stores in the area.  To find a store near you click here.

• We hosted our first new and improved Nut Cheese Workshop here in the Zengarry kitchen to rave reviews.  Our next class on June 21st is sold out, but we are busy planning our fall class schedule. When asked what advice workshop participants had for folks thinking about taking the class this is what they had to say:  "Do so ASAP!  It will change the way you look at living a non-dairy life!"   

Antique butcher scale repurposed as a decorative element at Yam Chops Vegetarian Butcher Shop.

Where we went...

We made, not one, but two trips to Toronto in May!  Early in May we visited Foodland in Mount Albert and Yam Chops in Toronto to host some cashew cheese samplings!  The reception was so wonderful that we were back later in May to re-stock the shelves and add Nature's Emporium in Newmarket to the Zengarry family!  Look for ZCC in all three locations!

We visited the quaint historical town of Carlton Place just outside of Ottawa.  The Granary Bulk and Natural Foods has taken down the wall, expanded into the space next door and given their whole shop a makeover.  Lucky for us, they now have room to stock up on ZCC!  We will be back with samples on June 13 for their official Grand Opening! 

What's coming up in June...

We are busily preparing for the return of Ottawa Vegfest in a brand new venue, the RA Centre.  There is an awesome lineup of speakers including Dreena Burton of Plant Powered Kitchen, Kristin Lajeunesse of Will Travel for Vegan Food and a Cooking Demonstration by our very own Auntie Loo!!  We'll be there both days to tempt you with samples and prizes!

Some VERY exciting announcements are coming in the next couple of months as we expand our distribution throughout Quebec with the help of our new friends at Horizon Nature.  They will be handling deliveries to several new stores around the province.  Keep your eyes open and continue to look for ZCC in your favourite health food stores!