April 10, 2018 · 7:00 am

Faces, Places and Plates

Map of South India with Faces, Places and Plates trip outlined

I haven’t been posting here a lot lately because I’m posting twice a week, Tuesdays and Fridays, on a very special project of mine called Faces, Places and Plates – A South India Road Trip.

Me – photograph by Pauli-Ann Carriere
Pauli-Ann Carriere – photo by me

My collaborator is photographer Pauli-Ann Carriere. Together, we travelled the five most Southern states of India for about 4000 kilometres and 40 days in 2016 and 2017 to research, write and photograph South India’s cooks and their culture.  Continue reading →

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March 6, 2018 · 5:00 pm

Maple apple-stuffed cinnamon buckwheat crepes – because winter just won’t go away

Alberta Health Services Apple Magazine, Karen Anderson, Food Sight column,

Maple apple-stuffed cinnamon buckwheat crepes – photo by Karen Anderson

I actually love winter. And, this one has been fantastic for me as I’ve been able to walk to the end of my driveway, step into my cross-country skis and break my own trail through a blanket of light and fluffy snow more than any other year I can remember.

March came in like a lion (with another foot of snow here in Calgary) so it should go out like a lamb but, in between, I’m going to tuck into more of these Maple apple-stuffed cinnamon buckwheat crepes. It’s a recipe that I developed for Alberta Health Services’ Apple magazine. Click on the link below to find my recipe and the lovely food styling by Sylvia Kong and Shallon Cunningham of Savory Palate and Salt Food Photography respectively. I hope you’ll enjoy this gluten-free apple-filled delight.

We’ll take a bite of these apples and spring will take a bite out of winter. Just relax and savour it all.

check out my article >
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The enjoyable fruit

Continue reading →

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January 31, 2018 · 12:27 am

36 hours in Calgary, Alberta – The New York Times updates the world on Calgary’s culture

Gratitude going out to writer Elaine Glusac for her recent article – 36 hours in Calgary, Alberta – published by The New York Times on January 25.

It was quite a thrill when I read it and saw my name mentioned. I’ve socked that away under the category, “things you never imagined could happen.” But the main point of me sharing Glusac’s piece is I hope you’ll read it and either get out and explore your own city or if you live elsewhere, you’ll become inspired to travel and spend some time here.

Here’s a few of my favourite photos of this vibrant place to build the intrigue.

Calgary Peace Bridge by Santiago Calatrava – photo courtesy of Tourism Calgary
The Conversation by William McElcheran – photo courtesy of Tourism Calgary
Singer Paul Brandt calls Calgary home – photo by Karen Anderson
One of my favourite hangouts – Rouge Restaurant in Inglewood (where we keep our beehives)

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January 19, 2018 · 4:51 pm

Art Installation No. 26 – Terra Lightfoot and her great big talent

Terra Lightfoot is a Canadian singer/songwriter/guitarist with a voice that delivers in multi-octave waves. I hope you’ll enjoy this song, Paradise. Let it be the gateway song that leads you to dig a little deeper. Find out who she is and how she rolls and you’ll have found yourself another great Canadian artist to support. The lyrics follow. Continue reading →

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January 4, 2018 · 11:31 pm

Yoga – what is it really? And an Isha Yoga Asanas workshop in Calgary, January 20 and 21, 2018

Isha yoga asanas workshop in Calgary

Yoga Asanas (poses) – photo courtesy of Isha Foundation – used with permission

Yoga means union. Yogis, people who practice yoga, believe our individuality is an illusion and yoga’s purpose is to help us go beyond our limited perception of existence to realize our oneness.

Yoga is not a workout or a fad. Yoga is not a religion. It is a path to self-transformation.  Through meditation the mind is harnessed and taught to focus or be silent. Yogasanas are yoga postures that help a yogi prepare to sit for longer periods of meditation; for longer periods of silence in the mind and of no movement in the body.

This post gives a bit of background about a special Isha Hatha Yoga Yogasanas workshop coming to Calgary on January 20 and 21, 2018. Continue reading →

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December 24, 2017 · 11:32 pm

Caring beyond our own circle: Reality Gives – a visit to Dharavi Slum in Mumbai

A visit to Dharavi Slum in Mumbai with Reality Gives by Savour it all blog's Karen Anderson

Cardboard recycler – photo courtesy of Reality Tours and Travels

Christmas means different things to different people. For me, it’s a time to take stock on how I’m doing with sharing what I have with others. It’s easy to give to our own family and share the spirit of Christmas with our own community. They are part of our daily lives. I’m blessed that I also have the opportunity to think of and give to people half a world away.

Every year when I lead my cuisine and culture journey to India, I choose at least one empowerment project to visit and support. This year it was a group called Reality Gives operated by Reality Tours and Travel in Mumbai’s largest slum – Dharavi. Truth be told, I am absolutely sure that I get more out of this annual quest than I ever give.

My awareness and compassion expand. I am humbled and I am deeply happy to connect with human beings whom I believe live with more dignity and humour than some of us that are far more fortunate.  Continue reading →

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December 13, 2017 · 12:30 am

Holiday Gift Ideas for 2017

Got food lovers on your shopping list? Click on my annual “Gift this” list for Calgary’s City Palate magazine above to find some inspiration for your gifting this year.

Or, if you are heading to the mountains before the holidays, check out the 17 ideas from businesses I profiled in the Town of Canmore on the Canmore Food Tours blog here.

Celebrate Canada 150 by showering your loved ones with Alberta and Canadian-made. What better way to stay True North, Strong and Free?

Cool thing #55 on this blog.

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