Archive for the ‘food’ Category

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Get soiled

Published on May 4, 2009 by Jonathan Růžek

Compost WeekI’m not sure if @hotpepper is aware that it’s National Composting Awareness Week, where people are made aware of composting. He was reveling in how great the snow was for his shit pile, so I’m dedicating this post to him.

In case you’ve been living in a void:

Composting is an important way to recycle — both at home and at work, where organic material is used and waste is created. It is estimated that about 50 percent of the total waste stream could be composted! Composting not only helps to reduce the amount of waste going to landfills, it produces a valuable soil amendment which can improve the texture and fertility of the soil.

Unfortunately, I live in a condo and don’t have a backyard for a compost heap, so I’ll at least do a small part and not flush my toilet this week. Maybe I can grow some mushrooms.

National Composting Awareness Week

UofL Campus Community Garden Dig

Published on April 26, 2009 by Jenn Prosser

This weekend the members of the Roots Garden Club and many others from the UofL community got together to dig the first ever on-campus garden. A communal Campus Community Garden, it boasts 9 private plots available on a first come, first serve basis and a rather sizable communal plot which will have up to 30 people tending the delicious vegetable and plant life that will soon be in this ground. To sign up for the garden individual plot or communal plot, or just to stay in the loop and be involved and participate in this amazing venture, follow this link. Although I missed most of the fun (re: putting in stakes, fences and digging lots…) I did get out there today to see the finished product and help with some clean up.

Many people have worked very hard on getting this project underway in the past two years and it is great to see something this positive bringing so many groups from around the campus together. Now, a campus wide composting project perhaps?

Continue reading ‘UofL Campus Community Garden Dig’

Guest blogger ahoy!

Published on April 23, 2009 by Jonathan Růžek

Carli Kogler - Death by Clam ChowderAllow me to introduce our first guest blogger, Carli Kogler.

I first met Carli a couple years back, when she interned in my office. Unfortunately, she wasn’t one of “those” interns – the kind that gets you coffee and “muffins,” but I didn’t hold it against her. She’s a fellow web designer, anime geek and artist. She also makes great dip. And is a ginger.

She’s going to write about stuff, so welcome to Lethbian Love, Carli!

Explore and embrace a special wild place

Published on April 10, 2009 by Jonathan Růžek

Jack MinerToday is the birthdate of Jack Miner; some dead guy I never heard about until today. While miners played an important part in the early days of Lethbridge (the city was once named Coalbanks), this “Miner” was important for another reason.

“Wild Goose Jack,” as he was known, is the grandfather of Canada conservationism. He established sanctuaries and wildlife refuges across Canada, and lectured on habitat preservation among other things.

For this reason, National Wildlife Week (April 5 – 11, 2009) was established in his memory. This week is a tribute to the man who created public interest in wildlife and habitat conservation.

Established in 1947, National Wildlife Week is celebrated during the week that includes 10 April, the birth date of the late Jack Miner, one of the founders of Canada’s conservation movement.

Although Lethbridge is in a semi-arid climate, we have many plants and animals native to our area, none of which I can name right now because I have drank too much wine. But if you have an interest in knowing more, I highly recommend taking a few hours to explore the Birds of Prey Sanctuary or the Helen Schuler Nature Centre.

Being a furry, I’m more than willing to explore and embrace a special wild place. Too bad chimpanzees aren’t native to Southern Alberta. Regardless, meat is on the menu tonight. I’ve got a stomach for conservation.

National Wildlife Week

Free wine tasting this afternoon, very affordable

Published on April 10, 2009 by Jonathan Růžek

Andrew Hilton Wine & Spirits usually holds wine and spirit tasting throughout the year. This past winter, I kept warm with their Friday scotch tastings, pretending to know what the hell I was talking about by saying, “This has a strong peat flavour, which contrasts with subtle hints of apricot and sandalwood.”

In their newsletter, Kyle writes:

This afternoon’s Free Friday Tasting will feature 4 phenomenal Chardonnays from 4 of my favorite producers. first up are two great Californian Chards, one from James Cole, and one from Steele. Both are classic Calfornian-style wines, with buttery well-integrated oak, rich apple, and cream flavors. We also have a very top-end Grand Cru Chablis, from the Les Preuses vineyard, made by our top Chablis producer Jean Dauvissat. Finally, we have a Meursault from Francois D’Allaines. So two very good Californians and two very  expensive French wines, it should be a great way to start your weekend.

Since my grandmother tells me it’s forbidden to drink red wine today, white must be fine because not all grapes are sinners. So go forth, drink!

Plenty of hoes at the Home & Garden Trade Show

Published on March 26, 2009 by Jonathan Růžek

See what I did there? I used my mad rapper skills and came up with a fresh rhyme. Speaking of fresh, there’s nothing quite like biting into fresh-grown horseradish. It’s hot, like these beats.

If you’re into gardening and interior design, like me, check out the Home & Garden Trade show:

Guests to the show can find a variety of exhibitors, ranging from flooring and cabinets to hot tubs and fireplaces to landscapers and greenhouses, and much more. It’s the largest Home and Garden show in Southern Alberta, and the variety of products is almost endless!

The show runs March 25 – 28 at Lethbridge Exhibition Park. Tickets are $5.

Home & Garden Trade Show

Old Style Pilsner: The Pride of Lethbridge

Published on March 2, 2009 by Jonathan Růžek

In Lethbridge, when we’re not mining for coal or wrestling bears, we’re usually drinking an ice-cold Pil. First brewed in Lethbridge in 1926, Old Style Pilsner is a beer that has remained strong in Western Canada since its inception.

Being half Czech, beer has played an important part of my life. In fact, it’s the national drink of the Czech Republic, much like wine is to France. And like wine, there are many varieties from different regions, each with their own recipe. “Pilsener” is a pale lager, developed in the 19th century in the Bohemian city of Plzeň.

My earliest memories of Old Style Pilsner are when I was a youngster, drinking a stubby in my crib. Those were the days when soiling your pants was the norm, not the exception. So here’s the story of my favourite beer as I know it.

Continue reading ‘Old Style Pilsner: The Pride of Lethbridge’

Celebrate black history tonight

Published on February 27, 2009 by Jonathan Růžek

THE DEBUTTHE DEBUT is supposedly Lethbridge’s first celebration for Black History Month. The show is a commemoration of traditional and contemporary fashion and will include performances, giveaways and “more surprises throughout the night!”

It all begins at 7PM in the University of Lethbridge ballroom (adjacent to The Zoo) and tickets are $8 at the door. Best dressed will win $70 cash. There will also be an after-party at Studio 54, so look sharp and get crunk!

THE DEBUT (via Facebook)

TacoTime: A Lethbridge first

Published on February 24, 2009 by Jonathan Růžek

TacoTimeYes, it may come as a surprise to many of you that Lethbridge was the location for Canada’s first TacoTime! Unfortunately, it came as a surprise to me today to find out that TacoTime is an also American brand.

Regardless, in 1978 the first TacoTime was opened on Mayor Magrath Drive, in the location currently occupied by The Front Row Pub. Heralding back to my youth, I can recall a time when my father, sister and I ate there. He and I both had a “Super Soft Taco” that was the size of a premature infant. I tore into mine and dad, who’s blind as a bat, accidentally picked up a real baby from the patrons sitting next to us! Good thing for hot sauce.

I know many of you don’t consider TacoTime to be “authentic” Mexican cuisine, but I challenge you to find any other restaurant that serves escamoles in their burritos!

TacoTime