Editor's message

Ever since I was a little girl, I have been taught that food is to be enjoyed.  Whether I was licking the bowl used to make Rice Krispie squares, making dozens of rhubarb pies with my Baba, or attending a simple barbecue with family and friends, the objective was never about using food strictly as a source of energy or sustenance. Our motivation was enjoyment. Food not only facilitates celebrations, but food itself is something to celebrate. 

In keeping with the philosophy of enjoyment, we are pleased to report the re-emergence of carbohydrates (page 12). Carbs have been woefully maligned over the last couple of years, impacting the food and agriculture industry and resulting in a movement away from food as pleasure. In this issue, we profile how healthy carbs can and should be an essential part of your diet and how they can also contribute to feelings of well-being and happiness (page 28).

As always, we love to take you behind the scenes with Albertans who share our love and enjoyment of food and agriculture. In one of our feature stories, we profile the family behind the exquisite restaurants and hotels in the Canadian Rocky Mountain Resorts chain – and show you how running a wild game farm not only gives them a competitive edge but is a source of personal pride and enjoyment. The Best of Bridge women have been bringing simple, gourmet cooking to homes around the province for nearly 30 years. We share with you how their passion for cooking and food has brought them to their latest and, most sadly, last cookbook (page 10). And finally, we want you to take your enjoyment of food on the road again this summer with a tour of Alberta’s “Cheese Trail,” where you can experience and sample the fine cheeses made by Alberta’s emerging artisan cheese makers (page 39).

Enough of thinking food is just a necessity. Now that spring is here, take the time to relax and truly enjoy your food.

Jennifer Fisk, Editor

P.S.  If you love what you read in this issue, go online to www.growingalberta.com  to sign up for Food for Thought Online, the electronic version of this magazine. We will deliver to your e-mail box the recipes, stories and tips behind enjoying all that Alberta has to offer. Sign up before May 6 and be entered to win a weekend family vacation for four at Brown Creek Ranch in southwestern Alberta.