Article by Dr. Janice Elenbaas, Founder of Lucky Dog Cuisine Quinoa has a history dating back to the Incas over 5,000 years ago. Like many ‘ancient grains’ it disappeared in 1532 with the arrival of the Spanish. The Inca culture was destroyed and quinoa fields were burned. Only small amounts survived in the mountains of Peru. In the 1970’s, a renewed interest in this super food began. This plant is unique. The leaves can be eaten like spinach, they are in the same family and the seeds used as a grain. So, technically, quinoa is a seed. It is also gluten free and chock full of nutrients that ar ..read more

The number of Canadians with food allergies and those affected by pesticide residues and processing aids is on the rise. I’m sure we all know someone with a food allergy and have experienced what it’s like to be careful in preparing food for them or for ourselves, which isn’t always easy. Some of the most common food allergies in Canada include eggs, dairy, nuts, gluten, soy, corn, and shellfish. Symptoms can range from mild (sneezing and skin redness) to severe (including anaphylactic shock or death when not treated immediately). Shoppers with these allergies often carry the burden of having ..read more

Finding out what pairs with your favorite whisky is just a Google search away, however, discovering what pairs well with 100% Canadian-grown quinoa whisky will be a whole new experience for whisky-lovers. That’s because it’s never been done before, and we won’t be able to find out for several months because it’s currently sitting in a barrel in Saskatoon, waiting for the perfect moment to be uncorked and taste-tested.  We recently had the honour of meeting with Caylin Holland, Head Distiller and creator of Stumbletown’s impressive line-up of spirits to talk about his upcoming new product ..read more

Glutenberg is taking innovation with quinoa to a whole new level with their gluten-free lineup of craft brews. Most people think of quinoa as their latest go-to side-dish that goes with everything. Afterall, it’s gluten-free, has a unique flavour, is packed with protein, and you can make hundreds of recipes with it, including beer! Haven’t heard of quinoa beer? Read on! I had the privilege of speaking with Head Brewer, Frederic from Glutenberg, who took time out of his busy schedule before he brewed his first batch of the day to discuss the brewing process, the benefits and pitfalls of using q ..read more

We all know that preparing healthy meals is one of the most important things we can do to take care of our family members, but how many of us consider our furry family members when it comes to making meals? Founder of Lucky Dog Cuisine, Dr. Janice Elenbaas, tells us she has never known anything different. Her mother had been preparing their dogs’ meals for as long as she can remember. Dr. Elenbaas has not only carried on the tradition, but she has created an empire out of it. Originally from Canada, Dr. Elenbaas moved to South Carolina to “get away from Canadian winters”! When she was at the b ..read more

Looking for a new crop to add to your rotation? Would you like to decrease disease and pest severity, while increasing your bottom line? Struggling to find a profitable crop? Quinoa may be the crop to help address these challenges. At NorQuin we specialize in growing quinoa locally. In this article we will discuss what it takes to grow quinoa on the Prairie provinces. Choice of land is important as it sets you up for the high yields. Well-drained, loamy soils, and steady topography are best when making a field selection, however quinoa is very adaptable and is being grown successfully right ac ..read more