Leek and potato soup is a spring classic and really shines with new-season leeks. This soup takes the classic recipe a step further in a celebration of spring alliums by adding charred spring onions and garlic scapes, the immature flowering part of the garlic plant. Unlike the garlic bulb, scapes impart a gentler, fresher garlic flavour. Garlic—two for one Hardneck varieties of garlic, such as Russian Red, develop a flowering stock called a scape, which extends from the plant in a green coil. Growing your own garlic will give you two crops—a crop of bulbs in late July and, prior to that, in la ..read more

In April, we’re coming to the end of the season for Belgian endives, but if you haven’t already indulged, it’s a great time to take advantage of this bounty. Braising is a delicious way to cook this slightly bitter leaf, also called witloof or chicory. In this dish, its slight bitterness is perfectly complemented by the sweet braising liquid of orange, honey, and mustard before being given a dash of licorice flavour with a sprinkling of tarragon.   Freshly squeezed You’ll need two oranges to get the amount of orange juice and zest required for this recipe. Wash oranges well before zesting ..read more

Artichokes can be somewhat intimidating. But once you’ve made your way past its spiky exterior and removed the thistlelike choke, there lies a tender heart with a sweet flavour. The meaty bases of artichoke leaves are also edible and make perfect dipping vehicles to scoop up sauce or, in this case, a stuffing with just a touch of Spanish serrano ham and Marcona almonds. Artichokes take a bit of care to prepare—and to eat—but they present a wonderful opportunity to slow down and savour flavourful ingredients. Don’t be afraid to use your hands! How to clean an artichoke Fill a bowl large enough ..read more

Cold therapy has become a hot topic as Polar plunges, ice baths, and cold rinses gain popularity. Exposure to cold temperatures, especially in the form of ice baths, has often been used to help sports teams increase athletic performance; however, there are a multitude of reasons why non-athletes are warming up to cold therapy as well. It improves mental health Cold showers—the simplest and perhaps most accessible form of cold therapy—have proven to improve the mental well-being of those living with depression. This is because cold therapy affects the nervous system. The circulation of beta-en ..read more

Eggs and asparagus are so quintessentially spring and nothing could be easier to prepare than this simple yet elegant dish that works as well for breakfast as for a light lunch. The earthy flavours of asparagus are complemented by a light dressing of licorice-scented tarragon and a little dash of heat. To make this dish more filling, choose a hearty whole grain bread as the base of your sandwich. One with a blend of ancient grains including spelt or khorasan wheat (Kamut) is particularly nice. Springtime presents a wonderful opportunity to experiment with a host of different microgreens. Spicy ..read more

Unlike the face, where issues like acne are visible, your hair can hide common scalp issues like dead skin cells, dirt, and oil buildup—until it becomes itchy and prompts a wash. The solution? Get to the root of your scalp issues with a detox. Welcome to scalp detox 101. Why prioritize scalp health? We know that stress, pollution, diet, and lifestyle choices can cause acne, but did you know that these factors can have equally adverse effects on your hair, resulting in loss, thinning, irritation, and flakiness? Hair loss affects 50 percent of all men and women, so it’s essential to prioritize ..read more

Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement [callout] “We envision a future in which Alzheimer’s will no longer destroy the lives of women and their families.” [/callout] Alzheimer’s disease—a progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and cognitive skills—is the sixth leading cause of death for Americans. The facts are startling. It is estimated that there are currently 6.7 million people aged 65 or older with Alzheimer’s dementia. That figure is projected to rise to 13.8 million by 2060, yet there are no widespread treatments, much less a cure. It was these realizations that led Maria Shriver ..read more

Wild salmon is by far the best salmon you can get — it is sustainable and is more healthful than farm raised. Over-fishing, pollution, and the damming of rivers have depleted populations of wild salmon around the world, but in the Pacific Northwest locals are fiercely active in their efforts to protect the wild salmon population. A few years ago my sister surprised me with a chartered fishing trip out of Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, which was a great opportunity to learn about the native species of fish in the area, including salmon. Sadly, the salmon evaded us that day, but we did ac ..read more

Ask a group what success means to them, and you’ll get an abundance of answers. The definitions generally have a common throughline: money may not be a top indicator for whether someone is successful, but it’s often part of the conversation. It’s hard to do meaningful work while struggling to pay the bills. One person who understands this intimately is Eszylfie Taylor. An entrepreneur who owns 11 companies, Taylor is a financial advisor who helps athletes, celebrities, and other individuals with enviable net worths manage their money. Yet that’s not all. He’s also a certified yoga instructor ..read more

Many of us have heard stories of bygone days when lobster was considered poor man’s food. Now the price of lobster makes it a special occasion treat, no longer something fishermen use as bait or garden fertilizer, which is all the more reason to avoid waste and use it entirely — antenna to tail. Ask your fishmonger to choose females for this recipe, only the female lobsters will have the roe (eggs) needed to flavor the butter for the sauce. (Raw lobster eggs are dark green and called roe, when the eggs are cooked they turn red and are called coral.) Making fresh pasta is easier than you think ..read more