What's Happening in July

Happy Canada Day!



All the things happening in Burnaby for July 1st!

Check it out: http://www.burnaby.ca/Things-To-Do/Festivals-and-Events/Canada-Day.html 



Burnaby Village: Indigenous Flora and Fauna Tours

Credit: Rebekah Mahaffey

Head out to Burnaby Village to check out the Indigenous Flora and Fauna tours presented in partnership with Takaya Tours.



Tours are offered every Fridays during the months of July and August. It is a great opportunity to learn about local foods you can find growing naturally within your community. 



You will get to learn about Tsleil Wauthuth Nation's traditional methods for identifying and harvesting local plants on this 45 minute tour.



When: July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 and August 7, 14, 21, and 28th

(every Fridays during the month of July and August)

Time: 12 noon, 1:00 pm, 2:15 pm and 3:15 pm

Where: Burnaby Village Museum



For more information: http://www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca/EN/main/visit/events/events/july-3.html



Also, Burnaby Village has their Homegrown Harvest workshop series. For the month of July, they have the following free workshops:

• Summer Container Gardening


• Bee Talk and Honey Tasting


• Jam Tasting and Making


• Seasonal Meal Planning

For more information:  http://www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca/EN/main/programs/by-series/public-programs/homegrown-harvest-workshop-series.html



2015 BerryBeat Festival



It's the 34th Annual BerryBeat Festival in Historic Downtown Abbotsford.



Music, dancing, food and fun will be had by all.



When: July 4 & 5th

Where: 2615A Montrose Ave., Abbotsford, BC



More information: http://www.downtownabbotsford.com/event/2015-berrybeat-festival/



Five Hole for Food



Five Hole for Food�s sixth annual coast-to-coast tour. Join them in playing ball hockey for local food banks.

 

All you need is a hockey stick and a can of food.



When: July 18, 2015 from 12 noon to 6:00 pm

Where: Granville Street



To get tickets, visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/1479725322248210/ 



Farmer's Markets in BC



Don't forget to check out all the local farmer's markets in and around BC. July is #meetymymarket month at participating Farmer's Markets. Don't forget that every Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm, at City Hall in Burnaby, there is a Farmer's Market as well!



More information for Burnaby Farmer's Markets and events, visit http://www.artisanmarkets.ca/



Don't forget to check our website from time to time! We will be listing some Burnaby Food First -- yes, they are free -- gardening or cooking workshops soon!

Raspberry & Basil Bourbon Jam Sours

I have this summer fantasy. Not like, a Fabio fantasy�sillies. More like an idyllic summer in the South kind of fantasy. I'm sitting on a porch swing on a sunny, summer day. There are those big hanging trees around the porch�willows?�and probably bluegrass playing off somewhere in the distance, mingling with the sound of the breeze through the trees. I'm kicking back, without a care in the world. It's basically a never ending Sunday in August. Job? What job? Bills? What bills. Cocktail? Yes, definitely a cocktail. 

This fruity, jammy, lemony, herbaceous bourbon cocktail is exactly what I'd be drinking on that porch swing. Can someone just invite me to their porch swing already? 

Jam and booze is such an amazing, perfect combo. I don't know why I haven't been doing this forever. These drinks are sweet and fruity in a not-too-sweet, summery kinda way, with a bit of tang from the lemon juice, and a nice basil and bourbon finish. So good. So, so good. It's my�jam. Yep. Said it.

Until I find that porch swing and endless summer afternoon, my couch, episodes of Fargo, and this cocktail will have to do. 

Raspberry & Basil Bourbon Jam Sours

Makes 2

These look a bit dainty with their pretty pink hue, but trust me, they are strong cocktails, as bourbon drinks should be. Feel free to lighten it up with a splash of soda water. If your jam is pretty sweet, you may not need the honey. 

2 tablespoons raspberry jam/preserves of your choice*

1 teaspoon honey

1 sprig fresh basil (about 4-5 leaves)

Ice

2 ounces bourbon

Juice from 2 medium-large lemons

Combine raspberry jam/preserves in a small dish, and microwave about 15 seconds, just to loosen it enough to easily stir together. 

Add basil to a cocktail shaker, and muddle/mash. Add ice about 3/4 full, bourbon, lemon juice, and jam/honey mixture. Shake shake shake!

Pour over ice, garnish with a leaf of basil, enjoy!

*I used Trader Joe's Raspberry Fruit Spread.