Full Steam Ahead

Full Steam Ahead... with Full Steam Coffee, roasted in Guysborough, Nova Scotia. The coffee certified organic, fair trade and not to mention delicious. As of right now the coffee is available in Guysbrough at the Skipping Stone Cafe, Bakery and Gift Shop as well as at Pete’s Frootique in Bedford and downtown Halifax in the HRM. They are also usually at the Antigonish Farmers Market on Saturdays. This weekend you can stop by Pete's in Bedford for a free sampling. 

#CityHarvest Happening this Weekend in Halifax

It’s all falling into place.... because it’s fall... get it. Yeah okay, so puns are not my forte... but eating and shopping are!! And I love free yoga classes.

All things you can do at this up coming weekend October 27^th & 28th at CityHarvest event/ festival thingy (??) happening in Halifax 

It’s put on by I Love Local (HFX) Business CommunityGroup that helps promote local businesses in Halifax.... Yes, yes, I know.. Thank You, Captain Obvious. It’s an Event that helps showcase things that local businesses have to offer. Here are some of the things we are excited about....

GOING LOCAL .... FOR V-DAY!

Noggin Farms & Gourmandise Ave, Halifax Seaport Market

Sure... it’s super easy to go local for Valentine’s Day if you take your lover out to eat at a local restaurant and buy them roses or whatevs from the local florist. Not that there is anything wrong with following typical Valentine’s traditions but it’s also kind of boring. We decided we'd just mention some Made in Nova Scotia ideas for the big V-Day to get you started so you could show your lover that you’re thoughtful, creative and...  locally minded to get that romance mojo flowing. 

If you’re single, don’t worry, I’ve got something for you and maybe a few of your fabulous single friends in a post this week!  And by this week, we mean probably tomorrow... 

Now, Valentine’s Day is just under a week away so let’s start with the best part of V-Day....

Coffee In Nova Scotia 522.. it’s 902 522

My Friends know never to speak to me until I have had my coffee. No coffee... No nice!

I’m not one of those coffee snobs... but I do know the good from the bad. And if that coffee comes from a Nova Scotia Roaster then it makes it all the better.

One day last summer as I was strolling through my local Sobeys, a bright shinny copper bag caught my eye. Not just any bag, a coffee bag. I said to myself “Self, this is coffee in a shiny bag.... just what every girl wants”

The shiny bagged coffee is from Nova Scotia 522, a gourmet coffee roasting company located in Aspen, Nova Scotia. Yes! I said Aspen, Nova Scotia. It’s just past Melrose.....near Sherbrook, Eastern Shore.

Professional Lobster Fisherman Association Meeting.

There have been more meetings from the newly formed 1688 Professional Lobster Fisherman’s Association.

I believe that the lobster industry is important to Nova Scotia and we should be all concerned with staying informed about what’s going on. I mean, it what tourist want when they come here! It’s part of our regional cultural identity. Remember the outrage when they took down the lobster cam for the winter from Nova Scotia Webcams website (Still not running by the way)? It probably affects us in more ways than we’ll probably ever know unless we lose it. Then, it’s too late.......

At 11:45 a fisherman stands up and speaks from his heart about the importance of lobster fishing is to the sense of community in the area.. it’s worth seeing.


The truth is being told and history is being made!

Here’s a link from the last one which was held in Pubnico, Nova Scotia.

Lobster Industry... WTF is Going On In Nova Scotia

Have you been hearing a lot about the news about the lobster industry? The  industry is the backbone for a lot of communities of Sou’West Nova Scotia and up through the Bay of Fundy. The price of lobster in Nova Scotia this season is extremely low even though the price of other seafood had been through the roof. So for the communities who are already hurting from the loss of the ferry, are struggling to make ends meet. They are getting less for their product than what the lobster is worth..

The politics are so complicated that I can’t really explain all the ends and out. It would take me three days to write a thesis on what’s going on to the lobster industry.

But... the fisherpeople are uniting!!

And the revolution will be youtuberized!! The new Association is transparent and on the internet. So if you’re interested in seeing what’s happening and why. They actually explain a lot in the meets about the history and the current situations in the markets. Here are the links to the first meeting and the second. (There was only two thus far).

PS: Language Disclaimer! They are sailors, so get over it...

PPS: Accent Disclaimer! Welcome to Sou’West Nova!

January 4, 2012

January 12, 2012

Made In Nova Scotia: Terra Beata Cranberry

I decided to do our first Made in Nova Scotia on Terra Beata Cranberry Juice. I want the world to know how much better it is than....um... the leading national brand’s cranberry juice/drink. If I had to name my favorite product made in the NS, this would be it. This is the Nova Scotian product I use the most often. I drink it almost every morning and every night.


I know what your thinking... “What? She didn’t say one of Nova Scotia’s beers, she must be out of her mind”. Well I am..... but just slightly.


I first came across the Terra Beata Company at Christmas at the Forum a few years ago. I’m a big fan of cranberries so I bought their Cranberry Mincemeat preserve (which tastes unbelievable on ice cream or even on just plain soda crackers). Then I notice their juices at Sobey’s and decided to forgo my regular juice to try this one out. Usually this always backfires on me but I was pleasantly surprised with Terra Beata. I never went back. Well.. unless they are sold out at Sobey’s for a few days and I’m too lazy to walk to Pete’s Fruitique.

NovaFamous: 2 Cups and a Super Bowl

Super Bowl weekend is almost here and do you know who the only person to ever to have won the Vanier Cup, the Grey Cup and the Super Bowl? It’s Nova Scotian Tyrone Williams. I’m not going to lie, football is not my forte. Like most Canadians I’m a hockey fan. I’ve gone to a quite a few Saint Mary’s Huskies games and I do get the very basics. And by basics I mean, Williams is a wide receiver and I had to wikipedia it to find out what exactly that position entails.

Williams was born in Halifax and played both football and basketball at the no longer in existence Queen Elizabeth High School. (He more than likely practiced on the Halifax Commons so I wonder what he thinks of The Oval?) He went to the University of Western Ontario where he won the Vanier Cup along with the Ted Morris Award as a Mustang. For those how are football illiterate like me, the Ted Morris Award is the Vanier Cup’s MVP, Vanier Cup being Canadian universities Super Bowl. He was also a two time Canadian All-Star and Four time Ontario All-Star.  After graduation he was off to the NFL where he technically won a Super Bowl with the Dallas Cowboys in 1993 even though he never actually dressed for the game. He was suppose to play but due to other players injuries they had to dress different positions (or something like that).

After that he then headed to the CFL where he joined the Toronto Argonauts. Footnote: Argonauts were a group of heroes that sailed around in a ship ...well, being heroes in Greek Mythology such as Hercules and Orpheus. (something I didn’t have to wiki, yay!) Anyhoo, in 1996, he helped them win the 84th Grey Cup. Apparently the weather wasn’t the best, it was -10c and heavy snow fall...brrr  Take a look at the video from a Grey Cup Classic Moment and watch the players slide through the snow to a touche down.

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Nova Scotia @ the Junos

The Juno nominations are in! And seems that Nova Scotia did fairly well especially with all the Beiber Fever going around. The Junos are celebrating their 40th birthday this year and rapper Drake is the host for the ceremony in Toronto. A few of our artist got nominations in the “big” categories such as Classified’s nomination for Single of the Year for “Oh Canada” which really excites us since some of us here at the blog may have been part of the crowd in his video which was shot in Halifax at Granville Square.

Harbour’s Matt Mays contributed.  And yes, there is someone else that famous that comes from Cole Harbour other than King....oops I mean Sidney Crosby. Okay, okay... Matty Mays may not be Land of Croz famous but we love him just the same.

Halifax rapper Ghettosocks is up for Rap Recording of the Year and I believe he wins the most awesomest rapper name ever award as well. He was one of the artist that I wanted to go see during Halifax Pop Explosion but didn’t get out to. Hopefully the fact that he is up against the host, Drake doesn’t work against him.

And Chester’s Old Man Ludecke is nominated for Roots Traditional Album of the Year: Solo for My Hands Are On Fire and Other Love Songs.  Old Man Ludecke get a nod for awesomest name of the year as well because his name is... well, just fun to say! Now to be honest, I haven’t really heard most of his new album but “I Quit my Job” is still my favorite from 2 albums ago.

There are others as well that have Nova Scotia DNA (NSDNA), like members of Holy Fuck who are from Yarmouth, NS and nominated for Electronic Album of the Year. Luke Doucet was born in Nova Scotia and Nominated for Adult Alternative Album of the Year and of course Sarah McLachlan who was born in Dartmouth but doesn’t like us so we don’t really count her as our own. Then there is Meaghan Smith who is originally from London, Ont but began her music career here in Halifax so Music Nova Scotia loves her.

I’m disappointed that Wintersleep and their album New Inheritors wasn’t nominated for anything besides their Art Director Graeme Patterson being nominated for Record Package of the Year. WHAT?? They just played Letterman...

Congrats to all our Nova Scotian Nominees, let’s bring home the … crystal.

In case you haven’t seen Classified video, “Oh Canada” here it is...

Nova Scotia at The Golden Globes!

If you didn’t know already, five, that’s right FIVE businesses from Nova Scotia were representing at The Golden Globes gifting suite this past week. From Yarmouth to Sydney, Nova Scotians seem to be hitting the big time in LA. Yay! We’re super pumped for them! If you don’t know who these fab five are then I suggest you become familiar because I have a feeling you’re going to be hearing a lot more about them in the near future. Here’s our very basic rundown on the five businesses that have had their MADE IN NOVA SCOTIA products on display.

Turbine

Turbine is a fashion label established in 1997 by designer and owner Lisa Drager-Murphy in Calgary. She moved to Nova Scotia to change her pace of life.  She now works out of her studio/ Café in Falmouth, Nova Scotia and has also opened a boutique in Bishop’s Landing in Downtown Halifax by the same name. Her collection consists of a ready-to-wear clothing, hand bags, jewellery and cosmetics. She specializes in using vintage fabrics in her designs and has attracted much attention from various media outlets. Turbine has an active tumblr  account on which they keep their diehard fans up-to-date on the happenings in LA. Their biggest hit so far seems to be a dress she calls an Upside-Down dress which celebrities such as Jennifer Love-Hewitt, Lorraine Bracco from The Sopranos and Cosmo Magazine have all picked up at the gifting suites. She is the only Canadian Designer invited to attend the gifting suites at the Golden Globes. They’ve also been featured on Nova Scotia Comes to Life Video in which she describes why she chose Nova Scotia over Calgary

Michique

I call them the handbag twins from Cape Breton. Michelle Newcombe and Monique Delisle are twin sisters from Sydney, Cape Breton whose handbags are making a huge splash with their distinctive patterns and style. I must admit... I’m in love and I want one. If you’re a handbag lover then you need to check them out online. They also have been vloging from the Golden Globes and you can see them all on their youtube channel (their latest vlog is super cute!). There is also a photo of Jennifer Love-Hewitt holding one of their clutches in the Halifax Metro which I can’t find the link for, but wish I had it...

Glass Harp Studios

This lady works with fire... literally. Oh, and she works at the Yarmouth Library, just hopefully she doesn’t work with the fire while at the library. Susan Hood designs and creates incredible unique glass beads. The incredibly complex process that I didn’t bother to read is explained on her website. She also teaches workshops that attract students from all over the world. Believe it or not, Susan was actually creating beads and necklaces while she was at the gifting suites in L.A. and you can get a look at a strawberry themed necklace she created in The Chronicle Herald.

LouLouBell

Lou Lou Bell is an online retailer of handmade bridal party accessories and baby clothes that is sold on the etsy.com website. It’s run by designer Lyndsay Hubley who works in her home studio in Tantallon, Nova Scotia. Her handmade clutches are adorable and I’d love to get my hands on one of her custom hair pieces. The direct link to the etsy page to check them out or to purchase, click here! or check out her blog

Galloping Cows Fine Foods

First things first... that’s a brilliant name. BRILLIANT, I say!  Galloping Cows comes from humble beginnings in Port Hood, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Joanne and Ron Schmidt created these fine sauces and jellies made with new flavor and spice combinations the old fashion way in 1994. If you live in Nova Scotia, more than likely you’ve seen their products around. The product that sticks out in my mind is their Blueberry Sauce in the fiddle jar. I know, fiddles, lame but I guess that’s what sells ... and now I want pancakes... I see on their website that they make wine jelly, yeah like jelly made out of WINE, red and white, Merlot and Riesling... as a jelly.  I’m intrigued and still want pancakes....