Top 5 Host Gifts that are better than wine!

Meet Alex, Owner Operator of The Farm Juice Co. producing small batch organic cold-pressed juices. Alex and her partner, Ryan often host guests and believe the simplest ingredients prepared and presented well are always the most impressive. When entertaining Alex always tries to demonstrate that healthy eating can be beautiful, fun and delicious. Here are her Top 5 gifts for hosts that will elevate their next gathering. When they decided to leave Toronto, they chose Stratford, a smaller community with an interesting food scene. They feel so grateful to have made it our home. They are passionate about supporting local businesses and are honoured to be a part of this vibrant community. Based on the belief that food is about community, health and sustainability Alex sells her product at like-minded Stratford businesses including revel, Edisons, The Green Hair Spa, The Yoga Chapple.

If your hosts have a baby or child I would absolutely recommend Miss Moon; Wise Words from a Dog Governess. This book is written and illustrated by Stratford resident Janet Hill and imparts twenty important lessons we all (furry or not) should learn. It is special to me with a new baby and several four-legged pets. If no babes are in the house you can never go wrong gifting a gorgeous cook book from Fanfare Books. I am currently savouring Ship to Shore by the late John Bil. Good cook books strike the perfect balance of inspiring recipes, mouth watering pictures and educating the reader.

Distill has a gorgeous collection of well-crafted Canadian designs. Their small curated selection of ceramics, prints and fabrics always make it difficult for me to choose my favourite. This season I would gift the one-of-a-kind Marianne Chenard Syrup Bottle. It is the perfect functional piece to add a Canadiana feel to your brunch table. Pair it with a tin of local maple syrup. Sweet!

Chemex has mastered design and function. It makes the perfect clean, rich flavourful cup of coffee and looks really sophisticated when serving coffee to others. Complete the package with a bag of revel’s direct trade coffee ground for the Chemex and a box of filters ensuring the gift is easy to use for your host.

Stuart Arkett’s honey, preserves from Pickles Eh (dilly carrots and turnips), local cheese and Italian olives are my favs. Chances are your host appreciates good food and any foodie loves thoughtful products that will make hosting their next event or snack easier.

Any of tea sommelier, Karen's selection or sampling kits are a treat to receive and fun to give. These teas literally made me reconsider tea as a pleasurable and nourishing beverage (I never drank teas before these!) Karen and staff are extremely knowledgeable and will help you find the perfect blend for your host. Ginger rooibos, peppermint or classic Canadian breakfast are my current favourites.

Enjoy giving Alex's awesome host gifts while building fabulous friendships. What are your favourite Stratford gifts to give to hosts?

TOPICS: TOP5STRATFORDSERIES, STRATFORDALWAYSON, SHOPSTRATFORD, DTSTRATFORD

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Top 5 delicious vegan dishes even carnivores will love!

Meet Renée. She is a local strength training, yoga and spinning instructor with her own studio. She loves good coffee, eating, being active outdoors, hiking, camping and canoeing. Eating well is a part of her healthy lifestyle. Here are Renee’s Top 5 vegan dishes bursting with flavour.

Renee loves The Pulp Fresh Bar's Inka Trail Fresh Bowl. This fresh bowl has kale, tomato, lentils, corn, avocado and red onion. The dressing is a special Peruvian sauce with heaps of cilantro - and get this... for being a “no cilantro” person, she actually loved the sauce! It is so fresh and packs lots of flavour. She may be a cilantro fan after all! You can choose to have this bowl served over rice or quinoa. Renee personally like this bowl over rice, as it is more filling that way.

Renée raves "The Planet Burger (a vegan burger at Planet Diner) will knock your socks off!" You won’t believe it’s made of only plant ingredients...really. It’s “beefy”, juicy, has amazing cashew “cheeze” on it and if you get it with side of onion rings you’ll be happy, happy, happy! Don’t leave without dessert: YOU MUST order the cashew ice cream. It will amaze you! It's sooo good!

Renee really loved the "Pineapple & Sweet Potato Burrito Bowl" at Grounded. It’s so flavourful, and filling thanks to the rice and black beans. The pineapple gives this bowl a sweet and refreshing flavour too! The sauce on this bowl is also amazing...she’ll be ordering this bowl again and again!

At Soup Surreal Renée struggles to make just one choice...but finally decides her fall favourite is the Moroccan Tomato. It is a hearty soup with a lovely nutty flavour. This soup contains natural peanut butter, toasted pecans, tomatoes (of course) and sweet potatoes among other delicious fresh ingredients. It is important to note that this soup does include honey, so vegans who do not eat honey should choose another option.

In the fall Renee loves soups. She picked the delightful Golden Pumpkin Soup at Stratford Thai for the perfect fall lunch. There is a delicious curry spice to this soup which nicely complements the pumpkin. She adds a side of steamed veggies with peanut sauce for a more filling meal, and suggests the fresh mango salad for a lighter meal.

Enjoy Renée's Top 5 vegan dishes in Stratford, ON. Tell us your Stratford faves.

TOPICS: TOP5STRATFORDSERIES, STRATFORDALWAYSON, SAVOURSTRATFORD, DTSTRATFORD

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