From the last Thursday in November until the first Sunday in January, Ladysmith BC, is lit up like a Christmas tree! Thursday, November 28th is the big debut! First Avenue will be closed to traffic after 3:00 pm. Learn more about the Light Up!

Starting at 4pm, Wild Poppy will be featuring a Traditional (gluten-free) Turkey Dinner in addition to their regular menu  ($16.50.) First come, first served! Plenty of warm drinks and yummy treats! Dinner service ends when the fireworks begin!

Wild Poppy Bakery & Bistro
A must-visit destination for anyone who loves fabulous baking – full stop!
(Closed Sundays, Mondays & Stat Holidays)

Wild Poppy serves savoury breakfasts and light lunches with soup, baguettes and everything you could ask for in a deli – all from documented to be gluten-free, peanut-free ingredients. Nut-free and vegan options available.

Daily Specials – with delicious photos – are posted on their Facebook page!

Find Wild Poppy just one quick block off the Trans Canada Highway 1 in Ladysmith – turn left at the Buller Street lights. 541 1st Ave. Click here for map.

Hours: Tues-Fri 8-5 Sat 8-4 Closed Sundays, Mondays & Stat Holidays • 250-924-8696

• wildpoppybistro.ca
• About Wild Poppy
• Wild Poppy Menus
• Facebook • Instagram
• info@wildpoppybistro.ca
• Sign up for Wild Poppy’s Email Newsletter at wildpoppybistro.ca & receive a treat on your birthday!

Testimonial: “We had Madeline’s cousin visiting from Halifax for a couple weeks. When we toured them up to Chemainus/Ladysmith all eight of us (one celiac) enjoyed a delicious meal at Wild Poppy. We had to have take out as the restaurant was full. Wonderful to see.”

“After every bite, Sophie said, “Yum! Best eggs I’ve ever had.”

As co-owners of the Old Town (Wheat) Bakery at 510 1st Avenue in Ladysmith, Vancouver Island, Kate Cram and husband Geoff could easily be considered local celebrities!  As an ‘Associate with the Culinary Institute of America‘ who also undertook to certify as a Red Seal Baker in Canada, Kate is truly baker’s baker!

Watch the video that tells the tale of these husband and wife bakeries. Wild Poppy starts at the 3 minute, 15 second mark!

Two children later, Kate and Geoff’s young sons began to experience persistent health issues that had them resorting to a gluten-free diet in search of relief.  The improvement was nothing short of remarkable and a heads up to Kate that gluten may be taking a toll on her own health. The couple found themselves at a professional and personal cross roads with Kate contemplating the end of a career she loved, and their children unable to  set foot within the family business.

That’s how Wild Poppy Bakery and Bistro was born! 

🌮.  Hot Tamales! You’ve heard of them! Now you can experience them, the MAiiZ Nixtamal way at FernFest. Meet the Maker, Chef Israel!

🌮.  Saturday, June 25 from noon to ‘sold out’ at Fernwood Rd & Gladstone Ave

🌮.  What are tamales? A traditional Mexican dish made with a (gluten-free) corn-based dough mixture, filled with a chicken, beef, refried beans, then wrapped in a banana leaf. Enjoy with your fave sauce, rice, guacamole or all of the above!

Details • Facebook • Instagram

“I want to feel proud about the food I produce, and I want people to feel good about what they are eating!” Chef Israel Alvarez Molina

MAiiZ Nixtamal Tortillas are made from certified organic corn grown in Armstrong, BC and lab-tested to be gluten free. Chef Israel Alvarez Molina’s technique, inspired in the traditional Mesoamerican Nixtamalization process is more than just authentic, providing taste and structure. MAiiZ Nixtamal Tortillas have flavour, aroma, texture and elasticity. When eating a Nixtamal Taco you don’t just taste the corn, you taste the process.

• Maiiz.ca • Facebook • Instagram • Twitter • Contact • 778-433-1544

SHOP ONLINE for everything you need to ‘A-MAiiZ!’
CARRYING RETAILERS & RESTAURANTS!

PATIO DINING! Enjoy your take-out and watch the world go by. First come first served. Reservations accepted.

• Education | History | Culture
• MAiiZ’ Recipe Collection
• Subscribe to MAiiZ’ Mail
• MAiiZ Gift Card
• Watch MAiiZ’ Amazing video collection!
• Learn more about MAiiZ …
• Read the Review in the Times Colonist

Testimonials

• “Se siente el sabor de Mexico! I can taste the flavour of Mexico” @gtcanni
• “I love how the tortillas held together perfectly without breaking or getting soggy.” @propitiouspig

Carrying Retailers (call ahead to confirm)

• MAiiZ at 540 Fisgard St (Open Tuesday to Sunday) – see map
• Beauregard Cafe & Provisions
• Charelli’s Cheese Shop & Delicatessen
• Coco’s Provisions
• Cold Comfort Canteen
• Community Farm Store (Duncan)
• Country Grocer (Royal Oak & Esquimalt) 
• Fairway Markets (all locations) 
• Farm and Field Butcher
• For Good Measure James Bay
• Great Greens Farm Market
• Lifestyle Markets 
• Michell’s Farm Market
• Mother Nature’s Market & Deli
• Mt Doug Market
• Neighbourly Store
• Niche Grocerant
• NomadEx
• Old Farm Market (Oak Bay)
• Peppers Foods
• Pomme Natural Markets Nanaimo
• Rock Bay Market
• The Local General Store
• The Market Garden
• The Root Cellar
• Urban Grocer
• more …

What exactly is Nixtamalization?

• Corn holds the memory of culture, tradition, indigenous practices and history for many in Mexico. Nixtamalization, masa, fresh cooked tortillas; these textures and smells are ingrained within the best culinary experiences and come from a place of memory and authenticity.

• Nixtamalization is the process of chemically transforming dried corn kernels into a dough which is then used in a wide variety of Mexican dishes.

• Dried corn kernels is boiled in an alkaline solution using pickling lime (also known as slaked lime or calcium hydroxide) and then left to soak overnight. When the corn is drained and rinsed some of the outer membrane layer is loosened and rubbed off. Corn that has gone through this process is now called nixtamal, or in some cultures, hominy.

• The wet nixtamal is then ground to a dough using a specialized mill. The result is a silky, slightly elastic fresh “masa” dough that squiggles out the grinder. The masa is shaped into small balls called testalitos and pressed to create fragrant, soft, flavourful tortillas with a unique smell of Mexico!

How does this change the corn?

• The nixtamalization process not only transforms corn structurally, but also nutritionally. Corn on its own is seen as a low source of nutrition, often associated with pellagra, a disease caused by vitamin B3 deficiency common to impoverished communities where the process of nixtamalization was not introduced with corn.

• This issue can be traced back to the colonization of the Americas when corn was taken by Europeans to grow as a crop around the globe, but the nixtamalization process was not. This resulted in widespread disease and malnutrition. Through the process of nixtamalization the calcium in corn is increased as is the quality of protein absorbed by the body. Additionally, phytic acid is reduced making it easier for the body to absorb important minerals unlocked by the alkaline solution used during the nixtamalization process.

What is the cultural importance?

• “When you are an immigrant you go through a lot of stages to find an identity in your new home. The part of my life that I could not find was my diet. I could adapt to a different climate, harsh weather, assimilate into the culture and learn a new language, but deep inside of me nixtamal was missing. There is so much history and culture behind this process which is the foundation of Mexican Cuisine. The aroma, texture, flavour and feeling of a fresh Nixtamal Tortilla doesn’t compare to anything else, it’s like freshly brewed coffee when you’ve had instant coffee all your life. This transformative experience is something that everyone deserves.

Celiac Canada is organizing “Shine A Light on Celiac Disease” for International Celiac Disease Awareness Day by illuminating locations across the country in green. That includes the Parliament Buildings of BC’s Legislative Assembly – for the first time! 

The BC Legislature  has accepted Celiac Canada’s request to be lit up GREEN on the evening of May 16th.

Please join us to get a photo together! We can’t meet too early, as we want the light to show up, so we’re hoping all convene at 8 PM at the cenotaph.

Please take & post pics on social media using #ShineALightOnCeliac!

LOOK FOR ELLEN IN HER REFLECTIVE YELLOW JACKET!

While quantities last, attendees will receive

• Country Grocer Bag with Discount Card
• GF Goodie Bags from Epicure Kelsea & son, Callum
• Treats from Art of Slow Food Bakery
• Treats from Origin Bakery

COMPLETE DETAILS HERE!

Participating Locatios Across Canada*

May 14

• Bloedel Conservatory, Vancouver, BC

May 15

• Civic Plaza, Surrey, BC

May 16

BRITISH COLUMBIA

• Science World, Vancouver, BC
• City Hall, Victoria, BC
• BC Legislature, Victoria, BC (in-person event planned)
• City Hall, Port Moody, BC
• Pier, White Rock, BC

ALBERTA

• Calgary Tower, Calgary
• Peace Bridge, Calgary
• Reconciliation Bridge, Calgary
• Telus Spark, Calgary
• Lethbridge City Hall, Lethbridge
• Medicine Hat TeePee, Medicine Hat*
• Airdrie City Hall, Airdrie*
• High Level Bridge, Edmonton
• Epcor Tower, Edmonton
• Fairmont Hotel, Edmonton
• Clock/Bell Tower, Walterdale Theatre, Edmonton
• Community Centre, Sherwood Park
• Festival Place, Sherwood Park
• Legislature Building, Edmonton

NEW BRUNSWICK

• Dieppe City Hall, Dieppe
• Avenir Centre, Moncton

ONTARIO

• Ottawa Sign, ByWard Market
• Shaw Centre, Ottawa
• Toronto Sign in Nathan Phillips Square
• Niagara Falls
• CN Tower

QUEBEC

• Olympic Stadium, Montreal*
• Complexe Jules-Dallaire, Quebec City*

PEI

• Charlottetown City Hall
• Summerside City Hall, Summerside

MANITOBA

• Winnipeg Sign at the Forks*
• Manitoba Legislative Building, Winnipeg*

*Locations requested, awaiting confirmation.

Due to technical problems, The BC Legislature will once again try to light up in GREEN on the evening of Wednesday, May 29th in honor of Celiac Canada’s “Shine A Light on Celiac Disease” for International Celiac Disease Awareness Day! A First! 

Please join us this time at 9:30pm for this precedent setting phot op! Then post on social media using #ShineALightOnCeliac!

LOOK FOR ELLEN IN HER REFLECTIVE YELLOW JACKET!

While quantities last, attendees will receive

• Country Grocer Bag with Discount Card
• Yummy Cupcakes from Origin Bakery

COMPLETE DETAILS HERE!

Participating Locations Across Canada*

May 14

• Bloedel Conservatory, Vancouver, BC

May 15

• Civic Plaza, Surrey, BC

May 16

BRITISH COLUMBIA

• Science World, Vancouver, BC
• City Hall, Victoria, BC
• BC Legislature, Victoria, BC (in-person event planned)
• City Hall, Port Moody, BC
• Pier, White Rock, BC

ALBERTA

• Calgary Tower, Calgary
• Peace Bridge, Calgary
• Reconciliation Bridge, Calgary
• Telus Spark, Calgary
• Lethbridge City Hall, Lethbridge
• Medicine Hat TeePee, Medicine Hat*
• Airdrie City Hall, Airdrie*
• High Level Bridge, Edmonton
• Epcor Tower, Edmonton
• Fairmont Hotel, Edmonton
• Clock/Bell Tower, Walterdale Theatre, Edmonton
• Community Centre, Sherwood Park
• Festival Place, Sherwood Park
• Legislature Building, Edmonton

NEW BRUNSWICK

• Dieppe City Hall, Dieppe
• Avenir Centre, Moncton

ONTARIO

• Ottawa Sign, ByWard Market
• Shaw Centre, Ottawa
• Toronto Sign in Nathan Phillips Square
• Niagara Falls
• CN Tower

QUEBEC

• Olympic Stadium, Montreal*
• Complexe Jules-Dallaire, Quebec City*

PEI

• Charlottetown City Hall
• Summerside City Hall, Summerside

MANITOBA

• Winnipeg Sign at the Forks*
• Manitoba Legislative Building, Winnipeg*

*Locations requested, awaiting confirmation.