Last week I was sent an email from the 100-Mile Diet Society, with a link to a video (scroll down to view) that I think is one of the sweetest, most effective and creative pieces of promotion I’ve seen in a while. Of course I tweeted it, and saw others picked it up and did the same…one of the many reasons I love the power of social media. The fact that I love this video so much, combined with the fact that it speaks to an issue I support, I wanted to get to know the 100-Mile Diet Society and who the people are behind it a little bit better, and I thought my readers might too.

On that note, I am honoured to introduce Shirlene Cote of the 100-Mile Diet Society. A professed lover of food, Shirlene admits she thinks about food all the time, so having the opportunity to do work that revolves around food is pretty ideal for her.  She also loves working with youth, and is currently working on an education program that brings the two together; food serves as an engaging, not to mention delicious, lens for exploring current issues relating to health, the environment, economy and society. Well said!

Is there a certain food or dish that reminds you of home?
It’s pretty simple, but I love strawberries and my mother would always serve them up with whipped cream on my birthday.

What is the ideal Shirlene meal?
Hmm, I think this is the most difficult question.  I’ve never been good at choosing favorites.  However, I think I’ll take the easy way out by saying breakfast.  I love breakfast!  Eggs, jams, fresh fruit and blueberry pancakes.  If it’s the weekend and late morning, I don’t see why I can’t justify having it all, especially if I skip lunch.

What are you having for dinner tonight?
Tonight I had spaghetti squash from Delta splattered with some sauce made from tomatoes, oregano and garlic I grew and canned in the summer.  I also joined this awesome Grain CSA last year and received some lovely hard spring wheat that grew in Agassiz, from which I made some garlic bread.  Happens that it was mostly 100-Mile tonight (although I used some Italian parmesan, I could have used another local hard cheese).

Is there one food that gives you the heebie jeebies?
I started to include some of the sustainable seafoods into my diet about a year ago, but there are still some that I have not been able to acquire a taste for.  Recently I discovered that Black Cod, aka Sablefish, was one of them.  It’s something about the texture.  Different strokes for different folks though- my partner loves it!

How would someone start on their own 100 Mile Diet? Where would they go for info to make food choices and plan meals, especially now that we’re getting into Winter and the bounty of Spring harvest is almost over?
This is probably not the best time to try out the 100-Mile Diet, but making a 100-Mile meal could be a nice way to start- the holidays are a great time for this.  For what’s in season, check out www.getlocalbc.org.

If you’re feeling inspired to go local all the way with a 100-Mile Challenge, late spring might be the best time of year and if you’re really eager, start planning now. Learn about what foods are in season throughout the year, join a recipe exchange online, start your own community kitchen and/or get your family on board for extra support.  Its pretty fun once you get into it and you definitely learn a lot about yourself, your community and the food system currently in place, not to mention how innovative you can be.

There are lots of resources out there to help you get on your way.  The food network has created an awesome database for recipes and locating food close to home.
Check out our website for more tips, links and resources.  Also, check out our newest website if you’re interested in learning more about what makes this region such a fascinating place to eat.

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* And if you haven’t seen the video I mentioned up top, take a few minutes to watch it here, I promise it won’t disappoint!

Home is Where the Food is from The Juki Museum on Vimeo.