Melanie Russ is a rarity on two levels. She is a female Northwest Coast carver using argillite to produce beautiful, magical, carvings, deeply steeped in the traditions, symbols and myths of her Haida heritage and nation. Today most Northwest Coast carvers are male but gradually women are moving into the male dominated area of carving…

The colours – gorgeous, deep purple, petals. Bright red stigmas sprouting from the base of the flower – creating an amazing colour contrast. This is the saffron crocus – the flower producing the world’s most expensive spice, saffron. The statistics of what it takes to produce saffron are staggering. Each flower has to be carefully…

HEARTY, HEALTHY, DELICIOUS LENTIL SOUP One regular store-bought package of green lentils. Soak them for 24 hours in cold water. And remember they will grow 21/2 times when soaked. Rinse them well under cold water. Two celery stalks, finely diced.One large carrot, finely diced.One bay leaf.One can of black beans rinsed.One small yellow onion, finely…

Tasting NotesThis chicken dinner serves four.This is out of this world chicken with a myriad of flavours – all tickling your tastebuds.And you can do it two ways.Take a whole chicken and cut it in half.Or use chicken thighs, two per person What You Need4 cloves garlic, crushed1 tablespoon minced chilli1 fresh chilli, chopped finely2…

This diner for two is easy and fast to make.And its different from the usual shrimp dinners. Tasting NotesThe somewhat spicy shrimp with a luscious butter sauce are paired with a crusty baguette and a light, refreshing salad.A perfect simple dinner for summer. What You Need12 large shrimps.4 tablespoons of Gochujang, a Korean chilli paste…

EASY, DELICIOUS, SLOW COOKER CHILLI CON CARNE This recipe is for eight.And the best part is you can freeze it.Two pounds of ground beef.One-half pound of pork sausages.Three tablespoons of olive oil.Two medium white onions, diced.One package of store bought chilli mix.Two teaspoons of minced garlic.Salt and pepper to taste. Heat a large pan and…

Tasting Notes This dinner is a potpourri of different flavours and textures and travels the world from Greece to China to France and India.But everything combines perfectly well for an excellent taste, flavours and textures. What You Need Four small lamb chops.Four small bok choy, a Chinese vegetable, each cut in halfFrozen French fries.Three cloves…

Ritz. They call me Ritz. But I have been anything but living on the Ritz. To be honest I have been living on the lam. It’s been 16 long years. But I got found out. Here is my story. Just click on my picture below to find out my story – in all its glory.

For Lionel Richie creating one hit after another is a given. His records have sold more than 100 million – making him one of the world’s best selling musician. His awards for his music – a sting of them, four Grammies, one Academy Award, one Golden Globe. He received the Songwriters Hall of Fame, its…