In the hierarchy of human health, nature has provided a clear roadmap. As established in the CDC’s Powerhouse Fruits and Vegetables (PFV) ranking, the "gold standard" for nutrition is found in dense, leafy greens like watercress, Chinese cabbage, and Swiss chard. These foods are packed with life-sustaining vitamins and minerals, scoring a perfect or near-perfect 100 on the nutrient-density scale.

At the opposite end of this spectrum lies "junk food"—ultra-processed items that are high in calories but score effectively zero in nutrient density. In Canada, a growing public health crisis suggests that it is time for our tax code to reflect this biological reality. If we want a healthier nation, we must stop subsidizing poor health through low prices and start taxing junk food to support a "Powerhouse" diet

We often think of Utopia as a destination in the future—a gleaming city on a hill, a society of post-scarcity, or a world without conflict. But if you look closely at our collective yearning for a perfect world, you’ll find it isn't looking forward at all. Instead, it is looking backward through a distorted lens.

Utopia is not a blueprint for what’s next; it is a haunted house built from the bricks of a past that never actually happened.

In the kitchen, the concept of "plagiarism" is a linguistic error. You can steal the words, but you can never steal the fire, the touch, or the shared experience of the meal. Every dish is a uniquely authentic work of art because it is an act of growth that begins in the chef’s hands and ends as a part of the diner’s very body, leaving nothing behind but the memory of an unrepeatable moment.

The clock is ticking. Christmas is mere days, or perhaps hours, away, and that one name on your list remains stubbornly unchecked. Panic can set in, leading many to resort to the easiest, most impersonal default: the last-minute object. But before you brave the chaotic aisles of a big-box store or frantically click "express shipping," consider a truly meaningful alternative: gifting an experience—specifically, an outing to a local, non-chain restaurant.

This simple, yet profound, gift is the perfect antidote to holiday consumerism, offering immediate joy, fostering genuine connection, and delivering substantial benefits to your community and the diversity of the food industry.

The phrase “the best things in life are free” is a cliché for a reason—it holds a profound truth. But when we apply this maxim to food, our minds often jump to the wrong conclusion. We might picture tiny, plastic-cupped samples at the grocery store or a handful of complimentary breadsticks.

Let’s reframe this entirely. The best food is free, not because it lacks a price tag, but because it is a gift. It is food that is offered without expectation, delivered with a smile, and consumed with gratitude. This is the food of friendship, family, and pure, unadulterated hospitality.

My father was a master of the mundane, turning simple transactions into moments of genuine human connection. He’d be strolling out of the cereal aisle and say to a fellow shopper walking in, "Oh, that was a great aisle! Some really good food there, you’re going to enjoy that one." It was utterly harmless, slightly absurd, and always drew a surprised, grateful smile.

Then, at checkout, as he presented his money, he’d invariably ask the cashier, "May I pay in cash?" These days, that can be a serious question, but back then, it was just his way of acknowledging the person across the register and adding a gentle, human pause to the automated process.

I talk to strangers in the grocery store because of him. And because I've realized that the grocery store—that vital hub of human necessity—has become a place where we execute our mission—find the oat milk, dodge the person blocking the cereal, check out, and escape—all while maintaining maximum eye-contact avoidance.

I’m the person who breaks the silence. I’m the one who might ask you if the avocado you’re holding is perfectly ripe, or offer a genuinely admiring comment on the magnificent haul of lemons in your cart. This isn't about being an unnerving extrovert; it’s about a deep, quiet yearning for connection and the surprising ways a casual, two-minute conversation with a fellow shopper can enrich your day, your life, and yes, even your dinner.

For many of us, socializing often equates to going out to eat. While there's nothing wrong with enjoying a restaurant meal, the cost can quickly add up, leaving a significant dent in your budget. But what if I told you there's a way to have your cake (or, more accurately, your meticulously prepared pot roast) and eat it too? Enter the humble, yet powerful, dinner party.

From your child sharing his snack at school, all the way to the international food trade, sharing food creates and builds trust. Is food the way we can start to develop the same optimism in culture as we currently experience when different cultures work together in science? Yes, I believe this trust building exercise is the answer…

We often relegate food to the realm of necessity, a biological imperative to keep us going. But what if I told you that every carefully crafted dish, every thoughtful meal, is a masterpiece?

Language is always biased, almost by definition, so we need not just remove particular words from AI, but more importantly words strung together that imply certain intentions.

From calling a failed Broadway show a "turkey" to casually dismissing a foolish person as one, food has long provided a deliciously descriptive vocabulary for insults. The history of calling someone a "turkey" for being a silly, inept, or undesirable person (dating back to the mid-20th century, and preceded by its use in theatrical slang for a "flop" in the 1920s) is just one example of how the pantry can stock a superior verbal attack.

But the culinary cupboard is full of far more colorful pejoratives. Here is a look at a few other food-based insults that are much more flavorful than simply calling someone an idiot.

While we certainly don't miss the rigid social mores and forced cultural homogeneity of the 1950s, the era did possess valuable qualities: an infectious optimism, a faith in progress, and most importantly, a dedication to thoughtful hosting. What if we modernized the best parts of this tradition—hosting at home with kindness and care—while leaving the outdated hierarchy behind?

“Wear jeans and sweatpants to work and suits and dresses to make your friends feel special” —SmartPigKitchen

Ever notice that if you call something an Idiot’s Guide, the idiot is the writer of the guide not the one who follows it? Think about it, Frommer's Guide, Michelin Guides, Strunk and White’s Guide, they are all named after the writers of the guides. So this Idiot’s Guide to salad, written by yours truly, is a starter for how to not take things seriously but keep it funny and simple.

I have a new sous chef, and he's not what you'd expect. He's small, ceramic, and sits on my kitchen counter. I bought him on a whim, thinking he was just a cute piece of décor. Little did I know, this tiny swine would become my unexpected, and frankly, very judgmental, life coach on the art of sharing. My pig, whom I've named Hamlet, has a simple yet profound purpose: to remind me not to be a pig myself.

When I was a kid, the notion that the USA was a "melting pot" was used to contrast it with the Canadian model of multiculturalism. However, the idea of a melting pot, where different cultures blend into one homogeneous entity, is not what we are. We are more like a potluck, where every subculture of our national identity brings something different to the table, with each dish contributing to our collective well-being.

We often talk about "cultures" as if they are separate, self-contained units—like neatly labeled jars in a pantry. We might say, "Italian culture is this," and "Japanese culture is that," or "American culture is the other." This way of thinking is deeply ingrained in us, a holdover from a time when geographical and political boundaries were seen as hard and fast divisions. But in reality, cultures, much like our favorite foods, are not distinct. They are a rich, complex stew of ideas, traditions, and influences that have been simmering together for centuries.

In the vibrant tapestry of weekend activities, brunch stands out as a cherished ritual. More than just a meal, it’s a leisurely affair, a social gathering, and a delightful bridge between the workweek's hustle and the weekend's relaxation. As a ritual, social occasion, and recovery from Saturday night, brunch is good for your health. In cities like Toronto, where the culinary scene thrives, brunch has evolved into an art form, offering a diverse array of dishes and experiences to suit every taste. But where did this beloved tradition originate, and what makes it so universally appealing? Let's delve into the delicious world of brunch and explore its rich history and enduring charm.

One of my oldest friends grew up believing she was Italian because her family frequently ate spaghetti. To her, the tomato sauce was all the proof she needed. This made me wonder: can food truly define our culture? Do we, in a way, eat our identity? After all, the old saying goes, "you are what you eat."