Blog Post
A little history
Henry Bendik • Aug 08, 2019
My journey with food from the beginning...
Yup that’s me. In the middle there on my momma’s lap. I had a happy family, food in my belly and was motoring around since I learned to run before learning to walk.
Reality however was a little different. Times were hard for my parents. The food stamps we were allotted as a family didn’t get us much, especially when you went to the store and all you saw were empty shelves.
The beginning of my food journey was quite minimal. Most of the traditional Polish recipes require the most basic ingredients. Most often we ate things like potatoes with buttermilk, pierogies, soft boiled eggs, goulash. My family was lucky to have connections to extended family who lived on farms and occasionally gave us goose, chicken and fresh eggs and milk. There was a lot of political unrest and although my parents worked to provide for us, eventually they made the decision to leave Poland.
In the middle of a cold December night, they packed up the car with us three kids and anything of value that could fit and left everything else behind. Everything. We drove until we finally made it through Checkpoint Charlie and asked for political asylum at the West Berlin Police Station. The next two years of my life were spent in various refugee camps in Germany followed by a more permanent home. Food in refugee camps was hit and miss. Some camps that provided readymade meals would not even be close to passing any of today’s food safety standards here in Canada. We were mostly just lucky to have something.
When we settled into life in our more permanent home in Germany, things were a little more prosperous, affordable, accessible and a lot more nutritious than before. This is where we were first introduced to what we considered “exotic” foods like banana’s, oranges, kiwi, dates and eggplant. My mom cooked at home often - I still remember eating traditional Polish foods but there was more colour. Vegetables with Kotlet (Polish schnitzel), vegetables in soups and lots of homemade cakes and desserts!
We immigrated to Canada with the help of a sponsor and were set up with a small apartment in Chatham with some used furniture collected from a community church program. When it came to food, my parents were able to do regular groceries from the funds we received through social assistance while going to school and learning English. On special occasions, like Thanksgiving and Christmas, my family would also receive food boxes from the local Food Bank. My father landed a part time job at a little Chinese Takeout Restaurant and was paid only for deliveries completed and in food to bring home to us. So at 6 years old I had my first taste of Canadian Chinese Food!
In 1991 we ended up moving to Kitchener where we have been ever since. My mom continued to cook at home most days and pack all the kids lunches for school. Mostly simple sandwiches and maybe a pickle on the side.
Even though my mom cooked at home all the time, it never interested me. I remember not liking certain foods like cabbage rolls and liver and onions. For a girl who came from not having much, it seems silly now that I was being picky. Here’s a funny one, I didn’t like cheese when I was little! I know right?!
As my family settled into life here and my father was working full time, we were able to have treats with food as a family. Sunday Buffets after church, KFC take out brought home and even chicken fingers and french fries!
My young adult life was still quite basic when it came to food. I mean, how could it be any different based on my life so far? I bought things like corn and beans in cans, salad in bags and frozen foods. My palate was exposed to new things mostly when dining out. I started working for a frozen food company so my freezer was always filled with boxes of frozen food. And with the nature of the job - travelling a lot - I also often ate out at restaurants and drive-thru's. Oh and I was also starting to build my photography business on the side. So when did I have time to cook anything from scratch?!
Never really having body or weight issues before … I started noticing weight gain and fatigue. It happened fast. Pants were tight. I felt winded going up stairs.
I jumped on the high protein low carb diet train like so many around me to try to feel better. My diet consisted of the following: egg whites, cottage cheese, chicken with broccoli and protein shakes and went to the gym 4 days a week. Exciting stuff eh? But it did the job. I lost a bunch of the weight and gained some muscle.
It took time but I found the courage to take the leap to pursue photography full time. Slowly I built my business, with many stresses along the way but eventually found a lot of happiness in my day to day life. I was happy but unhealthy. And that was something I wanted to feel better about.
I started to learn more about food. I chose to go vegetarian and that helped me get creative in the kitchen. Cooking with fresh ingredients, learning how to cook with a variety of vegetables and visiting local markets often. I also exercised and made sure I was physically active. Tried Yoga too! All these things helped me lose 47lbs. Most importantly I was feeling so much better. My energy was higher. My headaches lessened and I was falling in love with REAL food and cooking!
These last few years I have continued this type of lifestyle (although I have been back on meat for a while now! Mmm… bacon…) and it has brought me to this current summer passion project of mine!
If you read my last post, you saw how I'm visiting many local farms and learning about produce, organic, beef, poultry and so much more! For me personally, I am choosing to eat as much as I can from local farmers here in Waterloo Region and little beyond. I am so impressed with how passionate and hardworking these farmers are. How much they not only care about the food they are feeding you but also the environment and rejuvenating our planet. And guys, the food tastes SO good!
Much love,
Sylvia
Did you know that Lentils grow in Ontario?! Well you do now! I only learned about Ontario Lentils this past summer when I met the fine folks from Lau tea da Lentils !
Did you know that Lentils grow in Ontario?! Well you do now! I only learned about Ontario Lentils this past summer when I met the fine folks from Lau tea da Lentils !
I don’t know how many times I bugged Trevor (farmer and owner of Herrle’s) to have me for a visit at the store and farm but we finally made it happen! I mean, I have shopped there many times and I don’t think I have gone one summer without enjoying at least a few cobs of Herrle’s famous corn so I wanted to make sure I got to feature this wonderful destination on this blog.
Four generations after Cedardale Farm was established great-grandson Tim Barrie operates it as Barrier’s Asparagus and Country Market . As you may have guessed they grow asparagus, and they do so much more too!
When Borealis Grille & Bar posted a contest on Instagram for a day trip to YU Ranch , I jumped at the opportunity to enter given my already blooming farm project. As you may have guessed by this blog post existing, I was one of the winners! Yay! A group of us met early on a Monday morning and all got a bus for the one-hour ride to the ranch. Upon arrival we were greeted with the smell of meat being smoked and a plate of beef being passed around for sampling, paired with a cold Wellington Beer. Now if that isn’t the best way to start a Monday, I don’t know what is!
It was a beautiful Tuesday morning at the St Jacobs Market . I was walking around doing my groceries when I noticed an incredible display of lettuce. A voice called out to me “Hey! Have you ever tried my lettuce?”. That’s the day I first met Amanda (aka my Lettuce Lady) from Chilligo Creek Farm . We chatted about her farm and I purchased a bag of her mixed greens to take home. I made a salad that day for lunch, and of course took a photo, tagging and connecting with the farm on Instagram. The lettuce was SO good, flavourful, fresh and there was so much of it! That’s when I started bugging Amanda to let me visit and see what her farm is all about!
Well if the name didn’t give it away, here is your introduction to John and Sarah Moylan along with their four daughters who operate 5 Chicks and a Farmer near New Hamburg, Ontario.
If you are from Waterloo Region you have likely heard of Martin’s Family Fruit Farm. Their farm, processing facility, and store can be found just on the other side of the St Jacobs Market.
It all started here for me, my journey into the local farm and food community. The wonderful family at Vibrant Farms were the first to welcome me for a tour and visit to their farm near Baden, On.
If you follow me on social media, you may have noticed many recent posts and stories of my visits to local farms. As someone who is passionate about food and community, I have become more and more interested in learning about farming and sustainable agriculture. It’s become important for me to know where and who my food comes from, while also enjoying as much local food as possible! I want to eat food that grows here, that’s raised here, and whose producers are ethically aligned with environmental sustainability. Eating something out of boxes that have been sitting on a shelf or buying produce that has been travelling cross country on a truck isn’t ideal for me.
Sometimes I travel for work. Sometimes far. Sometimes near. Hotels are great. Secure. Nice amenities. No clean up. But lately I have been loving booking with AirBnb! Last week for a little trip to Toronto I think I stayed at the cutest BNB in the city!! This place had charm. With lights strung in the main room, vintage furniture filled with vinyl and cool art work and posters that filled the walls. I felt at home as soon as I checked in. It only made sense to take out my camera and photograph this lovely space.