My neighbor and I signed-up for The Organic Box about 4 weeks ago. We have been enjoying weekly delivery of a variety of organic vegetables and fruit. We do not currently live in a delivery area, but fortunately my neighbor’s husband works in Spruce Grove and can accept delivery at his office. Delivery is included with the price of the box.
Each week we receive an email that shows what is scheduled to be included in The Box. You can go through the menu and pick what you want to exclude and substitute. I appreciate this feature because my box is customized for what my family likes to eat. This week we received extra tomatoes on the vine. They were from a farm in Mexico. It is the first time in quite a while we have eaten tomatoes that taste like tomatoes! They have been a treat in our house. The kids have greeted each box with enthusiasm. They enjoy opening it and discovering the goodies inside. They are eager to try vegetables we have never seen before simply because they are from “the box”.
Danny sources food as local as possible. Since we live in Alberta, he naturally has to look elsewhere for fresh produce in winter. Many of the root vegetables on offer are still from local producers. He even was able to offer frozen raspberries from Roy’s Raspberries, a farm located on Hwy 16A just west of Edmonton.
The Organic Box is not just fruits and vegetables. One has choices of bakery, dry goods, eggs and organic dairy products available. Danny has even worked with the AGLC to offer home delivery of locally produced beer and wine to registered subscribers.
On Saturdays, there is a market available at The Organic Box warehouse. If you can’t get home delivery, then picking up the box at the market is an option too. They have many products available either by advance order or first-come, first-serve for stock on hand. Membership is not required to shop in their Saturday Mini-market.
Head over to their produce stand and see if they have something for you. www.theorganicbox.ca
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Carvel General Store
One of my favorite shops is Carvel General Store. The store has been in operation since 1918, initially operating as a true general store in the thriving Hamlet of Carvel, Alberta. As times have changed, so has the Hamlet. In 2003, the current owners opened the store as a “vintage specialty shop”. Kristine and Carell have truly captured the feel of a vintage store.
Kristine and Carell have retained much of the old interior of the store. The back corner used to be the post office complete with bars on the window. Now it serves as a display area and fitting room. The large cooler that used to hold refrigerated food is used to show-off jewelry, candles and other household finery. On every shelf and in every corner is something waiting to be discovered. I often will walk around 3 or 4 times because I feel like I keep missing something.
April Cornell can dress you or your table. Art work from local artists hangs from every possible wall and calls out to you from the shelves. Their collection of Georgia Graham books is irresistible and something I frequently chose to gift. Don’t forget their bath and body collection from Carvel Country Soapworks and Upper Canada among others. You never know what you are going to find. I have even found the “perfect” red cast-iron cupboard knobs. The only warning I give is if you see something you want to have, grab it because it might not be there when you go back.
Kristine and Carell always have the coffee on and conversations are easily started. Located only 15 minutes west of Stony Plain, Carvel General Store is a favorite destination for many. http://www.carvelgeneralstore.ca/
Kristine and Carell have retained much of the old interior of the store. The back corner used to be the post office complete with bars on the window. Now it serves as a display area and fitting room. The large cooler that used to hold refrigerated food is used to show-off jewelry, candles and other household finery. On every shelf and in every corner is something waiting to be discovered. I often will walk around 3 or 4 times because I feel like I keep missing something.
April Cornell can dress you or your table. Art work from local artists hangs from every possible wall and calls out to you from the shelves. Their collection of Georgia Graham books is irresistible and something I frequently chose to gift. Don’t forget their bath and body collection from Carvel Country Soapworks and Upper Canada among others. You never know what you are going to find. I have even found the “perfect” red cast-iron cupboard knobs. The only warning I give is if you see something you want to have, grab it because it might not be there when you go back.
Kristine and Carell always have the coffee on and conversations are easily started. Located only 15 minutes west of Stony Plain, Carvel General Store is a favorite destination for many. http://www.carvelgeneralstore.ca/
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