By Dr. David Butler-Jones MD, Chief Public Health Officer of Canada

With the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver just a matter of weeks away, many of us are already planning our television-viewing schedules to ensure we don’t miss any of our favourite events or athletes. Yet, while our athletes are striving to reach gold, the majority of Canadians are not active enough for good health. With obesity rates at an all-time high, the importance of daily physical activity and healthy eating cannot be stressed enough.

Calgary, AB – (November 16, 2009) – The Beef Information Centre (BIC) has developed a strong alliance with McDonald’s Canada, partnering on a number of promotional initiatives nationwide – all designed to drive commitment to Canadian beef. This is especially timely in light of an email hoax spreading false information about McDonald’s Canada’s beef sourcing practices.

Interested in putting a sweet twist on your holiday entertaining this season? Mix it up by preparing a classic favourite like the original chocolate chip cookie or by revamping a familiar holiday treat using new ingredients. Give it a try with these delicious recipes courtesy of Nestlé Toll House.

Original Nestlé Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies
Satisfy those cravings for traditional, home-baked comfort food this holiday with the first chocolate chip cookie recipe ever created.

Hockey superstar Sidney Crosby is giving Canadians a glimpse of what's under his jersey to encourage them to eat more fibre (see attached photo). The acclaimed athlete and 2009 Stanley Cup champion is teaming up with Kellogg's to educate Canadians on scoring the body benefits of fibre after learning that Canadians are not making the grade when it comes to fibre consumption.

By Michael P. Clive

Recently I got a call from my friends at Clover Leaf and they had a big question: "Do you think you could re-invent fast food?" While pondering this question the other shoe dropped: "Can you do it using our tuna, salmon and flavoured tuna products, limit the number of ingredients to five, and get each recipe on the table in five minutes?" Interesting challenge, and I was certainly willing to give it a try, although I quickly realized they were asking for more than a new way to whip up a regular old tuna melt.

Calgary, AB – (August 18, 2009) – As part of its effort to maximize the value of Canadian beef, the Beef Information Centre (BIC) has helped develop new beef packaging options for both retail and foodservice.

Flexible retort pouch packaging provides a significant opportunity to add value to beef and strengthen beef’s position in the ready-to-serve market.

Summer is the perfect season to experiment on your grill. So whether you're at home or at the cottage, Chef Michael P. Clive suggests breaking out a new routine and trying a few new creative approaches to your favourite BBQ meals. Here he presents three simple recipes to create a delicious menu of Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner dishes on the grill.

BREAKFAST: BBQ'd Bellas & Eggs
Serves 4

By Sarah Palter, Baking Specialist

For many Canadians, Canada Day marks the official start of summer and there is no better way to usher in the care-free days of summer than throwing a fun and easy party for friends, family and neighbours.

Developed especially for Canada Day, Baking Specialist Sarah Palter serves up a festive red and white Canada Day Ice Cream Cake that’s fun for the kids to make and a delicious way to celebrate any special occasion.

Smucker's® Canada Day Ice Cream Cake

Happy Easter!

Between Commandeering egg hunts, chasing bunny rabbits and orchestrating visits from relatives, a lot of families struggle with the added stress or trying to prepare the perfect Easter brunch or dinner. That's why the Whirlpool Gold® Freestanding Range has teamed up with Sandi Richard, TV personality and author of the Cooking for the Rushed cookbook series, to provide these quick and easy Easter recipes and clean-up tips.

Allergic reactions to seafood occur when the body's immune system has an abnormal reaction to fish, crustaceans and/or shellfish.

What is the difference between crustaceans and shellfish?

Crustaceans are aquatic animals that have jointed legs, a hard shell and no backbone. This includes crab, crayfish, lobsters, prawns and shrimp.

Shellfish, on the other hand, include bivalve molluscs, which have a hinged two-part shell (for example, oysters, scallops, mussels and clams). Shellfish includesl other molluscs as well, such as whelk, snails, squid and octopus.