ROCKY MOUNTAIN FLATBREAD CO.
Fresh Sheet Spring 2009
Earth Hour: Bright Ideas Reflect and Refresh
Shine In The Dark With Rocky Mountain
Who would have thought that We are living in an exciting time. Over On a personal
the next few months, millions around note, we are also
something as simple as turning off committed to getting
the lights could spark such a good the world will join in raising awareness on our bikes – we just
idea – and on a global platform? about how we can take better care of might need a small
Earth Hour, slated this year for our shared home: Mother Earth. wagon to carry our
Saturday, March 28th, 2009 at 8:30 dirty aprons to and from work. The great thing
Earth Day is on April 22nd and Earth Hour
is: these actions will not only help our planet,
PM, will once again unite millions of rings in at 8:30 PM on March 28th this year.
but improve our quality of life. We’ve already
Canadians, and countless more With the welcome change in season, this
will be turning off for Earth Hour. So will made good progress; there is nothing more
really is the ideal time to reflect on how we
abroad, in support of action on many other businesses and homes across satisfying to us than growing our own delicious
might grow in the coming months.
climate change. the Lower Mainland. veggies. Biking to work will allow us to take a
The exciting thing is that there are so many few moments for reflection in our busy lives!
By simply turning off the lights for an For our part, the Rocky Mountain Flatbread
easy and enjoyable ways to get involved in
hour, you can make this year’s Earth Hour Co. will be bringing in the candles and We invite you to join in Earth Day celebrations
Vancouver and Canmore. In Vancouver we
even more meaningful than the last. serving up a slice of romantic effect for in your own way. By all means reflect upon
can start composting for a better garden
What started as an awareness-raising diners while switching off for two hours the difference you might make, but more
(www.cityfarmer.info), ethically dispose of
event in Sydney, Australia in 2007, grew to between 8:30 and 10:30 PM. Fairmont importantly, put a few simple dreams into
our computers at Free Geek Vancouver
include an astounding 371 cities across 35 Hotels & Resorts has confirmed that all 56 action. Let your inspiration lead you where it
(www.freegeekvancouver.org) or simply fill
countries in 2008. Now with more than of Fairmont's world-class hotels and will, and have some fun in the process.
our bellies with real goodness and great taste
500 cities participating in over 75 countries, resorts from Dallas to Dubai will go dark
by supporting local growers at our local A word to our online readers. While this
this year is going to help create a platform by turning off their lights for one hour on
farmers markets (www.eatlocal.org) and the issue of the Rocky Mountain Fresh Sheet is
for an unprecedented global mandate for Earth Hour. In Canada alone, more than 50
restaurants which support them too! filled with plenty of inspiring stories, recipes
action on climate change. cities and municipalities have agreed to
and recommended reads, it continues
flick the switch on Earth Hour. As Rocky Mountain Flatbread founders, we are
Along with the great metropolises of the online. With a huge note of thanks to our
continuing to work towards a zero-footprint.
world, Earth Hour 2009 will also see the This is a critical year for action on climate team’s editorial support, particularly your
You fuel our ambition every time we see you!
lights go out on some of the most change, as the world’s leaders are friendly host Mr. Ryan Kowalczyk, the Fresh
At present we are challenging the way we
recognized landmarks on the planet, preparing to meet at the UN Climate Sheet has grown beyond the page and leapt
package our frozen pizzas.
including Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Change Conference in Copenhagen in online. While it’s a work in progress, it’s
Janeiro, Table Mountain in Cape Town, December to establish a new deal to As a family we are looking to expand the already growing nicely with plenty of untold
Merlion in Singapore, Sydney Opera replace the Kyoto Protocol when it amount of food we grow in our back garden. tales, tips, photos and links at
House, Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, expires in 2012. Join the millions around Our daughter Lauren is very excited; ever www.rockymountainflatbread.ca.
and the CN Tower in Toronto. Here in the world and here in Vancouver to better since the new city by-law was passed, she Sincerely,
Vancouver, the Lions Gate Bridge, one of our future. Flick the switch. wants us to buy chickens. We’re not sure if Dominic & Suzanne Fielden
the most recognizable bridges in Canada, Ryan Kowalczyk we’re ready for that commitment! Founders, Rocky Mountain Flatbread Co.
Take It Easy In The Garden Bernd Rohde
beans) now to harvest in June or so.
Fava beans are not related to regular
until light levels are higher outside.
When temperatures warm, you’ll be
Brings Rocky
green beans which can’t bear cold soil.
They have lovely fragrant pea-type
able to put pots of seeds on the porch
or sow in a cold frame, or sow seeds
Mountain Family
flowers to attract beneficial insects.
• Onion sets in pots is another thing
directly in the garden.
When you do start sowing, make sure
to North Shore
you can do. In a few weeks the little
you do not skimp on starter mix in The rumour is true – there
green tips will be 2” long and you can
pots! Fill the soil to the top. Seeds sown is a new Rocky Mountain
start to harvest them for salads and
low in the pot are vulnerable to fungal Flatbread set to open on
stir fries. You can then transplant to
diseases and damping off especially the North Shore.
the garden when soil is a little warmer.
if air circulation is poor. Seedlings Franchisee, Bernd Rohde,
• It’s almost OK to plant peas in the
should sit high in their pots. Baby is opening a Rocky
It’s spring again and enthusiastic ground. (It’s fine in raised beds where
seedlings need very little water. Keep Mountain Flatbread Co.
gardeners are chomping at the bit to the soil warms quicker). You should
the soil surface on the dry side and in Lynn Valley come May.
start digging, weeding and planting, use inoculants because the peas
don’t add until you can almost notice
but it’s been a colder-than-normal need microbial activity around them A strong supporter of the
them getting too relaxed-looking.
winter. So, take it easy. Make a cup of in order to sprout and grow. Rocky Mountain ethos,
Overwatering is the #1 cause of
tea or have a piece of RMF pizza and a Inoculants are a dark powder which Bernd believes the new
seedling death for novice gardeners.
glass of BC Riesling instead. You still you shake up with the pea seeds and location in the Lynn Valley is a perfect fit with the
have plenty of time. It will pay off to water just before planting. Lastly you can spend some time getting surrounding community. After all, a great many people
NOT dig until "the soil can be worked." • You can also put one or two seed your compost ready for spring as it is live in Lynn Valley because it is close to the mountains
potatoes per one-gallon black pot in “black gold” to gardeners. To compost and the ocean and value a healthy lifestyle.
More and more, gardeners prefer to
potting mix with a bit of peat added FAST, run kitchen waste through an old
interfere minimally with the soil – I When asked why he chose to open a Rocky Mountain his
if you aren’t opposed to using it. food processor or blender set aside for
am one of those. Critters you cannot answer was clear:
(Potatoes prefer soil to be on the acidic that purpose before adding. Don’t
see have been labouring for weeks,
side). Water them, and keep in an forget to keep layering your compost – “Whatever you do in life should represent your values
months – even years, layering the soil
unheated greenhouse or on a sunny a layer of nitrogen:green waste,kitchen and be something that your kids are proud of. Rocky
perfectly, like a lasagna, so I loathe
porch. You’ll see leaves in a month or waste, grass, then carbon: dried leaves, Mountain Flatbread does just this through the
plunging a shovel in. You will know
so, and the potatoes can be shredded newsprint but not too much, community leadership work they do in schools, offering
when it’s time to plant when the soil
transplanted into larger containers or hay, straw.To get your compost going in families healthy ‘fast food’ options made with local
stops clumping in muddy clods and
into the garden in mid-April. early spring,you can add a layer of clean produce and a space for families where kids can be kids –
little seedlings of Kale, Arugula, Mache
and Chives poke through. Instead of • Avoid starting tomatoes indoors animal manure (you know where it’s play, eat and laugh. To be able to see kids playing, while
until about the third week of March been). Seaweed is great too – just rinse their parents are sharing a glass of wine is an amazing
digging, why not remove some early
unless you are clairvoyant and you it with a hose lightly. And get hold of a thing. You can often see over three generations sharing a
weeds and add a topdressing, a
know it’s going to be very warm in compost turner – a long metal stick meal at Rocky Mountain - that’s not only looking out for
couple of centimetres of rich organic
April or you’ve a proper setup with a butterfly flap on one end. This one, but looking out for all generations.”
material like SeaSoil. Now, wait some
(including fans, lights, etc.) indoors or a saves your back, saves the worms from
more until the soil gets cozy. And while the doors are yet to open, business is already
heated greenhouse. being cut in half, and makes compost
brisk as the Rocky Mountain team continues to forge
Here are some ideas of things you can • Avoid rushing to sow ANYTHING happen twice as fast.
partnerships with the community and local growers.
start early. too early, indoors. You’ll have better Happy Spring! Sharon Hanna,
• You can plant Fava beans (AKA broad results and less problems if you wait Hotbeds growsomefood.ca Build out is moving nicely towards completion at the Lynn
Valley District’s Leed Certified complex on Lynn Valley
Road and Bernd looks forward to welcoming you soon.
LOCATIONS: COMING SOON Come May, he will be opening the doors to welcome all
Vancouver, Kits Canmore, Alberta North Vancouver, Lynn Valley with the good food and vibes of Rocky Mountain
1876 W 1st Avenue. 838 10th Street 1255 Lynn Valley Road Flatbread’s first franchise location.
T 604.7 30.0321 T 403.609.5508 Ryan Kowalczyk
Reuse the Past, Recycle the Present,
Save the Future: Earth Day 2009
While Earth Hour is a relatively new Vancouver Earth Day Events
creation, Earth Day on April 22nd has
been growing in awareness since the Saturday April 18
Evergreen at Jericho Park for native species planting, ecological
1970s, and now represents the world’s restoration activities and fun educational opportunities for the
largest, most celebrated environmental whole family. http://www.evergreen.ca/earthdayvancouver
event. From humble humanitarian
roots, Earth Day has encouraged people Sunday April 19th 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Join us in celebrating Earth Day by helping clean up Quadra’s
all over the world to unite their efforts
beaches after the high tides and storms of winter have dumped
in championing environmental change. another year’s worth of plastic and Styrofoam on our shores.
http://www.harbourliving.ca/event/the-12th-annual-earth-
Earth Day 2000 sent the message loud and clear
day-beach-cleanup/2009-04-19
that citizens the world around wanted quick
and decisive action on clean energy. Earth Day
Wednesday April 29th. Everett Crowley Park
2007 was one of the largest Earth Days to date,
Come enjoy a day of free live entertainment and education, dig
with an estimated billion people participating in
the activities in thousands of places in every you hands into the soil and have a wonderful day in the park.
corner of the world. Educational booths offer information on how each of us can
make small changes in our daily lives to help protect our
Every year nearly every school child in Canada environment for today and for future generations. Come out,
takes part in Earth Day activities. More than 6 have some fun and support a better tomorrow. For more info:
million Canadians join countless others http://www.vcn.bc.ca/ecpc/
worldwide in over 180 countries in staging events
and projects to address local environmental Tuesdays throughout May and June
issues. This year, Vancouver will become a Come on out to Rocky Mountains Green Talks. Get all the latest
hotbed for clean Earth futures: info from all the best. http://campaign4realpizza.blogspot.com
Ryan Kowalczyk
Rocky Farewell French Fries:
Mountain YAM I AM!
Education Almost every kid nowadays loves French fries. Unfortunately, French fries are one of the
unhealthiest snacks your kids can eat, so rather than giving in to requests for this deep fried
in Action snack, create a healthy alternative that kids will love just as much. Yams, high in vitamin A,
C and E, are more nutritionally dense that white potatoes, and with a basic bake taste great
– while retaining a larger
Active young minds have quotient of goodness than
been keeping the Rocky in the fryer. Feel free to
Mountain Education Society add a touch of cinnamon;
busy! With the help of this not only gives the yam
Katrina Natale and Lisa Rosvold from Rocky Mountain Flatbread, students fries a great added flavour,
but also helps to balance
are continuing to develop sustainable business initiatives.
blood sugar. Follow this
Students at Lord Tennyson Elementary in Vancouver recently created ‘Eco Eats’ a healthy easy recipe with your kids
snack bar that feeds healthy brains. This came about as a result of their learning about for a fun activity and a
the sad state of so many popular snacks: high sodium, sugar and MSG contents with delicious snack.
little or no nutritional value. In short, very poor brain food!
Duly informed, they took on the challenge to find healthy and delicious snacks for their Baked Yam Fries
fellow classmates. The guidelines for their pursuit were simple: good taste, good health. 3-5 medium yams
In addition to the Eco Eats bar, they developed a good eats menu which includes 100% 2-3 tbsp olive oil
fruit & yogurt smoothies, as well as dairy-free banana bread made with organic flours 1 tsp sea salt
and small amounts of unrefined organic sugar. Visit the Rocky Mountain Flatbread Paprika and cinnamon, to taste
website to delve further into their inspired recipes! Sea salt and pepper, to taste
Over in Canmore, Alberta, students at Elizabeth Rummel Elementary school are busy
transforming used bike tires into trendy eco-cases for classmates’ iPods. These important
Directions:
1 Preheat oven to 350F.
projects give students a positive experience in both responsible business and
2 Slice the yams lengthwise into wedges about 3/4” thick.
community leadership.
3 Place the yams in a large bowl and coat with oil.
Through setting up a business which addresses important community issues such as 4 Sprinkle on the sea salt, pepper, paprika and cinnamon .
nutrition and reducing and reusing waste, they are demonstrating that it is possible for 5 Stir well, making sure all the yam slices are coated.
businesses to make profits which are GOOD for their pockets, GOOD for the planet and 6 Spread out the yams on a cookie sheet and bake for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
GOOD for their community. A huge thank you to our partners at Vancity, Alberta EcoTrust
and diners of Rocky Mountain Flatbread Co who make a carbon contribution to the Nutritional tips by Julia O Loughlin from
Education Society’s ongoing community outreach – this work could not continue Rocky Mountain Flatbread Co.
without their generous financial support.
Readily Digestible Reads
Green For Life The Gort Cloud David Suzuki’s Green Guide
by Victoria Boutenko by Richard Seireeni by David Suzuki
Canada’s best resource for "Green" has gone mainstream, Everyone knows that human
practical tips and products that and for many companies caring actions affect our natural
help you do your bit for the for the environment is not just environment. With this
Earth. It is a cheeky and eye a philosophy, it's a marketing indispensable guide, readers
opening guide to all of strategy. So how does a will learn to consume fewer
l i f e ’s greenest predicaments. company that's genuinely resources and become part of
Balanced by equal measures of committed to green principles the solution as stewards of the
insight, wit and wisdoms, differentiate itself from planet. This book recommends
Ecoholic offers a wealth of greenwashing competitors? In actions for individuals to be
readily applied solutions. Richard Seireeni ‘s book ‘The Gort more green in all sorts of ways:
Cloud’ you can find out just how in our homes, what we buy, and
green everyone really is. how we eat and travel. It also
describes how we can help ensure that
governments support sustainable lifestyles.