April 7th, 2020 - The Pink Moon

Apr 06, 2020

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Have you heard about the little gift nature is giving to us all tomorrow? In the midst of this confusing time that we are all navigating through, we are going to experience the brightest moon of 2020; called the Pink Moon! It sounds like the perfect time to draw a little symbolism from nature and interpret this Supermoon as a sign that there is still something bright and special about this time that really doesn't feel very "special".

Why is it called the Pink Moon? The full moon in April is always referred to as the Pink Moon! It's name comes from "moss pink" also known as wild ground phlox which is purpley-pink in colour and is an early spring flower, often indicating the start of spring. So unfortunately, we can't expect the moon to actually be looking pink tomorrow.

But what makes it so special? As mentioned before, this moon is a Supermoon and not only will it be the brightest moon of 2020 but, the moon will also appear up to 14% larger, which is actually quite noticeable. And in fact, the moon looks larger because it is actually going to be closer to the Earth, more than 27 000 km closer to the Earth than usual! A Supermoon is special because it only happens a few times a year. This year, astronomers say we can expect four Supermoons, and this one will actually already be the third of the year.

So, while we are all at home, looking for new ways to keep busy, we suggest taking a nature walk tomorrow night to observe this special, natural event. The best time to observe the pink moon will be at sunset tomorrow - which is expected to be at 8:10pm tomorrow in Manitoba. However, the moon will be its brightest a little later in the evening. Since most of us won't be setting alarms to rush to work in the morning, why not do a late night walk with the family, let the kids stay up past bed time and get excited about the "Supermoon"!

Not only is this a little event for everyone to look forward to, but the benefits of spending time outdoors are so wonderful during a stressful time. Fresh air is known to improve increase vitality (in turn making you more resilient to illness), reduce blood pressure and lower cortisol - the stress hormone, improve mood & boost creativity! And from a spiritual perspective, the Pink Moon is said to symbolize rebirth for all forms of life. I think we probably all feel like we could use a reset right now.

So thank you Mother Nature, for sending us a sign that even though we are heading down an unknown path, one thing that we can count on to happen regardless - is spring and that all of the systems of the Earth will continue to cycle while we as humans are asked to take a pause. We look forward to this little event that everyone has the ability to participate in right now, we hope you join us!

Good Bones

Mar 31, 2020

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We've found ourselves in a time where our health has become a priority and constant topic of discussion. Right now, we all know about the many ways that we can try to protect ourselves from outside factors, but what about building our health from within? For the past few years, bone broth has started to surface in stores, markets and magazines. It has been noted as an amazing superfood that really goes back to our roots; in the way that our grandparents used "scrap" food to create wonderful, flavourful soups & stocks. At the time, they probably were not aware of all the health benefits of their home made broth, and were really just being resourceful. But isn't it the perfect time now, for us to also slow down, be thoughtful in the use of our groceries and also build up our bodies with food?

Bone broth is really quite simple to prepare, but its health benefits are complex and plentiful! One of its most important and known qualities is its ability to improve gut health and function. The collagen and gelatin from the bones help to coat the digestive tract but also aid in relieving other ailments like arthritis and inflammation. And how can we forget, the time old cold and flu fix that is homemade soup? There's a reason we continue to use soup as a "medicine" when we are sick. A stock full of protein, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals does wonders for immunity and fighting infection. And if those benefits weren't enough, bone broth is also amazing for your hair, skin and nails!

However, one important factor to note in making bone broth is that the quality of your broth is really only as good as the bones you put in it (funny how the saying of having "good bones" really applies here). To reap the most benefit from your broth, it's important to look for and use quality bones that aren't from an animal raised with hormones, antibiotics and poor nutrition.

We are so pleased to be partnered with Bouw Farm, who supply our restaurant with grass fed ground beef and now, with their grass fed beef bones - both of which are sold through our online grocery and delivery program. We are proud to support this local, third generation family farm. They uphold many of the values which we aim to align our restaurant with; such as wholistic and sustainable farming practices. These practices mean animals that are better cared for, an environment that is healthier and food that is more nutritious.

So, you're ready to dive in to making your first batch of bone broth. A great way to prepare is by saving scraps of veggies and herbs (or bones and rinsed egg shells) from other meals you have prepared and keep them in a resealable bag in the freezer until you are ready to make your broth. If you follow our recipe you'll need about 3-4 cups of veggie scraps to make your broth, but this recipe is in no way an exact science! If you follow our ingredient list - no need to peel your veggies first! And leave the skins on your garlic and onion. They add colour and will be strained out of the final product.

And what will you do with it after? Many people enjoy drinking bone broth on its own - as a warm, comforting, savoury drink or snack. You can use it as a base for soups and stews, or in place of stock or broth in any recipe - for you foodies out there why not try your broth in an upgraded bowl of ramen or delicious risotto?! Bone broth will stay good in the fridge for 5-7 days or you can freeze it (in an ice cube tray or in a resealable bag) to pull out and thaw whenever you need!

Please find our simple slow cooker recipe for bone broth below and purchase your Bouw Farm's grass fed beef bones for delivery or pick up HERE.

RECIPE

Ingredients

3-4 lbs of beef bones (you can also use chicken bones!)

2 carrots roughly chopped

2 celery stalks roughly chopped

1 onion roughly chopped

2-3 cloves of garlic chopped in half

1 tsp salt

2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

your choice of fresh herbs & spices (parsley, basil, bay leaf, whole peppercorns - feel free to be creative!)

water

Method

1. Place bones in slow cooker and add all other ingredients. Don't skip the apple cider vinegar! It helps draw the nutrients out of the bones and you won't notice it in the flavour of the broth! Fill the rest of the slow cooker with water until everything is covered.

2. Simmer on low for 24 hrs (ideally, anywhere from 18-72 hours is recommended).

3. Remove large chunks from broth and strain through a sieve into desired containers.

4. Cool the broth before putting in the fridge or freezer - it is normal for the broth to gel (this is a good thing! It's all those healthy nutrients) but remove any excess fat on top before storing.

An Outdoor Experience

Mar 24, 2020

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Local Vendor Feature - Hildegard's Bakery

Mar 10, 2020

Written by Lianna Brook

Local Vendor Feature - Hildegard's Bakery

Supporting local and small business is very near & dear to our hearts here at Pineridge Hollow. When it comes to our menu, another value we hold in high regard is bringing the food we eat back to its roots, with made from scratch, farm fresh and whole ingredients.

We have always felt like the little details can often make a big difference. And one of the areas in a meal that seems to make a huge impact is in the bread! We were over the moon when we heard that the delicious, authentic bread made by Diversity Foods would be available closer to home with the establishment of Hildegard’s Bakery in Winnipeg. Pineridge Hollow has since been lucky enough to have Hildegard’s supply our restaurant with a number of their amazing breads. On our menu you can find their Simple Sourdough, Prairie Sourdough, Ancient Multigrain and Kamut buns.

So why is their bread so impressive?

They mill their own whole-grain flours fresh in house, use local and (mostly) organic ingredients and bake in a giant wood fired oven. Freshly ground flours allow for a higher nutrition and healthy fat content, while their overnight fermentation process creates bread that is more naturally sweet & easier for the body to digest. Sounds good so far, doesn’t it?

Hildegard’s is known for their sourdough products and we love them too – for so many reasons. Aside from its delicious tang and chewy crust, one of the great benefits of sourdough bread is its versatility in accommodating many diets and health restrictions. The most important part of sourdough bread is the starter. Starter is a natural leavening agent - used instead of yeast - created by the natural fermentation of flour and water. Naturally leavened breads (as opposed to commercial yeast) release glucose in the blood stream more gradually, while the naturally occurring lactobacillus in the starter aids in digestion. These properties can make Hildegard’s’ sourdough an excellent choice for many different health issues including Diabetes. Their sourdough also doesn’t require any dairy or eggs making it a perfect, delicious choice for vegans and dairy-free diets.

The history of making sourdough and the baking process at Hildegard’s Bakery & Diversity Foods is fascinating and we’re so excited to be offering their freshly baked bread at The Farmer's Kitchen Grocery Store! Come enjoy their ancient grains and other pallets of pastries and baked goods in The Village.

In the meantime, find their fantastic breads on our menu daily!

The Dress That Does It All

Jan 31, 2020

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So, you've been dreaming about that beautiful, magical wedding dress since you were a child. But you probably haven’t been imagining your bridesmaids’ dresses for that long. Bridesmaid dresses can be so tricky! There are so many options and variables to consider. You want your girls to be comfortable and excited about what they’re wearing. You want the dresses to coordinate with the theme and colour of your wedding. Maybe you want the dresses to compliment your own beautiful gown. That’s a tall order!

Well, we’ve got you covered (literally!) with Two Birds Dresses. Each dress is incredibly versatile because they are meant to be tied, twisted and wrapped to create a number of different styles. Two Birds’ website suggests 15 different styling options from cap sleeves, one shoulder and Grecian to halter, off the shoulder and strapless. While they may have 15 different options on their website – we’re certain there is an endless amount more (thank you Pinterest!)

With these dresses you can have the best of both worlds; allow each girl to wear a dress that suits them, while maintaining your preferred colour scheme. Or if you like the eclectic look, but aren’t sure how to pull it all together, these dresses will come together cohesively even if you pick different colours or fabrics.

We’re pretty sure that no matter the question, Two Birds has the answer. Here’s a list of other great features these dresses have to offer!

They come in 3 length options – full length (with the option of a slit), knee length and mini skirt. There is also a super chic jumpsuit option for the more adventurous bridal party!
Each of the length and style options is available in different fabrics including: jersey, tulle, lace and velvet. Light jersey is perfect for an outdoor summer wedding, while velvet pairs perfect with a winter wonderland theme.
Between the different fabric types there are 52 colour options available.
Two sizes fit all! That’s right, no matter their body type. Extended length is also available for taller girls. Do you know what else that means? These dresses are also maternity friendly – amazing!
If you were wondering, yes it’s true. Since the dresses are meant to be tied and styled to fit each individual body that means they also do not require alterations! No more time spent on fittings and no more cash spent on adjusting a dress that you bought knowing it wouldn’t fit quite right.
And just to top it all off Two Birds offers matching ties and pocket squares for your guys!

From January 31 – February 16 we will be offering 20% off Two Birds orders! We really weren’t kidding when we said we had you covered. If you’d like to learn more about Two Birds dresses visit their website HERE or call or visit us in the store to learn more, see fabric swatches and place your order. 204 777-3881 ext 127

Budgeting for the Big Day!

Jan 27, 2020

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Planning a wedding can be daunting. If you haven’t helped a friend or family member plan one before, it can be hard to know where to start. One of the biggest challenges is just how many options you’re given in each of the areas of your wedding – venue, ceremony, catering, décor, photographer…the list goes on. When each category has a seemingly endless number of vendors to choose from, you definitely need to weigh your criteria. What’s most important to you and your event? Is it cost? Convenience? Appearance?

Of course, there are couples who know exactly what they want and who they want it from. But the average couple is just looking to create a fun, memorable, budget friendly event that doesn’t require them to make wedding planning a second job for the months leading up to their day.

Photo: Xandra Photography

So, where to start? According to weddingwire.ca the average cost of a wedding in Canada is $29,450. Meanwhile, Global News says that 87% of couples believe that a more reasonable price tag is $20,000. Keeping that in mind, we realize that it may be a bit of sticker shock when we tell our couples that the minimum total to have a wedding at Pineridge Hollow on a Saturday is $15,000 – “that’s 75% of the reasonable budget! And my budget planner says that the venue should only cost 9% of my budget (also thank you, weddingwire.ca)!” But we want to set the record straight on how exactly the process works at Pineridge Hollow and how spending your money in one location means creating a totally seamless, stress free planning experience that could really save you time and money.

Alright, $15,000. What exactly are you getting for that? Here’s the absolute basics that you will be charged:

For the purposes of this blog we are basing all costs on a wedding of 150 guests.

Tent rental fee - $5 / guest = $750

(Includes option of long or round tables, white or ivory tablecloths, choice of napkin colour, Mahogany Chiavari chairs, white string lighting & chandeliers.)

Photo: Mary Margaret Magyar

That’s it. That’s the ONLY mandatory charge when booking your wedding in our banquet tent. The rest of the spending is up to you. That means you will have the freedom to spend the rest of your $15,000 in whatever ways are most important to you. Have you dreamed of a day filled with lush florals & romantic décor? Maybe you’ve been envisioning a foodie’s dream feast with passed appetizers, a 4 course menu and an indulgent late night snack? Whatever you choose, the money spent on those items can contribute towards your minimum price tag with us.

Here’s a breakdown of the average cost of the rest of our services – keep in mind that weddings are so personal that no two are ever completely alike, which is what we want to be able to offer you.

So let’s talk about all of this.

Venue

PRH: Probably the most noticeable difference is in our venue fees. Our venue fee is quite low by comparison to many other wedding specific venues.

Other Vendors: At the end of the day, a typical venue rental really doesn’t get you much more than a room, table and chairs and if you’re lucky – linens and basic décor (for the record those Chiavari chairs can cost you $7/guest at a venue that doesn’t include them).

Photo: Laina Brown Photography

Catering

PRH: Menus are very specific to each couples needs and likes. In general our pricing is comparable to many catering companies.

Other Vendors: You can expect to be paying for travel fees or additional costs like dishware/glassware rentals or service staff costs depending on the company you book with.

Bar

PRH: At Pineridge Hollow you have the option to have all of your alcohol service taken care of by us, or pay a corkage fee and buy the alcohol & liquor permit yourself. Corkage covers the cost of glassware, ice, garnishes and mixes for your bar. Of course there is always the option to offer your guests drink tickets or a cash bar as well, it all depends on what is right for you and your crowd.

Other Vendors: If you have a venue that doesn’t have an onsite caterer, you’re more than likely going to be paying for something similar to our corkage bar option, and potentially also paying for things like glassware and bartenders through an outside source or your catering company.

Photo: Chopp Photography

DJ

PRH: Pineridge Hollow works with Crystal Sound to offer experienced, professional DJ services to our couples.

Other Vendors: Again, costs are going to range depending on who you book with, but that’s another vendor you’ll be coordinating on your own at many places.

Cake

PRH: Wedding cakes are typically works of art! We are lucky to have a very talented pastry chef who loves taking on custom orders for our couples. Prices are always dependent on what designs & details you’re wanting and how large a cake you need.

Other Vendors: Once again, you’ll pay delivery fees or be picking up the cake yourself from your own vendors. Typically, venues will also charge you for the use of their plates, cutlery and napkins to serve a cake to guests that was not made by the venue or their preferred vendor (this is true for cakes ordered from outside vendors at Pineridge Hollow as well!) and costs roughly $1.50/guest.

Wedding Planner

PRH: We recognize that there is a difference between a hired wedding planner and a banquet manager, but because Pineridge Hollow typically provides many different wedding services for our couples, we often take a lot of that off our couples’ plates. Instead of sending separate messages to your caterer, cake designer, florist, venue coordinator and DJ, you’re sending one email to your banquet manager, Alyssa. She can answer all of your questions at once and will be there the day of your wedding to seamlessly coordinate all of these services for you, instead of you worrying about them yourself. Having assisted 40+ wedding couples a year, she’s also got a ton of knowledge and experience with timelines and wedding details. Not to mention, you aren’t running around the day of or before your wedding picking up the flowers, cake & alcohol to avoid delivery fees.

From time to time we do see professional wedding planners at our venue to help couples who want a little more personal attention like wedding theme design or helping corral the family for photos. We are always happy to work with a wedding planner together as your team!

Photo: Laina Brown Photography

So, where did our cost breakdown leave you?

You’ve got your ceremony & reception venue, dinner, bar, & basic décor, DJ, wedding cake and an onsite wedding coordinator and your total is $14,260. That means you have $740 left to spend with Pineridge Hollow to meet your minimum and you’ve planned half of your vendors for the big day all in one place! That money left can be used to add appetizers for cocktail hour, additional décor for the tent, or even favours for your guests! Also important to note that our minimum of $15,000 only applies to Saturdays; Fridays are $12,000 and Sundays are $10,000.

As we said earlier, each of our services is flexible, so if you choose to upgrade to that prime rib dinner for your guests and pass on a wedding cake, that choice is yours! You can do as much or as little as you like through us and we’re here to help you figure it all out.

For more detailed information on any of the topics in this blog please contact events@pineridgehollow.com!

Click to see the Wedding Wire & Global News articles we discussed.

New Year's Eve 2019

Dec 18, 2019

Written by Lianna Brook

Tablescaping for the Holidays

Dec 03, 2019

Written by Lianna Brook

First of all, you might be thinking -"what exactly is a tablescape and what is its purpose?" Well a tablescape is like setting the scene for your occasion, it's a way to decorate your dining area with a theme and even a way to set the tone for a party. Your tablescape can say everything from Casual Holiday Friends' Dinner to Formal Christmas Morning Brunch. Most of all, its a way to bring your whole meal together with an ambiance, and a fun way to get a little inspired and creative.

So, what are some key components of designing a tablescape?

1. The "Canvas"

This is the "background" for the whole setting. Will you leave your table bare and use the wood finish as the base for a casual or rustic look? Would you like to use a tablecloth or table runner to make the table a bit fancier?

2. The Place Settings

You will need to consider your meal and what dishes will be needed to properly serve the meal. Is your menu a family style dinner served all at once or are you serving a multi-course meal with soup? And don't forget the napkins, utensils and glassware (do you need a water glass, wine glass and coffee cup?)

Depending on your style of meal you can have the cutlery traditionally placed around the dishes, or rolled in the napkin and placed on the plates.
Your napkins can be folded a number of different ways or placed between the plates to break up the colour of matching dishes. Pinterest has endless ideas for making your napkins look special.

3. The Centrepiece

The centrepiece is probably the most fun part of the whole setting! Here you can take creative liberty and make your table as fancy or festive as you like. Adding different heights to your centrepiece creates visual interest. Your centrepiece could be floral or greenery, ornaments from around your home, anything you can think of really!

Set the ambiance with a candles and lighting! From simple tea lights, votives, bold pillar candles to tall elegant taper candles. Try battery operated fairy string lights for a soft whimsical touch!
Natural elements always pull a look together. Pick up a bundle of winter greens from the grocery store or go cut a few sprigs from the back yard.
Don't forget to leave space for conversation, a centrepiece that is too tall disrupts visiting and can get in the way of passing dishes!

4. The Details

Add as much detail and personalization to your settings as you like! It could be a name tag at each place setting, a custom menu card layered on top or tucked into a pocket fold napkin. At Christmas, crackers are a common sight at the dinner table, but you could always skip the paper hats and give each guest a little gift like an ornament to take home (meanwhile accenting your table just perfectly!)

If you really feel like going the extra mile, you can decorate the chairs as well! Tie a sprig of greenery or ribbons to the back of the chairs for an extra little detail.

Setting the table for the holidays is one of the things that makes coming to the table feel so special. Enjoy the company of your loved ones, the traditional foods and the beauty of the setting all at once for this extra special time of year.

Happy Holidays!

I'm Dreaming of a GREEN Christmas

Nov 25, 2019

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With eco-concious decisions becoming more prominent and common practice, we thought what better way to participate than to look for simple changes in one of the busiest times of the year. It can be so easy to overlook the ways we are being wasteful, but on the other hand, that makes it very easy to find areas where you can improve! There are so many elements to the holiday season - gifts, meals, decor, entertaining. So lets look at some ways to participate in all of these while keeping your choices green!

Gift Wrapping:

We love this simple, elegant wrapping look. We used old tissue paper, whether it be from a previous gift or from a shopping bag, anything can work. The more crinkled the better! We intentionally crumpled the tissue into a ball and then opened it back up to wrap the gifts. Add a pretty fabric ribbon that can be reused and you're done!

Another fun idea is to make your wrapping a part of the gift itself. Try a scarf or a towel and tie it similar to the way you would tie a bow around a present. Makes for a fun, festive wrapping that will be kept for use instead of thrown in the garbage.

Decor:

While reusing old decorations is an obvious way to reduce waste, if you like keeping a fresh look each holiday season, try decorating with natural materials that are bio-degradable rather than plastics. These DIY dried orange slices can be made into a garland, used as ornaments on a tree, details on a wreath or at a table setting.

To make your dried orange slices, simply slice oranges into rounds that are approximately 1/4 inch thick. Set your oven to 225 F and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Before placing the slices on the baking sheet, pat dry with a towel to absorb extra moisture. Bake for 1 hour then flip and bake for another hour, checking with about 15 minutes left to make sure none of the slices are getting too brown. Keep baking, checking every 15 minutes to remove any oranges that are getting brown. The slices are done when they are just slightly brown around the edges. After all the slices have finished baking, allow the slices to air dry for about 24 hours. Then use as you like!