Premium Balsamic Vinegars - Edmonton

About OLiV Tasting Room

"The founders of OLiV, Awie and Isabeau du Toit, came across the concept of a shop dedicated to Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar sales while Isabeau was visiting in New Mexico. Having previously acquired property in a wine-producing area in the Western Cape province of South Africa, the du Toits now have a fully developed Olive farm in South Africa and rapidly expanding business interest in Canada.

The du Toits who owned residential property in Moose Jaw, decided to open a ‘trial’ store in the beautiful heritage building located on 14 High Street East in Moose Jaw.  Since that meager beginning, OLiV has expanded to several stores across North America and has recently opened up a store in the Shops at Boudreau in St.Albert, AB in November of 2014. Both the Crestwood Centre and the Shops at Boudreau locations are run by local owners, Ian and Susan Reid. 
At OLiV, we provide true Extra Virgin Olive Oils (EVOOs) that are not chemically altered in any way. This ensures that health benefits inherent in a true Extra Virgin Olive Oil due to both its high content of mono-unsaturated fatty acids and its high content of anti-oxidants is passed along to the end consumer purchasing OLiV oils.

“We take great pride in our rich and expertly blended selection of OLiV Extra Virgin Olive Oils and Balsamic Vinegars. OLiV’s oils are individually and seasonally selected from only the best available Extra Virgin Olive Oils available in the southern and northern hemispheres, depending on season, to ensure freshness. Our Balsamic Vinegars are ‘true’ Balsamics, sourced from Modena in Italy.”

The OLiV team will take you on a personal tasting experience through our store and will guide you as you experience 60+ flavours of Olive Oils and Balsamic Vinegars.  They will entice your taste buds, open your senses to what food should taste like, and change the way you interact with food forever! Come visit us in store for an incredible FREE tasting experience. (Free tasting is available daily)."

Locations: 
9656 142 Street - Crestwood Centre, Edmonton, AB - T5N 4B2 - (780)756-1600 

#115-140 Bellerose Dr. - The Shops at Boudreau, St.Albert, AB - T8N 8N8 - (780)569-1602

https://www.olivtastingroomedmonton.com/collections/all

Let's Chat About Fat!

The BEST Raw Vegan Chocolate Cheesecake!!

Best Key Lime Cheesecake

My Mom Made Me Make Maddie's Muffins!

Balsamic Maple Glazed Tempeh

How I Lost 16.6lbs In 28 Days

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi0FEXaZ_HwWE-zWd5ig6sw

Just The Plants Maam makes Curry Jackfruit!

If you haven't tried Jackfruit then you are missing out!!  I tested and tasted the above delicious curry created by Just The Plants Maam and it's a keeper!! So delicious!  If you want a vegan meal that keeps you full for 6 hours this is the one!! Really did it for me!

Just The Plants Maam is a new vegan youtuber to keep your eye on! She is a thirtysomething mom of 3 boys and has the ability to present veganism in a lighthearted way!  She's a little quirky with a fabulous smile! Enjoy!!

Follow Your Heart Cheddar Vegan Snack for Kids!

This is a great little vegan snack take along that my grandson really enjoys!  Earth Island Cheddar is the only plant based cheese that he has approved! (He's 10) Anyhow it does have a nice texture and smell to it! He also likes this veggie slice the best - it's from Yves and its the Bologna. Add a few vegan crackers which are relatively easy to find on any store shelf and you've got yourself a winning combo that is kid approved!  

Potato Lentil Veggie Soup - Hip PlantChick

There's a new Canadian vegan youtuber on the scene! Hip PlantChick has a great story of recovery from going vegan one year ago!  Great health improvements!!  She will be sharing her full story soon so keep an eye out for that video!   In the meantime try out her recipe for this delicious no fat soup - McDougall approved!  All whole food plant based recipes!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhtk4_7WCeA

Morning Grain Bowl: Sweet Potato Oatmeal

This is so delicious no need to eat it just in the morning! Great anytime of day or night! But for simplicity sake I'm just putting it under the Morning Grain Bowl category!  

Ingredients and Method:

1 cup of quick oats:  put into a large bowl and cover with boiling water!  Add as many raisins as you like. A dash of salt and cinnamon as well. Cover and let sit for about 20-30 minutes till water is absorbed.

For today's grain bowl :  Blend 1/2 cup mashed leftover sweet potatoes plus 2 dates, 1/2 cup organic mango peach juice and 1 tbsp. maple syrup! Mix this into the oat mixture along with 1 diced fresh or frozen banana.. Pour into an ovenproof dish. See my photo below for what I used. You can either line with parchment paper or grease lightly with coconut oil.

Put into oven at 375F for about 45 minutes! I used a toaster oven as mine is large enough for the typical size round cake pan (9" I believe).

While still warm scoop into a bowl. Top with more fresh sliced bananas and sprinkle with hemp seeds!  A drizzle of maple syrup and you're ready to enjoy the best ever bowl of baked oatmeal! so good!

You can let it cool and eat as slices later as it sets up when chilled.  Or reheat back to it's original out of the oven pudding texture! I like it both ways!

How Not To Die Cookbook

There are currently 60 holds on 14 copies for this cookbook through Edmonton Public Library! I finally got my turn today! Hooray!! I always like to try before I buy! If it's worth it I'll buy it! So far it seems like it will be! The Umami sauce recipe alone looks like a winner!! 🥕🥕🥕🥕

Trail Mix Banana Muffins

A simple muffin - no overt oils but packed with raisins, almonds and peanuts (roughly chopped) for a nice flavor boost!  It's a good idea to always have bananas ripening on the counter - make a batch or two of muffins and freeze the rest for smoothies or more muffins in the future!  

I don't measure too heavily when making anything. Below is basic plan to follow. It's your typical muffin ratio.

1/2 cup organic spelt flour

1/4 cup organic quick oats

1/4 cup unbleached organic white flour

1/4 cup brown sugar

2 tablespoons hemp seeds

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 cup mixed raisins, almonds, peanuts (roughly chopped)

2-3 ripe bananas (depends on size) -  mashed well

1/4 - 1/2 cup plant milk

2 tablespoons applesauce OR juice (orange or whatever)

Stir dry ingredients together in large bowl. Make a small well. Pour in your wet ingredients using folding strokes just until mixed. Don't overmix or they'll be tough. Divide evenly between six - eight muffin cups depending on size you want. I topped my muffins with extra chopped raisin, almond, peanuts.  Worked out nicely. Bake at 375 for about 20 minutes! Cool. Store overnight in a paper bag - best way to store fresh muffins! p.s. these taste good without the nuts and raisins too if you like a plain banana muffin!  💖

Kids in the Kitchen

Kids in the kitchen! 5 year olds love to help prepare food and my grandson Enzo is no exception. He had fun making this super simple noodle soup (3 ingredients - carrots, noodles and veggie broth)! He enjoyed eating it too!  Cooking doesn't need to be complicated or require a lot of ingredients to be healthy and inexpensive!  💖

Organic Oats Great Value

Just wanted to showcase a very good brand of organic quick oats - Great Value! Easily available at your local Walmart. The price in Canada is $3.97. The oats are made in Canada - so basically you are supporting Canadian farmers by purchasing these!  The quality is 10/10 imo!!

I hope my peace monkey made you smile!  😆   Smiling is very healthy!  😍

Raw Vegan Lunch

Most delicious crackers ever! Once you have tasted these anything else just tastes blah! They are crunchy, healthy, gluten free, raw vegan that blows any other cracker out of the water! Made with love by @justtheplantsmaam who happens to be my daughter!  She has made a lot of beautiful raw vegan creations!  They definitely have a lot of artistic appeal and they are very flavorful. Here is a photo of the salad rolls she made recently! So pretty!! For cracker recipe:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-_EV0sno18&t=1s

These crackers are made with beets, carrots, onions, flaxseed, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and spices. She also made the raw walnut/pecan taco flavored "croutons", the cashew cream and the guacamole. Amazing flavor on all counts! Enjoyed all these delights for lunch yesterday! I'm very lucky! So delicious!! 💖