Co-Op La Maison Verte (shop review)

Now that spring seems to be making a concerted effort to actually show up, I am eternally grateful that there are so many shops close to my home for me to choose from. I don't like going out in the rain! And I say that having grown up on the West (read: Wet) Coast. I love that I can get just about anything that I need within what is, in essence, skipping distance. I also really appreciate that most of my favourite stores are independants. Don't get me wrong, I don't have a hate on for chains or franchises. Necessarily. I just have a great deal of respect for those who choose to put their faith where their hearts are and go for broke; sometimes, literally. I think that might be one of the reasons why I like the idea of co-ops so much. Like minded people or groups of people working to support each other (even if only in principle). As far back as the 1830's, co-operative movements were already taking root in Canada, with insurance companies for farmers and creameries and cheese factories for dairy farmers being well established by the turn of the 20th century. The early 1900's saw the creation of  prairie grain co-operatives, other farm groups such as fruit growers and livestock farmers as well as stores and financial institutions (like Caisse Pops and Credit Unions) in cities, towns and communities all across Canada. For anyone who is interested in a more detailed history, you can check out Canada's official 2012 International Year of Co-Operatives web site here.

It was my husband who introduced me to La Maison Verte, located at 5785 Sherbrooke West. We popped in before Easter (on a nice sunny day) and he had to drag me out to hunt down Peeps, or I could have stayed long enough for it to have gotten expensive. The membership fees are only $10 a year, and while members don't get a deal on everything, regular purchases will get you your fees back quite quickly. They carry a lot of a lot, to be honest. You can pick up food stuffs (both local and/or organic as well as allergen friendly), cleaning producs, personal products, plants (I am very excited that they are going to be getting in their seedlings soon!) and it is even a drop point for a CSA (community sponsored agriculture) farmers basket. Or you could go in for some reference materials (they have books), some new music from a local or independant artist, to see who has posted up new fliers or business cards, or even just for a cup of coffee and a snack!

Needless to say, we are now members and did I mention that I can't wait for the seedlings?? Nice place, friendly staffers and I highly recommend checking them out!

Poissonnerie Sherbrooke

I had hoped to be able to spend today wandering around the market stalls up at Jean Talon, not really looking for anything in particular but more just to see what I could find. Then I woke up this morning and took a look outside.

What my cell phone doesn't show you is 1) how deep it is, 2) the wind and 3) my boots which resemble my sneakers (because they are my sneakers) since my boots now resemble a pair of flip flops (because the sole has come apart). I called a Snow Day instead, though I did still have to venture out to get something for dinner.

Seeing as I generally get my days off mostly during the week, I have a bit more time on Tuesdays to play around in my kitchen than I do on weekends, which is why today was supposed to be a market day. I am also somewhat claustrophobic, so not being restricted to the weekends for my forays to the markets makes me very happy. I'm not afraid of the snow; I do live in Montreal after all! Since tomorrow is the first day of spring though, seeing all this white stuff made me just want to curl up with a cup of tea and a book to wait it out. So being able to get fresh produce and seafood no more than a 10 minute walk from my house on a snow day is wonderful!

Poissonnere Sherbrooke is (from the front) a tiny little shop on Sherbrooke that houses a very pleasant staff, a large selection of staple products and produce plus really nice, fresh sea food. Nine times out of ten, this is where we get out fish from; high turn over keeps things fresh though they do have a freezer section. I've never had a problem asking them questions either as they have never been anything but friendly and helpful.

Price wise they seem to be what you would expect, though their specials are usually a vey good deal. Being able to pick up everything you need for a quick meal is also something that I love about being so close to them. This is my go-to shop more often than not, particularly if I realise half way through a recipe that I'm out of something, or if I only need a couple of things to complete a meal.

So. Dinner tonight is going to be a spice crusted salmon with gingered beets, roasted asperagus and spinach rice plus home made creme puffs with a fruit compote for dessert. Not bad for a lazy snow day!