July 16, 2010 – On Friday July 23rd, Natural Pastures Cheese Company will open its doors to the residents of the Comox Valley.  To celebrate the 30 Day Local Food Challenge, Natural Pastures is giving tours of the production area to passport holders for the Food Challenge.  There is cheese available for tasting, cheese making demonstrations and the feature cooking demonstration is by Karen Pattison of BiteSize Specialty Foods. The Natural Pastures Cheese plant is located at 635 McPhee Ave.  The open house starts at 11:00 am and finished at 3:00.  All are welcome to try some of our award winning cheese and talk with our dedicated staff.

“We don’t usually have the production area open to the public,” said Doug Smith, Natural Pastures Operations Manager, “This is the only time the plant has been open for public viewing since we first started producing cheese in 2001.”

Natural Pastures Cheese Company is an artisan cheese producer that has won many Canadian and international cheese competitions.  High quality locally produced milk is used by our Swiss trained Gold Medal winning cheese-maker to produce over 15 varieties of cheese that are sold across Canada.

The Comox Valley 30-Day Local Food Challenge is an immersive community experience each July that connects people from around the Comox Valley to the agricultural traditions and potential of this region.

Each year, local residents are challenged to spend 30 days experiencing local food through farm and food producer tours, restaurant events, educational activities and demonstrations that showcase the work and bounty of the nearly 500 farms, food producers and food-related organizations in the Comox Valley.

2010 major sponsors include the Comox Valley Record, JET FM, Comox Valley Regional District, Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce, Community Futures Strathcona, Impact Visual Communications and Eatmore Sprouts with support from the Comox Valley Farmers Market Association and the Comox Valley Farmers Institute.

Well, for at least a month Comox Valley residents have been wondering where the sunshine was hiding. Compared to June of last year, 2010 saw significantly reduced temperatures and fewer impressions from ol’ Mr. Sun.

Well, things have changed, and with temperatures soaring into the low 30′s, its time to get out and savor the beautiful weather. In doing so however, it is important to try and keep cool and protected from the sun. Here are a few tips to help keep you cool!

• Lets start with the super obvious, I figured I better include them: Wear a hat & sunglasses, drink plenty of water, and don’t forget the sunblock! If you are heading to the beach, bring an umbrella!
• If you are sitting at a desk in a hot office and have the option, consider soaking your feet in some ice water while you work. This will cool your blood and help keep you slightly more comfortable
• Soak a t-shirt in cold water, wring it out, and put it on. The coolness can last an hour or more. If you wear it near a fan you can get some added cooling action.
• Have a soak in the Lake or River, or even a cold shower or bath. Once you start to feel a bit cold, hop out and enjoy the lasting benefits.
• In your house, consider moving to the basement (if you have one). It will likely be noticeably cooler.
• Keep your window blinds closed. This will block the sun, and reduce the heading effect inside your home. In extreme cases you can put cardboard with aluminum foil over it in the windows to help reflect more of the heat.
• Watch what you eat! Try sandwiches, or other cold foods. Do not turn your stove on! If you have to cook, consider using your BBQ.
• Turn off other electrical appliances. Your TV and Stereo give off heat, and its enough to significantly warm up a small room. Turn off all the lights, your computer, and any other electrical device that puts out heat.
• Stick cups of ice in front of a fan. While not as cooling as an A/C unit, you will feel a difference.
• Get naked! Okay, for most situations this wont work, not sure your boss would approve, or even your friendly neighborhood Walmart cashier, but if your somewhere private and need to cool down, it will help