From the Pacific coastline to the cool shores of PEI, Canada's sprawling geography provides terrain for some of the world's most diverse agriculture. In Homegrown, Professional Home Economist Mairlyn Smith proves that Canada can be the key ingredient in any meal, whether you're making a hearty stew from Saskatchewan-farmed lentils, a BC blueberry pie, Nova Scotia scallops or a simple pancake breakfast made from Albertan barley flour (and smothered in Quebec maple syrup, of course).

With over 175 recipes collected from members and students of the Ontario Home Economics Association, Mairlyn celebrates Canadian ingenuity and the delicious things that Canadians grow, produce and manufacture. Food connects people to their roots, and Homegrown is a testament to the farmers and families that have contributed to what's on the table, including a bounty of information on what makes Canadian products unique and why the "Made in Canada" label so often stands as a mark of excellence. Compiled alongside humorous stories and sidebars from Mairlyn and the OHEA members themselves, Homegrown showcases the best of Canada.

Homegrown also includes is a wealth of nutritional information and a carb counter with every recipe, proving that an all-Canadian diet can be more than just delicious, it can also be a boon to your health. Engagingly written with Mairlyn's renowned wit, this is a book that gets to the heart of Canadian food, one hulless oat and slab of back bacon at a time.

Ontario Home Economics Association (OHEA), a self-regulated body of Professional Home Economists, promotes high professional standards among its members so that they may assist families and individuals to achieve and maintain a desirable quality of life.

The Ontario Home Economics Association's profile page

A multi-talented home economist, teacher and actor, Mairlyn Smith loves to add a dash of comedy to her cooking. Born in Vancouver, Mairlyn always loved the view of the mountains from her parent’s kitchen window. In 1976 she graduated with a degree in home economics from the University of British Columbia. She then returned to UBC and completed a teaching certificate before going on to teach home economics and head the Department of Fine Arts at Balmoral Junior High. Unable to shake the acting bug, Mairlyn enrolled at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in California. Then, like most Canadian actors in the 1980s, she moved to Toronto to find work. Mairlyn has amassed an impressive resumé of credits: she is the author of Lick the Spoon, The Ultimate Healthy Eating Plan, Ultimate Foods For Ultimate Health (the only health-focused book to win gold at the Cuisine Canada Cookbook Awards) and Healthy starts here!. She is an alumnus of The Second City comedy troupe and has starred in numerous commercials, TV shows, and films. Her versatility in acting and cooking with a comedic flair also landed her a job as a host of Harrowsmith Country Life and a subsequent Gemini nomination. She is a regular guest on CityLine and Breakfast Television Toronto as the family foods specialist and nutrition expert. A much-in-demand keynote speaker, Mairlyn’s goal is to make healthy eating accessible and fun. Her most popular talk, “How To Live To Be 100 and Still Remember Your Name,” looks at the lifestyles and food habits of centenarians. Mairlyn lives in Toronto with her son and with her partner, Scott, who is the only person aside from herself who has eaten everything in her books seven times over.

Mairlyn Smith's profile page

"Homegrown is a must-have cookbook and should sit proudly on every Canadian cook's bookshelf. Not only does it contain seasonal recipes from coast to coast to coast, but it introduces us to the famers and producers who work hard to ensure our population can purchase good quality local food and products. I've realized that I buy imported products that can be found here in Canada and now I will make an effort to buy Canadian. Homegrown is a cookbook that every Canadian should be proud of."
— Food Bloggers of Canada