A favorite family treat is becoming a favorite home business in Port Dover.
Advertisement 2
Article content
Just over one year after arriving from Mariupol, Ukraine, Liliya and Zhenya Karida, and their daughters Tandia and Yuna, have successfully settled into life in Canada.
Article content
“Our girls are excited about Canada, they are so happy to go to school,” said Zhenya. “They study well. They like Canada, they like the place where we live near the lake. It’s just amazing.”
A neighbor, Jennifer Rodger, who first came to the family’s aid setting up a Facebook group, Port Dover Support for Ukrainian Refugees, recently helped them set up Liliya’s new home business, Pastilab Creations, which specializes in creative dried foods.
“Jennifer’s immense support was crucial for our success,” Liliya said in an email. “She guided us through every step, from brainstorming the idea to handling registration, licensing, customer attraction, and participating in trade. Meeting Jennifer was a stroke of luck on our life’s journey. Her impact has been transformative, and we express gratitude for her substantial role in influencing our family’s destiny, her personal engagement in our adaptation, and her contributions to our integration into Canadian society.”
Advertisement 3
Article content
The idea for Pastilab Creations first came up about a year ago.
“My daughters gave me the idea. Our eldest daughter has long given up regular fruits and vegetables. We experimented with smoothies, freezing them as popsicles, but she still didn’t like it. The youngest continued to eat fruit with pleasure, but her face, hands, and hair became wet and sticky, and her clothes needed washing.”
That when they began using a food dehydrator.
“I understand in Canada pastilas are often referred to as fruit leather or fruit roll ups.”
Their first batches, using fresh fruits and vegetables, soon became a favorite treat for her daughters and the whole family.
Drying occurs at a temperature of 50-55 C, she said, which preserves all the beneficial properties.
Advertisement 4
Article content
“I do not add sugar, preservatives or dyes to pastilas. You can give pastilas to children from six months, starting with one-component formulations – apple, banana.”
Pastila has a long shelf life under normal conditions, which makes them convenient for walks, at school, or on the road. Since the fruits do not flow, they do not stain clothes.
“What makes PastiLab Creations unique is its versatility – you can create unique flavor combinations,” said Liliya. “Enhance fruit combinations by adding nuts or spices, or maintain the delicate freshness of apples by adding notes of sweet and sour berries.”
Liliya’s list of successful combinations grows every day and she wants to share it with others. In addition to fruit leathers, she prepares candied pumpkin and ginger, dried apple slices with honey, nuts and seeds, as well as dried fruits (pineapple, kiwi, orange, apple, and strawberry).
PastiLab Creations products are available for custom orders online on their Instagram page @pastilab_creations.
“Facebook will be later.”
They also have a booth at the Silver Lake Market once every month.
“It makes us ready for the (future),” said Zhenya. “We have enough money to cover our expenses and we are doing good.”
Article content