Goodlife Vaughan January/February Edition 2016

| F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 6

J ANU ARY / F EB R U ARY 2 0 1 6

J A N U A R Y

GOODLIFEMAGAZINE.CA

GoodLife Vaughan Edition

Decorating resolutions

Fore ver family home The essential pantry

SERVING VAUGHAN

The Entirely New

2016 MKX • Mid-Size SUV

With standard features like Intelligent All-Wheel Drive to handle changing weather conditions, and well-appointed interiors for an unprecedented level of comfort, Lincoln has everything you need to arrive in style.

Call or visit Pine Tree Lincoln to schedule your test drive today!

PINE TREE LINCOLN 100 Auto Park Circle Vaughan, ON. L4L 9T5 1-888-592-9549 www.pinetreelincoln.com The Remo Ferri Group of Automobiles

Vehicle(s) may be shown with optional equipment. Dealer may sell or lease for less. Limited time offers. Offers only valid at participating dealers. Retail offers may be cancelled or changed at any time without notice. See your Lincoln Dealer for complete details or call the Lincoln Customer Relationship Centre at 1-800-387-9333. For factory orders, a customer may either take advantage of eligible raincheckable Lincoln retail customer promotional incentives/offers available at the time of vehicle factory order or time of vehicle delivery, but not both or combinations thereof. Retail offers not combinable with any CPA/GPC or Daily Rental incentives, the Commercial Upfit Program or the Commercial Fleet Incentive Program (CFIP). *Bridge of Weir is a trademark of Bridge of Weir Leather Company Limited. **Driver-assist features are supplemental and do not replace the driver’s attention, judgment and need to control the vehicle. ©2015 Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited. All rights reserved.

Publisher Ian Proudfoot Regional General Manager Shaun Sauve Editor Lee Ann Waterman Contributors Bart Card • Jim Craigmyle • Jonathan Hiltz Naomi Hiltz • Joann MacDonald • Leslee Mason Christine Morrison • Michael Rao • Fina Scroppo ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Maureen Christie

Email: goodlifeeditor@yrmg.com

We are looking for rooms and homes to feature in future GoodLife magazines.

Advertising Manager Tanya Pacheco Advertising Sales Nino Michela • Joseph Montagnese Tony Segreti • Howie Taylor Regional Director, Production and Creative Services Katherine Porcheron Editorial Design Emily Ayranto Director of Business Administration Rob Lazurko Director of Distribution Carol Lamb

GoodLife, Vaughan is published by Metroland Media, York Region. Statements, opinions and points of view are those of the sources and writers and do not necessarily represent those of the publisher, advertisers or GoodLife magazine.

Contents copyrighted. All rights reserved.

Reproduction of any article, photograph or artwork without written consent from the publisher is strictly prohibited.

Submissions are welcome from writers and photographers.

We assume no responsibility for unsolicited material.

GoodLife 29-8611 Weston Rd., Vaughan, ON L4L 9P1 905-264-8703

4 | GoodLife • January - February 2016

yorkregion.com/goodlife | 5

contents

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12 Home Tour 16 Rooms Gone Right 24 Rooms Gone Right 28 It’s All White 32 Décor Resolutions 36 We Like It

Primping and pampering products with natural, organic and effective ingredients

Functional meets beautiful in Kleinburg new build

Custom kitchen for a Craftsman-style home

White entryway elegant and welcoming

28 6 | GoodLife • January - February 2016

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White a timeless yet modern choice for interior design

This year, resolve to make your home a beautiful, functional space

15 Jevlan Drive, Woodbridge Ontario L4L 8C2 905-850-4653 Fax: 905-850-8580 www.damianijewellers.com

yorkregion.com/goodlife | 7

contents

40 Winter Superfoods 46 The Power of Sleep 48 Nordic Pole Walking 52

Healthy Pantry Meals

48

Stock your pantry and use those ingredients to create quick, nutritious dishes

Build a beautiful, healthful plate

Tips for getting your best night’s rest

Jumpstart a more active winter lifestyle

8 | GoodLife • January - February 2016

46 54 Portfolio: Trish Stratus 56 Vaughan Film Festival 58 Events 60 Travel 62 Mindfulness

Moving from existing to living

Former pro wrestler shares her views on health and wellness

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Local filmmakers put the spotlight on short films

Arts, culture and outdoor events for the whole family

At home on the range in Santa Fe, New Mexico

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Sleep like a baby tonight...

At ColourTrenz, enz, green is our favourite e commit committed ite e colour because w we are iendly to eco-friendl y pr products!

Because life is the colour you paint it!

As a consumer, you have the right to know if the products you use are safe for your health and the environment.

We encourage our customers to select paints that have the lowest VOC content available, and are still just as durable and effective to get the job done right.

Products available at:

8000 HWY 27, Unit 6. Vaughan, Ont. (corner of Zenway Blvd. & HWY 27) 905.851.5570 | www.colourtrenz.com

Ideal for small or large corporate gatherings Trio Restaurant Private Banquet Rooms

Baptism • Communion • Confirmation Birthday • BatMitzvah • BarMitzvah Hotel: 905 660 0212 • Email: novotel.torontovaughan@accor.com 200 Bass Pro Mills Drive, Vaughan, ON, L4K 0B9 • www.novotelvaughan.ca yorkregion.com/goodlife | 9

editor’s note

Editor

I firmly believe that a commitment to health and wellness is essential to the good life. My own experiences have shown me that again and again.

For example, I’m writing this following a typically indulgent holiday season with family and friends. Dec. 27, I went for an easy run with my brother—and remarked that my slow pace was the result of a sugar hangover, my term for the cumulative effect of several days of rich food, wine and little sleep.

A few days later, after vegetable-based meals, lots of water, more exercise and a couple nights in my own bed, I’m feeling more energetic, more centred.

With the start of another new year just weeks behind us, it seems the right time to focus on our well-being.

In this issue of GoodLife, you’ll find articles on practising mindfulness to improve your mental and physical health, why a good night’s sleep is essential to well-being and how to incorporate seasonal “superfoods” into your diet.

In keeping with our wellness theme, We Like It features three brands—two based in York Region and the other from Toronto—of natural beauty products from body butter and body polish to deodorant to moisturizers and eye creams. And food writer Fina Scroppo shares her must-haves for a well-stocked pantry and offers three quick, nutritious recipes created from pantry essentials.

This issue also includes a tour of stunning Kleinburg home designed to combine traditional and contemporary style, an entryway decorated with Benjamin White’s colour of the year, Simply White—and expert advice on how to use white in your own home—plus seven decorating resolutions to help you make your home a beautiful, functional space.

I hope you enjoy this issue. We’ll be back in March. In the meantime, you can find us at our new online home at www.yorkregion. com/goodlife.

LEEANNWATERMAN

Lee Ann Waterman

Editor

follow us@goodlifeyork | www.yorkregion.com/goodlife

Contributors

goodlifeeditor@yrmg.com

BARTCARD travel writer

Originally from Bermuda, Bart Card realized his passion for travel at a young age. After a career in the British Army, he joined an international hotel chain as director of international sales, based in London, New York and Toronto responsible for Asia and the Middle East. He now shares his worldwide experiences in words and photographs.

While travelling, he enjoys learning about local cuisine that can be incorporated into his love of cooking for friends and family.

10 | GoodLife • January - February 2016

LESLEEMASON

writer

Leslee Mason is a writer and editor whose work has appeared in a number of newspapers and magazines, including the Toronto Star, Today’s Parent and Best Health. A transplanted Torontonian who has called the Newmarket area home for the past 10 years, she says her favourite assignments are typically the ones that have a local focus.

JOANNMACDONALD writer

A vegan food blogger and nature enthusiast, Joann MacDonald is the proud mother of two children and two beagle-mix rescue dogs.

Fuelled by tofu and green tea, she has been writing for as long as she can remember and is a graduate of Western University’s journalism program. Visit her at womaninreallife.com.

JIMCRAIGMYLE photographer

Jim Craigmyle was born in London, England and grew up in Montreal. He had an early start to photography with his interest beginning at the age of 10. He studied photography at Dawson College and Concordia University and began his career in commercial photography in Montreal before relocating to Ontario in 1996. He began his own business in 1993 shooting stock photography.

Much of his commercial work is represented by Corbis.

FINASCROPPO food writer

Author of The Healthy Italian cookbook and an awardwinning writer and editor, Fino Scroppo’s recipes and cooking prowess have been featured on numerous TV shows, radio programs and in magazines and newspapers across the country. Over the past 20 years, she has enjoyed working with cookbook authors and produced special-interest cooking publications that have featured the works of many celebrity chefs. Visit her at thehealthyitalian.ca.

Florals

beyond your expectations

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T 905 833-3148 C 416 300-9761

yorkregion.com/goodlife | 11

We Like It

Au naturel

By Lee Ann WAtermAn

Coconut, cinnamon, avocado, apricot, lemon, lime, orange. It shouldn’t be surprising to learn the things we know nourish our bodies can do the same for our skin and our hair. GoodLife has sourced some primping and pampering products with natural, organic and effective ingredients.

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Launched last fall by Toronto’s Lisa Mattam, Sahajan combines traditional Indian Ayurvedic remedies and organic science in its skin and hair care products. Old world ingredients, including Indian fruit rich in vitamin C, herbs and essential oils like cedar, East Indian sandalwood, cinnamon, geranium, bergamot, lavender, lemon, lime and orange, are fused with organic coconut, almond and sesame oils as well as proved modern-use ingredients such as hyaluronic acid. Available at sahajan.com and well.ca.

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Nourish Face Cream Brightens and protects skin from environmental toxins and stressors with Ayurvedic antioxidant remedies in a rich, hydrating formula |$60

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Ritual Body Oil Hydrates and restores skin’s natural glow while also soothing away tension with traditional Ayurvedic massage therapy ingredients | $55

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Protective Face Serum Contains concentrated ingredients to brighten the look of skin and improve the appearance of fine lines | $70

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Nurture Hair Oil Nourishes, repairs and protects hair with Ayurvedic essentials used for centuries to restore damaged hair and treat the scalp | $50

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Adelphie Natural Skin Care cold-pressed soap, exfoliators, toners and moisturizers

Restorative Eye Cream Banishes dark circles as it protects, brightens and restores delicate skin around the eyes with a soothing, effective blend of natural actives and rich oils | $45

are handmade in Newmarket by esthetician Deborah Keogh. Keogh began by making soap for family members, then moved to a stall at the Main Street Farmers Market. Adelphie products are also available at Yoga Source & Therapy Studio in Newmarket and online at adelphie.ca. The skin care products are made from a variety of botanical oils, including coconut, olive, grapeseed, avocado and neem, and essential oils, such as, apricot, perilla, camellia, jojoba, rosehip seed and evening of primrose, that both benefit the skin and smell wonderful.

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Avocado Jasmine Moisturizer HA Formulated for mature/dry skin, this thick moisturizer has avocado oil to reduce age spots and increase collagen production and jasmine to improve elasticity | 60 mL |$32

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Natural Cold Pressed Soap Handcrafted in small batches using coconut, olive and grapeseed oils in an ever-changing array of “flavours” such as lavender oatmeal, mandarin orange, organic rosehip and sweet lemongrass | $6/bar

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Natural Exfoliating Grains Regular exfoliation can increase the skin’s ability to absorb moisture, reduce fine lines and diminish acne. Containing rice flour, rose petals, crushed apricot shells, lavender and geranium, the grains are mixed with water to form a paste.| 125 mL | $15

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Eye Gel Complex Reduces dark rings and improves firmness and tone, with wild yam root to speed tissue regeneration, guarana to reduce puffiness and mannetake and shiitake mushrooms to improve skin tightness | 15 mL | $36

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1-2-3 Glow! cleanser moisturizer Adelphie’s bestseller, this two-in-one is formulated with rose, camellia and jojoba and suitable for all skin types. Use it to gently cleanse your face, then rinse, dry and reapply to moisturize | 250 mL | $42

yorkregion.com/goodlife | 13

We Like It Clean Kiss Organics founder and Vaughan resident Jodie Pappa got her start by making all-natural personal care products in her own kitchen for her own family. Still made in small batches, the line includes products for body, face, hair that are homemade from all natural and consciously sourced therapeutic grade essential oils and raw ingredients.

Available at cleankissorganics.com.

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Cream Deodorant Hot yoga and extreme heat tested, it contains tea tree oil for its antibacterial properties, essential oils, such as lavender rosemary and peppermint or orange and patchouli, to invigorate your senses and other natural ingredients to eliminate bacteria that causes underarm odour | 60 mL | $10

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Exfoliating Body Polish Exfoliates and softens skin with coconut and sweet almond oils, Arctic mineral salts, organic cane sugar and essential oils.Varieties include Make That Kiss Last (lavender rosemary), Pucker Up (citrus green tea), Kiss That Hottie (bergamot lemon grass) Vanilla Latte Kisses (coffee and vanilla) | 500 g | $25

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Fresh Kisses Linen Spray Scented with lavender, rosemary and cedar essential oils to freshen your laundry in place of dryer sheets and fabric softener | 100 mL | $10

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Sweet Citrus Kisses Facial Scrub For a youthful glow and healthy looking skin, apply once or twice per week on face, neck and décolleté. Contains coconut and olive oils, organic cane sugar, lemon oil, juice and zest | 240 mL | $12

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Kiss Your Body Butter A rich blend of organic shea and cocoa butters, coconut, almond and castor oils—chosen for their ability to moisturize and soften dry skin—with the addition of essential oils to provide a light scent and therapeutic benefits | 240 mL | $15

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home tour|Kleinburg

16 | GoodLife • January - February 2016

Forever family home

Functional meets beautiful in Kleinburg new build B y Lee A nn WAtermA n PHOTOGR APHy B y JI m CrA I Gm YLe

When Rosemary and Joe Arcuri found a lot backing on to a ravine in Kleinburg, it was an easy decision to build a forever home there for their family of five.

But when it came to choosing finishes and furnishings that would appeal to Rosemary’s traditional style and meet Joe’s desire for clean, contemporary design, they found themselves overwhelmed.

The couple turned to Pamela Byer, general manager of Design Line Studio in Aurora, for help creating a beautiful, but liveable, home.

Their first purchase together was the kitchen table.

Eleven-foot slabs of maple were bookended to give a live edge on each length, stained a warm black that reveals the grain and set on a dramatic contemporary chrome base.

Classic Berger style chairs, painted grey and upholstered in complementing striped and damask fabrics, provide balance.

“My husband wanted modern and I still lean toward traditional,” say Rosemary. “Pam was able to make us both happy.” » yorkregion.com/goodlife | 17

home tour|Kleinburg

Two grey velvet sectionals were custom-made to fit the space and feature high, tufted arms and deep seats with reinforced feather fill for comfort and “bounce back”.

18 | GoodLife • January - February 2016

Between the kitchen and the family room is a bar area, with a dramatic backlit granite wall.

yorkregion.com/goodlife | 19

home tour|Kleinburg

The table set the tone for the design of the whole house, Byer says—dark woods, a colour scheme dominated by black, white and grey, chrome accents and interesting texture and pattern in upholstery, pillows and rugs.

The flooring throughout the main level is a mix of 24-by-24-inch porcelain tiles, white with veins of a warm brown to mimic marble, and five-inch hand-scraped hardwood in a “hickory mesquite” finish. The walls are painted in varying shades of grey, with wallpaper adding texture and pattern in the living room, main floor powder room and master bedroom.

20 | GoodLife • January - February 2016

The doors and trim, including the wainscoting Byer added to the substantial doorframes, are white.

A closet on the main floor was designated the wine room. Small in space but big on design, it features stacked stone walls, a shelf and sculptural wine holder made of live edge wood, custom wine storage and a brass and crystal chandelier.

The Arcuris called the builder to change their choice of finish for the kitchen cabinetry from cherry to a black walnut veneer.

For contrast, they chose white granite for the

waterfall countertops and island, as well as casing around the cabinets and built-in refrigerator and display shelves flanking the large stainless range hood. Twisted chrome handles provide functional sparkle.

Between the kitchen and the family room is a bar area, with a dramatic backlit wall constructed of the same white granite with a grid of LED lights behind. Sliding doors lead to a sun room, furnished with comfortable seating surrounding a low rectangular gas fireplace, which allows year-round use of the space for entertaining the Arcuris’ large extended family.

The family room, Rosemary says, is probably her favourite space—and where they spend most of their time, watching TV, enjoying the fireplace, just hanging out. Two grey velvet sectionals were custom-made to fit the space and feature high, tufted arms and deep seats with reinforced feather fill for comfort and “bounce back”.

At the front of the home are more formal dining and living spaces. Dark grey walls give the large dining space an intimate feel. And details like the custom-made buffet, smoked crystal chandelier and drapery add elegance.

The living room is a lighter, but equally elegant, space and features a wallpapered accent wall and a pair of accent chairs, in dark wood and a monochromatic cream fabric with unique circular framing in the back.

Because the chairs are positioned away from the wall, you see the backs from the foyer, the living room and the stairs. “I knew they had to be special,” Byer says.

Designers, she continues, have knowledge of

and access to sources for everything from wallpaper and drapery fabric to custom cabinetry and furniture.

“My job is to show homeowners the best pieces for their home, not just what they want,” she says.

In the master suite, a retreat that features its own foyer and a small sitting room, as well as bedroom and bath, those pieces include a dramatic custom headboard.

Featuring multiple upholstered pieces in a brick pattern, it is flanked by mirrors that reach to the ceiling and hanging lights. A subtly sparkly gold and white wallpaper and mirrored end tables add to the glamour.

The bathroom, a serene white space, has two generous vanities, a soaker tub and spacious glass-walled shower.

Like the rest of the home, it is the right marriage of modern and traditional, contemporary and beautiful.

“I love coming home,” says Rosemary. “I love the space and how we use the space.” » yorkregion.com/goodlife | 21

home tour|Kleinburg

The master bed features multiple upholstered pieces in a brick pattern, flanked by mirrors that reach to the ceiling and hanging lights.

FINISHES

Granite: Bianco Luciente Floor tile: Statuario Bianco porcelain, 24-by-24-inch Hardwood: Mirage handscraped vintage hickory mesquite, 5-inch

PAINT

Kitchen/hallways: Benjamin Moore Grey Owl, 2137-60 Family room: Benjamin Moore Escarpment, CC-518 Dining room: Benjamin Moore Iron Mountain, 2134-30 Living room: Benjamin Moore Collingwood, OC-28 Master bedroom: Benjamin Moore Cloud White, CC-40 Trim: Benjamin Moore Decorator’s White, CC-20

22 | GoodLife • January - February 2016

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rooms gone right|kitchen

24 | GoodLife • January - February 2016

Modern function historic charm

Custom kitchen for a Craftsman-style home

By Lee Ann WatermaN When Evan Wood and John Ealey bought their 1920s Craftsman-style home, they knew they had a lot of work ahead of them: updating wiring, installing a new furnace and replacing the worn hardwood floors. But they were most eager to update the tired 1980s kitchen.

Determined to create something new and functional in the space, they contacted Chest-

nut Grove Cabinetry & Design in Vaughan, whose work they had admired at a neighbour’s home.

President and lead designer Francesco Giampietro came for a tour of the home and instantly saw its charm.

“I immediately could connect with the home and understand why John and Evan fell in love

with this little house,” he says. “It had so much potential of coming back to a life of classical beauty.”

In its current state, the kitchen was far from inspiring. It was closed off from the rest of the house and lacked adequate storage and food prep space. The white cabinets and countertops were outdated and hard to keep clean. »

yorkregion.com/goodlife | 25

rooms gone right|kitchen The arches on the opening to the dining room and fan hood mimic the same design on the front porch.

Because of the age of the home and scope of work, which included removing part of a wall between the kitchen and dining room and replacing a standard door to the backyard with large, sliding glass doors, Giampietro called in an architect and structural engineer. They determined structural reinforcement was needed to both the kitchen floor and the ceiling over the new wall opening to make the home safe.

The design would add to and play off the original charm of the house while maximizing functionality for Woods and Ealey, who love to cook and entertain.

“We agreed that the design of this new kitchen should not be 100 per cent classic,” Giampietro says, “but a fusion of contemporary and classic heritage that plays tribute to the history and charm of the home.”

Giampietro took inspiration from three original details: The new oak pantry is a replica of a linen closet located on the second floor. The dish rails and door trim in the dining room inspired the moulding profiles and soft white colour of the upper cabinets. The arches on the opening to the dining room and fan hood mimic the same design on the front porch.

But he also incorporated many of the modern functional elements the homeowners wanted. Deep lower cabinets make room for a built-in microwave and pull-out drawers for garbage and recycling. A breakfast bar does triple duty as a spot for food prep, quick meals and serving station for the dining room.

The new sliding doors visually expand and brighten the space and provide easy access to the back deck and barbecue in the warmer months.

“Although the footprint is the same, the kitchen feels so much larger,” Wood says of the finished project. “It is easy to clean and wonderful to entertain in because of the spaciousness. The stools at the pass-through provide a lovely spot for guests to sit and chat while cooking is being done.” ”.

26 | GoodLife • January - February 2016

“

A tailored fit is the end result of this kitchen design. It looks original to the character of the house. It’s inviting, bright and spacious even though it’s a small kitchen. Concealed behind all that charming old character is a modern functioning kitchen.”

– Francesco Giampietro, Chestnut Grove Cabinetry & Design

STyLE GOAL A dream kitchen designed to fit a 1920s Craftsman-style home.

WHy THE CHANGE? The 25-year-old kitchen was not in keeping with the homeowners’ style. The white 1980s cupboards and countertops were poor quality and stained easily.

RENOVATION CHECKLIST • Create a pass-through to dining room • Replace standard door with sliding doors • Ensure ample storage • Maximize counter space • Add pull-out garbage and recycling bins

FAVOURITE FEATURES • Chestnut Grove designed pantry • The arch design seen throughout the kitchen, in kickplates, range hood, pass-through

SPLURGES • cast iron sink • faucet • countertops

BARGAINS • ceiling light • backsplash tiles

SOURCES Contractor: Chestnut Grove Cabinetry & Design Designers: lead designer Francesco Giampietro, junior designer Cassandra Brandow Cabinets: Chestnut Grove, upper cabinets in coconut cream, base cabinets colour in cinnamon spice oak Countertop: Caesarstone 5000 London Grey, Stone Edge Marble & Granite Inc. Backsplash: Tile World Caesarstone 5000 Stove, fridge, dishwasher: GE profile, Home Depot GE profile London Grey gas stove, fridge and dishwasher) Microwave drawer: Caplan’s Appliances Latches: Richelieu Pendant, hinges: Legacy Vintage Faucets: Sign of the Crab Pendant light: Legacy Vintage, Cobourg Dulux Sink: Kohler Sourdough Paint: Dulux Sourdough

yorkregion.com/goodlife | 27

rooms gone right|entryway

The

rightwhite

By Lee Ann WAtermAn | PHOTOGRAPHy By JIm CrAIGmYLe

28 | GoodLife • January - February 2016

“You could say the tile floor is custom,” homeowner Jillian says with a grin.

“The original tile that we purchased had a lot of black tiles in the pattern, more than what we wanted. Our contractor painstakingly removed most of the black tiles and replaced them with white. It was a lot of work, but we love how it turned out.”

Cathy D’Aversa’s recently redesigned entryway is testament to how a predominantly white space can be elegant and welcoming.

“Really bright and clean looking,” is how D’Aversa describes her vision for the space, which doesn’t get a lot of light. “I knew I wanted white.”

She brought in designer Jeanne Grier of Stylish Fireplaces & Interiors to help transform the dark, dated room.

The creamy white Grier chose for the wainscoting, doors and trim is Benjamin Moore’s Simply White, coincidently the paint company’s colour of the year for 2016. And D’Aversa splurged on wallpaper that offers a modern take on a traditional

pattern in large scale white on white.

New lightning—including potlights, a frosted glass and crystal ceiling fixture and complementary chandelier above the curved staircase—was also key to updating and brightening the space, says Grier. The rich brown of the hardwood floors and the new banister add warmth.

Happily, the existing marble floor tiles, a creamy white with veins of brown, work with the new space. D’Aversa also held onto Persian rugs that bring in some colour in muted pinks and blues and a high-gloss round table for the centre of the space.

A few key pieces complete the look. A curvy

mirror and mirrored chest add some practical sparkle. Used to having a full- length mirror in the space, D’Aversa laughs that she can still check her shoes in the reflective drawers.

D’Aversa commissioned Port Credit artist Chris Masouve to paint two moody landscapes, one for the foyer and a second for the upstairs hall.

The powder room also got a quick update, with new paint, lighting, mirror and fixtures.

For a cohesive look, the second storey hall received new wainscoting that is a close match to what was already in place on the main level, new flooring and more of that gorgeous wallpaper and Simply White for the walls. » yorkregion.com/goodlife | 29

rooms gone right|entryway

STyLE GOAL Bright, modern and welcoming entryway.

SPLURGES The wallpaper. Homeowner D’Aversa struggled, but made “the right choice” to carry the wallpaper up the stairs to the second floor, even though the price tag was steep.

BARGAINS Two Persian rugs, a round table in the centre of the space, wainscoting and marble tile at the front door were all repurposed in the new space.

SOURCES Designer: Jeanne Grier, Stylish Fireplaces & Interiors Contractor: Pine Glen Developments Paint on wainscoting, doors, baseboards: Benjamin Moore Simply White, OC-117 Wallpaper: JF Fabrics, through designers Light fixtures in front hall, stairwell: Dainolite Stair railing, pickets: Alpa Stairs and Railings Runner: Home Design Carpet and Rugs Mirrored chest and mirror: Uttermost Paintings: Chris Masouve Sink, toilet: Canaroma Bath & Tile Benjamin Moore Powder room mirror: Renwil Simply White OC-117 Wallpaper: JF Fabrics, through designers Light fixture in powder room: Cobistyle

30 | GoodLife • January - February 2016

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yorkregion.com/goodlife | 31

home|décor

Timeless yet modern

Decorating with white

By Joann MacDonalD Fresh, clean and modern or bland and boring—white as a colour scheme has its fans and foes. Popular paint brand Benjamin Moore is betting on the appeal of white, naming Simply White (OC-117) its 2016 Colour of the Year.

Variations of white make up five of the company’s top 10 best-selling colours, backing up Benjamin Moore’s certainty that white is an essential design element.

“I use Simply White all the time,” says decorator Anita Ricci of Bright Ideas Interiors. “It’s my go-to trim colour. The colour is perfect because it’s not a brilliant white, so it doesn’t look stark. It also lends itself to a contemporary feel.”

As a colour consultant at Centro Paint & Decor in Maple, Ricci works exclusively with Benjamin Moore products. She says the taupes and beiges of years past have given way to greys.

“Simply White works with grey—whether true greys or warmer greys—in a more contempo-

32 | GoodLife • January - February 2016

rary palette,” she says. “Everybody wants clean, crisp, less colour than more colour right now.”

If you choose white as a wall colour, experts caution that you will need to add colour and texture in accessories and furniture. Think art gallery—expanses of hardwood flooring, white walls and colourful art.

“You need to have some great pieces and texture if you want to use white,” says Lauren Mangotich, an interior decorator with Inside Out Decorating Centre, a Benjamin Moore retailer in Stouffville. “It’s a great backdrop if you have some terrific artwork and really great furniture. I like to put it with wood, with weathered surfaces, just to make it a little more interesting and nice to live in.”

Notes Ricci, “If you look in decor magazines, there’s colour. There’s beautiful artwork. There’s beautiful furniture. Everything is done so that the white falls to the back. If you’re painting your walls all white and you don’t accessorize,

it ends up looking like you just primed.”

White on the walls has definite benefits. It can make a room appear larger. It lends itself to a classic and clean look. And it works in traditional, transitional and modern interiors. “It’s a beautiful colour for a backdrop,” Ricci says.

“You just have to be careful that you don’t make it look sterile and boring,” Mangotich notes. “You want to see different textures, maybe add an accent wall in a different colour.”

Contrast white walls with dark furniture or use a dark countertop in a white kitchen. Use carpeting with a deeper pile and vary finishes so that some are shiny, others are dull.

“When you have a blank canvas and it’s white, the possibilities are endless,” says designer and professional stager Jane Conrad of Newmarketbased Home Staging by Jane. “A white canvas is limitless with no influence or restrictions.” » yorkregion.com/goodlife | 33

home|décor

Far from being boring, Conrad says, a white backdrop gives the ultimate freedom to personalize other aspects, from flooring and window coverings to accessories. “I can’t tell you how many clients hastily chose colour only to end up regretting not having thought through their theme,” she says. “With white walls, you will never run into this situation.”

Conrad recommends thinking long and hard about your vision for a room. “ Do your research, and I mean a lot of research. Visit showrooms, look at magazines, pay more attention to the houses you frequent. Take a closer look: Are there rooms that stand out to you? Why? Are there spaces you would like to emulate?”

Think about the occupants of your home too.

“White can get soiled with curious and adventurous small hands,” Conrad says. Paint with an eggshell finish is washable, however it may reflect imperfections more.

“If you use a premium quality paint, you can use matte,” Mangotich says. “It’s washable and will hide imperfections. The key is more buying the quality than the finish.”

The trend toward lighter, brighter colours may be just the pick-me-up we need, Ricci muses. “I think people are getting away from dark. There’s enough of that in our world. When you come home, you just want everything to be calm and classic. You just want to take a breath.”

34 | GoodLife • January - February 2016

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yorkregion.com/goodlife | 35

home|dĂŠcor

7 Decorating

Resolutions

By Leslee Mason

This year, resolve to make your home a beautiful, functional space.

These resolutions will help get you started.

36 | GoodLife • January - February 2016

create storage

Too much “stuff” often tops the list of complaints around this time of year. “Looking around the house and seeing stuff in the corners and seeing stuff on tables—it’s stressful for people,” says Lindsey Foster von Kalben, designer and owner of FVK Design in Markham. Her advice? Maximize your closet storage space with an organization system that meets your needs. For example, add shelves in a closet where items need to be stacked or extra rods for clothes. “If something is important to you and you need to make space for it in your house, there needs to be a space for it to go away to,” she says.

Of course, storage solutions only work if everyone is able to follow them. “Label your storage areas to allow your family to help you keep organized,” Foster von Kalben says.

“Label your baskets, label your storage. Have a shelf in your closet that is ‘Bob’s shoes’ and a shelf in your closet that’s ‘Jane’s shoes’. Then everybody knows where things are supposed to go and it’s easier for everybody to be part of keeping your house beautiful.”

maximize your lighting

Pot lights address a lot of day-to-day lighting needs, but on full brightness, they don’t exactly create a relaxing environment. The solution? Add dimmer switches, suggests Foster von Kalben, who says they’re a cost-effective way to improve the lighting in your house. “It’s about creating an environment that you want to spend time in.”

yorkregion.com/goodlife | 37

make room for the things you love

If storage alone doesn’t cut it, it may be time to pare down. When de-cluttering, designer Rose Della Penna likes to take items out of a space. “Everything goes out. All the little décor pieces—your vases, books, lamps—and you only put back what you absolutely love,” says the owner of Della Penna Design in Woodbridge.

Jen Walker, a stager and stylist with Pearl Street Home Staging in Newmarket says that type of approach is especially great if you need a little help re-imagining your space.

Take bookshelves, for example. “They don’t have to hold books,” she says. “If you have a collection of something, maybe you want to put that there. Or maybe you change it depending on the season.”

To make it easier, Walker suggests committing your goals to paper. “I find making lists of the to-dos you want to tackle useful to stay on track and motivated. And it’s so satisfying to cross out what you accomplish!”

switch up your linens

In the bedroom, create a good quality bedding base and then accessorize according to the season. For example, in the colder months, place thick faux fur throws at the end of the bed. During warmer seasons, opt for lighter fabrics in pretty colours. “You want to walk into your bedroom and feel like it’s a retreat,” says Walker, who adds that big and beautiful throw pillows can also help create that effect.

The same goes for your bathroom. Della Penna likes to switch up bathroom towels at least twice a year. “Your spring-summer towels would probably be a lighter colour and then, in the winter, you can warm them up with warmer colours,” she says. She does the same with entryway rugs, opting for heavier, more durable versions in the winter and lighter and brighter ones in the spring.

38 | GoodLife • January - February 2016

freshen up your walls

Your walls are one of the biggest areas in your home, so it’s no surprise that paint has a big impact on your space. It’s a great way to incorporate some new colours in your space, but is also very manageable, Della Penna says.

For ease, Walker suggests opting for a neutral shade and then adding pops of colour through accessories such as artwork and pillows. “That will completely change the look of your room,” she says.

Della Penna likes to use no more than three complementary colours. “A nice flow is calming,” she explains.

Not quite ready to paint? Even smaller projects like patching up walls and touching up paint can make a big impact. The same goes for baseboards. “Kids and pets can really give baseboards a beating, and we may not even be aware that they look bad,” says Walker, who adds a fresh coat of white paint can do wonders. “It’s amazing the difference it can make,” she says. “All of a sudden, your home looks better cared for and cleaner.”

adopt a “wabi-sabi” outlook

A Japanese concept, wabi-sabi is about appreciating beauty that is imperfect, impermanent and incomplete, Foster von Kalben says. “When people are finishing their homes, they think they need to do everything at the same time. But wabi-sabi tells us it doesn’t have to be perfect, it’s not going to be there forever and you don’t have to finish it all right now.” Instead, Foster von Kalben suggests letting your space evolve and happen more organically.

yorkregion.com/goodlife | 39

food|healthy pantry meals

THE ESSENTIAL PANTRY

With a well-stocked, healthy pantry, dishing out a delicious and nutritious meal takes little time

B y Fi na s cRoP P o P h otogr aPhy B y Mi cha e l Rao

L

et me guess, you’re weeks into the New Year and your resolution to eat and live a healthier lifestyle has already taken a backseat along with the groceries. You’re not alone—in fact, it’s a common resolution that is broken again and again before it has time to simmer and set.

You’ve heard it many times: Committing to a healthier lifestyle is, well, a lifelong commitment. So why do so many of us find it difficult to stick to it? Our busy lifestyles create a host of barriers (or opportunities, if we’re keeping things positive)—from lack of time to confusion about the next diet that comes along to reliance on prepared convenience meals, we’re stumped on how we can get into our kitchens and prepare healthy meals.

The good news is that it’s possible and it

doesn’t take tons of effort to execute. Planning ahead by knowing your schedule for the coming week and creating some type of menu plan around it is a great start. Then researching for some inspiring and approachable recipes (hint: here is where you get the whole family involved) for quick meal ideas gets you even further ahead.

Come this time of year, when getting to the grocery store can be like gearing up for an expedition, I lean on my pantry as the essential resource for cooking healthy meals.

A well-stocked pantry—from whole grains to beans and legumes to canned fish to healthy oils—serves as the foundation for so many delicious and nutritious dishes. Here are some categories and staples to get you started in building your healthy pantry.

food|healthy pantry meals

PANTRY ESSENTIALS rolled oats and pulse them in a food processor in place of bread crumbs; use barley instead of rice for a perfectly creamy risotto that’s lower on the glycemic index; or add cooked quinoa to a Caprese salad for added protein and texture.

Top picks: barley, oats, brown rice, farro, quinoa, millet, chia, flaxseed, hemp, spelt and whole-grain pastas

FRUITS AND VEGGIES When we can’t lean on fresh, canned veggies and dried fruit can add robust flavours to dishes. Think a dried porcini to infuse flavour into a broth or a dry-packed sun-dried tomato to season a pizza or dried figs on an antipasto board. Go for preserved without added salt or sugar if possible.

Top picks: canned tomatoes, tomato paste, sun-dried tomatoes, dried mushrooms, capers or olives in brine, unsweetened figs, dates, raisins, apricots.

WHOLE GRAINS/SEEDS There’s no limit to the diversity and variety of whole grains and seeds today, and that’s important when you consider the Dietitians of Canada recommends at least 130 grams worth of carbohydrates a day to properly fuel our brains and our bodies. Use grains and seeds in both traditional meals that use them and in dishes where you wouldn’t expect them. Take

42 | GoodLife • January - February 2016

BEANS/LEGUMES These plant-based proteins are also rich sources of fibre and iron that add creaminess to so many dishes. Canned beans and legumes are easy to incorporate into dishes—just be sure to choose the ones with no added salt. Toss them into salads, stir them into soups and purée them into dips. Among the dried variety, lentils are a favourite. They require no pre-soaking before they’re added to a soup that cooks in less than 25 minutes.

Top picks: chickpeas, cannellini, fava, Romano, kidney beans, red/brown/green lentils CANNED FISH Here’s a fantastic source of omega-3 fatty acids, selenium and protein that’s inexpensive and incredibly versatile to add to salads, in pasta sauces, even in frittata baked in muffin tins. Look for fish packed in water and sodiumreduced.

Top picks: tuna (“light” over “white” ensures you’re selecting smaller species of tuna to limit mercury intake), sardines, mackerel.

NUTS Don’t go nuts on nuts (although that can sometimes be tough) but definitely make them a small part of your snacks and meals for their healthy source of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Finish off a dip or pasta with chopped nuts, add them to a stuffing or fold them into a yogurtfruit bowl.

Top picks: almonds, pistachios, pecans, walnuts, pine nuts (choose natural or dry-roasted).

HEALTHY OILS Study after study sings the praises of extra-virgin olive oil and for good reason. Its cholesterol-lowering (the bad variety) properties make it one of the healthiest oils to use in meals. Reserve it for salads and moderate heating.

Top picks: extra-virgin olive oil; grape seed oil (for high heat); coconut oil (for baking or searing), toasted sesame oil (for a robust flavour), walnut oil (for a subtle nutty finish)

PUT YOUR PANTRY TO USE These delicious dishes not only lean on pantry essentials, but are also very nutritious, taste great and whip up in less than 25 minutes.

Recipes from The Healthy Italian: Cooking For the Love of Food and Family by Fina Scroppo. Visit thehealthyitalian.ca.

Tuscan Hummus Dip (PurĂŠ di ceci Toscana) INGREDIENTS 1 can (19 oz/540 mL) no-salt-added chickpeas, gently rinsed and drained 125 mL (1/2 cup) canned no-salt-added whole peeled tomatoes, drained and chopped 60-80 mL (1/4-1/3 cup) water 15 mL (1 tbsp) freshly grated ParmigianoReggiano or Pecorino Romano juice of 1 small lime 1 to 2 cloves garlic, chopped 15 mL (1 tbsp) chopped fresh basil 15 mL (1 tbsp) chopped fresh parsley 5 mL (1 tsp) dried oregano 2 mL (1/2 tsp) Italian herb seasoning 30 mL (2 tbsp) extra-virgin olive oil 1 mL (1/4 tsp) sea salt freshly ground black pepper to taste pinch crushed red pepper flakes (optional) toasted pine nuts for garnish paprika for garnish METHOD Place all ingredients except pine nuts and paprika into the bowl of a food processer and whirl for about 10 minutes or until smooth.

Chill for 1 to 2 hours.

To serve, top dip with pine nuts and a dash of paprika and serve with fresh vegetables, wholegrain crostini, crackers or pita wedges.

VARIATION For a tangier dip, substitute 60 mL (1/4 cup) sundried tomatoes for peeled tomatoes.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION PER 60 mL (1/4 cup): 45 calories | 2 g fat (0 g saturated fat) | 152 mg sodium | 5 g carbohydrate | 1 g fibre | 2 g protein

yorkregion.com/goodlife | 43

food|healthy pantry meals Farfalle with Creamy Tuna and Red Pepper Sauce (Farfalle con creama di tonno e peperoni) Makes 6 servings

INGREDIENTS 375 g (13 oz) whole wheat or whole-grain farfalle (bowtie) pasta 15 mL (1 tbsp) extra-virgin olive oil 1 onion, chopped 500 mL (2 cups) diced red bell peppers (about 1 to 2 peppers) 1 can (28 oz/796 mL) no-salt-added whole peeled tomatoes with liquid, chopped 2 mL (1/2 tsp) sea salt 1 mL (1/4 tsp) granulated sugar pinch ground nutmeg pinch freshly ground black pepper 1 can (6 oz/170 g) flaked light tuna (skipjack preferably) in water, drained 10 mL (2 tsp) capers in brine, rinsed 45-60 mL (3-4 tbsp) crumbled light goat’s cheese 15 mL (1 tbsp) chopped fresh parsley METHOD Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta al dente according to package directions.

In the meantime, heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a very large pot or deep non-stick skillet. add onion and peppers and cook until softened, 5 to 6 minutes. add tomatoes with liquid, salt, sugar, nutmeg and black pepper; reduce heat to medium and cook for 7 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Stir in tuna and goat’s cheese until well combined and heated through. reserve a couple ladles of pasta water. Drain pasta and toss well with tuna sauce. If pasta is a little dry, add some pasta water as you toss.

Sprinkle pasta with parsley and serve immediately.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION PEr SErVINg: 355 calories | 5 g fat (1 g saturated fat) | 12 mg cholesterol | 279 mg sodium | 55 g carbohydrate | 8 g fibre | 19 g protein

44 | GoodLife • January - February 2016

Quinoa Crepes with Berry Compote (Crespelle con composta di bacche) Makes 6 servings

INGREDIENTS - Crepes 2 large eggs 250 mL (1 cup) warm water 125 mL (1/2 cup) quinoa flour (see tip) ½ cup whole-wheat flour 1 pkg (0.3 oz/8 g) vanillin sugar pinch ground cinnamon pinch salt fresh strawberries and blueberries for garnish vanilla frozen yogurt (optional) INGREDIENTS - Berry Compote 500 mL (2 cups) frozen berries (raspberries, strawberries, black berries, blueberries) 30 mL (2 tbsp) freshly squeezed orange juice 5 mL (1 tsp) maple syrup METHOD In a large bowl, beat eggs. Whisk in warm water.

Set aside.

In medium bowl, combine flours, vanillin sugar, cinnamon and salt. Whisk dry ingredients into egg mixture until well combined.

Lightly coat a medium non-stick skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium-low heat. add a half ladleful of batter and rotate skillet in a circular motion as you pour batter from the centre out to edges of skillet to fully cover the bottom. Cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute, flip with spatula and cook other side for another 30 seconds or just until no longer sticky to the touch. repeat with remaining batter, coating skillet with cooking spray each time.

Prepare compote by placing berry compote ingredients into the bowl of a food processor. Pulse a few times until chunky.

Serve crepe with compote as a filling or a topping along with fresh berries. If you’re filling crepe with frozen yogurt, let crepe cool down, add a couple of scoops down the centre of crepe and roll as you shape. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for 1 hour. Serve with compote and fresh berries.

TIP to make your own quinoa flour, use a coffee grinder or mill (a food processor won’t work) to grind the quinoa. add a small amount (filling the grinder’s basket halfway), grind for about 2 minutes, mixing with a spoon in between grinding.

VARIATION

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

Use crepes for a healthy breakfast option. Spread crepes with natural peanut butter, almond butter or sunflower butter and roll. Use fruit puree as a dip. or use as sandwich wrap, stuffed with shaved meats, low-fat dressing and crisp lettuce or julienned carrots.

PEr CrEPE: 137 calories | 3 g total fat (1 g saturated fat) | 79 mg cholesterol | 32 mg sodium | 23 g carbohydrate | 7 g fibre | 5 g protein

yorkregion.com/goodlife | 45

wellness|superfoods

WINTER SUPERFOODS Build a beautiful, healthful plate B y Joa nn MacDona lD

If you fell to temptation during the holiday season and are trying to make up for less-than-perfect food choices, it might help to concentrate on abundance rather than lack. “Focus on the hearty seasonal vegetables that add interest, colour and unique flavours to your meals,” says Emily Kennedy, a registered holistic nutritionist specializing in waist/waste management and women’s health.

“Serve foods that are naturally bright in colour—orange, red and dark green veggies— and eat them first. Colour equals phytonutrients, so build a beautiful plate.” Try these healthy, delicious superfoods.

Sweet potatoes

Greens

Tumeric

Sweet potatoes, said to be a favourite of Henry VIII, are packed with vitamin A, potassium and beta-carotene. Forgo the brown sugar and butter and bake your sweet potatoes. Prick with a fork several times and bake at 450 F for 20 to 35 minutes, depending on size.

“Just slit open, scoop out the sweet flesh and plate up!” Kennedy says. “I like to sprinkle with cinnamon for a warming, blood sugar-balancing effect that is comforting in colder weather and brings out the natural sweetness.”

Smart tip: Organic sweet potatoes are sweeter because they are smaller and more concentrated in flavour.

Eating your veggies should be a pleasure, not a pain.

“Brightly coloured veggies, particularly greens (kale, broccoli, spinach) do not need lots of cooking to make them delicious,” Kennedy says. “A quick blanch in boiling water or a snappy sauté in garlic and olive oil or coconut oil is all they need.” Try savoury collard greens, a source of calcium and iron, as a hearty accompaniment to your main.

“For raw greens, the secret is a good dressing,” she says. “My new favourite oil for dressings is camelina oil for its competitive omega-3 vs. omega-6 content. Shake up apple cider vinegar, oil and a bit of maple syrup and cinnamon for a delicious sweet and tangy dressing.”

“I can’t say enough about turmeric,” Kennedy says. “Its powerful active ingredient, curcumin, has been pitted against painkillers, anti-depressants, heart and diabetes medications and even chemotherapy drugs with impressive results.”

Add a small amount of turmeric powder to your beta carotene-loaded sweet potatoes or carrots to make their colour pop and balance out the natural sweetness of these veggies with a bit of aromatic pungency. Add turmeric to rice in place of saffron to bump up the anti-inflammatory quotient of your grain. Stir a little turmeric into your mustard for a new, healthier accompaniment.

“Don’t forget to add some fresh ground black pepper to your turmeric-tinged dish,” Kennedy adds. “Black pepper boosts the activity of curcurmin in the body.”

46 | GoodLife • January - February 2016

Winter squash Winter squash, native to North America, gifts us with beta-carotene, vitamins A and C, potassium and fibre. Whether you choose butternut, buttercup or acorn, squash contains no fat and is low in calories. Bake for a satisfying side dish or purée it into a soup.

Beets

Pomegranates

Beets are a good source of potassium, dietary fibre and iron. These highly detoxifying veggies also provide lutein for eye health.

“Have their cheerful hue take centre stage— serve a large platter of roasted veggies including lots of beets, carrots and parsnips,” says Kennedy. Does the prospect of red hands turn you off? Bake your beets (with the skin on, wrapped individually in foil) for 60 to 90 minutes, until a fork can be easily inserted in the largest beet.

Trim the ends and remove the beet skins under cold water.

This ancient Middle Eastern fruit boasts ruby-coloured fleshy arils that surround small crunchy seeds and contain a sweet-tart juice.

Pomegranates provide three different polyphenols, a potent form of antioxidants. They are also rich in potassium and provide fibre and vitamin C. Switch your morning OJ for pomegranate juice. Sprinkle pomegranate arils on salads, soups and desserts.

R a s P B e R R Y K Va s s Serve this fermented beverage (which has a slight alcoholic content and a celebratory fizz) to your Valentine.

INGREDIENTS 180 mL (3/4 cup) raspberries 7 mL (1/2 tbsp) raw honey 2 probiotic capsules, such as lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidus species distilled, unchlorinated water 5 mL (1 tsp) vanilla extract (optional)

Red wine

Dark chocolate

It’s not technically a food, but a glass of red goes so well with some of our favourite winter comfort foods. The polyphenols in red wine may help to protect the lining of blood vessels in your heart. Of course, too much alcohol can harm your body. Restrict yourself to one 150-millilitre (five-ounce) glass per day for women, two for men.

“Try only drinking with your main meal, not constantly sipping,” Kennedy says. “And alternate between water and booze to counteract the dehydrating effect of alcohol.”

When Christopher Columbus spotted the cocoa bean in the early 1500s, he had no idea of its potential. Talk about missing out! Besides playing a starring role on Feb. 14 and in our favourite winter beverage, this superfood boasts an abundance of naturally occurring antioxidants. Of course, solid chocolate is woefully high in fat. For more potential benefits, look for dark chocolate with at least 70 per cent cocoa solids. Eat a small chunk in lieu of rich desserts if you’re craving something sweet.

METHOD Put the fruit into a large (1 L or 1 qt), very clean mason jar and mash up. Add honey.

Break open the capsules and add probiotics.

Fill jar with distilled water, leaving about 2-1/2 cm (1 inch) at the top.

Put the lid on and place in a warm area, such as on top of your fridge or by a heat vent, away from sunlight.

Give it a shake and a taste every day for 2 to 5 days. (Do not drink directly out of the jar when tasting, it introduces the wrong bacteria.) It’s done when it still tastes sweet and a little tangy, but not sour. (Discard if sour.)

To serve, chill then strain into cocktail glasses.

Adding sparkling water is a nice touch.

Keeps for 1 week.

yorkregion.com/goodlife | 47

wellness|sleep

Your best night’s rest By lee ann WateRMan We’ve all been there at one time or another: Lying in bed, staring at the ceiling or maybe restlessly switching positions, taking furtive glances at the clock, the list of things you have to accomplish tomorrow running through your mind. You know you need your sleep, but for some reason you just can’t nod off.

The occasional sleepless night may mean you’re yawning through a meeting or heading to the coffee shop mid-afternoon, but regular insomnia can have long-term health effects.

48 | GoodLife • January - February 2016

Studies have shown that it can lead to increased blood pressure, impaired control of blood glucose and increased inflammation and be a contributing factor to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, anxiety and depression.

And deep sleep can restore and re-energize body and mind, boosting everything from your mood and memory to productivity and performance to your communication skills and creativity.

“Sleep is your body’s opportunity to repair and restore — so your body is ready for the next day,”

says Georgina-based holistic nutritionist Jenn Pike For some of us, it’s our physical environment— light, noise or lumpy mattress—that comes in the way of a good night’s sleep. But for many more of us, says Robbin Coedy, managing director of Pascoe Canada, a distributor of homeopathic and phytotherapeutic products, our overactive brains are the cause.

“If you can turn off your mind, your body can relax and that’s the key,” she says.

SLEEP TIPS Small changes to your routine or your environment can improve your chances of a restful night.

Robbin Coady, Jenn Pike and fitness expert Brent Bishop have teamed up to offer these tips: THE RIGHT ROUTINE • Get up and go to bed at the same every day— even on weekends.

• Turn off electronics, including computers, phones and televisions, an hour before bed.

• Try an epsom salt bath.

• Avoid naps or keep them short.

• Meditate daily for at least 15 minutes.

• Get regular exercise.

• Spend some time outside daily and get at least a few minutes exposure to sunlight.

• Manage your stress—meditation and exercise will help.

THE RIGHT ENVIRONMENT • Your bedroom should be cool (12-24 C or 54-75 F), dark (use blinds, blackout curtains or an eye mask) and quiet (wear earplugs if necessary).

• Open the windows in your bedroom five minutes every day to let fresh air in.

• Move electronics out of your bedroom. Even the LED or LCD lights on alarm clocks, tablets and music players can hamper sleep.

• The bedroom is for sleep and sex only. If you can’t sleep, go to another room.

KNOW WHEN TO SEEK HELP Anxiety, depression, changing hormone levels, asthma, thyroid disease and other conditions can all impact sleep. See your doctor if you can’t find relief on your own.

3 options for boosting sleep Over-the-counter supplements that may help you get a good night’s rest.

1 Melatonin

What is it? The hormone melatonin helps control your sleep and wake cycles.

How does it work? Your body naturally produces melatonin, releasing it into your bloodstream in increasing amounts starting at dusk and tapering off toward the morning. Older adults produce less melatonin and shift workers may find their levels of melatonin are not in sync with their schedules

2 Magnesium

What is it? An essential mineral that helps the body maintain nerve and muscle function, magnesium is found in foods including dark leafy greens, nuts, seeds and fish.

How does it work? Magnesium can help calm the nerves and relax muscles, which can help you fall asleep.

3 Passionflower

What is it? A flowering plant native to the southern United States, Bermuda and tropical Asia, passionflower has long been used in traditional medicine for sleep disorders, anxiety and nervousness.

How does it work?

It improves sleep by quieting the mind in cases of insomnia due to mental stress.

yorkregion.com/goodlife | 49

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50 | GoodLife • January - February 2016

2nd Annual

January 30 & 31, 2016 Hilton Toronto/Markham Suites Conference Centre & Spa

Knowledgeable Speakers, Fun Demos and Lots of Exciting Exhibitors!

THRIVE 2016 SEMINAR SCHEDULE Saturday January 30th 9:30 am - 10:15 am 10:20 am - 10:50 am 11:00 am - 12 noon 12 noon - 1:00 pm 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm 3:30 pm - 3:55 pm 4:00 pm - 4:30 pm 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm

Bollywood Fitness Silver Leaf Spa Bryce Wylde Jennifer Steeves - Psychology Professor Brian Gangle Bryce Wylde Gary Turner - Psychology Professor Angela Shim Taishan Tai Chi

Dance, Fitness and Yoga Demo How Stress Affects your Daily Life Debunking Detox: What works, what doesn’t The Seeing Brain: How the brain compensates for the loss of vision Heal Yourself Heal Your Life Measuring Your Health Status: Managing your destiny The Healthy Aging Brain Rest, Re-vitalize & Restore with Amethyst, Infrared & Ionic Energies Tai Chi Demo

Sunday January 31St 9:30 am - 10:30 am 10:45 am - 11:45 am 12 noon - 1:00 pm 1:00 pm - 1:50 pm 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Dolly Yoga LaurenSergio-AssociateProfessor, Kinesiology&HealthScience Rose Reisman Christine Jonas-Simpson - Nursing Professor Tami Willems Jill Hewlett & Dustin Widger

Yoga Demo Thinking, moving, aging…all at the same time.

Rose’s Practical Approach To Balanced Living Thriving with Dementia at the Dotsa Bitove Wellness Academy The Healing Power of Perception 90 For Life - Healthy Longevity

For more information: 905-943-6112 • thriveexpo.ca

wellness|Nordic pole walking

don’t let

WINTER sideline your

HEALTH &

WELLNESS

GOALS

BY CHRISTINE MORRISON

Nordic pole walking can help jumpstart a more active w F

or many, the winter months come as a setback in achieving their health and wellness goals. Nordic pole walking offers Canadians a unique way to get outside and take their fitness to the next level this winter.

Originating as off-season training for elite cross-country skiers in Finland, Nordic pole walking quickly became popular in Europe.

Nordic pole walking is a simple form of exercise that involves walking with a pair of custom fitted poles.

Today, more than 20 per cent of Finns and nearly 15 million Germans regularly enjoy pole 52 | GoodLife • January - February 2016

walking as part of a healthy lifestyle.

Dr. Klaus Schwanbeck, a former coach of Germany’s national track and field team, first introduced the sport in Canada nearly 15 years ago.

“The growth has been slow,” says Greg Bellamy, president and co-founder of Nordixx Pole Walking Canada, “with the idea initially that people thought the poles were only for those individuals who had balance issues.”

However, the sport has seen a major boost in popularity over the last seven years. “As people are now being more educated on all the ben-

efits and begin to realize that Nordic pole walking is a great physical activity for people of all ages and fitness levels, the numbers are starting to increase,” Bellamy continues.

The health benefits of Nordic pole walking are numerous and well-documented, including burning 46 per cent more calories than regular walking, increasing cardiovascular training by 22 per cent and helping to reduce blood pressure.

Peter Dennis, a certified Nordic pole walking instructor, has seen the benefits first hand.

Dennis began pole walking five years ago after

ing you are using 92 per cent of your muscles.

Walking or running only use about half of your body’s muscles and when cycling, it is even fewer.”

Pole walking promotes good posture, can assist in the recovery process following hip or knee replacement surgery and has been shown to positively impact the health of individuals with chronic conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure. But even those individuals who are already physically active can derive significant health benefits.

“Nordic pole walking certainly helped me get back into shape after three kids,” Ho says. “You walk faster with poles and with better posture.

It puts you in a different frame of mind to challenge yourself versus going for a stroll.”

As with any sport, proper technique is important.

When Nordic pole walking, the arms swing 45 degrees forward and then follow through to extend 45 degrees backward with a little push.

Engaging the upper body with the poles helps propel the walker forward and reduces the perceived exertion. The poles have also been shown to biomechanically reduce the impact to hip and knee joints.

Nordic pole walking instructors certified through Nordixx Pole Walking Canada, a company co-founded by Dr. Schwanbeck, offer clinics that provide individuals with the opportunity to try the sport prior to committing.

“My wife and I felt that there was just too much exercise equipment sitting around unused,” Dennis says. “So many people invest in sports equipment upfront and then it ends up

not being for them. It is our hope that the free clinics we offer will give individuals a reasonable trial.”

Free Nordic pole walking clinics, like the ones offered by Dennis and Ho, allow you to learn about the sport and gain hands-on experience. Poles are provided by the instructor and custom fit to participants. After a demonstration of the proper form, you will be given tips to fine tune your technique and have the option of purchasing the poles at the end of the session.

“Nordic pole walking is a great social activity that allows you to enjoy the outdoors,” Dennis says. It can also be done on any type of surface, including pavement, grass and forest trails.

The approaching cooler weather should not dissuade those interested in giving Nordic pole walking a try.

“Poles are terrific for winter,” Bellamy says.

“They provide support for balance, especially when there is snow and some ice. But you also gain other benefits such as increased warmth in your upper body and extremities due to the increase in muscle activity and blood flow… and a greater confidence in your walking.”

Pole walking can also be adapted to suit the winter conditions. For example, some walkers will invest in gripers, such as Yaktrax, that fit over your shoe for added traction. While others choose to utilize their Nordic poles with snowshoes, allowing them to travel off the beaten path.

“Because of Nordic pole walking, I have learned to enjoy the four distinct seasons we have, simply by getting out there and doing something,” Dennis says.

e winter lifestyle FOR MORE INFORMATION his wife, Carol-Anne, learned about the sport as part of a seminar series.

“I really noticed the changes in my upper body strength,” he says. “I was still playing hockey at the time and felt much stronger on the puck.”

Grace Ho, a registered manipulative physiotherapist at Cornell Physiotherapy and certified Nordic pole walking instructor, has also seen her patients benefit from the sport.

“Nordic pole walking engages 90 per cent of all body muscles,” Ho says. “In fact, we sometimes joke that if you can pole walk while smil-

For information on clinics or to find Nordic pole walking groups in your area, visit nordixx.com. Although many clinics are primarily offered during the spring and fall months, some instructors, like Peter Dennis (right), also offer clinics upon request for groups of seven or more.

For details, visit peterhdennis.com.

yorkregion.com/goodlife | 53

wellness|mindfulness

existing

Moving from

living to

54 | GoodLife • January - February 2016

“

There are so many demands on us and we often put ourselves last.

To create a life that has meaning, we need to put ourselves first.”

If you’ve ever driven your car through an intersection and then wondered if the light was red, you know how easy it is to get lost in your thoughts. With the mad rush to get to work, get home from work, get dinner on the table, chauffeur children around and complete a multitude of other daily tasks, you might be excused for sometimes failing to live in the present moment.

But that lack of awareness could catch up with you one day. That was the case for East Gwillimbury resident Darlene Nicholson. At 45, she was running a successful foot-care business and working up to 60 hours a week. The stress led to burnout.

“My life as I knew it fell apart,” she says. “It was only through years of counselling, personal growth workshops and the practices of yoga and meditation that I began to create a more satisfying and joyful life.”

Nicholson discovered Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn and his Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). The program incorporates meditation and gentle yoga to reduce stress and promote healing. She acknowledges many people, women in particular, find it difficult to carve out time for meditation each day.

“Twenty minutes of time in this crazy, busy world is almost impossible, and that’s sad,” she says. “There are so many demands on us and we often put ourselves last. To create a life that has meaning, we need to put ourselves first.”

While meditation and yoga are key to MBSR, proponents say mindfulness extends beyond these scheduled opportunities.

“Mindfulness means paying attention in the present moment with compassionate awareness and acceptance,” Nicholson explains. “For

By Joann MacDonalD me, as I often find myself rushing through life, mindfulness is a reminder to slow down, be more aware of where I am going, who I am with and what I am doing.”

Cheryl Crosby, a Richmond Hill yoga and meditation teacher, says mindfulness has become a way of life for her.

“From the moment I wake up, I try to be more aware of my current circumstances—how I feel, my surroundings and the thoughts that bombard me. From there on, it is making an effort to ‘wake up’ to each moment of my life as it is presented to me, without resistance.”

Students of mindful meditation report benefits such as coping more effectively with stress, experiencing greater energy and enthusiasm for life, lasting improvements in psychological and physical well-being and a deeper appreciation for self and others. A 2010 Harvard Medical School study suggests that MBSR is associated with increases in grey matter concentration in brain regions involved in learning and memory processes, emotion regulation, self-referential processing and perspective taking.

The University of Calgary’s Dr. Linda Carlson has been studying the effects of mindfulness on psychological and biological functioning in cancer patients since 1997. One of her recent studies shows practising mindfulness may help breast cancer patients better cope with their diagnoses. Study participants who completed an MBSR program experienced less mood disturbance and fewer self-reported health symptoms related to stress.

Nicholson says that while she still experiences moments of stress in her life, she is now better able to cope.

“I am more comfortable in my own skin and

I feel more content and accepting of life as it is. By practising mindfulness meditation, I have learned to be more present as well as less judgmental, more patient, more open and curious and able to see things from a new perspective.”

She cautions that mindfulness is not a quick fix—it takes practice and perseverance. But the payoff is worth it, she says. “Through mindfulness, we can move from a place of just existing to really living.”

MINDFULNESS FOR BEGINNERS While the idea of meditation can be frightening for many, mindful meditation teacher Darlene Nicholson says you’re not expected to “quiet” your mind, only to acknowledge your thoughts and not be disturbed by them.

“There’s always going to be stress and fluctuating emotions,” she says. “The goal in mindfulness is to watch, to witness, rather than getting lost in our thoughts.”

Instructor Cheryl Crosby suggests these easy steps for beginners: • As soon as you wake and before you go to sleep, close your eyes and become aware of your breath for a few moments.

• Notice what thoughts, sensations, emotions and sounds show up in your awareness. If you get lost in any of those, come back to being aware of the breath.

• Even just two minutes in the morning and before you go to sleep can make a difference in your life.

yorkregion.com/goodlife | 55

portfolio |Trish Stratus

“

Whether it’s watching the pounds come off, tapering off a bad habit or getting your sweat on, give yourself time and don’t expect results overnight.”

56 | GoodLife • January - February 2016

The Stratusphere of Health

by J o n at h a n h i ltz | Photogr aphy BY Pa ul Buceta a nd Li a na Louzon

Trish Stratus is a former WWE wrestler, fitness model, health and wellness guru as well as an actress and TV personality. She has done it all and is a regular go-to expert for health, nutrition and workout advice. GoodLife caught up with the Vaughan-based fitness mogul to get the details on her latest ventures and some important health tips as well.

GL: Everybody knows of the many successful business ventures you have had over the years, what are you currently working on?

TS: Having the yoga studios for years, I was able to use those properties as platforms to provide people a place to come and find the best versions of themselves by giving them the tools to embrace a healthy lifestyle.

The focus of Stratusphere now is to extend the reach to a global audience. With the Vaughan studio and the Ritz Carlton location, we had a local reach, but now we are focused on my existing base of followers, who have stuck with me from my WWE days, and who are all over the world.

I have also been working on a feature film, set to come out in 2016, with Danny Glover and Dominic Purcell.

GL: Can you tell us a little about your family life?

TS: We’re a party of three. I’m married to Ron, my high school sweetheart, and little Max, our two-year-old, completes our trifecta.

GL: What are some tips that you can give us in order to stay healthy? What do you do on a daily basis for example?

of my old nagging wrestling injuries from creeping up on me.

In addition to yoga, I try to do a workout four or five days a week. I like to change it up with running, cross training and weights. Sometimes I get busy and that workout doesn’t make the cut, so I make sure I keep my 20-minute yoga practice in. I also make sure to drink at least 1-1/2 litres of water a day, but it usually it ends up being more.

The other thing I like to recommend to people is something I have done for the last 20-plus years: Write it all down. I keep both a food journal and a workout journal. By writing it down, you build in a sort of accountability and also you can look back and see what is and isn’t working.

GL: For someone that wants to improve their overall health—whether it’s losing weight, stopping an unhealthy habit or exercising, what is the first step? How do you motivate yourself to do this?

TS: Just start! Get a plan together and give yourself a reasonable amount of time before you expect to see results. Whether it’s watching the pounds come off, tapering off a bad habit or getting your sweat on, give yourself time and don’t expect results overnight.

We need time to “retrain” our body and brain to adopt these new ways. The pounds will come off with consistency, the habit will eventually be broken and, if you start working out even 10 minutes a day, I guarantee you will get that time up in no time at all! The human body has an amazing ability to adapt—trust in that and stick to the plan.

TS: I incorporate 20 minutes of a daily yoga practice into my day—every day. I used to do it every morning, but life with a two-year old changes things. Now, I do my 20-minute practice whenever I can. Not only does it keep me present and grounded, it also keeps some

yorkregion.com/goodlife | 57

culture|Vaughan Film Festival

58 | GoodLife • January - February 2016

The festival above Toronto Local filmmakers put spotlight on short films

By Jonathan hiltz | PhotograPhy By naoMi hiltz

A lack of focus in the arts and a desire to see culture play a role in their city’s growth got independent film producers Mark Pagliaroli and Antonio Ienco talking back in 2012.

The Vaughan natives, who have been producing films, commercials and music videos since 2003, launched the Vaughan Film Festival. The fourth annual event, which showcases multigenre short films from both domestic and international filmmakers, is scheduled for May. “The VFF had its first launch with only 25 people attending, mostly friends and family. [Our] recent launches now house an attendance in the hundreds and are hosted in major hotspots like the McMichael Art Gallery and Vaughan Mills Mall,” Pagliaroli says.

That first launch, he recalls, was a simple affair held in a multipurpose room at Vaughan City Hall. There was a podium, a few rows of chairs and a display board with the festival’s “one and only sponsor,” Scotiabank. The mayor attended along with friends and family and a few supporters.

Cut to last year’s festival, which Pagliaroli describes as “epic”.

“In our eyes, we hit a milestone going into year three,” he says, adding feedback from last year’s event was unanimous in that everyone felt the festival had grown beyond its grassroots beginnings into an internationally recognized event.

In its three years, the festival has shown a number of films of note.

In its first year, for example, they screened the Oscar-winning short film Curfew, starring Fatima Ptacek, who is known as being the voice of Dora The Explorer, and Apple Of My Eye, a Spanish film that was named the festival’s best short.

“It was a touching film about a man who feels guilty visiting his dying grandmother after so many years and remembers all the wonderful times they had together,” Pagliaroli says.

Last year boasted a bunch of hit short films,

including one produced by actress Eva Longoria about a hearing impaired women who struggles to get her life back on track.

“The 2015 festival was our most successful year so far,” he adds “We had our highest attendance, biggest outreach and showcased our best film line-up.”

The festival also hosted a celebrity guest in legendary actor Michael Madsen, who is known for a long list of films, including Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill, Thelma and Louise and Quentin Tarantino’s latest, The Hateful Eight.

The VFF has also grown its list of sponsors to include Roy Foss Woodbridge, Interior Home Improvement, Norak Steel and Facade Academy of the Arts, along with longtime backer Scotiabank, which last year signed a three-year commitment as presenting sponsor.

The festival takes place over the course of four days in different locations with various genres of films and events. International and student film screenings are hosted at Cineplex Colossus in Woodbridge and industry seminars are held at different locations every year.

For example, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s stunt double gave a talk one year; Colossus was the site for a seminar called the art of mixing; and the School of Makeup Art hosted a special effects event at Vellore Village Community Centre. The VFF Awards gala is hosted at the Paramount Conference venue and includes a red carpet walk, meal and live performances.

The festival also supports arts education by granting scholarships to filmmakers, art students and educational institutions in Vaughan.

The 2016 festival is set for May 16 to 19 and the events team is again planning to make this one bigger than the last.

“We’ve done this enough times to know

how to run the event successfully, but we’re always trying to raise the bar in some way, so there’s usually a new challenge we give ourselves,” Pagliaroli says.

The 2016 festival is set for May 16 to 19 and the events team is again planning to make this one bigger than the last.

“We’ve done this enough times to know how to run the event successfully, but we’re always trying to raise the bar in some way, so there’s usually a new challenge we give ourselves,” Pagliaroli says.

While organizers are not yet ready to reveal what the next festival has in store for attendees, details are expected soon—including some big announcements about special guests and films.

Whatever the next festival has in store for the people of York Region and beyond, the fact that Vaughan has an international film event in its bag of cultural goodies is a testament to a city that has come of age.

yorkregion.com/goodlife | 59

events

9 1

to DO THINGS in your community

transforming spirit: the cameron/Bredt collection of contemporary northwest coast art Until February 15 McMichael Canadian art Collection, Kleinburg this show tells the story of Jamie Cameron and Christopher Bredt and their passionate commitment to art from Canada’s Northwest Coast, showcasing work by 27 of the region’s most celebrated contemporary artists. among the exhibition’s featured works—which have been gifted to the McMichael’s permanent collection— are bentwood boxes, rattles, blankets and several works on paper, all by well-known artists, as well as many examples of an object important for its expressive qualities, the mask.

Information: mcmichael.com Owl Prowl

4

February Festival February 6 Kleinburg Village the Kleinburg Business Improvement association, in partnership with trees for Kleinburg, hosts its first annual Kleinburg February Festival. the event will take place throughout the historical village core and include a chili cook-off, ice wine tasting event, live entertainment, street curling demonstrations, ice sculpture competitions and snowshoeing hikes.

Information: kleinburgvillage.ca

5

Be Mine, Valentine: Diana Panton trio February 14 McMichael Canadian art Collection, Kleinburg a dedicated hamilton high school teacher by day, the gloriously gifted Diana Panton has quietly developed into one of Canada›s premiere jazz vocalists. her recent release red, showcasing an impressive variety of sophisticated love songs, earned Panton her first Juno in 2015.

Celebrating Valentine›s Day at the McMichael, Panton will be accompanied by order of Canada pianist and composer Don thompson and renowned bassist Neil Swainson. a not-to-be missed evening of romance in song.

Information: mcmichael.com

6 2

owl Prowl January 30 and February 20 Kortright Centre for Conservation Experience an evening with live owls. go on a night hike and call to wild owls in hope that they call back. advance registration is required Information: kortight.org

3

on Paper February 6 to May 1 McMichael Canadian art Collection, Kleinburg this exhibition will be a rare glimpse of the best works on paper from the McMichael permanent collection. highlights include a comprehensive exhibition of Clarence gagnon’s original artworks for Maria Chapdelaine, a diary/sketchbook by Emily Carr, the best David Milne watercolours, including a never-before publicly exhibited watercolour called Morning Paper, which is a recent promised gift to the gallery, the finest watercolours by a.J. Casson and more.

Information: mcmichael.com

60 | GoodLife • January - February 2016

i McMichael!

February 12 aurora Cultural Centre Celebrate love, friendship and family during this two-day festival filled with art workshops, music and family entertainment. the theme of love will be highlighted by a series of McMichael Valentine tours exploring very special relationships of celebrated Canadian artists such as a.y. Jackson, Fred Varley, tom thomson and Emily Carr.

Celebrate love and renew your appreciation for the McMichael, the most unique and distinctly Canadian art gallery in ontario.

Information: mcmichael.com

Diana Panton

Vaughan Winterfest

7

Family Day Fun Carnival February 14 to 16 Kortright Centre for Conservation Enjoy nature hikes, snowshoeing, face-painting, family activities and hot chocolate. admission is free for ages 15 and under.

Information: kortright.org

8

Vaughan WinterFest February 21 Vellnore Village Community Centre, Woodbridge Celebrate winter with a free family event featuring professional entertainment, indoor and outdoor activities, midway and more.

Information: vaughan.ca/events

For Every Season Emily Carr (1871-1945), New Growth, c. 1936, oil on canvas

9

For every season Until May McMichael Canadian art Collection, Kleinburg to celebrate Canada›s four beautiful and distinct seasons, the McMichael Canadian art Collection presents the exhibition For Every Season.

Visitors can journey through four galleries, enjoy floor-to-ceiling windows that provide breathtaking views of the humber river Valley and 100-acre woodland setting and admire beautiful landscape paintings by great Canadian artists. this exhibition presents painted works by artists such as Emily Carr, Clarence gagnon, David Milne, Lawren harris, J.E.h. MacDonald and others from the permanent collection. Four of the McMichael›s lower level galleries are each dedicated to one of the seasons: spring, summer, fall and winter.

Information: mcmichael.com

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Check out events on yorkregion.com

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yorkregion.com/goodlife | 61

Dec-11-15 12:45 PM

travel|Santa Fe, New Mexico

At home on the range Santa Fe, New Mexico

STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY BART CARD

62 | GoodLife • January - February 2016

A

s a boy growing up enjoying the sand and water under the tropical Bermuda sun, you wouldn’t think my natural inclination was to be a cowboy. But everyone daydreams from time to time and some, like me, more than others. You may never get the opportunity to rekindle a childhood dream. But when opportunity arises, one must leap at the chance. And that’s exactly what I did during a visit to Santa Fe, N.M., a place the locals have branded as a “City Different”.

Santa Fe, or “Holy Faith” in Spanish, is the oldest capital city in the United States and located 7,000 feet above sea level. Nearby mountain peaks are an amazing 12,000 feet above the sea. Voted one of the world’s top travel destinations, the city features more than 5,700 rooms to rent, 225 restaurants and 250 art galleries. Averaging more than 300 days of glorious sunshine a year doesn’t hurt matters, either.

Our flight was an easy one from Toronto to Minnesota and then on to Albuquerque. A quick rental car and picturesque drive to Santa Fe and our true journey began.

Three things quickly stood out for me as we entered that sleepy little town: tremendous views, a lofty altitude that can create a little headache if you’re not properly hydrated and the friendliness of the locals. It was the latter that reminded me of Bermuda. You can exchange the khaki shirts for cowboy boots, but it’s certainly refreshing to see how warm, charming and sincere people can be.

Our first night would become a highlight of the journey, thanks to the La Posada de Santa Fe Resort and Spa, located two blocks from the historic downtown plaza in the heart of Santa Fe. It is an intimate village of 157 adobe-style suites and rooms, with a mixture of Old World and Spanish Colonial charm.

On arrival, we were given a tour of the resort that helped make our stay a comfortable one, including a stint at the spa.

This recently updated 4,500-square-foot spa and beauty salon has been visited by Hollywood’s top box office draws and offers indigenous treatments and facial rooms, a fitness centre and heated outdoor pool and whirlpool.

The food at the La Posada is exquisite, thanks in large part to chef Todd Hall, who was behind the world’s first fourstar Mexican restaurant, La Hacienda in Scottsdale, Ariz.

He oversees the Julia Restaurant and the Patio Restaurant, located in the 19th century residence of one of the city’s pioneers and a favourite gathering place. Dinner at the Julia Restaurant was an experience, the exquisite food matched by the scenery—horses in a corral, wide open spaces and snowdipped mountains.

The following two days we stayed at La Fonda, Santa Fe’s most cherished landmark hotel, which combines illustrious character and ambiance, ultimate luxury and historic integrity. This 80-year-old, three-diamond hotel features original artwork set in an historic pueblo-style building on Santa Fe Plaza. » yorkregion.com/goodlife | 63

travel|Santa Fe, New Mexico

The site has been home to an inn for nearly 400 years and official records show a “fonda” or inn among the first businesses established in the early 1600s.

What followed was two days of what must be my favourite pastimes, shopping and food. It started with Back at the Ranch Cowboy Boots.

Owner Wendy Lane isn’t the first to fall in love with Santa Fe–and probably won’t be the last. After working for years in women’s readyto-wear in New York, Lane made the move to Santa Fe and opened Back at the Ranch Cowboy Boots on East Mercy Street. Although locals shop at her unique shop, she caters to the tourist trade. She sells both custom boots that 64 | GoodLife • January - February 2016

she encourages her customers to help design, in addition to used boots that go well with faded jeans, denim shirts, western belts, buckles and hats. It gives tourists that “I belong here” look while enjoying their Santa Fe stay.

Boots are made with the most fabulous of colours and designs. Lane works with a Texas bootmaker who supplies her with the custom boots. Any style can be ordered, but she prefers the 9-inch or 10-inch tall peewee of the 1940s and 1950s with delicate inlays, colourful stitch patterns and narrow, square box toes.

Many visitors, including myself, believe cowboy boots only come in brown and black. Funnily enough, nine out of every 10 shoppers at

Back at the Ranch believe that when they walk through Lane’s door. By the time they leave, nine out of every 10 shoppers now know differently!

A highlight of any trip to New Mexico is a visit to the Santa Fe School of Cooking, founded in 1989 by Susan Curtis. Under her direction, the school achieved international acclaim. Nicole Curtis Ammerman, Curtis’ daughter and director of operations, has expanded the school’s roster to include walking tours, which increase exposure to local Santa Fe restaurants.

The school’s staff and chefs bring varied backgrounds and special interests to class, including professional restaurant service and ca-

tering, college culinary arts instruction, awardwinning cookbook writing and restaurant consulting. Curtis herself has co-authored several cookbooks, including The Santa Fe School of Cooking Cookbook, Tacos and Salsas and Southwest Flavours.

There are regularly scheduled classes that offer hands-on experience as well as demonstrated classes, but the one with greatest intensity must be the southwest culinary three-day boot camp, which is interactive and ends the day with a meal. The final meal serves as an exam prepared for some of Santa Fe’s best palates.

Special events include corporate team-building classes, family reunions, wedding showers and salsa-making contests.

At The Reel Life, Santa Fe, Nick Streit and Ivan Valdez believe fishing is not a hobby, but a way of life. Located inside the De Vargas Mall, The Reel Life provides professional guide services on hundreds of miles of public water and several private fisheries where they hold exclusive fishing rights. Whether your goal is to fish

a small mountain creek or lake, a larger stream for larger fish or simply a private stretch of water without competition from other anglers, The Reel Life will do its best to deliver the angling experience you desire most.

Its talented guides possess an intimate knowledge of every watershed in northern New Mexico. They know the seasons and the hatches. They know where the big fish live and the techniques required for catching them. Guides are hired based on their ability to share their knowledge in a personable and low-pressure fashion—to novices and experts alike. That includes the right clothing, gear and information to help get the most out of a fly fishing experience, with products from the best rod makers and some of the world’s top outdoor gear and clothing manufacturers.

Santa Fe has an abundance of museums that cover the local Spanish and western American culture. A tour of Museum Hill with stops at the Spanish Colonial Art Museum, the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture Gerard Peters Gal-

lery for Western American Art and the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum is a must.

Finally, I stumbled across a store window that looked to be right out of a John Wayne movie. The sign said O’Farrell, Santa Fe. Owner Scott O’Farrell makes the best cowboy hats in the land. For once I was speechless looking at his collection for men, women and children alike. They come in all shapes, sizes and styles.

O’Farrell took the time to explain just how these cowboy hats are created and, in the end, I had to have one made for me.

Thanks, Santa Fe, for the dreams, memories and flashbacks.

FOR MORE INFORMATION laposadadesantafe.com lafondasantafe.com thereellife.com backattheranch.com santafeschoolofcooking.com ofarrellhatco.com

yorkregion.com/goodlife | 65

It takes more than bricks and mortar

to build a great community We support the organizations that make York Region a great place to live, work and play.

Character Community Yellow Brick House Local Hospitals Women’s Centre of York Region Big Brothers Big Sisters

United Way

Chambers of Commerce

York Region Abuse Program

CHATS

Canadian Cancer Society

and many more...

66 | GoodLife • January - February 2016

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