York Life Markham May/June2018

York Life MARKHAM | RICHMOND HILL | STOUFFVILLE | THORNHILL

MAY - JUNE 2018 YORK LIFE: MARKHAM, RICHMOND HILL, STOUFFVILLE, THORNHILL EDITION

HEALTHY & DELICIOUS RECIPES

SPECIAL! All-Canadian green BEAUTY roundup

+ TIPS

FOR REFRESHING

YOUR DECOR

Take it outside!

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TORONTO MARRIOTT MARKHAM

170 Enterprise Blvd.

The all-new Toronto Marriott Markham stands tall with sophisticated rooms and luxurious amenities including an inviting Greatroom with full service bar and bourbon program, fitness centre with swimming pool, keyless entry, Netflix, high-speed Wi-Fi, bedside adapter ports and stunning public art at every turn.

#theplacetoSTAY

downtownmarkham.ca

REDEFINE YOUR BEAUTY Voted Top Medi Spa in Canada 2017

Advanced Medical Skin Care and Body Treatments in a Luxurious Spa Setting

OUR SERVICES

+ Cosmetic Injections + Laser Treatments + Medical Aesthetics + Body Contouring + Registered Massage Therapy

C A L L O R V I S I T G L O W M E D I S PA . C A

YORKVILLE 129 Yorkville Ave, 4th Floor Toronto, ON M5R 1C4 416.920.9998 AURORA 15435 Yonge St. Aurora, ON L4G 1P3 905.726.9333 MARKHAM 8500 Warden Avenue (within the Hilton Suites Hotel) Markham, ON L6G 1A5 905.470.8522

June 21, 23 & 24, 2018

3 UNIQUE DAYS

OF POLO

At The Toronto Polo Club

Interna�onal Polo Matches | Food & drink | Fashion| Shopping| Champagne Divot Stomp & More….

Get Tickets & Reserved Tables POLOFORHEART.ORG Proceeds to benefit

EVENING EVENT 4 | York Life Markham May June 2018

AFTERNOON EVENT

FAMILY FUN 5K WALK/RUN/BIKE

contents Cover photo: Jim Craigmyle

M AY / J U N E 2 0 1 8

in every issue 7

27

one last thing

29

designer tiP Why furniture placement is so important

Cheers, eh?

health

food & drinK

14

32

get beach ready in a hurry Simple strategies to lose extra weight fast

17

gotta run

37

22

go big and go hoMe With the busy-ness of early parenthood behind them, this couple decided it was time to turn their dated house into the ideal contemporary family home

Four easy recipes for delicious dining alfresco

features 47

55

Sometimes getting far away from all that is familiar is what you need to be at home with yourself

ProPerty Paradise How to create your own backyard oasis

in the Kitchen With…

reconnecting in los cabos

clean, green, allcanadian beauty rounduP

All-star cleansers, toners, serums, moisturizers and more that are good for you and the planet

60

riPPle effect Mohsen Mortada is making positive waves — both in York Region and around the world

travel 42

travel sMarts How to sleep on a plane

fresh taKe!

Los Chicos Brasa, where you can enjoy traditional Peruvian fare in Markham

Better physical and mental health is just a hop, skip and casual run away

hoMe

46

The secrets behind creating a stylish laundry room

living Well News, tips and fun facts

66

custoM clean

63

a Moveable feast Stouffville’s Christina Assenza turned a passion for cooking into a customized, on-site catering service that is earning her raves with her satiated customers

Find the recipe on page 32!

York Life Markham May June 2018 | 5

York Life

editor’s note

Publisher Dana Robbins Regional General Manager Shaun Sauve

Canadian Beauty

Editor Jacqueline Kovacs copy editor Deanna Dority

Small confession: I’m something of a cosmetics junkie. I think it started when I was a tween, coveting my sister’s mascara and lip gloss. To this day, I get a lift out of buying new makeup or skincare treatments. I know I’m not the only one — Canadians spend about $800 million a year on facial-care products alone.

But how safe is that investment? Do any of us really know the potential long-term impact of applying the various chemicals in big-brand cosmetics on our skin? Unless we get a bad reaction of some kind, most of us don’t give our moisturizers, eye creams and body lotions a second thought. But some do — like the women (including a few from York Region) behind the products featured in our clean, green, all-Canadian beauty roundup. These products feature organic, locally sourced, proven ingredients that are kind not only to your skin, but also to the earth.

And speaking of the earth, feel like making your piece of it a lot more luxurious this spring and summer? Our Property Paradise feature has advice from literally the ground up, with practical info on landscape design, soil enhancement, plant choice and tying it all together with decor and furnishings to suit your outdoor style.

We haven’t forgotten your indoor style, either. This issue brings you home tours, professional tips and DIY ideas so you can enjoy the start of summer, inside and out.

Jacqueline Kovacs

Three things I love from this issue

Contributors Jim Craigmyle, Kinjal Dagli Shah, Naomi Hiltz, Sue Kanhai, Andrea Karr, Joann MacDonald, Leslee Mason, Rachel Naud, Adriana Paolella, Kasie Savage, Julia Suppa, Daniela Tirone, Doug Wallace Director of Advertising Amanda Smug Advertising Manager Mara Sepe Advertising Sales Amanda Andolina, Pam Burgess, Dawn Chaykowsky, Joelle Hawley, Tony Segreti, Judy Starr, Willen Tam Regional Director, Production and Creative Services Katherine Porcheron Editorial Design Emily Ayranto, Nicolette Blazenko, Brenda Boon, Nick Bornino, Jennifer Dallman, LuAnne Turner Director of Business Administration Phil Sheehan Director of Distribution Mike Banville

York Life, Markham, Richmond Hill, Thornhill and Stouffville 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 York Life 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.

York Life 580B Steven Ct. Newmarket, ON L3Y 6Z2 (905) 853-8888

Fresh-tasting, in-season recipes, p. 32.

6 | York Life Markham May June 2018

Reconnecting and relaxing in Mexico, p. 42.

All-natural Canadian beauty products, p. 47.

living well

It’s Patio Season!

Going out for a drink or a bite to eat is just that much better when you can take it outside. Patio season is finally here and, lucky for us, York Region boasts more than its share of spots to eat in the great outdoors. Here’s just a small sampling:

Jake’s on Main, Markham: This pub’s patio fills up fast.

Enjoy live music along with a variety of poutines, grilled cheeses, tacos, wings and pizza — perfect washed down with a cold brew and good company. jakesonmainunionville.com Grey Goat Pub & Grill, Newmarket: Enjoy traditional grub such as pub pie of the day, liver and onions or corned beef on rye from the leafy patio overlooking Main Street. The 12 beers on tap and live music are just the icing on the cake. greygoatpub.com The Schomberg Pub and Patio, Schomberg: Home to the “Schomberger,” this pub boasts historical roots, when the building was home to the area’s only doctor, back in the 1800s. Drink to your health with craft beer or seasonal bevvies on the popular patio. theschombergpub.com

York Life Markham May June 2018 | 7

living well | Health It’s the exercise so many of us love to hate — the squat. But this one move can give you a perky butt and strengthen your quads, hamstrings, back and abs. Do them wrong, though, and not only is your work in vain, but you could also injure your back or knees. Daniela LaFace, self-described personal butt kicker at Stouffville Fitness and Bootcamp, gives us the scoop on how to squat.

• Start with your feet shoulder-width apart, toes facing forward.

Do You Know

Squat?

• With your weight in your heels, keeping your abs tight and hands in front of you or on your head to keep your back straight, sit down and back as if you are sitting on a chair, making sure your knees are not going over your toes.

• Pressing your heels into the ground, slowly bring your body back up to standing. That’s one squat.

“With proper form and no weight, you can start with three reps of 10 squats,” LeFace says. “Just make sure that you are moving slowly to really focus on contracting your abs and driving through your heels.” stouffvillebootcamp.ca

SP t CHeCK Along with shedding layers and showing some skin, it’s time to take a closer look at any moles you have. Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, is the number one cancer killer of Canadian women aged 25 to 30 and the second-most common cancer in young adults, aged 15 to 34. Early detection of any abnormalities leads to early treatment and better outcomes, the Canadian Skin Cancer Foundation says. And a mole check is as easy as ABC:

a b c

is for asymmetry: A healthy mole should look the same on both sides. If the sides look different, have it checked.

is for border: If the edges are smooth, it’s probably fine.

If the edges are uneven, have it looked at.

Sip Your Way Slimmer You know how that morning coffee perks you up? It turns out, it can also rev up your metabolism by up to four per cent for about 2½ hours. What’s the big deal? That means by just sipping your brew over the course of the morning, you can burn an extra 100 calories a day. Credit coffee’s caffeine and antioxidant chlorogenic acid, which help metabolize fat and sugar. To make the slimming effect work for you, enjoy your joe bit by bit, since your body starts to break down caffeine after 30 minutes.

is for colour: Healthy moles have one even colour.

More than one colour means see your doctor.

GLOW WITH YOUR GUT Did you know you can eat your way to looking and feeling better?

It’s true — but you’ll need to consume about 11 different fruits and vegetables. That may sound like a tall order, but an Aurora-based company has made it easy. Replenish, founded by self-described fruit-and-veggie advocates Jennifer Fisher and Dagmar Schoenrock, is a vegan, organic, nutritional powder made from 11 carefully selected fruits and vegetables, including sweet potatoes, blueberries, beets, spinach and cranberries. “Looking good on the outside really starts in the gut,” Schoenrock explains. Although the company is specifically targeting symptoms associated with menopause, the founders point out that Replenish’s health benefits are for everyone. So while mature women report reduced hot flashes and mood swings, and improved sleep, acne-sufferers see clearer skin, men say they notice more youthful skin and all claim to have better energy. A one-month supply costs $59. Find out more at replenish11.com.

8 | York Life Markham May June 2018

living well | Home

TREND: give your home the

royal treatMent “With the impending royal nuptials, we’ve seen the British influence trickle across the pond in everything from food to fashion, and now decor,” says Janette Ewen, designer and decor expert on CityLine, CTV Morning and Breakfast Television. “Take design cues from London’s hottest new hotel, The Curtain, and embrace jewel tones, like this gorgeous emerald green.”

— Rachel Naud

FAB Find!

Reflect your good taste with this Nottingham wall mirror from Zilli Home Interiors in Woodbridge.

It’s a stylish way to bring more sunlight into any room. $399, zillihome.com

How to get intimate

Moved into a bigger new home? Give it that warm, lived-in feeling with these tips from Erin Lazer, owner of SpaceStyle Home Staging, Organizing and Design in Richmond Hill.

• Move furniture away from the walls. “This creates more intimate conversation areas,” Lazer says. “Having space behind the furniture helps the room feel spacious and ensures you are not miles apart from the other people in the room.”

• Add accent pieces. Items such as coffee tables and end tables fill the space, offer a practical spot to put something down and connect to the seating throughout the room.

• Hang large-scale art. “This adds interest, expresses your personal style and creates focal points,” she says.

• Layer up. Once you have your main furniture pieces, Lazer says to layer in accent pillows, lamps, window treatments and tabletop accessories. Use colour and texture to add interest.

• Use a large area rug. This will ground the space and absorb sound, she says. The front legs of large furniture pieces like sofas and accent chairs should be on the rug. — R.N.

York Life Markham May June 2018 | 9

living well | Food & Drink

KITCHEN TIP:

Build a Better Burger

What takes a hamburger from ordinary to OMG? Cam Dyer, owner, founder and chef of TheSmoke (thesmoke.ca) in Vaughan, shares his secrets.

1. the bun has to be up to the task. “It has to be soft and hold whatever juiciness is there without falling apart,” Dyer says. “It should be the same diameter as the meat, so that first bite isn’t just all bun.”

2. the Meat should have enough fat, so don’t use extra lean. “Use lean or medium, or a combination of those two,” he says, “so you get that juiciness.”

3. the condiMents you choose are key. “In my opinion, mayonnaise is part of a burger — it has to be,” Dyer says. Four veggies — lettuce, fresh tomato, red onion and pickles (can be on the side) — are also recommended. Beyond that, it’s a matter of your own tastes, so consider cheese, bacon, jalapeños and the like.

4. the teMPerature at which you cook your burger is also important. You want very high heat, Dyer says, to really sear the meat and hold in the juices.

Then salt and pepper your patty as you cook it…and bon appétit.

A Convenient Way to Crush those Cravings Used to be that when late-night hungries hit and driving was not an option, you had two choices: pizza or Chinese food. All that has changed with the arrival of Uber Eats in Simcoe County. Now residents of Aurora and Newmarket can have home delivery from such popular restaurants as Hungry Brew Hops, Father’s Moustache Grill and Bar, Levetto, Kosmos and more.

To take advantage, simply download the app or visit ubereats.com, choose your delivery location and the meal you want and place your order. Just as with the rideshare app, you can track the progress of your food’s arrival. Cleanup, however, is on you.

TREND:

Tequila! sMooth Move We can’t get enough of this low-sugar Greek yogurt from Maison Riviera. The Quebecbased company has reduced the sugar by 40 per cent — without adding artificial sweeteners and without sacrificing taste. The secret lies in using fruit picked by Italian master confectioners and blending them with the texture of the yogurt. The resulting creamy, subtle sweetness is addictive. Available at Whole Foods, Sobeys, Foodland and Metro.

10 | York Life Markham May June 2018

What are A-listers like George Clooney, Jennifer Garner, Gwyneth Paltrow and Helen Mirren sipping when they want to chillax? Tequila. And we said sipping — not tossing down a shot glass of the stuff after licking salt. And Hollywood heavyweights aren’t the only ones: According to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, tequila sales have risen more than 120 per cent since 2002. Some credit the spirit’s rise in popularity as a kind of liquid protest against U.S. President Donald Trump. But connoisseurs chalk it up to the discovery of the blue-agave-based drink’s subtle tastes and aromas. But whether you prefer your tequila silver, rested or gold, we say, “Salud!”

living well | Travel

eSSentIA L :

Stopover: Berlin Although Frankfurt is the more popular hub for connecting flights in Europe, try to work Berlin into your itinerary this summer. The history, the architecture, the incomparable rhythm of life, Berlin has one of the most varied cultural landscapes in Europe. And you don’t have to spend a ton to have fun: 1. Step back in time on Museum Island, a fivemuseum complex in the middle of town. 2. Hit a traditional beer garden and experience the simplicity and the inclusivity of people of all ages sitting down to plates of hearty fare, mugs in hand. 3. When you tire of sightseeing, head to the beach. Strandbad Wannsee on the eastern shore of Wannsee Lake is the largest inland beach in Europe, at 1,000-plus metres long.

Go to visitberlin.de/en. — Doug Wallace

Kobo Aura H2o This travel-friendly tablet wins top marks for being waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about it too much by the pool, and for its anti-glare E Ink display, which makes it easy to read in the sunshine. It holds 6,000 books and delivers weeks of battery life — you may not even have to pack your charger. $200 at kobo.com and select retailers. — D.W.

Flight Plan:

50%+

More than half of Canadians who travel are motivated by their holiday accommodations to redecorate their homes.

SOURCE: BOOKING.COM SURVEY.

TURNDOWN: The Warehouse Hotel, Singapore

Opened in January 2017, the 37-room Warehouse has since received a lot of international attention, touted as one of the best boutique hotels in town.

The restored building was indeed a spice warehouse and dates back to 1895, when the neighbourhood was rife with spice traders and gangsters.

The design incorporates this storied past, along with the gorgeous facade and many original ceiling beams. Visitors include design-savvy tourists, as well as business-creative types from the U.S., Europe, South Korea and the Philippines. Being right on the Singapore River in Robertson Quay, the Warehouse gives guests easy walking access to Clarke Quay, Chinatown and on to Marina Bay. Po, its modern-Singapore restaurant from the camp of noted chef Willin Low, is a destination in itself. From about $250, thewarehousehotel.com. — D.W. York Life Markham May June 2018 | 11

living well | Beauty

rainbow Connection Photos Courtesy of Nars Cosmetics>

Neutral shades are taking a hit this season in favour of vibrant eye makeup that makes a statement. Seen on the spring runways at shows like Rachel Comey, the look has since trickled down to the mainstream with a touch more subtlety — ‘cause huge rectangular chunks of cobalt shadow aren’t superwearable in real life. Use the trend as inspiration to try a brighter shadow on your lids, trace your lashes with colourful eyeliner or even slick on primary-hued mascara.

Rachel Comey Spring 2018 — Andrea Karr

WhiP it good

smooth Moves

Nothing kills a warm-weather buzz like slathering on a handful of greasy sunscreen, except finding a mole that’s changed shape or colour. Skin cancer is no joke with more than 80,000 cases diagnosed in Canada each year, but practising sun safety doesn’t have to put a damper on your day. Coppertone has developed a broad-spectrum whipped sunscreen in SPF 30 and 50 that’s actually fun to apply. (Imagine rubbing a dollop of whipped cream onto your body and you’ve got the idea.) With its hydrating, light-as-air formula, this sunscreen might even make you crave your new sun-care ritual. Coppertone Clearly Sheer Whipped, $10 at mass-market retailers — A.K.

It’s almost beach season, which means it’s time to up your shave game with the latest addition to the Schick Intuition family: the f.a.b. (“forwards and backwards”) razor. It’s the first razor in Canada with a bi-directional cartridge, aka five blades that let you shave forward and backwards without lifting the razor off your skin.

With the three top blades set for shaving up and the bottom pair for shaving down, you’re ensured a close shave minus nicks and scratches. Don’t you just love when something simple gets even better?

Schick Intuition f.a.b. razor, $13 at mass-market retailers — A.K.

Monster Mash Cue the girly squeals of delight, because these fuzzy new fragrances by Nina Ricci are aww-tastic. Known as “Les Monstres,” the tiny cartoon creatures decorated with fur baubles are made for the emoji generation — and come complete with youthful scents to match. Ruby-red Nina is a mix of sparkling pear and candy floss, and bright blue Luna smells of juicy pineapple and lime for a touch of tropical flair. Buy them for their fruity notes and for the way they’ll look on your daughter’s vanity.

Les Monstres de Nina Ricci Nina EDT Spray (red) and Luna EDT Spray (blue), $96 each for 80 mL at Shoppers Drug Mart, Hudson’s Bay, Sephora.ca and more — A.K.

12 | York Life Markham May June 2018

health

Line of Fire Love a barbecued steak but worry about those char lines? Fair enough: Research has shown that the charred exterior (and well-done interior) of the meat is loaded with heterocyclic amines (HCA), a known carcinogen. Indeed, back in 2009, a study found that people who ate their steaks very well done were 60 per cent more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than those who liked theirs rare.

You can reduce the risk by avoiding barbecue flare-ups or by grilling over indirect heat. But the tastier way to keep your steak safe is to marinate it. A 2010 study found that adding rosemary to meat before ’cueing it reduced HCA by up to 90 per cent. Researchers chalked it up to the herb’s antioxidants. However, garlic, onion, tart cherries and honey also seem to block the chemical from forming. The takeaway: Marinade is your friend.

York Life Markham May June 2018 | 13

health | Fitness

Get Beach Ready

in a Hurry Were you all revved up to lose weight this year, only to find your commitment lost steam? Don’t drown your sorrows in Häagen-Dazs! Read on for simple strategies to get back on the losing track from Newmarket weight-loss expert Gina Livy

BY JacQueline Kovacs

• 01

drink More Water

• 02

eat More often

14 | York Life Markham May June 2018

Yeah, yeah, you’ve heard this one more than a few times, but Livy argues that upping your H2O is key to losing kilos. “We need 3½ litres per day just for normal functioning,” she says. Increase that amount and you’ll decrease bloating (so you’ll look slimmer) and dehydration-related cravings. Plus, you’ll help your body do what it wants to do in spring — drop fat. “We are naturally wired in spring to drop extra fat,” Livy says.

“In winter, we’re in hibernation mode and the body is inclined to store fat. That changes as the days get warmer and longer.” Boosting your water intake helps your body flush out what it doesn’t want.

It may seem counterintuitive, but feeding your body regularly helps shed excess weight. “You stimulate the digestive system, signalling your body to move the previous meal out,” Livy says. But that doesn’t mean you should be noshing on fries between meals. Instead, you want to eat smaller portions of real foods, which your body processes the most efficiently anyway. Not eating, meanwhile, switches your body into starvation/survival mode, making it cling to fat stores.

• 03

get More sleep “Sleep is huge,” Livey says. “You need that REM sleep.” Indeed, studies have shown that you often burn more calories when you’re in REM (the dream phase of sleep) than when you’re awake, just lying in bed or watching TV. That’s because the amount of brain activity associated with REM requires glucose, the building blocks for most foods. “So don’t be afraid to sleep in or nap,” she says, adding that you might want to avoid late-night snacking, as that can interfere with sleep.

• 04 Watch the alcohol

Interestingly, Livy doesn’t consider drinking wine, sipping a single malt or even enjoying a beer that much of an issue. “Alcohol is mostly a problem because of the food you eat with it,” she says. So, if you must snack while you drink, stick to vegetables and lean proteins and forget go-tos like high-carb bread or pasta. Another one to skip: low-calorie beer. Seriously. “We all know by now that low-cal and no-cal don’t work when it comes to food,” Livy says. “The same thing goes for beer. It may be lower calorie, but once you consume it, it turns to sugar faster than regular beer.” So, opt for a real ale or lager for weight loss.

• 05 Move your body

“Spring is a great time to exercise,” Livy says. “Get outside and walk or hike or do what you enjoy to move your body.” Getting active in nature, she adds, helps lower stress and the associated cortisol levels, which then helps with weight loss. And you’ll feel energized without the snacking: “The more energy you use, the more your body will give you.” That said, Livy warns against exercising excessively. “When you exercise hard, you put your body in a state of stress,” she says. “Without breaks, your body can’t repair and rebuild. In fact, too much exercise-related stress can lead to weight gain.” Aim to get your heart rate up for 30 minutes, three times a week for your vigorous activity, and just daily activity for overall health.

• 06 supplement smartly

The body doesn’t naturally want to hold on to excess weight, Livy says, so you can help it do what it wants to do, not only by following the previous tips, but also by taking the right vitamins and minerals. She recommends: • vitamin D – taking the sunshine vitamin reminds your body that it’s not winter and it’s time to shed excess fat • omega-3 – this good fat actually helps speed fat loss • probiotics – these good bacteria aid digestion and keep you regular • magnesium – to calm you, help with sleep and keep you regular

York Life Markham May June 2018 | 15

health | Fitness

16 | York Life Markham May June 2018

GOTT A

RUN

Better physical and mental health is just a hop, skip and casual run away

BY Kasie savage

York Life Markham May June 2018 | 17

health | Fitness

C

anadians are on the run. About 14 per cent of us hit the road, sidewalks and trails each year, making running our second-most popular activity after walking. It’s not hard to see why: It can be done any time, anywhere, without a membership and with little investment in gear, save for a great pair of shoes. Running burns up to twice the calories in an hour as weight training, releases a floodgate of endorphins (the famous runner’s high), strengthens the heart in addition to most major muscles, and can be done alone or with friends. Want to give it a try?

We spoke with Kim Sarraino, manager of Markham’s Running Free, a specialty running store (it also has a location in Newmarket), to find out what a newbie needs to know before pounding the pavement this season.

2. Dress as if it’s 10 degrees warmer outside than it actually is, no matter the time of year. It won’t take long for your body to warm up and adjust to the temperature.

With hundreds of shoes on the market, what should a novice runner look for in a pair of running shoes?

Before they even start, new runners should go to their local running speciality store and have one of the trained staff look at their feet and how they run. Based on these findings, staff can recommend the correct support shoes, along with an explanation as to why those shoes are suitable.

Say we set our sights on a fivekilometre run, how long would it take to train for that? Is there a formula, or can we just build up endurance naturally?

The easiest and more sustainable way to train for your first five-kilometre run is to follow a plan of increased walking/running over typically an eight- to 10-week period. These can easily be found online at no cost.

What about the gait? Is there a right and wrong way to run?

Over the years, there has been much debate about the right or wrong way to run. When a person starts to run, just getting into a routine and becoming consistent is hard enough, so don’t worry about your gait. Just run!

I’ve heard people say they can run 20 kilometres on an empty stomach in the morning so fuelling yourself before a run isn’t necessary. Is that true? What do you recommend?

You can run on an empty stomach because our bodies do have storage of glycogen (fuel used to run made from the carbohydrates we eat), but only for a shorter distance before we need to top up our fuel again.

How should a new runner dress?

Whether you are a new or seasoned runner, there are really two rules to apparel.

1. Never wear cotton anything. Cotton absorbs sweat, and becomes heavy and smelly and causes chaffing. Wear a synthetic material: this will keep you cool, [and the material will] dry faster and keep the smell at bay. This includes undergarments.

18 | York Life Markham May June 2018

Is a warm-up important or can we just start jogging out of the gate?

A warm-up before the start of any sport is always a good idea. A short five-minute walk will help your muscles loosen and your heart prepare for the upcoming exercise.

What’s the difference between jogging and running?

Believe it or not, there is no difference.

Some people might say that you are a jogger if you run slower or a certain distance, but this is simply not true. If you run, fast or slow, long or short, you are a runner!

What’s the best time of day to run?

It’s different for each of us. If you feel more alert in the morning, you should run then. If the evening is better suited to you, run then. It doesn’t matter when you choose to go; it just matters that you do it when you can fit it in your day and feel best.

Kim Sarraino of

running free’s

top-5 must-haves for new runners:

1 2 3 4 5

The correct running shoes, fit by a trained staff member

A good pair of cushioned socks

A top, short sleeve/long sleeve

A bottom, shorts/pants

A watch that has a timer to notify you when to walk/run

How do you run in the heat? Is it dangerous for people to run in 30-degree Celsius weather?

It typically takes our bodies two weeks to acclimatize to the weather changes. Going out in the middle of the day with the temperature at its highest without becoming used to it is a recipe for disaster. If you want to run in the heat, make sure you are hydrated, take water with you and increase your time in the heat a bit each day to give your body time to adjust.

Alternatively, if you don’t like the heat, go to the gym, or head out first thing in the morning or later in the evening when it is a bit cooler.

“

When a person starts to run, just getting into a routine and being consistent is hard enough. Don’t worry about your gait

”

Any tips for staying motivated?

Follow a training plan and reward yourself for each milestone achieved.

For example, get yourself a new top or download some new music to listen to while you run. Get a friend to meet you for coffee or a smoothie after you run so you have something to look forward to. Or, better yet, talk them into joining you for that run out on the road first.

Most of all, don’t let the running become a chore — having fun while you are doing it is number one.

Always consult your doctor before you begin any new fitness activity.

IF tHe SHoe FItS You don’t have to spend a fortune on good running footwear — you just need a cushioned shoe that you feel comfortable moving in. Here’s what to keep in mind.

This shoe’s 10-mm toe-to-heel drop may help you avoid knee injuries.

ouTSoLe A blown-rubber outsole with forefoot pads and flex grooves means better heel-to-toe transition.

HigH-TeCH maTeriaL Mesh in the forefront means more flexibility and a lightweight structure.

no-SeW oVerLaYS Seamless, breathable overlays mean a secure fit.

miDSoLe Look for a well-cushioned sole for comfort and durability.

880v8 running shoe from New Balance, $160, newbalance.ca

York Life Markham May June 2018 | 19

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Perfect Your Patio A touch of shade, a comfy seat in the warm breeze, a drink and some good company — what’s not to love about patio season?

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York Life Markham May June 2018 | 21

home | House Tour

Go Big & Go Home 22 | York Life Markham May June 2018

With the busy-ness of early parenthood behind them, this couple decided it was time to turn their dated house into the ideal contemporary family home

BY Joann Macdonald

York Life Markham May June 2018 | 23

home | House Tour

A

fter seven years of making do with the dated interior of their Richmond Hill home, Victor and Yang decided to renovate — and they weren’t about to be content with just a minor update.

They had purchased the 3,700-square-foot house in 2009, the same year they became new parents to twin girls. Built in 1995, the residence could have used some upgrades, but who had the time? “With small kids, it was so busy,” Victor says. “You don’t do anything other than just diapers.” The only decorating in those early years, Yang recalls, was kids colouring on walls.

So, in the fall of 2016, with the whirlwind of feedings and sleepless nights behind them, the couple found interior decorator Ani Semerciyan, owner of Sense of Style, via Houzz. She guided them through major upgrades of the first and second floors, as well as the creation of a stylish basement play area for the girls.

The family moved out while contractors and tradespeople began the reno. There was plenty of work to do, as five bedrooms and three bathrooms on the second floor became four bedrooms and four bathrooms. One bedroom became a spacious master ensuite, and the

24 | York Life Markham May June 2018

former ensuite became a room for one of the girls. What was a hallway bathroom became an ensuite to the guest bedroom, designed to suit visiting grandparents.

In the original layout, two bedrooms shared a Jack-and-Jill bathroom, but Yang created a fresh floor plan with the teen years in mind.

She decided each girl should have her own private ensuite and walk-in closet. She sourced smaller, Japanese-style bathtubs so that the ensuites could also accommodate separate showers.

In the master ensuite, meanwhile, herringbone-patterned tile in natural tones surrounds a freestanding oval bathtub. The toilet sits in its own glass-and-tile enclosure. Two walls of rich brown cabinetry enclose his-and-hers vanities. Oversized polished porcelain floor tiles add to the feeling of opulence, as does a frosted glass door to the bedroom.

The master bedroom is a fitting retreat for busy parents, carrying on the home’s serene, muted colour palette. A raised ceiling over the sleeping area adds architectural interest and height. Semerciyan also added a niche behind the headboard. “Rather than having a straight wall, I think it looks more interesting,” she

Looking at the space now, it’s hard to believe that this open, functional area was once four separate rooms. The kitchen (below) was previously cut off from the rest of the main floor by a wall. Now, it’s a chef’s dream, with loads of cupboard space for clutter-free counters, and a generously sized island, topped with Royal White granite.

Designer Ani Semerciyan even brought her own do-it-yourself skills to the finished decor, adding details like faux floral arrangements and gluing ribbon and rhinestones to wall art

says. A fireplace and TV combo at the end of the bed divides the sleeping area from the open walk-in closet, which boasts a wall of carefully crafted built-in storage.

Clients and decorator spent a lot of time together, planning, shopping for and executing their vision. “It’s been a pleasure working with them,” Semerciyan says. “They are very patient.” Victor praises the designer’s ability to ease their anxieties. “Every decoration is with Ani’s help,” he says. Semerciyan even brought her do-it-yourself skills to the finished decor, adding details like faux floral arrangements and gluing ribbon and rhinestones to wall art.

York Life Markham May June 2018 | 25

home | House Tour

The family is happy to make use of the revitalized space. The two girls enjoy hosting their friends in the basement play area with its heated floors. “Every week the kids have a party downstairs,” Yang says.

In the master retreat, a combination fireplace and TV divides the sleeping area from the walk-in closet. The generous ensuite features an oval tub, his-and-her vanities and oversized porcelain floor tiles.

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The main-floor makeover resulted in a functional layout that’s optimal for family life and entertaining. Previously, a small kitchen was separated from the family room by a wall. “I wanted more space for everything,” Yang says. “I wanted to see the kids play while I’m cooking.” The wall was removed and an abundance of storage was added.

The kitchen is now a cook’s dream. Countertops are clutterfree, thanks to careful design choices. Sliding drawers hold food staples like onions and potatoes. Cupboards for small appliances house Yang’s essential kitchen tools. A wine fridge is built into the island. A new Miele six-burner stove offers lots of cooking space.

The showstopper is a large island topped with Royal White granite. “It’s like a big picture in the centre of your kitchen,” Victor says. “The kitchen would be too white without it.” The island’s base was painted a mushroom colour to match the brown in the granite.

Both computer engineers who work from home, Victor and Yang share a revitalized office space off the family room. A door from the office to the front hall was closed off, and new sliding doors allow a view through the family room to the woods behind the house. It was Victor’s one firm request. “If I can’t get the view, I wouldn’t do any renovations,” he says. Semerciyan ensured the pair had a functional and tidy workspace with lots of new cabinetry and two built-in desks.

Having moved out for nine months during renovations, the family is happy to make use of their revitalized space. The girls often host friends in their basement play area, complete with heated floors and ballet barres. “Every week the kids have a party downstairs,” Yang says. “The parents come to have tea upstairs.” With a head-to-toe renovation behind them, there’s nothing to do now but enjoy. With one caveat — no colouring on walls.

home | DIY Decor

Custom Clean

Designer Lisa Canning had a challenge: create a stylish laundry room in a Keswick home with no garage, no basement and no outdoor shed. The space had to fit off-season clothing, sports equipment, paint cans and random odds and ends, not to mention room to wash, sort and fold clothing. Canning conquered, and now she shares her stylish secrets with us.

1. start with colour.

The laundry room is the perfect spot to inject a bold hit of colour; you can be more adventurous than you might typically be in a bedroom or living room.

With all the natural light in this space, I knew we could go dark and bold. I used Benjamin Moore’s Bermuda Blue 2061-30 on the custom cabinets and picked up the colour in a patterned rug from HomeSense and striped towels

by Pamuk and Co. Bright, bold colour in any application can really make a space look and feel more custom and original.

York Life Markham May June 2018 | 27

home | DIY Decor 2. Add architectural details.

Another way to make a space look more custom is to add architectural details. We changed the swing on the existing door to open against the staircase to maximize the space in the actual laundry room, and replaced the interior door with a Metrie Pretty Simple door with Millennium patterned glass. In addition, we wrapped the entire room in Metrie’s MDF tongue-and-groove to create a shiplap look. Shiplap (and all mouldings, really) lends a subtle texture to a room.

To keep an area clutter-free, proper storage is essential. That includes such things as plenty of shelving and deep, practical bins

3. Customize your storage.

Proper storage is essential to keeping an area clutter-free, and a family from feeling overwhelmed by stuff. I designed the millwork here 36 inches deep to give the family lots of space for large, bulky items.

To keep storage practical, I used a series of large, easy-view bins by neatfreak, so things like towels and cleaning supplies are within plain sight. The triple-sorter laundry system with built-in ironing board, also by neatfreak, offers additional surface area for laundry sorting and folding, and eliminates the need for a folding ironing board, saving precious storage space. Finally, we created custom floating shelves out of the same Belanger laminate counter we used to provide room for additional storage and decorative display.

4. Add some bling.

I love me some handcrafted cabinet hardware, and these pieces by Shayne Fox Hardware are my current obsession. These bright bronze pulls and knobs are made from cast bronze with a “living finish” — they are going to oxidize and patina over time. My obsession with all things bronze continued with the Cassidy faucet by Delta in Champagne Bronze. A small hit of a warm metal is a really on-trend way to add a custom element in your laundry room.

5. Customize your cleaning.

Don’t forget: You can customize the most important aspect of your laundry room — your washer and dryer. We selected a stackable washer and dryer

by Whirlpool to maximize all available space. The front-load machines offer a multitude of settings that handle everything from well-worn sports gear to delicate dance costumes. With three finishes to choose from, we went with white as a bold contrast against the blue cabinetry.

A laundry room can be pretty as well as practical, and this space has plenty of personal touches, from the bronze Cassidy faucet to the shiplap look on the walls.

28 | York Life Markham May June 2018

ho home | Designer Tip

Furniture Fix

Here’s why the where is just as important as the what

By Red Barrinuevo

As the saying goes, it’s not just the tools in your toolbox that get the job done, it’s how you use them. Think of your furnishings as tools that, when used correctly, serve a functional, spatial and aesthetic purpose.

As a stylist and “redesigner,” I often find that the furnishings themselves aren't the problem. Rather, it’s their arrangement that can make a home feel cramped, inefficient or just plain awkward. So, what’s the trick to proper furniture placement in your space?

Step one is to measure, then measure again. The size of your space will define the type of furnishings you’ll incorporate and how many pieces you'll need. Time to hit the showroom? Not so fast. More measuring is essential. Furniture tends to look smaller in the store because it’s in a wide open space with a high ceiling. When you bring that L-shaped sofa home, it may take up your whole living area. Measuring before buying will help you avoid any unpleasant surprises and the hassle of returns.

Once you have an idea of size, think about function. In today’s modern, open-concept homes, a single space will need to serve many purposes. An open-concept main floor might be used as a foyer, dining area, living area, family room and work space. With a solid

plan and the right furniture selections, this is all possible in a single space.

This is where zoning comes into play.

Think about creating several intimate conversation areas, achieved through colour and some strategic elements. One or two chairs, a side table, a great lamp and a midsize rug underfoot are all you need. As you plan the zones in your space, think about your traffic patterns. How do you walk through the room to get to an adjoining space or another zone within the room?

TIP: In a dining area, you’ll need at least three feet of space between your wall and the dining chair to allow room to pull the chair out without bumping into the wall. That said, intimacy is, of course, key to a good conversation zone. Don’t be afraid to place a couple of chairs close together and tell someone your story.

Finally, look up. Having a high ceiling makes a big difference in the overall feel of the room. If your living room is blessed with high ceilings, take full advantage of that extra space. It doesn’t give you extra seating, but it does draw the eye upward, making the room seem bigger and grander. Fill in vertical space with gallery photos or a beautiful gallery wall.

Beautiful furniture that's improperly placed will fall flat. Redesigning a room to get that wow factor often involves a few new furniture finds coupled with your existing pieces, and a well-planned perspective on how to place them.

Toronto-based, award-winning interior stylist Red Barrinuevo is an interior decorator and principal of Redesign4more, serving clients in Toronto and the GTA. The firm is known for creating stylish yet functional spaces through its home staging and interior styling services. redesign4more.com

York Life Markham May June 2018 | 29

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30 | York Life Markham May June 2018

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food & drink

the Princess and the Pinot German wines are getting the royal treatment thanks to Charlotte Freiberger, one of Germany’s two official wine princesses (there is a queen, too), who recently visited Canada. Her mission? To raise awareness about the diversity and quality of her country’s wines.

Long characterized simply as sweet, German wines in fact offer a variety of aromas and flavours, from the crisp and intense Dachshund Pinot Grigio to the medium-bodied, black cherry and cranberry notes of Villa Wolf Pinot Noir to, yes, the fruity Loosen Up Riesling — all now available at the LCBo. With pricing starting at $9.90 (for Stubborn Ass White Blend), it’s easy to expand your world of wine.

York Life Markham May June 2018 | 31

food & drink | Recipes

Fresh Take�

BY ADRIANA PAOLELLA

32 | York Life Markham May June 2018

With grilling season upon us, and so much great produce to choose from, who doesn’t feel inspired to cook up something new?

These four recipes fit the bill for simply delicious dining alfresco. Bonus: They are easy enough for every day but decidedly company worthy, too

ASPArAGuS AnD toMAto tArt ½ 450 g pkg frozen puff pastry, thawed ½ pkg artichoke dip (I used artichoke and asiago dip) ½ red onion, thinly sliced into rings 16 asparagus spears, ends trimmed and stems sliced in half lengthwise 1 tbsp olive oil ¼ tsp salt 1 cup grape tomatoes 1 tbsp balsamic glaze Preheat oven to 400°F. Roll out puff pastry and place on a parchment-lined baking tray.

Spread artichoke dip over pastry and top with separated onion rings.

Coat asparagus with oil and salt, then arrange over pastry. Layer tomatoes overtop.

Bake on bottom rack of oven for 20 minutes.

Remove and allow to cool on a wire rack.

Drizzle with balsamic glaze (or a reduction) before serving.

Makes 4 servings.

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food & drink | Recipes

LoADeD SteAK SALAD BoWL WItH CILAntro DreSSInG STEAK: 1 large or 2 small boneless ribeye steaks 1 tbsp olive oil 1 tsp Montreal steak spice 1 clove garlic, diced 4 basil leaves 4 mint leaves DRESSING: 1 cup cilantro leaves (stems removed) 6 to 8 large basil leaves 6 tbsp olive oil 3 tbsp red wine vinegar ½ tsp salt SALAD: 4 cups greens (baby romaine and mixed greens) 2 peaches cut into wedges 1 avocado, cut into chunks 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved 1 tbsp hemp hearts

34 | York Life Markham May June 2018

Place steak in a bowl or ziplock bag with oil, garlic, steak spice, basil and mint leaves. Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.

Heat barbecue on high. When hot, grill steak for 4 to 5 minutes on one side, then turn over and grill another 4 to 5 minutes. Allow steak to grill again on each side, rotating the direction to get crossed-grill marks. Remove and slice thinly when it’s cool enough to cut.

To make the dressing, combine cilantro and basil leaves. Add oil, vinegar and salt. Using a hand blender or food processor, blend until combined.

Arrange all of the salad ingredients in a large bowl. Place steak over salad and drizzle with dressing.

Makes 4 servings.

GrILLeD oCtoPuS 2 medium-sized octopuses (about 1 lb each) ½ tsp dried oregano 1 tbsp olive oil 1 clove garlic, diced 1 lemon salt, to taste 1 tbsp fresh chopped parsley Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add octopuses and boil for 40 minutes. Remove and let cool for about 10 minutes.

Remove the head from the tentacles by cutting off two tentacles at a time.

Combine oregano, oil and garlic in a bowl.

Add octopuses, stirring to coat, and let sit until grill is ready.

Heat barbecue on high. When hot, grill each octopus for 1 to 2 minutes. Turn over and grill again for 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat and place on a dish.

Top with freshly squeezed lemon juice and sprinkle with salt and parsley.

Makes 4 servings.

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food & drink | Recipes

MAnGo trIFLe tIrAMISu juice from 2 oranges 1 oz Malibu coconut rum (or white rum with 1 tsp coconut extract) 5 small or 3 large mangoes 4 eggs, separated 5 oz whipping cream (35%) 6 tbsp sugar 1 tub mascarpone cheese (leave out at room temperature 1 hour before using) 2 sleeves ladyfinger cookies shredded coconut In a bowl, combine orange juice and coconut rum. Set aside.

Peel and finely dice all but one mango; purĂŠe remaining mango and add to diced mangoes. Set aside.

Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form; refrigerate. Beat whipping cream until stiff and refrigerate.

Combine egg yolks and sugar and beat until creamy. on medium to low speed, add mascarpone cheese and combine until smooth. Using a spatula, fold in egg whites and whipped cream.

Start layering: Set out eight to 10 dessert cups. Cut cookies into small pieces, dip each into juice mixture and arrange a portion in bottom of dessert cups. Top cookies with some diced mango, followed by coconut. Spread a few tablespoons of the cheese mixture overtop, smoothing with the back of a spoon.

Repeat the cookies, mango and cheese layers, and top with more diced mango and shredded coconut.

Makes 8 to 10 servings.

Adriana Paolella is a recipe creator with a passion for food, writing and teaching. See what she’s cooking on her Instagram page @fortheloveoffoodandlife and find more of her quick and healthy recipes at adrianalovesfood.com.

36 | York Life Markham May June 2018

food & drink | In the Kitchen

In the Kitchen with

Los Chicos Brasa

Enjoy the unique tastes of traditional Peruvian fare in Markham

By JULIA SUPPA | Photography by NAOMI HILTZ

York Life Markham May June 2018 | 37

food & drink | In the Kitchen

L

atin American restaurants in Markham are fairly difficult to come by, and Peruvian restaurants even more so. But, nestled in a plaza surrounded by mainly Asian eateries, Los Chicos Brasa is making itself known.

Along with their father, brothers Javier and Roberto Carol opened the restaurant (in another location) five years ago as a charbroiled rotisserie chicken takeout spot. Now in its new location with an extensive menu and ample seating, Los Chicos Brasa is a family-friendly restaurant serving up a medley of traditional Peruvian fare.

Peruvian cuisine is a fusion of cultural and indigenous dishes and flavours; it’s difficult to describe, but appealing to many palates. Expect to find large Spanish and Chinese influences, as well as West African and Inca. “It’s very traditional,” says Javier, who runs the kitchen. “The recipes go back thousands of years and have been tweaked with various influences.”

Roberto, front-of-house manager, agrees. “There are so many different dishes. In Peru, you can eat something different every day of the year. In terms of flavour, it’s universal. It’s not hot, it’s not mild; it’s got a good mix of spices. It’s just flavourful.”

38 | York Life Markham May June 2018

F i ve Qu es t io n s w i th Javi er C arol , chef f or Los Chicos Bravos

Brothers Roberto (left) and Javier Carol take pride in serving authentic Peruvian cuisine — a fusion of cultural and indigenous dishes and flavours.

The dish that put the restaurant on the map, though, is the pollo a la brasa. The chicken is marinated for 24 hours with spices imported from Peru. “A la brasa” refers to the style of cooking — charbroiled in indirect heat. The charcoal is at the back of the oven, and the result is tender, juicy chicken unlike other rotisserie styles. From the large menu, only the chicken dishes are available for takeout.

Other options include traditional ceviche, prepared with tilapia, lemon and lots of spices.

Or the lomo saltado — sautéed AAA beef with rice — and yucca fries, crispy root vegetables served as the perfect accompaniment. Los Chicos Brasa also imports the well-known and popular Inca Kola (cream soda) to reinforce the authenticity and tradition of the restaurant.

The venue has been well received by customers near and far, and by a variety of cultures — so much so, a second location of Los Chicos Brasa recently opened in Vaughan.

“We’ve had people tell us they didn’t even know where Peru was,” Roberto says, “so it’s education, too. We try to transport you to Peru as best we can.”

Los Chicos Brasa 5308 Hwy 7 East, Markham (905) 209-9100 loschicosbrasa.com

1. When did you first start cooking?

Growing up in a Peruvian house, I always had access to lots of local dishes.

Every time you walked in the door, the aromas hit you. I didn’t actually start cooking until I was 17, at Jack Astor’s.

I learned the kitchen, got the feel for using a knife, and I really enjoyed that.

Then we [with my brother and father] opened our first location. Now I have a full kitchen. My pops showed me the ropes and I started developing my own palate and taking it to new levels.

2. Who is your favourite chef?

My favourite chef is a Peruvian — Gastón Acurio. He’s probably the most well known. He has restaurants all over the world. He built a restaurant empire and that’s what we want to do. We want to build our name and our brand.

3. What is the biggest mistake people make when cooking?

Following a recipe too much. You always want to taste as you go and salt at the very end. So salt is another big

mistake people make. Some people put salt at the beginning or at the end. You need to taste all the flavours and then salt little by little.

4. What is your signature dish?

My signature dish is arroz con mariscos [Peruvian seafood paella]. I’m very proud of that dish. When I first started making it, I didn’t like how it came out. It was a hit-or-miss dish for the restaurant. It wasn’t super-popular, and sometimes it would [be returned to the kitchen]. I went to Peru and took a lesson with a chef who used to teach at Le Cordon Bleu. She showed me another technique for making this dish. I came back and made it here, and the response has been great and people love it.

5. What do you order when you dine out?

I like to try a lot of things. I don’t want to try anything Peruvian unless I’m in Peru. I like steak, classic seafood dishes, weird fusions, lobster mac and cheese. I like a variety.

York Life Markham May June 2018 | 39

food & drink | In the Kitchen

ARROZ CON MARISCOS 2 tbsp canola oil ¼ cup red onion, diced 1½ cloves garlic, diced 2 tbsp aji panca paste (can substitute with paprika) ½ tomato blended with ½ cup of water ¼ cup Beck’s non-alcoholic beer 6 mussels 1½ oz 18% cream pinch of chopped cilantro 4 peeled raw shrimps 1 peeled squid cut into slices 1 cup cold cooked white rice

Heat oil in a pan. Add onion and sauté for 1 minute.

Add garlic, aji panca paste and tomato-water mixture and stir. Add beer and bring to a boil.

Add mussels, cream and cilantro. Wait 1 minute, then add seafood. After a few minutes, remove cooked seafood and ¼ cup of the liquid, reserving the squid, shrimp and mussels. Add rice and stir continuously.

When rice has absorbed the sauce, re-add the squid and shrimp and prepare to serve.

To serve, place the mussels neatly around one side of the bowl. Add rice/seafood mixture to centre. Drizzle reserved liquid over mussels. Serve with salsa criolla (recipe below).

Makes 1 to 2 servings.

SALSA CRIOLLA ¼ cup red onion, julienned ¼ cup finely diced tomato juice of two lemons pinch of pepper a touch of minced garlic a touch of chopped cilantro salt, to taste Mix ingredients together and season to taste.

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travel

Safer travels Got plans for a road trip — long or short — this summer? If you’re travelling with little ones, along with the bouncy seat and blankie, consider bringing along the eClip, a safety product hitting the market in June. Attached inside your vehicle, the device reminds parents and caregivers to take their child out of the car seat. Combined with an app on your smartphone, eClip uses Bluetooth technology to alert you when you’ve walked more than 15 feet away. It also monitors the temperature in your vehicle to keep it safe and comfortable for your child. According to the Canadian Safety Council, an average of 37 deaths take place each year in the U.S. (statistics aren’t available for Canada) due to dangerously hot cars — the majority of those deaths are children aged three and younger. Find out more at elepho.com/eclip.

York Life Markham May June 2018 | 41

travel | Vacay

RECONNECTING in

Los Cabos

Sometimes getting far away from all that is familiar is what you need to be at home with yourself

BY JACQUELINE KOVACS

42 | York Life Markham May June

T

wo drummers tap in time as the scent of burning copal, a local tree bark, engulfs me. Gloria, a highly regarded shaman from the area, picks up her instruments, divining rods for auras — two ball-tipped metal rods, each emerging at a 90-degree angle from small wooden handles. She raises them over my head, moving them bit by bit down the length of me. They swing from open to closed. My chakras are apparently in protest.

It’s a bit surprising, considering where I am — a press trip to the Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort. This sprawling, 375-room hotel overlooking the Sea of Cortez is home for a few sunny days — and a welcome relief from the Canadian winter. Here, our group of seven gets to enjoy high-end (but no-attitude) dining in three of the property’s six restaurants, a blissful eternity pool, peaceful walks on the nearly vacant beach and multiple ways off-resort to take in the vibrant culture of Los Cabos. How could anyone staying here be anything but chillaxed?

Well, if you brought with imminent deadlines, missed your connecting flight from Chicago to San José del Cabo and thus wound up spending five hours taking in the delights (not!) of O’Hare International, and, thanks to a Canada-based technical glitch, have been unable to fix layout problems in a magazine nearing its press date, you might feel a little less than Zen. But as I soon found out, I was in exactly the right place to remedy that and reconnect with what matters.

York Life Markham May June 2018 | 43

travel | Vaycay

Every spacious room in the elegantly understated Hilton Los Cabos boasts an ocean view. The sea is a bit rough for swimming, but the infinity pool makes up for it.

Gloria seems to have picked up on the stress behind my smile. Through spa director Adriana Tello, she tells me that while my body is in Mexico, my mind is everywhere but. I have to learn to be where my body is and to be open to the energy of the Earth around me. The jaded journalist in me would have been quietly dismissive, but as she “heals” my aura with a bundle of herbs, which we then burn, I actually feel an odd lightness come over me. Maybe there’s something to this stuff after all.

And with that, I decide to open my mind to this experience and the other wellness activities on this trip’s agenda. Call it an experiment in positivity.

Unbeknownst to me, the experiment had actually launched earlier — the first morning at the resort the day before, when we all took part in a painting class. The 44 | York Life Markham May June 2018

instruction was “paint how you feel.” I felt woefully inadequate as a painter, but Tello spoke soothingly about how our own inner dialogues trip us up or cut us off from fully experiencing our lives. I listened, painted, and the resulting waterscape was better than any visual art I’ve attempted. How is it that letting go is actually the route to reconnecting?

Despite that experience, and Gloria’s insights, I still have to remind myself to turn off my hamster-wheel brain at the outset of a treatment at the resort’s world-class eforea spa. During the 80-minute, locally inspired Nohult Detox Cure, I am exfoliated with chia seeds, slicked with a body mask and wrapped in a warm cocoon.

After rinsing in a multi-head shower in the treatment room, I am massaged from head to foot. Deadlines? What deadlines?

To reinforce this relaxed feeling, I walk along the rugged shoreline. The sand is quite coarse and the ocean is generally too rough for swimming, but aside from another couple of beach walkers, the area is beautifully deserted. I wind my way along the shoreline, weaving around dramatic rock formations, breathing deeply and listening to the calming roar of the tide.

There is something undeniably grounding and restorative about walking barefoot in this raw, powerful display of nature.

The day’s pièce de résistance? A spainspired dinner in the same fragrant courtyard where my aura cleansing had taken place. Every mouthful — from the sushi served on stones used for hot-stone massages (cold, in this case and, yes, cleaned) to the chicken mole to the variety of sweets (lemon verbena, Papantla vanilla,

Take the time to get lost among the labyrinth of back alleyways and stop at a tiny trattoria to enjoy a leisurely meal

Whether you favour sushi, tacos or churros, the property boasts a range of delicious dining options, emphasizing what is seasonal and local. With so much good food, beach walks are a pleasant must.

Los Cabos provides an all-senses experience, from the sights and sounds of the area’s famous whales to the delights of chef Lopez’s culinary creations. salty caramel popcorn) on the four-tiered dessert display — is bursting with fresh, local flavour. Later, in my spacious room, I sleep better than I have in years.

The group opts for a change of pace the next day and we head out to an organic farmers’ market in the city. Here can you find not only fresh produce and homemade salsas and condiments, but also local art, jewellery, even a bouncy castle for visiting kids to play in. We then all head for a stroll along Marina Puerto Los Cabos, a pretty habour that boasts a funky restaurant made from a shipping container. Our walk suddenly opens onto a large, green lawn, dotted with five-foot stone sculptures.

Known simply as the Sculpture Garden, it’s an oddly peaceful place.

Soon enough, it’s time to head back to the hotel for a cooking class and lunch with executive chef Mauricio Lopez, the creative culinary thinker behind yesterday’s spa dinner. As we get our hands-on lesson on how to make tamales, Lopez speaks with pride about how he and his team have learned to accommodate every

food restriction they’ve faced — from allergies to intolerances to veganism — without giving up taste or presentation. The lunchand-learn is topped off with churros, still warm and served with caramel sauce. The only downside? Everything tastes so good that I am almost uncomfortably full.

Good thing our afternoon activity is an eyeful rather than a mouthful. We board a 45-foot deep-sea fishing boat to look for whales in the Sea of Cortez, passing “the Arch,” the area’s renowned landmark rock formation. Once again, Los Cabos does not disappoint: a majestic humpback breaches mere metres from our boat, and a little later, another swims rapidly alongside us.

I’ve never seen a whale before and I’m surprised by what a moving experience it is.

The contemplative mood that settles over our group is briefly interrupted, however, as Poncho, a well-known local sea lion, amusingly pops up in the wake of our boat, hoping we have fish for him.

All too soon, it’s time for our last meal at the resort, this time outside. Once again, chef Lopez and his team wow us with a

traditional Mexican buffet set up market style. With tamales, chicken mole, squid ink linguini, the freshest-tasting octopus I’ve ever had and other delicious mains, it’s hard to leave room for the killer dessert cart.

But who couldn’t squeeze in fresh assorted macarons, festive-looking doughnuts or, my favourite, the salty-and-spice chocolate tart? The setting — a ring of palm trees with a view of the ocean as the sun sets — is the icing on the red velvet cake. Small wonder I have to pass on the shore-side s’mores post-dinner, when we sit around a beach bonfire and watch a pair of fire dancers twirl flaming batons and rings around their bodies and into the dark night air. A magical ending.

As I reluctantly head home the next morning, I realize some of that Los Cabos magic has rubbed off on me. Despite a few more airport-related hassles and the return to our chilly climate, I keep calm, think about the present, not past mistakes or future demands, just as Gloria had wisely advised. As for my lingering yen to return to the place? Call it a strong connection.

York Life Markham May June 2018 | 45

travel | Smarts

How to

Sleep Better Plane

on a

While many people find it difficult to sleep on an airplane, what with all the commotion and tight quarters, there are ways to make it easier. For those of you boarding at midnight, getting up at zerodark-hundred to fly to the beach or settling in for 14 hours or more, here are 10 things to consider.

BY DOUG WALLACE

1.

5.

2.

6.

Choose a window seat so you can really hunker down and get some rest without having your arm and shoulder bumped by anyone travelling along the aisle, and no one asking to be let out to the washroom.

Select your seat as far away as possible from the galleys, which can be quite noisy; the bathroom lineup, which is just too gawky; and the bulkheads, where the parents with infants tend to be seated.

3.

Keep in mind that the very back row and the row in front of the exit-door row may not recline.

4.

Put all carry-on luggage in the overhead bin, leaving the space under the seat in front of you free for just your feet. Take off your shoes and put on the comfy socks they give you (or bring your own). Those feet are going to swell no matter what.

46 | York Life Markham May June 2018

Make sure your seat belt goes overtop your blanket, so flight attendants don’t have to wake you up to make sure it’s done up in the event of severe turbulence.

A neck pillow and earplugs go without saying, but throw on an eye mask as well.

7.

Keep sleep aids simple — melatonin, Gravol — particularly if you don’t want to be loopy while passing through customs. Consult your pharmacist before you take any over-the-counter medications. Stronger sleeping tablets should be reserved for super-long flights and must only be taken under the advisement of your physician.

8.

Limit or, better, avoid alcohol, which only makes sleep more fitful.

9.

Tell yourself, “It’s currently 1 a.m. where I’m landing. I should get to sleep now.” The power of suggestion often works. The whole key is to adapt as quickly as possible to the time zone you’re visiting, so you may as well start on the plane.

This may require breaking with the airline’s in-flight service routine, skipping the meal and going right to sleep immediately upon takeoff.

10.

If you absolutely, positively have to have a good night’s sleep on the plane — before an important business meeting or, like, your wedding day — spring for a nicer seat in the front and stretch right out.

| BeauTY SPeCiaL |

CLEAN, GREEN

All-Canadian Beauty Roundup PHoToGRAPHY BY JiM craigMyle

Y

ou chug down a juice cleanse every six months, mix your own DIY natural cleaners and shop in the organic grocery aisle, but what’s in your bathroom vanity? After all, everything we put on our skin is absorbed by our pores and into our bodies.

With the growth of green beauty, there are plenty of alternatives to incorporate into your routine, and, as our roundup of all-stars shows, you needn’t go far to find some of the best.

SoapStars

(clockwise from top) Detox soap bar, including activated bamboo charcoal, olive oil, shea butter and tea tree oil, from Keswick-based Naturally Natalie, naturallynatalie.ca; Lavender Basil soap, handmade with shea butter and glycerine by Newmarket’s Greenly Skin Care, greenlyskincare.ca; Barber Shoppe soap, including activated charcoal, from Greenly Skin Care; Twisted Citrus soap from Greenly Skin Care; Wild flower soap bar, including French rose clay, lavender and tangerine essential oil, rose and calendula petals, from Naturally Natalie; Celestial oak & adzuki Bean bar soap, handmade with organic oats, adzuki beans, lavender and bergamot essential oils, from Mellow Bath & Body in Newmarket, mellowbathandbody.com

York Life Markham May June 2018 | 47

feature | Eco-Beauty Roundup

Clean Sweep moisturizing Day Cream from EaunĂŠ in Toronto is made entirely from organic, naturally derived ingredients, including coconut and argan oils, and absorbs quickly to deliver vitamins, moisture and antioxidants. $30, eaune.com

face Cream Day + night from Mount Albert’s Shelby Naturals is formulated with sea buckthorn fruit oil and Moroccan argan oil, delivering antioxidants and boosting collagen. $24.99, shelbynaturals.com.

48 | York Life Markham May June 2018

This cleanser from Shelby Naturals features antimicrobial camellia seed oil, for antioxidants and collagen production, and calming peppermint essential oil, among other allnatural ingredients. $29.99, shelbynaturals.com

Seabuckthorn Best Skin ever Cleanser moisturizer from Muskoka’s Living Libations uses jojoba and coconut oils along with sea buckthorn, grapefruit and more to “reset” your complexion to its natural, luminous state. $20, livinglibations.com/canada

Ste. anne’s Skin nourishment Toner uses rose, thyme and chicory, among other locally sourced ingredients, to revitalize your face and neck with every spritz. $26.50, steannes.com/skin-nourishment.

Local Lovelies MELLOW BATH + BODY, NEWMARKET Offerings: Soap bars, body scrubs, masks and lip polishes crafted and packaged by hand in founder Melody Rattanavong’s home studio without parabens, sulphates, preservatives or synthetic fragrances. Her dry facial masks, formulated with charcoal, clay and maca, are activated with a few drops of water, and the popular soaps are packed with essential minerals and oils that exfoliate and soothe even the most sensitive skin. What’s more, the minimalistic packaging is reusable and recyclable.

Inspiration: An HR professional by day, Rattanavong started making soap four years ago as a creative outlet from her corporate job. When family and friends got wind of her passion project, her product offerings expanded, focusing on the use of essential oils, botanicals and clays that cleanse, revitalize and moisturize skin without any artificial colour. “We’re all so busy and on the go, I want these products to be there to take some chill-out time,” Rattanavong says, adding she hopes to make her clients’ days a little brighter and more invigorating through her product line.

Availability: mellowbathandbody.com, Etsy and stockists across Canada. — Daniela Tirone

SHELBY NATURALS, MOUNT ALBERT Offerings: A skincare line of creams, serums, lotions and toners made in a home studio with fruit, flower and plant oils sourced from Europe.

Founder Shelby Ondrus and her team hand pour each product into glass packaging that showcases the beauty and quality of the natural ingredient list. Officially launched in 2016 after years of researching botanical and essential oils and floral waters, the unisex collection has fans from every age and stage of life.

Inspiration: What started as a solution to Ondrus’s own persistent acne turned into a career path for this trained nutritionist. As she learned how to treat her skin without the use of harsh chemical products, her clients began to notice and asked to try her solutions. Her concoctions became a hit and the brand was born, with a focus on oils that respond to skin’s natural tendencies and deliver antioxidants, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory and collagen stimulants. “Many people are afraid of oils, as they think they clog pores,” Ondrus says, “but really they go deeper into the layers of the skin to heal and restore more than water-based products can.”

Availability: shelbynaturals.com and Nature’s Emporium. — D.T.

York Life Markham May June 2018 | 49

feature | Eco-Beauty Roundup

SkinDeep

firming eye Cream, from Ste. Anne’s Skin Nourishment line, uses soothing botanical extracts and firming agents to condition skin for moisturization, resulting in more even skin tone. $65, steannes.com/skin-nourishment Made for dry, dehydrated and mature skin, Drench is designed to deeply hydrate the skin and remedy cellfunction breakdown long term. $35, steannes.com/skin-nourishment

Step 3 in the Daily Essentials skincare line from Shelby Naturals, this Serum features neroli, bergamot and myrrh to help your skin rejuvenate and glow. $49.99, shelbynaturals.com

This revitalizing Luxury face serum from Toronto’s Raluca Skincare is made with 11 nourishing oils and seven pure essential oils, including vitamin E, argan and lavender, to feed and hydrate the skin as you sleep. $43, ralucaskincare.com 50 | York Life Markham May June 2018

open Sky eye Serum, from Muskoka’s Living Libations, uses pure plant botanicals to fortify, freshen and tone the delicate skin around the eyes. But it can also be used on the face and neck. $20 for 10 mL, livinglibations.com/canada.

Botanical facial Serum in Hibiscus + rose, by Naturally Natalie, is handmade, lightweight, easily absorbed and ideal for dry, irritated or damaged skin. Bonus: Use it as a makeup remover, cleanser, moisturizer and eye serum, too. $36, naturallynatalie.com

Local Lovelies NATURALLY NATALIE BOTANICAL SKIN CARE, GEORGINA

GREENLY SKIN CARE, NEWMARKET

Offerings: Natalie Neugebauer handcrafts this small-batch botanical skincare line of hand-cut soaps, paraben-free body butters, botanically rich salves and plant-based serums in her home studio. She uses local ingredients as much as possible, growing her own lavender, calendula, mint and chamomile that she dries for her herbal infusions and soap making, and sources essential oils and plant-based butters and oils from sustainable sources. Her Detox soap bar, Rose Glow facial serum and Mint Cocoa Body Butter are among her most popular.

Offerings: Created 2½ years ago by the mother-and-daughter team of Lindsay Barker and Katy Thomson, Greenly offers a range of handmade soaps, bath bombs, lip balms, solid-lotion bars, whipped body butter, bubbly bath bars as well as made-to-order skincare products. As much as possible, they use local ingredients, but everything in their skincare line is organic and from sustainable sources.

Inspiration: Working full time in the financial services industry, Neugebauer had a passion to help others and find cleaner alternatives to everyday products. She loves working with therapeutic-grade essential oils for the invigorating benefits they can have. “The therapeutic benefits of essential oils have helped many people, myself included, with symptoms of anxiety and depression,” she says. “That’s why I keep doing what I’m doing.”

Availability: naturallynatalie.ca, Etsy and markets across York Region and Toronto.

Inspiration: “In our family, we have sensitive skin,” Barker says. “And Katy is allergic to everything.” They decided to investigate what it was about soap that was causing Thomson’s skin to react, and in the course of their research realized they could make their own soap — and better.

“Then we realized that other people would like it, too,” Barker says. They started selling their products at craft shows and then launched the online site. They also expanded beyond soap, adding balms, butters and bars.

Barker and Thomson plan to keep their business small for now and then will look for more wholesale clients. Says Barker: “We like to make what we make really well.”

Availability: greenlyskincare.ca

Huge in stock selection available

Wet rated fans for outdoor use

FAN

SALE

Keep cool as the weather heats up. Come into LivingLIGHTING today to see our wide selection of ON SALE fans. Let our experts help you find the perfect fixture to keep your home cool. Hurry in for the best selection!

Super Energy efficient DC motors and LED lighting

Energy star fans available in a variety of finishes and sizes

Visit LivingLIGHTING Richmond Hill at: 9737 Yonge Street, Richmond Hill Sale ends August 27, 2018 or while supplies last.

Bulbs extra. May not be available in all stores.

livinglightingrichmondhill.com

York Life Markham May June 2018 | 51

feature | Eco-Beauty Roundup

Bathing Beauties True Blue Spirulina Shampoo penetrates hair down to the roots, removing waxy buildup and dry akes with bioactive botanicals. Hair is left clean and soft. $44 for 240 mL, livinglibations.com/canada

mint Cocoa Body Butter uses cocoa butter, shea butter, coconut oil, vitamin E and peppermint essential oil to deliver intense hydration. A little goes a long way on the face, body, dry spots and sensitive skin. $20, naturallynatalie.ca

52 | York Life Markham May June 2018

Bergamot, patchouli and lemon verbena feature in this skin-loving Hydrating Lotion. Designed for all skin types, it leaves skin soft, supple and smelling spa-fresh. $25 for 250 mL, steannes.com/skin-nourishment

Solstice Lemongrass Body Scrub smooths and invigorates your body with a natural blend of organic cane sugar, lemongrass, shea butter, coconut oil, sweet orange and other sensory pleasers. Allnatural, handmade and vegan. $34 for 240 g, mellowbathandbody.com

Face Forward This cold-pressed argan oil from Toronto’s Leaves of Trees is an intense moisturizer with high levels of vitamin E, carotene, antioxidants and fatty acids. Use it on your face to repair damage, calm acne and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. It’s also perfect for dry spots on the body and as a hair balm. $44 for 50 mL, leavesoftrees.com A cult favourite, this nourishing Beauty Balm from Toronto’s Selfish uses jojoba, cranberry seed oil, shea butter, nettle oil and other natural antioxidant-rich ingredients to leave your skin soft, dewy and radiant. $60, selfishcare.com

Fine Finishes

Lipcandy handmade lipsticks are free from parabens, petroleum-based oils, artificial fragrances and other things you shouldn’t eat.

Instead, these lovely lip colours leave your kisser soft and pretty with beeswax, peppermint oil, chia seed oil and other safe ingredients.

Bonus: Choose from 11 colours. $22, lipcandy.ca

Get glowing with Lip Shimmers from Living Libations. Double-duty shade Pink Lady’s Slipper adds colour to lips and cheeks, while Ballet Slipper gives your pout a subtle shimmer. Formulated with natural ingredients such as beeswax, jojoba and stone root to keep your smile safe. $30, livinglibations. com/canada Take the edge off with this Lux glass nail Polisher from Toronto’s Milana Yudina.

Use it to create a high shine on natural nails or for a smooth base for nail polish.

Washable and eco-friendly. $12, email mila@milayudesign.com 54 | York Life Markham May June 2018

Detox your complexion with eclipse Charcoal + Chia + maca facial mask. Just a spoonful mixed with water and applied to the face draws out impurities, moisturizes and promotes elasticity for more radiant skin. $22, mellowbathandbody.com

Hydrextreme from Toronto’s Consonant Skincare is clinically proven to moisturize better than hyaluronic acid (used in injectable facial fillers). A blend of just two ingredients — Cassia angustifolia seed extract and vegetable glycerine, this serum not only soothes skin irritations, it also hydrates, plumps and restores your glow. $72 for 10 mL, consonantskincare.com

home | Gardening

paradise

PROPERTY

How to create a relaxing getaway space, right in your own backyard BY andreW hind

York Life Markham May June 2018 | 55

home | Gardening

ow do you create a warm and welcoming personality for your home? Many people focus on the interior spaces. The smart ones, though, begin with the outdoors, focusing instead on landscaping.

That approach only makes sense, according to Frank Ferragine, aka Frankie Flowers, bestselling gardening author, popular media personality and Bradford native. “An attractive landscape design instantly enhances the property’s appeal. It’s like good packaging on a present.” Landscaping also offers a solid return on investment, adding as much as 15 per cent to a home’s value. “It’s estimated potential buyers will judge a home in the first 30 seconds,” he says, “and in many cases, curb appeal is more important than the inside of the home.”

There are essentially two types of landscaping: cosmetic and foundational. The first is done merely for appearances; you have a vision and transform your property to make that dream a reality. The second is more to fulfil a specific function — a raised bed to enclose rich soil capable of sustaining vibrant gardens, a retaining wall to eliminate erosion, or even a patio for entertaining.

The two types are not mutually exclusive, however. In the hands of a skilled landscape designer, a foundational landscape feature can be a beautiful addition to any property and a cosmetic design can still serve a fairly functional purpose.

Besides resale value, landscaping has other appeals, including: Time savings Many people aren’t willing to commit endless hours gardening to achieve a beautiful property.

Would you rather spend your weekend relaxing or gardening? Smart landscaping can help you achieve a handsome look and free time to soak up the fleeting summer sun. Mulching heavily reduces weeding and watering, for example, while a crushed gravel yard eliminates the need to mow grass.

Enhancing gardens Smart landscaping and using aggregates can give you a leg up by enriching the soil and improving drainage, making vegetable plots more bountiful.

Enjoyment We want to get the most we can out of the summer, and landscaping can help. Perhaps

56 | York Life Markham May June 2018

you can think of nothing more appealing than sitting in a comfortable chair, mug of steaming coffee in hand, watching the morning mist burn off the lake. The problem is, your property is all slope. A landscaped terrace nicely solves that issue. For every desire, a good landscaper can provide a solution.

The range of projects to improve a property’s appeal are endless: stonework, adding a porch or patio, creating gardens to add texture and colour, installing ponds or other water features, laying pathways and more. The options are limited only by your imagination and your budget.

“The key to achieving the property of your dreams is to know your limits and expectations,” Ferragine says. “Time is the first limitation. What time do you have to maintain the property? A lot of people get ahead of themselves. They like the look of a beautiful garden, but not the work that’s involved. Budget is another limitation: how much do you want to spend? And then there are landscape limitations such as space, sunlight and use of property. A good designer, however, can help overcome any limitations to create a property that meets your expectations.”

For Audriana VanderWerf, lead landscape designer for Bradford Greenhouses Garden Gallery, working with homeowners starts with an interview of sorts. “I start with asking clients some simple questions,” she explains.

“What’s your lifestyle and how do you want your garden to complement it? What are the needs of the family? And what are your plans for the future?” You may know what you want, VanderWerf says, but a designer can guide you through the process and may know of better, more affordable options.

Even if you’re handy and want to do the labour yourself, hiring a professional to put together a landscape design is a good investment. You’ll save money and time by avoiding expensive, frustrating mistakes.

Reinventing a property is possible with landscaping, transforming it from something you own to something your own. Big or small, expensive or budget constricted, landscaping will enhance the aesthetic appeal of your property, increase its value and add to the enjoyment of our lovely, limited summer.

Choosing a

landscape designer The right landscaper can improve your enjoyment of your yard and increase your home’s value. But how do you choose the right one?

“The most important thing is to get a certified landscape designer,” Audriana VanderWerf says. “To be certified, you must be seven years strong in your career and have passed an extensive test, so you instantly know they are qualified. You can find a listing on the Landscape Ontario website [landscapeontario. com]. Look for a sustainable, environmentally friendly designer.”

Spend time reviewing landscape contractors’ portfolios and check references.

Communication between client and designer is crucial, so make sure there is a comfortable connection before hiring anyone.

Photo here and previous page courtesy of Lowe’s

H

Photo here and previous page courtesy of Lowe’s

soil

The dirt on

Successful gardening depends a lot on soil quality. Thankfully, you’re not stuck with what’s naturally in your backyard — additives can make a big difference.

“If you have heavy clay content, a peat base or natural forest compost is the best way to help break up the clay to allow good root growth. For sandy soil, a richer compost or manure is best to add nutrients,” Josh Meyer, owner of Newmarket’s New Roots Garden Centre, says. “When starting a garden, using a good-quality threein-one mix [top soil, peat moss and compost] is a good start. For an established garden, amending with

compost is the best option. This adds nutrients back in, which plants need for optimal production.”

home | Gardening

selection

Photo courtesy of Lowe’s

Plant

spaces

A patio or porch is the core element in any outdoor space. After all, what’s a backyard without a place to sit, relax and maybe enjoy a meal? If you’re considering adding an outdoor living space, begin by thinking about how you want your yard to function.

Do you want an outdoor dining area for summer nights, or more of a place to huddle around an outdoor fire? How many people would you like to accommodate? Will it be a formal space or something more casual? These are all important considerations and will help inform your decision about the design.

58 | York Life Markham May June 2018

“When planning a patio or deck, I recommend bringing your furniture into the area you have in mind to make sure the area is big enough to accommodate it and allow room to move freely. No one ever said a patio is too big, but one that’s too small will spoil your enjoyment,” Audriana VanderWerf says. Mark the area with cones or paint to ensure the space will work for you. “Also, I recommend walking to and from the house a few times to ensure the flow is seamless,” she adds. “This is important when barbecuing and bringing things in and out from the kitchen.”

There are so many options available when it comes to plants that you can easily become overwhelmed by the array of annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees. How do you pick from among them?

“You can easily narrow down the selection just by keeping in mind the conditions in your yard,” Frank Ferragine says. “Do you need shadeloving plants, for example, or do you have full sun exposure? Is your soil sandy or claylike? Also, if your time is limited, you’ll want easy-to-maintain varieties. Rather than going for the newest varieties, sometime the older varieties are better — I call them ‘triedand-true’ for a reason. Older varieties are often hardier and require less care.”

Think beyond spring and summer.

“To have colour throughout the year, make sure to include plants that flower in spring, summer and fall,” Josh Meyer says. But it’s not all about bright flowers. Create interest in other ways. “For instance, planting a few evergreens in key points will bring colour to the garden in winter. As well, you can accessorize with ornaments.

Dark, shady corners are great spots to place a bench or birdbath to create interest in an otherwise boring spot.”

Finally, don’t overlook the value of texture and shape when selecting plants. “Texture is so important,” Audriana VanderWerf says. “You can have great effect with an interestingly shaped plant — like corkscrew hazel — even if there is little colour. Evergreens and deciduous plants with nice texture and architecture are vital components of a garden design.”

Keep your yard conditions in mind when selecting flowers, Frank Ferragine advises.

The

Even-Better

backyard

You’ve got your outdoor design in place, but how do you take your yard from functional to fabulous?

We got the scoop from Pam Byer, senior interior designer with Aurora’s Design Line Studios

1

Think colour and pattern.

“You want to bring the indoors outdoors and make it an extension of the home,” Byer says. So, think of picking up on colours alongside patterns that you love to use inside.

Soften seating with cotton throws and cushions that make the space more comfortable and inviting.

These days, you can find a range of cushy options that can handle being outdoors.

Photos courtesy of Lowe’s

2

Explore outdoor rug options.

“The right rug can make an outdoor space feel like a room,” she says.

“These days, outdoor rugs are available in so many colours, patterns and sizes that they often closely resemble their indoor counterparts in looks, but are fabricated to brave moisture, sunlight and other weather elements.” It’s an easy way to really define an area and add another level of cozy after dark.

3

Upscale your eating.

Who doesn’t look forward to dining alfresco? But that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with plastic, paper or a plain-Jane presentation. Instead, Byers says to think about accessories, such as colourful vases, pretty lanterns and table centres (you can move them inside if the weather turns nasty). “Go oversized, have fun,” she says. “Inside, you might have to limit sizing, but outside, you have more options.” And when it comes to place settings, consider natural wood for a special, rustic touch that ties in with the outdoors.

4

Create an outdoor room.

“If you set up a seating area around a firepit or a gas fireplace, or near a large-screen TV under a pergola, you can have movie nights and parties well into the fall,” Byer says. Add such furnishings as end tables to make it really feel like a room. (You can bring it all inside come winter and use it in your basement or some other space

and get year-round use out of it.)

To add a little punch, coordinate the colours of the throws and cushions in your seating area with the flowers you plant. Think, too, of playing up the outdoors in your choice of furnishings by selecting teak, blocks of wood or concrete end tables and touches of metal, Byer suggests.

5

Provide proper protection.

When it comes to buying outdoor cushions, throws, rugs and the like, look for fabrics that can withstand the elements, such as those from Sombrella. Make sure you can get shelter from the sun, too, with temporary structures such as large umbrellas, or something more permanent, like a pergola. And don’t forget to add a little style to your shade — fairy lights and lanterns are an easy way to add nighttime sparkle. For a pergola, consider adding a custom feature, such as a herringbone-patterned roof.

York Life Markham May June 2018 | 59

feature | Profile

Ripple Effect Mohsen Mortada is making positive waves — both in York Region and around the world

BY LESLEE MASON | PHoToGRAPHY BY NAOMI HILTZ

W

e often take for granted the water that rushes out of our taps, but water scarcity is a global issue faced by billions of people each day. That was the case for Mohsen Mortada, growing up in Damascus, Syria.

“You don’t realize it as a kid,” the CEO of Cole Engineering Group Ltd. says, adding almost everyone had tanks to store water in the event of disconnection. On one occasion, a relative who was responsible for bringing the water system into Damascus took Mortada with him to work. “I was just in awe.

I was 12, maybe even a little younger, and it was amazing and something I really wanted to be involved in one day.”

60 | York Life Markham May June 2018

York Life Markham May June 2018 | 61

feature | Profile

In 1987, when he was 17, Mortada moved to Arizona. In university, he initially studied engineering but later switched gears, graduating with a degree in business. When it came time to look for a job, his early interest in water resurfaced. That childhood moment, he says, shaped him indirectly. “It’s something you don’t realize until you’re in it.”

Mortada worked for the City of Tucson at Tucson Water from 1990 to 1996, moving up through the ranks before reaching the position of control systems operations director. He continued in similar fields working in the U.S. and Canada, and later Dubai. In 2014, he accepted the position of president for Cole Engineering Group, which provides consulting and advisory services in four areas of engineering: water, transportation, urban development and environmental.

Attracting Young Talent As CEO of the midsize firm, which is headquartered in Markham, he oversees offices in Whitby, Mississauga, Oakville, Kitchener, Hamilton and St. Catharines. His role, Mortada says, involves developing the vision and corporate strategy of the organization and ensuring they’re being implemented.

The company is known for attracting young talent; about a third of its 350-member workforce is under 30. Mortada attributes that to two things: “We’re heavily involved with colleges and universities to identify talent before they graduate,” he says, noting that co-op programs allow them to test potentially good fits early on. Creating a culture of excitement is another component, and part of that means ensuring the Cole team feels a stake in the work they do.

Unlike larger firms that often do work that’s exported overseas, Cole Engineering prefers to focus on projects closer to home, Mortada explains. “We live in the communities where we work, so typically somebody who works in Markham is going to be working on a Region of York project or for a client in the York area. So the road they’re going to design, they’re going to drive every day or the treatment plant they designed, they’re going to drink from every day.

That appeals to the younger generation.”

Passion and Purpose Making an impact on people’s lives drives Mortada both professionally and personally.

In 2016, he joined the board of directors for

62 | York Life Markham May June 2018

Cole Engineering Group CEO Mohsen Mortada has had a keen interest in water since his childhood in Damascus, Syria. Now serving on the board of directors for Water For People, he is helping people all over the world get access to safe water.

Water For People, a global non-profit that works to provide access to improved water and sanitation systems in nine countries, including Honduras, Peru, Rwanda and India. In his time with the organization, he has donated and raised tens of thousands of dollars for it.

“I joined the board of Water For People for a few reasons,” says Mortada, whose passion and global experience made him a great fit. “The war we see in Syria — the beginning of it had its roots in water shortage.” The effects of climate change meant that Syria got less rain, negatively impacting the water supply, and forcing about 800,000 people to move to urban areas. “I want to avert any potential global conflict that might result because of water.”

It’s hard to imagine until you consider the stats: According to waterforpeople.com, 2.1 billion people lack access to safe water and 4.5 billion lack adequate sanitation. It adds up to roughly 840,000 deaths each year that can be attributed to water-related diseases. “The vision is to bring water to everyone we work with and keep it available forever,” Mortada explains, adding that Water For People funds about 50 per cent of each project. “We usually ask the local government to put money into the system we donate money to, and then we teach them how to operate it to make sure

when we’re gone, they’re still operating it properly and they have the know-how. Then we audit frequently to make sure that things are going well.”

Educating Women Empowering women is another component of the work Water For People does. “In my experience — and that’s what the organization shares — when you teach a man how to do something, you teach a man; but when you teach a woman, you teach a community,” he says. “So we teach women how to deal with the water and sanitation issues, and that makes its way throughout the whole community.”

Mortada says it’s not pride that he feels, but rather happiness when he thinks of all that Water For People accomplishes. And he appreciates seeing the impact of the work first-hand. At a Guatemalan school he recently visited, children there had access to proper sanitation. “Some of these children don’t have bathrooms at home, but they have them at school. You just can’t help but feel so happy that you’re making an impact in a child’s life,” Mortada says. “This child could be the next great innovator for us as humans. If we don’t invest in these children, we don’t know what we’re losing.”

feature | Business Profile

MoveABLe FeASt A

Stouffville’s Christina Assenza turned a passion for cooking into a customized, on-site catering service that is earning her raves with her satiated customers

BY KinJal dagli shah

York Life Markham May June 2018 | 63

feature | Business Profile

C

hristina Assenza grew up in Bolton around platters of pasta and plates full of meat and cheese that her nonna lovingly put together to feed her huge family. “My dad is the youngest of 12 kids,” Assenza says, “so we were always getting together, cooking and eating.”

It was that early exposure, Assenza believes, that laid the foundation for her future. “I always took an interest in food and decided to make it my career,” she says. “My nonna taught me traditional recipes that were passed down to her from generations past.” As a teenager, she landed her first part-time job at a neighbourhood pizzeria and later went to culinary school at George Brown College, where she was one of just three women in the class. Along the way, she worked at golf courses, catering companies and upscale restaurants.

Later, as a Red Seal-certified chef, Assenza had the opportunity to cook for celebrities such as Wayne Gretzky, Curtis Joseph, Denzel Washington and James Gandolfini. Through it all, she most loved the personal side of feeding people. “Cooking for celebrities was nerve-racking and exciting at the same time,” she says. “But all the celebrities I’ve met just want to be treated like normal people. They just want to have the chance to sit there and enjoy their meal and company.”

Not surprising, then, that this mother of three specializes in on-site catering, where she comes to your event and cooks for you. Or even a date night, where she comes to your home, cooks and serves your favourite meals and tidies up before leaving. It’s like a restaurant on order.

Professionally run and personally curated, Christina Cooks Catering Company in Stouffville has won over

“

hearts and taste buds. “I was always catering for family and friends who wanted something special for events or celebrations,” Assenza says. She officially launched the company in 2012 after her second child, Isabella, was born and after a seven-year stint at the Courtyard by Marriott. “Much as I enjoyed it, I knew that I wasn’t going back to be working crazy hours,” she says.

In six years of personalized catering, Assenza has twice won the Stouffville Sun-Tribune Readers’ Choice Award for best caterer, in 2014 and 2016. She also recently won the York Region Character Community award for business leader, 2018. “Food is not just stuff on a plate.

I cook with passion and heart,” she says, adding that her favourite events are cocktail parties where she creates a dozen different appetizers. “I love it because I’m literally cooking in your kitchen. I bring the ingredients, as well as pots and pans, to your venue or home, and cook while you sit back, talk to your guests and sip wine.”

From a couple of catering orders a month, Assenza’s business has grown to a packed schedule from Thursday to Sunday. “All my ingredients are handpicked, simple and fresh. I don’t like to confuse people with what I call froufrou foods with a million ingredients and a drizzle of this and that,” she says.

“When my clients ask me how I cook a particular dish, I usually just have a few simple ingredients to share with them, and they are always surprised at how little it takes to put together something fantastic.”

Assenza believes in the power of simple meals and wishes that cooking programs would be introduced in elementary schools. She herself enjoys working as an occasional teacher

Food is not just stuff on a plate.

I cook with passion and heart

64 | York Life Markham May June 2018

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with the York District School Board’s culinary program. “I love to eat my own food, and my family does, too,” she says.

“I let my three children sit with me so they know about vanilla beans and flour.

They don’t have to become chefs, but cooking is a staple in life. I’m surprised by how many teenagers don’t know how to boil water or use a knife.”

Even with her busy schedule, Assenza is big on community service. She put together a free event called Community with Heart, inviting those in need to come and enjoy an evening with live music, hot food and coffee. “The guests filled a bag with clothes, toiletries, books

and toys to take home,” she says. “I just wanted to give back to the community because so many people face hardships, especially after the holidays.”

Assenza knows what it’s like to face

challenges. She started out in the world of cooking when it was still a maledominated industry. But the lessons have been invaluable. “People who push you down only make you stronger. They

make you work harder. Old-school Europeans and a lot of other cultures tend to think that a woman’s place is in the kitchen. Well, here I am.”

For more information, find her on Facebook.

York Life Markham May June 2018 | 65

one last thing

Photo by Jim Craigmyle

Cheers, eh?

Talk about raising a glass. We love these “rebeered” tumblers from Artech Glass Blowing Studios, made from recycled beer bottles. This is just one of four tumblers featuring Canadianisms such as zed, loonie, toque and, of course, eh. It’s a great way to get your Canada on when you crack open a cold one this summer. $72 for a set of four, Too Good General Store, Markham, toogoodgeneralstore.ca 66 | York Life Markham May June 2018

2563 Major Mackenzie Dr. Maple, ON • L6A 2E8 905.832.2753 finchcentrejewellersmaple.com Snake Chain Bracelet System (U.S. Pat. No. 7,007,507) • © 2018 Pandora Jewelry, LLC • All rights reserved

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