GOODLIFE SOUTH SIMCOE SPRING 2017

ECO ARTIST

Les Scottonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s journey from logger to earth-friendly furniture creator

TASTES OF

Spring

Delicious Recipes PLUS:

Taking in TUSCANY

Kelly McCague Sales Representative

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kmccague@royallepage.ca Visit my website for additional photos and virtual tours.

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contents sprin g 2 0 1 7

Living well ews, tips and N fun facts

66 like a local Terra Nova Public House home 18 The art of salvage Inspired by nature and life's

lessons, Les Scotton turns discarded wood and metal into unique pieces of furniture

22 A Designer's Hand It began as a simple kitchen

update and morped inot a major reno — with beautiful results

28 Cushy work

Adding a fresh, inviting space to your home can be as simple as a pillow toss

30 tidy transformation Easy tips to spring clean your home from top to bottom

4 | GoodLife • South Simcoe Edition Spring 2017

Food & drink

Health

38 Hail to Halloumi! A cheese that doesn’t melt?

50 The Gift of Fear Silken Lauman is helping others

Think of the possibilities!

overcome their fear

42 Morning Glories Kick-start your day with one of

62 Get calm and carry on Relaxing advice for chilling out

44 Taste of spring Three light and delicious recipes

Travel

these smart coffee makers

on the go

58 Chasing the Tuscan Sun

Find the recipe on p. 40!

o get the most out of this slice T of Italy, take it slow

64 The Fab 5

Our short list of expert-approved travel apps

MUSKOKA LIFE JULY ISSUE 77

editor’s note

GOODLIFE GOODLIFE Publisher Dana Robbins

Regional General Manager Simcoe - York - Muskoka Shaun Sauve General Manager Simcoe Elise Allain

Here’s to Fresh Starts The start of spring, with its welcome warmer and longer days, is a great time to change up your life for the better. For inspiration, look to our cover story. After decades in a variety of industries, including logging, Les Scotton was moved to do something both beautiful and earthfriendly. Starting on page 18, read about how he now turns scrap into artistic pieces of furniture. Change doesn’t have to be life altering, of course. Around the house, for example, nothing says “spring” like a top-to-bottom cleaning. See page 30 for spring-cleaning tips that will get your home fresh in a hurry. Thinking beyond the big tidy? See page 28 to learn how updating your decor can be simple as a pillow toss. Or for some serious inspiration, flip to page to 22 and discover how a little kitchen facelift turned into a gorgeous reno. Spring is also a great time to change things up in the kitchen. If winter is the season of comfort food, then spring is the season of lighter, fresher fare and we’ve got recipes to get you started (see p. 44). Plus, ever cooked with a cheese that doesn’t melt? Discover the amazing halloumi on page 38. Of course, nothing refreshes like a change of scenery, and it’s hard to beat just about any view in Tuscany. Turn to page 58 to find out why taking things slowly is the only way to take in the delights of this romantic slice of Italy. Happy spring! Jacqueline Kovacs

Editor Jacqueline Kovacs Copy Editor Deanna Dority Advertising Manager Kim Harrison Graphic Design Nick Bornino LuAnne Turner Jennifer Dallman Brenda Boon Advertising Representatives Angelika Crisp Debbie Booth Shalani Ingham Angela Makaroff Mary March Christine Murray Maryann Pearson Debbie Halikas Carolyn Brayiannis Shannon Dunlop Beth Wink Photography Contributions Ellie Kistemaker, Mike Guilbault Photography, Jim Craigmyle, Julie Miguel Editorial Contributions Dawn Ritchie, Leslee Mason, Liz Bruckner, Tracy Smith, Ericka Engel, Joann MacDonald, Julie Miguel, Suzanne Legue

21 Patterson Road, Barrie, ON L4N 7W6 Phone: 705-726-0573 First Place

Three things I learned this issue

Statements opinions and points of view expressed are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent those of the publisher, advertisers or GoodLife. GoodLife Barrie edition is published six times per year: January/February, March/ April, May/June, July/August, September/October, November/December (Holiday Edition) For further information regarding all our products, we invite you to call us at 705-726-0573.

Find easy ways to clean those cushions on page 29.

6 | GoodLife • South Simcoe Edition Spring 2017

Indulge in the sweet taste of spring. See page 48.

Planning a trip? There’s an app for that! See page 64.

For advertising inquiries, please email: goodlife@simcoe.com or call 705-726-0573 ext. 250 Digital Edition: www.goodlifemagazine.ca Follow us: twitter.com/goodlifebarrie

Real Estate

CounTRy PRoPERTiES – Buying / SElling Rob McDonough Sales Representative

Remax Chay Realty Tottenham 905-936-3500 416-294-3157

robmcdonough.ca

Living in and Selling Country Properties is a wonderful experience, one that I highly recommend, almost daily to anyone that will listen. The Serenity, Comfort and Peace of living in the Country is what rewards me upon my return each and every day. Buying or selling country properties may present some specific challenges. Therefore, first and foremost, engage the services of a qualified country Real Estate Professional. He or she will have the knowledge and skill to guide you through the nuances of Country Living. The following FAQ’s are in no way inclusive but may serve as a starting point when considering living in the Country.

Q. Is local knowledge important ?

Yes, it is extremely important not only to understand relative comparable value but to understand such concerns as the Zoning, Conservation Authorities and Permitted Uses of the subject property. Are there plans for future developments in the area? And let’s not forget about what the area has to offer for schools, hospitals, fire stations and retail.

Q. Do I, or my agent, need to have an understanding of construction?

Yes, it would be very helpful to understand why certain construction was employed or should have been. For instance a steel roof is a great bonus for shedding snow without lifting your shovel. A paved driveway may not be appropriate if your under lying soil is not stable or has a high water saturation. Come the winter freeze and spring thaw, the movement of the frost will destroy your driveway.

Q. What is important to know about a well?

You want to ascertain the Well Type (Bored, Dug or Drilled) and whether the Well produces sufficient potable water for normal household use, on a sustained basis. Currently, household use is generally 2-3 GPM depending on the size of your family. Sustainability can be determined by scrutinizing the Well Report for soil type, depth and screening. The Type of Well also has it’s own characteristics to consider from contamination to flow rate recovery. Ensure the distance from the well to the septic bed is sufficient. Bored/dug wells are required to be 75-100 feet and drilled at least 50 feet.

Q. What is important to know about septic systems?

A properly working Septic System will last a long time. Avoid plugging it with unwanted materials or excessive use of detergents and bleaches as this will kill some of the necessary bacteria in the Septic Tank. Fix leaking taps and toilets before they dilute your septic system. Also, if your septic bed is not functioning properly it will let you know with a wet spongy section of lawn.

Q. What is the most cost effective heating system in the country?

Not Electric! But fear not if you run across it for conversions are plentiful. Now the most cost effective Heating is Geo Thermal……if properly installed! It is expensive and I have witnessed many inefficient systems…so be careful. The problem is that many Geo Thermal Systems use an Electric Heating coil as backup. So if for some reason your system needs backup, you will be effectively running an electric furnace. Now that kind of defeats the purpose! HE Propane is clean and relatively inexpensive. New HE Wood Stoves/Inserts are also an option. Please have a proper liner installed, burn only hardwood and have the chimney liner cleaned regularly. Welcome to the Country…..Enjoy it, Respect it and Live it!

GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 7

FAMILY LAW

4 Questions With: Shank Law We Do:

Divorces Separation Agreements Cohab Agreements Custody, Access, Support Property Division Wills & Estates Paralegal Services Landlord Tenant Act Highway Traffic Act Notaries, Commissions Ask us about unbundled services! 705-435-5055 lynn@shanklawoffice.com www.shanklawoffice.com

Q. 1 I stayed home with our children, and now my husband wants joint custody. What does this mean? Parents often confuse custody with residency; in law, custody means decision-making. A parent who has sole custody, makes all the major decisions concerning the children, particularly religion, health, and education. For example, a sole custody parent does not require permission to change the child’s school or obtain a travel consent. Joint custody parents share this decision-making authority; One parent cannot unilaterally make a major decision. Residency is a separate issue: You can have joint custody and the children reside primarily with you. By law, both parents have an equal right to custody of the children unless there is an agreement or a court order stating otherwise. Roxanne Shank – Family Law

Q. 2 My son is looking to rent an off-campus apartment with his friends. The landlord is requesting that they all sign a rental agreement that has some pretty strange clauses. Should he have it reviewed by a paralegal before signing? It is always a good idea to review a rental agreement carefully and understand the consequences of each

clause before signing. Young students often find themselves the victims of less scrupulous ‘bully’ landlords, so it is important to know your rights. Certain clauses in agreements are of no legal force and effect, for example, clauses forbidding pets. The best advice is to visit the Landlord and Tenant Board website, review the Residential Tenancies Act and if there are further concerns or questions I would suggest booking a one hour consult to go over an agreement prior to signing. Ashley Harrison - Paralegal

Q. 3 Do I really need a notarized travel consent if our children are traveling outside of the country without both parents? I view travel consents like travel insurance - there is a chance you won’t require it, but if you break your leg, you are going to be glad you have it. Regardless of whether mom and dad are separated or together, anytime your minor child travels without both parents present, they should travel with a notarized travel authorization from the parent(s) who are not accompanying them to confirm their permission. Without these forms, they run the risk of not being allowed to leave the country or return to the country. These forms are readily available online and can be witnessed and notarized at any legal office. Omar Khan – Family Law

Q. 4 What is the most frequent mistake that clients make? We see clients time and again, who come to us, having never in their lives made a Will and Powers of Attorney. This can have a profound effect on your affairs, especially if you are in a common-law relationship which doesn’t afford your partner any automatic rights in the event of your illness or death. These legal documents can only be made while you are of sound mind, which means bluntly- by the time you need to use them - it will be too late to make them. Do your future self a favour, and make an appointment to complete them now. Heather McKnight – Family and Wills & Estates Law Your Friends at Shank Law

8 | GoodLife • South Simcoe Edition Spring 2017

living well

Say Cheese! Turning that frown upside down does more than make your face look better — it’s also good for your health. The simple act of smiling can help regulate blood pressure, strengthen the immune system, lower our cancer risk and just plain make us feel better. But compared with children, we grown-ups don’t grin very much: adults typically smile 20 times a day, while infants and toddlers flash their teeth (or gums) up to 400 times daily.

GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 9

living well | Health

Working (out) for the weekend If you’re one of those people whose lifestyle relegates exercise to weekends, take heart. Yes, ideally we’d all get at least 30 minutes of daily physical activity, but it turns out that squeezing those minutes into your days off still lowers your risk of death from all causes by 30 per cent, compared with inactive adults, according to a recent study in the U.K.’s JAMA Internal Medicine. To make it count, though, you need either 150 minutes of moderate (sweatinducing) or 75 minutes of vigorous (conversationstopping) exercise.

Struggling to lose weight? Help might be a phone call away. Really. In a recent study published in the journal Obesity, researchers coached one group of dieters over the phone and provided no coaching to a second group. After one year, 30 per cent of people in the phone group lost 10 pounds and were on a downward weight trajectory, while those without telephone support saw no significant weight change. So, the next time those cravings hit, try reaching for your phone.

The truth about turmeric Turmeric may have lost its golden edge. The bright yellow spice, often used in curries, has been touted as a natural defence against cancer and Alzheimer’s disease, thanks to its antioxidant properties. But recent research published in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry says the spice doesn’t live up to its hype. One reason: curcumin, the bestknown chemical in turmeric, not only has limited health benefits, but also is not easily absorbed by the body. But don’t empty your spice jar just yet. Other nutritionists point out that combinations of foods, rather than just single ingredients, can have positive, synergistic effects on the body. Bonus: Turmeric adds flavour to food, without excess salt, sugar or fat.

10 | GoodLife • South Simcoe Edition Spring 2017

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living well | Home

Spring Into Colour With spring in sight, it’s time to think about a wardrobe change — and that includes inside your home. We spoke with Barrie’s Catherine Staples of Catherine Staples Interiors (catherinestaplesinteriors.com) for her top three trends in home decor this spring and summer. 1. Jewel tones: Buh-bye beige! Embrace emerald green and fuchsia pink alongside touches of gold and brass. Don’t want to go big? Keep your investment pieces, such as couches and chairs, neutral and add a splash of contemporary colour via pillows, throws and other accessories. 2. On the llama: “Alpaca wool is everywhere!” Staples says. “Chairs, stools, pillows — but with little pops of colour.” It’s part of an overall trend toward both texture and authentic materials. 3. Fido framed: Forget landscapes and think of the creatures on them. “We’re seeing a lot of animal art,” she says, “photos of dogs, horses and butterflies. Who doesn’t love a dog?”

Really recharge When you shut down for the night, do you also plug in your smartphone? Then you’ll appreciate this nightstand with wireless charging capabilities from Ikea. Instead of searching for your charger, simply place your phone on the plus-sign symbol and rest easy. Note, though, that some phone models may require a special case and the red version of the night table doesn’t include wireless charging. SELJE nightstand, $49.99, ikea.ca.

Declutter with a click Getting rid of unwanted furnishings, electronics, clothing and even cars just got easier, thanks to letgo, an app that helps you buy and sell locally and across North America. Letgo enables users to post an item for sale online in seconds by simply taking a photo. Using artificial intelligence and imagerecognition technology, the app then automatically labels and categorizes the seller’s listing. You can also chat online with the sellers. ca.letgo.com. 12 | GoodLife • South Simcoe Edition Spring 2017

Fitting advice Ever faced this nightmare: You’ve bought a stunning new sofa, but can’t get it through your front door? Next time, ask if your retailer offers design services to take care of the doorway (or stairway) math. Or, go online where sites such as planyourroom.com help you create a floor plan to scale.

living well | Food & Drink

More reasons to maple syrup

tap into

It’s sap-running season! If that weren’t good news enough, consider this: When you treat yourself and your family to pure Canadian maple syrup poured over pancakes or waffles, you’re actually doing your bodies a world of good. The only product in our diet directly from a plant’s sap, maple syrup boasts 63 antioxidants that can help prevent or stave off cancer and diabetes. It also has high levels of zinc and manganese, great for the heart and immune system. Pretty sweet, eh?

Milking home turf Rolling Meadow Dairy is taking the term “grassroots” to a new level with Ontario’s first grass-fed dairy. The two-year-old company works with small southwestern Ontario farms that, in season, graze their cattle mostly outdoors. “They eschew corn and concentrated starch in favour of grass,” Rolling Meadow Dairy CEO Matthew von Teichman explains. The result is a richer-tasting milk with a “deeper nutritional profile,” including up to

300 times more heart-healthy omega-3s. It’s also healthier for the cows, whose digestive systems are better suited to grass. “In season, our cows spend 80 per cent of their time outside grazing,” von Teichman says. That’s even longer than cows used for organic milk. You can find Rolling Meadow Dairy milk, yogurt, butter and other products in health food stores and in the natural section of larger grocery stores.

The power of PISTACHIOS Another way to drink responsibly Calling all wine lovers: Why not celebrate the arrival of spring in southern Ontario with local wines made responsibly? Southbrook Vineyards, Canada’s first biodynamic winery, produces a range of red and white organic wines at various price levels, and will deliver them right to your door. Worth a try: its creamy 2015 Triomphe Chardonnay ($22.95), with flavours of pear and peach brûlée — perfect with seafood, chicken, and pork with apples. Learn more at southbrook.com.

For a treat that packs a powerful, nutritious punch, it’s hard to beat pistachios. In one 49-nut serving, you get 6 grams of protein, 3 grams of fibre, 24 per cent of the recommended daily amount of vitamin B6 — and only 159 calories. Plus, according to the so-called pistachio effect, based on studies by Jim Painter of Eastern Illinois University, the time it takes to de-shell the nut, combined with seeing a pile of discarded shells, may make us eat less.

GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 13

living well | Travel

Choose your Canadian Adventure With our nation’s 150th birthday party underway, there’s no better time to take in more Canada. With that in mind, Air Canada Vacations has launched its Go Canada Collection, featuring a variety of getaways, near and far, that showcase this country. Go by plane, train or car (or a combination thereof) to enjoy everything “from urban chic to Arctic splendour, from Maritime charm to the forests of the Pacific and the great Canadian Rockies.” What’s on offer? Skiers can enjoy packages

2 hours 21 minutes

that include flight, hotel, lift ticket and access to the slopes of Banff, Sun Peaks and Whistler in the west, and Massif, Mont–Sainte-Anne and Tremblant in the east. Wildlife aficionados can get up close with belugas, grizzlies and polar bears, orca whales and harp seal pups. Those who like things more leisurely may enjoy Fly & Rail itineraries that include Rocky Mountaineer, Alaska Cruise or “From Lobster to Poutine” in Atlantic Canada. Find out more at vacations.aircanada.com.

How much longer it takes to fly from New York to Houston today than it did in 1973, according to Business Insider. What happened? Today’s airlines tell their pilots to fly at slower speeds to save on the cost of fuel.

Rest for the Weary Traveller There are two kinds of travellers: those who can sleep on planes and those who can’t. And most of us want to be part of the can-sleep set. To help rest your jet-lagged head, we’ve rounded up three innovative neck pillows that just might help you visit the land of nod before your final destination.

Infinity Pillow This pillow’s infinity shape means you can twist, wrap or bundle it for customized comfort. Its soft, bamboo fabric is antibacterial, hypoallergenic and machine washable. $39, huzidesign. com/product/infinity-pillow.

14 | GoodLife • South Simcoe Edition Spring 2017

Trtl Pillow Pronounced “turtle,”

this scarf-like head support is soft and fleecy on the outside, but has a strong rib on the inside so you can contour it to hold your neck, head or jaw. It’s about half the size of a traditional neck pillow and is machine washable. $39.95, trtletravel.com.

J-Pillow Don’t let the odd shape

fool you. This pillow supports your head and neck, but also your chin, to avoid nodding forward as you’re nodding off. Plus, its 3-D filling means you can squish it into a compact ball to stuff in your carry-on when you arrive all refreshed. $39, jpillow.com.

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16 | GoodLife • South Simcoe Edition Spring 2017

home

An Alarming Fact

Every year, more than 50 Canadians die from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Protect yourself and your family by making sure you have a working CO detector near all of your home’s sleeping areas. And don’t forget to clean it and check the battery twice a year to ensure your alarm is fully operational. (P.S. It’s the law.)

GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 17

home | Cover Story

The

fine artof salvage

Inspired by nature and life’s lessons, Les Scotton turns discarded wood and metal into unique pieces of furniture By Dawn Ritchie photos Mike Guilbault

“Artisan”

is a new moniker for furniture builder Les Scotton. “When customers started referring to me as an artist, I wondered, is that what I am?” he muses. “I slowly realized they viewed my work as pieces of art.” Scotton works with salvage. Each aspect of his bold designs originates from a recovery process. Rescuing agricultural castoffs, industrial discards and reclaimed wood, he creates a second generation of functional use to materials that would otherwise end up in landfills or decompose in farmers’ fields. The result is furnishings that are matchless in appearance with a storied past. An antique tractor’s flatbed pulley liberated from a New Tecumseth farm or reclaimed floorboards from the Toronto CN Rail Terminal are transformed into unique tables, garden benches and one-ofa-kind lamps as they enter the second act of their lives, much like Scotton has himself. Originally hailing from British Columbia, Scotton has been working with his hands since he can remember. “I’ve been a logger, fisherman, farmer, house builder, and even ran a sawmill,” he recalls. “I’ve always made things, invented things, developed things.”

An environmental concern His myriad adventures have carried him across the globe for work, from Canada’s west coast to Hawaii, South America and the Caribbean, all the way to the edge of the Australian outback, where he ran a sheep, cattle and wheat farm for five years. But through the years, his growing concern for ecological soundness began to take a toll on his dedication to these trades.

18 | GoodLife • South Simcoe Edition Spring 2017

GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 19

"Nature is still the best designer. Wood brings an organic content that you can’t make"

“Many of the things I did, I had intimate contact with and an influence on the environment,” he says. “If you’re logging, you’re cutting trees, building roads, burning fuel. I could see the effect I had on the environment, and none of it was pretty. You’re trying to survive, but you pay a price for everything you do.” As these repercussions became evident to Scotton and his family, they re-examined their personal participation in the problem. “These practices have gained proportions that are dangerous to all of us,” Scotton says. “It seems like a valueless thing to cause real danger.” The change of heart would mean another shift in scenery, and today, Scotton finds himself in rural Ontario on a mission to serve penance for all he has taken from the land. “This is not an area where I can make a great impact, but I make every impact I can,” he says. What has surprised him is the overwhelmingly positive response to his salvaged designs.

Reimagining scrap Scotton’s creative process begins as he examines each scrap of iron, copper, wood and steel and asks himself, “What could this be?” Days later, a tree stump’s root system is fused 20 | GoodLife • South Simcoe Edition Spring 2017

with oxidized iron and topped with upcycled wood to find a new purpose as a rustic coffee table. Or an old steel flywheel and corroded slice of metal is suddenly illuminating a room as a striking steam punk floor lamp. Structurally, each piece often requires some element of scrap iron or steel for stabilization, but wood is by far Scotton’s preferred raw material to work with. “Nature is still the best designer,” he says. “Wood brings an organic content that you can’t make. The randomness of colours, textures and patterns. You create around that. If you don’t take that into the design, your work is the poorer for it.” Calling his new company Generational Design, Scotton explains that the business name enjoys a double meaning, encompassing not only the generations of uses for nature’s gifts, but also the makeup of his own company, now run by two generations of his family.

A family enterprise Scotton began his business as an outlet for his interest in design and creation. “I almost considered it a semi-retirement thing,” he says. Once his son and daughter climbed aboard, the vision for a grander operation took off. Les’s son, Daniel, is a marketing specialist and

his daughter, Victoria, an accountant. Immediately, Instagram and Facebook accounts were up and running with a website in the works as Generational Design began its first steps toward becoming a family enterprise. The wares, from dining and coffee tables to garden benches, lamps and even Viking Bog chairs, are currently sold through local fairs and on the website Etsy, a marketplace for handmade items. But Scotton reveals that the family is harbouring a larger business plan that involves creating prototypes for mass production using 100 per cent upcycled materials sourced from Earth’s supply chain. Building one-of-a-kind custom orders will still remain in Generational Design’s playbook, but they will run at a significantly higher price point. As the operation evolves, Scotton remains content, tinkering in his home workshop in Tottenham and at Newmarket’s NewMakeIt technical workshop, where he’s developing his future mass-production prototypes. “I have no interest in Baroque things,” he says. “There are cultures that like very elaborate furniture, heavily carved. My taste runs more to simple, clean lines. And that is what I prefer to create. It can also be reproduced reasonably and then it can become a product.” More importantly, it can become a product created without harming the environment. “There are people out there advocating for environmentalism, but we all can do something,” he says. “So, I quietly go about doing the things that I might be able to do, apply principles that work, use simplicity, the classics. The magic ratios that provide lasting appeal.” Scotton’s advice to buyers: “Don’t put your money into fads that will have no value in five years. Invest in continued value and something that lends itself to sustainability.” generationaldesign.ca GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 21

home | House Tour

A Designer’s Hand By Dawn Ritchie | photos By Mike Guilbault

22 | GoodLife • South Simcoe Edition Spring 2017

It began as a simple kitchen update and morphed into a major home reno — with beautiful results “It all started with new cabinets and it snowballed from there,” homeowner Karen Winn says about the remodel of her Barrie home. “You’re getting new cabinets and you’re not about to install them on an old floor.” Once the decision was made to lay maple hardwood across the entire first level, the bathroom suddenly seemed dated and needed a new vanity and commode. Come to think

of it, that cream trim work and door wasn’t going to match the white cabinetry either. And now speaking of colour, frankly, the whole place needed a paint job. Before the Winns knew it, bulkheads were coming out, the gas fireplace was being replaced with a contemporary electric version with a travertine surround, and a sevenweek gut-and-renovation job was in full swing. “We needed a new kitchen and we ended up

with a full main-floor renovation,” Winn says with a laugh. As with any construction job, the family soon learned more about the structure of their home. A pillar at the entrance they had assumed was a supporting beam turned out to be merely decorative. Once it was removed, a more expansive feeling overtook the whole first level. GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 23

home | House Tour

To help the family choose the right furnishings, La-Z-Boy Galleries’ in-house designer Lisa Petersen discussed lifestyle, fabrics, textures and colours with the Winns.

24 | GoodLife • South Simcoe Edition Spring 2017

Gruelling construction phase “Buying a new home with all the bells and whistles was another option,” Winn says, “but we really love our home, street and subdivision. Besides, the housing market in Barrie is going crazy. By the time you pay real estate fees, land transfer taxes, stage your home and buy all new appliances, it gets costly. Moving is not cheap and chances are that one of two things will happen: you’ll have to pay a builder for upgrades or you’ll end up reno-ing someone else’s house anyway.” As the rich Preverco Chamonix flooring was readied to be laid, the Winn family relocated to a relative’s home for the remainder of the renovation, visiting daily

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GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 25

home | House Tour

The Winns’ home now has a clean, contemporary and open feel, and the dramatic change has become the talk of the town. Neighbours have started considering their own renos.

to check on the progress. Jason Godin of Korona Construction was hired as the general contractor and guided them through the construction phase, including the hundreds of little decisions that had to be made. The home’s transformation would eventually reach to the window coverings. The expensive California shutters the Winns had installed 14 years earlier were now in a colour contrast to their bright new look. Diamond Coat Shutters removed them, repainted them and reinstalled them. “They look like brand new shutters,” Winn says. But pulling the rest of the look together 26 | GoodLife • South Simcoe Edition Spring 2017

was a beast of a task. Winn knew she wanted Canadel bar stools for the kitchen island and had decided on a Kuzco chandelier instead of pendants, but she was now beginning to question the appropriateness of all her remaining furnishings. Would they fit in with the sparkling new renovation? “It’s not like those TV design shows in real life,” Winn says. “They make it look easy. But when you look at furniture in a showroom, it’s in a big location. Then you get that furniture home and it’s consuming the room. If you have the talent, that’s amazing. But most of us don’t.”

hOme aNd

lifestyle

shOW

That's why the Winns turned to La-Z-Boy Galleries’ in-house designer Lisa Petersen for her help.

150

The perfect finishes Petersen visited the home, took measurements, photographed all the samples they had so far and spoke extensively with the Winns about their lifestyle and the fabrics, textures and colours they loved. She pulled these factors together to develop a floor plan for each room with a collection of design elements, from furnishings to paint, lighting and rugs. To withstand the demands of a household with three active school-age children, Petersen chose durable, washable fabrics for the family’s new Kincaid performance furniture. Fresh but warm colours and textures, meanwhile, invite and complement their new design. “It all flowed. It just worked,” Winn says. “You could really get a good visual of what it would look like all together. Originally, I thought there was stuff I would keep. But in the end, I kept only heirloom pieces that have been in the family for a long time. Lisa’s help was invaluable and it was a free service. She really removed the stress of the renovation.” The dramatic change has become the talk of the town as neighbours visit and have now started considering their own renos. “You know how on those design shows people walk in for the reveal and scream, ‘This is my house?’ Well, that’s how I feel every day when I walk in the door,” Winn says. “I can't believe this is my house.”

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GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 27

photo courtesy of Ikea

home | Decor

Cushy Work Adding a fresh, inviting space to your home can be as easy as a pillow toss By TRACY SMIT H

hen spring is in the air, it’s only natural to think about freshening up our homes — both outside and in. It’s time to store away the heavy plaids, wools and fleece throws and trade them in for some lighter fabrics heralding warmer days to come. An easy way to bring a welcome change? Add throw pillows, perfect for couches, chairs and beds. Why? The sky’s the limit with accent cushions, say the pros. They can have the largest impact in a room and are so easy to change

28 | GoodLife • South Simcoe Edition Spring 2017

with the seasons, unlike expensive art and area rugs. For a contemporary look, less is more: two bold cushions picking up on accent colours from your artwork or carpet will work well. If your look is more cozy and casual, add lots of cushions in all different patterns and textures that complement one another and pair with a practical blanket. To get you started, we’ve rounded up some of this season’s picture-perfect pillows, ready to perch on a couch near you.

home | Decor

CO L OUR TR E ND S Hot colours for 2017 include a lot of jewel tones — deep purples, greens, rich yellows. Seek softer, lighter versions of these shades for the warmer months. Think light blue, butter yellow and mauve.

Light Blue Chevron Hues of light blue paired with a contemporary zigzag pattern. Fabricland, from $12.95

Jassa Cushion A must-have in one of the year’s hottest shades. Ikea, from $4.99

Classic Ticking This classic look is perfect on its own or great for layering with other patterns and colours. Tonic Living, $48.95

Tangerine & White Geometric Who doesn’t like colour in the summer? It’s time to spice things up! Fabricland, from $12.95

Java Batik, Indigo A gorgeous indigo-blue pillow inspired by Batik fabric of Indonesia. Tonic Living, from $41.95

Eastern Charm This pretty floral brings a bit of the garden indoors and is perfect for a bedroom. Tonic Living, from $48.95

Sommer 2017 The polka dot reinvented with a splash of fun. Ikea, from $4.99

Posh Velvet Mustard A luxurious pop of colour and a beautiful exposed brass zipper. Tonic Living, $51.95

Greno Cushion Indoor/outdoor, bursting with personality and machine washable. Ikea, from $9.99

CU S H I ON CAR E It’s bound to happen — dirt, a stain, the dreaded spill. But how do you clean a cushion? “They are small and usually they have removable covers that makes cleaning a lot easier,” says Janine Morrison, co-founder and owner of Toronto’s Tonic Living. “We tell all of our customers the same cleaning advice: dry clean or very careful machine washing. Use cold water with mild detergent, lie flat to dry and iron inside out on medium heat.”

SOURCES: Michelle Major, owner, Foxglove Design Inc., Aurora, foxglovedesign.ca Fabricland, various locations, fabricland.ca Ikea, various locations, ikea.com/ca Tonic Living, Toronto, tonicliving.com

GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 29

home | Spring Cleaning

Spring’s longer, brighter days cue us to throw open the windows and let in the light. But those early rays can put a spotlight on a winter’s worth of grime: cobwebs in corners, salt stains by the front door, dust bunnies under furniture. No wonder so many of us are hit with spring-cleaning fever. Caught the bug? Read on for a roomby-room refresh to get your space sparkling.

Tidy

By LESLEE MASON

Transformation room

clean

purge

store/organize

KITCHEN

Dust light fixtures and wipe down range hood, backsplash and walls. Wipe counters and door pulls, and clean cabinets inside and out. Then, wash floor.

Pitch expired food, chipped mugs and lidless food containers. Give away unused items such as old dinnerware or extra pots.

Break out the barbecue tools and store occasional-use items away from everyday ones.

LIVING ROOM

Wipe down surfaces, including window ledges and remotes. Vacuum sofa (don’t forget underneath and between cushions). Vacuum — and if necessary, shampoo — carpets.

Sort and ditch or rehome surface clutter such as old magazines, mail and knick-knacks.

Replace heavier cushions and throws with lighter choices, in keeping with the warmer weather.

BEDROOMS

Launder all bedding (including bed skirt, duvet and mattress pad) and vacuum under bed. Wash machinewashable curtains.

Give your closet a solid once-over. Donate clothes that no longer fit or that you haven’t worn in a year.

Replace heavy bedding and blankets with lighter-weight fabrics. Swap out your winter wardrobe for lighter seasonal gear.

BATHROOM

Dust ceiling fans and vents. Scrub sink, tiles, tub and toilet. Launder fabric shower curtain and clean or replace liner. Clean mirror. Dust then clean baseboards and floor.

Bin expired products. Toss makeup older than six months, as well as broken eyeshadows and powders.

Create tub space by leaving out one bottle each of shampoo, conditioner and body wash.

30 | GoodLife • South Simcoe Edition Spring 2017

Ready, set, clean How long will cleaning take? It depends. “Some people have a lot to tackle and some don’t,” says Michelle Jamieson, co-owner of Precise Cleaning Services, which provides home and office cleaning throughout York Region and surrounding areas. If you’ve got a lot to do, Jamieson suggests a more flexible schedule and focusing on one room at a time. Before starting, make sure you’ve got the right tools on hand. Jamieson uses a caddy to keep things organized. Its must-haves include a duster, window cleaner, all-purpose and bathroom products, and a pumice stone for the toilet. “In the cleaning area of Home Hardware, they have [a pumice stone] specifically for your toilets,” she says, adding it does a great job on the rings caused by hard water. Don’t forget a vacuum, mop and bucket. It’s also a good idea to have boxes and garbage bags on hand to deal with trash and items to donate and store. The strategy “I usually start on the top floor and then work my way to the bottom,” Jamieson says. She takes a similar approach in each room, beginning at the ceiling in the farthest corner of the room and working her way around. “I use a big duster to get any cobwebs, then I’ll go back to that same corner and dust by hand any little trinkets or little items clients may have.” When doing a deep clean, Jamieson suggests paying special attention to your neglected areas, such as windows, walls and baseboards. “You can also clean inside your stove and fridge and move your appliances and clean behind them,” she says.

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A greener clean

Deep clean the inside of your oven with a paste made from baking soda and water. Using gloves, smear it on the sides and bottom (avoid heating elements) and let sit for a few hours. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.

Wash walls with a microfibre cloth and warm water.

After dusting, give wood furniture a coconut-lemon polish. To make, combine ¼ cup coconut oil with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. Put a small amount on a cloth and rub in, then buff with the grain using a separate cloth.

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GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 31

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‘Park-side’ gem with amazing views! Step outside this custom ranch bungalow & discover 770 ac of scenic provincial park at your doorstep – think of the potential for walking, running, hiking or riding miles of trails! This 3+2 bedroom, 2 kitchen home is perfect for 2 family living. The main floor boasts hardwood & quartz flooring, granite countertops and maple cabinets in the kitchen, and each bedroom has its own ensuite with jacuzzi. The large kitchen offers a walk out to covered 12x14 deck, and underneath is your 12’ swim spa for exercising/relaxing. Check out the southwest views from both levels! The beautiful lower level has a full kitchen, 2 bedrooms, large living and dining spaces and walk outs to the wonderful country setting. The list of extras includes things like crown molding, California blinds, central vac, water softener – the list goes on. Call me today for your private showing.

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DEALLY SITUATED in the popular South Barrie with convenient access to Hwy 400 & 27, shopping, restaurants, schools, public transit, parks and recreation. Located in the established neighbourhood of ‘Ardagh’ this spacious ‘all brick bungalow’ offers 4 spacious bedrooms, 2 finished levels with separate basement entrance door via oversized double car garage. Formal dining and living room with 9+’ ceilings. Excellent storage & closet space, 2.5 bathrooms including 4-piece master bedroom ensuite. Central vacuum. Walkout from well designed eat-in kitchen to deck with gazebo & generous sized yard. See all the details and virtual tour at MLS# X3727273

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This Ardagh Area home is currently listed at $587,900 with Kelly McCague, Sales Representative, Royal LePage RCR Realty Brokerage Independently Owned & Operated. For a personal tour please call 705-321-7295. MLS# X3727273

GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 33

The Mortimer Team Has Proven Time & Again, That We Set The Bar For Highest Sale Prices In Alliston & Surrounding Area. Not Only Do We List Homes, We Sell Them! Over 99% Of What We List SELLS, Getting Our Clients TOP Dollar! Results from an Award Winning Team Sell Your Home Faster and For More! We are confident that we can sell your home in a suitable time frame, achieving the highest possible value for you. Our team has a proven track record for selling listings at a higher price and faster than the average Realtor in our marketplace. The process is smoother, with maximum profitability for our clients. We commit to this by proactively marketing properties for sale using creative advertising techniques for maximum exposure; and we use strategic pricing and negotiating experience to command top dollar for our clients. Team Approach! When you work with The Mortimer Team, you will be serviced by one of New Tecumseth’s premier real

estate teams. You will work with a team of professionals that will provide exceptional service and a successful real estate experience. Each member of our team has been carefully selected and brings a large amount of professionalism, experience, and passion to their role. Our team consists of specialized individuals who shine in their area of expertise, and are the best at what they do. This includes home sales and negotiations, client care, marketing, administration, photography, and home staging if needed. We are a strong team that works well together and are here to help you through every stage of buying or selling your home.

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Laurie was born and raised in the Beeton area and has since had a fam‐ ily that includes her hus‐ band Scott and 3 daugh‐ ters Kim, Hope & Brooke. Laurie is well known for her outgoing personality and heavy involve‐ ment in this great local community of Alliston and area. Laurie has been an award winning realtor for over 17 years now, combining her grass roots knowledge, impeccable work ethic and her ability to give her real estate customers a professional yet personal experience.

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food & drink

Frozen Assets

If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been giving frozen vegetables the cold shoulder, you might want to rethink that. Sure, straight-from-the-garden produce is chock full of nutrition and flavour, but getting the freshest possible veggies this time of year can be tricky. Of course, you can find produce aplenty at your local grocery store, but sometimes the trip from warmer southern fields to cool Canadian supermarkets can take weeks â&#x20AC;&#x201D; eroding the nutritional quality with each passing day. Frozen vegetables, meanwhile, are chilled within hours of being picked, preserving more nutrition than the fresherlooking finds in your produce aisle.

GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 37

Photography Naomi Hiltz

food & drink | Halloumi Cheese

38 | GoodLife • South Simcoe Edition Spring 2017

Hail to Halloumi!

A cheese that doesn’t melt? Think of the possibilities! By TRA C Y S M ITH Imagine a cheese you can barbecue, fry or heat and it won’t melt or lose its shape. You’ve just pictured halloumi. Originally from the Mediterranean country of Cyprus, halloumi was traditionally made from goat’s or sheep’s milk, but is now made from cow’s milk, too. The cheese is known for its salty taste, and often has a hint of mint from the pieces added to most types, primarily to reflect its origins of being wrapped in mint leaves for longevity.

Watermelon & Halloumi 1 tsp minced shallot 1 tsp minced garlic pinch kosher salt 1/4 cup red wine vinegar 1 tbsp honey 1/2 cup plus 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 2 tbsp sliced almonds, toasted 2 tbsp chopped fresh mint 8 small wedges seedless watermelon, rind removed 8 oz halloumi cheese, cut into 8 slices In a mixing bowl, whisk together shallot, garlic, salt, vinegar and honey. Slowly whisk in 1/2 cup oil, then add almonds and mint. Place watermelon in a shallow dish. Pour the dressing on top, cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add remaining 1 tbsp oil. Sear halloumi 1 minute per side, then remove from pan; top each slice with a piece of marinated watermelon. Makes 4 servings.

Halloumi has a texture similar to that of mozzarella, and fans often describe it as “squeaky” when you eat it cooked. “Unlike other cheeses, halloumi can take centre stage and, once cooked, is often eaten on its own with a fork and knife,” explains Jane Kemp, owner of La Jolie Cheese Shop in Aurora. “It also pairs well with other foods, working wonderfully with both sweet and savoury tastes in salads, appetizers and main dishes.” Read on for other ways to enjoy halloumi.

H a l l o u mi H O W - T O • • • • • • •

skewer on shish kebabs, alternating with meat and vegetables add to salads place on toothpicks with figs and/or watermelon grate onto pasta layer on a burger cook in omelettes use in place of crostini bread in appetizer recipes

B asic H a l l o u mi Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a skillet over medium high. Slice halloumi into ½-inch pieces and fry two to three minutes per side or until golden brown. Serve and enjoy.

(Source: Michael Symon for Food Network Magazine.) GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 39

food & drink | Halloumi Cheese

Breakfast Stack with Halloumi, Spinach, Potato and Roasted Pepper

1 large Yukon Gold potato, cut into rounds, approximately 1/8-inch thick 1 tsp white vinegar 2 tbsp olive oil salt and ground black pepper, to taste 4 slices thick-cut bacon 8 oz halloumi, cut crosswise into 8 slices, each about ¼-inch thick 1 tbsp butter 2 oz baby spinach, washed and dried (about 2 cups) 4 eggs 8 fire-roasted ½-inch red pepper strips (store-bought is fine)

(Source: Wendy Crispell for Culture magazine, culturecheesemag.com/recipes.) SOURCES: Jane Kemp, La Jolie Cheese Shop, Aurora, lajoliecheeseshop.ca Michael Symon, michaelsymon.com Wendy Crispell, certified cheese specialist, sassysipsnyc.com Culture Magazine, culturecheesemag.com/recipes Food Network, foodnetwork.com

40 | GoodLife • South Simcoe Edition Spring 2017

Soak potatoes in cold water for 10 minutes, then drain well and pat dry. Fill a two-quart saucepan with 2 inches of water, add vinegar, then bring to a slow simmer and leave. Heat two large non-stick skillets over medium heat, adding oil to one. Add potatoes to oiled skillet in one layer, being careful to spread them out. Season with salt and pepper and brown for 5 minutes on each side or until golden and crisp. Remove potatoes to serving plate and cover to keep warm. Meanwhile, in second skillet, add bacon and cook until brown and crisp. Drain on paper towels; cut each piece in half and cover with foil to keep warm. Wipe out both skillets and return them to the stove over medium heat. In first skillet, cook halloumi for 2 to 3 minutes per side or until golden brown. Remove to a serving platter and cover to keep warm. Melt butter in second skillet, add spinach and stir, covering spinach with butter. Remove from heat and cover. Break eggs into individual small ramekins or teacups, and gently slide each egg into simmering vinegar water. Turn off heat, cover and let sit for 5 minutes. Assemble stacks on four individual plates in this order: a few potato slices, two slices of halloumi, one poached egg (use slotted spoon to remove from water), spinach, red pepper and bacon. Garnish with black pepper. Makes 4 servings.

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GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 41

food & drink | Coffee Brewers

Morning

Glories Kick-start your day with one of these smart coffee makers B y LESLEE M A S O N

42 | GoodLife • South Simcoe Edition Spring 2017

Make it count Take the guesswork out of the perfect cup with this clever brewer. It features a 12-cup capacity and built-in scale that counts and displays your coffee scoops for consistent flavour every time. Choose between regular and bold brews, and enjoy automatic pause-and-serve for no waiting or mess. TruCount Coffee Maker, Hamilton Beach, $95, available at hamiltonbeach.ca.

Style maker Make a bold countertop statement with this sleek and streamlined French press, featuring a cordless design and heat-retaining dual stainless steel construction. The integrated scale and timer ensures precise ratio and brew time for a rich, full-bodied cup of coffee. KitchenAid Precision Press Coffee Maker, $170, available at national retailers and kitchenaid.ca.

Crowd pleaser Perfect for your next gathering, this stylish machine with advanced heat technology brews up to 14 cups of regular or bold-flavoured coffee. Fully programmable, it features a 24-hour brew start, adjustable auto-off and push-button controls. Cuisinart 14-Cup Coffee Maker, $150, available at Canadian Tire and online at canadiantire.ca.

Two in one Tea or coffee? Enjoy either with this handy two-in-one appliance. Get your brew on or use its one-hand hotwater dispenser with ready light to make tea, cocoa or instant hot cereal. Coffee Maker & Hot Water Dispenser, Hamilton Beach, $105, available at Walmart.

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Home barista Turn your daily cup into an art form with the addition of a burr grinder. This one boasts 15 grind levels and lower grinding temperatures for better flavour and quality. KitchenAid Burr Grinder, $350, available at national retailers and online at kitchenaid.ca.

Debbie Hudson, CFP ® Vice President, Investment Advisor 18 Victoria St. E. Alliston 705-435-8874 debbie.hudson@td.com Start a conversation today.

TD Wealth Private Investment Advice is a division of TD Waterhouse Canada Inc., a subsidiary of The Toronto-Dominion Bank. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. – Member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund. ® The TD logo and other trade-marks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank. M06300 (0316) GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 43

food & drink | Spring Recipes

44 | GoodLife • South Simcoe Edition Spring 2017

s e t Tas e k i L ! g n i r p S When warmer weather arrives, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to think fresh and light at mealtime, and these delicious recipes are a great way to get you started. Bonus: This tasty combination works as brunch, lunch or dinner. R E C I P I ES A N D P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y J ULIE MIGUEL

Rosemary Lamb Lollipops With Mint Gremolata Lamb marinade: This marinade can also be used for any cut of lamb that you prefer (e.g., lamb chops). 12 lamb lollipops 3 cloves garlic, sliced 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary Â˝ cup white wine Âź cup extra-virgin olive oil Mint gremolata: 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh mint 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 tbsp grated lemon zest 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil pinch each, salt and pepper Put lamb into a large resealable plastic bag, and add garlic, rosemary, wine and olive oil. Seal bag; using your hands, make sure the marinade coats all of the lamb pieces. Marinate overnight in the refrigerator (or for at least 4 hours). To make mint gremolata, in a small bowl, whisk together mint, garlic, lemon zest, olive oil, salt and pepper. Set aside. Heat grill pan to medium-high heat. Grill lamb for about 2 to 3 minutes per side (lamb should be served medium, with a pink centre). Finish with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Drizzle with mint gremolata and serve hot. Makes 4 servings.

GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 45

food & drinkâ&#x20AC;&#x2020;|â&#x20AC;&#x2020;Spring Recipes

Mediterranean Grain Salad

Salad: 2 cups 1 2/3 cup 1/2 cup 2/3 cup 1 cup 1/4 cup

cooked grain, rinsed and drained (I used pearl barley, but feel free to use quinoa, rice, farro or couscous) large cucumber, seeded and finely diced finely diced roasted red peppers finely diced sun-dried tomatoes finely diced red onion (about half a small onion) chopped black olives finely chopped fresh parsley

Vinaigrette: 3 tbsp olive oil 2 tbsp red wine vinegar salt and pepper, to taste In a large bowl, mix together grain, cucumber, peppers, tomatoes, onion, olives and parsley. For the vinaigrette, combine all ingredients in a small bowl and whisk together until combined. Pour vinaigrette over the salad, and toss until combined. Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

46 | GoodLife â&#x20AC;˘ South Simcoe Edition Spring 2017

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food & drink | Spring Recipes

Easy Ice Cream-filled Cream Puffs With Craquelin The craquelin is optional, but it makes a lovely topping for your cream puffs.

Cream puffs: 1 cup water 1/2 cup unsalted butter (if using salted, omit added salt) 1 tbsp sugar 1/2 tsp salt 1 cup all-purpose flour 3 eggs 2 egg whites 64 oz natural vanilla bean ice cream ¼ cup icing sugar for dusting (optional) Craquelin: ½ cup butter 1 cup light brown sugar 1 cup all-purpose flour Craquelin Cream butter and sugar. Add in flour, and mix dough until smooth and there is no visible flour. Roll dough between parchment paper to 1/8” thickness. Freeze dough for about 20 minutes. Remove dough from freezer. Using a round cookie cutter, cut cookies from dough. (Make them the same size you will make your cream puffs.)

Cream puffs Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large saucepan, bring water, butter, sugar and salt to a boil over medium heat. Add flour, and stir frequently for 5 minutes or until mixture easily forms a large ball. Transfer ball into a bowl and, using an electric mixer, mix on medium high to break up and cool the dough (about 10 minutes). In a separate bowl, whisk eggs with whites until combined. With the mixer running, slowly pour in eggs, continuing to mix until smooth. Using a piping bag with a round tip, squeeze 12 large dough mounds onto parchment paper, about 1 1/2 inches apart. With wet hands, smooth and form any misshapes and points. Place a craquelin cookie on top of each cream puff. Bake in centre of oven for about 40 minutes or until top is golden. Turn off oven and remove. Pierce side of each puff with a knife; return to oven for 15 minutes with oven door ajar. Then, let cool completely on a rack. Cut cream puffs in half horizontally. Fill each with a scoop of ice cream and replace tops. Dust with icing sugar and serve immediately. Or, freeze on a tray, then transfer to freezer-weight plastic bag. Filled cream puffs freeze well for up to 3 days. (Uncut cream puffs can be frozen in an airtight container for up to a month. Reheat from frozen in 350°F oven for 10 minutes or until hot and crisp. Cool completely before filling.) Makes 6 to 8 servings.

48 | GoodLife • South Simcoe Edition Spring 2017

health

Best Medicine

We all know that exercise is good for our health, but researchers are finding out just how good it is. Recent studies have shown that regular moderate activity (like a walk brisk enough to make conversation challenging) helps reduce blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Plus, it boosts mental health as well as bone and joint health. So get moving â&#x20AC;&#x201D; doctorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s orders.

GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 49

health | Silken Laumann

The Gift of Fear Silken Laumann knows a thing or two about overcoming fear. Now she wants to help others do the same B y Liz Bruckner

t’s been 25 years since Silken Laumann, one of Canada’s most decorated rowers, experienced the boat collision she credits as the most devastating and lifechanging trauma of her life.

“In some ways it feels like yesterday, and in others, like a lifetime ago,” Laumann says of the accident, which severely damaged her right leg, resulting in multiple surgeries and leaving her with just 10 weeks to train for the Barcelona Olympics. Incredibly, she came back after pushing through myriad physical and mental limits, famously earning Canada a bronze medal in the process. Pushing through the darkness “It’s funny, because when I think back, I vividly recall how terrifying it was to get back

50 | GoodLife • South Simcoe Edition Spring 2017

in a boat. It was to the point that every sound made me feel like my heart would jump out of my chest, and I was convinced I was going to be hit again,” she says. Despite talking herself through the training process every morning and at multiple times throughout each day, the panic didn’t subside for months. “The only way I can describe that time in my life is to say that I was living in an almost palpable, overwhelming state of fear that seemed to shrink my world.” Fittingly, it was only by pushing through those dark, devastating moments that Lau-

TRAIN YOUR P H O B I A S AWAY H o w a n e w a p p i s hel pi ng p e o p le p u s h p ast what f r ig h t e n s t hem

Laumann shares her own experience in grappling with fear to help her clients deal with theirs. She believes that if you can name what you're afraid of, you're better prepared to be free of it. “It’s incredibly liberating,” she says. mann discovered her true confidence and strength. “Ultimately, I had to get angry. I was tired of being afraid to perform, to race and to fail. The only way I knew how to get past all that was to do the exact thing that scared me the most,” she shares. This lean-in mindset is how Laumann continues to face adversity in her own life. She credits the approach for helping her write her 2014 memoir, Unsinkable, in which she bravely opens up about her difficult relationship with her mother, and her battles with depression, anxiety, anorexia and other forms of self-harm in her teenage years. It’s also one of the key directives she uses in her work as a motivational speaker and for advising her clients in her current role as a professional life coach. Being nervous is a goal “I often tell my clients that one of the best pieces of advice I ever received came from one

of my coaches, midway through my career. He asked if I was nervous before an Olympic trial, and I swallowed and said that I was incredibly nervous. Instead of giving me the calming response I expected, he told me it was good that I felt that way. That being nervous was the goal, because it meant that I cared. It completely changed the way I looked at fear, and still does,” she says. Laumann believes that if you can name what you’re afraid of, you’re better prepared to be free of it. “It’s not that you won’t ever experience fear in your life again, but your response, acknowledgement and confidence in dealing with it makes all the difference,” she says. “If we can learn to push back against fear — take it as a signal that we’re about to do or deal with something that stretches us — there’s an understanding that the only way around fear is through fear. It’s incredibly liberating.”

“You have to work through the issues and move forward to be successful”

Overcoming two common phobias is just an app download away. Using Galaxy S7 and Gear VR headmounted displays, Samsung has combined virtual reality with lifelike challenges, simulating situations in which the fears of public speaking and the fear of heights are tackled head-on. “As an athlete who has used visualization throughout my career to get past performance-related situations that cause fear and anxiety,” Olympian Silken Laumann says, “I saw right away that the benefits of a system like this are significant.” Here’s how it works: With the VR head-mounted displays in place, users access the #BeFearless app most related to their phobia. For those leery of public speaking, lifelike scenarios such as job interviews and casual conversation are recreated. For users afraid of heights, cityscapes, landscapes and heights of varying degrees are simulated. Users start slowly, and are evaluated by voice volume, speaking pace, eye contact and heart rate for the fear of public speaking, and by heart rate, how many times they looked down and on self-evaluation for the fear of heights app. Feedback is offered based on a user’s performance, and users can only advance by conquering beginner levels. “The science behind this app really falls in line with what anyone who’s battled fear knows to be true — you have to work through the issue and move forward to be successful,” Laumann says.

GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 51

BEAUTY

Before

After

PERMANENT MAKEUP Kimberly Crook

Q. What is Permanent Makeup ?

Owner of Glow Day Spa in Barrie. Kim has been in business for more than 10 years and specializes in Permanent Makeup

Permanent makeup mimics the look of just-applied lipstick, lip liner, eyebrow pencil, and eyeliner. It's done through a process called Micropigmentation, where a medical pen is used to inject permanent ink into the skin. Each procedure takes between 30 and 120 minutes, and a local anesthetic to numb the area being tattooed is used. Just like any tattoo, initially the color will appear brighter or darker, then will fade. The area will be swollen for anywhere between 2-5 days and will crust over before healing.

Online at glowdayspa.ca

Q. Is Permanent Makeup like Tattooing ? It is very similar to Tattooing but different machinery and certifications are required since the gun is designed for medical applications only. Women often search for places to do an Eyebrow Tattoo, Lip Tattoo or Eyeliner Tattoo not knowing that the industry terminology is called Permanent Makeup or Micropigmentation. Often a visit to a Tattoo shop is quickly discovered that they do not offer these services and normally refer to a business that has a certified technician like Glow Day Spa.

Q. Who are the best candidates ? The biggest success stories have been from people just like you; everyday women who desire the freedom of flawless no-fuss makeup. Also, women who are allergic to traditional cosmetics or cannot apply cosmetics due to illness or disability. Women involved in sports especially swimming, running, dancing etc. are good candidates as well. Women who want to save 20 minutes preparation time every day doing makeup – that’s over 100 hours a year benefit from permanent makeup in time. Kimberly Crook has had thousands of clients of many different ages and lifestyles that have all benefited from this life changing procedure. Every woman is a ‘best’ candidate for permanent makeup!

Q. Where can I get more information ? For more information visit our website at www.glowdayspa.ca and click on Permanent Makeup under services. You can book your consultation with Kimberly Crook at Glow Day Spa located 110 Anne Street South, Barrie Ontario location.

52 | GoodLife • South Simcoe Edition Spring 2017

Q. Is Microblading the same thing as Permanent Makeup ? We get this question a lot… Though Microblading and Permanent makeup seem like the same thing, they are actually worlds apart. Microblading is a manual method of implanting pigment in hair-like strokes in the epidermis to create the look of fuller brows. This form of tattooing is Semi-Permanent and only lasts anywhere between 6 months to 1 year predicated on the environmental exposure it receives. The results are achieved with a sharp, hand-held manual blade made up of 7+ micro needles. Instead of outlining and completely filling in the outline of your brows with color, microblading can do hair like strokes into the skin but not shading. Microblading uses a manual blade and only targets 3 layers of skin, whereas Permanent Makeup can push ink 7 layers deep into the skin. Microblading pigments will slowly change color as they lose saturation over time. Eyeliner, lips, and eyebrows are all areas that permanent makeup is traditionally applied to. It results in enhanced facial features that would typically be done with cosmetic makeup that looks natural and beautiful. There is also a feathering technique which can be used for a more natural look like Microblading versus “colored in” eyebrow shapes. A new application will last anywhere between 3-4 years predicated on the environmental exposure it receives. The biggest benefit with permanent makeup is the beautiful long term results and therefore giving the client a cost saving & time saving solution. Microblading tends to be a little more affordable but will cost a lot more in the long run since they need to updated every 6 to 12 months.

Q. Am I suitable for Permanent Makeup ? Most people are suitable for some form of permanent makeup. At Glow Day Spa we explore with you precisely which treatments will suit you best. This is a one-to-one consultation with Kimberly herself and includes a discussion of your cosmetic expectations and any features you wish to correct or balance. From this discussion, Kimberly will recommend the specific treatments she believes will achieve the effect you want.

KEEP calm and carry on Stressed over getting, well, stressed? Take a deep breath and read our relaxing advice for chilling out on the go By Joann MacDona l d Sure, you can find your inner Zen at your weekly yoga class, but how do you stay calm and cool when dealing with an angry customer or when youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re running late â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and stuck in traffic? Meghan MacKinnon, a naturopathic doctor in Aurora, shares her tips on getting to your happy place, wherever you are. No yoga mat required.

GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 53

Health | De-Stress

Your business meeting is getting tense. The office bully has taken control of the meeting and you’re in fight-or-flight mode. Your body is doing what it’s supposed to do — secreting adrenaline and noradrenaline in response to stress. It’s your job to tell your body things are okay. Guide your nervous system away from a stress response by consciously controlling your breathing. Inhale slowly through your nose to a count of five, then slowly exhale. Repeat the sequence until you feel calmer. If work meetings consistently tend to become strained, rethink your morning brew. Caffeine falsely elevates adrenaline. “As an alternative to a more stimulating cup of coffee, try having green tea, which has less caffeine as well as L-theanine, which acts as a calmer or balancer for the nervous system,” MacKinnon suggests. A cup of chamomile tea is caffeine-free and provides physical and mental relaxation. You’re running late — and stuck in traffic. When minutes stretch into hours and you’re still staring at the bumper of the car ahead of you, of course you’re bound to get frustrated. But ask yourself, how serious a problem is this? Maybe you’re stressed because you’re late for an appointment, or maybe you’re just eager to get where you want to go. First-world problems. “Being late doesn’t have to become a serious long-term stress. Your body and mind will recover,” MacKinnon says. “These types of rationalizations can help immensely in the moment to send the message to your body that it’s okay.” You’re trying to get the family out the door and nobody is cooperating. Ain’t nobody got time for that. But before you let loose with a primal scream, take a breather. “Try something called alternate nasal breathing,” MacKinnon suggests. Plug one nostril with your finger while inhaling. This will help slow your breathing if you’re having difficulty doing it on your own. “Just as you can’t expect to run a marathon without training, the more deep-breathing practice you do, the better you’ll get at it,” she says. And you might want to get up earlier tomorrow. Your mom criticizes you for the umpteenth time. Nobody likes a critic, but try not to take it to heart. “Gently explain your feelings and position on the subject matter and try not to react explosively,” MacKinnon advises. Recognize patterns in how you usually respond, and practise calmer, more effective communication to avoid sending your body into a stress response. “People behaving angrily or in a hostile manner are often looking for an argument, so give them the opposite — a calm, quiet demeanor,” she says. Speak softly and slowly to diffuse a tense situation — for both your sakes.

54 | GoodLife • South Simcoe Edition Spring 2017

Up your inner bliss Drink away your stress No, not that kind of drink! Many people are deficient in magnesium, a mineral that helps to relax the muscles, body and mind. Natural Calm is a powdered supplement that turns into an effervescent drink when mixed with water or juice to promote healthy magnesium levels.

The sweet smell of sleep If stress keeps you up at night, tuck a lavender sachet under your pillow. The scent of lavender has calming properties.

There’s an app for that “Meditation is a great way to get your nervous system in shape and teach your body what it feels like to be calm,” naturopathic doctor Meghan MacKinnon says. She recommends the app Stop, Breathe & Think, which provides guided meditations for beginners.

Stress wrecking your sleep? Try tucking a sachet of lavender under your pillow and let its calming scent help relax you.

GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 55

Resolution Revolution TV technology is changing the industry and at-home viewing maximizing HDR and the ability to reproduce the new colour spectrum coming out. The industry is finally using technology to film and broadcast with all of this new and extended detail, colour, and contrast, we should always try to recreate that exact picture in our home if it fits within the budget”

preferences are,” says Shaun. “Do you have a den or TV room where you watch sporting events or do you like having it on in the kitchen while you’re preparing dinner? Do you watch an hour or more a night, or do you turn it on every once and a while?”

A perfect match Whether you’re a tech-savvy buyer or not, the best thing to do is speak with a local A/V expert before making a purchase. “When you come into Simcoe Audio Video, one of the first things we ask is what your viewing

Over his many years in audio-visual sales, Shaun says the number one thing he’s learned is to help customers find the sweet spot on the value curve. “Tech is an investment, but you want to get the best value for the right product. With so many options we find the best value isn’t necessarily what is on sale with the biggest discount, but what fits the room and the customer best. What Television really provides everything they could want right now and 2 years from now at the best price? That’s real value.” “The best value isn’t always the top-of-the-line product, but it’s rarely the cheapest one,” says Shaun. “The key is to find the right one, somewhere in the middle.”

“Televisions now have a higher resolution than ever before,” says Shaun Hart, owner of Simcoe Audio Video. “That means you can watch a bigger TV at a closer distance, with a greater amount of clarity than previously seen whether or not the original source is actually filmed or broadcast in 4K/UHD but that’s not the only advancement and just a small part of the overall experience.” Likewise, if you’re watching a sporting event or cooking show on an HDR TV, you’ll be able to see the realistic colour and texture, really feel like you are completely involved. Understanding tech talk The benefit of 4K technology is that viewers can sit closer to the TV without noticing “pixels”. “Think of it this way,” says Shaun. “On a standard TV, you shouldn’t sit any closer than the three times the height of the TV. If you have a TV that’s 30 inches tall, your viewing distance shouldn’t be any closer than 90 inches. But with 4K, that viewing distance is cut in half.” Shaun only suggests 4K TVs to those who want a large TV in a smaller space then a 1080p TV would be recommended. Otherwise, the 4K resolution is unnoticeable and unnecessary. “It’s all about distance. You can’t notice the difference between a 4K TV and a standard TV if you’re watching it at a normal viewing distance.” “In any case where the customer is looking to get the most accurate picture out of their favourite movie or sporting event, then 4K is only part of the conversation, we recommend a 4K TV with HDR, a dynamic backlight capable of

Simcoe Audio cArrieS only the beSt nAmeS in Audio/Video. drop in todAy for A perSonAl demonStrAtion or cAll About A free in home conSultAtion.

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411 Bayfield St. • 705-737-1195 • www.simcoeav.ca

travel

Flying With Style Flying for business or pleasure? Don’t leave your beauty routine up in the air. The Minimergency Kit packs 17 style and personal-care essentials in one pretty package. That means flight-friendly sizes of stain remover, deodorant, nailcare items, lip balm and more are in easy reach, so you’re ready for life’s little emergencies — even mid-flight. Minimergency Kit, $22, pinchprovisions.com.

GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 57

travel | Tuscany

58 | GoodLife • South Simcoe Edition Spring 2017

Chasing

Tuscan Sun the

Want to get the most out of this romantic slice of Italy? Take it slow By Suzanne legue

ee you in Pienza!” the woman joked as she took off in her rented red Fiat, clutching the ubiquitous blue-andyellow guidebook found in the hands of most North American tourists in Italy. We had just shared several minutes under the Tuscan sun with the woman and her husband while parked at the side of a dusty highway in the blazing heat, snapping pictures of what must be the most photographed — and starkly beautiful — circle of cypress trees. We were getting to know the couple from Minnesota quite well, since we had also encountered them at several other photo ops recommended by the travel guides: at the lonely yellow chapel flanked by cypress trees near the village of San Quirico d’Orcia; while admiring the rustic Italian farmhouse with the twisty driveway that was Russell Crowe’s home in the movie Gladiator; in front of a serpentine, treelined road near Monticchiello. Later that evening, sunburned and exhausted, my husband and I re-evaluated our travel strategy. We vowed that from that point on, we would stop and smell the sunflowers, so to speak. A haven for artists Yes, you can do the “Best of Tuscany” route on the main Via Cassia (SR2) in a few hours if you don’t linger. And yes, you will come home with stunning frame-worthy photos of the “Top 10 Tuscan Views.” But you may also see the same people at each stop and you’ll only scratch the surface of this beautiful area. Slow down and ditch the guidebook, though, and you will gather soul-satisfying memories to last a lifetime. GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 59

travel | Tuscany

Enjoying Tuscany’s simple pleasures include taking in the stunning views that the area is famous for — whether at midday or romantic dusk. A haven for artists for centuries, Tuscany is like a Renaissance painting come to life. Under its big sky, gently undulating fields are filled with bright yellow sunflowers, red poppies or golden wheat, depending on the season. Cypress-lined driveways, silvery olive orchards and sloping vineyards heavy with fat, purple grapes lead to stone farmhouses and fortified hilltop towns. The Val d’Orcia, the picture-postcard valley south of Florence, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Thanks to the bestselling book Under the Tuscan Sun, Frances Mayes’ memoire about restoring an abandoned farmhouse in the Tuscan countryside, and especially the 2003 movie starring Diane Lane, this magnificent area captures every romantic, iconic image you’ve ever had of Italy. Timeless and untouched The medieval hilltop town of Montepulciano is a perfect base from which to explore this stunning corner of Tuscany. From this walled city perched high atop a limestone ridge, it’s an easy drive to many charming villages, 60 | GoodLife • South Simcoe Edition Spring 2017

including Pienza, Bagno Vignoni, Montalcino, San Quirico d’Orcia and the larger, more touristy town of Siena to the north. Montepulciano seems timeless and untouched, particularly since the town centre is car-free. It’s a bit of an uphill hike from where you park your car outside the walls, but once you pass through the gates, you can meander aimlessly through the streets, lined with homes built by nobles 400 years ago and which are still occupied today. A delightful afternoon can be spent admiring the grandeur of the Piazza Grande, where the rescue scene amid a crowd of red-cloaked villagers was filmed for the Twilight sequel New Moon. Home base for our week was the Montorio (“Golden Mount”) in the shadow of Montepulciano. Originally built as a monastery in the 1300s, the restored villa is surrounded by a wall of deep green cypresses, with vibrant red geraniums spilling over huge terracotta urns on the expansive terrace. But it wasn’t always so. Having been abandoned for almost 50 years, the building was a dilapidated ruin

“So many tourists who come here are in a hurry. They want to see all the sights from the movies or books. But look around, those images are everywhere. The real beauty of Tuscany is discovered when you slow down”

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with crumbling roof and walls, and engulfed by vegetation when purchased by the Savini family in 1997. But, oh, that view! Perched on a hill with a glorious 360-degree view, the villa overlooks the stunning Church of San Biagio, whose beautiful dome inspired the design of the Vatican’s St. Peter’s Basilica. Acoustics are so exceptional inside the ornate cathedral that it is said a clap reverberates more than 50 times. Beauty and the three-hour lunch Before the tourist boom, but confident in its potential, the Savinis spent three years transforming the ruin into the quintessential Tuscan dream. Daughter Stefania operates this apartment villa, along with another nearby luxury property, Villa Poggiano, with “a passion, a pinch of recklessness and lots of enthusiasm.” She spends much of her time trying to convince guests to slow down and savour the area’s stealthy seduction. “So many tourists who come here are in a hurry. They want to see all the sights from the movies or books. But look around, you’ll see those images are everywhere,” she says. “The real beauty of Tuscany is discovered when you slow down and linger over lunch for three hours, then stroll through the quiet streets of the village, where life is simple, the silence magical and the daily pattern of one’s days follows the time-honoured rhythms of nature. These are some of the memories that I hope my guests will take away with them.” Heeding that advice, each day we drove switchback roads, with that evocative mist

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GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 61

travel | Tuscany

The medieval town of Montepulciano (left), with its winding streets, is the perfect base for exploring. Later, indulge your tastebudes with wild boar salami, unsalted bread and pecorino cheese (top right). And keep your eyes open: Ordinary Tuscan scenes (bottom right) are postcard-worthy for the thoughtful tourist. hanging above the valleys, exploring villages throughout the region. One of our favourites was the medieval spa town of Bagno Vignoni. Boasting a thermal spring pool at its centre, it has been a popular stop for travellers since Etruscan times, when pilgrims would stop for a therapeutic dip on their pilgrimage to Rome. While the steaming pool is no longer open to the public, you can dip your toes in the mineral-rich hot streams that wind their way down the hill from the main piazza. Be sure to take the time to get lost among the labyrinth of back alleyways, and stop at a tiny trattoria to enjoy a leisurely meal of wild boar salami, thick unsalted Tuscan bread and the amazing local pecorino cheese, all dipped in green olive oil and sweet, aged balsamic. We still talk about the delicious simplicity of that meal. 62 | GoodLife • South Simcoe Edition Spring 2017

The temple of wine The Val d’Orcia is famous for its outstanding full-bodied wines — Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano — and no visit is complete without visiting at least one of the dozens of wineries that dot the storybook landscape. Cantine Dei is a family-run winery on more than 100 acres at the base of Montepulciano. The winery features an architecturally stunning new cellar, described as a “temple of wine,” that you access through an expansive travertine amphitheatre and a unique shellshaped stairwell. “Get off the beaten track — that’s my advice,” says opera singer Caterina Dei, who owns the winery and is the granddaughter of Alibrando, the family patriarch who founded the winery in 1964. “Live like Italian people,

enjoy the real Tuscan habits and be curious to visit hidden places, not only what the guidebook advises. Most importantly, never be in a rush. If you do ‘Tuscany in a day,’ you will miss Tuscany.” As it turned out, we did end up running into that same Minnesota couple in Pienza, a town in Sienna that happens to be another UNESCO World Heritage Site. The place looks like a movie set that has come to life with quaint streets jammed with restaurants and tiny shops. Over a glass of wine, we marvelled at how completely Tuscany enthralls you. How every turn reveals a new delight until you imagine you could spend the rest of your days here, perfecting dolce far niente, the sweetness of doing nothing.

Fine Dining in a Casual Atmosphere

Tuscany How-To’s GE T T i n g th e r e The Val d’Orcia is not easily accessible by public transit. You need a car, so either rent one in Florence and head south or take a high-speed train north from Rome to Chiusi, near Montepulciano, and rent a car there.

S T A Yi n g th e r e Montorio features five one- and two-bedroom apartments in a fully restored former monastery with spectacular views from the terraces. The town of Montepulciano, shops and restaurants are within walking distance. Daily rates start at 100 euros (C$139); montorio.com. Villa Poggiano is a luxury hotel surrounded by gardens, statues, fountains and a pool, and is about two kilometres from Montepulciano. Daily rates start at 220 euros (C$306); villapoggiano.com.

Now acceptiNg

New MeMbers to our Community Food Co-op!

E A T i n g th e r e La Grotta, at the base of Montepulciano and next to San Biagio church, is one of the best restaurants in Val d’Orcia. The six-course tasting menu is 50 euros (C$70); lagrottamontepulciano.it. Trattoria Latte di Luna in Pienza is an affordable, unpretentious spot that’s a favourite with locals. Try the Tuscan white beans, bread soup and pasta with wild boar sauce on the lovely terrace.

D R I NKi n g th e r e The area is dotted with wineries, big and small, and the Val d’Orcia Consortium website (consorziovinoorcia.it) includes a map of local wineries. Or, just spontaneously pop into one of the many small, family-run wineries marked by roadside signs. Cantine Dei winery (cantinedei.com) offers daily tours and wine tasting, with the option of lunch, from 15 euros (C$21). Many wine shops offer automated wine dispensing machines so you can sample a few ounces before you buy. Brilliant!

S hoppi n g th e r e Affordable olive oil, chestnut honey and balsamic vinegar can be found in every gift store, but browse a neighbourhood grocery store for better deals. Most stores will vacuum pack pecorino or Parmesan cheese for you. All stores pack your wine in a cardboard carrying case for safe transport home. When sipping a delicious Brunello, you might think you want a case of it for home. But shipping is expensive, and the LCBO sells many excellent Brunello and Nobile vintages.

Hill Top Acres is a whole foods, membership-based food co-op that works directly with local organic farms, producers and suppliers. We offer an on-site organic and naturally gluten free bakery to members and teach classes on traditional and whole foods gluten free living.

Mother’s Day May 14th Lobsterfest coming in May

Whether you are following a gluten-free diet due to celiac disease or other autoimmune or digestive disorders, paleo, vegan or somewhere in between, we are here to support you along your ethical and healing food journey. Because we offer so much more than organic produce baskets each week, we have consciously chosen to remain in direct contact with our member’s and do not offer delivery.

Pick Up Only Open wednesday’s 3:00-7:00 pm. Hill Top Acres Homestead is located just 5 minutes north of Alliston, ON

Call FOr rESErvaTiONS

ThE WhiSTlE STOP 7 MaiN STrEET WEST, BEETON 905.729.0399 whistlestopbeeton.com

For more information please visit our website at www.hilltopacres.ca or contact marcy@hilltopacres.ca We can also be reached Monday-Friday 9am-6pm

705-434-1556

OPEN Wed. - Fri. 11 am - 10 pm Sat. & Sun. 8:30 am - 10 pm GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 63

travel | Technology

The

Fab

Five By LIZ BRUCKNER

Need a vacation from planning your vacation? Our short list of expert-approved travel apps you’ll actually use can help

Sure, you could spend hours fine-tooth-combing your way through multiple websites trying to streamline an impending trip. Or, you could look to quick, comprehensive, intuitive apps that are designed to do just that. Here are five standouts. Skyscanner According to Arienne Parzei, a Toronto-based travel writer, videographer and photographer, this app is her go-to option for everything related to researching and booking a trip. “It does its magic by comparing prices across scads of providers for the best deals on flights, hotels and car rentals,” she says, “and I love that it shows you price results across a month, so you can see which dates end up being the cheapest to book.” Even better: You can program the app so you receive notifications if the price of a flight or hotel you’re interested in drops. XE Currency Lauded as the web destination for currency conversions, the XE app is a must for savvy travellers. “I often visit multiple countries when I’m away,” Parzei says, “and because the app allows you to load up to six different countries at a time, it’s easy to keep up on the various exchange rates.” Keep in mind that while rates supplied are live, market rates are not exactly what you’d get at a bank; they’re a good starting point to ensure you get the best possible exchange rate as you shop.

64 | GoodLife • South Simcoe Edition Spring 2017

Rustic Roots & Co. For Home, Garden & You!

Google Maps Not just a handy at-home app, this gem is a nobrainer for every traveller. “I love using it when I’m on the road to calculate walking distances, determine public transit times or even to see exactly what a street looks like with Google Street View,” Parzei says. The fact that the app works in offline mode — so you don’t have to worry about being connected to data to use it — is the cherry on top.

Trail Wallet As anyone with a case of wanderlust can vouch, keeping spending in line while on vacation can be a feat. Thankfully, there’s an app for that. “What I love about Trail Wallet is that it’s all about keeping you on budget,” Parzei says. “You set an overall trip budget and then a daily budget, and simply document your expenses from there.” Comprehensive and easy to use, it’s available in more than 218 currencies, has fun cartoons that offer feedback about your purchases, as well as categories to help you allocate where your funds are going.

Google Translate Winning the award for travel practicality, this convenient app allows users to quickly translate common words seen during their travels. Not only can you type words into the search field for translation, you can also hold your camera up to the text seen on a sign, book, menu, etc., and the app will translate it for you. It’s a must for every traveller. Bon voyage!

Home Decor & Gifts, Clothing & Jewellery, Garden Accents Drop In and See Us Soon! 50 Main Street, Jackson Plaza, Beeton 905-729-3535 • rusticrootsco.com

Tour 2017 April 29 & 30 10 am - 5 pm www.barriespringarttour.ca GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 65

like a local

The Terra Nova Public House

A visit to this country-style restaurant and pub in Mulmur delivers more than just topnotch food from Chef Malcolm Muth. It’s also a chance for residents to connect with history and each other. The dining room, for example, includes a century-old building that once served as the area’s general store. But since Terra Nova Public House is also the only easily accessed, fully licensed venue around, it’s become a popular spot for locals to gather. Cheers to that! Got a favourite spot in your town? Share it with us and you could see it featured here and win a night at the movies. Send your like a local pick to goodlifeeditor@yrmg.com.

66 | GoodLife • South Simcoe Edition Spring 2017

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