GRAND Magazine Vol V Ed IV

The Perfect Pizza Party

Looking for a way to keep your grandkids busy on a rainy day? Why not throw a pizza party?! Pretty much everyone loves pizza, and it’s a perfect meal for getting kids involved in cooking.

• Even the littlest helpers can decorate their own pizzas.

• Young kids can grate cheese, slice mushrooms with a butter knife, knead dough and build their own pizzas.

• Encourage older kids to explore the science of yeast by making their own pizza dough.

• Depending on how much time you have, making pizza can take all afternoon, or be a quick 30-minute meal. So put on some music, prep your ingredients and dance your way to a delicious pizza dinner.

Alternative Pizza Crusts

Pizza doesn’t have to be made on a traditional pizza dough. There are all sorts of alternatives depending on how much time you have to prepare.

Uncooked Pizza Crusts. If you have 20 minutes to bake a pizza but aren’t interested in making your own dough, use store-bought pizza dough instead! Like traditional pizzas, the ingredients don’t need to be cooked or heated in advance as they will have plenty of time to cook in the oven.

Top with all your favourite toppings, then follow the baking instructions on the package.

• Balls of traditional yeasted pizza dough are usually found in the freezer section of the grocery store. Defrost them in the fridge for 24 hours then get ready for your pizza party.

• Pillsbury offers a quick, refrigerated dough that isn’t quite the same as a classic pizza crust, but it’s a LOT tastier than premade frozen pizza.

• Puff pastry results in a crispy golden pizza crust. Just cover it with the toppings and bake according to the instructions on the package.

Bread Pizza Crusts. Looking for a super quick meal? Using bread as a pizza crust means that the pizza will be ready in under 30 minutes. Here are three options for bread pizza crusts:

• Greek-style pita bread and naan bread are both perfect for a quick pizza.

• Little kids enjoy making tiny, individual pizzas out of English muffins. Slice the English muffin in half, then decorate the cut side.

• A baguette sliced in half also makes an amazing pizza crust. I recommend using pasta sauce instead of pizza sauce on a baguette, for a really saucy, Sloppy Joe-inspired pizza.

Here’s how to cook your bread-based pizzas:

1. Preheat the oven to 425˚F.

2. Lay the bread out on a baking sheet and top with your favourite pizza toppings. Since the pizzas are only going to cook for a few minutes, avoid toppings that you wouldn’t enjoy eating raw. Alternatively,

sauté any ingredients that you would prefer fully cooked (for example onions and mushrooms).

3. Bake the pizzas until the cheese is brown and bubbling, about 5 to 10 minutes.

Traditional Pizza Dough

Making pizza dough from scratch is the perfect rainy-day activity. It’s fun to watch the yeast bloom and see how it makes the dough rise.

Give your grandkids a small piece of dough so they can play with it and make their own dough creation. Bake their butterflies, turtles and hearts beside the pizzas, just keep an eye on them, as they’ll probably be ready about 5 minutes before the pizzas.

11⁄2 cups water

1 envelope instant dry yeast (21⁄4 tsp)

1 tsp sugar

2 Tbsp olive oil (+ more for coating the dough)

31⁄2 to 4 cups of all-purpose flour

2 tsp salt

2 Tbsp cornmeal

1. Mix the water, yeast, and sugar in a large bowl.

2. Allow the yeast to dissolve and bloom. Then mix in the oil, followed by the flour and salt. The dough will be very sticky. I recommend coating your hands with a little bit of oil then kneading and kneading the dough until it’s smooth and elastic.

3. When you have a nice smooth ball, coat it with a drizzle of oil. Place it back in the bowl and cover with a damp tea towel. Let it rise for 1 hour.

4. After 1 hour, punch down the dough and divide it into 2 balls, along with a few smaller balls for kids to play with. Let the dough rest for 10 minutes while you get the rest of the pizza ingredients ready.

5. Preheat the oven to 475˚F and prepare the pizza toppings.

6. When the oven is preheated, roll out the pizza dough on a lightly oiled surface. Each dough ball should make a 12-inch pizza crust.

7. Sprinkle two baking sheets with cornmeal and place the pizza crusts on the baking sheets.

8. Decorate the crusts with your favourite toppings.

9. Bake for 15–20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and crust is golden brown.

Emillie Parrish loves having adventures with her two busy children. You can find more of her recipes in her recently released cookbook Fermenting Made Simple. fermentingforfoodies.com

Multi-generational Travel

Multi-generational travel has been popular for some time and now there is an increase in skip-gen or ‘gramping’ travel, when grandparents travel alone with the grandkids leaving mom and dad behind. It’s a great opportunity to get to know the grandkids, create life-long memories and travel experiences for your grandchildren.

The planning process should be as fun as the trip itself and when all involved participate it is sure to be a hit! If you want to get really creative, how about a mystery trip? With hidden clues along the way and the destination a surprise, it is sure to keep everyone interested and engaged in the trip itself. If the thought of the planning is just too overwhelming, there is always help by way of your local travel advisor.

To make the most of your trip, here are a few tips and ideas to get you started.

1. Family Meeting: Gather the troops together and ensure everyone is on the same page. Are you looking for an actionpacked or relaxing getaway? Being on the same page at the very beginning will help avoid disappointment and conflict. You may have an aspiring marine biologist that would love a trip to the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea on Vancouver Island or perhaps for the animal lover stop in at the Greater Vancouver Zoo in Langley.

2. Planning: Once you’ve agreed on the overall concept, plan together. Involve the grandkids! If they are old enough to research, have them look into activities and points of interest along your route and at your destination. This way they are invested, and you never know what they may find! Need a theme? How about a farm tour, totem discovery tour, cycling tour or see as many waterfalls as you can tour?

3. Consider Everyone’s Needs: Are there special requirements for accommodation and restaurants? Separate bedrooms for the snorers in the group? Restaurants that offer a menu to

suit everyone’s taste, including accommodating any food allergies or preferences? Did you know your grandson is afraid of heights or your granddaughter is a vegan? Having some options in advance will save a lot of time and frustration on your trip.

4. Plan for Meltdowns: Adult or child, there will be at least one. Plan your day to include some down time, respect each other’s pace while doing activities and keep to familiar schedules. Stopping for meals before everyone (including grandpa) is hungry. Stop at the local deli for a picnic lunch on the beach, stop at the local food truck or farm-to-table restaurant. And remember to always have a plan B!

5. Trip Photographer: Perhaps the most important job of all! Designate someone as the trip photographer. To appease multiple volunteers, you may want to alternate days. If you have younger grandkids, pick up some disposable cameras. It’s always fun to see what has sparked their interest. If it is a special trip, you may want to consider hiring a professional photographer for a couple of hours or for the day. Either way, you want to capture those family memories.

We have so many beautiful and wonderous places to visit in the Lower Mainland, in the province and across Canada. Take this time to enjoy it with your grandkids and spend some quality time together.Here are some resources to help in your planning: destinationvancouver.com, hellobc.com

As co-owner of Departures Travel Sidney, Cathy Larsen is passionate about sharing her love of travel—even after 35 years of experience in the industry. She enjoys life and sees travel as more than a stamp in their passport! departurestravel.com, facebook.com/DeparturesTravelSidney, linkedin.com/in/cathylarsen

Downsizing

Finding Your Perfect Fit

All of your kids are out of the house and now your home feels like a big empty space. The idea of keeping up on all the work in the yard gets more daunting with every passing year and vacuuming the stairs has become a real CHORE! The thought of leaving the home your kids grew up in likely feels overwhelming and emotional, but now may be the time for you to downsize into a space that better suits your current needs. You will have an exciting new space that is easier for you to maintain, and you will save money on hydro and property tax. No matter if you’re making the change as a couple or on your own, there are a variety of downsizing options for you, maybe some you haven’t even thought of before!

A Smaller House

Maybe you cannot imagine not having a stand-alone house with a yard, but your current house is just too big. You may want to investigate buying or renting a smaller home that better suits your current and future needs. A one-story home with a small yard would allow you to still have an extra bedroom for family visits, a small garden and no extra stairs to deal with.

Townhouse or Apartment

Buying or renting an apartment or townhouse is ideal if you no longer want to deal with any yard work and are ready for a cozier space. Moving into an apartment or townhouse may be a consideration if you are still fine doing all your own cooking and housework, but don’t want to deal with any more yard work or manage any maintenance issues that come up. Townhouses will give you a bit more space and a private outside entrance, but most typically have stairs so consider your mobility needs currently as well as for the future.

Retirement Community/Independent Living

Contrary to widely held belief, retirement communities (often referred to as independent living communities and occasionally as senior communities) are not for the “old and frail” demographic. These communities are full of life! You have a private suite to live in while also reaping the benefits of weekly housekeeping, most to all your meals prepared for you and activities and community events for you to enjoy. This type of living situation is ideal for someone who is still able to take care of themselves and enjoys their own private space but is also

looking for someone else to take care of those tedious chores that you oversaw for years. Being a part of these communities is also a fantastic way to meet people your age and have access to fun entertainment, activities and outings. One monthly cost includes everything, and most of these independent living communities also have laundry services, libraries, hair salons, recreational services and visiting health professionals.

Assisted Living or Long-Term Care

If failing health is an issue and you or your partner needs extra care, it may be time to investigate assisted care homes or long-term care communities to get the proper care you need. In most cases assisted living communities provide you with a small private room to decorate as you choose, as well as all meals are prepared for you and housekeeping is typically done daily. Plus, there is a 24-hour care team of nurses and registered care aides who will look in on you as often as needed and are available with the push of a button. You no longer need to worry about remembering to take your medication and the rooms are often equipped with special beds and other equipment to make you feel more comfortable and safer in your living space.

Moving in with Family or Friends

You likely have a few friends or know other couples your age who are in the same boat as you are so consider teaming up and buying or renting a home to live in together roommate style. You can share in the responsibilities of doing or paying for the housework. The Golden Girls made it work—and had a lot of fun together!

With the rising housing costs in BC, you may also consider moving in with your kids to help them out with the mortgage. Many homes have basement or garden suites as mortgage helpers. You can have your personal space for relaxing and be close enough to spend quality time with your grandchildren.

Erika Palmer is a writer living in Victoria with her husband and daughter. She believes most problems can be solved with a good cup of tea and a huge piece of chocolate.

Independent School & Education Guide!

10 Types of Private Schools

There is no such thing as a homogenous private school system.”

In reality, the private school world is defined by choice. There are many types of private and independent schools, and they come in many different configurations. Some schools educate children from kindergarten all the way to grade 12, while some start at grades six or eight. Others are high school only. It all depends on what you’re looking for in your child’s education.

DAY SCHOOLS

This is the traditional model of schooling: a school that students attend from morning until mid-afternoon, returning home afterward and staying home on the weekends. Parents largely take on helping kids develop good schoolwork habits, such as studying for upcoming tests and completing homework thoroughly, especially with younger students.

BOARDING SCHOOLS

At a boarding school, students live at school during the week within the school year calendar. At some schools—and depending how far away students’ family homes are from school—they may live at school on weekends, too. Students go home for breaks, such as the Christmas–New Year break and spring break, and for the summer. Boarding school can start in middle school (grades six through eight) or in high school (grades nine through 12). Boarding school is highly structured, with set times for study after school and during examination periods, set “free times” during the week, as well as curfews. Supervision and support are provided by staff such as peer counsellors, residential dons and academic staff, including teachers. Boarding school students are deeply involved in academics and extracurricular activities. This

is a highly personal choice for a child and his or her family. Some kids thrive at boarding school, while others are much better suited for day school.

SINGLE-GENDER SCHOOL

In single-gender schools, the student body is all boys or all girls. Some believe that boys and girls experience less peer pressure, focus better on learning and operate differently in school without the distraction of the opposite sex. Some studies point to better grades and a higher rate of admission to four-year university programs. Singlegender schools may help break down gender stereotypes—leading to more girls taking maths and sciences, for example.

CO-EDUCATIONAL SCHOOL

Often referred to as “co-ed,” this is a school in which the student body is made up of boys and girls attending classes together. It mirrors the real world, where boys and girls, men and women interact and work together all the time. Some believe that going to school together helps girls and boys benefit from the other gender’s learning style, promoting cooperation.

RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS

Depending where you live in the country, schools based on world religions can be found: Bahá’í Faith, Christian (specific denominations or non-denominational), Hindu, Islamic, Jewish and Sikh. Faith-based schools offer full academic curricula that adhere to or exceed required provincial standards, but also religious instruction. The faith’s general worldview is reflected in teaching and is part of the life of the school. Parents should learn about a school’s curriculum to ensure that, while

Gone are the days of rocking chairs and recliners. Today’s grandparents are more likely to be rock climbing or going for a run than they are to be rocking or reclining.

We’re an active and diverse group—an engaged, evolving and powerful force. We’re mentors, nurturers, keepers of secrets. We’re caregivers, child care providers, dessert-before-dinner defenders. We’re historians, spiritual guides and the holders of family stories.

GRAND celebrates who you are as a grandparent and who you are as an individual. You love spending time with your grandchildren and you’re happy in your other roles: at work, in the community and on your own. GRAND acknowledges that you are not “one or the other”—an “either/or” version of yourself—you are many different things to many different people. And to yourself.

With an Island perspective that speaks to an international readership, GRAND is the source for on-the-go grandparents of up-to-the-minute and thought-provoking information and ideas—on everything from having fun, staying fit and things to do to travel, leisure, health and technology. Think of GRAND as a trusted friend who happily shares those “senior moments” (in the best sense of the words!) and keeps you informed and connected to the issues and ideas that really matter. After reading an issue of GRAND, you should feel inspired, up-to-date and informed.

We’re here for you: from helping you figure out where you fit in to tackling your most perplexing questions, sharing your greatest discoveries and celebrating your deepest joys.

GRAND features articles on topics ranging from the importance of storytelling, cooking with your grandkids and community superheroes, to photographing your grandkids, gift-giving and grandparenting from afar. There are ideas and inspiration to help keep you in-the-know and connected, there’s a guide to investing in your grandchildren’s future and there’s tech support that will help you face your fears and embrace the cloud.

GRAND is as diverse and engaged as you are. Together, we’re a powerful and positive force—in our grandchildren’s lives and in our communities.