Outdoor Lifestyle Magazine - Fall Winter 2019

CANADA’S

OUTDOOR

LIFESTYLE

&

DESIGN

MAGAZINE

FALL/WINTER

2019/2020

Looking Back

at some of our

Greatest

Memories Throwback

To The future in a digital age

Keeping

Renew, revive, repurpose

connected with nature

the three r's of life

inside and out

from food to furniture

letter from the publisher

Being

CURRENT

As a certified landscape designer and outdoor inspirationalist for the past 30 years, it has always been my passion to learn about new products and design trends for the outdoor living space and to bring this information to our readers and followers. From new trends in planting to the upsurge in the outdoor kitchen movement, we always strive to inspire you to create that special outdoor space in your life where you can enjoy quality time with friends and family.

As Canada’s leading outdoor lifestyle publication, we are always pushing forward to use the most dynamic channels to connect with and inspire our readers. Our Outdoor Lifestyle Magazine continues to evolve from a printed edition, when we launched eight years ago, to a digital edition today. This evolution is moving to the next dynamic stage as we enter 2020 and maximize on the ways we can effectively reach both our existing and our new audiences.

This Fall/Winter 2019-2020 edition will be the last which we present in a page-turning magazine format. I am proud to announce that we will be launching our new Outdoor Lifestyle Magazine website in 2020 and also launching a range of Instagram and Pinterest based programs to showcase the very latest trends and products in our space!

Using a dynamic mix of web, social media, email marketing and video, we will continue this amazing journey in a digital online format with a flow of dynamic content covering a range of topics from a team of talented writers and content creators.

I hope you will continue with me on this incredible journey with Outdoor Lifestyle Magazine. As your publisher I thought it would be fitting to take an opportunity, in this issue, to delve back into our archives to showcase some of our favourite past articles and pieces of content. I hope you enjoy this special #throwback edition of the magazine as we move to the next step in our evolution!

Dave Maciulis Publisher

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the publisher letterletter from from the EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

When I was approached earlier this year by the Outdoor Lifestyle Magazine team to become their Editor-in-Chief, I was totally intrigued at the offer. I had been an avid reader and a fan of the publication over the past few years, as a professional chef I have always had a desire to share my experiences about food with as wide an audience as possible. I quickly realized that getting involved with the magazine would allow me to follow these passions with a whole new audience... it was an easy decision for me to make!

Having been involved in the planning of the next evolution of the magazine over the last 12 months, I am now delighted to reveal our plans to fully utilize the power of the web, social media and video to reach our existing readers and a whole segment of new followers and audiences.

Outdoor dining, travel and entertaining will also be a central feature in our content going forward and I can’t wait to share some amazing content with you over the next 12 months and beyond as we explore new trends in the Canadian outdoor lifestyle sector!

Strap in for 2020, we are in for a fun ride!

Jagger Gordon Chef Jagger Gordon @chefjaggergordon feeditforward.ca

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LETTER FROM THE outdoor lifestyle EDITOR LETTER FROM THE EDITORS

Carson Arthur

A lot of homeowners and gardeners get attached to trees in their space and the idea of removing them just seems wrong. There are some situations when you just have to realize that it’s time to make the cut (so to speak).

When is it time to say good-bye?

When a tree is struggling with a majority of its leaves missing, or even chunks of bark peeling off, it is pretty easy to say that it is unhealthy and can pose a safety risk during the winter or through a heavy wind storm. But what about if the tree looks healthy and is growing in the wrong spot or if it has a large branch that is growing awkwardly over your house or the spot you park the car?

Sometimes making the decision can be a lot harder. In these situations, I also advise homeowners to invest in getting an arborist in for a consult. Even in the fee is steep; you should note that some insurance companies are now denying claims on the basis that you ignored the situation.

I have been writing for this magazine for a number of years now and it has always been fun getting my content ready for the spring and summer issues. I have watched the magazine evolve from a printed version to this current digital format. In 2020, I am told the magazine will evolve further to move to a social media and video format which will make for more frequent and current postings and dynamic content to keep up with the fast paced demands of our readership and the digital worldI look forward to continuing to collaborate with the team at Outdoor Lifestyle Magazine into 2020 and beyond. See you on the other side!

David Kenney Joey Fletcher 10

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Hello again Outdoor Lifestyle Magazine family.

We are Joey Fletcher and David Kenney, HGTV personalities and owners of BroLaws Construction, and before you ask… yes we are indeed brothers-in-law!

Our construction work brings us inside peoples homes and also out into the backyard, we never have a season where work eases off and that’s exactly the way we like it!

We simply love to create amazing spaces for our clients and are always excited to share new trends and ideas for your indoor and outdoor spaces.

From decks to patios, bathroom renos to additions, we love to hear about new and exciting colours, designs and technologies in this sector.

We are looking forward to sharing lots of ideas with you in 2020 and beyond; for now make sure to stay warm for the rest of the fall/winter season and we will see you in the spring!

Shop Where the Professionals Shop

CONTENTS

14 18 21 24

THE YUKON Thriving with adventure and natural wonders GREAT EXPECTATIONS underestimating the cost of landscape projects A LIVING TRIBUTE A tree for every hero KEEPING IT REAL Organic learning for the children of Montessori school

26 27 28 30 32 33

CHASING CHAGA The immune boosting superfood POOLS To close or not to close TUR-RIFFIC TURTLES A species at risk THE GREAT DISCONNECT Robert Bateman THE EDGE OF NATURE Tofino, BC MAPLE LEAVES FOREVER We stand on guard for trees

36 40 44 48 53 54 56

SWEAT IT OUT Beating the winter cold REBIRTH Art feature THE BICYCLE THIEF Fire and ice bar YOUR VINTAGE GARDEN FEELIN' HOT Extend your outfdoor season PLANT PICKS SCANDINAVE SPA

58 63 66 73 74 76

LIVING THE TINY LIFE PLANT BASED Vegan or not, delicious ways to increase your plant intake SLOPE SIDE Whistler, BC LIGHT UP YOUR LOVE LIFE Loving lighting WINTERIZING YOUR CANADIAN GARDEN PLANNING YOUR GARDEN LANDSCAPE

81 CEREMONY OF PURIFICATION A SWEAT LODGE EXPERIENCE 84 SEEKING SUMMER

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Publisher

Dave Maciulis CLD

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Chef Jagger Gordon

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Brie Jarrett

PRODUCTION EDITOR & GRAPHIC DESIGNER Jodi Pallagi

OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE EDITOR Carson Arthur

CUSTOM BUILD EDITORS

David Kenney & Joey Fletcher

PRODUCTION MANAGER Alan Carroll

WRITERS

PHOTOGRAPHY/VIDEO

Bryen Dunn

Monique Craig

Alan Carroll

Frankie Ferragine

Dave Maciulis

Glenn Curtis

Glenn Curtis

Susan Mate

Virginia Macdonald

Dr. Sarah Penney, ND

Nicole Breanne

Chef Doris Fin

Joel Loblaw Inc.

Peter Vogler

Toronto Zoo

Scott Sim

Dundalk Leisure Craft

Luke Bingham

Brian Couture

Ariane Saffron

Lechuza

Christopher Radenovic

Shutterstock

Chris Gregory Scott Bryk Shannon Ritchie Adam Bienenstock Melissa Nezezon Cassidy Tonkin Christa Lynn Kimberley Fowler Deborah Rent

Oscar De Los Santos

For advertising opportunities please email: info@outdoorlifestylemagazine.com PUBLISHED BY KORU CREATIVE GROUP President, Alan Carroll 289-238-7910 info@outdoorlifestylemagazine.com Copyright 2019. All rights reserved.

Reproduction without express written consent is prohibited by law.

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n o k u Y The Thriving with Adventure and Natural Wonders

By BRyEN DUNN – TORONTO, ON

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I

f you’re looking for an “off-the-grid” outdoor experience, then the Yukon is where it’s at. There are just over 35,000 people in the whole territory, with the majority living within the vicinity of the capital of Whitehorse. To put things in perspective, the population density of the Yukon is just one resident per 13km (8.1mi), so there’s plenty of room to navigate. There may not be much to see in terms of typical tourist attractions, but the beauty of the expansive landscape and outdoor adventure opportunities, is the ultimate bucket list check off.

Many use Whitehorse as a starting point for their adventures, or a nice ending to some time spent roughing it in the wild. If your there during one of the many festivals that take place during your visit, then a couple nights might be warranted. There’s a thriving arts and music community, as well as plenty of recreational sporting events, and the locals are always proud to showcase their northern culture.

Most people who opt to visit the Yukon are driven by their love of nature and the great outdoors. One of the major drawing points are the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis), which are at their prime in late summer/early fall. To witness this magical display of natural fireworks is a trip in itself.

A visit would not be complete without seeing Mount Logan, Canada’s highest mountain, located within Kluane National Park. The upper peaks remain ice-capped all year round with a permanent glacial covering. There are ways to get up into the mountains and actually walk on one of the lower glacial reaches. The more adventurous will throw on some crampons and make the challenging trek even further upward. However, for a truly one-of-a-kind experience, both Icefield Discovery and Kluane Glacier Air Tours offer helicopter flights that will take you up and beyond, offering a birds eye view of one of nature’s most stunning phenomenon.

The abundance of open trails for hiking and backcountry trekking, and rivers for canoeing and kayaking, make for an outdoor enthusiasts paradise. For a truly unique Yukon experience, venture out to the Tatshenshini River for some class 3 and 4 white-water rapids. Tatshenshini Expediting has been offering white-water rafting tours in the Yukon since 1982. While there’s plenty of opportunity to kick back

and enjoy the scenery, there are also times when you have to “dig” and “back paddle” to avoid going overboard. Even then, a good soaking is often inevitable. The lunchtime riverside stop with warm beverages and campfire heat helps remedy any accidental plunges.

Travelling by vehicle some 500km along the near desolate Klondike Highway between Whitehorse and Dawson City is an experience like no other. Dawson City is best known as being the central point of the late 19th century Klondike Gold Rush, when the population totalled around 40,000 people… more than the current population of the whole territory. Today, there are less than 1,500 year-round residents, but during the summer months this picturesque town is teaming with life. Diamond Tooth Gerties Gambling Hall is Canada’s oldest casino, complete with nightly can-can floor shows that get more risqué as the night progresses.

For those who dare, step into the Downtown Hotel and ask for Captain River Rat; then purchase a shot of Yukon Jack Whisky, pledge the ‘Sourtoe Oath’ while the Captain drops a dehydrated human toe into your shot, then chuck it back. Be sure to remember the most important rule: “You can drink it fast, you can drink it slow, but your lips have gotta touch the toe.” Since its inception, the club has acquired (by donation) over 10 toes, and over 100,000 people have taken the oath.

When hunger hits, make sure to visit one of the many local eateries. Klondike Kates offers an amazing Sunday Brunch, prepared with local ingredients, such as Yukon-made herbs, produce, fish and more. The Drunken Goat Taverna brings the Mediterranean to Dawson City with Greek specialties and delicious platters for sharing.

One the biggest attractions of the Yukon summer season is most definitely the Dawson City Music Festival. Since 1979 this event has grown from a weekend barbeque in a field, into the highlight of the Yukon summer. Entertainment is spread out over three days and six venues, with performances continuing amidst the setting midnight sun. The festival offers a small town vibe, with big name acts from across the country.

It’s an opportunity to see 20+ bands for less than the price of one in most major city centres. The next DCMF happens July 21st to 23rd 2017.

So what are you waiting for? Head to the far north for a truly Canadian adventure this year!

Visit travelyukon.com IMPROVE │ OUTDOORLIFESTYLEMAGAZINE.COM

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big by

FRANKIE FLOWERS

colour

Japanese Kousa Dogwood (Cornus Kousa) Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina) With serrated edges and bright radiant red or orange colour in fall it’s hard to miss Staghorn Sumac. A Canadian native with upright cones of crimson red berries that not only feed our feathered friends but provide both fall and winter interest.

A word of warning sumac are vigorous growers and if not kept in check can become a nuisance send-ing running roots into the lawn. A more compact variety is Tiger Eyes Sumac.

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One of my favourite additions to any landscape. Kousa Dogwood packs a lot of punch, spring flowering with white blossoms, superb bright red fall colour and winter interest with bark offering a look of a jigsaw puzzle. All season interest, all in one plant!!

Sugar Maple (Acer Saccharum) Sugar maple may be famous for “maple syrup” but I say they should be celebrated for their vibrant fall colour. A sugar maple’s range of fall colour extend from yellow to orange to red making this one of the most colourful fall trees ever! Just a reminder you need space for a sugar maple!

They can reach over 80 feet in height and up to 60 feet in width, not ideal for a small suburban lot!

GREAT EXPECTATIONS The Top 5 Reasons why Homeowners Underestimate the Cost of their Landscape Projects

BY GLENN CURTIS – MONTREAL, QC

Step One: Understand the Top 5 reasons for the disconnect between perceived value and associated costs.

1

Lack of context: As a homeowner, you may undertake a landscape transformation only once or twice in your lifetime.

If your approach to budgeting is “just throwing a number out there” without really researching what landscaping entails or costs, then you’re a prime candidate to experience a deer in the headlights moment.

2

Unreality shows: Popular home renovation and backyard makeover shows are certainly entertaining and a great source of inspiration, but generally promote unrealistic pricing and timeline expectations. Despite the starring role of hosts and their crews, reality shows can take weeks to shoot and local companies are often hired to do the grunt work. To offset very low pay, their names are included in the credits and they can often use “as seen on” promotions in their marketing. Sponsorships, product placement and promotional considerations further reduce the dollar value of the project.

3

The iceberg principle: Redesigns. Excavation and foundation work. Solutions to address slope, drainage and difficult access. Meeting code requirements and construction standards. Project oversight. The costs of higher quality and custom materials. Though our eyes focus only on the elements that can be seen, the majority of costs involved with installing a new landscape are beneath the surface.

4

Expertise and experience: A contractor who grossly undercuts industry-certified professionals will not deliver comparative services, equal craftsmanship, efficient timeline staging or expert judgment calls on the myriad of issues that arise on the fly throughout any complex project. Your landscaper’s degree of experience will inevitably define your experience with landscaping.

5

Professional design/build landscapers dream of presenting a project budget for the perfect design and hearing,“Wow! That’s much less than I expected, when can you start?” Inevitably, we wake to find the real world holds a much more common reaction: unrealistic expectations. Homeowners want it all in this day and age, and few understand that their dream of having a permanent, 5-star luxury resort experience in their own backyard, often can cost more than going on an actual vacation.

In the landscaping industry we call this “sticker shock”, and fortunately, there is a way to immunize yourself against it.

The value of peace of mind: Satisfaction comes with knowing that your landscape is built right, made to last, and backed by solid product, workmanship and satisfaction guarantees. However, its price should also reflect the value of having complete confidence during its development, including the knowledge that your professional is reliable and properly insured. If you think it’s expensive to hire a professional, just wait until you hire an amateur.

Simply put, do your homework before starting any outdoor renovation project. Ask questions. Check references.

Hire for passion and credibility. And remember that the bitterness of poor quality will surely remain long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.

Glenn Curtis is the President of Plantenance Landscape Group, an award-winning team of landscape designers, craftsmen and horticulturists, who have been creating extraordinary outdoor spaces throughout the Montreal area for more than 35 years | www.plantenance.com

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A REFRESHING BLEND OF OUR ORIGINAL GEORGIAN BAY GIN SMASH™ AND NATURAL ICED TEA

MADE WITH OUR AWARD-WINNING GEORGIAN BAY GIN®

LIGHTLY CARBONATED, GREAT TASTE, AND NOT TOO SWEET

THE FIRST LOCAL GIN-BASED HARD ICED TEA

For more information and recipes visit GEORGIANBAYSPIRITCO.COM Please drink responsibly. ©Georgian Bay Spirit Co.™ 2019

LIKE PUTTY IN YOUR HANDS Pottery For Your Mind And Your Yard

By KIMBERLy FOWLER – GRENNSVILLE, ON

These days almost everything that we use was manufactured somewhere else: German cars, smartphones built in China, American software, textiles from South Asia...the list goes on.

Globalization has brought many benefits, but also challenges, which has spurred a resurgence of domestic manufacturing. The pottery movement was forged from this demand, a grassroots effort to bring manufacturing back to Canada and the household.

Before the industrial revolution, goods were produced either through cottage industries, or were made in the home. The pottery movement that is sweeping the US, UK, and Canada today reintroduces this philosophy.

More and more people are making their own pottery and ceramics either at home, or at the specialty pottery studios that are springing up around the country.

In contrast to the mass manufactured goods that dominate our modern world, each piece of pottery produced is unique.

Hand-crafted pottery communicates not only the style of the potter who made it, but also their story.

Virtually all plants can thrive in clay or ceramic pots, but you should be wary of plant species that require wetter conditions. Clay pots regulate the moisture level of soil by absorbing excess water, they also ‘breathe’ better than plastic or metal alternatives, allowing more oxygen to flow to the roots.

If you frequently forget to water your plants, then this could spell trouble. You should use a slightly deeper clay pot than plastic to avoid drying plants out. For example, if you want to transplant something growing in an 8” plastic pot, then you should opt for a 10” or 12” clay pot. For over-waterers, however, the fact that clay is ‘thirsty’ means that you have an extra level of protection if you’re prone to drowning your plants in love.

According to Home Guides, clay also helps regulate temperature better because its natural thickness holds warmth longer into the night while preventing plants from overheating because of the increased moisture exchange.

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Of course, compared to plastic or store-bought alternatives, creating your own outdoor pottery is far better for the environment. It circumvents the emissions-heavy manufacturing, shipping, and storage processes, and clay pots can be easily recycled or repurposed. But there’s more to the movement than that. You start with a wet lump of earth, painstakingly craft it into a beautiful piece, forge it amongst the fire, then return it to the earth, from which it originated. The process itself is as beautiful as the end product.

Learning more about the pottery movement, and how to get involved is just a quick “Google” search away. Find your local pottery studio and sign up for some classes, or watch an online tutorial and you’ll be creating your own custom pottery for your outdoor space in no time.

OUTDOORLIFESTYLEMAGAZINE.COM │DISCOVER

A living Tribute

A TREE FOR EVERY HERO

BY SCOTT BRYK – MISSISSAUGA, ON

S

omeone once asked, “When is a tree more than just a tree?” I believe the answer is “when the tree is part of a memorial to honour Canada’s fallen heroes.” The Highway of Heroes Living Tribute Campaign aims to plant 117,000 trees along and near Highway 401; one for every one of Canada’s war dead. This living, breathing memorial offers an opportunity to tell the story of Canadian Veterans. It will remind those who travel along the highway of the great debt we owe these courageous servicemen and women.

When a member of our Canadian Armed Forces falls, his or her final journey is over a stretch of the 401 called the Highway of Heroes. This portion of the highway, between Trenton and Toronto, was officially designated the “Highway of Heroes” on August 24, 2007.

Canadians from coast to coast have been moved by the images of people lining the highway and overpasses to pay their respects; many standing at attention, many moved to tears.

The time is now to honour those brave men and women, and all those who have made such a vital contribution to our way of life, by supporting the Highway of Heroes Living Tribute Project.

This is a long-term project---estimated to take between four and five years to complete---and we’re committed to doing it right, giving our “Hero Trees” every opportunity to survive and thrive.

Get involved and make a difference Make a donation online Subscribe to the monthly newsletter to stay informed of our progress Organize a fundraiser with your church, club, business or organization Let us share an article in your newsletter or publication Share and follow the news on social media

To learn more or to make a donation, please visit www.hohtribute.ca OUTDOORLIFESTYLEMAGAZINE.COM

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Rendered concept sketches by Joel Loblaw Inc. | joelloblaw.com Photography by Virginia Macdonald

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DOWNTOWN TORONTO

Photography by Virginia Macdonald

Urban Rooftop This modern rooftop garden brings warmth and colour to a typical concrete terrace. The site was challenging to design as weight, access, plant material and harsh growing conditions needed to be considered. The design incorporates custom planters and paving materials to create the feeling of rooms. Weathering steel, wood and turf materials were selected to provide warmth to the space. Plant material was chosen for its ability to withstand harsh growing conditions consisting of full exposure to sun, wind and seasonal elements. The planting is low maintenance and provides colour in the summer and structure in the winter for year-round interest. This rooftop is a fun, modern and functional garden that extends the living space outdoors.

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KEEPING IT REAL ORGANIC LEARNING FOR THE CHILDREN OF A MONTESSORI SCHOOL – Staff Reporter Dundas, ON

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The future will belong to the nature-smart—those individuals, families, businesses, and political leaders who develop a deeper understanding of the transformative power of the natural world and who balance the virtual with the real. The more high-tech we become, the more nature we need.”

—RICHARD LOUV Dundas Valley Montessori School (DVMS) is hidden in the middle of a residential neighbuorhood just a few blocks from Downtown Dundas. It sits on a beautiful natural playground.

“I remember when I first came to look at the building that now houses DVMS,” recalls DVMS Director Tony Evans. The future school had a river behind it and a beautiful copse of trees. “It had over a hundred broken windows and was completely boarded up. But I knew bricks and mortar can be fixed, and this natural organic playground was the perfect place to put a school. Children need to be connected to nature in order to succeed.”

Find a landscape professional

There was a great expanse of degrading asphalt in the playground. A paving company generously offered to repave the area for several hundred-thousand dollars. Instead DVMS contacted Andrea Hall with Seeing Green Creative Landscaping. An active parent in the DVMS community, she transformed the area right next to the school into a natural garden for children to learn, explore and connect. Super cool ‘Hobbit Doors’ were built so that the garden would feel like a natural extension of the indoor classroom.

Dr. Maria Montessori recognized children under the age of six love to do ‘adult jobs’. She called these practical life activities – weeding is actually fun when you are four-years old. In fact, the miracle of watching a seed develop into a plant is truly magical. Research shows people with less access to nature show relatively poor attention or cognitive function, poor management of major life issues, and poor impulse control. One study even showed improved IQ’s for those children whose windows looked at nature over those whose windows looked out on pavement and buildings.

Get tips and advice from the pros

DVMS knew the landscaping was only the first step. An Outdoor Education Teacher was hired for the elementary students. The children are taken out in small groups everyday, and given lessons on the wonders of plants.

Evans recalls, “I knew it was working when a child pulled out a huge weed and a grade two boy enthusiastically exclaimed, ‘It’s a fasciculated root.’ Children this age love to classify. In Montessori classrooms we inspire them with the structure of taxonomies and relationships found in nature.”

In the Adolescent Program affiliated with DVMS, The Montessori Adolescent School of Hamilton (MASH), nature becomes the heart of the classroom. Montessori’s vision for the adolescent child was to locate their schools on farms.

Mother Nature is unpredictable – she teaches resilience, problem solving, responsibility while she teaches biology, math, science and history. At this age, children need to know their work has a purpose. The consequence of not milking a cow is more dire than if homework isn’t done.

Keep in mind it was only a little over a hundred years ago that children started to go to school. It was during the rise of factories. In the spirit of the times, educators chose a factory-based model. Elwood Cubberly (1916-1929), then dean of Stanford University’s School of Education, put it bluntly, “Schools are factories in which the raw products (children) are to be shaped and fashioned into products to meet the various demands of life.”

The Montessori model asserts if we want our children to work on the factory lines for their whole lives, the Cubberly model is a sufficient model of education. However, if we want children to succeed in today’s world, and in the future, they need to learn their lessons from nature – and they will grow up to be creative, diligent, passionate and capable.

See the latest plants and trends Connect with a professional member of Landscape Ontario • Search from over 2,000 pros • Get design tips and ideas • Download free tools to help you compare and evaluate companies

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CHASING CHAGA

The Immune Boosting Superfood

BY OSCAR DE LOS SANTOS - MEDICINE MAN

A

ny nature enthusiast knows the importance of making fire as a basic survival skill. Finding a resourceful way to burn embers, produce heat and cook meals was a milestone in our evolution, and like any worthwhile discovery, a certain portion of trial and error was required. Enter the discovery of a rather odd looking, but uniquely beneficial form of fungus, called Chaga.

Though not much to look at, Chaga was identified rather quickly as having the ability to both readily take a spark and to make an ember, immediately catching the attention of our early ancestors. This elusive fungus grows in cold, northern climates on common White Birch trees, and has been revered for centuries across most of Siberia, Russia and parts of Asia for its medicinal benefits.

Although its burnt-like outer surface is unmistakable, Chaga can be quite a challenge to find. It can appear anywhere on the side of dying White Birch trees, but is typically found on only one out of four hundred specimens. If you are indeed one of the lucky few to come across this rare treasure, then prepare your mind, body and soul for a treat.

Truly an all-around, natural remedy, the exterior of the Chaga fungus is high in Betulin, a substance that has been known to arrest the growth of cancer and tumours (in some instances). The soft yellow center is high in Polysaccharides, is an autoimmune adaptogen, and is the single most powerful antioxidant on the planet, 3,500X more powerful than Vitamin C! Reaping the benefits of this potent beauty could not be easier. Simply simmering a small chunk (about the size of an ice cube), for 20 minutes, produces an entire pot of aromatic tea that is to die for. An earthy flavour with a slight vanilla undertone is the end result, and once you try it, Chaga will be a staple in your tea collection for years to come.

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TO CLOSE OR NOT TO CLOSE?

BY CHRIS GREGORY – HOLLAND LANDING, ON

Fall and winter typically mean the end of pool season, but the story doesn’t have to end this way. Pool season differs throughout North America and is largely dependent on what province/state you reside in, and if you choose to keep your new pool open 365 days a year.

Yes, running your new pool all year is possible today.

CLOSING (WINTERIZING) YOUR POOL Some pool owners choose to close their pool themselves and others prefer to hire a company to handle their closing. In either case, closing the pool comes with some important steps to ensure a worry-free opening in the spring. A proper closing can eliminate problems in spring, can prolong the life of your pool and equipment, and ultimately saves you money in costly repairs.

CLEARING THE LINES

Lowering the water level of the pool below the suction and return lines will allow the water to be cleared via a wet/dry vacuum or a compressor. Once the lines are cleared, they can be capped off with threaded or rubber plugs (bungs). Adding antifreeze to lines can also aid in a worry-free start-up. In pools that have floor returns and/or in-floor cleaning systems. Clearing these lines is not an option. In this case, rubber plugs with air valves are available.

These work with the backpressure of the water to trap air and keep it in the lines, much like putting your finger over the end of a straw.

DRAINING AND CLOSING EQUIPMENT AT PAD

Remove all the plugs from the equipment and allow them to drain: this includes pumps, the filter, heater, chlorinator, etc. Turn the sand filter handle dial valve to the winterizing position and remove the eyeglass and pressure gauge. Shut off all equipment breakers and gas valves.

cover, as it gives peace of mind where children and pets are concerned. The safety cover also provides an easier opening in the spring by allowing water to filter through the cover and leaves and debris to sit on top, ready for removal.

Automatic covers work well, but the water level must be kept at operating level to allow support for rain and snow. A word of caution: if the water level drops inside the pool due to a leak, it could cause costly damage to the cover and deck.

OPEN 365 Can you imagine having a New Year’s Eve outdoor pool party? With a multitude of design options available, swimming pools can be designed and built to be enjoyed 365 days a year. This is possible through energy efficiency in automation, equipment and heating, along with insulating the structure and plumbing lines. The cost of running your pool all year can balance out with the cost of opening and closing it. Enjoying your pool is not just for summer anymore.

You have made an investment in your pool and backyard. With so many options available, the chilly temperatures don’t necessarily mean that you have to give up outdoor entertainment.

POOL WATER

Vacuum the pool and add the proper winterizing chemicals to ensure sanitation and balance.

COVERING THE POOL

Multiple options are available for covering your pool during winter. The options include: a tarp and winter bags, lock-in fitted cover for vinyl pools, safety covers and automatic covers. The ideal choice recommended is the safety

CHRIS GREGORY is the Builder/Designer at Eco-Pools Inc. and is a Genesis 3 Gold Member. chris@eco-pools.ca | www.eco-pools.ca

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APLE LEAVES FOREVER

MAPLE TREE

OH CANADA, WE STAND ON GUARD FOR... TREES?

BY CASSIDY TONKIN – GEORGETOWN, ON

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HERE ARE INFINITE REASONS TO be a proud Canadian. Beer, maple syrup, poutine, the invention of basketball… the list goes on. But what are the things that truly come to mind when you first think about our beautiful country?

Well, aside from our universally accepted dominance in hockey, the most defining symbol of Canada may well be the Maple tree. Quite literally the foundation of our country, this magnificent foliage has been providing us with shelter, transportation and food since the first settlers reached our shores hundreds of years ago. And with the exception of the flamingo, perhaps no other creature is more of an exhibitionist than Canada’s national tree. Every autumn, thousands of visitors flock to all corners of the country to marvel at the powerful array of colours adjourning their branches: from deep scarlet reds to bright yellows, this incredible species is internationally famous for its fall spectacle.

However, masked behind the exterior beauty and versatility of these majestic trees, lies the unfortunate truth of their dwindling numbers. Decades ago, farmers in southern Ontario planted thousands of these resilient trees along laneways and bordering their properties, all as part of a government incentive (who wouldn’t!). But as time went on, these ancient trees quickly began to dissipate, finding themselves the unfortunate victims of road salt, construction and invasive species. Many landowners then opted for cheaper replacements to be shipped in from warmer climates (such as Japan and the United States), rather than replanting patriotic Maple saplings.

But fear not, Canadians! There is one man

MAPLE LEAVES FOREVER Providing saplings and larger maple trees to planting agencies and landowners on a cost shared basis.

Ken Jewett planting a Native Sugar Maple with help from Jim Flaherty (former Federal Finance Minister) and Toni diGiovanni, Executive Officer Landscape Ontario.

For more information, visit MapleLeavesForever.com

among us on a mission to bring back this marvelous tree, and his name is Ken Jewett.

Jewett is the founder of Maple Leaves Forever, a charitable organization created for the ecological sustainment of indigenous Canadian Maple trees. Jewett has always been active in an array of community organizations, including a 10 year involvement with Big Brother Canada. His charitable work has earned him such titles as Honorary Life Director of Big Brothers, Chairman of the Committee of Convocation at Trinity Commons School, Director of the Muskoka Lakes Ratepayers Association, and proud member of The American Association of Therapeutic Humour.

Upon retiring at age 50, Ken jumped headfirst into environmental conservatism, partnering with local landowners, The Ontario Stewardship Network, conservation authorities, and volunteer groups, to create Maple Leaves Forever.

His company’s goal is as simple as it is impactful: to drastically increase the number of native Canadian Maples being planted in Southern Ontario, bringing back a little piece of our heritage with every plant. Ken and his team work with seed collectors and private nurseries to obtain seedlings from a variety of maple species, such as silver maples, sugar maples and the iconic red maple. Since 2010, over 500 Canadian Maples have been planted in Ottawa alone! Ken is a true patriot in every sense of the word, and his dedication to his country and its values may very well prove to be the driving force behind giving this magnificent species a chance to thrive once again.

Maple Leaves Forever is a registered charity and gratefully accepts charitable donations.

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Frankie Flowers loves...

Easy Colour

FRANKIE FERRAGINE

Itoh Hybrid Peony “Al’s Choice” A tree peony savoured by collectors but very easy to grow and very hardy!.

Featuring a tall, upright, bush with lush green leaves, flowers with yellow petals with red streaking.

Plant in full sun.

You don’t have to have a green thumb in order to have a garden that looks like you do! Low maintenance plants, that produce vivid colour, make your gardens look like they’ve been designed and cared for by a professional.

Bring your outdoor space to life with Frankies favourites.

Whopper Begonia Step aside Dragon Wings begonia, Whopper is the newest and arguably the easiest beast of begonias to grow in the garden. Mounding habit, these large plants produce a explosion of 3” blooms all growing season. Heat and drought tolerant. Works almost anywhere from mass plantings to pots. Plant in sun or shade.

Grandessa Argyranthemum “Grand Daisy” Ultimate Wow Factor in this new 2016 introduction! Grandessa’s flowers are more than twice the size of a standard argyranthemum spanning almost 4” in diameter, beyond impressive flower size Grandessa is a vigorous plant offering easy garden performance and hence more bloom for your buck! Plant in full sun.

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Serbian Bellflower “Campanula poscharskyana Blue Waterfall” This late spring blooming, sun loving perennial is the perfect choice for rock gardens, edges, or in pots. With small green leaves, loads of starry blue flowers that bloom weeks on end and if you lucky may repeat blooming in early fall. Plant in full sun.

g n i l a e H Crystal A STONE’S THROW AWAY FROM FEELING GREAT

By CHRISTA LyNN – CRySTAL HEALING PRACTITIONER

Throughout the ages, people have been intrigued by the beauty of crystals and gemstones. In ancient cultures, people wore crystals and gemstones as jewelry, but not only because of their dazzling beauty. Many believed that they contained healing properties.

One prominent historical figure from the 12th century writer, composer, herbalist and mystic, Hildegard Von Bingen, was famous for healing the sick with herbs, music (and yes), gemstones. Much of today’s crystal healing knowledge is derived from her extensive work.

Quartz crystals are said to store, amplify and transmit energy, making them a wonderful tool for boosting positive emotions and for helping to enhance the healing process. It’s important to understand that crystals need to be energetically cleansed regularly to help keep their vibration high and to release any negative energy they’ve absorbed. The simplest way to cleanse a crystal is to leave it in a dish of dry sea salt for a few hours each day

CITRINE

Enhance motivation, energy and passion. If someone were feeling fatigued, it is believed that donning a piece of carnelian will boost energy, motivation and productivity. In ancient times, carnelian was placed at each corner of the bed before a lovers’ rendezvous to enhance libido and sensuality.

AMETHYST

A reputation for releasing stress and tension.

It’s believed that wearing amethyst jewelry will promote a state of relaxation. Holding a piece of amethyst to the forehead can also help soothe mental tension and alleviate stress headaches.

Placing amethyst under the pillow encourages a good night’s sleep.

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ROSE QUARTZ Reputed to be the crystal of love and romance. Worn as jewelry, it is said to boost the radiance and beauty of the wearer and to attract love.

Gifted between lovers, it can help deepen their bond. And it can help heal the hearts of those scorned by a past lover.

DE

Believed to boost confidence, joy, mental clarity, creativity and prosperity.

Keeping a citrine crystal in a place of business can help attract customers and wealth. Wearing citrine jewelry is said to enhance confidence, joy and mental clarity and can help professionals shine. Citrine can also enhance the imagination, making it a great stone for artists.

CARNELIAN

Can increase vitality, longevity and good fortune and can help foster an enjoyable life.

It is said that wearing Jade jewelry brings harmony to interactions with other people, making it a great stone to wear to meetings and social events. Wearing Jade daily can also promote a healthy, jovial state.

Disclaimer: crystal healing is not a substitute for allopathic medicine. If you have a health concern, always consult a physician.

Crystal healing does not diagnose, treat or prescribe medications. To learn more about crystals and gemstones go to learncrystalhealing.com 82 I outdoorlIfestylemagazIne.com

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SWEAT IT OUT

Winter can be cold and depressing but that doesn’t mean you have to be!

Warm yourself to the core during the coldest days of winter and keep the blues away by investing in your very own sauna!

These wonderful cedar structures are available in many shapes and sizes, providing a welcome refuge from the harsh reality of the season.

CABIN SAUNA dundalkleisurecraft.com POD SAUNA dundalkleisurecraft.com BARREL SAUNA wayfair.ca PANORAMIC VIEW SAUNA dundalkleisurecraft.com

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By Carson Arthur

Bringing Nature into your home Plants indoors have NEVER been so popular! While terrariums and mini indoor greenhouses aren’t so new, they are definitely back on trend along with hanging glass globes.

As you have probably already noticed I am also a huge fan of LECHUZA self-watering systems which helps managing your indoor plants so much easier.

More homeowners than ever are making sure to put a plant in all the spaces they spend time in, including every window, at the office and in every room that has some sort of natural light.

That said, watering these plants has become the biggest challenge to keeping them alive.

Wouldn’t it be nice to have self-watering planters that tell you when they need to be filled? With Lechuza this is exactly what you get!

There is a simple gauge on the side that tells you when to fill it. How easy is that? These types of planters work on the premise that water stored underneath the plant is wicked into the soil around the roots based on the needs of the plant itself. It’s almost like a water fountain for your succulents, orchids or tropicals… they only drink as much as they need.

This way you take the guess work out of trying to identify all the different watering schedules based on having lots and lots of different types of plants (more is always better!).

Of course LECHUZA planters work both indoors and outdoors (check out their website for more details www. lechuza.ca) which means you can switch things up and mix and matchyour planters depending on the season and the types of plants you are growing and nurturing.

I also love using glass systems that allow the light in and naturally promote high levels of humidity. It’s harder for the water to evaporate because there is only one opening.

I always put moss in the bottom of my hanging terrariums.

For me, I hate the rings that are left on the glass from the water evaporating. You may also see green algae forming at the bottom, which is perfectly normal…it just doesn’t look so great. The moss hides all of this and it holds the moisture for the plants, helping to keep the humidity up.

Also consider adding small details like rocks and twigs.

These help create the naturalized look under the glass. In my terrariums, you will probably find a shell or a small statue. . I like to include one thing that is unexpected because I always notice it and it makes me smile.

When it comes to the plants, I love using air plants because they require very little water and love to be elevated in a space. I’ve also had success with orchids and cacti, but if you are new to this, be careful, both of those options are tricky when it comes to water management.

If you want to jump onboard this trend of bringing nature into your home, don’t forget to make it easy on yourself and choose a LECHUZA self-watering planter!

www.lechuza.ca

LechuzaCanada

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*Offer ends December 31, 2019 or while quantities last. Offer is valid only on in-stock items. Offer not valid on prior orders, pending orders, or sale items. No adjustments can be made on previous purchases. Cannot be combined with any other promotion and/or offer. No rain checks. Gift will be added at checkout.

Piece: Large Black Walnut Charcuterie Board

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REBIRTH Mike Willoughby is an established artist from Dundas, ON., who specializes in custom projects using reclaimed wood.

Working with ethically sourced materials such as glass, stone or metal, Willoughby has created everything from charcuterie boards to small pieces of furniture, leveraging his keen eye for potential into original artistic focal points. He possesses a great appreciation for both nature and history, and it is his passion for illuminating the rebirth of forgotten or overlooked material that drives his work.

This original piece is an example of something called crotch wood, a natural growth in the tree which creates beautiful rippling effects in a variety of colouring. Live sawn from a Black Walnut tree, the dark middle coloring is often referred to as heart wood, and can take on a myriad of black, brown and gold hues. The outer growth, otherwise known as sap wood, creates a gradual contrasting effect, and the transition in colour from gold to blonde helps to display both the complexity and simplicity of the piece. “I love to keep some of the past in the future� dundas-charcuterie.com

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Piece: Whale Wall

Noel Brown

Jack Willoughby

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The perfect storm…the collaboration of Noel Brown and Jack Willoughby can be described in no other terms. Together, they create magic. The Whale Wall uses Brown’s design and was fashioned by Willoughby. Noel Brown is a member of the Snuneymuxw First Nation, on the east coast of Vancouver Island, and has been carving professionally since 1995. Brown’s art and knowledge of the true cultural meanings of his carvings were passed down to him from his forefathers. His art can be found worldwide in galleries and private collections alike. Anvil island Design, located on Vancouver Island, is home to the studio and workshop of metal artist Jack Willoughby. His career as an artist began in steel working, then teaching metal work at the B.C. Institute of Technology, where the freedom to create his own designs soon turned into a fulltime job. Willoughby is well known in North America for his unique, humorous, and whimsical designs, using steel, aluminum, and copper.

He is often commissioned to do one of a kind metal art for clients all over the world.

Piece: Children of the Sun Carving for over 30 years, Brian Walker was inspired by First Nation mentors and the rich cultural history of the Kwanlin DĂźn, his adoptive Yukon First Nation. His ten year exploration of traditional copper repoussĂŠ and chasing practices has culminated in the exceptional collection currently at the Inuit Gallery of Vancouver.

The Bicycle Thief Fire & Ice Bar

By Deborah Rent

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his story starts in post–World War II, Italy. We meet a poor man struggling to feed his family.

He finally gets a job that will help pull them out of poverty. As bad luck would have it, it is a job that requires him to use a bicycle, one that becomes stolen soon after. We are taken on a journey through Rome as the man desperately searches for it, believing it to be the only thing to save his family. In one scene the man exclaims “To hell with it! You want a pizza?” This is the premise for The Bicycle Thief – an Italian movie that was ranked as one of the greatest films ever. It explains the large sculpture outside an award-winning Italian restaurant in downtown Halifax, Nova Scotia; metal antique bicycles painted a muted red and fused together in the shape of a pine tree.

Welcome to The Bicycle Thief, one of the trendiest spots in the city, where they proudly serve North American food with an Italian soul. The restaurant is nestled in the corner of the U-shaped courtyard of Bishops Landing which is home to high-end boutiques,

shops and restaurants on Halifax’s waterfront. The Bicycle Thief is located directly on the boardwalk with spectacular views of Halifax Harbour. With a distinctly European feel, the restaurant is very popular with locals and tourists alike.

In the summer the patio is packed with people sitting at bleached wood tables with bright red umbrellas providing shade from the bright hot sun. During the bitter cold winter though, Halifax’s waterfront is not a place one would expect to see people sitting outside enjoying a drink. However, you would be wrong. The Bicycle Thief is literally one of the coolest spots in the city.

Bundled up as you quickly race towards the restaurant, bracing yourself against the bitter north winds blowing up the harbour, the first thing you see is the infamous red metal bicycle tree adorned with strings of white lights. Christmas trees, also aglow with twinkling white lights, are positioned to block the winds. It’s like a scene from a grown-up winter wonderland, with the highlight being a bar made from antiqued white-washed barn

boards, looking like a wintry version of the wide planks of the nearby boardwalk. Staff behind the bar looks every bit Canadian with their down filled jackets, warm toques, scarves and gloves. Heaters throw a warm glow and faux fur blankets are strewn on the sheep skin bar stools.

During the summer, this is their outdoor champagne bar, but now protected from the frigid winds, it has been transformed into the Fire & Ice Bar where you can actually embrace winter with warm mulled wine or a grown-up hot chocolate!

“The experience is one of a kind,” says owner Hakan Uluer. “It is the best setting in town during the long cold winter.”

The staff at this fully winterized outdoor heavenly bar serve up a healthy dose of warm hospitality. “It comes from the heart. We treat every single person as if they are coming to our home. Each of our managers has a mission to find a kindness opportunity,” says Uluer. “And opportunities are everywhere, whether it’s to bring another blanket or a scarf for extra warmth or for our bartender to make you smile. If it makes our guests happy we will not hesitate to do it. When it comes from the heart, it feels great. We want your stay here to be memorable.”

It’s not unusual to see folks sitting at the Fire & Ice Bar for as long as two to five hours at a time. It’s Nova Scotia and its winter, yet The Bicycle Thief has convinced people to sit outside and drink. Clearly this is the way winter was meant to be enjoyed. The Bicycle Thief, where hot cocktails take the sting out of frigid winds and an evening outdoors is not only possible, it is thoroughly enjoyable!

The Fire & Ice Bar is open during the winter at 5 p.m. until late, Friday and Saturday, weather permitting. ~ bicyclethief.ca facebook.com/bicyclethief1475 instagram/ourbicyclethief

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Advertorial

Looking for a landscape solution that gives back to the environment?

CHOOSE A PERMEABLE PAVEMENT SYSTEM If you’re thinking of updating your driveway as part of your overall landscape design, you already have plenty to think about, and many choices to make. Whether you live in an urban area, or a more rural, open setting, installing pavers can be a part of making your home greener and safer by helping manage storm water runoff and drainage; a serious concern for today. Permeable pavers not only give back to the environment, but they are also aesthetically beautiful and give your curb appeal that top-notch rating. All in all, a choice you can feel good about.

So, what does the term “permeable pavement” mean? It refers to the specially designed system of permeable interlocking concrete paving stones that allow water to pass through the surface into an open-graded aggregate base. The water is stored in the specially layered base aggregates and drains naturally into the natural soil beneath, to recharge groundwater.

Designed to help manage stormwater and surface water runoff, Oaks permeable pavers are uniquely designed to reduce the potential for flooding, erosion and sediment build-up. Being both visually attractive and eco-friendly, these drainage pavers are an excellent and environmentally responsible choice for driveways. They conform to municipal storm water regulations and play a significant role in reducing the burden on storm water systems, while increasing curb appeal.

Permeable Pavement System Benefits • Eliminates surface water runoff • Captures peak flow rainfall events and provides contaminant filtration on first flush • Recharges groundwater through the paver joint and base structure aggregates • Reduces erosion and sediment build-up by undesirable runoff, promoting stream and lake health • Reduces ice build up & need for snow removal in winter • Filters surface water removing pollutants via clear, crushed aggregate used in joint spaces and base layer structures • Compliant with most levels of government for Best Management Practices (BMP’s) regarding storm water management regulations

Today’s modern permeable pavers are designed for safety in pedestrian applications, including wheelchairs and are heel-safe, so great for walkways, pools and patios. Also suitable for a wide range of vehicular applications, provided that speed limits are less than 65 km/hr (40mph). So, your driveway is the perfect place for permeable pavers! Even with different types of soil, such as clay, provided that systems are designed accordingly, permeable pavers can be used on any type of soil.

If you’re thinking of installing pavers in your driveway, why not consider a permeable system?

Form, function and beauty, while helping the environment.

For more information on product colours and selection, visit our website oakspavers.com

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Your Vintage Garden

BY MONIQUE CRAIG – DUNDAS, ON

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pring is upon us, which marks the beginning of gardening season and outdoor living. Whether you need a locale to entertain family and friends, a setting to enjoy nature, or a private retreat, creating your vintage garden can be both fun and affordable.

While inspiration for this can be seen in natural vistas, it can also be found in the nostalgia of our minds.

Browsing through an antique market is like a portal to the past - an opportunity to reclaim fond memories from our youth. Antiques whisper their story to us harkening back to the ‘good old days’, reminding us of past comfort and enjoyment. By taking a trip back in time, you’ll discover hundreds of unique design elements that can be organically integrated into natural settings to create functional living spaces.

Current trending principles of upcycling and repurposing serve to breathe new life into old objects. This involves thinking outside of the proverbial box with the intent to assign meaningful objects a fresh new purpose in a different context.

Antique shopping is such a great activity! Diehard enthusiasts will tell you that they feel like a kid in a candy store. They call it the ‘thrill of the hunt’. The reward is discovering the perfect item that speaks to you. And, the added bonus is that it doesn’t have to cost a lot of money.

Whether your garden type is English tea, French provincial, Cottage, Eclectic or Zen, incorporating antiques into your plan adds character, personality and tells of your unique connection with the past.

Monique Craig, Media Relations for Valley Antiques can be reached at valleycityantiques@yahoo.com Erik Schrobilgen, Proprietor of Valley Antiques www.valleyantiquesdundas.com Facebook: valleyantiquesdundas Twitter @dundasantiques

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How TO

RENEW, REUSE, REPURPOSE Serve Up Ingenuity China plates make a unique architectural element adding vintage charm and nostalgic notion. They make perfectly pretty borders for your whimsical English garden.

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It’s a fine art to create these beautiful pieces of stoneware, much like earthenware and porcelain. Display them in your yard as a decorative vintage piece!

Illuminate Your Space

Vintage French Garden Unwind and embrace the summer sunset. Incorporating rustic French provincial style and elegance sets the mood for romance and tranquility.

Stunning Stoneware

You’ve Got Mail An aged wooden mailbox makes for a perfect planter filled with overflowing flowers. Try a quick restain or whitewash to add new life!

Old glass insulators are an inexpensive décor element that sparkle in the afternoon sun.

Easy to repurpose as hanging candle votives, a flower bed border or atop of copper tubing in the garden, insulators add beauty and luster as garden art.

MAKING A HIGHLY ANTICIPATED RETURN T O THE SHELVES OF THE LCBO!

MADE WITH OUR AWARD-WINNING GEORGIAN BAY GIN®

A REFRESHING BLEND OF NATURAL CRANBERRY AND CITRUS FLAVOURS WITH AN HERBACEOUS FINISH

LIGHTLY CARBONATED, GREAT TASTE, AND NOT TOO SWEET

INSPIRED BY CRANBERRIES T H A T G R O W WILD THROUGHOUT THE GEORGIAN BAY AREA

For more information and recipes visit GEORGIANBAYSPIRITCO.COM Please drink responsibly. ©Georgian Bay Spirit Co.™ 2019

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Do it Yourself?

FIRE STARTERS WHY NOT! You’re a capable and crafty human being.

You can do anything you want!

Pinterest is your bible and you’ve nailed every project you’ve tried. Or not!

These all-natural fire starters are seriously easy to make. You’ll need to take a look in your spice cupboard, your local craft store and in the great outdoors for the ingredients.

If you’re looking for great personal, handmade Christmas gifts for friends and family… look no further!

Only use in outdoor fires.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

4 cups soy wax flakes 2-3 cups mini pine cones 12 bay leaves 6 cinnamon sticks, broken into pieces 2 tbsp. dried rosemary 1 tbsp. whole dried spices (cloves & allspice berries) 12-2 inch pieces of cotton wick or string 12 cup muffin tin Pan for melting wax

INSTRUCTIONS: 1 Line a muffin tin with paper liners. Fill each one with

1 bay leaf, 3-4 mini pine cones, a few pieces of broken cinnamon sticks, and about 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary, and a few whole spices. Nestle one of the cotton wicks into the center of each well.

2 In an old pan over medium heat, melt the wax flakes.

Pour an even amount of wax into each well. If needed, gently press the items down so they are mostly submerged in the wax. (They don’t need to be completely covered - just enough to hold them together.) Let cool completely.

3 Remove the fire starters from the muffin pan. Store in

an airtight jar or tin, or package individually to give away as gifts.

4 To use the fire starter, place in the bottom of a firepit

between the logs. Light the wick.

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FEELIN’ HOT HOT HOT! 4 Ways to Extend your Outdoor Season KIMBERLEY FOWLER - CAMPBELLVILLE, ON

Short summers can cause a sense of loss as the season turns to autumn. But BBQ enthusiasts, patio vagabonds and bonfire junkies need not despair! You can extend the outdoor party well into winter.

With a variety of fire features there are plenty of options to suit your outdoor space. Here are some considerations:

A Good (Gas) Fire Pit

A Wall-Mounted Patio Heater

If you already have a fire pit, then the CROSSFIRE™ Brass Burner by Warming Trends is a must. This brass fire pit burner uses cutting-edge technology to produce a taller, brighter, fuller flame that resembles a natural, wood burning fire (without the pain of having to chop and haul wood).

How, you ask? A gas and oxygen mixture shoots out of a jet at a high velocity as a super-charged flame, which keeps you warmer for longer, without having to do any work (or fight for a toasty, smoke-free spot near the fire).

If you’ve got young children you may not want to go with a gas fire pit because, honestly, can you really relax around a fire (or fire bowl) with little kids running around. Instead, try a wall-mounted patio heater. Although most commonly used at restaurants, you can find outdoor heaters designed for your covered patio, balcony, or deck and these can be installed high enough that the kids will stay safe and warm.

An Outdoor Heater Let’s face it, some outdoor heaters stick out like an industrial-looking sore thumb. However, there are some powerful outdoor heaters available that are elegant and beautiful, like the artisan fire bowl from Eldorado Stone.

Position these strategically throughout your outdoor space and you’ll have a beautiful, warm patio or deck that you can enjoy throughout the winter.

Electric Lamp Patio Heaters Electric patio heaters are a perfectly safe option for a screened-in porch, plus you won’t need to deal with a gas or propane tank. Simply plug them into an outlet.

You can find electric patio heaters that look like lamps, which is perfect for anyone who has extended their living space with an outdoor room.

In addition to these fire features you’ll need a sense of adventure, a love of the outdoors, and don’t forget your outdoor gear. With these items in hand you’re ready to extend your outdoor season well into winter.

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JustAsk

Dave

Dave Maciulis is a certified landscape designer with Natural Landscape Group, public speaker and all around landscape guru with more than 25 years of hands-on experience in the field.

With many plants to consider for fall colour interest, these are Dave’s personal favourites for designing stunning landscapes.

FOR FREE LANDSCAPING ADVICE with Dave Maciulis

Canadian Serviceberry

amelanchier canadenisis A naturally beautiful small tree or large multi-stem shrub, it masses of showy white flowers in spring, edible berries in June, and amazing shades of gold, orange and red in autumn. This Canadian native tree has been a focal point in front yards and specimen plantings in back yards; a real asset in the landscape.

Silver leaf dogwood

cornus alba ‘elegantissima’ This shrub has proven to be a reliable asset in the landscape.

Brightly variegated green and white leaves. Backdropped to low spreading evergreens the dark red branches provide winter contrast.

Used as foundation plantings or shrub borders the plants are ideal for cutting for winter bouquets.

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JustAskDave.ca

river birch

betula nigra

The river birch tree is often used in landscape design due to its graceful drooping limbs and attractive colour. During the growing season the cinnamon peeling bark looks amazing with the delicate green leaves. In the fall, the yellow leaves are noticed in the landscape. The winter snow captures limbs and peeling textured bark that has much interest with up-lighting during the winter.

Ginkgo

ginkgo biloba Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) is one of the oldest living tree species. Gingko have a distinctive fan-shaped leaves that are a lovely green colour that turn brilliant yellow in the fall. They are graceful in their habit and very resistant to pest and disease.

Burning Bush

euonymus alatus

If you’re looking for a burst of crimson color in fall you should learn how to grow a burning bush. The plant is from a large group of shrubs and small trees in the genus Euonymous. This large bush has a natural open form with green leaves during the growing season, turning a showy red fall colour that shows well in borders, beds and even containers. Care of burning bush is minimal too, which makes the plant an excellent choice for even novice gardeners.

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BY SUSAN MATE – WHISTLER, BC

T We are proud to offer an experience unlike anything else

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he blank stare on my face was a look she’d definitely seen before.

“You can leave your electronics here with your other things,” the smiling receptionist said with a no-nonsense nod as I started to tuck my cellphone into my swim bag.

“Oh, no, I’ll need my phone to take pictures,” I smiled brightly. “For an article I’m writing.” Still smiling, she shakes her head.

In fact, not only are phones barred from the thermal pools at Scandinave Spa in the alpine town of Whistler. Don’t plan on any chitchat with chums or hash tagging your selfies while taking to the healing waters or lounging between plunge pools here on the edge of Lost Lake Park.

Just like many of the thermal retreats in Scandinavia, this ecologically-acclaimed spa’s four Canadian properties have all adopted the authentic principles of true detoxification. To truly relax and absorb the purifying effects of the thermal pools, that includes time for reflection, meditation and simply tuning out the constant noise of our busy lives.

That means, no talking. Me…the chatterbox! I decide it’s going to take a little getting used to. This isn’t the only spa in Canada to have quiet zones, but at Scandinave there’s quiet in all the public areas, saunas and pools, which is why it’s a truly ‘silent spa’.

It’s not that guests can’t chat anywhere. Here at the Whistler location guests can go upstairs to the rustic sitting area by a toasty fire and chat with friends, or at the sunny bistro where they can swap stories while noshing on smoothies, local Pemberton potato salad or a herbivore board.

But the view from the pools is postcard-worthy...low clouds are hugging jagged peaks in the distance, and the sun is glinting on the three thermal pools. I step into my swimwear and head into the pool area. Staff have carefully instructed me on the proper protocol for hydrotherapy – first a Eucalyptus steam, wood sauna or thermal waterfall to start the body’s cleanse, followed by a cold bath plunge, waterfall or shower to close the pores.

I finish the cleanse by sliding into a comfy lounger on the terrace to reset my circulation, then repeat the sequence four more times. The spa, which underwent a major expansion last year to its public space, has plenty of detox amenities spread amongst more than 20,000 square feet. The property itself is nestled within three acres of natural space I have to admit I found it hard at first to turn my mind off. I had to learn the art of internalized squeak therapy as I basked in the Eastern decor of the exotic treatment area. The wait for a massage (there are 15+ treatment rooms) was followed by an exquisite Indian head massage, leaving me scented and floating through the spa smelling of cinnamon, cardamom and ginger. These are just two of the numerous spa services and packages to choose from.

But was I really, truly relaxed after my day? Slowed-down?

At peace, even? The ultimate test was later at dinner at one of Whistler’s finest eateries. After four hours at Scandinave, I could barely keep my chin above the table. And that night, this insomniac slept like a baby.

“It’s a different experience,” says Scandinave marketing manager Simmone Lyons. Based in Whistler, Lyons notes that” it’s not for everyone...there are many lovely hotel pools here for relaxing, but we are proud to offer an experience unlike anything else. Unplugging is important for all of us,” she says.

Sometimes, we just haven’t tried it yet.

If you haven’t, indulge and scratch this experience off your bucket list. It’s one of those “once in a lifetime” events that can be truly life changing Scandinave also has spas at Blue Mountain (Collingwood, Ont.), Montreal and Mont-Tremblant (Quebec). scandinave.ca OUTDOORLIFESTYLEMAGAZINE.COM

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LIVING THE TINY LIFE Photography by Noel Russell

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SIMPLIFY Sometimes, big “bucket list” dreams come in small packages.

Leaving behind a life of clutter and complication can give way to peace and tranquility. Funny enough, smaller spaces can be less suffocating. Size doesn’t matter! It’s all about how you use it… the space I mean.

It’s the difference between “want” and “need”. Do you simply want a particular item? Or do you really need it? I mean the kind of need where you just can’t function without it?

These tiny homes can have such an enormous impact on your psyche. Small but mighty, they are. When you make a conscious decision to live with only the absolute necessities…financial and emotional freedom will find its way to you.

Images provided by, - teacuptinyhomes.com - Noel Russell | @Noel_Russ

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discover district

The GREAT PUMPKIN

BY DR. SARAH PENNEY, ND, MSC – HAMILTON, ON

Who would ever think to incorporate pumpkin into your diet on a regular basis? Not many of us would - unless it’s autumn and Starbucks is serving up their pumpkin spice lattes. Although this classic winter squash makes it’s rounds in pies and desserts at the same time every year, it deserves more acknowledgment for its nutrient content and health benefits than it gets. Pumpkin is also surprisingly versatile when it comes to meal prep, easily added to loaves and pasta dishes, soups, or served as a side dish either roasted or mashed. Here are some of my favourite health perks of pumpkin and it’s super food seeds.

your waistline in check 1 Keep Pumpkin is a fruit packed with healthy fibre, which helps you stay full longer and can prevent over eating. On top of that, it is very low cal (there are only 49 calories in 1 cup of mashed pumpkin). A word to the wise though, don’t confuse pumpkin with pumpkin pie filling if selecting a canned product, the sugar and salt added to the latter will ultimately not do your waistline any favours.

natural multivitamin 2 Your Like many fruits, pumpkin offers a healthy dose of vitamins and

minerals including vitamins A, E, C and an array of B vitamins.

It is most well known for its high content of vitamin A, which is important to support skin health, immune function, and has even been shown to improve night vision. A pumpkin a day keeps the doctor away?

your cancer risk 3 Lower Several different compounds in pumpkin, including vitamin A,

function as an antioxidant in the body, which may help reduce the risk of cancer. Antioxidants are known to help protect cells from damage by compounds called free radicals, which may influence the formation of cancer as well as many other aging effects on the body. Interestingly, this anticancer effect seems to be best when antioxidants are consumed from a food source as opposed to a supplement!

off colds and flu 4 Ward To get this benefit you are going to want to save your seeds! These

little gems are packed with zinc, which has been shown to support immune function, as well as sleep and mood. Seeds are always best consumed raw because heat used during roasting can damage their healthy oils, although you will be happy to know that even your roasted pumpkin seeds are rich in zinc. Try not to roast for more than 20 minutes to protect their oils! Try adding raw seeds to baking, or on top of your oatmeal!

your mood 5 Boost Pumpkin seeds are also high in an amino acid called tryptophan.

Our body uses tryptophan to produce serotonin in our brainwhich is the ‘happy hormone’ that helps regulate mood and may play a role in both appetite and bone health.

Challenge yourself to incorporate pumpkin into your diet once per week – and try out this amazing pumpkin pie smoothie recipe!

You just might love it so much…..you’ll want it every day!

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PUMPKIN PIE SMOOTHIE 1/2 cup pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie filling) 1 cup milk or dairy substitute (example: almond milk) ½ banana (keep some peeled, halved bananas in your freezer to chill smoothies!)

Honey to taste (1 tsp, add slowly – you can always add more) ½ tsp cinnamon ¼ tsp nutmeg 2 ice cubes

Blend and enjoy – as simple as that!

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Plant

Based

By Chef Doris Fin

W

hat is plant-based to you? Boring salad or an exciting smorgasbord? Or perhaps a euphemism for the “v” word? Whatever your idea or definition may be, plant-based doesn’t mean “plant-only” and includes everyone. Before our teeth adapted to eating animal products, we ate plants. Now we eat everything.

The reality is that perceptions of health are shifting thanks to our knowledge about food and its relationship to our bodies and our planet.

Plants, which include cultivated and wild forageable edibles, fungi (e.g. mushrooms), vegetables, fruit, seeds (nuts, oilseeds, legumes, grains), herbs, spices, flowers, sprouts, leaves, roots, and stems, are sensational to the palate, if you give them the chance. The emphasis is on whole, unadulterated plant foods, whether accompanying animal-based dishes, or making up the entire meal, not just garnish. For those seeking meatless options, but still craving the flesh-derived treats, meatless imitations, such as jackfruit “pulled pork” or walnut/lentil “meatballs”, are a popular alternative.

You don’t have to be an enthusiastic food lover with a zest

to discover the unknown, the strange and bizarre, or the rare treasures of the sea and land, to have a hunger for culture, tradition and discovering the origins of food and how it’s grown and sourced. Plants, unadulterated, whole and minimally processed, offer an incredible encyclopedia of flavours, along with fibre, nutrients and the antidote to several disease preventions. We’re really just bringing back the traditions and the essentialism of our past eating habits, what was once (and still is) innate, intuitive eating and rebuilding a harmonious connection with nature.

Whether due to the season, availability, lack of knowledge or lack of growing resources, plants have been the go-to for centuries. Until the industrial revolution, animal protein was an opulence, a lavish indulgence that not everyone could afford, especially in the more poverty-stricken, rural areas. So plants were the natural choice that provided astonishing tastes and benefits, from which classic recipes were prepared over generations. Some of these classic “poor man’s” foods are staples across the globe, and one of the fundamental catalysts of North America’s melting pot. Some examples include Israeli hummus and falafel, French ratatouille, Russian borscht, German sauerkraut, OUTDOORLIFESTYLEMAGAZINE.COM

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Spanish gazpacho served with tortillas, Ethiopian injera served with lots of stews and spiced vegetables, Indian curries, Scottish rumbledethumps, Irish colcannon, English bubble and squeak - the list goes on. With a diet lighter on the meat and dairy, and heavier on the Mediterranean plant foods and good quality fats, such as olive oil, there’s no coincidence that Italians in the south live longer than those in the north.

While proper nonna might roll her eyes and make loads of gestures with her hands, culinary artists and craftspeople continue to entertain, intrigue and entice us with their advanced modern skills and talent. Rather than be intimidated or filled with excuses to avoid cooking one’s own meal, we can gain motivation, inspiration and allow these individuals to guide and encourage us on our journey to more plant-based cooking and eating. Your canvas doesn’t have to mirror theirs. Just use the ingredients that nature provides, while getting to know your growers and providers and experiment with flavours, recipes and various culinary appliances and techniques. Cooking classes in-person and online, and cookbooks, are great options to turn to as well. Whether for the health of ourselves, animals, or for the planet (or for other reasons), there ought to be more excuses to eat more plant-based at every meal, including snacks. There is enough war, separation, hate and dogma in the world.

Real, wholesome, sustainably sourced food is the one element of sustenance that we have left to depend on to unite us, in harmony, in peace and for an undenying source of love and nourishment.

When I travel, no matter our differences in everyday decision making, values, or lifestyle choices, sharing a meal (with options for everyone’s taste) is the one thing the locals and I always have in common, which connects us, catalyzes uncomplicated conversation, laughter, and union - usually homemade more often than not and with ingredients grown locally, harvested from their gardens or picked fresh from the local markets. The bonus is gathering the ingredients and/or cooking the meal together, learning new techniques for cooking and choosing the right ingredients. ~ 64 I OUTDOORLIFESTYLEMAGAZINE.COM

GREAT TASTING. NOT TOO SWEET. PROUDLY CANADIAN. ASK FOR THEM TODAY AT YOUR LOCAL STORE

ST COA WE S

WEST C

COAST ST

T

SLOPE SIDE ST OA

WE

BY PETER VOGLER – WHISTLER, BC

The GLC bar and grill faced a problem, not a bad WHISTLER, one exactly, but a problem nonetheless. Tucked slope side at the base of Whistler Mountain they had become so popular they were running out THE GARIBALDI LIFT CO. of floor space. The cosy, beamed interior was not nearly big enough to accommodate all the enthusiastic après-skiers and the patio outside could only sometimes beat the West Coast weather with its tabletop umbrellas.

While the GLC is cosy, it does sit on top of a gondola barn consisting of concrete, steel beams and huge, grinding gears and engines. Not very inviting, but it did possess a cold, damp, sunless, almost viewless and very unappealing rooftop at the back. In a stroke of patio brilliance GLC manager Mike Wilson suggested that they take on a challenge “and turn the worst of our real-estate into our best…”

So began a journey into the world of rooftop transformation. GLC hired Vancouver-based architect Michael Green who is famous for out-of-the-box thinking and the use of unlikely materials and techniques to solve seemingly intractable design problems.

To mitigate the hard-industrial look of the area, Green installed subtle, vari-shaded wood siding and placed it vertically creating both a warm atmosphere and a spaciousness that had previously been lacking. The wood tones are rich, sophisticated, and very modern, belying the tough industrial roots from which the patio emerged.

The patio was also extended with a cantilevered roof over the skiers’ plaza below.

This not only increased the floor space but also changed the aspect so that the view now included both the mountain above and the social hubbub around the Fitzsimmons chairlift below.

But even the nicest spaces look glum if the lighting is bad and in Whistler that issue is exaggerated because the mountains in winter absolutely gleam. To that end a series of deeply recessed and angled skylights were introduced into the newly extended rooftop. They disperse natural light throughout and the cumulative effect of light and design make it both cosy and charming.

When cosy and charming doesn’t cut it and a large party wants to dance and shred, the GLC cunningly installed a programmable LED lighting system. After all, serious lighting is required when revelers arrive in everything from giraffe costumes, to Santa Claus outfits, to 1970’s freestyle fashions. Hey, it’s Whistler, right?

Add to this mix the built-in ceiling heaters, heat trace wiring in the floor to keep skiers comfy and dry, and signature glass-enclosed fireplaces and it’s no wonder the newly renovated GLC patio is an over the top success.

And to put the cherry on it all a professional sound company installed acoustically balanced speakers with a Wi-Fi system that can transmit concert audio from the festival stage across the plaza into the new GLC patio.

Now that is a rooftop transformation!

British Columbia

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Photography by Joern Rhode

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LIGHT UP your LOVE LIFE

By SCOTT SIM – WOODSTOCK, ON

Love and light. Light and love.

In my world, they are mutually exclusive.

Without one the other can’t exist. So, last summer, when I took my girlfriend on an evening adventure to visit one of my landscape lighting designs, it felt like a make or break point in the relationship. She saw first-hand the extreme passion I have for lighting. Lucky for me, it was not a deal breaker. I felt like I passed one of those complicated Cosmo relationship questionnaires. Perhaps lighting brought out the best in me, the way lighting designers use light to bring out the best in the landscape and create romance between people and their outdoor spaces.

“There is one fundamental fact about lighting: Where there is no light,, there is no beauty.”

– Billy Baldwin Close your eyes and imagine sitting in your backyard after dusk. What do you see? If the view is nothing but dark and discomfort, it’s time to embrace the world of landscape lighting. Imagine basking in the warm allure of a deck space or outdoor kitchen lit for function and soft ambiance. Consider taking a nighttime stroll under the trees through dramatic and, seemingly, natural moonlight. Or, be swept away by the view of silhouetted greenery underscoring the depth and texture of the entire property. Illuminate the highlights of your property, and you’ll frequently find yourself outside soaking up the nighttime atmosphere.

Lighting can also open up potential for a whole new experience with that special someone. Much like my lighting experience with my partner, you and yours can light up your love life under the comfortable glow of well-lit surroundings. It begins with an elegant dinner outdoors complimented by a soft luminosity to set the mood. Then, swing in the hammock while shimmering light brings you closer together. Or roast s’mores over an open fire while sipping from a glass of red vino and surveying the gorgeous evening glow of your property. The perfect nighttime lighting is the key to setting the mood.

Let your love light shine.

When the colder season hits, you’ll find yourself daydreaming as you peer out at that vista. Even in the dead of winter it will still look ever-so graceful and inviting. Grab a wool blanket and settle down beside the fireplace to reminisce about the warmer times outdoors. You’ll long to light up your love life over and over again. For those fortunate enough to have a hot tub in the backyard, well, what are you waiting for? Never before has this picture been so beautiful.

Never has the time been so right. With the right light, romance awaits just outside your door.

“Turn your lights down low.

And pull your window curtain Oh let the moon come shining in, Into our life again.”

– Bob Marley

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ER WINT O TO-D LIST

Winterizing your Canadian garden

BY LUKE BINGHAM – WATERDOWN, ON

WITH THE PROPER GROUNDWORK, YOUR GARDEN WILL HAVE A GREAT SLUMBER AND WILL AWAKEN IN THE SPRING REENERGIZED AND FULL OF LIFE. Common perennials like grasses and hosta can be cut down to ground level, but there are a few plants (often found in Canadian gardens) that need some special attention. Follow these three steps and when spring rolls around, your landscape will be the talk of the town.

1 EVERGREEN WIND BARRIERS Evergreens commonly found in Canadian landscapes (such as cedars, boxwoods and junipers) are often compromised by our harsh winter winds. Start by placing T-stakes or 2x2 wood stakes at each corner of your evergreen or its accompanied hedge. Drive in a stake at each corner, leaving about one foot (for breathing room) between the stake and the evergreen. Attach the beginning of a burlap fabric roll to one of the stakes using zip ties.

Unravel the burlap fabric around the outside of the stakes until your evergreen is completely encompassed by the burlap fabric. Conjoin the fabric and stakes using zip ties to ensure your wind barrier will withstand the upcoming conditions. This will make for some happily protected evergreens.

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3 WINTERIZING HYDRANGEAS Over the summer season, hydrangeas often become a lush and substantial part of your garden.

With the proper precautionary steps, they will continue to thrive in your Canadian landscape. Though certain varieties like the oak-leaf hydrangea don’t need to be cut back, pruning all other hydrangeas in the fall will create the proper conditions for its dormancy. Cut your hydrangea down to about a third of its original state. When pruning, be sure to cut just above new buds diagonally. It is important to thin out the plant in general, in order to encourage new growth in the spring. Completing this task will allow the sun to evenly reach the base of the plant resulting in healthy spring growth.

INSULATING ROSES Similar to the evergreens, it is important that roses are protected from cold, dry winter conditions. Start by raking back the old mulch at the base of the rose bush, which helps remove any bugs or potential disease. You will then install a new layer of mulch and mound it up 10”-12” at the base of the bush. This insulating layer will protect the root system and bare stems from the cold winds. In addition to insulating your roses, it is also wise to prune any dead or decaying stems to make room for new growth in the spring. You can even go as far as creating a small burlap wind barrier around your rose bush and filling it with light organic material like dried leaves or mulch to help insulate the unprotected foliage.

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GARDEN & MARKET

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big colour Japanese Kousa Dogwood (Cornus Kousa) Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina) With serrated edges and bright radiant red or orange colour in fall it’s hard to miss Staghorn Sumac. A Canadian native with upright cones of crimson red berries that not only feed our feathered friends but provide both fall and winter interest.

A word of warning sumac are vigorous growers and if not kept in check can become a nuisance send-ing running roots into the lawn. A more compact variety is Tiger Eyes Sumac.

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One of my favourite additions to any landscape. Kousa Dogwood packs a lot of punch, spring flowering with white blossoms, superb bright red fall colour and winter interest with bark offering a look of a jigsaw puzzle. All season interest, all in one plant!!

Sugar Maple (Acer Saccharum) Sugar maple may be famous for “maple syrup” but I say they should be celebrated for their vibrant fall colour. A sugar maple’s range of fall colour extend from yellow to orange to red making this one of the most colourful fall trees ever! Just a reminder you need space for a sugar maple!

They can reach over 80 feet in height and up to 60 feet in width, not ideal for a small suburban lot!

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CEREMONY of PURIFICATION a Sweat Lodge experience

By ARIANE SAFFRON

T

- original blueprint soul-healer

he tradition of healing through storytelling resonates strongly with me.

Today, I feel compelled to share the story of my first experience with the sacred sweat ceremony.

What happens in a sweat, stays in a sweat.

This ceremony is sacred and must be respected. But, if you do choose to share, always keep something for yourself. I choose to share a part of my story so that we can heal together.

Our stories become our medicine. I intend to inspire you to find your own way to self-heal using earth medicine. I encourage you to seek out traditional healers from indigenous communities. With our families, our communities, and our earth as a whole, we all heal together. Walk with me.

My entire life, I’d been a dancer and was living in a state of joy and good health. My body was constantly in movement. Suddenly, in 2014, I was struck with a gastrointestinal flu. It attacked my joints and bones. My health rapidly declined. I felt a violent, aggressive pain that shifted my joints and took my strength to walk and eat. The pain stopped me from being a mother to my children.

The diagnosis was genetic arthritis. The flu had triggered my genetic predisposition for

rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis.

I was still nursing my youngest daughter, so I refused medication for as long as I could, but eventually a rheumatoid arthritis specialist (naturally) suggested the pharmaceutical approach. I began the heartbreaking process of weaning my baby. Neither of us was ready. My emotions were building; anger, resentment, depression, confusion, and fear. These were all low-quality, reactionary emotions which were amplifying my pain and dis-harmony. I continued my decline.

I developed symptoms from the pharmaceutical treatment, such as a diminished appetite and a constant feeling of having a flu. On a personal level I was unhappy and all my relationships were suffering. Even my relationship with myself seemed irreparable. I lived with low-vibrating emotions and sudden uncertainty while my body attacked itself daily.

Then, I finally understood. You see, most disease is connected to an emotion and memory which are at the core of our essence. Arthritis is about self-worth and ones’ belief in worthiness-of-love. So, I began to deeply analyze my emotions. I asked myself, “how do I stop attracting all this misery?”

I started hearing the drums in my heart.

It was Earth. Her heartbeat. Boom-boom.

Boom-boom. Boom-boom. The Mother was calling me. I returned the call.

I met earth-based healers who provided me a safe space to discover what I needed to let go. I was invited to participate in the process of uncovering my peace through sacred sweat.

This process included connecting with multiple earth-based, ancient healing traditions, including some First Nations’ healing practices.

In June of 2015, we quietly came together on private land amid poplars, goldenrod and sunshine. I was feeling sad, a little nervous, and very grateful. When the elder Traditional Healer joined us, I lowered my eyes and started to cry. He walked over to me, put his forehead against mine and held me while I cried.

After, he took me by the shoulders, giggled, and said “It’s OK, eh.” Of course, I laughed.

We then spent the day listening to stories and instructions, paying particular attention to respecting the land in every moment. It is important to respect the land that supports your feet at all times, especially when preparing it and the ceremony space by hand. We must always show respect for the ceremony and the community of healing together.

The sweat is a ceremony of purification. We enter the lodge naked and with intention. The Sweat Master is a guide to help you reveal, release, receive and process. In a sweat, you look at your soul. You call your blackness by name then let it go. In return, you ask for love and you accept love. All of this takes place while dark, hot, sweaty and naked.

On that day I died and was reborn. And I continue to have this rejuvenating experience.

Each time I enter a sweat, I have new eyes.

More is revealed. There is less reaction, less pain. Sweat is an opportunity I was honoured with, and it has saved my life. I sweat out that false fog saying, “I’m not worthy” and in return, I receive love. I now know I am loved. I know the Earth has my back, and I hers. We walk with unity.

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THE CONSTRUCTION TWINS NEW YOUTUBE SHOW STARRING: JAMES HARRISON, JASON HARRISON, THE STRAW HAT CREW Release date : Summer 2019

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Spicy Maple Barbecue Sauce 1 1/2 tbsp. olive oil 1/2 small onion, diced 1/2 tsp. minced fresh ginger 2 cloves of fresh garlic, finely chopped 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper 1/8 tsp. black pepper 1/2 cup cider vinegar 1/4 cup water 3 oz tomato paste 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce 1 cup pure Canadian maple syrup 1 1/2 tsp. dried ground mustard 1/2 tsp. salt

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1. In a wide sauce pot add the oil, onion, ginger, garlic, cayenne pepper, and black pepper.

2. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent.

3. Add vinegar, water, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce and maple syrup.

4. Whisk until the liquid is consistent in appearance.

5. Add the remainder of the ingredients, but only add half of the salt.

6. Simmer on low heat for 30 minutes.

7. Purée the sauce with a stick blender or an upright blender.

8. Add the remainder of the salt to your taste.

9. Place in large Mason jar and refrigerate for up to two weeks.

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