FamilyLife - April 2021

Delicious dishes with Curtis Stone

Tips on Overparenting

Lovely Garden

FamilyLife CELEBRATE EASTER

BRAND NEW LOOK!

APRIL 2021

CONTENTS

APRIL 57

40

27

LIFE

HOME

FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

11 Taming the Tattletale

27 6 Easy Ways To Put Together A Gallery Wall

51 How To Save Money By Buying Refurbished Electronics

8 Editor's Letter

15 Are You Overparenting?

19 Be Better, Not Bitter: Navigating Through Tough Times 23 Bad Behavior or Building Connections?

40 Inside The Cutest Garden Shed We’ve Ever Seen

FOOD 57 Inside the Curtis Stone Masterclass 65 In Praise of Pomegranates

70 Last Look

ON THE COVER

Copyright by Curtis Stone.

All rights reserved.

Family Life ‐ April 2021

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FamilyLife EDITOR IN-CHIEF Karine Ewart EXECUTIVE EDITOR Suzanne Moutis CREATIVE DIRECTOR Karen Paddon EDITORIAL OPERATIONS & ASSISTANT BUSINESS MANAGER Olga Goncalves Costa TEST KITCHEN FOOD DIRECTOR Soo Kim SENIOR FOOD ASSOCIATE Stina Diös CONTRIBUTING FOOD SPECIALISTS Donna Borooah, Cara Tegler ART DEPUTY ART DIRECTOR Lena Diaz ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR Sarah Big Canoe CONTRIBUTING ART DIRECTOR Leanne Gilbert PRODUCTION SPECIALIST Genevieve Pizzale EDITORIAL SENIOR FEATURES EDITOR Megan Howard FEATURES EDITOR Mary Levitski COPY EDITORS Debbie Madsen Villamere, Stephanie Zolis EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Marianne Davidson, Sarah Dziedzic HOME & GARDEN HOME & STYLE DIRECTOR Ann Marie Favot DESIGN EDITOR Morgan Lindsay NATIONAL ACCOUNTS MANAGERS, TORONTO David Lawrence, John McDowell, Nicole Rosen, Roberta Thomson NATIONAL ACCOUNTS MANAGER, MONTREAL Ingrid Barfod NATIONAL ACCOUNT MANAGER, VANCOUVER Renee Wong BRAND OPERATIONS MANAGER Terry Smith

VICE PRESIDENT, CORPORATE SALES & DIRECTOR, CLIENT SOLUTIONS Brandon Kirk DIRECTOR, MEDIA SALES Mike Lambe ST. JOSEPH COMMUNICATIONS CHAIRMAN & CEO Tony Gagliano VICE CHAIRMAN John Gagliano PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER Ken Hunt VICE PRESDIENT, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY Sean McCluskey EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Sarah Trimble DIRECTOR, LIFESTYLE CONTENT Sasha Emmons DIRECTOR, CONTENT OPERATIONS James Reid DIRECTOR, CIRCULATION Allan Yue MANAGER, CIRCULATION Lisa Rivers DIRECTOR, BRANDED CONTENT, AUDIENCE & EVENTS Nadine Silverthorne PROJECT MANAGER, BRANDED CONTENT Milena Boskovic EXECUTIVE EDITOR, BRANDED CONTENT Meaghan Yuen DESIGNER, BRANDED CONTENT Leo Tapel Family Life is published by St. Joseph Communications, 15 Benton Road, Toronto, M6M 3G2. Contents Copyright 2021 by St. Joseph Communications. may not be reprinted without written permission. Article proposals and manuscripts must be accompanied by self-addressed envelopes and sufficient postage; otherwise they will not be returned or acknowledged. While the publishers will take all reasonable care, they will not be responsible for the loss of any manuscript, drawing or photograph. ISSN 0128-1839. Single copy price $5.99 + tax. Full subscription prices: Canada, 1 year (6 issues), $15 + tax. In the U.S., 1 year $45 + tax; Other countries $75 + tax, Indexed in the Canadian Periodical Index. Printed in Canada. Family Life, it's affiliate and assignees may use, reproduce, publish, distribute, store and archive such as unsolicited submissions in whole or in part in any form or medium whatsoever, without compensate of any sort.

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Family Life ‐ April 2021

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EDITOR'S LETTER

Easter has arrived “Mommy, what is your favourite thing to do?” my sevenyear-old frequently asks. I know the answer he wants to hear: snuggling with him (which actually is my very favourite thing in the world). I understand that in asking, he’s also exploring what it means to favour, select and edit the activities, people and things surrounding him in his life. And he wants to know more about me and how I make choices.

Of course, this also prompts me to think about what really matters. What is my process of prioritizing? Do I even have a process? Do you? It’s so easy to be pushed along by your schedule, allowing it to dictate where and how you spend your time. I don’t have a lot of formal hobbies (I did go birdwatching once!), but I do have good friends I wish I spent more time with.

Last night I was lucky enough to be out with one of my closest girlfriends; she shared a story that got me thinking.

She’s in the process of a restructuring at work and as a result she had to take a month off . My friend marvelled at how it had changed her perspective on what mattered in her life. Not only did she spend more time with her friends, she actually had the time (and the brain space) to sit down and write a note to a friend who was feeling down, sharing what she loved most about her. She also had the energy to find the perfect “think-you” gift for another friend who consistently goes above and beyond.

We hope you'll love our brand new look!

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Karine Ewart Editor In-Chief April 2021 - Family Life

LIFE

Taming the Tattletale

By EMILY MORRISON

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LIFE I remember being the tattletale among my younger siblings. It was always the little things, too. I don’t know whether it was for attention or simply because I wanted everyone to do the right thing, but I certainly caused some strife as I went through that phase.

Younger sister left the house when she wasn’t supposed to? I tattled. Sister or brother took my toy? I tattled. Heck, I even tattled on myself. My dad often tells the story and laughs at the time he asked me, “Emily, why is your sister crying?” I replied, with absolutely no hesitation, “She took my toy so I had to hit her with it.” My tattletale phase knew no bounds.

So when does tattling actually become a problem, and how exactly do you tame a tattletale? There are necessary and unnecessary times to tattle, and it’s important for kids to be able to spot the difference. You want your child always to report the truth, but you also want to set healthy boundaries.

According to the Child Mind Institute, tattling is children’s natural response to learning about rules, but they can learn that it is not necessary in every rule-breaking scenario. For example, tattling is reporting a peer’s wrongdoing when the situation is safe and the child doesn’t need intervention.

Telling is letting an adult know that the situation is not safe or your child needs adult intervention when managing the situation.

Tattling just to share another’s mistake might reveal just a mean-spirited motive. On the other hand, a child’s urge to alert someone could very well be necessary. Each unique scenario should be examined separately to leave to an adult to decide.

Several experts have shared their advice on the subject.

First-grade teacher Carol Anderson instructs her students that it is okay to tell if someone is hurt or in danger. “The firstgraders need to be reminded of this often,” she says. “When they come to tattle, I will ask them if this person is being hurt or is in danger. If yes, they can tell—if not, then I stop them.”

Elementary teacher Amanda Grier echoes this sentiment, distinguishing between “tattling and reporting.” A report is helpful when someone is hurt or in danger. “A tattle is silly and could usually be solved by the kiddos themselves,” she says.

Taylor Morgan teaches her students about emotions because she doesn’t want them to hurt emotionally, she says, and they spend time working with their feelings and emotions. “Are you or someone else hurt?” she asks.

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“Tattling may be the way a child reaches out to an adult because they don’t know how to handle, ‘Sarah took my toy,’” says Kariann Noland. “Teach them how to resolve the conflict and observe them resolve it in a healthy way.”

Kayla Ueligger, social worker and mom of three, shares a set of processing questions for when someone feels the need to tattle.

Is someone hurt or unsafe?

Did you tell them you didn’t like it and ask them to stop?

Did you tell them you are getting help?

Do you not like it or was someone unsafe?

Ueligger’s goal is to teach children how to recognize that an action is unsafe. “They may have something that ‘blips’ on the ‘don’t like’ radar that I want to know about and stop (touching, showing parts, etc.),” she says. “Unsafe or hurt is not just physical. Feelings and that social interaction piece can be just as unsafe and needs to be handled also. Little moments add up to big moments by the time they are older.”

Reporting is always okay, Ueligger emphasizes. She knows there will be times someone asks a person to not tell, or people will be upset with the one who tells. “We still talk to our trusted adults and we always tell regardless if someone else likes it,” she says. “Talk about secrets, that talking to Mom and Dad is okay no matter what, and that sometimes you just need to talk and ask questions, which is not tattling.”

Ultimately, it is up to parents to decide whether their child truly has a tattling problem. If you feel tattling is becoming a problem or happening way too often, consider getting in touch with a child psychologist. A professional may reveal a potential reason behind constant tattling. The goal isn’t to deter children from reporting the truth, but to teach them when it is appropriate to share their knowledge about a situation, what is healthy and not healthy.

The root of tattling could be as simple as a craving for attention, and consistently being a tattletale makes a child feel noticed and important. Whatever the reason, it’s best to take children seriously and figure out what they are ultimately trying to communicate.

LIFE

Are You Overparenting?

Parents want the best for their kids and have a strong desire for them to be successful in every endeavor. This tendency certainly is borne of positive intentions, but it can backfire, leaving kids unprepared for the natural consequences and realities that come with everyday life as an adult. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, overparenting is defined as “too much involvement by parents in the lives of their children, so that they try to help with or control everything that happens to the child.” Kids who are raised in this environment struggle in college and beyond with basic tasks, common disappointments and self-sufficiency. How do you know whether you are overparenting? Here are some common pitfalls parents can easily fall into and some tips to turn these tendencies around.

By SARAH LYONS

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LIFE

Common pitfall: Power struggles

Do you often find yourself having a heated debate with your child about something that isn’t important in the grand scheme of things? For example, you may be tempted to argue about your child’s clothing choices, their room not being clean enough or their not playing with toys the “right way,” Perhaps you have strife simply because your child approaches a task differently than you would tackle it yourself. This is a sign you may be overparenting.

Turn it around: When you find yourself in the middle of another power struggle, pause and reflect about whether it is worth debating. Your children will learn problem solving skills and gain independence from doing things their own way. If it doesn’t work as smoothly as the way you would have done it, that’s to be expected. They will learn the lesson and adjust naturally on their own. The best part will be less arguing and stress in the home.

Common pitfall: Lack of natural consequences One of the hardest things about parenting is watching your children fail. If they don’t make the team, get a bad grade, break a toy or have a disagreement with a friend, parents are often tempted to step in and fix the situation, so their children are not hurt or disappointed. Although intervening seems like a good thing now, it can cause long-lasting challenges for your kids.

Turn it around: Let them try, make mistakes, and deal with the aftermath—positive or negative—that comes from their actions. Facing natural consequences is hard, but kids who do so are better prepared for making decisions as adults, when the stakes are much higher, and the choices can be lifealtering.

Common pitfall: Lack of responsibilities A common sign of overparenting is a lack of age-appropriate expectations and responsibilities. It is tempting to do all the chores around the house, help your children with homework assignments, allow them to give up when things get tough, clean up for them, and assist them with daily tasks they can do on their own. Kids often surprise us with how much they can do by themselves when given the chance to try.

Turn it around: Start by choosing one task and let your child know he will be responsible for it from now on. Teach him how to do it, let him know you are there to answer questions and help, but he will need to do the task on his own. The task will likely be a struggle at first, but over time he will gain competence and gain a sense of pride. Soon he will be ready to take on more responsibilities and harder tasks.

Common pitfall: No time for traditional play

Traditional play and downtime are important for kids’ development because they promote creativity and allow your children rest from the structure and pressures that school and extracurricular activities bring. If your children have so many scheduled activities that they have very little free time, it may be due to overparenting. The best approach is to find a good time balance that equally promotes both traditional play and activities such as sports or artistic interests.

Turn it around: Ask your children what they are truly interested in and reduce the rest of the activities to allow more free time. Keep in mind their choice may or may not be the activities they excel at. Allowing your children to choose their activities outside the home is important as they gain independence and allows time for them to develop their interests rather than spreading them too thin.

Parenting is challenging, and changing behavior is even more so. Give yourself grace and make small changes one at a time.

Talk to your partner or a friend and ask for support and a fresh perspective on the situation. Try to be receptive to caring suggestions rather than defensive about your actions. Talk openly with your child about some changes you would like to make and why. The hard work will be worth it when your child develops into a healthy, self-sufficient adult ready to face the challenges and successes that life brings.

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LIFE

Be Better, Not Bitter: Navigating Through Tough Times You can’t see the forest for the trees. Adults understand this adage. In other words, focusing on the small details or temporary aspects of a situation clouds our ability to see the bigger picture. And while we have had many years to see, finally, that forest in all its glory, our children are not so prepared.

For those little ankle-biters of ours, even the smallest difficult situation can seem insurmountable. In grief, sadness, and big feelings, children often mistake temporary emotions as permanent. To help them through, it is paramount we parents have our children’s back, no matter the circumstance. And like all things in parenting, the task certainly is not easy.

By KIM ANTISDEL Family Life ‐ April 2021

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LIFE Here are eight ways to help your children navigate the valleys, so they can quickly get back to the peaks.

Unconditional love

Your children should never, at any time, wonder whether you love them. Whether they are experiencing something painful that is their fault, or completely out of their control, you must lead with love. Start difficult conversations with, “I love you, no matter what. Now, let’s talk about why you put glue in your sister’s hair.”

Ask, don’t tell

If your child has gotten into a sticky situation, do your best to let him work the problem. Remind him that the answer is there, and you’ll find it together. What does he think the next step should be? If you think his solution isn’t adequate, explain why and offer an addendum. Never tell him what he’s suggested is wrong or bad. No one ever learned a lesson by being shut down. When you get to a resolution, praise him for working through it to come to the right answer.

Get support

Hold onto your hat because this might surprise you. You do not know everything. Not by a long shot. Every child has his own set of quirks and peculiarities that shape and form his reactions to tough times. Some of those situations are far enough outside our abilities to parent that additional help is needed. Counseling and therapy are great tools to utilize if your child’s sadness or dark times fail to improve in an acceptable amount of time—or worsen. Put your ego aside and recognize when the issue has gone past your own abilities.

Try a new approach

As kids grow up, they may not feel comfortable sharing everything with you face to face. Embarrassment or worries about being judged can keep us frozen in our fears. Remove the fear by offering a more detached approach. Create a box in your house like a suggestion box you would see at a store. Let your children know that every night you’ll check that box for notes. Anytime the kids needs help, they can write their problem or question on a piece of paper and put it in the box.

When you read it, you’ll have the gift of time. You and your partner can gather your thoughts and address the note when you’ve processed how the issue can be handled. Your child gets the benefit of not having to say uncomfortable things out loud.

Win, win, win.

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Turn off your mouth

This is not the time for grand speeches or well, when I was your age anecdotes. Just zip it. Ask your child to tell you the whole story, beginning to end, in her own words. Don’t rush her. Fight the urge to interject with questions. Stay still, maintain eye contact and listen with your whole body. This sounds relatively simple, but it’s one of the most difficult things in the world to do. Parents want to fix and make it all go away. But your children must learn to be the head coach in their own dilemmas. Let them.

Be humble

It may seem like the cloud floating over your child’s head is inconsequential. There are bigger problems are out there, right? Wrong. To your child, this problem in this moment feels overwhelming. Especially in these unprecedented times, everything feels amplified. A minor kerfuffle with a good friend might feel like the end of the world. A B+ for a normally straight A student could feel like the shattering of an expectation she didn’t even know she had created for herself.

Don’t presume to know why your child is getting so down about an issue.

Share your feelings

As a kid I remember I couldn’t wait to be an adult so I wouldn’t fear the basement anymore. What an interesting surprise I received when, as it turns out, I still skip the last basement stair, so a ghost doesn’t grab my ankles. Kids need to know their parents are human beings. It creates an instant bond when they realize they are not alone in their emotions. Share stories from your childhood that mirror what your children are experiencing. And though it might seem like their eyes are glued to the ceiling, know that the words are sinking in. It’s in a child’s contract to act like everything you’re saying is stupid.

Offer Praise

Times are hard. Harder than many of us have ever experienced. Give the kids a break. They are navigating through issues like acne and applying eyeliner, and their parents are home all the time. Make a true effort to praise them for the little things. Did they throw their lunch trash away without being told? This is a win! Thank them for what they bring to your life and reiterate how proud you are of them.

Share with them that you know how difficult things are, and you are going to come out of it together. Better and stronger than ever.

LIFE

Bad Behavior or Building Connections?

By CHRISTIAN BARNES

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LIFE You may not have realized it, but much of the “poor” behavior you discipline your toddler over could just be her attempt to learn. Cause and effect learning like understanding what happens when she throws her toys or uses a Sharpie on the wall could be less about disobedience and more about understanding the surrounding world. Although it can be destructive and frustrating, it’s also a vital part of development. What is a parent to do? Provide guided and controlled situations for kids to explore their surroundings physically and actively.

These explorations are what developmental experts call sensory play, which is simply a type of physical play using both gross and fine motor skills. It can be anything from bouncing in a bounce house or wrestling on the floor to stacking blocks or digging in the dirt. Sensory play is a part of development that helps build strong connections in your child’s brain. Much like adults remember a name or fact better when they associate it with a song, smell or situation, a child playing with her food before she eats it builds a connection in her brain about texture and color, as well as taste.

In her article “Why Sensory Play is Important,” Amanda Morrin says, “Sensory exploration is a child's way of examining, discovering, categorizing, and making sense of the world.”

And there are incredible benefits for your child that come from this sort of active play, including developing language skills, overcoming picky eating, and encouraging critical thinking and problem solving skills.

Barnes feels so strongly about this type of play that she’s created sensory bin tables (@lovekatiejo) to provide a contained, controlled space to allow for regular play and exploration.

It’s been a great success in helping occupy her own 2-year old as she’s getting dinner ready or performing some other chore.

The tables are a simple construction allowing for four bins or tubs to be used for sensory play. She puts items like rice and cars, kinetic sand, pom-poms and plastic Easter eggs into the bins. Her son can move around the child-sized table, play with what interests him and usually stays busy for 20-40 minutes.

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She says that it does take a little patience, and you need to establish some rules because a toddler's first instinct is to throw, but if you’re willing to put in a little effort, it can have a big impact. “Just find out what works for your family. Get used to it. It might take me five minutes to set it up, but if he plays for 20, it’s worth it.”

Other options are to put a tray on the table with beads, a cup and a spoon, or you can give little ones play dough or cookie dough and plastic cookie cutters. The point is to allow kids to feel, explore, create, get messy and learn. Sandboxes, water tables or simply an opportunity to dig in the dirt and mud are also great for multisensory exploration.

This works well with older kids as well. As most parents know, older kids may be able to control their behavior better, but the energy level is still there. Having a constructive outlet helps keep boredom from turning to misbehavior. Letting kids conduct science experiments, like giving them a tub and letting them mix vinegar and baking soda, engages their sense of smell and allows them to see a great chemical reaction. Water and food coloring is fun to play with and teaches about color and combining. Freezing toys into large blocks of ice and letting kids chip away encourages a natural sense of exploration. You can even let them “bake” by giving them flour, sugar, salt and water.

Simple play is a childhood necessity, but in sensory play, a great deal of learning takes place—and kids aren’t even aware.

Barnes gives the example of playing with a Barbie. “If you're playing with a Barbie, you’re only going to use so many senses.

But If you put it on a table and give Barbie sand or water, and the kids start acting out scenes, you are helping to build nerve connections in the brain, increase fine and gross motor skills, and even word development if the kids are describing what they’re doing.”

We all learn about the world around us through our senses— what we can see, hear, taste, touch and smell. We learn what we like and dislike, what gives us joy or makes us uncomfortable.

Children do the same thing, although their actions and reactions aren’t as tempered as an adult’s. Giving outlets and opportunities for kids to move, make a mess, touch, feel and explore their surroundings gives incredible developmental benefits. It allows them to balance the boredom, anxiety, energy or restlessness they are feeling on the inside with an action they can perform on the outside.

HOME

6 Easy Ways To Put Together A Gallery Wall No matter your space, style or skill level, there’s an approach that will work for you.

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You don’t have “real art”

Some of the best gallery walls showcase priceless objects you wouldn’t ever find in a gallery: your grandmother’s embroidered handkerchiefs, a flea market find, the key to your first house framed in a shadow box, a ticket stub, photo booth captures. This cool composition by interior designer Claire Zinnecker includes a camera, a spoon and even an empty frame.

Literally everything qualifies as art. Even if you have only three pieces, you can start a gallery wall. Hang the largest piece first, placing it off-centre, and build around it.

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You have no space

Staircase walls are often overlooked, but they’re clever, unexpected spots to hang collections. This enthralling floor-to-ceiling display by Rebekah Higgs may seem freewheeling, but there’s a method behind it. Higgs, the host and producer of the web series DIY Mom, created templates of the frames by tracing them on kraft paper.

She taped the templates to the wall so she could tweak the layout. Once satisfied, she measured the backs of the frames for nail placement, hammered through the kraft paper, removed the paper and replaced it with artwork.

Putty on the bottom pieces helps secure them to the wall so they won’t get knocked askew.

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You crave order

Are you someone who organizes their Tupperware drawer? Then you’ll appreciate a grid approach. To keep this vignette neat and focused, interior designer Kate Chipinski framed eight-by-10-inch photos, which were printed in black and white because it’s less distracting than colour.

Before pulling out the hammer, Chipinski spread everything out on the floor to visualize how all of the frames would look above the dresser. (The collection felt too busy, so she removed a row of photos, saving her wall from extra puncture wounds.) A laser level ensured the photos, which are hung from screws, sit absolutely straight.

To avoid hairline cracks, hammer each nail through a strip of tape. If you’re using two nails to hold a heavy picture, use a level to make sure they are at the same height.

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You’re short on right angles

There’s no reason to sweat a slanted setup. As this stylish bedroom by interior designer Abbie Naber proves, a wonky wall makes an interesting backdrop (even more so if you throw in a cute pompom bedspread). It’s a cinch to layer in artwork if you’re still collecting by playing around with that peak, adding pieces all the way up to the ceiling.

Naber’s approach was very casual: She used the largest print as a focal point and eyeballed the surrounding pieces. While most of the art is graphic, each one feels suitably quiet for a bedroom. Give it more of an eclectic feel by mixing and matching frames, like the Plexiglas one by the headboard.

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You can’t commit

Picture rails, which let you switch up your art on a whim, are perfect for those who are nervous about making too many holes in their walls. When stacking multiple ledges, leave enough room for tall pieces.

Now for the fun part: Experiment with heights, objects and placement. Overlapping frames creates a casual vibe, while spacing out several similar-toned pieces imparts a restrained elegance. And don’t limit your ledges to framed art—throw a graphic novel, floppy-leafed plant or sculptural vase into the mix.

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Remember anything can be art

Painted tin trays, menus, scraps of fabric and even plants look gorgeous when hung up. It’s all about the balance of colour and texture and showing off the things you love most.

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HOME

Inside The Cutest Garden Shed We’ve Ever Seen This charming light-filled studio is the perfect summer retreat.

By BETH HITCHCOCK

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When the property’s this pretty, it’s easy to understand how time stands still. Cynthia, a former communications executive turned floral designer and decorator, was inspired by the slowflower movement (the practice of growing seasonal blooms locally) when she plotted this dream garden beside the circa 1857 Georgian home she shares with her husband, Graham Loughton, and their three children. After studying with slowflower pioneer Erin Benzakein (of the popular Instagram account floretflower), Cynthia decided to start a floral business that would provide homegrown blooms to private clients and small-scale events. “Basically a side hustle that would bring me joy,” she says with a laugh.

The garden’s heartbeat is its charming, custom-built potting studio (to call it a “shed” just doesn’t seem right). Cynthia’s studio must-haves? Windows that overlook Lake Erie, double doors, two water sources (a sink, plus a low spigot to fill flower buckets) and electricity to run her stereo—“I have a soft spot for Prince while I’m working,” she says.

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On the exterior, a standing seam metal roof and gooseneck barn light give the structure a farmhouse vibe. Inside, simplicity reigns. Crisp white paint, plywood flooring and open shelves put the focus on Cynthia’s collection of vessels, from sap buckets to apple baskets sourced from a local farmer.

“I’ve tried to curate the space so that everything has an authentic, maker vibe,” she says. “Even the utilitarian pieces are beautiful.”

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The light-filled studio has become Cynthia’s personal and professional retreat, where she pulls together unfussy arrangements for herself, or for friends and clients. “I’m like a kid in a candy shop,” she says. “I listen to the birds, I soak up the solitude and I experiment. It’s my favourite place to be.”

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APRIL

Hedwig didn't return until the end of the Easter holidays. Percy's letter was enclosed in a package of Easter eggs that Mrs. Weasley had sent. Both Harry's and Ron's were the size of dragon eggs, and full of home-made toffee. Hermione's, however, was smaller than a chicken's egg. Her face fell when she saw it. "Your mum doesn't read Witch's Weekly, by any chance, does she, Ron?" she asked quietly. "Yeah," said Ron, whose mouth was full of toffee. "Gets it for the recipes." Hermione looked sadly at her tiny egg.

-J. K. Rowling

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How To Save Money By Buying Refurbished Electronics Buying an older a laptop, tablet or phone is an eco-friendly choice that can save you money. But there are a few pitfalls to look out for.

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If you want to save money on a laptop, tablet or phone, buying an older device that’s been refurbished is a tempting idea. Last fall, faced with virtual school and working-from-home, I saved around $700 on a refurbished MacBook for myself, before handing my much older laptop over to my son. Buying used is also a greener consumer choice: According to the German news organization Deutsche Welle, humans generate about 50 million tons of electric and electronic waste every year, waste that can become toxic if it’s not properly disposed of. As Mother Jones points out, reusing extinguishing products saves the chemicals, water and fossil fuels that go into making new devices, too.

Don’t assume “refurbished” means what you think it does

There are some things to keep in mind, however, if you’re looking to buy pre-owned tech that’s been upgraded or cleaned up (rather than simply used and erased). You don’t want to wind up with a lemon that sees you put out more money in repairs or a replacement.

You don’t know what you’re looking at until you know what the vendor, retailer or manufacturer selling the item means by refurbished, and answers vary from detailed to vague.

Before you start browsing, figure out if their definition squares with what you want.

Make sure to get a deal

There are benefits to buying from big brands and manufacturers

While it’s hard to find significant discounts on refurbished tech from upmarket manufacturers like Apple, Ritchie says to aim for savings of between 10 and 30 percent on updated but used tech. “Anything more than that and you’re getting a really good value.”

How do you know you’re getting a good deal beyond the price listed? It helps to know what you’re looking at from a technical POV. If you are buying a computer or laptop, for example, it’s not just the age of the product you should factor into your decision but the health and efficiency of the processor and the RAM, or memory. Understand the functionality of these components and you’ll get a sense of its capacity, speed and efficiency.

If you need a fast, multi-tasker laptop or desktop, look for one that has a processor with at least 2.4 gigahertz or GHz. RAM, or the memory of a device, is another feature that affects speed. Most consider 8 gigabytes (GB) as the baseline.

You may not need a super-efficient computer if you’re just using it for streaming or simple processing. If you plan to use it for gaming, or to run a lot of storage-sucking applications, you might want to look for upgraded RAM (at least 16GB) and a more powerful processor.

What you need, how much you’ve got to spend, and your expectations overall for repairs, refunds or warranties are all factors to keep in mind before you press the add to cart button.

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Refurbished is not universally defined, and the interpretation that counts is that of the party doing the selling. It can mean a product was simply tidied up, wiped of the former owners content, sanitized and repackaged, or it can mean it was additionally inspected, tested and overhauled with replacement parts.

Many big retailers and manufacturer sites sell refurbished electronics. Montreal-based tech analyst Rene Ritchie recommends that people buy from them, rather than wing it with used items on Ebay, Kijiji or another third-party hosting site.

“Go with a trusted vendor, a company that has a good reputation and that is really well established,” says Ritchie.

One bonus with going big is that these companies define what “refurbished” means to them, allowing you to decide if it’s good enough or not. You don’t get a full history of the item, but you get some idea of what has or hasn’t been done.

Apple certifies its products with testing and aims to make them “like new,” which means that replacement parts are the same as those featured in their new products.

Dell runs its refurbishment program through a subsidiary, but guarantees that its products are “visually and diagnostically tested.”

Best Buy offers consumers the option to buy items from a number of market sellers, including “certified” refurbishers, or independent sellers that meet a higher standard for refurbishment than average sellers.

FAMILY LISTS

That’s not to say that all independent sellers or vendors are untrustworthy or not worth considering. It’s not a level playing field: Manufacturers have the advantage, and use it by controlling who gets the certified parts needed for repairs, for example.

Five years ago, I bought a used iPad that had zero upgrades or fixes from an independent seller hosted on a third-party site and it’s still kicking. It was cheap, and I didn’t need to see its CV to recognize that I had limited money to spend.

The biggest advantage of buying from third parties is that it’s usually cheaper than dealing with big box retailers. The biggest risk is not having any recourse if you’re unsatisfied. If you’re wary of buying used tech from a third-party seller, message them and ask the questions that you want to about the product they’re offering. It’s also smart to check ratings and reviews, if there are any. If your seller isn’t forthcoming or able to answer questions, then it’s probably wise to keep looking.

Look for warranties and return policies

Another big benefit to buying from the known entities is that most offer warranties and return policies. I bought my laptop on Apple’s refurbished section because I need it for work—that time, I did not want to take a chance with an independent seller. Apple offers a one-year warranty for its refurbished products as well as a 15-day return policy, and 90 days of free technical support (you can sign on for more at a cost, which I did).

DON'T HUNT FOR YOUR EASTER TREATS. BAKE THEM.

Dell offers a 100-day limited warranty and 30-day return policy. Best Buy offers return policies on their refurbished products but the timelines can vary between 14 and 30 days, so be sure to read the fine print.

Amazon Renewed, which sells refurbished products from independent sellers, offers a 90-day supplier warranty and applies its standard 30-day return policy. Again, it’s good to read the fine print, as some return policies start from the day of purchase and others from the date of arrival.

Family Life ‐ April 2021

Not every treat should be served inside a plastic egg. Make a delicious cheesecake with Philadelphia, so you can spend more time enjoying dessert and less time searching for it

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The Chef Skills

To demonstrate the versatility of the air fryer, Stone cooked up an easy, absolutely delectable meal with recipes that you might not associate with air frying: an incredibly crispy-skinned roast chicken, perfectly-roasted brussels sprouts and a beyond-moist sticky toffee pudding cake.

Family Life ‐ April 2021

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Inside the Curtis Stone Masterclass On Friday, March 5, Chatelaine editor-in-chief Maureen Halushak sat down with Chef Curtis Stone for an inspiring live virtual event presented by Chatelaine and TSC. Stone needs no introduction: you know him from his many television appearances, his multiple cookbooks, his bestselling cookware line on TSC, and maybe even—if you’ve been really lucky—from eating at his restaurants, Gwen and Maud in Los Angeles, or Georgie in Dallas.

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Curtis Stone’s Air-Roasted Chicken

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Curtis Stone’s Crispy Air-Fried Brussels Sprouts

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Curtis Stone’s Sticky Toffee Pudding Cake

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Curtis Stone’s Sticky Toffee Pudding Cake

1. To make toffee cake: In medium bowl, mix dates and baking soda. Pour 1 1/4 cups boiling water over dates and stir to mix. Let dates soak for 4 hours.

Generously coat 6x6x3-in. square pan or 8-in. round cake pan with butter and refrigerate.

2. In small bowl, whisk flour, baking PREP TIME:5 MINS powder, and salt. In bowl of an electric TOTAL TIME:2 HOURS 5 MINS stand mixer fitted with paddle, beat sugar and 6 tbsp butter on medium 1 1/2 cups dates , pitted and speed, scraping down sides as needed, coarsely chopped for 2 mins, or until pale and fluffy. Add 1 tsp baking soda eggs and vanilla and mix until blended.

6 tbsp unsalted butter , soften, Reduce speed to low, mix in flour plus extra for brushing the pan mixture and then date mixture, 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour scraping down sides of bowl as needed.

3/4 tsp baking powder 3. Pour batter into prepared pan. Wrap 1/4 tsp kosher salt pan tightly with plastic wrap.

2 cups packed light brown sugar 4. Place Air Fry/Steam Plate inside Frying 2 large eggs , beaten to blend Basket of Curtis Stone Air Fryer 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract Steamer. Place wrapped pan onto plate.

5. Select Steam mode and steam pudding Toffee Sauce for 2 hrs, or until a tester inserted into 1 1/2 cups heavy cream centre of cake comes out clean and cake 1 cup whole milk springs back gently when pressed. It 3/4 cup packed light brown will be necessary to reset timer and sugar refill water tank after first hour.

7 tbsp unsalted butter Carefully transfer hot pan to cooling 1/2 tsp kosher salt rack. Remove plastic wrap and invert cake onto a cake plate.

6. Meanwhile, to make toffee sauce and serve: In large heavy saucepan, bring cream, milk, sugar, butter, and salt to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 30 minutes, or until sauce has reduced by half and has a deep tan colour. Remove from heat.

7. Serve cake warm with toffee sauce.

TO WIN Aside from a delicious new menu to try‚ one lucky participant also walked away with a prize pack of Curtis Stone cookware valued at $500+. Visit tsc.ca to check out the complete Curtis Stone cookware range.

Please note attendance is limited, so RSVP as soon as possible as you don’t want to miss out! All guests will have the opportunity to ask questions and also a chance to win a prize pack of Curtis Stone cookware valued at $500+.

Family Life ‐ April 2021

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FOOD

Curtis Stone’s Air-Roasted Chicken

Curtis Stone’s Crispy Air-Fried Brussels Sprouts

PREP TIME:5 MINS TOTAL TIME:1 HOUR 5 MINS

PREP TIME:5 MINS TOTAL TIME:20 MINS

1 5 lb. whole chicken , legs tied together with twine 2 tsp olive oil

2 lbs brussels sprouts , halved lengthwise 2 tbsp olive oil 1 1/2 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley 1 1/2 tbsp finely chopped fresh chives

1. Place Air Fry/Steam Plate inside Frying Basket of Curtis Stone Air Fryer Steamer.

2. Coat chicken with oil and season generously with salt and pepper; place chicken on plate.

3. Select Air Fry mode and cook chicken at 400°F for 50 minutes, or until skin is crisp and golden and an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 165°F. Transfer chicken to carving board to rest for 10 minutes.

4. Carve chicken and serve.

Air-Roasted Chicken Four Ways 1. Creole Spice Rub: In small bowl, mix 1 1/2 tsp each freshly ground black pepper, sweet paprika, and kosher salt with 1/2 tsp each cayenne, celery seed, dried thyme and garlic powder.

Sprinkle mixture over chicken before cooking.

2. Jamaican Jerk Spice Rub: In small bowl, mix 1 tsp each ground allspice, ground cinnamon, ground coriander, light brown sugar and kosher salt with 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper.

Sprinkle mixture over chicken before cooking.

3. Southwestern Spice Rub: In small bowl, mix 2 tsp each ground cumin and paprika with 1/2 tsp each garlic powder, chipotle chili powder, kosher salt and 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper.

Sprinkle mixture over buttered chicken before cooking.

4. Middle Eastern Spice Rub: In small bowl, mix 1 tsp each ground coriander, ground fennel, cayenne pepper and kosher salt with 1/4 tsp turmeric.

Sprinkle mixture over chicken before cooking.

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1. Place Air Fry/Steamer Plate inside Frying Basket of Curtis Stone Air Fryer Steamer. Toss brussels sprouts with oil and transfer to plate.

2. Select Steam Fry mode. Set Steam Timer for 4 minutes; then set Air Fry Timer and Temp to 15 minutes at 400°F. 3. When Air Fry mode starts, sprouts should be vibrant green. Continue air frying for 15 minutes, tossing occasionally, or until they are golden and crisp.

4. Add herbs and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

IN PRAISE OF

POMEGRANATES

Bright, crunchy and packed with nutrients, pomegranates are worth more than their weight in juice.

Photo by Roberto Caruso.

Food styling by Claire Stubbs.

Prop styling and Art Direction by Casie Billington.

Stuffed Chicken with Pomegranate Relish Family Life ‐ April 2021

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Pomegranate Guacamole 66

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Roasted Winter Vegetable & Pomegranate Salad

Family Life ‐ April 2021

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FOOD

Stuffed Chicken with Pomegranate Relish PREP TIME:10 MINS TOTAL TIME:35 MINS 1/2 cup smooth ricotta 3 tbsp chopped parsley 1 tsp lime zest 3/4 tsp salt , divided 2 tsp olive oil Relish 1 1/2 cups pomegranate seeds 1 large shallot , finely chopped 1/2 cup pistachios , chopped, or pepitas 3 tbsp lime juice 1 tbsp olive oil 1/4 tsp salt 1. Position rack in centre of oven and preheat to 375F. Line a baking sheet with parchment. Set aside.

2. Stir ricotta, parsley, lime zest and 1/4 tsp salt in a small bowl. Season with pepper.

3. Cut a horizontal slit about 2 1/2 in. long and 1 1/2 in. deep into thickest side of each breast to form a pocket. Gently open up pockets and stuff each with one-quarter of the ricotta mixture.

Place chicken 4. on prepared sheet. Brush with oil, then sprinkle with remaining 1/2 tsp salt.

Season with pepper.

5. Bake until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of chicken reads 165F, about 20 min. Turn on broiler. Broil until tops are golden brown, about 3 min.

6. Relish: Combine pomegranate seeds, shallot, pistachios, lime juice, oil and salt in a bowl. Serve alongside chicken.

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Pomegranate Guacamole PREP TIME:15 MINS TOTAL TIME:15 MINS 3 large pitas , each separated into 2 rounds (you will have 6 rounds) 2 tbsp olive oil 1/2 tsp paprika 1 large shallot , finely diced 1 jalapeño , seeded and minced 1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro , divided 1 1/2 tsp salt 3 avocados , chopped 2/3 cup pomegranate seeds , divided 1/4 cup lime juice 1. Position racks in top and bottom thirds of oven and preheat to 400F. 2. Brush both sides of pitas with oil. Stack pitas, then cut into 6 wedges and arrange in a single layer on 2 baking sheets. Sprinkle with paprika.

3. Bake in top and bottom thirds of oven, switching sheets halfway, until crisp, 5 to 6 min.

4. Combine shallot, jalapeno, 2 tbsp cilantro and salt in a bowl. Add avocados and mash into shallot mixture with a fork until slightly chunky. Stir in 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds and lime juice. Top with remaining cilantro and pomegranate seeds.

Roasted Winter Vegetable & Pomegranate Salad PREP TIME:10 MINS TOTAL TIME:20 MINS 8 parsnips , peeled or halved or quartered lengthwise 2 cups halved trimmed brussels sprouts 2 cups cubed butternut squash 1/4 cup olive oil 3/4 tsp salt 2 tsp grainy Dijon mustard , divided 1/3 cup pomegranate juice 1 tbsp red-wine vinegar 1 tbsp grated ginger 6 cups arugula 1/3 cup pomegranate seeds 1/4 cup unsalted sunflower seeds 1. Position rack in centre of oven and preheat to 400F. Line a baking sheet with parchment.

2. Toss parsnips, brussels sprouts and squash with 2 tbsp oil, 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp Dijon on prepared sheet. Season with pepper. Roast until tender-crisp, 20 to 25 min.

3. Whisk juice, vinegar, remaining 2 tbsp oil, ginger and remaining 1 tsp Dijon in a small bowl.

4. Combine roasted vegetables with arugula, and pomegranate and sunflower seeds in a bowl or on a large platter. Drizzle dressing overtop.

LAST LOOK

Kristen Bell's favourite swear word Frozen 2 Actress Kristen Bell answers our questions from what makes her laugh to her favourite swear word The girl dishes in the magazine about growing up, her love of cooking and why her fiancé Dax Shepard isn’t really a jerk. Here, she spills on a few other juicy details.

Q: What’s on your nightstand?

A: The Hunger Games.

Q: What is the last great book you read?

A: Under the Banner of Heaven.

Q: What is your guiltiest pleasure?

A: Salted caramels.

Q: What part of the world is next on your list?

A: Alaska.

Q: Who has been the most influential political figure for you?

A: Eleanor Roosevelt.

Q: What’s your favourite swear word?

A: Malarkey. According to my grandpa that’s a swear word.

Q: What’s the most exciting part of your job? And what’s the most tedious part?

A: Getting to play dress-up with exciting designers, and having to tell all my cousins that, no, I’ve never met Miley Cyrus.

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Q: What is your favourite comfort food?

A: Cheesy garlic bread.

Q: Who or what makes you laugh the hardest?

A: Any and every form of second-hand embarrassment.

Q: Which gadget could you never give up?

A: My kitchen timer.?.?.?.?I can’t use the broiler without it.

Q: What’s the worst advice you’ve been given?

A: “Invest in Blockbuster: Netflix is a fad.”

Q: What song do you sing in the shower?

A: Anything and everything from Glee.