FamilyLife - Jan/Feb 2018 by Lawrence Ambrocio

5 Kid-friendly recipes

PM Trudeau and his family

Reading Comprehension

FamilyLife Healthy Lunch

Jan/Feb 2018

Jan/Feb Contents

ADVICE

ORGANIZE

FOOD

ON THE COVER

15 How to Improve Reading Comprehension at Home

27 Modern, cozy home décor ideas: Seven tips

60 Food Buddies

Photography by Erik Putz Food Styling by Ashley Denton

21 The Best Gifts We Can Give Our Kids

FEATURES 45 Politics + Family

IN EVERY ISSUE 13 Editor's Letter 72 Last Look

Family Life ‐ January/February 2018

FamilyLife EDITOR IN-CHIEF Pamela Hayford 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 ADVERTISING SALES, TORONTO SENIOR DIRECTOR, MEDIA SOLUTIONS, TRANSACTIONAL Jérôme Leys KEY ACCOUNT DIRECTORS, NATIONAL ADVERTISING SALES David Garby, Andrea McBride, Akta Sharma ADVERTISING COORDINATION TEAM LEADER Maddie Belanger ADVERTISING COORDINATION MANAGER Janice Clarke NATIONAL SALES REPRESENTATIVES Cathy Ellis, Gary Forshaw, Joanne Landry, Delainie Salvatore, Vanessa Watson DIGITAL NATIONAL SALES REPRESENTATIVES Paul Cummins, Gwen O’Toole, Tony Vigario, Joanna Woodman SALES ASSOCIATE Patricia Mixemong MARKETING & CREATIVE SOLUTIONS BRAND MANAGER Mieka Jansen SENIOR STRATEGIST Stephanie Mediati STRATEGIST Jeremie Marcoux PROJECT MANAGERS Janine Short, Kathryn Walsh ART DIRECTOR Suzanne Lacorte

Family Life ‐ January/February 2018

Editor's Letter

2018 is your year! Happy New Year! I trust the holidays were nice and, if you’re like me, you’re looking forward to some quieter days ahead. As people do each January, we all think about resolutions, fresh starts, things in which we’d like to improve, etc. And if you are like me, by February most have been forgotten. Often resolutions revolve around our health, and those are good ones to make—and keep! Women’s health is an important topic and maintaining it varies greatly depending upon your age. Happy. Happiness. Joy. What do those words conjure up in your mind? I think for most, it’s what we want for our families and for ourselves. We take a look at happiness in this issue, from what makes a happy family to what you, the readers, told us are your go-to “get happy” songs. Skating through this winter with no snow would make me happy, but I know some of you love snow. We’ve got your guide to winter fun.

Pamela Hayford Editor In-Chief

Family Life ‐ January/February 2018

Advice

How to Improve Reading Comprehension at Home By ANGELA ROSHEIM

Family Life ‐ January/February 2018

Advice

TOP 5 BOOKS

Sweetest of All Jean Little, Marisol Sarrazin, Scholastic Canada

Have you ever read something and when you reached the end, you had no idea what you’d just read? Yep, me too! We were not comprehending what we were reading. In other words, we were just reading the words but not creating meaning from them. If this happens to adults, you know young readers experience the same thing. Comprehension is simply the act of understanding what you are reading. That sounds easy, but in reality, comprehending text takes intentional thought and practice using proven strategies to become a successful reader. As parents, we want our children to have strong reading skills so they can become lifelong learners and readers. Teachers at all levels spend hours upon hours teaching children comprehension strategies so they can develop self-monitoring skills for their own reading success. Obviously, additional practice and attention to reading at home will produce greater gains in reading comprehension. Try one or more of these comprehension strategies or practices while reading WITH or TO your child at home.

Kitten’s Spring Eugenie Fernandes, Kids Can Press

Promote reading in your family by setting aside time for it every day that you possibly can! Reading to your child exposes him to a rich vocabulary, which in turn boosts reading comprehension. Read beside your child so he sees you model reading. Allow for choice. Let your child read what she wants to read: graphic novels, comic books, poetry, nonfiction, fiction or magazines. Magazines are engaging, as the articles are high-interest, short and concise. Take your child to the library and let her select her own books—with topics she is interested in, passionate about or curious about!

Without You Geneviève Côté, Kids Can Press

Talk, talk, talk and talk some more about what is being read. Ask questions during and at the end of a reading. Ask your child to make inferences about what might happen throughout the book. Connect the book to his own experiences or other books he has read. Encourage your child to read out loud. The act of reading out loud slows down the reader, strengthens fluency and helps the reader form mental pictures or what is sometimes called a mind movie.

ABC of Canada Kim Bellefontaine, Per-Henrik Gürth, Kids Can Press

Model for your child what to do when comprehension breaks down. Stop and reread, summarize your reading or explain how you create images in your head. Think aloud for your child so she can learn to do the same thing. Teaching kids to identify when they are not gathering meaning from the text is crucial. Organize a book club for your child and a few friends. Reading a common text and engaging in meaningful discussion will deepen understanding of what is being read.

Night Cars Teddy Jam, Eric Beddows, Groundwood Books

January/February 2018 - Family Life

By helping children comprehend at a young age, we are preparing them to deeply understand what they are reading and are empowering them to be brilliantly curious about the world around them. They will have the ability to find answers to questions they have, discover the love of lifelong reading and possess the cognitive ability to continue to learn throughout life.

Advice

The Best Gifts We Can Give Our Kids As parents, we love to make our children happy. We purchase the expensive iPhones, hoverboards and Hatchimals to see that flicker of happiness on their faces when they open their presents, but soon the joy from those gifts fades. Perhaps the best gifts that truly matter can’t be wrapped at all, and perhaps the joy from these gifts create memories that last a lifetime. By REGAN LYONS

Family Life ‐ January/February 2018

Advice

Boredom It never fails. You’re at home on a Sunday afternoon, and your kids say, “I’m bored!” As parents we do our best to keep our children busy with activities. However, unstructured downtime can result in kids’ following their passions and using their imaginations in ways that structured playtime does not allow. Their boredom might lead to a discovery of that longlost toy they forgot about, the creation of a fun game with their siblings or even the development of a new hobby they love.

Your Undistracted Time

We’re all guilty of checking our work emails, Facebook and Instagram accounts while we are with our kids. Being fully present with our children makes them feel loved, important and a priority. Make a daily goal to spend one-on-one time with your kids with absolutely no distractions. Turn off the TV, put down your cell phone, close your laptop and hang out with your child for a while. Those work emails can wait. Whether you play their favorite game, take a walk, let them cook with you or play Barbies, give them your full attention. Next time you’re in the car, try answering all of your 3-yearold’s 20 questions with thoughtful Teach your children to be grateful and to help others. Take them to help at the answers…yes, ALL of them! And don’t worry about taking snapshots of these moments food kitchen, have them donate their to post on social media. The best moments old toys to children in need, drop off will stick with us, even without the photos! canned goods at the local food bank, help them raise money for a cause close to their hearts. Use these experiences as teachable moments. By giving to those in need, they will learn how fortunate they really are and they will grow into kind, compassionate and giving adults.

A Giving Heart

January/February 2018 - Family Life

Chores The gift of chores might not be one that your children would like to accept, but they’ll reap many benefits from helping around the house. The Center for Parenting Education says involving children in household tasks at an early age can have a positive impact later in life. “Research indicates that those children who have a set of chores have higher self-esteem, are more responsible and are better able to deal with frustration and delay gratification, all of which contribute to greater success in school.” So don’t feel bad next time you ask your kids to do the dishes. It’s good for them! To add a little fun and motivation to the mix, create a chore chart and give rewards when your kids complete their weekly chores!

Advice

Financial Advice

Experiences

Teach your children the value of a dollar from a young age. Beth Kobliner, author of the New York Times bestseller Get a Financial Life, tells Forbes Magazine children as young as 3 years old can grasp financial concepts like saving and spending. Kids can learn how money works by simply starting to save spare change in their penny banks. Take them to the bank to deposit their change into their very own savings accounts. As they get older, involve them in your buying decisions by comparing prices at the grocery store. As they reach their teens, explain the dangers of credit cards before they learn by mistake on their own, and make them earn their weekly allowance. Most importantly, set a healthy financial example for your children to learn from. They will thank you many years from now.

Help your children make their best memories with the gift of experiences. Enjoy family traditions during the holidays, organize a playdate with friends, take a trip to the Kansas City Zoo, let them be creative at Kaleidoscope, try to escape at Breakout KC, organize a scavenger hunt for them and their friends, camp out in the backyard, have pizza and game night every week. These experiences are what memories are made of, not the giant Paw Patrol Lookout Tower they just have to have for their next birthday.

Love of Reading Reading to your children every day will quickly become a habit for them, and they’ll more likely be avid readers in adulthood. Children who read acquire knowledge, an expanded vocabulary, critical thinking skills and imagination. They also learn about different cultures and develop empathy for people who are different from themselves. Not to mention, reading is a great way to keep them entertained when the dreaded “I’m bored” comment rolls around. A trip to the library for their very own library cards is a fun way to get your kids excited about reading!

According to T. Rowe Price’s eighth annual Parents, Kids and Money Survey, 41 percent of parents spend more than $200 on birthday presents for their children each year. Trying to spend less on gifts this year? Cut back by purchasing just four items: Something they want. Something they need. Something to wear. Something to read.

Family Life ‐ January/February 2018

Organize

Modern, cozy home décor ideas: Seven tips A cool palette of white wood and playful pops of colour create a stylish home in the Eastern Townships Virginie Martocq; Photos by Angus McRitchie; Prop styling by Nicola Marc

Family Life ‐ January/February 2018

Organize

January/February 2018 - Family Life

Simply stylish What happens when a Norwegian-born fashion retailer sets up house with a French cosmetics exec in rural Quebec? A whole lot of design magic, that's what. "We fell in love with it on a country drive ages ago," says homeowner Nina Dyson, of her 21year-old home in the Eastern Townships. Several years later an excited agent called them to let them know the house was on the market. They bought it immediately, despite the home's dark and dated interior. "The first thing I did was order a special whitewash that's traditionally used in Norway and did all the wood —even the floors, which had coats of dark stain on them," she says. Her Norwegian roots also show in the way she's used colour and in the overall lightness of the design. "There's something about the light in Scandinavia that makes us Northerners gravitate toward the combination of white with bright colours. Maybe it's the endless summer days, the Northern lights or the dark winters, where we fill the house with candlelight, but we've learned to create spaces that are both modern and comforting." Even in the winter, with all the snow outside, Nina says her colour of choice is easy to live with and maintain. "My husband and kids love it so much, I've convinced them all to paint our city house white, too!" Get this look: Paint, All White, Farrow & Ball. Sofa, Biltmore Domicile. Pillows, Ikea. Throw, Oleana. Lanterns, Lamp, both Artemide.

Family Life ‐ January/February 2018

Organize

Go drape-less There's no better place than the countryside to bring the outdoors in. The view becomes part of the interior design. Maximize the feeling by accenting the interior decor with hits of green and blue. Mirror the look with glass-fronted cabinets. Get this look: Dualit Toaster, Cookbooks, both Les Touilleurs. Coffee Machine, Nespresso. Linen Runner, Dinnerware, Royal Copenhagen. Vase, Ikea. Lamps, Union Lighting and Furnishings. Cutting Boards, Homeowner's Own. 30

January/February 2018 - Family Life

Organize

Try a super-low coffee table While it offers great display space, a large coffee table can also be visually distracting, especially when it blocks the view of a roaring fire. Avoid this trap by choosing a low modern one. Here, the cool white marble is also a welcome contrast to the rustic fireplace stones. Get this look: Coffee Table, B&B Italia. Flowers, Fauchois Fleurs. Vase, Home Sense. Floor Treatment, Dinesen.

January/February 2018 - Family Life

Organize

Rethink office furniture They may have a bad rap, but classic mid-century modern workplace pieces deserve to be brought home and loved. Pair this boardroom table with minimalist chairs in a very bold colour, and accessorize it with oversized decorative lanterns for a look that goes way beyond nine-to-five. Get this look: Green Chairs, Arper. Dining Table, Alias Design. Fil de Fer Chandelier, Catellani & Smith. Lanterns, Vases, both Home Sense.

January/February 2018 - Family Life

Organize

Create an outdoor living room A modern white couch and matching coffee table make a welcome place to lounge that extends the living space outside. The whitewashed railing and ceiling of the porch offer a crisp counterpoint to the manicured lawn; the decking is stained an earthy brown, for ease of maintenance. Get this look: Bucket, Home Sense. Lanterns, Restoration Hardware. Coffee Table, Sofa, both Gloster. Pillows, Ikea and Jardin de Ville.

January/February 2018 - Family Life

Organize

Hallway inspiration: Whitewash everything Unify mismatching woods (in flooring, panelling and stairs) by whitewashing floors, ceilings and walls. To get the effect, apply diluted paint to wet bare wood. Bonus: This trick unifies the different tones but still provides enough colour variation to feel rich and textural and keep the warm of wood. Get this look: Green Chairs, Arper. Desk, Ikea. Lamp and Desk Accessories, all Home Sense. 38

January/February 2018 - Family Life

Organize

Hang a statement light over your bed Bold lighting isn't just for dining rooms anymore. A larger-than-life rice paper ball is the perfect accessory for this simple bedroom. It adds drama and makes clever use of the home's slanting ceiling. Try a chandelier in other unexpected places, like the bathroom or kitchen, too. Get this look: Light fixture, curtains, bedside lamp, side tables, all Ikea. Pillows, bed linens, both Home Sense. Throw, Qui Dort Dîne.

January/February 2018 - Family Life

“For last year's words belong to last year's language, And next year's words await another voice.” ― T.S. Eliot, Four Quartets

Family Life ‐ January/February 2018

POLITICS + FAMILY

The Liberal leader and his family kick back at their Ottawa residence. Political families don't get a lot more photogenic than Justin Trudeau, his wife Sophie Grégoire and their three kids, Xavier, 7, Ella-Grace, 5, and five-monthold Hadrien. Taken last summer at their home in Ottawa’s Rockcliffe neighbourhood, the photoshoot was playful and chaotic, and ended with a group dip in the pool, fully-clothed. Family Life ‐ January/February 2018

January/February 2018 - Family Life

Food

Kid's Brunch Sure, they might turn their nose up at perfectly good food, but don't stop introducing new flavours. There may still be budding foodie yet. Try it, you'll like it. Photo, Erik Putz. Food Styling, Ashley Denton. Prop styling, Rayna Marlee Schwartz.

Family Life ‐ January/February 2018

FOOD BUDDIES Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

Those cool, collected parents—they do exist. They probably batch cook. Here are their secrets. Photo, Erik Putz. Food Styling, Ashley Denton. Prop styling, Rayna Marlee Schwartz.

January/February 2018 - Family Life

Crispy Oven-Fried Calamari

Family Life ‐ January/February 2018

Miso Chicken Noodle Soup

January/February 2018 - Family Life

Sheet Pan Sesame Tofu and Veggies

Family Life ‐ January/February 2018

Shakshuka

January/February 2018 - Family Life

Food

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

Crispy Oven-Fried Calamari

Miso Chicken Noodle Soup

PREP TIME:10 MINS TOTAL TIME:20 MINS

PREP TIME:15 MINS TOTAL TIME:35 MINS

1 cup all-purpose flour 2 tbsp granulated sugar 1 tsp baking powder ¼ tsp salt ¾ cup smooth ricotta ⅔ cup milk 3 tbsp melted butter 2 eggs , separated 2 tsp lemon zest 1 tsp vanilla 1 tbsp canola oil , divided

2 tbsp canola oil 1 ¼ cups panko bread crumbs¾ cup all-purpose flour 2 eggs 1 ½ cups finely grated Parmesan ¾ tsp salt 450 g frozen calamari rings , thawed, patted dry dipping sauce, lemon wedges , for serving

¾ cup broken spaghetti 2 tbsp vegetable oil 1 onion , chopped 1 celery stalk , chopped 1 carrot , peeled and sliced 2 sprigs of thyme 900-mL carton no-salt-added chicken broth 3 cups water , divided 5 tbsp miso paste 2 cups shredded cooked chicken1 cup frozen shelled edamame1 green onion , chopped

1. Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a small bowl. In a large bowl, stir ricotta, milk, butter, egg yolks, lemon zest and vanilla. Stir flour mixture into ricotta mixture until just combined. 2. Beat egg whites in another bowl until medium peaks form. Fold ⅓ egg whites into flour mixture until no streaks remain, then fold in remaining whites. 3. Heat 1 tsp of the oil in a large frying pan over medium. Scoop batter by ⅓ cup portions into pan, spreading to form 4-in. circles. 4. Cook until bubbles form on top and edges begin to brown, 2 to 3 min. Flip and cook until bottoms are golden, 1 to 2 min. Repeat with remaining oil and batter. Serve topped with lemon curd and blueberries, drizzled with maple syrup or dusted with icing sugar.

1. Position racks in top and bottom thirds of oven, then preheat to 450F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment. 2. Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium. Add panko, stirring frequently, until toasted, about 5 min. Remove from heat and let cool. 3. Place flour in a wide shallow dish. Beat eggs in a second wide shallow dish. Combine panko and Parmesan in a third wide shallow dish. 4. Sprinkle calamari with salt, tossing to coat. In batches, coat calamari in flour, shaking off excess, then dip into egg mixture, turning to coat, then roll in panko mixture. Place on prepared baking sheets. 5. Bake, flipping calamari and rotating sheets halfway through, until coating is crisp and calamari is just tender, 8 to 10 min. 6. Serve calamari with dipping sauce and lemon wedges.

January/February 2018 - Family Life

1. Coconut Ice Cream: Whisk sugar with cornstarch and salt in a medium pot. Slowly mix in coconut milk and vanilla. Bring to a simmer over medium and gently boil until thickened, 3 to 4 min. 2. Transfer to a large bowl and set aside to cool slightly. Put plastic wrap directly on surface, then refrigerate until cold, about 1 1⁄2 hr. 3. Mango Purée: Add mango, sugar, and orange and lemon juices to the same saucepan over mediumhigh. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer until mango is very soft, 5 to 6 min. Mash, using a potato masher or whisk, until mixture is a purée. Transfer to a medium bowl and set aside to cool. Cover with plastic wrap, then refrigerate until cold, about 1 hr.

Food

Sheet Pan Sesame Shakshuka Tofu and Veggies PREP TIME:10 MINS TOTAL TIME:30 MINS

PREP TIME:20 MINS TOTAL TIME:40 MINS ⅓ cup rice vinegar 2 ½ tbsp brown sugar 1 ½ tbsp sesame oil 2 garlic cloves , minced 1 tbsp grated ginger 350-g pkg extra-firm tofu , patted dry, pressed and cut into 8 slices 2 tbsp vegetable oil 12 mini peppers 2 170-g pkg oyster mushrooms , cut ¼-in thick 3 cups green beans 1 tbsp chili-garlic sauce , optional 1. Position racks in top and bottom thirds of oven, then preheat to 400F. Set aside 2 baking sheets. 2. Whisk vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic and ginger in a casserole dish. Reserve ¼ cup of this marinade for drizzling. Add tofu to casserole dish and let stand 15 min, turning often. Remove tofu and divide between baking sheets. 3. Whisk oil into remaining marinade in casserole dish. Add peppers, tossing to coat, and divide between sheets. Repeat with mushrooms. Roast 10 min. Divide beans between sheets, then switch racks. Roast until beans are tender-crisp, 10 min. 4. Divide reserved marinade between sheets, tossing to coat. Spoon chili-garlic sauce over tofu, if desired. Serve with rice or roasted spaghetti squash.

2 tbsp olive oil 1 onion , chopped 3 garlic cloves , minced 2 tbsp tomato paste 1 ½ tsp smoked paprika 1 tsp ground cumin ¾ tsp salt 1 cup sliced roasted red peppers , drained 796-mL can plum tomatoes , cut with kitchen shears in the can 6 eggs 3 artichoke hearts , cut into thin wedges ½ cup feta cheese cilantro leaves , optional 1. Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium. Cook onion and garlic until softened, about 3 min. Stir in tomato paste, paprika, cumin and salt, and cook 3 min. 2. Add peppers and tomatoes, and bring to a boil. Reduce to mediumlow and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, 8 to 10 min. 3. Make 6 wells in sauce using back of a spoon. Break 1 egg into each well. Cover and cook until whites are set, about 7 min. Scatter artichokes over top. Sprinkle with feta, and cilantro, if desired.

Family Lists

Cleanse with FlorEssence Flor-Essence Herbal Cleanse offers a natural and gentle way to flush the body of toxins and waste. It's a safe and effective full-body cleanse, and it's glutenfree, non-GMO, organic & vegan florahealth.com

Family Life ‐ January/February 2018

Last Look

Maple Fudge PREP TIME:20 MINS TOTAL TIME:1 HOUR ½ cup maple syrup ¼ cup 35% whipping cream 1 tbsp unsalted butter 1. Combine maple syrup, cream and butter in a medium saucepan set over high. Boil, without stirring, until temperature reaches 235F on a candy thermometer or until mixture turns dark amber, 6 to 8 min. (Tip: If you have a candy thermometer, use it. Precision is key in candy making.) 2. Very carefully pour hot mixture into a medium bowl. Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat mixture until crumbly, about 3 min. Roll mixture into a ball with your hands. 3. Place ball on a piece of parchment paper. Lay another piece of parchment overtop. Using a rolling pin, flatten ball into a ¼-in.-thick slab. Transfer to a baking sheet and refrigerate until firm, about 30 min. Remove top layer of parchment and use cookie cutters to cut out shapes. Refrigerate until ready to eat.

January/February 2018 - Family Life