Lifestyles Magazine May-June 2014 by Lifestyles Magazine

Lifestyles

MAY JUNE 2014

herb gardening MARK CULLEN pain in your BACKYARD spring into a NEW YOU planning a FAMILY VACATION built-in DECORATING spring homes MAGAZINE INSIDE Subscribe

Online

FREE scan to subscribe

y, h t al fe e H Li A o ced T e lan d i u Ba G ur ppy, o Y Ha

Lifestylescontents

FINE LINGERIE & BRA BOUTIQUE

Vol 3 No 3 Specializing in bra ﬁtting A32 to 150

Montelle Intimates • Chantelle Paris Arianne • Spanx • Wacoal • Calvin Klein Downtown Orillia, 144 Mississaga St. E.

grow herbs MARK CULLEN P6

sami pritchard

CAMP U P8

designing with

BUILT-INS

P10

pain in your

BACKYARD P12

spring homes

MAGAZINE P13

grocery

Guaranteed Service & Satisfaction

Mice Fleas Spiders

Earwigs Bees Cluster Flies

Carpenter Ants Cockroaches Live Trap Skunks & Raccoons

P22

GREEN

Welcome to LSM, Orillia’s own lifestylesmagazine.ca, dedicated to delivering articles designed to enhance a Healthy, Happy, Balanced Life. From designing and decorating your own home, to healthy eating and exercise, to just plain relaxing, travelling and building your dreams, we intend to deliver stimulating articles that lead to personal well-being and happiness.

Lifestylescontents Vol 3 No 3

make healthier

PIZZA

P23

family friendly

VACATION P28

Lifestyles Check out our new website!

SubscribeOnlineFREE

wine making

DIFFERENCE?

Check Out Our New Website For All The Articles & Information That Didn’t Fit Into This Issue!

P30 IS A PET RIGHT FOR YOUR FAMILY?

PG 9

FINANCING HOME UPGRADES PG 14

ADD FRESH COLOUR TO YOUR CABINETS PG 15

RAINWATER HARVESTING PG 16

POWER WASHING SAFETY PG 17

RESTORING OLD FURNITURE PG 18

GRILLING FOR A CROWD PG 24

STRAWBERRY SPINACH SALAD PG 24

DECREASING FAMILY SCREEN TIME PG 27 RECOGNIZING CYBERBULLYING PG 29

SUMMER FASHION!

Sirkka’s

Sirkka’s Fashions 142 Mississaga St. E. DOWNTOWN ORILLIA | 705-326-7723 COVER Jessica Brown, CSEP-CPT, Member Experience Manager, Anytime Fitness, Orillia. Spring Into A New You, Page 21

Have Lifestyles delivered. Subscribe online today! R. Brock Weir Publisher/Editor brock@lifestylesmagazine.ca

Lynn Martin Sales/Marketing lynn@lifestylesmagazine.ca 705 242 7922

Linda Laforge Production/Creative/Design linda@lifestylesmagazine.ca 705 728 6218

LSM-lifestylesmagazine.ca is published six times a year by YouLink Inc. Contact us at info@ lifestylesmagazine.ca and visit us at www.lifetylesmagazine.ca. All rights reserved. Letters to the editor are invited. Please send letters to info@lifestylesmagazine.ca. Reproductions of any article, photograph or artwork without specific written permission of the publisher is strictly forbidden. The information contained in lifestylesmagazine.ca may not be published, broadcast or otherwise distributed without prior wrtten permission. The publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material. The options expressed in lifestylesmagazine.ca are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the publisher or advertisers. YouLink Inc., 3-200 Memorial Avenue, Suite 104, Orillia ON. L3V 5X6

healthy, happy, balanced life

LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE

Thinking Food?

Herbs Worth Grow

econd to the great surge in growth that we are currently experiencing in the popularity of ‘food gardening’ is the growing interest in food generally. Perhaps is it wrong to pit the activity associated with gardening against food when, at least, in this case, our interest in one propagates an interest in the other. The more that I learn about quality food, the stronger my desire to grow my own. Make sense? Where herbs are concerned I believe that it makes all kinds of sense. Herb plants are available at the super market and garden centres. Buy the potted plant, take it home and clip it as you please. No need to rush the use of these herbs as they sustain themselves nicely with the application of water and generous natural light. Yet again, there are herb seeds on the seed racks at your local retailer, waiting for you to take a serious interest in propagation. As the gardener in the family, I am here to offer up some tasty advice that will give you ‘fresh’ herbs and the satisfaction of growing your own. It is fun and easy.

Getting Started

Starting herbs from seeds is easy with seed trays, cell packs, seed starting soil mix and a sunny window.

healthy, happy, balanced life

LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE

wing...it’s fun & easy! Fill the cell packs or small pots that fit neatly into a propagation tray. I use the plastic trays without drainage holes to avoid having water and dirt flow out the bottom and all over the place. Just be sure to drain off the excess water after you have watered your young seedlings. Use the ‘greenhouse’ transparent top that is included with the growing tray to hold humidity in during germination. For specific growing instructions read the back of the packet of each herb.

Herbs from Seed Some herbs are easy to start from seed while others take their time and require some TLC. The former include basil, chives, dill, oregano, mint, spearmint and sage. The herbs that I prefer to ‘grow on’ from small commercially grown transplants include parsley, rosemary, marjoram, tarragon and thyme. These plants have an extended germination period and therefore require patience and sensitivity to their various moisture requirements. That is not to say that you cannot grow them from seed. They are all available on the seed racks and each packet provides instructions on how to grow them. I am just not into fussing with seeds that are stubborn germinators if I can avoid it. Purchased transplants are best repotted into a larger sized pot when you get them home. Repot by one pot size. If you buy herbs in a three inch pot, go up to a four inch and so on.

Why Bother? Herbs add flavour to many prepared dishes, to be sure. Many have medicinal uses and all of them have a story to tell. Parsley [Apium]: Native of Sardinia. At one time this herb was the favourite of kings but

before that it was feared. Plutarch tells of a Greek army in the fourth century B.C. that halted at the sight of a mule train loaded with parsley. The herb was used to adorn tombs and the soldiers saw it as a bad omen. Medieval kings considered it both good luck and an aphrodisiac. You can pick from several types of parsley: Italian [broad leaved], Curly [ornamental and tasty], Evergreen [most frost tolerant] and Hamburg Rooted [grown for its parsnip-like roots] All parsley take three to six weeks to germinate from seed [which is why I like to buy the plants] They are biannuals, producing leaves in our zone five and six climate for up to two years before flowering and going to seed. Parsley is rich in vitamin C, beta-carotene, calcium and iron.

Basil [Ocymum]: meaning ‘smell’ alluding to the powerful scent of the plants. Native to India. In the Victorian language of flowers basil was symbolic of hatred. Thankfully we got over that and a few other Victorian notions. I like to grow a lot of basil and plant it in containers on the deck outside of the kitchen door for Mary to pick as she pleases and I plant it in the sunny side of the garden where it makes a great looking border all summer long. Basil

thrives on heat, as do most herbs, but does not like to dry out too thoroughly, unlike most herbs that originate in the Mediterranean area. Basil oil can restore a sense of smell after sinus congestion and is frequently used by aroma therapists today to relax tense muscles. The fragrance is believed to relieve mental stress as well. It is easy to grow from seed.

Mint and Spearmint [Mentha]: The meaning of the word ‘mint’ is steeped in Greek mythology. Evidently Mintha was the daughter of Cocytus who metamorphosed into a mint plant by Proserpine in a fit of jealously. I admit to knowing nothing more than that about the story. I do know that mint and all of its’ direct relatives grow so aggressively in the Ontario garden that there is really nothing to be jealous about. You want it, take it. And many people who grow it would be pleased to get rid of it. Nuisance that it is, you will find it useful in the kitchen just the same. Make tea with it, add it to anything that benefits from it’s distinct flavour and grow some catmint for your cat. There is entertainment value in that. I can tell you first hand. Mark Cullen, Host, Ladies Night, Home Hardware, May 13th www.markcullen.com

healthy, happy, balanced life

LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE

Sami delivers

leadership experience

to Camp U

Lakehead Camp U Coordinator, Sami Pritchard helps campers make super bubbles at the 2013 Camp U science week camp.

hen searching for a university, Sami Pritchard was looking for a place where she could make an impact. Lakehead University’s Orillia campus was exactly that place. Pritchard, now in her third year of the Honours Bachelor of Arts & Science/ Bachelor of Education program, has seized a wealth of different opportunities and experiences since becoming part of the Lakehead community. Her latest is as Camp Coordinator for this summer’s Camp U. Pritchard is now heading into her third year with Camp U, the University’s summer camp program for kids six to 13 years of age. Over the years, Sami has gained invaluable leadership experience and transferable skills that she now brings to her position as Camp Coordinator for Camp U 2014. As an inaugural member of the Camp U team, she has seen the camp develop and innovate since its first summer. “Camp U gives campers an exciting peek into university life,” explains Pritchard. “The program offers campers the opportunity to interact with university

professors, which is a unique experience unavailable elsewhere.” Pritchard, along with her team of camp counsellors, all of whom are Lakehead students, bring a wide range of experience and skills that enhance the

camp experience. “Everyone is passionate about working with children and we’re all excited about giving campers a great experience every week,” adds Pritchard. Pritchard came to Lakehead with an open mind. She was happy to see that the students, faculty and staff at the university shared her enthusiasm for what the future would hold for the young campus and its students. With its

smaller enrollment, Pritchard found that individuals are able to have a great impact on the school community. “Students here really have the opportunity to create their own experience,” says Pritchard, who embraces the opportunity to enhance her learning beyond the classroom. Pritchard has diversified her experiences by being involved with several different associations and clubs at the University. The multiple leadership positions she has held have allowed Pritchard to gain a variety of skills and experience different outlooks. She has been President of the Residence Council, a member of the Student Union Board, an Orientation Leader, and has worked in the Athletics Department. One of the highlights of Pritchard’s extracurricular activities was being chosen to represent Lakehead at the Canadian Conference on Student Leadership in 2013 in Kelowna, BC. This year, Pritchard was invited to participate as a session presenter at the annual conference. Ask around and you will find the university is proud to have Pritchard’s exceptional leadership skills lead the way into another great summer for Camp U. She is a real-life representation of Lakehead’s mantra – “Exceptional. Unconventional.” Eric Steward, BAdmin ’14 www.lakeheadu.ca.

healthy, happy, balanced life

LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE

pet

Is a right for your family?

ets often make wonderful additions to a household. Parents not only love pets because animals bring smiles to their children’s faces, but also because pets teach kids about responsibility. But the decision of whether or not to bring a pet into a home is a complicated one that parents would be wise to give ample consideration before making their final decision. The following are a few factors parents can consider when deciding if now is the right time to bring a pet into their household.

Finances

Money is often overlooked when deciding whether or not to bring a pet into a home. But pets can be expensive, and the potential cost of pet ownership must be fully explored. Pet adoption fees are often negligible, but families who prefer a purebred dog can expect to spend considerably more money than they would if they were to adopt a mixed breed dog from the local shelter. In addition, a pedigreed cat is likely to cost more than a cat adopted from the shelter. But those initial fees are only a small part of the expenses associated with pet ownership. Medical costs, including routine veterinary visits and medication, pet insurance, food, and grooming costs can add up over time, so families already working on thin budgets might find it’s not financially prudent to bring a pet into their home until their finances stabilize. Families who tend to travel a lot also must

consider the cost of sheltering the animal when they are out of town, while renters should determine if bringing a pet into a home will incur a higher rental deposit or if the animal is likely to cause damage, as puppies and kittens tend to do. That will ultimately cost them money when they move out of their rental.

Time

Some pets require more attention than others, so heads of a family should consider just how much time they have to devote to pet ownership. Dogs tend to need the most attention among the more popular household pets, so families whose schedules are already full may find that pets who don’t need so much attention fit their lifestyle better. For example, cats don’t need to go for daily walks and tend to be more independent than canines, making them ideal pets for on-the-go families. When deciding if a pet is right for your family, give heavy consideration to how much time your family spends at home, and if you decide to adopt a pet, choose one that won’t be negatively affected by your schedules.

Demeanor

When considering bringing a pet into a home, parents should consider both their own demeanor, their kids’ demeanors and the demeanor of the pet they are thinking of adopting. Dogs have their idiosyncrasies, but breeds tend to exhibit similar behaviours. Labrador retrievers, for example, tend to be active and energetic, while a typical

English bulldog might be more laid-back and less prone to running around. Active families who enjoy spending time outdoors might prefer a more active dog, while families who enjoy relaxing at home might want a dog that’s equally comfortable lounging around the house. When considering cats, families should speak with a professional, be it a veterinarian or a representative at the local animal shelter, about the demeanors of different breeds to ensure they make the best decision. Parents of young children likely want a cat that’s playful as opposed to one who is likely to be standoffish with curious kids.

Future

The future is another thing parents must consider before bringing a pet into their home. Parents whose careers are stable might make better pet owners than those angling for a reassignment or looking to change careers. An unfortunate side effect of the recession that began in 2008 was that many families were forced to relocate when one or both parents lost their jobs but found opportunities elsewhere. Upon moving, these families realized the family pet could not make the trip, which led to shelters being flooded with homeless pets. If your family’s future is in question, delay adopting or buying a pet until your situation is more stable. If all is well in your career and your family is firmly entrenched in your community, then now might be a great time to bring a pet into your home.

healthy, happy, balanced life

LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE

The Beauty of Built-ins “ I love the custom look of built-ins. Can you tell me some of the advantages to having custom built cabinetry vs store bought”?

niche shelving over window

special shelving for accessories

uilt-ins also provide an opportunity to custom suit shelving heights and use materials optimal for displaying specific art and accessories. In this case, the client’s prized collection of glass sculptures required wood and glass shelves to allow the light to filter through, highlighting the colours of the glass. A textured exotic wood veneer adds an interesting modern backdrop to this dining room. Taking advantage of a window recess to incorporate a traditional dining room buffet complete with drawer and cabinet storage for cutlery, plates and platters makes great use of space.

ne of the things I love about interior design, is the ability to transform space, with the added benefit of maximizing the function of the space. Integrating millwork or cabinetry built-ins provides an opportunity to fully utilize every square inch of our real estate investments, at the same time increasing it’s value and adding drama in the right places. You can also give new life and purpose to an under-utilized area with custom designed built-ins. There are “found” spaces everywhere if you just take a closer look. Even in the smallest of bathrooms, the wall area above the toilet is a perfect place to install a series of shelves to hold supplies or display accessories. The back wall can be dressed up with contrasting paint, wall covering, or a decorative patterned wall tile. Take a look at your kitchen. More than often, the space above windows is overlooked. Why not install a shelf or narrow display niche for trays or accessories? Small, thoughtful touches like this are the details giving uniqueness and character to a room.

hrough the power of transformation, this under-utilized hall landing was the perfect place to install linen closets at each side of the new window that replaced an unecessary door, maximizing the “footprint” with shelving and bench seat, creating a cozy niche to snuggle up for a read.

hall landing, after dining bench seating at window

healthy, happy, balanced life

LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE

uilt-ins can maximize the footprint of a particular furnishing. In this family room, an entertainment unit houses media equipment, drawers for dvds, books. Sliding doors keep everything neatly hidden until needed.

entertainment unit

storage bench / closet at entry

LifestylesMagazine.ca would like to congratulate Nancy Lem, Nancy Lem Design, for winning the houzz.com 2014 Interior Decoration Customer Satisfaction Award. We are proud to feature her articles in our magazine. Nancy Lem, Interior Designer | www.NancyLemDesign.com

healthy, happy, balanced life

LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE

A pain in your back … yard Spend less time maintaining your outdoor space and more time enjoying it

ith busier schedules, changing priorities and an unreasonably short spring, today’s homeowner wants to be able to maximize their available downtime and minimize the hours spent on household chores. We all have our ‘must-do’ list when it comes to maintaining the house. We also have our ‘should-do’ list that we get to if nothing better comes along. It’s easy to ignore the backyard at the end of a long workday, thinking that we will get to those jobs on the weekend. I have a better idea, why don’t we cut the workload so you have fewer items on your list to being with? Here are my top five tips for reducing your yard work this summer. Instead of filling the gardens with plants, try adding some non-living décor. I hate to use the term garden art because it brings up images of painted metal flowers or even garden

gnomes pushing wheelbarrows. Instead, I’m suggesting that you add items of interest to the garden. Funky birdhouses, architectural metal shapes, even tall wood obelisks all make for an interesting garden space and once they are in, require zero effort to maintain! In fact, most of these items look better with age. Take the time this spring to sharpen all of your tools. We all know that kitchen knives work better when they are sharp. The same is true for all of the blades on your yard tools. Make sure you sharpen the blades on the mower and your pruners. No one wants to have to go over a section of the lawn more than once or have to try and ‘chew’ through a branch with dull pruners. If you can’t do it yourself, make sure you take it to someone who can. I’ve started using wood that is pre-stained for all of my decks and fences. There are lots of products entering the market that promise easy care and maintenance for

our wood surfaces. My go-to is MicroPro Sienna. It’s the same price as the pressure treated wood, but because it’s been treated with a great brown shade, I don’t need to stain it every spring. I love that it looks like expensive cedar but costs a fraction of the price and most importantly, reduces the amount of time I spend caring for it to almost nothing. I’m pretty vocal about this one. I hate weeding. I REALLY hate weeding. My secret to avoid weeding all summer is newspaper! We’ve all heard about using mulch in a garden around the plants to prevent weed growth, and it does work…some of the time. I learned a simple technique of lining the beds with 7 layers of simple newspaper and then adding mulch on top of it. The reason this works so well is because the newspaper takes away one component that weeds need to grow, light. The newspaper will also naturally breakdown under the mulch adding nutrients to the soil below. Use colourful planters instead of colourful plants to add impact to your space. Plants that flower generally require more care and attention than ones that do not. The other big challenge with using plants to create colourful impact is that

most perennials and several annuals only bloom for a few weeks. If you want reds, blues or oranges at your front door or on the deck, choose a container that already has them and fill it with lush ferns or rich grasses. Now, you’ll have exactly the look you want for your space… all summer long. Try my few simple tricks and enjoy your weekends this year. And when you’re sitting on your deck or patio and everything looks great with minimal effort, don’t forget to raise a glass and send a toast my way. Carson Arthur www.carsonarthur.com When not in the dirt with his eco-friendly landscape design company, Carson stays busy building, planting, writing or designing as a featured guest on CityLine. His new show Critical Listings is currently airing on HGTV Canada.

Homes O R I L L I A

SPRING & SUMMER 2014

publication

mortgage financing for HOME UPGRADES fresh colour for KITCHEN CABINETS creating a rainwater HARVEST SYSTEM safety tips for POWER WASHING tips for restoring SECONDHAND FURNITURE Subscribe

a e r a &e a i su l l i is r O s l ia onu c pe b

Online

FREE scan to subscribe

Purchase Plus Improvements vs. The Seven Year Wait

Lifestyles Check out our new website!

SubscribeOnlineFREE

Check Out Our New Website For All The Articles & Information That Didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Fit Into This Issue!

Considerations in financing the upgrades to your home

hen buying a new property it is often difficult to find the right place at the right price. Taking into consideration the neighborhood and all the opportunities available, you may decide to purchase a home in need of a new kitchen and/or a new bathroom. In this case there are new options available to you in mortgaging your new home. One such program allows the homeowner to borrow 20 percent of the initial value up to $40,000 while another offers 10 percent of initial value with no maximum. These programs are available for your primary residence and not for the purchase of a rental property. When considering these options, it is necessary to get an estimate from a contractor and/or a local home building centre as to how much the improvements will cost. Work must be completed in approximately three months along with a letter from your contractor to this effect, in order to get the balance of your mortgage released. This ensures the money goes to the specific renovation and not somewhere else. The lending value is based on the lesser of the improved property value or the sum of the purchase price/value plus direct costs associated with the improvements. Estimates on construction costs for improvements are required upfront with your mortgage application. Examples of qualifying expenses include: adding a garage; new roof; updated flooring; anything from adding granite countertops, to a full kitchen; updated wiring (required for knob and tube); adding a pool and landscaping. Examples of non-qualifying expenses include: fixing a leaky condo; fixing a former grow op; asbestos UFFI/insulbrick removal; major structural repair. This is just one example of the options available to you from various lenders to ensure that your mortgage gets you the home and the flexibility you need. Speaking with your local mortgage broker can open up more lending opportunities than perhaps you can with a traditional bank which usually offers strict and prepackaged rates and terms that may not fit your particular set of needs. One of the many reasons talking to your local mortgage broker is among the best investments you can make in your homes future and financing is the diversity of the lenders mortgage brokers have access to. This, along with the ability to show you real time comparisons at rates (from your own bank) that may even beat your local branch without pulling your credit multiple times and negatively impacting your chances of getting a great rate. Mark Goode www.MarkGoode.ca

LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE

healthy, happy, balanced life

Add some fresh colour to your kitchen cabinets Freshly painted cabinets can give a kitchen an entirely new look at a fraction of the cost of a full-scale kitchen remodel.

any homeowners dream of giving their kitchens a full-scale remodel. Though such a project can give a kitchen an entirely new look, that look does not come cheap. According to Remodeling magazine’s 2013 “Cost vs. Value Report,” homeowners can expect to spend more than $53,000 on a major kitchen remodel and recoup just below 70 percent of that cost at resale. So while the idea of a fullscale kitchen remodel might be a dream project, the cost of such an undertaking is beyond many homeowners’ budgets. But homeowners who cannot afford a full remodel can still give their kitchens a new look and can do so for relatively little money. Painting kitchen cabinets a new colour or simply giving fading cabinets a fresh coat of paint can instantly add life to a kitchen, giving the room an entirely different feel without breaking the bank. The following are a few tips for homeowners planning to paint their kitchen cabinets. Assess your existing cabinets. Some cabinet materials, including wood and metal, can be repainted without much of a fuss. But other materials, including plastic laminate, are not so amenable to repainting, and will likely require specialty paints. Homeowners with plastic laminate cabinets should first paint a spot or

two with a sample paint, being careful to choose a spot that’s concealed. If the paint bonds well to the plastic laminate, then you can go forward and buy enough paint to redo all of the cabinets. If the paint does not take, consult a professional to find a paint that’s likely to be a better fit. Expect this process to be one of trial and error. Plan for ornate cabinets to take a little longer. Painting projects will go faster when cabinets have flat fronts, but they can take considerably longer when cabinets are unique and more detailed. If your cabinets are ornate, then factor this extra time into your schedule. Remove the doors and hardware. When painting cabinets, it’s best to essentially disassemble them, removing the doors, handles, knobs, latches, and any additional hardware. When removing hardware, be sure to set them aside in clearly marked plastic bags so it’s easier to reassemble the cabinets once the fresh coat of paint has dried. As doors are removed, number each door and its corresponding location, much like products that require assembly are numbered at the factory. This makes it easier to reassemble and ensures the cabinets and their hinges will align properly once you have finished painting. Don’t paint dirty surfaces. Cabinet surfaces have likely collected their share of dirt, grease and grime over the years, so you want to clean these surfaces thoroughly before painting. Once surfaces have been cleaned, rinse them off and give them ample time to dry. Sand the surfaces. Once the surfaces have been cleaned and are completely dry, it’s time to start sanding them. Lightly sand the doors using a wood sanding block, working to create a firm base to which fresh paint can easily adhere.

Areas that are most exposed to wear and tear may require some extra elbow grease, and some areas may be especially flaky. When old paint is flaking off, this means the previous finish did not adhere very well to the surface, which is not necessarily uncommon in kitchens, where moisture and grease residue can make it harder for paint to adhere to the surface. In such instances, sand the flaky areas to the bare wood before spotpriming with a primer or sealer designed for areas with heavy staining. After all of the sanding is complete, vacuum the surfaces to ensure there is no leftover sanding dust before painting. Apply primer-sealer. Primer-sealer ensures the fresh paint will bond well to the surfaces, preventing conditions like flaking in the future. Paint the cabinets. After the primer-sealer has been applied, it’s time to paint the cabinets. Begin with the inside edges and openings of the face frames, followed by the outer cabinet sides and then the front of the frames. Then move on to the cabinet doors and any drawer fronts you might be painting as well. Cabinets with more elaborate designs require closer attention to detail than flat cabinets. When painting, opt for thin coats, which dry more quickly and also create fewer visible brushstrokes. When applying multiple coats, allow the paint ample time to dry between coats. Four hours between coats is a good rule of thumb, and lightly resand all surfaces before applying the second and final coat of paint. Reassemble the cabinets. Once the final coat of paint has fully dried, carefully reassemble your cabinets and then enjoy the fresh and inexpensive new look that your freshly painted cabinets have created.

healthy, happy, balanced life

How to create a rainwater harvesting system

Rather than have rainwater flow out of downspouts to the ground, homeowners can collect that rainwater in barrels to use it as a sustainable source of water.

ainwater collection is a way to conserve water that can be adopted by both private homeowners and businesses. Harvesting water during peak times of precipitation ensures water will be on hand during drought or when water restrictions are implemented. Making use of rainwater reduces reliance on underground wells or municipal water systems. Harvesting rainwater also can help prevent flooding and soil erosion. The average homeowner can collect thousands of gallons of rainwater each year. To learn just how much water can be harvested, as well as how many natural resources can be produced from that rain, visit www.save-therain.com, where men and women can calculate their rain collection potential by geographic location and average rainfall. Afterward, homeowners may be inclined to establish their own rainwater harvesting systems. Here is how to get started.

Determine your roofing material. Potable water can be harvested from homes with sheet metal or slate roofing. Clay or adobe tiles also may be acceptable. Asphalt, wood shingles and tar roofs may leach toxic chemicals into the water, making it unsafe for drinking. This rainwater may only be collected to use for irrigation methods or washing cars and outdoor items. Check gutter materials. Some gutters are made with lead soldering components. A commercial lead swab test can help you determine if there is lead present in your gutters. At a later time you can choose to replace the gutters if you desire a potable supply of water. Invest in a collection tank or barrel. A number of manufacturers offer prefabricated rain collection systems complete with collection barrels. Otherwise, you can use your own barrel or tank to house the collected water. Ensure it is large enough to handle the volume of water collected. Purchase and install leaf guards. If your home is surrounded by many trees, you probably accumulate leaf and tree debris in your home gutters and downspouts. Leaf guards will help keep the gutters clear and increase water flow through the water

LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE

collection system. Create a water collection area. A portion of the gutter system should be removed so that it connects to the collection barrel or tank. As the rain falls, it will run down the roof and into the gutters before it streams into the downspouts. The downspout connected to the tank will deposit the water directly inside. Filters can be installed to help block the flow of debris. Outfit the tank for overflow and water usage. A spigot and hose connection makes it easy to use the collected water for outdoor purposes. Many rainwater collection systems are designed with an overflow safeguard that will prevent the water from backing up through the system. It will divert the rainwater back out of the downspout when the barrel or tank is full. A rainwater collection system harnesses a natural source of water to be used for gardens and other outdoor purposes. This water doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t contain chlorine or other additives, making it relatively clean and safe to use. Homeowners should check to see if a permit is necessary to install a rainwater collection system and then begin gathering water for various uses.

LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE

Prioritize safety when power washing

healthy, happy, balanced life

Pressure washers have various levels of power. Some may be effective for washing cars, while stronger settings are often most effective at cleaning home siding.

atios, decks and outdoor entertaining areas often need some TLC. Homeowners looking forward to enjoying the warm air again often start their annual chore of readying such areas for the entertaining season in the spring, and cleaning outdoor furniture and entertaining areas is a big part of that process. Very often individuals turn to pressure washing machines to clean such areas. While pressure and power washers are effective, they also can be dangerous if homeowners donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t prioritize safety when operating these machines. Pressure washing machines come in many varieties, and not all are created equal. Smaller, electric powered systems may be effective for cars and boats but ineffective at cleaning grime on a house or driveway. Pressure washers also may have hot or cold water supplies. Hot water can help cleaning detergents emulsify dirt faster and more effectively than cold water. The cleaning capacity of these machines is measured in cleaning units or the water pressure multiplied by the flow rate. The higher the cleaning units, the greater the cleaning power of the device. But more powerful tools also carry a greater safety risk, highlighting the importance users must place on safety when operating such machines. The following are a few safety tips homeowners

can employ to ensure their next power washing project goes off without a hitch. Clear away furniture and any obstacles from the area where you will be cleaning. You want the area to be free of tripping hazards or items that can be damaged by the spray. Keep children and pets away from the area while the cleaning is taking place. Pressure washers are powerful, and highly pressurized water spray can cause injuries. Slips and falls on wet surfaces may occur, and high-pressure injection can happen when water and chemicals penetrate the skin and cause tissue damage. Eye and ear protection should be worn at all times when working with a pressure washer. Many pressure washers work better when used in conjunction with some type of cleaning solution. A combination of bleach and water will help loosen dirt and will require less pressure from the washer. As you grow accustomed to the power of the washer, it is best to adjust the nozzle to a wide angle fan and the lowest pressure setting to see how effectively it cleans a given surface. Increase pressure accordingly as the project progresses. Making the water stream too narrow could cause damage. It takes time to learn the subtleties of the machine, so users should allow themselves ample

time to grow comfortable with the machine. Keep the pressure wand 10 to 12 inches away from the surface that needs cleaning. Make small passes and check the cleaned area, adjusting the pressure and stream accordingly. Begin in the farthest corner of a deck, driveway or patio and the highest spot of a home. Use slow, even sweeps with the pressure wand, being careful to maintain an equal distance from the tip to the work surface. This helps to ensure even cleaning and reduces the chances of streaks and overlapping of the pressure spray. When working on a home, avoid spraying the water at a steep angle under siding or directly into corners. Do not spray under the edges of window or doors. Use caution around dryer and attic vents as well. You may end up soaking the inside of the home or cause water damage unwittingly. Always use caution when operating a pressure washer while on a ladder. The power of the device can easily compromise your balance. If ever you feel uncomfortable using the pressure washer, stop and consider hiring a professional. It is much better to make that investment rather than damage your home or risk injury.

healthy, happy, balanced life

LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE

Ideas on restoring secondhand furniture

en and women furnish their homes and apartments in various ways. For some, home furnishings are an extension of their personalities, while others prioritize budget over style when furnishing their domiciles. Secondhand furniture has long been used to furnish homes and apartments. While young people working with tight budgets and living in their first apartments might be the most likely to rely on secondhand furniture, such items are not exclusive to recent college graduates and young professionals. Homeowners with a love of antiques or those who simply canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t resist thrift store bargains also are likely to lean on secondhand furniture. Used furnishings range from expensive highend antiques to bargain bin chairs and couches found in thrift stores or purchased online. Pricey antiques often come fully restored, but that still leaves legions of shoppers who need to bring their secondhand furnishings back to life. The following are a few ways to do just that. Embrace your inner Picasso. A fresh coat of paint can go a long way toward stylizing

secondhand furniture. Items that have been through a lot before making it to your home may benefit from some sanding before receiving a fresh coat of paint. Once items have been sanded, smoothed and cleaned, apply some primer before dusting off your paintbrush. Primer makes it easier for the fresh coat of paint to bond to the furniture, making it less likely that the new coat will chip or crack in the months to come. After applying primer, the painting can commence. Two to three coats should be sufficient to give the item a fresh new look. Allow the item to dry for several hours before showing it off and putting it to good use. Upgrade old upholstery. Old chairs and couches tend to have ample wear and tear. But such items are still useful as long as their bones are still sturdy, even if cushions have flattened out and fabric is suffering from tears or stains. Reupholstering old furniture can turn inexpensive but worn down older items into seemingly brand new pieces at a fraction of the cost of new furniture. The following supplies are necessary to successfully reupholster furniture:

Classic & Elegant Design in High Quality Products... We provide that!

Orillia

85 Commerce Road 705-325-7225

Kitchener

241 Shoemaker Street 519-743-6827

Etobicoke

65 Worcester Road 416-213-1505

LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE

• needle-nose pliers • camera or notepaper and pencil • marking pen • scissors • staple gun and staples, 3⁄8- or 5⁄16-inch • 1⁄2-inch batting • upholstery fabric (chairs typically require 5 yards) • straight pins • 5⁄32-inch welt cord • sewing machine • upholstery-weight thread • tack strips • fabric glue, optional • upholstery tacks or nailhead rim, optional • black breathable fabric for the underside of furniture Reupholstering furniture can be a tedious process, and one novices might want to leave to the professionals. The cost of reupholstering secondhand furniture bought at a garage sale, thrift store or private seller online is likely still less expensive than buying a new piece,

healthy, happy, balanced life

so you might still make out in the long run. If reupholstering proves too expensive but the furniture still has ample and comfortable cushioning, consider employing a slip cover to hide stained or torn upholstery. Slip covers are typically inexpensive, and they can be purchased in various colours. Wash away years of wear and tear. Restoring secondhand furniture can sometimes be as easy as washing away years of wear and tear. Old chests of drawers, dressers or armoires might just need a good scrubbing to look as good as new. Before cleaning older furniture, remove the old wax with a stripper bought at a hardware store. Old coats of wax can prevent cleaners from reaching the surface of the furniture, so they must be removed for cleaning products to be effective. When cleaning old furniture, it’s a good idea to solicit advice from antique

dealers, who can help you avoid damaging the piece even further. A small amount of dishwashing liquid mixed with warm water can be used to gently clean old wax off of furniture. When applying such a mixture, be careful to avoid soaking the item or letting the mixture pool on its surface. Work slowly, gradually cleaning small areas one by one and wiping them down with a damp cloth to ensure wax and other residue has vanished completely. Once the item has been thoroughly cleaned and been given ample time to dry, you can apply a new coat of wax. Older furniture can be both practical and chic, and there are many ways to bring such items back to life without breaking the bank.

Unbeatable Quality & Pricing

ALL FIRST TIME OFFERED! Contractor pricing to the public!

From Our House to Your Home at a Price Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll Love

Your Full Renovation Specialists Come and see for yourself at our 2500sq.ft. showroom 1585 Hwy 11 North, Shanty Bay

[Just 7 kms N of Barrie on the east side of Hwy 11N-Gasoline Alley]

705.722.3355 | 1-800-242-8087 www.kitchenandbathdesignhouse.com

NOW AVAILABLE FINANCING

healthy, happy, balanced life

LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE

5 simple steps to...

Spring Into A New You As the seasons slowly change from winter to summer, cold to warm, pants to shorts, not only should we enjoy this weather, but we should embrace it. It has been a long winter and our bodies need a new and fresh start. Here are some helpful hints on what you can do to work alongside the sunshine.

1 Go Outside

something right for you. It’s as easy as adding healthier options or taking out one bad habit per week. You can also try out a local farmers market or produce store to get a healthy intake of local fruits and vegetables this summer.

Since it feels like we have been cooped up in a freezer for the last five months, it’s time we get outside and enjoy it. Our bodies have lacked getting a vitamin D intake for this long and our bodies need to replenish themselves. You can do this by soaking up the sun. Find something active to do outside for at least 20 minutes a day. Get a friend and join a running group, a team sport, a fun run (i.e. Warrior Dash) or even a marathon. Challenge yourself, keep it fun and get outside!

Nutrition Is Key As much as exercise is very important to our health and well-being, eating proper foods that will help fuel your body will make these workouts go that much further. Starting fresh with some new recipes and meal plan ideas can be healthy not only for your body, but also for your mind. Over the cold months we sometimes indulge in some unhealthy food choices. Create a meal plan or speak to a professional that can help you choose

New Goals Take a moment and think of where you would like to see yourself in a year from now, look at that as the big picture. Now look at what you think you can achieve to help reach that goal within the next three months. Creating new short term goals can help keep you on track to be where you eventually want to be. Reaching goals means taking chances and stepping out of your comfort zone. These goals don’t come easy and they take time but now is perfect to start fresh and create positive motivation for yourself. Whether it be a trip, a wedding, a family reunion or special occasion you may have, take this opportunity to do something for you.

New Workout Gear

Like you started fresh with a new exercise and nutrition routine, also get yourself new workout clothes or running shoes to really get yourself in the zone. Feeling good also goes along with looking good. You have made it this far in wanting to become a better you, reward yourself.

Create Positive Atmosphere

Always remember the reason you started in the first place. The goals you have set, the time it may take and the effort you will put in come from a mindset that you must create for yourself. Surround yourself with people who have a positive attitude about what you are trying to achieve. They may be family, co-workers, friends or workout buddies. Use these people to help you reach your goals. Also remember that these people may need help as well. Being a positive influence to yourself is just as important as being one for somebody else. Everyone has their own struggle and goal they are trying to reach and every ounce of support will help. Create a plan for yourself and do what makes you happy. Make healthy choices and live life. Jessica Brown, CSEP-CPT www.anytimefitness.com

healthy, happy, balanced life

LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE

How to go green at the grocery store

Great Places to Eat

...your favourite local restaurants

money, but you will avoid throwing out spoiled foods as well. Purchase store-made items. If you’re looking for deli meats or bread for dinner, visit the stores’ bakeries, kitchens and delis, where employees cook foods right inside of the supermarket, a practice that cuts down on shipping of pre-made frozen foods produced elsewhere. Many stores carry their own homemade breads, cakes, doughnuts, dinner entrees, and sandwiches.

Don’t miss an issue!

SubscribeOnlineFREE Look for our new website

hile adopting an eco-friendly lifestyle might seem like a major commitment, many people find such an endeavour is far easier than they expected, as some relatively minor changes can make a substantial impact on the environment. One of the easiest ways to go green is to make more eco-friendly choices at the grocery store. Shopping for and preparing meals can be done in an eco-friendly way, and you will be happy to know they’re not only making changes that benefit the planet but for personal health as well. Here are some ideas for going green at the grocery store that do not require a big commitment. Begin in the produce aisle. When shopping for produce, stock up on plenty of organic fruits and vegetables, which are now readily available at many grocery stores. Stick to organic for the “dirty dozen” foods, those which are the most likely to have high levels of residual pesticides and herbicides. Even produce that is not labeled “organic” may be organic. To determine if it is, look at the sticker codes on the fruits and vegetables. A four-digit code means it was conventionally grown, while five-digit codes starting with an eight indicate genetically modified food. A five-digit code starting with nine indicates the item is organic. While shopping, ask the produce manager if the store sells locally grown produce, and purchase only those products when they are available. Buy only what you need. Shoppers are often tempted to go from aisle to aisle, buying items they need and don’t need. Caving to temptation can be wasteful unless items purchased have long shelf lives. Before shopping, make a list and stick with it. Not only will you save

Eco-friendly shoppers can focus on organic items, including produce, to decrease their carbon footprints. Ask questions in the meat department. Don’t be shy about asking store butchers where the beef and chicken for sale comes from. If the meat and poultry is not locally raised and all-natural, look for alternatives in the store or shop elsewhere. Shop only the perimeter of the store. Many stores stock dietary staples along the outer edges of the store. The interior bulk of the store contains packaged, processed foods that are not as eco-friendly. Buy in bulk whenever possible. Stock up on staples like toilet paper and other items. Bulk items are packaged together, which reduces the amount of packaging needed. Separate meat and poultry into smaller portion sizes at home before freezing. Bring reusable tote bags. Even though many plastic shopping bags are made from recycled materials, many of these bags end up in the trash after use. Reusable cloth bags are more eco-friendly. Just be sure to wash them frequently so you clean them of any bacteria that may accumulate over time.

healthy, happy, balanced life

LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE

make pizza

How to healthier

izza may have had humble beginnings, but today it is one of the most popular foods worldwide. More than five billion pizzas are sold across the globe each year, and pizza accounts for 10 percent of all food service sales. Although pizza has many positive attributes, few consider pizza a healthy meal. Laden with cheese and high calorie meats, pizza is often referred to as a guilty pleasure. However, there are a variety of ways to make the pizza you love better for your body. Downplay the cheese. Pizza originated in Naples, Italy, and it has been said the first pizzas were comprised of just dough and sauce and no cheese. Restaurants that favour more authentic pizzas of the past will not rely heavily on cheese when preparing their pizzas. Instead of ordering a pizza with extra cheese, opt for minimal cheese to add just a subtle component of flavor to the pizza. Such an alteration to the recipe can reduce the saturated fat and cholesterol in pizza by a considerable amount. Savour the tomatoes. Tomatoes provide a bevy of health benefits. The carotenoids, specifically lycopene, found in tomatoes have a number of beneficial properties, including preventing the oxidation of LDL cholesterol. According to a report from researchers at Athens Medical School that was published in Nutrition Research, a daily 70 gram portion of tomato paste containing roughly 33 mg of lycopene was associated with an improvement in flow-mediated dilation, a measure of a blood vesselâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to relax. Tomatoes can help lower blood pressure, and they provide other heart benefits as well. Enjoying extra sauce on pizza and supplementing

with sliced, cooked tomatoes can help m a k e p i z z a healthier. Choose whole wheat crust. More restaurants are adding whole grain pizzas to their menus. By switching to a whole wheat crust, you can boost your fibre intake by as much as 50 percent. High fibre foods help to regulate cholesterol levels in the blood and help you to feel fuller longer, reducing the likelihood that you will overeat. Fibre also helps the digestive tract by making a person more regular. Wholegrain foods have a lower glycemic index than processed grains as well, meaning they wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t cause rapid blood sugar spikes, which can be advantageous to those with diabetes. Top pizza with vegetables. Instead of salt and fat heavy meats like pepperoni, ham or sausage, top your pizza with fresh vegetables. Peppers, tomatoes, olives, broccoli, and spinach each deliver a wealth of vitamins and minerals, and are a great way to add more fibre to your diet. Opt for thin crust. Different areas of the country and the world favour different types of pizza. In the United States, New Yorkers prefer thin crust pizza while the Windy City is synonymous with deep-dish pizza. While the debate continues

as to which type of crust is better, switching to a thinner crust may have certain health benefits. Thick crusts pack more calories into each and every slice. When paired with cheese and other toppings, a slice of deep dish pizza, while delicious, may contain more calories than is wise to eat in one sitting. Brick oven pizza parlours generally offer whisper thin crusts sparingly touched with cheese, sauce and basil to produce the classic Margherita pie, making such pizza a healthier alternative than New York or Chicago style pizza. Pair pizza with salad. One way to make pizza healthier is to avoid overindulging. It is easy to overdo it with pizza, but try to cut your portion size in half, replacing that extra slice of pizza with a salad or side order of steamed vegetables to fill up without overindulging. Pizza is a popular food across the globe. And while pizza may not be the healthiest food, a few simple ingredient changes can make pizza a much more nutritional meal.

healthy, happy, balanced life

ooking over an open fire is a staple of warm weather entertaining. Tossing some steaks or vegetables on the grill for a family dinner is usually an easy undertaking. But even the craftiest grill cooks may need to apply some tricks of the trade when grilling foods for the masses. Cook a large piece of meat. Rather than individual burgers or chicken wings, think about barbecuing an entire pig or a roast. In many cases, the meat can be set up on the barbecue early in the morning. By the time the evening arrives, the meat should be tender and cooked through. With just occasional checking, turning and basting, this may be the most lowmaintenance option when feeding a crowd. Rent or borrow a second grill. Unless you are working on industrial-sized or commercial equipment, a standard grill may not have enough surface area to cook a lot of food at once. Find a friend or a family member who can lend you their grill. Having twice the room means you can cook twice the amount of food. You also

may be able to rent a larger grill for an event. Precook the food. You can put bratwurst, hot dogs or burgers on the grill to partially cook them before the party, then store them in aluminum pans. When guests arrive, simply reheat the food to the right temperature and they’ll be hot and ready in no time. Make steak sandwiches. Make the food go further with less work by cooking rib eye steaks or flank steaks on the grill. Slice up the meat and serve over garlic bread with melted jack or mozzarella cheese. The result will be savory and such sandwiches don’t take much time. Opt for pulled pork. Start the basics of pulled pork in a slow cooker so that the meat cooks for several hours under low heat. If you have a smoker, you can opt use that, but smokers may take longer to cook the meat and require more maintenance. If you opt for the slow cooker, transfer the meat to an aluminum pan when it is nearly done and put on the grill to impart that smoky flavor. Add more seasonings and keep warm until guests are ready to dine. Go with hot dogs. Hot dogs are usually precooked and will heat up quickly on the grill. Their small size means they don’t take up much space and several can fit on the grill at one time. Grilling for a crowd is easier when you plan precooked foods that heat up quickly. This way you can enjoy more time with your guests.

LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE

Strawberry Spinach Salad Ingredients Original recipe makes 4 servings. 1/2 cup white sugar 2 tablespoons sesame seeds 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil 1 tablespoon poppy seeds 1 1/2 teaspoons dried minced onion 1/4 teaspoon paprika 1/2 cup vegetable oil 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar 2 bunches fresh spinach - chopped, washed and dried 1 pint strawberries, halved

Directions 1. Whisk together the sugar, sesame seeds, sesame oil, poppy seeds, dried onion, paprika, oil and vinegar. Refrigerate until chilled. 2. In a salad bowl, combine the spinach and strawberries. Drizzle with dressing, toss lightly and serve.

healthy, happy, balanced life

LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE

Decreasing family

screen time

xcessive screen time can lead to sleep and eating disorders, interfere with a person’s ability to focus and negatively affect a person’s performance at school or work. Getting a family active and reducing time spent in front of a screen can have profound effects, and reducing screen time doesn’t have to be difficult. Gradually implement changes. Families immersed in electronic devices can cut down on screen time slowly and over the course of several weeks rather than tuning out cold turkey. Start by reducing time spent watching television or playing video games by one hour per week, and gradually reduce time spent devoted to such activities in the ensuing weeks. Hide devices. The mantra, “out of sight, out of mind” can work with respect to digital devices. If tablets or smartphones are tucked away, family members may feel less inclined to reach for them at any given time. Just as you wouldn’t stock your pantry full of fattening foods while trying to lose weight, don’t make digital devices readily available throughout the day. Keep televisions out of the bedroom. Keep the television in a shared area of the house so that time spent watching the TV can be monitored and adjusted. Establish guidelines. Set firm limits on how much screen time will be allowed per day and stick with it. Adults can lead by example. Plan more family activities. Boredom can easily give way to time spent fooling around on the Internet or channel surfing. Parents should have a cache of ideas at the ready that promote active family time. Neighborhood walks or tossing around a baseball in the yard are enjoyable activities that cut back on time spent being sedentary. Encourage indoor activities, such as puzzles or board games, if the weather is not cooperating.

We carry a large selection of Mind/Body/Spirit Books, Crystals & Stones, Unique Gifts, Statuary, Incense, Divination & Healing Tools.

We also specialize in Alternative Health Services, Ion Spa Detox Foot bath, Amethyst Bio Mat Intuitive Readings and Classes.

“Outfitters for Your Soul’s Journey”

33 Mississaga St. E., Downtown Orillia 325-0461 • www.windspiritweb.com

healthy, happy, balanced life

o many resorts are billed as the best for families, and do live up to the hype for the throngs of visitors who plan vacations each and every year. But if your’s is a family that would be interested in avoiding the long lines and the franchised fun, you may be happy to know you are in good company. It’s possible to manufacture your own family vacation without partaking in one of the pre-assembled family plans. According to the travel planning site Expedia®, a few countries are more “vacation deprived” than others. These include the United States, Canada, Mexico, Singapore, Japan and South Korea. North Americans earn fewer vacation days than most countries. Even still, they’re also more likely to leave two or more days of earned vacation time unused. Affordability and saving days for future obligations is why people are apt to squander away vacation time. When vacations are taken, however, families could want to maximize time spent together and look for some key features. When planning your next family quest, consider these vacation pointers. Just because a hotel or resort is not billed as a family place doesn’t mean it isn’t family friendly. Read reviews from people who have stayed at the hotel. See how they rate the hotel in terms of amenities and figure out what strengths the property has. If people remark about the romantic atmosphere, it probably caters to couples. If an array of food options and activities are touted, the hotel could be good for families. Choose a resort that offers babysitting services or a few child-central activities. While the goal of the family vacation is to spend time together, there are likely to be moments when each person may want to do his own thing. Parents looking for some time away will benefit from a resort that has a childcare center on the property. Plus, kids

Make your own family friendly vacation

LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE

may appreciate being independent from their some of these intense plans. That isn’t to parents for a few hours and having fun with say you cannot try things outside of the others their own ages. comfort zone. While you may not be able to Find a destination with a mix of ethnic scuba dive, you may be able to snorkel with and familiar cuisine. Of all the people in the a toddler coasting along on an inflatable raft. family, children tend to be the most finicky Or, you may need to bring a child carrier when it comes to dining options. Some along for a challenging hike. Cater to your parents are lucky enough to have kids open “weakest link” so you are not left with high to any and all food suggestions, but most expectations and cranky kids. have children who have a few favourites and Schedule in some down time to just don’t stray far from those options. Therefore, enjoy your surroundings. The vacation opt for a port of call that not only enables cannot be all about a strict itinerary. With you to sample the local cuisine, but also children along for the experience, they’ll has a chain restaurant or familiar foods that appreciate some moments to just venture and children will be sure to eat. explore or engage in some imaginative play. Think outside the hotel box. When Don’t feel the need to over-schedule every vacation deals pop up on your Internet search minute of the vacation. Otherwise you may engines, it can be easy to think these plans leave feeling more spent than relaxed. are the only ones out there. However, with Don’t cut too many corners. A couple a little more research and work, families traveling may be able to make due with can often custom tailor a vacation that the bare minimum, but the entire family is memorable. For example, many local traveling together will benefit from some property owners sublet their condominiums creature comforts. It could be wise to fly or vacation houses to others throughout the to your destination rather than enduring 12 year. Instead of booking a hotel in a resort, hours of the dreaded “Are we there yet?” you may be able to rent a house or condo for chant. Find a hotel that will offer some of a week so you will have more room to stretch the kids’ favourite cable channels, so they out — something that is advantageous with can catch up on cartoons while parents are an entire family in tow — and a kitchen to sleeping in. Opt for the two-room suite rather make a few meals “at home.” This saves than the efficiency if you can afford it, so on expenses and arguments over when and that everyone will have more elbow room. where to dine out. Splurge on that goofy $20 photo that shows Plan activities around your youngest the entire clan mouths agape while riding traveler. While you may want to scale down the log flume. Create memories that mountains or dive the depths of the ocean, you will want to recall for all of the good having a young child in tow may hamper reasons instead of the poor ones.

LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE

RecognizingCyberbullying B

efore social media became so prevalent, instances of bullying were somewhat easy to recognize. However, with a good majority of children now engaged in digital networking and social media, bullying may not end with the ringing of the school bell, and evidence of bullying may not be so readily apparent. According to Cyberbullying statistics from the i-SAFE foundation, more than half of adolescents and teens have been bullied online, and about the same number have engaged in cyberbullying. More than 80 percent of teens use a mobile phone regularly, making it the most popular form of technology and a common medium for repeated cyberbullying. Cyberbullying takes place through electronic technology and differs from traditional forms of bullying. Cyberbullying can occur via text messaging, blogging, updates to social media sites and phone conversations. What makes cyberbullying more difficult to detect and remedy than traditional bullying is that sometimes this type of bullying is veiled in secrecy. Those who engage in cyberbullying can create aliases and accounts under false names, allowing them to covertly engage in bullying behavior. As a result, tracking down bullies can be challenging. Although cyberbullying is on the rise, there are some things that parents and children can do to help put a stop to such unfortunate instances. Parents who feel their child is not emotionally ready for the responsibility of a digital device can hold back on purchasing a smartphone or choose one with very limited features. Some schools set strict limits on phone usage at school, and children who go only from school to home and vice versa may not have the need for an “emergency phone” that can open up a window for trouble. Adolescents and teens should feel comfortable talking with their parents without the fear of reprimand. Otherwise, they may hide instances of cyberbullying or not know how to broach sensitive topics like bullying. Parents can engage in conversation with their children often and stress that the doors of communication are always open. Teens should be made aware that cyberbullying is a very real occurrence and is not just other kids “having fun” or “joking.” If behavior is repetitive and hurtful, it should be made public and addressed. Parents can monitor and limit their children’s personal accounts. Some smartphone and tablet applications can be mirrored on the main account, enabling parents to see incoming text or video messages. A laptop or desktop computer should be placed in a shared space so that usage can be monitored. Parents can restrict tablet or smartphone usage to public areas. When online, children should be advised not to share personal information. Social media sites may be used by bullies to gather sensitive information about a person that can be used against them at a later time. Children should be urged to keep passwords secret and to never give information such as birthdays, phone numbers and addresses to people who aren’t close friends. Friend lists should be restricted to only those people students interact with frequently to minimize the chance for bullying or other inappropriate behavior. Teens who have been bullied can keep evidence of the bullying and may benefit from talking with a counselor. Cyberbullying is a growing concern for educators and parents and has far-reaching implications. Getting smart about this phenomenon can help staunch new cases of online bullying.

healthy, happy, balanced life

LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE

Wine Kits Verses Commercial Wines

ost wine kit manufacturers like Winexpert and RJ Spagnols buy from the same growers and brokers as do commercial wineries. As well, many work with the growers from the best grape growing regions of the world. For those who are new to wine making I thought I’d give you a brief overview of how kit manufacturers make their products. These companies are committed to providing the consumer with the best quality products possible. One of the biggest advantages of kit wines is the ability to use products from renowned wine regions from around the world all year long. The kit manufacturing companies receive samples at each harvest and contracts are negotiated individually to ensure they are sourcing the highest quality raw materials available. Products are sourced from, Chile, France, Australia, Spain, Italy, Germany, New Zealand, British Columbia and a host of other regions.

continuously being tested. Each harvest and shipment of raw materials requires the winemaker to continually be tweaking the blends to ensure that each wine delivers a consistent aroma and taste profile every time. Sterile bladders are packaged with applicable additives into the retail box. Following the instructions and using all ingredients provided is the best way to ensure that you create successful, great tasting wine every time. Once products are packaged and tested they are released and distributed to authorized retailers across the country. Retailers then have the option of Harvest/Crushing just following the instructions or tweaking Grapes are harvested when the onsite the kits in many different ways to meet winemaker and/or vineyard manager each individuals tastes. Examples of this deems the sugar content, acid levels and may include additions of oak, elderberries, the flavour characteristics of the grapes to elderflower, fresh or dried fruit, peppercorns, be optimal for making wine. Harvest time wine conditioners or other sweetening varies among grape varieties, some grape additions. Or, the exclusion of the additions varieties ripen more quickly than others. that were included with the kit. Many growers use mechanical harvesters Some retailers are now offering barrel to pick the grapes, however many of the aging, with oak casks, again the same and world’s vineyards are still picked by hand. or similar to the commercial side of the All processing of grapes is done by wineries business. Benefits of barrel aging like micro in the region of the vineyard. Once the oxygenation, will have to be left for our juices are clarified and stabilized they are next article. shipped to the kit manufacturing companies where they are tested prior to acceptance. Don Corrick To this stage, winery and wine kit WSET Level 1 Award In Wines (QCF) producer procedures and operations are www.wine-experience.ca very similar

Made in the Vineyard

Wine Kit Production

You often hear that wine is all about Terroir, the regions climate, weather, topography, and soil influences. Although Terroir is very important, poor vineyard practices can inherently affect even the most famous of wine regions. In many of the world’s great wine growing regions irrigation is not permitted while in others (particularly warm climate regions) irrigation is necessary for vine survival. For most growers fertilizers and pesticides are necessary to insure healthy vines and quality grapes. Strict regulations

and testing procedures are in place to insure that these agents are not detectable in the juice of the kits. Vines can be trained to grow in a variety of different ways and varies substantially between regions. Most vineyards train the vines using wires to secure the vines to give them support when laden with heavy fruit. Crop yield management ensures quality grapes. The idea is that low yields per acre of vines produce higher quality fruit. The fewer the bunches the better the grapes.

The goal during the production process is to preserve the natural character of the grape juices ensuring outstanding quality wines with distinctive flavours, bouquet and character. At the production facility the winemaker, blends the juices (and concentrates) to develop proprietary blends for it’s products. The products are created with the hobby winemaker clearly in mind. They are designed to create excellent quality wines consistently each and every time. The kit manufacturers have advanced laboratory technology which guarantees the highest quality wines. Products are

Call today for Full Itinerary Detailsâ&#x20AC;Ś 1.800.563.1885 or 705.645.2583 TICO #2065423

ON LAKE SIMCOE

LAKESIDE LUXURY COMING THIS SPRING! Poised where Lake Simcoe meets Lake Couchiching, Orchard Point Harbour is the waterfront community you’ve been waiting for. With a host of amenities including a lakeside pool, fitness centre, rooftop lounge, and an on-site Starport marina, Orchard Point Harbour brings new meaning to luxury lakeside living. Come home to the harbour that has it all. Luxurious 1 & 2 bedroom waterfront condos from 800 sq. ft. to over 2,000 sq. ft. Priced from the low $300,000’s to over one million*

1-888-713-7134

•

ORCHARDPOINT.CA

Sales Ofﬁce and Model Suites: 80 Orchard Pt. Road, Orillia | Hours: Thursday - Sunday: 12 - 5 pm or by appointment. *Prices and speciﬁcations are subject to change. E&OE.