November 2018  t8nmagazine.com
Illuminating
Mental Wellness From insight on SAD to lightening stress
Recline and Shine
8 indoor retreats for winter sun
Baking with Brown Butter The richest (most delicious) fall colour
Haute Chocolate
The most delightful way to cheer up
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Contents
T8N MAGAZINE
VOLUME 5 ISSUE 10 November 2018 PUBLISHER
EDITOR
Rob Lightfoot
Shauna Rudd
ART DIRECTION
Brenda Lakeman, Correna Saunders DESIGN & PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT
Correna Saunders PHOTOGRAPHY
Brenda Lakeman CONTRIBUTORS
Jaclyn Dawn, Jennie Drent, Rudy Howell, Markwell Lyon, Robert Michon, Shima Zonneveld EDITORIAL INTERN
Lisa Szabo OFFICE MANAGER
Janice Lightfoot CONTRIBUTING AGENCIES Image page 6 © luchioly/Adobe Stock Image page 7 © irache/Adobe Stock Image page 8 © galyna_p/Adobe Stock Image page 30 © Tatyana/Adobe Stock Image page 32 © incomible/Adobe Stock
Conversations 6
Weathering the Storm
For those who suffer from SAD, ’tis not the season to be jolly.
City 26
Parenting isn’t always a walk in the park—if you stray off the path just turn to the Centre.
Arts & Culture 11
The Violet Chocolate Company
28
Elevating our moods and our taste buds in the most delightful way.
16
Living 19
Spotlight 30
With its rich nutty flavour, browning butter is a technique you’ll want to stick with. 2 T8Nmagazine.com
Post-Secondary Stress Management
A refresher of five often overlooked coping strategies.
FOOD & GATHERINGS
Brown Butter Baking
THEN & NOW St. Albert’s Malls
Department stores have been around for a hundred years, but indoor ‘shopping malls’ are a fairly recent thing.
THE 8s
Hot spots to absorb some much-needed sunlight as the days get shorter.
MEET YOU THERE St. Albert Family Resource Centre
32
The Crosswalk
Find out how in (or out) of touch you are with the pop culture of our home and native land.
ISSN 2368-707X (PRINT) ISSN 2368-7088 (ONLINE)
For editorial inquiries or information, contact T8N magazine at info@t8nmagazine.com. Have something to say? Letters, suggestions or ideas can be sent to letters@t8nmagazine.com. FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION Rob Lightfoot rob@t8nmagazine.com 780 940 6212 or visit t8nmagazine.com T8N magazine is published 10-12 times a year by T8N Publishing Inc. Copyright ©2018 T8N Publishing Inc. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is strictly prohibited. Content marked by the Sponsored Content icon was produced in partnership between content producers and T8N magazine. PRINTED IN CANADA
T8N PUBLISHING INC PUBLISHER & PRESIDENT
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Weary & Co. Law Office Christine Maloney
It’s a word that can send even the most fearless people into a panic: Probate. We envision years of court battles that eat up any inheritance we were left by our loved one. But in fact, Probate is a relatively painless process if done correctly, and more often than not, a Will goes through Probate Court. To get a better understanding of this often misconstrued process, follow Gina through her experience with Probate. Tommy, Gina and their two sons were stunned by the news that Tommy had a terminal illness. They had barely come to terms with it when Tommy, who had just turned 67, took a sudden turn for the worse and passed. When the shock of his death had somewhat subsided, and she stopped dreaming of running away, Gina now had to focus on administrating her late husband’s estate. Like many spouses, most of Tommy and Gina’s assets were owned jointly and had a right of survivorship associated with them. These joint assets are usually quickly and easily dealt with. However, Tommy had inherited a share of his parents’ lake cabin. Gina’s friend told her that because this share is in Tommy’s name only, there’s no right of survivorship, and the Land Titles Office won’t do anything with the title until she gets Probate. This worried Gina, so, she made an appointment with her lawyer.
Tommy and Gina: Will Probate By Jennie Drent
Did You Know?
The length of time it takes to get a Grant of Probate issued by the Court largely depends on the Court’s workload, whether the Court has questions that need answers, and if all of the technical requirements of the Probate application package have been met. This can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months. Her lawyer explained that Probate is the process of submitting the deceased’s original Will to the Court and requesting that the Court issue a Grant of Probate. The Grant of Probate confirms that the Will is valid, and confirms the authority of the executor to administer the estate. The Grant is obtained by submitting a package of documents to the Court for review. Typically, no one appears in Court—this is what’s known as a ‘desk application.’
has more than $10,000 in a bank account that’s in his or her name only. Third party institutions like the Land Titles Office, banks, and life insurance companies require Probate to ensure that they’re dealing with a valid Will and an executor who has authority to act.
Probate is always required when the deceased owned real estate in his or her name alone. It’s almost always required when any of the deceased’s life insurance policies or registered assets, such as RRSPs, name the estate as the beneficiary. Probate is also usually required when the deceased
400 30 Green Grove, St. Albert, AB Phone: (780) 459-5596 wearyco.com This sponsored content was produced in partnership between Weary & Co. and T8N magazine.
From the Editor
WITH HALLOWEEN JUST behind us and Black
Friday, Cyber Monday and holiday madness coming right at us, the start of November is the calm before the storm. This is a time to take stock and recharge, and it’s why we’ve focused this issue around mental wellness. We start with a conversation around Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a form of depression related to lack of sunlight. But with the days getting shorter, sunlight is Shauna Rudd important for everyone to help keep spirits up, so we’ve highlighted eight warm and sunny spots to spend a few hours. We offer tips for managing academic stress, and though we’re not managing waistlines, comfort foods such as butter-rich baking and chocolate do have mood-lifting attributes (and dairy, so that’s good, right?). Before the holiday rush, take this time to breathe and tune in to your mental wellness —and tune up if need be. A wise man once said, “Don’t worry, be happy.” Easier sung than done, but doable nonetheless, with a little awareness and guidance. Peace out.
On the Cover Soaking up some precious ‘me’ time. Special thanks to our glowing cover model Trisha Lakeman.
Effortless. Practical. Beautiful.
Permanent makeup now available at both locations.
St. Albert 25 St. Michael Street 780 460 9971 Edmonton 11934–104 Avenue 780 424 2487
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Before
After
www.focusonyou.ca
Conversations
WEATHERING
THE STORM
Winter is coming, but for those who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder it’s not a festive season. BY MARKWELL LYON
WINTER DEPRESSION, SEASONAL depression, the winter
blues… the number of names alone that we have to describe seasonal affective disorder (SA D) is just one indicator of how deeply the down side of winter can affect us. What is already a least-favourite season for some is increasingly being recognized as a potential trigger for regularly recurring depression in some people.
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A Short History People have long recognized that seasonal changes can affect mood, especially in places with long, dark winters. The oral traditions of some northern cultures have words and terminology that note the relation between midwinter and mood disorders. In Sweden, there’s lappsjuka (“sickness of the Lapps”) while Iceland has skammdegisþunglyndi (“short-days’ depression”). Norwegians simply refer to mørketid—“murky time” or Polar Night as a season of low moods, when daylight is fleeting. Indeed, any society living up north knows how dreary winter can be. But in the medical community, acknowledgement has only come recently. Research began in the late 1970s, and by 1984 the condition had a name. In fact, several of SAD’s pioneering researchers were themselves seeking answers for their winter blues. The first to describe SAD and coin the name was psychiatrist Norman E. Rosenthal, after he and his wife experienced the disorder firsthand after moving from their native South Africa to New York City in 1976. Initially, descriptions and diagnoses of SAD were met with skepticism, but years of research, writing, and patient activism gradually shed some light on SAD, so to speak. It eventually found its way into Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), a publication by the American Psychiatric Association that serves as an authority on the subject. The change in attitude has been monumental. Not only is SAD accepted as a bona fide medical disorder, it’s recognized as a common experience in wintry countries. According to the Mood Disorder Association of Ontario, 2 to 6 percent of the Canadian population is afflicted with SAD and 15 percent experience a milder version of it. “From my perspective,” says Andrea Thrall, a registered psychologist at River’s Edge Counselling Centre in St. Albert, “the most apparent shift is a more commonplace acceptance of the symptoms of SAD as well as the treatment options.”
Seasons Change Certainly, the status of SAD has changed over time as our understanding of it has deepened. Whereas originally it was
SYMPTOMS OF SAD: WINTER AND SUMMER PATTERNS SAD carries many of the same symptoms as major depression. According to the National Institute of Mental Health in the US, season-specific symptoms can include the following: Winter • low energy • hypersomnia • overeating • weight gain • carbohydrate cravings • social withdrawal (hibernation)
Summer • loss of appetite • weight loss • agitation • anxiety • manic or violent behaviour
considered a unique illness, evidence now suggests that it’s actually a type of depression—hence its more accurate name in the fifth and latest edition of the DSM: Depressive Disorder with Seasonal Pattern. All the same, it’s easy to see why the SAD acronym has stuck in common parlance.
with symptoms appearing in the spring, worsening over the summer, and abating in autumn. Summer-onset SAD may also show similar symptoms including difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite, and anxiety.
Indeed, SAD has a lot in common with other depressive disorders in terms of symptoms: low energy, a loss of interest in enjoyable activities, difficulty concentrating, social withdrawal, anxiety, and hopelessness are a few of the common signs. What really marks SAD, though, is the seasonal aspect. “For me, the clearest sign is the tendency for symptoms to change over the course of the year,” says Thrall. “Specifically, patients notice low feelings emerge in the fall, reach a lowest point in winter, then start to improve as spring approaches.” Other symptoms associated with this winter depression include lethargy, difficulty getting out of bed, and a craving for carb-rich foods, which can lead to weight gain. Interestingly, some can experience SAD outside of winter. Summer-onset SAD follows a similar predictable pattern
Risk Factors Whatever season it shows up, the causes of SAD are still not fully understood. SAD can affect anyone but, some are more susceptible than others. It appears more often in young adults, and those with pre-existing depression or bipolar disorder may have an increased risk. Genetics may also play a small role. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, 13 to 17 percent of people with SAD are closely related to someone who has also experienced it. Also, women are more at risk than men, as several studies have shown, including one published earlier this year by researchers at the University of Glasgow. That study looked at 150,000 UK adults in a national database and found evidence that depressive symptoms in women, but not men, had a seasonal character. According to the study, low mood, fatigue and anhedonia (loss of T8N November 2018 7
Of course, a lack of exposure to sunlight doesn’t really explain why some people experience SAD in the spring and summer. A variety of causes have been proposed for summer depression, including over-production of melatonin (a result of too much sunlight), higher temperatures and humidity, and circadian disruptions in those who stay up later. To date, though, research on the subject is limited.
Getting Help So, when should you or a loved one seek professional help? Milder forms of SAD—otherwise known as the winter blues—are common and not necessarily a cause for alarm. Nonetheless, when symptoms persist, and especially when they appear at the same times each year, it may be wise to seek counselling. According to Thrall, it’s the extent to which SAD interferes with different areas of a patient’s life—such as work and personal relationships—that determines when winter blues have become a cause for concern.
interest in normally enjoyable activities), peaked in women during the winter months. Other authorities, such as the National Center for Biotechnology Information in the US, report that SAD occurs in women four times as often than in men. But the biggest factor, at least for winter-onset SAD, appears to be sunlight —or a lack thereof. As mentioned, northern societies have long made the
connection between shorter days and depressive episodes. This realization is borne out by the fact that SAD is much more prevalent the farther one gets from the equator. The UK reports a similar rate of prevalence as Canada, with 20 percent of people experiencing winter blues and 2 percent diagnosed with SAD. More telling are American numbers, though. Only 1 percent of Floridians report symptoms of SAD, compared to nearly 10 percent of Alaskans.
Fortunately, in Canada many psychologists have seen incidences of SAD among their patients and will know how to identify it and deal with it. Thrall says that while anxiety, depression, and mood disorders are the issues she usually encounters in her practice, she also gets a number of patients showing symptoms of SAD. “Given the seasonality, people tend to seek out help for this problem in the depths of winter when symptoms are often at their worst.”
Light at the End of the Tunnel The good news is that for people experiencing SAD, a number of effective treatments exist. If you have bipolar disorder, be sure to inform your doctor; this will help them prescribe a safe treatment. Medication is one possibility, with patients taking antidepressants to manage the symptoms and effects of depression. Some patients may even take antidepressants before the onset of symptoms each year. While this might not address the underlying causes— which are not fully understood—for some at least, it appears to pre-empt depressive episodes.
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Counselling may also work, as it does for other depressive disorders. Professionals trained in cognitivebehavioural therapy can provide strategies and coaching to help patients deal with depression. Self-help is also possible, especially for those with milder symptoms. Habits like getting regular sleep and exercise, eating a healthy diet, and maintaining social connections might help reduce some symptoms of depression. But the leading and best-known treatment for SAD is light therapy, where patients with winter-onset SAD deliberately expose themselves to daylight. This can be done by moving to a sunny destination for the winter, or more realistically, with a lightbox. These devices create bright, artificial light that simulates sunlight but filter out harmful light that can damage the eyes. A typical lightbox produces 10,000 lux (unit of illuminance)—that’s 20 times greater than what indoor lights usually offer, and dimmer blue or green lights may also be used. Lightboxes are typically used at home for a few minutes each day—usually first thing in the morning —and effectively replace the loss of light outside. Used properly and consistently, light therapy has proven to be effective relief from SAD for the majority of patients. And these treatments are not mutually exclusive. “Helpful treatments tend to include a combination of ‘talk therapy’ and light therapy,” explains Thrall. “I’ve also noticed clients reporting improvement when their doctors recommend supplemental vitamins or medications.” Even for those who don’t suffer debilitating symptoms at certain times of year, the growing awareness of SAD is a helpful reminder of how much our environment can affect our mental health. Being mindful of the timing of our ups and downs is a good first step in managing our moods and dealing with seasonal blues. Because winter is difficult enough as it is, no matter what you call it. t8n
ng Comi g! rin this Sp
Ballots Open December 15th, 2018 Start thinking about your favourite local businesses now! T8Nmagazine.com T8N November 2018 9
STURGEON VISION CENTRE When work and play cloud your vision on caring for your eyes.
Our family, our jobs, our friends—they all vie for our time. When we get older and notice something’s wrong with our close-up vision, we often procrastinate or just adjust to it. To illustrate this, follow Sylvia and discover how important it is not to ignore vision problems. Sylvia is a 45-year-old mother of two who works part time. For the past couple of months, she’s found her vision changing. She already wears contact lenses, but she occasionally wears her reading glasses overtop of her contacts when she’s working at the computer. Also, her eyes have become increasingly dry and irritated. Sylvia really knew it was time for an eye exam when at an after-game meal with her local soccer team, she was trying to read a text—the text size was already at maximum. Her teammates thought she was always taking selfies, because she held her phone out at arm’s length. Sylvia told her optometrist about her vision concerns. An exam found that she had presbyopia, which is a normal, age-related vision change whereby the crystalline lens of the eye loses its elasticity and flexibility, which makes it difficult to focus on close objects. The optometrist told her this is normal for her age. She was also diagnosed with dry eye, which is quite common in Alberta’s dry climate. Sylvia explained that she’d been recently diagnosed with Diabetes. Because of this issue, she had her eyes dilated and had retinal photos taken—both of which are covered by Alberta Health. The dilation exam showed
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These contact lenses act like progressive lenses. They accommodate a variety of prescription strengths and allow the wearer a smooth clear transition from reading cellphone screens to highway signs. And the lenses have water gradient technology, which envelope the lenses with moisture to keep your eyes from drying out with wear.
that Sylvia has no diabetic retinal changes, but it was recommended that she have yearly eye exams to monitor her vision. Sylvia was thrilled to discover that she could try special contact lenses to eliminate having to wear reading glasses at the same time: Alcon Dailies Total 1® Multifocal Contacts. These work well for those with dry eyes. She was also started on an artificial tear regime to help with her dry eyes. As well, she decided to give progressive glasses a try—if only to give her eyes an occasional break from contacts.
This sponsored content was produced in partnership between Sturgeon Vision Centre and T8N magazine.
DR. ANGELA MORLEY DR. SUSAN BISCHOF DR. KARI ANN SMART
STURGEON VISION CENTRE #1, 530 St. Albert Trail 780.569.5251 sturgeonvisioncentre.com
Arts & Culture
the
Violet Chocolate COMPANY
Elevating our moods and our taste buds. BY ROBERT MICHON PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRENDA LAKEMAN
IN OUR CULTURE,
we’re never really far from chocolate. It’s in our baking, our breakfast cereals, our snacks, shaved on top of our coffee, and even blended into smoothies. And it’s no mystery as to why. Yes, chocolate tastes good, but more importantly, it makes us feel good. It picks us up when we’re sad, it gives us energy, and dark chocolate can even benefit our physical health.
T8N T8NNovember November 2018 11
Rebecca Grant, owner and artisan of The Violet Chocolate Company, is taking our relationship with chocolate to new heights. As a professional chocolatier in Edmonton, she takes great pride in handcrafting experimental chocolates that delight patrons with new flavour combinations.
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Rebecca didn’t plan on becoming a chocolatier. As a NAIT culinary school graduate looking for work, she found a job with a local chocolate company—something to tide her over until she found a role as a pastry chef. But things didn’t go according to plan. “I just fell in love with it,” she says. “When the company eventually went out of business, I bought the equipment and started up on my own.” As a first-time business owner, Rebecca’s entrance into the industry was wildly successful. She entered her first chocolate competition without high hopes, just to get a glimpse of what it was like, but she won First Place. Since then, she’s swooped up a whopping 13 international awards for her work, as well as 37 Canadian awards.
T8N November 2018 13
Part of Rebecca’s success is due to her adventurous palate and a willingness to experiment with new flavours. The Violet Chocolate Company’s seasonal chocolate collections transcend simple choices like ‘milk’ or ‘dark’ and instead feature flavours like Chili Mango, Honey Rosemary and other unconventional combinations. “I take a lot of inspiration from foods that I enjoy,” she says, “or I experiment with things that you wouldn’t expect to find in chocolate, and make it into something that people enjoy.” Not all of Rebecca’s experiments are immediately successful, but she’s nothing if not persistent. Some flavours take years before they’re perfected. It’s a long process, but the results (and the awards) speak for themselves.
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Rebecca’s workshop is quite traditional. There’s no heavy machinery in the kitchen, and everything is made by hand. She can make about 75 bars at a time, with each batch taking a little under an hour to complete. This process, while slow, has its advantages. The quality of each batch can be carefully monitored, and it allows her to innovate and make tweaks and small adjustments to perfect each flavour. Each batch is automatically a limited supply. If you fall in love with a flavour, make sure you stock up because it may not be around for long. t8n *Visit https://the-violet-chocolate-company. myshopify.com to order or for a list of retailers.
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T8N November 2018 15
The 8s
Let the
SHINE IN Maximizing sunlight during the short days of winter. BY ROBERT MICHON; PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRENDA LAKEMAN
THE DARKNESS OF winter can feel crushing at times, but
when the sun is out it’s usually shining at maximum solar power. We live in one of Canada’s sunniest regions, with an average of 2,345 hours of sunlight per year. Yet, during winter, it can be tough to get a healthy dose of sunlight, which we need for boosting Vitamin D and serotonin—a mood-regulating hormone that could lead to depression if levels dip too low. Here are eight of our favourite sunny spots for soaking up winter sunlight in St. Albert and Edmonton—and staying warm while we're at it.
Muttart Conservatory
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World Water Park at WEM While Servus place is a great for laps and getting in a quick swim close to home, nothing quite matches the beach-turnedamusement park experience of West Edmonton Mall’s World Water Park. You could easily spend a whole day exploring the waterslides, the wave pool, or relaxing in one of the many hot tubs, all in natural sunlight, thanks to their enormous windowed ceiling.
Wilson Climbing Centre
Glasshouse Bistro & Café, The Enjoy Centre
St. Albert Place This gathering spot is full of activity year-round, and there are plenty of places to bask in the sunlight throughout the building. Inside at the fountain window near the main entrance is a great location to take a moment and enjoy the sun’s warmth as you pass through the building. Consider taking an art class, and enjoy the sunny view of the Sturgeon River from the studio.
Rock climbing is another summertime activity that we tend to forget about once the snow falls. And although there are plenty of indoor walls, for climbing enthusiasts, they never quite match the outdoor experience. The Wilson Climbing Centre at the University of Alberta, however, is a close approximation. With its gorgeous, floor-to-ceiling south-facing window, it gives you the chance to keep climbing with the sun at your back all winter long.
TELUS World of Science There’s no shortage of things to do at Telus World of Science. Thanks to the beautiful feature windows on almost every wall, you can learn about the solar system while enjoying beams of light emit by its very same sun. And if you’re really serious about it, head to RASC Observatory, where, with the help of protective telescopic lenses, you can get a close-up view. t8n
Enjoy Centre Literally built to maximize sunlight, this architectural lightscape is exactly what you might expect for a business that specializes in growing plants. But even though gardening season is over, there’s no reason all that sunlight should go to waste. At the Enjoy Centre, you can shop, have coffee with a friend, or attend a number of events—all in a bright, warm, sunlit glow.
Servus Place For many, swimming is a summertime activity. But there’s no reason you can’t continue wading into the winter. The pool at Servus Place has a fabulous wall of windows that shine in on you while you’re doing laps or just taking a leisurely dip.
Featuring Authentic Full Irish Breakfast, Gluten Free Pancakes, Savoury Crepes and much more.
Muttart Conservatory A visit here is an utterly restorative experience. The fresh air and natural sunlight wash over you as you step into one of the four greenhouse pyramids. Even after you’ve had your fill of exotic plants, it can be hard to step back out into the cold. Luckily, the conservatory’s Culina Café is a most delicious way to extend your visit just a little bit longer.
Edmonton City Hall The idea of spending time in Edmonton’s City Hall might seem strange, until you consider that it’s a central hub to some of the biggest cultural attractions in the city. Across the street from the Art Gallery of Alberta, the Royal Alberta Museum, Winspear Centre, and more, City Hall is perfect for catching indoor sun and warming up if you’ve been skating at Churchill Square.
11 Bellerose Drive St. Albert 780-328-4500
Connect with us on twitter @toastbl Visit us on facebook @toastbreakfastandlunch T8N November 2018 17
Food & Gatherings
i k a
ng
Br o
wn
B u t t er B
With its rich nutty flavour, browned butter is a technique you’ll want to stick with. BY RUDY HOWELL; RECIPES & STYLING BY SHIMA ZONNEVELD; PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRENDA LAKEMAN
BROWN BUTTER IS a secret weapon in every baker’s arsenal. Known for its nutty
flavour and scent, browned butter is incredibly easy, and this small extra step can deepen the flavour of just about anything. It’s the kind of thing that will have your family wondering why suddenly your usual brownies taste so much better. So let’s not keep them waiting; here are a handful of brown-butter recipes that will have them coming back for seconds. T8N November 2018 19
Brown Butter Cereal Bites Put a simple twist on a classic favourite by browning the butter and adding a good-quality flaked sea salt (such as Maldon) for a salty crunch. ½ cup of butter ½ tsp flaked sea salt (Maldon) 400g mini marshmallows 7 cups toasted rice cereal
Grease an 8 x 8-inch baking pan with butter or coat with non-stick cooking spray. In a large pot, brown the butter and stir in the salt and marshmallows. Turn heat to low and continue stirring until the marshmallows are completely melted. Remove from heat and add the cereal. Continue stirring until evenly combined. Spread the mixture into the prepared pan and press to even it out and fill the corners. (Tip: Wet your fingertips to prevent stickiness.) Let cool and cut into squares when set.
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Gluten-Free Brownies The crunch of hazelnuts is a perfect contrast to the soft chewiness of these brownies, making them a satisfying gluten-free treat. ½ cup unsalted butter ½ cup butter
¼ - ½ cup hazelnuts, chopped and toasted
1 cup plus ¼ cup semisweet or dark chocolate chips
¾ cup brown sugar
¾ cup hazelnut meal
3 eggs
½ cup cocoa powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
¾ cup white sugar
½ tsp salt
Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat an 8 x 8-inch pan with cooking spray and line with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal. Brown the butter and remove from heat. Whisk in the chocolate until melted, and set aside to cool.
HOW TO BROWN BUTTER Add the quantity of butter that your recipe calls for into a saucepan over medium-high heat. When it starts to sizzle and turn frothy white, give it a stir (you’ll notice bubbles forming at the bottom of the pan). Keep stirring as the bubbles turn golden brown, filling the air with a delicious nutty smell. The moment you see bits of brown in your liquid butter, immediately remove from the heat—because browning can easily turn to burning—and that’s it! You’ve successfully browned butter.
In a bowl, combine the hazelnut meal, cocoa powder, salt, and chopped hazelnuts. In a separate bowl, cream together both sugars, eggs, and vanilla. Stir the dry ingredients into the egg mixture and whisk in the butter-chocolate mixture until just blended (the butter must be completely cool or you’ll scramble the eggs). Pour batter into the pan, and bake 35–45 minutes. Brownies are done when a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean or with just a few crumbs. Cool completely in the pan, and lift out using the parchment overhang before cutting into squares.
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Financiers The sweet moist interior and crisp exterior that comes with every bite is irresistible. A 24-piece mini financier pan is ideal, but a 24-piece mini-cupcake pan works great too! ½ cup butter
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
4 egg whites
½ cup almond flour
1 cup icing sugar
¼ cup sliced almonds for
1 tsp vanilla bean paste
garnish
Preheat oven to 350°F and coat pan with non-stick cooking spray. Brown the butter and set aside to cool. In a mixing bowl, beat the egg whites with the sugar until completely dissolved. Stir in the vanilla bean paste and the cooled brown butter. (The butter must be completely cool or you’ll scramble the eggs.) In a separate bowl, combine the two flours and add the dry mixture to the wet mixture. Using a tablespoon or mini-muffin scoop, fill each mould in the pan. Place an almond slice in the centre of each and bake 12–15 minutes until the edges are golden. Let cool 15–20 minutes before unmoulding, and transfer to a cooling rack.
Anytime Granola There’s something satisfying about making your own granola. This one’s great on it’s own, or as a topping for Greek yogurt with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup. ½ cup unsalted butter ¼ cup brown sugar ¼ cup maple syrup
2 cups old-fashioned large-flake oats ½ cup coconut, shaved or
2 tsp vanilla extract
shredded
¼ cup almond flour
½ tsp cinnamon
½ cup almonds, slivered
½ tsp sea salt
½ cup raw pumpkin seeds
½ cup dried fruit (optional)
Preheat oven to 275°F. Brown the butter, transfer to a bowl, and add brown sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Set aside. In a separate large bowl, combine the almond flour, almonds, oats, pumpkin seeds, coconut, cinnamon, and salt. Add the butter-sugar mixture and stir to coat well. Spread the granola mixture on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake 40–50 minutes, stirring occasionally until golden. Let granola cool completely and break into clusters. At this point, you can add dried fruit, but this will soften the granola. So if you like it crunchy, omit the fruit. Store in an airtight container.
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Honey-Vanilla Compound Butter This spread adds a sweet touch to any kind of bread. Tip: Balance the sweetness by garnishing your treat with a pinch of flaked sea salt.
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½ cup unsalted butter, divided (room temperature) 2 ½ Tbsp creamed honey 1/8 tsp vanilla bean paste Flaked sea salt, such as Maldon, for finishing (optional)
Brown ¼ cup of butter and set aside. Whip the other ¼ cup of butter with an electric mixer. Whip in the creamed honey and vanilla bean paste until well combined. Slowly add the brown butter.
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125 Carleton Drive, Unit 101 St. Albert, Alberta (780) 700-7768 www.juntosbistro.ca T8N November 2018 23
Lemon Chai Cookies The freshness of the lemon, combined with the exotic taste of chai, make these cookies a bright and spicy treat. ½ cup butter
½ tsp salt
1 cup white granulated sugar
1 lemon (zest and juice)
2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
2 large eggs
¾ tsp baking powder
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp chai spice blend
¾ cup icing sugar
Preheat oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Brown the butter and transfer to a heatproof bowl. Add the granulated sugar, stir, and let cool. Once the mixture has cooled, add the eggs, juice, and vanilla. (The butter must be completely cool or you’ll scramble the eggs.) In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, spice blend, salt, and lemon zest. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix well. Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, form the dough into balls and lay out in a single layer. Cover and chill for 2 hours. With the icing sugar in a wide bowl, roll each dough ball in the sugar, and arrange onto the baking sheets. Place the dough balls in the fridge and chill again for 2–4 hours. Bake until the cookies spread and crackle, about 15–17 minutes. Cool completely.
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Vanilla Coconut Cake The tropical flavours in this cake make it delectable on its own, but try toasting a slice and slathering with Honey-Vanilla Compound Butter. 2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla bean paste
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ cup milk
6 Tbsp butter
¼ tsp salt
¾ cup coconut milk
½ cup brown sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ cup white sugar
1 ¾ cup coconut, shredded
Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray and line with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal. In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs, milk, coconut milk, and vanilla extract and bean paste. Brown the butter in a saucepan. Remove from heat and add both sugars to the browned butter. Stir, and let cool. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking powder, and coconut. Stir the egg mixture into the dry ingredients until just combined. Slowly add the cooled butter-sugar mixture (the butter must be completely cool or you’ll scramble the eggs). Stir until smooth, being careful not to over-mix. Pour batter into the pan. Bake 40–50 minutes. The cake is done when the top bounces back when pressed, and a toothpick comes out clean. Cool 20 minutes in the pan before transferring to a cooling rack. t8n
T8N T8NNovember November 2018 2018 25 25
Meet You There
St. Albert Family Resource Centre
Parenting and growing up isn’t always a walk in the park. But with a little guidance, you’ll be back on the path in no time. BY RUDY HOWELL
OUR FUTURE WILL always lie in
the hands of our children. Your little ones may not realize this yet, but the professionals at St. Albert Family Resource Centre certainly do. Growing up happy and healthy is a vital part of becoming a productive member of society, which is why educators at the centre work diligently to provide hundreds of courses year-round that assist, 26 T8Nmagazine.com
teach, and inform families from their earliest stages up until their children reach age 12. St. Albert Family Resource Centre is a non-profit coordinated by executive director Shelley Passek. The centre supports families in and around the community through programs and resources covering early childhood (parented and un-parented), child and youth, parenting, outreach, family support, and they even run a licensed preschool.
“It’s very multi-activity here,” says program manager Tanya Scott. The centre began in 1982, when three people from counselling and parent education fields opened a small facility called Society for Education and Support for Parents. “Those individuals generally cared about families,” says Passek. They focused on early learning programs, but as the years progressed, so did the organization. It was renamed St. Albert Parents’ Place in 1991, and by 2001, the introduction of their outreach program was a significant milestone as it allowed them to serve various locations in St. Albert and outlying communities. In 2003, they grew again and the business relocated to its current facility in Campbell Business Park. In 2011, they renamed once more —this time to the St. Albert Family Resource Centre to better reflect their offerings. “I think we’ve naturally developed to meet the needs of the community,” says Scott. In this industry, professionals must constantly adapt to the community. “It changes all the time,” says Scott, “we just try to listen to what the needs are.” In fact, the centre has seen an increase in demand for its child and youth programs around anxiety, emotion regulation, and anger management. “Anxiety and emotion regulation are a high need in any community right now,” notes Scott. Their course called ‘Worry Too Much’ is for grades one through three, while
‘Taming Your Worry Dragons’ covers grades four through six. Both teach techniques to help ease worry and anxiety. Emotion regulation courses include ‘I Have Butterflies’ for grades one and two, while ‘Volcano in My Tummy’ is for grades three through six. These teach children that anger is an emotion, and they offer ways to manage it. The centre firmly believes in supporting families as a whole. “Our goal is to strengthen the family unit in whichever way we can,” explains Passek. This is why they also offer adult programs that guide parents and other family members through the transitions of raising children. ‘Just for Parents’ and ‘Triple P’ are designed for parents and caregivers to share their honest thoughts and feelings on parenting in a safe and supportive setting. They aim to increase confidence and teach strategies that help with everyday challenges. Passek notes, “Everything in the parents’ program is determined by the needs of the family. We don’t tell them what they need— they tell us, and we work together to help them.” As of June, St. Albert Family Resource Centre had roughly 300 families take advantage of their services as members. Memberships are $60 and are valid until August 31—regardless of the date you signed up since they follow the school year calendar. But $20 summer-only memberships are available along with
subsidies for those who need them. With membership comes access to member-only programs, and regularly offered programs are discounted or free. But all that aside, Passek notes, “Everybody is welcome here; there is no judgment.” t8n
Shelley Passek, Executive Director
St. Albert Family Resource Centre at a Glance Location 10A, 215 Carnegie Drive Service Outreach and Family Support Programs Popular Courses Worry Too Much / Taming Your Worry Dragons (curbing anxiety for Grades 1–6); I have Butterflies / Volcano in My Tummy (emotion regulation for Grades 1–6); Just for Parents / Triple P (parenting support) Fun Fact The centre attracts families from Edmonton, Spruce Grove, Morinville, and Sturgeon County. T8N November 2018 27
Then & Now
Grandin Mall Safeway, May 1981; Musée Héritage Museum.
Grandin Mall Interior, May 1981; Musée Héritage Museum.
St. Albert’s Malls
Then & Now
BY ROBERT MICHON
THOUGH ‘DEPARTMENT STORES’
had been around in North America for a hundred years, beginning in the 1950s indoor ‘shopping ma lls’—where sepa rate businesses set up shop under one roof—began sweeping the nation. These were public places that were wa rm in the winter a nd cool in the summer; places where you could meet friends, shop for hours, or just hang out. In short, they were a modern urban oasis. But shopping habits have changed, and the concept of the mall doesn’t have as wide of an appeal as it 28 T8Nmagazine.com
once did. With the rise of online shopping and the popularity of big-box stores, shopping malls are in decline all over the country. While the golden age of the shopping mall is past, it’s certainly left its mark on St. Albert.
1960s St. Albert’s first shopping centre was known as Grandin Shopper’s Park, though most of us will remember it as Grandin Mall. It first opened in 1962, as an open-air strip mall boasting over a dozen shops. For the first time, you could visit the bakery, the drug store, the bank, the grocery store, and more, all in one trip. The open-air part of the mall
Solitude
petitioning Town Council for permission to expand. They envisioned a hotel, jogging tracks, an amphitheatre, multiple department stores and even an interior rail line to help shoppers get from one end of the mall to the other. Most of these extravagant ideas never saw the light of day, but the mall itself expanded a few times to include more stores to meet the demands of the ever-increasing crowds.
DID YOU KNOW? St. Albert Centre almost never came to be. The developer went out of business halfway through construction, and for a while it seemed like the project would simply fail. But the Hudson’s Bay Company, not wanting to lose their investment, worked with the city to complete the project.
1980s The 1980s saw the construction of two more malls in St. Albert: St. Albert Centre and Village Tree Mall.
FUN FACT The world’s first modern shopping mall was designed by architect Victor Gruen in 1956. Gruen had lofty goals, and imagined his mall growing to include apartment buildings, schools, medical facilities, and even parks. was soon enclosed and expanded, with Safeway on one end and St. Albert’s first Bowling Alley, Vallee Lanes, on the other.
1970s While Grandin Shopper’s Park seemed to have a little bit of everything, the owners of the mall were constantly
First came St. Albert Centre in 1980. While Grandin Shopper’s Park had been located centrally, close to downtown, St. Albert Centre was built on what was then the outskirts of town. The mall kicked off the commercialization of St. Albert Trail, drawing people from downtown to a place where parking was abundant, and it seemed like there was infinite room to expand. Village Tree Mall opened its doors the following year in 1981. While indoor shopping malls were becoming old news by this point, Village Tree Mall made a splash when it opened St. Albert’s very first movie theatre, St. Albert Cinemas. The 8-foot by 12-foot screens were tiny by today’s standards, and the 112-person seating capacity could be described as cramped. For the first time though, residents of St. Albert could see a movie without having to drive into Edmonton.
1990s In the 1990s, the 28-year-old Grandin Mall started to downsize. The bowling alley shut its doors, and the Safeway closed too, leaving only a handful of shops in the mall. The centrally located Grandin Mall, once the pride of St. Albert, was having a hard time competing with the variety of stores along St. Albert Trail. But the mall was saved, for a time, by the renovation of the old Safeway into Grandin Theatres. Grandin Theatres didn’t have the most current films, and the screening equipment was known to break down on occasion, but the movie theatre won a place in the hearts of residents, and became a major draw for the mall.
Early 2000s By the time the new millennium came around, the cultural obsession with the shopping mall was beginning to fade. Big-box stores were on the rise, and it seemed that St. Albert Cinemas was the only reason to visit Village Tree Mall. When North Edmonton Cinemas opened in 2003, Village Tree simply couldn’t compete, and shut its doors shortly after. The shopping complex known as Village Landing now sits in its place. In 2007, a company called Amacom purchased Grandin Mall with the intention of redeveloping the site and making room for new businesses. But due to the poor economy at the time, these plans were put on hold.
2010 to Present In 2014, Grandin Theatres closed, signalling the beginning of a new era. The remaining businesses moved on, and the redevelopment plan moved into full swing. St. Albert Centre has fared much better than its counterparts. Despite losing department stores like Zellers and, more recently, Target, the mall has managed to adapt and renovate—and has even attracted a number of new stores and businesses. t8n
T8N November 2018 29
Spotlight
Post-Secondary
STRESS Management
A refresher of five coping strategies that are often overlooked. BY JACLYN DAWN
LIFE OUTSIDE the nest isn’t easy.
Post-secondary students are often on their own for the first time, balancing courses, jobs, loans, active social lives, and the neverending laundry. Stress can be a positive source of motivation, but if unmanaged, it can counteract and result in a range of mental and physical health problems. Without adding too much to the already long reading list, here are a few stress management strategies that promote a healthy balance now and long after graduation.
Get Organized The items on your to-do list buzzing around in your head add stress. Map out classes, assignments, exams, work shifts, and social events. Put it all into a 30 T8Nmagazine.com
calendar. Is your timeline manageable? This strategy will help you to problemsolve more efficiently, stay focussed, and optimize free time. A well-spent break between studying can improve creativity, productivity, and stress levels.
Eat Right Not eating right can lead to stress and vice-versa. The dreaded ‘Freshman 15’ —a term coined by Seventeen magazine in 1989—suggests that students inevitably pack on 15 pounds during first-year university or college. The good news is that, in fact, weight gain is not caused by post-secondary attendance. Most often, shifts in weight coincide with shifts in eating habits and physical activity, which can be controlled. Adult males typically burn 2,500 calories and females burn 2,000 calories daily. One Big Mac meal is 1,100 calories. Not all calories are created equal, either. A
200-calorie doughnut doesn’t have the same nutritional value as two scrambled eggs. Your body needs a variety of protein, vitamins, minerals, and plenty of water throughout the day to function properly, physically and mentally. Avoid skipping meals, binge drinking, or stress eating. Late-night snacking doesn’t allow time to burn those calories before sleep. Excess caffeine causes restlessness, high-fat foods cause fatigue, and sugar causes energy crashes. This is all elementary stuff, but it bears reminding.
Exercise As alluring as Netflix is when you’re mentally exhausted, you need to work in some physical activity. Even 10-minute increments of exercise can decrease stress hormones and increase endorphins. It can also help promote a more positive self-image and better sleep. Full-time students typically get free access to school gyms and pools. Others offer student discounts. Join a sports team. Take a workout, martial arts, or yoga class. Any movement increases
your fitness level and decreases stress, so choose activities you enjoy. Try hiking, gardening, tobogganing, or skating. Walk to the store to stock up on healthy snacks. Take the stairs. Join Quidditch; it’s actually a thing. At least put a treadmill in front of the TV.
Sleep Adults have a basal sleep need of seven to nine hours per night. Getting less accumulates sleep debt. And like most debts, you pay interest: reduced cognitive function and motor skills, fatigue, irritability, and potentially, anxiety and depression. No choice but to be up late? Try to avoid morning classes. Have to be up early? Try to sleep earlier. Pulled a late night? Try to make up sleep and reduce your sleep debt. Power naps can reduce sleep debt and kick the fatigue that naturally occurs eight hours after waking. Sleep cycles consists of light, deep, and Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep. Power naps are most effective if you complete an entire cycle (about an hour) or cut it off before
deeper sleep sets in (after 15 or 30 minutes). Just ensure that naps don’t affect your ability to fall asleep at night.
Speak Up You may be able to survive on your own, but research shows lower stress levels in students with social support. This includes sharing with family and friends, relating to fellow classmates, and taking social breaks from stressors. Most schools also have student counselling centres and same-day appointments for students in crisis. But you don’t have to be in crisis to use school resources including health and wellness programs and workshops, support services for English Second Language (ESL) students and learning disabilities, and consultations and referrals. If feelings of anxiety or depression occur and persist, consult a doctor. And don’t forget about your instructors—they were students once too. Talk to them; they know what you’re going through and they can help. t8n
11725 170 St NW I 780.451.1269 T8N November 2018 31
The Crosswalk
Canadian Pop
CULTURE
TAKE A SHOT at this month’s crossword
puzzle and see how in (or out) of touch you are with the popular culture of our home and native land. For answers, visit t8nmagazine.com
Across 1 K. D. Lang famously covered this Leonard Cohen song 3 Neil Peart drummed for what band when he was rushed into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 1983? 4 Bob and Doug who? 7 Connor McDavid is on a mission to live up to this man’s reputation 9 The 1990 sketch comedy show that launched Jim Carrey to stardom
Down 2 This songstress took her ‘big yellow taxi’ from Alberta to California in the 1960s
11 Vancouver actor known for his big laugh and big love of cannabis 12 ‘Our Home and Native Band’ 14 You might consider her First Lady of Canadian literature
18 This former NHL star got his start right here in St. Albert
3 “Hey Girl, I restocked your secret stash of chocolate,” says an Internet meme starring this Canadian actor
16 The film that Montrealer Céline Dion sang her way into our hearts
20 The best game you can name, says Stompin’ Tom Connors
5 Folk icon who cowrote the hit recording for An Officer and a Gentleman
17 This girl was just 15 years old when she sang with Shania Twain
21 Local eatery ‘Simply Donairs’ combines donair with this classic Canadian dish
6 American late-night series created by and starring several Canadians
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8 Canadian equivalent to a Grammy 10 Canada sent 5 tonnes of this in 2006 to a Norwegian ski coach who helped an Albertan Olympic athlete 13 Her portrait was just selected to grace our $10 bill 15 This hiphop star appeared in Degrassi: The Next Generation 19 This time traveller was born in Edmonton before making it big in Hollywood
Life should be as sweet as UNICORNS and RAINBOWS! Visit our bakeshop for magical treats and classes for kids of all ages! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for classes and specials
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