King Living Home & Lifestyle Magazine - DEC 2015

DECEMBER 2015

H OHMOEM & L LEE MMAAGGAAZZI IN E L &I F L IEFSE TS Y TY NE E

Happy Holidays!

THIS YEAR’S RESOLUTION:

COOK TOGETHER AS A FAMILY CLASSIC

HOLIDAY COOKIE WITH A HEALTHY TWIST

www.KingLiving.ca

contents DECEMBER 2015

04

SNOW SHOVELLING TIPS TO PREVENT BACK PAIN

Published by

RAINMAKER REALTY INC.

King Living Home & Lifestyle Magazine is published monthly and delivered to over 7000 homes and businesses in King Township by Canada Post. Agreement # 41362062.

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CLASSIC HOLIDAY COOKIE WITH A HEALTHY TWIST

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to publish this magazine as accurately as possible; however errors and omissions can occur. King Living Home & Lifestyle Magazine’s employees, agents, representatives and vendors are not liable for any damages relating to errors or omissions in the editorials or advertising which may appear herein except where a specific charge has been made.

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GET THE FACTS ABOUT THE FLU SHOT

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THIS YEAR’S RESOLUTION: COOK TOGETHER AS A FAMILY

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DECEMBER 2015

PLEASE BE ADVISED there is no vehicle parking on any roadway between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6 a.m., from November 1st to April 15th of each year to allow for the expedient clearing of snow and the safe passage of Emergency Vehicles.

Thank you for your anticipated cooperation to ensure that we have a safe and healthy community.

SNOW SHOVELLING TIPS TO PREVENT

Back Pain

(NC) That sharp pain you feel putting • Don’t let the snow pile up: If the weather • Bend your knees: As with any heavy away the dishes on high shelf might report calls for several days of snow, object, you need to use your knees, leg be traced to lifting a shovel above your frequent shoveling will allow you to and arm muscles to do the pushing and shoulder after this month’s snow. move smaller amounts of snow at once. lifting, while keeping your back straight.

It’s far less strenuous in the long run.

Snow shoveling can gift you with pain that • Take a break: If you feel tired or short of keeps on giving, and sometimes won’t go • Pick the right shovel: Use a lightweight breath, stop and take a rest. Stop shoveling away for weeks, or even months. Repeat- pusher-type shovel. If you are using a immediately if you feel chest or back pain. edly raising the arm when shoveling snow metal shovel, spray it with Teflon first, If you have back pain that is severe or that and especially by lifting that snow-filled so snow won’t stick to it. persists for more than a day after shoveling, shovel above the level of your shoulder see a chiropractor. If you have chest pain can lead to several common back injuries. • Push, don’t throw: Always push the snow that is severe, see a doctor immediately. to the side rather than throw it. That way Here are some tips from Ontario’s chiro- you avoid lifting heavy shovelfuls of snow, More information is available at practors to help ensure a pain-free winter: and sudden twisting or turning movements. www.chiropractic.on.ca. www.newscanada.com

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DECEMBER 2015

FIVE ACTIVITIES FOR

YOUR KIDS TO DO OVER

Winter Break

WHEN KIDS ARE HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS, KEEPING THEM ENTERTAINED WHILE COOKING, AND PREPARING YOUR HOUSE FOR GUESTS CAN BE A DIFFICULT TASK. Instead of plopping them in front of the television for hours on end, plan some activities that will not only keep them busy but will also help make a difference in the community and the world around them: Have your child help plan a family meal: Let them write the list and come shopping with you to make them feel a part of the holiday planning process. If they’re creatively inclined, have them decorate the table or write up menus.

Let them help other kids: Talk with your children about kids who have less than they

do. Brainstorm ways they can earn money to help those in need. For fun ways to help other kids look at sites like worldvision.ca/gifts, which has donations like soccer balls, feeding a hungry Canadian family and school supplies for children in need overseas.

Visit someone who’s lonely: Make a trip to a friend who’s sick, a neighbourhood family who are new to this country, or the local retirement home.

Write cards to teachers: Take part of an afternoon for your children to write special cards for their teacher.

Encourage them to thank their teacher for two or three specific

things this year. Let them use their imaginations to come up with something extraordinary.

Share stories together: Look for tales which reinforce the message you’re trying to give, like The Gift of the Magi in which two young people give up their most treasured possessions for one another. www.newscanada.com

“Talk with your children about kids who have less than they do. Brainstorm ways they can earn money to help those in need.

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DECEMBER 2015

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Classic Holiday Cookie WITH A

HEALTHY TWIST

WHOLE WHEAT GINGERBREAD COOKIES Prep time: 30 minutes Chill time: 1 hour Bake time: 9 minutes Yields: approximately 6 dozen (72) cookies Ingredients • 1 cup (250 mL) unsalted butter, softened • 1 cup (250 mL) packed golden yellow sugar • 1/4 cup (60 mL) 100% pure fancy molasses • 1 large egg, lightly beaten • 1 tsp (5 mL) Great Value Artificial Vanilla Extract • 1/2 tsp (2 mL) iodized sea salt • 1 1/2 cups (275 mL) Great Value Whole Wheat Flour • 1 1/2 cups (275 mL) Great Value All Purpose White Flour • 2 tsp (10 mL) ground ginger • 2 tsp (10 mL) ground cinnamon • 2 tsp (10 mL) Great Value Baking Cocoa • 2 tsp (10 mL) Great Value Baking Soda Directions 1. In a large bowl, beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in molasses, egg, vanilla, and salt until combined.

2. In a separate bowl, whisk together dry ingredients; add to wet ingredients and mix until well blended and dough forms. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before handling. If chilled overnight, allow the dough to warm up slightly or it may crack when it is rolled out.

3. Preheat oven to 350F (175C.) Line two baking trays with parchment paper, set aside. Divide dough into 4 pieces; roll out one at a time keeping the remaining dough refrigerated.

4. Roll dough to ¼ inch (½ cm) thickness on a lightly floured surface. Cut into desired shapes using floured cookie cutters.

Carefully transfer to prepared baking trays.

5. Bake for 7-9 minutes, rotating trays top to bottom halfway through, or until cookies are set. Cool 1-2 minutes on the tray then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating.

Go to www.walmart.ca/recipecentre for more cookie recipes. www.newscanada.com

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DECEMBER 2015

TIPS FOR

SELLING YOUR HOME THIS

Winter

(NC) For many, the holiday season is a busy time that includes shopping, cooking and entertaining. Amidst the hustle, it may seem difficult to find time for selling a home. Yet some home owners would prefer to list their home at this busy time.

Here are five tips to keep in mind if listing your home in this season:

1. Deck the halls…to a minimum: Seasonal decorations are the way to go. Minimize décor to avoid crowding your home and distracting buyers.

“Sometimes professional, or personal, 2. Don’t hide flaws: Rather than covering circumstances arise that require owners up flaws with décor, take the time to fix to sell their homes,” says Pat Verge, pres- them or keep them revealed to avoid ident of the Ontario Real Estate Associa- future conflicts with buyers. tion. “But other times home owners are 3. Hire a Realtor: Enlist the services of simply ready to sell and the prospect of less someone that you trust and who will be competition from other sellers is appealing. available for you during the holidays. This Whatever an owner’s reasons are for listing will help alleviate some of the stress of their home at this time, if done properly, selling and give you more time to enjoy the process should be successful.” the season.

4. Price to sell and be prepared to negotiate: No matter what time of year, a home that is properly priced will attract buyers.

Work with your Realtor to negotiate a price that is satisfactory.

5. Market your home: Take time to enhance your home’s curb appeal (even if it is covered in snow) and use good quality photography to show off your home (use photos taken in the spring/ summer months if possible).

More information is available at www.wedothehomework.ca. www.newscanada.com

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DECEMBER 2015

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TheRainMakerTeam.com

we make “sold” happen OUR FAMILY PORTRAITS WERE A SUCCESS!

TheRainMakerTeam.com

we make “sold” happen

CONGRATULATIONS to The Honorable Peter Tetley.

Our Winner of ‘Guess For A Cause’,

whose guess of 2649 was closest to the actual amount of 2689 M&M’s!

2nd & 3rd closest guesses were Angela Underhill and Dave Ground.

Christmas in King City

Brokerage in Canada*

Call

905-833-1030

*For Royal LePage based on real estate sales of independently owned franchises in 2014

GET THE FACTS ABOUT THE

Flu Shot (NC) Ontario’s acting chief medical officer of health, Dr. David Williams is reminding people that the flu is more than just a “bad cold.”

have been tested to make sure they are But if you get the flu after getting the safe. Public Health Ontario and the shot, you may not get as sick.”

Public Health Agency of Canada regularly perform safety checks of the flu vaccine.” Flu shots can be received free of charge as part of Ontario’s Universal Influenza “Influenza is a serious disease that can Common side effects of the flu shot are Immunization Program at participating lead to illness, hospitalization and even soreness, redness or swelling where the shot pharmacies, your local health care death,” he says. “Getting the flu shot is was given. Serious reactions to the flu shot provider’s office or public health clinic. the best defense against getting the flu. It are very rare. It is possible to sometimes get Find the flu shot clinic nearest you at can help your body build its defenses and the flu even though you’ve had the shot. But Ontario.ca/flu. can make you more resilient to flu viruses.” this could happen for a number of reasons.

Other things you can do to avoid getting the flu include:

GETTING THE FLU SHOT IS THE BEST DEFENSE AGAINST GETTING THE FLU. IT CAN HELP YOUR BODY BUILD IT’S DEFENSES AND CAN MAKE YOU MORE RESILIENT TO FLU VIRUSES.

• Washing your hands with soap and water or a hand sanitizer that contains alcohol.

• Coughing and sneezing into a tissue or your arm, not your hand.

• Staying at home if you are sick, and avoid contact with people who are sick “At the time of year the flu vaccine is given, with the flu. many cold viruses are circulating that • Cleaning surfaces often (for example, have similar symptoms as the flu virus counter tops, keyboards and telephones). and can be mistaken as influenza,” says Dr. Flu viruses can live on surfaces for up Williams. “Or you may have been exposed to 8 hours. to the flu virus before you got the shot. www.newscanada.com

Flu viruses change every year so the vaccines used to help protect against them are updated as well. Each flu season, the flu vaccine is designed to protect against the most common viruses that are going around. That’s why it’s important to get vaccinated every year and do it early, since it can take about two weeks for the vaccine to help protect you against flu viruses.

“The flu shot is also safe and well-tolerated,” points about Dr. Williams. “Like all medicines, the ingredients in a flu vaccine

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DECEMBER 2015

DONATE TO THE

FOOD BANK THIS HOLIDAY (NC) Many of us are getting in the giving spirit. One of the most impactful ways people can help their community is by making a donation to the food bank. Here are five reasons why: 1. Food banks help Canada’s most vulnerable populations. More than 37 per cent of people helped by food banks are children and nearly half of the households helped have children.

Some of the primary reasons people turn to food banks include sudden illness of family members, job loss and family breakup. People with physical or mental health issues, indigenous peoples, immigrants and refugees are especially vulnerable to food insecurity.

2. Donations make us feel good. The benefits of charitable giving are well documented.

Psychological benefits include a sense of moral satisfaction, improved self-esteem and a greater sense of human connection, but donating to charity may also have health benefits. Charitable giving has been linked to decreased blood pressure, reduced stress and increased life expectancy.

3. The majority of food bank support comes from people like you. Donations of food and funds go a long way to ensuring people in need don’t go hungry. “We are so grateful for the generosity of people across the country,” says Katharine Schmidt, executive director, Food Banks Canada. “While finding solutions to hunger is a complex undertaking, the support of community food banks is a huge step in ensuring we can relieve hunger today.”

4. Donations have a measurable benefit on communities. Donations are critical to ensuring food banks are able to keep their doors open and lights on, put gas in the trucks to pick up donations and run essential programs that help individuals and families become more self-sufficient. More than half of all food banks operate food-focused programs like community kitchens, gardens and nutrition training, and almost 40 per cent of food banks direct clients to other support like employment, housing and healthcare.

5. Making a donation is simple. “People can easily make a food or financial donation at any Loblaws, Your Independent Grocer or Real Canadian Superstore,” says Peggy Hornell, senior director of Community Investment. “If everyone in Canada donated just two items at their local store, we could meet the monthly demand on food banks for months to come.” While cash donations give the food bank flexibility to purchase the items they need the most, food donations are also important. More information can be found at foodbankscanada.ca. www.newscanada.com

Y H P A R G O T PHO ST E T N CO

SHOW OFF YOUR TALENT Submit your photos of King Township and get the chance to be featured in upcoming issues of King Living Home & Lifestyle Magazine and other King Living publications.

CONTEST RULES • Photo entries will be accepted by email only to info@ kingliving.ca • Please include your name, photo title, and the location the photo was taken • Use the Subject line: King Living Photo Contest • Photo submissions accepted via email by Dec 31, 2015 • All photos must be taken within King Township • Please send High Resolution Photo’s

WINNERS • Winners will be featured in our King Living home & lifestyle magazine & other King Living publications • Winning photos will be featured on our social pages as well as our website

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DECEMBER 2015

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THIS YEAR’S RESOLUTION:

COOK TOGETHER

as a

Family

WHEN KIDS ARE HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS, KEEPING THEM ENTERTAINED WHILE COOKING, AND PREPARING YOUR HOUSE FOR GUESTS CAN BE A DIFFICULT TASK. (NC) The New Year is a wonderful time when families can pause and reflect on the importance of family time. After a steady stream of holiday visiting, it’s the perfect time to get back into a routine and spend quality time with your children. One great way to turn simple moments into shared enjoyments is to invite your kids into the kitchen to cook with you.

life skills, but it allows you to spend precious time together and create lasting memories,” says Scott Goodman, lawyer and father.

When children are welcomed into the family kitchen, they are more likely to try new foods, eat better and build the confidence they need to prepare meals and snacks for themselves.

For the Goodman family, cooking together has become a cherished tradition. “Not only does cooking as a family give your children invaluable

To help parents include their children in meal preparation, the Registered Dietitians at Dairy Farmers of Canada have created age-appropriate

suggestions, broken down into three skill levels, to make involving the entire family in the kitchen easy.

For beginners, starting out simply is key. Getting kids to wash produce, peel vegetables and measure ingredients is a

“Not only does cooking as a family give your children invaluable life skills, but it allows you to spend precious time together and creating lasting memories.

good way to introduce them to the kitchen. Once they’ve mastered those skills, they can work their way up to intermediate tasks such as chopping, frying and grilling. Eventually, they can take on more creative responsibilities like searing, sautéing and experimenting with ingredients.

More tips for involving your children in the kitchen as well as easy nutritious recipes are available at FamilyKitchen.ca. www.newscanada.com

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DECEMBER 2015

SIGNS THAT IT’S TIME TO SWITCH TO

WINTER TIRES (NC) The frigid outdoor temperatures and icy road conditions are a telling sign that it’s time to switch to winter tires. However while the majority of Canadians know it is important to change their tires, 42 per cent of us are doing so at the wrong time, according to a new winter safety poll from Hankook Tire. The good news is that the majority do indeed switch to winter tires (64 per cent).

Jeff Bullock, tire expert and Hankook Tire spokesman, says winter tires are critical to road safety. “Winter tires are made from a high tech rubber material that is designed to perform in cold temperatures,” he explains.

“The correct time to change to winter tires is when the temperature drops below seven

degrees Celsius. This is the point where manufacturers like Hankook, come out with your summer tires will begin to lose their new materials that further enhance tire grip, may fail to brake and will decline in performance and driving safety. performance and overall safety. They are not designed to sustain the fierce cold of winter.” “When it comes to tires, a lot can change in a year from the technology standpoint,” says When choosing winter tires, Bullock says Bullock. “For example, the winter i*Cept iZ start with the snowflake. Winter tires are from Hankook is developed with the latest identifiable as such because they feature a design technology and features interlocking snowflake icon on the side wall. For proper 3D tread with unique features that channel safety, put four tires on your vehicle. Trying water away from the tire to reduce slipping to save money by just switching out the two and hydroplaning. Which means you will front tires is ineffective. Your car needs four have better control over your vehicle no of the same tires in order to drive safely in matter how cold and stormy it gets.” winter conditions.

More information on winter tires is availNot all winter tires are created equal. It’s a able atwww.hankooktire.ca. category defined by innovation. Every year www.newscanada.com

Our November Photography

CONTEST WINNER P H OTO BY:

Sarah Vander Heide, SSV LO C AT I O N :

Ket tleby Light

Keele Street, Kettleby

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DECEMBER 2015

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Pure silver, also called fine silver, is relatively soft, very malleable, so it is commonly combined with other metals to produce a more durable product. The most popular of these alloys is sterling silver, which consists of 92.5 percent silver and 7.5 percent copper.

The small amount of copper added to sterling has very little effect on the metal’s value. Instead, the price of the silver item is affected by the labour involved in making the item, the skill of the craftsperson, and the intricacy of the design.

With proper care, your fine quality silver will last a lifetime. To minimize scratches and other damage, store your silver jewellery either in small zip lock bags or in a separate compartment in your jewellery box.

Avoid exposing your silver to household chemicals when cleaning with bleach or ammonia, or when swimming in chlorinated water, as these chemicals can damage silver.

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DECEMBER 2015

TheRainMakerTeam.com

we make “sold” happen SOLD HOME PRICES

KING TOWNSHIP YEAR TO DATE Detached Homes # OF HOM E S

LOW

H IG H

AV ER AGE

King City

113

$599,900

$2,950,000

$1,322,081

Nobleton

74

$560,000

$2,385,000

$1,108,288

Pottageville

24

$450,000

$1,958,200

$840,810

Rural King

68

$290,000

$4,550,000

$1,074,940

Schomberg

50

$395,000

$2,295,000

$719,846

N Semi-Detached Homes # OF HOM E S

LOW

H IG H

AV ER AGE

King City

27

$624,000

$915,000

$751,922

Nobleton

3

$654,990

$767,500

$715,663

Pottageville

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Rural King

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Schomberg

9

$500,000

$555,000

$529,278

POTTAGEVILLE SCHOMBERG

RURAL KING KING CITY

Condos # OF HOM E S

LOW

H IG H

AV ER AGE

9

$377,300

$900,000

$634,922

Nobleton

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Pottageville

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Rural King

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Schomberg

23

$230,000

$387,000

$293,391

King

NOBLETON

According to TREB MLS statistic for total units sold from January 1st, 2015 to November 23rd, 2015

Joseph Cartaginese Broker

Paula Perri Broker

Stephen Ferritto Sales Representative

Domenic Spina Sales Representative

Jamie Goldenberg Sales Representative

Chris Campoli Sales Representative

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