Women With Vision ® Summer, 2014 by Women With Vision

Women with

WE ARE CANADIAN

VISION! ™

asing Business & Lifestyle in South Georgian Bay Showcasing

Summer Issue 2014

The

Summer Issue

BE YOUR OWN BOSS

Mairlyn Smith

Accepting Me For Whom I Am

Honey

BEES

Make A

Fashion Statement Get Organized TIPS TO MOTIVATE AND INSPIRE YOU

BUSINESS • HEALTH • FASHION • GOURMET • DESIGN • ART • ENTERTAINMENT • MOTIVATION

2014

contents

Summer

On the Cover

Mairlyn Smith

Lifestyle & Beauty

Arts & Entertainment

Minding Your Menopausal Body By Lesley Paul

Mind Your Personal Fashion Statement By Marilyn Wetston

Motivational & Inspirational

20 22

Great Summer Style Joy Boutique Getting Back On Your Feet By Elisa Harrison

Regular Features Georgian Gourmet 6 68 69 70 71

Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Desk ~ The Power Of Mindfulness By Lorraine Leslie

Life Numbers By Paola Gucciardi

Women With Vision! On Location

Last Word By Lorraine Leslie

Vision Wordsearch

10 11 12 14

10 Ways To Leverage Linkedin For Business Gain By Susan Baka Mind Your Own Business Baggage By Janette Burke Being Your Own Boss By Donna Messer Minding Your Money Matters By Rick Ziemski My Life Now And Forever By Lorraine Leslie Mind Your Mind By Mary Ann Matthews

40 42 44

59 60

Mairlyn Smith... Accepting Me For Whom I Am By Lorraine Leslie Be Your Own Blossom By Marj Sawers Your Life Mind It, Own It By Deborah Johnson

M.Y.O.B. Submitted by Tom McCavour

Destinations

Sam I Am By Susanne Mikler

Hostess Gifts For All Occasions By Lorraine Leslie

Entertaining Check List By Lorraine Leslie

Home, Garden Business, Finance & Design & Communication 8

Broad Strokes: Lisa Burke By Dean Hollin

Mind Your Castle By Monika Gibson Mind Those Pollinators By Janet Kurasz Mind Your Own Mess By Karen Sencich

Great Summer

Style

Corn Flower By Lorraine Leslie Mindful Hospitality By Lorraine Leslie Stroll For Your Soul By JoAnne Fleming-Valin

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VISION!

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Wo m e n w i t h V i s i o n ! ™ m a g a z i n e i s p u b l i s h e d b y Wo m e n w i t h V i s i o n I n c . Founder/Publisher, C.E.O. Lorraine Leslie Sales/Marketing: Lorraine Leslie Feature Writers: Susan Baka, Janette Burke, Monika Gibson, Paola Gucciardi, Dean Hollin, Deborah Johnson, Janet Kurasz, Lorraine Leslie, Donna Messer, Marj Sawers, Karen Sencich, Marilyn Wetston, Rick Ziemski Summer Contributor: Tom McCavour

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Design/Layout: Candice Lewis |www.candicelewis.ca Special Mini Feature Design: Lorraine Leslie

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Fashion & Gourmet Features: Lorraine Leslie/L’original ProductionsWomen with Vision Inc.

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Women with Vision!™ magazine aims to provide editorials that educate, motivate and inspire people of all ages and from all walks of life, and to promote success in business and daily living.

Mailing Address: 156 Brophy’s Lane Blue Mountains ON L9Y 0K3 Bus: 1 -8 66-306-6021 Fax : (705 ) 445-7153 Email: womenwithvision@rogers.com www.womenwithvision.ca Unsolicited manuscripts are welcome. Copyright 2014 Women with Vision! Inc. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, without the written permission of the publisher. The views, opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of this publication and/or publisher who hereby disclaims any liability whatsoever arising from the advice, information or offers presented in articles or advertisements herein. Women with Vision! welcomes submissions, but accepts no responsibility for unsolicited materials. All manuscripts, illustrations and photographs submitted must be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope if they are to be returned or acknowledged. Readers who require legal, accounting or other expert advice should obtain the services of a qualified professional.Women with Vision! is a Member of the Canadian Copyright Association.

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BUSINESS, FINANCE COMMUNICATION

The EDITOR’S desk

The Power of

Mindfulness As the weather gets warmer, I like to complete many little projects such as pulling weeds out of the garden or vacuuming the pool … okay vacuuming can be mindless but it’s so soothing while soaking in some vitamin D from the sun! The tasks take me outside… away from the computer, cell phone and anything electronic.

Communication through social media is a mindful task that I take seriously. Cell phones, computers, and such communication tools as Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest are all useful but let’s be mindful about the amount of time we spend on these devices and programs. They affect our health…our posture..our hands...our eyesight; even our ears are affected because we are attuned to hearing the pings, chimes and the noticeably different rings. Think about how you use media tools. Because a good night’s sleep is very important to me to allow me to function well on a daily basis, I ask you why do so many people leave their energy-sucking electronics turned on all night? Checking your phone in the middle of the night will drain your brain of all the good rest that’s taken place for the past few hours. Research repeatedly tells us that turning your phone, tablet and computer off at least one hour before retiring is good for your sleep and health. Also, removing them from your cool, dark bedroom at night is a seriously mindful decision. After a few nights you’ll be astounded at the difference when you wake up in the morning.

The mind can only hold so much…why not give it a chance to recoup, re-energize and help you envision your future while your body refreshes itself naturally? I’m aware that writing about mindfulness has made me more aware and conscious of how I use my mind and how deeply I listen to people. Our feature article is about Mairlyn Smith, an amazing and delightfully funny woman who kept a ‘wedding day smile’ on my face throughout our entire interview. She was mindful of her career path from a very young age. She developed her fabulous sense of humour around the age of six while playing outside and being creative. She went on to build a career by being attentive to her surroundings and early life lessons. This made me consider our youth of today and how they are absorbing who-knows-what with their minds continually focused on ‘texting’. Shouldn’t they be encouraged to go outside, get fresh air and develop strong circulation and muscles to jump, run, and swim? Take a look around this summer. Are our young people stooped in front of an electronic piece of hardware? How physically healthy will they be as adults? What’s happening Lorraine Leslie to their minds? Founder/Publisher

Nominated for

2005, 2006, 2009 & 2010

2013 International Toastmasters Communication & Leadership Award

The feature people about whom I write, have traveled a long, winding road to success – each one on their own journey; a journey that sometimes hasn't been smooth. These people open their hearts to inspire and motivate others, of all ages, to follow their dreams and passions, creating their ultimate VISION!™

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In this issue of Women with Vision! we’ve taken a proactive approach on many topics of interest. Our expert writers have taken the challenge to capture the essence of the word “MIND”. Whether working on finances or better communication to create a more profitable business, or focusing upon protecting the bees to pollinate so that we have fresh food and air…this issue has something for everyone.

…connecting through educational & networking updates

BUSINESS, FINANCE

COMMUNICATION

Business Baggage!

for Business Gain

By Janette Burke

Noticing certain things about your business that are no longer serving you?

….The great connector of social media tools By Susan Baka 6. Join targeted LinkedIn groups. It’s a good idea to join both your industry groups as well as groups where you will find your target audience. This is an excellent way to listen and gain insights about your customers and to showcase your expertise by providing advice and solutions to their challenges.

1. Create a strategy. The first step is to get known by generating awareness. Listening to the challenges people bring forward and becoming a thought leader in your industry will help you increase contacts and generate leads that can lead to new business.

8. Check out recommendations and viewers. You can identify other good contacts by studying who they recommend and who recommended them and by checking the Viewers of this Profile also Viewed area. These names represent potential door openers for you.

2. Include a photo. This will help personalize your profile page, since LinkedIn is really about you as in individual. Make sure you have a professional, up-to-date image; avoid those party shots! And dress to reflect your professional image.

9. Endorse others. You’ll see there is a place for recommending others whose skills you admire and value. That’s an ideal way to build relationships. And thank others for endorsing you. That, too, will strengthen relationships.

3. Use keywords. Loading your skills and expertise section with terms you want to be endorsed for (eg. Consultant, retailer, manufacturer or whatever) is another way to optimize your profile.

10. Seek introductions properly. Avoid cold calling prospects you discover on LinkedIn. The proper etiquette is to ask the LinkedIn contact you know for an introduction to someone with whom you want to connect

4. Have a compelling headline. Include keywords that highlight your expertise and that people will search for (eg. An experienced bookkeeper who specializes in working with small businesses).

By following these guidelines, you can leverage the power of LinkedIn to connect with people you would otherwise be unlikely to meet. It’s a great connector and an ideal platform for global marketing too, if you are setting your sights beyond Canada’s borders.

5. Be strategic with your connections. Before accepting requests to connect from people you don’t know, check out their profiles first to see if there will be value. And when you want to connect with someone, be sure to personalize your message rather than sending the generic invitation to connect.

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n Susan Baka, President Bay Communications & Marketing Inc. sbaka@baycomm.ca www.baycomm.ca

Here are a couple of questions you might ask yourself:

my guns and soon this overwhelm turned to relief.

p Maybe you don’t feel connected to your niche, message or focus any more p Had a change of heart about who constitutes your ideal client and who you want to work with p Need to meet some new people and attend some educational courses p Have your profile posted on too many Social Media sites p Need to streamline your data base and get rid the connections you don’t actually know p You’ve been giving five speeches a month when you would much prefer to do a Webinar

Ask yourself why it took so long to figure out that you don’t have to make yourself crazy or miserable doing all those things you don’t enjoy when you can change things and successfully maintain and grow your business without them…

Like many people I’ve been going through the same thing lately. To the point that I recently sat myself down for a little ‘heart-to-heart’ that went something like this… “Janette, you’ve paid your dues, realized your vision and created some amazing marketing programs and now you are doing the TV Show of your dreams… You work with the most amazing entrepreneurial women who actively seek your input and advice…You can spend days in your PJ’s in your home office drinking green tea… So what on earth would make you happier and more complete? What business activities do you like and wish to keep? Which are you ready to let go of? Which would still compel you to want to leave the luxury of your cozy office to travel across Canada and the US braving crowded trains and busy airports? Isn’t it time to really discover, develop and capitalize on your true desires and do the things you truly love?”

Photo: Yanka Van der Kolk

Some liken this popular, free tool to a giant cocktail party. Here are some tips to leverage it for business success:

7. Check profiles of prospects. Researching potential new customers? Or maybe you have an important meeting coming up with a prospective client? Check out their profile in advance to find out more about what they do and if there are any areas of common interest that will help you connect better.

COMMUNICATION

Mind Your Own

10 WAYS TO LEVERAGE

With the meteoric rise of social media, many business owners question where to focus their limited time and resources and wonder if they will ever get a return on investment if they engage. Of all the options out there, LinkedIn ranks the highest for business and indeed is the fastest growing business networking tool available. Nine million Canadians already have a LinkedIn profile. If you are one of every three Canadians on LinkedIn, you will know that a week rarely goes by without you receiving requests from others to join your network.

Can you combine two or three things you are having success with? Define success in your terms, not what everyone else does. Attend conferences and events of interest where you meet-up with a group of supportive, like-minded individuals and forge strategic alliances – like Women with Vision! I challenge you to ‘Mind Your Own Business Baggage”! Make a list of all the hats you wear in your business and activities you perform. Which do you absolutely love? Which do you hate? What alternative can you explore to work around? It’s time to be happy, stress free and work with what you love to do. n Janette Burke Marketing/PR Coach, Consultant and Columnist Fempreneur Marketing Mentor, Host, I’m Every Woman! TV janette@yourmarketingmagnet.com www.yourmarketingmagnet.com

This conversation played over and over in my mind until I asked myself this big question… WHY are you continuing to include activities in your business that suck-up your time, energy and attention and weigh you down, if you wouldn’t take a job that didn’t suit or fulfill you? So I granted myself permission to quit doing anything that just doesn’t fit. At first I was nervous – felt like quite the rebel…And wondered when I’d be told off. But I stuck to www.womenwithvision.ca

BUSINESS, FINANCE

COMMUNICATION

BUSINESS, FINANCE

Your Money Matters

By Donna Messer

The definition of an entrepreneur is a person who organizes and operates a business taking on greater than normal financial risks in order to do so.

You need to be flexible. No longer are you going to work 9 – 5, or even 5 days a week. Time is your master and you will need to devote as much as is needed to make that business successful! You have to be selfmotivated. There is no one out there going to cheer you on.You need to become your own cheerleader and you will often be in the stands cheering alone. You need to learn to recognize opportunities and go after them. Being able to think laterally will be very helpful. Thinking ahead will be important, success isn’t guaranteed and planning ahead will be crucial. Short term and long term goals will need to be set and achieved. No longer will you be able to just “put in time”, now it is consistent effort with measurable results that will be your guide. And finally, you will need to know that you can handle uncertainty, because there will be no guaranteed income, no regular source of revenue. Being your own boss can be rewarding, but those rewards are often at intermittent times and cannot be counted upon in the beginning.

Set objectives Develop a plan Draft a mission/vision statement Identify effective networking strategies Examine marketing and promotional needs Recognize your strengths Manage your time efficiently Balance – time out for de-stressing

You Are ready to Be Your Own Boss, if... • You are flexible, knowing that time is no longer a factor • You can be a self-motivated initiator • You can recognize opportunities and go after them • You can plan ahead and take action quickly • You are prepared to put in a constant and consistent effort • You can deal with uncertainty

n Donna Messer Networking Expert, International Speaker www.connectuscanada.com

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As I sit in a hospice room watching my friend surrender to cancer and enter the final days of his slow and painful exit from life, I find my mind racing critically over the years of my own life, challenging all my beliefs on what really matters in life. Staring at my barely breathing friend I get a hollow feeling wondering if I had misjudged some things, in particular the amount of emphasis that I placed on the importance of money in life. Is it possible that money adds nothing to the quality of life? Such a disconcerting truth could color my entire financial management career as a sham. Did I miss the boat on how I interpret the relationship between life and money matters?

Taking the time to plan is the most important investment you can make when you are your own boss. Statistics show that 85% of all businesses that don’t have a realistic plan in place won’t survive past the first two years.

Donna Messer is her own boss, she has been a business owner most of her adult life. She has owned and operated a successful business focused on relationship building since 1993.

“Money is only loaned to a man. He comes into the world with nothing and he leaves with nothing.” ~ William Durant

Planning – if it’s going to work what do you need?

By Rick Ziemski

To succeed: • • • • • • • •

COMMUNICATION

Minding

BEING YOUR OWN BOSS Means Being An Entrepreneur To Be Your Own Boss you need to develop an action plan that is realistic and can measure your results.

After all, it was my beliefs about money that had led me to become a trained and disciplined advocate for “best practices” in money management for corporations and for individuals. I became passionate that each and every dollar should be squeezed out to the last drop. Money is never an end in itself but rather an enabler for a better life. Money is difficult to accumulate. Making money takes hard work, much sweat and the sacrifice of time, the scarcest and most valuable resource that we humans possess. So why would anyone not mind their money with the greatest of care and

discipline? Disrespect your money by wasting it and you disrespect yourself. Surely I still had this right. When life is ending and at its most fragile state, we frequently share regrets or talk about things that we might do differently a second time around. My dying friend and I ended my visit with just such a conversation. Here is his list to me of the things he would have “minded” with more care if he had his life to live over: • • • • •

Diet and exercise Marital relationship Family relationships Friendships Consumption habits... particularly his cigarettes • Financial matters He had been a financially successful business professional who had come into this world with nothing and was leaving it the same way.

n Richard Ziemski, C.A. Management Consultant rickziemski@cogeco.ca www.linkedin.com/in/rickziemski

BUSINESS, FINANCE

COMMUNICATION

NOW & My Life FOREVER By Lorraine Leslie

A girl’s got to have her jewelry…even at age twelve.

Most young girls don’t know what they want to do as a career when they are twelve years old, but Linda Manziaris’s passion for jewelry has become part of her life… Learning the technique of jewelry design – twisting and looping – in her grade seven art class was the start of what Linda lives for these days. She can’t wait to get out of school and find out what’s been going on at the office all day…how many sales she made and how many orders have been placed on her website. During her summer holidays in 2011 Linda’s jewelry-making took on a new life of its own. With a table set up in the basement of her home she found herself spending most of her days sketching designs and making new pieces of jewelry. That summer Linda searched out some local artisans and started to study with them on how to create and design unique pieces. These artisans had over forty years experience, so she knew she was learning from the experts. With some lessons behind her, her natural talent started to emerge, which gave her confidence and creative freedom to broaden her collection of jewelry designs. This now

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includes necklaces, bracelets, and earrings, as well as her trendy new categories of jewelry that adorn women’s hands, legs, shoulders, back and torso.

Linda Manziaris with her jewelry designs

Linda and Susanna at Girls school in Kenya 2012

Linda with students from Kenya 2012

As she practiced daily her repertoire of different jewelry designs and technique expanded; such as learning how to do the ‘clean loop connection’, work with ‘connecting jump rings’ and the intricate piecing of ‘loop eye and head pins’… they’re all part of the process to make each piece look neat and refined. Linda’s inspiration for her unique pieces come from nature, street trends, and even from her Greek heritage. She likes to use a variety of metals, crystals, and semi-precious stones in her designs.

Speaking engagement to raise awareness

COMMUNICATION

women, and the need to help these vulnerable young women. It’s not new to many of us – if you educate a girl, you educate a family, and eventually an entire village. The cycle of poverty can then begin to break.

orders. She thought it would be a good idea to sell her pieces on the internet so she enlisted the help of her family...it was the natural thing to do…her online jewelry store is www.bodybijou.com.

Upon returning to Toronto the sisters felt they had to do something to help educate girls in the developing world, so they teamed up and got their friends and family just as excited about their venture. Susanna, founded Girls Helping Girls, an organization committed to providing educational scholarships to girls in the developing world. Linda decided to donate 50% of the net profits from her online jewelry store to Girls Helping Girls, to help girls reach for a better future.

In addition to creating unique jewelry designs Linda loves to draw. Currently she is exploring the use of colour, pattern, and geometry in her art. Creative, passionate, focused, confident, determined and entrepreneurial are just a few of the words she says describe who she is now and what she wants to be as she matures into an internationally known fashion and jewelry designer.

Almost a year later Linda was still recruiting her family...her Grandma, her Mother, her Aunt and eventually her Dad to help incorporate Body Bijou Jewelry (bijou definition: something small and delicately worked, such as a trinket). Her collection has been described as elegant, edgy, fun and flirtatious.

Linda likes to share… “This is my life, now and forever”. n copyright Lorraine Leslie, Women with Vision Magazine, 2014

Women with

VISION!

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M A G A Z I N E

As interest grew for Linda’s unique pieces she quickly found herself filling Linda at work

Linda quickly found herself creating original, hand-made earrings and bracelets...which she gave as gifts to her family and friends. That same summer Linda and her family took a volunteer trip to Kenya with the ‘Me to We’ project. The entire family would help build a school together. While in the small villages Linda and her sister Susanna were intrigued with the lack of education as well as the low status of

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BUSINESS, FINANCE

COMMUNICATION

MIND YOUR MIND By Mary Ann Matthews

The loss of the ability to write by hand will have the most profound impact on our children’s future. The loss of the ability to write by hand will have the most profound impact on our children’s future.

taught how to write cursively either, so they don’t know how to teach it to their students.

Studies show that good-old fashioned handwriting boosts brainpower in everyone from kids to seniors. Researchers have studied the effects of handwriting on children, using an MRI to measure brain activity. One group of children simply looked at letters. The other group looked at letters and copied them down. The result? Activity in the areas of the brain connected to thinking, language, and memory lit up in the children who wrote out the letters, but not the children who simply read them.

Most parents assume that their children can read and write in cursive. Ask your children. You may be shocked to find out that they cannot! Their teachers have to print their homework, as they can’t read the information if it is written cursively.

Another study linking handwriting and brainpower focused on adults. It measured how much people remember when they’re studying new words. The result? Adults who wrote out new words, instead of typing them on a keyboard, remembered more of them and for a longer period of time. How often have you said to someone, “Let me write this down so that I will remember what you have told me”? Writing things down really does enhance our brain activity. Rather stunning results, don’t you think? Don’t get me wrong. There is room for both technology and cursive handwriting in our schools. So many believe that handwriting will soon become obsolete because of technology. So why bother with acquiring the skill of handwriting? We are now finding out that students today are unable to read anything written in cursive! Why? Because they haven’t been taught it! Sadly, their teachers haven’t been

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If you cannot sign your own name, you cannot put your unique identification which is your signature on critical transactions like a bank loan, or a mortgage or lease, permission for medical procedures, income tax returns, court documents, land deeds or a will. And what about information passed down by our ancestors? They wrote everything out by hand. Can your children read what they had to say? Handwriting is our brain’s best friend! It stimulates every area of the brain. Go to the gym to give your body a work out. Pick up a pen and handwrite to give your brain a workout. Imagine the impact that this will have on staving off forms of dimentia as we age. If we mind our mind…and mind the mind’s of our children by ensuring that one of the skills that they learn is handwriting, it will benefit all of us throughout our lives.

n Mary Ann Matthews, CGA Certified Graphoanalyst Certified Cursive Writing Coach maryann@handwriting.ca www.handwriting.ca

LIFESTYLE

Women with

VISION!

& BEAUTY ...living life at its best

™

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LIFESTYLE

BEAUTY

LIFESTYLE

MINDING YOUR

Menopausal Body By Lesley Paul, B.Sc. Phm

Every woman seems to have that certain birthday that changes everything. You wake up one morning and you feel an extra ache here, another pain there and whoa! Where did that spare tire come from? And that’s the day you vow to make some improvements to your daily routine. How many times have you said, “tomorrow I will join a gym” or “I need to eat better”? Whether you have been exercising for years or not, the menopausal years can wreak havoc on your shape.

It’s difficult to pin weight gain during our forties and fifties on any one cause. Our premenopausal and menopausal years are full of transformations and challenges, both physically and mentally. There are the emotional stressors brought on by children leaving (or coming back) home, having to care for aging parents, a career change or maybe the loss of a spouse. Stress causes our bodies to release cortisol, which can add

New LocatioN

weight to our waistlines. Physically, we lose calorie burning muscle tissue and our fat stores increase. And this also seems to appear around the waist or abdomen.

Fat stored around the waist is a key indicator for chronic disease risk. It is actually more dangerous to have abdominal fat than hip or thigh fat. In other words, where fat is carried is more hazardous to our health than how much fat we have. Men should have a waist circumference of less than 40 inches and women less than 35. BMI (Body Mass Index) is often calculated to determine whether a person is • Tattoo Removal overweight or not but it seems that • Electrolysis waist circumference is a better • Permanent Makeup indicator of health.

7 third Street, collingwood b@spabeatrix.com www.Spabeatrix.com

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There are many benefits to moving your body.Weight loss, albeit the most obvious, is only part of the story. Physical activity is important in preventing chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and cancer. But there are also more tangible benefits such as relieving symptoms of depression, improving sleep quantity and quality and contributing to longevity. Don’t forget too that your bones will thank you for the added strength gained from exercise. One study has also suggested that exercise may even help women deal with hot flashes. So whether you have always been active or not, here are a few points to ponder through the middle ages. 1. Move More: incorporate 150 minutes per week of moderate activity such as brisk walking or 75 minutes of jogging if that’s what you prefer. But also include at least 2 strength-training sessions per week. Don’t forget, muscle burns more calories than fat and we also need to help our bones. 2. Eat Less: We need approximately 200 fewer calories in our fifties than we ingested in our 30s or 40s. Pay attention to what you eat as well. Don’t skimp on fruits and vegetables and be sure to include whole grains with lean protein.

BEAUTY

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3. Surround yourself with people who have similar goals: Seek the support of friends and loved ones and you will find points 1 and 2 much easier to accomplish. n Lesley Paul, Pharmacist dlpaul@sympatico.ca

Women with

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M A G A Z I N E

As we age if we choose to eat the same amount and don’t increase our physical activity we are going to gain weight leading to some pretty serious implications. www.womenwithvision.ca

LIFESTYLE

BEAUTY

MIND YOUR PERSONAL

By Marilyn Wetston The Wardrobe Doctor

BEAUTY

You are now the oldest you have ever been and the youngest you'll ever be. So live now. Dress your best and express yourself with no regrets.

solids, brights and pastels. The possibilities for a variety of looks are limited only by your personal criterion.

To make the clothes in your closet into a summer wardrobe that speaks well be mindful of who you are and your specific needs.

Examine yourself from the inside out and gain a true understanding of what looks and feel best on you. Now use your clothes to make the statement you need for the days of this summer.

Acquaint yourself with the current fashion trends. Determine what you need for the season and then select the items you need to pull your look together. Edit your clothes. Eliminate all that does not help you achieve your best look, including things that feel wrong. ÂŠ Andrey Arkusha | Dreamstime.com

Fashion Statement

Use your clothes to highlight your positives and camouflage what you wish. Make your goal to dress to create a focus so you make eye contact and connect with others. Achieve this by paying attention to your individual needs and desires. Use the strategies of dressing to accomplish your goals. Current trends include wearing short over long, loose over tight, pants of all shapes from slim to full legs, prints,

Think before you speak using your wardrobe and you can be confident that the clothes you wear will convey your message and help you relate to others. To gain an understanding of the fashion offered this season keep your eyes on the magazines and media; to determine what is best for you do the work of trying on new things. Do not be afraid to push your boundaries so long as you make a wardrobe statement that makes you feel you are expressing the true you with your best look. It is definitely worth thinking about what you put in your closet and how you wear it!! n Marilyn Wetston contact@marilyns.ca www.marilyns.ca

Mind your own inner voice and trust your instincts. I got excellent advice from a teacher in high school." Think before you speak!" You may wonder why I tell you this at the beginning of my summer fashion article. It is because I believe dressing is a primary way we communicate with one another. When we think before we speak we pull the most precise words we can and put them together in a concise sentence to clearly express our thoughts and feelings. We succeed in sharing our ideas and are clearly understood. So it is with dressing well. When we fill our closet with clothes that fit every aspect of who we are we have another way of clearly expressing ourselves to others. When you realize that we create an impression in the time it takes to blink, you understand the importance of wearing clothes that convey your message. Your image is your statement. At first glance your credibility to others is established. When each item of clothing equates to a word in your message, it becomes imperative that the "word" fits the statement perfectly. Therefore, your clothes need to fit all aspects of who you are now. They need to fit your physical body in size, enhance your

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natural coloring, and express your spirit, and your personality.Your lifestyle and environment impact as well. When you build a wardrobe that expresses your best message it is comfortable and feels like a second skin. No excuses necessary. Pulling a look together haphazardly creates a disconnect and therefore discomfort for you and or for others. How often do you apologize for what you wear? "I look like this because it is the weekend" or " I wore this ugly top because it was comfortable" Your clothes should all be comfortable! They all should look good on you and make you look your best for the day. Each moment in your life is unique and special and deserves to be celebrated. www.womenwithvision.ca

...at the Blue Mountains

e l ty S

Angie Vancise Robinson and her daughter Marlee Robinson on location at Plunge, Blue Mountain Resort

Photography © Lorraine Leslie | L’original Productions | Women with Vision! Magazine™

T A E R E R G MM SU

...at Copper Blues Restaurant, Blue Mountain Resort

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Georgian

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Georgian

Gourmet Honey bees make the honey from plant nectar and store it in a comb for use during the winter as a food source. Beekeepers then take some, but not all of that honey and market it in comb or liquid form. There are hundreds of types of honey that are available depending on the floral source. I particularly like alfalfa or clover honey which I obtain from local beekeepers rather than the blended honey that you buy in the store.

M.Y.O.B. Submitted By Tom McCavour

So aside from the loss of a food source for you and I, what is the big deal about the extinction of our bee colonies. Well, the big deal is that our farmers depend on bees to pollinate their crops and it is very expensive to do this any other way. Some of my favourite foods such as blueberries, cherries, apples and lettuce are affected. Scientists are even experimenting with “robobees” or robotic bees for artificial pollination. These are miniature robotic airfoils with artificial muscles that make the wings beat.

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Bluebells, buckwheat, canola, catnip, clover, cosmos, daisy, dusty miller, gaillardia, geranium, goldenrod, lavender, lemon, lilac, orange, oregano, pincushion, poppy, pumpkin, rosemary, sage, salvia, sea holly, squash, sunflower, tansy, verbena and zucchini. Try to select a diversity of plants that will provide a continuous supply of nectar through spring and summer. If possible, plant your bee friendly plants in clumps and take some time out and enjoy their visits. Bee watching can be just as enjoyable as bird watching. And remember to M.Y.O.B. n Tom McCavour, Simcoe County Master Gardener

In the 1930’s, a slang version of “Mind Your Own Business” became “Mind Your Own Beeswax”. Well fellow gardeners, I think that we all should be minding not only our own beeswax but the beeswax of the world. Our bees are in trouble, there are mass deaths in our bee colonies, which threaten not only the farming community, but also you and I. I love honey, spread on my morning toast, I love honey garlic sausage and honey in my tea; I like honey on my pancakes and honey on my salad. I just like honey period.

So who can we blame for the bee collapse? What is bugging the bees? There would appear to be various culprits including agricultural pesticides, parasitic mites, and bacterial disease. The verdict is still out, but the widespread use of chemicals in crop production is the likely cause

So, if that is the case, what can we, as gardeners, do to help the bees? In our own small way we can grow bee friendly flowers and avoid the use of pesticides. Bees are attracted to bright coloured flowers. They cannot see red, but they can see ultraviolet wavelengths in colours, so colours in the blue and violet spectrum are attractive. They like not only bright colours but also flowers with an attractive smell and nectar. Here are some of my choices for flowers, vegetables and trees plus a few weeds that will attract honey bees. I will list their common names in alphabetical order.

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Georgian

Gourmet

Chef

Sam Child...

Andy Wright Photography

Meet Samantha B Child: graphic designer, payroll and accounting specialist and now culinary artist. Sam’s journey started at a young age in rural Orangeville, inspired by her father, a graphic designer and amateur chef. Many hours spent in the kitchen enjoying father/daughter bonding time trying out recipes that dad learned at cooking classes resulted in Sam’s adventurous nature in the kitchen. Testing her culinary prowess and, in many cases, failing miserably: like the sweet and spicy sauce with maple and a glut of unmentionable spices that was, essentially inedible...

Sam I AM By Susanne Mikler In high school, without the option of a shop class, Sam joined the culinary programs and found that she liked them enough to start her first part time job in a kitchen. However, it was not a great experience. In fact, it was devastating. A boss who was the epitome of Hell’s Kitchenesque drove Sam out of the industry. But not for good. With culinary dreams temporarily crushed, Sam followed her father’s lead and took a graphic design program and completed the program with the hopes of starting her own business. With student loans to repay, Sam worked a full time job in addition to starting a fledgling design business. But like many new ventures, fell prey to the reality of supply and demand and punishing overheads. Her business closed and student loans in her past, Sam thought a new career path would be a fresh start. So off to business school she went and studied the Accounting and Payroll Specialist program. But her culinary passion continued to nag at her. And the void would eventually lead her to take the program at Liaison College in Barrie. With her mother’s words of wisdom (if you don’t choose a career in culinary you can always rely on the cooking skills for life), Sam pushed her traumatic early experience in the commercial kitchen behind her and became a student again. This time in the field of dreams: the kitchen. Sam completed her first level of classes without issue. Her creative juices were flowing and she quickly started to master the knife skills that would serve her in the future. In the second level of the program, Sam was required to create a menu that would be executed for the public as the “Chef of the Day” where the objective is for students to practice the concept of a la carte service. With her graphic design expertise coming in to play, Sam crafted a clever and unique menu card for the continued on page 33

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Georgian

Gourmet Sam I Am...continued from page 31

tables in her dining room. Her classmates became her brigade (kitchen team) and her menu was ready for preparation and serving to live customers. No pressure. Her parents attended. Of course, it is often expected that parents will be proud no matter what, but Sam created a wonderful three course meal including appetizer, entrée and dessert that left her customers raving (including Lorraine Leslie from Women with Vision who happened to be a lunch guest that day). Mission accomplished. But one of the hardest parts of any study program is finishing – now you have to apply your skills in the real world and that can be daunting. Sam wondered where her newly acquired professional skills would take her. But when Liaison College was contacted by Christie’s Mills Executive Chef, Ericka (also a Liaison College graduate) who was looking for kitchen staff, it was Sam who was recommended for the position. Christie’s Mills is a thriving, well known resort north of Barrie where guests are treated to beautiful scenery, relaxing atmosphere and delicious repasts. It is common for Chefs to ask for a working interview where candidates can show their muster in action – it is also called a “stage”. This was the case for Sam and she was asked to prepare a dish for Erika. No problem. Hired. Starting now. And so Sam began her culinary career as the breakfast cook and worked into the team seamlessly. Now, only a few weeks into the position, she is facing holiday buffets, big events, crowded family brunches and the promise of no slow down over the hectic summer months. The fast pace of the kitchen can take its toll and is often too much for the faint of heart to handle. But Sam will not be deterred. She is determined to succeed. Her confidence is soaring. When asked what advice she would give to an aspiring culinarian, Sam simply says: “don’t let anything stop you – just do it”. Sage advice from someone who has overcome barriers and fears to find her passion; we can look forward to great things from Sam if she puts her mind to it. Because Sam She Is. n Susanne Mikler

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ÂŠ Olha Afanasieva | Dreamstime.com

by Chef Sam Child

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Barrie - Hotel & ConferenCe Centre

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Holiday Inn Barrie Hotel & Conference Centre 20 Fairview Road, Barrie, ON L4N 4P3 Tel: 705.722.0555 Toll: 877.728.6191 email: holidayinnbarrie@whg.com Contact the hotel for pricing or visit our website at www.hibarrie.ca

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• Country fresh baking every day • Jams & pies made in our own bakery • Frozen fruit available all year • All occasion giftware & baskets • Fresh honey year round

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the highest return. Ensure your home is in tip top condition for showings. Outside the home: mani & pedi the lawn and outside gardens, place some color in the gardens or in decorative containers at the front entrance. TLC the inside of the home: clear the clutter, depersonalize, fresh flowers, fresh paint, clean the carpets, the windows, floors, etc. Sparkle doesn’t cost much but it sells. Essentially Buyers are taking your home for a test drive, visualizing themselves living in your castle. Some of the least expensive things you can do to your home will have the greatest impact. When buying or selling have a plan of action, know what is important to you and your family, have a vision of what you truly wish to accomplish with your purchase or move and share this with your Realtor, he/she can help.

n Monika Gibson Sales Representative Century 21 Millennium/ Collingwood

Mind your

Castle

By Monika Gibson Your home is your castle and for many their greatest financial investment. Taking care of your investment is paramount for maintaining its value. When you are buying or selling your castle a

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top priority should be the vision you are creating, for yourself as the Buyer, or for another, if you are selling. If you are in the market for a new home or a weekend retreat, have a clear vision of what you “must have” versus what would be “nice to have” and what you would be “willing to compromise”. This will help avoid thinking with your heart. It is easy to fall in love with the spa bathroom or the gourmet top of line kitchen, but if what you really wanted was peace & quiet and a private yard, then the house with the spa bath on a busy street is not for you: Location cannot be fixed or changed. But if the yummy bath is in a home that offers you the peace and quiet you are looking for and fits your plan, then you may have found your dream home. Making concessions is a necessary part of the home buying process. There are many items that can be ignored

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and changed: wallpapers: floral and the oh so cute puppies and kittens, paint colors, ugly carpet, dated appliances, popcorn ceilings, sparse landscaping or no curb appeal, distasteful smells such as food or pet odors (mold is different). Look beyond these items and see the possibilities and potential. Hold fast to items such as your budget or spending limit, the location and the must haves. A plan will ensure you do not compromise on what is important. When selling your home it is natural to be emotionally attached to your castle, memories have been created there. For Buyers however, they need to create their own vision for your home and see what is possible for them. Prepping your home and making it shine in its best light will yield www.womenwithvision.ca

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In it, they list a few of the plants that attract bees, organized by bloom time:

Early Blueberry Cotoneaster Crabapple Cranberry Crocus Foxglove Heliotrope Hazelnut Heather Primrose Willow

Mind Those

Pollinators

By Janet Kurasz, Hort, AMCT(A) The decline in Honey Bees in recent years has been alarming. From a layperson’s perspective, I have a feeling of déjà vu – not too long ago we were debating the validity of Global Warming and now here we are discussing the plight of honey bees. The phenomenon has been named “Colony Collapse Disorder” by Scientists, although there is not a consensus on what is happening. Recent focus has been on Honeybees, a species that is essential in the pollination of agricultural crops. The economic value of bees pollinating is in the billions of dollars annually. Native bees in Canada are also in decline; some species are on the verge of extinction. There are over 1,000 species of pollinating insects in Canada. Many flowering plants depend on insects to transfer pollen grains from male to female flower parts to produce fruit. When you consider the need for pollinators in the production of our food, you begin to grasp the gravity of the situation; the impact is enormous.

Mid-season Blackberry Cat mint Catnip Chives Dahlia Hyssop Lavender Raspberry Sunflower Yarrow

Late Aster (perennial) Beggar's tricks Borage Coneflower Cornflower Cosmos Goldenrod Pumpkin Sedum Squash

Pollination Guelph is a non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to the conservation and development of pollinator habitat for current and future generations. Their website is full of resources and links. They will come to your event or group to give a presentation - www.pollinationguelph.ca So as you head out to your favourite garden centre to check out what’s new for this year, you have good reason to add a few more plants to your collection.

n Janet Kurasz, Horticulturist www.kurasz.ca

Women with

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M A G A Z I N E

We can all contribute to healthy eco-systems by growing native plants, selecting non-invasive ornamentals, eliminating pesticide use and we can now add to that list, growing plants that attract pollinators. There is lots of information available on the internet and you can visit your local garden centre for information about plants in your area. The website “Pollination Canada” is devoted to informing and providing resources to landowners to protect pollinators - www.pollinationcanada.ca/ The David Suzuki Foundation has a section on their website devoted to creating a welcome place for bees www.davidsuzuki.org

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HOME, GARDEN

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Mind Your Own By Karen Sencich

Mess

ARTS ENTERTAINMENT

I have witnessed frequent finger pointing while watching clients trying to determine the source of disorganization in their home or office. Everyone blames someone else for the mess without addressing the root cause of the problem. It is time to step up and take personal responsibility to mind your own mess. Decide to be proactive. Implement these action-oriented tips designed to inspire and motivate you to get started and stay on top of organizing issues.

• Banish pile ups. Avoid the trap of saying, “I’ll leave this

tote. Regularly return books to the library or exchange them at a used bookstore. Keep a list of favourite authors or books you’ve read to avoid duplication.

here just for now.” Just for now has a way of turning into forever!

• Create a written seasonal wardrobe plan.Try on clothing

• Allocate a specific time to address the disorganized mess.

to determine what fits, then match up coordinating outfits that suit your current lifestyle and list items by chosen categories: sportswear, office attire, casual wear and formal wear.

• If you take an item out, put it away. No exceptions.

Each week, dedicate a minimum of one hour or two half hour sessions to tidy and organize and return things to where they belong.

• Manage piles of books by popping them into a portable

•

Strategically place blue recycle bags in key closets to capture donation items, for example, outgrown and out of fashion clothing, outerwear, boots and shoes.

• Implement the “new one in old one out” rule. This rule is especially useful for keeping stock of underwear, bras and socks under control. Other inventory categories that quickly outgrow assigned space are costume jewellery, shoes, purses, scarves and belts.

...experiencing classical & creative masterpieces

• Maintain inventory lists of products and possessions by

Monika Gibson Sales Representative Representative Sales

72 Hurontario Street, Collingwood, ON L9Y 2L8 Direct Line: 705-607-0445 Office: 705-445-5640 www.century21.ca/monika.gibson

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The bottom line is to consider your storage space as real estate. Which possessions deserve a spot in the valuable real estate space inside your wallet, purse, fridge, freezer or any space needing organization? Immediately weed out what doesn’t deserve the space. Once you learn and practice these organizing rules then you’ll be skilled to assist others master their mess. n Karen Sencich CPO® Certified Professional Organizer®, Speaker and Writer www.havoctoharmony.com

My passion in Real Estate leads to your Good Fortune.

category in a binder. Makeup, skin care, hair products, clothing etc. Rate products you like or don’t like so that you won’t mistakenly purchase the same unloved product again. Keep only what you love.

ARTS

ENTERTAINMENT

BROAD STROKES

By Dean Hollin

As a young girl, Lisa recalls that she always, always, liked to draw! Her career began rather unassumingly under the direction of her father. Dad would draw a horse…Lisa would copy Dad’s drawing of a horse. Dad would draw a tree…Lisa would copy Dad’s – well, you get the picture (so to speak). Along the way, a neighbour intervened and began teaching Lisa some real artist technique. Illustrating and painting continued and flourished for Lisa throughout her elementary school years. Then…came high school. It was during her grade nine year that Lisa’s Hamilton secondary school was preparing to present the musical The Apple Tree. On a “field trip” of sorts, her Art teacher escorted her and her classmates through the hallways and onto the school’s

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ENTERTAINMENT

stage, for a tour of what was to come. The moment that Lisa set foot on that stage she knew – somehow – that she was exactly where she was meant to be. The theatre gods were speaking.

Imagine a visual artist who’s been employed – within her discipline of drawing and painting - continuously for almost two decades. Her artwork has been seen regularly by thousands and thousands… It’s been enjoyed, talked about, written about and applauded. Heck, it’s even enjoyed countless standing ovations! And, did I mention that she’s been selling her paintings constantly for almost twenty years!?! Not many artists can boast a track-record like that! Mind you, not many artists have their artwork tossed in the big can out back, a few weeks after it’s had its premier showing! Enter, Lisa Burke…

Lisa Burke

ARTS

Lisa attended McMaster University, taking courses in both Art and Drama. On the very day that she graduated from that institution of higher learning, she proudly walked off the stage and directly into a job – scooping ice cream. A minor diversion, to be sure! Within months she was beginning her career as a scenic painter at Hamilton’s Theatre Aquarius. She’s still there. Lisa’s first professional painting debut was in Aquarius’ 1995 production of The Sound of Music. She was little more than paint-slave in those early couple months of work – the new kid in the shop – however, a rather large “stained-glass window” drop, used in the first scene, as Maria prepares to leave the Abbey, was largely hers to boast about. Dad was there – proud as punch! Keep in mind that Lisa’s “canvasses” are somewhat larger than the average artist might typically tackle. Lisa paints very large-scale items for use on-stage – doors, stairs, fences, continued on page 48

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ARTS

ENTERTAINMENT

Lisa Burke...continued from page 47

walls – one and two stories high. She routinely paints 25 by 40-foot canvas drops and from time-to-time, even the stage floor. We’re talking LARGE-scale! About a hundred productions have followed, including two more productions of The Sound of Music. Lisa has one loving and supportive husband, two tremendous children and has worked with numerous designers and directors over these past two decades. Favourites include productions of Jesus Christ Superstar and Cats…and a certain designer named Jonathan Porter, from whom she learned oodles from and quite misses. My guess is that Lisa will continue to paint, in a big way, with the theatre gods whispering in her ear…she is a woman with vision!

Dean Hollin Singer, Playwright and Live Stage Performer www.deanhollin.com

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S pe c i al Eve nts Showcasi ng the Co m m u n i t y...

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BECOME A MEMBER...

Guests & New Members are always welcome. Luncheons/Dinners: Breakfasts 7 a.m. / Luncheons 11:30 a.m. Dinners at 6:00 p.m. and last 2.5 hours. Each district has its own networking day and location.

Districts:

Barrie, Brampton, Collingwood, Etobicoke, Grey County, South Simcoe, Owen Sound

Cost:

Each district has its own fee structure starting at $35 per person. Reserved seating is a MUST! Contact the District Coordinator no later than 48 hours prior to the Women with Vision! Networking Breakfast/ Luncheon/ Dinner at the location of your choice. ™

• 45 minute telephone coaching session with Award Winning Business & Life Coach Lorraine Leslie • WWV Membership tax receipt • Advance notification of networking events, conferences and trade shows • Annual Membership Card • Franchise opportunities

New Regions Opening all the time… To become a District Coordinator:

Membership:

Annual Fee: $75.00 + $9.75 HST = $84.75

Members benefits: • Direct mailing of Women with Vision Magazine to home or work • Card holder members receive $5 off on breakfast, luncheon or dinner In all regions • 10% off magazine advertising*

Women with Vision was founded in 1998 to offer business women a networking venue in which they can provide support for one another and develop new business connections. Through this dynamic networking opportunity attendees will receive motivation, inspiration, advice and mutual support to help them take their business & lives in general to the highest possible level.

Phone: 1-866-306-6021 womenwithvision@rogers.com www.womenwithvision.ca

Start a Women with Vision! Networking Association in YOUR community today! We are seeking businesswomen who are committed to excellence, leadership, mentorship and supporting like-minded women in business! The right person will understand business development, marketing and building the Women with Vision mission: to educate, motivate, inspire and promote women in business and daily living. If you are a leader that likes to change lives and you believe in working with a dynamic visionary team…Women with Vision is for YOU!

womenwithvision@rogers.com – Application Go to our website at www.womenwithvision.ca to see how we’ve grown from a one page newsletter to a full glossy magazine and 6 Women with Vision Networking Chapters. Send us your resume, request and application form, meet with us in person, and you could become part of the Women with Vision Networking Association in your community.

CHECK THE WEBSITE FOR MORE INFO

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Give us a call today! 1.866.306.6021 or email your resume to:

...gentle insights of awareness and change

MOTIVATIONAL

Accepting Me By Lorraine Leslie

After the awards presentation I approached one of my favourite television personalities for a photo...it was Mairlyn Smith, from Breakfast Television® and CityLine®, who is their ‘go to’ Home Economist - P.H.Ec. I asked Mairlyn if I could take a photo and with a great big smile she posed with her award. I handed her my business card and said I’d be interested in an interview... ‘Ask and you shall receive’.

“I was an active child – I drove my parents’ crazy! I wanted to be like my big brother John so I was a huge tomboy. As a little girl, my girlfriend and I used to play pretend. We’d play Miss Canada, school teacher, getting married, tv cooking show host, and working in a grocery store. “I’ve always been creative and used to love imaginative games. Looking back now I realize I’ve been improvising my entire life. No wonder, as a continued on pg. 54

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Mairlyn Smith ?????

Mairlyn Smith – Taste Canada, People’s Choice Award 2013

“I grew up in downtown Vancouver where I attended Sir Matthew Begbie Elementary School. I liked to hang out with my brother John, who is three years older than me. We’d play outside until the street lights went on and then we knew we had to go home. We had a fort in the backyard with a grassy field and a pond behind that. One day my girlfriend and I (I think we were about nine years old at the time), found a rock that had “Jesus Saves” on it. We actually thought we had found a miracle. So we would go to the rock every day and pray. She would bring her rosary and tell me she wanted to become a Nun. I told her I was going to be a Nun with her and she said I couldn’t because I wasn’t Catholic. I said to her, ‘what kind of crummy rule is that?’ We had a big fight about it so her mother told me, ‘you can’t become a Nun right now – maybe things will change when you get older’, and that was the end of the discussion.”

INSPIRATIONAL

For Whom I Am…

In the fall of 2013, I was invited to attend the Annual Taste Canada event in Toronto by Susanne Mikler, the owner of Liaison College, and her good friend and Women with Vision writer, Donna Messer of Connect Us Canada. What a fabulous opportunity it was to meet some of Canada’s top chefs and cook book Author’s, and to taste some of Toronto’s finest cuisine and wines.

Mairlyn and I met at a small little cafe in downtown Toronto called Tabule that is known for its yummy Middle Eastern cuisine. Settling in we ordered some babaghanouj, hummus, and gluten free flat bread and ginger cinnamon tea. I started the interview by asking where she was born; to which Mairlyn chuckled and with a glint in her eye said “I was born in Vancouver BC many years ago”...

MOTIVATIONAL

INSPIRATIONAL

MOTIVATIONAL

INSPIRATIONAL

Mairlyn Smith...continued from pg. 52

young adult I ended up working on Second City... I was training for it from age six!” “My mother would save all her old boxes and we’d play grocery store, school teacher and cooking show-all the things we played I ended up becoming. We had a television but we could only watch it as a treat, like Walt Disney. My mother, Roberta was a stay at home mother, until I was off to school at the age of six and then she worked part time one day a week. “Being a middle child I was pretty independent. I was a free spirit…still am. As kids we found it fascinating to just lay on the lawn and look up at the clouds and find animals etc. out of the ‘white fluff ’. I also have a younger sister Kathleen. My father Jack worked for BC Tel so we had a pretty normal life, not what you’d call normal today for sure...” “The universe brought me what I believed I was destined to do. My intention was to be a TV cooking show host, a dancer and an actor, and I’ve been blessed with being able to do two out of the three.”

1980's, Mairlyn on a childrens game show called Wild Guess

Mairlyn Smith ( 2nd from right) with her family 1960

“I attended Vancouver Technical High School, where both my parents went as teens. I never had a part time job as my parents believed that we (my brother and sister included) should have fun while we were in high school, but we were expected to get a job after we graduated. I went on to study Home Economics at the University of British Columbia. While attending university I became part of MUSSOC – a musical society, where I started doing musicals.” “After graduating in 1976 from university I went out to change the world, the only problem was no one wanted me to. I ended up working at BC Tel for a year before venturing off to Europe for three months... After much thought and time to think I ended up going back home and going back to UBC to get my teaching certificate.” “My first and only teaching job was as a half time Home Economics teacher and a half time Drama teacher. I ended up being the head of the Department of Fine Arts at Balmoral Junior High where I put on musicals and plays for the three years I was there.”

Mairlyn with her sister Kathleen and brother John

I think it’s hilarious that all of those things actually happened in my life. I took dancing lessons, singing and drama classes, went to church, was a Brownie and Girl Guide, sang in the church choir...basically I was so active, there wasn’t a spare moment in my day”.

“I didn’t want to die trying to be a be a full time actor; at age twenty six, I found I was a bit too old, but still had the acting bug so bad that I signed up to take some summer courses at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles. Then, like most Canadian actors in the 1980s I moved to Toronto to find work and an agent. Signed, I came back to Vancouver to work on a children’s show but

unfortunately I got hurt in a rodeo accident... during the shooting of the kid’s show I was bucked off a steer, Ouch! I landed on my neck and I was never able to dance or do musicals again.” “I returned to Toronto in the fall of the year, but this time I was no longer a musical theatre actor... so my agent sent me on an audition for Second City. My fifteen minutes of Improvisation landed me a job and I was thrilled. When I told my friends they were so surprised.” Mairlyn said with a simple smile and a glint in her eye. “The steer accident changed my life! I had always wanted to be a musical theatre actor – I loved to sing and dance – but everything changed. What’s the old saying, when one door closes another one opens...and in this case it was an even better door with this amazing opportunity at Second City. It was my lucky door. Eventually the next door opened and I became part of the non-equity touring company, then the equity touring company and then the Canadian national equity Touring company which gave me hope of one day performing on a main stage in Toronto – in my case I ended up working with the Second City Comedy Troupe.”

Mairlyn poses for a promo poster for Second City

“As a professional Home Economist – P.H.Ec., and an alumnus of the Second City Comedy Troupe, not only do I bring knowledge about foods and nutrition to the table, but I do it with a smile and a giggle.” “My husband and I still take Improvisation classes together once a week – it is the only time I have because I am so busy. It gives me time to live in the moment – it’s like yoga for the brain. When I moved here I received this great gift of being ‘that cooking person’ on TV because I could think on my feet, making it easy for me

promo shot

continued on pg. 56

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Mairlyn Smith...continued from pg. 55

to interact with others effortlessly. I owe Second City a ton...with my P.H.Ec. background, being a teacher and my sense of humour it all came so naturally to me. I went on to do many commercials and voice over commercials, I was on a TV show called Adderley (1986–1988), did guest appearances on Street Legal and did some other films/shows that were based and filmed in Toronto. ” “I’ve had several challenging physical accidents and what I’ve learned is wailing at the moon doesn’t get you anywhere. Being able to accept my new life and move forward became the new me. Fighting against one’s old obstacles and wanting things to be as they were never lets anyone move forward and be in the moment.” “My partner, Scott, has been a huge positive influence on my adult life. He has taught me that in accepting new circumstances you have the chance to release and get unstuck, so you can move on no matter what happens to you next.” “I started to realize I was acting out.... maybe I was having my own pity party as I wailed against the outcome of the accident.This was my way of coping and it wasn’t working.” Scott said, “You can either stay this way or accept the new you and move on.” Mairlyn Smith on a Harrowsmith project 1992

“He was right! So after a car accident it was time for me to accept that I would never be able to be as active as I had been and that I had to work with the chronic pain. Strangely enough, once I did accept the new version of me the pain was better. I have since worked with physiotherapists, acupuncturists as well as massage therapists and I am mostly pain free....yeah!” “From Second City I went on to do more than fifty television commercials, appeared in live theatre, numerous movies and eventually landed a cooking segment on the Discovery Channel.” Mairlyn’s versatility in acting and cooking with a comedic flair landed her the perfect job as a cooking show host for four years with Harrowsmith Country Life...Eggplant and Steak was the name of the segment which subsequently received a Gemini Nomination. After the show it was time for Mairlyn to reinvent herself... “Around this time I was looking to write my first book… continued on pg. 58

Mairlyn’s ‘Healthy Starts Here’ book cover; Whitecap Books; photograph of Mairlyn by Pierre Gautreau, food photographs by Mike McColl/General Chefery

promo shot

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MOTIVATIONAL

INSPIRATIONAL

Mairlyn Smith...continued from pg. 57

Blossom! By Marj Sawers

My father has an amazing sense of humour. He taught me to never cry about life so much as to laugh about it – even the bad experiences are good experiences as I can now look back and laugh about them...” Mairlyn is a freelance writer with articles appearing in major magazines in Canada, and is a regular contributor for a local newspaper in Vancouver which her mother loves to read. “Healthy Starts Here! is my baby – The book I finally got to write about healthy eating and nutrition all presented with comedic flare...oh, and there are 130 recipes that taste too good to be good for you as well.” “The Vegetarian’s Complete Quinoa Cookbook, I worked on as concept developer, recipe tester, writer and editor with The Ontario Home Economics Association which was shortlisted for a Taste Canada Food Writing Award.” Mairlyn and I met the night she won the CBC’s People Choice Award at the Taste Canada Food Writing Awards in 2013. We laughed a lot as we chatted and enjoyed lunch while getting to know each other… Thanks Mairlyn, I’m so pleased you’ve brought the home economist back out in me!

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One of the hardest things to do is to keep your eye on your ball and to reflect the real you... © Stephanie Frey | Dreamstime.com

Mairlyn working on one of her books

“Thinking back now, some funny incidents that impacted me as a young person also influenced a change in my character and outlook on life.

n copyright Lorraine Leslie – Women with Vision Magazine September, 2014

INSPIRATIONAL

Be Your Own

basically I did some research through hundreds of cook books to know what to look for and to select what type of cook book I wanted to write. A lot of the recipes I had done on Harrowsmith and my family favourites were my focus. I looked for a publishing company, and the one I liked was McMillan, which is defunct now. I went to see them and when they saw what I had to offer they said okay, so I wrote my first book called Lick the Spoon. I wanted to call it Bite Me! but the publisher was appalled and offended – of course just five years ago someone else came out with a book called Bite Me and I said...that’s my book name. Lick the Spoon was a complication of recipes I truly liked – so here I was, writing cook books and doing more TV as a ‘foodie’ which has brought me to where I am today. “Like a lot of people I enjoy moderate exercising such as bike riding and the occasional hike (as long as I don’t overdo it), reading, walking, exploring new places, watching movies and doing new and fun things. Cooking started as a hobby and now it is a fabulous career. My cooking has provided me time to create new recipes, write a number of cook books and appear regularly on Breakfast Television® and CityLine® in Toronto.”

Why is that? I think I know the answer... We read magazines to see what is trending, who is wearing what, where they are going, or what they are saying. It almost seems like we are living our lives vicariously through others. Now, just before you get defensive ask yourself why are you driving the car you are driving? Did you get interested in that make or model of car through watching television commercials, your neighbour or some of your fellow workers who drive that model? What colours can you not help but desire during your “change of season” shopping? Don’t look so shocked! It might have been on your goal list for three years. You see without desire, goals and new ideas, it would be a very dull and dreary old world. In all probability we would have to become hunters and gatherers again. Maybe you are the trend setter in your area of influence. Often, it relates to the way we dress. Commercials, window displays or fashion shows can influence us, making us a follower of what the designer or shop owner has set up to peak our interest and build a need in our mind. In a lot of ways it all relates back to marketing. If these temptations did not float past us, we would be eating the same thing every day. Not to mention, taking the same vacation annually, driving the same car, and wearing the same outfits. Not only would that be boring, but the loss of jobs would be staggering. It is all about supply and demand. In the real world our needs and desires keep the wheel rolling. Supply and demand =

training, jobs, opportunities and solid futures. It would be a very bleak world if all Canadians were wearing drab colours and one style every day, much like uniforms that we have observed in other countries. I believe that the best gift we can give ourselves and our loved ones around us is to keep our own opinions to ourselves, re: what styles, colours and lengths etc. are appropriate. If Mother Nature had listened to others we would all be looking alike, speaking the same language, not to mention a colourless society. What would your garden look like if all of the flowers were the same size, colour and type? We are affected by the things that we surround ourselves with. I sometimes wonder how this new hooked up and over connected generation will progress, how it will affect our marketing, our personal stimulation and the employment levels that would affect us all. Hmmm! Step out and shine this season.... Be who you really are. Wear the colours and styles that make you walk taller, smile more, and feel like yourself. Let your energy and joy of life flow, you never know whose attitude you might change.

n Marj Sawers, Retired Philanthropist www.womenwithvision.ca

MOTIVATIONAL

INSPIRATIONAL

YOUR LIFE:

DESTINATIONS

Mind it Own it!

...Explore the world around you

By Deborah Johnson

Life as a whole is nothing more than a large process with a beginning, middle, and an end. Within this large process are mini processes that capsulate our life. They are our thoughts, feelings, actions and experiences. They define us, and our interactions with those around us.

Think for a minute of a trying time in your life. Perhaps you went through a divorce, lost a job, lost a loved one, lost your sense of direction and purpose. Now think of that event or situation as a process. Analyze it for a minute and identify its beginning, middle and eventual end. Now reflect on how much emotional energy you put into that particular process; was the energy expended necessary or could you have viewed that situation differently and perhaps dealt with it more calmly and objectively had you been less emotionally attached? Clearly we are meant to have mental and emotional highs and lows and obviously if the loss is traumatic, mental and emotional release is a defence mechanism as well as a healing power. Often though, we become so emotionally entangled we lose sight of the ‘this too shall pass’ philosophy. We need to regain the ability to mind our own lives first and foremost, rejoice in the daily events we experience and embrace those around us as they too mind their own lives. This does not mean selfishly put you first above all others. It means

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to be comfortable in your own skin, know that you and you alone define who you are and what you do with your life; who you allow to walk with you and who you ask to take a different path. If something isn’t working in your life, think of it simply as a small process in relation to your overall life span, and change it. I have worked countless people through their turmoil, and everyone has at some point stated that, looking back, they wondered why they become so emotionally overloaded. Were they to go through the experience again, they would have done it much differently. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. If we can think in terms of experiences and processes, own our own lives, and take responsibility for our choices and decisions, perhaps we could alter how we go through life’s ups and downs and make our existence here much more peaceful and enjoyable. Mind your own first and allow others to take responsibility for minding their own path and processes as well.Walk contentedly with those you love and remember everything in life is just a series of linked experiential processes, all with a beginning, middle and an end.

n Deborah Johnson Clairvoyant, Medium, Author, Speaker www.deborah-johnson.net deborah@deborahjohnson.ca

Too often we get so caught up in our own trials, tribulations and issues of those around us, we forget these are experiences only, and like life itself, each experience has a beginning, middle and end. Each event in our lives will have a mini life cycle of its own.We become so embroiled in the turmoil of the moment however, we forget that wonderful old saying, ‘this too shall pass’.

Corn Flower I've been driving past the Dufferin County Museum for the past twenty years when one day this past spring something drew me in. it was the artifacts for sure, but today it was time for me to go in and see the Corn Flower exhibit. You might say I have a connection, you see my uncle, Richard Hughes is a direct descendent to William John "Jack" Hughes the creator of the Corn Flower® pattern. Jack Hughes was born in Amaranth township in 1881; the year Dufferin County was incorporated. When he was a young boy, his mother died, leaving his father to care for the six children of the family. At a young age, Jack's family moved from Amaranth to Melancthon Township, where they lived in difficult poverty. With very little formal education, Jack's ambition, his knack for business, and his sheer determination to build a better life for himself and his family yielded him great success in life. As founder and operator of W.J. Hughes & Sons Corn Flower Limited, Jack ran his business for 39 years with integrity and creativity. After working for a few years as a silver-measurer at Roden Brothers Silversmiths in Toronto, Jack learned the art of glass-cutting in 1907. He later set up shop cutting glass in the basement of his home at 212 Wychwood Avenue in Toronto (1912-1914). Purchasing glass blanks in small numbers, Jack hand-cut the pieces in his basement workroom. He then packed up the glassware in his car to show and sell his wares at jewelry and gift stores in Toronto and in smaller towns around southern Ontario, including stores in Dufferin County. From these humble beginnings, Jack built his business strategy upon providing quality cut glassware, sold through reputable stores, at prices accessible to the average Canadian consumer. On these foundations, and due to growing wordof-mouth praise for Corn Flower, the company grew and prospered. In the late 1940s, he and Pete Kayser built a permanent factory for his company at 102 Tycos Drive in Toronto, complete with a product showroom.

Pete came on board to the family business in the mid 1940s. A former flying instructor who had married Jack's only daughter, Lois, Pete's strong business sense and his similar knack for anticipating consumer trends led W.J. Hughes & Sons Corn Flower Limited into a new phase of expansion, from 1951 to 1988.

Wayne Townsend,

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Director/Curator of the Dufferin County Museum and Author of Corn Flower – Creatively Canadian, demonstrates the grinding process that produced the Corn Flower Crystal.

In this period of the company's history, many new and different glass blanks were cut with the Corn Flower pattern. Under Pete's direction, many new lines, such as "Epic," were produced. Corn Flower also began offering coordinating lines of products such as trays and ovenware, to complement Corn Flower glass tableware. Into the 1970s the company also offered several lines of cut crystal, such as "Olympia," "Janessa," and "Northwood." Increased diversification of product lines, consistent quality, and affordability, were the benchmarks of W.J. Hughes & Sons Corn Flower Limited during these years of expansion.

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Life Numbers MIND YOUR OWN DEVELOPMENT … EMBRACE YOUR GROWTH NUMBER! By Paola Gucciardi The Growth number which is determined by your first name represents your personal self- your unique individual nature. Every time your name is said, its vibration is sent into the universe. Your growth number not only sets you apart from others but it is also essential to the relationship you have with yourself and others. Mind your own personal development by embracing the qualities of your growth number.

To Calculate...Add

1. 2. 3. 4.

1 a l e X a n D r a 2 1 3 5 6 1 5 4 9 1 3 1 + 3 + 5 + 6 + 1 + 5 + 4 + 9 + 1 = 35 4 3 + 5 = 8 Growth Number Write your first name Using the chart below, record the numerical value of each letter Add the numerical values 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Reduce the SUM to a single digit

1 You are a natural leader. Inspire others using your originality, creativity and trendsetting ideas. To bring goals to fruition use your willpower and determination. Others recognize your ambitious, competitive and adventurous nature. 2 As the natural peacemaker, diplomat, and counselor, you thrive in a calm environment. You are the ultimate team player who desires cooperative means to bring about resolution. Tune into your strong intuition. Others recognize your excellent listening skills.

9 i

Q r

Others recognize you for your hard work and getting the job done. 5 Embrace your independent, spontaneous, and passionate personality and see the world as a playground to be explored and experienced. You love freedom, change, diversity and progression. Balance your insatiable curiosity and your need to enjoy all sensory pleasures in life including food, alcohol, sex and adventure.

your personal experience and evaluation. Others may find you aloof, impersonal or standoffish. 8 Utilize your strong drive to achieve recognition, power, status and financial success. You possess ambition, determination, and excellent business acumen. You respect strong and assertive personalities. Others see you as composed.

3 Inspire others with your wit, creativity and fun-loving personality. Express your eternal optimism and creative nature by writing, acting, designing and/or speaking. Others are drawn to your charismatic and happy-go-lucky nature.

6 Restore humanity and contribute to its well-being using your highly perceptive, caring and nurturing nature. Stability, security, and a loving harmonious family life are essential to your happiness. People gravitate towards your compassionate and empathetic personality.

9 Be of service to mankind and live by the principles of love, compassion, and consciousness. You are an altruistic visionary who possesses a charming, loving, understanding, and generous personality. Others recognize your natural philanthropic and humanitarian nature.

4 Utilize your organized, methodical and practical qualities to build a strong foundation of security and stability. You love your home and family, and are motivated to provide for their needs.

7 Seek the deeper meaning of life using your perceptive, intuitive and deep thinking approach. Spend time alone to contemplate life’s important questions. Determine answers utilizing

n Paola Gucciardi, Numerologist www.lifenumbers.ca

Example:

all the numerical values of the letters in your first name

Gazing past the amber flames so bright Thinking of sand, sun and beach balls in flight Splashing and jumping over the waves Brings back memories that we so dearly crave

Last Word By Lorraine Leslie

Calm has come as the night draws near Look beyond the horizon without any fear Cascading hues of a sunset afar Feel the warming blaze on the smooth sandbar Capture your summer... nights and all Live for the moment. Cooler nights will call Take a deep breath and drink it all in Cherish the glow that you're feeling within Summer's so short... so keep your fiery spark Gather love and happiness as it slowly gets dark

ÂŠ Jason P Ross | Dreamstime.com

n copyright Lorraine Leslie â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Women with Vision Magazine