It’s day 10 of the 12 Days of Christmas Gift Guides and we’re channelling Austin Powers and the Fonz. These are gifts that groove.
It has been a rough month and our world is changing. We are focused on what matters most in our lives, and what is essential. What is most meaningful?
1. Thawing a frozen turkey requires patience. The safest method is to thaw turkey in the refrigerator. Be sure to plan ahead — it takes approximately 3 days for a 20 pound turkey to fully defrost.
Oven-roasting a split, spice-rubbed kosher turkey breast is one of my all time favorites. This simple recipe for split kosher turkey breast produces perfect results for any Wednesday night
The holidays are upon us, and we spoke with Celebrity Pet Expert Harrison Forbes for a few tips on eliminating stress for our best friends during the busy holiday season. Here are his ideas on eliminating pet stress.
Teachers do so much for our kids, each and every day. We spend so much time talking to our kids about how great their teachers are, but when was the last time you told your child’s teacher that you appreciate all that they do for your kiddo?
Here are 10 handmade teacher Christmas gifts that have a personal touch to help you express your appreciation.
1. Thank you for coloring our lives and making us Sharpies teacher gift from Design Wash Rinse Repeat
2. DIY fabric covered book (this would be so cute to do with a journal or notebook) from Two Twenty One
3. Homemade Tea Wreath from Kojo Designs
4. Thanks a Latte for all you do teacher gift from Longing For Home
5. Succulents planter from Shabby 2 Chic
6. DIY Tub Teas from Martha Stewart
7. Dum-Dum lollipop tree from Meet the Dubiens
8. DIY Oh Sew Easy 10 Minute Fabric Flower Brooch from Sew Creative
9. Teacher Scrabble tile coloured clothespins from Pen and Paint
10. DIY Chalkboard Coasters from Living Well Spending Less
The dazzling celebration of Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, falls this year on February 10 marking the end of the winter solstice according to the Chinese calendar and lunar New Year. Chinese New Year is the longest and most important holiday in the Chinese calendar. This year is the year of the water snake – bringing with it the possibility of luck, adventure and prosperity. As part of a multicultural society, why not take the time to learn about the unique Chinese New Year Traditions for the Year of the Snake with your friends and family:
1. The most important event of Chinese New Year is the Reunion Dinner. The reunion dinner on the eve of the Lunar New Year draws all family members back home to reaffirm love and respect that bind them together as a unit. The best food is served for this feast in abundance! We love T&T Supermarkets (the largest Asian supermarket in Canada – ps.. the items from T&T are now available at Real Canadian Superstore!!). Their Crispy Crackers can make a perfect appetizer. These crispy crackers can be topped with grilled vegetables, flavourful spreads or even marinated seafood.
2. Another custom of Chinese New Year is to reconcile with loved ones, wish others peace and happiness and to forget old grudges.
3. Dumplings are considered a lucky food during this holiday. They symbolize wealth and are believed to bring abundance and prosperity because their shape resembles a Chinese ingot. Add some luck to your dinner with T&T Cooked Dumplings. You needn’t tell the guests they are ready in just 2-3 minutes..
4. Decorate your home with lanterns and banners in traditional red and gold, colours which signify wealth, longevity and good fortune.
5. Gifts are commonly given on Chinese New Year. These can be sweets such as cakes and candy or the traditional red envelopes containing ‘lucky’ money (always in even numbers, odd numbers are considered unlucky) or sometimes chocolate coins.
6. End your feast with sweet cakes. Traditional pineapple cakes like these can be found in almost any bakery in Taiwan. The moist, crumbly, golden crust surrounds a chewy, fresh-tasting filling made with intensely sweet pineapples. Alternately, Chinese Style Pastry (also known as sachima) is a moist, chewy puffed wheat snack from Taiwan resembling puffed rice squares. These treats are irresistibly sweet, slightly sticky and perfectly golden brown. The ones from T&T have no added preservatives.)
Happy New Year – or Gung Ho Fat Choy!
Spiced apple cocktail makes a great cold-weather apple cosmopolitan. Serve ice cold. Thread a dried apple chip onto the cinnamon stick garnish if you’d like. We also have a ton of mocktail recipes if you’d prefer!
Serves: 1 Prep time: 5 minutes
Difficulty Level: Easy
Ingredients:
½ cup President’s Choice Spiced Apple Cocktail
2 tbsp (25 ml) Vodka
2 tbsp (25 ml) Calvados or Applejack or other apple brandy
1 cinamon stick Ice cubes 1.
Method:
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add apple cocktail, vodka and Calvados. Shake. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with cinnamon stick. Makes 1 serving
We wouldn’t be true Canucks without breaking out the red and white over the Canada Day long weekend. Our team were busy beavers (couldn’t resist) as we dug up these ideas for food, style, entertaining and plain coolness.
Food:
1. The Strawberry Canada Day flag cake by Kraft.
2. Strawberry cheesecake bites by Oh She Glows.
3. Maple leaf jello jigglers on a sandwich with sprinkled yoghurt from Meet the Dubiens.
Style:
1. Canadian nails by CND Shellac.
2. HUDSON’S BAY COMPANY COLLECTION Diana F+ Lomography Camera. The Bay
3. Alexander Wang Leather Donna hobo in persimmon at Holt Renfrew
Kids:
1. The peace shirt. Redfish Kids
2. Daisy flower headband by Carrie N.
3. Swimsuit by Bonpoint
Cool Stuff:
1. Red Paisley Bandanas as napkins. Shindigz
2. The Purple Forge Canada Day app (free)
3. Canada Day printable subway art.
A traditional Hanukkah treat, potato latkes needn’t be reserved for the holidays. A fantastic source of protein, they can be served with apple sauce or sour cream and are a perfect size for tiny toddler hands. To reduce fat and calories, the latkes can also be baked in a 400 degree oven.
Ingredients:
8 to 10 medium russet potatoes
1 large brown onion
2 rounded tablespoons jarred minced garlic
4 eggs
1 cup matzo meal
1/2 cup canola oil
coarse kosher salt
Peel and quarter the potatoes and onions. Pulse in 2 batches in a food processor until the potatoes and onions are finely minced. Add 1 rounded tablespoon of minced garlic and 2 eggs and pulse again. Add half the matzo meal and pulse once more. Transfer mixture to a large bowl and start a second batch using the same steps. Heat 1 inch of oil in a large skillet. When oil is hot ladle 1/3 cup sized portions (or smaller for tiny hands!) into the oil and cook until golden brown on the bottom. Once the bottom side is brown use a fork to gently flip over the latke. When both sides are golden brown, lift the latkes from the pan with a slotted spatula and place on a paper towel to drain. Repeat the process with the remaining batter. Add more oil if necessary. When ready to eat, sprinkle the top of each latke with coarse kosher salt (to taste) and serve with a dollop of apple sauce. Makes 12 to 15 latkes.