Category: Lifestyle

Which Countries Have the Most Work to do? #COP21

Lifestyle

Which Countries Have the Most Work to do? #COP21

The average global temperature has been slowly rising in the last few decades. And the main culprit is carbon emissions. Often times we don’t think much about it, if we have to go to the store, we hop in our car, we make purchases from factories that emit carbon. And while making purchases keeps the economy moving, perhaps we need to be making smarter decisions about how much of a carbon footprint we’re leaving.

Last month, a global conference was held in Paris to tackle just this question, on a larger scale – what can countries do? The Paris Agreement noted that we needed to keep the average global temperature from rising more than 2°, because while that doesn’t seem like a lot, it can mean all the difference for icecaps, crops, and water sources.

To do so the Paris Agreement asks that each country implement its own climate action plan by 2018. Each country faces it’s own challenges when it comes to carbon emissions, and some will have more work to do than others.

Africa, South-East Asia and Latin America have some of the lowest emissions per capita, while North America, Australia and parts of the Middle East have some of the highest. China actually consumes the highest fossil fuels, due to their large population.

If you have any recommendations on how you and your family can help reduce carbon emissions for 2016, share it with us.

Breaking News! Loblaws is selling beer!

Lifestyle

Breaking News! Loblaws is selling beer!

Starting yesterday, grocery shopping will be a one stop ordeal! This week, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne announced that on December 15th, six-packs of beer will be sold in Ontario grocery stores. Big-name brand Loblaws is one of the first 13 retailers that rolled out the inventory, with another 60 to follow in the following weeks.

Spotted on the shelves of the Leslieville Loblaws: beer.

There are 25 stores across the Greater Toronto Area, and 16 in South Western Ontario that will be licensed to sell beer. By May of 2016, over 150 stores will carry the beverage.

Four stores in the Ottawa area — College Square Market, the Real Canadian Superstore in south Kanata, Farm Boy in Orléans, and Brown’s Independent Grocer in Stittsville will carry Beer. In Toronto, the Loblaws at 50 Musgrave St., and 17 Leslie St both carry beer, as well as the Real Canadian Superstores on Weston Road and on Gerry Fitzgerald Dr.

Will you be buying beer from your grocery store?

 

#MirrorBall2015

Giving Lifestyle

#MirrorBall2015

On Saturday, I got the pleasure of attending Mirror Ball and Mirror Ball After Dark.

Mirror Ball is in support of two wonderful foundations – FacingCancer.ca and Look Good Feel Better. For a woman diagnosed with cancer, fear and uncertainty becomes a constant companion. The ravages of cancer treatments are horrifying – it can leave a woman anxious, shocked, and insecure. Beauty Gives Back is a charitable initiative of the Canadian beauty industry. They use the tools of the trade to help women look good and feel better every day, through cosmetic and hair alternative workshops and a strong community.MirrorBall_Venue

Look Good Feel Better is a program that creates workshops to teach women and men how to deal with the visual effects of cancer and improving their self-esteem. They offer complimentary group, individual and self-help beauty sessions that create a sense of support, confidence, courage, and community. They offer a wide selection of virtual guides and tips – from picking the right wig for you to step by step makeup tutorials.MirrorBall_Wine

FacingCancer.ca is an online support system for those facing the disease. It’s designer to offer support, provide a cancer information network and cancer support resources and tools to help women and their loved ones manage the social and emotional effects of cancer

 

The night started off with an ultra-glam cocktail hour in the silent auction rooms. Delicious hors d’ouevres were passed around, from polenta fries to falafel bites to gazpacho soup. Hillberg & Berk sponsored a champagne flute game – purchase one glass of champagne for $100 and win a pair of their signature bauble earrings! You also were entered to win the 10,000 ring raffled off at the end of the night. Hudson’s Bay and Shopper’s Drug Mart sponsored a balloon pop. Purchase a ticket for $100, pop a balloon of a dress and automatically win a giftcard of $125 or more!

MirrorBall_Champmagne Pour

In the night’s auction were some absolutely jaw dropping prizes – the live auction offered up a brand new Ford Mustang, all inclusive trip to Amsterdam, and tickets to the Leafs and the Raptors in the best seat in the house! The silent auction offered more great prizes including Steam Whistle brewery tours, electronics, and every beauty product under the sun. The event is sponsored by Shoppers Drug Mart, Estee Lauder, Coty, Hudson’s Bay, Johnson & Johnson, Quadrant,Teva, TJX Canada, Hillberg & Berk.

MirrorBall_JullyBlack

During the dinner we heard from some of the fashion and beauty industry’s most influential. Singer Jully Black performed an assortment of her hits, and Sangita Patel and Matte Babel emceed. Executive Director of Beauty Gives Back Canada Sherry Abbott informed us on why it’s important to give back to such a phenomenal cause.

MirrorBall_AfterDark

#MirrorBallAfterDark – the ultra chic Mirror Ball after party – was not one to miss. Some of the fun activation stations included a Moscato Slushie Bar sponsored by Barefoot Wine and a manicure and make-up station sponsored by Birchbox Canada. There were delicious hors d’ouevres being passed around too – I had more than one serving of truffle fries. Musical guests The Collective with Miles Raine had us dancing all night long with their groovy sax stylings.
Next year’s Mirror Ball will definitely not be one to miss! Be sure to donate at www.beautygivesback.ca

Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes

Lifestyle

Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes

Let’s face it – I love a good Pumpkin Spice Latte. It’s sweet and creamy and is the perfect way to ring in the fall weather. There’s only one thing better than a warm drink – these uber-sweet cupcakes!

Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes

Via Canadian Living

  • Portion size12

Ingredients

Preparation
Line 12 large muffin cups with paper liners; set aside.

In large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cinnamon, ginger, salt, baking powder, baking soda and cloves. In separate bowl, whisk eggs; blend in pumpkin and oil. Pour over flour mixture; stir just until moistened. Spoon into prepared cups, filling to top; with wet spoon, flatten tops.

Bake in centre of 350°F (180°C) oven until cake tester inserted in centre comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Let cool on rack. (Make-ahead: Wrap individually in plastic wrap and store at room temperature for up to 24 hours. Or enclose in airtight container and freeze for up to 2 weeks.)

Additional information : Vanilla Butter Icing

1 cup (250 mL) butter, softened
5 cups (1.25 L) icing sugar
1/2 cup (125 mL) whipping cream
2 tsp (10 mL) vanilla

In bowl, beat butter until light; gradually beat in sugar and cream, making 3 additions of sugar and 2 of cream. Beat in vanilla. (Make-ahead: Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days; beat until smooth before using.)

Makes about 4 cups (1 L).

She’s Influential’s FriYay Sipper

Lifestyle

She’s Influential’s FriYay Sipper

It’s Friday! At the end of the week there is nothing better then sitting down and enjoying a nice cocktail with friends. But who has the time or energy to make a complicated cocktail? This is one of my go-to recipes to ring in the weekend. It’s easy, but you can’t taste it!

The White Owl Ginger & Lime Whisky is a clear whisky that tastes light and refreshing. It tastes more along the lines of a Vodka or Rum than it does a Whisky!
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She’s Influential’s FriYay Sipper

1.5 oz of White Owl Ginger & Lime Whisky

3 oz Soda Water

A dash of coconut water

Fresh basil and peeled lemon.

 

Throw it all together for a light, refreshing taste! Pro tip: peel the lemon as garnish.

Celebrating #Campbells85th with #WarholTO

Lifestyle

Celebrating #Campbells85th with #WarholTO

Campbell Canada president Ana Dominguez and Arthur Potts, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs celebrate Campbell Canada’s 85th anniversary of providing Canadians with great tasting authentic foods including Campbell’s® Soups, Goldfish®, Pepperidge Farm® crackers and cookies, Plum® Organics, as well as others products.

 

On Monday, November 16th, I had the pleasure of attending an exciting night with Campbell’s Soup and Andy Warhol: Revisited.capbell2

We were joined by Ana Dominguez, president of Campbell Company of Canada, who spoke to us about the exciting future of Campbells. Oncoming, the company will be launching a new website that will foster an open, two-way dialogue with it’s consumers. Campbell Canada is looking to expand its community by asking all Canadians to tell them what they think about the food Campbell makes and how they can make it better. President Ana Dominguez shared “Through this platform, we will engage in a meaningful dialogue with our consumers, and provide answers to their most pressing questions. This is a serious commitment. We will be open and honest about what goes in our food, how we make our food and the choices behind the ingredients we use.”

“Campbell’s – the iconic soup company – is a great example of what makes Ontario’s food processing sector so dynamic,” said Arthur Potts, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “They have a strong tradition of creating innovative products while maintaining long-lasting relationships with the farming community by sourcing fresh, locally grown product. I’m happy to congratulate Campbell Canada on 85 years of producing quality foods for Ontarian families to enjoy.”

Campbell

Campbell’s is still located at its original address in Toronto, the company has grown from producing Campbell’s iconic vegetable condensed soup to producing over 225 different products and exporting to countries all over the world including the US, Australia, Hong Kong and the Philippines.

Ana told me “we’re proud to have been making great tasting, quality soups on Birmingham Street in west-end Toronto since 1930. A huge part of our success is the long standing relationships we have built with the people who grow our ingredients, and that includes generations of farmers in the farming communities surrounding Toronto.”

 

Campbell Canada is also focused on delivering on its global promise of delivering Real Food that Matters for Life’s Moments – which Dominguez says “represents the single most important cultural change we’ve implemented globally and at Campbell Canada specifically. We have committed to delivering products with no artificial colours and flavours, eliminating the use of high fructose corn syrup and making sure we provide a host of choices for consumers with different dietary needs.”

Did you know that 70% of Campbell’s ingredients come from local farmers within 300km of Toronto? The Healthy Request® line has been reinvented in response to today’s health conscious consumer who wants to know what’s in their food as well as what’s not in their food. Healthy Request boldly promises to never contain preservatives, ever.

In response to changing consumer tastes and demand for innovative new flavours, Campbell’s soups are constantly being revitalized and updated:

  • The Healthy Request® line has been reinvented in response to today’s health conscious consumer who wants to know what’s in their food as well as what’s not in their food. Healthy Request boldly promises to never contain preservatives, ever.
  • Recently launched Campbell’s® Soup Kits were developed for the adventurous soup lover – the individual who wants homemade soup but doesn’t want to spend hours making it. Campbell’s Soup Kits give them a head start – all they need to do is add a few simple ingredients, and in about an hour, they have a tasty homemade soup with no artificial flavours or colours.

Renowned art expert Robert Wainstein made a keynote address – letting is on the secrets behind Andy Warhol’s iconic Campbell’s Soup Cans and his time working with Warhol at the Whitney Museum of American Art. Did you know Andy Warhol ate soup every day?

If you’re interested in learning more, drop by the exhibit at 77 Bloor St W., and come face to face with some of Warhol’s most iconic works.

Herby Barley Salad With Butter-Basted Mushroom

Lifestyle

Herby Barley Salad With Butter-Basted Mushroom

Herby

As much as my body-loves a kale salad, there is nothing yummier than a hearty, filling grain salad like this herby mushroom version. Gluten free? Just switch out barley for brown rice.

Recipe via Bon Appetite

Ingredients

SERVINGS: 8

  • 1 cup hulled, hull-less, or pearl barley
  • Kosher salt
  • 2 shallots, thinly sliced into rings
  • cup vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 8 ounces mushrooms (such as maitake, chanterelle, and/or oyster), torn or cut into large pieces
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 sprigs thyme
  • 1 garlic clove, crushed
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • ounces Parmesan, shaved, plus more for serving

Preparation

  • Cook barley in a medium pot of boiling salted water until tender, 50–60 minutes for hulled or hull-less, 20–30 minutes for pearl. Drain; spread out on a baking sheet and let cool.
  • Meanwhile, cook shallots in vegetable oil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, swirling pan occasionally to keep shallots from burning, until golden brown, 5–7 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer shallots to paper towels to drain; season with salt. Let cool. Set shallot cooking oil aside.
  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high until just beginning to smoke. Arrange mushrooms in skillet in a single layer and cook, undisturbed, until undersides are golden brown, about 3 minutes. Season mushrooms with salt and pepper, toss, and continue to cook, tossing often and reducing heat as needed to avoid scorching, until golden brown all over, about 5 minutes longer.
  • Reduce heat to medium and add thyme sprigs, garlic, and butter to skillet. Tip skillet toward you so butter pools at edge and use a spoon to baste mushrooms with foaming butter; cook until butter smells nutty. Using a slotted spoon, transfer mushrooms to a small bowl, leaving thyme and garlic behind.
  • Toss cooled barley, cilantro, parsley, lemon juice, 1½ oz. Parmesan, and 2 Tbsp. reserved shallot oil in a large bowl to combine; season with salt and pepper. Add mushrooms; toss again to combine.
  • Just before serving, top with fried shallots and more shaved Parmesan.
    Do Ahead: Barley can be cooked 1 day ahead. Let cool; store airtight and chill. Dish can be made 3 hours ahead; store tightly wrapped at room temperature.
Cooking with Campbell’s

Lifestyle

Cooking with Campbell’s

As a vegetarian, it always proves a challenge to find something quick and easy to make that isn’t full of meat or unnatural ingredients. Thank goodness for Campbell’s Healthy Request Soups! With not a preservative in site, these are good soups that are good for you. Bonus – each recipe only contains 480 mg of sodium.

I’m a big fan of the Curried Cauliflower Lentil – for those who are gluten intolerant it’s the perfect option for something healthy and delicious.

When I’ve got a little more time to whip up something tasty, this vegetarian couscous is my go-to. Even better – it stores well for midnight snacking or later lunches.

Vegetarian Couscous

Ingredients

1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil
1 cup (250 mL) onion, diced
1 cup (250 mL) bell pepper (any colour), diced
1 cup (250 mL) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 cup (250 mL) red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup (250 mL) dried fruits and nuts (cranberry, raisins, chopped apricots, cashews, peanuts)
1 tbsp (15 mL) garlic, chopped
2 tbsp (30 mL) Greek seasoning
2 cups (500 mL) couscous
3 cups (750 mL) CAMPBELL’S® Ready to Use Vegetable Broth
1 cup (250 mL) cherry tomatoes, cut in half
2 tbsp (30 mL) fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

1. Heat oil over medium heat in a sauce pan. Add onions and peppers and sauté for 4 minutes or until the vegetables have softened and browned.

2. Add garlic, chickpeas, red kidney beans, dried fruits & nuts and Greek seasoning to pan and continue to sauté for another 2 minutes.

3. Add broth and bring to a boil over high heat.

4. Add couscous, cover and turn off the heat and let sit for 10 minutes.

5. After 10 minutes, fluff the couscous with a fork; add cherry tomatoes and parsley then stir to combine.

6. Enjoy!

Twitter Party For #MIRRORBALLAFTERDARK

Lifestyle Twitter Party

Twitter Party For #MIRRORBALLAFTERDARK

Back by popular demand, the Mirror Ball After Dark party will be the hottest party in town November 21st!

Featuring a premium bar, you will be able to enjoy gourmet hors d’oeuvres while dancing the night away to music by The Collective with Miles Raine.

The Mirror Ball After Dark event is being held to raise money for two important cancer support programs. Look Good Feel Better and FacingCancer.ca are programs that provide support and resources to women battling cancer , helping them face the social and emotional challenges that come along with having this traumatizing disease. The charitable initiative Beauty Gives Back was founded to help women through the Cancer Blues by providing them with resources to deal with the emotional fall out of cancer

The event will take place at the stunning Liberty Grand and the dress code is Moonlight Glam. What will be wearing? I’m thinking sequins galore!

mirrorballtwitterparty

A Twitter Party  will be held on November 10th at 9:00pm ET. The details are as follows:

Tuesday, November 10, 2015
9:00pm ET
Hosts: @BGBCanada
Guests: @ShesInfluential @LGFBCanada @SparkSessions

NO RSVP
Prizes
Toronto Area Only

This event is going to provide a night of glitz and glam for all who attend. Tickets are going to sell out fast so get yours here and help support a great cause.

Wickfest 2015: The games are on!

Lifestyle

Wickfest 2015: The games are on!

wickfest

Canadians take pride knowing that Hayley Wickenheiser is one of the leading female hockey athletes in the world and represents the authentic national love for ice hockey. Not only is she a 5-time Olympic gold medal winner, she’s also an aspiring motivational speaker and entrepreneur who supports the game of ice hockey through the annual Wickenheiser Female World Hockey Festival.

haley

This year Haley will be hosting the sixth festival in Calgary from Nov. 26th to the 29th. Wickfest is not just an event where young women come together to participate in a world-class competition to play hockey, but it’s an opportunity for them to develop their skills as a professional player and make friends along the way in doing so. It’s the perfect platform for young females to indulge in all things hockey and take part of workshops and classes where they get to learn more about playing techniques and how to develop themselves as a professional.

Wondering what happens in the festival?

Over the course of four days, over 1,200+ players compete and connect while building positive female hockey experiences across all levels. Participants range from 8-18 years old and are divided into teams that range from Novice to Midget.

During the festival, teams will take part in workshops including circuit training, sport psychology, and a pancake breakfast! The event also includes a full day leadership program for 30 women, nominated by their team. There’ll also be on on-ice demo from Hayley Wickenheiser and some NHL special guests (past guests include retired NHL’ers Bryan Trottier, Trevor Linden, and Brendan Morrison).

Hayley personally takes part in the festival by participating in off-ice events such as the workshops, allowing young women to approach her to ask questions and get into a conversation about hockey. To learn more about the festival, visit wickhockey.com.

This festival is more than just a competition or tournament and gives young females the exposure to playing ice-hockey professionally and as a sport. Haley has gone through great efforts to make this an annual function and strives to provide her aid to aspiring female hockey players in Canada. We should in return praise and support Haley and the Wickfest for doing so and to continue offering this platform.