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Posts Tagged ‘Home’

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Call it Puppy Love!

In Animal Kingdom on March 12, 2018 at 6:35 pm

Ivy_Feb2018The Year of the Dog officially rolled in on February 16 and through an unexpected turn of events, we happened upon this blue-eyed beauty.

Our family has always wanted a puppy but every attempt to find one in the past has somehow been thwarted. So, our attention was immediately captured when a friend told us that one of her colleagues had adorable puppies in need of good homes.

When she sent a photo around for anyone interested, the striking father reminded me our dearly departed Shelby who will have been gone now for nine years this summer. Here are the proud parents – the father is a brindle Siberian husky and American bulldog cross, and the mother is a German Shepard and black Labrador cross.

IvyParents2

The timing must have finally been right since everything has fallen into place. We are now in a state of distracted puppy love and scrambling to get our house puppy proofed for our new fur baby. If it seems that we’ve fallen off the face of the earth, or you wonder what happened to our social media existence – chances are we’re probably just outside or taking a walk in the park and can’t come to the phone…

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Ten Films Worth Watching

In Food For Thought on March 7, 2018 at 9:48 pm

There are so many reasons why people choose to change their diet.

Heart of FruitsIt’s always a great day when someone shares their happy health stories with me. Sometimes the conversation will start with food or a health tip. Then the person will continue to detail how they’ve gone vegetarian or vegan, and list the benefits they’ve experienced or ask how to share this info with family and friends.

I love watching films so, I’m often surprised when I mention many of the great documentaries I’ve seen that many people haven’t heard of them. Since people seem to love top 10 lists, I thought I’d compile a list of great health resources.

  1. What the Health
  2. Forks Over Knives
  3. Cowspiracy
  4. An Inconvenient Truth
  5. May I Be Frank
  6. Burzynski: Cancer Is Serious Business
  7. Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead
  8. Food, Inc.
  9. Supersize Me
  10. Hungry For Change

Happy viewing! I’d love to hear if you have a favourite film to share.

Disclosure Notice: We participate in the Amazon Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program, which earns fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites. Our participation does not influence our content decisions but helps to offset the costs involved in maintaining this website.

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Something to Bark About!

In Easy Elegance on June 28, 2017 at 10:18 pm

Canada Day is just around the corner and what better way to celebrate than with these commemorative sheets we found by City Chic. 

 

Dashhounds are all the rage in home decor these days, and who doesn’t love these adorable, little sausage doggies! My daughter will enjoy sweet dreams counting dogs, and the cool and crisp cotton will keep the dog days of summer at bay. Happy 150th Canada!

Disclosure Notice: We participate in the Amazon Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program, which earns fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites. Our participation does not influence our content decisions but helps to offset the costs involved in maintaining this website.

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Save Face this Winter

In Natural Beauty, Recently Reviewed on December 4, 2013 at 11:28 am

With the first major snowfall this year already fallen and melted away (at least here in Toronto), we’re reminded of the breathtaking wonder and beauty of the season – not to mention how much more of it lies ahead! Breathtaking to be sure, as while we enjoy walking in a winter wonderland as much as anyone else, it’s the whipping winds we could do without! If you have sensitive skin like I do, then you know how our puffy, reddened faces suffer following these outdoor adventures.

Cliniderm Gentle Protective Lotion.cliniderm Believe me, you still need sunscreen in winter and here’s a family of products I can hardily recommend.  The Gentle Protective Lotion with SPF 45 is one of my year-round staples but I have also used the protective hand cream and my daughter loves the soothing lotion – especially after a walk on a cold winter day. PRODUCT NOTES First and foremost, these products are free of parabens, dyes, perfumes, lanolin, formaldehyde and proteins. So there’s no scent to any of the lotions. The sunscreen is a bit thicker than most you’ve probably tried so it’s not to be used as a moisturizer. BOTTOM LINE Well priced and worth every penny. Now if only they were organic…

Disclosure Notice: We participate in the Amazon Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program, which earns fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites. Our participation does not influence our content decisions but helps to offset the costs involved in maintaining this website.

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Craving Cream Cheese?

In Good Eats, Recently Reviewed on November 20, 2013 at 11:08 am

Giving up dairy has been a journey in itself. At first, we went all organic and lately have tried to go entirely dairy-free. Sure we all love cheese in our family and didn’t think we could go without. Funny though, I thought I could still have a bit of cheese now and again – after all, I was the only one in our family who wasn’t lactose intolerant. And who can resist the occasional slice of pizza? Well I’ve been surprised to discover that dairy doesn’t agree with me now – after eating it, I suddenly suffer anything from congestion to stomach cramps, thank you very much.

Daiya Cream Cheese style spread. creamcheese I’d heard about Daiya products from other vegans, so I when I saw this dairy-free, soy-free and gluten-free cream cheese style spread, I thought why not give it a try? The chive and onion flavour is our favourite particularly on fresh bagels (yes, some old habits die hard). We tried the strawberry one but it got a definite thumbs down from my daughter for being too sweet. PRODUCT NOTES Looks and tastes like the real thing. Regular cream cheese eaters will be surprised how realistic it is.  BOTTOM LINE Some fake cheese products have a funny aftertaste and people I know have complained about headaches after eating them. So limit your intake, and don’t go overboard. As my Grandfather used to say, “everything in moderation.”

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Bunnies Make Everything Better

In Animal Kingdom on September 20, 2013 at 4:05 pm
Garden Bunny enjoys a quiet moment under the Solomon's Seal.

Garden Bunny seen enjoying a quiet moment under the Solomon’s Seal.

We have a saying in our house: Bunnies make everything better. Luckily for us we have two beautiful pet dwarf rabbits to call our own plus we’re blessed with the occasional visits from our current Garden Bunny (and his relatives).

Having a bad day? Go talk to the bunnies. Feeling worried or sad? Nothing a moment with the bunnies won’t cure. They certainly are great listeners and bring joy to any and all who spend time with them.

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Fading Glory

In In the Garden on August 30, 2013 at 11:48 am

Where did summer go? With the hot and humid days almost behind us, I can finally get back to our neglected garden. The weeds have taken over and everything is overgrown. Time to get back to the routine and do a big fall sweep.

While the riot of blooms are behind us, we still have the autumn joy and mums to look forward to. In the meantime, we’re enjoying our lush sanctuary amid the loud chorus of cicadas, while dodging random clouds of insects, and watching the live entertainment provided by bird and squirrel antics and the latest garden bunny who dines nightly by the stone birdbath.

yard

This cool yard-o-rama photo, showcases our garden with its amazing effect.

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Ritzy Rice Salad

In Food, Glorious Food on April 19, 2013 at 12:37 pm
Easy rice and quinoa salad

Easy rice and quinoa salad

If you don’t already own one – buy a rice cooker! It will make your life so much easier, unless of course you like watching and waiting for water to boil. TIP: Always wash or rinse rice before cooking to remove less than pristine grains and starch. Rice requires equal parts water to rice but quinoa and basmati rice usually need more (half a cup extra water for every cup rice). This quick and easy salad uses whatever items you have on hand. If you have more time, by all means julienne or fancy cut your vegetables and make your own salad dressing.

Ingredients
2 cups                        truRoots Sprouted Rice & Quinoa blend
1 can (19 oz)            chickpeas
2                                 organic green onions
1                                 organic carrot
1                                 organic yellow pepper
Culinary Treasures Lemon Ginger Sesame dressing (optional)

Method
Wash rice and cook according to instructions or use rice cooker adding 5 cups water. Meanwhile rinse chickpeas, dice or julienne vegetables and place in large mixing bowl. Once rice is cooked, cool 5 minutes and fluff. Place in mixing bowl and combine with vegetables. Add salad dressing to taste. Serve warm or cold.