DINING GUIDE
BARRIE
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IN THE CROWD
S P R I N G W AT E R
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ORO-MEDONTE
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ARTS UP CLOSE
INNISFIL & AREA
NEST EASY LIVING
taste SAVOURING BREAKFAST local flavour SURVIVING COVID-19
roam
SUNNY CUBA
$5.95
the country estate, rethought.
welcome to braestone. Braestone is an award winning country estate community located in the heart of the Horseshoe Valley. Inspired by the farmhouses, barns, and sheds of the Oro-Medonte region, the homesteads are an authentic reflection of refined country living with four seasons of outdoor activities at its doorstep. Hiking, skating, apple picking and maple sugar tapping are just a few of the many remarkable activities homeowners experience living at Braestone. We invite you to join in our vision and become part of Oro-Medonte’s
finest community. Contact us today to learn more.
Distinctive and timeless bungalow, loft and two-storey homesteads on a selection of 1/2 acre to over 1 acre valley and ridge lots. From the high $800’s to low $1M’s.
705.727.5656
braestone.ca
Another project developed by:
GEORGIAN COMMUNITIES
Celebrating our
20
th
Anniversary
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boda Decor is celebrating their 20th Anniversary in Barrie. They are an independent family run furniture store, with a dedication to customer service. Over 80 per cent of their 10,000 square foot showroom is devoted to Canada’s top furniture brands such as Palliser, Decor-Rest, Bermex, Trica Furniture, Handstone, West Bro, and Amisco, to mention a few.
Voted FaVourite interior design/decor in the 2019 reader’s choice awards
Aboda Decor was voted #1 in 2019 by the Barrie Advance Readers’ Choice in the category of Interior Design/ Decor store. Take a walk through their amazing showroom and you will see why they are number one in interior decor. You will be welcomed by quality leather upholstery, and solid wood furniture. Their motto is “design it your way!” They offer a free decorating consultation service to their customers.
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“We are skilled furniture consultants who want customers to love the shopping experience, and the joy of living with good furniture design.
Michael Miller heads up their Interior Design/Decor team. Michael was voted Readers’ #1 choice for Interior Designer/Decorator from the Barrie Advance readers choice award; Michael notes, “We are skilled furniture consultants who want customers to love the shopping experience, and the joy of living with good furniture design. Aboda Decor’s motto is “design it your way”. Time with family and friends is well We will work with you and for you spent when you have a welcoming place to untill we get it perfect. It’s all about your vision, and Aboda Decor providing come home to. Now is a good time to visit Aboda Decor during their 20th Anniversary it’s resources to make that interior Sales Event. space you’ve dreamed about become a reality.” Aboda Decor services what abodadecor.com they sell, they have an in-home 31 Commerce Pk Dr., Barrie 705-735-1825 delivery and setup, a 30 day return policy, and a 90 day lowest price Michael Miller, Sue and Colin Springgay guarantee.
GoodLife | Barrie September - October 2020
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september | october 2020
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shopaholic BEAUTY
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11 notes 12 home tour 21 home tour 26 profile taste 29 notes local flavour 31 42 gl wine 44 savouring breakfast roam 51 notes 52 travel 56 luxury adventures INSPIRED HOMES
Contents
EASY LIVING
OF GOOD CHARACTER BRIAN GLUCKSTEIN
DELICIOUS BITES
surviving covid-19
kings of california
good morning sunshine
LUXE TRAVEL
CUBA
Cruising on the great lakes
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the wild side for everyone
2016 2017 2018 2019 Readers’ Choice 2020
Thank You
"Our goal is to have everything in-house so that you can always count on us to take care of you here. We are taking every precaution to keep our patients and our team safe and we look forward to delivering the same customer first driven service to you with each and every visit!” ~ Dr. Bashi
General Anesthesiologist Sleep Dentistry
Cosmetic Dentistry Orthodontist & Periodontist on Staff Flexible Hours Evenings enings & Satur Saturdays ys • Kids love White Cedar Dental We Deal Directly With Most Insurance Companies
610 Huronia Rd., Barrie • 705-737-1151 • whitecedardental.com GoodLife | Barrie March - April 2020
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september | october 2020
GOODLIFE GOODLIFE Publisher Dana Robbins
Regional General Manager Simcoe - York - Muskoka Shaun Sauve
editor’s notes
General Manager Simcoe & Editor Elise Allain Graphic Design Katrina Kuzyk Jamie Law
ELISE ALLAIN
Oh, how the world has changed since we last published! I would like to welcome both readers and advertisers to our Fall edition of GoodLife Magazine. It was personally important to me to publish this issue, as I know many have struggled to get through this new reality we have been dealt. Local business needs your support now, more than ever, and as a publisher of local stories, this magazine wants to celebrate and highlight how some of the names and faces we know who run our businesses have adapted and transformed. This publication is also a symbol of getting back to “normal” and providing the readers of GoodLife a little pause to sit back and enjoy some of the finer things in life, despite the changes many have endured. As we still dream of travel, taste new wines, need inspiration for beautiful spaces we now spend even more time in, this issue may remind you of past editions with a twist. Enjoy some new breakfast ideas from Canadian cookbook authors. Meet local artist Jan Novak who has grown his
photography studio to create unique, personalized pieces all utilizing e-commerce. Our independent restaurants share how they’ve had to pivot, adapt and the importance of the community support. We are moving forward, looking up, embracing change and telling your stories. My ask to our readers is each of you take the opportunity to find local businesses you can support by dining out, a retail purchase or hiring local for a service you may need. Shop local isn’t a slogan. Each of us contributing to our local businesses will help move them into a place where they can be good employers, create diverse and interesting products, and keep Barrie the unique and wonderful city it is. On behalf of the staff at GoodLife Magazine, I would like to thank our advertisers for their support, thank our readers for supporting them and hope everyone enjoys this fall edition. We hope to share more local stories in our upcoming holiday issues.
Advertising Representatives Carolyn Brayiannis Debbie Booth Kate Byers Vic Dellamora Shannon Dunlop Renee Duthie Stacey MacDonald Mary March Photography Contributions Ellie Kistemaker Jim Craigmyle Mike Guilbault Editorial Contributions Katherine Elphick Dawn Ritchie Laurie Wallace-Lynch
21 Patterson Road, Barrie, ON L4N 7W6 Phone: (705) 726-0573 First Place
Statements opinions and points of view expressed are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent those of the publisher, advertisers or GoodLife. GoodLife Barrie edition is published six times per year: January/February, March/April, May/June, July/August, September/October, November/December (Holiday Edition) For further information regarding all our products, we invite you to call us at 705-726-0573.
Elise Allain General Manager Editor, GoodLife Magazine, Simcoe County eallain@simcoe.com for advertising inquiries or to suggest a story idea
For advertising inquiries, please email: goodlife@simcoe.com or call 705-726-0573 ext. 792031 Digital Edition: www.simcoe.com
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Self care is so important right now ‌ treat yourself!
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shopaholic | beauty
Skin brighteners Enjoy a radiant complexion with just a few drops
YSL serum
Beautybio
Marshmallow from Morocco protects skin from external aggressions and brightens skin, $120. thebay.com
The Daily Intensive Vitamin Cocktail Serum protects skin from daily stressors to brighten and refresh, $95. Holtrenfrew.com
Tatcha
The Violet-C Brightening Serum helps soften, smooth and brighten for radiant skin, $114. Sephora.com
Absolue Serum The Absolue OleoSerum by Lancome is a bestselling antiaging face serum that nourishes and hydrates skin, $245. thebay.com
Brightalive
Zo Skin Health’s non-retinol skin brightener evens skin tone, reduces age spots and restores hydration, $160. Available at select spas.
CE Ferulic
Skinceuticals’s antioxidant serum brightens skin and reduces the appearance of wrinkles, $185. Available at select spas.
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Magic serum Bright Plus
An Advanced brightening dark spot-targeting serum by Clarins , $92. thebay.com
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Serum Crystal Elixir promises a brighter complexion, $100. Holtrenfrew.com
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Remote styled Today, designing a space for remote work is more necessary than ever. Knoll has teamed up with Denmark-based design brand Muuto to launch a Scandinavian-styled work from home line of furniture, lighting and accessories. Knoll.com
Fresh air indoors
As we move indoors this fall, keep the air inside your home as fresh as the outdoors with an air purifier by Blueair. The compact and simple-to-use purifier has low energy usage, low sound and is made of recyclable materials. Offered in an array of colours, you can match it to your interior design. Blueair.com/ca Photo: Creative Commons
Herman Miller for gamers
The new gaming chair by Herman Miller and Logitech G doesn’t just look good, it feels good. Herman Miller combined its in-depth research on the science of sitting with the technological know-how of Logitech G to create the Embody Gaming Chair, launched July 2020, to provide gamers the ultimate in comfort and innovation. Hermanmiller. website: plum.wine
Timeless design of Eames
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Eames House – the home and studio designed by Charles and Ray Eames in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood of Los Angeles that is a landmark of midcentury modern architecture. Visit the Eames Foundation as it shares videos about the conservation and history of the house. Eamesfoundation.org Photo: © 2013 Eames Office LLC (eamesoffice.com), photo by Leslie Schwartz
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evelopments are booming in Barrie, but with shrinking yards and residences butted up one against another, homeowners are living increasingly stressful lives where peace, privacy and solitude are in short supply. Mature neighbourhoods are quickly becoming the best value in good living if one is willing to take on a major renovation to bring the existing dwelling up to speed. Zach Lillie took on that challenge when he spotted a gem of a property on Cox Mill Road with a tiny cottage-styled house and land aplenty. The property is a generous 75-foot-wide by 200-foot deep parcel and already possessed an in-ground salt water pool. On it stood, a well-kept but modest 843 square foot vinyl sided home with a detached garage. The private yard was the biggest selling point. Zach’s goal was to quadruple the living space by adding an additional 2900 square feet, increasing floor space to a grand total of 3743, top to bottom. The interior’s redesign would also embody a modern farmhouse chic with a little touch of Muskoka thrown in for old time’s sake. Simple lines with a rustic vibe. Working with Matt Reid from Sketch, Design, Build on Collier Street, the new structure quickly took shape. The existing building would be gutted, the garage knocked down and a new bench footing added to drop the basement extension down, enabling a higher ceiling height of nine feet. Chalmers Construction Concrete Forming Company poured the new foundation. GoodLife | Barrie September - October 2020
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nest | home tour It took Zach and his trade associates over a year to envision the structure, pick the finishes and build the house, garages, a new inlaid composite deck, and brick fire pit with a lounging area. This would be a home where every potential issue associated with a busy lifestyle would have an immediate solution. They even pre-lit the home with exterior animated Gemstone lighting. Installed permanently inside aluminum bars that sit within the soffits, the lights are waterproof and virtually out of sight when not turned on. But when you want them, a series of patterns and
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colours for all occasions from Halloween to Christmas are customizable and controlled via smartphone. The newly built house now stretches the full width of the property with a covered front porch and deep veranda, wide enough for Muskoka chairs, lanterns, and planters. For the exterior, Zach chose Fraser wood siding with a 20-year warranty and had it painted a striking but satisfyingly warm blue. The old detached garage is long gone, replaced by an attached double garage, staggered for visual impact. It is fully finished and insulated inside (including
The great room, kitchen and dining room have that desirable open concept format.
GoodLife | Barrie September - October 2020
Call 705-721-9148
for an in-home consultation or visit our showroom at 464 Penetanguishene Road, Springwater.
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nest | home tour construction team physically took an axe to the beams, to recreate that rustic look. Countertops in the kitchen and laundry are quartz from Di Pietra Design. Norcab installed the kitchen cabinets and doors. Atlantis Bath Center provided plumbing fixtures. Appliances throughout are Kitchenaid with a paneled fridge, an impressive 1200CFM infrared heat lamp range hood and a six-burner dual fuel range with a griddle stove top. The two
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ovens accommodate large or smaller meals. There’s also a wine fridge and farm sink. The two refrigerator drawers built right into the island make everything easily accessible for produce or drinks that kids can access without standing on tippy toes. Another feature is the fabulous undercounter microwave that opens and closes electronically, allowing you to drop things in from the top. Push a button and it rolls right out.
The main floor master is a vision in serene simplicity with white paneled walls, coffered ceiling, a walkout to the deck and a walk-in closet with two-toned wood/white styling.
GoodLife | Barrie September - October 2020
Absolute Cabinets did all the built-ins outside of the kitchen and bar, taking on the living room, mudroom area, master, laundry, and closets. Chandeliers from Glass Lighting Gallery find a home on the 15-foot cathedral ceiling and sliding barn doors throughout divide rooms with black gliding hardware. The 65-inch fireplace in the great room is long and sleek, flanked by built in shelving, from the Gas Fire Outlet in the south end.
The main floor master is a vision in serene simplicity with white paneled walls, coffered ceiling, a walkout to the deck and a walk-in closet with two-toned wood/ white styling. The closet even includes a window seat to perch on to aid dressing. Both the closet and ensuite are separated by barn doors. The ensuite, which has a huge picture window looking out to the yard, is decked out in heated 24 by 24 porcelain tiles with the Glamour matte Calcutta finish from Ceratec. They are the same tiles used in the foyer. A deep standalone soaker tub and enormous spa rain head shower complete the picture. The theme of cubbies and bench seating continues through to the mudroom and into the laundry which has storage galore and is supplied with a Samsung washer/ dryer pair. The lower level is equally fabulous with paneled walls and glass railings in the stairwell leading down to the two levels. Instead of a boring series of hallways, the first level is left open and is long enough for a shuffleboard table and office setup. Two steps down and you are into the lounge where a twin set of interior lit sleeping cubbies have been inserted right within the wall, a feature which the kids are sure to jump at for sleepovers. The lounge here is cozy and spacious with a full wet bar at the ready. An extra bedroom with walk-in closet and spa bathroom and a utility room also resides on this level. Back upstairs, right off the kitchen you are into the four-season sunroom which was fully insulated with spray foam under the deck. The walls and ceiling have batt insulation. Having been brought up in
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GoodLife | Barrie September - October 2020
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Bracebridge, a Muskoka-styled sunroom with an expansive deck was a must for Zach. Although there is no ductwork in this space, the door to the main house is generally left open and the sunroom doesn’t require heating or cooling. An overhead fan cools the space and the fireplace inside is rated for a room up to four times its size. It heats quickly. The Deck Trex composite decking he chose has a 20-year warranty and into that he sunk a generous-sized hot tub from BullFrog Spas for a streamlined look and greater privacy. Even in the rear yard, no detail has been left unaddressed. The deck is detailed with an inlay. Lighting embedded in the steps add ambience and help to avoid stumbles as dusk descends. And for those evening fires, a fabulous Unilock stone seating area and fire pit was constructed at the rear of the yard with a built-in cast iron cooking grate to sear those steaks after a dip in the pool.
Thank You Barrie. We are humbled by all your nominations!
227 Cox Mill Road was recently on the market and sold represented by Remax, Aaron Lillie, Broker
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Sigrid’S Cafe & fine Bakery A TRADITIONAL EUROPEAN BAKERY
10 Ross Street, Barrie | 705.726.0121 | www.sigridsbakery.com
Gluten-Free
Hazelnut Brandy
At Sigrid’s, baking is a never-ending art form. For the past 37 years now, we have been a proud familyowned bakery near Barrie’s downtown. All our baked breads and pastries are made from scratch with all natural ingredients, the way things used to be done! The flavour of our creations showcases the true passion behind our work. Try a take out order of our savoury soups and sandwiches on our homemade breads and buns with a European specialty coffee and authentic pastry, that is sure to please! If you’re looking for fresh gluten-free products that the whole family will enjoy, you’ve arrived at the right place! We bake fresh daily with no preservatives. From our sunflower, multigrain, raisin bread and classic loaf and buns to our Florentiner pastry, almond crescents, and macaroons and famous gluten-free brownies, we’ll win you over!
“Mmmh das ist Lecker!” Spending more time at home these days?
EcoRefinishers
“Do unto others as you would have others do unto you” are words we live by. We will treat your home like our home, your family like our family – and above all, treat
Serving Simcoe County and Muskoka | 705-345-6102
www.ecorefinishers.com
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your kitchen well! We look forward to sharing our work and a bit of our lives with you – welcome to the family!
Of Good
Character By: Dawn Ritchie
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t was over a decade ago that Lou and Sandy Nitsopoulos, partners in the custom home building firm, DayCor, began looking for a waterfront property for their family. Their mission: a residence teaming with character that would lend itself to a major renovation that met their personal aesthetics. As building professionals, they knew they could address any imperfections in the structure, so location was the primary consideration. The property had to have direct water access and be well-situated between city and countryside. 43 Shanty Bay Road met every criterion. “You can’t beat the location,” says Lou. “We wanted to be in town so
we could walk to downtown Barrie, have dinner and in fifteen to twenty minutes, walk back home.” As the couple took on their remodel, maintaining the integrity of the building was paramount in their minds. “It was an older home and had a Toronto feel,” says Lou. “Like the Beaches, with a lot of character.” “It’s like an old pair of blue jeans,” adds Sandy. “It fits us just like that.” Inside, they tackled the two kitchens, bathrooms, and every ounce of trim. The 3627-square foot residence has five bedrooms, four up and one down, two kitchens, (one of which won the Best Kitchen Renovation Award over $50,000) and there’s a walkout on the lower level
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We added 400 cedars for a green fence around the entire backyard so it would fit in with the surroundings.”
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that leads to rock gardens and the pool. The award-winning kitchen the Nitsopouloses built on the main level is exceptional, with waterfall quartz countertops, JennAire appliances, built-in niches, and a pantry contained within the kitchen that eliminates the need for extra steps. All small appliances from blenders, mixers, and toasters to food processors are already plugged in and at the ready, tucked neatly behind the pantry doors. “The kitchen used to be half the size and on the side with the walkway,” Sandy says. “We ripped out the whole wall and the dining room wall and expanded it. We love cooking.” Quartz countertops run across the entire bank of windows that look out to the lake making a perfect buffet area for entertaining. Hardware is all bronze. “We had eighty people in here on the main floor for my surprise sixtieth birthday,” says Lou. “There’s enough space now to host some really good parties.” Diane Smith of Kitchen Art helped create the space ensuring one side was designated for stress free entertaining and the other for serious cooking. The adjoining dining room has a huge picture window that looks out to the front of the property but also maintains a clear vantage through to the lake. Positioned next to the front entryway
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the harvest table serves as Lou’s makeshift boardroom table as well. The drive out front is circular, a special safety issue, Lou mentions, so no one ever need back out onto the road. The garage also enjoys a pass through to the rear of the property, where Lou likes to wash his car. Back inside, the living area is filled with built ins and architectural details. Shiplap on one wall imparts a nautical theme. Cozy yet spacious, it also holds numerous seating options for togetherness and separateness with chaises tucked away in little pockets for reading and quietude. The lower level lodges the second full kitchen, a dining and lounging area, exercise room, sleeping quarters and a walkout to the pool. “We also redid the whole exterior from roof to siding to windows, doors, and landscaping,” says Sandy. “We added 400 cedars for a green fence around the entire backyard so it would fit in with the surroundings.” Pollard Windows and Doors were the supplier for windows and doors. Rainer’s Siding did the exterior siding, trim, and aluminum work. To generate the cottage feel they were going for they also constructed a Muskoka room off the back of the residence, craning in ten by ten foot BC Douglas Fir posts and beams right over the roof. “It’s my favourite room,” says Sandy. Inside, a rustic fireplace of cultured stone from Brampton Brick is topped with a mantle of flat natural shale. The entire south side of the space opens to the bay via remotely controlled electronic screens. “It’s a tremendous view back over the lake,” adds Lou. “We even added a slamming screen door for that true Muskoka authenticity. We wanted that feature.” At dawn, Lou and Sandy watch a team of rowers from the South Shore skull across the glassy surface of Kempenfelt Bay from their Muskoka room. Later, a bike ride up the North Shore Trail that runs through the base of their property is a prelude to cannonballing off their sculpted diving rock into their turquoise pool. The trail runs all the way up to Orillia and right into Barrie. A leisurely stroll into town at midday for lunch fuels an afternoon of kayaking around the bay from their lakeside boathouse and paddle paddocks. As evening falls, the hours are wiled away on the deck of the sleepover bunkie at the shore’s edge. The bunkie has fully functional electric, water, television, and a compost toilet. Beds are in the rafters. There, on the deck, they can enjoy the bright sails of the Wednesday evening Barrie Yacht Club regattas streaming past their massive dock.
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Real Estate Family Law Wills Powers of Attorney Estate Planning Douglas J. Hill, B.A., LL.B. Susanne Mary Hayward, B.A., LL.B. Mark D.W. Weir, B.A., J.D.
35 Owen St., Barrie | 705.726.3712
fax: 705.726.3895
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Evenings are just as magical. Postcard perfect sunsets have them retreating to a flaming fire bowl by the pool to wind up the day before retiring to the upper deck off the master where they marvel at the fall harvest moon and Barrie’s seasonal fireworks. “The vistas are amazing,” says Lou. “You wake up and it is always different clouds across the lake.” The master suite stays with the nautical theme, decked out in shiplap with a porthole window over the bed. The adjacent ensuite is bright and clean with marble flooring and countertop from Irvine Flooring. Tub and faucets are from Bathworks. A standalone spa shower came from Quality Glass. The pleasures of swimming and boating in the summer are replaced by ice skating and cross country skiing in the winter, Lou reports. After Lake Simcoe freezes over and is dotted with the colourful ice fishing huts that draw fishermen from all over the region, the Nitsopouloses ski right into town for a beer and burger at Donnelly’s. “It’s really a special home,” Lou says. “Filled with character. We’ve traveled the world a bit and have seen the places artists live. It’s the kind of place Earnest Hemingway or Picasso would pick. It’s truly a cottage in the city.” Which is perhaps the main reason they have spent the last eleven years parked in this one place. “It’s the longest we’ve ever stayed in one home ever,” says Sandy. “But with the kids gone now it’s really too big for the two of us.” Much to their adult children’s chagrin, they now aspire to new adventures and have listed the property. “It’s so hard selling, all the memories,” says Sandy. “But we want to travel more.” Now the only decision is whether to build a new residence with DayCor or buy an existing smaller residence in Barrie and a pied-à-terre in the GTA, closer to their children. “Whatever we ultimately decide, it’s time this special home gets a new family to enjoy it,” says Lou. 43 Shanty Bay Road is listed with David Weeks of Century 21 B.J. Roth Realty Ltd. 24
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Showroom
551 Bryne Drive Unit O, Barrie • 705-730-6989 www.desertile.com Voted Barrie’s Best Tile Store 3 years in a row
Follow us on
@desertile
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nest | profile
Brian
Gluckstein On design in the COVID era By: Lisa Evans
S
ince March, the home has become the place for work, study, dining, fitness, entertaining and well, just about everything. Spending more time at home than ever before has caused many of us to look at our homes Photo by A Plus Creative through a new lens and wonder whether it’s time to make some design changes. Canadian interior designer Brian Gluckstein, owner of Gluckstein Home and designer of the Princess Margaret Lottery Oakville showhome for the past eight years, cites four areas of the home that will he believes will be permanently transformed by the current health crisis. Home Office For many employees, working from home was the biggest change of the pandemic. “We’ve proven that you can work from home,” says Gluckstein. While some offices have reopened, many employees may choose to work from home permanently. When designing a home office space, Gluckstein says the most important thing is to create separation between the workspace and the rest of your home. Using your dining or kitchen table as your home office means that the work ends up spilling into your daily family life. “Before, there was a beginning and an end to your workday. When you’re working from home it creates a blend,” says Gluckstein. An unused bedroom with a door is the best option for a home office, but even if you don’t have a spare bedroom, Gluckstein says you can still create a separate home office space. If you have a dining 26
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A dining room, such as this one in the 2019 Princess Margaret Lottery Oakville showhome, can be transformed into a work space, says Gluckstein. © Photo by Angus Fergusson
room you’re not using much, you can create an eating area in your kitchen and transform the dining area into a work space, or carve out a designated office space in your basement. Home Gyms Months of gym closures caused fitness enthusiasts to bring their workouts into their homes. “We’ve learned from COVID how to adapt and so many shows and apps are showing us how much we can use the home to do our exercise, and it doesn’t require a ton of space or equipment,” says Gluckstein. Gluckstein included a gym to both the 2019 and 2020 Oakville Princess Margaret Lottery Homes and says home gyms will become a desired feature long after the current health crisis has passed.
In-Home Entertainment While we previously travelled outside for entertainment, the pandemic has transformed our homes into movie theatres, bars and restaurants. Gluckstein says in-home entertainment will become more important now than ever before as people are staying closer to their inner circles. “People are still cautious (about going out) and I don’t think that’s going to change quickly,” says Gluckstein. Wine fridges are a simple add-on that makes casual entertainment at home more enjoyable. In-home movie theatres are also becoming popular. Gluckstein incorporated one in the design of the 2019 Oakville Princess Margaret Home and says these are likely to become a popular remodel with people choosing to stay in and entertain their close circles of friends.
THANK YOU BARRIE FOR THIS YEARS’ NOMINATIONS
2020
• Electrolysis • Medical Aesthetician • Manicure/Pedicure • Hypnosis Therapy • Reflexology
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North Location 28 Currie St.
705-503-3535
info@mercerequipment.ca
mercerequipment.ca 28
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Monday to Friday 8am - 5pm Saturday: 9am - 2pm • Sunday Closed
South Location
431 Bayview Drive
705-734-0202
info@mercerequipment.ca
Monday to Friday 8am - 5pm Saturday: Closed • Sunday Closed
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North Country Barbecue Opens
North Country Barbecue has fired up the grill and is now open for business. Located at the Five Points in downtown Barrie, this Nashville-style honky tonk restaurant serves up mouthwatering barbecue and live local country music. While the global pandemic delayed the opening of the sizzling new eatery, North Country was able to serve its first customers in August 2020. “That corner has always spoken to me,” said Steve Ricalis who also owns and operates Donaleigh’s Public House and the Dunlop Street Diner with business partner, Don Kellett. “I felt that with the right concept and ownership it had tons of potential, and will be a staple in Barrie for a very long time.” Menu highlights include: barbecued ribs, brisket, sandwiches, delicious salads and more. North Country is located at 10 Dunlop Street East in Barrie. (705)252-1225/northcountrybbq.com.
Taste of the Caribbean
Even though travelling to the sunny south isn’t on the agenda these days, diners can enjoy a taste of the Caribbean at the Irie Jerk. Opened in February 2020, just prior to the pandemic, this local kitchen cooks up plenty of Jamaican favourites ranging from jerk chicken or jerk salmon to curried goat, ackee codfish and more. “We offer the best jerk chicken north of the island,” says senior manager Cynthia Hellesoe. The family friendly restaurant, which also offers takeout and catering is located at 22 Mapleview Drive, Unit 3 in Barrie. (705)915-1500/theiriejerk.ca
Bring on the Soul!
Enjoy the cuisine of the southern United States in the comfort of your own home. Along with pop-up dinners, a Taste of Soul offers in-home meal preparation and on-line cooking courses. “I’m basically your personal chef for an evening who brings the soul to your home,” explains owner Gwyn Beaver. A Sunday Soul meal is also offered once a month for delivery in Barrie— with menu items ranging from Hoppin’ John (Black-Eyed Peas and Rice) to Candied Sweet Potatoes, Corn Bread and Chocolate Pecan Pie. (705)816-1284/ atasteofsoul.weebly.com
Pizzeria Serves up Indian Flavours
Can’t decide between Indian take-out or pizza? Now you can have both. Specializing in Indian style pizza, Popular Pizza opened its doors for business in August 2020. Toppings include Tandoori Fish, Tandoori Chicken, Butter Chicken and more. Along with Indian spices, traditional pizzeria toppings are also available. Popular Pizza is located at 221 Cundles Road East #9, Barrie. (705)905-4242/ www.popularpizza.ca
GoodLife | Barrie September - October 2020
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GoodLife | Barrie September - October 2020
SURVIVING to How Local Kitchens Have Adapted
the Pandemic
They’ve
laughed, they’ve cried,
they’ve grown
By: Katherine Elphick | Photos by Mike Guilbault
— but most of all, they rose to the occasion to stay afloat in the pandemic. From makeshift patios to selling tasting kits, ramping up takeout services, hosting drive in barbecues, offering groceries or virtual dinner parties, several local food and beverage establishments shifted their business models to survive what some have referred to as the ‘hospitality apocalypse’. To learn more about their stories of pulling through a pandemic, Goodlife checked in with a handful of local restaurateurs. Here’s what they told us.
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STEVE RICALIS Donaleigh’s Irish Public House 28 Dunlop Street East 705-252-7733 donaleighs.com
Located just east of the Five Points, Donaleigh’s Irish Public House has been a favourite downtown Barrie watering hole since it first opened in 2011. Together, Steve Ricalis and Don Kellett own Donaleighs, the Dunlop Street Diner (dunlopstreetdiner.ca) and the newly opened (August 2020) North Country Barbecue (northcountrybbq.com).
Describe the early days of your COVID journey. We didn’t skip a beat. Rather than closing down, we immediately switched to offering takeout at both Donaleigh’s and the [Dunlop Street] Diner. The local support was fantastic and our customers tried to do as much as they could to help us out. It was great for three months, but when the patios opened, we slowed down by about 50 per cent for takeout. Since our back patio is small, we were limited because our front patio was delayed until August 8 because of the Dunlop Street construction.
What innovative ways did you use to stay in business?
Hand sanitizer is around to stay for sure! Also, since our takeout family meal packs were such a hit, we will definitely keep offering them. Choices include: shepherd’s pie, lasagne and chicken pot pie — to name a few. Our regular takeout menu will also continue.
What was the most positive experience you had?
For Donaleigh’s, we’re ready to pick up right where we left off. We are just chomping at the bit to get back to offering live music, the Troubadour Festival and the Song Writers’ Series. We will continue on with the Diner, which also has patio service, and are really excited to showcase our latest restaurant, North Country Barbecue to the community (see the Taste section of Goodlife for a full description).
What did you learn from this experience? That businesses can be taken away from you. There are some businesses that I know of that were doing really well before COVID hit, and n
GoodLife | Barrie September - October 2020
Moving forward, what pandemic prompted changes will you keep?
Along with our standard takeout menu, we offered family sized meal deals. We also sold frozen meat packages for the barbecue. And that worked out great, especially for the first few months when no one wanted to leave the house. We even delivered some of these packages to regular customers.
Our customers are so great! It has been overwhelming to see their loyalty and support throughout this crazy journey.
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now they are permanently closed. It makes you realized that you can’t get complacent. You have to stick to your guns, work hard and not give up. There is no denying that it has been a rough summer for us. Between COVID and the Dunlop Street construction (which also led to a flood in the Diner) there have been some challenges. But I’m a positive person, and at least the construction is happening at a time when we don’t have the big volumes now because of COVID. It’s a bit of a silver lining for us.
What does the future hold?
Take-out Menus
Downtown at Barrie’s Five Points, 10 Dunlop Street, East 705.252.1225 | www.northcountrybbq.com
Pork Belly Burnt Ends $15
Low and slow smoked pork belly bites tossed in our Kansas City BBQ sauce served on a Johnny Cake topped with maple butter, scallions and pickled onions.
Brunswick Stew $15
House made with a combination of our smoked brisket, pulled pork and sausages stewed in a full flavoured KC BBQ sauce with corn, tomatoes and beans. Served with our cornbread for dipping.
Brisket Tacos $13
Downtown Barrie, 123 Dunlop St. E. 705.503.6633 | JadoreFineCheese.com | SpeakCheasy.com Curb Side Pick Up • Gift Baskets • Wine & Cheese Boxes J’adore Front Entrance Now Open Wed. & Thurs. 10am - 2pm, Fri. 10am - 4pm, Sat. 10am - 2pm
THE WEEKEND GETAWAY BOX $109.95
Smoked Chedder & Roasted Jalapenos Dip $13
Make your weekend escape easy! This box includes; Tawse Chardonnay (New) half bottle, Tawse Merlot Cabernet (New) half bottle, two baguettes, jam, assorted meats three cheese staff pick! (Or request your favourites at checkout). Handcrafted chocolate bark, local Carter’s Syrup, Orillia Honey Bear.
Cowboy Salad $15
J’ADORE’S CHEESE BAG $79 Your cheese bag includes; three gourmet cheese - our staff picks plus two demi baguettes, crackers, jelly, assorted chocolate bark, and local pepper salami.
Two warm corn tortillas topped with our house smoked brisket, corn and black bean salsa, sharp pepper jack cheese, chipotle sour cream, crispy fried onions and jalapenos and NC hot sauce for dipping. A smokey blend of cream cheese, cheddar, roasted red and jalapeno peppers served with tortilla chips. Perfect for sharing! A hearty blend of kale, avocado, corn, diced tomatoes, cucumber, and red onions tossed in a chili lime dressing, topped with tortilla strips.
Smoked Chicken Chopped Salad $16
A blend of crisp romaine and iceberg lettuce topped with Tex Mex cheese, corn, black beans, diced tomatoes, green onion, crispy tortillas, chopped cilantro, red peppers and drizzled with a cilantro dressing
Ribs & Wings $35
RED OR WHITE TASTING BOX $85 Includes handcrafted chocolate bark, specialty crackers and jelly, tasting card and 4 cheese staff picks that pair well with this wine.
CHEESE SNACK PACKS $20.00 A perfect variety of cheeses to help you find your favourites!
A full rack of our fall off the bone back ribs brushed with Kansas City BBQ sauce, 1 pound of wings, your choice of 2 sides (Mac & Cheese, French Fries), our cornbread and house made pickles.
ANITPASTO ASSORTED MEAT $8.95
North Country BBQ Platter $70
Staff Picks!
The ultimate BBQ platter with ½ pound of brisket and ½ pound of pulled pork, a full rack of baby back ribs, 4 sausages, and a half chicken served with your choice of 4 sides, (Apple & Fennel Coleslaw, Homestyle Potato Salad, French Fries, Sweet Potato Fries, Mac & Cheese, Green Beans) our cornbread and house made pickles. Made to serve 4.
Brisket Sandwich $18
Half pound of brisket tossed in our Bourbon BBQ sauce topped with beer braised onions, fried jalapenos, and cheese sauce on top of a toasted kaiser bun
Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich $16
Buttermilk marinated chicken thighs fried golden brown and tossed in our Nashville Hot sauce topped with lettuce, pickles and Comeback sauce on a toasted kaiser bun.
Big Boy BBQ Burger $20
Our 6 oz burger, no additives, topped with double smoked bacon, smoked cheddar cheese, onion rings, fried jalapenos, and Bourbon BBQ sauce on a toasted kaiser bun.
Its Not Meat?!?! Burger $17
Plant based burger patty topped with fried avocados, corn and black bean salsa, smoked cheddar cheese and Comeback sauce on a toasted on a kaiser bun.
FOuR CHEESE BOX $40.00 BOX OF 6 ASSORTED CHOCOLATE TRuFFLES $13.50 J’ADORE CHEESE PLATES ~ MAKE YOuR EVENT EXTRA SPECIAL! Small feeds 5-8 guests $65 Medium feeds 8-12 guests $90 Large feeds 12-18 guests $120
RACLETTE PACKAGE $75 Feeds 2-4 guests. Please see website for more delicious details. FONDuE PACKAGE $30 This package feeds 2-4 guests and comes with three bricks of cheese. Blend the cheese together with your favourite base. Can use a light ale or white wine. Enjoy! Explore our delicious shop. We have cheese from around the world and handcrafted chocolate made onsite. Browse our local products to pair with your cheese selections. We make pick ups easy and safe, delivering outside of our back entrance to your vehicle. CURBSIDE PICK UP Wednesdays to Saturday 10:30am-2pm.
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Between the Dunlop Street construction, the pandemic, the move and the flood — you’ve really been hit at all angles. What innovative ideas did you use to stay in business? We partnered with a local sommelier and did Zoom takeout dinner events with wine pairings. We pre-sold tickets and people would pick everything up at set times. The meal kits were about 80 per cent prepared, so they would travel well. Via Zoom, I would tell diners how to put the final touches on the three course dinners and our sommelier would discuss the wine pairings. These events went over really well. But to be honest, they weren’t about making money. It was more about just keeping our restaurant alive and keeping our name in people’s minds. At the same time, I started offering more catering services.
What’s the most positive experience you had? It’s the first time in about 15 years that I have been able to have some time off during the summer to enjoy spending time with friends and family. That has been really nice for me. I also got engaged just before COVID hit. My fiancé, Julie Sowden, also works in the hospitality industry, so we both were out of a job on the same day. We drew strength from each other and it made our relationship even stronger.
What did you learn from this experience? With everything that has been thrown at me, I feel if can survive this — I can take just about anything.
WILLIAM ORTIZ Bacio Trattoria 62 Dunlop Street West, Barrie 705-252-3355 baciotrattoria.ca Baccio Trattoria is a casual Italian restaurant specializing in Roman cuisine.
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Describe the early days of your COVID journey. Once we realized the shut down was going to last more than a few weeks, we started looking at our options. A proper takeout service wasn’t suited to our location because of limited access. As a result, our landlord let us move down the street to a vacant location better suited to takeout and patio service (66 Dunlop Street West). With everything ready to go, disaster struck again. Just days before opening our new location, it flooded! The flood was the result of a burst pipe during the ongoing construction of Dunlop Street. Because of the extensive flood restoration process, the new location has been put on hold and we are currently operating out of our original location.
Moving forward, what pandemic prompted changes will you keep? Catering will definitely be a bigger part of the business, as well as take out and delivery.
What does the future hold? Until the flood restoration process is complete at our new location, we will continue to operate dine in, takeout, patio service and catering from our original location. We also plan on offering takeout until about 2 AM. I’m usually at the restaurant that late anyway, so I might as well be cooking. When we finally make the move, the goal is to have the same atmosphere with a new menu and some live entertainment.
Take-out Menus
320 Bayfield St, Barrie 705-500-5224 | jimmychews.ca
Specialty pieS Margherita Med. $15.95 Lrg. $21.95 Fresh Mozz, Jimmy’s tomato sauce, Fresh Pesto, Grape Tomatoes
Sgt. peppers Med. $15.95 Lrg. $21.95 Cup and Char pepperoni, premium mozz.
My Honey’s Hot Med. $14.95 Lrg. $20.95 House fennel sausage, premium mozz, red onion, jalapeno, local honey
cheeky Med. $19.95 Lrg. $25.95 Guanciale, Fresh Mozz, Castelvetrano Olives, Red Onion, Tomato, Roast Garlic Oil, Parm, finished with Stracciatella
claSSic pieS classic pepperoni Med. $13.95 Lrg. $18.95 Pepperoni, Jimmy’s tomato sauce, Saputo mozzarella Hawaiian Med. $13.95 Lrg. $18.95 Dry Cured Ham, Fresh Pineapple, Jimmy’s tomato sauce, Saputo mozzarella
canadian Med. $13.95 Lrg. $18.95 Pepperoni, Bacon, Mushroom, Jimmy’s tomato sauce, Saputo mozzarella
Vegetarian Med. $14.95 Lrg. $18.95 Red Peppers, Grape Tomato, Red Onion, Arugula Jimmy’s tomato sauce, Saputo mozzarella coMboS Family lasagna Night $49.00 House made take and bake lasagna. Slow simmered bolognese, ricotta, mozzarella. Includes a Large Caesar Salad. Serves 6 generously.
Specialty pizza Night $42.99 Order two Medium Specialty Pizzas and a Large Caesar Salad
CHEF WILLIAM ORTIZ Downtown Barrie, 62 Dunlop St. W. DINE IN • TAKE OUT • PERSONAL CHEF SERVICES • CATERING Date Night • Ladies Night • Food Challenges 705.252.3355 | www.baciotrattoria.ca
BACIO CAPRESE SALAD $15 Fresh Mozzarella, Roma Tomatoes, Olive Oil & Balsamic Reduction, House Made Pesto Sauce & Toasted Pine Nuts EMPEROR’S CEASAR SALAD $15 Romaine Heart Lettuce, Crispy Pancetta, Pickled Red Onion, Hard Boiled Egg, Herb Focaccia Spears, House Roasted Garlic & Citrus Dressing
BRUSCHETTA $12 Toasted Crostini, Chunky Cherry Tomatoes, Roasted Garlic, Oregano, Shaved Parmeggiano, Olive Oil & Balsamic Reduction EGGPLANT INVOLTINI $13 Thinly Sliced Eggplant, Rolled In Ricotta Cheese, Baby Arugula & Tomato Sauce
CALAMARI GRIGLIATI $15 Charred Whole Calamari, Brown Butter, Capers, Black Olives, Green Onions & Cherry Tomatoes POLIPO BACIO $17 Tender Octopus Seared On an Iron Grill, Warm Creamy Cannellini Beans & Bacio Dressing
BACIO $16 Pesto Sauce, Fresh Mozzarella, Sautéed Roasted Garlic Shrimp & Spicy Soppressata
CAPRICCIOSA $18 Tomato Sauce, Fresh Mozzarella, Mushrooms, Artichokes, Black Olives, Hard Boiled Egg Slices & Prosciutto PESCATORE $24 Linguini, Mussels, Clams, Shrimp, Calamari, Cherry Tomatoes, Creamy White Wine Sauce POLLO ALLA DIAVOLA $19 Grilled ½ Chicken with Spicy Pesto Sauce & Ty’s Potatoes
COSTATA DI MANZO $29 Cast Iron Seared AAA 8 Oz Beef Rib Eye with Roasted Garlic & Rosemary Red Wine Reduction, Ty’s Potatoes
LAMB SCOTTA DITA $31 Cast Iron Seared Spring Bone-In Ontario Lamb, Lemon Thyme & Caper Sauce, Roasted Garlic Sautee Broccolini
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SHANE BURROWS Jimmy Chews Primo Pizza/Painter’s Hall Jimmy Chews (Bayfield Mall, Barrie), Painter’s Hall (Closed - New Location Tba) 705-500-5224 jimmychews.ca Jimmy Chews specializes in gourmet pizza and Painter’s Hall serves up casual fine dining. Both businesses are owned and operated by Shane and Erin Burrows.
Describe the early days of your COVID journey. After temporarily closing both operations, we took some time to re-evaluate our business models. After six weeks, we reopened Jimmy Chews with a new on-line ordering system (items include pizzas, salad and take and bake lasagna). After a brief Painter’s Hall takeout trial, we decided to put that restaurant on hold for bit. That meant leaving our Clapperton Street location and searching for a new space that could accommodate a proper patio. That search is still underway.
What innovative ways did you use to stay in business?
We’ve been so happy with our online ordering system that we’ve actually created a second one for catering. It works so well. People can place their orders for pick up or delivery the same day, or even a week or two in advance. Our catering service requires a minimum of 12 hours notice.
What was the most positive experience you had?
What does the future hold?
I got to spend a whole lot of quality time with my wife [Erin] and it really kind of refreshed and strengthened our relationship. Having that time together made it easier for us to work together through the reopening of Jimmy Chews as well as reimagining what Painter’s Hall will be in the next year, or so.
Painter’s Hall will definitely reopen, once we settle on a new location. But, that probably won’t happen until the spring. As for Jimmy Chews, the plan is to open a second location in south Barrie over the next few months. Overall, things are pretty good in the pizza business these days. It’s a food that everyone seems to like, and if you do a good job, people will order it again and again. Because of that, we’ve had lots of interest from people who want to franchise, and that’s really exciting for us.
We learned how to redirect and change our business model to adapt to the pandemic, as well n
GoodLife | Barrie September - October 2020
Moving forward, what pandemic prompted changes will you keep?
The creation of a customized online ordering system and bringing our delivery system in house was big for us, because it allowed us to have better control over the quality of delivery. We also ramped up our catering services.
What did you learn from this experience?
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as the safety of our staff and clients. This is why pizza works so well. Compared to a dine in establishment, there are no glasses or cutlery. There is also more control with a limited menu. We also realized that people love seeing the owners deliver pizza to their doorsteps. And we like it, too! While Erin misses the Painter’s Hall clients and the energy of the restaurant, we are seeing their support with the pizza business.
Qing’s Cuisine SZECHUEN, MONGOLIAN & THAI CUISINE 610 Huronia Rd., Unit 9, Barrie | 705.503.6610 | www.qingscuisine.com
This popular 40-seat family run Asian restaurant has had to pivot during Covid and switch to serving up their delicious array of Chinese, Thai and Mongolian dishes via take out and a variety of delivery services. “The decision was made early on in an effort to flatten the curve and maintain the health and safety of our beloved clients, team and families at home. Now more than ever our phone is ringing off the hook,” (between 11-2:30pm), “for our Chinese and Thai Luncheon specials. Clients say they can’t get enough of Qing’s delicious creations and value for only $10.75.” smiles Lien Tran. With more than 20 years of culinary experience, Qing Ni has worked in cities all over the word like Toronto, Collingwood, Vancouver, Shanghai and California. Finally in 2014, after so many years of dedicated hard work, Chef Qing, along with his dynamic wife Lien Tran opened up their doors in Barrie’s south end. “Our food philosophy is freshness above all. We prepare everything from scratch daily so there’s lots of chopping going on in our kitchen, and we only use the highest quality ingredients,” says Tran. The menu is large and varied and there’s really something for everyone. We also cater to diners who are glutenfree and/or vegan. “My husband Qing has a real passion for cooking and always has. I know most of my customers on a first-name basis,” says Tran with a smile. “We treat our diners like family.” GoodLife | Barrie September - October 2020
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JESSI RAE FOURNIER J’adore Fine Cheese And Chocolate/The Speakcheasy 123 Dunlop Street East 705-503-6633 jadorefinecheese.com A cheese and chocolate shop with a licensed prohibition-era style bar downstairs. This popular foodie destination is owned and operated by the sister team of Jessi Rae Fournier and Bekki Martin.
Describe the early days of your COVID journey. We locked our doors in mid-March and it was a really scary time for us, because we honestly didn’t know what we were going to do. Cheese is a very perishable product, and we had big orders coming in from all over the world. At that time, we were also making plans to open a second location. We were at a crossroads, either we lock the doors for good, or we come up with a way to make it work. In the end, we decided to brainstorm and make it happen.
What innovative ways did you use to stay in business? The day after we closed, I put up an online menu. We advertised it a bit through Instagram and orders immediately started pouring in for curb side pickup. The menu consisted of tasting boxes such as wine and cheese, beer and cheese or whiskey and cheese. And there was always chocolate, too. We even did family boxes with juice boxes for the kids and some alcoholic beverages for the adults. As the weeks went by, we added virtual pairing events.
What was the most positive experience you had? The response to our curb side pickup was just so incredible. On the third day, I remember coming outside, a bit frazzled from everything that was going on, and we had a huge line up of cars going around the block. It was an amazing experience
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because they all started cheering and honking when they saw us. At that moment, I knew we would survive this.
What did you learn the most from this experience? That people really seem to love their wine, cheese and chocolate [laughs]. We also learned how important it is to pivot your business. Beyond that, we realized how strong and creative we can be in a moment of crisis. Our community was just so supportive.
Moving forward, what pandemic prompted changes will you keep? Our online ordering system and curb side pickup will continue. We have wanted to be an online business for so long, but it took a pandemic to show us that we could do it. Our virtual pairings are also here to stay. Our first Scotch nosing sold out in 16 minutes!
What about the future? We will be offering both in-house and Zoom tastings from the Speakcheasy. As well, we will be doing some pop up Speakcheasy nights with live blues and jazz. As for our second location? I think we will put that on hold for a bit.
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“80% of your immune system is located in your digestive tract, making a healthy gut a major focal point if you want to achieve optimal health.” Dr. Joseph Mercola
My name is Carol Kim, founder of Barrie Digestive Clinic, and I want to help you feel your very best! There is a healthier version of yourself waiting to surface, and I can’t wait to work along side you to uncover it. Holistic Health is a full spectrum approach to your wellbeing. Together, we go over lifestyle as well as food. It is important to know that a perfect diet does not exist. We are all unique and our bodies are constantly changing. What works for one person does not always work for the next; what worked for you yesterday might not work for you tomorrow. My approach is to help build a foundation of healthy habits while learning how to eat intuitively. Once you listen to your body’s own signals, you begin to unlock your health potential. Some healthy habits: Hydration • Whole foods • Movement • Quality Sleep • Meditation How you feel when you eat is as important as the food you choose. Try to take a few moments to get into a peaceful mindset before you begin your meal. Breathe deeply, chew your food thoroughly, and enjoy every bite! I can help you listen to your body and restore an optimal level of health. I challenge you to take your health into your own hands, diagnosis and all. Call me today to set up a free 15 minute consultation and let’s just see how strong, healthy and balanced you can be!
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570 Bryne Dr., Unit F, Barrie • 705-300-5838 www.barriedigestiveclinic.com • barriedigestiveclinic • info@barriedigestiveclinic.com
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were doing about 400 people a day, three days a week. We kept it simple — three or four sandwiches and a couple of sides. And, we promoted it hard on social media.
What was the most positive experience you had? The support we received with the drive in barbecues was unbelievable. I had friends drive to the restaurant from all over Ontario to pick up food. Even some of my childhood friends from [my home town of] Dalrymple showed up. It made me realize that people believed in what we were doing and wanted to support the Farmhouse.
What did you learn the most from this experience?
RANDY FELTIS The Farmhouse Restaurant 268 Bradford Street, Barrie 705-737-0522 thefarmhouse.ca Located in a beautifully restored century building, this waterfront gem offers farm fresh food in a warm family atmosphere. It also showcases a large picturesque patio.
You have to think outside the box and adapt to whatever is thrown your way. We also learned that people wanted to get out of the house and have something to look forward to. But ultimately, food is trump. If you do a really good brisket, people will show up.
Describe the early days of your COVID journey. Like everyone else, we initially thought the shut down wouldn’t last long. Even our social media posts would say: ‘see you in two weeks’ [laughs]. But after shutting down for a month, my manager, Micheal Smith and my chef, Chris Gardner, wanted to do take out. And that worked out kind of ok. But, ultimately we had to use third party delivery services, which take a huge chunk out of your profit. We knew we had to come up with something different, otherwise we might lose the restaurant.
What innovative ways did you use to stay in business? We started doing drive-in barbecues on our patio. And it was amazing how well it went. People would just roll in and get their food. It took us a few tries to work out the kinks, but in the end we 40
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Moving forward, what pandemic prompted changes will you keep? We’ve cut down the menu a bit, and we like it that way. We want to focus on what we do really well, rather than being everything to everyone.
What about the future? We continue to rock it on our amazing patio, while offering in-house dining. The patio has been just great for us, and we are up to 34 employees. Before the pandemic, I was thinking of opening a new restaurant, but that may just have to wait awhile. Let’s just say that I am always on the look out for something new and funky.
The Farmhouse was recovering from a fire in the restaurant with plans to re-open. Call before dropping in to avoid disappointment.
up with a small takeout menu of Crazy Fox favourites that would transport well. With a plan in place, I reached out to regular customers to let them know we were back in business. Between the phone calls and putting the word out on social media, the orders started rolling in. People were really excited about it.
What was the most positive experience you had? I just couldn’t belief the overwhelming support we received. It was amazing! If felt great to be able to deliver really nice meals in a time when people didn’t have much to look forward to. We felt like we were providing a little bit of happiness. On a personal note, being able to spend extra time with my family was really nice, too.
DAVID RONALD The Crazy Fox Bistro 135 Bayfield Street, Barrie (705)737-5000 thecrazyfoxbistro.com Established 34 years ago, the Crazy Fox Bistro specializes in classic and contemporary cuisine, with a relaxed fine dining atmosphere. David Ronald co-owns the popular eatery with his wife, Justine.
What did you learn from this experience? Describe the early days of your COVID journey. We shut down on March 14, and honestly, it was heartbreaking. The toughest part was the uncertainty. We reopened on April 9, once we were certain takeout would be allowed. The last thing we wanted to do was order in a bunch of food and then find out we couldn’t use it.
What innovative ideas did you use to stay in business? After calls started coming in about takeout, we decided to give it a go. Prior to COVID, we had done very little takeout, so this was new territory for us. I wanted something catchy to promote it, so I got together with a fire fighter buddy of mine, Jeff Robertson, and we started throwing names around and ‘Fox in a Box’ was born. I hired back our executive chef, Mike, and our chef de partie, Matthew, and we came
As long as you are putting out and delivering a good product, I think people will support you. As challenging as things get, just don’t give up and give in. You have to push through and run your business to the best of your ability.
Moving forward, what pandemic prompted changes will you keep? We will always keep a small takeout menu. We also realized how important social media and our website are in terms of keeping our dining audience up to date. As a result, we will continue to regularly update our sites.
What does the future hold? We plan to keep the patio open for as long as possible, along with offering dining room and take out service. We will keep moving forward and adjusting when necessary.
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taste | gl wines
Beaulieu Vineyard
Kings of California Within these areas, cab reigns supreme by Carmelo Giardina
There are wines that can resonate with us imbibers. Perhaps it’s an elegant pinot, or maybe a cool chardonnay. But no wine is as widely discussed, scrutinized and celebrated – not to mention collected and cellar worthy – as cabernet sauvignon. The durability, familiarity and marketability of the cabernet sauvignon name poses an irresistible lure to wine merchants and consumers looking for a reliable return on their investment, making it the undisputed king of wines. French by heritage, few would argue that the finest examples of cabernet sauvignon wine are found in Bordeaux and California, a standpoint supported 42
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by the 1976 Judgment of Paris. The two worldly regions have differing views of how cabernet sauvignon should be expressed, however. It is the backbone to most left bank Bordeaux offerings – which can contain up to four additional varietals – with the desired result being a complex wine in which the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Producers in California, meanwhile, allow the grape to stand more on its own as a single varietal wine (generally with just a splash of some added varietals to add a bit of lift to the flavour profile). What the consumer gets from this new world expression is a wine that is much more round and
bold with a firm grip on the palate that exhibits a more concentrated and richly ripened flavour profile. These are attributes that have become accustomed to describing cabernet from California, and this would be why California cabernet is so revered. California is very fortunate to have a variety of outstanding sub regions suitable for producing excellent cabernet wines. There are currently 139 American Viticultural areas (or AVAs). These are geographical grape-growing areas that have officially been given appellation status by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. AVAs show off the diversity and quality of the entire state of California’s wine region. The distinct “persona” that differentiates one AVA from another is mainly categorized by climate, geology and elevation. No surprise, Napa Valley is the original California AVA, designated in 1981. Accounting for just four per cent of California’s total wine production, Napa Valley is small in size yet big in stature. Napa’s generous climate provides vintage-to-vintage consistency and exceptional quality that few other winegrowing regions can boast. Because of its unique geologic history, Napa Valley has a remarkable diversity of microclimates, weather and geography, as well as some of the most
SELECTIONS Beaulieu Vineyard 2014
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($79.95)
For more than 100 years, Beaulieu Vineyard has been setting the standard for rich, classic Napa Valley wines that honour the expression of its remarkable terroir. This Rutherford cab is a tremendous expression of its AVA terroir exhibiting intense saturation of colour, aromas and flavours. Rich dark fruit, black currant and cassis notes, alongside oak barrel nuances immediately tempt the senses. The palate’s dark fruit notes are supported by hints of dark chocolate, mocha and coffee. The structured“Rutherford dust” tannins are fine grained and very focused. Incredible depth and balance here. Stags Leap WInery
Beringer Winery
diverse soils found on earth. Within the Napa Valley AVA exists 16 nested sub-AVAs, each with its own strengths and specific characteristics. At the heart of Napa lies Rutherford, designated in 1993 and famous for its gravelly, sandy and loamy soils, but also for what has been referred to as ‘Rutherford dust’ – a term coined by the great André Tchelistcheff who started in the wine industry as a Beaulieu Vineyard enologist and later became a mentor to some of the Valley’s most celebrated winemakers. The term has become synonymous with the region, and the region has become synonymous with great cabernet. Very few sub-AVA names, however, have become familiar to the wine drinking public at
Accounting for just FOUR per cent of California’s total wine production, Napa Valley is small in size yet big in stature.
large, the best known arguably being the Stags Leap District. Famous for its quality cabernet sauvignon, the list of producers located here is among the most impressive in all of Napa Valley – or anywhere in the world, for that matter. (Just look up the Judgement of Paris and you’ll see why.) If Napa is the king of cab, then Sonoma surely is its queen. There are numerous world-class cabernets coming out of Sonoma, including those from Rodney Strong in Alexander Valley and Beringer Vineyards’ Knight’s Valley offering. Twenty per cent of Sonoma’s wine production is cabernet sauvignon, with 12,000 acres planted. Paso Robles is one of California’s oldest wine regions, with a winemaking tradition that stretches back to the 1790s. When touring Paso Robles wine country, you may cross boundaries of appellations that did not exist until very recently. First designated in 1983, the Paso Robles AVA had just one appellation until 2014 when the federal government designated a whopping 11 more. This flood of appellations was a long time coming, but by and large, local winemakers are thrilled to see the region finally getting its due. Dozens of additional world-class AVAs for producing cabernet exist throughout California, proving that this is a place where cabernet has become ubiquitous. Prices can often meet and even exceed the first growths of Bordeaux, and despite a raft of quality cabernets emerging from new world regions such as Maipo in Chile and Coonawarra in Australia, quite assuredly, no other place has been able to usurp California’s crown in being the king of cabernet.
Stags’ Leap Wine Cellars 2016
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($59.95)
Established in 1893, Stags’Leap Winery is one of the oldest wine estates within the acclaimed Stags Leap District, producing wines expressive of its unique terroir. This cabernet is plush and inviting, with an enticing array of brambly blackberry fruit along with raspberry sorbet notes alongside nuances of lifted violet, sweet cinnamon, clove and cedar. On the palate there’s plum and cassis, but there are also savoury elements showcasing light herbal notes and earth, giving this cab a classic depth and elegance. Seamlessly integrated oak and refined tannins provide a smooth mouthfeel and add layers of complexity. Beringer Vineyards 2017
Knight’s Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($44.95)
The Knights Valley designation was first used on a Beringer label in 1974 and Beringer was instrumental in garnering official recognition for the area in 1983 as a premier wine growing region in the form of its own AVA designation. Soft and silky tannins and a plush, full mouthfeel set this wine up for immediate enjoyment, although it’s built to age. Aromas of dried herbs, cedar, clove and lavender join flavours of dark red fruit led by figs, black cherry, currants, raspberry and evident oak spice. Additional notes of black olive, wild sage and mocha chocolate round out the tasting experience. Austin Hope 2018
Cabernet Sauvignon ($69.95)
It’s incredible, actually, that this wine could be even better than the 2017 – a wine that made many major international top 10 lists. There’s layers upon layers of flavour and structure here. Rich and ripe cherry, smoke, dark chocolate, peppercorn spice. There’s even hints of smoked meat and bacon fat – usually something you tend to find in well-made syrah. Tannins are noticeable, but are smoothened. This is next level cabernet and although it will cellar beautifully, this is wonderful to experience right now. Should be double the price, but I’m not complaining.
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taste | savouring breakfast
Sunshine
G oo d m o r n i n g
Savouring breakfast
Vegan Brunch Club Sandwich
A perfect balance of sweet, salty, creamy,
W
ith so many of us working remotely, the quick morning bite before rushing to the office is a thing of the past. We have more time and, as a result, have a unique opportunity to truly savour breakfast and turn it into the most important meal of the day – something we all know, but have mostly failed to practice. GoodLife Magazine asked three of Canada’s beloved chefs and cookbook authors to share their morning routines and offer tips on how each of us can introduce healthy, hearty ingredients to our first bites (or sips) of the day. 44
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crunchy, and more, according to chef, Doug McNish, who says the quick and easy scrambled tofu makes a great replacement for scrambled eggs, offering a better breakfast for the health conscious and for the heart conscious. (Recipe from Doug McNish’s new cookbook, The Classics Veganized, on page 79)
Is breakfast an important meal of the day to you? Breakfast is definitely important as it helps set the tone for the rest of the day. I like to make sure I have some protein, a healthy fat and some type of slow burning fibre-fueled food as well, something like chia seeds or hemp seeds are great!
Doug McNish Author of The Classics Veganized Doug McNish is a pioneer of the vegan movement in Toronto. His new cookbook features 120 dishes that reinvent classic comfort foods with a modern vegan spin.
How much time do you spend preparing breakfast? Most mornings are pretty quick, usually only 10 or so minutes. During the week it’s pretty simple. It’s usually just a smoothie or some sourdough toast with nut butter, banana and hemp seeds. On the weekends (usually Sundays) I like to make a bit more of an elaborate spread.
Brunch Club Sandwich MAKES 1 SANDWICH
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining
Prep ahead
2 tablespoons water, the remaining 2 tablespoons
Tempeh Bacon
tamari, maple syrup, vegetable oil, nutritional yeast,
¹⁄2 block (240g) tempeh
and liquid smoke.
4 cups + 2 tbsp water, divided
3. Slice the cooled tempeh into strips about ⅓ inch
¹⁄4 cup tamari or soy sauce, divided
(8 mm) thick (you should have about 26 strips).
2 tbsp maple syrup
Layer the slices in a large bowl and pour the tamari
2 tbsp vegetable oil
mixture over top. Cover and set aside for at least 30
1 tbsp nutritional yeast
minutes or refrigerate overnight.
1 tsp liquid smoke
4. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Club Sandwich
5. Remove the tempeh from the marinade. Place
2 tsp vegan butter or vegetable oil
the tempeh strips in a single layer on the prepared
¹⁄2 cup crumbled medium-firm vacuum-packed
baking sheet and bake until no liquid remains and
tofu
the tempeh is slightly crisp, about 15 minutes.
¹⁄4 cup nutritional yeast
Discard the marinade.
¹⁄2 tsp black salt
6. Make the club sandwich. In a large frying pan,
¹⁄2 tsp Dijon mustard
heat the butter over medium-high heat. Add the
¹⁄8 tsp ground turmeric
tofu and cook, stirring constantly, until most of the
Dash of tamari or soy sauce
liquid has been absorbed and the tofu begins to brown, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and
For assembly
add the nutritional yeast, black salt, mustard, tur-
3 slices thick-cut sourdough bread, toasted
meric, and tamari. Stir to combine, picking up any
¹⁄4 cup vegan mayo, divided (or make The Classics
brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Set aside
Veganized recipe for Creamy Mayo)
until ready to use.
4 leaves romaine lettuce
7. To assemble, spread 2 tablespoons of the creamy
¹⁄2 avocado, peeled, pitted, and thinly sliced
mayo on 1 piece of toast. Top with 2 lettuce leaves,
2 slices tomato
avocado, and tofu. On a second piece of toast, spread the remaining 2 tablespoons mayo and top
INSTRUCTIONS
with 2 slices of tomato, tempeh bacon, and the
1. Make the tempeh bacon. In a medium pot,
remaining lettuce. Place the remaining piece of
bring to a boil the tempeh, 4 cups of the water, and
toast on top and cut in half. Serve immediately.
2 tablespoons of the tamari. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Transfer the tempeh to a bowl and set aside.
Do you have a favourite breakfast? I love Scrambled Tofu (Perfect Vegan Scramble) with some crispy bacon (Seitan bacon) and some home fries (Down Home Fries) and toast with avocado, vegan butter and ketchup. All recipes are in The Classics Veganized. What do you think are the most important ingredients for a healthy breakfast? A healthy breakfast is best with a good source of fat, protein and slow burning fuel such as oats, chia, hemp or other whole grains. Since lockdown, people seem more interested in eating healthy. What first step do you recommend to start eating a healthier breakfast? Any type of big change is difficult at first. I suggest going slowly and making small changes little bit by little bit. If you change too much immediately, you will usually not keep it up. Over time, one small change at a time adds up and you have a whole new routine. With few of us rushing to work, we have more time in the morning. Do you have tips for creating a new breakfast ritual to start the work-from-home day? I think the most important thing is to take the time to ease into your day. After you wake up you should have some room temperature lemon water, spend time with your family (or yourself if you live alone) and practice being quiet and still. The emails, the phone calls and the creative work will always be there but setting the tone for the entire day in the first one to two hours in the morning is key. For those who are transitioning to a vegetarian diet, giving up eggs and bacon can be tough. What do you consider the best alternative? Well, in The Classics Veganized, I have a recipe for Sunny Side up Vegan Eggs. I suggest replacing some of your favourite dishes with their vegan counterparts. I feel that when you take something out of your life and don’t replace it, you will generally miss what you removed. If you put something back in that is similar, you won’t feel like you are missing anything and you are more likely to stick to that way of eating!
Excerpted from The Classics Veganized: Over 120 Favourite Comfort Food Recipes for a Vegan Lifestyleby Doug McNish. Copyright©2020 Doug McNish. Photography by Nicole Axworthy. Published by Penguin Canada®, a division of Penguin Random House Canada Ltd. Reproduced by arrangement with the Publisher. All rights reserved.
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Julie Albert and Lisa Gnat Authors of The Bite Me Balance Cookbook Julie Albert and Lisa Gnat are the sisters behind the popular blog Bite Me More, bestselling cookbooks Bite Me, Bite Me Too, and Lick Your Plate, and digital agency Bite Me Creative. They’re latest release is The Bite Me Balance Cookbook.
Easy Banana Date
Oatmeal Bowl SERVES: 4, PREP TIME: 10 MIN
Ingredients
COOK TIME: 20 MIN
3 cups water 1 cup unsweetened almond milk 1 cup steel-cut oats 1 large ripe banana, mashed 4 large dates, pitted and chopped 1 tsp vanilla extract ¼ tsp ground cinnamon ¼ tsp ground ginger ¼ tsp kosher salt
While it may taste naughty, this bowl is anything but — full of wholesome goodness, steel-cut oats are one of the healthiest grains you can eat. Retaining their chewy texture, the fiber-rich oats get a touch of natural sweetness and loads of vitamins and minerals from banana and dates, to say nothing of the creaminess from the almond milk.
Toppings 1 banana, sliced ½ cup chopped toasted walnuts ¼ cup dark chocolate chips Maple syrup, for drizzling (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS 1. In a large saucepan, bring the water and almond milk to a boil. Stir in the oats, banana, dates, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, and salt. Mix well. Lower the heat and let the oatmeal mixture simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. 2. To serve, scoop into bowls and top with banana slices, chopped walnuts, chocolate chips, and a drizzle of maple syrup. 46
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Is breakfast an important meal of the day to you? Lisa: Breakfast (and coffee) is essential – it kickstarts my brain and body. Julie: Breakfast? Break. Fast. I love waking up because I know the first thing I’m going to do is eat. How much time do you each spend preparing breakfast? Lisa: In the morning, my kitchen becomes the ultimate breakfast buffet – I love to take the time to make fresh-baked muffins and loaves, frittatas, and French toast. Julie: During the week, I go the fast-and-fantastic route–I either grab something I’ve made in advance or take five to 10 minutes to blend up smoothies, fry eggs, or top yogurt with homemade granola. On the weekend, breakfast feels like a bit of an occasion – if I can wake my family up with the smell of pancakes, mission accomplished. Do you have a favourite breakfast? Lisa: I love a healthy breakfast, but our Apple Pie French Toast Bake (in The Bite Me Balance Cookbook) is my decadent favorite. Julie: I’d always choose a stack of my sister’s buttermilk pancakes over anything else.
“I always have protein-packed options like eggs, Greek yogurt, quinoa and peanut butter in my kitchen.”
What do you think are the most important ingredients for a healthy breakfast? Lisa: Having fresh ingredients on hand, like fruit you can throw in smoothies and veggies you can add to eggs, makes breakfast easy, wellbalanced and nourishing. Julie: I always have protein-packed options like eggs, Greek yogurt, quinoa and peanut butter in my kitchen. Since lockdown, people seem more interested in eating healthy. What steps do you recommend to start eating a healthier breakfast? Lisa: Being prepared is an essential first step – washing your fruit and dicing your vegetables when you bring them home from the store, make them ready and waiting for the effortless breakfast. Julie: I like to do some batch cooking on the weekend for the coming week – I’ll make granola, oatmeal, a frittata, so I can always have something healthy at my fingertips.
Residential i CommeRCial i industRial
With few of us rushing to work, we have more time in the morning. Do you have tips for creating a new breakfast ritual to start the work-from-home day? Lisa: Start simple – if you make it too complicated or time-consuming, it won’t be something you’ll enjoy doing, and as a result, won’t stick with it. Julie: For me, it’s waking up at the same time and beginning my day with a healthy bite and some exercise before jumping on calls – this ritual starts off my day and keeps me energized until lunch. Now, don’t get me started on how much I love lunch… GoodLife | Barrie September - October 2020
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taste | savouring breakfast
apple pie
French Toast Bake Apple Mixture ⅓ cup ¼ cup 1 tsp 6
brown sugar butter ground cinnamon Granny Smith apples, peeled and cut into chunks
Crumble Topping 1¼ cups ½ cup 1 tsp ¼ tsp ½ cup
flour brown sugar ground cinnamon kosher salt butter, cut into pieces
French Toast 2 cups 1 cup ½ cup ¼ cup 6 1 tbsp 14 cups
whole milk heavy cream brown sugar sugar eggs vanilla extract cubed brioche or challah bread
instructions 1. For the apple mixture, in a large skillet, melt the brown sugar and butter over medium heat. Stir constantly until the sugar is dissolved. Stir in the cinnamon and apples and cook over low heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly. 2. For the crumble topping, in a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add the butter and combine with your fingers or a fork until the mixture is crumbly. Set aside. 3. For the French toast, coat a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. In a large bowl, whisk the milk, heavy cream, brown sugar, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined. 4. To assemble, place half the cubed bread in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Top with half the apple mixture. Top with the remaining cubed bread and scatter the remaining apples and any accumulated liquid from the apples over top. Pour the milk mixture evenly over the bread. Sprinkle the crumble evenly over top. Cover and refrigerate for several hours or overnight. 5. When ready to bake, remove from refrigerator and preheat the oven to 350ºF. Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until set and golden brown. Serve with maple syrup, if desired. 48
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GoodLife | Barrie September - October 2020
Thanks hanks
to you We are ceLeBraTinG
our 10 Year anniverSarY!
Thank you for making Gravity Salon Professionals your salon choice for the last decade! Without you, our guests trusting in our team of professionals we would not be the award winning salon we are today. Looking forward to the next 10 years of bringing you beautiful hair while following our passion each and every day.
206 Bradford St., Barrie | 705.252.3992 | gravitysalonprofessionals.ca
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M U S KO K A LU X U R Y R E A L E S TAT E Leading the way with an unmatched online presence Listing with Clarke Muskoka Realty means that your property will attract the attention of target audiences with digital marketing and reporting that doesn’t just meet, but exceeds, the needs of today’s buyers and sellers. We use a multi-pronged marketing approach that includes high-level photography and videography, iGuides, print media, radio campaigns, an engaged email database, robust Google Ad campaigns, and high level social media account management.
Our website hosts virtual tours with oor plans, allowing visitors to experience the property in its entirety, online. Potential buyers can instantly hone in on the listings that interest them, and discover all the details with ease. We have multiple buyers, at various price points, ready to buy. Reach out to our team today. Royal LePage Lakes of Muskoka, Clarke Muskoka Realty 116A Medora St., PO BOX 362, Port Carling, ON
B OB CL ARKE, BROKER
OVER $57 MILLION SOLD IN 2020 SO FAR
B ob C l arke - Broke r | C. 416 .209.1 82 0 | O. 7 05 .7 65 . 18 20 | b ob @ my muskok a c ott age s .c om M Y M U S K O K A C O T T A G E S . C O M 50
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@M Y M U S K O K A C O T T A G E S
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Vespa x Dior
Dior joined forces with Vespa to create an exclusive scooter and a range of matching accessories, celebrating the sunnyspirit and art of living of the two houses. The scooter is made in Italy, adhering to the exacting standards, commitment and precision of a couture atelier. Echoing the design of the saddle, a top case patterned with the Dior Oblique motif – designed by Marc Bohan in 1967 – is specially designed to be fixed on the luggage rack, adding a distinctive allure. The limited edition creations will launch in spring 2021 in Dior boutiques around the world. Vespa.com
East coast luxury
Fogo Island Inn in Newfoundland was listed as number three in Travel + Leisure’s 2020 Top 100 Hotels in the World survey, just after Capella Ubud in Bali and Hotel Amparao in Sam Miguel de Allende, Mexico. The 29-room inn offers stunning views of the rocky coast through floor-to-ceiling windows. Fogoislandinn.com
Travel refresh
Give yourself a quick refresh during or after a long travel day with oversized Shower Sheets by Anthony. Safe to use on the entire body, each portable body wipe is a pre-moistened, soft shower sheet that instantly cleanses, deodorizes, and refreshes your skin. Available at Anthony.com
Flight of fancy
Air Canada is collaborating with Montreal-based chef Jérôme Ferrer to design meals for flights departing Canada for Europe, Asia, Australia and South America in economy and premium economy. Beginning late July, Air Canada will resume an enhanced meal service planned by its panel of celebrated Canadian chefs in Signature Class.
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Cuba SNOWBIRDS’ PARADISE By: Jane Muller
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roam | costa rica
New luxury resorts in Cuba poised to reopen In 2019, Canadian tourists travelling to Cuba numbered 250,000 with more than 30 flights arriving each week. Nearly half of them choose to stay on the north shore islands of the Jardines del Rey (Gardens of the King) archipelago. As we skim across the jade-coloured water of the Caribbean in a two-person mini speedboat, we zigzag around a smattering of the archipelago’s 2,500 mangrove-covered islands. We’re following our guide who is taking us to an island where we’ll dock and then snorkel along a narrow channel that bisects the small land mass. It’s a better option for this windy day than a catamaran on open water. I grip a hefty, 100-metre long rope that’s attached to the dock and head up-stream, watching an assortment of tropical fish flow past with the current. Taking a break before for the quick return swim, my timing is perfect to see an osprey land on a nearby mangrove branch and exchange a surprised glance. Turns out the March media tour that included such adventures and showcased the area’s newest luxury resorts was also perfectly timed. My small group was among the last of the tourists in the spring of 2020. While there, we heard that schools would not reopen after March Break and the NHL season had been suspended. Things were serious at home and although there was only one Coronavirus case in Havana, when we departed from the international airport at Cayo Coco, staff wore green fabric masks, foreshadowing a precaution with which we are all now so familiar. While flights from Canada to Cuba resumed in August, it’s been a long pause for resort operators that were anticipating the usual steady flow of guests in the spring and summer. There was an air of expectation and enthusiasm from resort management and staff during our tours that they will no doubt ramp up again when guests return. Their enthusiasm is well suited to the resort experiences they provide. New and recent offerings include Cuba’s first LGBTQ resort, the MGM Rainbow at Cayo Guillermo that opened in December 2019 and Cayo Cruz’s new boutique hotel Plaza Marina and Spa and neighbouring Hotel
Building codes restrict hotels to three stories like this poolside block at Rainbow Hotel in Cayo Guillermo.
Iberostar Coral Level at Selection Esmeralda. Cayo Guillermo boasts the area’s first non-all-inclusive resort created by Kempinski, Europe’s oldest luxury hotel group with locations worldwide. Only a few special guests had experienced the luxurious offerings of Cayo Guillermo Resort Kempinski in preparation for the grand opening originally slated for March, and now planned for November. Located at Playa Pilar, one of Cuba’s top beaches, Kempinski has excluded itself from the all-inclusive model of Cuban resorts. So unique to the island, new point of purchase software had to be developed in Cuba as imports aren’t allowed. Staff has been prepared to enter a new world of hospitality merchandizing when guests arrive. Brand new and impeccably appointed, the 245 suites are lovely but the over-the-water villas, reminiscent of the South Pacific, are amazing. Complete with a private plunge pool, swim-up dock, glass-door shower overlooking the ocean, vaulted wooden ceiling and décor that imbues the tranquil atmosphere of the resort. The vibe continues through to the spa area where bright white walls surround the lounge pool, whirlpools, canopied lounge beds and chaises topped with white cushions. Palm trees and the clear blue sky complete the picture in this relaxation inducing refuge. Spa treatments were left to my imagination but the taste of menu items was not. General manager Daniel Canas was ready to have his Spanish chef
Brand new and impeccably appointed, the 245 suites are lovely but the overthe-water villas, reminiscent of the South Pacific, are amazing. impress the first journalists to visit the resort. He explained that Kempinski is working to forge a new food chain in Cuba, one that links the resort to fresh local prime beef and seafood, the bulk of which has traditionally been exported with only frozen product available locally. The food was impressive, from the charcuterie board, assorted hummus and freshly baked pita, to that local beef, creative desserts and the honeycomb harvested from the resort’s own hives, served with crepes. While food and beverage service at The Nuevo Floridita Beach Club wasn’t yet available, I did get a chance to drink in the view from its position on the coral rock cliffs above the expansive beach and substantial sand dunes. Named after the world-famous bar frequented by Ernest Hemingway during his time in Havana, service will be available at the bar and the sunbeds just steps from the turquoise coloured Caribbean Sea at Playa Pilar. GoodLife | Barrie September - October 2020
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roam | costa rica
Luxurious water villas, complete with private infinity plunge pool, are the centrepiece of Kempinski Resort at Cayo Guillermo.
Our writer with one of three Ernest Hemingway statues on the bridge to Cayo Guillermo.
The beach bears the name Hemingway gave his fishing boat as a nod to his second wife Pauline’s nickname, Pilar. Celebrated in Cuba, the author lived near Havana in the 1940s and ‘50s after frequent visits over the previous decade. Kempinski has referenced him again with its Hemingway Cigar Bar and Lounge that features select Cuban rum of which the bar’s namesake would no doubt approve. The 300-metre bridge that connects Cayo Coco to Cayo Guillermo features three statues of Hemingway. I’m sure I’m not the first to high five the image of him waving to visitors or pose with him as he casts his line off the bridge or points to the horizon. As it was during his time in Cuba, the Jardines del Rey archipelago continues to be a destination famous for fishing and diving. That’s the demographic expected to book into Plaza Marina and Spa that was set to open this spring. Among the new offerings at Cayo Cruz, it’s just 20 metres from the marina where boats are available for sport fishing and other activities. Hotel highlights include a rooftop pool and patio with comfy lounges for taking in the sea view, a sixlane bowling alley, 58 rooms, including one that’s adapted for accessibility, and two junior suites, all with sea views. Guests can access amenities like the unique-toCuba squash court at the neighbouring oceanfront Hotel Iberostar Selection Esmeralda (450 rooms) and Coral Level (120 rooms). The third Cayo Cruz hotel to open in 2020, its Coral Level adds to the The lobby where guests are welcomed at the first LGBT hotel in Cuba, Gran Muthu Rainbow Hotel.
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luxury of the five-star resort with reserved spaces and premium services, suites with swim-up and rooftop patio options in addition to Esmeralda’s expansive and inviting spa area. The day pool garden provides a private space available by reservation and complete with butler service. Although the photo-worthy décor and grounds landscaped with indigenous trees and plants made for an enjoyable tour of the resorts on the brink of welcoming guests, we were able to sink into the atmosphere at Cayo Cruz’s inaugural Valentine resort during an overnight stay. There are six types of rooms among the 546 at this adult only resort that features three infinity pools at different levels at the main building and at least one pool in each of the room blocks situated closer to the beach. Although the drink selection was limited at the pool close to my room, the less populated area provided a quiet retreat from the action. Alternatively, the access to snacks, drinks and music does create the vacation vibe that resort goers expect, from the tropical atmosphere of the lobby/lounge area and poolside bars to the view of the triple pools and the ocean beyond. Valentine has four restaurants and if the fare at the Italian and Mexican themed dining experiences is any indication, the Caribbean and seafood options won’t disappoint either. That’s what I was hoping for on this trip since I’ve heard complaints about the food in Cuba, although it’s true that not all resorts deliver at the same level. Throughout my The spa pool at Iberostar Selections Esmeralda.
week long visit, the quality of the food was on par with the exceptional accommodations and amenities, not to mention the service. When discussing Cuba, Canadians always mention the friendliness of the people. That’s one of the reasons a couple from Orangeville, Ontario that I met at Pullman Cayo Coco have been back to that resort 11 times, usually bringing friends along. We were staying at The Collection by Pullman, an adult only section of the 522-room resort, with 44 rooms including junior suites, full suites and private Golden Villa. With its own reception area, indoor and outdoor bars with seating, private pool and dining room, it provides a boutique hotel experience with access to eight restaurants, 10 bars, seven pools, and a 600-metre-long private beach, spa, and entertainment pavilion. The Pullman is one of 17 Cayo Coco resorts, a number that will more than double to 38 by 2030. Development restrictions include a maximum of three storeys and an 80-metre setback from the beach in anticipation of rising water levels. There’s also a commitment to maintain 90 per cent of Cayo Coco in its natural state. Our Cubatur guide Fidel let us know that the area is home to more than 250 bird species, some unfamiliar and others well-known like the flamingos we passed on our travels and the turkey vultures that soared high above us. He also liked to point out the “tourist trees” that start the season with white bark that turns red and then peels off. Along with his gentle teasing he expressed the genuine bond between Cubans and Canadians, saying it’s like two wings of a bird. While Canadians are currently nesting at home, new offerings await in Cuba when they are again ready to spread their wings.
For updates on travel to Cuba visit the Cuban Tourism Board website gocuba.ca
The RAW & REFLECTIVE 2021 Calendar Was launched to raise awareness and support the work of Gilda’s Club Simcoe Muskoka. A cancer diagnosis is life altering – not just for the person, but to all around them. Gilda’s Clubs exist to provide free support for anyone affected by cancer. Your purchase will help continue the work of Gilda’s Club Simcoe Muskoka.
Calendars available at Connect Hair Studio / Gilda’s Club Simcoe Muskoka or order online at www.gildasclubsimcoemuskoka.org GoodLife | Barrie September - October 2020
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Le Champlain, Photo by Ponant
SAFE AND Conscientious
Cruising on the Great Lakes by Barbara Ramsey Orr
Viking Octantis, rendering-photo by Viking
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There are so many ‘ifs’ and ‘maybes’ these days that planning anything is problematic when everything can change in a heartbeat. But it helps, for sanity’s sake, to make plans and to commit to things, even if you have to uncommit later. If you are longing for a cruise experience, this may be the perfect time to book while generous cancellation policies are in place and cabins are available. And why not choose to do a cruise close to home, on our own world famous Great Lakes? You won’t be alone. Viking Cruise Lines is already taking bookings for its 2022 Great Lakes sailings, and some cabin categories for the first sailing on the luxurious expeditionary small ship, the Viking Octantis, in May 2022, are already sold out. Sailing on the Great Lakes can be surprising. One passenger, who went out on deck for her morning coffee, feared that the ship had gone badly off course. She was sure they must be way out at sea, as there was no sign of land. Then she gasped as a massive freighter slid quietly by in the morning mist. It is easy to underestimate the expanse of these waters. The lakes are vast - with 10,000 miles of coastline covering an area twice as large as Pennsylvania. The Lakes even have a tide, and are pristinely beautiful, generously dotted with islands, and rich with boreal forest, white sand beaches, rocky bays and the unique “flowerpot islands”. Freighters, both salties and lakers, are frequently sighted. (‘Lakers’ are ships that only sail within the Great Lakes, while ‘salties’ also do ocean sailing) Wildlife is abundant and there is a depth of culture and indigenous history that is fascinating. The pandemic called an abrupt halt to what should have been the most successful season ever for Great Lakes cruising. When life returns to normal, however, the Great Lakes is prime for
roam | luxury adventures cruise tourism, and will be particularly attractive to Canadians. The growth of expeditionary ships within the industry – small, agile and equipped with helicopters, zodiacs and submarines – means that many cruise lines are eyeing the Lakes. These new vessels are perfect for exploration here, being Seaway-compliant and equipped for adventure travel. According to Stephen Burnett, head of the Great Lakes Cruising Coalition, many of the major lines are seriously looking to place boats here in the near future. Ponant has already launched the elegant Le Champlain for sailings on the Lakes, and if the world rights itself, she will resume cruises next season startng May 2021. The Viking Octantis will deploy in 2022 for its Great Lakes itineraries. The traditional ships that have been doing these cruises, and regularly sailing at full capacity – the Victory I and II, the Pearl Mist, and Blount Small Ship Expeditions’s Grande Mariner and Grande Caribe – will presumably be back if the season is able to restart then. They are not as elegant or upmarket as the newcomers, but offer an excellent experience. For Canadians who love to cruise, a sail around the world’s largest fresh water lakes, or along the seaway is a brilliant choice for several reasons. One attraction is size. Geography has made it impossible for large cruise ships to enter the Lakes. Only smaller ships can navigate the seaway which imposes height and width restrictions. There will never be mega-cruisers in the Lakes. The largest would carry, at the most, 400 passengers while the majority will remain in the 100 to 200 passenger size. Another persuasive advantage is safety. There are many places in the world that are insecure, both in terms of political unrest over tourism and infectious diseases. The Great Lakes, straddling two countries, five states and two provinces, rest in an area that is politically stable and highly effective in controlling the spread of COVID-19. For Ontario residents, getting to a port would involve a short drive or a very short flight, less intimidating than an international flight. This pandemic-related delay will have allowed time for enhanced plans for safe and healthy sailing practices. The smaller ships also make it easier to keep passengers at a good distance from each other and to ensure that cabins and main rooms are sanitized.
Le Champlain, Photo by Ponant
There’s also the novelty factor that makes these cruises attractive. Frequent cruisers are always looking for unique destinations and new activities. The Great Lakes cruise offers different experiences from the typical cruise and offers them with a commitment to local communities and to careful husbandry of the lakes. The range of ports and excursions is world class. From architectural river expeditions in Chicago and visits to its world famous Art Institute of Chicago, to the Victorian charm of a horse-drawn carriage ride in the ‘carless’ tranquility of Mackinac Island, there are many entertaining diversions along the shores. Milwaukee has the Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Museum as well as its famous breweries. Ann Arbour, Detroit and Toronto all have much to offer. Guests can kayak in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Georgian Bay, hike through unspoiled forests, explore the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and transit engineering marvels like the Welland Canal and the Soo Locks. There’s the grandeur of Niagara Falls and the pleasure of vineyards in Niagara wine country. There are several pre- and post-excursion possibilities for passengers too. Add on Montreal, Quebec City, Gaspe, Iles de le Madelaine, and the Maritime provinces and you have a world class trip. But perhaps not surprisingly, the most sought after experiences are those that come from visits to small Canadian towns and interactions with First Nations communities. Bruce O’Hare, president of Lakeshore Excursions in Little Current on Manitoulin Island, explains that the First Nations clans are working in concert to design port activities that will spotlight their culture, art and history while positioning themselves
First Nations Cultural Port Experiences, Photo by Lakeshore Excursions
to benefit from the economic influx. “We have great partnerships with local communities,” says O’Hare. “Especially with our First Nation people. They are full participants in the planned activities, sharing in profits and co-designing the excursions. Local businesses, bus companies, small tour boats, restaurants, all benefit from the visitors.” According to Burnett, there has been excellent international cooperation between states, provinces and cities to design the best port experiences and to provide top quality adventure possibilities. “These lakes will never be a bargain cruising destination,” warns Burnett. “Because of the small size of ships and limited passenger numbers, as well as the large distances to be covered in sailing these vast waterways.” Despite those pricey fares, the Great Lakes are set to become the next hot place to cruise. They are having their moment, and this could be the perfect time to become a Lake cruiser. GoodLife | Barrie September - October 2020
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Art On Stone
Artists Create Unique Pieces of ‘Canadiana’— or You can Create Your Own! By: Laurie Wallace-Lynch
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Jan Novak
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ost of us have hundreds of vacation and other photos stored on our cell phones or downloaded somewhere. But how often do we even look at them or enjoy them? Local photographers Jan Novak and Tamara Scearce, Owners of JDN Photography Canada and Art On Stone studio/gallery in Horseshoe Valley, have developed a unique way for clients to enjoy their photos every day. They use a process that prints your full-colour images directly on marble and travertine stone in high resolution to create custom coasters and kitchen trivets. “We have shipped coasters as far away as South Africa,” says Novak. “Most of the photos people send us are of their family vacation, their home, their grandparent’s home or farm, their pets and
more. The stone is sourced from the Mediterranean and cut into 4 x 4 and 6x6 inch shapes that are 3/8 inches thick. The variation in texture and colour give each piece its unique rustic features. Natural stone has distinct lines so portraits of people or pets and photos with a focus on detail are best suited to a smooth stone rather than textured stone.” Novak and Scearce are award-winning photographers who have travelled the world (Tamara has a commercial pilot’s licence), cameras in hand. They established JDN Photography Canada 15 years ago, renowned for their large format (as large as 4 x 10 foot) custom art for residential and commercial décor. “The idea of printing photos on stone came
about when one of our clients asked if we had anything smaller than our large prints that he could give to his clients for Christmas gifts,” explains Novak. “That’s when we came up with the idea of printing images on stone for coasters.” Using high resolution images is key to the process, says Novak. “Most cell phone images sent in large files are fine,” he adds. “Our pieces are printed with a high-quality UV printer in our studio with a white under-printing that enhances the brightness of the eco-friendly UV-cured inks. This ensures a superior quality print that is extremely durable.” People can purchase coasters with images taken by Novak and Scearce (photos of streetscapes, landscapes, and local scenes including photos of Muskoka), or they can upload their own images. Since seeing is believing, Novak invited me to create my own unique five-piece set including four coasters and a trivet. I scrolled through the photos on my iPhone and chose five different photos from my trip to Paris, emailed myself the images and uploaded them into Dropbox (you can also upload onto your Desktop). The photosto-coasters process is easy. Go to the ArtOnStone. com website, click on the items you wish to pur-
chase. Upload and crop your images in the template and choose from smooth or textured stone. Then just select your payment method, add your shipping information and you are done. In most cases shipping is a standard $10 fee, or you can choose curbside pickup at their studio. Just a few days later, a hefty package arrived at my door via courier. The presentation is beautiful—the coasters and trivet came wrapped in brown paper, packaged in two burlap sacks tied with string with an Art on Stone card attached. And the coasters and trivet—Outstanding! They exceeded my wildest expectations. My five photos on smooth stone have been transformed into oneof-a-kind pieces of art which will bring back fond memories as I gaze at them over a cup of morning coffee or a glass of Beaujolais.” “I love when people come in to pick up their order and see the look on their faces,” says Novak. “Mostly we hear, ‘Wow!’ I love helping people by adding our artistic touch. We help make memories come to life!” JDN Photography Canada and Art On Stone Studio is located at 8 Fairway Court, Horseshoe Valley, www. https://artonstone.com/
“
Our pieces are printed with a high-quality UV printer in our studio with a white underprinting that enhances the brightness of the eco-friendly UVcured inks.”
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Breath
The New Science of a Lost Art By: James Nestor
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Book review by Danielle Leonard
id you know that your body is much better off if you breathe through your nose instead of your mouth? Or that mouth breathing disrupts sleep and can cause sleep apnea? If these claims surprise you, as they did me, then you will likely be intrigued and enlightened by the newly released book Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by journalist James Nestor. When I told a close friend that I was reviewing a book called Breath that was about, um, breath, she was incredulous. “That’s it? Just breath?” I laughed. I agreed it didn’t sound like a page turner, but Nestor’s deep research into this basic human function was not only fascinating, it changed my life. Motivated by a desire to understand how breathing affects his own health, Nestor learns and practices a variety of unique, and sometimes quite odd, breathing techniques over the course of a decade. He describes the journey as “a scientific adventure into the lost art and science of breathing.” Far from a textbook style read, the 60
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author weaves his personal experiences throughout the book, producing an honest and, at times, humorous narrative that educates as much as it entertains. I, also, had a personal stake in reading Breath. As a child, I suffered relentless allergies that clogged my nasal passages to such an extent that if I wasn’t inhaling medicated decongestants (which I subsequently learned have permanent side effects), I was stuffing my nose with tissue. Mouth breathing was never a choice for me, it was a way of life. Even though I outgrew my allergies in my 20s, my habit of mouth breathing at night never abated. What did it matter? Plenty, it turns out. Forty per cent of today’s population, Nestor explains in Breath, suffers from chronic nasal obstruction; around half are habitual mouth breathers – with females and children suffering the most. Optimal respiration, we also learn, goes beyond the basic mechanics of nose versus mouth. The book describes a myriad of breathing styles that have the capacity to ease, and even reverse, modern maladies such as asthma, anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and psoriasis. Some of these techniques have been around for hundreds, even thousands, of years – yogis familiar with pranayama would be aware of some of them. And, while the names may have changed and techniques repurposed, Nestor asserts such conscious breathwork “give us the means to stretch our lungs and straighten our bodies, boost blood flow, balance our minds and moods, and excite the electrons in our molecules to sleep better, run faster, swim deeper, live longer and evolve further.” Breath is the “missing pillar of health” according to Nestor – a premise he handily proves, in my opinion. I particularly appreciated the appendix that describes how to perform each of the breath techniques he writes about. Ideal for readers who want to put their newfound understanding to practical use. If practicing breathwork seems too much work, Nestor offers the simple technique of what he deems the perfect breath: “Breathe in for 5.5 seconds, then exhale for 5.5 seconds. That’s 5.5 breaths a minute for a total of about 5.5 liters of air. You can practice this perfect breathing for a few minutes, or a few hours. There is no such thing as having too much peak efficiency in your body.” I highly recommend this book. Its relevance is more pronounced today than ever, as the world struggles with the pandemic caused by COVID-19 – a virus that attacks the respiratory system in many sufferers. The book will take 10,000 breaths to read from first page to last, writes Nestor in the introduction. And, if he’s done his job correctly, Nestor promises that by the 10,000th breath, you will “know how the air that enters your lungs affects every moment of your life and how to harness it to its full potential until your final breath.”
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3 books with Neil Pasricha New York Times best-selling author of The Book of Awesome, Neil Pasricha, created the podcast as a way for bookworms to unite. Each “chapter” uncovers and discusses the three most formative books of a unique and inspiring individual.
Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend Hilarious and at times thought-provoking, late night host Conan O’Brien is on a mission to befriend his celebrity guests. This weekly podcast invites listeners to hang out with Conan and his favourite people.
Every Little Thing What is sand really made of? Where do fruit flies come from? Is a sense of direction real? These burning questions are asked by listeners and answered by a team of experts consisting of Flora Lichtman, Annette Heist, Phoebe Flanigan and Emily Forman.
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d l wiside
The
for everyone
Immerse yourself in this beautiful world by exploring one of the region’s countless hiking trails. By Andrew Hind Walking a trail along Rosseau Falls. (Photo by Bev McMullen)
Perhaps waterfalls are what you thirst for. Muskoka is blessed with several trails where the payoff is a view of cascading water.
Smaller falls along trail at High Falls, Bracebridge. (Photo by Bev McMullen)
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There is a quiet magic to Muskoka’s wilderness, and we don’t have to be hardened adventurers in Bear Grylls and Les Stroud to experience it. The region’s network of day hiking trails takes you to settings full of wide water and wider skies, abundant wildlife, verdant forests, and marshes full of whispering reeds. “Muskoka’s trail network covers some 4,000 square kilometres of rugged terrain,” explains Katie O’Hearn, marketing manager at Muskoka Tourism. “Vast forests of spruce, pine, poplar, tamarack, balsam and birch are easily accessible by some of Ontario’s best hiking trail systems. With lush forests, spectacular granite outcroppings, fascinating wildlife, and sweeping vistas, it is evident why
some of Muskoka’s tracks are known to be the best hiking trails in Ontario.” And, according to O’Hearn, there’s no better time to explore these trails than autumn. “Many trails lead to panoramic lookout points, with the opportunity to view the stunning fall colours,” she says. No matter your fitness level and no matter your interest, there’s a trail for you in Muskoka. Looking for an urban hike? The Hunter’s Bay hiking trail in Huntsville is just what you’re looking for: a 3.6 km trail with a unique blend of terrains, ranging from waterside views of the Muskoka River and wooded trails to the sands of Avery Beach Park and 500 metres of floating boardwalk
Hunter’s Bay Trail, Huntsville. (Photos courtesy Muskoka Tourism)
Wit h lus h fores t s, s p e c ta cula r g ra nite outc ropping s, fa sc in a t ing w ildlife, a n d s we e ping vis ta s, it i s evid e n t w hy s ome of M u sko ka’s t ra cks a re k n own to b e t he b es t h ik in g t ra i l s in O nta rio. over the Hunter’s Bay. Or consider Hahne Farm Trail, in Gravenhurst, which passes through forest and rewards you with pleasing views of a provincially significant wetland from atop a ridge of the Canadian Shield. Perhaps waterfalls are what you thirst for. Muskoka is blessed with several trails where the payoff is a view of gently cascading water. Try Wilson’s Fall Trail, just a few minutes from downtown Bracebridge and a picturesque walk, easy for people of most fitness levels. Care for sweeping vistas? Muskoka has you covered. Huckleberry Rock Lookout, just west of Bracebridge off of Milford Bay Rd., is a bit of a challenge as one ascends a sometimes-steep incline, but the payoff is a stunning lookout over Lake Muskoka that may well be the best place to catch a sunset in cottage country. Easier but no less rewarding is Big Bend Lookout Trail in Arrowhead Provincial Park, which offers an Instagram-worthy vantage of the curving Big East River. More adventuresome souls take their hiking boots to Limberlost Forest and Wilderness Reserve, home to 20 lakes and 10 trails measuring 70 km within the confines of a 10,000-acre tract of unspoiled wilderness. Everyone has their favourite trail. When she needs an escape, O’Hearn heads for Hardy Lake Provincial Park. “It’s my favourite hike in Muskoka,” she says. “The Hardy Lake Trail takes you for a gorgeous hike around the lake with magnificent views of the untouched shoreline and there are many places to hop in the water along the way to cool down.” Pair a hike at Hardy There is a quiet magic to Muskoka’s wilderness, and we don’t have to be hardened adventurers in Bear Grylls and Les Stroud to experience it. The region’s network of day
hiking trails takes you to settings full of wide water and wider skies, abundant wildlife, verdant forests, and marshes full of whispering reeds. “Muskoka’s trail network covers some 4,000 square kilometres of rugged terrain,” explains Katie O’Hearn, marketing manager at Muskoka Tourism. “Vast forests of spruce, pine, poplar, tamarack, balsam and birch are easily accessible by some of Ontario’s best hiking trail systems. With lush forests, spectacular granite outcroppings, fascinating wildlife, and sweeping vistas, it is evident why some of Muskoka’s tracks are known to be the best hiking trails in Ontario.” And, according to O’Hearn, there’s no better time to explore these trails than autumn. “Many trails lead to panoramic lookout points, with the opportunity to view the stunning fall colours,” she says. No matter your fitness level and no matter your interest, there’s a trail for you in Muskoka.
Looking for an urban hike? The Hunter’s Bay hiking trail in Huntsville is just what you’re looking for: a 3.6 km trail with a unique blend of terrains, ranging from waterside views of the Muskoka River and wooded trails to the sands of Avery Beach Park and 500 metres of floating boardwalk over the Hunter’s Bay. Or consider Hahne Farm Trail, in Gravenhurst, which passes through forest and rewards you with pleasing views of a provincially significant wetland from atop a ridge of the Canadian Shield. Perhaps waterfalls are what you thirst for. Muskoka is blessed with several trails where the payoff is a view of gently cascading water. Try Wilson’s Fall Trail, just a few minutes from downtown Bracebridge and a picturesque walk, easy for people of most fitness levels. Care for sweeping vistas? Muskoka has you covered. Huckleberry Rock Lookout, just west of Bracebridge off of Milford Bay Rd., is a bit of GoodLife | Barrie September - October 2020
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A s a ny av i d hiker w i l l te l l yo u, pro p er fo o t we a r c a n be t he dif fe re n ce b e t ween a p a i n f u l h i ke and an en j oya b l e a d ve nt u re in n at u re.
a challenge as one ascends a sometimes-steep incline, but the payoff is a stunning lookout over Lake Muskoka that may well be the best place to catch a sunset in cottage country. Easier but no less rewarding is Big Bend Lookout Trail in Arrowhead Provincial Park, which offers an Instagram-worthy vantage of the curving Big East River. More adventuresome souls take their hiking boots to Limberlost Forest and Wilderness Reserve, home to 20 lakes and 10 trails measuring 70 km within the confines of a 10,000-acre tract of unspoiled wilderness. Everyone has their favourite trail. When she needs an escape, O’Hearn heads for Hardy Lake
Algonquin Park While Algonquin Park is well known for its backcountry hiking and canoeing, there are indeed numerous trails ideally suited for a single-day outing. We asked Randy Mitson, the Marketing Director at Algonquin Outfitters and a man who has spent years exploring the park, to point out a few of his favourite day walks. Barron Canyon: Barron Canyon is almost certainly the park’s most stunning natural feature. What began as a fault in the earth’s crust was carved into the deep canyon of today when the glacier that covered Ice Age Ontario melted and sent torrents of meltwater pouring through it. The volume was more than a thousand times that flowing through modern day Niagara Falls. The views are stunning. Booth’s Rock: “This trail features a beautiful lookout atop a cliff overlooking Rock Lake, and the natural landscape on the way down resembles a set of giant’s steps carved into the rock,” says Mitson. “You can also find remains of the Barclay Estate, built by a relative of J.R. Booth and abandoned in the 1950s. There are foundations of buildings and the remains of a tennis court.”
Provincial Park. “It’s my favourite hike in Muskoka,” she says. “The Hardy Lake Trail takes you for a gorgeous hike around the lake with magnificent views of the untouched shoreline and there are many places to hop in the water along the way to cool down.” Pair a hike at Hardy Lake with nearby Walker’s Point Lookout Trail, a one-kilometre trail culminating in views over Lake Muskoka. Regardless of the trail you opt for, there are a few things you may want to keep in mind and best practices you should consider before heading out on your adventure. These will make your hike more enjoyable and safer. While late summer is past the peak season
hikes
Brent Crater: Climb an observation tower to look out over the landscape and see the rim of the 450-million-year-old Brent Crater, one of only 100 or so fossil meteorite crater sites in the world and among the oldest in North America. Then head down into the crater itself. Centennial Ridges: “Centennial Ridges is one of my favorites,” says Mitson. “Over the last part you are walking along a 300-foot tall cliff with spectacular views. It’s a long hike at 10-kilometre and requires some stamina, but it’s worth it.” Mizzy Lake: This 11-kilometre hike takes you past nine small lakes and ponds and numerous habitats. If you’re interested in seeing wildlife, those in the know will recommend this trail as you have a good chance of seeing moose, beaver, and otter. Track and Tower: History buffs enjoy the Track and Tower Trail as it meanders past relics of Algonquin Park’s rich history. At Cache Lake, you’ll see the remnants of two railway trestles built by J.R. Booth’s crews in the 19th century. Later, you’ll come upon a small cement dam, once the location of a log dam and chute dating to the 1880s.
For more details go to https://algonquinoutfitters.com/map/day-hiking-trails/ or www.algonquinpark.on.ca/visit/recreational_activites/interpretive-walking-trails-inalgonquin-park.php. Trail guides are available at the trailheads of each walking trail.
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for mosquitoes, they will linger in deep woods and marshy areas. To reduce the chance of being swarmed by clouds of ravenous and annoying bugs, use bug spray and wear light-coloured clothing or even bug jackets. Wearing long hair up is also helpful, as is not wearing perfume. Biting insects aren’t the only creatures you need to be aware of. One of the beautiful things about Muskoka is its abundance of wildlife. Remember, however, that when hiking in the wilderness we’re guests in their home. Some animals, like bears and moose, may become aggressive if startled or cornered. Talking loudly and making noise will alert them of your presence and give them time to make their escape. If you bring a dog, keep it on a leash. If you surprise a bear or moose in the wild, remain calm, don’t look them directly in the eyes, make yourself big, and back away slowly without turning your back. Don’t run – they can run much faster than you. 66
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As any avid hiker will tell you, proper footwear can be the difference between a painful hike and an enjoyable adventure in nature. Running shoes aren’t ideal as they lack the ankle support required on most wilderness trails. Instead, wear supportive hiking boots. “Don’t wear them straight out of the box or you’ll have a tough day,” says Randy Mitson, marketing director for Algonquin Outfitters. “To avoid painful blisters and rubbing, make sure your footwear is thoroughly broken-in around the house”. Other best practices include always telling someone exactly where you are going and when you plan to return, ideally walk with companions, and live by the mantra ‘take what you bring’ – in other words, never litter. “Always be prepared to stay out longer than expected,” cautions Mitson, marketing director at Algonquin Outfitters. “A number of things can happen that could require you to stay out longer than the hike might warrant, like not judging when nightfall will happen, violent weather and flood-
ing, or getting lost.” Most of the trails in Muskoka are well marked and maintained, but if you stray off the trail its possible to get turned around, get disoriented, and lose the trail. “Purchase a day hiking pack (25-45 litres in size should be enough to carry the essentials), one that fits well, and maybe one that offers built-in hydration, like a Camelback” explains Mitson. Mitson recommends carrying the following items anytime you venture out on a hike: • one to three litres of water, and perhaps water treatment tablets or drops • a snack for nourishment – granola bars, beef jerky, “trail mix,” or even a picnic lunch • flashlight (“you never know when you might have to spend the night”) • Bad weather clothing (rain jacket, sweater, change of socks) • First aid kit • Consider bringing along a lightweight sleeping bag or emergency shelter “Being prepared greatly increases your chances of being found safe should something unforeseen happen,” says Mitson. “You can’t rely on using your phone to call for help because in many cases you’ll lose cell service as soon as you are a couple of kilometres off the road.” Muskoka’s wilds team with birds and animals, scenic views, and soul-soothing tranquility. Immerse yourself in this beautiful world by exploring one of the region’s countless hiking trails. For more information on Muskoka’s trails go to https://www.discovermuskoka.ca/things-to-do/hikingtrails/
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