CL - February 2017

G E T O U T S I D E : S U P E R - F U N W I N T E R WO R KO U T S

SHARE THE

LOVE 17

AS YP QU I C K & EAS

RECIPES YOU’LL FALL FOR

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FOR

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P. 7 8

YO U R B E ST H A I R E V E R !

BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL

FEBRUARY 2017

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THE RELATIONSHIP ISSUE

FEBRUARY 2017 Style 15 MODERN ROMANCE

90 INDULGENT CHOCOLATE DESSERTS

Rose rules these captivating fragrances

18 #WETHECURVY Lingerie and shapewear to complement fuller figures

20 SKIN DEEP The best hydrating balms, lotions, creams and oils

22 THE BIG REVEAL A 49-year-old puts her best self forward with a dramatic new look

24 THE MANE EVENT Tips and tools for your best hair day of all time

31 AMAZING LACE Boudoir-inspired fashion for every day

Living 33 A PLACE OF THEIR OWN A group of Toronto women try to bring the first seniors’ co-living facility to Canada

36 OPEN SEASON Author Zoey Leigh Peterson discusses her literary love triangle

38 THE SPACE BETWEEN What’s behind the compulsion to hoard?

42 SISTER ACT Pop duo Tegan and Sara open up about overcoming sibling strife

Health Take charge of your cardiovascular health

48 PLAY IT COOL Pick your intensity, gear up, get outside—and stay fit!

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FLORAL FRAGRANCES

52 THIS IS YOUR BODY ON...SUGAR Find out how too much sugar affects your health and how to cut back

54 SEXUAL HEALING All about libido, birth control, consent and STIs

PHOTOGRAPHY, DANIEL HARRISON (PERFUME)

45 CHANGE OF HEART

59

SMALL-SPACE DECOR

68 VASES YOU’LL LOVE

Home

Cook & Eat

59 BOLD & BEAUTIFUL

73 INGREDIENT SPOTLIGHT

A neglected basement becomes a stylish and functional suite

66 FINE PRINT Get the look of wallpaper with easy and affordable wall stencils

68 ALL ABOUT THAT VASE Our favourite vessels for every type of bloom

70 PLANT ONE ON

How to cook with fiery Thai chilies

77 QUICK & EASY Dine in next date night with these no-reservationrequired meals for two

98

82 SUGAR RUSH Our Q&A with Anna Olson, plus whoopie pies from her latest cookbook

BACON BRITTLE

84 KITCHEN CRUSHES

Liven up your living space with these houseplants

Culinary finds from the Test Kitchen’s Jennifer Danter

87 FROM RUSSIA, WITH LOVE Take comfort in these savoury hand pies

90 TRIPLE THREAT

On the Cover 48

Three desserts to satisfy any cocoa craving

95 SWEET SPOTS Montreal destinations for chocolate lovers

98 OVER THE TOP! Nut brittle inspired by candied bacon 24 59 52 Photography, Angus Fergusson Food styling, Michael Elliott/ judyinc.com Prop styling, Catherine Doherty

IN EVERY ISSUE 7 EDITOR’S NOTE | 11 OH, CANADA! | 96 RECIPE INDEX

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C A N A D I A N L I V I N G .C O M | F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7

EST. 1975 | VOL. 42, NO. 2 | FEBRUARY 2017

VICE-PRESIDENT & GROUP PUBLISHER Lucie Dumas

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jes Watson

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TH I S MO N TH

CHANGE AGENT February marks the return of our makeover column (page 22). If this one inspires you to make a change yourself (and you live in the Greater Toronto Area), email us at makeovers@canadianliving.com for your chance to appear in an upcoming issue.

PHOTOGRAPHY, ALVARO GOVEIA (WATSON). HAIR AND MAKEUP, JODI URICHUK/BITE BEAUTY/PLUTINO GROUP. DRESS, BANANAREPUBLIC.CA

HOLDING

I

steady

n the early days of our relationship, my husband, Ned, and I wrote each other long, protracted emails about everything under the sun. We had so much to share: our thoughts on music, the latest movie we had seen, a funny interaction with a coworker—none of it seemed too insignificant to mention. I was living in Toronto and he was in Montreal, so we filled the distance between us with thousands of frantically typed words streaming between our inboxes.

Now, if we’re lucky enough to get in a text message, it’s usually about who is going to pick up the kids from day care or what’s for dinner. We collapse on the couch at the end of the day, too exhausted to make small talk. No, it’s not romantic in the traditional sense, but would I say we’re any less in love than during those fervent first years? Not at all. We’ve evolved, first into husband and wife, then into parents, and our relationship now encompasses more than sweet missives and bouquets of flowers.

It’s strange to think of people as static, constant things, when in truth, everyone is always changing, and our relationships are in a state of perpetual flux. I’ve been thinking lately about my strong bond with my mom—how much I rely on her for advice and wisdom (and how much she relies on me for help when she needs it, like after a recent surgery). What a massive shift from my fraught teenage years, when I thought it was I who knew everything, and she was the one helping me.

How incredible is it that, despite the constant transformations, both between one another and within ourselves, so many of our relationships are unwavering?

Maybe it’s that the things that draw us together are so strong—the generosity and patience that allow us to grow, a mutual sense of love and respect, and the memories to remind us all of our shared past. Not to mention that folder of saved emails.

Jes Watson, editor-in-chief

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MEET & GREET I’m pleased to introduce Jennifer Danter, our acting executive Food editor, who is filling in for Irene Fong while she’s on maternity leave. Get to know her in the best way possible: through her favourite foodie picks in this month’s Kitchen Crushes (page 84) and the must-try Pistachio, Pecan and Bacon Brittle recipe she dreamed up (page 98).

TA B L E F O R T W O My husband and I don’t generally book a dinner reservation for Valentine’s Day, but I’m looking forward to treating Ned to one of our super-romantic Quick & Easy recipes (page 77). (And yes, I said Quick & Easy and super-romantic in the same sentence. #winning)

C A N A D I A N L I V I N G .C O M | F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7

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#Love this article in @canadianliving [“Give a Little, Get a Lot,” December 2016] on how #giving 2 others can #improve #health. Little by little. #moodboost — @AndreaFalconeRD

W H AT ’ S H A P P E N I N G O N I N STAG R A M Winter weather finally creeping in, so I bake.

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F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7 | C A N A D I A N L I V I N G .C O M

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QUEBEC

THIS YEAR,

ILLUSTRATION, JEANNIE PHAN

we’re celebrating Canada’s 150th birthday by highlighting the best of each province. Here’s what we love about Quebec.

One of the largest rivers in North America , the 1,197-kilometre-long St. Lawrence River was discovered in 1535 by Jacques Cartier and played an important role in Canada’s early history: It was the favoured route for explorers settling our fledgling country and traders plying their goods, and it’s how French settlers established their colonial empire. Flowing northeast from Lake Ontario through Quebec and out to the Atlantic Ocean, it’s still our most important waterway today, transporting everything from timber to wheat to flour—plus, no small number of cruise ships.

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C A N A D I A N L I V I N G .C O M | F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7

something old, something new With more than 400 years of history and a bustling contemporary cultural scene, Quebec City offers a trove of things to uncover—for repeat visitors and newcomers alike.

History Lesson Auberge SaintAntoine boasts S TAY gorgeously modern rooms in a historic wharf and cannon battery. Each room features a display of an artifact found on the site, such as 18th-century china plates or a charming pair of centuries-old dominoes.

Some rooms include a private terrace, where you can take in the city sights (or a glass of wine) after a day of trekking through town.

Local Hero Nordic ingredients drive the menu at Chez Boulay bistro boréal, where chefs Arnaud Marchand and Jean-Luc Boulay excel at inventive takes on culinary traditions that showcase regional flavours.

A beet tarte tatin, for example, is drizzled with citrusy, semisweet birch syrup, whereas a velvety sea buckthorn meringue tart is a clever take on classic lemon meringue pie.

Off the Beaten Path Spend a night in a former nun’s cell at Le Monastère des Augustines. This freshly restored site features wellness packages (think massages, yoga classes and meditation) and paredback-but-comfy suites in a 377-year-old building.

State of the Art The Musée national des DO beaux-arts du Québec sits adjacent to the historic Plains of Abraham, but its new Pierre Lassonde Pavilion has a distinctly modern edge. Take in works

by Québécois artists such as Riopelle and David Altmejd, and don’t miss the impressive Inuit art collection.

Classic Eats Stop in at Le Chic Shack for E AT an updated take on Quebec’s most-beloved regional dish: poutine. With toppings such as smoked meat, mushrooms and even masala-curry sauce, this isn’t your average potatoes and gravy.

Cocktails and Bites The Grande Allée is home to some of Quebec City’s most luxurious estates—and L’Atelier, a swish restaurant that’s a veritable hot spot come sundown. Don’t miss the twist on surf and turf, lobster and beef tartare served with a side of deliciously crispy frites.

Shop Talk Venture beyond the city’s fortified walls to explore the charming St-Roch district, which is dotted with art galleries, boutiques and coffee shops (a latte at Saint-Henri micro-roaster is a must).

Old School The Petit-Champlain neighbourhood is one of the oldest commercial districts in North America, so shops abound, but don’t miss Musée de la civilisation for an afternoon immersion course in the Québécois and First Nations cultures.

FIND MORE GREAT TRAVEL TIPS AND DESTINATION GUIDES AT canadianliving.com/travel.

W h at ’s Close By ?

If you have the time to range farther afield, here are three other cool spots to see in Quebec.

AY T W O H O U R S AW

Y O N E H O U R AWA

AW AY THREE HOURS

mont-sainte-anne

charlevoix

montreal

is a ski lover’s paradise, but it’s also home to a range of summer alpine activities (try mountain biking, hiking and golf).

The Flavour Trail is the ultimate foodie road trip, offering a bounty of artisanal cheeses, tart ciders and fresh produce.

Venture up the St. Lawrence to visit Montreal’s famous arts and culture scene—and its myriad must-try restaurants.

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7 | C A N A D I A N L I V I N G .C O M

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ILLUSTRATIONS, JEANNIE PHAN (MAP); THENOUNPROJECT.COM (BED, DRINK, CAMERA). PHOTOGRAPHY, THINKSTOCK (CHARLEVOIX, MONTREAL)

BY JES WATSON

“There’s a vast landscape for women in science that really could use improvement.

I’m just one tiny little speck.”

ONE ON ONE

a star is born

She plans to use the grant to study a new phenomenon known as fast-radio bursts.

These short, bright surges of radio waves are happening out in the cosmos, but their source is unclear. Kaspi, of course, is on the case to further understand this whodunit.

That’s because, whether it’s reconfiguring a Rubik’s Cube, completing a Sudoku square or being the only person on the planet to understand a discovery, she finds relief in knowing that the universe makes sense. “I don’t look at things as irrational; it’s a puzzle that needs to be solved,” she says. “That’s what I live for, especially in these turbulent times. It’s nice to have my place on campus where I can do my work.

Maybe things don’t make sense initially, but you have faith they will. It’s all about seeing the final picture come together.”

When Kaspi isn’t staring at a computer or at stars, she’s at home with her family in Montreal’s Snowdon neighbourhood, where Saturday nights are ceremoniously booked for her beloved Montreal Canadiens. “I still fondly remember the Stanley Cup parades during the 1970s.

I’m definitely a hockey fan. I find it relaxing—especially if it’s been a stressful week. If I have work to do, I’ll settle in with the game on, and everyone starts to congregate.”

“Everyone” includes her three teens, two of them girls. She’s thinking of her own experiences and wondering what her daughters might face when she admits being a woman in a male-dominated field hasn’t been easy. “There’s a vast landscape for women in science that really could use improvement; I’m just one tiny little speck,” she says.

But with her unique understanding of how something can be both small and mighty, Kaspi’s work hasn’t just cracked the glass ceiling; it’s also cleared a brighter path to the stars.

Astrophysicist and Montreal native Victoria Kaspi heads up McGill University’s Space Institute and is one of the luminaries in her field. Even more awesome: Last year, she became the first woman to win the most prestigious science award in Canada.

PHOTOGRAPHY, MARTIN LIPMAN/NSERC

BY GRACE TOBY

AT JUST SEVEN YEARS OLD, Victoria Kaspi was already trying to solve the puzzles of the universe—or, at least, the elementary school versions of those great mysteries.

Now director of the McGill Space Institute and a professor of physics, she remembers hanging out in her bedroom at home in the Montreal suburb of Côte Saint-Luc, tackling jigsaw puzzles and math riddles— she’d even create her own logic problems.

Today, that proclivity for solving mysteries takes place on a much grander stage. In fact, it’s literally out of this world: Kaspi spends her workdays scanning the Milky Way for neutron stars (tiny but powerful remnants of larger stars).

Her career has been on a meteoric rise; last year, at 48, she became one of the youngest people, and the first woman, to win the biggest prize in Canadian science, the $1 million Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal for Science and Engineering.

“I’m honoured, thrilled and delighted about this award, but I also think it’s been a long time coming. There are so many brilliant women, and I hope I’m the first of many,” says Kaspi.

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C A N A D I A N L I V I N G .C O M | F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7

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Modern Romance

Rose is an iconic flower that symbolizes love and acts as one of the main petal-powered pillars of perfume creation. The versatile ingredient helps give structure to a myriad of fragrance families, including soft orientals, crisp citrus and fruity florals.

BY JULIA M C EWEN PHOTOGRAPHY BY DANIEL HARRISON

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C A N A D I A N L I V I N G .C O M | F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7

Try spritzing one of these rose-tinged aromas, from androgynous to feminine.

BAD GAL

LOVE STORY

TWINKLE IN TIME

RUGGED ROSE

If a rose can have attitude, this one certainly does.

Damask rose and smoky oud wood spiked with clove come at you from all sides, enveloping the skin in an intense aroma. Sensuous, as velvety as the name implies and reinforced with sandalwood, this isn’t your typical pretty rose juice.

Opening with pink pepper, the woody floral aroma of orris (the fragrant root of the iris) and rose, this is an ode to an extraordinary love affair. The base notes of Australian sandalwood, cedarwood and tonka bean help ground the scent for a rich, feminine and superwearable finish.

When the Italian house of Gucci creates a fragrance that’s inspired by princesses both past and present, you know that it’s going to pack a regal punch. Bursting with peony, osmanthus and rose, it’s the perfect gateway to get you hooked on fresh flowers.

Wearing this fragrance is a sensual experience, with an energetic twist. The warm mix of espresso alongside amber, saffron and Turkish rose gives it a unisex smell that keeps this rose fragrance rooted in seduction and intrigue.

Jo Malone London Velvet Rose & Oud Cologne Intense, 100 mL, $230, jomalone.ca.

Tory Burch Love Relentlessly Eau de Parfum, 100 mL, $136, toryburch.ca.

MINIMALIST GOALS This perfume is inspired by a warm bubble bath peppered with floating rose petals, resulting in a simple floral scent with an uplifting citrusy twist, thanks to the addition of zesty lime. Rose, peony and jasmine, balanced with base notes of cedarwood, sandalwood and musk, create a feminine fragrance.

Clean Reserve Blonde Rose Eau de Parfum, 100 mL, $125, sephora.ca.

Flora by Gucci Eau de Toilette, 50 mL, $92, thebay.com.

Tom Ford Café Rose Eau de Parfum, 50 mL, $255, sephora.ca.

TWICE AS NICE

MODERN CLASSIC

POISED FOR GREATNESS

Sublimely rich yet delicate, May rose swirls with Turkish rose to deliver a soft bouquet with a sparkling hit of bergamot and mandarin. Base notes of ambrette absolute, vanilla and patchouli power this juice out of pretty territory and into the realm of understated sexiness.

The newest offering from Chanel N° 5, L’Eau respects the scent’s history in a less powdery version. This bright juice features florals such as rose, ylang-ylang and jasmine. Perfumer Olivier Polge created a modern balance by increasing the potency of some notes (orange rind) and decreasing others (vanilla).

To catch a whiff of the latest Avon fragrance is to experience a dramatic blend of elegant plum, intense white patchouli, tangy bergamot and intoxicating rose—the kind of stem you’d present to a prima ballerina after her triumphant performance.

Giorgio Armani Sì Rose Signature Eau de Parfum, 100 mL, $152, thebay.com.

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7 | C A N A D I A N L I V I N G .C O M

Chanel N° 5 L’Eau Eau de Toilette, 50 mL, $119, thebay.com.

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Avon Prima Eau de Parfum, 50 mL, $35, avon.ca.

#W ETH E C U RV Y

1 2

Few things are sexier than a well-fitted bra and matching briefs.

3

4

GET MORE GREAT ADVICE FROM MEREDITH SHAW AT

Corsets don’t constrain curvy bodies— they help celebrate them.

canadianliving.com/ wethecurvy.

Look for a strapless bra with a convertible strap option.

5

In the Mood

Whether you’re curvy, plus-size or big-busted, our columnist Meredith Shaw has a supportive and sexy lingerie pick that will work for you.

WHEN IT COMES TO choosing a mate, we all know that it’s what’s on the inside that counts, but while deciding on an outfit, we often overlook what’s underneath. Big mistake. Huge! I’ve experienced a series of blush-worthy Bridget Jones–esque grannypanty moments, like the time my tutu got tucked into my undies post–bathroom visit, which meant the whole room got to have a look-see—and it was an event I was hosting! If my embarrassment has taught me anything, it’s that what we choose to hug and support our curves with can have the biggest impact of all. Think of lingerie as your undercover confidence.

I used to shy away from the body-conscious trend, until I realized, Oh, it’s not my body that’s the problem; it’s my lack of support! Undergarments, especially shapewear, are kind of like a permanent Instagram filter. It’s still you, but better. Now, if you don’t own any lingerie, girrrl, you are missing out!

Buy it for yourself, wear it for yourself—and, hey, if someone gets to see you in it, lucky them.

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7 | C A N A D I A N L I V I N G .C O M

1 . B O DY S U I T B L I S S Bodysuits are so in this season, they’re out. Wear one in the boudoir or pop one under a skinny jean and a blazer for a sexy nightout look. Being able to get more mileage out of just one piece allows you to justify spending a little more, giving you the best fit and fabric for your budget. Anita comfort corselet (sizes 4 to 22 and cups B to H), $165, anita.com.

2 . B E M Y VA L E N T I N E When it comes to buying sexy underwear, don’t dress to hide; instead, dress to show off. If you love your cleavage but hate your hips, choose lingerie to maximize your chest rather than purchasing a piece to minimize what you don’t like.

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Ashley Graham Showstopper bra (sizes 36DD to 44DD), $70, and underwear (sizes X to 3X), $30, additionelle.com.

3. MAKE SHAPEWEAR YO U R B F F Underpinnings with purpose have got a bad rap over the years, but the technology has come a long way. No, you won’t feel like a sausage, and yes, you can still go pee—I know you were wondering. I love this bodysuit from Maidenform because it goes all the way from your thigh up to your underarm (buh-bye, back fat), plus you can wear your own bra with it, making it great for a body-con dress.

Maidenform Wear Your Own Bra singlet (sizes M to 2X), $77, thebay.com.

4 . L AC E D U P Dita Von Teese, Christina Hendricks and Downton Abbey’s Lady Mary Crawley are to blame for my new obsession. Corsets are a stunning complement to a curvy shape. The style is made for us, with its perfect balance of sex appeal and coverage.

J’Adore corset and matching underwear (sizes 2X to 4X), $56, curvynbeautiful.com.

5. STR APLESS? R E A L LY !

As a curvy woman, I searched for a strapless bra like it was a mirage in the desert. But with brands such as Addition Elle and Torrid, we now have the option to be both supported and strap-free. Ashley Graham Phenomenon bra (sizes 36DD to 44DD), $70, additionelle.com.

PHOTOGRAPHY, JENNA MARIE WAKANI (SHAW). HAIR AND MAKEUP, CIA MANDARELLO/ORIBE/CHARLOTTE TILBURY/P1M.CA. KIMONO, TEDBAKER.COM. MOULDED-CUP BABYDOLL SLIP, ADDITIONELLE.COM

2

MAKE YOUR OTHER VACATIONS

©2017 Visit San Antonio

Most vacations are centered around one thing – a beach, a big canyon, a few skyscrapers – you get the idea. But when you visit San Antonio and the Texas Hill Country, you’ll find a little bit of everything: roller coasters, 300-year-old missions, lavish resorts, scenic wineries and the largest outlet mall in the nation, not to mention a lot of other things ordinary vacations wish they had.

SKIN DEEP BODY LOTION DECODER

BY JULIA M C EWEN

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7 | C A N A D I A N L I V I N G .C O M

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PHOTOGRAPHY, GENEVIÈVE CARON

If dry skin is the bane of your winter existence, you need a new moisturizer— and we’ve got the best bets no matter your skin-care needs.

W H AT ’ S YO U R P R I M A RY I S S U E ?

E X T R E M E LY D R Y

NORMAL TO DRY

I T C H Y & I R R I TAT E D

Do you consider your skin sensitive?

Your preferred texture is...

Do scented products irritate your skin?

YES

La Roche-Posay Lipikar Baume AP+ is rich in shea butter and safe to use on the whole family. The fragranceand paraben-free formula immediately soothes itchy flare-ups and treats severe dryness. $33, shoppersdrugmart.ca.

OIL

NO

LOTION

CREAM

Do you prefer organic?

Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Baume stops itching and helps reduce the urge to scratch with PEA (a dermatological active ingredient), while its patented Lipigenium complex restores the skin’s barrier. $25, bioderma.ca.

YES

Moroccanoil Body Soufflé is a hybrid between body milk and body butter, penetrating quickly for a nourishing, soothing effect. It features argan oil and shea butter—both contain essential fatty acids that increase moisture and strength—as well as aloe vera to help support and protect the skin’s barrier. $52, moroccanoil.com.

Éminence Apricot Body Oil is lush with vitamins A, C and E, which help increase the skin’s elasticity. It also contains healing botanicals and nutrient-rich oils, such as sea buckthorn (to protect the skin’s barrier) and jojoba (to nourish and hydrate). $29, thefacialroom.ca.

Aveeno Skin Relief Gentle Scent Chamomile Lotion is infused with the brand’s signature oat complex, plus the added benefit of chamomile—both leave a light scent while calming skin. $14, shoppers drugmart.ca.

You’ll also want to consider…

YOUR AGE

YOUR HANDS

Menopause can compromise the skin’s protective barrier and cause irritation. Vaseline Mature Skin Rejuvenation Lotion contains glycerin to add moisture, while vitamin B3 and microdroplets of Vaseline lock moisture in. $6, shoppers drugmart.ca.

Vichy Idéal Body Hand & Nail Cream is an overachiever, with SPF 15 to protect, vitamin C to help brighten and diminish dark spots, and ceramides (waxy lipid molecules) to help hydrate the skin and nails. $10, vichy.ca.

YOUR TOOTSIES The coconut oil, lanolin and vegetable glycerin in Burt’s Bees Coconut Foot Cream help revive cracked skin. Apply before bed and lock in the gooey goodness with a pair of cotton socks. $15, burtsbees.ca.

NOT REALLY

YES

NO

Caudalie Divine Oil is a multipurpose dry oil that provides long-lasting moisture for the body, face and hair. The blend contains hibiscus, sesame, grapeseed and argan oils. $57, caudalie.com.

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Looking for a rich formula?

YES

NO

Eau Thermale Avène XeraCalm A.D LipidReplenishing Balm is great for atopicprone skin due to an active compound called I-modulia, a complex that took 12 years to develop.

It helps soothe redness, itchiness and irritation. $27, shoppers drugmart.ca.

The Body Shop Almond Milk & Honey Soothing & Restoring Body Lotion protects the skin’s barrier and fights uncomfortably tight and itchy skin with a silkysmooth, fastabsorbing formula that safeguards and restores sensitive skin for 48 hours. $15, thebodyshop.ca.

Kiehl’s Creme de Corps has been around since the ’70s for a reason: It’s rich, nongreasy and jam-packed with antioxidant betacarotene, squalane (an organic compound to protect the skin’s barrier) and olive oil. $38, kiehls.ca.

C A N A D I A N L I V I N G .C O M | F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7

MAKEOVER

“

The whole experience felt like Pretty Woman.

It’s made me feel that I am important, worthy and capable of incorporating style into my life.

”

The Big Looking to refresh her life, insurance professional, wife and mother Marta MagyarGaal embraced a dramatic new look—with stunning results.

MARTA MAGYAR- GAAL

BY JULIA M C EWEN & ALEXANDRA DONALDSON PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALVARO GOVEIA

AGE 49 LIFE-INSURANCE PROFESSIONAL

BACKSTORY In the past few years, Marta Magyar-Gaal has faced several hardships. “I’ve gone through quite a bit of stress, in addition to a lot of physical changes,” says Marta. A cancer survivor, she was recently diagnosed with vitiligo (a skin disease characterized by a loss of pigment), which has made getting dressed extra challenging. “It mostly affects my arms and hands, so sleeves are a must,” she says. In the thick of menopause, she’s also experienced some hormonal weight gain and aggravation of her rosacea. With all of these new challenges, Marta was ready to embrace something positive: a brand-new look that matches her brilliant, funny and animated personality.

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7 | C A N A D I A N L I V I N G .C O M

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Shawl, $189, turtleneck, $189, and pants, $139, Talbots. Dean Davidson earrings, Cupido. Handbag, Sandro Ferrone.

Booties, Stuart Weitzman. All clothing and accessories available at Bayview Village shopping centre in Toronto.

HAIR AND MAKEUP, JODI URICHUK/MAKE UP FOR EVER/PLUTINO GROUP

Reveal

HAIR Roger Medina, a hair ambassador for Garnier Canada, loved Marta’s curls but felt she needed to make a stronger style statement. In the end, the key to her look was a dyed ’do. Going blond wasn’t a drastic change for Marta, who already had partially lightened hair, so Medina felt that enhancing her natural curls would give her an edge. He lightened Marta’s hair all over, with the exception of a bit of her roots to keep the colour low maintenance. For the photo shoot, Medina wanted to style Marta’s hair differently than what she’s used to, so he gave her smooth waves. “I used a one-inch-barrel curling iron and divided the hair into two-inch sections,” he says.

“Then, I curled the hair around the face backward, and the hair at the back of the head toward the face, which gave her hair a bit of an S-shape.”

MAKEUP A novice to makeup, Marta’s major challenge is trying to even out her complexion, which is complicated by her rosacea and vitiligo. She sometimes wears foundation, but she’ll add mascara and lipstick only when she’s feeling fancy. Keeping Marta’s lowmaintenance approach in mind, Plutino Group makeup artist Jodi Urichuk gave her soft, luminous and pretty makeup that highlighted several of her beautiful features. Urichuk started with a green-tinged primer to counteract the red in Marta’s skin, then used a fullcoverage satin-finish foundation. “It still looks natural,” says

“I softened the corners of her nails because of the dark colour; I didn’t want the manicure to look overly aggressive.”

— Rita Remark

TOOLBOX Make Up For Ever Step 1 Skin Equalizer Redness Correcting Primer, $45, sephora.ca.

Urichuk. Next, she applied a wash of taupe cream shadow to her eyelids and a metallic brown eyeliner, which she blended on an angle to give the appearance of larger eyes. To finish the look, Urichuk chose a soft-pink lip stain and a lip pencil in a similar hue, buffing and blending the lines with a brush.

Caudalie Vinosource Overnight Recovery Oil, $59, caudalie.com.

Essie Nail Polish in Midnight Cami, $10, essie.ca.

WARDROBE In Marta’s youth, her style had edge, but as she matured, other priorities took precedence.

“My style is pretty boring. I wear black on black on black and, sometimes, I add white,” she says. Melissa Evans-Lee, the marketing director for Bayview Village shopping centre in Toronto, wanted to take Marta out of the darkness and into the light. She created an ensemble that was comfortable and stylish and had polished elements that Marta craves, while still steering her in a new direction. “Marta is petite, so it was important to choose a look that would elongate her small frame,” says Evans-Lee. A luxurious cream-coloured turtleneck with flecks of sparkle provided the foundation; the tight-fitting high collar creates a longer visual line. Layering a fringed shawl over a sweater or a coat is one of Evans-Lee’s favourite winter styling tips. For Marta, she chose a windowpane-plaid cashmere shawl, adding a pair of ecru trousers to give the look some structure and a pair of suede booties to solidify the polished influence.

DREAM TEAM

Garnier Fructis Moisture Lock 10-in-1 Rescue Leave-In Detangler, $7, shoppers drugmart.ca.

SKIN When Marta visited the Miraj Hammam Spa by Caudalie Paris in Toronto, senior esthetician Alexandra Weisseneder noted that her sensitive and rosacea-prone complexion was in desperate need of hydration. Weisseneder recommended ingredients such as chamomile, grape water and jojoba oil to help calm and nourish her skin. She also advised Marta to use an overnight oil instead of a cream. “It’s a bit more active and has more highly concentrated ingredients,” says Weisseneder.

Going forward, Marta will also use SPF coverage year-round to help protect her sensitive skin from the elements.

VERDICT “I was living a girl’s dream,

ROGER MEDINA Garnier Canada hair ambassador

JODI URICHUK Plutino Group makeup artist

MELISSA EVANS-LEE Bayview Village marketing director

ALEXANDRA WEISSENEDER Miraj Hammam Spa

by Caudalie Paris senior esthetician

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RITA REMARK Essie Canada lead nail artist and global lead educator

having people teach me how to present my best self—not to mention the full attention given to me. It was quite overwhelming at times,” says Marta. “The overall experience was amazing.”

C A N A D I A N L I V I N G .C O M | F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7

the

mane t n e v e Have a good hair day every day with these tools, tips and trends.

BY ALEXANDRA DONALDSON

CHECK OUT EVEN MORE HAIR INSPIRATION, TRICKS AND TECHNIQUES AT

canadianliving.com/goodhairday.

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7 | C A N A D I A N L I V I N G .C O M

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T O S AY T H AT WO M E N H AV E A C O M P L E X R E L AT I O N S H I P W I T H T H E I R H A I R I S A N U N D E R STAT E M E N T. We spend a lot of time and energy looking for thicker, smoother, straighter, curlier, bigger, brighter, shinier hair, and we usually want what we don’t have. Why are we so obsessed with our tresses? Good hair is an instant mood-booster, says Roger Medina, a Toronto-based hairstylist and Garnier Canada ambassador. “When a woman loves her hair, her body language changes and she walks with a bit more of a spring in her step,” he says. If a good hair day has ever made you stand a little taller, smile nonstop or schedule last-minute social plans, then you already know the transformative power of hair. That’s a feeling we want you to have every day—not just when your hair decides to cooperate. We’ve rounded up the best new tools, products, trends and expert advice, all so you can have your best hair yet.

Mas t e r Class

It pays to talk to the pros if you’re looking to step up your hair routine. Here’s some of the best advice we’ve received recently from top hairstylists.

Colin D. Ford Artistic and educational director for Kérastase Paris

“The biggest mistake women make is using incorrect hair-care products for their hair type, which can leave mid-lengths and ends looking dry. A professional consultation will [determine] what haircare regimen is best.”

Stacey Staley Founder and creative director of Blonde in Toronto

“Make sure you’re rinsing your hair correctly. That means spending between two and three minutes in the shower rinsing both your shampoo and your conditioner. Contrary to popular belief, warm water is better for rinsing products. Then, finish with a 60-second cool rinse to add shine.”

Marc Anthony

PHOTOGRAPHY, BUMBLE AND BUMBLE (MODEL). HAIR, LAURENT PHILIPPON

Celebrity hairstylist

“The tendency to want what we cannot have is universal, but a cut will sit better, last longer and be so much easier to maintain if you work with your hair type instead of fighting against it. With a cut that’s customized, getting ready is so much simpler—and prettier.”

Kevin Mancuso Danilo

Global creative director for Nexxus

“People with really fine hair and lack of density should consider colouring their hair because they’re going to benefit by swelling the hair fibre. If your hair is not damaged, you should consider double process, or single process with your own colour. When you damage the cuticle, you’re going to lose some lipids, and that may be good for someone with fine hair looking for volume. Once the hair cuticle is lifted, the hair fibre can look nearly double in size.”

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Global ambassador for Pantene and celebrity stylist

“Hair needs all the help it can get.

It needs added moisture, emollients, supportive structures.

Treat your hair like you do your skin.”

C A N A D I A N L I V I N G .C O M | F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7

g n i d n e r t # Many of us have fallen victim to some horrifying hairstyles (’80s perm, anyone?).

Luckily, current trends are more forgiving— and much less damaging.

Child’s Play

The fashion world has been toying with the idea of youthful ’dos for a while. Marc Jacobs sent models down the runway with Wednesday Addams–esque pigtails in 2014, while, in 2015, Chanel had models wearing prim girlie headbands, and Prada embraced a cheerleader-inspired high ponytail. This season, embracing your inner child translates to a more romantic look—think soft (not severe) French braids and plaited double buns, as seen at Mansur Gavriel (above). Make this look age appropriate by keeping it polished—no frizzy flyaways or piece-y strands.

This season, the low bun isn’t just for hiding unwashed hair; it’s also an easy and elegant way to be on trend. The best part about this season’s bun is that you get to decide on the details.

A smooth and elegant chignon was spotted at Creatures of the Wind, while at Protagonist (above), the look was twisted and undone. Just remember to ditch bulky and visible elastics in favour of the clear variety or, better yet, opt for bobby pins.

Hair Sprays

Shagadelic

Scent lingers on your hair for longer than your skin, which is why perfuming your tresses has been a beauty move for years—only now, fragrance brands are starting to make scents specifically for hair.

These new products won’t dry your locks, and they come in scents you already love.

If the past couple of seasons have been all about the long bob (a.k.a. the “lob”), get ready for everyone to make the switch to the shag. This layered look, made popular in the 1970s, is a low-maintenance style with lots of movement, and we’re all about that wash-and-go life. Spritzing hair with sea-salt spray brings out any texture, steering this look into rocker territory (à la Alexander Wang), but you can also embrace a softer shape (as seen at Custo Barcelona, above) with a good blow-dryer and a round brush. The only rule: Nothing too perfect, please.

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7 | C A N A D I A N L I V I N G .C O M

Chanel Chance Eau Vive Hair Mist, 35 mL, $56, holtrenfrew.com. Mugler Angel Perfuming Hair Mist, 30 mL, $50, sephora.ca. Byredo Flowerhead Hair Perfume, 75 mL, $84, holtrenfrew.com.

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PHOTOGRAPHY, BUMBLE AND BUMBLE (CHILD’S PLAY, EASY DOES IT); MAYBELLINE NEW YORK (SHAGADELIC)

Easy Does It

e v a W t a He

PHOTOGRAPHY, SHUTTERSTOCK (HAIRSTYLING)

Technological advancements aren’t just giving us better phones; new developments, patents and innovations mean heat tools are stepping up their game, too.

Supersonic Dryer

Full Steam Ahead

Holy Rollers

Go Wireles s

When Dyson (yes, the brand famous for vacuums) announced that, after four years of research and development and $100 million invested, it had created a supersonic hair dryer, we knew something special was in the works.

The promises? A powerful but extremely quiet motor, fast but focused airflow and intelligent heat to prevent damage caused by high temperatures. It comes with a hefty price tag, but this might just be the dryer to end all hair woes.

The Steampod Generation 2 works like a straightener but boasts up to 50 percent smoother styling that lasts three days. Pro-keratin technology (found in the accompanying Steampod products) reconstructs the hair fibre from within and provides a surface coating for added protection. The steam (which opens the cuticle and promotes moisture retention) infuses the pro-keratin technology into the hair for a smooth and straight finish that protects from heat damage.

Hot rollers once belonged in an era of perfume atomizers, hand-held mirrors and powder puffs.

But there’s nothing retro about these newly updated T3 rollers, which come in a set of eight: four 1½-inch rollers for shorter sections, and four 1¾-inch rollers for longer ones. Embedded in each roller is an aluminum core and a ceramic PTC heater that evenly distributes heat of up to 248°F. Forget Shirley Temple curls—these rollers will leave you with a glossy, bouncy blowout effect.

It’s sort of shocking that our hair tools still plug into the wall when most of our other gadgets are wireless, but Amika has changed that with the Movos. Not only does this powerful flatiron—which can reach 400°F—boast infrared heat technology and negative ions (for moisture preservation and smoothness, respectively) but it’s also wire-free. This makes it ideal for storagesapped spaces and travelling, and you won’t have to untangle a cord every time you use it.

Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer, $499, dysoncanada.ca.

L’Oréal Professionnel Steampod Generation 2, $250, lorealprofessionnel.ca.

T3 Volumizing Hot Rollers Luxe, $149, sephora.ca.

Amika Movos Wireless Styler, $165, sephora.ca.

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C A N A D I A N L I V I N G .C O M | F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7

f l e h S p To

C l a y - in g Around

The hair-care aisle is chock-full of potions promising miracles, but we’re after products that actually work—with the science and research to back them up.

s iz e d o e s m at t e r

new and im p r o v e d Half of the global population experiences dandruff, but women seem to be slacking.

“A far smaller proportion of women [to men] take proper care of their scalp,” says Phil Marchant, the principal scientist for Head & Shoulders. “Many women think antidandruff products only fight dandruff or are too harsh.” Over the past few years, Head & Shoulders’ team of scientists has been working to change this mindset. A combination of zinc pyrithione and zinc carbonate is the brand’s dandruff-fighting duo.

Product developers swapped the shampoo’s former particle size of zinc with micronized zinc (commonly used in facial sunscreens), reducing its size eight times over. “The smaller particle deposits more effectively and efficiently into the harder-to-reach areas on the scalp,” says Marchant.

This helps banish dandruff while also giving a better lather and allowing shampoo to rinse away more easily.

“If it’s not broke, don’t fix it” was Herbal Essences’ unofficial motto for more than 45 years. Now, the brand known for unforgettable scents and kooky commercials is introducing a new line that marries the best of nature with science, thanks to a new technology called Bio:renew.

The complex includes aloe to heal, sea kelp to nourish, bamboo to strengthen and, at its core, histidine, an amino acid and antioxidant. “When you go outside or colour or wash your hair, you’re exposing it to free radicals,” says Rachel Zipperian, principal scientist for Herbal Essences. “Once free radicals get into the hair, they try to associate themselves with damage sites. The vulnerable parts get free-radical buildup, which accelerates damage, and you end up with lifeless hair.” Zipperian explains that antioxidants track free radicals and “take them out” so they’re no longer active.

The new collection comes in a range of indulgent scents.

Head & Shoulders Smooth & Silky Shampoo and Conditioner, $6 each, walmart.ca.

Herbal Essences Bio:renew Shampoo and Conditioner, $10 each, shoppersdrugmart.ca.

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7 | C A N A D I A N L I V I N G .C O M

L ig h t e n U p Clay’s purifying properties are well known to skin-care aficionados, and now your hair can benefit from them, too. L’Oréal’s latest haircare release—available in shampoo, conditioner and a preshampoo mask—tackles greasy roots and dry ends with a combo of kaolinite, argilane and montmorillonite clays, helping balance hair from root to tip. Expect fresh, soft strands for up to 72 hours.

L’Oréal Paris Hair Expertise Extraordinary Clay Pre-Shampoo Treatment, $8.50, lorealparis.ca.

The new hair-brightening spray from L’Anza uses optical refraction technology, which reflects pigments within the inner cortex of the hair cuticle to intensify hair colour. Color Illuminator doesn’t deposit new colour; instead, it magnifies preexisting pigments that are concealed by the hair’s cuticle layer. The result: instantly brighter hair in the short term, and long term, strong and healthy hair nourished with UV protectors, which prevent fading.

L’Anza Color Illuminator Hair Brightening Spray, $35, lanza.com.

Go Green

Good Enough t o E at Take a walk down the shampoo aisle and you’ll spot products that seem— dare we say it?—delicious.

Hair-care brands are increasingly turning to fruit, vegetables and other plants for their nutritional benefits. Products containing yucca and goji berry, black sesame and grapefruit, and quinoa husk and honey take the guesswork out of reading ingredient labels and leave your hair with a yummy scent, to boot.

Matrix Biolage R.A.W. Haircare, $25, biolage.matrixcanada.ca.

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It’s not just skin care that’s ditching chemicals in favour of all-natural ingredients.

Rocky Mountain Soap Co. has taken this trend to hair care, too. The Canadian company’s packaging, ingredients and even store design benefit from an attention to environmentally conscious detail. “I see us heading into a societal shift, defined by simplicity and authenticity, where green choices are the new expectation,” says co-owner Karina Birch.

Rocky Mountain Soap Co. Vanilla Coconut Shampoo, $24, rockymountainsoap.com.

b o dy builder Beauty comes from within—literally. Strengthen your hair by working inside out and ingesting good-for-you ingredients. When it comes to the outside, hair health relies on the right products—and putting down the heat tools.

Call in the Reinforcements According to research from hair-growth-supplement brand Viviscal, one in three Canadian women will suffer from hair loss—a life stage we’d rather skip, thanks. Viviscal’s new extra-strength oral supplement is formulated with 50 percent more AminoMar C (the key active ingredient promoting hair growth) than the original, as well as zinc, iron and vitamin C. Clinical results show noticeably thicker, fuller and healthier-looking hair—no wig required.

Schedule

PHOTOGRAPHY, TRUNK ARCHIVE (WOMAN)

Your Style Put in a solid 30 minutes of hairstyling time early in the week, then use quick styling changes and dry shampoo for the rest of the week. “On Monday, start with tight curls achieved with a curling iron,” says Roger Medina, a Torontobased hairstylist and Garnier Canada ambassador. “Then, on Tuesday, push your hair to the side, and on Wednesday, add a braid. Thursday, put it half up in a bun. By Friday, you might be greasy— remember to use dry shampoo as needed—so brush your hair out and put it in a low pony. Stretching out your wash to last all week saves your hair from heat tools and hot water.”

Build Better Hair

Viviscal Extra Strength, $60, shoppersdrugmart.ca.

You are what you eat Healthy hair starts with your diet. “Hair is predominantly made up of protein,” says Casey Berglund, a Calgary-based registered dietitian and the owner of worthyandwell.com. “However, it requires fats and micronutrients to be healthy.” Consider unprocessed whole foods your best starting point. Healthy proteins (lean meat, eggs, beans, nuts), omega-3s (oily fish, chia seeds, walnuts, tofu) and vitamin B12 (meat, fish, dairy, nutritional yeast) are essential for strong, healthy hair. “When people are malnourished or chronically dieting, hair can appear dull and weak—and even fall out,” says Berglund.

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These gel tubes from Nexxus are designed for hair that’s been intensively damaged or exposed to harsh treatments, such as double processing (when hair is lightened by more than two shades and it’s first bleached to remove pigments, then dyed to achieve the desired shade). They’re also great if you have healthy fine hair that needs some responsiveness, says Kevin Mancuso, global creative director for Nexxus. Jam-packed with elastin proteins and Nexxus marine collagen, the treatEmergencée ment strengthens and Reconstructing improves elasticity while Treatment, $20, repairing porosity. “Think nexxus.com. of it as insulating the hair and rebuilding the cuticle wall from the inside out,” says Mancuso. First, shampoo and rinse.

Then, cover your hair in one dose of Emergencée Reconstructing Treatment, pressing it into your hair, and let it sit for 10 minutes, until it’s almost hardened. Next, shampoo out the treatment and use a hair mask or a conditioner.

C A N A D I A N L I V I N G .C O M | F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7

Advertorial | HEALTH & BEAUTY

NATURALS WAYS TO

stay healthy LIVE WELL, LIVE LONGER! TO ENJOY LIFE TO ITS FULLEST’ NUTRISANTÉ LABORATORIES OFFER NATURAL AND EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS FOR MAINTAINING YOUR BODY’S WELL-BEING ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS.

HOW TO GET

GIVING MEN

beautiful hair

a boost!

The change of seasons, an unbalanced diet, stress and hormone variations affect hair and nails and can become dull and brittle. Restore glowing health to hair and nails: use Nutricap natural products.

Nutricap is a food supplement specially designed to nourish and strengthen hair and nails from within. Thanks to its exclusive formula rich in walnut oil, horsetail silica, zinc, and a vitamin B and E complex, Nutricap provides all the nutrients essential to your hair and nails’ beauty and growth. As a result, hair and nails recover their strength, volume and shine.

Around the age of 40, the male body begins to gradually lose its resilience and vitality. Formen is specifically designed to sustain a man’s well-being.

Owing to its unique combination of vegetable-sourced active ingredients and specific nutrients, Formen helps strengthen a man’s physical and intellectual performance while maintaining a healthy prostate.

Psst! It comes with a special formula for women and a one for men too.

LIVING WELL

with menopause Menopause comes with certain physical and emotional changes. To help you get through this period as smoothly as possible and maintain a youthful look, discover Menoconfort.

For optimal efficiency, use the Nutricap Shampoo which combines the nourishing benefits of wheat germ oil and vitamin E with a very soft cleansing base. A natural formula, paraben-free, that provides shine and flexibility for hair beaming with vitality! Suited for all types of hair.

These natural remedies contains specific nutrients such as plant isoflavones, essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals, to provide an effective relief of the symptoms women experience during menopause. Using Menoconfort solutions help to reduce hot flashes, night sweats as well as regulate emotional balance and sleep in order to live a better life with confidence.

Products available in pharmacy

1 800 667-7636 • www.nutrisante.ca

STYLISH STEALS

A M A Z I N G L AC E

The lingerie trend never sleeps. Worn dressy or casual, the delicate detail of these peekaboo garments offers just a tease.

The best part? Everything is less than $100.

BY JULIA M C EWEN 1

2

There’s no need for jewellery when you have built-in flair.

3

Add some sex appeal to a basic blazer by wearing a lacy bodysuit as your underpinning.

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8

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PHOTOGRAPHY, GETTY IMAGES (WOMAN)

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Lend a wee bit of edge to ladylike lace with the addition of cutouts.

1. Bodysuit, $35, hm.com/ca. 2. Scarf, $50, winners.ca. 3. Turtleneck, $79, guess.ca. 4. Cutout top, $60, lechateau.com.

5. Skirt, $95, bananarepublic.ca. 6. Choker, $13, lechateau.com. 7. GapBody bra, $40, gapcanada.ca.

8. Highline Collective camisole, $69, thebay.com. 9. Fit-and-flare dress, $85, reitmans.com.

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PHOTOGRAPHY, STOCKSY UNITED

A

place of their own As their housing needs change with age, a group of Toronto women are turning to co-living, a community-focused housing option.

BY SARAH TRELEAVEN

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residence, Baba Yaga Place. (Though there is one major difference: While the Toronto project will be primarily for women, since their need is greater, it will reserve a small number of units for men or married couples who believe in their philosophy.) There’s still a long road ahead, but plans are certainly in the works.

Senior co-living has long been a compelling, if under-the-radar, option, both in Canada and abroad.

Models vary significantly, from mixed-generation coownership models to more classic roommate arrangements. The first Canadian versions were technically cooperative housing projects that prioritized older women’s housing needs without excluding other groups. Vancouver’s Mature Women’s Housing Co-op launched in the 1980s, followed by a 142-unit building in downtown Toronto that officially opened its doors in 1997, an initiative spearheaded by the Older Women’s Network Ontario. Wolf Willow Cohousing, a 21-unit condominium that opened in Saskatoon in 2012, was the first official co-living project. Then, in 2014, 68-year-old Beverly Suek transformed her threestorey Winnipeg home into an “intentional community for senior women.” (As you might expect, comparisons to The Golden Girls have been irrepressible.) “Everyone has her own life, but if you want to watch a movie or do some gardening, there’s someone to do it with,” says Beverly.

Demographics are partially responsible for driving interest among women. As in most of the world, many women in Canada outlive their male counterparts, with an average life expectancy of 84 years versus 80.

According to the Canadian Labour Congress, 30 percent of senior women who reside alone live below the poverty line—twice the rate of senior men— so pooling resources makes sense.

“For women of my generation, we’re finding that our situations aren’t what we expected,” says Beth KomitoGottlieb, 61, who spent much of her professional life supporting those on the autism spectrum. “Our money’s not going as far as we expected, our pensions aren’t what we hoped and, often, our marriages have broken down.”

The core pillars of Toronto’s Baba Yaga Place project closely mirror those of the French model: self-management, feminism, interdependence, community engagement and environmental responsibility. In the CBC documentary, the women of La Maison des babayagas

PHOTOGRAPHY, STOCKSY UNITED

D

OROTHY GOLDIN ROSENBERG WAS THINKING ABOUT AGING. It was 2012, and her son had just called to tell her there was a documentary on CBC Radio’s The Sunday Edition about La Maison des babayagas, or The Babayagas’ House.

A new-build apartment building in Montreuil, one of Paris’s eastern suburbs, it looks like any other complex from the outside: six storeys with a modular façade and 24 private studio units, plus ample shared spaces, including a gym, a library, a meeting room and a garden. But inside, the documentary revealed, its differences were clear. For starters, everyone who lives there is elderly and female. Like a mature activist sorority, it has overflowing bookshelves, community engagement, collective meals and regular workshops on topics ranging from nutrition to memoir writing.

The residence is characterized by a playful but radical joie de vivre; even the term “baba yaga,” which means witch or crone in Slavic mythology, is a tonguein-cheek tribute to society’s enduring negative perceptions of unattached women, the “cat ladies” of yesteryear.

Purpose-built for single senior women to age in dignity and companionship, the entire project is a state-funded and self-administered intentional community—a residential option designed to emphasize social connections and to serve members who share a common lifestyle. “Women who live alone are often lonely, especially once most of their friends have died,” says Dorothy, now 79. “It’s the caring that appeals to me and to a lot of us.”

That’s why, for women across Canada who tuned in to the documentary, or heard about it from friends or family, learning about La Maison des babayagas felt like a call to action. In fact, soon after the airing, a group of about a dozen women, most previously unacquainted, began meeting to discuss a potential Toronto project. Dorothy was one of them, of course. All of the women in the group were worried about their own prospects for aging, and it didn’t take long for them to come to the same conclusion: This could be the perfect alternative to the lonely future often experienced by single senior women. A small steering committee formed and has now been working for nearly four years to gather the necessary funding and community partnerships to open its own version of the French

ILLUSTRATIONS, SHUTTERSTOCK

“We’re not just a bunch of old ladies. We have a lot of history, and the idea of social responsibility follows us.” — D O R OT H Y G O L D I N R O S E N B E R G speak passionately about integrating their planned community into the broader neighbourhood and teaching the French language to new immigrants; their social-justice narratives spill beyond the gates.

Dorothy, who has worked with the National Film Board of Canada and lectured at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, still rides her bicycle around the city. She can excitedly discuss a wide variety of interests, including but not limited to her granddaughters, her exercise schedule and that time she marched against the Vietnam War, shoulder to shoulder with legendary pediatrician Dr. Benjamin Spock. Mostly, though, she speaks of her lifelong activism and dedication to community—a commitment shared by Dorothy’s cohorts, whose biographies highlight advocacy work of all stripes, as well as volunteering at libraries, singing in choirs and caring for rescued pets.

“We’re not just a bunch of old ladies,” says Dorothy.

“We have a lot of history, and the idea of social responsibility follows us.”

The baba yaga vision is a stark contrast to aging alone, with or without the grim institutional norms of hushed dining rooms and social isolation. Ellen Passmore, 66, works for Ve’ahavta, a charitable organization that addresses homelessness and poverty, and was drawn to the baba yaga idea after dealing with the private assisted-living facility where her 92-year-old mother lives. “With traditional seniors’ facilities, there’s a lot of isolation from the day-to-day life of the community,” she says. “It’s all about loss of independence, loss of autonomy, loss of decision-making, and it’s a very medical model. It’s very clear to me that I don’t want to go down that route.”

In fact, several of those on Toronto’s Baba Yaga Place committee can cite a moment—a car accident or a medical issue—when they started to more seriously consider the increasingly practical need for close community. Two years ago, when Dorothy, who has a son in Montreal and a daughter in France, needed hipreplacement surgery, her children were concerned about her ability to cope on her own. They were each able to stay with her for a week, but then the baba yagas took over, drawing up a care schedule to ensure that all of her needs were met.

The baba yaga emphasis on co-care comes with the promise that the women will be living independently, but in a supportive community—they will have the

option to eat meals together in communal areas, and they can feel at ease knowing that neighbours are on hand if, like Dorothy, they need help. “I’m most looking forward to having people I can count on,” says Ellen, who currently lives in a co-op.

Andrew Moore, the president of the Canadian Senior Cohousing Society, says co-living options build on the idea of extended families looking after each other, and they support a whole range of communities who want to live in a similar way, including faithbased groups, condo dwellers and seniors helping seniors. “It’s about being able to flourish until the end of your days,” he says.

The Paris project took 13 years to come to fruition, from the moment it was conceived by founder Thérèse Clerc in 1999 until the day the doors opened in 2012.

Baba Yaga Place is hoping to get the Toronto project off the ground in a much shorter period, but the logistical issues involved are myriad and will require both political advocates and financial support to subsidize the development of a potential property. The four million euros in funding for La Maison des babayagas came from multiple public sources and was a pet project of the then-ruling Green Party.

As a group, the baba yagas here at home don’t have sufficient personal means to buy land in downtown Toronto and build a community from scratch. And they don’t want this project to be exclusive to those with big bank accounts. Instead, they’re looking at rental options—anywhere from 20 to 60 units in a retrofitted disused church or school to a couple of floors in a new building (such as the massive complex destined for Toronto’s Mirvish Village). Affordable housing is a major obstacle, but the baba yagas would like to remain in the downtown core. “We don’t want to move to some beautiful spot in the country where no one’s ever going to see us again,” says Beth.

Despite these challenges, the women, like the various founders of senior co-living projects before them, have tapped into the need for a compassionate alternative to our present models for aging, one in which vibrant and supportive community looms large.

Interest is likely to grow as the population ages; that’s why, though there’s no timeline for the Toronto baba yaga house, there’s also no doubt about the demand for one. “If we started accepting applications, we would be flooded,” says Beth.

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canadian co-living Baba Yaga Place isn’t the first co-living experiment in Canada. Here’s what came before.

1 980 S

VA N C O U V E R The Mature Women’s Housing Co-op opens its doors.

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TO R O N TO The Older Women’s Network Ontario helmed this 142-unit co-op in Toronto.

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SA S K ATO O N Co-living is even more community-focused than a co-op. Wolf Willow Cohousing was the first official co-living project in Canada.

201 4

WINNIPEG Beverly Suek turned her house into a small-scale housing project for older women.

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OPEN SEASON

What happens when a couple embarks on an open relationship?

That’s the primary question in author Zoey Leigh Peterson’s latest, Next Year, For Sure. We chatted with her about the pitfalls of the literary love triangle and why it was so important to avoid stereotypes.

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Q&A

Zoey Leigh Peterson

Next Year, For Sure (Doubleday Canada)

by Zoey Leigh Peterson, $25.

ILLUSTRATION, ALEXANDRA TANNER. PHOTOGRAPHY, VIVIENNE MCMASTER (PORTRAIT)

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n this debut novel by Vancouver-based author Zoey Leigh Peterson, the story of Kathryn and Chris (a couple who has been together for almost a decade when Chris falls for another woman) unfolds in the tiny moments: pillow talk made honest by the darkness; mattress shopping as a friendship falls apart; and awkward, lovely hourslong dates. There’s no complicated plot, no sweeping narrative; instead, Kathryn and Chris “stumble into polyamory,” as the book synopsis says, a description that seems unrealistic at first but turns out to be a highly accurate account of their evolving relationship.

It starts with a camping trip. Chris often runs into Emily at the Laundromat, where, one day, shy but infatuated, he asks her to house-sit while he and Kathryn go away for a long weekend. It’s clear that, while he loves his partner, he can’t get Emily out of his head; prior to the trip, he rearranges their books and even takeout menus to show himself in the most compelling light.

When he tells Kathryn about his feelings, she encourages him to ask Emily out on a date. Kathryn is secure in their love, sure that he just needs to get the infatuation out of his system. “People get crushes….I get them all the time,” she says.

What comes next is a complicated, sensitive and honest account of a relationship in flux, prompting readers to consider the tension between wanting your partner to be happy and the personal sacrifice required to make that happen.

Read on for our interview with Peterson, who reveals the story’s origin as well as her take on relationships and how she writes realistic characters. — Stacy Lee Kong

What inspired this story? I had the characters of Chris and Kathryn in my head for a while; I knew their general situation, but I hadn’t found a way into their story yet. Then, I was getting ready to go out of town and had a house sitter coming over, and I started thinking about what this person was going to learn about my life by living with all of my things for three or four days.

What does the food in my cupboard say about me? And what will someone conclude from looking at the books on my shelf? I realized it was a really intimate and vulnerable window into someone’s life, then I figured, OK, that’s how I get into these peoples’ stories.

Is it true that the book started out as a short story? I conceived it as a novel. I was washing dishes when I thought, Oh, this is a novel!

But I hadn’t written one before; I hadn’t even been doing much writing for several years, so I didn’t want to take on something so ambitious.

I thought I could just say it was a short story, then I wouldn’t have to embark on the incredibly arduous task of writing a novel, so I wrote a short story from Chris’s point of view, which eventually became the first chapter. But I kept thinking about Kathryn, so I wrote what became the second chapter from her point of view. Then, I realized the story wanted to be a novel, needed to be one; that’s when I started mapping it out.

What themes were you trying to explore? The main thing was loneliness, not the kind that comes from being alone and unattached— although I think that can also be a very profound loneliness—but the kind when you’re in a really good relationship. You’re happy, you can’t imagine a person who is more compatible, and yet, you’re kind of lonely together. It happens particularly when a lot of your old friends are starting to drift away into family or career or other priorities, and it gets hard to stay connected and intimate with them, and that feels very isolating. That was the main thing drawing me to this book and to these two characters.

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None of the characters is unlikable; there isn’t a stereotypical “other woman.”

Was that something you kept in mind while writing? Very much so. Particularly with Chris and Kathryn, I didn’t want to make them perfect. I wanted to make them flawed and vulnerable. I knew that would bring up feelings of annoyance or frustration or even dislike in readers, but I wanted to invest in them as people and as characters. I actually feel like all of the other characters are at a bit of a disadvantage because we never see anything from their perspective.

Chris and Kathryn are the linchpins of the story, but the other connections—between them and Emily, between Kathryn and her best friend, Sharon, and between Chris and his mom—are also very rich.

What is it about relationships that appeals to you as a writer?

Part of it is that I’m interested in the complexity and nuance of the different ways you can relate to other people. There are so many variations on the way those relationships can play out, but as a culture, we’re somewhat reductive in how we think and talk about them. We say, “He’s like a brother to me,” as if the experience between all brothers is universal, when brotherhood is so individual. I was interested in giving the relationships in the book the room to be the way they were—to be unexpected and unconventional, nuanced and complex.

Did you know how you wanted the story to end when you started writing it? I knew the general trajectory that I wanted [the characters] to follow in the first couple days of thinking about it as a novel, and the scene I wanted to end on, maybe three to six months into the process. But I knew from the beginning that I wanted it to be complex and true to life.

NEED BOOK CLUB RECOMMENDATIONS? FIND OUR FAVOURITE READS AT canadianliving.com/

bookclub.

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THE

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ILLUSTRATION, ROBERTO CIGNA

BETWEEN Empty shopping bags, broken chairs, stacks and stacks of magazines—when writer Christina Gonzales realized her mom might be a hoarder, she went to the experts to find out how she could help, and repaired their relationship in the process.

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ILLUSTRATIONS, ROBERTO CIGNA (HOARD); SHUTTERSTOCK (BACKGROUND)

T MY MOTHER’S APARTMENT, there confrontation about the kitchen cupboards. But this are a lot of unspoken rules. “Don’t open time, I realized I didn’t want the cycle to continue; the the kitchen cabinets” is one of them. I’ve bitterness I’d carried with me for years had to cease in only ever used one cupboard, which is right above the order for us to have a healthy relationship.

What I’d always found most challenging was that she sink and houses the sieve, a few large ceramic bowls and the few packs of ramen noodles that haven’t yet gone couldn’t see where I was coming from—she truly doesn’t bad. I try not to ask my mom what’s in the rest of those realize her belongings are piling up around her. Yet, she’s cupboards, or why our pots and pans are piled beside unlike the people I’ve seen on the TLC show Hoarding: the stove and our dishes never leave the drying rack. Buried Alive; she’s physically healthy, she’s about to retire I brought up the subject once in aggravation when from a successful career and she has an active social life.

I moved back home two years ago to save money. “You’re She’s also been a giving, supportive and loving mother. So too much, Christina,” she responded angrily. It instantly what’s the deal? I approached several specialists to help give me insight into my mother’s hoarding issue. brought me back to my childhood.

Dr. Peggy Richter, a psychiatrist and the director of As a kid, I was close with my mother, despite her inability to let anything go. From the outside, our family the Frederick W. Thompson Anxiety Disorders Centre’s looked normal, but when you opened the front door of Clinic for OCD and Related Disorders at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in our two-bedroom apartment, Toronto, says that, while their it was obvious something was houses might not look like the different. There were rooms ones on TV, an estimated two to filled to the ceiling with souvefive percent of Canadians suffer nirs of our past: my first matfrom compulsive hoarding distress from a twin-size bed I had order. Dr. Richter explains that outgrown years before, reushoarding is more than the able shopping bags, pillows, inability to throw things out. suitcases, books, a lime-green “Rather, to be considered a swivel chair. My mom’s dresser There were rooms filled clinical condition, it results in overflowed with so many to the ceiling with a significant accumulation that accessories, half-used bottles souvenirs of our past: impacts the ability to use the of body lotion, old blush comspace the way you would like or pacts and loose coins that you my first mattress from the way most people would,” couldn’t even see the wooden a twin-size bed I had she says. “And people may try surface. A layer of dust covered outgrown years before, to minimize the impact. For everything, which meant she reusable shopping bags, example, maybe their kitchen is didn’t use—or even touch—the pillows, suitcases, quite cluttered; they can still stuff. I was humiliated that our books, a lime-green make breakfast, but they have home was so disorderly. s w i v e l c h a i r. piles in front of the oven, so The clutter really began to they never use it anymore, accumulate when I was about 11 years old. My mom stopped inviting people to our though they claim they never did. Similarly, someone home, and I stopped, too. My best friends in high school whose bed is too cluttered may claim that she prefers, and asked me why we’d never hang out at my place, and I did is more comfortable, sleeping on the couch.”

Elaine Birchall, a social worker and hoarding behavmy best to dodge their questions. My frustration stemmed from jealousy (why couldn’t my mom entertain iour and intervention specialist with clients in Ottawa the way other moms did?) and a fundamental difference and Toronto, says hoarders tend to save things for one of in what we thought “home” should mean (I longed to live three main reasons: sentimental (this item represents my in a house filled with family and friends; she thought life and is part of me), intrinsic (this item is amazing and home should be a private retreat). I would cry, yell and offers so many possibilities) or instrumental (I might plead with her to throw things away, until my teen years, need this someday). I think my mom is a sentimental when I started to distance myself emotionally from her. hoarder. She once mentioned that her own mother disI knew that no matter what I said or did, I couldn’t carded her childhood trophies and awards and that she control my mother’s hoarding, and it was easier to avoid wished she still had those things to help her reminisce.

There’s a certain glee she gets from pulling out an item her—and the subject of home—altogether.

When I moved back home at 28—I’d quit my day job that someone else would’ve thrown away long ago, like to pursue a full-time freelance writing career, and my the cheerleading catalogue my now-40-year-old cousin mom offered up my childhood bedroom as a way to was featured in when she was in high school in the ’90s. save money—it didn’t take long before we had our “It’s so nice. Maria was so pretty,” she’d say.

Dr. Sheila Woody, a professor of psychology and psychology researcher at the University of British Columbia’s Centre for Collaborative Research on Hoarding in Vancouver, shed some light on how to approach my mom’s hoarding disorder respectfully and without judgment. “Making your mom’s apartment a place you want to live is not an appropriate goal,” says Dr. Woody, noting that people with hoarding disorders don’t realize the impact of their mountains of possessions. I first needed to accept that this apartment would never become what I’d always perceived as the ideal home. There was one thing that I could change, though, and that was the usability of the space. “If you’re trying to make it so that [your mom isn’t] at risk of falling over when she’s trying to reach something, or not at risk of setting the house on fire when she turns the stove on, that’s a very reasonable goal,” says Dr. Woody, who adds that it’s also important for there to be adequate room to get out of the apartment in case of an emergency.

To ensure that my mom’s apartment was no longer a hazardous zone, I began to help her discard what Birchall calls the “easy wins”: For some, these are nostalgia-free items (such as old toothbrushes and grimy shoes) and those that are unsanitary (like expired food); for others, they’re items the person feels no extreme need to save. Birchall recommended I calmly ask my mom if we could relocate old things to make room for new items we’d actually use. I did it for the first time a few months ago, when I called her from the grocery store to ask if we had soy sauce. When my mom went and retrieved it, she told me that it was expired.

“OK, I’ll buy a new bottle, and you can ditch the old one,” I responded. When I arrived home, it was sitting on the kitchen counter ready for disposal.

STEPS

forward Social worker and hoarding specialist Elaine Birchall gives her best advice for helping a hoarder.

1 Complete a safety audit. Find the heat

sources, such as electrical panels, fireplaces, hot water tanks, furnaces and stoves, and make sure there is a clearance of at least four feet around them, if space allows. The paths to those heat sources

must also be free and clear in case of fire and should be at least 33 inches wide.

2 Create boundaries and limits, especially if you live in the same home as the hoarder.

Build a positive cotenant dynamic by defining who “owns”

In my childhood, I would’ve taken the bottle down to the garbage chute that instant, a nonverbal signal that there was absolutely no reason to keep expired condiments. Now, I understand that getting rid of things causes her real distress. Instead of feeling exasperated and ashamed, all I felt this time was guilt.

I realized that I’d been acting like a punishing drill sergeant, pushing my agenda onto my mother by barking at her to see things my way. And, according to Birchall, that’s exactly the wrong approach. “Even when my patients want to hold on to genuine garbage, unless it’s contaminated, I have to do my level best to make them see the reality of this,” she says. “And even then, I don’t just try to get someone to agree to let go of something; I try to understand what the importance of that item is to them.”

So I didn’t ask my mom when she planned on discarding the soy sauce; I knew it wasn’t a sentimental item and that she was practical enough to understand it wasn’t safe to consume. There was no fight, no power struggle, no “I’m right, and you’re wrong.” Rather, I gave her the space to decide when it was the right time—if there was a right time—to throw out the bottle. I tried my best to be patient, to have a stress-free conversation and to respect the value of my mom’s belongings while holding firm to my boundaries within our shared space.

It’s a slow process, but it’s effective. Showing compassion for my mom’s feelings about her stuff makes it easier for her to let things go. When I push too much, we backtrack on any progress we’ve made.

The day after our conversation, I walked into the kitchen and that old bottle of soy sauce was gone.

It was a small step, but for me—and my mom—it was a breakthrough.

each room and what is allowed in each space. Common areas must be clear so that all tenants can use the space and have a social life.

When choosing a permanent place, hold the item and close your eyes. Ask yourself, “Where is the first place I’d look for this?” That is where it should be.

3 Decide on permanent spaces.

4 Do your research.

A permanent place is a storage area that makes sense for an item. For example, you’d never store canned goods under the bed—you’d put them in a kitchen cupboard or pantry.

Rather than insisting that you know why the hoarder should part with an item, find an appropriate expert source. For example, if a hoarder wants to keep expired foods, go to the Canadian Food

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Inspection Agency; the organization’s website will explain why it’s unsafe to keep around.

5 Show respect.

Don’t apply pressure.

Work at the hoarder’s pace and don’t diminish his or her feelings. Try to put yourself in that person’s shoes by doing a mental tally of 20 possessions you love and imagining how you might feel if a family member made you throw them away.

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SISTER ACT

Proceeds from these special editions will go to the Tegan and Sara Foundation.

Canadian musicians Tegan and Sara discuss their relationship, activism and why they’ve teamed up with Kiehl’s to benefit the LGBTQ community.

BY GRACE TOBY

Identical twins Tegan and Sara Quin have spent a vast portion of their lives in close quarters. The 36-year-old Calgarians shared a bedroom as kids, then a tour bus when they became “indie darlings–turned–pop tour de force,” as GQ described them last year.

But as the duo was steadily racking up accolades, their sisterhood was crumbling, despite—or maybe because of—all that time spent together. “In our younger years, it was really difficult to navigate our relationship in the context of what we were trying to do in music, running our own business and travelling the world,” says Tegan. “While most of our friends were entering college and getting to explore their identity, we were bound together in this career and life. There was inevitably a lot of trouble. Often, it was just the two of us on the road, so it was easy to pick on each other.”

The sisters, who skipped university in favour of playing music, scored a record contract with Canadian singer-songwriter Neil Young at age 19. They received a

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Grammy nomination in 2012 for their concert DVD Get Along, then went on to win three Juno Awards. It was their breakout hit, “Closer,” an upbeat synthpop track from their seventh album, Heartthrob, that propelled them from indie rock band to mainstream chart-topping pop-dance duo seemingly overnight. But if that song title felt slightly ironic, well, it was; by that point, the twins had been living on opposite sides of the country for 13 years.

But where mainstream success has historically torn bands apart, for Tegan and Sara, it has had the opposite effect.

The sisters, who have always been honest about their tumultuous relationship, say they’re now in a really good place.

And this reconciliation made writing about their issues for their latest album, Love You to Death, easier. “Stability affords us an opportunity to look at the past with a critical eye, but it also helps us shift narratives away from previous losses.

I’m still flawed, but my relationships have become stronger,” says Sara.

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This record, their eighth, is coated with a layer of “poptimism,” continuing the modern pop takeover they started with Heartthrob. But they’re not abandoning their outspoken past selves; as with their sibling strife, the twins have always been open about their sexuality and the social issues that are close to them, perhaps taking a cue from their mom, a social worker. At the 2014 Juno Awards, Tegan accepted the Group of the Year award for Heartthrob by saying, “I don’t think very many people— and especially not us—thought two queer kids from northeast Calgary would get here, but here we are.” Today, she says, “We’ve always been honest about seeing ourselves as a band, first and foremost, but in times like this, we do use our voices, as frequently as we can, if we think we can help. In this day and age, I think it would be irresponsible of us to say, ‘We’re not political people; we don’t want to get political.’ ” In fact, compelled to use their voices beyond singing to help those who don’t have one, the sisters set up the Tegan and Sara Foundation (teganandsarafoundation.org), a charity dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTQ women and girls around the world. It will focus on economics, health and representation, the areas in which they say LGBTQ girls and women face the most challenges. And when Kiehl’s approached them about a partnership that would help support the foundation, they quickly jumped on board. Proceeds from special editions of Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser and Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free Cleanser, products the pair has been using for more than a decade, will directly benefit the sisters’ new charitable endeavour.

It’s just one more way they’re getting closer. As of 2015, the sisters have both settled on the West Coast. “We live really close in Vancouver,” says Tegan.

“So close that Sara can see my apartment from her courtyard.”

PHOTOGRAPHY, PAMELA LITTKY (PORTRAIT)

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser and Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free Cleanser, $26 each, kiehls.ca.

Eye Health

Wonderful to have good eyes Madeleine wrote to us to tell her story of how Blue Berry™ has impacted her quality of life and helped her enjoy her favorite hobby: painting beautiful landscapes.

“

M

y name is Madeleine Fournier. I am retired and live in Montreal. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time in nature, painting beautiful plants and landscapes.

Macular Degeneration In my later years, my eyes began to weaken. I was very sad about this, because I love painting, which is demanding on the eyes and requires accurate vision.

When I went to my optometrist, he diagnosed me as having age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and told me this unfortunately gets worse with time.

Read about Blue Berry™ Then, in a magazine, I noticed an ad about Blue Berry, and read about a man who had used it to maintain his eyes. In hopes of getting the same results, I bought a box at my local pharmacy, and started the same day.

Now, I have been taking Blue Berry for almost a year, and I am very happy with the product. I am painting and my spirits have been lifted.

I am very happy to have found this product from New Nordic, and recommend it highly to anyone who wants to take good care of their vision.”

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CHANGE OF HEART

Until she had a ministroke at 31, writer Amanda Scriver had no idea that heart disease and stroke is one of the leading causes of death for Canadian women—and risk factors, symptoms and even treatment might vary by age.

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C A N A D I A N L I V I N G .C O M | F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7

H E A R T H E A LT H DICTIONARY

AT H E R O S C L E R O S I S : When arteries narrow and harden due to plaque buildup.

CA R D I O M YO PAT H Y: Diseases of the heart muscle, which cause it to become enlarged, thick or rigid.

CA R D I OVA S C U L A R D I S E A S E : A broad term for problems with the heart and blood vessels, often due to atherosclerosis. These conditions can lead to heart attack, angina or stroke.

H E A R T AT TAC K : Also known as a myocardial infarction, these attacks happen when the flow of blood to a section of the heart is blocked, preventing the muscle from getting oxygen.

H I G H B LO O D P R E S S U R E : Also called hypertension, this is when the long-term force of blood against artery walls is elevated, requiring the heart to work harder, which may eventually lead to heart disease.

M I C R OVA S C U L A R A N G I N A : A disease of the small coronary artery blood vessels. Many angiograms do not view the small blood vessels, so this can be difficult to diagnose.

S P O N TA N E O U S C O R O N A RY A R T E RY D I S S E C T I O N : A tear in the coronary artery wall. Physical or emotional stress appears to play a role.

Most cases (around 70 percent) occur in women under 50—and a third of those are pregnant or postpartum women.

ST R O K E : When the blood supply to a portion of the brain is interrupted. This can happen when a blood vessel carrying oxygen and nutrients to the brain either bursts or is blocked.

I

T WAS DEC. 13, 2014. I was getting ready to go out for dinner when suddenly everything went wrong. I lost coordination, almost like I was drunk. I went numb, as if the local anesthetic that dentists use had been applied to half of my body. My arm went limp, I could barely walk and, out of the blue, I got a raging migraine.

At 31 years old, I was in the midst of a transient ischemic attack, often called a ministroke, but I had no idea.

It wasn’t until the next day, when I was feeling only slightly better, that I realized something was really wrong. I didn’t want to wait for an appointment with my family doctor, so I called Telehealth Ontario, the provincial service that connects callers to a registered nurse via telephone. In the very back of my mind, I wondered if I’d had a stroke—but I was too young, or so I thought. But when I described my symptoms, it became clear that I wasn’t too young. In fact, the nurse who took my call was worried enough to send paramedics to my house. Soon, I was in the back of an ambulance, rushing through Toronto’s busy streets on the way to the hospital.

Luckily, my stroke was mild, and, in July 2015, I underwent surgery to have a patent foramen ovale closure device inserted to close the hole in my heart. But, to this day, I’m still shocked at how little I knew about the risks associated with stroke and heart disease, or just how common they are. As I soon learned, about 1.6 million Canadians—557,000 of them women over the age of 24—report having cardiovascular disease.

And, according to a study looking at factors and behaviours affecting cardiovascular health published in 2013 in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, fewer than one in 10 adult Canadians were in ideal cardiovascular health from 2003 to 2011, which means 90 percent of us are making choices that are increasing our risk for a cardiovascular event. In fact, heart disease and stroke is one of the leading causes of death for Canadian women, and most of us have at least one risk factor.

It’s a club that I didn’t particularly want to be a part of, but having joined, I began wondering what other women’s experiences had been like.

Unlike me, when Victoria resident Carolyn Thomas started having a range of symptoms— crushing chest pain, nausea, weakness, sweating and a persistent ache down her left arm—on her 58th birthday, she immediately thought it could be a heart attack and went straight to the ER. But when she got there and told the doctor on duty about her symptoms, he said it was just acid reflux. “I remember exactly what he said,” she recalls. “ ‘You’re in the right demographic for acid reflux. Go home and call your family doctor for a prescription for antacids.’ ” Embarrassed and apologetic, she did just that.

But her symptoms persisted for two more weeks. She eventually went back to the hospital, and this time, she was told she was suffering from what was actually one of the most serious types of heart attacks—a complete blockage of her left anterior descending artery, which is often referred to as the widow-maker.

Since then, she has recovered, but it’s far from full—she had to retire early and continues to see a specialist at her regional pain clinic.

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7 | C A N A D I A N L I V I N G .C O M

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Irmine MacKenzie also went to the hospital immediately. It’s been 35 years since the New Waterford, N.S., resident lost the use of her left arm and leg after suffering a stroke caused by carotid artery stenosis, narrowing of the arteries that carry blood from the heart to the brain. She was 61 years old and, having just finished eating breakfast with her husband, John, she headed to the kitchen to tackle the dishes.

Suddenly, plates started dropping from her hands, shattering as they hit the floor.

After a six-week hospital stay and a threemonth stint in a rehabilitation program in Halifax, she eventually learned to walk again.

Her ability to manage quite well over the past three decades is clearly a testament to her grit— and maybe some kind words from a stranger.

“I won’t ever forget the ambulance driver who took me to the rehabilitation centre,” she says.

“He told me, ‘We’re taking you by stretcher now, but you’ll be walking out of there with a cane.’ ” Sure enough, that’s exactly what she did.

It has now been two years since I suffered my transient ischemic attack, and I feel like I’m still learning about heart health. I now understand the importance of cardiac rehabilitation, for one thing. When I had my stroke, I didn’t know this kind of program existed—my cardiologist didn’t refer me to one, but having access to dedicated professionals in a safe, encouraging environment could have helped me navigate the health-care system and guided me toward healthier choices.

One thing I found myself, Carolyn and Irmine echoing is how, as women, we must advocate for ourselves in the health-care system, ensuring that our voices are heard and our health is looked after.

We need to put ourselves first, without shame or guilt. As Dr. Paula Harvey, director of the cardiovascular research program at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto, says, “It comes back to education and partnership with your health provider.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions and be informed.”

FIND 21 THINGS YOU CAN DO TO IMPROVE YOUR HEART HEALTH AT

canadian living.com/hearthealth.

HEART HEALTH BY THE DECADE Nearly two-thirds of all heart attacks and strokes occur in Canadians 65 or older, but younger Canadians are increasingly at risk. Here’s what you need to know at every age.

IN YOUR 20 S & 30 S

IN YOUR 40 S & 50 S

IN YOUR 60 S & BEYOND

YOUNG PEOPLE with heart-health issues are part of a growing minority.

A study published in 2012 out of the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine found that, over a period of 12 years, strokes among people aged 20 to 54 made up an increasingly greater proportion of strokes across all age groups, growing from about 13 percent in 1993–94 to 19 percent in 2005.

Closer to home, the Heart and Stroke Foundation says several studies predict that the rate of strokes among younger adults will double in the next 15 years. The main reason? According to Dr. Tara Sedlak, a cardiologist at Vancouver General Hospital and clinical assistant professor at The University of British Columbia, it comes down to lifestyle—high stress levels, poor eating habits, lack of exercise and smoking. Research bears this out: The University of Cincinnati study suggested that a rise in lifestyle-related risk factors (such as diabetes, obesity and high cholesterol) may contribute to a higher incidence of stroke.

But there is a way to turn the tide: As with other age groups, simple changes such as exercising regularly, quitting smoking and eating healthily could see the rates of cardiovascular disease—and, more specifically, stroke—decrease, says Dr. Paula Harvey, director of the cardiovascular research program at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto.

CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE is less common among younger women, in part because of their higher estrogen levels; the hormone offers some protection to the arteries. But as women approach menopause and their estrogen levels drop, the incidence of stroke and heart attack increases.

Unfortunately, broad knowledge of their increased risk may not protect perimenopausal women from misdiagnosis. According to research by the Canadian Medical Protective Association, which provides advice, legal assistance and risk-management education to 95,000 Canadian physicians, doctors are missing the signs of stroke in patients nearly 10 percent of the time, largely because symptoms are often nonspecific—patients often complained of headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting.

And women, who have historically been less inclined to advocate for themselves, are particularly at risk. Research out of the University of Leeds in England showed that, between April 2004 and March 2013, 198,534 heart attack patients at National Health Service hospitals in England and Wales were initially misdiagnosed—and most of them were women. During that time, women suffering a heart attack were 50 percent more likely to be misdiagnosed compared to men.

It might be difficult to challenge doctors who tell you nothing’s wrong, but Dr. Sedlak encourages women to listen to their bodies and to be firm with health-care providers about what they’re experiencing. “If you feel there is a real problem, be persistent,” she says.

WOMEN OVER 65 have the most strokes of all age groups, but they still have fewer strokes than men the same age.

However, a Danish study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association in 2015 found that, after 60, women tend to have more serious strokes than men—and they’re more likely to survive, which can have serious repercussions on quality of life.

John Sawdon, the public education and special projects director of the Cardiac Health Foundation of Canada, explains that cardiac rehabilitation programs, which are free with a referral from your doctor, are the perfect next step for recovering cardiac patients of all ages, but they’re particularly important for older Canadians, who tend to live more sedentary lives. These programs are supervised by a cardiologist and, after an assessment, are tailored by your cardiac rehab team, which usually includes nurses, physical therapists, kinesiologists and social workers. They can provide exercise training, education on heart-healthy living and stress counselling—all of which can contribute to the health and well-being of people who have heart problems. And they’re effective, too: “Research has shown that those completing cardiac rehab live seven years longer than control groups,” says Sawdon. It also “reduces incidence of another heart attack by 50 percent.”

WHAT’S YOUR RISK?

NINETY PERCENT OF ADULT CANADIANS have at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

But while factors such as obesity, hypertension, alcohol abuse, family history and ethnicity increase everyone’s risk, regardless of gender, the following three are particularly relevant to women.

SMOKING

DIABETES

MENTAL ILLNESS AND STRESS

While we all know that smoking is seriously unhealthy, it can be especially damaging to women’s cardiovascular health. Smoking when taking the oral contraceptive pill can drastically increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.

But quitting can cut your risk within a year.

According to the Canadian Diabetes Association, people with diabetes are at a very high risk of developing cardiovascular disease. In fact, “they may develop heart disease 10 to 15 years earlier than individuals without diabetes.”

“Women have a higher frequency of stress-induced heart disease, and women’s hearts are affected by stress and depression more than men’s,” says Dr. David Fitchett, a cardiologist at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto and associate professor of medicine at the University of Toronto.

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C A N A D I A N L I V I N G .C O M | F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7

SHOPPING

P L AY I T COOL Don’t escape winter—embrace it! This season, hit the trails, rinks or hills with these heart-pumping, calorie-burning, fat-melting activities.

BY GRACE TOBY

LIST

Flaunt your best figureeight loops with these padded and lined skates, which deliver both comfort and warmth.

Glacier SoftSkate fleece skates, $90, sportchek.ca.

We calculated calories burned for a 150-pound woman.

Stand out and stay warm in stylish ombré tights.

This pair works well on its own but can also double as a base layer.

Nike Pro HyperWarm tights, $84, nike.com.

AT I N G ICE-SK

You might not know the difference between a twizzle (a quick 360-degree turn on one foot) and a swizzle (a forward-propelled skate where feet make an hourglass-shaped motion), but that shouldn’t stop you from gliding your way to some serious fitness goals—you can score a significant burn without even noticing.

Meagan Duhamel, a Montreal-based Olympic pairs skating silver medallist and two-time world champion, suggests making it an interval-training session by switching up the pace from fast to slow. Don’t forget to change direction: Skating forward conditions your glutes, while backward movements engage your quads. And it’s not all about the legs; your core will also get a workout, as those muscles are helping keep you balanced.

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7 | C A N A D I A N L I V I N G .C O M

B E F O R E YO U STA RT Make sure your skates fit properly, and if lacing up new ones, prepare to break them in for a few minutes over the first couple of skating sessions. Sharpen blades at least twice each year: at the beginning of winter and halfway through the season.

If skating on outdoor ice that’s cleaned less thoroughly or frequently than indoor arenas, your blades will need more regular upkeep, says Duhamel. When it comes to clothing, remember your ABCs: anything but cotton, which absorbs moisture, making you colder faster as you sweat. Wear warm, loosefitting clothes so you can easily move around, and invest in a pair of high-quality socks with merino wool to keep toes toasty.

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Look the part with a tuque that will also keep you toasty. This one comes with a removable pom-pom!

Slouch cable-knit tuque, $70, tilley.com.

Give arctic chill the cold shoulder with merino-wool socks to keep feet warm and dry.

Hike+ light crew socks, $25, icebreaker.com.

PHOTOGRAPHY, STOCKSY UNITED (SKATER)

500 CA LO R I E S PER HOUR

LOW TO MEDIUM INTENSITY

GOOD FOR The beginner winter warrior. “Skating is great for the heart and the lungs. If the wind-chill factor is below -15°C and you have heart or respiratory problems, stick to an indoor rink,” says Debbie Childerhose, a physiotherapist at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto.

HOEING S W O N S

MEDIUM TO H I G H INTENSITY

70 0 CA LO R I E S PER HOUR

“If you can walk, you can snowshoe,” says Bruce Kirkby, a Kimberley, B.C.–based adventure junkie, writer and Mountain Equipment Co-op brand ambassador.

Think of snowshoeing as winter’s version of hiking—an endurance-boosting, lowerbody-conditioning workout that sculpts legs and glutes thanks to the elevated knee action when treading through snow.

To prevent the snowshoes’ frames from colliding, keep feet hip-width apart. To maintain balance, use poles and lean hands forward and hinge at the waist, says Kirkby. Today’s high-tech snowshoes are sleek and fuss-free—just fasten them onto water-resistant winter boots and lay some tracks. Bonus: It’s free! Aside from you renting or buying a set of snowshoes, it can be done anywhere there’s accumulated snowfall. Though the snowshoe’s main job is to help you stay on top of the white stuff, depending on conditions (such as a light and fluffy snowfall), you might find yourself sinking more than treading.

PHOTOGRAPHY, STOCKSY UNITED (SNOWSHOERS)

SHOPPING LIST

There’s no need to tread lightly with these insulated and waterproof all-terrain boots. Their hightraction rubber soles grip ice with ease.

Merrell Aurora 6 Ice+ waterproof boots, $180, sportchek.ca.

Sleet and slush are no match for this lightweight but sturdy aluminum-framed snowshoe with undercarriage spikes to help propel you through trails.

Inclement weather shouldn’t keep you from outdoor adventures.

Regardless of what winter throws your way, stay warm in this parka, which is down-insulated to help lock in heat.

Atlas Rendezvous Elektra snowshoes, $165, mec.ca.

Ultralight down parka, $100, uniqlo.ca.

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GOOD FOR The moderately active woman. Snowshoeing allows you to choose your own intensity based on speed and terrain.

Punch up the intensity by seeking out hills, even small ones. Lean into the incline when climbing and lean back slightly when descending, advises Kirkby. The sharper the slope and the faster you ascend, the more you’ll achieve a cardio-boosting, muscle-sculpting workout. To double the calorie count, pick up the pace. Expect to be physically challenged, so monitor your level of exertion—you should be able to talk.

B E F O R E YO U STA RT “Cold weather coupled with an outdoor activity can be taxing, so don’t go straight from sitting to working out,“ says Childerhose. Warm up indoors by marching on the spot and circling arms. Before heading out, layer clothing according to climate and your preference. Wear waterproof boots, and strap on snowshoes last.

C A N A D I A N L I V I N G .C O M | F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7

SHOPPING LIST

Whether you’re sticking to the tracks or blazing your own trail, these versatile skis yield great glide, along with reliable stability.

Salomon Snowscape 7 Siam skis, $189, mec.ca.

Put the freeze on frostbite with a pair of waterresistant gloves that add warmth without bulk.

UNTRY O C S S CRO SKIING

HIGH INTENSITY

If you’re seeking the ultimate cold-weather sport for burning maximum calories, look no further than Nordic skiing. It’s a total-bodyconditioning, heart-pounding workout. “It engages your cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems to deliver results,” says Beckie Scott, a three-time Olympic crosscountry skier in Canmore, Alta. There are two styles of cross-country skiing: classic and skating. Classic, where legs stay parallel and knees are slightly bent, is the more traditional method. “You push off with the ball of the foot, kicking straight back to gain momentum,” says Scott. “Keep poles by your sides—not too far ahead or behind you. Be sure to use the correct base wax to grip tracks, unless using waxless skis.” Skate skiing is classic crosscountry’s “sexier cousin,” where legs are positioned in a V-shape. The skis are slightly shorter, and glide wax is used on the base.

For both styles, keep your upper and lower body relaxed and your hips forward (don’t sit too far back) and use the poles to push.

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7 | C A N A D I A N L I V I N G .C O M

GOOD FOR The high-endurance-seeking enthusiast— though you can make runs less vigorous if you need to. There’s no better full-body workout with benefits: It targets every muscle (hello, toned legs and back), and improves endurance, strength and balance, says Scott.

B E F O R E YO U STA RT Have the proper equipment and clothing, and stay properly hydrated throughout.

“Start with a slow warm-up: March on the spot with dynamic stretches for a total of four to six minutes to get the blood circulating to active muscles and to raise your core temperature,” says Childerhose. Feeling rusty or unsure if the sport is for you? Rent some skis and book an hour-long or half-day lesson.

Wear layers, but don’t overdress: Start with a “next-to-skin” base layer with merino wool or a synthetic knit to wick moisture away from your body. Add a second layer for additional warmth and, if necessary, top it off with a piece of insulated outerwear. “Most people underestimate how quickly they’ll warm up and how hard they’ll work,” says Scott.

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Combining practical features (such as moisture-absorbing properties and built-in stretch) with sleek design, this functional hoodie gives snow days the brush-off.

New Balance for J.Crew seamless hoodie, $124, jcrew.com.

Layer up with this insulated wind- and water-resistant vest that will keep you warm—not wet.

Flicker vest, $100, mec.ca.

PHOTOGRAPHY, STOCKSY UNITED (SKIER)

900 CA LO R I E S PER HOUR

Kombi The Original gloves, $45, liveoutthere.com.

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This Is Your Body On…

Sugar Your body needs some sugar to function, but Canadians, who consume the equivalent of 26 teaspoons of the sweet stuff every day, are probably overdoing it. We break down what too much sugar does to your body, and how you can cut back.

GUTTER CREDITS...

PHOTOGRAPHY, GETTY IMAGES

BY YUKI HAYASHI

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7 | C A N A D I A N L I V I N G .C O M

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Go od ne ws for tho se wi th sw ee t too ths :

PHOTOGRAPHY, THINKSTOCK. ILLUSTRATIONS, THENOUNPROJECT.COM

Glucose is our main source of fuel, so, yes, we actually do need sugar in our diets. But don’t get too excited— they’re not all alike.

“All carbohydrate-containing foods, whether candy, pop, fruit, vegetables or grain products, break down into glucose in our bloodstream,” says Patricia Chuey, a Vancouver-based registered dietitian. “But our bodies respond differently when we get sugar from nutrientdense, fibre-rich foods, eaten as part of a balanced meal that contains protein, compared to ‘empty’ calories from zero-nutrient, fibre-less foods.”

Those carb-heavy, low-nutrient foods cause our blood-sugar, or glucose, levels to spike, triggering the release of insulin in response. One of insulin’s jobs is to move glucose from the blood to our liver, muscle and fat cells for storage, and when there’s more in our bloodstream than what our bodies need for energy, it can end up as stored fat—“even though fat, per se, wasn’t consumed,” says Chuey. That’s partially why excess sugar consumption is linked to fatty liver disease, as well as Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Fibre-rich, nutrientdense foods, on the other hand, break down more slowly, so they don’t cause as much of a blood-sugar spike, or the resulting weight gain.

That doesn’t mean you have to skip your favourite sweet indulgences entirely. What we know today is that moderation is key—a little sugar won’t hurt you.

But, for the most part, Canadians are not consuming a little sugar. According to Statistics Canada, on average, 22 to 26 percent of our total daily caloric intake consists of sugar. Put another way, that’s an average of 110 grams, or 26 teaspoons, per day. And it’s not just how much; experts are also concerned about where it comes from.

“Whole foods that are sweet, like fruit, can be good sources of vitamins, minerals and fibre, which can contribute to overall health,” says Gita Singh, a research assistant professor at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Boston’s Tufts University.

It’s added sugar, regardless of the source, that’s the problem. You’ll find it in processed foods, such as many breads, soups, salad dressings and pasta sauces. And then there’s pop, sports drinks and fruit drinks, which experts collectively refer to as sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs). These drinks are among the top causes of obesity and its attendant ailments, which includes heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, certain types of cancer and other chronic diseases. In fact, Singh coauthored a report published in the medical journal Circulation that estimates SSB consumption is partially responsible for the diabetes-, cancer- and cardiovascular disease–related deaths of 1,600 Canadians each year.

The fact that SSBs are a leading source of excess sugar in our diets is galling but encouraging. That’s because the solution is straightforward: Stop, or at least cut back on, drinking them.

Chuey says you can further reduce the added sugar in your diet by avoiding convenience foods that list sugar (or maltose, corn syrup, cane sugar or honey) among the first three ingredients; swap your caramel macchiato for a latte; and top plain yogurt with fresh fruit. The less sugar you consume, the less you’ll end up craving.

But when you do indulge, go all in. “Apply the pleasure maximization principle,” says Chuey. “Make it really worth it! Not in terms of quantity, but the kind of quality that will really satisfy.” So skip the soda fountain. But those homemade cookies? Enjoy!

FIND OUT HOW TO BEAT YOUR SWEET ADDICTION AT

canadianliving.com/sugardetox.

B ra in food

Hear t hazard

L i ver d i sea se

Energy frenemy

Our brains run on glucose. But it’s a delicate balance: too little and we can’t focus; too much and we may have memory and cognitive problems.

If 17 to 21 percent of your daily calories come from added sugar, you have a 38 percent higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease than someone on a low-added-sugar diet, according to a study in JAMA: Internal Medicine.

A sugar-heavy diet contributes to fatty liver, a condition that can eventually progress to diseases such as cirrhosis or liver cancer.

A quick hit of energy is associated with a sugary snack.

But that energy slump afterward? #thestruggleisreal

O be sit y

S k i n a g er

Ast hm a t r i g g er

One U.S. study found that for each 12-ounce can of soda consumed a day, a child’s odds of becoming obese rose 60 percent within a 1½-year followup period.

High sugar consumption may damage collagen and elastin molecules, leading to wrinkles and sagging skin. Limit your intake for an anti-aging boost.

A 2008 study suggested high sugar consumption may be linked to allergic inflammation of the airway in mice.

Can ce r co ntributo r One study found that sugar consumption increased the development and metastasis of breast tumours in mice.

53

Sweet Escape There are lots of table sugar subs on the market, but how do they stack up, health-wise?

ZERO CALORIES

per teaspoon Stevia is a zerocalorie, fructosefree option.

11 CALORIES

per teaspoon Date sugar contains all the fibre and nutrients found in the dried fruit.

15 CALORIES

per teaspoon Made from the sap of coconut-tree flowers, coconut sugar has the same calorie count as table sugar, but it’s lower on the glycemic index.

15 CALORIES

per teaspoon Agave nectar is about 1½ times sweeter than refined sugar, so you can use less. But it’s high in fructose (hello, blood-sugar spikes!).

17 CALORIES

per teaspoon Bad news: Brown sugar is no healthier than granulated white sugar.

— Sarah Dziedic

C A N A D I A N L I V I N G .C O M | F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7

not feeling it?

Many women mistake a low sex drive for a clinical case of sexual dysfunction— but chances are, the cause is more than medical.

Here’s what you need to know about maximizing your enjoyment, staying safe and feeling empowered at every age.

BY LISA VAN DE GEYN & SUSAN GRIMBLY

T E C H N I C A L D I F F I C U LT I E S How your smartphone could be messing with your sex life.

No one can be present in the moment if they’re waiting to jump on that next ping, so, for God’s sake, put down your phone. Experts recommend charging your devices as far from the bedroom as possible. If you really can’t let go, at least turn down the volume. And consider trying “mindful intimacy.” The wellness buzzword can easily be applied to sexual health; mindfulness is about focusing on the present, and mindful intimacy means

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being aware of what you are experiencing while you’re with your partner.

The idea is that couples who practise it can overcome the barriers they’ve built up and feel more connected to each other and their own individual sexuality. So sign up for a meditation class or use a mindfulness app like Headspace. (Ironic, we know—but apps really are easy and accessible ways to try mindfulness!)

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ou aren’t exactly sure what’s up, but even though you love your partner, you just haven’t felt like sex lately. You duck his touch, opting to watch Netflix instead. Maybe it’s been months, and you’re starting to wonder: Is there something wrong?

You can carry on with binge-watching The Crown, because, for most women, there’s nothing medically amiss between the sheets. And, if it’s any comfort, you’re not the only one who’s concerned about the possibility of sexual dysfunction. Teesha Morgan, a Vancouver sex therapist, says it’s the question patients ask most. But, “almost 100 percent of the time, what they’re experiencing is normal,” she says. “There are so many things that can affect sexual desire: if you have little kids; if you’re on antidepressants; if you take the birth control pill; if you’re perimenopausal, postmenopausal or going through menopause....”

Dr. Natalie Rosen, a clinical psychologist and sex therapist in Halifax, says true sexual dysfunction persists for at least six months and is “associated with significant distress for the individual or couple, as judged by a clinician.” So, while it may seem as though all of your friends are in the same sexless boat, just 12 to 20 percent of women and 11 percent of men have sexual dysfunction.

But if it’s not a medical problem, what’s behind your lack of drive? As Morgan says, there are tons of reasons.

However, one major cause might be a truism we were hoping to write off: In women, sex drive tends to dip over time. According to a study published in Psychological Medicine last year, which looked at sexual function (desire, satisfaction, ability to achieve orgasm) in more than 2,000 women, those in long-term relationships tended to see a drop in desire. But that doesn’t mean you should buy into the clichés about women hating sex; instead, take the opportunity to be more realistic about your expectations—it’s OK to have less sex! And take heart: The study also found that the longpartnered women had an easier time achieving orgasm.

So, if you want to have sex like a champion, don’t be afraid to try new things: Get it on anywhere but the bedroom or use a sex toy—and make your personal preferences clear. Dr. Laurie Betito, a clinical psychologist in Montreal, suggests that you “liken having sex to going to the gym.” Put it in your calendar if you have to!

Because, just as with exercise, the more you go, the easier it will be to keep your commitment.

ILLUSTRATIONS, SHUTTERSTOCK (FLOWERS, PLUG); THENOUNPROJECT.COM (BED, SMARTPHONES)

SEXUAL HEALIN HE ALIN G Y

L E T ’ S TA L K A B O U T S E X

Libido Boosters A look at how the newest sexual aids stack up.

E LV I E

PHOTOGRAPHY, THINKSTOCK (MARIJUANA). ILLUSTRATIONS, SHUTTERSTOCK (FLOWERS); THENOUNPROJECT.COM (LIPS, HAND)

Remember those squeezing exercises you had to do after giving birth? Pelvicfloor muscles can make all the difference between a meh or mighty sex life, which is why Kegels are a must. But how do you know they’re working? This pelvicfloor exerciser monitors your motion in real time thanks to a Bluetooth-enabled smartphone app.

APHRODISIAC MARIJUANA California-based medical marijuana purveyor Paradigm Cannabis Group markets a strain of weed called Sexxpot that promises to boost mood and libido.

Researchers haven’t been able to definitively establish a link between weed and libido, but there’s anecdotal evidence that some people do benefit from partaking before sex. Trial run?

Big Pharma has been trying for years to come up with a love pill for women, with little success. The most recent, Addyi, hit shelves in the U.S. in 2015, with a resounding thunk. A prescription pill aimed at premenopausal women, it delivers an average of just onehalf of an extra satisfying sexual event per month—at a cost of US$900!

When you’ve been ill, sex is often the last item on your to-do list—but that doesn’t mean it can’t move up a notch or two.

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do more for your relationship than sitting side by side watching TV in parallel play.

And you don’t have to worry about a subsequent heart attack after all. A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology in 2015 says sex doesn’t trigger a heart attack or increase your risk of a repeat.

In fact, researchers found it’s actually considered “moderate physical activity…and is comparable to climbing two staircases or taking a brisk walk.” So putting a little hanky-panky back into your repertoire can’t hurt—and it might even help your recovery.

It’s also worth noting that lots of women struggle after illness. “Energy levels post chemotherapy tend not to improve for several years. In some cases, women never return to their previous level of functioning,” says Dr. Palmay. “So be gentle and patient with yourself.” And when you do eventually feel ready, “experiment, be adventurous,” she says.

“Maybe sex will play a different role in your new life, and that’s OK.” 55

yes

“VIAGRA FOR HER”

Back in the Saddle et’s be honest: Sex isn’t top of mind after you’ve been sick. Even sneezing and coughing from a cold or flu can drag you down, so it’s no wonder something more serious can affect your sex life. But a thriving connection after a medical condition is possible.

First, though, it’s important to know it’s OK if you’re not exactly feeling frisky. “There’s psychology related to illness and sexuality,” says Dr. Christine Palmay, a family physician in Toronto. “Depression from an illness, sideeffects from medication and body-image concerns can all lead to a lack of interest in sex.”

So don’t feel pressured to immediately return to your pre-illness state of affairs.

Maybe you’ve had a mastectomy—that can be a huge blow to your femininity. Or you’ve had a heart attack and are nervous that strenuous sexual activity will cause another one. You can still be intimate. Trade cuddling for intimate touching—get as naked as you both feel comfortable with, then engage in sex talk or remind each other of favourite moves. It will

YES MEANS

Consent isn’t just a concept that affects carefree young people. “It’s still a consideration in relationships, whether of a casual, short- or longterm nature,” says Mary-Jean Malyszka, a registered provisional psychologist and clinical sex therapist in Calgary.

But it can be sticky to address.

Here are some tips for striking up the conversation.

W I T H YO U R PA R T N E R Consent is an ongoing conversation. “If you would like to change the type or degree of sexual activity, check in by asking, ‘Is this OK?’ or ‘How would you feel about…?’ ” says Malyszka.

Or remind your partner to check in with you. And, if you’re planning to try something new, consider choosing a code word or action that means “stop immediately,” she advises.

W I T H YO U R T E E N S Explain what consent is, keeping it simple but clear: You are allowed to stop at any point if it doesn’t feel right, even if the other person really wants to continue.

“You don’t need to go into a big explanation. It’s all about what you want and don’t want for your body, and your partner has to respect that,” Malyszka says.

W I T H YO U R PA R E N T S This can be an awkward conversation, but, considering the possibility of cognitive decline, an important one.

Explain the importance of informed affirmative consent, which means each partner understands exactly what is going to happen and is enthusiastic about trying it.

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did you know?

Canada is rationing Bicillin, the most effective antibiotic treatment for syphilis, after a huge jump in diagnoses.

safety first

Sexually transmitted infections are on the rise among older adults. Here’s what you need to know.

PHOTOGRAPHY, SHUTTERSTOCK. ILLUSTRATIONS, SHUTTERSTOCK (FLOWERS); THENOUNPROJECT.COM (HAND, SMARTPHONE, PILLS, BOTTLE)

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emember having “the talk” with your kids about sexually transmitted infections (STIs)? It’s time to revisit that conversation—with yourself.

The Public Health Agency of Canada says the national rate of STI infection has been rising steadily since the late ’90s, including among older adults. According to the Sexual Health at Midlife Study, a joint project by Trojan and the Sex Information and Education Council of Canada (SIECCAN), the rates of chlamydia, for instance, among Canadians aged 40 to 59 increased by 153 percent between 2003 and 2012.

Dr. Betito has noticed an increasing need to educate even elderly adults. “Seniors’ residences are like college dorms. There’s often one man for several women, and they don’t use condoms because there’s no risk of pregnancy,” she says. Dr. Palmay has also seen more STIs in her perimenopausal, menopausal and postmenopausal patients. “My senior patients go to Myrtle Beach, have fun

in the sun and come back with syphilis, and they’re nonchalant about it,” she says.

Postmenopausal women are actually more vulnerable to STIs—the lining of the vagina becomes drier with age, which makes it “more likely to tear and become irritated during sex,” says Dr. Palmay. “These tears could lead to more susceptibility to STIs.” Blame lack of condom use for the increased health risk—of the 77 percent of respondents in the Trojan/SIECCAN study who had intercourse in their last sexual encounter, only about 28 percent of women said their partner used a condom (see What’s Behind the Rise, below, for more info).

“Youth today are taught ‘no glove, no love,’ but older women didn’t grow up with that concept,” says Dr. Betito, adding that people who are widowed or recently divorced “don’t know how to negotiate condom use with a new partner.” She advises women to take charge by carrying condoms and telling their partners they expect safe sex.

W H AT ’ S B E H I N D T H E R I S E ?

Experts say the increasing incidence of STIs among the 40- to 59-year-old cohort can be traced back to three things.

Hookup-specific apps such as Tinder and Bumble: People looking for casual hookups use these apps to find potential sex partners with the swipe of a screen—no sexual history required.

Birth control use over condom use: For the 40-year-olds, birth control may help prevent pregnancy, but the pill doesn’t ward off STIs. Condoms are close to 100 percent effective (though you can still contract HPV and herpes through oral sex).

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Screening confusion: Not all STIs are diagnosed through blood or urine tests, and not all STIs are part of standard screening. For example, herpes and HPV require their own tests.

rubber check If you thought we’d reached the apex of what a condom could be, think again.

This is what rubbers could look like in the near future.

The number-one protector against STIs, HIV and, yes, babies, the latex condom has held steady for years.

But once you’ve got thinner condoms, flavoured condoms and condoms bearing Sailor Moon designs, where do you go?

To science, that’s where.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is backing projects searching for a biodegradable condom that works just as well as the traditional sort, and a model that can also act as a drug-delivery system for STI prevention. And, if those two aren’t enough, behold the Rapidom. It’s an applicator that will help a guy get the rubber out of the package and onto his penis in one swift move.

Handy (and more likely to prevent user error)!

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DINNER WITH CANADIAN LIVING PRESENTED BY PHILIPS In a seasonal feast of good wine and Tested-Till-Perfect recipes, Canadian Living Food editors Jennifer Danter and Jessica Bronstein welcomed food enthusiasts with a cooking demo featuring the new Philips Airfryer. Each guest took home a copy of the latest Canadian Living cookbook, The Special Occasions Cookbook, and a fine time was had by all.

AN EVENING WITH JODI PICOULT In a nationwide exclusive, Canadian Living VIP readers received the opportunity to meet and greet New York Times bestselling author Jodi Picoult in an up-close-andpersonal setting. The fiction writer captivated guests with the story behind her most recent novel, Small Great Things, and attendees received signed copies of the riveting, thought-provoking book.

Check us out on facebook.com/canadianliving for photos of past events and visit canadianliving.com/vip frequently for upcoming events.

PHOTOGRAPHY, JAMES YIGITOZ OF PRCPTN

PRESENTED BY PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE

BOLD

BEAUTIFUL A moody palette, an open-concept layout and a few family heirlooms turned a dark and dreary basement into a suite so nice, the homeowners opted to live in it instead of renting it out.

BY GRACE TOBY PHOTOGRAPHY BY TRACEY AYTON

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P R E V I O U S PAG E

Highlight a design element with paint The couple didn’t keep any of the basement’s existing design elements, except for the original black fireplace and brick hearth. Lackey and her mom painted the fireplace white, using 15 cans of high-heat-tolerant spray paint in a glossy finish, to bring it to life and to contrast the dramatic wall colour. Despite cries from others who worried the space would be dark and gloomy, Lackey chose black for the accent walls, installed rich hardwood floors and decorated with vintage wooden furniture.

“I wanted to explore putting a dark table and cabinet against a dark wall,” she says.

“As a kid, I always wanted to paint my room black, but my parents wouldn’t let me!” hen newly engaged first-time homebuyers Sarah Lackey (an interior designer) and Brady Horvath (an electrical contractor) started house hunting in Vancouver, their excitement was quickly derailed by escalating prices. Putting the ballooning real-estate market in their rearview, they set their sights on Squamish, B.C. The up-and-coming community, located 45 minutes north of the city, has been billed “the outdoor recreational capital of Canada.” It’s the perfect location for the outdoorsy couple—they love to hike— plus, it was close enough to their big-city clients in Whistler and West Vancouver.

“We were looking for something ugly because we couldn’t afford anything else,” says Lackey, with brutal honesty.

This four-bedroom, three-bathroom fixer-upper was the third house they saw, and it fit their finances and handson mandate. But it was a tour of the basement that clinched the deal; while others dismissed it as a spider-infested concrete cave, the couple saw a raw and empty space with plenty of potential.

Though the duo had previously worked together on plenty of homes for the real-estate reno show Love It or List It Vancouver (where they met), when it came to tackling their own project, the process proved stressful at times— especially when, a few days into the reno, they hit a water pipe and almost flooded the entire space. Even though the mishap cut into their budget, it did have a silver lining: They discovered the old copper pipes were brittle and needed to be replaced, averting future disaster.

In the end, the couple transformed the 640-square-foot subterranean space into a bright and functional suite, kitted out with vintage finds and family treasures. In fact, they were so pleased with the outcome that they decided to move into the basement and rent out the unrenovated main floor (though they’re determined to redo the rest of the house after their wedding).

Pillow, westelm.com. Netted glass balls, paintedwithlove.ca.

Choose double-duty furniture To keep the space clutter-free, the furniture had to serve more than one purpose.

The hide-a-bed sofa is perfect when out-of-town guests stay over, and the trunk serves as a coffee table while housing the linens for the pullout couch.

Kenneth sofa with Campbell Oatmeal fabric, vangoghdesigns.com.

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BEFORE

ILLUSTRATION, SHUTTERSTOCK

If you’re opting for dark furniture, consider lightening up on the hardwood floor stain. This keeps the space from feeling visually heavy.

add personality with antiques “We wanted the space to feel natural and organic because that’s where we live—we’re in the mountains,” says Lackey. The moment you enter the space, heated grey hexagonal floor tiles provide a warm welcome. The gothic-look dining table and chairs, which date back to the 1800s, are cherished heirlooms that belonged

to Lackey’s grandmother; they offer a perfect counterpoint to the otherwise contemporary space.

“I’m fixated on the story attached to individual pieces, and I like having items no one else has,” says Lackey.

Her favourite vignette in the dining room is the antique hutch that stores her grandmother’s teacup collection and displays mementos from close family and friends.

Mirror, homesense.ca. Vintage bottles (on hutch), paintedwith love.ca. Sea Salt CSP-95 paint and Blackjack 2133-20 paint (on walls), and White Dove OC-17 paint (on trim), benjaminmoore.com.

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Before designing a space, measure every item in need of storage—including pots, pans and serving bowls—to ensure that a cabinet, shelf or drawer could house it.

Opt for an openconcept kitchen To enhance the open layout, the couple decided to go small in the kitchen to save on space. The centre island still provides ample room for gathering and cooking with friends. Since space was at a premium, Lackey included a pantry for small appliances, such as the blender and the microwave.

Storage was key, but when money ran out for upper cabinets, Horvath repurposed the abandoned wood beams from the home’s carport for functional floating shelves. A white- and glass-based palette on exposed shelving keeps the look clean and airy.

Lighting, pinelighting.xolights.com.

Cabinets and island, ikea.ca. Countertop, kryptonitestoneworks.com. Brackets, westelm.com.

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The countertop has a slight overhang, so the homeowners can neatly tuck away a couple of chairs.

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Reclaimed wood mounted on brackets provides architectural interest, as well as additional storage.

BEFORE

the plan To avoid overpowering the small space and to give it a loft-like quality, Lackey and Horvath implemented an openconcept layout; the couple knocked down several walls and minimized the bedroom’s footprint in order to give the living area the bulk of the real estate.

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Instead of hinged doors, Lackey and Horvath installed a wooden barn-style door painted grey on a hefty track, and a closet system with sliding doors was installed to maximize space.

make the most of a small bedroom “When we moved in together, we couldn’t decide whose bed to keep, so we built a new one together over a weekend,” says Lackey. A mix of pine stained in three colours gives the headboard its one-of-a-kind finish.

They added built-in drawers under the bed for additional storage. With no room for a full-depth dresser, to save floor space, a shoe caddy was repurposed to hold smaller accessories, such as bathing suits and socks.

Hemnes shoe cabinet, ikea.ca. Light, rh.com.

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Use a decorative vintage piece to corral smaller necessities, like nail polish.

Budget Breakdown Here’s how homeowners Sarah Lackey and Brady Horvath spent their renovation dollars.

KITCHEN Cabinets, counter, appliances, flooring and lighting

$9,950 Hang a wide wall mirror to open up a smaller bathroom.

BATHROOM Tub, showerhead, vanity, counter, faucet, lighting, tile, fan and plumbing

$ 3 ,7 9 5

OTHER Interior door, service upgrade, drywall and other construction materials, insulation, paint and tiles

$10,400

TRADES Tile, drywall, plumbing and gas

$5,550

CONTINGENCY ALLOWANCE Burst pipes

$2,000

add a floating vanity

total

To avoid additional costs, Lackey and Horvath built the washroom around the existing plumbing instead of moving its location. A floating vanity with deep drawers hides essentials, keeping them easily accessible, unlike traditional cupboards, which tend to have tons of unused vertical space.

$31,695

Cabinet, ikea.ca. Lights, cb2.com. Tiles, cstile.cermastone.com.

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WEEKEND DIY

FINE PRINT

We love the look of wallpaper, but not the work required—not to mention the cost.

Enter wall stencils. These retro tools now come in high-quality materials and a variety of patterns, so it’s never been easier to paint your walls pretty.

BY SARAH GUNN

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W H AT ’ S Y O U R

Stencil Style?

Mater i a l s |

Paint tray

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Stencil (We used the Lisboa tile stencil from royaldesignstudio.com)

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Large paintbrush

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Synthetic paint roller

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Interior wall paint in a base colour and an accent colour

Repositionable adhesive spray

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Level

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Painter’s tape

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Tape measure

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Pencil

High-density foam roller

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Small tapered paintbrush

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1 Prep each wall in the room for painting (fill any holes with spackling, let dry, sand, wipe clean and apply painter’s tape along edges).

Using the paint tray, the large paintbrush and the synthetic paint roller, paint the walls in the base colour (we used Benjamin Moore’s Simply White OC-117). Let dry for 24 hours.

With endless patterns to choose from, there’s a stencil to suit every look.

Simply pick your favourite, grab some paint and transform your walls.

TRADITIONAL

PHOTOGRAPHY, ANGUS FERGUSSON. ILLUSTRATIONS, THENOUNPROJECT.COM (PENCIL); BRENDAN FISHER (INSTRUCTIONS).

MERCER CREDENZA AND TAYABAS CHAIR, CB2.COM. MIRROR AND RUG, HOMESENSE.CA

Lisabetta damask stencil, $81, royaldesignstudio.com.

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Using the tape measure, determine a starting point for the stencil (often the centre of the dominant, or most visible, wall) and mark it with the pencil. Spray the back of the stencil with adhesive, and set in place on the wall. Use the level to make sure it’s straight, adjusting as needed, and smooth it in place. (You can apply painter’s tape to the corners of the stencil for additional hold, if needed.)

Apply the accent paint colour (we used Benjamin Moore’s Polo Blue 2062-10) to the foam roller—but make sure you only apply a small amount, otherwise the lines of your pattern won’t be crisp. Then, roll over the entire stencil with medium pressure (pressing too hard can cause paint can bleed); roll on an additional coat of paint if needed to reach the desired opacity.

MODERN Dalmatian Spots allover stencil, $54, cuttingedgestencils.com.

4

5

Carefully peel the stencil off the wall, starting from one edge and lifting toward the opposite edge. Reposition the stencil, adjacent to the first placement, using the stencil’s markers (corner holes that overlap with the previous stencil placement) and the level to help line it up, then smooth it in place.

Repeat steps 3 through 4, reapplying adhesive as needed, until the entire wall is stencilled. Let dry completely, then use the small paintbrush and any remaining base paint to cover obvious smudges. (Don’t reapply the stencil; just touch up the pattern freehand.)

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RETRO Art Deco allover stencil, $63, gypsymintstencils.etsy.com.

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Make a statement on your bedside table with this quirky beauty.

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Geometric design adds a modern touch to any desk.

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BEST BUYS

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All About That Vase

We’ve gathered our favourite vases for every type of bouquet—from the smallest posy to oversize palm leaves. One is sure to steal your heart!

BY SARAH GUNN

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At almost two feet tall, this textured vase is large enough to perch on the floor next to a side table or a chair.

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1. Trigg desk vessels, $50 per pair, umbra.com. 2. Femme vase, $28, blackroosterdecor.com. 3. Bulb ribbed vase, $55, abbottcollection.com.

4. Etched vase, $25, homesense.ca. 5. Torre & Tagus metal collar vase in Teal, $45, indigo.ca. 6. GlucksteinHome faceted ceramic vase, $30, thebay.com. 7. Water Hyacinth table vase, $70, bouclair.com. 8. Sockerärt vase, $18, ikea.ca.

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EMBRACE THE BEAUTY OF NEW BEDDING

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plant one on The best way to beat those midwinter blues?

A touch of green.

Read on for our ultimate guide to low-maintenance houseplants.

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When it comes to decorating, we believe most

PHOTOGRAPHY, ANGUS FERGUSSON. PLANTS, JILLJENSENBOTANICALS.CA. MID-CENTURY BAR CART, WESTELM.COM. ART AND STOOL, HOMESENSE.CA. OLD PRAIRIE 2143-50 PAINT (ON WALL), BENJAMINMOORE.COM

spaces benefit from a plant or two, and the decor world agrees—houseplants have made a comeback. According to Jill Jensen, founder of Jill Jensen Botanicals, a Clarington, Ont., tropical-plant wholesale company, the resurgence in popularity comes down to four things: Compact, easy-tocare-for plants appeal to both small-space dwellers and novice gardeners; good-quality botanicals are more readily available at garden centres, flower shops and even your local grocery store; we now know they improve our mental health; and decorative pots have received an esthetic upgrade, with options in everything from marble to ombré woven baskets.

When caring for houseplants, Jensen says the first step is having the right environment. Tropical houseplants typically do best in a temperature-controlled space—over 17°C is OK, but above 21°C is ideal. Read on for our selections and Jensen’s best tips to ensure that your plants thrive.

When grouping houseplants, style them as you would any other decor—layer textures, shapes and colours, and vary the heights.

1 Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema ‘Osaka’) Great for spaces that don’t get a lot of natural light, this leafy choice is also less susceptible to both pests and disease.

2 ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamifolia) This stylish plant is almost indestructible. It thrives in low-light conditions and needs only moderate watering, so it’s ideal for first-time plant owners—or for those with black thumbs!

3 Pink paddle or pink quill (Tillandsia cyanea) Named for its colourful spiky flower, this pretty tropical will sprout suckers, or tiny shoots, as it ages; once the shoots reach a substantial size, you can separate them to form new plants.

4 Dragon tree (Dracaena deremensis ‘White Surprise’) This hardy variety can grow up to six feet tall but doesn’t tend to spread out, which makes it ideal for small living or work spaces.

5 Succulents A succulent is any plant that stores water in its leaves or stem. Available in a variety of rich textures and colours, these trendy botanicals prefer lots of light; since they’re desert plants, don’t overwater them (allow the soil to dry completely between waterings).

6 Peacock or zebra plant (Calathea roseopicta) Don’t expose the maroon leaves of this plant to direct sunlight—it will cause the delicate tissue to burn.

7 Dwarf fiddle-leaf fig (Ficus lyrata) This compact version of the popular fiddle-leaf fig adds visual impact without taking up too much space.

8 Moonlight philodendron One of the few plants with the same common and botanical name, this lush pick purifies the air in your home. It’s also easy to care for, as it does well in most light conditions (except direct sun) and can survive with occasional two- to three-week intervals between waterings.

9 Rubber plant (Ficus elastica) This fast-growing plant benefits from regular pruning— otherwise, it will quickly become overgrown. If the wide, flat leaves get dusty, wipe them gently with a soft damp cloth.

10 Mistletoe cactus (Rhipsalis cereuscula) Unlike most cacti, this variety is native to the rainforest, so it prefers ample moisture (ensure good drainage so roots don’t sit in water) and indirect light. It produces small white flowers in late winter or early spring, followed by small berries (similar to the ones on mistletoe, hence the name). Handle with care— the stems break easily.

STA N D AND DELIVER Three perfect perches for your plants.

Satsumas plant stand, $40, ikea.ca.

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Adelphi metal planter, $22, urbanoutfitters.com.

Angled plant stand, $199, cb2.com.

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35 MENUS FOR ENTERTAINING THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

Order your copy for $34.95 at

canadianliving.com/books

INGREDIENT SPOTLIGHT

THAI CHILIES Feeling hot, hot, hot? You will be. Thai bird’s-eye peppers (a.k.a. Thai chilies) are super spicy, and a little goes a long way when it comes to perking up stir-fries, soups and stews.

PHOTOGRAPHY, ANGUS FERGUSSON. FOOD STYLING, MICHAEL ELLIOTT/JUDYINC.COM. PROP STYLING, CATHERINE DOHERTY

BY BESSIE M C DONALD-GUSSACK & THE TEST KITCHEN

Did You Know?

Capsaicin is the chemical compound in peppers that causes a burning sensation when it comes in contact with your mouth or eyes.

To determine a chili’s heat level, peppers are given a Scoville heat unit (SHU) rating, which measures capsaicin concentration on a scale of zero to 16 million for pure capsaicin.

Thai bird’s-eye peppers range from 100,000 to 200,000 SHU, making them spicier than a cayenne (15,000 to 50,000 SHU) but much less spicy than the world’s hottest pepper, the Carolina Reaper (1.5 million to 2.2 million SHU).

Date night– worthy dinners

Savoury hand pies

Semisweet, white and milk chocolate desserts

Smoky and sweet nut brittle

P. 77

P. 87

P. 90

P. 98

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CANDIED CHILIES

In small saucepan, bring 1 cup each granulated sugar and water to boil, stirring, until sugar is dissolved. Stir in 8 Thai bird’s-eye peppers, thinly sliced. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.

Strain through fine-mesh sieve set over bowl; reserve liquid for another use. Arrange Thai

peppers in single layer on parchment paper–lined rimmed baking sheet. Roast in 200°F oven until dry, about 20 minutes.

(Make-ahead: Store in airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.)

Sprinkle our Candied Chilies over stir-fries, pizza or roasted veggies. Use the reserved syrup to spice up homemade cocktails.

Makes about ¼ cup.

PER 1 TBSP: about 22 cal, trace pro, 0 g total fat (0 g sat. fat), 6 g carb (trace dietary fibre, 6 g sugar), 0 mg chol, 1 mg sodium, 24 mg potassium. % RDI: 1% iron, 1% vit A, 15% vit C.

To seed a chili, trim off the top, then halve the pepper lengthwise. Hold down the bottom end of each half with the tip of your finger and, using a sharp knife, scrape away the seeds and the white membranes.

For a more fragrant, flavourful oil, skip straining and leave in the Thai peppers and garlic before serving or bottling.

SESAME GARLIC CHILI OIL

In liquid measure, measure out 1 cup vegetable oil. In saucepan, heat 3 tbsp of the vegetable oil over medium heat; cook 4 cloves garlic, finely grated or pressed, and 1 tbsp thinly sliced Thai bird’s-eye peppers, stirring, until garlic is fragrant and Thai peppers are softened, about 2 minutes. Add remaining vegetable oil and 4 tsp sesame oil;

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cook until oil is warm but not hot. Let cool completely, about 1 hour. Strain through fine-mesh sieve; discard solids. (Makeahead: Refrigerate in airtight container for up to 2 weeks.) Add to salad dressings, drizzle over your favourite noodle dish or brush onto pizza crust, steak, chicken or fish.

Makes about 1 cup.

PER 1 TBSP: about 131 cal, 0 g pro, 15 g total fat (1 g sat. fat), 0 g carb (0 g dietary fibre, 0 g sugar), 0 mg chol, 0 mg sodium, 0 mg potassium.

PORK AND CHILI PEPPER BOWLS

Halve 1 Thai bird’s-eye pepper crosswise. Mince half of the Thai pepper; thinly slice remaining half. Set aside. In large nonstick skillet, cook 450 g lean ground pork and pinch salt over mediumhigh heat, stirring occasionally, until no longer pink, about 8 minutes. Scrape into bowl; set aside. In same pan, heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil over medium heat.

Cook 2 cups green beans, trimmed and cut in ½-inch pieces; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 4 tsp grated fresh ginger; and minced Thai pepper, stirring occasionally, until green beans are tender-crisp, about 5 minutes. Add pork, 1 tbsp unseasoned rice vinegar, 1 tsp

fish sauce, ½ tsp packed brown sugar and 2 tbsp water; cook, stirring, until heated through, about 2 minutes. Divide among 4 serving bowls; keep warm.

Wipe pan clean. In same pan, heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil over medium heat; cook 4 eggs until whites are set yet yolks are still runny, about 3 minutes. Arrange 1 egg over top of each pork bowl. Top with ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro and 2 green onions, sliced (optional); sprinkle with remaining Thai pepper. Serve with steamed rice.

Makes 4 servings.

PER SERVING: about 414 cal, 29 g pro, 30 g total fat (9 g sat. fat), 7 g carb (1 g dietary fibre, 2 g sugar), 266 mg chol, 206 mg sodium, 511 mg potassium. % RDI: 6% calcium, 16% iron, 14% vit A, 12% vit C, 24% folate.

Ever wonder why milk, not water, tempers the heat of chilies?

Casein, a protein found in milk, attracts capsaicin molecules, dousing the flames.

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Now Available on Google Play

™

WEEKNIGHTS

Q U I C K + E ASY Make dining in a special occasion with these date night–worthy, weeknight-friendly meals for two. (They’re all ready in 30 minutes or less!)

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PHOTOGRAPHY, ANGUS FERGUSSON. FOOD STYLING, MICHAEL ELLIOTT/JUDYINC.COM. PROP STYLING, CATHERINE DOHERTY

BY JENNIFER DANTER & THE TEST KITCHEN

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M O N DAY

TESTED TILL PERFECT

Spicy Peanut Shrimp and Noodles In bowl, whisk together ¼ cup smooth peanut butter; 2 tbsp packed brown sugar; 1 tbsp each sodium-reduced soy sauce, fish sauce, lime juice and unseasoned rice vinegar; and 2 tsp Asian chili sauce (such as sriracha) until smooth. Gradually whisk in ½ cup sodium-reduced chicken broth until combined; set aside. Place 260 g rice stick noodles (¼ inch wide) in large heatproof bowl; pour in enough boiling water to cover noodles. Let stand until noodles are pliable, about 15 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water; drain again. Meanwhile, in large nonstick skillet, heat 1 tsp vegetable oil over medium-high heat; cook 2 cloves garlic, minced, and 1 tsp grated fresh ginger, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add 170 g jumbo shrimp (21 to 25 count), peeled and deveined; stir-fry until shrimp are pink and opaque throughout, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in broth mixture and noodles until coated. Remove from heat. Add 1 cup sugar snap peas, trimmed; toss to combine. Sprinkle with 2 tbsp chopped salted roasted peanuts. Serve with lime wedges.

Makes 2 to 3 servings.

DAIRY-FREE

PER EACH OF 3 SERVINGS: about 625 cal, 27 g pro, 17 g total fat (3 g sat. fat), 90 g carb (5 g dietary fibre, 13 g sugar), 115 mg chol, 887 mg sodium, 444 mg potassium. % RDI: 9% calcium, 25% iron, 6% vit A, 21% vit C, 23% folate.

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T U E S DAY

Lemony Ravioli With Sun-Dried Tomatoes In saucepan of boiling salted water, cook 250 g fresh vegetable- or cheese-filled ravioli according to package instructions.

Reserving ⅓ cup of the cooking liquid, drain.

In large nonstick skillet, heat 1 tbsp each butter and olive oil over medium heat until melted; cook ¼ cup thinly sliced drained oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes and 2 cloves garlic, minced, stirring often, until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Add pasta; ¼ cup each grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley; 1 tbsp thinly sliced lemon zest; 3 tbsp lemon juice; and 1 tbsp capers, drained and rinsed. Cook, stirring gently, for 2 minutes. Stir in enough of the reserved cooking liquid to coat.

Makes 2 to 3 servings.

NUT-FREE

VEGETARIAN

GET MORE READY-IN-A-HURRY DINNER IDEAS AT

canadianliving.com/30minutemeals.

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PER EACH OF 3 SERVINGS: about 322 cal, 10 g pro, 18 g total fat (6 g sat. fat), 32 g carb (3 g dietary fibre, 3 g sugar), 39 mg chol, 779 mg sodium, 211 mg potassium. % RDI: 14% calcium, 18% iron, 9% vit A, 35% vit C, 5% folate.

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W E D N E S DAY

Lobster Bánh Mì In bowl, combine 3 radishes, thinly sliced; half small carrot, cut in matchsticks; and quarter English cucumber, cut in matchsticks. Set aside. In small microwaveable bowl, stir together 2 tbsp each granulated sugar and white vinegar and ¼ tsp salt; microwave on high for 30 seconds.

Pour over radish mixture; toss to coat. Refrigerate until chilled, about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, in separate bowl, stir together ¼ cup light mayonnaise, 2 tbsp each unsweetened desiccated coconut and chopped fresh cilantro or fresh mint, 1 tsp fish sauce and ½ tsp Asian chili sauce (such as sriracha); gently fold in 1 lobster (565 to 680 g), cooked, shelled and chopped. Halve 2 crusty sandwich rolls lengthwise almost but not all the way through. Spoon lobster mixture into rolls; top with half of the pickled vegetables. Sprinkle with additional chopped fresh cilantro or fresh mint (optional). Halve lobster rolls crosswise on the diagonal. Serve with remaining pickled vegetables on the side.

Makes 2 to 4 servings.

TIP FROM THE TEST KITCHEN To remove the cooked lobster meat from the shell, place the lobster on a work surface and twist off the tail; using a sharp chef’s knife or kitchen shears, remove the meat from the tail. Crack the claws and remove the meat.

NUT-FREE

Time-saver Order a steamed lobster from your grocery store’s fish counter to cut down on prep time.

PER EACH OF 4 SERVINGS: about 218 cal, 10 g pro, 8 g total fat (3 g sat. fat), 28 g carb (2 g dietary fibre, 9 g sugar), 52 mg chol, 716 mg sodium, 266 mg potassium. % RDI: 5% calcium, 11% iron, 32% vit A, 5% vit C, 25% folate.

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T H U R S DAY

Skillet Mediterranean Chicken Place 1 large boneless skinless chicken breast on cutting board. Holding knife blade parallel to board and with opposite hand on top of chicken, slice chicken horizontally all the way through to form 2 cutlets. Sprinkle both sides of each with ½ tsp each dried tarragon and dried oregano and ¼ tsp each salt and pepper. In large nonstick skillet, heat 1 tsp olive oil over medium-high heat; cook chicken, turning once, until lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Transfer to plate. In same pan, heat 2 tsp olive oil over medium-high heat. Cook 85 g Broccolini; half sweet yellow pepper, coarsely chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; and 2 tbsp chopped pitted Kalamata olives until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add chicken and ¼ cup dry white wine; cover and simmer until chicken is no longer pink inside and Broccolini is tender-crisp, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat; sprinkle with ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese and 1 tbsp chopped fresh basil.

Makes 2 servings.

GLUTEN-FREE

NUT-FREE

Did you know?

Broccolini is milder in flavour and less bitter than regular broccoli.

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PER SERVING: about 289 cal, 31 g pro, 14 g total fat (5 g sat. fat), 10 g carb (2 g dietary fibre, 3 g sugar), 83 mg chol, 1,009 mg sodium, 646 mg potassium. % RDI: 15% calcium, 14% iron, 12% vit A, 160% vit C, 19% folate.

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F R I DAY

Rib Eye Steak With Gorgonzola Sauce Brush both sides of 1 bone-in beef rib eye grilling steak (about 830 g/2 inches thick) with 1 tsp olive oil; sprinkle with ¼ tsp each salt and pepper. In large cast-iron or ovenproof skillet, sear beef, turning once, for 4 minutes. Transfer to 475°F oven; roast, turning once, until instant-read thermometer inserted in centre reads 145°F for medium-rare, about 12 minutes. Transfer beef to cutting board; tent with foil to keep warm. In same pan, melt 1 tbsp butter over medium heat; cook 1 shallot, minced, and 6 sprigs fresh thyme, stirring occasionally, until shallot is softened, about 4 minutes. Increase heat to high. Stir in ¼ cup dry red wine, scraping up browned bits, until evaporated. Pour in ½ cup sodium-reduced beef broth; reduce heat to medium and simmer until sauce is beginning to thicken, about 2 minutes.

Remove from heat; discard thyme. Stir in 35 g Gorgonzola cheese until melted.

Remove and discard bone from beef. Thinly slice beef across the grain; divide among serving plates. Drizzle with sauce; top with ½ cup lightly packed baby arugula.

Makes 2 to 4 servings.

GLUTEN-FREE

TIP FROM THE TEST KITCHEN To lightly season the arugula, sprinkle with a pinch each of salt and pepper and drizzle with balsamic vinegar. Using your hands, crumple the arugula into two small balls, then arrange over top of the beef.

NUT-FREE

PER EACH OF 4 SERVINGS: about 363 cal, 29 g pro, 25 g total fat (12 g sat. fat), 1 g carb (trace dietary fibre, trace sugar), 83 mg chol, 424 mg sodium, 354 mg potassium. % RDI: 6% calcium, 22% iron, 6% vit A, 6% folate.

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GUEST CHEF

Sugar

RUSH In Anna Olson’s latest cookbook, the celebrity chef shares her recipe for baking success—and it starts before you even preheat your oven.

lies in the ingredients—the humble beginnings that, through the craft of baking, come together to make something that’s more than the sum of its parts. When looked at as simply flour, sugar, butter and eggs, even the most magnificent cake or pastry is achievable for novice bakers.

Perhaps it’s that simplified approach, in combination with her stunning confections, that makes Olson so widely appealing. In her latest cookbook, Bake With Anna Olson, she shares more than 125 recipes from her popular Food Network Canada series of the same name—and she doesn’t stop there: The Atlanta native, who spent her childhood in Toronto and now lives in Welland, Ont., also gives readers the know-how needed to truly hone their baking skills. After testing out a few desserts from the book (find the recipe for one of our favourites, Chocolate Peanut Butter Whoopie Pies, opposite), we caught up with Canada’s baking sweetheart to talk ingredients, kitchen tools and technique. — Jennifer Bartoli When it comes to selecting baking ingredients, what items are worth splurging on? Good-quality vanilla extract and chocolate. Vanilla is a flavour builder; you notice it in your baking if the quality is there.

I find that you need less of the good quality than the cheap and cheerful, so you’re not actually spending more money. Good-quality chocolate is also really worth it; your desserts will only taste as good as the chocolate you’re using, and good cocoa powder counts just as much.

One ingredient that bakers use time and time again is butter. What are your tips for working with this must-have? To soften butter, cut it into small pieces and scatter them on a plate.

They will come to room temperature within

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half an hour. If a recipe calls for roomtemperature butter, your eggs should be at room temperature as well. To bring eggs to room temperature quickly, immerse them in a cup of hot tap water for two minutes per egg. If you need three eggs, for instance, immerse them for six minutes, changing the water halfway through, and the eggs will be ready.

Baking can be finicky. What’s one mistake novice bakers tend to make at home?

People think that when they set their oven to 350°F and it beeps, the oven is at 350°F. An oven thermometer costs about $7, and that’s money well spent, as you’ll know for sure what temperature your oven runs at; if it’s off by more than 10 to 14 degrees, call someone to calibrate it.

What other baking tools do you use regularly? One is an offset spatula; mine is an extension of my hand, and I’d be lost without it. I use it for anything from lifting warm cookies off of a baking sheet to frosting and decorating cakes. The second tool would be a plastic bowl scraper; I use it to fold cream into melted chocolate when I’m making mousse, and to incorporate egg whites into cake batter, but you can also use it to scrape out batter [from a mixing bowl] so you don’t waste a single drop.

Many home cooks shy away from rolling out dough. What’s your best tip for working with pastry dough? If you’re rolling out pie pastry that has no sugar, pull it out of the fridge 30 minutes before you want to roll it. You’re often told to avoid letting the dough warm up, but if it’s ice cold, the butter inside will be solid and the dough will crack. If it’s a dough that contains sugar, you can knead it a little bit to soften it. A wooden work surface, like a cutting board, usually works best for rolling out dough; it holds an even temperature.

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PHOTOGRAPHY, MIKE MCCOLL

FOR PASTRY CHEF ANNA OLSON, the beauty of desserts

C H O C O L AT E P E A N U T BUTTER WHOOPIE PIES Makes: 8 to 10 large whoopie pies Prep: 40 minutes Bake: 15 minutes

These sandwiched cake cookies actually have nothing to do with pie. In fact, they seem more closely related to cupcakes, and their frosting-like filling makes them simple and easy to eat!

Cookies: 1¾ cups 1 cup ¾ cup ½ tsp ½ tsp ½ tsp ½ cup 1 ¾ cup ½ cup 2 tsp

all-purpose flour One of our granulated sugar favourite recipes from Dutch process cocoa powder the book! baking powder baking soda salt cool unsalted butter, cut into pieces large egg milk, at room temperature sour cream pure vanilla extract

Filling: 1 cup 1 cup 2 cups 1 tsp

unsalted butter, at room temperature pure, smooth peanut butter icing sugar, sifted pure vanilla extract

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line two baking trays with parchment paper. Place the trays in the oven to warm right before making the cookie dough (this step will help the cookies bake with smooth curved tops).

2. For the cookies, sift the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the butter and mix on medium-low speed to cut it in until the pieces are barely visible.

ILLUSTRATION, THENOUNPROJECT.COM

3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, sour cream, and vanilla. Add to the flour mixture and mix on low speed to incorporate then increase to medium-high and beat for about 2 minutes, until the batter is fluffy and holds its structure. Use a medium ice cream scoop to scoop out 16–20 portions onto the now-hot, prepared baking trays, leaving 3 inches between them. Bake the “pies” for about 15 minutes, until the tops spring back when gently pressed. Cool the “pies” on the baking trays before filling.

Excerpted from Bake With Anna Olson by Anna Olson.

Copyright © 2016 Olson Food Concepts Inc. and Peace Point Entertainment Group Inc. Published by Appetite by Random House, a division of Penguin Random House Canada Limited. Reproduced by arrangement with the publisher. All rights reserved.

4. For the filling, beat the butter to lighten it and then beat in the peanut butter. Add 1 cup of the icing sugar and beat in. Stir in the vanilla and then beat in the remaining 1 cup of icing sugar until fluffy. Fill a piping bag fitted with a large star tip, pipe filling onto one of the “pies,” and top with a second “pie,” pressing gently. Repeat with the remaining pies. They will keep in an airtight container, or on a plate covered in plastic wrap, for up to 3 days—no need to refrigerate.

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LOCAL LOVE An avid locavore, Anna Olson shares a few of her favourite food destinations in Ontario’s Niagara Region, where she resides with her husband and fellow chef, Michael.

B re mf i e l d ’s , Po r t C olborne, Ont .

“This family-run bakery and café offers fantastic baked goods, as well as wholesome lunch offerings that erase any guilt about eating that lemon square or butter tart,” says Olson.

“Fruit pies abound, but you have to get there early, before they sell out!” facebook.com/bremfields The Kitchen, R i d g eway, O nt .

“This little gem is located in a quaint hip town between Port Colborne and Fort Erie. It’s the best place for a super sandwich on rustic homemade bread or for sweets and treats made using local fruit. The owner, Jenn Wilkinson, even carries on her grandfather’s tradition of making pulled saltwater taffy.” thekitchen.ca Wel l a n d Fa rm er s’ Ma rket , Wel l a n d , Ont .

“This market runs yearround, and I rely on it for my local fruit and vegetables,” says Olson.

“In the wintertime, root vegetables and apples are predominant, but be patient; asparagus season is only a few months away!

You can also rely on the market for fresh eggs— hen, duck or quail—as well as meats and cheeses.” welland.ca/market

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Find more ways to enjoy chocolate starting on page 90.

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take your smoothie bowl to the next level with this crunchy fruit topping.

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Add nuanced heat to your next dish!

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Enjoy the delicate texture of fresh pasta in less than five minutes.

Jennifer’s

kitchen CRUSHES Our Test Kitchen’s Jennifer Danter shares the culinary picks she’s coveting this month.

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1. Play with your food Fun food that’s good for you, too! This colourful mix of shredded coconut and freezedried strawberry, raspberry and cranberry flakes is a source of antioxidants and fibre. Sprinkle it over oatmeal or cold cereal, fold it into pancake or muffin batter, use it to decorate cupcakes or simply eat it out of your hand. The bright berry flavour has a sweet tartness that’s seriously addictive.

Tutti Fruity Whole Food Sprinkle, $12, epicure.com.

2. Don’t got milk?

While you never need a reason to enjoy chocolate, you can beat any post-indulgence guilt with this feel- and taste-good

treat. It’s 100-percent organic, vegan, gluten-free and nondairy, but you’d never be able to tell.

The thin chocolate bark melts in your mouth, and roasted hazelnuts and crisped rice give a satisfying crunch.

a whisk and get to it. The best part? She’s a former Canadian Living Test Kitchen food editor, so you can count on her recipes turning out every time. For a baking epiphany, make her Caramelita Bars on page 147.

Prana No Mylk’n Chocolaty Bark, $5.50, prana.bio.

The Baker in Me (Whitecap Books, 2016) by Daphna Rabinovitch, $45.

3. Bake school

4. Veg out

In the first 60 pages of her cookbook The Baker in Me, baker Daphna Rabinovitch dives deep into the alchemy of the ingredients and explains the science behind successful baking in plain terms. With each recipe, she shares a favourite memory, an interesting story or a helpful tip that will leave you aching to melt chocolate, grab

Eating more veggies is one delicious trend that keeps on growing. And it’s even better when it makes its way to your dinner table in the form of authentic Italian ravioli! I love the uber-rich flavour and creamy texture of roasted cauliflower blended with provolone and ricotta cheeses. Try this fresh pasta in our Lemony Ravioli

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With Sun-Dried Tomatoes (see recipe, page 78).

PC Roasted Cauliflower Ravioli, $5, loblaws.ca.

5. The daily grind After visiting a peppercorn plantation in Kampot, Cambodia, Danish-Canadian entrepreneurs Louise and Nigel Biggar fell in love with the aromatic spice and decided to bottle the region’s peppercorns. Wondering what all the hype is about? Pepper stimulates our salivary glands, which heightens how we taste food. This variety has a moderate nuanced heat that pairs well with roasted meats, hearty stews and saucy pastas.

Drøm Pepper Kampot Red Peppercorns, $15, drompepper.com.

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FROM RUSSIA, WITH LOVE PIROSHKI PHOTOGRAPHY, ANGUS FERGUSSON. FOOD STYLING, MICHAEL ELLIOTT/JUDYINC.COM. PROP STYLING, CATHERINE DOHERTY

P. 8 9 These goldencrusted hand pies are flavoured with dill, which gives them a fresh herbal edge. Serve with extra sour cream on the side, if you like.

TESTED TILL PERFECT

Borscht and vodka may be Russia’s culinary claims to fame, but it’s time to give piroshki the recognition they deserve. These traditional meat pies have a golden breading and a savoury filling, making them the ultimate hand-held comfort food.

BY RHEANNA KISH & THE TEST KITCHEN

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Hand pies aren’t exclusive to Russia.

These individually packed turnovers from around the world may look similar on the outside, but don’t let appearances fool you.

Their golden pastry belies six distinct fillings that showcase regional ingredients.

— Jennifer Danter

BÖREK TURKEY

C H A R S I U BAO CHINA

C O R N I S H PA S T Y ENGLAND

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Börek is made with layers of flaky yufka—a pastry similar to phyllo—and a filling of cheese, fresh herbs, spinach and, sometimes, minced meat. These pies are shapeshifters; you can find them rolled into skinny cigars, tubular spirals or chubby tubes, layered into squares or folded into triangles.

A spongy steamed bun encasing an assortment of fillings, the char siu bao is a Cantonese favourite. It’s stuffed with roasted pork butt that’s marinated in a syrupy mix of oyster and hoisin sauces, fermented tofu and a generous amount of soy sauce. Bao, wow!

Dating back to 14th-century Cornwall, the Cornish pasty is the original English street food. The turnover can only be called a Cornish pasty if it’s the real thing: a crimped D-shaped pastry that has been filled with roughly diced or minced beef, turnip, potato and onion and has been assembled in Cornwall.

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ILLUSTRATIONS, JUNE ANDERSON

PIE CHART

Hands-on time: 1¼ hours Total time: 2¾ hours Makes: 24 pieces Dough: 1 cup 2 tbsp 1 tbsp 2 2 tbsp 2 tbsp 4 cups ½ tsp Filling: 1 tbsp 1 1 4 450 g ½ tsp ⅓ cup 2 tbsp

S T E P - B Y- S T E P

Filling: While dough is rising, in large nonstick

skillet, heat oil over medium heat; cook onion, stirring occasionally, until softened and light golden, about 8 minutes. Stir in mushrooms and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are tender and no liquid remains, about 8 minutes. Stir in beef, salt and pepper; cook, breaking up beef with spoon, until beef is no longer pink, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in dill and sour cream. Let cool completely.

warm milk (100°F) granulated sugar active dry yeast eggs sour cream butter, melted all-purpose flour (approx) salt vegetable oil large onion, finely diced pkg (227 g) mushrooms, finely diced cloves garlic, minced lean ground beef each salt and pepper chopped fresh dill sour cream

1 On floured surface, knead dough until smooth.

Assembly: Punch down dough; divide in

Egg Wash: 1 egg

half. Cover 1 half with tea towel to prevent drying out. On floured work surface, roll and stretch remaining half into 12-inch long log; cut crosswise into 12 pieces. On floured work surface and using floured hands, press 1 piece into about 4-inch round; spoon 2 tbsp of the filling into centre. Pull dough up around filling to enclose; pinch seams to seal. Place, seam side down, on parchment paper–lined rimmed baking sheets. Repeat with remaining dough and filling. Let stand for 5 minutes.

Dough: In large bowl, whisk together milk, sugar and yeast. Let stand until frothy, about 10 minutes. Whisk in eggs, sour cream and butter.

Egg Wash: Whisk egg with 1 tbsp water; brush

Whisk 3½ cups of the flour with the salt; stir into milk mixture to form soft sticky dough.

until deep golden, 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Turn out onto floured work surface; knead, adding as much of the remaining flour as needed to prevent sticking, until smooth but still slightly sticky, about 10 minutes. Place in

PER PIECE: about 157 cal, 8 g pro, 6 g total fat (2 g sat. fat), 18 g carb (1 g dietary fibre, 2 g sugar), 36 mg chol, 129 mg sodium, 150 mg potassium. % RDI: 2% calcium, 11% iron, 3% vit A, 2% vit C, 22% folate.

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all over dough.

Form dough into 2 logs; cut each into 12 pieces.

To finish: Bake, 1 sheet at a time, in 350°F oven

E M PA N A DA L AT I N A M E R I C A

J A M A I C A N PAT T Y W E ST I N D I E S

SAMOSA INDIA

W

W

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The empanada is a small three-bite pie stuffed with ingredients common to the country it’s assembled in: for example, ground beef and olives in Argentina; or mussels, clams or shrimp in Chile. The dough can be made from wheat or corn flour, plantains, yucca root or sweet potatoes, and is baked or fried.

Piroshki

greased bowl, turning to grease all over. Cover and let rise in warm draft-free place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

PIROSHKI

A distant cousin of the Cornish pasty, this flaky pie has reached cultlike status. Within its iconic golden-yellow pastry (hello, turmeric!) is a spicy ground beef filling, flavoured with Scotch bonnet peppers, curry powder and a hint of cumin. Veggie, and even shrimp and lobster, versions are out there, too.

3 Flatten pieces into rounds; add 2 tbsp filling to centres.

The samosa migrated from central Asia to India, where it evolved from a pastry filled with spiced potatoes and vegetables into the modern-day version that’s sometimes also stuffed with meat, fish and cheese.

However, its signature triangular shape and flaky pastry haven’t changed one bit!

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4 Pull dough around filling; pinch seams to seal.

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When a chocolate craving strikes, chances are an ordinary candy bar just won’t cut it. That’s why we’ve created these three indulgent desserts to suit any mood. Pick the intensity you’re after—white, milk or semisweet chocolate—then enjoy every blissful bite.

BY JENNIFER BARTOLI & THE TEST KITCHEN

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7 | C A N A D I A N L I V I N G .C O M

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Chocolate Chai Cupcakes p. 94

PHOTOGRAPHY, ANGUS FERGUSSON. FOOD STYLING, MICHAEL ELLIOTT/JUDYINC.COM. PROP STYLING, CATHERINE DOHERTY

Cardamom, ginger and cloves add a warm chai flavour to these superchocolaty cupcakes.

The potency of aromatic spices decreases over time; for maximum flavour, store them in a cool, dark place, away from light and humidity, and discard old spices every six months.

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Milk chocolate chunks inside the cake and an ooey-gooey glaze over top deliver a double dose of cocoa.

Milk Chocolate and Almond Bundt Cake p. 94 Let the glaze cool slightly before pouring it over top of the cake; it will give you the perfect consistency for achieving a pretty melted effect down the side of the Bundt.

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7 | C A N A D I A N L I V I N G .C O M

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White Chocolate Cream Pie p. 94 Always prep your ingredients before getting started on a recipe. Here, chop the white chocolate for the custard before you heat the milk; that way, you can stir in the chocolate immediately, while the custard mixture is still hot, ensuring that the chocolate melts smoothly.

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C A N A D I A N L I V I N G .C O M | F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7

C H O C O L AT E C H A I CUPCAKES Hands-on time: 35 minutes Total time: 1¾ hours Makes: 24 cupcakes Cupcakes: 3 cups all-purpose flour 2 cups granulated sugar ⅔ cup cocoa powder, sifted 2 tsp each baking soda and cinnamon 1½ tsp ground cardamom ½ tsp each ground ginger and salt pinch ground cloves 1 cup vegetable oil 2 tsp vanilla 3 tbsp cider vinegar Chocolate Icing: 1 cup unsalted butter, softened ⅓ cup whipping cream (35%) 2 tsp vanilla 2¾ cups icing sugar 1 tbsp cocoa powder, sifted ¼ tsp cinnamon pinch each ground cardamom, ground ginger, ground cloves and salt 100 g semisweet chocolate (about 3½ oz), melted and cooled Chocolate Drizzle: 75 g semisweet chocolate (about 2⅓ oz), melted and cooled Cupcakes: In large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, salt and cloves; whisk in oil, vanilla and 2 cups water. Stir in vinegar.

Divide batter among 2 paperlined 12-count muffin pans.

Bake in 350°F oven, 1 pan at a time, until cake tester inserted in centres comes out clean, 18 to 20 minutes. Transfer cupcakes to rack to cool completely.

Chocolate Icing: While

cupcakes are cooling, in large bowl, beat butter until light

and fluffy; beat in cream and vanilla. In separate bowl, whisk together icing sugar, cocoa powder, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves and salt; beat into butter mixture until smooth.

Beat in chocolate, scraping down side of bowl, until fluffy and well combined, about 2 minutes.

Using piping bag fitted with large plain tip, pipe icing onto cupcakes.

Chocolate Drizzle: Drizzle

chocolate over icing.

PER CUPCAKE: about 376 cal, 3 g pro, 21 g total fat (8 g sat. fat), 48 g carb (2 g dietary fibre, 34 g sugar), 25 mg chol, 158 mg sodium, 118 mg potassium. % RDI: 1% calcium, 11% iron, 8% vit A, 11% folate.

M I L K C H O C O L AT E AND ALMOND BUNDT CAKE Hands-on time: 25 minutes Total time: 2¾ hours Makes: 12 servings Cake: ½ cup ¾ cup 2 1 tbsp ¾ tsp 1½ cups ½ cup 1½ tsp 1 tsp ¼ tsp 1¼ cups 100 g

butter, softened granulated sugar eggs grated orange zest almond extract all-purpose flour ground almonds baking powder baking soda salt sour cream good-quality milk chocolate (about 3½ oz), chopped

Milk Chocolate Glaze: 170 g good-quality milk chocolate (about 6 oz), chopped ⅓ cup whipping cream (35%) Garnish: 3 tbsp sliced natural (skin-on) almonds, toasted Cake: In large bowl, beat butter

with sugar until fluffy; beat in

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eggs, 1 at a time. Beat in orange zest and almond extract. In separate bowl, whisk together flour, almonds, baking powder, baking soda and salt; stir into butter mixture, alternating with sour cream, making 2 additions of flour mixture and 1 of sour cream. Fold in chocolate.

Scrape into greased 10-cup Bundt pan, smoothing top.

Bake in 325°F oven until cake tester inserted in centre comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes. Invert onto rack; let cool completely.

Milk Chocolate Glaze: While

cake is cooling, in heatproof bowl set over saucepan of gently simmering (not boiling) water, heat chocolate and cream, stirring, until melted and smooth, about 5 minutes. Let cool until lukewarm and sauce slowly runs off back of spoon, about 15 minutes. Spoon over top of cake.

Garnish: Sprinkle with

almonds. Let stand until glaze is set, about 15 minutes.

PER SERVING: about 415 cal, 8 g pro, 26 g total fat (14 g sat. fat), 40 g carb (1 g dietary fibre, 26 g sugar), 73 mg chol, 302 mg sodium, 195 mg potassium. % RDI: 13% calcium, 9% iron, 13% vit A, 2% vit C, 15% folate.

W H I T E C H O C O L AT E CREAM PIE Hands-on time: 50 minutes Total time: 6½ hours Makes: 8 servings Crust: 1½ cups ½ cup

chocolate wafer crumbs butter, melted

White Chocolate Custard: 4 egg yolks 2¼ cups milk ⅓ cup granulated sugar ⅓ cup cornstarch

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75 g

Topping: ⅔ cup 1 tsp ⅛ tsp 60 g

good-quality white chocolate (about 2⅓ oz), chopped whipping cream (35%) vanilla granulated sugar good-quality white chocolate (about 2 oz), shaved

Crust: In large bowl, mix wafer

crumbs with butter until moistened. Press into bottom and up side of 9-inch pie plate.

Bake in 325°F oven until firm and dry, about 12 minutes. Let cool completely.

White Chocolate Custard:

Meanwhile, in bowl, whisk together egg yolks, 1 cup of the milk, the sugar and cornstarch.

In heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat remaining milk over medium heat just until bubbles form around edge; gradually whisk into egg yolk mixture.

Return to pan; cook, whisking, until thick enough to mound on spoon, about 7 minutes.

Strain through fine-mesh sieve into clean bowl; stir in chocolate until melted, about 1 minute. Place plastic wrap directly on surface. Refrigerate until chilled, about 3 hours.

(Make-ahead: Refrigerate for up to 24 hours.)

Scrape custard into crust, smoothing top. Refrigerate until custard is set, about 3 hours.

Topping: Beat together cream,

vanilla and sugar until stiff peaks form; spoon over top of filling. Sprinkle with chocolate.

PER SERVING: about 475 cal, 6 g pro, 32 g total fat (18 g sat. fat), 43 g carb (1 g dietary fibre, 30 g sugar), 160 mg chol, 258 mg sodium, 173 mg potassium. % RDI: 15% calcium, 11% iron, 27% vit A, 8% folate.

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T E ST K I T C H E N T R AV E L S

sweet spots

PHOTOGRAPHY, MAUDE CHAUVIN (CHOCOLATE ACADEMY CENTER); DAVID WILE (PORTRAIT)

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Gastronomes have long considered Montreal one of the most exciting culinary destinations in Canada.

It’s ridiculously easy to eat your way through the city, sampling the best bagels, smoked meats, poutine, artisanal cheeses and, due to its strong culinary ties to Europe, decadent chocolate treats. If you’re the type to choose dessert over dinner, take note of these must-visit picks—you’ll thank us later.

1 C h o c o l at s A n d r é e This beloved family-owned workshop and boutique first opened its doors in 1940. The timing was risky; the Second World War was underway, and the boutique’s founders, sisters Madeleine Daigneault and Juliette Farand, depended on their clients for the sugar they needed to create their sweet masterpieces. But Daigneault and Farand were savvy, and the company prospered. Today, Daigneault’s granddaughter, Stéphanie Saint-Denis, is the

proud owner and operator, and she still maintains the sisters’ commitment to traditional methods of chocolate-making. You won’t find any conventional heavy machinery there; everything is prepared on-site in a tiny kitchen and workshop, where the chocolates are all expertly dipped by hand. You can also pick up nougats, caramels and beautifully shaped marzipan to satisfy any sweet craving.

Chocolats Andrée, 5328 Park Ave., chocolatsandree.com.

Inspired by this month’s desserts feature, Canadian Living’s executive Food editor, Irene Fong, found three delicious chocolate destinations in Montreal that are well worth the trip.

3 C h o c o l at s P r i v i l è g e

2 C a c a o B a rr y a n d C a l l e b a u t C h o c o l at e Ac a d e my C e n t e r Get a hands-on lesson—and a sneak peek into the world of chocolate-making—at the Montreal location of the Chocolate Academy Center, founded on more than a century of chocolate-crafting tradition, with centres across Europe, Asia and the Americas. Pros can sign up for courses, which teach the skills needed to craft such confections as trendsetting treats, and even techniquespecific master classes. The general public can enrol in pre-Easter and pre-Christmas classes to learn how to make holiday treats. Cacao Barry and Callebaut Chocolate Academy Center, 4850 rue Molson, chocolate-academy.com.

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Of this chocolate boutique’s six locations across Quebec, the Atwater Market outpost, which offers the charm of a small-scale chocolatier in the big city, is our favourite. Stop in to sample its unique truffle offerings, such as basilic et citron vert (basil and lime) and noix de coco et coriandre (coconut and coriander), and don’t forget to pick up its can’tmiss product: a “bean-to-bar” chocolate. Most chocolatiers invent delicious sweet treats but don’t produce their own chocolate. Chocolats Privilège’s beanto-bar chocolate, on the other hand, is prepared in-house, with every step—right down to importing, roasting and grinding the best cocoa beans—handled by the staff. Chocolats Privilège, Atwater Market, 138 Atwater Ave., chocolatsprivilege.com.

C A N A D I A N L I V I N G .C O M | F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7

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RECIPE INDEX

February 2017 BEEF & PORK 89

Pistachio, Pecan and Bacon Brittle

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Pork and Chili Pepper Bowls

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Lemony Ravioli With Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Sauce

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POULTRY

Rib Eye Steak With Gorgonzola

Skillet Mediterranean Chicken

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SEAFOOD CANDIES & DESSERTS Chocolate Chai Cupcakes

WE’RE AT YOUR SERVICE:

PASTAS

Piroshki

94

Lobster Bánh Mì

79

Spicy Peanut Shrimp and Noodles

77

Chocolate Peanut Butter Whoopie Pies

83

Milk Chocolate and Almond Bundt Cake

94

Pistachio, Pecan and Bacon Brittle

98

White Chocolate Cream Pie

94

CUSTARDS & ICINGS Chocolate Icing

94

Milk Chocolate Glaze

94

White Chocolate Custard

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Candied Chilies

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F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7 | C A N A D I A N L I V I N G .C O M

= Nut-Free = Vegetarian

Certain packaged ingredients may contain allergens. Please read food labels carefully for hidden sources of gluten, dairy and nuts.

OILS & TOPPINGS Sesame Garlic Chili Oil

= Gluten-Free = Dairy-Free

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR RECIPES’ NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION, GO TO canadianliving.com/

nutritioninfo.

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PHOTOGRAPHY, RYAN SZULC (PASTA); STOCKSY UNITED (WOMAN); RONALD TSANG (CHOCOLATE); JEFF COULSON (SALAD)

Christy lives in Ontario.

She recently came across the natural remedy Melissa Dream™, which relieved her long time battle with sleepless nights.

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he past few years I’ve had trouble getting a complete nights sleep. I fall asleep but wake up a few hours later and just lay there. It was draining and all I wanted was to sleep through the night.

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Chocolate Dreams

Let’s Do Lunch

Check out the health benefits of chocolate. Your fave sweet treat can improve your mood, your mind and more.

Just in time for resolution season, these 10 hearty, healthy salads will help you strengthen your midday-meal game.

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extracts can be used to calm your mind and body. It has been documented, that within 30 minutes of taking the ingredients in these tablets, you feel a deep relaxation that relieves stress and gently makes you feel sleepy. There are no side effects, no waking up drowsy no dependency. It is simply nature, doing its work.

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SWEET ENDINGS

OVER THE TOP! Traditional peanut brittle gets reimagined in this savoury take on the crispy candy, which features salty pistachios, buttery pecans and, best of all, smoky bacon!

BY JENNIFER DANTER & THE TEST KITCHEN

Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper; lightly grease parchment paper. Set aside. In large heavybottomed saucepan, cook 3 cups granulated sugar and ¾ cup each light-colour corn syrup and water over medium heat, stirring, just until sugar is dissolved; bring to boil. Boil, without stirring but brushing down side of pan with pastry brush dipped in cold water, until candy thermometer reads 234°F or 1 tsp mixture dropped in cold water forms soft pliable ball, about 10 minutes. Stir in 3 tbsp unsalted butter and ¼ tsp kosher salt; boil, without stirring but brushing down side of pan with

pastry brush dipped in cold water, until candy thermometer reads 300°F or 1 tsp mixture dropped in cold water forms hard brittle threads, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Immediately stir in 1 cup each coarsely chopped salted pistachios and pecans, ½ cup cooked chopped bacon and ¾ tsp baking soda until combined. Using greased offset palette knife, spread onto prepared pan in thin even layer. Let cool completely in pan.

Break into 2-inch shards. (Make-ahead: Layer between waxed paper in airtight container; store in cool dark place for up to 1 week.)

TESTED TILL PERFECT

PHOTOGRAPHY, JODI PUDGE. FOOD STYLING, MICHAEL ELLIOTT/JUDYINC.COM. PROP STYLING, LAURA BRANSON

P I S TAC H I O , PECAN AND BACON BRITTLE

Makes about 30 pieces.

PER PIECE: about 169 cal, 2 g pro, 7 g total fat (2 g sat. fat), 30 g carb (1 g dietary fibre, 27 g sugar), 5 mg chol, 103 mg sodium, 67 mg potassium. % RDI: 1% calcium, 2% iron, 1% vit A, 1% folate.

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7 | C A N A D I A N L I V I N G .C O M

The candy hardens quickly as it cools, so prep your baking sheet ahead of time.

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THIS TEENY, TINY CUP WILL PUT DOWN YOUR BIG, BAD COUGH FOR A LONG, LONG TIME.* DAYQUIL COUGH. FOR LONG-LASTING COUGH RELIEF. *For up to 8 hours. To ensure this product is right for you always read and follow the label.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children. © Procter & Gamble, Inc., 2017

HELPS TO TEMPORARILY SUPPRESS APPETITE WHEN TAKEN PRIOR TO A MEAL.

Crush Cravings To ensure this product is right for you, always read and follow the label © Procter & Gamble, Inc. 2016