FamilyLife - May 2016

4 Delicious Food Trucks

Inside Roncevalles home

Multicultural Faces

FamilyLife

STREET EATS

May 2016

May Contents

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59

ADVICE

ORGANIZE

FOOD

ON THE COVER

13 Five Tips for Choosing a Pediatrician

35 Peek inside a charming heritage house in trendy Roncesvalles

73 Street Eats

Photography by Roberto Caruso

19 Eating Out with Kids... And Enjoying It 23 Bye-Bye Crib, Hello Bed! 27 ABCs of Wrapping Up the School Year

FEATURES 59 Photographing the multicultural faces of Toronto

IN EVERY ISSUE 10 Editor's Letter 82 Last Look

67 If you enjoy flooding Instagram with food photos, read these rules

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FamilyLife EDITOR IN-CHIEF Pamela Hayford CREATIVE DIRECTOR Brendan Fisher MANAGING EDITOR Day Helesic FOOD DIRECTOR Annabelle Waugh FASHION & BEAUTY DIRECTOR Julia McEwen HOME & GARDEN DIRECTOR Sarah Gunn TEST KITCHEN SENIOR FOOD SPECIALIST Irene Fong FOOD SPECIALISTS Amanda Barnier, Jennifer Bartoli, Gilean Watts INTERN Rebecca Fallowield ART DEPUTY ART DIRECTOR Lena Diaz ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR Sarah Big Canoe CONTRIBUTING ART DIRECTOR Leanne Gilbert PRODUCTION SPECIALIST Genevieve Pizzale EDITORIAL SENIOR FEATURES EDITOR Megan Howard FEATURES EDITOR Mary Levitski COPY EDITORS Debbie Madsen Villamere, Stephanie Zolis EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Marianne Davidson, Sarah Dziedzic HOME & GARDEN HOME & STYLE DIRECTOR Ann Marie Favot DESIGN EDITOR Morgan Lindsay ADVERTISING SALES, TORONTO GENERAL SALES MANAGER, CONSUMER PUBLICATIONS Kelly Whitelock SENIOR SOLUTIONS DIRECTOR, DIGITAL Myra Thompson NATIONAL SALES DIRECTORS Andrea McBride, Anna Vecera Marto ADVERTISING COORDINATION MANAGER Janice Clarke NATIONAL SALES REPRESENTATIVES Paul Cummins, Daciano da Ponte, Jillian Dann-Macerollo (Team Lead), Cathy Ellis, Gary Forshaw, Kathleen Irish, Joanne Landry, Delainie Marin, Lennie Morton, Erin Suckling, Vanessa Watson, Lindsay Weir (on leave) DIGITAL NATIONAL SALES REPRESENTATIVES Crystal Falls, Akta Sharma, Alex Vaccher SALES ASSOCIATE Patricia Mixemong

Family Life ‐ May 2016

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Editor's Letter

More of a kind I wrote a few years back that May has become the new December, and this year, is that ever true in the Sarver home! With teacher appreciation week to start the month, a long-awaited anniversary trip to conclude the month and the end of the school year and a graduation in between—my head is spinning!

Then throw in Mother’s Day, a couple of birthdays and everyday life just to round out the craziness.

How about you? Does the thought of busy days in May make your head spin?

When kids come home with all that stuff that’s been in their desks or lockers, go through it all right away.

Save any supplies that can be reused for next year, stick a few items in their memory boxes and get rid of the rest. My girls aren’t in the door five minutes before I’m going through the mountain of junk!

Let’s not allow the busyness to get in the way of remembering that important day in May when we pause to focus on moms! My husband gave me a card recently that read, “A beautiful family, a comfortable home and a wonderful woman at the heart of it all.” That sums up perfectly a mom’s role: She is the heart of the home. Be sure to tell your mom how much she means to you, and be sure to enjoy being spoiled on your special day, moms!

Happy Mother’s Day, end of school and all things in between!

Pamela Hayford Editor In-Chief

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May 2016 - Family Life

Advice

Five Tips for Choosing a Pediatrician

By SARAH LYONS

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Advice After your baby is born, you will visit the pediatrician often.

In the first year, your baby will have seven well visits.

Studies show that first-time parents may visit their child’s pediatrician up to 16 times before Baby’s first birthday.

(FitPregnancy.com) Because your child’s doctor plays such an important role in his life, you will want to find a pediatrician that is a good fit for the whole family. Finding the right pediatrician can be a challenge, so here are some tips to get you started on your search: Start with recommendations.

First-time parents or families that have just relocated can find it is hard to know where to begin their search for a pediatrician. “I asked other moms for recommendations.

It’s a great way to see what names came up repeatedly,” says Jill Miller, Cedar Rapids, IA, mom.

Stacy Cook, local nurse and mom of three, suggests asking your OB/GYN for a recommendation. “I figured if they were good enough for my doctor’s kids, then they were good enough for mine,” she says. Some parents, like Nathan and Wendy Hladky of Overland Park, chose the same primary care doctor for the whole family. “All four of us use the same doctor. It is super convenient,” says Nathan.

Another great way to narrow your search in a new area is to call the local NICU and ask the nurses who they would recommend. “The nurses are more likely to give unbiased feedback,” says Rodganna Avery, mom of three.

Cover the basics.

First, you must compare your list of candidates with your insurance policy. “I look to see what providers are in our network, then start looking for reviews of those doctors online,” Stephanie Beaudry, Texas mom of two, says. “I was able to find a doctor that was better than we ever expected.”

Next, consider the basic office information that can be found online or with a quick phone call. What are the office hours? Do they have walk-in hours? Will the doctor visit the hospital where you will deliver your baby? To what hospital would your child be admitted if necessary? Is the office location convenient to your home, work, school and daycare? Take these things into consideration as you narrow down your list.

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Visit the office.

To find out whether you feel comfortable in the pediatrician's office, you will have to take a tour. Call the office and ask whether they have times set up for potential patients to come and visit the office or if you would need to make an appointment and ask if you can interview the doctor at the same time. Remember to ask if there is a charge for visiting. Verify with your insurance company whether they will cover the cost or whether you will be responsible for the fees.

When visiting the office, be aware of what the overall environment feels like. Take note of whether the office staff is courteous, polite and willing to help. Is the office clean and inviting? Was parking convenient? Do they have separate sick and well waiting areas? Take all of these things into consideration in your decision. If you plan to visit more than one office, be sure to take notes for later review.

Ask some questions.

After you have decided that the office environment is a good fit, you will need to interview the pediatrician. Lenexa pharmacists Darcy and Phil King say, “After collecting recommendations, we scoured their websites, set up appointments and interviewed them. After the visits, it was very clear which was a good fit.”

Start by asking how sick appointments work. How long would it take for a sick child to be seen? Is there a good chance the child will be seen by his own doctor? Do you have similar views on health and wellness such as circumcision, breastfeeding and immunizations? Also keep in mind what your own preferences are. BabyCenter.com prompts, “Do you want a doctor who offers choices and lets you decide which one works best for you? Or would you be more comfortable with one who gives a lot of directions?” Overall, does the doctor seem genuinely interested in your child or does he seem distracted or rushed? Take your overall impression into account when making your decision.

Advice Evaluate bedside manner.

How the doctor interacts with your child will have a lot of impact on the decision to choose a pediatrician. Do you feel comfortable around the doctor? Does your child? Is the physician willing to take the time to listen to your questions and concerns? A good bedside manner can go a long way toward making you and your child feel comfortable.

Finding the right pediatrician can be overwhelming, but realize your decision does not have to be permanent. “It’s important to recognize you are not stuck with your decision. You see your pediatrician a lot in those first months and if there is something really bothering you, it’s okay to switch,” says Olathe mom Becky Baldridge. The parents’ goal is the same as the pediatrician’s: a happy and healthy child. When you find a doctor who is a good fit for your family, you can all work together to reach this goal.

When is it time to find a new pediatrician?

If your child cries the whole time, that alone is not cause to switch. However, if the doctor doesn’t seem to care or make an effort to soothe your child, you may have a problem.

If you’re unclear why a certain medication is prescribed or why a test is done.

If you can’t come to an agreement, or at least a middle ground, on most issues.

If the location and hours no longer work for your family.

If the doctor often seems inaccessible when your child is sick.

If the doctor is making you feel bad or consistently reproaching you for parenting choices.

If you feel the doctor is not listening to your concerns.

Before switching, discuss your concerns with the doctor. If a compromise cannot be made, it’s time to look elsewhere.

Your child’s health is top priority.

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Advice

Eating Out with Kids... And Enjoying It

By KRISTINA LIGHT

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Advice We all dream of perfect little cherubs dining politely while seated at beautiful tables with white linens and candles, but reality is often far from it. Being equipped when eating out with children can help to create a fun and memorable family night.

Timing is everything! We often decide to eat out after we've had a long and tiring day, forgetting that the children have ALSO had a long and tiring day. In my home at least, that means cranky and irritable children. If possible, eat out if the children are well rested and in good humor before you get to the restaurant (crowded restaurants seldom calm or cheer cranky kids). Also, try to time it so the children are eating at "their usual time" or as close as possible.

Simplify your experience before and after you eat. Pack just what you need in your diaper bag or purse and be sure to bring what you need. I'm not sure who invented hand sanitizer or sanitizing wipes, but I am one grateful mom!

Taking three preschoolers to the restroom for handwashing can quickly turn into a soapy, slippery scene.

Keep hand sanitizer or wipes handy in your purse and voila!

You have a headache-free way to prepare your children for dinner.

After you're served, request the check and pay before you're finished. If your children become fidgety at the end of the meal, you can make a fast exit without having to wait for receipts.

Bring your own "Restaurant Survival Kit." It is a good idea to have a few tricks up your sleeve for bored, hungry, anxious kids. Restaurant crayons and paper (if provided) aren't always enough to occupy the attention of young children.

Choose a few of these items to entertain and occupy the kids while they wait.

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Books: I Spy Books and Look and Find Books are excellent for restaurants, and they come in small paperback versions for easy toting. Parents aren’t required to read a story, and children spend a long time looking for objects on each page. Bonus points for educational value: I Spy is excellent mental exercise!

Other good choices are comic books or paperbacks for young self-readers, and touch-and-feel board books for toddlers.

Drawing and design: The Magna Doodle is my favorite restaurant/ travel/car/ waiting room toy of all time.

Children love to draw and they can create for hours with the Magna Doodle. Best of all, the stylus is attached with a cord so they don’t lose it, and it doesn’t melt (like crayons in the car on a hot day), need sharpening or break! Children can draw pictures, play games like Hang Man and Tic Tac Toe or write poems and stories with this quiet toy.

Card games: Flash cards can be great for drilling letters, numbers, states and shapes. My favorite of all for restaurants and travel are the Brain Quest series with age appropriate trivia and games on a series of cards all connected together with a brad, so you’re not scrambling under tables for dropped or lost cards!

Small toys: Kids meal toys, small dolls (with a bottle to feed baby), action figures, kaleidoscopes, magnifying glasses, prisms and stuffed to work well as quiet toys.

Word of caution with these: If your child likes to make Buzz Lightyear fly and zoom, or the baby doll has a tendency to “cry a lot,” you might opt to leave these items at home.

Make up games: The artwork and decorations in the restaurant or illustrated menus can provide many great things to find for your own custom I Spy game, and Twenty Questions is a great backup. We like to play Guess Who, a made up game where I list two or three attributes describing a familiar character and my girls try to guess who it is.

Advice

Bye-Bye Crib, Hello Bed!

By JULIE COLLETT

Family Life ‐ May 2016

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Advice It never occurred to me that when our son was 2 ½ we’d spontaneously be switching him to a big boy bed—it wasn’t even on my radar! We had no time to prepare, set it up, talk it through or build it up. In short, that transition was one of my hardest parenting moments, but for a lot of area moms, that isn’t the case.

The best time to make the transition from crib to bed is different for everyone and can vary from family to family and child to child. Some families transition as early as 15 months, while others wait until as late as 3 ½ years. One of the more obvious signs a child is ready to make the move is that he masters climbing out of the crib, making safety an issue. If your child begins asking about a big kid bed or shows signs of dislike toward his crib, it may be time to make the move as well. Another time parents often make this transition is with the upcoming birth of a sibling (because the crib is probably needed for the newborn)— but be careful as it could cause your toddler to resent the new baby.

“We didn’t push Charlotte to make the transition, but let her tell us when she wanted to. She noticed her older step-brother slept in a big kid bed and started asking for her own,” Olathe mom Emma says. “At 2 ½, we said goodbye to the crib, and then she helped us set up her new ‘big kid bed.’ Waiting until she is ready for transitions has been the best for us. Sometimes it’s hard to hold back when YOU think the child is ready, but we have found that waiting on her to be ready is easier on all of us.”

Sheetal, an Overland Park mom, had an easy transition for her almost 3 ½-year-old, but comments, “If they're happy in the crib and not trying to get out, no need to switch earlier just because others are.”

In talking with many moms about transitioning, the consensus is to wait as long as possible. However, if you decide to make the move, a few steps can help your little one to ease into things: Allow your child to pick out a bed or the bedding.

Make the night special when he sleeps in bed for the first time.

Find a book like Your Own Big Bed to share with your child.

“We kept all the same things he was used to sleeping with —his blanket, pillow and stuffed puppy—so I think he barely noticed the change,” Shawnee mom Kelli says.

While transitioning is really easy for many families, it may be a difficult and stressful experience. However, I am living proof that you will make it through and come out on the other side having aged only 10 years—only kidding…sort of!

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May 2016 - Family Life

Advice

The time is here! The school year is winding down, and kids, teachers and parents are preparing for months of summer fun! But the end of the school year can bring challenges as well: Are your kids overbooked this summer? Will they be bored?

Are they ready to graduate to the next grade level? Have you talked about how the school year went, now that it’s complete? Here’s an A-Z guide to help you and your children wrap up the school year and prepare for summer break.

By KAREN JOHNSON

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Advice

A

Accomplishments! Look back on all your child has achieved this year and celebrate the year’s successes.

D

Does your child know what to expect this summer? Do you have lots of activities booked?

Or more open playtime? Make sure she is on board with your calendar.

G

Good-byes can be hard.

Prepare for emotions and a bit of sadness as your child may have grown very attached to his teacher.

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B

C

Bucket list for summer. What do you want to do? See? Experience? Write it down and check items off as you go.

Childcare lined up for summer?

If this is a need for your family, now is the time to have it figured out.

E

F

Enrichment! Summer is the perfect time to delve into activities like drama, art and music.

H

Host an end-of-the-year celebration with close friends so your kids know they’ll maintain those friendships throughout the summer. Invite teachers too, but understand if they decline.

Final report card is received.

Have a discussion with your child. How does he feel about it?

I

IEPs/504s. Finalize transition plans and be prepared for what comes next.

Advice

J

Jump-start for next year. When does school start again? What do you need to do to register?

M

Medications should be brought home from the school nurse.

P

Presents for teachers—thank them for their hard work!

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K

Keep them focused on schoolwork until the last day— you’re not there yet, kids!

N

Neighborhood book clubs or writing clubs are great ways to keep the brain working and foster friendships over the summer.

Q

Questions to ask: Is your child on track for success next year?

If not, what does she need to work on over the summer?

L

Library books still lying around the house? Return them!

O

Opportunities over summer.

Think about how you can be active, work on citizenship and volunteer.

R

Read! Read! Read! Public libraries offer many excellent reading initiatives that take place all summer long.

Advice

S

Summer camps booked? If not, better get on it! Time’s a ticking!

V

Volunteer to help teachers and staff wrap up. Clean, organize, recycle, make lists for supplies needed.

Y

Yearbooks received. Grab some signatures!

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T

Take home personal items/special projects from school.

W

Write the teacher a letter saying thank you and share a favorite memory. Kids and parents can both write to the teacher, telling her what the school year has meant for them.

Z

Zzzzzs—It’s not summer yet!

Make sure your kids rest as the school year winds down. It might be tempting to play outside until a later hour, but that’s what summer is for!

U

Understand what this time means for your child. Let him exert a bit of independence as he feels bigger now that he’s the next grade level up.

X

X marks the spot! Take a picture of your child in the exact spot you took his firstday-of-school picture!

Compare and see how much he has grown!

Organize Peek inside a charming heritage house in trendy Roncesvalles A stunning contemporary addition transforms an old house into a vibrant, light-filled family home.

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Pride of place A dynamic globe-trotting couple, Pheona and Tim had their hearts set on this handsome 1930s heritage house in Toronto’s trendy Roncesvalles neighbourhood. “We’d been living just around the corner for three years and had always admired it,” says Pheona. Its handsome brick frontage, front portico, third-storey dormer and original wood paned windows exuded an English charm. The couple purchased it in 2011 and set about making it their own.

The three-bedroom house was in good shape, but the cramped kitchen and boxy floor plan weren’t conducive to modern entertaining.

Pheona and her husband, Tim, a filmmaker, added a two-level, 500-square-foot extension to the back of the house. Although they chose a contemporary look, the couple were careful to preserve the heritage home’s character. “We wanted to retain the beauty of the front portion of the home,” says Pheona. “We didn’t take the decision to knock down the wall between the kitchen and dining room lightly — but I love to cook and entertain and don’t want to be stuck behind a wall when friends are in the house.”

The couple’s wish list for the new addition included a bright main floor living room, a home office on the second floor and an additional bedroom. They spoiled themselves by using the entire third floor of the original house as their master bedroom, with an ensuite bathroom and spacious deck over the extension.

Tim collected bits and pieces of modern decor when he lived in New York and L.A., and Pheona added in furniture she sourced locally. The result is an interior that’s a lively fusion of their combined tastes, with an array of mismatched mid-century furniture, contemporary Italian lighting and personal treasures. Yet even with all of these international elements, there is something undeniably Canadian about the family’s style. “Travelling greatly influences our esthetic, but Canada represents home to us; it’s where our roots are.”

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Cozy nook Turn a corner into a reading nook with custom bookshelves. The fresh pop of apple green on a classic chair anchors the room and makes an inviting place to sit. “In the winter, I love to curl up here by the fire and read,” says Pheona.

Chair, Smash. Mirror, Mrs. Huizenga. Felt polar bear, Little 'm' Inventions. Table, Atomic.

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Add drama with a dark wall A striking army-green wall contrasts beautifully with the navy-blue sectional, layered-wood table and Beni Ourain rug. It also provides the perfect backdrop for Pheona’s eclectic collection of folk art and pottery (including a blue bowl made by Adam Silverman, a friend of the Beastie Boys).

Sectional, Quasi Modo. Coffee table, Pendant light, Magazin Flair, 416-537-6888. Paint, Artichoke, Benjamin Moore. Detailed velvet pillow, Mjolk.

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Go graphic An abstract acrylic painting by New York–based artist Stephan Jay Rayon is the focal point of the room.“I wanted the look and feel of the master bedroom to be simple and clutter free,” says Pheona, “so I opted for a custom-made oak bed with integrated storage.”

Pillow, Mjolk. Lights, Magazin Flair, 416-537-6888.

Bedding, Hollace Cluny. Architect, Paul Austerberry. Contractor, Canfield Contracting.

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Build shelves that double as decor Open shelves on the island are a perfect place to showcase cookbooks and crockery. “I like the airy look, and that guests are able to see where glasses are so they can help themselves,” says Pheona. An avid foodie, she swears by her sixburner Dacor range.

Range, Dacor. Faucet, Gingers. Light, Magazin Flair, 416-537-6888.

Easy storage Weck and Mason jars filled with cooking staples line the shelves around the range.

Tableware, Filipa Ceramics.

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Kids' corner A vintage Eames chair, chunky pottery lamp and wooden toys make a colourful vignette in a child’s room.

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A cozy spot A wood-burning fireplace and comfortable leather chair make the new addition a cozy place to hang out. The slate floors are ganged together with no grout.

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A cozy spot A wood-burning fireplace and comfortable leather chair make the new addition a cozy place to hang out. The slate floors are ganged together with no grout.

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Mood lighting Tom Dixon black punched-metal wall sconces cast a warm glow in the master ensuite.

Copper oil lamp and bowl, Mjolk.

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Outdoor lighting A collection of bottles corralled in a wood crate become perfect makeshift candleholders outside on the main deck.

Up above The top deck, off the master bedroom, provides a private place to lounge among the treetops. An open-weave sofa and canvas butterfly chair covered with a fur throw complete the look.

Reindeer pelt, Mjolk.

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“It’s the time that you spent on your rose that makes your rose so important…People have forgotten this truth, but you mustn’t forget it. You become responsible forever for what you’ve tamed. You’re responsible for your rose.”

– Antoine de Saint-Exupery

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Photographing the multicultural faces of Toronto In this series called Cosmopolis Toronto, Colin Boyd Shafer takes photos of Torontonians and shares their stories.

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Colin Boyd Shafer has set out to photograph one person from every country in the world who’s now living in Toronto. In this series called Cosmopolis Toronto, Shafer photographs his subjects in the part of the city where they feel most comfortable. Each image is accompanied by the person’s story. Andrea, above, arrived from Venezuela, where the political, social and financial situation was getting worse and she couldn’t see a future for her children. She says Toronto has made her feel safe and as though she’s lived here for years. “This project is for all Torontonians and all Canadians,” Shafer says. “I want to celebrate the fact that people from so many different places are living here, together.” Discover more images and stories at cosmopolistoronto.com.

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If you enjoy flooding Instagram with food photos, read these rules Thou shalt not let your dinner get cold in the name of likes.

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Do you consider Instagramming food pics obnoxious or obligatory? According to a recent Google report, nearly a third of Canadians are in the habit of photographing their meals, a divisive Internet practice that shows no signs of slowing.

Unsurprisingly, our smartphones play an outsized role in the Age of Food Porn: We breathlessly scroll through restaurant reviews, watch recipe how-to videos, and religiously document our every meal. But when it comes to actually posting your spread, filters and hashtags shouldn’t be your only consideration. For the 28 per cent of Canucks who insist that no one (no one!) touch their food before they get a snap of it, here are a few guidelines to ensure maximum etiquette-based enjoyment for you and, by extension, minimal annoyance for your dinner dates.

1. Never let warm food or beverages get cold in the name of a perfect shot. Take one quick snap — not 10 — and save the filtering and posting for later. (Like, once you’ve digested.)

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2. Do not leave your seat under any circumstances. Unless you are an avid food blogger who’s feeling mega proud of your homemade pie — which obviously merits a complicated overhead shot, that is. Standing on chairs or crouching down to table level is not becoming of an adult diner.

3. Try not to undermine professional food photographers.

Sure, social media has blessed us with life-saving filters, but not everyone is a pro. Food photography is a legitimate and challenging business, which requires a lot of talent and training. Your perfectly snapped avocado toast does not.

4. Your photos should not be used to score freebies. It’s nice to credit a restaurant’s culinary prowess with a tag or two, but that doesn’t entitle you to compensation (read: treats). Order what you really want, take a photo out of genuine appreciation, and then enjoy your meal for the sake of it.

5. Stay present. Worrying about photographing your food, your friend’s food, and the food of the guy at the next table is not a good look. Dining out should be a special experience, whether it’s a quick bite or a seven-course event, so focus on making a beautiful memory in the moment rather than reminiscing over leftovers.

May 2016 - Family Life ADVERTISEMENT

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Food Fast Food Crave

Four best-ever recipes from Canadian food trucks Photo, Roberto Caruso

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STREET EATS

Food trucks are all the rage in cities around the world — and Canadian chefs are leading the trend. We've triple-tested some of the hottest menu items from coast to coast.

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Food

Alley Burger, Calgary Who's behind the truck: The folks who run the city's best steakhouse, Charcut Roast House — no one knows beef better!

Why we love it: A towering burger that's stacked with all of our favourite toppings (and a few more to boot!).

Alley Burger's The Whole Truck burger PREP TIME:15 MINS TOTAL TIME:20 MINS 8 slices bacon , cut in half crosswise 500 g lean ground beef , preferably Angus chuck 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp pepper 2 tsp vegetable oil 4 eggs 1 cup cheese curds 4 leaves lettuce 4 sesame burger buns 8 slices tomato 8 slices red onion 12 slices dill pickle 20 slices jalapeno

1. Stir mayonnaise with piri piri sauce in a small bowl. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

2. Heat a cast iron grill pan over medium-high. Lay bacon on grill and cook until crisp, flipping halfway through, about 3 min. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate. Discard oil in pan.

3. Mix beef with salt and pepper and shape into 4 patties. Add to hot grill pan and cook 5 min. Flip burgers and cook 2 min. Top with cheese curds and cook 3 more min. Remove pan from heat and set aside.

4. Heat a large non-stick pan over medium-high. Add oil, then crack eggs into the pan. Cover, and cook until set, but yolks are still runny, about 2 min.

5. Assemble burgers by laying a lettuce leaf on the bottom half of each bun.

Transfer burgers to buns. Top each burger with bacon, 2 slices each tomato and onion, pickles, a fried egg and jalapeno slices. Drizzle with aioli and sandwich with top bun.

Serve immediately.

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Food

Vij's Railway Express, Vancouver Who's behind the truck: Vikram Vij and his wife Meehru, the city's spice masters, who own several restaurants. Vij is known for everything from spicy lamb kebabs to hearty vegetable curries.

Why we love it: Rich, medium-spicy curry so well rounded and delicious we could eat it every day.

Vij's Railway Express Goan halibut coconut curry PREP TIME:15 MINS TOTAL TIME:30 MINS 1 tbsp canola oil 454 g halibut , skin removed, sliced (with the grain) 1/2 in. thick 1/2 tsp salt 1 onion , finely chopped 2 serrano chilies , seeded and thinly sliced 1 tsp cumin seeds 1 tsp garam masala 1 tsp ground coriander 1 tomato , chopped 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar 6 or 7 fresh curry leaves 1 1/4 cups coconut milk 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

1. Heat a large non-stick frying pan over medium-high. Add 2 tsp oil.

Season halibut with 1/4 tsp salt and cook until golden, 2 min per side.

Transfer to plate.

2. Add remaining 1 tsp oil and onion to pan. Cook until golden, about 2 min.

Add peppers and spices. Stir until onion is well coated. Add tomato and stir often until almost soft, 2 min. Add vinegar, curry leaves and coconut milk. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally until sauce thickens, about 5 min. Season with remaining salt.

3. Return halibut and any juices to sauce and continue cooking until heated through, 2 more min. Garnish with cilantro and serve over rice.

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Food

Thunderin' Thelma, Toronto Who's behind the truck: Zane Caplansky's Jewish deli, Caplansky's. It's essential comfort food for downtown diners.

Why we love it: The ultimate deli on four wheels! Who wouldn't eat a sandwich endorsed personally by the chef?

Thunderin' Thelma's What Zane Eats sandwich PREP TIME:20 MINS TOTAL TIME:45 MINS 1 1/3 cups olive oil , or schmaltz (rendered chicken fat) 1 1/2 cups sliced onions 450 g chicken or beef liver , outer skin and veins removed 1/4 tsp salt 1 hard-boiled egg , peeled

1. Heat a large non-stick frying pan over medium. Add 2 tbsp oil, then sliced onions. Cook until starting to soften, about 3 min. Reduce heat to medium-low and stir occasionally until brown, 15 to 20 more min.

Transfer to a small bowl.

2. Add remaining 1/4 cup oil to pan and increase heat to medium. Season liver with salt and pepper and cook until still slightly pink in the centre, 2 to 3 min. Transfer to a food processor along with egg. Pulse until combined but still chunky. Scrape into a bowl and stir in reserved onions.

3. Wipe same frying pan with paper towel and return to heat over medium. Add salami and cook until warm, 1 min per side. Generously spread 4 slices of rye with chopped liver. Top each with 2 slices salami, then some red onion rounds. Drizzle with mustard. Sandwich with remaining bread and serve with pickles on the side.

Family Life ‐ May 2016

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Food

Tacofino, Tofino, British Columbia

Who's behind the truck: Kaeli Robinsong and her desire to bring Baja-style tacos and unique sweet treats to the West Coast. (Crunchy fresh toppings and tons of lime make Kaeli's tacos unforgettable.)

Why we love it: The tickle of mexican cayenne, which makes these delectable cookies especially addictive.

Tacofino's chocolate diablo cookies PREP TIME:15 MINS TOTAL TIME:40 MINS 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup cocoa powder , preferably Fry's 1 tsp baking soda 1/2 to 1 tsp cayenne pepper 1 tsp cinnamon 1 cup chocolate chips 2 eggs 1 cup brown sugar 1 cup granulated sugar 1/2 cup canola oil 3 tbsp grated fresh ginger , or ginger juice 1 tbsp vanilla 1 tsp kosher salt , or granulated sugar

1. Preheat oven to 375F. Lightly spray 2 baking sheets with oil.

2. Sift flour with cocoa powder, baking soda, cayenne and cinnamon in a large bowl. Stir in chocolate chips.

3. Whisk eggs in a medium bowl. Whisk in both sugars, oil, ginger juice and vanilla. Stir into flour mixture until combined.

4. Using a 1/4 cup measure, scoop 6 portions of dough onto each baking sheet. Flatten cookies slightly with the bottom of the measuring cup.

Sprinkle dough with salt or sugar.

5. Bake 1 pan at a time in centre of oven until cookies start to crack, 11 to 13 min. They should still be fudgy in the middle. Cool on racks.

Family Life ‐ May 2016

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Last Look

Movies

The Angry Birds Movie May 20 Red (Jason Sudeikis) is an angry bird and an outcast from the others on Bird Island ever since he was a hatchling due to his short-temper and his huge, jet-black eyebrows. When it causes a premature hatching of another bird's egg, he is sentenced to anger management class, which is the highest penalty allowed on the island. Red's classmates Chuck (Josh Gad), who is hyperactive and can move at hypervelocity, and Bomb (Danny McBride), who can cause explosions with his anger and fear, try to befriend him, but he avoids them.

Courtesy of Columbia Pictures

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May 2016 - Family Life