VOLUME 1 ISSUE 13
WWW.THEMEDIAPLEX.COM
FRIDAY, APRIL 12 2019
News
News
Entertainment
Review
An art contest in Windsor wants sculptors to turn trash into treasure, Page 2.
Chimczuk Museum explores ancient Egyptian life, Page 3.
The low-down about Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, Page 6.
Are healthy meal kit subscription services worth the price? Page 8.
Josie Elysia and Emma Butler hosts of The Headline Challenge.
TRAVIS CONANT/MediaPlex Examiner
MediaPlex hosts annual Headline Challenge game show By Miranda Monahan MediaPlex Examiner
What is the game show where journalism, media convergence and public relations students at St. Clair College’s MediaPlex compete and answer questions about popular headlines? The answer is the MediaPlex Headline Challenge. The challenge was hosted on Tuesday, April 9 and aired in the place of MediaPlex News Now’s Tuesday night show on YourTV cable Channel 11. This year’s challenge was the sixth annual Headline Challenge members of the general
public were invited to come and participate as the live studio audience. The games consisted of three rounds. The first was about local news. The second covered national news and the third round tested knowledge about international news. Veronique Mandal, the coordinator of the college’s journalism and media convergence programs has been an instructor with the college for approximately 15 years and said getting the MediaPlex did not start off easy. “I think probably the biggest change in the entire program
was actually getting a building like the MediaPlex so that we could offer real world experience to our students,” said Mandal during the broadcast. “And then of course bringing in the media convergence graduate year so that our students can go through the two-year program and then get a very high level of polish coming into the graduate year and of course we take university graduates into that program as well.” Having a building like the MediaPlex with a fully functioning television studio has allowed the Headline Challenge to be produced.
Emma Butler is a second-year journalism student whose job during the broadcast was interviewing guests. “When you’re hosting and you are going to do an interview, you feel confident,” said Butler. “Then just before you are going to interview them you start getting those butterflies in your stomach.” The journalism and media convergence team were victorious, beating the public relations team 15-10. For more information on programs offered and what happens at the MediaPlex, visit the MediaPlex.com.
PAGE 2
WWW.THEMEDIAPLEX.COM
Missi Chenier, creator of Yoga for Caregivers YQG.
FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2019
KRISTIAN BEAUDOIN/MediaPlex Examiner
Yoga program helps caregivers deal with stress By Kristian Beaudoin Mediaplex Examiner
A Lakeshore woman is giving parents and caregivers of medically compromised children a way to deal with stress through yoga. Missi Chenier, 44, is a mother of two and the creator of Yoga for Caregivers YQG. Yoga for Caregivers YQG is a free yoga program that provides techniques to help deal with stress that comes from caring for children with critical medical conditions or mental disabilities. Chenier’s daughter Emma, 19, was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at seven months old and diabetes at 12 years old. Chenier works full-time and juggles taking care of Emma with work and the rest of her family. These factors caused
stress, anxiety and caused depression for Chenier so she turned to yoga to help. “It was through this practice that I learned how to be comfortable in my own skin, I learned how to be present in the situation and I learned how to breathe,” Chenier said. “So, when things go bad I’m still breathing, I’m still present, I don’t tune out and I don’t have that feeling that I need to get away from everything.” After experiencing how yoga helped her Chenier took classes to teach yoga to other people. Chenier said teaching other people is a way of paying back to everyone that has helped her and her family. “I knew that I wanted to share this with other people. There’s a real loneliness that comes
from having a child that’s sick and you see it in the hospital,” said Chenier. Chenier has gained support from other businesses and friends who believe in her goal. Rasha Ingratta is a broker from Mortgage Intelligence and a friend of Chenier. Ingratta sponsors Yoga for Caregivers YQG. Ingratta said that when asked by Chenier if Ingratta would support her Ingratta did so without hesitation. “I know there’s a need out there for people that need programs like this. I want to help Missi offer this program to the public so people can enjoy yoga at no cost. Missi loves to give and I thank her for the opportunity and I enjoy being part of this,” Ingratta said. With ways to deal with her
stress through yoga, Chenier wants to provide people who deal with similar situations she does a way to improve themselves without affecting them financially. Yoga for Caregivers YQG holds classes at the Blossoming Lotus Yoga studio in La Salle. “My stress is higher but my reaction to that stress is different. I’m not finding myself sick, I’m not finding myself calling in sick to work I’m not going through these periods of depression or anxiety,” said Chenier. “It’s made my marriage better. It’s made my relationship with my kids, my friends, my family, with myself better and that’s the only change I’ve made. I haven’t done anything different so it’s got to be the yoga.”
Revitalized sculpture contest turns trash into treasure
By Lauren O’Brien Mediaplex Examiner
Artists across Windsor-Essex have the opportunity to turn junk into art at the Walkerville Artist’s Co-op’s revitalized sculpture contest. The contest gives everyone in the community equal opportunities to participate, according to Suellen Evoy-Oozer, who is one of the five founding women of the Walkerville Artist Co-op. Evoy-Oozer said the entire coop idea is that everyone works together to cooperatively run the
gallery including the community. There’s a large variety of artists who use the gallery, from painters and photographers to sculpters and glass blowers. “The whole purpose of it is to encourage people to do something creative. And with sculpture there’s a lot of latitude there that they can recycle things and put them together in a unique way. It’s not much cost to them and also gives them a chance to try their creativity,” Evoy-Oozer said. Rod Scholey, a woodworker and stone carver, has been par-
ticipating in the contest since it began four years ago. He said the contest is a great way to show off your work. “Being here in an art gallery, people know more about it. There’s better critiques,” Scholey said, “There is a lot of people who come in this place. It’s vanity, you like to see people and what they think of your stuff,because that’s the only way to get it out. They’re not going to come to my house, I have to go to them.” Scholey’s carving won the first year he entered. He described it
as two opposing primitive faces, carved into a stone from the pond in his backyard. “See what other people are doing. If you feel like you have to do something like that I think that’s good. If you have it in you and you need to bring it out this is a good place to show it off,” said Scholey. Winners are chosen by a panel of judges as well as a people’s choice award encouraging people to visit the gallery and cast their ballot. The revitalized sculpture contest runs until April 14, 2019.
PAGE 3
WWW.THEMEDIAPLEX.COM
FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2019
Photo by Lauren O’Brien
EMMA BUTLER/MediaPlex Examiner The Girl Guides take a photo with the Evermore Princesses at the Extravaganza
Windsorites enjoy the Evermore Princess Extravaganza By Emma Butler Mediaplex Examiner
This June will mark the second anniversary of the business Evermore Princess Parties and they held a party to celebrate. More than 100 princess enthusiasts showed up to St. Clair College main campus on Saturday, April 6 to see their idols. The Evermore Princess Parties puts on charitable events, birthday parties, performances and private parties.
Girls and boys under age 10 were busy with temporary tattoos, nail painting and playing mini golf. There were more than 20 businesses present at the extravaganza and some that contributed in other ways. Boston Pizza and AM 800 CKLW donated gifts for door prizes and gift bags. Breannah Deschaine is the owner of Evermore Princess Parties and is a graduate of the music theatre program at St. Clair College. She started her business due to her love for theatre and putting smiles on
children’s faces. “There is nothing better than a child seeing their favourite princess,” said Deschaine. “And to be able to empower them and teach them to follow their dreams and how they are so special.” During the event many little princesses got to dance and sing along with the performances put on by the Evermore princess. Families were welcomed to join along in the games and sing along. The Richardson family joined the fun and arrived just in time to par-
ticipate in the activities. “We came out to see their favourite princess and to get out of the house,” said Ashley Richardson. “This brings people together and a great way to give back to your community.” The event lasted four hours. The participants were encouraged to take pictures with the princesses and princes before they left. Richardson said her daughters were pleased to see their favourite princesses. For them, the day ended with a happily ever after.
New exhibit at Chimczuk Museum explores ancient Egyptian life By Cassidy McNea Mediaplex Examiner
If you cannot bring a Windsorite to Egypt then bring a little bit of Egypt to a Windsorite. A new travelling exhibit called Egypt: Gift of the Nile is on display at Chimczuk Museum. The latest exhibition is borrowed from the Royal Ontario Museum and serves as a learning experience for people interested in ancient Egyptian history. It includes multiple displays featuring artifacts, pottery and a mummy. Topics the exhibits cover include personal adornment,
makeup and perfumes, family life, religion and the afterlife, among others. This is not the first time some people will see parts of this exhibit. In the past a portion was on display at the Baby House museum but due to space restrictions the entire exhibit could not be accommodated there. Craig Capacchione, the museum coordinator with exhibitions, said the museum is a great place to learn about local history and history outside of our borders such as ancient Egypt. “It’s a nice exhibit, we don’t have the artifacts for ourselves in
Windsor,” said Capacchione. “So it’s nice the citizens get to see this neat ancient history they’re not normally exposed to every day.” Also featured at the museum are permanent items about the history of the city of Windsor and its development. Every year more than 12 million visitors check out Ontario museums and $4.1 billion is spent on arts and culture tourists, according to Ontario Museum Association. Museums provide an important venue for discovery, conversation and understanding. Meghan Skyum is one of these visitors. She visited the
Chimczuk Museum for the first time for the Egypt exhibit. She said even with a history degree she learned something new about ancient Egyptian life. “I think everybody should study up specifically on their local history but, it’s also good to know a little bit about everything,” said Skyum. “You can pull so many parallels from the things you read and see on TV.” The exhibit will run from Feb. 2 to May 26, covering International Museum Day on May 18. Admission is $5.25 for adults and $4.25 for students, seniors and children.
PAGE 4
WWW.THEMEDIAPLEX.COM
FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2019
Fundraising for the downtown Windsor community By Joyce St. Antoine Mediaplex Examiner
The Downtown Windsor Community Collaborative hosted its Spring Fundraiser on Friday April 5. They had a silent auction and music played by the Coffee House Combo. The DWCC is a network of neighbours committed to the ongoing renewal of the downtown core. They organize activities that bring people together and advocate change for good. Artist Owen Swain presented his drawings as the table decorations which were also for sale. Tickets to the event were $65 each or $600 per table. Ticket sales, table auction and alcoholic beverage sales all contributed to the total. A representative from the DWCC said the goal is to always have people attend to enjoy themselves and to receive positive feedback. Over 340 guests attended. Sarah Cipkar is the community development coordinator for the DWCC and opened up the ceremony. “I was reflecting on how many people are here in this room tonight,” said Cipkar. “Some of you I know personally, whether you’re a long time friend or I’ve met you in the last few years.. And it actually made me a little bit emotional because I realize the significance of this event. It’s a fundraiser, but it’s also a celebration with all the work that
JOYCE ST. ANTOINE/MediaPlex Examiner Angelique Rodney, Sarah Cipkar and Cheryl Laporte, from left to right.
we’re doing.” The DWCC’s motto is “A good place to grow up, and a good place to grow old.” “The DWCC seeks to bring up the gifts and the talents and the people in the neighbourhood to mobilize for change,” said Cipkar. “It’s really important because if you don’t have buy in, if you don’t have relationships, if you don’t have trust with people, you’re never going to get anything done. So it’s very important for us to make sure that neighbours are on board and
that we’re accomplishing things with people, not for them.” Cipkar said that the DWCC has had a gala in the past which was about half the size. She said it is really encouraging to see the number of people that showed up. Rino Bortolin is the Ward 3 councillor and works hand in hand with the DWCC since being elected in 2014. “With the programs that we’re doing we actually engage with the residents more than any other organization out there,” said
Bortolin. “Probably 60, 70 per cent of the funds that you know fuel all our programming and our organization comes from private donors.” Bortolin said fundraisers like this one allows for programs to continue being funded. The total of how much they raised has not been reported, but the organization was pleased with the turnout.
Students raise money to improve education in Ghana By Kristian Beaudoin Mediaplex Examiner
Students of the event management program hosted a fundraiser to improve education in Jirapa, Ghana. In association with the Ciociaro Club and the Rotary Club of Windsor, students held a fundraiser called An Evening for Education on Sunday, April 7. The purpose was to raise money to support the Rotary Club District 6400 and their initiatives in Jirapa. The event consisted of a dinner, live music, a silent auction and a school supply drive. Dr. Godfrey Bacheyie, a Windsor doctor originally from Ghana was also a guest speaker for the dinner. Krista Lucier and Mahdah Mumtaz are the head coaches of the group of students who organized the fundraiser. With their interest in helping the Rotary Club of Windsor, they were
ing to Jirapa on May 6 for two weeks teaching teachers from six schools methods to help children speak and read. The teachers will also be provided with school supplies for the classroom such as books, paper and pencils. The leader of the initiative group going to Jirapa is Jeanne Knopf DeRoche. DeRoche said she is more than pleased with how the fundraiser turned out. DeRoche was thankful for the KRISTIAN BEAUDOIN/MediaPlex Examiner support given by the event planJeanne Knopf DeRoche, the leader of the initiative going to Jirapa attending the ning program. “I am not only thrilled to be fundraiser. here but thrilled with the enpaired to help lead the fundrais- $5,736 was raised for the ini- thusiasm. It is very unusual to er. tiative. Mumtaz said they were have so many young adults help “They basically told us ‘we glad with the turnout because it us with this project,” DeRoche want to raise $2,000 for this ini- was the first time they held this said. “To get people enthused tiative, have an event,” said Luc- kind of event. about helping children that they ier. “We are over the moon. It’s so will never see, that they’ll nevBy the end of the fundraiser much more than we expected,” er know, that’s very special. I the students raised more than said Lucier. thank everyone that’s doing this double their initial goal. Lucier The initiative includes sev- for us and these children.” and Mumtaz announced that en Rotarians and Bacheyie go-
PAGE 5
WWW.THEMEDIAPLEX.COM
FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2019
JOSEPH GIBBEL/MediaPlex Examiner
Dr. Disc is located on Ouellette Avenue in Windsor.
Dr. Disc celebrates Record Store day
celebration. “Record Store Day is basically a day to celebrate the culture Independent record shops of independent record stores,” around the globe are preparing said Nick Angelini, employee to sell their products on the an- of Dr. Disc Records in Windsor. nual Record Store Day celebra- “An event we celebrate here antion in April. nually, it’s celebrated globally Record Store Day takes place as well so record stores from on Saturday, April 13 and will around the world will be particcelebrate the culture and appre- ipating.” ciation for the independent reRecord Store Day was first cord store. Pearl Jam will serve celebrated in 2007 and is now as the ambassadors of this year’s celebrated at stores around By Joseph Gibel Mediaplex Examiner
Lola’s Round Table helps people with development disablities By Alex Scott
Mediaplex Examiner
When most people become adults the possibilities are endless however people living with developmental disabilities do not have quite as many options. Once somebody with a disability finishes high school, there are not many options for them and the waitlist for community living support is often long. Lola’s Round Table offers a solution for people facing some of those problems. Lola’s is located in Essex. Although there are some programs offered to people with disabilities in Windsor, Essex has lacked a place where people with disabilities can develop after becoming an adult. Lola’s, makes things easier for local families to get their loved ones to a place where they can grow. Lola’s is run by Lauryn Lefrancois who started it so people “could have meaning in their day, have friends and learn life skills at an affordable cost to their family.” It costs $75 for a day at Lola’s. Days are spent playing games, doing crafts as well as doing things outside of Lola’s includ-
ing mini golf, visiting museums, going to the gym and doing yoga. The people at Lola’s love making music so they are also looking into beginning a music class so they can really hone their skills. Most of the items at Lola’s have been acquired through donations from people in the community. Lola’s is always looking for donations of books, games, puzzles, DVDs, electronics, furniture and accessibility devices. Lefrancois plans on growing Lola’s in the future while still maintaining the personal experience someone experiences when they attend. Currently, a maximum of five people can be at Lola’s at a time so Lafrancois can make sure everybody gets the attention and help they need to succeed. “What I am hoping to do is open a couple different buildings in different areas of the county. When you have one big place and one gigantic group it starts to become a little bit institutionalized.” said Lefrancois. “So what happens to people who are a little more quiet is they fall through the cracks so this allows us to have the customized care for each person that comes.”
the world with hundreds of recording artists participating and the issuing of special vinyl and CD releases along with other promotional offerings to mark the occasion. “The main focus is the limited editions that come out that day,” said Angelini. “Artists from all over will put out something super rare that you can only get that day. We try to get in as many of those as we can.” This year’s highly anticipated
items include A Bohemian Rhapsody soundtrack picture disc, Green Day releasing their 25th anniversary of the time they played Woodstock as the album Live! WoodStock ‘94. Live at the borderline 1991 will be released by R.E.M. “It’s our busiest day of the year and it’s always pretty exciting,” said Angelini. For more information on Record Store Day you can visit www.recordstoreday.com.
Libraries around Windsor will be open on Fridays starting in May By Travis Conant Mediaplex Examiner A 2018 proposal by the Windsor Public Library has been approved. In June of 2018 Windsor Public Library made a proposal for all of their branches to remain open on Fridays in winter and summer. Larger libraries such as Central Library on Ouellette Avenue, Budimir and Riverside are open on Fridays all year round. While smaller branches are open on Fridays only in the winter. Kitty Pope, the chief executive officer of the Central Library on Ouellette says smaller libraries such as Walkerville, East Windsor, Sandwich Town and the Seminole library close on Fridays because of finances. “The board put together a proposal that cost $98,000 to have all of those locations open on Friday year round,
said Pope. “So they will be open hopefully in the middle of May from nine in the morning to five in the evening on Fridays.” Pope also said this will affect the library on Ouellette in a big way. She said fridays tend to be the busiest days at her branch and people load up on for the weekend. According to Pope, on Fridays approximately 620 people visit the large libraries a day and around 300 people visit the small ones. Pope said they typically impact around 1,200 people every Friday. “Windsor is a learning and reading community so this just continues to provide people with access. You can’t continue to learn and read and discover if you don’t have access to the public library to be able to do that,” said Pope. “So this will add to that whole piece.”
ENTERTAINMENT PAGE 6
WWW.THEMEDIAPLEX.COM
Bohemian Rhapsody Movie Review By Joyce St. Antoine Mediaplex Examiner
A biopic about Freddie Mercury hit the big screens last October. It starred Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury, Lucy Boynton as Mary Austin, Ben Hardy as Roger Taylor and had a special role for Mike Myers. It is a foot-stomping celebration of Queen, their music and their famous lead singer. It took place in the year 1970 where we see
Farrokh Bulsara also known as Freddie Mercury form into the singer he is remembered for today. It is considered a biographical film which is close in accuracy thanks to the touches of film rendering. However, some scenes were not accurate nor happened at all. At the beginning of the movie, Farrokh went to a bar to see the band Smile perform. Moments after we see their lead singer quit due to a better career offer and leaves the other two band
members in the back of their van. Farrokh goes searching for the bandmates to congratulate them on a good set and meets a red-haired woman asking for directions. He goes outside where the bandmates are, meets the bandmates, they introduce themselves and discusses their future of their torn broken band. After their conversation Farrokh ends up walking away. Then the band comes together at the same bar later on and performs with Brian May guitarist, drummer Roger Taylor, bassist John Deacon and now the new lead singer, Farrokh Bulsara. Farrokh sings in front of the woman and the crowd at the bar, singing Keep Yourself Alive, and it is their first gig. However Brian points out a few flipped lyrics that are incorrect but keeps the set going. On Farrokh’s birthday he invites his band mates to his home and the phone rings. His sister answers it and it is someone looking for “Freddie Mercury.” It is a dramatic scene because this is Farrokh’s new stage name. His father dislikes it due to the fact that he is not staying true to his Indian heritage with the last name. This is where Queen starts. Freddie sketched out the new name for their band on paper and admits that there is nobody more dramatic than the Queen of England. The making of the song Love of my Life was empowering. Freddie wrote this song for Mary who became his lover until the moment he presented the song to her. He showed her a part of the song in Queen’s concert where the crowd was singing the song, and he says, “They’re
FRIDAY APRIL 12, 2019 singing it to you” because he wrote it for her to show how much he loves her. But, there’s a twist to the ending scene. Mary breaks up with him after he admits he is bisexual. However, she realizes he might actually be gay, not admitting it to himself nor her in the scene just yet. They stayed friends in the end. As the viewer there was a moment where Freddie was exploring his gender fluidity and sexuality. He visits Mary at her job in a clothing store and she gives him an ascot and applies makeup. The costumes in the movie fit the 1970s perfectly with the boas, high boots and flowery patterns. When Freddie gets older his messy hair is cut short and is wearing better looking clothes all which the costume designer did well on. I believe Rami playing Freddie was a good match all of his features were similar, especially with the practice, studies and rehearsals he did to ace the role. There were many photography like shots which made me very happy especially with the fact that this movie perfectly angled Freddie’s life. The videographer shot a scene where it could have been a photo. His iconic aviator glasses sat on a table and Freddie was reflected through the lens. It is creative and brilliantly set up. As a music lover I thoroughly enjoyed it. I saw it twice in the theatres. It certainly captures his life up until the end of the movie. Everyone is wanting a sequel and yes, sometimes sequels cannot be good, but there is no need for this one. Despite its many awards won, Bohemian Rhapsody deserves a 4.5/5 star rating.
Spider-Man Movie Review By Travis Conant Mediaplex Examiner
Superhero movies were not always as big as they are now. The early to mid 2000s offered adventures such as Spider-Man and The Incredible Hulk. Sam Raimi’s 2002 Spider-Man stars Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker, William Dafoe as Norman Osborn/Green Goblin, Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane Watson) and James Franco as Harry Osborn. The film is set in a 2002 New York City.
The main plot follows Peter Parker as he struggles figuring out where he belongs. When on a field trip Parker gets bitten by a genetically altered spider and gains superhuman abilities which mimics a spider. After his uncle’s death Parker decides to use these powers for good. While filming one issue the crew faced was the costume. The mask made it really hard for them to do simple movements such as talking during the CGI process and facial features had to be enhanced. The suit designers had unique ideas
but decided to keep the suit similar to comics, but added a modern twist to it with silver webbing which created a three dimensional feel. Before the webbing was made to pop out of the suit it was hard to see due to the camera recording process and they also added a larger spider on the back of the suit. The soundtrack was composed by Danny Elfman. He produced original songs for the film. Elfman also worked on films like Dumbo, The Avengers and Fifty Shades Of Grey.
In one scene Parker protects Mary Jane from a group of thugs. The scene’s music slowly builds foreshadowing the impending action, Spider-Man’s arrival marks a rise in intensity. While I did not care for this scene the music enhanced the viewer’s experience. Overall, this movie was really well produced, excellently casted and helped bring Spidey into the TV world. The Raimi trilogy helped lay the groundwork for the other 47 Marvel movies that have been released since.
PAGE 7
WWW.THEMEDIAPLEX.COM
FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2019
NICOLE NEUTS/MediaPlex Examiner
An excited fan jumps to the front row to get close to the band
Popular ‘70s band shakes up Walkerville once again as a great opportunity to catch up with each other and the fans Mediaplex Examiner “You kind of fall out of touch with the guys and everything The Jonas Brothers are not the but this is a great opportunity,” only band getting back together said Kozak. “Imagine you were in 2019. Teaze, a local hard rock in a band like a thousand years band from the ‘70s, put on a re- ago and having this neat little union show this past week in career that ended and you just Windsor. went on with your lives with The Olde Walkerville Theatre no contact. It’s just kind of cool was packed with fans of the to get back together and revisit band, as well as the band’s fam- those records and all that little ily and friends. bit of success we had at this riMike Kozak, the bands drum- diculous age.” mer, sees getting back together Mark Bradac, the lead guitarBy Nicole Neuts
ist, says they hope to tour once again. “We would really like to go back to Japan,” said Bradac. Teaze became so popular in Japan they recorded a live album there, Teaze In Japan. “We never got to go to England back in the day and we probably have a cult following in England so we’re hoping for that.” Brian Danter, lead vocalist, says staying connected has not been easy for the band. “It’s good in this capacity to connect over the years,” said
Danter. “At first we really had little contact as our lives went in different directions, but over the last 8 years, it’s kind of come more together.” The group performed their hits like Sure Thing, Living on the Edge and On The Loose. All proceeds from the concert are being donated to the local charity In Honour of the Ones We Love, an organization helping children battling cancer grow their self confidence through martial arts.
HEALTH & LIFESTYLE PAGE 8
WWW.THEMEDIAPLEX.COM
FRIDAY, APRIL12, 2019
SURAJ SASI/MediaPlex Examiner An example of a meal kit from Hello Fresh.
Review: Meal kits offer a convenient way to eat healthy By Suraj Sasi
Mediaplex Examiner
Gone are the days when most people would sit and have proper breakfast, lunch and dinner. Cheap, low quality food surround us and busy lifestyles need faster solutions and less thinking. People leave their houses before work to grab food on the run rather than cooking. But calories from easy junk meals are not enough for the daily requirements of the body. As a result, convenience sometimes leads to undereating or overeating which slows and damages metabolism and creates other health-related issues. Cooking can be quick, relaxing and fun. With those important points in mind companies like Hello Fresh provide people with various meal options de-
livered at their doorstep. These food packages are fresh and well-packaged ingredients are included with the exact measurement needed. Angelica Haggert said she does not have time to cook because of her busy schedule and mostly prefers food from a company called Miss Fresh. “I work a ton of hours and my partner works a ton of hours,” said Haggert. “It’s really nice to be able to come home and not have to think about what is for dinner.” Haggert said the boxes allowed her to branch out and try different meals. In a world of genetically-modified foods and hormone-injected meats companies have managed to keep their products fresh and safe from anything artificial. Nutritional expert Andrea Do-
cherty said a lot of these companies are going to take proper precautions to make sure the ingredients provided are safe to use by regulating the temperature of the package. The company takes into account various food allergies and makes it easier for people to choose options. “I have seen from Hello Fresh they list what allergens could be there and these items and the recipes in them are well-balanced,” said Docherty. However, easy meal options come with a price. Some customers said they feel like the food items are a bit overpriced and getting it every day would mess up their budget. Christian Bouchard was subscribed to Hello Fresh for two months and now prefers grocery shopping.
“The subscription service is great,” said Bouchard. “The only issue was the price got a bit too expensive and going to the grocery store would save us more money.” Bouchard said you are paying for convenience. If you are working nine to five in a city like Toronto and do not feel like cooking or have time for grocery shopping these services cater to those individuals. Customers can get a box in 30 minutes or less estimated at around $80 a month depending on the subscription package. For many people like Bouchard who are busy with their lives and want quick recipes, cookspiration.com can be used as a resource for healthy options and meal prepping.