Curb Appeal Etobicoke - ISSUE 12 • 2022

YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR

NUTAN BROWN

ENERGY, COMMITMENT, RESULTS.

HOME

IDEAS FOR LOWERING YOUR HEATING COSTS THIS WINTER

1 / CHANGE FURNACE FILTERS

If you have an oil or gas-burning furnace, remember that it must work harder if the filter is dirty. If your electricity bills seem unusually high, try changing your filter more frequently and/or getting your machine serviced.

2 / USE A PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTAT

Many of us know that turning down the heat at night or while we’re away all day can boost savings, but it’s inconvenient to constantly be making those adjustments and easy to forget. A programmable thermostat lets you set it to automatically turn up the heat gradually in time for your morning routine, or remotely manage your settings – turning on your heat as you drive back from the airport.

3 / AUDIT YOUR ENERGY AND TAKE ACTION

4 / INSTALL A HEAT PUMP

A heat pump works by transferring heat from outside your home to the inside. It ’s more energy efficient than other types of heating, like electric heat since the pumps don’t have to generate heat from scratch. Instead, they move and intensify the heat. This means you likely won’t be paying as much for your heat each month, though there can be higher initial buy-in costs.

5 / SWITCH TO SOLAR

While there is some upfront cost to this solution, it can be a major cost-saver pretty quickly. Not only can this be better for your wallet, but it’s also better for the environment, helping reduce your greenhouse gas emissions and do your part to combat climate change.

A COZY AND WARM SPACE TO RELAX IN IS A WINTERTIME MUST FOR MANY CANADIANS. BUT CRANKING UP THE HEAT CAN REALLY ADD UP. HERE ARE SOME WAYS YOU CAN STAY TOASTY WITHOUT INCURRING SKY-HIGH COSTS:

An energy audit is a formal test to determine where energy is lost in your home. Maybe it’s through a thin roof, poorly insulated walls or drafts around your windows and doors. This kind of test can help you discover the and the amount of money you’re spending to make up for energy loss and offers ways to reduce it.

Some insurance providers, including Aviva Canada, may offer better insurance rates if you utilize green replacements. Whatever household updates you decide to make, be sure to let your insurer know — that way they’ll be able to update your coverage appropriately, and, who knows, you might just qualify for a better rate.

Find more information at aviva.ca . ◆

Millgate Manor!

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d: 416.200.3522 e: deliciousdishcookingschool@gmail.com deliciousdish.ca

Chocolate

WITH CHOCOLATE CHUNKS AND HAZELNUTS

Makes Approx 40 Biscotti.

INGREDIENTS

• 6 tbsp unsalted butter (2/3 stick), softened to a little cooler than room temperature

• 6 tbsp vegetable oil

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 1/2 cup brown sugar

• 3 eggs

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• 2 1/2 cups flour

• 1/2 cup cocoa (preferably Valrhona or another premium cocoa)

• 1 3/4 tsp baking powder

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1 cup chocolate chunks, I like milk chocolate, good quality

• 3/4 cup nuts, I like pecans or toasted and skinned hazelnuts, pecans are good too!

DIRECTIONS

STEP ONE: Preheat oven to 350°F. If you have 2 ovens, use both. If you have one oven you will need to switch the trays halfway through the cooking time.

STEP TWO: In a medium size bowl, mix together (I use a whisk), the flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt, set aside.

STEP THREE: With the whisk attachment of your electric mixer, cream the butter, add oil, and add sugars. Make sure you scrape down the sides so that everything mixes together.

STEP FOUR: Add eggs one at a time, add vanilla.

STEP FIVE: Switch to the paddle on your electric mixer. Add in 2

or 3 stages the flour mixture to the butter mixture, slowly. Do not over-mix.

STEP SIX: Add nuts and chocolate, Do not over-mix.

STEP SEVEN: Split the dough in half. Form 2 logs across the length of 2 baking sheets (1 log on each sheet), you can do this on the diagonal also.

STEP EIGHT: Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven (leave the oven on). Let cool on the baking sheets for about 15-20 minutes. Transfer the logs carefully to a cutting board. Slice, on a diagonal, 1/2-3/4 slices. Place each piece back on the baking sheet lying on their sides. Dry the biscotti out in the oven for 15 minutes (less time if you like then chewier). ◆

CAROLYN COHEN , Founder/Chef/Recipe Developer of DeliciousDish. DeliciousDish Cooking School specializes in Whole Food Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Developing and Healthy Eating. #CookAtHome

TANYA

Evan Christensen Broker Niels Christensen Broker

Doris Christensen Sales Representative