Our Etobicoke Home & Lifestyle Magazine - SEP15

Our

Etobicoke FALL 2015

HOME & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

On a Personal Note

Looking forward to the fall season, we all want to get ready for the wonderful things this season brings to us - a new school year filled with fun and challenge, exciting football and hockey games, the changing of foliage to brilliant fall hues, pumpkin parades galore, and of course, Thanksgiving and Halloween.

We will busy with the fall real estate market starting right after Labour Day and it promises to be as busy as the spring market was earlier this year.

We hope you enjoy this issue and the season.

Have a great fall!

John, Liz & Andrea

Liz

John Stevenson Andrea Streich

sales representatives

416.233.8657 info@stevensonteam.ca

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WHAT’S FALL 2015

INSIDE

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FEATURES 4

DIY VANILLA PUMPKIN SPICE SUGAR SCRUB Too easy not to do.

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SWEET & SPICY FALL HARVEST PIZZA Welcome Fall with this delicious pizza recipe.

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MODERN MAN CAVE MUSTS The old man cave is out and the modern man cave is in.

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BACK-TO-SCHOOL HEALTH TIPS Help your children enjoy a healthy and productive school year.

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PHOTO CONTEST Get your cameras ready!

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OUR ETOBICOKE

EVENT CALENDAR Find out what’s going on in your community this Fall

FALL 2015

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Vanilla PUMPKIN SPICE DIY

SUGAR SCRUB

This all-natural DIY vanilla pumpkin spice sugar scrub can actually be made in about FIVE minutes (which means it also makes a fantastic last-minute gift idea!).

A couple of weeks ago I made a divine 10-minute pumpkin spice shea butter soap, and I can’t get enough of the smell.

I find myself walking by the bathroom or kitchen sink to wash my hands an extra time (or ten!) each day just to smell that lovely aroma. I am totally one of those people who love pumpkin spice everything. Since our pumpkin spice soap supply is quickly dwindling, I decided to whip up a batch of vanilla pumpkin spice sugar scrub for my shower, and I think the smell might be even better than the soap!

Directions For an 8-oz container of sugar scrub, simply mix together 1 cup of granulated sugar, 1/4 cup of coconut oil, 2 tsp. of pumpkin pie spice, and 2 tsp. of vanilla extract. That’s it! Super easy peasy to make, and the smell is out-of-this-world incredible!

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SWEET ‘N’ SPICY FALL HARVEST

PIZZA

with Roasted Butternut, Cider Carmelized Onions & Bacon • • • •

6 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded 2-4 ounces blue cheese, crumbled 1 large bunch fresh sage roasted pumpkin seeds, for topping

want to slowly add the cider, let it cook into the onions, add more and let it cook some more. Do this until the 1 cup of cider is gone or the onions are caramelized to your liking and the cider has evaporated.

Instructions PIZZA DOUGH

Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 45 minutes Total time: 2 hours Yield: One 12 inch Pizza or 2 small Pizzas Ingredients • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Pizza Dough 1 1/2 cups flour 1/2 cup warm water 1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast 1 tablespoon honey 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon olive oil Toppings 1/3 cup + 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided 4 cups cubed butternut squash (or pumpkin) 1 tablespoon honey 1 teaspoon chili powder, divided 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 4 slices thick cut bacon, chopped 2 sweet onions, sliced thin 1 tablespoon butter 1 cup apple cider 1 large chipotle chile in adobo, minced 1/2 teaspoon cumin salt and pepper, to taste 1 small apple, thinly sliced

In a large bowl, combine water, yeast and honey. Mix with a spoon, then let sit until foamy, about 10 minutes. Add in the flour and olive oil stirring with a spoon until the dough comes together but is still sticky. Using your hands, on a floured surface, form the dough into a ball and work the additional 1/2 cup flour into the dough if needed. All of the mixing and kneading can also be done in a stand mixer with the dough hook attachment. Next, rub the same bowl with olive oil, then place the dough inside, turning to coat. Cover with a towel and place in a warm place to rise for about 1 1/2 hours.

TO ASSEMBLE About 40 minutes before the dough is done rising, start assembling the pizza. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.* In a small bowl whisk together 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, cinnamon, honey and a pinch of salt and pepper.

In a bowl whisk together the remaining 1/3 cup olive oil, chipotle chile pepper in adobo, 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, cumin and a good pinch of salt + pepper.

Once the pizza dough is ready, lightly flour a counter. Use your hands or a rolling pin to roll the dough out until you have a flattened disk.

Place the pizzas on a greased baking sheet and then use your hands to gently tug, pull and push the pizza dough into your desired shape. Spread the chipotle olive oil mixture over the dough. Add the caramelized onions and half the roasted butternut squash. You may not want to use all onions if you feel like there is just too many. I used probably about 3/4 of the onions. Add the cheddar cheese and then the sliced apples and remaining butternut. Sprinkle with the blue cheese.

Bake the pizza for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese is all melty and gooey. Remove from the oven and top with crispy sage (below) and roasted pumpkin seeds. EAT while melty and delicious!

SAGE

Spread the veggies out in a single layer on one or two baking sheets. Drizzle the olive oil mixture over the veggies and toss well to coat. Roast until vegetables are tender, 20 to 25 minutes, stirring the veggies halfway through.

Remove and set aside.

Heat a small skillet over medium heat and add about 1/2 inch of olive oil. Once hot, add the sage leaves and cook 30 seconds per side.

Remove from the pan and set aside. Serve over the pizza.

While the veggies roast, caramelize the onions. Heat a large skillet with high sides over medium-high heat and cook bacon until crispy. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate.

Remove all but one tablespoon of bacon fat from the pan and then add the butter. Add the onions and cook about 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until softened. At this point you

**Feel free to cook this pizza which ever way you please. Sometimes I use a baking stone and cook the pizza at 500 degrees F. for about 15 minutes. Or sometimes I use a cast iron skillet like I did here. ■

*Double this dough recipe to make two pizzas, there is enough toppings for two smaller, thicker crust pizzas if desired.

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M O D E R N

MAN CAVE

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musts

hether in a workshop, basement or garage, men have always enjoyed their personal spaces. With the rise of flat-screen technology, having a "man cave" became an official home improvement trend. In fact, a 2013 survey by online retailer Newegg found that more than half of homes now have a man cave.

After more than a decade of partying, the old man cave is out and the modern man cave is in.

Modern man caves go far beyond pricey audio-visual components, a refrigerator and a couple of worn-out recliners. Today, luxury and entertainment features share space with practical ones, and when perfectly balanced, create a room to meet a variety of needs - relaxation, fun, family time and even work. Âť

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If you're ready to create a man cave in your home, or take your existing guy-centric space to the next level, here are a handful of upgrades sure to make your cave feel like a castle:

TECH HEAVEN A TV is a must for any man cave, but it's no longer enough to simply have a huge flat screen and a remote control. To really be worthy of your man cave, whether plasma, LED or LCD, a flat screen should have all the latest bells and whistles, including Internet access, 3-D, high definition and a full-motion wall mount. Surround sound and satellite signal (for visual and audio content) are also musts.

Tech needs don't stop with A/V requirements, however.

ABOVE: Samsung Curved HD Smart LED TV RIGHT: Stainless Steel Beer Kegerator Refrigerator

Creating a computer centre, complete with Wi-Fi, laptop and multiple screens, not only enhances gaming opportunities, it can allow your man cave to double as an office. A refrigerator is a man cave staple, and plenty of high-tech versions are available for smaller spaces like a converted basement or garage. Add a wine or beer cooler, or even a humidor to round out your tech needs.

THINKING OUTSIDE THE CAVE WALLS The very concept of a man cave is about going your own way, but early iterations seemed to follow the same basic, frat-style formula of sports-themed decor, cheap seating and high-priced tech toys. Today, man caves are as individual as the men inhabiting them. Look for ways to personalize the space for your interests and needs.

Have a passion for working out but don't always feel like having an audience or trekking to the gym? Include some fitness equipment in your man cave. Prefer to get some work done late at night and don't want to keep the family up? Park a desk and PC in a convenient corner. Love golf but can't stand pool? Ditch that man-cave staple - a billiard table - and put in a mini putting green.

Finally, don't overlook the fact that the king of the castle (or man cave) might want to invite his queen into the space. In fact, 89 percent of the men surveyed by Newegg said they would welcome a member of the opposite sex into their man cave. So be sure your man cave includes comfortable seating, dimmable lighting and a film collection that goes beyond sports and action flicks. â– Courtesy of BPC

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BACK-TO-SCHOOL

HEALTH TIPS

Follow these guidelines to stop the “get sick” cycle before it starts!

By Dr. Jacqueline Streich, ND

relaxing bedtime ritual can help your child mentally and physically prepare for sleep.

For example, a warm bath followed by some bedtime stories or soothing music can help a child relax and prepare for sleep.

EATING HEALTHFULLY

Dr. Jackie maintains a family practice in Etobicoke. To book an appointment for an individualized consultation or a free introductory 15 minute consult, please visit www.doctorjackie.ca for contact information.

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As a mom myself, I know how challenging feeding a family a balanced and nutritious diet can be. Between confusing food labels, changing trends in “healthy” eating, picky eaters and time constraints, many parents often feel overwhelmed. As your children prepare for getting back into the routine of school, use the opportunity to make a fresh start with healthy foods to nourish their brains and help them grow and flourish throughout the year. My number one tip here is to start each day with a nutritious breakfast.

If pressed for time, make a smoothie and pack it full of nutritious super foods like berries, nut butters and greens to give your child a jumpstart on the day. Other great food choices to keep kids healthy are to “eat the rainbow’ (the variety of colours) of fruits and veggies, fish for omega 3 fatty acids (see www. ewg.org for a safe fish consumption guide), legumes, nuts and seeds and whole grains.

ith summer coming to a close, and the school year starting, some of the top concerns I hear from parents of children in school or daycare, is how to support their immune systems, improve sleep and what foods to eat or avoid as part of a healthy and nutritious diet. Here are some tips to help your children enjoy a AVOID SUGAR healthy and productive school year.

Did you know that a teaspoon of sugar (equivalent to about 4.2 grams on a nutriSLEEP tion label) can weaken the immune system?

The recommended amount of sleep within Twelve teaspoons, the amount in most sodas a 24-hour period (including naptime) is 12 or juices will paralyze white blood cells for – 14 hours for toddlers, 11 – 13 hours for up to 4 hours! Refined and processed foods, pre-schoolers, and 10 – 11 hours for schoolaged kids. Most children are not getting the recommended amount of sleep, which in turn, affects their daytime behaviour and school performance. If you’re having trouble getting your little one to settle in at night, start by cutting out television and video games before bed, especially programs that have any scary images. Also, food and drinks containing sugar and caffeine are best avoided near bedtime since they can cause hyperactivity in children. Having a regular

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juices, pops and many other snacks and cereals marketed to kids tend to be very high in sugar. Eating these not only decreases your child’s ability to fight infection, but sugar also affects attention span, making it much more difficult for your child to focus on learning.

IMMUNE SUPPORT Most school aged children get between three to eight upper-respiratory infections including common colds per year, according to Statistics Canada. Depending on the length of the illness, some kids miss far too many days of school as a result of frequent colds. In addition to getting a good night’s sleep and a healthy diet, there are some key nutritional supplements for children that can help support the immune system in both resisting infections and speeding up recovery time. Some of the common immune support vitamins are Vitamin C & Vitamin D. Additionally, herbs like echinacea and elderberry are safe for kids and can help fight off colds. Probiotics, the good bacteria that live in your digestive system, both improve digestion and support strong immunity. Foods like yogurt contain probiotics, but the best sources are fermented foods like kefir, sauerkraut, kimchee and miso. Kid-friendly probiotics in supplement form are also available.

Naturopathic doctors are an excellent addition to your family’s health care team, particularly when it comes to prevention.

The needs of every child are different and not all supplements and vitamins are appropriate for everyone to take. For personalized recommendations call Dr. Jackie today to get started on the path to wellness!

Our

Etobicoke

PHOTO CONTEST GET YOUR CAMERAS READY! COMPETITION THEME

ETOBICOKE SIGHTS, STREETS & PARKS WHAT TO DO We are accepting photo entries of an outside scene with that “something special” depicting an iconic site or a stunning scene in Etobicoke of particular beauty or uniqueness that helps to define the character of this part of our Toronto.

These might include: • An architectural or physical structure or a partial element - perhaps an historic or modern structure, building, home, bridge, statue, tower, water feature or monument.

• A natural scene in one of our parks. Whether it’s a beautiful shot of one of our rivers, streams, gardens, or a hidden gem few have seen or noticed, we want to see it.

An initial panel of judges will choose the top five photos to be entered into our final judging by an independent panel of accredited judges to be held at the Etobicoke Camera Club on November 16th, 2015. This popular photography club holds its weekly meetings from 7-9 pm most Mondays from September to May at the Humber Valley United Church Etobicoke. Guests are always welcome. For further information on this active and interesting club visit www.EtobicokeCameraClub.org Contest Organized and Sponsored by

WHAT YOU WIN The winner will receive a free one and a half year membership to the Etobicoke Camera Club.

This membership, valued at approximately $105, provides full club membership benefits including all club meetings with guest speakers, club competitions and club outings through to June 30, 2017.

PROUD COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS OF

The Etobicoke Camera Club and The Rotary Club of Toronto West

Eligible submissions may be publically viewable at www.OurEtobicokePhotoContest.com shortly after the winner has been selected.

HOW IT WORKS 1. A maximum of three photos per person will be accepted through to our deadline of 11:30 pm Sunday, October 25th, 2015 2. Please review the full rules and submission details at www.OurEtobicokePhotoContest.com

Showcase

of HOMES

Helping you is what we do!

23Bournemouth.com | SOLD

31Totteridge.com | SOLD

2Ashwood.com | SOLD

16Tettenhall.com | SOLD

145PrincessAnne.com | SOLD

95Botfield.com | SOLD

15Dimplefield.com | SOLD

26Clissold.com | SOLD

38 Toledo Road | SOLD

These are just some of the homes we sold in Etobicoke in the 2015 spring market.

Liz

John Stevenson Andrea Streich

sales representatives

416.233.8657 info@stevensonteam.ca

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MEET THE TEAM

TOP 3% IN CANADA FOR ROYAL LEPAGE in 2014 based on commissions

AWARD WINNING PROFESSIONALS Living and Working in Your Neighbourhood

LIZ STEVENSON

SALES REPRESENTATIVE

Liz has over 17 years of real estate experience preparing and listing homes, and negotiating successful offers for buyers and sellers in a very competitive marketplace.

Her success can be measured not only by her numerous sales awards but by her many happy clients that consistently refer her to their family and friends. “ Market intelligence and thorough research forms the core of the expert advice I provide to our clients to help them make informed decisions when buying or selling their homes.”

ANDREA STREICH

SALES REPRESENTATIVE

Andrea is a valuable member of the Stevenson Team, providing a high level of service to buyers looking for their dream home at any budget. She brings youthful enthusiasm and determination, along with over 5 years of practical experience, to each client home search.

“ I am passionate about helping our clients at every stage in their life find the right home, not just a house.”

JOHN STEVENSON

SALES REPRESENTATIVE

As a Professional Engineer with an MBA, John has had the opportunity to work in many careers, from the aircraft industry to real estate consulting to interior design project management. Combining 35 years of business expertise with internet marketing savvy, John has developed a dynamic marketing plan to sell homes with effectiveness and flair. “ I believe that today’s internet technology is one of the most important and successful tools that we have at our disposal to successfully market properties for our clients.”

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NOVEMBER

OCTOBER

SEPTEMBER

COMMUNITY Fall 2015 EVENTS September 10 Montgomery’s Inn 40th Anniversary Celebration and Corn Roast Montgomery’s Inn - 4709 Dundas St. W., 5pm - 8pm September 11-13 Taste of the Kingsway www.kingswaybia.ca/taste-of-the-kingsway September 18 Ballgowns ‘n’ Boots Fundraiser Old Mill Inn - 21 Old Mill Drive, 6:30pm - 11:45pm www.wishingwellsanctuary.org October 3 Scotiabank Nuit Blanche – Various Locations www.scotiabanknuitblanche.ca October 24 Annual Rummage and Christmas Sale Islington United Church - 9:00am October 31 Cultural Hotspot at Montgomery’s Inn: Walking Tour of Mimico Creek www.Toronto.ca/culturalhotspot Times TBD November 1 Mimico Pumpkin Parade 2445 Lake Shore Blvd. West at 6:00 pm www.facebook.com/MimicoPumpkinParade November 12 Rotary Toronto West Scotch Nosing and Dinner Lambton Golf Club - Tickets required www.RotaryTorontoWest.com November 15 The Toronto Santa Claus Parade Santa arrives at 12:30pm Lakeshore Santa Claus Parade in Mimico – December 5th