Animal Chatter by Iris Winston “Music has charms to soothe a savage breast.” So playwright William Congreve wrote in the 17th century and music continues to have a strong effect on the mood and emotions of many creatures in the 21st century. For instance, music therapy is regularly used as an anti-anxiety remedy or to treat...
Tag - March/April 2024
WELLNESS MATTERS The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) As all too many people who don’t have dental insurance know, a tooth ache amounts to a major pain in the wallet. The cost of regular checkups and cleaning? Ouch. When there’s news from the health expert with the drill—leaning over your chair—that you need a root canal and a...
If it wasn’t, I’d be sharing my thoughts with you through drawings on a cave wall. The pictures would show you my fascination for how technology has transformed the way we behave and function. Our quality of life has been enhanced on so many levels that it’s mind boggling. Healthcare innovations. The way the world communicates...
Dean Barnes’s Black NHL hockey card collection and podcast If you grew up playing or watching hockey, you might have quite a collection of hockey cards. Remember the thrill of opening one of the packs and “scoring” a top rookie card or a game-worn jersey card of your favourite NHL player? Dean Barnes, now in his 50s, has been a...
by Iris Winston There’s a new baby next door. She’s beautiful, alert, active and very interested in the world around her. As parents, relatives and friends smile and see how quickly she’s developing, thoughts of possibilities for her future flash through their minds.So it was when my oldest child, Alex, was tiny. I remember a...
Once upon a time…. by Iris Winston Perth resident Gayle Grass began her journey with a friendly dragon some 24 years ago as a way to help her son, Trevor. Then 18 and in his first year of university at Queen’s in Kingston, Trevor was suffering from mental health issues. While he began treatment at the Royal Ottawa Hospital...
For a special meal, dish up tiny Yorkshire puddings filled with the best of roast beef dinner fixings: beef, horseradish, Ontario carrots and mashed potatoes. This recipe and photo are from Foodland Ontario, foodlandontario.ca Preparation Time: 30 minutes Baking Time: 10 minutes Makes 36 mini Yorkshire puddings 2 Ontario eggs 1...
The smell of sautéed onions is hard to beat and this pastry features all those delicious, caramelized onion flavours. Thyme, rosemary and Gouda cheese round out this hearty, pull-apart treat, making it impossible to resist. This recipe and photo are from Foodland Ontario, foodlandontario.ca Preparation Time: 20 minutes Cooking...
Spice up this mild-flavoured vegetable with a new take on fries. For spicier fries, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the seasoning blend. This recipe and photo are from Foodland Ontario, foodlandontario.ca Preparation Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 15 minutes Serves 6 1 lb (500 g) Ontario parsnips 1-1/2 tsp (7 mL) olive oil 1...
Roast chicken is an ideal dish for this time of year, but here’s a twist: harissa paste. Harissa is a Middle Eastern ingredient that is perfect for adding smokiness and heat to your dish. It is found in either jars, cans or in a tube in many grocery stores. You can also look for it as a dried spice mixture in the spice section...
