In Articles

Fly Fishing on the Sixteen

September 25, 2019 No Comments

Fishing has been a love of mine for as long as I can remember. My first experience was at a local pond in Sheffield with my grandfather, where we spent the day fishing with some string and bread-dough bait. Without a single nibble, I was hooked nonetheless. Over the years, I’ve fished a wide variety of methods but come to appreciate the nature of fly-fishing best. With the perfect cast, you can almost sense a strike before it happens.

Historically both Sixteen Mile and Bronte Creek were important fishing and hunting grounds for the Mississaugas and their predecessors. When Europeans settled the area, they continued to fish the creeks for both sustenance and sport. At the Oakville Museum, there are records, photographs, and accounts of fishing parties on the Sixteen. The Museum even holds a photograph of Oakville’s Dr. George Brock Chisholm, (the first Director-General of the World Health Organization), holding what appears to be a fly rod and Sunfish. The odd time I’m able to wander to the creek, fly rod in hand, I feel I’m participating in a long tradition.

If you’re new to fly fishing, the jargon may seem daunting – but the main difference between fly fishing and other kinds of fishing is the weight of the line used to cast the lure. To start, you’ll need a decent light rod, a small reel, fly line, and leader, as well as a basic selection of flies.

The flies themselves have some pretty unique and catchy names, including Royal Wulff, Adams, Gold-Ribbed Hare’s Ear, Pheasant Tail Nymph, and Woolly Bugger. The Woolly Bugger is my go-to and personal favourite.

When it’s time to hit the water, learning to cast a fly line is the biggest hurdle for most beginners. Grindstone Angling in Waterdown has a full-service fly shop, fishing guide services, fly fishing school, and fly-tying classes. For beginners or even those who want to learn more about fishing in the area, Grindstone is a great place to start.

Surprising to some, Oakville, Burlington and surrounding areas are great fishing destinations. Many nearby lakes have good populations of Sunfish (along with Pumpkin Seed, Rock Bass, Perch) and you can find them through the summer in the deeper pools of the local creeks. Lions Valley Park and other public access points along Sixteen Mile Creek in Oakville are good places to go prospecting. Conservation Halton allows fishing in Kelso, Mountsberg, and Hilton Falls. You can also try the upper reaches of Bronte Creek for pitching dry flies to Brook Trout and Rainbow Trout.

Casting, hooking, retrieving and landing fish all become more natural with practice and the skills built catching smaller fish like the Sunfish can be transferred to fishing bigger quarry later.

When you are ready for larger game, consider the spring Steelhead run and fall Salmon run. Head to either Sixteen Mile Creek or Bronte Creek during October and November, when a few days of rain have caused the rivers to rise. Luckily, techniques, gear, and flies for Steelhead and Salmon are similar. However, you will need to upgrade to at least an eight-weight rod, reel, and line. You should also invest in a comfortable set of chest waders and a landing net.

Fly fishing has a reputation for being exclusive and mysterious, but it’s often the best way to catch fish and a way that allows a closer connection to the water. Let’s dispel the mystery.

by Julian Kingston

Our thanks to Julian Kingston, who is the Museum Supervisor at the Oakville Museum, and a passionate fly fisherman.

Local Links

Grindstone Angling
grindstoneangling.com

Izaak Walton Fly Fishing Club
iwffc.ca

Tourism Burlington
tourismburlington.com

Oakville Museum
oakville.ca/museum

Conservation Halton
conservationhalton.ca

In Articles

Managing Stress is a Family Matter – 5 Tips to Relax and Reconnect this Fall

September 25, 2019 No Comments

With summer now a distant memory, temperatures continuing to dip as days get even shorter, and back-to-school and work schedules well underway, is your family starting to show the signs of stress?

Stress can impact everyone in the family both psychologically and physiologically, from young children with tummy troubles over a challenge at school to adults with tension headaches juggling the multiple facets of home and career.

Managing and preventing stress and anxiety involves everyone in the family too. Connection, communication and family support are key to identifying, minimizing and relieving stress before it becomes a bigger concern.

Look, listen and get curious

Everyone gets busy but we can always make time for the things that really matter. This begins with family connection. Breakfast, dinner time, evenings and weekends are prime time to check in with family members, observe, listen and get curious. Ask open-ended questions that encourage open and honest dialogue about anything they’re struggling with and invite the whole family to get creative about possible ways to help minimize stressors. For more serious concerns related to school, reach out to your child’s teacher, and if needed, consult with your health care professional.

Get a good night’s sleep

It’s not just the kids that need a consistent bedtime and adequate sleep – did you know even teenagers still need up to 10 hours of sleep per night to maintain optimal concentration at school? While adults tend to slough off the importance of getting some extra shut-eye in favour of checking one more item off the to-do list, even an extra 15-30 minutes of sleep per night can be enough to ward off the effects of stress and keep you clear-headed for the day ahead. Couples can also benefit from some quality time together after the kids are tucked in bed.

If possible, aim for that consistent sleep routine all seven days of the week, as late weekends make it hard to transition back to your regular schedule come Monday morning.

Plan ahead

When you map out schedules and activities in advance, it’s easier to figure out how to best manage your time and anticipate potential challenges before they occur, resulting in less stress for the entire family. Set up a visual schedule and put it in a common area of the house — a great tool for both adults and kids to help with tracking and monitoring. Work together with your child to design a homework agreement that manages their time and stress level, builds their confidence, and invites them to come to you if they run into difficulty.

Build in time for play

We’ve all seen the stats — children are spending less time playing and more time in front of the screen. Play and downtime are no less important to adults. While having a plan for the week is a great idea to manage stress, don’t forget to build in time to play for every member of the family, both separately and together. Turn off your devices and take turns choosing a weekly or bi-weekly family activity. From board games to bowling, there are many options for screen-free fun.

Get outside

Crisp and colourful, fall is one of the best times of the year to get outside and enjoy some fun time as a family. Our local area offers a wide array of parks and trails, whether you’re into frisbees and picnics, walking, hiking, or even canoeing. Being in nature has multiple health and stress-busting benefits and as an added bonus you’ll be reconnecting and strengthening your relationship as a family, which further reduces stress. Visit conservationhalton.ca to learn more about all the Halton Region has to offer.

by Jerry Balice

Article provided by NEX Wellness. You can find them at NEXWellness.com

In Articles

The Beautiful Benefits of Living Walls

September 23, 2019 No Comments

These days you don’t need to go outside to get yourself a breath of fresh air. Prevalent in Japan for years, living walls quickly picked up popularity in Canada starting around 2010. Commonly found in shopping malls, office spaces, and now, even in homes, these green fixtures of art and vitality are an eco-friendly design trend that brings the outdoors inside.

Accurately named, a living wall – or green wall – is a self-sufficient vertical garden that attaches to the exterior or interior wall of a building. Not to be confused with ivy walls, living walls are installed and fastened directly to the wall. The plants receive water and nutrients from the structure they’re grown in rather than ivy which grows directly from the ground. Besides the numerous benefits, living walls are easy to care for, especially with the support of local companies who specialize in the installation and plant selection.

“They’re excellent for both residential and commercial applications,” says Christopher Curtis of Living Wall Concepts in Oakville. “They provide so many mental and physical benefits, especially in places like schools, dentist and doctor offices, nursing homes and hospices. They’re like living artwork.”

Lighting is a vital component for the ongoing success of these installations, and Curtis suggests contacting a company like Living Wall Concepts that is well-versed in the process to help you choose plants and set up a maintenance schedule.

“Our system uses no hard water lines or pumps, so it’s a little bit easier,” he says. The size of the living wall can vary greatly, from two by two feet to 10 feet by 20 feet. Some plants that work well include Pothos, Peace Lilies, Janet Craigs, and Dracaenas.

With a living wall, air purification and air quality are unparalleled, says Amanda Matfin of Greenteriors of Burlington. She adds space isn’t an issue. Even apartments can handle smaller versions of the walls with as few as 10 plants.

“Herb walls are also a great idea, perfect for foodies who want fresh herbs year-round and through the harsh Canadian climate,” she says. “The key ingredient is proper care, and that’s something we as a company can do for the owner.”

There are a number of professional buildings that can benefit from installations, she says, including restaurants, which are a popular place for living walls to enhance guests’ experiences.

Aside from being aesthetically pleasing, living walls offer numerous health benefits.

“In places of care, like hospitals, living walls can greatly reduce anxiety, stress, and depression, and are proven to enhance and speed up healing,” Amanda says. “There’s lots of room for creativity.” Amanda has seen the walls used as interior design additions, and acoustic or sound absorption trappings in high-traffic areas. Any chance to go natural and get rid of plastic, she stresses, is a good step forward.

Before any installation takes place, a consultation is needed to determine what space is available, the level of commitment and other requirements a customer may have. Then, you will need to find the best and most appropriate living wall system to ensure both aesthetics and top functionality are equally addressed, followed by irrigation and lighting needs, plant selection and desired maintenance. Finally, trained installation professionals will install your living wall system filled with specific plant species.

The key to success with any living wall is maintenance, says both Curtis and Matfin. Based on the species of plants selected for your living wall, it will require weekly, bi-weekly or monthly attention to ensure the plants thrive. Plants should also be monitored to ensure there are no damaging pests and that both the irrigation and fertilizer systems are working properly.

Beyond residential spaces, living walls can provide huge benefits to a work environment. When you consider just how much time you spend at your place of business, living walls can brighten even the dullest interior and improve employee retention by creating a positive and stimulating workplace. Research has found that blood pressure levels are lower when plants are present and they can also help combat fatigue, throat irritation, dry and itchy eyes, difficulty concentrating, dizziness, and irritability.

If you need any further incentive to bring a living wall into your life, consider these proven benefits: plants are shown to increase productivity, enhance test grades, reduce stress and anxiety, improve air quality, provide humidity regulation, and improve the general quality of life. People surrounded by living walls have been found to have improved mental and physical health, feel more content and relaxed, and are more creative in general.

This is a design worth getting behind. Breathe deeply, relax and enjoy your own little pocket of greenery.

by Allison Dempsey

Local Links

Living Wall Concepts
livingwallconcepts.com

Greenteriors
greenteriors.ca

In Articles

Mad for Maddie

September 20, 2019 No Comments

Maddie Smith will be turning seven next month and in those few short years, she’s lived a lifetime. From living with and battling two serious illnesses to raisings funds for others walking in her shoes – Maddie encompasses the very meaning of resilience.

Maddie’s fight started when she was born with cystic fibrosis, a disease that affects the lungs and makes it difficult to breathe. It’s the most common fatal genetic disease affecting children and young adults in Canada, and sadly there is no cure. Her parents, Keri-Lyn and Brian of North Burlington, say they don’t let Maddie’s illness define their family. With two other children and Maddie’s needs, it’s been a challenge given the time it takes to treat her condition and keep her healthy.

“The whole family goes through it. You’re spending all your nights in hospital and you’re not with your other kids. Maddie takes the brunt of it, but it affects the whole family,” said Keri-Lyn.

Maddie requires physiotherapy twice a day, morning and night, plus nebulizers to break up the mucus in her lungs.

Not long after her fourth birthday, Maddie began to feel unwell. After several visits to doctors and emergency wards, the Smith family was devastated to find Maddie would be facing a second battle – this time, leukemia.

For two and a half years, Maddie endured intense chemotherapy, which came with weight loss and hair loss, all at the vulnerable age of four. On top of that, she battled several bouts of pancreatitis, which required eight hospitalizations.

“It was excruciatingly painful. It took her out,” says Keri-Lyn. “But Maddie is a tough cookie and she has rolled with the punches.” Keri-Lyn also says Maddie has wanted to know everything about her illness, to the point where she now wants to become a teaching nurse.

After two and a half years and a heroic fight, Maddie is cancer free, lifting a huge weight from the family’s shoulders.

“This summer has been an opportunity for her to truly be a kid again and play with siblings and do kid things,” says Keri-Lyn, who was off work the last three years to focus on Maddie.

Despite her illnesses, Maddie still plays soccer, rides her bike, and jumps on the backyard trampoline. She’s also been engaged in many community events.

For Maddie’s fifth birthday, the family held a blood drive with the goal of getting 55 units donated. Instead, more than 250 units were collected. Then there’s the Mad for Maddie street party, an event the family has organized every July for the past three years to raise funds for the Children’s Wish Foundation and CF Canada. Last year’s goal was $10,000 and they raised more than $20,000.

At the most recent street party, which included the Burlington Teen Tour Band, they raised another $10,000.

The inspiration to give back came from the kindness of the community. When Brian needed to take time off work to be with Maddie, people stepped forward and donated cash as well as meals. Some even volunteered to clean their house.

“People stepped up in ways we never expected. It was so empowering and we felt like we had to spread the love,” said Keri-Lyn.

Have all of their fundraising efforts made a difference? They like to think so. When Maddie was first diagnosed, the life expectancy in Canada for a child born with CF was 30 years old. Today it’s 54.

“It’s great to think there’s a high survival rate but there’s still so much that needs to be done,” said Keri-Lyn, adding that less than four percent of cancer research funding goes to childhood cancer. “We have these kids who are clearly needing support which is why we’re always trying to bring awareness to childhood cancer.”

And when it comes to Maddie, she’s always stayed positive.

“Everyone has been so nice to me,” said Maddie. “It made me feel like I wasn’t the only one fighting and that everyone else was fighting along with me, too.”

by Denise Davy

Local Link

Mad for Maddie
facebook.com/Mad for Maddie

In Articles

Shop Local – Fall Fashion Finds

September 19, 2019 1 Comment

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Jeff’s Guy Shop

This cozy hoodie is perfect for date-night. Tailored to fit and luxuriously comfortable, this sweater pulls together an effortless look.

457 Brant St, Burlington
jeffsguyshop.com

L.L. Bean

Inspired by the traditional sweaters worn as a defence against the bone-chilling conditions at sea. This heavyweight sweater is made in Ireland with premium wool for outstanding warmth. The Katahdin Pom Hat is a cozy and colourful beanie featuring ‘sunrise over Katahdin’ logo.

240 Leighland Ave, Oakville
llbean.ca

C’est Naturel Boutique

Designed and made locally by C’est Naturel owner, Bemi, this outfit is lightweight, stylish and super versatile.

3300 Fairview Street – 6B, Burlington
cestnaturel.store

Joelle’s

Who doesn’t love a hoop? Handmade in Atlanta, France, Italy & other small studios around the globe – these earrings from Machete are sustainable, modern, and hypo-allergenic.

457 Brant St, Burlington
joelles.com

Posh Couture

You never know what you’re going to find at Posh Couture, with it’s rotating collection of luxury consignment clothing, purses, shoes, and jewelry. This funky Valentino purse is a perfect example!

372 Brant Street, Burlington
poshcouture.ca

Centro Garden

A good looking, functional market bag that packs down into nothing. Available in a variety of colours – pop by the store or buy online.

437 Brant St, Burlington
centrogarden.com

Styleyes Fashion Crate

Can’t decide what to wear to work? Subscribe to the Styleyes Fashion Crate and get a handpicked, curated box of clothes delivered to your home every quarter. Designed for the working professional, they take the time, stress and guesswork out of shopping.

styleyesfashioncrate.com

Zahara’s Boutique

The colourful Isle dress is made from soft, stretchy bamboo jersey material and pairs beautifully with a coat shawl.

321 Cornwall Rd, Oakville
zaharasboutique.com

In Articles

Flying Sky High – Learn to Fly!

September 5, 2019 No Comments

An experience like no other, the sky is truly the limit for those interested in taking flight lessons. Across Oakville and Burlington, there are many schools that offer the once in a lifetime opportunity of flying a plane yourself the very first time you get behind the controls.

At both Skyview Ultralights and Spectrum Airways in Burlington and at AeroCourse in Oakville, students will sign up and on their first day, fly the plane themselves with the help of an instructor. For first time flyers, the experience gives a whirlwind of emotions.

“When you finally fly solo for the first time, the feeling leaves you speechless. There’s nothing better than being in the sky, in an airplane,” Spectrum Airways business development manager Matthew Matecki explained. “It’s a feeling of accomplishment, passion, and love. It’s a feeling like no other, and something you can’t really get until you get in a plane and experience it on your own.”

All of these schools thrive on sharing their passions with their students. Wanting to pass on his love for flying with other local flight-enthusiasts, Mazhar Pirani opened Skyview Ultralights in Edenvale in 2016 before moving the school to the Burlington Airpark in 2017. Working as a pilot himself, Pirani possessed a lot of skills and knowledge that inspired him to open his own flight school, “I personally enjoy flying and having a school is a fun way to share the experience and pass on the knowledge to others,”
said Pirani.

Oakville’s flight school, AeroCourse, has its main office off of Dundas Street and offers courses across Canada. AeroCourse manager Dianne Powell explains the first flight lessons as “exciting but nerve-wracking, it’s a fantastic feeling when you are actually up in the air. For me and many of my colleagues who fly today, it sparked a lifelong passion for aviation,” Powell said.

For those wanting to learn, both Pirani and Matecki explain that there’s no prior knowledge or experience needed before your first lesson. The first lesson is thrilling and exciting, but Matecki notes there’s nothing you can do to prepare until after you’ve flown once, “It’s almost impossible to prepare for your first flight because you don’t really know what to expect. Until you get into a plane, you don’t know how you’re going to react in the air.”

Jokingly, Matecki says the one thing you can prepare for your first lesson is to make sure you’re wearing closed-toe shoes.

With a similar approach, Pirani says there’s nothing you can do to prepare other than doing pretend practices at home. “The biggest tip would be to do your homework and mentally practice the flight exercises on the couch, known as ‘couch flying,’” he said.

Offering not only flight lessons, Skyview Ultralights also offers sightseeing tours. Online, first-time flyers can purchase gift cards and e-gift certificates for introductory flights or one of the tours.

At any flight school, flyers will get an experience like no other and continue to grow their passion for flying. Striving to make a difference in the experience of its students, Spectrum Airways focuses on being a home away from home and a family to its students. Running out of the Burlington Airpark for more than 50 years, the instructors and staff at Spectrum Airways want all of their students to feel as excited as they did during their first lessons.

“We make sure we know everyone’s name and we know who’s coming in, we want to provide everyone with the best experience possible,” Matecki explained. “Some people might be scared out of their mind and some people might be so excited, but it’s our job to make sure everyone is prepared.”

Matceki says that there’s no feeling like flying and it’s a feeling everyone should experience at some point in their lives. Whether you are afraid of flying or just curious, in-flight lessons will teach you that there’s nothing to be afraid of, and it really is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

by Allie Murray

Local Links

Skyview Ultralights
skyviewultralights.ca

Spectrum Airways
spectrumairways.com

AeroCourse
aerocourse.com

In Articles

Retirement Living – You’ve Decided To Move – Now What?

September 3, 2019 No Comments

Making the decision to move into a retirement home isn’t easy, especially if you’ve been living in your beloved family home for decades. But when your home starts to feel like a burden and you’re fed up with lawn maintenance and taking out the garbage, moving may be the answer. Once you’ve made the decision, however, there’s another big question – which home is right for you?

There are many different options available around levels of nursing care, meal plans and types of activities, which is why it’s so important to do your research, said Sarah Poirier, executive director of The Williamsburg on Appleby Line, one of five retirement homes in Burlington and Oakville that’s owned by Revera.

“Asking lots of questions is important because some people don’t fully understand what independent living means and what assisted living means,” said Sarah. “I always tell people that you should really do your research and understand what it looks like because when someone says assisted living, it’s different everywhere.” Most retirement homes do assessments to make sure a person is able to live independently.

Finding out about the level of care is critical because one’s circumstances and one’s health needs can change. As Sarah said, “You don’t want to be making another move.”

Many retirement homes offer both independent living and assisted living, which typically means nursing care and Personal Support Workers (PSW’s) are available. Some homes only have nurses there during certain hours while others allow residents to hire their own PSW.

Other key questions are around the type of leisure activities, whether there is housekeeping or linen and towel delivery, and if they allow pets. Some places offer transportation like The Williamsburg, which has a dedicated driver who takes residents to doctor’s appointments and shopping.

Heritage Place Retirement Residence in north Burlington is typical of many homes in that it offers different levels of care, said Leslie Henry, Director, Sales & Marketing at Heritage who describes the residence as an independent living facility.

It has 26 bungalows with full kitchens, dining rooms, and laundry rooms plus more than 100 units in a four-storey building (one, two-bedroom or studios) where residents can get more support.
Nurses are available from 8.30 a.m. until 8.30 p.m. Like many homes, residents wear pendants so if they’re in distress they can press the button and staff will come. In addition to the pendants, staff in some homes monitor residents and check on things like whether they came down for lunch or whether they’ve gone out for the day.

In terms of costs, some units can be purchased while others can be rented monthly, which may or may not include food and supports

Later down the road, if a person needs additional medical support, they can apply to be moved into Long Term Care (LTC) or a nursing home, although they first have to qualify and be approved by the local healthcare authority.

“We always say you can stay as long as it’s safe,” said Leslie. She said some people think of moving into a retirement home as giving up their independence but there are many pluses.

“Once they’re in, they find it’s the complete opposite. Because we’re taking care of their needs, they have more freedom to come and go.”

Sarah advises people to go to as many homes as they can and to know what they’re looking for. After narrowing it down to two or three, they should go back for lunch to get a better feel of the place. For some, it comes down to being close to their old neighbourhood or close to their children.

When it comes to selling the family home, companies like Moving Seniors Lovingly will help with sorting, selling and discarding.

“A lot of times I’ve asked people what’s stopping them from moving in and they say ‘it’s my stuff’. I say, ‘your stuff is still going to be here five years from now so you have to deal with it’.”

While taking the leap to move into a retirement home may come with some hesitation – many agree there is a tremendous benefit, especially to their social life.

by Denise Davy

Local Links

Revera – The Willamsburg
reveraliving.com

Heritage Place Retirement Residence
heritage-place.ca

Palermo Village Retirement Residence
verveseniorliving.com

Chartwell Retirement Residences
chartwell.com

Amica
amica.ca

In Articles

Kudos To The Cauliflower

August 30, 2019 No Comments

What has turned cauliflower into the new “it” vegetable? Not too long ago, it was bland and pale, usually boiled and flavourless, and most certainly uninspiring.

Then came the remake of this simple white ingredient. It was initially driven by carb-adverse consumers looking for alternatives to traditional white foods such as pasta, rice, and pizza. As soon as cauliflower started to become cool for more plant-based eaters, more varieties appeared on the market. There’s a green variation known as Broccoflower, and an orange variation which is sometimes called Cheddar Cauliflower. Then there’s the purple variety, bright in colour naturally occurring from the presence of an antioxidant also found in red cabbage and red wine. This variation of the vegetable could be a replacement for meat, rather than tofu or imitation meat products.

The versatility of cauliflower has added to its popularity, both because of its mild, nutty flavour as well as its multi-use texture. It can be mashed and whipped with butter and cream to make smooth imitation mashed potatoes. It can also be turned into rice and used in a multitude of ways from stir-fry to sushi, or even served as a meat alternative when it is roasted as a “steak” or as the whole veg in the original Israeli style. Cauli-rice contains less than one-eighth of the calories of regular rice and one-ninth of the carbs. One head of cauliflower has more than 125g of vitamin C, nearly twice as much as an orange. For health-conscious consumers, cauliflower is an easy choice. Plus it’s naturally gluten-free.

The Coop in Burlington serves two variations of cauliflower, one roasted with ranch or honey sriracha, while the other is dusted with general Tao sauce and served on a taco. With many diners becoming more veg-forward and opting for meatless dishes without necessarily being vegan, cauliflower is a natural choice. Plank Restaurant in Bronte makes cauliflower fritters done with beer batter, roasted garlic aïoli, and Pecorino cheese. Maro’s on Kerr Street in Oakville, the popular Mediterranean bistro, offers Bella and the Beast, a dish consisting of a fried head of cauliflower with hummus, Moroccan couscous salad, cabbage and beetroot.

Cauliflower is also easy to turn into a fine dining dish. Jonathan’s Restaurant in Oakville makes a cauliflower-almond miso soup with wild mushroom, lily flower, and Ebi chili, as well as a crunchy mustard cauliflower “Boulangere” which is served as an accompaniment to a rack of lamb.

On the more casual eating side, cauli pizzas are now widely available both in stores and as take-out. The pizza base is made with mashed cauliflower to give a gluten-free healthier alternative. Son of a Peach Pizzeria in Burlington has a crispy cauliflower starter with a side of aioli dip that customers claim is “to die for.”

If you’re looking to pick your own, Ontario only has three farms that offer pick-your-own cauliflower – with one of them being in Halton Region. While famous for their beef, Cody’s Cows in Acton offer a variety of pick-your-own fruits and vegetables, including cauliflower. Cauliflower is in season from June through to October. The mature head should be firm, compact, and white. When you’re ready to harvest the cauliflower head, cut it from the main stem but leave a few of the outer leaves attached to help protect the head and prolong its overall quality until ready to eat. Be sure to handle the head carefully as it can bruise rather easily.

With all trends, they tend to burst onto the scene, and slowly, over time fade into the mainstream. You see it in the fashion industry, and the food industry can be similar. The next “it” vegetables are already on the horizon, (foodie whisperers are saying beetroot and leeks). Whatever the current trends are, you can be confident that so many things are possible when you use simple delicious ingredients.

by Jenny Ratcliffe-Wright

Local Links

The Coop, Burlington
thecoop.ca

Plank Restaurant, Bronte
plankrestobar.ca

Maro’s Bistro, Oakville
marosbistro.com

Johnathan’s, Oakville
jonathansofoakville.com

Son of a Peach, Burlington
heypeachy.com

Cody’s Cows, Acton
codyscows.com

In Articles

Must Reads By Local Authors

August 30, 2019 No Comments

Stories. They’re a way to escape the chaos of reality, bond with little ones at bedtime, and travel to places far and wide from the comfort of a cozy chair. When it comes to a good book, imaginations can run wild. In time for this fall, we’ve put together a book list we think you’ll love – all by local authors.

Resilience

by Lisa Lisson
lisalisson.ca

Lisa’s story began with the love and loss of her high school sweetheart, Patrick. After a massive heart attack took his life at the age of 38, this Burlingtonian was left to raise and support their four young children. Almost a year to the day after her husband’s death, she was promoted to President of FedEx Canada. Part leadership guide, part memoir of loss, and part personal empowerment, Resilience is an inspirational story about how to break the glass ceiling, triumph over adversity, and live each day with purpose.

Hey Ladies, Stop Apologizing

by Professor Maja
professormaja.com

Are you a people pleaser? Do you doubt-yourself? Do you find yourself apologizing for no good reason at all?

If this sounds like you, then this book will motivate you to get out of your damn comfort zone! Professor Maja, Oakville resident of 30 years, and expert on CTV’s The Social is a confidence builder and apology hater. Her mission in this book is to bring awareness to your bad habits, to push you out of your comfort zone and into action, and to motivate you to reach up, dream bigger, and aspire for leadership positions in all areas of your life.

Her Secret Son

by Hannah McKinnon
hannahmarymckinnon.com

Her Secret Son, written by Oakvillian and Canadian Best Seller Hannah McKinnon, is a domestic suspense novel you won’t want to put down. It’s the story of a 35-year-old man called Josh, whose partner of 5 years (Grace) dies in a tragic accident, leaving behind her 7-year-old son, Logan. Josh wants to organize legal guardianship for Logan, but when he searches for the birth certificate, he can’t find it – and that’s but the first clue to the deep, dark secrets he uncovers…

Gibby’s Great Adventure

by Dr. Jackie Prime
(ages 5 to 9)

After chasing a butterfly in her jungle home, Gibby suddenly finds herself very far from her family and lost. With courage and teamwork, Gibby meets new friends who help her overcome obstacles as they guide her back home to the Frilly-Fig Tree.

Burlington’s own Dr. Jackie Prime uses animals and nature in her stories to teach kids important lessons about curiosity, problem-solving, resilience, self-confidence, teamwork, empathy, and integrity – all while rocking and rhyming in the heart of the jungles of Asia.

My Best Friend Is a Secret Agent: How Chip Became C.H.I.P. and Foiled the Freaky Fuzzy Invasion

by Richard Clark
(ages 10-13)
mybestfriendsecretagent.com

Kids can’t get enough of the hilarious book by Oakville’s own Richard Clark. Ten-year-old Nort McKrakken is a pint-sized computer genius. Fourteen-year-old Chip Munson is his best friend – and loyal guinea pig. When their beloved town of Vortville is attacked by an army of brain-warping Freaky Fuzzy toys, Nort implants Chip with a microchip that instantly turns him into a real live secret agent! Will they be able to save the town… or will the microchip fritz out?!

Giraffe and Bird

by Rebecca Bender
(all ages)
rebeccabender.com

Getting along can indeed be difficult, but Giraffe and Bird don’t even try. When Bird makes a face, Giraffe sticks out his tongue; when Bird tweets in his ear, Giraffe invades Bird’s personal space. Bird can’t put up with Giraffe’s bad breath; Giraffe can’t abide it when Bird eats too much fibre and then … well, you know.

A hilarious read by Burlington author and artist Rebecca Bender, Giraffe and Bird combine a clever text introducing synonyms with bright, expressive art to tell the funny and slightly tender story of two enemies who eventually realize they are much better off together.

by Anneliese Lawton

In Articles

Meet The Maker – Laila’s Cheesecake Co.

August 27, 2019 No Comments

What makes for a perfect cheesecake? According to Laila Jazar, “it’s rich but not too heavy, melts in your mouth and creamy, and super flavourful. And I think our cheesecake nails it.”

Laila launched her business in December 2017 and her first market was the inaugural Burlington MADE. When her family first encouraged her to start
selling, she replied, “That’s silly. Who’s going to buy cheesecake from me?” and she’s now supplying Nordstrom. I caught up with her to find out how she got there.

How has Laila’s grown since 2017?

We’re on the verge of some huge moments and hiring has been the biggest progress. Wholesale customers are now reaching out to us, so we’ve gotten a lot of brand exposure in the last year.

View this post on Instagram

Oakville! @tribecacoffeeco now carries our mini 4oz cheesecake jars! Head on in to try the cutest and creamiest dessert jar in town before they’re gone!

A post shared by Handcrafted Cheesecakes (@lailascheesecakeco) on Apr 17, 2019 at 8:44am PDT

What has been your biggest obstacle?

Learning to say no has been a huge challenge especially because if cheesecake makes people happy I want to give it to them!

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Salted caramel cheesecake squares available at @veredacentral.ca alongside some delectable mini cheesecake jars! Get dibs on our fresh delivery today!

A post shared by Handcrafted Cheesecakes (@lailascheesecakeco) on Aug 18, 2019 at 8:32am PDT

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Hopefully you’ll see our cheesecakes available all across Ontario. Ideally we would love to stay handmade, so we’re working on maintaining that quality but being more accessible. There’s a quality to small-batch, fresh-made products that really does make you want more.

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Wanna start your weekend off right?! Grab your bestie, head over to @cfsherway for some shopping…and cap it all off with Laila’s delicious cheesecake jar in @nordstromcanada ‘s Ebar Cafe!

A post shared by Handcrafted Cheesecakes (@lailascheesecakeco) on Aug 9, 2019 at 7:44am PDT

What’s your favourite flavour?

Blueberry! That’s what started it all.

Catch the full video interview at burlingtonmade.com/blog

by Stephanie Finn

Stephanie Finn is the founder and creative director of Burlington MADE handmade and foodie markets, and a small business coach serving creative entrepreneurs at Stephanie Street Co. We’re excited to welcome Stephanie’s voice and her new features on local makers to Look Local Magazine.