Ten months into what I hesitate to call any kind of “new normal,” we’ve gotten into a decent groove doing just about everything virtually — and not just work and school. So I wanted to create a post with a running list of extracurricular activities that we’ve tried and recommend, which I can update when…
Why you need enteric coating on your New Roots probiotics
I’ve dabbled with probiotics on and off for a decade. Maybe longer. My overall opinion on them, before now, was: “Meh.” But guess what? Turns out all those good bacteria probably weren’t even making it to my gut. And that’s why you need an enteric coating on your New Roots probiotic capsules. Let me explain:…
2020 Holiday Gift Guide
It’s my 9th-annual holiday gift guide, y’all! I’m not gonna lie, friends: my holiday gift guide almost didn’t happen this year. As you’ve heard me say for years, this little labour of love takes many hundreds of hours to put together. And, well, 2020 just hasn’t blessed me with a lot of free time. Like…
Exploring the Apple Ecosystem & its DSLR-quality camera phone
[This post was updated on Dec. 14, 2020, with the launch of Fitness+] I bought into the beginnings of the Apple Ecosystem back in 2002 when I purchased my first desktop computer — an iMac, discounted thanks to Apple Education Pricing — and an iPod. I loved how they operated synergistically and, more important, that…
A “hidden gems” Ontario Provincial Parks map
Even people who don’t spend a lot of time visiting provincial parks in Ontario have probably been to or heard of the likes of Algonquin, Sandbanks and French River. But did you know we have more than 330 parks to explore across the province? I’m so excited to share this Ontario provincial parks map and…
How are you managing your child’s RESP contribution?
My parents started a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) for me on a pretty bare-bones working-class income. They were by no means even upper-middle class and yet with exceptionally strong budgeting and saving skills, they made their first RESP contribution when my brother and I were young, and used those savings to help send us…
Our virtual classroom: homeschool room ideas
It’s a sad, confusing, frustrating time for educators, parents and students alike across the country who are about to navigate distance learning or some kind of in-class model that feels much too experimental for many of us. Whatever decision you’ve made, or are about to make, if it’s the right one for your family’s needs,…
Lake Ontario fishing with the Reel Mistress
According to Captain Steve, Lake Ontario fishing should be called Lake Awesome fishing. That’s how he and fellow sport fishers refer to the goldmine lurking in the deeper waters of Lake Ontario. And it’s all within easy reach of the Whitby marina, which the Captain’s boat — the Reel Mistress — calls home. Whether you’re…
My review of professional skin care lines
Although I’ve had some pretty good success over the years with big-brand skin care products that can be found easily in any drugstore — like this moisturizer from L’Oreal and this lip care line from ChapStick — the onset of perimenopause a couple of years ago brought with it some significant changes to my skin….
Awesome one-day road trips from Toronto
(This post was updated on January 4, 2021) When more than half of your content is in the travel category and a global pandemic hits, shutting down international and provincial borders and making even something as simple as a weekend hotel stay questionable, you have to pivot. And fast. Welcome to my pivot: a new…