pink magazine - vol. 3 december 2014

36
FASHION COLUMN BY MICHELLE STRAWFORD | BEAUTY COLUMN BY SARA LINDSAY | HAIR COLUMN BY PAIGE VOS LIVING YOUR HEALTHIEST LIFESTYLE HOLLY BARKER RECIPES FOR CHRISTMAS GOOD TRAVEL & TRAVEL FOR GOOD FREE MAGAZINE VOL. 3 - ISSUE 12 - DECEMBER 2014 MICHELLE GRUNERUD SOUTH SASKATCHEWAN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

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PINK Magazine features women who are making a difference in the province through academia, sports, business and charity. With Saskatchewan being a small and connected province, women find they often know someone in the magazine or can relate to the stories being shared.

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Fashion column by michelle strawford | beauty column by sara lindsay | hair column by Paige vos

living yoUrhealthiestlifestyleHOLLY BARKER

reciPesFOR CHRISTMAS

good travel& TRAVEL FOR GOOD

FREE MAGAZINEVol. 3 - ISSUE 12 - DECEMBER 2014

MichelleGrunerud

South SaSkatchewan coMMunity Foundation

Regina 824 Fleury St. 306-781-8007

SaSkatoon 2206 Speers ave.

306-244-2774

MEZZO

2 | FOR SASKATCHEWAN WOMEN | VOL. 3 ISSUE 12, DECEMBER 2014

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FeaturesVol. 3 - Issue 12 - December 2014

cover storymichelle grunerud 8 Good travel

& travel for good24

living your healthiest lifestyleholly barker16

4 | FOR SASKATCHEWAN WOMEN | VOL. 3 ISSUE 12, DECEMBER 2014

Copyright 2013: PINK Magazine for Saskatchewan Women is a Compass Advertising Ltd. publication, published monthly and distributed free on stands across Saskatchewan. All rights reserved by Compass Advertising Ltd. Reproduction in any form of any material in PINK Magazine is strictly prohibited without written consent. Any requests for duplication of any content should be sent to Compass Advertising Ltd.. Compass Advertising Ltd. makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all of the information and ads that we publish. However, mistakes can happen and Compass Advertising Ltd., along with any affiliates, cannot be held responsible for any consequences arising from any errors or omissions other than the cost of the ad. Compass Advertising Ltd. reserves the right to refuse ads if deemed inappropriate.

1816 9th Avenue North, Regina, SK. S4R 7T4Tel: (306) 585 2064 • Toll Free 1 (888) 717 6655Fax: (306) 585 2080 • Email: [email protected]: pinkmagazine.ca

twitter.com/pinkmagsask

facebook.com/pinkmagsask

Our TeamPuBLISHER compass advertising ltd. [email protected]

MAnAGInG EDITOR & ART DIRECTOR mustapha itani [email protected]

EDITOR Jenn smith nelson [email protected]

WRITERSJessica [email protected]

cheryl Kirkness [email protected]

sara [email protected]

michelle [email protected]

dale [email protected]

Paige [email protected]

holly [email protected]

gary [email protected]

Jamaal rashid [email protected]

GRAPHIC DESIGnER & MAGAZInE COORDInATORcourtney larson [email protected]

PHOTOGRAPHER cover storydarrol hofmeistersharpshooter Photography (306) 949 9113

OFFICE MAnAGERdebra glettler [email protected]

ACCOunT ExECuTIVESdon hahn(306) 536 [email protected] James huber(306) 536 [email protected]

darren eiswerth(306) 551 [email protected]

bonnie Kehler(306) 535 [email protected]

In this Issue21 new winter style

Hair column by Paige Vos

22 yoUr aroma. yoUr way

Beauty column by Sara Lindsay

23 #styleliveshere

Fashion column by Michelle Strawford

28 design matters

By Gary Weisbrodt

30 christmas baKing

Recipes

33 tech UPdate

By Jamaal Rashid

34 moms and mUnchKins

Cheryl Kirkness

FOR SASKATCHEWAN WOMEN | VOL. 3 ISSUE 12, DECEMBER 2014 | 5

note from ourEditor

SUBSCRIBE TO PINK MAGAZINE

would you like PinK magazine in your mailbox?

subscribe now!www.pinkmagazine.ca

Holiday greetings!

By the time you are reading this December issue of Pink, there will only be a few weeks left to prepare for the holidays.

Some of you will read this and breathe a sigh of relief, then pat yourselves on the back for the foresight you had to have everything done, wrapped and ready early.

Others, (me included in this category by the way) may be frantically rushing alongside scores of other last minute shoppers hoping we can still nab something wonderful for our loved ones.

I am not usually in this boat, but alas the last quarter of 2014 has really gotten away from me. So what is one to do? Well, you can go elbow to elbow with other crazed shoppers in the big box stores, or you can try to hit up local shops. Not only will you find the whole experience more comfortable, you are likely to find gifts that are much more unique and individualized.

Here are two ideas to get you started. Sara Lindsay’s column this month has a pretty special offering that isn’t only a gift, but an experience – be sure to check it out. And, Bella Chic columnist Michelle Strawford shares with us a few no fail suggestions for the fashion conscious women in our lives.

Or perhaps, look at reducing gift waste this year and donate time or money to worthy cause. You can even do this on behalf of a loved one. This is a great opportunity for you to introduce the concept of giving to your children. Maybe it’s time as our cover story discusses, to celebrate ‘Giving Tuesday’ in addition to, or in place of ‘Black Friday’.

After all, if we can afford to give to those in need, we should. In the meantime, celebrate the fortune in front of you. If you have a roof over your head, running water and food on your table, you are already winning.

Whatever you choose, enjoy your loved ones and the spirit of the holiday season.

From all of us here at Pink, happy holidays!

Jenn Smith Nelson

Photo by Kiriako Iatridis

6 | FOR SASKATCHEWAN WOMEN | VOL. 3 ISSUE 12, DECEMBER 2014

• New patients welcome • Emergency services available • General Dentistry including: orthodontics and prosthodontics (not by a specialist)

3291 Quance St. E. | Regina, Sk. | 306-584-2833 | toll free: 866-584-2833 email: [email protected]

Dr. Greg Konotopetz | Dr. Kim Neudorf

• New patients welcome • Emergency services available • General Dentistry including: orthodontics (not by a specialist) and prosthodontics (not by a specialist)

3291 Quance St. E. | Regina, Sk. | 306-584-2833 | toll free: 866-584-2833 email: [email protected]

www.signaturesmiles.ca

Dr. Greg Konotopetz | Dr. Kim Neudorf

MichelleGrunerud

South SaSkatchewan coMMunity Foundation

a network oF careBy Jessica Reimer

8 | FOR SASKATCHEWAN WOMEN | VOL. 3 ISSUE 12, DECEMBER 2014

As Saskatchewanians, we are privileged to live in a province rife with opportunities for growth and expansion but that still appreci-ates and fosters a tight-knit sense of community and together-ness. It is for this reason the South Saskatchewan Community Foundation (SSCF), a non-profit public foundation dedicated to enhancing the well being of its constituent communities, contin-ues to flourish into its 45th year.

SSCF’s mandate is to invest in community vitality by connect-ing interested donors south of Davidson, SK with charities and organizations in need. The foundation operates under the um-brella of Community Foundations of Canada (CFC; www.cfc-fcc.ca) alongside approximately 190 other foundations nationwide.

Established in the interest of convenience and sustainability, com-munity foundations pool charitable gifts of individuals, families and businesses, allocating monies and resources into the com-munity as requested or required. All foundations adhere to the same investment model: capital funds are invested and remain untouched, while a portion of the income generated through said investments is dispersed back into the community. Following this model ensures donations enjoy a long lifespan and can continue to build vibrant, healthy communities for years to come.

In addition to working directly with donors, community founda-tions like SSCF also offer support services to charitable organiza-tions whose aim is to improve quality of life for residents in their local communities. In 2013, SSCF had over 35 million dollars

invested and distributed approximately 1.4 million to over 165 charities in areas ranging from physical activity to nutrition and other community-based programming.

Michelle Grunerud joined SSCF in April of this year as the founda-tion’s Communications and Community Engagement Coordina-tor. In speaking with Grunerud, it is evident her background in philanthropy and her active community involvement with various volunteer and non-profit organizations in the city (e.g., Daugh-ters of Africa; Canadian Public Relations Society) makes her well suited for her present role.

“A successful community is an active community,” she says. “Whether it’s sports or arts and culture, it’s important to be in-volved and care about where you live.”

For Grunerud, this association developed at an early age. Grow-ing up in Wapella – a small town in southeast Saskatchewan with less than 400 residents – she saw firsthand how uniting under a shared goal or purpose could bring about positive change.

“In a small town you need the whole community to be behind things like sports and other activities in order for them to be successful,” she explains. “When you get a group of people to-gether with a vision and a sense of community – people who want something better for their community – you can really affect

change.”

Grunerud was eager to take what she had learned growing up in rural Saskatchewan and implement it on a broader scale. This passion, coupled with an interest in social history, motivated her to obtain her Bachelor of Arts Honours in Political Science from the University of Regina. Throughout her studies she sought op-portunities to offer her time and skillset to various non-profit, charitable organizations. In doing so, she was able to establish personal and professional networks while giving back to the community she now calls home.

“By exploring and becoming active in your community, you see things you may not see every day,” says Grunerud. “The more you go out and learn, the more you want to be involved because you start to really see the sense of community out there. All you need to do is make time to discover it.”

In the short time that Grunerud has occupied the role of Com-munications and Community Engagement Coordinator for SSCF, she’s been instrumental in building on many of the foundation’s recent successes. She takes great enjoyment in working directly with charitable organizations in the community to better under-stand their vision and, in turn, communicating those stories to prospective donors and the general public.

“Community foundations don’t compete with other charities but instead want to help them achieve their goals and dreams,” she

explains. “It’s clear that Saskatchewan is a really giving province; the people here are very hands-on and want to help one another out.”

Testament to that is the recent success of two campaigns, both of which Grunerud took a lead role in coordinating and executing: Regina’s first official Random Act of Kindness (RAK) Day and its first annual Vital Signs report (accessible at www.sscf.ca/vital-signs).

RAK Day was launched in 2008 by the Kitchener-Waterloo Com-munity Foundation and has since gained momentum and both national and international recognition. At its core, the initiative is simple: each year, communities are challenged to perform ran-dom acts of selfless giving in pursuit of an altruistic ripple effect. Borrowing from the notion of “paying it forward,” the hope and intent is that RAK Day will extend beyond a singular day and become a vehicle for social change.

SSCF chose to lead Regina’s first official RAK Day on November 7, and was astounded by the overwhelmingly positive communi-ty response. The foundation prepared a RAK “tool kit,” complete with RAK Day cards, ideas and other print media for distribu-tion. The campaign garnered significant media attention in the days leading up to and following RAK Day, with the associated hashtag (#RAKRegina) trending on Twitter throughout the day.

a successful community is an active community, whether it’s sports or arts and culture, it’s important to be involved and care

about where you live.

FOR SASKATCHEWAN WOMEN | VOL. 3 ISSUE 12, DECEMBER 2014 | 9

Grunerud shared a number of uplifting anecdotes about the level of compassion and care demonstrated by the people of Regina, Saskatoon and other areas around the province.

“Saskatchewan is a really giving province,” she says. “From help-ing someone with their groceries to plugging an expired parking meter or simply sitting down with someone to let them know their voice is being heard, so many people took part and wanted to spread the word about RAK Day.”

Grunerud was equally impressed by the Regina’s receptivity to the inaugural Vital Signs report; a statistically driven “community check-up” conducted annually by community foundations across Canada. The report, which launched on October 6, covers twelve

key areas deemed critical to quality of life: Gap Between Rich and Poor; Safety and Security; Health; Learning; Housing; Get-

ting Started; Arts and Culture; Environment; Work; Belonging and Leadership; Getting Around; and the Economy.

“The Vital Signs report is a very relevant, community-focused document,” explains Grunerud, who compiled and consolidated information from a broad range of local, provincial and national sources to identify key strengths and struggles in and around the Regina area.

According to Grunerud, the report’s release triggered the de-sired effect, bringing industry leaders and general members of the public together to discuss the report’s indicators and con-tents. For SSCF, the report not only provides a snapshot view of the community but also serves as an engagement tool for the

public and for the purpose of directing available donor funds in a strategic and effective manner. Grunerud hopes to implement

additional Vital Signs reports for other, smaller communities in South Saskatchewan.

“Places like Rocanville and Esterhazy are experiencing booming economic growth,” she says. “We want to highlight their successes and draw attention to work being done in smaller communities, too. It is a mutually beneficial initiative.”

One challenge faced by SSCF staff and shared by the vast majority of community foundations across Canada is a lack of awareness about foundations’ function and purpose. Grunerud estimates less than 20% of Canadians know about CFC. Although SSCF’s profile is growing, she acknowledged that there is still work left to do to ensure those interested in setting up a fund or applying for a grant are informed about how and where to do so.

“Funding and resources are lacking for non-profits,” states Grunerud, who joined SSCF with plenty of firsthand experi-ence concerning the struggles many charitable organizations face related to the time, skills and resources required to ap-ply for grant-based funding. Her role within SSCF now allows her to be an advocate for those organizations in need, pro-viding the education and tools necessary to submit strong, complete applications.

In order to continue to expand SSCF’s reach, Grunerud is collaborating with Regina-based film production company Play Creative Media (www.playcreativemedia.com) to cre-ate a series of short videos describing the organization and sharing the success stories of various charities and causes around Saskatchewan.

“Although you can’t always help everyone, it’s important to concentrate on successes,” says Grunerud. “The work these people do is really important because they are so passionate about it. It’s often true that you can never tell your story as

when you get a group of people together with a vision and a sense of community – people who want something better for their community – you can

really affect change.

10 | FOR SASKATCHEWAN WOMEN | VOL. 3 ISSUE 12, DECEMBER 2014

FOR SASKATCHEWAN WOMEN | VOL. 3 ISSUE 12, DECEMBER 2014 | 11

well as someone else can, so we want to showcase the services they provide.”

For the month of December, SSCF has also teamed up with stakeholders including the Canadian Association of Gift Plan-ners (CAGP) to lead a new global movement known as ‘Giving Tuesday.’ The City of Regina has officially declared that this will take place on Tuesday, December 2, and will signify the “opening day of the giving season.” Its placement – directly following both ‘Black Friday’ and ‘Cyber Monday’ – is entirely strategic. It serves as a reminder of those less fortunate during a time often charac-terized by materialism and frenzied spending for the Christmas season.

“[‘Giving Tuesday’] is a day where charities, companies, and indi-viduals join together to share commitments, rally for their favou-rite causes, and think about others,” shares Grunerud about this poignant call to action.

The intent is that community members will come together to cel-ebrate and acknowledge ‘Giving Tuesday’ in the same way that retailers across North America participate in ‘Black Friday.’ Those who show their support are invited to post what is now known as an “unselfie,” a self-portrait declaring support for one or more causes or charities. By posting these “unselfies” to social me-dia feeds and using the hashtags #unselfie and #GivingTuesday, SSCF hopes to generate the same level of excitement and en-gagement as was the case with RAK Day.

When asked about future plans for SSCF, Grunerud identified three main goals: to continue to educate the public about the value of community foundations, engagement and volunteerism; to ensure campaigns are accessible to and meet the needs of both older and younger generations; and to deepen the bonds with other community foundations around the province.

“Ultimately we are focused on enhancing the quality of life for the people of Saskatchewan,” she says. “Vitality is key to enjoying life in Saskatchewan.”

The SSCF office is located at 3934 Gordon Road in Regina. To obtain more information about the foundation or about any the initiatives profiled above, please visit the SSCF website (www.sscf.ca) or contact Michelle Grunerud by telephone at (306) 751-4856 or by e-mail at [email protected]. The foundation is also active on Twitter (@SSCF2) and Facebook (https://www.face-book.com/pages/South-Saskatchewan-Community-Founda-tion/1441397452770044).

For our readers who live outside of the areas served by SSCF, you may access a complete listing of active community founda-tions in Saskatchewan through CFC’s website (http://www.cfc-fcc.ca/about-cfs/find-a-community.cfm?id=4).

greatsaskatchewanwomenstories

Do you know someone with a story worth

sharing? Please email us today.

Pink Magazine is always looking to

feature great Saskatchewan women

that are making a difference.

in [email protected]

12 | FOR SASKATCHEWAN WOMEN | VOL. 3 ISSUE 12, DECEMBER 2014

Table 10 is a gluten friendly venue where guests can choose to mingle for casual drinks or spend an entire evening of dining and enjoying the company of family and friends. Voted Best Steaks. Regina’s most extensive gluten friendly menu. Join us for our Saturday / Sunday Brunch

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(NC) Inside or out, winter is the perfect time to try something new at home. Start by checking off these four fun and easy-to-do activities off your list:

• Make the whole yard your canvas with snow graffiti. Sim-ply add water and different food colouring to empty spray bottles, spray outside on the snow and enjoy.

• Host a winter movie marathon with your family. Get in your pajamas, have everyone choose a winter-inspired movie, and curl up on the couch. Don’t forget your favourite snacks and hot beverages, like the new single serve Steeped Tea and French Vanilla Cappuccino from Tim Hortons.

• Light up the night with ice lanterns. Fill balloons with water and place outside (if the temperature is below freezing) or in your freezer. Once frozen, peel off the balloons and chisel an area in the bottom of the ice for a battery-operated tea light. Insert the light, place outside and watch it glow.

• Go bowling with snowmen. Paint five toilet paper tubes white and let them dry. Cut one-inch thick strips of black construction paper and glue on one end of the tube for the hat. Use coloured markers to draw faces and arms on each tube. Set up the tubes pointed like an arrow in a long hall-way, get a bouncy ball and get ready to bowl!

Must-try Winter Activites

14 | FOR SASKATCHEWAN WOMEN | VOL. 3 ISSUE 12, DECEMBER 2014

Regina 824 Fleury St. 306-781-8007

SaSkatoon 2206 Speers ave.

306-244-2774

Imported and distributed by europeanhome.com

New to northern fireplace, visit our website for more design ideas.

(NC) Inside or out, winter is the perfect time to try something new at home. Start by checking off these four fun and easy-to-do activities off your list:

• Make the whole yard your canvas with snow graffiti. Sim-ply add water and different food colouring to empty spray bottles, spray outside on the snow and enjoy.

• Host a winter movie marathon with your family. Get in your pajamas, have everyone choose a winter-inspired movie, and curl up on the couch. Don’t forget your favourite snacks and hot beverages, like the new single serve Steeped Tea and French Vanilla Cappuccino from Tim Hortons.

• Light up the night with ice lanterns. Fill balloons with water and place outside (if the temperature is below freezing) or in your freezer. Once frozen, peel off the balloons and chisel an area in the bottom of the ice for a battery-operated tea light. Insert the light, place outside and watch it glow.

• Go bowling with snowmen. Paint five toilet paper tubes white and let them dry. Cut one-inch thick strips of black construction paper and glue on one end of the tube for the hat. Use coloured markers to draw faces and arms on each tube. Set up the tubes pointed like an arrow in a long hall-way, get a bouncy ball and get ready to bowl!

Must-try Winter Activites

FOR SASKATCHEWAN WOMEN | VOL. 3 ISSUE 12, DECEMBER 2014 | 15

with Holly Barker

Living Your Healthiest Lifestyle Appreciate, Reflect, Reset, Continue

Well HELLO December!

Let’s take this month to appreciate all we have worked for, accomplished and learned this year. Let us reflect the past year and celebrate blessings the New Year will bring.

However, let’s not write off the entire month of December. How about we take this month to check in with ourselves and see if we’ve actually accomplished what we had originally promised to do?

Have we worked towards dreams, and then dreamt bigger and worked harder? Have we conquered tasks once thought impos-

sible? Have we taken a moment to say ‘good job’ to ourselves?

Sometimes in the hustle and bustle of the lists, we become consumed with all the ‘have to’s’ and logistics of the lives we’ve created. We forget to take notice of the ‘get to’s’ and the current things we experience each day. We for-get to give ourselves credit or take a minute to think about what we are working towards. Are we working each week, each month, each year towards a more en-joyable today?

I’m not advising to work really hard today for a stress free tomorrow. I wish for you to do whatever you can today to make each day more enjoyable and the secret to this is … knowledge. I may have said it before or quoted it in a previous month, but Maya Angelou said it best when she said, “When we know better, we do better.” This is such simple truth.

This month I want you to reflect on the past four months since we’ve started our journeys to living our healthiest lives together and then ask yourself: What have I learned?

How have I become healthier?

What changes have I made today to make the tomorrows more enjoyable?

Success is not measured by a number; of course. When land marking a start to an end,

there must be reference points, but living your healthiest lifestyle is an ongoing journey not to

be dictated by a number.

Success should be felt. Your success is a feeling only you will feel. Success should be experienced. It’s the ability to make better de-cisions, to breathe through tough situations, to smile because life is beautiful, and to be present in the moments we choose to enjoy.

My vision for your healthiest self is your head held high, your walk be tall, your voice be heard, and for your outlook to be positive. I want you to create your ideal environment, and possess the ability to accept change and adjust to situations with an open mind.

Take a moment to remember Step Two of Living Your Healthiest

Lifestyle: Setting Goals

Setting Goals was in our October issue where I asked you to write down and note:

My goal Is –

How often will I check in with myself –

How will I feel when I reach this goal –

When will I achieve this goal –

How does this goal interpret to happiness to me –

How will I reward myself for reaching this goal –

What will my next goal be when this goal is achieved –

Have you achieved what you set out to in the time you wanted? Have you worked toward this goal with consistency, and are you closer than you were on that day?

It’s ok if the answer is no, or if you haven’t been perfect since the original goal set. We are not perfect. We are not born to live perfect lives or chase perfection. Do not reflect on this and look at unachieved goals as failure. Instead, try reflecting on goals as progress.

Check in with yourself now and do this practice again. We will be checking in every quarter so remember this feeling. If you have succeeded, remember this feeling of accomplishment. If you still have work to do and know you can do better, remember this feeling and strive for betterment.

Now let’s get to it and move on to what’s next! Let’s set out to tackle our goals, to appreciate progress and to love every step of the way. Mark down new feelings, new achievements, new daily changes. Most likely we are making changes that are easily unnoticed and taken for granted:

Do you walk the stairs at work or make a conscious effort to skip the elevator whenever possible?

Can you now take the stairs and catch your breath quicker?

Do you tie your shoes with ease?

Do you sleep better?

Is your skin nicer because you are better hydrated?

Do you look forward to your clean foods and are you having fun with new clean recipes? Do you look forward to getting to the gym and is your workout wardrobe slowly taking over your closet?

Is your wardrobe more colorful and are you attracted to new cuts of clothing and brighter colors rather than black?

Do you notice the positives in your day instead of dwelling on one negative or ignorant comment?

Are you finding the cold easier to deal with?

Is food tasting better in it’s natural state and are sugar cravings reducing?

Are you feeling hungry instead of cravings or urges to indulge?

The list can go on and on, but these small changes should be noticed, and can tell us a whole lot about what is actually hap-pening with our body. Aches and pains should reduce, energy should improve, and the ability to cope with stressful situations should improve. In general you should be feeling more positive and ready for what’s next. Do not take these seemingly insignifi-cant changes for granted. Instead, applaud them. You are suc-ceeding and headed in the direction towards a more enjoyable today! Way to go!

I bid you a happy and healthy Holiday December. I am so excited to share the coming New Year with you all!

Please write to me on Facebook facebook.com/thehollybarker or Instagram @hollsbarksfitness and let me in on your adventure #livingyourhealthiestlifestyle.

I really do want to be a part of your success and contribute things you can find useful. We are all in this together and I am so proud of the progress you have made. It’s never perfection that we are after; it’s the ability to choose your day and to love every part of it! Live your adventure @mhbworld.com! :D

You all are amazing!

Workout!

With holidays, vacations, family company and the cold gener-ally allowing us to stay inside where it is cozy, I have included a workout you can enjoy in your home, no equipment required. It’s

16 | FOR SASKATCHEWAN WOMEN | VOL. 3 ISSUE 12, DECEMBER 2014

with Holly Barker

Living Your Healthiest Lifestyle Appreciate, Reflect, Reset, Continue

Well HELLO December!

Let’s take this month to appreciate all we have worked for, accomplished and learned this year. Let us reflect the past year and celebrate blessings the New Year will bring.

However, let’s not write off the entire month of December. How about we take this month to check in with ourselves and see if we’ve actually accomplished what we had originally promised to do?

Have we worked towards dreams, and then dreamt bigger and worked harder? Have we conquered tasks once thought impos-

sible? Have we taken a moment to say ‘good job’ to ourselves?

Sometimes in the hustle and bustle of the lists, we become consumed with all the ‘have to’s’ and logistics of the lives we’ve created. We forget to take notice of the ‘get to’s’ and the current things we experience each day. We for-get to give ourselves credit or take a minute to think about what we are working towards. Are we working each week, each month, each year towards a more en-joyable today?

I’m not advising to work really hard today for a stress free tomorrow. I wish for you to do whatever you can today to make each day more enjoyable and the secret to this is … knowledge. I may have said it before or quoted it in a previous month, but Maya Angelou said it best when she said, “When we know better, we do better.” This is such simple truth.

This month I want you to reflect on the past four months since we’ve started our journeys to living our healthiest lives together and then ask yourself: What have I learned?

How have I become healthier?

What changes have I made today to make the tomorrows more enjoyable?

Success is not measured by a number; of course. When land marking a start to an end,

there must be reference points, but living your healthiest lifestyle is an ongoing journey not to

be dictated by a number.

Success should be felt. Your success is a feeling only you will feel. Success should be experienced. It’s the ability to make better de-cisions, to breathe through tough situations, to smile because life is beautiful, and to be present in the moments we choose to enjoy.

My vision for your healthiest self is your head held high, your walk be tall, your voice be heard, and for your outlook to be positive. I want you to create your ideal environment, and possess the ability to accept change and adjust to situations with an open mind.

Take a moment to remember Step Two of Living Your Healthiest

Lifestyle: Setting Goals

Setting Goals was in our October issue where I asked you to write down and note:

My goal Is –

How often will I check in with myself –

How will I feel when I reach this goal –

When will I achieve this goal –

How does this goal interpret to happiness to me –

How will I reward myself for reaching this goal –

What will my next goal be when this goal is achieved –

Have you achieved what you set out to in the time you wanted? Have you worked toward this goal with consistency, and are you closer than you were on that day?

It’s ok if the answer is no, or if you haven’t been perfect since the original goal set. We are not perfect. We are not born to live perfect lives or chase perfection. Do not reflect on this and look at unachieved goals as failure. Instead, try reflecting on goals as progress.

Check in with yourself now and do this practice again. We will be checking in every quarter so remember this feeling. If you have succeeded, remember this feeling of accomplishment. If you still have work to do and know you can do better, remember this feeling and strive for betterment.

Now let’s get to it and move on to what’s next! Let’s set out to tackle our goals, to appreciate progress and to love every step of the way. Mark down new feelings, new achievements, new daily changes. Most likely we are making changes that are easily unnoticed and taken for granted:

Do you walk the stairs at work or make a conscious effort to skip the elevator whenever possible?

Can you now take the stairs and catch your breath quicker?

Do you tie your shoes with ease?

Do you sleep better?

Is your skin nicer because you are better hydrated?

Do you look forward to your clean foods and are you having fun with new clean recipes? Do you look forward to getting to the gym and is your workout wardrobe slowly taking over your closet?

Is your wardrobe more colorful and are you attracted to new cuts of clothing and brighter colors rather than black?

Do you notice the positives in your day instead of dwelling on one negative or ignorant comment?

Are you finding the cold easier to deal with?

Is food tasting better in it’s natural state and are sugar cravings reducing?

Are you feeling hungry instead of cravings or urges to indulge?

The list can go on and on, but these small changes should be noticed, and can tell us a whole lot about what is actually hap-pening with our body. Aches and pains should reduce, energy should improve, and the ability to cope with stressful situations should improve. In general you should be feeling more positive and ready for what’s next. Do not take these seemingly insignifi-cant changes for granted. Instead, applaud them. You are suc-ceeding and headed in the direction towards a more enjoyable today! Way to go!

I bid you a happy and healthy Holiday December. I am so excited to share the coming New Year with you all!

Please write to me on Facebook facebook.com/thehollybarker or Instagram @hollsbarksfitness and let me in on your adventure #livingyourhealthiestlifestyle.

I really do want to be a part of your success and contribute things you can find useful. We are all in this together and I am so proud of the progress you have made. It’s never perfection that we are after; it’s the ability to choose your day and to love every part of it! Live your adventure @mhbworld.com! :D

You all are amazing!

Workout!

With holidays, vacations, family company and the cold gener-ally allowing us to stay inside where it is cozy, I have included a workout you can enjoy in your home, no equipment required. It’s

FOR SASKATCHEWAN WOMEN | VOL. 3 ISSUE 12, DECEMBER 2014 | 17

Holly is a Saskatchewan born and raised fitness enthusiast. She grew up in Whitewood, Saskatchewan and graduated from the U of S School of Business. She now owns two Anytime Fitness locations with her husband in Regina and is a sponsored athlete, bikini competitor and fitness model. She loves to inspire others to also find the zest in life and live their passions to the fullest!

a quick circuit and can be done anywhere and with anyone! Get the family in on the fun and bust out this workout at home or in your gym. It’s quick so you can be back to family festivities and celebrations in no time. I have also included a recipe you can enjoy after your hard work!

Holiday Circuit Work It

Check my Facebook Page Holly Barkerfacebook.com/thehol-lybarker for this “Holiday Circuit Work It” Video and join in from home over the holidays to stay on point!

-Jumping Jacks

-Burpee with a Push up at the bottom and a jump at the top

-Jump Squat

-Banana Roll Overs

-Toe Touches alternating legs

-Sit Up to Get Up

-Switching Lunges

-Side-to-Side Squat

-Push up with alternating Arm and Foot reach at Top

Perform each exercise as many times as you can for 1 minute before moving on to the next exercise. Do circuit through 2x’s with a 2 minute rest in between each set for a quick fat blasting 20 minute Holiday Circuit. Work It!

Recipe!

Quattro Fudge Butter

What you will need:

150g Pecans

100g Unsalted Roasted Cashews

100g Coconut Oil

1 tsp Butter Emulsion

3 scoops Chocolate Quattro Protein Powder (available at Any-time Fitness Regina locations)

Prep work:

Toasted Cookie Crunch Pecans

Place pecans on parchment paper.

Sprinkle Butterscotch extract, Maple extract and Butter emul-sion on top.

Toss pecans until all are coated in extracts and emulsion and place in toaster for 3-5min (until toasted, but not burnt).

Remove and let cool.

Place cooled 2/3 pecans, 2/3 cashews and all coconut oil in blender and blend until smooth. Add in protein powder and emulsion and blend again until combined. Pulse in remaining 1/3 pecans and cashews, and leave a bit crunchy. Remove from blender into a Tupperware container and let cool for 2-3 hours.

Nutritional breakdown for 22g serving (heaping tablespoon)

145 Calories, 12.5g Fat, 2.5g Carbohydrate, 6.5g Protein

Enjoy this protein spread on your toast, oatmeal, or smoothies, Greek yogurt, overnight oats or egg whites!

18 | FOR SASKATCHEWAN WOMEN | VOL. 3 ISSUE 12, DECEMBER 2014

Holly is a Saskatchewan born and raised fitness enthusiast. She grew up in Whitewood, Saskatchewan and graduated from the U of S School of Business. She now owns two Anytime Fitness locations with her husband in Regina and is a sponsored athlete, bikini competitor and fitness model. She loves to inspire others to also find the zest in life and live their passions to the fullest!

a quick circuit and can be done anywhere and with anyone! Get the family in on the fun and bust out this workout at home or in your gym. It’s quick so you can be back to family festivities and celebrations in no time. I have also included a recipe you can enjoy after your hard work!

Holiday Circuit Work It

Check my Facebook Page Holly Barkerfacebook.com/thehol-lybarker for this “Holiday Circuit Work It” Video and join in from home over the holidays to stay on point!

-Jumping Jacks

-Burpee with a Push up at the bottom and a jump at the top

-Jump Squat

-Banana Roll Overs

-Toe Touches alternating legs

-Sit Up to Get Up

-Switching Lunges

-Side-to-Side Squat

-Push up with alternating Arm and Foot reach at Top

Perform each exercise as many times as you can for 1 minute before moving on to the next exercise. Do circuit through 2x’s with a 2 minute rest in between each set for a quick fat blasting 20 minute Holiday Circuit. Work It!

Recipe!

Quattro Fudge Butter

What you will need:

150g Pecans

100g Unsalted Roasted Cashews

100g Coconut Oil

1 tsp Butter Emulsion

3 scoops Chocolate Quattro Protein Powder (available at Any-time Fitness Regina locations)

Prep work:

Toasted Cookie Crunch Pecans

Place pecans on parchment paper.

Sprinkle Butterscotch extract, Maple extract and Butter emul-sion on top.

Toss pecans until all are coated in extracts and emulsion and place in toaster for 3-5min (until toasted, but not burnt).

Remove and let cool.

Place cooled 2/3 pecans, 2/3 cashews and all coconut oil in blender and blend until smooth. Add in protein powder and emulsion and blend again until combined. Pulse in remaining 1/3 pecans and cashews, and leave a bit crunchy. Remove from blender into a Tupperware container and let cool for 2-3 hours.

Nutritional breakdown for 22g serving (heaping tablespoon)

145 Calories, 12.5g Fat, 2.5g Carbohydrate, 6.5g Protein

Enjoy this protein spread on your toast, oatmeal, or smoothies, Greek yogurt, overnight oats or egg whites!

161 Broadway StreetFort Qu’Appelle, SK306.332.6711

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FOR SASKATCHEWAN WOMEN | VOL. 3 ISSUE 12, DECEMBER 2014 | 19

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20 | FOR SASKATCHEWAN WOMEN | VOL. 3 ISSUE 12, DECEMBER 2014

New Winter Style

Paige received her hair stylist certification at MC College. She then started her apprenticeship at Visions, completing the Visions Mentorship Program where she received advanced cut and colour training. She continues to forward her education, attending the international Surface Symposium and keeping up with new trends and techniques!

Paige brings a fresh, trendy style to her guests. Her professional and easy-going personality creates a relaxing salon experience that her guests really enjoy.

By Paige Vos from Visions Salon and Spa, Saskatoon

This winter deep, rich colours are trending and are sure to turn heads.Think deep plum, chocolate auburn and chestnut brown.

Blondes should go with warm rath-er than cool tones to complement your skin tone for the winter season. Switch up your bleach blonde locks to a softer sombre (soft + ombre) look. To achieve a sombre look, go with deeper chestnut browns and golden blondes for that slightly sun kissed result.

Get rid of your long dry hair and try a super trendy long bob. Long layers are also a hit for winter to keep your hair looking full and fresh.

For styling, big loose curls are per-fect for the holidays. Keep your styles smooth and frizz free to show off your rich winter colour.

FOR SASKATCHEWAN WOMEN | VOL. 3 ISSUE 12, DECEMBER 2014 | 21

your aroma. your way.

About the artist...Originally from Canada, and having spent many years of her career in the United Kingdom, Sara Lindsay is a professional makeup artist, with training from some of London’s top fashion academies. Having had the opportunity to work with some of Britain’s top artists, Sara brings an edge to her hometown of Regina. Sara’s professional experience includes runway work, editorial spreads, compelling commercial campaigns, weddings and special event clients. London Fashion Week, New York Fashion Week, the Junos, and the CCMA’s are just some of the highlights of her career. Sara was named Canadian Makeup Artist of the Year at The Mirror Awards 2011 and was named a finalist for 2012.Sara’s successful freelance career, which complimented her time as a regional associate with MAC COSMETICS UK, gave her valuable experience in working closely with clientele to consult and direct their transformation to the extraordinary. In a consultative style, Sara works to achieve a look that is uniquely your own.

By Sara Lindsay

Aroma is something that affects each of us so personally and in so many ways. It can make us feel happy or warm, relaxed or uplifted. It can remind us of someone or take us back to a childhood memory. It is so connected to experience.

During the holiday season, I am surrounded by scents that connect me to family and traditions. Cedar, fir, cinnamon, holiday baking; even the smell of a cold winter’s day. Aroma is so closely connected to us on an individual level. This is why I was so thrilled to find the newest addition to our studio, Memoire Liquide. 

We welcome you to relax and enjoy a beverage while you create your very own aroma. We will begin by asking questions to develop an aroma profile based on you. We will then take you through a journey of beautiful essential oil aromas which have been sourced from all over the world until we find the blend that perfectly captures you. Your blend will be recorded and kept on file on personal recipe cards for future visits. 

Once you have chosen your personal aroma blend, we will bottle it for you in an exquisite glass roll-on or spray bottle.

Since its inception, thousands of blends have been created and catalogued, each with a personal story behind the recipe and its creator.

This is a beautiful treat for you, but also makes a wonderful and very unique gift for someone else. You can purchase the empty bottle with a gift certificate so the recipient can come and join us for the same experience. 

This is such a unique and personal gift for a birthday, Christmas or any special celebration. A bride and groom can create their own wedding day aromas. It also makes a great bridesmaid gift where they can come as a group and create their custom aromas.

In our fast paced world and rushed lives, I was excited to find something special in the beauty industry that will make us slow down, relax and literally “smell the roses”. 

We now offer lash extensions in studio with Lyndsay. Leah offers full Aveda hair services in studio. I offer private makeup lessons for any woman wishing to update or change her look, or just wanting to learn how to apply her own makeup.

3420 Hill Avenue in Regina www.saralindsay.ca • [email protected] • (306) 347-7829

22 | FOR SASKATCHEWAN WOMEN | VOL. 3 ISSUE 12, DECEMBER 2014

The holiday season is well upon us and the opportunities for putting great style under the Christmas tree this season are endless!

STOCKING STUFFERS

Legwarmers, boot socks and boot cuffs could not be big-ger this season. If ever there was a fashion accessory made for Christmas morning, this is it. Coming in sizes for all the little girls to the ladies in your world, you can’t go wrong with placing at least a few of these must-have pieces in your favorite girl’s stocking this season.

KEEP THEM COZY

Hand-knit and oh-so-cozy infinity scarves are such a gor-geous, not to mention functional add-on to any casual or outdoor outfit this season. Coming in a variety of gorgeous winter hues, from mustard to burgundy, you are sure to find the perfect scarf for the ladies on your shopping list.

SPARKLE WHILE MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Sparkle ball earrings have been a great gift and must-have accessory for some time. What makes these Zilure earrings sparkle a whole lot brighter than the rest may be that they are created from genuine Swarovski crystals. Or maybe, it’s because a portion of all sales goes to the Canadian Women’s Foundation; an organization working to empower women and girls in Canada to move out of violence, out of poverty and into confidence. The Zilure company, created by a Canadian philanthropist, makes purchasing from this collec-tion very easy this Christmas season.

IT’S YOUR TURN TO SHINE

With Christmas and New Year’s parties in our calendars there are a few pieces to be sure to include in your wardrobe. You have your favorite pair of sparkle-ball earrings, now add a pair of sequin leggings and achieve super-star status! Finish the outfit with a sequin glam clutch and you will turn heads ef-fortlessly.

All this great style is right here in Saskatchewan! Shop now at bellachic.ca or join our contact list by sending us a note from our website to be a part of a future pop-up event.

Bella Chic and #styleliveshere wishes all our readers and cus-tomers a blessed Christmas season filled with the love of family and friends. May you sparkle and shine!

With a lifelong passion for fashion Michelle Strawford runs multiple businesses all with a focus on showcasing and bringing style to Saskatchewan. From owning a photography company and producing SK’s top retail events, not to mention owning a women’s fashion company too, Michelle lives and breathes what she loves.

Find out more at: BellaChic.ca | Facebook: /BellaChic.Fashion | Twitter: @BellaChicOnline Fotobella.ca | Facebook: /fotobella.ca WhatWomenWantRegina.ca | Facbook:/WhatWomenWant.ca | Twitter: @WhatWomenWantSK

Instagram: style_lives_here

Contact Michelle at [email protected] | Twitter: @michelleStrawf1

By Michelle Strawford

#StyleliveSHereholiday shopping guide

Photo by MySoCaldLife.com

FOR SASKATCHEWAN WOMEN | VOL. 3 ISSUE 12, DECEMBER 2014 | 23

PINK sat down with local traveller and writer Janita Van de Velde to discuss how travel changes us all for the better.

Over a decade ago you shook up your life with a bold deci-sion. You took a leave of absence from your job and left to go travelling around the globe for six months with your now husband. What kick-started your decision to see the world?

I’ve always had a strong desire to go travelling and see the world. I’m not entirely sure why - maybe I thought I was missing some-thing, or that life had more excitement to offer than what I was experiencing at the time.

I promised myself I would travel when I graduated from university. Then came the job, the bills, the responsibilities and all the reasons why I shouldn’t go. “Why would you want to do that?” they said, “You’ll be so broke when you get back…”, followed by streams of, “You should consider yourself lucky you have such a great job. What if you never get another one? You’re ready to throw that all away?” To be honest, it scared the crap out of me. But I knew that it was something I had to do, or I would always regret the decision not to.

And guess what I realized? My employer was great to me, that’s true, but I was always great to them in return. They offered me a job when I got back, albeit a change from what I was doing that re-quired a move from Winnipeg to Regina. That made it a round the world ticket, last stop Regina. There’s a joke in there somewhere.

There are generally speaking two types groups of travellers. Those who like comfort and certainty. And those who like ad-venture and the unknown. Having left footprints in Europe, Af-rica, Australia, New Zealand and South America leads me to suspect you are the latter. What is it about travel that makes your heart sing?

Realizing how lucky and blessed we are … I thought I knew that, but I don’t think it really hit me until we visited places where it was remarkably difficult to reconcile people’s level of happiness with

how little they had. How is it that in our world of plenty there are still so many with nothing? And how is it that they seem much happier, more grateful and more at peace with themselves than we do? They have nothing and yet possess everything we so desperately want. I think that’s their secret.

Things that aren’t important don’t cloud their vision - they know most of the stuff worth having comes from within. And instead of realizing this, we continue to sell our souls for things we already own. That’s why I think it’s a good thing to sleep outside on a rock in the middle of the Namibian desert at least once in your lifetime, with nothing between you and the elements but your fierce joy of being alive. That made my soul sing ... well truthfully, it starting singing only after I managed a successful bathroom break in the pitch black darkness without being killed by a snake.

Travellers infamously enjoy sharing their stories with friends and family. You decided that you wanted to add strangers to that list when you wrotethe book Postcards Never Written, loosely based on your own travels. Winner of a Saskatchewan Readers Choice award, the book highlighted “What you don’t write home about”. Tell us about your inspiration to share the less than glorious details of travel or as you put it, ‘things you hide from your parents’.

Sharing the less than glorious details was likely why it took me seven years to write the book! There are certain things your par-ents don’t really need to know about – after all, why worry them? Seriously, just the thought of my mom reading the manuscript was enough to make me tuck that baby away for another year or two after I had finished writing it. To answer your question though, I was inspired to write the book for a few reasons:

To make people laugh. We could all use a little more humour in our lives, and I find that quite often we take ourselves far too seri-ously. What’s the point of forgetting how to laugh? We’re human beings. We make mistakes and do stupid things. It’s not about

being perfect. It’s about being real and allowing ourselves to connect to one another through our flaws and fallibilities. Or at least this is what I told my mom when she read the draft and declared that it could certainly use a few shots of holy water, but gave me her blessing nonetheless as it was for a good cause. That’s as good as getting it from the Pontiff himself.

I found it extremely amusing that no matter how old we get, we always worry about what our parents will think and want to hide stuff from them in our quest to be the golden child. While travelling, I met 60-year-olds who, prior to embarking on a reckless activity, would say, “Holy @#$%. If my mom ever finds out I’m doing this, she’ll kill me”, as they plunged headfirst over a cliff into icy waters below. Fair point. I guess you always worry about pleasing those you love the most. It took me a while to realize that my parents know me better than anyone else on this planet and they will always be there for me no matter what.

We have been given more than we’ll ever need in this lifetime and I wanted to do my part to give back. I donate a portion of proceeds from the sale of my book to World Vision to help those less fortunate. The line-up of people willing to help should always be longer than the line-up of those in need. How cool would that be?

You said “We’ve been given more than we’ll ever need in this lifetime. The line-up of people willing to help should always be longer than the line-up of those in need.” Does that explain your interest in Habitat for Humanity and a mission to El Salvador that you took in 2013? How was that experience?

Yes, that definitely prompted my decision to volunteer my time with Habitat for Humanity. This past November, I participated in a build in El Salvador with a group of people from work. When I was first approached to go on this trip, I had multiple reasons why it wasn’t a good time. I was working full-time outside the home, a mother of three, and could hardly manage my life as it was. Another time, I said, maybe in a few years when things slow down. Thankfully I’m blessed with friends who won’t take no for an answer, particularly when they know it’s something that will be good for me, even more so, something I need.

The “there will be intense manual labour” part was no @#%ing joke. We spent the better part of 8-hours a day hauling chop-pails full of dirt up and down a steep hill, mixing cement by hand, laying brick and swinging a pick-axe, all in 35 degree, high humidity heat. I will tell you this - by 9:00am every morning, I had sweat leaking from places that I didn’t even know could produce sweat. And in those moments when I thought, “This is too much for me. I’m not strong enough…” I would catch a glimpse of the Grandpa and the little 8-year

old boy, whose house we were helping build, work-ing beside us side-by-side all week long. It was then I knew I had it in me. I could also hear my Dad’s voice in my head saying: “A little hard work nev-er killed anyone.” Amen, Dad. You’ve been right about that one all along.

He wept with grati-tude. My heart grew three sizes that day.

GOOD TRAvEl AND TRAvEl fOR GOOD By Dale Strawford

Me and my El Salvador Grandpa. This man? His eyes were absolutely incredible - they held enough warmth and love to light the world on fire. When saying his goodbyes at the end of the week, he could not contain his emotions.

24 | FOR SASKATCHEWAN WOMEN | VOL. 3 ISSUE 12, DECEMBER 2014

PINK sat down with local traveller and writer Janita Van de Velde to discuss how travel changes us all for the better.

Over a decade ago you shook up your life with a bold deci-sion. You took a leave of absence from your job and left to go travelling around the globe for six months with your now husband. What kick-started your decision to see the world?

I’ve always had a strong desire to go travelling and see the world. I’m not entirely sure why - maybe I thought I was missing some-thing, or that life had more excitement to offer than what I was experiencing at the time.

I promised myself I would travel when I graduated from university. Then came the job, the bills, the responsibilities and all the reasons why I shouldn’t go. “Why would you want to do that?” they said, “You’ll be so broke when you get back…”, followed by streams of, “You should consider yourself lucky you have such a great job. What if you never get another one? You’re ready to throw that all away?” To be honest, it scared the crap out of me. But I knew that it was something I had to do, or I would always regret the decision not to.

And guess what I realized? My employer was great to me, that’s true, but I was always great to them in return. They offered me a job when I got back, albeit a change from what I was doing that re-quired a move from Winnipeg to Regina. That made it a round the world ticket, last stop Regina. There’s a joke in there somewhere.

There are generally speaking two types groups of travellers. Those who like comfort and certainty. And those who like ad-venture and the unknown. Having left footprints in Europe, Af-rica, Australia, New Zealand and South America leads me to suspect you are the latter. What is it about travel that makes your heart sing?

Realizing how lucky and blessed we are … I thought I knew that, but I don’t think it really hit me until we visited places where it was remarkably difficult to reconcile people’s level of happiness with

how little they had. How is it that in our world of plenty there are still so many with nothing? And how is it that they seem much happier, more grateful and more at peace with themselves than we do? They have nothing and yet possess everything we so desperately want. I think that’s their secret.

Things that aren’t important don’t cloud their vision - they know most of the stuff worth having comes from within. And instead of realizing this, we continue to sell our souls for things we already own. That’s why I think it’s a good thing to sleep outside on a rock in the middle of the Namibian desert at least once in your lifetime, with nothing between you and the elements but your fierce joy of being alive. That made my soul sing ... well truthfully, it starting singing only after I managed a successful bathroom break in the pitch black darkness without being killed by a snake.

Travellers infamously enjoy sharing their stories with friends and family. You decided that you wanted to add strangers to that list when you wrotethe book Postcards Never Written, loosely based on your own travels. Winner of a Saskatchewan Readers Choice award, the book highlighted “What you don’t write home about”. Tell us about your inspiration to share the less than glorious details of travel or as you put it, ‘things you hide from your parents’.

Sharing the less than glorious details was likely why it took me seven years to write the book! There are certain things your par-ents don’t really need to know about – after all, why worry them? Seriously, just the thought of my mom reading the manuscript was enough to make me tuck that baby away for another year or two after I had finished writing it. To answer your question though, I was inspired to write the book for a few reasons:

To make people laugh. We could all use a little more humour in our lives, and I find that quite often we take ourselves far too seri-ously. What’s the point of forgetting how to laugh? We’re human beings. We make mistakes and do stupid things. It’s not about

being perfect. It’s about being real and allowing ourselves to connect to one another through our flaws and fallibilities. Or at least this is what I told my mom when she read the draft and declared that it could certainly use a few shots of holy water, but gave me her blessing nonetheless as it was for a good cause. That’s as good as getting it from the Pontiff himself.

I found it extremely amusing that no matter how old we get, we always worry about what our parents will think and want to hide stuff from them in our quest to be the golden child. While travelling, I met 60-year-olds who, prior to embarking on a reckless activity, would say, “Holy @#$%. If my mom ever finds out I’m doing this, she’ll kill me”, as they plunged headfirst over a cliff into icy waters below. Fair point. I guess you always worry about pleasing those you love the most. It took me a while to realize that my parents know me better than anyone else on this planet and they will always be there for me no matter what.

We have been given more than we’ll ever need in this lifetime and I wanted to do my part to give back. I donate a portion of proceeds from the sale of my book to World Vision to help those less fortunate. The line-up of people willing to help should always be longer than the line-up of those in need. How cool would that be?

You said “We’ve been given more than we’ll ever need in this lifetime. The line-up of people willing to help should always be longer than the line-up of those in need.” Does that explain your interest in Habitat for Humanity and a mission to El Salvador that you took in 2013? How was that experience?

Yes, that definitely prompted my decision to volunteer my time with Habitat for Humanity. This past November, I participated in a build in El Salvador with a group of people from work. When I was first approached to go on this trip, I had multiple reasons why it wasn’t a good time. I was working full-time outside the home, a mother of three, and could hardly manage my life as it was. Another time, I said, maybe in a few years when things slow down. Thankfully I’m blessed with friends who won’t take no for an answer, particularly when they know it’s something that will be good for me, even more so, something I need.

The “there will be intense manual labour” part was no @#%ing joke. We spent the better part of 8-hours a day hauling chop-pails full of dirt up and down a steep hill, mixing cement by hand, laying brick and swinging a pick-axe, all in 35 degree, high humidity heat. I will tell you this - by 9:00am every morning, I had sweat leaking from places that I didn’t even know could produce sweat. And in those moments when I thought, “This is too much for me. I’m not strong enough…” I would catch a glimpse of the Grandpa and the little 8-year

old boy, whose house we were helping build, work-ing beside us side-by-side all week long. It was then I knew I had it in me. I could also hear my Dad’s voice in my head saying: “A little hard work nev-er killed anyone.” Amen, Dad. You’ve been right about that one all along.

He wept with grati-tude. My heart grew three sizes that day.

GOOD TRAvEl AND TRAvEl fOR GOOD By Dale Strawford

Me and my El Salvador Grandpa. This man? His eyes were absolutely incredible - they held enough warmth and love to light the world on fire. When saying his goodbyes at the end of the week, he could not contain his emotions.

FOR SASKATCHEWAN WOMEN | VOL. 3 ISSUE 12, DECEMBER 2014 | 25

This experience made me think a lot about how fortunate we are, how much we’ve been given simply by luck of the draw as to which country we’re born in. The author James Branch Ca-bell once wrote: “While it is well enough to leave footprints on the sands of time, it is even more important to make sure they point in a commendable direction.” I don’t want my children to feel guilty for what they have; that’s the lottery they’ve won in life. But I do want them to understand that with blessings comes great respon-sibility to help those who need help, or a hand up. Helping others who have nothing to give you in return is the best way to rediscover yourself.

The image that will forever be seared upon my heart was when the little 8-year old boy got so upset when we were leaving, he started to cry and ran to hide behind the house. My friend followed him, scooped him up and folded him into a great, big bear hug.  

Hope. It’s a powerful thing, and something that no one wants to let go of.

I don’t think I’m blessed. I know I am. I got to go on this incred-ible journey with these amazing people, and walked away a bet-ter person for it. It made my soul sing. I don’t know much, but I do know enough to know that life doesn’t get much better than that. The following is an inscription from the tomb of a bishop in the Westminster Abbey, which for me, sums up life beautifully. It reads as follows:

“When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser I dis-covered the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change my country, but it too seemed immovable. As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me. But alas, they would have none of it. And now I realize as I lie on my death bed, if I had only changed myself first, then, by example, I might have changed my family. From their aspirations and encour-agement I would have then been able to better my country, and who knows, I might have even changed the world.”

Through travel we learn about the world and often more about ourselves. What was one of the most important lessons you learned?

I’ve learned to never confuse my net worth with the numbers in my bank account – I’m not taking any of it with me. I’m no more important or valuable than a person who has nothing. I don’t ever want to forget that. As the saying goes, we’re all ending up in a box about the same size, so that helps me to maintain a healthy perspective. My parents taught me that life is just one giant board game. Play a good game. Do the best with what you’ve got. Never take more than you give – and in comparison to the rest of the world, we’ve been given so much. Leave the board in good shape. Don’t chew on the corners. And one day - one day you’ll have to pass on your chips. Holding on tighter won’t help you at all. Your time at the board isn’t up to you. But your moves while you’re here, are.

A family of five tends to influence your availability for travel and adventure. What is your idea of the perfect vacation these days? Any family expeditions to foreign lands in your future?

A perfect vacation for us these days could be to just about any-where. Hey, when it takes you seven hours to drive out to Manitoba

just to see your family, what’s seven hours in a plane to Spain? It all amounts to the same thing. I have some friends who would rather be shot than travel with their offspring, and to them I say, “If you’re going to be yelling at your kids anyway, you might as well be yelling at them on a beach.” What am I saying … we don’t yell at our kids. We move through life like angels. And we pray there’s one other kid out there behaving worse than ours. Moving on.

Many people dream of leaving it all behind and setting out on the road. But they are challenged to turn that dream into real-ity. In five words, what would you say to encourage them to get that first footprint in the dirt?

Five words? What the @#$%...

You will never regret it.

Janita Van de Velde grew up on a farm near Mariapolis, Manitoba. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural economics from the University of Manitoba, and has worked for a financial institution since graduating. (Please don’t hold any of this against her.) She currently lives in Regina, Saskatchewan, with her hus-band and their three children. In her spare time, she writes a col-umn for Grainews called Postcards from the Prairies.

Janita is the author of Postcards Never Written, which was the recipient of the Saskatchewan Reader’s Choice Award and was also listed by CBC as one of the top funny books in 2009. In 2010, Janita was inducted into the 100th anniversary edition of the Cana-dian Who’s Who publication. She donates a portion of all proceeds from the sale of her book to World Vision; to date, she’s donated close to $15,000. You can order a copy of her book at www.janita.ca and can also follow her on her blog at www.postcardsneverwrit-ten.blogspot.com

Janet Miller306-520-2223

[email protected]

www.no-place-like-home.ca

26 | FOR SASKATCHEWAN WOMEN | VOL. 3 ISSUE 12, DECEMBER 2014

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FOR SASKATCHEWAN WOMEN | VOL. 3 ISSUE 12, DECEMBER 2014 | 27

DESIGNMATTERSDETAILSMATTER

g j C o n s t r u c t sH O U S E O F D E S I G N

Added Reading

Contact306 [email protected]

PICK & CHOOSE YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL OPTIONS

HOUSE PLANS © Gary Weisbrodt

What Dreams Are Made OfIf you are like most people, you want a comfortable place to live, one that fits your tastes

as well as your pocketbook. All of gjConstructs custom home designs prove that style and good planning make your home economical to build, affordable to live in and a joy now and in the years to come.

A Wonderful World of BeautyIn your gjConstructs home, you live in a world of beauty… beauty that is achieved

by grace and line, skillful combining of materials and harmonious blending of colours. “Simple Elegance” is the expression used by your friends in describing first impressions of a gjConstructs design.

A Wonderful World o f LuxuryLuxury and good taste are brought within your financial reach through gjConstructs

design, construction techniques and buying power. Elegant master bedroom—dressing room—bathroom suites; extra room for hobbies, guests, homework; abundant storage … and many many more features…in the Wonderful World of gjConstructs.

A Wonderful World Of ConvenienceLive your New Way of Life surrounded by every convenience imaginable! The carefully

developed gjConstructs floor plans create more usable living space, inside and out, than is offered in any other home! Step-saving, work-saving space-arrangement construction and material innovations and the latest built-in appliances add time to your day and years to your life.

Design Ideas to Make a Small Bathroom BetterBy using every inch wisely you can make sure your small bath-

room is comfortable, not cramped.I have been in some small bathrooms — you know, the kind that

make you feel like you have to back out of to change your mind. Though challenging, I really like working on this type of bathroom design. Trying to make everything fit in the available space is like doing a giant crossword puzzle.

Among the challenges: configuring the toilet and sink to code, al-lowing enough clearance for a shower and, of course, where to put the towels and toilet paper. Despite the challenges, in most cases it’s still better to squeeze in an extra bathroom where one is desperately needed, even if it must be small.

Here are some ideas for how to make a small bathroom

function:1. Install a corner sink. Sometimes even a pedestal sink can dis-

rupt the only available traffic lane in a bathroom. Placing a corner sink across from the toilet works better than a sink across from the

shower. The opening and closing of the shower door usually creates an awkward walk-around condition.

2. Use a shower curtain. A shower curtain that moves back and forth saves space over a glass door that moves in and out. Shower-tub combos can actually fit into small spaces, with some tubs com-ing in at 60 inches in length.

3. Float the vanity. Besides just visually helping the bathroom ap-pear bigger, mounting a vanity above the floor frees up a little space for small items.

4. Round the vanity. Tight spaces can make sharp corners hip hazards. If the corners of a vanity would get in the way, opt for a rounded style. Yes, a round vanity can work in a square space. No more bruised hips!

5. Extend the counter over the toilet. The extended counter cre-ates just enough space for a few needed items. Toilet placement is not affected, and the look is minimalist and clean.

6. Use a large-scale pattern. A large-scale pattern like a wide stripe, can trick the eye into seeing expanded space. The square footage might stay the same, but the bathroom will feel bigger.

7. Skip the shower door. If your bathroom is about 5 feet wide, that’s just enough space to squeeze in a toilet and a 30 – by 60-inch tub. With tight conditions such as these, consider a glass panel instead of a glass shower door. It will keep most of the water in the shower and will free up needed elbow room.

8. Expand the mirror. In the tightest spaces, having a mirror stretch across the wall instead of just the vanity can enable two people to use it at once. In less-than-ideal space conditions, every inch helps.

9. Mount the towel bar on a door. Where can I put my towels? I wish I had a nickel for every time I heard that question. When space is at a minimum, mounting a towel bar on the shower door keeps towels handy. You might need to store the bulk of your towels in a nearby linen closet, but having that one towel close by to dry off with is essential.

10. Install a trough sink. The narrow, clean styling of a trough sink is a good-looking space solution. Trough sinks have a low profile. When wall mounted, they free up floor space as well for storage or foot traffic.

11. Select a vanity with one shelf. Pedestal design has gotten smarter. Even a pedestal style with one shelf can hold towels or a basket for toilet paper. I personally love the way fresh, clean towels look folded neatly in a bathroom.

12. Use a wall-mounted faucet. Mounting a faucet on the wall allows for a narrower sink or vanity, which in turn frees up square footage in the total bathroom. Don’t be afraid to try a wall-mounted faucet in traditional design. It works anywhere!

.

.© Gary Weisbrodt

W -

-

HOW TO GET YOUR FREE CUSTOM HOME DESIGN SERVICEYOU GET YOUR FREE DESIGN BY COMPLETING TWO EASY STEPS

1. Contact gjConstructs

2. Use one of the approved custom home builders.

PINK Spread Cottage Kitchens.indd 30-31 2014-11-25 7:35 PM

28 | FOR SASKATCHEWAN WOMEN | VOL. 3 ISSUE 12, DECEMBER 2014

DESIGNMATTERSDETAILSMATTER

g j C o n s t r u c t sH O U S E O F D E S I G N

Added Reading

Contact306 [email protected]

PICK & CHOOSE YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL OPTIONS

HOUSE PLANS © Gary Weisbrodt

What Dreams Are Made OfIf you are like most people, you want a comfortable place to live, one that fits your tastes

as well as your pocketbook. All of gjConstructs custom home designs prove that style and good planning make your home economical to build, affordable to live in and a joy now and in the years to come.

A Wonderful World of BeautyIn your gjConstructs home, you live in a world of beauty… beauty that is achieved

by grace and line, skillful combining of materials and harmonious blending of colours. “Simple Elegance” is the expression used by your friends in describing first impressions of a gjConstructs design.

A Wonderful World o f LuxuryLuxury and good taste are brought within your financial reach through gjConstructs

design, construction techniques and buying power. Elegant master bedroom—dressing room—bathroom suites; extra room for hobbies, guests, homework; abundant storage … and many many more features…in the Wonderful World of gjConstructs.

A Wonderful World Of ConvenienceLive your New Way of Life surrounded by every convenience imaginable! The carefully

developed gjConstructs floor plans create more usable living space, inside and out, than is offered in any other home! Step-saving, work-saving space-arrangement construction and material innovations and the latest built-in appliances add time to your day and years to your life.

Design Ideas to Make a Small Bathroom BetterBy using every inch wisely you can make sure your small bath-

room is comfortable, not cramped.I have been in some small bathrooms — you know, the kind that

make you feel like you have to back out of to change your mind. Though challenging, I really like working on this type of bathroom design. Trying to make everything fit in the available space is like doing a giant crossword puzzle.

Among the challenges: configuring the toilet and sink to code, al-lowing enough clearance for a shower and, of course, where to put the towels and toilet paper. Despite the challenges, in most cases it’s still better to squeeze in an extra bathroom where one is desperately needed, even if it must be small.

Here are some ideas for how to make a small bathroom

function:1. Install a corner sink. Sometimes even a pedestal sink can dis-

rupt the only available traffic lane in a bathroom. Placing a corner sink across from the toilet works better than a sink across from the

shower. The opening and closing of the shower door usually creates an awkward walk-around condition.

2. Use a shower curtain. A shower curtain that moves back and forth saves space over a glass door that moves in and out. Shower-tub combos can actually fit into small spaces, with some tubs com-ing in at 60 inches in length.

3. Float the vanity. Besides just visually helping the bathroom ap-pear bigger, mounting a vanity above the floor frees up a little space for small items.

4. Round the vanity. Tight spaces can make sharp corners hip hazards. If the corners of a vanity would get in the way, opt for a rounded style. Yes, a round vanity can work in a square space. No more bruised hips!

5. Extend the counter over the toilet. The extended counter cre-ates just enough space for a few needed items. Toilet placement is not affected, and the look is minimalist and clean.

6. Use a large-scale pattern. A large-scale pattern like a wide stripe, can trick the eye into seeing expanded space. The square footage might stay the same, but the bathroom will feel bigger.

7. Skip the shower door. If your bathroom is about 5 feet wide, that’s just enough space to squeeze in a toilet and a 30 – by 60-inch tub. With tight conditions such as these, consider a glass panel instead of a glass shower door. It will keep most of the water in the shower and will free up needed elbow room.

8. Expand the mirror. In the tightest spaces, having a mirror stretch across the wall instead of just the vanity can enable two people to use it at once. In less-than-ideal space conditions, every inch helps.

9. Mount the towel bar on a door. Where can I put my towels? I wish I had a nickel for every time I heard that question. When space is at a minimum, mounting a towel bar on the shower door keeps towels handy. You might need to store the bulk of your towels in a nearby linen closet, but having that one towel close by to dry off with is essential.

10. Install a trough sink. The narrow, clean styling of a trough sink is a good-looking space solution. Trough sinks have a low profile. When wall mounted, they free up floor space as well for storage or foot traffic.

11. Select a vanity with one shelf. Pedestal design has gotten smarter. Even a pedestal style with one shelf can hold towels or a basket for toilet paper. I personally love the way fresh, clean towels look folded neatly in a bathroom.

12. Use a wall-mounted faucet. Mounting a faucet on the wall allows for a narrower sink or vanity, which in turn frees up square footage in the total bathroom. Don’t be afraid to try a wall-mounted faucet in traditional design. It works anywhere!

.

.© Gary Weisbrodt

W -

-

HOW TO GET YOUR FREE CUSTOM HOME DESIGN SERVICEYOU GET YOUR FREE DESIGN BY COMPLETING TWO EASY STEPS

1. Contact gjConstructs

2. Use one of the approved custom home builders.

PINK Spread Cottage Kitchens.indd 30-31 2014-11-25 7:35 PM

FOR SASKATCHEWAN WOMEN | VOL. 3 ISSUE 12, DECEMBER 2014 | 29

Makes 4 Dozen

3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup margarine, softened 1 1/2 cups white sugar 2 eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together, set aside. In a large bowl, cream together the margarine and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Gradually blend in the sifted ingredients until fully absorbed. Cover dough, and chill for 2 hours.

2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets. On a clean floured surface, roll out small por-tions of chilled dough to 1/4 inch thick-ness. Cut out shapes using cookie cut-ters.

3. Bake 6 to 8 minutes in the preheated oven, or until edges are barely brown. Remove from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks.

christmasLots of sweet treats

for the holiday season!

Makes 4 Dozen

2 egg whites 1/8 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar 1/2 cup white sugar 2 peppermint candy canes, crushed

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 225 degrees F (110 degrees C). Line 2 cookie sheets with foil.

2. In a large glass or metal mixing bowl, beat egg whites, salt, and cream of tar-tar to soft peaks. Gradually add sugar, continuing to beat until whites form stiff peaks. Drop by spoonfuls 1 inch apart on the prepared cookie sheets. Sprinkle crushed peppermint candy over the cookies.

3. Bake for 1 1/2 hours in preheated oven. Meringues should be completely dry on the inside. Do not allow them to brown. Turn off oven. Keep oven door ajar, and let meringues sit in the oven until completely cool. Loosen from foil with metal spatula. Store loosely cov-ered in cool dry place for up to 2 months.

Makes 4 Dozen

1 cup butter, softened 1 cup packed brown sugar 1 cup white sugar 2 eggs 2 tablespoons brandy 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1-1/2 cups white chocolate chips 2 cups dried cranberries

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.

2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg and brandy. Combine the flour and baking soda; stir into the sugar mixture. Mix in the white chocolate chips and cranberries. Drop by heaping spoonfuls onto prepared cookie sheets.

3. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the pre-heated oven. For best results, take them out while they are still doughy. Allow cookies to cool for 1 minute on the cook-ie sheets before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.

Makes 1 - 9x13 inch pan

1 cup butter or margarine, melted 2 cups graham cracker crumbs 2 cups confectioners’ sugar 1 cup peanut butter 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips 4 tablespoons peanut butter

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, mix together the butter or margarine, graham cracker crumbs, confectioners’ sugar, and 1 cup peanut butter until well blended. Press evenly into the bottom of an ungreased 9x13 inch pan.

2. In a metal bowl over simmering water, or in the microwave, melt the chocolate chips with the peanut butter, stirring oc-casionally until smooth. Spread over the prepared crust. Refrigerate for at least one hour before cutting into squares.

Makes 1 - 8x8 inch baking dish

3 cups white chocolate chips 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk 1/4 cup butter 1 teaspoon maple flavored extract 1 1/2 cups broken walnuts

Directions:

1. Grease an 8x8-inch glass baking dish, and line with an 8x12-inch sheet of parchment paper. The ends will hang over the side of the dish.

2. Melt the white chocolate, sweetened condensed milk, and butter in a micro-wave-safe glass or ceramic bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring after each melting, for 1 to 3 minutes (depending on your microwave). Do not overheat or chocolate will scorch. Stir in the maple flavored extract until just combined, then add the walnuts. Pour chocolate mixture into the prepared baking dish; refrigerate until set, about 1 hour. Re-move fudge by lifting the parchment paper, then cut into squares.

Makes 1 - 15x10 inch pan

3 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup white sugar 1 cup butter 1/2 teaspoon salt 4 eggs 1 1/2 cups light corn syrup 1 1/2 cups white sugar 3 tablespoons margarine, melted 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 1/2 cups chopped pecans

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease the sides and bottom of one 15x10 inch pan.

2. In a large bowl combine the flour, 1/2 cup sugar, margarine or butter and salt until the mixture resemble coarse crumbs. Press firmly into the prepared pan.

3. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 20 minutes.

4. In a large bowl stir the eggs, corn syr-up 1 1/2 cups white sugar, melted mar-garine and vanilla until blended. Stir in the chopped pecans.

5. Spread the filling evenly over the hot crust. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 de-grees C) for 25 minutes or until set. Let cool before slicing.

30 | FOR SASKATCHEWAN WOMEN | VOL. 3 ISSUE 12, DECEMBER 2014

Makes 4 Dozen

3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup margarine, softened 1 1/2 cups white sugar 2 eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together, set aside. In a large bowl, cream together the margarine and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Gradually blend in the sifted ingredients until fully absorbed. Cover dough, and chill for 2 hours.

2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets. On a clean floured surface, roll out small por-tions of chilled dough to 1/4 inch thick-ness. Cut out shapes using cookie cut-ters.

3. Bake 6 to 8 minutes in the preheated oven, or until edges are barely brown. Remove from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks.

christmasLots of sweet treats

for the holiday season!

Makes 4 Dozen

2 egg whites 1/8 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar 1/2 cup white sugar 2 peppermint candy canes, crushed

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 225 degrees F (110 degrees C). Line 2 cookie sheets with foil.

2. In a large glass or metal mixing bowl, beat egg whites, salt, and cream of tar-tar to soft peaks. Gradually add sugar, continuing to beat until whites form stiff peaks. Drop by spoonfuls 1 inch apart on the prepared cookie sheets. Sprinkle crushed peppermint candy over the cookies.

3. Bake for 1 1/2 hours in preheated oven. Meringues should be completely dry on the inside. Do not allow them to brown. Turn off oven. Keep oven door ajar, and let meringues sit in the oven until completely cool. Loosen from foil with metal spatula. Store loosely cov-ered in cool dry place for up to 2 months.

Makes 4 Dozen

1 cup butter, softened 1 cup packed brown sugar 1 cup white sugar 2 eggs 2 tablespoons brandy 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1-1/2 cups white chocolate chips 2 cups dried cranberries

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.

2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg and brandy. Combine the flour and baking soda; stir into the sugar mixture. Mix in the white chocolate chips and cranberries. Drop by heaping spoonfuls onto prepared cookie sheets.

3. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the pre-heated oven. For best results, take them out while they are still doughy. Allow cookies to cool for 1 minute on the cook-ie sheets before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.

Makes 1 - 9x13 inch pan

1 cup butter or margarine, melted 2 cups graham cracker crumbs 2 cups confectioners’ sugar 1 cup peanut butter 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips 4 tablespoons peanut butter

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, mix together the butter or margarine, graham cracker crumbs, confectioners’ sugar, and 1 cup peanut butter until well blended. Press evenly into the bottom of an ungreased 9x13 inch pan.

2. In a metal bowl over simmering water, or in the microwave, melt the chocolate chips with the peanut butter, stirring oc-casionally until smooth. Spread over the prepared crust. Refrigerate for at least one hour before cutting into squares.

Makes 1 - 8x8 inch baking dish

3 cups white chocolate chips 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk 1/4 cup butter 1 teaspoon maple flavored extract 1 1/2 cups broken walnuts

Directions:

1. Grease an 8x8-inch glass baking dish, and line with an 8x12-inch sheet of parchment paper. The ends will hang over the side of the dish.

2. Melt the white chocolate, sweetened condensed milk, and butter in a micro-wave-safe glass or ceramic bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring after each melting, for 1 to 3 minutes (depending on your microwave). Do not overheat or chocolate will scorch. Stir in the maple flavored extract until just combined, then add the walnuts. Pour chocolate mixture into the prepared baking dish; refrigerate until set, about 1 hour. Re-move fudge by lifting the parchment paper, then cut into squares.

Makes 1 - 15x10 inch pan

3 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup white sugar 1 cup butter 1/2 teaspoon salt 4 eggs 1 1/2 cups light corn syrup 1 1/2 cups white sugar 3 tablespoons margarine, melted 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 1/2 cups chopped pecans

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease the sides and bottom of one 15x10 inch pan.

2. In a large bowl combine the flour, 1/2 cup sugar, margarine or butter and salt until the mixture resemble coarse crumbs. Press firmly into the prepared pan.

3. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 20 minutes.

4. In a large bowl stir the eggs, corn syr-up 1 1/2 cups white sugar, melted mar-garine and vanilla until blended. Stir in the chopped pecans.

5. Spread the filling evenly over the hot crust. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 de-grees C) for 25 minutes or until set. Let cool before slicing.

FOR SASKATCHEWAN WOMEN | VOL. 3 ISSUE 12, DECEMBER 2014 | 31

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Jay’s Mobile Tire service goes FlaT ouT all day To help you on your way! a FlaT anywhere, call Jay’s @ 306-543-Tire(8473)

our Tire Technicians will replace your FlaT anywhere. no geTTing dirTy, no hassle. we can also replace wiTh a new Tire.

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32 | FOR SASKATCHEWAN WOMEN | VOL. 3 ISSUE 12, DECEMBER 2014

TECH UPDATEPhone hAPPyBy Jamaal Rashid

By far one of my favorite things to write about are phone apps.

One specific application that helped my expecting wife and me this year was the Baby Center App. Having a child is by no means easy. Of course, the father may not have it nearly as bad as the mother, but they do both carry the

same sense of love, fear and uncertainty during this special time.

The Baby Center app is a special tool that brings couples together and helps them through the difficult and not so difficult times. Not only does it give information on the status of your little bundle of joy, but is also a sophisticated tool to find all that ails you.

Honestly having a child can be both the scariest and also the most amazing thing you can do. We men honestly don’t have it easy, we have to literally suck it up, do as we are told, or else … We’ll suck it up though because to be honest, we got it good. 

Baby center is an intriguing app as well, allowing us men to know and understand what is happening each moment along the way and what to expect in the future. In also can be helpful in giving women a sense of relief if something is perhaps worrisome. 

Getting information on what’s next for your baby is by far the best and most re-assuring thing for any couple. Baby Center gives par-ents a step-by-step progress report on what to expect while the baby is growing. It incorporates an easy to use blog for day-to-day users, with its very own experts tab where you can read answers from professionals.

Did you know typically baby starts to hear at 22 weeks? Well honestly I didn’t. We were so excited we began making nois-es and talking to our baby girl any chance we got. Of course we may have looked crazy but it brought us closer together. Baby Center gives tons of great advice to couples. It is basically a whole community of moms, dads and doctors sharing their experi-ences, and medical help expertise. Now of course it’s not a substi-tute for talking to your doctor, but a great tool to use.

Most would say this app is for the mommy’s to be but I beg to differ. It’s also a great tool for the daddy’s to be. It brings us closer to what is happening, tells our spouse that “yes we do care”, and gives us the opportunity to ask questions when we’re confused (which is all

the time I might add).

It’s easy to use and has a great interface, too. Sign up, give a lit-tle info about yourself and away you go. The application tracks the baby’s weekly growth, provides a detailed explanation on what’s happening with your baby, and what you can expect.  Honestly I don’t know what I would do without this app. It really brought me closer to my family, educated me in becoming a more knowledgeable father, and a more sensitive husband.

Many times I wonder what used to happen without all this technology!

I’m extremely happy to be able to share my experiences with you and hopefully I have convinced you that if you are expect-ing, planning or even just curious, you need to get this app!

SaSkatoon9, 834 - 51st Street, Saskatoon, SK • 1 (306) 384 6266 •

[email protected]

REGIna2743 Avonhurst Drive, Regina, SK • 1 (306) 569 6266 •

[email protected]

nanotechrepair.ca

FOR SASKATCHEWAN WOMEN | VOL. 3 ISSUE 12, DECEMBER 2014 | 33

christmas charadesAs another year comes to an end, children are writing their letters to Santa, families are putting up their Christmas trees and snow-men are popping up in yards everywhere. Does your family play games on Christmas Eve? Here’s a fun game sure to leave everyone laughing - Christmas Charades.

www.momsandmunchkins.ca by Cheryl Kirkness

Baking Christmas Cookies

Making aGingerbread House

Santa Stuck In The Chimney

Naughty or Nice List

Pictures With Santa

Mailing Christmas Cards

Decorating The Tree

Throwing Snowballs

Christmas Wish List

Counting Down The Days Until Christmas

Building a Snowman

Elves Making Toys

Shopping For Gifts

Santa Eating Cookies

Lump of Coal In Your Stocking

Flying Reindeer

Wrapping Presents

Family Pictures

Sitting on Santa’s Knee

Drinking Hot Chocolate

Hanging Christmas Lights

Singing Carols

Mrs. Claus

Turkey & Stuffing

Candy Cane

Christmas Dinner

Winter Vacation

34 | FOR SASKATCHEWAN WOMEN | VOL. 3 ISSUE 12, DECEMBER 2014

Deli We’re proud to offer premium quality

meats, cheeses and homestyle meals that are ready to serve.

Sherwood Co-opinvites you to stop in for a fresh new

shopping experience!

Produce • Fresh • Quality • Selection

We guarantee it!

Bakery We’re proud to offer delicious,

fresh goods baked daily!

Butcher

We’re proud to offer premium quality Western Canadian meats that are

hand-cut in-store.

Your local Co-op membership offers you a lifetime of rewards, including the promise of high-quality products and services at competitive prices. We also offer the potential for annual cash back and an equity account that grows over time, as well as the opportunity to get involved as a member-owner.

Our profits are your profits.

$3 million in cash was given back to Sherwood Co-op members in 2014.

East ReginaQuance Food Store 2925 Quance Street East

North West ReginaRochdale Food Store & Pharmacy5875 Rochdale Boulevard

South ReginaSouth Albert Food Store & Pharmacy 3801 Albert Street

Sherwood Pink Mag ad.indd 1 2014-08-26 2:59 PM

Danielle Wilson (306) 536-0027

harbour landing $539,900 MLS #508589

Janine Wilson (306) 537-3200

harbour landing ToWnhouSE $294,000 MLS# 514246

Visit my website for more information!

(306)525-9801 [email protected]

533 Victoria Ave.|Regina, Sk. Crawford Realty

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gardinEr Park $549,900 MLS #510700

www.JanineWilson.ca

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(306) 536-7500

204 - 912 oTTErloo S$334,500 MLS #500182

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4850 harbour landing dr.

• 4 STYlES To chooSE FroM

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