Enjoy Labour Day with Potato Salad and Corn!

Logan Niles

Labour Day speaks to true Summertime fare with BBQ, salads and sweet summer corn. Below you find some simple and fun ideas and the freedom to create your own dishes. Nothing too complex just enjoyable guidelines to help keep the work in the kitchen light and the long weekend relaxed.

 

Potato Salads

No need to get all gooped up with may this year. German style potato salads, yogurt based dressings and simple ingredients can turn your average dish into something fun and different. No need to much around with a blender either, just make a few additions to your favourite bottled dressing to add a little wow to the dish. Read more

Recipe: Baby Roma Tomatoes with Herb Ricotta

Logan Niles

These easy to make and beautiful gems combine fresh flavors to make a classic hor d’oeuvre or plated starter. Ripe Roma tomatoes, fresh herbs and a simple, homemade ricotta cheese recipe makes for a flavor explosion that sings of Summer patios, crisp white wines and the company of family and friends. This recipe is very easy to multiply to fit your needs and the ricotta filling can be used on crustini and in pasta dishes as well.

Ingredients:

1.5 cps Homemade Ricotta

2 cloves of Garlic, grated

Zest of 1/2 Lemon

3 Tbs of fresh herbs (rosemary, dill, basil, lavender buds)

2 Tbs Fresh Chives, small slice

1.5 tsp Kosher Salt

1/2 tsp Black Pepper

1lb Baby Roma Tomatoes

Fresh Herbs for garnish Read more

Minding Your Manners

Kyle Bernstein

Perhaps the mere sound of the word suggests elitism, elegance, and maybe even antiquity.  However, “etiquette” is simply another word for manners and it applies to all of us.  Webster’s New World Dictionary describes minding your manners as “observing proper behavior in social situations”.  Of course, what can be construed as “proper” may be extremely subjective.  Often times, we discover that an innocuous action or phrase taken out of context has been perceived as rude or thoughtless when in fact it was not taken as intended.   Humans are, by nature, sensitive and self-involved and are conditioned to be concerned primarily with what something means to us personally or how it will affect us.  Therefore, etiquette sets guidelines based on consideration, respect, and honesty, to help us get along as a civilization.  Our parents and teachers are responsible for teaching us how to behave in social situations and, from a very early age, do their best to instill in each of us a disposition to do and say what is right in the existing culture.  However, there are no hard and fast rules and “appropriate” can rest in a very gray area.  Additionally, as we are dedicated foremost to self-preservation, we may often act in ways that benefit us without considering the consequences to others.  It’s also common to become lax and overly familiar with individuals we frequently come into contact with.  A lapse in manners may also result from having a bad day and not feeling like being nice.  Perhaps you feel like you’ve been mistreated and believe you shouldn’t bother to put on pretense when it appears that no one else cares to.  As etiquette shapes us individually and as a society, it’s important to remember that what goes around most certainly comes around and as a friend once eloquently put it “karma is a boomerang”.  It’s important to be an individual and while the idea of “dancing like nobody’s watching” is quite romantic, if you instead dance like everyone is watching, you may become a better dancer.  Well, at least you won’t bump into as many other dancers, causing embarrassment and having to apologize or pay their medical bills.  Etiquette is simply an outline for actions that will help us function as members of an equitable society. 

 

Let’s start by reminding ourselves of some general guidelines on how to play nice:

 

Be pleasant.  It sounds so obvious and simple, maybe even a bit corny, but in actuality, being polite and friendly is the foundation of good manners.  Exhibiting a positive outlook and a warm smile gives people the impression that you are approachable and encourages them to treat you in a similar manner.  Just as a nasty barista can ruin your entire day, a flash of a grin can also foster a chain reaction which could potentially make the day that much more tolerable for yourself and those around you.

 

Be aware of your surroundings. North American culture is based on the concept of Social Cooperation. 

This is the idea that a certain amount for compromise is necessary in obtaining our individual goals.

Simply put, just as one must look both ways before crossing the street or yield to oncoming traffic, we all must maneuver our physical as well as our metaphorical actions around those other bodies already in motion.

When going through a doorway, the polite execution would be to look behind you and hold the door for the next person as opposed to letting it slam in their face.  In the office, awareness comes from knowing the other players and what their jobs are as well as being a good listener.

 

Think before you speak.  We live in the day of zingers, jabs, and snark.  It’s easy to reply to just about anything another person says with a sarcastic quip.  It’s a mainstay of television sitcoms and has become increasingly popular on blogs and in conversation as well.  People who do this may think they are being witty and entertaining, which may sometimes be the case.   However, it’s important to know your audience.  Many languages have variations on words and phrases which depend upon who you’re speaking with, such as proper versus familiar.

Although we don’t make such distinctions in North American English, it’s always wise to be a bit more polite and careful in choosing your words when speaking with a person in a position of authority such as the clergy or your boss.  Additionally, it’s imperative to base your speech on the topic at hand and the information you believe the person you’re speaking with is seeking.

 

 

Speak when spoken to.  In an office environment, especially in these days of short-staffing and reduced hours with the same amount of work being generated, it is realistic that we become so industrious that we barely feel we have time to look up from our computers, even when approached by the boss.  The “I can’t see you because I’m too busy” trick is also a clever yet transparent tactic to appear hard-working in hopes that the higher-ups will think we can’t possibly take on another task.  Perhaps the person approaching you is going to ask you for something you feel unable to give or you just don’t want to talk to them.  Unfortunately, speaking with people you don’t like and engaging in conversations about possibly unpleasant things is part of being an adult.  Stop what you’re doing – at the end of the call you’re on or the sentence you’re typing – and say hello.  Spread the congeniality and contribute to a sociable workplace.  Then, listen to what the person has to say or arrange with them a more convenient time to do so.  Read your emails and respond to them.  If you receive a message that is lengthy and think you’re not going to have time to read the whole thing or an email that demands a researched response, immediately send back a quick note saying you received it and give a time frame of when you will devote your attention to reading it and giving it the consideration it deserves.  Listen to your voicemails – the entire message – and take action as soon as possible, but no later than 24 hours.

 

Act appropriately.  This can be a tall order as what is proper can vary from situation to situation.

Nonetheless, you know what you believe to be correct and how you like to be treated, so that’s always a good place to start.  It never hurts to err on the side of caution and gauge the actions of others in proximity in a new situation.

Always remember that your thoughts and actions are a reflection of who you are.  Regardless of the social climate you enter, it is beneficial to act according to your own standards and be true to yourself while showing respect for others.

 

Be sincere.  Say what you mean, mean what you say, admit when you’re wrong, and if you don’t know, ask.  Doing a job over when you’ve made a mistake or asking for an extension when you feel unable to make a deadline may not feel good, but handling a situation properly will save your credibility.

 

Say “please” and “thank you”.  It really is a magic word – “please”.  Saying it forces us to pause at the end of demand, which can soften the blow of any request you’re making.  It also shows respect to the person you’re asking and implies that filling this order is optional, yet appreciated.  “Thank you” is positive reinforcement which shows your gratitude to the person granting your wishes and may encourage them to assist you again in the future.

Remember that just because it’s someone’s job to serve you, doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be valued.

 

These standards of social behavior will help you get along better in the workplace and in just about any other situation.   Bear in mind that all actions have consequences and as a member of society, it behooves you to do your best to pass along positive interactions, which will come back to you in your everyday life.

 

 

This article is the first of a series.  In future editions, we’ll explore the world of manners and how to navigate other peoples lack thereof.  We’ll further explore some of the ideas touched upon here as well as many other hot topics.

 I’d love to answer your etiquette questions, help you sort out a sticky situation, or share stories of especially good or bad behavior.  Please email me with inquiries or topic suggestions at kylebernstein@gmail.com.

Luscious Budge-Proof Lipcolour

Ying Hsu

I have been on the hunt for the perfect long-lasting lipcolour and I have recently discovered a beauty treasure — Pro Longwear Lustre from MAC and it certainly does what it claims!!! It is a simple two step process. To my utter joy, there is no rocket science involved. First I applied the lightweight lipcolour base on my lips, waited until dry, flip the stick and followed with the mirror glossy top coat. It provided light to medium coverage, which I was looking for.

While test driving this lipstick, from talking, eating, drinking, lip-biting and constantly wiping my lips through 8 hours, this lipstick does not feather, transfer, smudge, budge and doesn’t dry out my lips at all. When my lips start to lack a bit of moisture, the trick is to re-apply the glossy top-coat to hydrate when necessary, while adding glassy sheen. I am all about looking deliciously sexxxy! Compared to many glosses in the market, surprisingly, the gloss was not sticky at all, but very comfortable and moisturizing to wear.

Do I hear wedding bells? Since it is the season of weddings, I highly recommend this lipstick to those ladies (brides or bridesmaids) who don’t have time to fuss or frequently touch up their lips. Also, it is suitable for those ladies, who don’t have the time or a place (i.e. work) to re-apply lipstick, this is product is perfect for you. So you can talk, eat, drink and kiss without worrying that the lipcolour will disappear, but instead lips will appear polished. Which is one last thing for us ladies to worry about.  MAC Pro Longwear Lustre offers numerous of beautiful shades to suit everyone’s mood or personality.

Overall, I was very impressed with the quality and staying power. This product will definitely be a repeat purchase for me.

 

Available exclusively at The Bay across Canada and MAC locations.

Career Tips from Kathleen: Taking Inventory

Kathleen Garces

After 13 years of working as an accountant for a prestigious company, my friend Jane was laid off.  Although she knew that the company was downsizing, she never expected it to happen to her.  While shocked, she reacted with a sense of relief and was even a bit giddy at the thought of leaving behind her career in accounting.  She felt like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders as she was given ‘permission’ to take a break from working and find a new career.  Her lay-off was the catalyst to get her moving in a new direction. Read more

Pick your pleasure, pick your fun

Logan Niles

When I go grocery shopping I’m pretty picky, I turn containers over, sniff fruit, hold olive oil up for inspection, thump melons and gaze into the eyes of aquatic life on display. As a “city girl” growing up in a car-less household the thought of going to pick seasonal produce at “local” farms always excited me. I am enchanted with anything that grows on a tree or a bush that I can pick and eat; it’s really magical and never ceases to amaze me. Unfortunately not having a vehicle in New York City, or even friends with vehicles,  meant no picking trips. But it did leave me with a real longing to partake in all of the pick-your-own fun I heard about but couldn’t partake in as a kid. Instead I spent my time finding fruit bearing bushes and trees in Central Park. I knew where the best mulberry, sour cherry and apple trees were and thrilled at finding the occasional apricot tree; birthed no doubt by a pit being pitched over the park wall by a Central Park West bus stop. I spent years harvesting my precious gems while onlookers gawked and asked if my treasures were “safe to eat”. It wasn’t until my early 20’s that I was able to go once in a while with a friend with a car, but I still never quite got the full experience until last week. Read more

Please Conceal This!

Ying Hsu

Are you suffering from dark circles under the eyes?  Either not enough sleep or you cursed for genetic dark shadows from Mom or Dad?  One day you look into the mirror and you just noticed this huge red volcano of a pimple.  Where did it come from?  You have a hot date tomorrow evening.  What is a girl to do?

Well take three deep breaths, don’t panic.  Here is the solution to hide those imperfections that plague your skin.  To get that flawless complexion, the secret weapon is to use Benefit Boi-ing.

Boi-ing comes in a simple, round, pot-style container with a clear plastic top.  As a frame of reference, the size is larger than your average eye shadow pot. This makes it easy to access the product with a brush or your finger.  I use the latter.

It has a very high pigment density, but isn’t greasy so it can be layered if needed (and boy do I need a couple layers)!  It goes on smooth.  Just a little dab covers any dark circles and/or blemishes. It doesn’t look or feel heavy, but it does the job.  And it looks natural. 

The downside is, it only comes in 3 shades, so it may not be a good match for most people.

Here are my tips for applying this concealor and achieving a polished look:

1. First apply moisturizer or sunblock on clean dry skin.
2. Following that, apply the concealor thinly, either with clean finger tips by dabbing the area(s) or use a concealor brush, whatever you are comfortable with, to the areas you want to camouflage.  It can be layered for more coverage.
3. Then apply your favourite foundation with a makeup wedge sponge.  When you get to the concealor area(s), you want to pat the area lightly without rubbing off the concealor.
4. Last step, is to set the foundation, use a good quality pressed or loose powder.  Use a large powder brush all over the face, to give an air brushed finish.

It can look cakey if Boi-ing is over applied and remember it needs reapplication every few hours.

No one will ever know you had dark shadows under your eyes and blemishes.  You can walk out the door with confidence and be happy!

 Available exclusively at Sephora and Shoppers Drug Mart, $35.

International Cuisine: Denmark

Logan Niles

While driving cross country from Germany to Jutland, Denmark  it’s hard to imagine that pork is the main stay of the Danish diet. With nary a pig in sight amidst the wild lilac bushes, horse pastures, Lego Land and the constant whirl of electricity producing windmills, Denmark leads the industry in green wind power equipment manufacturing by the way, it makes one wonder where all of that pork comes from?

Such thoughts quickly faded away as our hosts, old family friends, greeted us with a late breakfast spread worthy of Holger Danske, the sleeping Danish warrior. Now I’m not much of a breakfast person but in the face of such a delicious Koldt Bord, an assortment of cold, sliced meats, cheeses, vegetables, pork pates and seafood spreads, along with a multitude of jams and breads I was hooked. In Denmark the open face sandwich or Smørrebrød is king be it for breakfast, lunch or a quick snack. Your Smørrebrød can be made on moist, thinly sliced rye bread (always buttered!) know as rugbrød but may also be featured on any of the crisp rolls common to Danish bakeries.

The crowning jewel is a taste of true Danish pastry served individually or in the shape of an open circle with its golden edges rolled inwards towards the filling.  After seven years of hearing my husband denounce what I knew of as “Danish Pastry” as unworthy imitators of the flaky sweets he survived on twenty-five years ago as an exchange student, I was more than a little eager for the “real deal”. As promised, the flaky, buttery pastry was spectacular and a very far cry from the overly frosted, often soggy and rarely flaky Danishes most of us are used to. For our first breakfast we were treated to a ring of pastry meant to be sliced and shared at the table. Filled with a sweet cream reminiscent of French pastry cream but richer in color and egg yolks combined with dollops of white icing demarking each serving. It was well worth the wait.

Granted not every visitor to Denmark will have the opportunity to eat so well in a private home and if it does happen it is a special event for all reserved for visiting guests and family.  Though eating out is a luxury for most Danes, due to high prices, it’s a must for most tourists. One thing to keep in mind is that Denmark has opted not to join the EU so your buying power with the Danish kroner will not go as far as your Euros will within neighboring EU countries; so do budget accordingly. Eating out will also be particularly hard for vegetarians since Denmark’s cuisine is heavily meat based and it’s not unusual to have seemingly vegetarian items like potatoes or cabbage cooked with meat fats or bits of pork.

If it’s meat you crave though you will have many options from plump sausages to cutlets, roasts or Smørrebrød piled high for a hearty mid-day lunch or filling dinner, you will not be left wanting.  On route to Kronborg castle in Helsignor we ate a great lunch at a local eatery; one of many which lined the cobble stoned pedestrian walk through the center of town. Shop doors stood open to the Spring weather displaying curred meats, incredible local and imported cheeses from around the world and stylish clothing beckoning visitors and locals alike to take a look inside or sample a taste. It was a great way to take in the full measure of Danish cuisine where stinky cheese on sweet rye bread is cherished along with a nice cold beer or shot of icy Aquavit.

Even if you can’t get to Denmark any time soon there’s no reason why you can’t create your own Koldt Bord feast at home. Most grocery stores carry the wonderful bricks of the thinly sliced rye bread you’ll need to create your Smørrebrød  and the rest can be left up to your imagination. With grocery chains like Loblaws now carrying vegetarian pates and tofu spreads the vegetarians in your life with have just as much fun creating their own delicious masterpieces right along side you.

Tak !

Sunblock Must-Have for Spring/Summer

Ying Hsu

Hooray ladies, spring has finally arrived!  And soon it will be summer, where we will enjoy the sun and warmer weather.

I am a total fan of Clinique City Block Sheer Oil-Free Daily Face Protector SPF 25. 

It is hard to find something that is not-irritating for the face. Non-greasy, non- smelly, oil-free (does not clog pores), absorbs fast and provides full SPF 25 protection from the harmful UVA and UVB rays.  What else could you ask for?  I have tried other sunblocks (especially expensive ones), but always returned to this one.

I have very sensitive skin and I happen to hate the smell and feel of sunblock anywhere on my face. This product has never irritated me; it is odourless, greaseless and lightweight. Within 2 minutes of applying the sunblock to my face, my skin has already absorbed it and I even forget that it’s even on!  This is a product that you must include within your summer regimen.  It wicks away sweat and manages to help keep makeup in place, no matter how hot or humid it is outside.   Take it from me; this sunblock was able to withstand the beating of the hot Australian sun, keeping my makeup fresh, with little touch up during the day. 

As well as having a sheer tint, it matches any skin tone and hides any minor skin imperfections, such as blotchiness, which I am cursed with.  And it doubles as a makeup primer!  Giving my face a nice smooth canvas, before the application of makeup.  It is safe for all over your face, including the delicate area around the eyes, which we ladies often forget about, but is necessary.  If you want to prevent any premature fine lines forming around the contour skin of the eyes, this sunblock shields from the harmful rays of the sun.

Whether you use this sunblock alone or as a makeup base, this sunblock is idea for ladies with sensitive and/or oily skin complexions.

Clinique products are available at select Shoppers Drugmart Beauty Boutiques, Sephora, Sears Canada and The Bay.

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