The Tilbury Times

Author: Magazine Editor

  • 4 tips to simplify holiday entertaining

    4 tips to simplify holiday entertaining

    The holidays can be stressful as we prepare to host family and friends, but they don’t have to be. There are plenty of shortcuts you can take to simplify entertaining while still providing your guests with a night to remember.

    1. Set the table.

    Whether you’re planning a sit-down meal or buffet, a Pinterest-worthy tablescape is likely in the works. Rather than purchasing linens for every holiday, a crisp white tablecloth is always timeless. Bring the holidays to your table by using poinsettias of varying sizes. Poinsettias come in so many beautiful shades including classic reds, burgundy, pink and white and make a great parting gift for friends and family to enjoy at home for weeks to come.

    2. Cut corners where you can.

    When planning a party, appetizers are generally a go-to and the easiest thing to check off your list. The frozen section of your local Loblaws has everything you need to ensure your guests leave satisfied, from puff pastry hors d’oeuvres to plant-based options. At the deli, you can also order ready-made charcuterie boards with a selection of meats, cheeses, fruits, crackers and accompaniments.

    3. Serve a signature cocktail.

    Simplify the bar selection to a few options, offering a signature cocktail to ensure you can enjoy the evening and aren’t bartending all night. Try your hand at making this spiced pineapple and cherry rum cocktail to bring some tropical flavour to your celebration:

    Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Add a ¼ cup pineapple juice, 1 ounce spiced rum and 2 teaspoons of cherry syrup. Pour over ice into a stemless wine glass or cocktail glass. Top with one can of PC ginger beer. Garnish with cherries and pineapple wedge. Tip: Make the mixture ahead and serve in a pitcher and let guests top their own cocktail and garnish it.

    4. Make gift-giving easy

    Whether you need a gift for your guests or are looking for a hostess gift to take to a holiday party, pre-assembled gift baskets are a great option for the food lovers in your life. Options include classic holiday chocolates and cookie tins or everything to satisfy a much-needed caffeine fix. Best of all, they come gift-wrapped so you just need to add a card.-NC

     

  • Protecting your business in the digital age

    Many of us rely on connectivity to live, work, shop and access information. For business owners in particular, online technologies can help with reaching new consumers, expanding business and running everyday operations, such as banking, payroll and inventory management. Though there are several advantages to being online, in this digital age, you must be prepared to safeguard your business from potential cyber threats.

    While it’s easy to believe that your company is too small to attract the attention of cyber criminals, merely being connected requires you to protect your business from vulnerabilities. Small and medium-sized businesses, which are less equipped to withstand attacks, are popular targets. More than 40 per cent of small businesses that experienced a cyber attack in 2021 reported that it cost them at least $100,000, a four per cent rise from 2019.

    Investigate your options for business protection if you’re considering growing your digital footprint. The Boost Your Business Technology grant is an initiative designed to help with that. It provides $15,000 grants and zero per cent interest loans to help qualifying businesses adopt digital solutions for securing corporate operations, safeguarding valuable assets and fending off cyber attacks.

  • The importance of self-care

    When hearing the words “self-care,” some people may think it means indulging yourself, such as getting a massage or buying yourself a treat. In some ways it can include these types of things, but it is also much more. Whatever your form of self-care, there is real value in taking care of yourself in simple, regular ways. For you, it might be your daily walk through the neighbourhood, a good chat with a friend or a session with a therapist.

    Taking care of your physical and mental health can help you handle difficult experiences, help you feel more confident in yourself and your abilities and improve your ability to regain some control after you’ve been through a tough time.

    Of course, many things can affect mental well-being, and they aren’t all within our control. But, having things to look forward to and putting aside time to prioritize yourself are important parts of everyone’s well-being. As many of us learn the hard way, you can’t do your best for anyone else if you’re not showing up for yourself.

    If even the small things seem challenging or you’re finding that emotions like sadness, worry, loneliness or anger are long-lasting or interfering with your daily routines, it may be time to reach out for help. This is another important act of self-care itself.

    There are many free and credible mental health resources available online, including self-guided therapy, one-on-one counselling with qualified health professionals and moderated peer-to-peer support. You can find more information about these resources at canada.ca/mental-health.

  • Resolution broken already? Try a wellness goal instead

    Many of us make New Year’s resolutions every January. But statistics show that nearly 80 per cent of people who make them will have broken them by February.

    If you feel like this is you, don’t fret. Most of us can agree, especially with recent holiday indulgences, that improving personal fitness and nutrition is an intimidating idea. But the secret to getting motivated and keeping the momentum going into the spring is to follow these three simple guidelines:

    Don’t try too much at once. When we first set fitness and wellness resolutions, we’re often inclined to make a goal to spend every day at the gym and eat clean 100 per cent of the time. There is a reason these are too often broken – they are hard to accomplish. Listen to your body and do what feels good for you. Modify your lifestyle to a healthy one that fits your needs and is one you’ll be able to sustain throughout the year.

    Stick to it. Experts say that it only takes 21 days to create a lasting habit. While that may seem like a lot, three weeks will come quickly and there are many resources out there to help you through it, from fitness plans to eating guides. AdvoCare, a nutrition and wellness company new to Canada, carries several products to help enhance your results.

    Keep a positive mindset. If you miss a day, don’t stress about it, you can get back on track tomorrow. Staying positive about your wellness journey will keep you on track to reach your goals and maintain a healthy lifestyle well into the future.

    If you are able to make it to day 21, you’ll set the stage for the rest of the year and will be on the right track to meeting your fitness and nutrition goals.

  • 3 things to look for if you’re buying a house

    Buying a home is a major purchase, and you want to be sure you’re making the right choice – especially in the current uncertain marketplace. While there are lots of things to consider for your dream house, here are three things not to overlook:

    Geography
    While you’ll probably take stock of neighbourhood amenities like nearby parks and schools, give some thought to the geography of where you’re buying. Is the home in a flood plain? It is at the bottom of a valley or at the top of a hill that could erode? Will you need specialized insurance or are you well positioned for an emergency?

    Hidden damage
    Beyond curb appeal or a practical layout, watch for subtle signs of disrepair that could cost you later. If any surfaces look warped – especially around appliances like the sink, dishwasher and toilet – or there are damp spots around the home, there could be a water leak. This can mean structural damage and health hazards like mould, which are often serious and expensive challenges to resolve. Watch out for strange odours and horizontal cracks in the foundation too which could be difficult to fix.

    Radon levels
    Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas found in every building in the country, however new or old. Long-term indoor exposure to it is the number one cause of lung cancer for non-smokers. Ask sellers about the radon levels in the homes you’re considering. Recent research indicates that energy-efficient homes will likely have higher radon levels due to extra sealing and lower ventilation.

  • 3 tips to get financial stress under control

    Mental, physical and financial wellness are three pillars of good health. For many Canadians, money worries are the greatest source of stress. Many of us may be feeling a financial pinch even more in January after holiday stress on the wallet.

    While managing your money may seem overwhelming, it doesn’t have to be. Whether it’s student debt, a mortgage, education or retirement savings that’s weighing on your mind, there are resources to help.

    Take advantage of new technology
    An abundance of tools exist online to help you budget and save these days. But not all apps and online tools are secure to use. The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada offers a variety of free online tools to help you manage your money that are unbiased and safe to use. For example, it offers a budget planner, a financial goal calculator and a mortgage calculator that can all help you find ways to save and pay down debt.

    Protect yourself from fraud
    Becoming a victim of fraud is a stressful situation. While fraudsters are always looking for new ways to prey on victims, there are some things you can do to minimize the risks. For example, when banking or shopping online, look for websites with addresses starting with “https” or ones that have a padlock image on the address bar. Also, avoid giving credit card information over email as it isn’t secure.

    Avoid payday loans as much as possible
    A payday loan is a short-term loan with high fees that make it a very expensive way to borrow money. You must pay the loan back from your next paycheque and if you can’t pay it back on time, you’ll face more fees and high interest charges. This will increase your debt and cause more stress.

    Consider other options before getting a payday loan such as cashing in vacation days or asking for a pay advance from your employer.

  • 3 ways to improve air quality in your home

    It may surprise you to learn that the air quality inside your home can, in some cases, be worse than outside. The outdoors gets a steady supply of fresh air on the occupants. But inside, various toxins can accumulate in enclosed spaces and have detrimental health impacts. Here are three ways you can improve your indoor air quality.

    Use exhaust fans
    You should turn the bathroom exhaust fan on every time you have a shower or bath. This draws the moist air out of the room, helping prevent the formation of mould.

    If you have a gas stove, you should turn on the exhaust fan every time you use it so that exhaust gases are removed from the house.

    Install carbon monoxide detectors
    Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odourless, tasteless gas that can seep into the home from combustion appliances such as your furnace or stove. In small concentrations it causes dizziness and headaches – larger concentrations can be lethal. You should install a CO detector (or combination smoke and CO detector) in or near every bedroom in your house. Remember to regularly replace the backup batteries.

    Test for radon
    Radon is an invisible, odourless radioactive gas that is the leading cause of lung cancer in Canada for non-smokers. Radon gas can accumulate to high levels inside a home, posing a significant risk for occupants. But it’s easy to test for – you can find a quality test kit online – and it is a quick and affordable fix if you do have an elevated level in your home.

  • 3 ways to reduce your cancer risk

    Most Canadians have been affected by cancer in some way. In fact, two in five Canadians are expected to be diagnosed with the disease in their lifetime. Cancer is a complex disease, and many factors affect whether someone develops it or not. There’s nothing that can guarantee prevention, but there are a few things you can do to help manage some of your risk.

    Get your screenings
    There are several cancer-screening programs in our provinces and territories. Taking part in routine screenings as recommended by your health care provider will help ensure cancer is detected in earlier stages when it is usually much easier to treat. Common cancer screenings include mammograms for breast cancer, the PSA test for prostate cancer or a colonoscopy to look for pre-cancerous polyps or colorectal cancer.

    Consider your health
    We all know smoking is bad for us and getting enough exercise is important for good health and wellbeing. But did you know they are considered modifiable risk factors for cancer? Research from the Canadian Cancer Society shows that these are some of the few risk factors for cancer that we can do something about, unlike age, family history or random chance.

    Test for radon
    Risks for cancer can also be environmental, such as air quality. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that’s present in most buildings in the country. Long-term exposure to high levels of radon is one of the leading causes of lung cancer. It’s worth testing the level in your home to make sure that it’s under Health Canada’s guideline. You can buy an easy do-it-yourself test kit or hire a certified professional. If your home’s level is high, fixing it is easy and less expensive than updating your furnace or air conditioner.

  • Cold and flu season is here: ways you can avoid getting sick

    ) It’s that time of the year, when respiratory viruses like the flu to make the rounds, and every year you hope to avoid them. While there’s no guarantee that you won’t get sick this year, there are plenty of tried-and-true steps you can take to help reduce your risk of catching the flu or getting really sick if you do catch it.

    1. Get your flu shot
    • It’s the best way to prevent getting sick with the flu.
    • It helps you reduce the risk of spreading the flu to those around you, including those most at risk of getting seriously ill from it, such as children under five.
    • It’s effective, safe, and serious side effects of the vaccine are rare.
    • It’s approved for everyone ages six months and up.
    1. Use simple preventative measures
    • Wear a well-fitting, well-constructed mask.
    • Wash your hands regularly.
    • Regularly clean high-touch surfaces.
    • Improve ventilation indoors.
    1. Take steps to stay healthy overall
    • Try to set a regular sleep schedule and get enough zzzs.
    • Aim to get regular exercise and eat a balanced diet.
    • Keep up to date with all routine vaccinations for children and adults.

    If you haven’t gotten your flu shot yet, find more information on where to book a vaccination at canada.ca/flu.

  • Do I really need to get an annual flu shot?

    Every year the question comes up as winter sets in: Do I really need to get my flu shot?

    The short answer:
    Yes. You really do.

    The long answer:
    Getting your flu shot is the best way to help prevent getting or spreading the flu. Coming down with the flu can make you feel awful and cause you to miss work, school, and other activities. Even more serious: it sends a lot of people to the hospital, and on average, thousands of people die from it each year. In fact, the flu is among the 10 leading causes of death in Canada.

    The flu is most dangerous for people with chronic health conditions like heart and lung disease, diabetes, cancer or kidney disease, as well as for adults 65 years of age and over, people who are pregnant, and children under five years old.

    If you’re at increased risk, make sure you get your annual influenza vaccine.

    Even if you’re not high risk, remember that people you regularly encounter may be. Getting your flu shot can help protect them from getting seriously ill or needing hospital care. When you’re vaccinated, you may be less likely to spread the flu virus to them.

    With hospitals overwhelmed across the country, anything you can do to reduce the number of people getting sick can help the medical system.

    Fortunately, the flu shot is approved for everyone over six months of age.

    Find more information on how and where to book your vaccination at canada.ca/flu.