Lifestyle

Judging by the amount of snow that fell in Southwestern Ontario this past weekend, it would seem winter is officially here. That means it is soup time. May I suggest warming up indoors with a comforting bowl of Thai inspired soup that includes succulent mushrooms, earthy kidney beans and homemade simmered in a coconut broth? I highly recommend making your ... Read More »

It’s meatless Monday and this veteran vegetarian is here to tempt you with a seasonal twist on Mexican Refried Beans. After cooking this up, I can’t believe I never thought to add pumpkin before to this classic favorite. The pumpkin flavor comes out in a subtle but distinct way that really goes well with the pinto beans and spices in ... Read More »

With party season upon us, let’s talk about the dreaded dress code. These codes are hard to break, so they are best not messed with. They often have people confused and concerned. When in doubt, it is best to be a bit overdressed, but you can always ask your hosts. Here are the basics, for your reference. A Gathering of ... Read More »

Ask most men about their experience with gift shopping for the woman (or women) in their lives and you’ll likely hear colourful “war” stories about last-minute mad dashes to the shops and countless hours lost wandering through store aisles. As a man myself, I can attest that gift shopping for women can be a daunting task at the best of ... Read More »

Weekday meals can often be a challenge when the main objective is to get something on the table rather quickly. As much as I enjoy cooking and trying out more complicated preparations, there are times when a simple and comforting curry is just what is required. This dish comes together in hardly anytime at all. While the beans are boiling, ... Read More »

Pumpkin season is here and it’s never long enough for my taste. This versatile vegetable is equally suited to baked delights and savory dishes, such as soups like the earthy one I am sharing today. Ideal for cold autumn days when the craving hits for a warming bowl of goodness, this pumpkin and carrot soup is colorful and creamy and ... Read More »

Guests are coming over for dinner and at least one of those diners is a vegetarian. Cooks always want to please everyone at the table, and perhaps much fretting over the menu plan begins. Enter this lush mushroom and spinach vegetable lasagna that will not fail to please everyone at the table, including the most staunch meat lovers. Succulent mushrooms ... Read More »

Everyone has heard a story from a friend or family member about a renovation gone bad. I hear from a lot of homeowners about projects they’ve attempted to do themselves, or contractors that did not live up to their expectations. Of course, where there’s disappointment, there’s blame. One of the first things I do when I’m assessing a job that ... Read More »

Let’s face it, denim is man’s best friend. It has been a fabric of choice forever for weekends and date nights and now it has pushed its way in to Casual Friday’s, Golf Clubs and beyond. An older gentleman walked in to a restaurant the other night wearing the traditional navy blazer, blue shirt, jeans and loafers. Looked sharp, classic ... Read More »

“Autumn’s here and I’ve nothing to wear”. It’s the kind of phrase we hear quite frequently in the fashion retail business, but does the typical style conscious woman truly ever have nothing to wear? Not likely, however a change of seasons does bring with it certain wardrobe challenges as we ponder what to add and replace in our closets. Fortunately, ... Read More »