Other / Canada
When I was sick last year, I really tried to take care of myself by sleeping more, popping Ester-C + Cold-FX, and being more careful about what I ate. So while I was out, I opted for sushi. (As a child, I was told that fried and cold foods were bad for sore throats.) At the end of the meal, as a sort of non-alcoholic digestif, a Cinnamon Tea was served.
The tea *definitely* hit the spot in terms of soothing my throat+warming up my insides, so naturally, I had to make it at home.
After some googling and experimenting, here’s a recipe for Korean Cinnamon Tea or Soojunggwa. And it’s perfect for your slow cooker!
Ingredients:
* 4 whole cinnamon sticks, broken in 3 pieces
* 2-3 pieces of walnut-sized fresh ginger, peeled, and julienned
* 2 dried persimmons, sliced (I used fresh ones ’cause I didn’t have the opportunity to see if the Korean grocery store carried them and I couldn’t find them in a coupla Chinese stores/Bulk Barn.)
* some chunks of rock sugar (optional, available in Asian grocery stores)
* 10-12 cups of water
Traditionally, soojunggwa has pine nuts, but I skimped on ’cause a) I’m not a fan, b) they’re pretty expensive, c) they don’t keep – they go rancid rather quickly, and d) I wasn’t planning on making pesto anytime soon!
Directions:
Place cinnamon sticks and ginger in a slow cooker filled with 10 cups of water. Boil on medium-high setting for approx. 1.5 hours. After this time, I saw that much of the water evaporated, so I topped up the slow cooker with more water. Add persimmons and rock sugar, to taste. Simmer for 30 minutes. Strain and drink.
Simmering over a stovetop is also an option, but I’m not into standing and stirring so hence the slow cooker.
One recipe that I found suggested putting strained tea into a pitcher, refrigerate, and serving it cold. However, I find that if counter space is not an issue, the tea does keep well if you leave it in the slow cooker even for a few days!
(I prefer to drink it warm, so I usually ladle it into a mug and nuke it. No straining required if you do this method ’til you reach the bottom of the pot!)
I dunno about you, but I like the warmth+cinnamon combination. It’s like a warm hug on a cold day!
Keep warm and have a great weekend!
I wouldn’t say that I’m a lip balm addict, but more of an enthusiast. Since it’s relatively inexpensive, lip balm’s my most purchased cosmetic item. By the way, I’m not much of a makeup person!
When it comes to lip care, I rarely go back to the same product. Instead, I’m fairly non-committal, preferring a rotation of new products. Currently, I have Yes To Carrots’ C Me Smile Lip Butter (Carrot) in my purse.
It does the job, but I’m not too crazy about the scent, so I’ll only use it when I’m out ‘n about. (I purchased it at a Target, in the US, and all products were sealed, so I wasn’t able to do a smell-test beforehand. 🙁 ) What I do like about the product is that it’s 95% organic, all natural, and paraben-free.
I also like the fact that it’s a stick formation, so it’s convenient and hygienic for applying on-the-go!
At home, on my nightstand, I have Smith’s Lip Balm (Minted Rose). After reading good reviews, I purchased it on American Apparel online while I was taking advantage of their sales.
As you can see, it’s in an antique-looking tin. So a definite bonus is that I’ll be able to use ALL of the product! However, some people find this method of application ‘dirty’ since you have to dip your finger into it, so for this reason, I only use the Smith’s at home, after ensuring that my hands are clean.
(Although stick lip balms are convenient and relatively clean, I hate it when I’m nearing the tube. I do attempt to dig residual product with my nail, but after a gf shrieked in horror, I stopped…at least when she’s ’round! 😉 )
I also like the minty scent of the Smith’s. Whereas I find flavours such as chocolate, butterscotch, caramel, coffee, etc. absolutely gross!
Whether it’s stick or tin, mint or chocolate (blech!), lip balm is definitely something that I make sure is in my purse come wintertime. So, if you’re a lip balm addict or even enthusiast, what balms do you like?
The humble, yet delicious, potato is extremely versatile and this recipe, a healthier version of a French fry, makes for a good side dish and a great snack.
First off preheat your oven to 400°F/204°C and peel approximately 3lbs of Russet potatoes (note white potatoes are on sale at No Frills this week at $3.47 for 20lbs), or if you like them with the skins on, then just give them a good scrub. Slice them into wedges, roughly equal in size.
In a mortar and pestle (or any other device of your choosing) crush 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds
And 1 teaspoon of coriander seeds. You just want the seeds to release their aroma and although you can use coriander and cumin powder, I prefer using the whole seeds.
Mix the potato wedges with olive oil, garlic cloves, crushed cumin, crushed coriander, salt and pepper. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes, while turning them once at the half-way mark.
Serve with a refreshing yogurt-coriander dip (recipe coming soon) and enjoy the golden brown deliciousness, with a crispy crust, soft, fluffy insides and roasted garlicky goodness. If you’re feeling guilty, at least you’ll feel better with the knowledge that they are much better than deep fried French fries.
Here is the recipe card:
Baked Potato Wedges
3lbs Russet Potatoes
3-4 tbsp Olive Oil
I tsp Cumin Seeds
1 tsp Coriander Seeds
1 tsp Salt
¼ tsp Pepper
5-6 Garlic Cloves (whole or sliced)
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F.
2. Peel potatoes (or give them a good scrub if you’re leaving the skins on) and cut into wedges.
3. Crush cumin and coriander seeds with a mortar and pestle.
4. Mix potatoes with olive oil, garlic cloves, crushed cumin, crushed coriander, salt and pepper.
5. Place the potatoes in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes, turning them once at the half-way mark.
Looking to get away in the very near future??? Check out this seat sale from WestJet.com — they have deals to both Canadian and US destinations from just $59 each way.
The sale is valid for flights booked by December 8 with travel occurring by January 31 (blackout dates from December 22-January 8 for Canadian destinations and December 22-January 9 for US ones so NOT good for Christmas trips unfortunately).
Here’s a look at some of the one-way fares available:
- Vancouver to Kelowna – $59
- Edmonton to Abbotsford – $89
- Winnipeg to Calgary – $105
- Vancouver to Los Angeles – $85
- Toronto to Miami – $109
- Halifax to Orange County-Anaheim – $229
As usual, seats at these rates are limited and not available on all flights. For more information, or to book your flights, visit WestJet.com by December 8.
This recipe oozes laziness mostly because it is dead simple to make and only uses two ingredients (seriously!). It’s great for those times when you’re bogged down in work or just not feeling up to spending more time in the kitchen than necessary. More importantly, it costs literally next to nothing!
Pillsbury Pie Crust (purchased for $1 after sale and coupon).
and Smucker’s Raspberry spread (almost $2 after sale and coupon).
So, first things first, let’s unroll the crust (yeah, the menial labour, I know!)
And spread two heaping tablespoons of the raspberry filling, making sure to leave an inch gap on all sides so the filling doesn’t ooze out.
Roll it up into a log shape and cut it into half-inch slices. One crust should yield about 12 pinwheels.
Place it onto a baking sheet lined with parchment and feel free to top with coarse sugar for more texture. I also sprinkled some with shredded coconut, but choose whatever topping floats your boat. Finally, place the tray into a preheated oven (350°F/180°C ) for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.
Et, voila! A dessert that looks and tastes like you spend quite a while making it.
The Reward Zone Private Shopping Event happens this Sunday, Dec. 4. from 7:30pm-9:30pm so you and a friend can enjoy exclusive deals on the best brands and latest technologies.
This invitation-only event is a great opportunity to save big and maybe even do all your holiday shopping in one night. Please make sure you bring this invitation to a Best Buy store near you.
I’m not sure if it’s the same throughout every big Canadian city, but here in Toronto & surrounding GTA, Canada Goose seems to be a big deal…with an even bigger price tag. This is definitely not something that will be featured as a deal on Smart Canucks, anytime in the near future!
As soon as the weather dipped below 15 degrees celsius, I was already seeing kids – and by kids, I mean young people who I assume don’t have jobs ’cause they have time to loiter – wear them inside the mall!!!
I get it, I get it, you and or your parents had $545+HST (Chilliwack, as pictured above) to blow and you want to show it off to your homies.
What I don’t get is WHERE the money to fund this trend is coming from? (I don’t think these core CG consumers are particularly wealthy.) Do these walking billboards just make certain sacrifices in order to get their swag on? Or do they just stick their purchase on VISA and think about how they’re gonna pay for it…later? How do these young people afford trends as expensive as these Canada Goose jackets?
Winter tires changed? Check. Windshield wiper fluid – the colder temperature one – topped up? Check. Winter coats/accessories taken out of storage? Well, not quite, but I know where everything is and can get them out ASAP if I need to. 😉 Winter boots? Check.
A couple of years ago, I finally discovered the tried, tested, and true boots that keep my feet both warm AND more importantly, dry. And no, I am happy to report that they are not UGGs.
I did purchase UGGs a couple of years prior to them becoming uber-popular here and they did not pass any of my qualifications for Winter boots – especially with the wet/cold weather that we experience here in Southern-Ontario. UGGs are supposed to be worn barefoot and even with thick wool socks, I did not find them warm at all as temperatures dipped below zero. They’re more suitable for cold nights…on the beach…of Southern Cali, as opposed to Canadian Winters.
The warmest boots that I’ve found are Sorels. (Not the particular model pictured above as my legs aren’t that long!) Unfortunately ladies, you can’t really pair these with your holiday LBD! However, they will keep your toes toasty and feet dry which makes Winter a little easier to deal with.
What are your warmest Winter boots?
Coloured leopard jacket, exotic, tropical & Asian-inspired jumpsuit, a gold lamé & a leather dress, and throw in a fuchsia coloured suit for men, and you get H&M’s latest collaboration with Versace!
Similar to my feelings about Roberto Cavalli, Versace is a hit or miss because it can be often very bold. Clothing from both these designers is definitely meant for the fashion-fearless – especially the men’s collection for H&M, please see below.
I probably love colour and mixing up prints more than the average ‘burbanite, but even I think that the H&M’s latest designer collaboration is for a small, select group of people.
To be honest, I haven’t been blown away by past collaborations. For example, with Lanvin, I was uber-excited…that is until I actually saw the quality of the items.
(Yes, I realise that it is just H&M, with a different label slapped on it, but the prices are higher than non-designer H&M, so I do expect same if not better quality.)
With the upcoming release of H&M x Versace, on Saturday, November 19th, in select locations, will you be lining up to snatch these “designer” duds at budget prices?
Click here to preview the collection.
Check out this awesome site Lynn posted on our forum.
Drawastickman.com
What a fun site!
Yes this is not a deal, if you choose not to participate in these fun posts please just skip past.
“In Flanders Fields”
By Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place: and in the sky
The larks still bravely singing fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead: Short days ago,
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved: and now we lie
In Flanders fields!
Take up our quarrel with the foe
To you, from failing hands, we throw
The torch: be yours to hold it high
If ye break faith with us who die,
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields
We will remember them.
Pampers has released a 10 point bonus Gifts to Grow code for Remembrance day.
FAC1111PYWFNXRD
Sing like an elf or just sing like yourself. The microphone includes 6 holiday favourites to sing to! Click to view the demo. I know I will be purchasing one of these!
Check out Hallmark’s other great in store offers, as well!
This feature via Gmail has been around for at least a year, but I have only recently started taking advantage of it! If you have a Gmail address, know someone who trusts you enough to use theirs, or download this software, you can make free calls within North America. Pretty cool, huh?
I don’t use long distance often, but here are just some examples of when this Gmail Voice feature came in handy:
– I just bought a Shop-Vac, had a question, and even though their head office was 20 minutes away, it was still long distance
– I ordered a package to be delivered to a UPS Store in Buffalo. I called the store to give them my details/ask if the package arrived
– My mom wanted to call my sibs, who live in different provinces, but was hesitant to do so because she didn’t have a long distance card handy. I just set up the Google Voice for her et voilà, my mom was able to talk to them…without worrying about how long she was going to spend on the phone!
The software is easy-to-use, dial, and speak via your computer’s mic. If you don’t have Gmail, click here to download the software. Best of all, it’s free ’til at least the end of 2011!
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