king living home & lifestyle magazine - march 2016

www.KingLiving.ca

H O M E & L I F E S T Y L E M A G A Z I N EHOM E & L IFESTYLE MAGAZINEMARCH 2016

TAKE IT ALL INphoto by

JOSEPHINE MAGLIETTA

WHAT'S YOUR HOME WORTH IN TODAY'S MARKET?Get your complete and accurate home value report now at

www.homesforsaleinking.ca

2 KING LIVING MARCH 2016

Take it all inPhoto by Josephine Maglietta

I have not only the pleasure of working with horses for Silver Duck Stable, but I get to enjoy the beauty of King Haven Farm with it. Being a farmer and photographer allows me to merge my two passions in life. I'm so lucky to be surrounded by this wondrous landscape every day.

Our February Photography Contest Winner

06TIPS TO CLEAN YOUR HOME'S DIRTIEST ROOMS

10ENJOY 'SMART HOME' TECHNOLOGY YOUR WAY

12THE BIGGEST TAX BREAK VERY FEW ARE AWARE OF

14LAMB LOIN CHOPS WITH MUSHROOM MARSALA SAUCE

contentsM A R C H 2 0 1 6

Published by

RAINMAKER REALTY INC.King Living Home & Lifestyle Magazine is published monthly and delivered to over 7200 homes and businesses in King Township by Canada Post. Agreement # 41362062.

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to publish this magazine as accurately as possible; however errors and omissions can occur. King Living Home & Lifestyle Magazine’s employees, agents, representatives and vendors are not liable for any damages relating to errors or omissions in the editorials or advertising which may appear herein except where a specific charge has been made.

KING LIVING MARCH 2016 3

Do you eat breakfast each day?

According to the Dietitians of Canada, nearly 40 per cent of Canadians skip breakfast each day, often because there isn’t enough time in the morning to eat.

Here are some of his tips to help them find time for the most important meal of the day:

Choose high-protein foods that give a long-lasting feeling of fullness and promote muscle growth and repair. Eggs are a great option, and so are leafy greens like spinach and kale.

Stock your pantry and fridge with ‘power foods’ like flax, blueberries and chia – add them to muffin batter or sprinkle them on cereal to pack a big nutritious punch quickly.

Make recipes ahead of time and store them

in the fridge or freezer for a week’s worth of fast breakfast options.

When grocery shopping, bring a list of each meal’s ingredients for the week to increase your chances of making all of your meals at home.

FLOURLESS PANCAKES WITH BERRY COMPOTE

Prep Time: 10 minutesCook Time: 10 minutesSkill Level: Easy

Ingredients:• 2 eggs (free range if possible)• 1 ripe banana• 1 cup fresh or frozen berries of your choice• 1 tbsp water• 1 tsp chia seeds• 2 tsp butter or coconut oil

Quick Tips: • Make the compote ahead of time to save time. It will last for 2-3 days in the fridge.

• As there is no flour in the batter, it is slightly more fragile than traditional pancake batter.

Method: Batter – In a small blender, puree banana and eggs until smooth. Heat medium sized non-stick pan over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes or until hot. Add ½ of your butter/coconut oil to the pan and let sit for 30 seconds to heat up. Pour in batter slowly and make 4-6 small pancakes per pan. They should be the size of a soup can. Once browned on both sides, transfer to a plate. Compote – In a small pot, add berries, water and chia seeds. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes until berries have broken down and the sauce has thick-ened. Spoon over pancakes and serve.www.newscanada.com

DON'T FORGET TO MAKE TIME FOR BREAKFAST


When is it time to replace your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms?(NC) If you're like most homeowners, on more than one occasion you've found your-self looking around and thinking…“Have we really been in this house that long?”

Along with the happy memories, and the dated paint or wallpaper, are two devices essential for your family's safety - smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. And just like the decorating, these too need a refresh every so often.

Smoke and CO alarms monitor the air non-stop with advanced circuitry and highly accurate sensors. They even self-check themselves continuously to make sure they will be ready should danger strike.

As they stand guard over the years they also

have to contend with pet hair, dust, cooking grime and other airborne contaminants. So is it any surprise that, whether battery powered or wired into your home's electrical system, these potentially life-saving devices eventually need to be replaced?

To be certain your family is safe, check the age of all your alarms. Look for a date of manufacture sticker on the outside edge of the alarm or, for older models, on the bottom. You may need to unplug or remove the alarm from the ceiling temporarily to find it. Once you know the age, follow the guidelines of the National Fire Protection Association: Replace smoke alarms immediately if they are older than 10 years (or if you can't find a date of manufacture) and CO alarms if they were manufactured prior to 2009.

Canada's leading alarm manufacturer, Kidde, offers a complete selection of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms with the longest lifespan – a full 10 years.

To keep your family protected, follow these replacement rules whether your alarms are battery powered, plug-in or hardwired.www.newscanada.com

COMMUNITY EVENTS

12TH ANNUAL SCHOMBERG AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY FARM TOUR @ FARMS IN THE SCHOMBERG COMMUNITY

Saturday March 12, 10am – 3pm

12th Annual Schomberg Farm Tour, Saturday March 12th, 2016. The Ultimate Way to Kick off March Break with the Family.

You're invited to the 12th Annual Schomberg Farm Tour, sponsored by the Schomberg Agricultural Society. Experience a truly unique and educational day out on the farm with your family, farm animals, tractors, crops, fresh air and open fields.

For more information please contact Janet Orr at 905-859-0834 or visit the Schomberg Agricultural Society website.

EARTH HOUR DUFFERIN MARSH (Schomberg)

Saturday March 19, 8:30pm – 9:30pm

Do your part this Earth Hour and switch off your lights. Come out and enjoy a candle lite dinner at one of the local restaurants to support King Township's Earth Hour initiatives. In addition, the Dufferin Marsh Nature Connection will be hosting a bonfire from 8:30 to 9:30 pm at the Dufferin Marsh in Schomberg.

For more information regarding participating restaurants please email [email protected]


CONTEST RULES• [email protected]• Pleaseincludeyourname,phototitle,andthelocationthephotowastaken• UsetheSubjectline:KingLivingPhotoContest• PhotosubmissionsacceptedviaemailbyMarch31,2016• AllphotosmustbetakenwithinKingTownship• PleasesendHighResolutionPhoto’s

WINNERS• WinnerswillbefeaturedinourKing

LivingHome&LifestyleMagazineandotherKingLivingpublications

• Winningphotoswillbefeaturedonoursocialpagesaswellasourwebsite

S H O W O F F Y O U R TA L E N T

PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST

Submit your photos of King Township andgetthechancetobefeaturedinupcomingissuesofKingLivingHome&LifestyleMagazine

andotherKingLivingpublications.

www.precisionarms.ca


ousehold chores are a never-ending reality of life. In fact, on average women spend more than two hours a day on household activities, including housework and cooking. Yet keeping up with kids, pets and a hectic schedule make it seem like there’s still always something to clean. Tackle your home’s dirtiest rooms with these quick tips to make chores easier and more effective. You’ll have a sparkling home in no time.

GETTING STARTEDHouse cleaning is not a pleasant task, so pump yourself up by creating a cleaning playlist to make chores more enter-taining. If you lack motivation, a rockin’ soundtrack will get you off the couch. It can also be fun to time yourself during tasks, you’ll be surprised that most of the chores listed below can be completed in 10 minutes or less. >>>

htips to clean

Y O U R H O M E ' S DIRTIEST ROOMS


BEAUTY IN THE BATHTACKLE THE TOILETWhether you like it or not, the toilet requires frequent cleaning. For a thorough wipe down, spray a disinfecting bathroom cleaner or chlorine bleach into the bowl and allow it to sit for 10 minutes to fully annihilate germs, bacteria and viruses. To maintain the cleanliness, pour one cup of baking soda into the bowl each week to keep it fresh.

SCOUR THE SHOWERShowers are also a breeding ground for bacteria and mildew - feasting on body oils and soap scum. Make shower doors shine by rubbing a teaspoon of lemon oil on them twice a month, causing water to bead up and roll off. Or, try Rain-X Original Glass Treatment, a car-care product made to keep rainwater off your windshield. Use it twice a year. For easy maintenance, after each shower, clean the stall or tub and tiles with a squeegee.

KITCHEN CLEANINGDISHWASHER DUTYOnce a week, shake baking soda on a damp sponge and wipe around the machine’s edges to remove stuck-on food or stains. To clean the inside, run an empty cycle with Dishwasher Magic, to kill bacteria like E-coli. During cold and flu season, add a quarter-cup of bleach to the regular dish cycle to kill bacteria. The dishes will be safe and sanitized after the rinse cycle is finished.

ZAP THE SPONGEWe all know that sponges are a breeding ground for bacteria. Disinfect yours every night by squeezing excess water out and microwaving it on high for a minute. When it’s shredded and smelly, replace it.

DISINFECT THE SINKA sparkling sink becomes your kitchen’s benchmark for hygiene and tidiness. To make it easier, check out Moen’s new Walden pullout kitchen faucet, available exclusively at The Home Depot, featuring the innovative Reflex system. Its self-re-tracting wand helps fill large pots, reduces splashing and improves rinsing in and around the sink. Additionally, the Walden faucet features Microban antimicrobial protection — built into the faucet finish — to help inhibit the growth of stain- and odor-causing bacteria, mold and mildew.

REFRIGERATOR REFRESHIt’s important to make sure your refriger-ator is always clean and odourless, espe-cially if you are expecting guests. One trick to get rid of smells is to open a canister of oatmeal and place it in the fridge for a few days to absorb any unappealing odours.

LIVING ROOMTAKE CARE OF TOYSGather stuffed toys, where dust mites, mold and pet dander can accumulate, and wash them in hot water and dry before using again. Place stuffed toys that can’t be washed in the freezer for 24 hours, then rinse in cold water to remove dead mites, and dry completely.

ELIMINATING PET HAIRIf you’re having a difficult time removing pet hair from furniture put on a wet rubber dishwashing glove and wipe your hand over surfaces.

Cleaning the home doesn’t have to be a strenuous task. By creating a checklist of key items to tackle routinely, you’ll keep on top of your home’s dirtiest rooms. For more information about Moen products, visit www.moen.com. Courtesy of BPC

TheRainMakerTeam.comwe make “sold” happen

905-833-1030

Brokerage in Canada*

*For Royal LePage based on real estate sales of independently owned franchises in 2015

$699,000 Stunning 4 bedroom with hardwood floors + ceramic on main floor. Huge eat-in kit with pantry, walk-out to interlocked patio in fully fenced rearyard. Large

master with 4 piece ensuite.

LARGE PIE SHAPED LOTRent, Renovate or Build.

WEST WOODBRIDGEBeautiful 4 Bedroom 4 Bathroom home. Finished

basement with separate entrance. Close to amenities.

POWER OF SALE3 bedroom, 2 bath condo. Ceramic & parquet floors,

walk-out to balcony, close to all amenities.

KIPLING & HWY 71 bedroom condo in the heart of Woodbridge

RESIDENCE OF SPRINGHILL - KING CITYStunning 1230 sq.ft. 2 Bedroom unit, facing east in resort like building in the heart of King City. Too many amenities

to mention.

Although there are many aspects to buying and selling homes, an integrated real estate team has an incredible edge over individual Realtors. There is the technical

expertise that goes along with the specialization of team roles which include buyer’s agents, listing specialists, transaction coordinators, marketing personnel and social media promoters. But there is also a uniquely human advantage to utilizing The Rainmaker Team. We believe that when a homeowner is deciding to move, the decision of where to move invariably boils down to community. Young families, for example, look for neighbour-hoods with children, parks and lots of child-friendly activities. They will consider the rigor of school systems, local athletic programs and commuting options.

The reality is that if you have grown up in a town or live there, you have the distinct advantage of knowing the community,

and that is where a multi-person approach to real estate can make all the difference.

Simply put, when you are trying to buy or sell your home, a multi-person real estate team brings resources, insights and more combined experience than an individual realtor. If you are looking to downsize or change neighbourhoods, we can help you sell your home and find a new one. Interested in purchasing a new home? We can help you track down the perfect cul-de-sac for your growing family or country estate surrounded by rolling hills.

We are part of your community, so let us show you around! To find out more about what the team can offer you, including a Free Home Evaluation to help you sell, visit our website www.therainmakerteam.com call 905-833-1030 or like our Facebook page for more information and updates.

THE VALUE OF A REAL ESTATE TEAM

www.therainmakerteam.com

TheRainMakerTeam.comwe make “sold” happen

we made “sold” happen

Joseph CartagineseBroker

Jamie GoldenbergSales Representative

Chris CampoliSales Representative

Paula PerriBroker

Christine FieldSales Representative

Domenic SpinaSales Representative

Stephen FerrittoSales Representative

reservedfor

your SOLD SIGN

www.therainmakerteam.com


(NC) While customization in the home is not a novel idea, bringing technology into the equation can be complicated. Whether it's a thermostat or smoke alarm

– too many companies have limited their offerings to one-size-fits-all technology. But is that really what you're looking for? Hunter Douglas, a leading window fashions company, commissioned some technology enthusiasts to give their take on a few favourite 'smart home' gadgets for streamlining daily activities, and all of it with a personal touch. Here are the results:

1. Many brands rely on an algorithm to set a schedule, but for the smartest windows, PowerView Motorization (from Hunter Douglas) puts the scheduling decisions in the hands of users. With the handy app, a scheduling feature gives you the ability to set Scenes – different combinations of shades and shade positions – to operate automatically on specific days and times based on your unique personal prefer-

ences. You can even schedule multiple room Scenes to activate simultaneously. Do you want to be up with the sunrise on Saturdays? No problem – you can also link your shades to the exact sunrise and sunset times, precisely calculated by PowerView based on its knowledge of your specific location.

If needed, you can choose to override the schedule at any time by manually activating the scenes with the artfully designed Pebble Control, offered in seven

on-trend colours, with a wall-mounted control also available. Simply press a button to set the shades in motion on command. Shades can even be operated while you're away with the RemoteCon-nect feature.

2. Hesitant to give the dog walker or housekeeper a key to your home? August Smart Lock-HomeKit Enabled removes

that worry with encrypted locking tech-nology and an app that puts total control in the hands of users by eliminating a physical key. Through the app, you decide who gets a key and when. You can issue family members a 24/7 virtual key, the dog walker one for a specified time period, or remotely unlock the door for the out-of-town guest that arrived unexpectedly.

With Auto-Unlock, August senses your approach and unlocks the door for you, without you having to reach for your phone and the EverLock technology will automatically lock the door behind you – so no more digging for keys or wondering if you locked the door when you left. August is easy to install too; it simply replaces the interior portion of your existing deadbolt but does not

ENJOY 'SMART HOME' TECHNOLOGY YOUR WAY

Netatmo has taken home security cameras

to a new level with a line called Welcome. It uses facial recognition

technology to send the names of programmed users, up to 16 people, it sees directly to your

smartphone.


require you to change your exterior door hardware. The system can be installed and operational in only 10 minutes.

3. Netatmo has taken home security cameras to a new level with a line called Welcome. It uses facial recogni-tion technology to send the names of programmed users, up to 16 people, it sees directly to your smartphone. Better yet, Welcome alerts you when a stranger

passes in front of the camera. You can be notified when children or elderly parents are home, and more importantly, when the camera sees an intruder.

Welcome allows users to customize each person's privacy settings through the free app, including disabling video recordings or notifications, so each family member can find his or her perfect fit. An added bonus: Welcome is beau-

tiful and sleekly designed, measuring only six inches in height.

With these and the many other advanced technologies being introduced now at a rapid-fire pace, there's never been a better time to join the smart home revolution.

Please visit at www.hunterdouglas.ca for more information.www.newscanada.com

www.skinprovement.ca


Taxes and medical costs are all hot topics today. Savings in these areas are of utmost importance

to everyone. Surprisingly, the govern-ment has created some tax breaks for us and there is a new business model for healthcare and dental costs that can save you and your company an awful lot of money. Have you ever heard of Health Spending Accounts? The information I am about to provide will better help you to understand what it is.

The Health Spending Account* has been available in Canada for several years now and originated as a form of Group Health Benefits. It is a unique tool that turns medical expenses into a 100% tax deduction from personal or corporate income. As healthcare costs continue to skyrocket, this becomes important especially when there is elder care or special needs. Tax savings are achieved at the personal tax rate which makes it really attractive.

The Health Spending Account is very simple and very flexible; it can truly help Cana-dians who are spending after tax dollars on health care not covered by OHIP. Although there are several HSA providers, many do not provide customized service to suit your particular needs. We work with each client specifically to determine the best options to accomplish your goals of truly saving taxes and your hard earned money.

Every year, the Tax Man is tweaking the system to get more tax dollars from us. Therefore, it is up to us to look for any kind of relief we can get. Every year tax breaks are getting closed and tax costs are getting more expensive. Today, the top tax bracket for seniors above age 65 is 56.65%. However, with the relaxed rules on eligible health expenses, great savings can be had.

Geoff Cook, CFP, from Infinite Finan-cial, says “Unfortunately, due to the compensation method of traditional group insurance plans, I feel that no one in the Group Benefits market is really presenting HSA’s to companies and individuals as an alternative”.

Let us help you with new strategies that work by saving taxes. Tax savings will only help you accomplish all goals of living well, paying off the mortgage, saving for retirement or travelling. For information on how you can implement an HSA, please contact me.

*Also known as – Personal Health Spending Plan for non incorporated individuals and business, Health Spending Accounts for incorporated business and their employees.

THE BIGGEST TAX BREAK VERY FEW ARE AWARE OF

Don HopkinsPresident/Benefits Consultant

MGA Consulting [email protected]

With $48,000 of professional taxable income in 2015 and $2,400 of family medical expenses

Medical expenses for Self, spouse or common-law-partner and your dependent children born in 1991 or later

Deduct as “other Expense” on line 9270 of T2125Statement of business or Professional Activities

Minus: $2,208 or 3% of line 236, whichever is less

You save

Multiply the amount on line 23 by 20.05%

Subtotal (if negative, enter “0”) 23

24

Total Medical Expenses Fees (10%) & premium tax (2%)

Total VHSP Premium*(Other expense deductible from business income)

The Old Way Our Way

Personal Medical Tax Credit from T1 Schedule 1:

330

332

338

2,400

$ 2,400293

Tax Savings at 31.15%(uses your highest tax rate)

839

Less: Cost of fees and taxes

You save

(293)

2,693

960

192

192

(1,440)=

=

$ 546$

More after-tax $$ in your pocket 354$

By: Don Hopkins


www.annaraeli.com


TASTY WEEKNIGHT

Meal IdeasLamb Loin Chops with Mushroom Marsala SauceServes 5Prep time: 15 minutesCook Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

• 5-6 lamb loin chops• 2 tbsp (30 mL) all-purpose flour• Salt & pepper• 2 tbsp olive oil• 2 tbsp (30 mL) butter• 8 oz (227 g) fresh crimini mushrooms, sliced• 2 shallots, thinly sliced• 2 cloves garlic, minced• 1/2 cup (125 mL) Marsala wine (or dry white wine)• 1/2 cup (125 mL) chicken stock• 1 tsp (5 mL) Dijon mustard• Fresh thyme

Directions:

1. In a shallow bowl mix flour with salt and pepper. Lightly dredge loin chops in flour.

2. In a large frying pan, over medium-high heat, add olive oil. When oil is hot add loin chops to pan. Sear on either side for 2-3 minutes. Remove from pan and set aside.

3. To same pan, add butter and mushrooms. Sauté mushrooms until liquid is released, about 5 minutes. Add shallots and garlic. Cook 1-2 minutes or until fragrant.

4. Slowly add wine to deglaze the pan; using spatula to scrape the pan clean. Add chicken stock, Dijon mustard, and seared loin chops to the pan. Continue to simmer, stirring frequently, until sauce is slightly thickened.

5. Sprinkle with fresh thyme and serve over hot mashed potatoes.

More recipes featuring fresh local ingredients are available at mushrooms.ca.

(NC) Lamb can be an easy and satisfying weeknight meal, and these lamb loin chops with a fragrant and flavourful Marsala sauce will prove it. Serve over mashed potatoes for a complete meal.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT

SVETLANA CHKARBOUL 905-731-2000 / 416-402-5916 / [email protected]

EXTRAORDINARY RESIDENCE!

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king living home & lifestyle magazine - march 2016

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