king living magazine dec14

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H O M E & L I F E S T Y L E M A G A Z I N EH O M E & L I F E S T Y L E M A G A Z I N EDECEMBER 2014

2 KING LIVING | DECEMBER 2014

H O M E D É C O R

t is true that if you let your personality shine through, there are endless possibilities to create your own one-of-a-kind holi-day statement this year.

“Discover a decorating style that’s perfect for you and go with it,” says décor and lifestyle expert Janette Ewen. “Do you prefer glitz and glam, or are you more of an outdoorsy type? Find what speaks to you and base your decorating around that concept.”

Put your own unique spin on it, says Ewen, with these quick and easy tips:

Colour brightIf you’re in love with one specific look or colour, then commit to it and go all out. For example, specialty décor items like those from places like Pier 1 Imports, will make you stand out in a crowd. Ewen points out that this retailer’s line called Season’s Sparkle Collection looks stunning all on its own. Layer silver table linens with silver chargers, napkin rings, holiday accents and more to make a simple, yet elegant statement.

Themed Christmas treesThemed trees are fun and easy to pull off. Start by picking a core ornament that you love and get about 20 ornaments, depending on the size of your tree. Choose two or so accent ornaments and get 10 of one and five of the other ornaments. Finish with coor-dinating tree picks. And who says you have to stick with just one statement? Set up your main tree in a common space, and then keep guests guessing with smaller trees in unexpected places.

Small changes can make a big impactPick your favourite two or three rooms in your home and add a few key pieces to transform the space, while staying true to your budget. When in doubt, remember to focus on the high-traffic areas, such as the entryway, living area or dining room.

Don’t forget the kitchen. With all the cooking – and eating – that lies ahead, you’ll want to add some fun into one of the busiest rooms in the home.

Compliment awayThere’s a lot of work that goes into holiday decorating so with your hosts, friends, and neighbours, be sure to acknowledge it with appreciation wherever you go.

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I

HOLIDAYBring personality into your

décor

KING LIVING | DECEMBER 2014 3

Delicious holiday baked goods with reduced sugarMany Canadians enjoy baking during the holidays, but are often concerned about eating too much sugar. Now there is an easy way to enjoy holiday treats and also reduce your sugar intake. By substituting new Truvia Baking Blend, a blend of sugar and stevia-based, Truvia calorie-free sweet-ener for regular sugar, you can obtain delicious baked goods with 75 per cent fewer calories per serving than sugar.

Reduced Sugar Gingerbread Cookies

• 3 cups all-purpose flour

• ½ tsp baking soda

• ¼ tsp baking powder

• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter

• ½ cup Truvía Baking Blend

• 2 tsp ground ginger

• 2 tsp ground cinnamon

• ¾ tsp ground cloves

• ½ tsp finely ground pepper

• ¾ tsp coarse salt

• 1 large egg

• ½ cup molasses

• Icing and decorations (optional)

DIRECTIONS1. Whisk together flour, baking soda, and baking powder in a large bowl. Set aside.

2. Place butter and Truvía Baking Blend in a large bowl. Using an elec-tric mixer, blend on medium speed until fluffy. Mix in spices and salt, then egg and molasses. Add flour mixture, mix until just combined. Divide dough into thirds, wrap each in plastic wrap. Refrigerate until cold.

3. Line baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside. Roll out dough on a clean work surface to ¼-inch thick. Using a 4 ½-inch gingerbread man–shaped cookie cutter, cut out cookies, and place on a baking sheet, at least 1-inch apart. Refrigerate until cold.

4. Preheat oven to 350° F. Bake cookies until crisp but not dark, 10 to 12 min-utes. Let cool on sheets on wire rack.

5. If you are using icing and decorations, decorate cookies and then set aside so icing hardens.

Makes 2 dozen gingerbread men.

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contentsD E C E M B E R 2 0 1 4

King Living Home & Life Style Magazine is published monthly and delivered to all 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. Abode 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 ap-pear herein except where a specific charge has been made.

03 DELICIOUS HOLIDAY BAKED GOODS WITH REDUCED SUGAR

08 PREP YOUR HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

10 CREATE KID FUN IN YOUR HOLIDAY KITCHEN

02 BRING PERSONALITY INTO YOUR HOLIDAY DÉCOR

11 CONTROL YOUR HOME REMOTELY WHILE YOU’RE ON VACATION


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Computer Training Sessions- for teens and adults in basic computing

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Watch your back and shovel with care this winterShoveling snow can be a pain in more ways than one. These tips from the Ontario Chiropractic Association will help to keep your back in top shape:

• Don’t let the snow pile up: If the weather report calls for several days of snow, frequent shoveling will allow you to move smaller amounts at once. It’s far less strenuous in the long run.

• Pick the right shovel: Use a lightweight pusher-type shovel. If you are using a metal one, spray it with Teflon first, so snow won’t stick to it.

• Push, don’t throw: Always push the snow to the side rather than throw it. That way you avoid lifting heavy loads, and also avoid the sudden twisting or turning movements.

• Bend your knees: As with any heavy object, you need to use the muscles in your knees, legs and arms to do the pushing and lifting, while keeping your back straight.

• Take a break: If you feel tired or short of breath, stop and take a rest. Shake out your arms and legs. Stop shoveling immediately if you feel chest pain or back pain. If you have back pain that is severe or that persists for more than a day after shoveling, see a chiropractor for help from a specialist trained in this field. If you have chest pain that is severe, see a doctor immediately.

More information can be found online at www.yourback-health.com.

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Call 805-832-3880

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editorial

Here are 7simple tipsto help you get started.There’s something about the holiday season that makes gathering with family and friends extra special. But between the cooking, decorating and shopping, preparing for the holidays with that never-ending “to-do” list can be overwhelming.

To reduce stress and stay organized, make a list of all the tasks you need to complete around the house, and apply a deadline for each project. This will help you prioritize and stay on schedule, eliminating any last-minute scrambles.

Of course,there are standard household chores like vacuuming, window wiping and counter cleaning, but don’t forget to consider these other holiday prep projects that may not be on your list.

Prepyour homeHolidaysfor the

1/Clean the ovenThe oven is the heart of any kitchen, so it’s especially important to clean it to prevent excess smoke and other kitchen hazards.

2/Clear the fridgeCreate space in your fridge and throw out any expired products, making room for your holiday menu items and any unexpected dishes that guests may bring. While you’re at it, make sure you clear plenty of count-er space for your holiday menu items.


3/Freshen the carpetRegular vacuuming will help eliminate surface dirt and pet hair, but it won’t eliminate set-in stains and ground-in grime. Depending on budget and time, you can either rent a carpet deep cleaner or hire a professional to clean the car-peted rooms of your home prior to hosting your big holiday event. In a time crunch? Focus on the high-traffic areas of your home like the living, family and dining rooms.

4/Empty a closetNo one wants to wear a wrinkled coat home from a party. Instead of tossing guests’ coats in a bedroom, maintain your privacy and clear out a closet near an entry where guests can hang their coats while visiting.

5/Create more spaceGive guests the freedom to unwind and relax at your holiday gath-ering by offering them enough space to do so. Store extra throw pillows, blankets and toys in bins or chests to create more seating space for guests.

6/Deodorize your homeWhat’s a sure fire way to put a damper on your holiday gathering? Have guests enter a space plagued by unpleasant odours. Keep deodorizing sprays, candles or oils on hand to add a favourite scent to a room or to eliminate any undesirable odours left behind from an unfortunate cooking incident. For a cheaper alternative, boil an orange peel, which releases its natural oils into the air for a pleas-ant citrus scent.

7/Stock extra toiletriesFor overnight guests, provide extra toiletries they may have forgotten like travel-size shampoo, soap, lotion, shaving cream, toothpaste, a toothbrush and cotton swabs.

With these tips, some time and a bit of advanced planning, your home will be holiday-ready, leaving you stress-free to enjoy the most wonderful time of the year with those you love.

Courtesy of BPC


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F O O D

F rom confetti-decorated sugar cookies and taffy pud-ding to gingerbread houses and hot chocolate, holiday treat-making is the best combination of delicious and

messy – especially if children are involved.

Whether you are baking with kids or a kid-at-heart, ‘tis the season to create delightful family traditions --- and clean up later. After all, memories are made in the kitchen, so enjoy every dropped egg and scattered cup of flour along the way.

Here’s a simple recipe that is as fun to make, as it is yummy to eat. Sure to become a favourite, Pretzel Sweets use easy-to-find ingredients and are a breeze to whip up. They are also a no-bake treat so little hands can help. Customized with toppings like sprinkles, these super-easy pretzel snacks are a perfect way to surprise and delight family and friends.

Ingredients

• Bag of pretzels (salted or un-salted)

• Chocolate chips (white, dark, milk chocolate are great, or try butterscotch chips)

• Toppings of choice (sprinkles, chocolate-coated candies, flaked coconut)

Procedure

• Line two baking sheets with wax paper or parchment paper

• Place pretzels in a large bowl

• Sort toppings of choice and place onto individual plates

• Place chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and melt to a creamy texture

• Dip pretzels into chocolate and shake off any excess

• Take your chocolate-coated pretzels and roll them in toppings of choice

• Set on baking sheet to cool

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Pretzel Sweets

ENJOY!

Create

Holiday KitchenKid Fun

in your


TheRainMakerTeam

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EVALUATION CERTIFICATE This certificate entitles a residential property owner to one market evaluation by TheRainMakerTeam, and a complete presentation of

TheRainMakerTeam’s home marketing program. This service to be performed without cost or obligation to the owner. Call for an appointment.

Joseph Cartaginese*, Paula Perri*, Jamie Goldenberg+,

Stephen Ferritto+, Domenic Spina+

*Broker + Sales Representative Not intended to solicit properties

already listed for sale.

Checking in on your home while you’re on the slopesHow to control your home remotely while on vacationThe holiday season is finally here and most of us are off to enjoy quality time visiting family and friends, getting away on sunny vacations or hitting the slopes. Whether you’re enjoying the beaches or snowboarding down your favourite mountain, you’ll want to make sure that your home is protected while you’re away.

With the latest home security systems from providers such as Reliance Protectron, they’re helping you rest assured that your home is protected while you are out enjoying yourself this season. “Our interactive services give you protection that goes far beyond the role of a traditional home security system,” explained Patrice De Luca, V.P. of Marketing and Customer Care for Reliance Protectron Security Services. Here are the latest options available to help monitor and protect your home:

INTERACTIVE VIDEO SURVEILLANCE

You can set up video surveillance around your property and in your home that seamlessly sleeves into your existing system. You can subscribe to interactive video surveil-

lance to record activity at preset times or begin recording when motion is detected. Only you can monitor what’s happening in your house through your webcams, as monitoring centres cannot access your cameras.

INTERACTIVE DOOR LOCKS

If you have guests that will be housesit-ting or getting your mail for you while you are away, there is no need to give them a key. You can give them a pass-code to get in which you can change or delete immediately after your vacation is over. You can also lock and unlock your door remotely to allow a guest to enter for example.

INTERACTIVE THERMOSTAT

You no longer have to worry about if you left the heat on too high before you left the house. You can simply check the status of your thermostat through your computer or your smartphone

and control the temperature from a distance. As an added bonus, you can turn up the heat just before you get back if you are returning home on a particularly cold day.

LIGHTING AND APPLIANCES

You can also control appliances and your lighting remotely using the same interactive technology, so you can make sure appliances are shut off and make it look like someone is home by switching lights on and off in the evening. You can even program your system to perform several tasks at once. When arming your system, for example, you can also set it to lock the front door, turn off the lights, and lower the temperature slightly. Sim-ilarly, when you disarm it, it can unlock the door and turn on the lights. The thermostat can even be set to the ideal temperature in time for your arrival. You can do all this using a single key on your smart phone – whenever and wherever. More information on home security is available at www.protectron.com/interactivewww.newscanada.com

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Happy Holidaysfrom TheRainMakerTeam

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Professional Photographer

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We Provide:

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king living magazine dec14

Documents

blend of sugar

tsp ground ginger

new truvia baking blend

regular sugar

holiday decorating

sugar intake

i f e s t y

ground pepper tsp coarse