Monthly Archives: May 2017

Culture

Cooking With Toronto’s Steam Whistle Beer Is Versatile

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Steam Whistle Beer RecipesSteam Whistle Brewing recently surveyed their fans, friends and followers on the brewery’s Facebook and  Twitter pages to find out if they had any interesting alternative uses for beer.

While many indicated that they prefer their beer for drinking, an overwhelming majority of the alternative uses for Steam Whistle involved using it when cooking, in one way or another.

“Beer is great for cooking because it is so versatile,” said Sybil Taylor, Communications Director for Steam Whistle Brewing. “Though wine is more commonly used in cooking, beer offers a balanced flavour, not too sweet or not too bitter, and adds a rich, earthy undertone to foods without overwhelming the dish.”

"Cheers" Sybil (Browne) Taylor Marketing Communications at Steam Whistle Brewing
“Cheers” Sybil (Browne) Taylor Marketing Communications at Steam Whistle Brewing

 

The following are just a few of the alternative cooking uses that came out of the survey:

Marinate Meat

Beer is slightly acidic, which makes it an excellent meat tenderizer. Beer also won’t alter the meat’s flavour as much as wine or vinegar-based marinades will. Slice halfway into the meat in rows of ridges to tenderize tougher cuts and to expose more of the tissue to the marinade. Pop into a covered dish, tupperware container or freezer bag with the marinade and refrigerate preferably overnight or at minimum a few hours before cooking.

Do not drink the marinate!

http://www.steamwhistle.ca/fun/recipe_detail.php?id=36

Braise Chops

Cook chops in a pan until browned on one each side. Add the beer to the pan and swirl it gently to combine all of the ingredients. Continue cooking the chops to your desired temperature, about 4 minutes for medium. Once the chops are finished, remove them to a plate and continue reducing the liquid in the pan until it reaches a glossy, gravy-like consistency and pour it over the chops.

http://www.steamwhistle.ca/fun/recipe_detail.php?id=136

Make Pizza Dough

Everyone loves beer with pizza, but what about beer in your pizza! Using your favourite beer in a pizza dough recipe will create a great tasting beer pizza crust. Then serve Steam Whistle Pilsner with your pizza – beer cuts through spicy heat and the carbonation cleanses the oil from the cheese and meat toppings and leaves you ready to taste more.

http://www.steamwhistle.ca/fun/recipe_detail.php?id=142

 

 

Steam Clams or Mussels

In a large steamer pot, mix a bottle of beer with a few cloves of garlic and some other tasty ingredients, then add a pound of clams or mussels. Steam until the shells begin to open. Easy as that! The beer imports a nice flavour.  http://www.steamwhistle.ca/fun/recipe_detail.php?id=116

 

Bake Beer Bread

Beer bread can be a simple  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quick_bread  quick bread or a   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bread  yeast-bread flavored with beer. Both  beer and bread have a common creation process: Yeast is used to turn sugars into carbon dioxide and alcohol. In the case of bread a great percentage of the alcohol evaporates during the baking process. Click here for a link to of our http://www.steamwhistle.ca/fun/recipe_detail.php?id=133  Steam Whistle Beer Bread recipes.

Want more? Try one of Steam Whistle’s 150+ recipes for http://steamwhistle.ca/fun/recipes.php Cooking with Beer at your next dinner party.  For the Silo, Jarrod Barker.

Gimme Steam Whistle

 

About Steam Whistle Brewing:

Steam Whistle Brewing, an independent brewery in Toronto, Ontario has a singular focus of making one beer of exceptional quality that Canadians can be proud of. They make their refreshing Pilsner with traditional brewing methods and only four, all natural ingredients (spring water, prairie malted barley, hops and yeast – all GMO free). Opened in 2000, the brewery was named Steam Whistle, drawing from the inspirational sounds of steam rushing from factory whistles, signaling the end of a fulfilling workday and a time for personal reward.  The brewery is housed in an old CP Rail Roundhouse, once home to the steam locomotives that helped pioneer this nation.

 

Politics

Ontario Takes Historic Action To Raise Minimum Wage To $15 Hour By 2019

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Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs- $15 Minimum Wage and Equal Pay for Part-Time and Full-Time Workers Part of Plan to Help People Get Ahead in a Changing Economy

May 30, 2017 10:20 A.M.

Ontario is taking historic action to create more opportunity and security for workers with a plan for Fair Workplaces and Better Jobs. This includes hiking the minimum wage, ensuring part-time workers are paid the same hourly wage as full-time workers, introducing paid sick days for every worker and stepping up enforcement of employment laws.

Over the past three years, Ontario’s economy has outperformed all G7 countries in terms of real GDP growth. While exports and business investments are increasing and the unemployment rate is at a 16-year low, the nature of work has changed. Many workers are struggling to support their families on part-time, contract or minimum-wage work. Government has a responsibility to address precarious employment and ensure Ontario workers are protected by updating the province’s labour and employment laws.

To help safeguard employees and create fairer and better workplaces, Premier Kathleen Wynne announced today that the government is moving forward with a landmark package of measures, including:

-Raising Ontario’s general minimum wage to $14 per hour on January 1, 2018, and then to $15 on January 1, 2019, followed by annual increases at the rate of inflation.
-Mandating equal pay for part-time, temporary, casual and seasonal employees doing the same job as full-time employees; and equal pay for temporary help agency employees doing the same job as permanent employees at the agencies’ client companies.
-Expanding personal emergency leave to include an across-the-board minimum of at least two paid days per year for all workers.
-Bringing Ontario’s vacation time into line with the national average by ensuring at least three weeks’ vacation after five years with a company.
-Making employee scheduling fairer, including requiring employees to be paid for three hours of work if their shift is cancelled within 48 hours of its scheduled start time.

The government will also propose measures to expand family leaves and make certain that employees are not mis-classified as independent contractors, ensuring they get the benefits they deserve. To enforce these changes, the province will hire up to 175 more employment standards officers and launch a program to educate both employees and small and medium-sized businesses about their rights and obligations under the Employment Standards Act.
QUOTES

” The economy has changed. Work has changed. It’s time our laws and protections for workers changed too. Too many families are struggling to get by on part-time or contract work and unstable employment. And no one working full time in Ontario should live in poverty. With these changes, every worker in Ontario will be treated fairly, paid a living wage and have the opportunities they deserve.”
– Kathleen Wynne
Premier of Ontario

” These changes will ensure every hard-working Ontarian has the chance to reach their full potential and share in Ontario’s prosperity. Fairness and decency must be the defining values of our workplaces.”
– Kevin Flynn
Minister of Labour
QUICK FACTS

Today’s announcement responds to the final report of the Changing Workplaces Review, conducted by Special Advisors C. Michael Mitchell and John C. Murray, over the course of two years. It is the first-ever independent review of the Employment Standards Act, 2000 and Labour Relations Act, 1995.
The report estimates that more than 30 per cent of Ontario workers were in precarious work in 2014. This type of employment makes it hard to earn a decent income and interferes with opportunities to enjoy decent working conditions and/or puts workers at risk.

In 2016, the median hourly wage was $13.00 for part-time workers and $24.73 for full-time workers. Over the past 30 years, part-time work has grown to represent nearly 20 per cent of total employment.
Currently, half of the workers in Ontario earning less than $15 per hour are between the ages of 25 and 64, and the majority are women.
More than a quarter of Ontario workers would receive a pay hike through the proposed increase to the minimum wage.
Studies show that a higher minimum wage results in less employee turnover, which increases business productivity.
Ontario is proposing a broad consultation process to gain feedback from a wide variety of stakeholders on the draft legislation it intends to introduce. To facilitate this consultation, it is proposing to send the legislation to committee after First Reading.
LEARN MORE

The Changing Workplaces Review — Final Report

Disponible en Français

Équité en milieu de travail, meilleurs emplois

Salaire minimum de 15 $ l’heure et parité salariale pour travail à temps partiel et à temps plein afin d’aider les gens à réussir au sein de l’économie en évolution

30 mai 2017 10h20

L’Ontario adopte des mesures historiques afin de créer plus de possibilités et de sécurité pour les travailleuses et travailleurs grâce à un plan pour l’équité en milieu de travail et de meilleurs emplois. Il s’agit notamment de hausser le salaire minimum, de veiller à ce que les travailleurs à temps partiel touchent le même taux horaire que les travailleurs à temps plein, de prévoir des congés de maladie payés pour tous les travailleurs et de renforcer la mise en application des lois régissant le travail.

Au cours des trois dernières années, le rendement de l’économie de l’Ontario a surpassé celui de tous les pays du G7 sur le plan de la croissance réelle du PIB. Certes, les exportations et les investissements des entreprises sont à la hausse et le taux de chômage est à son plus bas en 16 ans, mais nous constatons aussi que la nature du travail a changé. De nombreux travailleurs éprouvent de la difficulté à subvenir aux besoins de leur famille avec un emploi à temps partiel, contractuel ou au salaire minimum. Le gouvernement a la responsabilité d’agir face à la précarité de l’emploi et de veiller à ce que les travailleurs de l’Ontario soient protégés en actualisant les lois provinciales qui régissent le travail et l’emploi.

Pour contribuer à protéger les employés et créer des milieux de travail plus équitables et plus conviviaux, la première ministre Kathleen Wynne a annoncé aujourd’hui que le gouvernement va de l’avant avec un train de mesures inédites, dont les suivantes :

hausser le salaire minimum général en Ontario à 14 $ l’heure le 1er janvier 2018, puis à 15 $ le 1er janvier 2019, ce qui sera suivi par des hausses annuelles correspondant au taux d’inflation;
rendre obligatoire la parité salariale des employés à temps partiel, temporaires, occasionnels et saisonniers qui font le même travail que les employés à temps plein, et une paie égale pour les employés des agences de placement temporaire qui font le même travail que le personnel permanent de leurs entreprises clientes;
élargir le droit à des congés d’urgence personnelle pour inclure un minimum général d’au moins deux jours rémunérés par an pour tous les travailleurs;
faire correspondre la durée des vacances annuelles en Ontario à la durée moyenne nationale en accordant au moins trois semaines de vacances après 5 ans d’emploi avec le même employeur;
rendre plus équitable la planification des horaires de travail, ce qui comprend exiger que les employés soient payés pendant trois heures si leur quart de travail est annulé dans les 48 heures précédant l’heure de début planifiée.

Le gouvernement proposera aussi des mesures pour rendre plus équitable la planification des horaires du personnel, augmenter les congés familiaux et prévenir la classification erronée d’employés en tant qu’entrepreneurs indépendants, de manière à ce qu’ils obtiennent les avantages sociaux qu’ils méritent. Pour appliquer ces changements, la province embauchera jusqu’à 175 agentes et agents des normes d’emplois et lancera un programme de sensibilisation des employés et des petites et moyennes entreprises concernant leurs droits et obligations aux termes de la Loi de 2000 sur les normes d’emploi.

CITATIONS

« L’économie et le marché du travail d’emploi ont évolué. Il est temps d’adapter aussi nos lois et les mécanismes de protection de notre main-d’oeuvre. Trop de familles ont du mal à joindre les deux bouts avec du travail à temps partiel, contractuel ou instable. Aucun travailleur à temps plein en Ontario ne devrait vivre dans la pauvreté. Grâce à ces changements, les travailleuses et travailleurs de l’Ontario seront traités avec équité, toucheront un revenu décent et auront les possibilités qu’ils méritent.»
– Kathleen Wynne
première ministre de l’Ontario

« Ces changements feront en sorte que les Ontariennes et Ontariens qui ont du coeur à l’ouvrage puissent avoir la chance de réaliser tout leur potentiel et de partager la prospérité de l’Ontario. L’équité et la cordialité doivent être des valeurs définitoires de nos lieux de travail.»
– Kevin Flynn
ministre du Travail

FAITS EN BREF

L’annonce d’aujourd’hui va dans le sens du rapport final de l’Examen portant sur l’évolution des milieux de travail que les conseillers spéciaux C. Michael Mitchell et John C. Murray ont mené pendant une période de deux ans. Il s’agit du tout premier examen indépendant de la Loi de 2000 sur les normes d’emploi et de la Loi de 1995 sur les relations de travail.
Le rapport évalue que plus de 30 % des travailleurs ontariens avaient un emploi précaire en 2014. Ce genre d’emploi fait qu’il est difficile d’obtenir un revenu suffisant et compromet les chances de profiter de conditions de travail décentes, en plus de faire subir des risques aux travailleurs.
En 2016, le salaire horaire moyen était de 13 $ pour les travailleurs à temps partiel et de 24,73 $ pour les travailleurs à temps plein. Au cours des 30 dernières années, le travail à temps partiel a augmenté de sorte qu’il représente près de 20 % de tous les emplois.
À l’heure actuelle, la moitié des travailleurs en Ontario qui gagnent moins de 15 $ l’heure ont de 25 à 64 ans et la majorité de ces effectifs sont des femmes.
Plus du quart des travailleurs de l’Ontario recevraient une hausse salariale grâce à l’augmentation proposée du salaire minimum.
Des études démontrent qu’un salaire minimum plus élevé réduit le roulement du personnel, ce qui accroît la productivité des entreprises.
L’Ontario propose un vaste processus de consultation afin d’obtenir la rétroaction d’une grande variété d’intéressés concernant le projet de loi envisagé. Pour faciliter cette consultation, il est proposé de soumettre le projet de loi à un comité après la première lecture.

POUR EN SAVOIR DAVANTAGE

Examen portant sur l’évolution des milieux de travail — rapport final

Sci-Tech

Digital Serbia Partnership Launches To Set Serbia As Digital Innovation Hub

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“Digital Serbia” is the non-profit private partnership initiative launched by Ringier Axel Springer Serbia and leading tech companies. Its mission is to focus on improving the framework and ecosystem required to enable tech entrepreneurship and digital innovation in both industry and education in Serbia. The founding members of the initiative are Infostud, Microsoft, Nordeus, Price Waterhouse Coopers, Ringier Axel Springer, Seven Bridges, Startit, Telekom Srbija and Telenor.

“Digital Serbia” has been established as an association, bringing leading technology, IT and telecommunication companies together to drive digital innovation for Serbia and for its people. The Steering Committee of “Digital Serbia” will be made up of representatives of the founding companies. The Committee will be headed by Branko Milutinović, CEO and co-founder of Nordeus.

All of the association’s activities will be directed towards setting up an improved framework and investment climate to encourage technological entrepreneurship, innovations in the Serbian IT industry and a better level of digital literacy and education in the digital economy. Companies who want to participate in the realization of this goal, and to contribute to Digital Serbia, are invited to join.

“Digital Serbia” has been launched following the success of “digitalswitzerland”, and builds on the efforts of digital hubs such as London, Tel Aviv and Berlin, which joined the digital tech and innovation bandwagon early on.

Jelena Drakulić-Petrović, General Manager of Ringier Axel Springer Serbia and founder and initiator of the Digital Serbia Initiative: “Technological development brings unprecedented change at a high speed. Innovation in business and education helps to increase productivity. It allows for new solutions in the development of products and services. As a media company, we believe in the importance of enhancing digital innovative strength in Serbia, as this will be the driver that helps to create new jobs and grow our business. With “Digital Serbia”, we are seeking to unlock the vast potential we envisage for the Serbian economy and its people.”

Branko Milutinović

Branko Milutinović, CEO and co-founder of Nordeus: “Thanks to digitalization, success can now be boiled down to its essence: creativity, know-how and professionalism. This is our opportunity. Together, we will work hard so Serbian innovations and success stories may develop from a stronger foundation and gain more attention. That’s why our decision to invest in digital education and tech entrepreneurship is so important to the future of our entire community.”

“Digital Serbia” will provide basic information and support to innovative companies, as well as small and medium-sized enterprises in the IT sector, on how to operate in these areas, and will provide assistance to companies and society in establishing contacts through various forums and fairs. In addition, “Digital Serbia” will actively participate in identifying and addressing legal restrictions that slow down the development of e-Business in Serbia, and will provide active support for technology startups.
The website www.dsi.rs has been launched with detailed information about the initiative.

Also building on the success of “digitalswitzerland” is the initiative “Digital Poland”, which will be launched on June 1, 2017 in Krakow during the Impact Conference (www.impactcee.com). The initiative will be supporting digitization for the economy, supporting education and the legal system around issues relating to digitization and innovation, and helping companies in Poland to transition from offline to online. For the Silo,  Fouzia Hussain.

About “digitalswitzerland”

digitalswitzerland is a joint partnership between businesses, public authorities and the scientific community, which wants to shape Switzerland as the leading international hub for digital innovation. digitalswitzerland is already active in a wide range of fields such as knowledge transfer, education, start-up ecosystems, and political framework conditions. The association includes more than 70 of the most renowned companies and organizations as well as innovative locations throughout Switzerland. The initiative was launched in 2015 by Marc Walder, CEO of Ringier AG. More info can be found at www.digitalswitzerland.com

About Ringier Axel Springer Media AG

Ringier Axel Springer Media AG was founded in 2010 by the Swiss Ringier AG and the German Axel Springer SE. The company operates in the growth markets of Poland, Hungary, Serbia, Slovakia, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania with a broad range of media services, comprising more than 165 digital and print offerings. The company’s registered offices are in Zurich and it employs a total of about 3100 employees.

 

Reviews

Bravo TV Star Asa Soltan Rahmati Launches Sacred Rituals For Women Book

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Asa Soltan Rahmati has had many lives. From fleeing Iran as a child and living as a refugee in Germany and then the U.S. to becoming a celebrated reality television star on Bravo TV’s Shahs of Sunset; from launching a successful designer line of women’s kaftans to becoming a brand new parent with beau Jermaine Jackson Jr. – she is a master of reinvention and personal-betterment. In her newest life – as a published author – she sets out to empower other women to truly love themselves and take control of their own destinies.

Her book GOLDEN: Empowering Rituals to Conjure Your Inner Priestess is hitting bookstore shelves now. In it she shares seven sacred rituals that she developed throughout her life as she went from refugee (twice) to “artsy” to the Persian Pop Priestess that fans of Shahs of Sunset have grown to admire. I’d love to send you a copy of the new book for consideration of coverage in an upcoming story.

Asa’s life has been a filled with great challenges and deep loss, but through it – and through her outsider status – she learned to face life fearlessly and with her own style. From her self-love ritual to her chapter on confidence (“Radiate Beauty from the Inside Out”), Asa provides readers with the ultimate “green juice, master cleanse and z pack” for life. It all starts with her Priestess Detox, the total mind, body, soul cleanse to get the reader in touch with her own Inner Priestess. Asa’s ability to translate her rituals have helped hundreds of thousands of her fans become more empowered. GOLDEN is her gift to them and to anybody who is ready to take control, learn to love themselves, and face the future with confidence and strength.
When I was in college at UCLA, I worked part-time at an African art store in Santa Monica. One day Maya Angelou came into the store. I have always been a huge fan of hers and I was completely starstruck. She walked straight toward me, took my hand in hers, looked me directly in the eyes, and said, “stay golden, my child.”

– Asa Soltan, from GOLDEN

GOLDEN by Asa Soltan

Empowering Rituals to Conjure
Your Inner Priestess
Available Now

Asa Soltan Rahmati – Persian Pop Priestess, Spiritual Gangsta, and beloved star of Bravo TV’s hit reality show, Shahs of Sunset – shares seven sacred rituals that she has developed throughout her life in GOLDEN: Empowering Rituals to Conjure Your Inner Priestess (North Star Way; May 9, 2017; $25.99 USD).

Asa was eight years old when her family fled their war-torn country of Iran to seek refuge in Germany. To say she experienced culture shock after arriving is an understatement. She had never seen anyone that looked and acted so different from her, and she didn’t speak a word of German or English. She felt completely cast off from her land, her culture, and her people.

Feeling a need to connect to her culture and herself, she created rituals that she practiced every day. At first they were a simple way to create a sacred space for herself so she could go within and remember who she really was. But when she became a refugee for the second time moving from Germany to Los Angeles, those rituals — on beauty, love, career, family, and friendships–kept her deeply connected to her Inner Priestess, the authentic version of herself that existed without ego, baggage, or attachments to material things.

Asa’s own personal journey to find peace and self-acceptance helped her marry her artistic side with her business acumen and led her to launch a highly successful kaftan business, create a line of jewelry for Home Shopping Network and, of course, the television show. GOLDEN will help readers find their own power with inspirational quotes, stories and photos from her childhood to illustrate the impact her rituals can have. Whether you choose to focus on one ritual separately or all of them at once, GOLDEN can guide you to a state of glamorous, gorgeous mindfulness and a chance to live the life of your dreams.

Since the first season of Shahs aired, Asa has gained a loyal legion of fans who refer to her as the Spiritual Gangsta. Many of them write her to seek answers to their most personal questions. They often ask how to feel confident and feel good about their bodies in a world that’s hyper critical of women’s looks, how to gain the courage to follow their dreams, and how to stay true to their culture and traditions yet remain a modern woman. Asa’s ability to translate her rituals have helped hundreds of thousands of her fans become more empowered. GOLDEN is her gift to them.

Golden by Asa Soltan

About Asa Soltan Rahmati
Asa Soltan Rahmati, also known as the Persian Pop Priestess and Spiritual Gangsta, is the star of Bravo’s hit realty show, Shahs of Sunset. Asa lived on three continents and spoke four languages by the time she moved to the United States at fifteen. The Islamic revolution and decade-long war were the backdrop of her early childhood, and paved the way for her own personal revolution to build confidence, spirituality, and remain at peace among life’s daily trials and tribulations. Known for her glamour and down-to-earth spirituality, Asa is also an internationally recognized multimedia artist, philanthropist, and entrepreneur. In 2014 Asa launched her highly anticipated luxury kaftan line, Asa Kaftans, which celebrities and her international fan-base adore. Asa is committed to using her unique blend of high-art, pop-culture, glamour, and spirituality to make the world a more beautiful and positive place. For the Silo, Jason Southerland.

About North Star Way
North Star Way is an imprint dedicated to publishing “information to make your life better.”  With a non-fiction editorial focus in the areas of motivation, inspiration and books that advise and inform, North Star Way aims to connect readers with thought leaders through a variety of new media formats including books and e-books, on-line courses and subscriptions, speaking engagements, mobile applications, original video and audio books, sponsorships and business partnerships, podcasts. North Star Way authors include John O’Leary, Maya Penn, Amanda Steinberg, JJ Virgin, and Keke Palmer.
Culture

SWOLEMATE Is New Exercise Trend Bringing Couples Together

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You may have seen this hashtag trending on social media as millennials run to the gym in droves to exercise, tone up and sweat it out with their #swolemates.

 

According to fitness experts Danny and Denise Locsin, spending quality exercise-time with a sweetheart has more benefits than one may realize.

 

Working out together builds self esteem, improves sex drive, and some scientists are even predicting it will increase longevity! It’s not only physically beneficial (studies show you actually build more muscle when sweating with your sweetheart,) it tones your relationship in a way nothing else can.

 

In one study, couples reported feeling more satisfied with their relationships and more in love with their partner after jointly participating in an exciting physical challenge or activity, (Aron, Norman, Aron, & Heyman, 2000).

 

“The same endorphins that give a ‘runners high’ also bring a sense of euphoria and wellbeing to your relationship,” says Danny. “Couples bond deeper which makes them exercise more frequently.”

Danny and Denise Locsin are living proof that it pays to sweat together. The husband and wife team built their own relationship at the gym and since then, they have dedicated their lives to teaching people how to improve personal connections through exercise. Danny, a kinesiologists, and Denise, a personal trainer, believe romantic relationships are just the beginning.

Couples use their workouts as a time to bond and share, we also do that when working out with our family, says Denise, who has a program specifically designed to bring families together through exercise.

 

What’s the next hashtag to trend on social media? The mother of four predicts  #FitFam will dominate instagram this summer. For the Silo, Arden Izzo.

 

 ABOUT DANNY & DENISE LOCSIN:
Spotlight

Husband and wife team Danny and Denise Locsin are fitness experts that specialize in relationship and family exercise. They are the creators of the Yokebar, which has been described as the ultimate family exercise program. As a busy mother of four, Denise wanted something that was high intensity, but also safe and easy to set up. Finding a system that could adapt to a variety of fitness needs and ability levels was challenging. The requirements became even broader when Danny injured himself and was forced to give up his usual exercise routine.

After much scientific research and testing, Yokebar was born. Today, Danny and Denise train people in the Yoke Training System and also are the founders of Hi5 Produce, a leading corporate produce delivery service located in the Silicon Valley.

 

*Featured image courtesy of gympaws.com

Earth

Come On Summer! We’ve Got Your List Of Canada’s Cleanest, Greenest Beaches

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More Blue Flags
will fly in Canada this year

Canadians will be able to visit more clean and eco-friendly beaches and marinas across the country this summer. A record 27 beaches and eight marinas in Canada have earned the Blue Flag—a world-renowned eco-certification for beaches and marinas.

The latest beaches to fly the flag are Moonlight Beach in Sudbury, Ont. and Outlet Beach at Ontario’s Sandbanks Provincial Park. Colchester Harbour Marina in the Town of Essex, Ont. will also raise the Blue Flag for the first time this year.
The winners of our eco-journalism competition are … We’re pleased to announce the winners of the 2017 YRE Canada Eco-Journalism Competition for Youth. First place winners will have their work published by Alternatives Journal and will go on to compete in the international Young Reporters for the Environment Competition, hosted by the Foundation for Environmental Education.

Take a look at the winning entries.
Ask Canada to improve
toxic chemical regulation		 For too long, harmful chemicals like triclosan and BPA have been allowed in consumer products despite growing scientific evidence on their health and environmental effects. That’s why the Canadian Environmental Protection Act needs to be updated and strengthened to speed up the process for phasing out and banning toxic chemicals. Take action!
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27 beaches and 8 marinas in Canada will fly the Blue Flag this year. Find one near you.
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27 beaches and 8 marinas in Canada will fly the Blue Flag this year. Find one near you.
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Your action had an impact on Greenbelt protection! Tell Canada to end its $3 billion in annual subsidies to the oil & gas industry. Our work is possible thanks to caring people like you. Please make a charitable gift today in support of our environment!
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AT ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE WE CHALLENGE AND INSPIRE
CHANGE IN GOVERNMENT, BUSINESS AND PEOPLE TO ENSURE A
GREENER, HEALTHIER AND MORE PROSPEROUS LIFE FOR ALL.
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Reviews

Fearlessly Stream Your Fave Tunes With Everything Proof Speaker From Yatra

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Summer is the prime time for family and friends to gather around the pool and celebrate the warmer weather. And what is a good party without the latest summer hits? Pump up the party with the perfect summer companion; Yatra Aquatune 9612 speaker.

Many speakers are too quiet, don’t have much battery life, and can be damaged in the sun, sand and sea. Leave your worries behind – Yatra has got you covered!

The Yatra Aquatune 9612 is the perfect pool party companion. This 9 watt, high performance speaker perfectly projects your favorite music while providing durable, compact entertainment. The speaker is not only sleek and stylish but also waterproof, weatherproof, shockproof, and dustproof, meaning you won’t have to worry about sand clogging the speakers or damage if it gets tossed in the waves. Fearlessly stream your favorite tunes with Yatra, enjoying the sun, sand and summer with your favorite songs at hand.

The Aquatune 9612 will be the life of the party and every beach day go-to. Jam to your favorite tunes, loud and proud with Yatra.

On a tight budget? The Model 5712 Aquatune is a great option.

To view the full line of Aquatune speakers and other Yatra products please visit www.shopyatra.com.

For the Silo, Katie Lapinski.

Reviews

New Coloring Books From Iconic Lifestyle Brand Vera Bradley

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While plenty of industries, from sports to pop culture, have entered coloring book licensing partnerships, few have embraced it as much as the fashion world. Now, what could be the most beautiful and fanciest iteration of fashion coloring books has arrived. Vera Bradley is making a grand entrance into the coloring book world with their forthcoming pattern portfolio books. The books feature the company’s signature textile designs and unique patterns as line art for coloring in, as well galleries of colored designs for inspiration.
Vera Bradley is a leading designer of women’s handbags, luggage and travel items, fashion and home accessories and unique gifts. Founded in 1982 by friends Barbara Bradley Baekgaard and Patricia R. Miller, the brand’s innovative designs, iconic patterns and brilliant colors continue to inspire and connect women unlike any other brand in the global marketplace. The Company’s commitment to bringing more beauty into women’s lives includes its dedication to breast cancer research through the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer in which they have raised over $28 USD million to date.
The titles for her two new books—Seize the Day and Enjoy the Journey—are reflective of Vera Bradley’s values of female empowerment. This is an area Vera Bradley co-founder Barbara Bradley Baekgaard is passionate about. Baekgaard was recently a headlining speaker at the The Women’s Entrepreneurship Symposium at the University of Florida. She is also a guest judge on the show Girl Starter—an engaging, fast-paced business-genre reality-competition show that engages eight girls ages 18-24 as they compete in the early-phases of entrepreneurial business building. Vera Bradley is also a sponsor to the show.
The ultimate in coloring book quality.
Enjoy the Journey with this inspiring coloring book. Featuring 40 classic Vera Bradley designs, each eye-catching illustration is printed on extra-heavy, 200-year acid-free artist paper. A quick reference pattern guide provides the original Vera Bradley color schemes for every named pattern in the book, with stunning original patterns also shown in two-page spreads.

A full-color introduction shows you coloring techniques, craft ideas, and the right color swatches to use for a terrific look. Featuring a gold foil-embossed gatefold cover, this unique book even includes 16 bonus gift tags and 8 ready-to-color note cards.

Publisher: Design Originals, an imprint of Fox Chapel Publishing / August 2017

Pages: 120

ISBN: 978-1497203532

Seize the Day features 40 classic Vera Bradley designs, each eye-catching illustration is printed on extra-heavy, 200-year acid-free artist paper. A quick reference pattern guide provides the original Vera Bradley color schemes for every named pattern in the book, with stunning original patterns also shown in two-page spreads. A full-color introduction shows you coloring techniques, craft ideas, and the right color swatches to use for a terrific look.

Similar to Enjoy The Day, this book also features a gold foil-embossed gatefold cover and includes 16 bonus gift tags and 8 ready-to-color note cards. Get ready to color in the language of beauty with Vera Bradley!

Publisher: Design Originals, an imprint of Fox Chapel Publishing / August 2017

Pages: 120

ISBN: 978-1497203532
For the Silo, Elizabeth Martins.

Travel

Explore The World This Summer Via 12 Trendy Family Homes From HomeExchange

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Traveling with kids can be challenging, especially when restricted by a tight budget. As families begin to reevaluate their own homes and hometowns, they are discovering that what they once took for granted can be a huge destination for someone else. Providing travelers with the additional comfort of bedrooms for each family member, a kitchen, garden, pool, toys, bikes and more, a family home away from home can be the perfect base camp to explore a region.

The list below includes 12 family-friendly homes available this summer for families looking to discover the world via HomeExchange:

USA – Colorado – Evergreen

Nestled in the foothills of the Colorado Rockies, this beautiful home is within driving distance of Denver, ski mountains, and Evergreen Lake which is best known for its all-season recreational activities such as boating, fishing, and birding. Bordered by mountain parks with miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding, the home is equipped with bunk beds, toys, and video games for young children. A Jeep Wrangler and a Kia Sorento are also available for exchange.

Thailand – Phuket

The ultimate in discreet luxury and privacy, this villa comes outfitted with an ocean-facing spa and “concierge.” Overlooking Surin Beach, and only a few steps from two of Phuket’s top beaches, families can enjoy picturesque sunset views over the Andaman Sea in between horse and elephant rides.

Mexico – Manzanillo

Outfitted with a vast collection of Mexican folk art, this Mexican style three-bedroom home overlooks the Pacific Ocean. Miles of beaches with balmy ocean breezes and warm water year-round, Manzanillo is widely known as the sea fishing capital of the world. The house is about two miles from the great beach of Santiago Bay where house guests will be treated to a beach club membership.

France – Seignosse

This large Basque Landes-style house is located right on the beach. The five bedroom home boasts several terraces and is located less than two miles from the seaside town of Hossegor. The area is internationally renowned for its Atlantic surf spots and gastronomy, as well as golfing, surfing, and cycling.

USA – California – Santa Monica

Vibrant both inside and out, this ocean view four-bedroom house is full of light. Situated in a quiet neighborhood of Santa Monica, families will have easy access to shopping, restaurants, bike paths, and the beach. For families looking to venture further into the state of California, a Ford Expedition that can fit up to eight passengers is included in the exchange!

United Kingdom – London

Nestled on a quiet residential road in the middle of East London, this spacious Victorian family home has a lovely garden and plenty of toys for children. The vibrant neighborhood is only a bus ride or train away from Central London.

Australia – Kingscliff

Beachfront luxury on the magical Gold Coast, one hour from Brisbane City. With miles of beach, bicycle tracks, and local restaurants within a two-minute walk, this home is a perfect holiday for families.

Canada – West Vancouver

This waterfront seven bedroom villa with beach access, a private deck, spacious swimming pool, boats, and three cars are all located within a half hour drive from downtown Vancouver and mere minutes from parks, mountains, shopping, and restaurants.

Costa Rica – Puntarenas

This literal treehouse is situated in the canopy of the jungle that National Geographic called “the most bio-diverse place on earth.” This home is the perfect respite after a day of ziplining, swimming, waterfall hiking, and bird watching. Providing a true sense of adventure and an off-the-grid feel, this abode is free of televisions, hair dryers, and internet access.

Ireland – Stradbally

A kid-friendly home located one-hour away from Dublin, this modern home comes with a separate nanny studio in the garden, swings, slide, playroom, and lots of toys and bicycles. Nearby historic castles, beautiful woodlands, an equestrian center in Stradbally, a fishing lake and a championship golf course designed by golf legend Steve Ballesteros make this a must-stay neighborhood.

South Africa – Cape Town

This golf course estate boasting breathtaking views of Table Mountain and modern architect is only 15 minutes away from the city center. With direct beach access to Sunset Beach, the internationally-renowned windsurfing and kitesurfing hotspot of Africa, families will not have to venture far to create lifelong memories.

USA – New York – Montauk

Located directly across the street from the ocean, Montauk represents a classic and relaxed old American lifestyle. For those looking to juxtapose their stay with a trip to the bustling city of New York, several means of transport are available to get to Manhattan. Travelers can also opt for a seaplane for a quick forty-five-minute flight into the city.

For the Silo, Alexandra Origet du Cluzeau.
About HomeExchange  Founded by Ed Kushins, a pioneer of the “collaborative consumption” movement, HomeExchange has facilitated over one million home swaps since 1992. “It was the inspiration for the still popular 2006 movie “The Holiday” starring Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet and Jude Law. In 2016, 67,000 HomeExchange members made 135,000 home swaps across 150 countries. HomeExchange makes it easy to plan and enjoy a home exchange vacation and offers travelers a memorable, authentic experience. Last year, it was awarded “Best Site for Booking Your Stay” by USA Today readers.

Culture

Joy Junction Apartment Complex In Albuquerque Fights Homelessness

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It’s no secret that homelessness in Albuquerque is an ongoing crisis. The crisis continues, despite inaccurate promises by some groups to “end” homelessness.

Over the last few years, I’ve seen panhandling increase prolifically all over the city, while at Joy Junction, desperate families-often with children-call or visit us daily asking for a meal and a place to stay. Many we can help; others we have to deny services often due to a lack of space.

To help address this issue, I’m excited to announce the official May 15 groundbreaking for our 52-unit apartment complex, located in southwest Albuquerque. The project, which is expected to be completed by fall 2017, will have units with 250 square feet of living space and a personal bathroom.

Guided by our mission to offer the homeless a safe and tranquil environment to live, it is our hope that this new complex will make the situation somewhat better for those experiencing homelessness.

More than three years ago, the James Boyd case caused us all to reflect on what we as a community could have done better to prevent a man from seeking shelter on a mountainside.

Despite our collective sense of disappointment and sadness over what transpired, it did lead many local organizations, community leaders and ordinary citizens to come together for discussion about what needs to change to address an issue that can’t merely be wished away.

Recognizing that “it takes a village” not only to raise a child but also to lift an individual from their worst days, Joy Junction is stepping up our efforts. It’s taken a while to happen, but the time is finally here. Today, we continue to act on our commitment to assist our city’s homeless and hungry with the groundbreaking for what will soon become a beautiful and dignified apartment complex.

For 30 years, Joy Junction has grown to now serve more than 10,000 meals each month, not including the 6,000-plus meals served by our mobile feeding unit dubbed The Lifeline of Hope.

Our staff also drive a van through the streets of Albuquerque in the darkest hours of the night in search of anyone who might need assistance with food, water and when available, a blanket or sleeping bag.

We’ve made it our mission to not only provide basic needs like food and shelter, but also emotional and spiritual assistance so individuals can get back on their feet.

Over time, we have noticed a growing need for living spaces that go beyond mere subsistence. Living in dignity can more quickly help bring about a positive and permanent change in the ongoing difficult situations experienced by the homeless.

When the homeless come to Joy Junction, they are often looking for more than a dry bed and a warm meal; they’re looking for hope-hope that they will find a way out of their troubles and a path to a better future.

Completion of this new apartment complex will now provide 52 additional opportunities for the homeless to better work through the issues with which they are beset and as a result, return to mainstream community life as taxpaying citizens.

In other words, this new complex will help us better meet the needs of our city’s homeless. While still needing many more dollars, we are confident that the community generosity which got us this far will take us past the finish line.

We have come a long way, especially in the last few years. And yet despite that, there is so much more work to be done. We hope everyone will continue to rise to the challenge that lies ahead, and together, we can end homelessness and hunger, one life and one meal at a time. For the Silo, Jeremy Reynalds, Ph.D.
Founder and CEO Joy Junction Inc. and HNS.

Earth

This May Be Last Chance To Save Ontario Greenbelt From Sprawl Developers

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Ontario’s Premier is facing intense pressure from real estate and development lobbies. These groups are peddling myths that are intended to weaken the Greenbelt and Growth Plans so that the development industry can build more sprawling cookie-cutter subdivisions, instead of building a greater range of family-friendly and affordable housing options. Send a message to the Premier to show your support for protected local food and water sources. Tell Ontario to stop sprawling developers from paving over the Greenbelt.

 

GOOD GREEN JOBS FOR ONTARIO Ontario’s plan to retrofit buildings to increase their energy efficiency will create nearly 33,000 jobs over five years. Our new report, Building an Ontario Green Jobs Strategy shows how the province can ensure it creates good jobs and career opportunities for people who need them most. Find out more.
Tips & tricks
for non-toxic spring cleaning		 While spring brings warmer weather, sunnier days, and beautiful flowers, it also brings the reminder that it’s time to air out, declutter our homes, and do some spring cleaning. With these tips, your home will be sparkling and toxic-free!

*Feature image- Perth, Australia’s unsustainable urban sprawl. photo: heraldsun.com.au

Click me to learn about Tree Planting incentives 🙂
Fashion

How To Mix Award Winning 750$ USD Luxury Margarita For Cinco De Mayo

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Bottoms Up! Award-winning Miami Mixologist Josue Gonzalez from DÔA Miami Beach (2000 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach) has created an over-the-top luxury margarita specifically for those looking to take their Cinco de Mayo to the next level:  $750 USD for one, $1000 USD for the pair, $2500 USD for table service.

Crafted with luxury in mind, the Allaire Royal Gold Margarita at DÔA features premium Allaire Collection Privee Tequila. Served in a Waterford Crystal Margarita Glass, rimmed with hand-harvested Sal de Ibiza Fleur de Sel, garnished with 24K Gold Flakes and 24K Gold encrusted lime wedge – The experience with the World’s Most Opulent Margarita doesn’t end when the lucky guest leaves DÔA — purchase price includes all the materials used to create the cocktail including:  Waterford Crystal Margarita Glass(es), 24K Thai Elephant Gold Leaf for the lime, a silver-plated serving platter, gold plated mixing spoon and gold plated straws.

*Available only on Cinco de Mayo!

Allaire Royal Gold Margarita:

3 oz. Allaire Collection Privee Tequila
1 ½ oz. Fresh squeezed premium lime juice
1 oz. Grand Marnier Cuvee du Centenaire – 100 Year Anniversary
Shaken over purified spring ice,

Strained into a 24k Gold plated Shaker,

Coat half the crystal glass rim with hand-harvested Sal de Ibiza Fleur de Sel
Pour into Waterford Crystal Margarita Glass
Garnish 24K Thai Elephant Gold Leaf coated lime slice
Served on silver plated platter with gold plated mixing spoon and gold plated straws
Allaire Royal Gold Margarita is available at DÔA in South Beach for $750 for one, $1000 for pair and $2500 as table side service leaving plenty of margarita to share!

Parc natural de ses Salines d’Eivissa.

Sal de Ibiza Fleur de Sel:  For over 2,700 years, a sea-salt of premium quality has been harvested in the saline fields on the Mediterranean island of Ibiza. The island’s inhabitants have always been very proud of their marine salt, regarded as one of the best of its kind. The supreme “Queen of Salts” however, hand-harvested in the Nature Reserve of the “Parc natural de ses Salines d’Eivissa”, is the “Fleur de Sel” (Blossom of Salt). Unique in taste and texture, it is a rare and precious delicacy. The fragile “Fleur de Sel” crystals only form in conditions of abundant bright sunshine, low humidity and gentle winds. “Fleur de Sel” is exceptionally rich in vital minerals and trace-elements. It is a surprisingly mild, yet very aromatic and a tasty salt.  For the Silo, Jessica Kirk.

Sci-Tech

Auto Clean Your Grill With Advanced Bluetooth BBQ Robot Available Now

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Keep grime at bay with the perfect, must-have holiday gift for every busy person who loves gadgets and useful technology. Grillbot is the world’s first automatic grill cleaning robot.

Grillbot makes life much easier for BBQ chefs. It saves them time and lots of dirty work cleaning grills and letting them get back to spending more quality time entertaining family and friends. The award-winning Grillbot takes the time and effort out of cleaning even the dirtiest grills.

Designed for use on any style grill, simply place the Grillbot on the grill’s surface, press a button, and the robot does all the cleaning. The device is driven by a powerful CPU that controls movement, speed and direction of brushes. It comes with an LCD alarm and timer that can be set for a light scrub, deep clean or something in between, and notifies when cleaning is done. 

 The innovative Grillbot comes in four colors and includes the following features:

  • Three high-power electric motors
  • Smart Brain that controls movement, speed and direction of the brushes
  • Brushes pop right off to put in dishwashers for easy cleaning
  • Rechargeable lithium ion battery

The Grillbot comes as a standalone grill cleaner, or an optional bundle with a carrying 3 brass brushes installed and a carrying case. Grillbot has already sold over 100,000 units globally, including in new markets such as Russia, Australia, Canada and Brazil. The Grillbot is $99.95USD and comes with a one-year warranty. 

At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada, in January 2017, Grillbot  demonstrated its advanced technology with the Bluetooth-enabled Grillbot Pro. It comes with the same, great features as the original plus the addition of Bluetooth technology, giving BBQ chefs even more freedom and leisure time to watch games, relax with family or cater to guests. 

Grillbot is now available at over 500 Home Depot stores nationwide. It’s also available at a wide variety of other retailers such as ACE Hardware, True Value, Sur La Table, Lowe’s, and at websites Amazon.com, Bedbathandbeyond.com, Walmart.com and more or contact marketingdirector@thesilo.ca.  For the Silo, Jennifer A. Marca.

About Grillbot
As with most inventions, Grillbot began with an idea. One day, founder Ethan Woods was getting ready to use his grill and did not have a brush available to clean it. While trying to clean a stubborn grill with a wire brush, he wondered if a robot could be created to do the job. He took a power drill, attached a brush and cleaned the grill. He put together a design team and that makeshift drill became the sophisticated computer-driven Grillbot! Since then, Grillbot has sold over 100,000 units and has received many awards and accolades for its innovative design. Grillbot continues to expand its line and is developing two new home robotic solutions designed to simplifying your life one robot at a time in 2017.