Annual Buttertart Festival - Event Saturday, January 31/15

North Simcoe Sports and Rec Centre in Midland

 All proceeds go towards supporting the festival. Would love to see your smiling faces; I'll be inside the rec centre by the arena. Look for the happy, sugar filled woman (that's me)!--Barb, your friendly festival manager.

https://www.facebook.com/ontariobuttertartfestival?fref=photo

Online Retailers Struggle to Keep Pace with Organic Bone Broth’s Sudden Star Status

Bone broth is selling out almost as fast as smaller online retailers can produce it. Wise Choice Market, a Canadian company that produces and sells bone broth for American consumers, has doubled bone broth sales this winter. The purported health benefits and flavor of bone broth appear to be driving this beverage’s rise in popularity among Paleo dieters and the general public.

Online Retailers Struggle to Keep Pace with Organic Bone Broth’s Sudden Star Status - PR.com

Skin Care for Fabulous Skin

Shop for Special Promos

Georgian Bay Optometry Clinic

Georgian Bay Optometry Clinic

Georgian Bay Optometry Clinic is a full service optometry clinic that is designed to meet both your eye health needs as well as your eyewear requirements. We offer custom contact lens fitting, vision therapy, low vision needs, Lasik co-management, eye health exams, paediatric eye exams, visual field examinations, GDx Glaucoma scanning and we are also able to fulfill all of your eyewear requirements.

With the most innovative, state-of-the-art technology available we are able to continuously educate ourselves and each other, this allows us to work together and offer you customized solutions for your specific vision needs.

Eye care in an environment that encourages respect, compassion and equality is eye care that can’t be beat! Your eyes are for life, and so should your eye care.  We take the time to get to know your eye care history and health.

“The eyes are the window to the soul,” some say. We believe if our customer trusts us with their eye care, the least we can do is create genuine relationships with one another, as well as every patient that walks through our door.

705-422-0020

everydayliving™: The 7 Habits of Healthy Vegans

everydayliving™: The 7 Habits of Healthy Vegans: The 7 Habits of Healthy Vegans

Environmental Defence Canada

More good news on the microbead front: Illinois has a ban on microbeads in personal care products, and now Wisconsin is considering something similar. We need similar legislation in Canada.

 Read more about this announcement http://bit.ly/1y6Ek7f

Blue Cheese and Pear Tarts

These little sophisticated bites are the perfect hors d'oeuvres for the holiday season. Whipping cream, sour cream and eggs come together to highlight caramelized onions, Canadian Blue cheese and pops of sweet pear.

1 pear

1 tsp (5 ml) butter

1 tsp (5 ml) olive oil

1 onion, cut into 1/2-inch (1 cm) dice (about 1 cup/250 mL)

1/2 tsp (2 ml) salt, divided

3 eggs

3/4 cup (175 ml) 35% whipping cream

3/4 cup (175 ml) 14% sour cream

1/4 tsp (1 ml) pepper

24 frozen tart shells, (3-inch/7.5 cm size)

3 1/4 oz (100 g) Canadian Blue cheese, crumbled (about 3/4 cup/175 mL)

Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Lightly butter a baking sheet.

Cut pear in half lengthwise; scoop out core and stem. Place cut sides down and cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch (0.5 cm) thick slices. Place on buttered baking sheet and roast for about 18 minutes, flipping over halfway, until golden and tender. Transfer to a cutting board and let cool completely. Reduce oven temperature to 375°F (190°C).

Meanwhile, in a medium skillet, heat butter and oil over medium heat. Add onions and half of the salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 10 minutes, or until onions are tender and slightly golden. Set aside to cool.

In a large bowl, preferably with a pouring spout, whisk together eggs, cream and sour cream. Whisk in remaining salt and pepper.

Chop pear slices into 1/4- to 1/2-inch (0.5 to 1 cm) pieces; set aside.

Place frozen tarts on a clean baking sheet (2 sheets might be needed, depending on size of sheet). Spoon onions, into the bottom of each tart shell, dividing equally. Divide crumbled blue cheese and pear over onions, making sure each tart has an even distribution. Pour cream mixture into tart shells until just little bits of filling are peaking through.

Carefully place baking sheet(s) in oven and bake for 25 minutes or until filling is puffy and tart shells are golden. Allow to cool a little before serving. Tarts will deflate as they cool.

Choose a firm-ripe pear that holds up when baked such as Bartlett or Bosc.

To make ahead, let baked tarts cool and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat slightly in a 300°F (150°C) oven on a baking sheet for a few minutes or serve at room temperature.

In place of the roasted pear, you can use 2-1/2 oz (75 g) pear paste or quince paste, cut into 1/2-inch (1 cm) dice. Pear and quince paste are is available in the deli section of some major supermarkets and at specialty food or cheese shops. Quince paste is also referred to as membrillo (its Spanish name).

everydayliving™: Baked Caramel-Pecan French Toast Recipe

everydayliving™: Baked Caramel-Pecan French Toast Recipe: French toast that's ooey-gooey with caramel and chock-full of pecans...what's not to love? Plus, it's the perfect make-ahead brunch dish sin...

BEAUTY TIP from RADIESSE

Annual Buttertart Festival

FESTIVAL NEWS: Hey everyone! Contest applications are ready to download from our website! We're shaking it up a bit this year, putting a spin on our contest to keep it interesting for all of you talented bakers out there. The theme of this year's contest is....

FREESTYLE!!!!

Where in previous years we've looked for the best 'traditional' butter tart, in 2015 we're looking for the best creative interpretation of the butter tart. There are no ingredient restrictions, but remember--your submission needs to be a butter tart at heart!

So get thee to the kitchen, you amazing Ontario bakers, and craft us the most creatively delicious butter tart you can imagine!

Applications can be downloaded from our website here:

http://buttertartfestival.ca/page.php?page=Entry+Forms&pageType=webpage&pageName=Entry+Forms&wPageId=10006501

What to Know About Electric Space Heaters

Mr. Electric guide for electric heater safety

 – Winter can be tough on heaters, and sometimes one heater is just not enough to heat an entire house. Electric space heaters can be very helpful; however, if they are not used and monitored properly, electric space heaters can be dangerous. Mr. Electric has some easy tips to follow to make sure space heaters are used correctly.

Check Safety features
Before buying a space heater, be sure it has been safety certified.  There should be a safety certification mark on the box. Many space heaters have a safety feature that automatically turns the space heater off when it is tipped to a certain degree.

General Inspection
When using the space heater for the first time, or the first time in a while, inspect for damages. Check the power cord for burn marks or frays. The heater unit itself should be inspected for dents, and other damages that may cause a malfunction. Turn switches on and off to make sure they are in proper working order.

Proper Heater Use
Place the heater on a level, stable surface at least three feet away from any combustible items. Due to the amount of heat that can be generated, never run the heater cords under carpets or rugs because this can damage the cords and possibly lead to fires.

General Heater Safety
Never leave an electric heater unattended. Before moving the heater itself, switch it off and allow time for it to cool down. Be sure to keep children and animals away from space heaters. They produce a lot of heat and the unit can be hot to the touch.
Electric heaters can be a great way to keep a home warm during these chilly winter months. Following these tips from Mr. Electric will keep homeowners safe and warm this winter.

About Mr. Electric^®:
Established in 1994, Mr. Electric is a global franchise organization providing electrical installation and repair services. Recognized by Entrepreneur magazine among its “Franchise 500,” Mr. Electric franchisees provide these services to both residential and commercial customers at almost 200 locations worldwide. Mr. Electric is a subsidiary of The Dwyer Group, Inc., family of service franchises. For more information or to find the location nearest you, visit MrElectric.com.

Organic Living and Beyond

http://www.facebook.com/daveagi

9 Best Foods to Eat in January

If you resolved to eat healthier in 2015, these are our top 9 food choices to keep you healthy in January. Learn why - bit.ly/OGJanuaryFoods