So often I encounter individuals who are extremely uninformed about agricultural practices in Canada, specifically Ontario. I do not mean this as an insult; rather, as an observation. I have been passionate about agriculture and farming for as long as I can remember. Being born and raised, and further working on my family farm has taught … More Misperceptions About Canadian Agriculture
I have always found the concept of birthdays to be rather interesting. I recently celebrated my 23rd birthday, and I find that the older I get (and yes, I realize I really cannot categorize myself as old, mom), the more my birthday is becoming about enjoying and being grateful for time spent with family and … More The True Joys of Birthdays
As of late, I have taken a liking to exploring some DIY crafts and projects via Pinterest. I find DIY crafts to be so intriguing because they allow someone to explore their creative side and create something wonderful in the process. I have a couple of friends who are quite invested with DIY home decor and … More The Benefits of DIY Projects
I recently decided to give my room a facelift considering it hasn’t been updated since I was in grade ten and thought it would be a good idea to paint the walls baby blue (sorry mom). Prior to re-vamping my room, I failed to consider just how important the atmosphere of a place is, depending … More The Importance of A Positive Atmosphere
During my internship with CAA Niagara, I was asked to write a blog post discussing car seat safety and what parents need to know prior to purchasing one. The post, from the CAA Niagara blog, is as follows: “Car seats are an absolute necessity when ensuring the safety of your child, yet according to Transport … More Car Seat Safety
For Christmas, I received Harry Potter: A History of Magic from my parents. I have always been obsessed with the Harry Potters books and began reading them at a rather young age, which in turn sparked my passion for reading and writing and led me to pursue English in university. Harry Potter: A History of Magic, by … More Harry Potter: A History of Magic
A couple of nights ago I was alarmed to receive an email from Facebook informing me that someone using the email “laurenarva@hotmail.com” was attempting to change my Facebook password in Baghdad. I immediately followed the steps to re-secure my account through Facebook as instructed, though encountered yet another email the following morning. Someone in Baghdad … More Have You Been Hacked?
With today being Mother’s Day, I deemed it appropriate to discuss the significance of what this day represents, for all mothers, in all contexts. Mother’s Day provides us with an opportunity to demonstrate our appreciation and gratitude towards our own mothers, and other mothers, but for some women, this day is extremely difficult to acknowledge … More Remembering All Mothers On Mother’s Day
Acne is something I have been dealing with for several years. I first started to get acne in high school, and I expected to see it recede once I finished grade twelve, like a majority of individuals are fortunate enough to experience. This was not the case for me, however, and my acne actually began … More Acne: A Constant Battle
For a blog post I did during my internship with CAA Niagara, I interviewed an employee from the Thorold branch about her experience with the Rocky Mountaineer train excursion. “When most people imagine a vacation destination, Canada doesn’t usually come to mind. White sandy beaches and palm trees swaying lazily in a Caribbean breeze are … More Explore Canada This Summer
With the sun becoming increasingly hotter as a result of global warming, sunburns are unfortunately becoming more prevalent throughout the summer months. I recently became victim to a painful burn, and after doing some research, I came across some natural, at-home remedies for sunburns that may be useful to you or someone you know. MedicineNet.com offers … More At-Home Sunburn Remedies
With Mother’s Day Approaching, perhaps you’re feeling the pressure to find your mom the perfect gift to show her how much you appreciate her. While the sentiment is genuine, Mother’s Day gifts really don’t have to cost you an arm and a leg, especially if they’re homemade. From my own experience with my mom, handmade … More Inexpensive and Thoughtful Mother’s Day Gifts
I live in a rural area, meaning there is a significant amount of farmland and family-run farms surrounding my own family farm. I would argue that the region in which I live will likely always have agricultural affiliations, however, not all current rural regions can say the same. My mom and I recently drove down a … More More People, Less Food?
Makeup brushes, as essential as they are in terms of cosmetic product application, can be a real pain to clean. Makeup becomes caked on the bristles, and it seems as though no matter what you use, you simply cannot entirely clean the brushes. Over time, makeup left in unclean brushes can cause a bacteria buildup … More How to Clean Your Makeup Brushes
I have always used hot tools to style my hair. When I was younger I relied tremendously on straighteners, and now that my hair is longer I typically reach for my curling wand. As much as I love the results provided by styling tools, I’m not a fan of the damage they tend to leave … More Product Review: OGX’s Silk Blowout Quick Drying Thermal Spray
I wouldn’t blame you if you read the title of this post and ran screaming in the other direction, because I almost did just that when I initially came across this recipe. Chickpeas and cookie dough simply don’t mix, right? Easy peasy. Well, I found myself thinking about this recipe for a few days after … More Chickpea Cookie Dough?
You’ve arguably noticed that succulents have become quite the craze lately. I feel as though they’re popping up all over the place, whether it be in homes or stores, and I wanted to do some research and earn a concrete understanding of what exactly these little guys are. Succulents are a type of plant that … More What’s With Succulents?
The other evening I was out for dinner with my family at Cavallo Nero, a lovely restaurant in Ancaster. I decided to try their polenta fries, and because I was so impressed with them and how absolutely delicious they were, I figured I would find out how to make them at home. This recipe comes from … More How to Make Your Own Polenta Fries
As of late, I have been reading a fair amount of suspense/thriller novels, and In A Cottage In A Wood by Cass Green is no exception to this category. Depicting the story of Neve, an orphaned woman who struggles with the new inheritance of a cottage in the midst of a lonely woods, Green’s text … More Book Review: In A Cottage In A Wood
For many people, the thought of consuming turkey only occurs throughout the Holidays, for example, Christmas and Thanksgiving. This stereotype is unfortunate, however, considering just how beneficial eating turkey is for the human body. Turkey can benefit the body in a variety of different ways if ingested. For example, turkey is inevitably a solid source … More Don’t Be A Bird, Eat Your Turkey!
Perhaps it is somewhat hypocritical of me to write this post considering I have only been to one location on this list, but Ontario has more to offer in terms of breathtaking views than a majority of us may realize. These hidden treasures within our province were named as the most beautiful spots to see … More Explore Ontario
Giving blood is a fantastic way to give back to others who may be in need of medical assistance. According to the Canadian Blood Services, each person’s body contains roughly five liters of blood, with approximately 450 ml of blood in one collected unit. 100,000 new donors are required every year to meet the demand … More It’s In You to Give
As I discussed in a post a couple of weeks ago, I recently completed a one-month internship placement at CAA Niagara, the Thorold Branch, as the final component of my Public Relations program at Niagara College. All of my colleagues and I were placed at different companies and organizations throughout the Niagara region, with a … More Why All Post-Secondary Education Programs Should Offer Internships
It is arguable that the most important component in your face cleansing routine is doing just that – cleansing your skin. Many individuals who wash their face are unknowingly leaving debris, dirt and makeup behind, even after cleansing, because it can be challenging to entirely rid your skin or dirt depending on your line of … More Product Review: Vanity Planet’s Ultimate Skin Spa Facial Cleansing System
You know the saying, “why fix something if it isn’t broke?” I should have taken this saying into consideration when I was shampoo shopping a couple of weeks ago. I finished up the Herbal Essences shampoo and conditioner I was using recently, and despite … More Product Review: OGX’s Argan Oil of Morocco Shampoo and Conditioner
I mentioned in a previous post that after being re-tested for food intolerances, I learned that I am intolerant to potatoes. This occurred because I was avoiding gluten, and in doing so, I was consuming more potato than ever before (potato starch is often used to replace wheat in gluten-free items). In addition to being … More Yeast-Free?
I was invited via my colleagues at CAA Niagara to participate in the No Fixed Address Event in order to raise money for YWCA Niagara, an organization that provides shelter, food and assistance to women and families in poverty in the Niagara region. No Fixed Address is a 24-hour live-in-your-car-a-thon in which participants raise money … More No Fixed Address
I came across an article via Foods24 describing some of the up and coming food trends for 2018, and because they are so odd, I thought I would share with you. Here’s to 2018! A wine pouch for one: A company titled Most Wanted has developed individual wine pouches which contain 187 ml of either … More 2018’s Weirdest Foods
Criticism is a fickle thing. On one hand, it can be issued in a positive context, allowing for recognition of potential improvement in a specific situation. On the other hand, when issued negatively, or in an excessively critical context, it can lead to anger and frustration. Criticism is somewhat inevitable in our lives. My Dad … More A Difference In Opinions
I try my absolute best to abide by a consistent and beneficial skin care routine. Because I have acne, I sometimes struggle to identify what components of my routine are effective, and consequently, which are not. Over time, I have come to understand that an effective skin care routine for me, personally, includes a cleanser, … More What’s With Toners?
