OCTOBER

FREE 

ISSUE NO.52 OCTOBER 2018 

villagelivingmagazine.ca 

MIDTOWN 

MIDTOWN’S 

ELI BROWN SHINES 

THE LIGHT ON 

“MENTAL HEALTH 

AWARENESS” 

p14 

LIVING 

Changing Lanes – Tapping into the 

Potential of Toronto’s Laneways p13 

WELL-BEING 

Thirty Years Before Mindfulness – Finding 

Focus through Tactile Sensations p30

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ISSUE #10 I VOLUME #6 

N 

MIDTOWN 

CONTENTS 

LIVING 

STYLING 

EATING 

WELL-BEING 

PARENTING 

First Home 

Halloween 

How-To 

8 

What the 

Tech!?!? 

10 

HomeworX 

12 

Changing 

Lanes 

13 

‘Shine The Light 

On’ Continues 

to Successfully 

Create 

Mental Health 

Awareness 

14 

We All Need a 

Little Quartz in 

Our Lives! 

18 

Fall for These 

Handbags 

20 

Meating Chefs: 

Shaping 

Culinary Minds 

At Centennial 

College 

22 

Healing Help 

from Man’s 

Best Friend 

24 

DNA 

Distinctions 

26 

Narcissism 

Unmasked P1 

28 

Thirty Years 

Before 

Mindfulness 

30 

The York 

School 

32 

Empower Your 

Distracted Child 

34 

Diary of a 

New Mama 

36 

Hooked on 

Books 

38 

CONTRIBUTORS 

CONTACT 

PUBLISHER 

ANDREW FISHMAN 

CO-PUBLISHER 

IRIS ZIMMER-FISHMAN 

ART DIRECTION & DESIGN 

POWER BY DESIGN 

PHOTOGRAPHY 

ANDREW FISHMAN 

COPY EDITOR 

ANASTASIA SILVA 

ANDREA FREEDMAN 

DR. DEBRA TREVISAN 

DIANA AZIZ 

ELDEN FREEMAN 

JAIME SLAVIN 

JENNIFER GREENBERG 

JOANNE SALLAY 

JOEL SOLISH 

JON COHEN 

MARK WEXLER 

PETER BROOKS 

SAMANTHA BEDERMAN 

SARAH JEAN HARRISON 

SARAH KELSEY 

STACIA CARLTON 

T/F: 1-866-933-1652 

villagelivingmagazine.ca I info@ 


The contents of Village Living Publications Inc. 

are copyright 2018. All rights are reserved and 

may not be reproduced in part or in whole 

without prior written permission by the 

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Village Living Publications Inc. accepts no 

liability of any kind, written or implied, 

regarding the contents of the magazine and 

expressly disclaims any warranty regarding the 

accuracy or reliability of information contained 

herein. The views contained in this magazine 

are those of writers and advertisers, and do not 

necessarily reflect the views of Village Living 

Publications Inc. and its Publisher. 

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4 VILLAGE LIVING MIDTOWN

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VILLAGELIVINGMAGAZINE.CA 5

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Gripping: Overcoming obstacles, led by a riveting 

cover story about Shine the Light On’s Eli Brown, 

whose tragedy-to-triumph tale continues to shine an 

indelible light on the mental health industry. 

Parenting: The York School’s noteworthy system, a 

first-time mom’s inner struggle over breastfeeding 

vs. weaning her son, and celebrating your child’s 

smallest achievements, rounded out by some 

spooky Halloween BOO!ks, will help kids of any age 

overcome hurdles. 

Well-Being: Identifying healthy vs. unhealthy 

narcissistic behaviour provokes contemplation over 

isolation. Also, there’s nothing more personalitydefining 

than DNA. Discover DNA Labs’ latest in 

human genetics technology. Can’t concentrate? 

Yoga’s Dhāraṇā and Drishti help the mind focus on 

the day-to-day. Plus, dogs aren’t man’s best friend 

for no reason. Their caregiving nature helps heal, 

beyond the home. 

Living: So, what kind of personality is more inclined 

to use iCloud or HD to backup data? This, and many 

other questions, answered in What the Tech!?!? 

Whatever your personality, a healthy haunt is a 

wonderful welcome to the new neighbourhood! With 

our Halloween how-to, you’ll fit right in! Speaking 

of home, our burgeoning landscape is about to get a 

serious makeover as the City unlocks its laneways’ 

potential. And, The Art of Demolition finds potential 

in salvaged products by upcycling and reselling them 

(HomeworX). 

Eating: Our beloved food writer divulges his plans 

to teach at Centennial College. 

Styling: Revealing the wondrous uses of quartz... 

and a peek at personality-filled purses and 

handsome handbags for fall. 

Village Living, 

your community magazine 

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LIVING 

FIRST HOME 

HALLOWEEN 

HOW-TO 

THE DEBUTANT BALL 

OF NEIGHBOURING 

Too excited to stay home on the big night? 

Think about who you want to be. Plans to 

attend a fabulous costume party dressed 

as a sexy kitten or a teenaged Tom Cruise 

(sunglasses and tighty-whities - check!!)? 

You fall into the friendly category of ‘Big 

bowl of treats with a ‘Take one, please’ 

message.’ 

Make sure your pumpkins are carved, but 

use an electronic tea light instead of candles. 

You don’t want to come home to a charred 

front porch, due to a pumpkin fire. Turn on 

the porch lights, make a big, friendly sign, 

and let conscience be every candy takers’ 

guide. 

Have you been dreaming about this since 

you donned your first Halloween costume? Did 

your parents pull in the reins on Halloween 

decorations and candy consumption? Well, 

you’re the adult now, and it’s your time to 

shine!!! 

START EARLY. Don’t wait until it’s slim 

pickings in the stores, the best decorations 

don’t last long. Cobwebs are tricky, so plan a 

full afternoon, one to two weeks prior, to get 

started on setting your Spooktacular outdoor 

décor. 

W 

BY JENNIFER GREENBERG 

REAL ESTATE WRITER 

ith moving day in the rear-view 

mirror, you’ve settled into a home 

you love, but…How do you fit into your new 

neighbourhood and community? Where do 

you begin to make inroads with new friends 

and a fabulous neighbourhood-centric 

lifestyle? 

SHOP LOCAL. Rub elbows with the 

residents at the favourite coffee/butcher 

shop, bakery, candlestick maker… Don’t stop 

there! Head to the local farmers’ markets, 

or hang with pint-sized family members at 

the local parks. Still not enough? Ready for 

the big night?? Halloween is the season’s 

debutant ball of the neighbourhood. The way 

you handle your first Halloween will be your 

defining moment. 

JENNIFER GREENBERG is a Broker with Royal 

LePage Real Estate Sales Services, a mom 

and an active supporter of the St. Clair West 

Community. LOEWITHGREENBERG.COM 

8 VILLAGE LIVING MIDTOWN 

Is spending money on loads of candy and 

dollar store decorations a complete waste of 

time and money? Tread lightly. You don’t 

want to be known as the neighbourhood 

curmudgeon, and you might have a change 

of heart if some little people enter your 

lives in the future. Drop hints with the 

neighbours about a busy workload and 

some disappointment about having to 

work late on the big night. Make a couple 

of baggie-sized care packages for the 

neighbouring ghosts/goblins/ninja warrior 

princesses. A little candy can go along way 

in relationship building! 

Pumpkin stencils are nothing to be 

ashamed of. It’s hard to be a Picasso-rate 

carver on your first go. Watch the local 

flyers, and plan your candy strategy for the 

night. Ask the neighbours how many kids to 

expect - you don’t want to risk running out 

and having to pass out saltines and granola 

bars (it’s happened to the best of us). Invite a 

few friends, order pizza, light the pumpkins, 

and wait. 

You will start to feel, as the sun sinks, ‘Will 

this be the year no one comes? Will I be left with 

too much candy? Will I ever fit in?’ You will! 

Once the door knocking begins, move your 

party to the porch, and get ready to meet 

everyone within a 10-block radius. Comment 

on the cute costumes, be prepared to top up 

a few travelling hot toddies, smile, laugh, 

and enjoy!! You have arrived! Welcome to 

your bustling community, filled with new 

friends and neighbours!

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LIVING 

DEAR JON… 

BY JON COHEN TECH COLUMNIST 

Every day, I am asked all sorts of tech questions. Some arrive in our email, others are in person, at my shop. I have picked a few of my 

favourite questions to share in this month’s WHAT THE TECH!?!? 

RACHEL S. ASKS: 

WHAT IS SSD ALL ABOUT? 

SSD stands for ‘Solid State Drive,’ 

the memory chip technology that 

you find in your smartphone, or a 

digital camera card. 

Most recently, SSD has been 

introduced into notebook computers, 

and it is a game changer, offering 

you a huge speed boost, allowing 

the computer to be thinner, and 

providing better battery life. 

SSD drives also allow portable 

machines to be moved while 

running with no risk of damage to 

the drive. 

So, if you have an option for SSD, 

and it is within your budget, it 

is a great choice for either a new 

computer or an upgrade to your 

current machine. 

STEPHEN P. ASKS: 

DO I REALLY NEED MICROSOFT OFFICE? 

This is a tricky one to answer because it is not just 

a yes or no answer, it is more like a maybe. I say this 

because, in the last few years, a number of other 

solutions have arrived on the market, and can easily 

replace Office. One very popular choice is Google 

Docs, which can replace Word, Excel, Outlook, and 

PowerPoint, and which also offers both an online and 

offline mode that syncs between different devices. 

Similar to Google Docs, if you have an Apple ID, then 

you can use iWork in the cloud. Just login to iCloud.com, 

and you have access to Pages, Numbers, and Keynote. 

Again, syncs to different devices, and can be used on a 

Windows PC, as well as a Mac. 

The other suggestion I often share is OpenOffice. This 

is also a free program. Once installed on your computer, 

you have access to a word processor, a spreadsheet 

program, and a few other built-in programs. If these 

solutions don’t meet your needs, I would suggest Office 

365 30-day trial, so you can try before you buy. 

DAVE F. ASKS: 

WHAT’S BETTER TO HAVE 

- A BACKUP HARD DRIVE OR 

A CLOUD BACKUP? 

You would really want to have 

both. When your computer hard 

drive dies (and it will), you want to 

restore it as fast as possible, and 

with a local backup hard drive (like 

in your house or office), you can plug 

it into the computer and get back up 

and running in a short time frame. A 

cloud backup (considered a fail-safe) 

is used in case your local backup hard 

drive breaks, gets stolen, is damaged, 

or burns down in a fire. Cloud restore 

is not fast, but at least your data will 

still be accessible, and in time, it will 

all be back on the computer, however, 

restoring a cloud backup will highly 

depend on internet download speeds. 

IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR ANSWERS, FEEL FREE TO SUBMIT QUESTIONS TO INFO@ALLABOUTTECH.CA. 

JON COHEN is the owner of All About Tech and a certified Apple Mac & iOS Technician; just your local, friendly tech superhero! ALLABOUTTECH.CA 


NEW CUSTOM CONSTRUCTION | ADDITIONS/TOPUPS 

RENOVATIONS DESIGN | BUILDER SUPPLIER/TRADE DISCOUNTS 

RENOVATION FINANCING | PERSONABLE CUSTOMER SERVICE 


LIVING 

Why Trash When You Can 

UPCYCLE? 

BY MARK WEXLER 

BUILDING COLUMNIST 

W 

hen it comes to 

homebuilding or 

renovating, the process often 

begins with demolition. So, when I 

hear the word ‘demolition,’ I have 

visions of Ty Pennington, a team 

of volunteers, and an excavator, 

smashing through the roof of 

a house, bringing with it, total 

destruction. But, as a builder who 

must demolish properties time 

and time again, I choose to work 

with Matthew Cromwell, owner 

of M3C Demolition and The Art of 

Demolition, a retail brick & mortar 

store, located at 390 Keele Street, 

in The Junction, that sells not only 

vintage products, but artefacts 

retrieved from demolitions, and 

upcycled and repurposed items 

from his demolition adventures. 

That’s right, from salvage to the 

shop floor! Matthew’s team, in 

their own woodworking shop, will 

repurpose wood beams, floors, even 

lath from in the wall, into just about 

anything that can be envisioned 

from their foraged materials. I 

agree with Matthew about how 

great it feels to give back to the 

homeowner, a beautiful wood table, 

coffee table, or some other upcycled 

product that we can deliver to them. 

“Each item has a history and a 

story” that’s worth preserving, says 

Cromwell. 


As a builder, I like going that extra 

mile by having Cromwell carefully 

demolish my projects, especially 

as it allows me to ‘give back’ to the 

new homeowners. As we sat and 

talked shop, I had to ask him, “Why 

do you do what you do?” Cromwell 

replied, “it all started with my 

mother, we’d be driving along the 

road, and she’d stop and direct my 

brother and I to get out and grab 

that street-side dresser; it used to be 

so embarrassing.” Today, Cromwell 

states, “I wake up each day, 

wondering what I’m going to find, 

every day is an exciting adventure.” 

Amongst all the great objects 

found, I asked, “Is there one that 

stands out from the rest?” He replied, 

“We recently found a 14K gold 

pocket watch, wedged behind an old 

coat rack that must have been there 

for a long time.” What a great rush 

the homeowners must have felt, and 

a great story for them to tell. 

As a local builder, its not just 

hammers and nails. Sometimes, we 

have the opportunity to truly play a 

role in preservation instead of just 

replacement. Recycling, upcycling 

and repurposing has never been 

more exciting. Plus, you just never 

know what you might find in them 

walls. 

MARK WEXLER is the founder of 

Wexmark Homes, a one-stop Build- 

Renovate-Design firm that brings 

custom homes & renovations to fruition. 

WEXMARK.COM 

JESSICA HASTINGS KYLE MANNS MATTHEW CROMWELL

Laneway Home Builders Inc. 

CHANGING 

// LANES 

TAPPING INTO THE POTENTIAL 

OF TORONTO’S LANEWAYS 

BY ELDEN FREEMAN 

Toronto is finally poised to embrace laneway housing. In late June, 

planning amendments to permit laneway housing in certain zones 

in Toronto and East York was approved, a move which has been 

hard-fought and a long-time coming. 

A laneway house is a small dwelling, at the back of a residential 

lot, which is detached from the main house. Its services, such as 

water, electricity, garbage, and mail come from the front street that 

the primary house sits on, not from the laneway. Used as residences 

for family members, or as rental units, these dwellings cannot be 

severed and sold separately from the main house, however, and 

only a handful of examples of these secondary suites exist in the 

city now. 

In 2006, the city rejected laneway housing, imposing strict 

conditions and making it virtually impossible for most homeowners 

to build a separate dwelling in their back alleys. But the bull real 

estate market of recent years, which resulted in a housing crisis, in 

terms of affordability, is credited with transforming the thinking on 

laneway housing, and finally opening city planners’ eyes to creative 

housing alternatives. 

On June 28, Toronto East York Community Council approved the 

vote to amend the city’s Official Plan and Zoning By-law to allow 

such laneway suites. The directive means about 250 km of Toronto 

laneways, currently lined mostly with garages, could be used as 

possible housing projects for houses of up to two storeys high. 

The advantages to laneway housing are numerous, and include 

increases to the quality of affordable rental housing, allowing 

people to stay in pretty, well-established, low-rise neighbourhoods, 

intensifying neighbourhoods, and making urban lanes greener, 

liveable, and safe. In addition, this form of housing allows people 

to live near where they work, shop and play, while also providing 

living space for households of varied ages and stages of life. 

416-832-5008 

lanewaydevelopers@gmail.com 

Servicing all eligible areas in the GTA 

From concept to completion 

we will build your laneway suite 

Laneway Home Builders Inc. 

is a full service residential construction 

company. We specialize in both 

residential and commercial construction 

with superior craftsmanship. At LHB our 

attention to detail and our commitment 

to customer service ensure we exceed 

client expectations. Our range of work 

includes new homes, laneway housing 

and commercial projects. 

“Let our experienced team of architects, 

builders and designers walk you through 

the building process step-by-step” 

ELDEN FREEMAN M.E.S., AGB, is the founder of the non-profit organization, 

The National Association of Green Agents and Brokers (NAGAB). 

Mr. Freeman is also Broker of Record at Freeman Real Estate Ltd. 

FREEMANREALTY.COM 


FOUNDER & 

CEO OF ‘SHINE 

THE LIGHT ON’ 

CONTINUES TO 

SUCCESSFULLY 

CREATE MENTAL 

HEALTH 

AWARENESS 

ELI BROWN TALKS 

ABOUT HIS COMPANIES 

ONGOING EFFORTS TO 

BRING HIS MESSAGE OF 

SUPPORT TO AN EVEN 

WIDER AUDIENCE 

BY STACIA CARLTON 

Sift through your back issues of Village Living Magazine and you will find an 

article from April 2017 about a remarkable young man. What made his story 

so compelling was the sheer volume of trauma he sustained and heroism he 

displayed. While awaiting his arrival, I ran through my memory of the facts of this 

man’s exceptional and noteworthy life. Eli Brown, founder and CEO of Shine The 

Light On, shinethelighton.com suffered more by age 20 than anyone should ever 

have to endure - sexual abuse, depression, the resulting and ineffective coping 

mechanism known as alcoholism, two suicide attempts and ultimately, selfrecognition, 

outward admission and recovery. 


The first and most pressing question I asked 

of Eli was what had changed for him since 

we last met. “I spoke at WE day in Winnipeg 

since then to about 18,000 people! What 

the Kielburgers (brothers Craig and Marc, 

founders of the WE movement) are doing is 

fantastic.” Besides the day to day running of 

a clothing business, which includes a 5:30am 

start and often runs until midnight, it’s the 

speaking engagements that Eli thrives upon. 

“The clothing line is simply the vehicle to get 

our message out there.” 

SHINE THE LIGHT ON MERCH 

AVAILABLE AT SHINETHELIGHTON.COM 

THAT MESSAGE 

IS CLEAR AND 

PROFOUND… YOU 

ARE NOT ALONE. 

I asked if he could see himself following 

the Kielburgers’ path. “Yes, but smaller. I like 

to hear everyone who wants to speak to me 

after. I want to hear their stories.” Eli chooses 

to hang around for another 4 or 5 hours to 

make that happen. “It’s emotionally draining, 

much harder than a 12-hour workday, but in 

a good way.” 

Although Eli finds these peak ddecibellevel-and-bright-lights’ 

talks to thousands 

of people exhilarating, he shares with raw 

honesty that it can be tough to sustain. 

“Imagine, people sharing their stories, they’re 

all so open, which is the goal, it’s just that 

it’s a lot to digest sometimes, I’m learning 

those skills now… or trying to.” Eli bore his 

pain alone for a long time. “I was only able to 

get help when I finally opened up.” You may 

wonder, as I did, how he copes with this. “I 

take naps!” he answers with a slightly weary 

but entirely genuine laugh. 

Beyond the deluge of those waiting to 

share their own struggles, Eli and his team 

also manage a steady stream of daily emails. 

“Sometimes people just write in saying they 

‘don’t know if anyone is going to read this 

but…’. We reply to absolutely everybody. If 

they ask to speak to somebody, we put them 

in touch with whoever they need to help get 

that process started.” 

It cannot be ignored that the business itself 

is growing exponentially. When I first met 

Eli, his T-shirts with messages of support, 

acceptance and inclusion, were in a mere 

220 stores. Now they’re in over 1,000 stores 

across North America, around the GTA, at; 

Honey, Canopy Blue, Cashmere Blue, Rocket 

Cycle, Denise & Co, a kind heart and SpinCo. 

“It’s been a lot, I didn’t come into this with 

a business or marketing degree, but I’m 

learning.” 

Evidently, he’s a fast learner as he was 

recently featured in O, The Oprah Magazine 

on one of Oprah’s product recommendation 

lists. He’s been featured in a number of 

magazines, podcasts and news programs, 

but beyond all the celebrity endorsements, 

it’s the creation of community that matters 

to Eli; it’s the whole point of this project. 

He understands first-hand and all too well, 

that community is the answer. The stores at 

which Shine The Light On hosts events and 

sells his clothing confirm this notion. Eli is 

told regularly by store owners that the people 

who buy STLO clothing share their stories, 

and that breaking the stigma by sharing is 

perpetuated by refusing silence. 

On a personal level, I questioned how he 

dealt with this change. “Honestly, I’m slightly 

tired right now. It’s exhausting but I’m 

interested in what I’m doing, so that helps. 

There’s always fun stuff going on; events 

with stores where we take a celebrity to sign 

autographs, maybe musicians and a food 

truck, and we’re creating new products every 

month.” Eli went on to explain that he doesn’t 

feel that he is running a clothing company. 

“The clothing simply shares the message, it’s 

what connects them to our mission. 

We’re building a community that encourages 

people to share their stories.” 

The next project which is taking up a lot 

of space in his already jam-packed daily 

schedule is to find a solution to the housing 

situation in Toronto for those in recovery. His 

excitement on the matter is palpable. “It’s a 

big issue. We’re working with the city, CAMH, 

and developers to create affordable housing. 

We want to make an impact in the mental 

health community. My goal is to spend more 

time resolving this issue.” 

Impact is something that Eli Brown is 

becoming rather adept at creating. Each time 

I’ve had the chance to speak with him, he has 

left a huge impact both with his matter of fact 

attitude and his willingness to speak with 

truth regardless of the pain it causes him. 

As I turned off my audio recorder and 

thanked him for taking the time out of his 

packed schedule, he surprised me by asking 

something that no other interviewee has ever 

asked…what the rest of MY day looked like. 

His interest was genuine. Predictably, it led 

to talk of restaurants, cooking and food, but 

the simple act of asking provided me with a 

subtle sense of importance, of mattering in 

my small corner of the world. 

Here’s a man who actually talks the talk. 

Here’s a man who is going to change the 

pattern for those suffering in silence. A man 

who asks a simple question and creates a 

profound moment of caring. 

STACIA CARLTON shares thoughts and ideas. Visit her at BESTILLANDEAT.COM where she shares her love of delicious food done simply. 




STYLING 

BY PETER BROOKS 

We All Need a Little 

Quartz in Our Lives! 

Qualitative Quartz Uses Throughout the Home 

I 

f you’ve ever considered a kitchen 

remodel, then you’ve certainly heard 

about the advantages of engineered 

quartz countertops. Custom-cut quartz 

slabs bring style and a Wow! factor, not 

just to the kitchen, but to any area of 

your home. Durable, water-resistant, 

and scratch-resistant, quartz has many 

applications, and is a long-lasting, choice 

investment - even for the busiest areas of 

your home. Plus, it’s beautiful! 

Quartz is used in almost every 

BedfordBrooks’ design project - from 

countertops, backsplashes, and flooring 

to tabletops and furniture pieces. The 

possibilities are truly endless! 

Vicostone Canada, one of our go-to 

suppliers of quartz, offers an incredible 

selection of colours, patterns, and very 

unique slabs to choose from, for any 

surface. 

In the process of completing a renovation 

of Vicostone’s flagship Canadian 

showroom in Vaughan, our design team 

highly recommends a visit, this fall, to the 

newly designed space. Until then, consider 

using quartz in your: 

LIVING ROOM Many larger-sized slabs are 

available, for a feature wall on a vertical 

surface, which means seams won’t be a 

concern. 

FLOORING & WALLS Processes, like 

water-jetting, allow you to create custom 

patterns and designs for a one-of-a-kind, 

finished product to showcase in your 

home. 

STAIRCASES Among the most high-traffic 

surfaces in a home, staircases require 

the use of durable materials. Custom-cut 

quartz steps are a beautiful and practical 

design choice. Choose a matte finish stone 

to minimise the potential of slipping or 

falling. 


WINDOWSILLS, SHOWER FRAMES & 

SHELVES Smaller remnants or quartz 

offcuts can be used to build custom 

windowsills, shower frames, or shelves 

to trim out or to finish a space in a very 

elegant way. Seamless, easy to clean, 

and watertight. It doesn’t get any better 

that that! 

LAUNDRY ROOM Because of its 

inherent durability, quartz can 

withstand the harshest laundry room 

sprays, detergents, and chemicals. 

Often a forgotten space or an 

afterthought, the laundry room is an 

ideal space for this practical, functional 

design element, which will also add a 

touch of glamour to doing the laundry. 

BE MINDFUL! Not all quartz is created 

equal. Speak to your supplier about 

the product you are considering; there 

are big differences in how quartz is 

produced. Leading quartz companies 

invest time and R&D dollars to 

procure the best raw materials and to 

implement the best production process 

to deliver the highest quality finished 

product. 

Also, choosing the right fabricator for 

your project is of utmost importance. 

These are the folks who will fit, cut, and 

polish your selected slab/s, ultimately 

installing your stone to achieve the look 

you’ve always dreamed of! 

There is so much more to share about 

quartz. Look for more from our team, 

online, at villageliving.com over the next 

month! 

VICOSTONE CANADA 

341 Edgeley Blvd. Concord, ON. 

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of his community, and a proud ambassador of 

Furniture Bank. BEDFORDBROOKS.COM 

DESIGNER 

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STYLING 

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SUSTAINALBE STYLE COLUMNIST 

For every season, there is a handbag…or two. As the leaves turn golden and our thoughts shift to pumpkins, it’s undeniably time to let go of 

the breezy straw baskets of summer and dig into the heftier bags of autumn. It’s time, in a word, to make the seasonal handbag switch. We 

no longer need to carry buckets of sunblock or a rolled-up Turkish towel for impromptu pool parties. Now, we look for a bag to carry our new, 

elbow-length statement gloves and silk kerchiefs. Enter the upcycled leather, the endurable backpacks, and the high-gloss handbags. 

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BY JOEL SOLISH 

EATING 

MEATING CHEFS 

Shaping Culinary Minds at Centennial College 

A departure 

from writing 

about the chefs 

who feed us, 

this month, 

I share time 

spent with 

future leaders 

of hospitality. 

In his daily life, Joel connects 

farmers to mouths, selling 

the most #sustainable and 

delicious #meat to the best 

#restaurants in Toronto. 

Follow Joel Solish @foodie411 


“How do you feel about shaping young 

minds?” she blurted out. “I’m sorry? Me?” was 

my knee-jerk reaction. And so, the conversation 

began, on a sunny afternoon in June, when I 

was presented with an intriguing and daunting 

proposition: “Seriously, I want you to consider 

coming to teach here, I think you would be good 

at it, and really enjoy the experience.” Picture me, 

half-shocked, and kind of smirking, pondering 

the possibility of being considered by someone, 

as a potential candidate to teach, and that 

someone is now one of my three bosses (yes, I 

have three jobs), the always smiling and positive 

Suzanne Caskie, Chair, Food and Tourism 

Studies, Centennial College, School of Hospitality, 

Tourism and Culinary Arts. 

After the shock and awe, once my jaw shut and 

everything sunk in, I was pretty excited. Sam 

Glass, a friend, and most-revered and tenured 

professor at the department, was going on 

vacation, and I was offered to take over two of his 

classes for seven weeks. You don’t say? 

I know a bunch of the Chef/Instructors at 

Centennial’s,Progress Campus, where the 

program is run out of a state-of-the-art facility, 

which features classrooms and labs, a studentrun 

eatery, The Local Café and Restaurant, 

residence/hotel rooms, and a conference centre. 

Walking through the spacious hall, saying hello, 

and getting hugs from old friends (some of whom 

I hadn’t seen in a while), felt like home to me, so I was 

most of the way to making my decision. Over coffee 

with Matt Duffy, who had been at the college for two 

semesters, I was convinced. A brilliant baker, Chef Matt is 

one of this fall’s newest, full-time Chef/Instructors. 

Not the biggest fan of school, I was marginally hesitant. 

My main worry: How would I be at teaching? With his 

own, somewhat limited amount of teaching experience, 

Matt said, “Like me, you will be so great at this.” In his 

excited way - which he is about lots of things (man, I am 

surrounded by some amazing and inspiring people) - he 

elaborated, “We didn’t love school and were troublesome 

as kids; this is one of the things that will make us the 

best teachers.” He paused, took a sip of his coffee, then, 

”You will really get through to them, and make them as 

prepared as possible for this tough industry, knowing 

all of their possible tricks.” Having so much in common 

with Matt, that certainly resonated. “It all comes down 

to that passion that we have about food and hospitality,” 

he concluded, “the knowledge and [sic] that we have 

amassed and must share.” Sold! 

I was asked to teach two classes, Food Theory and 

Cuisine and Culture, the latter about the history of food. 

Super fascinating topics that a food geek like me could 

sink my teeth into. Now, how to impart my knowledge 

to students in an engaging and effective way, since I 

was joining, mid-semester. What an opportunity! And, 

as I regard a lot of things in my life, I downplayed its 

significance until those around me expressed their own 

excitement.

TAX. SIMPLIFIED. 

“My passion for local and sustainable 

food is what I believe will have the 

greatest impact on my students...” 

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Most of the students, millennials, who are new to this country, 

here to study and learn a trade, are hoping to make a new life for 

themselves. Many I have described as “hav[ing] the light behind their 

eyes” (thanks to my friend, Elyse, for that gem phrase) - they are 

engaged, and you can see their future laid out in front of them and of 

those who need encouragement and hand holding. Thankfully, the 

support network is strong for the self-exercise in how to be the best 

guide, leader and teacher on their journey. Over time, I will improve; 

the first seven weeks in this role taught me a lot about myself, and 

about my own journey. 

Teaching is in my family. My eldest sister taught for many years, 

and helped to shape me early on. Retired this past school year, she 

encouraged me in ways that have honed the many relationshipfocused 

roles I have held, experiences which I impart, beyond 

curriculum-based objectives, to my students. Blessed with many great 

mentors, there are as many life lessons that I smile back on with 

admiration. Some lessons were learned immediately, others, in time, 

even from those who seemed hard on me, yet rightfully so; things like 

tenacity and perseverance, being able to read people, and what they 

want or need, and mostly, listening and learning. 

My passion for local and sustainable food is what I believe will have 

the greatest impact on my students, who will surely teach me as 

much, in return. 

My lessons began last semester, when some students engaged in 

the excitement of fermentation and preservation, after I brought in 

a friend’s book, Batch by Joel MacCharles and Dana Harrison. Asking 

questions, taking photos of processes and recipes, they crowded 

around it, some even purchasing the book for their collections. That 

made me proud. 

I’m going into this eyes wide open: We’ll talk about how the very 

first restaurants and haute cuisine were formed in France, the 

societal impact of refrigeration, the Green Revolution, charcuterie and 

fermentation, cheese, the world garden, oceans, the good and bad of 

GMOs, and more. 

Deep into this process, I will check back with you on this, soon. 

As always, thanks for reading, and for the opportunity to invite you 

behind the scenes for a glimpse of my extended family of people and 

personalities of this great industry that I call home. 

Inspire, and be inspired. 

Sabina Mexis 

B.A. (Hons.) M.A.., LL.B., TEP. 

Tel: 416-447-4334 

sabina.mexis@axioslegal.com 

www.axioslegal.com 


WELL-BEING 

HEALING HELP 

FROM MAN’S 

BEST FRIEND 

Dogs at Work do 

Wonders for Health 

BY SARAH KELSEY 

C 

orporate Canine Therapy, corporatecaninetherapy.ca, is the culmination of 

Rodney Kaufman’s lifelong dream to give back to his community. It started with 

the purchase of his now five-and-a-half-year-old dog, Harlow. “My idea with getting a 

Great Dane was always to have a therapy dog,” he says. “I went to Woofstock and St. John 

Ambulance had a stand about them, so I asked the team about training Harlow.” 

One of the pup’s first official jobs, after being certified, was for Kaufman’s mom 

when she was being treated for lung cancer. Because of Harlow’s training, she was 

able to identify that his mom was having a massive heart attack - even when medical 

professionals didn’t know that’s what was happening - and then, comforted her through 

the pain. 

After several similar experiences, in particular, seeing how Harlow helped kids and 

babies at a local children’s hospital, Kaufman started to think about how she and other 

therapy dogs could ease the suffering of an often overlooked and distressed group of 

individuals: employees of big business. 

“I noticed there was a niche and a need for this kind of therapy on a wider scale, 

especially for people who feel they never get a break.” 


He notes that the intense pressures that 

accompany the daily grind not only impact 

a person’s mental and physical well-being, 

they can lead to a loss in productivity for 

corporations. The antidote, according to 

research Kaufman cites, is puppy playtime. 

Studies show that people who receive visits 

from therapy dogs heal 30 per cent faster 

than those who don’t. Even brief hangouts 

with pets can release calming endorphins, 

lower blood pressure, improve cardiovascular 

health, reduce stress, and increase happiness. 

To make accessing his company’s services 

easy, Kaufman says he’s created a sort of 

Uber for pet therapy. With a quick phone 

call, bosses and managers can set up a visit 

with one of his team’s 50 trained handlers. 

Animals who are part of the program have to 

meet a certain set of criteria, and naturally, 

they must be good with people. 

Though it just launched, the company has 

already worked with a major hotel chain to 

inspire its team members during a planning 

session. “The event was so successful 

we’re now in the corporate retreat package 

and offer employees a chance to play with 

dogs in-between meetings.” His team has 

also worked with a minister who wanted 

a therapy dog’s presence to ease tensions 

during counselling sessions. “These dogs can 

do just about anything,” Kaufman notes. 

And while the initial inspiration for this 

company is set to retire in a couple years 

(thanks to Harlow’s life expectancy), Kaufman 

says he’ll continue to grow the business. 

“We’re looking for another family pet to 

continue Harlow’s work,” he says, adding, 

“I know what these dogs do makes a huge 

difference to a person’s life, so it’s a fun way 

to give back.”

WELL-BEING 

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Walking into the workspace offices 

of DNA Labs, the words progressive, 

visionary and innovative immediately 

came to mind. Words I would use to 

describe the company itself. 

I met with Chief Executive Officer, Moni 

Lustig and Chief Science Officer, Aaron 

Goldman to discuss their revolutionary 

new company. Established in December of 

2016, DNA Labs has already created two 

game-changing products with it’s third 

due to debut at any moment. On point 

with what is happening on the health and 

wellness forefront, these products allow 

one to unlock many answers to their 

health needs and concerns as well as to 

create a personalized manual on how to 

achieve optimum health. 

Goldman managed a “high-throughput 

genomics lab at Mount Sinai Hospital, 

where researchers from all over the 

world would send samples in for genetic 

analysis.” 

Staff ran the samples through extensive 

machines and would return the genetic 

data accordingly. 

In 2007, with the invention of Next- 

Generation Sequencing, “which, for 

DNA technology is akin to moving 

from typewriters to the invention of 

computers,” says Goldman, the result was 

a more cost-effective genetic analysis and 

“enabl(ed) researchers to understand so 

much about how our DNA works.” With 

drastically lower operating costs, it was 

then possible to create a commercial 


product for the widespread audience to 

allow all to benefit from DNA testing. 

MatchMyMeds was the first product 

created. Gathering genetic data through 

a simple cheek swab can determine 

an individual’s compatibility with 

pharmaceuticals, of both the natural 

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one size does not fit all” states the 

company’s website. MatchMyMeds creates 

a personalized report that determines 

the right drug and right dose, alleviating 

guesswork that could lead to an adverse 

reaction one may have to a medication. 

The non-invasive cheek swab is 

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depression and anxiety meds as well 

as various pain management and 

cardiovascular meds to name a few. 

This product is revolutionary in that 

it tailor makes a road map by which 

pharmaseuticals can be correctly 

administered. The data can be sent 

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then sent directly to the patient with 

utmost precision and accuracy. 

DNA Labs’ second product, 

LoveMyHealth, is a lifestyle product. Like 

MatchMyMeds, this product is available 

online. Delivered to your home, one can 

collect the cheek swab in the comfort 

of home then send it back to the lab by 

return mail. It is so simple. The results 

are a personalized, complex diagram 

of one’s health and wellness. It is an 

atlas to one’s health and well-being. 

This product determines a wide range 

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individual to each client. The 8 main 

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With the Baby Boomer generation 

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a compulsory buy. This product will also 

greatly help navigate health and lifestyle 

issues families in children and aging 

parents alike. 

On the heels of these two amazing 

products, as if on cue, will be the 

launch of a product, which tests one’s 

compatibility to medicinal cannabis. 

TestMyTolerance is slated for a mid- 

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Never before has there been more 

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WELL-BEING 

Narcissism 

Unmasked P1 

WHAT IS PATHOLOGICAL NARCISSISM? 

BY DR. DEBRA TREVISAN 

PH.D., C.PSYCH. 

Narcissist…we hear the term 

quite often these days, at work, 

in the media, maybe even among 

friends and family. In fact, many 

of you have likely encountered one 

or more narcissists in your lifetime 

and perhaps even live, work, or are 

in some kind of relationship with 

one. Some of you are familiar with 

the general definition of a narcissist, 

and perhaps, casually label friends, 

acquaintances, colleagues, or some 

of your relatives as such. But how 

many of you actually know the 

clinical definition of a pathological 

narcissist? 

Narcissistic personality traits 

can be very complicated and are 

sometimes difficult to understand. 

Decades of psychological research 

have shown that there is a difference 

between healthy narcissism and 

unhealthy narcissism. An individual 

who has healthy narcissistic traits 

tends to have a high level of selfesteem 

and/or sense of self-worth 

and usually takes pleasure in his/ 


her appearance, intellect, and 

achievements. They are normal 

individuals, with healthy egos, who 

may also happen to indulge in a 

few selfies, and brag about their 

accomplishments. 

An individual who has unhealthy 

narcissistic traits generally has a 

distorted sense of self-importance or 

ability. In clinical terms, narcissistic 

individuals tend to have grandiose 

thoughts about their social value, 

particularly in relation to other 

people. For instance, a person 

with an unhealthy narcissist truly 

believes that they are more valuable 

and important than other people, 

that they deserve to be praised and 

admired, and that they deserve to 

be treated better than others. These 

beliefs are often accompanied by 

a lack of empathy for others (the 

hallmark of narcissism), whom 

they believe to be insignificant. An 

individual with these narcissistic 

traits (among others) has 

pathological narcissism, clinically 

defined as Narcissistic Personality 

Disorder (NPD). 

A personality disorder, by 

definition, is a pervasive pattern of 

disturbance in a person’s ability to 

manage his or her emotions, hold 

onto a stable sense of self and identity, and maintain healthy 

relationships in work, friendship, and love. 

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 

5th Edition (DSM-V), wherein the clinical criteria for the 

classification/diagnosis of psychological disorders are outlined, 

requires an individual to meet the following criteria for the 

diagnosis of NPD: 

1. Has a grandiose sense of self-importance. 

2. Is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, 

brilliance, beauty, or ideal love. 

3. Believes that he or she is ‘special’ and unique, and can only 

be understood by, or should associate with, other special or 

high-status people (or institutions). 

4. Requires excessive admiration (regularly fishes for 

compliments, and is highly susceptible to flattery). 

5. Has a sense of entitlement. 

6. Is interpersonally exploitative. 

7. Lacks empathy: is unwilling to recognise or identify with 

the feelings and needs of others (or, I would argue, is actually 

incapable). 

8. Is often envious of others, or believes that others are envious 

of him or her. 

9. Shows arrogant, haughty (rude and abusive) behaviours or 

attitudes. 

Pathological narcissism has always been rare, affecting an 

estimated one per cent of the population. True pathological 

narcissists may actually be evading detection because most 

of us don’t understand the many different forms that the 

condition may take. Join me next month, when we explore how 

to identify the many faces of narcissism. 

DR. DEBRA TREVISAN is a Clinical Psychologist with special interests 

in mood and anxiety disorders, insomnia, and personality disorders. 

DRDEBRATREVISAN.COM, QWELLNESS.CA


WELL-BEING 

Thirty Years Before 

Mindfulness… 

Finding Focus through Tactile Sensations 

BY SAMANTHA BEDERMAN WELLNESS CONTRIBUTOR 

F 

rom the time I was very little, my uncle used to always applaud 

how tactile I was. Everything, for me, was about how it felt, or 

how it made me feel. Every little thing…from the tags in my clothes 

to the finest seeds in my foods, these sensations had the power to 

ignite feelings of lightning bolts shooting through my nervous system. 

When my son was born, I noticed this infant seemed hypersensitive 

to every kind of stimulus around him - from puppy murmurs to the 

hum of the lights. This complex and overactive ‘sensitive’ gene had 

been duplicated, and it was at that moment that I knew why this child 

found me. 

Being perceptible to touch is really about a communication signal. 

Animals communicate using signals, which can include stimuli 

that are visual, auditory, chemical, and tactile. Communication 

behaviours can help animals find mates, establish dominance, 

defend territory, coordinate group behaviour, and care for young. 

As humans, if we can tap into this kind of awareness, we are more 

capable of making transformative change occur. Eugene Gendlin, a 

well-known psychotherapist during the ‘50s, called this “felt sense”: 

When your body knows more about situations than you are explicitly 

aware of, and the body picks up more about another person than you 

consciously know. The sensations, and all the ‘feels’ you have, are part 

of an internal dialogue that your body and mind are having. 

So, from a yogic perspective, how do we train our ‘monkey minds’ 

to stay focused long enough to identify a felt sense, so ultimately, we 

can create a felt shift? On average, people experience about 70,000 

SAMANTHA BEDERMAN is a Certified Yoga Instructor and Iyengar trained. Sam uses Yoga to assist with healing from injury, surgery, as well as managing chronic 

pain and auto-immune symptoms. Visit YOGABODII.COM 


thoughts a day. Practising Dhāraṇā, might just be the key...the practice 

of Concentration (Dhāraṇā) teaches us to ‘zoom in,’ so we’re able to 

focus on one thing alone. Much like any network, Dhāraṇā needs its 

sidekick, Drishti, to be successful. Your (Drishti) Gaze is one point 

of focus, a non-moving point in front of you that is your sole focus 

when practising your yoga poses. This Drishti will not only aid in your 

postural alignment, but will support your mind’s ability to concentrate. 

Drishti is the yin to Dhāraṇā’s yang, for both asana and meditation. 

Simply put, Dhāraṇā means to concentrate without interruption from 

internal or external disruptions. This is helpful in an asana practice 

because without Drishti and Dhāraṇā, the mind chatter runs wild 

(What did she just say? My muscles are starting to shake. When can we 

release? Boy, it’s getting hot in here! Remember to pick up milk on the way 

home. Hmm, wonder when I will be able to walk the dog. Did I fold the clothes 

in the dryer?). Seriously, I’ve been there! 

Finding your Drishti in each pose will guide you towards deepening 

your posture by virtue of your focus and concentration. This will allow 

you to zero in on the meditation in action, and the transformative 

changes will be on your horizon. Your deepened sensations will now 

guide your journey to a place where more focus is attainable, and your 

yoga becomes the medicine for the unsettling and restlessness of the 

mind. Namaste 

“The brain is the hardest part of the body 

to adjust in asanas.” B.K.S. Iyengar

Do you experience 

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PARENTING 

BY ANDREA FREEDMAN 

THE YORK SCHOOL 

An Independent 

School in the 

Heart of Toronto 

Right in the heart of the city, on Yonge 

St. near St. Clair Ave., sits The York 

School, a coed, independent school for 

students of Kindergarten to Grade 12. 

Praveen Muruganandan, Director of 

Admission and Advancement at The York 

School, said that what makes the school 

special “is our ability to be viewed as 

being a progressive school.” 

The central locations of the junior and 

middle/senior campuses at 1639 and 1320 

Yonge St., respectively, make it easy for 

students to get to, and, Muruganandan 

said, being so close to Yonge St. and 

St. Clair Ave., and the proximity to the 

subway, ensures that “the city does 

become our playground.” 

“If you spend a day in our classrooms, 

you’ll quickly realise that The York School 

defines what education and modern 

schools need to be.” 


The York School is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, where Muruganandan 

said students are “given a unique education,” and are specially recognised as IB graduates 

when applying to universities. The program, founded in Geneva, Switzerland in 1968, 

addresses students’ intellectual, emotional, and social well-being, while teaching them to be 

socially responsible. 

Those who go through the IB Program are groomed to be independent thinkers, and to be 

more culturally aware, in part, by learning a second language, and are given “the skills to 

engage with others in a global world.” 

IB students can “participate in service trips” to such destinations as Tanzania, however, 

many opt out of the travel option, choosing instead to “participate in community building 

events to raise awareness for local issues close to their heart[s].” 

The York School prides itself on its culture, which Muruganandan said “is one where our 

community cares!” Diversity is encouraged, with students represented from 35 different 

countries. 

Teachers encourage students’ “questioning and trying to find solutions to real world 

issues,” while teaching them to be tolerant of others, regardless of their religious 

backgrounds or sexual orientation. 

Faculty members make every effort to “ensure that students have a supportive learning 

environment.” A social worker is on hand, as well as a citizen team “to ensure that students 

are supported throughout their time at York.” 

Students of The York School are groomed for post-secondary school, from as early as grade 

6. Once they get to grades 11 and 12, they are connected with a member of the school’s 

university counselling team, which spends the next six to 12 months helping them with 

university applications and teaching them how to prepare for school interviews. 

Besides the importance it places on academics, over the past few years, the school has also 

begun to put more emphasis on athletics and wellness, realising that “student wellness is 

also a key piece in ensuring that our children are successful and happy.” Student athletes 

have access to dedicated coaches, many of them professional, which Muruganandan 

stressed is very rare at a school. 

Parents should consider The York School if they have children “who are curious, want to 

learn,” and most importantly, “can be a good friend,” said Muruganandan. Don’t wait too 

long to decide, though, as the admission process begins nearly one year in advance. 

For a top-notch education in a caring environment, try The York School in the heart of the 

city. To find out more about The York School, go to: yorkschool.com.

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Sick of the 

status quo? 

EMPOWER YOUR 

DISTRACTED CHILD 

Celebrate Small Victories 

BY LINDSAY SPRINGER 

P 

arents are frequently frustrated, and often at a loss, when faced 

with the reality that their child is forgetful, disorganised, or easily 

distracted. Whether daydreaming, moving around constantly, or 

unable to pay attention, such actions cause parents to feel helpless in 

their capacity to aid their child. 

For kids who struggle with diagnosed or undiagnosed attention and 

focus disorders, recognising and managing symptoms is critical. 

These tips will keep kids on track: 

GET INVOLVED If your child’s knapsack is 

unkempt, if you’re making endless trips 

to the lost and found, or if your child is 

constantly panicked and studying at 10 p.m. 

the night before a math test, such challenges 

are best-addressed when parents actively 

provide executive functioning support of 

their child’s unique needs. 

Meet with teachers early on to implement 

assistive devices (tablets, laptops, online 

schedulers), fidget toys, and kinesthetic 

gadgets. Share a calendar with your child, 

and follow-up with teachers regularly to 

avoid panic situations. Put supports in place 

early, so kids feel more in control of their 

organisational skills. 

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Follow us @urbanvillagerealty 

Like us “Urban Village Realty Inc.” 

PLAN AHEAD Kids who struggle to be 

attentive succeed best when they know 

what to expect. A wall calendar in a visible 

place, and scheduling weekly check-ins will 

prepare them for the coming days. Avoid 

forgetfulness and stressful mornings by 

packing bags and lunches, and preparing 

their clothes in advance of the school day. 

Also, encourage your child to keep a bullet 

journal of important information, so they 

can plan their to-dos. 

POSITIVE PARENTING As parents, we often 

focus on our child’s shortcomings. Instead 

of, ‘I can’t believe you lost your lunchbox 

again!’ reward your child with positive 

language when they remember to bring 

it home. Celebrate the small victories by 

embracing positive parenting strategies to 

foster your child’s life skills. 

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Located on the second floor at the south-east corner 

of St. Clair Ave. & Arlington Ave., just west of Christie St. 

Not intended to solicit properties listed on MLS or buyers under a contract with a REALTOR. 

Get involved, plan ahead, and acknowledge your child’s smallest 

achievements to teach them that, while overcoming hurdles, they 

can and will find their own path to success. 

LINDSAY SPRINGER MA, OCT, is the founder and director of BookMark 

Tutors, an in-home tutoring company in Toronto. 


Fostering the 

Next Open House: 

Thursday, November 15 

5 pm to 8 pm 

of each child 

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scholarships available for grades 7, 8, and 9. 

Contact us today! Visit www.metroprep.com or call 416-285-0870 


PARENTING 

Diary of a New Mama 

BREASTFEEDING 

ENVY 

BY JAIME SLAVIN AN OVERJOYED, BUT EXHAUSTED, NEW MAMA 

Breastfeeding envy. I didn’t know this 

was a feeling until I was consumed with it. 

It started off as a dull ache, as I would 

watch other moms easily breastfeed 

their babies, and it gradually grew to 

an overwhelming emotion as my son 

weaned himself at two-and-a-half 

months. 

As a Dietitian, with a Masters in 

Public Health, there was also a feeling 

of embarrassment. My studies and my 

profession constantly touted the ample 

benefits of breast milk. And here I 

wasm at two-and-a-half months, barely 

being able to sustain this nutrition for 

my baby. The ‘mom guilt’ was in full 

force by now, and I started racking my 

brain as to how this happened. My first 

thought was I had introduced a bottle 

too soon. My next thought was that I 

hadn’t breastfed in public enough (I had 

only breastfed at the hospital, when our 

son was born, and at doctors’ offices). 

I hadn’t built up the confidence yet to 

breastfeed outside of my home, and 

suddenly felt that if only I had been 

more comfortable, things would have 

been different. 

We met with a lactation consultant 

to see if our son would be able to 

get back on the breast. I spent three 

weeks trying to get him to breastfeed 

again. Sometimes he would, for a very 

short amount of time. The first time 

he latched again, I cried as he fed. 

Tears poured down my face, as I felt 

that indescribable bond with my baby. 

However, this wasn’t sustainable, as it 

became evident he was happier with the 

bottle. Ultimately, I realised the fact that 

our son chose to feed the way that he 

wanted. 

I can tell you, it’s taken me some time to 

mourn the loss of his feeds. It’s also taken 

me some time to get over the judgement 

(and self-judgement) when people learn 

that he weaned himself so early, and 

that he drinks from a bottle (formula 

and pumped breast milk). 

Finding the lesson in all of this has 

been the greatest teacher. Do what 

works best for you and your child. 

Whether you can breast feed or not, 

being there for your child is the most 

important nourishment you can give 

them. 

JAIME SLAVIN is a nutritionist, registered dietician, Masters of Public Health, food educator and advocate for your health and well-being. 

JAIMESLAVIN.COM 


PLAY HARD. 

LEARN WELL. 

TAKE ON THE WORLD! 

OPEN HOUSES 

Junior School: Tuesday, October 16, 9–11 AM; Friday, November 16, 9–11 AM 

Middle & Senior School: Thursday, November 1, 7–9 PM 

yorkschool.com 


PARENTING 

BY JOANNE SALLAY 

EDUCATION COLUMNIST 

HOOKED ON BOOKS 

Spooky & Mysterious Stories for October 

October is always eagerly anticipated – who could forget Halloween? Students love to dress-up in 

costumes, carve pumpkins, trick-or-treat, and eat candy. It also just happens to be a fun theme for 

reading material with magic, mystery and make-believe! Students can unleash their creativity with so 

much rich imagery. Tap into the fun and find some books that bring Halloween to life. 

Here are a few picks to delight students of all ages: 

AGES 

2-4 

HERBERT’S FIRST HALLOWEEN 

Written by Cynthia Rylant, Illustrated by Steven Henry 

Are you looking for an intro to Halloween story? This is a great picture book for first-time little trick-ortreaters. 

Young readers will follow Herbert on his very first Halloween. While Herbert’s not sure how he 

feels about it, his father is ready to show him how fun it can be with a tiger costume, pumpkin carving, 

and candy, of course! 

AGES 

4-8 

GRIMELDA AND THE SPOOKTACULAR PET SHOW 

Written by Diana Murray, Illustrated by Heather Ross 

Fans of magic and witchcraft will want to check out this picture book, which is also the sequel to 

Grimelda: The Very Messy Witch. It follows Grimelda from Cobweb town who wants her cat Wizzlewarts to 

win the Spooktacular Pet Show. When she can’t find her spell book she goes out on a quest to find a new 

pet. The rhyming verses and bright illustrations will be a hit with students. They may also learn a new 

spell or two! 

AGES 

4-8 

HOW TO MAKE FRIENDS WITH A GHOST 

Written and Illustrated by Rebecca Green 

Not your typical ghost story, this charming picture book will open your eyes to the joy of befriending one. 

If you have no clue how to do this, do not fear. This guide book helps with tips and tricks on how to build 

a friendship with an apparition. This includes instructions on ghost basics, dos and don’ts, ghost care, 

and growing together. It’s a very funny book that adults will enjoy, just as much as the kids (if not more)! 

AGES 

8-12 

CONNECT THE SCOTTS: THE DEAD KID DETECTIVE AGENCY #4 

Written by Evan Munday 

For students who like to sink their teeth into a good series, the fourth title in the Dead Kid Detective Agency 

comes out this month. This chain of chapter books follows heroine, October Schwartz, who likes to hang 

out in the Sticksville Cemetery and solve crimes with her ghost friends. This round finds October with 

more detective work to investigate the past death of Tabetha Scott, and a current robbery at a school 

concert. As an added bonus, author Evan Munday lives in Toronto! 

AGES 

12+ 

THE WINNOWING 

Written by Vikki VanSickle 

Vikki VanSickle, a known Canadian author and resident of Toronto, has come out with an awardwinning 

thriller for students. Not surprisingly, she was also a huge fan of The X-Files while growing up. 

This adventure follows Marivic Stone as she tries to uncover the truth about a secret procedure called the 

winnowing; a rite of passage for all adolescents that no one who experiences it actually remembers. A 

must-read for fans of mystery. 


WHAT WILL YOU BE READING WITH YOUR LITTLE GHOST OR GOBLIN? 

JOANNE SALLAY is the President of Teachers on Call, an award-winning home tutoring service with over 30 years of 

experience providing one-on-one instruction in all subjects and grades. Visit Teachers on Call at TEACHERSONCALL.CA

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OCTOBER

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