GRAND Magazine Vol V Ed IV

Vol. V, Ed. IV
GRAND
grandmag.ca
Downsizing
Finding Your
Perfect Fit
The Perfect Pizza Party
Multi-generational Travel
Vol 5, Ed 4 1

Eat
The Perfect
Pizza Party
Looking for a way to keep your grandkids busy on a rainy day?
Why not throw a pizza party?! Pretty much everyone loves pizza,
and it’s a perfect meal for getting kids involved in cooking.
• Even the littlest helpers can decorate their own pizzas.
• Young kids can grate cheese, slice mushrooms with a butter
knife, knead dough and build their own pizzas.
• Encourage older kids to explore the science of yeast by making
their own pizza dough.
• Depending on how much time you have, making pizza can take all
afternoon, or be a quick 30-minute meal. So put on some music, prep
your ingredients and dance your way to a delicious pizza dinner.
Alternative Pizza Crusts
Pizza doesn’t have to be made on a traditional pizza dough. There
are all sorts of alternatives depending on how much time you have to
prepare.
Uncooked Pizza Crusts. If you have 20 minutes to bake a pizza
but aren’t interested in making your own dough, use store-bought
pizza dough instead! Like traditional pizzas, the ingredients don’t
need to be cooked or heated in advance as they will have plenty of
time to cook in the oven.
Top with all your favourite toppings, then follow the baking instructions
on the package.
• Balls of traditional yeasted pizza dough are usually found in the
freezer section of the grocery store. Defrost them in the fridge for 24
hours then get ready for your pizza party.
• Pillsbury offers a quick, refrigerated dough that isn’t quite the
same as a classic pizza crust, but it’s a LOT tastier than premade
frozen pizza.
• Puff pastry results in a crispy golden pizza crust. Just cover it
with the toppings and bake according to the instructions on the
package.
Bread Pizza Crusts. Looking for a super quick meal? Using bread
as a pizza crust means that the pizza will be ready in under 30 minutes.
Here are three options for bread pizza crusts:
• Greek-style pita bread and naan bread are both perfect for a
quick pizza.
• Little kids enjoy making tiny, individual pizzas out of English muffins.
Slice the English muffin in half, then decorate the cut side.
• A baguette sliced in half also makes an amazing pizza crust. I
recommend using pasta sauce instead of pizza sauce on a baguette,
for a really saucy, Sloppy Joe-inspired pizza.
Here’s how to cook your bread-based pizzas:
1. Preheat the oven to 425˚F.
2. Lay the bread out on a baking sheet and top with your favourite
pizza toppings. Since the pizzas are only going to cook for a few minutes,
avoid toppings that you wouldn’t enjoy eating raw. Alternatively,
sauté any ingredients that you would prefer fully cooked (for example
onions and mushrooms).
3. Bake the pizzas until the cheese is brown and bubbling, about 5
to 10 minutes.
Traditional Pizza Dough
Making pizza dough from scratch is the perfect rainy-day activity.
It’s fun to watch the yeast bloom and see how it makes the dough
rise.
Give your grandkids a small piece of dough so they can play with
it and make their own dough creation. Bake their butterflies, turtles
and hearts beside the pizzas, just keep an eye on them, as they’ll
probably be ready about 5 minutes before the pizzas.
1 1 ⁄2 cups water
1 envelope instant dry yeast (2 1 ⁄4 tsp)
1 tsp sugar
2 Tbsp olive oil (+ more for coating the dough)
3 1 ⁄2 to 4 cups of all-purpose flour
2 tsp salt
2 Tbsp cornmeal
1. Mix the water, yeast, and sugar in a large bowl.
2. Allow the yeast to dissolve and bloom. Then mix in the oil, followed
by the flour and salt. The dough will be very sticky. I recommend
coating your hands with a little bit of oil then kneading and
kneading the dough until it’s smooth and elastic.
3. When you have a nice smooth ball, coat it with a drizzle of oil.
Place it back in the bowl and cover with a damp tea towel. Let it rise
for 1 hour.
4. After 1 hour, punch down the dough and divide it into 2 balls,
along with a few smaller balls for kids to play with. Let the dough
rest for 10 minutes while you get the rest of the pizza ingredients
ready.
5. Preheat the oven to 475˚F and prepare the pizza toppings.
6. When the oven is preheated, roll out the pizza dough on a lightly
oiled surface. Each dough ball should make a 12-inch pizza crust.
7. Sprinkle two baking sheets with cornmeal and place the pizza
crusts on the baking sheets.
8. Decorate the crusts with your favourite toppings.
9. Bake for 15–20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and crust is
golden brown.
Emillie Parrish loves having adventures with her
two busy children. You can find more of her recipes
in her recently released cookbook Fermenting
Made Simple. fermentingforfoodies.com
2 GRANDmag.ca

Explore
Multi-generational Travel
Multi-generational travel has been popular for some time
and now there is an increase in skip-gen or ‘gramping’
travel, when grandparents travel alone with the grandkids
leaving mom and dad behind. It’s a great opportunity to
get to know the grandkids, create life-long memories and travel
experiences for your grandchildren.
The planning process should be as fun as the trip itself and
when all involved participate it is sure to be a hit! If you want
to get really creative, how about a mystery trip? With hidden
clues along the way and the destination a surprise, it is sure to
keep everyone interested and engaged in the trip itself. If the
thought of the planning is just too overwhelming, there is always
help by way of your local travel advisor.
To make the most of your trip, here are a few tips and ideas
to get you started.
1. Family Meeting: Gather the troops together and ensure
everyone is on the same page. Are you looking for an actionpacked
or relaxing getaway? Being on the same page at the very
beginning will help avoid disappointment and conflict. You
may have an aspiring marine biologist that would love a trip to
the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea on Vancouver Island or perhaps
for the animal lover stop in at the Greater Vancouver Zoo
in Langley.
2. Planning: Once you’ve agreed on the overall concept,
plan together. Involve the grandkids! If they are old enough
to research, have them look into activities and points of interest
along your route and at your destination. This way they
are invested, and you never know what they may find! Need a
theme? How about a farm tour, totem discovery tour, cycling
tour or see as many waterfalls as you can tour?
3. Consider Everyone’s Needs: Are there special requirements
for accommodation and restaurants? Separate bedrooms
for the snorers in the group? Restaurants that offer a menu to
suit everyone’s taste, including accommodating any food allergies
or preferences? Did you know your grandson is afraid of
heights or your granddaughter is a vegan? Having some options
in advance will save a lot of time and frustration on your trip.
4. Plan for Meltdowns: Adult or child, there will be at least
one. Plan your day to include some down time, respect each
other’s pace while doing activities and keep to familiar schedules.
Stopping for meals before everyone (including grandpa)
is hungry. Stop at the local deli for a picnic lunch on the beach,
stop at the local food truck or farm-to-table restaurant. And
remember to always have a plan B!
5. Trip Photographer: Perhaps the most important job of
all! Designate someone as the trip photographer. To appease
multiple volunteers, you may want to alternate days. If you
have younger grandkids, pick up some disposable cameras. It’s
always fun to see what has sparked their interest. If it is a special
trip, you may want to consider hiring a professional photographer
for a couple of hours or for the day. Either way, you
want to capture those family memories.
We have so many beautiful and wonderous places to visit in
the Lower Mainland, in the province and across Canada. Take
this time to enjoy it with your grandkids and spend some quality
time together.Here are some resources to help in your planning:
destinationvancouver.com, hellobc.com.
As co-owner of Departures Travel Sidney,
Cathy Larsen is passionate about sharing
her love of travel—even after 35 years of
experience in the industry. She enjoys life
and sees travel as more than a stamp in
their passport! departurestravel.com,
facebook.com/DeparturesTravelSidney,
linkedin.com/in/cathylarsen

Home
Downsizing
Finding Your
Perfect Fit
All of your kids are out of the house and now your home
feels like a big empty space. The idea of keeping up on all
the work in the yard gets more daunting with every passing
year and vacuuming the stairs has become a real CHORE!
The thought of leaving the home your kids grew up in likely
feels overwhelming and emotional, but now may be the time
for you to downsize into a space that better suits your current
needs. You will have an exciting new space that is easier for
you to maintain, and you will save money on hydro and property
tax. No matter if you’re making the change as a couple or
on your own, there are a variety of downsizing options for you,
maybe some you haven’t even thought of before!
A Smaller House
Maybe you cannot imagine not having a stand-alone house
with a yard, but your current house is just too big. You may
want to investigate buying or renting a smaller home that better
suits your current and future needs. A one-story home with
a small yard would allow you to still have an extra bedroom for
family visits, a small garden and no extra stairs to deal with.
Townhouse or Apartment
Buying or renting an apartment or townhouse is ideal if you
no longer want to deal with any yard work and are ready for a
cozier space. Moving into an apartment or townhouse may be
a consideration if you are still fine doing all your own cooking
and housework, but don’t want to deal with any more yard
work or manage any maintenance issues that come up. Townhouses
will give you a bit more space and a private outside entrance,
but most typically have stairs so consider your mobility
needs currently as well as for the future.
Retirement Community/Independent Living
Contrary to widely held belief, retirement communities
(often referred to as independent living communities and occasionally
as senior communities) are not for the “old and frail”
demographic. These communities are full of life! You have a
private suite to live in while also reaping the benefits of weekly
housekeeping, most to all your meals prepared for you and activities
and community events for you to enjoy. This type of living
situation is ideal for someone who is still able to take care
of themselves and enjoys their own private space but is also
looking for someone else to take care of those tedious chores
that you oversaw for years. Being a part of these communities
is also a fantastic way to meet people your age and have access
to fun entertainment, activities and outings. One monthly cost
includes everything, and most of these independent living
communities also have laundry services, libraries, hair salons,
recreational services and visiting health professionals.
Assisted Living or Long-Term Care
If failing health is an issue and you or your partner needs
extra care, it may be time to investigate assisted care homes or
long-term care communities to get the proper care you need.
In most cases assisted living communities provide you with
a small private room to decorate as you choose, as well as all
meals are prepared for you and housekeeping is typically done
daily. Plus, there is a 24-hour care team of nurses and registered
care aides who will look in on you as often as needed and
are available with the push of a button. You no longer need
to worry about remembering to take your medication and the
rooms are often equipped with special beds and other equipment
to make you feel more comfortable and safer in your living
space.
Moving in with Family or Friends
You likely have a few friends or know other couples your age
who are in the same boat as you are so consider teaming up and
buying or renting a home to live in together roommate style.
You can share in the responsibilities of doing or paying for the
housework. The Golden Girls made it work—and had a lot of
fun together!
With the rising housing costs in BC, you may also consider
moving in with your kids to help them out with the mortgage.
Many homes have basement or garden suites as mortgage helpers.
You can have your personal space for relaxing and be close
enough to spend quality time with your grandchildren.
Erika Palmer is a writer living in Victoria with
her husband and daughter. She believes most
problems can be solved with a good cup of tea
and a huge piece of chocolate.
4 GRANDmag.ca

Make sure you are included in the upcoming
Independent School & Education Guide!
This is the most comprehensive list and resource for families.
10 Types of Private Schools
T
here is no such thing as a homogenous private school system.”
In reality, the private school world is defined by choice. There are
many types of private and independent schools, and they come
in many different configurations. Some schools educate children from
kindergarten all the way to grade 12, while some start at grades six or
eight. Others are high school only. It all depends on what you’re looking
for in your child’s education.
DAY SCHOOLS
This is the traditional model of schooling: a school that students
attend from morning until mid-afternoon, returning home afterward
and staying home on the weekends. Parents largely take on helping
kids develop good schoolwork habits, such as studying for upcoming
tests and completing homework thoroughly, especially with younger
students.
BOARDING SCHOOLS
At a boarding school, students live at school during the week within
the school year calendar. At some schools—and depending how far
away students’ family homes are from school—they may live at school
on weekends, too. Students go home for breaks, such as the Christmas–New
Year break and spring break, and for the summer. Boarding
school can start in middle school (grades six through eight) or in high
school (grades nine through 12). Boarding school is highly structured,
with set times for study after school and during examination periods,
set “free times” during the week, as well as curfews. Supervision and
support are provided by staff such as peer counsellors, residential
dons and academic staff, including teachers. Boarding school students
are deeply involved in academics and extracurricular activities. This
is a highly personal choice for a child and his or her family. Some kids
thrive at boarding school, while others are much better suited for day
school.
SINGLE-GENDER SCHOOL
In single-gender schools, the student body is all boys or all girls.
Some believe that boys and girls experience less peer pressure, focus
better on learning and operate differently in school without the distraction
of the opposite sex. Some studies point to better grades and
a higher rate of admission to four-year university programs. Singlegender
schools may help break down gender stereotypes—leading to
more girls taking maths and sciences, for example.
CO-EDUCATIONAL SCHOOL
Often referred to as “co-ed,” this is a school in which the student
body is made up of boys and girls attending classes together. It mirrors
the real world, where boys and girls, men and women interact and
work together all the time. Some believe that going to school together
helps girls and boys benefit from the other gender’s learning style,
promoting cooperation.
RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS
Depending where you live in the country, schools based on world
religions can be found: Bahá’í Faith, Christian (specific denominations
or non-denominational), Hindu, Islamic, Jewish and Sikh. Faith-based
schools offer full academic curricula that adhere to or exceed required
provincial standards, but also religious instruction. The faith’s general
worldview is reflected in teaching and is part of the life of the school.
Parents should learn about a school’s curriculum to ensure that, while
22 WestCoastFamilies.com
Email sales@westcoastfamilies.com to reserve your spot.

Gone are the days of rocking chairs and
recliners. Today’s grandparents are more
likely to be rock climbing or going for a run
than they are to be rocking or reclining.
Vol. V, Ed. III
RAND
grandmag.ca
We’re an active and diverse group—an engaged,
evolving and powerful force. We’re
mentors, nurturers, keepers of secrets.
We’re caregivers, child care providers,
dessert-before-dinner defenders. We’re
historians, spiritual guides and the holders
of family stories.
GRAND celebrates who you are as a grandparent
and who you are as an individual.
You love spending time with your grandchildren
and you’re happy in your other
roles: at work, in the community and on
your own. GRAND acknowledges that you
are not “one or the other”—an “either/or”
version of yourself—you are many different
things to many different people. And to
yourself.
With an Island perspective that speaks
to an international readership, GRAND is
the source for on-the-go grandparents of
up-to-the-minute and thought-provoking
information and ideas—on everything from
having fun, staying fit and things to do to
travel, leisure, health and technology. Think
of GRAND as a trusted friend who happily
shares those “senior moments” (in the
best sense of the words!) and keeps you
informed and connected to the issues and
ideas that really matter. After reading an
issue of GRAND, you should feel inspired,
up-to-date and informed.
Downsizing
Finding Your
Perfect Fit
Jim Schneider Publisher
publisher@islandparent.ca
Sue Fast Editor
editor@islandparent.ca
Kristine Wickheim Account Manager
kristine@islandparent.ca
RaeLeigh Buchanan Account Manager
raeleigh@islandparent.ca
GRAND, published by Island Parent Group Enterprises Ltd., is a digital
publication that honours and supports grandparents by providing
information on resources and businesses for families and a forum
for the exchange of ideas and opinions. Views expressed are not
necessarily those of the publisher. No material herein may be
reproduced without the permission of the publisher.
518 Caselton Place, Victoria, BC V8Z 7Y5
The Perfect Pizza Party
Multi-generational Travel
250-388-6905 grandmag.ca
A proud member of
BC
We’re here for you: from helping you
figure out where you fit in to tackling your
most perplexing questions, sharing your
greatest discoveries and celebrating your
deepest joys.
GRAND features articles on topics ranging
from the importance of storytelling,
cooking with your grandkids and community
superheroes, to photographing your
grandkids, gift-giving and grandparenting
from afar. There are ideas and inspiration
to help keep you in-the-know and connected,
there’s a guide to investing in your
grandchildren’s future and there’s tech
support that will help you face your fears
and embrace the cloud.
GRAND is as diverse and engaged as you
are. Together, we’re a powerful and positive
force—in our grandchildren’s lives and
in our communities.
6 GRANDmag.ca

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Vol 5, Ed 4 7
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