Need Help with Your Hydro Bill?

Having moved to Ontario from Calgary less than a year ago, I was stunned by the high hydro bills here. Electricity cost (or outages) were never an issue in Calgary and monthly bills were around 60+ for two people in a two bed, two bath apartment. I cooked almost everyday and baked or roasted something at least once a week. The tv was usually on and we used the in-suite clothes dryer several times a week. Fast forward to my first month in Ontario. I'd moved in in the middle of August. The weather was amazing, the apartment disgustingly filthy. I was too exhausted after scrubbing and washing and mopping to cook and it was too nice to stay indoors all day so I simply got takeaway everyday (cooked food is cheap were I live). I didn't even have a tv yet. As such, I was relaxed about the hydro bill as I thought it couldn't be more than 60. Big mistake. It came up to nearly $100 for 20 days. For one person. I freaked out. Since then, I've been just charging the prerequisite computer and mobile and each time there's only one light on. But as the weather gets colder, especially with the poor insulation apartments have here, I find myself wondering whether to turn on the heating. It sucks. I miss the heating in Calgary that worked with hot water pipes running through the walls. The place was never cold and it was not a drain cost-wise like the hydro powered central heating many apartments here use.

But I'm lucky in comparison to many others in Ontario. A few days ago I came across a news story about a family in Kingston who were living in darkness as they were unable to afford the spiraling hydro rates. Their bills had increased from $140 to nearly $400 in a span of six years whilst her salary had not seen the same increase. The single mother was forced to make a choice between groceries and hydro. Groceries won and Kingston Hydro efficiently disconnected their power. Ever wondered why utility companies seem efficient only when increasing costs and disconnecting services? It's mind boggling, isn't it?

If you're on a low income and struggling with hydro bills, have a look at the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP). If you're a single or family on a low income, you may qualify for a reduction of around $30-50 a month on your hydro bill. More information can be found by clicking on the link above.

Imitation Pho: Rice Noodles with Cabbage and Pork

I think one of the worst feelings in the world (on a mundane day to day basis) is coming home late and still having to cook. Thankfully, I now have the freedom to cook whatever I want without anyone whinging about it. I believe a weekday meal has to meet several requirements:

Fast? Check. Tasty? Check. Vegetables, meat and carbs? Check.

This light and speedy rice noodles meal ticks all the boxes necessary to qualify for a weekday meal. Minimal clean up or cooking and preparation time so you can spend your evening unwinding instead of slaving over the stove or sink.

Ingredients:

1 packet instant rice noodles

2 cups chopped cabbage

1 cup sliced pork (substitute with beef or chicken if desired)

Preparation:

1. Chop cabbage in pieces or strips.

2. Slice pork into thin slices.

3. Place pork and cabbage into a pot and cover with water. Bring to boil before reducing heat.

4. Add seasoning and simmer till cabbage is soft and cooked.

5. Pour into bowls and serve warm. 

How to Deal with That I-Ate-So-Much-I-Feel-Like-The-Stuffed-Turkey Feeling

Urgh, I’m never going to eat so much again! Till next time that is.

Why does it feel so bad when you overeat? It’s because your small intestines, stomach and abdominal muscles get stretched by the food, liquid, swallowed air, and gas. This stretching is what causes the discomfort.

Unfortunately, when the temptation to overeat gets too much or you’ve already passed that point, here are some ways to ease the pain.

1. Loosen your pants or change into a looser , more comfortable pair.

The less restricted you are, the less uncomfortable you’ll feel which will in turn reduce the stress on your digestive system.

2. Peppermint tea or coffee to the rescue!

Sipping on peppermint tea can help by relaxing the digestive track which allows you to burp any trapped air in your stomach, so that you don’t feel as bloated. Burping and passing gas stimulates your digestion by causing movements in the food in your stomach.

Coffee may help you, erm, move your bowels (poop). However, coffee can make tummy troubles even worse in people who are sensitive to it.

Do also avoid excessive drinking or overly hot or cold liquids.

3. Stay on your feet instead of lying down.

Lying down can put pressure on the stomach, causing stomach acid to enter your esophagus, triggering heartburn.

4. Try Over-the- Counter Medication if in pain.

Try an antacid like Maalox or Mylanta to reduce the extra acid production caused by overeating or Pepto-Bismol or Zantac, which can settle the stomach and sooth irritation caused by overindulging. Or, try an anti-gas drug like Gas-X, which neutralizes gas bubbles in your digestive tract to reduce bloating.

Perhaps the best way to avoid all the discomfort in the first place is to pace yourself and avoid drinking too much liquid if you are planning on eating a lot.

Regardless, may this Christmas be full of joy and blessings and lots and lots of delicious food!

Asian Pear Tea

When the weather is cold and dark, there's nothing better than curling up with a warm cup of fruit tea and some cookies.

One of my favourites is the Asian pear tea.

Ingredients:

1 Asian pear

Honey

Preparation:

1. Peel and cut pear into bite sized pieces.

2. Place in pot and fill with water.

3. Boil till fruit is soft.

4. Add honey to taste.

5. Drink warm or cold if preferred.

Sweet Potato and Ginger Soup

Winter is the time for lots of clothing, wishing electricity wasn’t so expensive in Ontario so you could turn on the heating more and hot food. Lots of hot food. Preferably whilst smuggled up with a favourite pillow or stuffed friend on your Lazy Lounge Sofa.

What are some ways you keep warm in winter?

My favourite warm-me-up tactic is a huge bowl of savory or sweet dessert soup or a cup of tea. Or all three. Yum.

I try to use more ginger in my cooking when the weather is cold as the humble root helps to warm you up from inside out. It is also really good for you.

Ginger goes really well with sweet potato for a sweet end to a meal that’s healthy too.

Ingredients:

2 cups sweet potato cubes

Approximately 1 inch knob of ginger (add more if you like it spicier)

Honey or sugar to taste

Preparation:

1. Peel and cut sweet potato into cubes.

2. Peel ginger and slice into smaller pieces.

3. Put sweet potato and ginger into a pot. Cover with water and bring to boil. Lower heat and continue simmering till sweet potatoes are soft and cooked through.

4. Add sugar or honey to taste.

Too Tired to Cook?

There are days when it just takes too much effort to whip up a meal - no matter how simple it is.

Here are some budget friendly frozen meals that will tide you through those times:

Frozen Meals:

Try VH or Healthy Choice Steamers from Walmart for $2.97 and $2.94 respectively.

Throw these in the oven for a delicious snack or meal. I love the Alfredo and meatball flavours. Two boxes for $5 at Walmart (when on sale).

This brand of lasagna is really good. Throw the creamy chicken lasagna in the oven for a warm, indulgent meal. $4.99 at Walmart.

How to Cut Broccoli

Not for eating! Meet Broccolini, my TV buddy

Ever struggled with cutting broccoli and ended up with a kitchen counter that looks like the scene of a horror movie vegetable massacre?

Check out this video for a simple, fuss-free way to cut broccoli.

Also works for its buddy cauliflower.