Courtesy of Ernie Ward

Experience the Difference that comes with Experience

ERNIE WARD Broker 416.460.3592

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REALTY SPECIALISTS INC., BROKERAGE

Each Office Independently Owned & Operated

101 - 2691 Credit Valley Rd. Mississauga, ON L5M 7A1

THE NATIONAL HOME SHOW IS BACK!

Spinach Artichoke Dip

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 jar (15 ounces) Alfredo sauce • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened • ½ cup grated Parmesan and Romano cheese blend • ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

• 1 garlic clove, minced • 1 can (14 ounces) water-packed artichoke hearts, drained and chopped • 1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry • Tortilla chips

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, combine Alfredo sauce, cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, Romano cheese, ¼ cup mozzarella cheese, and garlic; mix well. Stir in artichokes and spinach. Transfer to a greased 4- or 5-cup broiler-safe baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining ¼ cup mozzarella cheese. 2. Bake, uncovered, until bubbly, 20-25 minutes. Preheat broiler. Place baking dish on a baking sheet. Broil 4-6 inches from heat until top is golden brown, 1-2 minutes. Serve with tortilla chips.

Courtesy tasteofhome.com

THE THINGS THAT MAKE ME DIFFERENT ARE THE THINGS THAT MAKE ME, ME.”

PIGLET, CHARACTER IN THE WINNIE-THE-POOH SERIES BY A.A. MILNE

MINDFUL EATING Being mindful in the sense that you’re fully present in the moment and aware of your feelings and thoughts is not a new concept and has long been practiced as a way to find a deeper connection and understanding of yourself and the world you find yourself in. Mindful eating is another aspect of this mindset and can improve digestion, prevent overeating and even help you absorb more nutrients from a meal. A key in mindful eating is to remove distractions like your cell phone, the television or a noisy dishwasher during mealtime. This will allow you to focus more on what you’re eating and how your body is responding. When practicing mindful eating, take the time to taste each bite, chew slowly, put your utensils down between bites, acknowledge what nutrients you’re consuming and pay attention to your hunger cues. You’ll want to engage all of your senses while eating and pay attention to your body telling you you’re full or still hungry or not enjoying a particular taste or smell on your plate. Mindful eating is something that will take time to adjust to so be patient with yourself and if you’re unsure of how to proceed with becoming more mindful, consult a specialist or do more research on the subject

MAGIC SQUARE

A JUMP START ON SPRING CLEANING

The key to solving a magic square is that each row, column, and the 2 corner-to-corner diagonals must total the given sum.

THE SUM IS 75

11

27 20

5

24 22 15 8

18 16 9 7

10 3 26

11 4 27 20 13 5 23 21 14 12 24 22 15 8 6 18 16 9 7 25 17 10 3 26 19

Good luck!

It’s not quite spring, but if you wanted to get a head start on some cleaning projects one weekend, there are quite a few places we often overlook when doing a deep clean of our homes. Walls : Spot clean scuffs and dirty areas first then use warm water and a gentle cleaning agent to wash the entire wall and follow up with a dry cloth to collect excess moisture. Window blinds : Ideally, you’ll be able to take the entire blind off the window and wash it in the bathtub with water and soap. If that’s not the case, start by vacuuming the blind and/or dusting with a rubber sponge and spot cleaning soiled areas. Dishwasher : Shockingly enough running the dishwasher each day isn’t enough to keep it clean and working in tip top shape. Look to your manufacturer’s manual for their recommended cleaning tips but overall, removing and cleaning the filters and spray arms along with scrubbing away any food residue is going to help a lot. Drains : Regularly cleaning your drains (sink and shower) can help prevent clogs and untimely floods. Remove the stopper to clear out any visible blockages like hair, food or grease. Then use either a natural solution (for example baking soda and lemon juice followed by boiling water) or drain specific cleaner to clear out the parts of the drain you can’t access by hand.

SOLUTION

February is one of the most commonly misspelled words in the English language. FEBRUARY FACTS

The birth flower of February is the violet which symbolizes numerous things including faithfulness, everlasting love and innocence.

In the Southern Hemisphere, February is a summer month, similar to August.

The February birthstone is amethyst which can symbolize intellect, love and security.

February is the only month where it is possible there won’t be a full moon. (Not this year though, it’s February 12, 2025.)

Mississauga January Stats

AVERAGE SALE PRICES

$804,888 condo/townhouse

$1,596,150 detached

1,090 NEW LISTINGS 346 SOLD LISTINGS

330

167

detached

condo/town.

39.4% SALES TO NEW LISTING RATIO

41 DAYS ON MARKET

3.5 MONTHS OF INVENTORY

1,534 ACTIVE LISTINGS

Oakville January Stats

AVERAGE SALE PRICES

$1,853,519 detached

$787,058 condo/townhouse

606 NEW LISTINGS 138 SOLD LISTINGS

297

42

detached

condo/town.

804 ACTIVE LISTINGS

35.5% SALES TO NEW LISTING RATIO

4.0 MONTHS OF INVENTORY

35 DAYS ON MARKET

Statistics reflect market activity in January 2025 |Source: TRREB ® | Market values stated are of the average of Mississauga and Oakville. Individual home market values will vary and are affected by factors such as location, size, interior and exterior condition. Please call to get an up-to-date evaluation of your home.

ERNIE WARD Broker

416.460.3592 905.828.3434 homes@ernieward.com www.ErnieWard.com

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