Courtesy of Nantha Aiyadurai

VOLUME 348 ISSUE 4 YOUR HOUSE

DESIGNING YOUR IDEAL OUTDOOR KITCHEN

When you hear the phrase “outdoor kitchen” what comes to mind? A portable barbecue and a comfy patio set or a lavish area that rivals the functionality of your indoor kitchen? Either way, having a designated cooking, eating and entertaining area in your yard or on your patio is one way many homeowners are looking to expand their homes this spring and summer. Start by planning the layout and functionality of the space before considering style and budget. Design the kitchen area based on traffic flow and ease of access and proximity to other areas. For instance having the preparation and cooking area on a high deck but the seating on a lower deck may make transporting food difficult. Will your grill and sink use existing gas, water and electrical lines or will you need to have new ones run? Imagine yourself using the space and see what may cause issues and what would work best. Once you know what will go where, consider design elements – do you want to use stone, metal or wood? Will you have a professional team come in and build the area or will you attempt to do it yourself? Your budget will dictate a lot as well, as creating an outdoor kitchen isn’t necessarily a low cost endeavor.

Cell: 613-850-9931

Office: 613-288-1999 Fax: 613-288-1555 nantha@coldwellbanker.ca www.nantha.ca

Sarazen Realty Brokerage 2544 Bank Street Ottawa ON K1T 1M9

HOW TO CLEAN YOUR VINYL SIDING Keeping the vinyl siding on your home or garage clean helps prolong its lifespan, prevents grime (or mould/ mildew) from building up and overall enhances the appearance of your property. First use a broom or soft bristle brush to dust off any dirt or debris that has accumulated over the winter. Treat stains with a solution made for vinyl siding and follow the directions on the package. Once any stains are removed, go ahead and use a large, soft brush to apply soapy water (dish soap works well) and rinse it off with a garden hose. Pressure washing is an option, just be sure the water pressure isn’t too high so you don’t accidentally damage the siding. If you see signs of mould or mildew (black spots that don’t easily wash away) you’ll want to treat the area with hydrogen peroxide, vinegar and water solution, or a cleaner made specifically for removing mildew from siding.

REAL COURAGE IS WHEN YOU KNOW YOU’RE LICKED BEFORE YOU BEGIN, BUT YOU BEGIN ANYWAY AND SEE IT THROUGH NO MATTER WHAT”

HARPER LEE (AMERICAN NOVELIST 1926 – 2016)

Kale & Quinoa Salad WITH LEMON DRESSING

INGREDIENTS:

DIRECTIONS:

• 1 bunch kale, stemmed and chopped • 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil • 3 tablespoons lemon juice • 2 tablespoons chopped shallot

1. Place kale in a large serving bowl. Whisk together oil, lemon juice, shallot, honey, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Pour 2 to 3 tablespoons of the dressing over the kale; lightly massage until slightly wilted, 1 to 2 minutes. 2. Top the kale with tomatoes, quinoa, cucumber, peppers, chickpeas, feta and almonds. Drizzle with the remaining dressing and toss before serving.

• 1 teaspoon honey • ½ teaspoon salt • ¼ teaspoon ground pepper • 2 cups grape or cherry tomatoes, halved • 2 cups cooked quinoa

• 1 English cucumber, thinly sliced • 1 medium red bell pepper, sliced • 1 medium yellow bell pepper, sliced • 1 (15 ounce) can unsalted chickpeas, rinsed • ¾ cup feta cheese, crumbled • ½ cup sliced almonds, toasted

Did you know?

• April is from the Latin word aperio which means “to open [bud]”

• April 22 is Earth Day

• The birth flowers for April are the daisy and the sweat pea

• The birthstone of April is the diamond

• In the northern hemisphere, April is the first full month of spring

WORD LADDER

Change one word into another by changing one letter at a time. Hints are in brackets.

CUP

(young dog)

(dad)

It’s likely that you’ve seen solar panels on the roof of a home nearby and have wondered if it would be right for you. There are a lot of factors to consider and you should investigate thoroughly before having panels installed, but essentially, solar panels can help harness the sun’s energy and convert it into the power needed to run your home. This, in turn, generates fewer carbon emissions which is great for the environment. Ideally, solar panels are installed on a sloped, south-facing roof that has access to full sunlight and isn’t shaded by trees or other buildings. That’s not to say north, west or east facing roofs can’t utilize solar panels, just south-facing tends to be exposed to the most sunlight each day. Other options for placing solar panels are available, such as on the ground if your roof doesn’t meet the needed criteria. Alberta and Ontario have both seen surges of solar panel installations over the past few years, however it seems to be a growing trend across the country. If solar energy is something you’re thinking about, you can also look into The Canada Greener Homes Loan which can help finance your endeavor by providing an interest-free loan. SOLAR PANELS AND SOLAR ENERGY

(plant holder)

(place to sleep)

CAT

STORY

(boutique)

(fixed look)

(kick off)

SMART

SOLUTION: CUP, PUP, POP, POT, COT, CAT SOLUTION: STORY, STORE, STARE, START, SMART

TIPS FOR FALLING ASLEEP

With the days having more sunlight, falling asleep can be more difficult this time of year so it’s more important than ever to create healthy sleep patterns. It’s not uncommon to take between 15 and 30 minutes to fall asleep and following these suggestions can help keep that time consistent. Experts strongly encourage you to adopt a consistent bedtime and wake-up time as it will help regulate your internal clock which promotes better sleep. Winding down before going to bed is also important. Refrain from using screens for about 30 minutes before bed. Instead try a more relaxing activity like meditating, journaling,

listening to calming music or progressive muscle relaxation. A white noise machine can be helpful if you’re trying to fall asleep when others in your home (or your neighbours) are still up and about. A cool, dark bedroom will also help alert your body that it’s time to rest. Once you are snuggled in bed, if your mind is prone to wandering, try a mental exercise to help you nod off. For instance, start at 1,000 and subtract by 6 as many times as you can, or name a local town that starts with A, B, C, D, etc. Something that will take your mind off falling asleep and allow your heart rate to slow down and your natural sleep instincts to take over.

SHOPPING FOR COOKWARE

Choosing a cookware set can get overwhelming with all of the different options available on the market. Many experts will say to accumulate a mixture of cookware pieces over time, but if you’re looking to start with a set, here are some points to consider. • Most sets include 7 pieces - a stock pot, a saucepan, a large skillet, a sauté pan and lids. Aim to purchase a set that will be able to handle your average meal and add pieces as necessary. • Look for pieces that can easily go from stovetop to oven. Ideally find cookware than can withstand higher heats as they’ll be more versatile. • Consider the weight of the pots and pans as when they’re full of food, they will be heavier and if you have mobility issues, that might be a determining factor. • There are numerous finishes available and they all have pros and cons. Stainless steel and nonstick cookware tend to be the most common and should be sufficient for basic cooking functions.

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