What do you look for when shopping for a new home?
>> Awesome upgrades
>> Move-in ready condition
>> Location, location, location!
>> No smaller than a mini-mansion
>> Other
How long does it take you to completely unpack after moving in?
>> 3 days – I'm an unpacking MACHINE!
>> I need a full month just to figure out where to put everything!
>> 3 months – I use the boxes as end tables!
>> NEVER! I still haven't unpacked everything from the last move.
>> Other
The one luxury that I would pay extra for when looking for a home:
>> An indoor swimming pool or hot tub
>> Heated bathroom floors (no more cold feet!)
>> A heated driveway … No more shovelling!
>> A home cinema room
>> Other
Is it important to own a house?
>> Yes, owning a home is an investment that will pay off.
>> No, I'd rather save my money and rent.
>> No, I can't afford to buy a home.
>> I don't know.
Is now a good time to buy a house?
>> Yes, prices will continue to rise.
>> No, Canada is facing a housing bubble and prices will eventually fall.
>> I don't know.
Saturday, 30 August 2014
Thursday, 28 August 2014
unpack after moving in?
How long does it take you to completely unpack after moving in?
>> 3 days – I'm an unpacking MACHINE!
>> I need a full month just to figure out where to put everything!
>> 3 months – I use the boxes as end tables!
>> NEVER! I still haven't unpacked everything from the last move.
>> Other
>> 3 days – I'm an unpacking MACHINE!
>> I need a full month just to figure out where to put everything!
>> 3 months – I use the boxes as end tables!
>> NEVER! I still haven't unpacked everything from the last move.
>> Other
Should new wireless companies be allowed to fail?
Should new wireless companies Mobilicity, Wind Mobile and Public Mobile be allowed to fail?
>> Yes, the market will decide if they are competitive enough to survive.
>> No, the playing field in the wireless market is not level. The government should help these companies.
>> I don't know.
Credit cards, how many?
How many credit cards should one person have?
>> Just one. Credit cards should only be used for emergency situations.
>> As many as you can. Credit cards are a great way to make purchases and get great rewards.
>> None. You should never buy anything on credit.
>> Just one. Credit cards should only be used for emergency situations.
>> As many as you can. Credit cards are a great way to make purchases and get great rewards.
>> None. You should never buy anything on credit.
Friday, 22 August 2014
Ottawa Food Bank Says No To Junk Food
What do you think?
Should the food bank be allowed to say no to junk?
Why is it considered a controversial move?
The question ought to be : Why should we give people poor quality food?
Everyone deserves to eat good quality food, even if they can’t buy it. It’s not right for food banks to give out unhealthy food that is full of fat, sugar and salt which will make them sick, which will increase the health care cost, something we all complain about. A good way to reduce that cost is to focus on preventive health care, i.e., good and healthy food.
Healthy Affordable Food
Dried Beans And Lentils
Dried lentils and beans are the most bang for your buck when it comes to getting healthy food for cheap. In most grocery stores, you can get a 16 oz. bag for under $2.00. Lentils and beans are packed with protein and fiber -- a great substitute or accompaniment for the more expensive meat options -- and a low calorie one too. Lentils are an especially great option because they don't require any soaking time, and can be ready in just 20 minutes.
Whole Wheat Pasta
We all know that pasta is an economical option. It doesn't cost much, and yet is the main ingredient in many dishes. But most of us tend to avoid it because it's been labeled as having no nutritional value (and many diets claim that it causes weight gain). But whole wheat pasta is a healthy option. It's made with whole wheat flour which hasn't been stripped of the nutritional germ. Whole wheat pasta is just as affordable as white pasta, but offers a good amount of protein and fiber.
Whole Wheat
Potatoes
Many people think that potatoes are not a healthy option, but that's just because they're usually loaded with butter, sour cream and bacon bits. But potatoes, when cooked simply, make a healthy, tasty and economical option. And they offer fiber, protein, iron and potassium.
Canned Tuna
Canned tuna has always been a reliable and cheap option for protein. You can get a 3 oz. serving of tuna for less than a dollar and that serving will provide you with 13 g of protein. You'll want to watch your intake of this protein however, because it has been reported to have high levels of mercury.
15 Healthy Foods for About $2
Mercury in canned tuna still a concern
Bulgur
Bulgur is a whole grain that doesn't get enough attention in many home cooks kitchen. It's often times used in taboulleh salad, though works in many other recipes. It has more protein, fiber and vitamins than white rice, and makes a satisfying side dish.
Eggs
Eggs have been coming back recently after suffering from an unfair reputation. Contrary to popular belief, eggs are not dangerous shells housing bad cholesterol. While they should be eaten in moderation, they are loaded with good proteins. Nearly 100 percent of the egg's protein is usable by your body. You can find eggs for just $2.00 a dozen (though many organic and cage-free options are more expensive).
8 Ridiculously Cheap (and Healthy!) Foods
Save money without sacrificing health benefits when you add these nutrient-dense edibles to your grocery list
Quinoa
While not as inexpensive as rice, quinoa is still an affordable option for a healthy side. It also works well in salads -- and is a filling ingredient. It's such a great source of protein (it is a complete protein) and is a good source of calcium, iron and fiber.
Tofu
Tofu has wrongly been labeled a vegetarian food. And while it is a great protein option for those who don't eat meat, it's an affordable option for meat eaters too.Tofu is a quarter of the price of meat in most areas, and is a versatile cooking ingredient.
Brown Rice
Brown rice is a whole grain and it's just as affordable as white rice, which has been stripped of its original nutrients. With a serving of brown rice you get fiber, protein and essential minerals such as magnesium and zinc. And when a one pound bag costs a little under $2.00, with 10 servings per bag, it's an economical option for healthy eating.
WATCH: How To Stock Your Kitchen With Healthy Foods
Should the food bank be allowed to say no to junk?
Why is it considered a controversial move?
The question ought to be : Why should we give people poor quality food?
Everyone deserves to eat good quality food, even if they can’t buy it. It’s not right for food banks to give out unhealthy food that is full of fat, sugar and salt which will make them sick, which will increase the health care cost, something we all complain about. A good way to reduce that cost is to focus on preventive health care, i.e., good and healthy food.
Healthy Affordable Food
Dried Beans And Lentils
Dried lentils and beans are the most bang for your buck when it comes to getting healthy food for cheap. In most grocery stores, you can get a 16 oz. bag for under $2.00. Lentils and beans are packed with protein and fiber -- a great substitute or accompaniment for the more expensive meat options -- and a low calorie one too. Lentils are an especially great option because they don't require any soaking time, and can be ready in just 20 minutes.
Whole Wheat Pasta
We all know that pasta is an economical option. It doesn't cost much, and yet is the main ingredient in many dishes. But most of us tend to avoid it because it's been labeled as having no nutritional value (and many diets claim that it causes weight gain). But whole wheat pasta is a healthy option. It's made with whole wheat flour which hasn't been stripped of the nutritional germ. Whole wheat pasta is just as affordable as white pasta, but offers a good amount of protein and fiber.
Whole Wheat
Potatoes
Many people think that potatoes are not a healthy option, but that's just because they're usually loaded with butter, sour cream and bacon bits. But potatoes, when cooked simply, make a healthy, tasty and economical option. And they offer fiber, protein, iron and potassium.
Canned Tuna
Canned tuna has always been a reliable and cheap option for protein. You can get a 3 oz. serving of tuna for less than a dollar and that serving will provide you with 13 g of protein. You'll want to watch your intake of this protein however, because it has been reported to have high levels of mercury.
15 Healthy Foods for About $2
Mercury in canned tuna still a concern
Bulgur
Bulgur is a whole grain that doesn't get enough attention in many home cooks kitchen. It's often times used in taboulleh salad, though works in many other recipes. It has more protein, fiber and vitamins than white rice, and makes a satisfying side dish.
Eggs
Eggs have been coming back recently after suffering from an unfair reputation. Contrary to popular belief, eggs are not dangerous shells housing bad cholesterol. While they should be eaten in moderation, they are loaded with good proteins. Nearly 100 percent of the egg's protein is usable by your body. You can find eggs for just $2.00 a dozen (though many organic and cage-free options are more expensive).
8 Ridiculously Cheap (and Healthy!) Foods
Save money without sacrificing health benefits when you add these nutrient-dense edibles to your grocery list
Quinoa
While not as inexpensive as rice, quinoa is still an affordable option for a healthy side. It also works well in salads -- and is a filling ingredient. It's such a great source of protein (it is a complete protein) and is a good source of calcium, iron and fiber.
Tofu
Tofu has wrongly been labeled a vegetarian food. And while it is a great protein option for those who don't eat meat, it's an affordable option for meat eaters too.Tofu is a quarter of the price of meat in most areas, and is a versatile cooking ingredient.
Brown Rice
Brown rice is a whole grain and it's just as affordable as white rice, which has been stripped of its original nutrients. With a serving of brown rice you get fiber, protein and essential minerals such as magnesium and zinc. And when a one pound bag costs a little under $2.00, with 10 servings per bag, it's an economical option for healthy eating.
WATCH: How To Stock Your Kitchen With Healthy Foods
Thursday, 21 August 2014
Worst Baby Name Yet?
Close to 300 Babies Were Named 'Kale' in 2013 in the U.S.
You know those names that make you go, "Really?! You named your kid that?”
Share some of the most ridiculous baby names you'd heard
What NOT To Name Your Baby
First, the girls' names...
Ahmiracle and Dmiracle
There were nearly 800 girls named just plain Miracle, and then you’ve got your Jamiracles and your Lamiracles.
Assia
You just can’t give a name that contains the word “ass.”
Beautyful and Pretty
She better be.
Disney
Product placement?
Erie
Lake, yes. Ontario or Michigan, maybe. But Erie is just eerie.
Goodness
Most teenagers would take this as a dare.
Ikea
A Big Box name. Another product placement?
Money and Pryce
Uh… no.
Richard
Every year there are a handful of girls named Richard….and George and David, and boys named Charlotte and Sophia. Clerical mistakes? Sometimes, probably. And then other times, they’re just mistakes.
Rosary
Saints’ names and other religious names can work, but this takes baby-name-as-devotion too far.
Shady
Weather names -- Sunny, Snow -- can work, but then there’s the other meaning of Shady.
Stonie
Will create a rocky path for your child.
Vegas
What happens in Vegas…
Younique
Unfortunately not.
And now for the boys!
Abass
You just can’t give a name that contains the word “ass.”
Carrion
Baby name roadkill.
Dolton
If Colton is a popular baby name, and Bolton and Knowlton can work as first names, then Dolton…. nah.
Emporer
Why not Tyranius?
Hamlet
Shakespearean names as far out as Romeo can work, but Hamlet is also saddled with that “Ham” syllable.
Handsome
He better be.
Harshit
Harshit and Harshita are Sanskrit names with a lovely meaning: full of happiness. But they don’t translate well into English.
Kartier
Klassy. Sounds like another product placement!
Maximum
Max or Maxim would have made the point.
Messer
Takes the Badass Baby Name idea, ala Ranger and Wilder, too far.
Patch
Like Adams?
Princeten or Prinston
Maybe he’ll get into Yale.
Ralphy
Middle name: Boy.
Rambo
Scary, yet not as scary as the six boys named (yes, really) Rage.
Vader
Ready for a lifetime of Star Wars jokes?
Top Baby Names Of 2013 So Far
Marnie
You know those names that make you go, "Really?! You named your kid that?”
Share some of the most ridiculous baby names you'd heard
What NOT To Name Your Baby
First, the girls' names...
Ahmiracle and Dmiracle
There were nearly 800 girls named just plain Miracle, and then you’ve got your Jamiracles and your Lamiracles.
Assia
You just can’t give a name that contains the word “ass.”
Beautyful and Pretty
She better be.
Disney
Product placement?
Erie
Lake, yes. Ontario or Michigan, maybe. But Erie is just eerie.
Goodness
Most teenagers would take this as a dare.
Ikea
A Big Box name. Another product placement?
Money and Pryce
Uh… no.
Richard
Every year there are a handful of girls named Richard….and George and David, and boys named Charlotte and Sophia. Clerical mistakes? Sometimes, probably. And then other times, they’re just mistakes.
Rosary
Saints’ names and other religious names can work, but this takes baby-name-as-devotion too far.
Shady
Weather names -- Sunny, Snow -- can work, but then there’s the other meaning of Shady.
Stonie
Will create a rocky path for your child.
Vegas
What happens in Vegas…
Younique
Unfortunately not.
And now for the boys!
Abass
You just can’t give a name that contains the word “ass.”
Carrion
Baby name roadkill.
Dolton
If Colton is a popular baby name, and Bolton and Knowlton can work as first names, then Dolton…. nah.
Emporer
Why not Tyranius?
Hamlet
Shakespearean names as far out as Romeo can work, but Hamlet is also saddled with that “Ham” syllable.
Handsome
He better be.
Harshit
Harshit and Harshita are Sanskrit names with a lovely meaning: full of happiness. But they don’t translate well into English.
Kartier
Klassy. Sounds like another product placement!
Maximum
Max or Maxim would have made the point.
Messer
Takes the Badass Baby Name idea, ala Ranger and Wilder, too far.
Patch
Like Adams?
Princeten or Prinston
Maybe he’ll get into Yale.
Ralphy
Middle name: Boy.
Rambo
Scary, yet not as scary as the six boys named (yes, really) Rage.
Vader
Ready for a lifetime of Star Wars jokes?
Top Baby Names Of 2013 So Far
Marnie
French Hospital Opens Wine Bar for Terminally Ill Patients
French Hospital Opening Wine Bar for Terminally Ill Patients:
Wonderful Idea or Just Plain Weird?
Have your say.
Wonderful Idea or Just Plain Weird?
Have your say.
Monday, 18 August 2014
Share your medical information with Canada Post?
Would you share your medical information with Canada Post to continue home delivery?
Disability advocates are lashing out against a plan by Canada Post that will require people to provide a doctor's note who need home delivery service once community mailboxes are installed.
Winnipeg city councillor Ross Eadie, who is legally blind and will need the weekly delivery, said the cost of a doctor's note can be a financial burden for many with disabilities on fixed incomes.
The Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities says the best person to determine what type of service is required is not a doctor, but the individual living with the disability.
Disability advocates lambast Canada Post plan to require doctor’s note for home delivery
Disability advocates are lashing out against a plan by Canada Post that will require people to provide a doctor's note who need home delivery service once community mailboxes are installed.
Winnipeg city councillor Ross Eadie, who is legally blind and will need the weekly delivery, said the cost of a doctor's note can be a financial burden for many with disabilities on fixed incomes.
The Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities says the best person to determine what type of service is required is not a doctor, but the individual living with the disability.
Disability advocates lambast Canada Post plan to require doctor’s note for home delivery
Worst day of the week?
Which day is the worst day of the week? And why?
One in three people said they hated Monday more than any other day of the week.
One in three people said they hated Monday more than any other day of the week.
We love weekends, but is it possible that those precious days off are actually creating higher stress levels? One study suggests that might be the case.
Why we feel more stressed on Monday?
1. You dread your working week
2. You always feel more tired on a Monday than any other day
3. You're already missing the weekend
4. It takes you a while to get back into work
5. You had too many late nights over the weekend
6. You over-indulged on food and drink at the weekend
7. You had a particularly active couple of days
8. You always have a mountain of emails to catch up on
9. You spent much of the weekend travelling around
10. You always feel a bit poorly on a Monday
Sunday, 17 August 2014
Who should be held liable if a self-driving car gets into a crash?
Self-driving car sparks question about liability in an accident
Some feel there is a legitimate argument for extending robots legal personhood.
Who should be held liable if a self-driving car gets into a crash?
>> The car's owner.
>> The carmaker.
>> The robot car.
>> I'm not sure.
Some feel there is a legitimate argument for extending robots legal personhood.
Who should be held liable if a self-driving car gets into a crash?
>> The car's owner.
>> The carmaker.
>> The robot car.
>> I'm not sure.
Saturday, 16 August 2014
How many sodas do you drink daily?
CDC: Nearly 1 in 5 Americans drinks at least one soda per day
Results varied widely from 18 states surveyed, with Mississippi at the top.
How many sodas do you drink daily?
>> Less than one
>> One
>> More than one
(HealthDay News) -- A new survey of American adults across 18 states finds 17 percent drinking at least one sugary soda per day, with rates varying widely across states.
For example, while about 12 percent of people in New York state or Hawaii downed one or more non-diet sodas each day, that number jumped to 30 and 32 percent in Tennessee and Mississippi, respectively.
Results varied widely from 18 states surveyed, with Mississippi at the top.
How many sodas do you drink daily?
>> Less than one
>> One
>> More than one
(HealthDay News) -- A new survey of American adults across 18 states finds 17 percent drinking at least one sugary soda per day, with rates varying widely across states.
For example, while about 12 percent of people in New York state or Hawaii downed one or more non-diet sodas each day, that number jumped to 30 and 32 percent in Tennessee and Mississippi, respectively.
Friday, 15 August 2014
Famous movie catchphrases?
Aug. 15 marks the 35th anniversary of "Apocalypse Now" and its iconic catchphrase "I love the smell of napalm in the morning."
Can you quote the iconic lines from
'Anchorman'
'The Big Lebowski'
'Blazing Saddles'
'Casablanca'
'Cool Hand Luke'
'Dazed and Confused'
'Dr. Strangelove'
'A Few Good Men'
'The Godfather'
'Gone with the Wind'
'Jaws'
'Jerry Maguire'
'A League of Their Own'
'Love Story'
'Mommie Dearest'
'Napoleon Dynamite'
'Network'
'The Pride of the Yankees'
'Scarface'
'Sudden Impact'
'Titanic'
'When Harry Met Sally'
'The Wizard of Oz'
Movie Milestones
http://benvitalisgreenvision.wordpress.com/2014/08/17/movie-milestones/
*********************************
Can you quote the iconic lines from
'Anchorman'
'The Big Lebowski'
'Blazing Saddles'
'Casablanca'
'Cool Hand Luke'
'Dazed and Confused'
'Dr. Strangelove'
'A Few Good Men'
'The Godfather'
'Gone with the Wind'
'Jaws'
'Jerry Maguire'
'A League of Their Own'
'Love Story'
'Mommie Dearest'
'Napoleon Dynamite'
'Network'
'The Pride of the Yankees'
'Scarface'
'Sudden Impact'
'Titanic'
'When Harry Met Sally'
'The Wizard of Oz'
Movie Milestones
http://benvitalisgreenvision.wordpress.com/2014/08/17/movie-milestones/
*********************************
What do Torontonians Love about the Canadian National Exhibition?
The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE or the Ex for short), officially opens on Aug. 15 in Toronto.
Thursday, 14 August 2014
Best Prime Minister?
Vote On Canada’s Best Prime Minister
http://benvitaledotme.wordpress.com/2014/08/14/vote-on-canadas-best-prime-minister/
Who do you think is the greatest prime minister we've never had?
>> Robert Stanfield
>> Tommy Douglas
>> Jack Layton
>> Others?
Worst and Best PM Since 1968
http://benvitaledotme.wordpress.com/2012/09/26/worst-and-best-pm-since-1968/
http://benvitaledotme.wordpress.com/2014/08/14/vote-on-canadas-best-prime-minister/
Who do you think is the greatest prime minister we've never had?
>> Robert Stanfield
>> Tommy Douglas
>> Jack Layton
>> Others?
Worst and Best PM Since 1968
http://benvitaledotme.wordpress.com/2012/09/26/worst-and-best-pm-since-1968/
Poll: Best Prime Minister Canada Never Had?
*****************************
What Keeps Canada United?
What keeps Canada united?
What do Canadians love about Canada?
What Canadians love about being Canadian?
What would you change about Canada?
What are the things you don't like about the Canadian Health Care?
Charter Of Rights, Universal Health Care Unites Canadians: Poll
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (25 per cent)
Universal health care (22 per cent)
Hockey (12 per cent)
A shared history (11 per cent)
Multiculturalism (9 per cent)
Respect for provincial jurisdiction (6 per cent)
Official languages law/bilingualism (4 per cent)
Equalization transfer payments (4 per cent)
National transportation network (3 per cent)
The threat of Americanization (2 per cent)
The monarchy (2 per cent)
Poll : Things We Hate About Canadian Health Care
http://benvitaledotme.wordpress.com/2014/07/25/things-we-hate-about-canadian-health-care/
What do Canadians love about Canada?
What Canadians love about being Canadian?
What would you change about Canada?
What are the things you don't like about the Canadian Health Care?
Charter Of Rights, Universal Health Care Unites Canadians: Poll
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (25 per cent)
Universal health care (22 per cent)
Hockey (12 per cent)
A shared history (11 per cent)
Multiculturalism (9 per cent)
Respect for provincial jurisdiction (6 per cent)
Official languages law/bilingualism (4 per cent)
Equalization transfer payments (4 per cent)
National transportation network (3 per cent)
The threat of Americanization (2 per cent)
The monarchy (2 per cent)
Poll : Things We Hate About Canadian Health Care
http://benvitaledotme.wordpress.com/2014/07/25/things-we-hate-about-canadian-health-care/
Foods You hated as a kid but love them as a grown up
Which foods did you hate as a kid but love them as a grown up?
http://benvitalisgreenvision.wordpress.com/2014/07/05/common-foods-kids-hate-but-love-them-later-in-life/
http://benvitalisgreenvision.wordpress.com/2014/07/05/common-foods-kids-hate-but-love-them-later-in-life/
Was too much detail provided about Robin Williams' death?
Sheriff's officials defend release of details about Williams' death
The department said California state law requires info be disclosed to the public.
Marin County Sheriff's Lt. Keith Boyd announced during a live, televised news conference Tuesday that Williams committed suicide by hanging himself. He described in detail how Williams carried out the suicide and the condition of the body. Some people criticized the level of detail, and experts in suicide prevention said the information could influence those considering suicide to try the same thing.
Source
Was too much detail provided about Robin Williams' death?
>> Yes; it was too graphic.
>> No; it is necessary info.
>> Some of it was fine.
>> I'm not sure.
The department said California state law requires info be disclosed to the public.
Marin County Sheriff's Lt. Keith Boyd announced during a live, televised news conference Tuesday that Williams committed suicide by hanging himself. He described in detail how Williams carried out the suicide and the condition of the body. Some people criticized the level of detail, and experts in suicide prevention said the information could influence those considering suicide to try the same thing.
Source
Was too much detail provided about Robin Williams' death?
>> Yes; it was too graphic.
>> No; it is necessary info.
>> Some of it was fine.
>> I'm not sure.
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