On Halloween

It's fun for kids and parents. For everyone else it's Wednesday...

On Burning Eggs

Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to burn a boiled egg. Luckily, it remains mostly edible.

(Yes, it was my egg)

On Black Cats

They have a false reputation for bringing bad luck, so keep them inside especially throughout Halloween week.

(Neighbor's cat)

On Drugs & Alcohol

The best way to help an adult who is falling into the abyss of drugs and/or alcohol is to stay away. 

On Smoking

Speaking from the experience of quitting smoking does not make smokers any more inclined to listen to you.

On Light

There isn't always light at the end of the tunnel, but sometimes the secret to a good day is simply getting out of the house.

(From downtown Montreal)

On Museums

There is no better way to forget about your present than by visiting the past. Museums are an important part of our history so try to visit at least one every couple of months.

(From the Museum of Civilization in Gatineau, QC)

On Pinkwashing

Not all "pink ribbon" products are honest. Be careful not to buy products that promote themselves as a champion against cancer while using cancer-causing ingredients.

(Pink Parliament of Canada for October)

On Volunteering

Volunteering to do a sidewalk sale in a poverty-stricken area 

may result in people ashing and spitting on the merchandise 

and then yelling for better service. 

On Oregano Oil

Putting drops of it on your fingertips will thwart the urge to bite nails or surrounding skin. It is also great in tea for boosting the immune system!

On Free Passes

Forgo free passes to a gym unless you are prepared to deal with perpetual phone calls and/or emails about becoming a member for months. 

On the End of the World

Some people really believe that the world is going to end in about two months and there is nothing you can say or do to change their minds. 

(From a souvenir shop in Mexico)

On Food Blogs

A random blog about food with nothing but pictures generally attracts more viewers than one that really tries to educate.

(From a Montreal wedding)

On Thoughts

Humans beings have over 70,000 thoughts a day and while some may seem important at one point or another, it's really just one in the several million that will hit you every year... 

On Mini Vacuums

If you're going to buy a dust-buster, dish out an extra $20 for a brand that will actually do the job.

(FYI: VACUUM is one of the most misspelled English words.) 

On Disposing Plastic

It takes an extra few seconds in your day, but dispose of plastic bottles in a designated recycling bin before someone from the new generation sees and judges you for not doing so. It is, after all, their future that we are trashing.

(Water bottle iceberg made for the 2012 Ottawa Children's Festival)

On Dieting

It's terrible, don't do it. Make permanent changes to your lifestyle and incorporate minimal-moderate exercise. Also be sure to include lots of tea and lentils. 

On Bad Days

When everything seems to be going wrong in your day, eat something ridiculous like a fancy cupcake.

(Montreal Cupcake Festival)

On Tetris

One of the few video games out there that actually improves your brain. Quite addictive though so limit daily usage before it becomes a problem.

(Famous Tetris God video)

On Organic Eggs

Most of the eggs sold in grocery stores are factory-farmed. REAL"organic" eggs that actually come from traditional farms will come in different sizes AND colors.

(Eggs from a farm in Sherbrooke, QC)

On Advice

Telling your friend "you have something in your teeth" is not treated the same way as "it's not close the light, it's turn off the light". Not all advice is equal but should be spoken nonetheless.

On Water Bottles

You never know when and where you might get thirsty, so always carry a water bottle to thwart the urge to buy pop or other unhealthy drinks.

(New filtered water bottles by Water Bobble)

On Socks

Parents are not always to blame for missing socks. There must be a black hole in some washing machines.

On Leftovers

Sometimes the best meals are created as a result of throwing a bunch of random ingredients together.

(Black bean spinach olive concoction)

On Protesting

You are never too young or old to start protesting for what you believe in. Just make sure it is for something truly worthwhile.

(Grade 1, OCDSB students) 

On Turkeys

They jump from under $4/kg to over $7/kg just before Thanksgiving. So plan ahead or be smarter and become a vegetarian!

(Happy Thanksgiving!!)

On Salads

Fruit salads are good, vegetable salads are better, but mixing them together is best! 

(Vegetable salad with pomegranate)

On Traveling

Unless you are living below the poverty line, be sure to make at least one trip every year even if it's somewhere only a few hours away.

(in Boston, MA)

On Food

Every now and then eat something totally out of your comfort zone. It will open your taste buds to new flavors/textures or remind you why you don't like new foods.

(Delicious raw octopus)

On Autumn

Take at least one nice picture of autumn foliage every year. There are so many opportunities we miss because we think we have all the time in the world.

(@Ottawa University campus)

On Blogs

Don't start blogs with "I know it's been ages since my last post..." It is one of the most annoying and overused phrases online!