Zazen Bear: An Oasis of Peace in Manhattan

Everyday life in this technology driven world with millions of stimuli we get everywhere we turn, I find it is hard to find the place and the time to feel peaceful. Zazen Bear, a new Zen retail concept store at 497 Broome Street in New York helps find the moment of inner peace. This is an interesting concept that I hope will come to Toronto.

Vaccines can prevent infectious diseases

As we all know infectious diseases are scary because they are contagious, dangerous, and some can even be deadly. Measles, whooping cough, chickenpox and invasive pneumococcal disease can threaten the health of our children and us. Babies under two years old are at the highest risk because their immune systems are still developing. This is the reason that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that we vaccine our children to help protect them from these diseases. I believe as a parent that getting our children vaccinated, with all the recommended doses and on time, is one of the most important steps we can take to help protect them from serious illness that can be prevented.

Live Healthy Live Bubbly by taking this 7 day Challenge

Staying hydrated is an important part of living a healthy lifestyle. A new survey of Canadian mothers conducted by Ipsos Reid on behalf of Nestlé Waters Canada reveals that, on average, moms are consuming between three to four soft drinks per week. 39 percent say they are not looking to reduce their intake of these drinks at all. When thinking about the number of teaspoons of sugar an average soft drink contains, just two in ten moms correctly identified 10 teaspoons per container. Juice can also come in at a high count with an average 355 ml glass of orange juice containing just over 8 teaspoons.

Pear jam, home preserving and Global food security

This is the time of the year when we all get excited about thinking of ideas to preserve the summer vegetables and fruits. The Complete book of home preserving has lots of ideas that will come handy. There are about 400 recipes and 48 colour photographs in the book.

The detailed instruction on the book is easy to understand and follow, which beginners will appreciate. It also answers questions the experienced canners may have. There is a produce guide and a glossary that explains everything we need to know from ingredients to canning equipment. The book is separated to seven chapters: getting started, soft spread, fabulous fruits, salsa relish chutney, condiments, perfect pickles, tomato and pressure canning.

When we preserve at home it is free from chemical additives and preservatives. This book gives directions on safe canning and preserving methods. 

I think preserving food to have during off-season is lots of fun, which becomes useful when it isn't in season. I usually make jam with berries, chutney with tomato and pickle vegetables. These homemade goods make delicious gifts that family and friends appreciate.

I made about a cup of pear jam to have with puri.

2 ripe pears

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 tbsp lemon juice

1 star anise

Combine the peeled chopped pear with the sugar and lemon juice. Let it cook in low heat, you can cover the pan lightly so it will cook in its own liquid. Add the star anise towards the end when the pear get soft and has a jam consistency or it will have an overpowering taste.

I served the jam with puri. We finished the jam in a couple of days, so I am not sure how it will taste if it is kept for a long period of time in the fridge.

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