January 8, 2020 | Silver Magazine

Longevity

Do you really need smarthome gadgets?

From lightbulbs to doorbells and even toilets, it seems technology is coming into every part of our home these days. But do we really need all the technology? Does it really help? Well, the answer is yes and no. The one smarthome technology we recommend you avoid in Canada though? The smart lock for your door. Unless you’re okay calling a locksmith in the dead of February to get it opened. This is the one piece of smart home tech I’ve had fail on my own house and heard some tales of woe from friends and the locksmith who fixed mine one -10C day in January. Which as Canadians, we know isn’t that cold. There is some useful smart home technology though. And some of it is just fun, such as luminous panels you can arrange in a pattern on a wall and have it change colours from your smartphone.

Giles Crouch January 8, 2020

Healthy Recipes

Healthy DIY Hot Cocoa

There’s no other nostalgic feeling quite like sipping a cup of hot chocolate by a warm fire as the cool breeze outside brushes the windows. Hot chocolate reminds me of being a kid—specifically around the holidays, and watching every holiday-related movie that came on TV. It also reminds me of being around family, and the people I love. The only bad thing about hot chocolate—you guessed it, is the excessive amount of sugar in the store-bought hot chocolate powders. Well, I’m here to save the day and tell you that there’s another way. Make your own batch of healthy hot chocolate—without the added sugar. Below is a DIY healthy hot chocolate recipe with the rich taste that you remember and without the artificial sweeteners. Easy home made hot chocolate recipe Ingredients: 1 cup plant-based milk of your choice 1 Tbsp raw cocoa powder 1 Tbsp pure maple syrup 1⁄4 tsp

Charmaine Millaire January 8, 2020

Travel

Travel hacks to make life easier!

Traveling is fun and if you’re heading out for just some downtime or a wellness vacation, here’s a few hacks to help you have a better trip this year! The Hidden power of the TV Pretty much all hotels today have flat screen TV’s and that means they’ll like have a USB port so you can charge your phone. Just don’t forget the cable! Warm the butter! Staying at a travel motel with that free continental breakfast? You know, the one with bad bagels and bread and of course, frozen butter patties? Put the patties between the toast slots and voila! Need some humidity? Sometimes those heaters in cooler months can make the air dry and throat scratchy! Here’s an easy hack with a wet towel and the luggage rack! The need for darkness! Sometimes you just don’t want that bright morning sunshine pouring in! Use a coat hanger with

Alex Hurst January 8, 2020