5 Reasons to Shop for Groceries Online
We’re all in favour of easing and simplifying areas of our lives! One weekly activity that can be streamlined is grocery shopping. Ordering groceries online is now easier than ever, and there are countless options to choose from. Here are 5 reasons we’re in favour of getting your groceries delivered to your doorstep. Convenience You can place your grocery order anytime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There’s no need to rush to the store after work or attempt to fit in a quick shop between your very long list of errands. Now, you can sit back, relax and order your groceries from the comfort of your couch. Some grocery delivery options even offer the convivence of a delivery hour, so you know exactly when to expect your fresh food. Forget about taking multiple trips down to your car and lugging heavy grocery bags back up the elevator. All you need to think about is when Paradigm’s concierge will notify you about your grocery delivery, saving you time and energy! Superior Quality & Freshness There may be some hesitation when purchasing groceries online due to the inability to handpick fruits, vegetables and meat products. This is understandable as most people are very particular when it comes to these items, and only want to purchase the highest quality products. However, in order to minimize complaints, grocery stores will always send their customers the best quality items and freshest ingredients. Safety Ordering your groceries online is not only convenient, but it provides safety and limits outings during the pandemic as well. There are options for contactless delivery, so you can receive your order right to your doorstep without having to interact with anyone. Additionally, with grocery delivery options, you can easily avoid the hassle of large crowds and parking queues. With grocery stores limiting the number of guests that are allowed inside, delivery becomes an easy, convenient and safe option! Meal Prep Take all the stress out of meal prepping! You don’t have to scribble a last-minute list before you leave for the grocery store anymore. Now you can check your inventory while you’re home and place your order, instead of calling your spouse a few times to double check which ingredients you’re missing. It’ll be much easier to plan meals with the whole family, and quickly place an order with your local grocer. Pricing and Delivery With the rise of grocery delivery services, comes ample competition. This means you’re free to browse various online services to find the best pricing for you and your family’s meals. There’s also the option to choose a grocer based on delivery preferences, some grocery services actually do same day delivery! Check out a few of our favourite local grocery stores to order from: Farmway Foods – You can have top-quality, local Ontario meats delivered to your door! Saving time and serving families is their top priority, which is why they serve their customers the highest quality meats sourced from family-owned local farms. Plus, all the animals are ethically raised, and free of added hormones and antibiotics. DeliverGrocery.ca – An online grocery delivery service, able to deliver your order in as little as 3 hours. This grocery deliver service has personal shoppers doing the work for you, picking and packing your groceries while ensuring fresh, quality items. Given the pandemic, all employees wear protective gear and offer contactless delivery to ensure customer safety is top priority. Farmer Jack’s – They create essential boxes filled with fresh, local and ethically sourced produce, so you can get your groceries without ever leaving your home. Mrs.Grocery.com – Their mission is to make shopping local convenient. They do this by increasing the collaboration between local farmers and small businesses using their same day order fulfilment network. Have you tried ordering your groceries yet?
How To Maximize Space In A Small Kitchen
Small kitchens can be a challenge. Counter space is slim, appliances are squished together, and storage is limited. Use these tips to set up a kitchen that lets your inner chef shine. Minimize Appliances Reducing the number of appliances in your home is the easiest way to maximize space. Own a blender that you rarely use? Time to donate it! Not into your sandwich press anymore? There’s another device that you don’t need to keep. Declutter your cabinets from all the appliances you no longer need, and you’ll be amazed at the amount of space you have. Kitchen counters and the island are next. As tempting as it is to keep all your appliances out for ease and efficiency, they also create clutter in your kitchen. Only keep the essential appliances out, such as your toaster and coffee machine, pick three that are important to you and your family’s lifestyle. This will create a calming, clean and creative space for you to cook and enjoy your kitchen. Don’t Forget the Inside of Cabinet Doors It’s important to utilize every inch of space! Creating extra space inside your cabinets can truly transform your kitchen. Use caddies, wire racks or hooks on the back doors of cabinets to maximize space. You can store lightweight items such as dish towels, sponges, and cleaners without taking up any precious cabinet space. Invest In A Kitchen Cart If you’re tight on counter space, a roll-away kitchen cart is perfect! You can use these types of carts to hold extra appliances, cookbooks or dishes. They also make an ideal bar area if you lack a place to store wines, liquor and other accessories. They’re extremely versatile and can be moved around to serve your needs depending on if you’re having a big baking night, or you’re hosting your family over for dinner. Declutter While decluttering your entire kitchen can seem overwhelming, if you start slowly and break it up into sections, it becomes much more doable. Create a few rules for yourself. For example, if you haven’t used an item in two or more years, donate it. Not only will you help someone in need, you’ll free up space in your kitchen. This is not just limited to appliances – think kitchen gadgets, cutlery, tupperware and spices as well. Make decluttering your kitchen a quarterly habit. Doing a deep clean of your kitchen every few months will help it stay tidy and give it the illusion of appearing more spacious. If you want to go the extra mile, here are a few organizational services located in Burlington and the surrounding area, to help you make the most of your space: Maid of All Work: they help busy homeowners have more freedom and enjoy life by getting organized and letting go of items they no longer need. Allison Moon Professional Organizing: she offers a fun and creative approach to bring order to your home. How are you going to maximize the space in your kitchen?
4 Ways to Cozy Up Your Kitchen for Fall
Grab your hearty soup recipes, decorative pie plates and favorite cookbooks. Fall is here, and with a little effort you can get your kitchen ready for our favourite season. Bring Out Your Cookbooks There’s something about this time of the year that brings out the cook in all of us. Dust off those cookbooks and turn to your favourite fall recipes. Not to mention, they make beautiful kitchen decor! With this season, the dinner options are endless. Try making butternut squash soup, chicken pot pie, or a delicious roast. Don’t forget about dessert! There’s nothing cozier than a busy kitchen, with the scent of tasty treats wafting in the air. This season calls for banana bread, apple crumble, and pumpkin cheesecake. Discuss your favourites with your spouse and kids and have a bake-off with the whole family. Visit Your Local Home Decor Shop Burlington has some of the most unique decor and furniture shops, all with beautiful pieces for fall! When shopping for your decor, avoid colourful, kitschy items. Instead, stick with neutrals you can use for multiple years to create a classic autumn atmosphere. A few fall inspired items to keep top of mind are cozy throws, table runners, and seasonal knick-knacks. We’ve listed some our favourite Burlington shops below: Classique Decor specializes in both modern and contemporary furniture, along with wall art, gifts, and custom upholstery. Scan Decor serves the GTA and Halton region, with a beautiful showroom in Burlington. They believe in their products and are strongly committed to providing their clients with unique pieces that are built to last. In House Living offers a relaxed shopping experience, with three thousand square feet of beautiful furniture and accessories. Incorporate Natural Colours and Textures When we think of autumn, we tend to think of earthy tones: beiges, browns, and greens. Use these colours as a base for your decor, playing with different textures for extra warmth. Try laying out wooden accents such as pie plates or cutting boards to bring in natural elements. If you’re tight on space, woven baskets are both a great storage solution and the perfect fall accent. Lighting candles on the kitchen counter and dining table will make the room extra cozy, bonus points if they’re fall scented! Finally, draping a textured throw over your chairs will make your dining area extra homey. Create a Hot Drink Station Nothing says fall like a designated hot drink station in your kitchen. Use a tiered tray or small cake stand as a starting point for your station. Pull out your beloved mugs and start organizing! Next, take your coffee beans and fall tea blends and add them to the stand. Don’t forget about sweeteners, honey, and cinnamon. Lastly, add your favourite refreshments, such as scones, biscotti and cookies. This cozy station is the first place you and your guests will stop off when they visit! How are you cozying up your kitchen for fall?
What To Unpack First In Your New Home
Where are the towels? Who packed the cat food? When you’re surrounded by boxes, what you need is a strategy. We all know moving can be extremely stressful, but if you’re organized, you can make the unpacking portion very efficient. The key is to plan ahead, well before your moving date arrives. Around 100 boxes containing all your valuable belongings will arrive at your new home, stacked to the ceiling, which will be slightly overwhelming. To create a seamless moving process, you’ll want to get the important pieces ready first, and ensure you have everything that you and your family require for the first few days. Here’s a strategy of how to unpack when you first arrive at your new home. Essentials Create and label a few essential boxes with all the crucial items you will need for the first night. These boxes should include extra clothes, towels, toiletries, medication, and snacks. If you have multiple family members, a good strategy would be to pack one essential box per person. Make lists for yourself, your partner, and your children and have them add their own items to create their essential boxes. Once you arrive at the new house, everyone will have all their important items in one place, and they’ll have exactly what they need for the first few nights. Basic Furniture After you’ve unpacked the essential boxes, next up is major furniture! Wouldn’t it be nice to have a comfortable place to sleep after all that unpacking? Building the bed is the most important thing to finish on the first day. Don’t forget about pillows, sheets, and a comforter! Moving is exhausting and it’ll be nice to start off with a good night’s sleep in your new home. Try to aim for all the beds to be made and dressed on the first day, so you and your family can enjoy your night. If you have time after the beds are made, dining tables and chairs would be a logical next step. This way, when you take a break from unpacking, you can sit as a family and dine together (even if you’re having takeout)! Install Appliances After you’re set up for basic sleeping and eating, it’s time to get your appliances up and running. If the new home comes with appliances, check to make sure they’re working correctly. There’s nothing worse than faulty machines when you have a sink full of dishes or a huge pile of laundry. Takeout is great for the first day or so, but after a few days, it’d be nice to cook a meal together in your new. If you’ve ordered new appliances, try to schedule their arrival on the first or second day of your move, so you can access them immediately! Bathrooms While bathrooms are quite usable on their own, if you unpack all the items from your essentials box, you’ll effectively have a working bathroom. Place your towels on the rack and line up your toiletries in their new space, and you’ve got yourself a functional bathroom. If you have extra time, start unpacking other boxes, and set up shower items, hair tools, and makeup. Home Office If you have a home office, it’s the next section of your home that you should begin organizing. Make sure the Wi-Fi is set up, as well as your desk, chair and computer. After a few days of unpacking and moving around furniture, you’ll want your home office to be ready for your next workday. Pets If you have pets, are they staying with friends while you set everything up? Make sure you’ve unpacked everything your pet needs to feel comfortable and safe when they get to the new house. Pets will likely be confused about the new environment, so it will help to have familiar items such as their toys and food set up when they arrive. Let us know what you’re unpacking first in your new home!
5 Myths of Real Estate Agents
Do you need one? Do they keep the whole commission? Let’s set the facts straight. Buyers and sellers often enter the market with misconceptions about real estate agents – how they work, how the process works, and what the relationship is all about. You Need a Real Estate Agent The truth is, you can actually sell your home yourself, with no agent. You may be excited to save the commission money but selling your property on your own can be extremely challenging. Hiring an agent will save you a lot of hassle, stress, and give you piece of mind. They’ll easily be able to distinguish legitimate buyers, negotiate on your behalf, and sift through all the legal jargon that comes with this type of transaction. You’ll feel very confident when selling your home, knowing your agent has had countless successful sales, is available to answer any intimidating questions, and will look over all the final details. They Only Care About Selling You A Home When you hire a real estate agent, they go above and beyond selling you a home. They will also ask you about your long-term goals and help you find the ideal type of neighbourhood you want to live in. Do you enjoy living in the suburbs, with green space and a family community? Would you prefer living in the heart of the city, close to transit lines and a gorgeous skyline view? Or would you like a combination of both? A real estate agent is extremely knowledgeable on different neighbourhoods and will work with you to find the perfect home to suit your lifestyle. Real Estate Agents Make a Lot of Money This is one of the most common myths, that just because they sold an expensive home, real estate agents made a huge commission. What most people don’t know is that agents split the commission with the buyer’s agent. After this, the brokerage may also take a cut depending on the arrangement they have with the real estate agent. Not to mention, agents pay for their own marketing expenses. Video tours of the property, social media, websites, digital marketing, print materials, and open house events are all their responsibility. At the end of the day, real estate agents are left with a fair commission. Real Estate Agents Will Do Anything To Make A Sale Real estate agents tend to have a bad reputation for saying or doing anything to make a sale because only then do they receive their commission. While there are a few agents who may demonstrate this kind of behaviour, most agents are incentivized to hold themselves to a code of ethics with their clientele. Why? Because real estate relies on referrals, and no client wants to send their friends and family to a pushy salesperson who will manipulate them to make a sale. Whenlooking for a real estate agent, it’s crucial to find a person who’s trusting and has your best interest at heart. Majority of the time, you will have an enjoyable working relationship with your real estate agent. All Real Estate Agents Are the Same Just as with any sales job, no two real estate agents are the same. They may work for the same brokerage, discuss the properties they’ve sold, and deliberate over the housing market; however, these agents are completely different. They have distinctive presentation styles, sales approaches, and creative abilities. One agent may focus more on staging the property while another puts more energy into their social media presence and marketing materials. Like any industry, you want to find the perfect agent when you are buying or selling your home, one that you feel comfortable with, and who understands exactly what you’re looking for
5 Tips for Moving During COVID-19
Amidst social distancing rules, stay-at-home orders, and widespread travel bans, thousands of Canadians have needed to adapt to the changes. Many events have been either cancelled or postponed, but for those who were planning a big move, waiting may be out of the question. If you’re one of those people, you can still move comfortably with a little extra planning and foresight. Check out these 5 tips to help make your move as safe and stress-free as possible. DIY if you can Although hiring a moving company can reduce stress and physical labour, it’s safer to manage the move on your own. Reducing the amount of people you come in contact with – and the amount of people who come in contact with your furniture – will greatly reduce the risk of COVID-19. If you still think you need help, first ask close family and friends if they can lend a hand if they’re healthy. You can always pay them back by offering to buy dinner or helping them out with a move in their future. Reduce contact If you do ultimately end up working with a moving company, get your quote virtually and see if the company offers fully contactless service. There should be information on their website regarding how they handle moving operations during the pandemic, so if these protocols are on par with your safety expectations, you’re good to go. On the moving day, avoid handshakes for obvious reasons. A smile and a generous tip (sent through e-transfer) are a great substitute. Make extra sanitary measures During the move, make sure you wear a mask and gloves, as you never know what has been touched in your new dwelling. If you hire a moving company, make sure they bring similar supplies for their workers and consider having hand sanitizer and extra masks and gloves available. Try your best to disinfect high-traffic objects and surfaces, paying particular attention to doorknobs and handles. The Coronavirus has been found to live on cardboard for up to 24 hours, so it’s not a great time to be borrowing boxes from your local LCBO or grocery store. It’s an extra expense, but you should try to buy brand new boxes if you can. Be transparent and flexible Before your moving date, reach out to your neighbours – especially if you’re in a condominium – and let them know when your moving date is. This makes sure everyone in your general vicinity can be aware and avoid unnecessary contact in the hallways and elevators. If you think anyone you’re living with is sick, try your best to postpone the move. Some landlords are being extra lenient during these times and they’ll likely understand the seriousness of the situation if you approach them in advance. Rescheduling can certainly be a pain, but the health and safety of your neighbours comes first. Help those in need and lighten your load Chances are, your cupboards are filled with non-perishable food items that you can easily replace once you move into your new place. Before you move, consider taking those items and donating them to your local food bank to lighten the load on your move. As COVID-19 forces school closures, layoffs, and soup kitchen shutouts, the need for help is greater than ever. No matter what’s going on in life, moving is a difficult thing to do both emotionally and physically. But, by taking extra precautions, you can get through with relative ease and safety for everyone.
6 Budget-Friendly Staycation Ideas for Families
Staying home doesn’t mean staying bored. There are a ton places your kids would nominate as a vacation destination this summer, and staying home likely isn’t one of them. So how can you convince them that staying home can be exciting without spending a bunch of money on expensive technology? Fill it with fun and adventure! Check out these 6 staycation ideas that will go easy on your wallet and still satisfy the little ones. Have A Campout In Your Background Grab the tent, the marshmallows and some hot dogs; it’s time for some backyard camping! This is a great opportunity to spend some quality time with the family telling scary stories, roasting food on sticks, and looking up at the stars. The best part? If it gets too cold you can just go back inside! (Also, the indoor plumbing.) Have Some Fun In The Kitchen A great way to entertain the kids and get them interested in cooking at the same time is to hold a competition in the kitchen! Organize a “Top Chef” style competition by introducing a mystery ingredient and letting them incorporate it into one of their favourite dishes. If competition isn’t popular in your household, head to the grocery store and pick out a unique ingredient to cook with. We suggest dragonfruit, as it’s an odd looking fruit that’s sure to spark your imagination! Host A Family Fair It’s family fair time! Set up your backyard or public space with classical carnival games and foods! Bust out the ring toss, corn hole, and balloon darts and finish off the day with corn dogs, funnel cakes and cotton candy. The perfect way to end a carnival night? Hang up a sheet, bust out the projector and watch a movie under the stars. Build A Fort A few bed sheets, some sticks, and a bunch of pillows are all you need to build the ultimate staycation fort! If you’re feeling extra ambitious, create a mini fort-village with tunnels and separate rooms. You’ll be surprised how fun it is to put your architecture abilities to the test. To add some extra fun to the night, hang some fairy lights and have a sleepover if your new kingdom. Arts and Crafts Bust out the old arts and crafts kit and get those creative juices flowing! Try your hand at making a birdfeeder, tie-dye some t-shirts, or make some good old fashioned slime by mixing cornstarch and water together. You’ll be shocked at the amount of stuff you can create with ordinary household items. Not much of a crafter? Pull out the paint set and let your inner artist out! Who knows, maybe it’ll be the beginning of a long and passionate relationship with the fine arts! Plan A Treasure Hunt Set up a string of clues for your kids to follow that lead them all around the house, yard and even the neighborhood. Make up your own clues or check online for clever rhymes or location ideas. End the hunt with a fun prize, which can be anything from a chest full of faux gold coins, a long-desired toy or trinket, or a plate of fresh cookies or cupcakes. Add a dash of extra fun by dressing up as pirates or explorers. Whether you have a lot of free time or a little, a chunk of change to spend or a limited budget, there are plenty of fun staycation ideas to make your summer special for the entire family.
4 Ways to Make Your Home Office Work For You
With working from home being the new normal for a large majority of Canadians, it’s easy to understand why many are having problems with productivity. The constant distractions caused by the lack of a true office space can have a lot to do with feeling unproductive. Here are four tips for taking your home workspace to the next level– even if it’s your living room table. Pick A Spot and Stick To It Since most of us don’t have a home office – especially those of us with condos – it’s important to designate an area for working in your home and stick with it. Doing so will create a routine that helps you get into the working mindset. Whatever area you choose, make sure it has ideal lighting, a comfortable chair with back support, and a seamless tech set up that allows you to jump on video calls without having to mess around with plugs or wires. It also helps to have an overall lack of clutter on your desk and surrounding area to help with the feeling of being overwhelmed. Clean Up If you thought your desk at the office was messy, I’m sure your kitchen table is the same – if not worse. With piles of mail, car keys, kids toys, and groceries, there’s no lack of things that can accumulate on our makeshift desks. Now’s the time to make a change. Throw out garbage, put all your pens into a mug, and make sure you have all of your workday essentials close at hand. Anything that you deem a distraction – get it off the table. Also, if you’re on video calls all day, you may want to think about what your colleagues are seeing behind you. A big pile of laundry or a line of empty wine bottles can be a little unsightly and may give the wrong impression. Plus, if you have the capability, why not show off your style a bit? Some good background options might be a piece of art, some interesting souvenirs or a nicely filled bookcase. Lastly, remember lighting: Your space should be well lit, or it’ll look like you’re calling in from a Russian war bunker. Create an Inspirational Wall Now that you’ve picked a spot and de-cluttered your area, it’s time to find some inspiration to stay focused. The wall that’s directly in front of you has a lot to do with how productive you are, because let’s face it, you’ll be staring directly at it a lot. One way to jazz your wall up is by creating an inspiration board. Fill it with things that make you happy from pictures of your family and friends, to pictures of your future goals or vacation spots you’ll be heading to (likely not until next year). You can also put your to-do list and important reminders up there, but try to keep things fun and uplifting to help get you through the day. Personalize Your Workspace Most of us have always dreamed of having that perfect office, with a window view and inspiring decor. Well – now’s your opportunity to make the work space of your dreams. Think of all of the things you weren’t allowed to bring into your normal office: aromatherapy diffusers, sound systems, and food that your fellow employees would rather you not microwave. Now you can make your space smell exactly how you want it, have your music playing in the background instead of directly in your headphones, and microwave that leftover fish and broccoli that you’ve been wanting to eat for lunch. You want your home office to feel like your home, so don’t be shy about customizing it and making it your ideal workspace!
COVID-19 and Keeping Your House Germ Free
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, we’ve all had to alter our day-to-day lives in order to keep ourselves and our families safe. With the news of COVID-19 changing and evolving every day we at the Molinaro Group are hoping you’ve all been educating yourselves on the virus and have been taking measures to social distance, disinfect, and keep your homes germ free. Today, we’re going to reveal 3 high-traffic areas in your home that should be sanitized regularly that some homeowners may overlook. Hand-Railings If you have a staircase in your home, chances are you subconsciously touch the hand railings multiple times a day. This area can be a hotbed for germs, especially if your handrails are made of stainless steel or metal, which can harbour germs for up to 72 hours. While we’re on the subject of surfaces, be aware that viruses can live on plastic, and glass surfaces for four to five days, and could persist for up to nine days depending on temperature and humidity. It’s unclear how long viruses can live on fabric, but one study found that natural fabrics like wool and cotton are more likely to contain larger amounts of bacteria and fungi compared to silk and synthetic fabrics. To properly disinfect surfaces, make sure you’re using alcohol-based cleaners that are at least 70% alcohol for hard surfaces and washing fabrics in water that’s at least 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Computers Did you know that research has proven there to be 5X more germs on your computer keyboard than on your toilet seat? That seems like a good reminder to disinfect our electronic devices whenever we’re done using them, as this ensures they’ll be germ-free for the next user. The same goes for iPads, tablets, and cellphones. We touch these devices over-and-over again through the day, so they’re bound to be hubs for germs. Make sure you research the best and safest way to sanitize your electronics! Some disinfectants are more water-based and shouldn’t be used near your phone’s speaker or mic. Door Handles Whether your front door, bedroom door, or refrigerator door, make sure you’re wiping down the handles throughout your house. Fridge handles can get especially germy, and since we’re usually touching ingredients when we’re in the kitchen it’s best to be extra cautious. Pay special attention to the front door of your home, as this is the entry point for germs. And if you live in a condo or apartment, be extra cautious with elevator buttons. Either sanitize your hands immediately after use or wipe down the buttons if it’s not too much trouble. We’re hoping these tips will help you stay vigilant in the fight against COVID-19, maybe even inspiring you to look out for more high-traffic areas in your own home. As long as we all stay prudent with social distancing, sanitizing, and washing our hands, we can continue to flatten the curve in our communities, and Canada as a whole. Stay safe and stay healthy.
Eco-Friendly Home Tips
We all try our best to be friendly to the environment – after all, the Earth is our home. But do you ever find that being eco friendly can be costly or inconvenient? We’ve put together a list of must-know eco-friendly home products that will both preserve the environment and make your life a little easier. Reusable Silicone Sandwich Bags If you pack lunches for work or school, you can save an enormous amount of money by switching from single-use plastic to reusable silicon bags. Think of all the plastic that goes into our landfills after holding a single sandwich for a few hours! Silicone bags are easy to stash, can withstand the effect of microwaves and freezers, and are extremely easy to clean. Here’s a link to a great starter set that you can purchase on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2SsHMbF Stainless Steel Straws If you’ve been watching the news lately, you’ve seen the war on plastic straws reach a whole new level. Starbucks even announced that it would be banning plastic straws completely by the end of this year. Get ahead of the curve by carrying stainless steel straws with you! Here are the recommended straws from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3biExMB Re-usable Everlast Notebooks Did you know the average Canadian uses the equivalent of 7 trees worth of paper every year? Multiply 7 by the population of Canada and … that’s a lot of trees. So what are some ways we can reduce this? If you take notes at work or home, try Rocketbook! They’ve released a reusable note-taking product that provides an authentic writing experience – and one that doesn’t smudge! Just add water and the marker comes right off. This might just be the last notebook you’ll ever need. Check them out here: https://bit.ly/2OCwksP We hope that these great, reusable products can kickstart your environmentally friendly journey and kickstart your eco-friendly 2020!
