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Top Brampton cafes and eateries to fill up at before hitting the road

Feature image via Bean & Pearl

Nobody should drive hungry. They don’t teach that in driving school and we don’t have any science to back the statement up, but we’re willing to stand behind it. At least for as long as we’re in Brampton where we’re spoiled for quick and delicious local options for snacks, meals, drinks or treats before or after a long road trip.

Whether you’re hitting the 400 series for a rush hour commute, taking a Sunday afternoon cruise or heading to the airport and beyond, make sure you feed, hydrate and/or caffeinate yourself at one of these local businesses beforehand.

Trish Juice

When it comes to fast and healthy food, you can’t do much better than a fresh juice. Trish Juice may specialize in (you guessed it) juice, but their menu lists a lot more than that, including avocado toasts, smoothie bowls, soups, wraps, salads and more. Go for the juice, stay for the lunch, return for the juice…. It’s a vicious cycle, but very healthy.

T by Daniel

This is Daniel. Daniel likes tea. And bowties. And he’s really good at both. Located inside Bramalea City Centre next to the HBC, T by Daniel is a delightful experience guaranteed to put you in a good mood. From the cheerful greeting you receive from staff upon arrival to the expert attention and product knowledge, this is a popular spot for good reason.


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January is our co-founder Renata’s @mrs.tbydaniel birthday month. As a special celebration for her 30th birthday, we have partnered with @jfjhopecentre to host “Ren’s Birthday Baby Bottle Campaign” Our goal is to fill 30 baby bottles with change, to support young families in Peel who are coping with unplanned pregnancy, or who are struggling to parent thier children, and couples who are hoping to build a family through adoption. We will also be accepting donations of diapers, feminine hygiene products and used baby to toddler sized clothing. To learn more about JFJ Hope Centre visit www.jfjhopecentre.ca It is important to society that young families and pregnant women in crisis, have access to support and help. And every child deserves to be part of a loving family! #tbydaniel #brampton #toronto #mississauga #tea #tealovers #foodie #drinktea #give #love #hope #family #entrepreneur #entrepreneurship #mothers #fathers #birthday #birthdaymonth

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Segovia Coffee

This Latin-inspired café might be new to the city, but it’s already made an impression with the locals. Segovia Coffee sources their beans from Nicaragua, allowing the origin of the beans to influence the menu. Grab a coffee and an empanada or alfajores to go for something a little different than your usual Starbucks order.

Das Brezel Haus

This place is serious about one thing: pretzels. And no, we’re not talking about the crunchy little ones that you have one of, say “huh, that’s not very good,” and then proceed to eat 80 per cent of a family-size bag. These are the real, kneaded, twisted and baked bread pretzels that are for some reason normally relegated to baseball games and the CNE. Unlike the ballpark vendor, however, Das Brezel Haus has multiple different types and flavours, and will even make them into sandwiches. YOU CAN DO THAT?!

Bean + Pearl

Sometimes the drive calls for a coffee. Other times it calls for a bubble tea. Bean + Pearl marries the two under one roof with delicious coffees, sandwiches and pastries as well as bubble tea served in a highly Instagram-able environment. Here’s proof:


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don’t sleep, halo halo on our #secretmenu

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Sonny’s

If your drive is happening in the later hours and you’re craving a burger and fries, know that there is a pretty solid alternative to the mass fast food chains in the Brampton area. Sonny’s has been serving charcoal-broiled burgers drive-in style for over 40 years, so they’re doing something right (insider tip: it’s the poutine).


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Friday night lights. #50mm #nikon #streetphotography #urbanphoto #moodygrams

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Check out this 345-HP Acura RDX that was at SEMA Show

Acura began SEMA 2018 with more of an explosion than a bang, as it unveiled a 345 horsepower version of its luxury compact crossover, the 2019 RDX A-Spec. The Acura RDX is already a strong performer in stock trim, but that didn’t stop Team Honda Indycar driver Graham Rahal from transforming it into a show-stopper.

Acura RDX GRP
Adding a little voodoo sauce, Graham Rahal Performance (GRP) applied subtle-but-significant upgrades to the GRP RDX. By taking a more mature approach to performance and styling enhancements than is typically seen at SEMA, he created a crossover that is capable of putting a smile on even the most sensible accountant’s face.

Powered by a 2.0-liter DOHC VTEC 4-cylinder turbo engine, the RDX puts out an impressive 272 hp and 280 pound-feet of torque right off the showroom floor.

Graham Rahal Performance RDX A-Spec

Using mostly bolt-on upgrades, the Honda-focused speed shop managed to wrangle an impressive 345 hp and 370 lb-ft of torque from the K-series engine. A new turbo was paired with a faster-flowing intake manifold and PRL Racing intercooler. KTuning reprogrammed the ECU with a custom but fairly safe tune.

The hot turbo gas is expelled from the motor via a fast flowing exhaust manifold, custom downpipe and a lightweight cat-back exhaust. A pair of huge exhaust tailpipes hint at the blistering performance this Acura RDX offers.

Graham Rahal Performance RDX A-Spec

The RDX A-Spec already comes with an impressive SH-All Wheel Drive system that is capable of not only driving power to the front and rear wheels, but to the inside or outside rear wheel as needed to enhance cornering stability and speed. To further enhance this, GRP turned their attention to making the suspension and handling awe-inspiring and to give the Acura RDX the ability to attack corners with a competitive aggression when needed.

The vehicle was lowered by two inches and the suspension stiffened up with custom Eibach coil-overs to make cornering gratifying and dynamic. Wheels were upgraded to 21-inch HRE alloy wheels and wrapped in 265-40 Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires. Huge six-piston StopTech brake callipers are tasked with bringing the RDX to a stop.

Graham Rahal Performance RDX A-Spec

Keeping with the subtle-but-stylish theme, custom carbon grille accents and mirror caps were added to the exterior. The lower front garnish was paint matched to the body to give the RDX more of a road-hugging appearance.

Troy Lee Designs was responsible for the eye-grabbing graphics that were laid over the A-Spec exclusive Blue Pearl Paint and the result is that the Acura RDX looks stunning at any speed.

Graham Rahal Performance RDX A-Spec

The interior was also dressed up to reflect Acura’s philosophy of blurring the line between sport and luxury. Max Papis of MPI Innovations provided a custom steering wheel to complement the custom carbon fiber accents and complete the transformation.

While not exactly an exercise in sensibility, Graham Rahal Performance managed to showcase how easily tuneable the Acura RDX is without compromising comfort, safety, reliability or luxury.

Here’s what you need to know about the 2019 Acura ILX

It may be Acura’s entry-level sport sedan, but the new ILX is a car that punches well above its category. The 2019 model receives a lot of significant updates and is the last model in Acura’s entire lineup to get a revamp. This basically means that the new ILX gets everything its bigger siblings got in a smaller, more affordable package. Here’s what’s new:

A perfect blend

With the 2019 ILX, Acura successfully completes the switchover to their new design language. The ILX gets a heavily redesigned front end with much more angular features, including the new signature grille found on every new Acura and those swooping Acura Jewel Eye LED headlights which seem to suit the ILX’s proportions best. Around the back, it gets a new decklid, LED taillights to match those at the front and a lower diffuser that boasts an exposed exhaust tip.

2019 Acura ILX

Acura set out to create vehicles with a sportier appearance, and they’ve successfully done so. The ILX is sharper and more aggressive in every way, but it hasn’t lost its unique flavor. The corporate look hasn’t corrupted its character and this is still probably the best-looking sporty luxury sedan on the market. It’s also the first time the ILX comes in an A-Spec variant.

Class-leading cabin

The changes Acura made are more than skin-deep. The ILX gets an overhauled interior too, in the form of reshaped sport seats, power-adjustable lumbar support for the driver and a silver trim with chrome inserts for the dash. The new dual-screen on-demand 7-inch touchscreen runs new software which is 30 per cent faster and more responsive than the old one, as well as Apple CarPlay  and Android Auto compatibility.

2019 Acura ILX 2019 Acura ILX

The A-Spec comes available with the Premium and Technology packages. It features a dark chrome trim, gloss-black decklid and LED fog lights on the outside, and an A-spec badged steering wheel and A-spec exclusive elements on the inside. All ILX models get the whole range of AcuraWatch active systems and driver-assistive technology as standard now.

Performance to match

Given the fact that the drivetrain was always the ILX’s party piece, it’s no surprise it remains the same. The 2.4-liter four-cylinder i-VTEC unit makes 201 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque, sending power to the front wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. The ILX uses a MacPherson strut at the front and a modern multi-link setup for the rear.

2019 Acura ILX

The Honda-derived unit has plenty of oomph throughout the entire rev range, and given the ILX’s lack of weight, it just gets up and goes at any rpm. Coupled with the fast and smooth DCT, the ILX is a real joy to drive. It’s not just a reliable and dependable daily driver, but a vehicle that offers genuine driver involvement and fun.

The ILX has always been a class-leader with exceptional characteristics. By updating it and modernizing the brilliant package that is the ILX, they’ve turned it into a segment benchmark.

2019 Acura ILX 2019 Acura ILX 2019 Acura ILX 2019 Acura ILX 2019 Acura ILX

How to prepare yourself and your car for track day

Watching YouTube videos of the Acura NSX ripping up corners at various tracks around the world can have an inspiring effect. Here’s what the view from the cockpit is like during a hot lap of the iconic Laguna Seca in California. And here’s how it handled when we took it to Canadian Tire Motorsport Park:


But the truth is that no amount of video footage, now matter how high the resolution, can substitute for the real thing. As a member of the Policaro Group and proud supporter of the Policaro Motorsport teams, we’re all for getting out on the track and safely testing the limits. Whether you’re behind the wheel of an NSX or any other car, here’s how to make sure your machine, your body and your mind are prepared for the challenge of track day.

Driving Technique

Driving on the road IS NOT THE SAME as driving on the track. They require completely different skillsets. Even if you’ve been commuting for years without any problems, you may not be ready to push your car’s limit on a circuit without a little preparation.

This is why most tracks offer driving instructors (and many actually REQUIRE that a coach be with you on your first track day). These people all have more experience than you do, will show you how to safely enter and exit the pits and teach you proper on-track etiquette. Keep an open mind, accept that you aren’t the reincarnation of Ayrton Senna and you’ll have a great time.

2016_NSX_Future_11

Equipment

Make sure to go to your track of choice’s website and peruse the safety requirements for track days. Some tracks require helmets, long sleeves and/or long pants. Regardless of those requirements, you should wear closed shoes with thin soles. Expensive driving shoes aren’t necessary—sneakers are fine.

Under the Hood

Of course, the easiest way to make sure your car is running at peak performance is to take it to a specialist. But even if you aren’t a certified mechanic, there are some things you can do to ensure your car’s mechanical bits are ready to be pushed. Make sure the various fluids—power steering, power brake, coolant—are topped up. Also check your oil’s level and state; if it’s black and opaque, consider having it changed.

Apart from that, just make sure there are no loose parts or squeaking belts under the hood, and you should be good to go.

Tires

First of all, it’s important to make sure that your vehicle can handle a few laps at high-speed. And since the only link between said track and your car is the rubber donuts on those shiny rims of yours, let’s start there. First, check the air pressure and adjust it if necessary; you can find the recommended pressure on a sticker located on the driver side doorsill. Also, make sure your tires are not too worn and don’t show uneven wear. If the inside or the outside of the tire is almost bald while the rest of the surface still shows plenty of tread, you may have a suspension or alignment issue. If the tires are evenly worn, consider changing them. Not only will you be able to go faster on the track, but you’ll also be safer on the street.

17nsx02

And once again, remember that track days aren’t the same as races. You’re not racing against other people, and the only thing you can beat is your lap time. If someone is clearly faster than you in the corners, let them through when it is safe to do so… Even if you can dust him off on the straights. Yes, getting passed by a Miata is kind of embarrassing, but look at it as an enriching experience. Observe how the driver is taking the corners, where he is braking and think of how you can use this to improve your own technique.

Happy (and safe) driving out there!

The story of how Drake gave away two Acura’s for a music video

Drake went on an impressive $1M giveaway spree while putting together his recent chart-topping music video, God’s Plan. Call it kindness, call it good PR, call it whatever you want. One thing’s clear: it makes for an entertaining video.

Along with benevolent behavior like buying groceries for an entire store of shoppers, giving cash to families and scholarships to students, Drake also gifted not one but two Acura TLXs to unsuspecting members of the Miami community.

Now, usually when cars make appearances in mainstream music videos, it’s because the brand helped fund the video. But the reason Drake chose Acura wasn’t because the brand was a sponsor.

The truth is, the Southern Ontario native has something of a soft spot for the luxury Japanese cars because in his teens, he got around the GTA in a 2004 Acura TSX. So much so that, when the producers had planned for Honda Civics to be gifted, Drake changed the plans last minute to go with his old fav, which he’s been known to rap about.

Check out the video. The Acuras and their elated new owners make their appearance around the 4:30 mark.

On Wednesday evening, Peterson, one of the first patients Project Medishare medevaced from Haiti to South Florida after the 2010 earthquake, received the surprise of a lifetime when Grammy award winning hip hop artist Drake @champagnepapi presented him with a brand new car. Congratulations Peterson and thank you Drake for your generosity toward such an amazing young man! _____ After the January 12, 2010 earthquake, then 9-year-old Peterson spent four days trapped under a mountain of concrete blocks. When his mother heard him yelling for help, a group of men and women freed him from the rubble, block by block with their bare hands. Suffering from severe injuries, Peterson found his way to Project Medishare’s field hospital on the grounds of the Port-au-Prince airport after being turned away by three other hospitals. Soon after, he boarded a medical flight to Miami, and underwent 16 reconstructive surgeries at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. _____ Dr. Chad Perlyn, a pediatric plastic and reconstructive surgeon, was volunteering with Project Medishare at the field hospital when he first met Peterson. He has maintained a bond with him ever since, and considers Peterson part of his family. He was there for Peterson’s special surprise from Drake. _____ For the last eight years, Peterson has been living in Little Haiti with his mom. They’re in the United States under the Temporary Protected Status program. Now a 17-year-old in high school, Peterson has adjusted well to his new life and has been thriving in his new home. He is a talented ballet dancer and dreams of attending The Juilliard School, though his future is uncertain due to the pending termination of TPS for Haitians. _____ #haiti #ayiti #haitian #philanthropy #giveback #drake #godsplan #projectmedishare

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The Most Memorable Acura Pop Culture Moments

Feature image via YouTube.

Sometimes the biggest stars in film aren’t human at all.

Though its cars have never had a speaking role, Acura has certainly held its fair share of on-screen moments. The next time someone tells you that Acura doesn’t make cars exciting enough for the silver screen, remind them that if they were good enough for Quentin Tarantino and Vin Diesel…

Here are five memorable Acura moments in pop culture. Which is your fav?

Pulp Fiction (1994)

The Acura NSX made its Hollywood debut in Quentin Tarantino’s now iconic Pulp Fiction where Winston Wolf (played by Harvey Keitel) drives off in the silver sports car, leaving Vincent Vega (John Travolta) and Jules Winnfield (Samuel L Jackson) in the dust. It was the first of many times this two-seater would show up on the big screen.

The Fast and the Furious (2001)

In the early aughts, the world was introduced to Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) and Brian O’conner (Paul Walker) in a flick that made illegal street racing look oh-so cool. But it was Mia Toretto (Jordana Brewster) maneuvering a 1994 Acura Integra GS-R to impress Brian with her serious driving skills that was (and still is) one of the stand-out scenes.

Ludacris – Act A Fool (2003)

In the second installment of FATF, rapper Ludacris’ character, Tej Parker (a mechanic and former street racer), was brought back yet again, and this time Luda (an Acura admirer in real life) released an official music vid for the flick where a handful of sports car, including his beloved 1991 NSX are spotted.

Fast Five (2011)

Ten years after the initial film, in the fifth instalment of Fast and the Furious, Mia Toretto was back behind the wheel of an Acura, this time a badass black 2003 Acura NSX (though the car bore the Honda emblem back then). Even the trailer saw Mia pushing the limits of the NSX, racing alongside a transport truck.

The Avengers (2012)

Marvel’s The Avengers was a major box office success, not to mention a thrill to watch thanks to several Acura concept vehicles including Tony Stark’s Acura NSX roadster–one of the first times Iron Man drove anything but an Audi.

Here’s what to do for Mother’s Day if you’re just thinking about it now

Last-minute gift and celebration ideas that will make it seem like you’ve been planning for ages.

Some holidays tend to sneak up on us. It happens. For example, it’s Mother’s Day this Sunday! If you’re prepared, great. If not, read on, because we’ve compiled a list of 10 last-minute gift/celebration ideas that dear old Mom is sure to love. From simple DIYs to fun outings to thoughtful projects, here are 9 last-minute Mother’s Day gift/celebration ideas, many of which don’t require you to buy anything at all.

Plan a movie night

A few snacks and a copy of her favourite old movie can be a thoughtful gift, especially if you plan to stick around to watch it with her. A bottle of wine might be nice, too, unless of course Mom prefers Scotch.

Bake something, anything

Even and especially if you’re not the baking type. Picture her face when you hand her a plate of poppyseed muffins and tell her you baked them yourself.

Poppy’s for days! Crumb shot for the win

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A brunch to remember

Brunch gets talked up a lot these days, so if you want to make a culinary statement between the hours of 11 AM and 2 PM, you’re going to have to pull out all the stops. A trip to the grocery store may be in order. Here’s a list of sure-to-impress brunch ideas.

A bouquet of Mom’s favourites

You’re not going to score any points for originality, and you may be subjected to a tragically long lineup at the florist, but there’s a reason why flowers are one of the most popular gifts on Mother’s Day. They’re pretty, brighten up most any space, and affordable. What’s your mother’s favourite flower?

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Dinner date

Repay the countless meals she prepared for you over the years with an evening at a restaurant, like any of these GTA standards that offer valet parking. This is a simple gesture, but if you don’t get out for meals together often, it’s sure to be appreciated.

A walk (or drive) in the park

Mothers in the GTA have the good fortune of being able to celebrate Mother’s Day while the local cherry trees are in full bloom. Tell Ma to put on her walking shoes and take her to High Park for a stroll under the blossoms.

Get theatrical

If you’re in or near a large city like Toronto, which has the famed Mirvish Theatre downtown on King Street, take a look at the upcoming shows and see if there’s something fun that will get your mother’s toes tapping. Upcoming shows in Toronto include Wicked, Chicago, Mama Mia (perfect for the occasion) and more.

Floral tea bags

Tea time takes a delightful (and super simple) twist with this super simple DIY project via The Kipi Blog.

DIY_FlowerTeaBags-9a

Fridge yourself

Even if you don’t have a frame, print off a photo of you (or you and her, or the family, or the dog, whatever) and tuck it inside a card with a thoughtful note.

DIY face masks

Take the spa to her with an easy and fun at-home face mask.


Feature image Via Wikipedia

Coming soon: the 2019 Acura MDX A-Spec

Not every new variant of vehicle is newsworthy, but Acura’s A-Spec on the MDX, the best-selling three-row luxury SUV ever, is definitely worth a headline. Here’s an oldie but a goodie: this sporty SUV is coming to a dealer near you!

The 2019 MDX A-Spec got a surprise debut at the 2018 New York Auto Show last month, joining the existing A-Spec models, the ILX A-Spec and TLX A-Spec, as well as the 2019 RDX A-Spec, which was also revealed at the New York show.

a-spec

The newest MDX comes exclusively with torque vectoring Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), and a pick between the 290 or 352-hp powertrains.

Naturally, you can’t have new threads without new shoes; the MDX A-Spec sits on exclusive 10-spoke, 20-inch Shark Grey allow wheels fitted with low profile tires. Forwarding the message of sportiness are other exterior changes like new front fascia, pronounced sills, wider exhaust tips, and gloss-black and dark chrome trim around the tailgate spoiler, grille and headlights.

mdx a-spec2

The interior gets sports seats in your choice of red or black leather with Alcantara leather detailing, red contrast stitching, a unique steering wheel with paddle shifters, faux carbon console trim, sport pedals and A-Spec gauges that light up in red.

mdx a-spec

Beneath the A-Spec badge is the luxury SUV that drivers and critics alike have come to know and trust. The 2018 Acura MDX was recently voted Best Large Utility Vehicle in Canada by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada. It’s quiet and comfortable, with useful trim options beyond the A-Spec—like the Elite package, which swaps the second-row bench seat for two captains chairs—and loads of standard safety features. The brand’s AcuraWatch suite comes standard, with Adaptive Cruise Control with low-speed follow and Road Departure Mitigation, Lane Keeping Assist, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning and Collision Mitigation Braking System.

The Acura MDX A-Spec will be available at Policaro Acura in the coming months. Contact us to pre-book a test drive.

6 Ways to Celebrate Earth Day

Small changes, big impact.

There are days when it feels like the world is tearing apart at the seams and all we can do is watch from the sidelines. As global temperatures rise, glaciers are melting and animals are fleeing their natural habitats. According to National Geographic, if we continue on this path of environmental destruction, our future generations will face a slew of unpleasantries–all of which sound like the main conflict in an apocalyptic thriller–including an increase in hurricanes and destructive storms, floods as well as droughts, and limited fresh water.

It’s scary stuff, but there are actions we can take in our daily lives that have a positive impact on this planet we call home. On April 22nd, the 48th annual Earth Day will take place, encouraging the world’s inhabitants–that’s you!–to “consume less, play more,” and we’ve got a handful of ways to make small changes in your day-to-day life that can have a big impact on your eco footprint.

Here are six simple ways to celebrate Earth Day 2018.

 

Join the ‘No Straw, Please’ movement.

The #nostrawplease movement encourages people to stop using plastic straws, and is a simple yet effective way to immediately cut down on waste. The movement gained popularity after a video of a sea turtle with a straw lodged in its nostril went viral, and since then, both large chain eateries and independently-owned bars alike are saying so-long to straws. Still, if you end up somewhere that offers them, take it upon yourself to politely decline. (EarthDay.org has a handy plastic consumption calculator to figure out how much of the synthetic material you’re using.)

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And cut out the plastic water bottles, too.

Did you check out that aforementioned plastic consumption calculator yet? Because it has a spot to track your plastic water bottle waste, too. Instead, buy a reusable bottle that speaks to you, and get in the habit of packing it everywhere you go. You’ll feel good about limiting your plastic use, but not only that, some coffee shops offer a discount if you BYOB (Bringing Your Own Bottle), so it’s a win-win.

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Get outside and plant a tree. Seriously.

Reforestation does long-term good for the planet. “Trees filter the air and help reverse the impacts of climate change,” explains the EarthDay.org website. “In just one year, a mature leafy tree produces as much oxygen as 10 people inhale.” Organize a tree planting day at your child’s school or gather some neighbours and plant new foliage at a local green space or in someone’s yard. If that sounds too labour intensive, you can always put your money where your mouth is–$1 equals one tree planted when you donate to the Canopy Project (a legit organization which is part of the Earth Day Network).

Drive an eco-friendly vehicle.

Opting for an eco-conscious vehicle that uses electricity or electricity and hydrogen-based fuel as your daily driver can drastically reduce your carbon footprint. Acura has a couple of outstanding hybrid options–the performance sedan RLX and the midsize SUV MDX–that drastically reduce fuel consumption. For example, the non-hybrid 2018 RLX is rated at 11.8/8.1/10.2 L/100km city/highway/combined while the RLX Sport Hybrid is rated at 8.4/8.1/8.4 L/100km).  2018 Acura RLX

Go paperless wherever possible.

Paper bills feel incredibly dated and so wasteful. Switch all of your services–think hydro, water, internet and television, banking–to paperless bills. According to the Financial Post, in 2014 Bell Canada said the company was saving around 30,000 trees a year because of its customers going paperless.

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Install a Smart Home System.

A tech device like a smart home system will make you feel like James Bond, as you secretly control all of the electronic devices in your house from some exotic Caribbean beach (or, in reality, your office). Smart home systems allow you to lower your electricity consumption by dimming or turning off unnecessary lights that may have been forgotten, or even setting the temperature a few degrees lower to conserve energy. Not only will you be happy about a lower hydro bill, but the planet will be smiling, too.

7 Cozy Southern Ontario Restaurants That Are Perfect For Valentine’s Day

Photo via Instagram @langdonhall.

February in Ontario can be…dreary. There are a lot of words we could’ve used there, but “dreary” will have to do as this is a family-oriented blog.

Luckily, there is an event right smack dab in the middle of it that gives us adults an opportunity to get a little extra (ahem) cozy. We’re talking about Valentine’s Day, the day dedicated to lovers, chocolate, and cheesy Halmark Cards.

via GIPHY

It is, if nothing else, the perfect opportunity to book a table at one of these seven cozy restaurants in the GTA. Hole up at an ultra cozy eatery with your lover and fill your bellies with a warm, hearty meal.

KB Food, Whitby

KB Food is an eclectic restaurant by chef Kevin Brown in the heart of Whitby on Brock Street. The atmosphere inside is snug and comfortable, perfect for ordering several dishes to share, like a charcuterie or cheese board, before going on the entrees.

East & Main Bistro, Prince Edward County

Prince Edward County has become a summertime hotspot for its wineries and beaches, but the region is just as awesome when the temperature drops. Try East & Main Bistro which serves up locally-sourced dishes at long farm tables, so plates can be shared and conversation can flow.

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Sonny’s Drive-In, Brampton

Order some classic North American comfort food over the counter at the Brampton institution, Sonny’s Drive-In, and scarf it in the cozy confines of your vehicle. Save the cute, picnic table seating area outside for a warmer season. Charcoal broiled burgers, however, are a good idea year round.

Happy Double Cheesburger with Bacon and Chicken Fingers Day everyone. #staysafe #brunch A post shared by Zach. Food. Toronto (@zachdoesburgers) on

The Cornerhouse, Stouffville

Sitting pretty on Main Street in Stouffville is The Cornerhouse, a three-storey restaurant with a whole lot of charm. Candle lit tables create an intimate vibe, perfect for indulging in a melt-in-your-mouth steak–this spot’s speciality. Order the eggplant fries to start.

Langdon Hall, Cambridge

Whether you want to treat yourself or impress someone special, Langdon Hall will leave you feeling like an A-list celebrity. The five-star Relais & Châteaux property is set in a stunning heritage building, and after a fresh dusting of snow feels just like stepping onto a movie set. Inside the dining room, regal decor with velvet couches and large chandeliers set the mood for a memorable meal by Chef Jason Bangerter.

La Vecchia, Toronto

La Vecchia is one of the coziest spaces in Toronto’s midtown. The Italian eatery is known for its fresh pasta dishes like tagliatelle bianchi and ricotta tortelloni, while its impressive wine list makes it hard to have just one glass. Have two and call an Uber.

The Olde Angel Inn, Niagara-on-the-Lake

Some call it haunted; others call it a delightful little locale in the heart of Niagara-on-the-Lake. The Olde Angel Inn is the coziest of cozy pubs dishing out English staples like bangers and mash, chicken pot pie, liver and onions and more. The dark wood finishes and low ceilings add to the snug feel, as does the live music on Friday and Saturday nights.

C’est What, Toronto

Tucked below street level in Toronto’s St. Lawrence Market is C’est What, a hidden gem that’s easy to lose a few hours in. The pub has an extensive beer list, fireplaces, live music, pool tables, and a lamb burger that’s one of the best in town.

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