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Lifestyle

Confessions of a 40-Something Former Brace Face

April 9, 2024 By Lena Leave a Comment

Confession: I’m woefully unprepared to write this post, because I didn’t anticipate my LightForce braces would come off so quickly. On my calendar, this post was slated for July. September at the latest. And yet, here I am – sans braces – removed 14 months to the day.

Another confession: I’ve never been SO IN LOVE WITH MYSELF. I’ve taken to sending “tooth selfies” to friends and family. Unsolicited, of course. Peep the before and after.
A few months post-removal, my texting behaviour has weaned. Slightly. (Add to calendar: Send more tooth selfies.) …

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Filed Under: Lifestyle

Travel in Style: Five Reasons to Check out Monos Luggage

September 1, 2023 By Lena Leave a Comment

You’ve seen the social media ads. Your favourite influencer is posing with a set. It’s ranked high on Google when you type “premium luggage”.

It’s Monos. And if you landed on this page because you searched “is Monos worth it?” or “Monos review” or “best carry-on luggage”, welcome! It’s nice to meet you. Let’s get right to it, shall we?
A warning: this isn’t simply a laundry list of Monos luggage features. There’s a website for that, and if you’re looking for a straight review, Google will take you there. Instead, this post is intended to provide colour commentary; a little extra info into why Monos may be worth checking out. …

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Filed Under: Lifestyle, Travel Tagged With: monos, monos luggage, monos review

Show me that Smile (Again): The Case for Braces

March 13, 2023 By Lena 2 Comments

When I first thought about getting braces – again, in my 40’s – a lot of people thought I was crazy.

“But your teeth are straight!” they’d say.
“Didn’t you already have braces?” they’d (correctly) state.
“You’re seriously going to spend $$ on a few wonky teeth?” they’d question.

Well yes, yes I am.

Let me rewind. As an adolescent, I needed braces – badly. My teeth were crowded, I had an extreme overbite, and one tooth (sadly, in the front) was positioned at an unfortunate angle. However, my immigrant parents didn’t really see the need (nor have the money) for orthodontic treatment, so braces were put off until I could pay for a portion myself. This didn’t happen until I was 19 years old – one month before entering university.

Nothing like being a freshman with a mouth full of metal, eh?

Truthfully, I loved it. I had been insecure about my smile for so long; just the thought of having beautiful, straight teeth was enough to keep me euphoric about the experience in its entirety. And, when the braces did come off, this then 21-and-a-half year old felt like a million bucks. Nah – a TRILLION bucks. I had a permanent retainer attached behind my bottom teeth, and a removable retainer was created for my top teeth.

Spoiler alert: I didn’t wear my retainer. Maybe for the first two weeks… and then, NEVER.

It was my mid-thirties, about 15 years after orthodontic treatment, when I first noticed the gradual shifting in my top teeth. I was at a social media conference where they were offering free head shots, and of course I jumped at the opportunity. However, when the photo was sent to my phone, the only thing I noticed was that my front tooth – the tooth that previously lived at an unfortunate angle – had begun its pilgrimage back home.

Can you see it? Perhaps I should ask, if I hadn’t pointed it out, would you have seen it?
It bothered me… enough to raise my concerns with my husband. He scoffed; it was one tooth, barely noticeable. Hardly a reason to spend thousands of dollars for braces! It was a hard no from him. Wanting to believe he was right – it wasn’t THAT bad – I dropped the subject. …

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Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: 3d printed braces, lightforce, lightforce braces, lightforce braces review, lightforce orthodontics, lightforce review

Laser Clinics Canada is Here!

February 15, 2023 By Lena Leave a Comment

If you’ve considered laser hair removal, cosmetic injections or skin treatments such as microdermabrasion, you may be surprised to learn it is more affordable (and more accessible) than you think. Laser Clinics – the largest cosmetic clinic in the world with over 200 clinics globally – now has four cosmetic clinics in the GTA, including Scarborough Town Centre (NEW!), Sherway Gardens, Hillcrest Mall and Square One Shopping Centre.
Worldwide, they perform over 2.5 million treatments per year, and have curated a dedicated client base thanks to their experienced medical teams and tailored treatments. With their expansion into the Canadian market, Laser Clinics Canada offers affordable, accessible and reliable aesthetic treatments….

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Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: laser clinics canada, laser clinics mississauga, laser clinics review, laser clinics toronto

Cooking with Love: Wild Mushroom Risotto, featuring Kilne Cookware

February 7, 2023 By Lena 1 Comment

*PROMO DETAILS BELOW* Save money with Kilne’s Love to Cook Sale!

Food is my love language. The simple act of preparing food is cherished in my family; cooking for others is the most enduring way to show devotion. Today, whether I’m creating a chef-inspired dish or assembling a simple sandwich, I know that when I’m serving a meal, I’m really saying “I love you”.
With love on my mind: a recipe for Wild Mushroom Risotto, one of my go-to “Date Night In” meals. Risotto is easy to make but requires patience and persistence. There are no shortcuts, but with care and attention, it is always worth the effort.

Kind of like love, right?…

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Filed Under: Food, Lifestyle Tagged With: #kilnecooks, everything pan, everything pan review, kilne, kilne cookware, kilne everything pan, kilne everything pan review, kilne knives

Five Things I’d Never Do as Someone Who Has Psoriasis

October 28, 2022 By Lena Leave a Comment

What makes someone an “expert”? Is it education, training, experience – a combination of the three? Or is it simply living, day in and day out, with something that forces you to learn, adapt and overcome?

If having psoriasis (PsO) for over 30 years – 75% of my life – makes me an expert, I’ll say I’ve earned my accolades. When I first started showing symptoms of the disease, I didn’t want to leave my room. I can recall every nuance of my childhood bedroom, and the hours I spent looking in the mirror while scrutinizing my imperfections. Running my fingers over the scales. Picking at the scabs. Wanting to pull the covers over my head and hibernate.

Today, in remission and thriving, the only time I hide away in my room is when I’m wearing cute pyjamas.

However, there were many, many lessons learned along the way. And if there’s one thing we’ve learned from experts on social media, it’s what NOT to do. Here are five things I’d never do as someone who has psoriasis:…

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Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: Canadian Association of Psoriasis Patients, know pso, psoriasis, world psoriasis day

The 411: Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) Awareness

June 10, 2022 By Lena Leave a Comment

The first time I heard about Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS), it was through a friend who had been recently diagnosed. She showed me tracks of ulcers that had developed in her armpit, and admittedly, I recoiled.

Is it contagious? I wondered. Should I ask? I angled my chair just slightly so I could scoot back without making it obvious.

“It’s not contagious,” she said, rolling her eyes. She saw right through me – and I’d never felt so ashamed. “Okay, so what IS it?” I asked, deciding the most direct route was probably the best. We ended up chatting about the condition, how she was misdiagnosed by her family doctor, and how she was now working with a dermatologist to come up with a treatment plan. …

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Filed Under: Lifestyle

Top 5 Reasons to Use TurboTax Live Full Service

March 9, 2022 By Lena Leave a Comment

I have a recurring dream (fantasy?) where I’m in the audience of a certain television talk show, and suddenly, the host begins giving out the BEST prizes to everyone. The strange thing? It’s the same prize over and over –

“You get a break! You get a break! You ALL get a break!”

I think I need a break.
This tax season, I’m taking steps to turn that dream into reality: by getting my taxes done from the comfort of my home with a  TurboTax Live Full Service expert. I handed off my taxes to a qualified tax expert (with an average of 10 years of experience!) so I feel confident they will be done right, with the best possible return! …

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Filed Under: Lifestyle

Celebrate Your Side Hustle! Introducing TurboTax Self-Employed Full Service

February 24, 2022 By Lena Leave a Comment

If you started a small business during the past two years, you’re in great company! Two million Canadian entrepreneurs – including a large percentage of “mompreneurs” – created businesses during COVID-19. Whether you’ve registered your interior design company, launched a home-based bakery, curated a social media following or (insert dream job here), moms are wearing more hats than ever and side hustles have been pushed into the spotlight.

As a business owner myself, I can say that the rewards are well worth the risk! However, I will add the following caveat: no one prepared me for the sheer amount of paperwork that comes with being your own boss. From invoices (incoming and outgoing) to contracts to every possible .docx file in between, I spend a lot of time managing the least fun part of my business. And now that we’re in the middle of tax season… ugh.
I know that many new mompreneurs are in the same boat. Especially if this is your first or second year identifying as self-employed (congratulations on officially elevating your side hustle to replace your full-time income!), you may not have the time or expertise to ensure you’re taking advantage of every tax credit, tax strategy or tax savings available to you. Listen, I get it! The thing about passion projects is that it’s easy to focus on what drives you, and usually, that doesn’t include calculating the depreciation on the car you use to drop off your homemade welcome mats….

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Filed Under: Lifestyle

If I Knew Then What I Know Now… Living with Psoriasis

October 19, 2021 By Lena 18 Comments

When I was just 11 years old, I asked my mom to look at my scalp. “It feels strange,” I worried. It was mildly itchy and had a tingly, almost burning sensation. Additionally, I had felt quite a few bumpy patches that I couldn’t keep my hands off. “Have you been picking?” she asked, knowing that I tended to scrape and pick at scabs. “Yes,” I admitted. “It’s very itchy!”

(That was only partially true. Have you ever seen the payoff from psoriasis scabs? They’re like the size of cornflakes and I found them so satisfying to peel! Disclaimer: Don’t do this!)

My mom marched me to our family doctor who a) diagnosed me with psoriasis and b) suggested a coal tar shampoo of which I can still recall the smell to this day. Faithfully, once a week, I tipped my head over in the bathtub while my mom massaged the shampoo into my hair and scalp. When I was older, I took over the duties myself, and weaned myself off the regimen when my psoriasis improved – though it never completely went away.

While I tried not to let my psoriasis get me down, it nevertheless affected me psychologically throughout my teens and twenties. I rarely wore my hair up, concerned that the scales and scabs would be more visible if I pulled my locks away from my scalp. I panicked when my hairdresser went on vacation, knowing I’d be too embarrassed to have a new stylist do my hair. When I dated, I freely disclosed my condition out of fear that a man would nonchalantly run his fingers through my hair – and draw back in surprise.

It’s obvious that while I thought I was “managing” my psoriasis, I was still allowing it to control my day-to-day. Fast forward to 2014, when, after decades of letting my psoriasis symptoms wax and wane, my joints flared to the point where I was disabled with swelling and pain for over six months. The diagnosis: psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Today, I have mild flares of psoriasis on my scalp, lips and elbows, but I’m considered to be in clinical remission thanks to the medications I take for my psoriatic arthritis (which have the added benefit of keeping my psoriasis in check). I regularly see both a dermatologist and rheumatologist for my conditions, making sure to advocate for myself when I need to. Recently, I had a chance to sit down with Dr. Geeta Yadav, a dermatologist based in Toronto at Skin Science Dermatology.

In the days leading up to the interview, an idea started to form –  I wanted to share with you some things I wish I knew about psoriasis decades ago (that I know now). Dr. Yadav was knowledgeable and thoroughly answered my questions, which in turn allowed me to create the following list for you!
1. Psoriasis is a lifelong condition.

If I had clearly understood that my psoriasis would likely be with me for the rest of my life, I would have taken more definitive steps sooner to get my condition under control (and certainly before it progressed to PsA). …

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Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: know pso, psoriasis, world psoriasis day

Mydoh: Earn, Spend, Play. Smart!

October 15, 2021 By Lena 10 Comments

This post is sponsored by Mydoh. The opinions on this blog, as always, are my own.

I have a teen and tween and they’re both EXCITED to perform their weekly chores. Yes, really! And it’s all thanks to Mydoh, the digital app with a Smart Cash Card that helps kids learn and practice money management.
However, things weren’t always so simple. Let me rewind:

Now that our boys are back in school, I decided it was a great time to re-establish a routine for chores. Together, we decided what they would be responsible for, and how much we would compensate them for each completed task. Generally, the boys had weekly responsibilities, which included washing their uniforms, dusting areas of the home, cleaning their bedrooms and reducing clutter from high-traffic areas such as the kitchen and family room….

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Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: mydoh, mydoh app, rbc mydoh

Rewarding My Lifestyle with Neo

October 6, 2021 By Lena Leave a Comment

Rewards.
Cashback.
No Annual Fee.

Oh yeah, you’re speaking my language, Neo Financial!
I was first persuaded to join the Neo Community via a promotion from Hudson’s Bay. There’s just something about the words “additional % off…” that I can’t refuse! I was absolutely floored by the simple process that had me approved, with credit card number in hand, in less than 20 minutes. Everything was done digitally, including providing a selfie with my mobile phone! …

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Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: hudsons bay mastercard, neo, neo financial

Mommy Needs a Cocktail! Iconic Mixed Drinks to Make at Home

August 3, 2021 By Lena 10 Comments

As the world begins to open safely, we’re once again dreaming, planning and enjoying leisure travel! While everyone has their own level of comfort when it comes to vacations abroad, at the very least, we’re all hoping to move in a decidedly forward and positive direction.

In the meantime, why not bring a little bit of the Caribbean into your home this summer? Beaches Resorts has generously shared the recipes for their most popular cocktails mixed at their all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean. Until you can experience the ultimate luxury family getaway at one of their stunning properties (my pick: Beaches Turks & Caicos!), let’s cheers at home to sandy beaches and warm breezes!

And to be honest – whether it’s planning the perfect getaway or simply balancing the highs and lows of everyday life, sometimes, mommy needs a cocktail!
Be sure to pin the following recipe cards for a taste of paradise at home – I’m sure you’ll feel all the vacay vibes while recreating these popular cocktails! (Tip: Simply leave out the alcohol for a delicious mocktail.) …

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Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: beaches, beaches jamaica, beaches ocho rios, Beaches Resorts, beaches turks and caicos, bob marley, cocktail, cocktail recipes, dirty banana, hummingbird, miami vice, purple rain, summer cocktails

What Will Your Story Be? A Conversation about GARDASIL®9

June 7, 2021 By Lena Leave a Comment

This post is sponsored by Merck Canada. The opinions on this blog, as always, are my own.

It was just two weeks ago that an email landed in my inbox: “Physical Education Form – Please Sign”. Normally I skim over such permission slips, but this time, the words seemed to jump off the page –

We will examine some aspects of sexuality, including sexual characteristics, sexual identity, and sexual roles. We will review the changes of puberty and the development of male and female fertility. We will discuss sexually transmitted diseases, and how to prevent them.

It suddenly hit me – I’ll soon have brand new teenager in the house. And he’s almost TALLER than me.
Conversations that I’d convinced myself I could put off for months (years?) suddenly became a priority. And while I know that my boy’s father will take the reins for much of the “talk”, as a woman, and as a Canadian mother to boys who may choose to become sexually active in the coming years, it’s my responsibility to openly discuss HPV infection, cervical cancer and how to help protect against both. By getting vaccinated to help protect himself against HPV, his own risk of getting infected is reduced and he may, in turn, be less likely to transmit HPV to his partner(s). …

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Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: gardasil, gardasil9, hpv, hpv vaccine

Live Your Life in Style: The All-New, All-Hybrid 2021 Toyota Sienna

April 14, 2021 By Lena 9 Comments

This year, I’ve been tasked with replacing not one – but TWO – family vehicles. Our leased cars are due back in the spring and summer, and over the past four years, our boys have grown from primary school kids to tweens to teens. Therefore, our “wish list” for a vehicle has evolved somewhat dramatically; having multiple interior power points and ports to charge the kids’ iPads and electronics is no longer a nice-to-have, it’s a must-have.

If you told me a few months ago that I’d seriously consider a Toyota Sienna, I would have raised my eyebrows in surprise. Then again, the all-new, all-hybrid 2021 Toyota Sienna has done much to pleasantly surprise me – in the best way possible.

Considered a technology leader for modern families, this boldly designed minivan raises the bar for style, safety, comfort, versatility and fuel efficiency. Quite simply, it’s what a next-generation minivan should be.
First impression: the styling is gorgeous. I expected the 2021 Toyota Sienna to be spacious – but I didn’t expect it to be sexy. The interior boasts a clean and streamlined design with a sleek dashboard, a 9-inch floating touchscreen infotainment system and the innovative Bridge Console, which is the key to allocating personalized space to the driver and front passenger. …

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Filed Under: Family, Lifestyle Tagged With: growing families, minivan, swagger wagon, Toyota, toyota canada, toyota sienna

Your 2020 Tax Return: A Little Lift from TurboTax

February 2, 2021 By Lena Leave a Comment

In keeping with my 2021 resolutions to a) stop procrastinating and b) simplify my life in order to make “a)” a possibility, I’ve decided that this is the year I won’t be scrambling to do my taxes! The best part? You can benefit from my newfound proactiveness: read on for a review of TurboTax Live Full Service, a simple and affordable way to have your taxes done by a real tax expert – without leaving the comfort of your home!
There’s no doubt it’s more important than ever to file correctly and get every dollar we deserve. However, finding work/ life balance in COVID times is also a challenge; both my kids have been learning from home for almost a year, and in between being a parent, entrepreneur, photographer, at-home chef, armchair therapist… sigh, the list goes on!… I don’t necessarily have the time or energy to prepare my own taxes. My main goal heading into this tax season was to obtain the largest possible tax refund while staying safe at home. …

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Filed Under: Family, Lifestyle

Holidays with HUAWEI: Top Gift Picks

December 21, 2020 By Lena 2 Comments

There’s a common thread among the comments I receive on my social posts featuring HUAWEI:

“I really need to look into HUAWEI.”
“I’ve heard great things about this brand.”
“Everyone I ask says they love HUAWEI! Need to learn more.”

So… what are you waiting for? The brand is absolutely coveted worldwide, by tech enthusiasts and mom creators alike. When you’re ready to make the switch, HUAWEI makes it easy with several quick and reliable methods of transferring apps and data from your previous phone.

However, in addition to the HUAWEI P40 Pro, which boasts the world’s best smartphone camera, Huawei also offers dynamic wearable tech. In fact, the HUAWEI Watch GT2 Pro and HUAWEI Freebuds Pro are two of my top picks for gifting this holiday season!The brand-new HUAWEI Watch GT 2 Pro is the most comprehensive model in the series to date. The very first thing that caught my attention is that although it primarily functions as a sports watch, its slim, elegant design is more GQ than Sports Illustrated. …

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Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: huawei canada, HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro, HUAWEI review, HUAWEI Watch GT 2 Pro

Meet the HUAWEI P40 Pro

November 30, 2020 By Lena 2 Comments

I struggled with whether to write this post directed at moms or content creators. Both could equally benefit from the world’s best smartphone camera, and certainly, when I think of a mom in 2020, the aproned-serving-roast-beef-dinner maternal figure doesn’t really come to mind.

Then, it clicked – moms are actually content creators, too! We’re capturing video and clicking photos of our children’s daily moments, sharing insights with friends and family (as we share the content we’ve created on social media), and today, keeping up with the Joneses includes comparing whose smartphone has the best battery life. (My vote is HUAWEI! The P40 Pro features a SuperCharge 4200 mAh Battery that goes from 0 to 70% charge in 30 minutes.)

Mom creators, meet the HUAWEI P40 Pro.
The HUAWEI P40 Pro boasts a Quad Vision Leica Camera, which allows you to take extraordinary photos at any time of day and at any distance. In a world where we use “the Cadillac of…” to describe the cream of the crop, ladies, Leica cameras are the Cadillac of smartphone cameras. Let’s talk specs:

50 MP Ultra Vision Camera
12 MP Telephoto Camera
40 MP Ultra-Wide Cine Camera
3D Depth Sensing Camera

However, in addition to its impressive camera specifications, one thing that really attracts me to the P40 Pro is just how intelligent it is. The 3D Depth Sensing Camera can almost immediately sense what should be in focus, whether it’s a person or object. This is especially valuable when you’re capturing shots while multitasking – because even when you’re juggling a million things, at least your photos will look like you’re in control. …

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Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: huawei canada, huawei p40 pro, huawei photography

The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread – Introducing Kilne

November 25, 2020 By Lena 13 Comments

In fact, a Kilne bread knife may be the best thing to slice your bread, too.

We’re all spending more time than ever in the kitchen, and trust me when I say that it’s MUCH more enjoyable when you have the right tools! I had been on the hunt for a new set of knives since spring, when I embarrassingly had to admit that our “starter set” of knives, hastily purchased when we were first married, were a) already 13 years old, and b) woefully inadequate to keep up with my unofficial new role as a prep cook.
Enter Kilne. Designed in Canada and crafted from high-quality German steel, Kilne knives are simply the best knives for home chefs. The highlight reel:

High Grade German Steel: Blades crafted from Chromium-molybdenum-vanadium steel stay sharp for precision cutting.

Full Tang: Solid steel from tip to tail gives exceptional strength and perfect balance.

Ergonomic Design: Handle grip and bolster provide a secure hold, even with wet hands. …

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Filed Under: Food, Lifestyle Tagged With: #kilnecooks, home chef, kilne, kilne cookware, kilne knives

Moving Forward by Giving Back: School Fundraising with Navy & White

November 18, 2020 By Lena 6 Comments

This school year looks different. Then again, EVERYTHING looks different.
Now that we’ve officially spent 3/4 of the year getting used to our “new normal”, there’s an unspoken willingness among friends, family and fellow parents to simply move forward. No, 2020 isn’t what we expected. Yes, we will pivot and adjust.

Of course, when it comes to schooling, the changes are more evident than ever. From learning at home to in-class mask wearing and hand sanitizing, we’ve tasked our children and educators to establish new strategies and routines that will allow for continuous learning and development – in a safe, socially responsible manner. …

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Filed Under: Family, Lifestyle Tagged With: face masks, mccarthy uniforms, navy &white, ppe

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Lena Almeida

Toronto Blogger, Social Media Strategist for Listen to Lena Inc. Television & Radio Personality, Columnist and Speaker. Family Travel Expert. Star Wars Fanatic. Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion. Read More…

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