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With winter departed this is a great time for a home maintenance check-up. To help you get started here’s the top three priority areas around your home that need inspection.

Clean Gutters and Downspouts
After the frost of the season you should have your gutters and downspouts cleaned, and repaired if necessary. Gutters and downspouts should be clean and running free so that they can effectively move water away from the house.

Check the Air-conditioning & HVAC
To maximize the life of your cooling system and ensure it runs as efficiently as possible this summer, inspect the filters and replace if necessary. It’s prudent to hire a licensed professional to service your equipment before the start of summer.

Inspect the Roof
The winter season can take a toll on your roof. When winter departs, start by doing a simple visual inspection of your roof. You’ll be looking for anything obvious, like missing or damaged shingles. Call a professional roofer if you see anything that needs a closer inspection or repair.

This is the perfect time of year to assess your home for any damages that might have happened over winter.

Red Cabbage & Carrot Salad

Cabbage is packed with goodness — fibre, vitamin s K, C & B6, folate, manganese and even a little protein...and carrots...well everyone knows they’re good for your eyes, right?

Okay, while it’s been long believed that eating carrots improves your eyesight (thanks to some WWII propaganda) carrots are packed with nutrition. They’re rich in beta carotene and lutein. Both are antioxidants that can help prevent eye damage as a result of free radicals.

Here’s a crunchy, refreshing and tangy take on a classic slaw recipe.

Ingredients

For the salad:
1 small head red cabbage, shredded
4 large carrots, shredded
4 green onions, thinly sliced

For the dressing:
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 garlic clove, minced
1/3 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/4 cup Unfiltered Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon honey, as needed for sweetness
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (optional)
1/4 teaspoon chili powder, or to taste
salt and pepper, to taste
chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

Shred the cabbage and the carrots. Add the cabbage, carrots and green onions in a large salad bowl. Set aside.

In another bowl, whisk together the dijon mustard, garlic, oil, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, honey, vanilla, chili powder, salt and pepper.

Tip: Whisk the dressing thoroughly until all are well combined.

Pour dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss to combine.

Taste for seasonings and adjust accordingly.

Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes before serving.

Nutritional Information
Calories: 140.6.   Calories from Fat: 96.
% Daily Value:
Fat 10.7g — 16%
Saturated Fat 1.5g — 8%
Sodium 164mg — 7%
Carbohydrates 11.6g — 4%
Fiber 2.6g — 10%
Sugar 6.6g — 7%
Protein 1.5g — 3%

Pro Tip
This is a side salad that goes great with any barbequed main dish like hamburgers, or steak.

Bon appetit!

Health & Wellness

This Christmas season try starting the day with a Spiced Cranberry Smoothie. This smoothie is nutrient dense and is bursting with the flavours of cinnamon and ginger — a perfect winter season smoothie.

Ingredients

1 large banana
20 fresh cranberries
6 strawberries
400 ml cranberry juice
0.5 tsp ground cinnamon
0.5 tsp ground ginger

Add all ingredients to your blender, and blend until smooth. Serve and enjoy!