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10 Signs You’re a True Canadian Hockey Fan

If you’re like us, as soon as the first cold snap hits you’re reaching for your ice skates and hockey sticks. Whether it’s our kid’s major or junior hockey league, the WHL, CHL, or NHL, or simply the group we meet up with every Saturday afternoon to knock a puck around, we love Canadian hockey with a fire. And not just because we need to keep warm in sub-zero temperatures!

So, how do you know you’re a true Canadian hockey fan? We’ve compiled a list of 10 telltale signs to watch out for, err strive for, this season!

Lace up!

1. When you were growing up, lacing a hockey skate gave you a bigger thrill than lacing your shoes.

2. You take more pride in the smell of your hockey gear than you do in its appearance; the more you use it, the better!

3. Your driveway is a hockey rink. In June.

4. You know the best seats in the arena are in the upper bowl.

5. You think wearing a toque is an acceptable method to hide that hockey hair.

6. There are some friends you don’t see 10 months out of the year. Because they aren’t fans.

7. You understand “penalty moods,” and “shoot out anxiety,” yet you still say please and thank you.

8. A fresh cup of java is your go-to road fuel.

9. July and August are your least favourite months of the year.

10. These are your favourite colours.

LDExtras members! Stop by any London Drugs between October 1 – December 7, 2018, and purchase ANY pack of Duracell batteries, and you’ll automatically be entered to win a VIP experience at the World Junior Hockey Championship in Vancouver this Winter!

Are you a true Canadian hockey fan?

Help us get into the hockey season spirit and tag us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest or YouTube for even more hockey inspiration!

12 Best Ever Homemade Soup Recipes

Snowstorms and endlessly rainy winter days call for wool socks and warm, hearty meals. We say embrace it all — and indulge in these satisfying and comforting homemade soup recipes.

1. Canadian Style French Onion Soup

Sweetened with maple syrup, this update on a savoury classic will inspire soup lovers everywhere. Get the recipe from Simple Bites.

2. Goulash Soup

This tangy, meaty dish is filled with rich flavours and only takes 30 minutes to prepare. Get the recipe from Eat. Live. Travel. Write.

3. Tomato Tortellini Soup with Kale

A healthy take on a pasta dinner, this tasty tomato soup is guaranteed to warm you up. Get the recipe from Living Lou.

4. Sweet Corn Soup

Reminisce about the summer months with these two creamy and customizable corn soup recipes that will brighten up your day. Get the recipe from 80 Twenty.

5. Roasted Carrot and Ginger Soup

Carrot and ginger soup is ideal for spicing up the winter blues and soothing the sniffles during a cold snap. Get the recipe from Lord Byron’s Kitchen.

6. Mulligatawny Soup

This fun-to-say soup may have been a comfort food growing up, and is creamy and decadent enough to satisfy you all day. Get the recipe from Crumb.

7. Beet Borscht

Make a big batch of this cozy soup to last you through a snowed-in weekend. Easily freeze any leftovers for a quick meal. Get the recipe from Canadian Living.

8. French-Canadian Vegetarian Pea Soup

Enjoy soup the French Canadian way with this vegetarian ode to French-Canadian heritage. Get the recipe from the Fig Tree Blog.

9. Homemade Vegetable Stock

Whether it’s used as an all-natural vegan base to any soup recipe or on its own, put your veggie scraps to use and make your own stock. Get the recipe from The Kitchn.

10. Chorizo and Lentil Soup

Add spice to your soup this season with the heat of chorizo sausage mixed with the heartiness of lentils. Get the recipe from Seven Spoons.

11. Chanterelle Mushroom Chowder

If you’re a lover of mushroom soup, look no further. This luxurious and creamy chowder will be difficult to share. Get the recipe from Dinner with Julie.

12. Vegan Broccoli and Cheese Soup

A long-standing favourite for many, now vegans can also enjoy a bowl of creamy broccoli soup. Get the recipe from Oh She Glows.

6 Delicious Turkey Preparations for Your Thanksgiving Feast

Let’s talk turkey!

Canadians are getting ready to gather with friends and family to give thanks, and also to eat a whole bunch of delicious food.

Whether you’re new to preparing a Thanksgiving feast or a “seasoned” chef, we know it can be daunting. Fantastic, but daunting. So, we’ve curated 6 delicious ways to prepare a turkey so you can wow dinner guests and make new memories!

Please enjoy these 6 Delicious Turkey Preparations for your Thanksgiving Feast.

1. Brine, Baby, Brine

Image via The Kitchn

Brining your turkey creates rich flavour, and also helps you get prep done the night before the big day. It’s a favourite around our houses, for sure. Here’s one recipe and method. We recommend adding a full clove of garlic and a ¼ cup of honey to add even more depth of flavour.

2. Deep Fried Turkey

Image via Serious Eats

This turkey preparation was all the rage for a while there, and we can really see why. Deep frying the turkey gives it a delicious taste and texture, and the crispy skin is a heavenly treat.

Caution: deep frying a turkey is a potentially dangerous activity, so follow these safety precautions to the letter. Safety first!

3. Slow-Grilled Turkey

Image via David Malosh

Did you know you can grill a turkey? Neither did we. #LifeGoals.

If you have the right kind of kettle grill, the deliciously deep smoky flavour might well be worth your effort. Check out the whole recipe and method here.

4. Classic Roast Turkey Preparation

Image via The Food Network

Hamptons-chic domestic guru, Ina Garten, has a classic recipe for roast turkey that uses thyme, lemon, onion, and garlic to add fresh flavour to your bird. Find the recipe here – it’s a great place to start for those who are new to Thanksgiving chef-ery.

It’s as simple as it is delicious!

5. Juicy Slow Cooker Turkey Breast

Image via RecipeTin Eats

Three minutes of prep and a day of slow cooking make this recipe an easy choice for busy people (or those who would rather spend their fall day outdoors instead of hovering around a hot stove).

The low and slow preparation delivers fantastic flavour, and the gravy that comes out of the pot is also superb. This one is a brine must-try, at Thanksgiving and beyond! Hot turkey sandwiches in March? Yes please!

6. Caribbean Turkey with Spicy Cornbread and Chorizo Stuffing

Image from Jamie Oliver

Recipes for turkey with out-there ingredients can be found all over the internet. If you are feeling adventurous, give some of these a try! Jamie Oliver’s recipe for Caribbean Turkey with Spicy Cornbread and Chorizo Stuffing is sure to wow your dinner guests.

How are you celebrating Thanksgiving this year? Are you planning on hosting a feast? Which is your favourite way to prepare your bird?

Help us celebrate and tag us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest or YouTube for even more Turkey inspiration, and to share your feast!

5 Ways to Brew Amazing Coffee at Home

These days, coffee is about more than taking breaks or boosting energy. Increasingly, it’s considered a complete experience unto itself. No surprise, then, that we’ve become determined to brew the best cup of coffee at home as possible. Partly, that means trying new brewing methods. Which is best? That depends on your needs and tastes.

Our beginner’s guide to at-home coffee brewing:

First off, there’s nothing wrong with traditional drip coffee makers. We’ll always love ’em. But for now, we’ll assume they don’t require much explanation.

Espresso Maker

The traditional gold standard for quality coffee at home, an espresso maker uses heat and extreme pressure to extract crema and concentrate coffee into potent one-ounce shots.

These, along with hot water and steamed milk, can become the basis for americanos, lattes, cappuccinos, and many other drinks. Of course, some prefer to drink espresso straight. Others with just a touch of cream, which is called caffe macchiato.

Some find espresso too strong, though. And there’s the issue of where to put the machines, which tend to be bulky, a little messy, and sometimes costly. One thing is certain, however: coffee culture will always include espresso.

French Press

Despite the name, the French press was invented in Italy. Go figure. In Canada, the method has enjoyed surging popularity for almost a decade.

How does it work? Boiling water is poured into a glass beaker already containing the coffee grounds. The mixture brews for several minutes, before a plunger presses the grounds to the bottom, keeping the coffee on top.

Since the ingredients are fully mixed, it’s known as an immersion method. This allows precise control over the strength of the brew, while the lack of a cloth filter means the coffee retains its natural oils. Some argue they are tough to clean, but press lovers know it’s well worth it.

Coffee Pods

For convenience and efficiency, these modern, automated wonders simply can’t be beat for coffee at home. It’s a bit like having your very own robot barista in your kitchen.

So if you’re interested in rolling out of bed and holding a hot double latte within minutes, or if you’ve just always wanted to ‘live in the future’ and are still waiting patiently for your jetpack, the pod method could be for you. They’re also great for dinner parties when everyone wants to drink something different.

The leader in this market is also the original pod brewer, Keurig. They sell their famous K-Cups in nearly endless varieties and even a reusable pod accessory you can fill with your own favourite grind.

Cold Brew

This method has only recently caught on in Canada, arguably since about 2015. But cold brew is already a favourite among many serious coffee drinkers, especially during the summer months.

Another immersion method, the main difference is that the coffee grounds never contact hot water during the brewing process. Instead, the coffee steeps in cold water for hours, typically overnight.

The main advantage is cold brew contains about one-third the acidity of hot coffee. So it has less of the bitterness that some dislike, which also makes it easier on your teeth and digestive system. If you love to chill out with a frosty iced coffee, then cold might be the brew for you.

Pour Over

Another method recently gaining popularity is the pour over. It’s a combination of a traditional drip coffee maker and an immersion method. It is generally used to make just one cup at a time, though not always.

The coffee grounds are placed in a special pour over coffee container and hot water is then slowly and carefully added bit by bit, by hand. It filters through the grounds and drips into the container after passing through a filter.

This method requires the most active involvement by the brewer, and that’s part of the appeal. It is, perhaps, the ultimate in human-bean connection.

No matter what brewing method you prefer for your coffee at home, London Drugs has you covered in-store and online. And our experts are always on hand for advice. Good luck and happy brewing from London Drugs.

7 Ways to Make Your Home Workout Suck Less

Remember: Always talk to your doctor before beginning any exercise program. Consult with your healthcare professional to design an exercise routine that’s right for you. If you experience any pain or difficulty with exercise, stop and consult your healthcare provider.

Working out at home has obvious advantages. You can listen to whatever music you like, the equipment isn’t covered in other people’s germs, and there are no lineups for the showers. But there are obstacles, too: distractions from the kids, the phone, the dog, the Internet, and/or the dirty kitchen counters can all seem unavoidable when it’s time to work out. We get it—that’s why we’ve got some real tips for real people who want to get fit but would rather not schlep to the gym.

1. Schedule it in

You schedule important phone calls, appointments and events, right? Well, good health is also important, and sometimes the only way you can ensure that you’ll work out is if you block it off in your calendar. If you use a calendar app, set a reminder or two ahead of time to get yourself psyched up. Make an appointment with yourself and commit to feeling good.

If you honestly just can’t fit a workout into your already over-scheduled life, you may have some extra time that you forgot about…in the morning. Experts say that people’s motivation and drive is at a maximum in the morning, and willpower wanes as the day wears on. And that’s not the only reason to become an early fitness bird—if you wait until later in the day, it’s a lot more likely that things will pop up and get in the way of working out. Yes, watching one more episode on Netflix after the kids go to bed is relaxing, but hitting that morning workout the next day instead will have longer-lasting benefits.

Still don’t think you have time to workout at home? Sneak it in while you’re cleaning the house!

2. Perfect your space

You don’t need a ton of space to get a good workout; you only really need an area about the size of a yoga mat. Working out indoors can get warm, so make your space near a window for a cool breeze, or add a fan in the corner. Make sure there’s a music source nearby with a good Bluetooth speaker to keep you pumped up. Don’t forget to sweep or vacuum the floor—nobody wants to do push-ups over dog hair and toast crumbs.

3. Get the gear

Loads of fancy equipment isn’t required to get fit at home. In fact, bodyweight-only workouts like yoga and pilates are a great way to stay fit. All you really need is a yoga mat to give you some comfort and stability on the floor. If you do want a few props to take your workout up a notch, you don’t need a whole gym’s worth of stuff. Some dumbbells, resistance bands, a skipping rope or a couple of kettlebells should do the trick, depending on your fitness goals.

4. Get dressed

It may sound shallow, but having the right outfit can make a big difference with your fitness motivation. Sure, you can work out in your stained sweatpants and an old Fun Run t-shirt from 2006, but they may not be your best choice. Technical apparel that fits right, wicks away sweat and looks good will help you feel great while working out.

Most importantly, make sure you have a pair of supportive shoes that you can wear indoors. Shoes designed for running are a good choice if you’re going to be dabbling in different kinds of workouts. Take the time get professionally fitted for your foot type and size. Your feet and joints will thank you.

5. Find a coach

You’re probably not going to hire an actual trainer for working out at home (but kudos to you if you do!), so an outside source for motivation, goals and workout ideas can really come in handy.

Say hello to your new workout buddy—YouTube. There are literally thousands and thousands of workout videos and channels on YouTube dedicated to helping you get fit. Whether you’re into yoga, pilates, Zumba, bellydancing, high-intensity interval training, hip-hop tabata, cardio or Prancercise, there’s something out there for you. Just be sure to check out the video first before you dive in—it may not be right for you. Recommendations from your fittest friends is a good place to start.

If you’d rather not dive into the wilds of YouTube, there is also a huge selection of great workout apps for your mobile device. Not only will you get tips for exercises and routines, some apps can also track your progress and even remind you when to workout. There are a lot to choose from, free and paid, so here are a few popular suggestions to get you started.

Fitness DVDs are also helpful to have in your fitness arsenal. Having your own DVD library can save you the trouble of searching the internet or fiddling with your device—just pop your favourite into the DVD player or laptop, and you’re good to go. If you’re not ready to commit, you can also check out the selection at your local library.

Pets also make great home fitness coaches.

6. Start slow…but keep going

If you’re a beginner or coming back after a long break, aim for 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise (something that elevates your heart rate and breathing) at least three times a week, and 20 to 30 minutes of strength training (resistance exercises with weights, bodyweight or bands) three times a week. Don’t worry, that’s not six separate workouts per week; you can combine strength and cardio in to one workout session if you like. Be sure your strength workout covers all major muscle groups: upper body, lower body, abdominals and back.

No matter what type of exercise you do, start slowly and gradually increase your workout time and intensity. Doing too much to start can lead to soreness, fatigue and even injury, and you likely won’t continue.

7. Find your thing

One of the best ways to kill motivation is with boredom. Working out doesn’t have to be a chore! If you’ve chosen a workout routine that you dread everyday, it’s time to switch it up. Pilates got you yawning? Try a spicy Zumba workout. Tired of being trapped inside? Go for a walk/run! HIIT too bouncy? Pop in a yoga video. Luckily, there are almost as many ways to stay fit as there are types of people who want to get fit.

Do you have any tips for real people who are trying to stay motivated to work out? Post them in the comments!

10 Trendy (and Easy!) Halloween Costumes for 2018

Halloween is coming, and you and your kid can be the talk of the block when you hit the streets on October 31st in any of these trendy Halloween costumes. From Fortnite to Black Panther, we’ve found some awesome (and relatively easy) costumes that are totally on-trend.

Fortnite

Every kid from here to Charlottetown is playing Fortnite, and at least half of them will be asking for a Fortnite costume for halloween. Yes, we know there are ton of characters from the game, but we found a great tutorial to help you put together some of your own skins IRL.

Fake News

Reading the news these days can be fairly unpleasant. At least we’ve got halloween to help inject some humour into the situation.

More creative costume ideas here.

Snapchat Filters

Your teen probably looks like a cute deer or a piece of toast on their social media channels, so they’ll love showing up at the halloween dance looking the same way! Barfing rainbows has never been so fun.

More costume ideas for teens here.

Young Han Solo

You can never miss with a classic Star Wars costume at halloween. With the release of the new Solo movie, the rakish hero is hip with the kids again, and luckily Han’s new threads not only look great but are simple to put together, too. DIY with a brown jacket, grey t-shirt, holster and boots, or grab the ready-made version here.

Unicorn Candy Milkshake

It’s the year of the milkshake, much to the delight of kids all over Canada. Help your kids celebrate by turning them into their favourite dessert drink! This costume is extra fun because the kids can help with the design and construction.

Find the recipe to whip up your homemade milkshake here.

Mr. Rogers

Bet you never thought Mr. Rogers would ever be cool again, but he certainly is this year with the release of the poignant and gently political documentary about Fred Roger’s legacy. A red cardigan, some loafers and a clip-on tie will transform you into everyone’s favourite neighbour. Add a hand puppet for extra authenticity.

Here are some more super easy last-minute costume ideas.

Avocado Toast

Your go-to snack can now be the hit of the halloween party. Maybe you’ll lock eyes with a cute bottle of hot sauce at the party for a match made in heaven.

Instructions on how to make it here.

Warrior from Black Panther

The costumes from this year’s breakout action blockbuster Black Panther were seriously jaw dropping, and you can capture that Dora Milaje warrior essence with a few simple accessories and a whole lot of fierce attitude.

More clever DIY costume ideas here.

Anything Riverdale

Everyone’s favourite new TV drama is full of fun characters to draw inspiration from, and besides a funny little felt crown, there’s a good chance you’ve already got what you need in your closet.

More Riverdale costume ideas here.

Baby DJ

Heading out trick or treating with a babe in arms? Get the littlest one in on the halloween action! DJs are the new rock stars, and with this fun creation your youngest can turn the party out. More DIY baby and toddler costume ideas here.

Have you got a great idea for this year’s Halloween costumes? Share them with us in the comments!

Procrastinators We’re Here for You! 7 Photo Gifts You Can Pick Up in 24 Hours

We’ve all been there. You meant to pick out a gift for that birthday party weeks ago, but somehow time got away from you. And now it’s down to the wire. You might think you’re stuck with getting them something generic: there’s no way I’ll be able to get them something special now! The good news is, there’s still time. You might be surprised to hear that there are lots of personalized gifting options available at our London Drugs Photolab that you can pick up within 24 hours or even same day.

To help you out, here’s our procrastinator cheat sheet for last-minute gifts:

There’s no time to lose! Get started right away by uploading your photos to our Photolab online, using our in-store kiosks, or downloading our London Drugs Photolab App for iOS and Android! For exact turnaround times, make sure to contact your local London Drugs Photolab.