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2017 Holiday Gift Guide for the Home Cook

The days are colder, the nights are longer, and we’ve fallen back, ending Daylight Saving Time. Time to start planning for the holidays! Do you know what gifts you’re going to get for your loved ones this year? We’re here to help.

Throughout November and December, we’ll be posting holiday gift guides for everyone on your list, with a wide range of gift ideas and price points on each. From showstopper items to smaller stocking stuffers, we’ve got you covered.

We’re starting our holiday gift guides with ideas for the home cook in your life. Whether you know an adventurous chef or a young person just learning the basics, you can’t go wrong with kitchen-y gifts. Everyone needs to cook!

Here’s our guide to buying the perfect kitchen goodie for the home cook on your list.

1. Introduce Them to the Joys of the Crock-Pot Life

The Crock-Pot Express 8 in 1 Multicooker is an outstanding gift for the home chef. It’s a convenient way to make delicious, hearty fare that will nourish an entire household. The bonus? It does all the work while you’re out preparing for the holidays or relaxing with a good book.

This particular model is an 8 in 1 wonder appliance, with settings for rice cooking, yogurt making, and more. Include some recipes with your gift so the recipient can get started with it right away–we’ve got a list of 3 sensational crock-pot recipes right here.

[Photo: J. Kenji Lopez-Alt]

2. Elevate Their Coffee Game

Chances are your foodie friend loves coffee just as much as they do cooking. But do they have all the tools needed to make a truly great cup of coffee? A real chef will appreciate a grinder to grind their own beans to the perfect coarseness for their coffee maker of choice.

Do they need a new coffee maker? Why not a cold brew coffee maker to make delicious cold brew at home! If they love design as well as functionality, this beautiful Bodum pour over coffee maker with a classic cork band will look gorgeous on their shelves. And for those that would prefer to spend their time cooking rather than making coffee, a Keurig K-Cup machine to make the perfect cup every time with no effort on their part. Help them end their dinner parties with just the right amount of coffee, and without stress.

3. Restock with Beautiful Basics

Chances are, the home cook in your life has a solid set of pots, pans, and knives, but those good reliable basics may need some upgrading. Non-stick coating wears off and pans get scratched–it happens to the best of us. This Gotham Steel 10 Piece set is made with stainless steel, and the cooking surface is scratch resistant and oven safe. If your friend is a little more traditional, you can’t go wrong with a good cast iron skillet.

Even if they have a good set of kitchen basics, no home cook worth their salt can resist a beautiful new tool that’s good for cooking and serving. Think colourful enameled cast iron dutch ovens, cookware classy enough to go from oven to table, and quintessential white CorningWare dishes.

4. Give a Gaggle of Gadgets

The best part about being a cook is that there’s always a cool new tool to try. Specialized utensils, gadgets designed to make a job easier, or niche appliances would make great gifts for the kitchen connoisseur in your life. Add some tools to their toolbelt!

It can seem overwhelming trying to find something that they don’t already have, but if you pick something related to a recent food trend, you’re generally good to go. Think spiralizers, cupcake carriers, and milk frothers.

Or go the other way, and pick up tools that will always be useful: multi-blade herb scissors, a knife sharpener, or an egg poacher. This knife mat will corral their blades and keep them sharp, while this covered bowl with included serving set is perfect for bringing to parties. No matter who you’re buying for, there’s a gadget out there for them.

For more gift-giving advice for the home cook on your list, speak to an LD Expert today. To make a purchase, visit London Drugs in-store and online. We’ll be back next week with a gift guide for kids (and parents). See you then!

See all of our 2017 Holiday Gift Guides here:

2017 Holiday Gift Guide for Kids (and Parents)

2017 Holiday Gift Guide for Techies

2017 Holiday Gift Guide for the DIYer

2017 Holiday Gift Guide for Music Lovers

7 Favourite Fall Décor Ideas to Try Now

Sweater weather, pumpkin spice and family dinners are just a few of the things that make fall one of the best times of the year. The weather may get chillier and the days shorter, but there’s no denying that the fall season inspires a festive vibe and overall cozy feeling inside the home. The following is a list of DIY fall décor ideas that are bound to get you (and your home!) in the mood for fall.

1. Place Cards

Thanksgiving may have already passed, but there’s always an excuse to throw a dinner party! During the rainy season, it’s easy to entice friends and family to gather for a hot meal. If you’re in a pinch or want to keep it simple, liven up the dining room table with this (pine) fresh take on dinner place cards.

2. Leaf Decor

Not ready for Christmas décor yet? A quick and easy decorating tip for the kitchen table or hallway is to use the natural décor around you. In this case, use clean fallen leaves (or pick up fabric leaves at your local craft store) and hang them with string to create a colourful fall garland.

3. Autumn Wreath

Wreaths are not just for winter! Opt for making your own wreath or purchasing a base at your local dollar store, and add orange fairy lights, plastic fruit and fall flowers. Once December is here, add some fabric ornaments to transition into a holiday look.

4. Cinnamon Candles

What sparks memories of fall more than the smell of freshly baked apple pie and cinnamon? To recreate this scent in your home, take a tall pillar candle with your favourite fall scent, and line with cinnamon sticks. Not only do they smell amazing, but these candles also make a fantastic centrepiece.

5. Fall Basket

Chances are, you have a few wicker baskets stored away in the closet for summer picnics or Easter treats. Make even more use out of them this season, and stack them to create a gorgeous fall centrepiece. Add pinecones, ribbon, and green foliage until you’re decorating in December…then add Christmas bulbs!

6. Framed Prints

For fall inspired decor that can also work year-round, pick out a couple of rustic wooden frames for accompanying prints. These can be of leaves, pressed flowers, photographs or paintings, and can also be used to display kids’ seasonal artwork.

7. Pumpkin Succulents

Flowers may not be the most popular gift during the fall season, but that doesn’t mean we have to shy away from plant-based decorations! Recycle the outer shell of a cored pumpkin and plant your own succulent terrarium. Fill with moss and dirt, and display in lieu of a carved pumpkin.

Growing Demand for Multicultural Toys in Canada as Share of Immigrants Reaches Highest Level in Almost a Century

Canadian Retailer London Drugs Debuts Exclusive “Diversity Dolls” Collection

The share of immigrants in Canada has reached its highest level in almost a century, according to 2016 census figures released in October.¹ This population diversity in Canada is driving demand for more variety and inclusion in everything customers purchase, including toys. This holiday season, Canadian retailer London Drugs is responding to the demand by expanding its toy category to include Diversity Dolls; a collection of six dolls from different cultural backgrounds. The hope is with more options on store shelves, parents can select toys that provide children with a more authentic representation of the ethnic diversity in Canada.

“The country’s makeup is more diverse now than in any other generation and we’re factoring this into many of the merchandising decisions we make; including the toy category,” explains Dan Moy, London Drugs’ long-time merchandise buyer, and father of three. Moy worked directly with the doll manufacturer to select and assemble the individual dolls as a set, which is available exclusively at London Drugs with anticipation the dolls will be a popular toy for gift-giving during the upcoming holiday season.

Moy says there is little doubt that the multicultural toy category will continue to grow particularly when you look at the immigration trends.

Today, 7.7 million Canadians belong to a visible minority. Additionally, four in ten Canadian children under the age of 14 have at least one parent born abroad. If recent immigration trends continue, nearly half of the population of Canada will likely be immigrants or children of immigrants by 2036.²

Products like London Drugs’ Diversity Dolls are a progression toward creating a toy aisle that reflects the diversity of Canada today and in the future.

Diversity Dolls are now available in stores and at LondonDrugs.com.

[1] Immigration and ethnocultural diversity: Key results from the 2016 Census

[2] Study: A look at immigration, ethnocultural diversity and languages in Canada up to 2036, 2011 to 2036

You Need These 5 Kitchen Appliances for Hassle-Free Family Dinners

Excess kitchen equipment can take up valuable cupboard or counter space, but there are a number of amazing kitchen tools that are worth the extra real estate. We’re highlighting five kitchen appliances here that will make family dinners easier, as well as fantastic recipes for you to use with them. Bon appetit!

Wok

The wok isn’t your typical frying pan. It’s a particular type of round-bottom cookware that can be used to stew, braise, poach, boil, steam, pan fry, deep fry, and stir fry. It’s almost a pot and a pan in one dish, but the distinct shape makes it easy to toss food around with a spatula and it heats better than a flat pan. It’s simply the best tool for stir-fries, which make super quick weekday meals.

Recipes to try:

Indoor Grill

Indoor grills bring the flavour of the summer inside, all year long. Instead of struggling with coals or barbecuing in the rain in the fall, turn on your indoor grill. It has a more even cooking temperature than an outdoor grill and is dead simple to use. Everything tastes better grilled.

Recipes to try:

Rice Cooker

The rice cooker sounds like it’s only good for one thing–cooking rice–but it’s far more versatile than it seems. You can also use it to make curry, oatmeal, soup, polenta, and tons more. Surprising, but delicious! We’ve listed recipes here that go beyond the classic use, although rice cookers do make cooking a side of grains pretty darn simple as well.

Recipes to try:

Slow Cooker

Slow cookers are for the perfect tool for someone who wants a meal ready to go by the time they get home. Prep in the morning, set it, and forget it. You’ll come home after a long day with your house smelling amazing and dinner waiting.

Recipes to try:

Multi-Cooker

If your kitchen space is truly at a minimum, don’t fret. The Instant Pot is an amazing kitchen appliance that basically combines many features from the previous tools into one: it’s a slow cooker, pressure cooker, rice cooker, and more. It even makes yogurt! And it uses much less energy than many stoves. Easy, simple, and environmentally friendly.

Recipes to try:

For more Instant Pot recipes, check out our 6 Sensational Recipes for the Instant Pot post!

Do you love your Instant Pot or your rice cooker? Find all of these kitchen appliances at your local London Drugs in-store or online.

Changing of the Gourd: 9 Perfectly Pleasant Pumpkin Recipes

We are well into #PSL season, as you’ve probably gathered from your Instagram feed. (That’s Pumpkin Spice Latte season, for you non-coffee drinkers.) Luckily for foodies, there is so much more to this versatile autumn gourd than just coffee shops and Thanksgiving pie, so we’ve put together some of our favourite pumpkin recipes to help you celebrate everyone’s favourite fall flavour.

1. Pumpkin, Beef and Black Bean Chili

This hearty, savoury dish has a surprising hint of sweetness from the pumpkin that will warm up any cool fall night. Double the recipe and save for a freezer full of leftovers to enjoy throughout the season—it’s no secret that chili is always better the next day (or week, or month). Don’t forget the chipotle sour cream!

[Find the recipe at Country Living]

2. Savoury Pumpkin Pancakes

Pumpkin for breakfast? Of course! Inspired by traditional Indian cooking, these healthy and simple pancakes are also known as besan ka puda. Ingredients can be substituted to make custom flavours, as well as vegan and gluten-free options. Perfect for getting you out of that breakfast rut.

[Find the recipe at Ruchi’s Kitchen]

3. Glorious Roasted Pumpkin Soup

Even the people who aren’t into the whole #PSL thing will find it hard to pass up a nice, hot bowl of velvety, spiced pumpkin soup. Top with pecans or goat cheese, throw on a pair of fuzzy socks and a cable knit sweater, and you’ll be a Pinterest board come to life. A fall classic.

[Find the recipe at JamieOliver.com]

4. Pumpkin Ricotta Stuffed Shells

Got a craving for a creamy pasta dish, but trying to cut down on the fat? We’ve got you covered. The richness of the pumpkin in this recipe takes the place of the loads of cheese traditionally found in a baked pasta dish. Comfort food level: EXPERT.

[Find the recipe at Country Living]

5. Easy Pumpkin Curry

Pumpkin and curry go together like a pile of leaves and a jumping toddler. Skip the take-out and instead whip up this spicy crowd-pleaser, even if you’re short on time. You can pour this delicious concoction over your favourite rice, vegetables, or tofu, or whichever combination of the three satisfies your current craving.

[Find the recipe at A Beautiful Mess]

6. Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

We hope you hung on to the innards of your jack-o’-lantern, because these crunchy snacks are a fall must-have. Packed with iron, magnesium, fibre, zinc, potassium, healthy fats, protein, and tryptophan (which can boost your mood and help you sleep), vegans and vegetarians have been using pumpkin seeds for years as a natural source of nutrients. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavours: soy sauce, cayenne, cinnamon, nutmeg – time to get creative!

[Find the recipe at Oh! She Glows]

7. Savoury Pumpkin Pizza

Yes, it sounds strange on paper, but we promise this will be on your top 10 list of best pizza EVER. Mild and creamy havarti cheese is the perfect flavour accompaniment with the veggies in this dish, and a fun change from mozzarella. Don’t skip the sweetened onions step—they’re the secret ingredient that will put this dish over the top into OMG territory. Meat eaters and vegetarians alike will be instantly addicted, and gluten-free foodies can use their favourite GF crust.

[Find the recipe at Love Lola]

8. Chipotle Pumpkin Veggie Burger

Looking for an alternative to your pre-packaged veggie burger option? Try these quick and healthy pumpkin patties. Spices can be dialed up or down to your preference, and toppings are open to creative interpretation. Don’t get boxed in by the bun—these baked, crunchy beauties can also be tucked into a super-healthy lettuce wrap or crumbled on salads. They also freeze nicely, so they can be made ahead of time. Future you will heartily thank present you.

[Find the recipe at Peas & Crayons]

9. Cheesecake Factory Pumpkin Cheesecake

Who doesn’t love a trip to the Cheesecake Factory during a visit south of the border? Well, someone did us all a favour and broke down their creamy, decadent pumpkin cheesecake recipe, and now we’re here to share it with you. (Yeah, you’re welcome.) Next to the prevalent pie, this modern classic is a fall dessert staple. Pro tip: replace white sugar with brown sugar for a deeper, richer taste.

[Find the recipe at Genius Kitchen]

Tuck into these perfectly pleasing pumpkin recipes and enjoy all that fall has to offer. Happy eating!

Your Guide to Creating a Cozy Plaid Life

The changing weather and cooler temperatures are bringing out our cozy side. What better way is there to prepare for the winter ahead then by wrapping yourself in layers and layers of comfort. From a sturdy plaid flannel, to accessories that make a statement, this is your guide to creating a totally cozy plaid life this fall.

Invest in a Great Plaid Shirt

The red plaid shirt is a classic for a reason. Aside from being the unofficial Canadian uniform, a good plaid shirt is durable, warm, and relatively weather-proof (particularly if you go for a flannel). Whether you are sitting around a campfire on a chilly fall evening, or running holiday errands in the slush, the plaid shirt just makes sense.

Photo by Javier Canales

Throw Down for Cozy Plaid

Expert cozy-ists know that a plaid throw is a must-have for fall. The thicker, the better. Curl up on the couch under your plaid throw with a good book or your favourite old movie. Bonus points if you casually sip hot chocolate.

Photo by Cory Bouthillette

Take Plaid With You

Bring the spirit of coziness along with you everywhere you go with a Roots 73 Plaid Folio Phone Case. It’s a stylish and durable case that subtly showcases your commitment to the cozy plaid life wherever you are.

Paint the Town Plaid

Really go for the gusto by turning an old tabletop into an eye-catching statement furniture piece. The Rain on a Tin Roof blog has a no-measure method for painting a plaid pattern using painter’s tape.

Photo by Jenna LaFevor

There you have it. That’s everything you need to create a plaid-tastic fall. Wrap yourself in layers of flannel and warmth, and indulge in that lumberjack-chic life. And please, snap some photos of your #PlaidLife and share them with us on Instagram (@LondonDrugs) or Facebook.

November Book of the Month

Arthur by Mikael Lindnord
When you’re racing 435 miles through the jungles and mountains of South America, the last thing you need is a stray dog tagging along. But that’s exactly what happened to Mikael Lindnord, captain of a Swedish adventure racing team, when he threw a scruffy but dignified mongrel a meatball one afternoon.
When the team left the next day, the dog followed. Try as they might, they couldn’t lose him – and soon Mikael realized that he didn’t want to. Crossing rivers, battling illness and injury, and struggling through some of the toughest terrain on the planet, the team and the dog walked together towards the finish line, where Mikael decided he would save the dog, now name Arthur, and bring him back to his family in Sweden, whatever it took.

Reviews
I really enjoyed reading about Arthur and think it’s a great book for animal lovers. The bond between Mikael and Arthur is truly one of a kind. The book starts off slow but keep reading! Once Arthur enters the story, you won’t want to put the book down. – Review by Janice

Book of the Month
Every month we will be featuring a new book to be showcased in our Book of the Month. Staff members and friends will be reading the book and posting their reviews. We’d love to hear what you thought of these books as well. Post your comments and let us know. Arthur is available at London Drugs along with many other great titles and is on sale for the month of November.

1. Introduce Them to the Joys of the Crock-Pot Life

2. Elevate Their Coffee Game

3. Restock with Beautiful Basics

4. Give a Gaggle of Gadgets

1. Place Cards

2. Leaf Decor

3. Autumn Wreath

4. Cinnamon Candles

5. Fall Basket

6. Framed Prints

7. Pumpkin Succulents

Wok

Recipes to try:

Indoor Grill

Recipes to try:

Rice Cooker

Recipes to try:

Slow Cooker

Recipes to try:

Multi-Cooker

Recipes to try:

For more Instant Pot recipes, check out our 6 Sensational Recipes for the Instant Pot post!

Invest in a Great Plaid Shirt

Throw Down for Cozy Plaid

Take Plaid With You

Paint the Town Plaid

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