Back to Dorm Essentials Every Student Needs

Back to school shopping is arguably the best part of the beginning of the school year. It’s even more important when you’re heading off to university. But while dorm rooms have the basics covered (bed, desk, at least one roommate you’ll either love or hate), it’s important to bring those little things that will make your space feel like yours (and of course to have on hand all those essentials every student needs). After all, you’ll be spending a lot of time in your dorm room, so it’s got to be comfortable!

Whether you’re heading off to your university dorm for the first time, or returning and looking to elevate your dorm room game, we’ve got tons of suggestions to make your home base more homey.

Back to Dorm London Drugs - Student on Campus

Essential Electronics

Sure, your phone can do basically anything these days, but for some things it’s good to have a backup when the battery dies and you still need to get to class. This iHome Bluetooth alarm clock has USB charging ports, will sync to your phone to play music, and rocks a “Gradual Wake” feature to make waking up a little less awful.

An external hard drive is absolutely essential these days, and even more so for students. You will inevitably accidentally delete an essay or have your computer crash at the worst time. Make sure you have all your files backed up to keep your stress levels down!

Even if you have a cafeteria meal plan, you’ll want a kettle for late night coffee, instant noodles, or tea. Electric kettles are quiet, fast, and only need an outlet to work.

This Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 camera is is more fun than essential, but it’s way better than taking pictures with your phone and it has a “party mode” to help you take clearer photos in low light. Impress your new friends with photo memories of the party where you met them!

London Drugs Back to Dorm - Students on Campus

Wall Decor

Nothing says boring like the plain white walls of a dorm room. Consider making your room more visually appealing—and comforting—by enlarging personal photos to poster size at the London Drugs Photolab! Fill your walls with your friends and family. It will help to reduce homesickness, plus you’ll look cooler than everyone else in your dorm who all have the same Bob Marley poster.

Invest in a good long mirror. It’ll ensure you never head to class in your pyjamas and it’s great for outfit selfies. This one can be hung over a door to save space.

Get Cozy

The most important thing with a new dorm room is to make the space feel comfortable. Grab some luxurious-feeling but inexpensive Egyptian cotton sheets for the bed and a soft velvet Berber throw to turn your bed into a cozy haven. Upgrade your desk chair with a chair pad for those long nights of essay writing.

Good luck with the new school year!

6 Sensational Recipes for the Instant Pot

For those who don’t know, the Instant Pot is a multi-purpose kitchen tool that combines the functions of a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, sauté pan, steamer, warmer, and yogurt maker.

With all that in one space-saving appliance, it’s no wonder the product is a huge success. Still, some might feel challenged to ensure they make the most of each Instant Pot feature.

Don’t worry, here are some sensational recipe ideas to get you started…

 

For the Pressure Cooker: The best part about pressure cookers is preparing dishes that would normally take hours in mere minutes. Meaning, whole new categories of dishes, like roasts and stews, can be added to your night-of cooking rotation.

1. Easy Chicken and Chickpea Masala

Instant Pot Recipe - Chicken Tika Masala

[Photo: J. Kenji Lopez-Alt]

Cook Time: 20mins.
Ingredients:

  • Unsalted butter
  • Onion, finely diced
  • Garlic, minced
  • Fresh Ginger, grated
  • Cumin
  • Paprika
  • Coriander
  • Turmeric
  • Cayenne pepper (as needed, to taste)
  • Crushed tomatoes
  • Spinach, trimmed
  • Lemon juice
  • Fresh Cilantro, chopped
  • Chicken drumsticks and thighs (4 to 6 of each)
  • Chicken stock
  • Chickpeas, drained
  • Heavy cream
  • Kosher salt

Full instructions at SeriousEats.com

2. Classic (Instant) Pot Roast

Cook Time: 45mins.
Ingredients:

  • Chuck or blade roast (2 inches thick)
  • Garlic
  • Small onions
  • Unsalted chicken stock
  • Light soy sauce
  • Fish sauce
  • Olive oil
  • Rosemary
  • Thyme
  • Bay leaves
  • Red wine or balsamic vinegar
  • Kosher salt and ground black pepper
  • White mushrooms
  • Carrots
  • Potatoes
  • Cornstarch + Water

Full instructions at PressureCookerRecipes.com

3. Vegan Curried Butternut Squash Soup

Instant Pot Recipe - Curry Soup

[Photo: DETOXinista]


Cook Time: 30mins
Ingredients:

  • Extra-virgin olive oil
  • Onion, chopped
  • Garlic, minced
  • Curry powder
  • Butternut squash, peeled and cubed
  • Salt & Pepper
  • Water
  • Coconut milk (or coconut cream)
Optional:
  • Hulled pumpkin seeds
  • Dried cranberries

Full instructions at DETOXinista.com

 

For the Slow Cooker: Sure, nearly everything you can make in a slow cooker is faster in a pressure cooker. But certain recipes may benefit from a slow approach. Plus, you can leave a slow cooker on during the day and simply sit down to dinner at night!

4. Gluten-Free Beef Stroganoff

Instant Pot Recipe – Beef Stroganoff

[Photo: 365 Days of Crockpot]

Cook Time: 6-8 hours (on low)
Ingredients:

  • Beef chuck roast, cubed (or buy stew meat)
  • Mushrooms, sliced
  • Sour cream
  • Non-fat dried powdered milk
  • Cornstarch
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
  • Salt & Pepper
  • Beef bouillon
  • Basil
  • Parsley
  • Dried onion
  • Gluten-free flour
  • Water
  • Sliced green onion, to garnish
  • [Can be served over any gluten-free pasta or rice alternative.]

Full instructions at 365DaysofCrockpot.com

 

For the Rice Cooker: A rice cooker is great for so much more than just making rice. Even if you do make rice in it, there’s no reason it needs to be plain. With just a little added technique, you can make entire satisfying meals like this paella.

5. Rice Cooker Paella

Instant Pot Recipe - Paella

[Photo: MyVega.ca]

Cook Time: 25mins.
Ingredients:

  • Onion, diced
  • Garlic, minced
  • Tomato, diced
  • Paprika
  • Cayenne
  • Saffron threads
  • White wine
  • Vegetable broth
  • Salt
  • Short grain rice
  • Fennel, roasted
  • Artichoke, with small amount of reserved brine
  • Green beans
  • Capers
  • Parsley, chopped
  • Lemon, sliced

Full instructions at MyVega.ca

 

For the Yogurt Maker: This is one Instant Pot function many of us are probably still unfamiliar with. But the rising popularity of protein-rich yogurt breakfast parfaits mean it’s likely to become a more popular option soon. Ready to give it a shot? Read on.

6. Homemade Yogurt (plain)


Cook Time: 25mins
Incubation Time: 8-10 hours
Ingredients:

  • Milk (not ultra-pasteurized)
  • Plain yogurt (with live cultures, used as a starter)
  • Sugar (optional)
  • Vanilla extract (optional)
  • Additional fruits or other flavours (optional)

Full instructions at KitchenJoyBlog.com

You can purchase one of two different sizes of Instant Pot at London Drugs in-store or online. Have a question about the Instant Pot? Feel free to ask an LD Expert in person, or you can reach us in the comments section below and wherever you find London Drugs on social media.

ALSO SEE: LD’s Full Instant Pot Review – with Korean-Fusion Burritos Recipe

September Book of the Month

 

 

Fierce Kingdom by Gin Phillips
The zoo is nearly empty as Joan and her four-year-old son soak up the last few moments of playtime. They are happy, and the day has been close to perfect. But what Joan sees as she hustles her son toward the exit minutes before closing time sends her sprinting back into the zoo, her child in her arms. And for the next three hours – the entire scope of the novel – she keeps on running.
Joan’s intimate knowledge of her son and of the zoo itself – the hidden pathways and under-renovation exhibits, the best spots on the carousel and overstocked snack machines – transform her into the hero she and her son need to stay a step ahead of danger.

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. Fierce Kingdom is available at London Drugs along with many other great titles and is on sale for the month of September.

 

September 2017 New Game Releases

Greetings gamers! Rumours of my demise have been greatly exaggerated. September kicks off the back to school season, the start of the sports game season, and the lead in to the holidays. That means a whole bunch of new titles are coming up soon. Let’s take a look!

Lego Worlds for Nintendo Switch


The hit game based on the hit complex interlocking brick system is coming to the Switch! Lego Worlds lets you build in Lego in a variety of procedurally generated worlds. Each world unlocks new quests and bricks to help you get to the next world in the game. Already available on other platforms since this past spring the game will land on the Switch on September 5th.
Pre-Order your copy at LondonDrugs.com!

READ MORE

Raise Your Backyard Party Game with These Accessories

It’s that time of year when your browser history reveals the hours spent ogling other people’s backyards. It’s hard not to think of all the decor changes you could make for your outdoor space, from accent colours to string lights. Here are a few scenes to recreate this year (or someday soon). When inspiration hits, London Drugs has the accessories you need to raise your backyard game.

Tractor Chic

Taking inspiration from the farms of Alberta, tractor-themed accessories (like these sweet solar lights and milking stools and matching tractor table) can transform your backyard into a rustic chic haven. If you’re looking for a pop of colour, channel the classic red barn door with this sharp patio set.

Steel and Magnolias

Do you love the smell of fresh herbs? The most fabulous gardens combine opposites in beautiful ways, like these pretty blooms planted up in old buckets. Pot basil, chives, and other garnishes in this cool wrought iron planter for a lovely scented centrepiece.

Backyard Party on the Patio

In the light-filled summer months, we’re more keen to stay up late and dine al fresco, sharing laughs and meals with friends. Set the mood with delicate fairy lights or a pathway of solar-powered torches for an outdoor space you can enjoy all night long.

Soundscaping

The perfect evening get-together needs an audio experience to match the lovely conversation with friends. Hardy waterproof speakers allow you to choose a complementary soundtrack for any backyard soiree.

Stay Warm

Let’s not forget that Canadian necessity for summer evenings: the fire pit. Redesigned as bowls, tabletops and glass aquariums, London Drugs has many to choose from. Just decide on your backyard’s theme and enhance with an engaging fire feature. Always practice fire safety and pay close attention to fire bans in your area.


 

The time you spend with friends and family in your backyard will undoubtedly become treasured memories for years to come. Find all the gorgeous accoutrements you need from London Drugs online and in-store from our Outdoor Living Guide.

Tangled Necklaces While Travelling? We Take Care of That.

If you are heading on a trip this year, pack up your makeup and jewelry like a pro. Prevent a tangled mess of necklaces using only a couple of drinking straws, and save yourself the frustration of untangling them all when you arrive at your destination!

  1. Start with an untangled necklace.
  2. Take a regular drinking straw.
  3. Thread each necklace through the straw (or slit the straw and slide the chain in).
  4. For shorter necklaces, cut the straw to length.
  5. Pack them up, and you’re ready to go!

Find all of your travel needs from London Drugs in-store and online, and know that we’ve got you covered with our #LDSolutions videos.


Need other great tips and tricks to make life easier? Check out more of our helpful LD Solutions Videos on YouTube or individually here on the London Drugs Blog:

Back to School Essentials for Happy, Healthy Kids

It’s almost that time of year again. Time for eager kids to explore a new set of subjects. Time for growing bodies to eat healthy, balanced lunches while enjoying the company of their friends. That’s right – It’s time for bright young minds to start a fresh new school year!

The best way to ensure that your kids are getting the nutrition they need, is to prepare a delicious and healthy lunch for them. Thanks to great products from Rubbermaid, this task is much simpler.

With Rubbermaid LunchBlox, you can easily pack a well-balanced meal with snap-together containers. Not only are these containers convenient, but they are pretty darn fun too! Is your kid messy? That’s okay, most of them are. But now you can help prevent the mess with 100% leak-proof Rubbermaid Brilliance containers. Rubbermaid Balance helps regulate portions and ensure kids are getting the right mix of nutritious foods. Field trip coming up? Not to fear! Rubbermaid Takealongs are perfect for on-the-go.

Now that we have messy meals all sealed up, let’s put a lid on that kid’s messy hair! With Goody Ouchless Brushes and Goody Ouchless Elastics , you can have your little ones looking their finest.

And nothing says new school year like a bunch of fun, colorful writing utensils! From doodling for fun to completing math equations, we have you covered with a wide selection of fun brands:

Visit your nearest London Drugs today and get a head start on your back-to-school shopping!

Last – but definitely not least – you have the chance to win a $2,500 RESP contribution to use toward your child’s education.  Plus, there are great secondary prizes consisting of a $1,000 London Drugs gift card and 3 Back to School gift packs for your kid when you buy one of the qualifying brands listed above. Click here to learn more and for full contest rules!

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