8 Heavenly Hanukkah Recipes to Savour this Season

Photo via DPM Does

At Hanukkah, Jewish families celebrate an ancient miracle, when one day’s worth of oil lasted for eight days. It’s not a surprise, then, that oil-based cooking is an inspiration for this holiday’s decadent feature dishes. But whether or not you celebrate Hanukkah, these must-try comfort foods are sure to warm your belly and satisfy family and friends on any cold winter night.

Latkes (Potato Pancakes)

Your eyes aren’t deceiving you. Your favourite breakfast foods (hashbrowns and pancakes) have combined into one glorious stack of onion-y dinner goodness. Making these is a family affair: they don’t taste right if there aren’t half a dozen people crammed into your kitchen hand-shaping the patties, fighting over flipping duty or trying to sneak a bite. Load them with sour cream, applesauce, or caviar if you’re feeling fancy.

[Find the recipe at ToriAvey.com]

Photo via ImpromptuKitchen

Jewish-Style Braised Brisket

With all of the pre-dinner shmoozing (read: chatting) that goes on at family events, waiting for that meat course can be tantalizing. Likewise, preparing this mouthwatering masterpiece requires a long-game strategy—we’re talking 3-4 hours in a good roasting pan—but it’s worth the wait. Bonus: This dish can be made in advance and stored in its braising liquid up to 4 days before your party. Extra marinating time, anyone?

[Find the recipe at SeriousEats.com]

Photo via Serious Eats

Sufganiyot (Jelly Doughnuts)

This globally recognized treat has a special place in Jewish tradition. It’s easy to fry up a batch in your own kitchen using a cast iron frying pan. Customize with different jams, or swap the milk and butter with coconut milk and coconut oil to make them dairy-free. These treats are best enjoyed fresh. (This also serves as justification for eating several. Right now. You’re welcome.)

[Find the recipe at SmittenKitchen.com]

Photo via Smitten Kitchen

Sweet Noodle Kugel

Noodle Kugel is an ultra-comforting casserole, and it’s unbelievably simple to make. This creamy dish is lightly sweetened, which might seem surprising at first, but have a little faith…it’s a must-have at Jewish holiday gatherings for a reason. Serve it warm or cold next to your main. Adding raisins and a dash of cinnamon is highly recommended.

[Find the recipe at ChowHound.com]

Photo via Rebecca Seigel

Classic Challah Bread

Challah is a type of braided egg bread that’s traditionally shared on the Jewish sabbath. After it rises, each braid loop forms a scrumptious little bun that can be broken off as the bread is passed down the table. Move aside, dinner rolls! This moist, luscious loaf is the perfect complement to any hearty meal.

[Find the recipe at The Nosher]

Photo via The Nosher

Rugelach Pastries

These flaky spiral crescents are made with a special cream cheese dough, and can be filled with dried fruit, chopped walnuts, chocolate, poppy seeds, or whatever else your heart desires. Consider them a timeless treasure. They’re found in Jewish bakeries and cafes all year round, but rugelach-lovers will find any excuse to bring them out, and nobody ever argues.

[Find the recipe at MarthaStewart.com]

Photo via Martha Stewart

Homemade Chocolate Gelt

In old Jewish tradition, money (“gelt”) was given out at Hanukkah. Nowadays, most families distribute chocolate coins wrapped in gold or silver foil. They’re often store-bought, but personalized gelt can be made at home if you’re crafty. Prefer white chocolate? Try mixing in some matcha powder for added flair.

[Find the recipe at dpmdoes.com]

Photo via DPM Does

Hanukkah Chocolate Gelt Cake

Very lucky kids get a Chocolate Surprise Gelt Cake at Hanukkah. These cakes typically have a hollowed-out core filled with (you guessed it) chocolate gelt. One slice reveals the spoils, and havoc ensues! For a less messy but equally delicious option, people with a sweet tooth can chop up the gelt and use it for cake layers. In the spirit of the holiday, some recipes call for olive oil in place of the eggs and butter.

[Find the recipe at Kitchen-Tested.com]

Photo via Kitchen-Tested.com

Giveaway! You Could Win the $2000 London Drugs Beauty Box

Calling all beauties! Are you ready for one of our BIGGEST giveaways of the year? This is your chance to win the Beauty Box filled with products from the brands we love at London Drugs worth over $2000! Oh yes, you heard that right. Plus, it’s the exact same box we gifted our VIP influencers and bloggers at our annual #LDBeauty event.

Do we have your attention yet?! There is something in this box for every skin type and makeup look your heart desires, including just-released products and cult favourites. Let’s dive in to how you can enter and scroll for the top products (all in the box!!) our London Drugs Beauty Advisors are in love with right now from the LD Beauty Event.

1. Shiseido Daiya Fude Face Duo

A brush that acts like your fingertips? Yes, please! This diamond-shaped brush from Shiseido allows you to apply, buff and blend all face products without having to change brushes. It even conducts heat to warm up the product, leaving you with a more natural looking application.

2. EcoTools Makeup Brush Cleansing Cloths

We have to clean our brushes, beauties! The EcoTools cleansing cloths instantly wash away surface makeup, oil, and impurities from your brushes to keep them clean, soft, and healthy.

3. Bioderma Atoderm SOS Spray

Is your skin prone to itching? Bioderma’s Atoderm SOS Spray soothes itching in 60 seconds for 6 hours—wow. New Skin Relief technology is combined with soothing ingredient Enoxolone to block the biological process responsible for itching right from the start.

4. Clinique Dramatically Different Hydrating Jelly

Oh, this is a definite favourite among influencers and beauty bloggers! The Dramatically Different Hydrating Jelly from Clinique is a lightweight water-jelly that delivers 24-hour hydration repair plus pollution protection.

5. NeoStrata Resurface Smooth Surface Glycolic Peel

You probably already know how much we love NeoStrata at London Drugs! This advanced at-home peel is formulated with 10% Glycolic Acid and exfoliates your skin, clarifies pores, refines texture, and improves overall tone.

6. NeoStrata Restore Bionic Face Cream

Do you have sensitive skin? Try NeoStrata’s Restore Bionic face cream—a rich, soothing emollient designed for dry, reactive skin. It contains Bionic Acid to help attract moisture to the skin barrier.

7. Lancome L’Absolu Rouge Drama Matte Lipstick

Get ready for a dramatically matte, super pigmented lipstick that lasts from your morning coffee to a night on the town. The Lancome L’Absolu Rouge Drama Matte lipstick uses new light powder technology for extra comfort and colour.

8. Kiss Blowout Lash in Pixie

We love a great pair of lashes. The latest in falsies, the Kiss Blowout Lash in Pixie are next-gen wispy with bouncy volume and curl. The best part? This brand is totally reusable and cruelty free!

9. L’Oreal Unlimited Mascara

Need a new mascara? Look no further than the L’Oreal Unlimited Mascara with 24-hour hold and ultra-black pigment! The bendable wand can be used bent or straight to build lash length or intensity smaller lashes.

Are you ready? Here’s how to enter!

Follow @ldbeauty_ on Instagram OR follow London Drugs Beauty on Facebook
Tag a friend who LOVES beauty as much as you do in our Instagram post or our Facebook post
Extra entry: Comment on our Instagram post or our Facebook post with a beauty product from the photo you can’t wait to try!
Extra entry: Share our Instagram post in your Instagram Story

Terms and Conditions

No purchase necessary. Limit one (1) entry per social network per contest. Limit one (1) prize may be won per household. Entries must be received no later than 11:59 pm Pacific Time on November 30, 2018. London Drugs is not responsible for entries that become lost or misdirected.
Contest is open to all residents of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba who, as of the date the prize draw is made: (i) have not won a London Drugs contest since November 30, 2017; (ii) have reached the age of majority in the province in which they reside as at November 30, 2018 (iii) are not employees of London Drugs, their respective advertising and promotional agencies, the independent judging organization (if any), or any family member living with any such employee.
The winners will be chosen by a judge on the day the contest ends (see dates below) in Vancouver, British Columbia, from all eligible entries received per contest. Winners will be selected based on a combination of number of post likes, comments and overall skill/creativity. To win, selected entrants must have correctly answered the skill-testing mathematical question on the entry form and must sign London Drug’s declaration and release confirming compliance with the contest rules and acceptance of the prize(s) as awarded, releasing London Drugs from liability in association with the contest and prize and consenting to the use of their name, photograph, voice and statements for promotional and publicity purposes.
There will be 1 prize awarded: the winner will receive ONE Beauty Box, worth approximately $2000. Prize(s) must be accepted as awarded, are non-transferable and no substitutions are permitted. London Drugs reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value should any prize become unavailable for any reason. Prize will be awarded at the closest London Drugs location to the winner. Contests dates: November 16, 2018 – November 30, 2018. Draw Date: 12:00 PM Pacific Time Monday, December 3, 2018.
Selected entrants will be contacted by email, or social network they were drawn from. No correspondence will be entered into except with selected entrants. If the winner does not respond then she/he will be notified for the second time, 2 (two) days after the first notification. If the winner still does not respond within 2 days of the second notification, a new winner will be chosen in the same manner until a winner is successfully contacted.
The chances of winning a prize will depend on the number of eligible entries received. Decisions of the judges in respect of all aspects of this contest including, but not limited to, eligibility of entries and correctness of answers given to the skill-testing question, are final.
London Drugs, their respective advertising and promotional agencies, the independent judging organization, and their respective agents are not liable to an entrant in any manner relating to the contest or the awarding and use of the prize(s).
This contest is subject to all federal, provincial, and municipal laws and regulations. By entering the entrant consents to the collection of all personal information included on their entry and agrees to the use and disclosure of such information by and between London Drugs and their agents. The winner(s) also agrees to the collection, use and disclosure of their name, entry, photographs, voice and statements for London Drugs’ publicity purposes without further compensation. All personal information collected from entrants will be used only for the purposes of administering the contest and for marketing and promotional purposes as contemplated by these rules; under no circumstances will any personal information be sold or rented to third parties. All personal information collected by London Drugs will be kept in accordance with the privacy policy of London Drugs, which can be viewed at londondrugs.com, and in accordance with all applicable privacy laws.
The right is reserved by London Drugs to terminate this contest, in whole or in part, and/or modify, amend or suspend the contest, and/or these rules in any way, should any cause beyond the reasonable control of London Drugs or its agents affect the proper administration thereof.

Men’s Grooming & Skincare 101 for Movember

Gentlemen, Movember is here, and you know what that means: time to grow out that moustache or beard! Showing off your ‘stache this month will help bring awareness to important men’s health issues, like mental health. Paul Marlow (aka Tall Paul) is a YouTuber, Personal Trainer, Model and Actor, and has had his own struggles with mental health. To celebrate Movember and shed a light on men’s mental health, Paul is proudly rocking his facial hair – with a little grooming and skincare help from London Drugs. Watch the video to see how he keeps his skin looking great, as well as his facial hair, as he grows it out this month.

Products Featured:

Don’t forget to subscribe to London Drugs and Tall Paul on YouTube, and stay tuned for more LDBeauty videos!

We’re Celebrating 73 Years of Serving You!

This month marks London Drugs’ 73rd anniversary. What started as a humble community drugstore located on Main St. in Vancouver in 1945 has expanded into a multi-category retailer and community anchor in 35 major markets throughout B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.

The store pictured on the right was one of our original locations, shown here in 1968, at 800 Main St. in Vancouver.

London Drugs started as a pharmacy. We were open evenings and weekends, which was unusual for any store in that era.

We wanted to ensure we could help people who needed medicine anytime they needed us. And we still do! The heart of what we do remains in our pharmacy, where care for your health is our top priority.

We quickly expanded to carry photography equipment as well, and photography became another core area of our expertise.

By the mid-’70s we had entered into new municipalities, like New Westminster, pictured here (left) in 1975. We had 10 stores around the Lower Mainland.

Around this time, we were acquired by Tong Louie, head of the HY Louie Group. Mr. Louie carried on the tradition of innovation that had led to London Drugs’ success, and helped make us bigger and better.

We opened stores in Alberta, eventually tripling the number of London Drugs’ locations. We also started carrying a broader range of products, including kitchen appliances, electronics, and cosmetics, unique offerings for a drugstore.

In the 1980s, London Drugs pioneered the concept of one-hour photo finishing, and worked with suppliers to refine technology so that it could be brought right into stores.

To this day, in the age of digital photography, we continue to offer state-of-the-art photo finishing and professional photography expertise and services.

We also launched a computer department and hired technology specialists to help advise you on all your technology needs. And we continued to grow across western Canada.

All of the changes we’ve made over 73 years have been propelled by our dedication to serving you: our valued customers and communities. For that we say: thank you!

Interested in learning more about our history? Read the full London Drugs story here.

Anniversary Giveaway!

Any LDExtras visits between October 26-31 will automatically count as an entry to win one of the following London Drugs gift cards: 10 x $1000, 10 x $730, or 10 x $100!

Learn more about our anniversary giveaway and come celebrate 73 years with us!

6 Science-y Things To Do with Kids for Halloween

Halloween is a great time to get your kids interested in science. When else does it make sense to make slime and goop and witch’s brews? They’re not just fun to play with; they’ll teach your kids about how the world works, too. Chemistry and physics can be exciting!

Whether you’re throwing a kids’ Halloween party or just want some spooky educational experiments, we’ve got you covered.

Make Some Halloween Slime

Slime is the classic spooky science-y experiment for good reason: it’s easy, sticky, icky, and oh so fun to play with! You can make slime yourself with these borax-free slime recipes–make a bunch of different coloured batches with food colouring! You can also purchase DIY slime kits which contain everything you’ll need, as well as instructions. Want something even cooler? Make bubbling slime with xantham gum, baking soda, and vinegar!

Ooh, Ooze!

Ooze is a bit more foamy and a bit less sticky than slime. Think about those vinegar and baking soda volcanoes you used to make as a kid, only with a bit more structure–that’s ooze! You can make ooze with hydrogen peroxide and yeast, both easily available ingredients. For your little witch or wizard, make this magical brew in a cauldron or beaker. Or, if you’d prefer to scare your neighbours, make an oozing pumpkin for your front steps!

Dancing Ghosts

Teach your children about static electricity by making a ghost dance! Science Bob has the scoop; all you need is a balloon, your child’s hair (to create the static charge), and a ghost made out of tissue paper. Oh, and maybe some spooky tunes to add to the effect.

Glowing Gulps

With a little tonic water and a black light, you can make glowing liquids that are safe to drink. Tonic water contains quinine, which has been used historically to prevent malaria. British colonists in India would drink gin and tonics for this very reason (the gin makes the tonic a bit more exciting.) Quinine will fluoresce under a black light, which just means that it glows! You can usually get a black light at a party supply store.

Fake Blood

If you’ve got older kiddos, make some fake blood with them! Steve Spangler Science has a bunch of recipes. It’ll add some amazing colour to a scary Halloween costume!

Galaxy Play Dough

If you’d prefer to make something a little less scary, try making some galaxy play dough. By adding glitter and glycerin, you’ll have a shiny, sparkly dough to pull, stretch, and play with.

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!

2018 Drugstore Beauty Favourites

Hundreds of new beauty products and lots of new beauty brands graced the shelves of London Drugs this year, and our Beauty Experts have tried them all! So we thought we’d pick their brains to find out which 2018 beauty launches really wowed – from the most innovative, to must-have essentials. In this video, LDBeauty Experts Sara and Britta are sharing their favourite skincare, makeup, nail polishes and beauty tools, so you know exactly what to try the next time you find yourself in our cosmetics department, or browsing online at www.londondrugs.com.

Products Featured:

La Roche Posay Serozinc
Makeup Revolution Liquid Highlighter in Starlight
Makeup Revolution Liquid Highlighter in Rose Gold
Prim + Proper Nail Lacquer in Bloody Freezing
Prim + Proper Nail Lacquer in Mount Logan Tippy Top Coat
Prim + Proper Nail Polish in Whistler Winter
Tropez Self Tan Express Face Sheet Mask
Neutrogena Light Therapy Acne Mask
Weleda Skin Food Original Ultra-Rich Cream
Derma E Essentials Microdermabrasion Scrub
Lavido Alert Eye Cream

Subscribe to London Drugs on YouTube and stay tuned for more beauty videos!