Markham Real Estate Today with Asif Khan

One way to ensure your kids don't experience a loss of learning over the summer break is to READ. Experts say that kids need to read at least 15 to 20 minutes per day in order to maintain their reading skills. Reading is not only entertaining but it also exposes kids to different and new ideas, cultures, language skills, and fresh vocabulary words. It also expands their imagination and creativity! But try telling kids that!



Some kids do need a little motivation to keep on reading… especially when they have already  been concentrating on schoolwork during the year. Who wants to do "more" after the school is over! 



Here are a few ways you can encourage them to keep up their good reading habits:



Start a book club with your kids' friends or neighbours. Get the parents to chip in to purchase book store gift cards as rewards for kids who read the most books. Have treats for runner-ups. Meet up regularly so kids can discuss or present the books they have read. This will sharpen their comprehension and presentation skills.



Get a library card. The library offers endless resources so visit it regularly. If your kids have favourite authors or collections, reserve the books online to ensure availability.



Create a reward chart or a log for each child, for his or her reading program. Record all the books that are read and reward the kids weekly or every time they finish a book.



Enjoy good books as a family. Read out loud to children of all ages. Involve the kids and them take turns at reading too. Try reading in bed 15 to 20 minutes each day before they go to sleep. It will calm them down as they prepare to wind down for the day.



Make reading fun as much as possible. If they don't enjoy reading novels, try comic books, pictured chapter books, or books that are about a hobby or sport they enjoy. Or get a book that Hollywood transformed into a blockbuster movie! Try to have them alternate between a "serious" book and a "fun" book so reading doesn't become tedious.



Remind your kids of the importance of reading in an amusing way.

As the summer rages on, protect your skin so you don’t have to suffer from the season’s skin problems.

It’s the (hopefully) end of summer and while the monsoon should be here soon, for now the heat continues unabated. Fortunately, your skin needn’t take the brunt of the heat this season. We have for you, some tips that’ll help keep your skin fresh and dewy, even as the mercury continues to stay high.

Top 10 – Skincare tips for the summer

1. Stay hydrated. Your body tends to lose a lot of moisture in the summer, so it’s important to regularly replenish the H2O. Drink a lot of water and liquids and your skin will stay soft and moisturised as well.

2. Sun protection. If you can, try and stay indoors between 11am and 3pm. That’s when the sun’s rays are the strongest and can have an adverse effect on your skin. Also, don’t forget to apply that all-important sunscreen 30 minutes before you step out. If you’ve been out in the sun for a few hours, touch it up again so you’re well protected.

3. Use a toner. It’s important to keep your pores closed and skin cool by using a toner. Look for a brand that suits you or try rose water. Its natural cooling properties make it an excellent toner for the hot season.

4. Go for a water-based moisturiser. Don’t make the mistake of skipping the moisturising routine altogether as its essential for your skin to remain hydrated. However, if you find your regular moisturiser too oily, go for a water-based one.

5. Ditch those aerated drinks. Most people have the tendency to reach out for an ice cold aerated drink to quench their thirst on a really hot day. However, it’s important to remember that these drinks are full of sugar that is not good for your skin or your figure. Instead drink some water, fresh lime, fresh fruit juices, aam panna (green mango drink) or coconut water to stay hydrated. It’s also best to minimise the intake of diuretics like alcohol and caffeine as they reduce the water from your system.

6. Cleanse your face twice a day. At least! This is important to do even if you’ve been home all day and feel like your skin is clean. Cleansing and moisturising your skin before sleeping is an absolute must.

7. Exfoliate. More than the rest of the year, it’s really important to exfoliate your skin in the summer to remove dead skin and improve blood circulation to the face. Choose from any of the cosmetic scrubs available in the market or make one at home. Try this simple one using 4 to 5 tbsps of gram flour, a pinch of turmeric, 5 – 6 drops of rose water and milk or yoghurt. Mix it into a paste and use it to exfoliate your face. Follow it up with a facemask and moisturiser.

8. Don’t like your tan? Gram flour can also be used as a facemask to get rid of an uneven tan. Mix it with yoghurt and a few drops of lemon and apply and leave it on your face till it’s dry. The citrus properties of the lemon are very effective in removing the tan.

9. Get that warm, summer glow. Papaya is full of natural goodness and you can even use it as a homemade pack. Just mash 2 tbsp of papaya with a tsp of honey and 1 egg white. Leave the mixture on your face for about 15 minutes and enjoy the glow you get afterwards.

10. Cool your skin. Blending half a cucumber and 1 tbsp of yoghurt in the mixer can make another simple and effective homemade face pack. Apply this to your face for 15 minutes and feel completely pampered.

Bonus tip. Eat healthy, exercise and sleep well! The holy trinity of good health and glowing skin holds true for the whole year. So along with all the tips above, don’t forget to eat a balanced diet, work out for at least 45 minutes everyday and get 7 to 8 hours of sleep. Enjoy the summer!

Summer street festivals in Toronto are packed with incredible local street food and entertainment, and it just wouldn't be summer in the city without them. Lots of cities claim their summer programming has something for everyone but in Toronto, it's actually true. Whether you've got a fetish for fabulous floats or a love for food on a stick, you will be covered by Toronto's s festivals.

Here are my picks for the top street festivals in Toronto this summer.

ONGOING

Pedestrian Sundays in Kensington Market
A festival much-hated by many Kensington residents, but much-loved by everybody else, this event closes the streets of Kensington Market off to traffic, leaving them open to music, art, dancing, drum circles, and buskers. The street festivals fall on the last Sunday of each month, from noon until 7 p.m. Those Sundays are: June 29, July 27, and August 31.

JUNE

Waterfront Festival
This year's festival, from June 20 to 22, will feature a wine and beer garden at Sugar Beach, and closures along Queens Quay between Sherbourne and Spadina, featuring entertainment of various sorts. There is an aquatic dog show (nope not joking) and various other watery sport demonstrations.

World Pride 2014
Toronto's pride festival is so wonderful that this year, we get to host World Pride. It runs from June 20 to 29, and will, as its title suggests, be the world's largest celebration of our LGBTQ++ folk. The festival culminates in the Pride Parade and street festival. It's a massive street party that will close down streets from June 27 to 29, with the parade on June 29 beginning at 1 p.m.

The Junction Summer Solstice Festival
This witchy festival in the Junction celebrates the longest day of the year. June 21, Dundas St. W. closes to traffic and opens up to pedestrians from Quebec to Indian Grove. DIY culture, art and music will all be celebrated in the lovely west end hood, and it's complete with a ferris wheel this year. The festival runs from day to night.

Fusion of Taste
The Albion Rd. and Islington Ave. intersection in Etobicoke will be transformed into a street festival June 28, with the streets coming alive between noon and 10:30 p.m. Over 100 artists will perform, and the food on offer will mirror the diverse cultural fabric of the neighbourhood.

Taste of Asia Festival
If you're looking to take part in an Asian cultural festival, this one is a can't-miss. June 28 and 29, Kennedy Rd. between Steeles Ave. and Gorvette Rd. in Markham will include multicultural performances, 150 street vendors, and is likely to attract over 100,000 visitors, if last year's numbers are any indication. Taste of Asia also includes such fun as a bibimbap eating competition and basketball games in the streets.

JULY

Taste of Lawrence Festival
The Taste of Lawrence is a three-day food and cultural fest in Scarborough. It showcases different foods from a number of different cultures. There will also be midway rides and live music, as well as dancing in the streets and fun for kids. The Taste of Lawrence runs from July 4 to 6.

Franco-Fete
Franco-Fete is an opportunity for Toronto's French-speaking people to get together and share their cultures, and teach others about them, too. The festival, at Yonge-Dundas Square, will be on July 5 and 6 this year, and its focus is on French music. More programming will be unveiled as the dates draw closer.

Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival Toronto (aka, Caribana)
The launch of the nearly month-long carnival is on July 8, but the main events don't take place until later in the month, and the legendary parade, in its 46th year, is on August 2. It's the largest celebration of Caribbean culture in North America, and a fun, high-energy way to explore new cuisine, music and art. And partying.

Salsa on St. Clair
Salsa on St. Clair is probably one of the festivals most fraught with steamy summer possibilities. This year, it's a week long with events across the city, from July 12 to 20. The street festival, which is obviously along St. Clair, is the weekend of the 19 and 20.

BIG on Bloor
BIG on Bloor closes the street off to cars between Lansdowne and Dufferin. Last year, the festival, one of Toronto's newer ones, drew about 80,000 visitors. This year, it will be on July 19 and 20, and it will feature 200 local arts and crafts vendors, alongside arts and entertainment showcases.

Chinatown Festival
On Dundas St. between Spadina and Beverley, and on Huron St. between D.Arcy and Dundas, Chinese culture will festoon the streets from July 19 to 20. One of Toronto's handful of Chinatowns, this neighbourhood is always alive with Chinese culture, but with this festival, the sheer volume of street foods on offer is astounding. You can also catch a dragon winding its way through the area, with lion dances at night. Last year, the festival attracted about 150,000 people, and organizers expect more of the same for 2014.

Beaches Jazz Festival
From July 24 to 26, the Beaches International Jazz Festival street fest closes down Queen St. E., starting at Woodbine. It will feature about 50 Canadian bands who will take over the streets from 7 p.m. until 11 p.m. nightly. (note: the entire Jazz Fest runs July 18 to 26)

AUGUST

Taste of the Danforth
Taste of the Danforth is one of the city's most popular street festivals. The food is plentiful, with more souvlaki than anyone can handle.There's dancing and music, and there's an amazing high energy to it. Be warned though: the festival is this popular for a reason, so the crowds are massive. Last year alone there were 1.5 million revellers along the Danforth. Taste of the Danforth runs August 8 to 10 this year.

Festival of South Asia
The Festival of South Asia is focused on food, and it closes down Gerrard Street in Little India from Coxwell to Greenwood. Alongside the food, it's a great chance to take in some Bollywood music and dancing. This year, it's August 23 and 24, from noon until 11 p.m. both days. It's one of the biggest South Asian festivals in the city, and last year, it brought about 250,000 visitors.

Scotiabank Buskerfest
From August 21 to 24, a pack of delightful freaks and magicians will take over the streets with tons of live busking performances. Yonge St. will be open to performers and pedestrians alike between College/Carlton Streets and Queen St. This year's festival will be in support of Epilepsy Toronto.

SEPTEMBER

Taste of the Kingsway
Each year, on the weekend after Labour Day, the Kingsway comes alive with midway rides, beer and wine gardens, live performance and samples upon samples of local food. This year, it falls between September 5 to 7 The street festival will run from Prince Edward Dr. to Montgomery Rd., and in case you missed Woofstock in May, it also features a dog show.

Cabbagetown Festival of the Arts
While many of the city's festivals have a culinary/live performance focus, the Cabbagetown Festival of the Arts, on September 6 and 7, switches it up a bit. The point of this festival, as you may have guessed, is to showcase local artists and artisans. Parliament St. will close between Wellesley St. S. to Gerrard St. E., and alongside the hundreds of artists selling their creations, you'll also find the usual mix of food and entertainment, including live music and busking. Oh, and a giant community-wide yard sale.

Toronto Ukranian Festival
This is North America's largest Ukranian street festival. It started as a small gathering in 1995, offering the chance to sample the best in Ukranian food, music and dance, and now, it draws in about 500,000 visitors. This year's festival runs from September 12 to 14 on Bloor St. W.

Roncesvalles Polish Festival
Now is your chance to enjoy all of the pierogies and vodka you please without an ounce of guilt. The Roncesvalles hood, despite its relatively newfound trendiness, is still a Polish enclave, and they know what's up when it comes to food and celebration. Enjoy the Polish folklore, polka bands, and other live performances and vendors on September 13 and 14.

Every four years the planet’s largest soccer tournament strikes the sporting world. Football nation Brazil hosts the 2014 World Cup with the celebration beginning June 12. No matter if you’re a soccer fanatic or casual fan cheer on your favourite team at one of these Toronto’s venues.

Places to Watch the World Cup in Toronto

Upper Canada Mall 
Daily matches taking place during mall hours will be broadcast in Yonge Court with a special viewing area including lounge seating and large flat screen TVs.
Map & Address
Mall information & Map

Copacabana Brazilian Steakhouse
Celebrate the return of soccer’s biggest tournament to Brazil at Copacabana’s World Cup Viewing Parties. Enjoy a genuine Brazilian experience with samba dancers, South American music and World Cup-inspired menu options.
Locations in Toronto 
More info, drink & food specials during the games

The Football Factory
Toronto’s upscale bistro and bar completely dedicated to the game. Enjoy a selection of beverages, food and contests while watching every kick of the World Cup.
Map & Address
Website
Patio: Yes

Real Sports Bar
Enjoy one of the world’s largest sporting events at Toronto’s premium sports bar. Never miss a second of the action on a 39-foot HD TV or one of 199 significantly smaller TVs.
Map & Address
Make Reservations
Menu

Cafe Diplomatico
The café is Little Italy’s hub for every match of the tournament. It is the perfect place for any Italian fan to soak up the atmosphere while enjoying their traditional cuisine.
Map & Address
Photo Gallery
Menu
Patio: Yes

Duke of York 
The pub is now taking reservations for their Big Football Party celebrating the 2014 FIFA World Cup. England fans may overrun the Duke of York’s two patios and three different bar areas.
Map & Address
Make Reservations
Menu
Patio: Yes

Rio 40
Rio 40 is the closest thing in Toronto to actually being in Rio. With traditional Brazilian cuisine, drinks and parties it might be one of the best places to cheer on the tournament’s favourites.
Map & Address
Menu
Patio: Yes

WVRST 
Be careful whom you root for in the German inspired restaurant. Join the festivity with a whole menu of different sausages and beers from all over the world.
Map & Address
Menu
Reservations available

Madison Ave Pub
During the tournament casual fans can enjoy the games while divulging in pub’s variety of drink specials. Madison Avenue Pub expands through three Victorian mansions, has variety of televisions and game time snacks.
Map & Address
Photo Gallery
Menu
World Cup deal: Personal pitchers of Amsterdam Blonde and 416 Lager are $7.97.
Patio: Yes

Tapas at Embrujo
Cheer on the defending champions Spain with a menu of traditional Mediterranean tapas. See if La Furia Roja can win a third straight tournament while staying cool during the cup with old-fashioned Sangria.
Map & Address
Menu

In this edition of The Weekender, free concerts in Yonge-Dundas Square, a Gatsby-themed garden party and three other things to do in Toronto this weekend.

NXNE at Yonge-Dundas Square (FREE!)
Yonge-Dundas Square rarely delivers on its potential. Pretty much the only time you’ll ever see it packed to capacity is during NXNE’s annual free outdoor concert series, which gets underway this year on Thursday, June 19. Major international acts will be performing throughout the weekend, and no wristbands are required: just show up and stake out a prime spot before someone else does. Don’t miss Friday-night headliner St. Vincent. Until June 22. FREE. Yonge-Dundas Square, nxne.com

Toronto Jazz Festival
Chaka Khan, Melissa Etheridge and Earth, Wind and Fire headline at this year’s Toronto Jazz Festival, making it a perfect refuge for baby boomers who can no longer hang with NXNE crowds. This year’s lineup also includes a vast repertoire of lesser-known jazz acts, for the aficionados. There will be free concerts in Nathan Phillips Square throughout the week. Until June 28. Various prices. Various locations,torontojazz.com

Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival
To commemorate the suicide of an ancient Chinese poet (it’s a long story) teams of rowers will be racing long, dragon-shaped boats in the Toronto Islands’ waterways. In addition to the main attraction, there will be food booths and a grandstand. The annual event, now in its 26th year, doubles as a fundraiser for SickKids, so there’s that, too. June 21–22. FREE to watch. Centre Island, dragonboats.com

Gatsby Garden Party
Anyone looking for an excuse to wear their three-piece suit or flapper dress might want to check out Spadina Museum’s Gatsby Garden Party, an outdoor soiree on the grounds of a fully restored turn-of-the-century mansion. There’s a prize for the best period costume, plus era-appropriate music and a “ukulele jam.” June 22. $5. Spadina House Museum, 285 Spadina Rd., facebook.com

Steam on Queen (FREE!)
Spadina House isn’t the only historical museum with something weird planned this weekend. At Campbell House, steampunk aficionados will be gathering in full regalia (meaning, lots of goggles, long coats, gears, funny hats and other clothing items that are vaguely evocative of a sci-fi geek’s fantasy version of the 19th century) for a day of performances. Subject-appropriate vendors will be on hand, making this a great opportunity to stock up on pocket watches and monocles. June 21. FREE. Campbell House Museum, 160 Queen St. W. steamonqueen.ca 

The number of homes for sale picked up considerably in June – with new listings up 7.8 per cent over a year ago – but pent-up demand continues to outstrip supply, says the Toronto Real Estate Board.

Admit it: Nothing gives you comfort quite like a warm hug.

Whether you're wrapped up in the arms of your partner or greeting a friend hello, hugs have a way of making us feel warm and fuzzy inside. But aside from making us feel protected and loved, this touching gesture can also do wonders for our well-being. So whether it's a simple squeeze, a big bear hug or some cute cuddling -- there are plenty of reasons why we should embrace the act of, well, embracing someone.Below, find seven reasons why we should be giving more hugs.

They make us feel good.

The simple act of a hug isn't just felt on our arms. When we embrace someone,oxytocin (also known as "the cuddle hormone") is released, making us feel all warm and fuzzy inside. The chemical has also been linked to social bonding. "Oxytocin is a neuropeptide, which basically promotes feelings of devotion, trust and bonding,"DePauw University psychologist Matt Hertenstein told NPR. "It really lays the biological foundation and structure for connecting to other people."

More hugs = lower blood pressure.

The hormones that are released in the body after a hug aren't just good for happy feelings -- they can also help your physical health. When someone touches you, the sensation on your skin activates pressure receptors called Pacinian corpuscles, which then send signals to the vagus nerve, an area of the brain that is responsible for (among many things) lowering blood pressure, NPR reported.

They may alleviate our fears.

In a study on fears and self-esteem, research published in the journal Psychological Science revealed that hugs and touch significantly reduce worry of mortality. The studies found that hugging -- even if it was just an inatimate object like a teddy bear -- helps soothe individuals' existential fears. "Even fleeting and seemingly trivial instances of interpersonal touch may help people to deal more effectively with existential concern," lead researcher Sander Koole wrote in the study. "Interpersonal touch is such a powerful mechanism that even objects that simulate touch by another person may help to instill in people a sense of existential significance."

Hugging can be good for our hearts.

Embracing someone may warm your heart, but according to one study a hug can be good medicine for it too: In an experiment at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill , participants who didn't have any contact with their partners developed a quickened heart rate of 10 beats per minute compared to the five beats per minute among those who got to hug their partners during the experiment.

Adults can benefit from hugging the most.

According to researchers at Ohio State University, hugging and physical touch becomes increasingly important with age. "The older you are, the more fragile you are physically, so contact becomes increasingly important for good health," University psychologist Janice Kiecolt-Glaser told USA TODAY. Studies have shown that loneliness, particularly with age, can also increase stress and have averse health effects. By hugging someone, we instantly feel closer to that person and decrease feelings of loneliness.

Hugs are a natural stress reliever.

Feeling strung out? Go give someone a squeeze. When we embrace, we immediatelyreduce the amount of the stress hormone cortisol produced in our bodies. Hugs also make our bodies release tension and send calming messages to the brain.

Well-hugged babies are less stressed as adults.

Want to do something for future generations? Hug them when they're still little. An Emory University study in rats found a link between touch and relieving stress, particularly in the early stages of life. The research concluded that the same can be said of humans, citing that babies' development -- including how they cope with stress as adults -- depends on a combination of nature and nurture.

In this edition of The Weekender, a Japanese film festival, a naked bike ride and three other things to do in Toronto this weekend.

North By Northeast
The annual NXNE festival returns this weekend. The schedule of bands, films, comedy and art doesn’t really pick up until midway through the week, but early birds can catch some worthwhile stuff on Saturday and Sunday, including performances by Toronto’s Shawn William Clarke and Barrie’s Lyric Dubee. Another point of local interest will be Saturday’s screening of Steve Bodner’s At the Corner of Queen and Bathurst, a documentary about the demise of the Big Bop. June 13–22. Various prices. Various venues,nxne.com

Roncy Rocks Music and Arts Festival (FREE!)
Roncesvalles is playing host to a surprisingly elaborate, multi-stage music festival on Saturday, to be headlined by none other than Treble Charger (which you may remember from such decades as the 1990s). Conveniently, the event coincides with the neighbourhood’s annual garage sale. June 14. FREE.Roncesvalles Ave., roncyrocks.com

Toronto Japanese Film Festival
North American audiences have seen quite a bit of Japanese animation, but Japanese live-action film hasn’t achieved the same level of cultural penetration—with exceptions for movies by auteurs like Akira Kurosawa and Yasujiro Ozu. But Kurosawa, Ozu and their ilk are nowhere to be found on the schedule for this year’s Toronto Japanese Film Festival, which revels in the sometimes wacky, sometimes ultra-violent output of Japan’s pop-culture industrial complex. Opening-weekend attendees will be able to see films likeA Tale of Samurai Cooking—A True Love Story, which, true to its title, is a culinary-themed samurai romantic comedy. Most films that screen as part of the festival will have English subtitles. Until June 27. Tickets $12. Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, 6 Garamond Ct., jccc.on.ca

World Naked Bike Ride (FREE!)
This one is pretty self-explanatory, but here goes: a bunch of people get naked (or almost naked) and ride their bikes through the downtown core, ostensibly for a variety of activist reasons. Whether or not you want to “protest oil dependency and oil pollution,” though, this a rare opportunity to let the wind run through your hair. Like, all of your hair. June 14. FREE. Gather at Coronation Park, 711 Lake Shore Blvd. W., worldnakedbikeridetoronto.com

Angels in America
Soulpepper has revived its critically acclaimed production of Tony Kushner’s Pulitzer-winning “gay fantasia on national themes.” The sprawling play is set in New York City in 1985, during the start of the AIDS epidemic. It’s a two-parter, so theatregoers have the option of either going on separate days or sitting through one of five marathon, all-day performances. Until July 12. $29–$129. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Ln. soulpepper.ca 

If colors influence your mood, why not surround yourself with fabulous shades that will bring out the best of your personality? We've rounded up room colors that make you feel smart to help bring out your intellect.

Photo credit: Living room designed by Angie Hranowsky; photographed by Julia Lynn for Lonny

Global color authority Pantone named Radiant Orchid the "it" color for 2014, and soon you'll be seeing the purple-pink shade everywhere. Luckily, purple is known to stimulate imagination and can help promote creativity.

Photo credit: Office designed by Mary McDonald; photographed by Melanie Acevedo; found on Pinterest

Blue hues have a calming effect. These relaxing water-inspired shades can help you find your zen, making it easier to increase your productivity and making these shades perfect for a home office. Blue is also known to help suppress appetites, so if you have a bad habit of snacking at your desk, this color might help you avoid unnecessary treats.

Photo credit: Woodland Road West office designed by Martha O'Hara Interiors; photographed by Troy Theis

The color green symbolizes growth, renewal, abundance and prosperity. Entrepreneurs looking to build their own success with a small home business might benefit from the positive properties of this optimistic color. Nature lovers will also love how green tends to bring the outside in.

Photo credit: Kern Residence by Design Theory Interiors of California; photographed by Chris Little Photography

This approachable color is the go-to neutral for a reason. Brown has a wholesome quality that's both practical and comfortable. This neutral shade can play the role of a chameleon, depending on which accents it's paired with. Brass accents make it sophisticated, while greens bring out earthiness.

Photo credit: Vallejo Highrise designed by Candace Cavanaugh and Design Line Construction

Dark and mysterious, this neutral can symbolize power. Black used to be thought of as unapproachable in large amounts for interior design since it can make people feel depressed, but unconventional uses of the color in a space can make it feel sexy and sophisticated.

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Photo credit: Heather Garrett Design on Houzz

Glitzy accents have been trending big this last year in interior design. This shimmering shade gives a space a luxe look and communicates a feeling of wealth and prestige. Gold is a more masculine metallic (vs. a more feminine silver) and can work well in shared spaces for both sexes.

Photo credit: Jonathan Adler Interior Design

This sassy color can immediately elevate a room's energy and can revitalize you when you're feeling run down. It can also make you feel assertive. Use it in a parlor to stimulate post-dinner party conversations. This hot hue can also increase passion and might help you learn a trick or two in the bedroom.

Photo credit: Room designed by Beth Keim, owner of Lucy and Company; photographed by Mekenzie France

Feminine and romantic, pink has a sweet quality about it that is reminiscent of pleasant childhood memories. Softer shades have a sense of innocence, while deeper, brighter hues can promote positive energy. Pink is also associated with nurturing. Pairing it with a neutral like taupe will keep it from being overly sweet.

Photo credit: Toddler room designed by Alvarez-Diaz & Villalon; photographed by Carlos Perez Lopez

The color orange is the happy love child of similar energetic hues, red and yellow. The warm shade promotes positivity, socializing and playfulness. Kids respond really well to orange, and it's a popular choice for playrooms and bedrooms. This stimulating shade also works well as an office accent color.

Photo credit: Hancock Park residence designed by Christian May

Hey there, sunshine, did you know that yellow is known to energize and lighten up your mood? Not so mellow yellows can be a bit overwhelming and could even evoke a feeling of anxiety, so use this color sparingly to get the energizing benefits without getting overwhelmed.

Healthy Monday is a national non-profit public health campaign associated with Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. The campaign encourages people to use Monday as the day to focus on health and prevention. Instead of waiting until New Year’s, your birthday, or an anniversary to make a healthy change, use Monday. That way, you will have 52 opportunities make those changes you have been trying to make. It is time to let all health break loose!

1

• Nutrition: Meatless Monday
• Exercise: Move It Monday!
• Stress reduction: Mindful Monday
• Preventative Screenings: Man-Up Monday
• Smoke Cessation: Quit & Stay Quit Monday
• Your own choice or a combination of these choices.

1. Understand the beauty of choosing Monday. Research performed by The Monday Campaigns movement shows that we already treat Monday like a fresh start day, a day dedicated to health and a day most favored for getting your act together.^[3] This happens to be a phenomenon cutting across cultures. It is also a day with negative connotations if you are not enjoying the way you are living your life, so this makes it another good reason to overcome the reasons for the negativity. Dedicating a specific day to health provides both a call to action and a way for people to increase compliance and impact.
   • We organize our lives around the week, starting with Monday. Monday is the day to set goals, refocus, and recommit and it is the day to trigger and sustain healthy behavior.
2. 
   Limit your saturated fat intake by going meatless once a week. Meatless Monday at http://www.meatlessmonday.com is a project associated with the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. This project is about encouraging you to give up meat one day a week and to cut your intake of saturated fat by 15 percent. Doing this can reduce your risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and certain types of cancer. That is a great promise for a new habit this Monday! Here is how to get involved:
   • Visit http://www.meatlessmonday.com andhttp://www.mondaycampaigns.org/meatless-monday/; also check out MyPlate athttp://www.choosemyplate.gov/ for nutrition recommendations.
   • Follow Meatless Monday on Facebook and Twitter.
   • Pin up Meatless Monday posters at your school or workplace; start a campaign.
   • Collect pledges from others in your school or workplace to join in Meatless Monday (a pledge sheet can be downloaded from the Meatless Monday site).
   • Try a new meatless recipe (or recipes) every Monday.
   • Spend some time reading nutritional guidelines suited to your age and gender; learn about the nutritional needs of your household or family and share the information with everyone
   • Add Meatless Monday recipes to your website with the Meatless Monday recipe widget
3. 
   Start exercising. The CDC recommends doing 2 1/2 hours of exercise minimum each week. The benefits of exercise include improved health, longer life and a boost for your brain power. Use Monday as the day to commit to an exercise routine. Start walking, join a gym, enroll in a fitness class, or plan physical activities for the week and stick to them! Things you can do participate:
   • Decide which activity you'll start doing regularly
   • Create Monday Mile Maps and markers to help others know how far they're exercising; place these on tracks, paths and other exercise areas designated for Move-It Mondays
   • Encourage others to join in by starting a walking group or fitness class at your workplace or school
   • As a family, get out and exercise together by taking walks or hikes, cycling together, doing indoor sports activities or joining a sports club together; help enthuse one another to be active regularly.
4. 
   Quit smoking. Not smoking is one of the healthiest things you can do for yourself. As soon as you stop smoking, you will start seeing and feeling the effects. However, it can be hard to get started and commit. That is why the Healthy Monday Campaign recommends that you try to quit on Monday. Instead of waiting until New Year's Eve, your birthday or anniversary, having a weekly opportunity to recommit to your goal is more likely to succeed. Some things to do include:
   • Read the American Cancer Society's Quit Guide
   • Call 1800-Quit-Now
   • Re-introduce yourself to people you know as a non-smoker - the new and healthier you
   • Encourage others to quit smoking; add banners to your website, for example.
5. 
   Begin the week determined to reduce stress in your life. Focus on having a Mindful Monday and bring more relaxation into your life:
   • Meditate - meditation can clear out the negative thoughts and worrying clutter in your mind, allowing you to focus clearly on what you want in life
   • Stay calm – when everyone else is panicking, a calm head will win the day
   • Learn how to self soothe – getting upset may be a habit but it's a bad one that prevents you from remaining calm and focused; learning to self soothe can help you to overcome panic, anxiety and negative thought processes
   • Familiarize yourself with assertive approaches to dealing with conflict and "difficult" people – this will ensure that you can stand up for yourself and not feel victimized
   • Practice deep breathing techniques – this helps with calming, soothing and focusing yourself
   • Visualize a stronger and more fulfilled future for yourself.
6. 
   Keep updated about Healthy Monday initiatives in general. There are a few ways you can stay updated about the campaigns, such as signing up for Eater’s Digest, a free weekly online newsletter that delivers meatless recipes, health and nutrition news, and a health tip on Mondays. You can also just sign up for Healthy Monday tips.
   • Put Healthy Monday tips on your website to help others learn about this initiative
   • Follow Healthy Monday on Facebook and Twitter
   • Call your doctor for a general or specific check-up, including a check-up for prostate cancer, breast cancer and reproductive cancers. For men, join in Man-Up Mondays.