A Note from Jane

When we started Wish five years ago, it was our plan to bring you the very best of fashion, beauty, home and food – because busy, stylish women, like you and me, want to put our best foot forward every day. The editors and experts at Wish worked overtime to find the solutions, deals, shortcuts and options to help make life easier – I can’t tell you how much we’ve enjoyed every step of the way.

Our loyal readers also pushed us to give more. It’s hard to imagine our 20-Minute Supper feature without wine pairings, but it was Jane from Ottawa who first suggested it four years ago: “I just received the second issue of Wish in the mail and read it from cover to cover. Then I went back to the website. We just had the Pesto Chicken Pasta – it was great! Next time, could we have a wine recommendation with the recipe?” Since November 2004, every Wish 20-Minute Supper has been paired with a complementary beverage suggestion.

Which brings to mind all the reader recipes we’ve printed. More than 1,000 entries to our 20-Minute Supper contests have helped raise the bar at dinnertime for hundreds of thousands of Canadian households. And you can still join the club! To find a fresh recipe for every night of the week or to track down one of your favourites, check out wish.ca/20minute – we’re still going strong.

In our last issue of Wish, editors and experts have identified many easy ways and insider ideas to build more wellness into your routine. I don’t think it has to mean giving up our favourite treats, just finding a balance. So, as we suggest in the pages of our last issue: Feel great. Look great. Eat well. Sleep well. Exercise (even when you’re pressed for time). Never get sick. Whistle while you work. Smile at strangers. Laugh – just because! It’s time to kick-start the best year of your life.

Experts have told us this is the beginning of the end of many of our favourite things. The current economic climate has made it impossible for us to continue delivering all you’ve come to expect from us here at Wish. It is with sadness – and many fond memories – that I say goodbye on behalf of every Wish staffer, supporter and contributor. It has been our pleasure.

- Jane Francisco, Editor in Chief

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5 Steps to Carefree Carving

This carving set – so simple and elegant – will look gorgeous on your Thanksgiving table, but better in your hands. Don’t pass on carving – it may seem difficult, but it’s easy, and will only get easier with practice. If you have stage fright, carve your turkey in the kitchen and bring it out on a serving platter.

The 5 main steps:

1. In order to evenly distribute juices, let turkey rest on a cutting board for 20 minutes.
2. Pull a leg gently down and away from body to locate joint. Firmly push knife down through joint until leg comes away.
3. Lay leg down on cutting board. Cut through joint connecting thigh and drumstick. Hold drumstick upright, slice down along the bone to remove meat. Slice thigh meat by holding thigh firmly on cutting board with fork.
4. Pull a wing gently away from body to locate joint. Cut through joint to remove wing.
5. To slice breast meat, use fork to secure turkey. At base of breast, make a horizontal cut in toward bone. Slice breast downward and at an angle (away from the breastbone) to the base cut (slices should fall off).

See? No Sweat!
- Tory Healy, Senior Editor, Food

Eva Solo Carving Set, $178, evasolo.com; available at Les Touilleurs, Montreal, 514-278-0008, lestouilleurs.com; Bergo Designs, Toronto, 416-861-1821, bergo.ca; Enflux, Vancouver, 604-222-9009, enflux.ca.

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The New Wellness Test

As if you need to hear another reason to get your greens, but we’ve got one anyway: your body’s pH level. Never thought much about it? Well neither did we until a roll of litmus paper crossed our desks, courtesy of Genuine Health, the makers of Greens+. Turns out the more pH balanced our bodies are, the easier it is for us to avoid low energy and poor health. That means eating lots of alkalinizing foods like broccoli, spinach and kale and limited amounts of acidic foods like pastries, and certain meats and cheeses. Greens+ contains a balance of 23 recommended ingredients from both groups. Watch for our full story on body pH in the Winter issue of Wish. In the meantime, why not take Genuine Health’s 21-day challenge, and test your own pH level. For more information, visit genuinehealth.com.
- Laurie Jennings, Managing Editor

Greens+, $37 (283 g), available at health food stores and drugstores.

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Fresh Faced

I’ve always had a hard time finding an oil-free cleanser that actually works. However, a few months ago, I came across this gel cleanser by NeoStrata that’s perfect for oily, acne-prone skin, dilated pores and blackheads. It removes built-up impurities and dead cells, leaving your skin feeling soft and fresh. It contains 4% glycolic acid, a natural derivative of sugar cane, which when used daily is said to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, making skin look younger. With consistent use, I’ve found my complexion has dramatically improved. Not only is my skin less oily but I’m noticing fewer pimples, too.
- Mila Kadelkova, Editorial Intern

NeoStrata Oil Free Gel Cleanser, $25, drug stores.

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Wrinkle-Free, For Free!

I am always blissful when my beauty products run out because that can only mean one thing: a guilt-free trip to the mall. What makes me even happier is getting free samples. Needless to say, I was thrilled when I found out that Dermaglow is giving away its number-one wrinkle cream with the purchase of Dermaglow Nuvectin Advanced Wrinkle Therapy. Clinically proven to reduce the appearance of fine lines by up to 50%, Nuvectin Advanced uses peptides to relax facial muscles, and regenerate skin by increasing collagen production and thickening the epidermis. That, combined with antioxidants, vitamins A, B6, C and E and botanical extracts, makes this product the perfect defence against those hard-to-get-rid-of wrinkles – let’s just hope this tube doesn’t run out too soon!
- Mila Kadelkova, Editorial Intern

Dermaglow Nuvectin Advanced Wrinkle Therapy, $60 (50 ml), at Shoppers Drug Mart.

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Jubilant about Julienne

Sometimes the simplest things are the most impressive, and there is no better proof of this than the julienne peeler by Swissmar. I was in awe at how effortless it was to make fruits and veggies look stylish with virtually no pressure placed on the ergonomic handle. Food Director Andrea Stewart told me that in culinary school, learning to julienne by hand (one of the first skills you must master) is a difficult and laborious undertaking. Lucky for us non-professional cooks, we have this trusty tool. A whole new world of pretty, restaurant-worthy garnishes and salad possibilities await me and I am over the moon. New, trendy colours (spice, curry and turquoise) and a low price point are added bonuses.
- Hannah Bank, Assistant Home & Food Editor

Julienne Swissmar Classic Peeler, $6, Swissmar, swissmar.com.

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Filter Me, Drink Me

I’m a tried and true tap-water drinker, but at a recent product preview I couldn’t help being tempted by this new water-filter system. It was at least 30 degrees outside, so maybe it was the thought of clean, cold lemon water, ready and waiting in the fridge, that hooked me. In any case, this filter comprises a recyclable, solid-block carbon filter (most water-jug filters use carbon flakes), and a hose system that makes filling up super fast. You simply (or in some cases, not so simply) fit the attachment to your faucet, hook up the hose that sits in the handle, and turn on the tap. In less than a minute, you have a pitcher full of purified water. Another handy feature is the indicator on the top that changes to red when it’s time for a new filter. I’m sure this isn’t recommended, but I’ve actually left the attachment on my faucet because it looks better than the old one I had, and means I don’t have to fuss with it every time I fill up.

-Andrea Mills, Home Associate

Clear 2O filtration pitcher, $30, Canadian Tire, canadiantire.ca.

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Kernel Catcher

Stripping kernels off a hot cob of corn with a knife can be a dangerous activity - a little slip-up can mean a big cut. And traditional corn strippers can be cumbersome to use, and just as easy to nick your hands on. The OXO Corn Stripper is the new generation of kitchen gadgets, marrying both cool form and functionality. The ergonomic tool fits inside you palm, like a computer's mouse, and makes the task of removing corn nibblets much safer (and quicker). It even catches the kernels in a container with marked measurements that hold up to 1/2 cup.
-Tasia Rivero, Online Intern

Corn Stripper, $12, OXO, oxo.com.

For corn recipes and tips, check out our Market to Table column.
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Smooth Moves With a Smart Tool

If you were intrigued by the do-it-yourself, slatted-wall project from The Style Dept. in the latest issue of Wish, but weren’t sure how to get the right placement of the vertical boards into a stud, you may find this new device from Stanley helpful. The tool's "OnePass" stud sensor detection technology will quickly identify the 2 x 4 support boards behind your wall so you know where you can safely nail. It's the width of a standard 2 x 4, and accurately scans for the centre of the stud. It can read through drywall, concrete and latticework and also scans for electrical wires so you can avoid drilling or hammering into them. And, you guessed it, OnePass technology can do all that in one swift swipe.
- Andrea Mills, Home Associate

Stanley FatMax Stud Sensor 400, $40, stanleytools.com; available at major hardware retailers.

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How Sweet It Is

It’s already the beginning of August, but with all the touch-and-go weather we’ve been experiencing, you’re probably wondering whether you’ll get to relish any time outside this summer. Since I’ve never really been keen on waxing, I decided to put off any painful hair-removal rituals until I was sure I’d be booking it to a beach. Then I discovered Sugar Sugar.
As soon as you step inside their warmly lit studio, you can’t help but feel your tension melting away. A warm (read: no chance of burns!) ball of thickened sugar, water and lemon is carefully moulded over your skin, and then quickly flicked away, taking all the hair with it. The ingredients are 100% natural (and theoretically edible – ick!) so there are no chemicals or preservatives to irritate your skin or hair follicles. I also found it a considerably less painful ordeal than waxing. The lovely ladies at Sugar Sugar were friendly, efficient and professional, and I was totally beach ready in no time at all. Sweet!
- Jasmine Li, Online Editorial Assistant

Sugar Sugar Body Sugaring Studio, 2 College St., Suite #214, Toronto, 416-926-0216, sugarsugar.ca.

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Painless Potato Prep

When you think summer side salad, what comes to mind? The warm or cold, crowd-pleasing potato, of course! Too bad peeling potatoes is tedious, and can be downright treacherous. I have a harrowing tale of thumb versus peeler that I’m sure (at least some of) you can relate to. I won’t share, but I will tell you that I was pretty pleased when I came across the Palm Peeler. It’s like an oversized ring that sits backwards, jewel – or in this case, blade – in palm, while your whole hand operates it (instead of two, less-steady fingers). With a potato in your other palm, just bring your hands together and peel. Now I’m eyeballing the Palm Brush, which I’m sure, makes one heck of a potato scrubber.
– Tory Healy, Food Associate

P.S. Now that you’re peeling with ease, try these – three of the best potato salad recipes, ever:

• Smoky Smashed Potato Salad
• Warm Potato Salad
• Colcannon Potatoes

Chef’n Palm Peeler, $6.50, chefn.com.

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Fit Footwear

Having a strong aversion to the gym, I’m always eager to find new ways to remain active without doing so much “activity.” Who would have guessed that a pair of summer flip-flops would be the answer to my workout worries? Already making it onto “Oprah’s Top Picks for Summer” episode, the Fit Flop, which emerged from the U.K., marries fashion and fitness in a cute summer sandal that tones your body while you walk. With a uniquely-designed sole that places varying densities of pressure under your feet, Fit Flops stimulate your muscles while you’re on a walk, running errands or even shopping (that’s right, now shopping can be considered an active sport!). Designed by biomedical experts Darren James and Dr. David Cook, the fitness shoe strengthens your core muscles while lessening joint strain, and even helps to improve posture. Here’s to toning your body just in time for swimsuit season – without having to hit the gym!
- Alyse Nahmias, Fashion Intern

Fit Flops, $70.00, thefitflop.com, littleburgundyshoes.com.

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Saving Face

As a girl with oily skin, I’ve always had a hard time finding an oil-free cleanser that actually works. However, a few months ago, I came across NeoStrata’s Oil Free Gel Cleanser. Perfect for oily, acne-prone skin, dilated pores and blackheads, the cleanser removes built-up impurities and dead cells, leaving your skin feeling soft and fresh. It contains 4% glycolic acid, a natural constituent of sugar cane, which when used daily is said to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines making skin look younger. With consistent use, I’ve found my complexion has dramatically improved. Not only is my skin less oily but I’m noticing fewer pimples, too. Bonus: It’s also really affordable at $25.

- Mila Kadelkova, Editorial Intern

NeoStrata Oil Free Gel Cleanser, $25, available nationwide at all major drug stores, neostrata.ca.

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Cold + Warm = Cool

It seems like ages ago when I first came across this faucet looking for bathroom products for our June issue. Now that summer is (finally!) in full swing, it’s the perfect time to take advantage of this backyard bonus. Moen’s innovative outdoor faucet is the first with only one handle that gives you both hot and cold water. You only need one common line for the water flow (most outdoor hot-cold taps require two) so it’s easy to install, plus it comes with a frost-free cartridge and indoor-outdoor water separation features. The faucet is also family friendly: the temperature can be adjusted easily and there’s an automatic stop feature so it doesn’t burn little ones’ hands.
- Andrea Mills, Home Associate

Moen Hot and Cold Outdoor Sill Faucet, from $94, at major bathroom, kitchen, home centre and hardware retailers; moen.ca.

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Shaken, Not Stirred

Hands down, this is the best cocktail shaker there is – you’ll know as soon as you pick it up. Fit for the most discerning professional bartender, the robust Rösle Boston shaker pairs a brushed stainless steel beaker with a 16-ounce glass tumbler. The moulded ridge at its base prevents slippage, while precise fitting creates a firm seal to deliver a leak-proof shake. Don’t let its price rattle you – this well-designed and well-built piece of barware is guaranteed to last through years of entertaining. The tumbler also has measurements conveniently marked in metric and imperial units, so feel free to really let your inner mixologist loose.
- Jasmine Li, Online Editorial Assistant

Rösle Boston shaker, $72, at Williams-Sonoma, williams-sonoma.ca.

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Blot Away

We welcome the sweltering heat of summer, but shiver at the idea of a midday shine. For some it’s the forehead and for others it’s the chin, but for me it’s the creases just around my nose. What’s my secret to calm, fresh skin all day? Powder-free blotting papers that suck up excess oil without messing up my makeup. For best results, pat, don’t rub. Bonus: These little guys are small enough to fit in your clutch.
- Kyle Gordon, Assistant Beauty Editor

Tweezerman Blotting Paper, $12, tweezerman.com.

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Rinse Aid

A morning run, a spinning session, perfecting the plank – coming up with ways to break a sweat is easy; keeping my exercise wear smelling fresh however, is another story! But with the help of this detergent, dirty, dingy, workout wear will be a thing of the past. No Sweat’s active ingredient, Bio-Blast, removes odours caused by bacteria and oil trapped in activewear. Effective in cold water, the highly concentrated formula left my gear with a light citrusy scent, and best of all, managed to salvage my favourite white workout tee from its (embarrassing!) pit-stained predicament. This little bottle has earned a permanent place on my laundry-room shelf.
- Caitlan Moneta, Assistant Fashion Editor

No Sweat activewear detergent, from $6, nosweatlaundry.com.

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Go Go Gadget

Now that the first long weekend of the year has passed, it’s officially summer. If that means camping season to you, this is the gadget to get. Winner of the coveted IWA and Outdoor Classics Exhibition “knife of the year” award, Swiss Army’s new Rescue Tool is sure to get you out of a bind. It’s easy to find in the dark and includes a locking blade, two screwdrivers, crate opener, wire stripper, the list goes on. I’m not sure how necessary the window breaker and seatbelt cutter are in most cases, but there is a (really creepy!) video on Youtube where you can see them in action. In my books, the biggest bonus when you’re in the middle of the woods? The bottle opener, the toothpick and the tweezers.
- Andrea Mills, Home Associate

Rescue Tool, $100, Victorinox Swiss Army, 800-665-4095, swissarmy.com.

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Sheer Strength

Amidst swirling rumours that Rogers Communications may begin carrying the Apple iPhone in Canada as early as this month, you might have already begun a countrywide search for the ultimate protective case – so you’re ready to roll when your gadget arrives. Well look no further! For years, in-the-know techies have been quietly guarding their goods with the InvisibleSHIELD. This crystal-clear, scratch-resistant film provides the toughest and most inconspicuous protection for your iPod/cellphone/PDA/camera/laptop – it literally is invisible after you put it on. Its claim to fame is that it was originally developed for protecting military helicopter blades from damage caused by dirt and debris at high speeds. Farfetched as that sounds, one look at these user-created YouTube videos had me convinced that InvisibleSHIELD would indeed do the trick. I’ve had my own iPod classic sheathed for nearly two years now, and I never have to worry when I throw it into my purse along with my keys.
- Jasmine Li, Online Editorial Assistant

InvisibleSHIELD Full Body Shield for iPod, $25, zagg.com. Available at RiverdaleMac, Toronto, 416-778-4048, riverdalemac.com.

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Eye Opener

Erase dark circles with an anti-fatigue moisturizer that truly delivers. It doesn’t seem to matter how many hours of sleep I log, I can’t shake the dark circles under my eyes. Cold spoons, cucumbers and sleeping on an elevated pillow (gravity is supposed to help) left me at square one. Just as I was about to give up, Biotherm invited me to the launch of their new energizing line. With nothing to loose, I began applying the anti-fatigue moisturizer (loaded with gingseng extract, vitamin E and thermal plankton) to my eye area before bed. After multiple uses, the ultra-fresh gel actually calmed my puffy eyes. I knew I had to share my secret weapon!
- Kyle Gordon, Assistant Beauty Editor

Biotherm Multi Recharge Moisturizing and Smoothing Energetic Eye Care, $40, biotherm.ca.

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Jojoba Goodness

Jo Malone shares the Jojoba joy. For years, I struggled to find a face moisturizer that gives my skin what it craves – hydration (without being greasy or causing a break out) with a matte finish (without making me dry and leathery looking). I have tried a lot of different brands in search of a miracle cream, but I’ve found ultimate happiness with Jo Malone’s Jojoba Day Moisturiser. It smells gorgeous, makes my face silky soft and absorbs effortlessly. It comes in a generous size of 250 ml with a capped lid (for portability) and a pump option – no finger dipping! Try Jo Malone’s Protein Skin Serum underneath for added hydration and radiance.
- Janice Koon, Online Intern

Jojoba Day Moisturiser, $130, Jo Malone at Holt Renfrew, jomalone.com.

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Cling On

A while back at the National Home Show, I stopped by a booth showing kitchen and bathroom accessories made by Griipa for Umbra. The suction cup hooks that are the basis of the collection were what impressed me the most (I can’t believe I didn’t know about them before!). They are basically a rubber suction that you press to the wall – each one can hold up to 15 pounds, so if you need to hold more weight just add as many hooks as necessary. Because there is no adhesive backing, they don’t leave marks and never lose their holding power. They will stick to any glossy, flat surface, making them great for hanging artwork without banging up your walls. And they last for pretty much forever.
- Andrea Mills, Home Associate

Cling single hook, $5, Umbra, umbra.com.

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Golden Girl

I don’t know about you, but when it comes to self-tanners, somehow I always end up with a streaky finish that’s anything but golden goddess. Leave it to Marcelle to figure out a way to get that sun-kissed glow without all the mess. It’s all in the application. Each one of these handy cloths has enough product goodness to cover your entire face and body and best of all… it’s streak-free! For the eco-chic consumer: rest easy, these cloths are biodegradable.
-Kyle Gordon, Assistant Beauty Editor

Marcelle I-Bronze Self-Tanning Cloths, $17 for 15, marcelle.com.

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Repair Skin Damage

This anti-aging serum is getting major publicity after an independent study for a BBC documentary actually proved that it repairs damaged skin. Shopper's Drug Mart carried a small quantity earlier this year but it sold out. Now it's back on the shelves – so get it while you can!
- Catherine Franklin, Style Director

Boots No7 Restore and Renew, $25, available at select Shopper's Drug Mart stores.

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Foundation in a Can

Everyone at the office is talking about my new face!! First of all, I rarely wear foundation – and I never apply it myself. But when I was previewing Dior's upcoming fall beauty line in New York last week, Mel (the Canadian PR rep) suggested I try DiorSkin Airflash "spray foundation." It's basically foundation in a can. So yesterday, I tried it.

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