I was cleaning up the other night - sorting out the garbage, recycling and green bin items. Looking at the amount of recycled products that my family of four generates in a two week period is — quite honestly — embarrassing!  My husband Greg and I are now trying to buy items with less packaging.  For instance, I love the plastic boxed baby greens for salads but I am now buying different salad greens (radicchio, arugula, etc..) in a bunches and making it myself.
 
I really dislike throwing things in the garbage - where does it all go?  My goal is to cut our garbage in half.  This can be accomplished by composting, using the green bin and recycling as much as possible  - but at the same time consuming items that use only recyclable materials.
 
I sometimes get frustrated with all the little plastic toys that my boys (age 3 & 6) have acquired.  When they break they are simply thrown into the garbage.  My babysitter Dana told me about a friend of hers that made a large wreath and hot glued all her kids odd and damaged plastic toys onto it.  What a great idea!
 
Hope the New Year brings you much health and happiness!
Tanya
XO
 

Tune in or shop online during our Live Better Event. New & innovative products to help you keep your resolution to live a healthier life.

Everybody loves pasta! And, at this time of year, everybody loves a meal that they can toss together quickly and easily.  

The Shopping Channel’s TV cook Ken Kostick shares his favourite recipe for a protein-rich pasta meal that you can create with whatever vegetables are in your refrigerator. No need for store-bought sauce, this recipe is flexible and guaranteed to be healthy and delicious.

When the seasons change, its not just fashion that needs updating. Home designers also focus on a rich, warmer palette. We know it’s not likely that you’re going to redecorate your whole house every season, but there are some small changes you can make to bring that warmth to your house, without the expense of a complete redecoration project.

(1) Paint
If you have a neutral space, why not add some punch with an accent wall? Paint is the least expensive way to create a dramatic impact. And while we love open, airy spaces in summer, in winter people want warmth and coziness. A single wall in a rich deep tone can help create that cozy atmosphere.

(2) Lighting
During those long summer evenings, you may not have needed much lighting in your rooms. But it will soon be dark by 6 o’clock and you’ll definitely have the lights on more times than not. Make sure you have a variety of light sources in a room (sconces, table lamps, floor lamps and overhead lighting) and in work spaces, ensure you have task lighting. If you have not done so already, change all your bulbs to CFLs for greater energy efficiency.

Tiffany Style Lamp

(3) Slipcovers, cushions & throws
Even if you’re not looking to invest in new upholstery, you can update the look of your sofa with a slipcover. They’re removable and washable, so you’ll have no worries when you spill that hot cocoa!

I love nothing better than coming home after work, running a bath and curling up on my sofa in my PJs with a throw and the new season of my favourite show. It’s easy to update your room by simply adding a throw pillow here and there and a soft, luxurious throw.

Sure Fit Embassy Chestnut Slipcover, Cable Chenille Throw, Chatelaine Home Faux Cashmere Throw, Sure Fit Vintage Brick Cushion

(4) Accessories
You don’t have to keep everything out at once. Even in my small apartment, I put away some accessories and rotate objects season-to-season. You’ll be amazed how much more you appreciate your possessions when you move them around or put them away for a short while. When they’re out, in the same spot, for too long, you simply become blind to them.

In Fall, I like to fill vases with branches and create autumnal arrangements using natural accents like pine cones, dried corn, ornamental gourds or pumpkins. Candlelight goes hand in hand with winter nights and I love a fragrant candle to conjure a warm atmosphere. Of course, never leave candles burning unattended.

Wilton Armetale Zen Tray Candle with Stones, Levy Leaf Wall Decor, Wilton Armetale Heart Candle with Lid

Happy decorating!

You may not realize this, but The Shopping Channel also offers some amazing artwork and wall accents. Accessorizing is my favourite part of decorating, it’s what makes a house a home and enables you to express your own personality.

But, it comes with its own set of challenges; how, for example, to display all my artwork. Whether you’re juggling a wall of art or simply want to display your family photographs, hanging and displaying art can be tricky.

It takes incredible skill to create an eclectic salon-style display, a skill I’m afraid I always don’t have.  But, there are some tricks to make it easier:

(1) Frame all your pictures in similar frames. Neutral frames with an off-white mount is my fail-safe choice. With many affordable frames in this style out there, it also makes budgetary sense.

(2) If you’re displaying photography, opt for either all colour or black-and-white photographs. It’s easier to deal with one or the other, rather than mix and match.

(3) Plan! Before you start pounding nails into walls, arrange your hanging on the floor as you intend to hang it. If you’re hanging a large grouping, I suggest cutting the picture shapes out in craft paper and taping the cut-outs to the wall too, so you can better visualize how the display will look on the wall.

(4) Don’t hang artwork too high or too low. The middle of the picture or display should be at eye level.

(5) If you want more flexibility to rearrange, use a picture ledge or shelf instead of hanging pictures. That way you can create different vignettes season-to-season without wrecking your walls.

(6) Give art space to breathe! Large scale or dramatic pieces are the star of any decor production. Practice restraint and let them shine!

With the weather turning cooler and the harvest season upon us, we’re all starting to think about seasonal entertaining and big family meals. Below, Chef Connie Willis shares two of her classic Thanksgiving recipes: Brine-Roasted Turkey & Hot N Spicy Cranberry Sauce.

Chef Connie Willis is guesting our Premier Performance Anniversary show today on The Shopping Channel. Limited-time pricing on all you’ll need to prep wonderful holiday meals. 

Connie Willis’ Brine-Roasted Turkey
1 (12- to 14-pound) fresh turkey
2 gallons water (32 cups)
2 C. kosher salt
2 C. packed brown sugar
2 tbsp. peppercorns, coarsely cracked
2 oranges quartered
2 lemons quartered
4 sprigs of rosemary
6 sprigs of fresh sage
2 sprigs of fresh thyme
6 garlic cloves peeled and smashed
2 tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste Stuffing
1 yellow onion, cut into eighths
1 celery stalk large diced
1 carrot cut into 1-inch rondelles
2 sprigs fresh parsley
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, olive oil or butter (your choice)
2 1/4 cups turkey or chicken stock
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

The night before roasting the turkey, make the brine:
In a saucepan, combine 4 cups of water, salt and sugar, and heat over medium heat, stirring, until the salt and sugar dissolve. Remove the pan from the heat, stir in the peppercorns, set aside and let cool.
Rinse the turkey inside and out then place the turkey in a very large pot, and add the remaining 28 cups of water and the brown sugar mixture, stirring to blend, along with the oranges and lemons (squeeze them as you add), the rosemary, sage, thyme and garlic. (If your pot isn’t quite large enough, use less water and slightly less of the brown sugar mixture. If the brine doesn’t quite cover the turkey, place it breast side up to start, then turn over after a few hours, or place something with some weight on it which will hold the entire turkey under the brine)
Refrigerate for 12 to 15 hours.

Directions:
Remove the turkey from the brine and rinse well under cold water. Pat dry with paper towels and let it come to room temperature — about 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 325° F

Put the turkey on the rack of a large roasting pan. Lightly season the turkey cavity with salt and pepper to taste and any other of your favorite spices to taste. stuff with the vegetable mixture into the cavity-onions, celery, carrots and parsley. Tie the legs together with twine, and then rub the whole turkey with vegetable oil, extra virgin olive oil or butter (its up to your taste buds!). Season with more salt and pepper to taste.

Place the turkey breast side down in the pan and roast, uncovered, for 1 hour. Remove from oven, turn breast side up, and baste with 3/4 cup of stock. Continue roasting until the juices run clear and a meat thermometer registers 165 degrees F in the breast, and 175 degrees F in the thick section of the thigh. (3 to 3 1/2 hours total cooking time, basting once every hour with 3/4 cup of stock).

Remove from the oven and place on a platter. Let rest for 20 minutes before carving, keep loose fit foil on top of it. Reserve the pan juices for making gravy, if desired.

Serves 8.

Connie’s Hot N Spicy Cranberry Sauce 2 tbsp butter
2 minced jalapeño peppers (cored and seeded)
2 celery stalks, trimmed and diced
3 to 4 tablespoons brown sugar
3 cups fresh cranberries
Juice of 2 oranges (6 tbsps)

Melt butter in a saucepan. Add the jalapeno and celery; saute over medium-high heat until tender. Add brown sugar, cranberries and orange juice and bring to a boil. When you see a boil quickly reduce the heat to medium. Then cook until the berries pop! The sauce will develop and thicken, stirring constantly. This can take 5- 10 minutes.

Always taste your food! If it needs more heat minced more jalapeño peppers, if it needs more sweetness add more brown sugar and allow it to simmer a bit longer until it dissolves.
(Some people like to add crushed walnuts…if you like them too, add them!)

Serves 8.

I sometimes feel ridiculously overwhelmed by the design choices out there. I seem to like so many different styles, and I’m pretty sure the objects I’m drawn to when I shop or browse magazines don’t always go together. There’s often a huge difference between what we ADMIRE and what we WANT. And understanding that key difference is key to figuring out your personal style. Do you like a piece because you think it’s neat? Or do you you really want it in your home?

The most underrated method of understanding your taste is to look at your own stuff. When people think about redecorating, they always hit the magazine rack or start watching shows on HGTV etc. But, what you’ve got already will be a better indication of your taste. It’s very unlikely that you’re starting completely from scratch, so concentrate on those items you love the most and those that you cannot replace. Try to build your style from there.

Recently, I found this handy online quiz that tells you what your decorating style is. My style is “city chic”. The description helped me make sense of my seemingly eclectic style and to shop for new pieces with more confidence. But, if you’re undertaking a very big decorating project, don’t be afraid to seek some professional advice. This need not cost an arm and a leg… many stores offer a complementary consultation service.

Or, if you want to hire a pro, check out a local design college. Young designers who are trying to build up their portfolio will relish the challenge of a small budget. If you go this route, make sure you have good chemistry with your designer. It’s your home, so having a good relationship with the person decorating it is important. After all, when they’re long gone it will be you living there!

The Shopping Channel’s My Home Event is on now. Whether you’re looking to completely redecorate, or just shake things up with some new accessories, find your inpiration on theShoppingChannel.com

HDMI, Component and RCA components, what does it all mean? As a former rep in The Shopping Channel’s Customer Care Centre, I would field HDTV questions from customers trying to choose the right home electronics all the time. Especially TVs - the all important home entertainment purchase that needs to suit the entire family.

So, here I am to shed some light on two of the most frequently asked questions of The Shopping Channel when it comes to buying a TV.

What is 1080p resolution?

The number “1080″ represents 1,080 lines of vertical resolution (1080 horizontal scan lines). In basic terms, the more lines you have, the better the picture. Another asset to any television is the number of HDMI inputs that the unit has. Since a lot of electronics manufacturers are making devices that support HDMI, the more the better is always the way to go. The LG 42LG50 42″ LCD HDTV has 3 HDMI inputs. It may not seem like a lot, but, on the contrary, 3 are enough to run a Blu-ray^TM player, a video game unit and a HD cable box. Think of what you have in your house, do you need more than those 3? 99% of the time the answer is no.

What is HDMI?

This is another valid question that I heard from customers all the time. The High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is a compact audio/video connector interface for transmitting uncompressed digital streams. In basic terms, it is better to use 1 cable for audio and video than the red, yellow and white cables that we’ve all grown to love and over use with our devices.

One final aspect to look at is the viewing angle. This has to do with how the image will look no matter where you watch the television. The LG 42LG50 42″ LCD HDTV has a viewing angle of 178/178-8 bit reproduction, which in my opinion is a very good one. Picture your house and where you sit and compare with the image below.

There are a lot of other aspects that may seem very important, but really they are common across the board. Most importantly, when buying a television, buy what will best suit your family for years to come. After all, televisions are all about spending time with the ones you love.

The Shopping Channel’s My Home Event kicks off today! During this 10-day event, expect great shopping and offers on all things for your home. From decor and bedding to tableware and kitchen appliances, now is the time to pick up on new things to revitalize your space.

To get things started we’ve got a incredible special offer from our exclusive HomeSuite Collection. A two-pack of pillows for only $19.96. PLUS, you’ll receive a $10 savings card to use on your next HomeSuite purchase. For full details, click here.

For all My Home Event updates from The Shopping Channel, subscribe to our House & Home Insider. We’ll deliver product news and special offers right to your Inbox!

At this time of year, there’s lots of buzz about new looks for fashion and beauty. But don’t overlook your home! Whether you need to redecorate or just shake up some accessories, there are options for every style of interior. Here are some inspiration boards to spark your imagination.

Traditional elegance
Homes that are traditionally elegant are very well-suited to Fall’s sumptuous palette. Traditional furniture is usually grand, dark and often ornate. Fabrics like damasks and velvets conjure a rich sumptuous feel.

Living Room featured products: 610396 - Sure Fit Vintage Brick Cushion / 606520 - Sure Fit Matelasse Slipcover / 606482 - Rugman Najafabad Wool Rug / 607205 - Carisa Coffee Table with Glass Lift Compartment

Dining Room featured products: 347191 - Royal Vienna Oxford Candlesticks / 347884 - French Chateau 47 Piece Dinnerware Set / 604531 - Nest Of 2 Tables - Madison Collection / 609257 - Wonders of the World Nabbu Style Area Rug

Bedroom featured product: 608805 - Croscill Townhouse Duvet Cover

Casual classics
This look is a little more relaxed. Paler wood tones and rustic accessories soften the style, making it warm and inviting. This style of decorating offers the perfect balance between formal and casual, country and city style.

Living Room featured products: 604538 - Foyer Table - Country Cottage Collection / 610773 - Tiffany Style Orchid Wall Sconce / 607127 - Hereke Area Rug - Mahi Green / 610392 - Sure Fit Sanger Chocolate Cushion

Dining Room featured products: 347896 - temp-tations™ 12 Piece Oven to Table Set / 348378 - Royal Doulton Universal Crystal Stemware / 610601 - Tiffany Style Mission Window Panel

Kitchen featured products: 608913 - Hilland Rectangular Planters (2 Piece) / 610154 - Gaggia Baby Black Coffee Machine / 347487 - KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer with Added Value / 347837 - Blue Willow 55 Piece Dinnerware Set

Chic Contemporary
Clean and modern, with eastern-inspired accents, this style is warm without being overwhelming or too fussy. For those who prefer a modern aesthetic and minimal carefully-chosen accents, this style of decorating is youthful and can evolve season-to-season to suit your changing tastes.

Living Room featured products: 608910 - Sakura Round Denmark Wall Decor Unit (3 pieces) / 608457 - Manhattan Cocktail Ottoman with 2 Reversible Trays / 607102 - Bombay Carving Area Rug - Black / 611002 - Weston Crystal Table Lamp

Kitchen featured products: 607853 - Francis Francis! X6 Trio Espresso Machine / 610486 - Paderno Super-Size Kettle, 5L / 610471 - Paderno Belmont 20 Piece Flatware Set / 608468 - Set of 2 Viva Swivel Counter Stools

Bedroom featured products: 348369 - Artscape Set of 2 Window Films - Etched Small / 610982 - Gatineau Hills 7 Piece Duvet Cover & Sheet Set / 608473 - Manchester III Queen Bed Frame / 610258 - Wilton Armetale Zen Tray Candle with Stones

You might all remember my post back in June.  I found out that the wasp problem I was having was at least partially caused by a bunch of wasp nests hidden in my roof under the shingles.   I was hoping that when we put in our new roof and eliminated the wasp nest that they not return to ruin another summer evening dinner - and I was hoping that The Original Waspinator would be my key tool versus toxic sprays.

Well, I’m  thrilled to report as we head into September that it was a great summer. Not only did we enjoy a wasp-free deck/outdoor eating experience, but our flower garden thrived (oh, and thanks for that Root Blast - see you again next year!).  I did have one persistent little nest that I had to resort to wasp killer spray, but that was the only time I had to use it all summer (and I was all guilty - had just watched “The Bee Movie“. )