Fortune Hunters Promo

This is the show we are going to be on. The air date for our segment is Saturday January 19th at 6:30 EST on CBC.

The Tassimo Machine: Fast Food Coffee

You have probably been seeing plenty of this 1 cup wonder lately, but what just what is all the hype about? It's a coffee machine. Ok.... It makes hot beverages one at a time. That's nice.... You can't use regular coffee or espresso beans, you have to purchase their special coffee dohickeys called T Discs - even for the milk. That blows...

Many coffee companies are starting to make their own T Discs for this machine including Nabob Maxwell House and Starbucks but you have to hunt a little to find them. The advantage, Kraft says, is that you are getting a perfectly measured identical cup every time.

However, there are several disadvantages worth considering. The T Disks have to be thrown out after use. They come in a box and are comprised of plastic, aluminium, polyester and polyethylene laminate - all of which, goes straight to the trash can after your beverage is brewed. They can not be reused. You can pull it apart to get at the plastic part and recycle that, but extra effort is required. Since the "milk" (a "milk product" that lives on the shelf) also comes in this format, you will throw away 2 disks per cappuccino. In contrast, the only garbage you'll get from using a traditional espresso machine is coffee grounds.

If you are a coffee aficionado, you will turn your nose up at this machine. It is simply impossible to get the same intense flavor of a good strong Italian espresso with the Tassimo because the T Disks are made to suit the bland North American taste bud. We also suspect the Italians wouldn't allow it.

Despite our reservations, we recently sampled a cup of their espresso. It was everything you would expect from a hospital coffee vending machine.

We'll take the extra 3 minutes and make a proper espresso, thanks.

What do you think? Have you tried this? Do you like it?

Tassimo.com

Ottawa Boxing Week Steals

This Christmas we were in Ottawa visiting the in-laws. We ate silly amounts of delicious food (both parents are amazing cooks) and drank copious amounts of wine. We played many rounds of Mad Gab, Scrabble and Uno, and when Boxing Day rolled around, we shopped.

Alex and I never intended to get caught up in the post Christmas sales, but a trip to a cafe downtown to get a little uninterrupted work done on the 26th turned into an accidental shopping blitz. I have been looking for a good pair of flattering jeans for a long time, but still being a student have a hard time blowing 3 figures. I had long regretted not buying some Citizens of Humanity I tried on a couple of years ago so when I found these at Trust Fund on sale for $168, I didn't even think about it.


We popped into several cute furniture stores including Zone Maison where we were smitten by this chandelier at 20% off. $200-something-ish later and a 4 block walk to the car hoofing it over piles of slushy snow was not fun, but we were up for the challenge.


A savvy manager at EQ3 saw our weakness over a cute bedding set after we'd decided on a small side table with storage on sale for $45 and promptly gave us a 25% discount on the regular priced bedding. Who could say no to an offer like that and besides, doesn't everyone need a new duvet set?
At that point, we decided it was time to wrap up our "coffee break" and take our precious purchases home before we spent any more.

My wallet may be hurting but our apartment is looking decidedly less student-chic and my hunt for the perfect jeans is temporarily on hold.

Merry Christmas from the Queen

The royals have launched their own channel on youtube where you can watch old and new broadcasts of them in action.

Check it out!

A Taste of the Old World for Christmas

This month's travel feature took you to the Alpine region of Bavaria. I lived there for over four years and just writing about it was so nostalgic that I've decided this year to cook up my North American version of a proper German Christmas meal.

Germans don't eat much turkey and certainly do not associate it with a Christmas tradition. In fact, I'm pretty sure our relatives still living there will be enjoying a roasted hare. I wrinkle my nose at the very thought! I guess I'm just too New World for such things.

My 3-course menu starts with leek and potato soup, which I puree until it's smooth like applesauce and then garnish with chopped chives or shallots. I cheat and use OXO chicken stock - you get a wonderful hearty soup with hardly any effort. Here's a wonderful recipe from Epicurious for leek and potato soup.

If I can find it, I serve the soup with a dark German rye bread. This is not to everyone's taste, so I might supplement with a baguette or sourdough. Almost impossible to find (but totally worth the effort) are soft Bavarian-style pretzels. I've made my own at home, but the ingredients are different on this side of the pond and I can't duplicate authentically.

The main course will be pork ribs with sauerkraut. I season my ribs with freshly ground black pepper and sea salt, then let sit for a few hours. They will bake for about 1½ hours uncovered at 325-350°F. During the last 30 minutes of baking, I sauté a small-medium chopped onion in butter (I prefer it over oil) until glassy, then toss in 1½ cups or so of prepared sauerkraut. I use regular sauerkraut, not the Bavarian-style variety (it has caraway seeds - yuck). I heat it through and then spread the mixture over the ribs and cover for the last 15-20 minutes.

The side dishes will be a tomato & sweet onion salad with balsamic vinaigrette and boiled potatoes seasoned with dill. If I'm really feeling ambitious, I might make spaetzle (German noodles) served with a simple gravy or melted butter. Here is a really basic recipe from Chef 2 Chef.

Dessert? At this point we're stuffed to the gills and only a shot or two of Jägermeister will ease the digestive process. Maybe in an hour or two we'll be up for eating my cheater version of Black Forest torte.

I use a basic chocolate cake recipe (or even a Betty Crocker mix) that I thicken up just a bit so it can handle the moisture of the filling. Ideally, I make a double recipe and bake it in a large spring form pan so that I can slice it into three sections horizontally (baking them separately is a pain because of the dome tops you'll have to slice off anyway). The first filling is whipped cream flavored with a little Kirschwasser (cherry brandy) and vanilla, stiffened with a little bit of icing sugar. The second filling is cherry sauce that you can make from fresh, frozen or canned tart cherries. You'll need to sweeten and thicken the sauce, or in a pinch use cherry pie filling.

(Sorry, purists. I had to go there.)

Assemble the cake as follows. Sprinkle a tablespoon of Kirschwasser over the bottom cake layer. Spread a third of the cream, then spoon half the cherry sauce on top. Repeat the process, ending with the final slab of cake on top. Smear the remaining whipped cream over the whole cake and garnish with shaved chocolate. If you're in a hurry, just dust some cocoa powder using a sieve.

Eat this cake in moderation! The first time I made it my husband and I were really tipsy because we each had a large slice. Or was it the Chardonnay from dinner and the Jägermeister afterward? I forget.

Prost! ("cheers")

7 Old Wives Tales de-Bunked

Before you consider whipping out one of these in front of your friends you may want to do a little research according to an article on Yahoo.

"You know, we only use, like 10% of our brains..."

"Don't read in the dark. It'll ruin your eyesight."

"You should drink at least 8 glasses of water a day."


It turns out these and several other widely held beliefs may not actually be true. The following are things we've been told all our lives but may have very little validity to them if any:

1. We only use 10% of our brains

2. You should drink at least 8 glasses of water per day

3. Fingernails and hair grow after death

4. Shaved hair grows back faster coarser and darker

5. Reading in dim light ruins your eyesight

6. Eating Turkey makes you drowsy

7. Mobile phones are dangerous in hospitals

Want to know the truth? Read more...

Technical Notice

Just a heads up we are moving to a new server today so there may be some issues accessing ChickAdvisor for the next 24 hours. Have a wonderful Saturday!

Last Minute Charitable Gift Idea: Get 'Em a Goat!

Ok you're really down to the wire here. Christmas is next week and you still don't have a gift for that impossible to shop for person on your list who truly has it all.

Why not get them a goat?

Seriously. At Ten Thousand Villages you can buy a goat for $33 that will feed a family in Africa. By making a donation on behalf of someone you are giving a gift to multiple people that will actually be useful. To top it off, this gift is tax deductible.

World Vision offers the same service, but it is more expensive.

See? Problem solved. This year, get 'em a goat.

Ten Thousand Villages Goat

World Vision Goat

Biddell Wins Project Runway Canada

I must say I am surprised.

I was at L'Oreal Fashion Week for Project Runway in October but not able to say anything because we were all under embargo. They actually showed collections from a number of designers so it was hard to know whose collection was whose, or who the final contestants were.

I instantly fell in love with Lucian Matis' collection of tailored dresses, crochet and whimsical hats. Watching it live, his was by far the stand out in my opinion and I thought it was impeccable and inspiring. Biddell's collection was funky and sexy, but reminded me of things I've seen from other designers, which ironically is what Iman criticized Matis for.

Overall everyone did an amazing job, and it was thrilling to be part of the final episode.

Did you miss it? Watch full episodes on Slice.ca

Beware the Hotel Room Tumbler!

Thanks to The Cozy Chicks for posting a link to this disturbing story on their blog.

Think the glasses in your hotel room are safe to drink from? Apparently not. Watch this video before you pour yourself a drink on your next hotel stay. Ewww!

Freebie Friday!! December 14 07

Want a freebie? Then you might want to check out the forums. We have this decadently scented Bubalina Gift pack up for grabs (value of $48).

Thank you Spa Boutique for providing this freebie!

Please note, you must be logged in to view the forum threads.

The Nalgene Controversy

These bottles have been sitting in the Hotlist's Top Ten for months. Read up on the love Nalgene is getting from our members.

We've been chatting in our site forum recently about Vancouver-based Mountain Equipment Co-op's (a.k.a. MEC) decision to yank some of the popular Nalgene water bottles from its shelves. So far, MEC is the only major retailer to do so. The action only applies to products that contain bisphenol-A (BPA).

BPA is an estrogen mimic that can interfere with your body's hormone balance. Hormone mimics in general can cause a variety of problems, including certain cancers, reduced fertility (especially in men), early onset of puberty (especially in girls), birth defects, and reproductive system diseases. These effects are often only seen over long-term exposure.

Many governmental health bodies (e.g. EPA) have assessed the dangers of BPA exposure in products like the Nalgene bottles, and concluded that the amount of contamination in humans is below established tolerance levels. Test animals show higher levels of contamination because of their smaller size compared to humans.

However, there has been enough of a kerfuffle about it that Canada's health bureau (Health Canada) has decided to revisit the question and will be publishing their report in 2009. Environmentalists have praised this move. Their position is simple: contaminants of all kinds will eventually have some negative effect on our bodies.

And so the buck is passed back to you. Do you throw out your BPA-containing bottles and switch to another brand? Or do you shrug your shoulders, figuring that everything we wear, eat, drink, and breathe is contaminated in some way anyway?

The Sigg bottles are made of stainless steel or aluminum (pictured).

Educate yourself from a variety of sources and read Nalgene's statement about BPA safety. Watch for Health Canada's report coming in 2009.

Does Age Still Matter?

I have always been of the belief that it is never to a woman's benefit to reveal her true age. In business, either you are too young and you won't be taken seriously, or you are too old. There is also of course, the baby factor: When will she be going on maternity leave?? A former boss once asked me during the interview when I was planning on having children. I was 18.

Hollywood celebrities are famously "mum" on this matter for good reason. As Martha Plimpton once said, there are essentially two parts available to the female actress. "In film, it's either 'She's a young starlet' or 'She's an old-hag character actress.'" While there are a slew of aging male actors still raking in the dough well into their 70s and 80s, they make more money than female actresses of the same age and enjoy richer careers. Often they are paired with actresses half their age.

It's no wonder actresses feel the need to conceal their age. Last year, the internet was abuzz about a supposed 7 year gap between Beyonce's reported age of 25 and her real one of 32. I don't know or care what her real age is, but why was this a topic for discussion in the first place? Does anyone care how old Matt Damon is or Brad Pitt? Has the fact that Brad is obviously very comfortably in his 40s affected his ability to still be considered a sex symbol?

Personally I never own my true age because I think it is irrelevant. Some women prefer to tell their age with pride. I don't think there is any benefit to sharing your age. Until women are no longer judged based on their age and gender, I am what I appear.

Where do you stand on the age issue?

Shame on You, NYMag

LOL!

We've always been fans of Nymag.com until now. They've come out with a new show in their fashion look book section that is pretty much exactly the same as our show but the fashionistas are questionably dressed transvestites.

Forgive us, but who is this fashion advice supposed to be for exactly? Normally we'd say who cares? Fashion is fashion, but this... only Tootsie could appreciate.

Then again imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Wanna do Brunch?

Toronto and Ottawa members we are trying to do a little last minute holiday brunch if you're interested. We've been talking about it in the forums.

It's a last minute uber casual deal but here's what we are working on:

A brunch, some fab free products from Garnier and a chance to meet in person and discuss girls only topics that will make the boys blush.

Toronto Sat Dec 15 11am location (TBD)

Ottawa Sat Dec 22 11am location (TBD)

Cost: pay what you eat.

Wanna come? Email us or respond in the forums asap so we can ensure enough product and space for you!

Move Over, Sliced Bread

Are these fantastic or what? They are candy cane shot glasses, and are making me seriously consider throwing a big Christmas bash just so I can use them.

Just imagine yourself tossing back ice-cold Smirnoff in one of these puppies, and when you're done you can, as the maker suggests, eat the evidence!

I'm not so sure about the sticky fingers part but if you're enjoying these at a party, chances are you are crammed into your sexy-but-half-a-size-too-small jeans and wearing pointy shoes. Obviously comfort is not a huge issue for you, so I imagine the minor inconvenience of sugary digits won't be either.

Buy them for $9 a pair here. Thanks NYMag for the tip!

p.s. We of course ask all our readers to enjoy alcohol responsibly. Have a happy and safe holiday, everyone!

Banishing Your Pasty Winter Skin

It's that time of year again, when the summer sun is but a distant memory for most of us and we have the sickly white hue to prove it. You have your office Christmas party to attend and a February hot spot getaway with your friends planned. What's a girl to do?

Option #1: High-tail it to the nearest tanning bed and soak up some UV. Try not to worry about that pesky little skin cancer thing, and remember to move around so you tan in the folds of your armpits and knees. No one wants to admire your zebra stripes.

Option #2: Brave the beach crowds and stun them with the unforgiving glare of your porcelain-perfect skin when you go on that getaway. Convince yourself each time you unwind your sarong that you aren't embarrassed.

Option #3: Get yourself some sunless tanner and save a little face. Hey, that was easy!

But first read up on the choices before you spend your Christmas bonus in one fell swoop. A June '07 Consumer Reports study compared home sunless tanning options, with surprising results. The cheapest products in the study were the big winners with L'Oréal Sublime Glow Natural Moisturizer coming out on top. Compare that $10 price tag with your average $30-per-visit spray treatment at the local tanning salon.

Or Option #4: Go on a ski holiday instead! Stay tuned: we'll ask around for some ideas on how to banish that lovely raccoon-patterned windburn for ya. No promises though.

Tact And The Unwanted Gift

Thanks, but... no thanks!

Let's be honest here. Every year some well intentioned soul buys something for you that you simply must return. In many cases, you should find a way to keep it and consider the spirit in which it was given to you. But sometimes the offending item simply must be returned or re-gifted. This is awkward and can hurt the giver's feelings so you have to be really careful how you go about this.

A friend recently confided that every year her Mother in Law buys the exact same shirt for all 5 of her daughters/daughter in laws in the same size, color and style. Unfortunately the women range in size from Small to XL. A medium waffle shirt does NOT fit all.

Should you find yourself in this predicament, carefully evaluate before you make your move. In most cases, an exchange is the least offensive providing you have a solid excuse like it didn't fit properly or you have an allergy to polyester/country music.

Really try to focus on the positive. If you find the item truly repulsive, find a way to say something genuinely nice about it. "I LOVE this colour!" "Wow, this is really nice quality!" "This will keep me so warm!" Then tactfully suggest you visit the store to see if they have that item in your size, wait for the boxing day sales to deplete their stock, and then go back armed with the receipt and a totally legit excuse to use it towards something you really like. Make sure to thank the original giver for the new gift.

This is not about lying, it is about considering the feelings of the person who took the time to hunt out and pay for or make something special for you. My mother is extremely careful to buy gifts she really thinks suit the recipient and spends a lot of time searching for that perfect item. I would never consider returning something from her unless it was the wrong size, in which case I would try to exchange it.

Whatever you're unwrapping this season, try to focus on the positive, remember the spirit in which the gift was given and above all, be gracious.

Just for fun, vote on our poll of who will be most likely to give you that tacky gift.

New Cities!

We're very excited to announce the launch of several new cities! We were poking around in our stats and noticed there were literally hundreds of you registered in these cities anxious to add your two cents!

We have added the following:
Los Angeles
San Francisco
Atlanta
Chicago
Boston
Calgary
Montreal
London (UK)

If you live in one of these cities tell your friends and start adding reviews! Please and Thank you!

Want your city listed? If you don’t see it in the list under “Add a review” send us an email and we’ll add it for you.

Christmas in Bavaria

There is nothing more enchanting than experiencing Christmas in another part of the world.

Castle "Neuschwanstein" near Füssen, a must-see for visitors to the region. 30-minute tours offered several times daily in 11 languages cost 9€* per adult.

I was fortunate to live in Germany for several years and take in some new traditions and memories I will never forget. Southern Bavaria in winter is a dreamscape of snowy mountains, Alpine chalets, and fantastical castles shrouded in fog. During the Christmas season, every city and town opens its yearly Christkindlmarkt, a festive holiday market with local food and drink, gifts, souvenirs, entertainment, great bargains, and historical traditions.

If you are in Germany for the first time, you could take in the big city sights of Munich or Garmish-Partenkirchen, but the attractions there are more likely to cater to tourists and lack the authenticity. To be sure, you will still have a wonderful experience, but the locals prefer to go to their home town or a nearby village and this is where we're headed.

My picture doesn't do it justice; this is something you should see for yourself. This Christmas market is in Rosenheim (60 km SE of Munich).

While you're strolling around, make sure one hand is holding a piping hot cone of sugar-roasted almonds ("Gebrannte Mandeln") and a mug of spiced mulled wine ("Glühwein") in the other. Smell the traditional breads and pastries mingling with the pine-scented air from garlands strung around the marketplace. Watch jugglers and magicians, listen to musicians busking on every corner, and all under the frosty-clear alpine sky.

Since you've decided to stay in a small town, stick to a local Bed and Breakfast. Many houses simply hang out a shingle declaring vacancy ("Zimmer frei"), and in addition to private and comfy accommodations, you will be treated to a full German breakfast each morning. This usually includes cold meats, cheeses, boiled eggs, fresh-baked buns and pretzels, jams, muesli, and proper German coffee. Many rooms can be booked for 20€ per person in the smaller towns, and also offer weekly rates.

We are sitting in a mountain meadow overlooking the town of Berchtesgaden (Ger/Aus border).

After such a hearty start, you'll be wanting to take a long walk. Explore the cobbled streets with lined with quaint shops or head into the nearby forest for a longer stroll. In December, you can expect the weather to be around freezing with cool mists and fat lazy snowflakes in the evenings.

For lunch, head into a local biergarten for a pair of Weißwürstl (Munich-style white sausages) and a foamy wheat beer with a side of kraut and soft pretzel. It's not uncommon for waitresses to be dressed in dirndl, and even if you speak some German you might be hard-pressed to decipher the Bavarian dialect. You will be pleasantly surprised, however, to discover how many Germans speak English and are extremely polite and helpful.

A traditional Alpine dirndl worn throughout the region. Photo credit Lederhosen-Aigner.

After you've done the cultural round, head over to the slopes for some fantastic skiing. The big resorts of Garmish-Partenkirchen (Germany) and Austrian Innsbruck and Kitzbühl offer world-class runs, but don't ignore the smaller outfits that offer lower prices and cheap accommodations. Most places have mountaintop chalets with cafeteria services; imagine yourself sitting on their deck in the warm Alpine sunshine overlooking the mountain peaks swimming in a sea of fog and clouds. Bring your sunblock!

Ski-Welt near Kufstein is one of the largest area ski resorts. Lift tickets start at 31€ per adult.

There is something for everyone in Bavaria - great food, culture, and entertainment will guarantee a Christmas to remember.

One last look at Schloß Neuschwanstein on one of the occasions we visited. The swirling fog shrouded the towers, reminding visitors of the mysterious circumstances surrounding Ludwig II, the last king of Bavaria's, death.

Hint: Travelzoo lists fares to Frankfurt starting at $210 US one way!

*At the time of this post, 1€ = $1.46 US or $1.40 CAD.

U.S Parents Outsourcing Childcare Overseas

Report: Many U.S. Parents Outsourcing Child Care Overseas

Thanks to Jennifer Ouano for sharing this video on Facebook. ;)

What's Your Favorite Celebrity Fragrance?

These days launching a perfume goes hand in hand with being a big time celebrity. After all, you can't expect to be a decent movie star if you don't have your own perfume. Even Donald Trump has a cologne (tacky packaging not withstanding). Some perfumes are very nice. Others not so much.

Two of our favorite A-listers unfortunately recently launched Stinks. Gwen Steffani's much hyped first scent L, a L.A.M.B. was an instant headache inducer for us - a genuinely perfume loving bunch. S.J.P's Covet is also a stinker - and a bad marketing campaign to boot. Having her behind bars was an irony evident to many who thought the stench was criminal.

We are pleasantly surprised by perfumes we wouldn't have even thought to try had it not been for a whiff of it on a couple of friends and strangers that prompted us to check it out for ourselves. Celine Dion's Belong is really beautiful and reasonably priced. It is soft, sexy and reminiscent of some of our faves from Anna Sui. Jennifer Lopez Live smells amazing on nearly everyone. Britney Spears' Fantasy is surprisingly sexy (in small doses) - who knew?

There are many others we have yet to try. Which celebrity perfumes are your favorite?