Winter is all about comfort food. The cold weather makes most people want to curl up with something rich and delicious and ride out the storm. Its very important to eat your vegetables in winter because you are more prone to illness during the colder months. The Timbercreek team has a list of 10 ways to get your vegetables this winter.

Start With Soups

A hot bowl of soup can be incredibly comforting on a cold winter night. This basic vegetable soup recipe is easy to make. All you need is vegetable (or chicken) stock, lots of veggies and a little salt and pepper. You can use any vegetables you have on hand. Prefer broccoli instead of cauliflower? No problem. This recipe is so easy to follow, it’s hard to make a mistake.

Sneak Veggies Into Hearty Meals

A great way to get some extra veggies into your everyday life is to sneak them into a hearty meal. This Veggie Bolognese Pasta is satisfying and substantial. The meaty sauce is secretly full of veggies like carrots, cauliflower, zucchini, mushrooms and tomatoes (technically a fruit, but let’s count it here). We promise you won’t miss the meat.

Roast Them For A Sweet Treat

Roasting veggies brings out their delicious sweet flavour as their natural sugars caramelize. When you come in from out of the cold, hot roasted root veggies can be deeply satisfying on their own or as a side dish. Leftover roasted veggies taste delicious cold the next day.

Sip On Them In Smoothies

Green smoothies are a great way to get some extra veggies in. This Veggie Cocktail, is a healthy take on a Bloody Mary, complete with a classic celery stalk garnish. This version of the cocktail is packed with 2 cups of kale! That’s a lot of greens in a delicious package.

Hide Them In Pancakes

Having trouble getting your kids to eat their veggies? Hide some spinach in your next batch of pancakes! Hulk Pancakes are delicious, healthy and vibrantly green. Kids will love their fun name and bright colour, and won’t be able to detect their healthy secret. 

Embrace Stew

Hearty beef stew with veggies is perhaps the perfect winter meal. The stew’s flavour is so rich and meaty you’d never guess this recipe packs in so many vegetables. Make a big pot of it, keep it in your fridge, and heat up a bowl to warm you up whenever the craving strikes.

Turn them into pasta

Spiralized vegetables offer an amazing new way to eat your veggies. Zucchini Noodles are the most common and a great option if you are looking for grain-free pasta or a way to pack more vegetables into your diet. They are easy to make, all you need is a vegetable spiralizer or mandoline. Add your favourite sauce with even more veggies and you’re on your way to getting your five a day.

Turn Them Into Wings

If you love the taste of buffalo wings, but are trying to eat more vegetables, consider whipping up a batch of cauliflower wings. This video will walk you through the process of preparing your cauliflower and buffalo sauce. Serve them with some blue cheese dressing, carrots and celery sticks.

Bake With Them

Is there anything cozier than baking? Vegetables aren’t just for savoury recipes. This winter, bake a warm loaf of Zucchini Bread to share with friends and family. Grated zucchini keeps the sweet loaf moist and delicious. It’s basically a spice cake with the added benefits of vegetables!

We hope these ideas will help you sneak extra veggies into your meals this winter. To learn more about Timbercreek’s rental communities across Canada, please visit our website.

Making New Year’s resolutions is pretty easy, but not keeping them can be even easier! Before you give in, you should know that there’s an app for that. Check out our top picks in today’s blog post.

Clear up some brain space

Whether you’re committing to a healthy new grocery list or a project with your coworkers, sticking to your resolution is going to require a place to save and share ideas, reminders or lists. We love apps that clear brain space. They help you get things done in an organized way without having to remember much. If this sounds like a dream come true, check out Evernote and OneNote.

Watching your wallet?

For money-related New Year’s resolutions, Mint is a must. We love this app because it connects all of your accounts, credit cards, loans, bills, etc., in one place, providing you with a more honest view of the money that you do (or do not) have. Create savings goals, budgets and overspending alerts to keep yourself financially focused for the next 12 months.

My Fitness Pal

What more could you wish for than a healthier, happier 2017? There are a ton of different apps to choose from when it comes to monitoring your health and fitness goals. My Fitness Pal is our top pick because of its extensive food log, making calorie counting super easy. You can also use My Fitness Pal to track your exercise, helping you stick to your workout schedule.

Don’t go it alone! Download an app that can help you keep your New Year’s resolutions all year long, Timbercreek’s amazing apartment communities are located in several provinces across the country. For more information, please visit our website today. 

Winter is the perfect time of year to enjoy hearty, rich foods. They fill you up and warm your soul on cold, blustery days. But rich foods can become overwhelming after months of indulging. Your body may be ready for something light and refreshing. Try a tasty detox this week with one of our top 10 winter salads.

Apple Pecan Arugula Salad

Peppery arugula pairs brilliantly with crisp apples and crunchy pecans in this Apple Pecan Arugula Salad. Make your own (vegan!) dressing and throw this salad together in just 15 minutes. Best of all, you only need 8 ingredients!

Warm Mushroom Salad with Bacon Vinaigrette

We love this Warm Mushroom Salad with Bacon Vinaigrette. Mushrooms are amazing for your health and will help you ward off the flu this season. The warm temperature of the salad will also leave you much more satisfied than a typical cold salad when it's cold outside. Pro tip: simmering some oil with garlic will create the perfect flavourful base for your mushrooms-of-choice.

Warm Quinoa, Sweet Potato and Kale Salad

Quinoa, sweet potato and kale is an amazing superfood trio. Try it for yourself in this Warm Quinoa, Sweet Potato and Kale Salad which packs a powerful punch of protein, vitamins and minerals. Give yourself 40 minutes to cook everything and combine all the ingredients of this healthy and tasty weeknight winter meal.

Winter Spa Salad with Lemon Chicken

Brightly coloured cara cara oranges, avocado, pomegranate and fresh herbs come together in this stunning Winter Spa Salad with Lemon Chicken. Marinate the chicken as you prepare the rest of the salad for approximately 30 minutes. This recipe tutorial includes a recipe and instructions for the marinade, as well as step by step instructions for an easy homemade salad dressing that you’ll want to drizzle on everything.

Crunchy Thai Kale Salad

If you haven’t embraced kale, we don’t blame you. On its own its bitter, hard to chew and very green. Despite being hard to love for its taste, your body loves kale and you should try to add it to your day whenever you can. We LOVE this healthy alternative to Thai takeout. Make this sweet and savoury Crunchy Thai Kale Salad, it may just make you love kale.

Kale & Butternut Salad with Ginger-Miso Dressing

Turn an ordinary combination, like kale and butternut squash, into an extraordinary pairing by topping it with a bold Japanese dressing. For this Kale & Butternut Salad with Ginger-Miso Dressing you will need rice vinegar, miso, sesame oil, honey and finely grated ginger to finish.

Fig, Prosciutto and Goat’s Cheese Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette

If you’re looking for a delicious salad that borders on indulgent, this Fig, Prosciutto and Goat’s Cheese Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette is for you. A perfect balance of creamy (goat’s cheese), sweet (fig), salty (prosciutto) and sour(citrus), take just one bite and you’ll be hooked!

Brussels Sprout Salad with Chicken and Warm Bacon Vinaigrette

For a weeknight meal that calls for the seasonal brussels sprouts you snagged at your local market, try this Brussels Sprout Salad with Chicken and Warm Bacon Vinaigrette. If you’ve never paired brussels sprouts with bacon before, you’re in for a treat! The combination takes the cruciferous vegetable to a whole new level of deliciousness. This recipe is easy to make and ready in less than 30 minutes. Best of all, this salad is hearty enough to be enjoyed as a meal.

A “Christmas” Salad

The holidays may have come and gone, but you can keep the festive spirit alive with this Christmas Salad of Winter Greens and Fruit. We love the combination of crunchy cabbage, radicchio and kale with sweet and tart organic cranberries and pomegranate. Top this festive salad with a homemade clementine-coriander vinaigrette.

Chickpea Shawarma Salad

Chickpeas are hearty and tasty, loaded with protein, easy to throw into any salad, and make delicious leftovers. If you love them as much as we do, you have to try this vegan Chickpea Shawarma Salad. This salad is healthy, light, and bursting with shawarma flavours thanks to a delicious blend of middle eastern spices. It also has a great balance of crunchy and creamy textures.

Give your body a little love this winter with a tasty salad, like one of these 10 amazing winter salads from our foodies at Timbercreek Communities.

For more information about Timbercreek Communities apartments, located nationwide, please visit our website today. 

Your bathroom is one of the most regularly used rooms in your apartment so why not make it your own? Adding a touch of style to your bathroom can be easy to do and completely reversible (in case you want to switch things up in the future). Get started this weekend with one of these creative bathroom decorating hacks.

(Photo: 236 Richmond Road)

Put Up a Stylish Shower Curtain

A new shower curtain can add a little personality to any bathroom, no hard hat or tools required. Pick up an affordable curtain from your local department store, or go big with a unique curtain created by an independent artist on Etsy.

Add a Statement Rug/Bath Mat

You’ll thank yourself for finally adding some style to your bathroom each and every time you walk into the room or step out of your shower. Save yourself a trip to the store, and a few extra dollars, with a fun and affordable DIY bath mat project.

Arrange Some Art

Sometimes it’s more about the arrangement than the art. Just about anything can look stylish when arranged and hung creatively. Consider a cool gallery-style display using ceramics you already have on hand, or mimic this creative arrangement made with postcards. 

Get a Plant

We recommend plants that are happy in humidity and fine without direct sunlight. Favourites include the Boston Fern, a Spider Plant or bamboo, each of which offer their own unique aesthetic and air-freshening capabilities.

Store Things in Style

What’s better than functional decor, especially in the bathroom? Create a stylish storage box that’s both full of character and completely practical, or try one of these witty ways of storing toilet paper.

Give your bathroom the love it deserves with a mini makeover. Start this weekend with one of today’s home styling tips that are easy and reversible. For more information about spacious Timbercreek Communities apartments, please visit our website. 

Let’s face it, winter in Canada can be rough! The cold, dark days of winter seem to last forever. During the winter months, it's easy to just want to curl up on the couch with a good book, and that’s fine, some of the time. But don’t let winter beat you! Winter may be the most important season to stay active. Keeping your workouts fresh and challenging is a great way to stay motivated. Timbercreek Communities knows how tough this time of year can be, and we’re on your side! Check out our list of 5 ways to avoid a winter workout rut.

Go for a Winter Run

In the dead of winter, you might not be able to control the weather, but you can control your reaction to it. It’s winter, it’s cold, keep going! We recommend working in an invigorating outdoor run (at 60% to 80% of your maximum effort) once or twice a week. Running in winter helps you burn more calories because of the combination of exercise and keeping your body warm. If you are looking for a challenge, running in snow is more difficult due to the resistance the snow creates for your body. The added intensity allows you to get more done in less time. Before you lace up your running shoes, check out these winter running tips to stay safe and motivated.

Treat Yourself to Some New Gear

Whether you plan to working out outdoors or not, some new workout gear may be a good idea to avoid a winter workout rut. If you are going to be outside, you’ll need to be warm and you’ll need footwear that works in the snow. If your are going to be indoors at the gym, or even working out at home at your Timbercreek Apartment, some new clothes can help keep you motivated. You’ll look better while working out and you’ll want to justify the new purchase. There's no need to over spend on the highest end gear, buy what you can afford -- just enough to remind you that you are worth the investment.

Set Goals

When you find yourself in the dead of winter, it can seem like there is no end in sight. Try to keep in mind that no matter how long the winter drags, Spring is just around the corner, and after springtime, comes summer. If you want to feel good and look good by the summer, you need to put in the work in the winter. Set goals for yourself. Whether you are looking to lose weight, get stronger or get faster (or all three), it’s important to set concrete goals that are MAT: (M)easureable, (A)chievable and (T)imed. Even if you don’t succeed in hitting your goals, having something to work toward and charting your progress will help motivate you through a long, cold winter.

Join A League or a Team

If you’re having trouble staying motivated during the dark, cold months, consider joining a league or team. Most cities across the country including Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, Winnipeg, Calgary and Edmonton, offer organized leagues or pick up games throughout the year. It’s a great way to have some fun and meet some new people while you stay in shape.

Have Fun

Exercise can be fun! What's your favourite winter activity? Do it as much as you can. It can be downhill or cross country skiing, ice skating, running or anything that gets you out there. Simply getting outside during the winter months can have a huge beneficial impact on your health, fitness and mood. The lack of sunlight in the winter can cause serotonin levels (a mood enhancing chemical in the brain) to drop. That can have a negative effect on your mood as well as make you feel more tired, hungry and craving more comforting carbs. Exercise, especially outdoors, can help combat this condition.

We hope these 5 ways to avoid a winter workout rut help you power your way through winter. For more information on Timbercreek Rental Communities across Canada, please visit our website.

It’s a common misconception that your furry friend is immune to the cold because of his or her fur coat. Fido’s comfort and safety in winter weather conditions depends on a number of variables, from breed, to age, to general physical stamina and strength. Learn more about how to care for Fido this winter in today’s post from Timbercreek Communities.

Minimizing Outdoor Trips

You can’t keep your dog inside all winter, but when is it safe to go out? Smaller, shorter breeds that walk closer to the snow are usually less resilient in cold weather, along with elderly dogs. Some dog breeds, like huskies, have thicker snow-ready coats than others, like greyhounds. A general rule is that when temperatures fall below zero degrees celsius, no matter the dog, your furry friend is at risk for hypothermia. When the cold hits, check the temps to determine if it’s safe to go out. Consider minimizing your outdoor trips with dog-friendly indoor games and activities.

Paw Pads

Perhaps the biggest perk of paw pads is protection, not from the snow, but rather the salt and chemicals that melt the snow. Invest in a pair of affordable paw pads to keep your dogs paws safe. Love long winter hikes? The second benefit of paw pads is protection from rugged terrain that can potentially cut or damage your pet’s paws.

Grooming

You can’t protect your pup from everything, so grooming during the winter is important. Your local groomer will thoroughly clean any salt or mud that finds its way onto your pet throughout the season.

Do’s and Don’ts for Cold Weather

• Don’t leave your pet unattended outdoors when it’s extremely cold.
• Don’t feed your pet less just because it’s cold; Fido actually requires more energy from food to heat his or her body during the winter months.

• Do take note if your dog begins to shiver, bark or refuse to move, as these can be signs of overexposure to cold.
• Do get a cozy Fido Fleece for smaller pets, or pets with thinner coats.

Proper winter care for your pooch is key. Get started today with one of these tips from the dog lovers at Timbercreek Communities. For more information about pet-friendly Timbercreek Communities apartments, located in five provinces and over 27 cities nationwide, please visit our website.

The holidays are just around the corner, offering a great opportunity for some quality time with your family. Kids can get bored easily if they don’t have engaging activities that hold their attention. Timbercreek Communities has 6 kid-friendly holiday activities for you to enjoy. We hope you and your kids have a great time!

Ice Skating and Hockey

It doesn’t feel like winter until you’ve laced up your skates and hit the ice. Whether you enjoy public skating at a local rink or a pick game of hockey with friends and family, check out these rinks and schedules for Calgary, Winnipeg, Halifax, Montreal and Toronto. Still not sure where to skate? Check with your local municipality.

Go to the movies

Take a break on a cold winter day and escape into a different world with a trip to the movie theatre. Going to the movies can be a great way to spend your time this holiday season. There are several fun family friendly films to enjoy this month, including the latest J.K. Rowling creation, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, the latest Disney animated feature, Moana, and another animated offering featuring the voice talents of Matthew McConaughey and Scarlett Johansson, Sing.

Build a Gingerbread House

We’ve all seen those elaborately decorated gingerbread houses on display, but few of us have actually attempted to build our own gingerbread house. Creating one from scratch is no small task, but as with many things in life, the joy is in the doing and it can be a great indoor, bonding activity for you and your kids. Simplify things a bit by purchasing a ready-to-assemble kit.

Make a dreidel

A dreidel is a four-sided, spinning top with a distinct Hebrew letter on each side. The game is to spin the dreidel to collect coins or candy depending on the letter that appears. Traditionally, dreidels are made out of clay and this video will show you how to make your own, or you can easily make one out of paper.

DIY Christmas stockings

As the snow piles up outside, having a fun and useful DIY project to focus on can be a great way to spend the day. Brew up some hot cocoa and get to work on DIY Christmas stockings that you’ll be proud to hang by the chimney with care.

DIY Christmas Ornaments

Decorating the Christmas tree is a great family tradition. You can make it even more personal by hanging some ornaments that you and your family create yourselves. These DIY Christmas Ornaments are fun to make. They’re also a great keepsake for future generations.

We hope this post helps you spend a little quality time as a family this holiday season. For more information on Timbercreek Rental Communities across Canada, please visit our website.

Canadian winters can be harsh and braving the cold day after day can be exhausting. Your home should be a warm, safe and comfortable space to rest in. Timbercreek is here to help with 6 winter tips for apartment living.

Invest in a sunlamp

Sunlight has a big impact on your mood. Getting too little sunshine during winter can lead to the winter blues, feelings of depression, and in some cases it can even trigger Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Invest in a sunlamp, or therapy lamp, to feel better during the winter.

Keep your apartment cozy with throw blankets

Feeling comfortable and cozy is important during the winter. Security blankets aren’t only for children. The need to feel warm, safe and secure is real, no matter your age. Keep your apartment cozy with throw blankets that you can wrap around yourself and curl up under.

Consider a rug for warmer wood floors

Wood floors can be beautiful, but they can also feel a little cold during the winter months, especially if it is the first thing your feet touch when you get out of your warm bed. You may want to consider a throw rug to warm up those chilly wood planks.

Invest in thermal curtains

A single pane of glass from a closed window can lose almost 10 times as much heat as the same area of an insulated wall. Windows (even when closed) are usually the biggest cause of heat loss in your home. Invest in thermal curtains to retain more heat and save on your heating costs.

Humidifiers are a renter’s best friend

In the winter, while it’s cold outside and the heat is turned up indoors, the humidity of the room may drop as much as 20%. That drop in humidity can cause adverse health effects because it can dry out mucous membranes in the nose and throat which can lead to respiratory issues. Even if the dry air indoors doesn’t bother you, it can damage wooden furniture, books and even your artwork which can become brittle in low humidity. The good news is that a humidifier can solve all of these problems.

Discover home workouts on YouTube

Trudging outdoors to go to the gym during the dead of winter can be a lot to ask of yourself. It’s important to get your exercise in, even when the temperature drops. The good news is that you can get a great, full body workout, without using expensive equipment by discovering home workouts on YouTube. Whether it’s cardio, bodyweight, HIIT, or yoga, there is something for everyone, for every fitness level.

Timbercreek hopes that these 6 winter tips for apartment living help to make your winter as comfortable and healthy as possible. For more information on Timbercreek Communities across Canada, please visit our website.

With winter on the way, you may be looking for ways to feel more comfy and warm at home. A good night’s sleep is so important for your overall health and sense of well being. Timbercreek Communities is here to help make this winter super cozy. Check out our tips for how to build a comfy and warm looking bed.

Buy or knit your own cable knit blanket

Purchasing a chunky, warm cable knit blanket will instantly make you feel more cozy. They are thick and durable, and feel like they can protect you from the harshest winter weather. If you really want to earn your comfy, warm feeling and you are looking for a winter project to curl up with, consider making your own. With basic knitting skills and patience, this impressive throw blanket can be made in a single day!

Invest in the best: Down Comforters

To stay cozy and warm during the darkest, coldest winter nights, consider investing in a down comforter. Unlike heavy cable knit blankets, high quality down comforters are very warm and very light weight. Those two qualities rarely go hand in hand. A good down comforter will keep you cozy, without weighing you down.

DIY soft headboard

If you plan to read or lounge a lot in bed this winter, a DIY soft headboard is just the ticket. This tutorial will walk you through through the process, step by step. A soft headboard gives you a plush place to lean against in bed for those blissful waking hours.

Add a cozy bedside rug

Even if you have the coziest bed in the world, all of that warmth goes out the window when you have to put your foot down on a cold floor when it’s time to get up. Keep that amazing warm and cozy feeling going as long as possible with with a cozy bedside rug.

Stock up on pillows

Having plenty of pillows will make your bed look and feel super comfy. So go ahead, stock up! What’s not to love about an abundance of pillows to lay your head on, pillows to prop you up, and pillows to support you. Can you ever have enough?

Get a bedside lamp

Now that your bed is looking and feeling super comfy and warm, you may be seeing it in a new light. A bedside lamp will bathe and display your cozy new nest in a warm and comforting illumination. Along with the extra pillows to prop you up, it will make curling up with a good book all the more satisfying.

Try flannel sheets

Your bed looks super comfy and warm now. Keep that feeling going when you pull back the covers by sliding into some warm and cozy flannel sheets. Give flannel a try and see if you don’t have sweeter dreams as you sleep tight, and warm.

Add a pillow top pad for your mattress

You can have the comfiest, coziest, warmest looking bed in the world (especially if you followed all of the above advice) but it’s not going to mean much if your mattress isn’t comfortable. New mattresses are expensive, but fortunately, you can change the whole feel of your old mattress by simple adding a pillow top pad.

A feeling of comfort and security and a good night’s rest are so important, especially during a long cold winter. We hope this post helps you feel safe and warm. Sweet dreams, from Timbercreek Communities. For information on Timbercreek Rental Communities near you, please visit our website.

Roommates have been there day in and day out, whether they wanted to be or not, and you couldn’t have gotten through it all without them. Make the holidays your time to say thank you, starting with one of these clever gifts!

Key holder

A key holder can be a useful gift for a roommate who’s always losing their keys. If you’re the one who seems to be losing things the most, give this communal gift as a promise that you’ll take more care.

Shave Subscription

An electric shaver is a lame Christmas gift. A Shave Subscription is an awesome Christmas gift. Give your roommate the gift that keeps on giving with high-quality blades sent each month, perfectly on cue.

Great Power Great Electricity Bill Crewneck Sweater

Does your roommate often forget to turn off the lights? Tell him or her how you really feel with this hilarious sweater.

Beard Bib

No more little hairs all over the bathroom sink, a Beard Bib guarantees cleanliness, plus hilarious photos.

TubShroom The Revolutionary Tub Drain Protector

Hair in the shower drain belongs high up on the list of Worst Roommate Pet Peeves. Who knew the solution to this endless struggle would be just $12.99 on Amazon?

Hair Tie Bracelet Cuff

A Hair Tie Bracelet Cuff may sound crazy, but it totally makes sense. Anyone with long hair can attest -- it’s annoying getting wrist dents because of tight hair ties. This bracelet keeps your hair tie stylishly handy without any uncomfortable indentations.  

Wireless Earbud Headphones

Tired of your roomie complaining about your loud music? Wireless Earbud Headphones have a tangle-resistant design and cords that hang comfortably behind the neck.   

Candle Lovers

If you’re looking for a gift that you and your roommate will enjoy, gift a candle this holiday season. Choose a seasonal scent like Frosted Cranberry or Marshmallow Fireside. This gift gives back, making your apartment smell like a cozy winter wonderland.

Say thanks to the gal or guy with one of these creative roomie gifts. For more information about Timbercreek Communities Apartments, simply visit our website