[bc_video video_id="6259040596001" account_id="2226196965001" player_id="rkljM4WDEg"] Sweet grass is a widely used and revered sacred plant, it’s still harvested today, and continues to play an important role in Indigenous cultures. Chef Christa-Bruneau Guenther, owner of Feast Cafe Bistro an Indigenous restaurant in Winnipeg Manitoba, is here to show us you can cook with it too.

[bc_video video_id="6258865273001" account_id="2226196965001" player_id="rkljM4WDEg"] With summer around the corner and with things opening it causes people be nervous about spending too much money. Luckily, we can provide some great ideas on how to be intentional when spending your money. Ashley Nguyen, the founder of Money Lobby, has great advice and challenges to improve your spending habits. What exactly is intentional spending? As people, we all have goals for what we want within our lives. Those things can be very different for each individual person. People could be saving for a house, ordering in food once a week, watching Netflix, or having a self-care night. The way in which you spend your money differs for everyone. Ninety percent of time, there is a gap between what you want and what you spend money on. What are some ways we can adjust our spending habits when we see such a gap? When we find those gaps, we learn one of two possible things.  On one side, that thing we are buying is actually really important and we need to add it into our goals. On the other side, it is an unintentional habit we have built. An example could be a walk to the local coffee shop to buy lattes and an almond chocolate croissant.  For some people, they learn that the important aspect for them was to get a break during the day in order to get up and move.  So perhaps, that money we are spending is not intentional in the grand scheme of things.  If your treat from the local shop really drives happiness then it could be something to build into the budget!  Another great example could be an opportunity like a sale.  We all know we love the Sephora sale, but did we really need all that stuff? What's an exercise that can help people determine what is intentional vs. unintentional spending? It's called the 2 Week No Spend Challenge. This is a commitment to not spend money on anything that is non-essential. Spending is limited to necessities such as bills, groceries, and transportation, and few exceptions of your choosing. An exception can be something like a baby shower you know you need to buy a gift for. Aside from that, you aren't spending on anything else. No Sales, No Impulsive Shopping, No random online shopping! With things eventually opening back up and summer around the corner, it gives us a chance to speed up our savings and build some good spending habits. In a world where we are constantly being bombarded with offers and deals, it’s a good idea to pause and examine our habits. Taking a step back from spending for a short period of time allows you to begin to learn a lot about yourself. You take into account your spending habits and the relationship that you have with money. Click here to download Ashley's no frivolous spending challenge template.

[bc_video video_id="6258863515001" account_id="2226196965001" player_id="rkljM4WDEg"] We are well into gardening season and your garden might already be flourishing with fruits, veggies, and flowers. But unexpected guests can ruin this, by guests, we mean those pesky critters. Gardeners know there’s nothing worse than having them eat away at your garden before you get to enjoy it. Dogs and Cats   As much as we love them, we don't love them enough to sacrifice our garden! Dogs hate oranges, so it’s recommended to use citrus. If you want to stop your pooch from marking it's territory on your prized shrubs-combine orange and water. Peel off a pieces of orange rinds and place it into a spray bottle, spray for an easy preventative hack, be sure to mark the areas that the dogs are marking. The issue with cats and gardens is that they like to use them as their own personal litterboxes. For cats, they really dislike warm herbs. Use cinnamon and simply sprinkle it around the garden. Since cinnamon is a powder and will wash off in the rain, take cinnamon sticks and push them into the ground for a longer lasting method.  Another option to keep felines out, would be to plant lavender in your garden as cats also do not like the smell. Squirrels, Rabbits, Chipmunks For Alvin, Simon, Theodore and everything alike, be sure to place used kitty litter (if you have a cat). The smell of the cat on the litter will stop rodents from entering as they can recognize the scent of predators.  A common misconception is to use hot pepper powder/flakes, however this is harmful to rodents and can even burn their eyes.  Instead plant pepper plants around the perimeter of your garden. There is also a spray called Bobbex that works for these type of critters, it's very strong so avoid any skin contact, but rodents do not like the smell and will avoid it at all costs!         Deer Deer are very nose sensitive creatures, they will avoid all areas where they can smell predators. For deer we recommend a product called Super Hunter. This product contains a smell similar to fox/coyote urine- a scent a smart deer is sure to avoid! Raccoons Raccoons are omnivores and as we all know, they will basically eat anything, this means that there are very few scents that deter them. The only scent that will work to prevent racoons is human male urine. Yes that's right, use human urine around the garden to prevent them from getting in. Mark your territory!

[bc_video video_id="6258865740001" account_id="2226196965001" player_id="rkljM4WDEg"] Make the most out of your small space and create your own herb garden, here are some simple DIYs that will have you a herb garden expert in no time! Premade Herb Tower  This is a DIY version of the Herb tower. Plants in a tower garden are much healthier and stronger. A herb tower is the perfect start to having healthy herbs within your home space. Tower Gardens grow plants with only water and nutrients rather than dirt. Tower systems grow plants three times faster and produce 30% greater yields on average. Therefore you won't have to wait extremely long to be enjoying nutritious harvests just weeks after planting. Source: Homesteading Bucket Wreath  The Bucket Wreath is extremely simple to create and incredibly eye catching. Transforming a few small buckets into a wreath allows to showcase multiple different plants. There is the option to go for real or faux plants, herbs, and flowers. Anyway you go about it you really can't go wrong since it is so easy to add personal touches to a bucket wreath. Source: Pinterest Wall Pockets  Wall pockets are perfect for plants and herbs that love wet soil! The fabric used within wall pockets prevents drowning and allows for water retention. If you wanted some extra hold of water you could even choose to insert plastic into the pockets to capture more water. Overall, your herbs will look fabulous and be well nurtured within a wall pocket. Source: www.plantsonwalls.com

[bc_video video_id="6258865531001" account_id="2226196965001" player_id="rkljM4WDEg"] Whether you're dabbling in makeup for the first time or you’re a seasoned pro, having a simple-but-effective look in your arsenal is key. Here is an everyday makeup routine that will leave you feeling radiant and ready to take on the day. Step 1: Base  A beginners best bet is to stick with a tinted moisturizer instead of a full coverage foundation because they are skin care and makeup in one. Opting for an oil-free one can also give better, longer lasting coverage than one with an oil base, which can slip around. Also, using this as a concealer under the eyes will mean quicker application and one less product to purchase. The Laura Mercier Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer is a great base product as it has a demi-matte finish and is available in 20 shades. Bahar's Tip:  A damp makeup sponge or brush are great tools to use but if you want to keep it simple, start out using your fingers. Step 2: Brows   Next up brows! I love pencils because you add colour/product in small increments! Start by applying at the arch or center of your brows. Then find any spare areas and add some strokes to even out the look. Lastly, see if you need any colour at the front of your brow – if you add too much colour there to start, things will begin to look heavy. We recommend the Maybelline Tattoo Studio Brow Pencil to get those brows on fleek. Bahar's Tip: Using two shades for your brows can add dimension and richness to the look Step 3: Mascara   Keep it simple here: mascara shouldn't break the bank and should make your eyes pop. Curling your lashes before applying will give your eyes a wider look. Applying a touch extra to your outer corners can give the illusion of length to the eyes. If you have very fair hair or skin tone, black-brown colours are a super natural look. To achieve sky-high lashes try out the Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara. Bahar's Tip: Wipe off the excess product on a paper towel before applying directly to your lashes: you'll end up with less mess! Step 4: Cheeks  Keep it simple, choose either a pop of colour for the cheeks here OR opt for brining and highlighting. Either is a good way to add dimension to your face. I love stick formulas since they a great swipe and go option. A great blush option is the Quo Beauty Cheek & Lip Multistick for highlighter, the Quo Beauty Strobe Stick. .These hydrating sticks are also cruelty-free and vegan. Bahar's Tip:  Apply product to the back of your hand and use your ring finger to apply small amounts of the product for a more subtle finish. Step 5: Lips  I wanted to ensure we add to the arsenal of your makeup working for you without bogging anyone down in palettes, brushes and techniques. Matte formulas are also great because they'll stay in place longer! It's a touch easier and more fun to sometime add that pop of colour with a lip product! The NYX Shape Loud Matte Lip Duo is perfect as it's dual-ended with two shades that have a creamy matte finish. You can wear each alone, combine them or, if you're feeling adventurous, go for the ombré look, gradient look, etc. Bahar's Tip: Have fun with your lip colour and textures; top off a matte finish with a clear gloss to change things up quickly.