The aurora has been putting on a show in the night skies recently. If you've missed it, don’t worry—it will be making frequent appearances in 2025, and we're here to tell you why. 　　See the planets at their best in January 2025 　　The answer lies in the Sun, an enormous engine of energy that influences life on Earth in more ways than we might imagine. The Sun powers these natural wonders through bursts of solar activity, from flares to massive ejections of charged particles. 　　So, What Are the Northern and Southern Lights?　　You’ve probably heard of the northern lights, and maybe even the southern lights, but what exactly are they? Officially, these natural wonders are called the aurora borealis in the Northern Hemisphere and the aurora australis in the Southern Hemisphere. 　　Both terms refer to the same natural phenomenon: stunning light displays that occur when charged particles from the Sun collide with Earth’s atmosphere. These interactions create mesmerizing waves of green, red, and even purple light that ripple and dance across the sky. 　　If you’re hoping to catch a glimpse, the best spots are near the poles. For the northern lights, your best chance for aurora viewing is anywhere near the...

　　As always, the Moon will be putting on a show this year. Here are five reasons to look up at the night (or day) sky in 2025. 　　Perfect Full Moon Year　　2025 kicks off with the Wolf Moon on January 13. This year, each calendar month contains exactly one Full Moon, meaning there’s no monthly Blue Moon this year! 　　Full Moon is the only Moon phase in which the Moon is up all night. Moonrises and moonsets always happen around sunset and sunrise. The great thing about a Full Moon is that it still appears full in the days before and after. 　　The Crescent Moon and the Planets　　In this year’s first four months, the Crescent Moon offers a unique opportunity to observe Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, and Mercury—and also a very special star cluster. 　　If you look southwest to west shortly after sunset around February 1, you’ll spot Venus close to the Crescent Moon, with Saturn close by. 　　Around March 2, look to the western horizon just after sunset to find Venus close to the Crescent Moon. As a bonus in the Northern Hemisphere, you might be able to spot Mercury close by. 　　After sunset around April 1, look west to find...

　　Here’s why you should add homemade bone broth to your regular rotation and how to whip up a pot of liquid gold in your own kitchen. 　　January in Ontario typically means freezing temperatures, hibernating indoors, and a seemingly endless cycle of respiratory viruses—and this winter appears to be taking the cake with pneumonia galore and the dreaded 100-day cough. 　　If you’re looking for a comforting, nutrient-packed remedy to soothe you back to health or keep viruses away, it’s time to make bone broth your new winter staple. 　　This savoury, slow-simmered “liquid gold” has been trending for over a decade; it’s a centuries-old elixir brimming with health benefits. Best of all, it’s easy and affordable to make at home 　　Bottom line　　Homemade bone broth is the ultimate multi-tasker: nutritious, comforting, and endlessly adaptable. Whether you’re fighting a pesky head cold, looking to improve your gut health, or simply seeking a cozy winter ritual, this simple recipe offers big rewards for minimal effort. 　　. Here’s why you should add homemade bone broth to your regular rotation and how to whip up a pot of liquid gold in your own kitchen. 　　Why Bone Broth Deserves a Spot in Your Diet　　Bone broth is made by...

　　Here’s why you should add homemade bone broth to your regular rotation and how to whip up a pot of liquid gold in your own kitchen. 　　January in Ontario typically means freezing temperatures, hibernating indoors, and a seemingly endless cycle of respiratory viruses—and this winter appears to be taking the cake with pneumonia galore and the dreaded 100-day cough. 　　If you’re looking for a comforting, nutrient-packed remedy to soothe you back to health or keep viruses away, it’s time to make bone broth your new winter staple. 　　This savoury, slow-simmered “liquid gold” has been trending for over a decade; it’s a centuries-old elixir brimming with health benefits. Best of all, it’s easy and affordable to make at home 　　Bottom line　　Homemade bone broth is the ultimate multi-tasker: nutritious, comforting, and endlessly adaptable. Whether you’re fighting a pesky head cold, looking to improve your gut health, or simply seeking a cozy winter ritual, this simple recipe offers big rewards for minimal effort. 　　. Here’s why you should add homemade bone broth to your regular rotation and how to whip up a pot of liquid gold in your own kitchen. 　　Why Bone Broth Deserves a Spot in Your Diet　　Bone broth is made by...

　　You can air fry your favourite foods for meals that are nutritious, satisfying, and fast! These convenient recipes and tips deliver delicious meals and snacks in a snap. 　　Are you looking for an easy and quick way to make your favourite foods healthier? Look no further than an air fryer. 　　Air fryers work by circulating extra-hot air around your food to produce the same crunchy, crispy exterior you get through traditional frying methods. Instead of submerging your food in oil, air fryers usually require just a tablespoon of oil to achieve the same taste and texture. 　　Since consuming oil fats has been associated with an increased risk of heart disease and inflammation, switching to an air fryer is a great option to keep yourself and your family healthy while still enjoying your favourite foods. 　　But wait, it gets better! An air fryer can also be used to cook even more than just your traditional fried favourites. You can use it to heat leftovers, cook frozen foods, and even bake desserts. Try out these different recipes, tips, and tricks for healthier ways to eat your favourite foods with an air fryer. 　　 　　Air Fryer Tips:　　1、Best Practices 　　First things first, if you’re...

　　These tips will help keep your skin healthy and glowing all winter long, but remember, consistency is key with any wellness routine, so make sure to map out your plan and stick to it. 　　Now that winter has officially taken over Ontario, we collectively will be spending more time inside with dry air, meaning our skin will take some damage. As your body’s largest organ, your skin’s health can impact your overall wellness, so take extra care to invest in a good skincare routine. The most important parts of a winter routine are to be gentle and focus on moisturizing. 　　 　　　　Read ahead for six tips that will help you pamper your skin all winter long. 　　Go Fragrance-Free & Skip Harsh Exfoliation　　Winter is a great time to reassess your skincare routine and make some adjustments. During colder seasons, our skin is not only drier but more sensitive, too. If you’re used to harsh physical exfoliants during the summer, it’s best to skip that step and opt for a gentler approach during the winter months. Similarly, your sensitive winter skin may react poorly to fragrances in skincare products (even if they’re usually fine during the summer). Swapping some of your products...

　　Here’s how you can get the most out of your holiday time in Australia this year. 　　Use National Holidays to Your Advantage　　To enjoy the longest possible stretches of free time, try adding your personal time off to nationally-celebrated holidays to create longer weekend breaks. 　　 　　The Best Days to Take Off　　1、January 2: Add to New Year’s Day (January 1) to create a 2-day break before the weekend. 　　2、January 24 or 28: Add to Australia Day on January 27 for a 4-day weekend. 　　3、April 17 or 22: Add to Good Friday on April 18 and Easter Monday on April 21 to create a 5-day break. (Note: April 19 is not a public holiday in Tasmania and Western Australia; April 20 is not a public holiday in Tasmania.) 　　4、April 24 or 28: Add to ANZAC Day (April 25) for a 4-day weekend. You can also take off April 22, 23, and 24, to combine the Easter and ANZAC Day holiday periods and create a 10-day break. 　　5、December 24 or 29: Add to Christmas Day (December 25) and Boxing Day (December 26) to create a 5-day break. 　　In addition, regional holidays provide good opportunities for extended time off in areas where those holidays...

　　You can feel confident that enjoying these hearty soups won’t derail your 2025 health goals, and the delicious flavours mean you won’t have any trouble finishing your bowl. 　　Warm, hearty soups are essential during the winter months, and after the indulgence of the holiday season, starting the year with healthy recipes is a good way to get on track for your 2025 goals. 　　If you’re worried that healthy means bland or unfulfilling, think again! These four winter soup recipes will leave you feeling full and energized thanks to their healthy ingredients and bold flavours. 　　 　　Skinny Loaded Potato Soup　　Eating healthy doesn’t mean you have to give up your favourite winter flavours. A creamy and delicious baked potato soup is perfect for lunch or dinner on a winter day, and this one has just enough healthy substitutions to retain all of the flavour without loading up on calories. Plus, it’s easy to make in your slow cooker, so you’ll have a delicious dinner ready at the end of the day. 　　Cook your potatoes with spices, low sodium chicken stock, and other yummy vegetables (this recipe calls for carrots and onions, but throw in whatever you want!) for 2-3 hours. When they’re...

　　Here’s how you can get the most out of your holiday time in Canada this year. 　　Use National Holidays to Your Advantage　　To enjoy the longest possible stretches of free time, try adding your personal time off to nationally-celebrated holidays to create longer weekend breaks. 　　The Best Days to Take Off　　1、January 2: Add to New Year’s Day (January 1) to create a 2-day break before the weekend. 　　2、April 17 or 21: Add to Good Friday (April 18) for a 4-day weekend. 　　3、In some provinces and territories, Easter Monday on April 21 is a statutory or de-facto holiday, so you can take off April 17 or April 22 for a 5-day weekend. 　　4、June 30: Add to Canada Day (July 1) to create a 4-day weekend. 　　5、August 29 or September 2: Add to Labour Day (September 1) for a 4-day weekend. 　　6、December 26: Add to Christmas Day (December 25) to create a 4-day break. In some provinces and territories, Boxing Day on December 26 is a statutory or de-facto holiday, so you can take off December 24 or December 29 to create a 5-day weekend. 　　In addition, regional holidays such as Victoria Day, Thanksgiving, and Remembrance Day provide good opportunities for extended time...

　　Mark these dates on your 2025 calendar and start the year out right. 　　 　　Between Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Eve, the months of November and December are jam-packed. But January has arrived! Since it’s officially 2025, you might be breathing a sigh of relief now that there’s finally a break in the holiday action. 　　While the big holidays are firmly in the rearview mirror, there's still plenty to celebrate in the month of January, starting with some much-needed downtime. After that, there are host of holidays and observances to mark down on your calendar right through January 31. 　　There's Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which commemorates the leader's birthday on Monday, Jan. 20. It's a federal holiday, which means many schools and government agencies, like the USPS, will be closed on observance of the day. It also happens to be Inauguration Day in which the new president will be sworn in at the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, DC. 　　Aside from Jan. 20 (which also marks Blue Monday), you'll also find a variety of other days, weeks and observances throughout the month, including the Lunar New Year, which takes place on Jan. 29, as well as the Chinese New...

I​t's time once again for our occasional look at weather around the world. We start in western Germany, where freezing temperatures gave rise to a crisp wintertime scene that looked like something out of a fairytale in Oberreifenberg near Frankfort this weekend. The photograph above shows a small chapel surrounded by frozen trees, creating a surreal landscape that looks like it might as well be from centuries ago. There was plenty of fresh powder for skiers and snowboarders on Mammoth Mountain as moisture from an atmospheric river resulted in over 2 feet of snow being dumped in less than 72 hours. The photo above shows skiers going up a life during a snow storm on the mountain on Saturday. In a reminder that it’s not all cold and snow all over the world, down in South Africa, where summer is just beginning, constant rain and lightning led to play being abandoned during an important cricket match between Pakistan and South Africa. The photo above shows Pakistan's captain Mohammad Rizwan, left, and a teammate greeting supporters after play was canceled. ...

If you plan to stay at a specific hotel for an extended duration, negotiate the best rate possible with the hotel sales staff. You can usually get better rates than regular "corporate" rates. If you will be working in your hotel room, ask for a room away from the hotel pool area; otherwise, you will end up dealing with all the pool noise. If you have a confirmed reservation but the hotel has overbooked, you should ask for a free...

High West Distillery & Saloon From dirty martinis to dive bars, Park City is a place where both the refined and the rowdy can converge to party and do a little skiing. Here are some libations and locations that are not to be missed in a town that rages—despite being located in Utah. If there were only two reasons to check out Park City in winter, they would be snow and whiskey, but not necessarily in that order. The country’s...