Pop and Thistle

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Eggs in Purgatorio

This protein-rich dish is perfect for a homemade holiday brunch. Fresh eggs cook quickly in a fragrant red sauce with just the right amount of basil. A quick sauté of onions, garlic and tomatoes helps it bridge the breakfast – lunch gap. Whole grain bread adds cancer-protective fiber and keeps you full the whole afternoon. …

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Spring Recipe You Can Make for Lunch: Za’atar Haloumi Sandwich

Whet your appetite and see what you can whip up for lunch with this simple and delicious sandwich. Seasoning the delectable fried haloumi cheese with zingy yet earthy za’atar is just what’s needed as winter comes to an end. When layered on naturally fermented bread, the flavours of the middle eastern spice blend – comprised …

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“The Spring” by Thomas Carew

The Spring Now that the winter’s gone, the earth hath lostHer snow-white robes, and now no more the frostCandies the grass, or casts an icy creamUpon the silver lake or crystal stream;But the warm sun thaws the benumbed earth,And makes it tender; gives a sacred birthTo the dead swallow; wakes in hollow treeThe drowsy cuckoo, …

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White Tea, Delicacy Personified

White tea is made from the same plant as is green tea, but undergoes a very different process. It begins with the rolled buds of the Camellia Sinensis plant, but suffers no oxidation. That oxidation process, often called fermentation, is what produces the distinctive color and taste of other teas. Though the word is the …

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Pet Profile: The Lovable Pug

If you’ve seen Men In Black or Milo and Otis, you probably have fallen in love with the charming Pugs who acted in these movies. While the distinctive appearance of this breed may be the first thing that attracts people to the Pug, it is the Pug’s  personality that wins the lifelong devotion of dog fanciers. The American …

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Essential Oils to Relieve Common Problems

There are many types of essential oils available at your local health food store, but what exactly can you do with them? If you’re unfamiliar with their versatile uses, the Canadian Health Food Association recommends trying these essential oils to help with three common problems. Chamomile oil to relieve tight muscles and tension. We’re all …

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Pet Profile: The Happy Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu originates from China and was originally developed to be a lap dog and companion to Chinese Royalty. The origins of this breed date back to the 1800’s, when it was developed in China during the reign of the Empress Dowager Cixi or Tz’u-shi, which explains the origins of the name. The Shih …

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Pet Profile: The Dutiful Doberman Pinscher

On television, Doberman Pinschers are often portrayed as aggressive dogs lunging at people with demonic looking eyes. However, in real life, most Dobermans are actually loyal, intelligent family pets. The American Kennel Club classifies the Doberman Pinscher as a member of its Working Group. These dogs were originally bred to be police dogs. They were …

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A Quick DIY Yakisoba Recipe

Looking for something uniquely Japanese to eat and want it fast? Yakisoba is the answer. It’s a traditional Japanese dish that is very easy to prepare. Yakisoba is basically pan fried noodles. It is a commoner’s food, not very fancy, and it’s usually prepared as a snack or as picnic food. The noodles used in …

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Lemon Balm Tea (Melissa Officinalis) Health Benefits

Lemon balm tea is a caffeine-free herbal tea made from the plant, Melissa officinalis. Melissa officinalis is one of many herbs which have a natural lemony fragrance without the sourness and acidity caused by citric acid in lemons. This article explores the health benefits and medicinal uses of lemon balm, and the benefits of drinking an …

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