Victoria’s Read

Flaxseed Donuts

Ingredients
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup ground flaxseed
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 eggs
1 cup white sugar
1 cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 quart vegetable oil for frying

Directions
Whisk the flour, flaxseed, baking powder, nutmeg, and cinnamon together in a bowl until evenly blended; set aside. Beat the eggs and sugar together in a separate bowl; whisk the buttermilk and 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil into the egg mixture. Stir the flour mixture into the egg mixture until no lumps of flour remain and the dough is firm enough to handle. Cover the bowl and refrigerate at least 10 minutes.

Roll the dough to 1/2-inch thickness on a generously-floured surface. Use a floured donut cutter to cut donut shapes out of the dough. Let the donuts stand for 5 to 10 minutes as the oil heats.

Heat the frying oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 360 degrees F.

Fry the donuts in the hot oil in batches until golden brown on both sides, about 2 minutes per side. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate before serving.

Berry-filled Donuts

Ingredients
4 cups vegetable oil
1 (7.5 ounce) package refrigerated buttermilk biscuits, separated
3/4 cup seedless strawberry jam
1 cup confectioners’ sugar

Directions
In an electric skillet or deep-fat fryer, heat oil to 375 degrees F. Fry biscuits, a few at a time, for 1-2 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.

Cut a small hole in the corner of a pastry or plastic bag; insert a very small tip. Fill bag with jam. Push the tip through the side of each doughnut to fill with jam. Dust with confectioners’ sugar while warm. Serve immediately

November, the month of my very best friend’s birthday. Strange thing is that I can’t remember when or where we met but I do know that we were inseparable.  Over the years, we had our share of up and downs, tears and laughs and serious laps in judgment but we never forgot how much we cared about each other.

I have to sadly admit that I am the worst best friend you would ever want. I can go months without calling her, even forgetting to call her on the important days in her life. I am not proud of this trait but oddly,  it has never seemed to affect or friendship.

And it was so fitting that I would find myself on the delivery room table about to be a mother for the first time on her birthday. The most important thing that I wanted to accomplish in my life, next to being a wife was to be a mother. My marvelous son, Randy was born on November 20th, my best friend’s birthday!

I can recall a time when we had went a particularly long period of time without connecting. Then, one day, we ran into each other at the corner store and spoke like we had just seen one another the day before, like no time had passed between us at all. It was then that I realized just how much we fit together. Our friendship was so solid that there wasn’t even any need for explanations. Our bond would never be broken.

A short while ago, while sitting through yet another mundane job interview, I was asked this simple single lined question. “Do you feel that you have met your career goals?” For some unknown reason, I was stumped and intrigued at the same time. Although, I didn’t get the job, it triggered something in my heart and head.

Later that week while scanning the employment section in the paper, I came across an advertisement by the Red Cross, offering a course to become a Personal Support Worker. Haphazardly, I called the number, got an interview and was chosen.

I wasn’t really looking to become a PSW, but now here I am, embarking on a new career late in my life, struggling with my decision and the overload of homework. Who should appear, like a guardian angel, my best friend! She works at Red Cross as a PSW and will be my preceptor (teacher) during my on-the-job training!

Victoria says….Happy Birthday, Gail. Thank you for always sticking by me.

Joany Gauvreau’s entrepreneurial journey began when she started learning the art of Egyptian Belly Dance or “Raks Sharqi” in an effort to lose weight gained from a years in a sedentary office job. By educating herself with books, videos and costly hours of lessons with some of the best dancers the profession had to offer, Joany continued to polish her craft and began performing at various public events. Through popular demand she began giving lessons. A few studio rentals and over 200 students later Joany decided it was time to create an oasis for women at 110-112 Main Street in North Bay and transformed it into Feminicity.

Feminicity features a lounge, two studios, and sultan’s-style cafe and cabaret. Classes continue to evolve and include traditional Egyptian Bellydance, Burlesque, Tribal Fusion Bellydance, DiscoBollywood, Pole Dance and much more.

Another increasingly popular element is the Bachelorette Party where a group of women can book a private party to learn an exciting in an hour.

Joany’s favourite groups are the ones who, on their first time timidly walk into the studio, are shy and completely self-conscious.  “Every day I meet new women who have for one reason or another just lost themselves a little bit. They’ve forgotten about their beautiful hips, how to move their chest and have fallen out of touch with their bodies. I want women to rediscover that they are all beautiful, sexy and vibrant! Whether you’re 21 or 101, a size zero or a plus size of any size, be proud of your feminine self and let it shine through. Sometimes all we need is a little coaching to come out of our shells and embrace our feminine being. This is where my passion lies. Women are encouraged to move in ways they may not have ever done before.  I couldn’t dream of a better job or a better place to be!”

~Men change their minds two to three times more often than women. Most women take longer to make a decision than men do, but once they make a decision they are more likely to stick to it.

~Women are better than men at remembering faces, especially of females.

~Women are more pessimistic when predicting their work results.

~Women are more fearful and anxious than men

I, Chantal Pannell RDH, Owner and Operator of Hilltop Dental Hygiene Clinic was quite content for the past 14 years in a traditional dental setting with other dental providers and staff. However, circumstances happen and take us out of our comfort zones.

After relocating to North Bay for my husbands’ work, I was relieved to be able to find work even if it was only to cover a maternity leave.

I really enjoyed the office and staff I worked with and was sad to leave my “second family”. Speaking of family, we chose to expand ours and go from the traditional “Millionaires Family” to a family of five.

After my maternity leave, my search for employment continued…and continued. I began to research the idea of starting a temp agency for Dental Hygienists but realized it wouldn’t be easy organizing childcare on a whim. Thus, my drive for work led me to open my own dental hygiene clinic.

I enjoy my profession and being able to do what Iove in my own setting appealed to me. My husband: my biggest supporter, contractor, laborer, promoter etc…believed in me and the idea that together we could do this. Many will say that family business will ruin a marriage. I disagree.

We work very well as a team and have the same vision in a clinic. It is bright, modern and clients can feel relaxed while receiving quality and thorough oral care. My goal is, and has always been to provide the best preventative dental care to ALL. I plan on giving back to our community by raising funds for local charities such as my “Gathering Place Annual Event”. In addition, I look forward to taking part in the “Gift from the Heart Event” which allows people of all walks of life to receive dental cleanings free of charge.

In closing, I feel lucky to be able to say “I love going to work since we’ve built it from the ground up and that it was truly a family effort!”

Women’s Biggest Pet Peeves with Men

1. Not calling when you say you will
2. Not offering to pay
3. Doing lame car tricks
4. Wearing shirts that look like they’d fit your five year old brother
5. Popped collars
6. Guys who have too perfect a tan in the middle of winter
7. Wearing shorts that nearly drag on the ground
8. Unbuttoned shirts with exposed chest hair
9. Guys who reminisce about their glory days of high school

Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Mammography Day: October 19
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Dental Hygiene Month

Dessert Month
Pasta Month
Pickled Pepper Month
Pizza Month
Popcorn Poppin’ Month
Apple Month
Caramel Month

First Week of October:Breastfeeding Week
Second week:Pet Peeve Week
Third Week of October:Business Women’s Week
Fourth week: Peace, Friendship & Goodwill Week

International Day for the Elderly: October 1
Thanksgiving: Oct 10th
Halloween: Oct 31

Love Your Body Day - October 15
October 25: Make A Difference Day (Neighbors helping neighbors)
The microwave oven was introduced by The Tappan Company, Oct 25, 1955
Young Women’s Day of Action- Observed the fourth Thursday of October.
NOW - The National Organization for Women is founded, Oct 29, 1966
October 2nd: Name Your Car Day
Oct 18, 1922: Little Orphan Annie’s Birthday
Oct 22: Mother-in-Law’s Day
October 24th: Betty Lou’s Birthday. Sesame Street Character

….OCTOBER IS
Domestic Violence Awareness Month

The “True Self - Debwewendizwin” Program offers women an opportunity to discover their true strengths and abilities, to work within a safe environment and to develop an individualized plan of growth.

The goal of the project is to support participants from the early stages of self discovery through training, postsecondary education, trades training or employment placement.

By building a collaborative model, “True Self - Debwewendizwin” will offer a smooth transition, with ongoing support for Participants from one level of service to the next.

True Self – Debwewendizwin, delivers a 200hrs training program incorporating an ABC approach to healing your life; Participants learn about themselves, the effects of abuse, stress management techniques, interview and job search strategies, access local job market information, implement Training/Education and Employment action plans, and connect with potential employers, colleges or universities.  It offers women who are survivors of abuse, in abusive situations or are at risk of abuse a holistic approach to employment/training supports moving toward economic independence.

Eligibility Criteria:

* Must be a woman 16 years of age or older, at risk of or a survivor of domestic violence
* Must have a fixed address or reside in a women’s shelter within the District of Nipissing
* Employed, unemployed, or underemployed
* Financial Subsidies are determined according to need by the “True Self - Debwewendizwin” team, upon completion and review of participant intake, and assessment.

True Self - Debwewendizwin Employment and Training
239 Main Street East
North Bay ON P1B 1B2

Phone: (705) 474 4058
Fax: (705) 474-7436
General Inquiries: info@trueselfwomen.com
Website: www.trueselfwomen.com