DABBLER CONTEST DETAILS AT THE END OF THIS ARTICLE!

Remember that scene in Moulin Rouge!when Ewan McGregor’s gang have a little too much fun with a fluorescent substance that makes the “Green Fairy” appear and sends them spiraling down the rabbit hole? That’s absinthe, or rather, what the myth surrounding it has led you to believe. Originally a wildly popular drink in Europe, absinthe was banned in the early 20th Century as a result of claims that it posed serious health hazards. Hallucinations, madness, and even death were linked to the mystical substance. This subject has been plagued with controversy and there are many accounts of why it was or wasn’t poisonous and harmful to those who consumed it. You could spend all day trying to dig into its history, but I wouldn’t suggest it as it is incredibly complicated and can become overly scientific very fast. That is not what this piece is about. If you want to learn more, check out THIS editorial.

The point is that the absinthe made today by Pascal Rolland, who revived it in 1999, goes through a distillation process that makes it perfectly safe for consumption, and in fact has gone on to become internationally prized. It was his daily contact with the powerful aromas of absinthe in his cellars that Monsieur Rolland first entertained the idea of using its scent in a perfume.

Knowing that he would need a specialist for the job, Pascal sought the expertise of a renowned “aromatician” from Grasse (the perfume capitol of France), Marc Villaceque. Famous for his skills as a grand nez (a “great nose”), Monsieur Villaceque was seasoned in the practice of cold extraction, heat concentration, and alembic distillation, and was therefore able to attain a pure essence of the absinthe plant.

Into a concoction it went, along with 50 other essences (including cannabis) that made up Absolument Absinthe. The perfume was originally intended for personal use as Pascal is quite particular about what he likes to wear. It was only after pressing requests from his friends and associates that he finally decided to bring his secret alchemy to the public. Now you can also wear the “forbidden” essence of absinthe in what Pascal calls his “Skin Perfume.”

Skin Perfumes are the latest trend in the world of smells. What it means is that the perfume will adapt itself to the scent of one’s particular skin. I really had doubts about this, but I compared the smell of the perfume on me to that of my hubby and it honestly did give off a different scent! The science behind the making of perfumes is truly fascinating. On a man, Absolument gives off a muskier note while on me, it clearly smelled like something made for a woman. I recommend you give it a try, even if it’s just for fun because you’ll be surprised. Go to the perfume counter at Holt Renfrew and test it out with the ribbon that Pascal uses in the video. Don’t spray it into the air to smell the scent because it will be very different from that which will develop on your own skin.

Pascal recommends you apply fragrances on pulse points: Nape (behind the ears), inner elbows, wrists, and behind the knees. Avoid perfuming the triangle that is formed by the solar plexus (breasts) and the shoulders and never layer two different perfumes or change your fragrance during the day.

I took this opportunity to also ask Pascal what the differences were between all the different types of perfumes and this is what I learned: Perfume Extracts are the ones that are extremely expensive because they contain pure essence. Eau the Parfum is diluted but still very concentrated (Absolument is an example with 20% concentration). After those, we get the lighter products such as Eau the Toilette with a concentration of about 5 to 8% and finally Eau Légère, with only about 2 or 3% concentration.

CONTEST DETAILS:

If you’re not curious about this fragrance, then you’re Absolument crazy! The first thing I wanted to do when I read about this absinthe/cannabis mixture was to give it a whiff, so I knew I definitely had to give you guys the opportunity to do the same, so here’s another contest! If you would like to try out Pascal Rolland’s unique perfume Absolument Absinthe in the nifty refillable pocket spray that he shows in the video, send me an EMAIL with the correct answer to this:

According to Pascal Rolland, what is the latest trend in perfumes? Explain.

This is a good one guys (this stuff ain’t cheap!). You have until Wednesday August 1st to send in your submissions for your chance to win. Don’t forget to send your full contact info!

Regular contest rules apply.

Last week, Sensei Anthony Britton showed a basic weapon disarming move from a frontal attack. This week, he introduces “Bargaining Position B,” which occurs from the back when you have been accosted by an attacker. When an aggressor is in the negotiating phase (has not yet made a move to harm you), there are a few precious seconds when you have a window of opportunity to disarm him/her to try and get away. Executing this technique requires training. Attempting to disarm an attacker without proper instruction can exacerbate the problem, so be careful and know your limits.

IMPORTANT: Please use extreme caution when practicing these moves. Remember that with the right amount of force, you can severely hurt somebody. These techniques are to be used for self-defense purposes only. All self-defense moves and tips are to be used at the risk of the user.

Choke holds and how to get out of them. That’s coming next Monday!

Nope, your eyes are not deceiving you! It may sound like a dream, but it IS possible to go away on your family break and have the best time of your life. Want to know how to avoid all the fights that inevitably happen during road trips or how to deal with unexpected problems or delays? Check out the video!

Dr. Cheryl Fraser is an award-winning clinical psychologist and sex therapist. If she sounds familiar to you, that’s because she was the wildly popular sexpert from The Dr. Cheryl Show on CFUN 1410 AM. I know you’ve missed her on the airwaves, but now she’s back! This segment is just the first of many more to come so check in and check in often!

For the scoop on Dr. Cheryl, read on…

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DABBLER GIVEAWAY DETAILS AT THE END OF THIS ARTICLE!

“Cooking, like sex and dancing, is a pleasure best shared. This is a book about what two people can do with their own four hands, and not a lot of time.” James Barber

Have you ever banned others from the kitchen and have slaved over a stove, following every single ingredient measurement to the milligram and millilitre, only to find yourself with a disappointing meal and a loss of appetite? I have! I’ve thrown away many a dish in frustration and have pretty much given up on cookbooks. This one’s a little different though.

If you know The Urban Peasant, you also know that he doesn’t like to fuss about in the kitchen. He cooks by the pinches and dashes and likes to get his hands into the mix. Just hearing him talk about food can make you salivate and you can rest assured that with a cookbook by him, you won’t need to make a trip to the only ultra trendy market that carries some unpronounceable herb or spice. Cumin is just about as exotic as you’re gonna get!

For many people out there (I’m pointing at my hubby), vegetables don’t really make it onto the dinner menu, so in our featured dish, James Barber offers a quick and easy way to dress up a plate of green beans. I like my sauce a little on the chunkier side so I requested it this way, but if you want a more liquid consistency to your sauce, simply add more olive oil to the mixture. That’s the beauty of real cooking. You add what you want, in the amount that you want, and don’t have to conform to a set of rules and measurements. You’ll find that cooking becomes less of a chore and you might actually want someone else in the kitchen with you!

The new revised edition of Cooking for Two is filled with over 140 recipes from simple appetizers like Garlic Mushrooms to scrumptious desserts like Caramel Apples on Puff Pastry. Throughout the book, you’ll also find useful tips such as how to avoid overcooking fish (fish needs to be cooked between 8 and 9 minutes per inch of thickness, measured at the thickest part). And in true James Barber fashion, there are also humorous anecdotes, such as how monogamy was born of the common chicken’s egg!

With 14 chapters of recipes, the famous celebrity chef proves that there are no limitations when cooking for two. The book isn’t as stylized as some cookbooks out there but then again, it contains recipes that you can actually make successfully the very first time. I think that’s a fair trade-off!

For the recipe of our featured dish, and to learn how you can win a copy of James Barber’s Cooking for Two, please read on!

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As with all of Beau Nelson‘s Essential Makeup Tips, we are going to end the series with another very simple makeup application. We would all like a little contouring to give our face a little more shape. If you do it properly, you might even look like you lost a few pounds! This method is particularly useful for people like me who lack a well defined bone structure. For those that don’t have this problem, you can further enhance your looks (lucky you!).

For details on what tools to use, read on…

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DABBLER GIVEAWAY DETAILS AT THE END OF THIS ARTICLE!

We’ve all had to endure someone else’s snoring at one point or another. If you’re lucky, this is a rare occurrence, but there are many out there who have partners that keep them awake at all hours of the night. Until now, there have been expensive and impractical methods of treatment, but a Vancouver man has come up with a simple solution to your or your partner’s snoring problems. If you find it impossible to have a good night’s sleep due to persistent snoring, and can’t afford the usual treatments, click on the video to learn more about this condition from Dr. Najib Ayas, followed by Sean Kerklaan’s personal story and how he developed the Anti-Snore Shirt.

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As we advance from one lesson to the next in our Essential Self-Defense Tips series, we’ll naturally progress to more difficult moves and situations. This week, Sensei Anthony Britton introduces a weapon into an attack. It is important to note that today’s tip specifically applies during what Sensei Britton calls a “Bargaining Position.” Please watch the video to learn what he means by this. Once you’ve mastered this move, you’ll be ready to learn a self-defense move for a different bargaining position (Part II).

IMPORTANT: Please use extreme caution when practicing these moves. Remember that with the right amount of force, you can severely hurt somebody. These techniques are to be used for self-defense purposes only. All self-defense moves and tips are to be used at the risk of the user.

Tune in next Monday for Part II of Basic Weapon Disarming as we learn how to get out of Bargaining Position B. You won’t want to miss that!

Are you ready for this year’s round of weddings? Do you know what you’re going to be wearing? If I guessed your answer correctly, then you’ll want to check out this video. Sarah Murray, Director of The Honey Mustard Fashion and Media Services, has done all the work for you and presents some great suggestions on what to wear to four different kinds of weddings: The Hippie Wedding, The Garden Wedding, The Church Wedding, and The Black-Tie Wedding.

For full details on all the featured pieces, please read on!

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DABBLER GIVEAWAY DETAILS AT THE END OF THIS ARTICLE!

Set it and forget it! That’s why you want to start plank grilling. With BBQ season well under way, here’s a unique twist to your favourite summer pastime.

In The Art of Plank Grilling: Licked by Fire, Kissed by Smoke, Ted Reader, Canada’s own barbecue kingpin (GQ magazine), helps home grillers master the art of barbecuing with planks. Plank grilling infuses food with unique flavour and allows food to cook slowly in its natural juices. Traditionally used for salmon and other fish by the Native Haida People of the Pacific Northwest Coast, plank grilling is now becoming a popular method for grilling a variety of foods. As Ted says, “You can cook anything on the grill.”

Things to keep in mind when plank grilling:

* Keep the temperature low and let the food cook a little bit longer
* Plank thickness is dependent on what you’re grilling
* Always buy untreated wood
* Always soak your plank for a minimum of one hour
* Patience is very important, as is clean equipment
* Never leave the grill once you begin to cook
* Always have a spray bottle beside the grill for safety in case of a flareup

Plank grilling can also be done in your oven: Soak your plank as usual, and set your oven to 350 degrees. Place the plank in a deep baking or cookie sheet and fill the reservoir with an inch or two of water (just enough that the plank begins to float). Put the food on the plank and bake it at a consistent 350 degrees. You’ll want to make sure that the pan always has some water in it so that you don’t ignite it and set your stove on fire! You will get the smell of the type of wood you’re using throughout your house so if that’s a concern, be sure to open all the windows.

Other things you’ll learn from the book: What equipment to use, the evolution/revolution of planking, the varieties of planks, what a “Holy Plank” is, plank with legs, plank boxes, planking on gas vs. charcoal, cautionary tips, planning tips, and tons of recipes, from soups, to ribs, to cakes!

If plank grilling is new to you, Ted suggests you try out his signature Salmon recipe. Read on for details:

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Lip glosses have sure come a long way. They don’t just add some colour and shimmer anymore. Now you can find glosses that moisturize, plump, smooth, protect, AND define! This week, Beau Nelson, Creative Director of Beauté Cosmetics, shows us a very quick way to plump up those lips for an irresistibly voluminous look. Click on the image above to find out more!

For details on what tools to use, read on…

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