Not on sale? Asking for a discount anyway doesn’t mean you’re cheap, it means you understand retail competition. And remember: bargaining is a way of life in many cities around the globe. Here are some tips for bargaining made easy:

Don’t ask for a specific amount. Simply say, “Can you give me a better deal?” This leaves room for the retailer to throw in something in lieu of cutting the price. (This is how Kristina got free delivery with her new mattress.)

Give the store a reason to discount. Buying flowers for a dinner party that night? Those slightly past their prime will probably do you just fine and you’ve got a reason for a discount. Dented can of tuna? Ha!

Take a friend. If you find bargaining a bit nerve-wracking at first, take a friend along for moral support. Friends can also pipe in if you’re ever at a loss for words.

Be nice. If the salesperson likes you, she’s more likely to want to give you a discount. (See Commandment #9.)

Be prepared to walk away. Chances are you may be able to nab a better price elsewhere. When a salesman wouldn’t give Anna any discount on a $2,000 computer, she went straight to the manufacturer’s store and got it for $300 less.

It never hurts to ask. You may not succeed at getting a deal every time, but once you start saving money and getting free stuff regularly, it’ll become a habit.

2: MAKE A DATE

All merchandise has an end of season, so jot down our version of an almanac on your calendar:

January to March: Activewear and winter clothes. New merchandise tends to arrive around now, so it’s the perfect time to get a good deal on last year’s styles.

May to September: Paint. While some manufacturers put their interior paints and deck stains on sale in time for spring cleaning, the biggest sales and deepest discounts on interior and exterior paints happen on long weekends in the summer; specifically Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day.

June and December: Running shoes. Manufacturers are under the gun to come up with new running shoe models every six months.

July and August: Clothing. Like clockwork, clothes start going on sale the first weekend of July, still leaving you lots of summertime left to enjoy them.

Winter: Used vehicles generally show their worst characteristics during the winter months so dealers and private sellers are less hard-nosed when it comes to making a deal.

Not every sale is linked to a particular time of year. Keep a watchful eye on big chain stores, where lots of stock and high turnover mean there will always be sale items available. (Read: Never pay full price for towels or a mattress!)

And finally, know the delivery schedules at your favorite stores – especially big box stores and plant nurseries. You’ll get the most sizes to choose from, the freshest flowers and plants, and the best selection overall. Having the pick of the litter means you can buy knowing you didn’t miss out on something better.

3: KNOW WHAT YOU NEED

Every toaster makes toast. But how many settings you require and are willing to pay for depends on you (do you really need that bagel button?). When matching your requirements to the right product there are a few things to consider:

Brands. Brand names usually do cost more, but big manufacturers often have solid reputations and are more than willing to stand behind their products should something go wrong. Paying for peace of mind can be worth it.

Features. Added features can double or even triple the price. Decide between the features you need, the features you want, and the features you can afford. Take the cell phone for example. After thinking about how she’d really use it, Kristina turned away from the fancy cell phone/PDA with the full color screen and multiple features, and settled on a more basic phone that cost significantly less.

Materials and workmanship. The materials used in manufacturing also play a big role in price point. The Kevlar kayak is optimum for rapids, but will you ever be taking it beyond a placid lake setting? Realistically analyzing what is worth paying for is key. It will help you strike a balance between what you yearn for and what your pocketbook can handle!

4: DON’T BE A SUCKER

Time and time again, our tests show that some types of products that just aren’t worth paying more for. If you know what to look for on the label, you can get great alternatives at lower prices for many everyday items.

Anti-aging products. Unless you’re buying directly from your dermatologist, the anti-wrinkle cream in the pretty box may not be any more effective than the stuff at the drugstore. And keep in mind that over-the-counter anti-aging products often don’t contain high enough concentrations of the active ingredient, be it vitamin C or retinol.

Cleaning products. Generic or store brand window cleaners, all-purpose cleaners and toilet bowl cleaners all work just as well as brand names. (And vinegar is a great, eco-friendly substitute for both glass cleaner and antibacterial products.)

Makeup. Two huge corporations – Estee Lauder and L’Oreal – own the vast majority of cosmetics lines. For example, Estee Lauder’s lineup includes Aveda, Bobbi Brown, Clinique, MAC, Origins, and the chichi La Mer! This means the low-end and the high-end lipsticks may very well come from the same factory. Getting the right shade and texture is the more important consideration and there are great products at both the drugstore and department store. When shopping at the drugstore ask to have packages opened so you can test colors and consistency.

Shampoo and conditioner. The active ingredients are essentially the same for all products. The main difference lies in the concentration of the conditioning ingredients (things like panthenol, collagen, and elastin). Again, you can find good products at both the salon and the drugstore.

5: BE A SMARTYPANTS

When it comes to making really big purchases, put in a little extra time. Remember: Homework = money in your pocket. Follow these simple guidelines to help you know more than the average salesperson.

Start here. This site will provide the top things you should consider when making a particular purchase. (Shameless self-promotion!)

Hit the web. We recommend visiting consumer opinion websites where you can find out how others feel about a certain product. Kristina, for example, never books a hotel without investigating what others thought of it first. Read between the lines, take other people’s biases into account, and you can uncover a few nuggets of truth.

Don’t be shy. Talk to friends and family about what products work for them. And go straight to the experts. Talk to your doctor about health products and repair people about appliances, and ask them which professional organizations to contact for more information. Your local Better Business Bureau also has the goods on reputable businesses in your area.

Phone ahead. Let your fingers do the shopping and do some cost comparisons over the phone or online. Before you start driving all over town, call and make sure they have the product in stock. Think of all the money you’ll save on gas and parking!

6: BE NICE

Simple, but it can make or break your success at the store: Be nice to salespeople. We expect them to be courteous, efficient, knowledgeable AND give us a deal. You’re more likely to get what you want if you’re friendly. This also applies to restaurants. Want a place where everybody knows your name? Tip well!

When service is good, we give:

• 15 % in restaurants
• 15% for beauty services
• 10% for food delivery
• 50 cents to $3 for a cab ride, depending on the distance and whether the driver carried your bags and held the door (although some cab companies automatically charge extra for bags, so don’t make the mistake of paying twice for this)
• $1 or $2 to the bellhop when he brings up your bags
• $1 or $2 a night to the maid at the hotel
• $20 to the concierge if they’ve nabbed theater tickets or a coveted reservation (more if they’ve helped you out over several days)
• $20 to the paper delivery person at Christmas

As always, read the fine print, especially in restaurants and hotels. Sometimes gratuity is included – especially in foreign countries. And when it comes to room service, gratuity and delivery charges are often added to the already astronomical food prices.

7: KICK THE TIRES

Before you take home any new product, always give it the once over to make sure all the parts are in place, that there’s no damage and that the entire item is in good working order. We also believe in taking items – especially big ticket items – for a test drive.

No one in her right mind would buy a car without taking it out for spin, right? That includes calling in a mechanic to look under the hood and giving the vehicle a very careful examination (and with a used car, it means checking all the panels as slightly mismatched paint is often a sign of repairs after an accident).

We apply this same thinking to other purchases. When shopping for furniture ask if you can take the piece out on loan to see if it fits your space and your tastes, leaving your credit card as collateral. If the retailer won’t make these allowances, take your business elsewhere.

With sporting goods, most stores will allow you to demo a tennis racquet or skis before you purchase. Again, if they won’t, move on. This usually entails paying a small “demo” or rental fee. If you later decide to purchase that product, the demo fee should be deducted from the purchase price.

Get a blister while jogging in those new runners? Take them back. Sporting goods is one area where we find merchants do a good job of standing behind their products.

If we’re not satisfied, we’ll return pretty much anything. We’ve returned jeans that didn’t stretch as much as the salesperson promised; clothing that didn’t wash well; and even beauty products that don’t live up to their promises.

8: STAY ON YOUR GAME

A salesperson’s job is to sell. When you go to a store for a new snowboard, salespeople will also try to sell you the boots, socks and perhaps some goggles. Up-selling and impulse-buying can happen to the best of us.

We have a little trick that helps us stay on track. Before you go shopping, commit your budget and your requirements to a piece of paper and put it in your pocket. If you’re feeling pressure to overspend or the desire to give in to temptation, pull out that paper as a reminder. Having those numbers stare at you in black and white has a sobering effect. If you are still feeling pressured, experiencing information overload, or simply not sure about a purchase, take a break, have a coffee and clear your head. Time and distance can help you determine if you really want to buy.

Of course, there are times however when it really is in your best interest to walk away, especially if you suspect shady business practices. For example, you see an ad in the paper advertising DVD players for $50 dollars. When you arrive at the store, you’re told they sold out hours ago… but there’s an even better DVD player in stock, for just $25 dollars more. This can be a sign of the old bait and switch whereby enticing ads are used to lure customers into the store to sell them a more expensive item than the one advertised. Advertising goods on sale with no intention of having enough stock is a federal offence.

We also advise walking away from extended warranties. Profit margins on them can soar between 70 and 100%! And sales people will take home about 35 to 50% of it. Only a very small percentage of electronics actually break down before the warranty expires. And repairs can often cost less than the warranty itself. With the notable exception of laptop computers, we say take your chances without one.

9: KEEP YOUR COOL

Nothing ruins a fun-filled day of shopping like bad service. The best way to complain is in person. It’s much harder to ignore a customer who’s staring right at you.

Our second choice is a letter, since it creates a paper trail. And regardless of the outcome, writing can be therapeutic.

Complaining by phone is not our favorite – especially with the advent of voice mail. But many larger companies do have customer complaint lines to hear your gripes. In these cases, we recommend using the service as a starting point.

When making a consumer complaint, here are a few other tips to keep in mind:

Stay Calm. The key to effective complaining is to show respect and communicate effectively. If you can, start your complaint with a compliment. You want to win this person over.

Be clear about what you want. Do you want a refund? A replacement? An apology? The only way to get what you want is to ask for it.

Talk to the right person. Like a manager. If the clerk wants to try to help first, let him. If complaining by letter or email, phone ahead and get the name and title of the manager or head of customer service.

Be prompt. Retailers and service providers are much more likely to respond to your complaint if it’s made immediately (providing you can keep your cool) or within a few days of the incident. A prompt reaction to the alleged service crime shows you are serious about getting the issue resolved. You’re also more likely to remember all the details.

If your efforts to settle a dispute go unheard or if you’re unsatisfied with the response you get, your next step should be your local Better Business Bureau. If the business or service belongs to a professional organization, you can also lodge a complaint through them.

Like negotiating, lodging a complaint is an empowering part of the shopping experience. Remember that retail is an increasingly competitive business. If you don’t get what you want at one establishment, chances are good you’ll get it somewhere else. And regardless of whether your complaint is well-received, the whole exercise of communicating your concerns will leave you feeling empowered.

10: WEAR COMFORTABLE CLOTHES

Serious shoppers do not hit the stores wearing heels and a mini skirt. For a day of pounding the pavement, you’ll need to wear flat shoes, layers and carry a good size bag for storing your lightweight jacket and your purchases.

Also bring along water and snacks. As with other endurance sports, you need proper sustenance and the right gear if you’re going to go the distance. Perhaps this is an excuse to go shopping for flat shoes and a good shopping bag!

Have you got smart shopping tips? Post your comments below!

For Your Health

Toxic ingredients in chemical-based cleaning products can seriously impact your and your family’s lives by increasing your risk to a number of long-term health problems, including cancer, organ damage, reproductive, nervous, and immune system issues, and asthma.

For Our Environment

Remember: everything you put in the garbage or down the drain will eventually end up in our lakes and oceans, whether still in its original form, or broken down into other forms. Many cleaning ingredients and their by-products are poisonous to plant and animal life.

BUYING TIPS

The Basics

When you’re looking at green products on the shelf, it’s important to do your homework and read the labels, ingredients lists, and claims.

• First, look for words like non-toxic and phosphate-free on the label. These are good choices to start with.

• Next, look for ingredients clearly listed on the label. The shorter and easier the list is to understand, the better.

  • Some companies don’t include ingredients on the bottle because they claim it is proprietary information. Check their websites for more information, and don’t hesitate to get in touch with them directly to find out if any of the ingredients to avoid (see list below) are in their products.

• If the bottle or packaging is made of recycled material, bonus points! The bottle should be recyclable at minimum. Avoid aerosols.

• Read the product warnings: irritant, poison, flammable? It may be best to avoid this product.

• Put on your skeptical hat and question the marketing messages you’re hearing and reading: do the statements made in the commercials or on the label really make sense?

• Look for the EcoLogo label, or the Green Seal Certified label. Both are third-party organizations that certify environmentally-preferable products of all kinds.

Ingredients to Avoid

While it seems a chemistry degree may be required to decipher some ingredient lists, it’s important to know the key toxins to avoid, including both the chemical name and the common name. In fact, keep a list in your wallet or on your cell phone to help you remember.

Here’s our list of some toxins to avoid, and simplified explanations as to why. (For more in-depth information on these ingredients, see the “Sources” section below.)

Avoid:

• Chlorine or anything starting with “chlor”. Aka chlorine bleach, sodium hypochlorite, bleaching agent. Not only is it a toxic compound itself (causing eye and lung irritation), it produces deadly dioxin by-products, which disrupt reproductive, endocrine and immune systems of humans and animals. When released into the environment, chlorine forms compounds with other naturally-occurring chemicals that have also been linked to cancer.

• Ammonia. In both gas and liquid form, ammonia is irritating to eyes, nose, throat, and lungs, can cause headaches and nausea. It can even burn the skin, and mixed with bleach, vinegar, or other acids, it can produce deadly gases. Ammonia is found in many floor cleaners, tile cleaners, and glass cleaners. In the environment, it breaks down into nitrogen. Ammonia is highly toxic to fish and plants, even in small or dilute amounts.

• Surfactants. It stands for “surface active ingredient”, these chemicals create suds in detergents and cleaners, as well as personal care products. You may see it on the label as nonylphenol ethoxylate, nonoxynol, or octoxynol. These chemicals break down (aka biodegrade) into nonyphenols, which are slow to biodegrade further and also create havoc with fish, giving males some female characteristics. They’re also suspected to have long-term negative effects on human reproductive systems.

• Phosphates. Many laundry and dishwashing products are going “phosphate-free”, which is a great move on the part of cleaning manufacturers that have adopted it. Phosphates are actually naturally-occurring minerals and aren’t normally toxic. However, the overload of phosphates from cleaning products that goes into our water systems, causes algae blooms that deplete oxygen in the water, and thus kill fish.

• “-enes” like Benzene, Toluene, Xylene. These are found in a variety of household cleaners and are linked to cancer and nervous system issues.

• Formaldehyde. Used as a preservative, it’s found in detergents, carpet cleaners, and air fresheners, and is proven to cause cancer.

• Diethanolamine(DEA), Triethanolamine (TEA). Both are found in many cleaners and are linked to cancer.

• Hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid. Found in toilet bowl cleaners and drain cleaners, both cause eye, lung, and skin damage. Sulfuric acid especially.

• Pine and citrus oil. They sound natural, but these ingredients can react with ozone to produce formaldehyde, which causes cancer.

Beware the Buzzwords

Some products may appear to be eco-friendly by using words that evoke a sense of nature, or by including natural ingredients. However, some may actually just be clever marketing techniques to make you think their product is the green choice. Here are some buzzwords to be aware of:

• Biodegradable: it sounds good for the environment, but in some cases, it may not be. For example, a chemical in most laundry detergents (nonylphenol ethoxylate) is considered biodegradable because it breaks down. Do you remember nonylphenol ethoxylate, mentioned above in surfactants? That’s what we’re talking about.

• Fruit, vegetables, flowers, plants: in some cases, these are just masks for more harmful ingredients. In other cases, the ingredients themselves may be synthetic, aka another chemical. Look for cleaners that are plant-based (e.g. palm oil, coconut, citrus extracts, etc.) rather than those that use “plants” to mask more dangerous ingredients.

  • While some green cleaner manufacturers use palm oil as a eco-friendly alternative, eco-activists don’t see this as a good thing since it leads to the destruction of precious rainforests for palm farms.

• Anti-bacterial: killing all bacteria is not necessarily a good thing. While there are definitely bad bacteria, anti-bacterial products don’t differentiate between good and bad. Many eco-scientists recommend to avoid using these products. They feel that exposure to the toxic chemicals that make them anti-bacterial is not worth the benefit, and recommend using plain soap and water instead.

Other Considerations

• Your skin and your lungs are the easiest way for toxins to enter your body, so always wear gloves and work in a well-ventilated area. (Turn on your bathroom fan or oven fan while you’re working.)

• Rethink your cleaning tools. Are you addicted to paper towels and disposable wipes or cleaning pads? Break the habit! Look for microfibre cloths that help trap bacteria without spreading it around. Wash other mops and cloths frequently to help prevent bacteria build-up. Soak sponges and sponge mops in vinegar overnight.

• Go fragrance-free. Avoid air fresheners, detergents, soaps, etc. with strong fragrance. These odours only mask other smells and give you a false sense of “clean”. The chemical fragrances may actually irritate eyes, skin, and lungs, and have been linked to asthma, as well as fertility issues.

  • In fact, eco-scientists say that clean should smell like nothing at all!

• Unless an automatic dishwasher detergent says non-toxic on the label, assume it contains chlorine. It’s best to avoid this product.

Safer Alternatives

• 100% pure liquid castile soap: use this as your general all-purpose cleaner. Follow the instructions, which usually are to dilute 1 part pure liquid castile soap with 4 parts water.

• Lemon juice: great for cutting grease, add ¼ cup lemon juice to your 4:1 liquid castile soap/water mixture for some extra grease-fighting power. Lemon juice also has disinfectant, anti-bacterial, and bleaching properties. Use the squeezed lemon halves to wipe down counters and kitchen surfaces. (Follow-up with a damp microfibre cloth to pick up any stray bits of pulp.)

• Vinegar (1/4 cup) and salt (1/4 cup) mixed together make a gentle scouring cream. Be sure you are using distilled white vinegar made from grain. Organic is even better. Avoid any vinegars that are made from petroleum. (Check out this great list of uses for vinegar.)

• Baking Soda (60ml or 1/4cup) mixed with 1 litre of water also works well as an all-purpose cleaner. Add some liquid castile soap and use a firm bristled brush for a tub/tile cleaner.

• Olive Oil (30ml) diluted with white vinegar (15ml) makes a great wood furniture cleaner and conditioner.

• Borax is somewhat controversial. Up until recently, it has been considered a good alternative for bleach, used in laundry, and as a great way to get rid of ants, other pests like fleas, and weeds. However, it contains high levels of arsenic, so it should be used with caution. Keep away from children and pets.

TEST CRITERIA

We recruited some professional house cleaners to help us test three popular eco-friendly all-purpose cleaning products:

• Seventh Generation Natural All Purpose cleaner (unscented): $5.89/946ml
• Bio-Life (store brand) All Purpose Surface Cleaner (pear violet): $2.49
• Method All-Purpose Surface Cleaner (cucumber): $4.99 (828 ml)

Cleaning Test

• Some of our testers found the scent of Method and the Bio-Life to be too overpowering, while others enjoyed the crisp cucumber scent of the Method product.

• When it came to glass, our cleaning products appeared to leave some residue. The Seventh Generation worked the best on glass out of the three.

• Seventh Generation worked well on tubs and sinks, and cut through soap scum.

• A few of our testers felt they all performed about the same.

• Some testers felt that a regular (non-green) household cleaner was still required for the tougher jobs.

OUR TOP PICK

We didn’t have a clear winner on performance, though Seventh Generation stood out for its unscented formula, and Method stood out for its enjoyable cucumber scent. We think that its best to choose a brand that works for your budget, or give the Fabulous Four a try (vinegar, liquid castile soap, baking soda, lemon).

We interviewed builders and interior designers to find out the top-recommended surfaces for counter tops, their advantages, and disadvantages.

• Granite (Natural Stone)

  • If money is less of an issue, granite tends to be the countertop of choice.

  • They are very elegant and great for home resale value.

  • They are highly resistant to chips and scratches. You can use it as a work surface without a cutting board if you choose.

  • However, granite is expensive and requires routine resealing. Be prepared to reseal it every 2–5 years to help protect it from stains.

• Engineered Stone

  • Just as expensive as granite, these engineered stones are made of natural minerals (often quartz).

  • Stone aggregate is combined with resin and colour pigments.

  • There is a large colour and pattern choice.

  • Easy to clean and highly resistant to heat, stains and scratches.

• Laminate

  • Made from plastic-coated synthetics.

  • Available in endless colours and patterns that can even mimic natural stone.

  • Very durable, but if it does get damaged, it’s difficult to repair.

  • Easy to clean and an economical choice.

• Solid Surface

  • Consists of solid synthetic sheets made by mixing a mineral compound with polyester and/or acrylic resins, resulting in a seamless surface.

  • Available in several colours and finishes and can imitate stone.

  • Highly resistant to stains and cleaning products.

  • Not the best when it comes to heat and scratches.

  • Can have minor nicks and scratches rubbed out using an abrasive cleaner or by lightly sanding.

  • Expensive!

• Ceramic Tile

  • Made from pressed and fired clay, ceramic tile offers a very hard work surface.

  • Many colour and design choices, including patterns, mosaics, and contemporary styles.

  • Easy to install. 

  • Very resistant to heat.

  • More prone to scratches and chips than other options, but tiles can be replaced quite easily. Be sure to buy extra tiles so if you need replacements, they’re from the same dye lot.

  • The grout between tiles can be a problem when it comes to stains (there are grout sealers available, which should be re-applied routinely) 

  • While you may love the look, you may not like the uneven work surface.

  • Tiles are relatively inexpensive.

• Other materials you can choose from include: stainless steel, marble, polished concrete and wood.

Cost

• When considering your counter top surface, remember to factor in the cost of the materials plus installation, and any maintenance (e.g. granite sealer)

• Installation costs vary from material to material. Some take quite a lot of skill and so cost more to install, while others are relatively inexpensive.

• Consider the design of your kitchen counter top space. How many cuts will be required for sink, stove, etc.?

• When you first go counter top shopping, it’s a good idea to measure the square footage of your counter top space (a rough estimate) so you can really get a good idea what your budget will look like.

• Colour, texture and pattern can also affect the cost.

• Custom edge finishing can also be a factor for installation fees. Custom edges include bull-nosed, ogee, sandwiched. If you want to keep your budget down, go with a simple square edge.

• Also remember the back splash (on the wall above the counter). You may not necessarily need one, but you should consider it in your overall cost. Ceramic or glass tile are the most common materials.

TEST CRITERIA

Choosing a counter top that looks good is actually the easy part. Choosing one that is functional, durable, and easy to care for can be the challenge. We took 5 different counter top surfaces and put them through some typical kitchen abuse to see how they stack up against each other.

We tested:

• Ceramic Tile: $14.76 per linear foot
• Laminate: $22 per linear foot
• Engineered Stone: $100-150 per linear foot
• Granite: $100-150 per linear foot
• Solid Surface (we used Corian): $160-200 per linear foot

Durability Test

We stained, burned, chopped, and dropped bowling balls onto our counter top specimens.

• In the red wine stain test, the ceramic tile’s white grout fared badly. It took a lot of elbow grease to get it clean, which made ceramic tile our last choice.

• In the bowling ball test, the engineered stone and the laminate didn’t show a mark. The ceramic tile, granite and Corian all marked or chipped.

OUR TOP PICK

The engineered stone and laminate did well in all our tests and we would consider them a good choice. But design won out and our top pick is the ever-popular granite. Its natural look proved to be durable and elegant, despite the fact that our bowling ball did minimal damage…just don’t bowl in the kitchen!

• There are several active ingredients used in muscle rubs:

  • Salicylate is a close relative to aspirin and can actually help reduce any muscular inflammation that is causing the pain.

  • Counterirritants are a popular form of topical analgesic. Typically menthol or camphor are the active ingredient, which masks pain with heat or coolness.

  • Capsaicin, from hot peppers, works by disrupting pain signals to the brain. But it doesn’t penetrate to the muscles and tend to work best on joints close to the skin’s surface, such as fingers, knees and elbows. They can also cause a strong burning sensation on the skin.

  • Glucosamine and Chondroitin have proven popular when taken orally. There is a debate whether they can actually relieve muscle pain when applied topically.

• Muscle rubs feel hot or cold. That sensation offers a distraction from muscle pain. They’re not really affecting the muscle itself. 

• Rubs can be liquid form with sponge applicators, creams, thicker balms, gels, sticks and roll-ons.

Other Considerations

• Patches work similar to rubs by creating heat or cool sensations, but are worn right over the affected area for several hours under your clothing and offer a greaseless, odourless alternative.

TEST CRITERIA

With the help of some hardcore rugby players (men and women) we tested out these different muscle rubs to see what kind of relief they offered.

Relief Test

• Everyone found the Absorbine Jr. (liquid with sponge applicator) to be messy. Plus, if it dripped into an area of the body with mucous membranes, it could be painful.

• A535 (Ice or Heat) was voted easiest and neatest to apply.

• Most testers found the Tiger Balm lasted longest and had the least offensive odour.

• Others found Heet gave good relief.

OUR TOP PICK

We went with the majority and chose Tiger Balm as our top pick for its longevity and least-offensive fragrance.

Veggie or meat-less burgers are available at most grocery stores and are usually found in the refrigerated produce section, next to the packaged lettuce and salad dressing, or in the frozen food section. You may also find some in the meat department as marketers try to capture the dedicated meat-eaters.

They can be made using a variety of bases:

• Whole-grain: these burgers are made primarily from wheat, oats, brown rice, basmati rice or barley, and vegetables. They have a lot of fibre and good carbs, and less salt that many of the soy-based products. Some may be labeled as mushroom burgers, even if they contain more grain than mushroom.

• Vegetable: often called garden burgers, they are primarily made from carrot, mushroom, onion, corn, pease, red peppers, rice, and soy protein. They usually contain less protein than soy-based burgers, but more fibre and less salt. They are preferred by those who don’t want a burger that mimics the taste of meat.

• Bean or Legume: made from red or black beans, peas, chickpeas or lentils along with other whole grains and vegetable ingredients, these burgers are typically low in fat and high in protein, as well as a good source of fibre without relying on soy, which some people are allergic to.

• Soy: made from soy protein, vegetable protein, tofu or tempeh, these burgers look and taste almost like real meat burgers. They usually have the highest protein of all the non-meat options, but also are higher in salt content.

Be Aware

Always pay attention to the ingredients list. Especially watch for:

• Added sodium (salt). Some brands add up to a gram of salt per burger for flavouring, which is about 1/3 of your daily recommended salt intake.

• Omega-3: some veggie burger brands advertise heart-healthy Omega fats in their ingredients (and charge more), but the health benefits are typically compromised by exposure to air (i.e. oxidization). Frozen patties are usually the better choice if you’re looking to maximize the nutritional benefit of these added ingredients.

TEST CRITERIA

We recruited a diversified tasting panel consisting of vegetarians, flexitarians, and die-hard meat lovers. We tasted our products naked as well as all dressed up to get a feel for the whole burger package.

We tested:

• Kraft’s Boca Burger (soy-based): $4.99 per box
• Yves Veggie Burger (fresh, soy-based): $4.89 per box
• Money’s Gardenburger (grain & vegetable with some soy): $4.99 per box
• Ruth’s Omega Burger (soy-free made with flax and hemp with Omega fats): $6.39 per box

Taste Test

• The Yves Veggie Burger tasted the closest to real meat and was a hit with most of the meat lovers, but the same taste that didn’t win many others over.

• Ruth’s Omega Burger was mushy between the buns. We preferred burgers that contained soy to give it more bite and better texture.

• From a purely nutritional standpoint, the Kraft Boca burger wins for having the least amount of salt.

• Our overall favourite, both for taste and texture, was definitely Money’s Gardenburger.

Breads are classified into three basic categories:

• Leavened, or yeast breads are the standard loaves you see at the supermarket.

• Quick breads are leavened with a non-yeast leavening agent like baking soda or baking powder. These agents release carbon dioxide into the dough and are much faster acting than regular yeast.

• Flat breads are dense and unleavened. E.g. crackers, matzo and tortilla.

A light baguette, a hearty dark loaf, or everything in-between? With such a wide selection of breads available, there’s no need to stick to just one.

• White, the standard bread, contains as much starch as any other kind of bread and retains some fibre, although not nearly as much as whole grain breads. And despite being enriched with vitamins, white bread is still one of the least nutritious breads because the flour has been processed to the point where the germ – the most nutritious part – is nearly gone.

• Whole Meal bread is made from the whole of the wheat grain, milled to make it more digestible. Whole meal has a high level of dietary fibre, vitamins and minerals and is an excellent product if you need more fibre. It’s also good for the very young or very old as the milled wheat grains are easier to digest.

• Whole Grain bread is similar to whole meal, but often has whole pieces of grain.

• Multigrain bread is made from white flour with added grains to provide some texture and flavour. The fibre content is lower than whole meal but higher than white bread. Some brands of multigrain bread have more fibre than others.

• Baguette is a long, skinny loaf made with white flour. The true, French baguette is made extra crusty.

• Barrel bread is usually made with milk bread dough, baked in a ridged mould, also known as a pistol.

• Challah bread is an egg enriched, braided, Jewish bread traditionally eaten around the Sabbath and at festivals.

• Ciabatta is Italian bread made with olive oil.

• Croissants are another French specialty; a crescent shape pastry, very flaky and light-tasting and goes well with jams.

• Daktyla is a traditional shaped loaf from Greece covered in sesame seeds. Daktyla means fingers, named after its shape, which can be broken into finger-like pieces.

• Focaccia is an Italian-style bread recently popularized in North America. Most types have olive oil brushed over them, and some are also sprinkled with herbs before baking. Its nutritional value is similar to white bread.

• Fruit and Raisin breads are yeasted loaves with added raisins, sultanas (yellow raisins), mixed peel or dried fruit. They have almost no fat.

• High-fibre bread, are white loaves made with special flour or added legume husks to increase the fibre beyond that found in regular white bread. Different brands vary in the fibre content.

• Lebanese bread is similar to pita bread but usually larger and is used to wrap around fillings such as tabouli, hummus, falafel or salad.

• Naan is an Indian specialty bread full of flavour and usually eaten with a range of dishes. Perfect for dipping in those yummy curry sauces.

• Pita are flat breads made from white or whole meal flour. They usually come in a pocket form, making them excellent for sandwiches.

• Pumpernickel is a German bread made with molasses and sometimes beer or unsweetened chocolate. Often, a mashed potato is added for body and moistness. Early versions of pumpernickel were hard to digest because of the coarseness of the rye grain used. Since then, makers of pumpernickel breads have introduced different flours and seasonings to make it more agreeable.

• Rye bread is usually made from a mixture of wheat and rye flours. The nutritional value varies but is generally midway between that of white and whole grain. Rye is second only to white bread in popularity. For 2,000 years rye has been grown in Eastern Europe – mainly Russia, Germany and Poland.

• Soda bread is flat, round, heavy loaves usually marked into quarters and risen with baking powder, not yeast. Soda bread originally comes from Ireland.

Grocery Store vs. Bakery Bread

Designer bakeries” are creating beautiful, delicate and delicious loaves packed with gourmet ingredients like rosemary and olive oil, cheese, figs and black olives. You certainly pay more for breads like this, but it is generally an inexpensive way to treat yourself.

What’s the difference between the $5 multigrain from the gourmet bakery and the $2 multigrain at your supermarket?

• First, bakeries allow their bread to rise over a very long period of time – like two or three days – to allow the bread to develop more flavour and better crust.

• Second, many mass-produced breads use preservatives and dairy fats. These help them rise faster and stay fresher longer, but do you really want to be eating these extra ingredients?

Nutrition

• If you’re buying bread purely for nutrition, it’s very important to read the label. Many brands appear to be healthy with words on their labels like “hearty”, “natural” and “12 or 16 grains”. But turn the loaf over and read the ingredients list. If the very first words on the list aren’t “whole grain” the bread isn’t as healthy as it could be.

• The idea that bread is fattening is a myth that developed partly because of a surge in popularity in high protein, low carbohydrate diets, and also because some mass-produced breads aren’t as healthy as they could be. But without foods like bread and potatoes, the body temporarily loses some of its glycogen (the carbohydrate stored in muscles for energy). Exercising without stores of glycogen means you will tire easily. It’s usually what you spread on your bread that’s fattening – not the bread itself!

• In addition to being rich in complex carbohydrates, bread is a valuable source of starch. It also supplies several important B complex vitamins and dietary fibre. Research shows that fibre keeps our digestive system healthy and may help protect against certain cancers and diabetes.

• Although we consider bread to be a carbohydrate, whole-wheat varieties are also a source of protein. With all the nutrients from the wheat left intact, whole wheat bread is truly a life-sustaining loaf. Whole wheat bread provides almost all of the natural vitamins and minerals in wheat, including niacin, riboflavin, thiamine, vitamin E, iron and calcium.

Fresh is Best

Once you get your bread home there are a few ways to preserve freshness.

• Store your bread in plastic

• Bread frozen in a sealed plastic bag will last for weeks. Allow to defrost in the bag.

• If you prefer your bread extra crusty, leave it on the counter with the sliced off end turned down on the breadboard.

• Put bread in a very hot oven for a few minutes to make it taste like you bought it fresh from the baker’s oven.

• The chair should support the natural curve of your spine.

• The head rest should hit you above the base of the skull, in a spot that won’t result in neck kinks.

• The arm rests should be at the right level for your arms so that you’re not scrunching your shoulders or feeling like your arms are too low.

• Check the depth of the chair so that when you’re sitting comfortably your feet can reach the ground.

• Your body weight should be enough to move the recliner into its desired position without requiring a big push off.

• Upholstery can tell you a lot about a piece of furniture: the foam should be around 4 inches thick in the seat and about 3 inches in the back for optimal comfort.

Other Considerations

• Space: because recliners recline, they can take up almost double the space of a non-reclining chair. Generally a recliner needs at least a foot of space behind, and about two feet in front.

• If you’re set on a recliner but lack the space, look for a “wall saver” model that only needs about four inches behind the chair.

• Leather is always considered the strongest and most durable upholstery fabric; it’s easy to clean too.

Be Aware

• If you don’t see something you like and end up making a custom order, be prepared to wait up to three months or more.

TEST CRITERIA

We invited a couple of comfort-seeking professional NHL hockey coaches to kick back with us and test these recliners:

• La-Z-Boy Forte: $599
• Berkline Madison: $999
• Natuzzi Elba: $1,599
• La-Z-Boy Corbin: $2,183

Our tests and results include:

Comfort Test

• The deluxe La-Z-Boy Corbin was popular with its handheld programmable heat and massage functions all designed to keep you as comfortable as possible; but the price wasn’t as popular.

• The Natuzzi chair looked great, but didn’t provide the comfort of a traditional recliner.

• The Berkline wrapped function and style into one perfectly comfortable package.

OUR TOP PICK

The unanimous vote went to the Berkline for its function, style and comfort in one. 

• Desk chairs can range from a few hundred dollars to over one thousand dollars, and it’s often worth it to pay a bit more. A good chair will last longer and decrease your likelihood of stress and strain related ailments.

• Many manufacturers name chairs according to the jobs they’re good for. For example:

  • The “task” chair or computer workstation chair is for jobs that require prolonged sitting. These chairs require maximum adjustability.

  • The “executive” chair or high back chair is for those who do not use their computer frequently – this model typically offers swivel/tilt-only.

  • The “industrial” or assembly line chair is higher than an office chair and includes a ring or other foot support mechanism above the base.

• Before you buy a desk chair, here’s a quick list of things to consider:

  • In relation to where you sit, what is the location of your monitor, phone, printer and other frequently-used items on your desk?

  • Always sit for more than a few minutes in the chair before buying it.

  • Ask if you can borrow a couple of chairs from the store to try out for a week or two.

  • Be sure to compare warranties. Some chairs do not come with any warranty at all, while others will ensure replacement up to ten years.

• When looking at the chair features, keep an eye out for these must-have guidelines:

  • Backrest:

    • The backrest should be independent from the seat and at least 12”x12”.

    • Contouring is more comfortable and supportive in both the seat and the backrest.

    • Look for pronounced lower back (lumbar) support.

    • The backrest should be adjustable in height and tilt.

  • Seat:

    • The foam material of the seat should support your weight evenly. Low-quality padding will squish easily and wear out.

    • The seat should be at least an inch wider than your hips and thighs on either side.

    • Make sure when you sit that there’s no pressure from the seat on the back of your thighs or knees.

    • A “waterfall” seat cushion, which slopes down at the front behind your knees, helps improve circulation in your lower legs.

    • The seat height and depth should be adjustable. For the right height, stand in front of the chair and set the highest point of the seat just below your knee cap. When seated, your feet should be flat on the floor and your thighs level (parallel to the floor).

  • Armrests:

    • Considered beneficial by some, but not by others. If they block you from getting close to the desk, they are too high or not optimal.

    • Armrests keep your arms in a comfortable position, reducing shoulder, neck, and back strain.

    • Armrests should be movable independently, adjustable for height and angle. Position them so that your forearms are supported at a 90 degree angle to your body, and your shoulders relaxed. When you hang your arms down, the armrests should be at your elbow.

    • Look for padded armrests or those made of soft urethane.

  • Make sure all adjustment controls are easy to reach and use.

  • Wheels or casters must be suitable for the flooring in your work area.

  • The base should be a stable five-point with a swivel mechanism. Most are metal, but wood is sometimes used.

  • A chair that moves up/down and forward/back in stages is best.

  • The whole chair should be able to rotate 360 degrees, and allow you to lean back slightly without danger of falling.

  • Look for breathable, non-slippery fabric. Leather is popular for aesthetics, and, along with vinyl, are easy to clean, but they can be hot and sticky in the summer.

Other Considerations

• Only 5% of the shortest and the tallest individuals need custom-made chairs. For everyone else a fully adjustable, ergonomic chair should be comfortable.

• Even the best office chair can cause discomfort if you don’t adjust and use it properly. So be sure to fine-tune the adjustments. Even better, invite an ergonomic expert to visit your office and share tips with you and your colleagues.

Be Aware

• Some retailers may call a chair “ergonomic”, but it may be lacking many true ergonomic features. There are currently no restrictions on using the term “ergonomically designed”. A chair becomes ergonomic only when it specifically suits a worker’s size, his or her workstation, and the tasks that must be performed there.

• Even with proper positioning, you should not remain seated in chair for the entire day. It’s important to change postures and get up once and while, to stretch your legs and move around.

TEST CRITERIA

We went to a large office to see what office workers thought of 4 different chairs:

• Love chair from Ikea: $89
  • Can raise or lower the seat, but there are no other adjustments.
• Ardent chair: $450
  • Has special adjustments to allow instant widening or narrowing of the arms.
• Steelcase Criterion: $850
  • Has a full set of adjustments, claims to be the best selling office chair in the world.
• Herman Miller Aeron Chair: $1150
  • A high-end chair popular with designers

Sit & Task Test

• After sitting and more sitting, it was clear for everyone: the Herman Miller Aeron Chair was the top choice, except for a mom-to-be, who found the Steelcase Criterion a better fit. Unfortunately, the Herman Miller Chair was too pricey for our budgets…unless the company is buying!

OUR TOP PICK

The Herman Miller Aeron Chair was the most popular, but its price had us on our feet. Instead we felt the Steelcase Criterion is a slightly more affordable alternative.

• Breath products available on the market these days range from gum, mints, sprays, mouthwash, oral care strips and more, most of which are under about $3. Many oral hygiene products like toothpaste and mouthwash are also available in travel sizes.

• Bad breath is a result of bacteria build-up in the mouth, mainly on the tongue.

• For real bacteria-fighting tools, consider these in travel-size:

  • Toothpaste, brush and floss. Use immediately after meals.

  • Mouthwash that is antiseptic and contains no alcohol.

  • A tongue scraper further prevents bacterial build-up, prevents gum disease, and prevents plaque from building up on your teeth. Focus on the back of your tongue.

  • Look for products that contain eucalyptus and zinc. Zinc is the most effective neutralizing agent.

• For many people, bad breath is just temporary. If you think you have a more serious case, in which there’s an increase of bacteria (medically referred to as halimetry), see a doctor to be tested.

• Natural breath-freshening products used around the world include anise seeds, guava peels, parsley, cinnamon and clove. But as with most commercial fresheners, they only mask the odour rather than killing the bacteria.

TEST CRITERIA

We invited some testers to brush their teeth and then enjoy a Caesar salad lunch, washed down with coffee. Then we gave them breath fresheners and smelled their breath. (The things we do for research!)

We tested:	.
Scope (mouthwash)	. .	Well.ca	Drugstore.com
Binaca (spray)	. .	—	Amazon.ca
Listerine Strips	. .	Well.ca	Drugstore.com
Clorets (gum)	. .	Well.ca
Altoids (mints)	. .	Well.ca	Drugstore.com
(Note: prices listed above are approximate and in Canadian dollars)

Fresh Breath Test

• After 10 minutes, we found the Scope worked the best.

• After 20 minutes, the winner was Scope again, with the Listerine Strips coming in second.

OUR TOP PICK

If it’s inconvenient to brush your teeth (and tongue), the best defense against bad breath bacteria, keep a pocket-sized bottle of Scope handy.