6 Ways Sweet Potatoes Can Improve Your Life

Growing Sweet Potatoes Can Make You Healthy Wealthy and Wise!

Yams, also known as sweet potatoes are one of my favourite vegetables. One of the easiest ways to prepare yams is to simply wash them well and bake them in foil.

Baked Sweet Potato in Foil

However, in my area, yams tend to be quite a bit pricier than regular potatoes, so it is a treat I rarely get.

The other day I noticed a sweet potato I had purchased had grown some sprouts. 

Sprouted Sweet Potato

Rather than tossing it out, I went to the internet to find out if there might still be some use for this sweet potato.

What I discovered was quite surprising! I'm glad I didn't toss my sprouted sweet potato out!

This post has a bit about what I discovered about sweet potatoes and six ways growing sweet potatoes can improve your life.

Note: This blog has referral links that help our writers eat when you make purchases through them. Would you like to write on Canadian Senior Savings? Guest Bloggers are welcome. Please drop a note in the comments below.

6 Ways Sweet Potatoes Can Help Improve the Lives of Canadian Seniors and Their Families

Enter to Win a $3,000 Prize Pack!

Canadian Seniors and Families Save by Entering Free Giveaways Like this Giveaway for a $3K Prize Pack 

I just entered to win free giveaway open to Canada and the USA. The $3,000 prize package has some amazing prizes including a $250 Amazon Gift Card.

Perhaps you would like to enter to win this giveaway too.

Giveaway Banner Screenshot

There are all kinds of free giveaways online. What are you dreaming to win?

Sometimes we might have a problem that we need to solve with some kind of gadget and we do not even know what that gadget might be.  

My Favourite Amazing Free Giveaway Win

How to Make a Bee Water Bottle Garden- Upcycling Craft!

Create a Mini Water Bottle Garden and Craft Some Happy!

Science shows that growing plants is very good for people emotionally. 

Sometimes when a person has gone through a setback or two they can start doubting their abilities.

Show them you care and give them a little something to look forward to as they watch the daily changes in some tiny plants as they grow.

Showing someone you care does not have to take a lot of money. 

It is as easy as can be to upcycle a water bottle into an "I Beelieve in U Garden".

I Beelieve in U Mini Garden

Note: This blog has referral links that help our writers eat when you make purchases through them. Would you like to write on Canadian Senior Savings? Guest Bloggers are welcome. Please drop a note in the comments below.

AVON Work From Home Recruiting Banner

How to Upcycle a Water Bottle into an "I Beelieve in U Garden"

1. Drink the water out of a 500 ml bottle of water. For this craft, I used a Selection brand spring water bottle - available through Metro brand stores. Any 500 ml water bottle will do, but this brand has circular bands that run around the water bottle and make it easier to make the water bottle into a bee.

   

   Selection 500 ml Water Bottle

   
   
2. Take the label and cap off the water bottle and set them aside. You will use the label to tie the tag to the bottle garden later. You will need to use the cap to help keep the soil in the bottle.

   

   Water Bottle with Cap and Label Removed

   
   
3. Make the bee wings. Using scissors, cut a slit horizontally about 1/3 of the way from the top and bottom of the bottle that goes about 1/3 of the way around the bottle. Using the moulded bands that go around the bottle can be helpful when making these cuts.Cut from the bottom slit to the top slit to make two wings. Open the wings out. Round the corners of the wings by snipping a small amount off the two corners of each wing.

   

   Bee Water Bottle Garden - Cutting the Wings

   
   
4. Decorate your bee. Getting paint to stick to plastic and not flake off can be tricky. I first used Elmer's Clear Transparent glue mixed 1:1 with Deco Arts Acrylic Crafters Paint.

   

   Bee Water Bottle Gardens Drying

   
   Then I realized that the paint might not stay very well through daily watering, and some people might not be able to get Elmer's glue, so I used Avon fmg nail polish in Golden Galaxy for another "I Bee Lieve in U Water Bottle Garden". I think it will be less likely to flake and it is a bit more jazzy. I added a second coat of nail polish after the first coat dried. When using nail polish be sure to use it in a well-ventilated area. While waiting for your bee to dry make your "I Beelieve in U Card".

   

   UpcycledWater Bottle  Bee Garden Painted with Avon Nail Polish

   
   
5. Replace the bottle cap. Fill your "I Beelieve in U Garden" with potting soil. Add seeds or small succulents and tie your tiny card to the bee's nose with the label that you have twisted thin so it can be used as a thickish thread.

Note: Since these mini gardens can be a bit roly-poly. You may wish to put your "I Beelieve In U Mini Garden" in a small open box for gifting. 

Here are the videos I shot and uploaded to Rumble showing the Mini Water Bottle Bee Gardens.

Sources:

• Avon Nail Polish 
• I Beelieve in U - Upcycled Water Bottle Rumble Video Part 1
• I Beelieve in U - Upcycled Water Bottle Rumble Video Part 2

About This Author

Sister Su is grateful to God for keeping her alive. She is a Trent/Queen's Concurrent Education graduate with over 20 years of teaching experience. She writes on several blogs, has a YouTube channel and is most easily reached through Twitter @Sister_Su See her link tree for more details:@Sister_Su | Linktree

This post was proofread with the free version of Grammarly

Sign up for Free with Grammarly here

(I will get a  commission.)

Beautiful Bananas - Green, Yellow, Brown Offer Differing Benefits

Which Bananas Suit Your Body Best?

The other day I was a bit disappointed at the grocery store when they only had bright green bananas - not even a tiny spot of yellow on them!

Then I was led to read how bananas are healthy for people in any hue in the continuum of banana ripeness.

So which ripeness would be best for you?

It depends.

Cartoon Banana Conga Line in Varying Shades of Ripeness Created with Copilot Ai

Note: This blog has referral links that help our writers eat when you make purchases through them. Would you like to write on Canadian Senior Savings? Guest Bloggers are welcome. Please drop a note in the comments below.

Which Bananas Are Healthiest for Your Body?

Each person's body has different needs, so it's important to know which banana ripeness is best for your body. As we age our bodies change and so do our nutritional needs. According to the research done by Copilot Ai here are the benefits of eating bananas in varying degrees of ripeness. However, you will definitely want to double-check the validity of this information, because Copilot Ai also believes that I live in another part of the world. 

Here's a summary of the benefits of bananas at different stages of ripeness: 

• Underripe Green Bananas: High in fibre, improve blood sugar control, promote gut health, and may help with weight loss¹. 
• Barely Ripe Light Green to Yellow  Bananas: High in fibre, low in carbs, and promotes blood sugar control. 
• Ripe Yellow Bananas with Brown Spots: Maximum micronutrients like potassium and vitamin B6, and antioxidants¹. 
• Very Ripe Bananas with More Brown Spots: Easier to digest, good for solo eating or inclusion in healthy foods¹. 
• Overripe Brown Bananas: Natural sweetness, can replace fats in baking, and full of antioxidants². The darkening of the banana skin from yellow to brown indicates a rise in antioxidant levels due to the breakdown of chlorophyll pigment⁷. These antioxidants are beneficial in preventing or delaying cell damage, which can lower the risk of diseases and improve the immune system.

When comparing overripe bananas to other antioxidant-rich foods, it's important to consider the ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) value, which measures the antioxidant capacity of foods. Foods like sumac bran, cloves, and certain berries like blueberries and strawberries have been identified as having higher ORAC values¹. While overripe bananas are a good source of antioxidants, there are other foods with higher antioxidant densities.

It's beneficial to include a variety of these foods in your diet to maximize the potential health benefits.

Each stage offers unique health benefits, so you can choose based on your nutritional needs and taste preferences. For more detailed information, you can refer to the sources provided. 

Sources: 

• Source 1: Conversation 2 with Bing, 4/9/2024 (1) The ripeness of a banana could affect your health - MSN. https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/nutrition/the-ripeness-of-a-banana-could-affect-your-health/ar-AA1j0plt. (2) An overripe banana is VERY good for health; here's why - India Today. https://www.indiatoday.in/lifestyle/health/story/an-overripe-banana-is-very-good-for-health-here-s-why-1203760-2018-04-03. (3) 25 Foods High In Antioxidants, Ranked By Actual Measurements. https://superfoodly.com/foods-high-in-antioxidants/. (4) Bananas: 11 Evidence-Based Health Benefits. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/11-proven-benefits-of-bananas. (5) 14 Healthy Foods High in Antioxidants. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods-high-in-antioxidants. (6) Best Antioxidant-Rich Foods - EatingWell. https://www.eatingwell.com/article/2051586/best-antioxidant-rich-foods/. (7) Why Are Overripe Bananas Good For You? - nutritionspurely.com. https://nutritionspurely.com/why-are-overripe-bananas-good-for-you/. (8) Life | Free Full-Text | Potential Health Benefits of Banana Phenolic .... https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/13/2/332. 
• Source: Conversation 1 with Bing, 4/9/2024 (1) Banana Ripeness Stages: Health Benefits and Tips - Greatist. https://greatist.com/health/banana-stages-benefits. (2) Ripe And Unripe Bananas Have Different Health Benefits ... - ScienceAlert. https://www.sciencealert.com/nutritionists-explain-how-ripe-and-unripe-bananas-have-different-health-benefits. (3) Banana Ripeness: When To Eat Them for Maximum Nutrition. https://www.myfitfoods.com/Fit-Tips/banana-ripeness-when-to-eat-maximum-nutrition. (4) All About Bananas: Calories, Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits. https://aminoco.com/blogs/nutrition/banana-calories-nutrition-facts-benefits/

About This Author

Sister Su is grateful to God for keeping her alive. She is a Trent/Queen's Concurrent Education graduate with over 20 years of teaching experience. She writes on several blogs, has a YouTube channel and is most easily reached through Twitter @Sister_Su See her link tree for more details:@Sister_Su | Linktree

This post was proofread with the free version of Grammarly

Sign up for Free with Grammarly here

(I will get a small commission.)

10 Side Hustles Canadian Seniors Can Start - No Vehicle Required!

Many Canadian Seniors Have Side Hustles - Could One of These Ease Your Budget Too?

Frequently side hustle lists include many requiring vehicles, but what if you do not drive, or you simply cannot afford the vehicle upkeep? Relax! This list of side hustles that Canadian Seniors are doing does not require a car or any other vehicle! 

This post was inspired by an excellent free webinar I attended the other day about side hustles.

This webinar got me thinking ..."I wonder if there is a list of side hustles that Canadian Seniors are doing that don't require a vehicle?"

So I felt led to ask Copilot - The new AI-enhanced Microsoft search tool to give me a hand. 

I asked, "What are some side hustles that Canadian seniors who do not drive can start now?"

This article is a combination of the answers I received to that question, my personal experience, and a few more queries I put out on the internet.

Note: This blog has referral links that help our writers eat when you make purchases through them. Would you like to write on Canadian Senior Savings? Guest Bloggers are welcome. Please drop a note in the comments below.

Side Hustles Canadian Seniors Can Start Now Without a Driver's License

Canadian Seniors Scrambling in Free Hamburger Hunt!

Canadian Seniors Seeking Free Hamburgers Storming Your Local Harvey's?

Harvey's Restaurant - the made-in-Canada hamburger franchise just announced that they are having a unique take on their annual free hamburger giveaway - a Hamburger Hunt! So if you see hungry cash-strapped seniors swarming around your closest Harvey's with their canes, walkers, wheelchairs and scooters, you now know why. In addition to offering the opportunity to hunt for free hamburger cards, you could also find a gift card that will entitle you to Harvey's for a year! 

Can't find the time to hunt for a free hamburger card?

You can also get an original burger or vegetarian burger just the way you like it for only $1.65 for a short time. Want to find out how? Read on!

Note: This blog has referral links that help our writers eat when you make purchases through them. Would you like to write on Canadian Senior Savings? Guest Bloggers are welcome. Please drop a note in the comments below.

Harvey's Celebrates 65 Years of Hamburger Heaven

In a press release issued this week, Harveys outlined their promotions to celebrate 65 years in giving people what they want on hamburgers. 

Here is the press release where they revealed the free hamburgers and hamburger deals.

 
Harvey's Celebrates 65 Years of Your Burger, Your Way 

 The iconic Canadian burger brand built on charbroiled customization thanks guests with 1,650 free burgers, nostalgic discounts and limited-edition merchandise. 

 VAUGHAN, ON, March 26, 2024 /CNW/ - 

Harvey's is celebrating 65 years of customized burgers with the launch of the Harvey's Burger Hunt. Starting today, the burger brand will hide 1,650 free burger cards near Harvey's locations and iconic landmarks across the country, including four VIP Cards that will give the lucky winners free 'Harvey's for a year'.

On April 1 (no joke!), the homegrown chain is also kicking off a $1.65 Original Burger offer, available through the Harvey's app for a limited time to celebrate the burger that started it all. 

 "Harvey's is honoured to be celebrating 65 years of creating customized burgers just the way Canadians like them," says Michael Nault, COO of Harvey's Canada. "Delivering a personalized approach to every meal continues to be what drives us forward and we are excited to invite our guests to help us mark the occasion in a variety of fun and engaging ways."

 To add to the celebrations, starting April 1, Harvey's will release limited-edition, retro-inspired merchandise and made-to-order t-shirts where Canadians can have their own name printed between the brand's iconic bun logo. Five dollars from each item sold will go to Tree Canada, in support of their collective goal of planting 250,000 trees by 2026. 

 "Harvey's has been a staple of quality food and great memories for many generations," says Nault. "It's important to us that our guests who have supported us for 65 years, and our future guests, feel part of our celebrations and continue to enjoy making their burger a beautiful thing for years to come." 

 Home-grown customization Harvey's was founded in 1959 by Montrealer Richard Mauran, whose vision for a made-to-order, charcoal-broiled hamburger, topped the way you like it, was a novel idea among Canadian quick-service restaurants. 

Nearly 300 locations later and this vision is still 20/20, offering quality, made-to-order food and millions of topping combinations. Along the way, it has expanded its menu with new options to customize, including chicken sandwiches, poutine and its famous Angus burgers. 

Canadians who want to join Harvey's in celebrating can find out more by visiting: harveys.ca. 

 About Harvey's 

 Harvey's is an iconic Canadian restaurant chain that has been feeding Canadian families since 1959. Serving delicious flame-grilled burgers made with 100% Canadian beef and topped the way you want them, Harvey's has been a staple in Canadian communities for 65 years.

Sources:

• https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/harvey-s-celebrates-65-years-of-your-burger-your-way-870159737.html

About This Author

Sister Su is grateful to God for keeping her alive. She is a Trent/Queen's Concurrent Education graduate with over 20 years of teaching experience. She writes on several blogs, has a YouTube channel and is most easily reached through Twitter @Sister_Su See her link tree for more details:@Sister_Su | Linktree

This post was proofread with the free version of Grammarly

Sign up for Free with Grammarly here

(I will get a commission.)

16 Smart Phone Apps Savvy Canadian Seniors Use to Help Stretch Their Budgets!

How Can Canadian Seniors Win Against Big Budget Cuts Using Smart Phone Apps?

Smartphone Apps are now offering Canadians a great variety of ways to not only save money but also put a few dollars in their pockets.  However, you do need to be careful. We need to be as smart as serpents and as gentle as doves. Not all Smartphone apps are legitimate. 

I am grateful to have been blessed to have been led to some great apps that are legitimate and might help you save on your groceries or even get groceries for free!

This is a growing curated list of Apps that I have personally used that worked well for me. There are two types of apps posted- apps that pay you to upload receipts and apps that will pay you for doing other things like playing games online.

Note: This blog has referral links that help our writers eat when you make purchases through them. Would you like to write on Canadian Senior Savings? Guest Bloggers are welcome.

6 Smart Phone Apps That Pay For Your Receipts