I'm back from a relaxing extra-long weekend and feel especially refreshed since I spent yesterday with a close friend at SENSEA Nordic Spa in Chester, N.S. If you have the opportunity, I highly recommend checking it out. We did it all: saunas, hammams, hot baths, cold plunge, waterfall and ice-cold shower buckets. Go ahead and treat yourself with a Spa Pass, but plan ahead ‘cause they tend to book up quickly.
In honour of my first Nordic Spa experience, next week I'm going to bring the spa to you with ways to create your own relaxation right at home. But that's going to take me some time to dive into and find you the best home spa bets, so this week settle in for a snow day, a cozy cup of soup, a twist for taco Tuesday, the lowdown on the Halifax Black Film Festival and more.
hope you enjoy,
— Jill, SaltWire Audience Team
Weekend weather
Snow on the leading edge of a developing Nor'easter will approach the southern tip of Nova Scotia late Friday afternoon. The snow will reach Newfoundland's Burin Peninsula by midday Saturday. While the storm is expected to stay offshore, there will be wind and snow for some of us. Details, totals and timeline here.
A cozy cup
You know those days when you just can't shake the chill of winter no matter how many layers or blankets you pile on? There's a cure for that! A nice warm bowl of soup. My pick this week is a French classic, creamy potato leek soup topped with shredded cheddar, bacon and a touch of thyme. It'll leave you cozy and satisfied, guaranteed.
A taco Tuesday twist
If your taco Tuesday routine includes a dinner kit from Old El Paso, it might be time to up your game. Sure, they're easy to throw together for a super quick weeknight meal, but making tacos yourself really isn't that much harder, and you can customize the protein, shells and toppings all to your liking. Making your own spice mix takes seconds, and you can make a jar to have on hand for up to one month. If you have an Instant Pot, check out this recipe for pork carnitas — a personal fave of mine.
Stream-worthy
Capping off Black History Month, the Halifax Black Film Festival is returning for its fifth year as an — you guessed it — online event. The festival will showcase films from Nova Scotia, Canada and the world from Feb. 23 to 28. In total, you can catch 75 titles with subjects ranging from Beautie Masvaure Alt’s Shaina, about the challenges and violence faced by young women in Zimbabwe, to Jim Morrison IV’s dramatic short Bonecrusher, about African Nova Scotian boxing legend Sam Langford.
Show your love for local
January and February are typically slow months for small businesses. Show your favourite East Coast business some love with these easy ways to help small local businesses get through their winter shopping slumps.
Local reads
Abena Beloved Green calls her book, Ode to the Unpraised: Stories and Lessons from Women I Know “an experiment in representing the voices of others authentically with an artistic spin”. The Antigonish-raised poet, writer and dancer did this by blending poetry and interviews with thoughtful women in her life. The stories Green collects from friends, mothers, and community leaders range from reflections on life to practical advice for living.
Each section of Ode to the Unpraised opens with the woman’s name, a biographical paragraph, and their answers to questions asked by Green. Each section closes with a poem or poems.
Thanks for reading!
