The tomato problem

Try not to store highly acidic foods like tomato sauce, sliced tomatoes, or foods with lots of lemon juice or vinegar in foil. Acid causes a reaction with the aluminum that can allow more aluminum to leach into the food while creating tiny pits in the foil.

It can also sometimes cause an unpleasant metallic flavor. Glass or other food-safe containers work much better for acidic leftovers, particularly if you plan to store them for a while.

Oven lining

You might think putting aluminum foil on the bottom of your oven would catch drips and make clean-up easy. But in most ovens, this can disrupt heat distribution and damage the interior finish. Reflected heat can also impact heating elements or cooking performance in some models.

If you must catch spills, check with your manufacturer for instructions. Many allow you to safely use a baking sheet placed on the floor of a lower rack.

Heated food

Wrapping steam-producing food (foods that are both very hot and very moist) too tightly in foil can trap steam and condensation. While this won’t suddenly make your food unsafe to eat, it will make crispy items soggy quickly and could even slow cooling if large quantities of hot food are wrapped tightly together. Instead, quickly cool and refrigerate perishable leftovers.

Don’t let your cooked food sit wrapped on the counter for hours. Divide large amounts of leftovers into shallow containers so they cool faster.

The wrong kind of storage

Tightly wrapping leftovers in foil and storing them in the refrigerator for days is not always ideal. Foil doesn’t magically become airtight when you loosely wrap it around a plate or bowl. Exposing food to air dries it out and decreases its quality.

Plus, perishable leftovers need to be refrigerated no matter how well they are wrapped. Use an airtight food-storage container for best results when storing food in the refrigerator for longer periods of time.

The microwave mistake

Never use regular aluminum foil in the microwave unless your microwave’s manufacturer specifically states that a small amount is acceptable and provides guidelines for how to use it.

Aluminum and other metals reflect microwaves. Wrinkled foil or foil near walls can cause electrical arcing: the sparks you see inside a microwave oven. This can damage your microwave oven and maybe even start a fire.

When salt causes trouble

Extremely salty foods can also react with aluminum when they’re wet and left on foil for extended periods of time. Brines, marinades or sauces with a lot of salt should be stored in glass or another nonreactive food-safe container.

However, this doesn’t mean that quickly cooking salt-seasoned food on foil will react. Prolonged contact is the real issue, especially salt that’s mixed with acidic ingredients.

The silver-polish shortcut

Another household use for aluminum foil is mixing baking soda and hot water to chemically polish tarnished silver. This does work with certain types of bare silver, but should not be considered an all-purpose silver cleaner.

It will harm silver pieces with intentionally oxidized finishes, antique silver, glued pieces, or stones in jewelry. Whenever possible, use the method of cleaning specified for that item rather than instinctively grabbing the foil.

The grill problem

Wrapping your entire grill grate with aluminum foil might seem like a good idea for easy cleanup, but it can negatively affect your grill’s functionality. Aluminum foil large enough to cover the entire grill will trap grease and limit airflow, and may cause your heat to be redirected to areas you don’t want it. It also increases your chances of flare-ups from grease buildup.

Foil packets work well with some foods, but encasing all of the cooking surface is another matter. So consult your grill’s manual before using foil extensively.

The expensive scrubbing mistake

A ball of aluminum foil can sometimes be used as an impromptu scrubber on some sturdy, uncoated metals. But do not use it on nonstick or ceramic-coated pans. Aluminum will scratch right through these coatings, especially when used aggressively.

If your nonstick surface becomes scratched or damaged, food will start sticking to it, and the coating will further degrade. Opt for a soft sponge or another recommended tool.

The air-fryer airflow problem

You can sometimes use foil in an air fryer, but don’t allow it to block airflow through the appliance. Air fryers work by blowing hot air around food quickly, so covering the basket hinders their performance.

Loose foil may even shift towards the heating element. If your air fryer allows foil, then keep it pushed down under the food and use only a small amount. Don’t assume all brands have the same rules.

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What They Notice: Smile

A genuine smile is evolution’s and society’s green light. Men notice warmth, openness, and receptivity instantly in a woman, which translates to being approachable, safe, and enjoyable to be around. Her smile creates an instant positive feedback loop in his brain that says she’s present and receptive

Hair

Men may not notice when women get a fresh haircut, trimmed up, or get subtle highlights done, but they will notice when her hair is healthy, full, shiny, and thick. Thick shiny hair that smells clean and looks good is a powerful subconscious cue that she’s healthy, young, and full of life.

Posture

Women communicate plenty about themselves before they say a single word through their posture. If she strides around confidently with her shoulders back and her frame open, she’s self-assured, comfortable in her skin, and high-value. If she slumps her shoulders, crosses her arms, or otherwise appears closed off, you know she’s nervous, defensive, or wants to keep her distance.

Eyes

Locking eyes with someone sends a huge subconscious spark and can create an instant connection between two people in the middle of a crowded room.

Males are able to pick up on whether a female will hold their gaze for an extra beat, break eye contact quickly with a smirk, or give her soft, direct eye contact while maintaining lively facial expressions during a deep conversation.

Energy

The type of energy a woman gives off, whether she’s fun and playful with a sparkly energy, cool, calm, and collected, or intense and hyper-focused, is instantly noticeable to anyone around her.

Her energy or social presence completely determines how a man is going to approach her.

Voice

Pitch, natural rhythm, and a genuine laugh are super noticeable physical attributes of a person. Having a friendly, relaxed, and genuine laugh is attractive because it eases tension, shows she doesn’t take things seriously all the time, and allows others to feel safe and comfortable around her.

The sound of confidence, playfulness, or warmth in her voice can also remain in a man’s mind long after the conversation is over.

Scent

Smell goes straight to the limbic system of the brain, which is responsible for emotion, instinct, and memory. This means that a woman’s signature scent, clean soap smell or natural warmth is perceived immediately upon close contact.

The limbic system bypasses the logical thought process, so this instant link forges an emotional connection that a man can remember and feel powerfully when thinking of that woman days or weeks later.

What They Miss: Nails

Women can go to the salon for hours and spend hundreds of dollars on nail designs, specialty chrome or custom acrylic shapes. However, all men see is whether her nails are trimmed and clean or chipped and jagged with dirt underneath.

All those tiny flowers, hand-painted designs and co-ordinated color palettes that a woman appreciates when looking at another woman’s nails will go unnoticed by him.

Labels

A man will notice when something fits a woman well and complements her figure or is appropriate for an occasion, but when it comes to designer labels, most are clueless.

They won’t be able to distinguish between a luxury designer handbag and an expensive fake, and they won’t see or care about the brand name embroidered on a purse, shoes or jacket.

Makeup

A bold lip or a crazy amount of eye makeup will draw attention. But no man notices the mastery of technique that makes for a perfect face.

They never knew women spent hours line blending contour, tweezing symmetrical brows or obsessing over deluxe setting powders. Men have a macro-level of perception when it comes to makeup. They see a woman’s finished look as lots of makeup or nothing at all.

Trims

If a woman chops off half of her hair or changes her hair color from blonde to brown, a guy will notice. But if she gets two inches of split ends trimmed off, some face-framing layers or a slight adjustment to her toner color, he honestly can’t tell. Any woman expecting an enthusiastic reaction for getting a simple trim is asking for disappointedly confused praise.

Shoes

Unless she’s wearing impossibly tall flirtatious heels or towering mud-covered combat boots, women’s shoes are usually not individually noted by brand, style, or heel height. Shoes are simply another functional coordinated part of the outfit to men.

Accessories

Minimal layered necklaces, small cartilage piercings, stackable rings, and thin bracelets aren’t going to register with most men as individual details. They might sense that she’s classy or well put together, but her jewelry choices will disappear into oblivion.

Blemishes

Women will often obsess over a small spot, fine smile lines, or mild rosacea, avoiding events or becoming self-conscious around others. Men, however, look at faces in their totality and don’t zoom in on micro-appearance details. They honestly can’t see it or perceive it because it’s normal.

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Chest pressure

While many expect sudden sharp pain, heart trouble is often described as uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, or fullness in the middle of the chest. This discomfort may last for several minutes or go away and return. Most describe it as feeling like a weight sitting on your chest.

Shortness of breath

Struggling to breathe after going up one flight of stairs or performing light housework can be a sign that your heart is having a difficult time pumping blood to your lungs and other organs.

If blood flow is slowed or stopped, fluid can build up in your lungs and cause shortness of breath. You may experience this symptom while sitting or lying down.

Persistent cough

If you constantly have a dry cough with white or pink phlegm, it could mean that your heart is leaking blood into your lungs. Your heart is too weak to pump blood through your body. Some people may believe that they just have a chronic cough or cold.

Severe fatigue

If you feel worn out after a normal day or awaken tired after sleeping through the night, it could be a problem. When your heart can’t pump sufficient blood rich with oxygen to your muscles, even light activity will wear you out.

Even making your bed can feel like running a marathon. Feeling unusually tired, especially for women, can be another very common physical sign.

Swollen limbs

If your heart is weak, blood returning from your lower extremities struggles to flow back up to your heart. Because fluid doesn’t flow properly, it can accumulate in your feet, ankles, and legs.

You may find your shoes are tighter by the evening, or your socks leave deep grooves in your ankles. Swelling in your ankles and feet is called edema.

Racing pulse

When you’re nervous or working out, it’s normal for your heart to beat faster than normal. However, it shouldn’t feel like your heart is skipping beats or pounding away when you’re sitting still.

If your heart races often and makes you feel weak, there could be an electrical problem with your heart. Irregular heartbeat or a heart beating too fast can be serious.

Dizziness

You may feel dizzy or pass out if your blood pressure drops. Low blood pressure can occur if your heart doesn’t pump enough blood. Sometimes this occurs if you have a valve problem or a blockage.

If you feel like you’re going to faint when you stand up or walk around, your heart may be the problem.

Body pain

Heart-related pain doesn’t always start in your chest; it can move to your shoulders, arms, neck, or jaw. You may feel a dull pain in your back between your shoulder blades or heavy pressure in your left arm.

Many people ignore this pain since it is so far away from the heart and believe they’ve just strained a muscle.

Nausea/indigestion

Some people assume they have heartburn or an upset stomach instead of a heart attack. You may feel overly full or a burning sensation in your upper abdomen that will not respond to antacids. This is particularly true in elderly patients and women who may not feel the traditional chest pain.

Excessive sweating

If you break out into a cold sweat for no apparent reason (you’re not exercising, you don’t have a fever, etc.), it’s time to take notice. When your heart must pump harder to move blood through narrow arteries, your body perspires more in an effort to lower your body temperature. This will typically occur in conjunction with chest pain or difficulty breathing.

Throat/jaw pain

Although a sore throat is most likely caused by a cold, pain or pressure that originates in the center of your chest and radiates upward into your throat or jaw may be indicative of a heart attack.

If the pain seems like it’s radiating up from your chest, and not actually in your throat, take heed.

Snoring problems

If you snore loudly, sound like you are gasping or choking while you sleep, you may have sleep apnea. Sleep apnea places an incredible strain on your heart as you essentially stop breathing multiple times throughout the night.

High blood pressure and heart disease are long-term effects of allowing your heart to be strained like this.

Skin discoloration

If your fingers, toes, or lips develop a bluish or gray tint, your blood may not be oxygenated enough. This means that your heart isn’t able to pump blood out to your extremities far enough.

In some people, a lace-like purple discoloration can mean small blood vessels are blocked.

Sleeping elevation

Are you stacking pillows to prop yourself up so that you can breathe easier at night or sleeping upright in a recliner? You may be suffering from heart troubles.

Orthopnea is when fluid that is normally pooled in your legs moves up into your trunk when you lie down and causes your lungs to fill with fluid. Many patients wake up suddenly in the middle of the night, gasping for air.

Exercise tolerance

You were able to walk a mile without problem, but now find yourself needing to rest after one block. Notice functional declines in your energy. A subtle, progressive reduction in what you can physically do is often the earliest slight indicator that your heart’s pumping strength is diminishing.

Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.

Emotional stability

Older men who don’t lose their cool when under pressure or challenged are extremely attractive. There is something about staying calm and collected that makes you know he’s a man you can have honest conversations with. Younger men might fly off the handle or get wrapped up in ego.

If an older man stays regulated during times of high emotions, it allows you to feel safe having hard conversations because you know he won’t blow up or get childish.

Deep presence

Older men know how to listen without distraction or judgment. They’re interested in hearing her more than talking about themselves.

In this day and age, everyone’s obsessed with being online and distracted by phones, so when a man can really tune into you and be present, it allows an instant intimacy to build between you two.

Decisive action

A man who knows where he wants to go in life attracts women. When he confidently decides on a restaurant or solves some logistical problem that comes up (like bad traffic or a place being closed) without wavering or getting upset, it shows that you can count on him.

This isn’t about being overbearing. You want to feel safe with him and know that he will take charge if he needs to.

Natural etiquette

He looks out for her naturally without thinking about it, always walking on the street side of the sidewalk, holding doors, and making sure she’s gotten into the building before he walks away.

He doesn’t show this etiquette because he’s old-fashioned or cliché. He does them because he’s always aware of her comfort around him and safety.

Practical competence

There’s a reserved, masculine coolness that you get when a man has handy skills and can fix real-life things. Whether he can fix a broken appliance, order off a complex menu in a foreign language, or describe the events leading up to World War II, this means he’s just done more life things.

Resourcefulness is attractive because it means he’s a doer and you can rely on him.

Confident silence

Confident men don’t feel the need to constantly engage in small talk or nervous chatter. When a man can sit comfortably in silence with you, it lets you know that he’s at peace with who he is. He doesn’t need to entertain you or himself with idle conversation.

Silences like this allow you to feel calm and centered around him, since he isn’t putting on any type of show.

Understated style

He is mature enough to know that having less, but of better quality, beats having more of cheap items. He dresses and smells in a way that is almost timeless. You can tell he knows a well-fitted jacket and a nice faint perfume will go farther than trying to hop on trends or spraying on overpowering scents.

His minimalist approach to style indicates that he knows who he is and has no need to be flashy.

Authentic vulnerability

When a man isn’t afraid to acknowledge when he’s wrong or tell you about some of the struggles he’s faced in life (without always needing constant external validation), he’s showing you that he’s secure in who he is.

It takes real confidence to be this vulnerable with someone. He knows who he is and doesn’t have to pretend to be someone he’s not. He shows you that he is willing to be open and real with you about his life.

Focused ambition

As men mature, ambition moves from wanting to prove themselves to wanting to build something of value. He could be working tirelessly toward his career, helping his community, or creating his own legacy.

There’s something exhilarating about a man who knows what he wants and goes after it. It also proves that he has a life outside of you and a plan for the future.

Lighthearted humor

Any man who knows how to laugh at himself is a joy to be around. Someone who can poke fun at his own idiosyncrasies, previous mistakes, or life’s stupidities in general has a handle on his ego and a healthy worldview.

Self-deprecating humor makes him all the more attractive because he clearly doesn’t take life too seriously.

Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.

Floor rise

Getting on and off the floor without using your hands to help you up is a big predictor of lifespan. It takes strength, stability, and mobility in your core, hips, and ankles to do this seamlessly.

If you can gracefully move from the floor to standing, your body is strong and aligned.

Single stand

Being able to stand on one foot for ten seconds or longer without loss of balance or grabbing onto a wall indicates good neurological function.

Balance is one of the most important predictors of overall health as we age because we want to avoid falls.

Grip strength

Are you able to open that tight-lid jar or haul multiple grocery bags from the car in one trip? If so, your forearm strength and grip are still working well. Scientists tend to associate strong grip strength with heart health and overall muscularity of the entire body.

If manual tasks like opening lids and lifting luggage aren’t a problem for you, then you have maintained functional strength.

Stair power

If you can easily ascend two flights of stairs without needing to pause or totally huffing and puffing, you know your cardio health is strong. Going up stairs is like an instant cardio assessment as well as a test of your glute and quad strength.

Being able to hold a conversation once you reach the top is a good indication that your aerobic fitness is on point.

Overhead reach

Being able to lift a heavy box or push/pull a heavy suitcase onto an overhead shelf without injury or pain to your back or shoulders indicates good health. This exercise demonstrates a range of motion in your shoulder joints and adequate core strength to stabilize your body when lifting objects.

Toe touch

Touching your toes when bending over to tie your shoes or pick something off the floor with your legs mostly straight is the ultimate flexibility exercise. It shows the elasticity of your hamstring muscles and the overall health of your lower back.

If you can easily grab your toes, your muscles aren’t tightening up and shortening, allowing you to stay injury-free.

Fast walk

Being able to maintain a brisk walking pace (not leisurely stroll) is one of the biggest indicators of a long, healthy life. If you naturally walk fast enough to work up a slight sweat or can keep up with those youngsters on the sidewalk without puffing and panting, your legs and heart are in good shape.

Grocery carry

If you can carry two bags full of groceries and walk several blocks without setting them down, you have good “workhorse” endurance. Grocery shopping requires carrying strength, the ability of your grip, shoulders, back, and legs to work as one.

Your body still remembers how to be a useful tool for running around town.

Laundry lift

If you can squat down to grab a heavy basket of wet laundry off the floor and stand back up with it without grimacing, cracking your back or tweaking your knee, your knees and back are strong.

This simple motion is called a deadlift, which is one of the single best movements you can do to protect your back.

Easy twist

Rotating in your seat to check your rearview while driving or grabbing something in the backseat takes abdominal and spinal rotation. Most adults lose their twisting capability, causing neck and back pain.

If you can twist your torso from side to side without hesitation or pain, your abdominal muscles and spine are still youthful.

Quick reaction

Grabbing something before it falls on the floor or sidestepping to avoid tripping over an object demonstrates that your reaction time and twitch muscles are still in good working order.

Reaction times increase with age, causing deadly mistakes. If you are still light on your feet, your brain-to-muscle connection is still young.

Long stride

Walking with long strides confidently, rather than taking short shuffling steps, is indicative of healthy hip flexors and gaits. Shuffling steps mean weakness or balance problems. Powerful legs are needed to take big steps.

If you are walking with a bounce and long stride, you’re in elite shape.

Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.

Tiny text

Menus at dim restaurants, medicine bottles, sewing needles and small phone settings become your everyday foes. Many people spend years convincing themselves that they don’t need reading glasses and finally give in to buying a pair when they find themselves constantly stretching their arms further and further away from their faces just to try and read.

Similarly frustrating can be having several pairs of reading glasses but never actually having them when they look for one.

Standing up

Sometime during your 50s, you’ll realize that standing up from the couch or some other low seat suddenly becomes a production. Small groans, knee cracks and back stiffness seem to happen involuntarily, even when you’re not really hurt.

Everyone comments that they used to just stand up without thinking. But now there’s a little get-ready phase first.

Aging parents

One of the saddest realities about turning fifty is that your parents are now considered elderly. You suddenly find yourself stressing over medicines, forgetfulness, walkers or hospital stays in a way you never did before.

Some people realize they’re ageing themselves at the same time they’re suddenly responsible for caregiving. No matter how prepared you think you are for your parents to age, it’s shocking to see them physically smaller, slower, and frailer.

Low energy

Back in your twenties, you were able to pull all-nighters, eat junk food, get only four hours of sleep, and still feel fine the next day. At fifty, your body takes much longer to bounce back. Long workdays, poor sleeping patterns, traveling, or physically taxing activities zap your energy much faster.

What people find the weirdest is that mentally, they feel like they can do everything they used to, but their bodies have other plans

Time shock

Many people in their fifties describe a strange feeling that time suddenly flies by.

Memories that you thought happened yesterday are suddenly from a completely different time. It can leave you with a very surreal feeling of how fast life passes.

Random pain

Random aches are one of the most aggravating parts of getting older. You haven’t run a marathon, moved heavy furniture, or even worked out. Yet you wake up with a stiff neck, throbbing knee, or achy lower back just from sleeping one too many hours on your wrong side.

It seems like your body has become hyper-sensitive to simply lying there, existing.

Young inside

On the inside, you still feel like that energized, curious, adventurous kid that you were in your twenties, and it is honestly startling when someone you don’t know calls you “sir” or “ma’am.”

There is always that weird separation between your spirit (which doesn’t look a day over thirty) and reality (gray hairs and wrinkles).

Slang

Terms and phrases you grew up saying are suddenly foreign, while vocabulary of the younger generation is replaced with some strange new language of abbreviations and tech talk that changes monthly.

You try your best to adapt and evolve with the times, but there comes a point when you accept that staying up-to-date is a nine-to-five job you will never work.

Drama fatigue

Living through decades of conflict makes many people just run out of tolerance for drama. Idle gossiping, toxic friendships, pointless arguments, and people who take too much emotional energy are no longer tolerated.

Most just want peace, stability, and meaningful relationships by now. They are over social chaos or trying to please everyone.

Vintage memories

It’s oddly painful hearing younger generations refer to aspects of your childhood as historic or prehistoric. Gadgets you used growing up are in museums or tagged throwback on social media.

Songs you listened to as a teen are suddenly classic hits and coworkers half your age discuss trends from your childhood like it was the 1950s.

Comfort first

By age fifty, comfort gradually becomes more valuable than impressing others. Instead, you get excited about a good mattress or a shoe that fits your arch correctly. You geek out over thread counts and ergonomic pillows and heating pads like your former self would have thought you were having a stroke.

Luxury these days doesn’t come from being seen at the hottest new spot. It’s about having everything you need to unwind in the comfort of your own home.

Forgetting

Walking into a room and suddenly forgetting why you’re there becomes very frequent and very annoying. People often stand there trying desperately to trace back their thought process like some sort of detective.

Sometimes you’ll remember just a few seconds later. Other times, your brain just chooses to forget for no apparent reason whatsoever.

Paperless

Going paperless means that mundane tasks become a frustrating war against machines. You don’t have a folder; you have dozens of websites where you need to remember a convoluted password and a login code texted to your phone.

Sometimes, you just miss when a document was literally a piece of paper that didn’t need a software upgrade to be opened.

Precious time

Most people in their fifties realize that they don’t have as much time with their loved ones as they used to think. Family vacations are sweeter, old friends are treasured, and everyday experiences are somehow more poignant.

Suddenly, many start caring about memories, connection and tranquility much more than status or possessions.

Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.

Peanut butter

Americans love to credit George Washington Carver as the inventor of peanut butter, but it was actually patented by Montreal pharmacist Marcellus Gilmore Edson in 1884. Edson’s technique created a paste by milling roasted peanuts between hot surfaces until the nuts turned fluid, then cooling them into a buttery consistency.

Carver helped bring peanuts into the limelight and found hundreds of other uses for them, but every peanut butter jar in America can thank Canada for the original recipe.

The telephone

Alexander Graham Bell himself once wrote that while the telephone may have been born in Boston, it was conceived in Brantford, Ontario. Bell was living in Ontario when he first worked out the physical principles of sound transmission in 1874.

In fact, the world’s first long-distance phone call was made from Brantford to Paris, Ontario, in 1876. While the US served as a place for the rapid commercial expansion of the telephone, much of the conceptual work occurred in Canada.

Basketball

It’s almost a shock for fans south of the border to hear, but basketball was invented by a Canadian.  Dr. James Naismith grew up in Almonte, Ontario, and invented the sport we all know and love in 1891 while working at a YMCA in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Many believe his idea to hang baskets from the rafters came when he tried to recreate how high the baskets were with a game he played as a child in Canada called “Duck on a Rock.” Although basketball is seen as America’s pastime, Naismith didn’t become an American citizen until nearly four decades after he invented the game.

Green ink

The “Greenback” is one of America’s supreme status symbols, yet the actual green ink on U.S. dollars was invented by Canadians. Thomas Sterry Hunt, who worked for the Geological Survey of Canada, created the unique chromium trioxide-based ink formula in 1862.

It was chosen by the U.S. Treasury because, at the time, it could not be replicated by photography and could not be stripped off using chemical solutions. For the Americans trying to prevent counterfeiting during the Civil War, it was the clear choice.

Standard time

Before the 19th century, most American cities set their own clocks by the high sun, which led to many local times. But Sir Sandford Fleming, a Canadian railway engineer, was instrumental in creating the Universal Standard Time system we use today.

Fleming pushed for the worldwide implementation of the 24-hour clock and is the man responsible for dividing the world into 24 standardized time zones. Thanks in large part to his perseverance, North American railroads started using Standard Time in 1883. It wouldn’t be recognized by U.S. law until 1918.

The lightbulb

Thomas Edison is a household name for inventing the lightbulb, but he actually bought the patent from two Canadians. In 1874, Henry Woodward and Mathew Evans of Toronto patented a nitrogen gas-filled glass bulb with a carbon filament. Unable to obtain financial backing to further their discovery, they sold the rights of the patent to Edison.

Edison didn’t invent the lightbulb. What he did was improve upon the Canadian design, then create a demand and a power source for people to use it in their homes

Insulin

Diabetes was essentially a death sentence until doctors in Toronto discovered insulin. In 1921, University of Toronto doctor Frederick Banting and his assistant Charles Best successfully isolated insulin, which would earn Banting a Nobel Prize.

While Americans helped mass-produce and purify insulin for commercial use, it was Canadians who made the discovery and major breakthrough with the first successful human trials.

Walkie-talkie

The walkie-talkie is practically synonymous with the American WWII military machine, but the original design was built by Donald Hings. The Canadian inventor needed a way to allow bush pilots and lumberjacks in the isolated woods of Canada to communicate more effectively, so he developed his “packset” in 1937.

When WWII began, the device was militarized and assigned the name “Walkie-Talkie.” Alfred Gross, another Canadian, also helped patent the two-way radio that same year.

Paint roller

The American Dream of DIY home improvement is hard to imagine without a paint roller. Before 1940, you would need a weekend and a dozen brushes to finish painting a single room.  Then, Norman Breakey of Toronto invented paint rollers in 1940.

Sadly for Mr. Breakey, he never patented his invention and an American soon after tweaked the handle design and took the patent (and profits) for himself.

IMAX

IMAX began in 1967 with three Canadians dreaming of a bigger, better way to watch films. What Graeme Ferguson, Roman Kroitor, and Robert Kerr came up with changed cinema forever. They created massive cameras and sensors for a widescreen experience on an unheard-of scale.

Their first IMAX film premiered at Expo ’70 in Osaka. These days, Hollywood movies may fill the seats, but without Canadians behind the specialized lenses and equipment, it would be a lackluster experience.

Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.

Perfection

Perfection is an unattainable goal that will only leave you tired and drained if you continue to pursue it. Maybe you strive to keep your house spotless, work ridiculous hours, or feel like you have to look a certain way to be amazing.

Quit striving to be perfect and just embrace good enough. Allow yourself to be messy and human, make mistakes, and to have days where you just don’t feel awesome. It will free you up to actually enjoy the life you are living instead of trying to constantly fix it.

Regrets

You cannot change your past, so why spend your future worrying about it? You can’t rewind time and change the decisions you made in your 30s or your 40s, but you can stop beating yourself up over them.

Replace your regrets with the knowledge that those mistakes taught you what you needed to know to become the woman you are today. So let them go.

Fixing

It’s time to stop trying to fix other people. Sure, you may have been dubbed the problem solver in your friend group or by your family, but you are not responsible for other adults’ happiness or life choices. Chances are, trying to fix everyone else is draining you of your own happiness.

Allow the people in your life to feel what they feel and sort out their own problems. You are protecting your energy by setting this boundary.

Approval

Living for other people’s approval limits you to living your life according to other people’s expectations. Maybe you’ve based career choices, fashion sense, or daily decisions on what you think people want to see from you.

You will never please everyone, and trying to do so will only make you lose a part of yourself. Letting go of the need for approval from others will allow you to walk through life with quiet confidence.

Rules

Don’t let anyone tell you how you should or should not look past a certain age. Stop trying to fit into their idea of what a woman over 50 should be like.

Clothes and makeup are tools of expression. If someone doesn’t like how you look, it says more about them than it does about you.

Grudges

When you forgive someone who hurt you in the past, a weight is lifted from your shoulders. Forgiveness isn’t for the other person; it’s for you. Resentment and anger take up space in your mind and body that you could be using to achieve your goals.

Forgiving someone doesn’t mean you have to allow them back into your life. You can simply choose to no longer give that person the power to control how you feel every day. Let it go and move on with your life.

FOMO

Fear of Missing Out is telling yourself there’s more fun to be had somewhere other than where you’re currently sitting. Know who else struggles with FOMO? Everyone.

Stop feeling guilty about spending an evening at home curled up with a good book.

Guilt

So often we’re taught that putting ourselves first is selfish. But denying yourself the self-care your heart and body crave is damaging to your well-being.

Whether that means taking a walk during your lunch break, spending money on your favorite hobby, or saying no so you can get a full night of sleep, don’t feel guilty about putting yourself first.

Drains

Although it can be difficult, you are under no obligation to keep people who drain you in your life. Set boundaries or cut off friends, family members, and partners who make you feel anxious or inadequate.

Keep the people who light you up and forget about the rest. Life is too short to shrink yourself just to make someone else feel better about the incredible person you are.

Ageing

The older we get, the more we’re told we should hate getting wrinkles and grey hairs. But your age is not something to be feared or hidden. You are allowed to be older, and you’re beautiful because of it.

You are stronger, wiser, and more resilient than you’ve ever been. Fight to be yourself, grow older with grace, and honor the life you’ve lived on your skin. There’s freedom in showing up just as you are.

Comparison

Social media has a funny way of making you believe everyone else’s life is so much more exciting than yours but everyone has flaws; they’re just really good at hiding them on Instagram.

The comparison game is something you will never win. Be proud of how far you have come and stop worrying about where everyone else is in life.

Control

We like to think we have some sort of control over our lives, our kids, and our friends, but this mindset will drive you insane. You cannot control everything that happens to you, and no amount of effort will change that.

When you surrender and let go of the need to control everything around you, you’ll have more energy to enjoy your life.

Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.

Emotional regulation

He can deal with conflict in a way that doesn’t involve him yelling, giving you the silent treatment, or exploding. If he gets mad/upset/frustrated, he can take a moment to cool off and sort out his emotions so that he can then calmly express what he needs.

Someone who doesn’t fly off the handle when they’re upset, but rather can keep their cool, is emotionally mature and gives you a safe and stable environment for a relationship.

Accountability

He takes full responsibility for his actions. This means he doesn’t make excuses or blame others when he makes mistakes. He doesn’t turn it into a conversation of “you did this, so I did that.” He knows that apologizing is a strength, not a weakness.

Moreover, he knows how to apologize and look for ways to rectify the situation. He learns from his mistakes instead of hiding them. This proves that he wants to be better every day.

Consistent reliability

He knows that trust happens in the everyday moments, not just the big grand gestures; little things like showing up on time, completing household chores he promised to do, or even just being there when times are tough.

His actions line up with his words every time. You never question if he will keep his promises because dependability is his middle name.

Boundaries

He doesn’t treat your “no” like a game to win or a slight to his masculinity. Your boundaries are sacred to him because they give him insight about who you are and what you need to feel safe.

Whether it’s about your space, your time, or your opinions, he honors them. He never makes you feel guilty or bad for setting boundaries with him. He knows that healthy relationships are two whole people, not two halves coming together.

Empathy

Pay attention to how he treats those who can do nothing for him, like waitresses, strangers, or even animals. A good man is courteous and kind to everyone he meets.

He doesn’t just show respect when he wants something from you or wants you to like him. It’s who he is, not an act for your benefit.

Support

He doesn’t feel insecure about your accomplishments, your self-sufficiency, or your growth. In fact, he cheers you on. He’s proud of your successes, whether they’re career-related or personal.

He gives you a healthy foundation of support to branch out and discover who you are. This is because he’s secure in who he is that he doesn’t feel the need to one-up you or shrink you down.

Active listening

He doesn’t interrupt you to give you advice or wait for his chance to speak. You know he’s listening because he’ll ask questions about what you’ve said.

He also remembers little things you told him days or even weeks before, like how you like your coffee or updates on a project you’re working on at the office. He makes you feel as if your thoughts and opinions matter just as much as his.

Authentic vulnerability

He isn’t afraid to express his sensitive side and let you know when he’s frightened, feels uncertain, or is hurting. When he allows himself to be genuine about being human and having weaknesses, you know you can be vulnerable with him, too.

Emotional availability is sometimes that last bit of glue needed to form an inseparable connection because it shows he is trusting you with his whole, authentic self.

Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.

Vimy Ridge

In 1917, French and British troops had tried and failed to take a heavily fortified German position called Vimy Ridge during World War I. Canada took over, and after extensive planning and precise artillery strikes, attacked the ridge with a creeping barrage in a matter of days.

It was the first time the four divisions of Canada fought together, and cemented Canada’s reputation as one of the most lethal fighting forces in existence.

Junkers and Juno

When it came time to assign attack positions on D-Day in 1944, Canadians drew the short straw. Juno Beach was one of the most fortified sections of the Normandy coast.

Outnumbered and outgunned by bunkers, deadly landmines, and fearsome German infantry hiding inside, the Canadians advanced further inland than any other Allied division that day.

Liberation of Netherlands

As everyone else’s army raced to Berlin, Canada took on the arduous job of freeing the Netherlands from Nazi oppression. Canadian forces fought house-to-house and through flooded countryside villages to end starvation and oppression for the Dutch.

To this day, Canada receives thousands of tulips from the Netherlands every year as thanks.

The Summit Series

When Canada went up against the seemingly undefeatable Soviet hockey team in 1972, most predicted the Russians would beat Canada’s pro team.

The Summit Series was a Cold War battle between the countries, fought on ice. In the final seconds of the last game, Paul Henderson scored the winning goal, proving that when it comes to their national sport, Canadians will fight until the very last second to win.

The “Canadian Caper”

When 6 Americans fled the U.S. Embassy during the Iran Hostage Crisis, they were secretly sheltered by Canadian diplomats.

Led by Ambassador Ken Taylor, Canada placed the lives of these Americans before potential political strife by issuing fake Canadian passports and sneaking them out of Iran as a film crew.

It was a bold and brave act that went unknown for decades.

Suez peacekeeping

While other countries were ready to go to war with Egypt over control of the Suez Canal in 1956, Canadian diplomat Lester B. Pearson stepped in with an idea.

He convinced the newly formed United Nations to form its own “United Nations Emergency Force” to act as peacekeepers between the two sides. Pearson literally created peacekeeping and changed global diplomacy forever. He won the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts.

Resisting prohibition

While America joined the dry trend in the 1920s, Canada refused to follow suit.

A booming illegal trade of Canadian rumrunners popped up in secret docks throughout Nova Scotia and British Columbia to service lucrative American markets. It proved to the world that Canada has a rebellious streak.

Insulin

Diabetes was a death sentence until two Canadians made a discovery in a cramped Toronto lab. Doctors Frederick Banting and Charles Best found insulin, letting diabetics all over the world finally breathe easy.

They sold the patent for $1 because they believed insulin should belong to everyone, not just those who could afford it.

War of 1812

The Americans didn’t think twice when they decided to invade Canada in 1812. They wanted territory, port access, and thought they’d win easily.

Instead, militia and Indigenous warriors like Tecumseh stopped the Americans and eventually set Washington D.C., on fire. Americans learned never to underestimate their warriors and not to mess with Canada.

The Turbot war

In 1995, Canada had had enough of Europeans catching all the fish just outside Canada’s maritime border. In an unprecedented show of force, the Canadian Coast Guard chased down and boarded a Spanish fishing trawler in international waters and arrested its crew.

This led to a massive international dispute between Canada and the EU, but Ottawa held firm until new conservation rules were put in place.

Terry Fox’s Run

In 1980, a young Canadian man decided to run across Canada on one leg to raise money for cancer research. He ran an average of a marathon per day for 143 consecutive days.

The “Marathon of Hope” went on to inspire the world and proved Canadians have some of the most giving spirits and capacity for self-sacrifice on Earth.

Hundred days

In just under four months, the Canadian Corps defeated over one-quarter of the entire German army fighting on the Western Front in World War I. In what’s called Canada’s Hundred Days, Canadian divisions became the hammer of the Allied offense.

German generals started fearing the sight of maple leaf patches because they knew an army of Canadian knights was coming to fight them.

The Canadarm

As NASA was designing the Space Shuttle in the 1970s, they realized they needed a way to maneuver supplies in orbit. They used a Canadian-built robotic arm, dubbed the Canadarm.

Canadian robotics are responsible for some of humanity’s greatest accomplishments in space and prove that Canada isn’t afraid to lead when it comes to technology and innovation.

Iraq war

When asked to help the US invade Iraq in 2003, Canada said no. Even after America put intense pressure on its oldest ally to help launch a war, Canadians refused.

Why? Because Saddam had not been legally declared in violation of the UN code by the Security Council. Canada will sometimes stand up for what is right, even if it means opposing America.

Standard time

Before standard time zones were invented, every city you travelled to had a different time. If you were late for a train connection, it wasn’t your fault. The city was just telling a different time.

Canadians had the idea to divide the world into 24 time zones and pushed the idea tirelessly until everyone else agreed.

Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.