Grilled dessert pizza is a fun and creative way to enjoy a sweet treat at your next barbecue or outdoor gathering.

Ingredients:

1 package of pre-made pizza dough (or homemade, if you prefer)

1/2 cup of Nutella or another hazelnut spread

1/2 cup of mini marshmallows

1/2 cup of fresh berries (such as strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries)

1/4 cup of white chocolate chips

1 tablespoon of powdered sugar (optional)

Preheat the Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (400-450°F). If using charcoal, ensure the coals are evenly distributed for even cooking.

Grill to Perfection: Close the grill lid and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until the marshmallows are golden brown and the pizza dough is fully cooked. Keep a close eye on the pizza to prevent burning.

Serve and Enjoy: Once the pizza is done, remove it from the grill and let it cool for a minute or two. Sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired, then cut into slices and serve.

Dessert Pizza Tips

Add Variety: You can customize your dessert pizza with different toppings, such as sliced bananas, chopped nuts, caramel sauce, or chocolate drizzle.

Grill Safety: Use grilling gloves and long-handled utensils for safety, and always monitor the grill while cooking.

Timing: The exact grilling time may vary depending on the grill and dough thickness, so adjust as needed.

Enjoy this delightful grilled dessert pizza with friends and family for a sweet ending to your summer barbecue!

Daedalus, a master craftsman and ingenious inventor from Ancient Greece, was famed for engineering the intricate labyrinth on the island of Crete, a maze constructed to confine the fearsome Minotaur. However, when Daedalus aided the hero Theseus in navigating the snaking paths of the maze to escape its clutches, he invoked the wrath of King Minos, the sovereign of Crete. Enraged, King Minos condemned Daedalus and his son, Icarus, to a desolate tower.

Daedalus, undeterred by his and Icarus’s grim circumstances, hatched a daring plan for freedom. He meticulously fashioned wings from a mosaic of feathers bound together with wax. As they prepared to take their perilous flight from captivity, Daedalus imparted a solemn warning to his son: "Fly not too high, lest the sun's blaze melt the wax. Nor too low, for the sea's mist will weigh down your wings."

Icarus, overwhelmed by the exhilaration of flight and the allure of liberty, carelessly soared too high, captivated by the boundless skies.

Tragically, as they glided over the azure expanses of the Aegean Sea, the scorching sun melted the wax of Icarus's wings. His desperate fall ended his life in the sea's cold embrace and left Daedalus to mourn his loss in solitude.

The tale serves as a poignant reminder: Ambition fuels the spirit, yet wisdom must guide it.

Remote work offers flexibility but it can also challenge productivity and work-life balance. Here's a condensed guide to staying focused and efficient while working from home:

Create a Dedicated Workspace: Designate a quiet, well-lit area as your workspace, separate from personal spaces. Use ergonomic furniture for comfort.

Establish a Routine: Set a consistent schedule for work, breaks, and meals to create structure and maintain balance.

Dress for Work: Dressing in work-appropriate attire can help set the right mindset, even when working from home. Be comfortable but avoid hanging out in your pajamas all day.

Minimize Distractions: Identify and reduce distractions, such as social media or noise, to stay focused during work hours.

Use Productivity Tools: Leverage task management and time-tracking apps like Trello, Asana, or Toggl to stay organized and efficient.

Take Regular Breaks: Avoid burnout by following the Pomodoro Technique of working in focused intervals with short breaks.

Communicate Effectively: Use video conferencing and messaging apps to maintain clear communication with your team.

Focus on Results: Prioritize tasks based on importance and deadlines, focusing on outcomes rather than hours worked.

Implement these tips to boost productivity and maintain a healthy work-life balance while working remotely.

“Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning, and focused effort.” -- Paul J. Meyer

Canadian prices, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), rose 2.7 per cent on a year-over-year basis in June, down from a 2.9 per cent increase in May. Month-over-month, on a seasonally adjusted basis, CPI rose by 0.1 per cent in June. The deceleration in headline CPI was largely driven by declining gasoline prices. Excluding gasoline, the CPI rose 2.8 per cent in June. The shelter cost index remains the major driver of inflation with the rate of increases higher now (6.2 per cent) than they were this time last year (4.8 per cent). Mortgage interest costs were up 22.3 per cent and rent was up 8.8 per cent from last June. Excluding shelter, consumer prices rose just 1.3 per cent, year over year. Driven by furniture and used cars, durable goods costs fell 1.8 per cent year-over-year in June as supply chains continue to recover. In BC, consumer prices rose 2.6 per cent year-over-year, down from 2.9 per cent in May. The Bank of Canada's preferred measures of core inflation, which strip out volatile components, fell to between 2.3 and 2.9 per cent per cent year-over-year in June.

Canada's inflation report contained some good news mixed in with familiar challenges. The headline year-over-year price change declined in June, reversing May's uptick, and came close to the lowest rate since early 2021. This was achieved in part due to 3.1 per cent month-over-month decline in gasoline prices following an announcement from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) that it plans to increase production. On the other hand, the year-over-year change in food costs rose for a second consecutive month, halting an optimistic downward trend. CPI-median and CPI-trim are back above the 2 per cent target when measured on a 3-month annualized basis for the second consecutive month. Finally, shelter costs and especially rents remain the most persistent challenge in the CPI and show few clear signs of improvement. Taken together, however, markets considered the report positive news and raised the probability that the Bank of Canada would cut rates next Wednesday to 90 per cent. 

For more information, please contact: Gino Pezzani.

Link: https://mailchi.mp/bcrea/canadian-inflation-june-2024-july-16-2024

Canadian housing starts fell 9 per cent to 241,672 units in June at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR). Starts were down 14 per cent from the same month last year. Single-detached housing starts were up 1 per cent from last month at 52,762 units, while multi-family and others fell 11 per cent to 188,911 units (SAAR).

In British Columbia, starts fell 12 per cent from last month to 40,808 units SAAR in all areas of the province. In areas in the province with 10,000 or more residents, single-detached starts rose 11 per cent to 4,876 units while multi-family starts dropped 15 per cent to 34,085 units. Starts in the province were 38 per cent below the levels from June 2023. Compared with last year, year-to-date starts were up by 5 per cent in Victoria, 54 per cent in Kelowna, and 27 per cent in Abbotsford. Year-to-date starts were down by 18 per cent in Vancouver and by 20 per cent in Nanaimo. 

Link:https://mailchi.mp/bcrea/housing-starts-june-2024

For more information, please contact: Gino Pezzani.

Dr. Masaru Emoto, a Japanese researcher, claimed that water crystals could be influenced by thoughts, words, and music.

In his experiments, Dr. Emoto exposed water to various stimuli and then froze it to examine the resulting crystals. He found that water exposed to positive words, such as "love" and "gratitude," or to classical music formed more intricate and beautiful crystals. Water exposed to negative words or harsh music produced less-appealing crystals.

Dr. Emoto's work became popular, especially among people interested in positive thinking. His book The Hidden Messages in Water gained a following. However, his research has been widely criticized for lacking scientific rigor and reproducibility.

Critics point out issues with his methods, including observer bias and the inability to replicate his results under controlled conditions.

Despite the controversy, Dr. Emoto's work continues to spark interest in the idea that thoughts and energy could influence physical phenomena.

While his experiments are not scientifically validated, they raise questions about the power of positivity and our connection to the environment. To confirm his claims, more rigorous scientific studies would be required.

Summer can pose challenges for pet owners, with heat, outdoor activities, and travel impacting pet safety. Here are some tips to maintaining pets’ happiness and health during the summer months:

Beat the Heat. Pets can be susceptible to heatstroke, so it's crucial to keep them cool. Avoid walking pets during the hottest part of the day, provide plenty of fresh water, and ensure shaded areas are available. Cooling mats and pet-friendly pools can also help maintain pets’ comfort.

Traveling with Pets. Use secure carriers for car travel, stop frequently for bathroom breaks, and never leave pets in a parked car. When traveling by air, check airline policies on pet transport and choose direct flights when possible.

Outdoor Safety. Pets often spend more time outdoors during summer, which can increase their risk of becoming injured or getting lost. Use identification tags and microchips and keep pets on a leash in unfamiliar areas. Check out tips on pet-proofing backyards and ensure fences are secure.

Vancouver, BC – July, 2024

The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that 7,082 residential unit sales were recorded in Multiple Listing Service^® (MLS^®) systems in June 2024, a 19 per cent decrease from June 2023. The average MLS^® residential price in BC in June 2024 was up 1 per cent at $998,159 compared to an average price of $988,632 in June 2023. The total sales dollar volume was $7.1 billion, an 18 per cent decline from the same time the previous year.  BC MLS^® unit sales were 24 per cent lower than the ten-year average for June. 

“Sales activity in June was much softer than the same time last year, with June of 2023 representing the market peak following last summer’s pause in rate hikes,” said BCREA Chief Economist Brendon Ogmundson. “However, both sales and active listings continue to gradually inch upwards, keeping the market in balanced territory.”

Year-to-date, BC residential sales dollar volume was down 2 per cent to $38.6 billion, compared with the same period in 2023. Residential unit sales were down by 4.1 per cent year-over-year at 38,639 units, while the average MLS^® residential price was up 2.3 per cent to $997,883. 

For more information, please contact: Gino Pezzani.

Metro Vancouver home sales registered on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) remained below seasonal and historical averages in June, with inventory reaching levels not seen since the spring of 2019.

Here's a summary of the June 2024 housing market statistics.

Looking for the full story? Get the June 2024 Monthly Market Report by going to the Market Matters section of this site.

For more information, please contact: Gino Pezzani.

July has been the backdrop for significant historical events that have shaped nations, cultures, and ideologies. This article explores and reflects on some notable moments in history that occurred during July.

Canada Day, July 1: This marks the unification of the country's provinces. Activities throughout Canada include fireworks, concerts, and other festive events.

American Independence: One of the most celebrated events in July is American Independence Day, commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of the United States' journey as a sovereign nation, leading to a global impact on democracy and governance. Today, Independence Day is celebrated with fireworks, parades, and patriotic ceremonies throughout the United States.

The Storming of the Bastille: July 14 marks Bastille Day, a significant event in French history. In 1789, the storming of the Bastille, a fortress and prison in Paris, became a symbol of the French Revolution and the fight against tyranny. Bastille Day is now a national holiday in France, celebrated with parades, fireworks, and communal festivities.

The First Moon Landing: On July 20, 1969, humanity achieved a monumental feat with the first moon landing during NASA's Apollo 11 mission. Astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to walk on the moon, an event memorialized by Armstrong's iconic words, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." This achievement marked a milestone in space exploration and remains an inspiration for scientific discovery and human ingenuity.

International Ice Cream Day, July 21: International Ice Cream Day celebrates one of the world's most popular desserts. What's your favorite flavor?

The Signing of the Civil Rights Act: On July 2, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the Civil Rights Act, a landmark legislation in American history. This act aimed to end segregation and discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. The Civil Rights Act became a cornerstone for advancing equality and social justice, laying the foundation for future civil rights movements.

2024 Summer Olympics, July 26: Let the games begin in Paris!

These historical moments remind us of the power of change and the importance of commemorating milestones that continue to shape our world. Each event offers lessons in courage, determination, and the enduring spirit of humanity.

At a glance (3 minute read)

• BC landlords must use the Landlord Use Web Portal to create personal or caretaker use eviction notices starting July 18, 2024 and must include information on who is moving in.

• Other changes to the personal or caretaker use eviction rules include a four-month notice period, 30-day dispute window, mandatory 12-month occupancy, and higher penalties for bad-faith evictions.

• The portal aims to protect tenants from false evictions and provide a transparent process, with data used for better regulation and support for renters and landlords

For more information, please contact: Gino Pezzani

The link:New eviction rules: Landlords required to use new website to create personal-use eviction notices, and more (gvrealtors.ca)

Canadian employment was largely unchanged from the previous month, contracting by just 1,400 jobs, to 20.516 million in June. The unemployment rate rose by 0.2 points to 6.4 per cent, the fifth consecutive monthly increase, and up 1 point from this time last year. Average hourly wages rose 5.4 per cent year-over-year to $34.91 last month, while total hours worked were up 1.1 per cent from June of last year.

Employment in BC fell 0.3 per cent to 2.854 million, while employment in Metro Vancouver fell 1.2 per cent to 1.591 million in June. The unemployment rate fell 0.4 points in BC to 5.2 per cent while falling in Metro Vancouver by 0.7 points to 5.4 per cent last month. 

Link: https://mailchi.mp/bcrea/canadian-employment-june-2024-july-5th-2024

For more information, please contact: Gino Pezzani.