[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Friday Fix is a new weekly feature of all the things you should know before heading into the weekend.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator style=”dotted” border_width=”2″][vc_custom_heading text=”Business” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css_animation=”slideInLeft”][vc_column_text]If your work from home situation is beginning to feel more like living at work, perhaps it’s time to separate the two. Hotel X Toronto is officially open after hosting the NHL Toronto bubble this past summer, and they want to redefine what ‘WFH’ means: work from hotel.

Known for its lake views and luxury stays, Hotel X is now offering Torontonians the chance to experience a clean, safe and secluded ‘hotel room office’ during the weekdays.

“Hotel X Toronto’s Hotel Office package provides those who continue to work remotely the option to be productive in a safe and inspiring environment outside of their home,” said Matt Black, Director of Marketing, Hotel X Toronto.

The Hotel Office package will allow guests to access the building between 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.. In addition to use of a ‘hotel room office’, guests will have the option to book time slots to use the luxury amenities of Hotel X including the 10XTO Fitness Centre and the rooftop pool. Guests will also receive a $30 food and beverage credit to be used throughout the stay.

The Hotel Office package can be booked for daily, weekly and monthly use. Prices start at $199.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Fashion” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css_animation=”slideInLeft”][vc_column_text]Luxury meets escapism at the brand new Louis Vuitton store at Yorkdale Shopping Centre.

The expansive new store celebrates all that Louis Vuitton has to offer with a full range of all product categories, including women’s and men’s leather goods, ready-to-wear, shoes, accessories, watches & jewelry, travel, fragrance and publishing.

Specially curated works of art, furniture, and historical objects sourced from both Louis Vuitton’s rich archive and locally within the Toronto region fill the space, leading clients on a unique shopping experience throughout the new store.[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery interval=”3″ images=”19921,19922,19923″ img_size=”full” onclick=””][vc_custom_heading text=”Food” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css_animation=”slideInLeft”][vc_column_text]As talks of a second COVID-19 lockdown underway, food security and grocery store hoarding is on many minds. What should you keep in mind as you head to do your weekly shopping?

With the desire of many consumers to limit grocery trips, Canadian food broker and grocery store trend expert, Simon More of MORE Corp., says that packaged goods are in the most demand.

“Due to clean floor space policies and food sanitation policies, bulk and buffet style are disappearing, and it will likely stay like that for a long time,” said More. “People will look towards sealed items that are contact free, and will soon become the norm.”

He adds that while tastes and preferences won’t likely change during a lockdown, consumers should keep easy to prepare foods in mind, and lots of snacks for kids—if you have them.

Of course, many remember the toilet paper fiasco that saw the bathroom essential become a coveted product during the beginning of quarantine. However, Canadian food broker and grocery store trend expert, Louis More, also of MORE Corp., believes that we’ll see an increase in bulk production of these household staples.

“Expect to see more Costco-like large items in traditional retailers. That means large, bulk products like paper towels, toilet paper and Kleenex that were high in demand at the start of the pandemic and still have been frustrating to find. You’ll start to see Costco-style products in traditional non-clubhouse retailers like Sobeys and Loblaws.”

Speaking of grocery shopping, keep these Canadian food brands in in mind for the next time you fill your cart up:[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]Flourish Pancakes

High in protein, high in fibre and high in flavour, but without the sugar? These pancakes are sure to get your morning started off right. If you’re feeling creative, use Flourish pancake mix to explore more indulgent options like their lemon poppy seed loaf or pancake poppers. Baking bread is out, pancakes are in. Find out more about how Flourish got its start in our interview with founder, Andrew Maida.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”19938″ img_size=”400×400″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]Dear Snackers

If you’re looking for something to snack on before dinner, this gluten-free and vegan-friendly snack will fill all of your crunchy cravings. Makhanas, also known as fox nuts, are made from water lily seeds that are roasted until popped, similar to popcorn. This traditionally east-asian snack was brought over to Canadian shelves after Dear Snackers founder, Shifa Begmohamed, fell in love with makhanas while working as a flight attendant.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”19598″ img_size=”400×400″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]Wholly Veggie

If you’re looking to reduce your meat consumption, but still want big flavour, Wholly Veggie is for you. This meat alternative doesn’t shy away from its veggie base. In fact, co-founders, David Gaucher and Johnathan Bonnell, are proud of Wholly Veggie’s bright vibrant colours that celebrate the ingredients that go into each product. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”18456″ img_size=”400×400″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]Queen St. Bakery

Gluten-free bread that actually tastes good? It exists, and it comes from Queen St. Bakery. Made with bean or chia wheat, Queen St. Bakery bread is not only allergen-free, but low-calorie and low-carb. Founder Giovanni Angelucci, set out to create a bread that every member of your family can enjoy, dietary restrictions or not, the rest is history.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”19429″ img_size=”400×400″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_custom_heading text=”Need to Know” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css_animation=”slideInLeft”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]

This has been one of the most challenging years in recent memory. As many working professionals continue to work from home, employees’ mental health is at—or should be at—the forefront of employers’ minds.

A recent independent survey about the impact the pandemic has had on Canadian professionals by Xero, resulted in many surprising responses:

• Over 50% of home workers agree that their physical and mental wellness has improved while working from home, citing more quality time with family (75%) and more time for tasks around the home (79%) among their answers
• Half of Canadian professionals working from home (49%) report no change in the quality of their work-life balance
• 35-54 year old Canadians reported the greatest improvement to their physical and mental wellness (55%), in contrast to 18-34 year olds (51% saw little improvement)

While time at home and with family has had a positive effect on many Canadians’ mental and physical health, Will Buckley, Canada Country Manager at Xero, says the excessive time at home can have negative impacts as well.

“People don’t have the same boundaries like they had when they were working out of an office,” said Buckley. “And because of that change, it can be difficult and take more of an emotional toll to try and achieve that [work-life] balance.”

As for achieving the balance, Buckley notes that there is an onus on employers to help set those boundaries. Doing so will not only foster a healthier work environment, but will help keep employee’s mental health a priority and mitigate the risk of burnout.

“It’s important to foster an environment where people feel like they belong. Supporting the mental wellness of your employees—no matter what your organization is—is an essential component to being a compassionate organization and successful business.”

From CEOs or entry-level employees, in honour of October being Mental Health Awareness Month and World Mental Health Day on Saturday, Oct. 10, remember to keep mental health a priority in the upcoming months.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_separator style=”dotted” border_width=”2″][/vc_column][/vc_row]