The "EH" List - MADE IN CANADA (and some ranting)

March 2025 - Toronto ON

PRICELESS - I have to lead with this!

Danke!!!! Great response from Belgium 🇧🇪🩷

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Oh, merci beaucoup, America! 🇺🇸

Because apparently, without you, all of Europe would be goose-stepping its way through history class right now—according to the White House’s very own Press Secretary, Nazi Barbie, Karoline Leavitt. 

Karoline,  Belgium here. You know, that tiny country you probably couldn’t find on a map without Google Earth and divine intervention? Yeah, hi. We just wanted to say thanks—for the history lesson nobody asked for. Because without America, we’d all be speaking German? Sweetheart, a third of Belgium already does. We multitask over here. Three national languages, fluent sarcasm, and enough beer varieties to drown an empire. What can you do? Oh right, mispronounce “croissant.”

And about showing up in WWII—huge congrats on that whole saving Europe thing. After, you know, sitting on the sidelines for the first six years while Europe burned. . But sure, kick in the door at the eleventh hour, bring the fireworks, and then act like you hosted the whole party. Classic.

Here’s a little perspective from the Belgian side: while your grandfathers were storming the beaches in ‘44 (respect), ours were being flattened again, because apparently, Belgium’s favorite hobby is getting invaded every twenty years. So yeah, we get it. Grateful? Sure. Eternally in your debt? Relax.

And while you’re patting yourselves on the back, we’re over here perfecting the art of living well. You know—real beer. None of that watery  nonsense. We brew Trappist ales so strong they come with a warning label. Chocolate? Ours is so good your Swiss cousins cry into their fondue. Fries? We invented them. That’s right—Belgian fries. And they’re served with mayo, not freedom.

And since we’re swapping historical favors, here’s a little reminder: without France, you’d still be British. Yeah. If it weren’t for French troops, French ships, and a French king footing the bill, you’d still be pledging allegiance to the crown and calling it football. So maybe, just maybe, ease up on the lectures about who should be grateful to whom. Lafayette didn’t cross the Atlantic for this nonsense.

But here’s the thing: we are allies. We have been for a long time. Shoulder to shoulder in the trenches, on the beaches, in NATO briefings, and everything in between. So maybe it’s time to act like allies—mutual respect, shared history, and all that good stuff. Not condescending lectures from someone who confuses diplomacy with a cheerleading routine.

Meanwhile, we’ll be over here in Brussels—running the EU, drinking beer older than your country, eating chocolate that could end wars, and juggling three languages before you finish your morning Pop-Tart.

So yes, Karoline: dank u wel, merci, and danke schön for the unsolicited reminder. Now go touch some grass. Or at least try a Chimay. You need it.

Thank you Christina Witvrouwen

BREAD

We really enjoyed the sourdough bread we bought in Nevada and California in Ralph's/Von's while we were there in January and February. But we did comment on how "fresh" it stayed, like for over a week.

We bought a loaf of sourdough when we got home, within three days it was what I call "stale" i.e. only good for toast and today there was mold 0n it.

It made me remember a friend's (American) Facebook post a while ago and I retrieved it. 

I have a friend who teaches Biology. She shared this with me tonight. She's been trying to grow mold since Nov 24th for a lab experience in class next week.

That's our wheat bread with that beautiful mold!! Check out those other 2 bread slices. She said the Pepperidge farm feels like it just came out the oven and neither of them show one speck of mold!! 😱👀 Take note that Pepperidge farm is a grain/wheat bread, "the one they advertise as healthier."

Y'all, it's almost 2 months. The level of preservatives/chemicals in that stuff is scary!! Real food molds. Kiki's Kitchen (American)

FYI I wanted to correct the spelling of mold but thought I should check it first.

In Canada, both "mold" (American English) and "mould" (British English) are used, with "mould" being more common, but "mold" is also frequently seen, especially in contexts influenced by American English.

According to the Government of Canada's website:

Prohibition against the sale of unenriched white flour and products containing unenriched flour.

The mandatory enrichment of white flour with B vitamins, iron and folic acid is a cornerstone of Canada's fortification program aimed at helping to prevent nutrient deficiencies and maintain or improve the nutritional quality of the food supply. Flour enrichment is used as a public health tool because of its widespread use in foods consumed regularly by a large majority of the population.

In general, while both Canada and the US allow some bread preservatives, Canada has stricter regulations regarding the use of certain additives, particularly in white flour and bread, compared to the US. 

Here's a more detailed comparison:

Canada:

Enriched Flour: Canadian regulations require that all white flour and foods containing white flour (like bread) be made from enriched white flour. 

Potassium Bromate: While potassium bromate is used in the US to strengthen dough, it's banned in Canada. 

Other Additives: Canada has a list of permitted food additives, and while some preservatives are allowed, there are restrictions on others. 

US:

Potassium Bromate: Potassium bromate is permitted in the US, though it's banned in some states like California. 

Other Additives: The FDA allows a wider range of food additives, including some that are banned in Canada or Europe. 

Optional Additives: In the US, some additives are optional, meaning they can be added to bread or not, depending on the manufacturer. 

Examples of Additives:

Potassium Bromate: Used as a dough conditioner and is banned in Canada. 

Calcium Propionate and Sodium Diacetate: These are common preservatives that are allowed in both Canada and the US. 

Citric Acid: Used as an acidity regulator and is allowed in both Canada and the US.

As an aside to this, when we travel, John, who is gluten-free, has no trouble eating bread in Europe.

TRAVEL

The enormous Gordie Howe International Bridge was supposed to be a game changer for cross-border trade, but the $6.4 billion bridge linking Canada and the U.S. is looking more and more like a white elephant amid a worsening trade war and American threats of annexation.

Spanning the Detroit River between Michigan and Ontario, the bridge was hailed as a new symbol of cooperation between the two nations and longtime trade partners until cross-border relations fell apart in early 2025.

MEANWHILE AT HOME

Is anyone surprised PP didn’t congratulate PM Carney or thank PMJT after 10 years?

PP is the most offensive, condescending cocky rude, disrespectful obnoxious buffoon in the House of Canada. Imagine this loser representing Canada?

PP’s just like Trump, he thinks he can lie/cheat/defame/bully.

For those Conservatives who are so suddenly concerned about the finances of their leaders, why not ask Pierre Poilievre how he managed to buy so many houses on just an MP’s salary, and to release his taxes.

Mark Carney has made his money in the private sector, doing what he knows, being an economist/ advisor. He has put this all in a blind trust. Which only his trustee knows the make up of. End of story. Poilievre is a millionaire as an MP; how did he do that?

As I watch Carney interact with European allies and demand that Trump show some respect for Canada before we talk, I can not imagine Poilievre representing Canada with such confidence and intelligence. 

I just don't want Poilievre & Maple MAGA speaking for Canada. 

Poilievre won't let reporters on his plane. Won't get his security clearance either.

Something you're not telling us, Pierre?

SOME HUMOUR

HEADLINE FROM THE INDEPENDENT UK

Winning Bigly! Trump claims (again) he took home top prize at golf tournament at his own  club. ‘Such a great honor!’ the president wrote on Truth Social on Sunday afternoon.
“I just won the Golf Club Championship, probably my last, at Trump International Golf Club, in Palm Beach County, Florida. Such a great honor!” the president wrote on Truth Social on Sunday afternoon. “The Awards dinner is tonight, at the Club. I want to thank the wonderful Golf Staff, and all of the many fantastic golfers, that participated in the event. Such fun!

This is not the first time Trump has declared victory on his Palm Beach county course. In 2023, he also posted that he had won a championship, despite not playing in the first round of the tournament – due to attending a funeral.

According to the Daily Mail, in that instance, Trump told tournament organizers he played a strong round two days earlier and decided that would count as his first-day score.

Could you be more pathetic????

Donald Trump wants Canada as 51st state?!? He's really bad at MATH:

Canada has 40 million people; more than California

So Canada would get 46-47 House seats

Canadians supported Kamala over Trump, 60%-21%

So if Canada joined US, presidency and the House would be DEEP BLUE