Velasco a sweet girl who has been building her confidence throughout her time in the shelter. She is hoping that her new guardians will take the time she needs to build this confidence with her, and be patient with handling. Her favourite way to connect with you is through playtime, but with time and trust, she is excited to grow more into her cuddly side!

If you are looking for a sweet and silly kitten to liven up your days, please come down to the Toronto Humane Society today to meet Velasco!

Velasco

Breed: Domestic Short Hair

Age: 2 months

Sex: Female

Size: S

Colour: Grey / White

For Toronto Humane Society’s complete adoption process, please click here to learn more about how you can make this companion, a forever friend!

About this column:

Each week we feature animals available for adoption from local shelters in the Toronto area with the hopes that our readers will assist in finding good homes for them. If you, or someone you know, has the resources to take care of one of these animals, please do get in touch with the appropriate shelter via the links provided.

The post Velasco the cat is looking for a new home in the Toronto area appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

The eufy Wearable Breast Pump S2 Pro (S2 Pro), released this spring, builds on that foundation with upgrades that are not just spec-sheet additions. A few of them change how the device actually works. Read on, for our thoughts on the brand-new S2 Pro, and how it compares to the S1.

What the S2 Pro Does Differently

The most significant upgrade to the S2 is a vibration massage system built around four spring-loaded vibrating discs that apply movement directly to the breast during a session. The massage operates independently from the suction, with its own intensity settings and modes.This matters because gentle movement during pumping is something lactation consultants have recommended for years to support let-down, prevent clogs and encourage more thorough emptying. On the S1 Pro, if you wanted that, you did it yourself. The S2 Pro builds it in, with four modes accessible through the app. For anyone who has dealt with engorgement or recurring blocked ducts, that addition alone makes a serious case for upgrading.

The warming function has also been reworked. The S1 Pro’s HeatFlow was one of its most impressive features, delivering targeted warmth that supported let-down and made a real difference in comfort. The S2 Pro expands it to 360-degree wrap-around warmth that heats in about 10 seconds across seven adjustable settings, surrounding the whole cup rather than a portion of it. For many users that fuller coverage makes a real difference in how quickly let-down happens.

The smaller additions are worth noting too. The cup is now transparent with a built-in nipple light, so you can check alignment at a glance without fumbling in the dark or second-guessing the fit. The S2 Pro also adds sensors that stop the pump automatically when the cup is full and alert you to leaks when bending. The charging case has been upgraded to wireless and now provides up to seven days of power, extending what was already one of the S1 Pro’s practical strengths.

What Hasn’t Changed, and Why That Matters

What has not changed is worth noting, because it is the reason both pumps are worth considering.

Both offer 300 mmHg hospital-grade suction, both run on a quiet 46 dB, and both are fully app-controlled without touching the device. We’re big fans of the app, which makes it very easy to adjust comfort settings and track pumping sessions! The in-bra, tubeless design is also unchanged. The S2 Pro keeps the part count at five pieces to clean per session, which matters when you are running it multiple times a day.

The S1 Pro is still one of the better wearable pumps available, and that has not changed. The S2 Pro simply takes everything that made it good and pushes it further. If you are starting fresh, start here. If you are already an S1 Pro user and are curious about the massage feature, or just wishing the warming went a little further, this is the version that delivers it.

The eufy S2 Pro and S1 Pro are both available at eufy.com.

The post Eufy’s S2 Pro Is the Upgrade Nursing Parents Have Been Waiting For appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

This week, we’re taking a look at the recently-released StainForce portable vacuum, designed – and now heavily tested by us, your beloved Toronto Guardian crew – to tackle the most egregious stains, and to live comfortably alongside the furriest of friends.

The StainForce Portable Spot & Stain Cleaner delivers exactly what it says on the box: portable, quick and easy, spot cleanups of stains – or should we say, would-be stains.

Housed in a comfortably compact box which can be easily tucked into the corner of a kitchen or cupboard, the StainForce is a sleek little machine. It combines two central functions, both of which have impressively held up against the onslaught of gross stuff we’ve challenged it with.

The first component is the scrubber. While the StainForce is technically a vacuum cleaner, it has a strongly bristled head which can scrape away certain detritus even without activating the vacuum. That said, it also comes with a bespoke spray (missed opportunity not calling it shark repellent bat-spray, IMHO), which miraculously washes away pretty much anything.

The second function is the vacuum itself. Combine the two – scrub down your carpet, then suck it up with the vacuum function – and you have a quick fix for what might otherwise be a disastrous stain situation.

Impressively, the central housing unit is also its own self-cleaning station. While you’ll still need to pour out the vacuumed contents on your own, you can easily fill the self-wash “caddy cup” with tap water, then return the whole StainForce to its housing, where the self-cleaning function will rinse the whole thing clean. (Just don’t forget to pour the dirty water into the drain once you’re done.)

For our part, we’ve had great fun – if that’s the right word – applying the StainForce to spilled cranberry juice, mysterious old carpet stains, and lots and lots of cat barf. Honestly, we can’t overstate how helpful it’s been to add the StainForce into our kitty-rearing regime, given how effortlessly it’s helped us deal with some pretty gnarly situations. We’re not saying you need this in a house full of furry friends, but it couldn’t hurt.

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Visit the Shark Ninja website here.

For more helpful product reviews, check out our review of the Ninja Luxe Café.

The post Ninja Shark StainForce (Review): Bring On The Kitties appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

How would you describe your comedy style?

This is painful for me to answer but deadpan, literal, honest, and surreal.

Who are some of your influences?

The movie Muriel’s Wedding, Lisa Kudrow, David Lynch, the band The Knife, my mom, my friends, and people who are making interesting and genuine work!

Who was your favourite comedian growing up?

I was always obsessed with anything Molly Shannon and Maria Bamford was my first favourite stand-up comedian.

Who is your favourite comedian now?

I love the Nymphowars podcast, Richard Perez, and Jackie Pirico!

What is your pre-show ritual?

I look myself in the mirror and ask, “Is this really the right form of expression for me?”

What is your favourite place you have performed? Why?

For me, performances are always extremely dictated by my mood, vibe, comfortability etc so I never really know if a show is going to feel good. Would love to figure that out one day…But for ease let’s say the Comedy Bar Cabaret space in Toronto!

What is your favourite bit you have written and why were you proud of it?

It’s a bit about when I was a little girl and I asked my mom to marry me and she said she couldn’t be with me because she was already with my dad. Not because I was her daughter, or that we share the same blood, or that it’s illegal etc, it was simply the fact she was already taken.

What is your favourite medium for listening or finding new comics/comedians?

Podcasts, television/film, real-life.

Tell us a joke about your city.

That is private information.

Do you have anything to promote right now?

Keep your eyes open for Ryan Steel’s Telefilm Talent To Watch feature film MEAT. I got to play a deranged She-EO and it was so incredibly fun. I’m also releasing my first short film called Ends Meat. Big meat year for me!

Where can we follow you?

Instagram | Website

PAY IT FORWARD: Who is another local comic/comedian we should know about?

Isabella Campbell and Harrison Weinreb

The post Tragedy Plus Time: Comedian Alex Ateah appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

What is your channel called and what is it about?

My channel is my name Jaimie.Weisberg, a lifestyle creator, storyteller, and community builder with a network of over 1.7 million followers. I’m passionate about authenticity, self-expression, accessibility, and meaningful representation. My goal is to make my audience feel like they’re hanging out with their best friend through content that’s relatable, inclusive, and unapologetically real in a world that often tells us we don’t belong if we don’t meet this unrealistic standard that was never supposed to be attainable in the first place.

When did you start it? What motivated you at the beginning?

I started making content about six years ago, at the beginning of the pandemic, motivated by the hope that there was something more out there for me, the delusional idea that I could change the world. I had no idea what I was doing, no degree, no formal training, but I also had a dream: to share my story and help people feel less alone than I did growing up. Representation mattered to me, making people feel seen, no matter where they came from or what they looked like, and I often felt like an outsider.

I decided to take a big leap and dive in headfirst. I started by making videos in my driveway, sharing my mental health stories. Now, even though I might not be able to change the world, thanks to my incredible community believing in me when I couldn’t believe in myself, I’ve found the courage to chase big dreams and to show others that they can too.

Who were you inspired by? Any influences?

To be honest, I wasn’t really inspired by anyone; that’s actually what made me want to start this platform. I never felt represented and wanted to change the game when it comes to positive representation. Bigger bodies are often shown as the joke, the sidekick, or told they have to shrink in order to be seen or belong, and I got tired of it. Thinking about others who must have felt misunderstood or alone became a huge motivator for me to create something different and inclusive, a space where everyone could feel seen.

How would you describe your audience?

I have 1.7 million Besties who believed in me when I couldn’t believe in myself. They are my biggest supporters and cheerleaders, and they’re the reason I haven’t given up. I can’t give up on the community that has given me so much; they’ve literally saved my life, and as cheesy as it sounds, I will be forever grateful. I also have some pretty dedicated “haters,” which, let’s be real, are just fans trying to hide it, but who are they really fooling? My audience, my corner of the internet, is special, and I’m so thankful they’re on this journey with me.

What is your creative process? Do you have people who work with you?

My creative process is anything less than chaotic. I try to speak from the heart, sharing my own lived experiences and channel my inner child of what would they need to see in order to feel like they are enough or to feel seen? It comes with no filter, and brutal honesty, it’s given me a great learning experience in captivating storytelling. I now focus on quality, knowing my community will always be there through every season I show up. I run, edit, create, market, and handle outreach myself, and I’ve become very selective about who I partner or align with. I can’t just settle for anyone. I’ve been burned in the past, so if I’m going to take on help or partnerships, we both have to align on the same goals and values.

How do you monetize your content? Do you also have another job?

This is my full-time job. I monetize my content through brand deals and app monetization programs like YouTube, Snapchat, and Facebook. I don’t have another job, but I know how important it is to diversify income and not put all your eggs in one basket. The creator economy is always changing, and making sure you have a stable income is necessary to keep up. Not everyone is in the one percent who can rely solely on content, and this is something I’m actively working on.

What is your favourite piece of content you have created?

My favourite piece of content I’ve created is my Doing It Scared series because I’m not joking when I say I’ve literally been scared of everything my entire life. I thought I couldn’t be alone in this, and even if I was, my Besties, my community, would have my back to face my fears with me. Little did I know, so many other people were feeling the same way: scared because of the shame others made them feel. If I could make even one person feel less alone, even if it was just me, my job was done. But so many people reached out to say they resonated with the series, and it gave me a huge amount of courage and motivation to keep going.

@jaimie.weisberg

Besties we’re doing it scared and going on vacation ☀️✈️ @Porter Airlines

♬ I Just Might – Bruno Mars

What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?

The best part of what I do is my community. I’m a very creative person, and getting to make and share videos sharing my life, my humour, and my experiences is my passion. Being able to inspire people, help them feel less alone, more confident, and empowered to tackle this sometimes very scary world is incredibly rewarding. It can be even more frightening when you feel like you have nobody there for you, and knowing my community is there makes everything worthwhile. I also get to attend amazing events, like movie premieres and beauty launches, which is incredible, but even without all that, this community is the best part of my job.

Of course, there are parts I don’t love. I’ve dealt with the entitlement of people who think they have a say in what I should be doing with my life, harassment, bullying, and the constant picking apart of everything I do while hiding behind a screen. The fact that people are now profiting off hating on others is something that is really screwed up and needs to be held accountable. This industry is unstable, with lots of ups and downs, and for someone who thrives on structure, I definitely picked the most unstructured career, but it’s worth it because of the people I get to connect with every day.

What are your future plans for your channel?

My future plans for this channel? World domination, just kidding, that sounds like way too much responsibility. I do have some things happening behind the scenes that I can’t talk about (because I’m the worst secret keeper ever), but there are dreams I’d like to execute when the time is right. I’d love to get more into the film and television space, maybe do some guest appearances, host more community-based events, and create even more positive representation than ever before. I would totally slay having my own TV show. Any producers reading this, my lines are open. You never know what’s going to happen, but I’m sure going to try.

Where can we follow you?

Follow me everywhere but home. TikTok | Instagram | YouTube | Snapchat

PAY IT FORWARD: What is another Canadian content creator that you love?

I’m biased because I also call her a friend, but her name is That Girl Hannah, and she is truly an inspiration. She’s been sharing her journey with grief after losing her husband right before they were about to be married, and she’s a force to be reckoned with. Through it all, she continues to create community and show how to live life while grieving, sharing the most vulnerable parts of her experience. Watching her overcome one of the hardest times in her life and still find ways to keep moving forward is truly inspirational, and I’m so proud of how far she has come!

The post My Digital Life: Content Creator Jaimie Weisberg appeared first on Toronto Guardian.