THE RECIPES

5 Sweet-and-Spicy (Swicy!) Recipes for the Whole Family

A few weeks ago, we flagged “swicy”— sweet and spicy—as the flavour of the year in our new bi-weekly 7 Things to Know newsletter, alongside a homemade hot honey recipe that instantly upgrades everything from pizza to roasted veggies.

Since then, we’ve been noticing “swicy” is everywhere. It’s popping up in trend reports, on social media, on restaurant menus—and even in the weeknight dinner recipes families are making. So with that in mind, we’ve rounded up a mix of ParentsCanada favourites: Some are already firmly in their sweet-meets-heat era, while others are just one drizzle of hot honey away.

Already Swicy

Corn Fritters with Chili-Honey Butter
Crispy, golden fritters are topped with warm chili-honey butter to hit that perfect balance of sweet heat.

Spicy Asian Chicken Wings
Sticky, savoury and layered with sweetness and spice, these wings bring bold flavour while still being totally family friendly.

Swicy-Ready (Just Add Hot Honey!)

Pita Grilled Cheese with Gouda 
This pita grilled cheese is the perfect vehicle for a touch of swice. A drizzle of hot honey will take it over the top. (You can also keep it neutral with non-infused honey for the spice-averse in your household!)

Baked Buttermilk Chicken Strips
Crispy, oven-baked and endlessly dippable, serve these with hot honey, maple-mustard with a kick or chili-lime drizzle.

Creamy Plain Yogurt (Regular or Greek!)
Plain yogurt is the ultimate swicy sidekick. Stir in hot honey with toasted granola or nuts for a swicy snack (the kids won’t even realize it’s plain yogurt!), or serve it alongside swicy mains to cool things down.

THE POLL

Are You Parenting the Way You Thought You Would Before Kids?

Before kids, we all had a plan, didn’t we? We watched our friends and family members with their kids and thought, “I’m so not going to do [insert habit or behaviour here].” There were going to be screen-time limits, organic snacks and bedtime routines that could have been designed by an army general. And then…reality. So tell us: Did parenting turn out the way you imagined?

TODAY’S POLL

Results from last week’s poll 

How’s cold and flu season treating you this winter?

🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️ We’ve somehow stayed healthy (don’t jinx it). (29.9%)
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 A few minor bugs, but we’re managing. (42.6%)
🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ It’s been a revolving door of sniffles. (19.1%)
🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ At this point, we just live at the pharmacy. (8.5%)

From our readers:

“One cold each. So far nothing more. It's better as they get older!”

THE QUESTION BOX

Our Household Utility Bills Are Creeping Up—Is There Anything We Can Do?

Trust us, you’re not alone. Between fluctuating energy rates, higher water costs and homes working harder in extreme weather, many families are noticing the difference. The good news is, there are small, tech-driven upgrades that can make a meaningful dent without tearing open walls or committing to a major renovation.

In the latest edition of The Download, our tech columnist Marc Saltzman looks at how smart home devices can help trim electricity, gas and water costs while giving you more control over where your money goes.

Here are a few of the practical, money-saving upgrades Marc explores:

• Smart lighting: Swap old bulbs for energy-sipping LEDs and consider Wi-Fi-enabled options that let you schedule lights, automate shutoffs or turn them off remotely.

• Wi-Fi thermostats: Devices that learn your routines and adjust heating and cooling automatically—so you’re not paying to heat or cool an empty home.

• Smart plugs and power strips: An easy fix for “vampire power” (electronics that quietly draw electricity even when switched off).

• Home energy monitors: Real-time insights into what’s using power, helping you spot waste and set savings goals.

• Water leak detectors and shutoff valves: Tech that alerts you to leaks—or shuts off water entirely—before small issues become costly repairs.

Get all of Marc’s tips by tapping the button below.