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A plumber, a former sa国际传媒 Lion and a granny-cum-nanny are three of this year's winners in the sa国际传媒 Health Club Challenge, a 12-week lifestyle makeover.

Slow Cooker Beef and Bean Taco or Burrito Filling A nicely spiced, easy to make beef and bean filling to mound into taco shells, or roll in flour tortilla shells, with other ingredients.

With Robbie Burns Day approaching Jan. 25, I find myself digging deep for a personal nexus with Scotland.

Budget-friendly, full flavoured beef liver enhanced with a winespiked sauce accented with onions and mushrooms. Serve the liver with boiled, mashed or roasted potatoes and your favourite vegetables.

Glorious Victorians: 150 Years - 150 Houses: Celebrating Residential Architecture in British Columbia's Capital By Nick Russell Old Goat Press, 160 pages, $34.95 Nick Russell's subtitle has it right: This is a celebration of houses in Victoria.

THE BLACK HAT**** 1/2 1005 Langley St. Victoria 250 381-2428 Open for dinner, 4: 30 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday. Reservations recommended. Major credit cards and Interac accepted. Wheelchair accessible.

Mashed Yukon Gold Potato Bake with Leeks and Old Cheddar Make-the-day-before mashed potatoes you can bake and reheat when needed. Preparation time: 20 minutes Cooking time: About 50 minutes Makes: 8 servings 5 lb.

Quick: what wine do you most associate with special occasions and the holidays? Chances are, you answered Champagne. (If you answered First Growth Bordeaux, you enjoy obscene wealth and inhabit another reality.

These squares from baker Anna Olson are very much like buttertart squares, but the addition of chocolate makes them easy to slice and store.

Beacon Landing Restaurant and Lounge Address: 2537 Beacon Ave., Sidney Tel: 250-656-6690 Hours: Open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Major credit cards and Interac accepted. Wheelchair accessible.