Helen Racanelli: Things I’ve Written
In lieu of maintaining a website for my writing, I’ve listed my recent publications right here. Enjoy!
Bylines for Helen Racanelli, writer, editor and content creator.
Credit and debit card “tap to pay” limits are now higher. Should you worry?
Written by Helen Racanelli for MoneySense
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, tap limits were increased to help Canadians avoid touching surfaces like payment terminal keypads. That could increase the risk of fraud, but there are measures in place to protect consumers and their money.
“We paid off our mortgage early. What now?”
It’s important to make a plan for your new, excess cash flow — bumping up retirement savings and emergency funds are two worthy options. But do set some aside as a well-deserved reward.
Written by Helen Racanelli for MoneySense
I’m a Biracial Mother and Here’s Why I Think Idolizing French Women Is a Problem For Teens
When I was a teen back in the 1990s, French women were considered the ne plus ultra of effortless beauty and desirability.
Written by Helen Racanelli for CBC
I Was Raised Without Religion and I Don’t Want to Make the Same Mistake With My Son
“His father, my husband Niall, is a barely practicing Catholic immigrant from Ireland. He didn’t care if Cillian was raised in his faith — in fact, it would be less work for him as he’s the one who will attend mass with our son. He would have gladly handed the religious reins over to me. Except I’m not a Catholic and I don’t intend to become one.”
Written by Helen Racanelli for CBC
The unexpected upside of parenting under lockdown
The coronavirus has wreaked havoc on family life, but it’s also bestowed an unexpected gift on the busiest parents
Written by Helen Racanelli for Precedent Magazine
How Intuitive Eating Made Me A Happier Person
Dieting had turned me into a cranky food-obsessed bore.
Written by Helen Racanelli for Chatelaine Magazine
Walk your way to mental health in Toronto and the GTA
“It’s likely that you’ve also felt better after taking a head-clearing walk outdoors. And it’s no wonder. There’s plenty of proof that heading into a green space for a stroll can improve your mental health. A 2018 study in the journal BioScience found that being outdoors, seeing trees and the sky, hearing birds sing and feeling in contact with nature improved mental well-being. Here’s another impressive finding: That mood boost lasted for seven hours after the walk was done.”
Written by Helen Racanelli for LocalLove.ca (A United Way publication)
How to plan a perfect family reunion
“Get the whole family in on planning — and enjoying — your best get-together ever.
Tossing water-filled balloons in a contest to see which pair of kids can avoid bursting them; a picnic table laden with savoury steamed buns from Chinatown; cases of chilled soda cans stacked on the grass; the din of grown-ups agreeing and disagreeing in Cantonese — these are my fond childhood memories of Mah family picnics.”
Written by Helen Racanelli for Canadian Living Magazine
Top 10 tips for downsizing
“Whether you’re an empty nester moving from a house into a condo, or a renter trading in a two-bedroom for a studio, you’ll have to say sayonara to some of your stuff. Stressed out by the prospect? Don’t be.”
Written by Helen Racanelli for Style at Home magazine
Lunar New Year, redux
Three Toronto families on how they’ve embraced Chinese New Year
Written by Helen Racanelli for The Toronto Star
