Here’s to new adventures…

So much has changed over the last couple of years, I don’t know where to begin.

At the end of 2016, I decided to follow my heart and do what I love to do… write. I know, I know… I write here all of the time, but it is a different type of writing that sets my soul on fire.

I’ve always wanted to write and publish a book.

So with that in mind, I began to write out the first 20K words of a science-fiction novel and somewhere along the way I got distracted and published nine books in the romance genre under a pen name.

In the summer of 2017, my family and I moved back to Manitoba from Alberta and it was bittersweet. It was nice to be around our families again, but at the same time I was sad to leave some amazing women I became really close to. It’s hard making friends in your 40’s.

This was also the last summer I had with my father. Diagnosed with Stage 4 Cancer at the beginning of November 2017, we only had five short weeks with him before he lost his battle. It was five weeks I was beyond thankful to be here for though.

From 2017 to 2018, I published my nine novels under my pen name and am writing a tenth and an eleventh (as a side project).

Since we’ve been back in Winnipeg, I shifted my focus off of This Bird’s Day and onto my family and my writing.

It has always been a dream of mine to write and life is short so I better get at it.

In addition to my romance genre, I’ve been working on a trilogy that I’m happy to say is partially complete and will be my first book published under my name.

Book one is done and is being read over by a few beta readers (I currently have a call out for betas. If you’re interested, let me know). I’m 25,000 words into book two.

As for This Bird’s Day, I will no longer be known as This Bird’s Day. Since this site was all about my life, I am reverting back to my own name on social media and will move everything going forward to Sheri Landry at SheriLandry.com.

I will not be publishing here or taking offers to collaborate on projects for this website. This site will remain available as a reference only because there are some amazing articles written by some very talented writers, which brings me to…

Thank you.

I want to thank the many talented writers who chose to write for This Bird’s Day. I’ve read and reread your words over the last couple of years and I’m so grateful for both your friendship and for trusting in me and this website to share your content. Your articles will always have a home where they are welcome and appreciated here.

I want to thank the brands I’ve worked with over the years. I will always value you. I am proud of the connections I made here with both your brand/products and the companies who you hired to represent you. I stand behind everyone I’ve had the pleasure of representing.

I also want to thank the many professionals in the public relations field who worked with me and offered me some amazing opportunities. I’m honoured to count many of you as my friends now and I hope you feel the same.

I am extremely thankful for all of the connections I’ve made here, fellow writers, bloggers and friends. If it wasn’t for This Bird’s Day, I wouldn’t know you. I am blessed and humbled to have you in my life.

And I want to thank everyone who visited and read my words and articles. Sincerely connecting with people warms my heart. I miss chatting on social networks, in the comments section, through email and Twitter parties. Finding those with whom you share an interest is the greatest thing. It expands the world we live in and I miss you.

While thisbirdsday.com will remain up, my social networks are being changed to reflect my new role as a, soon to be, published author.

You can find me on Twitter @hey_sheri , on Pinterest as @hey_sheri and on Instagram @heyimsheri. I will ask to switch my Facebook page over to my author account shortly so everything is branded correctly.

I once read on a sign, if you try to chase two rabbits at the same time, they will both get away. With that in mind, I am signing off to chase the rabbit I really, really want.

My author website is now at sherilandry.com and will announce on the above social networks when my book has a release date. This site will no longer be updated.

Here’s to new adventures. I hope you’ll join me on this one too.

It is good to think outside the box and that is why I am suggesting you gather the entire family and get involved in some serious DIY! I am not talking about making one game; I am talking about making as many games you can think of! There is no better way to spend rainy days than to make your own games and I have few treats for you

Memory game

The memory game is a good old game you can play with your kids and they can play it alone. That is the best thing about memory, it is a game for one or more. Memory is so easy to do because you have to cut and draw.

*photo courtesy Mark (Foosball Zone)

You will need a cardboard for the project and some scissors. I suggest you do the cutting and cut the cardboard into small rectangles, a size of a business card. The number of rectangles is entirely up to you but I suggest you make it as much as you can so you can play it in large numbers.

When you cut the rectangles, give them to your kids and explain to them that they have to draw some simple cartoon on it and that those cartoons should be in pair. I am sure they won’t say no to such an entertaining task which will fill your entire rainy afternoon.

Tic-Tac- Toe

Tic-Tac- Toe is a game you can play anywhere because you can draw a grid on every piece of paper. But, I want to make it a little more durable and I want you to have it for your children.

*photo courtesy Mark (Foosball Zone)

Draw a grid for the game on a cardboard and glue it on a wooden panel. Grab bottle caps you have in that kitchen drawer and use them as the X and O. I only had red bottle caps so I used my wife’s nail polish to draw X and O on each bottle cap. I believe that nail polish is more durable than other paints. So I decorated 5 bottle caps with green X and 5 bottle caps with silver O. Leave everything to dry and in few minutes you have your own Tic Tac Toe!

DIY foosball

I am a huge fan of foosball, I even have a blog about it so it would be weird if I don’t know how to make foosball table in DIY style.

*photo courtesy Mark (Foosball Zone)

So, for a foosball table DIY, you will need a shoebox, few plastic straws and wooden sticks and clothespins. First, make holes on the shoebox for the rods and the number of holes depends on the size of the box. The rods should be an even number and they should have enough space in the box. The next holes are goals. Make sure that the ball can easily come through. Now, you can ask your children to color the box while you make the rods. You have to fill the straws with wooden sticks because they have to be firm for the game. When your kids are done with the coloring let the box dry and when it is dry, put the rods where they have to be.

Only one thing left to do. Glue clothespins on the rods and let them dry. Congrats you have your own foosball table!

To help make baby’s first year a memorable one for you and baby, these tips will get you through the first milestones with ease:

Know that the struggle is real

It’s real and it happens to all of us. You are not alone and you are not a failure. Never be afraid to reach out and ask for help.

Our bodies deal with a lot in the first year of motherhood, from physical changes to chemical changes. Be open with how you feel and speak to a friend, family member or doctor if you need additional support.

The phrase “It takes a village…” is there for a reason.

Take a Postnatal Vitamin

Most new moms walk around in a state of exhaustion. Eating well can be tough when caring for a newborn, so taking a postnatal vitamin can fill in any nutritional gaps and help give you and baby what you need when nursing.

If you still don’t feel well, consult a doctor. Sometimes running blood work can determine a specific deficiency, such as Iron that can cause exhaustion.

Recognize and Treat a Gassy Tummy

Babies can be quite gassy, passing gas more than 20 times a day.

With plenty of opportunity to swallow air whenever they feed, or suck on a pacifier and cry, it can be challenging to prevent gas buildup. But keeping the baby’s head higher than its stomach when feeding, and burping them often can help minimize it. Using a slow flow nipple if bottle feeding or working it out through a gentle massage also works.

Baby’s first tooth? Ensure a good sleep for you and baby

As early as 3-months, babies can begin teething, causing discomfort and disrupted sleep for both mom and baby.

Give new moms the support they need

Being exhausted and a teething or gassy baby are all things new moms struggle with but don’t mind admitting to or talking about, but what about those unspoken issues that you’d rather keep to yourself, things like, um, postpartum hemorrhoids?

Did you know that around 25 per cent of women who develop hemorrhoids after giving birth still have them at six months postpartum[1]? Although it may be embarrassing, that doesn’t mean that you should suffer in silence since there are things you can do to help you relieve the symptoms.

TIP: Try applying an ice pack (with a soft covering) to the affected area several times a day or soak your bottom for 10 to 15 minutes in a warm and relaxing bath to decrease swelling and discomfort.

What advice can you offer new moms to help make baby’s first year a little less stressful?

*Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before use of any products, including those listed here.

Sponsored post.

Start by avoiding the costume craze

Forego the overpriced costumes and consider finding a second-hand costume or creating your own from scratch using pieces from thrift shops or stuff you may have stored away. It’s an inexpensive and fun way for you and your child to create a costume together. Just don’t forget to wash them before you wear them. Whether it’s second-hand pieces or just old clothes, you want to have them looking and smelling like new.

I suggest using Arm & Hammer Plus OxiClean Power Paks in Fresh Scent. The freshening and deodorizing properties of Arm & Hammer detergent, combined with the stain-fighting power of OxiClean, will bring your used clothes back from the dead (pun intended!).

Keep the candy consumption in check

I don’t know about your kids, but ours come home with pillowcases full of candy. We have a tradition in our home that our kids look forward to (I overheard my oldest excitedly telling her cousin about it over the weekend).

Our girls can eat their haul, in moderation throughout the week, then after 5 – 7 days, we make a trade. They each get ten dollars in exchange for the rest of their candy, then they can hit the dollar store and buy items like crafts and toys with their money.

I save the chocolate for my Leftover Halloween Chocolate Fudge recipe then usually throw out the rest.

Speaking of sugary treats, now’s a good time to remind you that according to the Canadian Dental Association, children should be thoroughly brushing their teeth twice a day for two to three minutes each time, once in the morning and before bedtime to get rid of any germs and sugars that cause cavities.

What are some of your favourite Halloween tips, tricks or treats? Share them with us!

Disclosure: sponsored post

Lack of sleep can lead to a number of problems such as decreased immunity, health and happiness.

Small changes in your routine can help improve the amount and quality of sleep you need. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Drinking liquids

Avoid all caffeinated beverages at least six hours before your bedtime. If you are particularly sensitive to caffeine, try leaving even more time between your last intake. Yaupon, a newly popular plant used in teas contains a lot of caffeine, so make sure you know what you are putting in your body and when.

Drinking water is extremely important for good health but too much water just before bedtime is not a good idea. Try to drink most of your daily water earlier in the day and up to two hours before you go to sleep. This will ensure your bladder isn’t waking you up in the middle of the night.

Note that alcohol, nicotine and some medications can affect the quality of sleep you get.

Everybody Out

Developing proper sleep habits for everyone else in your family is just as important as your own.

Make sure kids get used to sleeping in their own bed and pets have their own space. Giving yourself the space you need and the less bodies in your bed to roll over and interrupt you will make sure that everyone sleeps through the night.

Turn Your Brain Off

Stay away from anything that works your brain up just before bed. Turn off your phones and tablets and opt for reading a light book instead. Journaling can also help your brain release thoughts that might keep you up through the night.

Natural Supplements

Getting into a good routine can be difficult if your body has become accustomed to a decreased amount of sleep hours. Using a natural supplement like Melatonin can gently help to get you back on track. Melatonin is a hormone that is released by your body that tells your body that it is time to sleep and helps to regulate your sleep patterns.

Disclosure: sponsored post

John Pogorzelski pours a cold one at the Telegraph Tap House in Lethbridge, where the afterparty for the Oktoberfest will be held.

It’s hard to keep up with the stein-is-brimming landscape of new hand-crafted brewers tapping into this long overdue craving for our very own Alberta-made beer culture.

Like other locales in southern Alberta, the town of Lethbridge has also hopped on the hop bandwagon big time, with two of its very own craft brewers – as well as an uber-popular Oktoberfest happening Sept. 29 and 30.

The 4th annual Lethbridge Oktoberfest  just keeps on outdoing itself with everything from entertainment to food and premium beers. Last year it attracted 6,000 people – who drank the beer supply dry at Galt Gardens, which is the venue for the merry Munich-styled party.

But there’s no chance of running out of beer again, says one of the founders and organizers of the festival, Roy Pogorzelski, half of the sibling duo, known as the Pogo brothers around town.

“We are not doing that this year!” says John. “We’re bringing in 60 kegs.”

Sounds like he means it. To bolster the supply is local craft beer maker, Theoretically Brewing Co., which is concocting two limited edition beers – a nice summery Hefeweizen and a tad heavier wheat beer.

Galt Garden transforms into a Munich-style beer garden during the Lethbridge Oktoberfest Sept. 29-30.

Galt Garden transforms into a Munich-style beer garden during the Lethbridge Oktoberfest Sept. 29-30.

There will also be a selection of dozens of German beers in cans and bottles: “as many as we can get our hands on,” says Roy.

The brothers travelled to Munich to scope out how a proper Oktoberfest is run and they’ve also tapped the knowledge of some local German friends to ensure the festival is as authentic as possible.

Check out the FestivalSeekers.com story about how to best enjoy Lethbridge Oktoberfest

Locally made Bavarian fare like Bratwurst, schnitzel and pretzels all locally made, too, will be served all weekend.

As the party gets underway, the park becomes “one big dance floor,” says Roy, with Alpen Schatz, from Medicine Hat and the local band the Polkaholics ramping up the oom-pah-pah tunes.

The brothers say to make the most of Oktoberfest, learn how to bust a few polka moves and belt out a couple of German beerhall tunes.  Ziggy Zaggy, Ziggy Zaggy Oi, Oi, Oi, (it’s that simple) or Ein Prosit will ring through the park when the brothers instigate a singalong.

If you still feel like letting the good times roll, head over to the Telegraph Tap House, where the Oktoberfest after-party is held during the weekend. It has dozens and dozens of international beers, good food and a festive atmosphere.

When the festivities are over, find a little tranquility in the river valley for a walk, cycle or roller blade, or a stroll through the Nikka Yuko Japanese Gardens.

Follow it up with a visit to one of two local and new-ish microbreweries. Theoretically Brewing Co. offers tasting and tours, while the Coulee Brewing Co. offers the same, along with a large sunny patio and pub food paired with a long list of its beer.

Need a little down time while you’re at Oktoberfest. Be sure to check out the river valley and coulees of Lethbridge while you’re in town.

Getting pregnant isn’t an exact science but you can put some planning behind your baby making to help better your chances: 

Take a multivitamin

Start the journey well prepared. Taking a prenatal vitamin prior to pregnancy is an essential part of keeping you and your baby healthy. 

The NEW FIRST RESPONSE Prenatal Multivitamin is a great option. It helps ensure you and your baby get the essential nutrients needed to stay healthy, maintain immune function and bone health. Two of the vitamin gummies provide the recommended folic acid intake per day to help prevent neural tube defects, which are commonly developed within the first month of pregnancy** and often before many females know they’re pregnant. As a bonus, this vitamin has a naturally sourced fruit flavor, low in sugar and gluten-free—making it easy to remember and delicious to take.

Understand your cycle

Admit it ladies. Most of you don’t know your own ovulation schedules or know when you’re most fertile. But knowing when and if you’re ovulating is going to help you know when to try to conceive.

Did you know that there are just two days during your cycle when you’re most likely to conceive? So how do you find these two days?  Pick up a FIRST RESPONSE Advanced Digital Ovulation Test. What makes it so great? It’s over 99% accurate in detecting luteinizing hormone (LH) surges in laboratory studies.  LH indicates when you’re most fertile and likely to conceive which is 24-36 hours after you detect your LH surge.

Use a sperm-friendly lube

The last thing you want to do is decrease your chances of getting pregnant because of the lubricant you choose. Pre-Seed Fertility-Friendly Lubricant is sperm friendly. It not only enhances your comfort; it’s specially formulated to mimic your body’s fertile fluids. Other lubricants, saliva and even oil can inhibit sperm from reaching the cervical opening but Pre-Seed is pH-balanced and isotonic, allowing sperm to swim freely.

Don’t let the suspense drive you crazy

The amount of time it takes to get pregnant is different for everyone but if you’re “dying” to know, I recommend the FIRST RESPONSE Early Result Pregnancy Test. It’s sensitive enough to capture scant amounts of pregnancy hormones to give you results 6 days sooner than your missed period.

Turn to others for advice

Remember, we’re all here to help you along your pregnancy journey—you’re not alone. Chances are, there is someone else out there who is going through the same—or similar—experiences, so don’t be shy about reaching out.

Help spread the conversation

In the spirit of giving advice and sharing to help others in a similar situation, I’d love to hear your conception stories and especially some of your misconceptions around ovulation, birth control and tips for getting pregnant.

Share your stories and engage in the conversation online using #conceptionmisconceptions

Source* https://sogc.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/gui324CPG1505E.pdf

**Helps to reduce the risk of neural tube defects when taken daily at least three months prior to becoming pregnant and during early pregnancy.

Disclosure: sponsored

I’d been living in Calgary for far too long to have an excuse not to visit Lethbridge. Plenty of friends grew up or went to university there, and I’d heard on more than one occasion the reasons to visit. The Japanese Gardens, the river valley and coulee trails, local parks. And, lately, the added attraction of a couple of local brewers crafting some fine beers had piqued my interest.

Driving into the city, two hours south of Calgary on Highway 2, I rounded the bend to see the striking black steel High Level Bridge, spanning high above the Old Man River and the pretty rolling coulees of the river valley. I don’t know what I expected to see in this once a busy coal mining hub, but I certainly didn’t expect to see such a pretty sight.

If you haven’t been to Lethbridge in a while or have yet to check it out, there are two big festivals happening in September – the Summer Shine On Festival and the Lethbridge Oktoberfest – that are very good reasons to head there. Both would make a fun, fast and easy weekend getaway.

Southern Alberta singer-songwriter Corb Lund will play the Lethbridge Shine On Summer Festival on Sept. 2.

First up on the calendar is the Summer Shine On Festival, happening Sept. 2 to 3, with a concert as the main event, featuring one of southern Alberta’s favourite hometown sons, singer-songwriter, Corb Lund, also a U of L alumnus. The concert is the main event of a weekend-long party celebrating the 50 th anniversary of the University of Lethbridge.

Also on the bill are country-rock crossover artist Dallas Smith, indie rock band Mother Mother, Lethbridge’s Millz Skillz and The Washboard Union. The stage will be set up at the university’s Community Stadium with seating for 6,000, where the hometown rugby team, the Pronghorns, will also play an exhibition tournament the same weekend.

Dallas Smith

Lund says there’s a good chance concert-goers will hear some of his favourite songs, like The Truth Comes Out and Little Foothills, both inspired by the Southern Alberta’s landscapes he grew up with around Lethbridge.

Other events like a golf tournament, beer gardens, a local vendor market and a heart-thumping performance by the local Taiko Drummers Ensemble are on the schedule, too.

The Lethbridge Taiko Drummer Ensemble, using traditional Japanese drums and bachi sticks, will bring there powerful sound to the Shine On Summer Festival.

Read more about what to expect at the Shine On Summer Festival Festival

In late September it’s time for the fourth annual and immensely popular stein- hoisting Lethbridge Oktoberfest, happening Sept. 29 and 30.

Galt Gardens in downtown Lethbridge is the venue for lively Munich-inspired beer festival, put on by locals John and Roy Pogorzelski (aka the Pogo brothers). The brothers have done their research to put on the most authentic beer fest as possible. They’ve traveled to Munich to see how a proper Oktoberfest is run and tapped the knowledge of some local German friends.

Local craft brewer, Theoretically Brewing Co., supplies the party with two special limited edition beers this year – a nice and easy sipping summer beer, Hefeweizen and a chewier Ein Prosit Wheat Ale. There will also be a selection of dozens of German beers, “as many as we can get our hands on,” says Roy.

Check out the FestivalSeekers.com story about how to best enjoy Lethbridge Oktoberfest

Locally made Bavarian fare like Bratwurst, schnitzel and pretzels will be served all weekend.

The park also becomes “one big dance floor,” says Roy, when Alpen Schatz, from Medicine Hat and the local band the Polkaholics strike up the oom-pah-pah tunes.

The brothers say to make the most of Oktoberfest, learn a few polka moves and a couple German beerhall tunes. Ziggy Zaggy, Ziggy Zaggy Oi, Oi, Oi, (it’s that simple) or Ein Prosit will ring through the park when the brothers instigate a singalong.

*photo credit Lethbridge Oktoberfest

When the festivities are over, find a little tranquility in the beautiful river valley for a walk, cycle or roller blade, or a stroll through the Nikka Yuko Japanese Gardens.

Follow it up with a visit to one of two local and fairly new microbreweries.

Theoretically Brewing Co. offers tasting and tours, while the Coulee Brewing Co. offers the same, but also large sunny patio and pub food paired with a long list of its beer.

Looking for a fun and cool way to celebrate one of the final weekends of summer? Then make the trip to Cochrane to experience a true and small-town rodeo is like.

The Cochrane Rodeo, this year from Sept. 2 to 4, has been in existence for over 50 years, and it’s where a long list of cowboys have got their legs and moved up in the professional rodeo world.

What sets this rodeo apart from others? It is insanely intimate.

The decent sized infield is lined with seats that allow people to get right up close to the action – so close you might just get a little dirt on you.

Many of the people who attend have been coming here for years because the rodeo boasts some of the best amateur cowboys in Alberta.

For more on what makes this rodeo unique, check out the full article on Festival Seekers.

Kevin Firkus, chairman of the Cochrane Rodeo for Lion’s Club for six years, will tell you what sets this rodeo apart from others in the province.

“We are right beside a million people,” said Firkus, referring to Calgary’s proximity to Cochrane.

“We have a lot of people come who have been to the Stampede.”

But they flock to Cochrane’s Labour Day rodeo because they know they’ll be so close to the action.

The buzz of the rodeo in infectious, and you’re sure to notice there are lots of locals, but plenty of out to towners, too.

“It is so friendly, as soon as someone walks in they feel a part of it,” said Firkus.  

Benches and stands line the perimeter of the infield, but it is not uncommon to see people standing up nearly right against the fences. You can’t get get any closer to the action than that.

Shelby Cummings, professional trick rider for Children’s Wish Foundation and STARS, has been performing at the Cochrane Rodeo for a few years.

She always enjoys coming back to it.    

“It is fun – it is like coming to my home town,” said Cummings, who lives in Water Valley about 25 minutes away.

She credits the volunteers with making the event extra special. “They all come out and pitch in and volunteer, so it is nice to see such big crowds, people sitting in the stands.

“Everyone comes together; it is nice to be a part of something that is so close and fun.”

Close is the operative word here. The rodeo grounds are located on the edge of downtown Cochrane, which makes the event not only hyper local, but so accessible.

“We have some of the best contestants in Alberta; Cochrane is a very unique rodeo town,” said Firkus.

The event is the Lion’s Club’s biggest fundraiser of the year.

He says that over the years, the organization has given away more than “$10 million dollars and last year we gave ­­­away $225,000 alone. ­­­­­­­­­­

Most of the competitors are local to Alberta, as are the sponsors, so all the money goes to people in the community.

And events like mutton busting and wild pony races, make it a super family friendly event.

Last year, one of the highlights was a fighter jet flyover, which Firkus said may be a first for an amateur rodeo.

Head into town for ice cream or craft beer

A benefit to having the rodeo grounds in the heart of Cochrane, is that you can easily leave the excitement and discover fun things to do in the town, too.

MacKay’s ice cream is favourite go-to for most people. The Saturday morning farmer’s market and a host of restaurants and pubs will also keep you busy when you are not on the rodeo grounds.

Take the time to drive a little bit further into Cochrane to discover the brew pub Half Hitch. Another local gem, this pub serves good food and brewed onsite craft beers. (I can vouch or the pork belly tacos and Farmer’s Daughter ale!)

The inviting patio gives a view of the town and surrounding foothills, perfect for chilling out after a day of watching bull riding and calf roping.

Discover more about the Cochrane Rodeo and things to do in Cochrane with Festival Seekers

This year’s title sponsor, Servus Credit Union, has come up with a wonderfully unique and fun way for families to experience the thrill that an escape room offers, while also offering up the chance to hone their financial literacy skills.

“Servus Credit union takes a lot of pride in providing killer advice to our members, and provide some financial literacy as well. As a part of that we have brought a trailer along with us this year called Escape the Bank. It’s a unique way for event goers to go through some challenges and learn some financial literacy concepts along the way.” – James Thomas, District Manager Retail Operations, Servus Credit Union.

You are in a dark, windowless room with only 10 minutes to crack the code that opens the door to your freedom. As you frantically try to crack the clues and break out of the bank, you can feel the sweat dripping down your spine, and hear the clock ticking by ominously in the background. Using your wit can you sleuth your way through the room to crack the codes, and balance your budget, to escape the bank?

Servus has partnered with The Locked Room to retrofit a mobile trailer into an escape room and staged it to resemble an old stodgy bank. Once you enter the mobile escape room, the clock starts ticking, and you only have 10 minutes to solve puzzles to advance through the trailer, and eventually escape!

I took my oldest and youngest daughter through the escape room and I can vouch that it’s challenging, fun, exciting, and a great way to take a break from the crowds and noise of the event.

For the entirety of the August long weekend (Aug 5-7th) visit the Servus Pavilion in the heart of the Heritage festival, near the Chinese Pavilion, to take a little break and recharge both yourself and your phones in the cool comfort of their tent. While there take the chance to experience their unique take on an escape room. It’s a fun and informative way to challenge yourself and get a taste of what makes Servus Credit Union stand out from other banks. Also make sure to visit the video booth and answer a few fun questions for your chance to take home some useful prizes.

The mobile escape room is part of Servus Summer – a broader, province-wide initiative to host and sponsor a range of events within various communities in Alberta. For more information, and where else to find the mobile escape room, visit www.servus.ca/summer.

*sponsored post

Summertime and the fishing is easy with Winefred Lake Outfitters.

My line sails into the air, arcing into the steely waters of Winefred Lake. The sinker drops, sending ripples outward. Somewhere below pike and walleye swim in search of dinner. In the distance, pelicans fish too.

In this ecosystem, we are the minority – just another part of the food cycle. We troll for our meal as Trapper Paul Padlesky steers the boat into the best fishing holes.

Having come to the area 30 years ago, few know the area like Padlesky. He built his lodge here from scratch, after acquiring the trapping lease for the area. In summer, he brings clients out on the lake to fish for pike and walleye (mostly catch and release). Winters, he guides hunting for moose, and trapping for beaver and wolf.

Guests stay lakeside in large log cabins, and cross their fingers that there’s fish for dinner; when they come straight off the lake, the larger pike yield steaks that are so good you’ll wonder if you’ve ever really tasted fish before. And nobody fries them up like Padlesky.

Once they’ve discovered a taste for it, many of Padlesky’s guests become return visitors. Some have been coming back for as long as 25 years. Bookings are made up to a year in advance.

“It’s the best spot, no doubt about it,” says Mark Witholt. He and his friend Pat Callaghan have brought their two sons up from Edmonton for a boys’ getaway. “It’s the best cabins, best people, best boat launch – this bay right here is perfect. You have to fish Winefred Lake.”

Reeling my line back in, I get a bite and soon enough there is a pike dangling above the water, Padlesky’s finger hooked in its gill. Tonight, there will be fish for dinner.

Colour outside the lines at the Chalk Art Fest

Go wild and colour your piece of the world any colour you want. At the annual Chalk Art Festival in Medicine Hat the only limits are your imagination and well, the edge of the sidewalk. Join in on the action or watch the pros create 3D art that only lasts until the next shower. Original article: http://www.festivalseekers.com/absouth/chalkartfestival/colourful

Photo credit Kenton DeJong

Medicine Hat Stampede is a bucking good time

Steeped in tradition but rolling with the times, the Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede invites you to join them for four-days of non-stop action. Take in the rodeo, scream on the midway rides, stuff your face with min-donuts and rock and roll all night long. Original article: http://www.festivalseekers.com/absouth/medicinehatstampede/cowboy

Photo credit Kenton De Jong

Mutton busting? Rabbit agility races? All at the Cochrane Ag Fair

The town of Cochrane, only 15 minutes from Calgary was built by ranching and farming families and their Ag Fair honours that heritage. Come for the action of the bull riding and the miniature horse chuckwagon races, ride the midway, enjoy the food and of course, watch those bunnies race! Original article: http://www.festivalseekers.com/calgaryarea/cochranefair/mountain-views

Photo credit Chelsea Lees

Boyle Alberta says, “Step back in time – but watch your step!”

The Boyle rodeo weekend is coming up July 28 – 30th and you don’t want to miss it. Jeremy Derksen explains why this is the rodeo you need to visit to learn all about the four R’s of the Cowboy Way – ropin, ridin, rustling and “road apples.” The family will love the music, the entertainment and the chance to get involved in so many hands-on learning events.  Original article: http://www.festivalseekers.com/abnorth/boylerodeo/cowboy-culture

Photo credit to Jeremy Derksen.

Lethbridge celebrates music with the new Wide Skies Festival

Paula Worthington spoke with Ryland Moranz about how it feels to play at the new Wide Skies Music Festival in Lethbridge, July 26 – 27th. Along the way, the talented musician suggested Paula learn to play the banjo. Let’s just say that some people should maybe not consider a career change. Original article: http://www.festivalseekers.com/absouth/wide-skies/top-notch

Photo credit Paula Worthington

LAKELAND PROVINCIAL PARK, AB

Pulling our canoe off Jackson Lake in the afternoon sun, I’m gripped by one obsessive thought: I’m coming back and bringing my family to paddle the entire Lakeland Canoe Circuit.

I’d spent the day paddling with some new media friends on our #TakeItToTheLake expedition and it had been amazing: shimmering aspen forest, brilliant blue skies, clear calm lake and plenty of good laughs.

Read the original article on ZenSeekers.

I knew from our short half-day excursion that I’d only skimmed the surface of the route. The entire circuit encompasses four lakes, 38 kilometres of paddling, and takes an average of 3.5 to 4 days at an easy to moderate pace. Backcountry campsites are free within the provincial park, and Alberta Parks also supplies firewood and portage carts for moving between lakes.

At just three hours from Edmonton to trailhead, I couldn’t imagine a more perfect introductory multi-day backcountry paddling expedition for my family of five, including my wife and our three kids (ages 10, eight and four).

See, the thing about paddling together is, it encourages bonding. You can paddle a canoe as just one person, but everyone knows it’s far better with two.

Further still, it’s best when those two people are paddling in unison, communicating and working together. Add in an element of challenge and sharing the daily task of survival – making fire, preparing food, building shelter – and you have a formula for great family adventure.

There’s nothing like the simplicity and necessity of a backcountry paddling trip for stripping away all the distractions and reminding us of what’s really important.

For me and my family, that means we’re going to #TakeItToTheLake again very soon. Follow hashtag #TakeItToTheLake and check out zenseekers.com for more stories and adventures, and start planning your own lake adventure.

Visit DysonCanada.com for more information.

Out of sight, out of mind rings true with air pollutants, but just because you can’t see something, it doesn’t mean it isn’t there. Air pollution can cause a number of ailments and can worsen issues with asthma.

There are many tips to improve your indoor air quality, but my favourite is using the Dyson Pure Cool Link because it shows you right on the app where you are at.

Last year, forest fires devastated many of my fellow Albertan’s lives. Down here in Edmonton, we didn’t get as much of the smoke in the air as I thought we would, but that didn’t mean that our air quality didn’t suffer.

Thanks to our Dyson Pure Cool Link, I was able to see the air quality both inside and outside of our home from an app on my iPhone, and I was shocked.

Visually, our days were clear, but it didn’t mean that the quality was good. Having our Dyson Pure Cool Link Purifier is important as our youngest has mild asthma and it is important to know when the air she is breathing may cause a reaction.

Three different days during the Fort McMurray wild fire evacuation from our home in Edmonton. As seen from my iPhone app. The photo of the house shows both the quality inside and the quality outside of the home. The day it listed as fair in the home, I had forgotten to turn on my Dyson purifier.

For more information on the Dyson Purifier Challenge or to buy a purifier, visit DysonCanada.com.

Disclosure: Sponsored post.

When Nancy Perry moved back to the city after living in the Yukon, she found herself disoriented, out of balance. “It took me six months not to hear the buzzing of the powerlines,” she recalls.

“Once I figured that out, I could feel myself getting grounded again.”

Most of us can relate to Nancy’s experience. We hear the constant buzzing, we live in the constant noise of the city, and we often forget how to tune it out and escape.

That’s why Nancy and her husband Shawn founded Boreal Forest Guides in Cold Lake. The company offers water safety, backcountry and survival skills courses and guided adventures to help people get back into nature.

“We forget what’s right in our own backyard,” Nancy says. “That connection is something we really want people to find again.”

Read the original story on ZenSeekers.

Paddling into a rocky shore and making our way into the bush, we stop to sample spruce gum, identify plantain and sasparilla, and harvest some Labrador leaves.

After showing me how to prepare and light a fire by striking flint into kindling nestled in an upright log (a technique known as a Swedish torch), Shawn sets a pot on to boil and we make tea from the leaves. The taste is like drinking in the forest, pure, fresh and unspoiled.

“I think a lot of people are lost, they don’t know what they’re missing, it’s just that little bit of themselves,” Nancy says. “That busy lifestyle, go go go all the time, sometimes all you have to do is come out here.”

Sometimes you just have to #TakeItToTheLake to get away from it all. Check out more on zenseekers.com and follow #TakeItToTheLake to find out more ways to get back your balance and reconnect with nature this season.

Cochrane’s cowboy culture will be front and centre during the Cochrane Fair this summer.

From Aug. 18 to 20, the country fair will trot out extreme cowboy competitions but amid all the action, you can enjoy the beer gardens, a traditional midway and even the quirky randomness of a rabbit racing contest.

But what sets this fair apart is getting city folk to connect with the ranching and equestrian heritage of Cochrane and surrounding area.

Check out the full story on Festival Seekers

It’s sure to remind you of a folksy mini-Stampede with small-town charm, held on the hillside fair grounds, moments from downtown Cochrane. “Our vision and mandate with the Ag Society is to bridge rural and urban, and link to our heritage roots in ranching and equestrian,” said Isabel Gimber, volunteer director for the Cochrane & District Agricultural Society. “It is really, really grassroots.”

The event began five years ago as a way of the society celebrating its 40th birthday. But the event has grown every year, with peak attendance at 15,000 last year. “We want to provide the activities and learning opportunities for everyone and link with our equestrian and ranching roots.”

The equestrian events alone are worth the price of admission. Events include a mini-chuckwagon race, and cowboys showing their horse-riding prowess navigating their way through a tough obstacle course.

The fair is also introducing a bull-riding competition this year, featuring 30 bulls.

When people come to the fair, they are immersed in the rural ranching life, said Gimber. “I think people are very proud of our ranching families around here, with years and years of heritage.”

Yet, there’s something to appeal to every age and personality.

A marketplace features local crafts and beer gardens. Old-fashioned sack races and tug-of- war competitions will appeal to the whole family.

For anyone who want to channel their inner lumberjack, there will be log rolling and poll climbing, and even areas for spectators to try out some of the challenges.

Mark your calendar for this fun event, Aug. 18-20.

Nathalie Senez isn’t a superhero, but she plays at being one at Kinosoo Beach in Cold Lake. Soaring high above the water below, then diving headfirst into the surf, she morphs from bird to dolphin and back. It looks like one of the most freeing sensations in the world.

She’s assisted by Ray Cowell, whose Wicked Watersport Rentals offers flyboarding adventures on the big lake. While relatively new to the watersport scene, flyboarding has taken off (forgive the pun).

Basically it involves standing on a small board driven by a jetpack which is then connected to a personal watercraft (aka Jet Ski or Sea-Doo) by a long hose. Up in the air, you can swoop, sail and dive, steering the jetpack with your body weight.

It’s part of an enviable beach life here in Cold Lake. Kinosoo is one of the more picturesque and accessible beaches in Alberta, with more on the way. The final plans include new docks, volleyball courts, an outdoor amphitheatre for concerts and redesigned street frontage.

It’s easy to see why Cowell started Wicked Watersports in the first place – as a way to live on the beach as much as possible. In addition to flyboarding, he also offers kayaks, paddle boats and SUP boards.

“I’m not a fan of socks or pants,” says Cowell. “And I’ve made my peace with sand. My house is always covered in sand, so sand is a big part of my life.”

However you go about it, it’s hard to argue with the laid back beach vibes of Kinosoo Beach.

“It’s about coming out, relaxing and having fun with friends and family,” says Cowell. “Bring a beach blanket and come on out.”

A trip to the Cochrane Farmers’ Market makes the perfect big city getaway on a Saturday morning.

Held on the Cochrane Ranche Historic Site, you’ll be surrounded by trees and under the watchful eye of the nearby Men of Vision cowboy statue. It’s a fitting setting to showcase local produce, specialty foods and crafts.

Vendors offer a variety of goodies, from fresh fruits and vegetables, savoury sausage, baked goods and aromatic cheeses to hand-crafted wooden clocks and glass-blown spoon rests. Featuring locally produced goods, where possible, the market celebrates the area’s rich ranching heritage as well as its diversity.

Check out the full story on Zen Seekers

Mari-Eve Cote has been bringing her kids to the market for several years. “There are fruits, vegetables and Indian food,” she said.

Her children enjoy munching on fresh fruit and playing in the grass. Jana Lescanec has been selling her allergy-friendly Sweet Gypsy Bespoke Chocolates at the market for a couple of years now.

“We have been Cochrane market shoppers since we have moved here” she says. “We love the market.”

Cochrane’s proximity to the Trans-Canada Highway means Rocky Mountain adventure-seekers often stop by for a coffee and a snack. Lescanec says that while people drop by on their way west, many people are from the immediate area.

In addition to the market, the Cochrane Ranche Historic Site is great for other activities. A creek runs through the property and a number of trails create a pretty green space suitable for dog walks and family picnics. From the top of the hill, the views of the town site and nearby foothills are lovely.

The space is the original site of Alberta’s first large-scale livestock, established in 1881, owned by Senator Matthew Cochrane, for whom the town is named. It was the largest ranch in Western Canada at 108,000 acres. A tiny museum, the senator’s historic home, sits near the market entrance.

Walking through the market on Saturday mornings when it’s open from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. throughout the summer, you’ll know you’re walking on land that is a part of Alberta’s rich ranching heritage.

Make time for checking out the historic main street. It includes the famous MacKay’s Ice Cream shop and new Horse Creek Heritage Candy & Gifts store next door, which sells gifts and old-fashioned candy and features a historic chuckwagon.

ATHABASCA, AB – Cloud-watching, river-wading, barefoot dancing fun – few festivals cater as seamlessly to adults and families alike as the Magnificent River Rats Festival in Athabasca, June 30 – July 1.

Classic hot rods line the streets, colourful floats toss out candy for the kids to chase (where can you still find that?) and at one point in the festivities, hundreds of bright yellow tennis balls bounce down the road.

If I had to pick just one highlight it would be the music, but the music alone doesn’t encapsulate the experience. I’ll give you a hint: it’s in the name. The river rats, as legend has it, were the toughest men to ply the river in the early days of fur trading in the Athabasca region. So legendary were these men that Robert Service – Canada’s poet of the North – immortalized them in the poem “Athabasca Dick.”

These days the passage north is an easy two-hour drive on Highway 2 North from Edmonton through Alberta prairie and boreal forest. For modern day explorers making the trek from the city, it’s the first step to disconnecting from the busy urban environment.

The festival grounds occupy River Front Park, a large green space with a main stage that backs onto the river. Organizers have thought of just about everything to entertain the younger crowd, from slapshot hockey games to face-painting, bean bag toss, potato sack races and even shaded reading nooks. For those who love concerts in intimate settings, the grassy lawn of River Front Park hits the mark — and beer gardens are just a barefoot meander away.

Getting the party started early, the festival kicks off in Athabasca the day before Canada Day, June 30, headlined by well-loved children’s performers Sharon and Bram. Skinna-marinky-dinky-dink, anyone? On July 1, audiences can expect big time small town fun, with pancake breakfast, the traditional parade, food trucks and retail vendors, classic car demos and headliners Doug and the Slugs to raise a party before the classic Canada Day finale.

As the fireworks reflect off the river below, you’ll have to agree, there’s few things as good as being a river rat.

Over the years, the team at Arm & Hammer – with the help of their loyal fans – have come up with more than 100 uses for baking soda and I’m sharing some of my favourites here.

Baby, baby, baby.  

Baking soda is an all-natural cleaning product that’s gentle enough for even the tiniest baby clothes, yet effective enough for big baby odours. It can be used to treat spills on carpets, clean equipment and toys, deodorize baby bottles and diaper pails as well as freshen stuffed animals to give them a new life.

Have you tried it in the bathroom?

It helps remove the dirt and grime from bathroom tiles or no-wax floors quickly and easily. It’s also effective at cleaning shower curtains, deodorizing drains and wastebaskets, surface-safe cleaning and for septic system care.

Not just for cooking in the kitchen.

Yes, Arm & Hammer Baking Soda is a staple baking ingredient as it causes dough or batter to rise, becoming light and porous when heated, but it can also be used in the kitchen to clean lunch boxes, microwave ovens, dishes, pots and pans, recyclables, drains and garbage disposals. Did I mention it removes odours from plastic containers, polishes silver, freshens sponges and stinky sinks, refreshes tea pots, cups and mugs and works great as a fruit and vegetable scrub? It’s also a common deodorizer for fridges and freezers. Changing the box regularly (every 30 days is recommended) helps ensure optimal odour elimination.

Don’t fret about your floors.

It helps remove unsightly scuff marks without unwanted scratch marks from tile and no-wax floors. It’s also great at neutralizing common household odours and freshens stale-smelling air in your home.

Tackles the greasiest of garages.

Arm & Hammer Baking Soda safely cleans your car lights, chrome, windows, tires, vinyl seats and floor mats without you having to worry about unwanted scratch marks. It’s also a great deodorizer for car interiors and camper water tanks and tackles oil and grease stains on your garage floor or driveway.

Smelly gear no more.

Use Arm & Hammer baking soda to clean and deodorize smelly sports equipment like hockey or camping gear, as well as gym bags.

Don’t forget to take it outside.

It is a must-have for your next camping trip! It’s a dish and pot scrubber, hand cleanser and deodorant, just to name a few. It also cleans your plastic and vinyl pool toys as well as lawn furniture when it’s time to bring them out for the summer and works wonders on barbecue grills.

And that’s not all!

Because of the gentle and all natural formula of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda, it’s a popular personal hygiene product for many. It can be used as a body and facial scrub, hand cleanser and a refreshing bath soak. It also helps to fight bad breath and body odour and is great for washing hair.

For a full list of these 100 uses of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda and usage instructions, visit www.armandhammer.ca. You’ll find them under the ‘Solutions’ tab.

Disclosure: Sponsored post.

With only one month left to go in the school year, I can feel my resolve as a parent slipping. Add to that this heat and I’m done. Actually, I was done some time in early May but don’t tell anyone okay?

These are the days we turn to salads. They’re healthy, light and, if you do it right, really quick to make on busy weekday nights.

Take for example one of our family favourites, a Greek Chicken Salad. I prepare the dressing and chicken strips ahead to save time on busy weeknights. So when our girls ask for the Janes Foods Pub Style Chicken Strips for dinner, I always make extra so I can use the leftovers in other meals.

Greek Chicken Salad

2017-06-09 20:42:32

Write a review

Save Recipe

Print

Prep Time

10 min

Cook Time

20 min

Total Time

25 min

Prep Time

10 min

Cook Time

20 min

Total Time

25 min

For the dressing

1. 3/4 cup Olive oil (I use extra virgin)
2. 3/4 cup Red wine vinegar
3. 2 tsp Garlic salt
4. 2 tsp Oregano
5. 2 tsp Basil
6. 1 tsp Black pepper
7. 1 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard

For the salad

1. Romaine lettuce
2. Janes Foods Pub Style Chicken Strips
3. Tomatoes
4. Cucumbers
5. Red Pepper
6. Feta

Instructions

1. Bake the Janes Foods Pub Style Chicken Strips according to the directions on the package or use left overs. Slice into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
2. Combine all of the ingredients for the dressing together and set aside.
3. Chop the romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and add in a bowl.
4. Add chicken and crumble feta into the salad bowl.
5. Top with 1/2 - 3/4 of the dressing to start and mix well, then serve.

By Sheri Landry

This Bird's Day https://thisbirdsday.com/

I used to spend a lot of time in the grocery store. I’m a label-reader. Then after painstakingly stalking the food aisles, I settled on my go-to foods. These are foods that I spent time vetting so that I wouldn’t have to continue reading every label in the grocery store. Janes Foods Pub Style Chicken Strips falls into this category for me , and they taste great for all of us.

They are made with ingredients that I know, have no preservatives, zero trans fat, zero hydrogenated oils and no artificial flavours. And it’s just a delicious bonus that they are made in Canada.

Disclosure: Sponsored post. Opinions are my own.

Engines roar and dust rises in the Tail Creek Raceway staging area as Frank Wertz looks on from the sidelines, next to his off-road racer. The thing looks like an injured spider, one big front piston cracked open and pointing at the sky.

“I’ve never finished a race,” says Wertz, who’s raced for about eight years. “It’s just about putting on a show and having some fun.”

In offroad racing, the actual racing is only half the sport. Showmanship is just as important. And in the latter category, Wertz excels. He also manages the Facebook group “Offroad” as a rallying place for the race community, where he shares pics and footage of all the carnage.

But of course, the best way to enjoy the action and get a feel for the sport is to see it live. And there’s plenty of entertainment for everybody at the Tail Creek Mudfest, an annual racing event held just east of Alix, AB, and billed as Canada’s “biggest offroad mud and music festival.” The festival takes place over the Canada Day long weekend, from June 30 – July 2.

Imagine a friendlier, greener Mad Max and you may start to get a sense of Alberta’s offroad racing scene. During the race, drivers throw their vehicles at high speeds around, over and through bogs, dirt bowls, boulders, steep hills, big rollers, log traps and dirt jumps. Racers and their families camp out in the fields, barbecuing, telling tall tales and wrenching on big, muddy vehicles.

In the evenings, classic rock and outlaw country rumble from the big stage, with headliners this year featuring Big Sugar, Lee Aaron, David Lee Murphy and Emerson Drive. Racer or not, everyone’s welcome. In the offroad scene, crashing – whether it’s a car or a party – is not only accepted, it’s encouraged.

As we say goodbye to the hats that hide our unwashed hair and trade our long pants for short shorts and skirts, I’m sure I’m not the only one who enters a state of ‘hair emergency’. Do I shampoo and blow dry every day? Where did I put those extra razors? How much time am I going to need to get ready in the morning? And the list goes on.

This year, I’m vowing to sleep more and shave… never! Seriously! I’m also going dry… dry shampoo that is. I’m sure you’re thinking: tell me more!

Let’s start with your locks.

A good hair day can make all the difference but spending time shampooing, conditioning and blow drying every morning can leave you frantic and frazzled. My new secret weapon for fabulous hair is Batiste Dry Shampoo. If you haven’t heard of dry shampoo, I suggest you run, not walk, to pick up a can of Batiste. It works to instantly revive oily hair, leaving it looking and smelling clean and fresh. No wet washing required and most importantly no blow drying. If I have a few extra minutes to spare, I sometimes re-style my hair but it’s not necessary. Batiste comes in a variety of fragrances – New Batiste Dry Shampoo Cherry is perfect for summer with top notes of pear, melon, kiwi and wildberry!

If you’ve never used dry shampoo before, don’t worry. It’s easy to use. Simply shake can well. Hold 30 cm away from your hair, section & spray into roots. Massage thoroughly with fingertips then brush and style as desired.

Then there’s that hair that’s got to go.

I’m talking about the stubble on your legs that leaves you cringing when you reach for that pair of shorts or even worse the bikini you’ve been hiding in the back of your closet all winter. I’m trading my razor this summer for the new Nair Nourish Crème for Legs & Body. A hair remover cream with Grape Seed Oil plus Antioxidant Rich Resveratrol, it removes hair in as little as three minutes (yes, three minutes) while moisturizing to restore skin’s youthful glow leaving you with smooth skin for days longer than shaving*. Did you read that? Days!

Am I your hair hero or what? This summer it’s all about getting your beauty rest, looking fabulous, feeling healthy and rocking those short shorts.

P.S. Between the summer heat and a jam-packed schedule, it’s easy to let healthy eating slip by the wayside. To ensure your body gets the nutrients it needs, try adding a multivitamin to your daily health and beauty routine. A complete multivitamin such as the Vitafusion Women’s Complete Multivitamin is a great option. It’s specially formulated to meet our needs and comes in an easy-to-take, delicious gummy. It includes Biotin and helps maintain hair, skin and nail health – ensuring you glow from the inside out this summer!

Now your turn. What are some of your favourite time-saving beauty products?

Here are some tips to get you started on the path towards a brighter, whiter smile:

For the kids

Children often look at mom and dad as role models, so make sure you lead by example and talk to them about the importance of taking care of their teeth and gums.

• Suggest using a timer or a song to ensure that the kiddies are brushing for as long as they’re supposed to. You can even make it a family activity by doing it all together.
• Give your kiddos a bonus for brushing. A sticker chart that keeps track of their brushing habits is a great way to give them an incentive to brush.
• Introduce a toothpaste and brush that features one of your kids favourite characters – such as the Orajel Spiderman and My Little Pony Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste and the Kids Spinbrush My Little Pony Battery Toothbrush. It keeps things exciting while practicing healthy habits!

For adults

Make sure you’re brushing and flossing at least twice a day to achieve optimal oral health.

• The Canadian Dental Association recommends replacing your toothbrush or toothbrush head every three months or sooner if it becomes worn, for an optimal clean.
• Use a battery-powered toothbrush with sonic pulsating action.  For example, the new

Arm & Hammer Sonic Pulse Battery Toothbrush is clinically proven to remove 2X more plaque versus a manual toothbrush. This toothbrush has a slim, ergonomic handle, and comes with a replaceable head and battery!

• If you can’t resist desserts and candy, pay attention! Foods that contains a lot of sugar can stain your teeth and soften tooth enamel. I recommend Arm & Hammer Truly Radiant Clean & Fresh Toothpaste for enamel safe whitening and lasting freshness plus it prevents tartar build up!

This month make it your goal to wear a smile you’re proud of. How are you practicing good oral health habits?

Disclosure

To help you stay on track this spring and to build better habits all year long, consider placing a calendar in a high traffic area of your home – such as the kitchen or foyer – and place monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly reminders for the following tasks:

Replace toothbrushes

The Canadian Dental Association recommends you change your toothbrush every three months[1]. Place a smiley face sticker at the start of every third month of the year to remind you to buy new brushes for your family.

Check medicine expiry dates

Remember that all medicines expire, including vitamins and supplements. To ensure your medicine cabinet is up to date, schedule a simple calendar reminder for twice a year. This will remind you to check the expiry date and re-stock, if necessary.

Change the baking soda in your fridge

Placing a box of Arm & Hammer Fridge-n-Freezer or Fridge Fresh Baking Soda in your fridge or freezer helps to eliminate odours and keeps your fridge smelling fresh. While many use this simple tip, it can be easy to forget when it’s time to replace the open box. When you purchase a new box, jot down a replacement reminder on the box for a month’s time to maintain maximum odour elimination, ensuring your food stays fresher, longer.

Keeping healthy

Simple healthy habits, such as getting all of the required amount of fruits and veggies or taking vitamins, can slip our minds during hectic days. Vitafusion Vitamin D is a great addition to your routine, especially during the fall and winter months, when heavy clothes and cloudy weather can inhibit the production of Vitamin D in the body. To ensure your body gets all the Vitamin D it needs try placing a reminder in your calendar at the start of the fall season to start taking a supplement.  Very few foods naturally contain this vitamin, meaning a supplement may be the best way to get your necessary intake[2]. Known as the sunshine vitamin, Vitamin D supports bone and teeth health – Vitafusion Vitamin D also comes in a delicious gummy and is the perfect alternative to a traditional hard-to-swallow pill.

Keeping a family calendar is a lifesaver for many families. What are some of your calendar reminders and tips that you think families should consider?

Referenced Links:

[1] http://www.cda-adc.ca/en/oral_health/cfyt/dental_care/flossing_brushing.asp

[2] https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/

Big Brothers Big Sisters offers a wide range of opportunities to youth in need both in Edmonton and across Canada. Their volunteer mentoring programs often match one mentor (or a Big) with one mentee (Little). Have you ever wanted to know more about this remarkable charity?

Doc Pow from SnowSeekers and (me) Sheri Landry with This Bird’s Day are partnering with Snow Valley in Edmonton to bring you an information session to learn more about volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters and we will come bearing gifts.

For everyone who comes out to meet up with us and learn a little more about Big Brothers Big Sisters, Snow Valley has graciously offered one FREE ski or snowboard pass that you can either use that same day, or take with you to use another time.

The event will be held at Snow Valley on Sunday, March 12 at 1:00pm. You must RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/415632705450945/ to be eligible for the FREE passes.

Members from Big Brothers Big Sisters will be on hand for a short presentation that will take less than 30 minutes. If you have any follow up questions, they will be available to answer them for you right on the spot.

So here’s your chance to come out, meet up with us, learn more about a great cause and get your hands on a FREE pass.

Please note, passes are limited so sign up as soon as possible as the list will be closed once enough interest is shown.

Want to know what’s new with Big Brothers Big Sisters? Check out their newsletter at http://www.bgccan.com/en/WhatsNew/Newsletters/Documents/IMPACT Winter 2015.pdf

But, where to start? Here are a few questions and answers to get you started and on the right track.

How can I keep track of my cycle?

Simple! Pick up a First Response® Digital Ovulation Test, which predicts your most fertile days based on your personal LH surge. Remember that the best time to start tracking your cycle is before you start trying to conceive. Your two most fertile days begin with the LH surge and you are most likely to get pregnant if you have intercourse within 24-36 hours after you detect your personal LH surge.

Don’t panic if you’ve never heard of your LH surge before! I didn’t know what it was either. If you’re curious, visit firstresponse.com for more info.

I think I may be pregnant. Now what?

Anxious to find out if you’re pregnant? The First Response Early Result Pregnancy Test can tell you if you’re pregnant up to six days before your missed period. If you’re interested in sharing the news with friends and family, how you share it is up to you!

Who will take care of me during my pregnancy?

It’s important to determine if you would like a doctor or midwife (or someone else) to care for you during your pregnancy. There are many different options. Pick the person who you feel most comfortable with and don’t let friends or family sway your decision.

What should I pack in my hospital bag?

A quick search online will produce many hospital necessities. Combine those lists to make one that suits you. Remember, you will be in the hospital anywhere from overnight to a few days depending. You’ll want to have the bag packed and ready to go well before your bundle of joy is set to arrive.

How else can I prepare?

The most important tip is to enjoy the experience and make sure to take time for yourself! Unwind after a busy day with a good book and a cup of tea. Plan a weekend getaway and sneak away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Curl up on the couch and watch your favourite movie. Whatever makes you feel comfortable and relaxed.

Before you know it, you’ll be holding your little one in your arms. Nine months went by quickly and being prepared is essential, especially as you tackle sleepless nights and dozens of diaper changes! I suggest stocking up on the essentials – diapers, baby clothes, blankets and bottles are a must. You can also stock the medicine cabinet with diaper cream and something to help with colic, such as OVOL Drops, which is a simple, alcohol-free solution that can be added to a bottle or used on its own. It helps relieve discomfort caused by trapped gas, making it easier for babies to pass gas and burp at feeding time. Don’t forget to ask your doctor first to find out if this product is right for your new baby!

Are you a first-time mom? Do you have tips about trying to conceive or being pregnant? Leave a comment below.

Disclosure: Sponsored post.

A dog’s breed can determine many things including appearance, common health concerns, training preference, energy levels and even their height and weight. I’m talking to all of you lucky ducks out there who were promised their new puppy would grow up to be about 25 lbs and knee high only to find out they are currently passing 60lbs and you can almost ride them to work.

Wisdom Panel 4.0 Canine DNA Test is a dog DNA testing service that will match your dog’s DNA to more than 250 breeds, types and varieties including all those recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC). Here’s the quick run down of what it is:

• Cost is $84.99US (includes postage to get your sample to the Wisdom Panel labs for testing)
• Ancestry back to the great-grandparent level
• Mixed breed information (if applicable): When a portion of the dog’s ancestry is predicted to be mixed beyond the three generations they test for. If they are unable to identify strong individual breed signals in the mixed portion, they list the genetic breed groups with the strongest statistical likelihood. 
• A predicted weight profile
• Information about the physical traits your dog may exhibit
• Testing for the MDR1 genetic mutation: dogs with the MDR1-mutation may have severe adverse reactions to some common drugs, so it is important to test your dog and share your results with your veterinarian so they can provide your dog with for the best possible care
• Testing for Exercise-induced Collapse (EIC): Exercise-induced collapse (EIC) is an inherited disorder of nerve and muscle that was first identified in Labrador Retrievers. Severity of the disorder is mild to moderate for the majority of dogs. Dogs are not painful during collapse or after recovery. Affected dogs are generally unable to continue training or competition, but can live relatively normal lives if exercise and excitement are limited.
• Provides you with information to plan for your dog’s unique nutrition, training and even healthcare.
• Can be run for mixed-breed, designer, or purebred dogs. The procedure is the same for all three, but you decide at the time of activation how you would like them to run it. For purebred and designer dogs, the test provides a Principle Component Analysis chart comparing your dog with others of that same breed(s) in their database and for purebred tests specifically, an additional Homozygosity Profile.

Here are a few photos of our dog Hendrix. He is now almost three years old.

So we signed up and paid for a kit. It arrived in the mail in about a week and the instructions were easy to follow. The kit came with:

• Instructions
• DNA cheek swabs – all for use on one dog
• Drying insert for swabs
• Pre-paid shipping label and box

In a nutshell (but still read and follow the directions), you create an account / pet profile and register the sample online by typing in a unique code found on the sample. Then you swab the inside of your dog’s mouth along the cheek for about 15 seconds, let it sit for a bit, then package it up and send it back in the postage paid envelope.

Your results will be posted on your account within two to three weeks of receipt at the lab. And I have to tell you, it’s like Christmas morning when you get that email notification saying that your results are ready to view.

I admit that prior to having the test done, I was fairly confident that two of the breeds would be a haired Xoloitzcuintli (Google it!) and a Ridgeback. It turns out Hendrix is neither of these.

Want to know what he is???

I’ll share some screenshots of our results below so you can see how detailed the reports are. They even determined that our dog has a black nose and eye rims, that he had short, straight hair, a long tail and that he has floppy ears that have some stiffness to them so they can stand up.

A quick summary shows the results of our dog’s cheek swab.

The ancestry tree shows all of the way up to the great-grandparent level. One of Hendrix’s grandparents was a pure breed boxer. That explains some stuff.

For each breed that your dog is (with certainty), a page describing the breed is listed in your profile.

When trace mixed breeds are detected, the group will be listed. From this you can get an idea of some of their personality traits. In our dog’s case, the herding group makes a lot of sense as we sometimes catch him trying to herd our cat, which usually doesn’t end well for him. #CatsGonnaGoWhereACatWantsToGo

In addition to the online results, you also have a downloadable PDF file with everything you need to know. Download a copy for yourself, and one for your pet’s vet.

Since all dogs are different, and even dogs that look similar can have different breeds, I urge anyone who is curious to order this test so you can know for sure. To find out more or to order your own kit, go to wisdompanel.com.

PS – as of writing this, there is currently a coupon code on the site so you won’t want to wait.

The start of the New Year is the perfect time to reflect on the past and look forward to the future. It can also turn into a very hectic time, with children going back to school, winter sports starting and work piling up after a few weeks of relaxation. January has already flown by and I am just now creating a path for what I want to accomplish professionally and personally this year. Realizing what your goals are is only half of the battle. In order to achieve your goals, you also need to create habits.

Here are some simple changes that could turn into life-long habits. Good luck on your adventure!

Healthy homemade meals and snacks

Making meals for your family can feel like a huge chore, but eating out or grabbing fast food regularly is expensive and often leads to unhealthy choices. Start 2017 off right by preparing simple and delicious meals ahead of time.

We all have busy schedules that take away from prep time. Make an effort to cut back on fast food by cutting up fruits, vegetables and salad ahead of time or on the weekend. Or plan a couple of healthy slow cooker meals that cook during the day while you are  out. Getting your family involved can also make prepping food more fun and helps your children understand the importance of making healthy decisions.

Unplug and recharge

Getting a good night sleep can be difficult. There are always new emails to be answered and a list of chores to do; however, it is important to understand the need for a good night’s sleep. Sleep can boost productivity, improve your memory and help maintain a healthy weight^[1].

This year, turn off the television, computers and smart-phones one hour before bed time. If you feel the need to check your phone, leave it in a different room. Read a book or write in a journal during that hour before bed. This will help to clear and calm your mind.

If you are having trouble falling asleep, try Vitafusion SleepWell. Each SleepWell gummy is made with 2.5 g of Melatonin, a hormone that helps increase total sleep time.

Drink water

After a month of indulging start the year off right by challenging your family to drink more water. If you create the habit to start and end your day with one full glass of water, you are about half way through your minimum daily requirement. This may be difficult for the first few days, but after a week you will feel rejuvenated and have healthier hair and skin.

Make time for friends and family

Along with our physical well being, our emotional well being is extremely important. Focus on nurturing relationships that matter to you. Go for coffee, put time aside for a phone conversation with a long distance friend or have some close friends over for wine and a chat. Our world is becoming increasingly disconnected as many turn their attentions to online relationships. As human beings, it is important to keep grounded in personal relationships.

Keep your hair healthy

Washing your hair too frequently can strip out natural oils and cause split ends^[2]. This new year, start washing your hair every second or third day to maintain healthy and natural looking locks. Using Batiste Dry Shampoo Original between washes will help to eliminate excess oil and grease, leaving hair looking clean and fresh with added body and texture. No water required!

Starting a new habit can be daunting! What healthy habits do you want to start this year?

Footnotes

1. Surprising Health Benefits of Sleep
2. Reasons Why You Should Stop Washing Your Hair every day

We’ve got you covered with some great ideas to get you started.

Local treats

There are many local companies that sell unique items and you will be able to find something for anyone on your list. Buying local builds your economy. It introduces you and the gift-receiver to new places, and it gives you a unique gift that she will cherish. A quick look around your city, and you can probably find chocolates, jewelry, bath products, clothing and more.

In addition to local stores, craft sales are a plenty over the holidays. Head out and grab a locally made item from someone in our creative community.

A clean house

The holidays can get a little hectic. There are parties, dinners, drop ins and don’t forget the clean up after the yuletide has left the building for another year. Give the gift of a tidy house and a clean start to a new year.

In Edmonton and Calgary (and surrounding areas), Mad Maids offers exceptional service, online booking and flat rate pricing so you know what you are going to get and how much it will cost. They are also available on fairly short notice for those of you who just remembered you are throwing a party this weekend!

A cleaning service is also a great idea for just before all of your guests come over for Christmas dinner or before that big party (or after).

A relaxing day

Taking time out to enjoy a day of pampering is at the top of many lists this holiday. Spas offer various services from manicures, pedicures, facials, massages and much more. You can buy one service or mix and match services to get to a certain price point. If money is no object, many spas also offer half day and full day packages that will leave her feeling completely relaxed and rejuvenated.

If you are not sure which service is right for her, you can always inquire about a gift card. Just make sure to look at some of the more popular services (listed in the paragraph above) to get an idea of the gift card amount.

A getaway

Whether you stay in your city or head out of town, sometimes a few days is all you need to recharge and get ready to take on the new year. Prices are often better for travel the second and third week into January, and there is still a lot to choose from.

The fireworks at the end of Jasper in January are spectacular.

If you are staying near home, tie your vacation in with an event, concert or festival.

Subscription boxes

Subscription boxes usually come out monthly and contain a wide range of items in a certain theme. There are candy, wine, coffee, local, healthy, crafty, etc, etc, etc items. What does she love? What are her hobbies? Just google a category with the term subscription box (you can also add in Canada) and you should be able to find something that you can sign up for.

You choose how many you want to send. Pay. Then each month a new surprise shows up at their door. It’s a nice way of extending Christmas well into the next year.

When I began making conscious efforts to be healthy, it was easy. I was motivated and it was a new challenge. As the days and weeks went on though, the challenge to stay on track has become, well, challenging.

I fell into a rut of eating the same thing because I knew it was good for me and I didn’t take the time to expand my knowledge. Because of this, food and meals became boring and I began to lose interest in my goals.

Maintaining a healthy, balanced lifestyle is a marathon, not a sprint and I decided that if I was going to be successful, I needed to expand my knowledge and drop some old habits. Here are some things that have been helping me.

Track your day

Keeping a record of what you eat, your exercise and your goals will help you to analyze your day. The only way this helps is if you track everything, even if it sends you over your daily goals. There are numerous free and paid apps out there. Find one that will let you track your food and exercise as well as the nutrients you are getting. You should be able to set certain goals like water intake, fibre consumption, calories etc.

Drink your water

I used to reach the end of my day and realized that my only liquid intake was the coffee I had at breakfast. This isn’t good. To fix this, I set an alarm for almost every hour during the day. When it went off, I grabbed a glass of water. Hydrating throughout the day is better than drinking it all at once at 10pm.

Food variety is the spice of life

During my first week, I ate the same thing over and over because I knew that eating those meals were safe. This is completely fine, but you will get to a point where you need to break away and try new things before you decide to just give up in a fit of tears (or so I’ve been told).

Adding fun, healthy snacks to your daily diet can be a great motivator to staying on track. Through research (AKA Google) I’ve become quite creative at adding foods in between my meals that are satisfying and keep me going. For example, we all know that cheese, in large amounts, is bad for healthy diets. Cheese is kind of like that friend that you should see in limited qualities. You have a lot of fun when you are together, but you wake up in the morning with way too many regrets.

I love cheese, so I’ve figured out a way to satiate that craving in a low calorie snack. I’ll share it with you here and there is a recipe video tutorial below.

Balsamic Tomato Bites

2016-10-20 13:26:49

A light snack that satisfies the salty and sweet cravings.

Write a review

Save Recipe

Print

Prep Time

5 min

Total Time

5 min

Prep Time

5 min

Total Time

5 min

Ingredients

1. Breton Sprouted Grains crackers (sea salt)
2. Light cream cheese
3. Cherry tomatoes, chopped
4. Balsamic reduction
5. Chives, chopped

Instructions

1. Spread cream cheese on Breton crackers
2. Add cherry tomatoes on each cracker and set on a plate
3. Drizzle balsamic reduction over crackers and top with chives then serve

Notes

1. Balsamic reduction can be found near the balsamic vinegar in grocery stores. It is a thicker consistency and more flavourful then balsamic vinegar.

By Sheri Landry

This Bird's Day https://thisbirdsday.com/

Feel free to share your healthy living tips in the comments. I can use all the help I can get.

Disclosure: Sponsored post. Thank you for supporting
companies like Breton that support This Bird’s Day.

sponsored post

Whether you spell it mustache or moustache, it doesn’t really matter. What matters is that thanks to The Movember Foundation, the men that matter most to us are having conversations about their health that they never used to before, and they are living longer.

The Movember Foundation is a global charity committed to men living happier, healthier, longer lives. From humble beginnings in 2003 when 30 moustaches participated to today with over 5 million globally, The Movember Foundation has raised over $677 million and funded over 1,000 projects focusing on prostate cancer, testicular cancer, poor mental health and physical inactivity.

This month, moustaches will be grown around the world to raise more money, awareness and funds. And what is the good of your dad, husband, son, friend, coworker etc, growing out their facial hair without some words of encouragement. Or well, just some words…

And we’ve got you covered! Here are 60 slang terms for moustache you can use to cheer your moustache-grower on. There’s even enough here for two a day this month. Hover your cursor over the image to see each word.

And, since their mouths will be the centre of attention this month, are some products to help you get through Movember.With all eyes on the ‘stache, now is the time to maintain your pearly whites. Enter SpinbrushTM Truly RadiantTM Clean & Fresh Battery-Powered Toothbrush and ARM & Hammer Truly RadiantTM Clean & Fresh Toothpaste.

While we’re on the topic of men’s health, there are many things men can do to maintain optimal health. This includes having an active daily routine which could lower blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and weight. It’s also important to take a multivitamin, such as the Vitafusion Men’s Complete Multivitamin, which helps to ensure that men get the supplements their bodies need to maintain good health, immune function and contains B vitamins to help convert food to energy.

Anyone in your life growing a moustache in support of Movember? Share your Movember story!

Or better yet, add your moustache slang below!

Here’s what we’ve got so far: BestFriend, Bristle Batons, Bro-merang, Bro-mo, Bro-stache, Brocha, Caterpillar, Cookie Duster, Crumb Catcher, Crustache, Dirt Squirrel, Double Hamster, Face Fitting, Face Lace, Face Furniture, Face Pants, Facial Fur, Fanny Duster, Fellowcro, Flavour Saver, Grass Grin, Handlebars, Lady Tickler, Lip Biscuit, Lip Cap, Lip Caterpillar, Lip Doily, Lip Ferret, Lip Foliage, Lip Luggage, Lip Rug, Lip Sweater, Lip Toupée, Lower Brow, Manometer, Mo, Molestache, Mouser, Mouth Awning, Mouth Mirken, Mouth-stache, Mouth Brow, Moz, Mr. Tickler, Muzzy, Nose Beard, Nose Bug, Nose Neighbor, Old Bullet Proof, Pushbroom, Smoke Filter, Snot Catcher, Snot Mop, Soup Strainer, Stache, Tache, Tea Strainer, Upper Lipholstery, Whiskers

Thank you for supporting companies like Church and Dwight that support This Bird’s Day with sponsored posts.

moustache word image created with tagul.com.

*sponsored post

November is Financial Literacy Month and it’s a great time to share what you know about money matters with your kids. To mark Financial Literacy Month last November, TD commissioned a report – State of Financial Education in Canada – which found parents and educators share the main responsibility for the financial education of children.

Developing healthy habits starts at a much earlier age than 16 years old. Taking an active role in your child’s financial education at an early age will instill a positive attitude towards saving and spending down the road.

And who better than you, their parents, to start the money management conversation to help your children develop smart money skills that can set them up for a more secure financial future.

As children grow so do their understanding of money concepts. Starting the money management conversation with them early is only the beginning. You can continue and tailor the conversation as they age.

Paul Orlander, Senior Vice President of Personal Savings and Investing at TD Canada Trust, and co-chair of TD’s Financial Education Council‎, offers these guidelines to help parents tailor money lessons to each child’s age and developmental stage. For additional money management resources, you can check out TD’s Smart Money Toolkit.

Under 6 years old

At this stage, children are interested in the different shapes and colours of money. Handling real money can help them learn more about it. So, give your child some shiny coins they can put in a jar or piggy bank to watch their savings grow.

Although preschoolers may be too young to understand the concept of money, they are learning to count, and have a basic knowledge of quantities. Make the experience of adding to the jar a big deal and as the number of coins grows, swap them occasionally for the equivalent amount in crisp bills.

6 to 9 years old

Kids at this age understand the concept of saving, but they might not yet understand what’s fully involved in paying for all the latest and greatest toys they want. The balance of saving and spending can be reinforced by giving your children a small allowance, perhaps earned through set chores, explaining to them how long it will take to buy something they really want.

Children at this age have usually grasped basic math skills like addition and subtraction, which can help them learn the value of money.

10 to 15 years old

Teach pre-teens how to use their bank account, such as making deposits and withdrawals, and responsibly use a debit card. They might start to earn their own money through odd jobs or babysitting, so now might be time to ask them to cover some of their own expenses.

Teens are often developing their plans for the future – looking ahead to college, university or a big trip – so it’s a perfect time to introduce them to the concept of setting financial goals and investing early to take advantage of compound interest.

It is also important to teach teens about the importance of credit and how a credit card works.

16 to 18 years old

Your child may be less financially dependent on you now, especially as they start earning more money through a part-time or summer job. They also may be taking on more responsibility to pay for regular bills, such as monthly mobile payments, and saving for bigger purchases, such as a car. Sharing the family budget will help your teen learn about real-world costs and keep their expectations in line with your family’s financial reality.

Furthermore, sit down with your child and help them set up their own budget tracker, so they too can track where their money is going and how to set spending priorities. Saving for retirement early and for a rainy day are other topics of discussion to consider having at this age.

To help you start and continue the conversation, TD has launched a new family resource hub that offers tools and resources to help you educate your children on smart money management practices. Resources from the Smart Money Toolkit include learning modules by age, a parent quiz and an activity book for kids.

There’s no better time than Financial Literacy Month this month to get the conversation started with you kids.

Sponsored post. Thank you for supporting companies
like TD that support This Bird’s Day.

sponsored post

Skates, helmets and tournaments – oh my, it must hockey season! Between driving your hockey superstar to endless practices, organizing fundraisers and maintaining equipment, there’s no denying that being a hockey parent is a busy – and rewarding – job. The team camaraderie is infectious and seeing your little one’s determination on the ice is priceless.

Here are some ways to prepare for hockey season’s worst, to ensure it’s the best:

1) Develop a routine: Because the hockey season is so busy, establishing a scheduled routine is important. This includes making time for homework between school and practice, ensuring the hockey bag is packed ahead of time and coordinating carpool schedules. Family and individual calendars are great for tracking who needs to be where and when.

2) Banish smelly gear: It’s always surprising how such a big smell can come from a small kid! Hockey equipment is bound to collect sweat when your kid is skating their heart off on the ice so make sure you stop odors before they start.  First, air out all equipment after each use.  Do not – I repeat, do not – leave everything in a zipped up hockey bag. Nothing good every comes from doing that! Second, regularly wash items that can be machine washed.

3) Maintain a positive attitude: The number one goal (pun intended!) for your child during hockey season should be to have fun. Whether it’s a “win” or “lose” in the end, each game teaches your child how to work as a team and participate in friendly competition. These important life values are the true prize at the end of the season!

4) Get to know your fellow hockey parents: Creating a network of other parents can add a fun social element to the experience for you. Plus, it’s a great way to stay connected and easily be able to coordinate carpools and call-in a last minute favour if you can’t make a practice.

5) Make some memories: Your before hockey advice and after hockey breakfast runs are the stuff memories are made of.

What are your tips for surviving the hockey season?

Sponsored post. Thank you for supporting companies
like Church & Dwight that support This Bird’s Day.

A shooting star goes over Spirit Island on Maligne Lake in Jasper, Alberta, Canada. Photo credit Ryan Bray, Parks Canada

Inviting you to power down and look up, this year’s Dark Sky Festival is happening in Jasper from October 14 – 23 and there is still plenty to take in before it is over. My family and I just got back from a weekend in Jasper (and the first weekend of the Dark Sky Festival) and I have plenty to share. You can read on to find out how this past weekend was for us or check out my article from last year at http://thisbirdsday.com/power-down-look-up-jasper-dark-sky-festival/.

Different seasons bring different views. Just south of Jasper.

If you are humming and hawing about getting away for one last trip before the winter sets in, then read on and make some plans for this weekend — you’ll be glad you did.

Speakers

Listening to experts in their scientific fields speak always blows my mind and every session I have attended at the Dark Sky Festival has been inspirational, educational and moving on both a personal and cosmic level.

Bill Nye (the Science Guy) spoke during the first weekend of the Dark Sky Festival this year.

If you head out this weekend, you are in for a treat when George Takei takes the stage. He is going to be at a couple different events on the Friday and Saturday evenings. In addition, SPACEtalks will be featuring some of North America’s brightest astronomy and media professionals. I am completely jealous and will be following along closely on social media this weekend.

So far all of the speaking events I have attended have also had a short Q&A from the audience at the end of the event.

Canadian astronaut, Jeremy Hansen gave an wonderful talk about Canada’s ongoing contributions to space exploration last weekend at the festival.

Fun for the family

I can’t stress enough how much our whole family has gained from attending the Jasper Dark Sky Festival the past two years. From lively family discussions in the car about our place in space to questions from our girls about why the moon looks so bumpy when they get to see it through a telescope.

Looking at the sun through Eclipse Shades, special solar viewing glasses from the Jasper Planetarium (http://jasperplanetarium.com/).

Next weekend is an activity-packed weekend for families. The Big Bang Expo at Centennial Field is a must attend event for the kids. The TELUS World of Science will be on location with numerous experiments, crafts and demonstrations that your kids will love. Both of our daughters still have the crafts and rockets they made in 2015. The Big Bang Expo is a free event for everyone and runs on the Saturday afternoon from 11:00am – 3:00pm.

The UofA DiscoverE team was out demonstrating various hands on science experiments. Our youngest is helping a small robot to ride along a drawn map.

After seeing her sister with the robot, our oldest decided to create a map of her own and led the robot on a different adventure.

Stargazing

Another favourite family event is the Stargazing in Jasper on the Saturday evening. It is also a free event happening on the lawn of the Visitor Information Centre. The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada is on hand with their telescopes set up. You can walk around the grounds and look through their telescopes to see the moon and possibly some planets or other surprises.

The lighting at Lake Annette during the star gazing event is kept to a minimum to allow you to see all of the stars in the night sky. Photo credit Jeff Bartlett.

For a truly dark sky experience on the Friday, you can board a shuttle from the town out to Lake Annette to look around in almost complete darkness. This is free to attend and there is no charge for the shuttles that run continuously during the event.

Star and moon gazing along with nighttime photography classes are also being held during the weekend. You can check out a complete list of free and paid events and sign up at http://jasperdarksky.travel/events/.

Sightseeing

There is no shortage of things to do and see while you are visiting Jasper. A short drive in any direction gets you to beautiful hikes, scenic views and majestic wildlife.

Just south of Jasper on a scenic drive.

Within 30 minutes, you can be on top of a mountain at the Jasper SkyTram, at Athabasca Falls, Pyramid Lake or Maligne Canyon to name a few spots.

Elk are often seen around and in Jasper.

The food

You know something is amazing when you can’t stop talking about it. For three days straight while we visited this last weekend, I made it very clear to everyone in my family that I wouldn’t be leaving Jasper without a sandwich from the Patricia Street Deli. I spoke about it so passionately that my eight year old daughter insisted that she would be having one too, sight unseen, just like mine (a chicken sandwich with cranberry mayo and loaded with carrots, lettuce, sprouts, pickles, beets and aged white cheddar — I was that spirited).

You will crave this once you try it. This sandwich from the Patricia Street Deli is at the top of my very long list (and growing) of food I must have when I visit Jasper.

And last night just before we went to sleep, my husband turned to me and lovingly said ‘that was a really good sandwich’.

The thing about Jasper though is that it is like this everywhere we have eaten. Culinary delights greet you on every corner.

The Jasper Brewing Company offers great food, a nice kids menu and beer, brewed on site. They have a special brew available right now for the Dark Sky Festival. My favourite beer from there is Blackeye Blueberry Vanilla.

The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge always has great food. If you are able to sign up for any of their banquets, or events that include a nice dinner, jump at it. I’ll be thinking about my most recent dining experience from this past weekend as part of their Symphony Under the Stars event for a long time to come.

After a delicious meal at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, we walked outside to spend an evening with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra under the stars.

Take in the unique experience of eating on top of a mountain. The Jasper SkyTram will take you up to the Summit Restaurant for a delicious meal with breathtaking views. The SkyTram will be open until the end of October and offers some unique dining and viewing options during the Dark Sky Festival.

The Summit Restaurant at the top of the Jasper SkyTram offers delicious food with a stunning view.

If you want to save some money by not eating out every night, you can get a room with a fridge and visit one of their grocers to pick up some items to eat in your room. Our room at the Mount Robson Inn had a fridge and a microwave.

How to get there

Heading out to the Jasper Dark Sky Festival is as simple as just booking your room and getting out there. While there is a charge for some events that you can sign up for, there is no charge to attend the festival itself. Festival events are listed at http://jasperdarksky.travel/events/ so once you are there, you just show up to any of the free events and have a great time.

Big horn sheep making a graceful exit along the side of a mountain east of Jasper on Highway 16.

We love this festival because it isn’t really crowded. Our kids enjoyed all of the events without rushing through and everything happened at a relaxed pace. The girls had a chance to talk to volunteers and members of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada and ask questions about anything they wanted to know.

Pyramid Lake at sunset.

This next weekend coming up is wrapping up the festival with a long list of things to do and there is still time to book a room and get away one last time before winter sets in.

What are you waiting for?

I would like to thank Tourism Jasper, Rocky Mountianeer,
Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Mount Robson Inn and the Jasper SkyTram.

So guess what my daughters wanted to be for Halloween this year. That’s right, Mal and Evie. At least they didn’t fight over which one got to be which character. In a strange turn of events, they both wanted a different character. Cue the angelic choir, Halloween isn’t going to be a big fight this year.

We have the costumes and are working on makeup (it’s the only time during the year they get to go crazy with makeup) so I thought I’d share everything I picked up. I was able to find everything in one store as well as use some basic things I already had on hand.

The items I had at home (with one exception), and everything I picked up in store were all from London Drugs. I found a makeup kit that contained every colour I needed for the girls, and a little bit for myself as well. Also, I used a BB cream for my girls. They saw me putting it on myself and asked if they could have it too. You don’t need to use it if you don’t want to.

Mal

Mal is the daughter of Maleficent in the movie. Her makeup style is very basic. At one point in the movie she even says something along the line of “Is it obvious I don’t wear makeup?” She does get a small makeover in the movie though and her makeup is very light and natural.

It worked out well that my youngest wanted to be Mal because her facial features are still fairly small so I can’t do a lot with makeup, and I didn’t want to get too heavy with dark lines around her eyes.

Mal’s makeup (above):

1. Olay Fresh Effects BB cream in light to medium
2. Beauty Scene Kit (eyes, lips, cheeks, powder)
3. CoverGirl Clump Crusher Mascara in Very Black
4. Sally Hansen Miracle Gel in Boho a-Go-Go

Evie

Evie is the daughter of the Evil Queen from the Snow White fairy tale. Like her mother in the movie, Evie has a desire to be the fairest of them all. Style and fashion are important and her makeup is a little more involved than Mal’s is.

It’s no wonder that my older daughter is drawn to her character. She is curious about makeup and style so it is the perfect fit.

Evie’s makeup (above):

1. Olay Fresh Effects BB Cream in light to medium
2. Beauty Scene Kit (eyes, lips, cheeks, powder): use the lighter blue eye shadow on the inside of the eyes and the darker shade towards the outside edge. Either lip stick shade shown above is a good fit.
3. Annabelle Stay Sharp Self Sharpening Waterproof Kohl Eyeliner in Midnight
4. CoverGirl Clump Crusher Mascara in Very Black
5. Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in Pacific Blue

Maleficent

So with two daughters that want to be the Descendant’s characters, I guess I’m not going as a pumpkin this year!

Maleficent’s makeup was really fun to put on because they aren’t colours that I would normally wear. The only difference between this photo and what I will wear on Halloween is I will be adding more black liner around my eyes and putting on fake eyelashes to vamp up the look. There are some nice lashes in the NYY Wicked line. Since her look is a little more elaborate, I will include some notes, below.

Maleficent’s makeup (above):

1. Olay Fresh Effects BB Cream in light to medium
2. NYX Wonder Stick in Universal: In the movie, Maleficent has a lot of contouring to make her cheeks look more sunken in. This is a great contouring stick for that job. The dark can be spread in the hollows of the cheek and the lighter shade can be used to highlight the surrounding area.
3. Beauty Scene Kit: I didn’t really need much in this kit, but since I had it for the girls, I used the brown shade for my eyebrows, and the purple shade to add to my colour.
4. NYX Eye Shadow Base: I used this as a base on my lips to get them to look darker. This is also a great item to have on had to make your shadows look a little darker.
5. NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Purple Velvet: I used this on both my lips and my eyes. On my lips, I put it on top of the shadow base (above). It created a nice dark purple lip outline.
6. NYX Cosmic Metals Lip Cream in Ultraviolet: I am in love with this lip cream. It is the perfect shade for Maleficent’s lips. Add this to your lips on top of your shadow base and eye pencil.
7. CoverGirl Clump Crusher Mascara in Very Black
8. Essie Nail Polish in Devil’s Advocate: A really dark, almost black purple. It’s the perfect fit for Maleficent’s costume. If you want to be really authentic, Maleficent has one nail painted a lime green in the movie. A close match is Reggae and Rum, also in the Essie collection.

Hot Specialty Drinks

When the weather cools, I stock up on the most delicious hot drinks of the season. There’s coffee, tea, hot chocolate and apple cider to name a few. As recently as 10 minutes ago, I was enjoying Keurig’s new Green Mountain Hot Apple Cider. It’s tart and sweet and only 80 calories a cup. It’s made with real apples, a hint of cinnamon and the perfect amount of brown sugar and it contains NO artificial flavours or preservatives. It reminds me of hot apple pie.

Keurig’s Green Mountain Hot Apple Cider is perfect for those cozy fall days. Want a cozy fall night? Add in a little dark rum and a cinnamon stick.

I’ve attached a list of some recipes that you can try using the Green Mountain Hot Apple Cider as well. It’s available now in stores. I just grabbed myself a new box at Bed, Bath and Beyond yesterday.

Fun Nail Colours

Nail polish is such a great accessory. There are a lot of fun colours and lacquer companies have put out their own fall collections. A change of season is the perfect excuse to add a new nail colour to your arsenal. I think I’m going to go for something subtle and light with a little bit of sheen on my next shopping spree.

Everything PSL

It is the season of pumpkin-spiced everything. There are hits and misses out there, but my absolute top pick for PSL-lovers is my very own Pumpkin Spice Latte Fudge. No good things come easy and it took me three tries to perfect this recipe and it is worth every failed attempt.

Inspirational Journals

Going into fall, I take stock of things I accomplished and things I still want to do. Journals are a great way of keeping track of your thoughts, making lists and jotting down your dreams. Nanowrimo is also coming up in November so a journal can also keep ideas for your future novel safe.

And if you are going to write your dreams and goals in a book, why not choose one that motivates you. Here are the journals inspire me (found at Chapter’s).

Stylish Boots

A new season means new shoes — duh. Actually for me, sometimes a new week means new shoes but we’ll just talk about that addiction in a different post. Right now I’m in love with practically any boot that goes with a nice pair of jeans (and a sweater… did I mention I love sweaters yet?)

So what are you waiting for, kick off your stylish new boots and get cozy on your couch in your warm sweater with a journal in one hand and your hot apple cider in your other, perfectly manicured grasp. That is the best way to spend a cool fall day.

What are your favourite fall finds?

Disclosure: Every cookie is ‘my favourite’ cookie. I haven’t met a cookie yet that I don’t like. The same can probably be said for cakes, fudge, wine, cheese and ruggedly handsome men in their mid-thirties to fourties though, so there you go… #oversharing

I’ve been side-eyeing my chocolate chip cookie recipe for awhile and wondering what it would taste like when it grows up. What can I add to it to bring it to a different level?

That and I’m all about stuff that I love. And cramming as much of the stuff I adore into one recipe is what I do best — says the girl who made up a banging Pumpkin Spice Latte Fudge recipe last year.

And back to my ‘ka-pow’ moment.

Introducing my chewy peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. They are soft and chewy and have a slight crunch to them when you take a bite. And the best part is I was able to get some peanut butter and rum (well imitation rum extract) into them too.

Chewy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

2016-09-30 15:10:27

Yields 40

Imagine a grown up version of your chocolate chip cookie. This soft, chewy chocolate chip cookie recipe has peanut butter and imitation rum extract.

Write a review

Save Recipe

Print

Ingredients

1. 2.5 cups flour
2. 3/4 tsp baking soda
3. 1 cup unsalted butter (room temp)
4. 1/2 cup granulated sugar
5. 1 cup brown sugar
6. 1/2 cup natural peanut butter
7. 1 tsp salt
8. 2 tsp imitation rum extract
9. 2 eggs
10. 2 cups milk chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Whisk flour and baking soda in a bowl and set aside.
3. In a mixing bowl, combine butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar together on a medium setting until it becomes fluffier and lighter. Scrape sides of bowl into mixture to make sure everything is combined and a creamy-like texture.
4. Add in peanut butter and mix until blended on a low to medium setting, scraping sides to make sure everything is properly mixed.
5. Add salt, imitation rum extract and eggs and mix until combined.
6. While blender is mixing on low, slowly add the flour and baking soda mixture until everything is combined.
7. Lightly mix in chocolate chips.
8. Scoop 1 - 1.5" balls of cookie dough and place on a cookie sheet or pan.
9. Bake in batches at 350 degrees for 10 - 12 minutes or until the edges become lightly golden.
10. Remove from the oven, let cool on the cookie pan for two minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.

By Sheri Landry

This Bird's Day https://thisbirdsday.com/

Then there comes the one day that it’s just done. And that is the day that you wake up to an icy dust-like blanket covering your yard.

Frost. To gardeners, that’s the real f-word.

Sometimes you have warning and you can protect your garden. Sometimes it just got cooler than expected and you are left standing there, staring at the last few month’s hard work you put in and watching as your tomato plants die in front of you.

Depending on how cold and severe the frost was, you may still be able to save your tomatoes.

How frost kills tomato plants

In a nutshell when the temperature drops too low the cells in the tomato freeze. But that isn’t completely what kills your harvest. It’s also the rate at which it thaws. After the freezing has happened, the sun rises, and the quick rise in temperature, even by only a few degrees, causes the cells to die. Both of these happening together is what makes avid gardeners rage when unexpected frost occurs.

How to save your tomatoes after frost

I really didn’t see the frost coming last year. It was really early in September and the day before was warm and I don’t recall any warning of frost. We were supposed to get close to freezing, but that was about it.

I woke up early the next morning to frost everywhere. In a panic I ran outside to see my 14 tomato plants lightly covered with frost. I can’t remember why I was up early (probably letting our cat in), but the sun hadn’t come up yet and I could still see my breath.

Armed with nothing more than the knowledge that frost kills in two steps, I realized that I needed to act quick before the sun came up and the frost started to disappear. I turned on our garden sprinkler and watered the tomatoes with the cold water to attempt to bring their temperature up at a slower rate than it would climb naturally.

Since this was my first time trying this out, I left the water running until one hour after the sun was in the sky. I thought if I could bring the temperature up to the place it would be after I watered them with cold water, then the freezing in the cells should have passed, and then they could warm up with the sun like they normally do after I watered them in the morning.

In the end, it worked. I lost the tomatoes on one side of one plant where the water couldn’t reach. But we saved tomatoes on 13 1/2 plants. And they were delicious.

Keep in mind

This may not happen in every situation. If the frost has passed and is no longer on your tomatoes, their temperature may already have risen and killed the cells. If the frost or the temperature was too severe, there may be no saving them. But for an average frost, if you can get to them at the right time, this should work.

If you like to know the science behind the article, this is a great link about frost damage in plants http://www.fao.org/docrep/008/y7223e/y7223e0a.htm

The scenery

Once you leave the highway behind, Vermilion offers up beautiful natural scenery. The Rotary Lookout overlooks Vermilion Lake, and a trail from here winds down into Vermilion Provincial Park.

You can also access the park by vehicle and once you are in the park, you have access to a launch area for boats and canoes, or just have a picnic along the shore and enjoy the scenery.

The Claude N. Brennan Memorial Trout Pond is located in the Vermilion Provincial Park and offers a serene area to walk around or fish in and it is stocked with trout. The park also offers tent and camper/RV campsites so you can stay awhile.

Unique spaces

If you enjoy photography like I do, there is no shortage of interesting subjects to capture. Exploring around, I came across this fully restored CN train station and caboose.

Looking inside the caboose through the window of a locked door reveals a number of books and the chance at an eerie photograph.

In the heart of Vermilion lies Heritage park. It is the location of many town gatherings including this year’s Art in the Park taking place on October 1. A favourite feature here is the outdoor oven which will be serving up fresh baked cinnamon buns during the festival. Looking into this oven, I can only imagine all of the deliciousness that has come out of here.

Read my post about Art in the Park on FestivalSeekers.

Gardens

During the summer and fall months, flowers can be seen all around. Lakeland college has a beautiful garden area including a bench surrounded by flowers that would be perfect for family photos or weddings.

Local artists

Vermilion has no shortage of talented artists. From painters to potters and everything in between, I encountered so much creativity in my short time in Vermilion. This is what makes Art in the Park, now in it’s second year, so successful. There are just so many local artist to showcase.

An old fashioned sign decorates Heritage Park in recognition of community builders past and present.

If you get the chance to drop in on your way by, you won’t be disappointed. Or better yet, make Vermilion your destination this October 1 and take in Art in the Park in conjunction with Alberta Cultural Days. You can read my post on FestivalSeekers for more information about this festival.

Thank you to FestivalSeekers for sponsoring this post.

A last minute hotel in Calgary was booked and we decided we were leaving our city behind for one day.

When we confirmed with our girls that we were going down in a few days, they were a little nervous.

What about the planning? Asked our oldest. What about food for the road? Asked the other. My answer was that we didn’t need any of it. We were driving three hours away, we were still in Canada, and we would do a road picnic with food we grabbed on the way.

My husband and I were sold, the kids were skeptical and off we went.

It turns out that this was one of the best road trips we’ve been on, including our previous year to the same destination that I over-planned.

The girls packed their iPads, some books and a teddy bear. We fit all of our clothes into a carry on and I packed a picnic basket. That was all we would have had in the car except the weather called for rain, so our gear was tossed in the back to, just in case.

The car was comfortable

When I plan, the kids usually run out of space in the back seat. It was a short trip, so we didn’t need much. The girls had so much space and we were able to get everything we needed into our room in one trip. The only thing I would have packed that I missed was a pillow for each girl to stay in the car.

Lunch was simple

We told the girls we would be doing a road trip picnic. Usually, I spend time picking up a long list of food to have on hand. Since the trip was only a few hours, and I was determined to have the most stress-free road trip in history, I opted for picking up food on the way. We stopped into McDonald’s to get a family pack of Chicken McNuggets with some fries and picked out a nice spot at a rest stop to rest and eat. The Chicken McNuggets are a great option for a quick picnic. First, our girls love them and I like that they are made with 100% seasoned white breast meat and contain no preservatives.

We were organized

When you pack less, you find things easier. And since our daughters packed extremely light, they could focus better on what they wanted to do and play with. There were two trips down to the pool on the first day and both girls are into dancing so they listened to music on their iPads in the room and practiced dance moves together.

Our expectations were exceeded

Since we expected to go down to stay in a hotel and get up the next day, go to the Calgary Zoo, then drive back to Edmonton, we were presently surprised when some extra things happened. 

Small things that don’t seem like much can mean a lot to kids.

Our girls were excited that there were free cookies at the front desk. We got two coupons for $5 off a purchase from the Calgary Zoo gift shop at our hotel and the girls both found something special for $4.99. And to top it off, both girls had so much fun during our road trip picnic that they asked to go to McDonald’s for Chicken McNuggets one last time on the way home.

When we ordered, a McDonald’s employee discreetly asked us if the girls might want to check out the kitchen and make their very own mini ice cream cone for dessert for free. Since we were technically still on vacation, we said sure. After dinner, they were invited into the McDonald’s kitchen and they each got to hold a mini ice cream cone while the employee filled it. They loved it.

*This post is sponsored by McDonald’s.

Boarding a pet is always a great idea. Your cat will be kept secure and will have someone near them at all times. The down side is that they will be away from their surroundings for the length of time you are gone and that can initiate some stress issues in your pet.

If you choose to keep your cat at home, you can hire a pet sitter to come in at a certain time each day to make sure everything is okay, or you can ask a close friend or family member that you trust. Choosing to keep your pet at home can offer some comfort as they are in familiar surroundings. To add to their comfort, you can also consider these tips.

Toys

When our dog is around, he claims all things on the ground as his toy. So our cat doesn’t get much of her own things to play with. Leave a couple of toys out in the open for your pet to enjoy while you are gone. You can also leave a laser pointer for your pet sitter to use to play with your kitty each day (just keep it out of the eyes… theirs and yours). Even a small amount of activity can liven up their routine and help relax them while you are gone.

Clean the kitty litter

This is especially important while you are away. Litters must be kept clean. Cats can become particular about their bathroom and if they are used to being outside, then all of the sudden, they are inside for a week or more, their bathrooms will need to be kept clean.

Build up can cause a cat to tire of their toilet and search out other alternatives and once this begins, you will need to make a concerted effort to swing the behaviour back to a more desirable one. Have your sitter clean the litter once every one to two days.

Make sure your litter box always has enough litter in it, is cleaned often and placed in a quiet area with easy access for your cat. Try Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Lightweight litter – it’s half the weight of our regular clumping litter and provides 7-day odor control, guaranteed.

Close off your unused rooms

This will help in the event your cat has tired of their litter as per the above. It will also keep your cat confined to where you would rather they be in your absence. Close off bedrooms, offices, bathrooms and basement access if possible.

Your cat will still have a lot of space, you will just have the peace of mind knowing that if you come home to a ‘smell’, you will know where it isn’t coming from.

Love and affection

Cats like to be loved on their own terms, but they still love to be loved. Ask your sitter to find your cat on each visit. If your cat’s temperament allows, ask them to pick up, pet and/or cuddle your cat.

Create a space for your cat

If you have a scratching post that your cat sits on, great. Make sure the place they spend all of their time when you are home is ready for them. You can move a comfortable chair in front of your window for them to rest on and look out, or place their favourite blanket in a spot you know they like to cuddle up in.

Tagged or chipped

If your cat has a tendency to run outside, make sure you warn your pet sitter so they can watch the door when they enter the house. On the chance they do get out, make sure your pet’s records are up to date and they have some way of identifying them should they be picked up and taken to a vet for identification. Alternatively let your pet sitter know when they usually come home (first thing in the morning, etc) after getting outside, so they can keep an eye out for their return.

With two weeks left until the first day of school, our girls are already planning their extracurricular activities. So far, both of our girls have chosen to take a yoga class for kids and our oldest is going into her second year of piano. Swimming is always mandatory since it is a safety skill, but other than that, it is their choice. Looking at their list, I would say we are on the low end for out of school activities and I’m okay with that, but the cost still adds up.

According to a recent TD survey, four in ten (40 per cent) Canadian parents with children under 18 years old spend $1,000 or more on extracurricular activities per child during the school year and half (51 per cent) of parents find budgeting for these activities stressful.

On top of back-to-school expenses – such as new clothes and school supplies – paying for your child’s extracurricular activities during the school year can put even more strain on your budget. TD offers the following tips to help relieve some financial pressures.

Avoid costly surprises

Before signing up for an extracurricular activity, think beyond the cost of the class itself. Sometimes it’s the incidental fees related to that class or league that puts us over our budget – such as the purchase of equipment or an instrument, or accommodations for weekend tournaments. Ask instructors or coaches about all of the materials needed and any extra costs before signing up.

Create a budget and stick to it

At the beginning of the school year, create a budget that estimates all the annual costs related to that extracurricular activity, plus five to 10 per cent extra to cover potential surprises like the end-of-season framed team photo or a championship sweatshirt. Online budgeting tools can help you determine how much you’ll be spending monthly and ensure you stay on track.

Saving a little each month and putting it into your savings account or TFSA can also help offset extracurricular expenses. Also, consider having your child sit down with you as you plan for these costs as it’s a great way to teach them about the importance of budgeting and saving.  It’s never too early to learn about responsible money management, so even if it’s very little, have your child contribute to the cost of their activity.

Shop around for discounts

You can find bargains on used equipment and gear (and instruments, too) at yard sales or consignment stores, through friends and neighbours, or even online. Considering that kids will most likely outgrow equipment and gear quickly, this is a great option. Look for opportunities to also save on the activity, through group buying options or online deals.

When our oldest wanted to learn piano, we asked our friends if anyone had a keyboard we could borrow for a couple of months before buying her one of her own. A good friend had a spare that she didn’t need for a few months so we were able to make sure that piano lessons were a good fit for our daughter before forking over the money for a keyboard.

Don’t invest too much off the bat

If your child is young or starting an extracurricular activity for the first time, consider signing them up for classes offered through the city’s park and recreation department as they can be less costly than going the private route. Or, ask if you can try out activities before you commit or negotiate a trail to see if the program is a fit for your child. As younger children are still discovering what interests them most, you may not want to invest too much in one activity at this young age.

File your receipts

Keep a record of all your child’s extracurricular activity costs and payments. Some fitness and art classes could be tax deductible on your 2016 tax return. Receipts also act as a good reminder of what items you paid for this year when it comes time to plan for the next time around.

Think return on enjoyment

Remember that at the end of the day you are paying for these extracurricular activities and experiences, so they should be providing your child with a return on enjoyment. Each month, sit down with your child and evaluate what they are learning through the class, if they are having fun, what they like about it and what they don’t like about it. Use this information as a guide to when you are choosing next season’s activities, and don’t feel tied to that one activity.

We have a rule that our girls have to stick with their activity choices for the school year. Then they can decide if it is for them. Kids are often too quick to quit if something looks a little too challenging and sometimes simply overcoming a difficult hurdle can change a child’s outlook and confidence. At the end of the school year, we review the year and ask if they want to continue with the activity or try something new.

Post sponsored by TD, but opinions expressed are my own.

Here are some tips to change your back yard style without breaking the bank (because we all need to save our dollars for the wine and margaritias we want to enjoy on the deck, amirite?).

Clean Up

Boy that sure sounds like an easy concept but it really does help. Pack up anything that isn’t decoration and design and store it away. Keep outdoor shoes and sunscreen in a water-proof storage container and store outdoor toys in a closed bin.

Tidying up and storing items that don’t add to your enjoyment really sets the scene for an enjoyable day in the yard.

Plants

Adding colour and plants around your deck creates a fun and welcoming space to relax and visit. Add plants for their flowers, scent or ability to ward off mosquitos such as anything with lemon oil in them (lemon grass, etc).

If you don’t have a big budget, you can save money by checking local ads for neighbours giving away plants they have thinned out. You can also wait until mid summer to plant as most nurseries will put their summer flowers on sale mid to late June. The later you wait into the summer, the larger the discount (but also, the smaller the selection).

Lights

Add some soft lights for those quiet nights on the deck with a glass of wine. You can find solar-powered lights in many different sizes for hanging on umbrellas, to glass jars that sit on your table.

I found these solar jars that light up at Giant Tiger for $8 each and they create a subtle, sophisticated area to enjoy when the sun goes down.

Accessorize

Adding a carpet under your table provides comfort and defines your space from the rest of the deck. Outdoor carpets are specifically made for the weather and come in many styles and colours. Pictured here, this soft grey outdoor carpet is from Giant Tiger and is only $25.

Place or hang large glass jars around your sitting area and fill them with rocks, lights, or candles. In the below photo, the glass jar that was hanging from the house was on sale for $10 (reg $15) at Giant Tiger.

Build on what you already have

You don’t need to sell your current table set to get a new look. You can transform what you have either by refinishing it, or simply adding new covers. These covers were 2 for $35 at Giant Tiger. At that price, I can change my style each year.

You can move the slider below to see the change.

[sciba leftsrc=”http://thisbirdsday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/IMG_9360-1.jpg” leftlabel=”Before” rightsrc=”http://thisbirdsday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/IMG_9372.jpg” rightlabel=”After” mode=”horizontal” width=””]

The total cost for this update was $156 and we get to enjoy it all summer.

Thank you to Giant Tiger for providing the items for this feature.

This year, our girls are getting a little older so our old list of road trip necessities for young kids needs to be updated a bit. While our general tips for road trips with kids post still holds a lot of great ideas, growing kids need a growing list of items for them and the whole family.

Summer is underway, and if you are heading out on the road with your family in tow, check out our slightly bigger kid list of suggestions.

Individual snack packs

Our last trip back to Winnipeg left me with a sore back from constantly turning around to get this and get that. If your kids are able to serve themselves, but you don’t want them tearing into a large bag of crackers, then make them their own snack kits.

Pictured here, I used a bead container that has adjustable compartments so larger items can fit in too. This will let you set a serving size and give each child the same amount so there are no fights because someone got more (don’t even tell me you’ve never heard that argument before).

This also gives you some control while still allowing your kids to make choices for themselves. When snack time comes around, you can give the option of choosing three things. Or choosing two from the bottom row and one from the middle row, etc. This also buys you some time as kids ponder over the possibilities.

ROKU Streaming Stick

If your road trip includes time spent in a hotel, then you understand how frustrating it can be to have limited access to television shows. This becomes even more exacerbated when you have kids and your viewing options are Law & Order (not that there’s anything wrong with that), HGTV, Sports, and Caillou (there’s totally something wrong with that).

It’s so compact and easy. Just plug the small purple USB stick into your HDTV and follow the instructions. Just don’t forget the stick in the hotel.

The ROKU Streaming Stick hooks up to most newer hotel room HDTVs through a USB port and, with internet access, turns your hotel HDTV into a streaming machine where you can sign in to your Netflix account and more (it streams 1400+ channels including YouTube, Cineplex Store, Vevo, Crackle, Spotify, Google Play and more).

Loading up my Netflix in the hotel.

Now when you stay over night, kids can have access to the shows they love which can buy you some time to get organized and settled.

Lonely Planet Kids travel books

Foster a love of travel with these books that will keep kids entertained and looking forward to the next day’s adventure. These new releases from Lonely Planet Kids focus on the tiny traveler and there is something for everyone.

Boredom Buster- Games for the road (ARV $12US): with 124 pages with games that you can play as a group, on teams or on your own, this will keep minds occupied for that final push to your next destination.

My Travel Journal (ARV $13US): journals are a great way for kids to remember the things they experienced and how they were impacted by different moments during their trip. This hard cover journal suggests topics that your child can include such as drawings, what music they listened to, favourite meals, who they met, what they saw, how they felt and more. My eight year old loves to write and has claimed this as her own.

My Family Travel Map (ARV $15US): introduce kids to the wonders of traveling with this interactive fold-out map. The map includes travel, weather, emotion and sightseeing stickers as well as stickers that say ‘been here’, ‘going here soon’ and ‘I live here’. The status stickers come in six different colours so everyone in the family can place their marks where they’ve traveled. A favourite piece to this map is the back side where there is a short write up on each of the 226 countries listed and includes a number so you can match it to the country on the front of the map.

Our five year old is adding the ‘where I live’ sticker to the map. This is a great way to teach kids about the world and their location in it.

Travel table

A travel table gives kids access to more activities while strapped in and seated in the car for hours on end. Kids can colour, read, bead, play games and more by simply having access to something flat that can comfortably sit across their legs.

A lap desk is a great item to have in the car. Kids can write, eat, colour, do crafts and more.

This travel table is originally from a company called Room It Up but I found it at my local Value Village at a huge discount.

Happy road trippin’.

Encourage your children to get outside

Summer is short and the TV and iPads can wait. Set up play dates, go on walks to discover new things, and head out to your local playground to play. If you are home with the kids this summer, take some time each day to stay on top of your own to-do list and chores.

Set aside so many minutes or hours each day to get your important tasks done as well and let everyone know when that time is. If kids are aware that you will take two hours each morning to do your work and clean the house, they will be ready for it.

Use this time to get to that huge pile of dishes or laundry that has been piling up. To clean all those dirty clothes and remove the grass stains your kids drag in, why not use Arm & Hammer Plus OxiClean Cold Water Power Paks, an inexpensive and reliable product that will leave your kids clothes looking as good as new.

Stay healthy

With all of the delicious summer foods, barbecues and treats out there. Make sure you always have fruit and vegetables on hand for snacks. Cut them up and put them in the fridge where little fingers can easily grab them.

Take L’il Critters Gummy Vites, a complete multivitamin that any kid will love, to ensure your children are getting all of their essential nutrients!

Keep a routine

Ensure you and your children keep a routine during the summer months. This includes setting times for sleep and waking up. Sleeping in and staying up late are great, but will lead to unproductive days.

Small things like making their bed in the morning and brushing their teeth can get a good schedule going and keep the chaos in check

Get the kids to help with chores

Having an extra set of hands around the house during the summer can be helpful. Talk with your kids and see what type of chores they can help with. I have a list of chores that toddlers can do for those younger kids. – emptying the dishwasher and setting the table are easy tasks that can give you back a few minutes of your day.

Having kids fold the laundry is also a great help, and you can trust what they are folding will receive a better overall clean with OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover Powder – which boosts your detergent power to get out even the toughest stains.

What are your biggest tips for managing summer chaos?

This post is sponsored by Church & Dwight.

Around our house, we have a new word; cryerd. When you are so tired you want to cry. Or when you are crying and you don’t know why, and the only reason left is because you are tired. It happens to our daughters the most, but even I’ve been told to go to bed by my husband because I’ve inexplicably become a hot mess for no reason other than I have created a sleep debt for myself and my body is paying the penalties for it.

Half of all Canadians (49 per cent) admit that lack of sleep affects their productivity at work. Moreover, 39 per cent of those surveyed admitted friends and family say they tend to be grouchy and irritable when they don’t get enough sleep.

When I made a list of healthy habits I wanted to develop to improve my life this year, getting more sleep was at the top. The very top. I could have put eat right, or exercise, but neither of those are going to happen if I am exhausted.

A national opinion poll conducted on the Angus Reid forum released on May 17th revealed that when it comes to sleep, Canadians overwhelmingly feel they are falling short, with close to 70 per cent agreeing that they wish they could get better quality sleep most nights.

Getting enough sleep is something we all take for granted, and it is the first thing we sacrifice when we need to get things done. We have started to try to make more hours in the day by getting less sleep. You can do it, but it is at the risk of your health and well being in the long run.

An astounding 57 per cent of Canadians agree with the statement that, even though research shows lack of sleep can double the signs of ageing, speed up human ageing and lead to an ageing brain, sleep is the first thing they sacrifice when they don’t have enough time. Almost three quarters of Millennials (71 per cent) agree.

My lack of sleep became obvious to me last week when I was half way through brushing my daughter’s hair and I looked at the brush and realized I was using the pet brush. That was the funny part. The scary part was that at the moment I realized this, I couldn’t remember picking up the brush; or the prior 30 minutes. I was running on auto-pilot because I was up late the night before trying to make more hours in the day.

More than half of all Canadians – 53 per cent – believe Canada is a sleep-
deprived nation, and research is suggesting that their hunch may be correct.

As farmers and promoters of healthy living, Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) is committed to exploring and building awareness around health and social issues which impact healthy living for Canadians. Based on the results from the Angus Reid poll, Dairy Farmers of Canada are calling on Canadians to make sleep a priority through the Project Sleep initiative. To help, they brought a panel of leading sleep experts together to address this important public health issue and offer tips for getting a better night’s rest.

You can read more about the Dairy Farmers of Canada initiative at ProjectSleep.ca.

Do you feel that you and/or your family get enough sleep?

Thank you to the Dairy Farmers of Canada for sponsoring this article
to raise awareness around sleep deprivation and it’s side effects.

As I sat on my deck a few mornings ago admiring the beautiful blue sky, I remember taking a deep breath of fresh air and thinking what a great day it was going to be. Not five minutes later, I checked my Facebook feed only to discover that the air in Edmonton had an air quality health index of 5, which is half way between good (1) and toxic (10).

Unbeknownst to me, pollutants in the air that were invisible to the eye, were sitting there with me as I took my deep breaths. Here are some tips to keep the poor air quality out of your home.

Check your city’s air quality

The Government of Canada has an online Air Quality Health Index that you can check to see what the air quality in your city is at any given time. It may look like a clear day outside, but the index will give you a good idea of pollutants in the air that you can not see such as particles and chemicals from distant forest fires.

Close your doors and windows

When the quality of the air outside is poor, leave it out there. Keep your doors and windows closed as much as possible to keep the air quality inside your home at a better level.

Leave your shoes at the door

We bring in a lot of pollutants on the soles of our shoes. Take them off and leave them at the door so there is less to clean up. You can also place a mat at each entrance to trap and hold particles.

Butt out

Yes, we know that this has been said so many times before, but until smoking becomes a thing of the past (like parachute pants, but deadly), we will say it again. The chemicals in, and damage caused by cigarette smoke is astronomical. Don’t live in it and don’t let your family live in it.

Avoid using heavy chemicals indoors

Harsh chemicals and cleaners should be used in well ventilated areas and, most preferably, outdoors.

Ditch the candles and incense

Like the chemicals listed above, the smoke from these can carry unnecessary particles around your home and can affect your health.

Air purifying plants for the home

Yes, there is such a thing. Besides creating oxygen, some plants have the amazing ability to absorb contaminants. My top suggestion is the spider plant. They are the easiest to grow, grow well in almost all rooms, multiply (so you can share or spread them around) and are easy to find. Plus they are on NASA’s list of best plants to purify the air on the space station from a study done in the 80’s.

Clean often and use a vacuum with a HEPA filter

Keep even the most minuscule particles away by keeping a clean house. Check out my tips to clean your house with allergies that includes a great recommendation for a HEPA filter vacuum that gets the job done, and then some.

Use a smart air purifier

Now that you’ve taken care of some of the outside factors, it’s time to get busy on the inside ones. In short, an air purifier eliminates airborne particles already in your home (eg. gases from cooking and central heating, mold, pet hair, pollen and allergens to name a few).

The Dyson Pure Cool Link air purifier fan automatically removes 99.97% of allergens and pollutants as small as 0.3 microns. In perspective, odours, toxic fumes, cooking oil smoke, and asbestos are about 1 micron.

Information from our Pure Cool Link through the Dyson app shows our outside air quality going from moderate to poor over a 4-day period. The last image on the far right shows the air quality inside as it begins to drop to fair before turning on our Pure Cool and setting it to auto so that doesn’t happen again.

Check out the Dyson Canada website to read more about the Dyson line of Pure Cool purifiers.

Thank you to Dyson Canada for providing a Pure Cool Link
air purifier and information to facilitate this article.

The kids’ toys covered the floor. Games and books were out of place and the craft area was slowly becoming the place that we put stuff when we didn’t know where it went.

But there comes a time in every parent’s life when they look around their family areas and snap. Our kids are growing up, they are more responsible and mommy wants nice things.

If you’ve reached your limit and are ready to update your family room, I’ve got some tips to help you update your room’s look while keeping your kids happy as well.

Change the colour

One of the quickest ways to update your space is to paint it. A fresh coat of paint brightens the room and hides years of scuff marks and fingerprints on the wall.

Ask an expert

The new CIL Ask An Expert service is a free resource that you can use to ask for design and colour advice. To use the service, just fill in the form on the CIL website, upload a photo and a CIL expert will get back to you within 48 hours. You can even tell them what type of ‘feel’ you want the room to have (eg. relaxed, playful, mature, etc).

I recently used this service and Susan, my CIL expert suggested that I consider Charred Clay (30YR 17/3410) for a feature wall with Pewter Grey (50YY 47/053) for the rest of the room. Prior to her email these colours were not on my radar at all.

The final four CIL Paint swatches.

After considering the advice from the free CIL Ask An Expert service, I spent a full week looking at paint swatches and holding them up around our family room. I looked at them during the daytime, at nighttime, with the lights on and at different angles. Then we made our decision. (Well, I made the decision. My husband is still colour blind and thought the grey was pink.)

We painted our feature wall Charred Clay (30YR 17/3410). I really liked the suggestion of grey for the rest of the walls, but once the swatch was in the room it looked too cool to be the main colour. I ended up compromising and went with CIL PLUS , exclusively available at RONA, in Toasty Grey (30YY 51/098), which is a warm grey, and chose to use the cooler grey tones on the accessories. The paint was great because it was a paint and primer in one, was easy to apply and best of all, virtually odourless.

After the painting was done, we made a few other changes to create a family room for everyone to enjoy.

Make a toy list

List all of the games and toys your kids play with in your family room. Can any of the games or toys be moved to a child’s bedroom or basement? Are any toys completely ignored and can they be put into storage or donated/sold?

Get storage

Look at the toys that remain. Can you add some stylish storage containers to organize and hide the toys you have left?

The storage under our TV holds a wooden train set with accessories, a number of our kids’ toys, games and gaming consoles.

Create a kids area

Adding an area that is just for the kids organizes them too. Create an area where they can draw, play, create and add in a space to display the art they are most proud of. You can use clips or hanging picture frames to add their creativity to your room so it is theirs too.

Our girls love to showcase their favourite drawings and written stories. This gives them a place to show off and they are in charge of what goes on display.

The final result

The family room is both my husband’s and my favourite room now. It is inviting, comfortable and grown up. The fireplace that I once disliked fits in to the updated design nicely. The grey wall and accessories balance the warm colour of the feature wall.

[sciba leftsrc=”http://thisbirdsday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/IMG_5333.jpg” leftlabel=”before” rightsrc=”http://thisbirdsday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/File-2016-04-27-10-35-53-PM.jpeg” rightlabel=”after” mode=”horizontal” width=”600″]

After the final reveal to my husband, I caught him walking through the rest of the house. He still sees our home in terms of the family room and ‘the rest of the house’. Except now he wants to update the rest of the house to bring it up to the level that the family room has now set.

I see a lot of painting in my future. I hope Susan and CIL paint are ready for me.

Disclosure: This post was brought to you by CIL Paint. The opinions expressed here are all my own. Thank you for supporting brands that support This Bird’s Day.

Here are some secrets to enjoying a stress-free wedding season.

Don’t skip your beauty routine

But do skip the expensive waxing appointments. If you want to feel smooth and confident in your most leggy dress at the next wedding you attend, opt for home wax strips over a salon appointment or shaving. The Nair^TM WAX READY-STRIPS are ready-to-use, just peel and place, no rubbing or warming required. They remove hair from the roots and last for up to 4 weeks.

Feel good, look good.

If you want to look your best, you have to feel your best – and that means wearing what makes you comfortable. Pick a dress and shoes that you won’t be fidgeting in all night so you can dance with confidence.

Show your smile.

A smile is the most beautiful thing! So while you’re smiling your way through the next wedding ceremony and reception, make sure it’s a bright one. You don’t have to spend lots of money on at-home kits or salon procedures to get a pearly-white smile, you just have to pick the right toothpaste.

Post-Wedding Recovery.

Weddings can be tiring. You’ll be sure to feel the negative effects of standing, dancing and minimal sleep the very next morning. If you don’t have the luxury of sleeping in the day after a wedding, be sure to drink lots of water to keep yourself feeling ready for anything.

What’s your secret for making it through wedding season?

Thank you Church & Dwight for sponsoring and sharing this post.

Don’t “try”!

For couples “trying” to conceive, every month can be filled with anxiety and worry. Heightened stress can actually cause more challenges. Therefore, it’s important to live in the moment and just enjoy your partner.

It’s not your fault

There are many reasons why conceiving a baby may be difficult, but it’s not anyone’s fault. Blaming yourself or your partner won’t fix anything and may lead to more problems, including tension in your relationship.

Live healthy

Don’t wait until you find out you’re expecting to start making changes to your diet or exercise routine. Once you decide to start trying to conceive, start behaving like you’re already pregnant by eating right, taking prenatal vitamins, avoiding alcohol, stop smoking  and exercising sensibly.

Know yourself

Improve your odds of conceiving by having sex on the days when conception is likeliest to happen. Every woman’s body is unique and, when trying to become pregnant, your individual cycle should be taken into consideration. The First Response Digital Ovulation Test detects and tracks your personal daily baseline levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) to detect your personal LH surge, unlike other ovulation tests that use a preset “average” level to determine an LH surge.

Know when to see an expert

Most couples who are trying to conceive will become pregnant within a year. For others it can take longer. If it’s taking longer than you expected to conceive, it’s always a good idea to speak to your doctor about what you should be doing to improve your chances of conceiving.

For those who know someone trying to conceive, the most important thing is to be supportive and understanding. Please remember that every woman is different. It’s important to consult your doctor to find the best steps for you.

Disclosure: I am a Church & Dwight ambassador. Opinions are mine.

We bought our home five years ago, and since we’ve owned our home, I’ve painted a total of two rooms a non-brown shade. This isn’t counting our daughters’ bedrooms because I painted those back to a beige colour right after we moved in.

I know, I’m such a rebel.

Our daughters are getting older, and it is time for our home to grow up as well. As I look around our rooms, with all of our beige to brown walls, I feel like I want my home to reflect a more mature look. Our family room is the room we use the most, and it is one of the rooms we entertain the most in as well. So it is the perfect place to redesign first.

But there is still some fear.

I don’t want to make the wrong decision because I don’t want to repaint something I don’t like. I am also on my own in colour choices as my husband is colourblind, literally. On our last trip to get paint, he picked out a paint chip and was just going to get it mixed right there without checking to see if it would look good in the room at home (when we got it home, his blue colour actually looked purple — he thought it was green).

With the free CIL Ask An Expert service, I can send in a photo of my room or object and I can ask any question I want about colour choices, products, or advice for preparation and application. I get a response in 48 hours, and I have an expert opinion to consider when making my choices. It’s like having a husband who isn’t colour blind, and who loves design questions.

I sent in the below photo of my family room and asked for colour suggestions. The fear inside of me may have also mentioned that I like neutral tones just in case they were stumped on what to recommend. My CIL expert, Susan, was having nothing of my beige fixation and recommended Pewter Grey (50YY 47/053 CP47). Not only that for a feature wall, she suggested Charred Clay (30YR 17/3410 MC08) which would highlight the brick in our fireplace.

Now, I need to mention here that my husband loves this idea. What I forgot to mention to CIL in my initial email was that I don’t like our fireplace and while I indicated that the fireplace was staying the colour it was, it was only because I lost the ‘can I paint the fireplace’ battle with my husband. So I needed it to just be neutralized.

But then something happened.

Armed with my CIL expert’s advice email, I visited RONA to grab those paint swatches. The fear inside of me also picked up some nice beige and brown (maybe a greenish-brown) colours. Just in case those first choices didn’t look good once I got them home.

I immediately favoured my chosen shades and subconsciously moved the suggested colours to the bottom of my pile. I even held up the exact shade of my family room and contemplated painting it that colour.

I’m such a scaredy-cat.

At the end of my pile lay the two suggestions. Two colours I would have never picked if I was standing in front of a wall of paint swatches. With a deep breath, I held up the swatches.

Then, I realized two things.

The first is that I love the Charred Clay colour that Susan recommended.  I would never have chosen it, and it is now going to be the colour of my feature wall. Not only that, I look at the fireplace differently. It’s not so bad. I can’t wait to get painting and I feel empowered by such a rich bold colour.

The second is that I also like the Pewter Grey colour. I’m inspired to use it in my room, but I’m not sure yet if it is going to be my main colour, or if it is going to be an accent colour in my room design.

I have some decisions to make over the next few weeks, but I’ll reveal all of my final, fearless choices here for you soon. Until then, I have some tips for you when using the free CIL Ask An Expert service:

1. Try to get the objects in your photo as close to the real colours as possible. Taking the photo at night can add a lot of yellow, while taking the photo in bright daylight can wash a lot of the colour out.
2. Make sure that everything in the photo is the right colour. Your expert needs to see everything in the picture in the correct colours so they can accurately make a suggestion based on everything. If you just can’t get something the right colour, mention the correct shade in your question.
3. Give the expert as much background information as you can. There is a big difference between highlighting something you love in a room and trying to neutralize something you dislike.

Visit www.cil.ca/Ask-An-Expert to receive free personalized advice from the CIL team of experts and check out #CILAskAnExpert to follow my journey.

Disclosure: This post was brought to you by CIL paint. The opinions expressed here are all my own. Thank you for supporting brands that support This Bird’s Day.

I always wondered why he cared so much about my little clunker. I mean it was rusting and it just got me around town and to work. He told me once that if I took good care of my car, then I wouldn’t have to buy another one for quite some time; and he was right.

Many of us get our vehicles checked just before winter. We may get winter tires installed, have our battery and fluids tested, and more.

But did you know that it is just important to get your car checked in the spring too?

Think about it, you are coming out of winter; our harshest season. Ice, cold, and water can really beat up a vehicle and there can be some unseen problems beginning to form as a result of the weather and conditions.

Now we go into spring. If the cold months weren’t enough, we are now faced with potholes. If your vehicle is regularly maintained, potholes don’t pose as much of a threat. But if you haven’t had your car in to be checked for awhile, pot holes are like land mines; just waiting for you to drive on the wrong one.

Have you ever seen a vehicle in the middle of the road with one tire bent awkwardly out of line and jammed up into the wheel well? That is caused by not having your vehicle inspected regularly. Yes, it is actually caused by a broken ball joint, but that would have been caught and replaced with regular checkups.

It seems like a war has been waging for awhile, and for the longest time, I thought it was a war between helicopter parents and free range parents.

It’s not.

There’s another group involved that is pulling the punches and placing blame on each of our shoulders. And we fall for it every time. And we turn on each other again and again. And the war wages on.

And the third group sits back, almost gleefully watching us tear each other apart, completely void of blame and hiding in anonymity. And just when the flames begin to dissipate, they stoke them up to a raging inferno once again.

That other group is Society. It is anyone who does not know each of our individual situations and sits back pointing fingers in all directions, more than happy to tell us what we’re doing wrong from way up there on their high horses named High and Mighty.

Here’s an example. In early April of this year, a mother in Winnipeg allowed her kids to play in their fenced yard while she was in the house. Someone called Child and Family Services on the mother. They did not pop their head over the fence to ask the kids if they were okay or find out where the parent was. They did not check in on the mother to make sure she was okay, or alive. They did not care to learn anything on their own about the situation or the family as fellow human beings, but they were concerned enough to anonymously call Child and Family Services and open a case against the parent.

Because that’s what happens when you call something in to Child Protective Services. Everything gets reported and a case is opened.

I’m sure many just think that someone comes out, and does what you should have done (check to make sure everything is okay), then leaves, scaring the parent just enough to ‘smarten up’. Nope, when you call, a case is opened. That parent that you just want to ‘stick it to’ is now on record, and one wrong answer could mean a temporary or permanent loss of their child.

Do you love any kids enough to understand the severity of having them taken away and placed with strangers with absolutely no say in their well being? If you don’t, then imagine being taken away from your own parents when you were eight just because something was out of place.

Helicopter parents and free range parents have more in common then they don’t. We all love our children. We all want to see them be the best they can be and succeed. We are all trying our best. We all worry about our kid’s safety. We all don’t want our actions to land our kids in therapy. We all believe we are doing what is right for our kids.

And we are.

Every situation is different. Isn’t that what we are all told in the beginning? That everyone grows at their own pace? Yet what Society says to our faces contradicts what they are whispering behind our backs. They say that it is important to celebrate our child’s individuality, yet if we hover for one year too long, we are shamed. If we let them grow out of their shell a little early and back out of arm’s reach, we are neglectful.

Please, Society, tell me where to find this rule book that you follow. The one that you refer to when you tell us how to parent. The one that lists exactly what we need to do to keep the nosy, passive-aggressive types at bay. Don’t tell me it doesn’t exist because you feverishly cling to this mystical guide every time you pass judgement on all of us parents.

On one hand, we get the glares when we hover. We get told our kids will grow into adult babies with serious emotional and developmental problems. On the other, we back away from their play time and let them play on their own and figure out their own social space, then someone calls Child Protective Service on us. In the end, no matter what we do, we get the eye rolls.

Well played Society, well played.

I will be honest, having Child Protective Services look my way would scare me. Not because I’m a bad mother. But what if I am doing one thing that isn’t considered acceptable? One thing wrong that is just enough to have them remove MY kids (MY life) from me. OR, what if a neighbour just decided that they didn’t like me and embellished the reality enough to make it sound worse then it is so it would ensure that someone would come out and talk to me. No one looks good under a microscope and I am not willing to gamble my kid’s well being on that. Just the thought of having CFS having the power to take my kids away from me and place them in a system that, in and of itself, is sometimes flawed and is not always the best choice for our kids, scares me.

So while we are over here being beaten into submission by Society for attempting to teach our children some independence, and the confidence they gain by doing some things for themselves, we get to read story upon story about how our children are doomed no matter what we do.

And the stories label us ALL as the worst type of parents.

We read about record-high suicide rates from kids who just can’t deal because of helicopter parenting. We read about kids who, left on their own, get lured and killed through online sites and apps. We read about mothers who now have a record with child protective services because they let their 10 year old walk to their friend’s house, six doors down.

And you, Society, still haven’t told us where this super secretive, awesome parenting manual that you are judging us by is.

So, helicopter parents, and you too free range parents. And even you, middle of the road parents. I’ve got news for you.

We’re all screwed.

Stop fighting each other, and push back against the societal standards (and the mysterious parenting rule book that no one will share) that are crushing all of us.

Good luck with all of that!

This is a very uncertain time for many of our fellow Canadians. Our neighbours, family, coworkers and friends may be struggling. YOU may be struggling.

Finances are a funny thing though. When we begin to see financial problems coming, we hide. We avoid going into our bank, and we don’t contact anyone to prepare for, or manage our hardships. We don’t reach out for help and guidance when our income disappears.

Let’s look at it another way.

When you begin to feel a throbbing in your tooth, off to the dentist you go. When you get a pain in your stomach, you call the doctor.

When we notice something is not right, we get help.

But we often forget that when you see a recession coming, or you are knee-deep in one, there are financial professionals to reach out to for that as well. We may even think that if we stay away, we will protect ourselves. When in fact, the opposite is more likely to occur.

Your bank always has a handle on the economy and they understand that you might be dealing with financial uncertainty because of circumstances out of your control. Do not site back and wait, hoping that you will be able to make it month to month. This is a slippery slope and one wrong turn can cost you everything. You can take steps now to protect yourself and safeguard your financial future.

Talk to TD

• TD encourages customers facing financial difficulty and those concerned about their economic circumstances to come and talk to them as early as possible so they can work with you to find a solution.
• Financial uncertainty can make people anxious, but TD can help review the financial realities, assess the options available, and help you make sound decisions.
• Comprehensive financial planning provides a roadmap during times of uncertainty; if your plan is in place it will guide your action and responses.

How you can prepare for the unexpected

Maybe your situation isn’t as dire as I mentioned above, but that doesn’t mean you will always be sheltered from financial disaster. Here are some things to discuss with your financial advisor on your next visit to help prepare you for an uncertain future.

• Create a cash flow projection. Just like a small business, an accurate forecast of money flowing into and out of your personal accounts will help you predict your financial needs if/when your situation changes. Consider how long you might be out of work if you were to be laid off. Think about severance possibilities, and any other sources of income or expenditures.
• Consider spouse / partner / dependent expectations. It is important to review your finances at a high-level: spouses, partners, and dependents may be impacted by a change in circumstances and should be included in financial plans.
• Start an emergency fund. Three to six months’ worth of net income is considered the ideal safety net. With interest rates at historical lows, getting pre-approved for a home equity line of credit, which is easier done in advance, allows you to tap into those funds in times of crisis if needed.
• Evaluate your investment portfolio. TD’s financial planners can help you avoid choices that may have negative income tax and retirement implications, two areas that are often overlooked.

*sponsored post

Here is a list of suggested tips that may help you get the quality sleep you need.

Get active

Consider adding daily exercise to your morning routine or sometime in your day. Regular physical activity will help you fall asleep faster and you will experience a deeper sleep. Short on time? Even a peaceful walk at the end of the day in the fresh air will help.

Create calm

Avoid eating, working or watching TV in bed. This way your body will start to associate the bed with meaning it’s time to sleep.

Limit naps

Naps throughout the day can prevent your body from falling into a deep sleep at night. If you need to nap during the day, try to limit your sleep to a 30-minute power nap or less.

Get on a schedule

Going to bed and waking up at the same time everyday can help regulate your sleep pattern.

If you need help with sleep regulation, try Vitafusion SleepWell* which contains 2.5 mg of Melatonin in each gummy. Melatonin is a hormone your body releases when it gets dark to tell your body it’s time for bed6. Vitafusion SleepWell* is designed for adults suffering from sleep restrictions or altered sleep schedules (e.g. shift work or jet lag). These gummies provide a tasty alternative to hard-to-swallow tablets. Learn more at gummyvites.ca

Watch what you eat and drink

Take note of what you’re eating and drinking before bed and avoid feeling hungry or stuffed. Stomach and bowel discomfort can make you restless, often causing urgent trips to the washroom in the middle of the night.

Avoid drinking excessive liquids (and NO caffeine) an hour and a half before you go to sleep. This will give your body enough time for one last bathroom break before bed.

Check your mattress

Make sure your mattress is comfortable and supportive. The life expectancy of a good mattress is around 9 or 10 years so if your mattress is older than this you may want to consider a new one. Ensuring your bed is inviting for sleep is also important. Use comfortable pillows and keep your bed sheets clean and fresh by washing them weekly.

Try using Arm & Hammer Plus OxiClean Power Paks in Fresh Scent that’s boosted with baking soda for a refreshing clean.

Take care

Soothe sore and aching muscles. While exercise can help some sleep soundly, it may also lead to stiff muscles, aches and pains.

To help relieve stiff muscles, try using a topical analgesic cream like RUB A535 Night Time. It is a fast-acting cream that provides soothing relief of muscle and joint pain. Plus, it’s scented with lavender essential oils.

Do you find it difficult to get a full night’s rest? What are some tips you have to help increase total sleep time and quality?

Disclosure: I am a Church & Dwight ambassador.

This is a versatile gift that would fit on different occassions such as Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, birthdays, Grandparents Day and more.

Supplies 

Loose tea
Tea bags (can get at most tea stores)
Small craft bags (purchased from the dollar store)
Stapler and staples
Tape or glue stick
Card stock (the more colourful the better I say!!) or repurposed card fronts (mine are the covers from some blank cards I had laying around)
Coloured construction paper
Stickers
Computer and printer for making the labels
Large clear (gift) bag
Special note or card (optional)
Ribbon or twist ties for securing large bag 

Instructions

Step 1:

Fill tea bags with loose tea. As I was using different flavours, I found it useful to group the tea bags around the tea canister so they didn’t get mixed up. One heaping teaspoon per bag is more than enough especially when trying to fit them into the craft bags in the next step. 

Step 2:

Insert the tea bag into the craft bags (yes it looks a bit sketchy it will get prettier!).  This steps prevents the blending of flavours from the many teas and gives you something to staple the label to. I left the string out of the zipper seal so the tea bags can be easily pulled out for use. You may have to do some adjusting to get it to sit in the craft bag nicely, but don’t focus on it too much, the label will cover it! 

Step 3:

Create your labels by typing the name and ingredients of the tea and printing it on plain white paper. Remember you want it small enough for the label but to still be legible. I used font size 10 and GARAMOND text. I was able to fit 24 labels per sheet.  

Cut out labels, I free handed it for a more homemade vibe but a paper cutter could be used for straight edges. Tape or glue labels to the construction paper. Leaving a slight border again cut around the labels. 

Step 4:

Repeat last step with card stock. 

Step 5:

Embellish with stickers, glitter, markers, or whatever you feel like. This is great place for younger kids to help and make the project unique. Just make sure to keep and eye on them so they don’t cover up the words of the label. 

Step 6:

Lastly attach your finished label to the craft bag. Use caution when stapling so as not to catch the tea bag. I stapled above the zipper seal to prevent this.

Step 7:

If your tea bag comes with a string attached, you can cover the label with stickers to make it more personable.

Once this is done for all your tea bags, place in the large plastic gift bag and add your special note or card to the bag if desired. Seal your bag with twist ties or a ribbon.

I’ve also included a little printable here for you to download and add to your gift. Please only download for your personal use. Do not sell or upload to share the image. Instead, please link back to this post. Thank you.

Click to Download!

Edmontonians look no further than our mountainous neighbours to the west. Jasper is gearing up for a fun-filled few days this weekend and we have the lowdown on the few places that still have some rooms available.

Albertans have a double whammy this weekend. Not only are we celebrating Valentine’s Day, but the following Monday is also our Family Day holiday. Jasper has been busy getting ready for both occasions. So no matter what you want to celebrate, or if you want to enjoy both, read below for some of the festivities and activities that will be going on around town.

Bighorn Sheep on the road heading into Jasper, Jan 2016. Photo credit: Sheri Landry

Valentine’s Day

Stargazing

As a designated Dark Sky Preserve, Jasper is one of the world’s best places to view the night sky. Mount Robson Inn is offering a ‘Romancing the Stars’ package that includes a map of the best stargazing spots in town, a bottle of wine, and late check-out so you can stay out late!

Dark sky photo of the Icefields and Athabasca glacier from Wilcox Pass. Photo credit: Ryan Bray

Ice-Skating

True Canadian romance involves a skate around the lake while holding hot chocolate in one hand, and your lover’s hand in the other. With the mountains as your backdrop, this is your chance to get that too-cute picture. Rentals are available at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and Pyramid Lake Resort.

Skiing and snowboarding

With a recent dump of snow sure to put a smile on anyone’s face, Marmot Basin welcomes you to a long-weekend of fresh powder skiing. After a day of carving epic trails down the mountain, why not stop in the chalet for a warm beverage and treat while taking in the view together?

Skiing at Marmot Basin. Photo credit: Marmot Basin

Snowshoe

As the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, there are endless trails for you to explore while on your personal adventure. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, there’s a trail for all levels. Whether you are a beginner or are more advanced, there are trails for everyone. You can also take advantage of venturing out with a snowshoe guide.

Hit the spa

Few things feel as good as being in love, but some quality time at the spa comes pretty close. Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is offering a weekend spa getaway that includes an hour long treatment of your choice and breakfast for two at Orso Trattoria (while accomodations last).

Go on an ice walk

Interpretive guides will take you on the Maligne Canyon Ice Walk for a stunning look at the canyon from a different angle. Learn about Jasper in the winter months and get up close with gorgeous river beds that have been frozen over. Remember to take an empty water bottle and fill it up with ice-cold (literally) water from the active falls on the trails.

Maligne Canyon Ice Walk. Photo credit: Destination Canada

Family Day

Free activities

Parks Canada Interpretive staff will be on hand at Marmot Meadows with free family-friendly programs like fat bike demos, campfire lessons, and other outdoor winter activities. A crackling fire and hot drinks will be available to keep you toasty!

For a full list of activities this weekend, check out the Jasper family website.

A man circles around a frozen lake on his fat bike. Photo credit: Rogier Gruys

Family snowshoe adventure

Walks n’ Talks Jasper will be offering an afternoon family snowshoe adventure that includes all the necessary equipment, a guide, and transportation.

Sleigh rides

Jasper Park Riding Stables will have half-off pricing for children ages six to 16 on Family Day. Matched teams of horses, tuned bells, sleighs with comfortable seats and warm throw blankets make for a classic winter experience along the shores of Pyramid Lake!

Dog sledding and Ice Walk deals

SunDog Tours welcomes you to join them on an Ice Walk in the epic Maligne Canyon at 20% off, OR combine two of Jasper’s most memorable tours, dog-sledding and the Maligne Canyon ice walk, and save 10%.

Deals on lift passes

For the first time ever, Marmot Basin will be offering discounted lift passes for Family Day. Kids 17 and under will save 50% on two and three day lift tickets all Family Day weekend!

Downtown Jasper. Photo credit: Tourism Jasper

Family Day hotel deals and activities

If you’re looking for that family-friendly place to call it a day, the Sawridge Inn and Conference Centre will be offering a “Hot Canadian Breakfast” with all bookings made under their “best available rates”, and the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge will have a weekend full of family programming and activities, as well as movies and parties available through their family getaway deals. *Check for availability as rooms may have booked up here already.

Details for all of these Family Day activities can be found at http://www.jasper.travel/family/.

Here are three things I wish might have been shared with me, even a bit, before it actually happened.

Labour

Don’t let an image like this fool you. There really is no physical pain in the world quite like labour, even if you get the epidural. Looking at the photo above, my diagnosis is a bad case of gas.

Had this actually been labour, sweat and tears would have wiped away that beautiful makeup, and that woe-is-me look would resemble something a little closer to a possession from The Exorcist. And I would have slapped that quizzical look off my new baby daddy hours earlier. He’d be wearing whatever is in that cup, and his shirt wouldn’t look just ironed. He’d be lucky if the sleeves were still attached.

In the end, the thing that surprised me the most that I didn’t think about, and was never told until after the delivery was that you will bleed — a lot. And it will make your regular periods look like a small scrape in comparison. It will last weeks.

You will be wearing a pad inches thick and you will be ecstatic the day you realize that you get to graduate down to a regular maxipad.

Thinking back, it makes sense now, but back then I was focused on having our baby, then spending the rest of my life trying to keep my baby alive (I don’t have a great track record with plants, so there you go).

The terrible twos

Oh yes, people talk about them. What everyone forgets to share is that the terrible twos are just the swelling of the storm.

I came out of the terrible twos thinking that I had gotten worked up for nothing. People omit telling you about the two years that follow; the thunderous threes and the fiendish fours. It’s a lot like the terrible twos except your gremlin child has a larger vocabulary, they can run away faster, they are taller and can see/reach more things that they want right now and they’ve perfected the art of the deafening scream followed by the dramatic drop and flop in a public place trick.

They’ve become more aware. They see other kids do it, and if they see it work even once, they will latch onto that gambit like a Kardashian to publicity.

It’s a terrifying thing being out in public during a throw down with your child, but stick to your guns mom. You will be judged by people who don’t matter, regardless of what you do, so you do what you need to do for your family in this moment.

Mom guilt

No matter how good of a parent you are. No matter what you do or sacrifice for your child, you will reach a moment of doubt where you question if it was enough. You will question one rash comment in a sea of loving words. You will replay one scenario over and over again where you didn’t have your game face on.

That’s why the #momfail hashtag is so popular. It’s because this happens to every mother. Even our mothers had their moments and we turned out fine, mostly.

It’s in these moments that you need to show your child that you have the capacity to love and forgive yourself because perfection is a myth.

There is no growth in perfection.

Being YOU is enough.

I’ve been stepping up my after-school snack options for the girls lately. Since we are home just after 3pm, and we don’t eat dinner until after 5pm, there are a couple of hours where nibbling here and snacking there can go horribly wrong.

Instead, we’ve been trying cheese, vegetable and fruit plates. Hummus and guacamole have also been favourite treats. So here is the guacamole I put together last week that was a big hit.

Guacamole

2016-02-06 17:38:52

Yields 2

A quick and easy guacamole recipe.

Write a review

Save Recipe

Print

Prep Time

5 min

Total Time

5 min

Prep Time

5 min

Total Time

5 min

Ingredients

1. 3 ripe avocados
2. 2 tsp minced (or pureed) garlic
3. 2 tsp lemon (or lime) juice
4. 1/4 white onion, minced
5. 8 - 10 cherry tomatoes, chopped

Instructions

1. Remove skin and seed and mash avocados in a bowl.
2. Add garlic, lemon (or lime) juice and onion and mix well.
3. Add cherry tomatoes and mix lightly until blended.
4. Serve with nacho chips or vegetables.

Notes

1. I use both lemon and lime juice. Either tastes fine and it usually just depends on what I have on hand when I pull everything out to make it.

By Sheri Landry

This Bird's Day https://thisbirdsday.com/

I also like to have the ingredients for either guacamole or hummus on hand when we have guests over because they are really quick to make in case anyone gets hungry.

Which reminds me… I should get my hummus recipe up here too.

I call it my happy place.

But some times, it isn’t.

There is a new trend on Instagram that has happened to everyone who has an account there — and it goes like this:

1. You post a photo that you love and tag it so that you can reach out to those who have similar interests.
2. Someone connects with you (follows).
3. You think ‘awesome, I’m connecting with my community.’
4. You check them out and if you like what you see, then you follow them back.
5. Within 1 – 3 days or sometimes immediately after you follow them, they unfollow you.
6. You double check their profile and see that they have 20K followers and are only following 1K. Then you realize they just did this to 19K other people.

It’s that easy and it’s that stupid.

Is this the new direction that social media has taken? Has social media just become perceived influence media? Forget about the personal connections that can be made? Forget authentic communities? Forget basic kindness? Just get me more numbers than the next person without paying for them because that would be wrong.

I have news for you.

I now know you are pretending to be something you are not. I now know what you did to get your numbers. I now know the value you place on real connections and engagement.

To begin a social relationship with someone by falsely following them when you don’t like anything about them says everything about your character.

If you want to reach out to someone on Instagram, but don’t want to follow them, there is always the like button and you can leave a comment. Other than that, tag your photos appropriately and people will find you.

I don’t care if someone I follow doesn’t follow me back. If I like their stuff, I like their stuff. I care when you pretend to like my account when you only like the extra number I provide if I follow you back.

How can I find out this is happening to me?

I use an iPhone/iPad app called Followers which links all of my accounts including Instagram. After you load it once, It will begin to track who is following then unfollowing you.

What can I do when someone does this to me?

You can unfollow them. You can also block them to send a message that you are not a commodity, you aren’t in high school, and you don’t play immature games. Then they can’t follow you again when they blindly follow people (which has happened to me by individuals, charities, and some people I used to respect in social media).

Well how do I grow my numbers?

BY FINDING YOUR REAL COMMUNITY AND BEING REAL. I’m so tired of amateurs just trying to figure out how to play the algorithms all the time. It must be tiring to continuously be something you are not.

How about just putting out quality stuff?

Follow (and keep following) people with similar interests online. Comment, interact, share, connect. Instagram is a social network.

Be social.

Don’t use people.

Signed,
someone who wants her old Instagram back — before the people who only cared about numbers showed up.

Planning a garden takes time and patience if you want to pack as much as possible in. Here are a few things to consider when fitting everything in.

Start with a map

Draw out your garden plot on a piece of paper. Then mark in where any objects (eg. fence, bush, etc) that surround the garden are. Finally, mark in the sections of the garden that get full sun, shade, and any sections that have good and poor drainage.

Plant needs

Some plants need full sun while others like a little shade. Then there are plants that do best when sheltered away from the wind and even others that like dry soil. Find out which of your plants are the neediest of all and place them in your garden first.

For example, we plant peas every year. The first year we had them at the front of our garden and they did well until a strong wind tore them out at the base. Now we plant them along the back against our fence. Even with the wind, the fence acts as a brace and keeps them in place.

Cost of vegetables

When I first saw that cauliflower was being sold at $5.97 each, I thought it was a typo. Now they are going for even more than that. Ask yourself what are the vegetables that you like, that you can grow in your area, and that are  a little more expensive in the grocery store.

There is no point in planting copious amounts of something that you can pick up for mere pennies in the store.

No space? No problem.

If you don’t have the luxury of a garden in your yard, you can still grow your own vegetables. Many vegetables can be grown in pots on balconies, and you can look into available community gardens in your city.

There really isn’t anything like the taste of fresh vegetables, and the best part is that once they are grown, there is no charge to you to pick them and eat them.

Take care of yourself

You can’t reap the benefits of your hard work if you’ve hurt yourself to get there. Bending, twisting, lifting and stretching in your garden can take its toll and it usually isn’t until the next day when those aches and pains set in.

Topical pain relievers like RUB·A535 Extra Strength Heating Cream have you covered. It starts to work on contact and provides fast acting pain relief of muscle and joint pain.so you can sit out on your deck and enjoy the fruits (or vegetables) of your labour.

Disclosure: This post is part of my Church & Dwight ambassadorship.

Last year when I made my Cinnamon Heart Sugar Cookie recipe, I was determined to make a follow up cherry-flavoured treat for this year. Here is a little unknown fact about me. I absolutely love maraschino cherries. LOVE. It’s an inappropriate love really.

So I thought my recipe definitely needed maraschino cherries. A whole jar of them. But then I wanted something to offset all of the maraschino cherries or I’d probably just devour them in an awkward display of pure gluttony and I’d regret that life decision for days to come.

So in came the coconut. I love coconut in small amounts (or in my Piña Coladas, ba-dum-tsh) so I knew I would eat them more responsibly.

Unlike my Pumpkin Spice Latte Fudge recipe, this one only took one try and I was happy with the results.

Of course I had to eat one two five to make sure they tasted good, and they do.

These make a great sweet treat for Valentines Day as well. I hope you like them.

Cherry Coconut Fudge

2016-01-25 22:40:32

A simple and delicious fudge recipe.

Write a review

Save Recipe

Print

Prep Time

5 min

Cook Time

5 min

Total Time

10 min

Prep Time

5 min

Cook Time

5 min

Total Time

10 min

Ingredients

1. 1 jar maraschino cherries (approx 20 cherries) in heavy syrup (drained, syrup set aside)
2. 5 cups white chocolate chips
3. 1 can sweetened condensed milk
4. 2 tbsp maraschino syrup liquid
5. 1 tbsp coconut extract
6. Sweetened shredded coconut (optional)

Instructions

1. Separate maraschino cherries from liquid and set liquid aside.
2. Line the bottom of a 6 X 9 baking dish with wax paper.
3. Finely chop cherries (cut one cherry into at least 8 pieces) and place in a single layer on the wax paper.
4. In a microwave safe bowl, combine the white chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk and heat on high for two minutes. Remove from heat and stir. Reheat in 30 - 60 second increments until your mixture is smooth.
5. Add the maraschino liquid and coconut extract and mix well until the liquid is gone.
6. Pour over cherries.
7. * If you want to add shredded coconut, pour a thin layer over top of fudge.
8. Place in fridge for a few hours to cool.
9. Remove from dish and cut into desired sizes.

Notes

1. When placing the cherries at the bottom of the baking dish, make sure there is a little bit of space for the fudge to surround the cherries.
2. Can be stored in the freezer.
3. Since not everyone loves the texture of dried coconut. I put the shredded coconut on half of the fudge.

By Sheri Landry

This Bird's Day https://thisbirdsday.com/

ut with the old and in with the new. January is the perfect month to regroup and set your intentions for the year ahead. Whether you are on team resolutions or not, here are some easy resolutions that will make this year your best yet.

original photo denis_333 on fotolia.com

Get your sleep

Have you ever seen a sleep-deprived toddler? They are a hot mess, and you are no different.

gif source: NBC

Lack of sleep leads to numerous health-related problems (mental, physical and emotional) so find a way to get the amount of rest you need to feel good during the day.

Not sure how much you need? The average adult needs between seven and nine hours of sleep per night [1]. Try one week at seven hours each night, then if you feel you need more, increase it by 30 minutes for the next week and so on.

Eat healthy but don’t lose your mind

There are some seriously restrictive diets out there. Instead of jumping into a diet and going full force for one month, then caving and eating everything in sight for the next three months, make the decision to increase the amount of healthy options on your plate.

gif source Reality TV GIFS

We all know that vegetables, fruit, and beans are good for you; they pack a lot of nutrients. Start there. Have healthy options on hand, within reach and already cut for easy serving. Try new fruit, and look up new vegetable and bean dishes for dinner to go along with everything else.

If completely restricting the food you enjoy sends you into an emotional spiral, just give yourself some slack and cut back on your unhealthy options instead. If you aren’t sure if you are meeting all of your nutrient requirements, try a multi-vitamin and speak to your doctor.

Take your vitamins: Taking your daily vitamins helps ensure you get the nutrients you need to maintain a healthy active lifestyle. However, men and women have varying nutritional needs so multivitamins such as Vitafusion Men’s & Women’s Complete Multivitamins offer a personalized option to help you feel great and support optimal health.

Drink more water

Staying hydrated helps your body to function and fills you up before a big meal (especially if it’s Taco Tuesday ;). Water is water, so whether you drink it cold, or hot with a slice of lemon, it’s all the same.

Not sure how much you drink in a day? Buy a 2L jug of water and fill it up to start. Check it at the end of the day.

Connect with your loved ones

This seems simple, but I’m not talking about sending your buddy a birthday wish on Facebook because you got a reminder. Reach out and make a personal connection, or re-connection.

A good friend of mine warmed my heart when she posted that she wanted to give away five of her favourite books for free. The catch was only a date to meet for tea. I never wished I lived in Vancouver more than when I saw that offer.

Thank you Pam for granting permission to use this. Check her out at divorcedoula.me.

Revisit an old hobby

When life gets to the point where we are jumping from fire to fire, we often let our hobbies go. What once centered us and brought us peace is shelved for what we deem are priorities. When the truth is, not all of our priorities are really priorities. Some of them aren’t even important at all. We just give them more weight because they seem to scream louder in our heads.

Revisit something that brings you joy this year, and make it a priority.

Learn a new skill

What have you always wanted to do? Whether you want to learn a new language, design a website, do a handstand or learn to swim — this is your year.

photo source imgflip.com

Write a letter

Can you imagine how amazing it would feel to get a hand-written letter from a friend?  Pick a friend or family member and sit down and write them a letter. Reconnect with your bad-ass self who used to take the time to write a letter, address it and mail it — with a postage stamp (for anyone under 25, you can buy a stamp at the post office).

photo source memegenerator.net

Or better yet, write one letter each month and freak 12 people out in 2016.

Volunteer

Yes, we don’t have a lot of free time any more, but some new studies are beginning to link volunteering with improved mental and physical health [2]. Not only will you be nurturing your sense of purpose, you will also be helping someone out.

gif source theodysseyonline.com

Whether you have time every week, once a month, or just some spare time coming up, there is always someone out there who would be grateful for the help.

Laugh

In a connected world where it is so easy to champion a new outrage every day, take the time to laugh.

Do you remember how you feel after a good laugh? The kind that leaves you out of breath, in tears and your stomach sore? There are just too many benefits of laughing to list here [3].

Consciously make time to laugh. Choose a comedy over a drama, see a comedy show or visit with that friend that always makes you laugh. Spending time with those who turn your frown upside down is good for your outlook and well being.

Disconnect

The internet is a fabulous place but for your own well being, decrease the amount of time you spend online. You don’t need to know every tragedy in the world every minute of the day.

You also don’t always need to see that someone in your Facebook feed is upset about something, bragging about something, going on vacation, or just flat out pretending that their life is perfect.

photo source someecards.com

Try removing the Facebook app from your phone and check it once at the beginning or end of the day. You also have the option to unfollow the friends in your feed instead of unfriending them. When you unfollow, you are still friends, you’ve just requested to not see everything they post and they don’t know.

Article Reference:

1. https://sleepfoundation.org/how-sleep-works/how-much-sleep-do-we-really-need
2. http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2015/12/altruism-for-a-better-body/422280/
3. http://www.helpguide.org/articles/emotional-health/laughter-is-the-best-medicine.htm

Here are some ideas for when you want to give something in addition to the photos and crafts.

Art on canvas

So yes, this is like a craft, but have you seen some of the abstract art out there that go for millions of dollars? Pick up a nice canvas from a craft store, and some colours (either grandparent’s favourite, or one that matches with their decor), and spend an afternoon with the kids painting. Kids can either do their own in similar colours (so they match), or everyone can work on one large canvas.

Home grocery delivery

For many grandparents, getting out during the dead cold of our winter months can be a challenge. Lack of mobility, transportation, or even the fear of slipping on ice can keep many people inside.

Giving the gift of a home grocery delivery service (often a gift card so they can place an order) can save them the hassle and keep them eating healthy, even in the worst weather.

Digital Photo Frame

We all love seeing pictures of our loved ones, but seeing the same picture over and over again doesn’t tell the whole story. A digital frame can hold many different pictures, and it is something you can build on and add to every time you visit.

Subscription Box

A subscription box is a one-time, monthly, quarterly (etc) themed box that is sent out to a recipient and carries a number of items. Themes range from anything you can imagine so you can get a box delivered based on your grandparent’s interests. Do they like tea, coffee, chocolate, knitting, painting, reading — the list goes on.

Most areas in Canada get quite snowed in, so this would be especially beneficial for those winter months stuck inside.

Netflix or Next Issue (unlimited magazine subscriptions)

Imagine you are a senior and experts are calling for the coldest winter in decades with snowstorms to match. Those are perfect days to catch up on reading or documentaries and there is so much selection.

Tablet or iPad

If you are looking for a more lavish gift, a tablet can be a real time saver for grandparents. Having access to applications like Skype, Facetime, or even Facebook to see how your kids are growing, can really connect them with their family in this busy age.

Just take an afternoon to show them the basics over a coffee.

Your time

My grandparents are no longer with me, and I miss them all the time. The time you spend with your grandparents (and family) will always feel like it was never enough in the end. A monthly coffee date, a drive out of the city on a nice day, or a trip to a screening of an old or new movie will mean the world and it only costs your time.

From kindergarten to grade three of a child’s life is extremely important for developing a strong literacy understanding. In a previous post, I shared that nearly half of Canadians aged 16 to 65 fall below the minimum reading level required to function well at work and in daily living (IALLS, 2005).

Reading difficulties in children and adults are not always obvious. Some can manage and fake their way through with reading situations, while others are too fearful to ask for help. And asking for help becomes more difficult as illiterate children grow into illiterate teenagers and illiterate adults.

I spoke to Dr. Kay MacPhee, creator of Ooka Island and a long time language researcher here in Canada. Dr. MacPhee has dedicated over 25 years to teaching children how to read well and understand not only the alphabet, but also all of the 44 sounds that we use in our daily speech which is the foundation of learning to read. I asked Dr. MacPhee to share some signs that she picks up on that would tell her that a child might run into difficulty learning how to read.

As your child reads on their own or with you, or as they are speaking, here are some things to look for.

Poor pronunciation

Baby talk is cute for a short while, but when your child enters kindergarten, you should observe that their words are spoken with more clarity. Once in kindergarten, they should be able to say or repeat most of the sounds and be able to pick up new vocabulary and language easily.

What to watch for:

1. Replacing one sound with another. For example, saying ‘baf’ instead of ‘bath’. When you ask them, did they mean to say baf or bath, they should be able to correct themselves and say ‘bath’. Then the mistake should disappear.
2. Skipping a syllable. Saying ‘puter’ instead of ‘computer’, or ‘difcult’ instead of ‘difficult”. Again, as they hear the word, they should be able to correct themselves properly, and their vocabulary should begin to grow.

Kids are ready to begin reading when they begin to process shapes into letter and letters into sounds; this is the beginning of the reading process. A sign that they have started this process is when they begin to recognize logos (“Look! It’s McDonalds!”)

Around age four to five years old, your child should be able to tell you the alphabet. They should be able to say it, not just sing it. At late kindergarten to early grade one, your child should also be able to recognize the letters and tell you what they are.

Structure of language and multiple instructions

As kids begin to speak, they will at first use one and two word sentences, then they will eventually use simple sentences. Then as they grow, their sentences should become more complex like “If it rains, we will not go outside.” As this happens, watch for small clues like saying “I want a milk” instead of “I want milk” or “he go to store” instead of ‘he goes to the store.”.

By the time your child enters grade one, they should be able to understand and complete one set of three instructions. For example “Take off your coat, hang it on the hook and put your books away.”

A failure to understand the correct structure of language or multiple instructions may indicate that they won’t be able to understand and remember what they read.

Memorizing pages instead of reading them

Once your child begins to read books, you need to pay attention to how they are reading. Are they looking at the page or the picture? Are they skipping words? Do they look like they are reading from memory? (At four years old, my daughter knows all of the words to her favourite book and she likes to ‘read’ to me.) If you have them point at the words while they read, do they point at the right word they are saying or does their finger rush across the page?

What to look for:

1. They should be able to follow along as they read. Ask your child to point at the words as they say them.
2. If the page contains a picture, cover the picture and have your child focus on the words to see if they are able to read without prompts.
3. Ask them to point to a word on the page.
4. Check for understanding. Ask a question about what they just read. Saying the words is one part of reading, but they need to understand as they read.

Acting out or change in behaviour

Kids who are struggling with reading will handle reading and writing time differently. They may hide, freeze, cry, become angry, pick a fight, or they may become quiet and withdrawn. If you notice any of these changes when it is time to read or write, discuss this one on one with your child and bring the issue up with their teacher privately as your child may feel embarrassed if they feel they aren’t learning at the same level as their friends.

Downloading an app like Ooka Island is a great help for anyone who is struggling to read and comprehend on their own. They can play the game away from their friends, and each game is designed to help kids learn how to read and includes the alphabet, the 44 sounds, reading books, matching sounds to letters, blending sounds into words, and identifying different words on their own (and more).

Ooka Island is an educational app for pre-k to grade two children. It differs than other reading applications because it breaks down the learning process so kids can learn all the different parts that make up the ability to read. I recommend the Ooka Island app to anyone who wants to focus on reading and making sure their child is where they should be.

Thank you to Dr. Kay MacPhee and the Ooka Island team for sharing your insight for this article. This post is one of three sponsored articles for Ooka Island.

This time around I only needed one try and it set perfectly. I made them a few days ago and have been meaning to photograph them to add to this post, then I got the kick in the pants I needed to get it done.

I opened up the fridge for something and noticed that about half of them have already been eaten. And not all by me.

So here it is…

Spiced Rum & Eggnog Fudge

2015-12-09 23:23:25

Take your festive drink one step further with this fudge recipe that will leave you wanting one more bite.

Write a review

Save Recipe

Print

Prep Time

5 min

Cook Time

3 min

Total Time

8 min

Prep Time

5 min

Cook Time

3 min

Total Time

8 min

Ingredients

1. 900g (or 4 X 225g bags) white chocolate chips
2. 1 vanilla bean
3. 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
4. 1/2 tsp ground cloves
5. 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
6. 1/4 tsp ground allspice
7. 1 can sweetened condensed milk
8. 1/4 cup eggnog
9. 1 tbsp rum (or imitation rum) extract

Instructions

1. In a microwave-proof bowl, put white chocolate chips, the inside of the vanilla bean (see note below), the ground nutmeg, ground cloves, ground cinnamon, ground allspice and the sweetened condensed milk.
2. Microwave on high for two (2) minutes.
3. Remove from microwave and stir to begin combining ingredients. Add the egg nog and heat again for one minute.
4. Remove from microwave and stir again to combine. If everything mixes well, add in the rum extract and mix so that any liquid is blended into the fudge.
5. Line a 9X6 (approx) pan with wax paper and pour in fudge. Place in fridge to cool and set (at least 4 - 6 hours).
6. Remove from pan and cut into desired sizes then store in fridge or serve.

Notes

1. To get the vanilla out of the bean, cut the bean lengthwise with a sharp knife and scrape out the insides. Do not put the whole vanilla bean in the fudge.
2. I used Bolthouse Eggnog. Go for a thicker eggnog as you don't want your fudge to be too runny or it won't set.
3. I use a glass pan for my fudge. Don't leave your fudge in the pan for too long as it will be difficult to remove and cut.

By Sheri Landry

This Bird's Day https://thisbirdsday.com/

I’ve been working on this map for Minecraft Pocket Edition (MCPE) for a few months in my spare time. Both of our girls (ages 4 and 7) love watching Diamond Minecart, Stampy (and friends) and ThinkNoodles on YouTube but they can’t always keep up when they try the same games on their own.

My daughters wanted a fun game where they could run around looking for a lot of diamonds and not die easily and I thought this was a great way to share their enjoyment of the game with them.

The game is meant to be a treasure hunt. Nothing really challenging, although some of the hiding spots are pretty creative IMO. My daughters are four and seven years old so while they love playing Minecraft (and maps), they die easily in some of the more challenging maps. I created this with the intent of it being more laid back and a fun treasure hunt.

Visit a tower, hotel, barn, underwater home, train station, movie theatre, restaurant (with a dancefloor), a challenging three-floor library maze and many more surprises.

Right now, this is available for ios (apple). If anyone can tell me how I make it available for Android, I will get right on it. Just email me at (sheri at thisbirdsday dot com) or leave a comment below and I will start working on it.

And here you go.

Free MCPE Map Download: Diamond Dash

Players 1 – 4

Total hidden diamonds: 262

One player, or group team play (working together to find the diamonds): You have access to all chests. You have 262 diamonds to find. Good luck, have fun.

Two – Four player challenge: There are four colours near the entrance. Pick your team colour and only open the chest with your team colour on it at the beginning. Take all of the items, go into the next room. When all players are ready, break the sign and race to see who finds the most.

The game is done for a single player when they find all 262 diamonds. Multi-player challenge can put a time limit on how many they can find in a certain time and the one with the most wins.

*when you click the download button, the download box will appear right away. If you do not know how to load the map on your device, read my note above about iFunBox, thanks.

Right now, this is available for ios (ipad). If anyone can tell me how I make it available for Android, I will get right on it. Just email me at (sheri at thisbirdsday dot com) or leave a comment below and I will start working on it.

Have fun and let me know what you think if you download it. Thanks for checking it out.

Note: I created this map using Minecraft by Mojang.
I own no rights to Mojang or Minecraft.
I am sharing this map for free play in the Minecraft
game that is completely owned and operated by Mojang.

These simple tips can help keep your house warm and your monthly bills in check.

Regular Furnace Maintenance

If you take good care of your home comfort equipment, it will take good care of you. Regular maintenance can spot potential trouble before it starts, and can help extend the life of your equipment in addition to lowering your monthly energy bill.

A simple furnace tune-up can save three per cent to ten per cent on your next heating bill

If you want to take your home maintenance one step further, consider subscribing to a home maintenance plan. With Direct Energy here in Alberta you can even get a maintenance plan for just $9.99/month to ensure that your HVAC equipment is always in peak condition and you don’t get hit with unexpected costs.

Lights off when not in use

It’s a simple habit to learn and it can save you a lot of money. Any room that is not occupied should have the lights turned off. Develop the habit of turning off the lights when you leave a room (even if you’ll be coming back shortly).

Another good tip for lights is to try to use the same room to save on electricity. At the end of the day, if your family retreats to four different rooms, that is four times the electricity you are using. When possible, try using the same room.

Let the sun shine in

Curtains on south-facing windows should be opened during the day to let the heat from the sun into the house. The heat is free and can keep your furnace from coming on unnecessarily during the day.

Use your ceiling fans

Ceiling fans are used during both summer and winter months. In the summer, they are used to cool the room and circulate air. During the winter months, use the ‘reverse’ feature to push the warm air back down into the room.

Consider an upgrade

Various changes around the house can help to lower your energy costs. If your bills are high, take at an upgrade on these items:

• Water heater: a tankless water heater can reduce your costs by almost 30% because it only heats water when needed.
• Doors: If your exterior door feels colder than your inside walls, then it’s time to upgrade to one that is better insulated. Also check the seals arpund your doors to make sure they don’t need to be replaced (this is an easy fix and most hardware stores carry everything you need to seal your doors back up).
• Windows: If you live in an older house, you may have single, or low-efficiency double pane windows. Look into upgrading to newer double to triple pane windows. If this is an investment you can’t make, you can seal your windows with a plastic kit found in most hardware stores.

Try a humidifier

The amount of humidity inside your home determines how much heat the air can hold. If you have low humidity, your furnace has to work to keep the heat levels at an acceptable level. A humidifier will help to keep the humidity at a certain level so that you are comfortable and your furnace doesn’t need to come on as much.

Dress warm

Before cranking the heat up, make sure everyone is wearing socks, warm pants and sweaters. Use blankets to keep warm and dress in layers so you can remove and add clothing if you become too cold or hot.

Thank you to Direct Energy for assisting with and sponsoring this post. Direct Energy is committed to helping Albertans save on energy. As Albertans brace themselves for another long, cold winter, Direct Energy is eager to provide homeowners with simple steps they can implement to reduce their energy bills and save in the long run.

This year, I tried something a little different for my stocking stuffers. I ordered everything online, from one store, and I got most of it on sale.

Here is a list of over 60 stocking stuffer suggestions and their exact URL to make your stocking stuffer shopping a breeze. To save on shipping, everything was purchased from one store, London Drugs, and it was done while I was in my pjs, wine in hand, watching a movie (I’m that talented).

NOTE: Products listed with a (*) are on sale as of posting. They are listed as ‘while quantities last’ and the item may be either discontinued, or the sale may end. If there is no quantity choice available, then they are now sold out online and only available in stores so get them while you can.

Women’s beauty

1. *Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Polish: Listed on sale for $2.99 (reg $3.49) this lacquer is available in 25 different shades online. This is a great price for polish and they look exactly as pictured (I ordered three different shades of these: Rockstar Pink, Hot Tamale and Golden

2. Rimmel Keep Calm Lip Balm: Regular price is $3.99, available in 4 shades

3. *John Frieda Frizz Ease Forever Smooth Trio: On sale for $3.99 (reg $7.99). Winter takes its toll on hair, at this price, give this gift together, or split it among a few stockings. Also available in Luxurious, and Beach Blonde.

4. EOS Hand Lotion: Reg price $2.49. Available in cucumber, berry blossom and fresh flowers scent.

5. *got2b Mind Blowing Ionic Power Mouse: On sale for $4.99 (reg $6.99). I like to add a couple of larger items in my stocking to fill them up faster. This is a new product on the market and I enjoy getting new things to try in my stocking. Nice scent and they reduce drying time and offer a great alternative to a salon blowout. You can view the other products in this line by searching ‘got2b mind’ in the search bar on the site.

6. Blistex Fruit Smoothies Lip Balm (4 pack): At $3.99, this is a fabulous price for a 4-pack of lip balms that can easily be separated to fill up to 4 stockings.

7. *ChapStick Mixstix Lip Balm: On sale for $2.49 (reg $3.49) this is a unique twist on the regular lip balm you get in your stocking. Featuring a flavour at each end, you can use them on their own or mix them together to create a third flavour. Lucky family members are getting this from me this year. Available in Strawberry Banana Smoothie and Lemon Berry Sorbet.

8. EcoTools Mini Essentials Holiday Set (3-piece): Regular price $6.99. This mini set makes a great travel kit or extra set.

9. EcoTools Eye Enhancing Duo Set (4 brushes): Great value for the regular price of $5.99. Set includes four brushes on two handles. This is a great stocking stuffer for someone who needs a second set or who would like to better organize their makeup kit (less brush number laying around).

10. e.l.f. Studio Endless Eyes Pro Mini Eye Shadow Palette: At a regular price of $7.99, you get 32 shades in one palette. Great for traveling or taking along in your purse. Available in Natural and Everyday shades.

11. Salon Boards Nail Files: Regular price is $1.69 each and they come in different styles.

12. *Freeman Barefoot Buttercream: On sale for $3.99 (reg $4.99) this comes in a nice lime and coconut scent. Reminds me of summer.

13. Sally Hansen French Manicure White Tip Pen: Regular price $5.99. This pen allows you to create a french manicure quickly.

14. Kiss Nail Artist Rhinestone Accents: Regular price $5.99, this package includes over 150 stickers and stones to dress up those nails.

15. Kiss Design Perfection Tip Guides: Regular price $4.99. This package has 86 guides in four different styles to make various designs on your nails including chevron, sweetheart and french manicure.

16. Maybelline Baby Lips Dr Rescue: Regular price is $4.99. This medicated lip balm comes in six different shades.

17. Kleenex Wallet Pack: At 89 cents each, these make great stocking stuffers because everyone needs a Kleenex now and then. Buy on their own, or pick up the Kleenex 6-pack at $2.99 and they become 50 cents each.

18. Lip Balms: Pictured above, available at $2.99, these are a great stocking stuffer ideas for kids. Their lips get dry during the winter too and how cool is it to have your favourite character there to help them out. Shows available online: Monster High, Spiderman, Hello Kitty and Minions.

19. *Facial Masks and Peels: Pictured above, ranging in price from .99 to $2.99, and some of these are on sale right now. There are a wide variety of masks available. Just search for Montagne Jeunesse on the London Drugs website for all options.

Mens Grooming

20. Nivea for Men Active Care Lip Care – Regular price $2.29. The main difference between men’s and women’s lip balm is the shine that goes along with it. This men’s lip balm takes care of dried lips without the shine.

21. *L’Oreal Men Expert Hydra Energetic Comfort Max Lip Balm – On sale for $2.99 (reg $3.99). This balm hydrates and nourishes men’s dry lips without the shine.

22. *London Look Sisal and Terry Bath Mitt– On sale for $1.99 (reg $5.99). This shower accessory has two sides.

23. Gillette Foamy – Regular price $1.99. A travel size of shaving cream always seems to find it’s way into my husband’s stocking each year.

24. *Pacific All Natural Shaving Oil – On sale for $5.99 (reg $7.99). It states it lasts up to 100 shaves so that’s not bad at 6 cents a shave. I like putting new items to try in stocking.

25. *Montagne Jeunesse for Men Deep Sea Rescue Mud Masque – On sale for $1.69 (reg price $1.99). I don’t know about you, but my husband would never buy one of these for himself, but he will try it if I buy it. Also available in Tired Skin Reviving.

26. *L’Oreal Men Expert Shave Foam (Anti-Irritation) – On sale for $2.24 (reg $2.99).

27. L’Oreal Men Arginine X3 2-in-1 – Reg $1.49. Travel-sized items are always a fun idea for stocking stuffers.

28. Alba Moisturizing Cream Shave – Reg price $4.99. Great for someone wanting to try something new. Hypo-allergenic and available in three types, Aloe Mint, Coconut Lime, and Mango Vanilla.

29.  Mansfield Styptic Pencil – Regular price $2.99. Great for any shaving kit, this pencil helps with minor shaving cuts.

Games and collectibles

30. *UNO – On sale for $7.99 (reg $8.99), this classic card game is fun on the go. Perfect for those who travel, or just miss kicking it old school.

31. Plastic Folding Crib Board – Regular $3.99.

32. Trading Card Sleeves – Reg price $1.99 for 100 sleeves. Great for your card collector. Speaking of which, there are also various collector card series available as well.

33. Bicycle Playing Cards – Reg price $3.99. Who can’t use a new deck of cards? Perfect size for stockings. Card types available are Eco Edition, Jumbo, Bridge and Poker.

34. Bicycle Dice Set (5) – Reg price $1.99. Anyone up for a game of Farkle?

35. *2014-15 Sport Sticker Collection Packs – On sale for 79 cents (reg $2.00). Available in NHL, NFL and NBA.

Around the house

36. *Crystal Wine Server 2-pack – On sale for $2.99 (reg $5.99). Give both together or separate into two stockings.

37.*Hopkins Vent Clip Air Freshener – On Sale for $3.29 (reg price $3.99). Available in berry scent; use in the car.

38. WD-40 – Reg $3.99. This is a great size to throw in a trunk or work area. 

39. *Nite Beams Skull Cap – On sale $7.99 (reg price $29.99). I just came across this great sale while shopping for stocking stuffers. This is such a great sale and perfect for anyone who is out at night working, running, walking the dog, camping or for any other reason.

40. Memo Book 3X5 – Reg price 1.79. This is perfect for those note-takers and task-creators on your list.

41. Hockey Canada Memo Pad – Reg $1.29.

42. *London Drugs Coffee Break Note Pad – On Sale $2.99 (reg $3.99). A fun pad with pencil for the coffee-lover on your list.

43. *Houdini Wine Bottle Stopper – On Sale $3.49 (reg $4.99). These are always nice to have on hand. Available in an assortment of bright colours, but you do not get to pick your colour. I happen to like all of them though.

44. MSC Bloom Wine Charms (6 pack) – Reg $3.99. I love to give things I’d like to receive and this is definitely something cute that I’d like to see in my stocking.

45. *Intech Practice Golf Balls – On sale $1.99 (reg $3.99). Comes in four different colours.

46. *RFID Blocking Credit or ID Card Sleeve – On sale $2.49 (reg $2.69). Great for going on vacation or just every day use. Keep your credit card information safe from prying devices.

47. *London Drugs Tea Kettle Infuser – On sale for $1.99 (reg $4.99). Stainless steel and very cute idea for a tea lover.

48. LD Spuds Cleaning Cloth – Listed as $6.99 and ‘while quantities last’. Available in black, black (not a typo), blue lightning, multi camo and red flower.

Kids

49. *Marvel Heroes Glow in the Dark Stickers – On sale for 59 cents (reg $1.99)

50. Crayola Premium Paint Brushes – Regular price $2.99.

51. *Spot Lite Disney Frozen Else Charmlite – On sale for $5.99 (reg $9.99)

52. *Ultimate Spiderman Hero Copter – On sale for 88 cents “while quantities last” (reg $1.99)

53. *Despicable Me Playing Cards (2 pack) – On sale for $3.99 (reg $4.99). Pack includes 2 decks of playing cards.

54. *Amazing Marbles (pack of 50) – On sale for 99 cents (reg $1.99). Package includes 50 marbles with one super shooter. 5+

55. *Toy Story Stickers Value Pack (120 stickers) – On sale for 79 cents (reg $4.99).

56. *Disney Frozen Playing Cards (2 pack) – On sale for $2.99 (reg $4.99). Package includes two decks of cards with instructions to play some games.

57. *Minions Study Kit (4 piece) – On sale for 99 cents (reg $2.99). Includes notepad, pencil, sharpener and eraser. Also available in a Disney Frozen set.

58. *Tech 4 Kids Micro Lites – On sale for $2.99 (reg $4.99). Available in Paw Patrol, Despicable Me, Shopkins, My Little Pony and an assortment (can not choose type in assortment)

Candy

59. *Despicable Me PEZ Dispenser – On sale for $2.29 (reg $2.99). Available in assorted Despicable Me characters.

60. *PEZ Candy Refills – On sale for $2.29 (reg $2.99). Great for all of those dispensers laying around your house.

61. *Funbooks – On sale for $2.79 (reg $2.99). Available online in Hubba Bubba and Skittles.

62. *M&Ms Star Wars Light Saber – On sale for $3.99 (reg $5.49).

63. *Star Wars Ornament – On sale for $2.29 (reg $2.59). May the force be with you… and filled with candy.

64. *Toblerone Bundle – On sale for $6.99 (reg $8.99). Comes in a package of six bars so you can buy in bulk and split them between stockings.

65. *Skittles Candy Cane Tube – On sale for $1.49 (reg $1.69).

I could go on and on in the candy section, but you get the idea. Just search for favourite chocolate or candy to add to your final order. You can even add bars or look through the Food and Seasonal/Christmas (then Candy & Chocolate) in the Home & Lifestyle section.

As for the pets, there are a lot of options available in the Pet Store section on London Drugs. Make sure you remember your fur-family before check out.

This post is part of my ambassadorship with London Drugs. I ordered all of my stocking stuffers online and I was impressed with their selection and pricing. Opinions are mine.

Those are some staggering numbers. Nearly half of us fall below the minimum reading level.

If you have a child between pre-K and Grade 2 on your gift giving list this year, consider gifting the Ooka Island app.

Yes, it’s an app you ultra-cool parent/grandparent that is keeping up with the changing times.

At four years old, reading on her own is still a while off, but she is getting used to her ABC’s, and the sounds they make. I appreciate that the app doesn’t just continue on without her. We received some of the books from the app from the creators of the app and she was excited to hold the same books that she was reading in the app. Photo copyright, Sheri Landry.

But, it’s not just a reading app. It’s a game that your child plays while they learn. As a matter of fact, learning to read is a by-product of the game. Imagine taking some of their iPad time and using it for good.

Ooka Island is built on 25 years of research and was created by Dr. Kay MacPhee, a literacy researcher, lifelong educator and fellow Canadian. In 2008, Kay joined forces with Jim Barber, a teacher and author to create Ooka Island. Throughout the game, kids can rescue books from the Glass-bottom boat. Jim created these 85 books specifically for Ooka Island and as the reader’s ability increases, the reading level of the book gradually increases until kids are reading chapter books.

While learning the five foundations of reading, kids spend time on Ooka Island where they play the hero. They work to rescue missing books and elves, and they complete tasks to help the elves on Ooka Island. There are a number of different mini-games in the app so kids aren’t repeating the same game over and over.

At seven, our daughter has improved her reading through this app. She now tries to read chapter books and has become better at sounding out words she doesn’t understand. We received some of the books from the game from the creators of Ooka Island and she immediately claimed the two chapter books in the set. Photo copyright, Sheri Landry.

Parents can sign up to receive a weekly update on their child’s progress that includes information like amount of time spent on the app, books read and levels completed.

Do you know someone between pre-K and Grade 2 who could use this app? Consider gifting it to them this Christmas.

I am proud to work with Ooka Island on this sponsored post.

If you’ve never tried homemade eggnog, you are missing out. I feel I need to apologize in advance if this recipe ruins all store-bought eggnog from now on; it really is that good.

Egg yolks contain the majority of the vitamins and nutrients that are found in eggs and they can be used in many different ways including soups, desserts, main dishes, drinks and more. With 6 grams of high quality protein and 14 important nutrients such as vitamins A, D and E, folate and iron, eggs are one of the most complete natural foods available.

It is the egg in eggnog that gives the drink its unique taste. This recipe is easy to make and tastes great. Not only that, after I made this drink, I used it to make eggnog lattes. There’s a bonus right there.

Holiday Eggnog

2015-10-19 13:03:22

A delicious home made eggnog recipe that is easy to make and tastes better than its store-bought versions.

Write a review

Save Recipe

Print

Ingredients

1. 12 egg yolks
2. 4 cups milk
3. 1/2 tsp ground cloves
4. 1/2 tsp cinnamon
5. 1 vanilla bean
6. 2/3 cup sugar
7. 1/3 cup brown sugar
8. 1/4 tsp nutmeg
9. 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
10. 4 cups light cream

Instructions

1. Separate egg yolks from eggs and set aside in a bowl.
2. Combine milk, ground cloves, cinnamon, and vanilla bean in a saucepan and heat to boiling over low - medium heat. Be careful not to burn milk when boiling. I cut the vanilla bean open before adding it to the pan and scraped the insides into the saucepan, then added the vanilla bean in.
3. In a separate heat-safe bowl, whisk the egg yolks with brown and white sugar until fluffy. Add the nutmeg and combine well.
4. Remove the vanilla bean and slowly pour the hot milk mixture into the egg mix while you whisk everything together to combine well.
5. Once mixed, pour everything back into the saucepan and heat over low to medium heat until your eggnog begins to thicken (3 - 5 minutes) but don't let it boil.
6. Remove from heat and set aside to cool for about an hour. You can add the 1/4 tsp of vanilla extract at this time if you want more flavour.
7. After the mixture has cooled, add the light cream, mix well and store in the fridge.

Notes

1. Makes 2 litres (8 cups) of eggnog.
2. Make this 4 hours (or overnight for best flavour) before serving.

By Sheri Landry

This Bird's Day https://thisbirdsday.com/

Whisking the egg yolks with brown and white sugar until fluffy.

This makes a great drink for the holiday and I’ll be making a batch of this for while we decorate our tree soon.

Eggs have always had 14 important vitamins and nutrients including protein, iron and vitamin A. Natural goodness, brought to you by your local egg farmers.

For more information about the natural goodness of eggs, visit eggs.ca.

Disclosure: This post was brought to you by Egg Farmers of Canada. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Egg Farmers of Canada.

“I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure
the darkness because it shows me the stars.” Og Mandino

photo credit Jeff Bartlett/Tourism Jasper

Jasper held it’s fifth annual Dark Sky Festival from October 16 – 25 this year and our whole family drove out to experience the various activities in and around town. While there are stargazing events through the duration of the festival, the family activities happened on the last Friday and Saturday with something for everyone at all times of the day and night.

With the tag line Power Down, Look Up, the Jasper Dark Sky Festival encourages everyone in the family to put down your devices and experience the world around you.

Medicine Lake, Jasper National Park. Photo copyright Sheri Landry.

As the festival’s name suggests, the focus is on science and astronomy, but underneath the surface, it is so much more than that.

Gorgeous blue streams and falls line the hike at Maligne Canyon. Normally these areas slow to a trickle at this time of year but due to additional snow in the mountains and a warmer fall, the water stayed for a little longer. Photo copyright Sheri Landry.

Prior to hitting the festival, we had a day of exploring. My family made the short drive out to Athabasca Falls then did some shopping in Jasper while I took in an informative guided hike through Maligne Canyon with Walks & Talks Jasper.

Paula (in front) with Walks & Talks Jasper keeps her hike groups small so that she can quickly customize her tours to suit everyone and provide a more personally engaging experience. Photo copyright Sheri Landry.

If you want to experience more than just a walk while looking at the trees, I recommend Paula and her tour company as she pointed out numerous spots and sights that I would have missed.

Two bull elk during rutting season in Jasper during the Dark Sky Festival. Photo copyright Sheri Landry.

A lone bull elk stands just outside of Jasper. Photo copyright Sheri Landry.

Headlining the evening on Friday in a keynote address, Col. Chris Hadfield spoke about what it was like to go into space. He spoke about what happened before and during the take off, through the mission and then he described the descent back to earth to a spellbound audience. Often humorous and always inspiring, this was a great session to listen to.

Col. Chris Hadfield ended his inspirational session with some audience questions. And there’s always time for music. Photo copyright Sheri Landry

After the keynote address, festival goers were welcome out to Lake Annette to stargaze. Although the evening was cloudy, there was a lot of educational and interesting events happening along the shore. Shuttle service from the keynote to Lake Annette and back was free and they ran every 15 minutes.

Paths along the ground led to various displays from TELUS World of Science, Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, Dark Sky Photographers, Parks Canada and other special guests.

I appreciated the accessibility of the hosts and presenters during the Jasper Dark Sky Festival.  While we were at Lake Annette, I joined in around the fire where two women from the aboriginal community were sharing songs and stories and I ran into one of the women the following day at a separate event where I was able to ask her some questions about what she had shared the night before.

Volunteers were on hand at all of the science activity tables. Learning to make a straw rocket (kids can take them home when done). Photo copyright Sheri Landry.

On Saturday, our children experienced a full day and night of discovery and they didn’t want the day to end. The TELUS World of Science hosted a free day of crafts and experiments at Centennial Field, just a few blocks walk from the main street and tourist area.

All of the science activity tables had hands-on activities so kids could get right in the action and learn by experience. Our girls enjoyed making a tipi night light cover. Photo copyright Sheri Landry.

At one station, kids could make a simple rocket that launched from a straw. At another, kids could craft larger rockets out of 2L bottles. Once those rockets were made, it was time to take them outside to test them with an assisted pressurized launch. The rockets were hooked up, the countdown was called out and when they were ready for take off, the kids pulled their pin, sending their creation into space.

For those curious about the stars and beyond, free presentations were held with experts speaking on topics from aliens to black holes. The seating was open and you could join and leave as you liked.

After telling her never to look directly at the sun, this one jumps at the chance for a little daytime solar viewing in Jasper. Photo copyright Sheri Landry.

Later in the afternoon members of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada set up telescopes for anyone who wanted to sneak a peak at the sun or a glimpse at a couple of the planets that happened to be in orbit during the day. Festival attendees could walk from telescope to telescope to look at different views and ask questions to learn more about the world above us.

Grant Imahara, Kari Byron and Tory Belleci, former co-hosts of the Discovery Channel’s Mythbusters spoke on Saturday evening and shared stories of their time on the show and what was happening with them now. Photo copyright Sheri Landry.

The star gazing continued into the evening when the sun set and a clear sky displayed more stars than you will ever see in the city. The telescopes were moved to the Visitor Information Centre lawn for an evening of stargazing. The field was dark, but our young daughters loved it.

A memorable moment for me was looking at the moon up close through a high-powered telescope. After I took a peek, my four year old climbed a small step stool (provided by the telescope operators) to gaze out into space. I will never forget the look of wonder on her face the moment she laid eyes on the moon. Her face relaxed, she pulled back an inch and paused as if she was processing what she was looking at. A second later she tightened her grip on the stool and went back for another look.

It was that beautiful.

Then came the awkwardness when I had to explain that there were other people in line who wanted to look too. After a moment, she got off the stool to let the next person look and promptly walked to the back to stand in line for another look.

We found the festival educational on many levels and our kids loved the activities and the experiences they wouldn’t get back home. I enjoyed the hands-on activities that our whole family had the chance to participate in, and most for free.

For more information on the Jasper Dark Sky Festival, check them out at http://jasperdarksky.travel/ and consider making the trip out to go beyond!

This cheese goes by many names such as cirek, hrudka, sirecz and many more. It is also called Easter cheese as it is typically made and served for Easter Sunday breakfast after it has been blessed at church the Saturday before.

The cheese is very mild in flavour and to someone who has never had it before, it tastes like scrambled eggs meets a cheese texture which is a pretty accurate description as that is almost exactly what it is.

The eggs and milk are heated over boiling water until the cheese proteins separate from the liquid. There are only three ingredients needed and it is extremely easy to make (you just need some time for it to set into a cheese form).

Slovak Easter Egg Cheese

2015-10-19 00:29:39

Traditionally made and served on Easter Sunday, this cheese has a mild scrambled eggs taste.

Write a review

Save Recipe

Print

Ingredients

1. 12 eggs
2. 4 cups milk (I used 3.25%)
3. 1 tsp salt

Instructions

1. Boil water in the bottom of a double broiler (or make your own double broiler using a larger pot on the bottom with a small pot for the top).
2. Beat eggs, milk and salt in a small pot (the top pot) until thoroughly mixed.
3. Place pot on top of the bottom pot and cook on medium stirring constantly as mixture can burn to the sides if you leave it.
4. The mixture will begin to resemble scrambled eggs as the protein curds begin to separate from the liquid whey.
5. When the whey appears watery then you are about done.
6. Line a colander with cheesecloth folded over once and place in an area to drain (in a sink, or over a pot).
7. Place egg cheese mixture into the cheesecloth and drain for a few minutes.
8. Tie the ends of the cheesecloth together and try to squeeze out more of the liquid.
9. Tie the cheesecloth to a wooden spoon and let it drain into a deep bowl for 1 - 2 hours.
10. Lightly squeeze out any excess liquid with your hands. *Do not let the cheese sit in the liquid as the goal is to remove all of the liquid now.
11. Place in the fridge overnight then serve.

This Bird's Day https://thisbirdsday.com/

Follow the steps from top left to bottom right to make this traditional Slovak Easter Egg Cheese.

Eggs have always had 14 important vitamins and nutrients including protein, iron and vitamin A. Natural goodness, brought to you by your local egg farmers.

For more information about the natural goodness of eggs, visit eggs.ca.

Disclosure: This post was brought to you by Egg Farmers of Canada. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Egg Farmers of Canada.

Around our home, the holidays are filled with friends, family, food, music, and taking time out of our regularly scheduled programming to reconnect and recharge. It is reflecting on the year that has passed and looking forward to the one ahead.

My favourite type of event is the casual drop in. While big parties are a lot of fun, I like the intimate atmosphere that comes with a smaller get together that has a more relaxed feel.

Here are my tips for a stress-free casual drop in during the holidays.

Play that holiday music

Nothing screams ‘Ho, Ho, Ho’ like walking into a room with Walking in a Winter Wonderland playing. Have music near your entertaining area, but keep the sound slightly lower than the conversation level.

Plan for kids

If your friends will be bringing their kids, or you have your own kids, a little extra planning will go a long way. Keep snacks easy and light. Nothing with sauce, or that will stain if dropped on carpet. Cookies, pretzels, and crackers can usually be cleaned up easily so your time won’t be spent watching over the young ones as they play.

Keep the food light

If it’s a casual drop in, a big dinner is not expected but you can still wow your guests with fun, festive appetizers like this Holiday Caprese Salad that I made from the Ocean Spray website. This one was a big hit among the adults and the kids loved it too.

Bursting with holiday colours and flavours, this salad can be served individually, or on a platter for guests to serve themselves. The only change I made to this recipe was that I lightly toasted the almond slivers before processing (just my preference).

Drink options

Having a few different options on hand will please all of your guests. Drinks to consider stocking up on include wine, beer, pop, coffee, tea, eggnog, and a variety of juice to both use as a mix or for kid mocktails. We like to mix Ocean Spray® 100% Cranberry Juice Blend with orange juice, a bit of Grenadine and a splash of soda water for a little fizz. Remember to have ice on hand as well.

So, who wants to drop in for a visit during the holidays?

Thank you to Ocean Spray for sponsoring this post.

One of the ornaments that has been passed down to me. It doesn’t look like much to the average person, but it holds so many beautiful holiday memories for me. She always finds the perfect spot on my tree.

I put on holiday music, get a cup of eggnog, some snacks and mandarin oranges, then I get started. It’s peaceful and nostalgic: the music reminds me of holidays gone by, and the smell of mandarin oranges takes me right back to my own childhood. Scent is such a powerful trigger of memories, and for me, there’s nothing like the smell of mandarin oranges to make me say, “it smells like Christmas.” That’s why I was excited to hear about Pine-Sol’s new mandarin orange scent; and I put it on my holiday shopping list. Imagine the whole house smelling like mandarin oranges – what a great way to set the holiday mood. 

Last year I thought about picking up a new, easier to assemble tree and that is when it occurred to me that I like that hour. That hour when I am putting up each branch has become one of my own traditions. I look forward to that hour. Holiday music, eggnog, snacks, me and a tree.

As far back as I can remember, we’ve always decorated our family tree together. So many fun memories and I still have many of those decorations.

Christmas is filled with many traditions. Some are our own, and are not shared with anyone else. Others are shared with family, friends, children, and neighbours. Traditions are things we do, things we eat, scents, sights, music and more.

My sister, mom, and dad decorating the tree in Shilo, MB.

Back to my first tradition of the season. Once the tree is up, then the Ornament box is pulled out. This is a family favourite because it is filled with old and new treasures that we haven’t seen in a year. I have ornaments that are over 30 years old from Russia. I lived there as a child for a few years with my parents and they brought them back. I have those gold-wire ornaments that have been handed down from my parents. They collected them for awhile in the 90’s.

My grandmother made this for me when I was younger. She made one for me and one for my sister. She is no longer with us, but her memories are and I hold her close every Christmas.

Then come all of the memories of decorating the tree with my family growing up. With each ornament I pull out, I remember past holidays. Our girls join in and help out because they love hearing the stories behind each little treasure that is pulled out of the box.

Decorating the tree in my first house with my sister, friend and family. This would be about Christmas 2001.

It is a great start to our season and it sets the tone around the rest of our house.

I recently asked you, our community what holiday traditions you like the most and I received over 50 responses. I have to say that I loved hearing about the traditions that are most important to you and I’m sharing some of them here.

“Baking Christmas cookies with my daughter, and this year, my little granddaughter will join us, too!” – Piroska B

“No matter how old we all still put stockings out on Christmas eve including one for each animal in our family.  Our dog actually knows which stocking is his and he puts his out all by himself.” – Pamela M

“I love our Christmas Eve get together – we have appies and drinks with immediate family and let the kids open one gift (usually pajamas and a book, movie or game – something to keep them busy while the adults visit).” – Jennifer P

“My dad handing out the Christmas gifts on Christmas Morning.” – Angela M

 “After dinner, we play board games together :)” – Suzie B

“Making the eggnog.” – Patrick S

“A tradition on my dad’s side of the family is to divide everyone into 12 groups and sing the 12 Days of Christmas.  We’ve done this for years and it has become a tradition.” – Amy M

“Bringing my boys to visit Santa!” – Cheryl M

“Baking all the treats together as a family along with meat pies.  Love that tradition and have very fond memories.” – Tanya B

“For my kids, it’s opening their Lego Avent calendars every morning. For me, it’s having eggnog by the tree Christmas Eve when their in bed and everything is set up.” – Melanie B

“Going to a carol service on Christmas Eve, and coming home to a house full of family, food and noise.” – Nicole G

“Listening to Bing Crosby Xmas records.” – Mary G

Thank you for sharing all of these with us whether I was able to include them here or not. I loved reading through your submissions and I bet you can’t wait to experience those traditions again this year.

And because I think I was the cutest baby ever, here’s one last Christmas photo with my mom.

This post on Holiday Traditions is sponsored by Pine-Sol. With a strong heritage and long legacy, Pine-Sol is a long-standing tradition in many Canadian homes. Apart from the classic pine scent, Pine-Sol is also available in variety of long-lasting scents – mandarin sunrise, lavender, lemon and sparkling wave.  You can use different scents throughout your home to change the mood.

“To you, from failing hands, we throw
The torch: be yours to hold it high”

In Flanders Fields is one of my favourite poems and it brings me to tears every time I read it. Every time.

My kids don’t fully understand why I am moved to such a display of emotion. At four and seven, they are still young so our conversations are age-appropriate (although I tend to go off on a passionate speech every now and then when I talk about our soldiers past and present and the sacrifices they made for our freedoms).

Here are a list of books that are great for various ages and discuss war, Remembrance Day, the significance of the poppy, and more. I was able to find all of these in my library but since not everyone that reads this post, lives in Edmonton, I will link to the title on Amazon so you can read more about each title.

In Flanders Fields: The Story of the Poem by John McCrae
A Poppy is to Remember

Proud as a Peacock, Brave as a Lion

Bunny the Brave War Horse: Based on a True Story

The Kids Book of Canada at War

Remembrance Day

A Bear in War

On Remembrance Day

Canada’s Wars: An Illustrated History

Remembering John McCrae: Soldier – Doctor – Poet

Disclosure: These links go through my Amazon.ca affiliate link. Any monies received from the sale of these titles above will be 100% donated to The National Poppy Trust Fund.

If you are looking for a soup that fills you up and warms your bones during the cold months, then this egg drop soup recipe is for you. Often served in Chinese restaurants, this soup is surprisingly easy to make and it is good for you too.

Each egg in this soup alone provides 6 grams of protein and 14 important nutrients such as vitamins A, D and E, folate and iron. Add that to the fact that it tastes just as good as in the restaurant and this will be your new go-to soup this winter. And the recipe is so easy.

Egg Drop Soup Recipe

2015-10-19 02:02:14

This egg drop soup recipe is close to the quality you would get at your local Chinese restaurant and it is so easy to make at home.

Write a review

Save Recipe

Print

Prep Time

10 min

Cook Time

15 min

Total Time

25 min

Prep Time

10 min

Cook Time

15 min

Total Time

25 min

Ingredients

1. 4 eggs
2. 6 cups chicken stock
3. 1 1/4 tbsp cornstarch
4. 1 1/2 tsp ginger paste (or finely grated ginger)
5. 1 1/2 tbsp soya sauce
6. 1/2 tsp sesame seed oil
7. 1/4 cup chives
8. 1 1/2 - 2 cups mushrooms (I used crimini mushrooms)

Instructions

1. Keep a small amount of the chicken stock back to mix the cornstarch in (to get rid of any lumps before adding to your mixture), set aside.
2. Combine the chicken stock, ginger paste, soya sauce, sesame seed oil, chives and mushrooms in a pot and bring to a boil then add the cornstarch mixture in and mix well.
3. Reduce heat to a rolling simmer.
4. In a separate bowl, lightly beat the eggs.
5. Slowly add the mixture to the pot while stirring the soup with a wooden spoon. This will create the egg ribbons in the soup.
6. Remove from heat and serve.

Notes

1. Make sure you are stirring slowly while the egg mixture is being added as this is the key to having those egg ribbons you see in the soup.

By Sheri Landry

This Bird's Day https://thisbirdsday.com/

After you’ve mixed everything together in the pot as per the directions, you beat your eggs in a separate bowl.

The trick to the ribbons is stirring the soup while you slowly pour in the beaten eggs. For me, I have two hands, one for the bowl and one for my camera, but I promise I was stirring the rest of the time.

Eggs have always had 14 important vitamins and nutrients including protein, iron and vitamin A. Natural goodness, brought to you by your local egg farmers.

For more information about the natural goodness of eggs, visit eggs.ca.

Disclosure: This post was brought to you by Egg Farmers of Canada. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Egg Farmers of Canada.

As a parent, I appreciate that they pack a punch where nutrients are concerned and they are a great source of energy for our girls.

For this reason, I am always looking for ways to get eggs into our meals and snacks and I’ve come up with a great, healthy recipe that kids and adults are sure to love. I consider this recipe a cross between a crêpe, and a breakfast muffin. Once cooked, they transport well so you can toss some into a lunch bag for snack time on the go.

These crêpe bites are small so they are easy to handle, especially for little hands, and they taste great on their own. I also like to eat them with a raspberry puree maple syrup. They can be eaten warm or cold.

What I like best about this recipe is that it omits the cups of sugar that most cupcake / muffin recipes call for and only uses a small amount of agave and vanilla extract. So kids will get the benefits of the eggs and other ingredients without all of the sugar.

Mini Crêpe Bites

2015-10-18 21:59:29

Yields 36

These little crêpe breakfast bites are packed with protein and fruit and can be enjoyed by everyone from kids to adults.

Write a review

Save Recipe

Print

Prep Time

10 min

Cook Time

12 min

Total Time

22 min

Prep Time

10 min

Cook Time

12 min

Total Time

22 min

Ingredients

1. 4 eggs
2. 1 banana
3. 1 tbsp agave
4. 1 tsp vanilla extract
5. 1/3 cup milk
6. 1/3 cup strawberries
7. 1 cup flour

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Celsius.
2. Using a standing mixer, lightly beat eggs, banana, agave, and vanilla extract together until completely mixed.
3. Add milk and strawberries and blend slowly.
4. Add flour into mixture slowly and blend until well combined.
5. Lightly grease mini muffin tins with oil (I used canola) and spoon mixture into tins leaving a very small bit of room near the top of the tin.
6. Bake for 12 - 13 minutes at 375 degrees Celsius.
7. Let cool for one minute then remove from tin to continue cooling on a wire rack.

Notes

1. This recipe makes 36 mini muffins.
2. Store left over muffins in the fridge.

By Sheri Landry

This Bird's Day https://thisbirdsday.com/

When the crêpe bites first come out of the oven, they look like cupcakes. The tops will sink back down as they cool.

Eggs have always had 14 important vitamins and nutrients including protein, iron and vitamin A. Natural goodness, brought to you by your local egg farmers.

For more information about the natural goodness of eggs, visit eggs.ca.

Disclosure: This post was brought to you by Egg Farmers of Canada. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Egg Farmers of Canada.

This fudge recipe challenged me this month. It took me three tries to get the chocolate chip ratio right so that it would turn into fudge.

My first try ended up as a thick, yet delicious, sauce. My second try ended up as a thicker, sticky mess. Also delicious.

So my third time around, I cranked up the chocolate chips and I watched with excitement as it began to set properly. This was going to be my last try. It was bonkers how many chocolate chips I went through this month.

Not only did it work, but this is the creamiest fudge I’ve made yet.

Warning: It is insanely yummy and addictive.

Pumpkin Spice Latte Fudge

2015-10-28 23:36:54

Great news for PSL-lovers. The latte we all love at this time of year has been turned into a fudge. You're welcome.

Write a review

Save Recipe

Print

Ingredients

1. 1/2 tsp ground cloves
2. 1/2 tsp cinnamon
3. 1/2 tsp nutmeg
4. 1/4 tsp ground ginger
5. 1 tsp espresso powder
6. 4 cups white chocolate chips (3 packages)
7. 1 1/2 cups milk chocolate chips (1 package)
8. 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
9. 1 can (300 ml) sweetened condensed milk
10. 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, combine ground cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground ginger and espresso powder together. Mix well and set aside.
2. In a microwave-safe bowl, add white chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, pumpkin puree, spice mix (above) and sweetened condensed milk.
3. Microwave on high for 2 minutes.
4. Remove and mix ingredients together, then microwave in one minute increments until the mixture combines completely. Mix well to remove any lumps.
5. Add the vanilla and mix well then place in a lined 9' X 13' baking dish (lined with wax paper) and place in fridge to set for at least 4 hours. I usually leave it overnight and it sets perfectly.
6. Remove from dish and wax paper and cut into desired sizes.

By Sheri Landry

This Bird's Day https://thisbirdsday.com/

Here are some Halloween trick or treat tips to help you and your little ones enjoy the night.

Involve kids in the decorating

Small kids may be frightened of some houses on Halloween. Help them recognize decorations for what they are. Have your kids help you set up your house for Halloween so they can see and handle the ghosts and goblins.

Last minute candy shopping

Save your wallet and your waistline by picking up your Halloween candy either the day before or day of Halloween. I don’t know about you, but candy sitting in my house for more than 24 hours is as good as gone.

If you wait until Halloween day, you can often get a good deal as stores try to clear their stock quickly to make space for holiday decorations.

Choose an easy dinner

Let’s face it, kids are excited on Halloween. They don’t want to sit around while you take your time to make a big meal. Choose simple, easy to make meals, reheat leftovers, or order in. Your time can be better spent helping with costumes or watching a Halloween movie before the kids head out.

Give the little ones a head start

Trick or treating usually starts around 6:00pm in our area. This is when it first gets dark and dinner is over. It is also when the really young kids come out. If you are much older and can stay out later, wait until after 7:30pm before heading out.

I love seeing kids of all sizes out on Halloween and often it is the teenagers who have the most unique costumes but it is tough seeing a two year old trying to walk up our walkway in a costume only to be passed by a group of big kids.

If you are out earlier just be mindful of the young kids as most of them will only make it to a handful of houses before getting tired and going home.

Have a plan

It’s been a year since they last went out trick or treating. Remind young kids how it works from walking up to the house to yelling trick or treat, then saying thank you and moving on.

Talk about where they are going to go and what streets they want to walk down and how there will be others who are also dressed up on their route. A small reminder can help kids adjust to the night easily.

You can also talk about when it is time to come home for a break or at the end of the evening and how much of a warning you will give them.

Remember your (and your child’s) teeth

If there ever was a day to remember to brush teeth, Halloween is it. Get rid of the day’s sugar-carnage with proper brushing techniques before turning in.

Disclosure: We are proud to be Church & Dwight ambassadors. Any personal opinions are those of the author’s.

It’s such a simple concept. Just learn to read, right? For some kids it is easy. They love books, and they understand how words sound and fit together.

For others, it’s not as simple as that. Our seven year old is struggling right now. Not because she can’t read. She can, and she does. It’s because she doesn’t like to read. Even coming from our family where we’ve read books to her since she came home from the hospital and we have books everywhere, she confided that she just doesn’t like it.

Now I know that things can change and one day I might find her devouring book after book, but for now I worry that her lack of enthusiasm will impact her level of learning and comprehension.

So how do you get your kids into a reading program you can access from your home that will compliment their school studies and not feel like you are ‘forcing’ them to learn? You speak their language and create something they will naturally want to engage with.

When I told my daughters I could download them a new game to play, they were excited. I was able to create a separate account for each of them. This is helpful because there is a three year difference between my girls and their reading is not at the same level.

Kids can travel all over the island completing tasks, searching for lost books, and playing games, all while learning to read.

I will be sharing our progress over the next few months but right now, I am glad I found Ooka Island. This educational game is fun to play, and it doesn’t feel like learning. Each game progresses as your child plays it so they don’t lose interest because of repetitiveness.

To download Ooka Island: You can now type Ooka Island into the App store on your iPhone or iPad, or you can click on FREE TRIAL on the Ooka Island website.

Disclosure: This post is sponsored. Opinions are my own.

Gift cards in small denominations

When I think back to my maternity time with my daughter, I think of mall walking in the winter months. When I wasn’t exhausted, I would pack her a meal and some snacks and we would spend a few hours walking in the mall. I always timed it around her naps so that I could walk and window shop for a couple of hours in silence.

In hindsight, when the holidays and my birthday came around and people asked me what I wanted, I should have said gift cards. The mall walk was always nice but since we were down an income when I was on maternity leave, I had to justify my purchases and fun extras were often left on the shelf.

Many of us have the luxury of living close to a mall, so look up the closest mall that your friend will be walking around and find as many stores as possible to get gift cards from.

Don’t just go for one big gift card though. Drop the denominations and buy multiple cards instead. Most places sell gift cards starting at $5 to $10 denominations, and this would make for a fun outing. The gift cards could also be saved for multiple trips and then ‘mom’ always has something to shop for when it’s mall walking time.

You can find a lot in stores for the $5 to $10 price range. Our new mom can pick up some cosmetics at great price points at London Drugs, small tea packets to sample at David’s Tea, a notebook at Chapters, clothing on sale at most retailers, and more.

New mom can also stop in for a coffee, breakfast/lunch, treat, or even a movie since some theatres have special movie times for those with babies that include dimmed lighting (not dark), strollers allowed, and a lower volume.

Time away from the baby

There will be some days during that first year when every new mother can barely get out of bed let alone put on her adult pants and be responsible for a baby all day.

Between multiple late night feedings, diaper changes, and meltdowns, some times we wake up worse off then when we went to sleep the night before.

If you have some extra time to spare, consider offering to drop by on a rough day and entertain that new bundle of joy while your friend takes a nap, takes a break, takes a shower, or gets something done that has been on their list for awhile.

If they are napping, they are in the same house if you need to wake them for anything, and a refreshed mom will appreciate the time you took to help her out.

Subscription box

So as new parents, we don’t have a lot of time for some things, but subscription box themes vary and you can find one that will fit your friend’s schedule and interests.

A subscription box is something that you pay for (a subscription) and a box is sent out monthly to your new mom with fun surprises in it. It’s like the new Jam of the Month Club.

You can find boxes for almost every interest out there. From crafting to food, wine, candy, household items, clothing, makeup, beer, and more. You can set up a gift and send the boxes right to your new mom and she’ll appreciate getting something just for herself each month.

Your company

As a new mom in my first year, I was a lot frazzled. Wonky sleep times, never-ending diaper changes (which often leads to never-ending laundry), and playing peek-a-boo all day will do that to a new mom.

There are times that I just wanted to hear about my husband’s day, not because I cared (which I did), but because I just wanted to hear an adult voice and have a grown up responsible conversation that included adulty things.

At times I felt like the world was going on without me. I knew I’d jump back on that moving bus at some time, but for the time being I felt like I was walking my mom-path alone.

Just having someone who would drop by and connect me to the outside world meant so much some days. So whether it is dropping by for a visit, or planning a dinner out and away from home and baby for an evening, the value of your presence might mean the world to your friend.

All you can read digital magazines

Texture (formerly Next Issue) has over 100 magazines that you can read, and read again. This includes current issues and back issues and is available for $9.99 per month. Magazines include everything from fitness to current events including People, Macleans, celebrity, all the trash you can consume, yoga, design and more.

I would have loved this subscription when I was at home with my daughter as I felt my first 15 minutes with adults always involved me being so out of touch with what was trendy or current news.

Moms, what was the best gift you ever received for yourself? Any other ideas to add to the list? Leave a comment below.

Roads aren’t as easy to travel and everything is white (there goes playing Eye-Spy). With airfare at a higher rate during some peak winter visiting times (eg. Christmas), sometimes road trips are the only option.

Some extra planning and time goes a log way in arriving safe, and sane. Here are some tips to consider when planning a winter road trip.

Have contact numbers on hand

Look up the numbers for any hotels you’ll be stopping at on your trip (and let someone know the names of all of your stops in case they need to start calling around looking for you). Know the numbers of friends and family, and CAA in the event you need assistance.

Communicate your location

Keep in touch with friends and family while you travel. Let them know the exact roads you will be taking and when you expect to be at your next stop. Check in as much as possible with your location and your ETA to your next stop.

Pack an emergency kit

In the event you are stranded on the side of the road, you want to be prepared for as much as possible. You will also want to have enough supplies in case help doesn’t immediately arrive.

This may include:

• blankets (enough for everyone in the car)
• first aid kit
• parka (with reflective material), winter boots, hand warmers
• small shovel
• non-clumping kitty litter (great for traction under tires)
• jumper cables
• road markers or lights/flares
• something to charge your phone that does not rely on the car (in case you can’t start your vehicle)
• flashlight (with extra batteries)
• extra food (non-perishables like granola bars, nuts, cereal – minus the milk)
• tool kit (beside running out of gas and sliding off the road, a flat tire will be one of the popular hindrances in winter driving. Make sure you have what you need to attempt a tire change if needed)

Go slow and drive during daylight hours

Pay attention to road conditions and take your time so you can properly navigate road conditions and avoid dangers like ice patches. Know sun rise and set times so you can get the most out of your driving time and arrive at your next stop before the sun goes down.

Get your car ready

Snow tires are always a great idea when driving across Canada in the winter. Make sure your car has been serviced and all oil changes are up to date.

What tips do you have for winter road trips? Share them in the comments below. Drive safe everyone.

Disclosure: Article written as part of an ambassadorship with Church & Dwight. Opinions are not influenced.

Earlier this summer, I attended the beauty event of the year when I was a guest at the London Drugs Beauty Event in Vancouver. Featuring Canada’s leading beauty brands, I was honoured to be invited to have an inside look at what was coming to my London Drugs beauty departments this fall (read NOW!!!).

I have to share that, inside, I was a blubbering mess of excitement that went into absolute overdrive when I saw what was in store for fall. It’s like someone read my mind and pulled from my ultimate wishlist for beauty products and colours.

I’ve been testing and trying everything out and now I get to share these new fall trends with you so we can just excitedly blubber along together.

The colours

Full disclosure, I love nude colours. So you can imagine how happy I am to see beautiful neutral shades in the new palettes at my local London Drugs. From deep browns, to shimmery light pink/beiges, they are everywhere. So much so, that I barely made it out of my last beauty shop-stop with cash in my wallet.

Brows

There is a big focus on brow colour and shape this year with almost all of the beauty brands in attendance adding something brow-related to their arsenal of beauty products. You’ll find everything you need to colour, shape, pluck, tint, or set your brows at London Drugs this fall.

Lips

While colour is still a focus, the main push behind many of the products on the shelves is lip nourishment. Tinted, stained, coloured lipsticks, and regular lip conditioning products will keep your lips in great shape this winter so stock up.

Eye lashes

There are some fun products out in the mascara category right now. My favourite is the Lift Me Up by Rimmel. It is scented with cucumber which makes it the first mascara to come scented (to my knowledge). It has a unique shaped applicator that reaches my inside and outside lashes easily without changing hands and this makes it my new go-to mascara. Here are some other new fall choices.

Apparently, there are laws against that.

How to reserve
Like almost everything in my life, I turned to Google. The provincial park reservation site is incredible. It shows you the location of every campground in the province on an easy to read map. There are even photos of every single provincial park site in Alberta. https://reserve.albertaparks.ca/public/reservation/findCampsite.htm

What to pack?
I over pack. It’s in my genes. I got a list of camping stuff and picked the brains of my friends. I packed the essentials and a whole lot more.

Sites like this helped. http://www.lovetheoutdoors.com/camping/checklists.htm
That’s a lot of stuff.

Packing, Tetris-style. Photo credit Stacey Brotzel

With my husband threatening to take 2 cars, I took out some firewood (which you can buy at most campgrounds but it will be more expensive). Finally I managed to barely close my hatch. So with my kids packed in around the coolers and the chip bags…we were off.

Since I’ve returned home, I saw in a catalogue that you can pick up some cheap, soft roof top bags to shove your sleeping bags in, for around $100-$200. That would have been handy.

How to pick a spot?
We took the two hour drive north east to Garner Lake…near St. Paul. One old Trip Advisor review suggested it was in disrepair. Perhaps it was in the past but when we arrived it was beautiful. Well maintained. The bathrooms were clean, and close to our campsite. (Which is kind of a big thing to those who can’t stand and pee in the woods.)

Our spot was beautiful. Guarded by a canopy of trees. Lot #34. It also had a plug in. I didn’t know how important that was until after we arrived. I brought a kettle, which is much faster than boiling it on the fire or camp stove (a must). I didn’t know I would use so much hot water… for cooking, for washing dishes and filling my water bottle at night (that made cool nights bearable).

photo credit Stacey Brotzel

Also look for a campground with a good playground and hopefully even two. Garner has one in the camping area and one on the beach.

A good idea is to check on the Alberta Health services website for Blue/Green algae alerts. http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/10189.asp You don’t want to drive 2 hours to the lake and find out your kids can’t even wade in it. Garner had beautiful clear water and it was shallow enough that my 6 year old could go pretty far out and it wasn’t even up to her shoulders.

What to eat?
I love to eat. The second question I usually ask someone back from vacation is “what’s the best thing you ate?” Hot dogs and cheezies weren’t going to cut it. So once again, I consulted my friend Google.

Breakfast: I bought one of those cartons of egg whites. This one was south western flavoured. It was already seasoned with peppers in it so I didn’t need to lug around any spices. I brought a Ziploc full of boiled potatoes for hash browns cooked on a cast iron frying pan and I put bacon on the fire.

Breakfast. Photo credit Stacey Brotzel

Lunch: I made campfire nachos. http://redtri.com/campfire-nachos/ I modified this recipe by just bringing a can of Stag chili instead of hauling around ground beef. Delicious. I loved picking the crusty cheese bits off the side of the pan.

Campfire Nachos. Photo credit Stacey Brotzel.

Dinner: Yeah…I did 3 courses. My stomach shouldn’t suffer because my heart yearned for the great outdoors.

Appetizer: I took a round of brie cheese, topped with pepper jelly (you can use any type of jelly), wrapped it in tin foil and put it on the campfire grill. It was a great rustic fondue with crackers.

Main course: I put steaks in a plastic bag marinated in some olive oil and garlic. No salt. (salt sucks the moisture out of them. Put it on before cooking). Then I froze them…to add to another ice pack in the cooler. I prepared the whiskey/shallot butter (http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/grilled-steak-with-whiskey-butter-242257) at home and wrapped it in plastic wrap. I also used the seasoned butter to grease my pan for the potatoes and eggs the next morning.

Dessert: This recipe I heard from word of mouth. It’s a split between a s’more and a fondue. I took 2 tubs of chocolate cream cheese. Topped it with marshmallows and chocolate chips and threw it into tin foil and on the grill over the fire. It took a while for it to melt. But once it did, everyone shoveled it in using graham crackers.

Campfire S’mores. Photo Credit Stacey Brotzel.

What to do?

We brought the new ‘cool’ game “Ladder ball”. Great to do outside. Cards. Books. Fishing rod. Garner Lake has a great walking path around the lake with information plaques about indigenous animals and plants. If you are planning on going for a hike…remember a bear horn or bell.

No doubt about it. Camping is work. And a work out. On Saturday, with regular activities around the campsite and about a 5 km hike I doubled my normal amount of steps (according to my Fitbit). I walked a total of almost 15 kilometers.

All the work is worth it come the evening, when your family is fed and happy and you finally relax. Over the crackle of the campfire, the payoff is the sounds of your kid playing superheroes in the trees with the kid in the Iron man t-shirt.

Jasper is the second largest Dark Sky preserve in the world. Light pollution removes so much of the night sky from our vision and we take for granted that what we see (or don’t) is the way it is. Trust me, when you remove light pollution from the picture, the sky lights up all on its own. Jasper has certain restrictions on light pollution to preserve their spectacular night views, and this is celebrated each year with their annual Dark Sky Festival.

photo credit Jeff Bartlett

Events are still being worked out for this year, but some guests are confirmed, including Col. Chris Hadfield, TELUS World of Science Edmonton, the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, and former Mythbusters hosts Grant Imahara, Kari Byron, and Tori Belleci. It’s going to be 10 days of science, stars, and me geeking out all over the place.

Kids with Col. Chris Hadfield. photo credit Jeff Bartlett

If you are able to make it out this year, you can find information, prices and accomodation at http://jasperdarksky.travel/. The festival is family-friendly with a lot of additional programming for kids of all school ages so pack those kids up, turn off their iPads, and show them what real stars look like.

If you are interested in some additional experiences while you are in Jasper, check out these suggestions.

Brewster Travel Canada

In conjunction with the Dark Sky Festival, Brewster is offering unique stargazing experiences during the month of October (select departure times): Glacier Skywalk Stargazing, and Glaciers & Stargazing Overnight Adventure. Click on the links for details and to book.

Jasper Planetarium

The Jasper Planetarium offers nightly astronomy interpretations under a large tented dome with Jasper’s resident “sky guy”, scientist Peter McMahon. Following a 45-minute program, guests can access high-powered telescopes to gaze at planets and constellations. For the early risers, a morning solar program is also available.

The Jasper Planetarium is the perfect year-round option for families looking to learn more about Jasper’s Dark Sky Preserve. Beyond the regularly scheduled programming, they also offer tours based around significant astronomy events such as meteor showers.

Canadian Skyline Adventures

Daring souls can join local guides in the centre of town and make their way to Old Fort Point as the sun sets. Blankets, fondue, and hot drinks await guests at the top of the lookout, accompanied by dark sky interpretation. Canadian Skyline Adventures can be booked into September, after that it is by request.

photo credit Jeff Bartlett

In Jasper, there truly is something for everyone. I hope to see you there in October. If not, I’ll Tweet and Instagram lots. That’s kind of like packing all of you in my giant luggage right?

Between both of us, my husband struggles with dust allergies the most. I’m not in the clear though. I can tell when I am around too much dust. In addition to dust, my husband also has a pet allergy but both our cat and dog don’t affect him to much — so they get to stay.

When the very place you live in can cause so much discomfort, you need to have a plan to keep allergens away, and cleaning plays a big role in having a home that you can really relax in. Here are some cleaning tips for families that struggle with allergies in the home.

Choose your chores

If one person in your home has dust allergies, give them a pass for the ‘dust’ chores. If your house is like ours, there is no shortage of chores. Alternatively, if you are in a position to afford it, you can look at hiring someone to come in and complete just those tasks that cause allergic reactions.

If you do hire someone, be specific that it is due to allergies so they can be extra careful not to leave anything out that would bother you.

Use a damp cloth

No one with dust allergies wants to see those little particles floating around the room. Dry dusters tend to move around some dust, no matter how good they claim to be. If you are using a cloth or fabric duster, try making it a little damp so that dust gets trapped and stays trapped.

Move slower

Like the above. Moving at a quick pace will send dust particles floating into the air. Take your time and move slowly, especially around areas where dust accumulates so that you can remove dust without disturbing it too much.

Clear the clutter

Get rid of items that are no longer needed and don’t let excessive clutter pile up. Dust will find its way into nooks and crannies of items that sit around the house, unused. Keeping your home clear will make it easier to clean, and dust particles (or pet hair, etc) won’t find its way into a nice hiding spot and jump out when you least expect it.

Quality is important

Invest in the tools that will help you get the job done right the first time. A vacuum cleaner is an asset in the fight against allergens and there are certain options you want to consider before purchasing your vacuum cleaner.

For example, will you be the one cleaning and do you have the allergies? Fiddling with a bag full of dust can be detrimental for allergy sufferers so you will want a cleaner that has a more suitable option for disposal.

Another important feature is HEPA filtration. If you suffer from asthma and allergies, you may have heard of the term. A HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter, filters air, often through a mesh barrier, and the goal is to trap particles that can cause allergies or asthma. Not all vacuum cleaners have this feature though so make sure yours does.

We recently switched over to the Dyson DC77 ‘Animal’. Now, I think it’s called that because it cleans like an animal; my husband says it’s called that because it is great at picking up pet hair.

Po-tay-toe, po-tah-toe.

Our first run with the Dyson was in our living room, and on that room alone, I filled the canister. I was at a loss for words. The part that really got me though were the smallest of small-sized dust particles in there. Sitting like soft sand at the bottom of the canister. In the five years that we’ve lived here, our old vacuum never picked up anything as small as that. So now I get the heebie jeebies when I think about all of that dust that lurked in our carpets all those years.

Did you know? The Dyson DC77 Animal is certified asthma & allergy friendly by the Asthma Society of Canada?

Another nice feature one the DC77 are the additional attachments that allow you to remove allergens from different areas of your home.

(Click on the icons in the image below for more information).

After seeing what this machine (now known as the animal in our house) could do, my husband announced that he would be vacuuming the house for the rest of the day.

Click to learn more about the Dyson DC77 Animal at or check out all of the cleaners in the Dyson Cinetic line at http://www.dysoncanada.ca/en-CA/vacuum-cleaners/upright/dc77.aspx.

The Dyson Cinetic DC77 upright vacuum is available at major retailers and DysonCanada.ca starting at $699.99.

Disclosure: Thank you Dyson for sending a DC77 to
review for this feature. Opinions are not influenced.

I decided to come up with a few sure fire strategies to help me decrease the electronics and increase our interaction as a family.

Get out

Put down the remote and leave the house. Whether it’s shopping, going for a walk, taking a fitness/swimming class together or paying a visit to your local library to access their free children’s programs, there are tons of opportunities for new moms in our city to get out into the community.

Tune in

I found that I would often turn the TV on during the day as background noise while was doing work around the house, but inevitably I would get sucked in and park butt whenever something interesting came on.

Instead of having the TV on throughout the day, I’ve decided to switch to radio instead. Music and stories on the radio will keep you motivated throughout the day, without the chance that you’ll need to sit down and watch what’s going on like you would with the Television.

Game On

Put those endless hours of Candy Crush behind you and opt to take a more traditional approach to gaming. Scour the last few garage sales of the season for board games & yard activities that you can engage in with your kids.

Get cooking

Dust off those mixing bowls and unpack the baking pans, it’s time to take to the kitchen. Baking and cooking is a great way to tune out the digital world and instill good nutritional values in your kids. Cooking can be a fun way to engage with your kids throughout their life.

Bottom Line, we live in a connected world where we ‘re constantly getting the latest updates online, through social media and on our television screen. You don’t need to completely disconnect to be successful, in fact I know for me that would be impossible.

The important thing is just to make that conscious effort to spend a little less time connected to technology each day and decide to connect with your family instead.

What tips do you have for limiting your screen time? Leave a comment below.

s a first time parent to a child starting preschool this year, there are some items you will want to have on hand and some things you need to know about in the week leading up to your child’s first day at preschool.

Items

• Backpack: Kids are small at this age and won’t need to carry much so they won’t need anything over-sized, but they will still have notices, paperwork, lunch bags and other small items that they’ll need to get to and from class.
• Labels: my favourite item for kids going back to school are kids clothing and item labels. They come in fun colours, won’t fade or run, clearly state your child’s name and are extremely durable.

Clothing

Preschoolers are still young enough that there is a good chance that an accident will happen during school hours. Set aside one complete change of clothes in a Ziploc bag for the teacher to keep in the classroom. Label each piece of clothing in the bag with your child’s name (or an easy to apply label) to avoid confusion as, often, your child will only need one or two pieces from the bag at a time. Don’t forget to label the bag too.

For your clothing bag:

• shirt (top)
• pants (bottom)
• socks
• underwear

Some preschools ask that you keep a change of clothes in your child’s backpack instead.

Shoes

You will need one pair of indoor shoes and one for going outside. Both sets of shoes should be labeled to quickly identify their owner.

The preschool shoe labels from Mabels Labels are perfect for young kids. Each set of shoe stickers comes in a pair that makes a picture. When labeling your child’s shoes, you would put one sticker in one shoe, and one in the other so that when your child looks into the shoes, they can see the design the picture makes. If the design isn’t correct then the shoes are on the wrong feet. This helps kids to get their shoes on the right feet if an adult isn’t available to help them each time.

The real first day

Check the back to school procedure for preschool classes. In some cases, the date that grade school starts and the date that your child officially starts preschool are a little different.

Starting preschool is new for many kids so some preschools do a staggered school entry. In our school, the kids each go one day only for 1 hour in the first week to get the kids used to the teachers, the room, and the routine. Then they start on regular hours/days on the second week.

Snacks

If you aren’t sure if your child needs a snack during the first day, it doesn’t hurt to pack something small just in case. A water bottle, crackers, and grapes will get a preschooler through a couple of hours away and won’t go bad if it isn’t refrigerated.

Full disclosure, I like hotels. I like that they make my bed for me. I like restaurant recommendations from the concierge. I have turned up my nose at camping, in the past. IT DOESN’T HAVE FREE WI-FI OR A STARBUCKS IN THE LOBBY!

But, one day earlier this summer, my friends and I took a walk through the campground at Pigeon Lake. My pals have a cabin at the popular spot, a well-equipped winterized one. As I walked through the tenting area with a tummy full of mimosa and foie gras, I saw these families with their tents, their tarps and their ladder ball. Snug and set up in a beautiful curtain of trees just wide enough for me to peak in. The tenters looked like they were having fun. And for some reason I wanted that. More importantly, I wanted to give my family that.

Whether they liked it or not.

Once I set my mind to it, I knew this would be a test of human endurance. Could I handle sleeping in a tent? Cooking my food outside? I am not a princess by any means but I was naïve in the ways of the camping. I remember only one time I slept in a tent, when I was much younger. Immediately, once I started talking about the trip, my camper-friends stepped up. I didn’t drop a dime and I had a full complement of gear.

In a shockingly generous way, even complete strangers offered help. A friend of a friend heard I needed a sleeping bag and lent me 2 of hers. They were so enthusiastic and excited about me having this experience. That’s when I got my first glimpse into camping culture.

Getting my family to go was a bit of a chore. My 6 year old was gung ho. But she had no idea what she was on board about and I wasn’t sure how she would do in a tent that wasn’t set up on the cushy carpet in the basement. My husband, a former Polish scout with plenty of experience sleeping in tents as a kid had gone soft. He was not sold. I found a campsite at Garner Lake Provincial Park, a lake where Mr. Brotzel had spent a lot of his youth and that was my hook to drag his reluctant behind on this uncertain adventure.

After a 2 hour driver north east of Edmonton, we reached Garner. Suddenly I was enveloped in my own tree curtain and I had to make it feel like home for 3 days. The tent was cozy, squishy but cozy. We brought a camp stove & rib eye steaks, and a few recipes I grabbed off Pinterest which ensured that my stomach didn’t have to suffer through endless dinners of hot dogs and cheezies.

I however made a crucial mistake.

In all my Google searches, I read somewhere I should bring boxed wine. 6 bottles in two convenient packages. No glass, no fuss but in the end it also gives you the inconvenience of a BIG head ache. Don’t do that to yourself. Bring the good stuff.

I was there for 3 days and I learned a lot about camping culture. Here’s a list.

It is a community.

It is about being with your friends gabbing and laughing around a campfire.

It’s about seeing your children exploring a forest and making friends with the kids in the next lot. It’s about meeting campers down the path, asking them questions and borrowing an egg. And camping is way better with friends.

It is about a rustic way of life.

Simplicity. It’s about feeling the ashy grit in your baked potato pulled from the burning remnants of your fire and thinking it tastes great. It’s about pulling tiny raspberries off bushes and popping the sourness in your kid’s mouth without washing them.

It is about being with your family.

There is no greater definition of togetherness than four people squished in a four-person tent in three degree weather. (Whatever you do bring a hot water bottle.)

It’s about being away from the city.

And off my phone. It was lovely to see my kid splash in crystal clear water. I saw a sky full of stars through the canopy of trees above me while listening to the crackle of a late night campfire. In the city, you can’t hear northern lights clapping while you gaze up in awe and lie on a sandy beach.

And, for me…

It was also about finding out what I am capable of.

I pulled off campfire nachos, brie cheese with red pepper jelly over the open camp fire. I slept well in a tight nylon cocoon of mountain equipment co-op despite the fact I could see my breath above me. It’s a lot of work to assemble all the gear you need to camp, and I pulled it off.

I survived my first camping trip. Will I do it again next weekend? No. Will I go out and buy hundreds of dollars in gear for my next adventure? My Visa is probably safe for now. But I am so glad I went.

“Roughing it” was kind of cool. Thanks for letting me in your club for a while, Campers. I’ll be back at some point, without the boxed wine.

The big countdown is on. As I’ve written before, I have a lot of mixed emotions. But those emotions aside, I don’t actually feel stressed about the start of the school year so much as about the fact that I won’t be enjoying long summer days with my girls.

Some schools have already started their school year today, but we have one more week and the final preparations are underway.

Back to school checklist

Clothes

I like to buy a few fun pieces for back to school in retail stores, but others are bought at second-hand stores like Value Village. When I drop in to look around through out the year, I always look in my daughters’ age range, then one year higher. For $3, I would happily hold on to a brand new, shirt, or skirt until my daughter grows into it.

This eases the burden of dropping a paycheck at the beginning of the school year to get a wardrobe of the newest clothes.

For shoes, I shop online. I have always had a thing about foot health and I like to buy brand name shoes that are known for their comfort and support, but picking them up in the store can be costly. Many stores offer free shipping over a certain amount (you can always add your child’s winter boots onto your order and get that out of the way too). And there are a lot of sizing charts that are easy to follow. You also have a larger option of shoes when you look around online.

Supplies

We purchase our school supplies at the end of the year through our school. This isn’t the cheapest option, but it works for us for these reasons:

• no shopping around, the list is already loaded and you just select your school/grade and you purchase what they’ve chosen. It took me five minutes to complete the order.
• proceeds from the purchase go to the school
• the items are waiting at the school for your child on the first day back

You can also buy the majority of your supplies online and have them sent to you. We chose to buy our daughters’ backpacks online and they got to pick out their favourite one and there is a good chance that there won’t be another in their school. Again, the shipping was free and they will be arriving here just before school starts.

Routines

Back to school means schedules that everyone in the family needs to get used to. Slowly move bedtimes back, and get up earlier. Get dressed early so everyone can get used to getting dressed for school.

If you have some time, try to schedule a date to meet up with other kids at the school to play on the grounds. This is also a great idea for kids to reconnect with their friends before school starts.

Organizing rooms

Back to school is a great time to organize kid’s bedrooms. Cleaning up toys and clutter makes bedrooms a little more calming. Go through your child’s books and keep the ones that are either favourites, or are at your child’s reading level.

Go through their closets and pull out any clothes that no longer fit, then move all of their summer clothes to one side of the closet. Once back to school comes, we need to face the fact that the colder weather will be close behind. Those clothes will soon be cleaned and packed away (or donated, etc).

The OxiClean Stain remover laundry detergents are perfect for cleaning old clothes before storing or donating. They remove tough, dried on stains including grass, soil, clay, fruit, chocolate, grease, oil, blood & more. This detergent is powered by three high-performance colour safe enzymes, to fight a wide variety of complex stains and provide brilliant whites and bright colours which is perfect for your winter wardrobe and jackets, mitts, snow pants, etc.

Extra-curricular activities

If you are enrolling your child in any after-school or extra-curricular activities, now is a great time to look into availability as many classes will fill up.

Disclosure: I am a working with Church & Dwight
as an ambassador. Opinions are not influenced.

Carrot Soup Recipe

2015-08-30 13:39:39

The nutty, spice flavour of this carrot soup makes it the perfect dish for fall. On its own or as part of a meal, this recipe is a crowd-pleaser.

Write a review

Save Recipe

Print

Prep Time

20 min

Cook Time

1 hr

Total Time

1 hr 20 min

Prep Time

20 min

Cook Time

1 hr

Total Time

1 hr 20 min

Ingredients

1. 4 - 5 cups carrots
2. 1 medium yam (sweet potato)
3. 1 medium shallot
4. 1 clove garlic
5. Vegetable soup broth
6. Paprika
7. Cumin
8. 1 tbsp Agave
9. 1 tbsp Sesame Tahini Sauce
10. Salt to taste

Instructions

1. Peel and chop carrots and yams into 1" slices and put in an oven-safe baking dish (spread them out as much as you can so there aren't any layers).
2. Peel and chop he shallot and garlic and add to the dish.
3. Sprinkle paprika, cumin, and a little bit of salt (if you use a no-salt vegetable broth), over the ingredients and pour vegetable broth into the pan to cover the bottom of the pan about a 1/4 of an inch.
4. Bake at 375 degrees for about an hour. Ovens bake at various paces so check on your ingredients around 45 minutes.
5. Remove from oven and add to a blender or food processer. Blend baked ingredients and slowly add remaining vegetable broth until you have reached a desired consistency (I used about 1.5 - 2 cups).
6. Blend in agave and sesame tahini sauce.
7. Serve with a sprinkle of paprika on top, or store for later.

Notes

1. For the shallot, I used 1/3 to a half a large shallot from my garden. The shallot was the size of my fist, so you can gauge the size there.

By Sheri Landry

This Bird's Day https://thisbirdsday.com/

Last year, I shared my chicken soup recipe for back to school that the girls really enjoyed so I upped my game and decided to create this carrot soup recipe.

My husband, oldest daughter and I all enjoyed this soup but it got a thumbs down from our youngest daughter. In my defense though, she doesn’t like potatoes or perogies either so there is clearly something wrong with her (kidding).

This recipe used up about half of our carrots and I’ll be digging up the other half to make a second batch in about a week. I think I’m going to try freezing that batch if there are any left overs.

I took a couple of pictures of the process in case you wanted to follow along. Here are a couple of the steps.

All of the ingredients ready to go in for baking for the carrot soup recipe.

And I can’t get over how orange it is when it is baked and blended. You can just see the healthy goodness in there.

Blend everything really well, there should be no large chunks left in the carrot soup when you are done. Only a smooth, thick texture.

These illnesses are a part of life for many and can be managed, or avoided with some planning and education.

Common Cold

Once the weather starts to turn cold, this is the most common one around our school. Colds take many forms and have just as many symptoms ranging from headaches, body aches, coughing, stuffy nose, runny nose, lethargy, and more.

Prevention is the best tool against the common cold in school. Teach kids the importance of washing their hands, sparingly using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, coughing ‘like a vampire’ (mouth in inner bend of arm), and not sharing items such as straws, gum, lip balm and more.

Have your medicine cabinet stocked for when the common cold hits your house. Because it will, and you can create a cough & cold survival checklist with a list of items that are always good to keep on hand.

Flu

The fall and winter months are prime time for the flu to circulate among students at school. Immunizations are usually offered near the end of September or the beginning of October so check in with your local health authority to find out when they expect to be ready. Don’t put off an immunization until January when an outbreak has scared everyone into the clinic and you are in line for hours.

Vaccines

If you aren’t sure if your child is due for any vaccines at their age, check with your local health authority. Most schools will remind you and ask for a record that the current vaccinations are up to date, but if you aren’t sure, you can always check on your own. Then you can make an appointment and get in ahead of the rush.

Asthma

Make sure you are stocked with any items you need to send to school with your child if they suffer from asthma. Make an appointment with your family doctor, review medications and get any prescriptions you might need ahead of time.

Notify the school of any triggers that can be avoided (eg. excessive perfumes, etc).

Eye Health

Poor eye sight can contribute to lack of participation and poor grades in class.

If you haven’t had your child’s eyes checked yet, now is a good time to start. If there are no previous concerns, most opticians will begin checking eyes around the age of three.

Know what is covered. For example, if you live in Alberta and are under 18, eye examinations (one complete per year) are covered if the exam is done in Alberta so there is no reason not to get your child checked yearly if you live here.

Allergies

For kids with allergies, going to school can be a little scary. If your child suffers from any allergies, make time to speak to the teacher and principle to make sure everyone understands what the allergy is, how to avoid it, and how to administer help in the event that it happens.

In addition to speaking to the school, talk to your child about their health so they also have the tools to protect themselves. If you are new to managing food allergies, begin by researching how to talk to your kids about allergies for great tips and suggested language.

Suggested reading: Anaphylaxis Preparedness

Lice

Who else gets crawly feelings when they say that word in their head? Lice is a pain to deal with, but it is a common occurrence so chances are good that you will deal with this one at some point.

Depending on how you want to deal with the situation, you can find various treatments for Lice at London Drugs.

Review your medications

Back to school is a great time to go through your medicine cabinet and remove expired medications. You can take any expired medication (and vitamins, etc) into your local London Drugs and a pharmacist will remove the labels and safely discard of the old medication. Remember to keep your medication out of reach of children.

Do you want more information on any of these health concerns? Stop in and chat with a London Drugs pharmacist to find information and the right product for your child.

This post is written as part of my ambassadorship with London Drugs. The above is not to be taken as professional medical advice. If you are concerned for the well-being of your child at any time, seek medical advice.

This post is part of the YummyMummyClub.ca and Goody #GoodyTips sponsored program. I received compensation as a thank you for my participation. This post reflects my personal opinion about the information provided by the sponsors.

Going from a day of fun with the kids to a night out on the town can feel like a big production. But thankfully, Goody has come up with great accessories to keep my hair in place without sacrificing the styles we all love. Featuring a wave of silicone that holds your hair in place, their SlideProof accessories will confidently make sure that your hair will stay put.

Here are five Goody accessories you need to quickly transition your play date hair into date night.

Goody QuikStyle Brush

The daily life of a parent is busy, and if you’re like me, you need to plan out your whole day right down to the shower you are going to have from 3:25 to 3:35 in the afternoon.

For those busy days when a shower is a must before heading out in the evening but time is not on your side, try my new favourite brush. The Goody QuikStyle Paddle Brush has blue anti-microbial microfibers in between the bristles that removes excess water quickly and cuts down drying time.

The Goody QuikStyle and Ouchless brushes make styling a snap.

Goody Purse-Size Ouchless Brush

For quick fixes on the go, the Goody Ouchless Brush comes in a small size that is perfect for tossing in your purse. These brushes work great and cause 55% less breakage then regular brushes because of their FlexGlide bristles which are strong enough to get through your tangles, but gentle enough that it won’t damage your hair or cause a lot of discomfort.

I have a daughter who has some sensory issues with pain and this is her favourite hair brush.

Goody SlideProof Elastics

As a parent, my hair barely makes it through some days without falling out of style as I run errands or play Red Rover for the hundredth time. Thanks to these new SlideProof elastics by Goody, I can put my hair up in a quick ponytail or try out a fun side ponytail for a night out with friends. The silicone lining keeps my hair in place so that means less time fussing in front of the mirror.

Goody SlideProof Head Wraps

Add a pop of colour to your hair style with these fun SlideProof head wraps from Goody. Available in a thick and thin size, and a wide range of colours, these head wraps have a layer of silicone that keeps your hair in place.

You can wear them on their own or jazz up a simple ponytail look. During the day, these are great for keeping your hair back during play time with the kids.

Goody SlideProof Claw Clips

This is one of my favourite hair accessories. I love claw clips, but in the past they always lost their grip and my hair fell out of place. The new Goody SlideProof claw clips have a silicone grip inside and my hair stays where I style it.

The Goody SlideProof claw clip has a silicone pad that grips hair and holds it in place. This clip is great for a day at the spray park or a night out with girlfriends. No matter what, it stays in your hair.

I have thick hair and thanks to the silicone lining, I can use the smallest of the clips and they stay firmly in place. Here’s a quick style that takes me from a play date with friends to date night out with my husband.

Daytime look: Double ponytail

This is one of my favourite looks because it is fun and doesn’t look too serious. Instead of opting for the single ponytail, I go for a double ponytail during the day. It will keep everything out of your face and look just a little different than the usual.

1. Use the Goody Ouchless brushes to separate your hair into two sections.
2. Using the Goody SlideProof elastics (which come in many different colours and styles), simply pull your hair to the back, split in half lengthwise down the back of your head, and put your elastic in.
3. Repeat on the other side for your second ponytail.

Tip: In the morning when putting your elastics in, pay attention to where you want your twist to be in the evening. If you want a low twist, place the elastics closer to the base of your head.

Nighttime look: Tied bun

When switching to evening style;

1. Take each end in your hand and tie them together in a half knot (once through, thus twisting the hair).
2. Using your small Goody SlideProof claw clips, clip your hair in place on top of each elastic in the photos shown below.
3. Secure and style your tips with hairspray.

 Goody products are available at London Drugs, Loblaws and Jean Coutu. Check out Goody on their social media sites for more hair inspiration; Goody on Facebook, Goody on Instagram, Goody on Pinterest.

Do you have any quick fix styles to share? Please share them in the comments. I’m always looking for new styles to try.

We all love warm weather but no one loves the inevitable and dreaded frizz it brings to our hair.

Read YMC’s Frenzied Fashionista’s post to learn about the only Goody accessory you’ll need this summer to pull off simple, stylish, frizz-free looks for all occasions.

Hold on a little longer.

With school just around the corner, I’m looking at the finish line with mixed emotions. On one hand, I have loved my time with my girls this summer. I’ve had them in my life all day, every day for almost two months.

On the other hand, I’ve had them in my life all day, every day for almost two months.

Today at 10:41am (I know because I actually checked the clock), I seriously considered texting a neighbour to come over for a glass of wine. I’m past coffee now apparently. I thought better of it and didn’t text thinking that I would invite her over later in the day when I gathered my sanity, but somewhere in there the crazy abyss that is my kids opened up and I forgot about making plans for a coffee date. Then I put up a tent in my living room in a last ditch attempt to get my girls to stop talking and to focus on playing nicely with each other.

Those of you who have ‘constant-talkers’ for kids will understand my desperation for a 10-minute break with my coffee that turned into a half drunk, cold cup by the end of the day.

So this photo is for those of you who are hanging on now, just waiting for that day when we get to dress them up in school clothes, drop them off in their new class, and wrap it all off with a big ugly cry in the car because you will miss them when they go back.

Can you believe that there are only two more weeks of summer holidays left? We are busy getting those last minute items. I’m going to try to get organized and implement Chef Stefano’s tip for lunches this year.

Share your tips for back to school meal planning in the comments below.

Leaked data from the website Ashley Madison, and it’s sister site, Established Men (both owned by Avid Life Media), have been making its rounds on the Internet over the past couple of days. I’m not linking to those websites here. We’re all adults, you know how to use Google, right? Good, moving on.

For those not aware, both websites offer users a way of connecting with others for various degrees of relationships and include sexual encounters for those who are married. With the tag line, ‘Life is short. Have an affair’, Ashley Madison currently boasts a membership of just under 40 million globally.

After the leaked data was released, Internet entrepreneurs were quick to turn this event into something they could make money off of by uploading all of the emails listed into their databases then offering the public a way to quickly check if their loved ones, or exes etc, were on this list by simply entering in an email address.

Where do they make their money? Well, the site will pop up telling you if the email you are checking is clear, or if there should be reason for suspicion, but that is all it will tell you. Then they will graciously offer their investigative services that you can pay for. If you don’t want to pay, then you can just sit there and fester with the ‘what ifs’.

My issue isn’t so much about that, as it is about the information that was stolen from the Ashley Madison companies.

Why?

Because today I received an email from a friend of mine telling me that his name was listed as being leaked among the emails found on the Ashley Madison account.

And this is the interesting part about the Ashley Madison leaked emails

My friend happens to be a writer. In 2006, he was following up on a story that included him going to Ashley Madison to get more information. There isn’t a lot of information on the home page (other than a woman telling you to be quiet like you’re in a library or something) and to get past the first page on Ashley Madison, you need to log in or enter your email and a couple of simple details. This creates an account for you.

So, congratulations hackers, in your blind determination to take down the lowest of the low of society, you’ve managed to catch someone who was doing his job almost 10 years ago and never went back to the point where he had completely forgotten about the site, until this week.

You’ve played judge and jury (you managed to skip the prosecution and the defense because that is usually where the logic and understanding comes in), and you systematically hung everyone who ever made it past the first page no matter what they were looking for on the site.

Now I also happen to know the wife of this writer, and she laughed when we talked about what had happened. Then it dawned on us, it might not just be jilted parties who will be searching the database for email addresses. What if it was a potential or current employer? What if my friend wanted to run for public office? What if he became a celebrity of sorts?

This leak now carries repercussions that many haven’t even begun to consider yet.

Now, I’m not stupid, I know not everyone on this list is innocent. I know the majority are not innocent. There are many who will be answering for some horrible choices they’ve made.

But here is where it can be easy to look down your nose and begin judging (that never happens on the Internet, right?).

In addition to the leak this week, we also saw Josh Duggar apologize for so many wrong things, and one of them was ‘being unfaithful’ after it was posted online that he had a paid account on Ashley Madison.

So now we have a potential poster-child for Ashley Madison, someone we can all picture when we hear about leaked emails from the Ashley Madison account. Someone we can rake over the coals because, face it, we already have an Internet hate-on for the guy because everything he does is our business. And now he has become the face of every leaked email; even my friend’s.

It’s easy to fall into the Internet hole where we climb up on our high horses, look down at everyone on the list from our glass houses and start hurling those stones all over the place. Lumping every email address together as one giant perverted, child molesting, adulterer(ress) is a huge mistake. So think twice before you jump the gun and stamp ‘GUILTY’ on every listed email address you come across.

To put this into perspective a little more, my friend had done his research on the site almost a decade ago. Do you even realize how much in a life changes in 10 years?

Well let’s look at some possible scenarios.

Up first, let’s look at the plight of the horny teenager. No really, they exist. I saw one in its natural habitat about 20 years ago. Seeing an ad for, and visiting a site like Ashley Madison is probably a pretty popular thing to do when you are sorting through everything that comes with those crazy adolescent years. Many go to look, to learn (I didn’t say it was a good place to learn, only that it’s happening), and to answer some questions that they are definitely not asking their parent(s) about. Hello, awkward!

Fast forward 10 years and this teenager has been married for a few years, expecting their first child and madly in love with their significant other. Long gone are the curious years, and all of the sudden their email comes up as suspicious. Don’t worry former horny teenager, you’re not alone.

Or this — how many people stopped by Ashley Madison in the last 10 years (or more), curious about what is behind that little ‘see your matches’ button on the front page only to realize that it wasn’t what they were looking for and never went back? Congratulations, you’ve now earned a spot among the damned.

Ever had a nagging feeling that your significant other was on Ashley Madison so you went on to look around? You’re our next winner on “Who Wants to be an Adulterer?” because you’ll be on that list too.

How about if you are a journalist, writer, or someone working in a capacity that required you at any point to research sites like Ashley Madison. There you go scumbag.

Or what about those who are in legitimate open relationships (save your breath, there is such a thing). What consenting adults do within the parameters of their own marriage, whether with their partner included, or with the blessing of their partner, is really no ones business. If you feel the need to judge, just see my paragraph about people in glass houses and shut up.

People go online to find what they are looking for because it gives them an added level of security while they are deciding who to meet. Personally, I think it’s better then going out on your own at night looking for a sexual encounter. I met my husband on a dating site because all I did was work and I didn’t want to date someone at work. I had my share of creepy emails that I could easily pass on because I was alone, in the safety of my home. You try getting out of a bad date face to face.

Before you go off on a long-winded tangent in the comments, I am not defending those who lied and cheated, or worse I’m sure. I am standing up for people that were placed on those lists who really shouldn’t be listed. It is not our job as a society to judge the intentions of those email addresses against what we deem to be right or acceptable.

Ashley Madison painted a giant target on themselves with their tagline (and apparently their poor security measures) and now many of their users are paying the price for it. Because of this leak, confidence will be broken, business and personal reputations will be shattered, and marriages will end.

I’m just saying it may not always be for the right reasons.

Consider sharing if you hadn’t considered this perspective.

Summer Family Activities

Geocaching

This is our new favourite thing. I first described geocaching to my kids as a giant, worldwide scavenger hunt with maps and sometimes treasure. They were in. We downloaded the free Geocaching App from iTunes and within one week, we upgraded to the paid Geocaching version which is worth every penny.

Once the app is on your phone, you pull up your location and pins on the map will show the closest geocaches to you. Then you head out in search of your next find. They can be small to large in size and contain anything from a notepad to record your name and date, to trinkets and items to trade. Once you find the cache, you can add it to your list of ‘finds’ and then go in search of the next one.

My girls love this, and we are already planning our next hunt. We are also talking about creating and hiding our own cache.

Scavenger Hunt

Much like geocaching, but without the phone, you can create your own scavenger hunt complete with hints and a prize at the end. This keeps it in your own backyard, but requires more planning on your part.

Bug Hunt

This was a new one for us this summer as our girls never liked bugs, until now. This summer, we learned how spiders spin their webs, why bees don’t sting unless they absolutely have to, why dragonflies are pretty awesome, and why Daddy Long Legs are not actually considered spiders.

I watched their fear fade as their knowledge grew and we are ending the summer with a love of our outdoor neighbours… Except mosquitoes. We all still dislike mosquitoes (thankfully we haven’t had any in Edmonton this summer).

In case of rain (or excessive mosquitoes), read this

One of our school year traditions carried into the summer months, and that is our family movie night. We had a beautiful summer here, but even the best summers still have their rainy days. Having a pajama day filled with indoor games, crafts, music, snacks, and a fun afternoon of movies while curled up on the couch together is still a lot of fun.

We live in a gorgeous house. It’s brand new and that works both for, and against it.  I love character; creaks in the floor, wood paneling discovered in crazy places and the stories that seem to just live in the walls of older homes.  I don’t have that with this house. BUT…whoa….no feeling sorry here I have a home that already has a personal memories attached, the plumbing is more than reliable and each and every area was designed by us.  So that’s fun…but adding a little bit of character is fun too.  That’s when I had the idea to make a farm wall. 

This was an easy project and I’m excited to share it with you.  The beauty of this project is how adjustable it is to fit all tastes.  Here we go!!

Supplies

• 1 “ untreated wood.  This can be found at any hardware store and comes in lots of lengths.
• Table Saw ( you can get the guys at your local hardware store to cut the pieces for you if you don’t have one)
• Tape Measure
• Wall Screws ( I like to use gold kind of roughed up screws for projects like this b/c they blend in better to the materials)
• Reloved vintage paint
• Rag

Directions

Start with a plan.

Yup, that’s as technical as I get.  The measurements of a the section I wanted to fill with my farm wall.

Get your supplies

To get going…it’s important to note I’m often the the gal who just jumps in to a project.  It’s a great quality that allows me to get things done…but often it means doing things twice.  So this time, I took the advice of my more detailed-orientated husband and did this slower yet right. 

We cut all the pieces to the length of our wall 7 feet 3 inches then hauled everything inside.  We fastened piece by piece the wood to the wall with a single screw on each end. That was all that was needed b/c it is very light wood.

As we got up to the TV section we measure each piece…cut it and fastened it to the wall.

There you have it…hard part done!  We removed each piece and labeled it with a number on the back so the re-assembly would be very easy. 

Once everything was back in the garage the painting magic can happen.  With my Reloved vintage paint ready it was time for fun.  I LOVE PAINTING…it instantly transforms and brings things to life.  I used Storm, Island and a gel stain that we are working to bring in to our line. (It was an oak colouring)  1/2 of cup of paint was put in a tupperware container and 2 cups of water was added.  Then shake. With a Reloved Wax Cloth, I actually just wiped the paint on to the boards.  EASY.

The when it was dry, just reassemble.  And because you had everything lined up before…it just takes a few minutes to see the amazing results.

Get the paint you need for this project and everything on your “Reloved” list at www.reloved.com.

Calaway Park

Calaway Park is Western Canada’s largest outdoor family amusement park. With a total of 32 rides, food vendors / restaurants, and entertainment throughout the park, there is always something happening.

Shows are held throughout the day in Calaway Park.

Height restrictions are clearly marked on each ride and there are a lot of ride options for every age group. Most ride lines are short and they move quickly with the exception of a couple more popular rides that are well worth the wait.

One of the newest rides is Timber Falls, a ride that combines a roller coaster with water, and you will get wet. This was a fun ride to experience, but if you aren’t sure if your younger kids will enjoy it, I recommend going on yourself first to try it out as it is a little more intimidating than it looks.

Timber Falls is Calaway Park’s newest attraction.

Another area offers fishing off a dock where kids can experience the patience and fight that goes into catching ‘the big one’. Once a fish is caught, it will be wrapped up for you to take home so I recommend doing this activity near the end of your day at Calaway Park.

The Calaway Park staff go out of their way to provide a wonderful family experience and this was the highlight of our daughters’ trip. The fact that there is also an RV park right next door makes this a summer destination must for visitors to Calgary.

Getting ready to go on a ride with the kids at Calaway Park. Always time for a group selfie!

Calgary Zoo

A quick turn off the city street and you are transported into the Calgary Zoo where the rest of the city fades into the background.

The zoo is well laid out with distinct sections such as the Canadian Wilds, Destination Africa, Eurasia and (for a limited time) Prehistoric Park where you can travel back in time and experience life with dinosaurs. This section of the park is a lot of fun for any dinosaur-lover and features animatronic exhibits that will excite and educate all members of your family.

Prehistoric Park is at the Calgary Zoo for a limited time.

Just inside the gate is the Penguin Plunge which brings you up close with four different species of penguins and is not to be missed. Kids will be amazed at how close they can get and we experienced a penguin popping up within a foot of our group to say hello. Of course it is always when you don’t have your camera ready.

A favourite stop of mine is the butterfly area withing the Conservatory & Gardens. If you love looking at, or photographing butterflies, you will not be disappointed.

Numerous butterflies can be found in the Conservatory / Garden area so have your camera ready.

Kids will want to spend hours at the Kinsmen Zooventure Playground. Found in Destination Africa, this playground features a separate play area for the little ones and offers educational, and energy-burning play. It is a great pit stop for kids to break up all of the walking.

Kids and adults can find many hands on activities throughout the Zoo to keep them busy.

The Calgary Zoo was the highlight for the grownups, but the kids still enjoyed themselves and we did not see everything we wanted to in just one visit. There is always a reason to go back.

And that is how we left Calgary. With a bucket list of new items we want to experience on our next visit.

First there are so many different products out there and simply visiting the cosmetics section of your local store can be daunting. It doesn’t have to be though.

I recently attended the London Drugs beauty event of the year in Vancouver (follow along year round using hashtag #LDBeauty on Instagram, YouTube and Twitter) and I found out about a lot of the products that will be hitting the London Drugs store shelves soon, if they haven’t already.

At the London Drugs #LDBeauty event in Vancouver in June 2015. I had the chance to get the inside scoop on what was coming to London Drugs this Summer / Fall, and between you and me, it’s all fabulous.

I thought I would share my makeup basics for my first video about this event. Some of the products in the video were at the event, and some were recommended in store when I dropped by for a visit.

I hope you enjoy the video.

In the morning, I make myself a coffee (sometimes tea) and I walk out on to our deck. Listening to the birds in our trees sing their song as I take my first deep smell from my mug is my favourite way to wake up in the morning.

Enjoying a cup of coffee while the kids eat breakfast on the deck.

I am home.

Then before the day gets too hot, I spend time in the garden. We have a vegetable garden and some flower beds that I enjoy taking care of. The smell of the Hollyhocks in our yard have traveled with us from house to house because I keep planting them. I love their beautiful colour, their sweet scent, and how they grow on tall stalks near our deck.

Once the sun is out in full force, we get in our pool. It’s not a huge pool, but it is perfect for us. Our girls splash around and shoot water out of guns into the air while our dog runs through the rain drops as the water falls back down on him. Although I am beginning to enjoy the smell of chlorine because of the fun memories it invokes, I still don’t like the scent of wet dog. I don’t think that smell will ever be popular.

Then it is on to dinner. It is almost always a barbecue. The smell of meat slathered in sauce cooking alongside corn and potatoes is enough to make anyone hungry. There are so many foods you can barbecue and some weeks we grill every day of the week.

Tonight we are having homemade pizza on the barbecue. Our girls love cooking and the smell of pizza on the grill is amazing.

Don’t get me wrong, I spend time in the house during summer too, I just don’t like it as much. On the days when I’m inside, I like having scents around my home to give it a summer feel.

During summer, my favourite scents are the ones that can bring the outdoors in. New Air Wick^® Life Scents^TM is the first constantly changing fragrance with three distinct fragrances that work well on their own or when they overlap with each other. Since the fragrances are changing and creating different scents, you can notice the fragrance for a longer period of time.

As for my top choice for a summer scent, I’m torn. I am in love with two of the Air Wick^® Life Scents^TM this summer. The Turquoise Oasis is a subtle outdoor fragrance that combines the scents of driftwood, sea spray and warm breeze. I think this is the perfect combination and I enjoy using this in the evenings because I find it relaxing while I work.

I also like the Summer Delights Air Wick^® Life Scents^TM. I think the best time for this one is during rainstorms. While I love the rain, it can sometimes come with a heavy smell of drenched everything. The white flowers, melon and vanilla fragrances in this Air Wick^® Life Scent^TM balance everything out nicely and leave a fresh smell.

#HomeIsInTheAir Contest Details

Thanks to Air Wick^®, you have a chance to win a $5,000 room makeover.

How to enter

1. Capture It – On Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter, upload a photo of a special space in your home with a brief caption describing what you enjoy doing there.
2. Tag It – Tag your image with #HomeIsInTheAir
3. Win It – At the end of the contest period, the most inspiring entry as determined by hearts, retweets, likes, and a panel of Air Wick^® judges, will receive a $5,000 Room Makeover

It doesn’t get much easier then that so get your photos in. Just a reminder that if you are sharing on your social networks, make sure your profile and statuses are set to public so that your entry will be counted.

Unlike ordinary home fragrances, each Air Wick^® Life Scents fragrance contains three constantly changing unique scents that let you create your own home experience. Try the new air freshener collection from Air Wick^®– Available in four multi-layered fragrances from Airwick.ca.

Disclosure: This post was brought to you by Air Wick^® Canada.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Air Wick^® Canada.

I get some wonderful comments on my site and I love being here, but in the same vein — I want to be there (points to somewhere random in front of me).

Last week I got an email from Google saying that my website isn’t responsive (viewable on mobile devices as per their guidelines). It pushed me over the edge and I’m at the point where I want to make some changes.

Who remembers on of my old site designs? I should look for my others…

The problem with making small changes is that the original design and layout is still there, underneath it all. It is dictating the steps I take forward and I build off of it when I add new things. I want a clean slate.

But what about my brand?

I’m still me. I’m not making myself into something I’m not or changing direction. You will still recognize me. My desire to write, share and connect is still here. My posts will stay and I will continue on with my weekly newsletter. I just want to start over. I want a new wardrobe, so to speak, and I want my wardrobe to be mobile-friendly (responsive), and easy to use.

I want to say that it is going to happen overnight, but it won’t because I am going to teach myself how to do this all on my own. I used to code and create Blogger websites so I’m not completely lost, but I have a lot to learn in the six years that I’ve been away from it all.

I want to do this on my own because I want to understand my website. When something is out of place, I don’t want to be held hostage by my lack of hands on experience with my own website.

So you’re going to notice some things looking out of place. Alignment will be off here and there and the design will change around a bit. I am doing a lot of the adjustments on another platform first, then I’ll bring it over, but some of it requires updating this current layout as well. Once I have a good home page, I’ll bring it over and finish up.

For anyone who received our weekly newsletter today, I want to thank you for answering the questions on the weekly giveaway. They help me out and I read all of them.

Right now, I need to confide that I am nervous and scared. I’m feeling all the feels that normally keep me right where I am.  Okay, that’s out of the way.

Here I go.

We’ve been to gardens, science centers, movies, zoos, pools, play grounds, Calgary, spray parks. We’ve had family visits, movie days, pool parties and play dates. And we’ve done crafts, games, hide and seek, science experiments and baked all kinds of experimental meals and desserts.

And we are half way through. What have you done so far this summer? Really, I need to know. Leave a comment so I can add to my arsenal of fun-to-be-had-activities.

I don’t like asking for ideas without sharing ideas, so here is a fun one that can take as little or as much time as you would like.

How to create a fun Scavenger Hunt

What you need

Paper
Pen or other colourful markers
Other Accessories based on the hints
TREASURE (we used the Minions Kinder Eggs, the kids loved them)

Directions

1. Write out all of your hints on a piece of paper.Your first hint should explain the hunt a bit and invite your kids to play.
2. Remember to hold on to the first hint (you can number them to make sure they are found in order). When you hide your hints, hide the second hint where your first hint told you to go, and repeat.
3. Hide your treasure where the last hint points.
4. Either give the first hint to your child(ren), or set it somewhere they will find it, and then the fun starts until the final clue is solved and the treasure (in this case, the Kinder eggs) have been claimed.

Scavenger hunt hint ideas

Scavenger hints can be an action. For example, ‘Roses are red, an X means you’re wrong, find your mom and sing the alphabet song’ or ‘Roses are red, violets are blue, find your dad and say I love you’, then put the next clue in your pocket because you just became part of the game.

They can also do a physical action like blowing so many bubbles through a hula hoop, jumping rope on one foot, jump across the yard using old pillow cases like potato sacks, or decorating each other’s faces with wet chalk (makes a great face paint, use Crayola).

You can also offer options on your hints. For example, you might write ‘the sun sets in the: 1) for East, look in the shed 2) for West, look near the fire pit’. This extends the game a bit more because of wrong answers.

Additionally, you can incorporate teamwork tasks in the game such as building a tower out of blocks (which takes some time), making an inukshuk with stones in the yard (educational and cultural experience) or use summer memories as the hints such as ‘I’m hiding in the place where we found our first daddy long legs of the summer’.

Tip: if you are hiding Kinder Eggs, remember to hide them inside or somewhere cool on a hot day.

Disclosure: I am working with Kinder as an ambassador and this is my final post through their current program. I would like to thank Kinder for choosing to work with me. Opinions are not influenced.

I chose this task because I wanted my office to be a comfortable space that would inspire productivity. I became a transient in my own home, floating from couch to couch until my desire to work began to suffer.

I had a couple of obstacles to overcome.

The first was time. Some days I have extra time to get some extra things done, but most of my days are full. So fitting in my own project took some additional balancing and communicating. Having a specific goal and time frame for the project helped because my family knew when I was busy and they were extremely supportive.

Another obstacle was the pain. After my first day of rolling paint and going up and down a ladder too many times to count, I hurt in places that I had forgotten about. Pushing through and continuing on became easier each time I did it. When I realized that the first roadblock is usually the toughest and it gets better each time, I kept going. In the end I was flying over my obstacles like a runner crushing a hurdles heat.

With each change, I was inspired to move on until I had my end result.

Looking back to before I started, I see a world of difference. I no longer work in a blue room where the junk piles up. I work in my office, surrounded by inspiration and the things that make my entrepreneurial self sing.

I have a huge sense of accomplishment right now. I want to keep going. My husband just suggested that we give away our couch and chair at our garage sale and redo the living room because he doesn’t like sitting in it and I didn’t flinch. I’m ready to get started.

What projects do you keep moving to the bottom of your list? I’m still here and I want to know about them. Let’s #MakeitHappenTogether.

The best door stop ever. This little iron bird is one of my favourite pieces in this room.

Motrin supports Dress for Success with every #MakeitHappenMonday tweet

While you are making your own goals happen, share your journey on Twitter and use the hashtag #MakeitHappenMonday and Motrin Canada will donate $1 to Dress for Success, a not-for-profit organization that offers long-lasting solutions that enable women to break the cycle of poverty. 

Motrin works fast to stop pain where it starts, so that you can keep being the unstoppable woman that you are. Follow us on Twitter @MotrinCA for help and motivation through the aches and pains of improvement, or pass it on with hashtag #MakeitHappenMonday.

Disclosure: This post was brought to you by Motrin. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of McNeil Consumer Healthcare or its parent company Johnson & Johnson Inc.

Whether you want to stay in Canada, or see the other side of the world, these locations are sure to inspire you to leave your worries behind and get out there.

Canadian Destinations

Whistler, BC

Whistler village on a clear summer night. Photo credits Mike Crane/Tourism Whistler

Sure, the city is known for its majestic slopes, but without the snow you’re looking at a beautiful backdrop for outdoor adventures with an unforgettable view.

Toronto, ON

Full moon over Toronto, Ontario. Photo credit: Mindmatrix (wikimedia)

There’s nothing like getting your family’s adrenaline pumping by climbing up the CN Tower and leaning off the edge of a 553 meter high skyscraper!

Cavendish Beach, PEI

Sunset at Cavendish Beach. Photo credit: Carrie Gregory

Red sandstone cliffs with crystal blue water surrounds you at the Cavendish Beach. While you’re there, explore historic sites, like the Green Gables Heritage Place.

Banff, AB

Hiking Tunnel Mountain Banff. Photo credit: Banff Lake Louise Tourism / Paul Zizka Photography

If you’re craving a breathtaking view – this place is for you! No need to go halfway across the world to become mesmerized by natural beauty. Kayak between the Rocky Mountains or simply take it all in. 

Quebec City, QC

Panorama de Québec. Photo credit: Luc-Antoine Couturier

Here you’ll find hints of European charm mixed with authentic French Canadian character. Grab a poutine and walk around the old city, home to iconic Chateau Frontenac. If your legs start to give in, hop on a horse-drawn carriage along the cobblestone streets. 

International Destinations

Grand Canyon, U.S.A.

Lookout Studio at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Photo Credit: Scott Johnson

One of the wonders of the world! It’s worth getting on a helicopter to soak in a truly life-changing experience.

Sesimbra, Portugal

Marginal avenue of Sesimbra (beach)- Portugal. Photo credit: Sacavem (wikimedia)

This beautiful little fishing port is filled with colourful and authentic charm, known for its beaches, local cafes and fish restaurants. If delving into culture is what you’re looking for, this is it.

Kefalonia, Greece

Mỳrtos Beach, Kefalloniá. Photo credit: Dorieo (wikimedia)

Take a boat ride and you’ll be surrounded by picturesque villages, olive groves, beaches and tremendous mountains. 

Hong Kong, China

Pulled by steel cables, the Peak Tram climbs 373 metres to The Peak. The gradient is so steep that buildings seem to pass by at a 45-degree angle. It is a great trip whether visitors are going up or coming down! Photo credit: HKTB

A bustling and exciting harbour city, you’d be surprised how easy it is for tourists to explore. There are lots of kid-friendly activities, such as Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park.

Siem Reap, Cambodia

Bayonne temple, Angkor Thom, Siem Reap, Cambodia. Photo credit: Ekabhishek (wikimedia)

A trip for the adventurous: the city showcases original ancient temples, including the Angkor Archaeological Park, cited as one of the most valuable archaeological sites in South-East Asia – so you know it’s worth getting over the jet lag for!

When you’re getting your family organized and ready, don’t forget about Gravol. If anyone is sensitive to motion sickness, whether you’re travelling by land, air or water, Gravol has you covered. Gravol Quick Dissolve Chewables for Adults and for Kids are ideal since they can be taken without water. If you prefer more natural products, Gravol Ginger tablets, lozenges or liquid gels made with certified organic ginger are also a great choice. Besides helping with motion sickness, Gravol Ginger products also help treat indigestion and upset stomach.  They are easily packed and are non-drowsy too – so keeping up with your children won’t be a problem!

Gravol is only found in Canada, so make sure you stock up before leaving the country!

Where are you traveling to this summer?

Disclosure: I am a Church & Dwight ambassador.

I set the tone for my week by clearing out and painting my office. At first, I thought my challenge was going to be finding the necessary time. I spend my days with two kids, a dog, and a cat. I’m lucky if I finish a cup of coffee before it gets cold, let alone paint a whole room.

It turns out that finding time wasn’t an issue. My parents offered to take the girls for a sleepover, and after a long walk, the dog just wanted to sleep.

My obstacle didn’t come until the next day when I woke up with aches and pain. The next day stopped me in my tracks. I still had things to do, but all I wanted to do was nurse my sore legs and arms. It was this moment when I realized why Motrin had created this challenge.

We all run into obstacles, and success is determined by whether you give in and accept things as they are or you keep going. With the help of Motrin, I chose to keep going. I picked out a new desk that better serves my needs and set it up.

As I see my new office come together, I am inspired to see it through. Even though my office isn’t complete, I am working in it now and I have no desire to head back out to the couch to write. I love it in here. It is bright and calm and mine. Check out my video below to see how it is going.

Do you have something you’ve been meaning to get done? Don’t wait for the perfect moment; create it. Set time aside for yourself and join me in making it happen. Can you imagine the things you would accomplish in a month or a year if you took back your Mondays and dedicated them to achieving your goals?

Motrin works fast to stop pain where it starts, so that you can keep being the unstoppable woman that you are. Follow us on Twitter @MotrinCA for help and motivation through the aches and pains of improvement, or pass it on with hashtag #MakeitHappenMonday.

Disclosure: This post was brought to you by Motrin. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of McNeil Consumer Healthcare or its parent company Johnson & Johnson Inc.

Tools:

Vintage Paint (2 colours…for this project we use Midnight & Cashmere from Reloved.ca)
Stencils
3 Small Rollers
Paint Brush
Insurance Coat (we use the Reloved Satin finish for this project)
Wall Filler
2 Sanding Blocks

Ok…now that you have the tools…let’s get painting!

With any good project prep is key.

Tip: with Reloved Vintage Paint prep is easy and fast. All you have to do is wipe down the product. Make sure it’s clean. You DO NOT have to sand or prime to get it ready.

Once the piece is ready, decide what you want to do with the drawer pulls first. If you are going to keep the vintage ones just remove them and set aside to paint separately, but if you want to add bling or something special remember to fill the holes with wall filler so you can add new ones for the pulls you pick. There is nothing worse than going to add the finishing touch and they don’t fit. Many of the older pieces you are drawn to have unusual sized pulls.

Pro tip: Line your paint tray with with press n’seal that way when you are done just remove and throw out instead of spending time cleaning your tools.

Use your brush to get the paint in all the edges and grooves…use the roller to apply the rest of the first coat.

Once you can run your hand across your DIY piece without getting any paint on it, you are ready to go on to the second coat. Once the second coat is dry, the real fun begins.

This piece was being transformed in to a change table for a baby’s room. We wanted to add a little flare to it…easy! That’s where the stencils come in and don’t be afraid of being perfect. Just rotate the stencil over the piece rolling your second colour choice over top. Don’t worry if a little pools or goes over the edge. Painting means nothing is wrong, you just work with it.

Once the entire surface is painted it’s time to rough it up. Take your sanding block and rub all the edges of the piece. That’s the best way to get an antiqued look without going overboard. Use your second sanding block to work away any of the paint blobs, smears, or bad edges on the letters. This will make the piece look worn and help make the lettering more “a part” of the piece. I often use a hand sander. It makes the job quick and takes out the need for the arm power.

All that’s left is to seal the piece. We used the Reloved Insurance Coat in a small paint tray and rolled it on or you can apply with a paint brush. This will make sure the piece can stand up to anything. By adding some funky new drawer pulls the piece is finished and ready to live it’s new life with a new baby.

If you are interested in Reloving, go to our site www.reloved.ca where you can find all the products you need to get started. And please send us your project pictures so we can share them.

Because of said unruly behavior, this mom decided to see what else she didn’t know about her child’s life. You see, this mom was an involved mom. This mom thought she knew the friends, and the activities, and the places of usual presence. This mom pushed for good grades, hard work, kindness, good behavior, clean rooms, and high aspirations through hopes and dreams.

This mom was there for her kids and thought she paid enough attention. And still, this mom missed some things. And in this time, with this child, this parent learned. She learned, and she shared…

Be very aware of “the friends” and listen to what other people have to say about them

Know who your child is associated with, and know that any stories you hear, in whole truth or not, come from somewhere. Listen to the stories and make your own judgments. Use your parental gut, and know that’s it okay to restrict your child’s access to the time spent with certain people.

Kids are growing up at double the pace (if not faster) than we did

Barbies and toy cars disappear faster than they used to. Children are not aware, beyond their own narcissistic tendencies, that they have their whole lives to be an adult, and they are choosing to leave behind simple childhoods in exchange for adult behavior.

Children tell half truths

Kids are experts at lip service to tell you what you want to hear in order to get what they want. I am sure my child is an expert negotiator and defense lawyer, and it began YEARS ago. Be a better arbitrator and prosecutor. Be okay with saying “no”. They won’t hate you forever despite their words.

Check your child’s social media and devices

This is a sticky one. It invades privacy and places a cautious dynamic of trust between parent and child. Care less about that, care more about knowing what activity your child participates in and keeping your child safe. Do research on current popular applications and know what is on your child’s phone. There are a thousand articles, sites, and links to every app, how to use them , including the dangers. Get educated and then decide the amount of information that is right for you to know.

Children are being bullied, becoming bullies, sharing photos, and having conversations that may shock you. Learn what side of the fence your child stands on, and then for heaven’s sake… talk to them about it.

Spend some time at your local police department and ask questions

Know what today’s drug of choice is, know what it looks like. Listen to the nicknames, know what’s out there. You will be shocked, I promise.

Know that no matter how involved you are, you may miss something

It happened with our parents and their parents, and probably the parents before them. We are parents; mothers and fathers. We are a community. Lean on each other. Instead of passing judgment on another’s parenting, share stories, experiences, and offer to help. Do not fall into “keeping up with the Jones’s”, “not my child” syndrome, or worry of judgment.; just be a good parent.

It’s not simple, it’s not easy, but in the end, it is worth it. When your child is 35, and calls you to apologize for their childhood behavior as they deal with the same things with their own child, you will nod in satisfaction and gratitude.

Above all else, practice love – tough, unconditional love

Eventually, with hard work, perseverance, patience and yes, love, we will all live happily ever after.

Further resources:

https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT201084

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/15-apps-and-websites-kids-are-heading-to-after-facebook

http://www.cnet.com/news/ask-fm-the-troubling-secret-playground-of-tweens-and-teens/

http://www.chicagonow.com/tween-us/2013/11/what-parents-need-to-know-about-kik/

http://www.crosswalk.com/family/parenting/kids/9-most-dangerous-apps-for-kids.html

http://www.teensafe.com/?CID=115024536&SID=1860715&OID=1903000747

This month I’ve decided to meet my Mondays head-on, with enthusiasm, determination, and ambition. I’ve decided that Mondays will be when I devote attention to my creative self.

I’ve slowly stopped using my home office. I just didn’t like it in there anymore and I was too lazy, busy, and [insert more excuses here] to do anything about it. So instead, I moved out into the rest of the house and began working on our couch.

This month, I am challenging myself to create the space I want to work in. This isn’t an easy task and my most challenging obstacle is going to be finding the necessary time. It is summer vacation and I have two energetic girls at home and a job that doesn’t get done on its own.

I will be taking my parents up on offers to watch the kids and will be taking full advantage of the time that affords me to get my office ready.

This week, Monday will mark the start of a new routine and I plan to set the tone for the rest of the week so I can get some serious work done. After painting, I want to add an art project, pick out new furniture, and create some DIY pieces that will add to the room. I have a vision and it will be interesting to see how close I get to it in the end.

Motrin works fast to stop pain where it starts, so that you can keep being the unstoppable woman that you are. Follow us on Twitter @MotrinCA for help and motivation through the aches and pains of improvement, or pass it on with hashtag #MakeitHappenMonday.

Disclosure: This post was brought to you by Motrin. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of McNeil Consumer Healthcare or its parent company Johnson & Johnson Inc.

Whether you are having a backyard party, taking in the festivities around your town, or heading out to the lake, music will most likely be a part of your day.

We were looking for some new ideas to add to our playlist so we decided to ask you what Canadian artists and songs you like to listen to, and the responses came pouring in.

If you’re looking for some Canadian artists to enjoy on Canada’s birthday, give these a try.

Favourite Canadian artist or band top 10 (from most popular vote to least)

Celine Dion
The Tragically Hip
Shania Twain
Nickelback
Michael Buble
Sarah McLachlan
Drake
Avril Lavigne
Billy Talent
Hedley

Favourite Canadian artist/band honourable mentions

Rush
Metric
Matthew Good
Roch Voisine
The Barenaked Ladies
Arcade Fire
Nelly Furtado
Jann Arden
The Tea Party Great Big Sea
Our Lady Peace
Neil Young
Carly Rae Jepsen
Raffi

Favourite Canadian song

Over 1/3 of you chose O Canada (various versions) as your favourite Canadian song.

We say good choice.

Favourite Canadian song honourable mentions

Summer of ’69 – Bryan Adams
Wheat Kings – The Tragically Hip
Stompin’ Tom and the Hockey Song – Stompin’ Tom Connors
The Rest of My Life – Sloan
When You’re Gone – Avril Lavigne
Stitches – Shawn Mendes
Patio Lanterns – Kim Mitchell
Rule the World – Walk Off the Earth
Bobcaygeon – The Tragically Hip
Good Mother – Jann Arden
Try – Blue Rodeo
Snowbird – Anne Murray
You Oughta Know – Alanis Morissette
New Orleans Is Sinking – The Tragically Hip
Burn It to the Ground – Nickelback
Signs – Five Man Electrical Band
Sunglasses At Night – Corey Hart
Powerless (Say What You Want) – Nelly Furtado
Born To Be Wild – Steppenwolf
Cuts Like a Knife – Bryan Adams
Helpless – Neil Young
The Power of Love – Céline Dion
Four Strong Winds – Neil Young
Bud the Spud – Stompin’ Tom Connors

Who would you add to this list? Leave a comment below.

A recent TD survey found that almost 40 per cent of Millennial and Gen X Canadians who have been in a wedding party say they felt pressured to spend more than they could afford. And, when looking back on their experiences being a bridesmaid or groomsman, many (45 per cent) say they spend more than expected on wedding-related costs.

Choose a gift early from the bridal registry

There can be a wide range of gifts (and prices) in a bridal registry, with the less expensive ones often selected early, so don’t wait to choose your gift or you may be left with one that costs more than you budgeted for.

Shop around

You don’t have to buy the first bridesmaid’s dress, shoes or other accessories you find. Do your research online and in-store before making a purchase. Look online to see if the same style is available anywhere else for a better price.

Establish a savings plan

Figure out how much time there is until the wedding and set up a regularly scheduled deposit to a Tax-Free Savings Account so you’ll be able to save to help cover the expenses.

Redeem credit card reward points when possible

Depending on the type of credit card you have and where you shop, you may be able to use your reward points to cover the cost of a gift and your wedding attire as well as any hotel and travel costs.

Set a realistic budget

Include all of the possible costs, including wedding attire, grooming, gifts (including a shower gift), the bachelor/bachelorette party and travel (hotel stay, cab fare, etc).

Have you been in a wedding party? What are your experiences with this? What tips do you have for saving money for bridal party expenses?

Disclosure: this is a sponsored post.

Prince Edward Island is a unique destination that filled my bucket and left me wanting ‘just one more day.’

Sights

It’s true that PEI is small compared to our other provinces, but this is a positive for visitors. With everything in such close proximity, day trips are never more than a couple of hours drive from Charlottetown.

Tip: stop in at the tourism centre in Charlottetown and grab a map. The island is split up into different scenic drives. If you are up for the added adventure, there are some wonderful bike paths that will get you around the island as well.

Experiences

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to go clam digging? How about lobster or deep-sea fishing? I recommend adding local experiences to your itinerary and meet the people who call PEI ‘home.’

There is something about hearing stories first-hand and sharing someone’s past that creates lasting memories and touches my heart.

Food

PEI is a foodie’s paradise. With so much local produce, seafood, beef, cheese, mushrooms and more, you won’t leave hungry. (Although you might leave craving more of the meals you had). Add this to the fact that Prince Edward Island is home to many talented chefs and your dilemma now becomes which dish to choose at dinnertime.

Shopping and Entertainment

Whether you are looking for souvenirs, treats, or other items unique to the island, there are many shops you can visit both in Charlottetown and around the island.

I stayed at The Holman Grand Hotel and there was so much available within walking distance (not to mention, the beds were the most comfortable I have ever slept in). One block over was a row of restaurants and a great coffee stop. One block past that was a row of local shops selling pottery, jewellery, and many other locally made items. Then past that is Peakes.

There is just too much to share in this post. For more information and a look at all of my pictures with extended descriptions, check out my Come to Canada board on Pinterest.

Besides, I think I left a piece of my heart there.

Whether it’s a day on the beach, an evening at the theatre, or the best seafood you’ve ever tasted, the memories you make last longer on Price Edward Island. It’s an island filled with fun and unique adventures. No matter what experience you’re searching for, it’s easy to find when you add a little island. Start planning your PEI getaway today onlyinPEI.com

This post was brought to you by Tourism PEI. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Tourism PEI.

Heat waves are often welcome as a fun part of summer, but drastic weather changes such as this should be monitored and managed in the same way we would prepare for extreme snow or windchill conditions during the winter months.

Temperatures have been hitting all time highs around the world this summer. Sadly, dehydration, heat/sun stroke and numerous deaths have been reported in record numbers.

Here are some tips to keep your cool during a heat wave.

Water

Stay hydrated by drinking a lot of water. This seems like a simple one, but we often forget to drink our water. If you struggle with remembering your water, set the timer on your stove or phone to remind you to drink until it becomes a habit. Fill up water bottles and make sure everyone is drinking. Have a lot of ice on hand as well.

Our daughters like playing in the pool on hot days, so we use water bottles that seal up and when they are not drinking, they can seal them up and let them float in the pool for easy access.

Sun protection

Much like water, it seems simple, but we often forget. Make sure everyone has their sunscreen on and are wearing hats, even in the pool. Set alarms if you need to be reminded because nursing a sunburn in the middle of a heat wave torture.

Keep it simple

No one wants to cook on hot days. Keep fruit on hand for quick snacks during the day. Stock up on sandwich meats, hotdogs, vegetables, fruit and easy items for lunch that don’t take a lot of time to make, and don’t use the stove.

Use your barbecue for dinners when possible. You can barbecue almost anything these days from meats, to potatoes, perogies, and even pizza. Round out your dessert with grilled pineapple and ice cream and stay out of the kitchen.

Take cool breaks

If you have an air conditioner, take breaks in the house to cool down your body temperature. If you don’t have an air conditioner, basements are the coolest place in the house. If your heat wave is going to last, consider moving your TV and/or gaming consoles to the basement.

Bring out the treats

There is never a better time to enjoy a popsicle than during a heat wave. Icy treats can cool kids down and keep them hydrated. You can also make your own frozen treats as healthier options that kids will still gobble up.

Keep your pets safe

The heat can harm our furry family members just as easily as us. Have cold water available both inside and outdoors, and keep it full. Monitor your pets to make sure they aren’t staying in the sun too long and fill a jug with cool water to pour over your pet on hot afternoons. When possible, encourage your pet to find shady spots to lay down or have them cool off inside.

Pets like summer treats too. Try this pupsicle recipe (frozen treat for dogs) for a cool treat on a hot day.

Plan your time accordingly

If you know the afternoon is going to be hot, plan outside activities for the morning or evening and leave the hottest hours of the day for indoor or air-conditioned activities. Spray parks, swimming, checking out your local lake can be done when it’s hot because you will have somewhere to go to cool off if needed.

Check on those around you

In the chance that a heat wave takes a desperate turn, consider your nearby neighbours and family members. Do you have any elderly neighbours who might need some help? Their family members may live too far away to properly check in. Call, text, or drop by to make sure that they are okay and don’t need anything. We are all stronger together so check in on anyone near you that you may be concerned about.

Invite neighbours over for an impromptu pool party, or have a BYOB or BYOM (bring your own meat) event and get the barbecue going.

Seek medical help

If you or someone you know shows signs of dehydration, heat stroke, or sun stroke, get medical advice immediately. If you have a local number (Health Links) to call, pick up the phone. If you don’t, make an appointment with your doctor. If you have exhausted all other options, head into the emergency room for assistance. Health issues that arise from heat can be serious and can lead to death.

Here’s a fun treat that dogs are sure to love when temperatures rise.

How to make a ‘pup’sicle

This is a simple treat to make. It requires minimal ingredients and takes no time at all to put together.

Ingredients

Low or no sodium beef or chicken broth (sodium tends to make one thirstier so the less, the better).
Water
Plastic container

Directions

1. Add one cup of broth to 5 – 7 cups of water in a plastic bowl.
2. Mix and place in freezer until frozen.
3. Serve.

Notes:

I make two at a time. This way I can take on out of the freezer for our dog to enjoy, and when it melts too much, I put it back in the freezer again and take out the frozen one. Cold treats all summer day long.

If your dog isn’t sure about it at first, touch the ice and let your dog lick your fingers. They’ll get the idea.

Once the ice begins to break apart, take the ice out and let your dog chew on it. Some dogs love the cold crunchy taste, and it hydrates them too.

One option that many parents turn to is the idea of summer camp. Kids stay busy, they meet new friends and camp can break up the summer nicely. As great as they sound though, they can pack a punch when it comes to your wallet and many parents find themselves scrambling to pay for these additional expenses.

A recent TD survey found that 55 per cent of Albertan parents, with children under the age of 18, sign their children up for activities or programs during the summer months, and nearly two-thirds (66 per cent) spend up to $999 per child.

• 55% of Albertan parents with children under the age of 18 sign their children up for activities or programs during the summer months.
• Of Albertan parents with children under the age of 18 who incur additional costs for their child during the summer, two-thirds (66 per cent) spend up to $999 per child (42% say $1 – $499 and 24% say $500 – $999).
• Half (51%) of Albertan parents with children under the age of 18 who incur additional costs for their child during the summer find budgeting for the additional costs stressful.
• The top two ways Albertan parents with children under the age of 18 pay for summer activities for their children are:
  • Saving ahead of time to account for the extra costs incurred over the summer (32%)
  • Cutting back on other expenses to fit the cost in to their budget (30%)

Beyond typical day-to-day costs for their child during the summer months, these are the top five activities that Albertan parents with children under the age of 18 incur additional costs from:

• Family vacations (56%)
• Classes – e.g. swimming, dance (54%)
• Day trip – e.g. zoo (51%)
• Summer camp (50%)
• Sporting activities (30%) – lower than the national average of 46%
• Daycare (30%)

This all adds up and those eight weeks at home can become a huge financial stress.

How do you budget for all of the additional expenses over the summer holiday? Are you part of the 32% that saves ahead of time, or part of the 30% that cuts back elsewhere to find the money? There is also the option of taking on an extra job but many of us don’t have that extra hour (or four) in the day.

Do you have your own way of paying for summer camp that we all need to know about? If so, please share it in the comments.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. Opinions are not influenced.
Data for this post was provided by TD Bank.

I feel I need to share this because I’ve just reviewed the first chapter of what will be a fun, challenging, engaging series of books for kids and I am impressed. Actually, I found myself wishing that something like this existed when I was a child. Imagine being the main character in your book and solving your own mystery.

Imaginary Friends was created by Evan Jones (from London, Ontario). It comes as a kit complete with puzzles, clues, the book, and special pieces that add to the adventure. Parents get to be a part of the story with their child by assisting in creating some of the experience. The time is minimal, and the payoff is massive.

You can check out the first chapter of one of their kits (complete with the activities) for free at http://try.imaginaryfriendbooks.com/.

I am excited about this book and I can’t wait to get my hands on the whole kit. Imaginary Friends is on Kickstarter trying to reach a $40,000 goal. They have already passed $31,000, but they only have until Saturday (June 27, 2015) to reach their goal. At the very least, I urge you to watch the video on the Imaginary Friends Kickstarter page.

Imaginary Friends is a great investment on Kickstarter because:

• It requires little effort on the parent’s part and you can create lasting memories and foster your child’s imagination.
• The first chapter in the book was so much fun. There is the story, a scavenger hunt, a website with a secret log in code, and a special telegram. Once one of the puzzles is solved, there is even a special phone call (shhhhh! it’s a secret).
• The first two books in the series are almost complete so instead of waiting for a couple of years to get your books and kits, you will be waiting a couple of months (then we’ll have them in time for winter).
• I like this Kickstarter because it is a solid idea from a fellow Canadian. I know many of us like to buy local and support Canada when we can and this is a win win all around.

 I know there may be some who are unfamiliar with Kickstarter, so read on for the low down on what you need to know.

1. Kickstarter is a crowdfunding platform meaning that businesses with an idea can post on here looking for personal investors (like you and me) to grow their business.
2. The minimum you can donate for this Kickstarter is $1. Check out the right sidebar though, different donation amounts will get you different rewards. For example, if you donate in the $35 range, you can get one book/activity set sent to you.
3. Your order is not charged until the company reaches it’s Kickstarter amount by the deadline. You can also change and cancel your order before the end date.
4. If the Kickstarter amount isn’t met, your card is not charged and nothing happens. This means that the company does not receive its funding from the public and the public does not receive (or pay for) anything.
5. You can back this Kickstarter by clicking ‘Back This Project’ in the top right, or by clicking on the reward you would like to receive.

Disclosure: This post is sponsored. Opinions are our own.

But that is about it. We didn’t register for any camps, and this is where I hesitate to get too excited for our long days together.

As a parent, summer camps can cost a fortune. If you didn’t plan to save for your summer camps early, then that amount of cash in a lump sum can really pack a punch.

Students from McKernan School with Lisa Colangelo, Vice-President, Edmonton District, TD Bank Group; Dr. Guy Berthiaume, Librarian and Archivist of Canada, Library and Archives Canada; Josée Bisaillon, award-winning illustrator; and, Lisa Heggum, Child and Youth Advocate, Toronto Public Library.

 When my daughter asked me if she could sign up for the TD Summer Reading Club, I was all too happy to get on board.

Now on its 18th year, TD Bank Group has encouraged millions of children to visit their local library to experience the joy of reading through the TD Summer Reading Club. The program is designed to help children develop a passion for reading, while helping maintain their literacy skills during the summer.

Every year more than 2,000 public libraries across Canada offer family-friendly programs to help 700,000 children continue to read throughout the summer. Last year, more than 1.2 million books were read through the program. ​

From my point of view, she can continue with her reading level without a big break to set her back, and I have some activities during the summer months to keep us busy. That, and I picture all of us sitting in their fort with our own books on a quiet afternoon. Sign me (oops, ‘her’) up.

From her point of view, there are prizes. Plain and simple, once she heard that, she was on board.[Tweet “Sign up for the TD Summer Reading Club at libraries across Canada this summer.”]The TD Summer Reading Club is free and easy to join. We went to our local library and signed up on the spot. You will receive a kit when you sign up that includes a reading notebook, 12 collectable stickers, and a fun ‘fortune teller’ to help kids set their reading goals, track their progress and explore the benefits of reading .Other resources you can take advantage of in this program include:

• programs and activities organized at their local library.
• access to tdsummerreadingclub.ca where kids can discover new books to read, write a book review, enjoy e-books, share jokes, write a story, learn how to draw, track their reading and connect with kids across the country.
• a list of the Top 20 Recommended Reads for Summer Play which was developed by children’s librarians and includes 10 English and 10 French books by Canadian authors to help kids of any age or reading ability get started on their summer reading adventures.

My favourite feature is the tracking and rewards. Kids can log in online and track the books they read, add up their time, collect badges, and even be entered to win some pretty great prizes. Check at your local library to see which grand prizes are available in your city.

I have always been an advocate for visiting your local library. You can take out so much and the summer is the perfect time to kick back with a good book, or take out a DVD for those rainy days. They also have an extensive collection of games for XBox, PlayStation, Wii, and more.

Keep the love of literacy alive in your home during the summer and your child’s transition into the next grade will be an easier one in the fall.

To sign up for the TD Summer Reading Club, visit your local library. For more information, visit tdsummerreadingclub.ca and tdreads.com.

Sponsored post: opinions are not influenced.

Know your festival

Some festivals are single or multi-day events in the heart of cities, where festival goers stay in nearby hotels or trek home for the night. Others last days and take place in fields, forests and mountains, with camping making up a large part of the experience.

While some people head to a festival with the clothes on their backs and expect their mind-altering substance of choice to smooth over any rough patches, the rest of us like to be prepared for weather, hunger, injury and maximum fun.

Just a reminder – nothing kills the fun like having your expensive beverages, jewelry or camera confiscated by security. Commonly prohibited items include: Beverages other than water (including energy drinks), glass containers, professional cameras with detachable lens, umbrellas, chairs and laser pointers. Some festivals are more restrictive than others – so check the festival’s banned items list, it will be available on their website.

You don’t want to be weighed down like a Nepalese Sherpa, but there are a few things you’ll want to bring into the festival or have at your campsite.

Single day festivals

• A bag for your stuff – lightweight backpacks, cross body bags and fanny packs are good, purses and totes that don’t fit over your shoulder are bad.
• Mini sunscreen. Because, cancer sucks. Apply liberally and often.
• Portable battery charger, especially if you’re taking a lot of photos, videos or Periscoping.
• An inexpensive single use poncho. In fact, pack two and make a friend when the skies open up.
• An empty water bottle. At some festivals, staff will keep the lid when you buy a drink, so bring your own empty water bottle for the free water refill stations.

Overnight festivals

Going into the grounds each day you’ll want the items noted above, plus a mini-flashlight you can attach to your belt loop for dark walks back to the campsite.

• Pain medication and a first aid kit – the medics are usually easy to find on the festival grounds, but might be a long walk from your campsite.
• Soccer balls, footballs, Frisbees and beersbee sticks – enjoy a little play time before you head to the grounds.
• A solar powered rechargeable portable speaker makes roaming the campground at night to see what site parties are happening much more fun, and will usually generate conversation, sing-along and impromptu dance parties.
• Real food – don’t forget to pick up fruit, vegetables and lean protein in addition to the beer, bacon and potato chips. The older the festival goers, the more elaborate the food they’ll be preparing at their campsites on their BBQs, stoves and generator powered fondue pots and popcorn makers.

Let’s hear from our festival goers? Comment below if there is anything you’d like to add to this list.

*All photos on this post are credited to the Sasquatch Music Festival.

Disclosure: This Bird’s Day is a proud London Drugs ambassador.
Opinions are the author’s and are not influenced.

In the end do you choose something new, or go with a known favourite? While your go-to cheese is always a great choice, step away from the marble cheese choice and begin adding new cheeses to the mix.

Now you can leave the safe marble cheese at the grocery store, these options are sure to impress your guests. Even better, they are Canadian (which makes them a fab option for serving on Canada Day). Each of these cheeses won in their category at the recent Canadian Cheese Grand Prix (and one of them even won for overall cheese, read on to find out which one it was).

Sponsored and hosted every two years by Dairy Farmers of Canada, the Canadian Cheese Grand Prix celebrates the high quality, versatility and great taste of Canadian cheese made from 100% Canadian milk.

We had the opportunity to try some cheeses that were among those that were judged in the Canadian Cheese Grand Prix, and the cheese options below were enjoyed by either everyone or a majority at the table.

The taste testing was done with adults and kids, and a selection of additional foods was added to round out our serving tray. This included grapes, pears, crackers, and honey (also foods that kids would like).

Gouda

The Schalkwijk family moved to Alberta, from Holland, in 1995 with the ambition to start a farm. Not finding any cheese that compared to that of their homeland, they began making cheese in 1999, using milk from their own cows. All Sylvan Star cheeses are made with heat-treated milk and are lactose free. This 5-month aged Gouda has a creamy smooth texture with a slightly tangy flavour.

After all of the “This tastes so gooo-dah.” comments were done, this cheese came out as the top choice for both adults and kids at our table. It was the one that disappeared first off the tray and my little taste testers asked for seconds. This cheese paired nicely with all of the sides on our tray (grapes, pears, crackers, and honey).

Click for more information on this cheese. (PS. I also saw this cheese in my local Sobeys this past week)

Laliberté

The Louis d’Or farm has been in the Morin family for four generations. This farmstead cheese is made with the milk of a mix of Jersey and Holstein cows that graze on their fields in the summer. Named after the famous sculptor Alfred Laliberté, from Sainte-Élizabeth-de-Warwick, this aromatic triple crème cheese, with its tender bloomy rind, encases an unctuous paste. Laliberté has flavours of mushrooms and cream when young and, as it ages, it stuns with hints of grass and root vegetables.

This was the overall winner of the Canadian Cheese Grand Prix this year. It is a spreadable cheese and everyone around our table loved it on a cracker with a small drizzle of honey.

Click for more information on this cheese.

Pepper Raclette

Fritz Kaiser moved to Canada from Switzerland in 1981 and established Fromagerie Fritz Kaiser. Leading the way in the creation of Canadian Raclette, this semi-soft, washed-rind cheese with green peppercorns has a prominent hazelnut aroma followed by a sharp peppery and fruity flavour.

Click for more information on this cheese.

Avonlea Clothbound Cheddar

Originally, Cheddar was made in wheel shapes, wrapped in cheesecloth. Armand Bernard has revived this tradition, following in the style of great English farmstead cheddars. Avonlea is made with raw, Holstein cow milk, which is then thermalized. The cheese is aged for 14 months under carefully monitored temperature and humidity conditions. The aroma and flavour of this cheese is uniquely PEI, reminiscent of fresh, unwashed potatoes, grassy yet both sweet and tangy on the finish.

Fun fact: On my recent trip to PEI, I saw the Avonlea Clothbound Cheddar being aged at the Cows Creamery plant under the conditions listed above. Here’s a photo I took of the aging process from behind glass.

Heidi

The Farm House Natural Cheeses is a family farm located in the lush Fraser Valley. Home to the herd of Guernsey and Brown Swiss cows, which provides all the milk for its cheese. Using only the rich summer milk when the cows graze in the pastures, this firm, washed-rind cheese has a beautiful dark golden paste. Aged for a minimum of 8 months, Heidi reaches its peak at 1-year. The flavour is deep and rich with grassy notes.

Click for more information on this cheese.

Handeck

This firm, washed-rind cheese is made in a similar method to typical Swiss mountain-style cheeses. Owner and cheesemaker, Shep Ysselstein studied cheese making in Switzerland and it influences all of his cheeses. Handeck, aged 16 months, is firm, with rich, complex flavours and a nutty aroma. All the milk used to produce this cheese comes from the family’s dairy farm.

Click for more information on this cheese.

Thrift shopping is gaining popularity as an avenue for not just affordable, but more importantly, sustainable fashion. Thrift shopping, however, is only half the story. The flip side of thrift shopping is donating to thrift stores like Value Village.

There is value in donating beyond just clearing out the closets! Donating has community and environmental benefits and is another step that everyone can take towards being a conscious consumer.

Maybe you’re not sure what to donate or how? Keep reading to learn all you need to know about donating to Value Village.

What you can donate

Clean clothing in good condition makes a great donation. 

We all grow in and out of clothes so why let clothing that doesn’t fit take up valuable closet space? Every piece in your closet should fit well and reflect your individual style, so donate anything that doesn’t. 

You can donate any clothing from sleepwear to formal wear and don’t forget the shoes and accessories (belts, bags, jewelery, etc).

Pretty party dresses can cost a pretty penny for your special girl, and she’ll probably grow out of it before it wears out. Donate them and let another princess enjoy them. While you’re cleaning out their closets, go through the toy bins and donate any toys your kids are done with.

Value Village has an incredible variety of housewares including office supplies, picture frames, vases, cookware, outdoor decor and more.  Part of living meaningfully is finding value in the things in and around your home. If it doesn’t have value to you, donate it.

You can also donate:

• Furniture
• sports / camping equipment
• small appliances
• kitchen linens
• scrapbooking & craft supplies
• books / magazines / comics
• and more

How to Donate

Once you’ve got your donations, find your nearest Value Village.  Most have a donation receiving area both inside and outside the store, and they’ll even help you unload. 

Be sure to go during store hours and collect a sticker card at participating stores. A sticker card will earn you up to 30% off your next purchase just in case you happen to pop in for a little thrift-shop-stop.

Donating to Value Village has a positive impact on your closet, your home and your community.  What can YOU donate today?

Value Village is more than your favourite thrift store- they also support nonprofit organizations like Canadian Diabetes Association and Developmental Disabilities Association, among others, in your community. Remember to donate your reusable items to local nonprofits at Value Village! In addition to supporting the nonprofit, you’ll also be helping planet Earth. Value Village, Good n’ Thrifty! Learn more http://www.valuevillage.com

Disclosure: This post was brought to you by Value Village. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Value Village.

Time for his hobby

What does dad like to do that he can’t always find time for? Send him off for a few hours of uninterrupted time to rekindle his passion for his hobby. Our ‘dad’ loves vinyl so a few hours hitting some stores and maybe a couple of flea markets / garage sales will make his day.

A pass on chores

There are some things around here that ‘dad’ usually does all of the time. Since Father’s Day falls on a weekend, try cutting the grass on a Friday afternoon before he comes home from a busy week at work (for the older kids). Think about the chores that usually takes up dad’s time on the weekend and make a plan to take some off of his hands and free up some extra time for him.

Clean it up

There are chores, then there are some nice extras you can do. How about everyone grabbing a cloth, and a hose and washing the inside and outside of dads car so he can head back to work on Monday in style? Or you can tackle the garage/shed and get it ready for summer.

While it may seem like a daunting task, the makers of OxiClean can help make cleaning up a little easier. With OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover, even the toughest stains get washed away. It’s chlorine free and colour safe so you can use it on a wide range of surfaces. Check out the complete line of OxiClean on the Church & Dwight website.

Time out with friends

We all love being parents, but part of parenting is remembering to take time for yourself (without guilt) and catching up with friends. Give dad some time out with the guys on a different night. This works really well if you know the families of the other dads because you can coordinate a ‘dad play date’ for a specific date and surprise all of the dads involved.

Kid crafts / picture

This is on every list because it is true. We all love hand-made items from the kids. Big hits in this house from Father’s Days past have included kid-painted picture frames with pictures, and a coffee mug (that was painted and cooked to seal in the art) for dad’s office.

What did we miss? What are your favourite items to give to dad on Father’s Day? Any dads reading? What would you like to get from your kids?

Disclosure: This Bird’s Day is a Church & Dwight ambassador and this post is part of that ambassadorship. Opinions are the author’s.

Pack in the order you eat

Packing dessert on top is never a good idea. First, once kids see the treat, they often don’t want to eat the meal. Packing your desserts on the bottom will save the best for last.

Are you worried that your dessert will get squished? It’s a valid concern for everyone involved, but you can save yourself the worry by using a hard container like GLAD Lunch To Go and FreezerWare containers. The containers keep their shape and protect what is inside so desserts can be safely packed on the bottom of your bag.

If you are planning to have some play time before you eat, pack a light snack and some water near the top or in an outside compartment of your bag so kids can snack if they are getting impatient.

Pack a wet towel

Clean up while you are on a picnic is tough when you don’t have the comforts of your kitchen. Pack a damp/wet cloth in GLAD Storage Bags for easy access.

If it is a particularly hot day, put the freezer bag with wet cloth in the freezer. You can use it as a cooling pack before you need to use it to clean up spills and messy faces.

Pack a healthy range of food

Picnics are so much fun, and the food is almost limitless. Remember to pack a range of fruit, vegetables, cheese, nuts, sandwiches, and (yes) treats. Pack everything in a cooler bag and/or use cooling packs to keep your food at a good temperature. You can properly store soft fruit in GLAD containers to keep them fresh and firm, and bring out the treats at the end.

Always remember to pack some water or other liquid to go with the meal to keep kids hydrated.

Save your extra food

If you have leftovers, put your GLAD freezer containers and bags to good use. Properly store your extras in the fridge or freezer for future use to cut back on waste.

Pack the necessities

Sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, tissue/wipes, anything to keep you and your picnic guests safe and having fun.

Take a camera

Capture those memories and have fun. Or better yet, give your old camera to the kids and let them take pictures of their favourite things.

Did we miss any tips for the perfect picnic? Share them below.

Feel free to check all of these out and let me know below, which craft idea do you want to try first?

Disclosure: This Bird’s Day is a Kinder ambassador. Opinions are our own.

Two screens at once

Speaking of multitasking, you can split your screen and do two things at once. How about reading an article online while Skyping with a friend? Or reading This Bird’s Day while surfing your Facebook feed?

Screen shot of the multitasking split screen on the Samsung Galaxy Tab A

Separate logins/user accounts

I have my apps, my husband has his. With this feature, I log in under my own user account, and I see all of my apps on the screen while my husband’s are hidden. Not only that, but I set up my screen how I want to see it. This way you aren’t continually moving icons around to how you like them only to have the next person move them back.

Ultra Power Saving Mode

We’ve all been there… That moment you realize you need 15% more battery, but you only have 2%. With Power Saving Mode and Ultra Power Saving Mode, you can restrict apps and features that would normally drain your battery and buy yourself some extra time.

Reading Mode

This is a nice feature for anyone who does a lot of reading on their tablet. Eye strain can cause a lot of headaches and this feature changes the brightness and colour of your screen to something that is easier on the eyes. This feature can be found in Settings -> Display -> Screen Mode.

Kids Mode

I’m still impressed with this feature. Kids Mode allows kids to play on their own without the fear of them opening one of your apps and doing some damage. In Kids Mode, they can not make any purchases and you are able to set a specific amount of play time so you can control how much time they spend playing their games.

Thanks to Samsung Canada, I have a Samsung Galaxy Tab A to giveaway so you can check out these features too.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER TO WIN A SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB A

So let us know, which feature do you think you’d like the most?

Our girls are at an age where they can play a lot of the day on their own and my role is moving into a supervisory one versus my old role as primary entertainer. So I am looking forward to my summers outside.

If you are looking for some ideas to relax and enjoy your summer days a little more while home with the kids, we’ve got you covered.

Slow cooker

Summer is not a time to be slaving over a hot stove every single day. Get more day out of your day and stay outside longer be making some easy meals in your slow cooker. Let a small appliance take care of the tough stuff.

All the magazines you can handle and more

With Next Issue Canada, you literally have any magazine you could possibly dream of (including their back issues), right on your tablet or smartphone. You can read up on gardening, gossip, recipes, healthy lifestyles, style, fashion, and more all from the comfort of your deck.

With access to over 100 magazines right from that little tablet of yours, you can catch up on anything you want. There are even some great magazines in there for the kids. Maybe you’ll even find some inspiration to start your next summer project.

Right now, it gets even better. I have a promo code to get you the first 60 days for FREE (this includes all back issues too). Head over to and enter in promo code 60FREE. You will be asked to create an account if you don’t have one and include your credit card number, but you won’t be charged if you decide to cancel before the 60 days. After the 60 days, the charge is $9.99 which is about a magazine and a half per month if you were going to buy it in the store.

Since I’ve recently joined Weight Watchers, I’ve been reading their magazine on my Next Issue and catching up on all of the back issues for some healthy options (there is also Canadian Health & Lifestyle, Cooking Light, Eating Well and more).

Mini manis and pedis

If your kids are old enough that they don’t need you following five feet behind them all the time, take some time to give yourself a mini pedicure while you are outside. Pull out some lacquer, lotion and a nail file and get some me time in where you can.

Besides, painted summer toes always look fabulous.

Snacks

So this one if for you in a round about way. If your kids are starting to get big enough that they can get their own snacks; let them. Store healthy choices like fruit and vegetables (pre-cut) at the bottom of the fridge. You can also store nuts, seeds, popcorn, and other dry snacks at kid-level in the pantry.

At snack time, let them know what they can have and tell them they can pull out what they need on their own. As they get older they can begin making their own healthy choices.

This prepares them for fending for themselves later, and gives you a little break from running around all day.

Coffee, or wine. Or both.

Remember to set up those play dates with friends. It’s the perfect time to visit and catch up and let all of the kids play for a couple of hours.

Are the kids not cooperating?

Need to grab a couple hours of quiet, here are some quick (and fairly cheap) attention grabbers to buy you some time:

• sprinklers
• chalk (for the ground, or use with water for face and arm painting)
• bubbles
• watering cans (for the younger group that loves to water stuff)
• other ideas? Leave a comment if you have anything to add.

Summer holidays are busy enough with activities away from the home. When it’s a ‘play in the yard until the sun sets’ kind of day, remember to take some time for yourself too.

This post is brought to you by Next Issue Canada, my favourite source for magazine reading. I love that you don’t need to be online to read; just download the issues you want, then you can go offline (I have a long flight in about a month, guess what I’ll be taking along). Since the magazines are now digital, many are very interactive with special features including video, animations and more. Remember to enter 60FREE on the website for two months of free magazines. Opinions are my own.

Just flipping through my apps on my Samsung Galaxy Tab A last night I was reminded of just how much information we have at our fingertips. Just short of the meaning of life, you can find anything online (you can also find a plethora of theories on the meaning of life in case you’re interested, or you are up for a good debate).

Not only can you find anything; there is an app for almost everything.

Being able to grab my Galaxy Tab A, sit down and review my banking from any room in the house (or elsewhere), at any time of the day is efficient and convenient.

One of the best features in banking has got to be the deposit by photograph that is offered at banks such as TD Bank. In short, you take a photo of the front and back of your check, log in to your account and fill out the information. It’s ridiculously simple.

That alone saves a trip to the bank and back, and the possibility of a long wait in line because you aren’t the only one who gets paid on payday.

Having my tablet saves us a lot of time during our family budget conversations as well. When we need to know small details like what is our mortgage payment, how much is left in our account, or what our Visa balance is, we use our Galaxy Tab A. A quick check online, while we are in the same room, still talking, answers all of our questions and we don’t skip a beat. Family budget meetings are shorter, and we get more done.

On my own, I am registered in some marketing courses (and a cool course by the fabulous Mr. Stan Lee) that I can listen to (with my headphones on my Galaxy Tab A) while I shop for groceries. I can track my healthy choices using the Weight Watchers app immediately without carrying a paper and pen along, and I am always available to catch my parents’ Skype request since they travel away from us ten months out of the year in their RV.

Kids Mode: a favourite feature on the Samsung Galaxy Tab A is Kids Mode. Once set up, and activated, you can hand your tablet over to your little one to play some of their games on in a separate space. They can’t access any of your items, or open anything they shouldn’t without a pass code. They also can not make any purchases in Kids Mode.

Add to that, I have a camera and video camera at my fingertips so I don’t miss a day of smiles from my girls.

Or the dog.

And the cat is still unimpressed with the dog (but he’s growing on her).

I have to share that I have a wish list for my tablet. It’s jut a matter of time before these happen and I saw the other night that one of them already has happened. Once this is done, I’ll only need my smartphone or my tablet when I go out (along with a killer shade of lipstick).

• Official, government approved way of carrying ID on my device (Driver’s License/passport)
• Visa / Bank Debit cards and information so I can make purchases with my phone
• Key to my house
• Key to my car

Join the conversation on Twitter. Follow @SamsungCanada or check out the #GalaxyTabA hashtag.

Is there anything left after that? What do you wish your smartphone or tablet could do? For fellow Tab A users, what are your favourite features?

From removing smells from plastic containers and sweaty gym bags, to removing dirt and grime from no-wax and tile floors, this is truly a jack of all trades product.

The How-to Crew wrote a great list of over 100 uses for baking soda on their website. I haven’t tried  all of the ideas mentioned so I can’t confirm whether they work or if they are a miss, but they are worth checking out. You can’t go wrong by trying out some of these ideas, especially since baking soda is so affordable.

Here are two more other products from the makers of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda that do a great

Arm & Hammer Cold Water Liquid Laundry Detergent will keep you smelling fresh and clean. It powers out dirt and odours in low temperatures with special agents in the detergent trapping soil in the wash water, so it rinses away and doesn’t redeposit on your clothes.

Fight tough odours in your clothes with Arm & Hammer Plus OxiClean Laundry Detergent, Fresh Scent. This formula, with deodorizing Arm & Hammer Baking Soda, neutralizes even the toughest odours, while OxiClean Dirt Fighters loosen and help lift up dirt.

So do you have any favourite uses for baking soda that are tried and tested? Share them in the comments below because we are always looking for ways to cut costs while still getting the best clean we can.

Disclosure: This post is written as part of an ambassador program with Church & Dwight. Opinions are our own.

What is a Twitter party?

Twitter parties are a great way of connecting with different people and talking about specific topics that interest you. Whether they are about a product, idea, topic, or to share tips and best practices, you can pack a lot of information and get some of your questions answered in a short time frame. Twitter parties are usually held by brands, companies, or online personalities (such as favourite bloggers, influential Twitter users, etc). This means that the host and moderators are on Twitter during the time of the party and are following along with the conversations.

How do I join a Twitter party?

Twitter parties are often advertised on Twitter or Facebook with a RSVP link. This is a URL that you go to, to register your Twitter handle for the party. Often, prizes are drawn using this list and a random number generator. Most times, you will need to fill in the RSVP to be eligible to win a prize. Make sure you read the RSVP post as it is usually required that you follow the Twitter handles listed.

TIP: Twitter party times are usually listed in ET (Eastern time), so make sure you know what that means for your time zone.

Before and during the party, a hashtag will be used so that you can follow along with all of the comments as the party is happening. Hashtags begin with the # symbol (eg. #TwitterPartyName).

Check list

1. RSVP’d to Twitter Chat
2. Followed Twitter party hosts and moderators
3. Tweet during the party (by answering the questions, chatting)
4. Use the applicable hashtag listed

Easiest way to attend a party

Pulling out all the extras, the easiest (read simplest) way to attend a party at first is to follow the checklist above, and watch the Twitter handle of the person asking the questions during the hour that the party is going on.

TIP: When questions are asked, they will be numbered (eg. Q1:), when you answer, add A1: to the front of your tweet so that answers can be easily matched up to the questions. And always remember to include the hashtag. Unless otherwise stated, you usually don’t need to include the Twitter handle of the person asking the question as the party is followed by the hashtag.

This way you can answer the questions and not become overwhelmed by the fast pace of the party and the volume of other responses.

Take it up a notch

If you are comfortable with Twitter parties and want to do a little more than just answer the questions, you can search the hashtag during the party and chat with other attendees while the party is happening. If you do this, you would still continue to use the hashtag so other attendees can see the conversation and join in too. This can become a little overwhelming though. You can organize your Twitter party using TweetDeck. TweetDeck live streams the tweets in a given search where you specify what you want to receive. You can log in to TweetDeck using your Twitter handle and password, and it will organize your party into columns. The columns I use are:

1. the hashtag
2. a list of the handles moderating and hosting the party (I create a list in Twitter, then follow it in TweetDeck)
3. my own mentions (people who tag me in their post. Great for chatting with people who tag you and hearing when you’ve won)

That’s about it. Remember to go at your own pace during the party and do as much or as little as you feel comfortable. Twitter parties are a lot of fun. I hope to see you at one soon.

I didn’t really announce I was doing it, or talk about it as it was happening, but it was my goal to do something small each day for 100 days to reconnect with myself and to remind myself of small messages that sometimes get forgotten in my busy life.

Even though I never talked about it, if you read often, you would have seen my ‘me time’ each morning for the past 100 days over there —–> in my sidebar.

I love photography, and I enjoy reading and reflecting on quotes that speak to me. So for the last 100 days, I’ve been taking my own photography, and adding in some of my favourite quotes.

This was time during the day that I pulled out my old photographs and, filled with warm memories of past adventures, I poured through them to find my best ones.

Then I sat down with my iPad and I looked up writers, poets, and thought leaders and I devoured their words.

I absorbed quotes of kindness, courage, compassion, strength, and love and then I stopped when I found that one that made me pause and think.

Then I got to play around with pretty fonts which, for the proud nerd inside of me, was the sweetest icing on the cake.

Then I secretly shared them with you.

I even created my own quote.

I did learn that doing something for 100 days straight that isn’t a necessity for life (such as breathing) is challenging. I love my quotes, and I love my photos, but now and then I found myself saying ‘I just have to get this done’.

Will I continue? Yes, but not daily. As much as I loved my 100 days, I love my site too and I have other posts to share. Putting together these photos has opened up a lot of other creative ideas and I am looking forward to finding a balance. Hmmmm, maybe I should look up quotes about balance next.

You can see my quotes archive for each individual post (with shareable links for Pinterest and Facebook, etc), or click on the photos below. You may have to click on some photos to see the whole quote.

I would love to hear if you liked any of these. Feel free to leave it in the comments below.