Modern Housewife

Wordless Wednesday - Pretty Bird

2014-08-06T06:00:00.000-04:00

I came across this little guy fishing on the beach, he didn't even care that I was there snapping away.

Wordless Wednesday - A Day at The Bowmanville Zoo

2014-07-30T06:00:00.000-04:00

Save Big on Travel, Without Sacrificing a Great Vacation

2014-07-29T06:00:00.000-04:00

Travelling, alone, as a couple, or as a family has a unique ability to open our eyes, and our hearts to new sights, sounds, and experiences. It also has the unique ability to open and empty our wallets! It dosn't have to though. With a little preparation travel on budget is entirely possible.

Plan Ahead
Spend a bit of time researching your destination, find out when peak and off seasons are, you can save thousands just by changing the dates of your stay a few weeks. Keep your eye open for deals, you may find that some destinations ( like disney) have a pretty reliable schedule for discounts.

Use Credit and Loyalty Cards to Your Advantage
There are people who literally travel the world for free, because they know how to maximize their reward card. Take advantage of sign up bonuses and special events, and if you really want to get the most out of your miles, arrange to have your bills be paid from your credit card automatically, its amazing how quickly your points can add up

Be Flexible

There are many cost effective alternatives almost anywhere you travel. Avoid he pricey all inclusive and rent a house or condo, websites such as VRBO.com can take a lot of the guess work out of finding places to stay.
Take the same approach with your food, go off the main tourist strip and eat where the locals eat, not only will you save a ton of money, you'll probably experience the local culture in a much more intimate way.

Avoid the Group Tours
a lot of the time you can take public transit, and pay your own way in for a quarter of the cost the tour companies are going to charge you. Take a look at the local attractions before you leave and you may even be bale to buy tickets online at even greater discounts. My family was able to buy four tickets to a popular Cancun area nature attraction for less than what the resort was charging for one ticket.

Save on Water
One simple way that we have found to save money, and stay hydrated, is to make sure we always have our reusable water bottles with us. A water bottle at a tourist attraction can cost up to $5, multiply that by 4 people, several times a day, and you're spending a small fortune on water alone. By bringing our own water with us, we save money, and stay hydrated.

Do you have nay tips to save money on your family vacations? Share them in the comments below.

Spiced Coffee Steak Rub #HavaJava

2014-07-28T18:52:00.001-04:00

I recently posted an amazing recipe for Coffee Crusted Grilled Mahi Mahi, made with SingleJo Coffee's fabulous espresso.
Single Joe is best known for their aromatic K-cups, that feature less material making for "Less Waste and More Taste", but you should try their whole bean coffee, its just as fabulous! The espresso used in these two recipes is part of their Club Coffee line, and it is definitely yummy.
I'm a pretty big fan of coffee, I love to drink it hot or cold, I LOVE it frozen, and I love to cook and bake with it. There are so many ways you can incorporate coffee into food, but most people when using coffee as an ingredient, cook something sweet.
I like to be different.
Most people don't automatically think of meat in combination with coffee, but it really is a great combination. Coffee, when cooked has a nutty earthy flavor that really lends well itself to a savory dish.
Today I want to share with you a bolder flavor than what I shared previously. This steak rub has a definite kick to it that you're going to love.

Espresso Steak Rub

2 Tbsp Brown Sugar
1.5 Tbsp finely ground espresso
1 Tbsp dry mustard
2 Tsp Chili powder
2 tsp garlic powder
.5 tsp cayenne

Mix all ingredients together and rub all over your favorite steak cut. Let it sit unrefrigerated for ten minutes and grill to perfection ( for me that's nice and rare, which for the steak pictured was about three minutes per side)

I hope you enjoy this as much as me and my family did. Id love to hear from you, how do you like to incorporate coffee into your cooking and baking? Let me know in the comments.

Imagination Movers Are Back in Blue #IMCanadaTour

2014-07-25T10:58:00.000-04:00

Grab your wobble goggles and scribble sticks, the movers are coming to town!

We are big Imagination Movers fans in the Modern Housewife family, Its one of the shows that both my girls can agree on, and even the baby loves the songs. They love to watch it, and they love to play it, not a day goes by that we don't experience at least one "Idea Emergency", and I love the ingenious solutions my girls come up with to solve the latest crises.

I can't wait to take my girls to see the movers when their Back in Blue Tour comes to our area this fall,

The Imagination Movers ‘Back in Blue’ Concert Tour features band-mates Rich Collins, Scott Durbin, Dave Poche and Scott “Smitty” Smith in their iconic blue jumpsuits performing songs from the hit Disney Junior series and their chart-topping album “Back In Blue,” which debuted as the No. 1 Children’s Album on iTunes in Canada.

Known for their energetic and interactive live performances, Imagination Movers have been entertaining and engaging parents and children alike for more than 10 years with their upbeat music and catchy lyrics that encourage creativity, emphasize problem-solving skills and reinforce positive self-esteem.

The Back in Blue album is available now on iTunes. It’s a must have and a must listen before checking out the show!

For more information about the show head over to the Imagination Movers website. You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest news.

We are so excited to be catching the Movers live when the Back in Blue Tour comes into our town, and even more excited that we have tickets for a lucky reader as well! Not just tickets either, one lucky winner will win a Family Ticket Prize Pack with a set of four tickets and an autographed 8x10, and a second lucky winner will win a Movers Bundle Pack with a digital download of the Back in Blue Album, a movers T shirt and an autographed postcard!

Family Ticket prize Pack is for the following shows,

Victoria, BC
Vancouver, BC
Kelowna VC
Calgary, AB
Medicine Hat AB
Moose Jaw SK
Winnipeg, MB
Thunder Bay, MB
Peterborough ON
London, ON
Kingston ON
Sudbury ON (4:30p show only)
Mississauga ON
Ottawa, ON
Glace Bay NS

Enter via the Rafflecopter form below, and Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This contest is open to Canadian residents who have reached the age of majority in the province where they reside, tickets are only avavilable to the shows mentioned above, this giveaway is open until August 24th 2014 at 12:01 EST

Looking for more ways to win, check out these blogs,

Domesticated Momma

Tales of Mommyhood

My Baby Stuff

Maple Mouse Mama

Not Quite a Handful

This West Coast Mommy

Mimi’s Humble Pie

Mommy Outside the Box

Disclosure: I received special considerations in exhange for this post and giveaway, all opinions expressed within this post are my own

5 Things I Wish I Knew When I First Started Blogging

2014-07-25T06:00:00.000-04:00

Over the past few years, blogging has evolved from personal journals to big business, and the way we blog has undergone so many changes and evolutions that its barely recognizable from the simple online journals it began as. I started my first blog many years ago, and through trial and error, there are a few things Ive learned that make my blogging life much easier and more efficient. Here are a few things that I wish every new blogger could know.

5 Things I wish I knew when I started blogging

1. Community Is Very Important - The blogging community is a very tight knit one, and I am so thankful for the online friends I have made. From answering my millions of silly questions, chatting with me about the frustrations, trials, and triumphs that my offline friends just don't get, sharing opportunities and always having encouraging comments for me, my blogging community friends have been pivotal to the success I have found so far.

2. Social Media is Huge - The majority of my traffic comes from social media; Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Stumble Upon, the list can go on and on. Social media has the ability to put my content in front of more eyes than I could ever have imagined. Its worth the effort to spend at least a few minutes on social media every day.

3. Your niche will find you - I used to worry about every topic I wrote fitting into "my niche", there were even times that I didn't write about a topic I wanted to because I was worried about it not being a good fit. The truth is; your niche will come organically if you just write what you enjoy writing. Writing the posts you want to write, ones that are about a topic that you really care about, will be much more satisfying and enjoyable to both you and your readers than just writing content that "fits".

4. Its Not Free - Well technically it can be, but there are a few places that putting out a little money can take your blog the extra distance. Things like premium memberships to certain programs, hosting packages, and design are all very worth a small investment.

5. Design is so important - You can write amazing quality content all day and all night long, but if its hard to read because of bad design, poor font choices, clashing colors, or annoying pop up ads, than nobody is going to stick around to read it. You want to make your blog a comfortable place for your readers, clear simple font, neutral colors and a good layout are all essential.

Happy Blogging

Coffee Crusted Mahi Mahi #HavaJava

2014-07-24T15:03:00.000-04:00

I may have mentioned this before, but I have a little obsession with coffee.
As a mom, I don't get a lot of sleep, or a lot of downtime, so I make it a priority to start my morning with a few quiet moments and a hot cup of coffee or two before the kids wake up and chaos reigns again. Of course, I also have a second coffee before lunch, and a frozen coffee mid afternoon, and some mocha scented fro-yo as a treat after dinner.....

Like I said, I like coffee A Lot.
Recently I was introduced to SingleJo Coffee, and their fabulous MargaritaVille line.
Not only is it great coffee, I love that their unique K-cup design is eco-friendly, with less waste and more taste.

I enjoyed their K-cups so much that I decided to try the Espresso Supremo whole beans, and I was not disapointed, even my dad, the coffee snob, gave it his approval! When my husband came home last week with some fresh Mahi Mahi that he had picked up from the fish market, I knew exactly how I was going to make it.
I remember the first time I found a recipe that involved coffee, coffee for dinner? That's a concept I can get on board with!
This marinade is a great in that its so versatile, it has a sweet, yet earthy taste, with a bit of a kick too. I have used it on chicken and pork chops, but I enjoy it most on fish.
This marinade is simple, and dosnt need to sit long before you grill it, 10 minutes is enough. This recipe is enough for 2 good sized fish steaks.

You Will Need

3 Tbsp Paprika
1.5 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp dried oregano
1 tsp pepper
2 oz hot black espresso made with Espresso Supremo whole espresso beans
2 mahi mahi steaks ( or any white fish)

Directions
Heat BBQ to medium high, and oil the grill. While the grill is heating up, mix all marinade ingredients in a small bowl until combined. Pour over top of Mahi Mahi steaks (skin down) making sure its fully covered. Turn off flame underneath half of the grill and place the steaks there. Close the BBQ lid and cook for about 12 minutes. Remove fish from the grill. It should be flaky and the skin should fall right off with minimum effort.

Enjoy, I hope you love it as much as we did.

Wordless Wednesday - Its Exhausting Being This Adorable

2014-07-23T06:00:00.001-04:00

6 Things Nobody Tells You About Potty Training

2014-07-22T06:00:00.000-04:00

Potty training, no matter what way you look at it, its not fun for anyone. Luckily the thought of not having to change any more diapers ( or at leats 10-12 less a day) is enough to inspire even the most reluctant parents. We are now elbows deep in our second round of potty training and I'm pretty sure my bathroom will never be clean again, and I'm being reluctanlty reminded of a few "surprises" I discovered in the first round.

There are things you expect to happen when you start potty training, like sticker charts and the occasional accident, but there are also a few things nobody ever warns you about.

1. You will feel like all you do is flush toilets all day long. My eldest has been potty trained for well over a year and still forgets all. the. time.

2. You will single hand-edly keep Lysol in business, and yes you can use it on carpet.

3. Boys turn with their entire bodies, so try not to distract them

4. Your bathroom will be really really clean. Because you're not leaving for an entire week

5. Leaving the house will become a gamble comparable to spending a night at the casino, after spending an afternoon at the bar.

6. Your kids will be naked all day long.

What surprises did potty training have in store for you?

Win Your Back to School Supplies with GreatClips #GreatList

2014-07-21T16:39:00.003-04:00

As parents, back to school is a busy, expensive time. We have to get the kids back on their schedules, get ourselves ready for the demands of school in addition to day to day activities, and we have to make sure our kids have all of the gear that they need to succeed.
Its stressful, and expensive, but have we ever stopped and thought about the preparations being made on the other side? Every year teachers spend an average of $1,000 on supplies to help our children learn. That's a lot to pay out of pocket, and its just one of the many ways that they are supporting our children's educations. Without their support, can you imagine how bleak our children's classrooms would be?

This year, GreatClips has teamed up with Adopt A Classroom to give back to teachers. To say thank you for all that they do, and to help them with the large financial burdens that they face.
Between now and September 5th for every download of GreatClips Online Check in App, a donation will be made to Adopt A Classroom.

With more than 3,300 salons throughout the United States and Canada, Great Clips is the world’s largest salon brand. Great Clips salons employ nearly 35,000 stylists who receive ongoing training to learn the Great Clips customer service system and advanced technical skills. Great Clips salon owners and corporate office are dedicated to our salon communities with a focus on philanthropic and volunteer activities.

Check out this video that shows how they've already helped two lucky teachers furnish their classrooms with everything their students need to learn.

GreatClips also wants to help you with your back to school list. Between now and September 5th, go to GreatClips.com and upload your own back to school supply list for a daily chance to win it, bought and shipped to your door.
Many GreatClips salons are also offering back to school pricing on hair cuts, visit your local salon for details.

Disclosure: Although this post has been generously sponsored by GreatClips, the opinions and language are all my own, and in no way do they reflect Wendy’s.

Marvelous Mocktails

2014-07-21T06:00:00.001-04:00

Summer is the perfect time to sit in the backyard and enjoy the sunshine with a great book and a cocktail, or in my case to chase the kids around the backyard while constantly tidying it up and preventing escapes. Just because you cant have a DRINK though, dosnt mean you cant enjoy a delicious cocktail, just reach for a mocktail.

Here are a few of my favorite recipes from around the bloggasphere.

1. This Virgin Sangria from Confessions of an Overworked Mom, is a great versatile recipe that can use almost any fruit you have on hand.

2. Raspberry Limeade from the Socialites Closet is perfect for a hot summer day

3. A Green Tea Spritzer by The Country Chic Cottage is the perfect addition to a girls night in

4. Cucumber Lemonade by Food & Wine, is not only delicious, its practically art!

5. The Pink Panther by Nosh My Way, looks absolutely amazing and would be perfect for your next backyard BBQ

6. Pomegranate Mojito by Sober Julie, two of my favorite things in the world mixed into one glass

7. This Mixed Berry and Basil Sangria by Foodie with family has both alcoholic and non alcoholic variations

8. Summer wouldn't be the same without a classic Pina Colada. This version by Lovely-ish looks ah-mazing

9. This BlackBerry Vanilla Mocktail featuring fresh blueberries, honey, lemon and vanilla, will be a crowd pleaser for sure

9 Ways to Beat Writers Block

2014-07-18T06:00:00.001-04:00

We've all been there. Sitting in front of a blank computer screen, knowing you have to write something, Its what you do, but nothing is coming to mind. Sure you have a ton of vague ideas and even some great ones floating around in your head somewhere, but wherever they are tonight, they're not coming out to play.
Writers block, its a bloggers arch nemesis, and it happens to everyone. For me, its usually a sign that Im starting to burn out., that the seemingly endless hours in front of the computer are taking their toll, and my eyes, and mind, are done.
Luckily there are a few things you can do to ease that block in your mind. Here is what works for me.

1. Take a Break
Set a time and stick to it, whether its a 10 minute coffee break, a half hour phone call with your BFF, a two hour nap or even a weekend away. Set your break time and stick to it. I know its hard, but you need to give your mind a break to avoid burnout

2. Get a Change of Scenery
Staring at the computer is not going to help anything. Get out, go grocery shopping, take a walk, go to the park. Do anything but sitting in the house trying to think. You can't force creativity.

3. Get Moving.
A little exercise could be exactly what you need to get the ideas flowing. Go for a walk or a bike ride and enjoy the sensation of moving before you strap yourself back into your desk.

4. Think About What Your Writing.
Are you writing about things that you love, or even things you enjoy? Its a lot easier to write about a subject you're passionate about, than it is to write about one you couldnt care less about.

5. Clean It Up
Take a look around, are you writing in a pig sty? Physical clutter can create spiritual and mental clutter so take a few minutes to spruce up your space

6. Be Prepared
Carry a journal, or download an app that will allow you to jot down story ideas on the go, when you're stuck refer back to the journal for inspiration.

7. Break It Down
I very rarely sit down and write a post in one shot, usually it takes a few seperate "sessions" with it. I may start with an idea, so I'll start a draft with just a title, then I'll go back and do an outline and save again, the I'll come back and polish it up for posting. Like # 6, doing this allows me to always have something that I could be working on (usually several things)

8. Read, Read, Read
Read inspiring things, whether they were written by you, or by someone whose writing you love. Filling your mind with beautiful/funny/inspiring words can help point it in the direction you want it to go in.

9. Write Write Write
If all else fails, write, then write some more, and then some more. Even if all you're able to write is crap, the act of writing itself may be enough to get the creative juices flowing.

Hopefully the above tips help you with your acute problem, but there are also steps you can take to avoid the same trouble in the future.

1. Create a writing space.
It doesn't matter if its an office with a view, or a stool at the island in your kitchen (mine is the latter) Find a spot in your house that is comfortable, has some good lighting, a little counter space and a seat, and make it your "zone". Having a dedicated working space in your home can help you to find the working space in your head.

2. Minimize Distractions
Plan your day so that you're able to write with the least amount of distractions possible. For me that's "quiet time" which is still pretty noisy now that my eldest two don't take naps, but compared to the cacophony that I'm usually surrounded with, its practically spa-like.
This is the time I make writing my priority, before laundry, dishes, email and every other distraction that I can ignore. Knowing that this is my writing time, and likely to be the only one I get, usually gives me focus.

3. Reward Yourself
If writing is all about work, it will become work in your mind. Make it more enjoyable by sipping your favorite coffee, or listening to an album you enjoy while you write to make it more enjoyable.

I hope these tips have helped you, If you know of any others Id love to hear them.

Chicken in Phyllo

2014-07-17T06:00:00.000-04:00

One evening a few years ago, I was standing in my kitchen trying to figure out what the heck I was going to make for dinner. I had zero inspiration, and none of the ingredients for my usual go-to meals. Upon inspection of my sad cupboard and freezer contents, I found some leftover chicken breast, a package of phyllo pastry, cheese and bacon, and in that moment, this recipe was born.
Considering its humble beginnings, these phyllo "bundles" were a wild success, they have almost a cult following in my family, and my brother in law often invites himself over if hes finds out I'm making them. I cant say I blame him though, they really are delicious.

The recipe has evolved over the years, mostly to make it easier to make, and it really is quite simple. The only thing you need to remember is to NEVER use the pre-rolled phyllo. Never. Not ever.
This recipe makes 4 bundles

You will need
4 Boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 package of bacon
2 cups shredded marble cheese
1/2 pkg phyllo pastry
flour ( for rolling out the phyllo)

1. Preheat the oven to 450, wrap bacon around the chicken until it is completely covered. Cook bacon
2. While the chicken is cooking, roll out the phyllo into four thin circles.
covered chicken in oven for 25 minutes.
3. Once chicken is cooked, place in the middle of a phyllo circle, cover with a quarter of the cheese and wrap the phyllo around the chicken and cheese, covering completely. pinch closed
4. Place bundles back into the oven for 20 minutes or until golden.
5. Try not to eat all four of them before they make it to the table.

Enjoy.

Wordless Wednesday - A Rare Quiet Moment

2014-07-16T06:00:00.000-04:00

The Perfect Hamburger

2014-07-15T06:00:00.000-04:00

Ive tried many different recipes for hamburgers.
Ive used pork, beef, bison, turkey, chicken, and even vegetarian. In all of my experimenting, the main lesson Ive learned is that simple is best.

My favorite hamburger recipe is a simple combination of ground beef, ground pork, egg, breadcrumbs, and some simple seasonings.
This recipe will make 6 good sized burgers.

1 lb pork
1 lb beef
1 egg
1/4 cup bread crumb
salt and pepper to taste

Mix it all together in a big bowl, let sit in the fridge for half an hour, shape into patties and toss on the grill until the juices run clear, about ten minutes.

8 Tips For Taking Better Pictures With Your Smartphone

2014-07-14T06:00:00.000-04:00

You never want to miss that once in a lifetime picture, but it's not always convenient, or even possible to carry around your digital camera everywhere you go. Luckily the technology found in your smart phone can be as advanced if not more so than a lot of cameras on the market, so there's no excuse for not getting amazing shots on the go. It just takes a few adjustments, a little know how and some practice.

1. Play with your Settings
Get to know the settings on your camera, make sure that your resoution is set to high ( giving you the highest possible quality), your delay is set as low as possible ( so you dont miss that shot) and your "shutter" sound is turned off ( so your not obviously taking a picture, essential with kids)

2. Turn Off Your Flash.
Your phones flash is not going to add any beauty to your photos, it will wash your subjects out, give them red eye, and overexpose them, so just turn it off,

3. Watch the Light
Once you start shooting without flash, youll pay more attention to the natural light in any given situation. Try shooting some pictures at noon, and then again just before sundown and see the difference light can make.

4. Shoot in Rapid Fire
make sure you get that shot by learning to shoot with your cameras rapid fire mode, which takes a series of photos one after the other. This is great for fast action games of tag, or park shots

5. Don't Pose Your Subjects
try to find them in naturally pleasing poses that will look more natural and relaxed in a picture. If you do need to get your subjects to stand still beside each other or an object, let them hold their bodies the way they want to, they'll resist less, and the photos will look more natural

6. Keep It Clean
Your phone spends the majority of its time in your pocket or purse and it may not look dirty, but it is. Spend a few seconds every day cleaning your lens with a lint free cloth to make sure your pictures are crisp and clear.

7. Watch the Background
If you can, make sure that the background of your shot is clear of anything that will distract from the subjects. There's nothing worse than getting a gorgeous shot of your kids and then noticing the baket of laundry on the couch in the background.

8. Edit There are many amazing programs for editing your phones pictures on the market today. Experiment with them and find some that you like to add the finishing touches to your pictures.

Happy Shooting.

Fertamax for Fertility - Giveaway

2014-07-13T11:09:00.003-04:00

Getting pregnant has never been easy for me, unfortunately difficulty in conceiving is an issue that many couples will face in their lifetimes. That's why its so important to do everything you can to maximize your overall health, and your reproductive health, before you start trying for a baby.

There are many steps you can take to improve your chances of conceiving a healthy baby, cutting out smoking and alcohol, limiting your caffeine intake, and beginning or continuing a light exercise routine.
Its also important to make sure that you are getting the right vitamins, and in high enough doses, to support your body through the upcoming changes it will face.

Fertamax is an all natural holistic approach to preparing your body for conception and pregnancy, or even just maintaining your reproductive health to maximize your future chances.

Fertamax for women contains Chaste berry extract, which is known to both boost fertility and prevent miscarriage, and 150% of your daily allowance of folic acid, a vitamin considered essential for conceiving healthy babies.

Fertamax for men contains maca root, an ingredient known for balancing hormones, and even increasing libido.

You can buy Fertamax directly from True Brands on the web site. And you can follow their social channels here. Fertamax is on twitter at http://www.twitter.com/fertamax/

https://www.facebook.com/truebrandsinc

GIVEAWAY
One lucky reader will win a Mom & Dad Starter Kit form Fertamax which features a 45-day supply for both mom and dad. (ARV $64.99, Contest open to Canada, US, and Australia)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Couples Resort

2014-07-11T06:00:00.000-04:00

We all know kids can do a number on relationships, I can speak from experience when I say that there is definitely a lot less intimacy in my relationship since I had kids. Not that that is necessarily a bad thing, we may not have hours-long romantic candlelit dinners as often as we used to, but I know without a doubt that my husband is my partner in every sense of the word, and its a trade-off I am happy to make.

It is especially important now though, to make sure that we make time for each other. Date nights, movies on the couch, and the occasional late dinner after the kids are in bed, are some of the ways we manage to carve "us time" out of our busy schedules.
Every now and then though, I want a little more time, time to sleep in, time to snuggle, time to dawdle over late dinners and just enjoy each others company.
Luckily, living in southern Ontario, there are many choices for a weekend get-away that aren't too far of a drive. Niagara falls, Ottawa, Muskoka, and the Kawarthas, and many more are all just a few hours drive away. Me and my hubby have been lucky enough to experience our fair share of mini vacations and recently, we found a new favorite destination just outside of Algonquin Park, called The Couples Resort.

Intimate interlude for two where everything is designed just for the 2 of you. It is here that couples enhance their appreciation for each other, yet everyone comes for their own reason: Getaway for Intimate romance. Escape to relax and cocoon, Pampered in the Spa or participate in endless activities & adventures. You decide what you need as a couple and the Couples Resort will be your hidden gem!

The Couples Resort bills itself as a luxury resort and I can tell you that they very much follow through with that promise. The attentive staff, the amazing 5 course meals, the gorgeous grounds, and the stunning rooms, really make you feel like a VIP.
The entire resort is designed to maximize on romance. Even the dining room was laid out in a way that you could feel almost alone in a room full of people. With cozy tables, meals designed to share, and gorgeous views of the lake.

I couldn't believe how beautiful, and big, my room was! We stayed in a Masters Suite and it was honestly the biggest room I've ever stayed in. There was a huge bed, a balcony overlooking the lake, a steam shower, a Jacuzzi, and an outdoor hot tub!

The grounds themselves were amazing as well, with tennis courts, a swimming pool, and a gorgeous lake. The resort provides paddle boats, canoes, kayaks and motor boats to guests looking to enjoy the water.
If you want to explore beyond the resort, there are kms and kms of trails and roads to hike, bike, or drive along. We spent an entire morning on borrowed mountain bikes exploring a trail that followed an old rail road. It was so neat to see the old tracks off to the side, we even found an old rail-road tie.

And of course, the east gates Algonquin Park are right down the street. Algonquin has more lakes, trails, walking paths, museums and outdoor fun than you could explore in a lifetime, so you're never going to be bored.

If you're looking to escape the city with your sweetheart, The Couples Resort is a great place to relax, explore, unwind and reconnect.

Strawberry Agua Fresca

2014-07-08T06:00:00.000-04:00

There's something magical that happens when the days get longer, the nights get warmer, and the trees and plants start to bloom. Its like all the sharp edges of life have been filed away.
Gone are the early morning rushes to get my big girl to the bus, gone are the endless layers we all have to dress in, gone are the wind chills, the cold rains, the snow and sleet and the dark at 4 o'clock.
They have been replaced with sleep ins, picnics in the park, and little girls in tutu bathing suits with chattering teeth and goose-bumpy skin that's been chilled by endless runs though the sprinkler.

No longer are we trapped in the house for hours playing with toys or staring at screens, instead we can head out into nature and the great outdoors, a walk, a trip to the park, a game of tag in the backyard, my kids thrive in the sunshine, and as the warm weather continues they are turning bronzer and happier. I know the feeling because I share it myself.

One of my favorite summer activities is taking my daughters, and now my son, strawberry picking. We are lucky enough to live almost skipping distance from an amazing farm, that offers berry picking, tractor rides, and a fabulous slide, among other things. We try to get there as often as we can during the warm, and even warmish weather, and I was overjoyed a few days ago to see that the strawberries were ready for picking.

I always joke, or at least half joke, that the farm workers should weigh my kids on the way in and on the way out. I swear they must eat at least twice as much as they put in the basket. I cant help but giggle as they try to act innocent, but their strawberry covered faces always give them away.

Although the majority of what we pick gets eaten either on the way home, or within minutes of our arrival, this time I was able to salvage a few berries to make one of my favorite summer treats, Strawberry Agua Fresca. Agua fresca is a treat that I had for the very first time in mexico, its a sweet fruit flavored water that is so refreshing and delicious I was delighted when I got home and discovered how simple it was to make.

I have made many different types of agua fresca, watermelon, cantaloupe, kiwi-mango, but the classic strawberry is my favorite!

Strawberry Agua Fresca

1 lb strawberries hulled and cut in half
3 cups water
juice from two limes
1/4 cup sugar
ice

Toss the strawberries, limes, water and sugar into a bender and blend until smooth. pour mixture though a strainer twice. Taste test to see if you need more sugar or lime and serve over ice

It really is that easy.
Enjoy.

Thai Shrimp and Coconut Quinoa Salad #EastMadeEasy

2014-07-07T11:55:00.003-04:00

I love Thai food. the color, the flavors, the aromas of it are so rich, vibrant and delicious. Before we had kids, me and my hubby used to go to this amazing little hole in the wall Thai place downtown, it was our spot. The curried shrimp, coconut prawns, pad Thai, and spicy beef were so amazingly good, we could never go more than a few days without a taste.

Then we had kids, moved to the suburbs and starting eating at home a lot more. We still visited "our spot" every now and then, but not as often as we used to. My cravings for great Thai food didn't stop though, and I've always wanted to try cooking Thai on my own at home, but Ill admit that its more than a little intimidating. When I was offered a chance to act as a Blue Dragon Mom, with their promise of the East Made Easy, I knew that a little Thai was in our future.
Two of my favorite flavors are green curry and coconut and I was able to incorporate them both in this meal. As promised, it was surprisingly simple to make, and a huge hit. Even the neighbors were commenting as I BBq'd that the whole street smelled fantastic!
This meal will definitely be in heavy rotation this summer, its easy, nutritious, and even my kids cleaned their plates!

Thai Shrimp

1 Jar Blue Dragon Thai Green Curry Paste
1 Can Blue Dragon Coconut Milk
1 lb Fresh Shrimp
Bamboo Skewers

In a large bowl combine the Thai Green Curry Paste and coconut milk. Add shrimp into the bowl and mix into all the shrimp is well coated. Marinate in the fridge for a few hours.
Once your ready, skewer the shrimp four at a time on bamboo skewers and BBQ on high heat for 4 minutes per side.

Coconut Quinoa Salad

1.5 cups quinoa

1.5 cups water

1 can Blue Dragon Coconut Milk

1 cup julienned cauliflower

1 cup julienned broccoli

1 cup diced red cabbage

1/2 cup julienned carrots

1/2 cup bean sprouts

1 Tbsp coconut oil

Over medium heat melt coconut oil until liquid. Add quinoa and cook, stirring constantly, until toasted, about four or five minutes. Slowly pour in coconut milk and bring to a boil. Once boiling turn down the heat, cover the pan and simmer for 15 minutes. Add all the vegetables and cook covered for ten minutes. Remove from heat and let sit for five minutes. Fluff and serve.

I hope you enjoy my attempt at Thai, why not check out my other Blue dragon creations, Schezuan Pepper Chicken Salad and Umami Steak with Almond Green Beans.

Also, make sure to swing by the Blue Dragon facebook Page and enter to win one of 5 prize packs loaded with Blue Dragon products!

Disclosure: I am part of the Blue Dragon Ambassador program with Mom Central Canada and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. All opinions are my own.

Turkey and Apple Burgers with Fresh Pico De Gallo

2014-07-04T06:00:00.000-04:00

Summer is in full swing, and that means the BBQ has been getting a workout.
Its so effortless to just toss some meat and veggies onto the grill, and really, is there a food that dosn't taste great grilled? This recipe for turkey burgers is one of my favorite BBQ meals, the turkey is so much lighter and tastier than a heavy pork or beef burger and the Pico is so fresh tasting. Perfect for summer.

Turkey and Apple Burgers
makes 4 burgers

1 lb ground turkey
1 small apple grated with the peel on (about half a cup)
1/4 red onion (about a quarter cup)
3 tbsp ground flax-seed
1 tbsp mild curry
1 tsp fresh grated ginger

Mix it all together thoroughly and form into patties, then toss em on the grill.
Easy Peasy

Pico De Gallo
2 medium tomatoes
1/2 a red onion
2 green onions
4 sprigs cilantro
2 coves of garlic
1 Tbsp fresh lime juice
1/4 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
a little lime zest

Chop it all up, put in in a covered bowl in the fridge for at least an hour

Enjoy.

My Day as a Wedding Photographer #NikonMOMents

2014-07-03T16:56:00.000-04:00

I was recently given an opportunity to work with Nikon as a Nikon mom. I have to say, I have not been this excited in a long time, because in addition to having a fabulous new camera to play with, they were offering to teach me how to use it properly!

Luckily, the training fell right in time for my brother in laws wedding, which was fabulous because that day I got to play wedding photographer. I have to admit, I was a bit nervous because I know how important wedding photos are, and I really wanted to give them some great shots.
Luckily, I had a few things on my side; a gorgeous bride, a ridiculously happy groom, one of the most beautiful backdrops in the world, Niagara falls, and a fabulous camera.
I started the morning by capturing all the details. I know that these shots are some of the ones I treasure most from my own wedding, and I made sure to take a ton. I think the beauty of a wedding is often found in the details, and this was no exception. I love how each piece told a story, from the pearls given to the bride by her godparents, to the fan she carried as a nod to her Japanese heritage.

and of course the dress.

Thanks to my training I was able to capture the day with a lot more skill and confidence than I would have had without it. Throughout the day, in many different lighting situations, both indoors and outdoors, I was able to quickly make the needed adjustments so that my pictures were sharp, clear, and bright.
I took almost 2,000 photos that day and 90% of them are great. I cant get over the color quality, its almost magical the way my Nikon captures exactly what you see.

I was really impressed with the versatility of both the camera and the lens I was using, portraits from quite a distance away were simple to capture with the zoom, and yet it was able to highlight even the smallest details in amazing detail.

I am so happy with how the pictures turned out, and I know my brother in law and brand new sister in law are as well. I cant wait to practice some more with it, and to share more of my #NikonMOMents.

Disclosure: I am part of the Mom Central Canada Nikon MOMents team and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

The Shrine Circus

2014-07-03T06:00:00.000-04:00

Have you ever wanted to run away and join the circus? I can tell you, after spending an evening with the Shrine Circus, I kind of do!

The Shrine Circus is making its merry way through southern Ontario and it is definitely a must-do. From the dancing ponies to the Bruno Mars singing clowns, and a "Frozen" acrobatic act, it was ah-mazing from start to finish.

They even had a human cannonball, I didn't even know there were real people crazy enough to do that!

If you're in Southern Ontario, the Shrine Circus is a must add to your summer bucket list, and don't forget to use coupon code HORSE to get 2-4-1 tickets at http://www.shrinecircus.ca/

Wordless Wednesday - Picnic In The Park

2014-07-02T09:18:00.001-04:00

Telus Grand Gestures #ActsOfCaring

2014-06-29T11:47:00.003-04:00

What would you do if you could do anything?

Would you fly a plane? Go on a shopping spree? Drive your dream car? Me personally, I think I would have a spa day with my mom. We never get to spend any one on one time together so I think it would be great to just hang out, talk about everything and nothing, and of course get pampered.

Its not often that we get a chance to make our dreams and fantasies come true, but TELUS is trying to change that for a few lucky customers, in appreciation of their support. Check out this video of how TELUS said Thank You to long time customer Ramona.

TELUS Grand Gestures video and YOUTube channel

It doesn't end with Ramona though. TELUS is showering love on the town of Guelph with a week of events designed to show their appreciation.

o   TELUS is literally performing everyday acts of caring all over the Guelph community throughout the week. As part of this, we're donating $5 to the Guelph Children's Foundation for every use of #actsofcaring.

o   We're going door to door to the homes of our top 100 customers to thank them personally with a care package - a small token of our appreciation.

o   We're hosting a free BBQ lunch for our top 1000 customers and their families at the local TELUS store. We'll be presenting a cheque to the Guelph Children's Foundation in the amount of $5000 - in response to all the uses of #actsofcaring. Donald Woodley (member of TELUS Board of Directors) will join our celebration to present the cheque.

How amazing is it to see a company giving back like this? It's one thing to send a letter, or a quick automated phone call to say thank you, but this is something entirely different. TELUS is putting their money where their mouth is and supporting the communities that support them.

“Disclosure: I am part of the TELUS Grand Gestures Campaign and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this campaign. The opinions on this blog are my own.”