Best Familly Vacation

So my husband and I love to travel and ever since we had our children, travel is something we really wanted to experience with them.  Although we never did the back packing around Europe thing we did get to see a lot of the Caribbean. Mexico and Greece. 

We tried the resort vacation with our young children (ages 2 and 1) and it was tough!  We were all cramped in one room and my husband and I did not have a lot of options for evening entertainment - our kids go to bed at 8pm - so no TV, no nightclubs, no late dinners etc....Although the buffets were great - so much selection and no waiting - the beaches and pools were quite crowded and my husband and I caught a lot of 'death stares' from couples with no kids (honestly before children we opted for adult only resorts - I really recommend that option for anyone who does not want to be around children)

This year we tried something new.  We rented a villa.  Sounds luxe - it is but still super comfortable and a great option for us!  We now have 3 young children (ages 3, 2 an 8 months).  We are also travelling with my parents (in their 60's), my sister (single and in her mid 30's) and my brother and his girlfriend (both 30).  We have so much space - everyone has a large bedroom with a private bathroom, an indoor and an outdoor dining room, living room, private pool, sea kayaks, private dock and a huge deck over looking the sea!  We also have a full staff to do laundry, cleaning, and all the cooking.  We have WiFi and a TV in every room.  We are steps for the beach with is not crowded at all. 



So why is this a great option for us??
Space - the kids are able to run and play without the worry of being lost or bumping into other guests.  Also there is the option to have a nanny to watch the kids if you want to go out for a date.

Bedrooms - my husband and I actually get to sleep through the night (our kids are loud sleepers and always woke us up when they slept in the room with us)

Freedom - we don't have to cook, clean or do laundry (during or after the trip)

Something for everyone - my parents read on the patio all day while being served drinks and food, my sister, brother and his girlfriend can party at night, sleep in and lounge in the afternoon on the dock or kayak to a near by beach.  My husband, my kids and I are up early. We head to the beach and have lunch and the kids nap in the afternoon while my husband and I actually get to read!

Cost - slightly more than an all-inclusive but not much and we get a better holiday, better quality food and service so for us it is worth it.

Organization - we found the rental company was incredibly helpful and we were able to book our flights directly (if you have travel points like we did, it's great!)  the staff here have helped us with excursions and transportation too

All in all, renting a beach villa is a great option for travellers with young children who still want to have time as a couple. 

Eat your way to better skin

Yes, you can have better skin and you do not have to necessarily take drastic and scary measures to get it.

I never had problems with my skin and suddenly in my early twenties I was having so many breakouts and they just seemed to come out of nowhere and I had a very hard time making them go away!  It was embarrassing and can really affect your social life.  I tried cream and lotions, facials and pills - it was frustrating!  But I never thought at looking at my diet - could it be that what I am putting inside my body is having an affect on the exterior?

I know we have all heard that eating junk food and too much chocolate doesn't cause breakouts but what about other foods?

Check out this book The Clear Skin Diet . It makes a lot of sense (plus you may even shed those last 10 lbs too)

Here are the Cole's notes on the diet.

1.  WATER.  Drink lots of it.  It helps flush out toxins, makes you feel full, hydrates you and can keep unhealthy food cravings at bay.  While drinking water eliminate sugar drinks, too.

2.  DAIRY.  Eliminate or drastically limit milk consumption.  Look at other alternatives for calcium and if you can't eliminate dairy completely stick to yogurt (it has fewer hormones due to the fermentation) or opt for a 400mg calcium supplement taken daily

3.  PROCESSED FOODS.  Stay away from white bread cookies, cakes, crackers etc.  When grocery shopping stay out of the middle of the store (that's where you find those types of foods)

4.  PROCESSED MEATS. Stay away from processed meats like hot dogs but if you like a good steak (I do) look for organic or free range options (again, less hormones that get passed on to you)

5.  OLIVE OIL. Has beneficial fats, corn and veggie oil do not.

6.  FISH.  Again, lots of good fat there look at options like mackerel, sardines and wild-caught salmon.

7.  COLOUR. Eat your colourful veggies!  Carrots, spinach, broccoli etc...and eat them raw or steamed to get the most out of them!

8.  WHOLE GRAINS AND FIBER-RICH CARBS Brown rice, quinoa, whole-grain pasta, lentils and sweet potatoes are good options for starch and have lots of good nutrients for the whole body.

In the meantime, if you are suffering from breakouts but still want to be social - there are great makeup secrets to help you look and feel your best.  Cassandra Bankson, has these great videos on Youtube and she outlines how to cover even the worst breakouts and she is speaking from experience. 

IKEA monkey

Did you hear about this cute little monkey who escaped from his crate and was wandering through a Toronto IKEA parking lot while it's owners were inside shopping?

Since the discovery of a stylish monkey wandering around a Toronto IKEA parking garage Sunday the Twittersphere has exploded with one liners and photoshopped images.
Darwin, the rhesus macaque monkey now in the custody of animal services, has become an overnight Internet sensation and garnered attention from CNN’s Anderson Cooper and a number of politicians on Parliament Hill, not to mention media from around the world.
A number of Twitter users took to the IKEA money hashtag (#ikeamonkey) Monday to quip about the sharp-dressed man, er, monkey.
One Tweeter implied Darwin and Oasis’ Liam Gallagher might be long lost brothers.
“If IKEA has any business sense at all, it'll be rushing sheepskin coat-wearing toy monkeys to its outlets by Christmas,” said @ColinHalling.
“Surely they have to rename the #IkeaMonkey Curious Gëorg?” tweeted @sotonrich.
“Apparentely the #ikeamonkey was simply looking for a place to vomit after eating a couple of those delicious 50 cent Ikea hotdogs,” said @DTrums.
The coat Darwin was wearing has led to a number of photos comparing him to popular celebrities who wore similar coats. Kim Kardashian seems to be losing out to the monkey for most stylish.
An IKEA monkey Twitter account has garnered more than 3,000 followers in 24 hours.

This little monkey has become quite the social media sensation.  Trending on twitter and all over Facebook.

The producers of Anderson Live even called the toronto Police to confirm the details of the story.

This little monkey, named Darwin is safe and healthy and will be heading to a sactuary

Flourless Chocolate Cookies

Yum, with so many people going gluten-free this is a great way to still enjoy baked goods. 

Personally, I'm not a huge fan of walnuts but in this recipe you could substitute the walnuts for pecans or go totally nut free and use raisins or dried cranberries or just keep them plain. They are delicious either way!!

These beautiful flourless cookies are in particularly high demand during Passover, but they have become so popular that we sell them year-round. Their crackled surface gives them an elegant look, and because they are so easy and take barely any time to make, they are great for last-minute entertaining. They have a slightly crunchy exterior and a soft, almost brownie-like interior. They should only be about a half inch at their thickest.

1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons (68 grams) Dutch-processed cocoa powder
3 cups (350 grams) confectioners' sugarPinch of salt
2-3/4 cups (272 grams) walnuts, toasted and coarsely chopped
4 large egg whites, at room temperature
1 tablespoon (15 grams) pure vanilla extract

Place a rack each in the upper and bottom thirds of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.

Combine the cocoa powder, confectioners' sugar, salt, and walnuts in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on low speed for 1 minute. With the mixer running, slowly add the egg whites and vanilla. Mix on medium speed for 3 minutes, until the mixture has slightly thickened. Do not overmix it, or the egg whites will thicken too much.

With a 2-ounce cookie or ice-cream scoop or a generous tablespoon, scoop the batter onto the prepared baking sheets, to make cookies that are 4 inches in diameter. Scoop 5 cookies on each pan, about 3 inches apart so that they don’t stick when they spread. If you have extra batter, wait until the first batch of cookies is baked before scooping the next batch.

Put the cookies in the oven, and immediately lower the temperature to 320°F. Bake for 14 to 16 minutes, or until small thin cracks appear on the surface of the cookies. Switch the pans halfway through baking. Pull the parchment paper with the cookies onto a wire cooling rack, and let cool completely before removing the cookies from the paper. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Christmas cookies: Chocolate Ginger Crinkle Cookies

There is something magical about chocolate crinkle cookies. Little balls of dark chocolate dough are cloaked in a generous coating of confectioners’ sugar and lined up in neat rows on a baking sheet. Then, once in the oven, they are transformed, breaking through the protective white powder and organized line-ups, spreading and cracking as they please. These wondrously crispy and chewy medallions are not only beautiful, but they pack a powerful chocolate punch, as well. This recipe is a play on the traditional chocolate crinkle cookie. The generous infusion of powdered and crystallized gingers gives the cookie a spicy wallop that excitingly enhances and intensifies the chocolate experience.

 

Ingredients
¾ cup all-purpose flour
¼ cup Dutch-process cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
½  teaspoon salt
1 ½  teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter at room temperature

7 ½ oz. semi-sweet chocolate
1 cup granulated sugar
¼ cup packed dark brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ cup finely chopped crystallized ginger
Confectioners’ sugar for rolling

Directions
1 Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, salt, ginger, and cinnamon in a medium bowl.

2 Combine the butter and 3 ounces of the chocolate in a medium, heat-proof bowl. Set the bowl over a saucepan filled with about 11/2 inches of simmering water (being sure not to let the bottom of the bowl touch the water) and stir occasionally until the chocolate and butter have melted and the mixture is smooth.

3 Remove the bowl from the saucepan and set aside to cool slightly, about 10 minutes. (You can also melt the mixture in the microwave, heating it at about 20-second intervals and stirring periodically until it is melted and smooth.)

4 Stir the granulated and brown sugars into the melted chocolate mixture, using a wooden spoon or heatproof spatula. Drop in the eggs, one at a time, mixing briskly until smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract and gradually incorporate the flour mixture. Fold in the remaining 41/2 ounces of chocolate and the crystallized ginger. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and set in the refrigerator to chill for at least 2 hours or overnight.

5 Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

6 Shape the chilled dough into walnut-size balls, roll in confectioners’ sugar, and arrange them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. (If your kitchen is quite warm and the dough becomes too soft, return it to the refrigerator until chilled and fairly firm.) Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cookies have spread and the tops are cracked.

7 Cool the cookies on the baking sheets set on wire racks for about 2 minutes before removing them to the racks to cool completely. Store the cookies in an airtight container or in a zip-top bag for up to 4 days.

Makes 40 cookies.

Looking for other great cookie recipes for this Christmas?  http://www.styleathome.com/food-and-entertaining/recipes/25-christmas-cookie-recipes/a/33177?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=sah_dd_121128

Extreme kids rooms

OMG!! Looking for some wild inspiration for decorating your child's room....check out some of these amazing rooms for teens and babies and everyone in between.

http://www.circleofmoms.com/article/33-dream-bedrooms-kids-05588?trk=digest_editorial_5588&email_enc=n8uj1NOhrczcz9DY1KbToqCZ1KuZzaKm&email_src=135223447194ac4b38460ceeb5d494ec2fecf2465d&template_name=digest_weekly&subject_id=b0698d805a7e66f16d813af96c1b3c34%3A0&cc_id=f_5588&has_fb=1#_

The LEGO room

The Carnival room

What to do with...leftover Halloween candy

Well, Halloween is over and so is the sugar high!  Luckily, I was smart this year and didn't totally over buy but we still have some left overs and instead of just blindly munching away on the tiny little treats I wanted to do something more productive.

I decided to use the M&M candies in my chocolate chip cookies instead of typical chocolate chips.  They turned out great - the kids loved the taste and the pops of colour!



But what about the other treats...?

Try cheesecake topped with your favourite chopped up candy bars like Mars or Snickers

or, add chopped up peppermint patties to a brownie

Chocolate Bark you can add just about anything even raisins or salty pretzels

My kids love this!!!

I know we probably have the last seats on the bandwagon but my kids absolutely love this song and the video.  They are just mesmorized by it!

They love the beat, the dancing and the costumes!

The other night it was bath time and the kids were just off the wall and I was alone.  I brought the laptop up to the bathroom and played the video/song and they just stopped.  They came to the bathroom, and had a bath while listening to PSY.  It worked wonders and really helped me out!

Gangnam Style by PSY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bZkp7q19f0



The song is so fun and don't worry moms and dads although the lyrics are in Korean, there is an English translation and there is nothing rude or swearing.

Recipe: Chocolate Pumpkin Cake

This is a great Fall birthday cake and the pumpkin adds some rich flavour and makes the cake really moist.  I also like this as a great Thanksgiving dessert. 

Chocolate Pumpkin Cake

·         1 1/2cup(s) flour

·         2/3cup(s) cocoa

·         2 teaspoon(s) baking powder

·         1 teaspoon(s) baking soda

·         1/2teaspoon(s) salt

·         1/2cup(s) buttermilk

·         1 cup(s) canned pumpkin

·         2 teaspoon(s) vanilla extract

·         3/4cup(s) butter, softened

·         1 cup(s) dark brown sugar

·         1 cup(s) granulated sugar

·         3 large eggs

·         1 egg yolk

---

· Grease a cake pan or Bundt cake mold or cupcake tin lightly butter or PAM spray and pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees

· Mix the flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together. Stir the buttermilk, pumpkin, and vanilla extract together in a small bowl. Beat the butter and sugars together using an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. OR, clarify the butter in the microwave and mix with the sugar (much easier if you do not have an electric mixer) beat in the eggs and yolk, one at a time. Reduce mixer speed to low and alternately beat in the flour and buttermilk mixtures in thirds.

· Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake until a tester, inserted in the center, comes out clean--about 35 minutes. Cool cake completely before icing.

I cannot make icing to save my life, so I just use store bought and cream cheese icing gives the cake another layer of flavor and richness.

This has been a favourite in my family for 7 years (that was when I discovered the recipe).  I’ve brought it to other functions and always had rave reviews – I’m sure you will too!!

Recipe: Pulled Pork

So Southern cuisine is so popular right now and I think it's because the ingredients are easy on the pocket book and also easy to work with.  Check out this super easy and delicious pulled pork and the best part is you can make heaps and freeze it and it is so yummy!!

Plus, kids love it, too!

Here's what you need:

- 1 4lb pork roast (butt or shoulder are the best cuts to use)
- 2 large to medium sized onions
- 1 cup of ginger ale
- 1 bottle of BBQ sauce (try Sweet baby Ray's, it's our favourite)

* you'll also need a slow cooker and hamburger buns and if you really like it messy more BBQ sauce!

Here's what to do:

1-  Slice up the two onions.  Put half of the onions in the bottom of the slow cooker

2 - Add the roast (it should be thawed)

3 - Add the rest of the onions on top of the roast

4 - Add the ginger ale

5 - Set at LOW heat for about 10 hours (yes, 10 hours - this is going to melt off all of the fat and start tenderizing the meat)

6 - After 10 hours, remove the meat and strain the liquid.  Keep the onions but dump out the liquid

7 - With two forks you should be able to tear the roast apart - tear all the meat apart and chop up those onions.  Put the onions and the meat back in the slow cooker, add the whole bottle of BBQ sauce and stir.

8 - Set the slow cooker at LOW and let the meat cook for another 6 hours

9 - Get ready to serve on hamburger buns.  My husband likes to add dill pickles to his sandwiches.

10 - Any leftovers will freeze really well.

I like to serve a green or kale salad on the side. But if you really want to dive into Southern flavours - try mac and cheese, collard greens, coleslaw or baked beans.

Fits like a glove!

So for about 10 years now I have been going to get a professional bra fitting every time I 'stock up' on bras and underwear.  It is SO worth it!

You may have seen the Oprah bra revolution on TV.

Experts estimate that about 80% of us are wearing the wrong size.  Unfortunately, there is no universal  sizing system for bras - so you have to try they on!  And do not be discouraged by the size on the tag.
Many of us are wearing too small a bra which means there will be poking, spilling out and squeezing.Ugh!  Not to mention the health issues: neck pain, back pain, head aches, stretching or compressing of the breast tissue.

Women go through (on average) 6 different bra sizes in their lifetime.  and if you have had children you will know just by looking - your breasts have changed!

Bra Basics:

1.  Understand your bra size.  So if you are a 36B, B is the cup size and 36 is the band size.

2.  It's really best to have someone measure you, it's really tough to do on your own.

3.  A good bra fitter professional can measure over a t-shirt or tank top, so if you are shy...you don't need to be nervous about being naked.

4.  At your bra fitting, if the first two don't work don't get discouraged.  It takes time but once you find your perfect fit - it will totally change the way your body looks and how clothes look on your body.  Hint: you will look slimmer because everything will be in the right place!

5.  Some bra fitting professionals will ask you what size you are wearing now.  Have you try a bra on in that size and see where to go from there.  But some like to use a measuring tape.  There's no real right way to do it.

6.  A proper fitting bra shouldn't hurt.

7.  Keep good care of your bras.  Get the right soap, hand wash and hang to dry OR gentle cycle in a laundry bag.

So if you want a professional fitting where do you go?

*Start by looking on google for specialty stores (especially if you are a small size or big size)

* Some of my picks: Lilac Lingerie, Marianne's, Ainsi soit-elle  

If you want to know more about finding the right bra size yourself, check out this link: http://www.herroom.com/bra-fitting-advice,901,30.html

Recipe: Curried Squash Soup

Mmm...this is such an easy meal.  Very hardy, filling, healthy and perfect for the fall season.  I hated squash as a child but I really liked it in a soup - so maybe your kids will, too - mine do! 

The main ingredient : squash is in season and so inexpensive.  Plus this soup freezes VERY well, so make a whole bunch and freeze what you don't eat.

You need:
- 2 tbsp of butter (use unsalted to control the sodium in your diet)
- 1 large onion (I like to use Sweet onion)
- 1 tbsp of flour
- 2 cups of chicken stock (for vegetarians use veggie stock)
- 1 pkg of frozen squash or 3  medium sized squashes (If using unfrozen squash, try cutting it in quarters, season with some cinnamon, salt and pepper and bake for 15 minutes just to soften it up from the tough exterior skin)
- 1 small apple (I like Granny Smith, Cortland or Lobo)
- 1 tsp of curry powder
- 1/4 tsp of ground coriander
- 3/4 cup of milk or cream
salt and pepper
plain yogurt

In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat, cook the onion (about 5 minutes) or until tender. 

Stir in the flour ans gradually start stirring in the stock

Add squash, apple, curry powder and coriander - bring to a boil and cover for 20 minutes

Now transfer the mixture to a blender or food processor. 

TIP: instead or covering up the blender/food processor with the lid use a tea towel - this allows the steam to escape.  If a blender or food processor gets to hot it can crack or worse explode (I learned this the hard way)

Puree until smooth, this may have to be done in a few batches - that's OK.

Once pureed, put back into the saucepan and stir in the milk/cream and cook until heated throughout.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

Once ready to serve, add a dollop of plain yogurt (Greek yogurt will add some tang) and serve some bread with this meal.

Serves about 4 people.

Recipe : Southern Style Fried Chicken

This is such an easy and delicious recipe your family will think that you ordered in!  This is also great because it's inexpensive using everyday ingredients and it keeps well for lunch and snacks.

The only 'trick' is you need to plan when you want to eat, because the chicken needs to marinate overnight (or up to 24 hours)

Let's get started:

Get a family size package of chicken legs (or drumsticks).  Be sure to have them thawed before marinating.

For the marinade, you will need:
- 1 tsp of celery seed
- 1 tsp of rosemary
- 1/2 tsp of black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 minced cloves of garlic
- 1/2 of a small onion (minced)
- 2 cups of buttermilk
- 2 tbsp of salt
- 1 tbsp of sugar

Mix together and put in a large Ziploc bag.  Add the chicken legs and let sit overnight or up to 24 hours

Now, carefully remove the chicken legs from the bag but DO NOT toss out the buttermilk marinated - you will be using it again.

Place the chicken on a cookie sheet while you prepare the dry coating mix.

In a shallow bowl, mix:
- 1 1/2 cups of flour
- 1/2 tsp of onion powder
- 2 tbsp of paprika
- 1 tsp of celery seed
- 1/4 tsp of black pepper

You will also need 1L of cooking oil - Veggie oil or Canola is best.  Olive Oil is too heavy and will pull off the coating from the chicken.  If you do not have a fryer (I don't) just heat up the oil in a stock pot.  It should be at least 2 inches deep.  The oil MUST be HOT before you fry the chicken. 

Now, take the buttermilk marinate out of the bag and put in a bowl.

I create my own little assembly line starting from the left where I have my chicken waiting on a cookie sheet, next is my dry coating mix, then the buttermilk and then another cookie sheet (or large serving plate).

Take a leg and dip in the dry mix, then dip (quickly) in the buttermilk mix and then dip again in the dry mix.  Leave it on the other cookie dish (or plate).  Do this for every chicken leg. 

Once the oil is hot and ready, add your chicken (you will probably not be able to fry all of the legs at once).  The chicken will take about 12-15 minutes to fully cook - look for a deep golden brown colour on the skin.

This is a favourite in my house and I'm sure it will be a favourite in yours, too. 

Recipe: Salty Chocolate Chip Cookies

Mmmmm....homemade cookies! Nothing beats the smell or the taste.  But if you are looking for a slightly different chocolate chip cookie recipe - here it is! 

A little known fact: salt helps to bring out the full flavour of chocolate, so if you like a little salt with a little sweet - this is for you!

These are great for a after school treat or something warm and yummy on a cool rainy day.  Cookies also freeze very well in Ziploc bags, so make a ton and freeze them for next time.

Pre-heat your oven to 360 degrees.  And grease your cookie sheets.  This recipe makes about 2 to 3 dozen

You need:
- 1 cup of unsalted butter (soften or zap in the microwave to clarify - makes it much easier to mix)
- 1/2 cup of sugar
- 1 1/2 cups of brown sugar
- 2 eggs (large)
- 2 tsp. of vanilla
- 2 3/4 cups of flour
- 3/4 tsp of sea salt or coarse salt
- 1 tsp. of baking soda
- 1 1/2 tsp. of baking powder
- 2 1/4 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips

- Mix the butter and the sugars together, until smooth.  Once smooth add the eggs (one at a time) and mix.  Once blended together, add the vanilla.

- Next add the baking soda, baking powder and salt mix it all together.  Add the flour and blend together.

- Last but not least, add the chocolate chips and mix.

- I use a table spoon to scoop up the dough.  I roll it in my hands creating a ball and place on the greased cookie sheet roughly one to one and a half inches apart.  I find a tight ball keeps them from spreading out too much.  Once all of my cookies are on the sheets, I use a small dessert fork to make little grip patterns on top by slightly squishing them down (like you would do on a peanut butter cookie)

- You know your oven best but these should bake for about 12-14 minutes.  Look for them to be slightly golden on the edges.

- Let them cool for about 5 minutes

- Once cool - dig in and enjoy!

Family Photo Fun

Do you ever think your family is the only one that has embarrassing photos?  You aren't! 

You've probably seen this on Ellen

but if you are looking for a little fun and some lighthearted laugh....
Take a look at this website  www.awkwardfamilyphotos.com

Let's Do Lunch!

Ugh....the kids have been back to school for only a little bit over a week but us moms are already tired of making lunches.  I don't know why but it's the chore we all dread the most. 

with limited options due to allergies an no microwaves in school lunchrooms - it's tough to be creative and have your kids actually eat their lunch.

So try some fresh and easy ideas to keep lunchtime fun

1.  Thermos of soup or chili is a great idea.  It's healthy, filling and perfect for those cooler days.

2.  Try wraps instead of sandwiches - turkey with a bit of mayo, cheese and some dried cranberries is a yummy twist or ham and cheddar cheese with green apple.

3.  Raw veggies and dip (hummus and tzatziki are great!)

4.  Cream cheese and jelly instead of PB

5.  Colourful food like red, yellow and orange peppers (they are super healthy and slightly sweet so kids tend to like them more)

6.  Pita pizza - cold pizza is delicious

7.  Homemade muffins are a great snack or lunch treat

8.  Pasta salad with steamed veggies (and some tomato sauce - too much can get really messy)

9.  Fajitas!  A wrap, some salsa, some veggies, some grated cheese and meat - wrapped individually and let them make their own

10.  Home made fruit salad

You know what your kids like, so stick with that (assuming it is healthy) and try adding new items a bit at a time.  Kids really are creatures of habit so don't push them too hard or too fast.

Keep it small.  Big portions can be really intimidating for kids plus you'll end up wasting more food that way.

Kids love a little something sweet - think of it as a reward for eating right but keep the treat healthy - fruit, dried fruit or home baked treats are a great option

Listen to your kids - maybe they mention something 'cool' or 'yummy' that one of his classmates brought for snack or lunch.  I remember as a child the first time I tried a bagel was sharing a lunch with a friend at school.

Add some wipes or damp cloth in a Ziploc bag to clean hands after lunch (the teachers will really appreciate it, too)

Sometimes the lunchbox itself is a big deal, let your child select the one that they like best - it's a great way to get them excited about eating right (and going to school)

Let your child know you love them and are thinking of them - leave little notes or jokes in the lunch bag (if they are reading on their own)

Halloween Style

Yes, Halloween is fast approaching - it is such a fun holiday for everyone but you do not want to be that parent who didn't plan ahead.  My husband thinks I am nuts to plan costumes ahead of time but as busy moms only get busier it really is best to plan ahead.  The stores are stocking Halloween stuff earlier and earlier, and let's face it the sales don't happen until after the big day - so get it now!

To keep costs down, I re-use costumes (for my sons and daughters) when they are really young.  So I always get something very gender neutral.  Some of my personal choices: pumpkin (this was ADORABLE when my daughter was just 4 months old), monkey (which was was my son's costume last year that my daughter will be wearing this year) and tiger.  Other options: mouse, cat, bear, really any animal, ghost, skeleton, farmer - when they are young you can really make the choice yours. 

Take lots of photos!  Aunts, uncles and grandparents love to see the little ones in costume - it's just too cute!!

If you live in a cooler climate (I do! - it has been known to snow around Halloween) find a costume that will be warm head to toe (again why I opt for the animal costumes - they are head to toe in warm fleece)

When they are little (like under 5) keep the make-up really really minimal.  They don't usually have the patience to have it applied or removed so don't bother!

So what are the top picks (by parents) for Halloween costumes?

Toddlers:
- Ladybug
- Fairy
- Animated Characters
- pumpkin (actually veggies are really popular for infants: pea in a pod and berries are popular, too)
- animals

Over the age of 5 but under 12
- Knight
- Ninja
- super hero
- vampire
- ghost
- Disney princess
- pirate
- witch


If you want to make your child's costume but aren't totally gifted when it comes to sewing - try making a gypsy costume with some of you clothing and maybe some of theirs' too.  Layer lots of costume jewellery, add a head scarf, look for a thick hip hanging belt, some boho skirts and tops, big hoop earrings, boots are great and some eye make up too.

For a lady bug or bumble bee, have your child dressed in all black, add some wire and Styrofoam balls to a head band, cut out bee/lady bug wings using cardboard and paint - so easy!

If you are buying be sure to get the children's version of the costume, not just for sizing but the adult version costumes can be a little too sexy for kids.


Some of my favourite stores for Halloween costumes:

Wal-Mart

HomeSense

Superstore

Cody Party Supply

Target

Mommy manicure

Every now and then I treat myself to a manicure!  It's so nice to be pampered....Whether you seek professional help for a manicure or can take it on at home yourself (or perhaps with a friend).  Here are the hot nail polish trends for Fall 2012.

Everyday:
- Short nails with a rounded edge (perfect for a mommy on the go!)

Mommy's night out:
- deep colours such a burgundy and midnight navy blue

- classic red (think retro 50's, naughty housewife)

Trendy mommy:
- beige and cream tones (make fingers appear longer - a very clean look, too)

Edgy mommy:
- the opposite French manicure.  Cream or Putty base with a deep red tip or black tip

Runway mommy:
- Metallic

The importance of Date Night

I'm a mother of 3 young children (ages 3, 2 and 5 months) and being at home with these three is a full time gig and it's tough!  Cleaning, cooking, laundry, shopping it never stops plus don't forget about feeding, preparing meals, breaking up arguments over toys, handing out snacks, changing diapers and playtime with the kids.  some days I realize around 5pm that I haven't even showered - yuck!   My husband works long hours as a salesman and his hours involve a lot of weekends and evenings - which is tough on all of us.  So we decided early on to have a designated 'date night'.  We have a babysitter every Wednesday night and we go out.  She handles the kids' dinner and baths - they kids know her very well and just adore her - and my husband and I have a night without all of the parental responsibilities. 

It's a great opportunity to re-connect and have some fun!  I am able to get out of my mommy uniform and relax a bit.  Some of our great date night ideas: couples massage, dinner out (not at a family restaurant - sushi is a big favourite), yoga class, out for drinks, movies...We are looking into a cooking class now.

Date night is great for all of us.  It gives my husband and I a break from the kids but it also gives the kids exposure to someone else.  Someone that mommy and daddy trust and it helps them to build confidence.  They know we are coming back and because of our regular date night our kids don't really make strange.

It's so important for your kids to see you and your husband as a couple, too.  it's healthy and sets a healthy example of a relationship.  We have a lot of friends who once they became parents kind of forgot about each other and many of them are now legally separated and only communicate about pick up/drop off times for the kids;  and others just do not have a relationship with their spouse at all. 

If you absolutely cannot get a sitter (or one than you trust) why not have a date night at home? after the kids have gone to bed, have a glass of wine, cook an awesome meal together, indulge in a decadent dessert, shut off the TV, or rent a movie that you both have really wanted to see, have your own couples book club...whatever you decide to do have that one on one time as a couple to have a strong relationship. 

Some of my favourite books

So it's back to school this week and I know from my background as a teacher how important reading is.  Reading to your child helps them develop and expand their vocabulary, learn how a story develops, voice inflection and pronunciation plus it's a great way to bond with your child. 

In my home we read to our children every night and they love it!  But it takes time to develop that routine - so don't give up.  Be sure to start with books that are age appropriate for your child.

When I first started reading to my children - these were the favourite in our home.

These books are a great start Sandra Boynton has so many wonderful books - be sure to check out her other books too.
Very repetitive and cute!  the kids will love them and will love hearing you read these ones over and over again....

You'll probably want to start expanding you library a bit and it's good to do that for the kids too.
You can strat adding books that are a bit longer and have some more words.

These books are more interactive.  Pus there are other books by these authors too. Eric Carle is a classic children's author and Eric Hill has many more interactive books for children too. One great thing about these books too is that after a few years they will become favourites of your child.  My 3 year old son loves to read 'Where's Spot?" to my husband and I - it's so cute!!

As your child is getting old and getting ready to start school or it perhaps just starting - you will want picture books with even more writing and more of a story.  My son and daughter are enjoying some different books right now but here's a sampling of their current favourites.

Books also make a great gift and if you have nieces and nephews living all over the country you can order and deliver online  Amazon.com  and  Chapters.ca are amazing and super quick too. Plus they have lists of great recommendations for kids. 
Another great idea - buy the collections (all the series on one book) Curious George, Madeline, Jillian Jiggs, Robert Munch and so many more come in collections.

If you can't afford to buy books- check our your local library. You can check out about 10 books at a time, many libraries offer activities and reading times for kids and they will love the trip to and from the library.