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.

The Nerve Centre

Organizational Guru Peter Walsh  has amazing ideas to help us all get organized and keep the clutter out of our lives.  He suggests that all families have what he calls a 'nerve centre'.  This is the area where we manage the household.  This where the family's commitments and activities are managed and organized.

His tips include:

1- Get the whole family involved in the process of setting up the nerve centre.  If it is just mom getting this together the kids (especially teens) are less likely to buy into this.  Plus this is for every one's benefit - so everyone should participate and fully understand what this is about.

2 - The nerve centre should be in a common area like a nook in the kitchen, front entry or the mudroom - not some one's bedroom. 

3 - Once you have selected the area for your nerve centre.  Start by completely de-cluttering that space.  So you can start fresh!

4 -  Have a place for everything.  A cork board for notices, a large calendar to track every one's activities and commitments (you can even colour code each member of the family and keep the pens by the calendar), have a tray for incoming mail, have a bin for your purse/wallet, have a key ring to hang keys, and bins for each child for their backpack/hats/mitts etc.

5 - Remember practice makes perfect.  To turn this routine into a habit you all must practice and try not to get frustrated along the way - it takes a bit of time to stay organized but once you are, you'll love the feeling!

Don't lose it!!

I remember when I was younger my little brother lost just about everything - shoes, backpacks, lunch bags you name it he lost it - and I also remember how frustrated my parents were with him.  They were spending so much money on buying and re-buying the basics for school and just everyday life because my brother just couldn't stop losing his things.

If only Mabel's Labels had existed!!

I love this company and their products.  They are perfect for moms and dads but also teachers and really anyone who wants to label anything...plus they are really tapping into other age groups too.

If your child has an allergy, check out their safety line of products - genius!

Their bag tags are great too - I use them for my son's diaper bag for when he is at daycare.

The clothing labels are perfect because their are laundry safe and their shoe labels are extra tough

If your child is anything like my brother, check out their combo packs!

This is perfect for back to school time. Get the kids involved in labeling their own items.

Maybe get your school involved in their fundraising program.
Plus you can order on line which is perfect for a busy mommy on the go!