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How to Support New Parents with SPATULA Foods (Promo Code)

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When someone you know and love has welcomed a new addition to their family, we all want to be there for them but sometimes knowing just how to show up isn’t easy. There are feeding and sleeping schedules to navigate and endless exhaustion to combat, so visiting unexpectedly is far from welcome. We’ve got a new favourite way to show support for the new parents in our lives with SPATULA Foods (and treat ourselves, too)! 

Give the delicious gift of SPATULA Foods

Make mealtimes one less thing to worry about

There’s nothing like the gift of a restaurant experience at home, so you can enjoy chef-quality food in your comfiest clothes (with or without spit-up). Ordering in from a meal delivery service requires a fair amount of forethought… Between choosing where to order from, waiting for the food to be prepared, picked-up, and dropped off, ordering in can take well over an hour. And which new parent has the time or the energy to grocery shop and cook something from scratch? 

Luckily, busy parents can enjoy restaurant-quality dishes at home in just 10 minutes with SPATULA Foods! Being able to pull an authentic Beef Bourguignon with Pearl Onions and Pomme Purée or Sweet & Tangy Orange Chicken with Sesame Broccoli Jasmine Rice straight out of the freezer without defrosting or thawing, and enjoying it mere moments later is something they’ll appreciate more than words can describe.

What is SPATULA FOODS

At this point, I’m sure you’re asking: this sounds too good to be true… What is SPATULA Foods and how do I get some for myself or my loved ones? 

SPATULA Foods can most easily be described as a meal kit, but faster and easier! Each SPATULA dish is ready in just 10 minutes with just a pan and spatula, so enjoying gourmet dishes at home truly couldn’t be easier. Their dishes are fully prepared by chefs to the point they’re about 90% ready, and then flash-frozen so the nutrients, flavour, and quality are locked in without the use of preservatives. They’re then shipped to your front door with dry ice so the dishes remain frozen, and when you’re ready to enjoy, all you have to do is take them out of the freezer, place the food in a pan, stir with a spatula (hence their name!) and enjoy! 

Better still, as an Ontario start-up, they work with locally-celebrated chefs to turn their restaurant-quality dishes into something you can whip up at home in minutes. Been hearing lots about R&D downtown since they received Michelin bib gourmand recognition? Their Singapore Black Pepper Udon with Shrimp and Gai Lan was created by Chef Eric Chong, the MasterChef winner and owner of R&D. 

SPATULA+ Friends

They’ve also just launched SPATULA+ Friends Marketplace by working with local businesses to help make their tasty frozen products accessible to more Ontarians. SPATULA customers can now enjoy local favourites like General Assembly Pizza, Crafty Ramen, kDumps, Conspiracy Pizza, Phamily Eats, and Churnt Up Ice Cream simply by adding them to their order! We all know the value of supporting local, but now you don’t have to live in the area to do so. It’s a win-win for everyone!

SPATULA FOODS PROMOTION CODE

Use code OTTAWAMOMMYCLUB for $30 off your first SPATULA order! Our friends at SPATULA know that new parents have a lot on the go, so this code won’t expire. They’re ready to make mealtimes easier for you, whenever you are! 

Give the delicious gift of SPATULA Foods or share the love by sending a box of dishes you know they’ll love straight to their door with our Discovery Box option or by sending them a virtual gift card so they can choose their dishes and delivery date themselves. 

For more information on SPATULA Foods, you can visit their website and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest!

Disclaimer: This article is sponsored by SPATULA Foods.

Mickey Christmas Gift Tags with Free Printable

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Christmas gifts are made extra special when a gift tag is added to it. These Mickey Christmas gift tags are a cute way to spread holiday cheer with a bit of magic from this lovable character. The Christmas gift tags are also easy to make with the free printable!

When was Mickey Mouse Created?

Mickey Mouse was created by Walter Disney and Ub Iwerks. The first time this iconic character appeared on screen was in “Steamboat Willie” on November 18, 1928. Fun fact: Did you know the lovable mouse we all know and love was once a rabbit? He was named Oswald the Luck Rabbit. A dispute between Disney and his business partner at Universal Pictures resulted in Disney losing the rights to this character. Disney was then inspired to create Mickey Mouse, and the rest is history.

The History of Gift Giving

There are many thoughts about when the tradition of gift giving began. Some attribute gift giving during what we consider Christmas to the conversion of Emperor Constantine to Christianity in 312 AD. Pagans would travel to significant locations to feast and exchange gifts to celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of the next. One theory is that religious leaders helped convert pagans to the ruling religious practices of the times by adapting various traits of their pagan festivals to suit those of Christianity.

What do you write on a Christmas gift tag?

Not sure what to write on DIY gift tags for Christmas? Below are a few ways you can spread holiday cheer on these Mickey Mouse gift tags.

  1. If you want to share something short and traditional on your Disney Christmas gift tags, you can simply say, “Merry Christmas and a happy new year” or “Wishing you a happy Christmas.”
  2. For people who do not celebrate Christmas, you can write, “May your days be merry and bright,” or “Wishing you a season full of happiness.”
  3. Want to write something short and humorous? You can use these ideas, “Cheers my deers!” or Hope your Xmas sleighs!”
  4. For pet lovers, you can write on these DIY Christmas tags, “Have a pawsitively happy holiday!” “Merry Christmas from our pack to yours,” or Meowy Christmas and a purrfect new year!”

Fun ways to hang a gift tag?

There is more than one way to display a Mickey Christmas tag on a gift this holiday season. Here are a few places you can hang them:

  1. Add an object to your gift tag. Whether it is a pinecone, a sprig of holy, or some other small seasonal item, an embellishment is a sweet way to add whimsy to a gift tag.
  2. If the gift is a small one, you can stick the gift on the gift tag. This way, you are adding dimension to the gift. If you choose to use this method, make sure it is made on sturdy cardstock so it does not flop or break.
  3. Did you know that laundry pins can be used for more than hanging laundry? You can colour or decorate a small clothespin and clip or stick it to your gift for a cute look for your gift.
  4. Punch a hole in your DIY gift tag and use some ribbon or twine to tie it to your gift. Tying your gift tag on a gift can add a festive look to your gift box or bag while hanging your tag.  

Mickey Christmas Gift Tags with Free Printable

You can easily print the free printable Mickey Mouse gift tags by clicking on one of the photos above. Simply download the free printable Christmas tags for gifts PDF and print.

Happy Holidays!

Beautiful You, Beautiful Me Book Review

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Raising children in a multiracial family is a constant lesson in learning how to celebrate our differences. Owlkids Books has titles that can help kids discover their own uniqueness. We are excited to be reviewing Beautiful You, Beautiful Me by Tasha Spillet-Sumner.

Beautiful You Beautiful Me Book Review Marcus Cover 1

My son was asked to read a few titles from Owlkids that touch on various topics. Each of these books share a different message to help open the world to them from numerous points of view. You can read our book review of Revenge of the Raccoons!

WHO IS OWLKIDS BOOKS?

Owlkids Books is a Toronto-based award-winning independent book publisher for readers aged 0-14 years-old. They love making books that help kids to find a love of reading and to learn about the world around them.

Spillet-Sumner’s Beautiful You, Beautiful Me is an enchanting book about Izzy. She is an Afro-Indigenous girl who is beginning to notice that she and her mom look different in many ways. Izzy becomes confused with why she and her mom don’t look the same. With guidance from her mother, Izzy begins to see how these differences make her special, and how it also connects them beyond their physical traits.

Beautiful You Beautiful Me Book Review Marcus Book 1

BEAUTIFUL YOU, BEAUTIFUL ME BOOK REVIEW

Spillet-Sumner shared Izzy’s story in an endearing and gentle manner. The language she chose to use is simple for many children to understand. Spillet-Sumner also depicts   situations that many parents and their children share together to help young readers find similarities with how they connect with their parents.

Salini Perera brought Spillet-Sumner’s words to life with her warm and loving illustrations. Perera’s use of bright yet cozy colours add to the words on each page. It was sweet to see how close Izzy and her mom were throughout the pages. I could feel every caring smile, hug, and touch between these two characters.

A WARM HUG FOR BEAUTIFUL YOU, BEAUTIFUL ME

Beautiful You Beautiful Me Book Review Marcus Book 2

My son and I loved reading Beautiful You, Beautiful Me . We found we were a lot like Izzy and her mom. He was able to relate with Izzy and her confusion. He asks me many questions about our physical differences, as well as how he is different from everyone else in our family. 

Beautiful You, Beautiful Me also helped him feel less alone in his feelings about being a member of a multiracial family. My son could see that there are many children who have the same questions he did. He also learned to find his own uniqueness in his differences.

We would gladly recommend Beautiful You, Beautiful Me. This title is going to become one of the books to read together. Its tender nature would also lend itself to making a great bedtime story for kids. I really loved how it allows for children to read to learn how to discover and express their identity and what makes them special. 

We learned more about Owlkids Books by following their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube channels.

Beautiful You Beautiful Me Book Review Marcus Read 2

Disclaimer: I was given this book by Owlkids Books to write this review. The views I shared are my own.

Nest Designs Baby Clothing Review

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I was thrilled to receive all the beautiful clothing items from Nest Designs to review. I have to let you know all the designs we received are for a child between the ages of 12 months-old and 18 months-old.

Nest Designs Baby Clothing Review

Who are Nest Designs?

Nest Designs is a clothing brand for babies and young children. Tammy Lo, their founder and designer, started Nest Designs in 2013. Based in Vancouver, they design premium, eco-friendly products with a bit of a west coast vibe.

Nest Design Review

Below are the pieces my son got to try:

Basics Organic Cotton Ribbed Harem Leggings Review

My son just started walking a few weeks ago, so he needs pants that can keep up with the new adventures he seeks around our home. The Basic Organic Cotton Ribbed Harem Leggings (2 Pack) in dark grey were certainly up for this challenge. 

Nest Designs Review of Harem Leggings

These pants are rugged enough to wear while he is crawling, rolling, or walking at playtime. They are also cozy enough for him to snuggle down when he is at rest.

I really like how these pants feature flat seams. Designing these harem leggings this way prevents the seams from pressing into his legs when wearing them. The cuffed ends help to keep my little guy’s legs warm.

Bamboo Terry Back Baby Bandana Bib (2 Pack) Review

Bibs are still an essential piece of clothing for my growing guy. These Penguin Bamboo Terry Back Baby Bandana Bibs were great to have on hand. They are large and cover my son from his neck to the halfway point of his chest.

Nest Designs Review of bib

The west coast vibe of Nest Designs is front and center on these bandana bibs. The colours are vibrant and beautiful, and the swimming penguins are cute and playful.

The terrycloth underside of the bib did a good job of keeping my son’s clothing dry by catching the moisture that landed on its topside. The fit was great. It was snug without rubbing against his neck.

Organic Cotton One-Piece Zip Footless Sleeper – Guess Hoo Review

My family loves birds, especially owls, so I was excited for my guy to wear the Organic Cotton One-Piece Zip Footless Sleeper in the Guess Hoo print. 

Nest Designs Review of One-Piece Zip Footless Sleeper

The material for this piece is extremely soft, yet it felt thick and durable. The owl print is fun with the owls going in every direction. 

My son smiled when he saw the owls on this sleeper. After putting this piece on, he was able to run around our home without getting caught up in this piece. He put this footless sleeper through its paces, and they still looked as though they had not been worn. 

Organic Cotton Long Sleeve Footed Sleep Bag 1.0 TOG – Beluga Boogie Review

I was curious for my son to wear the Organic Cotton Long Sleeve Footless Sleep Bag 1.0 TOG in the Beluga Boogie print. My little guy is not a fan of being too warm when he sleeps, so I wanted to see how well he would do in this outfit.

Nest Designs Review of Long Sleeve Footed Sleep Bag

The sleep bag is intended for kids to wear outdoors or inside to keep them snug and warm. When he wore it, he looked comfy and toasty. The belugas on this sleep bag were cute and looked as though they were having a lot of fun. 

I LOVED the two-way zipper and button snaps. The two-way zip allowed for me to pull his legs out of the piece easier during a diaper change. At night, the button snaps made a midnight diaper change a breeze without disturbing him in this sleeper.

Organic Cotton Footless Sleeper – Eric Carle Candy Cane Lane Review

With the holidays approaching, I wanted to have a festive item to try. Nest Designs and the World of Eric Carle did a collaboration for a holiday line of clothing. This print was created to celebrate Carle’s beloved character, The Very Hungry Caterpillar in their Candy Cane Lane print for this Organic Cotton Footless Sleeper. 

Nest Designs Review of Footless Sleeper

This organic cotton zipper sleeper was a sweet item for my son to wear. The Hungry Caterpillar is one of his favourite books, and he liked pointing out all the caterpillar characters on this piece. 

The cuffs at the bottom of the legs of this sleeper were also great to help keep his legs warm. The two-way zipper made changing time easy. The candy canes, bows, stockings, and other festive printed items are a fun touch to round out the look of this sleeper.

My Conclusions of Nest Designs

Overall, my son and I have become fans of Nest Designs. The material of these items are soft yet rugged enough to take on the challenges my guy put them through. All these pieces were also warm and breathable, keeping my son toasty without soaking him in sweat. The west coast vibe was present in every print from their collections, and the Eric Carle collaboration print is one we will cherish. We cannot wait to find more pieces of clothing for my son to wear from Nest Designs!

My family learned more about Nest Designs by following their Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube channels.

Disclaimer: I was given items from Nest Designs to write this review. The views I shared are my own.

Easy Things You Can Do to Keep Your Yard Child-Friendly this Winter

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A backyard is an extension of your home and provides a safe outdoor area for children to explore. Studies have found that children with yards are more likely to play outside than those without. This winter in Ottawa is predicted to be cold and snowy, with the worst of the weather hitting in January. It’s good for kids to play outside in the frost and snow, but you do need to make sure that your yard is safe.

Things You Can Do to Keep Your Yard Child-Friendly this Winter

A secure fence

The Farmers’ Almanac has predicted that there will be storms in the areas surrounding Ottawa this winter. The tail end of a storm can cause damage to your fence and even blow it down. Snowfall is also predicted to be higher than normal. Snow can cause fencing to warp, crack, expand, and break. Good quality fencing is needed to keep your children safe and in the confines of your yard. Regularly check it throughout the winter. As soon as you notice any issues, act quickly to repair or replace it.

Deter disease-ridden rodents

Rodents, such as rats and mice, don’t hibernate and will hang around your garden during the winter just as much as they do in the summer. Kids often find these animals cute and want to pet them. Unfortunately, wild rodents can carry some nasty diseases, such as Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, that can make humans sick. The good news is that their haven’t been any reported cases of Hantavirus in Ottawa since it became a notifiable disease in 2001. As illnesses like this can cause horrible symptoms, you should discourage rodents from your yard so that there’s no chance of your child getting sick. Keeping bushes trimmed back and the lawn neat and tidy will help. If you’ve got pets that toilet in your garden, clean up their mess as quickly as possible.

Prevent slips

A cold winter means there will be lots of frost and ice on the ground. Young children, in particular, are likely to slip on this. Before letting your children into the yard to play, remove as much of it as you can. Avoid using deicers packed full of chemicals as they are unsafe for pets and wildlife. Instead, make your own with hot water, rubbing alcohol, and dish soap.

Most children love playing in their backyards and they should be happy and safe places for them to be this winter. Make sure yours stays that way by following these top safety tips.

Mickey Mouse Christmas Cake Roll

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This Mickey Mouse Christmas Cake Roll is a perfect dessert to bake and enjoy during the holidays! This Christmas cake roll is easy to make since the recipe calls for a white cake mix and 2 containers of pre-made cream cheese frosting.

Mickey Mouse Christmas Cake Roll

Mickey mouse christmas cake

Whether you are going to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in the Magic Kingdom and spending Christmas with Mickey Mouse during the holiday season or not, this Mickey Mouse Christmas Cake would be a crowd pleaser for kids of all ages at your Christmas Party! This holiday roll cake screams Mickey Mouse with his iconic silhouette printed all over the sponge. Since this treat is in the shape of a roll, it is a snap to cut and serve to your guests. Finally, its bright, vibrant colours will put smiles on the faces of anyone who see it!

How to make a roll cake?

What goes into a roll cake? Roil cakes are a sponge cake made with egg yolks, flour, and sugar. This type of cake is baked in a shallow sheet pan, then a thin layer of buttercream, jam, chocolate filling, or even fruit is spread on one of its sides. The sponge is then rolled, and is usually topped with whipped cream, powdered sugar, or a chocolate ganache.

How do you keep a cake roll from breaking?

Rolling a cake roll is one of the most difficult parts of creating this dessert. This is because the thin sponge of the cake. The best way to prevent the sponge for a holiday cake roll from breaking is by rolling the cake while it is still warm and pliable. Having A LOT of patience when rolling the cake also makes a difference.

Mickey Mouse Christmas Cake Roll

Any Mickey Mouse fan would love to eat this Christmas roll cake! It’s so easy to make this rolled cake from cake mix too!

  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Bake Time: 12 minutes
Mickey Mouse Christmas Cake Roll recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 box white cake mix
  • 6 large eggs
  • 1⁄4 cup water
  • 1⁄4 cup Canola oil
  • 2 containers of cream cheese frosting or homemade
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tube of green icing
  • 1 tube of red icing
  • Black Gel food colouring
  • Red Gel food colouring

Kitchen Tools Needed

  • 5 disposable piping bags
  • #66 icing tip
  • #4 icing tip
  • 1 small bowl
  • 1 medium bowl
  • Standing mixer or hand mixer

How to make the Mickey Mouse Christmas Cake Roll

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper. Using a standing mixer or hand mixer, beat the 6 eggs on medium speed until they are light in colour and frothy, about 6 minutes. On a slow speed, add in the cake mix, oil and water until combined and smooth.

Spray your cookie sheet with pam baking spray and cover the cookie sheet with parchment paper. Make sure there is about 3 inches of overhang on each end.

Mickey Mouse head shape cake

Scoop 1 1⁄2 cup of the cake batter into the small bowl and mix in a few drops of the black gel food colouring. Scoop half of the remaining batter into the medium bowl and mix in a few drops of red gel food colouring. And finally, scoop the black coloured cake batter into one of the piping bags and cut the tip off. Pipe Mickey Mouse head shapes (you can use a Mickey Mouse cookie cutter to fill in the batter instead) onto the cookie sheet.

Mickey Mouse Christmas Cake Roll in process

Scoop the red cake batter into a second piping bag. Scoop the remaining white batter into a third piping bag. Cut the tips off and pipe red and ‘white’ stripes going diagonal for a candy cane look. Bake in the oven for 12-14 minutes or until a the top springs back when you touch it.

Mickey Cake Roll baked

Place a larger than the cake pan piece of parchment paper onto your counter and sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Once timer goes off, carefully flip over the cake onto the parchment paper. Remove the parchment paper from the cake sheet. Carefully roll the cake up, making sure the bottom parchment paper is being wrapped with the cake. Roll the cake into a tube and allow to cool completely. Once cooled, unwrap the cake carefully.

icing on christmas cake roll

Spread 2 containers of the cream cheese frosting onto the cake. Carefully re-roll the cake back into a log. Fit #66 icing tip into one piping bag with the tube of green icing to make the leaf and fit #4 icing tip into the remaining piping bag with the tube of red icing to make the red holly. Pipe random holly leafs around the top of the Mickey Mouse Christmas cake roll.

Place the homemade Mickey Mouse cake into the fridge until ready to serve!

Mickey Mouse Christmas Cake Roll

I hope you enjoyed this Mickey Mouse Christmas Cake Roll as much as my family and myself did! If you make it, please share your photos with us on Facebook or Twitter! Also, check out all of our other Recipes!

Disney Christmas Recipes

If you are looking for more Disney Christmas recipes, you can make one of these:

  1. Mickey Mouse Holiday Pretzels – Easy No Bake Treats
  2. Adorable Mickey and Minnie Christmas Cake Balls
  3. Mickey Mouse Bark Recipe
Mickey Mouse Christmas Cake Roll

Mickey Mouse Christmas Cake Roll

Lyne Proulx
This Mickey Mouse Christmas Cake Roll is a perfect dessert to bake during the holidays! It's a tasty cake any Disney fan would love to eat!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 37 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American, Canadian
Servings 8
Calories 534 kcal

Equipment

  • 5 disposable piping bags
  • 1 #66 icing tip
  • 1 #4 icing tip
  • 1 Small Bowl
  • 1 Medium bowl
  • 1 standing mixer or hand mixer

Ingredients
  

  • 1 box White cake mix
  • 6 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/4 cup Canola oil
  • 2 8 oz cream cheese frosting or homemade frosting
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tube green icing
  • 1 tube red icing
  • Black Gel food colouring
  • Red Gel food colouring

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper.
  • Using a standing mixer or hand mixer, beat the 6 eggs on medium speed until they are light in colour and frothy, about 6 minutes. On a slow speed, add in the cake mix, oil and water until combined and smooth.
  • Spray your cookie sheet with pam baking spray and cover the cookie sheet with parchment paper. Make sure there is about 3 inches of overhang on each end.
  • Scoop 1 1⁄2 cup of the cake batter into the small bowl and mix in a few drops of the black gel food colouring. Scoop half of the remaining batter into the medium bowl and mix in a few drops of red gel food colouring.
  • Scoop the black coloured cake batter into one of the piping bags and cut the tip off. Pipe Mickey Mouse head shapes (you can use a Mickey Mouse cookie cutter to fill in the batter instead) onto the cookie sheet.
    Mickey Mouse head shape cake
  • Scoop the red cake batter into a second piping bag. Scoop the remaining white batter into a third piping bag. Cut the tips off and pipe red and ‘white’ stripes going diagonal for a candy cane look.
    Mickey Mouse Christmas Cake Roll in process
  • Bake in the oven for 12-14 minutes or until a the top springs back when you touch it.
  • Place a larger than the cake pan piece of parchment paper onto your counter and sprinkle with powdered sugar.
  • Once timer goes off, carefully flip over the cake onto the parchment paper. Remove the parchment paper from the cake sheet. Carefully roll the cake up, making sure the bottom parchment paper is being wrapped with the cake. Roll the cake into a tube and allow to cool completely.
  • Once cooled, unwrap the cake carefully. Spread 2 containers of the cream cheese frosting onto the cake. Carefully re-roll the cake back into a log.
  • Fit #66 icing tip into one piping bag with the tube of green icing to make the leaf and fit #4 icing tip into the remaining piping bag with the tube of red icing to make the red holly. Pipe random holly leafs around the top of the Mickey Mouse Christmas cake roll.
  • Place the cake roll into a container with a lid in the fridge until ready to serve!

Nutrition

Calories: 534kcalCarbohydrates: 88gProtein: 7gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 123mgSodium: 551mgPotassium: 96mgFiber: 1gSugar: 61gVitamin A: 178IUCalcium: 161mgIron: 2mg
Keyword Christmas cake roll, Mickey Mouse cake, Mickey Mouse cake rool, Mickey Mouse Christmas cake roll
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Jeremy and Jazzy Book Launch

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The Ottawa Mommy Club is pleased to be teaming up with the animated children’s brand Jeremy and Jazzy to promote the launch of their book just in time for Christmas! It makes a perfect gift for the little music lover on your holiday list.

Jeremy and Jazzy

Jeremy and Jazzy on CBC Gem

Jeremy and Jazzy is a children’s animated television, music, book and multi-platform brand about how feelings become songs, songs become stories, and music and friendship create joy, based on the music of JUNO-nominated Jeremy Fisher. You may have seen the Jeremy and Jazzy animated series that recently launched on CBC Kids and CBC Gem, or done a sing-along with the Jeremy and Jazzy album Say Hello. Now they’ve launched the brand’s first book – Turtle and Guy: A Jeremy and Jazzy Adventure, which will be out December 1, 2022 to purchase on Amazon.

Turtle and Guy: A Jeremy and Jazzy Adventure Book

Turtle and Guy: A Jeremy and Jazzy Adventure Book

Jeremy and Jazzy books are set in a world that comes alive through the magic of music. All about emotions and making mistakes and perfect for children ages 4-6, Turtle and Guy is a songbook about coping with the feeling of confusion and discovering how to identify emotions in healthy ways. The book can be read by itself or as a sing-along with the Jeremy and Jazzy album and animated series.

Jeremy and Jazzy Puzzle Set

Jeremy and Jazzy puzzle

The toddler-friendly 30-piece Jeremy and Jazzy puzzle set comes with large pieces and rounded corners for safety and parental peace of mind. Each puzzle is made with chipboard and comes with a reference photo for problem-solving fun! The puzzle is available for purchase on the Jeremy and Jazzy website.

For more information, you can visit Jeremy and Jazzy and follow them on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, and Twitter!

Should I Do an Elf on the Shelf?

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Should you do an elf on the shelf for your kids? Let’s discuss if you should take part in the Elf on the Shelf phenomenon!

elf on the shelf

SHOULD I DO ELF ON THE SHELF?

If you’ve never heard of Elf on a Shelf, you are missing out on a fun, family friendly Christmas tradition for the holidays. What is Elf on a Shelf you ask? Elf on a Shelf was created with the idea in mind that the process will help to keep your kiddos behaving nicely and in return they will get a fun and happy Christmas with presents from Santa Claus. Today I am going to be discussing the pros and cons of the Elf on a Shelf system and you can make the decision of whether or not you should do this for your kids! 

ELF ON A SHELF KIT

The fun and exciting things of Elf on a Shelf is that it allows your kiddos to be creative, and you get to break out your creative side as well! You get yourself an Elf on a Shelf kit and then the kids will get to choose whatever name they want for their Elf and that will be their little buddy for the Holiday season.

HOW DOES THE ELF ON THE SHELF WORK

Your creative juices come into play because after your kiddos go to bed you will want to set up some mess or naughty situation that your kid’s Elf gets into overnight for your little ones to find the next day. The whole idea is that your kid’s see the naughty things that their Elf is doing and this shows them what not to do, and you should also inform them the Elves are watching their every move and if they act naughty, they will report back to Santa Claus and they will get coal in their stockings for Christmas. 

Some parents find that the Elf on a Shelf concept is a bit controversial for them and they don’t think it is something that will work for their kids. Some parents believe that since the Elf participates in naughty acts this will teach the kids to copy them and lead to them being naughty instead of teaching them the opposite and keeping them on the nice list. It has also been said that Elf on the Shelf isn’t good for kids because it teaches them that the only reason they should behave is to get presents in return. 

IS THE ELF ON THE SHELF GOOD OR BAD

It is honestly all about what you think is best for your kids and if you think that Elf on the Shelf is beneficial for your kids behaviour or if it is hindering their behaviour. I personally think it is a fun little tradition and it really can help the kids to be on their best behaviour for Santa Claus, I think it’s all pretty innocent and it can be really great for your kids. You will find below some simple ideas for Elf on the Shelf!

QUICK ELF ON THE SHELF IDEAS

You will find below quick elf on the shelf ideas that you can do!

  1. 10 Free Printables for Your Scout Elf
  2. Where to Hide the Elf on the Shelf – New Ideas 
  3. Elf on the Shelf Ideas: Snack Break
  4. Elf on the Shelf Ideas: Elf Makes a Friend
  5. Elf on the Shelf Ideas under 5 minutes
  6. Elf on the Shelf Ideas: Practical Prank
  7. Caught on Camera: Elf on the Shelf
  8. Elf On the Shelf – Tales and Ideas
  9. 25 Quick and Easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas
  10. Elf on the Shelf Ideas for a Lazy Mom Like Me

For more added fun, your kids can make this Elf Paper Bag Puppet!

So with that being said, will you be buying your kiddos an Elf on the Shelf this year? Please comment below!

Elf Paper Bag Puppet with Printable Template

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This elf paper bag puppet is perfect to make with the kids! It also is a great idea for an elf on the shelf craft. The printable template includes: head, hair, hat, hat pompom, gloves, sleeves, trousers, and collar.

Paper Bag Elf Puppet

Did you know that in the twenty-first century, stories about elves were now related to Christmas and Santa Claus? A Christmas elf is Santa Claus helper and lives at the North Pole with him. He helps Santa make toys in his workshop and enjoys taking care of his reindeers. Christmas elves usually have large and pointy ears and wear a pointy hat.

This paper bag elf puppet is easy to make thanks to the free printable elf template! Your kids will have so much fun making this elf craft for the holidays.

List of Supplies:

  • Coloured craft papers (red, white, black or brown, and pink)
  • 1 paper bag
  • Pencil – to trace the template
  • Craft glue
  • Sharpie or gel pen
  • Elf printable template

How to make an Elf Paper Bag Puppet

Step 1: Select red, white, black or brown, pink coloured craft papers for the Elf paper bag puppet craft. The template includes – head, hair, hat, hat pompom, gloves, sleeves, trousers, and collar. Trace the template patterns on the selected craft papers and cut out the traced pattern.

elf paper bag puppet step 1

Step 2: Glue the glove cutouts with the sleeve cutouts and glue the pompom (small round shape) on the tip of the hat cutout.

elf paper bag puppet step 2

Step 3: Glue the hair cutout on the top part of the head cutout.

elf puppet step 3

Step 4: Cut out 2 round shapes from pink paper (blush) and draw and cut out a pair of eyes of your choice from white craft paper.

elf puppet step 4

Step 5: Add the blush cutouts and the eyes on the head. Use a sharpie to draw the face of the Elf.

elf on the shelf puppet step 5

Step 6: Attach the hat pattern on the top side of the head.

elf puppet step 6

Step 7: Select a paper bag or craft your own paper bag. Prepare a piece of red paper to cover any one side of the paper bag.

Step 8: Attach the collar cutout on the prepared red paper. This is the shirt of the Elf puppet.

elf paper bag puppet step 8

Step 9: Attach the trouser (legs) cutout on the bottom side of the shirt pattern.

elf puppet step 9

Step 10: Attach the body pattern on the paper bag, keeping the legs faced towards the open side of the paper bag. The closed side of the paper bag will be the top side of the Elf puppet.

elf puppet step 10

Step 11: Flatten the bottom part of the paper bag with the front side of the puppet and glue the head on the bottom side.

elf paper bag puppet step 11

Step 12: Attach the arm patterns on both sides of the Elf paper bag to complete the puppet.

elf on the shelf craft

I hope you enjoyed this Elf Paper Bag Puppet as much as I did! If you make this craft, please share your photos with us on Facebook or Twitter! Also, check out all of our other crafts!

How To Accept Advice on Parenting From Others

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There are so many ideas about how to raise children, but often you run out of solutions. In this context, getting advice on parenting may seem like a good solution, but before adopting the ideas of other parents or even your parents, make sure that they fit in your parenting role. Here are some useful tips on how to accept advice on parenting from others.

advice on parenting from others

How to accept parenting advices

Being a parent is a unique experience. When you become a parent, inevitably, you change your priorities and you get to know yourself better through your children. Make sure to realize that no parent has all the right answers and therefore there is no “best” parenting advice.

1. Learn to listen

Especially if you are a young parent, you are more likely to feel frustrated when raising your children. You may feel insecure, not mature enough to take decisions or scared to take risks that may affect your children’s lives. Often, your parents may interfere and offer parenting advice trying to help you. Learn to listen. Take their advice, which is, most of the times, extremely valuable and do not get irritated because they interfere. Do not feel like they are getting involved in the way you raise your children. Instead of getting nervous, try to find some value in their words that might be helpful to you.

2. Learn to evaluate

Sometimes, neighbours can be a great source of parenting advice, either because they have children too or because they know you well and have ties with you. Especially, if you are really close to them, get their advice, but make sure to evaluate it properly. The fact that they raise children too does not mean that they are raising your children. Listen to them, thank them for their advice, but evaluate if their advice fits your parenting style. At the end of the day, you are responsible if their advice fails to bring results in the way you raise your children.

3. Learn to appreciate

Your children’s teachers are another great source of parenting advice. Teachers see and “raise” your children every single day. Sometimes, they get to know your child’s behaviour in the social life before you do and they can better assess how any given behaviour can evolve in the future. Learn to appreciate the parenting advice of your children’s teachers, but instead of accepting them blindly, see what you could do to improve your parenting style.

4. Learn to be open-minded

Wherever you go with your children, advices on parenting may be offered to you. At a party or in the playground, you may exchange parenting advice with other parents. Learn to be open-minded and do not ignore any advice. Sometimes, it’s all about their personal experiences with no added value, but sometimes it may be some useful advice that you can really use. By being open-minded, you have more chances to get good advice, rather than no advice at all.

Overall, being a parent is a wonderful, yet challenging experience. Every parent is different and every child has a unique character. This requires you to be flexible and able to understand what your children need and how you can really approach them in order to raise them as respectful, responsible, polite and ambitious adults. Therefore, learn to accept advice from parents with a kind smile, be open-minded, and try to understand that, if people try to offer parenting tips and advice, it doesn’t mean they consider you an incompetent parent. Keep the best of these advices and maybe one day you can adjust your parenting style to the best.

26 Easy Breakfast Parfaits

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Breakfast. We all know how important it is. It’s the most important meal of the day. Yet, many of us skip breakfast. It’s easier just to grab a cup of coffee. But what if breakfast could be just as easy as grabbing it and going? It can be. Breakfast parfaits are a wonderful thing to make ahead and stock in the fridge. Grab a parfait for breakfast with a spoon, and you’re out the door.

Easy Breakfast Parfait Recipes

Breakfast parfaits can be made in so many different ways. You can do different flavours of yogurt and granola along with different fruits to create a world of flavours. If you’re making these ahead, the key is to store the granola in a separate container so that it doesn’t get soggy. Depending on the type of fruit you use, you can actually make a few healthy breakfast parfaits to get you through the week.

breakfast parfaits

These are great for kids. This is something your kids can eat really quick on the way to school. They can also be put in a lunchbox as a healthy dessert option. If you have trouble getting your kids to eat fruit, parfaits are a great option. They are a fun way to serve fruit.

Fruit Variations

Below, you’ll find several easy breakfast parfait recipes. There are so many different combinations that there’s literally something for everyone. You can also use frozen fruit if it’s the middle of winter and there’s no fresh fruit that’s in season. You can even use canned fruit packed in fruit juice.

Easy Breakfast Parfaits

26 Breakfast Parfaits

With all the flavours of yogurt currently available, you can create some truly delicious breakfast parfaits. Imagine one with banana yogurt, a layer of peanut butter, and slices of bananas topped with granola. That’s just one option. Be creative.

  1. Berry Yogurt Breakfast Parfait
  2. Make Ahead Breakfast Parfaits
  3. Peach Pie Breakfast Parfaits
  4. Fruit Chia Pudding Parfait
  5. Weight Watchers Yogurt Parfait
  6. Chia Breakfast Parfait
  7. Peanut Butter Greek Yogurt Parfait
  8. Peaches and Cream Yogurt Parfait 
  9. Healthy Blueberry Parfait
  10. Peach Crisp Parfait
  11. Healthy Pumpkin Parfait
  12. Dragon Fruit Parfait
  13. Low Carb Yogurt Parfait with Strawberries, Flax, and Chia Seeds
  14. Rainbow Unicorn Fruit Parfaits
  15. Berry Topper Parfait, a Jamba Juice Copycat recipe
  16. Maple Cinnamon Oats and Vanilla Greek Yogurt Parfaits
  17. Mandarin Orange and Blueberry Yogurt Parfait
  18. Mango Parfait
  19. Fruit and Yogurt Breakfast Parfait
  20. Greek Yogurt Parfait 
  21. Fruit, Cereal, & Yogurt Parfait 
  22. Cranberry Apple Parfait
  23. Five Minute Fruit, Yogurt, and Cereal Parfait
  24. Gluten-Free Chocolate Almond Butter Breakfast Parfaits
  25. Raspberry Pretzel Parfait
  26. S’mores Breakfast Parfait

Hope you enjoy these easy breakfast parfaits as much as I did! Also, check out all of our recipes! What’s your favourite breakfast parfait? Share your suggestions below.

7 Most Effective Facial Exercises and How to Do Them Properly

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We all know that exercise is a great way to stay fit and healthy, but did you know that facial exercises can keep your jaw and cheekbones looking fine well into old age? Exercising the muscles in your face makes them stronger and causes them to fill out any appearing wrinkles. Naturally, wrinkling skin is unavoidable, but facial exercises can help slow the process down.

Most Effective Facial Exercises and How to Do Them Properly

Piano Fingers

As with any exercise, it’s important to warm up beforehand. Piano fingers will help get the blood flowing to your face. All you need to do is take two fingers and tap them around your face and neck – as if you’re playing the piano.  This can help to energize the muscles and really increase the microcirculation in your face.  The microcirculation system is very superficial and it doesn’t take a lot to activate it.  While some people believe you need to tug and pull at your face, sometimes the lightest touch is the best.

Mewing

Mewing is a great facial exercise. It’s been around since the 1970s and was created to fix orthodontic problems by reshaping the face. Conditions thought to be alleviated by mewing include sinusitis and sleep apnea. Depending on where you take instruction from, you will find variations. However, the basic steps are:

  1. Closing your lips.
  2. Align your bottom teeth to sit just behind your front upper teeth.
  3. Place your tongue over the roof of your mouth.
  4. The tip of your tongue needs to be just behind your front teeth – but not touching.

Tongue Out

Make yourself comfortable for this one and look up to the ceiling. Pucker up and stick out your tongue as far as possible. After a few seconds, relax your tongue and then try again. The idea behind this exercise is to strengthen and tone the neck muscles. If you want to give this exercise a helping hand, you can use NeckLift patches overnight, which tighten thinning neck skin.

Chin Up

Here’s another exercise designed to tighten a sagging neck. To get the most out of this exercise, we suggest laying down on your back. From there, you need to angle your chin upwards and make in-and-out motions with your jaw. Ideally, you should repeat this action for around 30 seconds. If you’re doing this exercise correctly, you will feel the muscles in your next pull.

Cheek Lift

Don’t worry, we’re not asking you to pile weights onto your chin. Instead, you need to take the middle free fingers of each hand and press down on your cheeks. Then, you smile as much as you can, pushing your cheeks against the force of your fingers. You should hold your Cheese! smile for around 3 seconds before relaxing, and then repeating.

Smiling and Frowning

woman doing facial exercises

It’s a well-known fact that frowning uses more muscles than smiling, which is why you’re going to use it to lift your cheek muscles. For this exercise to work, you need to smile with your lips shut – not as enthusiastic as the cheek lift. Hold the smile for a few seconds and then let it go.

As you may have guessed, it’s no time to frown, but still, keep your lips shut. Again, you need to hold your frown for a few seconds and then let it go. Repeat the smile and frown to help strengthen the muscles in your cheek.

Eyebrow Pull

To perform the eyebrow pull, you need to place your finger on your eyebrow bone – under your eyebrows. Then, hold your positions while you gently close your eyes tighter and tighter. You will feel a strong pull on your eyebrow bone, which you should hold for around five seconds. For best results, don’t do this exercise for any more than five reps at a time.

Raising Eyebrows

The delicate skin under your eyes is one area of the body that a lot of women struggle with.  And, while it is delicate for everybody, this doesn’t explain why some women seem to have gorgeous, plump skin and others struggle with bags, crow lines, and wrinkles.  While things like sun damage, lack of sleep, and genes can make a difference to your skin’s appearance here, one activity that you can perform to strengthen the delicate skin around your eyes is the raised eyebrow.  This exercise works exactly how it sounds.  You simply need to raise your eyebrows, hold this position for five seconds, and then relax.  You want to repeat this exercise ten times in a row each day to see results.

Smooth Your Brow

At the end of an exercise routine, it’s always a good idea to perform a cool down exercise, and this is exactly what ‘smooth your brow’ is designed to be.  To start, lightly rest your hands on your forehead with your fingers pointed towards each other and touching.  Then glide your fingers towards your temples.  You’ll want to apply a firm pressure as you do this with the intention of smoothing out the skin on your forehead.  Make sure to keep your facial muscles relaxed and repeat this process as needed.

When facial skin begins to sag, there are many exercises designed to target each area of the face. For the best results, carry out these exercises daily for around 30 seconds to a minute unless mentioned otherwise. Hopefully you will see results within a short frame of time.

Challenges of Pregnancy in the First Trimester: Things You Need to Know 

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The first trimester is the most important period of pregnancy, although no one obviously sees it yet. During the first 13 weeks, the baby is completely formed, and during the next two trimesters, it will continue to grow and prepare for coming into this world. Keeping that in mind, we will explore the challenges that women face in the first trimester and know more tips on how to take care of yourself and the baby in this precious and sensitive pregnancy period.

couple holding baby ultrasound photos

Calculate your pregnancy duration at home

Are you predicting when the baby will be born? It is known that women can calculate their own pregnancy duration. In one study, all women who participated in the study were given calendars and worksheets for counting. About 9 out of 10 individuals were able to estimate the length of their pregnancy with reasonable accuracy. Most results had a difference of 1 week between actual and calculated pregnancy duration.

Tips and tricks: You can use a pregnancy due date calculator and calculate how long you have been pregnant from the first day of your last period (LMP) to today. 

Morning sickness during pregnancy

Symptoms of nausea and vomiting usually appear at 4-7 weeks, intensify around 9 weeks and end by 12-16 weeks of pregnancy. The reasons are still not exactly clear. Morning sickness and vomiting can be caused by an increased concentration of hormones in the blood and slowed down movements of the digestive tract. Nausea and vomiting are common in young women during their first or unplanned pregnancy, as well as multiple pregnancies. It is also related to increased body mass index or eating disorders.

Tips and tricks: To ease this unpleasant sensation, eat small portions of high-protein food (e.g., meat, cheese), and drink water and fruit (e.g., apple) juice. Avoid any food that increases nausea.

Breast tenderness: What to do about it?

It is characterized by hormonal changes that lead to increased blood flow, as the breast tissue begins to prepare for feeding.

Tips and tricks: Breast tenderness usually lasts throughout the first trimester. You can wear a one size larger bra, a less restrictive bra, or no bra at all.

4 ways to fight with rapid fatigue

These sensations can be linked to increased progesterone levels, sleep disturbances, and lower sugar levels in the blood. The greatest fatigue is felt during the first trimester.

Tips and tricks: Eat healthily. Listen to your body and take a rest. Limit caffeine and drink more water. Get a proper amount of minerals and vitamins.

Secretions are normal during pregnancy

At the beginning of pregnancy, it is normal to notice some changes in vaginal secretions. They are called leucorrhea. They resemble milk in color and are slightly thick. Leukorrhea can appear as early as the 4th week of pregnancy. Later, these secretions increase.

Tips and tricks: For your comfort, wear loose cotton panties with disposable pads. Do not use tampons – this can cause an infection. However, if you see color (greenish, yellowish) or consistency changes in secretions, consult a doctor immediately.

How to manage rapid mood changes?

Rapid mood changes occur due to drastic changes in hormones, characterized by mood swings.

Tips and tricks: It is normal to feel both joy and sadness during pregnancy. Feel free to cry, but if you feel very bad, do not be afraid to talk to loved ones – a partner, family members, or friends.

Mild exercise: Perfect solution

pregnant woman doing mild exercises

The first trimester of pregnancy is the time when the fetus takes root in the uterus, so you need to be extremely responsible during this period. During the first three months of pregnancy, it is recommended to reduce the intensity of physical activity. Also, during this period, it is not advisable to start intensive sports for those mothers who were not physically active before pregnancy.

Tips and tricks: Mild exercises are definitely suitable for the first trimester. Breathing and Kegel exercises will not hurt the baby either in the first or later trimesters of pregnancy.

Frequent urination and pregnancy

This symptom occurs due to natural changes in the body related to the effects of hormones, the increase in blood volume and the uterus, and the growth of the fetus.

Tips and tricks: Do not reduce your fluid intake in any way – you and your unborn baby need it. But avoid caffeine, which stimulates the bladder — especially before bed. And don’t hold your urine – as soon as you feel you need to urinate, rush to the toilet.

Constipation: What you need to know

It is a symptom of pregnancy, related to a decrease in the body’s muscle tone, and changes in the circulatory system.

Tips and tricks: You can help yourself by drinking more fluids and eating foods rich in fiber. Physical activity also helps. If constipation becomes unbearable, talk to your doctor about the use of harmless, mild laxatives.

Common tests during the first trimester

At 11-13 weeks of pregnancy, a detailed ultrasound examination is performed. The main parts of the body and the structure of the brain are examined, and markers characteristic of chromosomal genetic diseases are searched. Perhaps the most important measurement is the so-called nuchal fold thickness. Based on the amount of fluid accumulated in the neck area, it is determined whether there is a risk that the child will have Down syndrome or other genetic disorders. Also, doctors determine the risk of Edwards’ syndrome and Patau’s syndrome.

Tips and tricks: Do not be afraid to visit a doctor. All common tests must be done to make sure that baby and you are healthy and safe.

pregnant woman having an ultrasound

Time to take care of yourself and your baby

As you can see, you will experience a lot of feelings, emotions, and physical sensations while expecting a baby. Maybe your pregnancy is unplanned, or maybe it’s the first child you’re expecting. This is a great time to start thinking about what you will eat and start eating healthily and thinking about your health, the health of your child, and communication with the unborn child.

Tips and tricks: This is the perfect time for you to start building a connection between you and your baby. Take good care of yourself and your unborn child. Do not forget to relax and have a talk with your loved ones and your baby.

The Bottom Line

When you realize that you have become pregnant, you will be overwhelmed with both joy and sadness. Pregnancy is a physical and psychological journey. During the first trimester, it is very important to take care of yourself, your body, and your soul. Don’t forget, you are already making contact with the unborn child and, of course, the child’s development and well-being depend on your physical and mental health.

Bulgaria Travel Guide with Kids

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There are many countries in Europe you may visit and Bulgaria is one such country that remains unmapped and undocumented as compared to the other countries in the continent. It aroused curiosity among many people as this country is off the radar, and it also has some advantages being off the radar! This is a destination you can quickly jet off with your family! There are some requirements to travel to Bulgaria. It is essential to take some precautionary measures before you travel here. Exploring this country with kids is a fantastic experience, and from the ancient ruins to the small villages, from the mountain ranges to the beaches, there are so many things for your family to see.

Bulgaria sea

You can follow the below travel guide Bulgaria Itinerary at a glance!

If you even have a week to spend in this beautiful country, you can spend two days in Veliko Tarnovo, two days in Plovdiv and three days in Sofia. Veliko to Sofia is an end-to-end route you can follow, and if you rent a car, it is only a three-hour drive.

How can you get around?

The best part about Bulgaria is that the transport is affordable and reliable. Car rental is also an option. Many people opt for public transportation as it is much cheaper.

Veliko Tarnovo

Veliko Tarnovo is one of the oldest towns in this country and is referred to as the City of Tsars. The major tourist attraction of this town is the Ottoman-style houses. These houses are stacked on top of one another. It is fun to explore the old downtown alleys, and since you are travelling with kids, you can also take pit stops for rest. There is a sound and light show at the medieval Tsarevets Fortress. Kids have the most fun while watching the sound and the light show.

Plovdiv

Plovdiv is one of the oldest cities in this country. It was the former capital of Bulgaria which is decked up on the seven hills, considered the cultural capital of Bulgaria. The major tourist attraction in in Plovdiv is the Roman Amphitheatre. You can also walk along the streets and hog on the most famous delicacies in Bulgaria. Most people opt to take a train to Sofia, which takes about three hours. Trains are inexpensive, and many people opt to go here via train. Sofia is a city which is filled with museums and churches.

It is one of the most prominent cities in Bulgaria, and accommodation is not hard to find. Hence, you do not have to worry about searching the city for the perfect hotel. Travelling to this city with your kids is straightforward as everything is located within a close radius.

Following are some other places you can pay a visit to while in Bulgaria.

1. Burgas

This is a town that is flanked by the sea, and there is the largest industrial centre in the heart of the city. Since you are travelling with your kids, you ought to plan everything in advance and then make the hotel bookings.

2. Sozopol

Seaside town Sozopolis one of the oldest. The Greeks established it, and it became a centre for the arts. People visit this town for the seaside resorts which dominate the coastline. This town hosts many cultural events and is a centre for the arts. You will get to choose from a plethora of dining options in this town.

3. Bansko

Bansko town is located only 160 km from Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital. Bankso is a significant tourist attraction, and it is famous for skiing. There are many skiing competitions held in this town, and the resorts have world-class spas to indulge in when the visitors want to relax from a long day of skiing. Famous Bulgarian performers perform in the Bansko Jazz Festival, which is hugely appealing.

4. Varna

The third largest city in the country is Varna. If one wants to immerse themselves in the ancient history of Bulgaria, you should pay a visit to Varna! This city has a famous Archeological Museum which features the oldest gold in the world. The Roman Baths are a massive attraction in Bulgaria. Some other landmarks in this city are the Baroque Opera House and the Cathedral of the Assumption of Virgin. The city is surrounded by beaches.

5. Nesebar

It has a high importance as it bears evidence of a variety of different civilizations. St Stefan Church and the Church of Christ Pantocrator are the examples of medieval architecture. Many visitors from all over the world visit the Black Sea Coast. However, you should check the right season and the requirements to travel to Bulgaria as it could get crowded in the high season. You can avail the services of travel tourism office which plan your itinerary at reasonable price.

cathedral church in Bulgaria

6. Rila Mountains

The Rila Monastery which was founded in the 10th century is being visited by many tourists and hundreds of pilgrims every year!

All in all, Bulgaria is one of the most secure and safe place to travel with your kids, and it offers a plethora of exotic destinations that are awaiting your arrival.

30 Day Countdown to Disney World Trip (Printable)

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When you are heading to Disney World, get the kids excited with these 30 day Countdown to Disney World trip notes with tips and facts. This countdown to Disney World includes 30 fun facts about Disney parks.

There are enough Disney printable notes to begin the journey 30 days before you leave. Give each of your children a jar or basket with the printed notes divided between them. Everyday one child will read a note from their jar, the next day another child will have a turn. You can also put them all in a jar, and each family member picks 1 fun Disney park facts per day.

printable countdown to Disney

Planning A Trip to Walt Disney World

Prior to making a countdown calendar, there is a lot of planning to do when heading on a Disney trip. If you are planning a trip to Walt Disney World for the first time with the family, you want to know everything you can to prepare for your visit. It isn’t all about Mickey Mouse or your favourite character or even about the rides. It’s all about Disney World and how to truly enjoy every moment by knowing a little bit about the most magical place on earth.

Planning a trip to Disney with your family will take some time to figure out. You will need to find out when the best time to visit Disney, will it be during a school vacation, summer break or a vacation that is just random. Summer is usually the busiest time to go so you may want to plan around that. Tickets usually have date-based pricing. There are a few questions you need to answer before you begin planning your Disney World trip.

  1. How will we get there? drive or fly?
  2. When do we want to go?
  3. Where will we stay?
  4. Should we get Genie+?
  5. How much does a trip to Disney World cost?

Things to Do at Disney World

Before visiting, check the information section on the Disney World website.

There are so many things to see that it probably isn’t possible to do in a day. Each season will bring something new to see. Make sure to get a schedule of all events that are happening during your stay so you don’t miss a thing. When you go with a family, everyone will have different likes and must-sees.

We know we all have a favourite Disney character that we just have to meet. There are enchanting princesses and things for younger kids, rides and attractions for teens and of course entertainment, shopping and dining for adults with families. When visiting Disney, you will have thrill rides and shows and fireworks, Character experiences, parades and so much more.

30 Day Countdown to Disney World Trip (Printable)

Disney Facts

  • Disney was founded by Walt Disney and his brother Roy.
  • It all began in 1923 with animation and later went to film.
  • Walt Disney’s first short animation film was Alice in Wonderland.
  • The first Disney character was a rabbit and not Mickey Mouse.
  • The first full-length movie was Snow White.
  • Pixar was acquired in 2006.
  • Marvel Entertainment was acquired in 2009.
  • Lucas Film was acquired in 2012.
  • Disney World resort is the biggest resort in the world.

For more Disney fun facts that you can add to your countdown calendar jar, check out:

You are now on your way to a fun-filled Disney vacation. Make sure to print and save these Disney printables for when you are ready to start your 30 day countdown to Disney. I am sure this will be an experience to remember for you and your family.

To print your free Disney countdown printable, simply click on one of the images above.

Apple Pizza Pie (Dessert Pizza Recipe)

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Pizza is a fun and easy meal to make and did you know it also makes an awesome dessert? Follow this recipe and create this Apple Pizza Pie for a delicious fall treat or Thanksgiving dessert. Whether it is savoury or sweet, all you need is a few of your favourite toppings.

When we think about pizza, we think about tomato sauce, cheese and veggies or meat. This apple dessert is made on a round pan like a pizza but the taste and flavours of an apple pie.

Apple Pizza Pie
Apple Pizza Pie

Dessert Pizzas

Have you ever had to bring a dessert to a function or wanted something easy to make for a light snack in the evening? Well, dessert pizzas are a good choice and everyone will love them.

To begin your pizza dessert you will need a pizza base. You can use a traditional pizza dough, pie dough (like this recipe for Apple Pizza), brownie mix or even cookie dough. If you want to make an even tastier dessert, use a round melon for individual-sized fruity pizzas.

Once you have your base prepared it’s time to think of the best part of the pizza; the toppings. Below is a list of items that would be so tasty on a pizza dessert.

  • fruit
  • chocolate
  • marshmallows
  • sprinkles
  • cream cheese

With the ingredients above you can make a few pizza desserts like a s’mores pizza using chocolate and marshmallows, mixed fruit pizza, brownie pizza, a strawberry pizza with cream cheese even a chocolate chip cookie pizza. Go a little bit further and make a deep-dish apple pizza dessert. Once you decide on the base and toppings, you are ready to make your treat.

Apple Pizza Pie ( dessert Pizza)
Apple Pizza Pie

Apple Pizza Pie

This easy recipe for apple pizza pie is a good start if apple is your favourite pie flavour. Roll up your sleeves and get ready to create a fun dessert pizza that the entire family will love.

  • Prep time: 20 minutes
  • Total time: 45 minutes

Apple Pizza Pie Ingredients

  • 2 rolls of pie dough crust or homemade pie crust
  • 5 apples
  • 3 tbsp cinnamon sugar ( 2.5 tbsp of sugar and 1/2 tbsp of cinnamon mix together in a small bowl)
  • 2 tbsp melted butter

Kitchen Tools Needed

  • Parchment lined pizza tray
  • Cookie cutters

How to make an apple dessert pizza

Roll out one of the rolls of pie dough and place it on a parchment lined pizza tray.

Slice apples thinly, mix with melted butter, and cinnamon sugar and mix well.

Place apples on the dough.

Apple Pizza Pie in process

Roll out the second sheet of dough and cut out shapes (you can do pumpkins or any other festive and can use a cookie cutter).

Apple Pizza Pie dessert

Place cut out pumpkin dough on top of the pie.

Place in 350 oven for 25 minutes or until just golden brown

Apple Pizza Pie (Dessert Pizza Recipe)

I hope you enjoyed my Apple Pizza Pie (Dessert Pizza Recipe) as much as my family and myself did! If you make it, please share your photos with us on Facebook or Twitter! Also, check out all of our other Recipes!

Apple Pizza Pie

Apple Pizza Pie

Lyne Proulx
This easy recipe for apple pizza pie is a good start if apple is your favourite pie flavour. Get ready to create a fun dessert pizza that the entire family will love.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American, Canadian
Servings 6 servings
Calories 438 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Parchment lined pizza tray
  • Cookie cutters

Ingredients
  

  • 2 rolls of pie dough crust or homemade pie crust
  • 5 apples
  • 2 1/2 tbsp sugar mix cinnamon and sugar together in a small bowl
  • 1/2 tbsp cinnamon
  • 2 tbsp melted butter

Instructions
 

  • Roll out one of the rolls of pie dough and place it on a parchment lined pizza tray.
  • Slice apples thinly, mix with melted butter, and cinnamon sugar and mix well.
  • Place apples on the dough.
  • Roll out the second sheet of dough and cut out shapes (you can do pumpkins or any other festive and can use a cookie cutter).
  • Place cut out pumpkin dough on top of the pie.
  • Place in 350 oven for 25 minutes or until just golden brown

Nutrition

Calories: 438kcalCarbohydrates: 59gProtein: 5gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gSodium: 318mgPotassium: 232mgFiber: 6gSugar: 21gVitamin A: 251IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 2mg
Keyword Apple Pizza pie, dessert pizza, fall dessert, pizza
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

6 Fun Team-Building Games for Kids

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Games have always been a part of human culture and society. They predate written history and have been found in every corner of the globe. Games are a fantastic way to entertain and unite people. 

They can be used to have fun, learn new things, and compete for awards. Whether you are playing simple indoor complex strategy games, they can all provide hours of fun and entertainment.

Team-Building Games for Kids- charades

Kids Team Building Games

In today’s fast-paced, tech-driven world, it’s more important than ever for kids to learn how to work together as a team. And what better way to accomplish that than with some genuine enjoyment? 

Here are six great team-building games that are sure to get the little ones giggling and working together in no time.

  1. People Bingo

People bingo is an excellent game for kids of all ages. They can play it indoors or outdoors, and it’s a great way to get kids moving and interacting with each other.

Here’s how to play: each child gets a bingo card with pictures of different people. They need to find someone who matches each description on their card and then put a tick or cross in the box next to the picture. To make the game more interesting, you can use different bingo patterns, such as lines, corners, or full house, to determine the winner.

The first person to find someone who matches all the descriptions on their card is the winner!

  1. The M&M Game

The M&M Game is a great way to entertain kids while teaching them about colors and counting. You only need a few pieces of candy and a little bit of patience to play this easy game.

Start by placing a small handful of M&Ms in front of each player to play. One player starts by choosing any color M&M and eating it. 

The player to their left then chooses an M&M, and so on, around the circle. Players can only eat one M&M at a time and can’t choose the same color twice a row.

The objective of the game is to consume all of the M&Ms first. As kids play, they’ll learn to pay attention to the colors of the candies and strategize about which one to choose next.

  1. Marshmallow Challenge

Among some of the outdoor team-building games for kids, the Marshmallow Challenge is an amazing one. As it requires no materials, it can be played anywhere, though. The goal here is to see how many marshmallows you can consume in a minute. The child who consumes the most marshmallows in one minute wins the game.

This challenge is great for kids because it is a simple, fun way to encourage them to eat healthy snacks. It also teaches them about portion control and self-control. 

This game can be played with any type of food, but marshmallows are the perfect choice because they are low in calories and fat.

To play the marshmallow challenge, all you need is a timer and a bag of marshmallows.

  1. The Egg Drop

The egg drop game is a great way for kids to learn about gravity and the physics of falling objects. It’s also a fun way to let them experiment with different materials to see what will protect their eggs the best. This is how to play:

1. Gather your resources. You’ll need some eggs, a few different types of material (we suggest cotton balls, bubble wrap, and Styrofoam), and a height from which to drop the eggs (a few feet off the ground should do it).

2. Help your child to predict which materials will protect the egg best. Will the cotton balls break? Will the bubble wrap pop? Will the styrofoam crush the egg?

3. It’s time to test out their predictions! Drop each egg from the same height, wrapped in a different material.

  1. Marshmallow Spaghetti Tower
Marshmallow Spaghetti Tower
Boy building a tower with spaghetti and marshmallows.

This game is a classic and is perfect for kids of all ages. It’s easy to set up and can be played indoors or outdoors. All you need are some spaghetti, marshmallows, and a few other basic ingredients. 

The game aims to construct the tallest tower out of spaghetti and marshmallows.

To play, each player starts with a certain number of marshmallows and spaghetti noodles. They will then have to build their tower by connecting the marshmallows together with the spaghetti noodles. In the end, the player who builds the tallest tower wins the game.

In addition to being entertaining, this game is a fantastic way for children to learn about science. 

  1. Charades

Charades is a simple concept – one person acts out a word or phrase, and the others have to guess what it is – and you can play it in many different ways. Here are some tips for making the most of this classic party game.

First, come up with a good list of charades words and phrases ahead of time. This will prevent arguments about what can or can’t be acted out. 

If you’re playing with younger kids, keep the words fairly simple; if you’re playing with teens or adults, feel free to get creative and come up with more challenging ideas.

Once your list is ready, divide it into teams and take turns acting out the words on the list. The team that correctly guesses the most words in the allotted time is the winner!

Conclusion

Hope that we were able to provide you with some ideas for entertaining your kids and bonding them together. Team-building games are a great way to get kids to interact and learn how to work together. 

They can be used in various settings, such as schools, camps, or after-school programs. By choosing the right game for your group of kids, you can create an enjoyable and educational experience for all.

Rascals Diapers and Wipes Review

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As a parent, finding a diaper that worked well and was priced right was key for our family. Rascals asked me to review their diapers to see if they could help prevent leaks at a reasonable price.

rascals diapers and wipes review

Who is Rascals?

Rascals is a line of diapers, training pants, and wipes founded by a mom of four kids in New Zealand. They are made for littles ones to play in by day, sleep through the night without leaks, that are made without any harsh chemicals, fit snuggly, and cost a fair price.

What should I look for when buying diapers?

boy wearing Rascal + Friends Diaper in front of mirror

I have a check list of things I look for when trying to choose a disposable diaper brand over another. Here are the main items I look at:

  • Absorbency
  • Softness and fit
  • Sustainable products
  • Cost

Knowing leaks will be at a minimum is a key factor when choosing a diaper for my son. An absorbent diaper takes one less item off the long list of things parents worry about for their child.

A comfy diaper is vital for my guy because he is wearing it all day. I would like for it to feel soft against his skin. It should also fit to allow him to move without worrying about the diaper harming his baby soft skin.

I like knowing what I am putting on my son’s delicate skin is not harming him or the environment. I want to make sure his diaper is not harming his skin. 

Cost is one of the most important factors I look at when buying diapers. I want to know that the diapers I am buying is worth what I am spending on them. 

rascals premium diapers

What Sets Rascals Apart from Other Diapers

Rascals want parents to know they have you covered for life’s messier moments with a little one. Their products do not contain any harsh chemicals, latex, lotions, or fragrances. Instead, these diapers use water-based inks, soft materials, and are dermatologically certified. This is so they are safe and gentle to your child’s sensitive skin and to the environment.

Rascals Diapers

For comfort, these Rascals diapers also offer numerous features to make rest and play fun for young ones. Each one has the following:

  • A stretchy high back waist
  • Soft legs cuffs
  • A breathable outer-layer
  • 3 layers of protection
  • A wetness indicator (available only in Size 1 and 2 diapers)
  • An absorbent 3D Core
  • Unique Deep Pockets
  • Double leak guards
  • Strong Grip Tabs

The price for these diapers is also a positive reason to consider buying this brand. My son is currently wearing a Size 4 diaper. For the value, I have the Super Value Pack of this brand that holds 180 diapers. My son took about three weeks to use all of these diapers. I do not have to think about buying as many diapers as I once had.

Rascals – CoCoMelon Partnership

rascals training pants

One of the next steps my son will taking soon will be transitioning from diapers to using a potty. A tool I used to help my other children complete this task is a training pant. 

A tip I discovered when making the transition from diapers to the potty is that learning should be fun. Rascals teamed up with CoComelon to help kids at this stage make potty training a more fun experience. Rascals now features training pants with JJ and his friends! Little ones can now see these cute characters while learning to become more independent.

These Rascals training pants are made to allow young children to move with ease during the day and make it through the night without leaking. Feather-soft material, a low cost, and the limited edition CoCoMelon print make them an idea choice for parents to consider when buying training pants for your child.

I also downloaded this helpful potty training chart from Rascals to help my little guy get through this part of toddlerhood.

Rascals Diapers Review

rascals diapers

I am very happy with the Rascals size 4 diapers my son took for a test drive. They checked off the items I look for when choosing a diaper for him to wear. 

These diapers are very absorbent. I checked a few times if he was wet after a few hours of play. This was because the diaper trapped the liquid he deposited into them and not becoming bigger. The tabs that keep the diaper closed do not seem very strong, but they have stayed closed each time my son wore them until it was time to change him.

This feature also helped him in the comfort department. Since these diapers keep liquid in so well, they also allow for my guy to move around easily. I also liked that Rascal diapers fit a bit bigger around the waist. They allow a bit more give for my son when he is bent over at the waist.

Rascal Diaper

I am happy that Rascals does not use harsh chemicals and fragrances in their premium diapers. These items could harm my child’s skin or the environment.

One thing I would change about these diapers is the leak liner inside the diaper. When you open it, the liner folds outwards. I found I would have to adjust the liner so it faces inwards to make sure it protects against any potential accidents.

Rascal Wipes Review

rascals wipes review

Rascals takes care of babies in another way. They also help parents care for their little ones with their sensitive baby wipes.

These Rascals baby wipes are strong to help give a hand to wipe away rascally messes. They are also dermatologically certified, ph balanced, and fragrance free. This allows for a gentle clean without worrying about irritating your young one’s sensitive skin.

Are you curious to learn more about Rascals products? In Canada, you can purchase their products at Walmart. You can follow them on their Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok channels!

Disclaimer: I was given Rascals products in order to conduct this review. The views I expressed are my own.

Revenge of the Raccoons Book Review

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Clever books are always welcome in my home. Owlkids Books has a wide range of books for all types of readers to get lost in and enjoy! We are so happy to be reviewing the Revenge of the Raccoons book by Vivek Shraya.

My son was asked to read a few titles from Owlkids that touch on various topics. Each of these books share a different message to help open the world to them from numerous points of view.

Who is Owlkids Books?

Owlkids Books is a Toronto-based award-winning independent book publisher for readers aged 0-14 years-old. They love making books that help kids to find a love of reading and to learn about the world around them.

Shraya’s Revenge of the Raccoons is a humorous Owlkids read that shows readers how these furry creatures romp about our neighbourhoods. This book introduces themes of environmentalism and urbanization in a subtle and accessible way.

Owlkids Revenge of the Raccoons Cover
Revenge of the Raccoons Book

I feel that the themes of environmentalism and urbanization are important for children to understand. I want my kids to see how taking away the habitat of animals, like raccoons, leads to them to have to adapt to living in ours. 

Revenge of the Raccoons book review

My son is not keen on reading. He needs to have a book that has a bit of an edge and is full of life to capture his interest. Revenge of the Raccoons did just that. 

boy reading Revenge of the Raccoons book

Shraya’s tale of these cunning creatures was a fun and easy read. He uses simple rhymes and language to make the story a cinch for young readers to understand this story. Additionally, Shraya uses a low word count to keep the flow of the book at a quick pace and to keep the interest of the reader from cover to cover.

Owlkids Revenge of the Raccoons Book Page
Owlkids Revenge of the Raccoons Book Page

Furthermore, I enjoyed how Shraya took the reader from normal activities we are used to seeing from racoons to silly actions. Cleverly, he turns the tables on humans, letting us see what we have done to their environment with urbanization. As a result, the racoons put out a paw in a way wanting peace, saying they want to share the world we both live in. 

Juliana Neufeld added to the hilarity of this book with her lively illustrations.  The comedic style she uses to assist Shraya’s tale are very bright and adorably funny. The racoons are cute yet mischievous. Many people are not fans of these rascally rodents. As we read this book, we quickly were cheering them on with their shenanigans. Lastly, Neufeld did a great job of depicting calm and erratic moments to further convey the importance of this book to readers.

Owlkids Revenge of the Raccoons Book Page

A high recommendation for Owlkids Books’ Revenge of the Raccoons

My son and I both enjoyed reading Revenge of the Raccoons. It is a quick read that gets its message across in a light and funny way. The clever use of short rhymes and pop off the page illustrations hep readers realize the that our world should be one we share with all its beings, even racoons. We would gladly recommend this book as a fun quiet read or a silly children’s bedtime storybook.

We learned more about Owlkids by following their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube channels.

Disclaimer: I was given this book by Owlkids Books to write this review. The views I shared are my own.

Best Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls Without Yeast

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Golden. Round. Ooey gooey sweet. These pumpkin cinnamon rolls without yeast are a favourite treat I love to eat whenever I can make this fall recipe with pumpkin pie spice.

best pumpkin cinnamon rolls without yeast
pumpkin cinnamon rolls without yeast
What is the difference between cinnamon rolls and cinnamon buns?

There is a difference between these two sticky and delicious confections. Cinnamon rolls and cinnamon buns are both constructed in the same manner. There is one simple ingredient that divides these two sugary sweets: Pecans. Cinnamon buns contain pecans. On the other hand, cinnamon rolls traditionally do not have nuts.

How do you make cinnamon rolls rise without yeast?

Is it possible for dough to rise without using yeast? Yes, it most certainly can! The magical ingredient to use instead of yeast to make your dough rise is baking powder. It is a great alternative to use to avoid yeast allergies for these homemade pumpkin cinnamon rolls.

Pumpkin cinnamon rolls recipe

These are definitely the best pumpkin cinnamon rolls that you will bake this fall!

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Baking Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Makes: 12 cinnamon rolls

Kitchen Tools Needed

  • 1 Baking sheet
  • 4 bowls
  • 1 Pastry blender
  • 1 Rolling Pin
  • 1 Electric mixer
  • 1 saucepan
pumpkin cinnamon rolls
pumpkin cinnamon rolls

Cinnamon Roll Dough Ingredients

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1⁄2 cup unsalted butter (chilled/cut in small pieces)
  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 3 tsp baking powder
  • 1⁄2 tsp Kosher salt
  • 1⁄4 tsp baking soda
  • 2⁄3 cup whole milk

pumpkin cinnamon roll filling Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter (melted)
  • 1⁄2 cup light brown sugar (packed)
  • 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1⁄4 cup pumpkin puree

How to make pumpkin cinnamon rolls

This pumpkin cinnamon rolls recipe is relatively easy to make, but requires many steps to achieve this delicious fall breakfast or dessert. It’s all worth it at the end, I can guarantee you! These cinnamon rolls are also ideal to serve for a brunch with the family.

Cinnamon Roll Dough Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Coat a 11 x 9 inch with nonstick baking spray. Lightly flour one section of the counter top.

Use a pastry blender to blend the flour and butter together. (If you don’t have a pastry blender you can use either two forks or your hands.) Continue to blend the flour and butter together until it looks like coarse sand.

Add the sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda in a medium bowl. Whisk to combine. Add the dry ingredients to the flour/butter mixture. Stir until all ingredients are well combined. Pour in the milk, stirring until dough starts to form. (The batter will be loose.) Move the dough to the flour covered countertop. Knead the dough until it begins to form a ball.

Filling Directions

Add the melted butter, brown sugar, pumpkin pie slice, and cinnamon in a bowl. Whisk to combine. Stir in pumpkin puree until everything is combined. Set the filling aside.

Cinnamon Rolls Directions

Transfer the dough ball to the counter. Cut the dough ball in half. Use a rolling pin with the first dough ball until the dough is about 1⁄4 inch thick.

pumpkin cinnamon rolls dough

Divide the filling in half. Spread one half of the filling over the first dough ball that had been rolled out. Use an offset spatula to spread the filling on the entire section of dough.

pumpkin cinnamon rolls with filling

Starting at one end of the rolled out dough and begin to roll it into a log. Cut the dough log into six equal pinwheels (or pieces of rolled filled cinnamon rolls).

pumpkin cinnamon rolls rolled up

Place each filled roll on the prepared baking sheet. Allow several inches between each roll to allow them to spread out as they bake. Repeat this with the remaining half of the cinnamon roll dough. Once all of the dough has been filled and sliced, put them in the oven to bake. Bake at 375 degrees for 25-30 minutes. The roll will be a golden brown.

Glaze recipe for cinnamon rolls

Cream cheese glaze ingredients

  • 1⁄4 cup cream cheese (room temp)
  • 1⁄2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 1⁄2 cups powdered sugar
  • 3 to 4 tbsp whole milk

Glaze Directions

Add the glaze ingredients to a small mixing bowl. Use an electric mixer combine the cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk to combine them. If necessary add a few drops of milk to get the consistency wanted. Allow the cinnamon rolls to cool slightly before adding the glaze.

Cinnamon rolls Topping Recipe

The topping on these pumpkin cinnamon rolls are optional, but will definitely add a sweet and crunchy taste! You can serve them with the glaze only.

Topping Ingredients

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 tbsp light brown sugar (packed)
  • 1⁄2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup dark corn syrup
  • 1 tbsp cold water
  • 2 tsp cornstarch
  • 1⁄3 cup unsalted butter (room temp)
  • 1 cup pecans (finely chopped)

Topping Directions

Add sugar, brown sugar, corn syrup, and butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Combine cold water and cornstarch in a small bowl. Stir to blend before adding in the saucepan.

Increase heat to high bringing the mixture to a boil. Stir in the salt, vanilla, and pecans. Continue on the stove until the mixture reaches a boil again. Continue to stir until the mixture thickens. Set aside to cool. Add a tablespoon of the pecan mixture on top of the glazed cinnamon rolls.

How do you keep pumpkin cinnamon rolls soft and moist?

After making a batch of pumpkin cinnamon rolls, I want to keep them as soft and moist for as long as possible. One thing I do to maintain the freshness of these yummy treats is to store them in an airtight container. I individually wrap each cinnamon roll in plastic wrap and put them in a freezer bag.

Another method I use to keep these pumpkin cinnamon rolls soft is to wrap the whole pan in two layers of plastic wrap. This helps to seal out as much air as possible, keeping these rolls fresh until they are served.

pumpkin cinnamon rolls
Best pumpkin cinnamon rolls without yeast

I hope this pumpkin cinnamon roll without yeast recipe becomes a favourite for your family! If you try this recipe, make sure to share it with us on Facebook or Twitter! Also, please look at the other recipes we have on the blog for more ideas to try and enjoy!

pumpkin cinnamon rolls

Best Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls Without Yeast

Lyne Proulx
These are the best pumpkin cinnamon rolls without yeast you will ever taste! They are so tasty due to the pumpkin pie spice in the filling!
5 from 4 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine American, Canadian
Servings 12 Rolls
Calories 552 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Baking sheet
  • 4 bowls
  • 1 Pastry blender
  • 1 Rolling Pin
  • 1 Electric mixer
  • 1 saucepan

Ingredients
  

CINNAMON ROLL DOUGH INGREDIENTS

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter chilled/cut in small pieces
  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 3 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp Kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 2/3 cup whole milk

PUMPKIN CINNAMON ROLL FILLING INGREDIENTS

  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter melted
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar packed
  • 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup pumpkin puree

CREAM CHEESE GLAZE INGREDIENTS

  • 1/4 cup cream cheese room temp
  • 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 3 to 4 tbsp whole milk

TOPPING INGREDIENTS

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 tbsp light brown sugar packed
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup dark corn syrup
  • 1 tbsp cold water
  • 2 tsp cornstarch
  • 1/3 cup unsalted butter room temperature
  • 1 cup pecans finely chopped

Instructions
 

CINNAMON ROLL DOUGH DIRECTIONS

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Coat a 11 x 9 inch baking sheet with nonstick baking spray.
  • Lightly flour one section of the counter top.
  • Use a pastry blender to blend the flour and butter together. (If you don’t have a pastry blender you can use either two forks or your hands.) Continue to blend the flour and butter together until it looks like coarse sand.
  • Add the sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda in a medium bowl. Whisk to combine.
  • Add the dry ingredients to the flour/butter mixture. Stir until all ingredients are well combined.
  • Pour in the milk, stirring until dough starts to form. (The batter will be loose.)
  • Move the dough to the flour covered countertop. Knead the dough until it begins to form a ball.

FILLING DIRECTIONS

  • Add the melted butter, brown sugar, pumpkin pie slice, and cinnamon in a bowl. Whisk to combine. Stir in pumpkin puree until everything is combined. Set aside.

CINNAMON ROLLS DIRECTIONS

  • Transfer the dough ball to the counter. Cut the dough ball in half. Use a rolling pin with the first dough ball until the dough is about 1⁄4 inch thick.
  • Divide the filling in half. Spread one half of the filling over the first dough ball that had been rolled out. Use an offset spatula to spread the filling on the entire section of dough.
  • Starting at one end of the rolled out dough and begin to roll it into a log. Cut the dough log into six equal pinwheels (or pieces of rolled filled cinnamon rolls).
  • Place each filled roll on the prepared baking sheet. Allow several inches between each roll to allow them to spread out as they bake.
  • Repeat this with the remaining half of the cinnamon roll dough.
  • Once all of the dough has been filled and sliced, put them in the oven to bake. Bake at 375 degrees for 25-30 minutes. The roll will be a golden brown.

GLAZE DIRECTIONS

  • Add the glaze ingredients to a small mixing bowl. Use an electric mixer combine the cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk to combine them. If necessary add a few drops of milk to get the consistency wanted.
  • Allow the cinnamon rolls to cool slightly before adding the glaze.

TOPPING DIRECTIONS

  • Add sugar, brown sugar, corn syrup, and butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat.
  • Combine cold water and cornstarch in a small bowl. Stir to blend before adding in the saucepan. Increase heat to high bringing the mixture to a boil.
  • Stir in the salt, vanilla, and pecans. Continue on the stove until the mixture reaches a boil again. Continue to stir until the mixture thickens.
  • Set aside to cool.
  • Add a tablespoon of the pecan mixture on top of the glazed cinnamon roll.

Notes

HOW DO YOU KEEP PUMPKIN CINNAMON ROLLS SOFT AND MOIST?
After making a batch of pumpkin cinnamon rolls, I want to keep them as soft and moist for as long as possible. One thing I do to maintain the freshness of these yummy treats is to store them in an airtight container. I individually wrap each cinnamon roll in plastic wrap and put them in a freezer bag.
Another method I use to keep these pumpkin cinnamon rolls soft is to wrap the whole pan in two layers of plastic wrap. This helps to seal out as much air as possible, keeping these rolls fresh until they are served.

Nutrition

Calories: 552kcalCarbohydrates: 86gProtein: 4gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 46mgSodium: 395mgPotassium: 133mgFiber: 2gSugar: 69gVitamin A: 1344IUVitamin C: 0.4mgCalcium: 118mgIron: 1mg
Keyword best pumpkin cinnamon rolls, cinnamon rolls, Pumpkin cinnamon rolls, pumpkin cinnamon rolls without yeast
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Halloween Puppy Chow

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This Halloween Puppy Chow is the perfect snack to help your ghosts and ghouls get into the Halloween spirit! My Halloween snack mix would make a great idea to try for a party table or movie night.

What is Puppy Chow Mix?

This puppy chow recipe is made with Chex cereal (or crunchy rice cereal), and is coated in a blend of chocolate chips, peanut butter, and other sweet and crispy treats. The cherry on the top of this Halloween Puppy Chow Chex Mix is the fudgy brownie mix that binds all the other ingredients together and gives it a more chocolatey flavour.

Halloween Puppy Chow

Why Do They Call It Puppy Chow?

For something so tasty, why would anyone refer to this Chex Mix puppy chow recipe as “puppy chow”? The answer is that it’s all about its looks. When all the ingredients are mixed, it can resemble dog food or kibble, but a much tastier version that we would want to wolf down by the handful.

Puppy Chow versus Muddy Buddies: What is the difference?

Is there a difference between puppy chow and muddy buddies? Not at all! Puppy chow is believed to have been created in the midwestern United States in the 1960’s. General Mills, the owner and producer of Chex cereal since the late 1990’s, saw how popular this recipe had become. They created their own version of this recipe, renaming it Muddy Buddies. 

Puppy Chow Recipe Variations

It is easy to make this puppy chow recipe all your own! Some people use powdered sugar to coat this snack instead of a brownie mix. Other recipes go ‘wild’ by using animal crackers instead of the Chex mix version. You could even try making this easy puppy chow recipe seasonal! You can use mini marshmallows and peanut butter cups for a S’mores-themed recipe. Some crushed candy canes and red and green mini chocolate candies could lend itself to a Christmas-themed puppy chow recipe. The variations this puppy chow snack can take are endless!

Halloween themed Puppy Chow

Halloween Puppy Chow

Since Halloween is coming soon, I thought it would be fun to put together this Halloween-themed puppy chow.

Halloween Puppy Chow Ingredients

Puppy chow ingredients

  • 6 cups Rice Chex Cereal
  • ¾ cup milk chocolate chips
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • ½ box of fudge brownie mix
  • 1 cup candy corn
  • 1 cup pumpkin candies
  • 1 cup mini pretzel twists
  • 1 cup mini–Reese’s Cups
  • 1 cup M&M’s

Equipment: 

  • 1 large microwave safe mixing bowl
  • 1 medium size bowl
  • 1 large baking cookie sheet

How to make puppy chow for Halloween

Halloween Puppy Chow step 1

Step 1: Add the Chex cereal and brownie mix to a large bowl. Toss until the cereal is well coated.

Halloween Puppy Chow step 2

Step 2:  In a microwave safe bowl, add the chocolate chips and peanut butter. Melt in 30 second intervals, stirring after each until completely melted and smooth.

Halloween Puppy Chow step 3

Step 3: Add the chocolate/peanut butter mixture to the cereal and using a spatula or wooden spoon, gently mix until the cereal is well coated.

Halloween Puppy Chow step 4

Step 4: Spread the mixture to the baking cookie sheet until it completely cools. Add it back to the large bowl.

Halloween Puppy Chow step 5

Steps 5: Add the candy corn, pumpkin candies, mini pretzel twists, mini–Reese’s Cups and M&M’s to the bowl. With a spoon, toss until the candies are well incorporated.

Halloween Puppy Chow step 6

Step 6: Serve the Halloween Puppy Chow Chex mix or store it in an airtight container to serve on Halloween.

I hope this recipe for Halloween Puppy Chow adds to the fun of your Halloween season! Make sure you check out the blog for more fun and spooky Halloween snacks.

Halloween Puppy Chow
Halloween Puppy Chow
Halloween Puppy Chow

Halloween Puppy Chow

Lyne Proulx
This Halloween Puppy Chow is easy to make with Chex Cereal, peanut butter, brownie mix, chocolate, and candy. Create your own Muddy Buddies. 
5 from 3 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 2 minutes
Let Cool 30 minutes
Total Time 42 minutes
Course Snack
Cuisine American, Canadian
Servings 14 servings
Calories 484 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 large microwave safe mixing bowl
  • 1 medium size bowl
  • 1 large baking cookie sheet

Ingredients
  

  • 6 cups Rice Chex Cereal
  • ¾ cup milk chocolate chips
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • ½ box of fudge brownie mix
  • 1 cup candy corn
  • 1 cup pumpkin candies
  • 1 cup mini pretzel twists
  • 1 cup mini–Reese’s Cups
  • 1 cup M&M’s

Instructions
 

  • Add the Chex cereal and brownie mix to a large bowl. Toss until the cereal is well coated.
  • In a microwave safe bowl, add the chocolate chips and peanut butter. Melt in 30 second intervals, stirring after each until completely melted and smooth.
  • Add the chocolate/peanut butter mixture to the cereal and using a spatula or wooden spoon, gently mix until the cereal is well coated.
  • Spread the mixture to the baking cookie sheet until it completely cools. Add it back to the large bowl.
  • Add the candy corn, pumpkin candies, mini pretzel twists, mini–Reese’s Cups and M&M’s to the bowl. With a spoon, toss until the candies are well incorporated.
  • Serve the Halloween Puppy Chow Chex mix or store it in an airtight container to serve on Halloween.

Notes

PUPPY CHOW RECIPE VARIATIONS
It is easy to make this puppy chow recipe all your own! Some people use powdered sugar to coat this snack instead of a brownie mix. Other recipes go ‘wild’ by using animal crackers instead of the Chex mix version.
You could even try making this easy puppy chow recipe seasonal! You can use mini marshmallows and peanut butter cups for a S’mores-themed recipe. Some crushed candy canes and red and green mini chocolate candies could lend itself to a Christmas-themed puppy chow recipe. The variations this puppy chow snack can take are endless!

Nutrition

Calories: 484kcalCarbohydrates: 67gProtein: 8gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.04gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 366mgPotassium: 202mgFiber: 3gSugar: 49gVitamin A: 281IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 97mgIron: 5mg
Keyword Halloween Puppy Chow, Halloween recipe, Halloween snack, muddy buddies, puppy chow
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7 Must-Have Items for Every Cat Lover

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Cats are fascinating animals. They don’t provide humans with the unconditional love or protection that dogs do. Cat people will tell you that felines don’t require as much attention as dogs do. They are interesting to watch, and they are pretty to look at.

There are some items that every cat must have, such as a litter box, a bed, and a food & water dish to keep them feel comfortable and healthy. There are also items that every cat lover must have.

Must-Have Items for Every Cat Lover

A Cat-Themed T-Shirt

If you’re a cat enthusiast, you must have at least one t-shirt professing your love of the feline species. It can feature your favourite breed of cat, or it can say something that you like about cats.

If you Google cat t-shirts, you will find no shortage of tops professing a love of cats. However, if you want something special, you should go on an on-demand T-shirt printing website. They will let you upload an image of your favourite feline and put it on a t-shirt. You can show it off at the next family picnic or cat show.

A Cat Coffee Mug

The same websites that will allow you to print your very own cat t-shirt will allow you to print a coffee mug with an image of your cat’s face. If you would rather have a cup with a simple statement of your love for cats, you can make one of those as well. If the people in your office see your cat mug and like it, you can even sell them through the on-demand printing site.

A Cat Calendar

Most cat lovers will have more than one cat. Most cat lovers will never have as many cats as they would like. However, you can look at a brand new feline every day if you get a desk calendar featuring cats. If you would prefer a wall calendar, you can have a cat of the month poster. If you have a cat who is pretty enough to be a model, you can always create your very own calendar.

Cat Shelves

Cat shelves are items that benefit both cats and their owners. Cats are curious, athletic, and quite flexible. They love to jump, and you want to give them a more interesting place to jump than your kitchen counter.

There are cat cloud shelves that you can attach to your walls. There are hanging cat beds that offer the privacy a feline needs on occasion. Your cats will love to swing gently back and forth in this cozy hideaway.

Cat Ear Hat

If you want the world to know about your affinity for cats, you must have one of these beanies. They come in every colour of the rainbow, so you are certain to find one that will go with your winter coat. Your cats will understand that you want to be just like them when they see you in this pointy-eared cap.

Cat Jewelry

The cat is an animal most often immortalized in jewelry. You can find silver sterling images of cats on necklaces, or you can make yourself a cat charm bracelet. Put a picture of a favourite cat in a locket. If you would like something a bit more light-hearted, get yourself a cat in the hat or tiger wristwatch.

Cat Portraits

If your cats are just like your kids, you may want to consider getting a formal painting of them. There are artists out there who focus strictly on painting pictures of animals. Nothing says I love you quite like an oil painting. Your cat is unlikely to want to sit for something like this, so you should pick out your favourite photograph and give it to the artist.

Catopoly

If you are like most people, you have been engaged in an endless game of Monopoly or two in your lifetime. Now there’s a game for cat lovers called Catopoly, Instead of buying real estate, you buy and trade cats. Different breeds of cats have different values. Instead of going to jail, you get fleas. You may encounter the occasional catastrophe as well. Instead of top hats and cars, playing pieces include a can of sardines, a ball of yarn, and a mouse.

The holidays are coming up, and the average ailurophile will love you forever if you get them a cat-themed gift. If you just look online you will see that there is no shortage of paraphernalia to please cat owners and the animals they adore.

How to Survive a Weekend Trip Away

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Weekend getaways are not only more affordable, but you’re also less likely to get the post-vacation blues because you’re not away for long periods. Returning to your everyday routine is easier because even though you’ve been relaxing, you’re not losing the groove of things. With that said, a lot can go wrong with weekend getaways, which is why we’ve compiled a list of all the things you need to bring to survive a weekend trip away.

How To Survive A Weekend Trip Away

#1: Charging and Data Transferring USB Cables

Weekend getaways usually mean you don’t have to take time off since it’s the weekend, and you can do whatever you like, whether that’s driving a few hours to a new town or hopping on a cheap flight to a nearby country. However, today, work or school often blend into our leisure time, and we hold different types of information on multiple devices.

As a result, there may come a moment where you have to pause your vacation and respond to emails or complete a project due Monday morning. Because of this, you want to ensure you’re not only packing charging cables for your devices but also data transferring USB cables.

You may be required to move information from one of your devices to another while you’re away on the weekend, and charging cables don’t have this capacity. USB cables are one of many tech products you should pack in a bag for a weekend getaway, with some of the other essentials being portable power banks and portable Wi-Fi hotspots. It’s easy to skip this step, but this tech bag can double as an emergency survival kit if a crisis occurs, so you don’t even have to unpack it when you’re home, and that’s one of the perks of weekend trips away: there’s less to pack and less to put away.

#2: Reading Material

Chances are, your weekend trip will be quite relaxed since you only have two days and don’t want to overdo it. Many people spend these trips sitting by the pool or, depending on the season, in front of a fireplace. As a result, you want to pack some reading material with you. This can be either a novel, novella, or Kindle/e-reader. You don’t want to spend the whole weekend staring at your phone if you can help it, and reading is a great way to encourage creativity, which will help you when you return to work or school that week.

#3: Disposable Camera

As mentioned, if you can help it, the point of weekend getaways is to tune out from your routines. However, that doesn’t mean you don’t want to capture these moments. A good compromise is to purchase a disposable camera for your trip away because that way, you’re still taking photos, but not getting distracted by any SMS, email, or social media notifications that may pop up when you’re taking it. Plus, there’s only a set number of photos you can take with a disposable camera, so it makes you pay attention to what’s worth capturing and sharing and what’s not.

Weekend getaways are more affordable, and you don’t run the risk of falling out of the work or school groove, even though you’re still relaxing. There are many advantages to these types of trips, but there are still several things that can go wrong if you’re not prepared in terms of what you pack and if you’re not prepared to tune out from your everyday life. Because of this, you want to ensure you’re packing to survive a weekend trip away.

What Keyless Entry Technology Means for Your Child’s Campus

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Thinking about your child living in a new environment can feel worrying

Only 56% of Canada’s campuses didn’t experience a major crime arrest on campus. Incidents are happening on campuses, and you need to know what to look for in a safe campus for your child.

There are specific security systems in place that could help put your mind at ease. Due to evolving technology, educational institutions have found ways to enhance security on campus, including keyless entry to all buildings.

If you want to know more about this system, keep on reading.

What Keyless Entry Technology Means for Your Child's Campus

Students and Faculty Members Have Their Own Key Card 

Students might lose keys, meaning they need to scramble with building managers and security administrators to access their forms. This creates a huge mess that may cause frayed protection down the line.

However, schools and universities can now issue students and faculty members with their key cards or fob. This physical credential uses radio-frequency identification to activate the tag. In this case, students tap the tagged lock on their door with the card to gain access. 

Some of these key cards can allow access to other buildings on campus, like meeting rooms or the main reception. They are designed to help administrators manage the overall security system without dealing with countless ‘traditional’ keys that are easily lost or misplaced.

Students can also go to the administration office when getting a replacement card. Due to their physical credential, technical staff can source a new key fob without asking for many personal details. This makes keyless entry much easier for students and staff to manage in the long term.

Administrators Track Who Accessed Certain Rooms 

Cards with keyless entry improve security awareness and response. This allows the administrators to track certain events and understand who entered specific buildings or rooms. 

Administrators are the first people to know when someone has tried using their entry card to access a room that isn’t theirs. More keyless security means students can feel safe navigating campus, as there’s no way to pick door locks. This means they can sleep easily knowing their valuable belongings like laptops, expensive books, and personal items are safe and sound.

For even more reassurance, there are apartment complex security cameras that help admin manage who comes in and out of campus. Comprehensive alarm and security systems ensure only students, staff, and signed-in guests are present in the school or university.

If a security incident does occur, administrators and security staff will be able to resolve the incident quickly by seeing who has entered each facility on campus.

Lost or Stolen Cards Get Removed From the System 

Administrators can easily remove lost or stolen cards from a system, making card issuing safe for new or existing members. Administrators will quickly cancel access if your child loses the access key. This stops people from picking it up and gaining access to restricted areas. 

Global radio-frequency identification is estimated to reach $14.69 billion in 2026. This figure shows how much schools and universities trust the high-end security system. Sensor tags make it easy for administrators to use real-life management systems when accessing the lost/found key’s history. 

One thing to note is that administrators can swiftly replace these keys. Your child won’t be left without access to buildings if they lose their card—the quick security systems scan information from the previous sensor tag to enable your child 24/7 access again.

It’s believed that mobile phones could be the new key to entering buildings. Since these handy gadgets are at the center of everything, using them to open a school door locking system doesn’t seem so strange. Now, some modern institutions allow mobile enablements for users to manage their security. 

Other benefits of mobile security systems include:

  • Remote management options: 
  • Easy door access 
  • Real-time updates on security 
  • Convenient for people who lose things

Of course, if your child’s campus doesn’t offer this mobile-key technology, there’s nothing to worry about. The key cards are still perfectly safe for students who like that extra protection. 

If the key card gets stolen, administrators will cut immediate access off. No one other than your child can enter buildings on campus. If administrators didn’t put this system in place, people could steal traditional keys and use them to enter rooms no matter what.

However, since the access keys are connected to the administrator’s security, they will cancel the connection altogether, giving you more peace of mind!

Keyless And Hygienic Entry

With certain kinds of keyless entry systems, students and faculty members can enter the building without touching a button or keypad, which could promote the spread of germs. Since the pandemic began, it has become essential for institutions to consider health and safety as a top priority.

With a keyless entry system, users can download access credentials to their mobile device, enabling entry via Bluetooth communication. When a user needs to enter the building, all they need to do is wave their hand across the access reader. The reader is equipped with motion sensors that will detect this motion.

Once the reader has detected a hand wave, it will begin communicating with the users device remotely to unlock the door. The reader uses three modes of communication to ensure entry on the first attempt, eliminating the potential for failure using WiFi, BlueTooth, and Cellular communication.

By creating a more hygienic way for students and faculty members to enter the building, the campus can reduce the risk of coronavirus spreading on site. This technology also increases the convenience of entry, allowing the traffic to flow smoothly into the building. Users won’t be rummaging in their pockets to withdraw a mobile device or key card.

Students and Faculty Members Have Their Own Key Card 

Summary

Sending your child off to start their educational adventures can be daunting. But there’s no need to worry, as high-security systems are put in place to ensure your child’s safety. Keyless entry is the best way to enforce safety measures when people travel in and out of the campus.