There are many traditions associated with the Christmas season. How have these Christmas traditions evolved over time? Many of our Christmas traditions have a long and fascinating history. Christmas cards, Christmas trees, Christmas carols, and other traditions are still important parts of our festive celebrations. Our family holiday tradition is to bake together!
Christmas Card
We have shared many of our favourite Christmas recipes on the blog including the Crème Brulée Gingersnap Cookies! Your kids will enjoy using a kitchen torch to make the Crème Brulée (parental assistance is advised)!
CHRISTMAS TREES
What’s the origin of the Christmas tree? There are various theories about the origin of the Christmas Tree. One suggestion is that is it derived from the old English Yule tradition of decorating houses with tree branches. Another story from the 16th century is that German religious leader Martin Luther was walking one Christmas Eve under a sky full of stars. He took home a small tree from the forest and decorated it with candles to remind him of the stars in Heaven.
CHRISTMAS CARDS
A London art dealer Henry Cole invented the first Christmas card in 1843 as a quick way to send greetings to friends. Cole tried to sell the cards to others, but they were not popular; however, as printing and postal systems soon developed, Christmas cards quickly became a tradition around the world.
CHRISTMAS CAROLS
The word carol comes from an old French word carolet, which means to dance in a ring. The first carols were written in Europe around 1200. Christmas carols became more popular with the writng of many well-known songs during the 19th century, including “Silent Night” (1817), “We Three Kings” (1857), and “Away in a Manger” (1877).
STOCKINGS
European legend tells how St. Nicholas was concerned about the plight of three desperately poor sisters and so one night he dropped three gold coins down their chimney. The coins fell into the girls’ stockings hung by the fire to dry. The hopeful have been hanging up their stockings ever since!
WREATHS
Christmas wreaths are often intertwined with red ribbons and decorations. The wreath’s evergreen leaves represent the everlasting life that Christ’s birth promised, while the circular shape recalls the crown of thorns placed on His head.
HOLLY
During the Middle Ages, the red berries from holly were believed to keep witches at bay and its evergreen leaves symbolized eternal life. The plant has also long been associated with Jesus Christ – the red berries representing drops of blood and the prickly leaves the crown of thorns.
BOXING DAY
A common explanation for Boxing Day is that it originates from Ancient Rome where apprentices were given boxes of money on the day after Christmas. Similarly in 19th century England, the servants of large households would receive boxes of money from their employers. Church goers also donated money into a box in the church. The funds were then distributed to the poor of the parish on December 26.
As you can see, many Christmas traditions are still well part of our holiday festivities today!
What are your favourite Christmas traditions? Share below!
Winter is right around the corner and what better way to stay warm with the family than to hunker down with some hot chocolate and a good book! We were sent some beautiful Gumboot Kids hardcover books from Firefly Books to review along with two cute and cuddly plush characters from the book series!
Gumboot Kids Nature Mystery book series, written by Eric Hogan and Tara Hungerford, is a fun and educational book series when it comes to easy reading with your kids! The book series was even featured on CBC!
Follow the adorable and curious mouse duo, Daisy and Scout, as they go on fun and educational adventures solving mysteries all around the forest! You can read this books review we also did for Gumboot Kids!
Scout and Daisy go on a winter hike and on their way to the valley Daisy sees her snow friend she had built just days before. Except there’s a difference, it’s smaller! Why is her friend shrinking? Join them as they find clues to solve the case!
One of almost everyone’s favourite winter activity after a fresh snowfall is making a big old snowman! There’s nothing more fun than getting outside and rolling up some fresh and sticky snow to create your own outside decoration and new friend! What happens when your new snow friend starts to become smaller than you originally made him?
In this story, find out about the different kinds of snowflakes that fall and how the weather affects how the snow falls. Will it be light and fluffy? Will it be wet and sticky? Or maybe a mix of rain?
Read with your little one and help the cute characters learn all about winter temperatures and how snow melts when it becomes a little warmer. This is the perfect book for a snow day story!
Scout and Daisy are getting ready to make pumpkin pie when Scout mentions he saw a hanging food catcher on his garden gate. What is a hanging food catcher? Join them as they find clues to solve this mystery!
Springtime, summer, and fall are popular seasons to see our eight legged spider friends. We find them outside, inside, and they always making webs. But what for? Besides being useful for a spooky haunted house, why do these little creatures make these webs all over?
Spider webs aren’t decorations. They are actually tools spiders use to “catch” their food! It may seem yucky to us, but to the spiders, that is how they survive in nature. They can also help us by catching pests that hurt us like mosquito and black flies!
Scout and Daisy go on an adventure to find out what cobwebs are and why they are made. They find out a lot more than they had thought about these eight legged bugs! Maybe next time you won’t be so keen to broom away that web in the corner!
Scout and Daisy go on a picnic when Daisy realizes she forgot to water her bird feeders! What kind of bird feeders need to be watered? Join Daisy as she helps Scout find clues to solve this curious case!
Flowers are beautiful to have in your garden. But did you know they can also serve a purpose to help nature? Special flowers like sun flowers can be used to feed natures little friends!
Each flower in nature does something special. Some flowers have pollen for bees, some flowers have berries to eat, some flowers have medicine, and some flowers have food!
The seeds in the flowers are natures way of feeding birds! It’s amazing what you can learn just from your own back yard! Join Scout and Daisy as they learn all about how sun flowers turn from tiny seeds to giant growing bird feeders!
As Scout gathers wood for their winter fires, he notices something extraordinary! He has a wooden time keeper right in the forest! What is a wooden time keeper? You’ll have to follow Scout and Daisy to solve this one!
There are so many things to learn in the great outdoors. You don’t even have to go far to look. From bugs to birds, animals and plants, there are so many wonders when you get outdoors!
Have you ever seen a fresh cut piece of wood? Did you ever notice the lines in the tree? Circle upon circle, what are they? This book teaches kids all about the history that comes with trees! The bigger the tree, the more stories they have to tell!
Each ring in the wood represents how old the tree is! The more circles, the bigger the tree and the older it is! With a little help from a handy book about the forest and a few clues to collect, Daisy and Scout are on their way to learn some new things about the history of trees!
Gumboot Kids Nature Mystery Book Series Review
We give these books two enthusiastic thumbs up! The stories are entertaining and heartwarming, but also easy enough for a younger child to read. Each story is an engaging mystery and has a little lesson inside about nature and animals. Educational and fun! We really enjoy the “life like” images in these books depicting the characters (which are super cute making them younger kid friendly). The visuals make those characters almost come to life while we read the stories! Amazing art both literally and visually. You and your family will genuinely love this book series! These books are geared for ages 3-7; however, they are an excellent source for any young reader under the age of 10.
You can buy all of the Gumboots Kids book series through online bookstores like Amazon, Indigo, or BookManager! Follow Firefly Books on social media: Twitter and Instagram!
One of the best things about the holidays are the Christmas cookies that everyone brings to the holiday parties. Both kids and adults look forward to the tasty holiday cookies that are spread around the table for everyone to enjoy. Today, I am sharing these fun 15 Christmas cookies for kids.
These simple Christmas cookie recipes are a staple for holiday parties as friends and family gather around to celebrate the special time and spend time with the ones they love the most.
These homemade Christmas cookie recipes are both fun and delicious. If you’re looking to add some flavour and fun to the holiday table, they will make the perfect addition to any cookie spread or Christmas dessert table.
This is the best recipe for Christmas cookies! Fun and festive, these holiday shortbread cookies are an easy to make Christmas cookie you are going to love.
Grinch is one of the holiday staples. These Christmas cookies with icing are the cutest Grinch cookies and are made from Nutter Butter cookies dipped in icing.
It’s possible to survive without food for a few days. But without water, it gets difficult for humans to survive. Our body constitutes up to 70% of water. If it gets scarce fluids, even the organs fail to function properly.
What Happens If You Don’t Drink Enough Water?
In order to maintain a safe and healthy lifestyle, it’s always important to drink enough amount of water. You are at the risk of the following problems if your daily water intake is not as per your body requirements.
Persistent Headaches
Your head starts getting affected when your body gets dehydrated. However, if you stay dehydrated for a longer period, you may also get a persistent headache that doesn’t go away that easily. This is the reason that health experts often advise intake enormous amount of water.
Fatigue
If you do not replenish your fluid intake, your energy levels will drop, which can lead to fatigue and fog in your brain. Therefore, the next time you drink another cup of coffee, make sure you take water instead of that unnecessary cup of coffee.
Moreover, whether you’re exercising or working casually at your desk, your body requires water to function properly and keep yourself cool.
Sluggish Bowel Function
Health experts say that the human colon carries water receptors that pull the water from the stomach which ultimately results in the softness of stool. However, when the human body gets deprived of water, the stool gets harder. Moreover, lack of water in the body can also cause constipation, abdominal cramps, and pain.
Moreover, lack of water can also cause other stomach issues such as stomach acidity. Our stomachs are basically acidic in nature and dehydration can increase the acidity. However, the acidity if gets increased may also cause ulcers.
Dull Skin
Dehydration results in dry, flaky skin on the face, appearing less radiant, plump, and supple. The overall tone and complexion may be uneven, and wrinkles may be more visible. Dehydrated skin can make you feel uncomfortable, but it heals relatively easily with lifestyle changes and more intake of water.
Dry Mouth
If you don’t get enough water, your mucous membranes can dry out, which can lead to insufficient saliva. This dryness of the mouth can make it difficult to speak, swallow, or even breathe. Fortunately, drinking water can easily solve this problem.
Weight Gain
Lack of water in your body can disturb your metabolism. When you drink less water, your body ultimately makes you feel more hungry and you start eating more. This also disturbs your normal weight which ultimately leads you towards obesity. However, obesity itself is a disease that can cause further diseases such as hypertension.
Kidney Problem
Water plays a key role in the proper functioning of the kidney. As our kidneys have a major role in the detoxification of our body. Lack of water doesn’t allow the kidneys to perform detoxification completely. This can ultimately cause infection of the kidney or in some other organs. However, prolonged dehydration can also be the reason for kidney failure though this rarely happens.
Higher Risk of Stroke
Water is also good for your ticker. Studies of BMC cardiovascular disorders show that drinking less amount of water and becoming dehydrated can increase the risk of stroke and increase recovery time. So, to keep your heart in top condition, be careful about how much water you drink. If your urine is yellow or your body is weak, drink water immediately.
Weaker Workouts
Sweating causes the loss of electrolytes and water. Therefore, it is important to drink water before, during, and after training to replenish the lost water. As per health experts, a study shows that exercise causes dehydration in the body. The body if already short of water, may not burn as much fat.
Moodiness
Lack of water in the body may also result in sudden changes in mood. Health experts say that even our brain stops proper functioning during dehydration. If you often feel laziness and drowsiness without any particular reason, check out your daily water intake. See if it is a lack of water in your body that makes you feel numb and doesn’t allow you to stay active for a longer period of time.
Frequent Illness
Water helps to remove toxins, waste products, and other bacterias from the body to fight diseases as well as infections. It also strengthens the immune system, making you less likely to get sick. If you continue to feel sick, you may need to drink more water to ensure that your body is free of toxic chemicals and is working at optimal levels. Lack of water also causes fatigue, which can lead to reduced physical activity. This is also a risk factor for less and weakened immunity.
Are You Drinking Enough Water?
Considering all the above-discussed side effects of dehydration, it is important to ensure that everyone takes a proper amount of water. Nothing is more important than human health because “health is wealth”.
Therefore, it is important to make sure that your daily water intake is as per your body’s requirements. However, you also need to make sure that that you are also considering the geographical and environmental conditions while working on the water intake calculation.
Moreover, if you feel any of the above-mentioned symptoms and not facing dehydration, visit your doctor. There may be some other reasons for such conditions other than dehydration.
Final Verdict
Though dehydration rarely causes vulnerable diseases if prolonged it can be harmful. As our body functions around water, it gets deprived of water for a longer period of time severe kidney issues may occur. Therefore, it is important to maintain daily water intake and drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water daily. So, stay healthy and have some water.
When ordinary mashed potatoes become too routine, spice up a family dinner with these homemade creamy mashed potatoes!
Best recipe for mashed potatoes
Your guests will love this potato side dish in lieu of ordinary mashed potatoes with their meals or holiday dinner. Creamy mashed potatoes with sour cream are full of flavour and sure to please guests who enjoy traditional mashed potatoes.
Prince Edward Island Potatoes are recognized all over the world for their unique taste and excellent quality. What makes our potatoes so special? It’s the pride and the care that PEI Farm Families put into their work. Potato Farming on PEI is more than a job, it’s an identity.
Their growers are extremely close to the soil. Many have grown up on the land they continue to farm. They spend their lives learning valuable lessons from the previous generation on successfully producing food for others.
They have over two hundred years of experience growing high-quality potatoes on an Island that’s ideally suited to produce the best potatoes you’ve ever tasted. Their red, iron-rich soil is perfectly suited for potatoes, as it retains just the right amount of moisture during the growing season. Warm summers, cold winters, and adequate rainfall result in excellent growing conditions with the right balance of heat, light, and water to maximize yields and tuber quality.
The Island also provides a distinct advantage for growing high-quality potatoes as the ocean acts as a natural barrier against airborne or insect-borne diseases. As well, this easy access to the ocean facilitates the transportation of the crop, while limited points of entry allow us to fully control the movement of potatoes into and out of the province.
Aside from being absolutely delicious, there are many other reasons to eat PEI Potatoes. Potatoes are a super healthy option! On their own, potatoes naturally have no fat, no cholesterol, no sodium, and only 100 calories per serving. Not to mention, they are gluten-free and vegan so everyone can enjoy them!
Potatoes are a nutritional powerhouse containing 45% of your recommended daily intake of Vitamin C, 18% of your recommended daily fibre intake, and 17 % of your recommended potassium intake (that’s more potassium per serving than a banana or broccoli!).
Potatoes are also packed with antioxidants! A diet high in antioxidants may reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. And if that doesn’t convince you to eat more potatoes, antioxidants also give you glowing skin!
There are multiple ways to incorporate potatoes that are fun to prepare, delicious to eat, and healthy for you! You can eat potatoes in a new way every day and not get tired of them. You can bake ‘em, boil ’em, mash ‘em, fry ’em up… there’s no bad way to cook potatoes!
Not to mention, per dollar, potatoes are an affordable option for meeting key dietary guidelines for good health.
Potato Cooking Tips
You can mash potatoes in their own skins, since the skin houses a bounty of beneficial nutrients and dietary fibre.
When preparing baked potatoes, consider topping such as olive oil, diced vegetables, herbs, sun-dried tomatoes, salsa, or low-fat sour cream, as it’s the toppings that contribute the calories.
Can you make mashed potatoes ahead of time?
Once the mashed potatoes are prepared (omit the butter and green onions or chives), you can put them into a large microwave-safe bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap while leaving about an inch from the top. You can refrigerate for up to 2 days.
To reheat in the microwave, poke about 6 holes in the plastic wrap, and microwave at medium-high (70 percent) until the potatoes are hot (check after 10 minutes, and add by increments of 1 minute until you find them hot enough) and stir halfway through the reheating time. Sprinkle the creamy potatoes with green onions or chives and add butter.
To reheat on the stove top, remove the creamy potatoes from the bowl, and cook them in a saucepan over low heat. Stir frequently until they are hot. Sprinkle the creamy potatoes with green onions or chives and add butter.
Creamy Potatoes get their flavour from the delicious mixture of cheese, sour cream, and green onions – which add a festive touch. They are not too far a stretch from regular mashed potatoes for holiday guests who like tradition.
Ingredients for Creamy Mashed Potatoes
8 large potatoes (about 4 lbs)
1/2 cup milk
3/4 cups sour cream
2 teaspoons salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
1/3 cup green onions or chives chopped
add softened butter to taste (4-6 tbsp)
Kitchen Tools Needed
Bowl
Saucepan
Strainer or slotted spoon
Stand mixer or potato masher
Best way to make creamy mashed potatoes
Scrub the potatoes clean, remove skin, and cut them into large cubes.
Add the potatoes to a saucepan and cover them with two inches of cold water and make sure there is some room left on the tops. Add the salt into the water and stir until dissolved. Bring the potatoes to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Place the pot over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. The potatoes are ready when you poke a potato with a fork and it’s slides all the way to the centre. It is now tender. Drain the potatoes in a strainer or with a slotted spoon.
In a bowl, mash the potatoes with the milk using a stand mixer or potato masher. Stir in sour cream, salt and pepper. Sprinkle the creamy potatoes with green onions or chives, and add butter to taste.
Recipe note: For a lighter recipe, low-fat sour cream can be used.
Spice It Up With Creamy Potatoes
While ordinary mashed potatoes are tasty, any holiday meal can be spiced up with creamy potatoes. The holiday season is a time for indulging and guests love to indulge in potatoes as a part of the traditional holiday meal.
I hope you enjoyed these HomemadeCreamy Mashed Potatoesas much as I did! If you make it, please share your photos with us on Facebook or Twitter! Also, check out our Twice Baked Bacon Potato Recipe and all of our other recipes!
Homemade Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Lyne Proulx
Homemade Creamy mashed potatoes are full of flavour and sure to please guests who enjoy mashed potatoes with sour cream.
Scrub the potatoes clean, remove skin, and cut them into large cubes.
Add the potatoes to a saucepan and cover them with two inches of cold water and make sure there is some room left on the tops. Add the salt into the water and stir until dissolved.
Bring the potatoes to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Place the pot over medium-high heat and bring to a boil.
The potatoes are ready when you poke a potato with a fork and it’s slides all the way to the centre. It is now tender.
Drain the potatoes in a strainer or with a slotted spoon.
In a bowl, mash the potatoes with the milk using a stand mixer or potato masher. Stir in sour cream, salt and pepper.
Sprinkle the creamy potatoes with green onions or chives, and add butter to taste.
Notes
For a lighter recipe, low-fat sour cream can be used.Can you make mashed potatoes ahead of time?Once the mashed potatoes are prepared (omit the butter and green onions or chives), you can put them into a large microwave-safe bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap while leaving about an inch from the top. You can refrigerate for up to 2 days.
To reheat in the microwave, poke about 6 holes in the plastic wrap, and microwave at medium-high (70 percent) until the potatoes are hot (check after 10 minutes, and add by increments of 1 minute until you find them hot enough) and stir halfway through the reheating time. Sprinkle the creamy potatoes with green onions or chives and add butter.
To reheat on the stove top, remove the creamy potatoes from the bowl, and cook them in a saucepan over low heat. Stir frequently until they are hot. Sprinkle the creamy potatoes with green onions or chives and add butter.
There is nothing better than walking into a room and having a fresh scent of gel air freshener welcoming you in. I love to have my home smelling wonderful all year long. If you use air fresheners in your home, you know it can get pricey if you are always buying them at a local store. All you need is a few simple ingredients to help you and save a few dollars and you can have your very own Peppermint and Lemon Gel Air Freshener in your home.
Essential Oil Air Freshener
There are 2 ways to create your homemade air fresheners. The first is with water and essential oils, and the second is liquid potpourri and this recipe calls for oils. Essential oils are concentrated extracts of various plants. Practitioners use them in natural and alternative health practices, such as aromatherapy and naturopathy. Almost everyone is using essential oils these days for many different reasons, such as an air freshener with essential oils. It is dangerous to swallow essential oils. Not only are essential oils extremely concentrated, but they can also irritate the sensitive cells inside the body. Those with sensitive skin should also beware of skin irritations. Read more about Essential oil Contraindications
Mason Jar Gel Air Freshener Gifts
Creating your own DIY gel air freshener is a good way to know what is in it and can make it any scent you want without it being overpowering. Peppermint and lemon are a great combination to help keep the air fresh and your nose clear. Air fresheners with essential oils are easy to make so you will be able to make quite a few in no time at all.
These DIY air fresheners will make the perfect gifts for any occasion and you can customize them by adding silk flowers, charms, or even fresh mint for an added touch. When you have made your mason jar air freshener, you will be able to decorate the jar with a label or maybe even a bow.
Bloom the gelatin in the water for 5 minutes before stirring. Add essential oils to the coconut oil and then stir into the gelatin. Add in food colouring if wanted. You can also leave this natural coloured as well if you prefer.
Be sure to use caution with essential oils. Some can be harmful if swallowed or abrasive on your skin. Use with caution, and it is always suggested to use good quality oils.
Let set overnight add lid once finished to disperse smell. These should last for a couple weeks, with the scent being most strong at first.
I hope you enjoyed my DIY Gel Air Freshener as much as I did! If you make it, please share your photos with us on Facebook or Twitter! Also, check out all of our other crafts!
DIY Peppermint And Lemon Gel Air Freshener
Yield: 2
All you need is a few simple ingredients including essential oils to help make this DIY gel air freshener in your home.
No Ratings
Materials
1/2 tbsp coconut oil
1 cup of water
3 packets of gelatin (about 3 tsp) – I used the Knox brand for this.
15 drops of lemon essential oil
5 drops of peppermint essential oil
Food colouring (yellow)
2 Small mason jars
2 Mason Jar Frog Lid Inserts
Instructions
Bloom the gelatin in the water for 5 minutes before stirring. Add essential oils to the coconut oil and then stir into the gelatin. Add in food colouring if wanted. You can also leave this natural coloured as well if you prefer.
Be sure to use caution with essential oils. Some can be harmful if swallowed or abrasive on your skin. Use with caution, and it is always suggested to use good quality oils.
Let set overnight add lid once finished to disperse smell. These should last for a couple weeks, with the scent being most strong at first.
Small homes are actually becoming the trend of today. Most people move into small homes because they want to live a simpler life, or it is what they can afford.
Small homes also look very elegant and cute; however, most people who live in small homes suffer from what is called ‘small space syndrome’. The symptoms of this syndrome include an inability to find things in your house due to lack of storage space, feeling suffocated sometimes in your own home, owing too much stuff for the amount of space you have, and most probably having the tendency to clean more often than necessary (because there’s little mess space).
Well, not all is lost! There are some tricks that will definitely help. Listed below are 5 hacks on how to make a small room look bigger:
1) Wallpapers
Wallpapers have been used for a very long time to add colour and improve interior design. If your room is too small, do not go for a wallpaper that has a lot of bold patterns. It will just stress you out even more. You should be using neutral wallpapers instead, muted ones with flower patterns, or some other subtle pattern that will help make your walls or the space look bigger.
The aim is to trick the mind into thinking that there is more space in your home than what it actually can physically see on the outside.
Wallpapers are cheap and it only costs around $30-$40 per roll, sometimes less if you know where to get them from. They give an instant effect as well! Just remember to choose light colors when you’re using wallpapers in a small space to make the room look bigger.
You can use the following types of wallpapers to make your small space room look bigger:
Plain wallpapers (with subtle designs): This helps to create the illusion of expanded walls.
Patterned wallpapers (with subtle designs): This also helps to create an illusion of expanded walls.
Floral wallpapers: Another option for adding texture to your room without making it look too busy or complicated. You can choose from different variations of floral wallpaper, which include tropical plants and flowers, abstract prints with flowers, or geometric patterns with flowers printed on them.
Geometric wallpapers: A great way to add color and style to your small space room without causing too much clutter in the area.
Abstract prints: These are another good choice because they do not draw attention away from other parts of your home decor, but rather complement it very well. You need something that will go well with your sofa and carpet, for example.
2) Furniture Layout
If you have a small room and plan to purchase furniture, it means that there is also not too much furniture in your home. So why settle for lots of big furniture in the room when you can just use smaller pieces instead?
This will help to make your room look bigger than what it actually is, so this trick works really well if you’re working with limited square footage. For example, try using storage ottomans instead of large upholstered chairs or benches at the foot of your bed because they are space saving. If you do not have enough space for traditional coffee tables, then opt for nesting tables instead because they are still functional but don’t take up as much floor space.
There are also some pieces of furniture that help is space-saving and make the room look bigger, like mirrors and console tables. Mirrors reflect light very well, so they will create a more open illusion in your small space living room.
A good piece to use for this purpose is one with unique features like circles on it, unique shapes, or even animal prints (like cheetah/zebra prints) – anything that’s unique and different from what you would expect! Console tables take up little floor space and can be used to display other things. Just don’t overdo it; you should not put too many items on your tabletop because it defeats its whole purpose. If you want to add storage units in your home but don’t have the space for it, go for wall-mounted shelves instead because they take up no floor space at all!
3) Lighting
Lighting is one of the most important aspects of any room and it can also be used to make your small space look bigger. You should avoid using too many dark or heavy curtains in your home because it will just make the room feel smaller and more cramped.
Try using light fabrics like cotton or sheer materials and keep the curtains open during the day so that natural sunlight can come in. This will help to brighten up the space and make it appear bigger.
If you’re not a fan of curtains, then use blinds instead, but choose a light colour like white or cream to help reflect light. You should also avoid using track lighting because it will make the room feel even smaller.
4) Accessories
When accessorizing your small space room, you should choose items that are both functional and decorative. Choose a few statement pieces that will help to add personality to the room without taking up too much space.
For example, use a large vase or sculpture on a table or shelf to add height to the area and make it look more spacious. If you have a lot of artwork, try grouping them together on one wall instead of scattering them around the room. This will help to unify the look of the space and make it appear bigger.
Another thing you can do is choose accessories in lighter colors like pastels or neutrals, as darker colors often make the room look smaller. Try choosing items that are sleek and modern or go for more whimsical pieces with unique silhouettes instead of traditional ones.
5) Renovations
You can also use renovations to help open up your small space room, this will allow you to create the illusion of a bigger area without actually making any physical changes; however, remember avoid some renovation mistakes while doing so. Try hanging mirrors opposite each other on opposite walls so that it creates the impression of double the number of windows or doors in the home.
This trick will give you an expansive feeling even if it’s just painted on the wall! If your living room is lacking natural light, then installing skylights can really help to brighten up your living space and give it a more open feeling. Making your small room look bigger is definitely possible with a little bit of creativity and some strategic interior design. By using the tips mentioned in this article, you can create a more open and spacious atmosphere that’s perfect for living in. So get started today and see the results!
During the holiday season, there is nothing better than having some quick breads for Christmas ready to serve. We never know when we might have visitors or when we are heading out to share some cheer. Whether you need a snack for an afternoon tea, a breakfast, or a snack for after dinner, using candy canes is the flavour of the season. You will want to make this Peppermint Mocha Bread for those times. They also make the perfect gift wrapped up in holiday accessories.
Mint or Peppermint
There are many different types of “mint” like spearmint, orange mint, chocolate mint, and, of course, peppermint. When you decide to bake with mint, how do you know which one to use? Well, it all depends on how strong of a mint flavour you want. Mint is an aromatic herb produced by the species of the mint plant (Mentha), Peppermint has the strongest flavour with the menthol taste. Since it has the strongest menthol taste, it isn’t often used as fresh herbs in cooking. Adding a touch to your baking makes it taste and feel like Christmas any time of the year. Peppermint isn’t just used for baking, since it has some health benefits and often helps with a cough or sore throat.
Chocolate Peppermint Bread with Mocha
This peppermint mocha bread has the perfect combination of chocolate and coffee. This easy and quick bread recipe makes 1 loaf, but if you choose to wrap up some for gifts, then you will want to use mini loaf pans. A mini loaf is so much better than a slice so save the slices when you have a cup of tea or coffee with your family.
This chocolate peppermint loaf cake recipe uses crushed peppermint that you can get by crushing your own candy canes or peppermint candies better. You can get different sizes to sprinkle over top. If you don’t want to crush your own, you can find crushed candy canes in a bulk food store such as Bulk Barn.
MORE PEPPERMINT RECIPES
It’s the holiday season you will probably want to add a few more dessert dishes that call for peppermint. If you need a few more that aren’t your own, check out these:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray your 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan with a non stick baking spray. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, add the flour, salt, baking soda, sugar, and cocoa. Whisk to combine. Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the sour cream, eggs, and butter. Mix on medium until combined. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients mix on medium until well combined. Gently stir in the white chocolate peppermint baking chips and chocolate chips.
Pour batter into your prepared loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 50-55 minutes. Remove from the oven and let the chocolate bread cool in a loaf pan for 10 minutes. Remove the homemade quick bread from the loaf pan and let cool completely on a wire rack. Drizzle with fudge sauce and crushed candy canes.
I hope you enjoyed this Peppermint Mocha Bread Recipe as much as I did! If you make it, please share your photos with us on Facebook or Twitter! Also, check out all of our other recipes!
Peppermint Mocha Bread
Lyne Proulx
There is nothing better than having some quick breads for Christmas ready to serve. You will want to make this Chocolate Peppermint bread.
1cupwhite chocolate peppermint baking chips or 1 tsp peppermint extract and 1 cup of white chocolate chips
1/2cupchocolate chips
4tbsphot fudge sauce
1candy cane
Non-cooking spray
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray your 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan with a non stick baking spray. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, add the flour, salt, baking soda, sugar, and cocoa. Whisk to combine. Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the sour cream, eggs, and butter. Mix on medium until combined. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients mix on medium until well combined.
Gently stir in the white chocolate peppermint baking chips and chocolate chips.
Pour batter into your prepared loaf pan.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 50-55 minutes.
Remove from the oven and cool in a loaf pan for 10 minutes.
Remove the homemade quick bread from the loaf pan and let cool completely on a wire rack.
With so many great Christmas carols to choose from, how do you narrow down the list? There are a number of great holiday songs that you’ll want to include. Here are 5 Christmas carols to sing as a family!
A list of Christmas songs
Christmas is a great time for enjoying wonderful music and movies with your loved ones. If you’re thinking about going Christmas caroling with your family, you might not be sure what songs you’ll want to sing. Even if you’re just singing along at home while you decorate the tree, knowing some great holiday songs will help everyone have a great time.
1. Silent Night
Silent Night is probably the best Christmas song of all time! Although it is a slow song, it is one that many of us are used to hearing during the month of December. It is bound to put your family – and anyone who you sing to – in the holiday spirit!
2. Deck the Halls
If you’re looking for a great, upbeat Christmas song to sing together as a family, Deck the Halls is a great choice!
3. Jingle Bells
Jingle Bells is another one of the traditional Christmas carols you’ll want to add to your list! You’ll just want to make sure that your kids don’t sing the “Batman smells” version.
4. Let It Snow
If you and your family are hoping for a white Christmas, then you’ll want to sing this Christmas song! Not only is it a fairly upbeat song, but almost everyone knows the lyrics to this Christmas song!
5 Christmas Carols to Sing as a Family
5. O Holy Night
Though this is another slow Christmas carol, O Holy Night is a beautiful song that would make a great addition to your list!
These are just 5 Christmas carols to sing as a family! You might consider having each member of your family choosing a holiday song they love when you go caroling.
Which Christmas carols do you sing with your family?
There are certain flavours that remind us of the holiday season. When you get a sudden smell or taste of cinnamon, gingerbread, hot cocoa, or eggnog it gives you the feeling of happiness and joy. This is exactly what the season is all about and this Eggnog Pie gives you just that!
How to Make Eggnog
The ingredients in an eggnog consist of egg yolks, milk, cream, sugar, and spices such a cinnamon and nutmeg. You can have the eggnog with alcohol or without it. What do you mix with eggnog to make it alcoholic? Distilled spirits such as rum, whiskey, and brandy can be added for a spiked eggnog. You can make any of these homemade eggnog recipes for the family or whip up these eggnog with alcohol recipes for adults!
Storing Eggnog
During the fall and winter months, you will be able to find an abundance of eggnog in the grocery stores. The rest of the year, not so much. That’s why most recipes using eggnog are made around Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Can eggnog be frozen? The answer is yes, but only for about 6 months for both homemade and store-bought. When storing it in the freezer, you can keep it in a plastic container or in the carton it comes in or pour it into an air-tight container but make sure to leave a little bit of headspace as it will expand when freezing.
Gingerbread Crumble
Have you ever thought of switching up your pie crust from the regular graham pie crust or a pastry crust? Using gingersnaps is a simple way to create the perfect holiday pies and no bake desserts. It is just as easy as a graham crust, but so much yummier. If you like gingerbread, then check out this Gingerbread Cookie Smoothie.
Gingersnap cookies are dry, crumble easily, and have instant flavour already added in so there is no need to add extra spices. If you want to prepare the crumbs ahead of time before making your eggnog pie, just crush them up and store them in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer. If you want to experiment with this eggnog pie recipe, it will go well with chocolate, lemon, and many other different fruits. Don’t be afraid to switch up your pie crust this holiday season and make an eggnog pie with a gingersnap crust. Your friends and family will thank you for a wonderful tasting Christmas pie.
Eggnog Pie with a Gingerbread Crumble
Prep Time: 10 min
Bake Time: 30 min
Total Time: 40 min
Yield: 6-7 pieces
Holiday eggnog pie recipe
Many don’t realize that eggnog is more than just a drink to sip on. There are so many different desserts that can be made with eggnog so be sure to check out these recipes for eggnog!
In a small saucepan add the sugar and cornstarch. Stir to combine. Whisk in the eggnog until smooth. Bring the mixture to a low boil. Reduce the heat and cook for 2 minutes and stir constantly. Remove the saucepan from the heat; add in the butter and extract. Stir until the butter is melted and smooth. Pour the pie mixture into the pie crust. Bake for 20-25 minutes.
Gingerbread crumble recipe
Gingerbread Crumble Ingredients
15 Gingersnap cookies
½ cup of flour
⅓ cup of brown sugar
⅓ cup oats
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ cup cold butter
Ginger Crumble Topping
In a medium bowl, add the gingersnaps, flour, sugar, oats, and cinnamon. Stir to combine. Add your chopped butter to your mixture. Using your hands combine the butter with the mixture. Make sure there are no chunks of butter and its small crumbs.
Add the crumble on top of the pie and bake for another 5 minutes. Remove this homemade eggnog pie from the oven and allow to cool. Enjoy!
I hope you enjoyed this Eggnog Pie recipe as much as I did! If you make it, please share your photos with us on Facebook or Twitter! Also, check out all of our other recipes!
Eggnog Pie with Gingerbread Crumble
Lyne Proulx
This holiday season you need to bake an eggnog pie. Your friends and family will thank you for a wonderful tasting Christmas pie!
Once upon a time, I took Disney’s Magical Express to my Disney resort only to discover I had no cash for a tip. I hate that feeling, when I realize it’s time to tip and I have nothing! Can you tips Disney cast members? Although it is true that most Disney cast members do not accept tips, this is not true across the board. As a matter of fact, some positions at Walt Disney World pay less under an expectation that a portion of the cast members income will come from gratuities. Tipping Walt Disney cast members, therefore has some vague rules surrounding it that I can clarify for you here.
How much to tip at Disney World
First off, tipping Disney cast members is rarely mandatory. It may be expected by some cast members, but it is still voluntary.
The question of how much you should tip Disney cast members is determined by:
a) how much is customary to tip
b) how much you choose to tip
Whether or not you tip automatically, or you view the Disney cast members income as a factor, the best advice is to tip at your comfort level.
Carry a Variety of Small Bills
The best way to be comfortable about tipping is to always carry a variety of small bills. If you are ever in a position where you become aware a tip is expected, or at least encouraged, you don’t need to feel awkward about it. One good thing is that Disney cast members in tipped positions are often very gracious and honestly don’t expect it, even though they count on it.
Who to tip at Disney World
Some positions at Disney World allow for an hourly rate that is below the state minimum wage. These positions are called tipped positions and they have to do with jobs directly related to service, where tips are regularly received. The tips supplement the paycheck. Among the various tipped positions in Disney World are Motorcoach drivers, restaurant servers, and bag handlers.
Understand Customary Gratuity
Do you tip Disney Magical Express driver? The two people you want cash on hand for are the drivers and the bag handlers. Anyone that touches your bags should be tipped roughly $2-3 per bag. That goes for the people who work at the airport as well as the bellhops at the hotel. Servers at restaurants get between 15% and 20% generally. If you are in a large party an automatic 18% gratuity will be applied to the bill.
Who to Tip in the Disney Parks
Aside from table service dining, most Disney in park cast members do not accept tips. Even Disney tour guides are not tipped, although if you have a private tour group, they may require, or expect a tip. You should tip, in cash only, a haircut at the barber in Town Square. A 15% tip is customary at the barber. The only exception to the no tipping rule is makeover experiences like Bibbity Bobbity Boutique and the Pirates League. The boutique and the Pirates’ League are less expecting, but always appreciative.
Hope this clarifies which Disney cast member positions you should tip at your next trip!
Do you like to bake your own bread? There are so many different recipes for making bread whether it be for sandwiches, desserts, or breakfast bread. If you are looking for something that won’t disappoint family and friends, then this easy recipe for Sweet Potato bread with maple will have your family and friends drooling and wanting more. Makes sure to add this homemade sweet potato bread to your holiday baking this season.
Recipe Sweet Potato Bread
Sweet or Savoury
Numerous individuals think of sweet and savoury dishes as two partitioned categories, and in some cases they are. Savoury is regularly categorized as anything not primarily sweet. Meat, for instance, is more often than not savoury.
Savoury Dishes to make
Vegetables, in common, are more savoury. Snack foods, finger foods, and hors d’oeuvres are mostly savoury, as well. Meats done with the least sugar and with no center on a sugary taste are considered savoury. Fragrant herbs like basil or can be utilized to flavour meats and meat sauces.
Sweet Dishes to make
Sweet, the other half of the sweet and savoury team, is created by sugar. This may come from the sugar in natural products, or it may take the shape of chocolate or other sweet flavours.
It can be difficult to make a distinction between sweet and savoury. Both work together and by themselves this allows the cook to give food full flavour and more appetizing.
What makes this recipe sweet and savour? The answer is right there in the name “sweet potato“. There are of course many other ingredients like maple, allspice, or cinnamon in the glaze that make this recipe a mixture of both flavours. Did you know this easy sweet potato bread recipe has pecans in it? There is nothing better than a sweet loaf with nuts for added texture.
15 ounces canned sweet potatoes puree, drained or 1 3/4 cups of homemade sweet potatoes. You can also purchase sweet potatoes and bake them 425º in the oven on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil and prick the sweet potatoes all over with a fork until tender, 45 to 50 minutes with the peel on, then peel and mash once they’re done. You could cook them in the microwave instead if you want to. They’re much easier to peel once cooked.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9×5 loaf pan with non stick baking spray. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, mash sweet potatoes. Add sugar, water, oil, maple syrup, and eggs to the sweet potatoes. Mix to combine.
In a medium bowl, add the flour, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon and allspice, and baking powder. Whisk to combine.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix well to combine. Add the pecans and mix to combine. Pour evenly into the prepared loaf pan.
Bake for 60-70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean. Cool for 15 minutes in the pan.
Cinnamon Glaze Recipe
Cinnamon glaze ingredients
1 cup powdered sugar
2-4 tbsp whole milk
2 tbsp ground cinnamon
How to make a cinnamon glaze
Using a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and ground cinnamon until combined.
Turn the loaf out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Pour the glaze on top of the bread.
Sweet Potato Bread toppings
Sprinkle Heath Bar baking bits (in the US), Hershey’s Chipits SKOR Toffee Bits, or Hershey’s SKOR Bars all over the loaf. There you have it, the best sweet potato bread recipe!
I hope you enjoyed this Maple Sweet Potato Bread with cinnamon glaze as much as I did! If you make it, please share your photos with us on Facebook or Twitter! Also, check out all of our other recipes!
Maple Sweet Potato Maple Bread
Lyne Proulx
This easy recipe for sweet potato bread with maple will have your family wanting more. Add this maple sweet potato bread to your holiday baking.
½cupHeath Bar baking bitsin the US, Hershey’s Chipits SKOR Toffee Bits, or Hershey’s SKOR Bars
CINNAMON GLAZE INGREDIENTS
1cuppowdered sugar
2tbspwhole milk2-4 tbsp
2tbspground cinnamon
Instructions
HOW TO MAKE SWEET POTATO BREAD
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9×5 loaf pan with non stick baking spray. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, mash sweet potatoes. Add sugar, water, oil, maple syrup, and eggs to the sweet potatoes. Mix to combine.
In a medium bowl, add the flour, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon and allspice, and baking powder. Whisk to combine.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix well to combine. Add the pecans and mix to combine. Pour evenly into the prepared loaf pan.
Bake for 60-70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the centre
comes out clean. Cool for 15 minutes in the pan.
HOW TO MAKE A CINNAMON GLAZE
Using a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and ground cinnamon until combined.
Turn the loaf out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Pour the glaze on top of the bread.
SWEET POTATO BREAD TOPPINGS
Sprinkle Heath Bar baking bits (in the US), Hershey’s Chipits SKOR Toffee Bits, or Hershey’s SKOR Bars all over the loaf. There you have it, the best sweet potato bread recipe!
Notes
You can also purchase sweet potatoes and bake them 425º in the oven on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil and prick the sweet potatoes all over with a fork until tender, 45 to 50 minutes with the peel on, then peel and mash once they’re done. You could cook them in the microwave instead if you want to. They’re much easier to peel once cooked.
With the holidays just around the corner, who couldn’t use a new simple chocolate Christmas dessert recipe? Are you looking for a sweet treat to add to your dessert menu? Do you need an extra sweet gift for someone at Christmas? Look no further then this easy recipe for peppermint bark!
recipe peppermint bark
The smell and taste of peppermint is one of the most craved during the Holidays. And of course, everyone needs a little chocolate! Now you can have them both with this recipe for chocolate bark with peppermint. This lip-smacking Peppermint Bark uses only 3 ingredients. And best of all, you can prepare this peppermint bark using chocolate chips in less than 20 minutes.
So, grab your apron and let’s get cooking by making this recipe for Christmas bark! You will be at the top of everyone’s thank you Christmas list with this homemade peppermint bark.
How to crush Candy Canes
How to easily crush candy canes? To get small crushed pieces of candy cane, I put them in a Ziplock freezer bag and crush it with the flat side of a meat tenderizer, a rolling pin, a hammer, or a rubber mallet. Put the closed bag on a cutting board and top the bag with a towel. Smash the bag until you reach your desired coarseness.
Peppermint bark Christmas gift
For a special treat, you can make an extra batch of this recipe for chocolate bark with peppermint and give away as easy edible Christmas gifts.
Go to your local store that sells that sells cute, adorable holiday bags or containers. Pick up a few and as you break apart these DIY peppermint bark, put some into the bags or containers. Add a bow and a gift tag and there you have a wonderful, delicious, inexpensive Christmas gift that anyone would love.
easy recipe for peppermint bark
Peppermint Bark Recipe
Thanks to Twinkl for featuring our recipe for Christmas Bark as part of their Christmas recipes campaign.
You can use milk, semi-sweet, or dark chocolate chips
Kitchen tools needed
Double boiler or see note below
Cookie sheet with wax paper
Spatula
How to make easy peppermint bark
Break apart candy canes. Set aside.
Using a double boiler, add chocolate chips and stir occasionally with a spatula until chocolate is melted. Pour the melted chocolate into a 9 x 12-inch cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Once again, using the double boiler (after washing the chocolate out) melt the white chocolate chips.
Pour directly over the melted chocolate. Sprinkle with the crushed candy canes. Place cookie sheet into freezer for 5 minutes or until hardened. Break candy apart. Place in a festive dish.
Note: If you don’t have a double boiler, get two different size pots. Fill the biggest one half way full with water. Set the little pot inside the bigger pot and you have a double boiler.
I hope you enjoyed this easy recipe for Peppermint Bark as much as I did! If you make it, please share your photos with us on Facebook or Twitter! Also, check out all of our other recipes!
Easy Recipe for Peppermint Bark
Lyne Proulx
Are you looking for a new simple chocolate Christmas dessert recipe? Look no further then this easy recipe for peppermint bark!
Using a double boiler, add chocolate chips and stir occasionally with a spatula until chocolate is melted.
Pour the melted chocolate into a 9 x 12-inch cookie sheet lined with wax paper.
Once again, using the double boiler (after washing the chocolate out) melt the white chocolate chips.
Pour directly over the melted chocolate. Sprinkle with the crushed candy canes.
Place cookie sheet into freezer for 5 minutes or until hardened.
Break candy apart and place in a festive dish.
Notes
HOW TO CRUSH CANDY CANES How to easily crush candy canes? To get small crushed pieces of candy cane, I put them in a Ziplock freezer bag and crush it with the flat side of a meat tenderizer, a rolling pin, a hammer, or a rubber mallet. Put the closed bag on a cutting board and top the bag with a towel. Smash the bag until you reach your desired coarseness.INGREDIENT VARIATIONSYou can use milk, semi-sweet, or dark chocolate chipsNote: If you don’t have a double boiler, get two different size pots. Fill the biggest one half way full with water. Set the little pot inside the bigger pot and you have a double boiler.
Don’t arrive at your holiday soirees empty-handed. Try these holiday housewarming aromatherapy gift ideas for the most-appreciated gifts your hosts will receive.
November through January are months that are traditionally filled with parties, holiday get togethers, and a variety of social gatherings. Proper etiquette suggests that one should not arrive at an event in a private home without bringing a small gift to offer to the host or hostess.
But what type of housewarming gift should you bring that won’t be lost in the excitement of the event, that doesn’t create an immediate distraction for the hostess (like flowers or food that needs to be chilled), and that is truly thoughtful for your host? Following are numerous housewarming aromatherapy gift ideas that are all proven for success!
Aromatherapy Gifts
Whether you are looking for housewarming gift ideas for a man or woman, an aromatherapy gift is always a welcome alternative. If you are unsure of what is aromatherapy, think of how fantastic you feel when you inhale the aromatics from a freshly cut pine tree, or remember the feeling that you got when you walked into your mom’s kitchen and smelled those warm brownies baking in the oven! Those sensations are what the science of aromatherapy develops. You can actually alter your mood just from the fragrances that you are inhaling.
Different Ways to Use Essential Oils in Aromatherapy
Pure essential oils are both healing and fragrant for use in the home. There are many ways to utilize the use of essential oils in aromatherapy for both personal use and for use in the home. The occasion, specific use and the individual will dictate the essential oil suitable for use, but it can be applied in various ways.
Aromatherapy Candles
Aromatherapy candles and aromatherapy room sprays are non-toxic and environmentally friendly when compared to regular paraffin candles. Pure aromatherapy candles are made from essential oils, soy, or beeswax. All natural aromatherapy candles are often bio-degradable and do not contain carcinogens.
How to use aromatherapy candle? Natural aromatherapy candles can be used to “set a mood” in the home; for example, lavender aromatherapy candles aid in relaxation, whereas citrus aromatherapy candles add stimulation. Homemade essential oils candles make fantastic ideas for housewarming gift basket. Whether they are presented in a simple gift bag, or wrapped in festive paper.
Aromatherapy Lotions, Bath Oils, Shampoo, and Soap
One of the most popular ways of utilizing essential oils in aromatherapy is through the use of aromatherapy lotions and oils. Many aromatherapy blends can be used to replace regular skin care products for daily use. In addition, specific aromatherapy blends can treat a particular problem such as back pain or headaches. Use essential oils in pure aromatherapy soap, bath oils and shampoo for daily cleansing. Choose specific soaps, oils and shampoos which address a particular problem. For example, use a shampoo with lemon essential oil for oily hair. You might enjoy our Homemade Lavender Vanilla Soap Recipe as a holiday housewarming aromatherapy gift idea.
Create your own aromatherapy perfumes
Commercial perfumes contain synthetic perfume ingredients whereas homemade aromatherapy perfumes contain essential oils. Use pure essential oils, as oppose to fragrance oils, to create a perfume which is both fragrant and healing. For example, choose a combination of Ylang Ylang and orange essential oils to create an aphrodisiac perfume.
Housewarming return gift ideas
Return gift ideas for housewarming can be natural homemade cleaning products in spray bottles. Essential oils cleaning products can be used in the home in place of commercial cleaning products. A lot of essential oils are both bactericidal and antiseptic which means they are capable of preventing the growth of bacteria. Essential oils which are also anti-viral and anti-fungal can help to prevent other germs too. You can wipe down kitchen and bathroom areas with an essential oils blend such as pine, lemon and cypress. Housewarming return gift ideas can also include a first aid kit for the treatment of common ailments using essential oils.
Cautions for Using Essential Oils in Aromatherapy
If unfamiliar in the use of essential oils, or for further advice on how to use essential oils in aromatherapy, consult a qualified aromatherapist. In general, essential oils should never be used undiluted and should be combined in an aromatherapy blend with a carrier oil or lotion. Pay attention to specific contraindications for a particular essential oil with certain conditions. Used safely and correctly, there are many ways to use essential oils in aromatherapy. In addition to the ways mentioned above, essential oils can also be used in wedding favours, travel gift bags, and the garden.
Great housewarming gift ideas can include homemade aromatherapy products such as lotions, candles, soap, shampoos, bath oils, room sprays, and homemade perfumes to add natural, healing essential oils and fragrances.
New York is one of the most famous cities in the world, known for its high-flying business tycoons, exclusive shops, and extravagant Broadway performances. New York is also the land of opportunity for individuals looking for a career and starting a business.
Undeniably, New York is a lot of things, and being family-friendly is one. New York is an excellent place to raise children because it’s surrounded by culture and diversity, allowing kids to learn different experiences. But do you know that New York also offers countless outdoor activities for nature-loving kids?
If you’re traveling or moving to New York soon, make sure to try out these outdoor activities with your kids:
1. Run Through Corn Mazes
New York has plenty of corn mazes that you and your kids will surely enjoy. You can visit websites like Mazeplay to locate the nearest corn maze from your location in New York.
Going through a corn maze provides many educational benefits for children of all ages. For one, corn mazes can enhance your child’s problem-solving skills as they have to figure out several clues to make it through the end of the maze. Some corn mazes will require your kids to answer riddles, while others will ask them to complete jigsaw puzzles.
Allowing your kids to wander in a corn maze could also improve their spatial awareness and directional skills, enhance their memory, and spark creativity. Most importantly, corn mazes promote family bonding as parents and children have to work together to survive the maze.
2. Visit Botanical Gardens
If your kids are curious about plants and how each variety differs in appearance and maintenance, visiting botanical gardens should be included in your to-do list. New York houses some of the world’s best botanical gardens, so you won’t have any problems finding one that suits your schedule and budget, and your kids’ preferred activities.
Exposing your children to plants can teach them understanding as they’ll learn about cause and effect. For example, when you enroll your kids in gardening classes, they’ll know that their plants can die if they don’t water them regularly or if they allow weeds to grow around them.
Here are some of the best botanical gardens the entire family can visit around New York:
New York Botanical Garden: Aside from being able to view breathtaking gardens, the New York Botanical Garden also offers different trails perfect for kids. You and your kids can hike on the Thain Family Forest or Wetland Trail and enjoy bright-colored flowers throughout the entire year. For a more interactive experience, register your kids in the Edible Academy. With a state-of-the-art educational facility, this program aims to teach children (and adults how to cultivate fruits, vegetables, and herbs, and even cook them at an on-site kitchen.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden: Your kids will never run out of activities to do in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. They can marvel at the garden’s cherry esplanade, access the largest rose collection in North America, and explore special gardens and paths. You can enroll them in the Seeds Classes (for children ages four to six years old), so they can learn how to care for garden plots or City Farmers (for children in the first to eighth grades) to educate them on basic horticulture skills.
Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens: With over 11 acres of landscape, the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens is one of the best botanical gardens in New York. This local attraction has several greenhouses where kids can learn a lot about a wide variety of plants and flowers. As for outdoor activities, kids can have several options to choose from in the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens. For starters, they can feed several families of koi fish with food provided by the garden. They can also enroll in on-site art classes and draw inspiration from different flowers for their paintings and drawings.
3. Play In Kid-friendly Parks
Outdoor activities play an essential role in your kids’ development. Encouraging your kids to play outdoors may improve their motor skills, muscle strength, and overall health. Playing outdoors is also a great way for your kids to have a sense of independence. The list of health benefits goes on, which is why it’s important to regularly take them to parks—and New York has plenty.
There are many kid-friendly parks in New York, and most of these are free. This will surely encourage you to spend more time with your kids in different parks around the city!
Listed below are some of the best kid-friendly parks in New York:
Brooklyn Bridge Park: If you’re looking for a park that allows your kids to play to their heart’s delight, Brooklyn Bridge Park is an excellent choice. The playground in this park is like no other—your kids can enjoy playing around in the Sand Village (an enormous sandbox with several metal slides), Water Lab (a stone-strewn area where kids can play with water), and Swing Valley (a dedicated area for Tarzan-style ropes). The Brooklyn Bridge Park also has soccer fields, grassy spaces, bike paths, and hidden trails. With the number of areas this park has to offer, your kids will surely have a great time here!
Governors Island: Governor’s Island has 172-acre park open from May to October and is an excellent place for kids to learn how to bike as there are rentals nearby. If your kids aren’t interested in biking, they can spend more time at the park’s playground and glide down on the longest slide in New York.
Central Park: Central Park has been a cultural icon in New York—and with the activities it offers, it’s easy to see why. Your kids can watch and feed different animals in the zoo, learn more about flora and fauna found in the park through the Belvedere Castle’s Henry Luce Nature Observatory, and ride on rowboats. Central Park has 21 playgrounds, so your kids will never run out of areas to play.
4. Take A Dip At Swimming Holes
Swimming has several health benefits to children. Whenever your kids swim, their cardiovascular, respiratory health improves. Swimming also helps kids develop endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility.
When done with peers, swimming may also serve as an avenue for your children to improve their social skills and create friendships with children who have similar interests. Most importantly, swimming may also help your kids manage and reduce stress.
Undeniably, swimming is a fun and healthy activity, so make it a habit to take your kids to various swimming holes around New York. You’ll have several options to choose from, namely:
Canopus Lake: Canopus lake is a 100-acre lake with a large beach and designated picnic areas. If your kids want to take a rest from swimming, they can hide on rowboats (rentals are available) or take on hiking trails.
Lake Taghkanic:Lake Taghkanic is a favourite among many locals and tourists because it features a sandy beach perfect for swimming. There are also several playgrounds, picnic areas, and kayak rentals in the area.
Lake Tiorati: Lake Tiorati is a popular swimming spot in New York that gets crowded during weekend holidays. Because it has several acres of sandbars, your kids will also have fun making sandcastles in this lake!
5. Take On Hiking Trails
If you’re looking for easy yet effective ways of introducing your kids to nature, encourage them to take on hiking trails. This outdoor activity is a great form of physical exercise, helps kids build confidence, and teaches them how to appreciate nature.
Hiking can be educational as kids can see, smell, hear, and feel things they never knew existed. This activity is also a great opportunity for you to teach them about some basic survival skills, and the importance of preserving the environment.
New York has several kid-friendly hiking trails, such as:
Harriman State Park: As the second-largest park in the city, the Harriman State Park offers different hiking trails for families. The trail leading to Pine Meadow Lake is one of the most popular as it’s ideal for kids.
Inwood Hill Park: If you want your kids to bask in breathtaking views while hiking, visit the Inwood Hill Park as soon as possible. Because it’s located at the tip of Manhattan, your kids will have access to a 360-degree view of the city as they’re hiking the steep trail.
Bear Mountain State Park: The trail in the Bear Mountain State Park is ideal for older kids or those who already have experienced taking on hiking adventures in the past. After conquering 40 miles of trails, you and your children can enjoy stunning views on top of the mountainous terrain.
Create An Itinerary For Your Kids ASAP
New York City has a lot to offer to nature-loving kids. Regardless of whether your children want a laidback experience or something more physically engaging, there will always be something to do when in The Big Apple.
So, what are you waiting for? Start creating an itinerary with the outdoor activities mentioned in this article. When you allow your kids to enjoy what New York has to offer, it won’t be long before they start to love the city!
I especially love adding a touch of Disney magic to my cupcakes which is why I haven’t been able to look at a pair of OREO cookies without instantly thinking of mouse ears. Maybe it’s time for a vacation to Walt Disney World. Or maybe I just need to enjoy some fabulous Minnie Mouse cupcakes complete with a fondant bow.
Minnie cupcake
My favourite thing about cupcakes is the way you can dress them. It’s the best way to host a theme or generally add a flare of fun to your sweet tooth indulgence. Kids naturally add a sense of fun and whimsy to their food, but cupcakes are one of those rare opportunities where we as adults can have some fun too. This Minnie cupcake recipe is no different. It will be so much fun to make with your family!
Minnie Mouse Bows For Cupcakes
The easiest and best-looking way to make a Minnie Mouse bow for your Minnie cupcakes recipe is to use a silicone mold. I love using these molds, they open up all kinds of opportunities to dress up my party foods, or make things in the freezer I never would be able to touch otherwise. When I see a mold with some character, I have to have it and my bow molds are clearly no exception. Especially since they are perfect for one of the most perfect characters, Minnie Mouse.
No Mold for the Minnie Mouse Bows?
If you don’t have a bow mold, that’s okay. It’s merely an opportunity to let your Minnie cupcake design and artistry shine! Molds make it easy to quickly form several bows, but that doesn’t mean you can’t hand form bows on your own. Remember, practice makes perfect, your bows could even turn out better when they are handcrafted. I recommend forming the bow out of two pieces. One that you hand form into the proper shape and a thin strip to wrap around the centre. You could also form your bow out of thin strips that you can fold for a different bow look.
Recipe for Minnie Mouse Cupcakes
These easy Minnie Mouse cupcakes are mostly made with a store bought cake mix, Oreo cookies, and tubs of vanilla frosting. For a festive holiday Disney inspired, you can make these Adorable Mickey and Minnie Christmas Cake Balls!
Makes 24 Minnie Mouse cupcakes
Ingredients for easy Minnie Mouse Cupcakes
1 box of Devil’s Food cake mix
1 cup of water
3 large eggs
⅓ cup of vegetable oil
48 Oreos
3 tubs of vanilla frosting
Hot pink fondant
Kitchen Tools Needed?
1M Wilton tip
1 Wilton disposable piping bag
1 bow silicone fondant mold
Pink polka dot cupcake liners
How to make Minnie cupcakes
Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease sides and bottoms of each cup of your cupcake baking pan. Blend cake mix, oil, eggs and water in a large bowl (follow the instructions on your specific box of cake mix). Pour batter in cupcake pan and bake for 18-21 minutes. Let the Minnie Mouse birthday cupcakes cool completely before frosting.
Minnie Cupcakes Frosting
While these DIY Minnie Mouse cupcakes are cooling, cut the tip of the bag and the insert the 1M Wilton tip, then add the frosting to fill the bag, leaving enough space at the top in order to twist the bag so frosting will not leak out.
Once cupcakes are completely cooled, frost with the vanilla frosting. Add 2 Oreo cookies on each side of the cupcake to create Minnie ears.
Minnie Pink Bows
Knead the fondant until pliable. Lightly brush your bow mold with powder sugar. Take 1 tablespoon of pink fondant and push into your bow mold.
Create 24 pink bow. Place each pink bow between the 2 Oreos. You now have Minnie Mouse cupcakes with Oreos!
I hope you enjoyed these Minnie Mouse Cupcakes as much as I did! If you make it, please share your photos with us on Facebook or Twitter! Also, check out all of our other recipes!
Minnie Mouse Cupcakes with Oreo Ears and Fondant bows
Lyne Proulx
I love adding a touch of Disney magic to my cupcakes which is why I made these Minnie Mouse cupcakes with Oreo mouse ears and fondant bows.
Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease sides and bottoms of each cup of your cupcake baking pan. Blend cake mix, oil, eggs and water in a large bowl (follow the instructions on your specific box of cake mix). Pour batter in cupcake pan and bake for 18-21 minutes. Let the Minnie Mouse birthday cupcakes cool completely before frosting.
MINNIE CUPCAKES FROSTING
While these DIY Minnie Mouse cupcakes are cooling, cut the tip of the bag and the insert the 1M Wilton tip, then add the frosting to fill the bag, leaving enough space at the top in order to twist the bag so frosting will not leak out.
Once cupcakes are completely cooled, frost with the vanilla frosting. Add 2 Oreo cookies on each side of the cupcake to create Minnie ears.
MINNIE PINK BOWS
Knead the fondant until pliable. Lightly brush your bow mold with powder sugar. Take 1 tablespoon of pink fondant and push into your bow mold.
Create 24 pink bow. Place each pink bow between the 2 Oreos. You now have Minnie Mouse cupcakes with Oreos!
Decorating the mantel for Christmas is easy with these ideas for an elegant, classic, or rustic style.
Decorating for Christmas is always fun, and it can inspire the entire mood of the holiday season. Since the fireplace is often the focal point of a room, give extra attention when decorating it. These ideas for decorating fireplace mantel at Christmas cover three different styles – elegant, classic and rustic. In addition, a few tips are included to explain key components to creating any Christmas decorated fireplace mantel look stunning around the fireplace.
Christmas Mantel Decorating Tips
No matter what style of decorating is used, there are a few consistent elements that come with decorating a mantel for Christmas. Make sure these pieces are part of the holiday mantel decor and most of the work is already complete.
Wreath – Hang one on the wall, or over a clock, picture or mirror already on the wall.
Garland – Woven along the mantel garland instantly says Christmas.
Stockings – It would not be Christmas without stockings hanging on the fireplace.
How to decorate a Christmas mantel
With these easy mantel decorating ideas for Christmas in place, all that is needed is to find pieces that match the holiday decorating style of the home and fill in with other objects that enhance the look.
Rustic Christmas Mantel Decor
Rustic décor is casual, comfortable and a little bit country. To achieve the look of a rustic Christmas decor for mantel, look for simple items in natural materials and without any glitz.
Use real or fake greenery for wreaths and garland.
Dried berries and pinecones tie in with the natural effect.
Stockings made from burlap are simple and festive, and they add interesting texture.
Complete the rustic look with accessories such as bare branches, small wooden toys or antique ornaments.
Classic Christmas Mantel
Traditional Christmas mantel decorations are all about a red and green colour scheme used with traditional elements such as holly, jingle bells, and evergreens.
Start with a classic evergreen wreath and garland for the mantel.
Tie a wide red bow on the wreath and weave ribbon through the garland.
Choose a simple stocking such a red one with white fur cuff, or use more elaborate styles to contrast with the other traditional pieces.
Finish the look by nestling candles into the garland along the mantel top.
Elegant Christmas Mantel ideas
To add elegance to decorating the mantel for Christmas, choose pieces that sparkle and shine. A single colour scheme ups the style factor and helps turn the mantel into a bold focal point. Red is a classic Christmas colour, but is especially strong when it sparkles.
Make a wreath from a round foam form wrapped in red tinsel garland.
Personalize it with hanging mirrored or jeweled ornaments.
Use the same type of garland along the mantel top.
Try to find matching red glitter miniature trees to set on top.
This decorating approach calls for unique stockings.
Look for trendy styles in unexpected shapes and patterns.
Decorating a mantel and the surrounding fireplace for Christmas is easy when using basic items such as a wreath, garland, and stockings. Choose different styles and accessories to finish the look no matter what design tastes needs to be followed.
I have spent most of my life wearing flip-flops or shoes with no support. Over the years, my back and feet have become an issue and I now have daily chronic pain. When it comes to shoes, I have tried many and am always looking for a pair that lasts and won’t hurt my feet. When I heard about Loom Waterproof Footwear for men and women, I knew I had to try them! It has been many years since I had white shoes, so I decided to choose that colour for this review.
Photo Credit: Loom Footwear
Do you do a lot of standing throughout the day or like to walk and take hikes? I am on my feet a few hours during the day and I love to walk, but haven’t been able to for a long period of time. I want to be able to do that again and not have to take breaks to alleviate the pain. I believe that these Loom sneakers will help with that.
The All Terrain Footwear
Loom footwear is eco-friendly and comes in two colours: black and white for both men and women. Travel outside in any weather with Loom Waterproof Footwear that will keep your feet dry in rain or snow. They are well-cushioned, impact-resistant, and have breathable upper material. You will find them to be lightweight and odour-free. Most shoes after a few days can end up with a stinky foot smell, but these shoes are truly odourless and still smell like new shoes (my daughter did a smell test after a week of use).
Waterproof Sneakers
When it comes to waterproof footwear, you usually need a spray so they will remain waterproof and keep your feet dry in the elements. It is a process you have to continue through the duration of their life. These sneakers are made of high quality merino wool that is temperature regulating.
My daughter wanted to see how well her feet would stay dry walking through water. She didn’t believe that her feet would stay dry. Although it had been a rainy week, it was a sunny day when we headed to the park and found a stream to walk in. She was amazed that her feet did not get wet! But remember to keep the water below the shoe line or your feet will get wet. No one likes wet feet to ruin the day!
Both my daughter and I tried out the shoes, but my daughter has now claimed them for herself. I may have to purchase a pair for myself; however, I think I would choose black this time. My daughter’s current shoes rub the back of her ankle and are a bit uncomfortable.
While the only struggle we had with the shoes was getting them on for the first few times, we found there wasn’t much stretch in them. Additionally, unless the laces were completely loose, they were very difficult to put on. After a couple of weeks of wear, they have loosened up nicely and are the most comfortable shoes I have had on my feet. Since my daughter claimed them for herself, I don’t get much of a chance to wear them as often as I would like.
Loom Footwear Promo Code
Do these waterproof sneakers sound like something you could use in your life? They are presently on SALE at $99.00 USD! Visit Loom Footwear and use discount code OMC10 to get a 10% OFF Site Wide Discount!
Rules: Open to Canada and US residents 18 +. You have 48 hours to reply by email once you are notified as the winner. If you don’t, we will draw another entry. The prize is non-transferable. No substitution or cash equivalent of prizes is permitted. The selected winner must correctly answer a mathematical question in order to win the prize mentioned above. The Ottawa Mommy Club is not responsible for prize fulfillment and for the delivery/shipment of the prize(s) mentioned above.
Statistics show that one in every eight Canadians experiences one form of depression at some point in their lives. This mental health condition affects more women because of a variety of reasons. For one, hormonal changes during puberty may increase a woman’s risk of developing depression. Dramatic hormonal changes before or during pregnancy may also trigger depression.
When left untreated, depression can cause many symptoms, namely loss of interest in hobbies or other pleasurable activities, heightened feelings of worthlessness and guilt, and fatigue. These symptoms can make it very challenging for you to become a parent and look after your family.
As a parent, it’s important to exert time and effort to recover from depression. This process isn’t easy, but following the tips listed below can help you stay on track.
1. Stay Connected
Withdrawal from friends and family is a common symptom of depression. However, if you want to recover from this condition, you should fight the urge to isolate yourself all the time. Withdrawal can only deepen depressed mood and trigger excessive feelings of loneliness.
One way to recover from depression is to reach out to people who understand your condition and spend as much time with them. This might be difficult at first, but staying connected can help you maintain a healthy perspective in life and motivate you to sustain your efforts in beating depression.
There are many ways to reach out for depression support, such as:
Looking for support from people who care about you: The individuals you talk to don’t have to be experts in depression or mental health. You just need someone who knows how to listen attentively without judging or distracting you.
Prioritizing face-to-face meetings: Video calls and texts are a great way to communicate, but nothing beats meeting people personally. Find the time to personally meet with your friends and family to reconnect. Face-to-face meetings can help you relieve symptoms of depression and keep stress at bay.
Becoming a pet owner: Looking after a pet is a great way to experience companionship 24/7. When you have a cat or dog around, you’ll also feel less isolated and experience the sense of being needed all the time.
Initiating conversations: If you choose to avail of inpatient treatment programs for depression, muster your confidence and initiate conversations with the people in the facility. This will help you create lasting friendships, making your sessions at the facility more enjoyable.
2. Focus On Your Overall Health
Sticking to a healthier lifestyle may improve your mood, which may eventually help reduce or minimize the symptoms of depression. However, living a healthy lifestyle isn’t always easy, especially if you have to look after your family and children.
The key to successfully focusing on your health is to avoid doing everything at once. For example, if you want to exercise regularly, start by adding 15 minutes of workout to your daily routine, and, then, gradually increase the intensity and duration as you go along. Once exercising has become innate to you, start working on your diet and sleeping habits.
Here are some lifestyle tips you can incorporate into your daily routine so you can easily combat depression:
Prioritize exercise: Several studies prove that exercising regularly may boost your mood and help you sleep better. When starting an exercise program, remember to start slow to avoid injuries. If you don’t regularly exercise in the past, start taking walks around the neighbourhood with a friend. Once your body has adjusted to taking on physical activities, you can progress to jogging, running, and even trekking. To make it easier for you to exercise regularly, find activities that you actually love. For example, if you love spending time in the water, try swimming. If you’re a nature lover, spend more time trekking or hiking.
Sleep well: People with depression will often have unhealthy sleeping habits. Some might sleep too much, while others have a hard time falling and staying asleep. Sticking to healthy sleeping habits is a must if you want to recover from depression. This means sleeping and waking up at the same time every day, avoiding naps during the daytime, and removing distractions from your bedroom. You should also prepare your bedroom for sleeping by playing soothing music and lighting scented candles.
Eat a healthy diet: Studies show that specific diets may help you recover from depression. For example, sticking to a Mediterranean diet can reduce the inflammation in your body, making you less susceptible to experiencing the symptoms of depression. This type of diet will require you to eat lots of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains, as well as less red meat and highly processed foods.
3. Avoid Alcohol And Drugs
Depression can urge people to use alcohol and drugs to cope with symptoms. Alcohol and drugs can cause the brain to produce small bursts of endorphins and other neurotransmitters, creating a sense of pleasure or euphoria.
However, alcohol and drugs will only worsen depression in the long run as your body eventually develops immunity from the effects of these substances. This means that you need to increase the amount of alcohol and drugs you take to regularly experience their benefits. This can adversely affect your bodily functions and exacerbate depression symptoms.
For one, alcohol and drug abuse can lower the serotonin in your brain, a neurotransmitter responsible for regulating your mood. The lower levels of serotonin you have in the brain, the more depressed you’ll be. Alcohol and drug abuse can also disrupt your sleep pattern, making it more difficult for you to get healthy sleep every night.
4. Get A Dose Of Sunlight Every Day
In order to recover from depression, you don’t need to make drastic changes to your lifestyle—spending more time outdoors and getting a daily dose of sunlight is enough. Sunlight actually impacts your mental health in different ways, allowing you to minimize depressive symptoms.
One study showed that exposing yourself to the sun for at least 15 minutes every day may improve your mood as it increases the serotonin in your body. Sunlight may also stave off symptoms of seasonal affective disorder or SAD, especially when combined with other medical and professional treatments.
Make the most out of the sunlight by doing the following:
If you have a full-time job, spend your lunch break outdoors. You can take a walk or enjoy an alfresco meal.
You can experience more benefits from the sunlight by exercising outside. Depending on your preferences, you can hike, walk, or play golf from 10 AM to 3 PM as the sun is intense during these times.
Even if you only stay at home, you can still enjoy the benefits of the sunlight by opening drapes and blinds, or spending more time near windows.
5. Challenge Negative Thinking
Do you often feel weak and powerless? Are you worried that something terrible will happen and you can’t protect yourself from it? Do you feel that you’re in a hopeless situation? All of these thoughts are symptoms of depression. Over time, these might cause you to question yourself, your qualities, and what you can expect for the future.
You can recover from depression when you learn how to identify negative thoughts and replace them with a balanced way of thinking. Once you determine that you’re thinking unrealistically or negatively, cross-examine your thoughts. For example, you can ask yourself the following questions:
Are there other alternative explanations to why I feel this way?
Is there any evidence that my thoughts are true or untrue?
How would I comfort my friend if she had the same thought?
What could be my perspective about this situation if I didn’t have depression?
Cross-examining will allow you to test the credibility of your negative thoughts. Once you prove that these thoughts are only triggered by your depression and aren’t real, you’ll be surprised how easy it’ll be for you to eliminate pessimism.
Regularly cross-examining your negative thoughts will help you develop a more balanced perspective every day. Over time, this may be an easy yet effective way of relieving symptoms of depression.
6. Give Yourself A ‘Time Out’ Every Day
As a parent, you need to balance your time and energy between taking care of your family and improving your mental health. Juggling these two responsibilities can get overwhelming at times and might even worsen your depression.
Another way to recover from depression is to give yourself a ‘time out’ every day. This is when you spend time all by yourself, relaxing and doing anything that’ll recharge your mental battery. A timeout of 15 minutes per day can go a long way in clearing your mind, reducing stress, and minimizing the frequency of the symptoms of depression.
Always Get Professional Help For Depression
Your efforts to recover from depression can bring better results if you work with professionals. Psychologists and psychiatrists can properly assess the severity of your condition and create appropriate courses of action.
With their help and your determination, it won’t be long before you can recover from depression and live a better life. Having good mental health will make it easier for you to look after your family and become the best parent to your children.
The perfect recipe for tea lovers is my refreshing and cleansing gingerbread loaf iced with lemon glaze. It’s sweet and zesty, with just the right level of spice.
A Potent Combination of Ginger and Lemon
Of course, you don’t have to love tea to indulge in this delightfully complex treat. Texturally, it’s just as complex as it is in flavour. The gingerbread cake ends up so balanced that you can easily eat way too much of it before you even notice. All the best cakes are that way, right? It’s all thanks to pairing the gingerbread cake from scratch with bright and delightful lemon glaze.
What to Do with a Gingerbread Loaf with Lemon Glaze
In theory, this iced gingerbread loaf serves up to 10 people, for a nice one time treat, but I recommend making extra to keep around for a few days so you can enjoy it as a quick breakfast or a mid-morning snack. Making this easy gingerbread loaf cake actually tastes even better if you let it sit a while after making it! The gingerbread cake loaf recipe is for the cake and the glaze, so it’s a little bit of time management, but you can have a whole batch whipped up in under an hour.
Homemade gingerbread cake recipe
I hope you enjoy this soft gingerbread cake recipe as much as I do. It’s become a perfect way to start each day. It’s especially enjoyable on cold dark mornings, just before sun-up, but I also love it as an end of the evening snack as I wind down for bed. You can also serve the gingerbread cake for Christmas dessert.
How To Store the Gingerbread cake
Leftover gingerbread cake can be stored in a plastic container in refrigerator for up to 5 days. The flavour gets even better after a day.
Equipment Needed
Bowls
Loaf pan
Whisk
Handheld mixer
Spatula
Recipe for lemon glaze
The lemon glaze is a very simple recipe, you can use on any baked dessert, but as a component to the ginger cake, it’s absolutely stellar!
lemon Glaze Ingredients
1 cup powdered sugar
¼ cup lemon juice
3 tablespoon granulated sugar
How to Make the lemon glaze
Mix powdered sugar, lemon juice in a bowl until sugar dissolves.
Recipe for gingerbread loaf
The gingerbread loaf and the tangy sour glaze are a dynamic combination that will keep you going back for more, especially if you enjoy it with a cup of your favourite loose leaf tea blend.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Yield: serves 8-10
Gingerbread cake ingredients
2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 and 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 and 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (180ml) molasses (for making molasses take 1/2 cup honey +1/2 cup brown sugar)
3/4 cup (180ml) hot water
1/2 cup (115g; 1 stick) butter, softened to room temperature
1/3 cup (67g) packed light or dark brown sugar
1 large egg, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
How to make a gingerbread loaf
Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt together until combined. Set aside. In a separate bowl, whisk the molasses and hot water together.
In a large bowl using a handheld mixer, beat the butter on high speed until smooth and creamy – about 1 minute. Add the brown sugar and beat on high speed for 1 minute until creamed together fairly well.
Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed. On medium-high speed, beat in the egg and vanilla until combined. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed. With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients in three additions alternating with the hot water/molasses, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients, and mixing each addition just until incorporated. Avoid over mixing. Batter will be thin. Whisk out any big lumps.
Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. Bake for around 35 minutes or until the cake is baked through. All ovens are different and your cake could take a little more or less time. To test for doneness, insert a toothpick into the centre of the cake. If it comes out clean with only a couple moist (not wet) crumbs, it is done. Allow cake to cool a bit in the pan set on a wire rack.
Pour lemon glaze mixture over cake while cake is still warm. Spread the mixture around with a spatula to ensure even distribution. Sprinkle the granulated sugar over the icing for the delicious crunch. Let cake cool completely before serving. Slice and serve the gingerbread loaf!
I hope you enjoyed this Recipe for gingerbread loaf iced with lemon glaze as much as I did! If you make it, please share your photos with us on Facebook or Twitter! Also, check out all of our other recipes!
Gingerbread Loaf Iced With Lemon Glaze
Lyne Proulx
The ideal recipe for tea lovers is my refreshingly gingerbread loaf with lemon glaze. It's sweet and zesty, with just the right level of spice.
3/4cup180ml molasses (or for making molasses take 1/2 cup honey +1/2 cup brown sugar)
3/4cup180ml hot water
1/2cup115g; 1 stick butter softened to room temperature
1/3cup67g packed light or dark brown sugar
1large eggat room temperature
1teaspoonpure vanilla extract
Instructions
HOW TO MAKE THE LEMON GLAZE
Mix powdered sugar, lemon juice in a bowl until sugar dissolves.
HOW TO MAKE A GINGERBREAD LOAF
Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt together until combined. Set aside. In a separate bowl, whisk the molasses and hot water together.
In a large bowl using a handheld mixer, beat the butter on high speed until smooth and creamy – about 1 minute. Add the brown sugar and beat on high speed for 1 minute until creamed together fairly well.
Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed. On medium-high speed, beat in the egg and vanilla until combined. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed. With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients in three additions alternating with the hot water/molasses, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients, and mixing each addition just until incorporated. Avoid over mixing. Batter will be thin. Whisk out any big lumps.
Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. Bake for around 35 minutes or until the cake is baked through. All ovens are different and your cake could take a little more or less time. To test for doneness, insert a toothpick into the centre of the cake. If it comes out clean with only a couple moist (not wet) crumbs, it is done. Allow cake to cool a bit in the pan set on a wire rack.
Pour lemon glaze mixture over cake while cake is still warm. Spread the mixture around with a spatula to ensure even distribution.
Sprinkle the granulated sugar over the icing for the delicious crunch. Let cake cool completely before serving.
Slice and serve the gingerbread loaf!
Notes
HOW TO STORE THE GINGERBREAD CAKE Leftover gingerbread cake can be stored in a plastic container in refrigerator for up to 5 days. The flavour gets even better after a day.
The cost of living in Ottawa and across Canada isn’t getting any cheaper. High inflation is hitting families’ budgets, while the housing market is increasingly unaffordable and out of reach. Prices at the grocery store are rising without any signs of slowing down, the housing market has gone out of control, and gas has gone up.
On top of that, many families have had one or more income earners go through periods of pandemic-related unemployment. That means dipping into savings accounts and drawing on emergency funds.
It’s tough for Ottawa families to get ahead, but that doesn’t mean you can’t achieve financial wellness with the right financial strategies. These strategies can help you accomplish more with your money.
#1 Get Help with Debt
The first step to achieving financial wellness is a plan for your debt. If you’re juggling multiple credit card balances, explore your options for reducing interest rates. Consider debt help programs that involve negotiating with creditors to come up with a more favourable payment plan by cutting those interest costs.
You can also reduce how much you pay in interest by targeting your most expensive debts first. Make a budget that maximizes the amount of extra cash you can put toward your debts. Put that money toward bills that come with the highest penalties and interest charges first.
With the cost of groceries only climbing higher, it’s never been more important to control your grocery costs. A weekly meal plan can help you control your costs by reducing waste and making the most of leftovers. Try these tips:
Check the flyers and plan meals around food that’s on sale, especially more expensive proteins.
Make use of a lot of inexpensive grains like rice and pasta as a foundation.
Make a menu that will use up produce and other ingredients before they go bad.
Use seasonal produce and ingredients that are more affordable and abundant.
Plan meals that will leave you with lots of leftovers that you can easily pack for lunch, whether for your kids or yourself.
A meal plan can also reduce your daily stress. When you already know what’s for dinner and have all the ingredients at home, that’s one less decision you have to make in a day. Plus, the fewer trips you take to the grocery store, the fewer impulse buys you’ll be tempted to make.
#3 Become a “Wealthy Renter”
It’s no secret that the housing market in Ottawa has gone through a frenzy. Home sales were up 15% year-over-year in 2021, and prices remain historically high, even if offers are beginning to cool down.
For many renters, the housing market is simply out of reach. It can be disappointing to realize that homeownership isn’t in your near future, but it could be a blessing in disguise.
Buying a home requires a sizeable down payment. Even if you qualify with only 5%, you’ll be paying higher monthly mortgage payments. At today’s prices, that can be a significant burden on your finances. On top of that, you also have to pay for every repair yourself.
When you don’t own a home, that money could be going toward retirement savings and building your wealth. Homeownership is a major expense that can stand in the way of your ability to save. Renting longer could be a way to grow your wealth. That can also put you in a better place to buy should prices fall in the future.
#4 Rent Out Your Basement
If you’re already a homeowner, you might be feeling the pinch of mortgage payments and home repairs. As much as it’s a relief to get on the property ladder, many wind up house poor, where a large amount of your income goes to paying for your home, leaving little room in your budget.
You can offset the costs of homeownership by converting part of your home into a separate apartment and renting it out. This is one of those cases where going into debt could be a good idea. A line of credit can help you pay for the renovations. Debt that builds your income is a bit different from a credit card.
#5 Teach Your Kids About Money
When children want something, they’re not shy about it. Whether it’s a detour down the toy aisle or the sugary cereal at the grocery store, kids of a certain age can be very vocal with their requests. An essential part of growing up is teaching them why they can’t always get what they want, and it’s not just because of the sugar content.
When you teach your kids about money at a young age, it has two effects. First, you can put less pressure on yourself to fulfill their every want without feeling like the bad guy. Second, you teach them a valuable financial lesson that they’ll carry with them for the rest of their lives.
Help your kids learn the value of money early on. If they want something that you’re planning on getting them anyway, teach them to earn it. Otherwise, they might wind up thinking that adults can get everything they want on a whim, too.
Financial wellness is within your reach. If you can trim your expenses or find new ways of generating income, you can beat debt and start building wealth. Along the way, you can ensure that your whole family learns a valuable lesson in money management.
There are so many kids activities out there and I’m always on the hunt for something new and exciting for my boys who are now aged 4 and 6. It’s a good thing they love the water because in our house learning to swim is an activity that is non-negotiable. My sons had the pleasure of taking swimming lessons at Aqua-Tots Swim Schools in Kanata. You will find below a review of their swimming lessons.
Water safety always!
The amount of accidents and deaths related to swimming is scary. Many kids (definitely mine) are always around water and will continue to be as they get older. Pool parties, the beach, cottages, friend’s boats, and more. For peace of mind and safety, it’s something I will always want them enrolled in and to excel at. It’s a mandatory life saving skill – plain and simple.
My six year old Jax had much more experience in swimming lessons than his little brother, then the pandemic happened and we were all at a standstill….like everyone else. I saw the signage for a new swim school coming in the Kanata Centrum area and was super curious right away.
World renowned swim lesson curriculum
I was pleased to find out that coming soon was Aqua-Tots Swim Schools Kanata, which as it turns out is a locally owned and operated swim school backed by a world-renowned curriculum taught all over the globe. We were super excited to find this out and try something new, so close to home right off the 417.
Now we just had to wait until they opened and government restrictions relating to indoor activities were set to resume – which happened just this past August finally!
Flexible options
With an ongoing enrolment model, parents and caregivers have the flexibility of registering children 4 months and up into swim lessons at their convenience year-round. We opted to start with semi private classes for the boys at first. The classes are 30 min in length and you can choose from private lessons, semi private (with a sibling or friend) or low ratio (1:4 ratio or 1:3 ratio for level and under). You can also attend multiple days of the week if you like. We were grateful to be gifted two days a week for each child.
The owners and staff are very accommodating and I was able to switch them both to private, which I thought would work out better based on their varying levels at the moment. I haven’t had to use a makeup class yet, but you can cancel up to 2 hours prior and there are unlimited makeup classes which is great and so convenient for families because life happens and we are all busy with unknown things coming up every now and then!
Spacious, inviting and clean environment
When we arrived for our first lesson, we were told to come 15 minutes early to get the full tour and welcome. Welcoming it was indeed! Staff were ready to greet us and meet the whole family. We were given super adorable Aqua-Tots t-shirts, which was a nice surprise with a reusable Aqua-Tots tote bag that we now use for our lessons and is perfect to hold their towels, goggles, etc. We were then toured around the facility that’s beautiful, clean, and new. Lots of room with spacious changing area, showers, and bathrooms.
As a parent and spectator, I loved the waiting area with their super comfy viewing chairs and floor to ceiling windows giving the perfect view of all the lessons going on. As students, my boys appreciate the heated pool, fun outgoing swim instructors…..oh, and the lollipops they look forward to at the end of each class!
Awesome progress and updates
Not to mention the progress they have made already and they both have fun all the while. I especially love that they update your progress report after every class and it’s emailed to you, which you can also view in your parent portal! They also make sure after each class to give you the run down on how the class went and what else needs to be worked on. We were all pretty proud of Hudson, when he graduated to level 4 recently!
We look forward to continuing throughout the winter to get them in tip top shape for a sunny winter vacation and all summer in the local pool next year!
As a new parent, you have a lot on their plate. Many things you knew to expect but lots of other stuff just tends to crop up as life goes on. In that sense, it’s not just your baby that’s experiencing things for the first time – but you and the whole family. One of those things that you likely haven’t been through before is taking your child to the dentist, especially for the first time.
You might have a lot of questions about dental care for children – like when to make that first appointment, which dentist to choose and what to expect from dental care at an early age – so keep reading and we’ll do our best to shed some light on the topic for you. We’ll answer some of the most asked questions and give some tips or advice on how to care for your child’s oral hygiene so that you both build a great foundation for the future.
When should you book your child’s first appointment with a dentist?
The general rule of thumb is that if you see a tooth emerging, then it’s time. Some parents even book appointments before the first tooth happens but you’ll definitely want to let a dentist take a look as soon as their pearly whites start to show. This typically happens around the 6 month of age mark and it’s important to see a child-friendly dentist right away.
(Note – if you see anything abnormal with your child’s mouth such as white spots, bleeding, lesions, infections etc. you need to make an appointment straight away, regardless of age or tooth count.)
One in five children under the age of five are already affected by tooth decay. Whether it’s from neglect of oral care or something else, it’s vital that you catch the condition early by getting a dentist to diagnose and treat right away. Even though baby teeth come first and are essentially expendable, it’s still important to lay the groundwork for a healthy smile that lasts a lifetime. Last thing you want it for periodontal disease to start affecting your child’s oral and overall health.
Your paediatric dentist will check for tooth decay, injuries or any other abnormality that may affect your child’s smile. They will also be able to monitor and start tracking changes in your baby’s mouth as they get older.
How do you choose the right children’s dentist?
You’ll likely already have a dentist that you like for yourself and the other grown-up members of your family, but that doesn’t necessarily make them the right fit for newborns or very young children. That’s why there are dentists, called paediatric dentists (or children’s dentist), who specialize in kids oral care and growing mouths.
A paediatric dental clinic should be great with kids and know how to make a potentially frightening situation into a fun experience for your baby or toddler. They’ll also have the required small-sized dental equipment to get the job done properly. The décor and vibe in the office should also appeal to kids, so furnishings that are bright and engaging are a plus. Toys, games, TV, magazines for kids – stuff like that – are typically available in the waiting area to keep young ones entertained and having fun.
If visiting the dentist is a fun experience instead of a scary one, it will help build trust and outlook that your child needs to properly take care of their oral health throughout their life. Choose the right dentist and your kids will be happy to visit every six months which will make your life a lot easier too.
For parents who have just moved into a new neighbourhood and are looking for a child-friendly dentist here’s a few tips on how to find the right clinic. The first thing we recommend is speaking with your real estate agent about what’s available nearby. It’s their job to be a community expert regarding things like schools, parks, transit, grocery stores, restaurants and other amenities including dental offices. Agents often live in the neighbourhood as well and might be able to steer you in the right direction. You can also ask your neighbours if they have someone they can recommend because referrals are always the best. If that doesn’t yield any leads, then take a drive or a walk around town to see what you can find. Most dentists will welcome your walk-in visit and you’ll be checking two things off your “finding a new dentist” list in one go because you’ll see the clinic firsthand and maybe even snag a face-to-face with the dentist and staff. Finding a new dentist doesn’t have to be a stressful thing if you find the right help and use your resources wisely.
What can I do to prepare for my child’s first visit?
You should be rinsing and gently cleaning your baby’s gums well before the first tooth makes an appearance by using a soft cloth and water to gently rub the gums after breast feeding and before lengthier downtime. There are also special toothbrushes with extra soft bristles specifically designed for babies you can purchase. Make sure you don’t start using a fluorinated or harsh flavoured toothpaste until your child is at least 2 years old. Fluoride isn’t good for forming teeth and can lead to fluorosis that can cause spots, discolouration’s and even pitting in children’s teeth. Here’s a great article about how to keep your baby cavity free.
Having a cleaning routine from a very early age will get your child used to the idea of oral care and the feeling of having someone’s fingers (or toothbrush) inside their mouth. This will really help make your child feel more comfortable when it comes time to visit the dentist.
You can also help “acclimate” your child to the idea of a dentist by showing them fun videos about visiting the dentist, or kids books about oral care. There’s lots of great material available for just this purpose.
For yourself, make sure you choose a clinic that’s located conveniently and book an appointment time that’s easy for you to meet. If you’re stressed, there’s a good chance your baby will be too and that’s not a good way to start out. Lastly, create a list of questions you might have about oral care for babies so that you’ll understand exactly what to do. Remember, going to the dentist as a baby is a good thing and will pay dividends down the road.
What should you expect during your baby’s first appointment with a dentist?
If you’re confused about how the first dental appointment will go, we’re here to help clear that up. First, don’t worry, you’ll be in the room with your child the whole time, which will be a comforting for both of you. If your child can sit in the dental chair by themselves, great, but if not, they can sit on your lap. Your dentist will perform a routine oral examination looking for things like tooth decay and checking out the gums, jaw, bite characteristics and looking for things like frenum issues or other things that could possibly affect the teeth or speech patterns in the future. Just like a normal adult dental visit, your dentist will also gently clean your baby’s teeth and gums, then advise you about any issues they found. If you have any questions or concerns, they’ll be happy to spend some time going over everything with you so that you’ll be able to properly care for your child’s oral health.
As with most dentists, it’s recommended that your child visits the dentist twice a year (at a minimum) but ask your dentist if they recommend booking appointments more often based on the individual needs of your child. There’s a lot to take care of as a parent and having a good support team around you, including a great dentist, is the best way to make sure your child is putting their best tooth forward towards a future of good oral health. If you have more questions, contact your dentist for more information.
Burma (Myanmar) is a firm Stubborn Mule, providing a magnificent mix of scenery, history, and culture. It has been delayed to join the South East Asian travel scene and stays one of the least visited nations in the area, implying that a significant part of the nation is refreshingly untainted. All things considered, on a family occasion in Burma, you will find fabulous vestiges that rival the best in Asia. There are brilliant sanctuaries delegated with shimmering towers, wandering streams that slice through rich paddy fields, and remote slopes dabbed with fields of wheat and calm towns.
From watching the nightfall at the unimaginable Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon to hot air expanding over Bagan and investigating by longboat in Inle Lake, there are countless stunning activities in Myanmar with kids. Every one of these spots to visit in Myanmar had something else entirely from the following, considering a truly astonishing and changed get-away. So if you’re thinking about visiting the nation to spend the holiday with family, read this article to know all the activities you can do and the places you can visit.
1. Meeting the Elephants
Your children will cherish meeting the elephants at Green Hill Valley Elephant Camp, which is a family-run elephant sanctuary that is home to the old and incapacitated elephants protected from the brutal logging industry. There are different choices for a day visit in this elephant camp to amaze and satisfy offspring, everything being equal. Your children can go to the Daily Care Program where you can nestle, feed, and wash the huge creatures.
2. Staying at Inle Lake
Inle Lake is the second greatest lake in Myanmar. Situated in the Shan State, it is encircled by the glorious Shan mountains and offers a lot of intriguing activities with children, everything being equal. Choose a boat outing to find Myanmar’s emblematic lake, the nearby life around the riverside, and the off in an unexpected direction towns. The wooden long-boats are the most well-known method of transportation across the water, you’ll skim past water gardens, wooden houses on braces and local people approaching their regular routine exercises.
You can even appreciate custom made suppers with local people in their homes. Invest energy watching the nearby craftsman at work in their studios. You’ll see customary weavers, silversmiths, and you can observe how the craftspeople make paper, produce stories, cut wooden boats, and concentrate strands by hand from the lotus roots, which develop on the lake. These house businesses are flourishing wellsprings of vocation in Myanmar, and the sensitive abilities are rousing. For adolescents this is extraordinary training regarding where things come from; your children most likely have no clue about the measure of work and ability that goes into making ordinary things.
3. Visiting Thanaka Museum
Go to Thanaka Museum to find out with regards to Thanaka powder − the white glue that the nearby ladies and kids apply to their appearances. In the exhibition hall, there is likewise a lacquerware studio where your family can observe how gifted craftsman make the works of art.
It’s an interesting place given that it’s solely devoted to thanaka, one of the things that’s famous in Myanmar. You get to learn a lot about it, or are supposed to, but the signs way up are difficult to read and understand, and the labels of the items are impossible, as they seem to be lost in translation. You may need some guide for understanding the things. Still, there are some bits of info that’s worth knowing, and besides the museum is free so it’s a nice change if you’re looking for a quick break from temple hopping.
4. Exploring Shwedegon Pagoda and Yangon
Yangon City is the actual entryway for entering Myanmar and figuring out how the neighborhood individuals live and work in their country. When heading out to Yangon with kids, you will find some stunning roads where you can observe real Burmese life. While you are there, you should visit the popular Shwedagon Pagoda, which will show your children a tad about the Buddhist confidence. The border of the foundation of the Pagoda is 1,420 feet and its height 326 feet over the platform.
The tip of the stupa, excessively high for our eyes to observe in any detail, is set with 5448 precious stones, 2317 rubies, sapphires, and different pearls, 1065 brilliant ringers, and, at the exceptionally top, a solitary 76-carat jewel. You can likewise take your children to encounter the Bogyoke Aung San Market and enhance their insight at the Bogyoke Aung San Museum. Family-accommodating facilities here incorporate the flawless Belmond Governor’s Residence, Sule Shangri-La, Savoy Hotel Yangon, Thanlwin Guest House, and The Willow Inn.
5. Beach Hopping
As a top notch beach place, Ngapaliconsists of some beautiful resorts which offer great family facilities like films, children’s playrooms, and nearby theaterperformances. Kyaw Myanmar Hotel, Thande Beach Hotel, andSandoway Resort are the most well-known inns for families hoping to remain close to Ngapali Beach.
The Bottom Line
Myanmar is among the best destinations for visiting with family due to its majestic attractions and several activities that can be performed. You can also spend time relaxing by the beachside.
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