When you are out and about during the summer, you might want some delicious snacks. There are many snacks you can have, and many prefer to have some healthier options. The following are some ideas for healthy summer snacks!
1. Fruits
Fruits are wonderful to have as a summer snack. Many fruits are in season during this time, so the fruit is often delicious and less expensive. You could have some fresh red strawberries, some delicious yellow bananas, some juicy oranges, sweet melons, or whatever other fruits you would like. These are often not too high in calories and many of them have disease-fighting vitamins and minerals. You can make rainbow fruit kabobs or healthy smoothies for a delicious snack!
It is good to have a variety of fruits. A lot of them are very easy to carry along such as a banana. You can stick some grapes or just an apple in a bag. In addition, you can consider dried fruits; however beware of ones that have a lot of added sugar because that can make them far less healthy.
2. Vegetables
Vegetables can make a wonderfully healthy snack for summertime. You can bring a bag of carrot sticks with you for a quick snack. You could eat a red ripe tomato. You could eat some broccoli or cauliflower or munch on a salad. Most vegetables have few calories but they are filled with healthy vitamins and minerals. Many of them lower your chances of getting serious conditions such as cancer, heart disease, strokes, and more. If you want to dress it up a little bit, you can add a little fat free dressing as a dip to go along with it.
3. Yogurt
Yogurt can make a delicious snack for the summer. You might want to look for the low-fat versions. You can get Greek yogurt as it’s also higher in protein. There are many different flavours of yogurt, and some of them will taste like dessert, but be far healthier. The yogurt tubes can also be convenient because some of them allow you to freeze them and then you can take them out and eat them when they thaw.
4. Popcorn
Popcorn can make a great snack that is far healthier than fatty and fried potato chips. Of course, that does depend on you getting a healthy version as compared to one that is cooked in unhealthy oil and is full of fat and calories. You can air pop some popcorn for a tasty and healthy summer snack.
5. Homemade Popsicles
There is nothing better than a homemade popsicle for an easy and refreshing treat to help you cool down from the summer heat! Store-bought popsicles contain high fructose corn syrup and artificial flavours. By making them at home, you can incorporate fresh fruits, yogurt, or natural fruit juices for a delicious taste! It’s definitely a healthier alternative since you are adding more nutrients without using refined sugar.
There are many wonderful healthy snacks for the summer. Consider the above snacks for your family!
Spending summer vacation at the beach may not be out of reach with a little imagination and a backyard sandbox. A beach staycation at home can be part of a summer day or as the theme of an exciting backyard birthday party!
Bring the Beach to your Home
Treat children to a fun day “at the beach” by bringing the ocean home to the backyard. All that is needed is the sun, water, sand, and a little creativity.
A Sandbox and Backyard Beach Party Decorations
A day at the beach requires sand and sun. Don’t have a sandbox? Set up one cheaply by filling an inexpensive wading pool with play sand from the local hardware store. Build a permanent sandbox — without carpentry skills — by using these plans for turning a raised garden bed into a sandbox.
Set up lawn chairs and beach towels next to the sandbox for grownup observers or children who need a break. Add tropical flair by wearing floral leis from a party supply store. Make sure little beachgoers are prepared with swimsuits, hats, and lots of sunblock. Flips flops are optional!
Beach Comb for Shells in the Sandbox
What’s the best part of going to the beach? Collecting seashells, of course! Bury some ocean treasures in the sandbox for little beachcombers to find. Use seashells from a real beach vacation or use store-bought shells. Shells can be found at dollar stores and craft departments very inexpensively. Don’t use shells that are fragile or so small they would be lost easily.
How deep to bury the shells depends on the age of the children digging for them. Toddlers should be able to see a bit of the shell to help them find it, while older kids can find shells buried deep.
Equip each child with a plastic beach shovel and pail to deposit his or her treasures. Shells can be buried again and again for more fun. Make a game of it by timing the children and challenging them to find the most shells in a minute. Make fun awards to hand out by hot-gluing a gold-painted shell to a ribbon.
Bring the Beach Home
Every day at the beach needs an element of water. Add some mock ocean fun by setting up a wading pool near the sandbox, or just turn on the sprinklers.
Even if a backyard already has a permanent pool, a shallow wading pool is still a good idea to clean the sand off little swimmers.
Tropical Food for a Beach Staycation at Home
Serve kid-friendly tropical treats during a backyard beach bash. This could be as simple as putting out a bowl of tropical dried fruit mix and serving pineapple yogurt. Or go a little farther by preparing tropical fruit kabobs. Thread large chunks of fruit (pineapple, strawberries, grapes or melon) on straws with yogurt for dipping sauce.
Make a quick fruit smoothie with equal parts flavoured yogurt and milk, and then add frozen fruit and mix in a blender. Pre-frozen fruit like blueberries is quick and easy to use.
Best Beach Party Games
Round out a beach staycation at home by playing beach themed games on the lawn. Best beach games to play include Limbo with a broomstick, or use a beach ball to play volleyball or soccer. Create a makeshift volleyball net by stringing a clothesline between two trees and hanging a blanket across it for the net. Use a toy magnetic fishing set (or create one from scratch) to “fish” in the wading pool. And don’t forget to build a sandcastle!
What is your favourite activity to do during a beach staycation at home with the family? Comment below!
Are you looking for a delicious way to indulge in a sweet treat and cool off at the same time? These easy Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles are the perfect way to do just that!
Summer is here, and there is no better way to beat the heat than a homemade popsicle! Not only are these super delicious, but they are so much better for the environment than those little plastic sleeved options. I am sure your family will love them more than the pre-packed varieties too!
This recipe couldn’t be easier! As you will notice, I use the ready made kind of lemonade to make things so simple. But if you want to make homemade lemonade, I included the info on how to do that! To make the popsicles a step above frozen lemonade, these include real, fresh fruit, which is so refreshing on a hot day!
Making popsicles at home is so easy. The trick is to let them freeze overnight, and when you are ready to release homemade popsicles from the mold, you need to run them under warm water for about 20 seconds. This will get them out of the mold, without breaking and help to soften them up just a little for instant enjoyment.
Making popsicles at home also means you can control the ingredients and amount of sugar used to keep your snack as healthy as you want it! I think this recipe is the perfect mix of sweet and tart for a super refreshing snack, anytime of day! Kids of all ages, and adults will enjoy these fruity, icy cold treats.
If you want to make your own lemonade, mix 2 tablespoons of sugar with 2 cups of water, and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice.
Material needed
Silicone Popsicle Candy Mold – I got mine at Michaels.
8 Popsicle sticks or round sticks
Instructions
Place pieces of lemons and strawberries into molds.
Pour lemonade on top of the fruit to fill the molds.
Freeze overnight about 8 hours.
When you are ready to serve run molds under hot water for 20 seconds to loosen molds.
I hope you enjoyed my Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles 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!
From the tiniest little creepy crawly creatures to the wildest of animals in the jungle, we are learning about the wild animal world with DK Canada Books.
All three DK Canada Book Covers
Wild Animal World With DK Canada Books
Below are the three books we were given to review this month:
This gorgeous book is divided into four sections: What is a bug, Bugs and their Relatives, Bug Behaviour, Bug Habitats, and Bugs and Me. Jax got a kick out of the ‘Bug Menu’. He is aware already that people eat bugs in various parts of the world and talks about this sometimes when we see bugs. I don’t think he nor I realized just how many bugs are eaten. Including his favourite ‘bug’ the Tarantula which is served deep fried in Cambodia (YUCK!)
Inside of DK Canada Book “The Book of Brilliant Bugs”
My Encyclopedia of Very Important Animals
Cover of DK Canada Book
With over 200 pages, this book is LOADED with beautiful vivid images of animals from all walks of life accompanied by interesting facts such as where they live, what they eat, what they are made of, and more. When Jax, Hudson, and I read this together, we have fun with them taking turns picking a random page in the ginormous book to go over. There is no shortage of pages to choose from! Naturally, when we didn’t stumble on the Tarantula page randomly, we had to dig it up from Jax!
Inside DK Canada Book “My Encyclopedia of Very Important Animals”
Did you Know? Animals – Amazing answers to more than 200 awesome questions!
Cover of DK Canada Book
There are endless facts and question and answers in this book for little curious minds and animal lovers. What is a tusk? Why do ducks float? Which bird builds the best nest?
What are ants so busy? How do geckos walk upside down? These are just a small sample of over 200 questions answered in this book. Dare I say I might have learned something myself! The book covers mammals, birds, underwater, creepy crawlies, and reptiles/amphibians in its colourful pages. There are quick quizzes throughout many of the pages and answers can be found at the back of the book along with an extensive glossary.
Raising kids is hard work sometimes; there’s just no question about it. And one of the things that is most difficult as parent is getting your kids to open up and talk to you as they get older. There are some things you can do to help though, if you’re willing. You will find below amazing tips on how to get your kids to talk to you!
1. Be honest, open and upfront
The first, and main thing you can do, is be honest, open and upfront with them. You can’t expect your kids to open up and talk to you if you’re not willing to do the same with them. This doesn’t mean you have to give them every detail of your intimate life, just as it doesn’t mean they need to do the same with you; it does mean discussing things that go on in the home that have an impact on the whole family, and expecting them to do the same. For example, if you and your spouse are considering having another child, that is something that will affect the family just as much as if one of your children decides to do the same while still living with you at home. If you don’t include them in such discussions, how can you expect them to include you?
2. Be there for and with them
Another thing you can do is be there for and with them as they age. Or to put it another way, don’t let a chasm develop between you and your kids just because it’s expected of teenagers. Though it might seem like such a thing is inevitable, it doesn’t have to be. A lot of kids stay close with their parent’s right through the teens and on into adulthood.
3. Talk with your kids
The way to keep things close between you and your kids is to talk with them, as opposed to at them, and by doing things with them. For example, it’s common for a parent to do laundry with a child or to do yard work or any other of the myriad other chores that need doing on a constant basis. Also, some father’s toss a ball or Frisbee around with their kids, or wash the car, or go fishing. The point is, you need to maintain a relationship with your kids that is more than just them doing whatever they want and getting yelled at when they cross a line.
4. Have a Friendly relationship
To get your kids to open up to you, there has to be some sort of friendly relationship going on. You and your kids need to talk about what is on your mind, or their mind, on a constant and regular basis, just as you would in any other type of relationship.
5. Withhold judgment
And finally, to get you kids to open up to you, you have to be willing to withhold judgment on the things they say. If your kids find that you have to make conversations with them about you, or your opinions on everything, than they are going to lose interest in talking with you, which of course will lead to you not knowing what is going on in their lives. Not the result most parents are looking for.
If you follow these tips to get your kids to talk to you, the line of communication will be better between the both of us. This will help your kids to open up and talk to you during their tween and teen years and well into adulthood.
With summer here, you may be wondering what you and the kids are going to do for the next few months. There are so many options for summertime activities and most are very affordable. Of course, there is always the family week-long dream vacation that you’ve been saving for, but what can you do close to home for little or no cost at all. You will find below 6 Fun Summer Activities For The Family!
1. You can go to the park
If there is a river, go swimming. Bring a picnic lunch and stay all day. Many parks have play areas for children with possibilities to play Frisbee, horse shoes, volleyball, badminton, and many others as a family. Bring squirt guns or water balloons for a water fight. How about a relaxing game of croquet? Sun bathing is a must when a visit to the park is made. Making a trip to the park a weekly event can give your family something exciting to look forward to.
2. You can host BBQ’s and fun activities for the kids right at home
Invite a few friends, family members, or neighbours. Do a potluck lunch, where each one brings a side dish to share while you provide the meat for grilling. This can be a great way to socialize with adults while the children enjoy time with their friends.
Take advantage of your outdoor space by utilizing outdoor kitchen cabinets, where you can conveniently store all the necessary grilling tools, utensils, and serving ware. This way, you’ll have everything at hand for a seamless and enjoyable BBQ experience.
3. Go berry picking
Raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, and other berries are ready to be picked and devoured throughout the summer months. Find a local farm in Ottawa that offers side of the road or at the farm pick ups. At the end of the day, reward everyone’s efforts with a fresh berry pie or ice cream and berry topping.
4. Go exploring
Search for local outdoor trails or National Parks. Go for a walk or nature hike. Check out some museums or historic towns. Have fun while learning! Often, there are many things you can do within hours of home that only tourists know about! Get on the internet and look up your area hot spots and plan a day trip for the family.
5. Go sightseeing
Take drives up in nearby hills or mountains. Drive through farmland or down country roads. Take in the beautiful scenery, listen to some fun music, and play car games. Stop for lunch or bring a lunch along to eat at a little park. You may just discover a new favourite place for family gatherings.
6. Go camping or spend the weekend at the beach
Sleep in a tent or RV. Roast hot dogs and marshmallows. Cook breakfast over a campfire. Spend the days collecting rocks with your kids. Scout for wildlife such as deer. Go wading in the water. Build a sand castle. Search for pretty seashells.
All it takes is a little imagination and the desire to have fun quality time with your family. There are so many wonderful ways you can enjoy fun summer activities for the family and make some great memories with and for your children. How about hosting a family BBQ at your house? It could be the start of an exciting and busy summer!
A child’s drawings with pen or marker are priceless on paper, but not so treasured on the wall. Here are some tips on how to clean ink off walls and getting the artwork off permanent display.
Young boy caught by his mother painting the wall
Help for Removing Ink Stains From the Wall
Hopefully kids were using the less toxic and easier to clean water-based markers when they added their artistic license to the clean wall. If they got a hold of a permanent or water proof marker, the job will prove trickier.
Like most stains, the quicker you find and attempt to remove ink from a marker or pen, the more likely it is to come completely clean. As they work, they’ll want to watch for drips that can stain the wall.
Help for Cleaning Ink Marks Without Damaging the Wall
Bread
One interesting way to attack a pen mark is bread. You can ball a slice and rub it on the mark like an eraser. It may not affect the toughest stains, but it’s worth trying since it’s unlikely to hurt the wall.
Dishwasher soap and colour-safe bleach
Stains from water-based markers can also be tackled with dishwasher soap mixed with colour-safe bleach. Just because the markers are water-based doesn’t mean there’ll be no scrubbing involved though. And, even though the dish soap isn’t abrasive to paint finish, vigorous scrubbing or a rough rag might leave its mark.
Baby Wipes
Some marker and pen marks can be wiped clean with baby wipes. Parents of infants or toddlers who have a stash handy can give them a try.
Advice on More Aggressive Household Products to Remove Ink From Walls
White Toothpaste (non-gel)
The next option you might consider is a non-gel, white toothpaste, an old tooth brush, and some elbow grease. Toothpaste will definitely lighten most marker stains. You can also sprinkle baking soda on a damp sponge and scrub the area. They’ll want to keep in mind that even though the toothpaste and baking soda are relatively gentle, vigorous scrubbing may damage the finish on the walls.
WD-40
Next, you can try spraying the marked area with WD-40, allowing it to soak in and then scrubbing with an old toothbrush. If the mark remains, they should repeat this step and add a bit of dish washing detergent.
Rubbing alcohol and Acetone-based products
Some stronger household products you can use to remove ink marks are rubbing alcohol or alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Acetone-based products such as liquid hairspray and nail polish remover also work well. The only problem is that these products are tough. If they can remove the marker, they’re likely to take off a little paint as well. You will definitely want to experiment with them on a portion of the wall that’s out of sight or a scrap of wall paper before fully committing. If the results look better than your child’s artwork, you can spray a little on the damaged surface and blot with a white rag.
Magic Eraser
For walls that are painted in white or off-white colours, I use the Magic Eraser to remove ink stains. I find this product leaves a residue, so you need to clean the spot you use it on the wall after. Also, if you apply the Magic Eraser on a wall painted with a dark colour, it will remove some of the paint colour, so I don’t recommend it.
Helpful Tips on How To Clean Ink Off Walls
Several cleaning methods on how to clean ink off walls will remove ink stains, but may also damage the finish or remove paint. You will want to experiment with each idea on an inconspicuous portion of the wall before diving in. Also, since there are several methods for cleaning pen stains and some are more aggressive than others, a good piece of advice is to start with those least likely to damage the paint or wallpaper. If worst comes to worst, and you have too much ink from makers or pen on the wall, repaint it!
Berry Shortcake Cornmeal Cookies are the perfect summer treat. They are colourful, light, and full of the refreshing flavour of berries. Serve a unique treat to friends and family at your next backyard BBQ, or make them ahead of time and assemble as desired for the perfect weeknight dessert.
Have you ever used cornmeal in dessert? I have been baking for years, and this was a first for me. I was skeptical about the recipe, but I had the ingredients, and I had time. The promise of a cookie that would wow my family and friends made it worth pursuing The results are nothing short of impressive. My opinion about baking with cornmeal has been swayed!
My favorite part of these Berry Shortcake Cornmeal Cookies is the delicious crunch the cornmeal adds to the texture of the cookies. With that in mind, store the cookies assembled for no more than 2 days in the fridge for maximum crispness.
As these cookies have a star shape to the center, they are perfect for serving at your Canada Day parties. Save the stars as you cut them out and bake them too! They are perfect for adding to the dessert table for a lighter treat for anyone who wants one.
Make with fresh strawberries and blueberries if possible. If you care to, you can add in some liquor for a decadent adult indulgence. But that is totally optional! No matter when you serve these delightful cookies, I am sure you are going to love them!
1. Use an electric mixer or stand mixer to beat the butter and 1/2 cup of powdered sugar together until it’s light and fluffy; about 4 minutes.
2. Beat in 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract.
3. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk the flour, cornmeal, and salt together.
4. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, beating at a low speed until combined.
5. Roll the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and use your hands to lightly knead it into a ball then divide the dough in half.
6. Flatten each piece of dough slightly into disks, and wrap in beeswax or saran wrap.
7. Refrigerate the dough for at least one hour.
8. When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350F.
9. Roll one disk of dough out on a lightly floured work surface until about 1/4″ thick.
10. Prepare the berries by adding them in a small mixing bowl with the sugar.
11. Place this in the refrigerator while you bake the cookies.
12. Use a large 4-inch cutter to cut 4 round cookies out of the dough.
13. Re-roll the dough to get at least one more cookie. I was able to get two more!
14. Cut a star from the centre of each cookie (If you have a cookie cutter, use that. If not, use a sharp knife to cut a star out by hand)
15. Carefully move the cookies to a baking sheet.
16. Bake for about 12-14 minutes, until they are lightly golden.
17. While those bake, roll out the second piece of dough and cut 4-inch circles again (do NOT cut stars out of these cookies as they will be the bottom of the shortcakes).
18. Let the cookies cool for about 5 minutes before moving to a wire rack to complete the cooling.
19. Bake the second batch of cookies.
20. While the cookies cool, prepare the filling by mixing the cream cheese, 1/4 cup of powdered sugar, and 1/2 tsp of vanilla in a medium bowl until creamy and smooth.
Berry Shortcake Cornmeal Cookies
21. In a separate medium mixing bowl, whisk the heavy cream on medium-high until soft peaks form.
22. Mix 1/4 of the cream into the cream cheese mixture.
23. Gently fold the rest of the whipped cream into the cream cheese filling until combined.
24. Once the cookies are completely cool, assemble them by putting about 1/4 cup of the filling mixture onto each circle cookie WITHOUT a star cutout.
25. Carefully layer some of the fruit on top of the filling where the star-cut will be and close with a star-cut cookie.
26. Add a few more pieces of fruit to the top if desired.
27. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
I hope you enjoyed my Berry Shortcake Cornmeal CookiesRecipe 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!
Use an electric mixer or stand mixer to beat the butter and 1/2 cup of powdered sugar together until it’s light and fluffy, about 4 minutes
Beat in 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk the flour, cornmeal, and salt together
Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, beating at a low speed until combined.
Roll the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and use your hands to lightly knead it into a ball then divide the dough in half
Flatten each piece of dough slightly into disks, and wrap in beeswax or saran wrap
Refrigerate the dough for at least one hour
When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350F
Roll one disk of dough out on a lightly floured work surface until about 1/4″ thick
Prepare the berries by adding them in a small mixing bowl with the sugar
Place this in the refrigerator while you bake the cookies
Use a large 4-inch cutter to cut 4 round cookies out of the dough
Re-roll the dough to get at least one more cookie, I was able to get two more
Cut a star from the centre of each cookie (If you have a cookie cutter, use that. If not, use a sharp knife to cut a star out by hand)
Carefully move the cookies to a baking sheet
Bake for about 12-14 minutes, until they are lightly golden
While those bake, roll out the second piece of dough and cut 4-inch circles again (do NOT cut stars out of these cookies as they will be the bottom of the shortcakes)
Let the cookies cool for about 5 minutes before moving to a wire rack to complete the cooling
Bake the second batch of cookies
While the cookies cool, prepare the filling by mixing the cream cheese, 1/4 cup of powdered sugar, and 1/2 tsp of vanilla in a medium bowl until creamy and smooth
In a separate medium mixing bowl, whisk the heavy cream on medium-high until soft peaks form
Mix 1/4 of the cream into the cream cheese mixture
Gently fold the rest of the whipped cream into the cream cheese filling until combined
Once the cookies are completely cool, assemble them by putting about 1/4 cup of the filling mixture onto each circle cookie WITHOUT a star cutout
Carefully layer some of the fruit on top of the filling and close with a star-cut cookie
Add a few more pieces of fruit to the top if desired
Back in the day, picnics meant fighting off ants or eating bland food that was neither hot enough nor cold enough. With the way that food storage and refrigeration has changed, it has altered what is on the menu for modern picnics. While science can’t do much about repelling unwanted insects at this date, you can still have a lot more fun dining in the open air. With some preparation and some games at the ready, your picnic will be enjoyed be everyone. You will find below tips on Planning Frugal And Fun Picnics!
Tips for Planning Frugal and Fun Picnics
Find out how many people will attend. Make enough food for second helpings.
Bring a water-based insect repellent and plenty of sunscreen.
Find out if your chosen location allows picnics, candles, or portable barbecues on site.
Bring some citronella candles (do not keep them lit unattended nor near dry grass.)
Bring cloth napkins and blankets or sheets: Cotton is softer on your legs than dry grass and will deter insects from crawling on you. Plastic tarps or disposable tablecloths are not recyclable and are prone to tearing.
Find out if alcohol is allowed on your picnic site: Even if disguised in a thermos, some places may be patrolled, and could designate fines if violated.
Bring a first aid kit. While you hope you won’t need it, it’s better to have it on hand than not.
Find a Theme for Your Picnics
A trend in dining outdoors is finding a theme that works well. A “Butterfly” themed picnic means you might choose to set up near a butterfly garden, near your local botanical garden, or park. Use a butterfly-shaped cookie cutter to form your sandwiches to fit the theme.
“Tuscan Holiday” could mean an Italian themed picnic; select a menu of Italian foods that travel well. You can bring sliced cold cuts, such as Capicoli or Calabrese salami, with a selection of olives on ciabatta bread. If you’re lucky enough to have a vineyard that is a short drive away, you can dine by a view of growing vines.
“Beach Party” could be near any body of water, be it a lake, a creek, or even a kiddie-pool in a friend’s backyard. (If children are not present, you can use the pool to keep drinks cold.) If permitted, bring tiki torches to keep mosquitoes at bay. Added touches like leis and a selection of Hawaiian guitar music set the tone. For food, bring fruit and vegetables on skewers if no barbecues are allowed; otherwise, a range of barbecue options is open for this type of picnic.
Games For Kids During Picnics
Aside from food, picnics may be a great way to get kids outdoors, but keeping them occupied and active may be another story. Picnics are a great way to get kids familiar with nature and aware of green.
This Pineapple Hawaiian Grilled Wings recipe yields one dozen sticky, tasty wings. The recipe is easy to adjust to suit your palette, whether to make the bbq sauce thicker or add more wings and drumettes, however many you think you need. Just make sure to supply plenty of napkins.
You can do SO many yummy things with chicken wings. Not only that, it is one of the most affordable poultry choices available. This makes grilled wings the perfect option for appetizers when you need to feed a hungry crowd think holiday party or tailgating event!
Pineapple Hawaiian Grilled Wings
Chicken wing tips
It’s interesting to note that when you order chicken wings at a restaurant, you typically aren’t served the entire wing. You get the “drumette” and the “flat.” But, you don’t get the “tip,” which (obviously) is a very end of the wing. Restaurants use the tips for making stock, instead of serving them.
The tip is actually the portion of the chicken wing that scads of people like the best. They’re crunchy and chewy and pretty darn yummy. So, when making any homemade chicken wings recipe, keep this bit of cooking trivia in mind.
Recipe Tips
Feel free to add more green onion if the flavour is something your family enjoys. It’s a good way to “kick up” the heat element a bit without going overboard. You might also get really creative and small-dice a red pepper, in the event you’re serving this dish at Christmas time.
If sweetened pineapple juice is all you have on hand, I suggest adding a bit less honey. Again, it’s all a matter of preference and how sticky and sweet you want your honey grilled wings. For a bit of a taste-twist consider using half pineapple juice and half orange juice. YUM!
Pineapple Hawaiian Grilled Wings
Pineapple Hawaiian Grilled Wings Recipe
This is fantastic to serve if your kids like sticky grilled chicken wings that aren’t hot. Sometimes even mildly-spiced Buffalo wings are too hot for little ones. Remember, there’s never a bad time to “get grilling!” Ingredients
12 chicken wings
2 tbsp. vegetable oil
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup unsweetened pineapple juice
2 tbsp. honey
2 tbsp. thinly sliced, peeled fresh ginger
1 tbsp. garlic
2 tbsp. thinly sliced green onion (1)
Directions
Turn your burners on to medium-high heat.
Add chicken wings; cook about 5 minutes on each side or until brown on both sides.
For sauce, in a large bowl combine soy sauce, pineapple juice, honey, ginger, and garlic.
Add the wings to the bowl with the sauce and toss them.
Place wings back on the grill.
Cook, covered, for 5 minutes.
Cook, uncovered, for 7 to 10 minutes.
Garnish with green onion and serve the best grilled wings!
I hope you enjoyed my Pineapple Hawaiian Grilled Wings as much as my family and myself did! If you make the recipe, please share your photos with us on Facebook or Twitter! Also, check out all of our other recipes!
Pineapple Hawaiian Grilled Wings Recipe
Lyne Proulx
This Pineapple Hawaiian Grilled Wings Recipe yields one dozen sticky, tasty wings. However, it’s easy to adjust to make however many you think you need. Just make sure to supply plenty of napkins.
Add chicken wings; cook about 5 minutes on each side or until brown on both sides.
For sauce, in a large bowl combine soy sauce, pineapple juice, honey, ginger, and garlic.
Add the wings to the bowl with the sauce and toss them.
Place wings back on the grill.
Cook, covered, for 5 minutes.
Cook, uncovered, for 7 to 10 minutes.
Garnish with green onion.
Notes
RECIPE TIPSFeel free to add more green onion if the flavour is something your family enjoys. It’s a good way to “kick up” the heat element a bit without going overboard. You might also get really creative and small-dice a red pepper, in the event you’re serving this dish at Christmas time.If sweetened pineapple juice is all you have on hand, I suggest adding a bit less honey. Again, it’s all a matter of preference and how sticky and sweet you want your honey grilled wings. For a bit of a taste-twist consider using half pineapple juice and half orange juice. YUM!
If you are looking to freeze some of the fresh offerings of the season for later use, you are going to love this handy Freezer Friendly Fruits And Vegetables Printable. The printable freezer storage chart details what you can freeze for later, as well as what you will want to avoid freezing, and some helpful info about keeping fruits and vegetables fresh in the freezer.
Click on photo to print
Fruits and Vegetables to Freeze
Freezing fruits and veggies is a great way to eat healthier when certain foods are not in season. There is nothing like some fresh from the freezer broccoli or strawberries in the middle of the winter. If done properly, frozen fruits and veggies will be almost as good as they are right from the garden. You can also save a ton of money by preserving fresh foods and avoiding the out of season price hikes.
Click here to print the fruits and vegetables to freeze printable pdf!
How To Freeze Fruits and Vegetables
Freezing foods is not at all complicated. This food freezer printable list the fruits and vegetables that freeze well. With some food storage bags and a few moments of time, you can freeze almost anything for later. There are a few exceptions; and this printable will help take the guesswork out of it for you.
Don’t Freeze These Fruits and Vegetables
As noted in the freezer friendly fruits and vegetables printable, a few things aren’t ideal for freezing due to their high water content; things like radishes, lettuce, and watermelon will become soggy when unthawed.
Print a copy of this off and keep it in your recipe book, or hang it on the fridge to reference as needed. You might be surprised by some of the things you can freeze successfully! Until I started researching this list, I did not know you can freeze whole apples for later, but I now know that sliced apples actually fare better after a spell in the freezer!
If you have any experience with freezing veggies and fruits, I hope you will leave a comment to share with others!
There are so many irritating situations that we go through daily. Whether you have loud neighbours or you’re missing a pair of socks, you surely would prefer either of those two over having a skunk stink up your house.
Skunks live in North and South America. These animals are known for their powerful, awful, and hard to remove odor. A skunk’s spray is an oily liquid produced by their glands under their big tail. A skunk turns around and blasts its victim with a nasty spray that can reach up to ten (10) feet. In the unfortunate case of you getting sprayed on, it will take a few days to completely get rid of the pungent smell!
Skunks are carnivorous. Most of their nutrition is based on the seasonably available prey. They eat bugs and insects during spring and summer and little animals in the fall and winter. Like many modern predators, they’re a really smart, strategic and strong survivalist. They take advantage of garbage cans or dumpsters for a quick snack.
Patch up any small openings around the house – Skunks feel at home when they’re in small and dark places. This includes spots in your house like under decks, shed, and other cozy areas that a skunk may see as a possible shelter.
Put lights around the house- Skunks are nocturnal by nature, which means they hunt for food at night. Being active during daytime irritates their eyes, forcing them to go someplace dark.
Install motion sensor sprinklers in the yard- This solution may be a little pricey for you but this guarantees both safety and convenience. As the skunk approaches your yard, the sprinkler will activate. This will make the skunk leave the area. It can also help you determine whether an intruder is entering your property.
Use repellants like mothballs or a rag doused in ammonia inside possible skunk dens- Believe it or not, skunks do not like a strong and unpleasant smell such as mothballs and ammonia. However, this is only a temporary solution to your skunk problem because the scent of the chemicals will fade. They do help in a short period of time but like every other repellant, they can pose a possible danger to your children and pets.
Eliminate any kind of bugs or insects around your house- Skunks love eating bugs and insects as they are their primary source of energy. By getting rid of their food source, the skunk may relocate and find another area to hunt or forage.
Call your local wildlife animal control for assistance- If your skunk problem still persists, do not approach the skunk! Even though the skunk is not venomous, they are potential carriers of rabies and leptospirosis. It’s best to contact a wildlife professional for the proper handling of the animal. Wildlife control specialists also provide more information on how you can get rid of skunks.
Dealing with skunks in your home can be a serious, smelly nuisance. To prevent the headache of taking care of skunk problems, these 6 tips to keep skunks from stinking up your house should be quite effective!
From a backyard zip line to trampolines to inflatable water slides, try these outdoor toys if you are looking ways to entertain kids, family, and friends this summer. Outdoor play toys are necessary to keep your kids outside when the weather is nice. Here are some suggestions for some ideas for outdoor play toys for your backyard that will make it a little more exciting for them.
1. Inflatable Water Slides
If you don’t have a pool, one of the best ways to cool off is an inflatable water slide. These slides are ideal for birthday parties or other events where you will have a lot of kids to entertain. The large water slides are being made from sturdy plastic to be more durable and withstand possible punctures. It is still fairly easy for the seams to give out if you overload it with kids. Even though the water is cold, the kids usually love to slide and land in it. It is an investment that will cost you a couple of hundred dollars, which may be worth it if it’s a long hot summer.
2. Outdoor Zip Lines
A zip line is a fun activity to have in your backyard for kids ages 4 to 14! Just be sure to supervise it with the younger ones. A zip line is a steel cable that runs from tree to tree across your yard. Your kids hold onto a trolley that whips down the line. How fun you make it depends on how much of an angle you put the cable on. Also, make sure that you keep the landing at least four feet away from the anchor tree to avoid accidents.
3. Backyard Bocce, Tetherball, and Other Lawn Games
There are many great outdoor play toys for the backyard, including croquet, bocce ball, tetherball, badminton, and horseshoes. When buying these games, keep in mind cheaper sets will not last you more than one summer. For croquet, you need a set with heavy balls, mallets with long, hardwood handles, and strong wickets. Bocce balls also have to be heavy in size to really play effectively.
Tetherballs, horseshoes, and badminton require either poles or nets to be installed in the ground, so keep in mind that they are not games you can just pack away. The best part is all of these games allow two or more people to play, making them great activities for barbecues and parties.
4. Slip and Slides Outdoor Play Toys
A much less expensive but fun option to the water slide is a slip and slide, especially for younger kids. Again, the water is cold coming out of the hose, but on a hot day, that won’t matter much. They come in a variety of options with two or three lanes so kids can race side by side, spraying sides, soaking jets, and landing zone with inflatable splash pools.
5. Backyard Trampolines
In the last few years, trampolines have become an extremely popular backyard activity, but they can also be a dangerous one if kids don’t know how to use them properly. So, it is important to set out rules such as only one child on at a time, no somersaults, and no jumping without adult supervision. Trampolines come in various sizes with jumping areas that range from 7 to 14 feet.
In addition to the trampoline, you will also have to purchase a safety enclosure net and a frame cover to protect it from the weather. Again, this is something where, for safety reasons and if you want it to last, you may be better to go with the more expensive ones.
6. Backyard Playhouse
A backyard playhouse is the ideal play structure that will give your child a new reason to want to go outside to play for a longer period of time in the summer. They come in a variety of options such as constructed out of wood or plastic that are usually fairly easy to assemble. Usually, fun play features include a play sink, stove, and cordless phone to expand your child’s playtime fun.
Fun, Family Ideas for Activities with Kid
From zip lines to trampolines, there are so many fun outdoor play toys, games, and activities to keep everyone in the family entertained outdoors. Any of these ideas for outdoor play toys are sure to make your backyard a popular spot this summer.
Frozen Piña Coladas are the perfect summer cocktail. They are refreshing, take the edge off after a long day, and will cool you off in a flash! This recipe is perfect because it is so easy, and you are likely to have most of the ingredients in your home bar. If you can’t get to the beach, why not bring the flavour to your house instead?
Summer weather is here and I long to be on the beach. Toes in the sand, the sun on my face, lying on a beach towel, and the sound of the sea in my ears! Unfortunately, whisking the family away to the beach isn’t likely to happen in the immediate future. So, I decided to perfect my frozen Piña Colada game. If I can’t go to the beach, there is no rule that says we can’t bring the flavour of the beach to our homes. This recipe does just that. I know you are going to love how easy this recipe is to make. If you don’t have the ingredients on hand, you will want to stock up! This frozen Piña Colada recipe just might become your go to cocktail all summer long!
What to Serve with Frozen Pina Coladas
When I serve Piña Coladas as an afternoon cocktail, I like to serve an easy appetizer like sheet pan nachos. When I serve frozen Piña Coladas with dinner, I aim for something like spicy shrimp or salmon or even chicken fajitas to compliment the tropical flavours. No matter how you serve it, I am sure you will love this recipe as much as I do!
Did you know that National Piña Colada Day is on July 10th? Why not observe this day with our Frozen Piña Colada in your hand! Remember to drink responsibly and never drink and drive! You can use #NationalPinaColadaDay to share a photo of your drink on social media. Cheers!
This recipe does take about 3 hours from start to finish, so keep that in mind when you are ready to prepare this cocktail.
At least a few hours before you want to make the Piña Colada, freeze the pineapple.
When ready to make the drink, place all ingredients in a blender.
Blend everything together until it’s creamy and smooth.
If the drink is too runny, add more frozen pineapple or ice; if it’s too thick, add more of any one of the liquids.
Notes: You can use frozen pineapples instead of freeze fresh ones.
I hope you enjoyed my Frozen Piña Colada 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!
Ottawa is home to many species of wildlife. And, when you are living in Ottawa, it’s not surprising to see these animals visit your home unexpectedly. These animals are not aggressive and harmful, but sometimes they can be a nuisance. Especially if there’s an infestation. Here’s a list of wildlife animals that you may find in your home and how to keep them away from your home.
Top 5 Wildlife You Might Find In Your Home
1. Beavers
Beavers have an important role in our environment. They help establish and maintain our wetlands. But they can also be a nuisance, especially if they come close to your home. They can be dangerous too as they carry certain diseases such as rabies and parasites, which can prove to be harmful for us humans.
The best way to prevent beavers from living close to your home is to make it hard for them to live around your property. To do this, try installing some traps around the trees or streams within your property. Beavers don’t like to stay in an area that is inhospitable to them and doesn’t meet their living requirements. If a beaver doesn’t leave your property, you may call a wildlife management professional to remove the animal.
2. Raccoons
Raccoons are known for their curiosity about a lot of things and are willing to explore their surroundings. As a result, they can sometimes find their way inside your house. They can get in and out of your house without you knowing. Although, there are circumstances where a raccoon can become a real nuisance for homeowners, as they can leave trash, urine, or feces inside your house.
These animals are not aggressive. Raccoons don’t often seek confrontation with humans. They will only attack when they feel cornered or threatened. The best way to deal with raccoons is to avoid confrontation as much as possible. You can just let them be since they will eventually leave your house on their own, though you can call professionals if they refuse to leave. You can also ask the professional to give you further information about raccoons, especially on how to make traps to prevent them from entering your house in the future.
3. Bats
Another species of animals that likes to enter Ottawa homes are bats. Bats can get inside your home by squeezing through the small gaps found on your roof. Since most bat species are small, they can squeeze their bodies through the smallest gaps. Once they squeeze through the gaps, they will keep crawling until they reach the attic and stay there.
If you don’t want bats to get inside your house and use it as their home, you have to find those small gaps and patch them up. Keep in mind that bats have the ability to find different gaps around your home just to get inside. So, if you really want to keep them out, you’ll have to keep an eye on all the possible entry points around your house.
4. Skunks
Skunks are another species of animal that can oftentimes find their way inside your home or property. Seeing a skunk inside your home is usually not a cause for an alarm. They are easy-going and they don’t intentionally bother humans. They will only become aggressive if they feel threatened and usually put up their defense: the spray. A skunk’s spray has a robust smell and it can also cause discomfort if it gets in our eyes.
It’s easy to tell if there’s a skunk inside your home or property. In fact, you are more likely to smell it instead of seeing it. If there’s a persistent, musky smell lingering around your home or property, it’s most likely that there’s a skunk. To prevent skunks from entering your home or property, make your yard brighter by installing some lights. Skunks don’t like bright lights and it should deter them from entering your property.
5. Snakes
Seeing a snake inside your home is a nightmare for most people. It’s not a surprise since snakes can be very threatening to humans, especially if they are venomous.
Snakes can enter homes accidentally (for instance, they may be washed in because of a flood) or intentionally if they are looking for prey or shelter. If you want to remove the snake and are not afraid of it, you can gently herd it outside using a broom or a stick. But to ensure your safety, you can call a wildlife removal expert to remove the snake out of your house. You can also try to snake-proof your home so no more snakes can get inside in the future.
Final Thoughts
Ottawa has a large population of these wildlife and they are usually found in their natural habitat. But due to the expanding suburban areas, their natural habitats are slowly destroyed, which forces them to unintentionally invade houses.
In case you find any one of these animals inside your home, please contact a wildlife removal expert immediately. These people are experienced in trapping and removing these animals outside residential and commercial properties without endangering them.
Everybody has aspirations when it comes to their relationships. Ever hear the quote, “dreams don’t work unless you do”? Well, it’s the same for all relationships, even familial ones. If you don’t make an effort to connect with the members of your family, it might cause you to drift apart. However, it’s never too late to make a change. There are plenty of habits that you can incorporate into your family life to strengthen your bonds, but here are a few common practices of happy families.
Tell Stories
According to WebMD, you should ask your children questions when they come home from school and you should share a little anecdote about your own day. This sets the tone for your relationship and gives them clear expectations. It also reassures them that you are interested in them and that you care.
If everyone goes on their various screens (mobile phones, televisions, computers or laptops), it essentially sets up a “do not disturb” vibe and creates a disconnect between family members. Oftentimes, we find that we are being disturbed when we want some “me time” but by establishing when is the time for conversation, it will ease other interruptions from your children as they seek for your attention, oftentimes “at the wrong time”.
Do Things Together
A common theme is to interact and you shouldn’t be limited by conversation. Working on home renovations, a windows replacement project together, fixing up the garden, cooking dinner or having creative sessions such as painting or playing music also helps you bond with one another. You will get to know each other on a whole new level and get to watch how each of you responds to different situations.
Overcoming problems together or creating together generates a sense of closeness. You will have shared memories of these moments in the years to come.
Family Before Friends, But Don’t Undermine Friendships
Family counsellors often drill the idea that family should always come first and while this might be true to a degree, your children will not appreciate you limiting their time with their friends. Forcing your children to spend time with you and the rest of the family will breed resentment. The idea is to draw clear lines on what is considered acceptable and learn to be flexible within reason.
If they want to have a night out with their buddies instead of staying home for a family tradition of game night, let them. If there’s a family event, such as a gathering or a family emergency, explain to them the significance of them being there. But if it’s the choice between prom and taking his or her sister to the movies, you should allow them the freedom to decide without any negative feelings. The key is balance and we want to teach our children that friendships are important, too.
You Don’t Have To Try So Hard To Be The Cool Parent
We’ve all been there – promising ourselves that we will be cooler than our parents ever were, only to discover that we are just like them and to compensate, try too hard to get our kids to see us as a cool counterpart. The truth is, we will never be considered cool by our children. It’s a hard pill to swallow but parents are authoritative figures that offer guidance in a child’s life. You are their mentor and as a result, will never attain the same level of coolness as a superhero in a movie and that’s okay.
You don’t have to be cool in order for your children to respect you. What you can do is to be welcoming and accepting of your child and by creating that safe space, your kids will learn that they can trust you and be themselves around you, leading to a happier and healthier family life.
The benefits of a happy family are largely emotional and mental – studies have shown that there is a higher chance of depression in dysfunctional families. Furthermore, successful children oftentimes hail from happy families. At the same time, you shouldn’t stress over having the perfect family and force these changes on your family member even if they are not receptive. Adapt to your family and incorporate changes slowly. You will get there eventually.
The morning routine as a family can be one of the most stressful times of the day for many parents. From shouting at your tired kids to get out of bed, to trying to rush making breakfast and get yourself ready for the day ahead at the same time, it can quickly become a nightmare. However, by building a healthy morning routine that navigates through the challenges and obstacles that morning brings, you and the whole family can avoid pandemonium and instead get the day off to the best start.
Get Enough Sleep the Night Before
Getting out of bed in the morning is a lot more difficult if you have not had enough sleep during the night and the same applies to your kids. While some people just do not like mornings, if your body has received the rest that it needs, then waking up will not be as difficult.
Yet, this can also seem impossible if you are struggling to get to sleep at night. So, we recommend that you make the necessary changes to your sleeping environment, by making sure that your bedroom is dark and cool, and that all the family have a comfortable mattress. There is a range of different mattresses that you can conveniently order online from the comfort of your own home.
Be Prepared
A healthy morning routine is much easier if you have made preparations the night before as this gives you more time and helps you to feel less rushed. For example, you can get clothes out in the evening for you and your children before you go to bed to avoid hurriedly trying to find your kid’s school tie in the morning.
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so it is a key part of a healthy morning routine. By providing your kids with the nutrition they need in the morning, you can help to kick start their metabolism and give them the energy boost they need to see them through ‘til lunch.
You should avoid the temptation to skip breakfast to save time or to grab processed junk foods that your kids can eat while on-the-go. A healthy breakfast of fresh fruits is much more beneficial. You could also prepare some breakfast options the night before so that they are easily accessible in the morning.
Be Creative
Some children will find morning tasks such as brushing their teeth and getting a wash boring, so by being creative you can motivate them and make it fun. This could include setting your kids small but achievable goals each morning to help keep them focused, with the promise of a small treat once completed. For example, to make sure your kids brush their teeth for long enough, you could put a timer in the bathroom, so they know when it has been three minutes.
You could also play some songs on the radio while getting ready to create an upbeat and positive attitude that your family can take into their day with them.
Keep Your Cool
The morning routine can be stressful, but it is important that you keep your cool and do not lose your temper, even if your kids are being far from cooperative. By keeping a clear and positive mind, you will set a good example for your family and make the morning routine calmer and more enjoyable.
By being prepared the night before, getting a good night’s sleep and working together as a family you can build a healthy morning routine that benefits everyone, including you!
We know that teachers are everyday heroes. Their positive contributions are felt every day, in every community across Canada, and around the world. Never has that been more evident than now – during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Right now, teachers are showing their deep commitment, creativity, and compassion as they help our children learn despite school closures. We know your looking for ways to keep your kids engaged while house-bound and let’s face it, we could all do with just a little bit more positivity.
How to Nominate And Vote For The Best Teacher In Canada?
Make a 90 second video or a photo with up to 350 words telling us about the best teacher you know.
Then tell your friends, family and neighbours to vote. The teacher with the most votes will win $1,000 cash and $1,000 in gift cards to benefit their classroom or school.
Thank you to Brian Traquair for his personal support of the contest prizing.
Please help us recognize the best and brightest educators in Canada and for helping to add a little bit of positivity and encouragement to teachers at this challenging time!
Who is CODE?
No one understands the importance of great teachers more than CODE. For 60 years, we’ve been working towards our vision of a world where every child can read and realize their full potential. Since 1959 along with our partners, we’ve helped over 10 million children gain access to better quality education. CODE is proud to be recognized as a 4-star charity by Charity Intelligence and to have been named amongst Canada’s “Top 100 Charities for 2020” by Maclean’s Magazine. To learn more about us please visit https://code.ngo
Whether you’re looking for a quick dessert for a function, or something easy for the family, you’re going to love these 12 icebox cakes!
Don’t you love those desserts that are easy to make, but taste so good? These are the type of frozen desserts that everyone wants the recipe for.
How to make an icebox cake
Usually, icebox cakes are made with pudding, whipped cream, and cookies, but there are so many ways to change up the flavours. This means that you can take one recipe and make several different desserts.
For icebox cakes, it pays to keep cookies and pudding mixes in your pantry and whipped topping in the freezer. This allows you to throw together a quick icebox cake in a matter of minutes.
Icebox cakes are great for anytime you need an easy dessert. These cakes don’t require any baking skills, which make them perfect for warm weather. This is an ideal dessert to make for the family that doesn’t heat up the whole house and will be cool and refreshing on a hot summer’s day. Of course, you don’t have to wait for hot weather. These icebox cakes are good anytime of the year.
12 Icebox Cake Recipes
Icebox cakes are perfect when you find out that company is coming over. They’ll think that you’re always a culinary goddess with desserts that are always in the kitchen. Little do they know is that you literally threw that summer dessert together in less than 10 minutes!
If you want to make something for your family, but don’t want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen, try one of these icebox cake recipes. There’s literally something for everyone. And, remember, these recipes are easy to change so that you can get the exact flavour your family loves. All you need to do is switch one flavour for another. This really makes it easy to make a dessert your family is going to love. You may also want to try our Easy No Churn Funfetti Cake Batter Ice Cream recipe.
I hope you will leave a comment and let us know which of these icebox cake recipes sounds the best to you! If you have ever made icebox cakes in a unique way, I would love to hear about your experience! Also, check out all of our recipes!
My husband and I have been parents for more than 20 years. We’ve made mistakes along the way (as all parents do), but we’ve learned a lot as well. Here are 5 of the toughest lessons every parent must learn and that I believe loving parents have to come to grips with while raising their kids.
5 Toughest Lessons Every Parent Must Learn
1.The Hardest Lesson Every Parent Must Learn
‘Doing Nothing When You Are Able’ – As a parent, it’s easy for us to do long division and ride a bike; however, we can’t do math homework or ride bikes on behalf of our kids. Metaphorically speaking, we can’t let them have training wheels for ever, which means they will fall down and fail at times.
There is sometimes resultant pain and frustration that I could prevent, but don’t because the child needs to develop mastery of life skills on their own.
That kind of parental restraint is necessary so they can learn for themselves. This continues to be a difficult, ongoing lesson for me to learn as a parent.
2. The Most Painful Lesson Every Parent Must Learn
‘Not Being Able to Help When You Feel You Must’ – For example, when your child is in the hospital you are usually helpless, yet you would give anything to switch places with the child to help them avoid the pain.
Unfortunately, that is not how life works – we can’t swap out pain the same way we change a shirt or a light bulb. To endure those lessons we need to see an end that’s beyond the immediate circumstance, which is the definition of faith – believing in what we can’t see.
Those painful moments for child and parent happen in lesser degree, yet they all help us elevate our perspective from the seen world to something higher.
3. The Most Sobering Lesson Every Parent Must Learn
‘Each Day, They Need You Less’ – The first several years of life, most everything children know they’ve learned from their parents or close family members; however, once they begin going to school, they continue to learn and grow independent of you the parent.
Some of what they learn might run crosswise to the values you’re trying to instill in your children (e.g. the first time your child uses the F-word; asks about sex or questions why they have to go to church on Sundays when no one in their class does…etc.)
It’s sobering because your position and authority as a parent is being challenged, and that is only going in increase as the children’s friends gain more influence during the teenage years. But as parents, the more we are challenged, we are also obligated to love them that much more.
4. The Most Frightening Lesson Every Parent Must Learn
‘You Can’t be With Them 24/7’ – This is challenging because you can only hope that you’ve equipped your kids to make good, safe decisions when you’re not around – especially in the face of potentially negative influences that are close to your children.
Parents need to establish internal behavioural boundaries for their kids using love and consistent discipline. Pressure testing their decision making skills in small areas, and letting them deal with the consequences of those decisions, will help them fine tune those abilities when they’re older. Of course, the stakes are higher such as whether or not they should get into a car with someone who’s been drinking booze after a party.
5. The Saddest Lesson Every Parent Must Learn
‘You’ll Have to Let Them Go’ – Personally speaking, this is by far the most difficult lesson for me to have grapple with as the mother of 2 kids. You will see in no time, your kids will be driving a car, then attending prom, then leaving for college, etc. While parents love their children equally, the reality is that each child is different and each is special in their own way.
Bestselling author and child psychologist, Dr. Kevin Leman notes that the best environment for a child to thrive in is a stable, two-parent home, but he goes on to say that the most important relationship for a child is with the opposite gender parent. That’s because that parent becomes the filter and standard by which the child will ultimately compare potential mates and spouses.
I realize that and as a mother with a daughter and a son, I wanted both my kids to be strong and complete individuals – mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically – not needing a woman or man to complete them. But I do want them to find someone who will love them the way I love their father, because that kind of love provides meaning to life.
However, I do realize that for them to find that, my husband and I must equip them to leave us. Again, that’s the toughest lesson for me. Hoping you enjoyed reading this post on 5 toughest lessons every parent must learn when raising your child(ren). Now I have a question for you!
Father’s Day gifts don’t have to come from an expensive store. You will find below some fun and creative Father’s Day Gift Ideas!
Simple Father’s Day crafts for kids to make are a perfect way for showing Dad how important he is to them. Father’s Day is a great reason to get creative. While the shops try to promote the same boring gifts such as ties and golf balls, a hand-made customized giftfrom a child means so much more and is not easily forgotten. It is also more enjoyable for children to get creatively involved in Dad’s present.
1. Father’s Day Gifts Ideas
What are Dad’s hobbies and passions? Does he play sports or computer or video games? Does he listen to music, make model cars, or enjoy gourmet food? His interests can help when deciding what to create for him.
For the gourmet dad, home-made and hand-decorated Father’s Day cakes and cupcakes are simple enough for older children to make, are effective, inexpensive and quick. The musical dad would appreciate a mixed selection of his favourite tunes compiled on a playlist by a technically-minded child, while a gift certificate to purchase his favourite video game or sports team gear serves for a gaming and sports dad.
2. Crafts for Dad
Even the youngest child can create something for Dad. A baby’s footprints and handprints or a toddler’s finger-painting masterpiece can be framed and dated. A child’s thoughts and feelings about Dad can be recorded or written down.
For older kids, a handmade pencil holder is always useful and is simple to make with recycled materials. A clean tin can, some glue, strips of newspaper or magazine pictures, and some glitter can be turned into something special for Dad. Kids can also make a Rocks Salt Dough Paperweight to give to Dad on his special day!
3. Meaningful Father’s Day Gift Ideas
Gifts don’t have to be tangible. Doing special things for dad are just as meaningful. Surprise Dad by washing his car or with breakfast in bed. Plan a picnic, cut the grass, or make a computer slideshow of funny pictures. Magic tricks, puppet shows, or musical performances from theatrically talented kids are always entertaining for the whole family. Tickets to the “show” can be slipped into a hand-made Father’s Day card.
Grandfathers should be remembered too. Photographs of the grandchildren can be pasted onto strips of card to make bookmarks, or glued onto blocks of sanded wood to make interesting paper-weights.
Hundreds of Father’s Day craft ideas can be found online. For example, the Art Attack website is especially created for children and is loaded with colourful ideas and clear instructions. Local libraries are also a great resource for finding arts and crafts books and magazines. Art museums are also useful places for creative ideas.
Hoping you enjoyed our selection of Fathers Day gift ideas! Celebrating fathers and their important role in the family can be made even more special with the thought, effort, and love that go into their gifts. Nothing says “I love you” like a handmade gift, and children will find added joy by giving something they made themselves. Don’t forget to make a card!
Siblings often talk to each other in ways they would never use with their friends. Parents can be guilty of forgetting to show their appreciation for a job well done. Children often have no concept of the work their parents do to keep the home organized and running smoothly. An easy, fun, and effective way of showing your gratitude, appreciation, and respect for each other is to try The Family Appreciation Project!
Fun Way to Enjoy Being a Family
One of the most common pitfalls families face, forgetting that common courtesies are not just for those outside the home. Here is a fun way to remind each other.
Gather your family together and tell them about a new idea that you believe will be a fun and exciting way for your family to enjoy each other. Explain that everyone is equally involved and reassure them that the family project will in no way be invasive of their time or outside activities.
The Family Appreciation Project is simple!
Create a card by either cut out of something fun and lively from either construction paper or poster board or colour your own card. It might be a good idea to laminate it for longevity, or you may find it more enjoyable to encourage a different child to create a new one every few weeks.
Choose an “it” person. This will be the first in the family to initiate the project. It is entirely up to this person who he chooses as the next recipient of the card.
The family member in possession of the card chooses another family and secretly does something nice and out of the ordinary for them. SUGGESTIONS: a) Quickly make their bed for them in the morning while they are in the shower; b) Feed the pets on the day it was his or her responsibility to do so; c) Create a homemade gift that would have special, personal meaning for them; d) Take the trash out on their night, do the dishes for them, wash their car…you get the idea.
Leave the card somewhere the recipient will find it and can recognize the good deed that has been done for them.
The family member now in possession of the card is now in charge of choosing the next recipient.
Daily or Weekly Family Appreciation Project
The age of your children and your family’s schedule will help you determine if this process should be daily or weekly. No more time than the good deeds typically require daily is often the preferred schedule. Consistency is key, and your children should be encouraged to understand that the family is counting on their participation. Also, be cautious that your family keeps the deeds simple, independent of any financial discrepancies between one family and another, and meaningful to the participant. No grandstanding on anyone’s part is needed.
The simplicity of this family appreciation project is what makes it so fun and meaningful. A touch of friendly competition is fine, as long as the competition is based on the level of thoughtfulness and creativity put into the gestures. At the end of each week, talk briefly about the good deeds that were done for each of you and what they meant to you. In no time, you will see a significant difference in the way your entire family interacts with each other. Meaningful acts of kindness tend to have that effect!
Children who read more will do better in school, and children who love to read will read more. So, for those of you wanting to help your children grow to love the world of books, here are 10 Ways to Get Kids Reading that I have found helpful (both from the experts and my own experience).
In my younger days, I was a reading buddy—i.e. a literacy tutor—to a third grade boy who, to put it mildly, did not like to read. As someone who would not know what to do without books, I took this as a personal challenge.
How could I get this eight year old to appreciate reading as much as he should? The first thing I did when I left that day was to search for tips on instilling the love of literature in children. Let me tell you, they exist and I have come up with some good tips below to get kids reading!
1.Start early
I am not the only one who thinks this, so does children’s author, Allan Ahlberg. He, who has sold over 17 million books, gives us a piece of advice: “The key to fostering a love of reading in a child is to start early.” It makes sense. Don’t wait until your child already dislikes reading. Get to them before they form an opinion.
2. Have a regular reading time
Life is always better—to me at least—when there is a schedule. Don’t think that this is just for us adults either. This is the reason that discipline works. Kids like consistency. So, give them some and have a regular time set aside for reading every day. This will definitely get your kids reading on a daily basis. Once it gets to be part of the routine, it won’t be that annoying thing that takes them away from the TV.
3. Let them see you reading
On one very long car ride, my family and I were headed to Cape Cod from Montreal with my cousins. There were 12 of us in multiple cars of course. Leading the caravan were my parents, my 1 year-old cousin, and a 12-year-old me. I chose the supposedly quiet car for one reason so I could read. This did not happen.
As it turns out, baby France knew very few words, but one of the few was “book”. So, for 6 straight hours, she watched me try to read as she continued to beg me to give the book to her…Why? Because to a one year old (though maybe not to anyone else), I was cool. If her cool cousin loved to read, then reading must be for her. Kids are like that! So, parents, practice what you preach. If you want your kid to read more, you read more.
4. Read with your kids
Yes parents, they do think you are awesome and they want to spend time with you. Bonus, in turn, you get to spend time with them.
5. Dramatize
Another fun way to get kids reading is by making a reading trip to the movies. If a child loves to watch TV, go to the movies, play video games, then doesn’t it make sense to bring those loves into books? All the themes are there; just add crazy voices and special effects. Then, let your child read to you and go crazy over all of their dramatic effects. Hollywood, meet our home!
6. Read the book before you watch the movie (together)
What better way to spend time together and to find reading fun, than to do this. It makes great talking points when you are done such as:
What was your favourite part x2?
They shouldn’t have changed that part. The book was better.
That isn’t what I imagined the main character to look like
Assuming you pick a book/movie that your child is going to like (which is a big point of the whole project) then they are going to see that not all books have to be stuffy historical accounts (which I personally love, but tend not to appeal to kindergarteners); they can be gory thrillers, sappy romances, crime fighting adventures, whatever they want.
7. Let them pick the books
Wouldn’t you be more into a book you picked out for yourself because you thought it sounded good?
8. Have a library or bookstore adventure
I am about to give you some advice straight from Oprah, so you know it must be good: “Make a big deal about getting your library card!” Plus, if you have a dresser-upper, what better pretend credit card to put into a purse, and then the child will actually be able to use it outside of the house to get stuff. Just like a big kid. A shopping trip to a bookstore lets them see the magnitude of books available to them!
9. Extend bedtime
When I was young, my parents extended my bedtime hours on Friday and Saturday evenings so that I got to stay up late. What did I do on those special nights, you ask? Why, I did Hooked on Phonics, of course. Let me tell you something from someone who has never liked going to bed at normal hours, any excuse to get out of going to bed is a good excuse. Use these words to your advantage to get your kids reading.
Providing a family with healthy meals on a budget can seem a daunting task. With no plan in place, it is easy to fall into bad habits. Some people constantly serve up the same unimaginative meals to their families on a weekly basis. It’s simply easier and faster this way. You will find below 3 steps on Easy Menu Plan For Budget Family Meals!
Easy Menu Plan For Budget Family Meals
A structured family meal plan can be of great benefit, particularly when children are young and time is short; however, not every lifestyle or personality is suited to this highly organized method of meal planning. Some families work best when things are kept casual. If more flexibility is preferred, but financial constraints are still a consideration, follow these simple steps to a basic menu plan for your family.
1. Count up the Meals
At the beginning of each week, prior to grocery shopping, sit down and work out how many meals will need to be served. Allow for one takeaway nights if the budget permits. Save these for the evenings when they are most useful. For example, when working late or attending after school sports training, etc. Or save more money by making these nights leftover or casual nights – scrambled eggs, baked beans on toast, etc.
2. Plan a Family Menu
Decide on the main meals. Buying meat in bulk is cheaper. It can be divided into individual portions before freezing. Look for different recipes that use the same cuts of meat – e.g., mincemeat is used in rissoles, bolognaise sauce, tacos, and hamburgers. Chicken drumsticks can be roasted, cooked on the barbecue, or used in a casserole. Sausages are inexpensive and can be served barbecued with salad, cooked in the pan with mash, or in a casserole. Vary sauces with steaks to create different meals from the same basic ingredient.
Stick with basics for lunches and breakfasts. These meals don’t need to be extravagant, just simple, and healthy. A range of toppings for toast and sandwiches and two kinds of cereal should be enough to see any family through. Fresh fruit is healthiest for snacks and works out cheaper than packaged foods. Fill the biscuit barrel with plain biscuits purchased in large bags. These are ideal for school lunchboxes. Food taken from a home is generally less expensive and more nutritious than snacks selected by children from school canteens or vending machines.
3. Write a Grocery List
Once the list of meals is prepared, write a grocery list, and make sure all ingredients are covered. Check the pantry for basic supplies such as flour and sugar that need topping up.
After shopping is completed, it is simply a matter of deciding which meal to serve each night. A measure of forethought is still required depending on how much preparation time a dish requires (defrosting or marinating meat etc.).
With a variety of meals to select from and all the ingredients on hand, it is easy to prepare a meal that suits the family time and taste requirements on any given day. Hoping these 3 steps will help you achieve an Easy Menu Plan For Budget Family Meals!
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.
