When Valentine’s Day rolls around the first thing most people think about is hearts, candy and romance. Kids are excited about exchanging valentine cards with their friends and many adults rush out to buy that special person in their life flowers, cards and gifts to express their love. However, there are a few unbelievable facts about Valentine’s Day that are not well known.
Happy Valentine’s Day
Here are 7 unbelievable facts about Valentine’s Day that you may have never heard of before:
Valentine’s Day Card
1. With the exception of Christmas, more cards are bought and sent out on Valentine’s Day than any other holiday throughout the year. Did you know this fact about Valentine’s Day?
Valentine’s Day Card ~ Photo by France1978 on Foter.com / CC BY
Cards and Gifts Banned
2. Giving Valentine’s Day cards and other gifts was banned in Iran as a way to stop the spread of decadent or corrupt Western culture in their country. Anyone who participates in this holiday could be prosecuted.
Women Give Men Chocolates
3. In Japan, the women give chocolates to the men on Valentine’s Day instead of the other way around. However, on March 14, which is called White Day, the men return the show of affection by giving the women chocolates and other gifts.
Medievial Era
4. During the medieval era, girls would eat a combination of strange foods on Valentine’s Day because they believed it would make them dream about the man they would soon marry. This is definitely an unbelievable fact about Valentine’s day!
Richard Cadbury
5. The first box of chocolates designed for Valentine’s Day was produced near the end of the 1800s by Richard Cadbury. Now this fact about Valentine’s day is well know in the chocolate industry!
A heart shaped box of chocolate
“wear your heart on your sleeve”
6. It’s believed this next fact about Valentine’s Day where the phrase “wear your heart on your sleeve” actually originated during the middle ages. During this time the names of girls were put into a bowl and the boys would draw a name from it. The name of the girl he drew would be his valentine. He would then pin it to his sleeve for a week for everyone to see.
A Man Named Saint Valentine
7. One of the most unbelievable facts about Valentine’s Day is where it originated. You would think its origins would revolve around love and romance but the opposite seems to be true. A popular and perhaps the most reliable belief is that it originated somewhere around 469 A.D. During this time Pope Gelasius declared this day a holiday to honour a man named Saint Valentine.
Unbelievable Facts about Valentine’s Day
However, there were three Catholic martyrs named Saint Valentine and no one knows for sure which one history is referring to. One was a priest and one was a bishop. One secretly married Roman soldiers during wartime when it was forbidden and the other openly professed Christianity. Very little is known about the third but all three men were imprisoned and executed on February 14 for disobeying the orders of Emperor Claudius II. Regardless of which man this holiday honours, Saint Valentine’s Day had a sad beginning.
Did you like our 7 Unbelievable Facts about Valentine’s Day? Do you have any to share with us? Comment below!
Big game day is just around the corner. Whether you’re throwing a big bash or a smaller party for the Super Bowl, there’s no better time to plan the menu. Honestly, there are thousands of appropriate recipes to consider. This is especially true when it comes to the category of appetizers and munchies! Have a look at these 10 Game Day Appetizers for the family!
What follows is a list of ideas for game day food to serve your football-loving guests. I’ve tried to include a little bit of everything even things the kids will love for these Super Bowl recipe ideas.
I can almost guarantee that these loaded baked potato cups will disappear faster than you can yell “touchdown!” As far as ingredients go, there’s no reason not to get creative.
Sliders are the perfect “appetizers and finger food.” Chicken and waffles and syrup… oh my!
Hope you enjoy these 10 Game Day Appetizers as much as I did! Also, check out our recipes! If you have a favourite Super Bowl appetizer recipe, be sure to share that with us in the comment below!
Food. We all enjoy it in one form or another. I feel that it is important to learn about how the food we create fabulous dishes with gets to our homes. Farm & Food Care Ontario feels the same way, too and wants Ontarians to feel as though they can trust how food is produced in our province. Their goal is to give credible information on food and farming in Ontario. They invited Ottawa Mommy Club on their fall tour of farms around the Ottawa area to get a first-hand look at some of the food and farming in our region. I was really excited to be a part of this season’s trip.
Food at All Stages of Production with Farm & Food Care Ontario
Our first stop was to Schouten Corner View Farm Ltd. This farm is the home to a biogas system. To be honest, I had never heard of this machine, so I was intrigued to find out how it impacted this farm and the community around it.
A biogas system converts organic wastes into methane gas through the process of anaerobic digestion. The main part of this machine is a large tank that changes the waste into methane gas. The waste left behind can be used to fertilize the neighbouring farms in the area.
Building holding the Schouten Corner View Farms biogas digester.
Power centre of Schouten Corner View Farms biogas digester.
The biogas system on the Schouten Corner View Farm owned by Rick Schouten consists of 500m³ digester, 200m³ liquid waste tank, a pasteurizer, and two solid waste bunkers. It was so interesting to see what the results of the biogas system once the process was complete. It was also fascinating to learn how farms in the same community work together to make their businesses flourish together.
Dry waste from biogas digester.
We then bustled over to Foster Custom Farming, a beef and crop farm owned by Dwight and Ruth Ann Foster and their family. We got to have a first-hand look at the beef feedlot barn (built in 2016) that is like no other within the Ottawa area. To say it huge would be an understatement. It was large enough for our tour bus to fit through the pathway in its centre with ease.
Foster Custom Farming
Inside, it housed a plethora of cattle. At capacity, it can hold up to 3 000 cattle every year. Adjacent to the feedlot is another large barn where the Fosters can tend to cows one-on-one should one get sick. It was good to see that the cattle were well looked after while at this farm.
Inside Foster Custom Food Care Feedlot with cows.
Cows feeding inside Foster Custom Food Care Feedlot.
We then went to their grain business, North Gower Grains to learn about the shipment of this product from farm to truck. We stood on the scale where the trucks would park while grain was being poured into them from the grain elevators above.
Grain silos and elevators at North Gower Grains.
We also got a glimpse of the control tower where the technicians would sit and make sure the trucks were the right weight before transporting the grain to their next level of production. It was fun to see how much we weighed and how everything translated from the ground level to the control tower.
Bottom of grain elevator at North Gower Grains.
Control in control centre for grain elevators at North Gower Grains.
Feet standing on a scale at grain elevator.
All of this fun made us work up an appetite. We were then bussed off for a fabulous fall-themed lunch at Strathmere. This 200-acre retreat has so many beautiful buildings, and we got the chance to dine in the Garden House during this visit. We had a gorgeous walk from the parking lot to the main doors of this building.
House on the grounds at Strathmere.
Front of the Garden House at Strathmere.
Once inside, we took our seats at the seasonally decorated tables to wait for our meal to begin. We were really excited to take a look at the menu Farm & Food Care and Strathmere collaborated on to wow us. Below is the menu of our lunch for this trip:
Moroccan Roasted Carrot & Squash Soup
Garnished with Toasted Pumpkin Seeds and & Yogurt Crème Fraîche
This soup was a great way to start our meal. It was light, yet warm and with so much flavour. The day was a cooler than many of the other we had experienced. This dish not only helped to shake the chill of the day, it brought everyone at my table closer together as we raved about the deliciousness in front of us.
Local Beer Cheese Sauce served with Fine Herb Fingerling Potato Wedges
Orchard Plum, Apple & Pear Streusel Crumble
With Butter, Brown Sugar, Spiced Oat Topping
Each course we were served was superb! This soup was a great way to start our meal. It was light, yet warm and with so much flavour.
Moroccan Roasted Carrot & Squash Soup at Strathmere.
I am still dreaming about this burger. The beef patty was really thick and juicy. The Local Beer Cheese Sauce gooey and went so well with the Onion Jam on this sandwich. What put this burger over the top was the double-smoked bacon. All of these flavours blended to create a smoky, saucy dish that I wished I had more of to enjoy.
Local Beer Cheese Sauce served with Fine Herb Fingerling Potato Wedges at Strathmere.
The Streusel Crumble was out of this world. Out of all of the meals, nothing said fall better than this dish. It was sweet and homey. It was fun to taste the fruit blend separate from the streusel crumble, but when a spoonful of all of this dessert’s components was the best way to eat this dish. I was really sad when my bowl was empty.
Orchard Plum, Apple & Pear Streusel Crumble at Strathmere.
The day was a cooler than many of the other we had experienced so far in fall. This meal not only helped to shake the chill of the day, it brought everyone at my table closer together as we raved about the deliciousness in front of us.
Our tour ended where most of our food begins: at the growing stage. We visited Mike Mederiros at Carleton Mushroom Farm. I was expecting to be outdoors for this last portion of the trip, but I was in for a surprise once we arrived.
The first thing that came into my head when I thought about mushrooms was dirt. When we were ushered inside the facility, I was taken back at how sterile it was. I was beginning to wonder what we were going to see. Mike showed us the shipping bay and how each of the state-of-the-art rooms were controlled from the outside by the panels. Air quality, lighting, and temperature could all be seen from this point.
Food from All Stages of Production with Farm and Food Care Ontario
Control panels for growing rooms at Carleton Mushroom Farm.
We then got the opportunity to see where all of the magic happened. Besides the mushroom beds, everything was so clean. We got to see mushrooms at different stages of growth. We also learned about how long it takes to grow mushrooms ready for consumption (about 10-14 days), and that little was wasted at this farm to improve on the quality of the mushrooms they were producing. It may sound weird to say, but it was a beautiful farm to visit and to see the process this product goes through was fabulous.
Stage 2 of Mushroom growth in a mushroom bed.
Cutting stage for mushrooms in mushroom bed.
The Farm & Food Care Fall Tour was an experience I will not soon forget. I learned so much about the food cycle and the care that is put in at every stage. It was also inspiring to see the positive direction in which food production is headed. I was truly honoured to have been a part of this trip and to see how well this corner of our province is doing to care about the food and produce being put on its citizen’s tables.
Curious to find out more about Farm & Food Care Ontario? I paid a visit to their website and connected with them on their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube pages to learn out more!
Winter can feel like a long season of waiting when you’ve got a green thumb. Gardeners get put on hold when the snow starts to fall. The season may give you some time to plan their plants for the spring, but it can feel like a long wait for the next time you get to dig your hands into the soil. A backyard greenhouse can change the way you see winter. Hobby greenhouses have become a popular way to garden throughout the year, get a jumpstart on the gardening season, and grow plants that might not thrive in the climate where you make your home.
Fall In Love With Year Round Gardening
Fall In Love With Year Round Gardening
What To Grow In Your Backyard Greenhouse?
You can get a head start on plants you plan to move to your garden once the weather is ready for them, like peppers and tomatoes. To get the most out of them, these plants often need more growing time than a garden in a snowy climate allows. Other vegetables like broccoli, lettuce, and carrots can all be grown in cool-frame greenhouses, since they thrive in cooler temperatures, while ornamental flowers like poinsettias, chrysanthemums, ferns, geraniums, and many more are best grown in a greenhouse. One of the advantages of growing them indoors is that it’s easier to multiply cuttings.
Tips For A Winter Greenhouse
You can successfully grow vegetables all through the winter with a greenhouse in your backyard with just a few gardening tips. First, carrots, peas, and lettuce can all be grown throughout the winter if you’ve got a greenhouse. With the sun low on the horizon, place them in a south-facing position for maximum sunlight. You may want to use a small space heater if temperatures dip below 10 degrees Celsius, and you want to open a vent to provide fresh carbon dioxide for your plants. You can also use containers to keep them free from pests and pathogens.
Pots, seeds, and herbs
Buying a Greenhouse
Before you start your own greenhouse look at the different types you can buy. The one you choose depends on your personal tastes. The first thing to consider is whether you want a freestanding greenhouse or one that’s attached to your home. Attached or lean-to greenhouses are usually cheaper, since you’re relying on one sturdy wall. However, freestanding greenhouses will have more sunlight – and they’re a must-have if your home is on the south side of your lot.
You also have options when it comes to glazing. You can choose from three glazing options: glass, plastic sheeting, and polycarbonate, all of which are available from online retailers. Glass is the most expensive greenhouse material, but also the best. Plastic sheeting is less expensive but not long-lasting. Finally, there’s polycarbonate, which is not only lightweight but also retains heat better than glass. Check out your backyard greenhouse options on sites that offer free delivery.
You don’t have to wait for the snow to melt to get back to gardening. Tend to winter vegetables or get a head start on spring produce with your very own backyard greenhouse.
A brand new year is a time when we reflect on the past year and think about what we want for the year ahead. Some of you may set New Year’s resolutions while others might have given up on that a long time ago. Perhaps you are one of those people that every January vow to join a fitness class, start exercising and eating healthy. See our tips on a simplified approach to achieving your fitness goals!
Most people will fall off the wagon before the snow has melted! So why did you fail? Have you ever asked yourself that question? Or just beaten yourself up and eventually accepted the failure? Some may say: “I’m too busy” or “It was too hard” or “I don’t know what to do”. Sorry to say but those are actually excuses, not reasons.
Why You Might Fail Your Fitness Goals
The reason you may have failed is because you tried to change too much at once and got overwhelmed. Let’s face it, every day we see articles that say ‘do this, do that, eat this, eat that, drink this, swallow this pill and you’ll lose 10 pounds in 5 minutes”. It’s no wonder people get confused! Bottom line, there is no magic pill, powder or potion. The human body is meant to move so to stay healthy you need to exercise and eat healthy, clean food. And the only way to get there is to hold yourself accountable and this year try a different approach; instead, try changing your current bad habits to good behaviours one step at a time.
Hand held weights and one running shoe
Are You Ready For Change?
To get started first ask yourself if you are ready for change. If you aren’t sure, then you’re not ready. If however you are motivated, determined and ready for change then start by exercising 3 to 4 days each week and leave your eating habits just the way they are. Just put all of your focus in your goals to exercise 3 to 4 days each week. Block out time in your calendar, get a workout buddy, hire a personal trainer, whatever it takes. Be sure to include cardiovascular exercises like jogging, biking or aerobics and strength training exercises like lifting weights. For maximum calorie burn trying combining the two with high-intensity interval training (HIIT). Be sure to take some time to stretch after each workout as well! After a month of successfully exercising 3 to 4 days per week continue with that and now begin to make some changes to your food intake. Again, change one thing at a time.
A Simplified Approach to Achieving Your Fitness Goals
Drink Lots of Water
Don’t drink enough water? Focus on drinking 6-8 cups per day. Once you’ve done that successfully for a couple of weeks stick with that and try changing something else such as eating protein with each meal, then two weeks later eat some veggies with each meal and so on. By slowly replacing bad habits with good ones you’ll be easily reaching and achieving those small goals and be well on your way to living a long-term healthy lifestyle!
This step by step approach to making changes is definitely achievable! And don’t be afraid to ask for help from friends, family or even a certified fitness professional.
Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to make some sweet treats to share with your friends and family! This collection of 13 Best Valentine Day Sweet Treats has something for everyone.
From festive Valentine brownie bites that are perfect for sharing, to Crinkle Cookies with a decadent white chocolate drizzle; I know you will find something you want to try on this list!
We can thank King Henry VII for all the yumminess that this holiday provides. He officially declared Valentine’s Day a holiday on February 14, 1537.
Valentine’s Day Sweet Treats
Homemade Valentine’s Day Gifts
Flowers and chocolates in heart shaped boxes are always a nice surprise on Valentine’s Day, but a homemade sweet really speaks to the heart! Gifts from the heart like a homemade goodie are always fun to make and they are usually budget friendly as an added bonus.
With the recipes in this collection, you can make a batch and share with everyone you hold near and dear! Many of these recipes would be perfect for a school party, and would make all of the kids in class feel the love!
Valentine’s Day Sweet Treats For Everyone
When I told you this recipe list had something for everyone, I wasn’t kidding! You can even find an air fryer cheesecake cupcake recipe that is sure to steal the hearts of anyone who tries it! Personally I can’t wait to try the homemade gumdrop recipe for a trip down memory lane, and the chance to recall the gumdrops of the Valentine’s Day Parties of my youth! No matter which of these recipes you decide to make first, I know you will love it!
Valentine’s Day Sweet Treats
A big part of Valentine’s Day is all of the sweet treats available on this special occasion. Candy, cupcakes and cookies, oh my! This is a short list of Valentine’s Day sweet treats, suitable for almost any occasion. Which one are you going to make first?
This white chocolate popcorn with conversation hearts is the perfect way to say “I love you!” When you’re craving something salty and sweet, this recipe fits the bill.
These delectable cookies are bound to earn a thumbs up from even the pickiest sweet tooth in your life! This recipe is easy to make and only uses 6 ingredients including a package white cake mix.
These delicious sweet treats round up are adorable and will help make Valentine’s Day even more special for you loved ones!
If you are looking for more Valentine’s Day ideas you will want to check out some of these reader favourites! Mexican Hot Cocoa Bombs make an unforgettable way to warm up on Valentine’s Day! This Red Hot Heart Cake makes for a sweet way to spice up the holiday!
VALENTINE’S DAY RECIPE IDEAS
If you are looking for more ways to bake up something sweet this Valentine’s Day you might enjoy these:
Winterlude, Canada’s winter celebration, is held in Ottawa–Gatineau each February. The three fun-filled weekends of Winterlude are guaranteed to make the spirit of winter come alive.
Snow sculptures at Winterlude
History of Winterlude
Winterlude was created by the NCC in 1979 to celebrate Canada’s unique northern climate and culture.
Dates and Admission to Winterlude
The three weekends (usually starts 1st weekend in February and last 3 weekends) are filled with activities, and many venues are open daily. For the exact yearly date, please visit their website!
Most Winterlude activities are free. Some events, such as sporting competitions, require entry fees. Check out the activities HERE!
Winterlude Mascots: The Ice Hog Family
The Ice Hog Family travels to Canada’s Capital Region every winter to celebrate Winterlude. The family includes Mama and Papa Ice Hog and their children, Noumi and Nouma. They love to play in the snow, and can be found at Sun Life Snowflake Kingdom.
Ice sculpture at Winterlude
Ice and Snow Sculptures
Check Out Winterlude’s Ice and Snow Sculptures! The ice and snow sculptures are a highlight of Winterlude. Ice carvers from around the world turned blocks of ice into stunning works of art. At night, coloured lights reveal the magical beauty of the ice sculptures.
Snowflake Kingdom at Jacques-Cartier Park
Come Play in the Snow! Experience the fun of winter at the biggest snow playground on the continent! At Jacques-Cartier Park, you’ll find tons of activities inspired by the Canadian winter and Northern traditions.
Jacque-Cartier Park is the place to be for the young and the young at heart. The playground features snow slides, snow sculptures, obstacle courses, kicksleds, horse-drawn sleigh rides, craft lessons and more.
The Ice Hog family, beloved mascots of Winterlude, can also be found at at Jacques-Cartier Park. The Ice Hog family lives here at Jacques-Cartier Park while visiting Canada’s Capital Region each February. They love to play and give out hugs, and are happy to pose for pictures.
Family Fun Times at Winterlude
Skating on the Rideau Canal
Grab your skates and explore the Rideau Canal Skateway! In winter, the historic Rideau Canal becomes the world’s largest skating rink. The ice extends 7.8-kilometres and runs through the heart of downtown Ottawa. Take our virtual tour for 360° views of this famous skateway.
Vendors are located along the skateway, allowing you to rent skates or grab a warm drink right from the ice. Vendor and activity locations are marked on the Rideau Canal Skateway map.
I went on a road trip to visit some the United States National Parks with my entire family, and we had a blast! I was a little bit scary at first, but then, after planning everything smartly and wisely, it was a comfortable and funny experience for everyone! I know how hard it can be to pack for what’s useful and essential, so today I am here to share with you the tips on how to pack for a family road trip with a list of the essentials you should bring with you!
What to Pack for a Family Road Trip
1. Documents required to pack for each family member
Don’t forget to always check all passports to ensure their are valid.
2. Local currency and some cash
Don’t rely too much on credit cards as you may find it difficult to pay with it on the road in small shops and so on. Also, don’t forget to consider the exchange of the value!
3. Some water and snacks
Especially when travelling with kids, you have to think about having the right back-up plan in case you just can’t stop to buy something!
4. Pack smart phone charger and power bank
Primarily a power bank could be a saviour when it comes to excursions into nature!
5. Toys for the kids to entertain them
Toys are going to be a top priority to treat your little ones while exploring every national park on the road! Kids get bored so quickly and bringing their favourite toys could be the right thing to do!
6. The right hiking shoes to master the paths
Exploring national parks is quite an adventure, but you need to be ready for it. Bring the perfect comfortable hiking shoes to keep things going with no problems, pain, or discomfort!
7. Pack The perfect gear to explore nature
Bring some thermic shirts, sweatshirt, jackets, and comfy, baggy pants to keep it smooth the hiking and the exploration! Don’t forget a scarf and a hat when it gets colder!
8. Some essential cosmetics to stay clean and hydrated
Don’t underestimate this throughout your road trip as you’ll be spending a lot of time outdoors while exploring the parks and you’ll need to protect your skin. Some UVA sunscreen would be useful too!
9. Consider some optional extras for your car
Once you rent your car to stroll around the country, you should consider some exciting extras. After renting an amazing and cheap car, you could add infant seats and an additional driver. It’s comfortable, convenient, and practical!
10. An old-fashioned paper map besides GPS
Paper Map is something I always recommend, especially when a trip is for natural paths and outdoor excursions. Your GPS signals may get lost and it’ll be much more difficult to stay on track and oriented while driving or exploring!
How to Pack for a Family Road Trip
These are my top 10 essentials on how to pack for a family road trip. You should totally pack for a family road trip! Besides these practical tips, always remember to create a balanced and exciting itinerary to make every family member happy and motivate yourself to keep going during this exciting adventure together!
The New Year is here! Have you made your New Year’s resolutions yet? It is great to do something that will restore your balance or improve yourself, but what about helping others? One of the things you can do to help others this New Year is to show your support for the healthcare of women and children through Cuso International.
Cuso International health worker and a family walking and talking.
The Cuso CAN Fund was created to give the opportunity to support Cuso International chief maternal and child health projects in Ethiopia, Benin, Tanzania, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
How Does Cuso Provide Help?
With the support Cuso International receives, its volunteers provide the following to the people of Ethiopia:
· Shares a variety of medical and non-medical skills to improve the quality of healthcare in facilities;
· Empowers women and men to make informed health decisions; and
· Encourages women to find care from trained health professionals.
How Can You Show Your Support?
Woman holding infant.
One of the best ways you can show your support to Cuso International in 2018 is by becoming a monthly donor. Monthly donations are simple and convenient to give. They are also necessary to be able to give stable funding in order to provide long-term change. These funds give Cuso International the ability to put together projects that improve the lives and livelihoods of those in need, and also helps to sustain these projects for a longer period of time.
Another great aspect of giving monthly to Cuso International is that you are able to adjust the amount you give. You can increase it, decrease it, or cancel it completely at any time – no questions asked.
Your monthly gift early in the year is vital to their ability to plan successful programs. Your donation at the start of the year allows Cuso International to advise their partners how many volunteers they can expect to receive in the months ahead. The sooner Cuso International can secure volunteers, the sooner they will be able to do the following:
Aid pregnant women who are at risk of delivering babies in unsafe conditions travelling for hours to find medical care in the searing heat;
Help parents who struggle to feed and educate their children; and
Assist unemployed youth seeking training and support to find stable jobs.
Canadian doctors and midwives are working together with their Ethiopian counterparts in order to give support to women and children, health workers, government health staff and civil society organizational staff.
Take a look at how Cuso International supports the healthcare staff at the Pawe Hospital in Ethiopia.
Cuso International’s Support in Action
Cuso International volunteer, Jennica, holding a baby.
The Canadian doctors and midwives that volunteer their time to help others with Cuso International encounter situations during their placements around the world they would not encounter in Canada on a frequent basis. Jennica Rawstron of British Columbia helps others with Cuso International as a midwife supervisor. While in Ethiopia, she worked alongside local midwives to assist women through difficult deliveries. She shared her story about one such delivery where the baby was breech.
“This baby was unresponsive at birth. It was a difficult delivery. We tried to resuscitate, but it was obvious the baby would die. It really had an impact on me because I’ve never had a stillbirth in Canada. Vaginal breech deliveries are not common in Canada because most women in that situation would have a scheduled C-section.”
A week later, Jennica was at the hospital assisting with the delivery of another breech baby. In this situation, when the baby was born, she resuscitated him, and the baby survived. Jennica said
“Ethiopian mothers do not have the opportunity for the same kind of health care that women in Canada have, so there are more of these high-risk births happening.”
In Canada, many mothers and babies are able to seek the care they need in hospitals or at home with the help of a midwife. In countries like Ethiopia, there are far fewer qualified health workers. This results in more cases of Ethiopian mothers and babies being at risk of dying from causes that are easily preventable with the basic health care and resources.
The Importance of Patient Care
Cuso International volunteer, Jennica, speaking with a pregnant woman.
Throughout her six-month placement in Ethiopia with Cuso International, Jennica realized that the Ethiopian midwives needed more training to deal with emergency situations such as babies being born in the breech position. In Canada, resuscitating a newborn is a required skill that midwives must learn and continue to update annually. Despite the frequency of these high-risk situations, Jennica was able to see that the Ethiopian midwives were not confident enough in their skills when these circumstances happened. Jennica shares her thoughts on the situation:
“Working [in] a low resource setting is more difficult. Even when things are normal, you always have to [be] prepared to resuscitate a newborn. I tried to discuss it and practice it with the students, and shared with them that even in Canada, we do this kind of training. I tried to teach them to practice more so that if it happens, they will be calm and able to do it.”
Compassion and respectful care is also essential when helping mothers and babies with their health care needs. Jennica took the time to teach the students and care providers while in Ethiopia about this important aspect. For instance, many mothers received little to no follow up care post-partum. Jennica reinforced how important skin-to-skin contact is to a newborn baby with the Ethiopian midwives, which they are taught but did not always put into practice after the birth of a child.
The Impact of Being a Volunteer with Cuso International
Cuso International health worker and a family talking.
Becoming a volunteer was an opportunity Jennica rewarding. She recounted the following:
“I realized that working alongside the midwives was more beneficial than I had imagined. Through trust and relationship building with the local staff, I got the sense that new suggestions were better received. Role modelling also played a big part in any impact I could have because simply being a Canadian trained midwife meant a certain standard of care that was different from what I witnessed. I am extremely grateful to return to work in Canada and be a part of this health care system. Not only as a care provider but as a patient. We are very lucky.”
To aid mothers and children in Ethiopia, Cuso International is currently raising funds in order to send more skilled healthcare workers, like Jennica, to the east African country. The volunteers are tasked with working alongside Ethiopian midwives and other healthcare providers to help them improve their skills – and save more lives.
Whether it’s helping an impoverished single mother of three start her own business in Bolivia or saving the life of a newborn in Ethiopia, you can make a difference in the lives of people who need it the most by giving to Cuso International! The only way they can send more Canadian volunteers is by having you at their side. Now that you can see how Cuso International gives to others, please show your support by giving a monthly donation today.
Make a Resolution to Help Others with Cuso International
Want to find more about what Cuso International does to help others around the world? Visit them on their website or you can connect with them on their Facebook and Twitter pages.
Disclaimer: I was compensated by Cuso International to share this post. The views I shared are my own.
Winter arrived this weekend with a few inches of snow on the ground. It’s a perfect time to start thinking about enjoying one of Canada’s favourite wintertime activities in the months to come: old-fashioned sleigh rides in the Ottawa Region.
Horses pulling a sleigh
It’s such a serene activity to help reconnect with nature during those cold winter months. There are many location listed below in the Ottawa and Outaouais region that offer sleigh rides, wagon rides, or hay rides. Bring a cosy blanket and a hot beverage and get bundled up to view a snowy winter scenery!
Are you planning a family gathering or a birthday party? Many sites can accommodate groups and parties and offer meals and/or refreshments. For any bookings, I would strongly suggest calling ahead to make a reservation. Some locations are also farms or sugar bushes and offer guided tours of their facilities and taffy on the snow!
You can definitely make a fun afternoon with the family by going on sleigh rides! Call or look online to view the opening and closing times before you head out.
Get outdoors and enjoy winter activities with the family!
Horses pulling a sleigh
Have you even been on a sleigh ride? What did you like most about it?
Winter snow is quite magical. Why? It’s what it takes to build a snowman. When your kids don’t want to brave the cold… no worries! They can still bring a snowman (or woman) to life by making one or more of these craft projects. Here are 17 Snowman Crafts for Kids. As you can see, there’s something suitable for all ages.
Snowman Crafts for Kids
Clothespin Snowman
These clothespin snowmen are so adorable; you may want to keep them hangin’ around all year long. Kids can use them for bookmarks or to keep track of important notes. I think these cute little guys would be perfect to decorate your holiday tree. Don’t you?
Paint wooden clothespins with white paint. Use a black marker to make the face and buttons. Add a colorful yarn scarf and orange pom-pom nose and your little snowmen are ready to accompany you through the Christmas season.
Cupcake Liner Snowman
This cupcake liner snowman craft is ideal for younger kids, with a little help from an adult. White cupcake liners make up the body. Small black beans make excellent eyes and a smiling mouth. Cut the nose and arms out of card stock. And, jazz Mr. Snowman up with colorful buttons and washi tape for his hat and scarf.
Snowman Candle Holder
This snowman craft is kind of unique and would make an inexpensive and thoughtful gift for any candle lover. Paint the vase with white acrylic paint. Allow it to dry and glue black buttons down the front. Cut a strip of colourful material for the hat and glue to the top of the vase. Last but not least, place a votive candle inside and watch your snowman glow.
For more fun snowman craft ideas click on the additional links below. All of these projects are great ways to pass the time on a cold winter afternoon. So, what are you waiting for? Make some hot chocolate and let the snowman-making begin!
Christmas. It is the time of the year when trying to find the perfect gift is on everybody’s mind. Sometimes, a great gift does not need to be wrapped or stuffed in a stocking. The gift of giving can be done by providing help to someone else. Cuso International helps mothers and children who are not able to gain access to health care. Take a look below to see who they are, how they help people and what you can do to show your support to them this holiday season with the Cuso CAN Fund!
The Cuso CAN Fund was created to give the opportunity to support Cuso International high priority maternal and child health projects in Ethiopia, Benin, Tanzania, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Woman lying beside her baby.
What is the initiative of Cuso International?
In Ethiopia, it has been found that more than 80 percent of women give birth without a skilled heath worker. This leaves the majority of mothers with no help if any complications arise before, during, or after giving birth. The results could be dire for the mother, the baby or both individuals.
Though Ethiopia has been steadily improving access to health care for women and children, this country still has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in Africa. The ability to find doctors, nurses, and midwives, as well as gaining access to a health facility proves to be extremely difficult for women. This is especially true for women who live in remote, rural areas that lack the time, finances, or permission to find professional care. Even if a woman is able to get to a hospital, health workers may not always have the skills or supplies available to give her the quality or compassionate care she may require.
How does Cuso provide help?
With the support Cuso International receives, its volunteers provide the following to the people of Ethiopia:
· Gives a variety of medical and non-medical skills to improve the quality of health care in facilities;
· Empowers women and men to make informed health decisions; and
· Encourages women to find care from trained health professionals.
Canadian doctors and midwives are working together with their Ethiopian counterparts in order to give these support measures.
How can you help this holiday season?
There are two ways you can give to help Cuso International volunteers share their skills in Ethiopia:
1. Providing a small Monthly Donation to continue to give health care to women and children in Ethiopia.
2. Giving a generous One-Time Donation to assist Cuso International in their charitable efforts.
Both options are fabulous ways to help mothers and children who cannot get the health care they need. What is in it for you? Not only are you giving the gift of health care this holiday season, you would also be able to meet tax deadlines on December 31, 2017. Charitable donations made by this date are able to be claimed on your 2017 taxes. It would be a gift that keeps on giving in so many ways for all involved!
Who does Cuso International reach with this initiative?
Cuso International helps the following groups within Ethiopia:
· 8 750 women and children
· 3 130 health workers
· 390 government health staff
· 140 staff of civil society organizations
See here how Cuso International provides help to mothers and children at the Pawe Hospital in Ethiopia.
Take a look at the difference in care women in Canada receive in comparison to those in Ethiopia
Canada:
One doctor for 484 people
One nurse or midwife for 102 people
Maternal mortality rate: 7 out of every 100 000 mothers
Under-five mortality rate: 5 out of every 1 000 births
Ethiopia
One doctor for 26 943 people
One nurse or midwife for 4 237 people
Maternal mortality rate: 482 out of every 100 000 mothers
Under-five mortality rate: 59 for every 1 000 births
Tending to the health of mothers impacts far beyond their own physical well-being. When the health care of women gets support, it also goes towards the social and economic status of their families and communities as well. Healthy mothers are able to better care for their children, and they can find work to contribute to the economy, reduce poverty, and make health and education spending for their families a priority.
Photo Credit: https://cusocanfund.ca; Woman holing her baby.
So what are you waiting for? Give a monthly or a one-time donation today to Cuso International’s Cuso CAN Fund to make not only the holiday season, but any time of the year a little more joyous for others!
Curious to learn more about what Cuso International does to help around the world? You can visit them on their website or you can connect with them on their Facebook and Twitter pages to find out.
Give to Help Others this Holiday Season with Cuso International
Disclaimer: I was compensated by Cuso International to share this post. The views I shared are my own.
Meal time. It is a great way to get the gang around the table to catch up on each other’s day. It is also an amazing opportunity to introduce your family to different ingredients that contain nutrients that help lead to good overall and immune health. All of the foods considered to be good for you are not always flavourless. There are so many ways to get the nutrients needed to build up your immune system by consuming the right foods. Like baking these delicious Whole Grain Lemon and Raspberry Pancakes! Get the recipe below!
Photo Credit: Presidentschoice.ca; Whole Grain Lemon and Raspberry Pancakes.
Dish Up Immune Health to Help Fight Cold and Flu Symptoms
Which nutrients are great to help maintain good overall and immune health? Try to include the ones below to build up your immune system and stay healthy this winter:
Vitamin C and E have antioxidants important for the maintenance of good health and are found in citrus fruits and seeds/nuts, respectively.
Vitamin A, found as beta carotene in orange vegetables like sweet potato and butternut squash, has also been shown to help maintain immune function.
Zinc, which can be found in nuts and seeds, helps maintain immune function.
The B vitamins, which help to maintain good health, are found in abundance in leafy greens, whole grains, and winter squashes, to name a few.
Probiotic foods, like kefir or probiotic yogurt contain probiotic bacteria, may modulate immune function. Eating foods that contain probiotics is preferred to taking probiotic supplements because then you also get the other nutrients in the food, like protein and calcium.
Protein, found in meats, eggs, seafood (e.g. salmon, tuna and trout), milk products, legumes, and nuts and seeds, helps build and repair body tissues and antibodies.
Not sure how to add these nutrient-rich ingredients to your family’s meals this winter? Take a look at this sweet and yummy recipe for Whole Grain Lemon and Raspberry Pancakes. It can help to brighten a dreary winter morning! They will also add some of the nutrients you family’s bodies need to combat cold and flu symptoms.
3/4cup175 mL PC Blue Menu Whole Grain Pancake and Waffle Mix
2/3cup150 mL skim milk
1egg
1tbsp15 mL canola oil
1/2cup125 mL fresh or frozen raspberries
2tsp10 mL finely grated lemon rind
3/4cup175 mL PC Plain 0% M.F. Greek Yogurt
3tbsp45 mL PC 100% Pure Maple Syrup
Instructions
1. Preheat non-stick electric griddle to 375°F (190°C) or preheat non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat.
2. In bowl, whisk together pancake mix, milk, egg and oil until smooth and lump-free. Stir in raspberries and lemon rind. Let batter stand for 2 to 3 minutes.
3. Spray griddle or frying pan with cooking spray. In batches, drop batter onto griddle by 2 heaping tablespoon amounts (about 45 mL), spacing well apart. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until bubbles form on top and pancakes are golden on bottom. Carefully turn pancakes; cook another 2 to 3 minutes or until other sided are golden. Makes 8 pancakes.
4. Serve immediately, with generous dollop of yogurt and drizzle of maple syrup.
By using ingredients of different colours and textures, your family will be getting the nutrients their bodies need to fight off cold and flu symptoms. Continue to add them to multiple meals to make the family accustomed to eating them.
Flu Shots
Another way to fight back against cold and flu symptoms this winter is by getting vaccinated for the flu. It only takes a few minutes to see an in-store pharmacist at Loblaws stores to get protected this flu season.
A syringe on a towel on a metal tray.
Did you know flu symptoms start one to four days after being exposed to the virus, and typically last seven to 10 days. Get the facts, not the flu. Flu season is here and spending a few minutes to get vaccinated could save you 14 days of misery!
Visit your local Loblaws to meet with an in-store Registered Dietitian for more nutrition tips. While you are there get your flu shot from the in-store pharmacist. And don’t forget to make these Whole Grain Lemon and Raspberry Pancakes!
What are some of your family’s favourite nutrient-rich foods to help strengthen their immune systems from cold and flu symptoms?
Dish Up Immune Health to Help Fight Cold and Flu Symptoms
Disclaimer: This post was generously sponsored by Loblaws. The views I shared are my own.
An interesting item I have on my wish list is a way to keep track of things that go missing around our home. Tile asked if they could help me with my family’s stockings and my wish list by giving us the newest members of their family to try! Find out below how we liked this Tile Bluetooth Tracker devices!
One of the fun traditions of the holiday season is hanging stockings for the Man in Red to fill with goodies to enjoy on Christmas Day. In our home, we also love adding items that can be used every day. You can also check out our other review of Tile Slim.
What is Tile?
Tile is a square Bluetooth tracker device that allows users to help find lost items. After a tile has been activated and attached to an item, if it becomes lost, a user can ring it in order to find it.
Tile sent me the following devices to try:
Tile Sport Pro Series
Tile Style Pro Series
Tile Sport Pro Series
Are you or a loved one sporty? The Tile Sport Pro Series is the tracker to gift or use. Tile Sport id durable, waterproof and is their most powerful Bluetooth tracker yet. It has twice the range of their best-selling Tile to help you find the things that you care about.
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I really like the look and feel of the Tile Sport. Though it may look weighty, it is really light, but can take a hit, as I have it attached to my key chain and it gets bounced around in my coat pocket or my purse. The material used to create it and its grooves also feels smooth yet durable. All of these factors make finding and gripping my key chain easy.
Tile Style Pro Series
Do you see yourself or someone special to have sense of style? The Tile Style Pro Series would be perfect to add to a stocking this year! It has an increased volume, waterproof and a range of up to 200 feet. It is also features a sleek and chic design so it looks great with the items you want to keep safe.
The look of the Tile Style makes it simple to see how it got its name. It has a clean and gloss finish to give it a posh, chic feel. The extra touch of gold around the edges also adds to its glam factor. The smaller ridges helps users to hold and find without a bulky look.
It was really simple to set up my Tile devices using the Tile App. Available on both Android and iOS, the Tile App takes a few steps to start working with your tracker.
Ringtone Feature
Once up and running, a favourite feature I found was the Ringtone feature. Not only are you able to change the volume you hear your tracker, you can also switch it to hear different tunes. Since we are right in the middle of the holiday season, I had to change it from its generic ring to “Jingle Bells.”
It was really fun to test these new Tiles around my home. Since I am notorious for losing my keys, it was only fitting to place one of the Tiles onto my key chain. I had my eldest hide them around my home a few times to see how well I was able to hear and to find them.
With my eyes closed and ears covered, I handed the key chain and the device to her and off she went to place them in places I would not usually place them.
Once she returned to me, I activated this Bluetooth tracker device and it began to ring. As I got closer, the ringing became louder.
When I did uncover my Tile’s location, I simply pressed the center of my Tile to stop the ringing. It is a handy device I am glad to have.
Having Tile Bluetooth Tracker Device at hand is a convenience and a relief. It takes a bit of the worry of misplacing my keys. Both of these latest additions to the Tile family are gorgeous and make finding them easier. When having to find them, it did not take long as the volume and the ringtone made it easy to locate. Finding a Tile in a stocking would be a stylish and practical item to give this holiday season!
Ring in the Holiday Season with Tile
Curious to learn more about Tile? You can visit them on their website, or connect with them on their Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages!
Disclaimer: I received products from Tile in order to conduct this review. The views I shared are my own.
A big part of enjoying New Year’s Eve is all the yummy treats that you whip up for your family and friends. Here are 17 great recipes to consider. Remember, it’s not too early to start making menu plans!
New Year’s Eve Treats
Countdown Cheesecake Bites
Cheesecake has always been a very popular party food. Pair it with Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and you have an even bigger hit. These are super easy to make, thanks to the help of a boxed cheesecake mix. The only other ingredient this recipe calls for is chocolate melts. How much easier does it get?
New Year’s Pizza
Just like cheesecake, almost everyone loves pizza. Instead of baking your pizza in the traditional round circle, simply shape the dough into the four numbers of the upcoming year. Top with your favorite toppings and bake as directed.
White Chocolate New Year’s Eve Puppy Chow
Who would’ve thought it possible for puppy chow to look so elegant? But, this idea definitely pulls it off! Mix up your favorite white puppy how recipe. You might even want to make a double batch. Top with edible gold sprinkles and/or stars and let the “chowing” begin!
Sparkling Jell-O Push Ups
If you’re looking for New Year’s treats on the healthier side, Sparkling Jell-O Push Pops to the rescue! This recipe suggests using champagne or sparkling wine. However, you can just as easily go non-alcoholic with sparkling juice.
The easiest place to find the necessary push pop containers is online. If you’re an Amazon shopper, that’s a good place to start. These neat little containers are reusable, which means you can make fun treats for your kids all year long!
The possibilities are almost endless when it comes to the yummy New Year’s Eve treats, to celebrate the occasion. Keep this in mind. If you’re hosting a party, variety is your friend. This way, there’s a little something for everybody.
Believe it or not, beverages similar to eggnog have been part of holiday menu planning since medieval times. For awhile, it was only available to monks and aristocrats… Because of the high cost of ingredients. These recipes for eggnog includes both the actual recipes for eggnog drinks and several delicious eggnog desserts.
Did you know that by the 18th century, this drink was readily available to almost everyone. The most popular version, which was served cold, is a close relative to the eggnog we serve today.
Dishes using eggnog
Best Eggnog Recipes
In many locations, eggnog is only commercially available November through January. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t make homemade eggnog yourself during the rest of the year. Adults will enjoy you spiking the eggnog with rum, bourbon, brandy, or whisky. These traditional eggnog recipes will surely make a big hit during your holiday parties!
Let’s face it; you’ll probably be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t love cheesecake. This no-bake eggnog cheesecake recipe is super-simple and sure to “wow” your holiday guests.
It’s hard to believe that you can whip up this delicious eggnog recipe in only five minutes. The fact that you can add your own sweeteners and seasoning makes it even yummier!
If you’re giving gifts from the kitchen this year, why not surprise the recipients with these eggnog truffles? Chances are; they won’t be able to stop at just one!
A Homemade Eggnog Latte is a festive holiday drink. This lighter version of eggnog has the same flavour with less sugar and calories than the traditional recipe. Add a little liqueur for an extra dose of holiday cheer.
This Coconut Bourbon Eggnog is a twist on an old favourite – plus, it’s vegan! With a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg, this drink is perfect for the holiday season.
A classic holiday beverage made vegan, gluten-free, paleo, top-8 allergy-free, and sugar-free! This Homemade Vegan Eggnog, aka “Hempnog”, will be a standout drink recipe to include this season!
Move over Rootbeer float, there’s a new kid in town! This eggnog float is the perfect drink when it’s time to sit down and enjoy your family’s favourite Christmas movies.
This easy mini eggnog trifle is an indulgent, yet light tasting no bake dessert, featuring layers of chocolate cake and eggnog mousse, with toffee bits and whipped cream. But the best part is the sparkly gold candy pearl and toffee topping!
Eggless coquito con dulce de leche is a Puerto Rican rum eggnog with rich, creamy flavours. This homemade coquito recipe without eggs combines the tropical flavours of Puerto Rico with the timeless charm of eggnog.
Whatever festivities you are planning, adding in a mouth-watering banana cocktail made with black spiced rum is going to make them even more fun! This eggnog is a fun take on the traditional nog cocktail.
If you’re looking for a Christmas cookie recipe that’s as fun as it is versatile, these Christmas Cookie Sticks might be just what you’re looking for! When you think about it, the decorating possibilities are almost endless. Better yet, the kids will have a blast helping you get the job done.
Christmas Cookie Sticks
As you can see, these easy Christmas cookie sticks call for basic ingredients. You probably already have most of them in your pantry. If you don’t like almond flavouring, you can easily substitute it for vanilla, lemon or another family favourite.
Let’s talk about melting chips! There are several other options besides milk chocolate and white chocolate, mentioned here. Consider using alternates like butterscotch and peanut butter as well. If you can’t find thee flavours locally, they’re usually easy to find online.
Another idea is to add cocoa powder to the dough for chocolate shortbread. I advise you to add a little at a time, until the flavour is as chocolaty as you want to be. You might also decide to cut the finished product into thinner pieces. This way, they’ll last longer… maybe!
This simple Christmas cookies recipe is perfect for cookie exchange parties. If you know who’ll be attending in advance, you can always get extra creative and personalize the decorations for each guest. Remember, when you attend one of these swaps, it’s always a nice gesture to include the recipe in each individual container of baked goods.
Christmas cookie sticks are made especially for dunking! Don’t limit yourself to milk alone. Try dunking them in your favourite coffee or tea. In my book, even hot chocolate or a milkshake is fair game.
Santa would no doubt appreciate a couple of these Christmas decorated cookie sticks during his Christmas Eve travels. Who knows? It might even give you and the kids a head start on next year’s “nice” list. What could be better than that?
Makes 25 Christmas cookies with sprinkles
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp almond
2 1/2 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
2/3 cup chocolate chips
1/2 bag of milk chocolate melting chips
1/2 bag of white chocolate melting chips
Different variety of Christmas sprinkles
Christmas Cookie Sticks
Directions
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees and cover a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Using a standing mixer, cream butter and sugar until creamed together and combined. Beat in egg, vanilla, and almond extract.
In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and chocolate chips, and use a whisk and mix to combined. Add the wet mix to the dry mix and combined. Cover dough and chill for at least 30 minutes.
Roll dough out on a lightly floured surface to a rectangle shape about 1/2 inch thick. Use a knife or pizza cutter to cut the dough into strips 1 inch wide and 4 inches long. Place strips on parchment lined cookie sheets and bake for about 8-10 minutes. Let sit on pans for a couple of minutes, then remove to cooling racks.
Melt each chocolate chips flavours in a double boiler or in the microwave and pour each into a piping bag. Snip the corner and drizzle over the tops of the cookies. Add your favourite Christmas sprinkles.
Cookie Sticks
I hope you enjoyed these Christmas Cookie Sticks! This is definitely the best Christmas cookies recipe you can make! If you make it, make sure to share with us on Facebook or Twitter! Also, check out all of our other Recipes.
Christmas Cookie Sticks Recipe
Lyne Proulx
If you're looking for a Christmas cookie recipe that's as fun as it is versatile, these Christmas cookie sticks might be just what you're looking for!
Another Holiday Season is upon us! Some are already experiencing stress over the holidays upcoming schedule, expenses, and family gatherings. The economy is not helping with these sometimes overwhelming feelings either. So what is a person to do when Christmas activities begin to take over our time and our lives? To help you, we have come up with 13 tips for a stress free holiday season.
Did you catch yourself cursing at the driver who just snagged the parking spot you’ve been waiting patiently for?
Are you impatient with your kids? Your spouse?
Are you completely overwhelmed trying to make Christmas a memorable and magical moment for your loved ones?
Take a deep breath and slowly exhale. You are not alone. Pressing pause and easing up during this hectic time is so important to your sanity and your health…and your spouse’s health too ;).
As most of us know, stress is linked to a long list of ailments that would make even the Grinch take note. Heart disease, digestive discomfort, insomnia, migraines, immune disorder flare-ups, just to name a few.
In the days leading up to Christmas and New Year’s, make sure you take time to replenish yourself.
Tips for managing stress during the holidays
The holidays can be an overwhelming and stressful time for parents. Between Christmas expectations, crowded shopping malls, and the pressure to please everyone at the same time, is it any wonder most of us, particularly women, are running on empty? These helpful tips for managing stress during the holidays will help make sure you also take time for yourself.
1. Say yes when you mean yes and no when you mean no
It’s okay to decline the last party invitation you received. And no one (and I mean no one) will die if you say no.
2. Breathe
When you’re stressed, inhale as if your whole body is inhaling. Exhale as if your whole body is exhaling. You can practice deep breathing anywhere. Standing in line, waiting at a red light, sitting down at your desk… anywhere.
3. Limit your alcohol consumption during the holidays
If you drink wine, one super easy tip is to cut your wine with seltzer water and add berries. You still can enjoy your wine but you won’t have a headache the next day. And you won’t wake up feeling like you’ve been hit by Santa’s sleigh 😉
4. Hydrate and hydrate again
Your skin will love you and so will your love handles. This is one of the best and simplest acts of kindness you can show yourself.
5. Make time for you
Pencil yourself in your agenda every day. When you make the time to take care of you, you’ll find you have more to give to others. Remember, you cannot pour from an empty cup.
6. Slay one thing off your Xmas to-do list
I have stopped sending out Christmas cards and I’m pretty sure no one noticed and have taken advantage of the in store wrapping services. What one thing can you scratch off your list?
7. Begin and end each day with gratitude
Every morning take inventory of 3-5 things you’re grateful for. Do the same before you go to bed. Inner happiness and joy begin with an attitude of Gratitude.
8. RELAX
One thing we can do is to relax. When we are relaxed things seem to go smoother in every aspect of life, not just the holidays. This may be easier said than done but if we take the time to enjoy the journey through the season then we may be able to enjoy it more.
Not having too many bright lights on the tree or around our home will help also. Subtle white, twinkling lights will give a relaxing feel to your home and give a sort of “winter wonderland” feel.
9. Bring a SHOPPING List
Holiday shopping can be a bit stressful. All the joy of getting your friends and loved ones that special gift, is unfortunately often times accompanied by stress. So sit back, and have yourself a warm, and soothing cup of hot cocoa, make your list, and check it twice.
There will be hustle and bustle while out shopping, but if we put in a Holiday CD or favourite playlist while we are driving, one that will really bring out the meaning of the whole time of year, then we may be able to focus on our tasks. While the songs are running through our mind, they are constantly giving us reminders of why we are doing what we are doing.
Before heading out Christmas shopping remember to take a list with you. If we go shopping without an idea of what to buy we will end up stressed because of the craziness that this season brings. We find ourselves wandering through the crowds looking around aimlessly. Knowing what the people that you are buying for like for Christmas gifts will guide us to finding that perfect Christmas gift before we hit the malls.
10. Plan a Holiday Budget
How much do you plan to spend for Christmas? This should include gift prices, wrappings, and decorative bags, bows, ribbons, greeting cards, and postage, food, and holiday travel. Physically make a list of these things as well. I always find that having a tangible list keeps me more focused, less stressed out, and leaves less room for error.
11. Shop Around
Use the Internet, magazines, and newspapers to find your best deals. Find coupons on items you know you are going to purchase, and check the coupons for expiration dates, and other fine print. Be wary of bargain offers that are based on the purchase of additional items. “Buy one, get one free”, or “free gift with purchase”, are useless if it is not needed. Some merchants will meet, or even beat another competitors prices, so look for deals such as those. To avoid been stressed out at the last minute, start your Christmas shopping on Black Friday!
12. TRY TO NOT OVER-INVITE
We all need to try to not over-invite or over-plan the parties. Sometimes the most enjoyable and most memorable holiday parties and gatherings are ones that offer simple, menus in a relaxed atmosphere versus an elaborate sit down meal if you do not have time for it.
13. Family Traditions
Throughout it all remember that this is a time for family just as much as it is for gatherings and gift giving outside of the family. Stick to your guns if someone wants to change your traditions and you do not agree. The holidays are celebrated differently by different people and there is no right or wrong way to celebrate. Your holiday traditions are meaningful to you so stand by them.
We all have schedules and chances are that fact will not change just because of the season. Keeping that in mind will work wonders in reclaiming the holidays.
Remember to fill yourself up every day and to follow these above tips for managing stress during the holidays, so that by Christmas morning you’re dancing will bells on!
I wish everyone a safe, joyful, and satiating holiday this year. I hope this helps you with your shopping needs, and may it find you free of stress, full of love, and able to complete your holiday to-do list.
If you’ve got a tip that helps you stay calm and centered during the holiday season, please leave a comment below!
Aren’t these chocolate peppermint truffles gorgeous? They’re surprisingly easy to make and they add an extra bit of holiday flair to the table.
These Christmas truffles are probably not appropriate for a child’s school party. But, if you’re serving and elegant holiday meal, a plate or two of these will fit in nicely.
Holiday Truffles
This particular easy Christmas truffles recipe makes 20 average-size truffles. You can easily double or even triple the batch, if necessary. Or, to make a smaller batch, simply cut the recipe in half. One of the main ingredients is Oreo cookies. Let’s talk about those no bake holiday Oreo truffles for a minute. I’m quite sure that any similar sandwich cookie will do, as long as the flavour complements peppermint. That means no lemon!
How To soften cream cheese
You can soften cream cheese by simply leaving the unwrapped cream cheese block on your counter for approximately one hour. Cutting in half, may shorten your wait time.
How to soften cream cheese in the microwave
If you need to soften the cream cheese in a hurry, try this. Place the unwrapped block on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on high for approximately 15 seconds. This will probably do the trick. However, if the cream cheese isn’t completely soft microwave it for a few additional seconds. It should then be good to go!
Chocolate Peppermint Truffles
Peppermint Extract
Now, on to the peppermint! Some people enjoy the taste of peppermint more than others. That being said, you may want to experiment with how much of the extract you actually use. There’s nothing that says you can’t add a little more (or less) to the other ingredients.
Just make sure to “taste test,” before proceeding. Remember, you’re also sprinkling crushed candy canes on top, which is going to add an extra level of peppermint flavour.
Packaging the Truffles as Gifts
To serve the easy chocolate peppermint truffles, line each hollow of an egg carton with a mini cupcake liner or square of tissue paper. Arrange the truffles in the sections, alternating flavours for the prettiest effect. If you like, decorate the top of the egg carton with Christmas card cutouts—children can help with this—or simply leave plain for a surprise.
Chocolate Peppermint Truffles
Recipe for Christmas Truffles
Peppermint has been a traditional holiday flavour for generations and candy canes have been around for almost 250 years. The candy originated in Germany. The canes got their shape when the inventor decided to make them look like a shepherd’s hook. He did this so people would be reminded of the shepherds who visited baby Jesus on that unforgettable day.
Makes 20 Peppermint Truffles
Ingredients
1 package of regular Oreos (36 cookies)
1 – 225 grams cream cheese, softened
1 tsp peppermint extract
1 1/2 bag of white melting chocolate (340 g/bag) or 2 bags pure white chocolate chips (225 g/bag)
1 cup crushed candy canes
Kitchen tools
Food processor or blender
Large mixing bowl
Ice cream scoop
Recipe for Christmas truffles
Using a food processor or blender, finely crush the Oreos (Whole) until sand like. Pour crushed Oreos into a large mixing bowl. Add the cream cheese and peppermint extract and mix until combined. Using a small ice cream scoop, scoop some of the truffle into your hand and roll into a ball. Place onto a plate or cookie sheet.
Once all the truffle is rolled, place into the fridge for 20 minutes to harden. During the last 5 minutes of the truffles for Christmas being in the fridge, melt the white chocolate in a glass bowl in the microwave for 15 seconds. Stir and repeat until melted. Once the 20 minutes are up, dip a truffle into the chocolate.
Using a fork, coat the truffle in the chocolate and then pick up the truffle and lightly tap the edge of the pot to get the excess off. Place onto a wax or parchment paper covered cookie sheet. Sprinkle with crushed candy cane. Repeat step with remaining DIY Christmas truffles. Place into the fridge to harden for 10 minutes before enjoying!
I hope you enjoyed the Chocolate Peppermint Truffles Recipe. If you make it, make sure to share with us on Facebook or Twitter! Also, check out all of our other Recipes.
Chocolate Peppermint Truffles Recipe
Lyne Proulx
Aren't these peppermint truffles gorgeous? They're surprisingly easy to make and they add an extra bit of holiday flair to the table.
450gramswhite melting chocolate340 g/bag or 2 bags pure white chocolate chips (225 g/bag)
1cupcrushed candy canes
Instructions
Using a food processor or blender, finely crush the Oreos (Whole) until sand like.
Pour crushed Oreos into a large mixing bowl
Add the cream cheese and peppermint extract and mix until combined.
Using a small ice cream scoop, scoop some of the truffle into your hand and roll into a ball
Place onto a plate or cookie sheet
Once all the truffle is rolled, place into the fridge for 20 minutes to harden
During the last 5 minutes of the truffles being in the fridge, melt the white chocolate in a glass bowl in the microwave for 15 seconds. Stir and repeat until melted.
Once the 20 minutes are up, dip a truffle into the chocolate
Using a fork, coat the truffle in the chocolate and then pick up the truffle and lightly tap the edge of the pot to get the excess off.
Place onto a wax or parchment paper covered cookie sheet
Sprinkle with crushed candy cane
repeat step with remaining truffles
Place into the fridge to harden for 10 minutes before enjoying!
Are you searching for a much-appreciated gift for your child’s teacher? Here are some gifts for teachers the entire class is bound to enjoy.
Gifts For Teachers That The Whole Class Will Enjoy
Gifts For Teachers
Posters
Posters make the classroom more interesting and festive. There are all sorts of appropriate posters available, from fun to inspirational to educational. If you aren’t sure what type of poster would best fit your child’s classroom, check with the teacher to get suggestions.
Shop for them online, or check out big box and school supply stores. If you can’t find anything you like, it’s even possible to create your own using your computer and/or various art supplies.
Candy Jar
Every classroom needs a candy jar, sitting proudly on the teacher’s desk. Look for one that’s education-themed or one that depicts something the teacher is fond of… maybe a pet or hobby.
Whatever design you choose, it’s recommended you opt for one that’s made out of plastic. This way, it won’t shatter if it gets knocked off of the desk accidentally. Go a step further and include a few bags of candy, to keep the jar full for an extended period of time.
Children books
Books
There’s no such thing as too many books in the classroom. They provide the perfect solution to periods of occasional downtime. It typically doesn’t matter which books you choose, as long as they’re age appropriate for the kids in the class.
Game of Scrabble
Board Games
On certain days, your kids might get a break from usual lessons and be rewarded some free time. Help make this time more enjoyable with a new board game for the class.
Games like Checkers, Trouble, or Battleship are simple and quick to play, while games like Trivial Pursuit or Cranium will help the class learn while having fun. Check with your child to see if their class tends to have free time and what sort of games they like to play.
Do you have any gift suggestions for teachers that the whole class will enjoy?
Winter is a great time for families to get out and enjoy themselves. As long as you are dressed for the weather, the world beyond your front door is a wonderland for a whole new type of adventures to explore. This time of year is also great for a getaway. One of the most popular places to get away and enjoy the outdoors is Mont Tremblant in the Laurentians located in Québec. There are some fabulous family resorts to visit while skiing in the Laurentians!
Photo Credit: Tourisme Laurentides; Sommet Saint Sauveur.
Family Resorts to Visit While Skiing in the Laurentians
Many families travel to this part of Canada to take in the beauty of the nature and to play in it through various sports like skiing. For those new to the slopes, there are many places who offer excellent family ski lessons, making it easy for everyone to learn and enjoy the experience together.
Saint-Sauveur
Planning a fun ski vacation this winter to the Laurentians is easy. But where do you start looking for a place to stay? There are numerous resorts that are waiting for you to visit. Looking for a blend of outdoor activities as well as proximity to the mountains of Mont Tremblant? Saint-Saveur, Québec is a great resort for a family to stay. Besides skiing, tobogganing and tubbing are other popular things to do while in the area. Visitors can also enjoy everything Parc John has to offer for outdoor activities to enjoy while not skiing.
A bit further away from Mont Tremblant are Sainte-Adèle and Ski Chantecler. Sainte-Adèle is known for its beautiful scenery, delightful cuisine, and for places visitors can go to indulge in pampering themselves. If more of a recharge is in order, then the resorts in Sainte-Adèle are the places to stay.
Mont Tremblant
Want to be in close proximity to the ski lifts at Mont Tremblant? Why not book your stay there? Mont Tremblant is one of the world’s most renowned mountains for skiers to visit while challenging their snowy trails. You would also feel as though you are on top of the world as it one of the highest points in the Laurentians. When not on the slopes, the Pedestrian Village is the place to go to shop, eat and play. Any family would have a blast enjoying their getaway to this destination.
best resorts in the Laurentians
Are you ready to book your stay in or around Mont Tremblant this winter? Take a look at some of the best resorts in the Laurentians at Room 5 on Trivago where families can ski and explore everything this region of the Canada has to offer its guests!
The Laurentians in Quebec is a popular destination for skiing and family vacations!
For most families, the holidays is a busy time of the year. One of the tasks that can be a bit cumbersome to manage at this time of year is weekday meal preparation. With everyone’s busy schedules, prepping and cooking a fresh, healthy meal may be the last thing you feel like doing night after night. This holiday season, see how you can save time cooking with HelloFresh!
HelloFresh knows how busy this time of the year is for families. They want to help with their flexible subscription service that provides yummy recipes featuring fresh ingredients that get sent straight to your door every week. asked if these meals could help save my family time cooking during the holiday by trying their service for two weeks. I gladly accepted their offer.
I reviewed HelloFresh last year and I absolutely became a fan! Planning out what we were going to eat for that week became really simple since we only had to think about four nights a week versus seven of them. Since most of the ingredients are premeasured, the time spent in the kitchen is considerably reduced. My family’s favourite part about HelloFresh was the variety of meals we got to savour. Each one was different and delicious!
Save Time Cooking This Holiday Season with HelloFresh
For this review, my family received two weeks’ worth of meals to cook and enjoy. I was really excited to see which culinary delights waited for us within our boxes.
With each week’s order you receive three meals to cook and enjoy. Each week’s shipment arrives in a refrigerated box to help keep ingredients cooler for longer. The recipes for each meal lays on top, with the produce separated from the meat (if selected). The meat sits upon a bed of ice packs to keep cool while being shipped.
There have been a few subtle changes to the way in which how the ingredients were shipped to my home. Before, the items for each meal were placed in smaller boxes to be separated once they arrived at your door.
Now, the produce for each meal is separated into durable paper bags instead of the boxes. I loved this change as it made taking the items out of the shipping much easier.
When it came to preparing and cooking our meals, HelloFresh makes these tasks simple. The recipes for each meal are broken down into six steps to follow. Each meal should take about 30 minutes to create from start to finish.
Pork and Apple Burgers Hello Fresh Meal
Since my family had six meals to try, it was hard to choose just one or two as family favourites. For a fun night, we loved the ease of the Pork and Apple Burgers. They were so easy to make and we didn’t feel guilty about eating burgers and fries for dinner.
What surprised me the most about this recipe was the addition of the apples to this burger. We were curious as to how much of a difference they would make to the overall flavour of the dish. There was a subtle sweet flavour, enhancing the flavour of the pork. The potato wedges and side salad brought this meal together and we have a fabulous time eating them.
One-Pan Chicken Pot Pie Hello Fresh Meal
The meal that surprised us the most has to be the One-Pan Chicken Pot Pie. It was the perfect family meal to make you feel warm and cozy on a dreary late fall evening. I was not sure how easy it would be to put together a meal like this since the dumplings acting as the crust for this dish was to be made from scratch.
From start to finish, this meal was simply spectacular! Having many of the veggies and the chicken prepped and premeasured gave me a sigh of relief. It would have taken much longer to cook this meal if this step had not already been taken care of for me. Besides the dumplings, everything else went into the pan to cook before placing them in the oven to cook. We savoured every bite of this dish and will be on our minds for years to come.
Conclusion
Overall, having some of our weekly meals prepared for us ahead of time by HelloFresh really helped us save time cooking. With the produce and meat prepped and the steps to put each recipe together at your fingertips, each meal was a breeze to create. The best part of this experience had to be the variety meals within each box shipped to your home. They ranged from cozy family-style meals to fun meals to savour. It was truly a pleasure and a time saver for my family with each meal we ate! A subscription would also make a great holiday gift idea this year.
Save Time Cooking This Holiday Season with HelloFresh
It’s that time of year again… time to settle in with your favourite snack, a cup of hot chocolate and watch these Christmas movies for the family! This is a list of top 10 best Christmas movies of all time you don’t want to miss. Which Christmas movies to watch with the kids are you going to watch first?
Elf and Home Alone DVD cover
Best Christmas movies for families
1. A Christmas Story (1983)
A Christmas Story is a Christmas classic, featuring Ralphie and his Red Ryder BB gun, is so popular that it typically airs on TBS for 24-hours straight on Christmas Eve day.
2. Elf (2003)
Elf is another huge holiday classic, shown multiple times throughout the season. Scores of people say it’s the best holiday movie ever. Go, Buddy!
Elf DVD Movie Cover
3. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
Don’t let the stress of the Christmas season get you down. Watching A Charlie Brown Christmasis a great way to remember the true meaning of the season.
4. The Polar Express (2004)
Tom Hanks stars in this magical movie, The Polar Express, about an adventure-filled ride to the North Pole on Christmas Eve.
5. Miracle on 34th Street (1947 and 1994)
Regardless of which version you watch, Miracle on 34th Street reminds you that as long as you believe there really is a Santa Claus.
6. The Mistletoe Promise (2016)
The Mistletoe Promise is a 2016 Hallmark Christmas movie, based on the best-selling book of the same name. It’s the story of two co-workers, who don’t like Christmas and their pact to somehow get through the holiday together.
7. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
Jim Carrey does a great job portraying the Grinch in the most recent movie of How The Grinch Stole Christmas. But, the 1966 animated version really can’t be beat.
Home Alone DVD cover
8. Home Alone (1990)
Accidentally left home alone at Christmas time, Kevin McAllister does whatever it takes to protect his house from two very unlucky burglars. Home Alone is the perfect holiday to watch with the family.
9. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
Who doesn’t love Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer? This classic remains to be one of the best Christmas specials of all times… seriously! The songs are still popular today. This is definitely one of the best kids’ Christmas movies!
10. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
Jimmy Stewart stars in this much-loved film, It’s a Wonderful Life, that serves as a reminder that everyone’s life is meaningful and happy endings do exist.
The most important part of the holiday season is to spend quality time with your family, like watching all the top 10 family Christmas movies of all time with them or shopping together to purchase Christmas gifts. After all, the best part of the holiday season is to give!
Each year, Canada’s Capital Region glows with thousands of holiday lights during Christmas Lights Across Canada. These family activities in Ottawa consist of a pathway of lights in Canada’s Capital Region, IllumiNATION — A celebration of the winter solstice, and a multimedia projection on Parliament Hill. These Ottawa free events are perfect to spend time with the family!
About Christmas Lights Across Canada
The Christmas Lights program was launched in 1985 to brighten the Ottawa winter. At first, the lights were only on Parliament Hill, but over the years the program expanded. Now, Ottawa and Gatineau glow each winter with Christmas lights at over 60 sites along Confederation Boulevard.
The program also grew to include our 13 provincial and territorial capitals, becoming Christmas Lights Across Canada. Throughout the country, Canadians come together each year to brighten their wintery capitals with thousands of holiday lights.
Christmas Lights Across Canada is supported by partners in the national, provincial and territorial capitals of Canada.
To view each year’s dates, please visit their website!
Multimedia Projection on Parliament Hill
A new multimedia projection show is offered on Parliament Hill. The presentation combines colourful digital imagery with a captivating soundtrack.
From December 8, 2022, to January 8, 2023
On Parliament Hill, downtown Ottawa
Thursday to Monday, from 5:30 pm to 11 pm (until midnight on December 31)
Presented in a 15-minute loop
Pathway of lights in Canada’s Capital Region
December 8, 2022, to January 8, 2023 Every evening
In Canada’s Capital, the winter landscape glows with over 300,000 multicoloured lights during the holiday season. The holiday lights that brighten Confederation Boulevard, Canada’s ceremonial route circling the heart of the Capital. The Boulevard encompasses Wellington Street, Mackenzie Street, Elgin Street and Sussex Drive in downtown Ottawa, as well as Laurier Street in Gatineau and the Alexandra Bridge.
Follow this illuminated route between Ottawa and Gatineau and admire the sites and monuments along its way:
Photo Credit: Ottawa Tourism ; Parliament Hill illuminated for Christmas Lights Across Canada
IllumiNATION — A celebration of the winter solstice
Every year, an illumination ceremony is held on Parliament Hill. The evening usually features musical performances, a colourful pyrotechnics show and a projection of the Winter Lightscapes show. Guests are invited to arrive early to the ceremony and enjoy free BeaverTail pastries and hot chocolate, while supplies last.
Hope you will attend these Ottawa events with your family!
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