Page 59 – Ottawa Mommy Club

How to Show Your Dad You Love Him on Father’s Day

Family

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June 7, 2017

How to Show Your Dad You Love Him on Father’s Day

How will you show your dad how much you love him this Father’s Day? Most likely you’ll get him a special gift from the heart that he will cherish but you don’t have to stop there. In fact, you can make this day extra special by doing something different that will show your dad just how special he really is.

Here are a few ways that you can show your dad you love him on Father’s Day:

Spend the day with him. Don’t just stop by for an hour to drop off his gift and then take off again. Dads miss their kids and want to spend some quality time with them, even when you’re all grown up.
Take him somewhere special. Does your dad enjoy sports? Get tickets for the two of you to go to a ball game or the car races. If he prefers fishing over sports, plan to spend the day at the lake to see who can catch the biggest fish. It doesn’t matter what you do as long as it’s something he enjoys.
Cook him his favourite meal or take him out to his favourite restaurant. It’s a great way to show that you pay attention and know what he likes.
Make him a part of your life. Discuss something important with him or ask his opinion about something you’re struggling with. There’s no better way to show love for your dad than by proving that you value his opinion.
Express your love and gratitude by telling him how much he means to you and by being there for your dad when he needs you. Take advantage of Father’s Day by letting him know that you will always be there for him no matter what comes up in the future.

Go that extra mile this Father’s Day and really show your dad how much you love him by doing more than simply dropping off a gift.

A Variety of Recipes for Beginner Cooks

Recipes

Lyne Proulx

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June 6, 2017

11

A Variety of Recipes for Beginner Cooks

No matter your situation—whether you work from home or are a busy person looking for a hobby, you can cook! Beginning cooks have the world at their fingertips when it comes to starting the journey to cook. This article will provide you with all different types of food recipes from all different types of cultures and homes.

Fried Chicken Chimichangas

For this, you’ll need chicken, salsa, cumin, oregano, cheese, and onions. You’ll make this into a mixture, then place a little in the centre of some tortillas. Once you’ve rolled them so they are closed, place them on a baking sheet to bake them. You can garnish these however you like and serve healthy sides with it!

Greek Yogurt Mac and Cheese

First, you will boil the pasta as directed on its box. Before you drain the macaroni, place some spinach leaves in the bottom so the water can wilt the leaves. Stir in the cheese to your macaroni, then add the Greek yogurt, and salt and pepper to your liking. Garnish the top with some spinach leaves and voila!

Grilled Cheese Sandwich with a Fried Egg

For this, you’ll start by mixing butter and flour in a saucepan, then add the leek and mix until it bubbles. Add milk, thyme, and nutmeg and stir until the mixture thickens. Then, you will want to turn the heat off and mix in the Fontina, Taleggio, and Parmigiano until the whole mixture melts. You will need to scoop some fonduta into a medium bowl and freeze until it is not warm anymore. Spread the butter on one side of the bread, laying this mixture on the bread with it. Griddle these to a perfect golden colour, then top them with the fried egg, and serve.

Japanese Mum’s Chicken

Place chicken drumsticks, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, garlic clove, and chili pepper, in a saucepan. You will cook these on a high heat, bringing all the ingredients to a boil, before letting them simmer for about twenty minutes. Then you will increase the heat once more, letting the sauce on the drumsticks turn to a glaze-looking mixture. Place the chicken on the platter, removing the garlic clove and chili pepper and it is ready to go.

What are your favourite recipes?

How Canadian Families Can Cut Down Their Moving Budgets

Family

Lyne Proulx

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June 5, 2017

8

Families in Canada are on the move. Literally. With approximately five million Canadians relocating between provinces and cities annually, many families are struggling to slash their budgets when it comes to moving around. And why not?

How to Cut Down Moving Budgets

Packing up and finding a new place to call home can get quite costly, especially if you’ve got children along for the ride. Whether you’re currently apartment hunting or know that you’re going to have to find a new home in the near future, consider the following ways on how you can cut down your moving budgets and keep money in your pocket when it comes time to pack up.

1. Find Bargain Areas

Many potential movers pick out dream locations without understanding the cost of living; unfortunately, this leaves many families in a sticky situation as they have their hearts set on spots such as Toronto or Vancouver. Understanding the average price of an apartment in Canada from city to city can help you uncover potential bargains during your hunt.

Likewise, do as much research as you can prior to moving to ensure that not only does an area match up with your budget, but also represents a safe and secure place to raise a family.

2. Be Flexible

Is it possible to find the “perfect” apartment on a budget?

Absolutely, however you’re more than likely going to have to make a sacrifice or two to realistically afford a sensible move. While you certainly shouldn’t feel the need to settle when hunting for a new space, you also should remain flexible and open-minded.

Ask yourself: what are my top priorities as a renter?

For example, consider the following factors when it comes to choosing your ideal city or province:

Safety and security: understand local crime statistics and which potential neighbourhoods are safe
Moving can have an emotional impact on your children. It’s important to look for the quality of the local school system for the sake of your children
The condition of the local economy: for example, will you readily be able to get a job in the area?
What will your commute look like and will you need to rely on public transit?

For example, it may make sense to move somewhere with a longer commute to compensate for safety a high-quality school district. While your ideal area might not have everything that you’re looking for, make sure to be practical with your priorities.

3. Downsize Your Space (For Now)

Moving somewhere smaller may seem backwards, especially if your family is still growing. However, the benefits of downsizing are well-documented, including cutting down on clutter, saving time on household upkeep and the ability to attack other debts as you save on your rent. Especially if you only plan on only renting for a few years, it may make sense to find somewhere smaller now as a means of saving money for the long haul.

4. Move-It-Yourself

Although moving your furniture and family yourself versus relying on professionals may seem like an initial hassle, the process will almost always save you money. If you’re a serial mover who often jumps from Point A to Point B, you already know that you can save hundreds by packing up yourself and renting a truck versus hiring someone else. If you have friends or family in the area who can help, a DIY approach is almost a no-brainer.

Moving can undoubtedly result in some headaches; however, there are steps you can take to make the most of your next move and keep your budget under control. Be proactive during your search and be prepared to make some small sacrifices as a means of investing in your family’s long-term future.

What to Plant in a Summer Vegetable Garden

Home and Garden

Lyne Proulx

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June 2, 2017

7

If you’re planting a summer vegetable garden, you might be wondering what type of veggies you should plant. Certain vegetables are more likely to thrive in the heat than others. Here are some ideas on what to plant in a summer vegetable garden!

What to Plant in a Summer Vegetable Garden

1. Tomatoes

Tomatoes are a favourite summer crop among gardeners and for good reason. Warm temperatures and hot soil help tomatoes thrive! You should avoid planting them until after the last spring frost. You can plant them in a pot to bring indoors at night and transplant them into your garden later.

2. Summer squash and zucchini squash

We all seem to have that one neighbour who ends up with an overabundance of summer squash and/or zucchini squash that they try to give away every summer. This is because these types of squash thrive in the hot temperatures. Since it’s difficult to transplant squash into the garden, wait until after the last frost before planting them in nutrient-rich soil.

3. Corn

Most varieties of corn tend to fair best during hot summer temperatures. Some corn varieties also do well in cooler summer temperatures. No matter where you live, you’ll probably be able to enjoy corn on the cob straight from the garden this summer! Keep in mind that this summer vegetable requires a lot of space to grow and is best planted in rows.

4. Eggplant

Eggplant thrives in hot temperatures and warm soil. Since eggplant is easy to transplant into the garden, you can start growing them in pots to bring indoors. Transplant them into the garden about two to three weeks after the last spring frost.

These are just some ideas on what to plant in a summer vegetable garden!

Which vegetables do you plant in your garden? Do you have any gardening tips to share with us? If yes, please comment below!

Celebrating Father’s Day when Your Dad Has Passed

Family

Lyne Proulx

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May 31, 2017

9

Celebrating Father’s Day when Your Dad Has Passed

Father’s Day can be sad and lonely when you’ve lost your dad but it doesn’t have to always be that way. Once the grieving process has passed, it’s time to look at things from a different perspective. Instead of spending the day feeling sad, honour your dad by focusing on the good times you had to together. Think about his influences that helped to shape your life and make you the person you are today. Then look for ways to show how much he meant to you by doing things he would approve of.

Here are a few ways to celebrate Father’s Day when your dad has passed that will help honour his memory:

Grill out and have a family get-together in his honour. There is no better way to celebrate this special day for dads who loved to cook out than by doing the same. Pull out the grill and serve up all the great foods that he enjoyed grilling or eating so much.
Did your dad enjoy telling stories about his life? Pass these stories on to your kids. Not only will you be remembering the good times you had together but you’ll also be sharing an important part of his life with your kids. It’s something they’ll cherish as they get older.
Honour your dad by paying a visit to someone in a nursing home that very seldom has visitors. This is a nice gesture that will brighten the day of someone that might otherwise be feeling lonely and unappreciated.
Take your kids somewhere you enjoyed going with your dad. You’ll keep his memories alive and make new ones with your kids by doing something with them that your dad did with you.

Use these tips to help celebrate Father’s Day in a way that would make him proud and cherish the wonderful memories you have of your dad.

3 Gift Ideas for New Dads on Father’s Day

Family

Lyne Proulx

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May 30, 2017

6

3 Gift Ideas for New Dads on Father’s Day

Father’s Day will never be same once he has a baby of his own. New dads are so excited when they get to hold their little one for the first time and the way they view life often changes. Most first-time dads have their own feelings and concerns about being a parent too. It’s definitely a big change in his life. He now has this adorable little girl or boy that will depend on him to take care of them and teach them everything they need to know to succeed in life. Help him make this special time in his life even more special with a gift that shows how much he means to you.

Here are three gift ideas for new dads on Father’s Day:

A set of quiet headphones. Just because he’s a dad doesn’t mean he has to give up playing video games or start playing with the sound off. He can still watch his favorite shows, listen to music or play his games without worrying about waking baby with a set of quiet headphones. This is a wonderful gift for new dads everywhere.
Put together a photo album. Take lots of pictures of dad and baby together for those first few months and create a photo album that he will cherish forever. Be sure to include a few pictures of you and baby and all of you together as a new family.
A LifeProof case for his Smartphone. These cases will protect his expensive phone and keep it looking like new even when it gets wet or dropped (both of which usually happens when there’s a new baby in the house) and they’re very stylish, too.

Being a dad for the first time is awesome and the gifts above can help make his first Father’s Day one he’ll never forget.

Tile Slim Review

Family

Pieces of Me

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May 24, 2017

37

Picture this scene: you are running late getting to work. Just as you are about to leave, you remember you need keys to lock the front door. You look at the regular spot you place your keys, but that spot is empty. You then proceed to tear apart your home until you find them. Sound familiar? Tile wants to help people alleviate this problem with their product that helps you track down your misplaced items. They asked me to review a Tile Slim to see how well I am able to find my lost items. You can also check out our other reviews of the Tile Sport Pro Series and the Tile Style Pro Series.

How Does Tile Work?

How does Tile work? It works by attaching a Bluetooth tracker, or Tile, to your keys, wallet or just about anything you tend to lose very often. You would then use the Tile app to activate the device on these items, making a selected tune until you locate it. Parked your car in a crowded shopping mall parking lot and you don’t have a clue where you parked? If you had placed a Tile device in your car, use can gain, even if their phone is on silent mode.

The set up for this Bluetooth tracker was really simple. Here are the steps I went through to activate my Tile:

Download the app onto my smartphone

Enable Bluetooth use on my smartphone
Set up my account details with the information required
Activate my Tile by pressing the Tile button in the center of the tracker

Place my tile beside my smartphone in order for my phone to recognize it

Select a ringtone so I would know what sound to recognize

I added my wallet to the app so it would know that this is place I am going to keep this Tile

Playing Tile Hide and Seek

Now here comes the fun part: Playing Tile Hide & Seek! I had my eldest daughter hide my wallet. I then fired up my smartphone to let Tile help me track down my wallet. During the set-up of my Tile, I chose to use “Auld Lang Syne” as my Tile’s ringtone so I knew what it would sound like when looking for it.

Once she had hidden my wallet with the Tile tucked inside of it, she gave me the green light to find it. I hit the Find button on my phone. I then heard my Tile ringing. I then listened for the sound until I found it! I then turned it off so the tune would stop.

One of the best features of this product is its size. It is small and thin, so it really was easy to put in my wallet without much of a fuss. I did not notice any difference in the weight of my wallet when carrying it around.

I also really enjoyed how easy Tile was to set up. It took about 5 minutes from the time I took it out of its box to activate it. The whole process was a breeze. The sound of the ringtone once you were about ten feet or so was loud enough that you knew you were close by, but not piercing to hurt your ears. The hardest part about this review was trying to find my wallet when my kids hid it!

Tile Slim Concerns

There are a few aspects of Tile that I have a bit of an issue with. One of these things is that there are only five ringtones for users to choose from. It would be great to have a larger selection of tunes to choose from for more personalization and the chance that someone else in your home is following the sound of the same Tile tune.

The other issue I have is the battery life of a Tile. Tiles do not need to be charged. This means that it will last for so long before the Tile will go silent. I spoke with a Tile representative and was told that they last for about one year. When this happens,

How I liked Tile Slim

I genuinely enjoyed testing Tile. It was easy to set-up and activate, and easy to find when I “lost” it. I also like that I am able to use my Tile to locate my phone when I misplace it around my home (which is often). It is also very slim, so it can easily fit into a lot of the things I carry with me every day without taking up a lot of space. Finally, the Tile Community is a great idea to help find your lost items along with others for people can find what they have lost, too.

Curious to find out more about Tile? You can visit them on their website, or connect with them on their Facebook, Twitter @TheTileApp, and Instagram pages!

Disclaimer: I received products from Tile in order to conduct this review. The views I shared are my own.

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Best Careers If You Love Working With Children

Family

Lyne Proulx

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May 23, 2017

6

If you were the kid who loved babysitting, tutoring or working as a camp counselor in high school, you may have a calling to work with kids. As you may already know, working with children is not for the faint of heart. Not everyone has the patience and the energy to put up with the boundless energy, moodiness and unpredictability of children. If this is something you thrive on, then you may want to consider one of these careers.

Careers For Working With Children

Teacher

It may seem like an obvious profession, but teaching isn’t a career to be taken lightly. Teaching requires specific skills that only a fortunate few have. If you’re interested in becoming a teacher, try volunteering in a classroom. The differences between managing a classroom of first graders, middle school students and high school students is staggering. You might find that you have a gift for communicating with small children or becoming a mentor to older students. That’s because when it comes to teaching, there is no one-size-fits-all approach.

If you’re not good at teaching preschoolers, you may find better luck connecting to older students, and vice versa. To be an effective teacher, you need to have a strong sense of leadership, communication, empathy and patience. You can develop curriculums, come up with fun activities, and attend conferences that help you become better at your craft. Over time, you may decide to pursue a career as a school administrator of principal. Explore opportunities for growth in this field in order to have a positive impact on your students.

Pediatric Nurse

Nurses have one of the most challenging yet rewarding careers. Pediatric nurses work with children in hospitals or doctors’ offices to perform routine check-ups and care for illnesses. In order to be a successful nurse, you must have a true calling to help people and endure sometimes grueling circumstances. Pediatric nurses have the opportunity to save thousands of lives over the course of their career, but it doesn’t come without times of hardship. There are many times that pediatric nurses have to work with children who have severe and sometimes incurable illnesses. What nurses do is provide an invaluable resource to the families of the community, which is rewarding in itself. If you decide to become a nurse, you will have to pursue a nursing degree. Nurses go through years of coursework and interning, but the hard work pays off every day a nurse has the opportunity to help a child in need.

Child Psychologists

The role of a child psychologist is to observe the behaviour of children in order to maintain their mental health. Most child psychologists choose to work in childcare services, but many also work in schools or in private practices. Child psychologists have the difficult task of decoding and understanding a child’s mind in order to diagnose and solve a problem. Most young children don’t have the maturity to communicate clearly, so psychologists often use different techniques to help a child open up. Child psychologists typically go to school to specialize in a certain form of therapy or mental disorder. Family psychologists treat children in a holistic sense—that is, solve the issue by understanding and changing the family dynamic. Like nursing, psychologists go through years of schooling, and most require a doctoral degree.

Juvenile Justice Attorney

A juvenile justice attorney is someone who has a legal license to represent a minor in court. People who become justice attorneys have a passion for representing people under the protection of the law and bringing justice to those who suffer. Juvenile justice attorneys have the ability to work as both defendants and prosecutors to maintain the legal rights of whom they represent. Many attorneys will often engage in multidisciplinary studies to specialize in representing certain cases—such as immigration or divorce—to pursue a cause close to their heart. Attorneys endure years of education and often go to law school to prepare themselves for the BAR exam.

When it comes to working with children, there are many careers with high demand. Explore these careers to find which is best for you.

9 Special Gifts for Father’s Day

Family

Lyne Proulx

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May 22, 2017

9

Are you searching for special gifts for Father’s Day? Perhaps you want something a little more meaningful than a new shirt and tie, wallet or a new belt. These gifts are nice, but they’re not much of a surprise.

9 great gifts for Father’s Day he’s sure to love

Make this year extra special for dad by choosing a Father’s Day gift he wouldn’t expect.

1. Portable Charger

For the dad that’s always on the go, a portable phone charger makes a wonderful gift. He never has to worry about being out of touch because he’s doesn’t have access to an outlet.

2. The Big Game

Is your dad a sports fan? Buy him a pair of tickets to a big game where he can see his favourite team in action. If tickets are not an option, then opt for sports memorabilia for his favourite team.

3. Tool Box

Does your dad own every tool imaginable? Then a new tool box makes a wonderful gift that’ll help him keep everything organized and locked up when not in use.

4. Grill

Most men love to grill/ cook out. Is it time your dad got a new, modern grill where he can show off his great cooking skills?

5. Shaving Kit

A new shaving kit is something most men need, but don’t buy for themselves. There are many new designs available so look for a kit that best suits your dad’s shaving needs.

6. Gift Of The Month Subscription Box

For the Father’s Day gift that keeps on giving all year long, sign up your dad for a gift of the month club such as a Beer, Wine or Coffee Club.

7. Cuff Links

For the fashionable dad, personalized cuff links will surely be a great Father’s Day gift option. Monogrammed cuff links will elevate Dad’s off-the-rack shirts.

8. Tie Clip

Give a new twist to the traditional Father’s Day tie by giving a cool tie clip. The tie clip will not only keep his tie in place, but it will also make him look so stylish!

9. Moisturizer

Skincare is not only for women! Give your dad a moisturizer to help him address common skin care conditions men experience. An oil-based lotion for men with normal, dry or flaky skin or a water-based one for oily skin or skin that is prone to breakouts.

Give your dad a gift he won’t be expecting this Father’s Day and watch his face light up with excitement when you surprise him with something he can really use.

Crazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Monster Recipe

Recipes

Lyne Proulx

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May 19, 2017

25

Vanilla cookies, chocolate chip cookies, red velvet cookies, peppermint cookies… There are so many variations of cookies these days that it’s hard to pick just one cookie to choose! Well, why not consider making crazy chocolate chip cookie monsters instead! These are sure to please even those pesky little fingers who try to swipe cookie dough out of the bowl!

Crazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Monster

You will only need a few simple ingredients to get these going:

Ingredients

3 cups flour
1 TBSP baking powder
1 TBSP baking soda
½ TBSP ground cinnamon
1 tsp salt
1 cup unsalted butter, room temp
1 ½ cups sugar
1 ½ cup packed brown sugar
3 large eggs, room temp
1 TBSP vanilla
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
2 cups peanut butter chips
2 cups white chocolate chips
3 cups old- fashion oats
2 cups chopped walnuts
1 package large candy eyes
2 containers black decorating icing

They are very simple, but follow these directions closely:

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line large cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in a bowl. Whisk ingredients together. Set aside.
Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and both sugars until creamy.
Slowly add one egg at a time to the butter and sugar mixture, beating after each addition.
Add vanilla beating to incorporate with the butter, sugar, and egg mixture.
Slowly add the flour mixture, one cup at a time, stirring to combine after each addition.
Mix in the chocolate chips, stirring to add.
Next, add the white chocolate chips, stir well to mix.
Add in the peanut butter chips, stir well. Add both oatmeal and walnuts continue to stir to mix well.
Using a ¼ cup, scoop out the cookie dough and place on the lined cookie sheet allowing space for baking between each cookie.
Bake the cookies for 15 minutes or until the edges of the cookies are lightly brown.
Remove from oven allowing to cool slightly before transferring the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
Once each cookie is cool use your black decorating icing to glue on the eyes.
Next, outline the mouth and fill it in with the rest of the black decorating icing.
Set aside to allow the icing to dry.

I hope you enjoyed the Crazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Monster recipe. If you make it, make sure to share with us on Facebook or Twitter! Also, check out all of our other Recipes.

Crazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Monster

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Ingredients

3 cups flour
1 TBSP baking powder
1 TBSP baking soda
½ TBSP ground cinnamon
1 tsp salt
1 cup unsalted butter room temp
1 ½ cups sugar
1 ½ cup packed brown sugar
3 large eggs room temp
1 TBSP vanilla
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
2 cups peanut butter chips
2 cups white chocolate chips
3 cups old- fashion oats
2 cups chopped walnuts
1 package large candy eyes
2 containers black decorating icing

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line large cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in a bowl. Whisk ingredients together. Set aside.
Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and both sugars until creamy.
Slowly add one egg at a time to the butter and sugar mixture, beating after each addition.
Add vanilla beating to incorporate with the butter, sugar, and egg mixture.
Slowly add the flour mixture, one cup at a time, stirring to combine after each addition.
Mix in the chocolate chips, stirring to add.
Next, add the white chocolate chips, stir well to mix.
Add in the peanut butter chips, stir well. Add both oatmeal and walnuts continue to stir to mix well.
Using a ¼ cup, scoop out the cookie dough and place on the lined cookie sheet allowing space for baking between each cookie.
Bake the cookies for 15 minutes or until the edges of the cookies are lightly brown.
Remove from oven allowing to cool slightly before transferring the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
Once each cookie is cool use your black decorating icing to glue on the eyes.
Next, outline the mouth and fill it in with the rest of the black decorating icing.
Set aside to allow the icing to dry.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

5 Tips For A Symptom-Free Allergy Season

Wellness

Christelle

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May 18, 2017

11

Ah, Spring! It is undoubtedly worth celebrating in Canada after the end of yet another treacherous and horrid winter! T’is the season for blooming colourful flowers, greener yards, a brighter sun, alongside a fresh and crisp air that is just so — oh, filled with icky pollen!

Don’t let the budding trees and pesky dandelions stand in the way of your spring fun! Millions of Canadians suffer from seasonal allergies, but dealing with them shouldn’t be considered a chore! It’s time to take back spring and conquer those runny nose and watery eyes! Below are a 5 tips to ensure that this allergy season will be symptom-free!

Tips for a Symptom-Free Allergy Season!

1. Stay away from lawn duty!

If your neighbour has freshly cut his lawn, best stay indoors for a little while! Keeping the grass on your lawn short will also help reduce the amount of grass allergens that can spread in the air. So if you know cutting your lawn will only worsen your allergies, try asking your partner, children, close friends, or hiring someone if need be to do it for you! Worse case scenario, wearing a filter mask can help you cut the lawn or tend to your garden without inhaling any allergens!

2. Limit your time outdoors!

The pollen count is at its highest during the early morning hours and during very windy days, so staying inside during those times will assuredly help your allergies! And if you happen to be someone who enjoys those morning runs, try running inside with a home treadmill or at the gym instead!

3. Keep your allergy medication ready and at your side!

Before those sniffles hit, have your allergy medication ready at home or at any other easily accessible location. Antihistamines, the most common pharmaceutical ingredient in allergy medication, acts as an inhibitor to histamine. Histamine triggers the allergic response in your body. By blocking the signal, you won’t have to worry about sneezing the day away! Claritin® Allergy + Sinus Extra Strength offers an effective relief against allergies caused by pollen, grass, dust, ragweed, pets, and moulds. It even has a 24h symptom relief for your most bothersome allergy symptoms such as nasal congestion, sinus pressure and congestion, post nasal drip, itchy and/or watery eyes, sneezing, and runny nose.

4. Your air conditioner can become your best friend!

Rather than opening your windows at home or in your car whilst driving to let the breeze in (and all the allergens!), consider turning on your air conditioner this allergy season! It will allow you to keep cool whilst simultaneously keeping your symptoms in check! By using your AC if your allergies are provoked by plants, controlling the air around you is a great way to reduce your symptoms.

5. Clear up those sinuses!

For some, attempting to clear up stuffy sinuses and sinus pressure can become quite the tricky ordeal! AERIUS® Dual Action 12hr combines the use of AERIUS® antihistamine multi-symptom allergy relief with a specific extra action on nasal congestion, pressure, and stuffiness for up to twelve hours! It will also relieve sneezing, itchy and/or runny nose, itchy ears, itchy palate, and itchy, burning, watery red eyes.

This allergy season, which helpful tips will you be using to reduce those bothersome allergy symptoms?

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Bayer. To make sure these products are right for you, always read and follow the label.

3 Pool Safety Tips for Parents

Family

Lyne Proulx

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May 16, 2017

15

Summer is here! The temperature is finally rising and your family can’t wait to dive into pool season to start to cool off. Wait a minute! Enjoying life by the pool can be fun, but are you and your family aware of the pools safety rules you have to take into consideration when having a pool?

Pool safety tips

Check out these 3 pool safety tips for summer before you jump in!

Pool Safety for Kids

From an early age, kids should know about pool safety. It is a great idea for even as young as toddlers to become familiar with being around water and for them to gain a healthy respect for it. If they are younger, they should have some form of protective gear (a life jacket, water wings, goggles, etc) and understand why these pieces of equipment are important to wear when around water. They should also know why running and horseplay are unsafe to do in and around the pool area. Finally, swimming lessons are an important step for kids to learn how to respect the water and to learn how to play and move around in it safely.

Fences for pool safety

Having a self-locking fence around your pool is not only a smart idea, it is also mandatory to have one. This helps to keep “visitors” from gaining access to your pool, or accidents caused by easy entrance to your pool. Check the local by-laws as they differ where the height of your fence is concerned and put one around your pool accordingly. You can also turn to pool experts for fencing needs and advice.

Pool safety equipment

Another clever gadget to keep the area around your pool safe is a pool safety alarm or have your child wear a pool safety alarm bracelet. An in-pool alarm it will notify you if something or someone is in your pool without your knowledge. A door alarm will sound when the door of your fence around your pool has been opened. These tools will make having a pool much safer, and can help prevent accidents from happening.

You need more than just a bathing suit to enjoy your backyard pool safely. Having the essential gear to keep pool-goers happy and safe are key during pool season. Should an accident happen, having items such as a pool rescue hook, a lifesaving ring and a first aid kit in the vicinity of your pool can save valuable time and possibly save a life. Another great items to keep close to your pool are your phone as time is of the essence in an emergency and a pool cover to really keep the pool safe when not in use.

3 Tips to Make Pool Safety Cool This Summer!

Everyone likes to make a splash during pool season, but now you and your family can also do it safely! Do you have other tips for pool safety to share with our readers? Comment below!

When You Need a Time Out: Tips for Frustrated Parents

Family

Lyne Proulx

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May 15, 2017

14

When You Need a Time Out: Tips for Frustrated Parents

Sometimes as a parent, you get frustrated. Even the best and most patient of parents can need a time out from time to time. It’s a tough job that puts a lot of stress and pressure on you and it’s important that you don’t discipline or punish in anger. If you feel like you’re going to lose your cool, you need to take a little break and then come back to the situation.

Here are some things you can do when you need a time-out:

Count to ten – Stop what you’re doing and slowly count to ten. Don’t rush it. Take your time with each number and breathe deeply as you do it. Allow your mind to calm. Some people like to do this but count backwards, calming themselves as the numbers count down lower.
Meditate – When you feel angry or upset, go to a quiet place and meditate or pray to calm your nerves. There are many different ways to do this. If it’s new to you and you’re not sure where to begin, you could use some pre-written prayers or meditation chants to lead your way.
Enjoy a hobby – You can take some time to do something you enjoy. Take a few minutes to one of your hobbies to distract your mind and calm your emotions. Play some music, knit, dance, play a game, or draw or color for a few minutes as a parental time out.

Maybe all of these ideas don’t resonate with you, or only some of them speak to you. You can always take these ideas and expand on them, or use them to help you think of some time out ideas of your own.

Do you have any tips to share with our readers? Please share in the comment!

5 Mother’s Day Gifts On A Budget

Family

Lyne Proulx

-

May 11, 2017

10

Do you struggle to find the best gift for mom? You can find that perfect Mother’s Day gift without breaking the bank when you look for unconventional ways to express your love. Instead of searching online and off for the perfect item, consider giving your mom something you can’t find in a store. Let’s have a look at meaningful Mother’s Day gifts on a budget.

Mother’s Day Gifts Mom Will Love

Here are five Mother’s Day gifts on a budget:

1. Buy a subscription to Netflix, Amazon Prime or Hulu. Moms are often too busy to sit and watch their shows when they first air on TV but with one of these subscriptions, she can watch hundreds of movies and TV shows whenever she has the time.

2. Give her a day off. On Mother’s Day, let mom sleep in, do all the cooking, and take care of the kids. Give her the day to sit around, relax and only do what she wants for the day.

3. Create a unique photo collage of the whole family. Place the collage in a picture frame or use the collage to create a personalized gift for mom. Coffee cups, pillows and mouse pads are good examples of personalized photo gifts.

4. Give her homemade scented candles. All you’ll need is a decorative glass, fragrance, wax and a wick; all of which you can pick up at your local craft store.

5. Write her a letter letting her know how much she means to you on special stationery paper. Make it even more special by attaching the letter to a plaque so she can hang it on her wall. It will inspire her on those days when she needs a little encouragement.

You can give your mom a gift she’ll she always cherish without going over your budget with these great ideas. Do you have any ideas to share?

Setting Clear Personal Boundaries

Wellness

Julie

-

May 10, 2017

23

Within the context of my practice, many of my clients often have issues regarding personal boundaries and responsibility to others. We are seeing more and more social media and reality shows which often encourages and entice people in accepting all sorts of behaviours from others. I have personally seen this constant type of exposure resulting in confusion, exhaustion, frustration and even depression. See our tips below for setting clear personal boundaries!

What are personal boundaries?

People will define their personal boundaries by a set of main beliefs, rules or limits that they consider reasonable, safe and acceptable for others to behave around them.

Setting clear personal boundaries is the key to ensuring relationships are mutually respectful, supportive and caring. Boundaries are a measure of self-esteem. They set the limits for acceptable behaviour from those around you, determining whether they feel able to put you down, make fun, or take advantage of your good nature.

Since your boundaries will define who you are, one of the things needed to successfully apply them is self-awareness. This will enable you to understand what your body and your intuition is telling you. When something is creating tension or discomfort, or making you feel drained, it is a sure sign for you to say no to whoever and whatever is being asked of you.

Understanding The Underlying Reasons

By understanding the underlying reasons behind your need to be involved in something, is the key to setting appropriate personal boundaries in any given situation. Never feel guilt for saying ‘no’ when you truly do not want to get involved or be part of something that makes you uncomfortable.

Many people agree to things even though it makes them ill thinking about it. They feel an obligation due to some misguided belief that it is expected of them. Others get involved in situations that clearly are beyond healthy personal boundaries, because they do not want to upset the person asking a favour or they feet it is their obligation.

Why Are Personal Boundaries important?Responsibilities

It is not always an easy task determining what is ours to take on and what isn’t. Living is a continual cycle of life experiences and in consequence, life lessons are learnt. We grow in wisdom with each step forward in awareness that we take from our daily experiences. If being responsible for someone is cheating them from a personal life experience or growth opportunity, then it is not yours to take on.

Helping and taking responsibility for someone are two very different things. You must be clear in your mind which of the two you are taking on. If people refuse to help themselves then so be it; it is not your responsibility to take them and their problems onto your shoulders. Offer them the possibility to learn their life lesson.

Signs of Unhealthy Boundaries

Going against personal values or rights in order to please others.
Giving as much as you can for the sake of giving.
Taking as much as you can for the sake of taking.
Letting others define you.
Expecting others to fill your needs automatically.
Feeling bad or guilty when you say no.
Not speaking up when you are treated poorly.
Falling apart so someone can take care of you.
Falling “in love” with someone you barely know or who reaches out to you.
Touching a person without asking.

How do we establish healthy personal boundaries?

Know that you have a right to personal boundaries.

Set clear and significant limits so that others will respect them, then be willing to do whatever it takes to enforce them. Interestingly, it’s been shown that those who have weak boundaries themselves tend to violate the boundaries of others.

Recognizing that other people’s needs and feelings are not more important than your own.

Many believe that the needs of others are more important than their own. This is not only untrue, but it can undermine the healthy functioning of relationships. If a person is worn out mentally and physically from putting everyone else first, he or she not only destroys his or her own health, he or she in turn deprives themselves of being fully engaged in their lives. Instead, a person should take care of himself or herself

Learn to say no.

Many of us are people-pleasers and often put ourselves at a disadvantage by trying to accommodate everyone. We don’t want to be selfish, so we put our personal needs on the back burner and agree to do things that may not be beneficial to our well-being. You do not do anyone any favours, least of all yourself, by trying to please others at your own expense.

Identify the actions and behaviours that you find unacceptable.

Allow yourself to be who you really are without pressure from others to be anything else. Know what actions you may need to take if your wishes aren’t respected.

Trust and believe in yourself.

You are the highest authority on you. You know what you need, want, and value. Don’t let anyone else make the decisions for you. Healthy boundaries make it possible for you to respect your strengths, abilities and individuality as well as those of others.

Floral Essences – A natural and powerful remedy

Have you even heard of Bach Remedies? Dr. Edward Bach discovered the Original Bach Flower Remedies, which is a system of 38 Flower Remedies that corrects emotional imbalances where negative emotions are replaced with positive. These remedies work well with herbs, homeopathy and medications and are safe for everyone, including children, pregnant women, pets and elderly.

Centaury Bach Flower Essence is perfect for someone who is having a difficult time setting personal boundaries. This flower is for kind, gentle people who feel it’s their purpose in life is to serve others. They have trouble saying “no,” so their good nature may be taken advantage of by stronger personalities. The weakness of their will may eventually show up in the body, with tiredness and a fear of being drained by others. There is a danger of the Centaury person being so eager to help others that they neglect their own mission in life. It is very useful in relationships where there is a tendency to lose oneself in the other or sacrifice ones needs.

Centaury strengthens the will, helps you say “no” when it’s appropriate and encourages the self-determination you need to fulfill your own mission in life.

When we possess healthy personal boundaries:

We have improved and a healthy self-concept.
We are more in touch with reality.
Are better able to communicate with others.
Have better more fulfilling relationships.
Have more stability and control over our lives.

With LOVE,

Julie

Follow me!

@JulieCloutier6 & Facebook

The Best Movies to Watch on Mother’s Day

Family

Lyne Proulx

-

May 9, 2017

8

The Best Movies to Watch on Mother’s Day

What better way to bond with mom on Mother’s Day than by watching great movies together? Let your mom sit back and relax while you eat popcorn and talk about the characters in the movies. It’s a great way to connect and there are many excellent films to choose from.

Here are eighteen of the best movies to watch on Mother’s Day:

1. Monster-in-Law – starring, Jane Fonda, Jennifer Lopez and Michael Vartan

2. The Blind Side – starring, Sandra Bullock, Lily Collins, Quinton Aaron and Tim McGraw

3. The Bodyguard – starring, Whitney Houston, Kevin Costner and Gary Kemp

4. Ricki and the Flash – starring, Meryl Streep and Mamie Gummer

5. Volver – starring, Penelope Cruz and Carmen Maura

6. The Kids Are All Right – starring, Annette Bening, Julianne Moore and Mark Ruffalo

7. Stepmom – starring, Julia Roberts and Susan Sarandon

8. Fried Green Tomatoes – starring, Kathy Bates, Jessica Tandy, Mary-Louise Parker and Mary Stuart Masterson

9. Changeling – starring, Angelina Jolie, Amy Ryan and Colm Feore

10. Little Women – starring, Claire Danes, Winona Ryder, Susan Sarandon, Kirsten Dunst and Christian Bale

11. Mermaid – starring, Winona Ryder, Cher, and Christina Ricci

12. Steel Magnolias – starring, Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis, Sally Field, and Julia Roberts

13. Places in the Heart – starring, Sally Field, Lindsay Crouse, Ed Harris, and Amy Madigan

14. Erin Brockovich – starring, Julia Roberts, Albert Finney, David Brisbin, and Dawn Didawick

15. The Sound of Music – starring, Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Eleanor Parker, and Richard Haydn

16. Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore – starring, Ellen Burstyn, Kris Kristofferson, Mia Bendixsen, and Alfred Lutter III

17. Terms of Endearment – starring, Shirley MacLaine and Debra Winger

18. Hannah and Her Sisters – starring, Mia Farrow, Dianne Wiest, and Michael Caine

You don’t have to go out on Mother’s Day to show your mom a good time. She’ll love spending time with you watching movies at home on her special day.

Ideas to Spend Mother’s Day with Your Kids

Family

Lyne Proulx

-

May 8, 2017

6

If your idea of fun and relaxing is spending the day with your kids, make plans to spend Mother’s Day playing games, eating out, and having fun together. Any amount of time you spend with your kids is precious so cherish it now while you can. One day, they’ll be grown up and playing games with their own kids. Let’s have a look at 8 ideas to spend Mother’s Day with the kids!

Here are some great ideas for spending Mother’s Day with your kids!

1. Have a tea party. You can have a ball and learn so much about your little ones when you play tea party together.

2. Go for a walk or hike to get some fresh air, exercise and to explore nature close up. you may be amazed at some of the things you’ll see.

3. Read books together. Reading sparks the imagination and talking about the adventures after reading the stories is always so much fun.

4. Work on crafts and talk. There is no better way to spend quality time with your kids than doing something fun together while talking and learning all about each other.

5. Listen to music, sing and dance the day away. It’s something all kids love to do and it’s great exercise.

6. Put together a home photo shoot with your kids. Set up different backgrounds and take a bunch of pictures. It can even be a new family tradition and each year, you can view the photos to see how much everyone has changed through the years.

7. Have a quiet time just for hugs and kisses. No Mother’s Day would be complete without it.

8. Another great idea to spend Mother’s Day with the kids is by going all out to eat at a restaurant. Are you planning to take your mom out for dinner or breakfast to celebrate Mother’s Day? It’s a popular way to spend this holiday because it’s both a sweet and thoughtful way to show Mom how much you love her. However, deciding where to go can be a daunting task. There are so many options to choose from that sometimes, it can be hard to decide where to go. Look at some of our Mother’s Day restaurant suggestions below!

5 Family Restaurant Ideas for Mom on Mother’s Day

Most moms will love it no matter where you take her to eat on Mother’s Day because it’s not where you go that matters. It’s the spending time with her family that she’ll always remember.

1. A Classic Steak House

The steak house is always a good choice because they serve such a large selection of food. This variety makes it easy to find something to suit everyone’s taste even if you like totally different things.

2. Pancake House

If you plan to go out for breakfast, try a pancake house that specializes in making a variety of different pancakes. Then try something new all of you never had before.

3. Seafood Restaurant

When was the last time you took mom to a fancy seafood restaurant? It will make a wonderful Mother’s Day dinner and she’ll be impressed that you remembered how much she likes seafood. Kids will also love to order fish and chips!

4. A Buffet

Take her to a buffet-style restaurant where she can put together her own plate and have as much or as little of each item as she wants.

5. Italian Dinner

A fancy Italian dinner of her favorite pasta could be a great way to celebrate the holiday together.

Use these ideas to laugh, play and have a wonderful time with your kids on Mother’s Day. It’s a great way to bond with your kids and create memories your family will cherish for a lifetime.

Happy Mother’s Day!

How to Treat Yourself on Mother’s Day

Family

Lyne Proulx

-

May 5, 2017

11

How to Treat Yourself on Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is the perfect time for your spouse and children to show you how much they appreciate all you do for them. Most likely, they have a big day planed for you starting with breakfast in bed or ending with a nice dinner. However, you may be able to still squeeze in a little “me” time around their plans to treat yourself on Mother’s Day.

Here are five suggestions on how to have a little time for yourself on this special holiday:

1. Meet a friend at the local coffee shop for some great conversation and mocha. Then go shopping together for a few hours afterwards. Buy yourself something you wouldn’t normally purchase while you’re out.

2. Have a girl’s night out. Call up a few friends and make plans to go out on the town for the evening. Have dinner at your favourite restaurant and then go sightseeing or to the movies.

3. Stay home and pamper yourself with a soothing bath and glass of wine while listening to some soft music. When you’re done, do your nails, moisturize your skin, or try one of those new hair styles you recently learned about.

4. Sleep in. Not necessarily easy to accomplish when you have kids! Get your spouse to take the kids for breakfast at a restaurant or outside to a nearby park while you get some well deserved sleep.

5. A getaway. Leave your spouse in charge of the family household, pack an overnight bag on Saturday, and head out to a hotel. The uninterrupted time alone just for yourself will have you come back revitalized on Sunday.

Treating yourself on Mother’s Day will help you feel refreshed and ready to resume your role as mom. Being with your family is the most important thing in the world but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a little time alone or with friends!

Fun Times with Playmobil Canada Family Fun Cruise Ship – Review

Family

Pieces of Me

-

May 4, 2017

103

Fun Times with Playmobil Canada Family Fun Cruise Ship – Review

Vacations are fun for families to go on, but they cannot be enjoyed every day, right? I mean, to be able to set sail on a cruise ship whenever want to be a dream! Playmobil Canada wants to help bring part of this dream to reality! They asked me to review their Family Fun Cruise Ship playset to see if my family would enjoy cruising into spring and summer seasons in style and fun!

Playmobil Family Fun Cruise Ship Review

Photo courtesy: Playmobil Canada; Playmobil cruise ship boxed

I am no expert when it comes to life at sea, so I’ll let Captain PM of the cruise ship Panama take the wheel to give you a guided tour of this ship, I mean playset!

Ahoy there! I’m Captain PM, and welcome aboard the Playmobil Cruise Ship Panama, or Panama for short. My goal is to bring the fun of life at sea to your home so your family can set sail whenever you feel ready to take off for a luxurious ocean adventure!

At the beginning of each voyage, I personally welcome passengers aboard the Panama to make them feel at home.

Toy captain of ship welcomes travellers onto the ship.

I will escort passengers to their suites where there are one Queen or two Double bedroom accommodations available to book for you to enjoy on your voyage. Each suite has access to its own washroom, phone, and is spacious enough that you would want to stay and play there for your whole trip. But there is so much more to explore, so follow me…

Left: Toy people laying on a bed; Right: Toy bedroom on a toy cruise ship.

Are you hungry? There is a fine dining restaurant on the main deck for passengers, both families and couples, to sit comfortably while they enjoy their meal while watching the waves. The most popular meal is Chocolate Ice Cream and the Red punch Surprise.

Toy family sitting around a table on a toy cruise ship.

Toy couple enjoying a drink on a toy cruise ship

Nice Pool

I understand that it is hard to resist the urge to splash and play in the water with all of this water surrounding you at sea. Well, the ship has you covered with the luxury pool area. Kids big and small will enjoy climbing to the top of the ladder to whirl down the pool slide into our pool. It is conveniently connected to the poolside bar so you can snack and sip on the ship’s fabulous food

Toy family playing at a pool on a toy cruise ship

Bottles, spoons mugs and a bowl of pretend ice cream at a toy poolside bar.

Need to get away during your getaway? The Observation Deck is the place to be! You can take in the rays of the sun, soak in the scenery of the sea as we sail along, and capture the beauty around you.

Safety is always key aboard the Panama. In case of trouble, there is a lifeboat ready to zoom us away from the boat.

Toy lifeboat attached to a toy cruise ship.

There is no shortage of adventures your family can have aboard the Playmobil Cruise Ship Panama! You can have fun in the sun, or wind down in your suites below deck. What are you waiting for? Come along with me for endless fun every day! I can’t wait to have you along for the ride.

Toy people waving on the deck of a toy cruise ship.

Thanks, Captain PM for your guided tour of the Cruise Ship Panama.

Before inviting my little cruisers aboard this cruise ship, there was some assembly to take care of. It took about 45 minutes to complete because Playmobil put a lot of little details into making this ship a fun experience.

L: Piece of a toy cruise ship in a box; R: Pieces of toy cruise ship spread out on a table.

Once assembled, my kids punched their tickets and went right into their high seas adventure.

Conclusion

They enjoyed being able to pull out the lower deck in order to take in the suites. I thought it was clever to actually have a bathroom designated to each room to add to the level of luxury for this playset.

T: Hand pulling our Lower Deck of a toy cruise ship;, BL: Child playing with toy luggage; BR: Boy playing with toy luggage.

My kids had the most fun with the Main Deck area of this ship. They had fun sitting the characters down to eat and taking turns to have the little people zip down the slide into the pool.

L: Child playing with the poolside slide on a toy cruise ship TR: Kids playing with a toy cruise ship; BR: Girl playing with a toy cruise ship.

We love it!

I was wowed by the thought Playmobil put into this playset. There were plenty of stickers to add to the depth and colour of different parts of the ship. The cute idea to have brushes, combs, bottles and food as part of this set were really clever. They add to adventure kids can have while they play.

Overall, my family loves setting sail with the Playmobil Cruise Ship playset! Once assembled, my kids had A LOT of fun on the high seas while taking the characters on various adventures on their vacation. We all enjoyed the little details to make this ship come alive and fun, the suites on the pull-out Lower Deck looked as though they would be comfortable to sleep in. The Main Deck was the life of this boat, providing my kids with countless opportunities for imaginative play. We can’t wait to cruise any time we want this spring and summer with Playmobil Canada!

Want to find other ways Playmobil Canada can make playtime fun? Connect with them on their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube pages!

Disclaimer: I received the Family Fun Cruise Ship playset in order to conduct this review. The views I shared are my own.

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7 Unique Mother’s Day Breakfast Ideas

Recipes

Lyne Proulx

-

May 3, 2017

27

4 Unique Mother’s Day Breakfast Ideas — Cinnamon French toast served on a white plate

7 Unique Mother’s Day Breakfast Ideas

Are you planning to cook breakfast for Mom on Mother’s Day? It’s a great way to show her how much you love her. She can sleep late and wake to a wonderfully prepared meal just for her. Moms usually love being served breakfast, especially if they’re always the one doing most of the cooking; however, if you’re serving her the same pancake recipe year after year, it may be time to move things up a notch.

Instead of the same old pancakes for breakfast she has every year, consider one of the seven unique Mother’s Day breakfast ideas below:

1. Make her some French toast topped with fruit. What a way to start the morning!

2. Make your own breakfast wrap filled with eggs, cheese, and ham or any other ingredient she likes for breakfast.

3. Serve a fruit salad for the mom who is watching her calorie intake. You don’t want to mess up her diet!

4. Add a little chocolate syrup to the batter and bake mom some chocolate waffles with strawberries on top for Mother’s Day.

5. A special drink to prepare is the Sunday Mimosa. Give the classic Champagne brunch drink a pretty-in-pink spin by using a mix of blood orange and pineapple juices.

6. A homemade ham and cheese Quiche will definitely surprise her with a delicious breakfast meal idea.

7. Crepes are French style pancakes that you can fill with her favourite fruits or with peanut butter and jam and top with icing sugar or whipped cream for a sweet breakfast.

These meals are easy to make and mom will surely fall in love them! Experiment and try different recipes each year to surprise mom on her special day. She’ll be thrilled at the time and effort you put into the meal to make it unique and special for her!

3 Fun Reasons to Love Slow Rise Squishies – Review

Family

Pieces of Me

-

May 1, 2017

77

3 Fun Reasons to Love Slow Rise Squishies – Review

Searching for a toy all three of my kids can enjoy is a task only the faint of heart can take on. How many toys can captivate a teenager and two younger kids? Let me tell you, there are not that many. Showcase, a brand that likes to have the hottest trending items in stock across Canada, asked my family if we could test the latest trend for kids to play with, Slow Rise Squishies™. They wanted to know if all three of my kids would enjoy playing with these soft and smushy toys. We Found three reasons why we would play with them over and over again!

3 Fun Reasons to Love Slow Rise Squishies — Slow Rise Squishies baked goods, fruit and basketball products in a basket

Slow Rise Squishies Review

Originating in Japan, Slow Rise Squishies™ can be found exclusively at Showcase stores across Canada. They are the only place to see the entire collection of squishies in the country. There is a variety of Slow Rise Squishies™ designs for collectors to choose from. These squishy toys are available in numerous baked good shapes such as bread, cakes, doughnuts and macaroons to cute shapes from emoticons to basketballs!

Below are the Slow Rise Squishies™ designs my family received to test:

Slow Rise Squishy 6″ Large Mango
Slow Rise Squishy 9” Large Panini
Slow Rise Squishy 6” Shortcake Slice
Slow Rise Squishy 5″ Triple Layer Cake
Slow Rise Squishy Hello Kitty Donut Charm
Slow Rise Squishy Croissant
Slow Rise Basketball

Now that you know which Slow Rise Squshies™ designs my kids got to play with, take a look at why they got such a kick out of them!

1. Fun designs

The look of each squishy toy looked close to the real items they are replicating. I really liked the vibrant colours chosen as they really popped off of the toy. We all really love the look of the cakes and the baked goods. A lot of details went into decorating and shading of these pieces. All of this work make playing with these toys more fun to do!

2. Texture

It felt as though each Slow Rise Squshies™ design had a different texture to them. My kids and I love feeling the bumps of fruit and icing on the cakes and the slightly rougher and crevices of the Panini loaf and the croissant. We spent a lot of time taking in all of the work put into this aspect of these toys.

3. Squishability

I know, these toys have squishy in their name, but the manner in which they squish are REALLY fun! My kids could not resist to want to squish each one just to watch as it slowly rose and put itself back into shape. My eldest did a test with the “6 Short Cake Squishy. I had her smush it right down as much as she could, then hold it out in her hand so I could capture it as it put itself back to its original shape. When I had a chance to put these toys to the test, I had a ball crushing, crumpling and twisting them out of form, only to watch them unravel themselves as though they had not been tampered with.

One aspect of this product I was not a fan of was their aroma. It is a bit strong and stays on the product for a while after we received our toys. The Slow Rise Squisies™ site tells visitors that these toys are 100% non-toxic, but the smell can be a bit unpleasant when you first get them.

Overall, my kids and I really love playing with our Slow-Rise Squishies™. The colours used for these designs were executed really well, the attention to details for the texture was great, and watching these toys un-squish themselves was fascinating. The scent may be a bit of a surprise at first, but the fun we had so much fun playing with them, we got over this negative aspect quickly.

Want to find out more about Slow-Rise Squishies™? You can visit them at Showcase on their Facebook, Twitter @ShopAtShowcase, YouTube, Instagram, and Pinterest pages!

Disclaimer: I received products from Showcase in order to conduct this review. The views expressed are my own.

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5 Steps To Lose Baby Weight After Pregnancy

Wellness

Lyne Proulx

-

April 28, 2017

5

Whether you miss your old beach body prior to giving birth or you’re struggling to get back into a fitness routine now that you’ve taken up the role of full-time mom, you’re certainly not alone. Between the stress of childbirth and the fact that fitness inevitably takes a backseat to quality time with your baby, it’s no secret that losing your baby weight is easier said than done. You will find below 5 Steps To Lose Baby Weight After Pregnancy!

Given that weight gain during pregnancy can be anywhere between 15 and 40 pounds, there’s certainly no one-size-fits-all approach to losing baby weight. That being said, there are steps you can take in your daily life to get yourself back on track without sacrificing time with your bundle of joy.

So, where do you start?

5 Steps To Lose Baby Weight After Pregnancy

1. Take Your Baby Out More

Getting outside with your child is a win-win situation for both mommy and baby alike. Not only does your child reap the benefits of the great outdoors and sunshine, but you enjoy the opportunity to get a few workouts in as well. Something as simple as walking around the park with a stroller on a daily basis can shed the pounds over time when coupled with a sensible diet.

2. Get Back on the Bike

If you’re looking for something that’s low-impact and won’t take a toll on your joints, biking is a fantastic way to ease back into a fitness journey. Likewise, there are plenty of options out there for baby bike seats which allow you to bring your child along for the ride. Rather than splurge on a new model, simply take the time to understand how to buy a used bike to get the best deal without sacrificing safety.

3. Talk to Your Partner

Don’t overlook the importance of communication when it comes to weight loss. You and your partner need to be on the same page; likewise, moms aren’t the only ones prone to weight gain during pregnancy. If you and your partner could both stand to lose a few pounds, be open about your desire to get fit and do everything you can to be supportive versus hindering each others good habits.

4. Consider a Weight Loss Challenge

Weight loss challenges and online support groups for moms through Facebook are all the rage right now. While some contests offer prizes for those who lose the most weight, the biggest benefits of such groups often come in the form of encouragement and accountability. When you have others cheering you on and monitoring your progress, you’ll be more likely to stick to your goals of loosing your baby weight!

healthy eating habits — vegetables and spices

5. Rethink Your Eating Habits

Bear in mind that a bulk of your weight loss efforts comes down to your diet. Although you may have grown accustomed to eating for two or mindlessly taking in fast food during the final months of your pregnancy, it’s time to reprogram your mind and body accordingly.

For example, consider a grocery delivery service or buying healthy options in bulk to keep yourself from worrying about frequent trips to the store. Similarly, strive to sit down for meals and practice conscious eating to avoid mindlessly snacking. Doing so may be easier said than done with a new baby in the house; however, transforming your eating habits will ultimately make or break your weight loss journey.

These 5 Steps To Lose Baby Weight After Pregnancy will help aid you in your goals to lose your baby weight once and for all. Regardless of how you get there, remember that weight loss represents a marathon and not a sprint. By taking a slow and steady approach, you’ll be more likely to stay on the wagon and succeed.

What are your tips for moms looking to loose their baby weight after pregnancy?

5 Great Family Fun Activities

Family

Lyne Proulx

-

April 27, 2017

11

5 Great Family Fun Activities

The time you spend together as a family is precious. You’re learning, growing and having fun together. It’s what being a family is all about. Those bonding moments will help your family grow stronger while creating memories that’ll last a lifetime. How you spend your time together is also important. Playing board games and having movie night are two great ways to spend quality time with the kids but it’s nice to mix things up a bit, too. Add some variety to family night with these five great family fun activities:

Start your own book club. Reading is an awesome way to spend time with the kids. You get to use your imagination and explore new worlds through the pages of the books and starting a family book club makes it even more fun.
View the night skies. Set up a telescope and explore the night skies. Make note of how things change from month to month and throughout the different seasons. It’s an interesting way to spend time together.
Draw pictures on the sidewalk. This is a great way for young kids to let their creativity shine.
Go hiking or for a walk together. Hiking is great exercise and exploring the world outside is so much fun. If hiking is not an option, just go for a walk around your own back yard or your neighbourhood.
Put on a music show. Little kids can sing and dance to the music and if you have older kids, invest in a karaoke machine to make things even more fun.

One of the best ways to show your kids how much you love them is by spending time doing fun things together.

What do you have planned for your next family night? Share them in the comment below!

How Single Moms Can Master Parenting

Family

Lyne Proulx

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April 25, 2017

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How Single Moms Can Master Parenting

If you’re a single mother, there are many different challenges you will face each day. Parenting is a difficult task for anyone but when you’re doing it all on your own, it can be even harder. While you might not be able to do anything to change the circumstances that led to you being a single parent, there are some things you can do to help make the daily tasks easier. Here are some tips for single moms to master parenting!

woman with 3 girls sitting on the grass.

1. Have a good support system

It’s easy to feel like a sinking ship when you’re all alone. Your support system will be very important to helping you stay confident and focused on the things you need to do each day. On those bad days or when you feel like you’re falling apart, who do you go to? Who do you lean on? Best friends, other single parents, or even your parents if you have a good relationship with them can all be a great support network for you.

2. Take time for yourself

Single moms are often guilty of putting all of themselves into their children and their household but martyring yourself is not going to help you be a good parent. You’ll get burned out, frustrated, and tired. Your children will sense this. You might lose your temper more easily. You might lash out at them when you’re overwhelmed with tasks. So take time for yourself. You should give a little time in each day to yourself and try to work in one day just for you at least a month, or every week if it’s possible. Get a babysitter, take the kids to a Moms Night Out event or anything to get a little time for yourself to do something that helps you relax and unwind.

3. Get organized

It’s also important that you have organization within your home and a structure to how you do things. Without it, you’ll find yourself getting easily overwhelmed. You need a structure for discipline, chores, expectations, and other things within your household. Your children need to know exactly what is expected of them and what the consequences will be if they don’t do what they are expected to do. This takes a lot of the stress out of disciple and other parenting matters. When the rules and expectations are clearly defined, you won’t be faced with trying to figure it out when things happen.

While these tips are meant to help make the tasks of single parenting a little easier for you, keep in mind that there will always be struggles. There will be good days and there will be bad days. There might even be days you want to give up because it feels like you can’t go on. In those days, it is more important than ever to lean on your support system. Take care of yourself so you can take care of your children and lean on the memories of those good times to help see you through it.