Home Blog Page 74

French Canadian Tourtière Recipe (Meat Pies)

Lyne Proulx
-
55
French Canadian Tourtière Recipe (Meat Pies)

While this recipe for French Canadian Tourtière (a meat pie) is known as holiday food; I think you will agree with me that this is so delicious it should be served year round! Made with a flaky homemade crust and so many fragrant fillings that your mouth will water as soon as you smell this dish baking!

Savoury Tourtière Ingredients

It would not be the holidays in my home without French Canadian Tourtière recipe. This meat pie has pork, beef and veal to create a trifecta of flavour that is perfectly complemented with hearty spices like nutmeg, cinnamon and clove. It is not only a tasty dish, but also a hearty one that feels decadent and cozy. A serving of this meat pie is just what any celebration needs!

Traditional French Canadian Tourtiere

Homemade Pie Crust

I like to use my homemade pie crust recipe which is included below. It is easy to make, and is really fuss free. Be sure to use real butter and not to overwork your dough to keep it flaky and tender. If you are more comfortable with a premade pie crust, be sure to get two as you need a top crust.

Side Dishes To Serve With The Tourtière

This dish pairs well with roasted root vegetables like carrots or beets. A simple side salad or even something pickled makes a good complimentary side dish also. My family likes it with mashed potatoes and peas.

If you are looking for more dinner ideas you won’t want to miss this easy vegetable beef soup recipe. Readers love these 12 Instant Pot Chicken Recipes and 15 Whole Wheat Bread Recipes.

How to make French Canadian meat pies

As I mentioned earlier this is traditional holiday food in my family, but we do not reserve it only for the Christmas season! It is also a great dish to serve any time there is an occasion to celebrate with a special meal!

Two other favourite French Canadian meals that I serve over the holidays are the French Canadian Ragoût de Boulettes (Meatball Stew) and the French Canadian “Ragoût de Pattes de Cochon” (Stewed Pig’s Feet)!

Pie Crust Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 6 tbsp of cold butter (unsalted)
  • 4 to 6 tbsp. ice water
  • 1 egg yolk (optional)
French Canadian Tourtière Recipe

Tourtière Ingredients

  • 1/2 pound ground veal
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1/2 pound ground pork
  • 1 1/2 tsp of salt
  • 1 tsp of pepper
  • 1/3 cup of water
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 1/8 tsp of ground cloves
  • 1/4 tsp. of nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp of cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp of all spice
  • 1 tbs of vegetable oil or olive oil

Crust Pastry Instructions

  • Recipe makes 1 pie crust, so make twice.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Mix together.
  • Add butter into the flour mixture and work with a fork. Do not overwork.
  • Add water by sprinkling over the dough and stir as you sprinkle. Stir with a wooden spoon to make the dough come together. After, you can use your hands to help mold the dough (like playdough).
  • Flatten into a round disc.
  • Wrap them in plastic wrap or container, and refrigerate for about 1 hour. In the meantime, make the tourtière filling.
Slice meat pie

Tourtière Filling

  1. Heat large skillet over medium heat and add oil.
  2. Add ground meats, salt and pepper. Cook until meat is browned and just cooked through, about 8 to 10 minutes.
  3. Add onions, spices, and water, and cook for 5-10 minutes. Let cool completely.
French Canadian Tourtière Recipe

How To Assemble The French Canadian Tourtière

  1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
  2. Lightly flour work surface. Roll each pastry round into an 11-inch circle, about 1/8-inch thick.
  3. Use one pastry round and apply at bottom of glass pie plate.
  4. Add tourtière filling to pastry shell. Cover with a second pastry round.
  5. Seal edges with tines of a fork or your fingers.
  6. Brush pastry with egg yolk (optional).
  7. Score the top of the tourtière with a paring knife as this will allow steam to escape while baking.
  8. Bake tourtière for 15 minutes at 450 degrees F. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F. and bake until crust is golden brown for about another 20-30 minutes.
French Canadian Tourtiere

I hope you enjoyed my French Canadian Tourtière Recipe as much as my family and myself did! If you make it, please share your photos with us on Facebook or Twitter! Also, check out all of our other Recipes!

Slice meat pie

French Canadian Tourtières (Meat Pies)

Lyne
The Tourtière is a French Canadian recipe that is traditionally cooked during the holidays, but it's so delicious that you will make it all year long.
5 from 5 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Making Crust 25 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Course Recipes
Cuisine Canadian
Servings 6 pieces
Calories 505 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 metal, ceramic, or glass plate for baking the pie
  • 1 Bowl
  • 1 1 small skillet over very low heat

Ingredients
  

Crust

  • 1/4 cups all purpose flour
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 6 tbsp butter cold (unsalted)
  • 4 to 6 tbsp. ice water
  • 1 egg yolk optional

Tourtière

  • 1/2 pound ground veal
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1/2 pound ground pork
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 1/8 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp allspice
  • 1 tbs vegetable oil

Instructions
 

  • Short Crust Pastry
  • Recipe makes 1 pie crust, so make twice.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Mix together.
  • Add butter into the flour mixture and work with a fork. Do not overwork.
  • Add water by sprinkling over the dough and stir as you sprinkle. Stir with a wooden spoon to make the dough come together. After, you can use your hands to help mold the dough (like playdough).
  • Flatten into a round disc.
  • Wrap them in plastic wrap or container, and refrigerate for about 1 hour. In the meantime, make the tourtière filling.
  • Lightly flour work surface. Roll each pastry round into an 11-inch circle, about 1/8-inch thick.
  • Use one pastry round to a line at bottom of glass pie plate.
  • Tourtière Filling
  • 1. Heat large skillet over medium heat and add oil.
  • 2. Add ground meats, salt and pepper. Cook until meat is browned and just cooked through, about 8 to 10 minutes.
  • 3. Add onions, spices, and water, and cook for 5-10 minutes. Let cool completely.
  • Assembly
  • 1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
  • 4. Add tourtière filling to pastry shell. Cover with a second pastry round.
  • 5. Seal edges with tines of a fork or fingers.
  • 6. Brush pastry with egg yolk (optional).
  • 7. Score the top of the tourtière with a paring knife as this will allow steam to escape while baking.
  • 8. Bake tourtière for 15 minutes at 450 degrees F. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F. and bake until crust is golden brown for about another 20-30 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 505kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 28gFat: 40gSaturated Fat: 18gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 174mgSodium: 858mgPotassium: 479mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 400IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 43mgIron: 3mg
Keyword Canadian tourtière, meat pies, tourtieres
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

French Canadian Ragoût de Boulettes Recipe (Meatball Stew)

Lyne Proulx
-
35
French Canadian Ragoût de Boulettes Recipe (Meatball Stew)

When the temperature drops there is nothing better than a big bowl of comfort food so pull out your cookware and start preparing this French Canadian ragoût de boulettes (meatball stew) to enjoy.

The weather is getting cooler which means it is the perfect time to start making soups and stews. Depending on what you like to eat, there are many different types of stews, all flavourful and delicious. Irish stew, chicken stew, jambalaya, beef bourguignon and of course a traditional French Canadian ragoût de boulettes.

French Canadian ragoût de boulettes (meatball stew) recipe

Ragoût de boulettes

If you are French Canadian or have tried this traditional Meatball stew then you know the flavours are very different from your regular stews. By adding cinnamon, cloves, and ginger this stew is unique and tasty. When you add bread cubes to the meat mixture instead of bread crumbs it gives you the taste of holiday bread stuffing. Making it an ideal side or topping on potatoes or rice during your holiday meals. This meatball stew and gravy are also perfect on their own with a nice baguette to help soak up the gravy.

French Canadian Ragoût de Boulettes (Meatball Stew) recipe

Easy Meatball Stew Ideas

When it comes to meatball stews, there are a variety of flavours you can make but it all begins with the type of meat and seasoning you want to use. When people think of meatballs it is usually with spaghetti or on a sandwich. Meatballs in tomato sauce are basically an Italian meatball stew. If you like spicy, try a Cajun meatball stew using cajun spice, paprika or cayenne pepper. 

Take any of your favourite meats grind them together and add spices and herbs that your entire family will enjoy. You may want to have some rubber gloves on once you start making the meatballs because there is nothing worse than having slimy hands from rolling the meat.

ragoût de boulettes meatball stew recipe

French Canadian Ragoût de Boulettes Recipe (Meatball Stew) 

French Canadian Ragoût de Boulettes or Meatball Stew Recipe is a traditional French Canadian food that you definitely have to make for Christmas! It will leave your tummy full and your house smelling wonderfully spiced! Two other French Canadian meals that I serve over the holidays are the French Canadian Tourtière (Meat Pies) and the French Canadian “Ragoût de Pattes de Cochon” (Stewed Pig’s Feet)! 

French Canadian Ragoût de Boulettes Ingredients

  • 1 lbs of ground pork
  • 1/2 lbs of ground beef
  • 1/4 lbs of salted pork
  • 1 small onion, minced
  • 2 tbs of parsley
  • 1/4 tsp of ginger
  • 1/4 tsp of cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp of ground cloves
  • 1/4 tsp of dry mustard
  • 1/2 tsp of pepper
  • 2 slices of white bread, cut in cubes
  • 1/2 cup of milk
  • Pepper to taste
  • 2 tbs of vegetable oil
  • 2 cups of lukewarm water
  • 8 tbs of browned flour (a sand colour- if you leave it longer to cook, it will give you a darker gravy)
  • 1 cup of lukewarm water

Kitchen Tools Needed

  • Large Deep Skillet or Saucepan
  • Mason Jar

How To Make French Canadian Ragoût de Boulettes

  • 1. Grind all three meats together in a food processor.
Meat in a food processor to make the ragoût de boulettes
  • 2. Place meat into a big bowl.
ragoût de boulettes in process
  • 3. Add onion, parsley, ginger, cinnamon, ground cloves, dry mustard, and pepper.
  • 4. In a small bowl, put the bread and milk together.
bread and milk to make bread mixture
  • 5. Blend together well with a spoon or your hands.
  • 6. Add the bread mixture to the meat mixture.
bread mixture with the meat mixture for the meatballs
  • 7. Mix well with a spoon or your hands.
  • 8. Shape and roll mixture into meatballs.
  • 9. Heat 2 tbs of vegetable oil in a large deep skillet or saucepan over low heat.
french canadian ragoût de boulettes (meatball stew) in process
  • 10. Add about 25 meatballs to a large skillet or saucepan and cook until meatballs are cooked throughout and no longer pink, flipping a few times to cook evenly, about 12 to 15 minutes, depending on thickness. Repeat until they are all cooked.
French Canadian ragoût de boulettes meatballs cooking
  • 11. Remove fat from skillet. Add 2 cups of warm water. Cover and cook at low heat for 30 minutes. Stir occasionally.

  • 12. In a jar (Mason), add the warm cup of water and the browned flour. Close lid and shake or simply mix with a spoon until it’s mixed.
  • 13. Pour in the meatballs stew, stir regularly until the gravy has thicken (at least 15-30 minutes). If the gravy is not thick enough, add 4 more tablespoon of brown flour with 1/2 cup of warm water. Repeat as necessary.
French Canadian ragoût de boulettes- meatballs cooking

I hope you enjoyed the French Canadian Ragoût de Boulettes (Meatball Stew). If you make it, make sure to share with us on Facebook or Twitter! Also, check out all of our other Recipes.

 Do you have a favourite French Canadian recipe? Comment below!

ragoût de boulettes meatball stew recipe

French Canadian Ragoût de Boulettes (Meatball Stew)

Lyne
The French Canadian Ragoût de Boulettes or Meatball Stew Recipe is a French Canadian traditional meal that you definitely have to make for Christmas!
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Course Recipes
Cuisine Canadian
Servings 25 meatballs
Calories 142 kcal

Equipment

  • Large Deep Skillet or Saucepan
  • Mason Jar
  • Food processor

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lbs ground pork
  • 1/2 lbs ground beef
  • 1/4 lbs salted pork
  • 1 small onion minced
  • 2 tbs parsley
  • 1/4 tsp ginger
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1/4 tsp dry mustard
  • 2 slices white bread cut in cubes
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 3 tbs vegetable oil
  • 2 cups lukewarm water
  • 8 tbs browned flour a sand colour- if you leave it longer to cook, it will give you a darker gravy
  • 1 cup lukewarm water

Instructions
 

  • Grind all three meats together in a food processor.
  • Place meat into a big bowl.
  • Add onion, parsley, ginger, cinnamon, ground cloves, dry mustard, and pepper.
  • In a small bowl, put the bread and milk together.
  • Blend together well with a spoon or your hands.
  • Add the bread mixture to the meat mixture.
  • Mix well with a spoon or your hands.
  • Shape and roll mixture into meatballs.
  • Heat 2 tbs of vegetable oil in a large skillet or saucepan over low heat.
  • Add about 25 meatballs to a large skillet or saucepan and cook until meatballs are cooked throughout and no longer pink, flipping a few times to cook evenly, about 12 to 15 minutes, depending on thickness. Repeat until they are all cooked.
  • Remove fat from skillet. Add 2 cups of warm water. Cover and cook at low heat for 30 minutes. Stir occasionally.
  • In a jar (Mason), add the warm cup of water and the browned flour. Close lid and shake or simply mix with a spoon until it’s mixed.
  • Pour in the stew, stir regularly until the gravy has thicken (at least 15-30 minutes). If you find the gravy is not thick enough, add 4 more tablespoon of brown flour with 1/2 cup of warm water. Repeat as necessary.

Nutrition

Calories: 142kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 6gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 58mgPotassium: 110mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 31IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 13mgIron: 1mg
Keyword Christmast meal, dinner, French Canadian Ragout de Pattes de Cochon, French Canadian Recipe, Meal, meatball stew, Ragoût de boulettes
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

French Canadian Ragoût de Pattes de Cochon Recipe (Stewed Pig’s Feet)

Lyne Proulx
-
34
French Canadian Ragoût de Pattes de Cochon Recipe (Stewed Pig’s Feet)

In Canada, if you are French Canadian, you have probably celebrated the holidays with a Ragoût de Pattes de Cochon which is stewed pig’s feet.

French Canadian Ragoût de Pattes de Cochon Recipe (Stewed Pig's Feet)

Everyone around the world has their own family traditions that might include holiday-themed decorations, pajamas and even the food they serve. You may be familiar with some other cultural traditions and may have even celebrated some with friends. In Israel they have Shabbot, in China, they celebrate with Dim Sum, Japan has Bento-style meals, Communal meals in France. French Canadian food traditions include a pig’s feet stew!

If you have ever had a pot luck dinner then you must have tried foods that you are unfamiliar with and may have even enjoyed it so much you want to try it out on your family to add an additional food item to your traditions.

Traditional French Canadian Foods

Quebec has quite a few delicious foods. We are all familiar with Poutine which has been a hit for years and the love of it has spread across the nation. You may have heard of some of the traditional foods, but maybe just not in the native tongue. Here is a list of 7 Traditional French Canadian foods to try out.

  1. Sugar Pie (tarte au sucre)
  2. Poor Man’s Pudding (pouding chômeur)
  3. Cretons
  4. Meatball Stew (ragoût de boulettes)
  5. Meat Pie (tourtière ou paté à la viande)
  6. Pea Soup (soup aux pois)
  7. Baked Beans (fèves au lard)

You may be more familiar with these foods from the English name and maybe already have some of them with your holiday meals.

French Canadian Ragoût de Pattes de Cochon Recipe (Stewed Pig's Feet)

How to make pig’s feet stew

If you plan on making Stewed Pig’s Feet then you will need a few hours. It is not a recipe that you can make last minute. There is a bit of prep work before you can even start cooking and that will take about an hour. Once you are ready to start cooking, it will be another 2 or so more hours until you are ready to sit down and eat.

French Canadian Ragoût de Pattes de Cochon Recipe (Stewed Pig’s Feet)

The Ragoût de Pattes de Cochon (Stewed Pig’s Feet) is a traditional French Canadian food served with a delicious carved turkey and meat pies at Christmas for dinner. The meat is so tender! I will sometimes also add it to the French Canadian meatball stew rather than serving it on it’s own. It is definitely a favourite holiday meal at our house.

French Canadian Ragoût de Pattes de Cochon Recipe (Stewed Pig's Feet)

French Canadian Ragoût de Pattes de Cochon Ingredients

French Canadian Ragoût de Pattes de Cochon

How To Make the French Canadian Ragoût de Pattes de Cochon

1. Take the pork’s feet and cut the skin from top to bottom with a kitchen scissor. Remove the meat from the feet with a knife and put in a medium bowl. Add salt, cinnamon, ground cloves and nutmeg, and mix.

pigs fee cut in pieces

2. In a large saucepan over medium heat add oil. When oil is hot, add pork feet mixture, and cook until they meat is a dark brown colour.

Ragoût de Pattes de Cochon cooking

3. In a skillet at medium heat, add 1 tbs of vegetable oil. When oil is hot, add 1 cup of onions and cook until they are grilled- slightly brown. When the meat is nicely grilled, add the lukewarm water and roasted onions.

grilled onions

4. Cover and let cook at low for about 2 hours.

browned flour with water in a mason jar

5. In a jar (Mason), add 1 cup of water and the browned flour. Close lid and shake until it’s mixed. 

6. Pour in the stew, stir regularly until the gravy has thicken (15 -30 minutes). If you find the gravy is not thick enough, add 4 more tablespoon of brown flour with 1/2 cup of warm water. Repeat as necessary.

Ragoût de Pattes de Cochon - stewed pig's feet

I hope you enjoyed the French Canadian Ragoût de Pattes de Cochon Recipe (Stewed Pig’s Feet). If you make it, make sure to share with us on Facebook or Twitter! Also, check out all of our other Recipes.

Do you have favourite traditional French Canadian food recipes you make at Christmas? Share below!

French Canadian Ragoût de Pattes de Cochon

French Canadian “Ragoût de Pattes de Cochon” (Stewed Pig’s Feet) Recipe

Lyne
The Ragoût de Pattes de Cochon (Stewed Pig's Feet) is a classic French Canadian meal served as a side dish with a turkey for Christmas dinner.
3 from 5 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Course Recipes
Cuisine Canadian
Servings 6 people
Calories 564 kcal

Equipment

  • frying pat
  • Large pot
  • Mason Jar
  • kitchen scissors

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs pork hocks pig’s feet- about 10-12
  • 1 tsp Kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 2 1/4 cups lukewarm water
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 cup grilled onions 1 cup of minced onions
  • 8 tbs browned flour a sand colour- if you leave it longer to cook, it will give you a darker gravy
  • 1 cup lukewarm water

Instructions
 

  • Take the pork’s feet and cut the skin from top to bottom with a kitchen scissor. Remove the meat from the feet with a knife and put in a medium bowl.
  • Add salt, cinnamon, ground cloves and nutmeg, and mix.
  • In a large saucepan over medium heat add oil. When oil is hot, add pork feet mixture, and cook until they meat is a dark brown colour.
  • In a skillet at medium heat, add 1 tbs of vegetable oil. When oil is hot, add 1 cup of onions and cook until they are grilled- slightly brown.
  • When the meat is nicely grilled, add the lukewarm water and roasted onions.
  • Cover and let cook at low for about 2 hours.
  • In a jar (Mason), add 1 cup of water and the browned flour. Close lid and shake until it’s mixed.
  • Pour in the stew, stir regularly until the gravy has thicken (15 -30 minutes). If you find the gravy is not thick enough, add 4 more tablespoon of brown flour with 1/2 cup of warm water. Repeat as necessary.

Nutrition

Calories: 564kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 44gFat: 37gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 165mgSodium: 767mgPotassium: 608mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 2IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 41mgIron: 3mg
Keyword Christmas meal recipe, French Canadian Ragout de Pattes de Cochon, French Canadian Recipe, ragout de pattes de cochon, stewed pig’s feet
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Planning a Family Friendly Vacation to Bruges

TurnipseedTravel
-
13
Planning a Family Friendly Vacation to Bruges

Bruges is the embodiment of European charm. This small Belgium city is the personification of romance and quaintness; even sceptical travelers can’t help but fall in love with it. Bruges is also clean, safe, easy to navigate, family friendly, and affordable. Here’s how to make the most of your time in what I think may just be the prettiest place in Europe.

The canals of Bruges at dusk
The canals of Bruges. Photo credit Ryan Wright for TurnipseedTravel

Check the Calender
Not surprising, Bruges is busier on the weekend, when couples head there for a romantic retreat. Come during the week, when crowds and prices are much lower. Still want to travel on the weekend? Head to nearby Brussels instead. Hotel prices drop by 25%-50% on the weekends, when all the visiting politicians head home. Want to save even more money and see even less people? Visit Bruges shoulder season. My last visit, in early November, was devoid of tourists, the complete opposite of what it’s like in July.

Grand Place Bruges
The Grand Place or central city square of Bruges. Photo credit Ryan Wright for TurnipseedTravel

Linger – and Save!
Burges has a wide selection of bed and breakfasts, guesthouses, and small hotels –which are very family friendly- but most charge an 10-20 Euro supplement for a one night stay. Stretch your visit to two nights to get a better per diem rate and don’t be afraid to ask for week long discounts if you want to stay a while and explore the region as a whole.

Be sure to read the fine print – some B&B’s include breakfast at no extra charge, while some add an extra 5-10 Euros. But rest assured that the breakfast you do receive will be well worth the money: tea, coffee, hot chocolate, juice, Belgium waffles, pastries, and often yogurt, cold cut meats, local cheese, and sometimes eggs and sausages.

Free Chocolate! And Wine!
How do you feel about free chocolate? What about free wine? Compare the prices offered on your hotel’s website with those on Expedia or other booking agencies. Many places offer complimentary wine or chocolates when you book directly with them. During our visit, we had a box of 15 pieces of assorted local chocolate waiting in our room! When prices are about the same, it’s nice to both support local owners by booking directly and the rewards are absolutely lovely!

Bruges at sunset
The city at sunset. Photo credit Ryan Wright for TurnipseedTravel

More Freebies!
The majority of Bruges’ many attractions and historical sites are free or very reasonably priced. It’s well worth paying a few Euros to let you kids burn off energy and run up the Belfry! But if you’re looking for something a bit more sedate, here are three of my favourite freebies to see in Bruges:

– The archaeological dig in the Crown Plaza. Ask at the front desk: if there’s no conference in progress, you are free to visit their basement, which showcases the results of an archaeological dig when the hotel was built.
– The Basilica of the Holy Blood: This humble church dates back to the 1100’s and is at once both peaceful and eerie.
– The Church Of Our Lady: The last place you’d expect to see a Michelangelo – and probably the only place where you can see one without a frantic crowd around you. If you ever want to consider a George Clooney film as travel “research”, watch Monuments Men. This Michelangelo has an incredible history.

Horsedrawn carriage in Bruges
Seeing the city by horse drawn carriage is always a fun treat. Photo credit Ryan Wright for TurnipseedTravel

These Streets Are Made For Walking
Bruges is a city for walking! It’s hard to get lost, as you can always stare at the bell tower in the city center to get re-oriented. We’re guide book devotees and we used the walking tour suggested in the Rick Steves Belgium guidebook. It contained an awesome self-guided walking tour of the city, tons of background reading for each site, and plenty of practical advice to plan your visit. If you’re traveling with little ones who require a stroller, ask your hotel in advance if you can rent one from them. A local stroller is likely best for managing on the uneven cobblestones

Delicious Dining

Belgium waffles and coffee in Bruges
Fresh Belgium waffles. Photo credit Ryan Wright for TurnipseedTravel

There is nothing wrong with living off fresh local waffles and chocolate, but in case you crave an actual meal, here are two of my favourites.

My favourite place for lunch in Bruges is Carlitos, where a small glass of wine is 2.50 Euros and a thin crust pizza from the wood oven is less than 14 Euros for 8 pieces – big enough for sharing. Make sure you try their chili oil on the pizza. Kids will love the delicious pizza and friendly owners. Parents will love the cheap wine!

At dinner time, try Bierbrassier Camrinus. The huge, multilingual beer menu is awesome for parents and even fussy kids will love the menu offerings like roasted chicken and Belgium fries. My personal favourites also include Trappist cheese croquettes for an appetizer (like a very grown up melted cheddar) a savory beef and ale “Carbonades” stew for the main, and crème brûlée made with dark beer for dessert.

Time and money are precious commodities when it comes to traveling in Europe but I think Bruges gives you great bang for your buck. It oozes charm, history, and deliciousness. You can see so much in just a small amount of time. It’s fairly priced and affordable (especially during the week in low season) and there’s plenty of fun for both grown ups and kids. I think everyone should put it on their list!

Vanessa

Raising Confident Daughters

Lyne Proulx
-
16
Raising Confident Daughters

Raising Confident Daughters

I believe that confidence is a great quality to have, but we do not all show it in the same way or know how to show our confidence in the same manner. Often, confidence is something that parents have to help their children find within themselves. This becomes more apparent when our kids are going through puberty. This is why helping to raise a confident daughters is important so they can become more independent and make decisions that are right for themselves.

Accept who you are

Tween and teen girls are being told from many different sources what they should look like and how they should act in order to be considered “normal.” As a parent, I believe that it is important to let my teen know that she is perfect the way she is. I feel that in order for girls at this age to accept who they are, they have to see what is good about themselves, especially when it comes to what they see in the mirror. I think that when a girl sees the good things about herself, she will start to believe it, and hearing about those good things from a person who loves and cares about her, like a parent, is the start of this process. She also needs to hear that what makes her different from everyone else is what makes her unique and special.

Positive Reinforcement

Another way I like to help my daughter become a more confident person is by giving her positive reinforcement.  I find that tweens and teens hear a lot about what they are doing wrong, and they may not always hear about what they are doing right. With my daughter, I found that hearing when she is doing something right can help to improve her view of herself. When my daughter offers to help out around the house, brings home a good test, or start talking about something that was very thought-provoking, I give her praise for doing so. I also give her positive direction if she does not do well on a test, or forgets to do her chores around the house or does not achieve a goal she set for herself.  I will also help her by being an audience if she has a presentation, or help her study in different ways for a test so she can see there are different ways of approaching situations and solving problems. She can then use these tools to help achieve her future goals.

To view #LikeAGirl Campaign: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjJQBjWYDTs

Freedom

I also think that it is important to give my teen daughter some freedom to become more confident. She has to learn how to spread her wings and fly without having a parent or guardian close by all of the time. My daughter is given privileges, such as an allowance, a certain time to be home by, a cell phone, and is allowed to have fun on the Internet, but she is also given guidelines to follow in order to enjoy these perks. I think that by giving my daughter some freedom, I am also allowing her to be more of her own person, so that she can think for herself more and learn to become more independent from her father and myself.

Learn to Move on from Mistakes

Coming off of this last point, my daughter has to learn how to pick herself up after making a mistake. I think it is important for teenagers to learn how to move on from making a mistake. Big or small, mistakes mould our character, and teenagers have to learn how to cope and learn from their missteps. If they go against the guidelines laid out for them by parents or other people in authority, do poorly on a test, or hurt a friend, they can learn from the experience, realize what they have done wrong and (hopefully) not repeat this action. Then, they can be more confidence in making better choices for themselves in the future. As a parent, this is where our guidance also comes into play to help them through these situations.

Lending an Ear

Finally, just the simple act of lending your tween and teen daughters an ear is important in helping their confidence. I think that letting our daughters know that they can come to us with their questions and concerns is so important in helping them become more confident with themselves. If a girl at this stage in her life knows that she can go to her parents with whatever is on her mind, then she will feel more confident in herself to get the help she needs, or to make the best decision in whatever situation she is facing at that time. It will also let her know that she has someone who will listen to her, no matter what is happening in her life.

Raising Confident Daughters
Raising Confident Daughters

For more tips about building confidence in tween and teen girls, you and/or your daughter can also go to the Always website .

You can also check out with your daughter a few great articles:

Although this post has been generously sponsored by Always, the opinions and language are all my own, and in no way do they reflect Always.

Disney Live! Mickey’s Music Festival – A Rockin’ Review

Tracy (Redefined)
-
13
Disney Live! Mickey’s Music Festival – A Rockin’ Review

My daughter is a fan of all things Disney and has not only been to Magic Kingdom where she was lucky enough to witness the fun, dance, music and magic of their daily parades, but has also attended a couple of the Disney ice shows, which also feature the perfect mix of music and fun. So, it was no surprise that she was excited to go to Disney Live! Mickey’s Music Festival at the Canadian Tire Centre this past Saturday afternoon.

Having said this though, I was still a little worried that she would find the show boring, especially since she is now in grade one and seems to find a lot of things “babyish” these days. However as soon as we sat down I knew she was going to have fun and it wasn’t just because she was begging for cotton candy that came with Mickey ears. In front of us, there was an older couple, probably in their late seventies, who had come to see Disney Live! Mickey’s Music Festival on a date – just the two of them – simple because they love Disney and they love music. They never outgrew the magic of Disney, so why would my daughter?

Disney Live Mickey's Music FestivalThe show opened with Disney’s classic characters Donald Duck and Goofy singing and dancing. They were quickly joined by Minnie Mouse and of course, the star of the show, Mickey Mouse. They music was immediately upbeat, fun and had everyone singing, “Rock the Mouse!” within minutes.

The show featured more than twenty well-known Disney characters and contained numerous acrobatics, dancing and comical hijinks including those of Aladdin, Jasmine and the Genie; Sebastian, Ariel and her mermaid sisters; and Woody, Jessie and Buzz Lightyear – who had the young and old alike stomping their feet and clapping their hands rodeo style! The mini-renactments of these blockbuster Disney movies took the audience right into the stories like they have never been before!

Youtube video

My only complaint would be that the show was over too quickly. We were having a lot of fun singing along with well-known hip hop, country and pop songs and couldn’t resist dancing and clapping our hands the entire time. Disney Live! Mickey’s Music Festival is fun for all ages, and would make a great introduction to concerts or musical stage shows for younger children – unless you are afraid of the Genie like the little girl who was sitting behind us who balled her eyes out every time he appeared on stage – luckily she was okay once Jasmine arrived (poor girl).

Tickets started at a reasonable $28.25 each and if you were lucky enough to be on the floor level you might have had the privilege of helping Buzz Lightyear fight off some meteorites or catching some confetti during the shows smash ending! The show is high energy and is sure to have you and your children singing “Rock the Mouse!” well after your car has left the parking lot.

Disclosure:  For the purposes of review we were invited to see Disney Live! Mickey’s Music Festival. All opinions are my own.

Arghhh, Protect your Business, Your Crew and Yourself

Andrew W Bradley
-
5
Arghhh, Protect your Business, Your Crew and Yourself

Protect your business

When you own a business in Ottawa things can go wrong that will impact you and your partners, your family and your crew.  You’re the captain, so when it comes to your business, you have both hands on the wheel at all times. You need your staff to run the operation, but the really big decisions fall on your shoulder (the one without the parrot). In the unfortunate event that you develop an illness or encounter a disability, your company could be like a treasure map without an X, and the financial effects could threaten to bring down everything you have worked so hard for.  It’s important to hope for sunshine but plan for rain. There are products that can help you and your business survive the financial storm that a personal accident, injury, or illness can bring.

Insurance products that a great captain should consider:

  • Critical Illness insurance – provides you with money so that you can focus on recovery rather than worrying about the bottom line during an illness.
  • Disability insurance – replaces lost income when a serious accident or illness prevents you from working.
  • Long-term care insurance – protects your estate and retirement savings from being depleted in the event that you require long-term care.
  • Health and Dental – protect yourself and your family against the ongoing and unexpected cost of healthcare expenses not fully covered by your provincial health insurance plan.
  • Group Health Plan– a simple, effective and affordable group benefits program for first time buyers. Protect the health and wellness of your employees and their families while also providing a tax-effective form of compensation.

Protect your loot

Once you and your crew find the X that marks the spot and dig up the treasure its time to find a safe place to keep it. As a business owner your personal assets are at risk in the event of creditor claims and mutinies. Without a creditor protection strategy, your personal assets, like your retirement savings, may be awarded to creditors if you face personal or professional liability claims. You need to act when the business is new, once a business is in trouble or you are forced to walk the plank, it’s too late to protect your personal assets from creditors.

You can protect your personal assets from business creditors with the right investment and insurance products and get professional tax and legal advice on a creditor protection plan. Here is how can a creditor protect plan help you and your business:

  • When investments in segregated fund contracts and guaranteed interest contracts are made in good faith and a proper beneficiary is named, small business owners may protect their hard-earned personal savings from claims by creditors.
  • Mutual fund investments, when held within a registered plan, also have the potential to be protected from creditors in the event
    of bankruptcy.
  • Hold a life insurance contract personally (not corporately), and name a “family class” beneficiary.

As the captain of the ship you are responsible for taking care of a lot of people on an uncharted journey on rough and unforgiving seas. You should protect your family your crew and your loot from any unexpected illness or injury that could take down the captain and the ship along with her.

Andrew W. Bradley

Photo credit: Kris Krug / Foter / CC BY-SA

How to Make Snow Globes

Lyne Proulx
-
32
How to Make Snow Globes

Homemade snow globes are easy and inexpensive to make with your kids for the Holiday Season. They make perfect gifts for your kid’s school teacher, bus driver, or favourite instructor. I can never get tired of flipping them over and watching the sparkles fall down. You can create a different winter scenery for every room in your house!

How to Make Snow Globes

Snow Globe Supplies

  • Jar
  • Plastic or ceramic figurines, pine cones, fibre craft foam, bells, plastic jewelry, etc.
  • Synthetic evergreen
  • Oil-based enamel paint
  • Clear-drying epoxy (you can try hot glue too)
  • Distilled water
  • Glitter
  • Glycerin (available at drugstores)
How to Make Snow Globes

How To Make A Snow Globe

  • I find that a Mason preserve jar works best, but a baby-food, olive and pickles jar will be just as good.
  • It’s best to use fibre craft foam, plastic or ceramic figurines as metal ones will rust, and you can purchase some, as well as synthetic evergreen, at Micheal’s or at the dollar store.
How to Make Snow Globes in process
Woman making snow globe at white table, closeup
  • You can also paint the jar lids with oil-based enamel paint to give it a seasonal colour.
  • The inside of the lid needs to be sanded until the surface is rough so the figurine will adhere better.
  • Glue the figurine to the inside of the lid with clear-drying epoxy and let it dry. You can also glue them to the bottom of the jar.
How to Make Snow Globes in process
  • Next step, fill the jar one centimetre to the top with distilled water, add a pinch of colourful Christmas glitters (red/green/silver) and a drop of glycerin. The glycerin will keep the glitters from falling too quickly at the bottom of the jar. If you add too much, the glitters will stick to the bottom of the jar when you flip it.
  • Be careful when you screw on the lid tightly so you don’t dislodge the figurines. Turn the jar over, shake it up gently and let it snow!

I hope you enjoyed our DIY snow globes craft as much as I did! If you make it, please share your photos with us on Facebook or Twitter! Also, check out all of our other crafts!

How to Make Snow Globes

How To Make Snow Globes

Yield: 1
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Active Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Difficulty: medium
Estimated Cost: $10

Homemade snow globes are easy and inexpensive to make for the Holiday Season. They make perfect gifts for everyone on your list!

No Ratings

Materials

  • Jar
  • Plastic or ceramic figurines
  • Synthetic evergreen
  • Oil-based enamel paint
  • Clear-drying epoxy (you can try hot glue too)
  • Distilled water
  • Glitter
  • Glycerin (available at drugstores)

Instructions

1. I find that a Mason preserve jar works best, but a baby-food, olive and pickles jar will be just as good.

2. It’s best to use styrofoam, plastic or ceramic figurines as metal ones will rust, and you can purchase some, as well as synthetic evergreen, at Micheal’s or at the dollar store.

How to Make Snow Globes in process

3. You can also paint the jar lids with oil-based enamel paint to give it a seasonal colour.

4. The inside of the lid needs to be sanded until the surface is rough so the figurine will adhere better.

5. Glue the figurine to the inside of the lid with clear-drying epoxy and let it dry. You can also glue them to the bottom of the jar.

How to Make Snow Globes in process

6. Next step, fill the jar one centimetre to the top with distilled water, add a pinch of colourful Christmas glitters (red/green/silver) and a drop of glycerin. The glycerin will keep the glitters from falling too quickly at the bottom of the jar. If you add too much, the glitters will stick to the bottom of the jar when you flip it.

7. Be careful when you screw on the lid tightly so you don’t dislodge the figurines. Turn the jar over, shake it up gently and let it snow!

How to Make Snow Globes

© Lyne
Project Type: snow globes / Category: Crafts

Delicious Peppermint Meringue Cookies Recipe

Lyne Proulx
-
28
Delicious Peppermint Meringue Cookies Recipe

Are you looking for an amazing holiday recipe that will have your guests in awe and wanting more for dessert?  This Peppermint Meringue Cookies recipe is so easy to make even though it looks like it came from the bakery.  It’s also ideal to cook with the kids and make it a fun afternoon spent with the family in the kitchen.

Peppermint Meringue Cookies
Peppermint Meringue Cookies

Did you know that the origin of meringue is quite ambiguous as some say it was discovered in France, others in Germany or in the Swiss village of Meiringen. Nevertheless, thank you to the person that discovered beaten eggs white with sugar and cream of tartar make such a succulent treat!

Enjoy!

Peppermint Meringue Cookies Recipe

Delicious Peppermint Meringue Cookies
Peppermint Meringue Cookies

Ingredients

  • 4 Egg Whites
  • ½ teas. Vanilla
  • ¼ teas. Salt
  • ¼ teas. Cream of Tartar
  • 1 Cup Sugar
  • Peppermint Hershey’s Kisses
  • 2 Mini Candy Canes finely crushed
Delicious Peppermint Meringue Cookies
Peppermint Meringue Cookies

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 250˚ F.
  2. In a mixing bowl whisk Egg Whites until foamy and forming soft peaks, 3-5 minutes at medium speed if using a mixer.
  3. Add the Vanilla, Salt and Cream of Tartar and whisk until stiff peaks form, 3-5 minutes at high speed if using a mixer.
  4. Slowly whisk in the Sugar, if using a mixer at medium high speed should take about 1-1 ½ minutes.
  5. Put the meringue into a pastry bag or zip top bag with a star tip.
  6. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Unwrap and place Hershey’s Peppermint kisses on theparchment about 2 inches apart.
  7. Pipe meringue around the bottom of the kisses and then swirl to the top all in one motion.
  8. Sprinkle a small amount of crushed Candy Cane over the cookies.
  9. Place into the oven at 250˚ F and immediately reduce the heat to 175˚ F. Bake for 3 hours then turn off the heat and let cool in the oven another 45-60 minutes. This prevents them from cracking. Remove and let cool
  10. They will be light, crisp and airy
  11. Serve or store in an airtight container.
Delicious Peppermint Meringue Cookies
Peppermint Meringue Cookies

I hope you enjoyed my Peppermint Meringue Cookies Recipe as much as I did! If you make it, please share your photos with us on Facebook or Twitter! Also, check out all of our other recipes!

Delicious Peppermint Meringue Cookies

Peppermint Meringue Cookies

This Peppermint Meringue Cookies recipe is so easy to make even though it looks like it came from the bakery.  It’s also ideal to cook with the kids and make it a fun afternoon spent with the family in the kitchen.
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Cool off 1 hour
Course Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American, Canadian
Servings 36 cookies
Calories 48 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 4 Egg Whites
  • ½ teas. Vanilla
  • ¼ teas. Salt
  • ¼ teas. Cream of Tartar
  • 1 Cup Sugar
  • 36 Peppermint Hershey’s Kisses
  • 2 Mini Candy Canes finely crushed

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 250˚ F.
  • In a mixing bowl whisk Egg Whites until foamy and forming soft peaks, 3-5 minutes at medium speed if using a mixer.
  • Add the Vanilla, Salt and Cream of Tartar and whisk until stiff peaks form, 3-5 minutes at high speed if using a mixer.
  • Slowly whisk in the Sugar, if using a mixer at medium high speed should take about 1-1 ½ minutes.
  • Put the meringue into a pastry bag or zip top bag with a star tip.
  • Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Unwrap and place Hershey’s Peppermint kisses on the
  • parchment about 2 inches apart
  • Pipe meringue around the bottom of the kisses and then swirl to the top all in one motion
  • Sprinkle a small amount of crushed Candy Cane over the cookies
  • Place into the oven at 250˚ F and immediately reduce the heat to 175˚ F. Bake for 3 hours then turn off the heat and let cool in the oven another 45-60 minutes. This prevents them from cracking. Remove and let cool
  • They will be light, crisp and airy
  • Serve or store in an airtight container.

Nutrition

Calories: 48kcal
Keyword Christmas, cookies, meringue
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Ottawa Preschool Pool Crawl

Louise
-
26
Ottawa Preschool Pool Crawl

My eldest at her first Carleton Alumni Swim Meet. Little cold for her, but she was surrounded by family as her Aunty is also a Carleton Swim Alum and her Uncle swam for Ottawa U.
My eldest at her first Carleton Alumni Swim Meet. Little cold for her, but she was surrounded by family as her Aunty is also a Carleton Swim Alum and her Uncle swam for Ottawa U. We don’t hold that against him.

As a former competitive swimmer, lifeguard, coach and all round lover of water I couldn’t wait to have kids so I could push them into my sport and live vicariously through them.

Wait… that’s not right.

I mean, I couldn’t wait to share my love of water with them.

Yes! That’s what I meant.

Either way, as soon as both were able to hold their heads up, we were at the pool.

And five years into parenting? Swimming is a weekly event both girls look forward to.

My 5-year-old can now swim a bit and spends large amounts of time underwater pretending to be a mermaid.

My 2-year-old is overcoming a newfound (developmental?!) hatred of any body of water where she cannot touch the bottom. No swimming yet, though she happily wears goggles so long as she isn’t expected to put her face in the water.

I don’t push (much) and I (try to) leave teaching to lessons. If they figure out a few things while playing, great, but I want them to remember the fun of the family experience, not me drilling them on how to back star.

With that said, I wanted to share our three favourite pools with you.

Dora and Arial: The Swim Dollies.
Dora and Arial: Our swim dollies.

But before starting this pool crawl, I need to introduce our aqua entourage.

My 5-year-old travels everywhere with a lot of dolls. When we go swimming, Dora and “Ariel” have been joining us for almost two years now.

Neither were originally water toys, but bad hair notwithstanding they’re holding up pretty well. They are also buoyant and helped my eldest initially learn to swim as she … lovingly held them.

So added bonus.

Here’s where you might catch them out and about:

1. Deborah Anne Kirwan (1300 Kitchener)

Attached to Clifford Bowey Public School, the pool is amazing for young kids. Warm; beach-front entry; toddler pool with slide; hot tub and Tarzan rope.

My 5-year-old could stand through most of the shallow end at 3 which did wonders for her confidence.

My 2-year-old currently loves the beach entry and the slide and my eldest has just discovered the Tarzan rope (with life jacket) in the deep end.

We currently do lessons Wednesday nights; bring granny; and stay for open swim after so the four of us can enjoy a weekly outing. At less than $6.00 for all of us it’s an affordable evening out. And added bonus for me? Long family/open swim time slots. They have weekday open swims all longer than an hour and weekend swims that run all afternoon, so I don’t have to race to make it.

2. Splash Wave Pool (2040 Ogilvie Road)

This is our closest of the Ottawa Wave Pools so we go here as a treat, given it’s more expensive.

At this stage, the wave mark up is still a bit of a waste because both my kids could take or leave the waves. What they love is the preschool pool area. It’s an absolute oasis of kiddy aqua fun: slide, spouting water and ability to STAND everywhere. My eldest also initially figured out she could “blast off/swim” in the hot tub because the distance between walls was ideal. My youngest enjoys exploring the beachfront entry to the main pool and they both love floating on the mats.

I see this facility growing with my kids. There’s a water slide my eldest can’t wait to try once she can swim a bit better, and there’s the waves which they both enjoy when I can get them to go. There’s also a lane pool with a deep end where they can play and swim when they’re older. And again, it has prolonged weekend open swims for lots of scheduling flexibility.

3. St. Laurent Pool (525 Côté St.)

I almost didn’t include this one, but my 5-year-old has been asking to check it out, so we did.

It’s a standard 5-lane rectangular pool in the complex where my kids take dance and gymnastics, so they see the pool all the time.

I honestly thought the trip would be a bit of a wash (hee, hee) but it wasn’t. My eldest could stand and swim about the shallow end which helped because I had to hold my youngest as she couldn’t touch the bottom.

There was a Tarzan rope and a basketball net that we checked out. Open swim was only an hour and a half (which meant I really had to schedule to go), but the staff were very friendly and the showers …

… we need to pause on the awesome showers.

Public pool shower winner to date. Lots of showers; lots of space; water pressure; and none of those “timers” that keep turning them off on you.

Once you have kids who can stand in the shallow end or swim a bit? Definitely a pool to consider.

Lifeguard Dora posing with our limited edition Canadian Olympic Swimmer Mike Mintenko bobblehead.

In closing, getting back to whether swimming is more for me or my kids, I need to share one of the Christmas presents I recently found for my youngest so she can have her own swim dolly.

It’s Lifeguard Dora! I know she’ll watch over Mike and our other swim dolls and keep them safe. Mike has ben hanging out in our kitchen since my eldest discovered him amongst my things a few years back and felt he deserved a place of honour near our sink.

What about you? Do you have a favourite Ottawa pool for kids? Is there an activity you love or can’t wait to share with your kids? I’d love to know about it!

Louise

 

3 Reasons to Supplement with Vitamin D this Winter

Dr. Ellen Simone, Naturopath
-
19
3 Reasons to Supplement with Vitamin D this Winter

Winter is approaching which means it is time to start thinking about supplementing with Vitamin D.

Vitamin D

should i take a vitamin d supplement in the winter?

Of course, getting all your vitamins and minerals through food is ideal, however vitamin D is the exception! I strongly recommend everyone should supplement with vitamin D this winter for the following 3 reasons!

reasons to take vitamin d

1. Vitamin D Is Minimal In Food

Vitamin D is not available in food in the required daily amounts to maintain good health. As an adult, you need 600-1,000 IU of vitamin D per day. A 100 mg serving of tuna or salmon only contains 200 IU. Certain foods like cereals, milk and orange juice are fortified with extra vitamin D, however the amounts are still minimal. And we have all heard of cod liver oil, it contains vitamin D but doesn’t have the most pleasant taste. Incorporating these foods into your diet will prevent a Vitamin D deficiency, but may not be enough for optimal health.

2. Not Enough Exposure To The Sun

Do you live in North America? Then you live far, far away from the equator and your amount of exposure to the sun in the winter is limited. Are you familiar with waking up and going to work before the sun rises? And then leaving work and it is already dark outside? Even if you go outside on your lunch break, you will be all bundled up due to the frigid weather that the only part of your face exposed to the sun will be your face! Sunlight stimulates your skin to produce vitamin D, and limited exposure to the sun during the winter months can easily lead to a vitamin D deficiency.

3. Vitamin D Helps Certain Health Conditions

Do you suffer from seasonal affective disorder, depression, anxiety, frequent colds and flus, autoimmune conditions, eczema, psoriasis, asthma or allergies? Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to these conditions and people who have them often need higher therapeutic amounts of vitamin D to help improve their condition.

Children require lower doses of vitamin D, typically between 400-600 IU per day. It is best to discuss supplementation with any vitamin with your child’s primary health care provider to determine the dose that is right for them.

As always, taking a new vitamin or mineral supplement should be discussed with your primary health care provider before starting to make sure it is right for your individual situation and to determine what amount is best for you.

Have a happy winter season!

Dr. Ellen Simone, Naturopath

Children Christmas Gift Overload

Charlene
-
27
Children Christmas Gift Overload

The Christmas shopping season has begun! There’s no denying it. While you may not hear music playing just yet, there are heaps of Christmas trees, ornaments and other sparkly things to draw your attention to the upcoming season. The gift displays are snazzily done up, and toys and gifts for children available are as abundant as ever. What’s your say on Christmas gift overload?

Christmas Gift Overload and Your Children: Expectations vs. Reality
Child sleeping on a bed

Christmas Gift Overload

When it comes to buying Christmas gifts for your children, you can’t flip through a flyer without seeing pages of toys for sale. For the first time, my five year old has started to notice these ads and the toy sections in stores…not to mention a certain toy store! Since he’s our oldest, this is our first exploration down the “I want” avenue, something very present in this age of materialism and entitlement. Since we have three children and don’t want to encourage the “I want” behaviour, and we have a budget to consider, my husband and I knew we had to create some method for reigning it in. Let’s face it, children get a lot of toys and Christmas is a biggie!

Christmas Budget

Call me naive, but I never really used a budget in Christmases past. It wasn’t so hard, as the kids were young enough not to really notice what they received. A couple of years ago I scoured Kijiji and bought “like new” toys and supplemented those with a new toy. That’s it. Easy peasy and I was proud of myself for behaving frugally. Last year, we bought new toys but also bought one big used item for our boys to share.  This year, we have three children – one is a baby whose birthday is just days after the big holiday. We also share the joy that is Santa, which means we buy an extra gift or two and fill stocking stuffers for each child.

Christmas Gift Overload and Your Children: Expectations vs. Reality
Christmas gifts on a table

“Want, Need,Wear, Read”

This year, I heard from a few other moms who were following the “WANT, NEED, WEAR, READ” rule of gift giving. Right away I loved that idea! Loved it! I want to spend frugally again and really be aware of what we buy. Getting a new set of PJs and a book to read are so easy, something we do every year. The “need” part of the equation could be something for school, an experience (like swimming lessons or the like), and I’m sure that our five year old at least won’t have a problem telling us what he “wants”.

I’ve yet to figure out how to incorporate the Santa end of things into this gift giving routine, but for us, this is a reasonable approach we can follow. We KNOW these won’t be the only gifts our children receive . I’m not someone who shops all year round for Christmas gifts as I generally shop sales during the month of December and hope for the best.

Christmas Traditions

In the end, I want to focus on Christmas traditions, both new and old, to make the season fun and alive for our children, not just another venue to get gifts. I want them to feel that “feeling” that I used to have on Christmas mornings and also learn about giving back. I know we have so many more Christmases to come, and hopefully by setting some sort of standard we can continue the joyous season for what it is and not for what we get.

Christmas Gift Overload and Your Children: Expectations vs. Reality
Christmas Gift Overload and Your Children: Expectations vs. Reality

As a parent, do you have a plan for buying gifts for your children this Christmas? What tips do you have for celebrating Christmas and buying gifts within realistic limits? Share your secrets as I might just borrow them for next year.

Getting to Know Will Stroet of Will’s Jams

Pieces of Me
-
7
Getting to Know Will Stroet of Will’s Jams

My children love music.  When they a great song, they cannot help but to get up and dance and sing along to it! I also love if there is a video for my children to watch so they can see the performer and have fun with them on the screen.  This is why we are all huge fans of Will Stroet, the star of Will’s Jams on Kids’ CBC.

PosterOttawa-A

I was really to have  the chance to interview Will Stroet. Whether you and your kids are also fans, or if you are unfamiliar with this award-winning singer-songwriter, you will find that Will Stroet is a very fun and interesting person.

Me: What made you want to become a children’s entertainer?

Will Stroet: I started doing it for fun when I was studying to be a teacher at the University of BC. My fellow teacher candidates, instructors and students at my practicum school all liked my songs so I kept writing and put out my first CD at the end of 2005. After a few years of pursuing it as a side project I realized how much I loved performing for kids and once I felt I had a chance of making a living doing something I loved I went for it full time!

Me: What did you do before becoming a singer/songwriter?

Will Stroet: I was a French Immersion Music Teacher at Lord Tennyson Elementary in Vancouver. It was a fun and very busy job, and during that time I really started writing songs for kids. A lot of the songs I wrote at that time were inspired by my students. Also, the songs I was writing in French (with my mother and another teacher colleague) were also great resources for me in my classroom.

Me: What other “hats” do you wear besides singer/songwriter/performer?

Will Stroet: My favourite “hat” is that of Dad. I have two wonderful daughters who keep me very busy when I’m at home. We also recently ventured into TV where we have a short program called “Will’s Jams” that airs on Kids’ CBC three mornings a week. I run my company Pebble Star Productions with my wife Kim Thé (I have to admit she does all the real heavy lifting here!). I also enjoy leading workshops for teachers and residencies for students mostly around using music to enhance learning in the classroom. Finally, I also sit on the Board of Directors of an amazing organization called ArtStarts in Schools who bring the arts (performances, residencies) into schools across the province of BC.

Me:  Which do you prefer most: the creative or performance aspect of this industry?

Will Stroet: The simple answer here is I love both. I have to admit I spend a lot more time performing than creating these days. My touring schedule sees me doing between 160-200 shows per year!

Me: When and how did you and the Backyard Band meet?

Will Stroet: I met Elliot, my bass player, when he was in grade 6 and I had just graduated from high school. I volunteered for a Vancouver School Board mentorship program that teamed me up with him. We played guitar together, wrote some songs and at the end of the project performed our songs for the rest of the mentors, mentees as well as our families and theirs. I lost touch with him until about 5 years ago when I was speaking to his mother who worked at a local school district. I asked her how Elliot was doing and she informed me that he had just graduated from music school. I called him up and he joined the band that week. He has now done over 500 shows with me!

My drummer Kevin is Elliot’s roommate. It’s not quite as exciting a story but that is how I met him and he joined the band.

Me:  What inspires you to write music?

Will Stroet: When I started, it was my students. Now it is definitely my own children and their friends. There is no shortage of inspiration around here these days!

Me: When did you start your love of music?

Will Stroet: I started playing music as a 4 year old. My first instrument was the violin, an instrument I played for nine years. I have to admit that I didn’t always love playing the violin as a kid. It was my parents’ idea so practicing was definitely a challenge most days. Looking back I do however really appreciate my parents determination to keep me involved in music. I learned so much as a child about music – it is definitely the best time to learn. When I picked up the guitar as a 13 year old that is when I really began to LOVE music.

Me: Where are some of your favourite cities to perform?

Will Stroet: We perform almost entirely in Canada, and we’ve performed in almost every province in the country. My favourite city to perform in, however, is my hometown of Vancouver because when I play here my kids get to come to the shows. I love seeing my girls in the audience.

Me: Do you have another album set to be released? If so, when and will it be in English, French or bilingual?

Will Stroet: Our next big “release” is not an album but series 3 of “Will’s Jams” on Kids CBC (you can watch series one and read about the others online). The new episodes will begin airing in November and feature mostly the music from my latest album “Just Imagine.” As far as another album’s release I have been writing, and am hoping to go into studio in the spring/summer. We don’t have a release date in mind yet and I’m hoping the album will be bilingual.

If you want to view videos of Will’s Jams on Kids’ CBC, you can click on the video below to enjoy his music!

Youtube video

You can also enjoy new episodes of Will’s Jams on Kids’ CBC by following this schedule starting in November.

You can also connect with Will Stroet on Facebook

Do you and your kids love to dance, jam and sing? If so, you and your family can attend Will Stroet live in concert at Ottawa’s Bronson Centre on Sunday, November 23 at 4 pm. Will and his Backyard Band will sing songs in English and French and will have you cheering for libraries, loving your bike and rallying for vegetables with your dinner — all while you’re on your feet and dancing away! Rock the Arts Puppets, an Ottawa based puppet company, will be hosting this event! For more info about Will and his music, visit www.willmusic.ca. For event info, visit www.willottawa.eventbrite.ca.

Healthy Snacks: Re Think What You Take On-the-Go

Raising Healthy Kids
-
24
Healthy Snacks: Re Think What You Take On-the-Go

Snacks and kids just seem to go together. A trip to the grocery store-pack snacks, visit to the park, swimming lessons, drive to grandmas, wait at the Drs office, sitting in a stroller . . all require copious amounts of snacks to both keep kids entertained and feed hungry tummies. While just having kids probably means that you are busy running around and not eating properly and grabbing snacks more often yourself. How can you choose or prepare healthy snacks?

Healthy Snacks: Re Think What You Take On-the-Go

When hungry or on the go we tend to grab what is close at hand, convenient, and packaged for less mess en route, and most times that is simple carbs such as crackers, cookies, packaged muffins or granola bars. With the best intentions to make snacking healthy, the items we choose are often just a filler – not offering any real nutritional value.

The trick with healthy snacks is to make them convenient and packed with good for you fats, carbs, protein and fibre. They will satisfy the craving to eat and supply a generous dose of good for you food.

Try to stretch your snack thinking and make some of these your first choice when it comes to grab-and-go foods for both you and the kids.

What are your options for healthy snacks?

Hard Boiled Eggs

A perfect make ahead healthy snack! Hard boiled eggs will last in the fridge up to 1 week and are easy to take with you. Make a bunch at a time. Each hard boiled egg contains all the B vitamins, vitamin D, omega 3s and protein. Some say the egg is one of the most nutrient rich food and that is why it tops our list for a quick healthy snack.

Yogurt

Probiotics will help with digestion and the extra protein in greek yogurt will help you feel full when hungry.  Try to avoid the sugary or artificial ‘non fat’ options and instead reach for plain yogurt and add your own frozen berries and a drizzle of honey or maple syrup if you need a little sweetener.  The berries are great anitoxidants and the yogurt is loaded with calcium. Store in ready to go containers in the fridge.

Orange and Grapes

I had forgotten how much I love oranges. Chalk full of vitamin C, I found the time it took for me to peel and enjoy the orange made it a rewarding snack. Add grapes for those times when you feel the need to just be munching on something.

Tuna & Cucumber

With 17 grams of protein, not to mention the benefits of Omega 3s, in a small 72 gram container, you get a great snack with tuna.  Mix with just a little extra virgin olive oil and some pepper to taste or add lemon juice, garlic or avocado and enjoy your tuna without the unhealthy fats in most mayonnaise spreads.  Use a slice of cucumber in place of a cracker and you have a filling healthy snack.

Cheese Cubes & Apple slices

Ditch the crackers and enjoy real cheddar cheese and apple slices. Calcium and fibre make this a healthy snack on the go.

Hummus & Veggies

Whip up your own hummus using canned chick peas, lemon juice, tahini sauce and a little extra virgin olive oil. Add in roasted peppers or garlic for a flavour treat and enjoy the fibre, protein and folate benefits of this legume.  Use carrots sticks, celery, peppers, cucumbers, broccoli or our new favourite, raw green beans, to dip and enjoy this healthy snack.  Keep washed, sliced veggies in ziplock bags in the fridge so you can grab and go.

Almonds

Almonds are a great snack when you just need something to munch on to fill that void between meals.  Full of vitamins and healthy monounsaturated fats, a handful of almonds can be a staple go-to snack for kids and adults.  Add some dried apricots or raisons to satisfy a sweet craving.

Roasted Chickpeas or Edamame Beans

Fibre and protein rich, these beans are easy to roast at home and are perfect if you are in the mood for something crunchy. Buy canned chickpeas or frozen edamame beans, Rinse or thaw and then dry before sprinkling with a tiny bit of extra virgin olive oil and salt. Roast in a 375 degree oven for 40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes until crunchy!

The key to healthy eating begins with good food choices at the grocery store and healthy snacks are an important part. Make sure your snacks are high in protein, fibre, vitamins and calcium to ensure you are getting the nutrition you need instead of filling up on empty calories.

Have other favourite healthy snacks you don’t see on my list? Please share! Always looking for more healthy snacks.

Deborah Lowther

Fisher-Price’s Laugh and Learn® Smart Stages™ Chair Review

Pieces of Me
-
49
Fisher-Price’s Laugh and Learn® Smart Stages™ Chair Review

Like most toddlers, my 2 and 3 year-olds are like sponges where learning is concerned. They pick up new words and phrases every day and they also love asking questions about things they do not understand so they can understand what is happening around them. My other half and I like to foster children’s love of acquiring knowledge by getting them books, puzzles and toys that challenge them to think and learn through interaction and exploration. This is why I was really excited to have the chance to review the Laugh and Learn® Smart Stages™ Chair from Fisher-Price. It is one of seven innovative toys in the Laugh and Learn Smart Stages Toys collection.

What does Smart Stages mean? Well, the Smart Stages™ technology used in this toy allows for children to learn at the stage that you feel is right for them, instead at a pre-determined one set by the manufacturer. You or your child is able to toggle between each of the stages to suit their level of learning by either sliding the switch or entering your little one’s age into the chair to change the level of learning they will receive from the chair. There are three stages that the Laugh and Learn Smart Stages chair can be set to:

  • Level 1 Explore (12 months +)  – encourages first words and helps to get a baby’s sense of curiosity going.
  • Level 2 Encourage (18 months +) – modivates children through questions and simple directions.
  • Level 3 Pretend (24 months +) – helps to get a child’s sense of imagination flowing and encourages early role play.

When we received our chair to test and review, putting this chair together was simple for my other half to do.  It just took a few minutes and  some screws to put the pieces together. My children went ga-ga over this chair! It was bright, child-sized and, once the chair was switched on (after the 3 AA batteries were placed inside the chair), it started blinking and playing music. My children this chair could barely wait to discover everything this chair had to offer them.

Fisher-Price’s Laugh and Learn® Smart Stages™ Chair Review

My kids thought it was funny when the chair spoke to them whenever it recognized when they sat or got out of it. They also liked pointing out some of the letters of the alphabet and were amused whenever they lifted the seat to hear what the chair would say.

Seat Collage

My children really loved being able to use the Smart Stages™ technology of this chair! They liked learning from the easier levels, and they also liked having fun with the more advanced stages whenever they liked!

Smart Stages Collage

The book on the arm of the chair was pretty neat, too! My kids had fun interacting with the chair as it asked them to do and look for different things on each page. The pictures were very colourful and cute, holding their attention very well from page to page.

FPBook-A

I really appreciated that there was a volume control added to this chair. There are two settings that the chair has: Low and High. It was great to have the ability to have the volume low, so it would not disrupt my eldest daughter while she was working at our computer on the same floor. There were also times that I did not mind having the volume set at high because I secretly wanted to catch on to the catchy tunes the chair was teaching my kids! The handle was also a nice added tough for my kids to play with.

Fisher-Price’s Laugh and Learn® Smart Stages™ Chair Review

Overall, the Laugh and Learn® Smart Stages™ Chair from Fisher-Price was a big hit with my children. It was bright and colourful, it encouraged imaginative and interactive play, and the Smart Stages™ technology that allowed my children to learn at their own speed. We just might get a second chair so both of our younger ones can play together on their own chairs!

For information on the Laugh and Learn® Smart Stages™ Chair from Fisher-Price, you can visit their website or their Facebook page!

Check out our other review of the Fisher Price Little People Fun Sounds Farm!

Disclaimer: I was given this product in return for a review. The opinions expressed within this review are honest and my own.

Family Trip Visiting Lake Placid, NY and a Spectacular Bobsleigh Experience!

Lyne Proulx
-
101
Family Trip Visiting Lake Placid, NY and a Spectacular Bobsleigh Experience!

travelling to Lake Placid

My family and I opted to take a 3 day trip this summer just to get away, but we didn’t want to travel too far and spend most of our time on the road. I started looking at cities that were 3 -4 hours away from Ottawa and stumbled upon Lake Placid, NY.  My husband had visited the Olympic city way back in the 1980’s and remembered how beautiful the village was and the scenic drive by car.  Well, he was right as the view of the Adirondacks mountains were breath-taking and the highway road was so picturesque as we entered villages on our way to Lake Placid. It took us exactly 3 hours, including spending only a few minutes at customs in Corwall, to arrive in the village of Lake Placid.

Crowne Plaza Resort & Golf Club in Lake Placid

I searched for hotel accommodations in the village and after viewing many options online, I opted for the Crowne Plaza Resort & Golf Club in Lake Placid. This resort hotel is located in the middle of the village, adjacent to the Olympic Center. I booked 2 queen beds room with a view of Mirrow Lake and ended up receiving an upgrade to a 1 King and 2 double beds family suite at no additional charge! The kids had their own room with 2 beds and a TV while we took the king bedroom. Our room was on the main floor facing Mirrow Lake and the main street, so we could take advantage of just walking out of our room to walk down the hill to the stores and enjoy sitting in, of course, Adirondack chairs! We ate at the hotel’s restaurant the first evening and had a succulent meal. We also took advantage of the Hot breakfast buffet for $12.99 including beverages per adult and half price for kids under 12. The view of the main restaurant is phenomenal as it overlooks Mirrow Lake and the main street! They also offer ample free parking, an indoor swimming pool, and complimentary Wi-Fi. If you are part of the IHG Rewards Club, which is free to sign up, late check out is available at no additional cost. Everytime we stopped at the reception desk, staff were courteous and polite, and gave us directions to the different sites. They also provided us with maps to visit around the city. We really enjoyed out stay at the Crowne Plaza Resort.

Crowne Plaza Resort & Golf Club in Lake Placid- rooms

The next morning, we headed out to visit the Olympic Sports Complex to enjoy a Bobsled Experience with my family. I am not much of a thriller seeker, but since I enjoy roller coaster rides, I thought this would be up my alley! The Olympic Sports Complex is home to the combined bobsled, luge and skeleton track, the only one east of the Rockies, as well as 50 km of groomed cross-country ski trails, snowshoe trails, and a biathlon shooting range. In the summer the Olympic Sports Complex offers wheeled bobsled rides on the historic 1980 Olympic track, cross-country mountain biking, and horseback riding. We reserved a time for the wheeled bobsled ride at the gift shop/museum and headed out on a sightseeing tour of the 3 tracks. We ended up at the top of the newly built track in 2010 and took the opportunity to walk it down rather than a ride back in the shuttle bus. We took many photos walking down the interior course and taking the twists and turns of the world-class bobsled, skeleton and luge racers, except they do it at 80-mph.

Olympic Sports Complex

Afterwards, we headed to the half way run point of the 1932 bobsled track to get geared up with helmets and meet the bobsled team. A professional driver and brakeman are with you in the boblsed. We opted for the girls versus the boys in a race down to the finish line. The girls took 40 seconds to race a 1/2 mile track at 50 mph while the boys beat us by .10 of a second. We filmed my daughter and I’s run with a Go Pro camera that was attached to the top of the bobsled and also my husband and son arriving at the finish line.  Many thanks to Future Shop in Orléans for lending it to us!

Youtube video

At first when the bobsled is rolling down the pace is relatively slow and you pick up speed and more speed, and a curve followed by a zig zag at the end not too far from the finish line. In no time you are going 5o mph!  The wheeled boblsed ride is totally amazing! I totally recommend trying it at least once in your lifetime. I always enjoyed watching the bobsled runs during the Olympics and definitely have a much better understanding of the intensity these athletes put themselves through every time they hit the tracks. OMG this is fast, furious, and dangerous!

Lake Placid Bobsled Experience

 Bobsled Experience

Adult $75
Teen $70
Junior $65
Adult: Ages 20+ | Teen: Ages 13-19 | Junior: Ages 7-12

For your bravery, you will be rewarded:

  • Bobsled lapel pin
  • Commemorative team photo
  • A team t-shirt
  • Membership in the U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation
  • 20% off your second bobsled ride

Lake Placid Bobsleigh Experience Rewards

While visiting Lake Placid, purchasing the Olympic Sites Passport at $32/person is ideal as it  will give you access to the Olympic Sport Complex, Olympic Jumping Complex, the Olympic Centre, and Whiteface Mountain. You can purchase it at a ORDA Store and at all of their ticket offices. The Passport saves you time, money, and gets you into the venues at a good value. It also gives you 20% off the Bobsled Experience at the Olympic Sports Complex!

Lake Placid Olympic Passport

The Olympic Sites Passport Includes one time admission to:

Whiteface
A scenic ride to the top of Little Whiteface on the Cloudsplitter Gondola and a FREE round of Disc Golf
Whiteface Veteran’s Memorial Highway—drive or bike up to the summit, enjoy the views from the castle and look-out point (summer only)

The Olympic Center
Lake Placid Olympic Museum—watch the never released historical footage of the 1980 Miracle on Ice game (summer/winter)

Olympic Sports Complex
Take a tour of our the world class combined bobsled/luge/skeleton track (summer/winter)

Olympic Jumping Complex
Tour the facility and ride the elevator to the skydeck on top of the 120m jump tower (summer/winter)

Receive the following discounts with the Passport:

  • 20% off the Lake Placid Bobsled Experience at the Olympic Sports Complex
  • 20% off Be a Biathlete at the Olympic Sports Complex
  • 20% off Mountain Bike rentals at the Olympic Sports Complex
  • 20% off Wheeled Luge at the Olympic Jumping Complex
  • 20% off Extreme Tubing at the Olympic Jumping Complex
  • 20% off the Behind the Scenes Tour at the Olympic Jumping Complex
  • 20% off the “Ready to Fly” ski jumping movie at the Olympic Jumping Complex
  • 20% off Saturday Night Ice Show at the Olympic Center
  • 20% off a Zamboni Ride at the Olympic Center
  • 20% off The Sports Simulator at the Olympic Center
  • 20% off a Nature Trek at Whiteface
  • 20% off Yoga on the Mountain
  • 20% off the Airbag Jump at Whiteface
  • 20% off a 4×4 Expedition at Whiteface
  • 20% off the Whiteface Adventure Zone
  • 20% off of photo novelties at Miracle Moments concessions (summer/winter)
  • A free pin at the ORDA Store on Main St. with a $25.00 merchandise purchase (summer/winter)

Lake Placid Olympic Jumping Complex

Our last stop of the day was at the Olympic Jumping Complex. Unfortunately, the extreme tubing and elevator ride to the skydeck were not open on Sunday, so we could not attempt them. It seems like so much fun!  See the video below! We did manage to view a team of skiers practising their jumps and landing in a pool. These kids are getting ready for the cold winter months of ski jumping!

Youtube video

We came back to the village feeling hungry and decided to walk down the main street with all the stores and ate our dinner at the Great Adirondack Steak and Seafood Restaurant. The meals was delicious, the service was excellent, and the decor was quite rustic. Exactly what you expect from a Steakhouse! There are no chain restaurants in Lake Placid, except for Subway, so take the opportunity to walk around to look and try the local restaurants. They also have many gifts shops to bring back souvenirs and gifts for the family and relatives.

Great Adirondack Steak and Seafood Restaurant

After dinner, we walked to the Lake Placid Olympic Center, home to the Olympic Museum, national, and international figure skating competitions, USA Hockey events, Smuckers’, Stars on Ice, and other special events! In front of the building is the speed skating oval used during the 1932 and 1980 Lake Placid Olympic.

Lake Placid Olympic Centre

On Monday morning, we decided to drive to the Crowne Plaza Hotel private beach on Mirrow Lake. We enjoyed taking in some sun, relaxing, swimming, and paddling on the Lake. Time to pack our bags, check out, and head back home, but not before an afternoon spent at the Whiteface Mountain.

Crowne Plaza Hotel private beach on Mirrow Lake

The Gondola ride to the top of the majestic Whiteface Mountain was breathtaking!  All the way up 3676 feet! We stayed at the top for about an hour to take in the magnificent view and lots of photos. While we we there, a couple of men arrived in the gondolas with their dirt bikes to ride them in the trails. If you don’t like heights, you can drive instead to the top or Whiteface Mountain by taking the Whiteface Veteran’s Memorial Highway.

Whiteface Mountain Lake Placid

I strongly recommend making Lake Placid a family destination for your next vacation or getaway. You won’t be disappointed!

 

 

Becoming a Big Kid with I See Me! Personalized Books and Gifts – Review

Pieces of Me
-
35
Becoming a Big Kid with I See Me! Personalized Books and Gifts – Review

It has been great to see my younger daughter grow from a newborn to the tall toddler she is today. She has gone from not being able to do much to being able to walking, putting together proper sentences, and dancing and learning colours, the alphabet and beginning to love reading. I want to continue her love of reading and to inspire her to want to do more things that a child her age would be doing. I See Me! wants toddlers to become “big kids” and they have developed a line of personalized children’s books and unique gifts to help inspire toddlers to enhance their self esteem, to celebrate how unique they are, and to inspire them to want to become more independent. For this review, I received a personalized book entitled I’m A Big Kid and a personalized growth chart with her name on it.

ISeeMeProducts1

Before receiving these products to review, I See Me asked me questions in order to make this book for my daughter, Maya, as possible. Besides her name and date of birth, I was asked for her hair colour and skin tone. I was also asked for a photo of Maya to use in the book.

ISeeMeDedication1

I was curious what Maya would look like as a character in a book. When I received these products, I went directly to the book, and she looked so cute! I See Me! When Maya saw her book she wanted to jump right into reading her book! We sat down in our living room and read her book from cover to cover three times. She liked seeing herself in a book, and would giggle at every page.

Book Reading Collage

Below are some of my favourite pages. I liked them so much because of and I liked so many of the little personalized touches I See Me! used to make Maya’s book special. I loved the dedication page. It was a funny Maya as I had taken this shot while she was not paying attention to me while I was doing it. She also liked the touches of pink on it as well. I also liked how Maya’s name was incorporated in some of the items in her room, on the chalkboard and even into the story.

Fav Pages Collage

Another aspect of the book we enjoyed that we think is a total coincidence was one of toys that Book Maya had throughout the story was of this elephant. Maya has this exact toy. It was her first toy. It is special to us because her dad got it for her before she was born, and it holds a special spot in our heart.

Ellie Collage

Maya’s eyes were the size of saucers when she saw the personalized chart with her name on it! She loved looking at the planets and the stars, pointing them out and asking us what they were. I liked the quality of the material use to make this unique gift for her. It is thick and durable, so it will take quite a bit to damage it. I was impressed that there are also instructions on the back to assist parents in hanging the chart, as well as cleaning and ironing instructions just in case the growth chart gets dirty or wrinkled.

Chart Collage

Overall, I really liked the personalized big kid book and the growth chart from I See me! My daughter is in love with a book that is all about her doing big kid things tailored to her, and I love the little special tweaks they added to this book and growth chart such unique gifts.

If you are looking for a company that creates great personalized books and gifts, then look no further than I See Me! to have an item made for that special child in your life!

Youtube video

 

Disclaimer: I was compensated with a book and a growth chart in order to write this review. The opinions expressed within this review are honest, and are my own.

 

 

Travelling to Barcelona with Kids

Lyne Proulx
-
15
Travelling to Barcelona with Kids

5237978221_44960e0000_z

As one of Europe’s most vivid and cosmopolitan cities, the friendly Catalan capital of Barcelona is an excellent choice for a family vacation. With its playful architecture, cozy stretches of beach and pic’n’mix tapas, Barcelona breaks offer plenty to appeal to both little and big kids. Read on for some of the best places you can take your children in the city.

Pinxos

You have probably tried tapas, but Pintxos are even daintier Basque treats that can appease the fussiest little eater. Head for Txapela in the friendly University district and you’ll be presented with a giant menu, and pictures of every tiny, perfect morsel. Usually, pintxos entail toasted bread topped with some combination of meat, fish, egg and cheese, but there are also little Spanish omelettes and skewered treats, too. Leave room for desert and you won’t be disappointed, from miniature balls of ice cream, perfectly petite tarte tatin and rich rice pudding with cinnamon, there’s something for every appetite.

Nova Icaria Beach

663767923_ff4c2df560_z

Avoid the crowds at Barceloneta beach and instead seek out this slightly less hectic stretch of sand. The area is well-equipped for children with its kids’ games area, ice cream stands and toilet facilities. As for adults and older kids, there’s a sun-lounger service, water sport tuition and even Wi-Fi! After an exhausting day of lounging around in the sunshine, head for the nearby cinema to cool down with an air-conditioned English language screening and popcorn.

CosmoCaixa

An exciting day out for kids and grown-ups, this interactive science museum offers incredible value for money, at just 4 euros for adults, and free for kids under the age of 16. Explore a flooded section of the Amazonian rainforest, pay a little bit extra to get into the enchanting Planetarium, and learn about biology, geology, physics and ecology, without the boredom. Top tip: it’s a little off the main tourist drag, so leave plenty of time to get here.

Museo de la Xocolata

6222169133_80e882f3f1_z

Whether your little one is a Charlie Bucket or an Augustus Gloop, they’ll adore this heaven-scented collection. Learn about the history of chocolate, how best to enjoy it, and sample morsels as you make your way around the exhibits. There’s a hand-sculpted replica of the Sagrada Familia, but the kids will probably be more interested in seeing their favorite cartoon characters rendered in their favorite confection, so look out for Bambi, Spongebob and co on your way round!

Andrea Sanchez grew up in Madrid and has traveled around the world since graduating ten years ago. She currently lives in Canada where she works in marketing.

Images by Moyan Brenn, Dom Pates and Andrés Romanos   used under the Creative Commons license.

 

 

Talking to Your Daughter about Being A Tween

Lyne Proulx
-
18
Talking to Your Daughter about Being A Tween

When it comes to topics like puberty, it’s important to start talking with your tween daughter from an early age – ideally when she’s between 9 and 12 years old. You will find below tips on talking to your daughter about being a tween!

If you notice that she’s in a receptive mood, use the opportunity to have one of those talks with her, keeping in mind that it should be age appropriate and not too drawn-out. For example, if she comes home from school saying one of her friends started her period or wearing a bra, that would be the ideal time to have the puberty talk and see how she feels about it.

Time to Listen Mom! Talking to Your Daughter about Being a Tween/Teen

Active Listening

I think one of the most difficult aspects of parenting is being an active listener. Sometimes, we get carried away and tell our kids too much about certain life situations, when in fact, often the best thing to do is listen while they reflect and express their feelings and emotions. Even if the information is well-intended (which in most instances it is), it could pretty much be TMI (too much information) for your daughter. You don’t want her to get overwhelmed, to shut down, or worse, push you away. That’s why it’s so important to look for the signs that let us know when they’ve heard enough. If the signs are there, simply change the subject and wait for the next opportunity.

Engage Discussion

Timing is truly the key factor for an enjoyable discussion. It’s all about knowing your daughter and finding that perfect time to talk to her about puberty. I find that family rituals, like Friday game nights, are a great way to maintain an open line of communication with your daughter as she’s likely going to take part in them even as a teenager for tradition’s sake. Family get-togethers help to break the ice, so a wonderful time to have the puberty talk could be right after watching a movie or cooking a meal. Even an overnight mother-daughter trip would be exciting for your daughter and a good time to chat in the car or at the hotel.

Questions?

How do you get your daughter to answer your questions? It’s best if they are open-ended versus incriminating ones that she will refrain from answering. Also, if you remain open-minded and are not quick to judge, your daughter will feel more comfortable answering your questions and be less defensive. The idea is to have your daughter think for herself, which will in turn help her feel like she is in control of the situation.

Time to Listen Mom! Talking to Your Daughter about Being a Tween/Teen

Tweens love social media, so why not take advantage of a tweet, Facebook post, TV commercial, film, or even an event on the news? These are ideal times to ask her how she feels about the situation!

Love, Support, and Understanding

Your daughter needs your support, love and understanding on a daily basis to get through puberty. Open communication with your daughter should be a part of your daily lives and having talks more frequently will help her to be more receptive and more likely to come to you with her own questions.

Time to Listen Mom! Talking to Your Daughter about Being a Tween/Teen

An amazing website for teen and tween girls is Always. Your daughter can find answers to any questions she might have and therefore, be more open to discuss what she read with you after. In turn, this will make it easier to get the conversation started…..

Although this post has been generously sponsored by Always, the opinions and language are all my own, and in no way do they reflect Always.


It’s Okay to Give Books as Gifts

Kamerine Gardam
-
8
It’s Okay to Give Books as Gifts

I have two young children, ages 3 and 5, a girl and a boy, and I love it when they get books as gifts. Why? Because books can be shared, aren’t gender-specific, don’t go bad, and grow with my kids. Books are the perfect gift…unless you’re going for the big reaction from the kid, the squeals of delight upon opening the most coveted toy. Yeah, a book probably won’t get that reaction. Do you find it’s okay to give books as gifts?

Books!

Books to give as a gift?

Books also make a great addition to a gift. Say you got a set of blocks or the most obnoxious, loud, musical toy set you could find, and you need to add to it. The kid will be happy with the toy and the parents will be happy to have another book to add to their library. I promise.

The other thing is that books can be seasonal. In the basement we have bins for different holidays – Christmas, Halloween, Easter – and books in each. Storing the books during the off-season makes them that much better when they do get pulled out of storage. And you won’t have to read about reindeer and snow in the middle of July. We just pulled out the Halloween bin and the kids were delighted with all the books they found.

Do you love it when your child opens a gift and it’s a book?

Falling for the Carp Fair

Tracy (Redefined)
-
6
Falling for the Carp Fair

I love the fall. Not only does it mean I can break out my plethora of sweaters and warm socks, but it means cozy evenings by the fire under my favourite blanket with a hot cocoa in hand, and colourful hikes along the many pathways and trails in and around Ottawa.

It also means fairs! The city of Ottawa and its surrounding areas are lucky to have so many great community fairs. Every year my family makes a point to spend an afternoon at the “Best Little Fair in Canada,” the Carp Fair. Located at the Carp Fairgrounds in the village of Carp, the Carp Fair always runs for four days in late September. It has your typical Ferris wheel, carousel, live music, delicious cotton candy and candy apples, as well as stomach-churning amusement rides such as the Starship (or the Gravitron, as t it was called when I was younger and had the stomach to ride it over and over again).

carp fair

The thing about the Carp Fair that captured the hearts of my husband and I when we went for the first time many years ago was the horse shows. Years later the horse shows have captured the attention and adoration of my daughter as well and so, every time we go to the fair we make sure to grab some delicious fair food from one of the many food trucks and perch ourselves on one of the spectator benches and watch the horse shows. My daughter loves predicting who is going to win each competition or show and I just love watching her face light up every time a horse and wagon trots onto the field.

carp fair1

This was the first year my daughter went on more than just the tea cup ride, which made this year’s visit to the fair that much more fun! I finally have someone to join me on the Ferris wheel (my husband isn’t a fan of heights), and my husband finally has someone to challenge him on the bumper cars. This was the first time in my life that I saw the sun set from atop the Ferris wheel. It was so beautiful!

carp fair

We also love to play the games and it’s great that there are some especially for the younger children, where there is a prize every time. My husband and I play the basketball/rings every year – and one of us only won big once, but that doesn’t stop us from a little friendly competition every time we go!

For us, the Carp Fair is mostly about the agricultural exhibits and the horses. I cherish our yearly tradition of grabbing some food (and cotton candy) and finding the perfect bench to sit and watch the horse shows for an hour or two. We are there regardless of the weather – maybe next year I’ll see you there too?

6 Tips to Teach Kids About Nutrition

Raising Healthy Kids
-
15
6 Tips to Teach Kids About Nutrition

A child’s relationship with food starts young and while it may be the parents and caregivers who make the choice of what will be served for meals, it is usually the child who decides what will be eaten! If we teach kids about nutrition and why we make some of the food choices we do, they may be more willing to try new things, to eat healthy food before the ice cream, and develop a life long relationship with real food.

How many times have you been on the kitchen floor picking up the latest casualty in what you thought would be dinner only to have it go flying in toddler protest? We have all been there and in many ways, feeding kids can be a game of hide and seek or hit and miss.

6 Tips to Teach Kids About Nutrition
Fruits, veggies ,and nuts.

6 Tips to Teach Kids About Nutrition

Start Young

As soon as your baby starts on solids talk to them about what they are eating, naming the carrots, the avocado, and the beans so they learn to identify taste and texture with the food they are eating. Provide a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains and meats and talk about all the different types of food while doing your grocery shopping with the kids in tow.

6 Tips to Teach Kids About Nutrition
6 Tips to Teach Kids About Nutrition

Keep it Real

As often as possible serve real food, especially as they get older, even if you are in a hurry. Find meals you make in a flash that are still healthy and avoid fast foods. Serve sliced fruit instead of fruit cups in syrup, cheese cubes instead of wrapped cheese slices, plain yogurt with berries instead of tubes of artificial flavours.

Explain Why

If they grow up knowing the difference between a processed cheese slice and a cube of cheddar. The ingredients and manufacturing process that went into making each. They will be more prepared to make educated decisions and will hopefully choose the less processed food.

6 Tips to Teach Kids About Nutrition
Pancakes

Treats Are O.K.

When my kids ask for cookies, chocolates or ice cream I don’t react like it is the forbidden food. I try to never say No, but will instead say “Sure, after you eat your dinner” or “of course, after we have lunch.” As the kids get older, I explain in more detail why filling up on cake and chips before dinner is not a good idea, and what healthy snack choices are ok before dinner such as almonds, grapes, cheese cube, sliced fruit or veggies and a dip.

Teach Food Groups

You don’t have to go into the entire Health Canada Food Guide Pyramid and serving sizes. A simple fun exercise of cutting out different foods from a grocery store flyer can go a long way to helping kids understand that eating a variety of foods is key.  At meal time discuss what is a protein, a grain, dairy, fruit or vegetable and have the kids determined if it’s a balanced meal.

6 Tips to Teach Kids About Nutrition

Family Dinners

It may not always be convenient to eat together as a family but it is usually possible.  On nights when one of my kids is super busy we all sit down and have dinner at 4pm: if after school is crunch time, I take healthy snacks in the car and we sit down together later at night for a meal. Sometimes we even eat tuna melts and carrot sticks in the dance studio parking lot and call it dinner in the van.  . . but we are still eating as a family!

By @Deb_Lowther

No Pectin Peach Preserve Recipe

Lyne Proulx
-
25
No Pectin Peach Preserve Recipe

The months of August and September are the best time of the year to purchase local peaches and make them into preserve. This No Pectin Peach Preserve Recipe does not require any pectin. The consistency will be less liquid or jelly like than most peach preserve.

Peach Nutritional Value

Did you know that each peach is packed with nutrients and antioxidants, are low in calories, only 58 calories per 100 g, and they are a moderate source of antioxidant, vitamin C, and vitamin A. They are rich in many vital minerals such as potassium, fluoride, and iron.

Super Easy Peach Preserve Recipe

Peach Preserve Recipe

You can serve this no pectin peach jam recipe with pancakes, muffins, angel food cake, ice cream, scones, or on a toast. The preserve recipe makes one small Mason Jar. To make more jars, double or triple the recipe. I prefer to prepare a fresher bash more often than to freeze them. For more peach recipe ideas, check out this round up on our blog!

Peach Preserve Ingredients

  • 6 peaches
  • 3/4 cup of sugar
  • 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup of water

Equipment Needed

  1. Small Mason jar
  2. Pot
peach preserve ingredients

How To Make Peach Preserve

1. Blanching Peaches to Remove skin

Fill 2/3 of a large pot with water. Bring to a boil. Add peaches for 1-2 minutes, then remove them with slotted spoon immediately into a large bowl of cold water. This process will help remove the fuzzy skins easily.

2. How to Peel Skin off Peaches

Peel the skin by just pulling on it by hand, but if it won’t peeled easily, just use a knife. Afterwards, cut the peaches to remove the pits and cut them into small pieces.

Peeling the Skin

3. Cooking the no pectin peach Preserves

Place all the cut peaches in a large pot and add 3/4 cup of sugar and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Place the pot over the stove uncovered and bring to a light boil, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Cook at medium-low heat for 60 minutes. Add 1/2 cup of water and simmer for 15 minutes.

Cooking the Preserves

4. Clean Mason Jars  

Before every use, wash empty jars in hot water with detergent and rinse well by hand, or wash in a dishwasher.

5. Sterilizing mason jars in the oven

After washing them, let them dry in the oven at 250 degrees F for about 15 minutes or until completely dry. Put lids in a pot and let them boil for at least 5 minutes. Jars should be kept hot until ready to fill with food.

Super Easy Peach Preserve Recipe

6. Add Preserve to a Jar

Transfer your boiling hot preserves to the Mason jars using a sterilized spoon and leave about 1/2 inch space. Screw the lid to keep a tight seal and keep the jar in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 weeks. I don’t recommend storing it on a shelf. Enjoy!

Super Easy Peach Preserve Recipe

I hope you enjoyed my No Pectin Peach Preserve Recipe as much as my family and myself did! If you make it, please share your photos with us on Facebook or Twitter! Also, check out all of our other Recipes!

Super Easy Peach Preserve Recipe

No Pectin Peach Preserve Recipe

Lyne Proulx
This no pectin peach preserve recipe is super easy to make. The consistency will be less liquid or jelly like than most peach preserve.
No ratings yet
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Course Breakfast, Side Dish
Cuisine American, Canadian
Servings 1 small mason jar
Calories 936 kcal

Equipment

  • Pot
  • Mason Jar

Ingredients
  

  • 6 peaches
  • 3/4 cup of sugar
  • 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup of water

Instructions
 

  • Blanching of the Peaches: Fill 2/3 of a large pot with water. Bring to a boil. Add peaches for 1-2 minutes, then remove them with slotted spoon immediately into a large bowl of cold water. This process will help remove the fuzzy skins easily.
  • Peeling the skin: Peel the skin by just pulling on it by hand, but if it won’t peeled easily, just use a knife. Afterwards, cut the peaches to remove the pits and cut them into small pieces.
  • Cooking the Preserves: Place all the cut peaches in a large pot and add 3/4 cup of sugar and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Place the pot over the stove uncovered and bring to a light boil, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Cook at medium-low heat for 60 minutes. Add 1/2 cup of water and simmer for 15 minutes.
  • Cleaning the Jars: Before every use, wash empty jars in hot water with detergent and rinse well by hand, or wash in a dishwasher.
  • Sterilizing your Clean Jars: After washing them, let them dry in the oven at 250 degrees F for about 15 minutes or until completely dry. Put lids in a pot and let them boil for at least 5 minutes. Jars should be kept hot until ready to fill with food.
  • Preserve in a Jar: Transfer your boiling hot preserves to the jars using a sterilized spoon and leave about 1/2 inch space. Screw the lid to keep a tight seal and keep the jar in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 weeks. I don’t recommend storing it on a shelf.

Nutrition

Calories: 936kcalCarbohydrates: 237gProtein: 8gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 8mgPotassium: 1733mgFiber: 14gSugar: 226gVitamin A: 2937IUVitamin C: 67mgCalcium: 63mgIron: 2mg
Keyword canning, no pectin peach preserve, peach cannin, peach preserves, peaches
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Back to School Books with DK Canada – Reviews

Kamerine Gardam
-
51
Back to School Books with DK Canada – Reviews

Back to School Books with DK Canada Books – Reviews

My kids are 3 and 5 and love to read. I feed their love by having a ton of books around and letting them see me read during the day. We go to the library often, but there’s something so nice about owing some back to school books for the kids. Being able to pull them out again and again, reading them so often that we know the story by heart, or learning new facts about things and places near and far.

DK Canada has books on so many topics that the biggest problem is narrowing it down and only picking a few! This time I chose ones that I thought my kids would be interested in based on their recent questions. You know, the things about the world around them that I maybe should know how to describe but don’t. An encyclopedia, a body book, and a car book to the rescue!

My First Encyclopedia

Back to School Books with DK Canada Books - Reviews

My First Encyclopedia is the perfect book for finding facts. The book is broken into sections on body and health, everyday life, science and technology, the living planet, our world, and transportation. There is a lot of info in the book and we haven’t made our way through the whole thing yet, but that doesn’t matter. Encyclopedias are perfect to have around and they don’t have to be read cover to cover in one sitting. Kids are asking about why the leaves are falling from the trees? Find the section about trees and learn along with them.

Back to School Books with DK Canada Books - ReviewsIMG_1260 (Small)

There are beautiful pictures so that even non-readers will enjoy the encyclopedia. This is a book that I’m glad to own so we can go back to it over the years and learn more about the world around us, without having to make up the answers to the never ending questions (you know you do it too!)

The Incredible Pop-Up Body Book (no longer available)

IMG_1254 (Small)

The Incredible Pop-Up Body Book is incredible! The body that folds out from the pages is almost as tall as me and explains so many things. You can clearly see where the organs go – another thing my kids often ask about – and the muscles, bones, and how the blood circulates. For someone with a background in biology, I appreciate how clear the information is laid out and how easy it is to see how everything fits together. This is another book that doesn’t have to be read all at once and will provide information and entertainment for years to come.

 

Back to School Books with DK Canada Books - Reviews

 

Cars

The last book I chose is part of the Eyewonder series called Cars. We are a car family so I shouldn’t have been surprised when a lot of the information in this book was familiar to my kids. They especially liked the section on Formula1 racing, which is something their dad watches weekly, and karting. As with all the DK Canada books, the pictures that go along with the text are bright and draw the eyes. What I love about this series is the activities that are included, ideas to get the kids moving so they can incorporate what they’ve learned. I don’t know about your kids, but mine can only sit still for so long!

IMG_1258 (Small)

The Eyewonder series has so many great titles. You can learn about rainforests, the human body, airplanes, ancient Rome, and more! We have many books from DK Canada in our house. I’m always impressed with the pictures and the amount of information and my kids pick these up again and again.

Looking for new titles to have creativity at hand? You can find more back to school books, like my family did, on DK Canada’s website! We also connected with them on their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest pages!

To read more DK Canada book reviews, click HERE!

Disclosure: I received the above mentioned books for review. All opinions are honest and my own.

 

 

1...737475...85Page 74 of 85