MoM of BoYs with ToYs - Canadian Reviews, Giveaways and Fun!

Winners!

2012-01-28T19:02:00.000-07:00

Here are the most recent giveaway winners:

Coupons & Gift Cards Winner - Rebby

La Creme Cow Winner - Francine

Real Steel Blu-Ray Winners - Bree, Athena, Glogirl

All the winners have been emailed. Thanks to all the sponsors and entrants. Remember to get your entries in for my current giveaways and keep coming back for more!

Treasure Buddies Is Almost Here (Giveaway)

2012-01-25T00:53:00.002-07:00

The adorable Disney puppies are back in a new adventure and this time they have made their way to Egypt! Treasure Buddies hits store shelves on January 31st on Blu-Ray Combo Pack and DVD. Find out what the Buddies are up to this time in the synopsis below.

Disney’s talking canine superstars are back in “Treasure Buddies,” their 6th all-new adventure. This latest story is told from the perspective of the Buddies’ newest friend, a mischievous Egyptian monkey named Babi. As Babi tells us, more than 40 years ago a young archeologist named Thomas Howard, travelled to Egypt with his dog Digger to search for the lost necklace of Cleocatra. They managed to discover half of an artifact, the Bronze of Bastet, but their find triggered a booby-trapped cave-in, which they barely escaped. Forty years later, Thomas is living in Fernfield where he manages a museum. Digger’s grandpups, Rosebud, B-Dawg, Budderball, Buddha and Mudbud also live in Fernfield and, in fact, Mudbud belongs to Thomas’ grandson, Pete.

Thomas is about to close his museum due to lack of funding when he gets a visit from a mysterious stranger, Dr. Philip Wellington, who reveals the other half of the Bronze of Bastet and invites Thomas and Pete to accompany him back to Egypt to resume the quest for the legendary Cat’s Eye Jewel. Pete offers to bring Mudbud along but Wellington refuses as he travels with Ubasti, a hairless cat who is allergic to dogs. When Mudbud learns that Ubasti plans to steal the necklace for herself and use its power to dominate both dogs and humans, he rallies the other Buddies to stow away on the private plane in order to overtake the expedition and thwart Ubasti’s plan.

Once they get to Egypt, danger lurks around every secret sphinx, cryptic crypt and puzzling pyramid. With help from lovable new friends including Cammy, a baby camel and the clever Babi, the Buddies avoid booby traps, solve puzzles and explore a mysterious tomb in their most exciting and challenging adventure yet.

For all the latest Treasure Buddies news and extras follow Walt Disney Studios Canada on facebook.

Walt Disney Motion Pictures Canada has generously offered me the opportunity to give away 3 Treasure Buddies Combo Packs to my readers so if you would like to win your own copy, enter using the rafflecopter form below.

*Disclosure - Sponsor is providing giveaway prizes. No further compensation was provided. All opinions are honest and my own.

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Celebrate Chinese New Year With VH

2012-01-22T11:58:00.001-07:00

My kids go to a very diverse school so they learn about many different cultures and traditions first hand and Chinese New Year is one of their favorites. They love learning about the Chinese zodiac and making decorations. They have taught me quite a bit about Spring Festival, as it's called in China. It is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays and this year January 23rd starts the year of the dragon.

Chinese New Year is a great time to add a little culture to dinnertime. When I want to mix things up and bring some culture to our meals, I talk about it with my boys and we go shopping together at the local Asian, Polish or Italian market to decide what we would like to try. My picky eater is much more receptive to trying new dishes when he has played a part in the decision-making process.

When I told them I wanted to make something special for Chinese New Year we decided to look at some recipes on the VH Sauces website and see what sounded good. We couldn't narrow it down to just one, so tonight we will be having Mandarin Chicken with Broccoli and tomorrow dinner will be Grilled Szechwan Pork Ribs. Both of these Asian-inspired recipes have big flavour but the ingredients are quite common so I won't even have to make a special trip to the Asian market.

VH Sauces make it easy to add big flavour to your meals but if you just don't have the time to cook, VH Steamers may be just what you need. These Asian-inspired meals can be found in the frozen food section at your grocery store. They use DuoTray SteamCooker technology to steam your meal to perfection while locking in flavour and preserving texture, all in under 5 minutes!

You can connect with VH on their facebook page for product info and delicious recipes.

To help you celebrate, VH Sauces is providing me with a Chinese New Year prize pack valued at $60 to give to one lucky reader. Enter using the rafflecopter form below.

*Disclosure – I am participating in the VH Chinese New Year Celebration program by Mom Central Canada on behalf of VH. I received compensation as a thank you for my participation. The opinions on this blog are my own.
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Five Calorie Desserts? Yes Please!

2012-01-21T11:48:00.000-07:00

I have always had a sweet tooth. I love pie and cake so much and crave them often but I usually feel guilty about the amount of calories it requires to satisfy my cravings. This is why I was so glad to hear that Juicy Fruit has launched a line of gum that is going to help us satisfy our cravings anywhere, anytime and without the empty calories.

Juicy Fruit Desserts is a sugar-free gum available in the same flavours as some of Canada's favourite desserts. You can now find Strawberry Shortcake, Orange Crème Pop and Apple Pie on store shelves in the form of 5 calorie sticks of gum. Juicy Fruit Desserts gum is available at retailers across the country for a suggested retail price of $1.69 (single, 15-piece pack) and $3.99 (multipack with three, 15-piece packs).

My family had the chance to try all three flavours of Juicy Fruit Desserts gum. We started with the apple pie flavour. My sons and I loved it! The cinnamon and apple flavour was spot on and it would definitely satisfy an apple pie craving. Next we tried Strawberry Shortcake. I have to admit, none of us were fans of this one. The flavours just didn't seem to blend well. So on the Orange Crème Pop. This was the big hit! We all loved the creamy orange flavour and we were gushing so much that my husband (who usually only chews minty gum) joined in the taste test and agreed that it was delicious. Each variety had long lasting flavour and a nice aroma.

Whether you are watching your waistline or just looking for some interesting new choices in gum, Wrigley's Juicy Fruit Dessert gum provides a delicious, low-calorie option from a trusted company.

You can connect with Juicy Fruit on their facebook page or on twitter.

*Disclosure - I received product samples free of charge for the purpose of this review. All opinions are honest and my own.

Real Steel Blu-Ray Combo Pack Giveaway

2012-01-20T00:21:00.001-07:00

Whether you're a mom of boys or just a Hugh Jackman fan, I'm sure you'll be excited to know that Real Steel hits store shelves next week. The box office hit will be available on Blu-Ray Combo Pack, DVD and digital download for you to own on January 24th. Check out the synopsis below:

The family action-adventure is set in the near-future where the sport of boxing has gone high-tech. Charlie Kenton, played by Hugh Jackman, is a washed-up fighter who lost his chance at a title when 2000-pound, 8-foot-tall steel robots took over the ring. Now nothing but a small-time promoter, Charlie earns just enough money piecing together low-end bots from scrap metal to get from one underground boxing venue to the next. When Charlie hits rock bottom, he reluctantly teams up with his estranged son Max (played by Canadian actor Dokota Goyo) to build and train a championship contender. As the stakes in the brutal, no-holds-barred arena are raised, Charlie and Max, against all odds, get one last shot at a comeback.

Connect with Real Steel on facebook and twitter for more information, conversation and extras.

I have been offered 3 Real Steel Blu-Ray Combo Packs to give away to my readers, so if you would like a chance to win your very own copy, enter using the rafflecopter form.

*Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post. Sponsor is providing giveaway prizes.

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La Creme Cow Review & Giveaway

2012-01-16T20:04:00.003-07:00

I love to snack and I really love cheese so I was excited when I was given the opportunity to sample the newest product from Parmalat Canada. La Creme Cow is a line of spreadable snack cheese that fits perfectly into busy lives. Healthy, convenient and delicious - just what we all want in a snack!

This cheese is wrapped in individual wedges making it very easy to take on the go or share with friends and family. I had the chance to try all three flavours - Original, Light and Parmesan and Peppercorn. I enjoyed the mild taste and creamy texture of each but my favorite was the Parmesan and Peppercorn. It has a nice flavour that comes through but is not overwhelming. I've been enjoying snacking on these wedges straight out of the wrapper.

I had a friend and her children come over this weekend for a play date so I decided to serve up some La Creme Cow appetizers. I spread some Original and Light cheese on crackers and then topped some with cherry tomato slices and others with cucumber slices. I also set out some wedges for the kids to snack on. By the end of the play date, the platter was empty. The kids gobbled up the wedges and then helped us finish off the crackers.

When I first tried La Creme Cow I knew it would make an ideal snack for adults, but I'm surprised by how much the kids like it too. I'm not sure if it's the cute wedges or the fact that they can spread it themselves but La Creme Cow has become the go-to snack for my boys.

La Creme Cow spreadable cheese can be purchased at your local Loblaws or Metro grocery stores nationwide and is available in the following sizes:

Original - 12 pk average retail price $5.49
Light - 6pk average retail price $2.99
Parmesan and Peppercorn - 6 pk average retail price $2.99

To celebrate the launch of La Creme Cow spreadable cheese, I have a fantastic prize pack valued at $100 to giveaway to one lucky reader. The prize pack includes coupons for free La Creme Cow cheese, glasses, a cheese board and more! If you want a chance to win the La Creme Cow prize pack, enter using the rafflecopter form below.

*Disclosure - I was provided with products free of charge for the purpose of this review. All opinions are honest and my own.

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New Year, Same Old Me (Only Better!)

2012-01-15T16:45:00.001-07:00

Most years I make a New Year's resolution. It usually involves completely changing my life in one way or another and I usually fail miserably and give up within a week or two. So this year I've decided to do things a little differently. I am going to make small changes that are easy to do and will hopefully add up to making me happier and healthier overall.

My first change has been adding more veggies and fibre to my families diet. In the winter it can be hard to find good quality fresh produce but Green Giant always has high quality frozen and canned vegetables available at your local grocery store and all the prep work is done so it is super easy to add them into your favorite dish. Life Made Delicious has a great list of 10 ways to get your daily fibre with some helpful tips that I've been using.

Another change I've made is parking at the far side of the parking lot. It's a tiny change but it means I'm walking more and it also helps relieve the stress of racing to an open spot only to have someone pull in right before you. There are surprisingly few people vying for spots way at the back of the lot!

The third change I've made is I bought a dry erase board for the fridge. I'm using it to meal plan and keep track of my daily to-do list. I've thought about meal planning many times but it always seemed like such a big undertaking. Now, I am just jotting down healthy meals for each day on Sunday and going grocery shopping on Monday to make sure I have everything for the week. It is surprisingly easy and I love not having to decide what to make each day. My grocery bill has decreased and the kids love being able to see what we are having all week.

My fourth change is to stop using plastic baggies. I made this decision after gong through a box of 100 baggies in a little over two weeks! With my sons and husband taking lunch to school and work, it was just becoming so wasteful so I decided I'm not buying anymore. It has been a very easy transition! If you are still using baggies, why not give it a try for a week and see just how easy it is to live without them.

The last change I've made came about because of the Fibre 1 Chill Challenge. On February 29th, The Running Room is hosting a day for everyone to get out and be active for 20 minutes. You can run or walk and the first 10000 registrants will receive a free toque at the event. You can register online here.

When I mentioned this event to two of my friends and asked if they wanted to attend with me, we decided not only would we attend but we would do a 20 minute walk three mornings per week this winter. We are meeting right after the kids go to school, no matter the weather, on Monday Wednesday and Friday to do a 20 minute walk around our neighbourhood. I love that a small idea has turned into something bigger! Why not invite some of your friends or family to attend Fibre 1 Chill Challenge? If you plan to attend in Edmonton let me know and maybe we can connect there.

Have you made any resolutions this year? If so how are they going?

Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own

Starting the New Year With EdenFantasys

2012-01-12T07:18:00.000-07:00

This post is intended for those 18+

One of the things I like to do each new year is go through my wardrobe and get rid of things I don't wear. I could lie and say it's because I'm so organized and don't want clutter but really it's an excuse to go shopping for some new items! One of my favorite items to shop for is underwear. Nothing makes me feel better than wearing a pretty new bra and panty set. Since I've now made some room in my underwear drawer, I am planning to go on a little EdenFantasys shopping spree for some cute new sets.

EdenFantasys.com has a great selection of bra and panty sets. There are cute and flirty sets like the Show stopper ruffle bra set and there are also super sexy sets like the Naughty black lace set that are sure to get noticed by the man in your life. Most of the sets are available in a wide range of sizes as well so there really is something for everyone.

EdenFantasys has also been making more additions to their bath and beauty category and are now carrying hair care products along with even more lotions, makeup and fragrances.

Disclosure: EdenFantasys, an online retailer of sex toys, provided me with a gift card in exchange for this post. All opinions are my own.

Tangled Ever After Sneak Peek

2012-01-09T00:56:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned last week, Beauty and the Beast is making it's theatrical return this coming weekend in Disney Digital 3D (January 13th to be exact). Now I've found out that lucky moviegoers will also be treated to the new animated short Tangled Ever After! This short film from the directors of Tangled picks up where Tangled left off.

The Kingdom is in a festive mood as everyone gathers for the royal wedding of Rapunzel and Flynn. However, when Pascal and Maximus, as flower chameleon and ring bearer, respectively, lose the gold bands, a frenzied search and recovery mission gets underway. As the desperate duo tries to find the rings before anyone discovers that they’re missing, they leave behind a trail of comical chaos that includes flying lanterns, a flock of doves, a wine barrel barricade and a very sticky finale. Will Maximus and Pascal save the day and make it to the church in time? And will they ever get Flynn’s nose right?

Rapunzel has always been my favorite fairy tale so I forced my boys to watch Tangled with me even though they thought it was a "girl's movie". We all loved it and I can't wait to see the story continue in Tangled Ever After. Check out the sneak peek below! And remember to "like" BEAUTY AND THE BEAST on Facebook to keep up with the latest.

Coupon and Gift Card Giveaway

2012-01-06T13:48:00.001-07:00

I was recently going through my coupons and couldn't believe how many I had let expire on December 31st without using them! Several were even free product coupons so it felt really bad to throw them away. I tend to be a bit disorganized with coupons. I collect them but usually forget to take them to the store with me so I don't really use them very often and it's so wasteful.

Even though I had to throw away some great expired coupons, I still have a large stash with some really awesome ones in there so I've decided to share the wealth and host a coupon giveaway. Now these are not going to be just any old coupons. The stack I give away will consist of only free product coupons which means you get the products free (except tax of course)! I have sorted through and selected approximately $50 worth of free product coupons which includes frozen foods, bread, laundry soap and more! Since a day of free shopping takes a lot of energy, I'm also going to throw in a free lunch by including some $5 gift cards for lunch.

If you want a chance to win this giveaway enter using the rafflecopter form below.

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Christmas Gifts in Review

2012-01-04T15:31:00.000-07:00

I plan to blog a bit this month about the gifts that my boys received for Christmas that were hits or misses. Although my kids are grateful for all they receive, many times a gift is a thrill at first because of packaging and hype but quickly gets pushed to the bottom of the toy box and forgotten about. So I want to look at what was worth the money and what really wasn't as far as Christmas spending goes.

Today, I'm focusing on the gift that was a huge hit although not really a toy - the Ipod Touch. My boys each received one along with a Sony docking station. My husband and I each have a Touch and love them and my boys always want to borrow them. I hemmed and hawed about getting these because of the expense combined with how fragile they are. At first I considered only getting one for my oldest but then decided having an item that needs to be taken extra good care of would be a good lesson for both of them.

My boys happened to open the docking stations first and thought they were just alarm clocks and quickly moved on to see what else Santa had brought. When they finally opened the Ipods they were ecstatic...and the feeling still hasn't worn off! They have used them every single day since Christmas. The docking stations were definitely a wise investment as well. Keeping the Ipods on the docks mean they are always charged and we were able to get rid of alarm clocks and stereos, saving space in the kids rooms.

They have had a great time exploring the Itunes App Store and testing out games. It's nice that there are so many free and trial apps and tons of educational ones. Even when they want to buy a game, the prices are exceptional compared to video game systems and Santa was nice enough to stuff the stockings with some Itunes gift cards!

Overall I would say these were the favorite gift this year and well worth the money. The Ipod Touch retails for $199 but between sales and redeeming gift cards from rewards programs, I ended up paying $130 for one Ipod and $85 for the other. The Sony docking station retails for $119 but I got them on a Cyber Monday sale for $67 each.

Beauty and the Beast is Returning (in 3D!)

2012-01-01T17:14:00.000-07:00

Beauty and the Beast will be returning to the big screen this month and it's better than ever. Not only will our kids have the chance to see the "tale as old as time" in theatres but also in Disney Digital 3D so mark your calendars for the January 13th release.

For more info on this and future realeases “like” Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada on Facebook and check out the Youtube page.

Click the link below for a cute collection of printable Beauty and the Beast colouring pages to pass the time until opening day:

Beauty and the Beast 3D Colouring Pages

December

2011-12-31T11:33:00.001-07:00

Wow! I can't believe how quickly 2011 passed by. When I was in grade 5 a teacher told me every year goes by faster and he was right. Now the years fly by so quickly I wish I could press pause sometimes. I know I didn't post much in December. Besides being an extremely busy month for all of us. I came down with something that I really couldn't shake. At first it seemed like a cold but then it progressed into something else. I was very fatigued and had a constant headache along with cold symptoms. Anyway, I finally feel 100% better and will definitely be back to posting more regularly.

We had a great Christmas! My boys got so many amazing gifts and I plan to do a post in January about which gifts were hits and which ones were forgotten after a few days. I hope everyone had a fantastic holiday season and that the new year holds happiness and adventure for us all. We will be having a quite New Years Eve at home watching movies. What are your plans?

I want to announce the winner of the Sobeys gift card giveaway was Anne Taylor. She has been contacted and responded already.

Stay tuned next week for a new giveaway sponsored by me! You will need to follow with google+ to enter so if you want to get a headstart just click "add to circles".

Treats For Santa

2011-12-21T09:56:00.000-07:00

Are you ready for the big day yet? I am struggling to pull it all together this year. I got a severe cold two weeks ago and it just doesn't seem to be getting any better. I try not to take much medication because it makes me a bit loopy but I've been needing it to make it through the days. There's so much to get done lately but the medication completely zaps my energy.

Since I've not been feeling well, my husband has been a huge help around the house. My sons even convinced him to help them make the treats for Santa. I usually stick to cookies but they dug around the cupboards and have decided to be a little more creative. Their plan is to bake a Betty Crocker Supermoist Rainbow Bit Cake in a square pan. They are going to cut the cake into strips and completely coat each strip with Betty Crocker Milk Chocolate Whipped Frosting and then roll each strip in coconut. I have to admit, it sounds like a great treat that Santa will enjoy. Baking with kids is not something my husband does often but with the help of Betty Crocker it shouldn't be too hard for him. I'll let you know how it all turns out!

Have you decided which treat you're leaving for Santa? If you need some inspiration, Life Made Delicious has some great recipes like Peppermint Crunch Cookies and Gingerbread Stars that are festive and so easy.

Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Sobeys Wants To Help You This Holiday Season (Giveaway)

2011-12-16T14:54:00.001-07:00

Sobeys has set out to help you this holiday season. They are offering a wide selection of festive holiday products from the Sensations by Compliments line and they are also sponsoring an amazing contest with a grand prize of $2000! You can find all the contest details at http://www.sobeys.com/holiday. There are also 92 instant win prizes to be won so make sure to enter daily for extra chances.Also check out the bottom of this post for a Sobeys gift card giveaway!

One of my favorite things about the holidays is the food. Of course there are the old holiday favorites that you make or buy every year and look forward to but I also love trying the new products that are available at stores for the holidays. This year, Sobeys has some fantastic Sensations by Compliments products to help make your holiday entertaining easy and delicious. I had the opportunity to try out a few of these products so I could share my experience with you.

The first product I tried was the Maple Flavoured Butter Fudge. I should tell you, fudge is my absolute favorite treat, but only when it's done right. I am usually not impressed with store bought fudge so I wasn't expecting great results. Boy, was I wrong! This was the best fudge I have ever had from a store! Not only was it delicious and perfectly bite-sized, but it tasted so fresh. I am definitely going to buy a few packages to stow away in the freezer for the rest of the year.

Another product I had the pleasure of sampling was the Belgian Biscuit Collection - a festive tin filled with an assortment of delicious cookies. The large size of the package and wide variety of cookies makes it the perfect choice to set out when you are having a few friends over for a get-together. This tin would also make a perfect hostess gift if you are attending a dinner party.

The last product I tried was the Pacific Pink Salmon Pappardelle. This is a full meal dish with salmon, pasta and vegetables in a creamy sauce. You cook this product from frozen so it couldn't be simpler. Just toss it in the oven for 50 minutes and serve! If I had have been served this meal without knowing how it had been cooked, I would have never guessed it was a frozen product.

You can get tons of kitchen inspiration from Sobeys at inspired.ca. So far, I haven't found a Sensations by Compliments product I dont enjoy! There are so many more products in the line that I can't wait to try. Sobeys wants you to give these products a chance as well, so they have generously offered to give a $30 gift card to one lucky reader. Enter using the rafflecopter form below.
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Have You Considered EdenFantasys For Your Holiday Shopping?

2011-12-05T14:12:00.001-07:00

Just when I think I know EdenFantasys they go and surprise me again. The latest exciting news from the trusted adult company is Cake beauty products! My heart skipped a beat when I saw that they have added the amazing bath and body line to their product selection. Cake makes luxurious beauty products with heavenly scents.

If you're not the type who would typically shop at an adult website, I have to say you are missing out. Whether you are shopping for yourself or looking for some gift ideas for friends and family you should give EdenFantasys another look. They are quickly becoming my go-to store for affordable, high-quality beauty products. If you have some ladies on your Christmas shopping list, Cake gift sets are sure to be a welcome gift and the 12 Days of Christmas lip balm set would make a fantastic stocking stuffer.

Of course if you are looking for something a little more adventurous, you certainly will not be disappointed. While they continue to expand their bath and beauty selection, they still offer an unbeatable selection of adult products from mild to wild! Who needs mistletoe when EdenFantasys has holiday themed toys, lingerie and novelties to liven up your holiday.

* Disclosure - EdenFantasys, an online retailer of sex toys, provided me with a gift card in exchange for this post. All opinions are my own.

Three Steps To Wow!

2011-11-29T10:51:00.000-07:00

What have you all been up to lately? I've been shopping, wrapping gifts, party planning, scheduling get-togethers and addressing holiday cards. All this is on top of my regular duties as a wife and mother and it isn't even December yet! I am definitely feeling the holiday crunch but I don't want the magic of the season to get lost in the hustle and bustle.

The Pillsbury Doughboy and the rest of the gang over at Life Made Delicious want to take some of the pressure off us moms this holiday season so they have been put together a great collection of easy recipes that are so simple to prepare yet still have that wow factor to impress your family and friends. These recipes each consist of just three steps and many use only 3-4 ingredients. So if you're looking to make something that's easy but definitely not ordinary, check out Three Steps to Wow!

Here is an example of just how easy these recipes are:

Christmas Tree Sandwich Cookies

1 pkg Pillsbury Ready To Bake Christmas Tree Shape Sugar Cookies
3/4 cup Betty Crocker Creamy Deluxe Vanilla Frosting
Candy Sprinkles

STEP 1: Heat oven to 375ºF. Bake cookies as directed on package. Cool completely.

STEP 2: For each sandwich cookie, spread 1 tbsp (15 mL) frosting on bottom of 1 cookie. Top with second cookie, bottom side down; press together gently.

STEP 3: Roll cookie sandwiches in candy sprinkles to cover edge of frosting centre. Store loosely covered.

How easy is that? This really adds wow to plain sugar cookies and they are delicious! These would be perfect to bring to any get-together. I plan to make more for my sons to bring to the school holiday party.

If you have any recipes or tips to keep the holidays stress-free, I would love to hear them!

*Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Betty Crocker Twitter Party

2011-11-23T11:15:00.000-07:00

Get ready to party! Tonight (Nov 23) Life Made Delicious will be hosting a twitter party to celebrate the launch of the 11th edition of the Betty Crocker Cookbook.

Starting at 8:30pm EST join in the conversation by following @LifeMadeDelish and using hashtag #BettyHolidays. There will be six awesome Betty Crocker prize packs valued at $70 each given out throughout the party. You can check out the full rules here.

As a Life Made Delicious Connector, I hope to see you there!

New Additions at EdenFantasys

2011-11-19T13:20:00.000-07:00

Have you heard? EdenFantasys has expanded it's product selection but not with what you may think. They have always been a great source for fun adult products but now they are also offering bath and beauty products, makeup and club wear!

The new selection of face makeup includes eye shadow, mineral bronzer and lip and cheek tint. There's also a face palette that includes eye shadow, lip gloss and face powder in three different color combinations. The palette box even has a built in mirror. The expanded bath and beauty section includes hand creme, whipped body creme and more. I am definitely going to order some Walnut Sugar Scrub. I can't wait to see how it smells! I am a sucker for nice packaging and I love the labels and boxes of these new beauty products.

The new club wear is gorgeous. There are some really daring outfits like you would expect from EdenFantasys but there's also some really cute tops, leggings and dresses that you could wear anywhere.

Whether you're looking for some fun items to spice up your love life, a great outfit for a night on the town or some pretty beauty products to pamper yourself, give EdenFantasys a try.

* Disclosure - EdenFantasys, an online retailer of sex toys, provided me with a gift card in exchange for this post. All opinions are my own.

George's Cream for Dry Skin Relief (Review & Giveaway)

2011-11-15T14:30:00.000-07:00

As Canadians, we have a love/hate relationship with winter. There are so many fun cold weather activities but lack of sunlight, extreme temperatures and bulky layers of clothing can be depressing! One more drawback of the cold weather is dry skin. Between the cold wind outside and the dry heated air inside, it's so hard to keep your skin moisturized.

Over 15 years ago, pharmacist George Doherty decided to come up with a solution to the dry skin suffered by people in harsh Canadian winters and he did just that in his kitchen using his wife's cake mixer. He invented a cream that contains no urea, lanolin, parabens, additives or irritants and effectively soothes dry, itchy skin.

George's Cream and comes in two varieties:

George's Special Dry Skin Cream is a thick cream intended to provide lasting relief of many skin conditions, including eczema and psoriasis. It is recommended by dermatologists, pharmacists and doctors.
George's Light Special Moisturizing Lotion is a lighter version that is gentle enough for sensitive skin but still soothes and protects problem skin.

My hands and elbows are my trouble areas. Since my dry skin is fairly moderate, I tested out the George's Light Special Moisturizing Lotion. The lotion absorbed fast and left my skin feeling moisturized but not greasy. After several days using the lotion my hands feel soft and smooth, not just after I use the lotion but all day long! The rough skin on my elbows is no longer getting caught on my sweaters and feels much smoother.

My husband has severely dry skin all over his back. It looks scaly and causes him discomfort. We have found very few products that provide relief for him so he was excited to try the George's Special Dry Skin Cream. The cream is thicker than the lotion and takes a little longer to absorb into the skin. My husband said it relieved the tightness in his skin right away and after a few applications I could see the difference.

We've both seen improvement in just a few days so we definitely recommend George's Cream to anyone suffering from dry skin. George's is available at mass merchandisers and drug stores nationwide, including Shopper's Drug Mart and Loblaws stores.

So do you have a skin condition that George's may be able to help with? If so, you've come to the right place...George has generously offered to sponsor a giveaway for my readers. Three lucky winners will each win a George's Cream gift bag that includes George's Cream Special Dry Skin Cream (450 g jar & 30 ml tube) and George's Light Special Moisturizing Lotion (360 ml bottle and 30 ml tube). Prize package value: $35.00. Enter below using the rafflecopter form.

The Cold Weather is Making Me Go Bananas

2011-11-14T19:39:00.000-07:00

The winter chill has hit the air in Alberta and it looks like the colder weather is here to stay. As much as I hate the cold, it's nice being able to use my oven again and cook the comfort foods my family enjoys so much. Soups, stews, roasts and casseroles have made the return to our dinner table and I love it!

The colder weather also means more chances to bake. The treat my family requests over and over again is banana bread. My sons love having a slice before bed and my husband says I make it even better than his grandmother! That's some high praise but wanna know a secret? My banana bread recipe is really Betty Crocker's banana bread recipe and can currently be found on the Life Made Delicious website:

1 1/4 cups (300 mL) sugar
1/2 cup (125 mL) butter or margarine, softened
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups (375 mL) mashed very ripe bananas (3 to 4 medium)
1/2 cup (125 mL) buttermilk
1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla
2 1/2 cups (625 mL) all-purpose flour
1 tsp (5 mL) baking soda
1 tsp (5 mL) salt
1 cup (250 mL) chopped nuts, if desired

Move oven rack to low position so that tops of pans will be in centre of oven. Heat oven to 350 ºF. Grease bottoms only of 2 loaf pans, 8 1/2x4 1/2x2 1/2 inches, or 1 loaf pan, 9x5x3 inches.

Mix sugar and butter in large bowl. Stir in eggs until well blended. Add bananas, buttermilk and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Stir in flour, baking soda and salt just until moistened. Stir in nuts. Pour into pans.

Bake 8-inch loaves about 1 hour, 9-inch loaf about 1 hour, 15 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in centre comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Loosen sides of loaves from pans; remove from pans and place top side up on wire rack. Cool completely, about 2 hours, before slicing. Wrap tightly and store at room temperature up to 4 days, or refrigerate up to 10 days.

Sometimes I will bake mini loaves instead because it allows me to add blueberries or chocolate chips to some and leave others plain.

From tasty cold weather dinners to mouth-watering baked goods Life Made Delicious is a great source for inspiration and easy recipes.

*Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 Widget and Giveaway

2011-11-12T14:08:00.000-07:00

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 has been released on DVD just in time to make the perfect gift for the Harry Potter fans on your holiday list. As the final installment in the series, this is a must have DVD for fans around the world.

The widget above gives you access to the latest Harry Potter buzz on twitter and facebook so why not join in the conversation and meet some fellow Potter fans! You can also take a quiz to see how your Harry Pooter knowledge stacks up. I only scored a 2/5 on the beginner quiz. I definitely need to brush up on my trivia!

I have been offered the opportunity to give onelucky reader a copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 on DVD. To enter for you chance to win, just follow the instructions on the rafflecopter form below.

Win a Beautiful Smile With Invisalign Teen (with Giveaway)

2011-11-03T06:00:00.003-06:00

I recently noticed that one of my oldest sons teeth seems to be growing in overlapping another tooth a bit. I will be asking our dentist about it at our next check-up but for now it has me thinking about the possibility of braces. My son is very active and social. He plays sports, is involved in a few clubs at school and loves spending time with his friends. He always has something going on. I worry about how needing braces would effect him. The risk of damaging the braces, the possible increased severity of sports injuries and the self-esteem issues that can come from having a mouth full of metal all worry me.

I hope that I'm making a bigger deal out of this than it is, but if he does need braces I will definitely be looking into Invisalign Teen.

Invisalign Teen can be used to treat all sorts of dental problems including overbite, under bite, cross bite, crowding and spacing and the treatment time is the same or sometimes shorter than traditional braces. The cost is comparable to that of metal braces and is covered by many dental plans. If you don't have dental coverage, they also offer affordable financing options.

So Invisalign Teen is very comparable to traditional braces except it is virtually invisible, requires fewer appointments and are made of smooth BPA-free plastic instead of sharp metal. Also you remove the aligners when you eat and brush your teeth meaning no foods are off limits and brushing and flossing is a breeze.

Do you know a teen who could benefit from Invisalign Teen? Enter here to win a full Invisalign Teen treatment valued at up to $7000! Invisalign has also been kind enough to sponsor a giveaway right here on my blog. Enter below to win an Invisalign Outdoor Sport Chair (foldable with a carrying case).

Disclosure – I am participating in the Invisalign Teen program by Mom Central Canada on behalf of Align Technology, Inc. I received compensation as a thank you for my participation. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Please note you can leave your mandatory entry comment on this blog post or in the extra info box on the rafflecopter form - whichever you prefer.

West 49's Coats For Kids Campaign

2011-11-01T11:26:00.000-06:00

Here in Edmonton, you are really starting to feel the chill in the air and I've heard some places across the country have even gotten snow! We all dread the cold weather but imagine having to face our harsh Canadian winters without a warm coat. Sadly for many kids, that is reality. Thankfully, West 49 is making it very easy for us all to help.

West 49 runs an annual Coats For Kids campaign and this year they have set an ambitious goal of collecting 16000 warm coats to help kids stay warm this winter. You just bring clean, gently used winter coats into your local West 49 store and they partner with charities that can distribute them to kids in need. As an added bonus, when you bring in a coat, you will receive a coupon for $25 off any Men's, Ladies or Youth winter jacket at West 49!

This past weekend I took a look around our basement and found three coats to donate. Kids outgrow clothing so quickly that the coats are all in perfect condition but are no use to us anymore. Why not take a look around your home and see if you have any coats packed away that could be keeping a child warm this winter.

My Kinder Moments (and a Chance To Win $500!)

2011-10-31T14:35:00.000-06:00

I've had so much fun the past few months being a Kinder Mom. It's been great getting to tell you guys about the fantastic new Kinder toys and sharing with you about how important play is to my family. I hope you have all had a chance to try out some of the new toys. Today I get to share some more news from Kinder Canada.

Introducing.....My Kinder Moments!

My Kinder Moments is a facebook app that allows you to frame your photos and then share them with your facebook friends. There is a large selection of frames to choose from and you can use your facebook photos or photos that are saved on your computer. The whole process only takes a minute or so and it makes your pictures extra special.

Right now, every time you frame a photo using the My Kinder Moments app you will be able to enter to win a $500 pre-paid gift card that can be used towards a new wardrobe! Wouldn't it be great to pick up all the latest fall or winter trends for free?! The contest ends November 1st at 11:59AM ET so hurry over and do some framing to get your name into the draw!

Disclosure: I’m part of the KINDER® Mom program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Halloween Made Delicious

2011-10-29T20:36:00.000-06:00

Halloween day is always very busy at my house as I'm sure it is at yours. When my kids get home from school we start getting costumes on and make-up applied. We dig out flashlights and replace batteries. As the trick-or-treaters start to trickle to the door, we all like to answer the door and check out the costumes. Between all this, I also have to try to get supper on the table before we head out to trick-or-treat ourselves.

On such a busy day, easy recipes are definitely the way to go so I searched the Life made Delicious website to get some ideas of something quick and easy to prepare. They had some very creative recipes inspired by Halloween. I've decided that the Crescent Mummy Dogs will be perfect for the big day. The recipe is super easy and requires just a few ingredients. I did a trial run of the recipe today and they turned out great. The only change I made was instead of using mustard for the eyes, I used cheese because my kids don't like mustard. Here's the recipe, if you want to give it a try:

Ingredients:

1 can (235 g) Pillsbury* Crescents

2 1/2 slices processed cheese slices, quartered
10 hot dogs
Non-stick cooking spray
Mustard or ketchup

Method:
•Heat oven to 375°F (190°C). Unroll dough; separate at perforations creating 4 rectangles; press perforations to seal. With knife or kitchen scissors, cut each rectangle lengthwise into 10 pieces, making a total of 40 pieces of dough. Slice cheese slices into quarters (1/2 slice cheese, cut in half).
•Wrap 4 pieces of dough around each hot dog and 1/4 slice of cheese to look like "bandages," stretching dough slightly to completely cover hot dog. About 1/2-inch (2 cm) from one end of each hot dog, separate "bandages" so hot dog shows through for "face." On ungreased baking sheet, place wrapped hot dogs (cheese side down); spray dough lightly with non-stick cooking spray.
•Bake 13 to 17 minutes or until dough is light golden brown and hot dogs are hot. With mustard, draw features on "face."

In previous years when I've been really pressed for time on Halloween, I have occassionally let my kids just have cereal for supper. If you happen to be taking that route this year, check the cereal aisle for specially marked General Mills cereal that contain coupons for FREE Yoplait yogurt. Now that's a great value!

*Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Gogo's Crazy Bones Series 3 is Here

2011-10-26T19:00:00.001-06:00

Are your kids in on the Gogo's Crazy Bones craze? If not, I'm sure they will be soon. I recently had the opportunity to introduce my kids to these fun collectible toys and they are having a blast with them! Between collecting, trading and battling, there are endless hours of fun to be had.

Gogo's Crazy Bones consist of a large variety of little characters, each with a unique look, personality and ability. There are several games that you can play, similar to jacks or marbles but with a modern spin. You can purchase single packages or multi-packs and each pack also contains stickers to collect. The sticker album acts as a guide, full of information about each character and how to play the games.

My boys have been enjoying learning about the different characters and choosing their favorites. They now each have a wish list of the ones they hope to get. I like that the games are fun for both my boys. Even with an almost 5 year age difference they both stand a fair chance of winning. I also love that they are very affordable! The only down side I can see to this toy is that you can't tell which characters you are going to get ahead of time, but I guess that's where trading comes into play.

Gogo's Crazy Bones have been around for a while but Series 3 was just recently released and is available in stores now so this is a great time to give them a try or if your kids are already fans of these cute little critters, they can start collecting over 80 new characters.

You can find more info about Gogo's Crazy Bones by visiting their website. You can also connect with them on facebook and twitter.

*Disclosure - I received product samples for the purpose of this review. Opinions expressed are honest and my own.

Vim PowerPro Naturals Bathroom Review

2011-10-25T16:21:00.000-06:00

For me, cleaning is a necessary evil. I hate how much time it takes to keep my house clean and I really don't like the idea of filling my home with chemicals. When I look for cleaning products, I seek out items that get the job done quickly and are as natural as possible so when I was recently offered an opportunity to try out a new natural cleaning product I was eager to give it a try.

Vim PowerPro Naturals Bathroom combines the cleaning power of Vim with 98% naturally derived ingredients to create a powerful cleaner we can feel good about using.

Most mornings my boys brush their teeth right before we head out the door to school and then I go run my errands for the day so when I get home there is always some toothpaste in the sink and usually on the counter too. It's hard to clean this half dried-up, sticky mess and figured it would be the perfect challenge to test out the Vim PowerPro Naturals cleaner. I gave it a spray, let it sit for 15 seconds and it wiped right up - I didn't even have to go over it a second time! After the toothpaste test I carried on and finished cleaning the bathroom. The Vim did a great job on the whole room and left a pleasant scent in the air.

One of the biggest obstacles for alot of people who want to use natural products is price so you'll be happy to know that Vim PowerPro Naturals is priced in-line with traditional Vim cleaners so you don't need to pay extra for a more natural clean.

You can find Vim PowerPro Naturals Bathroom at leading Canadian grocery, drug and mass merchandiser retailers along with Vim Cream Naturals Multipurpose Cream Cleanser.

*Disclosure - I received a sample of the product free of charge for the purpose of this review. The opinions expressed are honest and my own.

Winnie The Pooh Exclusive Widget and Giveaway

2011-10-21T13:04:00.000-06:00

Did you get a chance to catch the latest Winnie The Pooh adventure in theatres over the summer? Well, now all your favorite characters from the Hundred Acre Wood are coming to blu-ray and DVD so you can watch it over and over again. Walt Disney Pictures will release Winnie The Pooh on DVD and Blu-Ray October 25, 2011!

In celebration they have created an interactive widget that allows you to download coloring sheets, recipes, crafts, games and more! You can also take a personality quiz to see which character you most resemble. There is a quiz for adults and one for kids so the whole family can play along. Who do you think you are most like? Check out the widget below to find out of you're right.

I have been offered one DVD/Blu-ray combo pack to give away to one lucky reader. If you want to win your own copy of Winnie The Pooh enter using the rafflecopter form below.

Huggies Baby and You Events at Loblaws (with Giveaway)

2011-10-19T22:15:00.000-06:00

Loblaws and Huggies - you would be hard pressed to find a Canadian mom who doesn't know and love these two brands. Now they have come together to give moms even more! This month select Loblaws Superstore locations across the country will be hosting in-store Huggies Baby and You events - a fun time out to learn a little something and connect with other parents.

At each event, a President's Choice chef will host cooking school to teach moms how to make two delicious recipes - Quinoa Pancakes for Mom and Sweet and White Potato Mash for Baby. Moms (or dads) will learn about Huggies Little Movers Slip On Diapers, the stretchy yet snug diapers made to slip on squirmy babies quickly so they can get back to playing. Attendees will also come away with Huggies coupons and a pair of adorable tiger ears for their little ones. Best of all, these events are free to attend and babies are welcome!

Check out the Baby and You facebook page for all the information about the events (click on PC Cooking Class) as well as great conversation and interaction with other moms.

To help stretch you diaper budget a bit further, I have the pleasure of giving away a $50 Loblaws gift card to one lucky reader. Check out the rafflecopter form below to enter for a chance to win.

Disclosure – I am participating in the HUGGIES® Baby and You program by Mom Central Canada on behalf of Kimberly- Clark Canada. I received compensation as a thank you for my participation. The opinions on this blog are my own.

$30 Sobeys Gift Card Winner

2011-10-18T19:07:00.000-06:00

The winner of the Sensations by Compliments $30 Gift Card giveaway is:

Pamalot!

An email has been sent. Thanks to everyone who entered and to Sobeys for sponsoring this giveaway. Stay tuned for another fantastic giveaway coming your way tomorrow!

Dress Up Fun With EdenFantasys

2011-10-15T21:07:00.000-06:00

This post contains links to an adult website and is intended for readers 18+

Halloween is so much fun! I love that it is a holiday for both kids and grown ups. There's tons of fun to be had and it is a perfect excuse to step out of your comfort zone and be a little daring. When you are looking for a costume, it may not be the first store to come to mind but EdenFantasys offers lots of fun and sexy choices to help spice up your Halloween.

I'm sure you know EdenFantasys sells lingerie but they also have a wide variety of costumes that vary from cute to sizzling hot. The flapper costume is just one of the many costumes that would be a fun and flirty outfit to wear to a Halloween party. Of course, they also offer costumes that are probably better suited to a private party in your own bedroom!

Each product page details the costume with an overview and tells what is included in the package along with reviews from real people so you know exactly what to expect. There are costumes for every woman, in sizes ranging from extra small through 2X!

EdenFantasys is currently offering 20% off their lingerie and sexy costumes so even if you're not planning to dress up this year, why not pick up a sexy treat for yourself (and your husband!)

*Disclosure: I will receive a gift card in exchange for blogging about EdenFantasys. Opinions expressed are my own.

Halloween is Approaching

2011-10-14T07:58:00.000-06:00

Now that Thanksgiving is out of the way, we are in full Halloween mode at my house. My oldest son has always been really into the creepy and the scary. He does not get this from me as I am the biggest wimp ever when it comes to that sort of stuff. This year he has decided to make a haunted house in his room. He has been buying and borrowing decorations for a few weeks and every time I go in his room I am greeted by something new and frightening. Hey, maybe this is a ploy to keep me out of his room!

I have been trying for a couple of years to convince my boys to be Mario and Luigi for Halloween. Since one is short and one is tall, I think they would look great. My youngest finally agreed to be Mario and he looks so cute in his costume. My oldest is having no part of it and insists on being either the grim reaper, an axe murderer or Scream. I guess he is officially out of the cute costume stage!

What are your kids being for Halloween?

Super Easy Leftover Turkey Recipe

2011-10-13T10:38:00.001-06:00

We had our big turkey dinner on Sunday. It was just the four of us this year so a whole turkey is alot of meat for us. On Monday we had our usual day-after-Thanksgiving hot turkey sandwiches for dinner. I think we all enjoy that even more than the turkey dinner! After these two meals, I still had about 3/4 of the turkey left so I chopped up a bunch and put it in the freezer for later but I felt like we still had one more turkey meal left in us this week.

After browsing for easy recipes on Life Made Delicious, I found a super easy, super delicious one for Turkey & Broccoli Pasta. The recipe calls for ground turkey but I used some of the leftover chopped turkey I already had and since it was already cooked, it cut out the first step making the recipe even quicker to prepare. My husband added his own twist by mixing some leftover stuffing into his - to each his own I guess!

Ingredients:

Photo from lifemadedelicious.ca

1 lb (500 g) ground turkey

2 1/2 cups (625 mL) hot water

1 cup (250 mL) milk

1 pkg (240 g) Hamburger Helper Three Cheese Manicotti

1 tsp (5 mL) dried oregano leaves

1 1/2 cups (375 mL) Green Giant Frozen Cut Broccoli

1 cup (250 mL) shredded mozzarella cheese

Method:

•Cook turkey in large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until brown; drain.

•Stir in hot water, milk, Pasta, Sauce Mix and oregano. Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally.
•Reduce heat; cover and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
•Stir in broccoli. Cover and simmer 5 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese; cook uncovered until cheese is melted.

This is a seriously easy recipe and my whole family loved it. If you're still trying to use up your leftover turkey, why not give it a try tonight!

Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Traceable Seafood from Sobeys (with Giveaway)

2011-10-04T20:57:00.001-06:00

Do you ever think about where your family's food comes from? You're a mom...of course you do! Well, you no longer have to wonder where your seafood comes from. You can now see exactly when, where and how your fish was caught.

Sobeys has recently partnered up with Ecotrust Canada to offer a way to trace the journey your seafood takes from ocean to plate. This program is the first of it's kind among Canadian grocery retailers and is so easy to use. You simply enter the code found on your fresh seafood at http://www.thisfish.info/ or on your Sensations by Compliments seafood at http://www.compliments.ca/madewithcare to get the information on where and when your fish was caught and the journey it took to reach your local Sobeys store. There is even a QR code so you can trace your seafood with your smartphone! The traceable Sensations by Comliments seafood includes:

Sensations by Compliments Wild Sockeye Salmon Fillets
Sensations by Compliments Wild Pacific Halibut Fillets
Sensations by Compliments Wild Albacore Tuna Portions
Sensations by Compliments Wild Black Cod Fillets

Traceable seafood products are available at Sobeys stores across the country, as well as Thrifty Foods and IGA stores in Western Canada.

How would you like to try out this great program for yourself? Enter the giveaway below for a chance to win a $30 Sobeys gift card to use towards some Sensations by Compliments seafood.

The Big Red Cookbook is Back (With Giveaway)

2011-09-28T15:19:00.000-06:00

Big news!! The brand new Betty Crocker cookbook is here! For me, the release of a new Betty Crocker cookbook is right up there with Christmas morning on the excitement scale. Please tell me I'm not the only one who gets this excited about a cookbook. I enjoy reading them for inspiration and sometimes I just like to look at the pictures.

Brimming with 1500 easy recipes and tons of gorgeous pictures, the new edition of the Betty Crocker Cookbook contains the mouth-watering inspiration you need to bring out the Betty in you. They have also added 400 new Betty Crocker recipes to the Life Made Delicious website along with 85 videos to help you hone your kitchen skills.

You can take a sneak peek at the new cookbook along with the online exclusive recipes and videos by visiting Life Made Delicious. I'm loving the look of the Chicken Pesto Linguine from the 20 minutes or less category! The Betty Crocker Cookbook is available through Amazon, Chapters, BettyCrocker.com and Wiley Publishing.

As a Life Made Delicious Connector, I have the pleasure of giving a copy of this amazing new cookbook to one lucky reader. If you want a chance to win, simply follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter widget below.

*Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Making Time For Play

2011-09-27T12:05:00.000-06:00

Now that my boys are back in school, we are busy! During the summer we spent countless hours playing but now there is so much going on that we really have to make time to play. My sons are involved in after school activities that are both educational and fun so they get some play time there but I like to have family play time as well. It keeps us close.

Between after school activities, dinner, homework, and chores, school nights seem to fly by! At the beginning of the school year, we found that dinner was the only time we got to connect as a family and while that is very important time for us to catch up it's hard to make eating dinner fun (short of starting a food fight).

Last year, we had family game night. On Wednesday, we would each get to choose a game and we would spend the entire evening playing board games. This year, there is no day when we are all available for the entire evening so we needed to come up with a new idea. Our solution? Make every night family game night! We decided to play one game each weeknight. Since we don't have a ton of time, we have to stick to short games but there is still lots to choose from. Monopoly has to wait for the weekend but Operation is a perfect weeknight game.

KINDER is a company that believes play is important so they are trying to encourage families to find time to play. They have introduced bigger and better toys in the KINDER Surprise eggs for even more fun. You can join KINDER on facebook to keep up with the latest fun and while you're there make sure you enter the amazing contest they have going on right now. Ten winners are each going to win a giftbasket worth $200! Now that should get you in a playful mood!

*Disclosure: I’m part of the KINDER® Mom program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Clothing Children on the Cheap

2011-09-20T13:11:00.001-06:00

I remember when I had my first baby, people inundated me with clothes for my new bundle of joy. I had piles upon piles of adorable outfits, more than I could ever use. I hardly bought a single article of baby clothing for the first year of my sons life! Then my little man turned one and suddenly the clothing gravy train came to a screeching halt and I realized that clothing children is expensive. Not to mention that they outgrow things as fast as you can buy them. Since then I have learned a few things about stretching my clothing dollar while still dressing my kids well and I want to share them with you.

Used Isn't Always The Way To Go - When I first started trying to save money on clothes, I visited secondhand stores because it seemed like the most obvious way to save money. But I found that a lot of the clothes wore out quickly (from previous wear) or didn't quite fit right (from previous washing) so I regretted buying it.

Shop Clearance - At the end of each season, stores clear out stock often at rock bottom prices. This is a great time to pick up items for next year. When shopping for next year, try to avoid buying clothes that are too trendy or have characters on them. Trends change quickly as do children's favorite characters.

Keep Your Receipts - Many stores offer a guarantee on their children's clothes. If the clothes wear out before your child outgrows them, they will replace the item for free! You just have to return the item with the original receipt. My boys tend to put the knees out of their pants rather quickly so I love this policy. Sears, Zellers and Wal-Mart all offer this guarantee so take that into consideration when deciding where to purchase items that may wear out quickly.

Recruit Friends and Family - Let people know that you are on a mission to save. It's great to have extra eyes and ears out there watching for great deals. A friend and I keep each other updated on our kids clothing sizes so if we see a great deal we can pick things up for one another.

Subscribe To Mailing Lists - Not only will this give you a heads up about upcoming sales but retailers will often send coupon out in their newsletters. This past August, the Gap Factory Outlet sent me an email letting me know they were having a 40% off the entire store sale. This gave me a couple days notice so I could be at the store early on sale day to find the best items and the email also included a printable coupon for an extra 15% off! With sale prices, the 40% discount and the 15% coupon I ended up paying $96 for 5 pairs of jeans, 3 hoodies, a denim jacket, and 4 shirts. Also Sears recently sent me a coupon code for $20 off any $20 purchase - a deal I wouldn't have received if I wasn't on their mailing list.

Shop The Outlets - If you live in a city with outlet stores, they are a great way to save on your favorite brand names. If you don't happen to live near any outlets you still have access to my absolute favorite outlet store, Sears.ca Outlet. They offer great prices on selected merchandise from the sears website but great deals and popular sizes sell quickly so I browse the site daily for new items. This past spring I managed to snag Columbia snowsuits for my boys for this coming winter for $32 each! If you are planning a purchase from the regular Sears website, make sure you check the outlet. I have occasionally found the exact same item on both sites but the outlet price was much less.

Know When To Buy Used - There are some instances where I still shop used. If my boys happen to need something extra "dressy" like a suit I will try to find a nice one at the used clothing store. This is an item that will probably only be worn once before they outgrow it so I'm not worried about it lasting.

Host a Clothing Swap - If you have friends and family with children of different ages and sizes, a clothing swap may be a good idea. Everyone gathers up the clothes their kids have outgrown and then have a get together where everyone can take what they want. This is a great way to expand your childs wardrobe without spending a dime!

Don't Give Up Quality For Price - If kids clothing items aren't good quality, they will not last which means you will pay more in the long run. The item that I have really learned this lesson from is shoes. When I buy cheap sneakers, my sons have holes in them within weeks but good quality shoes will last until they outgrow them. In the case of shoes, you definitely get what you pay for.

Resell Your Items - If you take good care of your children's brand name clothing you can resell the items after they outgrow them. Most towns have consignment shops who will sell the clothing for you and keep a cut of the profit or you can sell the clothes yourself on websites like Kijiji.

So there you have it. That's how I keep costs under control while dressing two growing boys.

*I was selected as a summer 2011 recipient of the Mom Central Canada Blogger Grant Program and received a grant to write this post. Mom Central Canada is giving away a total of $10000 in grants to encourage mom bloggers to help make the lives of busy moms and their families better.

How Do You Like Them Apples?

2011-09-19T11:03:00.001-06:00

Fall is just a few days away and I am already craving the comfort foods that the cooler air brings. I am definitely ready to start using my oven again. The one food that really makes me think of fall is apples. They are so plentiful and delicious this time of year. There are so many different types of apples and they are very easy to work with making the recipe possibilities endless.

Over at Life Made Delicious they have quite a variety of easy recipes for apples. There are recipes for apple pie, apple cake, apple crisp and apple oatmeal. And if you're not quite ready to let go of summer yet, there are even a few salad recipes that incorporate apples. So how do you like your apples? I am partial to apple pie myself. If you are too check out this video showing how to make the perfect apple pie!

While you're visiting Life Made Delicious to check out the apple recipes, make sure you click on the "Offers" tab to get the details about an amazing offer from Old El Paso. When you buy a specially marked Old El Paso kit you will get a free package of Kraft Shredded Cheese. Now that's a great deal!

*Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own

Walt Disney’s Spooky Buddies is Coming to DVD (Giveaway)

2011-09-12T13:43:00.000-06:00

The air is getting chilly and the leaves are starting to change. Before you know it Halloween will be here and what better way to get in the spirit than with your favorite Disney puppies. The Buddies are back in their latest adventure "Spooky Buddies" hitting shelves on September 20th.

Disney's irresistible talking Buddies are back in an all-new movie that takes them for a spooky new adventure. With the help of some unexpected new friends -- Pip, Zelda, Rodney, and Skip, the buddies must stop Warwick the Warlock and save the world from his dastardly deeds.

Check out the Spooky Buddies widget above for Buddy tips and activities! Included in the widget are tips to help care for the buddies in your home and fun activities for your kids and their buddies. The widget also has an exclusive Buddy quiz so you can find out which one of the Spooky Buddies would be your Buddy!

Be sure to pick up your copy on Septeber 20th or if you're feeling lucky, Disney has provided one copy of Spooky Buddies on DVD for me to giveaway to a reader. Enter using the rafflecopter form below.

Energizer Canada and Evergreen Do Something Little, Help Something Big

2011-09-05T10:22:00.000-06:00

Do you ever wish you could change the world? When we are young we often dream about growing up to become someone powerful who could really make changes for the better. Well, we can't all be prime ministers and scientists but we can all make a difference in the world. There are so many small acts that help make our world a better place.

Energizer Canada has teamed up with Evergreen to encourage people to make small changes that add up to big change for the world. Evergreen is a not-for-profit organization that is committed to making Canadian cities greener and creating a more sustainable future for us all. As part of their commitment to Evergreen, Energizer is donating $100000 and you can help make that number grow. If you visit the Now That's Positive Energy website and make a pledge to do three or more positive acts, Energizer will donate another dollar!

The pledges are simple but effective acts. From taking shorter showers to greeting someone in an elevator, there is something that everyone is capable of doing. I made my pledge with Energizer and it included:

I will clean up litter in my neighbourhood park - This is something we do every year through a city program but this pledge has encouraged me to do it more often.
I will let the car merge in front of me - I am usually pretty considerate in traffic but I am going to be even more aware of giving someone else a break.
I will do my laundry during off peak hours - This shouldn't be hard. I am a night owl so why not throw in a load of laundry since I'm usually up late anyway.
I will donate to the local food bank - The food bank is such a direct way to help someone out. I am going to be sure to donate more often.
I will smile or say a kind word to create positive energy around me - It's amazing how a friendly greeting from a stranger on the street can cheer me up. Well from now on, I'm going to be that friendly stranger!

My pledge is going to make me feel good, increase Energizer Canada's donation to Evergreen and help make the world a better place. Why not make your own pledge and be a part of this wonderful initiative!

Disclosure – I am participating in the Energizer Canada & Evergreen “Do Something Little, Help Something Big” program by Mom Central Canada on behalf of Energizer Canada & Evergreen. I received compensation as a thank you for my participation. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Life Made Delicious Newsletter

2011-08-26T12:20:00.000-06:00

Do you subscribe to the Life Made Delicious newsletter? If not, you are really missing out! Not only do the newsletters include easy recipes to help you plan delicious meals but there are also special offers and promotions.

I got the inside scoop (I am an #LMDConnector after all!) that the newsletter set to hit inboxes on August 30th will include some great coupons that you don't want to miss. If you want to save some money on Chocolate Cheerios, Fibre 1 100-calorie Strawberry Chocolate Flavour bars and Nature Valley Cashew bars make sure you receive the newsletter! You can sign up right on the home page of the Life Made Delicious website. Go ahead and click over to sign up...I'll wait.

Now while you are waiting for the easy recipes and money saving coupons to arrive in your email why not try out the Salsa Marinade Recipe for dinner tonight. It is super quick and easy to prepare with ingredients you likely have on hand. I used it last night on grilled pork chops and they turned out awesome!

*Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own

I'm a #KINDERMom!!!

2011-08-23T18:47:00.001-06:00

A few days ago, I opened my email to find some exciting news. I have been chosen to be a KINDERMom!!! I get to join a great group of Canadian moms who will be sharing the latest news and fun from Kinder® Surprise®.

I am so excited because we are definitely a Kinder family. My kids still talk about the year the Easter Bunny hid 48 Kinder® Surprise® eggs around the house instead of the typical foil-wrapped eggs. My boys love building the toy inside while they eat the delicious chocolate. I love when I hear "Mom, will you help me build my toy if I share my egg with you?" Yep, my kids know that chocolate is a great negotiating tool!

The first big news I get to share with you is that Kinder is re-launching in Canada and with the re-launch comes the Kinder® Surprise® 2012 Toy Collection. You get the same high quality Kinder chocolate you love but with 70 brand new toys! And some of these toys are really spectacular - think 22 cm high giraffe and water squirting animals.

The thing I really love about Kinder is their emphasis on play. We live in a busy world and sometimes we need a reminder to just stop and play. One of my family's favorite ways to play is to take a bike ride through the park and stop for some swinging and sliding along the way. Nothing makes me feel like a kid again quite like getting an underduck from my husband on the swings.

So, how do you play?

*Disclosure: I’m part of the Kinder® Mom program and I receive compensation as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

2011-08-17T14:24:00.000-06:00

Wow! Only two weeks until the kids head back to school. I had wanted to get camping atleast once this summer, but it hasn't happened yet. And after hearing from some neighbours who did go about how bad the mosquitoes are, I don't think we will be going this year at all.

My boys at Discovery Wildlife Park

This summer we have taken several day trips around the province and had a blast doing it! We hung out with dinosaurs at the Royal Tyrell Museum in Drumheller, we learned about bears at the Discovery Wildlife Park in Innisfail, we saw some wild bison at the Elk Island National Park and we saw even more dinosaurs hiding in the woods at Jurassic Forest in Gibbons. I love road trips because the journey is usually just as fun as the destination! We are considering heading to Calgary for a few days before school starts but haven't made any definite plans.

My boys are ready to go back to school. They're excited to see the friends they missed over the summer and to find out which teachers they will have. I'm excited to go to the grocery store without two kids in tow! My youngest was thrilled when we found a Super Mario Bros. backpack at Walmart yesterday. I think the only thing I have left to buy are lunch bags. Last year my kids lost so many lunch bags! They would forget it in the lunchroom and then the next day, it wouldn't there or in the lost & found. Does anyone have any tips to remind kids to bring their lunchbag home?

Blueberry Biscuits...Yum!

2011-08-11T15:57:00.000-06:00

During the summer, I love to visit Farmer's markets to get inspiration for easy recipes. The fresh produce and homemade goods are so plentiful that it's hard not to buy everything I see! On my most recent visit I picked up some amazingly plump blueberries. As soon as my husband saw them he requested some blueberry biscuits. His grandmother used to make them for him when he was young and they are super easy to make, so I whipped up a batch right away.

Here is the recipe that I use, although you could easily use Bisquick and just add the sugar and blueberries.

Blueberry Biscuits

2 cups all-purpose flour

3 tsp baking powder

3/4 tsp salt

2 Tbsp shortening

1 cup milk

3 Tbsp sugar

1 cup fresh blueberries

Preheat oven to 450F. Grease baking sheet. In a small dish, mix blueberries with sugar to coat berries. Mix flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Cut in shortening. Stir in milk until flour mixture is just wet. Fold in blueberries. Drop by large spoonful onto greased baking sheet. Sprinkle tops with leftover sugar from coating blueberries. Bake at 450F for 12-15 minutes.

It's that easy! My husband loves to eat these spread with peanut butter just like when he was a kid. My boys prefer some jam on them and I like eating them plain or with a bit of butter.

Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own

The Help Prize Pack Giveaway

2011-08-07T10:25:00.001-06:00

Everyone's talking about The Help. Based on a best-selling novel, The Help stars Emma Stone (Easy A – loved this movie!) as Skeeter, Academy Award–nominated Viola Davis (Doubt) as Aibileen and Octavia Spencer as Minny—three very different, extraordinary women in Mississippi during the 1960s, who build an unlikely friendship around a secret writing project that breaks societal rules and puts them all at risk. From their improbable alliance a remarkable sisterhood emerges, instilling all of them with the courage to transcend the lines that define them, and the realization that sometimes those lines are made to be crossed—even if it means bringing everyone in town face-to-face with the changing times.

I've heard some great things about this movie and I can't wait to see it! Great actresses and a heartfelt story is the formula for the perfect movie and this one's got it! Why not check out the trailer and see what all the fuss is about. Feel free to join the conversation on twitter by using hashtags #TheHelpMovie #Canada or check out the Walt Disney Studios Canada facebook page.

The Help opens in theatres August 10th and to celebrate Walt Disney Motion Pictures Canada has offered a giveaway for my readers. Check out the rafflecopter form below to enter.

Great Massage Courtesy of Edenfantasys

2011-08-01T13:24:00.000-06:00

Have I mentioned I have an amazing husband. He is kind, generous and funny. And to top it all off, he loves to pamper me! One of my favorite ways to be pampered is getting massages. They are relaxing and really set the mood for romance. We love trying different lotions and oils to help enhance the massage experience and recently stumbled upon the Little Afterglow Sampler from my favorite adult shop .

The Little Afterglow Sampler is a set of six candles made by Jimmyjane that melt into a massage oil. The candles come neatly packaged in a nice box. They each have a unique scent that helps set the mood for a relaxing massage. The oil can be poured directly onto the body by way of a build in spout on each candle holder, resulting in a pleasantly warm sensation. The oil itself glides over skin easily and makes for a very enjoyable massage. My favorite thing about these candles is the scents. They are strong but not overwhelming and I really like that the scent stays on your skin after the massage is over. The candles are also available in individual full size versions. This sampler would make a great bridal shower or bachelorette gift.

Edenfantasys has so many massage products. I can't wait to try more of them!

*I will receive a gift card in exchange for posting about EdenFatasys. All opinions are honest and my own.

Great New Products and a Lemonade Recipe

2011-07-30T12:25:00.001-06:00

As an LMD Connector, I've been so lucky to receive some great packages filled with a variety of General Mills products to help me make easy recipes. The latest package contained two exciting new products that I can't wait to tell you about.

The first one is Bisquick Shake N' Pour. You simply add water to the bottle, shake and pour onto your griddle. So easy! The bottle makes about 15 pancakes but if you don't need that many at once, you can refrigerate the left over batter for up to 3 days. This is a perfect mess-free product to bring on your next camping trip!

The other product is one I know a lot of you will be excited about - Betty Crocker Gluten Free Cake Mix. So many people are choosing to be gluten free nowadays and General Mills is helping make the gluten free lifestyle more enjoyable with these cake mixes. They are available in Golden and Devil's Food varieties. I haven't had a chance to make one yet but the instructions are just as easy as any other Betty Crocker mix. Hopefully I will get a chance to whip one up in the next few weeks and I'll let you know how it turns out.

Since much of the country has been experiencing extreme heat, I figured this is the perfect time to share a lemonade recipe. When I was a little girl, my aunt taught me how to make really good lemonade. You start out by mixing 1 1/2 cups of sugar and 1 cup of hot water in a saucepan. Boil the mixture until the sugar dissolves then cool this mixture in the fridge. Once cool mix into 7 cups of cold water and add 1 1/2 cups of lemon juice. Stir well and you're done. Adding some lemon slices is a nice touch if you're entertaining. You can adjust the amount of sugar to your taste but this is the mix I've found we enjoy most.

Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own

Another Long Weekend, Another BBQ With Wonder+ Simply Free

2011-07-28T20:12:00.000-06:00

I seriously thought that the long weekend was next week. It really snuck up on me! We are heading to Capital Ex tomorrow (Friday) and bringing one of my sons friends with us . The Capital Ex is an amazing ten day festival here in Edmonton with a midway, concerts, food, and endless entertainment. It is so much fun! They even have fireworks to end each night. We will be getting home late so the friend will be sleeping over. Then on Saturday, we have invited that same friends' family over for supper. He has four brothers and sisters so it should be lots of fun!

We will be grilling up burgers and hotdogs, but not just any burgers. I was looking at the Simply Better BBQs with Wonder+ Simply Free section on the Canadian Living website and found a perfect recipe that I think the kids will love. Check out this kid friendly recipe:

photo from CanadianLiving.com

Cheese Pizza Burgers

1 lb (500 g) lean ground beef

1/3 cup (75 mL) coarsely shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1/2 tsp (2 mL) each dried basil and oregano

1/2 tsp (2 mL) onion powder

Pinch garlic powder
4 Wonder+ SimplyFree hamburger buns
4 tbsp (60 mL) pizza sauce
4 tsp (20 mL) finely shredded Parmesan cheese

12 thin slices pepperoni (1-1/2 inch/4 cm diameter)

2 tbsp (25 mL) diced sweet green pepper (optional)

1/3 cup (75 mL) cooked sliced mushrooms (optional)

In large bowl, mix together ground beef, mozzarella cheese, basil, oregano, onion powder and garlic powder until combined. Shape into four 1/2-inch (1.5 cm) thick patties.

Place patties on greased grill over medium heat; close lid and grill, turning once, until no longer pink inside and digital thermometer inserted sideways into centre reads 160°F (71°C), about 15 minutes.

Toast buns, if desired. Place patty on bun. Top each with 1 tbsp (15 mL) pizza sauce, 1 tsp (5 mL) Parmesan cheese, 3 slices pepperoni, and green pepper and mushrooms (if using).

Makes 4 servings.

I'm really excited to try out this recipe! I'll let you know what everyone thinks of it.

If you've been reading my blog throughout this summer, you've heard me mention Wonder+ Simply Free before. Have you tried them yet? My kids really love that they have the same taste we've always enjoyed from the Wonder brand and I love that they are free of artificial preservatives, flavours and colours and have no high fructose corn syrup. I'm also a fan of the pretty green packaging. I'm a sucker for a nice package!

If you plan on celebrating this long weekend with great friends and great food, why not invite Wonder+ Simply Free along!

Disclosure – I am participating in the Wonder+ SimplyFree program by Mom Central Canada on behalf of Weston Bakeries. I received a gift card and free product coupons as a thank you for my participation. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Winners!!

2011-07-27T19:56:00.000-06:00

It's been a while since I posted winners so here goes.

The winner of the Cars 2 Prize Pack courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Canada was Belinda M!

The winner of the Celebrate Summer Prize Pack courtesy of Life Made Delicious was Snowy Summer!

The winner of the Cars Disney Fruit Shapes Prize courtesy of Life Made Delicious was Glogirl!

All winners have been notified and confirmed. I'd like to say a huge thank you to the sponsors! There is still time to enter to win a Life Choices Prize Pack or three Limited Edition General Mills Beach Towels! Check out the sidebar for links.

How's Your Summer Going?

2011-07-19T11:44:00.000-06:00

Summer is officially here. The kids have been out of school for over two weeks and the weather is finally showing summer-like characteristics. I feel like this summer I have somehow lost control of my household. The kids are rolling out of bed up to two hours later than usual, set bedtimes have become a blurry memory and more than once body wash added to the slip and slide has sufficed as bath time. We have hosted 4 sleepovers since school ended. I love having my boys friends over but 4 sleepovers in two weeks is just too much.

So today, I am taking back my house. Bedtimes will be reinstated, alarm clocks will be set and there will be no ice cream before dinner! We have to find a balance between summer fun and routine. Do you keep your routines the same in the summer?

General Mills Free Towel Offer Giveaway

2011-07-15T13:10:00.006-06:00

My favorite thing about visiting the cereal aisle is checking out the offers on the boxes. Over the past few years there have been some great promos but I think the one I get to share with you today is one of the best yet. When you buy specially marked boxes of General Mills cereal, you will find a code inside the box that you can redeem for a free limited edition beach towel!

The towels are so cute! I love, love, love the Pillsbury Doughboy one!

This offer is open to Canadian shipping addresses only and there is a total of 350000 towels available. Each household can redeem up to 10 codes. Do you not have space for 10 more bath towels? You can choose to donate the towels to the Tim Horton's Children's Foundation.

You can find your free beach towel code on the following specially marked boxes:

Cheerios 400g, Honey Nut Cheerios* 460g, Banana Nut Cheerios* 345g, Multi-Grain Cheerios* 390g, Apple Cinnamon Cheerios* 500g, Chocolate Cheerios* 350g, Lucky Charms* 330g, Nesquik* 340g, Reese Peanut Butter Puffs* 365g, Cinnamon Toast Crunch* 360g, French Toast Crunch* 380g, fibre 1* Raisin Bran Clusters 490g, fibre 1* Honey Clusters 425g, fibre 1* Original 450g, fibre1* Shredded Wheat Brown Sugar Flavour 410g, Oatmeal Crisp* Almond 475g, Oatmeal Crisp* Maple 460g, Oatmeal Crisp* Triple Berry 425g, Oatmeal Crisp* Raisin 505g and Oatmeal Crisp* Vanilla Almond 465g.

Check out all the details here.

Giveaway

General Mills has generously provided me with three 60” x 30” limited edition General Mills towels ($50 value) for one lucky reader. For a chance to win leave a comment with your favorite summer recipe. If you need some inspiration, check out the easy recipes at Life Made Delicious.

For extra entries you can do any or all of the following and let me know

Follow my blog with GFC
Follow me on twitter
Like my new facebook page
Tweet (can be done daily) Win three limited edition beach towels from @edmontonjb http://bit.ly/oozAtf #GMFreeTowelOffer

Giveaway is open to Canada only and ends August 8th at 9PM. Readers may enter the contest on multiple blogs but are only eligible to win one Free Towel Offer prize pack as part of the contest. Winner will be drawn using random.org and emailed.

Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Connector program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Life Choices Review & Giveaway

2011-07-14T11:55:00.002-06:00

As a mom, my biggest concern is the health of my kids. I know that nutrition is one of the biggest factors in a childs health so I spend a lot of time worrying about what my kids are eating. I recently discovered a company that is taking some of that worry away. Life Choices is a health foods company that provides natural food the whole family will enjoy. And they are Canadian!

If you're like me, when you hear health foods company you picture soy burgers and tofurkey - two things my boys would not touch with a ten foot pole. But Life Choices is different. Their natural health food selection includes breaded chicken, mac n' cheese, hotdogs and pizza. All the foods my boys want to eat!

Last night for supper we gave the chicken nuggets a try. These chicken nuggets are made with premium vegetable grain-fed chicken and have a multigrain coating. My oldest son is a picky eater to say the least. Because of this I didn't bother mentioning we were trying something new. We just ate as we normally would and guess what...both boys asked for seconds! Personally, I loved the flavour and that the coating was extra crunchy. Now I can't wait to try more Life Choices products. The Organics Mushroom and Onion Pizza is next on my list.

I encourage you to take a look around the Life Choices website. They list the ingredients of all their products, tell of their commitment to organic and natural ingredients and there's even a printable coupon. If you're ready to try Life Choices products for yourself, check out the store locator for where you can find the products near you (although I purchased my chicken nuggets at Wal-Mart Supercenter and it's not listed).

Giveaway

Life Choices has generously provided me with a prize pack for one lucky reader. The prize pack includes an insulated lunch tote (kids can draw on it!), 3 boxes of our Mac ‘n Cheese, 3 $1-Off Coupons, as well as 1 Free Product Coupon for any of our products. If you want a chance to win this great prize just take a look at the products Life Choices makes and leave a comment telling me which one you want to try most.

Extra Entries

You can earn extra entries by doing any or all of the follwing and leaving seperate comments letting me know.

Follow Life Choices on twitter

Like Life Choices on facebook

Sign up for the Life Choices e-newsletter (bottom left)

Giveaway is open to Canada only and ends on July 28th at 9PM. Winner will be drawn using random.org and emailed.

*Giveaway prize and review product were received free of charge. All opinions are honest and my own.

Win Disney Fruit Shapes and Cars 2 Passes!!

2011-07-05T19:51:00.002-06:00

What do Disney's Cars and Betty Crocker Fruit Shapes have in common? They are both fun for the whole family! Also, you can find the two together in Betty Crocker Disney Fruit Shapes. We love seeing who can get the most characters in one pack.

As a Life Made Delicious Connector I am excited to celebrate the partnership of Betty Crocker and Disney's Cars wth a giveaway! You could win a Disney Fruit Shapes Cars 2 prize pack. The prize pack is valued at $55 and consists of Disney Fruit Shapes and a $50 Visa Cash Card to use towards taking your family to see Cars 2.

For a chance to win, simply leave a comment telling me your favorite Disney Fruit Shapes flavour.

If you'd like an extra entry, leave a second comment telling me your favorite Cars character.

If you are feeling extra ambitious, tweet the following and leave a third comment letting me know - Win a Disney Fruit Shapes Cars 2 Prize Pack http://bit.ly/qtlTWI #LMDConnector #FruitShapesCars2

Contest open to Canadians residents only and ends on July 26th at 9PM. Readers may enter the contest on multiple blogs but are only eligible to win one Cars 2 prize as part of this contest. Winner will be selected using Randm.org and emailed.

Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Connector program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

We Celebrated Canada Day with Wonder+ SimplyFree

2011-07-02T19:02:00.000-06:00

How was your Canada Day? We had an amazing day, packed to the rafters with fun! We had so much fun in fact, I am writing this at 12:30PM and both my kids are still in bed!! Normally I would have woken them up long before now but I figure ~~I can use the down time~~ they can use the rest after the day we had yesterday. I even managed to sneak in a late morning nap this morning!

We started out Canada Day by heading downtown to enjoy some of the festivities that the city puts on. There was music, food, face painting, entertainment and just all around fun. We spent a few hours partying it up before heading home to our own little party. We hosted a BBQ for some friends and neighbours where there was even more food and fun than we had enjoyed downtown.

I served up burgers, hotdogs, pork cutlettes and chicken along with corn on the cob and salad. Then for dessert we had watermelon and yummy strawberry shortcake. Our burgers and hotdogs were served on Wonder+ SimplyFree buns, the first Canadian National branded line of hamburger & hotdog buns free of artificial preservatives, artificial flavours and artificial colours. In the store these new buns will catch your eye with their bright green package. If you buy a specially marked bag with a unique pin, you can enter to win a BBQ party worth $5000! Imagine the party you could throw!

After all bellies were full, we headed back downtown to stake out the perfect viewing spot for the huge fireworks display that ends off the Canada Day celebrations. We finally made our way home just before midnight and we each snuck one more hotdog before hitting the hay.

Looking for some BBQ inspiration? Check out 10 awesome Wonder+ SimplyFree recipes on the Canadian Living Summer Fun Comes Naturally site.

Disclosure – I am participating in the WONDER+ SimplyFree program by Mom Central Canada on behalf of Weston Bakeries. I received a gift card, BBQ kit and free product coupons as a thank you for my participation. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Happy Canada Day from Disney's Winnie The Pooh!

2011-07-01T10:30:00.002-06:00

How come no matter how old I get, Winnie The Pooh can always make me smile? Besides the fact that he's totally adorable, it could be his Canadian connection!

Winnie the Pooh’s Canadian connection began in August of 1914 when a young veterinarian from Winnipeg, Lieutenant Harry Colebourn, enlisted in the Canadian army. Harry boarded a train bound for Quebec along with his regiment. Along the way, the train made a stop in White River, Ontario. While there, on a station platform, Harry spotted a hunter carrying an orphaned black bear cub. Harry decided to purchase the bear for $20 and bring her along with him to Quebec. It was at this time that Harry chose to name the bear Winnie after his home city of Winnipeg. Harry grew quite fond of Winnie and after a short time together in Quebec, they sailed to England. While camped at Salisbury Plain, Winnie stayed in Colebourn’s tent, slept under his cot, and became a favourite among the Canadian soldiers. So much so, that she became the official mascot of the regiment. When Lt. Coleburn’s unit was ordered to the battlefields of France, Harry arranged for Winnie to stay at the London Zoo. When Harry returned to London after the war, he intended to bring Winnie back home with him. However, he quickly realized how popular Winnie had become with the children that visited the zoo. Harry decided to donate Winnie to the London Zoo and he returned home to Winnipeg.

One of the many visitors to the London Zoo was a young boy by the name Christopher Robin Milne. Winnie was Christopher Robin’s favourite attraction at the zoo and he even renamed his teddy bear, Winnie the Pooh, after her. It was around this time that Christopher’s father, A.A. Milne, began writing stories based on the adventures of his son’s stuffed animals. A.A. Milne wrote a series of books about Winnie the Pooh, his son Christopher Robin, and all of their friends in the Hundred Acre Wood. The rest is history and now you know the true origins of how our favourite, silly old bear got his name!

You can catch up with Winnie and the rest of the gang from the Hundred Acre Wood when Disney’s Winnie the Pooh opens in theatres across Canada on July 15th.

To keep up on all the latest news follow the Walt Disney Studios Canada Facebook page throughout the coming weeks as they share activities, clips, and photos from the movie. You can also “Like” Winnie the Pooh on Facebook and join the twitter conversation by using #WinniethePooh #Canada.

Have You Realized the Joy of Chex?

2011-06-30T14:30:00.001-06:00

Chex have arrived in Canada and they are gluten free! My family doesn't suffer from gluten intolerance but my son's best friend does, so I try to keep gluten free products on hand for play dates and sleepovers. As more and more Canadians search grocery shelves for gluten-free products, it's nice to see companies offering greater options!

As an LMD Connector I had a chance to try out both varieties of Chex. Honey Nut Chex is absolutely delicious. The flavor is just right and there is no need to add sugar to this cereal. It also makes a perfect snack straight out of the box. Rice Chex has more of a plain flavor which is perfectly complemented with some strawberries, blueberries or banana slices. Both flavors can be used to create delicious gluten free recipes. Pick up a box today and experience the joy of Chex for yourself!

If you're looking for a tasty gluten free dinner tonight, look no further!

Sweet 'n Salty Coconut Chicken

photo from lifemadedelicious.ca

Ingredients:

4 cups (1 L) Honey Nut Chex cereal, coarsely crushed

2 cups (500 mL) shredded coconut

1 1/2 tsp (7 mL) salt

1/2 tsp (2 mL) pepper

4 eggs

1 1/2 lb (750 g) uncooked chicken breast tenders (not breaded)

Method:
•Heat oven to 425ºF. Generously spray large cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
•In shallow bowl, mix cereal, coconut, salt and pepper. In another shallow bowl, beat eggs. Coat 1 chicken tender at a time with coconut mixture, then eggs, then again with coconut mixture; place on cookie sheet. Repeat to use up chicken.
•Bake about 20 minutes or until chicken is golden on outsides and no longer pink in centre.

You can find this and many more gluten free recipes over at LifeMadeDelicious.ca

*Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Connector program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Strawberry Short (Angel Food) Cake

2011-06-25T11:00:00.002-06:00

Can you believe it's almost Canada Day? This year is really flying by! On Canada Day we like to host our friends and neighbors for a BBQ and I love planning what food to serve. The main dishes are always BBQ basics like burgers and hotdogs but I like being a bit more creative with the dessert. A strawberry recipe is always a fun edition to a Canada Day menu and strawberries are so abundant this time of year.

This year I have decided to make a version of strawberry shortcake but I'm using angel food cake for the cake part of the recipe. I did a test run yesterday and it was so easy to make using Betty Crocker White Angel Food Cake mix. I used individual sized moulds for the cakes and then cut each one in half and layered the cake, sliced strawberries and whipped cream. I love that they turn out truly red and white using the angel food cake. So Canadian!

Life Made Delicious has tons of easy recipes if you're looking for inspiration and if you speak french, be sure to check out the new Life Made Delicious french facebook page!

Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own

Cars 2 Prize Pack Giveaway

2011-06-16T17:30:00.002-06:00

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, Cars 2 will be racing into theatres across the country on June 24th in Disney Digital 3D™. Cars has always been a favorite at our house so we are very excited for Cars 2. This time, we get to follow Lightning McQueen and Tow Mater overseas for some international adventure.

Giveaway

Walt Disney Studios Canada has generously offered a super fun Cars 2 prize pack for me to give away to one lucky fan. The prize pack consists of :

· CARS 2 tshirt in youth size

· CARS 2 official movie poster

· CARS 2 temporary tattoos (2)

· CARS 2 bumper stickers (set of 3)

· CARS 2 puzzle

Mandatory Entry

If you have someone in your life who would love to receive this awesome prize, head on over to the Cars Character list on facebook and tell me which one you think will be your favorite (use the arrows to scroll through them all). *Comments are acting up. If you are having trouble commenting you can send me all your entries in an email to dftrew(at)gmail(dot)com

Extra Entries

For some extra entries do any or all of the following and comment letting me know:

“Like” WALT DISNEY STUDIOS CANADA on Facebook

“Like” CARS on Facebook

Giveaway is open to Canada only and ends June 24th at 9PM. Winner will be chosen using random.org and emailed.

*Disclosure-The prize pack is being supplied free of charge. No other compensation was received. Opinions are honest and my own.

Cars 2 is Racing into Theatres June 24

2011-06-15T09:29:00.000-06:00

Start your engines and get geared up for the sequel we've all been waiting for. Cars 2 is racing into theatres on June 24th in Disney Digital 3D! Cars has been a favorite in my house since it first hit theatres and we are excited to finally catch up with Lightning McQueen and Mater again. Check out the synopsis for Cars 2:

Star racecar Lightning McQueen and the incomparable tow truck Mater take their friendship to high speeds in CARS 2 when they head overseas to compete in the first ever World Grand Prix to determine the world’s fastest car. There are plenty of potholes, detours and hilarious surprises along the way when Mater gets caught up in an intriguing adventure of his own: international espionage. The fast paced fun includes a colourful new all car cast, complete with menacing villains and international racing competitors.

You can get in on the action by following the Walt Disney Studios Canada facebook page for daily fun including giveaways, trivia and facts about the movie. You can also like Cars on facebook or join the twitter conversation using #Cars2 #Canada.

Life Made Delicious Celebrate Summer Giveaway

2011-06-07T17:53:00.000-06:00

I can feel summer in the air. The weather is finally starting to heat up, everyone is dicussing summer plans and I'm starting to get excied. One of my favorite things about summer is the food. Barbecue, icy drinks, and fresh salads fill our days. There are so many BBQ recipes to make with fresh, colorful ingredients!

Giveaway

Life Made Delicious wants to make your summer even brighter with a wonderful "Celebrate Summer" prize pack giveaway! The “Celebrate Summer Giveaway” pack is valued at approximately $100 and includes:

Barbecue Utensil Set
Paper Plates
Colourful Napkins
General Mills goodies from Old El Paso, Cheerios (including Chocolate Cheerios!), Fibre 1, Betty Crocker, Nature Valley

Mandatory Entry
To enter visit the easy recipes at Life Made Delicious and have a look around then come back here and tell me which will be your favorite recipe this summer.

Daily Entry
If there are lots of recipes that catch your eye, you can come back each day and tell me another Life Made Delicious summer recipe that you think you will enjoy.

Extra Entries
If you would like some extra entries do any or all of the following

follow me on twitter and comment letting me know
"like" my new facebook page and leave a comment letting me know
follow with GFC and comment letting me know

Giveaway is open to Canada only and ends July 7th at 9PM. Winner will be selected using Random.org and contacted by email.

Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Mending Fances Casting Call

2011-06-05T09:45:00.000-06:00

Do you have some family drama that has caused you to loose touch with a relative but now you wish you could repair the relationship? If so, there is a new show that you may be perfect for! Mending Fences is a one hour documentary-style series that will help mend family relationships and they are currently looking for people who would like to appear on the show. This sounds like it could be a very positive experience for the right people! You can check out all the press release details below.

Compelling New TV Series Is Now Casting Estranged Family Members Who Want To Reunite

Have you and a relative been torn apart by a long-standing rift?

Have you gone years without speaking?

Is a life-changing event (pregnancy or a new baby, deployment, wedding, illness, etc.) now shining a light on the void it’s left in your family?

Are you finally ready to take the first step toward healing your broken relationship?

Breakthrough Entertainment is currently casting a brand new series for a Major International Women’s Network. “Mending Fences” is a compelling one-hour documentary-style series that will be dedicated to working one-on-one with family members who desperately want to repair their broken relationships. An estrangement can have a devastating impact on a family, but it’s never too late to step forward and extend an olive branch. On this series, family members will work with Janet Morrison, a well-respected and dedicated Family Mediator, who will be there to lend support, encourage honest conversation and ultimately, give family members the chance to reconcile and start again.

If you live anywhere within a two-hour flight of Toronto and want to learn more about this exciting opportunity, we want to hear from you! Please include a description of yourself, the family member with whom you’re feuding and the issues plaguing your relationship, along with a recent photo. This is a five-day (non-consecutive) filming commitment and participants must be willing to travel and share their stories on television. Each participant will receive a $3500 financial honorarium as a “thank you” for their time and commitment.

We look forward to hearing from YOU!

Danielle Gervais
Casting Director, Breakthrough Entertainment
Ph. 646.678.4999
Breakthroughtvcasting.danielle@gmail.com

Bachelorette Party Ideas

2011-05-31T18:49:00.000-06:00

*This post is intended for adults only. If you are under 18 or offended by adult content please skip this post

I just found out that my brother and his girlfriend have gotten engaged and are planning to get married very soon! I'm excited that they are taking this big step and am eager to help out with the plans. One of the things I've been asked to help with is the bachelorette party. I want to make it extra fun so I browsed around EdenFantasys looking for some ideas. They have lots!!

You can buy decor items to set a fun mood with everything from adult themed center pieces to sexy confetti. As for food, they carry penis shaped cookie cutters and cupcake pans so you can bake up some naughty treats (just be sure the kids are away when you get the baking done!). They even have books about how to plan the perfect bachelorette party. I'm definitely going to get myself one of them! Do you have any unique bachelorette party ideas or stories? Leave a comment and share!

*I will receive a gift card in exchange for posting about EdenFatasys. All opinions are honest and my own.

What's For Supper?

2011-05-26T18:35:00.002-06:00

Yesterday I got a great deal on some boneless, skinless chicken breasts. My family loves chicken but they are getting bored with my usual preparation so I went browsing the Life Made Delicious site for some BBQ recipes to add some variety to my menu. I was looking for something easy and a little bit different and ended up settling on the Taco Seasoned Chicken.

The recipe uses taco seasoning and Old El Paso Thick N' Chunky Salsa to add a delicious twist to basic BBQ chicken. It was super easy to prepare and everyone loved it! My kids and husband all asked to take leftover chicken on buns for lunch tomorrow. I love when I can take care of two meals with one cooking (and cleaning) session. My only recommendation is to make extra because you will need it!

What did you make for supper? Life Made Delicious has tons of easy recipes so why not try a new one today!

*Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

My Long Weekend with Wonder+ SimplyFree

2011-05-24T19:55:00.002-06:00

How was your long weekend? We have been on vacation in Nova Scotia so we spent part of the weekend travelling and the other part barbecuing! I always look forward to the May long weekend as the official start to barbecue season so there was nothing going to stop me from firing up the grill - not jetlag from the 5 hour early morning flight home or the drizzle that had been falling all day. I spent Monday evening on my deck in the rain grilling up burgers. I had planned to invite the neighbors over for a backyard BBQ get-together to thank them for watching our house while we were away but the rain ruined those plans.

I like trying new recipes on the grill but hamburgers and hotdogs are my family's favorites so I was excited to learn that Weston bakeries is introducing Wonder+ SimplyFree. The line is the first Canadian National Brand of bakery products made with unbleached wheat flour and no artificial preservatives, flavours and colours. And it includes white hamburger and hotdog buns! I love this healthy alternative that tastes great...even to my kids!

Wonder is offering a progressive coupon for SimplyFree buns on it's facebook page to give Canadians a chance to try the new buns ata discount. The way the coupon works is the more people who "like" it, the more valuable the coupon becomes. If it reaches 8001- 10000 likes, it will be a Buy One Get One Free coupon! So share this offer with your friends so we can all enjoy some free buns.

If you are looking for some delicious inspiration check out the Canadian Living, Summer Fun Comes Naturally site where 10 new WONDER+ SimplyFree recipes will be introduced throughout the summer. The first two are posted already! If you're a real barbecue enthusiast they even have articles about barbecuing to read.

Disclosure – I am participating in the Wonder+ SimplyFree program by Mom Central Canada on behalf of Weston Bakeries. I received a gift card and free product coupons as a thank you for my participation. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Winners!!

2011-05-20T07:30:00.000-06:00

I'm a little late announcing these winners but they have both been notified and confirmed. We are currently on a last minute vacation to Nova Scotia so it's been tougher to get things accomplished online than usual. On to the winners...

The winner of the BMO Eco Smart Mortgage giveaway of a $50 Rona gift card is Robyn

and the winner of the CESAR Bistro gift basket giveaway is Glogirl

Congrats to the winners and a huge thanks to the sponsors for making these giveaways possible!

Pirates of the Carribean: On Stranger Tides Giveaway

2011-05-11T16:26:00.000-06:00

If you're like me, you have May 20th circled in red on your calendar because that's when Captain Jack sails back onto the big screen. That's right - the latest installment of Pirates of the Carribean is only a week away! This time Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) finds himself on an unexpected journey to the fabled Fountain of Youth when a woman from his past (Penélope Cruz) forces him aboard the Queen Anne’s Revenge, the ship of the formidable pirate Blackbeard (Ian McShane). And it's in Disney Digital 3D™. Johnny Depp in 3D! Need I say more?

For more info and fun visit Walt Disney Studios Canada and Pirates of the Carribean on facebook.

Giveaway

To celebrate the release, I have a fun giveaway for you. One lucky reader will win a Pirates of the Carribean: On Stranger Tides prize pack which includes:

· PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES t-shirt in adult size

· PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES bandana in black

· PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES temporary tattoo (2 per winner)

· PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES official movie poster

· PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES pin

Mandatory Entry

Enter to win this prize pack by leaving a comment on this post telling me which Pirates of the Carribean has been your favorite so far. If you haven't seen any yet tell me you're favorite Johnny Depp movie.

Extra Entries

"like" WALT DISNEY STUDIOS CANADA on facebook and comment letting me know

"like" PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN on facebook and comment letting me know

follow me on twitter and comment letting me know

"like" my new facebook page and leave a comment letting me know

follow with GFC and comment letting me know

This giveaway is open to Canada only and ends May 20th at 11:59 PM. Winner will be chosen with Random.org and emailed for shipping details.

*The prize pack is being provided free of charge by the sponsor. I have received no further compensation. All opinions are honest and my own.

Blogs Made Delicious

2011-05-10T07:26:00.000-06:00

Life Made Delicious has always been a great resource for easy recipes, tips and offers from your favorite General Mills brands and now it's even better. The latest addition is Blogs Made Delicious.

Five fabulous Canadian bloggers have been chosen to share the recipes they are cooking up in their own kitchens. I love getting recipe inspiration from real moms! Each of these ladies has their own culinary philosophy so I'm sure you will find at least one you can relate to. So why not head on over to Blogs Made Delicous to meet the bloggers and get some fresh ideas. I personally relate to Frugal Mom Deanna most - trying to make food fun, economical and tasty. Which of the bloggers are you most like?

While you are on the Life Made Delicious site make sure you check out the offers tab for some seriously amazing promotions. I'm talking free ice cream, cereal and movies!

*Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Connector program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

We Vibe II Review (Adult)

2011-05-09T10:19:00.000-06:00

*This post is intended for adults only. If you are under 18 or offended by adult content please skip this post

I recently ordered the We Vibe II from EdenFantasys. It is a couples vibrator that provides clitoral and g-spot stimulation during intercourse. We had heard good things about this product and were curious to try it out.

When it first comes out of the box, you need to charge it up for 24 hours. A power cord simply plugs into the tip to charge and is removed before use. It has several different speeds and vibration patterns and is not very loud. After patiently waiting the full 24 hours we finally got to give it a whirl. I admit I had big expectations because I had heard great things about the We Vibe but I was a bit disappointed at first. We used it as directed and it was pleasant but certainly nothing spectacular for me.

Since this is a somewhat pricey product ($89.99) I didn't want to give up on it just yet so we tried it again a few days later. This time, at first it seemed the same as the first time we used it...but then it slipped into just the right position and I suddenly knew what all the hype was about! I guess we just didn't have it positioned right the first time. Now I definitely recommend the We Vibe II. Besides the great sensations it provides, it is small, hands-free and easy to clean.

*I will receive a gift card in exchange for posting about EdenFatasys. All opinions are honest and my own.

Cesar Bistro Review and Giveaway

2011-05-05T10:33:00.002-06:00

I think all dog owners think of their pets as members of the family. I sure do! I think of our pup the same way I do my kids. He needs care and attention and I will do whatever it takes to make sure he is healthy and happy. One of the biggest challenges in keeping him both healthy and happy is feeding him. He wants to eat what the rest of the family is eating (and who can blame him) but I know that's not healthy for him. But I've found a solution to this problem!

I was recently received and awesome gift basket filled with CESAR Bistro products. CESAR is a leading brand that is dedicated exclusively to small dogs, offering a perfect range of food for small dogs from dry to wet to treats and most importantly they are 100% complete and balanced nutritionally! I was shocked when I opened a package of the food to find it looked just like "people food". You can clearly see the meat pieces and veggies along with pasta or rice. This is not your typical wet dog food! My pup has tried and enjoyed all the flavours but especially loves the Tuscan Style Stew with Beef. Last week we were laughing at the dinner table because I had grilled some hotdogs and hamburgers for dinner while the dog was eating Steak Florentine!

CESAR products are available at grocery, pet specialty and mass merchandise outlets. For more information on the CESAR brand, visit http://www.cesar.ca/

Giveaway

CESAR has offered to give the same gift basket I received to one lucky reader. The prize pack is filled with CESAR Bistro flavours along with a super neat retractable leash and dog bag dispenser.

Excuse my poor photography skills!

Mandatory Entry

To enter the giveaway visit the CESAR website and leave a comment on this post with which flavour you think your small dog will like best.

Extra Entries

"like" CESAR Canada on facebook and comment letting me know

follow me on twitter and comment letting me know

"like" my new facebook page and leave a comment letting me know

follow with GFC and comment letting me know

Daily Entry

You can tweet once per day for a daily entry. Be sure to comment with a link to your tweet. Here's a sample tweet you can use: Woof! @edmontonjb is giving away a CESAR Bistro prize pack valued at $100! CAN Only Ends 05/15 http://bit.ly/jh5gUa

Giveaway is open to Canada Only and ends May 15th at 9PM. Winner will be chosen using Random.org and emailed.

*I received products to test so that I could share my experience. Opinions expressed are honest and my own.

A New Spin on an Old Favorite

2011-04-28T19:00:00.000-06:00

Lean in close... because I have a little secret to share with you...and it involves chocolate! As an LMD connector, I get the inside scoop on products from our favorite General Mills brands so imagine my delight recently when I received a package of...wait for it...Chocolate Cheerios!! This delicious new addition to the Cheerios line up is naturally flavoured with real cocoa, whole grains and 9g of sugar. They are also low in fat and a source of fibre. I can't wait to try out some easy recipes using them.

Now don't be jealous that I got to try out this tasty twist on an old favorite because the folks at Cheerios are taking care of you too. On May 1st, Canadian consumers can visit the websaver.ca website to order a Chocolate Cheerios coupon then, for one day only on June 21st, you can redeem your coupon for a FREE box! So mark your calendars. If you just can't wait until then to try them, they will be hitting Canadian store shelves on June 3rd.

Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Free Tree Boy With Skittles Canada

2011-04-27T12:29:00.001-06:00

One of my favorite commercials on TV is the Skittles Tree Boy ad. You know, the one with the boy who has a Skittles tree growing out of his body. You can view it here. Whenever I see the ad I always feel sorry for Tree Boy. All he wants to do is go college!

I recently had the pleasure of receiving a letter from Tree Boy letting me know that he is looking for support in his quest. Now Canadians can help him realize his dream of going to college. If you buy a package of Skittles before July 31st (while supplies last) you will get a Freedom Band to show your support of Tree Boy. Or you can get your Freedom Band without purchase by visiting the Free Tree Boy website, clicking on the Support Tree Boy tab and filling out the form.

While you're on the Free Tree Boy website you can also vote on which college Tree Boy should attend. Just click on the Vote on his Freedom tab. I voted for University of Arborta where Tree Boy would study Saponomics. Voting closes June 30th so spead the word and make your opinion heard. Let's get Tree Boy off the farm!

*Disclosure - I received a Tree Boy/Skittles package to introduce me to this campaign. I was under no obligation to post about the campaign.

Eden Fantasys Shipping Review

2011-04-24T20:53:00.001-06:00

*The following post is intended for adults. If you are under 18 or easily offended by adult content please move on.

I recently placed an order with EdenFantasys using gift cards. I am always a little nervous ordering from American companies because shipping to Canada can sometimes be a nightmare. Between cost, time and customs there are many opportunities for things to go wrong so I am going to tell you about my experience ordering from EdenFantasys into Canada.

First off, I am happy to say that EdenFantasys gift cards do not expire and you can use several at a time, both big pluses that you don't find with a lot of online retailers. Secondly, gift cards can be used to cover shipping - another huge perk! I ordered an item that cost $89.99, paid $16 for shipping to Canada and received a free gift with my order that retails for $19.99.

I placed my order on April 12th in the evening and it was shipped on April 13th. I was promptly sent an email with my tracking details and was able to track it the whole way to my door. My package was delivered first thing in the morning on April 21st. I consider this to be pretty quick since it had to cross the border. And of course, with crossing the border comes the fear of the dreaded customs charges. EdenFantasys cannot make any guarantee about customs as they have no say in the matter but I am so happy to say that my package arrived with no customs charges! Yay!

So overall I am impressed with the whole process. Shipping was quick, discreet and I felt informed every step of the way. Curious about what I ordered? Stay tuned for a review soon!

Disclaimer: I will receive a gift card in exchange for posting about EdenFantasys. Opinions are honest and my own.

BMO Eco Smart Mortgage (with Giveaway)

2011-04-21T16:07:00.000-06:00

There's no doubt about it - becoming a homeowner is expensive. Between mortgage payments, property taxes, utilities and renovation costs the bills seem endless. I recently learned that 51% of Canadian homeowners cite utility costs as the biggest surprise of home ownership. The winter we moved into our townhome, we were shocked to get the heating bills! They were astronomical. Although we didn't feel we could afford to replace our furnace with a more efficient one, we did decide to replace the old windows and exterior doors. I am so glad we did because the following winter our heating bills dropped significantly.

Now I've learned those type of renovations could also help reduce our mortgage payment. BMO wants to encourage and reward Canadian homeowners looking to reduce their energy usage with a special mortgage rate. The BMO Eco Smart Martgage is a new mortgage product with a five-year fixed rate of 3.89 per cent. To find out if you qualify simply head to the BMO website and download the checklist. Then if your home meets 6 of the 7 criteria BMO will send an appraiser to confirm that your home qualifies.

I checked out our home and here are our results:

1. High Efficiency Heating System - No, our furnace is older and definitely not high efficiency

2. High efficiency Air Cooling System or no Air Cooling Systemat all - Yes, we don't have an air conditioner

3. Good Quality Attic Insulation - Yes, this was done right before we moved in.

4. Windows - Yes, our new windows are Energy Star qualified and well installed.

5. Domestic Hot Water System - No, but we plan to replace the hot water system within the next year

6. Doors - Yes, our new doors are metal.

7. Major Appliances - Not quite, our fridge and freezer are Energy Star qualified. Our washer and dishwasher are not but we plan to replace our dishwasher very soon with an Energy Star one.

If you're keeping score, we meet 4 of the criteria and within a year are likely to meet 6 which would qualify us for the BMO Eco Smart Mortgage. So how does your house rate?

Giveaway:

Thanks to Mom Central Canada and BMO, I have one $50 Rona gift card to giveaway to one lucky reader. For your chance to win leave a comment on this post telling me what you have done or plan to do in the future to make your home more energy efficient.

You can enter once per day by leaving a new comment.

Giveaway is open to Canadians only and closes May 15th at 9 PM. Winner will be chosen at random and notified by email.

Disclosure – I am participating in the BMO Eco Smart Mortgage program by Mom Central Canada on behalf of BMO - Bank of Montreal. I received a gift card as a thank you for my participation. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Cupcakes Fit For A King

2011-04-14T09:27:00.000-06:00

Royal Wedding Fever is spreading across the world as the big day quickly approaches. If you're extremely lucky maybe you're heading over to England to be close to the action but even if a trip across the pond isn't in the cards, you can still join in the fun and celebration. Life Made Delicious has put together a selection of easy recipes along with a Royal Wedding Party Kit so you can host your own event fit for a king.

Even if you won't be celebrating the Royal Wedding wedding on April 29th, I'm sure you have some other reason to celebrate. For instance, I decided yesterday to celebrate the fact that the snow in my backyard finally melted. This event definitely called for cupcakes!

I decided to try the Chocolate Cupcakes with White Truffle Frosting. The recipe was so easy! All I needed was a cake mix, a can of frosting, white chocolate, eggs, oil and water. I whipped the cupcakes up in less than five mintues and popped them in the oven. Then I had to go pick up my boys while they were cooling.

When we got home, they were ready to frost. The kids wanted to help so the frosting didn't turn out quite like the ones in the picture on the Life Made Delicious site (or at least I'm blaming it on the boys) but they were delicious anyway! Here is a picture for comparison:

I don`t think we are going to get hired as Royal Wedding caterers any time soon!

Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own

Spice It Up

2011-04-10T21:50:00.002-06:00

*The following post is intended for adults. If you are under 18 or easily offended by adult content please move on.

Not everyone is comfortable heading into the local adult store to pick up some sexy lingerie or fun toys. For many buying these types of items is a task better accomplished online. But even that can seem daunting - will your delivery man give you a knowing smirk as you're signing for your package? What if it gets delivered while your out and the babysitter sees the box? Will someone get a glimpse of your credit card statement and know what you've been up to in your private time?

EdenFantasys seems to understand these concerns and have taken steps to help us avoid those embarrassing moments. When you order from them your credit card statement will read Web Merchants Inc or WM8003509050NJ and items are shipped in discreet, plain boxes so no one needs to know where you've been shopping. They have a very clear shipping policy on their website so check it out if you have any questions.

EdenFantasys offers flat rate shipping of only $5.95 for most U.S. orders and FREE SHIPPING on orders over $59. They also ship to Canada (and other international destinations) for very reasonable rates. So what's stopping you from adding a little spice to your love life?

Disclaimer: I will receive a gift card in exchange for posting about EdenFantasys.

Do You Eat Breakfast?

2011-04-05T11:42:00.000-06:00

I admit, I skip breakfast most days. I have just never been much of an early morning eater. Most days I don't eat until lunch. I know this is not a good habit and I've tried to change it but just cannot force myself to eat when I get up. My kids on the other hand love breakfast. They eat as soon as they get out of bed.

As a Life Made Delicious Connector I recently received a huge box of goodies to try out and included was a box of Fibre 1 Honey Clusters cereal. I wasn't sure what my boys would think of it but they both agreed to give it a try. Imagine my surprise when they both loved it and wanted seconds! After a few days they had finished the whole box and asked me to get some more when I went grocery shopping. Since they loved it so much, I figured I had to give it a try so one evening I had a bowl as a snack before bed. It was delicious! The flakes and the honey clusters both have a sweet, maple-like flavor. And as an added bonus it is made with whole grain and is a very high source of fibre! We are on our third box in as many weeks and it has become the new favorite cereal in my house.

If you are looking for some breakfast inspiration you can check out some breakfast recipes at Life Made Delicious. They are even offering a coupon for $1 off any Cheerios cereal, just click over to http://www.cheeriosoatfibre.ca/ for the details. Or if you have breakfast down pat, they have tons easy recipes for every meal and occasion.

Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own

Spring Break Wrap Up

2011-04-05T09:59:00.000-06:00

Here in Edmonton, last week was spring break. The weather has finally warmed up a bit but our backyard still has about two feet of snow so playing in the backyard was not an option. Also because the snow is melting, everywhere is very wet so going for walks or heading to the park were also out. Not being able to play outside made spring break feel very long and boring.

So what do you do with two boys who have spring fever and no school? No, seriously, WHAT DO YOU DO?! We considered heading to Calgary for a few days to get away but the thought of spending hours in a car and then days in a hotel room with my boys just didn't sound appealing. So we ended up playing lots of board games and doing crafts and the basement became a battleground for Nerf gun wars.

We did manage to get out a bit. We saw Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodderick Rules. My oldest son loves the books so much and we all enjoyed the movie. We also went skating, had a few play dates and celebrated my husbands birthday. But the most exciting thing that happened over spring break was I brought my six year-old to see his first real concert. We went to see Alan Jackson at Rexall Place. My son was so excited. My husband took our oldest to his first concert (Green Day) about two years ago and my youngest has been asking when he would get to go to one ever since. I saw Alan Jackson in concert about 15 years ago and he hasn't changed a bit. We had a blast!

Overall the break was nice but we could have done with a little more outside time. Did you do anything fun for spring break?

Summer Fresh & Ddrops Winners

2011-03-28T09:54:00.001-06:00

The winners have been drawn for the Summer Fresh and Ddrops giveaways. The lucky winner of the coupon for Summer Fresh products is:

Dianne

and the lucky winner of the $25 GC from Ddrops is :

Katrina Brady

Both winner have been confirmed. Congratulations ladies! I want to say a huge thanks to Summer Fresh and Ddrops for sponsoring these giveaways. Make sure you check out their amazing products!

Have you visited EdenFantasys lately?

2011-03-27T16:31:00.000-06:00

*The following post is intended for adults. If you are under 18 or easily offended by adult content please move on.

If you are in the market for lingerie, toys, erotic books and DVDs or even novelty items for a bachelorette party, EdenFantasys is the online destination for you. But they are not just a sex toy shop. The folks over at EdenFantasys have created an entire community full of information and fun!

You can find everything from forums and reviews to interviews and even an erotic book club. One of my absolute favorite parts of the EdenFantasys website is EdenTube - think video reviews with a sexy spin! If you are curious about an item, you can search EdenTube for a video review. It is such a great way to see the item out of the packaging and in action. Sometimes it's hard to tell exactly how an item is used from pictures but a video really gives you a good idea of what an item is like. Most of the videos are just of a person showing the toy out of the packaging and turned on (if applicable) and explaining how it works. Any video that includes nudity is clearly stated before you click to watch. So if you want to get a really good idea of how a toy works before ordering check out EdenTube.

Disclaimer: I will receive a gift card in exchange for posting about EdenFantasys.

Do You Have A Picky Eater?

2011-03-26T10:18:00.000-06:00

It is such a common problem! Any time I am with a group of moms the "picky eater" topic always comes up. It seems like every kid goes through a stage where getting them to eat anything other than mac n' cheese feels nearly impossible. My oldest son was an etremely picky eater so I spent alot of time searching out recipes for kids that he might enjoy. Over time, I realized the easiest way to get him to try new foods was to let him help during the preparation.

One of the most versatile foods that kids can help make and enjoy eating is burgers. I love that you can use different types of meat and the add-ins are endless. My kids love getting their hands dirty and choosing what they want to add to their burgers. We all love the taste! If you are looking for some burger inspiration check out the Southwest Turkey Burger recipe over at lifemadedelicious.ca. They are easy to make and flavorful. You can replace the chilies with green or red peppers if your kids find the chilies too spicy.

My kids always seem to like foods that are individual size and one of their favorites is Mini Meat Loaves. I never have any luck making regular meat loaf. It always falls apart on me when I try to slice it! These mini meat loaves don't need slicing so that's not an issue. We bake them in a muffin tin so the edges crisp up nicely.

So how do you get your picky eaters to eat? Do you seek out easy recipes and have your kids help cook or do you have a different approach that works for your family?

*Disclaimer: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Connector program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

My New Facebook Page with Amazon Giveaway

2011-03-17T09:58:00.000-06:00

I have decided to seperate my personal facebook page and my blog facebook page and I'm hosting a giveaway to celebrate!

On April 1st I will be drawing someone at random from all of the people who like my Facebook page to win an Amazon gift card. The amount of the gift card will increase with the number of "likes". I will start with a $10 gift card and the amount will increase with every 100 "likes". So if we hit 100 the giveaway will be for a $15 gift card, if we hit 200 it will increase to a $20 gift card and so on. The top amount that will be given away is $50 so (if my math is correct) that would require 800 "likes". So spread the word to increase the prize!

The winner will get to choose whether they want an Amazon.ca or Amazon.com gift card. There is no need to comment on this post for your entry to count. I will announce the winner on my facebook page.

"Liking" the page will also gain you an extra entry into all my giveaways from now on starting with the current giveaway for a $25 gift card for Shoppers Drug Mart, Jean Coutu or Well.ca from Ddrops.

*Neither Amazon nor Facebook are in anyway involved in this giveaway.

Baby Ddrops Is Celebrating!

2011-03-15T09:08:00.001-06:00

Baby Ddrops has been awarded the PTPA Winner’s Seal of Approval. This award is given to products that have been evaluated by parent volunteers and is based on merit and consumer experience. They are excited and they want you to celebrate with them. If you drop by their facebook page today (March 15) and leave a congratulatory note, they will send you a free Dora and Diego growth chart!

You can find all the information you need here. And don't forget to enter the Ddrops giveaway here on my blog for your chance to win a $25 GC to Shoppers Drug Mart, Jean Coutu or Well.ca!

Ddrops Review and Giveaway

2011-03-14T13:45:00.005-06:00

I was recently sent some Ddrops for my boys and myself to try out. If you haven't heard of Ddrops yet, they are vitamin D in liquid form. This enables you to get all the benefits of vitamin D in just one drop per day. Thay are so easy to take! You can lick the drop off any clean surface such as the back of a washed hand or a spoon. They can also be dropped onto food or into liquids. Ddrops contains no preservatives, no artificial flavour and no added colour. They are wheat-free, gluten-free, soy-free, corn-free, sugar-free, milk-free and peanut-free.The Ddrops website has tons of information about vitamin D as well as answers to all sorts of questions you may have about the drops themselves.

My favorite thing about the Ddrops was how easy they were to give to my kids and take myself. You just turn the bottle upside down and a drop will come out. You don't even need to shake or squeeze the bottle. I simply lick a drop off of my hand each morning. My sons prefer to have a drop put on their breakfast. The drops have no taste or smell so they can literally be put on anything.

Ddrops can be purchased from many major retailers and health food stores as well as online. You can find information on where to find Ddrops here.

Giveaway

The Ddrops company wants one of you to be able to try Ddrops for free, so they have generously offered me a gift certificate to giveaway to one lucky reader! If you are the winner you will get to choose a $25 gift certificate for Shoppers Drug Mart, Jean Coutu, or well.ca so you can purchase some Ddrops for yourself.

Mandatory Entry

To enter the giveaway you must visit the Ddrops website and look around then come back here and comment with something you learned from the site.

Extra Entries

"like" Ddrops on Facebook and comment letting me know

follow Ddrops on twitter and comment letting me know

follow me on twitter and comment letting me know

"like" my new facebook page and leave a comment letting me know

follow with GFC and comment letting me know

Daily Entry

You can tweet once per day for a daily entry. Be sure to comment with a link to your tweet. Here's a sample tweet you can use: Wanna try Ddrops? Win a $25 gift certificate with @edmontonjb and @ddrops so you can try them yourself Canada Only http://bit.ly/gq89lP

Giveaway is open to Canada only and ends March 25th at 9PM. Winner will be selected using Random.org and contacted by email.

*I received product samples free of charge for the purpose of this review. Opinions expressed are honest and my own.

Febreze NOTICEables Review and Free Offer

2011-03-08T09:17:00.001-07:00

I've been a Febreze user for as long as I can rememer, so I was thrilled when I was offered a Febreze NOTICEables Scented Oil Warmer to try out. I use Febreze Fabric Refresher and Air Effects regularly but hadn't tried out the NOTICEables yet. It is a scented oil warmer you plug into any outlet. But it's not like the other scented oil warmers on the market. Usually after a pluggable is in a room for a while you get used to the scent and don't even notice it anymore. Febreze NOTICEables alternates between two complementary scents all day so you don’t get used to the same scent.

I decided to put my NOTICEables in my 11-year-old's room. Typically every time I walk in there I smell something different, and it's never pleasant. Sometimes I can track down the smell and remedy it. Other times the smell is non-specific and just lingering in the air (I refer to this as boy odor). I plugged the NOTICEable in last week and it really has made a difference! His room now has a fresh, pleasant smell. The scents are noticeable but not overpowering.

Do you have a stinky room or area that could use some air freshening? Febreze has a great offer for you! They want you to be able to try the product for free so if you decide to give NOTICEables a try, they will reimburse you for the purchase price. Simply send in your UPC, receipt and the rebate form you download from their site. You can find all the details HERE.

*I received a Febreze NOTICEables free of charge for the purpose of this review. All opinions are honest and my own.

M&M's Prize Pack Winner

2011-03-05T20:41:00.000-07:00

You guys sure do love your M&M's! I have drawn the lucky winner of the M&M's prize pack and out of 368 valid comments Random.org selected #39 which belonged to

missbobloblaw

who you can find blogging over at Talking Momcents. Congratulations!!

I want to say a huge thank you to M&M's for sponsoring this delicious giveaway and remember you can tweet or facebook your ideas of where the Spokescandies should visit during their cross Canada trip. They will be documenting their journey on their twitter account so be sure to follow along with @mmscanada.

Summer Fresh Salads Review & Giveaway

2011-02-28T15:31:00.001-07:00

I recently had the pleasure of trying out some products from Summer Fresh. Summer Fresh is a Canadian company that produces fresh gourmet dips, hummus and salads with an emphasis on quality. The family run business runs in a state of the art manufacturing facility that is kosher and organically certified and employs more than 100 people.

The first product I tried was the Bruschetta. I love my aunt's homemade bruschetta so I was eager to see how this compared. It tasted very fresh and had the perfect blend of ingredients. I would put it right up there with my aunt's.

Next I tried the Roasted Garlic Hummus. It consists of freshly roasted garlic blended with chick peas in a delicious dressing. I loved the extra garlic flavour of this hummus and it really tasted like homemade!

The last product I've tried is the Summer Fresh Meal-To-Go. These are all-in-one meals that include hummus, a grain salad, trail mix and flatbread. The Meal-To-Go I chose included Roasted Red Pepper Hummus, Greek Couscous Salad, Trail Mix, and Flatbread crackers. This was a unique meal that I would have never thought to put together on my own. It was filling and delicious and makes a perfect balanced lunch.

I really enjoyed the products I tried and am glad I tried them. If you want to try them out for yourself they are available in the deli section at Loblaws, Zehr's, Fortino's, Real Canadian Superstore and Provigo (in Quebec). I also saw some of the products at Walmart Supercentre. You can also check out their website for some great recipe ideas.

Giveaway:
Summer Fresh Salads has generously offered a giveaway for my readers. One lucky reader will receive $10 coupon to use towards Summer Fresh products. To enter, hop over the the Summer Fresh website and leave a comment on this post telling me a one of their products or recipes you would like to try.

For extra entires, do any or all of the following and leave a comment letting me know.
-Follow Summer Fresh on twitter and let me know the name you use over there
-Follow my blog with GFC

For a daily entry (once per day)
-tweet about this giveaway. Here is a sample tweet for you to use. Win $10 towards Summer Fresh products with @edmontonjb and @summerfresh http://bit.ly/g4sjWw

Giveaway is open to Canada Only and ends March 13 at 9pm.

*I received coupons in order to try the products mentioned free of charge. The opinions expressed are honest and my own.

Long Weekends

2011-02-23T18:53:00.000-07:00

How was everyone's weekend? In Alberta (and some other provinces) this past Monday was Family Day so it was a long weekend. We had tickets to a hockey game for Friday night but my oldest son stayed home from school sick and my husband came home from work feeling sick so we didn't make it to the game. On Saturday, everyone was feeling better so we went ice skating in the afternoon, had supper out and then came home and watched Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2 (very cute movie!). Sunday and Monday were both spent around the house playing board games and watching old movies. My husband had yesterday (Tuesday) off as well so we had some much needed time alone together while the kids were at school.

Overall it was a fun weekend with my boys but I was glad today when I finally had the house to myself and could get back to my regular schedule. As I was out running errands this afternoon, I realized I would have to look into buying sunglasses soon. I don't usually wear them in the winter but the sun reflecting off the snow is really becoming a hazard when I'm driving. I've misplaced my sunglasses from last summer so I need new ones. The only problem is, most stores aren't carrying them right now. I guess I will have to look at getting some online glasses.

My boys have another long weekend next week, when they have Thursday and Friday off from school. I'm trying to think of something fun to fill those days. If anyone has any ideas, leave a comment! Hopefully the weather improves so we can get outside for a bit.

M&M’S® Spokescandies Discover Canada's Best (with Giveaway)

2011-02-18T09:50:00.003-07:00

Today the M&M’S® Spokescandies are launching the Discover Canada program. Red, Yellow, Blue, Orange and MissGreen will be criss-crossing the nation visiting landmarks, events and cities discovering the best Canada has to offer and they need your help. M&M’S® is asking Canadians to suggest destinations and share travel tips to help the Spokescandies make the most of their time in Canada. You can tweet or facebook them with your ideas. They will be documenting their journey on their twitter account so be sure to follow along with @mmscanada.

“This is my first big trip across Canada. I’m excited, but anxious -- what if I forgot to pack something important?? And I hear that Canadians REALLY love their M&M’S® Candies, so maybe preparing for the cold should be the least of my worries!... *Gulp*”

- Orange, M&M’S® Spokescandy

The Spokescandies really want you to get involved so in order to encourage you to join in the fun, they have offered an amazing giveaway for my readers. One lucky reader will win a Canadiana M&M’S Prize Pack worth $70 filled with various sizes and flavours of delicious M&M’S® candies, rare M&M’S® swag and the hilarious book by the Ferguson brothers – How to Be a Canadian: (Even If You Already Are One).

For your mandatory entry into the giveaway take the Spokescandy Quiz and comment on this post with which one you are most like and whether you agree or not. I took the quiz and I'm most like Blue.

For a daily entry into the giveaway mention @mmscanada and #CanadasBest in a tweet directed at me (@edmontonjb). Here is a sample tweet for you: Enter to win a Canadiana prize pack with @edmontonjb and @mmscanada http://bit.ly/dRCEqH #CanadasBest

For additional one time entries do any or all of the following and leave a comment for each one (be sure to include links for your tweets):

Follow @mmscanada on Twitter

-Tweet a travel recommendation using #CanadasBest

-Become a fan of M&M’S®- Canada on Facebook

-Follow with Google Friend Connect

-Follow me on twitter

Giveaway is open to Canada only and will end on March 4th at 9:00pm Mountain Time. Winner is chosen using random.org and will be notified by email.

Disclosure- I received a sample pack of M&M’S® and the prize for this giveaway will be provided free of charge. All opinions are honest and my own.

Winners!

2011-02-15T08:49:00.000-07:00

Two giveaways ended last night and the winners have been chosen.

The winner of the Cheerios Prize Pack is:

xmd5

and the winner of the CSN Promo Code is:

Shel

Both winners have already been confirmed. A huge thanks goes out to the sponsors for making these giveaways possible! I have a few more great giveaways lined up so come on back to find out what's up next.

Skating

2011-02-10T10:48:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I went to buy some ice skates for myself. I used to love ice skating when I was a kid, but haven't bothered with it lately. I always tie the skates for my kids and watch from the sidelines and my husband actually takes them out on the ice and skates with them. My reasoning to my husband has been that I don't own a pair of skates but my real reason for not hitting the ice is that we went roller skating a few years ago and I was so horrifyingly bad that I am scared that I will be just as bad of an ice skater and embarrass myself again.

This past weekend, when we took the kids to the rink, my youngest son came and sat with me for a bit to watch his dad and brother. After a few minutes he said that he wished I would go skating with him because I'm missing all the fun. He had a good point so I decided that next weekend I'm hitting the ice with my family. I headed to Wal-Mart to grab a pair, but they had already cleared out all of their skates. Then I went to Canadian Tire. They still had some skates but the only ladies ones were size 10 and I'm a seven. Two more Canadian Tires later (good thing I live in a city), I finally found a pair of size 7 ladies skates.

I tried them on last night and walked arounnd the house a bit to make sure they fit well. They are Reebok brand and are extremely comfortable! Much better than the skates I remember wearing as a kid. Now I'm actually excited to get to the rink on Saturday and try them out. Wish me luck!

$40 CSN Giveaway (CLOSED)

2011-02-01T09:00:00.005-07:00

As I was walking my boys to the bus this morning, bundled up from head to toe climbing over snow banks and trying to avoid the icy spots on the sidewalk, I started fantasizing about how nice it would be to go to the park and swing on the swing set or hang from the monkey bars. I can't wait for spring!

To break the monotony of winter, CSN has offered to hook one of my lucky readers up with a $40 promo code to spend on anything you want from their network of 200+ online stores! CSN has so much to offer that it'll be hard for the winner to choose but I've hunted down a few awesome items that may come in handy this spring.

If you have a little one, you could choose the Little Tikes - Bumble Bee Buggy Ride-On.

Or maybe you have some fix ups to do around the house and the Black & Decker Lithium Ion SmartDriver Compact Screwdriver would come in handy.

Or you could welcome the birds back with the Home Bazaar Pacific Grove Bird House.

Giveaway
To enter for your chance to win the $40 promo code, just click on over to CSN stores and have a look around. Come back and comment with an item you might choose if you win.

For extra entries
-become (or already be) a Google Friend Connect follower
-folow me on twitter (@edmontonjb)

Giveaway is open to US and Canada only and ends February 14 at 9:00PM.

*I have not received compensation for this post. However CSN is providing the giveaway prize. All opinions are honest and my own.

Good Riddance, January

2011-01-28T12:00:00.001-07:00

Has this month felt like the longest month ever to anyone else? I usually find the weeks fly by so quickly that next thing you know the month is over, but January has been tediously long!

We have gotten tons of snow and for the first few weeks of the month the temperatures were bone-chilling. It has since stopped snowing for the most part and warmed up quite a bit but that has resulted in roads that are almost undrivable. In Edmonton, they don't get around to plowing residential roads very often so the streets are full of ruts and piles of snow. Pretty much every time I leave the house I see someone stuck. For some reason my husband really likes helping push people's cars out of snow. It's great that he's helpful but he's been late for work more than once this month because he stopped to help someone get unstuck.

Anyway, enough complaining about the weather. My oldest son turned eleven this month. It's almost impossible to buy for an eleven year old less than a month after Christmas. He couldn't even think of anything he wanted! I ended up giving him an outfit, a few video games and cash. I'm still a bit ashamed. Cash seems so impersonal, especially from your parents! But he seemed happy about it. We skipped the party this year and just had a quiet celebration at home. Between my two boys, they had four birthday parties to attend this month so they really didn't miss out on any fun.

Overall it's just been a long, cold, busy month and I can't wait till it's over! February has always been my favorite month so I am happy to see it on the horizon. I love that February is a short month filled with fun, unstressful holidays and celebrations. We manage to squeeze Ground Hog Day, Valentine's Day, Family Day (in Alberta at least) and my birthday into such a short amount of time.

I hope everyone has a great weekend and if you're Canadian don't forget to enter my giveaway for an awesome Cheerios prize pack! Lots of other blogs are giving away the same prize so hop around and enter them all to increase your chances of winning.

Cheerios First Foods Blog Tour & Giveaway (CLOSED)

2011-01-18T10:35:00.003-07:00

From the day our children are born, one of our biggest concerns is food.

What do you feed them?

How much do you feed them?

How do you get them to eat?

When I was a first-time new mom, I was full of questions and confused by all the conflicting advice I was given. Back then (eleven years ago this week) I mostly depended on my mom to guide me. By the time my youngest was born, internet had fully permeated my life and I loved having the wealth of information it brought about feeding my baby.

Through the years, the biggest thing I've learned is that all children are different so you've gotta roll with the punches a bit. My oldest has always been picky and there is no convincing him to eat what he doesn't like but if I wait a few months he will often decide that he likes something he used to hate. My youngest is the opposite. He is very open minded about food and loves to try new flavors and textures. The one thing that my two polar opposite kids have in common - Cheerios was their first and favorite finger food. As a brand that has been trusted by moms for over 50 years, the whole grain cereal "O"s are the perfect snack for little ones (not to mention the rest of the family)!

I'm sure you are familiar with the Cheerios brand and if you're a Canadian mom, you've probably visited babycenter.ca at least a time or two. Now Cheerios and Baby Center have launched the Cheerios First Food section on babycenter.ca. The section includes tons of information and tools. There are videos, articles, printables and polls. Are you wondering how to encourage you baby to like savoury foods or whether you should avoid feeding your baby gluten? They have the answers! Are you raising a vegetarian or vegan baby? Head over and find out all about the nutrients she needs and even a sample eating plan.

Giveaway

To celebrate the launch of the Cheerios First Food section at babycenter.ca, I am able to giveaway a fantastic Cheerios prize pack! The prize pack will include a Cheerios On-the-go Tot Container, Cheerios playbook, Box of Cheerios, Bowl and utensil set and a $30 Cash Card and is valued at $50!

If you want to win this awesome prize pack, head over to the Cheerios First Food section then come back here and comment on this post with your thoughts. Did you learn something new or is there something you would like to see added? Let me know!

If you want to increase your odds of being the lucky winner, do any or all of the following and comment letting me know:

-follow this blog with Google Friend Connect
-follow me on twitter (@edmontonjb) and tweet this giveaway (this can be done once daily)
Canadians - Win a Cheerios prize pack worth $50 with @edmontonjb Ends 02/14 http://bit.ly/fhQCmP

Giveaway is open to Canada Only and will end on February 14th at 9:00 PM mountain time.

Disclosure - I am participating in the Cheerios First Foods program by Mom Central on behalf of General Mills. I received a gift card as a thank you for my participation. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Bluewater Seafoods Review

2011-01-13T10:11:00.002-07:00

As I mentioned in my earlier giveaway post, my family really enjoys Bluewater Seafood products but we tend to stick to a few tried and few favorites. Our current favorites are the Bluewater Fish Sticks and the English Style Haddock. We prefer the Bluewater Fish Sticks over other brands because they bake up nice and crisp and are not as greasy as some others we have tried. The English Style Haddock is a nice thin cut that ensures the fish is cooked thouroughly and the breading tastes just like the breading from a "fish and chips joint".

When I was sent some coupons so that my family could try out the Bluewater brand, I decided to step out of our usual routine and try a couple of products that we haven't tasted yet. I went with the Garlic Butter Grilled Salmon and the Parmesan Seasoned Fillets.

We ate the Parmesan Seasoned Fillets with french fries and they were delicious. I wasn't sure what to expect with the parmesan and fish flavors but they work well together!

I decided to use the Garlic Butter Grilled Salmon to make the Grill Salmon Pasta Salad recipe from the Bluewater website. It was extremely easy to make and even my picky eater ate it all up (although I had to use creamy cucumber dressing for his because that's the only dressing he likes).

I'm glad I tried some new Bluewater products and I'm impressed that my whole family liked both products. So far we haven't met a Bluewater product we don't like!

*I received product free of charge for the purpose of this review. Opinions expressed are honest and my own.

Proactiv 30 Day Follow-up & Giveaway Winners

2011-01-10T10:14:00.000-07:00

You may remember back in December I began the Proactiv 30-day challenge. Well, I`ve been using Proactiv for a little over 30 days now and I am pleased to tell you that it has worked beautifully. My skin has not only cleared up but the redness has also been reduced improving my skin tone dramatically. I feel more confident and and a few people have asked what has changed about me. One friend said I must be getting more sleep because I look so refreshed. She was surprised when I said a cold has actually been keeping me awake. Once I told her I was using Proactiv then she realized that the difference was my skin.

As a participant in the New Proactiv Canada Blog Tour I was also able to giveaway a full-size Proactiv Green Tea Moisturizer to 5 lucky winners. They winners, who have all been confirmed, are Tannie`s Chatter, ksceviour, torview toronto, Robyn and Huguette E. Here is a little more information on the Green Tea Moisturizer that the winners will be receiving.

Green Tea Moisturizer:

Most blemish treatments work to control and remove oil from the skin’s surface and therefore, by nature, can be drying. A soothing, oil free moisturizer is key to replenishing and repairing the skin. Proactiv Solution Green Tea Moisturizer is a light moisturiser that absorbs instantly, delivering soothing hydration to dry skin. It is formulated for blemish prone skin with concentrated botanical extracts and powerful antioxidants that leave skin feeling refreshed and moisturized. This mineral-rich, non-comedogenic formula won’t clog pores or leave skin feeling greasy and is suitable for all skin types.

I highly recommend the Proactiv 3-step system to anyone suffering from acne. It is so easy to use! I simply use it to wash my face in the morning when I wake up and again before bed. It takes less that 2 minutes to do the whole 3-step process! My son is turning 11 this month and I am happy to know that if he starts to develop acne as he reaches his teenage years Proactiv is such a simple solution.

Bluewater Seafoods Giveaway Winners

2010-12-31T11:32:00.000-07:00

The 5 lucky winners of the Bluewater Seafoods giveaway are:

ksceviour
Susan Margaret
marjorie
Nugglemama
orangeheromama

The winners have been notified. Thanks you to everyone who entered and to Bluewater Seafoods for sponsoring this giveaway!

I also wanted to let you know that the Proactiv winners have been chosen and confirmed. I will be announcing the winners in my follow-up post in January. I hope everyone has been enjoying the holidays!

Holiday Wrap Up

2010-12-23T10:47:00.000-07:00

Guess what? I'm finished all my wrapping! This is seriously a big deal for me. Most years I end up spending hours on Christmas Eve finishing my wrapping. Usually I even have to recruit my husband after the kids go to bed so I can get to bed before the kids wake up for Christmas morning. It feels so nice to be done with it already! I admit I cheated a bit and used quite a few gift bags and boxes but it's done and that's all that matters.This year Beyblades are all the rage at my house, so there will be alot of Beyblades and accessories under the tree on Christmas morning.

The other most important wishlist items consisted of a laptop for my oldest and the Donkey Kong Country Returns Wii game for my youngest. My oldest currently uses an old desktop that we handed down to him. It's getting slower and more outdated everyday so the laptop is a great idea. As for the Donkey Kong game, my youngest has wanted it since he saw the first TV ad for it. Unfortunately our Wii bit the dust about a month ago so I had to buy a new Wii to go with the game! My son keeps saying that maybe Santa will use his magic to fix the Wii when he's here, so I think he will be thrilled to see the new Wii on Christmas morning.

I hope each one of you has a happy holiday with the people you love but before all that, today is Festivus so let the airing of grievances begin!

Wanna win a $25 Gift Card to Superstore?

2010-12-21T16:03:00.000-07:00

The Starter Mommy is trying to get 200 followers by Christmas. She is quite a ways off right now so why not head over and check out her blog. She is offering a great incentive if you follow her and invite some others to follow as well. One lucky follower will win either a box of Huggies or a $25 gift card for Superstore (Canadians only). You can find the giveaway post here.

Proactiv Deal

2010-12-21T02:02:00.001-07:00

If you read my recent post, you know I'm participating in the Proactiv 30-day challenge and I have to say it is going great so far. Well, I just found out that The Shopping Channel is offering Proactiv as today's showstopper. Today only you can purchase the Proactiv Home and Go Kit for $49.87 with free shipping! The kit includes:

• Renewing Cleanser (120ml)
• Revitalizing Toner (120ml)
• Repairing Lotion (60ml)
• Refining Mask (70g)
• 3 Piece Mini Maintenance Kit (Renewing Cleanser 30ml, Revitalizing Toner 30ml, Repairing Lotion 30ml)
• Application Guide and Face The Facts

So if you've been considering giving Proactiv a try, now would be a great time to place an order and find out for yourself what a great product it is.