Do your kids love Nutella? Mine does. Not sure why though…I don’t believe I’ve ever bought a jar of the stuff (ever). Hmm….must be the commercials that have told her that she loves it. Anyways, I saw an article about Homemade Nutella in the Huffington Post and thought I’d give it a shot. Who doesn’t love a little nutty/chocolate spread on toast for breakfast. Mmmmmm….

Ingredients:

1/4 cup hazelnut meal

Note: for a smoother texture run the hazelnut meal in a coffee grinder - works great!

1 tbsp cocoa powder

2 1/2 tbsp maple syrup

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1-2 tbsp coconut oil

Combine the ingredients in a food processor (I use my mini food processor).

Result? It tastes just like the real thing! Probably a little healthier than the real thing too. I don’t care what the commercials say ‘nothing but hazelnuts, skim milk and a hint of cocoa’. Whatever,….I’ve seen the ingredients; there’s more than that in there (including palm oil, soy lecithin, etc..). Again, as per usual, I’d rather just make it myself.

Did you know that although Nutella is originally an Italian product the main manufacturing plant for North America is in Brantford, Ontario? I didn’t know that until today. Even better is manufacturing it in my own home though

~Guest Blog by Dallas~

My name is Dallas and my blog is called Southwestern Ontario Foodie. I write about local foods that I’ve sourced within Southwestern Ontario through farmers and at the market. As a family we eat 85% local and, as a result, cook seasonally. My motto is ‘Eat Fresh, Eat Local, Eat REAL Food’.

I am super lazy about filling up the bird feeder in the winter. Trudging through the snow in my backyard is no picnic. However, I have no problem throwing some impromptu bird-feeding thing-a-ma-jigs in the trees in my front yard. And making them keeps bored children busy. Even the littlest tot can enjoy making these. It’s a win-win situation for me, the kids and the birds!

What you need:
:: empty toilet paper tubes
:: bird seed
:: peanut butter or vegetable shortening

Using a butter knife, spread the peanut butter or shortening all over the empty toilet paper tube.
Fill a shallow pie plate or like container, and roll the ‘buttered’ tube in bird seed.
Now your bird feeders are ready to slip on to tree branches! (Or keep chilled in the fridge until ready to take outside.)

~Guest Blog by Nadine~

Nadine is the Chuck Norris of knitting.  She dreams of a rural Amish life and the hills alive with the sound of music, but some days she’s simply happy with a frozen pizza and keeping up with the Kardashians.   She blogs about her adventures at http://corazenia.wordpress.com when the kids climb down from the roof.

Happy New Year to all of our wonderful members at

Waterloo-Moms.ca!

We’ve made it through another year and I certainly wouldn’t have managed without the help of some very special ladies here! Meg is our wonderful SuperMod who is often left to deal with the site without me at times and no matter what else she has going on she always does a great job. She is very lucky though to have such great mods here to help keep things running on daily basis and they have also put in countless hours not just online but also in person when they come to meetings to talk about future ideas or plan our spring and fall sales that were such a success! ontario_gyrl, cutesandturtle, mom2girls, and cnnmom have all given more than just moral support when it comes to keeping the site running. I really can’t thank the five of them enough for all they have done here.

Another big thanks goes out to the members who are here contributing, some daily, some just on occasion but either way your contributions make this site a great resource for mothers in the area to get advice and support. I’ve seen a great number of friendships develop as a result of the online interaction.

2012 is going to be a busy but exciting year and I hope to be able to implement some exciting new things here in the months to come!

Happy New Year to each and every one of you! May your 2012 be blessed with good fortune, good health and lots of friends and family to love.

Cheers,
~Leslie~

We all know how long the excitment of finishing up the school year lasts and I’m sure if your kids are anything like mine you’ve already heard the occasional “I’m bored” or “there’s nothing to do”! Somehow my helpful solution of working together to tackle the mess in the playroom is met with a suddenly empty room. Combine the friends on holidays or in camp with the second day of rain and you can be in for quite the disaster if you aren’t prepared!

We’ve asked our moms what they do to keep their kids busy on rainy or quiet days and they’ve given us some great ideas that we thought we should share. One of my favorites is making homemade ice cream! Sure I can pop over to the grocery store, drag all the kids in, say no to a thousand other treats, wait in line, buckle them all back in and serve it up at home but why not just have the kids do the work if you can! You can google all sorts of recipes but here’s an easy favorite to get you started…..

•1/2 cup milk
•1/2 cup whipping cream (heavy cream)
•1/4 cup sugar
•1/4 teaspoon vanilla or vanilla flavoring (vanillin)
•1/2 to 3/4 cup sodium chloride (NaCl) as table salt or rock salt
•2 cups ice
•1-quart ZiplocTM bag
•1-gallon ZiplocTM bag

Fill the 1 gallon Ziploc with the ice and salt. Use the smaller ziploc to hold the milk, whipping cream, sugar and vanilla and seal it and place it in another small ziploc to protect it from the salt. Place the small bag into the ice filled larger bag and give the kids oven mitts or tea towel and put them to work shaking it up! It takes about 5-15 minutes depending on how good a job your little shakers do but the ice cream will be soft and creamy and delicious! You can add green food colouring and mint extract instead of the vanilla for a yummy mint flavour or some freshly mashed strawberries for a fruity treat! It rarely makes it to a bowl as the kids are excited to eat it right out the bag and I’m certainly not complaining about the lack of dishes to wash up after!

Board games are another favorite…check out these ones from Mattel.

Skip bo is one of my own personal favorites!

Some more great selections include……

Let children go through their toys and decide what they have outgrown or don’t use; then help them set up a yard sale and sell lemonade too (on a sunny day). On the next rainy day, plan a shopping day to spend the money they earned.

Play music and dance!

Visit an appliance store for very large boxes, and build a castle or a rocket ship.

Visit or volunteer at a local seniors residence or nursing home.

Visit the library and stock up on reading and viewing material.

Break out the cards, and play crazy eights or go fish or make up a game.

Get out old magazines and flyers. Cut them up and glue to create a collage.

Plan a tea party with old tea cups and saucers. Eat tiny sandwiches and cookies.

Armed with a list of things from around the house, make a scavenger hunt.

Websites to keep the kids busy or help you find some great ideas

www.forum.waterloo-moms.ca (of course ;))

www.starfall.com

http://eighteen25.blogspot.com/

http://belladia.typepad.com/crafty_crow/

Please feel free to share your ideas by joining us in the forums, together we will not only survive but enjoy the summer with our kids!

Is your child a mini-Picasso? Your teen the Next Best Thing in the art world? Tired of sneakily tossing armfuls of artwork in the trash, but have no idea how to preserve it otherwise? Or perhaps you’re just tired of trying to come up with gifts for all of the people in your children’s life. We have the solution!

Budding Artists is a Canadian company, based right in London. Maria takes your child’s artwork and turns it into a useful and treasurable item of your choice: clothes, jewelery, bags, stationary, keepsakes and more! Catalogue - Budding Artists It’s a simple process - the Budding Artist kit has all of the tips and instructions and the paper for them to create on. Choose your medium from crayon, marker, tempera paint, water colour, pastels and/or paper collage and have your child get to work. Art Guidlines for Budding Artists Fill the page and their work is done! Whether it’s a two year old’s first crayon scribbles or a self-portrait of a serious art student, it will be perfect.

My four year old created a multi-coloured unicorn drawing with a pink background using crayons. We looked over the catalogue of products and she selected a travel mug for me, as she thought it was something I would use everyday and think of her. Turns out, she was right! The stainless steel, BPA-free travel mug has a great lid and washes up easily, not to mention the beautiful unicorn. My daughter is quite proud of it!

We have a great giveaway for you! One lucky Waterloo-Mom will win a pack of 10 kits, plus a $25 gift certificate to go toward the products of your choice - a $75 value! To enter, have a look at the catalogue of products and select your favourite(s). Customized keepsakes and giftware showcasing children’s artwork - Budding Artists Once you’ve narrowed it down do one or all of the following:

1. email jill@londonmoms.ca with your choice and be sure to include your username! Put BUDDING in the subject line.

2. LIKE Waterloo-Moms on Facebook and post your choice on the wall. http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150271926665157.500824.613530156#!/pages/Waterloo-Momsca/106667036074061

3. LIKE Budding Artists on Facebook and post your choice on the wall. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Budding-Artists/171383664831?ref=ts

4. FOLLOW the Budding Artists blog and comment on the latest post letting her know that LondonMoms sent you. http://www.buddingartistscanada.blogspot.com/

Contest closes FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 2011 at 8pm!

I bet some of you are thinking what the heck is babywearing? Well, babywearing
is the act of wearing or carrying a baby or child in a sling or other form of carrier.
Babywearing has been practiced for decades all over the world, however in
the last few years it has certainly gained popularity due to the rising interest in
attachment parenting and the philosophies of Dr. Sears.

Babywearing has many benefits for both the caregiver and the child. These
include allowing the parent or caregiver to have two hands free to go about their
daily duties and/or tend to other children while continuously meeting the needs
of the child. Studies have shown that children who are worn tend be calmer,
more secure, independent and socially developed than children who have not
been worn. When a child is carried in a sling or other carrier, their caregiver can
be seen, heard, smelt and touched at all times. This, along with the rhythm of a
parent’s heartbeat, is shown to have a soothing and balancing effect on infants.
By carrying your child, they begin developing socially earlier by studying facial
expressions, learning languages and they are able to become familiar with body
language. Children who are carried are able to interact with other people much
more easily than children who are in a stroller or car seat.

When a child’s primal/survival needs are met, they are able to form a stronger
more secure bond with their parent/caregiver, providing them with the opportunity
to become independent children.

Now that I’ve covered some of the benefits, lets talk about the different options
you have when babywearing.

There are 5 main types of carriers – pouch slings, ringslings, mei tais, soft
structured carriers and wraps. Please join us in the forums to learn more about all these carriers and see pictures of various ways to use them. http://forum.waterloo-moms.ca/showthread.php?t=6679

MUNCHIES’ LUNCH

With so many choices out there it can be hard to find a video game that will edutain your kid - educate and entertain!

Munchies’ Lunch is a great game with easy to follow instructions that will work on critical problem solving and spatial awareness. Each level is a different puzzle where Mama munchie has to get the food for her baby munchies before the hungry monster munchies get it! The monster munchies always move in the opposite direction to Mama, it can be tricky navigating the board getting all the food, but there is always a way! Sometimes the moves seem counter intuitive but that’s part of the strategic thinking.

My four year old loves this game and caught on to the concept quick! I love watching her try out different moves getting the food for her hungry munchies babies. With 100 levels for her to master the price is right at $5.99! After she goes to bed and I get my laptop back, then I get my time to play. It’s addictive!

This game was inspired by a son’s respect and love for his Mama when they endured through the Yugoslavian civil war. Despite the hardship of their circumstances, his Mama was always a source of courage, strength and endurance. Just like we are for our munchies babies. Footloose Games is also local! Based in Kitchener-Waterloo you’re keeping your dollars re-circulating in the area.

Want to have a taste of Munchies’ Lunch? Check out the Munchies’ Lunch website to test out the demo version http://www.munchies-lunch.com/ and then enter to win the full version! This time there are FOUR ways to enter to win!

1. LIKE the Munchies’ Facebook page and comment on the wall mentioning that Waterloo-Moms sent you http://www.facebook.com/pages/Munchies-Lunch/152289528160316
2. LIKE the Footloose Games Facebook page and comment on the wall mentioning that Waterloo-Moms sent you http://www.facebook.com/pages/Footloose-Games/166410746718354
3. LIKE the Waterloo-Moms Facebook page and comment on the wall mentioning this review http://www.facebook.com/pages/Waterloo-Momsca/106667036074061
4. Send an email to jill@londonmoms.ca with MUNCHIES in the subject line

Contest closes May 19, 2011 at 8pm. Good luck and happy gaming!

Sex! Yeah, we said SEX! In the timeless words of Salt’n’Pepa: let’s talk about sex, baby!

Waterloo moms are having sex. Good sex, bad sex, bland sex, rock-your-socks sex. Sex with men, sex with women, sex with ourselves. Sex with toys, sex with the lights on, sex with the lights off, sex in every room, sex in every position.

How many times can we say SEX in one post? Well, come see and find out!

Whether you get it every day or just wish you did, whether your partner wants it more than you or less, whether you’ve had the same partner for years or are on the lookout for a new one, we want to talk about it!

What’s that? You aren’t having sex? Wish your partner would leave you alone? Pregnancy, menopause or other hormones messing with your libido? Yeah, we’ve been there, too and lived to post about it!

Old sex, new sex, vanilla sex, chocolate flavored sex, oral sex, anal sex and whatever-that-was-in-that-movie… Yeah, THAT movie

Got a sex question? Want to see if you’re normal? Nervous and have no one to ask? No problem, Mama! Our Sex section of the forum has an Anonymous feature that allows you to ask those burning questions (about that odd burning, perhaps?) while still maintaining your discretion.

The only thing we don’t allow is voyeurism! This is a Waterloo-Moms-only section, so register now to get in on the action.

Let’s tell it how it is and how it could be
How it was and of course how it should be!

EZ SOX

The first time I saw a pair of kids’ rainboots with loops on them I didn’t understand. It wasn’t until someone posted in the forum asking where to find them in a specific size because her special needs child needed the hooks to put their boots on independently that it made sense. Then my own baby reached toddler age and the, “NO! ME DO IT!“ yells quickly turned into whines of frustration that I truly appreciated the loops and how easy they made things. They should put loops on everything!

EZ SOX are one of those products that are so brilliant, they could only be created by a parent. And they were! EZ SOX are socks for kids that have those loops on them, just like rainboots. Double reinforced loops that are easy to grab and pull on. The toddler socks also have fun animal pictures on the top of the foot so that kids know which way should face up. Of course they also have the skid-free bottom. Simple and yet, brilliant.

I gave these socks to my two year old to try out. For a few weeks, I would hand them to her and she’d pass on them in favour of something else, because that’s just how she is. Finally though, she tried them and that was that! They were instantly her favourite socks. She comes out of her room beaming proudly at having dressed herself, right down to her socks. Sometimes only in her socks!

EZ SOX are a fantastic product. Toddlers, preschoolers, and kids with special needs will all appreciate the independence these socks give them. It’s a little thing, but it’s a big thing.

You can buy EZ SOX online for 2 to 12 year olds (bigger sizes are solid colours) at EZ SOX EZ SOX are $4.99 each or $29.99 for 7 pairs. Follow them on Facebook or Twitter You can also see them in action here: EZ SOX!

To all of the amazing Waterloo Moms, Moms-to-be, Wannabe Moms, Step-Moms, Mother’s-in-Law, and Grandmothers who make Waterloo-Moms the fabulous place it is:

Tomorrow is the day! Monday, May 2, 2011 is your next chance to  participate a federal election here in Canada. It’s a right that we have  fought for and that many would love to have! Your vote can influence so  many parts of your life.

If you are still unsure of who you should vote for, come follow some of  the discussions happening in our forum!   There is still time to  ask questions, compare party lines, discuss candidates and even find out  where and how to vote. Also check out which parties match your own  closely by taking the quiz at VoteCompass.

After you have voted, come join the party as we anxiously follow the  results. Cheer, commiserate, whine, gloat - whether you vote NDP,  Liberal, Conservative, Green, strategic, or just refuse your ballot, we  will be ready to break it down and dissect the future of our wonderful  country.

Make your voice heard! VOTE!

Mom’s who blog are taking over the world, did you know? There are websites, communities, conferences, and plenty of links to prove it. Not sure what the whole blogging rage is all about? Let me catch you up.

Blogs (or weB LOGS) are like an online journal where one (or more) writer just lets the world know what they’re thinking about. Blogs have many purposes and styles. Here are some of the popular mom styles along with some examples from our very own talented moms.

Family Blogs: You know how it is - your sisters, your brothers, your parents, your aunts and uncles, and your best friend from highschool all live in a different city from you. You really truly intended to stay in touch with them all when you became a mom and you probably do have the time to call or send out individual emails, but… instead you spend your free time doing something else. And so the family blog is born. It’s a simple way to keep everyone up to date on what’s going on with your growing family, all at once, pictures and videos included! Your loved ones can also start their own blogs, you follow each other and a happy little blogging community is born.

The Greener side

Balkan Style

It’S jUst mY LiFe…

The Butterfly Effect

Letters to Your Children: One of my favourite blog ideas is to write letters to your children. Pen and paper is nice, scrapbooking is pretty, but blogging is neat and tidy and allows you to add pictures as well even if you don’t have a crafty bone in your body. A quick note here and there allows you to document your child’s growth and development in an incredible keepsake that they will one day treasure… or maybe not, but once they have kids they’ll appreciate it! Pregnancy, birth, their first giggle, the night they didn’t sleep and you wanted to cry, the funny things they say, the sweet things they do, how challenging they are as a two, five, seven, twelve, fifteen year old, and the time they did that thing that you were SURE you would never look back on and laugh, but you’re going to write it down just in case it soon becomes funny. Life passes by quickly, but nothing passes as quickly as childhood.

Special Needs Blogs: As the mother of a child with special needs, there is nothing more isolating than receiving a diagnosis and having no idea where to turn, who to talk to, what to ask and most importantly: what it means for your family. When my baby was diagnosed the first thing I googled was ’spina bifida’. The second thing I googled was ’spina bifida mom blogs’. Doctors and specialists can only tell you what they know. Other moms will tell you how it really is. Suddenly, you are less alone. Other moms are living your life, right now, and they’re writing it all down to help you out. They’re confused, they’re triumphant, they’re laughing and they’re crying, but also they are linked in to each other. Your online support team awaits. Tell your story and join the party.

The Little King

Lilia Christine..Miracle Child

Following Baby Benjamin

Photography Blogs: Have you heard of the 365 challenge? One picture a day, every day for a year. Post it. One year later you have a photo journal of your life. There are photo challenges to give you inspiration and no fancy camera is needed. From point and shoot to amateur to professional, just upload and share your life.

corazenia

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words!!

Parenting Blogs: Come on, kids are funny, they’re weird, they’re challenging. They will provide endless amounts of material for you to write about. Got kids? Blog about it. Other moms will commiserate. Non-moms will laugh and then stock up on birth control.

The Monkeys In My Head ?

Special Interest Mom Blogs: Are you an army wife? Dealing with infertility? Trying to be crunchy in a soggy, soggy world? Doing it all on your own? Chances are you’ve got a story to tell. Here is where your opinions and your insights, your challenges and anxieties can flow out and find a voice.

Culinary Taste

Homeschooling adventures…

Lifestyle Blogs: One of the best things you can do for yourself when making a lifestyle change is to share it with others and make yourself accountable. Be inspiring! Whether you’re losing weight, training for a marathon or going green throughout your house, blog about it and share how you made it happen.

Giveaway Blogs: The newest and fastest form of advertising for companies is low effort on their part! Just get someone to try out your product and tell the world about it on their blog - sweeten the deal by giving them two so they can give one away. Have an opinion on stuff in your house? Contact the company and spread the word.

My Life–SMOOKIE STYLE!

Mompreneur Blogs: Make stuff? Sell something? Blog about it! Show how great it is and tell the world how you use it on a daily basis. Nothing sells like enthusiasm.

http://rubydreamz1.blogspot.com/

http://naturalmotherproductions.blogspot.com/

Inspired? Thinking about starting your own blog?

Once you’ve decided what you’re going to blog about, decide where you’re going to blog from. Blogger (blogspot) is simple, popular and easily personable. Wordpress, livejournal and caringbridge are also popular options.

Putting your blog out there is the next thing to consider. On Blogger you have the option of making it a public blog (anyone in the world can see it) or private (no one can see it) or somewhere in between. Family blogs can be restricted to family members, blogs for your children can be completely private, or your blog can be out there for the whole world to appreciate. If you go the public route, spread the link around. Add it to your sig, tweet about it, post it on Facebook. While there are stories of blogs-gone-viral, they are few and far between. There are something like 150 million blogs out there, so the odds of yours turning into the Next Big Thing are pretty slim. Blog for yourself, first. Don’t get hung up on who is reading or the fact that no one is. Keep at it and eventually you’ll get an audience.

Not interested in blogging? It’s easy to sign up with Blogger or through email to ‘follow’ blog posts from your favourite bloggers. Like reading a novel in slow motion, blogs can be a great read. Come talk to us about your favourite blogs here http://forum.waterloo-moms.ca/showthread.php?t=6058 or share your own link to your blog here: http://forum.waterloo-moms.ca/showthread.php?t=4951&highlight=blog

I was totally exhausted from being away from home since early Tuesday but I’d already bought tickets for Tweetstock in Brantford so I made the trip from Waterloo not entirely sure of what to expect.

I wasn’t really in the mood to socialize when I arrived, which isn’t the best for a networking opportunity so I took my seat and was pleasantly surprized by the entertainment leading up to the speakers. His name is Dan Carrillo and you should definately check him out on youtube here http://www.youtube.com/user/TheUnbornBand Dan is a super friendly guy, I know cause he kindly put up with me talking to him all through his dinner at the after party. He promised to be on twitter by the end of the night and he’s been tweeting away ever since… You can find him there under the handle @theunbornband, I think he’ll be worth keeping an eye on to see where his music career goes. Keep it up Dan, I’ve been listening to you all day!

We started the evening with Mayor Chris Friel who was recently re-elected. He shared how he was able to use facebook to strategically target the right demographics for an ad leading up to his win. He tweets but you’re not likely to get his attention at his old handle @chrisfriel since he’s spending all his time tweeting on his new one….. @mayorchrisfriel GO MAYOR FRIEL!!

Aaron from the Stratford festival was up next and it was amazing to hear how they have wholeheartedly embraced the age of social media to promote their shows and interact with their consumers! They have a facebook page http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=468017&id=639235346#!/StratfordFestival and of course they do twitter as well …. @stratfestaaron Here’s a little tip for anyone looking to score some great seats..join their facebook and twitter pages for advance purchasing opportunities! (don’t forget to buy an extra ticket for me too though please, I promise not to tweet through the performance…maybe…unless it’s really good and I just can’t wait to tell people about it!)

Moving along we got to Kevin “A” Magee who really knew how to work the room. His presentation starts with the disclaimer that he is both happily married and gainfully employed. He wishes to remain so on both accounts so the opinions expressed during his talk are his alone. Ask for the universe and settle for the world right Kevin? Think big, then think bigger! If you ever get the opportunity to hear Kevin, he’s very funny and engaging. He asked for anyone who ever volunteered anywhere to put up their hands, keep them in the air and then “high five the hell out of each other” It was great! Kevin was another of the great guys who not only tolerated my presence through their dinner but also shared all sorts of sites and apps he uses for business. He might regret giving me his email address in the days to come! @kevinamagee

Kathy Buckworth gave us a dose of what women really want, and how that may be different than what men think women really want. Amazing isn’t it that there is a difference? Ladies, you still remember the “have a happy period commercials”? Wonder who came up with that idea?

Finally the moment we’d all been waiting for had arrived, door prizes…oh sorry I meant to say Scott Stratten, our key note speaker! Scott is hilarious, and he makes sense! What a wicked combo and a pleasure to listen to. Scott had been sick for three days and still managed to knock off a killer presentation with ease. I think the single most significant thing I learned from Scott was that it’s not about sending out random useless tweets all day long but rather about building relationships and having conversations. He has something like 70000 tweets and 75% of them are replies. SNAP! (haha )Why didn’t I think of that? I’m to busy deciding if what I have to say is tweet worthy when I should be paying attention to what all of you are saying. Thanks to Scott, I’m listening now! Oh and Scott, my apologies for questioning whether or not you attended the singles encounter with the “hands on experience”, we’ll let you keep some things a secret. You can follow Scott at @unmarketing and see for yourself why people really respect what this guy has to say.

As great as all the speakers were we all know how much work goes into such an event so it wouldn’t be right to not acknowledge all the organizers as well. You did a great job and your passion for the subject matter shows. Trevor @trevor_cherewka, Lucas @octopusred, Scott @unmarketing, I’m not kidding when I tell you that you need to bring your show on the road. 

 Follow @tweetstockca for details on tweetstock5 and check out #tweetstock4 for all the chatter about last night’s event. @DJMelissa deserves a mention as well for being an awesome MC, nice chatting with you again Melissa! Stephen @stephendostal, I can’t believe I almost left, thanks for stopping me, it was a great night! Lucas, I wouldn’t have been able to follow all my new friends without your help figuring out how to work twitter on my IPHONE (that’s right people, I couldn’t figure it out on my own) so a special thanks goes out to you for that and again, for letting me crash your dinner.

It just goes to show that you never know how your night’s going to turn out and what connections you’ll make each day. Thanks again to everyone who made sure I had a fantastic night!

With March Break fast approaching and many of our families excited to get away for some much needed rest, relaxation or excitement we thought we’d share some of our tips for making it through the ordeal! Let’s face it with five kids I’m not expecting to have much down time but I do hope to make our trip as stress free as possible.

Start with the planning, what type of vacation are you looking for? An all inclusive getaway with children’s programs or a plan it yourself kind of adventure. Are you flexible with your dates, can you travel mid-week and are you ok with not knowing the name of your hotel before you book? If you answered yes to any or all of these questions there are certainly some great deals to be found! Check out priceline or hotwire if you want to get a great deal but don’t mind being surprized with the name of the hotel after you pay. We use this option regularily and I have to say I’m rarely disappointed because you still get to choose the star level and general location. The deal is more exciting to me so I’d rather give up some of the control of choosing the perfect place in order to get the perfect deal. Be careful though, they only promise room for two adults so if it’s a longer trip with kids it might not be your best option in case you are stuck in a room with only one bed. It’s only happened to us once and they brought us a cot so for the two nights we were there it worked out just fine! Another new site I’ve found is bookit.com and it seems to have alot of different options from just the hotel to a full all inclusive price with airfare from your closest airport. Tripadvisor seems to be another favorite for reading about potential locations to see what other vacationers have said after staying there. When booking a longer vacation consider something with a kitchen if possible. I don’t want to cook either when I’m away however with a family this large even breakfast can be an expensive outing. We let the kids have treat cereals when we are on vacation and buy some fruit, yogurt and bagels to have on hand. Juices, waters, and pop are always expensive to buy one at a time so we fill the fridge with those as well.There’s always bread, cheese and peanut butter for quick lunches and then I’m not so grumpy about spending money on a really nice dinner each night.

If you are going to be flying, consider crossing the border by car first for the best deals. Check out Spirit Air’s $9 flight club, even with the taxes and fees each round trip $9 flight came to $50 per person. Sign up for their emails and get on the site as soon as you see the sale starting for best availability. The flights are fairly limited so it’s only good if you want to go where they are flying but we’ve been to florida twice now for less than $350 for all 7 of us. It’s also a good idea to check the individual airlines websites because sometimes they offer a better deal that you will find on the travel websites. We always use a park sleep and fly hotel on our way down to eliminate the stress of delays crossing the border and getting to the airport on time. When you factor in the cost of parking your car for the week you can usually get the hotel room for next to nothing anyway and it often comes with at least a continental breakfast for the whole family.

Make sure you know what you are allowed to bring on the plane. Many people are surprised by items they didn’t think would be prohibited. For example, I know alot of people who packed sunscreen in the baby’s diaper bag so it was accessible only to have to throw it out before boarding. Make sure you seal it in a Ziploc bag and put it in your checked luggage if it is over 100g in size. Most regular sunscreens are over this size but you can find the sticks or travel sizes if you want to make sure you have some handy when you land. I also managed to lose a lovely bottle of perfume because it was packed in my make bag one trip so I try to remember to bring the cheap stuff and put it in with the checked luggage. For those of you travelling to an amusement park somewhere, you’ll l ikely be bombarded with requests to purchase souvenirs by your kids and if you are anything like me you will wait till the end of your trip before letting little Johnny pick the perfect momento. As much as little Johnny will beg to bring that cute little snowglobe or whirling toys with liquid inside it you need to remember to put it in your checked luggage. Imagine the scene that will occur when the snowglobe is tossed at security because of the liquid inside. It’s going to be a long flight for you and everyone else if you don’t head this tidbit of information!

Getting through security without holding everyone else up can seem like an impossible feat however we are getting pretty good at it. We try to remember to pack our coats into the checked bags once we are inside the airport and only wear a sweater onto the plane. It’s one less thing to empty pockets from and place in a bin. You also want to think about what shoes you are going to have everyone wear. Avoid laces if at all possible. This is one time when I think crocs are a great idea because they are easy for everyone to slip off to place into the bin and slip back on once you make it through to the other side. When we all travel together we have the first adult go through security then the five kids followed by the second adult so we don’t lose anyone.
While my bigger kids are pretty good at sticking close we still go over what to do if they become separated from us. Make sure your kids know your first and last name, asking mommy to come to the security desk is not going to be helpful in the event of a lost child. Point out where to go to ask for help. I usually tell my kids to find an employee, usually in a uniform of some sort to ask for help or in the event that they can’t find anyone they should approach a mother with children as a safe stranger. Of course you’ll want to teach your children whatever makes you most comfortable. For the younger ones though I do still wear them whenever possible or use a small lightweight stroller. I have a cuddly wrap that is just one long lightweight cotton wrap that I can use to tie my baby or toddler on my back for a piggy back ride. Be prepared to take it off through security although they did let me wear my son through it the last time as there are no metal parts to it. You can usually take your stroller right to the airplane and they will check it there for you at no charge.

Most airlines allow for one carry on each plus a purse, diaper bag, or laptop bag. Since I travel with 5 children we have to make the best of our space so each child has a carry on with their clothing and needs for the trip that is stowed above and then I have each of the children pack a small backpack with their flight survival items! This usually includes their DS and games, snacks, paper and markers, the DVD player, some hot wheels etc. It is so much easier to have the small bags separated from the rest of our things and light enough for the kids to have on their backs while they wheel their carry on through the airport. They tuck them under the seat in front of them when not in use and I don’t have to keep opening up the overheads everytime they want to switch toys. If your kids are old enough you might want to have them make a list of what they put in their flight survival bag so that you can have them check the list to make sure everything is back in the bag during the landing. It will also give them something to do in their seat if they get a little nervous on the way down. We learned our lesson the hard way when a DS was left on the plane and never recovered one year.

When I’m packing the kids snacks I try to choose a variety of items that range from treats to not so treats. If your kids are anything like mine they will want to eat through the entire flight so bags of candy might not be ideal. We always have suckers and gum for take off and landing but we also try to pack some cheese strings, crackers, granola bars dried fruit, or other somewhat healthier options. I save the treats for the end of the flight so I have something to hold over their precious little heads when I’m trying to get them to stop kicking the seat in front of them! Did you hear that Mr. Grumpy in front of us?….I really do try to get them to behave! Bring something for yourself too, I always think I will be fine but end up eating the kids snacks so I might as well have something I enjoy.

When it’s time to get off the plane I usually have my family wait until everyone else is off, I know they are exciting but let’s face it they are safe here in their seats and we all know that it will be twice as hard to keep track of them at the luggage terminal when it just looks like way too much fun to jump right on and take a ride with all those suitcases. Have a buddy system and know which parent is watching which child, it’s far to easy to assume your partner had that one in a moment of panic. Communicate with each other by saying “I’ve got Susie, you have Johnny”

Now that you have made it to your destination, please don’t forget to have fun! Try not to overschedule yourselves because if your kids are anything like mine, they just want some time to swim and horse around. You’ll appreciate this when you make it home and don’t feel like you need a vacation to recover from your vacation!

So now that you have heard my tips, I’d love to hear yours. Please join us in the forum to share what works for your family vacation or where you found that awesome deal! http://forum.waterloo-moms.ca/showthread.php?t=5567

Websites to check out for booking or researching your vacation

www.tripadvisor.com
http://family.go.com/travel/pkg-travel-tips/
http://www.familyvacationcritic.com/
http://www.faa.gov/passengers/media/childsafety.pdf

http://www.parksleepflyhotels.com/detroit.htm
http://www.parksleepflyhotels.com/buffalo.htm
www.bookit.com
www.priceline.com
www.hotwire.com
www.travelzoo.com
www.spiritair.com ($9 flights)
www.travelocity.com

We are currently planning our first Mom to Mom Sale for Waterloo-moms.ca and should be able to provide the date (April) and details very soon! We host twice annual sales in London currently that are so popular that our tables are sold out within a week and our sale is lined up around the school half an hour before we open!!

A limited number of tables will be available for you to sell your gently used baby, toddler, and children’s clothing, toys, and equipment! Our tables are offered to our forum members first as a perk for participating so be sure to register and get chatting if you are looking to snag a table at the first opportunity!

Shoppers won’t want to miss this exciting event as it will be a great way to stock up on kids items at a fantastic price! Come early for the best selection or come later for the deals, it’s up to you!

Stay tuned for more details!

The internet is a place of wondrous and terrifying things; and the duties as a parent in protecting your child grow with the growth of technology. We can access the Internet of our phones, laptops, iPods, computers and even the Wii. Here are some tips i have put together to give you a hand; if you have any questions please feel free to ask.

1. First educate yourself, then your child.

Banning a child from certain sites may only motivate them to spend more time on them, whereas educating your child on how to keep safe will give them the tools they need to navigate their online world without being hurt; from not posting personal information to a site to understanding that people they are talking to may not actually be who they are. If the parents know the dangers themselves, this sets an example to the child to understand them as well.

2. Teach children the obvious identity rules.

Tell your children NOT to put photos of themselves on the Internet or to give out their names, addresses, phone numbers, schools, or other personal information online.

3. Install an Internet filter or family safety software.

Family safety software is becoming extremely advanced and an effective way to filter dangerous content. Additionally, this software usually comes with tools like time management, remote monitoring and reporting, and keystroke recognition, giving families greater peace of mind and manageability.

4. Know the dangers associated with sites your children frequent.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Whether it’s MySpace, Facebook or another social networking site, by knowing what people are doing on your children’s favourite sites that could put them in harm’s way, parents can educate their children and show them the warning signs of potentially dangerous situations.

5. Teach children what to do if they encounter pornography on a home or public computer, such as at a school or a library.

In a similar fashion to the fire warning of “stop, drop and roll,” you can teach children to quickly turn off power to the computer monitor and go to get an adult. This can prevent a child from attempting to stop the situation by clicking more buttons (and thereby spreading the attack and being exposed to more porn).

6. Manage your children’s time on the Internet.

Scheduling times when a child can be on the Internet and the amount they can be online ensures that you know when they are on the Internet and how long. By not allowing them to have free reign reduces their chances of being exposed to inappropriate content.

7. Set specific Internet guidelines for your children to live by and consistently enforce consequences, if they are not being followed.

Giving your children specific guidelines to follow will ensure they know where they stand when it comes to how they use the Internet as well as the consequences when they breach the rules. If a parent enforces consequences consistently, their children will be more likely to follow the rules.

8. Know what is required of a kids site.

99% of good kid-friendly sites require the parents consent to use or to create an account. Sites that require this information also have policies as well for the parents to agree to; read them carefully to ensure the site is a closed environment and routinely monitored to ensure safety and eliminate any dangers to your children.

Happy surfing!

Holiday shopping isn’t always as straightforward as we’d like it to be. Trying to find the perfect gift (that doesn’t break the bank) can be like Christopher Columbus’s conquest for a new land. Wouldn’t it be lovely if someone just stepped in and handed you something that everyone on your list wants? And even more, went so far as to give you something in return? We’re happy to present the Empire Theatres ‘Give & Get’ program. Each time you purchase $30 in Empire gift cards, you’ll get $30 in Empire coupons for free! How sweet is that? Whether it’s for your child’s homeroom teacher who loves Patrick Dempsey or your brother who can’t get enough of sci-fi action flicks this is the perfect gift. For them, and for you.

Enter now for your chance to WIN a holiday bundle! Send an email to contests@londonmoms.ca with GIVE AND GET in the subject line before midnight on December 19, 2010. Don’t forgot to tell us your favorite movie and make sure you include your name and mailing address so we can get your prize to you!

 Do you ever see professional photo’s of people’s children and just fall in love with the hats and accessories that the photographer has used? Ever wonder where they find them? Ever wonder how you can get your hands on them? Well, Mama’s, I can hook you up.

Lesley Bender-Fair Designs is the brainchild of three working mom’s who found they had a love of creating beautiful things. They started with newborn knit creations and have expanded from there to include products for all ages and sizes. Originally marketing photographers, they now offer their custom creations locally! Every item is hand created just for you by Lesley, Sue and Aimee. Hats, photoprops, diaper covers - they make them beautiful!

The hat I received from Lesley Bender-Fair Designs is beautiful! It’s hard to find really cute, but boy-ish hats and they nailed it: a newsboy cap in the exact blue of his eyes. The hat fit perfectly, as if they had measured his head before making it. The design and detail are impeccable. I love how thick and warm it is; covering his ears, it makes the perfect winter hat for my trendy little man. He’s been wearing it since the weather turned colder and he gets compliments on it every single time we are out. A gorgeous hat for a gorgeous baby!

Want a newsboy cap for yourself? A cool toque with ear flaps? One of those cool, floppy beret’s that everyone is wearing? Whether it’s for yourself, your teen, your child or your itty bitty newborn, Lesley has got it for you. Lesley designs her hats and creations herself - no patterns here! So, if you have an idea of what you would like, send her an email at lesleydesigns@hotmail.com Not that creative? Have a look at her facebook group: Lesley Bender-Fair Designs (WeMakeIt) | Facebook or blog: Lesley Bender-Fair Designs to find your perfect piece. Order soon for Christmas! There is about a one-week turnaround to get your items made.

 Who doesn’t love a great giveaway? If you have a baby or toddler in mind who would look great in a custom made Lesley Bender-Fair Designs creation, send an email to jill@londonmoms.ca with KNIT in the subject line and a link to your favourite hat on their facebook page Lesley Bender-Fair Designs (WeMakeIt) | Facebook. Be sure to include your username and get your email in by SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2010 at 8pm.

If you have a product or service that you would like reviewed by the Swag Mama’s, send an email to jill@londonmoms.ca

Discovery Toys is a fantastic company that makes high quality, educational toys for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school age kids. They’ve been around for over 30 years and sure know what they’re doing. These toys are only available through Discovery Toys direct sellers like Sarah Field. Not only does the catalogue specify the typical age range for each toy, but it also labels the toys based on the target learning pathway (exploration, math, motor skills, reading & language, thinking, or expression), the type of learner that would enjoy it (Auditory, Kinesthetic, and Visual), and also for children on the autism spectrum or with developmental disabilities, the specific goals it supports (independent play, sustained engagement, cooperative play, talking about play, obvious completion criteria, and pretend play).

I received the Measure Up! Cups to test out with my kids. The box has them labelled 12m+ and claims that they target all 6 of the learning pathways. My first thought was: ‘Nesting cups. How boring!’ But as soon as my 4.5 year old ran over, I realized how wrong I was. With glee, she opened up the box and exlaimed, “What did you bring me to love??“ From that moment on, it was nonstop play with all three of my children.

The insert in the box is a fantastic play guide for those mama’s (like me!) that are out of touch with their inner teacher or child. It lists 7 developmental skills for all ages, 7 activities for toddlers, 7 activities for preschoolers, and 4 activities for school age children. The cups come in 4 colours (red, yellow, green, blue) and have numbers and written numbers (in English, Spanish, and French) around a clock, and animals on the bottom. Some examples of what we did with them are: building towers and knocking them down (my 9 month old, 2 year old and 4 year old all enjoyed this!); colour identification (great for my 2 year old); number identification (great for my 4 year old); discussion of languages (my 4 year old loved this); pouring (my 2 year olds favourite activitity!); sorting by colour (the older two enjoyed this); labeling animals (the older two liked this); the cup game where you hide an item and shuffle the cups (my four year old’s favourite activity). I could go on!  They got a ton of play around here and I absolutely love the multiple uses across multiple ages. Durable and long lasting only matter if the kids want to continue playing! These toys have got it all. 

~~ l

~~~~~~~

I have heard of Discovery Toys many times before and been invited to a few parties along the way. However, I have never actually gone or given them much thought. I am not sure why, but to me buying toys out of a catalogue seemed just not right. I could not see what they could possibly have to offer that would be so much better than stuff at the toy store, and let’s face it I like to check it out and play before I buy. I say I buy for my kids, but secretly I like to play just as much as them

When the Measure Up! Cups arrived at my door I had to suddenly re-evaluate my whole opinion on this. From the second I took them out of the package I new they had so much more to offer than any other stacking cups my children had played with. With colours, and pictures, and numbers and words .. it was clear this product was going to take some time to fully evaluate and appreciate. So I set to it with my 17 month old boy. I was thinking stacking cups = toddler. Right?? Well he sure did enjoy them. He like the games we would play where I would sing little songs to go with the numbers or colours. He enjoyed taking them in the bath to fill and dump water. He like putting them inside each other like a funny little puzzle. Most of all though, he LOVED to topple every tower we built. I could not get more that 3 cups stacked before he would kick it, or hit it, or roll a ball into it. Hours and hours of his little giggles and big mommy smiles.

BUT I was wrong again! These cups were not just for a toddler. My 6 year old, grade one girl came home from school and quickly decided she wanted in on the fun. She is in french immersion so we used the cups to practice her colours, numbers and animals in french. Then we moved on to math games of addition, measuring and patterns. Finally she discovered there were little clock like pictures on them and wanted to learn to tell time. Guess what?? She did!! Who would have thought that stacking cups would be so great for a school age child! Oh and guess what my toddler did the whole time his sister and I were playing??? Toppled any towers, scattered any groupings and stole whatever cups he could get his hands on. That went over real well with his sister *roll eyes*, but at least it was clear to me that these simple cups were going to be hours of fun for our whole family.

After realizing that these simple cups could replace about 10 different toys in my way over cluttered toy room I set off to check out the catalogue and see what else might peak my interest. Let’s just say that this momma who is so sick of having a billion toys cluttering up her entire house has found a new love. It seems that all of the Discovery Toys items have multiple uses and purposes. I love this! I mean fewer “things” but more uses and opportunities for play … what’s not to love? I already have my list started for Christmas.

~~ MM

If you’d like to get your Christmas shopping started with Discovery Toys, you can shop online at http://www.discoverytoyslink.com/esuite/home/sarahfield 

Want to get a head start? Send an email to jill@londonmoms.ca with DISCOVERY in the subject line by FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12 at 8pm for your chance to win a Ring Around- a soft teether for the baby in your life (pg 12 in the catalogue). Keep it for your own child, or scratch one more item off your Holiday shopping list.  Be sure to include your WM username in your email. Good luck!

Spa Sisters is a luxury line of handmade bath and body products. Sisters Tricia (a Londoner!) and Kerri started making handmade spa products for fun and ended up turning it into a business that specializes in naturally delicious goodies for your whole body. Made without SLS’s, SLES’s, paraben, petroleum products or FDC colour/dye, these products are also not tested on animals and come in recyclable packaging. Sound too good to be true? Mama’s, I promise you, it is not!When I received my bag of testers from Spa Sisters, my first thought was: loot bag! It was like a treat bag for grown ups! Everything was packaged so prettily and with colour coordination. With my love of all things pretty, I was won over instantly. My four year old daughter came over, wanting to see what I was giggling over and we eagerly unwrapped the packages and tested them one at a time: strawberry lip butter, organic shea butter, citrus sorbet body meringue, and a pink grapefruit mini bath bomb (that we didn’t try that moment, but that made her immediately ask to have a bath that night).

The bath bomb looked like a cookie with pink sprinkles inside and had a lovely light scent. It exploded in the water, which my girls loved, and left their skin soft and fresh. A definite keeper! The body meringue is labeled so perfectly. It’s light and luxurious and smells amazing! Goes on smooth and isn’t heavy at all. Feels fabulous and makes you want to snuggle with your own skin all day long.

  
The organic shea butter was such a treat! So thick, it does heavy duty work on your skin. You know those ugly dry spots you have on your elbows, knees, feet, and hands? Thirsty baby bump skin? Little chafing in a region you can’t discuss? This is your cure. Rub in it really well and watch miracles in action. It’s not greasy and does the job without fuss or drama.

My favourite item though was the strawberry lip butter. I have a slight addiction to lip glosses, balms, stains, and sticks. A horrible thing with all of the chemicals I know I am essentially eating. This was a little stick of heaven! Beeswax, shea butter, pure oils, only good stuff! It’s been in my pocket everyday, all day - I never leave home without it! The best thing is that when my little girls beg to wear mommy’s make up, too, I can let them without worrying about what they have on their lips. No colour, just a hint of strawberry and a whole lot of moisture for your lips. Delish!

You know what’s coming up? You bet - Christmas! Bathbombs and lip butters and meringue, oh my! Stocking stuffers, hostess gifts, treats for yourself! They have the usual products for babies (bum balm, baby bum spray), new mommy’s (boobie balm), kids (bubble bath) as well as products that look good enough to eat like tub truffles and vanilla fudge scrub. They also have gift packages that will save you the trouble of even wrapping gifts! If you’re already ready to try it out, check out their facebook group Welcome to Facebook or shop online at https://www.spasisters.ca//thespasisters/home. Waterloo-Moms can get 10% off their online purchases by using the code WATERLOO.

Go to https://www.spasisters.ca//thespasisters/home and find your favourite item, then email jill@londonmoms.ca to let me know what it is for your chance to win a $25 gift certificate! Be sure to put SPASISTERS in the subject line and include your Waterloo-Mom’s username. Contest closes WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2010 at 8pm. Good luck!

If you would like your product or service reviewed by the Swag Mama’s, send an email to jill@londonmoms.ca

EPICURE SELECTIONS

I think I first heard about Epicure 5 years ago or so, but it has taken me this long to ever actually find out what it is or how to use it. Am I the last one on the planet to discover Epicure? It seems like it because whenever I mention to someone that I’m testing out Epicure products, they immediately bombard me with their favourite recipes.

Epicure was founded almost 20 years ago in Victoria, BC by a working mother who just wanted an easier way to feed her family healthy food. What started with her 4 spice collections has spiralled into the largest Canadian direct sales company in all of Canada. A Canadian company using Canadian products and supporting Canadian charities.

So, what is it? Well, basically, it is magic in a bottle. Or, more than 190 bottles, to be exact. They are pre-mixed combinations of herbs and spices, seasonings, fruit dip crystals, pantry essentials, rim trimmers, bouillon and soup mixes, and so much more. They also have a line of cookware, and home and body care.

I was given three bottles to test out: Lemon Dilly Dip Mix, Herb and Garlic Dip Mix, and 3 Onion Dip Mix. That’s a lot of dip mix! Fortunately, they also came with a little recipe book that opened my eyes to the beauty of Epicure. These were so much more than dip mixes! In the next two weeks, I hosted a movie night, book club, and made many dinners for my family, all highlighting these three little bottles of magic.

I mixed them with butter and spread them on baguettes and fresh bread before heating. I mixed them with olive oil and tossed with hot pasta and vegetables. I mixed them with olive oil and rolled chicken breasts in it before baking. I sprinkled them over potatoes before baking for crispy, savoury homemade fries.

I also made a lot of dip! There is something about having dip on hand that makes vegetable just beg to be eaten. Either for an afternoon snack for the kids or a late night snack in front of the TV, it was an easy thing to just have on hand. The basic recipe is for a spoonful of one of the dip mixes, combined with 1/3 cup of sour cream and 1/3 cup of mayonnaise. I took my testing very seriously and tried non-fat, full fat, real mayo and Miracle Whip. It tastes great in any combination, so depending on your preference, you are going to be happy. You get to decide the source of your dip ingredients, which I like very much.

The biggest hits though were the Sourdough Bread dips. I made both a spinach dip and a hot cheese dip that were baked in a round loaf of sourdough bread. These are keepers. Perfect for entertaining and so easy to pull together. Definitely something to keep in your back pocket with Holiday entertaining coming up.

The bottles last a long time as well, definitely worth the money you pay for them ($7.95 for each of the three above). But I have already ordered more, just in case! It arrived at my door in just a few days! I can’t wait to try out the hummus mix and the famous Cheese, Chives & Bacon Dip Mix (made with vegetarian bacon!). Epicure also makes a fabulous host/ess gift or stocking stuffer! Check out their website for their festive collections or throw an Epicure party to get your own awesome discounts.

~ l

~~~

If you asked me 10 years ago to name something I loved to do in my spare time I likely would have responded with cooking. I loved to dive into a new cookbook and try new things. My cupboard was stocked with every possible spice and dry ingredient you could imagine. Then we started a family. Things got busier, we fell into a routine and soon it seems I had lost all sense of creativity and ambition in the kitchen. We ate the same boring meals week after week, but they were quick and easy, both of which seem essential to our busy lives. Between play dates, swimming lessons, sports and school I just did not have time to spend hours cooking or shopping these days. I thought all was lost, until recently. I was introduced to Epicure and it was like a light went off. So many great products.

So far my true love are the dip combinations. Sure they make yummy dips, but they do so much more too. There are a ton of recipes that you can get from Epicure to use your dip blends in for many new meals ideas. With these genius combinations in a jar I no longer have to spend hours shopping for a variety of spice or measuring out half my spice rack for each recipe. Best part is that as soon as you smell them your mouth begins to water. I have yet to try a single recipe I do not like.

If the time saving and taste were not enough, the value sure is a selling point. The jars are a very decent size for the price. Add to that the fact that by using some of the pre-combined spice and dip selection you no longer have to buy out the entire spice aisle at the grocery store and the value increases exponentially. Yes, I am definitely sold on these products and cannot wait to try some more. Maybe next week I will venture into their line of kitchen tools …

~MM

Epicure Gravy

I have to say that when I was asked to review an Epicure product I was thrilled! In the last year, I’ve fallen in love with several of the dips (both fruit and vegetable) and the versatility they provide. Epicure has made hosting events, parties and holidays so much easier! (and for those that know me, I LOVE entertaining!)

After a bit of a mix up with the drop off location, and a quick knock on the neighbor’s door I had my product in hand. My mission was to test the new epicure Gravy mix. I planned three meals which would use the gravy in a few different ways. This mix came in the cutest little jar, with very clear instructions. Add water and microwave. Easy Peasy!

With family gathered around the table, I stirred it up and nuked it. Four minutes later, the meal was complete. The gravy is very smooth and went well with both the roast beef and the mashed potatoes. It had a very light taste, not salty like other packages gravies we have tried. Not to mention it was a great time saver! My only hint – use a big bowl! The first time I put it in a small glass bowl and had a mild gravy wave cover the bottom of the microwave – because it boils you want to give it enough room to bubble.

When this jar is gone, I know we will be buying more. It’s a great thing to have on hand for those weeknight meals when time is of the essence.

For $9.95 you get enough gravy for at least 6 meals (I’ve used ¼ of my jar for 3 meals- feeding 6 people)

~ M

Syd&Noah’smommy is your local Waterloo-Mom Epicure rep who was generous enough to introduce us to these great products. If you are interested in trying some out, have a look at the online catalogue and website full of recipes: http://www.epicureselections.com/en/ and then place an order with her by sending her a pm.

Is your mouth watering, too? Want to see what we’re raving about? Send an email with EPICURE in the subject line to jill@londonmoms.ca by MONDAY, OCTOBER 11 at NOON. One post will be randomly selected to win a bottle of the gravy mix!

If you would like a product or service reviewed by the Swag Mama’s, send an email to jill@londonmoms.ca

 

 

 

Arbonne

I first heard about Arbonne through Facebook. A friend of mine had just had her third baby and while searching for more natural products to use on him, she discovered Arbonne.  She was so sold on the products, she became a consultant. She posted about how Arbonne was pure, safe, beneficial, and all of the usual stuff you hear about cosmetic companies trying to convince you that you won’t be smearing toxins on your skin. Either way, I was intrigued, so we chatted about it and I did a little research. Turns out, this company is pretty impressive!

Arbonne is a Swiss skin care company that has been in Canada for only four years, but has been around since before I was born. No animal or animal by-products (100% vegan), no formaldehyde-donating preservatives, no petroleum-based ingredients: mineral oil, phthalates, benzene, petrolatum or toluene, and no PABA. That’s a big list! The products also go through rigorous testing before they are put on the market, going far beyond the standard allergy or dermatological testing that we are accustomed to.  In addition, the packaging is FSC certified and ‘green’. 

All of this sounded fabulous, but how were the products to actually use? In a word: heavenly.

I was given samples of the ABC line: Arbonne Baby Care and the RE9 Advanced line. The ABC line contains five products: Hair and Body Wash, Body Lotion, Herbal Diaper Rash Cream, Body Oil, and Sunscreen (SPF 30+). I am always on the lookout for ‘clean’ baby products. I am not a fan of what my father calls ‘baby perfume’ – that sickly, heavy, baby-powdered scent that lingers on your child until you forget what a clean baby is supposed to smell like. ABC Hair and Body Wash is made with oats and aloe and is recommended (as is the whole line) for babies, children, and anyone with sensitive skin. They claim to be non-irritating, non-sensitizing, pH correct, paediatrictian and dermatologist tested, and formulated without nut oils.  

To say I was pleasantly surprised by the wash would be an understatement. It feels like any other baby wash and did the scrubbing trick just fine. It lathered up and rinsed off. What I noticed when I pulled my baby out of the bath though, was how DELICIOUS he smelled. He smelled like… a baby! A clean, soft, squishy baby and nothing else. I didn’t feel like I needed the lotion as his skin felt perfect after his bath, but for testers sake, I gave it a try. The lotion was equally nice. It absorbed quickly and left my baby all soft and smooth, just like he’s supposed to feel. No smelly baby perfume here, no residue left over.

The body oil was another favourite of mine. I give my son a massage every morning and instead of using grapeseed or apricot oils that leave him oily and smelling edible in the literal sense, this oil just left him soft and smelling like him. Likewise, the sunscreen also has a barely noticeable scent, unlike the coconut-banana-pineapple-baby powder odours that most children’s sunblock’s emit. It goes on smooth, absorbs easily and you can’t feel it on your skin afterward (I tried it on myself!).

The RE9 Advanced line was all for me! This is Arbonne’s age-defying line that they claim will show results in 24 hours. A five-step, 6 piece line that includes a Smoothing Facial Cleanser, Regenerating Toner, Intensive Renewal Serum, Corrective Eye Crème, Restorative Day Crème with SPF, and a Night Repair Crème, this covered all the bases. I was naturally a bit sceptical, but willing to give it a try. I used it first at night and again when I woke up. The products are satin smooth and leave you smelling like a citrus dream. My face felt fresh, not at all like I had just lathered it with five products. It wasn’t dry, wasn’t oily.

All that day I found myself looking in the mirror, testing out different lighting, different angles. Could it be true? A noticeable difference in 24 hours? I am not exaggerating in the slightest when I say it happened. Another day of using the line and I was sold. After a long, sleepless night with a cranky baby I looked like I had gotten nine consecutive hours of sleep and drank about two litres of water. My eyes were open, my skin was even, smooth and perfectly moisturized. After four days, I started to look like I had never squinted or frowned and I started to consider leaving the house without any makeup, just to show off how great I looked.

This stuff is Ah-Mazing. Hands down, my favourite skin care line of all time.

Want to see why I’m raving about Arbonne? Try it out for yourself. The company has products for everyone, from anti-aging and baby care, to cosmetics, acne-fighting, aroma-therapy, body care, hair care, products for men, and even drinks, vitamins, and snacks. Purify your life from the outside, in.  To see the complete catalogue or to read more about the company, check out their website www.arbonne.ca or contact Sabrina, your Waterloo-Moms Arbonne rep at spantic@live.com

How about a freebie? Send an email to jill@londonmoms.ca with PURE in the subject line by 8pm on SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2010. One email will be randomly selected to win a bottle of the ABC body lotion and a bottle of the RE9 Restorative Day Creme. Enjoy!

If you would like a product or service reviewed by the Swag Mama’s, send us an email at jill@londonmoms.ca

PETAL BABIES

Last week I took my first trip to the Western Fair Farmers Market in London to visit Petal Babies, a little boutique up on the second floor that sells handcrafted, locally made items for babies and children. Finding it was easy – just look for the brightly coloured treasures in the cheeriest store there. For me, it was like being a kid in a candy store. So many adorable things to see like dresses, aprons, tutus, toys, cloth diapers, blankets and hats, oh you have to see the hats.When Meaghan told me she wanted us to try out a beanie and a winter hat, I was more than willing to do that! She showed me to a table with over a dozen colours of handmade beanies were laid out. The beanies come in three sizes and each beanie works with their signature snap system which allows you to embellish it with a variety of decals. With each beanie purchase, you get to choose 3 decals: flowers, crocheted flowers, bears, parrots, turtles, dogs, and corkers. The only downside to this situation is narrowing your choice to only three! The fleece winter hats work in the same way – choose a hat from a variety of colours and the same embellishments can be snapped on to make it unique and stylish.

Let’s face it – southwestern Ontario has all ends of the weather spectrum covered; from -20C in the winter to 40C+ in the summer. These extremes mean that wearing winter hats are as essential as wearing sun hats in the summer. When my first daughter was born, I quickly realized that the best way to ensure that she kept her hats on was to put her in a hat every single time we went outside, so that it was as much a part of our routine as putting on shoes. These beanies are the perfect fall/spring hats for kids. They are beautifully made with just enough stretch and a bit of detailing. They’re big enough to cover the ears to ward off cool-weather chill, or a bit higher for a look similar to a tam. They’re cute, stylish, and with the snap system, you can coordinate them to any outfit or jacket. And really, is there anything more adorable than a toddler in a beanie? I think not.

The winter hats are soft, durable fleece, roomy and warm. They fully cover the forehead and ears, but can also be rolled up without covering the snapped-on decal. Like the beanies, they are perfect for boys or girls of any age.

I was so sold on these adorable beanies that I walked out of the store not only with the beanie and winter hat to test out on my two year old, but also a beanie for my four year old and my baby boy. Oh, and one for each of my two nieces. At $15, tax included, they’re an awesome deal!

I love that the products in this store are locally made, many by Meaghan herself. Supporting other local moms is easy when it’s all in one place! If you can’t get down to London to the Western Fair Farmers Market (which has free parking during the week!), then you can visit the store online at www.petalbabies.com or on facebook www.facebook.com/petalbabies If you’re visiting the Western Fair next week, they’ll be set up on the main floor of the Market. Stop in and see the gorgeous products for yourself and make sure you mention that you heard about them here! 

Are you as smitten as I am? Want to get your hands on this swag now? Send an email to jill@londonmoms.ca with BEANIE in the subject line by 8PM on SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2010 and you could win a beanie and winter hat with embellishments! Emails will be numbered and one will be selected using a random number generator. Good luck!

If you would like a product or service reviewed by the Swag Mama’s, send us an email at jill@londonmoms.ca

Waterloo-Moms and LondonMoms are so excited to introduce a new element to the sites!  Busy moms know how hard it is to do the research and find cool stuff for themselves, for the kids, for the house, right? Who has the time? Leave it up to us!  Check out the new Product and Service Review threads because this Mama’s Got Swag!

Mompreneurs!!

Waterloo-Moms.ca would like to review YOUR products and services!

• Only positive reviews will be published

• The review will include important information, links and images related to your product/service

• Your product/service will be tested by moms with children ranging from newborn-18 years old.

• Your product/service will be tested by moms with many hobbies and interests.

This will be a quick and easy way to get your product or service directly out there to your biggest market!

Interested businesses will be required to provide us with 2 samples or 2 complimentary services. One to be tested by the reviewer and a second to be raffled as a prize to our loyal members.

There is no fee for the review.  However, Waterloo-moms.ca does reserve the right to decide what products they review. As a thank you, any business that has a product or service reviewed will receive 2 months of unlimited posting in the Materialistic Moms section to brag about your product or service.

Should you wish to participate, please send an email to jill@londonmoms.ca

Please include some information about your product including a link to your website if you have one.

Check out our first review for Natural Mother Productions mei tai’s! http://forum.waterloo-moms.ca/showthread.php?t=4390

We’re right in the thick of summer. Heat, humidity, horrible hydro hikes… but there’s also swimming, sunshine, and sunkissed sweethearts!

Speaking of sweethearts, a HUGE Waterloo-Mom’s congratulations to KRYS_TINA who welcomed a baby boy in June and MOMOFTHREECUTIES who welcomed a baby girl in July.  Enjoy your babymoon ladies!  Are you expecting soon? Join our Monthly Expecting Clubs and find someone to count down the days, commiserate about pregnancy stuff, and measure your belly with.  http://forum.waterloo-moms.ca/forumdisplay.php?f=14

Aside from birthing babies, how else have you spent your summer so far?  We’ve been doing day trips, swimming lessons, and toilet training. Our next trip will be to Toronto to see the Harry Potter exhibit at the Ontario Science Centre and Centreville Island. Come share your plans and find out which hotels are parent-test and kid friendly!

Are you ready for back to school? Whether you’re counting down the days or already missing your sweet kids, come let us know.  http://forum.waterloo-moms.ca/forumdisplay.php?f=12  I’m still on the hunt for the perfect indoor shoes for my soon-to-be Junior Kindergardener so if you have any tips on where to find the best deals, I’m all ears!

Enjoy the sunshine!

~latte

Congratulations to the new Waterloo-Mommy’s!

Bronwynr, cales 76, and kmbear have all welcomed new babies into their families this month. 

We hope you are all enjoying your new bundles of love and that your babymoon lasts the whole year!

~ latte

This time of year, it’s easy to be green. The sun is shining which begs you to walk, ride, and roll to where you’re going instead of driving or staying inside, sucking up electricity.  Local travel wins over long drives and plane rides. Produce is arriving at your doorstep from your neighbourhood farms.  Nature is everywhere, reminding you to take care of it.

On any given sunny day during the spring/summer/fall, you’ll see rows of cloth diapers flying in the breeze on our clothes line.  I currently have two kids in cloth diapers full time and I love it. My father is something of an environmentalist, ahead of his time. I learnt to separate compost from recycling from trash when I was a toddler.  Energy conservation, water conservation, gas conservation - all a part of my upbringing. ’Single use’ ought to be a four letter word in our house.

But despite my father’s best efforts, there are some green habits I just could not get with.  I have some not-so-green guilty habits that aren’t going to be broken anytime soon.  I am uncompromising on hair care.  My hair dryer and flat iron are going nowhere and I’m pretty sure the salon issue, non-recylcable tubed product I use does not make nice with the earth when I wash it out.  I also have far too much clothing than necessary and it goes without saying that I’m plugged in for the majority of the day!

We all have dirty little secrets. What’s yours?  http://forum.waterloo-moms.ca/showthread.php?t=3750

~ latte

Like many Canadian families, our house had the Vancouver 2010 Olympics on TV from morning until well past bedtime for the full duration of the games. Olympic fever hit us hard.  The Canadian pride was contagious all across the country and having athletes from the area only amplified those feelings.  We were enraptured.

One of the things I loved most about the games was the repeated singing of our National Anthem.  It was sung so often that around here it became a nightly lullabye for my kids. Even now, months later, it can still soothe my little boy like no other tune. 

Today, I heard about an interesting study that quizzed 275 highschool choir students from across Canada. Apparently, only 67% knew the words and 46% had the melody correctly.  Long gone are the days of singing every morning with the morning announcements. How do you fair compared to these students? Do you know the words and do your children? 

The words, I have down. The melody… well, I’m lucky if I get the Alphabet Song in tune. 

Come join the discussion: http://forum.waterloo-moms.ca/showthread.php?t=3742

~ latte

 As the warm weather approaches there are many exciting things  in the works for our members. 

Currently, a poll is running to pick a date for a meet and greet picnic this summer. With over 500 members to our group, this would be a fabulous opportunity to come out, bring the family and meet others in and around the Tri-cities. Come on over to the forum, pick a date or two that works for you and join in the fun. While you’re there, why not jump in on some of the topics or post your own and get to know the community better!

There is a Waterloo-Mom’s sale in the planning stages for this fall and there is a poll running to gauge  interest in that. Your input is needed and appreciated!

About once a month, a MNO (mom’s night out) is planned! Sometimes its coffee and dessert,  dinner, or a movie. It’s always different and on different nights to try and accommodate everyone’s needs and schedules.

With warm weather nearing there will be many play dates posted to meet at splash pads and parks around the tri-city area! Come on over check them out and post your own play dates and meet some new friends!

Don’t forget our Waterloo-Mom’s classifieds section! Come on in, post items that you want to sell, or items you are looking for.

Keep checking the forums for all sorts of deals to fantastic family fun spots like Great Wolf Lodge, Ontario Place and Canada’s Wonderland. It really pays to be a member of Waterloo-moms.ca!!

We look forward to all these exciting plans and hope that you  join us!

Your Friends at Waterloo-Mom.ca

What a beautiful time of year to be thankful. Thankful for the changing leaves, the fall harvest, the time with family and friends! Take a moment this weekend to consider all the things and people in  your life that you are thankful for. Make sure you spend as much time as you can and share your thoughts with those you are close too this beautiful weekend. Whether you are preparing a big meal yourself or will be guests elsewhere enjoy the great food, the good times and remember to consider doing something that will support those in your community that might be less fortunate than your family is. There are many ways to get involved and it’s a great lesson for the younger generation.

Happy Thanksgiving to all the members here who have helped to make Waterloo-moms.ca a great place to greet old friends and make new ones! We can’t do this without you!!