"Sit down."
"Put that away, I'm reading a story"
"Stop moving"
"Shhhh, just listen!!"
Every night we did the same bedtime routine: potty, teeth, pj's, stories and bedtime. My son would pick out his books and once I started reading he became still, pointing stuff out and waiting until I finished the page before asking questions. Then came my daughter, and we started reading together on the couch. It was a fun bonding experience.
Until....
She learned how to crawl. STORYTIME WAS NEVER THE SAME! Every time I read books to them she was always up dancing, playing with toys, singing, running around etc. and I was constantly using 1, if not all of the above quotes.
Today was an off day. After telling them it was story time without even so much as a glance, they continued their game of playing horse & monster (more like running around like wild banshees). Too exhausted from lack of sleep, I grabbed a couple books and plopped myself on the couch. The sooner I finished the books, the sooner I could put them to bed whether they listened and or not. Again, too exhausted to care if they were getting educated, I just started reading.
My son dropped his horse, grabbed a blanket and sat beside me listening. My daughter was playing with trains and singing.Then something crazy happened. As if I had bribed her with a bowl of ice cream and a bag of candy, my daughter for the first time EVER, climbed up without being asked/told and listened to 3 books. Fully Engaged!!!!
After I put them to sleep, I recalled the order of events and realized the only thing different today was that I just started reading. I didn`t pay any attention to her behaviour or try to control her actions. I just let her be. It made my heart melt to be cuddling with both of them as I read. It was the best story time yet. :D
Monday 6 February 2012
Wednesday 1 February 2012
Oranges, Broken baskets and Sobeys
First and foremost my apologies to my local Sobeys! I meant to grab just 2 items but got caught off guard with all the great deals. Instead, I loaded my little basket and just on my way to the checkout *SNAP* the handle broke and my soon-to-be groceries flew everywhere! So embarrassing!
With that out of the way;
Last night I ran on a mission to grab 2 things! *BAM* right there is display that I just can't pass up. 8lb bag of oranges for $3.99. I had to have it! They seemed like a good deal and would hopefully help stave off some winter colds!
Fast forward to the following day:
I pulled them out of the bag counting only 9. Holy cow! 9 oranges/ 8 lb bag = every orange is close to a pound!
Compared to my travel mug it's big but compared to an onion it looks like it should be called Giant!
Problem- I am not an "orange" person. I don't detest them but I won't go out of my way to eat them. I buy them occasionally an feed them to the Mr. and to the kids but won't eat them myself. (unless they are the clementines that come out at x-mas time then I gobble them all up!)
Well I knew I couldn't make the kids eat a pound of orange for breakie. So, being a good role model I put some on my plate too and for the first time ate an orange and loved it!
That was the bag and brand of these delicious Giants aka oranges! If you find them be sure to pick them up for orange and non orange lovers alike!
S.L Gal
PS Sobeys I truly am sorry about your basket but forever on I will get a buggy!
PPS I am pretty sure your sale on 8lb bags of giant oranges caused my basket to break!
With that out of the way;
Last night I ran on a mission to grab 2 things! *BAM* right there is display that I just can't pass up. 8lb bag of oranges for $3.99. I had to have it! They seemed like a good deal and would hopefully help stave off some winter colds!
Fast forward to the following day:
I pulled them out of the bag counting only 9. Holy cow! 9 oranges/ 8 lb bag = every orange is close to a pound!
Compared to my travel mug it's big but compared to an onion it looks like it should be called Giant!
Problem- I am not an "orange" person. I don't detest them but I won't go out of my way to eat them. I buy them occasionally an feed them to the Mr. and to the kids but won't eat them myself. (unless they are the clementines that come out at x-mas time then I gobble them all up!)
Well I knew I couldn't make the kids eat a pound of orange for breakie. So, being a good role model I put some on my plate too and for the first time ate an orange and loved it!
That was the bag and brand of these delicious Giants aka oranges! If you find them be sure to pick them up for orange and non orange lovers alike!
S.L Gal
PS Sobeys I truly am sorry about your basket but forever on I will get a buggy!
PPS I am pretty sure your sale on 8lb bags of giant oranges caused my basket to break!
First ever: Eye Of A Round Roast
On my disaster of a shopping trip I picked up an eye of a round roast. I have been looking looking at several sites for an easy recipe. I have came across quite a few that says to cook it at a high temp for little while, turn the oven off, keep the door closed for 2 1/2 hours and then it should be done.
Well here it goes. It will either turn out tough and chewy or superbly yummy. I am hoping for the latter!
UPDATE: The roast was good, not great. It was done perfectly but the down side was that it was cold. Sitting in an oven for 21/2 hours, I figured it would come out at least warm but nope it was cold. Blahhhhch. I prefer my food to come out piping hot as I serve everyone first and clean up a bit before I sit down to eat. So lesson learned, the recipe didn't work for me. Not saying that it doesn't work period as everyones ovens are different, just that mine didn't.
Well here it goes. It will either turn out tough and chewy or superbly yummy. I am hoping for the latter!
UPDATE: The roast was good, not great. It was done perfectly but the down side was that it was cold. Sitting in an oven for 21/2 hours, I figured it would come out at least warm but nope it was cold. Blahhhhch. I prefer my food to come out piping hot as I serve everyone first and clean up a bit before I sit down to eat. So lesson learned, the recipe didn't work for me. Not saying that it doesn't work period as everyones ovens are different, just that mine didn't.
Monday 30 January 2012
New Lip Gloss!
Monday night at Shoppers I picked up my trustee Burt's Bee lip gloss. I headed to the checkout and ended up eyeing this:
I loved the packaging and the fact that it said "New Extreme Formula Lip Plumping Gloss" that I looked past the fact that it was $15 (3X the price of my trustee burt's bees) and put it in my buggy. Along with dumping (the still very much loved) burt's bees out of my buggy.
I was excited that I just bought it, my kids were buckled in their carseats, groceries were put in the trunk and the fact that I even put the buggy back wehere it belonged, I ripped open the lip gloss right there in the parking lot. Giddy and excited, I put it on.
It didn't glide on like I had imagined. It felt as if they were covered in honey, like when you lick the spoon after your done making p.b and honey sandwiches. Yes, it was THAT sticky. It smelled good though. I looked in the mirror and it made my lips look 100% better!
Then again, it could be that the last time I wore lipgloss was a week ago. Or the fact, I had licked my lips all week while walking to the mail box and they were dry and chapped. But whatever the reason I loved the look of my lips!
By the time I reached home and was unloading everything into the house. My lips were tingling. It felt kind of odd. The next day I decided to take pictures and see the transformation (if any!)
The next day my lips looked liked this (too much coffee=dehydrated):
Putting the goop on made them look like this:
Warning:Any free strands on hair will end up like this-YUCK!!
Whether they actually made my lips more plump I'm not really sure. What I do know though, is that I defintely love having this lip gloss on vs bare lips. I would definitely purchase it again. I have learned to love the slight tingly feeling :) So it's thumbs up for this product!
I loved the packaging and the fact that it said "New Extreme Formula Lip Plumping Gloss" that I looked past the fact that it was $15 (3X the price of my trustee burt's bees) and put it in my buggy. Along with dumping (the still very much loved) burt's bees out of my buggy.
I was excited that I just bought it, my kids were buckled in their carseats, groceries were put in the trunk and the fact that I even put the buggy back wehere it belonged, I ripped open the lip gloss right there in the parking lot. Giddy and excited, I put it on.
It didn't glide on like I had imagined. It felt as if they were covered in honey, like when you lick the spoon after your done making p.b and honey sandwiches. Yes, it was THAT sticky. It smelled good though. I looked in the mirror and it made my lips look 100% better!
Then again, it could be that the last time I wore lipgloss was a week ago. Or the fact, I had licked my lips all week while walking to the mail box and they were dry and chapped. But whatever the reason I loved the look of my lips!
By the time I reached home and was unloading everything into the house. My lips were tingling. It felt kind of odd. The next day I decided to take pictures and see the transformation (if any!)
The next day my lips looked liked this (too much coffee=dehydrated):
Putting the goop on made them look like this:
Warning:Any free strands on hair will end up like this-YUCK!!
And the end result which was approximately an hour later:
Saturday 21 January 2012
Pasta Plus Innisfil Review
First time we drove there we didn't actually go in and have dinner. We pulled up, looked at it and assumed it wasn't going to be great. We drove away. Biggest mistake!
I found a WagJag ad for dinner and decided to try it. At least this time if it was bad I didn't end up paying full price.That night I told the family we were going out for dinner but not where we were going. When we arrived the Mr. was grumbling and the kids wanted to go elsewhere. But it was love at first bite! Long story short we are repeats and this is why:
Food- Food is QUICK (so easy to feed a grumbling husband and two hungry impatient children!)
Noise level-Moderate level of noise with open kitchen concept but not over the top.
Decor- simple yet stunning- I love the tiled floor, choice of paint colour is inviting and chairs are comfortable.
Restrooms- ever heard the saying "you can tell the state of the kitchen by the bathroom's cleanliness?" well their bathrooms are squeaky clean.
Wether you go for dinner, desert or just for coffee this is definitely an A+++ restaurant.
(This is my first restaurant review so I hope I covered everything. I will be sure to take lots of pictures next time I go and also review their pizza! (ordering a couple for my daughters birthday!)
I found a WagJag ad for dinner and decided to try it. At least this time if it was bad I didn't end up paying full price.That night I told the family we were going out for dinner but not where we were going. When we arrived the Mr. was grumbling and the kids wanted to go elsewhere. But it was love at first bite! Long story short we are repeats and this is why:
Food- Food is QUICK (so easy to feed a grumbling husband and two hungry impatient children!)
- Pasta sauce is from scratch and delicious! Best sauce ever and I love lots of sauce and that's what you get (unless you like less than I suggest a heads up to them when you order!)
- Lasagna nights are Friday/Saturday- cheesy meaty and the portion is out of control! (enough for two or if you don't want to share you have lunch the next day!)
- Veal sandwich- ohhh so good especially with hot peppers!!
- Chili-a little spicy but it won't burn your mouth. Served with a cute little bun and fresh green onion on top. Sooo delish! Excellent on a chili night!
- Gelato- it's part of the reason I keep going back and who knew I would end up loving banana the best! (yes I admit I have tried all the flavours- vanilla, strawberry, banana, hazelnut, some type of B chocolate that I can't spell and lemone (pronounced leh-moh-neigh)
- Coffee & drinks- latte, espresso, cappuccino, and a fridge stocked with all different kids of water, juice and pop including glass bottled Coke!
Owners/Staff-BEST.STAFF.EVER. hands down. I have been to a gazillion restaurants and this by far has to be #1. greatest bunch of people who treat you like family, hard working and always smiling/laughing. Whether coming or going you are always acknowledged.
95 %Kid-friendly-I never worry about having to sush them or if they make a mess. Here they can just be and the staff are amazing to them. Also, I never have to worry about inappropriate content being discussed by staff as we have had with other restaurants. Only downside they don't have a highchair yet but they do have boosters.
Relaxing- Not upscale but not a fast food joint either. Comparable to being in a good friends house or a family member.
Noise level-Moderate level of noise with open kitchen concept but not over the top.
Decor- simple yet stunning- I love the tiled floor, choice of paint colour is inviting and chairs are comfortable.
Restrooms- ever heard the saying "you can tell the state of the kitchen by the bathroom's cleanliness?" well their bathrooms are squeaky clean.
Wether you go for dinner, desert or just for coffee this is definitely an A+++ restaurant.
(This is my first restaurant review so I hope I covered everything. I will be sure to take lots of pictures next time I go and also review their pizza! (ordering a couple for my daughters birthday!)
Thursday 19 January 2012
Multitasking is unhealthy for your mind and body!
My son wakes up from his nap. I stop reading to cuddle and then help him with his homework. 15 short minutes later my daughter wakes up crying. I quickly jump up and run her to the bathroom as she is currently potty training.
"Mom. Mooooom. MOOOOOOMMMYYYY" says the impatient 3 year old in the other room. I leave her on the potty and head back to the kitchen and finish checking his "homework page" as he gets the playdough bucket. I grab his mat, open a container of playdough and set out some toys.
(Wait? It's too quiet.) I make a mad dash back to the bathroom and as I round the corner, my jaw drops, there is toilet paper everywhere!! On my floor, on the toilet, on her legs, wrapped around her body and on her head! (so much for triple rolls and saving money) She looks up at my shocked face with her puppy dog eyes ``Sowwy Mommy``. I can`t hold back. I start laughing as I tell her that it`s ok but please don`t do it again.
I take her off and run her a bath. Clean up the toilet paper and throw in a load of laundry sitting on the floor as I make a mental note to remember there's a pile sitting in the living room that needs folding. Wash. Dry. Clothe the baby.
Head to the living room, give her a couple of board books (aka indestructible books) and start folding some laundry. Under a shirt I find a recipe. Grab paper and pen and before I forget, I write out the grocery list for the week. My stomach starts to growl. As I look at the clock I realise it's almost dinner and nothing is planned. Salmon in freezer?! Check. Pull it out butter season and throw it in the oven.
Chomp, chomp, chomp I turn around and shes sitting on the floor underneath my son`s chair like a dog eating what he`s dropped.`Noooo. That`s playdough not food." I say to my daughter. I open her mouth and dig it out, put her in high chair with playdough and playdough toys. ``See. You play with it``.
Back to dinner- I pull out rice. Grab the measuring spoon and before I close the drawer, my clumsy self knocks the rice into the drawer. (Ugghhh why today!?) Grab the vacuum and suck up the rice. As I am standing up, I bump a fork from the counter to the ground. Grab the fork. (YUCK! Under the counter needs vacuuming.) Throw the fork in sink. Dishes need to be done. Fill the sink with hot water and soap. (Why didn`t Santa bring me a dishwasher!!) Put the rice on the stove.
Start vacuuming underneath the counter and something gets stuck in the vacuum.Skate bag from new years?!? (He was suppose to put that away!) I open up the bag. (Great wet blades. Grrrrrrrr!!!) Pull out the skates. Grab a bathroom towel and a wipe. (Wait, I hear more noise.) Water`s boiling. Run for the stove and turn down the know for the rice. Back to skates. Wipe with a wet wipe and dry with a towel. Repeat for four times and organize the skates back into the closet.
Back to dinner. (Broccoli?! Where is the broccoli??) Pull it from the fridge and put it on a cutting board with a knife. Beeeeeeep. Laundry done. Pick up skate towel and start walking toward the bathroom. (Why is there diapers all over the hallway?!) Throw towel in bathroom as I make another mental note to throw it in hamper later. Clean up all the diapers.
"Mom. Mom. Lan made a mess of her playdough." Back to kitchen. Playdough is all over her tray. (Phew, at least it's not all over the ground.) Click, the door opens."Daddy daddy!!!" they squeal with delight. Sniff sniff. (Oh no! That's wasn't laundry. Salmons done. Where are my oven mitts. Whatever, there`s no time a dishtowel will do.) Sizzle. ``Ahhhhhh!!!`` I scream. My arm is burning. Grumble grumble. Throw the salmon on the counter. Run the water, stick my arm under and look around.
(My book is sitting out on the table.Clothes are in the living room. Lan`s books are on the floor. Kitchen counter is cluttered. Broccoli is still on the counter not steamed.Vacuum is still plugged in beside the counter. Skate bag is on the floor. Playdough is all over my daughters tray and my son`s playdough toys are askew on the kitchen table. Rice is on the wrong burner drying out. Laundry is still in the dryer waiting to be folded.)
I turn around with my arm still under the running water, watching my husband greet our kids. As he looks up I belt out ``Yes, we are having raw broccoli with dinner tonight!!``
Multi tasking= exhausts your body and tricks your mind into thinking your getting stuff done!
S.L Gal
"Mom. Mooooom. MOOOOOOMMMYYYY" says the impatient 3 year old in the other room. I leave her on the potty and head back to the kitchen and finish checking his "homework page" as he gets the playdough bucket. I grab his mat, open a container of playdough and set out some toys.
(Wait? It's too quiet.) I make a mad dash back to the bathroom and as I round the corner, my jaw drops, there is toilet paper everywhere!! On my floor, on the toilet, on her legs, wrapped around her body and on her head! (so much for triple rolls and saving money) She looks up at my shocked face with her puppy dog eyes ``Sowwy Mommy``. I can`t hold back. I start laughing as I tell her that it`s ok but please don`t do it again.
I take her off and run her a bath. Clean up the toilet paper and throw in a load of laundry sitting on the floor as I make a mental note to remember there's a pile sitting in the living room that needs folding. Wash. Dry. Clothe the baby.
Head to the living room, give her a couple of board books (aka indestructible books) and start folding some laundry. Under a shirt I find a recipe. Grab paper and pen and before I forget, I write out the grocery list for the week. My stomach starts to growl. As I look at the clock I realise it's almost dinner and nothing is planned. Salmon in freezer?! Check. Pull it out butter season and throw it in the oven.
Chomp, chomp, chomp I turn around and shes sitting on the floor underneath my son`s chair like a dog eating what he`s dropped.`Noooo. That`s playdough not food." I say to my daughter. I open her mouth and dig it out, put her in high chair with playdough and playdough toys. ``See. You play with it``.
Back to dinner- I pull out rice. Grab the measuring spoon and before I close the drawer, my clumsy self knocks the rice into the drawer. (Ugghhh why today!?) Grab the vacuum and suck up the rice. As I am standing up, I bump a fork from the counter to the ground. Grab the fork. (YUCK! Under the counter needs vacuuming.) Throw the fork in sink. Dishes need to be done. Fill the sink with hot water and soap. (Why didn`t Santa bring me a dishwasher!!) Put the rice on the stove.
Start vacuuming underneath the counter and something gets stuck in the vacuum.Skate bag from new years?!? (He was suppose to put that away!) I open up the bag. (Great wet blades. Grrrrrrrr!!!) Pull out the skates. Grab a bathroom towel and a wipe. (Wait, I hear more noise.) Water`s boiling. Run for the stove and turn down the know for the rice. Back to skates. Wipe with a wet wipe and dry with a towel. Repeat for four times and organize the skates back into the closet.
Back to dinner. (Broccoli?! Where is the broccoli??) Pull it from the fridge and put it on a cutting board with a knife. Beeeeeeep. Laundry done. Pick up skate towel and start walking toward the bathroom. (Why is there diapers all over the hallway?!) Throw towel in bathroom as I make another mental note to throw it in hamper later. Clean up all the diapers.
"Mom. Mom. Lan made a mess of her playdough." Back to kitchen. Playdough is all over her tray. (Phew, at least it's not all over the ground.) Click, the door opens."Daddy daddy!!!" they squeal with delight. Sniff sniff. (Oh no! That's wasn't laundry. Salmons done. Where are my oven mitts. Whatever, there`s no time a dishtowel will do.) Sizzle. ``Ahhhhhh!!!`` I scream. My arm is burning. Grumble grumble. Throw the salmon on the counter. Run the water, stick my arm under and look around.
(My book is sitting out on the table.Clothes are in the living room. Lan`s books are on the floor. Kitchen counter is cluttered. Broccoli is still on the counter not steamed.Vacuum is still plugged in beside the counter. Skate bag is on the floor. Playdough is all over my daughters tray and my son`s playdough toys are askew on the kitchen table. Rice is on the wrong burner drying out. Laundry is still in the dryer waiting to be folded.)
I turn around with my arm still under the running water, watching my husband greet our kids. As he looks up I belt out ``Yes, we are having raw broccoli with dinner tonight!!``
Multi tasking= exhausts your body and tricks your mind into thinking your getting stuff done!
S.L Gal
Thursday 5 January 2012
Harvard University's Stance On Dairy
Back in September 2011 Harvard School of Public Health released a new guide to healthy eating, called Healthy Eating Plate which differs from the U.S. Government’s MyPlate.
The main difference? Harvard includes a glass of water with the meal, NOT milk/dairy product. Another difference is that it includes a bottle of oil containing information about healthy fats. Also, the government’s plate has no descriptions about any of the categories. It’s more just a picture, whereas Harvard’s plate goes into detail in each category explaining the healthiest option.
In my opinion, Harvard not including milk/dairy products in their healthy plate is a big deal. Dairy is definitely a product that, both in Canada and the US, is pushed heavily. Remember all the Got Milk ads? We, the public, are told by our government that if we don’t have dairy/milk at every meal there will be health problems in the future.
Harvard is informing us that there is no evidence that we need the amount of calcium that is recommended and that there is no evidence suggesting that dairy products are the best source for our calcium needs. They are suggesting that we can get our calcium and Vit D sources elsewhere such as “bok choy, fortified soy milk, baked beans, and supplements that contain both calcium and vitamin D”. If you do choose to have dairy, they suggest limiting your daily intake to 1-2 servings a day since "considerable evidence that too-high intakes [of dairy products] can be harmful","high intake[s] can increase the risk of prostate cancer and possibly ovarian cancer", "Plus, dairy products can be high in saturated fat as well as retinol (vitamin A), which at high levels can paradoxically weaken bones."
Who's take on healthy eating/drinking do you think is correct?
Well I came across this website http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-09/hsop-hrl091311.php . And in it I found this statement:
"Unfortunately, like the earlier U.S. Department of Agriculture Pyramids, MyPlate mixes science with the influence of powerful agricultural interests, which is not the recipe for healthy eating," said Walter Willett, Professor of Epidemiology and Nutrition and chair of the Department of Nutrition at HSPH. "The Healthy Eating Plate is based on the best available scientific evidence and provides consumers with the information they need to make choices that can profoundly affect our health and well being."
That to me is a very powerful statement being made.
How do you feel? Does this change your thoughts on dairy at all?
More information can be found at:
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-eating-plate/
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