I LOVE guacamole and could likely eat the whole bowl if I could. I put guacamole or even just plain avocado on everything.
Here is the tastiest Guacamole recipe, so tasty you will undoubtedly shout out “Ole!”
Ingredients:
2 large ripe avocados
1/2 small red onion, chopped finely
1 medium tomato, chopped
1/2 small jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped finely
2 tbsp lime juice, freshly squeezed
1/2 tsp chili powder, or to taste
2 tbsp chopped coriander, or more if you love coriander
1/2 tsp salt
Directions:
Cut the avocados in half and remove the pits. Hold one half in your hand and with a knife, cut through in a criss-cross pattern. Using a spoon, scoop the avocado out in a bowl. If you prefer less chunky, then simply mash the avocado with the back of a fork.
Add the rest of the ingredients and toss gently. Serve with nacho chips, but guacamole also goes very nicely with grilled chicken and fish.
Last night, my kids and I were sitting in the living room and I said to them “If I am ever very ill and dependent on some machine and fluids from a bottle…please if it ever happens, just pull the plug”.
They got up, unplugged the computer, and threw out my wine.
There are so many reasons we mamas, myself definitely included, love our computers. Just to name a few:
1) Online shopping:
This holiday season I opted out of dragging six kids around crowded shopping malls. Sure, I could have tried to shop while the kids scaled escalators or got soaked trying to clear pennies from the bottom of the water fountain. Instead I put the kids to bed, poured a glass of wine and did all my seasonal shopping online in an hour.
2) Online communities:
No longer does a social occasion require me to get showered and gussied up. I can hang out with my girlfriends on one of the many mama message boards out there, or participate in any of the popular Twitter #GNOs. The best part – hair is in a ponytail and flannel PJs are on. How’s that for a social life without the hassles of getting out the door or paying a babysitter? Though I do occasionally try to get out for an “in real life” girls’ night, my bail-out rate is far lower with my online friends!
3) Facebook:
What better way is there to catch up with your high school friends without having to lose 10 lbs in time for the reunion? If you can handle dealing with friend requests from folks like that creepy guy you smooched when you were 20, you can use Facebook as an easy way to get connected, stay connected, and share information. Quite simply, it’s time efficient and what Savvymoms don’t value that? And for those of you not sold on Twitter – get on the Twitter bus – getting and giving updates in 140 characters easily fits into any busy mama’s schedule.
So if our kids were to unplug our computers and throw out our wine, there would be serious implications. What mamas find in our online communities is likely what makes us more sane and rational. Maybe we’re not hooked up to machines and fluids just yet, but our kiddos should think twice before messing with a tech-savvy mama’s other lifelines!
Julie Cole is one of the Co-Founders of Mabel’s Labels Inc. (www.mabel.ca) and the mother of six.
Yes, chocolate chip banana bread can healthy! This is an easy and healthy version of chocolate chip banana bread that you’ll love because of the substitutes. My background is Greek so we use extra-virgin olive oil in everything – including baking. In this recipe, I used olive oil instead of butter and coconut palm sugar instead of white sugar, which means this chocolate chip banana bread is still moist and rich in flavour.
Easy and Healthy Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
Ingredients
1 3/4 cups sifted flour of your choosing (regular unblanched or whole wheat)
2 tsp baking power
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2/3 cup coconut palm sugar (or brown sugar if you run out like I did!)
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla
3 over-ripe bananas, mashed
1/2 cups walnuts
1/2 cups semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
Method
In a bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
In separate bowl, beat sugar with olive oil. Add eggs and vanilla.
In 3 parts, add flour mixture alternatively with bananas, beating smooth after each addition.
I’m thrilled to be running another Managing Expectations program offered by Life With a Baby at the Ontario Early Years Centre in Newmarket this Spring.
Funny Mummy and author Kathy Buckworth will be our Featured Guest Speaker on May 11th.
Life With a Baby is a project of Healthy Start, Healthy Future, a non-profit organization in York Region to help support new and expectant parents.
Electrical storms are going to wipe out the Internet (perhaps forever). You have one day left to write about your passions: What do you want to say to the blogosphere?
I wasn’t sure if I wanted to attend BlogHer. A weekend away from the boys would be difficult! But after seeing this amazing opportunity, it sparked some writing. At first I wrote a humorous piece but then decided to go for something a little more serious. Here is my official entry:
So Long, Internet
In my younger years, writing and acting were my passion. I lived and breathed the written word. In truth, journalism school killed the creativity of my writing. The reality of life killed my dream of acting.
Getting married and having children changed it all. Changed me and my perspective on life. The responsibility shifted from me to my husband to my children.
Becoming a mother has been the most rewarding, life-changing experience in my life. My proudest moment. My biggest accomplishment. Bigger than landing that role. Bigger than finishing that screenplay. But in the process, I lost a part of myself for a while.
When the challenges of motherhood slapped me in the face, I discovered blogging. Self-publishing. Here is my opportunity to share my thoughts with other women who may have been feeling the same but who were afraid to communicate their true thoughts for fear of shame or unacceptance.
It felt so good to write again. Who cares if noone reads, it’s my form of therapy.
But when I realized that people were actually reading, and not only from Canada but from the U.S. and around the world, I was pleasantly surprised.
Then I discovered a network of other women bloggers, who like me, shared their passion for writing and motherhood on the internet.
Facebook allowed me to reconnect with long lost friends, some of which have now become important in my life again.
Twitter has introduced me to new friends, some of whom I share such a strong connection with, that I am certain will translate to real, non-virtual friendships.
Thank you, internet, for all that you’ve done: reunited me with old friends, introduced me to new ones, renewed my love of writing and given me a forum, and most importantly, you have been my window to the entire world.
Before I went down south last December, my anxiety was climbing up north! Although I was excited about my trip, I was a little nervous about traveling with a toddler. In fact, I was so nervous, I let my “pack attack” get in the way of my excitement.
Now that I’m back, I can now say that we had a wonderful trip, thanks to my trusty list. I realized what worked and what didn’t and I edited it so I can use it time and time again until my toddler is a teen.
If you’re thinking of taking your family on a getaway any time soon, I hope my Power Travel Checklist will help you get as organized as I did before the big date arrives. Most of it is common sense, but other things saved me from being in a pickle. Happy Traveling!
Power Travel Check List
Tip: Pack all liquids in Ziploc bags so they don’t leak
For the Airplane
Portable DVD Player and charger (This worked like a charm during long flights and meals)
Kids’ favourite DVDs
If traveling to another country where the plug is different, buy a travel adapter to recharge the DVD player
Packaged snacks (chewing and swallowing also helps with ear popping)
Soother (if child takes one, this helps with ears popping on the plane)
Juice boxes and portable milk drinking boxes
Sippy cups and/or baby bottles
Straws with wrappers if no sippy cups are available
Moist hand toilettes and hand sanitizers (great to wipe kids’ hands before eating and food tray on the plane)
Toys for the plane (i.e. stickers, colouring books, crayons, small puzzles, books, etch-a-sketch, games that don’t have a lot of pieces or anything LIGHT that keeps them entertained)
Diapers and diaper wipes
Portable potty cover seat if potty training
For the Airport
Make sure your toddlers get plenty of exercise in the airport before boarding the plane. When in the lounge area, go for a walk, stimulate them with the shops’ exciting colours, or play eye spy with my little eye. If they get tired out at the airport, the chances of them sleeping on the plane are better. As tempting as it may be, don’t keep them confined in their stroller if it’s not necessary. The more they explore, the more they will get tired.
For the Beach
UV bathing suit
UV sun tent
Inflatable water toys, beach ball and swim floaties
Sun screen (for adults and kids)
Sun hats
UV protector for stroller
Water Diapers
For the Hotel
Tip: If staying at a resort, ask the hotel staff for extra bottled water to wash sippy cups and/or bottles
Dishwashing soap and sponge to wash kids’ sippy cups and/or bottles
Large tupperware to wash kids’ sippy cups and/or bottles
Portable bottle rack to hang dry washed bottles or sippy cups
Inflatable tub for babies and young toddlers
Baby liquid soap to rinse food or poo stains and bathing suit
Lots of hand sanitizers (liquid and hand wipes)
If you’re going somewhere hot – make sure to bring plenty of long pants, sweaters, and baby blankets just in case it’s cool at night or the air conditioner is high
Disposable bibs and plastic cutlery
A kettle is very handy for boiling water to heat a small baby’s puree food OR heating bath water if only cold water is available (of course, mix cool water with warm water so baby doesn’t burn)
A thermos is great to keep the heated water hot after boiling it in the kettle. (When service is slow at a restaurant, you have control to heat baby food very fast or sterilize bottled water if baby needs to drink)
Sheets for the crib (not necessary, but good to have if you’re a germ-a-phobe)
Mini umbrella(s) in case it rains
Medications
Fever medication
Thermometer
Vitamins (if your child takes them regularly)
Malaria medication if your pediatrician prescribed it
Immodium for adults only – not for kids. If kids get diarrhea, my doctor said – keep them hydrated with lots of beverages and give them dry foods like pasta, bananas & rice
Motion sickness medication – for adults only
Kids Polysporin
Eye drops (A friend swears by this in case her kid gets sand in her eyes)
After Bite
Insect repellant in a spray format – I also used this to spray my sheets and the crib before bedtime instead of putting it on our skin. The smell is a bit annoying if it’s on me all night.
Any other medication your child needs to take regularly
Let me know if you had any “must-haves” for your trip. I’d love to add it to my list!
It’s no secret that my kids and I love Canadian rock band Billy Talent. They request to hear “Saint Veronika”, “Surrender” or “Fallen Leaves” on a daily basis. I’ve gone as far as posting their ‘performances’ on YouTube because I’m giddy with the thought that they might want to grow up to be musicians.
I had the pleasure of chatting with drummer Aaron Solowoniuk recently and right off the bat, he exuded “cool” just as I had expected. When I asked him how has becoming a father changed him, he said, “It’s the best. The most amazing thing in the world.”
Travelling and being on the road so much means striking a balance, which can be difficult. “It’s the hardest thing. It’s awful being away from my wife and my daughter, Willow, for so long.”
But when he is in town, his routine is just like any parent. “When I’m home I’m home, spending time with my daughter, picking her up from school, helping with homework,” says Solowoniuk. Yes, a hot dad indeed.
And humble. How has a rock band from Mississauga making it big stay so grounded?
“We’re very grounded because how long it took us to get where we are,” says Solowoniuk. “From 17 to 27 the furthest we ever got was playing at the Horseshoe in Toronto and getting a record deal and after 7 after 10 years, you never really let the amount of the time that was taken get away.” Finally after years of struggle, Billy Talent I was released in 2003.
Three years later, their second album debuted at number 1 in Canada with hits like “Devil in a Midnight Mass”, “Fallen Leaves” and “Surrender”.
Their latest, Billy Talent III, released in 2009 Billy Talent is up for four 2010 Juno awards: Group, Single, Album and Rock Album of the Year.
Some of the younger fans say that the band has “gone mainstream” with the new album. I asked Solowoniuk how he’d respond to people who say that Billy Talent III is so different from I and II.
“They’re right, it is completely different,” he said. “We’re getting older as people, as a band, we didn’t want to release the same record as the first or second.”
Tracks like “Tears Into Wine” and “Turn Your Back” have the traditional Billy Talent sound that I first fell in love with. But slower tracks such as “Devil on My Shoulder” and “The Dead Can’t Testify” show the band’s maturity.
What undoubtedly matured Solowoniuk was being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at only 21 years of age. A disease that can cause numbness, immobility and even paralysis, he kept his condition secret, telling only some family and few friends. Devastated, Solowoniuk wrote a song about his so-called “friend” in a song entitled “This is How it Goes”, which was the first track off Billy Talent’s debut.
This is How it Goes (excerpt)Everybody is tired, and poor and sick of trying
If you see me on a corner, will you stop or will you splash me?
Take a look at what we’ve become
Nothing more than silhouettes of
A pretty family, on a postcard, picture perfect
I don’t want it!So I hold my breath ’till my heart explodes
‘Cause this is how it is and this is how it goes
You can steal my body but you can’t steal my soul
‘Cause this is how it is and this is how it goes
When the band took off, Solowoniuk had to make the biggest decision of his life – to quit the band or to stay. “I chose to stay. Music has been my medicine. After years of battling through the depression, I finally saw the light and what it all meant.”
I asked him what made him decide to go public in 1996. “I didn’t want to hide that the man in the song was me. I didn’t want to hide him anymore.”
The band recently finished a European tour and is now touring across Canada with Alexisonfire, who Solowoniuk describes as “fantastic people”, Against Me! and Cancer Bats. Alexisonfire is yet another amazing Canadian band that I can’t wait to see perform again (both bands also played at Edgefest in Toronto in June 2009).
Billy Talent plays the Air Canada Centre in Toronto on March 28, 2010. I’m lucky to have bought early bird tix on their website because I get into the venue 15 minutes early which means I’ll be securing a spot right in front of the stage.
The 82nd Annual Academy Awards were uneventful in terms of fashion.
Missing from this years Oscars were some of my favourite fashionistas Natalie Portman, Jennifer Aniston, Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman, Salma Hayek and Kate Blanchett.
Here are amotherworld’s picks for best and worst dressed.
BEST DRESSED
Cameron Diaz looks stunning in a golden gown by Oscar de la Renta. She is amotherworld’s top pick!
Sandra Bullock also looked classic and goregous in Marchesa as she accepted her Oscar for Best Actress for The Blind Side.
Penelope Cruz, nominated for Best Supporting Actress in the film Nine, wore Donna Karan Couture.
Elizabeth Banks also looked stunning in Versace.
Meryl Streep, Kristen Stewart and Kate Winslet also looked fab but simple… their look cried for some accessories! Show some bling ladies!
WORST DRESSED
Charlize Theron in Christian Dior… are those boobie protectors, as my boys would say?
Jennifer Lopez in Armani Prive. Was it bubble wrap? Or was it my grandmother’s tablecloth hanging from her hip? I don’t care if it’s Armani, it was not flattering.
Kathy Ireland… needs a few lessons in style. Period.
LOVE IT OR HATE IT?
Sarah Jessica Parker wearing Chanel. I actually liked the dress but many commented that it wasn’t flattering.
Rachel McAdams wearing Ellie Saab. Love the design of the dress but not sure about the fabric pattern. Hailing from London, Ontario and also making her film debut alongside my husband in the Italian film My Name is Tanino, she is still number one in my books.
Vera Farmiga wearing Marchesa. At first, I loved the colour and the ruffles, but after seeing this photo, I’m not sure.
TEEN TAKEOVER
Miley Cyrus looked goregous in Jenny Packham. I just wish her mom was there to remind her NOT TO SLOUCH!
Amanda Seyfried also wearing Armani Privé but looking like a bride or a prom queen.
LEADING MEN
Sorry George, but the hair needs a trim. And you totally dissed your girlfriend by joking that she doesn’t speak any English. An 18-year-old looked better than you tonight.
