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Christmas

Practical Stocking Stuffers for the Whole Family Giveaway!

December 6, 2017

The kids have made their lists and checked them twice; parents have begun shopping for gifts, putting up Christmas lights, and stocking up on items for entertaining.

There is only one item that I tend to forget… the stockings! While I’m focused on shopping for gifts under the tree, I tend to overlook the little surprises that can be found on Christmas morning in our stockings.

Sure, kids will love to find a small toy in their stockings, but they also need healthy, practical items too – stocking stuffers that are both practical and affordable. Adults like to find little surprises too! From vanity cabinet must-haves to at-home beauty treatments, here are some tried-and-true products to include in your family’s stockings this year… PLUS you can win them all!

Batiste™ Dry Shampoo Lotus: With hints of Apple, Wildberry, Grape and Citrus, Batiste™ Dry Shampoo Lotus instantly refreshes your hair between washes by absorbing excess oil from the roots, leaving hair smelling fresh and clean for every and any occasion.

Nair™ Nourish™ Crème for Legs & Body with Grape Seed Oil & Nair™ Nourish™ Crème for Face with Grape Seed Oil: Nair™ Nourish™ Crème with grape seed oil and antioxidant rich Resveratrol provides a luxurious at-home hair removal experience that nourishes the skin. It’s like a spa treatment in the comfort of your own home.

Orajel™ Spider-Man™ and My Little Pony™ Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste and Manual Toothbrush: The perfect stocking stuffer for your children, and their smile! Thanks to these beloved classic characters brushing has never been more enjoyable for kids, and healthy holiday presents have never been easier!

Vitafusion™ Men’s and Women’s Complete Multivitamins: Be at your best through an exhausting month. Vitafusion™ Multivitamins will help ensure your body has the vitamins and nutrients it needs for a happy holiday season and a successful year ahead.

Arm & Hammer™ Truly Radiant™ Bright & Strong Toothpaste and Battery-Powered Brush: This is the only toothpaste with Baking Soda, Fluoride and Liquid Calcium. The brush does more than just whiten – it removes 2X more plaque than a manual toothbrush. Use them together and everyone will want to know the secret behind your gorgeous smile.

Diovol™ Tablets: Enjoy and indulge this season. And stop heartburn and indigestion in its tracks! Diovol™ Tablets provide effective and quick relief of occasional digestive problems.

Ovol™ Regular Strength Chewables: Too much bubbly this season? Keep these chewables close by to help avoid unwanted hiccups at a holiday party.

RUB A535™ Anti-Inflammatory Cream: Shovelling, sledding, and skating can be harsh on your muscles and joints. RUB A535™ Extra Strength Heat Cream is effective at soothing stiff, sore muscles, and sprains.

Trojan™ Chain Reaction™ Lubricant: Ignite your intense passion and watch sparks fly with delightfully unpredictable changing sensations. Trojan™ Chain Reaction™ Lubricant allows you to reach new heights of pleasure with a special blend of intensifiers that keep releasing a variety of sensations during use, providing a unique experience every time. Get ready to work up a sweat unlike any other because with this long-lasting lubricant, you won’t want it to end!

Gravol™ Ginger Lozenges: Don’t let a bumpy flight or long car ride ruin your holiday travel this season. Pack Gravol™ Ginger Lozenges to prevent nausea and vomiting.

OxiClean™ Stain Fighters & Arm & Hammer™ Baking Soda: The holidays can be a messy time of year, so share your secret of keeping things fresh, clean and stain-free with OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover and Arm & Hammer™ Baking Soda.

What are your favourite practical stocking stuffers?

ENTER TO WIN

Enter to win all of these items thanks to Church & Dwight. Use the Rafflecopter below to enter this giveaway. Total Giveaway Approximate Value: $150

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Good luck!

Holidays

Giving Back with a Gift of Hope #GivingTuesday

November 28, 2017

Growing up, I remember playing with a handful of toys – a couple of dolls, and a coveted pink Barbie Corvette. We didn’t have much, but the few toys I had were well-treasured. My dad once made me a chalkboard himself so that I could play pretend school.

When the Cabbage Patch doll came out in the 1980s, I remember how much I wanted one. Oh the joy when my dad took me to Woolsworth, and we waited in line to get our hands on one. Those few toys my parents were able to afford, I cherished and still have them today.

Fast forward 30 years later, and I have a family of my own. I’m thankful that my husband and I are able to provide everything to our children. We can afford to splurge during the holidays, stock up on food and wine, and decorate our home. I’m grateful to be able to plan a feast for Christmas, and not think twice about having to budget for our holiday dinner.

Sadly, not everyone is so lucky, which is why this is also the time of year to give back to those in need. Plan International Canada, one of the world’s oldest and largest international development agencies, makes giving back easy and fun through Gifts of Hope.

In celebration of Giving Tuesday, Canadians are being asked to unite to spread hope and joy across the world for a campaign to raise 5,000 Food Baskets for those in need. On November 28th, purchase the gift of a Food Basket and transform lives by preventing malnourishment among thousands of pregnant women, mothers and young children under five.

When I think of pregnant women and moms with young children who need basic necessities of food in order to thrive and grow, giving back with a purchase of a Food Basket is a no-brainer.

Filled with staples like beans, cooking oil, fortified cereal blends and sugar, it’s a basic Food Basket with an impact that is anything but. Gifts of Hope are real gifts that go to real projects, meaning basket by basket, you’ll be saving lives.

Even more, if you purchase a $50 Food Basket, it is matched 10X for a value of $550. One Food Basket is a critical step in preventing a slide into a life-and-death situation so just imagine the power of 5,000 Food Baskets.

Instead of buying your children’s teacher yet another mug for Christmas, or your co-worker yet another box of chocolates, think about purchasing something that will truly make a difference to someone less fortunate.

Plan International Canada’s Gifts of Hope are also a great way to have your children get involved, and fully understand what giving truly means – especially for someone in real need.

This Giving Tuesday, give back and make a real difference in someone’s life.

Click here to learn more about Plan Canada’s Gifts of Hope and click here to purchase a Food Basket.

Christmas

6 Holiday Traditions to Start Now

November 27, 2017

Written by Dawn Alsept

In years to come, when the twinkling lights of your family’s tree become that of your children’s children, the traditions you have now will become a part of the season. Often, traditions are born in the most unexpected ways, and those always have the best stories to go with them. If your children are still young it seems that in as little as 2-3 holiday seasons you can create a tradition that may well stick for many future generations. You will be smiling for years to come so here are 6 holiday traditions to start now, and we will leave Santa out this time.

6 Holiday Traditions to Start Now (that don’t involve Santa)

Gingerbread

Whether you are Betty Crocker’s nemesis and you whip up the dough by hand, or you are a modern mom and you stop by Walmart for a kit, make it an annual tradition to have a day of decorating gingerbread homes. If you want to skip the houses, go for gingerbread men complete with icing buttons and eyes. The smell of the baking gingerbread is a memory that will be forever imprinted on your children’s hearts.

Cocoa Car ride

From the time they can hold a sippy cup you can plan an evening of cruising to look at light displays with cocoa in hand. It is fun to get a homemade recipe for stovetop hot cocoa and then load the travel mugs for a warm and toasty ride. Play a game of rate the displays for the older kids and find which neighbor gets the award for the best light display.

Stringing popcorn

An old tradition that likely stemmed from leaner years, you can bring it back with a twist. If you don’t want the popcorn laden Christmas tree in your foyer, simply make gifts for the birds. For younger fingers that may have trouble with the popcorn kernels string cranberries that your feathered friends can nibble.

Pajamas

No matter what your Christmas morning plans, everyone loves a new pair of pajamas, make it a Christmas Eve tradition to give each of the kids a new pair of pajamas for the morning.

Quarter rolls

When the excitement threatens to burst through your children’s very beings, let an early gift be a roll of quarters and a trip to your local arcade or Chuck E Cheese. This was an accidental tradition in our home that has now been ongoing for 10 plus years. It allows the children to run amuck and get some of their pent of energy out while giving mom and dad a brief reprieve.

Counting Candy

You must be well stocked with gourmet candy canes in all flavors for this one. Let your child count down the days to Christmas with a candy cane a day. If you prefer not to hunt down a myriad of flavors, simply Pinterest candy cane ideas and arm yourself before beginning the 12 days of candy cane counting.

Whatever traditions you begin today may well last for generations to come. For most of us, it is the memories that linger for years that we hold so very dear. Create the unique and fabulous and then have fun telling the stories for years to come.

Dawn is the homeschooling mom to 6 of God’s blessings and the wife to a husband she counts as her best friend. She and her husband enjoy life on a small family farm where they strive to grow their own food, raise their own livestock, and homestead to the best of a modern day family’s ability. Though she loved running a homesteading blog for years, at www.incidentalfarmgirl.com, she discovered a new passion with the birth of her 6th child who surprised the family with a Down Syndrome diagnosis at birth. Now she spends her free time writing, advocating, and sharing stories to bring awareness to Down Syndrome at www.cedarsstory.com.

Health

How to Prepare for Cold and Flu Season

November 24, 2017

As the weather gets colder, cold and flu season begins. How to prepare for cold and flu season so it doesn’t hit your home?

There are easy ways to protect you and your family from getting the cold and flu. If one of your family members winds up sick, you can still shorten the length and severity of cold and flu symptoms. But you’ll want to prepare for and prevent cold and flu season before you get sick. By taking these preventative steps, you’ll fight every flu season with confidence.

How to Prepare for Cold and Flu Season

Eat healthy

Maintaining a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables will help keep you healthy. But sometimes it’s hard to keep up and give your body all its recommended nutrients. To help keep pace with your hectic schedule, take a multivitamin to help support your immune system. If you’re like me and don’t like swallowing pills, try Men’s and Women’s Complete Multivitamin – they come in an easy-to-take gummy format and taste delicious.

Be active

Keep your body moving every day. Take a brisk walk or spend 30 minutes at the gym to keep your immune system healthy and your stress levels low.

Combat stress

Stress can affect how your immune system functions and a weakened system can lead to colds and the flu. To keep your immune system strong, get plenty of rest, and relax– not just when you’re sick!

Stay hydrated

Fluids in general will help soothe a sore throat, loosen congestion and flush out any bacteria in your system. Drinking plenty of water also helps to prevent dehydration and replace fluids lost from a fever or respiratory infection.

Rest and recuperate

Unless you were one of the lucky ones and managed to avoid getting sick, you may have to spend a few weekends indoors resting. Keep plenty of tissue nearby, enjoy a movie marathon and recover with Gravol™ Multi-symptom Cold & Fever. This natural health product is an all-in-one anti-nauseant, pain reliever and fever reducer. The medicinal ingredients that make this formula so effective are Ginger and Willow Bark extracts, traditional herbal medicines used for centuries.

Know when to see a doctor

The symptoms of different viruses and bacterial infections can be very similar and often confusing, which is why it’s important to know when to see a doctor. If you don’t start to feel better after a few days, your symptoms worsen or you’re in a high-risk group to develop flu symptoms , you should see your doctor.

Tip: Antibiotics are great at fighting the bad bacteria that makes you sick, but for some women, they can also affect good bacteria (also known as vaginal flora) making them susceptible to bacterial vaginosis (BV), which causes discomfort, discharge and itching. If you’re prone to BV when taking a prescription medication, try RepHresh™ Pro-B Probiotic. Just 1 oral capsule daily while using oral antibiotics can help treat bacterial vaginosis and help maintain vaginal flora in a normal range.

To help you stay ahead of the flu season, print out this infographic and post on your fridge for constant health tips and reminders.

Disclosure: I am a Church & Dwight ambassador and receive perks and compensation for my partnership.

Holidays

5 Ways to Save Time and Money on Holiday Shopping

November 21, 2017

The holidays are almost here which means shopping for gifts, decorating the house, and entertaining friends and family. This time of the year can become quite hectic trying to squeeze all of the activities and to-do lists in our busy schedules. It can also be the most expensive time of year!

When you’re in holiday preparation mode, it’s easy to overspend because of the huge anticipation and excitement of the season. Next thing you know, you’ve gone well over your budget on gifts for the kids, relatives as well as teachers, not to mention holiday decorations, and food and beverages for entertaining. Oh I can already feel the stress of holiday spending! Here are a few ways to enjoy holiday shopping AND save money.

5 Ways to Save Time and Money on Holiday Shopping

Plan Your Purchases

Make a list and check it twice. Rather than purchase a bunch of small gifts for your kids, think about purchasing just one meaningful gift. It’ll save you time running around at busy malls looking for more stuff-they-don’t-need for the sake of putting them under the tree.

If you have a big family, skip the $10 gifts for every aunt, uncle and cousin on your never-ending list. Instead, arrange to have a Secret Santa so you only have one person to buy for. Set a budget of $25 to $50 per gift. If there are too many kids in the extended family to shop for, let the kids have their own separate Kris Kringle/Secret Santa.

Book Your Calendar

Part of the fun of the holiday season is entertaining guests, which means spending money on food and beverages. Plan in advance so you can budget your meal planning. Stock up on ingredients and products when they go on sale, like wine, cheese, nuts and of course, chocolate. Set your social schedule early, and try not to go overboard with entertaining.

On the flip side, are you normally invited to a dozen Christmas parties? Choose one or two and gracefully decline the other invitations. It’s also a great idea to stock up on a few host/hostess gifts for these occasions.

Buy Experiences

It’s easy to get caught up in the materialism of the holidays, and forget the true meaning of Christmas which is spending time with loved ones. Instead of buying trinkets that will just gather dust, spend your money on an experience that will create a lasting memory, such as a spa day, movie night, or tickets to the theatre or concert.

Shop Online

Avoid the crazy malls during the holiday rush by shopping online from the comfort of your own home. Buying toys in your PJs while sipping a chamomile tea is so much better than fighting the lineups. Just be sure that shipping and/or customs and insurance won’t cost more than the gift itself!

Earn cash back

The holiday season means you’re spending more money, but why not receive something in return? Cash back credit cards are a great way to earn some money back, simply by using it on every day purchases. The SimplyCash™ Preferred Credit Card from American Express is a wonderful cash back credit card because you earn 2% on every purchase, in every category.

Even more, you aren’t limited to just groceries, gas or restaurants; you can use the card for larger purchases too, such as those expensive Christmas gifts. The cash back can quickly add up, especially with the 5% cash back welcome bonus on purchases for the first 6 months of Card membership (up to $300)! Use the calculator to see how much you can earn.

After the welcome bonus, you’ll earn cash back at 2% with no limit. For example, if I’m spending $1,650 a month on my Card, I can earn back $378 in the first six months ($300 welcome rate plus 2% for spend over threshold), then an additional $198 the rest of the year!

With a $99 annual fee, you’re covered for Emergency Medical Insurance, Travel Accident Insurance, and Car Rental Theft & Damage Insurance, which will already offer you savings if you’re planning to take that vacation. With the SimplyCash Preferred credit card, you’re also auto enrolled to American Express Invites, which includes Front of the Line.

The SimplyCash™ Preferred Credit Card from American Express is easy to use and can actually put money back into your pocket!

Happy Holiday shopping!

Disclosure: This post is proudly sponsored by American Express Canada. As always, the opinions expressed herein are my own.

Motherhood

10 Things You Should Never Say to a Stay-at-Home Mom

November 16, 2017

Working moms, stay-at-home moms, work-at-home moms – what “category” do you label yourself? Whether we like it or not, there are labels we give ourselves when we become moms, and there are certain stereotypes associated with each.

For stay-at-home moms or SAHMs, there is a misconception that they have an “easy life” because they don’t have a “regular job”, and that they have time to get manicures and meet friends for coffee every day, and binge-watch TV shows on Netflix. Of course, this is not the case!

In my own experience, I’ve learned that being a SAHM is probably more demanding and often more stressful than when I did work outside the home.

For some reason, when a mom chooses to stay home to raise her kids, people think they can ask inappropriate, personal questions about their choices. There are some things stay-at-home moms hate being told and asked. So here are 10 things you should never say to a stay-at-home mom

10 Things You Should Never Say to a Stay-at-Home Mom

1. What do you do all day?

This is probably the worst question to be asked as a stay-at-home mom. While you’d like to hit back with a snarky response like “watch talk shows and go to the gym”, you can say that you keep busy doing a number of things.

You can choose to go into great details about changing your children’s diapers, doing laundry, making school lunches, running errands, taking little ones out for a stroller walk, trying to get baby to nap, and on top of that, actually spend quality time with the kids!

2. “You’re so LUCKY to be able to stay at home”

No, I’m not necessarily lucky – don’t assume that a mom who stays home is financially well-off! Moms choose to stay at home for many different reasons. For many women, the high cost of child care cancels out the paycheque. Others might not have reliable daycare options, while other moms may not be able to go back to a job with inflexible, long hours, or with a long commute.

Other moms might decide to tighten their financial belts at home because they think it’s the best option. Other moms might not love their jobs and are leaving it behind gladly. Whether a mom chooses to stay home or work, don’t make them feel guilty for their decision.

3. You must have such a relaxing life!

Waking up at 5:30 a.m. because your toddler is ready to start his day while you’ve only had three solid hours of sleep? Sure, relaxing indeed! Don’t forget the times when kids are crying, teething and throwing temper tantrums… or grappling with an octopus-child, to strap into the car seat or snow suit just to run into to the grocery store to buy a loaf of bread that you forgot to buy during your big shop yesterday.

While SAHMs have flexibility and run by their own schedule, there are bad days when the kids are screaming and crying, won’t go down for a nap, or fighting constantly.

4. What do you mean your house is a mess?

You didn’t get the laundry done, dinner ready, and the house cleaned? Yes, because staying at home all day means SAHMs have unlimited amount of time to get anything and everything done. Have you tried cooking dinner with a baby attached to your hip? How about doing laundry with a toddler running around? You might as well put “throw the clothes around the room” and “dump out all the toys on the floor” on your to-do list because that’s what happens seconds after you finish putting the clothes away and cleaning up the toys.

5. You must be bored.

For some women, caring for her family is the most rewarding thing they could ever do. While others might be bored of the prospect of the domestic life, others find it fulfilling. Some find it liberating not to have to clock into a job every day, and enjoy not having a strict schedule. Every day is an opportunity for something new; some days, mom will feel super productive running errands while other days will be spent rolling around on the far playing with the kids. Staying home to raise kids is far from boring.

6. I couldn’t stay home, it would drive me crazy!

Yes, it’s not for everyone. While it might not be an ideal situation for certain personalities, it’s great for others. The fact that someone is suggesting staying home would drive them crazy is belittling to those who choose that lifestyle. Saying it’s crazy implies that staying home with the kids is annoying, terrible and challenging. Sure there are days when you feel like you’ve spent most of the day cleaning up spit-up and vomit, wiping bums and explosive diapers. But being able to raise your children is so rewarding.

7. You must have so much time on your hands!

Nope! That’s a huge misconception. You’d be surprised by how busy you can be when you’re staying at home with the kids. Think of the time it takes to prepare meals, feed your kids, clean-up, put kids to nap, running errands, and on top of that actually interacting with your kids! The hours in the day quickly pass by.

8. What are you going to do when all your kids are in school?

Just because my kids are at school all day won’t mean that I’ll be at the spa getting pampered all day long. Who knows? Maybe I’ll go back to work, maybe I’ll pilot a rocket to the moon. My opportunities are endless, but you don’t see me asking you what your 5-year plan is for your life, and this is just as rude as asking someone why they haven’t had kids yet.

9. “Could you do me a favour?”

Since you don’t work, do you think you could do me a favour and pick me up some eggs/coffee/my kid from school? Here’s one – since you’re home, do you think you could watch my kids too? Sure! I’ll just start a home daycare business while I’m here raising my kids at home, why not? It’s not like I’m totally not qualified, or have the spare time, room or energy and patience to deal with your kids let alone my own! Just drop them off at 7:00am and come whenever to pick them up!

10. When are you going back to work?

For stay-at-home moms, taking care of their kids IS their “job”. They are on-call, 24 hours a day, and never really clock out. Can we recognize the hard work that stay-at-home parents do? Just because there is no pay cheque, let’s acknowledge that the work involved with caring for children is legitimate.

parenting

How Do You Discipline a Child Who Doesn’t Care?

November 13, 2017

Family expert Sara Dimerman is here to answer any questions you may have. If you need to submit a question, please email amotherworld@gmail.com.

How do you discipline a child who doesn’t care? Getting strong-willed kids to cooperate

When we think of discipline, our thoughts often turn towards punishment. When our strong willed children defy us or refuse to cooperate, we often try to come up with ways to punish them in an attempt to make them care. However, I have found that this is the least effective way to get children to cooperate long term. In fact, unfair punitive responses to uncooperative behaviour tends to lead to cycles of power and revenge. Your child refuses to co-operate which leaves you feeling powerless. You in turn assert your power by taking away a privilege, for example. In turn, your child seeks revenge by being less cooperative when you later request something from him or her.

When a child is extremely strong willed, my goal is to determine how much of the opposition is as a result of his or her temperament versus a response to a style of parenting that may not be working well.

For example, many children dig in their heels if they feel that they are constantly being bossed around or not treated respectfully. Other children, even though raised in democratic family environments, seem to be born with a tendency to be strong willed and oppositional.

Sometimes, a lack of cooperation stems from a combination of both. If your child is diagnosed with an oppositional defiant disorder, then you will need intervention and guidance from a specialized program that works with families and children with this diagnosis.

If the lack of cooperation is more related to the power and revenge cycle, then adopting more of a democratic style of parenting, as outlined in parenting programs such as STEP (Systematic Training for Effective Parenting) and becoming familiar with a natural and logical consequence approach to discipline, will help to foster a relationship that encourages more cooperation.

Sara Dimerman is a psychologist in the Toronto area who has provided counselling to individuals, couples and families for more than twenty-five years. She is the author of four books – two for parents and two for couples – the most recent of which is “Why Married Couples Don’t have Sex….at least not with each other!” and is a columnist and podcast producer/host for sites and print media across North America and internationally. She is a regular guest on radio and television and is interviewed frequently for articles online, in newspapers and magazines. Sara is married and has two daughters. Visit Sara‘s website: www.helpmesara.com or follow her on Twitter @helpmesara.

Food

In the Kitchen: From Italy with Amore

November 9, 2017

Growing up in a Greek household, food was a big deal. My mom would cook homemade meals daily… let’s say we ate very well, despite living on a modest budget!

I was a picky eater though – little did I know then what I was missing out on… Moussaka, Dolmades and Gemista my mom would make for us… Fakes (Lentil Soup) and Fasolada (white bean soup). As an eight-year-old, I felt forced to eat these different foods. I just wanted my Cheerios and hot dogs please! I can still remember peeling off the mozzarella cheese off my pizza!

On the other hand, my Italian husband was a big foodie even at the ripe age of two. He would often be found with a Panini bun in one hand, and a chunk of homemade Soppressata in the other.

When we first began dating, I was floored by the amount of food my in-laws would cook. Every weeknight you’d find a two-course meal for dinner; first some type of pasta followed by a main course of meat with a side vegetable dish. On weekends, there would be even more food, a few meat offerings, and of course, a more elaborate pasta dish like a lasagna or a homemade pasta.

Being married for almost two decades, I’ve learned a thing or two about Italian cooking. My boys love their father’s homemade Italian deli that he cures once a year, and the tomato sauce we preserve in late August. My husband’s family’s traditions have now become our own.

Sometimes it’s difficult to source the best Italian ingredients at your local supermarket – and that’s where Loblaws comes in. When planning an Italian meal, a great go-to is Loblaws because it carries authentic Italian ingredients and products that will help bring that authentic taste home.

Some of my favourite items in store are:

Delverde Pasta
PC Tuscany Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Rio Mare Tuna
PC Splendido Balsamic Vinegar of Modena –
PC Black Label Gorgonzola Dolce
Lupa Romano

I had the fun opportunity to attend an Italian cooking class with local Chef Massimo Bruno. The menu featured authentic Italian ingredients certified by the Italian Trade Commission and the best part – these products are easily available at your local Loblaws.

Check out the From Italy with Amore program, on now in select stores, which is showcasing 350 products certified as authentic. From pasta, to olive oil, to tomato sauce, visit your local Loblaws or Zehrs store for all your Italian cooking needs.

Here is a recipe we made for Spaghetti with Lemon and Tuna that is easy to prepare and oh so delicious.

Spaghetti Lemon and Tuna

Ingredients

1 lbs Del Verde Spaghetti

3 small cans of Rio mare tuna in olive oil

1 lemon

Handful fresh basil

Fresh black pepper

PC Tuscany Extra Virgin olive oil

1 table spoon coarse sea salt for the pasta

Method

Add tuna into a bowl and mash it with a fork. Add the zest and juice from a lemon.

Tear the basil with your hands and add to bowl. Drizzle in a 1/3 of a cup of olive oil. Add some fresh ground black pepper.

Keep mixing with a fork and mash very well with the tuna. It should not be too dry, add more lemon juice if needed.

Bring a pot filled with water to a boil (4/5lt) and then add salt. Once boiling, add the spaghetti and cook until “al dente” (slightly undercooked).

With a slotted spatula, transfer the spaghetti directly into the bowl with tuna, add a little bit of cooking water from the pasta and mix very well.

Serve with fresh lemon zest on top and garnish with fresh basil and a drizzle of olive oil.

Mangiamo!

Disclosure: This post is proudly sponsored by Loblaws. As always, the opinions expressed herein are my own.

Entertainment

Disney/Pixar’s “Coco”: Win Advance Screening Passes

November 2, 2017

Is there life after death? What happens after we die – it’s a question of the ages. Disney/Pixar Studios new film is the Mexican Dia de los Muertos festiva – Day of the Dead-inspired “Coco”, set to hit theatres on November 22.

Despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel (voice of newcomer Anthony Gonzalez) dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (voice of Benjamin Bratt). Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colourful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector (voice of Gael García Bernal), and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history.

Directed by Lee Unkrich (“Toy Story 3”), co-directed by Adrian Molina (story artist “Monsters University”) and produced by Darla K. Anderson (“Toy Story 3”), Disney/Pixar’s “Coco” opens in theatres on Nov. 22, 2017.

ENTER TO WIN

Enter to win a family pack of four advance screening passes to the following cities:

RICHMOND HILL Wednesday, November 8 7:00 PM SilverCity Richmond Hill

WHITBY Wednesday, November 8 7:00 PM Landmark Whitby

MISSISSAUGA Wednesday, November 8 7:00 PM Cineplex Cinemas Mississauga

WATERLOO Wednesday, November 8 7:00 PM Galaxy Theatres Waterloo

VANCOUVER Wednesday, November 8 7:00 PM Cineplex Cinemas Langley

TORONTO Thursday, November 16 7:00 PM Scotiabank Toronto

OTTAWA Thursday, November 16 7:00 PM Cineplex Cinemas Ottawa

VANCOUVER Wednesday, November 15 7:00 PM International Village

CALGARY Wednesday, November 15 7:00 PM Cineplex Odeon Westhills

WINNIPEG Thursday, November 16 7:00 PM SilverCity Polo Park

EDMONTON Wednesday, November 15 7:00 PM Scotiabank Edmonton

Use the Rafflecopter below to enter! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Entertainment

Olympian Silken Laumann Talks Learn the Love Spectrum

October 25, 2017

Canadian Olympic rowing legend Silken Laumann knows all too well the benefits of technology and how they can help the lives of children with autism.

Her stepdaughter, Kilee, 21, has autism and struggles to make eye contact and communicate.

“The most common misconception with people on the spectrum is that they can’t connect with others in a meaningful way. I didn’t always understand that she was more like me than she was unlike me,” Laumann says.

“I think when I finally got that insight that she’s like the other kids; she wants to be loved, valued, feel useful. She knows when we’re angry, and just because she can’t say it, it doesn’t mean it isn’t true for her.”

Laumann is part of a campaign for Samsung Look at Me, an app that helps children living with autism to improve eye contact and interpret facial expressions.

One of the tasks Kilee struggle with is making eye contact and reading social cues.

“Imagine you’re always being overstimulated and you want to retreat inwards which is what happens with a lot of kids with autism but one of the important social nuances in our world is to look the person. Part of what the Look at Me app assists kids in learning at another person in the eye,” Laumann says.

Alongside Autism Speaks Canada, Samsung has provided Canadian families living with autism with thousands of Samsung tablets pre-loaded with the app, hoping it can be a helpful tool for families and their children.

“This app is progressive, so it intelligently sees where the child is looking and gives them badges when they actually look at the face in the app. We’re also teaching our child to say hello and look at the person. For 15 minutes, they can practice this skill.”

One in 68 kids live with autism, according to Autism Speaks Canada. The average family cost is a minimum $60,000 a year for tutors and behavioural therapy.

Laumann says that the challenges families living with autism face are extensive, especially the first five years when some of the behaviours and frustrations are so great, and the journey of discovering what the best school environment is for your child.

“Dealing with the isolation and heartbreak of your child who has challenges with making friends, the misconceptions and misunderstandings that exist in our communities about children with special needs, and the economic hardships are hugely real,” she says.

Laumann has four children ranging in ages 17 to 21 with husband Patch, and she came into their lives when they were in their challenging tween years.

“The children have had to learn the difference between equal and fair; things aren’t equal in our house. Kilee takes up more of our time and energy than any of our other kids, but it’s fair in that we recognize each child’s needs and try to the best of our ability in our perfectly imperfect ways to meet our kids’ needs.”

Canadians are invited to visit Samsung.com/thelovespectrum and AutismSpeaks.ca from October 3rd to November 3rd, 2017, to apply to receive one of the 500 Samsung tablets pre-loaded with the Look at Me app.