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Entertainment

It’s a Class Reunion on Netflix’s Fuller House

February 26, 2016

One of the most anticipated revivals recently is Netflix’s Fuller House, which brings most of the original cast of Full House back to the silver screen.

As part of Netflix’s Stream Team, I was able to watch the first few episode of this comeback. The first episode is definitely one to warm your nostalgic heart.

If you’ve been living under a rock, or for the new generation of fans, Full House was a popular television sit-com that aired 1987 through to 1995.

When Danny Tanner’s (Bog Saget) wife dies, the San Francisco sportscaster gets support in the form of two new roommates: brother-in-law and party boy Jesse (John Stamos), and his stand-up comic friend, Joey (Dave Coulier). The duo helps out with raising the three Tanner daughters: D.J (Candace Cameron), Stephanie (Jodie Sweetin) and Michelle (Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen)

In Fuller House, we fast forward to when the girls – with the exception of Michelle – are adults. Veterinarian D.J. Tanner-Fuller is recently widowed and living in San Francisco. D.J.’s younger sister/aspiring musician Stephanie Tanner and D.J.’s lifelong best friend/fellow single mother Kimmy Gibbler (Andrea Barber), along with Kimmy’s feisty teenage daughter Ramona, all move in to help take care of D.J.’s three boys — the rebellious 12-year-old Jackson, neurotic 7-year-old Max and her newborn baby, Tommy Jr. The Olsen twins declined to take part in the revival as they are busy with other projects.

The family structure has shifted from the men raising the girls, to a single mother trying to raise her children with the help of friends and family.

Uncle Jesse and Aunt Becky still live in San Francisco, but Becky and Jesse are moving to L.A. with Danny for a new television show they are doing. Their sons, Nicky and Alex, are in college in L.A., which means they’ll be making appearances here and there.

The first episode was, as expected, full of adorable moments of sweet nostalgia. It was like a class reunion. There were some cheesy moments, like the crew dancing to New Kids on the Block’s “The Right Stuff”. But cheese is so good!

I also couldn’t help but drool over Uncle Jesse (Stamos) looking as fine as ever! Does this man ever age?

I watched the second episode and while Stamos, Coulier and Saget take a back seat, I think Cameron and Sweetin can carry this show all the way. It has the formula-perfect sitcom flavour we remember from Full House, but relevant to today.

The entire season is now available to everyone starting today, February 26… so I guess I know what you’ll be doing this weekend?

Motherhood

Being the Bully and Being Bullied

February 24, 2016

Since today is #PinkShirtDay, I wanted to share my story.

I’ve never had the best memory… in fact, my short and long term memory are both terrible. I can be losing my mind trying to find my cell phone only to discover it was in my back pocket the entire time.

I also can’t remember much of my childhood, only having vague memories of feelings and emotions, and some weird specific memories of events that somehow left a distinct mark on my mind. Like the time I was maybe 2 years old and came home from a trek to the grocery store with my parents, and plopped down into a corner, stuffing my face with a pint of strawberries.

When I was in Grade 4 or 5, I had a group of friends I’d hang out with. I can’t even remember all of their names, but there it was me, Angela, Helene I think and another girl or two.

Every day at school, we would gather at the beginning of the day and decide who we were going to ignore for that day. Yes, IGNORE. We would pretend we couldn’t see or hear that person for the entire day.

I can’t remember if we all gathered and picked a name out of a hat, or if there it was an idiotic calculated decision based on an action or words that person inadvertently said.

Every day, we switched who we picked on. One day it was me who would be tossed aside, like a banana peel. The next it was Angela who would be intentionally avoided. The next it was Helene. And so on.

Why the heck did we do this? Why did we purposely reject one another if we were all friends? I don’t remember the whys and whats… but I do remember the feeling.

I dreaded the day it was going to be me. I remember feeling like an outcast that entire day at school. The girls would be hanging out, huddled together in the school yard by the playground. I’d hear them giggling, their heads thrown back and their mouths wide open – the sound of their laughter echoing slow motion in my mind.

I would try to seek their attention with my stares, but they would see right through me. It was as if I didn’t exist. The feeling of being snubbed – by girls who were my “friends” – was perplexing. But what was even more baffling was that we did this to each other.

I don’t remember telling anyone about our mean-girl “game”, whatever it was. I don’t recall how long it lasted. But I still remember that terrible feeling of being completed overlooked. Rejected. Scorned.

Back then, I don’t remember the term “bully” being used. Today, those stories would clearly be called bullying. Today, we would describe it as being the bully and being bullied.

I’m grateful Grade 4 or 5 didn’t leave a permanent mark on my self-esteem, as I imagine it would now. I’m even more thankful that my boys haven’t experienced that lousy feeling of being snubbed. I hope they never do.

Have you ever experienced being the bully and being bullied?

Family Travel

6 Reasons Why You Should Use a Travel Card

February 19, 2016

I love traveling with the family, especially abroad. One of my concerns, however, is carrying cash with me when I travel and running up my credit card with foreign exchange rates and fees.

If you’ve used your credit card while on vacation or business travel and then received your bill, shocked by the exchange rates and fees, you’re probably left wondering if you should have paid in local currency.

Well, now you don’t have to guess anymore. SellOffVacations Travel FX Card allows you to carry foreign currency on a plastic card while you travel.

Here are 6 reasons why you should use a SellOffVacations Travel FX Card with you the next time you travel:

6 Reasons Why You Should Use a Travel Card

Locked in rates

When you load foreign currency on a SellOffVacations Travel FX card, you won’t be surprised when the bill arrives, because you can lock in the exchange rate at time of purchase, and secure those funds on your own card. This means whatever you see on your bill at time of purchase is exactly what you spend – no extra fees or conversion costs.

The foreign currency you order loads immediately on the card, so you enjoy safe and convenient access to funds in the country or countries you are traveling to (only one currency is loaded on card at a time). Preloading the country’s currency also means you lock in the foreign exchange rate, so the only fees you pay are the initial charge for the card and exchange rate at the time of conversion (live rates), which protect the customer from fluctuations while spending abroad.

Easy to use

Load up to the equivalent of $3,000 CDN in US Dollars, Mexican Pesos, British Pounds and Euros on your SellOffVacations TravelFX Card, and then take it with you on your travels.

You can use the uploaded card at millions of locations worldwide, including online, over the phone, and at ATMs – wherever MasterCard is accepted.

Safety

I often worry about carrying cash with me when I travel, even though I use the hotel safe and wear a cross-body purse at all times. Using a preloaded card can give you peace of mind when travelling without having to carry cash around with you.

Stay on budget

There are benefits of having multiple payment options and using each for certain purchases. I prefer to keep small cash on hand for cab fares, small purchases and tipping, and my credit card for large purchases such as hotel and car rentals. Now I can use the SellOffVacations Travel FX card for at restaurants or shopping.

Convenient

You can log in online anywhere to check your balance, view recent transactions, and reload funds. The convenience of being reloadable should you require more funds while you are away is definitely a plus. You can also track your spending activity so you know if, and when to reload the card.

Secure

The Cards are not connected to your primary bank account, and they are protected with PIN and chip technology. You can spend money comfortably and securely while traveling with no links to your main bank account.

PROMO

Coming soon! When you load a SellOffVacation Travel FX card, Sell Off Vacations will match the deal when you book!

Load $50 get $50 when you book a Sell Off Vacations trip over $695

Load $100 get $100 when you book a Sell Off Vacations trip over $1,100

For more information, visit https://selloff.travelprepaid.ca/en.

What is your main concern when travelling?

Disclosure: This post is brought to you by SellOffVacations™. All thoughts, opinions are my own.

lifestyle

Why Being Busy is Not Popular Anymore

February 18, 2016

You’ve worked hard to reach your personal and professional goals, and you’re proud of what you’ve accomplished. You’re passionate about what you do, and you take on much more than you can probably handle. But you keep going because you’re strong! You can do it all!

If you’re honest with yourself, you’re coming to realize that you can’t keep this pace up much longer. Juggling work and home is wearing you down. You’re always “crazy busy”.

Why is being busy such a big deal? Does being so busy make you feel or appear more important?

It seems that being busy all the time is a status symbol – you must be really important, special and successful if you’re always busy. But instead, you unwillingly come across as being annoying. I cringe when I hear someway say, “I’m soooo busy.”

How do I know this for certain? Well, I used to say it myself. When I took a step outside my own over-analytical head, I realized just how annoying the words sounded as they came out of my mouth.

Saying “I’m so busy” doesn’t make you sound any more intriguing or appealing… in fact, it turns people off. Yes we’re ALL busy, so it’s pointless to share how busy you are, how late you’re staying up to work, or how early you’re getting up to get a head start. We all are hustling to make better lives for ourselves and our families.

The truth is, everybody is leading busy and over-scheduled lives. We all share the same 24 hours in the day. How you choose to spend those 24 hours is up to each individual.

Often, being too busy is unhealthy and counterproductive. You may be focusing your time and efforts on things that don’t matter. Does wasting precious time scrolling through social media feeds ring a bell?

Author Tyler Ward says, “Being busy isn’t respectable anymore.” He’s right. Being busy is not popular anymore.

“Being busy is not the same as being productive, and is more often used as a guise for avoiding the few critically important but uncomfortable actions. “ ~ Tim Ferriss, Author

“This disease of being “busy” (and let’s call it what it is, the dis-ease of being busy, when we are never at ease) is spiritually destructive to our health and wellbeing. It saps our ability to be fully present with those we love the most in our families, and keeps us from forming the kind of community that we all so desperately crave.” ~ Writer Omid Safi

I find more frequent breaks from work makes me more productive. In fact, research shows that employees and companies who push longer hours result in less productivity.

It’s actually cool now to have time on your hands, to binge-watch shows on Netflix and spend hours in a Starbucks or at Chapters browsing through books. In fact, I love the feeling of laziness. It feels fantastic to sometimes do absolutely nothing.

Have you recently said you’re too busy?

Desserts

Chocolate Caramel Pecan Cheesecake with Gluten Free Crust

February 12, 2016

Looking for a delicious and divine cheesecake recipe to enjoy this Valentine’s Day? Or serve as the grande finale of your dinner party? This chocolate caramel pecan cheesecake with gluten-free crust is rich and creamy, you won’t be able to stop at just one piece.

Chocolate Caramel Pecan Cheesecake with Gluten Free Crust

Ingredients

For the crust:

1/2 cup unblanched almond flour

1/4 cup ground hazelnuts or pecans

1/4 cup sorghum flour

1/3 cup melted butter

For the filling

3/4 cup caramel topping sauce

1 cup chopped pecans

1/2 cup Skor bits

3 packages (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened

1 cup coconut palm sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

3 eggs

8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, melted

Method

Heat oven to 325F. Mix the almond flour and butter, and press into the bottom of an 8 or 9-inch springform pan. Bake for 10 minutes and remove. Pour caramel sauce over the crust and add the chopped pecans. Beat the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time, only until blended; do not overbeat. Stir in melted chocolate and then pour into the pan.

Bake for about 50 minutes. Remove from oven and run a knife around the sides of the pan to loosen. Refrigerate overnight. Top with a layer of melted chocolate, chopped pecans, Skor pieces, or drizzle with caramel sauce.

Fashion

Comfortable Style: Outfit of the Day

February 10, 2016

Who doesn’t love a good sale? Right now, there are a ton of items on sale at Aventura. If you’re looking for comfortable style, Aventura is it.

Since I spend a lot of my time in my office, running errands, or at the ice rink for my kids’ hockey, I look for casual, comfortable style in my outfits. The Aventura line is both comfortable and stylish – as well as eco-friendly and sustainable.

Check out my first and second outfits if you haven’t seen them!

Here is my third outfit from the beautiful Aventura Clothing Fall/Winter Collection. It’s my Comfortable Style: Outfit of the Day.

Blake Jean in Smoked Pearl

Every woman needs a reliable pair of skinny jeans. The Blake Jean is offered in a six colors. Made from organic cotton and Lycra®, it’s an eco-friendly option with a touch of stretch. Wear them with flats, Converse or tall boots. On sale for $56.99.

Erin Top in Craisin

Although you can’t see, I’m wearing the Erin top underneath. This basic but cute long sleeve top looks great layered with a sweater or the Ciera Jacket. The ruching on the side seams makes this top ultra flattering. It comes in six colours.

Beasley Sweater

Slouchy pockets and the long length on the Beasley Sweater are the perfect combination for relaxing. Throw it over the Erin shirt, jeans or leggings and boots for an effortlessly put-together casual look. On sale $79.99.

Go to AventuraClothing.com to shop.

Happy Shopping!

Entertainment

What’s New at Disney World in 2016

February 8, 2016

Have you been thinking about taking the family to Disney this year? Well, this year is THE year to visit Walt Disney parks! What’s new at Disney World in 2016? There are new attractions and experiences to discover and enjoy.

What’s New at Disney World in 2016

Hollywood Studios

Disney’s Hollywood Studios has a new Star Wars-inspired experience with the addition of the “Symphony in the Stars: A Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party.” As the enthralling fireworks show lights up the sky, guests can enjoy out-of-this-world desserts and specialty drinks in this separate ticket offering until March 19. This experience complements all of the other new ways to experience Star Wars in the park, including Star Wars Launch Bay, which takes guests into the Star Wars saga, including the newest movie adventure, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, with special exhibits and peeks behind-the-scenes, special merchandise and opportunities to encounter Chewbacca and Darth Vader.

Grown-up guests can party with the Disney Villains in a soiree led by Dr. Facilier from Disney’s “The Princess and the Frog” at the new Club Villain at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Animal Kingdom

Disney’s Animal Kingdom will come alive at night with new nighttime entertainment and experiences, the most spectacular being the “Rivers of Light” show debuting this spring. With a waterway as its stage, the innovative new show will feature entertainers, floating lanterns, water screens and swirling animal imagery in a performance that truly brings the animal kingdom to life at night.

Also starting in spring, guests will get to experience the African savanna in a whole new light: amid the orange glow of the setting sun. During the nighttime adventure, guests can extend their travels on the safaris into the evening with the Sunset Kilimanjaro Safaris.

The parks’ newest eatery will open its doors this spring to offer a menu inspired by the places the Imagineers traveled to when developing Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Open for both lunch and dinner, Tiffin’s will celebrate the art of traveling and include waterfront views from both indoor and outdoor seating areas.

Epcot

The new “Frozen”-inspired attraction will open its doors in the Norway pavilion at Epcot in spring. In it, guests will be transported to the Winter in Summer Celebration where Queen Elsa creates a special day for the kingdom. Guests also will travel to Elsa’s Ice Palace, the ice-blue world of the North Mountain, and the Bay of Arendelle.

Guests can meet the royal sisters Anna and Elsa at Epcot at a new character greeting location in the Royal Sommerhus at the Norway pavilion starting in spring.

Guests onboard the popular Soarin’ attraction will journey to far-flung lands and fly above some of the world’s most unique natural landscapes and man-made wonders when the new Soarin’ Around the World makes its debut at Epcot in 2016.

Epcot will be in full bloom this spring when the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, with its colorful topiaries and dozens of Outdoor Kitchens, returns for 90 days starting March 2 through May 15, the longest the festival has ever run.

Magic Kingdom Park

Experience “World Famous Jungle Cuisine” at the Jungle Navigation Co., Ltd. Skipper Canteen in one of several unique dining rooms, including a crew mess hall and a once-hidden secret meeting room of the famed Society of Explorers and Adventurers. The restaurant is staffed by friendly Jungle Cruise Skippers, known for their clever jokes.

Disney Springs

Disney Springs will continue to grow in 2016, with plans to add new eateries including STK steakhouse, The Edison, Sprinkles, Blaze Fast Fire’d Pizza, as well as two new restaurant concepts by chefs Art Smith and Rick Bayless.

As Disney Springs nears completion with the opening of Town Center, 2016 will bring some new, must-do retail shops to Disney Springs, including Edward Beiner, Lilly Pulitzer, L’Occitane en Provence, PANDORA, Tommy Bahama, UGG, UNIQLO and Zara.

Save at Walt Disney World Resort Hotels
Guests visiting early in 2016 can take advantage of a special Disney resort hotels offer for stays most nights untilApril 13 and save up to 25% on rooms at select Disney resort hotels. Visit DisneyWorld.com/special-offers for more information.

Are you planning a trip to Disney anytime soon?

Family Travel

SellOffVacations Travel FX Card Twitter Party

February 7, 2016

Travel on your mind, but worried about exchange fees or foreign currency maxing out your credit card?

If you’ve used your credit card while on vacation or business travel and then received your bill, shocked by the exchange rates and fees, you’re probably left wondering if you should have paid in local currency.

Well, now you don’t have to guess. You can upload foreign currency with the new SellOffVacations Travel FX card before you travel. Lock in the exchange rate at time of purchase and secure those funds on your own card.

You can load up to equivalent of $3,000 CDN in US Dollars, Mexican Pesos, British Pounds and Euros, and use the card at millions of locations worldwide, including online, over the phone, and at ATMs – wherever MasterCard is accepted. It’s a great way to keep your spending in check, without having to carry cash around with you. You also won’t be surprised when the credit card bill arrives.

Find out how easy is it to make transactions directly using your SellOffVacations Travel FX card at the #SellOffFX Twitter Party. Join us to learn more details about this great card!

When: Wednesday, February 10, 2016 at 9:30p.m. ET

Hashtag: #selloffFX

Hosts: @rossanawyatt + @cammipham

RSVP:

Prizes: $2,000+!!!

Chat with you on Twitter next Wednesday!

Disclosure: This post is brought to you by SellOffVacations™. All thoughts, opinions are my own.

Food

Greek Beef in Sauce – Beef Kokkinisto

February 4, 2016

This traditional Greek recipe for Beef Kokkinisto, known as Kokkinisto in Greek, offers a delicious taste of the heart of Greek cuisine. The term “Kokkinisto” itself hints at the rich flavour that makes up this beloved slow-cooked dish. In Greek, it means “reddened”, a testament to the deep hues that the tomato-based sauce imbues into the tender beef.

Beef Kokkinisto is a delicious one-pot recipe that is simple to make but needs time to simmer on the stove top for flavour perfection. Because it can simmer all day long, it’s a great dish for family gatherings or lazy Sunday dinners.

While this recipe pays homage to the classic Beef Kokkinisto, it’s worth noting that the beef can be swapped with chicken or lamb, allowing you to tailor the dish to your preferences or ingredient availability.

I share with you my cherished family recipe for Greek Beef in Sauce – my mom’s recipe for Greek Beef in Sauce – Beef Kokkinisto.

Greek Beef in Sauce – Beef Kokkinisto

Ingredients:

1 large package stewing beef (about 2 lbs.)
1/3 cup extra virgin Greek olive oil
1 1/2 medium onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 cup tomato puree (not prepared sauce)
1 cup water
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

Method:

In a pot, brown stewing beef with the olive oil until no longer pink.
Add the onion to the beef for about 2 minutes.
Then add garlic and stir. Add salt and black pepper, and cook for 5 minutes.
Add the tomato puree and water and stir.
Cover the pot and allow to bowl on low heat for at least three hours.
Serve over Orzo pasta, and sprinkle with Greek Mizithra cheese if desired.

Beauty

Best Winter Health and Beauty Products

February 2, 2016

Baby it’s cold outside! Winter isn’t my favourite season – it wreaks havoc on my health, skin, hair, and especially, my weight and mood.

Luckily there are some winter health and beauty products to solve all your winter beauty issues like dry skin, chapped lips, dry, frizzy hair and SAD (seasonal affective disorder). Here are some of the best winter health and beauty products you should have.

Best Winter Health and Beauty Products

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast line

The Cicaplast line from La Roche-Posay is a must-have for winter skin.

Cicaplast Mains repairing barrier cream soothes, protects and restores the skin barrier for over-worked hands damaged by aggressions at home or at work. This cream reduces redness and roughness including: signs of cracking or inflammation.

Cicaplast Levres repairing barrier balm soothes, protects and rebuilds the epidermis on chapped, cracked and irritated lips and zones. This lip balm deeply hydrates lips including: recovering elasticity and natural softness while limiting fissures and appearance of cracks.

Cicaplast Baume B5 is the optimal skin recovery for sensitive skin after dry skin irritations due to dry skin. It can help soothe eczema flare-ups, for example, dry patches and even diaper rash. It’s great for sensitive skin and is fragrance and paraben free.

All of these products from La Roche-Posay are available in Canadian pharmacies and select drug stores.

OGX Argan Oil of Morocco line

The secret in OGX Argan Oil of Morocco‘s signature line is that it’s infused with argan oil sourced straight from Morocco. Rich in natural vitamin E and super-charged antioxidants, this special ingredient has been making hair gorgeous for centuries. The argan oil line helps renew your hair, leaving it lush and soft. Your hair will feel softer and shinier, and will carry a pleasing fragrance all day. It’s also sodium lauryl sulfate free. Available in drug stores.

I am Juicy Couture

What is your signature scent during the winter? I AM JUICY COUTURE is one of those fragrances that you can wear all year round.

It combines ripe, juicy fruits to open this bold and alluring scent before blending a seductive mixture of Gardenia and Cashmere Woods. The fragrance opens with the biting succulence of bursting Raspberry, freshly tart Pomelo and lush Passion Fruit. In the heart, a narcotic temptation of Gardenia, Heliotrope, dreamy Rose de Mai and sensual Sweet Pea combine.It finishes with an addictive luxuriousness of soft Musks, warm Woods and Amber.

Eau de Parfum Spray, Rollerball and Shimmering Body Lotion are available atHudson’s Bay, Nordstrom, Shoppers Drug Mart, Sephora, London Drugs, Jean Coutu, and Rexall.

CanPrev D3 & K2 Drops

I can’t live without Vitamin D, especially during the winter. The sunshine vitamin gets an extra boost from vitamin K in this formula. Both these vitamins will support bone health and will help the body to absorb and hold onto calcium – a mineral so critical for bone strength. This liquid formula is flavoured with a splash of aromatic orange making it a pleasure to take this bone-strengthening supplement. There are 450 drops in every bottle. Four drops a day are recommended, but I take more – check with your doctor. Available at Well.ca

Pure Hazelwood

I suffer from eczema and while I also make my own body butter, I also wear Pure Hazelwood as it is rich in anti-inflammatory molecules and can help relieve symptoms related to inflammation, including: teething pain, colic, arthritis (joint pain), skin problems (psoriasis, eczema), digestive disorders (heartburn) and mouth sores.

Pure Hazelwood products are made of 100% natural hazelwood from the Canadian Boreal forest. The line has something for everyone – baby and adult necklaces and bracelets.

göt2b dry shampoo

Winter can wreak havoc on your hair – static, dry. Don’t wash your hair every day – I leave mine to wash every few days in fact. For those days in between, refresh your locks with göt2b® Rockin’ It® Dry Shampoo. Spray and work it into roots and brush out thoroughly for volumized, day-two (or day-three) hair.

Eat Nākd bars

Winter is the time when it’s easy to get into the dangerous routine of gorging on chips, chocolate and rich high-calorie comfort food. I’m trying to stay on track by eating healthy and indulging in healthy treats. Eat Nākd bars are a great way to eat nutritious, healthy food without compromising on taste! The snack bars are made from yummy natural ingredients such as fruits and nuts which are ‘smooshed’ together into a handy bar.

Bars are made with natural, wholesome ingredients with no hidden extras such as syrups or chemically bits. Berry Delight, Cocoa Delight, Cashew Cookie and Cocoa Orange have natural ingredients like dates, cashews, raisins, orange, and cocoa, raspberries.

You can indulge in these knowing there are no hidden extras such as sugars or additives. Pure guilt-free goodness. They are gluten, wheat and dairy free, and some bars are also soy free too! Available at various grocery stores including Sobeys.

The Philips goLITE BLU

I have the Philips goLITE BLU by my bedside and have it scheduled to turn on before I wake up. This particular light therapy is known to naturally help increase your energy level whenever you need it and help fight winterblues. goLITE BLU energy light produces a particular kind of pure blue light that occurs naturally on very sunny, clear days. Special receptors in the eyes absorb this blue light which makes you feel energetic whenever you need it.