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Entertainment

Back to School Movies and Shows on Netflix

August 17, 2015

It’s back to school time for many of you already, and just around the corner for others! End of August is always a transition of holding onto the last few days of summer, and getting ready for back to school.

Netflix has some new original series that are sure to inspire kids for the back-to-school season, and get them excited about the new school year ahead.

Project Mc2

Project Mc2 features four supercool fierce teen spies who show how girls can use science smarts and math problem-solving to save the world – and look cool doing it, without sacrificing their individuality.

DinoTrux

DinoTrux has more than meets the tire, er, eye – these prehistoric hybrid dinosaur-construction vehicles team-up to work together using their different skills to solve problems. Even the most uncommon of pairs, like Ty-Rux and Revvit, form friendships of a lifetime.

Ever After High: Way Too Wonderland

Good? Evil? Your actions, behaviours and friends are your choice! The offspring of favourite fairytale characters in Ever After High: Way Too Wonderland show kids that their stories are their own to write – this time at Wonderland High!

How to Train Your Dragon Race to the Edge

If you haven’t had a chance to watch How to Train Your Dragon Race to the Edge with your kids, now is the time. Unlock the secrets of the Dragon Eye and come face to face with more dragons than anyone has ever imagined as Hiccup, Toothless and the Dragon Riders soar to the edge of adventure.

For the Grown-ups

Back to school time is not just for kids! Here are some titles that I enjoy watching every year during back-to-school season.

Old School

Yes it’s silly and absurd, but Old School has to be one of my favourite insane comedies that my husband and I watch every September. It doesn’t get old!

After discovering his girlfriend (Juliette Lewis) has been participating in group sex, attorney Mitch (Luke Wilson) feels his world come undone. He moves into a new place, which happens to be near a college campus, and tries to get his life back together. Two of his best friends, Frank (Will Ferrell) and Beanie (Vince Vaughn), start hanging out at Mitch’s house, eventually turning the place into a wild party pad, much to the ire of the college’s dean, Gordon “Cheese” Pritchard (Jeremy Piven).

School of Rock

Overly enthusiastic guitarist Dewey Finn (Jack Black) gets thrown out of his bar band and finds himself in desperate need of work. Posing as a substitute music teacher at an elite private elementary school, he exposes his students to the hard rock gods he idolizes and emulates — much to the consternation of the uptight principal (Joan Cusack). As he gets his privileged and precocious charges in touch with their inner rock ‘n’ roll animals, he imagines redemption at a local Battle of the Bands in School of Rock.

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)

A classic, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is another movie that I can watch once a year.

Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick) has an uncanny skill at cutting classes and getting away with it. Intending to make one last duck-out before graduation, Ferris calls in sick, “borrows” a Ferrari, and embarks on a one-day journey through the streets of Chicago. On Ferris’ trail is high school principal Rooney (Jeffrey Jones), determined to catch him in the act.

Mean Girls

Cady Heron is a hit with The Plastics, the A-list girl clique at her new school, until she makes the mistake of falling for Aaron Samuels, the ex-boyfriend of alpha Plastic Regina George.

Teenage Cady Heron (Lindsay Lohan) was educated in Africa by her scientist parents. When her family moves to the suburbs of Illinois, Cady finally gets to experience public school and gets a quick primer on the cruel, tacit laws of popularity that divide her fellow students into tightly knit cliques. She unwittingly finds herself in the good graces of an elite group of cool students dubbed “the Plastics,” but Cady soon realizes how her shallow group of new friends earned this nickname in Mean Girls.

West Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp

Hold onto the summer with Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp. Counselors and campers check in for what’s billed as “the summer of your life” at Maine’s Camp Firewood in 1981. The Netflix original is a prequel to the 2001 cult film “Wet Hot American Summer,” and features many of the same actors, portraying even younger versions of themselves than they did in the film. Reuniting the original cast was no small feat, given the busy careers of Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, Christopher Meloni, Janeane Garofalo, Bradley Cooper and Amy Poehler.

New to camp in 2015 are Chris Pine, Jon Hamm and Kirsten Wiig. Original director David Wain helms the series, and he and Michael Showalter penned the scripts.

What are your favourite back-to-school shows and movies?

lifestyle

Set a Goal For Yourself Every Monday

August 10, 2015

Goals and wishes – we all have them. But how many of you are actually accomplishing those goals? Your goal could be as grand as travelling the world or writing a book, or as simple as eating healthy or going to the gym. No matter what your goal is, it’s important to you – and that means you need to follow through.

We often become distracted and bogged down by the day-to-day, and what we truly want is tossed to the curb. We make excuses when we think about setting an important goal – my biggest one is, “there isn’t enough time.” Other excuses we tell ourselves often – “it’s too difficult,” “I’m scared” or simply, “I can’t.”

That’s when we have to search within ourselves for inner strength, and push through our own insecurities and fears. Imagine the possibilities when you throw caution to the wind, ditch the nagging fears that have bound you for so long, and step outside your comfort zone. It’s not a pleasant feeling before you take that leap of faith – but once you begin, you’ll never look back.

Motrin Canada is launching a #MakeItHappenMonday program to turn women’s wishes into I will’s – and what better day than a Monday to do it. Mondays are like a new beginning – they set the tone for the rest of the week. Set a goal for yourself every Monday and see what happens!

What is my #MakeItHappenMonday challenge?

Growing up, my parents spoke to us in Greek only, and I also went to Greek school . But since my Italian husband and I were born in Canada, our main language is English and we don’t speak Greek or Italian at home. My challenge is to help teach my children Greek while we are on vacation in Greece. Should be a breeze, no? Well, Greek isn’t an easy language to learn! But I’m going to try my very best.

I’m taking part in #MakeItHappenMonday because challenging myself is the best way to ensure that I will follow through with my goal. Making a commitment out loud will keep me accountable – and now I’m asking you to do the same.

What do YOU want to accomplish this week? Whether it be cooking a new meal, trying hot yoga, or even taking time for yourself, if you don’t ever make a goal out loud, it will never come to life. Join the movement and turn every wish into a, I WILL.

What will be your challenge this week? Share it with me here, on your own social media with the hashtag #MakeItHappenMonday – I’d love to know!

Motrin works fast to stop pain where it starts, so that you can keep being the unstoppable woman that you are. Follow them on Twitter @MotrinCA for help and motivation through the aches and pains of improvement, or pass it on with hashtag #MakeitHappenMonday.

Disclosure: This post was brought to you by Motrin via Mode Media Canada. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of McNeil Consumer Healthcare or its parent company Johnson & Johnson Inc.

Health

Everyone Wears a Bikini in Greece

August 6, 2015

Everyone wears a bikini in Greece. It’s true – most of the women here are wearing bikinis. One-piece swimsuits are not common on Greek beaches. I love the freedom that the women here feel – many of them of European tourists, of course. But whether French, Spanish, Greek or Italian, confidence emanates from them.

Despite their body shape or size, these women are wearing their two-piece bikinis and wearing them proudly. Not to mention that men of all ages are prancing around in boxers, briefs and even jockeys. I don’t see an ounce of body image anxiety at all. If there is, it’s hidden very well.

What the difference compared to the body image mentality in North America. Is there a difference? There must be. Europeans must not be concerned about Hollywood standards, instead celebrating their own definition of beauty. Perhaps they aren’t inundated with body-perfect images as we are in North America.

In Greece, you may not see an older woman wearing revealing clothing on the street, but on the beach, it’s a different story. It seems expected that women and men should shed as much clothing as possible, so they can feel the sun on every part of their exposed skin. Let your skin breathe! You’re not supposed to cover much of your skin at a beach.

You’ll also see women – even mature women – going topless, and it is perfectly fine to everyone on the beach. There is no judgement. How liberating! I’m positive that these women are not Greek, but tourists from other parts of Europe.

Personally, as long as your private parts are covered, and I don’t mean your breasts, wear what’s comfortable for you. I don’t have a celebrity “bikini body”, but I will rock my bikini at the beach. I’m 40 and do not have what the celebrity tabloids would call a “bikini body” but I will rock a bikini if I choose to, and where appropriate – I likely wouldn’t wear an itsy bitsy bikini in the community swimming pool at the community centre.

Here’s another thing to consider – I may not live up to Hollywood standards and not have a killer bod and abs, but my husband thinks I look hot and that’s good enough for me. Not everyone around the world cares about celebrities in Hollywood, or that a model size 0 is the best body.

I love seeing women of all ages be comfortable in their own skin – no matter how much is showing. As I get older, I am more comfortable in my own skin – if only I had that confidence in my 20s, I could’ve rocked that bikini even more!

Wear a bikini and be proud!

Family Travel

My Daughter’s First Trip to Disney

August 1, 2015

by Christina Lianos-Brand

Disney. What kid doesn’t dream of a visit to Magic Kingdom and all the other parks in Orlando, FL?

Mine.

Yup. Seven-year-old female extrovert who LOVES Disney Channel but just MEH on everything else. Despite our huge collection of video tapes (yes, our relationship with Disney movies and animation goes back THAT far) and DVDs, my daughter was only marginally excited when I told her we would be visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom.

I decided that her visit intro to Disney parks should be Animal Kingdom. We had taken our oldest daughter there years back and since my youngest loves all things animals and safari and Africa, oh my, thought this would be an ideal start.

I could see her little eyes light up as we entered the gate and were greeted by some of the happiest people I have ever seen – I mean seriously – can I have some of that juice?

Within minutes, my little zig-zagger was running me from one tropical exhibit to the next in the Oasis, exotic birds everywhere, but it wasn’t until we came upon the Tree of Life that the wonder of the park hit her.

We continued our trek into the heart of Africa, where we wandered through Harame and Mombassa with stops into see elephants and the hippo who was ever so happily submersed in water, giraffes and gorillas. Of course a sighting of a mama and baby gorilla was the highlight of my daughter’s animal viewing, little cuddle monster that she is. We continued through Africa on the Kilimanjaro Safari and the Wildlife Express, giving us both a very necessary respite from the sun.

Despite the heat, the wonderful exhibits and vegetation provide plenty of shade to duck under as one works their way through the park. Once off the Wildlife Express, we eventually wandered into Asia, Everest ever present, and were welcomed by some lively Indian music and dance. I danced my way into the dancing crowd, and she was mortified. “Moooooom. You’re embarrassing”. But how could you not shimmy to the bollywood beat?? Despite the temporary state of embarrassment, my daughter became quickly engaged in all the colourful sights and sounds.

We stopped into Yak and Yeti Restaurant to help cool off and recharge over a meal and a whole lot of water. Being on a very strict diet – she gluten free and me, mostly grain, dairy, sugar and gluten free – I knew to look at our options in advance. I found throughout most of Orlando, Kissimmee and the Tampa Bay area, gluten free alternatives at most places were slim, at best and I expected the same at Disney, but knew from reviews that there were options.

So we told our server we had dietary restrictions, he brought out the chef who discussed how they could modify the meals to our needs. The mite decided on a burger wrapped in lettuce and I indulged in shrimp with some vegetables and rice noodles tossed in a gluten free soy alternative. Two bottles of sparkling water, a root-beer and a scoop of ice-cream later, we were ready for the next adventure.

My daughter loved the komodo dragon –“ no dear, that is not Mrs. Kipling” – and thrilled to see both the huge bats and the tiny ones, but the tiger was catching some zzzz’s in some shade out of our line of good sight. The last time we visited he was up front and very personal with my daughter as she leaned up against the window. Was hoping for that, but alas, not this time. Tigers. Sheesh.

And then of course, there would be no visit to Animal Kingdom without taking my monkey to see the other monkeys, and in this case, the cheeky white cheeked gibbons.

Our last stop at Animal Kingdom was DinoLand U.S.A. We rushed this bit of the day unfortunately and missed the Finding Nemo Musical as well as the Boneyard fossil play, but we did hop on a few rides and introduced my little adventurer to her first big girl roller coaster – the Primeval Whirl. She loved it. Dizzy me.

We decided to head back to our hotel for a swim and a little dinner before making our way back to Magic Kingdom at night because I knew there would be nothing more wondrous to a seven-year-old than the sights of Disney lit up.

And boy was I right. Taking the monorail to the park, with the sights in the distance, built up a level of excitement I hadn’t seen in my little girl. Step by step, as we entered the gates and she witnessed the parade, eyes wide in amazement, I knew that me little lovebug was happy. And as we cut through the crowd and turned the corner to where she could better see, there it was… Cinderella’s Castle all aglow.

My baby turned to me and said “I am so happy I want to cry”.

I of course, did.

Choking back the tears and with a crackle in my voice, I gently tugged my little princess by the arm and wandered deeper into the Kingdom. We rode a few rides and then I had to take her on the “It’s a Small World” and we bonded over the fact that I rode that very little boat when I was a girl, and we joked at how great a horror story she could write about all the funny looking characters who could come to life and freak out the passengers (yes, we roll like that). New memories… that I hope my girl will share with her daughters someday.

We quickly made our way back to the castle near the carousel just in time for the fireworks and the chance to make a wish. As beautifully orchestrated as they all were, I was breathlessly engaged in my child. Eyes shut and wishes made, my girl watched and clapped and jumped and squealed with each pop of the fireworks.

She looked up at me with her giant blue eyes, hand holding mine, and said “This is the most magical night ever! Thank you mom”.

Any guesses who cried again?

All the sweating and the walking and the heat was worth it for just those few moments where I could enjoy watching my little girl experience a little magic. We can all agree or disagree on the hype and the expense, but Disney, hands down, puts on a tremendously good show.

Thank you Disney for making my little girl’s day and etching this memory deep into our memories.

Christina Lianos-Brand is mom of three daughters and a passionate advocate of the Paleo lifestyle. Find her on Facebook and Twitter.

amw in the city

Clean Out Your Closets and Donate For Good

July 31, 2015

Every season, I make a point of going through our closets to see what we no longer wear. The kids go through their toys and make two piles – one for trash, and one for donation. This spring when I had help in paring down my wardrobe, I realized I was holding onto too many things that I no longer needed – I just needed a push to de-clutter.

Well, this summer, there’s a fabulous initiative to help get you motivated. GLAD® is teaming up with Goodwill in Toronto and the G.T.A. to help drive donations for their Donate4Good program. To help encourage communities to donate their used goods to those in need through Goodwill, GLAD® will be donating $10,000 + 10,000 black plastic bags to help pack those donation items – and help you continue with your spring cleaning.

GLAD will be stationed at five select Loblaws locations across Toronto on weekends from August through to October to pick up your donations. Select neighbourhoods will also have door-to-door bag deliveries to help you prepare before your local Loblaws drop-off date. For every Glad® bag returned with clothing and other gently used items, Glad will donate $1.50 to Goodwill (up to a maximum of $8,000).

Here are the drop off dates and Loblaws locations:

I’ve always been curious to know, which donated items are in most demand?

Top 10 Most Wanted Items to Donate to Goodwill

Clothing for men, women and children
Accessories (belts, purses and scarves)
Kitchen items (small countertop appliances, dishes, cutlery, pots and pans)
Shoes and boots
Linens (blankets, sheets and pillowcases)
Outerwear for all ages
Household décor (figurines and other decorative objects)
Kids games, puzzles and toys
Wall art, mirrors and picture frames
Towels

GLAD is committed to sustainability and strongly believes in the importance of waste diversion, which is why they are so excited to partner up with Goodwill — to encourage Canadians to reduce some of their household clutter and contribute to those in need while also diverting waste to landfills.

GLAD’s compostable bags with febreze™ freshness are fully biodegradable in municipal facilities and perfect for food waste. They contain odours with the help of febreze™ freshness and are tough enough to handle messy food scraps. Aim to produce less waste by diverting your trash into recyclable and organic food waste, where possible. Depending on your municipality, you can use Clear and Blue Bags to contain your recyclable items.

If you do decide to donate, you’ll be supporting Goodwill’s ability to enable work opportunities and provide skills development for people facing barriers to employment. Operating as a social enterprise, Goodwill generates funds through retail operations and other lines of business, which allows them the autonomy to be innovative and adapt their business lines and mission to fit the changing needs in the community.

For more information, visit Glad.ca and Goodwill.on.ca.

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Beauty

How to Make Your Own Body Butter

July 28, 2015

Sure there are lovely body creams and body butters to buy at the beauty supply store. But why bother buying body cream when you can make homemade body butter at home?

Wondering how to make your own body butter? It really doesn’t take much to make your own body butter. In fact, it’s better than anything you can buy at the store because you know exactly what you’re putting in the cream.

How to Make Your Own Body Butter

Ingredients:

1 cup pure unrefined organic raw shea butter – I order a pound of shea butter from Amazon and store in the fridge until ready for use.

1/2 cup organic coconut oil

1/2 cup olive oil

½ teaspoon lavender essential oil

Method:

Add shea butter, coconut oil and olive oil into a double boiler. If you do not have one, simply use a glass or metal bowl over a pan of boiling water, or you can heat straight into a pot on low heat.

Heat all together until melted, mixing with whisk. Remove whisk and put mixture into fridge for one hour or until firm.

Whip up the oils until creamy, either with a spatula or a hand mixer. Add the lavender essential oil and mix again.

Spoon your body butter into glass jars. The cream may seem a little thin after whipping up, but will firm up again. You can store extra jars in the refrigerator.

Family Travel

Dreaming of a Family Vacation? How Aeroplan Works

July 27, 2015

I’ve been bitten by the wanderlust bug. In the past few months, I have travelled more than I ever have in my entire life! Once you begin to travel frequently, you’ll never want to stop.

When I’m not travelling, I’m dreaming of the next destination. Where to go next? There are too many places to discover, cultures to experience and foods to savour.

Now that my kids are older and they’re remembering experiences, I want to travel as much as I can with them. Before they eventually fly away from the nest, making memories with my family is more important now than ever.

That’s why Aeroplan is a fantastic way to collect Aeroplan miles for travel. Aeroplan is free to join and enables you to collect Aeroplan miles. How can you earn Aeroplan miles? If you’re unfamiliar with how Aeroplan works, here’s a quick and easy guide to Aeroplan.

How Aeroplan Works

What is Aeroplan?

Aeroplan is the most popular airline rewards loyalty program in Canada. With 5 million members, its growing network has over 75 world-class partners, representing more than 150 brands in the financial, retail, and travel sectors.

Owned by Aimia Inc., a global leader in loyalty management, 2.7 million rewards were issued to members last year including 1.9 million flights on Air Canada and Star Alliance carriers.

How do you earn Aeroplan Miles?

You can earn Aeroplan miles on eligible Air Canada, Air Canada Express, Air Canada rouge or other Star Alliance member airline flights; as well as accommodations and car rentals through their partners including Avis, Starwood, Fairmont and Best Western. So the more you travel, the more Aeroplan miles you can earn to use on your next trip – win win.

Yet another way to earn more miles is with one of Aeroplan’s credit card partners – TD, CIBC and American Express allows members to earn miles twice if they pay with one of their Aeroplan affiliated financial cards. So you can earn miles even faster… and be even closer to your next family vacation.

But you can also earn Aeroplan miles with its portfolio of retail and service providers including Direct Energy, Esso, Home Hardware, Costco, SHOP.CA, and more. Think how many times you fill up your gas tank, or how much you spend at Costco online… knowing that you’re receiving an extra benefit by earning miles for your next family vacation, is a wonderful incentive.

How do you use Aeroplan Miles?

You can redeem your Aeroplan Miles with Air Canada, Air Canada Express, Air Canada rouge or other Star Alliance airline partners. The points required to redeem an air ticket depends on the category, and class of fare. A round trip economy class ticket on Classic Flight within North America cost 15,000 for short haul flights and 25,000 for long-haul.

If your main purpose of collecting and redeeming Aeroplan miles is for travel, you’ll be able to redeem for flights, hotel awards such as accommodation, car rentals, and a wide range of merchandise and activities.

In addition to flights and vacation packages, members also have access to over 1,000 exciting specialty, merchandise, hotel, car rental and experiential rewards. As you’re already spending on the inevitable expenses, it’s nice to know that you’re also gaining something back that you can use later – great bonus for the entire family.

But Aeroplan is not just for travel – you can also redeem your Aeroplan miles on a bunch of family-friendly products and activities including parks and attractions, such as City Passes and Disney Park admissions, and thrills and adventures such as indoor skydiving and rock climbing. Rather than an adventure, you’ll also find electronics such as iPads and cell phones (not until my kids are 13!), toys, gift cards, and more.

For more information on Aeroplan, visit Aeroplan.com or here for a quick reference sheet. Stay tuned on more Aeroplan updates in the coming months!

How would you spend your Aeroplan miles?

Travel

10 Places to Travel this Summer

July 21, 2015

My youngest son gets car sick easily. Long road trips are a bit of a challenge – not only because the boys get restless in the car – but because of car sickness. Nausea on our recent trip by airplane was an issue, and soon we will be travelling on a ferry boat to Zakynthos, Greece. Before we travel anywhere, I’ll be sure to pack Gravol™.

If anyone is sensitive to motion sickness, whether you’re travelling by land, air or water, Gravol™ has you covered. Gravol™ Quick Dissolve Chewables for Adults and for Kids are ideal since they can be taken without water. If you prefer more natural products, Gravol™ Ginger tablets, lozenges or liquid gels made with certified organic ginger are also a great choice. Besides helping with motion sickness, Gravol™ Ginger products also help treat indigestion and upset stomach. They are easily packed and are non-drowsy too. Gravol™ is only found in Canada, so make sure you stock up before leaving the country.

Here are 10 places to travel this summer.

10 Places to Travel this Summer

Canadian Destinations

Whistler, BC

Sure, the city is known for its majestic slopes, but without the snow you’re looking at a beautiful backdrop for outdoor adventures with an unforgettable view.

Toronto, ON

There’s nothing like getting your family’s adrenaline pumping by climbing up the CN Tower and leaning off the edge of a 553 meter high skyscraper!

Cavendish Beach, PEI

Red sandstone cliffs with crystal blue water surrounds you at the Cavendish Beach. While you’re there, explore historic sites, like the Green Gables Heritage Place.

Banff, AB

If you’re craving a breathtaking view – this place is for you! No need to go halfway across the world to become mesmerized by natural beauty. Kayak between the Rocky Mountains or simply take it all in.

Quebec City, QC

Here you’ll find hints of European charm mixed with authentic French Canadian character. Grab a poutine and walk around the old city, home to iconic Chateau Frontenac. If your legs start to give in, hop on a horse-drawn carriage along the cobblestone streets.

International Destinations

Grand Canyon, U.S.A.

One of the wonders of the world! It’s worth getting on a helicopter to soak in a truly life-changing experience.

Sesimbra, Portugal

This beautiful little fishing port is filled with colourful and authentic charm, known for its beaches, local cafes and fish restaurants. If delving into culture is what you’re looking for, this is it.

Kefalonia, Greece

Take a boat ride and you’ll be surrounded by picturesque villages, olive groves, beaches and tremendous mountains.

Hong Kong, China

A bustling and exciting harbour city, you’d be surprised how easy it is for tourists to explore. There are lots of kid-friendly activities, such as Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park.

Siem Reap, Cambodia

A trip for the adventurous: the city showcases original ancient temples, including the Angkor Archaeological Park, cited as one of the most valuable archaeological sites in South-East Asia – so you know it’s worth getting over the jet lag for!

Disclosure: I’m a Church & Dwight ambassador and write about their products. Opinions are my own, as always.

Food

How to Make Kids Lunches Easier, Please!

July 20, 2015

When it comes to creative lunch ideas for kids, I’m stumped. I don’t have a bunch of Pinterest-worthy original lunch ideas for school or camp, but I win at coming up with easy lunch ideas for kids. I love to cook and bake, but putting together creative lunches on a daily basis can be quite the challenge, especially before having that second cup of coffee!

A healthy lunch for kids is crucial to their learning and physical activity, but it doesn’t have to look like a piece of art. Some little ones need incentive to eat their carrots and broccoli, and that’s ok if you love to play with food with shapes and cookie cutters to entice your child. I know how that is – I went through the picky eater phase twice and survived, thank you very much.

Luckily my kids are of the age where they’ll eat whatever I pack them for lunch. Unless it’s fish sticks. I don’t need to pack them anything too fancy – just simple, healthy, and wholesome food, and lots of it. My boys are getting to be big eaters, especially my eldest.

Since my kids love to eat a variety of foods for school snack and lunch, I pack their lunches in reusable containers, throw an ice pack into their lunch box and off they go. The Rubbermaid LunchBlox® makes packing my kids’ lunches a snap. Here I made an organic nitrate-free ham with avocado sandwich, organic cherry tomato and carrot sticks, and honey pretzels and cheddar cheese.

The Rubbermaid LunchBlox® Sandwich kit comes with a sandwich container and two smaller containers that are perfect for sides such as vegetables and fruit. The kit all snaps together around a freezable blue ice pack that keeps all of your food items cool and fresh for up to four hours.

The LunchBlox® system help lunches save space and stay organized in a lunch bag. Because each container has its own lid, you can pack a fruit salad or yogurt in one container, and cheese and crackers in the other container, in addition to the sandwich container, keeping all cool because of the ice pack in the middle.

The containers are durable and leak-proof, as well as microwave, dishwasher and freezer safe. More importantly, the LunchBlox® is BPA Free – I won’t buy plastic containers that are not BPA free. The containers stack nicely in the cabinet when not in use and are great for organizing in the refrigerator.

Better Lunch in a Snap! Rubbermaid LunchBlox® makes packing lunch easier than ever. Modular containers are perfectly portioned and snap together to stay organized in kids’ lunch bags. Rubbermaid.com

Disclosure: This post was brought to you by Newell Rubbermaid Inc via Mode Media Canada. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Newell Rubbermaid Inc.

Family Travel

Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Luxury for the Family

July 17, 2015

If you’re travelling to Orlando with the family to go to Disney World or Universal Orlando and wondering where to stay, the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress is a fantastic choice.

Rated one of the best luxury hotels in Orlando by Five Star Alliance, the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress is a luxurious resort with all of the amenities. Located in the Lake Buena Vista area, families can easily enjoy the theme parks, and then return to enjoy the majestic 1,500 resort.

The resort offers daily scheduled shuttle transportation to Walt Disney theme parks, and Universal Studios. We had valet service for our vehicle which was super convenient, and a great way to kick-off a luxurious stay.

The lobby atrium is wondrous, and open all the way up to the top floor of the hotel – a full 18 floors high. We were greeted by resident parrot, Merlot – my kids got a kick out of meeting him! The front desk and concierge were also pleasant and eager to assist and make us feel welcome.

A room with a view

Rooms are modern, clean and comfortable. We enjoyed being on the 15th floor which offered us an amazing pool and lake view. Whether during the day or at night, the view was gorgeous. Our double room also offered a balcony, a lovely touch.

Amenities

The hotel offers plenty of things to do, including free bikes for adults and children, as well as two and four-person surreys. For golf fanatics, the resort has a 9-hole Pitch N Putt, Golf Driving Range, and 45 holds of Jack Nicklaus designed golf. There’s also a 24 foot climbing wall, 24-hour health club, and racquet club.

The swimming pools are divine with waterfalls and waterslides for the kids along with a beach in front of Lake Windsong for water sports and beach volleyball. Guests can enjoy water activities such as kayaks, paddle boats, canoes, sailboats and hydro bikes. If you’re looking to relax instead, enjoy the man-made beach, or lounge by the lagoon swimming pool which boasts 12 tumbling waterfalls.

The grounds

Pools and hot tubs are surrounded by rocks, caves, waterfalls, and bridges. Children can enjoy the pool with the waterslide, while adults can enjoy the other side. The landscaping offers a lovely setting – there are lush tropical gardens and adorned walkways. The grounds are stunning, and well maintained.

Dining

For a lovely dining experience, Cascades American Bistro is top notch. The resort restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a lovely view of Lake Windsong. Some of Orlando’s finest sushi is freshly prepared by the city’s premier sushi chef, Chef Yoshi, right at Cascades. We were offered a tasty sushi platter to try – my 8 year old tried sushi for the very first time!

I was impressed that the restaurant had many gluten-free options (vegetarian and vegan also) including bread to start, and gluten free bread and bun for my hamburger. The kitchen was so eager to accommodate my food intolerances, which can be challenging for some restaurants. I tried the Sweet Potato, Cheddar Soup with crème fraîche, pickled shallots, and the Myers Natural Burger with red onion jam, white cheddar, horseradish aioli, dill pickle slices for my entree. Of course I also indulged in their signature cocktail, Everglades Cooler which had Malibu, Captain Morgan’s Spiced Rum Midori, Blue Curacao & Pineapple Juice.

Before we knew it, the sun had set and we were absolutely stuffed after a meal to remember.

Marilyn Monroe Spa

Aside from the pools, lush grounds, and golf, guests can enjoy a little pampering too. I was lucky to unwind with a 50-minute massage at the The Marilyn Monroe Spa inside the resort. The atmosphere is everything Marilyn – think old-style glamour. Relax with a massage, wrap or body treatment, and then head on to the Glamour Room for a facial, manicure and pedicure. Finish with a shampoo and styling, then have your makeup done at the Marilyn-inspired makeup bar. You can even take a little Marilyn with you by shopping the extensive line of Marilyn Monroe Spas skincare, hair care, makeup, lips and nail products, all available in the Spa.

Our stay at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress was unforgettable. The resort has everything you’d desire in an upscale luxury resort for the family. I hope to visit again on our next Florida trip!

About

Hi I'm Maria! I'm an author, lifestyle and travel writer, rock-concert-goer & gluten-free foodie. Oh Baby! A Mom’s Self-Care Survival Guide for the First Year: Because Moms Need a Little TLC, Too! is available at Chapters/Indigo, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon!
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