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Holidays

How to Heat Things up this Valentine’s Day

February 11, 2015

Forget the chocolate this Valentine’s Day. Am I right?! Need some tips to heat things up for Valentine’s Day?

Don’t bother with the lousy service at an expensive restaurant. Put the kids to bed early – better yet, drop them off at your parents or in-laws – and create some sizzle and spice with your partner under the sheets.

It’s the season of love and although you may lavish your loved one all year round, Valentine’s Day is a good excuse to kick it up a notch and heat things up in the bedroom.

How to Heat Things up for Valentine’s Day

Wear new lingerie

First thing, take a trip to Victoria’s Secret or La Vie en Rose and pick out a new piece of lingerie for your romantic evening. Better yet, have him go instead and pick something out for you.

Create the mood

Light the room with candles, put on some romantic music and have champagne and strawberries ready for your special night in.

Give your partner a massage

A sensual massage can help your partner relax and get in the mood… Massage can help with anxiety, sleep and muscle pain but also releases endorphins which are sure to turn up the heat in the bedroom. If you’re the one massaging, focus on the moments and let your hands do the work naturally. Try scented body oil to heighten the experience. If you’re the lucky receiver, stay present and enjoy the sensation.

Focus on Foreplay

Don’t rush to get to the main event. Foreplay is an integral component leading up to sexual intercourse. Research suggests that men and women prefer 18 minutes of foreplay before getting to the deed. Especially on Valentine’s Day, make it your mantra to focus on foreplay before the “main” event.

Get adventurous with a new lubricant

Lubricants help to enhance the sensations between both you and your partner. Trojan™ has a wide variety of lubricants, like Arouses & Intensifies Lubricant which takes foreplay to new heights and intensifies during intercourse. Arouses & Releases™ Lubricant has a motion-activated intensifier!

Add a new toy

Women who use vibrators tend to have an easier time having an orgasm, higher desire and higher levels of arousal. So if you haven’t already, maybe it’s time to introduce a new toy to your sex life. The Trojan™ Multi-Thrill™ 3 in 1 Vibrating Bullet to spark pleasure with three different textures and an easy to grip handle. For spot-on pleasure, the Trojan™ Hot Spot™ Vibrating Ring will heighten sensations for both you and your partner

So #forgetchocolate and give your partner an experiential gift they’ll remember.

Disclosure: I’m a Church & Dwight ambassador and receive perks for my affiliation. All opinions and views are, as always, my own.

Family Travel

Tips for Visiting the Theme Parks during Spring Break

February 9, 2015

Are you thinking about visiting the theme parks during Spring Break?

Spring break is the third busiest time of the year to visit the theme parks in Orlando, Florida, behind Christmas and New Year’s week. While Canadians are excited about spring break in March, other areas are having theirs in February. Spring break runs for about a month since it’s staggered in certain areas across the United States and Canada.

If you’re planning a visit to Orlando with the family, here are some tips for visiting the theme parks during Spring Break to consider!

Tips for Visiting the Theme Parks during Spring Break

Plan Ahead

Every destination has a high and a low season that are priced according to the optimal time of the year to visit. The two-month time frame right before and after the high season can save you at least 20 percent off of hotels and tourist spots, says Ian Ford of Undercover Tourist.

Be Flexible

If you’re able to be flexible with your travel dates even by a day or two, you can often find better rates on hotels and airfare. Take into consideration whether you will need an extra day for a rental car or an additional night at the hotel when checking your savings.

Planning tools

Saving time is saving money when visiting Orlando and Southern California-area theme parks with wait time apps like Undercover Tourist’s Wait Time Apps or with Disney World’s FastPass+ which allows guests to pre-book attractions up to 30 or 60 days in advance (guests staying at Disney Resort hotel receive the 60 day option). Then, park-goers can choose the three rides or entertainment selections per day in advance to reserve access to the ‘musts’ on their list. Crowd calendars, point-of-view YouTube videos, Wait Time Apps and more help travelers skip the lines and plan accordingly to get the most out of their time at theme parks.

Family-friendly hotels

Check travel websites to find deals for hotels that offer perks for the family. Whether that’s free breakfast daily for the entire family or just free breakfast for the kids, a number of large national chains offer deals that include getting the family out the door every morning with a healthy start. Don’t underestimate the value of a hotel with a family-friendly pool either to help entertain the little ones after sightseeing all day.

Stay like a local

If you choose to forego the hotel option, consider renting a home on Home Away or Airbnb instead of a hotel. Local hosts often provide a great resource for suggestions that wouldn’t typically appear in a travel guide. Plus, having a full kitchen allows you to make more meals at home, saving money on what can be pricey food at popular destinations.

Shop once you arrive

Tend to over pack? You can’t take everything with you! When we travel, we will find a local grocery store and stock up on food items and toiletries once we arrive. Make sure your hotel room has a mini-fridge.

Bring your own food

Packing a cooler of drinks and sandwiches or other easy meals on road trips means you will save time and money. While you won’t be able to load up if you are traveling by air, you can pack non-perishable snacks in your checked bag. With many airlines now charging for meals and snacks, it pays to bring your own snacks. Also, eat breakfast before getting to the parks. Bring snacks with you, and plan to get an early or late lunch – before 11 a.m. or after 2 p.m. to not waste time in the rush hour lines.

Combine hotel with car rental

Sometimes when you book a package or combine theme park tickets with car rental, you can save big when booking them together on websites like Undercover Tourist. Purchasing the travel logistics together can save over $500, says Ford.

Road trip

Depending on where your final destination is, consider taking a road trip. While gas money will need to be taken into consideration for budgeting, for a family of four or more, a night or two on the road will most likely be an economical advantage. Plus, since you will be traveling on your own schedule and time frame, you can use the opportunity to check out unique spots and side detours on the road trip.

Convention and visitors bureau

Visit your destination’s convention and visitor’s bureau website before you travel. The resource exists to help promote their local tourism so the team would be happy to assist with your planning. They often provide free walking tours of the downtown or historic districts, and can also recommend any events going on during your trip.

activities

LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto

February 6, 2015

My boys are huge Lego fans. Huge. I don’t think we have enough storage space or wall space to store their Lego creations and sets.

So when we had the opportunity to visit LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Toronto, my boys were excited.

There was huge anticipation for the space in Vaughan Mills to open but heard it was a bit of a line-up and pricey.

If your kids absolutely LOVE building with LEGO, then I think they may enjoy the Discovery Centre. If they’re not big LEGO fans, they might be disappointed. You must remember, this is NOT a Legoland Park but rather a place for LEGO fans to create and build.

Children aged 3 to 10 years can run around in the LEGO playground. Kids can build LEGO at their own leisure and then race their vehicle creations down the road. They have a small ride called the Kingdom Quest Laser Ride, a 4D cinema and a Model Builder Academy.

Kids under 2 can enter free of charge. Tickets are $22 per person but $20 when you order online. My boys enjoyed the Discovery Centre for about two hours, the amount of time it takes to go through the entire centre. I’d avoid going during P.A. Days as it can get crowded. All in all, my boys had a good couple of hours and of course, bought something small from the store on the way out.

Food

What Do I Eat Now That I’m Gluten Free?

February 6, 2015

I’ve talked about all of my food sensitivities and how going gluten free and dairy free has changed my health in such a positive way.

Not only has my stomach healed, I’ve also managed to lose about 20 pounds of weight without even trying. My hair has grown in thicker and fuller, which was brought to my attention by a hair stylish who asked me if I had undergone a change in life recently. He pointed out the new, healthy growth. This is all due to my dietary changes.

I’m not saying everyone should go gluten, dairy or soy free but that cutting those foods out of your diet can help clear up a lot of digestive issues.

Most packaged goods contain soy, which is genetically-modified and tough to avoid but is possible. The organic grocery store will be your best friend. You’ll spend more time in the kitchen preparing fresh meals. I make everything from scratch so it’s definitely a huge commitment and also a challenge when travelling.

So what do I eat now that I’m gluten free?

Well I’m also soy and dairy free too so it’s much more of a challenge! What to eat on gluten free diet can seem daunting but I assure you, you will quickly adjust.

I use stevia in my coffee, coconut palm sugar in my baked goods and a mix of almond, tapioca, coconut and sorghum flour in my breads and desserts as well as ground flax seed (great for egg replacement). I’ve recently tried ground tiger nuts too.

Soda pop is a no-no, as is white sugar, artificial sweeteners and chocolate unless it’s dairy and soy free. If I drink orange juice, it’s freshly squeezed. I also buy organic unsweetened cranberry juice and add a little to water along with dandelion root tea and fresh lemon slices as a cold drink.

I use organic chicken broth and bouillon without soy or gluten and buy coconut aminos instead of using soy sauce in my Asian dishes. I’ll use guacamole and fresh salsa, skipping the sour cream and cheese for my Mexican dishes.

I also take a daily probiotic, and have been also taking vitamins B and D as well as an herbal supplement for my stomach.

Here is a simplified gluten dairy and soy free menu:

Breakfast

Pea protein shake with 1 cup frozen fruit and 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
Sometimes: Bacon, eggs and homemade home fries
Sometimes: Gluten-free pancakes with maple syrup

Lunch

1 cup of soup
1 flatbread
100 g of preservative free ham or turkey – I buy fresh roasted turkey from Sobeys which is cooked in-store, or McLean’s organic deli which is nitrate free.
Lettuce, tomato
1/4 avocado
Organic corn chips

Dinner

Chicken breast or steak or burger or any other protein
Any vegetable or salad
Sometimes ~ rice, potato and/or organic corn or rice pasta

Snacks

Not all at the same time!
Homemade cookie or muffin
1 apple with 1 tbsp almond butter
Fruit (except bananas)
Handful of almonds and 2 figs or dairy free chocolate chips
2 tbsp hummus and organic carrots
Air popped organic popcorn

Brands/Products I Buy

Nature’s Path organic corn pops
SweetLeaf Stevia
Earth’s Own Almond Fresh milk
Lara bars (treat)
Kettle brand chips (treat)
Enjoy Life chocolate chips
McLean’s organic deli
Que Pasa or Neal Brothers organic tortilla chips
Imagine Organic low sodium chicken broth
Luna & Larry’s Organic Coconut Bliss
Zevia natural sugar cola drinks (treat)

I’ll keep adding to this list because I’m sure I’ve forgotten something!

Desserts

Almond Cranberry Orange Cookies (Gluten Free)

February 5, 2015

I had a craving for cranberry and orange and didn’t have enough time to make this delicious Orange Cranberry Pecan cake that my sister would bake, or to figure out how to make it without using sour cream.

So I opted to try making some Almond Cranberry Orange cookies – gluten dairy and egg free – and they turned out so well, I have to share!

Almond Cranberry Orange Cookies – Gluten, Dairy and Egg Free (Vegan)

Ingredients

½ cup grape seed oil

¾ cup coconut palm sugar

1 flax egg (3 tbsp water to 1 tbsp ground flax meal, mixed together and let stand for 10 minutes)

1 ¼ cup gluten-free flour (I use a mix of 1/2 cup tapioca, 1/2 cup sorghum, 1/4 cup almond meal)

1 tsp orange zest

2 tsp freshly-squeezed orange juice

¼ tsp baking soda

¼ teaspoon sea salt

½ cup dried organic cranberries

½ cup chopped almonds

Method

Preheat oven to 375. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Cream together sugar and oil in the bowl of your stand mixer. Add the flax egg, orange zest and orange juice. Beat in the flours, baking soda, and salt, followed by the cranberries and almonds.

Scoop the dough onto the prepared cookies sheets and flatten slightly (the cookies will not spread). Bake 10-12 minutes or until golden on the edges and still soft in the middle.

Cool cookies several minutes before removing to a cooling rack.

Enjoy!

Health

Know Your Risk for Cancer with MyCancerIQ

February 4, 2015

A year before I became pregnant with my first child, one of my pap tests came back abnormal. The abnormal cells were pre-cancerous and early detection meant having those cells removed before they turned into cancer. I was anxious to address this issue but was relieved to know that cervical cancer is one of the most treatable cancers.

I underwent a LEEP (loop electrosurgical excision procedure), a common procedure which uses a thin, low-voltage electrified wire loop to cut out abnormal tissue in the cervix. Doctors removed all of the abnormal cells on my cervix.

The good news is that the occurrence of cervical cancer has declined and mortality rates have also decreased. The main reasons for these reductions are improved knowledge, the widespread regular use of Pap test screening, and the availability of HPV vaccination.

I visited my doctor routinely for follow-up appointments and worried that those abnormal cells would return. If they ever do, I feel confident that they can be detected early enough to be treated.

But I do wonder, am I prone to developing cancer in the future?

MyCancerIQ is a website that helps you understand your risk for cancer and what you can do to help lower that risk. You’ll discover what factors can help to keep your risk of developing cancer down, what factors increase your risk and what you can do manage or reduce your risk.

The online and mobile tool can help you determine your personal risk factors for four types of cancers:

Breast
Cervical
Colorectal
Lung cancer

Designed by Cancer Care Ontario (CCO), a series of risk assessments estimate your risk of cancer compared with other Ontarians of the same sex and age. At the end of each assessment, you receive a personalized risk assessment and action plan with tips and resources based on your personal risk factors as well as links to screening resources in your community. You then are able to print the reports and speak to your doctor about the findings.

Taking a My CancerIQ assessment can give you information to help reduce your risk of getting cancer. As you work through the assessments, you’ll learn whether you should be screened.

When I did my own assessments on MyCancerIQ.ca, I was curious about the extra information provided during the survey. I learned things that I didn’t know including:

Women who are taller than average may be at a higher risk of developing breast cancer after menopause compared to shorter women.
People who are taller than average may be at a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer compared to shorter people.
Women who take the pill for 5 years or more appear to have a lower risk of developing colorectal cancer compared to women who have never taken the pill.
People who take a multivitamin containing folic acid may have a lower risk for developing colorectal cancer.
The risk of cervical cancer may increase with the number of children a woman has had.

After going through each of the online questionnaires, I was happy to see that my risk for breast cancer, for example, is lower than the average woman.

The My CancerIQ site also contains an About Cancer Risk section with general information on risk factors and cancer prevention.

The fact is, we all likely know someone who has battled cancer – in fact, as many as half of all cancers in Ontario could be prevented by eliminating known risk factors. If there is anything you can do to reduce the risk and make healthier choices, I know you would. Less than ten minutes is all it takes for you to complete a questionnaire on My CancerIQ – it could help save your life.

Disclosure: I’m working with MyCancerIQ to spread the word about the website.

lifestyle

Taking Children Out of School to Travel – A Crime?

January 30, 2015

Do you pull your kids out of school to travel?

The New York Times published a story about whether taking your kids out of school for vacation should be against the law. Some states in the U.S. give schools the authority to impose fines for truancy while other states allow parents to be charged if children are missing school regularly. There are truant officers in airports and train stations in the Netherlands and Britain to ensure parents don’t take children on vacation during the school term.

In Ontario, taking children out of school for vacation isn’t an issue. In fact, I have seen parents pull their children out for weeks, even months at a time to go back to their native countries.

But to go as far as to make it illegal and impose fines? It seems like a severe penalty.

I can understand imposing fines on children who miss out on school for no apparent reason but not because of travel. Traveling gives children another form of education in real-life experience that can’t be taught in the classroom. It should be up to the parent to decide on their child’s education, no?

I’ve thought twice about pulling out my older child for long periods of time for fear of missing too much school and how it would affect his learning and grades. A younger child might not miss out on so much in the classroom and with homework.

However imagine seeing ancient sites in real life rather than from a text book? I’d love to show my kids the Acropolis first hand rather than learn about Ancient Greece in the classroom.

Taking children out of school to travel should be evaluated on an individual basis; the length and frequency of vacation time and if the child is doing well in school should be considered when deciding on travel.

I’d love to take my kids out in the summer on vacation however it’s busy season for my husband and he can’t take the time off. March Break is too expensive as is Christmas time. So for us, spring makes sense to take a week off to travel.

Do you or would you take your children out of school to travel?

Appetizers & Soups

15 Super Bowl Sunday Recipes

January 29, 2015

Are you ready for Super Bowl Sunday?

Here are a few Super Bowl Sunday recipes that would be fabulous to serve on Super Bowl Sunday!

15 Super Bowl Sunday Recipes

Barbecue Baked Ribs here on amotherworld

Super Bowl Seven Layer Dip on Cupcake Project

Pull Apart Pizza Bread on The Thrifty Couple

Restaurant-Style Burgers here on amotherworld

Buffalo Chicken Biscuit Poppers on Snappy Gourmet

Hot Artichoke Dip on Delightful E Made

Sweet n Sassy Buffalo Wings on Frugal Coupon Living

Guacamole here on amotherworld

Fried Macaroni Cheese Bites on Thrifty Jinxy

Mac & Cheese here on amotherworld

Soft Homemade Pretzels with Jalapeno Dipping Sauce on 2 Sisters 2 Cities

Slow Cooker Cranberry Chipotle BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders on Snappy Gourmet

Super Bowl Recipes - Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders

Peanut Sesame Noodles here on amotherworld

Sesame Chicken Wonton Cups on Healthy Seasonal Recipes

Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball on The Thrifty Couple

Game Day Chicken Enchilada Tortilla Bowls + Banana Chimichangas

Game Day: Chicken Enchilada Tortilla Bowls + Banana Chimichangas

Enjoy!

activities

30 Things to Do on a Snow Day

January 28, 2015

When it’s too cold to go outside and play in the snow, go sledding or outdoor skating, stay bundled up inside the house with the kids. Indoor activities for kids, of course!

A snow day is the perfect time to try a new craft or do fun indoor activities with your kids. It’s always a good idea to have a plastic bin full of arts and craft materials, ie. cardboard boxes, empty egg containers, paper towel rolls, paints, brushes, paper, etc.

When the kids are bored, bust out this list of 30 Things to Do on a Snow Day to keep your kids busy!

30 Things to Do on a Snow Day

Make play dough and create a snow scene together.
Set up a mini stick tournament (hockey, not sticks!)
Make a snow globe or snow scene with mason jars and fake snow (you can buy at the craft supplies store).
Dim the lights, put on some fun music and have a dance party.
Using white paper, design and then cut out snowflakes and hang them from the ceiling.
Take old cardboard boxes, cut out masks and have the kids colour, paint and embellish them. Then,
Dress up in your best or silliest outfits and take pictures.
Create a photo book online together, choosing the best family photos.
Go through old magazines, cut and paste pictures to create a collage of your favourite things.
Have the kids go through their toys and find items to donate.
Play board games, charades, hide and seek and I Spy.
Make a snowman on construction paper using cotton balls.
Build a fort or tent out of blankets. Turn off all the lights and tell stories.
Snuggle up and read books together.
Put on a yoga DVD (or find on YouTube) and do yoga together.
Draw portraits of each other.
Play video games together – Super Mario is a classic!
Let your kids paint your nails, do your makeup and hair; take turns.
Watch old baby videos and keep the tissues handy.
Look through old photo albums and baby photos.
Have the kids draw pictures or write letters to a family member or friend and mail them out.
Create email addresses for your kids and send them an email; let them read their first email from you.
Make snow cones with the snow from outside.
Bake a batch of chocolate chip cookies together.
Set up an indoor scavenger hunt.
Create a scrapbook for each child; have them decorate the cover and add the content.
Put on your pajamas, make popcorn and watch a movie.
Paint a large picture together on the floor. If you don’t have roll paper, tape construction paper together to make a landscape painting.
Let the kids put on a puppet show or play for you; make sure to record it.
Take a nap!

Travel

Top 10 European Cities to Visit this Year

January 27, 2015

by Shannon Lintott

I’ve been travelling for the better part of ten years, but I feel as if I have only seen a small fraction of this planet we call home.

I have been lucky in my life to be able to afford the time and costs associated with exploring (mainly) the European continent. It took me many miles by bus, plane, train, car and in some cases, my own two feet, and I feel as if I am finally able to make my list of my favourite cities in Europe.

Disclaimer: I will say here that some travellers often argue about whether or not certain countries are truly a “part of Europe”…but this is what my atlas tells me is correct and the water ways of the world dictate.

Right. Now that that is out of the way, let’s get onto the list! The cities below were chosen for their culture, food, bars, history, transportation (getting around), museums, architecture, markets and friendly locals (at least most of the time).

Summation? These cities are utterly unique places on this earth; each in their own way.

Top 10 European Cities to Visit

Reykjavik, Iceland

Budapest, Hungary

Istanbul, Turkey

Prague, Czech Republic

Berlin, Germany

Porto, Portugal

Edinburgh, Scotland

Kotor, Montenegro

Venice, Italy

Paris, France

Honourable mentions: Lisbon, Portugal; Florence, Italy; Palermo, Sicily; Sofia, Bulgaria; Nantes, France; Amsterdam Netherlands; Krakow, Poland; Zagreb, Croatia.

Don’t forget while travelling around to the big cities that you should try to make time to do day trips outside of the city. In my opinion, the only way to completely feel as if you’ve experience a country is to have spent time exploring smaller towns.

Happy and safe travels!

Shannon Lintott spends her free time reading, writing and travelling as much as possible. Check out her travel blog at travellingcanuk.blogspot.com and her movie review blog I Like (good) Movies and follow her on Twitter.