Name: Greek Tzatziki
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Yield: 1
Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients: 1 cup Greek yogurt; ¼ cup finely minced cucumber; 1 large clove garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon sea salt; 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil; 1 teaspoon lemon juice

News

Have You Ever Left Your Kid in the Car?

June 20, 2014

Have you ever left your child alone in the car?

This article written by Kim Brooks, “The Day I Left My Son in the Car“, struck a chord with many parents because they too have left their child in the car themselves. Maybe you’ve left your kids in the car alone but they were in plain, visible view – at the bank machine or variety store. You can see them through the window and you never take your eyes completely off of them.

I know I have been tempted before to leave my kids in a car to “just run inside” the store to grab a loaf of bread or carton of milk. I can understand how inconvenient it is when you have a car full of young children to have to take them out of the car “just for a few minutes.

The problem is “just to run inside”, “just for a few minutes”, anything can happen.

Then again, anything can happen anytime, anywhere. But then you think, “what is the true likelihood of anything happening in less than 5 minutes? I’ll risk it.”

Your toddler has a fever and you don’t want to take him out of the car to get his prescription filled quickly. More than likely, running in to a store for a few minutes, your kid will be there when you get back.

But you never know what can happen in a few minutes. Someone can hop in the car and drive off if you forget your keys in the car. An older child may climb into the front seat and somehow put the car in reverse. Your kids can lock themselves in the car, with the keys in the ignition.

Kim Brooks was lucky – nothing happened to her child. But someone saw that her child was alone in the car and the police was called. She was charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor. She’s not a bad parent – she just made a bad mistake. It’s a huge lesson to be learned for all parents.

There are only 19 states in the U.S. that have laws which make leaving your child unattended in a vehicle illegal. The law in Canada states that leaving a child under the age of 10 alone can be considered child abandonment.

In this Toronto Star article, York police Const. Andy Pattenden states clearly: “Here’s our official line, from police and officers in general: Never leave your child unattended. Whether it’s in a car, in a house, in a street, it doesn’t matter.”

Have you ever left your child alone in the car, even for a minute? Do you think Kim Brooks should have been charged, or was the punishment too harsh?

Entertainment

New Show to Watch: Mom’s a Medium

June 19, 2014

If you know me well, you’ll know that I’m a huge fan of the paranormal. I love watching movies and shows about the supernatural and the occult. Ghosts, hauntings, psychic mediums, ghost hunters, psychic investigators who work with police… you name it, I’m there!

When I was invited to meet psychic medium Carmel Baird to celebrate her new show, I knew exactly who should go. My mother-in-law has been mourning my father-in-law for just over a year. So imagine a chance to have a reading with Carmel Baird almost a year to the date that he passed away.

Mom’s a Medium gives viewers a window into the afterlife with Alberta-based mom and psychic medium Carmel Baird who channels the dead. The new reality series premieres Friday, June 20 at 9 p.m. ET on CMT Canada.

Carmel helps families find closure and investigators with missing persons cases, all while juggling the demands of a busy family life. She has a household full of kids and grandkids, six horses, 10 chickens, six dogs, and a multitude of otherworldly souls to keep her busy.

Carmel’s psychic gift began with an unexplainable anxiety caused by the persistent communication from those who have crossed over. She finally discovered that these voices were a result of her psychic medium abilities. Now, five years later, Carmel’s schedule is packed with private client readings, workshops, healing circles and group readings.

When my mother-in-law, Sarah, went to the group reading, the minute she sat down Carmel stood right in front of her, talking to the woman behind her. Then all of a sudden she looked at Sarah and said, “there is a male that wants to talk to you.”

It was my father-in-law who had a few messages to give Sarah. She acknowledged the area of his illness, when he passed away and noted a few things about his personality that were accurate! He also had a few messages to his children, including my husband.

Sarah left meeting Carmel with a sense of peace and amazement. She also thought that Carmel was very down to earth… compared to Theresa Caputo, the Long Island Medium which we met last October in Hamilton.

Catch Mom’s a Medium starting tomorrow, Friday, June 20 at 9 p.m. ET on CMT Canada and follow them on Facebook and Twitter:

Twitter: @MomsaMedium @CMTCanada

Facebook: Facebook.com/momsamedium Facebook.com/CMTCanada

Appetizers & Soups

Know Your Martini! Classic Martini Recipe

June 18, 2014

“Shaken, not stirred” is a catchphrase of James Bond and his preference for how he enjoyed his martini.

But how do you like yours? Do you #KnowYourMartini style?

Whether shaken, stirred, wet or dry, with an olive or a twist of lemon, celebrate your martini style with Belvedere Vodka on World Martini Day on June 19, 2014!

But first, you must Know Your Martini and figure out your martini style. I know I prefer my martini shaken, wet and with a twist of lemon.

Belvedere is the original and true expression of luxury vodka, created from 600 years of Polish vodka-making tradition. When you think of the martini, which dates back to the 1800’s, it’s an iconic, classic cocktail representing sophistication and elegance… and of course, James Bond!

Belvedere Vodka has zero additives and is gluten-free (bonus for me!) and is smooth-tasting. It’s a simple cocktail – just three ingredients.

Here’s how to make the perfect classic Dry Martini:

2 oz Belvedere Vodka

0.25 oz Dolin Dry Vermouth

Combine ingredients in mixing glass and stir over ice until very cold. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a single green olive.

If you prefer your martini shaken, add ice and shake first before pouring into your martini glass. Add your garnish.

Let’s toast together on World Martini Day on June 19, 2014!

Cheers!

Food

When I’m Cooking, Get Out of My Kitchen!

June 18, 2014

When we bought our house, “open-concept” layout was all the rage. Our living space blends into the dining area and into the kitchen and family room into one chaotic mess. In full disclosure, the lovely photo above is not of my kitchen.

Fast forward ten years later and I would much prefer to have a closed concept home with separate rooms. I’d rather have a separate dining space so that when guests come over for dinner, my kitchen is out of view. When you’re preparing a dinner, the kitchen can get messy.

The whole idea was that having an open-concept home works well for entertaining. As you’re preparing meals, you can chat with your friends and family. You can keep an eye on the kids while making dinner.

But I think I’ve decided that I don’t like open concept kitchen! I like closed kitchens.

Maybe it’s because I’m getting older but when I’m preparing dinner for guests, I don’t want to be bothered. Not to be rude but if I’m preparing several dishes, I need to be able to have time to get it all done. I’m focused on preparing a wonderful meal and can’t get distracted by chatty family members. We will chat later at the dining table and afterwards!

I do most of the prep before guests arrive but I like to serve hot meals so expect to be served with food straight from the oven. Nothing is re-heated.

As for the kids… well now that mine are older, their loud television shows and their constant bickering with one another… I’d much rather them be in another room so I don’t have to hear them! Even better, a door to close behind them!

Another concern? If I don’t have time to clean the inside of my oven before having company, the last thing I want is for guests to catch a glimpse as I’m taking out the lasagna, you know what I mean? It’s happened to me before and I’ll politely offer guests another drink, hoping they will move back to the family room.

I don’t need guests in the kitchen long enough to spot the fingerprints on the fridge – oh wait! I’m thrilled that it’s not an issue anymore with my Smudge-Proof Stainless Steel Frigidaire refrigerator.

With their patented Smudge-Proof™ Stainless Steel finish, Frigidaire Gallery® and Frigidaire Professional® stainless-steel appliances have a new anti-smudge technology that resists those little fingerprints and is easier to clean than traditional stainless steel surfaces. Smudge-Proof™ Stainless Steel is available on all Frigidaire Gallery® and Frigidaire Professional® products – see the collection here.

How many times have you had to quickly clean your stainless steel before guests arrive? If you forget with Frigidaire Professional stainless-steel appliances, you don’t need to worry. I wipe my fridge down only because of the kids touching the door handles – not because of fingerprints.

Now I just need to replace my stove and dishwasher with Smudge-Proof Stainless Steel!

Disclosure: I am part of the Frigidaire Canada Ambassador program with Mom Central Canada and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Relationships

5 Tips for Hot Romance in the Summer

June 16, 2014

Does something happen to all of us when the weather gets warmer? Yes – it’s called Spring Fever. The days are longer, the sun is brighter and we just want to wear as little clothing as possible!

It’s no surprise then that summer is the time when we find love or rekindle our existing romances – summer lovin’ so to speak. I’m not kidding – this is based on fact – 77 per cent of Canadians say that summer is the sexiest time of year*.

Here are 5 tips for hot romance in the summer:

1. Plan ahead and plan well.

Take advantage of the few long weekends during the summer that we have. Take the opportunity to leave the kids with the grandparents and take off for an adventurous trip or trick everyone and have a quiet staycation with your honey. It doesn’t matter where you go – what’s important is to spend time with your loved one usefully. Use this extra time to explore new things about each other in the bedroom that you may not otherwise.

2. Turn off the tech.

No we don’t particularly want to see selfies of you and your spouse in the bedroom but feel free to take some with your DSLR camera for your own private viewing pleasure! Summer is the best time to LOG OFF – turn off your phone, laptop and TV and give yourself a break from the chaos of everyday life. As impossible as it seems to disconnect, your mind and body will appreciate a mental break. If you redirect this energy to your partner… well then… wonderful things can happen.

3. Spice things up.

One-third of Canadians say they have more sex in the summer*. Get out of your comfort zone and spice things up by trying new and fun products in the bedroom… New Trojan™ Explore Just Pure Fun™ Gel Lubricant and Multi-Thrill™ Intimate Massager can help you and your partner indulge your senses in new ways. Trojan Naked™ Sensations® Double Pleasure Condoms provide freedom of movement for a more natural experience allowing both partners to feel infinite pleasure.

4. Pamper yo’ self.

Summer is the time to pamper yourself to frequent manicures and pedicures. It’s the time to give yourself a mini-makeover, show off those legs in a flirty new dress and get a new hair style. Feeling spontaneous? Go to a latin nightclub and dance the night away – you’ll both feel like 20-somethings again and the night will likely end up with a happy ending.

5. Get outside!

“Outdoorphins,” a term aptly coined about the natural high people experience when being out and about in nature. Whether it’s a quick walk in a park or a hike in the forest, get your blood pumping and make your heart happy with someone you love. Then you can always retreat to the bedroom for some intimate, sweaty fun.

*A survey of 1502 Canadians was completed online between May 20 and May 22, 2014 using Leger’s online panel, LegerWeb.

Disclosure: I’m working with Church & Dwight as an ambassador and receive special perks. Opinions here are my own, as always!

amw in the city

Canada’s Wonderland: Wonder Mountain’s Guardian

June 13, 2014

Every summer, a trip to Canada’s Wonderland is a must. It’s tradition, no question. But since having kids, we’ve opted for seasons passes – it just makes more sense for us. It’s fun to be spontaneous and hop in the car and head over to the park for a few hours after dinner, or when the park opens until about lunch time.

Now that my kids are older, they can ride some of the larger roller coasters – The Bat, Flight Deck and Vortex. But we still love some of the oldies-but-goodies like Dragon Fire, Minebuster and Wild Beast.

I love how Canada’s Wonderland introduces a new ride so often! Behemoth and Leviathan were introduced in recent years. Now, the park has introduced yet another new ride – Wonder Mountain’s Guardian.

This innovative ride is set to thrill riders with exciting roller coaster elements, and stunning interactive 3D animation. The journey begins with a perilous climb up the side of the park’s iconic Wonder Mountain. From there, riders will plummet into the core of the mountain and travel on 1,000 feet (305M) of coaster track through five different layers of a 3-Dimensional world, battling mythical creatures while in search of a king’s lost treasure. The quest will culminate as riders enter the dragon’s lair for the ultimate battle with a heart stopping finale that will shock thrill seekers of all ages.

Construction on the new ride began in August 2013, with over 150 crew members working throughout the off-season to get the ride ready for May 2014. Montreal based Triotech designed and manufactured the interactive multi-media entertainment platform that includes the ride’s incredible 3D animation, as well as the projection, sound, and special effects. The ride features the Longest Interactive Screen in the world, measuring 500 feet long (152M), and 13 feet high (4M)!

Wonder Mountain’s Guardian is the park’s 17th rollercoaster, adding another unique thrill to the already diverse collection of coasters that Canada’s Wonderland is known for.

ENTER TO WIN

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Appetizers & Soups

Greek Tzatziki

June 10, 2014

What’s a Greek souvlaki or gyros without Tzatziki? This cucumber, garlic yogurt dip is a must-have recipe to have on hand, to enjoy with souvlaki, or alone with pita bread.

I wish I could indulge in a huge bowl of homemade Greek Tzatziki with fresh pita bread, but I can probably manage just a teaspoon due to my dairy limits.

I’ll tell you right off the bat that my Tzatziki recipe has NO DILL. I dislike dill in my Tzatziki and I don’t ever remember my mom putting dill in her Greek Tzatziki recipe.

Here is my recipe for Greek Tzatziki, which is a MUST dip for my Pork Souvlaki recipe:

Greek Tzatziki

Ingredients

1 cup Greek yogurt — try to buy from the Greek bakery but if you can’t, buy a good quality Greek yogurt from the grocery store. It’ll have a thick consistency, which is what we want in a good Tzatziki recipe.

¼ cup finely minced cucumber

1 large clove garlic, minced

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon lemon juice

Directions:

Drain yogurt if too watery. I use a coffee filter lined colander to let runny yogurt drain during the day.
Slice cucumber into thin slivers, and sprinkle with salt. Let sit for a half hour. Squeeze out excess water from cucumber. Then, chop into fine pieces.
Remove water from yogurt and add to bowl. Add minced cucumber, garlic, olive oil, sea salt, and lemon juice.
Mix together. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Kali Orexi!

Yield: 1 cup

Greek Tzatziki

Prep Time 10 minutes

Additional Time 1 hour

Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients

1 cup Greek yogurt
¼ cup finely minced cucumber
1 large clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon lemon juice

Instructions

Drain yogurt if too watery. I use a coffee filter lined colander to let runny yogurt drain during the day.
Slice cucumber into thin slivers, and sprinkle with salt. Let sit for a half hour. Squeeze out excess water from cucumber. Then, chop into fine pieces.
Remove water from yogurt and add to bowl. Add minced cucumber, garlic, olive oil, sea salt, and lemon juice.
Mix together. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 66Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 550mgCarbohydrates: 3gFiber: 0gSugar: 2gProtein: 6g

activities

Stop With the Snacks at Kids’ Sports!

June 9, 2014

Soccer season has started!

My son plays house league soccer during the summer which is fun for all of us – no pressure, just show up on the field and have a great game of soccer. But my son is competitive by nature and like many other kids, keeps close score on number of goals and wins.

But now, kids’ soccer has changed – there are no standings or wins and losses – since they implemented the new system. There is absolutely nothing we can do but accept these changes and encourage the kids to just go out there and play for fun, not worry about wins, losses and goals.

Yes I ranted about it last year.

I also wrote about why I think it is silly to have a Week of Silence on the soccer field or all kids receiving trophies.

But this post is about another problem I have with kids’ sports. When we first arrived on the soccer field, one of the coaches handed me a folder with a sign-up sheet for SNACKS.

Aw HELLZ NO! I thought we were passed the snacks for kids in sports? My son is now almost 10… TEN. Double digits. Do we really have to haul around soccer snacks for the kids at this age? Aren’t we past this now?!?

I can understand parents with young children who have joined for the first time, getting all excited about their kid playing a team sport… eagerly signing up to bring snacks, being well prepared for their turn and marking it twice on their calendar.

But at this age, I don’t want to have to add yet another item to my never-ending to-do list of things to remember, and then rushing around last minute scrambling to buy enough juice boxes for everyone (because everyone will expect that) along with a “treat” of some sort. Or worry about hauling a giant cooler with freezies onto the field – is there enough ice so they don’t melt?! Can I bring a – God forbid – healthy snack?!?

Do the kids really need to run and sweat for an hour only to be given a sugary snack right afterward?

I have a ton of food issues and opinions about food but I’m not so extreme that I won’t allow my kids to have treats like popsicles and freezies. But I do try to limit these types of treats. I’d rather them have ice cream and chocolate than sugar-laden drinks and candies with food colouring.

I can only hope some parents will bring orange slices and watermelon wedges but the likelihood is that they will be rewarded with gummi bear snacks and packaged soft cookies. Totally unnecessary.

Not to mention the arguments that will ensue if there aren’t enough snacks for the players’ siblings! Then you have younger kids running around screaming their heads off because they don’t get a freezie too, after sitting in the heat and sun watching their older brother or sister play soccer for an hour.

Each child should be bringing a full water bottle from home anyway so is there a need for juice loaded with sugar? Soccer leagues should set rules for snacks instead or even coaches and parents can come up with an “approved snack” list to hand out to parents.

What do you think? Am I being too harsh here?

Family Travel

Beaches Turks and Caicos Key West Luxury Village

June 5, 2014

My son and I had the pleasure of visiting the luxurious Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort Villages & Spa. We jetted off to the British Overseas Territories and stayed at the newest village, the Key West Luxury Village.

The brand new Key West Luxury Village made its debut last May with its grand opening in May 2014. It was the first major expansion of Beaches Turks & Caicos since the grand opening of the resort’s Italian Village in 2009.

Combining the laid back lifestyle that the island paradise is known for with the signature Luxury Included® amenities found at all Beaches Resorts, the Key West Luxury Village is an incredible destination for families. The new addition boasts 150 suites and villas, three gourmet restaurants, private pools and more.

Located in exotic Grace Bay in Providenciales which is ranked one of the top ten best scuba diving destinations in the world, Beaches Turks & Caicos is a Caribbean paradise of adventure and luxury for adults and children.

Shops, bars, pools, restaurants, water activities, kids’ club, turquoise waters and gorgeous award-winning beaches – everything you could imagine is right at your fingertips.

The grounds are stunning – the vegetation is plentiful and well maintained. When you walk around, you feel like you’re in a tropical paradise. Staff are very friendly and will greet you as you walk around.

Key West features an East and West Village, made up of villas and two-story buildings reminiscent of Key West. The central Veranda House is a four-story building housing luxury rooms, as well as one- and two-bedroom loft-style suites.

Every room in the Key West Luxury Village is Concierge level and above. Some of the villas and suites have oceanfront Butler Service – with eight exclusive villas with three and four bedrooms set along the beach with their own private pools!

The villas and suites are all equipped with state-of-the-art kitchens with new stainless steel appliances and espresso machines. For larger families, having the extra space and full kitchens will give them another dining option during their stay.

Our accommodations were very comfortable – we had a suite with a full kitchen. If the rest of my family had joined us, we would have had plenty of room to enjoy. Our suite also had two balconies – I could picture having a night cap there while the kids are sleeping. My son was very excited about having our own XBOX in the room – that was one feature that he boasted about to his older brother back home.

Beaches has a Discovery Dining program where internationally trained chefs create authentic dishes from across the globe. Now with the Key West Luxury Village, Beaches has a whopping 19 restaurants at the resort. There are three in Key West Village alone – Bayside, Sky and Neptunes.

Only one restaurant in the entire resort needs a reservation and there are a few adult-only restaurants, if you want to drop the kids off at the kids’ club to enjoy some quiet time with your partner.

I have many food intolerances and although you can fill out a food allergy form daily from the concierge, I didn’t need to! The restaurants offered enough options for me – various choices of meat, vegetables prepared fresh, tons of fresh fruit – so I didn’t have to order something specific. A lovely touch – the concierge sent over gluten, dairy, egg and soy free treats to our suite so that I could enjoy in the privacy of my own suite.

One of my favourite restaurants, Bayside, is right in Key West Luxury Village and overlooks Grace Bay Beach. The buffet-style international cuisine is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. My kids LOVE buffets – there are always many options for them, and for me as well. Sky is just above Bayside on the roof-top and features perfectly steaks and seafood dishes. Neptunes is also beachside, offering fresh Mediterranean fare to be enjoyed alongside panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea.

There is so much to do at Beaches Turks and Caicos, where to begin? I’ll save the beach and water activities for another post. In Key West, there are three new pools – one by the beach and two others that have a private feel to them – they aren’t as grand as the Italian Village pool, for example. There is also a children’s center, fitness center and a Red Lane spa right in Key West, aside from additional amenities in the other villages.

My son and I coasted from one gorgeous pool to another, to the beach and back… stopping by one of the many restaurants for lunch or a snack. Towels are at every pool so you can dry off, throw on a bathing suit cover and walk to the next pool in the adjacent village.

All of the villages are connected so you can easily walk from one to the next. Don’t feel like walking? No problem! The Choo Choo train takes passengers from village to village at various times throughout the week.

Beaches Turks & Caicos also has three more villages – the Caribbean Village, French Village and Italian Village – each village with its own unique feel and ambiance.

Want to know more? Click here for the Key West Luxury Village grand opening, and the fabulous amenities for children including Sesame Street characters. Stay tuned for more info and stunning photos from the beach, other villages and activities the resort has to offer!

Contest

Summer Fashion Trends on a Budget

June 2, 2014

With summer comes more fun fashion trends. Just because you’re wearing less clothing, doesn’t mean you can’t look stylish. Summer fashion needs to be cool and uncomplicated.

When is comes to dressing for summer, a dress is the easiest and coolest way to look stylish. There are many summer dresses that are on trend – floral, bold patterns and prints and maxi dresses.

Not a fan of the dress? Opt for cool, dressy shorts in cotton or linen and pair them with flats for casual day wear and a loose t-shirt or tank. During the evening, wear them with wedge sandals and a dressier blouse for a more sophisticated look.I also love linen in the summer – linen dresses, skirts, pants and shorts can keep you looking and feeling cool on those warm summer days. Nautical is a classic look as well… and floral is back! Accessories are fun in the summer, like large floppy hats, fedoras and bold jewelry can complete a summer outfit.Not sure how to piece and outfit together? If you need a little help on where to begin, just look at the store mannequins for inspiration.

Depending on your lifestyle and budget, you can easily shop in a handful of stores to update your summer wardrobe. You don’t need to break the bank either!Even though the CAA membership card is known mostly for its amazing Roadside Assistance, did you know that it also offers great savings and exclusive offers at some of your favourite retailers?

You can shop, save and earn CAA Dollars® by using your CAA membership card at stores such as Roots, Aldo, Toms, Forever 21, Banana Republic, Naturalizer and Bloomingdales.

For the month of June, CAA is offering DOUBLE CAA Dollars for all purchases where CAA Dollars apply. Here are some of the fabulous deals with CAA partners and retailers that you can enjoy when using your CAA card as a CAA Member.

Roots – CAA Members save $10 off the purchase of $75 or more before taxes

Aldo – Earn 8% in CAA Dollars

Banana Republic – Save 10% on all purchases, including sale merchandise

Le Chateau – Earn 4% in CAA Dollars

Forever 21 – Earn 4% in CAA Dollars

Toms – Earn 7% in CAA Dollars

Naturalizer – Earn 10% in CAA Dollars

Happy Shopping!

ENTER TO WIN

CAA is giving away a $500 Visa card to one lucky winner! Use the Rafflecopter below to enter this giveaway. The contest runs June 2nd – 30th and is open to Canadians only.

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