amw | amotherworld

Desserts

Grain Egg and Dairy Free Chocolate Brownies

February 25, 2014

These chocolate brownies are free of gluten, grains, eggs and dairy. Whew! So rich and chocolatey, you won’t even remember what regular baking tastes like!

Ingredients

12 dates chopped
4 oz unsweetened 100% chocolate
1 cup almond flour
¼ cup tapioca flour
¼ cup grape seed oil
1/2 cup applesauce
1 cup coconut palm sugar
2 flax eggs = 2 tbsp water mixed with 2 tsp flax seed and let sit for 5 minutes
¼ tsp baking power
½ tsp sea salt
½ tsp vanilla
¼ cup walnuts (optional)

Directions

Melt chocolate with oil and add dates. Remove from heat, add sugar and rest of ingredients. Pour into a parchment paper-lined square baking pan. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Let cool. Store in the refrigerator.

Enjoy!

lifestyle

When a Friendship Ends But You Don’t Know Why

February 24, 2014

Have you have a friendship end but you don’t know why?

It’s one thing to have a friendship end because two people drift apart but it’s another issue entirely when you don’t understand why the friendship is over.

I’ve had friendships come and go. Over the past few years, I’ve had several friendships end – some just gradually ended, others turned sour. Misunderstandings, both sides getting offended and not communicating those feelings, having certain expectations – all these contributed to the demise of some really good, long-lasting relationships.

It’s always difficult to see a friendship end but sometimes it’s the natural progression of a relationship. The time has come. You and your friend may have simply grown apart and no longer share similar interests.

Other times a friendship ends because of miscommunication, misunderstandings and the dreadful ego. The friendship ends up taking way too much effort to maintain, feelings are often hurt and then it becomes toxic.

But when a friendship ends, it’s often difficult to accept when you don’t understand why it ended. The worst way to ‘break up’ is to be silent. If you and a friend have a problem with one another, it might be fair to explain why you think the friendship no longer works.

The rule of friendship should be this simple – if you have offended your friend somehow, let them know. Be upfront about it. The worst thing someone can do is pretend like nothing is wrong when something is seething underneath the forced smile.

Fess up to what you’re feeling and tell the other person. Don’t be immature and ignore or avoid them like the plague, and make excuses about being busy. Tell them what bothered you and communicate your feelings. When you don’t, what it shows is that you really never cared enough to begin with to be honest with your friend.

The most baffling is when your calls aren’t returned, plans are cancelled, emails and texts are ignored. The worst is hearing “I’m sooooo busy”. Just tell me the truth! Women have very good intuition and can tell if something is up anyway so maybe closure is the best way to handle hurt feelings.

Whether you’ve just grown apart, don’t share similar interests anymore or your friend did or said something to upset you, it’s worth having a chat to lay everything out on the table. Who knows – your friend may have been feeling exactly the same way.

When I was researching for this post, I found many articles about people who end friendships without giving any reason at all. Why don’t we talk about it more openly?

Have you ever had a friendship end and but you don’t know why?

Health

Need a Detox? I’m Doing a 30 Day Cleanse – Hold Me!

February 17, 2014

Remember that time when I posed in a bikini?

I wrote about going up a size every winter… yes. Every winter. Never fails – up a size or about 5-10 pounds. It’s during the long winter months when my appetite for comfort foods is non-stop!

But since all of my food sensitivities have developed, I’ve been eating differently for some time now. I’ve cut out grains, dairy, eggs, soy – not to mention I haven’t had white sugar or flour in months. I’ve been sort of doing a detox cleanse on my own for a while.

But I feel I needed to do more to boost my metabolism – a 30 day detox – so when I had an opportunity to try Isagenix, I was ready to give it a try. And I could because they offer shakes that are soy, gluten and GMO free.

Isagenix has a 30 Day System™, a cleansing and fat burning “starter pak”. The system is designed to “gently rid the body of potentially harmful impurities, while infusing it with essential vitamins, botanicals and other natural ingredients to help shed pounds naturally without the use laxatives, stimulants or diuretics.”

Isagenix offers gluten and lactose free shakes which contain whey, and also vegan shakes which are dairy, soy and gluten free – yay for me. The Natural Berry Harvest IsaLean® Shakes have 8g of dietary fibre and 22g of plant-based protein – mostly pea and hemp proteins.

I’ve purchased pea protein powder before to use in smoothies and let me tell you – just pure pea protein doesn’t taste very good! The Berry Isagenix flavour is quite tasty as it contains other natural fruit powders.

The 30 Day Cleanse consists of having two shakes a day and one healthy meal plus snacks. Once a week, you have a ‘cleanse day’ which consists of having a cleanse ‘juice’ every few hours plus snacks throughout the day.

What you can’t eat? The obvious ‘junk’ food – but also it’s best to avoid red meat, bananas, carrots and coffee. You can drink green and herbal teas throughout the day – at least 8 glasses.

Isagenix is not a “diet” – it’s a ‘cleansing program’ to eliminate the impurities from your body. But I think it’s definitely a mental challenge more than anything else!

I’ll let you know how it goes. If you want more info about what I’m doing, contact Lynn.

Kids

Hockey Parents Must Take Respect in Sport Program

February 13, 2014

Alright hockey parents who are screaming at the refs, this one’s for you!

The Ontario Minor Hockey Association announced that hockey parents must take the mandatory “Respect in Hockey” program. All team officials, on-ice volunteers and on-ice officials will have to take the appropriate “Respect” education too.

The online course will give parents the tools to ensure that the game is enjoyable and respectful for themselves, their children and all other participants in the game. At least one parent must view the hour-long program by August 31, 2014 or their child will not be able to play in a league.

Is this punishment for a small group of parents? Who is to say that this course isn’t going to stop their bad behaviour? Is this simply a cash grab of $12? How will they know that a parent has watched the video – is there a quiz at the end?

I don’t mean to sound snarky (I do) but seriously, a 1-hour online course for hockey parents isn’t going to change the behaviour of a ‘bad’ hockey parent. I’ve had my own experience of bad hockey parents who ruin the game.

Or will it?

Perhaps the course will help ~~normal~~ the other parents deal with those crazy hockey parents who scream, swear and worst of all, hockey parents who fight. Maybe it will help improve respect and reduce the amount of abuse in minor hockey.

The Respect in Sport Parent Program is being delivered by the Respect Group co-founded by former NHL player and abuse survivor Sheldon Kennedy. The OMHA adopted the initiative in early 2013 and have spent the last year rolling it out. The course is already mandatory in Alberta, all Atlantic provinces and some of British Columbia and Saskatchewan.

Hockey Calgary’s study following a “Respect in Sport” course that 1,000 parents took, showed that most parents thought the course was beneficial.

What do you think about this mandatory course?

Holidays

Top 5 Tips for a Sexy Valentine’s Day

February 12, 2014

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner… and although it can be fun to ‘celebrate’ with your loved one on February 14, what’s important is keep the spark alive the rest of the year.

With so much focus on finding a Valentine’s Day gift for him or her, we often put the physical expression of our love on the back burner. So why not turn up the heat by making Valentine’s Day – and every day – an experience you and your partner will both remember?

How can you have a healthy sexual relationship all the time? What are some tips for a sexy Valentine’s Day?

Here are the Top 5 Tips for a Sexy Valentine’s Day:

1. One tip that probably is the most important – set aside time for you and your partner. Don’t have time? MAKE THE TIME. Whether you hire a babysitter or wait until the kids are tucked into bed, you NEED to have that alone time with your spouse to share some intimacy. Marriage experts say the key to a happy marriage is finding time to spend alone together.

2. Set the mood from morning. Send sexy texts to your partner which will surely have him or her excited about the night head. “When it comes to the bedroom, foreplay can start early and build throughout the day,” says Sexual Health Expert Robin Milhausen . “Leave your partner a sexy note in their briefcase, send a text at lunch, and let the anticipation build.”

3. Consider introducing a sex toy to your sex life. Vibrators like the Trojan Vibrating Pulse are perfect for foreplay with concentrated pleasure pulsing pretty much anywhere you and your partner think you might enjoy.* “If you’ve never used a vibrator before, these non-intimidating products are a great option,” explains Milhausen. For added convenience, they can be found at your local drug, grocery or mass retailers.

4. If you’re stressed or worried about something, it’s harder to relax and get in the mood for sex. Use massage oils and massage your partner first. Or share a warm relaxing bath with bubbles and candles. Don’t forget the champagne and strawberries.

5. Consider pleasure-enhancing lubricants. “A lot of couples have the impression that a lubricant is only used to fix a problem, but they can also be about increasing pleasure and fun,” says Milhausen. There are three Trojan pleasure-enhancing lubricants to choose from including Continuous Silkiness, Arouses & Intensifies and Tingly Warmth. Personal lubricant is a great way to take passion and pleasure to new heights.*

Valentine’s Day is a great reminder to make quality time for our spouse.

“We are often so caught up in creating some big event or getting the perfect gift for our partners that we forget about the pleasure of spending intimate one-on-one time together,” says Milhausen.

Connecting sexually with your partner in new, exciting ways can be all it takes to spice up your sex life!

* Always follow package directions and warnings.

Here are some more tips to get in the mood.

Disclosure: I’m working with Church & Dwight as an ambassador. Opinions here are my own.

Holidays

14 Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

February 11, 2014

Aside from chocolate, flowers and a spa day, here are 14 Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas for him and her:

1. Le Creuset Traditional Fondue in red enamelled cast iron is fun centrepiece for special occasions and dinner parties. $265 at The Bay.

2. Thomas Sabo has a “love forever” themed Valentine’s Day special of a limited-edition rose gold coloured heart Charm bracelet with lobster clasp (sterling silver and 18K rosé gold plated) and a CD with 10 of Sabo’s own love songs. $78

3. Threshold Decorative Peony Pillow is a pretty addition to your home décor. Available at Target on sale for $18.74.

4. Chuck Taylor Classic in red is perfect for him or for her this Valentine’s Day. $50.00

5. In the Lot of Love package, your loved one will enjoy seven LUSH luxuries, including sweet vanilla scented Close to You massage bar and fresh pomegranate juice gel, Prince Charming. $52.95

6. Stainless Steel Cordless Kettle in candy apple red by Hamilton Beach. Available at The Bay for $59.99.

7. This Black Lace Detail ‘Peacocok’ Babydoll Chemise by COSBELLA is a romantic, luxurious piece for those romantic nights. $129.99

8. For him, a luxurious Kimono Robe by Polo Ralph Lauren in a plush cotton terry. Designed in a kimono-inspired wrap silhouette with a classic shawl collar has deep, oversized patch pockets at the hips. $76.30 at The Bay.

9. Oooh, lip shade in Forbidden Apple – the name alone is tempting. This Pure Color Vivid Shine Lipstick is a crisp, berry red by Estee Lauder. $32.00

10. Oriental-floral, lush soaring, sensual and voluptuous – this captivating and sensual fragrance is a classic fragrance that never goes out of style. Coco Chanel by Chanel.

11. This sweet heart change purse is a sweet gift for her – whether that special someone is your fashionista, teenaged daughter or even an adult woman. Cute find on Etsy! $9.30

12. Joico and Shiseido have coupled up with a limited time only pack which comes with Shiseido Perfect Mascara Full Definition ($8, 2ml), Joico’s K-PAK Color Therapy Shampoo ($12.69, 300ml) and K-PAK Revitaluxe ($24.95, 150ml tube). Shiseido’s mascara captures every single lash for a lustrous finish. Joico’s K-PAK Shampoo enhances the hair’s elasticity, strength, colour vibrancy and shine while the Revitalux’s fortifying treatment repairs years of damage. Available at hair salons.

13. These Nine West Pointy toe flat in a glossy patent pink is perfect for her and great for her spring wardrobe. $110.00

14. She will love a romantic comedy, like Bridget Jones Diary (Collector’s Edition) for only $6.99 at Amazon.

And here’s one extra for him or her: Love Poems by Pablo Neruda <3

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Little Kids

Top 10 Worst Tips you Received in Baby’s First Year

February 10, 2014

You’ve spent nine months receiving tons of advice, compliments, hearing beautiful and frightening stories, especially those labour and delivery stories that you didn’t ask to hear, and then finally, your beautiful baby arrives.

Oh the joys! Oh the advice you will receive in your baby’s first year!

Whether you like it or not, people will give you unsolicited advice. Although some of the advice may be helpful, some of it will be questionable! I remember with my two boys, there were some great parenting tips but also THE worst tips I received in baby’s first year.

One comment I heard that was just utterly ridiculous was from a fellow mother who eyeballed me for holding my baby too much. “Oh you shouldn’t pick up your baby all the time – they need to learn to be independent.” At five months? Come on! Yes, I’ll just let my baby not depend on me at all – he should be able to change his own diaper too, right?

Here are the top 10 worst tips you received in baby’s first year:

1. Tooth pain? Your poor baby is teething. “Put Ouzo on his gums!” Oh yes, this was some advice I received from a Greek relative.

2. Baby can’t sleep? “Add some cereal in your baby’s bottle!” Sure at three months old, I should be adding some rice cereal to my baby’s bottle. Your baby only needs breast milk for the first six months – that’s it.

3. “Substitute milk with juice at six months.” Ah yes, juice is the perfect substitute for breast milk. Just add it to the bottle and let your baby’s teeth rot from the crazy amounts of sugar. No thank you!

4. “You should give your baby water, not just breast milk.” Breast milk simply can’t be enough – my baby needs water because he is thirsty. Again, breastmilk is all baby needs in the first six months. Breastmilk has 88% water anyway!

5. “You can’t get pregnant if you’re breastfeeding.” Hmmm, I wonder how many women took that advice and were in for a total shock months later!

6. “Give your baby (4 month old) Dimetapp!” Yes because giving my baby antihistamines and decongestants (brompheniramine-PPA) are totally safe – NOT. These ingredients have not been shown to be safe or effective in children younger than 6 years.

7. “You shouldn’t sleep with your baby in the same room.” Because they’ll become too dependent. In fact, room sharing for the first six months (when the risk of SIDS is highest) helps your baby sleep safely and lowers the risk of SIDS.

8. Danielle ‏@DanielleASigne says the worst piece of advice she received was, “Just let her cry it out.” If you consider sleep training, it shouldn’t even be a thought until six months at the very least. Only the baby knows his or her level of need and you as the parent will be able to read your baby’s language the best. Go with your instincts on this one – I couldn’t let my babies cry it out and ended up co-sleeping after they outgrew their bassinet.

9. Christine LaRocque ‏@CoffeesCommutes says her worst piece of advice was, “Don’t hold your baby too much – it’s spoiling him.” You can’t spoil an infant who needs mom and dad’s love and attention. That closeness will help babies become secure and independent as they grow.

10. Mikki Rocha ‏@missmikki tweeted, “Wake the baby every 2-3hrs to feed. Unless baby woke on his own, I wasnt waking him up!” Unless it’s the first few weeks when baby is regaining weight and you’re getting your milk in and settling into a schedule, there is no need to wake baby up so often. Most babies will wake on their own; it’s also best not to wake babies at night so they find their own schedule.

And lastly, here’s some food for thought. Lorraine Sommerfeld ‏@TweeetLorraine tweeted the worst tip she received in baby’s first year:

“It gets easier”… (mom of 22 year old and 19 year old)

Gah!!!!

Beauty

6 Products to Help You get Through Winter

February 6, 2014

It’s the middle of winter… will it ever end?!?!

Here are some products that have been lifesavers during the past several weeks of winter – those go-to, must-have winter beauty products to help you get through winter.

Here are 6 products to help you get through winter:

1. Plexus Slim

Having trouble losing weight and keeping it off? I find it especially challenging during the long winter months when my appetite for comfort foods is non-stop. Remember that post where I talked about going up a size every winter?

Plexus Slim is a natural, healthy solution to help you lose weight for the long term. The ingredients are all natural and include Alpha Lipoic Acid, Chlorogenic Acid, and Garcinia Cambogia, which address all areas of weight loss. I tried this because a friend said it works – and she was right. I tried the Plexus Slim for about a month (on and off as I was getting tests done) and it really does decrease your appetite. I lost about 5 pounds using Plexus Slim.

How does it work? Slim helps reduce binge eating and increases your willpower over food. You just pour into a bottle of water, stir/shake and drink about 30 minutes before a meal. It’s not a meal replacement at all but rather a way of reducing your appetite with natural ingredients.

2. Renaissance Red hydrating facial cleanser

This gentle, hydrating facial cleanser contains a unique organic red berry complex and is specifically formulated to be non-drying, meaning it won’t strip your skin of its moisture. Gentle on your skin, it can also be used to gently remove makeup.

Exclusive to Renaissance Red, the organic red berry complex of lingonberry, raspberry and buriti berry works hard to deliver numerous benefits to your skin.

Lingonberry is rich in vitamin B, essential fatty acids, and vitamin A which helps repair free radical damage and helps speed cell renewal and reduces redness in the skin. Buriti berry is high in linoliec acid, vitamin E and beta-carotene, known to help attack pollutants on the skin, as well as helping to protect collagen and elastin. It is easily absorbed and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Renaissance Red products are hypoallergenic and fragrance-free.

3. Boiron natural remedies

Boiron’s homeopathic medicines are suitable for all ages and available in various formulations to treat a wide range of ailments from the flu, to cough and cold to motion sickness. I don’t like to medicate heavily so these natural remedies are great – and safe for kids.

Boiron products offer safe and effective natural remedies, which are safe, effective and approved for use in children under the age of six – unlike many other over-the-counter options. They have a neutral taste, no side effects or contraindications and are easy-to-administer with no risk of overdose.

Oscillococcinum acts effectively within 48 hours to reduce the duration of flu-like symptoms – fever, chills, body aches and headaches. Coryzalia is a homeopathic medicine for the relief of cold symptoms, sneezing, nasal congestion and runny nose. Stodal cough syrups are also natural, relieving both dry and wet coughs and do not cause drowsiness.

4. Spectro Dry Skin Therapy

Then comes the dry skin along with winter! Spectro® Dry Skin Therapy cleansers and moisturizers relieve itching due to dry, cracked skin. This product line is gentle and non-irritating, with an Intense Rehydration Moisturizer and body wash for both adults and for kids.

What’s good to know is that they have the seal of acceptance from the Eczema Society of Canada for being free of ingredients known to irritate the skin.

5. OPI nail coats and treatments

Nicole by OPI introduced four new Top Coats & Treatments for 2014. Inspired by OPI’s in-salon favorites, the line includes Oil to Go, 3-in-1 Base, Top Coat & Strengthener, Quick Dry Top Coat and Matte Top Coat.

The Nicole by OPI Oil to Go comes in a convenient, white tiny squeezable tube with a brush applicator for easy application on the go. The Oil to Go contains vitamin E, avocado, grapeseed, sesame and kukui nut oils for rehydrating and moisturizing dry cuticles. The 3-in-1 base, top coat and strengthener will help keep your nails strong during the winter months.

6. Smooth Sphere Lip Balm by eos

I love eos not just because of the packaging – they are so cute – they are all-natural, antioxidant-rich lip balms. I used to always have cracked, dry lips during the winter until I tried eos – the lip balms glide on my lips, keeping them smooth and moist.

The new Blueberry Acai is 95% organic, 100% natural, and paraben and petrolatum free. Packed with antioxidant-rich vitamin E, soothing shea butter and jojoba oil, eos keeps your lips moist, soft and sensationally smooth. eos lip balms are petrolatum, paraben and phthalate free.

Here are 5 winter beauty tips for your skin!

Health

The Princess Margaret Crowdfunding Campaign for World Cancer Day

February 3, 2014

We all know someone who has had or is battling cancer.

Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, one of the top five research centres in the world, has launched its first ever crowdfunding campaign for World Cancer Day.

The online fundraising campaign will change the lives of six cancer patients – they will receive robotic surgery operations at The Princess Margaret, a new technique being investigated as an alternative to traditional surgery.

In October 2013, wife, mother and grandmother Veronica was diagnosed with endometrial cancer and was scheduled for robotic surgery. She would undergo a minimally invasive procedure that allows surgeons to operate through just a few small incisions using a tiny wristed instrument with magnified 3D high-definition.

For Veronica, this meant that Dr. Marcus Bernardini, Surgical Oncologist at The Princess Margaret, and team were able to operate with enhanced vision, accuracy, dexterity and control.

Thanks to robotic surgery, Veronica had a shorter hospital stay, less transfusion and blood loss, less pain medication and above all – more complete removal of the cancer cells. Because of its success, robotic surgery is also being explored for prostate cancer, head and neck cancers and thoracic surgery.

Today Veronica is cancer-free. After just a month after surgery, Veronica was back to work.

With 2 out of 5 Canadians being diagnosed with cancer, Veronica is not alone. This World Cancer Day, The PMCF needs donor support for ongoing research to understand the benefits of robotic surgery as a standard of care across Canada and around the world.

For every $2,500 raised, your donation will cover the additional costs associated with this new robotic surgery. Thanks to generous donors, gifts will be doubled until February 7th and every gift will be matched up to a total of $10,000.

Donors can choose from a variety of perks when they donate such as #conquercancer wristbands, a mug, Paul Alof’s best-selling book “Passion Capital”, or a personal letter from Dr. Bernardini.

The goal of the campaign is to raise $15,000 and they are almost there! . Donating to the crowdsourcing campaign will make a difference immediately for six patients, but have lasting effects on cancer care.

More research and studies are needed for this innovative procedure. The study is currently in the data gathering phase, and more work is needed to ensure that this is understood as a potential new standard of care across Canada and around the world.

For more information about The PMCF’s crowdfunding campaign, please visit www.thepmcf.ca/WorldCancerDay.

I’m working with The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation to spread the word about the crowdfunding campaign.

Contest

5 Things to Look For When Shopping for a New Mattress

February 3, 2014

Last month my family and I went shopping for a new mattress at Sleep Country Canada. After having our mattress for about 13 years, it was time for a new one. We had so many mattresses to choose and we finally chose this one:

The iComfort® Sleep System by Serta® is made with Cool Action™ Gel Memory Foam – the world’s first memory foam infused with the support and cooling touch of Serta’s MicroSupport® gel. This breakthrough gel memory foam is designed to provide enhanced cooling comfort and extra support where you need it for a cool, comfortable and supportive sleep experience.

We went with a memory foam mattress as it conforms to the natural curves of the body while maintaining support. I’m a back sleeper while my husband is a side sleeper so this works well for both of us.

Delivery and set-up was a breeze; they arranged for delivery with only a three-hour window, which was very convenient for us – usually you have to wait all day! Two employees came in, placing shoe protectors over their shoes/boots and set up our new bed in no time, our new bed was set up.

So what do you look for when buying a new mattress?

5 Things to Look For When Looking for a New Mattress

1. Know your options. To find a mattress you’re comfortable with, think about the size, firmness and type of materials used in the mattress. Look at several mattresses in various price ranges. Look for a mattress that’s best for you, not one that is a best-seller for example. You may think you want a firm support mattress but you might be more comfortable with medium firmness. Research has shown that the best mattress for low back pain is a medium firm mattress rather than a firm mattress.

2. Try out all of your options! Give yourself time to try out several brands and makes – for example, lay down on a pillow top, memory foam and a pocket coil mattress in order to compare the feel of each one. Lay on each one for 10-15 minutes. When you find the most comfortable one ask to see more of that kind. Pillow top, memory foam, pocket coil, Euro top – there are many mattresses to choose from. Before you go into the store, you can always check online to see what others have to say about various brands. Sleep Experts at Sleep Country Canada are trained in sleep so they will ask you the right questions right from the beginning of your visit.

3. Check the warranty of your mattress brand. Usually it’s about 10 years or so – the life of a mattress can last longer though. Also make sure to get a waterproof mattress protector or else any stains will void that warranty!

4. Ask about “comfort guarantees” so you can try the mattress out at home. Although the mattress feels great at the store, it does take a while before you know if the mattress is the right comfort for you. Sleep Country Canada offers a comfort guarantee which gives you 60 nights from delivery to make sure you’ve chosen the right mattress!

5. Shop at a real mattress store like Sleep Country Canada – not a furniture store or department store, which don’t specialize in this area. Salespeople at a mattress store will have much more training and knowledge on the whole subject of sleep. Plus at Sleep Country Canada they offer a Price Guarantee – if their price isn’t already lower, Sleep Country will beat any competitor’s advertised price by 5%.

ENTER TO WIN

We are giving one lucky reader a $100 gift card to Sleep Country Canada! Use towards a new mattress, headboard, pillows, mattress covers or bed sheets. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!

Disclosure: I received a new mattress and accessories from Sleep Country Canada in exchange for sharing my experience.