Keeping the kids busy | #LMDConnector

Crafts: Kids=busy. You=happy

In the final stretch of summer vacation and some parents may be tapped out of kid activity ideas (me included some days!). 

Over HERE they have some easy activities and easy recipes for kids - like that fruit loop liquorish string necklace pictured over there.

I also like the idea of cereal art.  Have the kids gloop and loop white glue on a piece of coloured construction paper and then stick Cheerios on the glue for a 3D piece of artwork.

And I happen to know there are some cereal coupons (yes, click that)...around the web that should help keep kid activity costs down.

And as an aside: now that Thing 3 is able to munch Cheerios (5 teeth = 7 months) our new restaurant activity is allowing the kids to give him one Cheerio at a time at the table.  Keeps kids busy and baby busy too!  Win - Win.

---

Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

General Mills Free Towel Giveaway Winner | #LMDConnector

153 D.Calvert said...

Tweeted

http://twitter.com/dewinner/status/97088074533703680

calvert0 at telus dot net


29 July, 2011 7:36 PM

Thanks to the other 225 entrants for participating!  Check back soon for other giveaway opportunities.

Eating Local | #LMDConnector

You might not know this but I interviewed the authors of the 100 Mile Diet for Canadian Girl magazine a few years ago.  (Side note: 100 Mile Diet is a book written by a Canadian couple who decided to eat only what was produced within 100 miles of their home for a year...needless to say they went without chocolate).

However, what they did eat were seasonal foods picked at their freshest and with the lowest food-miles.  Worth a year without cocoa.

I am a big farmer's market city girl.  And local berries are my family's latest farm to table treat.

You can find some easy recipes for cobblers, crisps and more at that link. 

I've already made my yearly double batch of Ontario strawberry jam...local and delish!

Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own

General Mills Free Towel Offer Giveaway | #LMDConnector

General Mills and Parent Club want to help your summer become a bit more fun - with fab new towels the kids will love to take to the pool/spash pad/cottage/bath tub.

THE WHAT: Enter to win The “General Mills Free Towel Offer Giveaway” pack is valued at approximately $50 and includes three (yes, 3 towels people!), 60” x 30”, limited edition General Mills towels.

THE TIMELINE: Today through August 9th 2011

THE ENTRY: Share your favourite summer recipe (inspiration over at http://www.lifemadedelicious.ca/)

THE EXTRA ENTRIES:

• Tweet "I entered the Towel Giveaway from @LifeMadeDelish and @ParentClub! http://www.parentclub.ca #GMFreeTowelOffer"
  (comment separately that you did so).
• NEW! Like Parent Club on Facebook
  (comment separately that you did so).

THE RULES (because life has rules):

• Open only to Canadian residents
• One entry per day
• Readers may enter the contest on multiple blogs but are only eligible to win one Free Towel Offer prize pack as part of the contest.

Full promotion details can be found at https://www.lifemadedelicious.ca/freetowel   #GMFreeTowelOffer Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Connector program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

COMMENTS NOW CLOSED (AUG. 9TH)

Hot Summer Trends | #LMDConnector

My, personal, hot summer trend is a baby sleeping through the night (kinda, sorta...ok not really at all).  This is the time of year when publishers editors me come out with "hot trends" lists. 

My hot trend is a staycation (because travelling with a baby is pas de fun).  My summer is filled with making homemade Brownies on a Stick and Very Berry Iced Tea.  And of course there will be swimming - lots and lots of swimming (and by swimming I mean the kids swimming - I take the baby bath out and hold the little sumo upright - the big swimming pool is just too big for a tot so small).

And we've already done some family field trips - I am litterally just back from the beach - have sand between my toes to prove it.

Off to get the burgers on the grill myself (and by myself - I mean my prince - I don't grill - I grocery shop).  More summer recipes can be found over here...

Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own

Strawberries du jour | #LMDConnector

Would June Cleaver be proud?  Would she?  This week our strawberries du jour (really it should be called strawberries du semain n'est pas?) was homemade - from scratch - strawberry jam (bought at a farmer's market so it was truly field to table fresh...damn it June better be proud of me!)

Maybe your strawberries du jour is Classic Strawberry Shortcake (or maybe strawberries on the side of some Canadian-tastic Butter Tarts.  Easy recipes are just a click away with this loverly internet we have.
Oh - and by the by - recettes sont disponibles en Français ICI (merci Maman Epicee)


Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Gluten Free Chex | #LMDConnector



Honey Nut Chex - Gluten Free!

A few years ago, I was tested for Celiac Disease (that link gives the wikipedia definition along with the remedy "The only known effective treatment is a lifelong gluten-free diet".) At the time, my thoughts were "But I love gluten" (really - breads are a large, overwhelming, loverly part of my diet).  However, if it was going to make me feel better - I was prepared to divorce my beloved gluten.
Fast Forward: do not have celiac disease.  But am more gluten aware.



Rice Chex - Gluten Free



As such, I notice more gluten free choices outside of specialty food stores.  Like Chex - which is now gluten free and available in Canada. 

It's a good option for school snacks as a dry party mix (check out some other gluten free recipe ideas over HERE).  Life Made Delicious even has a Gluten free newsletter with recipes and coupons.

Food sensitivities may mean you have to eliminate foods to make you feel better but it doesn't mean you have to give up the tastes you love.

Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Easy Kid-Cooking Cookies | #LMDConnector

Challenge: bake kid-made cookies with an 8 yr old on a Friday night while baby sits in highchair.

Do-able?: apparently yes.

Not only did we make really yummy and cool cookies (merci to this easy Life Made Delicious Bunny Cookie recipe)

These cookies also won 1st place in the school cookie contest! (#WIN for dd's self-esteem - since losing her "baby" status in the family we've been taking extra steps to make her feel special - this was such a boost for her)

How easy? betty crocker sugar cookie mix + a few other ingredients +  kid creativity = ready in no time!

Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Salmon on Cedar Planks | #LMDConnector

Creative bar b q'ing yells summer (and whispers "hey Dad! you're cooking").  So with Father's Day on the Brain...here's a cool dish Dad can make for the family on his special day.


Grilled Lemon and Herb Salmon Packs

Salmon on Cedar Planks

- Salmon
- cedar planks (available at fish counter)
- lemon
- tomato cans (2)

24 hours before your start the grill submerge the cedar planks in water (placing them in the sink covered with water works - use the aforementioned tomato cans to keep them down as cedar floats).

Have Dad fire up the grill.  Place cedar planks on grill.  Salmon on top (skin side down).  Grill until done. 

Easy.

and btw - those grilled lemon and herb salmon packs picture up there looks pretty Father's Day Friendly too n'est pas?!

For more creative bar b q ideas - check out Life Made Delicious (sshh...there's a coupon over there for brownies...don't tell anyone)

Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Celebrate Summer Giveaway | #LMDConnector

THE WHAT: A giveaway of General Mills Goodies to help you get your grill on!

THE GOODIES: The “Celebrate Summer Giveaway” pack is valued at approximately $100 and includes:

❂Barbecue Utensil Set
❂Paper Plates
❂Colourful Napkins

General Mills goodies from:

❂Old El Paso
❂Cheerios (including Chocolate Cheerios!)
❂Fibre 1
❂Betty Crocker
❂Nature Valley

THE HOW: Share your favourite http://www.lifemadedelicious.ca/ summer recipe in a comment to this post. 

THE TIMELINE: now through July 7th 2011

THE WHO: Canadian residents only

THE RULES (because life has rules):

one entry per day

tweet "I entered the Celebrate Summer Giveaway from @LifeMadeDelish and @ParentClub! http://www.parentclub.ca #LMDConnector" = an extra entry (comment separately that you did so).

Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

NOW CLOSED

Free Chocolate Cheerios | #LMDConnector

http://www.lifemadedelicious.ca/BrandSites/ChocolateCheerios/Chocolatecheerios.html

FREE box of Chocolate Cheerios alert!

Surf over to that link (on zee right ->)

Get the coupon.

June 21, 2011 go to your grocery store and redeem for a FREE box of Chocolate Cheerios (or new Fibre 1* Brown Sugar Shredded Wheat!)

Ssshh! Chocolate Cheerios | #LMDConnector

As a #LMDConnector...an opportunity presented itself...which really I shouldn't share. But I will. Because I'm a share-er. But don't tell anyone. Just between you and me.

Chocolate Cheerios

Really.

Whole grains, low in fat, chocolate and fibre (see how I ended that with fibre totally skimming over the chocolate part...never mind about that...ignore the chocolate...nothing to see here...move along...)

Tho, they will be on Canadian store shelves June 3rd I had a chance to test-drive chocolate cheerios. And let me tell you, great for dry munching as you type...nom nom nom.

I also sent said dry munchies off to school for 3rd snack (the sweet one) and the kids much enjoyed them. (Dry cereal us a go-to for school snacks in our house - they are nut free, easy and a good sweet alternative).

There is going to be a FREE chocolate cheerios coupon offer...so check back here in the comments section where I'll reveal where/when/how later in June.

Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Lamb cupcakes | #LMDConnector

We are amassing Spring kid activities and these cupcakes are on the top of the list.

(Disclaimer: no I haven"t made them yet. But I've got the marsh mellows and smarties at the ready).

I even think these would be pretty neat for an animal themed kids' birthday party.

This recipe, along with other easy recipes are over on the Life Made Delicious website. And FREE alert: General Mills is giving away coupons for FREE ICE CREAM on specially marked packages of General Mills cereal (nothing says Spring like ice cream).

Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Kid Friendly Recipes | Life Made Delicious

I'm all about easy recipes these days. I've got a picky-eater in the house (no, not me...well, yes I am a picky-eater...but I'm talking about someone who is a kid in this case) anywho...that picky-eater makes dinner...um...challenging. Disclosure: Yes, I confess, I have opened the door to "this is a restaurant please give me your order" dinners. I have, on occasion, made two separate dinners to placate the masses. I own that I have grown the picky-eater all by my onesome. Moving on... Surfing the Life Made Delicious website (I am a LMDconnector you know)...I'm liking the Recipes for Kids section ever-so-much. My picky-eater will always eat pizza...and they have a pizza turnover recipe that looks try-worthy. (click on the link for the recipe) Mental reminder: make extra and you have school lunch for tomorrow. Brilliant n'est pas? There are enough challenges in parenthood...pizza dinner (and lunch) is my flag declaring I'm not picking my battle in the dining room. Yes, I'm raising a picky-eater. She'll get over it. One day. "Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Connector program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own."

What's Parent Club New

To keep it real.

And transparent.

And authentic.

And because I really can't keep secrets.

Here's what's Parent Club new...

❋ I'm 1 of 8 Canadian Moms handpicked to be on the Fisher-Price #playpanel. (Thing 3 and I were at a photo shoot for this a few weeks ago...keep an eye out for our picture on the Fisher-Price website as well as possibly your local toy store).

❋ I'm 1 of a select group of Canadian bloggers to be a #LMDConnector (that's Life Made Delicious Connector - whipped up by your friends at General Mills Canada)

❋The most famous Theresa Albert will be sharing food & nutrition tips in a Parent Club column on a regular basis. (watch for her column next week!)

❋ I am 1 of a select group of Canadians on the Crayola Mom Advisory Panel.

❋ Look to my everythingbaby contributions over at everythingmom.com

❋ Watch for an upcoming article in Oh Baby Magazine

And that's the news.