Outsmart the Grocery Monster | Theresa Albert

Back to school means back to the grocery store where the time and money you spend are being manipulated on both subtle and blatant levels.  Once you know the magician’s tricks, you will find that you have only the items you want in your cart and a little more money in your pocket. Know that everything that happens from the moment you walk in the door is designed for your comfort (aka, to make you feel happy so you slow down and buy more).

Behind the curtain:

·         Know what things cost! A sale isn’t always a sale if you don’t know how much your favourite eggs cost next door.  Use online flyers or spend a few minutes with the ones delivered to your door.  Is $4.99 per pound a good price for eye of the round or is this sale tag enticing you to believe so?  You need a point of reference before you even enter.

·         Read coupons carefully!  Here’s the scenario:  you picked up the 16 ounce can of tomatoes you thought the coupon was promoting only to find that it was the 28 ounce can? You find out your error at the register and what do you do? Buy the wrong one anyway that cost more than the brand you usually buy.

·         Choose your store wisely! Store marketers regularly monitor your habits and behaviours in while in the store.  They lay out the store to maximize time spent and items purchase (and renovate “to serve you better” when they spot a dead zone that doesn’t get much action).  Frequenting one store will mean that you can put your fingers on exactly what you need and be able to compare from week to week how your grocery bill is adding up. 

·         Take a list! Some online flyers have wonderful email-able lists that can be built and sent to your own mobile (or someone else’s!) It helps to have a list that includes all of your items sorted by store aisle.  Nothing slows you down more than having to criss cross the store in search of one forgotten tin. 

·         Don’t smell the baked goods! You know that isn’t just a mistake, right? The smell from the in store bakery is purposely pumped back in to tickle all of your sense.  Ok, so you can’t stop smelling but you can prevent it from enticing you by eating before you go.  Or pick up a package of chopped fresh veggies and munch on them while you stroll.  You didn’t get enough veggies today anyway, you may as well make it work for you.

·         Don’t listen! The music is carefully chosen to suit the likely person in the store at a given time. Folksy romance tunes in major chords? Must be Friday night when the young couples or singles are shopping. This helps them feel all mushy and needy so that they seek comfort in the form of food.  Do yourself a favour, plug in your headset and listen to something angry to pick up the pace and knock out that sentimental drivel.

·         Look up and down, not just straight ahead. The priciest items are set at eye level and the ones enticing the kids are down around your knees. Do look for in store signs that signal a price reduction (and go back to step 1) or house brands that may cost less and be the same darned thing that is in the name brand anyway.

·         Halloween is 2 months away! You will see all the displays for this candy-fest now and you may think “hmm, if I buy them now, I won’t need to go searching later”. It’s a trick. You will (or some other little gremlin will) eat them now and still need to find them later. 

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Theresa Albert takes on the challenge of demystifying myths surrounding food and health. Millions learned just how smart and funny she is through her Food Network Canada Show called Just One Bite! She has authored two books published in both Canada and in the US: Cook Once a Week, Eat Well Every Day and Ace Your Health, 52 Ways to Stack Your Deck.

For more tips and tricks on how to eat well sign up for Theresa’s newsletter at www.myfriendinfood.com

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.

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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

Parent Club #UltimateSandwich

I was challenged to come up with the #UltimateSandwich by @MC_Canada and @Black_DeckerUS using my mad cooking skills (ok more frustrated than mad...my kids are picky!) and a Black & Decker Convection Oven. 

I, dear readers, have actually already eaten the ultimate sandwich.  And it was in France.  And you know those French people know a thing or two about ultimates of food. 

But first I had to make breakfast.

choice du jour: lightly toasted

And then lunch happened.

don't judge nutritional value of baked pizza

My Parent Club #UltimateSandwich took 20 minutes from oven to table with the using the 3 of the 4 functions of the Black & Decker Convection Oven (and I would like to personally thank the makers for the easy-view glass door which made waiting for dinner entertainment for my kids along with the ready signal bell because at minute18 the baby started crying.)

3 Main Ingredients to le best sandwich you've ever eaten:

demi baguette

steak haché

frites

While I baked the demi baguettes (3 fit in the oven at the same time! woot woot) - I browned the ground beef adding garlic, salt & pepper and a whole lot of "Dinner's coming please go watch TV". 

10 min. bread is baked. "Guys it's coming!" Put French fries on the bake pan in oven "Almost ready.." Cut the bread in half to toast for crunchy goodness.  Picked up crying baby with one hand and smeared mayonnaise on the toasted crunchy goodness bread with the other.  Now cooking one-handed (literally) popped the fries back in to warm while I assembled le sandwich.

Done!  Sandwich steak haché frites

le #UltimateSandwich inspired in France and eaten in my house last night

French fries inside a baguette married with mayonnaise and fresh beef - it looks so wrong but tastes so right.  And the Black & Decker Convection Oven (available in Canada in August 2010) made it so easy.

Disclosure: I created this post as part of the Black & Decker Ultimate Sandwich contest as part of a Mom Central Canada program. I received a Convection Countertop Oven Courtesy of Applica Canada Corporation, exclusive licensee of Black & Decker Home. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Hamilton Beach Bébé Products Make Life Easier

THE WHAT: Hamilton Beach Bébé Mini Blender and Hamilton Beach Bébé 3 Cup Food Chopper

THE HOW: Dishwasher safe, this mini blender and food chopper are the new parents' best friend. Small enough to fit on the kitchen counter without being cumbersome yet powerful enough to get the job done. 

THE WHY: Because making baby food from scratch is family-budget-friendly and really just easy! 

THE REVIEW: Both tools were used to make a week's worth of baby food and the result was easy, fast and perfect.  The elements wash up in a jif (yes, I use words like jif). The chopper was fairly quiet (a big WIN for when making baby food with baby in the kitchen - quieter is better). The one touch blender was even so simple and safe that my 8 year old was able to "make" baby food for her brother.  (Also, works great for smoothies for the whole family!)

PARENT CLUB RECOMMENDED.

Healthy Habits | Theresa Albert

To Snack or Not to Snack?
It’s an age old question with no clear cut answer. For some, having 3 square meals is their preferred route but for many, smaller meals eaten and a couple of smart snacks help keep energy levels strong and blood sugar levels even. Simple enough, right?

But what snack and for how many calories? How do you assess a snack? It is always best to grab a piece of fruit or a handful of veggies, no doubt! That way, you are not creating landfill waste, and no matter which you choose, you are sure to come out ahead with nutrients. But, we are an on-the-go nation who loves our packaged convenience. So here’s a rundown of the best Healthy Habits options that are low cal, and still feel like a treat and won’t do damage to the bottom, er, bottom line.

Carb craving?

• Popchips! Because the potatoes are hot-air popped and not baked or fried, they are deliciously low in calories and high in flavour. Coming in all of the traditional chip flavours and satisfying 100 calorie single serving sizes makes them a fantastic “I’m peckish but I don’t want to ruin my dinner” snack.

Protein starved?

• Try Blue Diamond single serving 100 calorie packets. They are tiny and it would be easy to eat 2 but let the pouch be your guide and stop there. 4 grams of protein in any one of the flavoured packets from Teriyaki to lightly salted.

Need refreshing?

• You could always pack a piece of fruit, that’d be your best bet, but, if you are worried about the bruises here’s an option. Motts has delicious unsweetened fruit cups in delicious fruit blends. Try the Country Berry flavour and pop it in the freezer overnight. It’s fabulous frozen and great as it thaws. The best part is that you get 2 of the containers for a measly 100 calories. That ought to wake you up!

Time for a dip?

• There is nothing like hummus and crackers but what a pain to pack! Luckily Summer Fresh has done it for you with their Snack and Go product. Best bet is the Red Pepper hummus to get the most nutrients out of your 160 calorie snack.

Super Sweet?

• Dark Chocolate is the way to go, no doubt about it. Look for formulations that say how much cocoa is used, you are looking for 70% or more for the most antioxidant power. If you find it hard to stop at just two thin squares (which is what 100 calories looks like!) both Cadbury and Hershey have new bars that wrap it up for you.

Full disclosure: I like Popchips so much that I became their nutritional spokesperson.

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Theresa Albert takes on the challenge of demystifying myths surrounding food and health. Millions learned just how smart and funny she is through her Food Network Canada Show called Just One Bite! She has authored two books published in both Canada and in the US: Cook Once a Week, Eat Well Every Day and Ace Your Health, 52 Ways to Stack Your Deck.

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.

Healthy Habits | Theresa Albert

If there were three simple things that you could do every day that would virtually turn your health around, would you do it? What if all three were easy to do, did not take any time and cost you exactly nothing. Any one of them will help you live healthier, longer and take years off the appearance of aging skin but together they are your little secret to your inner universe. Are you ready? Of course you are!

Life Altering Tip #1

Make yours NEAT!

We are all strapped for time and getting to the gym isn’t on everyone’s wish list anyway. When you think about it, the official exercise regime gets you moving for one hour per day. It is what you are doing the other 15 waking hours that really counts. Now there is “NEAT” or Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis. Making this change is as simple as increasing all the heat creating (aka calorie burning stuff that you do in a day) and you have a lot of sway in how that goes.

• Find as many ways as you can to wiggle, tap, move throughout the day. Walk one bus stop, take the stairs for at least one flight, sit on an exercise ball for an hour a day while at work or watching tv. The possibilities are endless and they all add up.

• Add weight whenever you can. Fooling your body into carrying more weight around (that isn’t really your own!) builds muscle. A backpack of books, maybe? Carry a basket around the grocery store instead of using a cart or strap on a waist belt for the subway ride standing up.

• Convert your desk to a standing station to reduce all of the sitting hours in your day.

Life Altering Tip #2

Remove liquid calories.

The brain does not process liquid calories the same way it processes calories that must be chewed. When you chew, your human internal food mechanism indicates satiety, when you sip...nada. If you added up all the useless calories that come by way of cream and sugar in your coffee, sodas, alcohol and even juices you would likely find 300 calories each day that you could do without.(Do that for 11 days and you can lose one pound!) And don’t go switching to aspartame laden beverages, they are even worse! Try this juice substitute instead.

Life Altering Tip #3

Add ½ cup of beans each day.

There is now sound evidence that it takes one small serving to make a world of difference in your cholesterol levels and risk of heart disease. Beans and pulses (not green beans!) can come in any form and need no longer be the overnight-soaking-pain-in-the-pants they used to be. Here are some ways to work beans in:
• Serve hummus (made from chick peas)

o as a dip for an afternoon snack

o hummus comes in a variety of flavors so you will never get bored

o It’s easy to make at home in a blender

o add a tablespoon to every wrap and sandwich instead of mayo

• Add drained, rinsed canned beans to any pasta dish

o White navy beans and lentils work best

• Make a crockpot full of lentil or minestrone soup weekly

o store in the freezer in single servings for lunches or appetizers

• Top salads with canned kidney beans or chick peas

• Look for bean based veggie burgers instead of beef burgers

• Snack on roasted soybeans instead of nuts or popcorn

All it takes is a tiny shift in attitude to improve your health outcome. Make these healthy habit decisions once and never look back.

Sign up here for Theresa’s weekly newsletter and receive more tips and recipes!

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Theresa Albert takes on the challenge of demystifying myths surrounding food and health. Millions learned just how smart and funny she is through her Food Network Canada Show called Just One Bite! She has authored two books published in both Canada and in the US: Cook Once a Week, Eat Well Every Day and Ace Your Health, 52 Ways to Stack Your Deck.



Read her at http://www.myfriendinfood.com/

Healthy Habits | Killing Me Softly

Hints:

• You likely consume it every single day and sometimes even feel bad about doing so

• Most of us know already know that we are supposed to reduce it’s consumption

• Kids today consume an exorbitant amount of it

• It, alone, may just be the explanation for our rising obesity crisis

• You can even pour it into a glass daily when you think you are doing a good thing

That’s right. Sugar.

(sometimes known as juice)

(even pure “freshly squeezed” fruit juice)

(also known as brown sugar)

(no better than High Fructose Corn Sugar)

There is a youtube video lecture called Sugar: The bitter truth given by a specialist on paediatric hormone disorders (like diabetes) and the leading expert in childhood obesity, Dr. Lustig that has become a bit of a legendary sensation normally reserved for pop artists. This lecture makes a persuasive argument about sugar and its toxic impact on your body. He makes it clear that we can no longer just think of sugar as “empty calories” that can be “worked off” as long as you are otherwise healthy. The impact of sugar goes way beyond that to actually become toxic. He walks through the biochemical reasons why a glass of juice or soda is no different than a shot of bourbon. The impact on the liver is the same either way and it is killing us...sweetly. Worth switching categories for, right?

Knowing this begs the question: Is it ALL sugar? Certainly all white sugar/brown sugar/corn sugar that is consumed in liquid form. There is no doubt that we need to reduce the estimated 40+ pounds of that stuff that we swallow in our snacks and pour into our cups each year. Then, you want to find alternatives to them as often as you can.

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Theresa Albert takes on the challenge of demystifying myths surrounding food and health. Millions learned just how smart and funny she is through her Food Network Canada Show called Just One Bite! She has authored two books published in both Canada and in the US: Cook Once a Week, Eat Well Every Day and Ace Your Health, 52 Ways to Stack Your Deck.
Read her at http://www.myfriendinfood.com/

Mother's Day Recipes | Life Made Delicious

Happy Mother's Day to all!

Tho I'm not big on Mother's (or Father's or Grandparents') Day (call me grumpy) I am big on family brunch.  Take all afternoon on a Sunday, eating, hanging, playing, ignoring the laundry...is what I call a day well spent.

So Mother's Day Recipes alert!  Get your Quiche on this Mother's Day.

And White Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries then Three-berry Trifle.

Call Sunday whatever you will...but enjoy it all that you can ;-)



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.

Healthy Habits | Killer Condiment Conundrum | Theresa Albert

Its barbecue season and what could be faster, tastier and healthier than a little something grilled? From tofu and veggies to burgers and dogs, anything on a bun is beloved by our backyard and cottage culture. You carefully choose the leanest meat and whole grain bun but what you top it with could be a slather of unsuspecting empty calories. Here is your condiment guide in order of worst to best, choose wisely and slip back into your skinny jeans come the fall. Heed not and risk looking like the sausage yourself.

Worst to Best Burger Toppers

5. Mayonnaise or anything made with mayonnaise

All commercial mayos are made by thickening some kind of liquid fat into a solid. Either the traditional whipping of oil into eggs is used or the lower fat treatment of using a corn or seaweed derived thickener, the concept is still the same:fat. Delicious, creamy fat that will cost you about 100 calories per tablespoon no matter which brand you buy. Tartar Sauces and “sandwich spreads” are no better; they deliver no nutrients and too many calories. If you simply must have your mayo opt for President’s Choice Blue Menu or Hellmann’s Half the Fat because either will cut your calories down to half. Heed this, though, even then, they are more caloric than the next worst spoonful. (Yogurt makes a decent substitute)

4. Barbecue Sauce

This bold bounce to your bun packs a punch but most formulations begin with sugar and water. Mixing in a proprietary blend of tomato sauce and spices makes each version a flavor all its own and everyone has their favorite. Offering almost no nutritional value for its 300-400 mg of sodium (almost 1/3 of a healthy day’s dose) in 1 tablespoon is a crime before you even consider the 30-40 calories. There is one on the shelf that provides the taste without all the calories and that’s Kraft calorie wise at a decent 10 calories per tablespoon. (It uses more water and corn-thickeners to reduce the load but keep the consistency) You don’t get a break on the salt, though.

3. Ketchup

Treasured by children and loved by all as the condiment of choice for just about everything. Ketchup takes the middle spot for the fact that it relies upon one of earth’s healthiest vegetables. Albeit, this is a high salt, high sugar way to get that vegetable, but still. Most formulations do start with tomatoes or tomato paste that is thinned down with vinegar and water and seasoned up with salt, spices and sugar. The top few brands weigh in at about 20-25 calories per tablespoon delivering about 10-15 % of your healthy day’s amount of salt. The No Name brand is a little lower though the formulation looks about the same so expect it to be a little thinner (higher in water). Heinz has a low sodium version that will save about half the sodium and PC blue menu has one that uses sucralose to reduce the sugar (and that has its downsides too!). Even with the “improvements” this red spoonful is still middling at best.

2. Relish

Now we are moving to the better side of the bun. Not all relish is created equal; you can still stumble if you choose sweet green, zucchini or chili. All offer little nutritional benefit and about 15-25 calories per tablespoon which is about the same as ketchup. But there is a rising star here that can deliver huge taste for a mere 4 calories per tablespoon: Bick’s Dill Relish is the pick of pack. It does dose with the same kind of sodium found above but for much fewer calories in the end.

Best in Class!

1. Mustard

All you have to do is avoid the honey mustards and mustard blends and you can’t go wrong. Each and every mustard on the shelf is lower in calories than anything else you are going to squeeze on your dog. And they are little super heros packing much more than they seem. Made from mustard seed which is a high anti-oxidant spice that has anti-inflammatory properties. If it is colored at all it is usually with trace amounts of turmeric which is another potent anti-cancer spice. Rarely made with sugar (thus the “avoid the honeyed versions” note) and only mixed with vinegar and very little salt it offer zing for a caloric pittance. There are some outstanding gourmet formulations on the market that are truly worth trying but even the cheapest brand of yellow ballpark mustard is worth adding.

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Theresa Albert takes on the challenge of demystifying myths surrounding food and health.  Millions learned just how smart and funny she is through her Food Network Canada Show called Just One Bite! She has authored two books published in both Canada and in the US: Cook Once a Week, Eat Well Every Day and Ace Your Health, 52 Ways to Stack Your Deck.

Read her at www.myfriendinfood.com

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.

Winner of the Take 5 Challenge

The winner of the Take 5 Challenge is...


Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers: 7
Timestamp: 2011-04-12 15:07:19 UTC

7 "Katrina Brady said... My 5 minute idea is to mix tuna with mayo and grn onion. stuff pita with mixture and add spinache, cucumer and tomato..fantastic!"
sweetpeg at gmail dot com

Congratulations Katrina!

Entering a good, brilliant, priceless giveaway

Gentle nudge peeps to enter that giveaway over there (see the loverly Clover Leaf goodie basket). What is better than a basket which includes:

A Paderno knife

Small bamboo cutting board

of measuring spoons

Silicon spatula

$50 Visa Gift Card

Various Clover Leaf product (not exactly as pictured)

(Visa gift card?! Yay!)

Better than all that is that Clover Leaf is donating 555 cans of tuna to local food banks in tandem with this challenge (woot woot for social good!)
*Social good is good.
*The way I got the kids involved in making lunch through this kid activity was a little brilliant.
*A basket full of goodies to fill the pantry is priceless.

Enter dear readers.
Enter HERE.

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."

Sunday Brunch Menu | Andrea Buckett

This easy menu can even double as a special occasion meal!


Cheese & Broccoli Strata
6 cups of day old bread cut into bite sized pieces
2 cups frozen broccoli, roughly chopped.
6 large eggs
1 3/4 cups of milk
1 Tbsp dijon mustard (yellow mustard will work too)
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar
1/2 tsp both salt & pepper

Day Before
In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper.
Toss in bread, broccoli and 1 cup cheddar cheese
Pour into a baking dish, and top with remaining cheese.
At this point you can cover and place in refrigerator over night!
Day of Brunch
In the morning preheat oven to 400 degrees
Place strata in the oven and bake for 35 minutes, or until eggs are set.
Let cool.


Sunshine Fruit with Honey & Mint
½ cantaloupe, peeled and sliced in half moons
1/2 cup blueberries
½ Tbsp, chopped mint
1 Tbsp honey
Juice of 1 lime

Place cantaloupe on platter, top with chopped mint and blueberries
Mix honey and lime juice and pour over fruit.

The mint is optional – or can be added to half the fruit for parents!
Make a parent only fruit platter – Add ½ ounce of rum to the honey and lime drizzle!

Sparkling Raspberry-Lemon Tea
4 Raspberry Tea Bags (Celestial seasonings makes a great one)
10 cups of boiling water
Juice of 1 Lemon
2 Tbsp honey

Day Before
Steep the tea bags in boiling water for 20 minutes
Pull the teabags out, add lemon juice and honey.
Chill until ready to serve.
Serve as is or add 2 cups of sparkling water

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Andrea Buckett runs cooking school and am a culinary instructor . She writes a quarterly food column for an online magazine and runs a full service catering company. She resides in Toronto with her husband and two sons.
She blogs at insatiable food.