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Canada Day 2008
June 30, 2008
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Did you know that the beginning of July marks patriotic holidays on both sides of the border? Moms In A Blog is co-owned by two women on opposite ends of North America: one in Manitoba, Canada - and one in Florida, USA. So, we thought it was fitting to spend this week celebrating both Canada Day (July 1) and Independence Day (July 4). As the Canadian half of the partnership, I have the great honor of celebrating Canada Day with you today:)
Why Do We Have Canada Day?
Canada Day is the day we celebrate becoming a country through the British North America Act in 1867. The holiday was celebrated in various ways for many decades, and was officially termed “Canada Day” in 1982.
How Do We Celebrate?
Canada Day is a statutory holiday in Canada, meaning most businesses are closed. Celebrations vary from town to town and may include family gatherings, fairs, festivals, fireworks, etc.
My Canada Day:
For us, we generally spend most of Canada Day quietly at home with the kids until after supper. Then, we head down to the local Tim Horton’s (a donut/coffee shop) here we pick up TimBits(donut centers) and drinks, and sit out on the grass to watch the fireworks put on by the town each year. This year, we have plans to take the kids to a fair about 45 minutes from here, and then we will come back in time to catch the fireworks with family once again.
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Favorite Ingredients Friday - Chex Barbecue Snack Mix
June 27, 2008
Welcome to Favorite Ingredients Friday sponsored by Overwhelmed With Joy.
Chex Barbecue Snack Mix
Recipe adapted from Betty Crocker.com
Need something to munch on while grilling in the backyard or a great snack for a video marathon? Mix up some for the Fourth of July.
3 cups Rice Chex cereal
3 cups Corn Chex cereal
1 1/2 cups bite-size pretzel twists
1 1/2 cups bite-size cheese crackers
3/4 cup honey-roasted peanuts
1/2 cup Watkins Gourmet Original Barbecue Sauce
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
3/4 teaspoon Watkins Organic Onion Powder
3/4 teaspoon Watkins Organic Garlic Powder
- In large microwavable bowl, mix cereals, pretzels, crackers and peanuts.
- In medium bowl, mix remaining ingredients until well blended. Pour over cereal mixture, stirring until evenly coated.
- Microwave uncovered on High 7 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes. Spread on foil or paper towels to cool, about 15 minutes. Store in airtight container.
Makes 15 1/2 cup servings.
You can vary the flavor by using different barbecue sauce varieties or by trying different nuts in place of the peanuts.
A dash of Watkins Ground Red Pepper (cayenne) or a few drops of red pepper sauce turns this into Spicy Chex Barbecue Snack Mix.
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20 Easy to Adapt Diet Tips
June 25, 2008
Dieting is never easy but with these great 20 easy to adapt diet tips it will make it easier to accomplish your goal to getting into that slinky black dress or wearing a bathing suit this season. The best reason to adapt these tips is to feel good about yourself and live a healthier lifestyle.
- When shopping fill your grocery cart with items from the perimeter of the store; fresh produce, low fat
dairy and seafood and lean meats. - Swap the soda for flavored water or flavored seltzer water.
- Keep a food diary, it is easier to keep track of what you’re eating and perhaps cut back when you see it on paper.
- Have a healthy snack before leaving the house, so you are not tempted to eat the first thing you see.
- When eating out, order 2 appetizers instead of an entree.
- Keep track of your fiber intake, if you add too much you will experience bloating.
- Don’t buy in bulk, this will tempt you to eat more.
- Choose whole fruit instead of juice, much more satisfying to chew than to sip.
- Keep healthy snacks readily available for those time when you get the munchies. Raisins and low-fat granola bars will satisfy your hunger and keep your metabolism leveled out.
- Eat at least one apple a day; research has shown that people who ate an apple a day consumed less calories a day when compared to those who drank the juice.
- Dip your fork into dressing or have your dressing served on the side when out in restaurants.
- When dining out, skip the bread; you’ll save 100 to 200 calories.
- Keep healthy snacks readily available for those times when you get the munchies. Raisins and low-fat granola bars will satisfy your hunger and keep your metabolism leveled out.
- Weigh your options, if eating at a buffet, make healthy choices and decide what you want to splurge on.
- Stand up straight, back posture weakens your core muscles including your abdominal muscles producing the dreaded ‘pooch belly’.
- Swap high-fat, high-calorie condiments like butter and sour cream for lighter ones like mustard and salsa.
- Brush your teeth; believe it or not it actually sends a signal to your brain that you’re finished eating.
- Experiment with no calorie dessert tea, such as raspberry tea or jello, your child-hood favorite treat.
- Hang a little tight dress or bikini where you can see it, to remind yourself of the reason you are working so hard.
- Keep a before and after picture of yourself to remind yourself of your weight-loss accomplishments.
Try these tips and you will see it is not that difficult to shed the few pounds you are unhappy with.
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Pork Chops with Apple Gravy
June 25, 2008
Pork Chops with Apple Gravy
This pork chop recipe is quick and easy to make. Pan fry the pork chops in a small amount of oil and then make gravy in the same pan. The gravy is simple, made with chicken broth and apple cider.
Apples and pork is a classic combination but the apple gravy is a slightly different twist. The apple cider is not dominant so the gravy works well with potatoes. Serve these pork chops with new potatoes and asparagus and applesauce for a well-balanced meal.
1 tablespoon Watkins Grapeseed Oil or canola oil
Salt and Watkins Black Pepper to taste
4 large pork chops
2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 cup chicken broth prepared from 1 1/2 teaspoons Watkins Chicken Soup Base and 1 cup of boiling water
1 cup apple cider or apple juice
Pour the oil in large skillet. Salt and pepper the pork chops. Pan fry the pork chops over medium-high heat until done. Set the pork chops on a platter and keep warm until ready to serve.
Scrape loose the drippings in the bottom of the pan. You should have some fatty liquid in the pan. Whisk in the flour and cook for one minute to make a thick roux. Whisk in the broth and cider. Cook until the gravy bubbles and thickens. Pour part of the apple gravy over each pork chop. Serves four.
Safe Meat Handling Tips
- Place meat package on a plate or in a container before placing in refrigerator to prevent juices from dripping onto other foods.
- Always defrost in the refrigerator.
- Always place cooked meat on a clean plate, not one that has been used for uncooked meat.
Eleisia Whitney has a Watkins Home Business. She enjoys cooking and baking with Watkins extracts, spices, herbs, and sauces for healthy meals. Eleisia publishes a Watkins Newsletter, Around the Kitchen Table, that brings you recipes, cooking and health tips, and contests for free Watkins products.
Read the current issue at http://www.everydaynecessities.com/june15-08newsletter.htm
Visit her at http://www.everydaynecessities.com and http://www.WatkinsOnline.com/eleisiawhitney
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My Face On The Web?
June 24, 2008
Kelly over at WAHM 2.0 posted about the face you show everyone on the web.
She made some great points like how it might not be the best idea to post your graduation photo unless, of course, you’ve really just graduated! Or how it’s probably best not to post a photo of yourself after having imbibed a bit too much…..and how it’s ok to NOT have a photo of yourself if you’d rather not.
She also shared some great pictures and she inspired me to take some new ones of myself to share, especially since I just got a new summer hair cut with snazzy highlights that cover the gray just the right way 
My daughter got out the camera she took silly pictures for quite awhile until I realized that it wasn’t going to get much better….and just choose one of the passel she took. 
….then I had to get brave enough to share!!
Now, if you’ve been hanging on to that old, although flattering, picture of yourself, I challenge you to share your new photos with us by leaving the link in the comments section.
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Bulletin Boards As Decor
June 23, 2008
Bulletin boards are generally viewed as a practical aspect of home decor, and there is a pretty good chance that most people will have one somewhere in their home. Fortunately, a bulletin board no longer has to be something you “work around” but can actually be worked into your decor scheme to accent and enhance you existing decor. I thought I would take a look online to see what I ideas I could gather for you. To start off with - here is my bulletin board:
Okay - sorry for the camera phone photo. I know, it sucks. Anyway - this is my bulletin board. When I purchased it, I needed something for the front hall where I could put things that I needed to remember to take with, take care of, etc next time I went out. I picked this bulletin board from Walmart because it was affordable, practical and still pretty. I have matching frames for photos on the facing wall and it helps to pull the look together. That’s a very basic example though - take a look at some of these other great ideas that I found.
Idea #1: Unique Shapes
I found this photo on a recent post on Design Sponge. This was a great way to use an awkwardly long space in a fresh and fun way and yet still functional. This was done using cork trivets from IKEA - very affordable at 3 for $1.99. I would love to try something like this in my office, but I would pick random trivets and mount black and white images cropped to the same size on each one. You could also play around with other shapes and layouts. For example, you could do a square checker board design, perhaps with a stencil design in random open squares?
Idea #2: Hoop It Up
I love these hoop bulletin boards from etsy seller, Little Pretty Studio. They come in a variety of sized and fabric designs and you can customize them with other fabrics if you wish. This would let you match them with existing fabrics, drapes, throw pillows, etc. These would be wonderful for anyone who is a little crafty, and they are sure to be an interesting conversation piece if you put them where guests will see them.
Idea #3: Make A Wall Of It
I love this idea from Martha Stewart that turns an entire wall into a decorative bulletin board. You can customize the fabric and colors to match any room, and if you wanted - you could even coordinate a solid fabric color and your paint colors to match if you didn’t want it to stand out! You can find the complete instructions on Martha’s website, and it sounds like a fairly easy and affordable project.
Do you have a bulletin board at home? Where do you have it? What do you use it for? Have you done anything different with it to tie it in with your decor?
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Are You Ready For A Start-Up?
June 23, 2008
Birthing The Elephant Part 5
Click here for Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 or Part 4
Chapter Four: Take The Leap
In Chapter Four, we learned a little more about start-ups, and how to decide if you are ready to start your own business, what assets you have that you may not have thought of, and advice from real women who have been there.
The one thing I took away from the chapter the most is that eventually you just have to leap. There are signs that show that you are ready, and you should have a plan, do your research, etc - but in the end, you will have to leap eventually.
“Jump- and the Net Will Appear…. At some point, however, you’re going to have to move beyond training, thinking, and talking - and actually take the leap! You can always use more money, more marketing savvy, more support, more courage. You’re going to have to learn to be comfortable with the uncomfortable…. “
Ronnie Fliss, owner of Fat Murray’s Doggy Treats said:
The smartest move I ever made was just getting out there…. To really do it, you have to take charge, go out, and make it happen.
You can pick up your own copy of Birthing An Elephant for $10 in the Moms In A Blog Book Store.
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Creamy Fruit Dips
June 22, 2008
Fresh fruit is becoming more and more abundant at fruit stands, grocery stores, and supermarkets.
Serve these fresh fruit dips for a brunch, a party, a shower, or as a light dessert.
Creamy Fruit Dip
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 container (8 ounces) vanilla yogurt
1/2 cup honey
1 teaspoon Watkins Vanilla
1/2 teaspoon Watkins Ground Cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon Watkins Nutmeg
Beat cream cheese in medium bowl until smooth. Add yogurt, honey, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg; mix until blended. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour to blend flavors. Serve with fresh fruit dippers - apple slices, pear slices, peach slices, nectarine slices, kiwi, strawberries, pineapple, grapes, plums.
Garnish with mint sprig, if desired.
Makes 1 1/2 cups.
Marshmallow Cream Rum Dip
Marshmallow cream, cream cheese, cinnamon, and rum flavoring make a rich dip for fresh fruits.
1 jar (7 ounces) marshmallow cream
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese
1/2 teaspoon Watkins Cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon Watkins Rum Extract
Beat marshmallow cream, cream cheese, cinnamon, and rum extract until thoroughly blended. Serve with fresh fruit. Store leftovers in the refrigerator
Makes 1-1/2 cups.
Check out our Watkins Dip Mixes . Just add sour cream, yogurt, or cream cheese for a delicious dip for chips, crackers, or vegetables. Each jar makes several cups of dip.
Our Limited Dip Mixes are on sale this month.
Eleisia Whitney has a Watkins Home Business. She enjoys cooking and baking with Watkins extracts, spices, herbs, and sauces for healthy meals. Eleisia publishes a Watkins Newsletter, Around the Kitchen Table, that brings you recipes, cooking and health tips, and contests for free Watkins products.
Read the current issue at http://www.everydaynecessities.com/june15-08newsletter.htm
Visit her at http://www.everydaynecessities.com and http://www.WatkinsOnline.com/eleisiawhitney
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Redecorating Naturally!
June 21, 2008
You’ve been watching all the popular home makeover shows, and you’ve decided your own home could use some sprucing up. You follow a natural style of living, and you want to conquer the task in such a way that uses the least amount of resources and the most earth-friendly materials. Thanks to architectural salvage centers, environmentally friendly building products and recycled goods, it’s not difficult to do.
Families who tread lightly on the earth can make substantial impact by reducing consumption. Resist the urge to purchase home decor, furniture and materials from your local big-box retailers. Besides, reusing materials, buying second hand and furnishing a home with loved pieces of art and sentimental objects creates a more interesting and individual look. Decorating a home should be a creative effort that reflects your family’s personality.
Start at the very beginning
So, where should you begin an earth-friendly decorating project? Start the way they do on the decorating shows. Clear the room out. Re-evaluate what you want to keep and what can be donated to charity or recycled — or trade and barter with friends or neighbors for objects you like better.
Select a color palette. You might look at an “inspiration piece,” a piece of art or fabric you love. Colors derived from nature can offer the most soothing, sophisticated interiors. Focusing on only a few colors narrows your scope and makes shopping easier. (This is also a great tip for building and maintaining a clothing wardrobe. Pick those colors that make you look best and carry them through each new piece you purchase, making mixing and matching easier!) Assuming you aren’t starting from scratch, you already have gathered some possessions over time. Is there a recurring color scheme?
Build a foundation
A well designed room needs a good backdrop. A room might never look quite “right” without good walls and windows. Choose a no-VOC or low-VOC paint, milk paint or natural clay plaster to color your walls in a unifying neutral. VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, are petrochemical-derived substances that become breathable gas, contaminating indoor air. Milk paint is free of petrochemical solvents and is made from milk products, natural minerals and pigments. (See the resources listed below for more information.) Unless you are doing an all-neutral, monochromatic color scheme (whites, browns, grays, etc.), white is usually not the most satisfying choice for tying together your color palette — it actually makes any other color that does not belong jump out!
Window coverings are an important part of the foundation of your room. Vinyl or plastic window coverings contribute to off-gassing as the material becomes heated by the sun. Blinds and shades in natural materials like bamboo and reed offer clean lines and simplicity. Organic cotton, hemp or linen can be fashioned into simple curtain panels. Coverings that are easy to clean and care for will simplify maintenance.
Flooring can make or break an environmentally friendly design. Synthetic wall-to-wall carpeting harbors dust and mites, mold and mildew and decreases indoor air quality. Wood floors with a non-toxic finish, cork, bamboo or natural linoleum are good choices. For softness and warmth, use wool or woven cotton rugs, or use jute or coir mat.
Furnishing your room
Buying suites or room packages of furniture results in lifeless arrangements lacking a sense of identity. The furniture itself is usually poorly constructed of particle board, petroleum-based foams and all kinds of other earth-unfriendly materials.
Flea markets and antique stores are a great way to start your décor shopping. If thrift stores and garage sales aren’t appealing to you, there are plenty of high-end consignment shops and antique galleries that cater to the more refined palate. Buying second-hand is preferable to purchasing new goods; the materials usually have off-gassed, and re-using furnishings reduces consumption. Look for solid wood pieces and signs of quality craftsmanship such as sturdy joints and strong construction. Most vintage and antique pieces are classics that can stand the test of time, whether it be a Chippendale chair or a sleek mid-century modern sofa.
Try the unexpected when it comes to selecting wall art and accessories. An amateur oil painting might be more interesting than a poster print of an old master’s work of art. Shabby frames add character, but if that isn’t your style, have your art reframed or hang the canvas without one. Old paint-by-numbers from the 1940s through 1960s have become highly collectible and can be found inexpensively on auction. Support small villages by using folk art or pottery made by local artisans. Old books can be dismantled and the best illustrations can be framed for a great graphic statement.
When it has to be new
For goods that must be purchased new, try locating small or home businesses to supply your needs. By searching the Internet or browsing the ads in the back of natural living magazines, you are sure to find plenty of ecologically sound products for your home. Use what you love, surround yourself with art and beauty and minimize the cycle of consumption in your family.
Article by:
Marisa Miller is the co-owner of www.businessincolor.com - a t-shirt screen printing and graphic design company she runs with her family from home.
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Adventures in Tae Kwon Do
June 20, 2008
With a flash I watch my daughter turn into a Ninja…the process begins with her stripping (in the living room) down to her skivvies and turns into whining about not being able to tie her karate coat. After much tying and scrambling, we are headed out the door for a half hour of fun for her and amusement/little embarrassment for Mom. With the idea that Tae Kwon Do would improve her balance and coordination, my husband and I signed Macey up for lessons at the local blackbelt academy. She goes 2 times a week right now and that will increase to 3 times a week once school starts. So far she enters the class extremely shy and will barely speak above a whisper. How many moms have this happen? Doesn’t it frustrate you? Your normally hilarious, loud, chatty child turns into a self-conscious whimpering whispering little mouse. I barely know how to respond when she acts this way because it’s so unfamiliar to me and is the complete opposite of how she acts at home. I try to offer encouragement and prod her towards the other kids…she finds another 5 year old, Kate, and decides that this is her new friend (look out Kate!) She proceeds to follow Kate everywhere in class and imitates everything BUT the Tae Kwon Do that Kate is doing. We still think there is hope – until they ask her to break a board or something, then we’re in trouble! At the end of class she puts her shoes back on and the ninja leaves us with our daughter intact, what more can one ask for?
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