canadian

Discover Handmade Treasures from Across Canada with the Canadian Originals Subscription Box-Giveaway

June 20, 2017 by Kathryn 41 Comments

As somebody that loves to travel, I absolutely adore discovering handcrafted trinkets from around the world. Whether it’s a treasure discovered on a vacation, like my embroidered Romanian blouse and Irish crystal glasses, or something shipped to my door like my painted salt and pepper shakers from the Palestine Territories, those little mementos let me enjoy the world’s beauty in the comfort of my own home. But on my quest for the world’s most stunning handmade goods, I sometimes forget how many beautiful arts and crafts are created right here in my own country of Canada!

That’s why I’m loving the idea behind the Canadian Originals subscription box. Each month, a box packed with artisan goods created by talented Canadians arrives at the lucky recipient’s front door to enjoy. From food to beauty products to wall art, the variety means the whole family will find products to love. And discovering great new products and companies right here in Canada is always a treat! I recently received the debut July Subscription Box, celebrating Canada’s 150th birthday, to review and I couldn’t wait to check out the contents.

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Canadian Tire Has All The Best Cars 3 Gear for Your Favourite Racing Fan this Summer

May 30, 2017 by Kathryn 17 Comments

When my oldest son was just a toddler, Disney’s Cars was his hands-down favourite movie. He dreamed of being a race car driver when he grew up, and watching Lighting McQueen’s adventures on the road to the Piston Cup (not to mention the important lesson he learns along the way), always had Zackary cheering throughout every action-packed scene.

cars 3 lunch gear — Photo Credit: Canadian Tire

A few years later, my oldest was able to introduce his little brother to the characters he loved in a brand-new way when Cars 2 debuted. And now, with Cars 3 hitting theatres in just a few weeks, I know both boys will be anxious to check it out…and introduce their new little brother to the movie when he’s old enough too! But while we all eagerly wait for Disney’s Cars 3 to be released on June 16, Canadian Tire is helping us leap into the fun early with a hot new line of Cars 3 merchandise available just in time for summer fun. [Read more…]

DIY Step-by-Step FRAM Engine Air Filter and Cabin Air Filter Replacement

August 31, 2016 by Kathryn 1 Comment

Disclaimer: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #FRAMFresh #CollectiveBias

With fall just around the corner, it’s a great time to tune up the car so that it’s ready for the busy back-to-school season. And even though I don’t have a whole lot of experience with car maintenance, I know that there are a lot of little things I can do myself rather than paying a mechanic. Last year, I taught myself to change my car’s oil. This year, I knew that my car’s air filter and cabin air filter were both due to be changed. So I decided to change them myself in preparation for winter…with a little help from FRAM!

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During the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, P&G is Saying Thank You, Mom

June 23, 2016 by Kathryn 44 Comments

Every time the Olympic Games roll around, P&G honours both the athletes competing in the events and the moms that sacrificed so much to make their children’s dreams come true, both with amazing sponsorships and a moving commercial in honour of mothers everywhere. Watching the inspirational videos dedicated to the hard work of the moms never fails to make me tear up, and this year is no exception.

I have to say, though, that I think this year the video touched me even more than usual, because my mom has been going through one of her toughest battles to date. She’s always been an epitome of strength to me, raising five children on her own and making numerous sacrifices to ensure our happiness. But over the last year, she’s shown her strength even more in a battle against breast cancer.

Hearing the words come out of her mouth just over six months ago was heartbreaking. Her mother, my grandmother, died of breast cancer when I was just a preschooler, so the diagnosis struck immediate fear into my heart. The treatment was a mastectomy and a test done on a sample of lymph nodes to see if the cancer had spread. We were all hopeful that the test would come back clean and the mastectomy would be the end of it. [Read more…]

Come Join the Canadian Tire #JumpstartMonth Twitter Party on June 7 at 8pm EST and Help Kids Get in the Game

June 3, 2016 by Kathryn Leave a Comment

For the first time in a few years, both my boys are participating in organized sports this spring. Benjamin decided he wanted to play soccer, while Zackary chose baseball. Both boys have made some new friends, developed lots of new skills and learned about teamwork and the value of cooperation. My energetic oldest son has even done some pitching!

Seeing my boys grow and develop as part of a sports team was worth every penny I paid to register them for their chosen sports. But for some parents, that extra money just isn’t available. That’s why Canadian Tire started the Jumpstart program. The charity helps pay registration fees for kids in need so that they can reap the many benefits of being on an organized sports team. And since June is Jumpstart Month at Canadian Tire, it’s a great time to show your support for this worthy cause!

To kick off Jumpstart Month in style, Canadian Tire is hosting a fantastic Twitter party that you won’t want to miss. Come join the #JumpstartMonth Twitter party on June 7 at 8pm EST and chat with special Olympic guests Hayley Wickenheiser, Meaghan Mikkelson and Benoit Huot about the importance of organized sports and how you can help support Jumpstart in your community.

Best of all, there’s $1000 in prizes to be won for those that take part, so make sure to mark your calendar and get ready for fun. Please note that prizes are available to Canadians only, excluding Quebec, but everyone is welcome to join in the conversation! And if you’re new to Twitter parties, you may want to follow along on Twubs.

One of my favourite things about Canadian Tire Jumpstart is that all the money raised in a community stays in that community. So supporting Jumpstart means that you’re helping local kids get off the sidelines and into the game! Whether a child wants to try a new sport or continue a favourite one, everybody can reap the benefit of organized sports thanks to Jumpstart!

Date: Tuesday June 7, 2016
Time: 8:00pm ET
Hashtag: #JumpStartMonth
Hosts: @CanadianTire – @CTJumpstart
Guests: @wick_22 – @Mikkelson12 – @benhuot
Prizing: $1000 in Canadian Tire Gift Cards
NO RSVP

Don’t Chicken Out! Ask Your Member of Parliament To Be the #MPChickenHero

May 31, 2016 by Kathryn 1 Comment

If there’s one thing I love, it’s a really good chicken sandwich. Topped with fresh and tasty fixings and served on a perfect bun, there’s just nothing better than that first bite of tender, juicy chicken when I’m feeling hungry. Since 1992, the wonderful people at Chicken Farmers of Canada have served up tasty chicken sandwiches on July 1 at the Great Canadian Chicken Barbecue on Parliament Hill. It’s a big job, but so is creating a sandwich so delicious that Canadians will fall in love at first bite. That’s why Chicken Farmers of Canada is searching for an #MPChickenHero!

That’s right! With Canadians already planning to attend the Great Canadian Chicken Barbecue, who better to create the perfect chicken sandwich than one of Canada’s current Members of Parliament? Last year’s winning sandwiches included a Pesto Chicken Philly Melt from the Manitoba MP Hon. Vic Toews, a Chow-Style BBQ Sandwich from Ontario MP Olivia Chow and a Canadian BBQ Chicken Sandwich from Quebec MP Sylvain Chicoine. Personally, as a serious lover of both cheese and basil, the Pesto Chicken Philly Melt is my top choice for a great sandwich. But I can’t wait to see what delicious creations are put together this year too!

And even though superheroes don’t need a reward, the #MPChickenHero is going to get a great one for his or her community! The MP that creates the winning sandwich will win a $10,000 donation for their local food bank. I grew up in pretty severe poverty, so food banks are a cause that’s near and dear to my heart. In fact, when I won a $1000 donation to my favourite charity a few years ago, my own local food bank was my immediate choice. Over one third of the people that depend on Food Banks are children and in my own admittedly biased opinion, no child should ever have to go hungry. Such a generous prize means that the winning MP is ensuring happy, well-fed kids that will have the drive to thrive in their society.

And that’s where we come in! None of our Members of Parliament can be the #MPChickenHero if they don’t know about this great opportunity, so let’s band together and make sure our local heroes enter their best recipes! I’ve been looking through the downloadable recipe book from last year’s contestants and there are some pretty amazing recipes that have been created in the past. But I’m sure this year’s MPs are up to the challenge! Visit the #MPChickenHero contest page to learn how you can contact your MP and let them know about this fun opportunity. In addition to the grand prize, a second and third place sandwich will also win donations to their local food bank. And of course, everyone that attends the Great Canadian Chicken Barbecue will get to enjoy the winner’s mouth-watering recipe on July 1. There are really no losers in this contest!

I wouldn’t have thought that there was a way to make me love chicken sandwiches even more than I already do, but Chicken Farmers of Canada has done it! The chance to discover a delicious new way to cook a chicken sandwich while also ensuring that kids across Canada have the food they need to grow and prosper is an opportunity that I can’t pass up. Visit the contest page now and make sure that your MP takes part. A little time in the kitchen could make a world of difference to a hungry child!

Family Dinner is Quick and Tasty with an Easy Peanut Beef Recipe

April 19, 2016 by Kathryn 27 Comments

A few weeks ago, my fiance and I were setting the table for dinner and he mentioned that one thing we’ve really mastered since moving in with one another is the family dinner. Without fail, the four of us manage to sit down to a home-cooked meal almost every night. And even on nights when Jeremy’s job takes him to work, the boys and I have a family dinner of our own.

Making meals that we enjoy as adults, but that are still kid-friendly, is a big help when it comes to making family dinner a priority. And since we’re a typical busy family, having quick and easy meals in our repertoire is a must. That’s why Canadian Beef is a frequent choice for our dinner table! Whether we’re cooking up succulent burgers, tender steak or spicy tacos, beef is the perfect fast and delicious choice for the whole family!

Looking for a great recipe for those busy weeknights? This easy Peanut Beef takes just twenty minutes to make and is a surefire crowd pleaser! Serve it over rice or vermicelli and tailor the vegetables to suit your family’s tastes for a meal that kids and adults will both enjoy! [Read more…]

Join the @CanadianTire #CanadasGarage Twitter Party April 7 at 7pm EST

April 2, 2016 by Kathryn 3 Comments

When it comes to keeping a car running well, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. When I was younger, I had a bad habit of running my vehicles until they were no longer road-worthy and only then getting them fixed. The result? Costly repairs that could have been prevented with some cheap and easy maintenance. That’s why now I put a lot more effort into keeping my car in good running order. Spring is the perfect time to do that, since I’m already heading to the garage to take off my winter tires. And Canadian Tire is always a top choice for one-stop servicing for my beloved car!

Wondering what kind of maintenance your car might need this spring? Topping up fluids is a must, from antifreeze to brake fluid. An oil change is usually a good idea too; planning one every spring and fall will help keep a car running smoothly for years. It’s also a good idea to check spark plugs, especially if you’ve noticed your engine stutter a bit at any point. And having your mechanic check the condition of a car’s brakes, timing belt and air filter can save thousands on future repairs. Brake pads need to be changed periodically; left too long and both pads and disks will need replacing. And breaking a timing belt can ruin the entire engine, so checking it for wear is a must.
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