5 Simple Holiday Prep Ideas That Won’t Break the Bank

November 10, 2016 by Kathryn Leave a Comment

There’s no question that the holiday season can be expensive, but often it’s not necessarily gifts that create the expense! Between festive food, fancy new decor pieces and even that special holiday outfit for the big Christmas party, there are all kinds of purchases that can blow up a budget during the holidays! Luckily, a few simple strategies and some must-have products from Church & Dwight can help you sail through the holidays without spending a fortune. Check out these five low-cost tips on how to prepare for the festivities!

Revive Outdoor Décor

Love your holiday décor from last season? Don’t be afraid to reuse it again this year to help save time and money. To revive last year’s décor and keep it looking like new, try using OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover Powder. It’s the perfect solution to remove dirt, dust and grime from decorations that were sitting in storage since you put them away. [Read more…]

Revitalize Your Health in One Month with These 3 Techniques

August 29, 2016 by Kathryn 1 Comment

Since becoming a mother, this summer has been one of the busiest, most active and most fun-filled seasons I can ever remember. Numerous vacations, activities and visits with family had me sometimes feeling like I didn’t have a second to spare, but I loved every minute of it.

I have to admit, though, that my dietary habits suffered a lot. Decadent food on a seven-day Carnival Cruise, gourmet meals at the beautiful Casino Rama Resort in Ontario and a few too many takeout meals eaten on the road had me feeling sluggish, stuffed and in need of a serious reset to my system.

So for the next month, I’m taking charge of my health again with these three unique healthy lifestyle changes!

1) Intermittent Fasting

I’ve been a fan of intermittent fasting for almost a year now, though I took a break from it this summer. In its simplest form, intermittent fasting is going without food for a set period of time.

There are a few different cycles that people tend to favour and when I first started fasting, I would choose two days a week to do a full 24 hour fast except for a 500-calorie supper.

But after the indulgence I’d been enjoying, I knew I needed to kick it up a notch. So for the last week, I’ve been doing my 24 hour fast every other day instead.

Already I feel more energized, my mind is more focused and my stomach is less bloated. While many people love intermittent fasting for its weight loss benefits, it’s also been shown to reduce inflammation, increase cellular repair, reduce insulin resistance and even improve brain function! [Read more…]

Treat Yourself to a March Break Staycation with Great Products from Church & Dwight-Giveaway

March 7, 2016 by Kathryn 132 Comments

With March Break on the horizon, parents across Canada are starting to make plans on how to spend those extra days off. While a vacation is always tempting, staying at home can be just as much fun…and a lot less expensive! Looking for staycation ideas for your family? Here are seven tips on how to fully enjoy a staycation (perhaps you can even try one a day), without the stress and exhaustion that international travel can bring.

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Take Advantage of February 29th for the First Time in Four Years!

February 10, 2016 by Kathryn 23 Comments

If there’s a common theme for our modern lives, it’s being busy. Rushing to and from work, to different activities with kids and to various social commitments can leave so many of us feeling like we don’t have a spare minute in the day. But this year we’re all gaining the gift of not just a minute, but of a full 24 hours! That’s right; with the leap year here, it’s a great time to claim the extra day as your own and use it any way you want.

Looking for ideas on ways to spend February 29th? Why not try something you’ve never done before as a family and enjoy your time together by embracing the great Canadian winter! These three ideas are a great place to start:

Go Snowshoeing

Chances are, you’re not too far from a national park or scenic trail that is optimal for snowshoeing. Snowshoes have come a long way from the tennis racket-esque versions you’re probably expecting and are often available to rent from national parks or adventure stores. It’s a unique way to take in the fresh air and enjoy the beautiful scenery – not to mention it’s great exercise and your kids will love the novelty of floating on top of the snow! [Read more…]

Try Campfire Ham and Cheese Bread for an Easy Camping Lunch

May 21, 2015 by Kathryn 28 Comments

My boys and I absolutely love going camping. From large excursions with the Scouts group to family getaways to nights in the backyard, if we’re under the stars cuddled up in a blanket around a crackling fire, we’re in our happy place.

And as with many other special things in life, one of our favourite things about camping is the food! Like most kids, my boys are never going to turn down classics like hot dogs and marshmallows.

But I love getting more creative with my campfire cooking and one of my all-time favourite ways to make easy camping meals is by using foil. I love the versatility of being able to cook up a foil packet containing all our favourite foods. And the minimal cleanup of the method is an added bonus!

There are some great recipe ideas for foil-wrapped easy camping meals on the Kraft What’s Cooking website; the Foil-Pack Taco Chicken Dinner looks sublime!

But I found that most of them were more dinner ideas and I wanted to make something more suitable for a camping lunch. And so my Campfire Ham and Cheese Bread was created! [Read more…]