Tasty Tuesday - YOUR Stuff: Sweet Heat Chili

This recipe is from Krystal Pike - she was the first person to share a recipe or tip with me a while back and I was SO excited! Her Chili recipe sounds amazing - her kids even say it is better than McDonald's! I told her all you red-meat eaters would be grateful for it, given that everything I post is sweets, poultry or veg! Enjoy!

Krystal Pike's Sweet Heat Chili

1 Medium onion
1 large green pepper
3 cloves of garlic
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound of ground beef
2 cups chicken broth
2 cups beef broth
2 large cans stewed tomatoes
1 can red kidney beans
1 can black beans
2 cups sun-dried tomatoes
3 bay leaves
1 teaspoon dry mustard
3 tsp Cajun seasoning
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
salt

Saute onion, pepper and garlic over medium heat in oil. Add ground beef and brown. Add stock, bay leaves, mustard and simmer over medium heat until reduced by half. Dice the sun-dried tomatoes and add to pot. Puree stewed tomatoes and add to pot. Add beans (rinsed well in cold water) brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, salt and 3 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning. Stir well and simmer on low heat for 2 hours.

Thank you Krystal!

Keep checking back for "your Stuff" - tomorrow, I have some WAHM tips for you guys :-)

Marvelous Monday - YOUR Stuff

Over the next week or so, I'll be sharing ideas, tips and recipes from you guys! Thank you to all the readers who sent me emails - it was fun to read them and oh-so-exciting! Here are a couple of random-ish tips to get us started:

An anonymous reader left this tip in response to the green tea post - I tried it, and it DOES improve the taste: The trick with green tea is to not use boiling water- the water should be around 82 degrees so as not to "burn" the leaves which makes it taste bitter. It's a little trick I learned from my green tea drinking, Japanese friend. I boil the kettle and then let it sit a few minutes before making my tea. 

And Jaime left this quick tip on my Facebook page: To kill an afternoon while the baby was napping, she and her 4 1/2 yr old got out his paints, and painted his train table tracks. Thomas and friends now have a rainbow train track to travel on, and her little guy loves it! I think this is a wonderful idea - kids love to paint and colour :-)

Thank you to both of you for sharing! Tomorrow, I have an awesome recipe to share :-)

Sunday Snippets

Tidbits of information I picked up this week:

• Once you file something, there is a 98% chance you will never look at it again (I think I have proven this). (Parents Canada, March/April 2011)
• 26% of Canadian children between the ages of 2 and 17 are obese. 1 in 3 overweight 20-yr-olds become obese within 8 yrs. If these trends continue, 70% of Canadians will be overweight or obese, compared to 57% now. Staggering either way you look at it! (Parents Canada, March/April 2011)
• If you suffer from Celiac Disease, the incremental cost of your gluten-free groceries can potentially be used to reduce income tax. For guidelines, visit cra-arc.gc.ca (Canadian Living, May 2011)
• If the kids track mud through the house and over your rugs and carpets, resist the urge to wipe it up right away. Instead, let it dry, then place packing tape over the dried mud to lift it away (Woman's World, 4/25/11)

Recall - SAN MARCOS MEXICAN SAUCE - PICO DE GALLO - SALSA

The following recall notice is from HSW:

Event Highlights

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning people not to consume the product described here. The affected product contains harmful extraneous material  - glass.
Product: SAN MARCOS MEXICAN SAUCE - PICO DE GALLO - SALSA.  See Product Details tab for specifics on the affected items. (unofficial photo included).

Recalling Firm: LATINAMERICAN FOODS INC. - TIFCO.
Distribution: National
Extent of the Product Distribution: Retail
For more information, consumers and industry can call CFIA at 1-800-442-2342 / TTY 1-800-465-7735 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday to Friday).

Note: This is a CFIA Class II recall (Moderate risk): The CFIA will requests a Class II recall for a food product when eating or drinking that product will most likely lead to short-term or non-life threatening health problems. The chance of any serious health symptoms is low in healthy populations. The CFIA issues a public warning for some Class II recalls based on the risk assessment and other criteria, such as the severity of symptoms in vulnerable populations (children, pregnant women, seniors, etc.)

Recall - Katie Little Infant Bathrobes by Kids Line

The following recall notice is from HSW:

Event Highlights

Health Canada reports of a recall involving Katie Little Infant Bathrobes by Kids Line. Once ignited the sleepwear can burn rapidly and cause severe burns to large areas of the child's body, resulting in shock and sometimes death.

See HSW Product Details tab for specifics on the affected items.

Recalled bathrobes were sold at children's specialty stores across Canada from October 2007 to May 2011.

Corrective Action:Consumers should immediately take the recalled sleepwear away from children and return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

What To Do This Weekend - Have Some Fun on the Farm!

Uh-Oh! It appears folks, that even I can be wrong ;-) I was going on word of mouth for the Thomas Amusements dates - and now that the schedule is in front of me - oops! they have gone to Bonavista and are no longer in the St. John's area!!!! My apologies for any inconvenience this may have caused (I mistakenly indicated, in this post below, that they would be in CBS this weekend). 


On the plus side - I have included all the St. John's area dates for Thomas Amusements in my calendar now. And they are "from the horses mouth" so to speak, so hopefully no further mis-dates!


The edited version of yesterday's post is below.... have a good weekend!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well People - it is a bit overcast out there today, but it looks like we are going to start getting some heat (20 degrees for the high tomorrow!), and even some sun on Sunday!

Here are some things on the go this weekend:

• The BIGGIE - Lester's Farm opens tomorrow for the season! Uh-huh, uh-huh! I can't wait for our first visit with the baby animals... and to get some flowers.... and see the goats.... and get some ice cream....
• Its going to be overcast and 10 on Saturday, they say - make the most of it by popping over to Dominion's Garden Centre and then doing some gardening - at least you won't be too hot ;-) Or fix your deck.... then everything will be ready for you to relax and enjoy once we do get some summer!
• Two big flea markets: one at the Remax Centre and the other at St. Andrew's Church. Why not check Saturday's paper for garage sales and do some bargain hunting?
• Outdoor family fun continues at the Fluvarium and at Botanical Gardens - see calendar for details. 
• Kung Fu Panda 2 opens at both theatres - WOOT! Visit empiretheatres.com for showtimes. Rio and Hoodwinked are both good too if you haven't seen them :-)

Photo: Lester's Farm

Have a good one :-)

For details on events in & around town, check my events calendar regularly - it is on the bottom of EVERY page :-) The Tely Go Guide published in Arts & Life section every Thursday is also a good source. 

If you have something to add to the Calendar, please let me know! Complete details can be found here and I welcome being added to any "Events Distribution list" your facility might have :-)

.

Kid's Albums (OR: What To Listen To This Summer on Those Long, LONG Drives)

Well folks - we have a fair bit going on this week - colds, spring cleaning, summer garden preparations, planning summer getaways, etc... so this post will be short & sweet.

I found this list online of Ten Great Kid's Albums. And, since we are all gonna be spending lots of time with our peeps -whether just hanging, on a road trip, or camping - why not have some good music the whole family can listen to? You know, without hearing lyrics about Rihanna's sexual preferences, a Rapper's street life, or the occasional use of four-letter words by just about any top 40 artist....

So, hear it is - the short list from Canadian Parents. For a slide show complete with music clips, click here.

Canadian Parent's 10 Kids’ Albums You Need to Know About

1. Lead Belly Sings for Children, Lead Belly (1999) - Lead Belly was an African-American folk and blues musician during the ‘30s and ‘40s. His songs still entertain. 
2. Here Come the 123s - They Might Be Giants (2008) - The second kid's album from the 90's pop group. I like 7.
3. Free To Be You and Me - Marlo Thomas and Friends (2008) - A 70's album re-issued for its 35th anniversary.
4. Lullabye Renditions of Guns N’ Roses - Rockabye Baby (2009)- Canadian Parents says it best: "for the really little ones who need soothing lullabies and for parents who don’t want to be driven mental by them".
5. Music is Awesome Vol. 2- Yo Gabba Gabba! (2010) - Featuring music by the Ting Tings, Hot Hot Heat and MGMT, and more!
6. Underground Playground - Secret Agent 23 Skidoo (2010) - This guy has been called the King of Kid Hop... so if your kids like hip-hop, he's the man.
7. Reggae Playground - Putumayo Kids, (2006) - It's always fun to hear music from around the world! This feature reggae from France, Morocco, Trinidad and Jamaica. We have "African Playground" which you might also consider. 
8. 76 Trombones - Dan Zanes & Friends (2009) - This is Dan Zanes from the ‘80s band Del Fuegos - he started doing children's music after becoming a parent. 
9. Ablum - Duplex! (2005) - Written by family, friends and children of a Vancouver singer, Veda Hille. 
10. Kids Rap Radio Vol. 1 & 2 - Various Artists (2006) - Created by Beyonce’s dad, Mathew Knowles, this features "clean" rap! Who doesn't like rap??

Photo: Canadian Parents

Tasty Tuesday - Chicken and Mushroom Stir-fry

So, this is what we had for supper there one night the week. It is a slight adjustment of a recipe from Hot Chicken, called "Chicken Dancing With Mushrooms".

I hear you. Weird, very weird.

And wordy. Lord, are the recipes ever wordy. Perhaps buddy thought he was writing a novel.

Can you tell I am not thrilled by the cookbook? I really have no idea why DH bought it. Or why I let it stay in the house despite my annual-purge-of-things-we-don't-use-or-like.

Oh, right.... it's the recipes! The recipes are good, despite being wordy and having frilly, fancy names. And, they have nice pictures. And, did I say the food is yu-uumm-my? It IS about the food, right? ;-)

So, here it is... a simplified version of "Chicken Dancing With Mushrooms":

Chicken and Mushroom Stir-fry from Hot Chicken (1995)

Ingredients

4 boneless/skinless chicken breasts, cubed

1 tbsp rice wine OR dry sherry

1 tbsp oyster sauce (we used soy sauce)

1 tbsp sesame oil (we used olive oil)

1/4 pine nuts

8 oz mushrooms, sliced

12 stalks asparagus, chopped (we used ~ 1 1/2 c. broccoli, quel surprise)

3 green onions, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 c. cooking oil

1/4 c. water

Sauce: 

1/4 c. chicken stock

1/4 c rice wine OR dry sherry

1 tbsp sesame oil

1 tbsp cornstarch

1 tsp sugar

1/4 tsp pepper

Method:

Prep:

• Combine Chicken with 1 tbsp ea. of rice wine, oyster sauce and sesame oil. Set aside, refrigerated, for 15 minutes (or up to 8 hrs). 
• Toast pine nuts at 325 for 8 minutes or until golden. Set aside until needed. 
• Combine sauce ingredients, set aside until needed.

Stir-fry:

• Heat half the oil in wok, add chicken. Stir & toss until white & cooked through. Remove chicken from wok. 
• Add remaining oil and the garlic to wok. Heat for a few seconds then add vegetables and water. 
• Stir & toss until crisp tender, about 2 minutes. 
• Add wok sauce, pine nuts and return chicken to wok. 
• Stir & toss until all ingredients are heated through and glazed with the sauce. Add pepper to taste. 

Enjoy as is, or on a bed of rice or quinoa. Yum!

Photo: Amazon.com. It is still available!

I Want YOUR Stuff!

Hey Folks! I'm putting together YOUR Stuff - ideas and recipes - for some posts over the next couple of weeks.

If you sent me something, keep an eye out for it starting May 30th!

If you have something you'd like to share with the 300+ people who follow this blog in one form or another (OMG - 300 people!!), there's still time! Anything received by tomorrow morning, will be included in the posts I am preparing for the weeks of May 30 - June 6th.

So, send along your ideas, recipes, crafts, WAHM tips, parenting tips - anything and everything! Then stay tuned next week to read YOUR Stuff! And if it works out for everyone, heck, we'll do it again sometime :-)

Here's the original post to refresh your memory:

Got Something to Share?

I'm seeking reader inputs for upcoming posts (the first will be in the first week of June) ... do you:

• want to show off something you've made?
• have a version of an idea from this blog that you have tried?
• have a fail-proof recipe your family loves and you think others will too?
• have Parenting tips & ideas to share?
• have "mompreneur" tips for SAHM's looking to start their own WAHM business?

If so, email it to me at stjohnsmomblog (@gmail.com) and let me know if I can use your full name, just initials or if you wish to be completely anonymous :-)

Thanks!

Marvelous Monday - Happy Long Weekend

Happy Victoria Day! 

I hope you are all having a Marvelous Long Weekend!!

Back tomorrow ;-)

Sunday Snippets

Tidbits of information I picked up this week:

• 35% of pets are overweight. A leading culprit - well meaning humans who give them table scraps. But beware: feeding a 10lb cat a 1 oz piece of cheese is equivalent to a 150lb woman eating 3 1/2 hamburgers! (Pet Health brochure - published by Science Diet and Canadian Veterinary Medical Association)
• Bug season is coming! And guess what - Ladybugs are the official bug of 6 U.S. states! In fact, they are loved the world over -  in Turkey, they are considered the "good luck" bug, and in some cultures the little red bug is believed to be close to Gods or Saints. (Canadian Wildlife, March/April 2011). 
• Raccoons are considered by many to be just another pest.... but they are smart ones! Studies show raccoons are smarter than cats and dogs, and are closest to monkeys in their mental capabilities. (Canadian Wildlife, March/April 2011)
• On average, we each swallow 3 spiders per year. Lovely. (Parents Canada, March/April 2011)

Picture: thundafunda.com

Small Changes Challenge - 19/50

Ummmm, hmmmm....

This had the potential to be the best run eva' of 5/5 scores! But, alas, I have not been able to get out this week, and the Small Changes Challenge that I had set for myself was to walk with my walking weights everyday!

It was going well... I even got in a trial run on the weekend, but then I injured my leg on Tuesday and have had to keep it elevated.

It is well on the mend though, soooo, I am going to try it again next week!


Stay tuned!

Recall - Costco "Kirkland Signature" Summer Pyjama Sets

The following recall notice is from HSW:

Event Highlights

Health Canada reports of a recall involving "Kirkland Signature" children's two-piece short sleeve top and shorts summer pyjama sets. Once ignited the sleepwear can burn rapidly and cause severe burns to large areas of the child's body resulting in shock and sometimes death.

See HSW Product Details tabfor specifics on the affected items.

Units of the affected pyjama sets were sold at Costco warehouses across Canada from June 2010 to April 2011
.
Corrective Action:Consumers are advised to immediately stop using the affected pyjama sets and return them to Costco Wholesale Canada customer service department for a full refund.
For more information, consumers may contact Costco Wholesale Canada customer service department at 1-800-463-3783, between 9AM and 6PM EST, Monday to Friday.

The More, The Merrier - Got Something to Share?

I have received a few ideas and recipes from readers in response to my note below (thank you to all who have emailed me!). I am SO excited and planning to post my first "Reader" item soon! If you would like to send along something, you still have time (please send by EOD Tuesday May 24th) - the more, the merrier!

Here are the details again:

I'm seeking reader inputs for upcoming posts (the first will be in the first week of June) ... do you:

• want to show off something you've made?
• have a version of an idea from this blog that you have tried?
• have a fail-proof recipe your family loves and you think others will too?
• have Parenting tips & ideas to share?
• have "mompreneur" tips for SAHM's looking to start their own WAHM business?

If so, email it to me at stjohnsmomblog (@gmail.com) and let me know if I can use your full name, just initials or if you wish to be completely anonymous :-)
Thanks SO much!!

PS - deadly book suggestions welcome too! Or whatever else tickles your fancy :-)

What To Do This Weekend

It's here! May-Two-Four!! You wanna know what to do? Do I really have to tell you??

GO CAMPING!!

Of course, if you haven't already made arrangements, well then, good luck with that...

Oh, you can't head out of town.... that stinks. But, I have some weekend fun ideas to cheer you up :-)

• Get the whole family together to plant a little veggie garden - buy the seeds, plant 'em, label 'em and watch 'em grow over the summer.
• Head over to the Fill-A-Truck event at the Canadian Diabetes HQ on Topsail Rd. Bring the gently used clothing/items from your spring cleaning to donate to the Truck, and enjoy some refreshments and family activities as well (details in calendar)
• Head to Berg's for an ice cream. Boot it over to Manuals River for a walk while you enjoy your cone.
• Picnic in Bowring Park - classic!
• Invite the neighbourhood kids over for a water gun fight in your backyard. Don't let on that you have a gun too until about ten minutes in, then sneak up on an unexpecting soul, preferably one of your own imps ;-)
• Browse Saturday's paper for garage sales... everyone is out of town = less competition for any goodies/steals you find!
• Have a BBQ (check out these BBQ food safety tips from HSW).
• Try on all your summer clothes (or get the kids to try on theirs), then shop to fill in any gaps ;-)
• Don't forget about the Fluvarium's Kids Club, or the family activities at the Botanical Gardens, see calendar for details. 

Have a great long weekend!!

For details on events in & around town, check my events calendar regularly - it is on the bottom of EVERY page :-) The Tely Go Guide published in Arts & Life section every Thursday is also a good source. 

If you have something to add to the Calendar, please let me know! Complete details can be found here and I welcome being added to any "Events Distribution list" your facility might have :-)

HSW BBQ Safety Tipsheet

May Two-Four is almost upon us - meaning BBQ season is officially ON! Here's a tip sheet from HSW on Barbecue food safety:

Event Highlights

Barbecue season has begun! The following food safety tips were adapted from a Health Canada Information Update. Also...make sure to stay abreast of food recalls. E. coli andSalmonella recalls associated with meat products are not that uncommon this time of the year. Don't forget that pathogens like E. coli can survive freezing...so even frozen meat can harbor dangerous bacteria. JA
Barbecue related foodborne pathogensEating undercooked meat and other foods that have come into contact with raw meat can result in foodborne illnesses. Symptoms vary by organism, but can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, fever, headache, dizziness and neck stiffness.  Young children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems may be more at risk. Common barbecue related foodborne pathogens include E. coli,Salmonella and Campylobacter.

You can help lower your risk of foodborne illness by handling and cooking raw meat carefully.

Storing•Raw meat should always be stored in the refrigerator or cooler at 4ºC (40ºF) or below.
•If you are storing raw meat in a cooler, make sure that it is packed with ice and the cooler stays out of direct sunlight. Avoid opening it too often. Ensure meat products are well sealed and that ice water doesn't come in contact with stored meat products. This can lead to cross-contamination.
•Make sure to keep raw meat and other foods separate to avoid cross-contamination.

Clean•Remember to wash your hands and other utensils, like cutting boards, counters and knives, carefully with soap and warm water before and after handling raw meats. This helps avoid potential cross-contamination and prevent the spread of foodborne illness.

When you grill•Colour alone is not a reliable indicator that meat is safe to eat. Meat can turn brown before all bacteria are killed, so use a digital food thermometer to be sure.
•To check the temperature of meat that you are cooking on the barbecue, take the meat off the grill and insert the digital food thermometer through the thickest part of the meat.
•If you are cooking a beef hamburger, take the patty from the grill and insert the digital food thermometer through the side, all the way to the middle of the patty.
•If you're cooking more than one patty or pieces of meat, be sure to check the temperature of each of the pieces.
•Use clean utensils and plates when removing cooked meats from the grill.
•Remember to wash the thermometer in hot, soapy water between temperature readings.
•Always remember to keep hot food hot until you are ready to serve.Always follow these safe internal temperatures to make sure that the food that you are cooking is safe to eat

Food	Temperature
Beef, veal and lamb (pieces and whole cuts) Medium-rare Medium Well done	63°C (145°F) 71°C (160°F) 77°C (170°F)
Pork (pieces and whole cuts)	71°C (160°F)
Poultry (e.g. chicken, turkey, duck) Pieces Whole	74°C (165°F) 85°C (185°F)
Ground meat and meat mixtures (e.g. burgers, sausages, meatballs, meatloaf, casseroles) Beef, veal, lamb and pork Poultry	71°C (160°F) 74°C (165°F)
Egg dishes	74°C (165°F)
Others (e.g. hot dogs, stuffing, leftovers)	74°C (165°F)

It is estimated that there are approximately 11 million cases of food-related illnesses in Canada every year. Many of these illnesses could be prevented by following proper food handling and preparation techniques.

What I Read Today - A Made-Right-Here HOME Mag!

Today, I was taking it easy, did some reading. One of the magazines on top of my to-read pile was a sample issue of Home & Cabin that we recently received in the mail....

Now, if you haven't seen it around, or if you didn't get a free issue like me (lucky dog!), Home & Cabin is a new, made-right-here-in-NL decorating and home inspiration magazine by DownHome Media! I am SO THRILLED that we finally have our own local decor/home mag!

The issue was jam packed with articles and inspiration: interviews with builders and artisans around the island, environmental and gardening tips, plus an in-depth look at Dieter and Tina Staubitzer's (the owner of New Victorian Homes) modern, open home near Clovelly Golf Course, and Charlie Oliver's bright, beautiful cabin in Port Blanford. And, you know how when you see something you love in a home magazine and it isn't available here? Well, the dishes, birdhouses and other accessories on their trends pages and of course all products advertised, are available locally. LOVE it!

Want to check it out for yourself? Visit Home & Cabin online for a preview of the current issue, or subscribe to the magazine at a special rate (until May 31/11only) of only $9.95 for 2 years (8 issues)!

One of the many beautiful photos in Home & Cabin

Kudoos to DownHome Media and Home & Cabin editor Samantha Martin! 

Tasty Tuesday - Spinach Salad w/Pears & Cheddar

Ahhh, Spring....

We had a wonderful time outside last night, puttering around the garden with the boys. It is so nice to finally see the longer, warmer evenings coming into play - in fact, truth be told, we all stayed out past 8:30, even though bedtime is 8 o'clock - shhhh, don't tell!

The weather had me in the mood for burgers last night, and the big plan for tonight was a Spinach Salad with Pears and Cheddar - doesn't it just sound divine? It is another of those have-to-make-it recipes for me - Mario loves spinach (just like his Mama!), who doesn't adore almonds?, and come on, pears with cheddar - that's classic! Sounded like the perfect plan to me!

You know what happens to plans, right?

Alas, I'm laid up with an injury, and while DH took on supper, chicken fingers and veg were more his style tonight. Oh well, Beggars can't be choosers.

It IS a rockin' recipe though, and since there is a whole container of spinach in the fridge, just waiting for me, this will be on the menu someday, someday very soon ;-)

Spinach Salad with Pears and Cheddar
From: dLife

Photo:dLife

Ingredients:

6cup fresh baby spinach,washed and spun dry
1oz sharp cheddar, grated
1 large sliced pear
2tbsp slivered almonds, toasted
2tbsp olive oil
1 1/2tbsp balsamic vinegar
1tbsp cold water
1/2tsp dijon mustard
1tsp fresh tarragon
1pinch black pepper

Directions
Evenly split the spinach between 4 salad plates.
Sprinkle on the cheese and arrange the pears on top.
Top the salad with almonds.
In a small cup, whisk together remaining ingredients to make dressing.
Drizzle dressing over each salad.

Doesn't that sound yummy and simple!? I can't wait to have it with  BBQ burgers or chicken :-)

G'Night!

Small Changes Challenge - 18/50

I can't stand green tea. It's vile. Makes my lips pucker and my eyes squint. Tastes awful.

For years I have resisted the green tea bandwagon - hey, there are antioxidants in black tea too, ya know. And it's good for the heart.....

But lately, I've been thinking maybe I should cut back on the tea.


Note: I did not say "give it up" - let's be reasonable, people!

But, "cut back", yes - because I am going through a can of milk a day (don't tell DH) due to my drinking  a half dozen or so mugs of tea a day....


Its my dirty little secret, OK? Don't judge. We all have our vices....

...That and swimsuit season is coming and green tea is said to increase your metabolism....

Well, shucks, this seemed like a good Small Changes Challenge - cut back on black tea. Add green tea.

Ah yes... I did not impose # of cups.... which you may correctly interpret as my being convinced this particular initiative was likely to fail.

So, I tried the green tea again. I was right - it was vile. Vile, I tell you. I left it on the counter.

Then I had a marvelous idea: I put lemon juice in my water and sometimes even drink that hot (I know - odd. We all have our quirks.)... soooooo, why not add lemon juice to the green tea?

Why not indeed - it couldn't be any worse than regular green tea! And guess what?

Woo-hoo! It was manageable! I would prefer it w/o the green tea, but I could enjoy it with the green tea. The first day I managed 3 cups - as in twice that AM and once that afternoon I substituted my King Cole & milk for green tea & lemon. Not bad, but I had read that 4 cups of green tea contains the ideal amount of EGCG needed to (supposedly) increase your metabolism - which I managed on day two! Uh-huh, uh-huh....I've been promising myself that after the first two regular teas in the AM, I have to have 2 green teas before I can earn one more mug of black tea.... (if the math causes you to question my honesty in my estimation of tea per day above....ummmm, no comment).


So.... another success! Really, this one surprised me - it was the LAST one I expected to be able to honestly score myself a 5/5 on!** And, I might even be beginning to like it....

That said, the kettle is boiling, and I've got one more cup to go for the day!


...See ya!


PS - **Perhaps I shouldn't be so pleased.... I haven't done a squat since a week from last Friday after all.


PPS - re: the EGCG - I read that long ago, where and when long since forgotten. But I was able to find an article on Self.com that referenced the same claim : click here to read that article. 

Marvelous Monday - A W.I.P.

Ever have so much to do, or talk about that you don't know where to start?  That's me lately. Between the house, planning a couple of trips, all my unfinished projects, school, parties, spring cleaning, garden plans, etc., I'm completely boggled!

I can see now that I won't be blogging to the same capacity in the summer months as I do in winter. I wanna go outside! I think that is pretty normal though, from the blogs I follow at least. I'm just sayin' ;-).

I am actually working on some crochet that is taking wa-a-ay longer than usual for the reasons above, so I thought I would show it to you as a W.I.P. (work-in-progress). Let me tell you first about this:

This is my favourite chair. In the whole world, not just my house. My parents gave it to DH and me for a wedding present. I LOVE it, did I mention that?

I got the pillow cover on a trip to T.O. a few years back - my couch is beige and my arm chair is brown, and I feel like this ties them to the chair in a not-to-obvious way. Not only is it brown (you noticed, huh?), but the green leaves and blue flowers on the trees in the print are the same colours as the background and stripes on the chair.

The pillow cover, however, has seen better days....

Sigh.....

What's a girl to do? Especially when she doesn't sew? And isn't sure it would help if she did?

As luck should have it, I was walking though Wal-mart one day a couple of weeks back, and a ball of this beautiful, rich, brown cotton was on clearance! (It's called truffle...it even sounds rich!). A light bulb went off as to how I could solve my dilemma - Hooks to the rescue.....

I saw this stitch in a issue of Crochet Today - it is easy-peasy as it is just alternating 1dc, 1sc the length of your base.  It gives a marvelous texture:

I'm so excited! Oddly, this is the first thing I've crocheted as decor for my home! Once I'm done, I plan on doing some circle or flower appliques for the pillow, or a nice fringe of some sort - something to bring the blue and green back in .... but, we'll all just have to wait and see how that develops ;-)

Have a marvelous week!

Sunday Snippets

Tidbits of information I picked up this week:

• Getting enough water may not be as hard as you think: 250mL/1cup of frozen cooked zucchini contains almost as much water (211mL); a large apple has 191mL water and a large orange has 160mL! Plus, these foods have the added benefit of fibre to boot! (Best Health, March/April 2011)
• Victorian women did lip calisthenics to make their lips appear more plump: they would repeat "prunes, peas and prisms" over & over! (Best Health, March/April 2011). 
• To determine is your skin is dehydrated - pinch the skin on the back of your hand: if it is dehydrated, it will not immediately spring back into place. If it does, you're OK. If not - try the cotton gloves/moisturizer at night thing :-) (Glow, April 2011)
• To rescue your lips from their chapped-gosh-it-was-a-long-winter-state, mix equal parts honey and table sugar, massage on lips one minute, then rinse off. The sugar will exfoliate, the honey leaves lips moisturized, even after rinsing. (Prevention, April 2011)
• Eating too many processed foods can age us before our time, resulting in low energy, aching joints, forgetfulness and  increased blood pressure. They are high in calories, salt and fat, and low in nutrients such as omega-3's and B vitamins. Prepare healthy meals from raw ingredients as much as possible to stay younger longer!  (Prevention, April 2011)

Measles - On the Rise Worldwide

Did you know that many countries around the world, including some areas here in Canada, are experiencing outbreaks and increases in cases of measles? This informative article is from HSW:

Event Highlights

We have posted several Measles (Rubeola) - related Events over the past year involving Toronto, Qu'Appelle Health Region SK, Revelstoke BC, Ottawa, Middlesex-London, etc. The Public Health Agency of Canada recently issued a Travel Health Notice and a global Measles update (see below). Several areas around the world are experiencing outbreaks and increases in cases. Health Officials reminds travellers to make sure their measles vaccination is up-to-date. JA
TRAVEL HEALTH NOTICEMeasles remains a common disease worldwide, especially in countries where measles is endemic or where large outbreaks are occurring.
In 2010, cases were reported in many developing countries (parts of Africa and Asia) and in some countries in Eastern and Western Europe.
•A number of countries in Africa such as Angola, Botswana, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Mali, Malawi, Nepal, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe reported large numbers of measles cases in 2010.
•In Asia, large numbers of confirmed cases were reported in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Thailand and the Philippines. 
•European countries including Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina and France reported outbreaks of measles.
•In 2010, there were a small number of cases reported in Brazil and Argentina. Prior to these cases, there has not been a case of measles that originated in either of those countries since 2000.

In 2011, recently confirmed cases have been reported in a number of countries including the United States, Argentina and New Zealand.
•In Europe, a number of countries are reporting a large number of measles cases including: Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Romania, the Russian Federation, Serbia, Spain Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
•In Africa, a number of countries are reporting a large number of measles cases including: Ethiopia and Nigeria.
•In Southeast Asia, a number of countries are reporting a large number of measles cases including: Indonesia and the Philippines.
More information on the number of worldwide confirmed measles cases (External link) is available from the website of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Recommended Actions:

Consult a doctor, nurse or health care provider, or visit a travel health clinic at least six weeks before you travel.
1)  Get vaccinated Canadians are reminded to keep all vaccinations up-to-date.  See provincial/territorial immunization schedules for further information.  
Travellers should be up-to-date on measles immunization regardless of their travel destination. 

• Infants and Children:
  • Two doses of a measles-containing vaccine are recommended for children.
    • The first dose should be given on or after the first birthday and the second dose should be given after 15 months of age.
    • During outbreaks or for travel to regions where measles is a concern, the vaccine may be given as early as six months of age.  Under these circumstances, the routine two dose series must be then restarted on or after the first birthday, for a total of three doses.
• Adolescents and Adults: 
  • Adults born in or after 1970 should ensure that they have received two doses of measles-containing vaccine. 
• You may be protected against measles if:
  • You were born before 1970; or
  • You have proof of immunity (e.g. through blood testing).

2) Monitor your health

• If you develop symptoms similar to measles when you return to Canada, you should see a health care provider.
• Describe your symptoms to your health care provider before your appointment. That way he/she can arrange to see you without exposing others to measles.

What To Do This Weekend

When I look at my Events Calendar, I am often amazed at how much there REALLY is for families to do in this City! This weekend - again - there are 15+ events between 6PM Friday and Bedtime Sunday Night! I'll touch on a few here - but be sure to visit the full Calendar to view all events & get details! :-)

First of all, I just have to mention Etcetera 25: You Can't Stop the Beat!: I am sure, when this student-choreographed show first began in a Mt. Pearl high-school in 1986, they had NO idea it would still be going strong, let alone how big and amazing a production it would be - at The Glacier, lights, sound machines, amazing props, etc. - 25 years later! 

I went to see Etcetera last night, and it ROCKED! I can't pick a favourite part: Bohemian Rhapsody (man, those boys can sing); Joyful! Joyful!; or Thriller (Seriously:  it rivaled the video! Spooky - my  6 & 8 yr olds would have been scared, but older kids are going to LOVE it).... or one of the other songs ;-) Plus, if you were in the show at one time, or know someone who was (and come on, who doesn't? I know more Etcetera alumni than I can count! .... Which might make me biased .... but ignore that, OK?) - head up to the Reunion Room to find yourself/them in the pictures and programs from all 25 years! 8PM, now through Saturday, tickets available at The Glacier. 

Photo: Etcetera 25: You Can't Stop the Beat

The Fluvarium has started their Kids Club for the Season, held every Saturday and Sunday at 1:30 PM. Kids will enjoy an outdoor component, game, story and a craft! This month's theme is May Flowers and teaches how animals and plants works together in nature. Don't forget to head downstairs to visit the river fish underground!

MUN Botanical Gardens have also started their Summer family activities - pop by the garden Sunday AM for a Nature Hike, or join them between 2-4 that afternoon for crafts, duck feedings, story time and more! Stroll through the paths before heading home, and predict with the kids what flowers/greenery will appear in the months to come :-)

And for you folks who are counting down the days until Camping/Cabin Season begins on Victoria Day weekend - are you looking for a bargain on supplies, decorations, appliances & whatnot? There are several Flea Market on, both Saturday and Sunday!

Scroll down to the calendar, of course,  for details on all these events and more (Family Fun at The Rooms; Michael's craft event, etc! :-)

Have a great weekend!


For details on events in & around town, check my events calendar regularly - it is on the bottom of EVERY page :-) The Tely Go Guide published in Arts & Life section every Thursday is also a good source. 


If you have something to add to the Calendar, please let me know! Complete details can be found here and I welcome being added to any "Events Distribution list" your facility might have :-)

What We're Reading Lately

You're not gonna believe this... well actually, you probably will....since, heck, you ARE reading the blog regularly, right?

.... I haven't done a "What We're Reading" post since February! I know! The Shame! The horror!


Never fear, dear Reader, I am going to rectify that right now! There's not a moment to loose!

Gosh, where to begin.... well, right now, as in this week at bedtime, we are reading "Boing-Boing The Bionic Cat and the Jewel Thief. This colourfully illustrated chapter book is about Daniel, a boy allergic to cats, and his bionic cat, Boing-Boing, who was made for him by a friendly neighbour who wanted the boy to have a pet. Given the title, I suspect Boing-Boing is going to play a roll in stopping a thief, but we haven't gotten to that part yet ;-) The nice thing about this book is that the chapters are not so long as to be overwhelming when Mario decides to read, and the illustrations keep Toad happy. And, when we close the book for the night, the boys always want to read more!

For a while, the boys were shying away from both chapter books and storybooks. One of the books they were interested in during this time was Ripley's Believe It or Not: Special Edition 2011. I would read a few pages from it each night. We learned some interesting tidbits - like the one about the man in India who held his arms above his head for twenty years, or the boy who can "limbo-roller-skate" under cars and trucks by getting his body just 8 inches from the ground ... and some gross things that I do not care to re-live by writing of them here. Boys will be boys though - they were most delighted with those sections, and I think they enjoyed it more the more disgusted I got!

The other book that was catching their attention during that time was Ha! Ha! Ha! and MUCH more. It is a joke-and-reference book (how's that for an odd combination?), that provides facts on a certain animal, geography concept or body part/function, etc., followed by a few pages of jokes on the same subject. I picked it up at a Scholastic Book Fair on clearance for $6.... try as I might at the time, neither boy would consider getting it. But, I had a feeling... that it would be well-liked (here we go, here w...) and oddly enough - Mama was right, as I now find that book next to my sleeping Mario more than any other ;-)

Happy Reading!

Recall - Shermag Chanderic Michelle Convertible Fixed Rail Crib

The following recall notice is from HSW:

Event Highlights

Health Canada reports of a recall involving Shermag Chanderic Michelle Convertible Fixed Rail Crib. The crib's wooden slats can splinter or crack which can pose a laceration hazard to infants and toddlers. In addition, the crib's wooden slats can break which can pose a strangulation, entrapment and fall hazard to infants and toddlers.

See HSW Product Details tab for specifics on the affected items.

Health Canada is aware of one complaint related to the Shermag Chanderic Michelle Convertible Collection cribs.

Effected cribs were sold exclusively at Toys 'R US Canada nationwide from December 2009 to April 2011.

Corrective Action:Consumers should immediately contact Shermag Inc. for a free product replacement. Consumers should also stop using this crib, if they notice any problems with the crib such as splintering or cracking of the wooden slats and find an alternative safe sleeping environment for their baby.
For more information, consumers may contact Shermag Inc. at 1-800-567-3419, from Monday to Friday between 9AM and 5PM ET.

Tasty Tuesday - I Can't Believe How Easy It Is Stir Fry!

Seriously, People! I made this stir fry one day last week - and it ROCKS, if I do say so myself :-)

Well, actually, Mario confirmed it - he said it was SO good, he would LOVE to take the leftovers to school for lunch! Now, how often does a kid request leftovers, I ask you?

I am not very humble this AM, am I? To be honest, I am flabbergasted at how well it turned out, hence the excitement :-). DH had taken chicken out the night before, but we had ended up going to my Mom's for supper, so all day I was thinking how am I going to use the chicken? I read several recipes for stir-fry and when I thought I had the gist, this is what I ended up throwing together:

I Can't Believe How Easy It Is Stir Fry!


Ingredients (OR: What I had on hand on the day in question ;-)


1 egg
1 tsp cornstarch
1 tsp soy sauce
3 chicken breasts, cubed

1 OXO gel cube + water to make 3/4 c.

1 tsp soy sauce

1  tbsp olive oil
3 celery stalks
1 can mushrooms
1/2 tsp powdered garlic
1 tsp ground ginger

1 1/2 c froz. broccoli
1 1/2 c. froz. cauliflower
1 1/2 c. froz. carrots

1 tbsp olive oil


Method:

• Whisk together egg, cornstarch & 1 tsp soy sauce; add chicken. Cover & set aside. You can do this earlier in the day or the night before. 
• Mix OXO, water & remaining soy sauce; set aside. 
• Heat 1 tbsp oil until hot; add celery, mushrooms, garlic and ginger. Stir until well mixed. 
• Add frozen veg. after 1-2 minutes (you may want to break them down a bit if they are large pieces)
• Remove veg. mixture from heat & set aside after 2 minutes. 
• In a wok, heat another 1 tbsp oil; then add chicken and stir fry until white (3-5 min). 
• Once chicken is white, add OXO mixture & bring to a boil. 
• Reduce heat & simmer 2-3 minutes. 
• Add veg to wok; Stir until heated through (3-5 min). 
• Serve on rice, or quinoa :-)

Of course, if you are more ambitious than me - and most are when it comes to cooking - you could stir fry the chicken until white first, then add the veg to the same wok for a minute or two before the broth. I chose the two-pan method to make sure I had the chicken well cooked (well, to make sure I had everything well-mixed too! I was a stir-fry-virgin after all ;-)

How the Kids Can Help: measure & pour ingredients; open can; older kids can help chop celery & stir ingredients in wok. 

I hope your kids like this as much as Mario did!