The Good Shopper Blog

"Canadian pride may not rest on our sleeves, but it resides deeply in our hearts."

Steve Miller


01
Aug
2012
12:58:25

Palliser Limited Edition for a Great Cause!

By / Par: Wendy T. Gibson

Category / Catégorie: Canadians making waves

Since 1944, Palliser Furniture Upholstery Ltd. has been a community of people dedicated to leadership in design, service, and customer value in the furniture industry.
 
Palliser has exciting news for all you Olympic fans out there! In an homage to the Olympics and, specifically our Canadian athletes, Palliser is producing a Special Edition of the "Media", one of their gorgeous Home Theatre seating styles. The Maple Leaf is embroidered on the headrest and the "Media" is available as a single seat recliner option or a three seat set!
 
My favourite part is that, for every seat sold, Palliser will be donating $100.00 to the Special Olympics Canada Foundation ! So that means that, for a three seat set, Special Olympics will get $300!!
 
Consumers will be able to order the Special Edition "Media"  through any Palliser dealer until December 31st, 2012, and donations will help send our National athletes to the World Winter Games held in Korea in 2013! For people in the Toronto area, the seating is on display in the lobby of First Canadian Place and everyone is invited to check it out! Don't forget to 'Like' Palliser on Facebook  and find a retailer near you on the Pallister website.
 
Can you picture yourself watching the Olympics from the comfort of the Palliser  "Media"? Sweet! Go Canada Go!
 
:: images courtesy of Palliser and the Special Olympics Canada. 

Tags / Balises: Special Olympics
30
Jul
2012
12:58:25

Robert J. Sawyer

By / Par: Stacey Kazmir

Category / Catégorie: Canadians making waves

I absolutely loved reading this month's book, "Triggers"!  Robert J. Sawyer introduces his readers to some amazing science, always keeps us on our toes and we really get to know all the characters. You can read my review of this book in last week's Good Shopper Blog. I also have a book winner to announce at the end of this post!
Born in April of 1960, Canadian Robert J. Sawyer has twenty-one published novels and has won over forty awards, including the Nebula Award and the Aurora Award.  Most of his works contain, not only real life science like the memory research we read about in "Triggers", but also real life locations. Remember CERN  (the European Organization for Nuclear Research located near Geneva, Switzerland) from Flashforward?  I so appreciate that Sawyer often brings Canada into the mix in most of his novels.  If you've read Sawyer's novel "Calculating God" you'll know it focuses on the Royal Ontario Museum, in Toronto.
I mentioned that Sawyer's famous book, "Flashforward", (which is also a great read!) was turned into a TV show.  Sawyer worked with the writers on the story line and even wrote one of the episodes.  It has been fun to step into another one of Sawyer's books with "Triggers" and I look forward to picking up his next novel.

Time to get ready for our next book. I thought that we would take another big genre turn and try "Life of Pi", by Canadian author Yann Martel.  Did you know that this famous novel was actually rejected by at least five London publishing houses before being picked up by Knopf Canada?  This Man Booker Prize winning novel has been talked about since it was first published in 2001.

The son of a zookeeper, Pi Patel has an encyclopedic knowledge of animal behavior and a fervent love of stories. When Pi is sixteen, his family, along with their zoo animals, emigrates from India to North America aboard a Japanese cargo ship. The ship sinks. Pi finds himself in a lifeboat, his only companions a hyena, an orangutan, a wounded zebra and "Richard Parker", a four hundred and fifty pound Bengal tiger. Soon, the tiger has dispatched all but Pi, whose fear, knowledge and cunning allow him to coexist with Richard Parker for two hundred and twenty seven days while lost at sea. When they finally reach the coast of Mexico, Richard Parker flees to the jungle, never to be seen again. The Japanese authorities who interrogate Pi refuse to believe his story and press him to tell them "the truth." After hours of coercion, Pi tells a second story, a story much less fantastical, much more conventional ... but is it more true?

I'm really looking forward to reading this famous story! For now, congratulations to the winner of "Triggers", Catherine Kelly! Let us know what you think! I would love to discuss it with you and find out how you think the people in your life would react.

To win a copy of our next book, "Life of Pi", please answer the question at the end of our review, which will be published on Monday, August 20, 2012. The winner will be announced the following week. Good luck and thanks so much to everyone for participating! Don't forget to Like us at the Buy Canadian First Book Club  on Facebook and share us with your friends!

Have you read "Life of Pi" yet or seen the movie?

:: Images courtesy of Chapters-Indigo and sfwriter.com.

28
Jul
2012
12:58:25

DIY - make a cheater board and batten wall treatment

By / Par: Funky Junk Interiors

Category / Catégorie: Tips and tricks

 
If you were to ask me what my Canadian dream home looked like, it would be a rambling old farmhouse chalk full of character. However, since I live in a typical suburban styled home, I desired to give a sea of drywall some added interest, but in a way that would be easy to change out if I so desired.
 
How to make cheater board and batten walls

 
1. Coat out your walls in white.
 
Tip: I like to have the paint store add two drops of dark brown to the mix which removes the blue undertone
 
2. Paint out some 1 x 2's with primer, then the same white wall paint.

Tip: I used random width sized boards for abit more interest.

 

3.  Place boards on the wall and insert one screw in the middle. Pivot the board with the help of a level. Once in place, add two more screws. Paint the screws white.
 
Tip: I spaced the boards random widths apart as well so I didn't have to measure a thing!

The end result is a glorious white wall, loaded with charm, that was super easy and price efficient to create!

(If you wished for a more permanent version, I'd suggest to add caulk to the seams and paint out the entire area one last time.)

So, what do you think? Would this treatment work anywhere in your own home?

Photos and tutorial of the board and batten project are courtesy of Funky Junk Interiors.

 

28
Jul
2012
12:58:25

St. Francis Herb Farm

By / Par: Wendy T. Gibson

Category / Catégorie: Shopping guides

Buy Canadian First members, Jeremy and Monique Rivett-Carnac, founders and proprietors of St. Francis Herb Farm, have some wonderful products that will help make our made-in-Canada Summer even more enjoyable, including a brand new product launch!  

 
Founded in 1985, St. Francis Herb Farm is the culmination of the Rivett-Carnac's deep-rooted desire to help others. After several years spent growing herbs, they were inspired to develop naturopathic products. Within months, word spread in the retail market and created a growing demand! Today, St. Francis Herb Farm supplies a number of naturopathic doctors and healthcare practitioners, health food stores and natural pharmacies throughout Canada and internationally.
   
 
1. Ear Oil - This is a great product for Swimmer's Ear for both kids and adults! Why miss out on fun in the water?
 
 
2. Vitamin E Calendula Cream - so soothing on tanned skin that is not burnt! For best results, apply before and after time in the sun. St. Francis Herb Farm recently received a testimonial from a welding company, whose welders swear by the Calendula Vit. E for healing their welding burns!
    
3. Kinomai Cream - this is a new product launch! Kinomai replaces their very successful "Free to Move" cream that had to be taken off the shelves and reworked because of government regulations. Kinomai Cream is a fantastic product for muscle and nerve pain, sore backs, etc. It is available in the familiar glass jar, or the brand new, convenient tube! Just the thing for a pain-free, active Summer!
 
One hundred per cent Canadian owned and operated, these quality products can be purchased near you by using the St. Francis Herb Farm Dealer Locator and your postal code! Rediscover the wisdom of St. Francis Herb Farm on Facebook  and Twitter !   
 
Have you ever used herbal products before?
 
:: images courtesy of St. Francis Herb Farm

27
Jul
2012
12:58:25

Yummy cold desserts and drinks

By / Par: Andrea Willowcat - St. Jean Baptiste, Manitoba

Category / Catégorie: Eating and drinking Canadian

I am not sure about the rest of Canada,  but I do know that the sweltering heat of Manitoba has us craving delectable, cold treats. It doesn't take much to break a sweat over here right now. So what Canadian treats can we get our hands on to keep us cool as the mercury soars?

ninettes ice cream 

What happens when Buy Canadian First member Ninette, a Canadian stay-at-home mom of seven children, decides to make ice cream? She makes the most dreamed of flavours ever that are low calorie and low fat: Cinnamon Apple Pie, Gingerbread Crunch, Raspberry Truffle, Mocha Almond Fudge, Thyme Lemon Fusion and Basil Lemon. I can only imagine scoops on waffle cones or homemade granola sprinkled over the Cinnamon Apple Pie! What about a Thyme Lemon milkshake? Oh be still, my taste buds! Sadly, I am unable to get Ninette's scrumptious ice cream here in Manitoba. In fact, outside of Quebec and eastern Ontario, the rest of us Canucks are out of luck. Don't dismay! If you Like the Ninette's facebook page,  you can enter to win a five pack of ice cream, valid anywhere in North America!!! Wouldn't that be a wonderful delivery? In the meantime, if anyone driving from Quebec or eastern Ontario is driving west with a few blocks of ice and a cooler, message me; I want one of each Ninette's flavours!

  crofter's Organic

I may be unable to get Ninette's ice cream right now but I can still find some yummy ice cream locally and drizzle (or drench it) in Buy Canadian First member Crofter's  Organic Jellies, Spreads and Conserves. Wild Blueberries, Apricot and Super Fruit spreads are among the delicious flavours. Crofter's is environmentally conscious, and their fruit is organic and not genetically altered. Their cane sugar is also organic and sourced from ethical and environmentally friendly sources. I am dying to try these spreads on my plain Greek yoghurt, over vanilla ice cream or even a dollop on my oatmeal (though that's not a cold treat). While I know that I can pick up these jars of fruit preserves at local organic food stores and regular grocers, I can also have Crofter's delivered to my son, in British Columbia, or myself in Manitoba, through Buy Canadian First member Well.ca ! Be sure to join their facebook page  for updates and events.

  Soyummi

Buy Canadian First member Soyummi  has healthy and wholesome, naturally sweetened desserts to indulge in on a hot day or anytime. Soyummi not only makes my favourite, tapioca pudding, with real tapioca pearls, they also offer Cherry, Chocolate, Rice and a limited edition Lime pudding. It is wonderful that they also use organic ingredients that have not been genetically modified. In fact, Soyummi has a long list of ingredients that they do not use in their products. I look forward to tasting their tapioca as I am not keen on making it myself from scratch. I guess that the proof is in the pudding! Catch them on Facebook!

While you are surfing Facebook, have a cup of my favourite, cold chamomile tea with crushed mint and honey over a mountain of ice, and make sure to come and visit us on Buy Canadian First's facebook page. Be the first to know about our latest blog posts, contests and great Canadian-made items!!

What are your favourite cold summer desserts and drinks?

 Image credit: Buy Canadian First members Ninettes Ice Cream, Crofter's Organics, Soyummi 

25
Jul
2012
12:58:25

DIY - make a pallet wood garden path

By / Par: Funky Junk Interiors

Category / Catégorie: Tips and tricks

We have a big need for garden pathways living in the wet, west Canadian coast. Thanks to a few random pallet boards on hand, this little pathway just couldn't have been easier to create! 
 
The soil was leveled out and then the boards were placed into position. A little soil was then tucked back into place to ensure that the boards stayed put. And they did!
 
These particular boards were fairly thick, which created the perfect drainage.
 
While the wood for this pathway wasn't treated with anything, one certainly could apply an outdoor sealer and some sand to create a gripping surface, if desired. All that's left to do is add a few plants and enjoy your pretty new path!
 
Do have some unique walkways in your garden? What did you create them with?
 
Photos and design are courtesy of Funky Junk Interiors. You can read about the second year of my walkway at Pallet Walkway - revisited on Funky Junk.
 

23
Jul
2012
12:58:25

Enter to win "Triggers"

By / Par: Stacey Kazmir

Category / Catégorie: Contests

Welcome to the July edition of the Buy Canadian First Book Club! Don't forget to "Like" the Buy Canadian First Book Club on Facebook, where we discuss the books and authors and choose what we will read next. You can also find out who won today's giveaway, next Monday, when we learn more about this week's author, Robert J. Sawyer!

Born in 1960, Canadian science fiction writer, Robert J. Sawyer, has twenty-one published novels.  He has won over forty awards for his fiction!   Sawyer may be best known for his novel "Flashforward", which was turned into a popular TV Show.   Unfortunately , the show was cancelled after one season, but it did get a lot of press and social media followers.  Sawyer was actually a story consultant on each episode of the series and wrote the nineteenth episode, "Course Correction". 

 

 

"Triggers" actually takes place in the U.S. and has a focus on the President.  Terrorists have been attacking the U.S. with a new type of bomb and the President is planning a huge retaliation, however, he is shot during a speech and ends up in the hospital. Meanwhile, another bomb goes off, destroying the White House.  At the same time that the bomb is going off, a Canadian memory researcher is using a new device to erase memories.  The electromagnetic pulse that the bomb creates makes the memory device expand and causes a group of people to be able to read each other memories! This leads to someone being able to read the President's memories and might lead to the discovery of the retaliation attack that the U.S. is planning against the terrorists.

This was a fantastic read, very fast paced, with well developed characters. There are interesting mysteries as we discover who is involved and who is reading whose memories.  I was happy that Robert J. Sawyer wrote the memory researcher as a Canadian who grew up in Toronto and went to a Canadian university. It was a great way to tie in our multi-cultural country.  I also love that it's not just science fiction; you can look up things that Sawyer brings up, such as "consciousness" and "quantum entanglement" and you can learn more about the research being done and how it relates to the memory experiments discussed in the book.

A fantastic read and one I highly recommend!

Contest Giveaway:

Here's a chance to win your own copy of Robert J. Sawyer's book, "Triggers" and read along with us! The winner will be announced here when we learn more about  Robert J. Sawyer, next week. Just answer the following question in the comment section below to qualify. Be sure to share the contest with your friends and family as well. Comments are moderated, so don't panic if your comment doesn't show up right away! Good luck!

Would you like to be able to read someone else's memories?


Images courtesy of Chapters-Indigo and sfwriter.com.

20
Jul
2012
12:58:25

Outdoor summer crafts and activities with the kids

By / Par: Andrea Willowcat - St. Jean Baptiste, Manitoba

Category / Catégorie: Growing up in Canada

When I was a kid, I spent quite a lot of time in Whiteshell Provincial Park, with my grandparents.  As an only child on Summer vacation, I grew accustomed to entertaining myself in this glorious corner of eastern Manitoba. My creativity blossomed as I created intricate frog villages in the sand adorned with natural items such as pinecones, pebbles and twigs. I would collect shells and stones and arrange them into patterns as well as draw on the docks with charcoal taken from old campsites; these endeavours would take hours. Despite the amazing time that I had as a child, my adult brain, aware of the dangers, would have a hard time allowing my children that same kind of freedom. We, as parents or caregivers, can still give children the health and creative benefits of the outdoors! This week at the daycare we spent the better part of it outside. The best part about being outdoors is that it naturally sparks creativity and you need very little in the way of supplies.

 

Mud is messy and wonderful outside! You can make bricks to dry in the sun for a fort, bird nests, bowls, pots, pie and soup (which is the best soup of all); all this and the fun and laughs of getting messy and dirty! Mud is so great that it even has it's own international day !! Perhaps some tools from Buy Canadian First member Garant will make all the difference.

Willowcatstudio 

Yesterday, at the daycare, the school-aged kids  and I went for a nature walk while the smaller ones slept. We collected all sorts of interesting natural items and some found items, too. Later that afternoon we sat down to create nature collages with our found items; all we needed was glue and cardboard.

willowcatstudio 

We often take containers of paint and big brushes outside. Whether we paint on the sidewalks or on large sheets of paper, the big brushes and large painting space creates a sense of freedom in creativity, as there is no mess to make! Of course, don't forget to bring the sidewalk chalk as well!

 willowcatstudio

Outside crafts and activities are often most fun if you follow your child's lead and add the needed supplies as you go. Get messy, try and follow a bird and then make her a feeder or look for interesting, recyclable materials to create toad homes in your garden. Take lots of pictures! The memories will be well worth the effort.

What kind of creative, outdoor activities does your family do?

 image credit: Buy Canadian First Member Garant and Andrea Willowcat

Tags / Balises: Craft project, DIY, Family, Handmade, Natural
17
Jul
2012
12:58:25

DIY - create a wheelbarrow planter

By / Par: Funky Junk Interiors

Category / Catégorie: Tips and tricks

If you ever come across an old wheelbarrow, bound for a nearby dump, grab it! They make amazing planters for your Canadian garden.

 

This design resembles a miniature or fairy garden. A birdhouse, a machine part to hold water and little rocks for a pathway is a charming start. However, the elements soon disappear as the flowers take over in a big way!

Here are some perks in using a wheelbarrow for a planter:

  • The height of the wheelbarrow allows for a lovely cascade which gives your garden an abundant feel. 
  • If the wheel is intact, your planter can be moved for easy weeding, lawn care or just a different location from time to time.
  • Wheelbarrows are large enough to hold enough soil to ensure your plants don't dry out too quickly.

How to create a wheelbarrow planter:

  1. Drill some drainage holes, especially near the tire if the unit is sloped.
  2. Add a small layer of crushed gravel over the holes to allow for drainage.
  3. Add your soil. Mix your soil with a peat moss mixture and fertilizer for proper drainage, water retention and growing power.

Once you try a wheelbarrow planter in your garden, you'll wonder why you didn't have one sooner!

What creative planters do you have in your garden?

Photos and design are courtesy of Funky Junk Interiors

15
Jul
2012
12:58:25

Camping Canadian Style

By / Par: Stacey Kazmir

Category / Catégorie: Tips and tricks

July and August are THE months to go camping.  There are a few of us that head out in May and June, but you can run into cold nights or nasty bugs, then. July and August in Canada are 'made' for camping. Let's look at some tips to consider when it comes to choosing a park to camp in, a tent vs. a trailer and what to bring. 

  1. Tent or trailer?  Some parks cater to trailers only and have their lots set up just for them. You need grass for tents, of course, and trailer parks tend to have gravel lots where you park with just a strip of grass for sitting. Make sure that the park you are interested in has room for your shelter!
  2. Why are you going camping?  Is it to get back to nature, for a family getaway, or just to have a place to sleep while you attend tourist attractions?  If it's to get back to nature, your best bet is to look at provincial parks, as they have few amenities but offer a lot in the way of hiking trails, canoe lakes and fishing spots.  If you are camping with the family, it's better to look at privately-owned parks that offer swimming pools, bike rentals, nightly entertainment for the kids and are often close to local attractions.
  3. Food preservation. A big deal in the Summer heat!  If you are in a tent vs. a trailer with a fridge, it's actually really hard to keep food safely cool and dry.  Using coolers full of ice is cheap but the ice melts quickly, has changing temperatures throughout and soaks anything that is not sealed tightly.  There is another option if your lot has an electrical outlet - Canadian-made Koolatron has eliminated the need for ice, cooling to approximately 22 ° C (40 ° F) below the ambient temperature.  It can also be plugged into your vehicle's 12 volt power outlet, keeping food cold during travels as well.

    
 
4. Be prepared!  Don't pack the car to the brim with everything you 'might' need; figure out what you'll actually use and just take that! Are you cooking by fire every night (check the local fire bans!) or are you bringing a bbq/stove? Do you need a pot, fresh water, cleaning products?  Do you have an air mattress or bedding? Toiletries? Make a master list; there's lots to consider. Be prepared for bugs and find out whether ticks are a concern.  Mosquitoes are just about everywhere and, trust me, getting even one trapped in the tent at night can mean being eaten alive by morning.  Look into products like Buy Canadian First member Muskol, an insect repellent providing eight hours of effective protection against mosquitoes, black flies, biting midges, deer flies, stable flies, ticks and chiggers.

 
 


5. Check the weather forecast!  Got a rain day in there?  If there are no local attractions you can escape to, make sure you have some entertainment for when you are trapped in the tent or trailer.  A deck of cards, magazines, books, puzzles and board games are great.  I really like this Hunt and Seek Canada from Buy Canadian First member Editions Gladius.

 
Have you gone camping yet this year?  What are some tips you can share with us?

Images courtesy of Buy Canadian First members Koolatron, Muskol and Editions Gladius.

Tags / Balises: Buy Canadian, camping, Made in Canada
12
Jul
2012
12:58:25

Sticking With Your Fitness Goals

By / Par: Andrea Willowcat - St. Jean Baptiste, Manitoba

Category / Catégorie: Tips and tricks

Bootcamp is over for the Summer and I am sad that I wasn't able to attend the final session in Southern Manitoba. All in all, I didn't lose a whole lot of weight but I did lose over ten inches, not too bad an effort! Bootcamp starts back up in the Fall. I am not sure if I am going to go back yet, as it all depends how well I am able to continue my fitness goals under my own steam. I have come up with my own set of tips and tricks that I would like to share with you.
 Buy Canadian First Member Naosap
Nothing happens overnight. The weight that I have packed on didn`t happen over night. Being kind to, and patient with myself, while waiting for results to show is key to not getting frustrated. I also try to be diligent, optimistic and focused during this journey. Then, finally, the results will be visible and it will be terribly exciting and rewarding! Keep your expectations reasonable; if you are dieting properly, you may expect to lose one to two pounds a week. If you are dieting and doing a fitness program, your weight may not change but your body will shrink while your muscles gain mass!
 

  

What we eat is very important. This is not about eating perfectly but about making an effort to truly watch and know what it is that I am putting into my body. Preservatives, artificial sweeteners, refined flour and sugar are some things that I have tried to purge from our diet. Whole grains, such as Buy Canadian First member Noasap  and their Manitoba grown wild rice, are a staple in the house now. We have also added beans to our diet as well as Buy Canadian First member True North Salmon' s products to our table. The basic rules we try to stand by is to buy Canadian, local foods first and to steer clear of processed products.   

Eating and sleeping. Breakfast is so very, very important, as it has likely been over eight hours since you have last eaten! Your body is waking and needing fuel for the day. To keep a body's metabolism running smoothly it is said that eating food, not skipping meals, is best. So I eat three meals and two to three small snacks a day. Since school has let out for Summer session I am no longer up in the wee hours snacking as I write papers. This small change, in conjunction with a lot more sleep, has resulted in a five pound weight loss in three weeks! Eat well and often and sleep well, it works!

Buy Canadian First Member Dringdring 

Add fitness into your daily routine. No, I do not mean to run a few miles every morning, unless you wish to. What I am talking about is taking fitness opportunities on top of your regular fitness schedule. Chase your children through the park, climb the monkey bars, go for a family bike ride, take the stairs or walk to the store and carry your groceries home. Take every opportunity to add activity into your days. (I would love to get these bicycle bells from Buy Canadian first member, Dringdring, one for each of my girls, for our family rides!).

For me, Summertime may be the easiest time of year to lose weight, even with the temptation of milkshakes, iced tea and other cold beverages and the end of the day s'mores treats. It's just too hot to eat as much. Here in Manitoba, as I bask in the seventy percent humidity and the thirty above weather, I know that the true test will be in the Fall, with the cool weather and my nose buried in my textbooks once again. Until then, I will happily apply my own tips and tricks and take advantage of the beautiful weather!

What helps you stick to your fitness goals?

 Image credit Buy Canadian First members Noasap, True North Salmon and Dring Dring

Tags / Balises: Buy Canadian, Exercise, Family, Fitness, Food, Goals
11
Jul
2012
12:58:25

Patio furniture... from pallet wood

By / Par: Funky Junk Interiors

Category / Catégorie: Tips and tricks

Last summer, I had a nice patio table and chair set out on the deck, however I was always longing for more of a lounge kind of sit.

  

Ramping it up a notch, a vision of something rustically unique came to mind. And so the pallet outdoor sofa was born.

   

The frame was built to accommodate a mattress found at the thrift store. From there, reclaimed cedar planks were used for the seat and random pallet boards for the back. To pretty things up, the mattress was covered in a painter’s drop cloth and random thrift store pillows offered all the comfort necessary.

 

Not only am I totally enjoying my new lounging area outdoors, this project also won a Canada-wide Upcycle 2011 challenge! How cool and unexpected was that?

 

Have you created any of your own outdoor furniture? What did you use or make?

 

Photos and design are courtesy of Funky Junk Interiors. Full tutorial HERE.

09
Jul
2012
12:58:25

National Fishing Week

By / Par: Stacey Kazmir

Category / Catégorie: Growing up in Canada

It's National Fishing Week in Canada! Running from July 7th to the 15th, this week is to encourage more Canadians to experience recreational fishing.  In Ontario, you don't even need a licence to fish this week; check the National Fishing Week website for information on licence-free days in your province.  National Fishing Week is a coast-to-coast-to coast awareness program that has been declared Canada's week to explore the magic lure of fresh and saltwater sport fishing. Parents, youngsters and wanna-be anglers everywhere, are invited to experience Canada's amazing outdoors. With over one million lakes, rivers and streams, plus three oceans, Canada can justly boast the greatest array of fishing adventures anywhere on the planet!



There are many ways to make fishing a Canadian-made experience this week but the number one concern, I think, is safety.  If your children are trying out fishing for the first time this week, and any time they are close to a body of water, please make sure that they are wearing a life jacket!  Check out the Nimbus children life vest from Buy Canadian First member Salus Marine.  The only child’s vest that offers Ensolite® soft foam and round edge design for exceptional comfort, it also has an elasticized back for a proper fit.



Keep everyone safe in the water with a stable and trust worthy boat or canoe, such as the "Escape" Model from Buy Canadian First member, Clipper Canoes.  The "Escape" is designed with a shallow arch hull, is stiffened with cross ribs in the fiberglass layup and a vacuum-bagged foam core in the Kevlar® layup. Both provide stiff hulls that help maximize performance and maneuverability.  The comfortable seats allow paddlers to sit instead of kneel which is great for all members of the family.



What's fishing without lures?  Buy Canadian First member, Lucky Strike, offers a wide range of lures.  All their lures are made with the same workmanship and quality as when the company started seventy-five years ago.



What a great week to get out there and introduce the next generation to fishing, enjoy our country's beauty and maybe even come home with dinner!  We've enjoyed many fishing trips while camping and at the cottage. Fishing is a fantastic way to spend time with the family.

Are you going fishing this week?

Images courtesy of Buy Canadian First members Lucky Strike, Clipper Canoes, Salus Marine and Stacey Kazmir's personal picture.

Tags / Balises: Buy Canadian, Made in Canada, Sports
08
Jul
2012
12:58:25

DIY- A headboard from a gate

By / Par: Funky Junk Interiors

Category / Catégorie: Tips and tricks

It wasn’t that long ago that I was shopping for a headboard. I wasn’t finding anything to die for so I just hung in there... until an old horse gate from a burn pile was discovered. YES!

 

The size proved to be perfect for my king-sized bed. The added sawhorse at the foot of the bed completed the rustic look.

 

Adding hooks to the gate offers loads of fun opportunities for ever-changing decor. Today, it's decked out for Summer. What will I do for Fall... or Christmas? Fun!

 

Installing the gate to the wall was as simple as screwing it into studs. The "messy bed" look was created by throwing loose linens on top of a quilt. The sleepy cat on the bed fully approves! Other unique headboard ideas could be old doors, fireplace mantels or large vintage signs. If an object is the size of the bed, it can be a headboard!

 

Do you have a unique headboard?

 

Photos and design courtesy of Funky Junk Interiors. Full tutorial can be found here.

06
Jul
2012
12:58:25

Stressed-Out Super Moms! 5 ways to cut back stress!

By / Par: Andrea Willowcat - St. Jean Baptiste, Manitoba

Category / Catégorie: Tips and tricks

Stress!! I am certain every Canadian Mom has had their moments with this common foe. As moms, we run our homes, juggle work, school schedules, extra curricular activities and obligations. For me, stress usually builds up when my time is short; everything piles up and time for the more important, as well as wonderful things, becomes short at hand. I know we often don’t have enough time but one thing that I have learned is that running on empty is inefficient and usually means that I get less done. Here are five tips for the fabulous mom to slow down and de-stress.

 

1. Break a sweat. I made all sorts of excuses not to join a fitness class until I saw the results my friends were having. What I ended up gaining was a better attitude, a physical release for stress and tons of energy! The lost inches became secondary to how awesome I was feeling and I discovered I did have at least two hours a week to spare. You don’t have to join a fitness class. Buy Canadian First member Stott Pilates  has videos and equipment for your home gym.

 Ecojot mini

2. Be grateful. Sometimes, being bogged down with what feels like the neverending to-do list, clouds your view of what’s around you. Buy Canadian First member Ecojot has these lovely mini 3x4 inch journals to jot a few things down that you are grateful for each day. Things like gigantic thanks for the morning hugs from your family or something small like a butterfly landing on your arm. You may even be thankful for your ritual morning coffee or tea. Whatever you are grateful for, write it down and you will feel the weight lift off of you.

3. Laugh often. Find the people who bring joy into your life and keep them close. Play and be goofy with your kids, as much as you can (as they grow up and then move away to go to university). Get your best friends together and enjoy each other even if it’s only a few times a year.

 chapters indigo

4. Do something you love. We each have our own hobbies and activities that we adore. For me and the kids, it is a trip to the zoo. We are looking forward to seeing the international polar bear conservation centre  on our next visit. We also love pulling out the craft supplies and creating to our hearts delight. I also adore listening to music and Buy Canadian first member Indigo Books and Music has a great selection of Canadian music. As you know, I have another favourite Canadian music site and that is CBC Radio 3 .

5. My very last tip, and maybe the most important stress removal tool is Sleep! No matter what, sleep will help you focus, lose or maintain weight and de-stress. Check out Buy Canadian First Members EssentiaSimmons and Dream Designs  for a wonderful selection of Canadian-made mattresses.  

What are your best stress reducing tips? 

 

image credit: Stott Pilates, Ecojot, Chapters Indigo 

Tags / Balises: Community, Family, Parents
04
Jul
2012
12:58:25

DIY - make a large number or letter

By / Par: Funky Junk Interiors

Category / Catégorie: Tips and tricks

If you’ve been keeping up with Canadian (and beyond) design trends in home decorating, you’ll have noticed by now that numbers are a huge hit. Who knew that numbers would be desireable things to hang up on a wall?
 But they are! The premise is that a number resembles a piece of vintage sign history. They also just look cool, and the good news is, if you make one yourself, you can have it say or look like anything you desire.

Want to make one of your own? Here's an easy and affordable way you can whip one up in an afternoon!

 

1. Sketch or print out a number or letter in the font of your choice.

2. On a large piece of plywood, sketch your design. I used chalk.

 

3. Cut out the shape with a jigsaw, and sand the edges well.

 

4. Paint it up , hang it up and be proud!



Are you a numbers collector? Where do you like to display them?

Photos and design are courtesy of Donna at Funky Junk Interiors. Full tutorial can be found HERE.

02
Jul
2012
12:58:25

Canadian Moms Cook

By / Par: Stacey Kazmir

Category / Catégorie: Eating and drinking Canadian

I hope everyone had a fantastic, Canadian-made Canada Day!! We had a fun day of local celebrations, playing in the pool and BBQ'ing some yummy food. Speaking of the BBQ and yummy food, I'd love to tell you about a new website I am co-authoring: Canadian Moms Cook.

 

 Canadian Moms Cook

 

At Canadian Moms Cook, co-author Amanda, from Multi-Testing Mommy and I, share family favourite recipes, new ones we try off the net, new finds in cookbooks and more. We share the real results on how it went, what our family thought, including those picky kids, and show you what the dish really looks like, too. We don't include any of those fancy cookbook or Pinterest pictures of food that that no one can reproduce. I always try to include recipes that have a Canadian-made element, whether it's wraps full of veggies from the local farmers' market, or a new find like the Wrap Trap, designed by a Canadian Mom.

I have a great Canadian recipe to share with you today on Canada Day weekend: Butter Tarts! Butter Tarts are considered one of only a few recipes of genuinely Canadian origin. The earliest published Canadian recipe is from Barrie, Ontario and dates back to 1900. It can be found in "The Women’s Auxiliary of the Royal Victoria Hospital Cookbook". While there are many recipes to be found online, I find many of them to be too fancy. I think simple is best for butter tarts. I don't even like raisins or walnuts in mine. I've had this recipe for years and years, but I do not know the original source.

Butter Tarts





Step 1:
Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl:

  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1C corn syrup
  • 1C sugar
  • 1/4C melted butter
  • 1t vanilla


Step 2:
Pour filling into 24 frozen tart shells (or feel free to make your own) - 1/3 full

Step 3:
Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.

Please stop by and share what you've been cooking up in the kitchen, or some amazing recipes you've found online. You can follow Canadian Moms Cook on Facebook and Twitter as well! Be sure to check out the bursting Food and Drink category at Buy Canadian First. You might be surprised at how easily you can eat Canadian-made!

Is there one dish in particular that says "Canadian" to you?

 

Images courtesy Canadian Moms Cook.


Tags / Balises: Buy Canadian, Food, Made in Canada

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