Buy Canadian First - Your destination for good shopping

Moms are busy people.  Whether they are stay-at-home moms like me,  or career moms, it seems like there is never enough time in a day to fit everything in.  Pampering yourself definitely is something that is always on the back burner.  Whether you have ten minutes or two hours, there are little things that moms can do to take care of themselves.  I call this my "mommy minute".  It is time for me to pamper myself and take a few moments that are just for me - no interruptions.  It really makes me feel good about myself.

I try to find time everyday to have a relaxing bath for myself.  This is usually after the kids have gone to bed or are settling down and spending time with Daddy.  To me, this is my time to regroup and unwind after the day.  I love bubble bath and really enjoy scented bath products.  These are my own special products that only I use.  Buy Canadian First member Fruits and Passion has many lovely products.  I like The Fruity collection...Georgia Peach smells divine!

  

After having a little soak in the tub, if I have a few more minutes, I like to give myself a little pedicure and paint my toenails.  Our member Upper Canada Soap has a great gift set just for pampering those tired toes.  Upper Canada products are made without harsh chemicals, parabens, synthetic dyes, mineral oils, SLS and Phthalates which is definitely a plus to me.

 

Lise Watier Cosmetiques are also a Buy Canadian First Member.  They have fantastic nail polish in great colours. 

 

After the kids are in bed and all sound asleep, I usually curl up on the sofa with a blanket and a good book or magazine.  I like Canadian Living Magazine.  It is always full of great articles and recipes.  The Buy Canadian First website also has a section called the Reading Corner which features lots of great Canadian literature. 

   

As I was browsing the Buy Canadian First website I also found this great fleece throw by Kiluk.  It looks so cozy and comfy, great to curl up on the sofa with!

 

That is how I pamper myself and wind down with a "mommy minute".  How do all of you moms out there pamper yourself?  I would love to hear all about it!!

 Image sources: Buy Canadian First Member Pages

Fall has officially arrived and in Manitoba it brings cool, drab, rainy days. I found myself preparing for the onslaught of the upcoming cold by changing the colour of my computer room. It started as a cold forest green but after the fourth coat it will be a warm, firey orange. I hope all it needs is a fourth coat! I guess that I should have used primer, but I digress. I also plan to buy wood for the fireplace and lay out stacks of cozy comforters for use while crafting or watching the boob tube. These little luxuries during the long cold winter months seem more like necessities that keep your home looking and feeling warm and cosy! Of course these five fabulous members can keep your house looking great all year round!

The Contrast team has been manufacturing and suppling top quality lighting products to North America since 1989, and it's all made in Canada! They create  halogen recessed lighting fixtures, flush mounts, pendants, decorative glass lamp shades, wall sconces and other decorative articles, and Dinah, they are functional and gorgeous! The suspension and mounted lamps with their mouth blown-glass shades are simply to die for. For more information and to ogle, stop by their Buy Canadian First member page and website.

 

 

Nova Scotian Crystal was started over a decade ago by several Irish crystal makers. Saddened by the onslaught of machine-made crystal, they picked up their boot straps and headed to the Canadian east coast to preserve the integrity of their ancient craft and to become Canada's only mouth-blown and hand-cut crystal manufacturers. Should you ever be in the area, you are welcome to watch these crafters create and if you are not, well there is always You Tube. Finally I would love nothing more than to drink my Canadian lager in these beautiful tankards during hockey season. Please visit Nova Scotian Crystal at their member page and their website. 

 

In 1944, Russian born Abram Albert DeFehr started to make wooden furniture in the basement of his Winnipeg home. Several years later the first Palliser factory was moved to a refurbished chicken barn. Over 60 years later Palliser employs over 4000 people, funds a philanthropic organisation and builds value on values. All this and they make some great looking furniture, too, like the Venus sectional, which looks dreamy. Be sure to check out their member page and their website to locate a dealer near you.

 

With the short, cold days and the blustery, frigid nights, winter is truly made for one thing; sleeping and cuddling. Perhaps Simmons figured this out when they began back in 1891 making top quality bedding products. Today they still do the same and you can choose your softness, so I'll take one Beautyrest® Classic Comfort Top Wool with a pillow top in a king size, as we need room for the kids too. For more information check out the Simmons member page and website. Sweet dreams, Canada! 

  

Almost 20 years ago, Grant and Tricia Lloyd began a small shop in their home and now it is one of Ontario's most prominent solid wood furnishings & accents manufacturers. They are also an environmentally friendly company using only water-based finishes, green waste disposal techniques and wood from sustainably-managed forests in Canada and the US. Even though Springwater Woodcraft has a staff of over 20 employees and many retailers across Canada, they still hold the spirit of a family run business. I can't imagine anything better for my home as this gorgeous Cubby Bench at my front entrance. I imagine my little sprouts putting their mittens and scarves away in the cubbies. Please check their member page and website to view more beautiful pieces.

 

From hand crafted pieces to old time, factory giants, Canada certainly has it all! Who are your favourite Canadian manufacturers of products for the home?

 

CBC Radio just announced that we are in for record breaking temperatures this Autumn. It will be unusually warm, they tell me, as I hunt for the heavy sweater that I put somewhere last May. "Warm" is such a relative term, isn't it? On this wet, chilly and rainy day, all I can think about is how nice it would be to have a cheery fireplace to cosy up to! Our little, old brick Victorian is cold and damp much of the time, and my husband and I have been considering the logistics of installing a fireplace or stove in the small space that is available.

  

 

It's so convenient that I can browse the Buy Canadian First Catalogue  for members who sell what I'm looking for ... products that are made in Canada. That's how I discovered Napoleon® Fireplaces and their beautiful range of built-in and free-standing fireplaces.

 

And I mean beautiful! If you are a lover of design, you will be amazed at what Napoleon has to offer! We aren't talking potbelly, wood burning stoves, either, although I am quite sure you can get something along that line. My preferences, in spite of our Victorian, are modern, clean lines and cool, geeky technology, and Napoleon has those in spades...in their fireplaces! They even have an iPhone application if you want to design your own fireplace on the go! You can download it from iTunes! Very hip!

You can tell that Napoleon  works with customers to design features that include innovative, patented technology. It really shows! They've developed eco-friendly wood burning products, realistic, natural gas burning fireplaces and some of North America's most advanced state-of-the-art technology! And they made it all really cool!  I was expecting traditional, somewhat dull fireplaces, but Napoleon's fireplaces deserve the limelight for their style alone! Some of them are really spectacular, with gorgeous accents such as CRYSTALITES™ lights that accent from underneath the ember bed or CHRYSTALINE, which is glass, stones or coloured glass ember beds in black, blue, red or amber! These fireplaces look like works of art!

 

Napoleon® is an ISO9001 - 2000 registered company and operates with 500,000+ square feet of manufacturing space and over 400 employees. They are North America's largest privately owned manufacturer of quality wood and gas fireplaces, gourmet gas and charcoal grills, outdoor living products and waterfalls. Waterfalls? Awesome!

Did I mention that the CBC also predicts that this Winter will be much colder than last Winter?  What are you going to do to stay warm ... that you can share with us!?

 

Like a programmed robot, (the good kind, not the scary kind), my mind always turns to back-to-school supplies in September. New pens and pencils, pencil cases, markers, notebooks, binders.....the hairs on my arms raise in anticipation at the thought!

Although its disturbing to see Hallowe'en decorations out in August, the site of fresh office supplies, book bags and cool new gizmos always lifts my spirits! And hey, I still use "back-to-school" supplies, everyday, in one way or another. I bet you do, too! Several of our Buy Canadian First members make it easy and environmentally friendly to get great back-to-school stuff!

 

A Hilroy notebook sits on the arm of the couch next to me, acting as a rough journal for an online art class that I am taking. A Hilroy binder keeps my class print-outs neat and orderly. Hilroy, by the way, has a cool programme going on, geared at school children and teachers, called "Spread the Word" . It focuses on introducing important environmental issues and sustainable living. Parents and other interested people can participate as well, of course, and there are lots of things to print out and do with your family and friends.

 

Ecojot® is another company that has wonderful back-to-school supplies and is concerned with the environment. Their  beautiful range of Canadian made, 100% post-consumer recycled paper products are earth friendly and people friendly too!

• They use acid-free, processed chlorine-free paper & board.
• All inks & glues are vegetable-based, and bio-degradable.
• No new trees are used to make paper & the paper mill is powered by bio-gas harnessed from a nearby landfill.
• All protective packaging is corn-based.
• As much as possible, locally made, raw material is used.

Ecojot supports Evergreen and contributes a monthly portion of sales to this great cause.

 Here's a great pouch to keep your pencils in and get motivation from!  This pouch is produced in Canada by Cha Cha! It's made of vegetable tanned leather, then screen-printed by hand. Zippy and inspiring! I want to put my new markers in it!

Are back-to-school items just for the kids or do you get excited about them too?

Images courtesy of Buy Canadian First members.

 

After a long day, I often find myself at the computer. Tonight is no exception, but my nose is stuffy and little Sarah Fina is feverish and complaining of a sore tummy. I check my email, twitter, Ning, Etsy and finally, on to Facebook so I can catch up on everyone's musings and daily happenings. I stumble upon a photo where the unfailingly awesome Fred Penner is tagged; he's on stage with several other artists and as I span the crowd I spy a super Canadian cutie and I wonder 'who is that?'.  I click to his profile. And so begins a profile-hopping linkfest and all around internet fiesta, from one Indie Canadian musician to another. 

Incidentally, the super Canadian cutie I spoke of happens to be Dan Mangan of Vancouver. I would have liked to describe his voice in my own words but this review sum's it up best:

"Mangan's distinctive voice, which is confident and weary beyond his years, sounds like it's been aged in oak... Compelling, twisty and imaginative."
-The Georgia Straight

Canadians will have to wait until mid-October to see Dan Mangan when he will be returning from the United Kingdom. Until then, listen to his album Nice, Nice, Very Nice, as you read some more information on this talented Canadian artist.

Peering into Dan Mangan's musical likes, I spy a name that catches my eye: Fine Mist. Fine Mist is two British Columbia natives, Jay Arner and Megan McDonald. Their debut album, 'Public Domain', was released on September 14, 2010. 

"...there's no denying that Public Domain is the perfect title for the album, which takes an angsty, romantic approach to synth-dazzled electro pop. "
-Exclaim.ca

In fact you should read the whole Exclaim.ca article, a fun glimps into Fine Mist, their work and some great little anecdotes. Perhaps Jay can buy Megan some wine from the Buy Canadian First cellar? Check out Fine Mist's MySpace and Facebook pages for some great tunes.

Peggy says, "it's better than pancakes" and well, that's enough for me. Jon Janes is The Mountain and the Trees,  Canada's East Coast's " Local Yokel Rising Crust Folk Singer" or "Folk-N-Roller", which ever you prefer. Jon plays guitar, banjo, mandolin, ukulele, harmonica, bells, drums, and whistles, hums, and sings. He is often backed-up by the Valleys & Seas Orchestra, featuring a collective of friends with a variety of instruments.

"Behind the strength of a smile, and an EP that stopped most of Canada's folk lovers in their tracks, he quickly found himself with a much larger and high profile (cough... CBC3 ... cough) fan base."
-Herohill.com 

The Mountain and The Trees will be back in Canada mid-October to delight folk audiences. Stop by his MySpace page for a one stop linkage to Facebook, Twitter, CBC and more.

 

There is something about the cooler Fall weather that makes me absoloutely crave apples! I don't know if this is a result of Nature or Nurture. Luckily, it's apple picking time in Canada, and I can satisfy my craving with more kinds of apples than ever! Whether you pick your apples at the supermarket, the farmer's market or right off the tree, why not make a point of trying an apple that you haven't tasted before?

 

Wagner Orchards and Estate Winery, in beautiful Lakeshore, Ontario, has 5 apple varieties growing in their orchards and their picking schedule is as follows:

 

Harold and Janice Wagner, along with their children, Matt, Melissa and Katrina, operate the farm, and they are always happy to discuss any and all farming practices with their city guests! Their motto is "Families that Pick Together, Stick Together!" and they certainly are the proof in that apple pudding!

The Wagners are proud to be able to claim that they raise their own beef, pork and poultry free of hormones, chemicals and antibiotics. Their fruit trees have the minimal amount of chemicals needed to produce high quality fruit and where possible, natural pest control is used rather than insecticide.  At Wagner's, all the food is grown in the healthiest possible way.

What new apple varieties  do you want to try this Fall?

 

 

It's pretty disheartening when your children arrive home and their lunches have barely been touched. It's hard to compete against the packaged convenience food your children see some of their classmates eating.  So here are some fabulous lunch ideas followed by a top 10 list of awesome Canadian made snacks, to help your kids to keep their eyes on their own lunch boxes!

Little pizzas. Take an english muffin topped with your favourite sauce, and add pizza toppings and mozza cheese. Pop in the oven at 350 degrees for 5 or so minutes. Let cool and then wrap. Great cold or warm from the microwave. 

Leftovers - Everyone has a favourite supper, even the sprouts. Set some aside before dinner is served to ensure it's available for lunch.

Homemade burgers - The fast food variety may be loaded with fat and calories but a lean ground beef, chicken or bison burger made at home fits the fun and healthy bill! Take your favourite burger recipe and make some patties; let cool and package individually (the leftovers can be frozen for a quick lunch another day). Take your bun and dress it up with lettuce, tomatoes, ketchup etc. At school, just warm up the patty and enjoy.

Pancake sandwich! - Take 2 pancakes, spread each one with cream cheese, then place sliced strawberries on one pancake, drizzle with honey, sprinkle with orange zest and cover with the other pancake to create a  sandwich. Yummy!

Inside-out sandwich wands - The bread is in the middle and the meat is on the outside, which is what makes these inside-out sandwiches a hit! Check out the recipe at Canadian Family.

Here are five great Canadian made snacks and sweets for the lunch box from our fabulous members! 

Allan's Gourmet Kettle Corn -Trans fat, cholesterol, peanut, nut and gluten free. This snack is a huge win and super fun to eat. Popped in canola oil and sprinkled with suger and sea salt only, your kids will love it!

Purdy's No Sugar Added Milk Chocolate Bars - Keep the sugar rush at bay and enjoy the full chocolate flavour of these milk chocolate bars.

David's Milk Chocolate Potato Chips -I am drooling already! Sweet and salty, crunchy and smooth, chocolate AND chips, a match made in heaven.

Jakeman's Maple Pretzels - Another sweet and salty treat with the sweetness coming from pure maple.

Martin Munchies Cinnamon and Brown Sugar bites -  Chewy bite sized clusters of whole roasted barley and rice and a hint of cinnamon and brown sugar, I am keeping my eye out to grab some of these little bites, pronto!

With a little creativity and thought, lunches can be a great hit! Don't forget to include some fruit or veggies and a beverage (a smoothie in a thermos, for example) to complete the meal.

For more fun lunch ideas, check my back to school post from 2009. What are you packing in your children's lunch box this season? What are your tips to keep it new and exciting?

When I am not writing for Buy Canadian First, I moonlight as an early childhood educator. I have seen all kinds of breakfasts, lunches and snacks come out of lunch boxes, and fortunately, most have been 'fantabulicious'. Don't get me wrong, we're not perfect in my house. Every now and again we nibble guiltlessly on our favourites, chocolate, ice cream, bacon, perogies and onion rings, along with our whole grains and veggies.

Proper nutrition all through the year is so critical to infants and children in all stages of development. Children who are well nourished have been shown to have improved memory, problem-solving skills and creative abilities - overall, they perform better in school. In Canada, though, 31% of our elementary kids and 65% of our high schoolers, are not eating breakfast (for more info read my last year's post on the Breakfast for Learning program). By the time lunch arrives, these children haven't eaten anything for at least 12 to 16 hours!!! As a parent of 3, I know how nutty mornings can be, but we never leave the house without breakfasts in our bellies or breakfast on the go.

Breakfast can be next to impossible with cranky, sleepy-eyed cuties causing riots and rebellion in the critical last few minutes before everyone is late. Sometimes, it's just better to take breakfast-to-go, whether to be eaten in transit or at your daycare provider's place. It eases the stress of the morning routine and may also be more agreeable to your children's natural waking rhythms. Here are some fabulous breakfast recipes you can prepare ahead of time for quick, nutritious and easy morning fare.

Breakfast pizza: Use either a homemade or bought 12 inch pizza crust (Calgarians  should check out out our member Engel's Bakeries for their fresh pizza crust  and baked goods). This bacon and egg pizza recipe looks fabulous from Canadian Living, and you can mix and match your ingredients. Like any other pizza this heats up great in the microwave to grab on the way out the door.

 

 

Oatmeal - In the winter we love eating oatmeal. I will make a crock pot full oats and divide them into single serve containers for breakfasts and snacks either at home or at the daycare. To serve four, your measurments are usually 1 cup steel cut oats to 4 1/2 cups water, a dash of salt and a dab of butter. In my house we triple the recipe. Place all your ingredients in a crock pot and let it cook over night on low for 6-8 hours. That first cold morning when you wake up to hot oats is divine! I've added dried fruit as well as fruit juice and milk along with the water during the cooking process. My next overnight crock pot adventure will be to make a multigrain hot cereal and our members New Life Organic Foods have an impressive selection of Cracked organic grain and mixed cereals to choose from.

Homemade pancakes and waffles - (No, I am not joking). Pancakes and waffles are awesome and can be prepared ahead of time, frozen and popped into the toaster for a quick breakfast. In my house, homemade toaster pancakes and waffles save us a bundle in money by not having to buy bread. I also scored my waffle iron at a rummage sale for $3.00! Once toasted, serve waffles in strips with apple sauce for dipping and a sippy cup of milk. I am all over this recipe from recipeshare.ca this weekend: Make-ahead whole-wheat blueberry pancakes. Buy Canadian First Member, Shoal Lake Wild Rice, has an awesome pancake and waffle mix made with wild rice flour in their Zizania line of products.

Breakfast can be awesome even when mornings are not. A little preparation and thought it all it takes to carry your kids through a successful morning. Watch for part 2 for some great lunch tips and ideas.

What are your favourite breakfast recipes and tricks?