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Driving in the Canadian winters can be such a challenge as most of us know. Whether it's ice or snow or freezing rain, road conditions can be very unpredictable. We need to be prepared in these conditions. Today, I will share a few of my tips for driving safely in the Canadian winters. 

First off, winter tires are a must have for safe winter driving (in Quebec, this is now the law). These tires have a deeper tread and are best on snow and ice. Goodyear still manufactures most of its winter tires in Canada. The deeper treading allows for the tire to clear the snow from it as it rotates. They also remain more flexible in colder temperatures as compared to an all-season tire. For maximum control on snowy and slippery conditions, it is recommended that you install four winter tires, even on a front-wheel drive vehicle.

There are ways to drive safer in the winter too. Ensure that you watch your speed and adjust your speed according to road conditions.  Slow down in really icy or snowy situations. Keep a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. Transport Canada has lots of excellent information about winter driving.

Many of us don't even think about the weather conditions outside when we go out to our heated garage and get in a warm car to go out. Before heading out on a long trip, it is advisable to check the weather conditions and road conditions. The Weather Network has a great page that breaks down this information by province and then you can further take it to you city. This way, you can be prepared before going out.

Also, make sure to call ahead before traveling. This way, someone will know to watch for you and ensure you arrive when scheduled.

A great new product made in Canada was just launched a few weeks ago: Dad's Wiper Covers. Slip them over your wipers to protect your wiper blades from freezing to your windshield. Simple and efficient!

There are a few must-haves that you should have in your car in case of an emergency. I call this my winter survival kit. This kit should contain:

• A cell phone and change for a payphone if the cell phone cannot be used;
• A first aid kit;
• A flashlight with batteries;
• A candle with a small tin can to keep it in and waterproof matches;
• A couple of granola or energy bars to snack on;
• A blanket;
• An ice scraper (check out Mallory Industries' line of scrapers and snowbrushes made in Canada);
• A shovel (Garant has a great Telescopic Emergency Shovel Snowbrush);
• Warning lights or road flares;
• Booster cables;
• Tow rope.

Of course, you should also carry along a snowsuit, winter boots, a warm hat, scarf and mittens.

If you do get stranded out in the winter, if you have a membership with CAA (Canadian Automobile Association) you can call their number to get roadside assistance. They will send a tow truck to help you regardless if it is a boost that you need or if you have a flat tire or need a tow.

One needs to be prepared for anything when driving in winter conditions. Please make sure you are well prepared and DRIVE SAFE!

Image sources: Flickr-Creative Commons, CAA

A brand new year is just around the corner, and with a new year comes a new list of goals and resolutions that people make. It's a good time for starting over or trying something new.

But do people still follow resolutions? One of the most common that I see is to 'lose weight' or 'eat better'. Both are difficult to accomplish without some planning and support.

Personally, I decided to make a list of goals for myself this year (one of them includes learning how to cook rack of lamb!) and will try to accomplish those goals. 

One of my biggest goals is to be better at managing my time. Because really, my time is no longer my own - it primarily belongs to my children and their schedules. Finding a balance between them and the things I need to accomplish can be difficult, but I will work on it. I think I already am off to a good start - I now have a More Time Moms Family Organizer for the wall! It includes a monthly calendar with large spaces for writing and stickers to flag really important days (like show and tell which I really can't forget!)

There are a lot of great calendar options out there, including this one from Wyman publishing for your office:

I know that many people have a Blackberry to help them keep track of their time, I don't yet and I know some people are old fashioned and prefer to write notes done. For those of us who need to carry a small planner around in our purse or car, I like the prettiness of this small monthly planner:

Sometimes I not only need to remember dates but websites, thoughts, ideas or milestones with the kids. To do that, I have note pads lying all over the house, but mostly these notes are on scrap pieces of paper or sticky notes.  What I really need are pretty, neat looking notebooks like these ones from Ecojot:

Are you making any resolutions this year?  And better yet, do you think you can follow them?  How are you ensuring you keep yourself on track?

Image sources: BuyCanadianFirst.ca, Wyman Publishing

Why is the 51% threshold so important? The Competition Bureau explains its reasoning in a FAQ on the subject: “If the 51% threshold was dropped, companies could make "Made in Canada" claims about any product for which the last substantial transformation occurred in Canada, even if all its components were imported and most of the labor took place outside Canada. We believe that allowing this latitude would be confusing to consumers and would not provide them with accurate and meaningful information on which to base their purchasing decisions”.

 

As you may well have guessed, the number of products in this category is far lower. Again you may be asking why the 98% threshold. The Competition Bureau in the same FAQ answers that question: “The 98% threshold for "Product of Canada" claims is consistent with the treatment of food products by the CFIA, which has also created a distinction between "Product of Canada" and "Made in Canada" claims. The Bureau expects that the distinction between "Made in Canada", with its 51% threshold, and "Product of Canada", with its 98% threshold, will be an important and helpful consideration for many consumers who are seeking more information about the Canadian content of products to inform their purchasing decisions.”

 

Being that I'm a Canadian sign maker by trade, I appreciate a cool looking sign. However, why waste the look outdoors if you can bring it inside your own home, too?

I personally design and cut my own decals that I use as stencils, however, you can easily use an exsisting stencil for a similar look. Place your stencil or decal where you desire and paint.

Tip: I choose my lettering to sit off center to emulate that the table was imperfectly cut from an old existing sign.

Here's another tip ... these words actually have meaning to me. Think in terms of a favorite vacation spot, your favorite town, whatever you desire. Instant memory maker!

After allowing the paint to fully dry and cure, distress the lettering with a palm sander to age things up. The look really transforms a standard table into something extra special, for very little cost!

Have you tried "signing up" any of your indoor furniture? What would you like something to say?

Photos and design are courtesy of Funky Junk Interiors. The original sign table top tutorial has even more photos if desired.

Not only are children back to school, but I am too! I am excited that it will be my final year of college, but a not too keen to add homework again to an already busy schedule. I am also anticipating that my middle child will be bringing home some school work, too. So what is a mom to do to save time and money (and maybe even her marbles) during back to school and beyond?

Laundry is one of my biggest struggles any time of year, as not only do I have two young children, but I also work with young children.  As much as I would not like to think of it, Winter in Manitoba is on the way, and with that comes dry, scratchy skin and complaints. So to go easy on our clothes, skin and the environment I am going to get Buy Canadian First member Nature Clean's 3X concentrate laundry liquid detergent . Because it is free of sodium lauryl sulfate, phosphates, chlorine, optical brighteners, formaldehyde and preservatives and it is available practically everywhere makes this purchase a 'no-brainer'!

The Winter also leaves me no choice but to use a clothes dryer, despite the static and the wear and tear it puts on my clothes.  But I've discovered Buy Canadian First member BaaLLS. They produce handmade wool dryer balls that reduce your drying time by 40%, reduce static cling, soften clothes and even take out wrinkles! They also help the longevity of your clothes.  Awesome! I am excited to buy a set because soft, scent-free clean clothes, in my house, equal happy children who get dressed easily and even, on occasion, happily in the morning. 

One thing that I would adore getting away from is disposable packaging. We "brown bag" our lunch everyday for health and budget reasons. I still find that despite our reusable lunch bags, drink bottles, plastic containers and cutlery, we are still creating waste with plastic snack bags and plastic wrap. So I looked in our product categories and found what may be the answer to this quandary: the snack bag trio from Buy Canadian First member Eco- Handbags, I can fill these small snack bags with healthy homemade cookies or trail mix or whatever the kids want! It is exactly what I have been looking for, though it may be wise for me to purchase an extra set or two in case some get lost.

It's funny, but the laundry and lunch tips that I focused on today, are truly some of our biggest daycare concerns. Children who arrive in uncomfortable clothing or soil their clothing during the day are sad and irritable the whole daylong, so make a note to pack your children an extra set of clean clothes. This holds true for your preschooler and school-ager too, because you never know when they may need it. Packing a healthy, filling lunch as well as snacks is, by far, the most important thing to a child's day. Whole grains, healthy proteins, fruits and vegetables keep their moods even and their motors running all day long. It also gives them the foundation for a bright and successful day! 

What back to school tips work for you?

Images: Buy Canadian First members Nature Clean, BaaLLS and Eco-Handbags 

I realize our fabulous Canadian Summer is still upon us and we don’t want to rush into Fall. However after this tip, it’s my bet you’ll be eyeing up your nearest hydrangea in a real hurry!


 

1. Leave the hydrangea blooms on the bush until the end of the season. When the petals JUST begin to turn slightly dry on the tips, pick them ASAP.

2. Set the blooms upright in water and leave them until the petals are fully dried. The water keeps the petals from shriveling.

Tips: It's best to dry them in the container they’ll be staying in if possible, because the petals are very fragile once dried. 



Try drying at different times for different coloured hues. The above was from a blue hydrangea bush in late fall. Pretty amazing how they changed, isn't it?

Happy hydrangea hunting this Fall to you!

 What kinds of fresh flowers do you like to dry?

Photos are courtesy of Funky Junk Interiors. You can find the full tutorial HERE.

For all of Donna's DIYs on Buy Canadian First , click HERE.

 

Just a bit of potting soil is all it takes. I also like to hide the soil with Spanish Moss. It fills in some gaps as well making potted plants look full and lush.

  

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.

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

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.

 

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!

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Essentia , Simmons 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 

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.

School is nearly done and Summer vacation is around the corner for Manitoba residents. I have to admit that I have it pretty easy, as my children attend the daycare centre year round, where I am employed, and I am also in charge of the Summer programming. So, we should have a lovely Summer with lots of activities, art and science projects, too. Some single parents are left shuffling their kids from day camps to time spent with relatives. While the camps and weeks at Nana's house are awesome, the costs and juggling of time can feel overwhelming. In the end, it is still Summer ... yes, we may have the same grind as we do the rest of the year, but the weather is beautiful, your kids have free time and life is fleeting. Here are some tips to make some great Summer memories.

Make a Summer calendar. I know you have to work a nine to five, pick up the kids, make dinner and prepare for the next day but make a Summer calendar anyway. Add a couple of extra outings throughout the week; like a family evening walk, a trip to the library, time at the park,  a night at the movies (either at a cinema, projected on the side of the house, or snuggled in your living room). Check out your community newspapers for upcoming events that may be free of charge or of little cost. You are more likely to keep and prepare for these events if you mark them down.

Keep your meals simple. Summer-time seems to be a time where light meals seem to be more appealing than heavy ones and frankly, who wants to spend all that time in a hot kitchen? Take a walk to your local market for some fresh veggies and baked bread then home again to get Buy Canadian First member True North Salmon  products on the barbeque. Here are some great twenty minute meal ideas that are on the lighter side from Canadian Living Magazine online.

Create a do-it-by-yourself list. Sometimes we need a little time to take care of things around the house. This type of list gives children the choice of available activities they can do by themselves, reducing conflict and boredom. Some possible activities are painting and drawing, watching a movie, reading a book, drawing on the sidewalk or blowing bubbles on the front lawn.

I know it's not easy juggling time and there never seems to be enough of it, ever. This Summer, after a whole term of school and homework, I know there is the time after a long day at work. If that means I have to catch up on a little house work later, so be it!  

As a single parent, what are some of your tips and tricks for Summer break?

Image credits: True North Salmon, Andrea Willowcat 

Well, my fellow Canadian junkers, are you ready for something on a wall that is a little "off the wall"? Pardon the pun but you’ll soon see what I mean.

Collectors ‘accumulate’ lots of stuff over a short period of time and when you run out of horizontal real estate, you have to go up. My stash was taking over my storage area when I came up with a wild brainstorm. Hang it up!

 

 But I took it a step further and hung it all up in my front entry. Adding a few hooks here and there, I ended up with a junk art coat hook wall.

Everything was placed tight against each other like a puzzle, then screwed into the wall. I was prepared to place anchors where necessary, but everything ended being perfectly sound. 

I haven’t decided if it’s storage until something better comes along or it’s staying. I rather love it just the way it is! Guess I’d better go shopping for more junk then, huh? :)

Do you have anything unique hanging up your coats by the front door?

Photos and design courtesy of Funky Junk Interiors. Complete tutorial and reveal can be found on the blog HERE. 

I adore collecting good ol' Canadian vintage toolboxes. They're just so versatile, making fabulous centerpieces for tables and providing great storage with flair for most anything. However, collecting the antique varieties can be pricey, or the wrong size for what you desire. So what’s one to do? Easy... make one yourself! Trust me when I say that I’m not a pro-builder, so I came up with a cheat sheet method to create a complete toolbox out of one board. Yup, it was that easy!

Here’s how I did it:

1. Find a unique handle of choice.

It can be anything from a branch, an old tool, to a standard dowel. The handle will help dictate how large your toolbox will be.

2. Cut a board down to accommodate  two sides, one bottom and a front / back.

Use two different boards if you desire a two-toned look or different dimensions.

3. Pre-drill holes for the handle, then insert. Screw the rest of the toolbox together and you’re done!

Don’t be afraid to get really creative with that handle. This drill-handled toolbox was a little more complicated to create as the sides required additional shaping with a jig saw, but it was worth the extra effort. The sky's truly the limit where design is concerned.

Are you also a collector of toolboxes? What do you use them for?

Special thanks to fellow Canadian Julie from Follow Your Heart Woodworking for leading a toolbox workshop on my blog HERE!

Photos and design are courtesy of Funky Junk Interiors.

White picket toolbox tutorial is HERE.
Drill handled toolbox tutorial is HERE.

I love coffee bean sacks! Not only is the burlap perfectly rustic, but the stamped graphics offer an artful quality to anything you make with them. 

This round, I decided that my own kitchen windows were the perfect candidates to get hit with a little rustic charm, so faux coffee bean sack shades were born.

Sacks can be found at places that roast their own coffee beans. I find mine at a lovely Canadian home-run business, The Back Porch, located in Harrison Hot Springs, BC. But keep hunting and ask for referrals! They’re everywhere if you learn where to look.



How to make the shades:

1. Pick up a closet dowel and accommodating brackets. Install inside your window frame by cutting the dowel down to size and screwing in the brackets.

2. Cut your sack to the size of the dowel, creating a fray around the edges. Burlap is transparent, so select a fabric to line them with, hot gluing them into place.

3. Run a bead of hot glue on the rod and sack and attach.

4. Install the rod in your window. If your rod ‘unspins,’ drill a hole into the side of one bracket and place in a screw. Works like a charm.

5. Add a little junky relic for your ‘pretend’ pull and enjoy the new rustic look!

Another great no-sew burlap idea: check your local hardware store during flood season. The $1.50 sandbags make awesome pre-sewn pillows. Really!

What creative projects have you made with burlap sacks?

Photos and design are courtesy of Donna Williams of Funky Junk Interiors. You can find the entire tutorial on the blog HERE .

If you gave me a choice as to whether I’d prefer to cook dinner or mow the lawn, I’d personally be mowing the lawn before your question was even completed. This girl just LOVES the Canadian outdoors!

Because of that, I love to bring the outdoors in with my decorating. This super easy to make, branch-handled tray, was loads of fun to create. You can make it any size that could easily be used indoors and out. It makes a super cute table centerpiece as well.



 Here’s how!

1. Cut a long board in half then brace them together by screwing smaller boards across the underside.

2. Measure out and cut your branch handles and handle supports.

3. Pre-drill holes in the handles and supports, then screw them together from the top.

4. Screw on handles through the bottom of the tray.

5. If you wish for matching coasters, simply cut chunks of wood to the desired size.

My own tray is more decorative than productive, so just be sure to test the handles for strength before carrying anything around with real weight to it.

Other creative tray ideas: chalkboards, old cabinet doors, vintage signs.

Have you created a unique tray out of unusual, reclaimed items? I’d love to hear about it!

Design and photos are courtesy of Funky Junk Interiors. The full tutorial can be seen here.

I love my coffee! There’s nothing like that first jolt, first thing on a fine Canadian a.m. In fact, it’s so important to me, I have a ritual that’s never broken... no food passes my lips without my first cup. (Have you ever noticed that the coffee magic spell breaks after your first bite?).

Today’s coffee drinking comes with its challenges though. With the newfangled, one cup coffee makers that are all the rage these days, all those little, itty bitty coffee pods need a home.

The true blue  junker in me grouped up a  crate and a deep fryer basket (yup!) for a unique little coffee station that is totally productive, takes up little space and looks cool to boot.

Did you notice the creamer? It’s the best kept secret for storing sugar... the lid stays intact. Brilliant, I know. :)

How are you storing all those coffee pods, K Cups and discs?

Photos and ideas courtesy of Funky Junk Interiors.

All of my cats have been found treasures in Manitoba, although my dog found me in Wyoming. I have a habit of gathering strays. My latest little vagabond is my Mr. Mitty Kleeberger (after the Canadian lumberjack of rugby Adam Kleeberger ). He was howling in the halls of my apartment block on a rainy October night. I opened my door and gathered him up, I was rewarded with kitty smooches and great big cuddles from a wee little kitten. I knew I was going to keep him from that moment.

Bringing a new pet home isn't a decision one should take lightly. You have to begin by assessing if you are considering the right pet for your family. Some considerations are your family's schedule, activity levels and budget. Do you have a large yard and do you have children? These questions can help you decide the best pet that will fit your family's lifestyle.

Be sure to prepare your new pet's supplies, such as a brand new collar and leash like these leather dog collars  from Buy Canadian First member Roots, prior to bringing her home. Have other necessities prepared such as grooming tools, treats and pet foods like these Canadian-made varieties from Buy Canadian fisrt members Acana , Oven-baked tradition  and Orijen . Finally, for comfort, your new pet may enjoy a great new nap hut from our member Cascades Boutique . 

Having a pet is a delight! Please be sure to have your pets spayed or neutered!

What kind of pet do you have at home? 

 Image source: Andrea Willowcat, Buy Canadian First members Roots and Cascade boutique

The arrival of Spring appears to be taking its dear, sweet time on the Canadian "Wet" Coast, so I decided to make it happen sooner rather than later. But... with a twist. I love the look of lush green plants but don’t always like the care involved. So I selected a couple of my favorite faux plants and created a Spring mantel. Creating a Spring-themed mantel is fun and easy! Try the following tricks when creating: 

 

Tell a story - Spring says, "Plants and outdoors",  to me, so adding the window encourages a ‘look outdoors!‘ kinda vibe. Galvanized goods, chippy textures, a garden tool and plants all emphasise  the great outdoors, too

Balance - the window keeps your focus centre-stage, while hugging the centre components.

Play - start with one item that you love and build on that. Keep plunking and playing. You’ll know when it’s time to stop and enjoy. And don't be shy... anything goes!

Now it’s time to light that fireplace, get nice and warm and enjoy the first signs of Spring right inside my own home... while pretending it isn’t raining, of course.

Have you changed out your own mantel decorations for Spring yet? 

Do you dread rehanging up your clothes in a closet as much as I do? If so, do I ever have a treat for you today! One of my all time passions is working with Canadian-found pallet wood for two reasons. It’s price efficient (aka free!) AND... it’s oh so rustically beautiful. :)



  

Being that I’m not ‘fond’ of hanging up my clothes (that IS what the bed and floor are for, no?), I desired a wardrobe wall made out of pallet wood. Not only is it a cool feature wall, it’s been truly the answer to my... clothing covered floor. Here’s how I did it!

1. Find your reclaimed lumber of choice.

Old fence boards or  pallets or even new ones, if you so desire! Random boards will do for this design.

2. Sand the wood well, then screw it onto your wall.

Screwing into studs didn't prove to be necessary; it held well. I went for an old style slat and plaster look, so I prepainted the wall white, then purposely left gaps between the slats. Not many boards required cutting when staggered vertically.

3. Screw in a mish mash of things that hook.

For a playful take, don’t overlook random finds such as an upside down hanger. Can you tell I’m not a very serious decorator? :)

 Have fun with it!

4. Go to town and fill up that wall!

This has proven to be a most useful feature in my own bedroom, however it would also totally rock in a kid’s room or even bathroom. How about a front entry? Once you have your own wardrobe wall, you’ll WANT to hang up your clothes just for the fun of it. :)



So... what do you think? Crazy, cool or both? What changes do you think would happen with a wardrobe wall in your own home?

Please use reclaimed lumber at your own risk. Tips on using it safely can be found in my own article HERE.

Photos are courtesy of Funky Junk Interiors and the full tutorial can be found HERE.

I got my driver's licence on October 5, 2011. It took a few tries of being tested on the streets of Winnipeg, Manitoba  but I finally got it done. My son, on the other hand, passed his driver's test the year before me and took a few opportunities to point out this fact. I scoffed, but was actually so very proud of him.

We share the car, my son and I, but he drives it about 100% more than I do. He fills the tank, gets the oil changed and even had the brakes checked and repaired before I even knew there was a problem. But despite all this, I still have one complaint; the monstrous sub-woofer that fills my whole trunk! If I wanted to have a winter survival kit packed in a tote or crate from Buy Canadian First member Storex , I would have to place it between his sisters' car seats! The great thing about Storex storage containers is that they are PVC free, made from 25%-100% post consumer waste and are recyclable!

Our Oldsmobile is always in top shape. As I mentioned, my son keeps up the maintenance on it and he also keeps it very clean. Every time I use the car or we are out together, I can't help but notice how good it looks and how nice it smells. Which is why I am going to buy him a bottle of Buy Canadian First member Go Clean Waterless car wash . Each bottle holds 10 applications, saving 500 litres of water per application and 5000 per bottle. If that's not amazing enough, proceeds of each bottle go to the African Well Fund.  

One thing that does fit in the trunk are shopping and produce bags and we take them along everywhere, just in case we need bags for anything from sundries to pebble collections from walking across a gravel parking lot. While we have collected several cloth shopping bags along the way, our favourites are from Buy Canadian first member Credo bags . They have everything one would need from produce and bulk bags to market bags and canvas totes. They store perfectly in the iddy biddy spaces left in my trunk. 

I know that I may grumble and poke fun about my missing trunk but I also know that I am quite a lucky mom to have a brilliant son who takes care of our shared possession so diligently. In June, he will go away to school and I will reclaim my trunk and all the car privileges and duties. Sadly, it also means no more shopping trips to the superstore together, cranking the tunes along the way or the thumping of his sub woofer that I can hear two minutes before he arrives. So, until June, the subwoofer will remain in the trunk and I will pencil in my car time around his busy schedule and the whole while, I will be enjoying every moment.

Who takes care of the car in your family?

 image credits: Buy Canadian First members: Storex, Go Clean and Credo Bags

We are coming up on a Canadian-made time of year that all our kiddos look forward to - March Break! Different provinces have different schedules, but they all have one thing in common: taking a week-long school break sometime in March. It's the perfect time for a week-long camping trip or even just fun activities at home. Everyone looks forward to this time of year. We're staying at home for the week, so we've come up with some great Canadian-made ideas for everyone to enjoy.

Another outdoor activity we'll be doing is practicing our throwing, catching and hitting for the upcoming T-ball season. We just finished hockey this past weekend and the boys are already looking forward to their next league sport. Buy Canadian First member Sam Bat makes sure kids hit like a pro with their Little League Approved models.

For snow days, rain days and everything in-between days, we'll be playing some board games. My guys are just old enough to start showing some interest in board games. Board games are perfect for practicing our numbers, letters, colours and communication skills. Buy Canadian First member Gladius has a favourite from everyone's childhood - Snakes and Ladders. This must-have game is lots of fun for every age!

I can't wait to spend a fun week with my guys! How will you be spending March Break?

Images courtesy of Buy Canadian First members Sam Bat and Gladius and Stacey Kazmir.

Sheds are mighty handy outdoors. But, rather than just stop at necessity, why not create an amazingly fun focal point for your Canadian-made backyard at the same time?

This is my little wood shed out back. It’s very funky and junky and is a fair representation of everything I love. It currently provides a new function these days: holding firewood. It used to be a greenhouse. Starting with the beat-up greenhouse framework, the plastic was removed and reclaimed fence boards and old barn windows were simply screwed in place, adding tons of unique character

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A found firetruck parts crate was painted out and annuals were added for an easy-to-keep-up flower box.

Old signs and tools were hung for both decoration and to stake up plants and flowers. Pallets were added for mini walkways and a front step. They simply flip upwards to mow the lawn. This little shed truly brings new meaning to a place meant just for storage. Decide on the look that you desire, then start collecting and hanging your favorite things to create your own desired look! 

Do you have a creative storage shed in your yard?

Photos and design are courtesy of Funky Junk Interiors. The full four part series of this build can be seen HERE. 

I'm heading to a Canadian  Tweet-up event this Wednesday in London, Ontario. November is CPR Awareness month and the Canadian Red Cross is hosting a free, four hour CPR certification course for its Twitter friends. This course will follow new guidelines released in 2010.

There are six #RedCrossCPR classes being held in several provinces across Canada.  Halifax, St. John’s, Edmonton, Toronto, Richmond Hill (York Region) and London will each host Tweet-ups this Wednesday, November 16, 2011 and I am honoured to be part of organizing the London Tweet-up.

With seventy per cent of cardiac arrests happening at home, taking a CPR course is a simple action that could help save a loved one’s life. In fact, effective bystander CPR, when used in conjunction with an AED (Automated External Defibrillator)and administered immediately following cardiac arrest, can double a person’s chance of survival.

Working at the Boys and Girls Club during college, I was certified in CPR. Now, as a Mom of two very fun-loving boys (one of whom has already has already received his first stitches), I think that this is the perfect time to get recertified, especially considering the new guidelines.

Not local to one of the Tweet-ups? Find out what's going on this November in your area and join us Wednesday night by following hashtag #RedCrossCPR on Twitter. You can also use the Red Cross Course Search to find out what courses are happening in your area.

I look forward to regaining the knowledge of knowing how to react in an emergency situation and knowing that I have the power to help someone.

Are you certified in CPR?

Invitations: For fun, the boys created their own invitations to invite Gramma, their aunts, uncles and cousins to their party. The boys decorated the invitations with stickers from Canadian company Sandylion Sticker Designs.

Food: The sandwich and wrap platter will be made by a locally owned sub shop that uses local ingredients. Fruit and veggie trays will be made up from products bought from the local farmers' market. The best part, the cake, will be made by a local cake maker.

Decorations: To be made by the kiddos and me at home - tissue paper flowers and party hats.

Presents: One of the boys' presents include this Rally Racer Car from Buy Canadian First member, Organically Hatched. It was purchased at a locally owned toy shop.

Games: We're borrowing this Cars - Bean Bag Toss from a neighbour. It's made by Buy Canadian First member, Gladius. Prizes will include cookies and other local treats from the market.

Playtime: Our party is being held at a local, public park so there will be lots of balls tossed, kites flown, running around and relaxing in the sun. After our fantastic lunch and party, we'll be visiting Storybook Gardens - an exciting family place with animals, rides, games, play areas, splash pads, entertainment, and more.

Have you added Canadian made products to a recent party?

Images courtesy of Buy Canadian First members Organically Hatched and Gladius.

As a Work at Home Mom or WAHM, it can be hard to take care of everyone's needs, especially when everyone needs something at the exact same time. There are some great made in Canada  products and online resources that can help work at home parents get through their day.

If you're a Canadian WAHM because you are running a small business, a great place to connect with others like you is the WAHM Canada Facebook page. They are a community of women who come together to help one another by promoting each others' businesses and by using each other as resources. It's also a great place to find other small Canadian WAHM businesses to support.

A Kobo eReader Touch is a fantastic resource for reading PDF files on the go. You can quickly load your files at home and then read them while at the park, waiting on a school pick-up or at a baseball game. With a battery life of one month, you never have to worry if you've charged your Touch, or have a laptop battery die in the middle of reading.  The Kobo is available through Canadian company Chapters-Indigo.  Though the Canadian designed Kobo is actually made in Taiwan - too bad they can not produce it in Canada, I wonder why? 

Playgroups are a great way to get out for a couple of hours and meet other Mamas. Having a group of Moms supporting me means I have friends to call on when I need to run into the office or need some quiet time for a business meeting over the phone. A great way to find a playgroup near you is by using the website Playgroup Meetup Groups. It lists many groups available across Canada, I was able to enter my postal code and find some local playgroups in my area that I'd never heard of!

EcoAgendas, from Buy Canadian First member Ecojot, are a great way to keep track of a mixture of meetings, playdates and due dates. They are the right size to fit in your purse but not so small that you can't use them for a few notes during a meeting - they're perfect for a busy WAHM.

Do you have a WAHM resource to pass on to Canadian Moms?

Images courtesy of WAHM Canada, Meetup, Kobo and Buy Canadian First member Ecojot.

I take photos wherever I go, not just for special occasions; it's a hobby I have had since I was a  little kid. Now that I have a smart phone, taking pictures this Summer has never been easier and I am loving it! I'm going to share with you how you can get a Canadian made  smart phone skin with one of your own photos on it and tell you about a couple of the many apps available for smart phone photographers. There are also a couple of simple things that you can do with your camera right away to get memorable photos! 

Mullein: Bird's Eye View; Dog's Eye View; Bug's Eye View 

Different POVs:

One of the best pieces of advice that I can give you when it comes to Summer smart phone photography is to remember that there are different points of views that you can take advantage of.  Many shots of dogs, kids and flowers, for example, are taken from a 'bird's eye view', from up above the subject. This has its place, but it also gets boring fast. Try a 'bug's eye view' for a great shot of your subject from the ground up. 'Dog's eye view' is a photo taken at the eye level of the subject, a great point of view to take photos of, well, dogs and kids and flowers! You can also try 'shooting from the hip!" for a very dynamic photo.

Fireworks fail. If only I had used the movie camera! 

 Fireworks and Action Shots:

Between mosquitoes and shaky hands, it can be  tough to get a clear shot of fireworks with your smart phone. My best advice for taking fireworks simply and spontaneously? Use the movie camera instead of the still camera! You can capture still photos later! This is a great trick for taking any action shots, like water-skiing or wakeboarding or bluejays drinking at the birdbath!

"Oil painted" rose photo. 

Smart Phone Apps:

Here are two of the many apps that will let you have tons of fun with your photos this Summer. Try the amazing iScape! Using a photo of your own garden you can add photos of plants and garden features from their library or draw them in with your finger! And it's free! If you would rather turn your photos into extrordinarily realistic looking oil paintings, among other effects, explore Picture Magic for really stunning results.  (The apps that I use are for the iPhone 4 but you can find equivalent apps for your smart phone just by searching).

Smart Phone Skins:

Gelaskins, based out of Toronto,  are removable covers that protect and customise smart phones and other devices! The truly exciting part for me is that I can upload my own photos and they will make a skin for me! Yay! Of course, you can also choose from all sorts of other people's art, too, and at their low prices, why not indulge in more than one!? I just found out that you can get a free Gelaskins app at the iTunes store that enables you to view and download their many gorgeous wallpapers! Did I mention that the app is free!

Are you a fan of smart phone photography?

:: images courtesy of  Wendy T. Gibson

We've talked about it, thought about it, decided against it last year, but we're finally doing it Canada - we're taking the kids camping this weekend!! We're ready for a made in Canada camping experience. Let me tell you, it took awhile to get ready though! Whether you're going away for 2 nights or 2 weeks when you are camping (especially with kids) you need a lot of supplies. These are some of the must haves on our list... 

Whether you're staying in a tent, trailer or maybe just in the great outdoors, one of the biggest concerns is food. A great way to get your food to your destination at the perfect temperature is by using something like the Koolatron electric unit. Koolatron's offer optimal ease and reliability as this innovative cooler/warmer has eliminated the need for ice. A great way to get your food and drinks to your camping destination!

 

The next thing we've picked up is Insect Repellent Lotion from Muskol. Those crazy mosquitos just love me and I find I need a lot of help to keep them away. With 30% DEET, this lotion is a great choice when you need to be really serious about keeping bugs away.

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Depending on where you're going, another thing that's so important to bring is water. Some campgrounds provide fresh water at all sites but if you're camping in the wild or unable to get fresh water, you'll want a fantastic container like the one that I found through Mountain Equipment Co-op. Try this Canadian made Reliance Fold‑A‑Carrier (for water). Thanks to the handle, it's easy to carry, folds down to pack and the spout makes it easy for everyone in the family to get a drink. Water is always one of the most essential items to have on you, especially with the temperatures we've been having.

What are some other essentials on your list for a camping trip?

Images courtesy of Koolatron and Muskol.

After renting a cottage last year and in anticipation of more made in Canada cottage adventures in the future, my husband thought it would be a good idea to take the Boaters Exam so we can rent a boat next time. With the Canada Day long weekend coming up, and the great weather we've been having, this would also be a fantastic time to go boating. You must have a Pleasure Craft Operator Card to operate any powered boat. What's great though, is that once you have the card, it's good for a lifetime. My husband used Boaterexam.com - taking the three hour, in-class course where the exam follows at the end and you get a temporary card right there if you pass.

Once you have the card you are ready to rent (or maybe even purchase) a boat. Please remember that everyone must be wearing a life jacket at all times while on a pleasure craft. Not having a life jacket will cost you $250 (each) if you’re stopped by a police marine patrol - but even more important is your safety. A good Canadian-made life jacket you can pick up is one from Buy Canadian First member - Salus Marine.

Abacus Sail adult life vest - Salus Marine

Many other pieces of equipment are required to be on a powered boat at all times, such as a sound-signalling device, a hand-bailer or manual pump, a buoyant heaving line and more. If the police stop your boat for a safety check you could be fined up to $200 for each piece of missing equipment. Boats can be rented for as little as one hour or as long as seven days or more, depending on what you are looking to do and how much you are willing to spend. Renting a boat is not cheap. Depending on the marina you are renting a boat from, you may have the option of having the boat delivered to where you are staying or, if the marina is on the same lake you wish to use the boat, you can pick the boat up there. While there is still some confusion on the subject, it's possible that you may not need a Pleasure Craft Operator Card to rent a boat. Sometimes you just have to fill out a rental boat safety checklist. Check with your marina on the subject before assuming anything, though.

If you plan on doing some fishing while on the boat, remember that your province may require you to carry a fishing licence. Don't forget some Canadian made fishing lures, too, such as those made by Buy Canadian First member, Lucky Strike.

Fishing Lure - Lucky Strike

To celebrate Canada Day and safe boating, we are giving away a Salus Marine life jacket (made in Canada, of course!) with a retail value of over $ 125.00!

How can you get your hands on that beauty? Simple, each of the following actions will give you one chance, so the more the merrier!

1) Like us on Facebook and leave a comment mentioning ''Salus Marine giveaway'';

2) Follow us on Twitter or DM us mentioning ''Salus Marine giveaway'';

3) Leave a comment below telling us what's your favourite thing made in Canada.

The winner will be picked at random the day before Canada Day. Good luck! 

by Stacey Kazmir

Images courtesy of Buy Canadian First Members Salus Marine and Lucky Strike.

Early September of last year, we opted for a vacation made in Canada and rented a cottage in the Muskoka region; it's real "cottage country" there, located in Central Ontario. We've been on our share of different types of vacations; my husband and I both camped when we were younger and I've even been to a bed & breakfast or two, but we had never rented a cottage before. Let me tell you, it's a bit of an adventure!

We were lucky, though, and after a couple of false starts we found a fantastic company to work with: Ontario Cottage Rentals. If you aren't familiar with the cottage scene, I highly recommend using a local company like Ontario Cottage Rentals to help you through the process so that you know that you are renting safely and securely. They provide a service to the cottage owners by handling the rental process and, in turn, you know you are handing over money to a reputable source. They inspect the cottages, which is fantastic for both sides, and if something were to go wrong during your stay, they are there for you.

Once you have your cottage booked, it's time to gather supplies! If you have never been to a cottage before you might be surprised at the amount of things you actually need to take with you. The cottage will likely require you to bring your own linens for the beds, towels & toiletries for the bathroom (don't forget the toilet paper! one ply is likely all that is allowed), your own dishes/cutlery/cooking utensils and please - do not forget plenty of bottled water. Unless you confirm with your cottage on the water source, it is likely that it's filtered lake water that is coming out of the taps. This is something you not only don't want to drink but don't forget everything else you use water for - brushing teeth, washing hands, washing dishes, rinsing food and more - this requires a lot of water! Many cottages on the water have a dock and the cottage often provides a canoe or other water toys - make sure you know if your cottage has life vests available to use in your size. If not, be sure to pick up some Canadian-made ones from Buy Canadian First member, Salus Marine.

Now, I don't want to scare anyone, remember, once you get there you are in for the time of your lives! We created so many memories - the kids were in the canoe and fishing (don't forget to get a fishing licence!), we had fires every night and visited the beautiful town of Huntsville every day, we went to Algonquin Park, saw deer everywhere, flew kites, played cards, sat by the lake and listened to the loons, rode the train at the Heritage Centre and more. Don't forget to pack things for relaxation like a puzzle to do together, a game to play or a book to read while you sit by the water. I recommend Water for Elephants by Canadian author, Sara Gruen.

Honestly, once you find the perfect cottage, get it booked and get the packing list down - you are in for a really wonderful time, I promise.

Have you ever rented a cottage? What was your experience like?

by Stacey Kazmir

::images courtesy of Buy Canadian First members.

Have you heard of Pinterest? Pinterest is a platform to visually catalog things that you love. Their goal is to change the way people discover everything, from the products they buy, to the places they visit. They are currently in private beta, but millions of people already use Pinterest to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and find gifts for friends. Right now, Pinterest is by invite only, but you can find out more by emailing Ben and requesting an invitation.

 

                 Made in Canada Backyard

I love Pinterest! It’s like my own cork board online, that I can PIN my INTERESTS to. I use it to compare prices on the same items, to create wish lists and even to make detailed dream boards! It’s a kabillion times better for me than ‘Favorites’ or ‘Bookmarks’ to keep track of what I’m interested in online. Think about how cool it would be to pin your weekly meal plan up, your favourite books or day trips you want to make!

The easiest way to pin an item is to use the Pin It bookmark. You can add it to your browser so that you can grab an image from any website and pin it to one of your pinboards. Then Pinterest automatically grabs the source link so that the original creator can be credited!

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To show you how cool it is, I made a Pinterest Board of what I would love to have in our back yard. I went to Google and specified that the items had to be Made in Canada, of course. So my searches looked like “made in Canada deck pond’ or 'made in Canada hammock’. Then, when I found something that I liked, I pinned it to my Board! Voila!

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What do you think of this as a way to shop?

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:: images courtesy of Buy Canadian First member Lee Valley, For the Birds Nature Shop, Sears Canada ,  Cedar Shed and The Modern Shop .

Each season offers pet owners new challenges, but nothing like the challenges that Spring brings! For better or worse, our pets will be spending a lot more time outside in the coming months! So let's take good care of them.

 

Spring is my favourite time of the year,and after being cooped up all Winter, I am impatiently ready to give Spring a boost! It's still chilly and unpredictable here  in Southern Ontario, so I'm bringing Spring inside! Here are 5 foolproof ways to do just that!  

                Attitude Window and Mirror cleaner

1. Open a window! Then wash it!

Dang! The Spring Sun streaming in the windows is awesome but man, is that glass dirty! Nothing says "hello Spring" like the squeak of a newspaper on wet glass.  ATTITUDE® products are pushing the envelope for eco-responsibility by becoming the world’s first and only line of household products that are both eco-certified and carbon neutral. And made in Canada, of course!

                         Ottawa Tulip Festival

2. Buy tulips and daffodils at the supermarket!

There are a few mystery tulips and daffs in our little front yard, planted by squirrels. They aren't up yet, but our No Frills store sells a gorgeous little bunch of them for $4.00! Bulb plants like tulips and daffodils are so Springy and I am really happy that I can 'pick them' every week, either in the front yard or at the grocery store! Since April is Daffodil Month you shouldn't have any trouble finding some to purchase.

                         You Grow Girl! Chapters.Indigo.ca

3. Start some seeds!

You Grow Girl™ was launched by Canadian  Gayla Trail in February 2000 and has grown into a thriving online community that "speaks to a new kind of gardener, seeking to redefine the modern world relationship to plants. This contemporary, laid-back approach to organic gardening places equal importance on environmentalism, style, affordability, art, and humour." I have owned the book for years and love that it is about urban gardening, the kind that I do! Gayla's advice on seed starting and her list of helpful links is excellent.

                              Forced  Pussywillow

4. Force some flowers!

Did you know that you can force flowers to bloom? It sounds mean, but they don't seem to mind it! If you are too softhearted to force things, you can buy branches that are already blooming at your local greenhouses, garden shows and Chinese food grocery stores. Forsythia, pussy willows, lilac, serviceberry, indeed, any flowering branch will do the trick! Here is a simple how-to . Let me know if you try it! I have an eye on my lilac tree!

5. Make a Spring wreath!

Wreaths aren't just for Christmas, you know! I make one for each season. This super easy tutorial will show you how to make a gorgeous Spring wreath, using the pussywillow branches that you forced!

How do you bring Spring in at your house?

:: Pussywillow image courtesy of Steven Depolo, Wikimedia; Tulips,  Paul Shannon, Wikimedia, Pussywillow Wreath, PejNolen, Flickr. All other images courtesy of Buy Canadian First members Chapters.Indigo, Attitude and Lee Valley.

March Break, for many Canadian students, is just around the corner and this leaves many parents making plans. Working parents have to arrange full time care during the day. Stay at home parents are looking for new ways to keep the kids busy and working parents have to balance the kids being at home with the need to get some work done.

If they don't use child care during the year, a work at home parent may find extended school holidays hard to figure out.  Will you arrange for day camps? Have extra help  from family? Take time off work (if that's possible)?

Here are a few tips and ideas for March Break:

1-Holidays for the other parent

If it's possible, now would be a great time for the work out of the home parent to take time off.  It means everyone can spend some family time together, and the work at home parent can still sneak away to get some work done.

2-Look for additional care

Maybe there is a day care that will take drop in children during the year on holidays etc.  This usually has to be arranged well in advance and isn't possible for all.  Some day care centres offer special March Break activities for kids who aren't usually in care. 

If you have extended family, or grandparents are available, now would be a great time to arrange some extra special play time with them. 

Do you know other work at home parents? Can you do a child-care swap? THis is where each of you take the kids for a few hours a day to give the other a chance to work and do errands.

3-Camps

Your city or local community centre may offer day camps for the week, full day and half days.  These camps usually have lots of activities and running around so your kids will have that extra energy burned off!

If the city isn't hosting something, some local gynmastic centres, like this one in Ottawa, may have day camps available.

4-Keep 'em busy at home  

Another good idea is to stock up the week before March Break on craft supplies (new items always keep their interest!) and/or board games (which really can be called anti-bored games!).  While they are crafting, you can get some work done or catch up on emails.

This Hunt and Seek game would be ideal for a single child or a couple of children!

Bloco: Build with the imagination!

Recycled cardboard playhouse: How much fun would this be to play with for hours?!!

5-Take a vacation

This is often easier said than done for a work at home parent, especially if the business is their own, but Spring Break would be a great time to take some extra time off to be with the kids. Plan trips to museums, pancake houses or other activities in your town, that you don't often get to do.  You may have some work to catch up on when they are in bed, but that special time together during the day will be worth it.

How will you be handling March Break with the kids?

:: images courtesy of Buy Canadian First Members

Winter time is the ideal time to start a book club, especially if, like me, you got a Chapters.Indigo gift card for Christmas! A book club is a perfect cure for the Winter Blahs and will give you something to look forward to while you are waiting for the Sun to come back for Spring. To me, reading a book is like taking a vacation. Right about now, I feel like going somewhere hot and steamy ... somewhere like Dexter's Miami, for example!

You can start or join a virtual book club online or start or join a book club in your neighbourhood. There are book clubs for every genre and interest, age and personality. You can choose to go with one author and discuss each new publication or try different authors on one topic. You can  read cook books, craft books or childrens's books, too, if you want. Don't limit yourself to just adult fiction.

1. Find other people. Ask at local bookstores to see if there are already clubs in place. Maybe they have a bulletin board that you can advertise on for a new or existing club. Do you have a couple of friends who would like to participate? Each one can bring a friend and before you know it, you will have a club. Find people at work, school or church. Maybe friends from the gym would be interested. An ideal size for a group depends, I think, on where you are meeting. Anywhere from 4 - 1o people sounds good to me. If you have too many, discussion might be limited to only a few people.
2. Set a meeting time - Once a month is usually best for busy people to meet to talk about books. If you are starting the club, set the time that is best for you. Too much compromising can mean no book club if you aren't careful!
3. Advertise. Put up a notice at local bookstores, coffee shops or grocery stores. Try leaving a flyer in the laundry room of your apartment building. Get members to bring a friend. Try using Kijiji.  Just be careful! 
4. Set some rules. Will there be refreshments? Who will provide them? Will you lead the group or have different leaders each month? How will the books be chosen? How much participation will be expected of each member?
   
5. Play it by ear. Start your group and see how it goes. Dont be afraid to be flexible but don't feel that you have to incorporate every, single suggestion!
6. Have fun! If it's not fun, why bother! Make sure that reading your book club book doesn't become a chore!  Decide how many books a year you will read as a group, and how long you will have to read each one. You may want to read and discuss a book a month or one book every three months. It is helpful to have a list for the year right from the beginning so that people can take advantage of sales as they come across them ... or maybe even borrow a copy of the book from a friend who has already read it.

 

Do you ever tell yourself that in the Spring you're going to do a big cleanup and get all your stuff organized?  Well, I say, let's do it now!  I would much rather do this type of thing in the Winter when it's -20 degrees outside and it's just too cold to do anything, than in the Spring when it's finally warming up and you just want to go out and take advantage of the beautiful new season.

The first thing I like to do is clean out my closets.  You know the drill, take out every pair of shoes and every piece of clothing you have and then analyze them one by one and go by process of elimination.  If you haven't worn it in the last 2 years, than you obviously won't wear it again.  If it's something that you just can't seem to let go of, or if you think it's something that might be useful to you in the future, I recommend storing it in handy storage bins.  Bins are great because you can put a lot of stuff in them, and they are stackable, so they are easy to keep out of the way and it's just as easy to pull them out when you need to get something out of them.  The best way to keep them organized is to label them using simple mailing labels that you probably have on hand or can purchase at Staples all across Canada.  Try to keep everything of the same category in your bins, that way it's easier for you to keep track and stay organized.

Bins aren't just for clothes or shoes either; on the contrary, you can store all kinds of different things in various sized bins.  Take buttons, for example. We've all purchased a piece of clothing at one point or another that came with spare buttons. But where do we put those spare buttons?  At first, I just used to throw them in a drawer in my nightstand or in my desk drawer or anywhere else.  But the problem with that is that when you actually need that spare button, trying to track it down can be a pain.  I use little plastic containers now to store them, so now they are all in one place and I'm not searching high and low for them.  I use the basic plastic containers from Dollarama which are not only affordable but Made in Canada!

Plastic lunch container - Dollarama

Another great way to be organized and green all at the same time is to start composting.  You can easily do this in any home whether you live in a house in the country or an apartment in the city.  Lee Valley Tools has made this easier for you to do with their kitchen compost pails, which come in different sizes. Each one includes an activated charcoal filter to absorb odours and will fit nicely on your countertop, inside a cupboard door or in a little corner of your kitchen.

Kitchen Compost Pails $ 18.50 - Lee Valley Tools

If you're like me and like to have everything in your life super organized from the kitchen, to your desk, to your CD's, DVD's, books etc., you might be a fan of lists.  I've been meaning to get my CD's and books organized for years and the time has finally come.  Being keen on making lists, I plan on keeping a notebook and having all my lists in one book.  You can get great notebooks from Hilroy that are not only made in Canada, but also have subject separators built right in, to make it simpler to list everything into categories.  So, now, I'll finally have a list of all my CD's and the books in my bookshelf and be able to avoid getting doubles as well as being able to track the items I lend out.

5-subject notebook - Hilroy

It doesn't take much to be organized, you just need a little bit of time to get started. Once you've got the basics down, it's just a question of keeping at it and staying organized to avoid having chaos and clutter overwhelm you.

How about you, how will you get organized this year?

By Annie Curran

It's Christmas Eve and the sun is shining on the snow! It's a picture perfect day for driving and many of us will be doing just that sometime before the weekend is over. There are lots of drivers on the road doing their last minute shopping. Stress levels are getting higher as the final countdown begins and only one more sleep remains until the Big Day. Thank goodness that the road conditions will be the least of our worries.

Earlier this month, Winter snow shut down highways 401 and 402, stranding hundreds of motorists in Northern Ontario. Severe weather warnings were in effect all across Canada and we know, as Canadians, that we have several more months of such weather to come. 

                  Princess Auto Car Safety Kit

Sometimes, when listening to yet another news report of ice and snow and car crashes, I wish that all drivers had to be tested in snowy, icey conditions before being approved to drive. Every winter, the first snowfall brings all sorts of crazy accidents that could have been avoided with a little common sense.

Be prepared this winter! Make sure that your brakes are in perfect condition and all your fluids are topped off. Windshield fluid, and lots of it,  is a must have! Set aside some time to buy a prepared safety kit or to put together one for yourself to keep in the trunk of the car. A car road safety kit is a great gift  to give a new car owner, or anyone who doesn't have one, for Christmas!

                  Princess Auto Roadside Emergency Kit

What should your kit contain? Here are some ideas to get you started:

1. Shovel
2. Sand, salt or kitty litter
3. Traction mats
4. Rope
   
5. Cloth or roll of paper towels
6. Warning light or road flares
7. Flashlight, batteries
   
8. Axe or hatchet
9. Booster cables
10. Ice scraper and brush
11. Matches and a candle
12. De-icer
13. Blanket
14. Extra gloves, hats, scarves
15. Bottled water and granola bars
    

Another thing, *shaking finger* please dress appropriately for the weather when you go out in the car, even if just driving to the convenience store. Don't wear your pyjamas and slippers, I beg you! I see this all the time! Dressing like this in the winter is nutty! What if you have a flat tire or get rear-ended? Remember Murphy's Law!

                  The Safest Way to Travel ?

If you have to drive this Christmas, take it easy. Leave early. Slow down. Keep your distance and know what is going on ahead of you. Keep your cool and don't lose your temper! And do I have to say don't drink and drive? Please! Don't drink and drive! 

Have yourself a safe and merry Christmas!

Will you be travelling this Christmas?

The jack-o-lantern's roots are Irish, a tradition that has been carried down over the centuries and which started when a miserable old drunk named Jack met the Devil on an old dirt road, near an apple tree. Jack was a prankster to all who knew him, and on that dirt road Jack tricked the devil into climbing to the top of the tree to get Jack the reddest apple. Once the Devil was at the top of the tree Jack quickly placed a cross on the trunk. Realizing he was trapped, the Devil agreed to not claim Jack's soul upon his death, in exchange for the Devil's freedom.

Ironically, many years later upon Jack's death, he was refused entrance at the gates of Heaven. Saint Peter said that Jack was too mean and too cruel, and had led a miserable and worthless life on earth. At the entrance of Hell, the Devil happily kept his promise and Jack was banished from Hell, but before leaving, the Devil handed Jack a bright ember from the depths of Hell to light his way to NoWhere. Jack kept his ember in a hollowed out turnip, or "Jack's lantern". Sometime in the 1800s, the gourds, turnips, rutabaga and potatoes were replaced by pumpkins. Despite the colourful legends, the term "jack-o'-lantern" originally meant a night watchman, or man with a lantern, with the earliest known use being in the mid-17th century. It was not connected to Hallowe'en until the late 1800s.

At my house, Hallowe'en is never missed and the carving of the pumpkin is always an anticipated activity! Once the flesh is cut through, the kids (2, 4 and with a little persuasion 16) and I reach into its depths and scoop out a handful of orange goo. Giggles, "ewwws" and smiles all instantly appear, a gift from the large orange gourd. Ever year we try to grow pumpkins, and last year, we were the proud farmers of one! It was  about 12 cm in diameter and fully orange by late July. This year we have 2 pumpkins, about twice the size, so things are looking up, but there still aren't enough pumpkins in the garden for our house.

Luckily, finding a pumpkin in Manitoba is as easy as tricking the Devil into climbing an apple tree! We ventured to Penner Pumpkins near Steinbach, Manitoba, which turned out to be a family-geared, play mecca filled with fun. Not only can you purchase pumpkins, but also gourds and squash, dried wildflower bouquets, and other handcrafted items. They also have some fun activities like the zip line, a petting zoo and the Scarecrow Forest, to name but a few.

Of course, this isn't the only pumpkin patch in the province. In Manitoba, you can find more patches at this link. If you are a Manitoban looking for an organic pumpkin, you're in luck! Buy Canadian First member Blue Lagoon Organics is a "Share Farm" program, which means that, for a one time payment, you will receive organic produce weekly (and this includes pumpkins).  Not only that, but you can participate on the farm. Imagine taking the kids to work on the farm all summer long? Be sure to check out their member page and website for more information.

Where do you hunt your pumpkins in your province?

~ Don't forget to comment here, on the Wednesday post and on the post by Beth McKay-Smith on Monday for your chance to win a great prize giveaway from select Buy Canadian First members! We will randomly choose a name on Monday morning! Good luck and thanks for your participation! ~

::Images courtesy of Drea Willowcat and Buy Canadian First Members. 

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

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.

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?

ACK!!! I mean how many weeks of summer vacation do our kids get, 8 perhaps 9 weeks? Are you panicking yet? Summer is here and once they eat breakfast they.will.not.be.going.to.school! Perhaps you have summer camps, art workshops, trips to the cabin and a week at grandma's house pre planned, but what can you do to ease the summer blahs for the rest of the season? Fear not brave parent for I will provide for your children a handy list of fabulous things that may keep them busy for minutes, hours and perhaps even days at a time!!

50 awesome things to do!

1. Go birding! Canada is filled with a wide variety of spectacular bird species of all shapes and sizes. Encourage young budding ornithologists to go into the yard open their ears and eyes and look into the skies. Arm yourself with a pencil, binoculars and a great notebook from Buy Canadian first Member EcoJot to log all of your discoveries. Check out bird canada. It is both a great blog with amazing links!

3.  Recreate a famous painting  in your own way ( like Big Raven by Canadian artist Emily Carr)

4. Do everything with the 'wrong arm'.

5. Make a doll but only use recycled materials

6. Enter a poetry contest.

7. Make a diorama of your favourite place in the world.

8. Plan an old fashion tea party, be sure to bring your parasol, manners and a pretty dress like the Poppy dress by Sweet Peanut from out member Apples n Oranges.

 9. Find all the pens in the house and make sure they all work.

10. Start a summer business 

11. Get your grandparents to dish out some dirt about your parents when they were young!

12. Learn how to walk the dog and go over the falls with a yoyo! Buy Canadian First member Toy Maker of Lunenburg makes fabulous Yoyo in great colours. Once you master the tricks you can show off to all your friends.

 14. Go for a walk and collect anything you wish (perhaps everything yellow, everything round, everything with letters) then create a mini museum with your objects.

15. Make a terrarium.

16. Study an ancient civilization or learn about many with Professor Noggin's Ancient Civilization Card Game.

17. Learn CPR.

18. Discover where the smallest bone in the body is.

19. Raise a tadpole into a frog.

20. Create lists of ten (ten foods I love,  ten types of trees in my neighbor hood, ten wierd habits my mom has etc.).

21. Find out how many of your favourite music artist are Canadian.

22. Learn to cook a new dish

23. Bake muffins  and deliver to a friend.

24. Teach an old dog a new trick with a little insentive. Give Fido a delicious natural treat made with holsitic ingredients from Fetch'erz Ballz.

25. Observe your neighbourhood everyday at the same time for a week. Log what is the same and what is different daily.

26. Start an ant farm.

27. Be a pirate for a day, ahhrrr or to the plank with Yee.

28. Rewrite the endings to your favourite fairy tales.

29. Set up a lemonade stand.

30. Learn to knit and make scarves to donate to shelters.

31. Create your own world. Make maps, civilizations and local wildlife and plants.

32. Do fish pee? find out!

33. Negotiate a new privilege for yourself.

34. Start a 2000 piece puzzle

35. Spend the day with a younger sibling  on purpose.

36. Do a chore without being asked first.

37. Discover why your shadow is longer or shorter depending on the time of day.

38. Make a sun dial.

39. Tie-Dye T-shirts

40. Dedicate a song to someone over the radio.

41. Practise a new skill (skateboarding, catching popcorn in your mouth after you toss it in the air or juggling).

42. Are you prepared? Get your family prepared for an emergency.

43. Create a scavenger hunt for your friends and bake a cake for the winner.

44.  Make posters and hang them up in the neighbourhood.

45. See if you can follow a bee back to her hive, be respectful and give her space. Later find out why bees dance.

46. Start a collection.

47. Go fly a kite. 

48. Become a master of origami.

49. Plan activities for your whole family.

50. research  all the mythical creatures of the world and write a story about your all time favourite!

The possibilities are endless. Fortunately, should all else and your children are still bored and you are there with them, know that the laundry, dishes, dinner, and lawn can wait a few minutes, hours and (this is pushing it) days. Your children grow fast and time is fleeting so forget the work and go hang out with your little muffins. We'll always have dishes but we won't always have our babies as little ones.

As you know from reading my previous posts, we have a German Shepherd mix, named Noke, a purebred, blind, Aussie Shepherd named Bobby and a lilac-point Siamese, named Aries. Now that Spring is here, there are lots of things to be done to get the pets ready for the season!

As always, the most important thing to remember is that it is getting warmer and warmer. That means no more leaving the dog in the car, even for a few moments, even with the windows down!  And don't play frisbee, or even go for a walk, at the hottest time of the day either! Save playtime for when it is cooler.  Make sure that your dog has lots of fresh water and plenty of shade to relax in, at all times, especially if he likes to be outdoors all day, like our Bobby.

We are very fortunate to have a back yard to let the dogs out into. If you have one too, be sure to use only pet safe plant and lawn care products. Make sure that sharp gardening tools are put away when the dogs come out to play! Keep them inside when you mow the grass!

The mosquitos are coming, the mosquitos are coming! Prevention of heartworm is the best treatment, so get your dogs' their vet appointments early! It's the perfect time for their yearly check-up and updates of their shots. Ticks and fleas affect all our pets, so we take our indoors cat in now, too. Because he doesn't spend much time outside, there is less to do to get him ready but if you have an outdoors cat, now is the time to get them their check-ups and, perhaps, new bells for them to wear on their collars! 

With the heat and burrs to come, get your long-haired dog their Spring trim, to keep them cooler and make getting the burrs and foxtails out of their coats. We love to take our dogs through the bird sanctuary near us and we are always careful to check them after. Foxtails can be very, very hazardous to your dog so really look carefully. Our dog Noke loves to push through the grass and we make a point of looking in her ears, because she often gets foxtails caught there.

Like to barbeque in the back yard? Make sure that your doggies can't get burned or scalded by keeping them at a safe distance. Those yummy smells can make even the best trained dog to forget their good manners!

We live near the water and love to boat. If you and your dog do too, remember to make sure that Fido has his life jacket on at all times! 

                 Dog Collars from Roots Canada

Spring is also a great time to make sure that your dog's leashes and collars are still in good shape. Sometimes a strong, well-made leash is all that is keeping your dog out of trouble!

What do you do to get your dogs and cats ready for Spring?

Image sources: Wendy Gibson, BuyCanadianFirst.ca

There are some people that always seem to have all their ducks in a row and seem perpetually organized, but those of us who are not need a little help. Here are some great ideas how to become and stay organized this winter and ever after:

1) First things first, before you can organize you must purge; clothes that don't fit, items in your home you don't like, broken items you will never fix and items you never use. Get yourself into your closets, living spaces,  basements, attics, and nooks with the intent to rid yourself of excess junk. Be sure to donate all the items that can be reused. Once this is complete you can then continue to purge as items become torn, broken and unwanted. Do double duty during regular everyday tasks; while doing laundry look for clothes that need mending or recycling into quilts or rags and during a toy clean up keep an eye out for broken toys.  This trick will also apply to emotional  baggage like unhappy letters and tokens that keep your psyche prisoner and thoughtful albeit unwanted gift from friends and family.

3) Young children may be too small to use hangers but hooks are a great idea and easy for small hands to use. Place on the wall within reach and your kids will hang their coats and bags up. The "Rail Riders and Hangers-On " Coat Rack from Buy Canadian First Member City and North Custom Design is perfect. This large sturdy piece has enough room for coats, snow pants, bags mittens, scarves and tuques.

4) Seasonal items can be a bit of a hassle, leaving your summer and winter clothes and shoes all in one closet can create a big mess especially with a few children in the house. The Canadian-made Omni box by Kis are a great way to store your winter or summer gear off season. Made of recyclable  number 5 plastic these boxes will keep your items safe from moisture and bugs and can be stored neatly away in your basement or garage. Check out a review of the Omni Box from Mother by Nature and the boxes can be bought at Canadian Tire .

5) Preplanned 5 day outfits. Take the guess work out of getting dressed by having the whole family make a five day wardrobe. The time, energy and hassle saved is priceless.

Being organized takes some effort and constant diligence initially but once the habit is formed then it'll be like breathing. Get the family on board and watch how much extra time you'll have for the fun stuff like tobogganing or just some guilt free well needed lounging on those cold late-winter nights.

What are your favourite tips to get your house organized?

Image sources: Judith Head to Toe, lifeinfozone.com, BuyCanadianFirst.ca, Canadian Tire

The heart; an organ that tirelessly beats within our chests circulating our blood and delivering oxygen to our cells. But it is so much more. It is embedded into our modern culture; a symbol representing love, charity and the soul. Through the ages the symbolism of the heart has been seen in several ancient cultures like the Celts, Egyptians, Buddhists and Catholics.

We can even get an approximation of the heart shape using this mathematical description  (x2+y2-1)3-x2y3=0, or so they say. You can have a heavy heart, be faint of heart, have a heart of gold or wear it on your sleeve. Your heart can skip a beat, break, bleed and change. When your heart stops you're either in love, lust, really scared or (but hopefully not) dead. Your heart often trumps the wisdom of the brain and without it you would be 'heartless'. I say YAY to the heart and another YAY to a healthy heart!

The state of the Canadian heart
The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada has a grim report for 2010. Between 1994 and 2005, rates of high blood pressure among Canadians young and old skyrocketed by 77%, diabetes by 45% and obesity by 18% - all major risk factors for heart disease. What's your risk ? One of the new at risk groups are young adults between the ages of 20-30! Heart disease and stroke costs the Canadian economy more than $22.2 billion every year in physician services, hospital costs, lost wages and decreased productivity and by 2020 this number could climb to nearly $29 billion. We are in big trouble Canada, and I am not talking of the financial cost but of our own health and that of our children.

Put your heart and soul in to it: changes for the better

You CAN make changes. You can begin today to make your heart healthy, as well as your family's. These changes will improve your quality of life, provide you with an extended life and indirectly make you a more responsible citizen. Buy Canadian First has lots of members with heart smart food choices pictured throughout the site. 

Eliminate trans fats ("partially hydrogenated" or "hydrogenated oil") from your diet, as research has shown that trans fats raise your LDL levels (bad cholesterol) and lower your HDL (good cholesterol) levels. If something is listed as 0 trans fats look on the label for any form of hydrogenated oils as this is what you wish to avoid. It is also wise to watch your saturated fat intake.

Maintain a healthy weight.  Obesity is a major cause of heart disease and nearly 20% of Canadian children are obese. If you are having a hard time with this, talk with your doctor or naturopath for help on creating a better food plan.

• Instead of fad or crash diets, alter your own to include: 5-10 servings of varied coloured fruit and vegetables daily, whole grain breads and cereals, lean cuts of meat, cold water fish, low fat dairy products and include other healthy choices like beans, seeds and nuts.

• Avoid deep dried and high fat foods, pop, sugary items, alcohol, excessive salt and mindless nibbling (in front of the TV or at your desk for example).

• Portion your plate outright: half your plate should be your fruit and/or veggie, one quarter your grain and the other quarter your protein.
• Eat breakfast; people who eat breakfast tend to maintain a healthy weight.

• Make it a habit to read the ingredients and nutrition labels
  

Get moving 30-60 minutes everyday; take a walk, enroll in a yoga or pilates class, go for a bike ride or dance with wild abandon. This will help get the weight off and keep it off. It will also strengthen your cardiovascular system. Plus, it's fun!

For more tips and tricks to healthy eating and information about heart disease have a peek at last years blog post and visit the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada website.

I ♥  my heart, you should ♥ your heart too. How do you show it?

When I first really started to get into beading, my darling husband made a comment that replays in my head everytime I look at my crafting space, where plastic container after plastic container line the shelves. The dear, naive man said, "At least beads are small and won't take up much room!" Yes, beads are small,  but there are so many types, colours and sizes! They must be sorted and stored correctly, or they will be overlooked when it comes time to create!

As a pro-crafter, I am serious about my storage! I teach beading and other craft classes, I design craft projects to write about and I sell my creations. I have a big, big stash of craft supplies and materials. If I can't see something in my craft stash, I don't use it. This is why see-through, plastic containers, made in Canada by Era Group and readily available at Dollarama, have become my first, and favourite, solution to all my craft storage dilemmas!

The containers come in every size imaginable and often in sets of 3, 5, or more! You can find very small containers that can be stored inside larger containers, too, a true sanity saver for beaders, sewers and other hobbyists...not to mention woodworkers, fishermen and other tool wielding types. I find that the containers that come in sets of 5 (for a $1.00!) are perfect for keeping beading class beads stored in. I leave them in the containers and just open them up for class, where they are perfect for passing around and sharing.

Whatever type of hobby you enjoy, you will find it more enjoyable to have all of your beautiful and expensive supplies stored in such a cost-effective way.

The beauty of the Era containers is that I can also use them for what they were originally intended for...food! The plastic is completely BPA free, they come in, as I said, many, many assorted sizes and there are even several lid colours available, to make sorting even easier! They are also totally microwave safe, and are ideal in the fridge and pantry! They are perfect for the lunches my husband and I take from home, or to store the dog and cat treats or to bring on a dog walk for a portable water bowl.

Era Group, formerly e.r.a. display, has been one of North American’s leading plastics manufacturer of hangers, food containers and winter products since 1976. Their mission is to "manufacture innovative, contemporary, safe and environmentally responsible products." And when you find out they are available at Dollarama, you know the price will be just right.

Also practical and made in Canada are storage products made by Gracious Living in Ontario. A great example is this 3-drawer unit available at Staples locations across the country (Bureau en Gros in Québec). 

Now if we could just find the time to get organized, life would be sweeter! Any tips of your own to share with us? We'd love to hear from you!

Image sources: Era Group, Gracious Living

With the holidays in full swing, you are likely stressed, extremely busy and wishing for just one more day (or 12) before the family arrives for New Year's.  But in between cleaning, putting batteries in the kids' new toys, and keeping the dog away from the ornaments, you have to take time for yourself.  A few moments of relaxation and peace will make your holidays that much sweeter and will be a good start to a very happy new year.

My favourite way to relax? A hot, calming bath.  I would love for it to be in this gorgeously designed Balneo Naos Thermomasseur from Bain Ultra.

But even if it's in my regular tub, bubbles and fresh scents are essential, like this Cake Desserted Island Bath and Shower Froth. 

Light the room with a Candy Candle from Kokimo Candles and enjoy. 

The alone time may only last a few minutes, but you won't regret sneaking away from the family fighting entertainment and busyness ;-)

I know a lot of people who like to read in the tub.  I never could get into it.  I prefer to lie there and either reflect on the day or dream of the future.  Some of my best planning or ideas have come while in the bath tub. If you are a tub-reader, maybe now would be the time to start reading the Twilight series (or in the case of many, perhaps re-read it?). If you're short on soaking time, maybe a magazine would be a better choice. Canadian Living magazine has great short articles and tips to make any Mom's life a little easier!

How do you like to relax? Are you able to find the time during the holidays to rejuvenate? Share some de-stress tips!

I believe we are all particular and peculiar about our jeans. To the layman, jeans are just blue pants but in all reality they are not. There are countless cuts and styles to choose from but what can one do when our jeans start to fall apart? When I was a kid I had the best pair of jeans in the world (at least that's how I felt) and when they started to fall apart I patched them. Eventually the back side looked more like a tatty quilt held together with lazy whip stitches, dabs of crazy glue, and (yikes) safety pins.

Our grandparents and great grandparents were the masters of reusing. Tatty clothes were mended or refashioned into new clothes and worn-out fabrics were turned into quilts or rag rugs. Certainly this practise is returning with words like upcycle and repurposed. Artists, designers and crafters are using previously used textiles to create new items. This phenomenon is both easing the burden on our pocket books, but also on the environment (think: the 3 Rs). So how does this apply to you? Well you too can hop on the upcycling bandwagon and go for a ride, a crafty and new jeans shopping ride.

Do-it-yourself demin
It's handy to have a little something laying around to soothe aches, pains and sprains. This DIY project allows you to put the heating blankets, hot water bottles and cool packs away for now. These fantastic hot and cold sacks can be filled with rice, buckwheat, cherry pits, flax seeds, feed corn or oatmeal, just heat them up in the microwave or leave them in the freezer. Using 100% cotton denim is a fabulous choice for your creations, think of different shapes for different purposes. Here is a great tutorial from Tipnut.

Do you have a journal with a really awful cover? Well fret no more this adorable blue jean journal cover project will turn that ugly cover in to something awesome from Craft at Home.

Who doesn't need a tote bag or little over the shoulder mini bag? try this Denim tote tutorial from Canadian Living.

The possibilities are endless with denim: pillows, skirts, shirts, quilts, scarves, yarn, pencil holders, hats, rugs, toys and wall pockets are to name just a few. Whatever your imagination wants to make, a pair of jeans can take you there. Here are some examples of the brilliant creativity of Canadian artist: Painted Skirt By Fantazya Fantasie, Recycled Jeans Purse by Annyma, Earrings by Tomate D'Epingles and an Oven Mit and Pot holder by LG Frog.

Don't forget to upcycle your t-shirt too!

Buy new Canadian-made jeans

Now that you have cut and sewn your old jeans into fabulous new creations, have you found yourself without pants? Here are a few Canadian Brands you should check out.

Fidelity Denim jeans have been a Hollywood darling since 2005 (their press section certainly attests to that). These jeans are designed in Vancouver and are manufactured in both the US and in Canada, so be sure to check the label.

Montreal-based Naked and Famous Denim are true purists and lovers of jeans and it shows in the craftsmanship of each piece in their collection. They manufacture "proudly and ethically" in Canada and source their denim from a prestigious Japanese mill that has perfected the art of denim-making.

Upon further research, a Canadian truly has little to no excuse to not buy Canadian when it comes to jeans especially with other big brand names like Parasuco, Lois Jeans and Point Zero who manufacture some or all of their collections in Canada and independent designers like Valerie Dumaine and Second Clothing. That's right, buying Canadian-made jeans doesn't necessarily cost more. It costs about the same as foreign-made jeans (or foreign-made designer jeans if that's what you are after). So next time you are shopping for a pair, check the labels and look for that sweet phrase 'made in Canada'!

Image sources: isida16 (flickr), craftathome, annymay (flickr), FidelityDenim.com, NakedandFamous.com

Blog post written by: Kirsten Bartel

As skies begin to darken and the lights are low, you stand outside in the approaching darkness and look around... the silence broken only by the rustling of dead leaves on gnarly tree branches...

Dark clouds, like long bony fingers, reach across the nearly full moon shining overhead, and your senses become heightened by eerie spirits and a touch of magic in the air... Hallowe'en is upon us once again.

The term Hallowe'en, now often spelled Halloween, is shortened from All Hallows' Eve (eve being an abbreviation of even, an older word for evening.) The "e'en" in Hallowe'en comes from "even" shortened to e'en, from the Old English term meaning "All Hallows' Evening".

The history of the celebrations are long and times have changed from when we would put an old bed sheet over our heads, grab a pillowcase or strong plastic bag and rush out to try to get as many candies as possible. Nowadays it has become a big celebration, filled with parties and theme events for children, adults and dogs alike. Hallowe'en activities include trick-or-treating, wearing costumes and attending costume parties, ghost tours, bonfires, visiting haunted attractions, reading scary stories, cornfield mazes, carving pumpkins, watching horror films — just to name a few.

A few tips on how to have a ghoulish good time for Hallowe'en:
Kids of all ages will still want to dress up so take a gander at the selection of costumes from Creative Education Canada. Since it may be chilly in some parts of the country, you  may want to pick up some of these adorable Winter Kitty Hats, add a tail and... Voilà ! your children have been transformed into one of the best known animals of the holiday.

Should you decide to dress up your dog, take care to ensure that the costumes do not have any small parts on which they can choke. Oh, and try to remember your dog's dignity, as they do have sensitive egos.

Treats will be a must for any get together. Check out the variety of goodies from Original Foods or, for a nice Canadian twist to the regular lollipops, try this sweet Maple Flavoured Sucker from Jakeman's. For Potato Chips, I suggest these 100% Canadian Hardbite Chips by Naturally Homegrown Foods, from British Columbia.

 They come in a variety of flavours, such as

• All Natural
• Smokin BBQ
• Chedder & Onion
• Salt & Vinegar
• Jalapeno
• Wild Onion & Yoghurt
• Creamy Coconut and Curry Oriental
• Honey Dijon

and even as sticks instead of chips, in Smokin and Jalapeno flavours. Not only are they 100% Canadian, but they are healthy as well. They can be found at many Health Food Stores across the country.

Another great Canadian company who manufactures tasty products such as Nougat Bars, Jelly Beans, Pal O Mine Bars, Bagged Candy and much much more is the Ganong Company, from Saint Stephen, New Brunswick.

What is even better is that Ganong contributes a portion of the proceeds of all their products marked with a pink ribbon to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. Something which makes every bite just so much sweeter.

I have seen many reusable eco-bags at local grocery stores with Hallowe'en themes, which can be used instead of the usual plastic bags should you go trick-or-treating. 

How about some homemade delights? Chef Michael Smith, a well known Canadian chef who encourages the use of local produce in his recipes, has some wonderful Hallowe'en treats:

• Devil’s Food Cupcake Ice Cream Cones
• Ghoulish Hallowe'en Punch
• Roast Eight Winged Bat

More fun recipes:

Witches Brooms
Ingredients
String cheese
Licorice strips
Pretzel sticks

Directions
Shred apart pieces of string cheese in long strips. Take a pretzel stick, and pressing the cheese strips around the end of the stick, tie a piece of string licorice around it, creating a sweep for the broom. Press the licorice and cheese firmly to the pretzel to secure. Continue with remaining pretzels. 

Hallowe'en Magic Wands
Ingredients
Pretzel Sticks
Chocolate (melted)
Granular Sugar

Directions
Take the pretzel sticks and dip them into the melted chocolate. Roll the chocolate end in the sugar sprinkles to make the glitter. Continue with remaining pretzels.

Be creative, have fun!

Tim Horton's  has Pumpkin Spiced Donuts as well. You can pick up a dozen for the party, or have one with your Pumpkin Spice Muffin and specialty Pumpkin Spice Tea each day until the weekend.  Either way, a great way to get your taste buds started toward all the other goodies.

Note: If you would like your dog to share in any Hallowe'en treats, please only give them small pieces of fresh apples and some mashed pumpkin. Sugar and chocolate is toxic for pooches. If you feel like baking special treats, Dogs in Canada magazine has a delicious looking Pumpkin Brownie recipe (without chocolate, of course). 

Tarot is another interesting activity to have at your party, either to perform readings or for meditation. The Spiritual Light Tarot by Canadian Marcia Masino is worth exploring. The artwork is inspiring and has the essence of the Aurora Borealis. Marcia Masino is the author of two best selling Tarot books: Easy Tarot Guide and Best Tarot Practices, available through Chapters Indigo and has designed two Tarot Decks.

No Hallowe'en would be complete without mentioning one of the many Haunted Tours across the country.  Here are some tours you can check out in Ontario and Quebec:

• Haunted Walk Tours
• Muddy York Tours
• Ghost Tours of Quebec
  

Find one in your local area or make a trip out of it. Hallowe'en tours are on now until October 31.

Now gather around the bonfire and look out for the Ghosts and Spirits all around us — can you sense them? Happy Hallowe'en! 

Image Sources: Flickr Creative Commons, John Morgan, Andy Hay, Allen Dale Thompson, BuyCanadianFirst.ca, Homegrown Foods, Ganong, Flicker Creative Commons, Tara Alton, Tim Horton's

Blog post written by: Kirsten Bartel

Your dog was skunked? No problem! Read our recent post entitled Tackling Aromatic Encounters - Preparation for information on how to make a home remedy to combat this problem, roll up your sleeves and get ready for the fun part! Oh and don’t forget those all important items of lavender, hops and herbs.

pour the solution over your dog, often using sponges will help in the process, and massage well into the fur. Make sure none of the bath water gets into your dog's eyes or face as it is a very strong irritant. Gently wash the face by using a paper towel and soft strokes, ensuring to keep it out of the eyes and mouth. Also Hydrogen Peroxide should not be digested internally, so no drinking out of the tub! Leave the solution on the dog's fur for about five minutes and then rinse well. Pour the water out and make a new solution and repeat the entire process.

Optional: Many people use vinegar for the first rinse, then clear water, then do the second washing and then they repeat again. If you are using white vinegar, it is best to dilute it with water to minimize skin irritation. Apple cider vinegar is a good alternate solution as it has some medicinal properties and helps the fur.

If your dog was sprayed directly in the face, make a thorough inspection of the eyes, call your veterinarian if at all possible, and rinse her eyes with a natural saline eye drops or artificial tears. You may want to use some drops for yourself to ease the effect on your eyes from the strong skunk vapours. The spray from the skunk is extremely irritating and can also cause some nausea.

Dry the dog off with some eco-friendly paper towels and old towels (it is best to not to use your best bath towels for this). Dispose of any items which are unsalvageable in bio-degradable bags.

After you get the smell out, it is a good idea to use natural Oatmeal and Aloe shampoo to revitalize the skin and fur. Your dog's fur may bleach from the solution and may shed more for about a month until it recovers, however, the wonderful aroma should be eliminated. Any lingering scent may come from the dog’s face but it will dissipate.

Lavender, Hops and Herbs

Now you are probably wondering where the lavender, hops and herbs come in? After such a wonderful ordeal, you will no doubt need to calm your nerves. Lavender oil is a great essential oil which calms the skin and nerves, for men, women and dogs. You can mix some up in water or try member's Tuscan Farm Gardens product Lavender Body Spray and spray it on the dog's bed and on yourself. Even better, use the spray for the dog and take a bath using their  Lavender Milk Bath, so you can relax and regain a sense of well-being while allowing the sodium bicarbonate to soothe your skin.

The solution is strong and although you should be wearing gloves, some solution may make it's way into your gloves and could roughen up your hands. If so, don't worry. You can get the care you need, all the while also supporting made-in-Canada brands: Buy Canadian First has members who manufacture and sell some pretty great hand and body lotions: Upper Canada Soap has an amazing hand care collection called All About Hands. Through our retailer Well.ca, try Ella's Botanicals Yummy Almond Hand and Body Lotion. You can also check out Canus Goat's Milk product Canus Goat's Milk Moisturizing Lotion with Shea Butter or Mont-Echo Naturels, Inc. product purSea Hand Lotion.

Afterwards, have a fine relaxing herbal tea, such as member Nature Bella's product Algonquin peace tea by Mother Earth herbal teas.

If you feel you need something stronger, hops is also a great herb for relaxation (seriously). You can buy some in bulk at your local health food store. Or perhaps a nice bottle of beer from one of our local microbreweries may fair you well. A Boréale perhaps? The Quebec-owned microbrewery, Les Brasseurs du Nord, have six ale-type beers with a lot of character to help you chill. Or maybe a choice selection from la microbrasserie Unibroue, such as a Maudite or Fin du Monde, since no doubt you thought it was the end of the world until you were completely free of that smell!

Source: Flickr Creative Commons, Oakley Originals, Flickr Creative Commons, Selma Broeder, BuyCanadianFirst.ca, Nature-Bella.com

Blog post written by: Kirsten Bartel

Even with the best intentions of preventing such an encounter, unexpected things can unfortunately happen — especially when you own a curious pooch — and your greatest fears may be realized:

You or your dog, or worse, both of you met a skunk!

Don’t panic. Just remember to be prepared and to know of a simple home remedy for that lovely aroma these creatures leave behind on our dogs and ourselves.

To recover, you will need the following:

• One skunked dog
• Hydrogen Peroxide 3% solution: You may want to  have two bottles of Canadian-made Résérvé Hydrogen peroxide 10 Volume 450ml, manufactured by Groupe Pharmessor in Boucherville, Quebec, in the house as a topical antiseptic for minor wounds and skunk emergencies
• Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda): Try Canadian made Eco-Pioneer Pure Baking Soda by Verve Naturals

• Dishwashing Liquid: Buy Canadian First member Attitude has amazing environmentally-friendly, biodegradable and non toxic dishwashing liquids, available in Grapefruit & Bergamot or Ylang Ylang & Lime. Any citric dishwashing will do, just make sure there is no tea tree oil in the product you choose as tea tree oil can be toxic to pets.

Other useful items:

• Rubber gloves & rubber boots: Try these Waterproof Rainboots available from Buy Canadian First member Rallye Footwear Inc.
• Vinegar: President's Choice The Natural Vinegar (white vinegar) can be used if diluted with water, or Apple Cider Vinegar. You can learn more about the Vinegar Market in Canada by reading articles on the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada web site.
• Bio-degradable Plastic bags
• Paper towels: Buy Canadian First member, Cascades Inc. makes some wonderful products. Check out their Cascades Enviro 100% Recycled Paper Towels, which are made without new tree pulp
• Old Towels
• Toothpaste: Any brand will do, but you may want to check out Buy Canadian First member Green Beaver's natural toothpastes, such as the Green Beaver Green Apple Toothpaste

• Sponges: Try Buy Canadian First member Polyad Industries Ltd. various collections of sponges, such as the The O’Maré® Seahorse™ Sponge Collection - sponges which will pamper the skin and foam up with minimal soap, Equest® Sponge Collection - great for bathing horses or skunked dogs, or the SOAKER® Sponge Collection, all by SOAKER® Seahorse™
• Dog Shampoo: an oatmeal and aloe shampoo would be good to soothe the skin and help the coat
• Lavender, hops and herbs

The procedure
Step one - Preparation

First do not let the dog, or anyone who was sprayed, in the house or car. Then mix the following concoction together:

1 litre Hydrogen Peroxide 3% solution
50 ml (1/4 cup) sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)
5 ml (1 tsp) dishwashing liquid

But wait! What about the tomato juice, you ask? The best thing to do with tomato juice when it comes to skunks, is to pour it in a glass and drink it, or even better, get some Canadian invented Clamato Juice and Canadian vodka, like Polar Ice and mix yourself a Bloody Caesar, and take a sip. It may help in bracing yourself for the next step ;)

It is best to wear old clothes, rubber boots and especially rubber gloves so that you do not get the smell on your hands. If you should already have some from catching your dog, you can either put some toothpaste on your hands and rinse or wash them in the solution you just mixed together, then dry them with some eco-friendly paper towels, roll up your sleeves and put on your gloves.

Ready? Okay, now remember this important concoction and stay tuned, as in the next segment I will give tips on how to survive the actual bath!

Image sources: Flickr Creative Commons, Oakley Originals, Attitude, labonneattitude.com, BuyCanadianFirst.ca, Flickr Creative Commons, Kristen Taylor

Blog post written by: Kirsten Bartel

One of the marvels of living in Canada, and occasionally its challenge, is how we live side by side with our wild neighbours. Our vast land from coast-to-coast-to-coast is the habitat for a wide diversity of flora and fauna. Summertime to early Autumn in Canada is often filled with many joyous and memorable adventures, however, probably its least appealing attribute is that it is also a great time to encounter a skunk.

Striped Skunks are found across the country and are well known by all Canadians, urban and rural alike, whether we live in the Maritimes to British Columbia or even Nunavut. There may be some of us who have never actually seen a live skunk, but it is doubtful anyone does not know the distinct scent that can travel up to a kilometre in the wind from its source.

In general, skunks are not aggressive creatures and would rather avoid people than confront them, something which can be used to our advantage.

Prevention is always the best method of avoiding the skunk's wonderful perfume. Lights and sounds can temporarily discourage them from moving in, however, they are rather persistent creatures and, thus, permanent measurements are required to keep them out. Always ensure you have no skunks in the areas you are sealing before you permanently close the opening.

As with any wild animal prevention, it is always advisable to make your home and land less appealing to them:

( ) Limit "ready made" dens by blocking openings with wood and metal screens, burying the screens at least 15-20 cm into the ground to discourage digging
( ) Keep your yard uncluttered
( ) Opt for secure garbage and compost bin that have tight lids
( ) Make pet food, water dishes and food scraps unavailable at night

If an unwanted visitor has entered any part of your home or sheds, leave the doors as wide open as possible to allow them easy access to exits. Give them wide berth, and do not try to chase them out or startle them and keep your pets away as well as you may end up being sprayed.

To properly skunk-proof your living area, besides the raw materials of lumber and metal screens, you may also require the following items:

( ) A pair of good work gloves (Try these Canadian Deer Grain Work Gloves from Buy Canadian First member Sterling Gloves Company Ltd.)
( ) A measuring tape and metal cutters
( ) A saw (also available from Buy Canadian First member Trail Blazer Products)
( ) Nails or Screws
( ) Hammer or Screwdriver (perhaps a Canadian invented Robertson screwdriver?)

( ) A shovel or gardening tools (try Trail Blazer Garden Tools)
( ) A new garbage can with lid & bags
( ) A compost with secure lid (you can check out the Envirocycle Composter by Envirolet compost bin which is manufactured and assembled in Canada and has a latching lid)

Now you should be equipped to properly deter and prevent skunks from becoming tenants — Happy skunk proofing!

Source: Flickr Creative Commons Kevin Collins, BuyCanadianFirst.ca, Envirolet

Blog post written by: Kirsten Bartel

Ah! Fall has arrived at last! A season when dog owners, and all Canadians across the country, can still rush to get outdoors without multiple layers of clothes and coats, or fear of sinking belly deep in snow ... Just yet. The joys of hiking in the wilderness, exploring the countryside and enjoying nature at its best with your canine friend is sure to put smiles on every face. Dog lovers across the country will attest that there is nothing quite like it.

Preparing for an outing is important, even if you don't have far to go. Five kilometres from home is still a fair hike if you find yourself in need of something which is laying on your kitchen table.

Some basics for a pleasant trek in the country with your pup:

( ) A Hat. Personally I love my "Handcrafted in Canada with Care" Tilley hat for sun protection, however, you can find others. Perhaps a made in Canada Blurr Flora Cap or a MEC Rover Hat from Mountain Equipment Co-op is more to your liking?

( ) Bio bags. Try eco-friendly bags such as those from Sacsmunger, Epi-global or Natursac.

( ) Rubber boots. I use the traditional Canadian Marshland Red Sole Rubber Boots from Canadian Tire, but you can also try these Waterproof Rainboots available from Buy Canadian First member Rallye Footwear Inc.

( ) Quality sunglasses

( ) Water. If you haven't done so already, get a refillable aluminium water bottle, like Otterbottles. Otterbottles are not Made in Canada (nobody seems to make aluminium or steel bottles in Canada) but they are a great Canadian company - They even received a thumbs up from David Suzuki!

( ) Waist / Backpack

( ) Basic first-aid items

( ) Sun screen

( ) Lip balm. Try Buy Canadian First member's products like the Clear Lip Saver by Aroma Crystal Therapy, Tuscan Farm Gardens Organic Lavender Honey Lip Balm, or Pursea Lip Balm.

( ) Natural bug repellant. I make my own but try the Natural Insect Repellent by Glengarry Gardens for yourself and maybe the Tuscan Farm Gardens Lavender Body Spray for your dog.

( ) Natural doggy treats (not essential but always appreciated)

( ) Leather leash and collar. I really like this leather dog lead and leather dog collar from Buy Canadian First member Roots.

And don't forget your camera! Even during short walks just this past week, I was able to sight a red-winged blackbird flying over the crop fields, a deer feeding in the early morning sunlight and a rainbow arching across the sky. You just never know what is in store for you, even in your own backyard.

Explore, discover and enjoy!

A camera is also handy to capture any antics your dog may decide to throw your way. Dogs In Canada magazine often has a photo contest and, who knows, you may just get that winning image!

Being prepared makes all adventures more enjoyable and that includes learning about your area and what natural wonders you can find. Summer to early autumn, as even urban lovers know, is a time when wildlife is in abundance. An encounter we all dread is one with our friendly neighbourhood striped skunk. You can't get more natural than a skunk, however, there are some things in nature we may like to live without.

 Image sources: Flickr Creative Commons, Jesse Yardley (Fotographix.ca), BuyCanadianFirst.ca

Like most people today, I'm watching my spending. I mean, I always paid attention to what was in my wallet but not to the same extent as today. Economists and the media could say what they want about the recession being over in Canada, but until I see it first hand, in my bank account, on my investment statements, I will continue to count my pennies. It's just common sense to do so anyway.

Me being me, I kinda took it to another level in the last couple of weeks: I've been scouring the web for deals and discount coupons and contests. This means that I've taken a huge interest in coupons and special promotions. I spent some time exploring RedFlagDeals.com and lo and behold, they had coupons for some Canadian-made goods and services. Some pointed to VisaPerks' website and that's where I hit the mother-load! I've been Tweeting about these deals all week, but I thought it would be better to put them all down here and link you guys to the right pages. Here they are alphabetically.

Happy bargain hunting y'all!

Birks - 10% (think Canadian Diamonds and Gold!) - Expires: Nov 1, 09

 Cake Beauty - 30% - Expires: Dec 31, 09

Just think about everything you put on your skin daily: deodorant, soap, cream, sunscreen, bug spray and hand sanitizer are but a few. The average woman will absorb nearly 2.3 Kg (5 lbs.) of cosmetics and other beauty products each year by using nearly 20 different products. The risks associated can be minor skin irritations to a more serious illness like cancer. It is said all these products are safe but it is argued that is only individually are these chemicals safe, when they are combined, their properties change and they could become harmful. The best plan of action is to become an informed consumer.

The most common active ingredient in insect repellent is DEET (N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide) and is very effective to prevent mosquito and tick bites. DEET comes in various concentrations from 100% to 10% and the concentration tend to govern how long the chemical will work (100% = 12 hours) and must be washed off your skin after use. In studies DEET has shown to be effective and safe when used as directed but there are several cases of people experiencing harmful and deadly outcomes from DEET use. DEET has been proven to cause skin irritations and in severe cases seizures, brain damage and even death. Clearly, one has to weigh the risks of toxicity and the risk of diseases like the West Nile Virus or Lyme disease, right? Well maybe not.

Mosquito bites are a nuisance but also potentially deadly as all around the world they spread illnesses such as Malaria, Yellow Fever, Dengue Fever, and Encephalitis. In Canada, West Nile Fever whose symptoms are fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, and rash. Severe symptoms can include neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, vision loss and paralysis. These systems can last weeks or a life time. Those who are bitten by an infected mosquito, only 20% will show the symptoms after 14 days. Infants, the elderly and individuals with auto-immune illnesses are especially at risk. Here are some steps to help reduce your risk of mosquito and other bug bites.

• Remove all standing water from your yard. It is likely that your back yard is breeding these pests, things like flower pots, old tires, pet water dishes, bird baths, patio chairs and any other place where water can pool is a possible nest for mosquito larvae. 
• Bt israelensis (Bt-i)  (Bacillus thuringiensis var israelensis) is a biological pesticide designed to only kill mosquito, black fly and fungus gnat larvae. Can be used nearly anywhere there is standing water. This can be safely placed in birdbaths, rain barrels, rain gutters and anywhere you have accumulated water.
• Wear loose light coloured clothing.
• Invite bats to live in your yard as they will eat thousands of mosquitoes every night buy a bat house or create another opportunity to turn off the TV and build a bat house with your family.
• Keep pots of basil and rosemary growing near your doors to discourage mosquitoes from hanging around.
• Stay indoors during prime feeding times.
• Investigate the natural wonders of Neem Oil, a wonderplant that has healing properties and also acts as a natural insecticide read more at Woodland Natural Remedies.

Make your own natural mosquito repellents

Making your own repellent is easy and requires just a few ingredients: Some essential oils and a carrier oil or alcohol.

• Essential Oils: 10-25 drops total.

• Carrier oil or alcohol: 29.5 ml (2 TBSP)

Choose one of these are effective carriers: Olive oil, sunflower oil, cooking oil, witch hazel, water, vodka

Apply the solution avoiding your eyes and other sensitive areas, reapply after an hour, swimming or exercise. When not in use, store away from direct light in a dark coloured bottle.

Natural Insect Repellent by Buy Canadian First Member Glengarry Gardens, a natural blend of essential oils in soybean oil, great for the whole family.

Druide's Citronella line are all natural products free of colourants, nuts or nut oils and petroleum by-products. The entire line is available through our member Well's website. 

All Things Jill's Bug Joose is another effective natural repellent that contains no chemicals, making it safe for the environment. Get some though our member Organically Hatched.

How do you combat the onslaught of these pesky critters? Share your tips and tricks with us and have a itch-free remainder of summer. 

Ah, sweet summertime, children running about all day playing in the sprinklers, skipping rope in the front street, street hockey in the back lane... what? What do you mean whose children am I talking about? Is the scene in your house more like a bunch of sloths sprawled across your floors and sofas, loafing around watching TV and playing video games? As a child I was playing outside in my neighbourhood rather than watching television or playing my Atari (!) system. Perhaps it is the 24/7 availability of children's programming, state of the art game systems, mind blowing graphics, busy parents, lazy parents, safety issues and whatever else but kids are less active these days and it shows with a growing rate of obesity and diabetes in children. In fact type 2 diabetes was once considered an illness for the aging is now affecting children and young adults at an alarming rate, see some statistics and information here.  

Here are some great items that are also made in Canada that will get the kids and their parents playing, creating and having fun!

• Test your slow pitch arm with Pro-Am Sand Bag Game from Buy Canadian First member Bojeux
• Boogie all day long with Bobs and Lolo available from member Organically Hatched
• Hone your putting skills or your slap shot with great products from our member DOM Sports
• Gather all the kids and have a neighborhood baseball game using Combat Youth Baseball Bat - B2YB  from member Combat Sports.

For more fantastic summer ideas be sure to check out these creative and talented Canadian bloggers too:

Outdoor Activities 

• How to play hopscotch by  Quiet Fish
• Butterfly Feeder by Our Big Earth
• Can Stilts from Hudsonny

In the Kitchen

• Rhubarb Juice Concentrate from Bovine Bubbles and Hogwash
• Popcorn Ball from FiveForty  
• Perfect Lemonade from Canadian Parent

Arts and Craft

• Stenciled T-Shirts from RikRak
• Secret Fold Note Book from My Hand Bound Books
• Cornstarch Clay Activity from High On craft

There is no excuse Canada to not get kids and grown-ups in motion! Be sure to inquire into the summer activities at your local community centers, parks and pools. Seek adventure and have fun!

PS: In case you still run out of ideas here are hundreds more from author, illustrator and guerilla artist Keri Smith 

T-shirts are easy to collect. They are readily available in all stores, given away as free promotional item and just a loonie or two at the second hand store. What can we do with all these tees? We can do a lot more than just wear this fashion staple. So grab a t-shirt, scissors and your sewing machine because we are on a DIY adventure.

Reconstructed T-shirt
The reconstructed tee shirt is a perfect way to transform a large unshaped shirt into a one-of-a-kind fashion wonder. I attempted my own reconstructed t-shirt and I cut and sewed without hesitation and forethought and ended up with an interesting creation that will suit me well... when I clean my house. But do not be discouraged about my first attempts: I did not think to use instructions, and there are lots of instructions available for the reconstructed tee shirt.

I found a brilliant book at Chapters Indigo titled ‘99 Ways to Cut, Sew, Trim, And Tie Your T-shirt Into Something Special'. Here is idea number 17: Gaia, an innocent maiden look.

Necklace
Necklace? Yes make yourself a t-shirt necklace. Cucumbersome of Vancouver, BC, has an outstanding tutorial on instructables.com. Hip Eco fashion, give it a whirl.

Yarn
Yes, another delightful surprise from the lowly t-shirt. Turn your shirt into a continuous strand of yarn for all of your knitting and crochet projects. Watch this great you tube tutorial! [video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HN1Nt9SAcRw 350x300]

Not all of us have time to "create" so should you wish to have an upcycled t-shirt, you can purchase items alrady made, like this handwoven recycled t-shirt rug  from Five Forty of Terrace Bay, ON.

Image sources: 99 ways... book, Cucumbersome, FiveForty and MyGreyDog 

Earth Day was April 22 and was first established in the United States in 1970 marking the environmental movement. Today 6 million Canadians along with billions of people from 141 countries celebrate Earth Day. Earth Day is not just a day, but a way of life and this year I am going to use it to make some ‘Eco-lutions'. I can't think of a better time to start, with 2 young children in the house, I can promote good green habits and an earth-smart attitude. There is so much information about being eco friendly that it can seem hard to know where to start. Don't give up, small steps lead to giant leaps, one person can make a difference, YOU can make a difference. Here are some Eco-lutions you can adopt today!

1. Become a vegetarian - If you aren't already then give it a shot, at least for  a couple meals a week. Meat production is inefficient and energy consuming. For every 1 Kg of beef 6-7 Kg of grain has been used. Not to mention all the time and energy used to harvest the grain. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have estimated that livestock are responsible for 18% of greenhouse gases which is more than the estimated global transportation sector (14%). Remember, it's just as important to buy local and (if you can) buy organic. Don't be worried though. Cooking vegetarian or vegan is easier than you might think! There are tons of recipes available online. A sure bet is the 100 Mile Challenge reality show now airing on the Food Network Canada.
   
2. Change your light bulbs - Regular bulbs may be less expensive at the store but give off 90% of their energy as heat. An average 60 watt light bulb lasting an average of 8,000 hours will use about 480 kWh, at an average of 11.64 cents a kWh, your light bulb will cost you about $55.00 to use. Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFL) use 75% less energy than a regular bulb and last longer. In comparison, a 13 watt CFL bulb lasting the same time will use about 104 kWh, at the same price of 11.64 cents, your  cost will only be about $12.00. Not only are you saving energy but money, lots and lots of money every year. How many light bulbs do you have in your house? There is one noteworthy tidbit about the CFL bulbs: They do contain a small amount of mercury. Since the mercury is encased within the bulb, there is no risk to us. The mercury cannot escape, but like batteries, CFL bulbs should be disposed of properly. for more information, read this Energy Star fact sheet on the CFL.
3. Bring your own bag shopping - Get yourself into the habit of bringing your own bags for shopping trips. These bags are not only stronger but have less of an environmental impact than their disposable paper and plastic cousins. Stores usually have them available for purchase. Superstore has launched their new campaign to push the use of cloth reusable bags. They hope that raising the price of the disposable plastic bags and promoting cloth ones will divert 1 billion bags from ending up in landfills by years end. If you are not keen on the store brand cloth bags you can buy them from local artisans in stylish designs. Buy Canadian First member Betty Bags has several cute styles of shopping bags including: The Sally Shopper and The Patsy Pocket Pac. Both styles fold up into a convenient size for your purse or pocket, never be without your shopping bags again. You can find a retailer near you here.
4. Travel right - Walk, cycle, take a bus and car pool to reduce your carbon foot print and when you travel, try the train. Trains are popular in Europe but have been grossly overlooked here in North America. A train produces less greenhouse emissions per passenger kilometer than an airplane and is 25% safer than cars. Try Via Rail. They have some great rates a special offers page you can browse.
5. Finally Read, Learn, Act and tell everyone to join you!
   

Did you know that Canadian caribou and boreal forest birds are in danger?
Pollinator numbers are on the decline, insects like bees and butterflies are at risk! These issues and more, like our oceans, need our attention. Find a cause that strikes a chord in you and fight for it!

Remember that your one voice, letter or action will make a difference, the world is changed one person at a time. What are your Eco-lutions this year?

Your lawn is a sea of green blades, the platform of picnics, something to squish your toes in and the best place to play croquet. In the middle of last century a green lawn was usually the source of competition. He with the greenest and most manicured lawn wins. In those days pesticides like chlordane were readily used on lawns. Chlordane is a man made pesticide banned in 1988 for personal use and completely banned in 1995 for commercial use of termite control. Chlordane is suspected of being the cause of several health issues including: child cancers, neuroblastoma, leukemia, chronic infections, bronchitis, asthma, sinusitis, infertility, neurological disorders, aggression and depression. Who was the winner? Certainly it was not the children who played in those lawns, they are often most vulnerable to the effects of these chemicals.

So what exactly is going on our lawns today? I called a nearby southern Manitoba garden center requesting the best way to care for my lawn and was recommended a weed and feed product. Most weed and feed products are chemical soups or granules that usually contain 2,4-D (2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid ) a herbicide readily available in the provinces without the residential bans.  2,4-D has shown to cause cancer in humans, high toxic effect in fish, and moderate exposure of 2,4-D to honey bees severely impaired their reproduction. If that is not incentive enough this may be, over 6000 Canadians suffer from acute pesticide poisoning every year and nearly half of those are children under 6 years old. Think about it!

So how do you care for your lawn without all the chemicals? It is quite simple really, in fact with a little love and attention your lawn will surly thrive without the use of chemicals. 

1. Your lawn needs some water. The most optimum time to water your lawn is early in the morning as it allows for a good saturation and protection from the days sun. Early in the spring it is recommended to not water your lawn until mid to late June, the drought effect builds a better root system and suppresses weeds. This rule does not apply for newly seeded grass, which needs to be watered often.
2. Weeds are a pain. The rule of thumb is to cut your lawn to 6 -7.5 cm. This will usually keep any weeds from seeding and discourage growth. It is beneficial to leave your grass clippings on your lawn. This layer of mulch in rich in nitrogen and another weed growth suppressant.
3. Fertilizer and lime are essential to your lawn. Most often if you have good soil, leave your trimmings and water regularly you may have little need to fertilize your lawn. In the fall you can take your soil to a garden center or lab to have it tested for quality and PH. Organic fertilizers such as dried blood, bone meal, dehydrated manure, fish emulsion or seaweed are good but if you require a scientific mixture of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. 
4. Seeding is best done in the fall while the days are still warm but lacking the scorching summer heat. A thick lush grass will naturally suffocate the weeds.
   

For more lawn information including more watering tips, thatch help and seasonal charts, please visit the Environment Canada lawn care page. 

Buy Canadian First's member Sure-Gro can help you with your fertilizer and grass seed needs with products from C-I-L, So Green, Perfectly Natural, and Vigoro.

"Oh but I still really need a herbicide, what can I do?"  Well, good old weed picking is one way and a spray of vinegar as well but there is a new product made of corn gluten. Turf Maize Bio-Weed N'Feed Lawn Fertilizer is made of 98% corn gluten. Turf Maize boasts great lawns, totally safe for your family and doesn't have fillers, animal waste and sludge.

Happy walking barefoot in the grass Canada! What are your favourite lawn tips and your favourite playing-in-the-grass activities?

Since having children, I have become more conscious about the products I use when cleaning my home.  I would like to share with you my top eco-friendly cleaning tips.

1. Vinegar works wonders!  I love the cleaning power of vinegar.  Mix it with water in a 50/50 ratio.  I keep mine in a spray bottle and use it on windows and mirrors and even on my laminate flooring.  If the smell bothers you, try adding a few drops of essential oils such as lavender or sweet orange or even a bit of lemon juice.
2. Two words....baking soda!  Baking soda makes a great cleaner as well.  Mix it up as a paste and scrub tough stains.  Let it sit and scrub the surface and rinse with cool water.
3. Ditch those paper towels!  Using paper towels creates so much waste.  Why not use a cloth that is reusable for your cleaning?  I like to use microfibre cloths to clean but have also been known to use cut up old cotton t-shirts or even flannel sheets for cleaning cloths.  I just wash them, hang to dry and reuse next time around!
4. Save energy by hanging your clothes to dry.  I have a clothes line outdoors but it is a little impossible for me to use during the winter months.  I try to use it all spring, summer and fall though.  I hang blue jeans to dry all year round and never throw them in the clothes dryer. 
   
5. Clean the air with indoor plants.  Did you know that plants clean and purify the air in our homes?
6. This is a tip I recently found out about and am anxious to try it out soon!  Before you throw your newspapers into the recycle bin use them to clean windows or glass.  Spray to dampen with a bit of the vinegar/water solution and apply to the surface for a streak-free clean!
7. Here is another tip I just read about.  Fabric softeners can be full of chemicals and scents that can irritate.  To soften clothes without synthetic fabric softener use vinegar (woo hoo, vinegar again....I love it!), about ½ cup in your rinse cycle.  For elimination of static in the dryer, I found these reusable dryer sheets made in Canada by Static Eliminator.  These sheets can be found in many retail locations throughout Canada.
8. Look for eco-friendly cleaning and laundry products whenever possible.  They can usually be found in your local grocery stores.  Well.ca is a great source online for many "green" cleaning products. Check these ones out.

These were just a few ideas to help you to switch to more eco-friendly cleaning options.  I hope this will inspire you to take a few steps to keeping your home clean without harsh chemicals. Come back soon because there will be plenty more tips and cool stuff in April, when we dedicate all of April to Earth Month. If you have your own "green" cleaning tip, please let us know by leaving us a comment!

Happy cleaning!

Image source: Flickr Creative Commons: C.Wess Daniels', Well.ca

Tax season is upon us once again, for me this is a big groaner as the Canada Revenue Agency and I don't often see eye to eye, but you know what they say about death and taxes. I am, by far, the last person to give advice on how to do taxes but I can give you a handy-dandy checklist of the most common things you need for your tax returns.

A simple checklist for the average return: 

1. Did your marital status change throughout the year?
   
2. Do you own foreign property with a total value over $100,000?
   
3. Did you receive Employment Insurance during the Year?
   
4. Did you withdrawal any RRSP's or RRIF's during the year?
   
5. Did you receive pension income?
   
6. Do you have children under 6?
   
7. Did you have a family addition or adopt a child during the year?
   
8. Did you pay for a safety deposit box?
   
9. Did you move 40 km closer to work?
   
10. Did you have any rental income during the year?
    
11. Did you pay interest on a student loan?
    
12. Did you pay any post secondary tuition during the year?
    
13. Did you graduate from a post secondary institution in 2007-2008?
    
14. Did you contribute to your RRSP's during the year or the first 60 days of 2009?
    
15. Do you have any child care expenses?
    
16. Do you have any medical expenses?
    
17. Did you travel more than 40 km to receive medical treatment?
    
18. Do you make any donations?
    
19. Do you make any political contributions during the year?
    
20. Did you pay property taxes on your residence or pay rent during the year?
    
21. Do you have a copy of last year's notice of assessments?

When you are ready to visit your tax processor ensure you bring any correspondence from the CRA, as well as your last year's tax return.

Regardless if you are going to a tax processor, your accountant or doing your taxes yourself, be sure to investigate some of these credits implemented by the CRA, in fact this link is a great one stop resource to find the refundable and non-refundable credits available to you. These credits are geared to the taxpayer,  senior, student, parent, tradespersons and anyone with a disability or caring for someone with a disability. These include public transit amounts, GST/HST credits, medical expenses, children's fitness credit and so much more. You can even keep abreast on all the tax changes here as a part of Canada's Economic Plan-Budget 2009 .

A new savings program is the Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA), geared to Canadians to set money aside, tax free, throughout their lifetimes. Basically you are allowed $5,000.00 every year to save, but there are some little quirky rules, here's one explained:

Pippa deposited $3,000.00 into her TFSA account in January 2009, but needed $1,000.00 in May so she withdrew the money with no tax penalty. In September she decided to deposit more money to her TFSA but now she can only deposit $2,000.00 which would make a total of $5,000.00 of transactions in her TFSA. Should she deposit $3,000.00 to make up for the $1,000.00 withdrawal she would be taxed 1% per month on her TFSA.

The $1,000.00 that was withdrawn can be replaced, but only in the following year when she can then make a $6,000.00 savings deposit. As my dad says, if it's 'about as clear as mud', talk to your bank, financial advisor or consult the FAQ page at the CRA's site about the TFSA. It is not the best account if you are going to deposit and withdraw often but for long term savings it is top notch!

The Canada Revenue Agency has all packages, forms and schedules for every province regardless if you are filing personal or business they can be viewed in PDF or HTML. There are help links and contact information on the site too.

UFile for Windows allows you to complete up to 8 tax returns or 16 returns with the Ufile plus. Ufile is there with an email support group (email and phone with Ufile plus). If you want to file en français they have Impot-Expert.

Unfortunately the program is only available for Windows but UFile online supports Mac and Linux. Finally if you file returns every year as a part time seasonal job UFile-Pro may be the program for you, allowing you to file up 100 returns of any kind. Find the UFile that is right for you.

Remember you have until today to contribute to your RRSP and April 30th to complete your income tax return.

If you have any tax tips you would like to share be sure to leave them here in the comment section.

Happy Returns!

Image sources: UFile, Flick Creative Commons: ohio progressive, brittanyculver

Spring has not sprung yet here in chilly Saskatchewan. Some days it seems as if spring will never arrive...especially when the temperature dips into the -20s and -30s.  Today, I would like to share a few tips to keeping comfortable and busy inside when the temperature dips into those nasty -30s.

There are lots of fun family activities to do inside when it is cold outside.  Ever since I was a kid, it seemed Sunday afternoons during the winter was game time.  Why not play a board game?  I think it is a fun way to get the entire family together.  Two of our members Bojeux Inc. and Editions Gladius have some great games to offer. Why not play Yum...an old favorite of mine!

When I am stuck inside, I like to listen to music.  I like to visit itunes.ca to see what is new and exciting in the music world.  It's a great site because you can browse and listen to songs before you decide to buy them.  And you don't need to purchase the whole CD which is neat too.  And what better way to shop then from your own home?

Curling up with a good book is another comforting thing that I like to do when I have to stay inside.  Chapters.Indigo.ca offers books as well as movies and music.  Lots here to help pass the time spent indoors.  I have ordered from here before and I must say that I have received excellent service from them.  There are reviews posted on the site too which could help you to decide which book to purchase.  You can add items to a wish list  and save them as favorites for later.  Why not show this wish list to your husband...you never know!

And of course you will need to eat when you are trapped inside in the cold weather so why not take advantage of it and make something wholesome and delicious. Why not make a hearty soup to help keep you warm?

These are a few great tips to help make a day inside enjoyable when it is too cold to go outside.  Why not try out some of these ideas?  Let us know how you spend your days inside too!

Image sources: Flickr Creative Commons: very little dave and romanlily, Chapters Indigo Books, Bojeux Inc.

My husband gets mad at me because when I am not feeling well, I don't really want to take medications to ease my symptoms.  I often try a few natural home remedies that really seem to work well for me instead.  I would like to share some of my tips to get over a cold naturally.

1. My first tip is to get plenty of rest. I know it can be difficult to do.  I have two little ones at home and getting them to nap at the same time, if at all, can be quite a challenge.  Even a small 10 or 15 minute nap seems to be all I need sometimes to feel a bit more energized.
   
   
   It can be difficult sleeping at night too when you have a cold.  You can experience everything from chills to sweats. Our member  Coolfemme has great sleepwear that I think would help.
   
2. My second tip is to drink plenty of fluids.  I have a lemon honey drink that I make that often eases my sore throat.  I combine 1 tbsp. lemon juice with 1 tbsp. honey in a mug.  Add boiling water to fill the mug and stir until all the honey is melted. Very Berry Honey has delicious flavoured honeys that would really enhance this drink. They have all kinds of flavours like, raspberry, cranberry, blueberry, blackberry, lemon, cinamon.
   
   
   If lemon and honey is not your favourite, why not try a soothing cup of tea. Fully Loaded Tea offers several flavourful teas that would be sure to please. Their Goji Force Green Tea is a particular favourite.
   
3. If a sore throat is your problem try gargling with this simple salt/water mixture: Add 1 tsp. salt to warm water and gargle.  Do this three to four times a day.
4. Is nasal congestion or chest congestion your cold problem?  Why not try a hot steamy shower or bath to help loosen up stuffy noses.
5. Be sure to get plenty of nourishment too.  It can be difficult to find an appetite when you are not feeling well but you need the strength that proper nutrition provides.  I recommend chicken soup, either purchased or even better - homemade!

These are a few tips that help me out when I am suffering from a cold.  I am not a trained doctor by any means and if you have symptoms or fever that last several days be sure to consult your family doctor.

Image source: BuyCanadianFirst.ca

What is Heart Disease?
Most people think of heart disease as one condition but it is actually several different conditions that affect the function and structure of the heart with different root causes, like malformations of the heart, viruses, genetics and lifestyles. All heart diseases can be managed by medicines, surgeries, and/or lifestyle changes if caught and treated in time.

What is a Stroke?
A stroke is a sudden loss of brain function. It is caused by a sudden loss of blood flow to the brain(ischemic stroke) or ruptured blood vessels in the brain(hemorrhagic stroke); either stroke will cause the affected cells in the brain to die. The effects of a stroke depends on where it occurred and how great the damage but a stroke can impact how you see, move, remember, speak reason read and write.

Preventing heart disease
While reading the Heart and Stroke Foundation web site I found this information alarming: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common form of heart disease. It occurs when arteries in the heart are blocked with plaque, a sticky yellow substance made of fatty substances like cholesterol, as well as calcium and waste products from your cells. It narrows and clogs the arteries, slowing the flow of blood. This condition is called atherosclerosis that may begin as early as childhood and occur anywhere in the body, but it usually affects large and medium-sized arteries. There is no cure for CAD, but there are many treatments, such as medications, surgery and lifestyle changes, that can slow down its progress.

This suggests that once the plaque is there you can't reverse the effects and our children's adult health is founded on the food and habits we give them today. Some things we can't change about our risks of heart disease like age, gender, family history ethnicity and a history of stroke or TIA but there are several more we can control; high blood pressure (hypertension), high blood cholesterol, diabetes, being overweight, excessive alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, smoking, stress and specific women related issues.

Where to start?
The heart and stroke Dash (Dietary Approaches to Stopping Hypertension) diet is almost identical to the Canada food guide with a few extra servings of fruits, vegetables and grains. Research has proven this to work.

The results were compelling. The diet higher in vegetables and fruit and the DASH diet both reduced blood pressure. The DASH diet had the greatest effect on blood pressure, lowering levels within two weeks of starting the plan. Not only was blood pressure reduced, but total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or "bad cholesterol" were lower, too.

Adopt these other lifestyle changes as well to lower your blood pressure and reduce your risks of heart disease.

• Be active 30 to 60 minutes daily. Ubisoft has Quick Yoga Trainer for your Nintendo DS, you can go for a brisk walk, vigorously clean your house or skip rope!

• Limit your fast foods, canne or prepared foods as they are high is sodium, saturated and trans-fats. Choose whole grains like Natunola health's delight Omega-3 Instant Oatmeal and Oh Canada wild rice. Liberte has a great selection of yogurts in low fat selections with lots of wonderful flavors. 

If you are overweight try and shed 5 kg it will lower your blood pressure, in fact getting to a healthy weight range for your age and gender will further reduce your blood pressure.

• Consume less salt by; cooking with aromatic herbs, spices, lemon and garlic as well as choosing fresh or frozen foods.

• Limit your alcohol consumption to 2 drinks a day or less with a weekly limit of 14 drinks for men and 9 drinks for women. This guideline only applies if you do not have liver disease, medications with alcohol interactions, mental illness, a personal or family history of alcohol abuse, are pregnant or trying to become so, or are breastfeeding. Check with your doctor if you have any concerns.

• BE smoke free

The Heart and Stroke Foundation can help you and your family on the road to heart healthy lifestyle!

This Valentine's Day give the gift of your healthy heart; tell your spouse, kids, friends, cat, dog and even your nemesis you care enough to be around for a long, long time. That is a loving feeling. ♥

 Before stating any health regime please visit your doctor and find out the status of your health. Should you require special medication and instructions please follow them as directed.

Love, is bewildering me right now. I sit here curled up with my keyboard trying to find the words to explain love. To some it's a chemical reaction in the brain where a surge of happy hormones flood through you like a herd of wildebeests to others see it as a social phenomenon, but seriously, it can't be just that. Love couldn't be something so simply defined by a bunch of scientists debating whether it is just biology or psychology that brings us to love. Those wondrous feelings like when our hearts grow too big in our chests and take our breaths away and for just a moment you can't breathe or talk, could really just be science? Is it not a little magic tucked in there too?

Now if you are anything like me, you have waited until the last possible moment to acquire Valentine's Day goodies for the apple of your eye, be not afraid young lover, I will help you!

Home made flowers (make today)
Supplies: Newspaper, Crayola construction paper, potato, knife, scissors, supreme learning red tempera paint, glue, brads (optional), sticks

1. Lay out your news paper on your work surface and an extra sheet to print on.
2. With your knife carve a heart shaped stamp from your potato.
   
3. Pour a little paint into a flat dish and dip your heart stamp into it, dab a little paint off and then print on to newspaper, repeat until you have several hearts.
   
4. Let dry.
5. When dry cut out hearts and glue onto a preferred Crayola construction paper color and cut it out once again.
6. Using five or six hearts glue attach the heart ends together in a circle or use the brad to do the same. Then apply glue to the back of the flower and put the stick on the glue and let dry.

Love Coupons (make today)
Coupons, yes, I know I have written of them before, but they are truly little gems. If the gift is from the kids offer complain free room cleaning, dog walking, no fighting with sibling, no whining, spending the day together and other things. If the coupons are for your spouse offer, back rubs, date nights, sleep in weekends, spicy fun things and what ever else your spouse may enjoy and enjoy a break from! I have designed some extra cute coupons find them here.

1. Cut bread into large hearts using cookie cutters and toast
2. Heat a greased frying pan to a medium low heat and put your cookie cutters in the pan
3. Crack egg into each cookie cutter cook to preferred yolk setting
4. Slice apples
5. Butter toast
6. Arrange toast, eggs and apples on plate.

Put all these elements on to a tray and serve to your special valentine in bed and watch the science and magic bloom!

Happy Valentine's Day.

Photo credits: me (Andrea Willowcat)

My household is ill. The toddler was struck last weekend, my computer on Monday, and the baby this past Wednesday. I have cold butterflies in my belly, a thump in my head and an ache in my throat: I think we have the flu. Health Canada describes the flu like this; "Human influenza, or the flu, is a respiratory infection caused by the influenza virus. Influenza typically starts with a headache, chills and cough, followed rapidly by fever, loss of appetite, muscle aches and fatigue, running nose, sneezing, watery eyes and throat irritation. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea may also occur, especially in children." Those are my toddler's symptoms.

In most cases people will recover from seasonal influenza within 10 days, but the elderly and children with existing health conditions may develop more serious conditions like pneumonia. Sadly 4,000 - 8,000 Canadians die from influenza and its complications every year.

Influenza prevention
These are some common tips and tricks but before starting any health regime, you should consult your family physician first.

• Get your flu shot - Each year virologists try to make an educated guess as to which strains of influenza virus maybe approaching us. Your flu shot contains a vaccine for about 3 different strains but you won't get the flu from the flu shot! The vaccine is created with a dead virus to simulate a real virus, your body attacks it creating antibodies and when the same strain attacks your body your antibodies are already in place to destroy it. In Manitoba the vaccine is free to certain risk groups; aged 65 or older, between the ages of 6-23 months, if you have heart and lung disease or any chronic illness, a first responder, a health care worker, reside with anyone under the age of 2 or over the age of 65 or are pregnant. Find a flu shot clinic in your town here.

• Wash your hands! It's easy to do and is a highly effective way of preventing the spread of germs. It is good practise before handling food, eating meals and feeding children. As well as after changing diapers, using the restroom, blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing, handling shared items like toys or stair rails and handling animals. If you are visiting a sick person ensure you wash your hands before and after your visit, for the patient's consideration as well as your own. To properly wash your hands remove rings and put a dab of liquid soap on your hands, with warm water proceed to rub your hands together all over including between your fingers. Continue this motion for about 20 seconds then rinse with warm water. Soap and water do not necessarily kill all the germs but the act flushes the germs and bacteria away. You could also use hand sanitizer products. In Canada, we manufacture One Step. You can get this product in various formats, so that you always have some readily available. Afterwards moisturise your hands to keep your skin subtle and strong. Here at Buy Canadian First we have several soap manufacturer members such as the Goat milk soaps from Canus that are biodegradable & phosphate free and

• Take care of your immune system -  Stay active, get proper rest, manage your stress levels and eat well. You'll have a greater chance of avoiding the flu bug. Interest in tart cherries are proving to not only give pain relief to gout and arthritis sufferers but also a rich antioxidant giving the immune system a boost. The NaturEmporium sells Cherry Lane's Montgomery Tart Cherry Juice Concentrate. These special cherries are grown in the Niagara region. You dilute 1/2 cup with water and you can sweeted to taste with honey or maple syrup. This all natural fruit may just be Canada's little super hero!
  
  Another made in Canada product - Cold FX, can also help stave off the flu when taken daily. It gives your immune system everything it needs to stay vitalized. A friend of mine swears by this product every year during the cold & flu cycles.
  

• Be mindful of where you sneeze - Finally, all the droplets that come from our mouths and noses while we are sick with influenza are highly contagious. When you are about to sneeze or cough be sure to cover your mouth with a tissue or the inside of your elbow to prevent the spread of germs.

If you are already sick, as I am, lay your sorry bones down, get your rest, drink plenty of fluids, and wait until your fever is gone and your cough has gotten better. It is critical to stay home and get better. If you venture out too soon, you will spread the disease and you will prolong your suffering because of lack of proper rest and bad karma (!) Luckily, we'll all be better soon, except for the computer and for her, we're keeping our fingers crossed.
Be well!

Image sources: Flickr Creative Commons - lesleyhyphenanne, Canus, Lush, NaturEmporium

Planning that special day is one of the most exciting times in a bride-to-be's life.  As a bride, we all want that day to be perfect and exactly how we have envisioned it. There are lots of things to think about when it comes to planning a wedding - from the dress to the rings to the honeymoon and everything in between.  In this post, I hope to share a few ideas to help the brides of 2009 plan their special day.

 

Bridal shows are a great place to start your planning. They feature many local products and services to help make your day complete. The My Canadian Wedding website is a great resource. From their bridal shows page, you can link to all available bridal shows by province. How neat! You can also find information about local bridal shows in local newspapers and wedding supply shops. 

If you are overwhelmed by all of the information you can obtain at a bridal show (and it can be overwhelming) a wedding planner can be a very wise investment. A list of local wedding planners can be found at a bridal show in your city.  Your telephone directory should also have information on wedding planners.  Just look in the yellow pages under wedding planning.

Finding that perfect dress can be a daunting experience. Many women have an idea of what they are looking for and once they see "the dress" the decision is easily made. The My Canadian Wedding website also has a list of wedding vendors by province.

Once the dress is purchased, rings will need to be purchased as well.  I previously wrote an article here about Canadian jewelry and diamonds.  When purchasing your rings, ask the jeweller for Canadian-made. You won't regret it.

The honeymoon is a wonderful way for the new couple to celebrate their union.  There are many places right here in Canada that would make a great honeymoon getaway.  From romantic getaways such as Niagara Falls to rugged getaways in the Rocky Mountains, choosing to honeymoon in Canada is a wonderful choice. There are many great attractions to accommodate all tastes. The Canadian Tourism department website is fantastic.  It breaks down travel within Canada into groups based on your travel tastes. Why not spend your honeymoon here in Canada and see what this great country has to offer?

I wish you the best of luck planning your special day and Congratulations!

Image source: Flickr-Creative Commons, The Shopping Channel

To quit smoking is, at best, excruciating. My husband is going through the process right now, he doesn't want to be a smoker anymore but he is battling to win against his own justifications to have another smoke or drag. I asked him for a thought about quitting smoking and of all of them this, to me, describes the hold that smoking has on him and potentially every other smoker out there {you} wanting to quit.

The phrase "cold turkey" scares the s*** outta me...if I thought for one second that there is absolutely no cigarettes left on the planet. I would panic and go crazy...just talking about it is making me shake.

I root for my husband everyday and know that he will win this one on his own terms.

Prior to writing this post I was going to throw at you all the statistics, health concerns, death tolls and fires that are associated with or caused by smoking. After looking online for information I realized that perhaps that was not the best format. You see I am a non-smoker now and have been for the last year, had I looked online a year ago to find information to help me quit smoking, I may have lost hope. There is so much to sift through: charity sites, organizations, pharmaceutical companies, government agencies, personal blogs, quit smoking coaches and more. In fact so much so that I closed down my web browsers to regroup and start anew today. Instead I am going to organize these links into something that you can sink your teeth into and find what you need fast.

Health Canada has a comprehensive site helping you through your quit smoking journey. They will walk you through: getting ready to quit, quitting now and staying quit. Health Canada has a step-by-step guide to get you prepared for your quit day and an online self help program, two great pages to start with.

The Lung Association of Canada has an easy to view and navigate site with valuable information and links. One of their quit smoking tools is to get help and support to increase your chances of success. Talk to your doctor, community nurse, or your local lung association for programs, services, events and support.

The Canadian Cancer Society is another complete help guide with a helpline, online community and booklets. The Smokers' Helpline is a free, confidential telephone service for smokers who want to quit, are thinking about quitting, have stopped smoking and need support, and for those who don't want to quit, says the website. The Society also has online help, it's free to sign-up and you are able to join the forums, have a quit meter that calculates the money you've saved and your health benefits based on your quit date, quit buddies and inspirational emails. There are the 3 work booklets: One for the smoker who doesn't want to quit, one for the smoker who does and one for those who want to help others. They are available online, in pdf formats or you can fill out a form to receive a mailed copy.

It is said that only 5% of people who quit without help will succeed. In clinical trials, people receiving a 12-week course of CHAMPIX, a stop-smoking-aid developped by Pfizer Canada, nearly quadrupled the likelihood of quitting smoking compared with those taking placebo. CHAMPIX is not a nicotine replacement but targets the nicotine receptors to reduce cravings. Talk to your doctor about it.

Ubi-soft developed, in conjunction with the Allen Carr's experts, My Stop Smoking Coach with Allen Carr. Choose your personal coach then get advice and tips based upon your smoking habits, only for your Nintendo DS.

Some people feel great pride in quitting and they totally should. I am thankful that I can look at my children and ask them to never start and not feel like a hypocrite. I am thankful because I will be a that much healthier as I get older. I am thankful that I can enjoy the taste of a freshly brewed cup of coffee. I am also happy that my husband has decided to quit and grateful that our eldest will remember our experiences and how we struggled and hopefully make different choices later on.

I quit because it was the right time for me, when's your quit date?

Image source: Flickr, Creative Commons - biwook

For most of us, the gloominess we feel during the cold months are known as the 'winter blues', but for 2 to 3 percent of Canadians, these feelings are a more severe form is gloom known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (or SAD for short). The Canadian Mental Health Association's website offers some very useful information about who is at risk and what the symptoms to look for are.

There are many, many small things we can do to help reduce our winter blues, which is a mild form of SAD. Today I will share five easy ones:  

1. Exercise - This seems quite obvious but to many it's not something they like to partake in the winter. A brisk walk everyday for at least 30 minutes is all it takes. Just keep moving. The main thing is to be outside during the day (between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm) and dressed warmly. Don't forget to keep your head covered. People often forget that 30 to 50 percent of our body heat is lost through our heads.
2. Diet - The cold weather often makes us want to stay inside and we become bored. Then, we want to eat because it seems that there is nothing else to do. High sugar foods make us want to eat even more as it leaves us unsatisfied.  It does temporarily lift us but that high soon plummets leaving us feeling very down. A diet low in refined sugars can help this. Limiting caffeine and alcohol is also very important.
   
3. Vitamins and supplements - There are some vitamins and supplements that can help reduce the winter blues. These are specifically vitamin D and the B complex vitamins. St. John's Wort is a supplement known to help as well. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
4. The Spa - Pampering yourself is always a pick-me-up, so visit a local spa. If the holidays have left you budget conscious, why not create a spa environment at home?  It can be as simple as a hot bath with Epsom salts and a few drops of a relaxing essential oil such as lavender, or check out the insanely affordable selection of bath products from LUSH. They have a great set called Relax, Take a Bath.  A while back, I wrote an post on winter skincare that was full of tips. You can read it here.
5. Learn a new hobby - It is always fun and rewarding to learn something new and it is sure to liven up your spirits. Search within your city for available classes (the YMCA is always a good place to start) or pick up a book at your local bookstore or library and teach yourself something new that way.  A few winters ago, I taught myself how to knit and now enjoy it very much. 

Since the lack of sunlight is the main culprit in bringing us down during the cold months, you should also consider changing your furniture around, placing chairs and sofas near windows, keeping your curtains open during the day. But if your symptoms are more severe, please consult your physician for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

We just have to be patient a lil' while longer. Spring will be here before we know it!

 Image source: Flickr's Creative Commons Laszlo-Photo

I think I may be beginning to disappear.

Canadian Sarah Polley wrote and directed the movie Away from Her, based upon the short story The Bear Came over the Mountain by author Alice Munro. It is a heart touching love story dealing with memory and marriage where married couple Fiona (Julie Christie) and Grant (Gordon Pincent) can no longer ignore that she has Alzheimer's. Filmed in southern Ontario and winner of 7 genie awards, this film is a glimpse into the lives of couples living with the disease.

Alzheimer's is a degenerative disease that destroys the brain and impairs memory and thinking it is also the most common form of dementia. In 1906 Dr Alois Alzheimer discovered the disease as well as two key characteristics; plaques and tangles. Plaques form when abnormal clusters of protein fragments called beta-amyloid cluster together, it is believed that they prevent the cell to cell synapse communication and signal the immune system to devour the damaged cells. Tangles destroy the vital cell transport systems made of proteins. The system is organized in parallel strands delivering nutrients, cell parts and other important materials, these lines are held together with the protein tau. The tau collapses and twists where the tangle is forming, the strands are no longer able to stay straight, they fall apart and disintegrate, nutrients and other essentials can no longer pass through the cells and they eventually die. Over time the brain mass with shrink affecting how it functions.

A recent study estimates that 500,000 Canadians are living with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia of that 71,000 people are under the age of 65 and 50, 000 of those are under 60, this is clearly a concern for us all.

The Alzheimer's society of Canada has a few other startling statistics;

• Women make up 72% of those living with the disease
• In 5 years another 250,000 Canadians could develop Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia
• Within a generation, 25 years, the number could skyrocket to 1-1.3 million Canadians

There is no cure for Alzheimer's.

Brain Health
Genetics and age are 2 risk factors that we haven't control over, but that shouldn't prevent you from following these simple guidelines to maintaining your brain health, and possibly preventing the onset of Alzheimer's.

• Challenge yourself - Just as exercise improves the body, thinking improves the brain, it is that simple. Researchers have shown that learning new things, changing routine and mental exercises cause new synapses and pathways to grow in the brain. Play number games, like Sudoku, try to finish a cross-word puzzle, learn to play an instrument, take a course, memorize new recipes before you start to cook it, attend cultural events and gallery shows or even make it a point to memorize phone numbers. Ubisoft, a premier developper and manufacturer of video games, whose think-tank is located in Montreal, has a great selection to choose from - for all ages. Try Prince of Persia, a non linear adventure game where you make up the story (available for all systems).

• Be socially active - Studies show that people who regularly socialize with others maintain their brain functions better than those who don't. Accept invitations as well as invite others, strike up conversations with people you meet throughout your day, practice random acts of kindness, and volunteer your time.

• Eat well - It is no secret that a well balanced diet can; elevate energy levels, reduce the risk of diabetes and stroke and improve general health but it is also a benefit to the brain. Enjoy a variety of foods; whole grains, seeds, fruits, vegetables, low fat dairy products and lean proteins. Maintain a healthy body weight with physical activity and well balanced diet. Limiting salt, caffeine and alcohol is also good practice. It has become much easier to buy healthy foods but eatit.ca has made it nearly effortless. Eat it is your online organic grocery store; based out of Winnipeg they will deliver your non perishable groceries to you all across Canada, should you live within a few hours you can order perishables as well. Offering you several Canadian items including a made in Manitoba section.

Being physically active, reducing stress, protecting the head from injury are also good preventative measures and being wise about our choices; Avoid smoking, drug use and excessive drinking, get regular check ups, enjoy a good nights rest to help with your memory and mood.

How can we help?
You can make a difference by donating money, volunteering your time, or giving a future gift to the society in your Will. There are also events that happen throughout the year that you may be available to participate in, be sure to check your local calendar (British Columbia/Yukon, Alberta/NWT, Saskatchewan, Manitoba/Nunavut, Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia).

To learn more about Alzheimer's please visit the Alzheimers Society of Canada

Resolutions, the time is here. I plan to spend the next 2 weeks setting my goals in motion and resolving them to be a success. The last 2 years have given me 2 beautiful daughters, a home office and studio and a laid back rural life. The holidays offered me culinary sweet and savories that I did not refuse. I am a notorious snacker and procrastinator as always I was hoping to start something before the New Year but here we are. I am forcing myself to stick with it otherwise I will procrastinate my resolve away into oblivion and will be stuck, once again, hiding bashfully in a pair of pants all summer.

This is where I begin, you are my witnesses! I will become an advocate for a healthy lifestyle to my family and especially the 3 sprouts. I am particularly interested in showing them how to have a healthy self image, which can only be done by example. Phase one of my New Year plan consists of starting small and getting a good hold of a few healthy basics that are easy to overlook: Drinking plenty of water, sleeping well and starting the day right.

The human body is made of 70% water and can only survive a few days without it. Water flushes out toxins, brings nutrients to cells, and protects organs and tissues. Without water our bodies become dehydrated causing headache, dizziness or lightheadedness, lower your blood pressure and in severe cases; delirium or unconsciousness. A good rule to follow is the eight glasses of eight ounces (236ml) per normal day, more if you vigorously active. My water comes from the tap, even rurally I am happy with the monitoring of the water and Manitoba has strict policies on maintaining the supply.

I already try very hard to get a good nights rest. It is essential for me to function in my busy days as ambi-jobstrous person, with 3 children. I do on occasion find myself up very late, it's a perfect time to write, paint, or simply listen to a hushed and slumbering house. Rats can live anywhere from 2-3 years but studies have shown that with sleep deprivation their life span drops to a mere 3 weeks! Sleep helps us grow, keeps our sanity,  be alert and productive. If your mattress is a nightmare you can check out the Beautyrest line from Simmons for the start of a good nights sleep or this Quebec-made Essentia Dormeuse memory-foam mattress.

When I was a teenager, I had a hole in my jeans. The hole was grand, beautiful and tatty and located on my knee, I loved it but it was a source of irritation for my grandmother. We would often have disagreements about the hole and one night my grandmother had the last word. My jeans and I spent the night at my grandparent's house and I awoke to a horrific sight. She mended the hole! She did not do this with a patch, oh no, instead she darned the hole! Even through the angry silent cursing of my 14 year old self I can still recall being amazed at the patch. The patch was darned with yarn it was as tight as any fabric could be, nearly the exact same color of my jeans. It looked like it could have taken all night, but she was a darning machine and I am sure only took her a few hours.

I used to watch her darn socks and small holes in various clothing with her darning tools while we listened to my grandfather's war stories. I am hoping I recall all her techniques as I darn for the first time in years, you see I have a hole in my favorite wool socks and I am not ready to part with them yet.

A darning we will go...

Darning is a technique used to mend holes and tears in fabric. Unlike a sewn patch, which produces a seam, darning rebuilds the fabric by using a running stitch thus creating a new seamless woven patch. This technique is ideal for places like the knee and heel where a seam could cause discomfort. Darning is not just used for repairing holes; it is a form of embroidery and can be used to create beautiful patterns on fabric, as seen here in the 10th century band from Africa.

You would need:

• Darning needle (a large eyed long blunt needle)
• Matching color and texture fiber to your project (matching wool fiber for wool socks, embroidery thread for a fine sock)
• A hard rounded object (such as a darning egg or mushroom, perhaps a lightbulb)
• Scissors
• Your wounded sock
  

The basics of darning seem simple enough:

1. Thread needle and use your darning egg or light bulb to expose the hole.
2. Without knotting the end of your yarn begin at one side of your hole (leave a ‘tail'), about 2 cm from the holes edge at both top and side. Using a running stitch (bringing the needle in and out of the fabric at even intervals in the course of one row) go up and down vertically until all the hole is covered. Cut thread
3. Thread needle again and work horizontally the same way as you did vertiacally, weaving your stitches over and under the stitching, alternating for each row until finished.
4. Weave your loose ends into the work.

 Things I learned:

• No matter how bad it looks it'll still feel comfortable
• Try and work as close to the last row as possible creating a nice tight fabric.
• Cats are not helpful with the project

Just in case you do not want to darn but still want to have Canadian-made socks to keep those wee foot digits cozy and warm this winter allow me to direct you in the right direction!

Baby Bamboo Socks by Bamboobino
Keep baby's feet cozy and dry with these ultra soft socks that are naturally anti bacterial and will wick the moisture from your baby's feet.

4 Season Technical Explorer Sock by J.B Field
A fabulous merino wool blend sock with anti fungal and bacterial properties, arch supports and more, perfect for a hiking adventure.

A Hug for Your Feet Socks by Kritter Knitter
This pair was given to me as a gift for my birthday a few weeks ago and I must say I am in love. I am also not ashamed to say that I stalk Kritter Knitters shop waiting for another perfect pair in the right color and size. Hand knit socks are truly spectacular!

Photo credits: willowcatstudio, J.B Feild, Kritterknitter, Bamboobino