Years ago, when I first graduated from university, I found myself signing an employment offer for my very first full-time job. Yes, I was beginning my career.

“Any questions?” the head of Human Resources asked.
“Well,” I replied, “it’s not really a question; but I just wanted to let you know that I’d like to take a vacation day to celebrate my birthday next week.”
“Next week?” she said, stunned. “But you’ve only just started the position!”
“Oh I know,” I offered confidently. “It’s just that since I was a young girl, I promised myself that I would not work on my birthday. It was easy to book the day off when I worked part-time, and I’ve been able to do so every year leading up to now. And I know the timing is awkward, but even though I’m beginning my career, I don’t want to lose sight of that promise to myself.”

The HR Manager cocked one head to the side, and after looking at me for a long moment, said – “Okay. Your vacation day for April 13th has been approved.”

And every year after that, leading up to the day I gave birth to my first son, I took the day off.

Of course, laying in bed on birthday mornings, I couldn’t help but think of others who couldn’t do the same on their special day. Brain surgeons and restaurant owners. Students struggling to pay bills and seniors struggling to keep their jobs. Fishermen and crossing guards.

Then, after I became a mother, I started identifying with those men and women who have to work on their special day. Because being a mother is more than just being a business owner, brain surgeon or bookkeeper; it’s a 24/7 position that you can never really take a day off from.

So… what happens when you’re a restaurant owner/ chef /sommelier… and a mother? How do you unwind on Mother’s Day?

I’d like to introduce you to Aaron & Bronwyn Linley - Co-owners and chefs of Bijou Restaurant in Stratford, Ontario. Aaron is the executive chef and Bronwyn (formally trained as a pastry chef) runs the front of house and wine list (she is also a sommelier by trade). Theirs is a story made of fairy tales: they met at Stratford Chef School (perhaps their eyes met over a delicate terrine of foie gras?) and two years after they graduated, they married in 1998. One year later, baby Liam joined the family, followed by daughter Hazel in 2002.

Bronwyn is that woman – the hypothetical woman who works on birthdays and Mother’s Days. After the opening of Bijou 12 years ago, both Aaron and Bronwyn spend anywhere from 5 to 6 days a week there, working together. And, the Linley’s are about to become even busier when they take on the additional roles of executive chef (Aaron) and food and beverage manager (Bronwyn) of the lounge and restaurant at the soon-to open Bruce Hotel; a new luxury boutique hotel that is currently being built in Stratford.

So how does Bronwyn revive and rejuvenate? How does a busy culinary couple with their plates (pun intended) always piled high take the time to celebrate life?

“Aaron gets nailed in May because it’s not only my birthday and our wedding anniversary (15 years this year!), but it’s also my favourite holiday, Mother’s Day,” Bronwyn jokes.

The answer is simple: Aaron needs to get creative. (more…)

Years ago, I was very crafty. Seriously! I adored scrapbooking, card making and just about everything that involved shiny paper and die-cut letters. And so I filled page after page of memories; perfectly captioned with whimsical sayings and emotional flair.

Later, I learned it was that much easier to transplant my craftiness and creativity and do it all electronically. Hence, I began designing invitations for the boys’ birthdays, layouts, logos and more via the old computer. In fact, here’s a peek at their 1st birthday invites:

As you can see, I went to town organizing the background and pictures, uploading photos and getting the colour schemes and justification just right. Then, I printed the invitations on photo-quality paper and mounted them on coordinating cardstock (yellow for Ryder, green for Reid). Finally, I popped them in the mail, ready to get our party on.

So, would you think that I designed these invitations using a snazzy graphics design program?

Would you believe that they were designed in Microsoft PowerPoint?

It’s true! If you thought that MS PowerPoint was just for boring slide presentations, you’re wrong. Yes, you can create a slideshow (made easier than ever with Office 365′s gorgeous templates), but you can also design to your heart’s content with just a little imagination. For example, I used stock images already pre-loaded onto PowerPoint for the bees, clouds and UFO’s. Simply inserting pictures of the boys and changing the shape of the object – in Ryder’s case, a circle, and in Reid’s case, an oval – allowed me to superimpose a personal touch while still keeping in with the overall theme. I was pretty pleased with the results! (more…)

Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

We’ve all played the game before. You know; the one where you discuss the improbable fate of being hooked up to an electric chair, and revealing what you last meal would be.

Fried chicken? Pizza? Macaroni and cheese? What comfort food would you turn to?

Myself? I’ve already made a list of the top 5 foods I’d request. (Don’t worry, I haven’t committed a heinous crime.)

1. A Croque Monsieur; a simple yet magical mix of ham, cheese and toasted bread. Served with a green salad.

2. A Club Sandwich; applewood smooked bacon and tender chunks of chicken breast layered between tangy mayo. (With fries, of course.)

3. A Smoked Meat on Rye; with just enough yellow mustard and a kosher pickle on the side.

4. A Miami Sandwich; my own creation (and an award-winning one to boot!) – I’d likely ask if I could make it myself.

5. A Fish Banh Mi; Vietnamese grilled catfish infused with turmeric and slow cooked with dill and green onion.

Notice a trend? YES, I love a good sandwich. In fact, I can say with confidence that the humble sandwich is my favourite kind of food in the entire world. And certainly, a worthy last meal if I was leaving said world. Bread, bread, bread. Carbs, carbs, carbs. Comfort, comfort, comfort.

So is it any real surprise that one of my favourite brands evah is Dempsters?

Every loaf of Dempster’s bread is made with 100% Canadian wheat and baked fresh daily – making it the perfect base for a delicious, satisfying sandwich. And, did you know that 1 slice of Dempsters WholeGrains bread contains this? ->>

(I know. I didn’t think Dempsters WholeGrains could get better either, until I saw the breakdown. And now I’m on cloud 9; because I know that the taste and texture that I love is also pretty awesome for me, too.)

When you visit Naturally Dempsters you’ll have access to a wealth of delicious recipes – including step-by-step video instructions from Dempster’s resident celebrity culinary genius Chef Bob Villeneuve. How about a 12 Grain Spinach-Strawberry and Goat Cheese Sandwich? Or an Asparagus Benedict?

Me – I’m partial to a Spinach and Leek Chicken Salad Sandwich. Yum!

(more…)

Last month, I shared with you The Best of the Best Baby Gear from Fisher-Price.

(Readers chimed in that they treasured Fisher-Price swings, the Ocean Wonders Aquarium and Little People Sets! It’s so wonderful that you all have such great memories associated with Fisher-Price’s baby gear and toys.)

Today, it’s on to Children’s Toys… the Best of the Best, that is.

So what makes one product better than another – and good enough to outrank hundreds – sometimes thousands – of other products? Here’s the list:

Brilliant Basics Rock a Stack
Laugh & Learn Love to Play Puppy
Laugh & Learn Say Please Tea Set
Laugh & Learn Click ‘n Learn Remote
Brilliant Basics Stroll-Along Walker
Little People Wheelies Stand ‘ n Play Rampway
Little People Animal Sounds Farm

And WHY they’re favourites:

- The toys have been tried & tested through the years, and year over year have been favourites of moms, not just in Canada, but globally.

- They have lasted through generations of kids, and continually pass the “kid test”!

- They encourage child development and support children in achieving important milestones.

For my boys, it’s all about the cars. It’s always about the cars. That’s why they loved the Little People Wheelies Stand ‘n Play Rampway. 

On the Stand ’n Play Rampway, they zipped and zoomed up and down and all around! It’s over two feet tall, so the Wheelies really would zoom down each of the two spiral ramps. Ryder and Reid adored the lights and sounds as the cars “drove” around, with a mechanic’s lift, a place to fill ’er up, a sign that spins when a car drives through. Bonus: it was one of the few toys they could enjoy together, as they each took turns launching their Wheelies down the ramp.

They played with the Stand ’n Play Rampway for months before they decided to move on to another toy. It was definitely a “favourite” in our household too!

View the full list of Fisher-Price Favourites here. Is your Fisher-Price favourite listed above?

I am part of the Fisher-Price Play Ambassador program and I receive perks as part of my affiliation.
The opinions on this blog are my own.

Some women gravitate towards fresh-smelling fragrances; others love a good floral. Me? Give me the yummiest, sweetest-smelling scent, and I’m in heaven. These include – but are not limited to: Strawberry, Lemon, Tangerine, Coconut, Raspberry, Mango, Green Apple, Pear, Watermelon, Passionfruit – the list goes on and on.

Love a good, fruity fragrance? Here are my picks for the sweetest shower scents that will revive your senses:

Cake Beauty Be Delectable Shower Gel, Lemon & Cream ($10)

Sold exclusively at Target stores across Canada, Cake Beauty launches Be Delectable, a luscious five-piece collection including body washes, body polishes, body lotions, hand creams and hair & body mists. I’m quite partial to the Lemon & Cream Shower Gel, which offers dreamy bubbles and potent, heady sweetness. The sugary fragrance makes me reminisce about lemon-filled donuts and danishes; all the goodness with zero calories. The supremely rich blend is infused with coconut oil & aloe vera to nourish, hydrate and soften.

Also part of the Be Delectable lineup:

Ultra nourishing hand cream ($12): Give your hard-working hands a well-deserved treat with this ultra-nourishing hand crème enriched with shea butter, coconut oil and aloe vera.

Decadent hair & body mist ($10): Perfectly balanced, this sumptuous mist lasts all day without being overwhelming. Use at home or on-the-go, hair and body will smell fresh, clean all day long.

Super smoothing body polish ($14): Scrub away dull, dry skin to reveal your most gorgeous glow with this super smoothing body polish made with coconut oil, aloe vera for moisture and fine apricot shells to smooth and exfoliate.

Triple moisture body lotion ($14): Indulge in three times the softness, three times the smoothness and three times the richness with this beautiful blend of coconut oil, shea butter and aloe vera.

eos Ultra Moisturizing Shave Cream, Pomegranate Raspberry ($3.99)

Packed with natural conditioning oils, shea butter, and vitamins C and E, eos 24-hour moisturizing shave cream soothes and softens your skin. In fact, it’s the only shave cream that keeps skin soft, smoothed, and moisturized for 24 hours (even after rinsing!) – and it’s so moisturizing, you can shave wet or dry. OMG. A dry shave that doesn’t wreak havoc with your skin? It IS possible with this shave cream! And the smell… let me tell you about the scent. It’s like visiting a farmer’s market on a summer morning. It’s as good as raspberry jelly, smothered on fresh bread. It’s that first sip of cold pomegranate juice. It’s awesome.

The formula is paraben-free and the easy-to-use pump allows for 100% propellant-free dispensing. Better yet, the soft-touch, ergonomic plastic bottle is RUST-FREE! Woo! No more rust ring on the edge of the bathtub.

Key Ingredients:

Aloe – soothes, moisturizes and heals;
Natural conditioning oils – to give razor a smooth glide and provide long-lasting moisture;
Oat – protects delicate, dry, sensitive and irritated skin;
Shea butter – softens and nourishes;
Vitamin E & C – rejuvenating antioxidants for healthy looking, radiant skin. (more…)

I’m a blogger. A blogger who accepts product reviews. Hence, products appear on my doorstep every day. Often, my boys are mildly curious – between the pots of eyeshadow, scores of cereal and tubes of toothpaste… sometimes, a really cool toy appears.

And sometimes – a product so synonymous with outdoor fun, sun and family – lands squarely into Ryder’s hands.

Such was the case this morning; Ryder discovered a tube of Banana Boat Natural Reflect Kids Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 in our front hall. Before I knew what was happening, he had raced up the stairs with the lotion in hand. Huh.

Well, since I’m not one to leave a young child unattended, I followed him upstairs and quietly observed.

First, he stripped down to his undies, and then made a beeline for his dresser. There, he tossed around until he found his swim shorts, which he pulled on quickly, with determination. Finally, he ran to my bedroom (which overlooks our backyard), and after climbing on the couch, threw open the shutters!

“POOL TIME!” he announced with glee.

Sadly, there was no pool. And it certainly wasn’t “pool time”: he was confronted with a gloomy, chilly spring day. The faint drizzle mocked his dreams of fun in the sun; the draft from the cool window against his bare chest made him shiver ever so slightly. Even more crushing: I couldn’t resist the moment and insisted that he pose for a quick picture. Yes, I am a cruel mom. I like to caption the picture: “No pool for you.”

Seriously, though – how could I resist? (I may have strategically placed the product while he sank into despair.) He was so gung-ho on having an epic summer experience during this spring from hell – you can’t fault his innocence. Then and there I promised him that on the very first warm day, pool party! (Which will be SOON, I hope!) And then I ordered him to put some clothes on.  (more…)

Last month, I offered twenty (20) lucky readers the awesome opportunity to try out the NEW Lean Cuisine Fresh Inspirations.

Did you catch my review? Because I pretty much adore the frozen entrees. In fact, since first trying them out, they’ve become a staple in our home. And why not? When was the last time your frozen entree looked like this?

Pictured above is the Mediterranean Chicken entree; a fibre-filled meal with delicious broccoli, carrots and red bell peppers, served with savoury chicken and penne pasta in a tomato sauce. I wish you could reach through your computer screen and feel the penne, because it’s perfectly al dente. Of course, I’d then convince you to pierce a morsel of the tender, juicy chicken – and taste how fresh and crisp the broccoli and peppers are. And rubber carrots? NEVER! Nothing but Fresh Inspirations here. (more…)

Years ago, a recipe for a Seven Layer Mexican Dip fell into my hot little hands.

Sweet! One of the most delicious dips known to mankind, and now I could make it all on my own. I scanned the recipe, excited for my next informal shindig, where I was certain it would be a crowd pleaser. As I looked through the directions, I noticed an asterisk at the very end:

*Be sure to use Maggi Chili Sauce. It’s the best tasting sauce out there, great for this recipe.

Hmm. Since I was not familiar with Maggi products, I decided to go on and give it a try. And I concurred; it really was the best chili sauce I had ever had. Not too spicy, and with just the right twang, the appetizer went on to be a hit (of course I knew it would) and I became a fan of Maggi Taste of Asia Chili Sauce for life.

Since then, I’ve enjoyed several Maggi products, including their Vegetable Soup Mix, Premium Oyster Sauce and Season Up! Spices.

And now… Maggi introduces their NEW So Juicy!

So Juicy is a whole new way of cooking that creates delicious, juicy chicken every time – no mess and no stress! It includes the special “Flavour Lock” cooking bag that seals in the flavour and lets chicken simmer in its own juice.

That’s all! Minimal preparation and cleanup, and maximum flavour. I’ll admit that I’m normally hesitant to put plastic in the oven, but something tells me that Maggi has this down to a science. Has anyone tried Maggi So Juicy? I’d love to hear your feedback. So Juicy is available in Mixed Herbs, Garlic and Rotisserie seasonings.

Well, now that we’ve made it so easy…. with So Juicy… so, how would you like to win $2,000? (more…)

It’s going down in history as one of the WORST office chairs EVER.

Readers were horrified – and sympathetic – when I recently revealed the state of my home office. The ripped and tattered chair; the disorganization and disarray; the potential fire hazard. Okay, multiple fire hazards. And that’s just what you could see in the first photo.

Well, something had to be done. Thankfully Staples Canada swooped in to save the day; seeing that I (obviously) needed an intervention, they allowed me to pick out a brand new home office – on three conditions:

1) I purchase the goods from Staples (done!)
2) I ditch my old chair. Seriously, it had to be on my curb (done!)
3) I take the oath to De-Clutter and Prosper

Did you know: A recent survey commissioned by Staples Canada and AIR MILES revealed that an overwhelming 83% of Canadians agree that a cluttered or disorganized workspace negatively affects levels of productivity. Despite this fact, 26% of Canadians describe their own desk as cluttered. I, Lena Almeida, pledge to never let clutter or disorganization rule my workspace again! (done!)

And so… it’s the moment you’ve been waiting for…. my big reveal. Brace yourselves; it doesn’t look like the same room, but I promise, it is! (more…)

Ah, Mother’s Day. When I was young, it was an opportunity to sum up a whole year’s worth of love and gratitude neatly packaged in the form of a homemade card or breakfast in bed. Often, the cards were messy and misspelled, and the breakfast was inedible… but it was the thought that counted. And now, as an adult (and a mom of two) I understand just how much mothers do – every minute, every day – to ensure that their children are blanketed with love, care and happiness. I realize that we celebrate our mothers once every 365 days… to acknowledge their lifetime of servitude.

Be nice to your mom.

Do one, really-really-really special thing for her this Mother’s Day: Make a promise to honour her more than once a year. To say thank you; to show gratitude, to give love.

Then, spoil her with chocolate. And flowers. And time to herself. And you simply must spoil her with a spa day. My recommendation? Stillwater Spa at the Park Hyatt Toronto.

You may remember that we recently visited the Park Hyatt for a staycation, where we enjoyed a large, family-friendly room, delicious in-room dining and a few special surprises that truly made us feel “celebrated”. At the end of the weekend, I felt rested, rejuvenated and ready to take on the world… with one *tiny* regret: that I didn’t make an appointment at the renowned Stillwater Spa.

Recognized among the best spas in Toronto, Stillwater Spa at Park Hyatt Toronto Yorkville is an indulgent escape from urban demands. The full-service downtown Toronto spa features 17 treatment rooms, a couple’s massage room, aqua therapy room, steam room, sauna and whirlpool, and tea lounge for relaxing before and after Stillwater Spa treatments. Stillwater Spa uses innovative, trendsetting products to achieve well being and bestow tranquility.

And, they happen to share my vision of celebrating mothers for more than one day. (more…)

A few weeks ago, fifty (50) lucky readers were given the opportunity to try out the NEW Schick Intuition Pure Nourishment razor. Now you all know how much I love it (and if you missed my rave review, be sure to check it out here), but it’s often helpful to hear more than one opinion, especially if you’ve been on the fence about purchasing an item.

Hence, I’m so pleased to share feedback from my amazing readers, who took the time to thoroughly test the product and provide detailed feedback on their experience. (For those readers who didn’t submit their review, even after several attempts to contact you – consider yourself blacklisted. Hahaha just joking. But not really. #blacklist)

So without further ado… here’s what you need to know about the Schick Intuition Pure Nourishment razor:

LOVE…

Darlene: “Since I received my Schick Intuition razor I can notice a difference in my skin’s hydration after shaving. I have eczema and am very sensitive to cheap shaving products, which cause immediate skin irritation. The blend of coconut milk and almond oil moisturizes from the very first use. Best of all its smells great!”

Marcy: “I have never had the luxury of handling a razor so well. The easy-to-use flexible head was perfect for those ‘ouchy’  areas around the back of the legs. The built-in lather made is so convenient and fast to shave without having to utilize any soap. As soon as I opened it, I so loved the coconut-almond smell! Yum! The four blade action was amazing, it is so nice to see a women’s razor that stands up to the men’s four razor, now we’re equals! The best part: my legs have never been so smooth!”

Ashley: “Schick Intuition was soothing and calming. I felt like my legs were getting pampered as it gently glided up my leg. I loved the scent of it as well! I couldn’t helped but dance a little in the shower as the joy of shaving just boost up 10 folds.”

Anne: “I have psoriatic arthritis in my hands but I found this razor very easy to hold on to in the shower, it was ergonomically perfect and didn’t get too slippery to hold. I love almond oil and when I started to shave the aroma reminded me of marzipan; which reminded me of my grandmother (I know that was a bit off topic, but its where the smell took me).”

Lori: “I love the fact that all I need is the razor. It is so great to not have to fight with a can of shave cream/gel or deal with having my hands covered with it! What a great idea. I am interested to see how long solid lasts. I have been using this razor for the past two weeks and there is not a significant reduction in its size. The four blades make for great coverage and faster shaving which is also a bonus as it cuts down on time. The coconut milk and almond oil is a wonderful scent.”

LUKEWARM…

Megan: “The razor part is amazing and gives such a smooth shave. Just wish the cream part was wider at the bottom instead of the top as I seem to use the bottom up long before the top or blade is done.”

Tricha: “I love the smooth shave, WITH NO SHAVING CREAM. My only issue is the price for the refills but with coupons or sale price, I will definitely buy it.”

Judy: “I loved that it didn’t feel like you were shaving because you couldn’t feel the blades. It left my legs feeling very smooth and I had no nicks. It also seemed to pivot smoothly and easily got into those hard to reach spots. The only thing I suggest is that you shave in the shower with it and not the tub, as the conditioning solid does disappear quicker when constantly exposed to water in the tub.”

Donna: “I like how it also moisturizes my legs and leaves them really smooth. What I don’t like very much about it is that the bar on it melts really fast in my shower especially when I need to rinse the hairs off the blade. Then all I’m left with is just a sharp blade and I just end up using regular shaving gel.”

LOATHE…

Janice: “I like this razor – it’s extremely hydrating and it glides across your skin so you don’t feel the blades. The moisturizing stick that surrounds the razors themselves is perhaps too plentiful in the beginning, since my first two shaves weren’t particularly close. My only advice to Schick would be to forego providing the holding cradle with suction cup. My experience with these has shown they never stay up – and this was no exception.”

(I think “Loathe” is a strong word – and apologies to Janice for placing her helpful review in that section – but I love alliteration and couldn’t think of another verb that began with the letter “L”!)

To all the fabulous reviewers – please know that all feedback has been sent straight to Schick for review and consideration. Thank you so much for your time and efforts in making this Rate and Review program a success! To reward those who sent in their review on time, I’m pleased to announce the winner of the $100 Visa Gift Card is… Darlene! Congratulations!

And now, with summer around the corner, who’s ready to get their legs in tip-top condition?

Click here to learn more about Schick Intuition razors.

Six months ago, Disney’s The Little Mermaid was not on my radar.

I mean, why should it be? I have two young BOYS. Boys who like cars, and colouring pictures of cars, and making car engine noises, and sleeping with their cars… in car pajamas, of course. So while we are well equipped with Disney Cars movies, figurines and basically anything with a Lightning McQueen image emblazoned across the front, we did not own anything princess-y. At all.

Of course, that was before THIS happened – From my post “The Most Magical Place on Earth…”

“As we walked along Fantasyland, little Reid kept telling us that he wanted to see the “beautiful fish”. Confused, we tried to find Dory from Finding Nemo, and then showed him pictures of Flounder. “No, no, no!” he cried. “I want the Bootiful Fish!” he said, pointing at Ariel’s Grotto. Ah! The Little Mermaid! We journeyed under the sea and stood in a short line to meet Reid’s new favourite character. Once inside, he became bashful; putting his head down and hiding behind me. It was so enduring! His first crush – on a Princess, no less! After a little coaxing he gave her a huge hug and then sat down beside her, grinning from ear to ear. (Ryder, who’s too cool for school, was also convinced to get in the picture, though he was decidedly less impressed.) Watching Reid blush, smile and flirt was definitely a tear-jerking moment – but can you blame me? My little boy is growing up!”

Well, that was that. He fell hard for Princess Ariel and wanted everything to do with the world of The Little Mermaid. (I didn’t have the heart to tell him she was already taken.) In fact, at the Art of Animation’s gift shop, my husband and I were both surprised when he walked straight to the Ariel figurine and pointed – “Her.”

And that’s when it happened. The colossally bad move on my husband’s part. (more…)

Earlier this year, when thinking about goals for myself and my blog, I made a vow: I would do more feel good giveaways in 2013. That is, the chance to give back to my readers with prizes that aren’t necessarily attached to reviews; a few awesome things here and there “just because”.

MTF Price Matters were the first to come on board, offering a sweet giveaway of a Nikon 1 J1 10.1 MP HD Digital Camera System with 10-30mm VR 1 Nikkor Lens, valued at $549.99.

Now, since the giveaway was rather popular, and since MTF Price Matters just happens to be all sorts of awesome, they let me know about another amazing promo – once again, unique to Listen to Lena readers!

Here’s the scoop. In the market for a new camera, but don’t want to break the bank? The Nikon 1 J1 10.1 MP HD Digital Camera System that I gave away is currently listed on the MTF Price Matters site for $399.99 – which is an awesome deal in itself. But then, simply add coupon code LENALOVESMTF and it will take an additional $150 off the price – making your final price only $249.99!

The cameras are recertified and come with full warranty. At last tally there were only about 10 left in stock, so hurry! You don’t want to miss out on this steal of a deal. And what better way to welcome the warmer temps than with a professional camera? Thanks to MTF Price Matters for supplying the coupon code – happy shopping!

Click here to visit MTF Price Matters.

Three questions for you:

1. Would you be more likely to book your annual checkup… if your doctor was Ryan Gosling?
2. Would that time of the month be more bearable… if the government subsidized chocolate?
3. Would mornings be better… with a live-in Starbucks barista?

While we’re at it, here’s another one: Would you be more likely to take your daily vitamins…if they tasted like gummy candy?

The answer to all of the questions above… YES!

Taking vitamins has always been an issue for me. They’re big, chalky and have *the worst* aftertaste. For too many years I’d purchase bottle after bottle, trying in vain to supplement my less-than-stellar diet. Then, they’d sit in my cupboard. Until they expired. And sometimes, for a year or two after. Why? Because they’re big, chalky and have *the worst* aftertaste, of course.

(In fact, I recently stumbled upon an old box of multivitamins that expired in April 2009. Durr….)

I’m not alone. Most readers agree that they’d be more likely to stick with a vitamin or supplement regime if they didn’t have to swallow horse pills. Because when it comes down to it, the best multivitamin is the one you actually take.

Now you all know that I’m a fan of Adult Essentials Gummies. Earlier this year, they generously sent a supply of their gummy vitamins and supplements for me and my husband to enjoy. And I think “enjoy” is the key word here – great tasting, gummy vitamins in the most delicious fruit flavours? Twist my arm!

Of course, I haven’t been popping all of the products on a daily basis like candy – because despite appearances, they’re not. There is a very real danger in over-supplementing, especially if your diet is packed with vitamins and minerals. Hence, your first step is to speak with a nutritionist to help identify some of the gaps in your diet and how certain vitamins can help you meet your RDI. When you have, Adult Essentials are an easy, great tasting way to keep you at your optimal health and performance.

(For those wondering, my diet is kind of lame. Though I’m working on it!) (more…)

Two months ago, I asked y’all to suggest some road trip ideas -

“Where should my family’s next travels take us? A road trip to Montreal? Perhaps Ottawa? Or maybe a weekend shopping in the States? I’m looking for your best road trip ideas from Toronto – no more than 5-6 hours away.”

Why was I asking? I had racked up a ton of Scotia Rewards on my handy little Scotiabank Gold American Express Card, and wanted to use them to offset the cost of a fun family road trip. So how did I earn enough points to fund our hotel stay?

It’s simple. Not only did I receive the introductory 20,000 bonus points with my first purchase because I signed up for the card early (new cardholders now earn 15,000 bonus points on their first purchase – worth $150 in travel!); I also earned 4x Scotia Rewards points for every $1 I spent at eligible gas stations, grocery stores, on dining and entertainment. Translation: while I was out and about spending money on my everyday purchases like groceries and gas, I was actually earning rewards that brought me that much closer to a much-needed vacation. Four times closer, in fact.

So, armed with ideas for a March Break mini vacation or staycation, I was ready to cash in my rewards for a fabulous little hotel stay in Montreal. And then, this happened -

“We are pleased to invite you to the 2013 Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. This invitation-only professional conference for social media-minded moms and dads will take place May 8-12, 2013 at the Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Florida.”

EEK! Okay, for those not in the know, receiving an invitation to #DisneySMMoms is like receiving a golden ticket to a chocolate factory – but better, because Disney chocolate is shaped like Mickey’s ears.

However, as the invitation came through right around the time I was planning to book our mini getaway, I had an interesting dilemma on my hands. You see, while most costs are covered at the Disney Social Media Moms conference, I did have to come up with airfare: four plane tickets to be exact. So, I had to make the following decision – and quickly:

1. Book the mini getaway as planned, and pay full price for four plane tickets.
2. Cancel the mini getaway and use my Scotia Rewards towards the cost of one of the flights to Orlando.

Hmm… mini getaway in Montreal, or 5-day vacation at Walt Disney World? Can you guess what I decided? (more…)