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Summer FUN with AIR MILES!

July 20, 2018 By Lena 6 Comments

It’s just about the midpoint of summer and I know some mamas are currently in the same boat:

1) The kids are bored. They’ve told us they’re bored. We know they’re bored.

2) The ratio of play time to screen time, previously planned to be about 75:25, has slowly crept up in favour of screen time. The ratio’s about 10:90 now, let’s just be honest.

3) You’d love to plan a family outing, but it’s not always easy (read: affordable) to do everything you want on a limited budget.

And to that I say… AIR MILES Summer Fun to the rescue!
Three cheers for the best time of year! There are tons of things you can see and do with the fam this summer using your Dream Miles. In fact, there’s more selection than ever for Dream Rewards under 1000 Miles, in addition to “show your card” perks where you’ll get instant savings on merchandise and experiences. This is in line with AIR MILES’ ongoing commitment to Canadians to offer new ways in which they bring Collectors closer to what matters to them! …

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Filed Under: Family, Travel Tagged With: AIR MILES, dream rewards, family travel, summer fun

LG: Dream a Little Dream (Kitchen)

July 20, 2018 By Lena 7 Comments

Looking at the calendar, I realize with a start that we’re less than two months from moving into our new house!

Truthfully, this year has been a blur. Between putting our current home on the market, travelling at least once a month and juggling the responsibilities of – well, LIFE – I haven’t had much time to think about how I’ll make the shiny new abode my own. Of course I’ve developed one or two (or 20) to-do and wish lists, but with our closing date just around the corner, it’s all beginning to feel very real.

At the top of my list? Building my dream kitchen. So when I received an invitation from LG Canada to come preview some of their efficient, aesthetically superior and technologically-sound kitchen appliances, you know I was all over it. Hosted by media personality Rick Campanelli and celebrity chef Chuck Hughes, I was treated to a demo of some the dreamiest innovations in home appliances I’ve seen in a very long time.
(Don’t be alarmed if you are irrationally excited by the following images and text – I’m legitimately just as enamoured!)

First up: The LG InstaView Door-in-Door® Refrigerator. Simply knock twice and see what’s inside. No, really! …

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Filed Under: Family, Lifestyle Tagged With: #LGKitchen, LG Dishwasher with QuadWash and TrueSteam, LG InstaView Door-in-Door Refrigerator

Colour Me Healthy: Colourful Eating, Deliciously Simple!

July 16, 2018 By Lena 7 Comments

Heads up, friends: I’m so excited to offer my readers not one, but TWO amazing ways to WIN BIG with Breville Canada! Read on to find out how you can enter!

Sometimes, all you need is a little motivation. And sometimes, that motivation comes with three powerful stainless steel blades or a cutting disc surrounded by an Italian-made mesh filter.
A few weeks ago, I was challenged by Breville Canada to inject more colour into my diet. I mean, I’ve always had a pretty balanced approach to eating, but you know how they say it’s important to “eat a rainbow”? Well, previously… I suppose you could say my diet was a little more monochromatic.

Okay, a lot more monochromatic. …

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Filed Under: Food Tagged With: breville boss, breville canada, juice fountain cold xl, lole montreal white tour

Setting Priorities: How to Save for Next Year’s Family Vacation

July 10, 2018 By Lena

Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of EQ Bank. As always, all opinions are my own.

The probability you have some money set aside for a future vacation? Medium.
The probability you’ll spend that money before you book your vacation? High.

It happens much too often, I’m afraid: you’ve saved for a hard-earned, long-awaited family vacation, but before you can book the getaway you deserve… the money is spent.

Look, I’m not pointing fingers here. Usually, it’s due to an emergency financial situation, like a leaky roof, car repair, etc. And I understand – life happens. But the thing about withdrawing money from your vacation fund to pay for the unexpected means that you’ve effectively prioritized everything else over your family time together. While, in the short term, it can address an immediate concern and perhaps keep you out of debt, in the long term, forgoing time to rest, relax and recharge can be even more taxing to your health and happiness.
The bottom line: make sure your vacation funds are spent on your family vacation. …

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Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: eq bank, family travel, gics, investments

Your Summer Family Destination: Niagara-on-the-Lake!

July 9, 2018 By Lena

My husband and I celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary this past weekend! I’d say that time flies but it feels like an understatement; somewhere along the way we collected a couple of kids, a home or two, and hundreds (thousands?) of incredible memories I’ll always hold dear.

Last year, for our 10th, we returned to Niagara-on-the-Lake where we were married. At the time, we couldn’t envision making the destination “family friendly” – but perhaps that’s just because all our memories tied to region were pre-kids. However, when invited to check out a new adaptation of C.S. Lewis’s The Magician’s Nephew at The Shaw Festival, and scanning over a masterfully-planned itinerary, we quickly realized that we can enjoy our favourite getaway as a family! Here’s how to spend a magical weekend in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
1. What to Do: See The Magician’s Nephew by Michael O’Brien.

The synopsis:

“Tricked into using his Uncle Andrew’s (Steven Sutcliffe) enchanted rings, young Digory (Travis Seetoo) and his new friend Polly (Vanessa Sears) stumble into a magical portal that takes them to other worlds. Before returning home to Victorian London, they travel to the desolate world of Charn and unwittingly unleash Queen Jadis (Deborah Hay), a malevolent sorceress bent on domination. With the assistance of Aslan (Kyle Blair), Digory must undertake a valiant quest to the mysterious locked garden that holds the key to defeating evil and defending the new world of Narnia.” …

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Filed Under: Family, Travel Tagged With: Niagara-on-the-Lake, review, shaw festival, the magician's nephew

Toy Story Land: A BIG New Way to Play at Walt Disney World!

July 8, 2018 By Lena

The wait is finally over – Toy Story Land at Walt Disney World Resort, inspired by Pixar Animation Studios’ Toy Story films, is now open!
Become an “honorary toy” as you discover the whimsical workings of Andy’s backyard. Here, you’ll be surrounded by giant building blocks, Tinkertoys, board game pieces and more – all while encountering your favourite Toy Story characters. Fun! …

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Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: air canada vacations, toy story land

Pay Before You Pump! (It’s Safer for Everyone)

July 3, 2018 By Lena

It’s routine. It’s perfunctory. And it literally helps us get from point A to point B. You guessed it – it’s filling up a tank of gas.
Unfortunately, at gas stations across Canada, too many lives have been lost in violent incidents involving gas theft – losses that could have been prevented. Familiar with the term “gas-and-dash?” It’s pretty self-explanatory; gas-and-dash crimes happen when an individual takes off without paying for fuel. And sadly, there are many potential victims along the way:

1. The gas station attendant. Perform a Google search of “gas and dash crimes” and you’ll find a list of gas station attendants who’ve lost their lives while trying to stop thieves. This list is too long. You’ll see horrific stories of attendants being struck intentionally by vehicles or dragged out of the station and down the street. You’ll read about the families they left behind and how they’re grieving their loved ones every day. …

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Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: gas and dash crime, husky, prepay gas, safety

This Summer, Send the Kids to Camp – By the Sea!

June 18, 2018 By Lena

In just two short weeks, the kids will be home for the summer holidays. Chances are, you’ve already figured out how to keep them continuously entertained for 60 days… right?

(I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to stress you out like that.)

For some parents, summer camp is a viable option. I normally have my boys in day camp for at least three or four weeks during the summer, because I need to work and they need to be busy. But for the weeks they are at home, I often struggle to find ways to stay on top of my work while keeping an eye on them. In the past, I’ve simply declared defeat and rented a cottage for a week. If you have vacation time this summer and are thinking of doing the same, here’s another idea: how about spending a week at an all-inclusive resort in paradise?
Let me break it down for you. …

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Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: #aircanadavacations, air canada vacations, all inclusive resorts, summer travel

This Father’s Day, boost his MOJO with Costco.ca and Masterpass!

June 9, 2018 By Lena

Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

Decades ago, the iconic soap-on-a-rope and striped tie represented the hallmark of Father’s Day presents. After all, dads were branded as toiling away in either a factory or office, so the selection of gifts represented his “need to have” versus a “nice to have”.

Today, gift giving for Father’s Day isn’t focused on what dad does; rather, it’s focused on what dad does for us. He shows unconditional love and likes your post on Facebook. He solves math problems and makes the best marinara sauce. He changes dirty diapers and orders the biggest slurpee at the ballgame. He’s AWESOME.
Also? Let’s pay homage to his style, his MOJO and his always efficient approach to online shopping: 1) great selection, 2) fabulous price, and 3) a quick, convenient and secure transaction.

Thankfully, Costco.ca and Masterpass offer all of the above – a shopping experience dad can get behind! …

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Filed Under: Family, Lifestyle Tagged With: costco.ca, Father's Day, MasterCard Canada, masterpass

The Allergy Friendly Kitchen

June 9, 2018 By Lena

This post is sponsored by Pfizer Canada. All views and opinions are my own.

With summer just around the corner – as long as Mother Nature cooperates, fingers crossed! – I’m so looking forward to everything the season promises. Long days followed by lazy nights, ice cold drinks and hot dogs off the grill, and of course, the steady stream of traffic from neighbourhood children popping in to play.

Hands up if you run a restaurant from your kitchen – primary demographic, discerning 6-12 year olds? Yeah, me too.
The truth is, I’m a happy host. Our door is always open and our fridge is always full, so why not share the goodness? However, having an “everyone’s welcome” policy means that I have to take special care to ensure that my kitchen is allergy-friendly. Did you know that an estimated 2.6 million Canadians are impacted by food allergy, with almost 500,000 of them being children? Quite a few of our neighbourhood pals are affected (peanuts, tree nuts and shrimp are the most common) so I have to be extra careful when both preparing and serving snacks. …

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Filed Under: Food Tagged With: #allergyfriendlykitchen, food allergy canada, summer of tag

Tea, Myself and I: Introducing the Breville Smart Tea Infuser

June 6, 2018 By Lena

Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

I don’t just “pop in for a quick spot of tea.”

Growing up, I observed tea to be a ritual – never rushed. Tea leaves were selected by the season, the temperature, and sometimes, even the time of day. Aromatic spices were added for fragrance and flavour; the blends customized with cooling herbs or spicy roots. The focus was never on tea as a beverage – rather, a cup of tea was a means of achieving nourishment, comfort, and most of all, balance.

If you’re reading this, nodding your head, you may be a serious tea drinker – and you may need to be turned onto the Breville Smart Tea Infuser.
The raison d’être for this small appliance is quite simple: different teas need different degrees. The Breville Smart Tea Infuser knows the right temperature and steep time to bring out the best in your favourite teas – whether you brew green, white, oolong, herbal, black – or any combination in between. …

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Filed Under: Food, Lifestyle Tagged With: breville canada, breville smart tea infuser, small appliance, tea infuser

Beaches Turks & Caicos: Your FAQs Answered!

May 31, 2018 By Lena

Just before I wrapped up my recent review on Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa, I promised that I would be back to address some of the frequently asked questions I received while on location.
(To be honest, I had no intention of answering questions while I was in paradise. That’s what post-trip blog posts are for! But my sincere thanks to all who DM’ed – I’m happy to answer your questions now!) …

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Filed Under: Featured, Travel Tagged With: air canada vacations, Beaches Resorts, beaches turks & caicos, resort review

Together Outside: Spring into Summer with Springfree Trampoline

May 29, 2018 By Lena

Note: The following giveaway is open to residents of Ontario, Canada only.
Summertime is the absolute best.

This year, admittedly, it took a little longer for Mother Nature to nudge the temperature over to double digits. But that’s okay – Canadians have short memories (and short summers!) so you know we’ll make the most of the warm weather while we can. …

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Filed Under: Family Tagged With: #togetheroutside, springfree trampoline

Adulting is Hard; Three Ways to Make Travel Easier

May 29, 2018 By Lena

This post was sponsored by BMO Insurance. The opinions on this blog, as always, are my own.

Be an adult, Susan.

Look, most of us have made some pretty sketchy travel decisions in our youth. Whether it’s staying at a 1.5-star motel or taking that red-eye flight to Vegas (bonus points if you stayed at a sketchy motel in Vegas), there’s no doubt about it: we’ve likely taken a gamble or two. (Pun intended!)

But here’s the thing: we grow up, we become accustomed to daytime flights and smoke-free hotel rooms, and we begin travelling with the most precious cargo of all: our children.
Still willing to take those vacation risks? Me neither. Here’s how I do my best adulting. …

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Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: bmo travel insurance, family travel, travel insurance

The Truth About Worn Tires

May 28, 2018 By Lena

Have you ever thought about the quality of your worn tires? It’s time to start.

Recently, my friend Jaime Damak of Je Suis Une Maman flew to Greenville, South Carolina to spend a day at Michelin Laurens Proving Grounds. There, she had a chance to test drive cars that were equipped with different tires, and learn more about worn tire performance. Here’s what she had to say about the experience!
In the interest of full disclosure, I’m not the one who buys or takes care of tires in my household. Normally, I would just tell my husband to find the best deal! Sigh. But after spending the day with Michelin Canada, driving and testing different tires in both new and worn conditions, I’ve done a complete 180. …

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Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: #TheTruthAboutWornTires, michelin canada

Life’s a Beach! Family Travel Perfection at Beaches Turks & Caicos

May 19, 2018 By Lena

Friends, I want to let you in on a little secret. Heaven on earth exists – and it can be found at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa.
For years – perhaps even as long as a decade – a visit to Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa has been on my travel bucket list. From the promise of pristine turquoise waters to the heavily-lauded hospitality, I refused to consider my stint as a family travel blogger complete until I experienced this slice of paradise for myself. …

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Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: air canada vacations, Beaches Resorts, beaches turks & caicos

Hand Me Downy: The Ups of Hand Me Downs

May 14, 2018 By Lena

Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

My boys wear hand-me-downs, it’s just a given. As a mom, I care about value and sustainability – so being able to reuse clothes in our family means things can be worn and enjoyed for many years to come. Friends and family are amazed that I can still swap clothing among Ryder and Reid! Usually, once kids reach school age, the first child is much too rough on his or her outfits, making a second round of use almost impossible to pull off. That’s why we use Downy Fabric Conditioner. It’s specially formulated to protect against stretch, fade and fuzz and helps our kids’ clothes last longer, so they can be worn, re-worn and handed down, instead of worn out, thrown out and end up in a landfill too soon.

Meet Ryder. He’s our first born; tender, sensitive and always fussing after others. He gets first dibs on mostly everything, simply because he’s an early riser and an eager apprentice.
Meet Reid. Born almost two years to the day after his older brother, he loves cake and loud noises and operates on two modes: energetic and sugar rush implosion.

He’s also spent his entire childhood wearing hand-me-down clothes. …

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Filed Under: Family Tagged With: #handmedowny, downy fabric conditioner

Your Spring Adventure Awaits: Join Springfree Trampoline and Earth Day Canada for Earth Day!

April 21, 2018 By Lena

Nothing but sun and crisp, spring weather. Friends, this is NOT a drill.

Just in time for Earth Day on Sunday, April 22nd, 2018, it looks like Mother Nature has decided to play nice! I’ve checked the weather forecast and good news – GTA folks are in for a bright, pleasant day with seasonal spring temperatures. How will you make the most of it? I just happen to know the perfect way to celebrate our beautiful planet!
Springfree Trampoline and Earth Day Canada have partnered to host the Springfree for Earth Day POP-UP Adventure Playground. It’s an outdoor family-focused event intended to highlight the link between outdoor play, physical literacy and environmental action!…

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Filed Under: Family Tagged With: Earth Day, earth day canada, springfree, springfree trampoline

Dear Future Self: You’re Welcome

April 16, 2018 By Lena

I’m not one to wax poetic; you won’t find me posting motivational sayings or hashtagging photos with #QuoteoftheDay. However, a few weeks ago, while mindlessly scrolling through Facebook, a colourful inspirational poster stopped me in my tracks. It said:

Do something today that your future self will thank you for.

Huh. Pretty powerful stuff, right? Immediately, I began thinking about some of the ways I could apply this to my own life – what could I do right now that would pay dividends in say, 10 years? 20 years? 40 years??

It was a long list.

Today, I’m sharing my Top 3 Things to do Today for Tomorrow.

1. Eat a rainbow. No, I’m not talking about tossing back a handful of Skittles (although, everything in moderation, friends!). I’m talking about replacing one nutritionally-defunct meal with high quality protein, fresh produce and fibre-rich seeds and grains – the more colourful, the better.
It’s actually quite simple; eating an assortment of diverse, colourful foods is a quick way to ensure that you’re fuelling up with a complete range of the vitamins and minerals your body needs to thrive. I’ve recently swapped breakfast sandwiches and sugary cereals for fresh and vibrant smoothie bowls, which means I’ve reduced my intake of processed foods while increasing the amount of phytonutrients in my diet. Win-win! …

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Filed Under: Beauty Tagged With: anti-aging, Cicacream, L’Oréal Revitalift Cicacream

Your Family Vacation: Book Now, Enjoy Later!

April 11, 2018 By Lena

HOT DEAL ALERT! Scroll down for information on a very special promo: Kids FLY, stay & eat FREE when you book a vacation package with Air Canada Vacations! More details below!

You’ve heard it all before.

“Last minute vacations are the best way to go! You can save a ton of money!”
“Don’t ever book in advance! There are so many deals if you wait until the 11th hour.”
“Hotels will practically give away their rooms if you wait long enough.”

One word: MAYBE.

Look, I’m not here to dispute the fact that you may score a better deal if you book a last minute vacation. However, I’m here to share all the reasons you may want to book early – which, in many cases, outweigh the potential savings!

1. Half the fun is in the planning. From the moment you think it’s time for a vacation until the day you pack your bags, something subtle is happening on the inside. It goes by many names: anticipation, wanderlust, contentment, excitement, hope. It’s a feeling of expectant joy, knowing you’ve initiated a countdown and at the end of the journey: a well-deserved rest. The farther out you plan your vacation, the greater the feeling of elation you’ll experience. Plus, think of all the teaser Instagram photos!

2. You work too hard to accept your second (or third, or fifth) choice. The single most convincing reason to book early is to secure the vacation you’re dreaming of – not one that’s been slashed to sell because no one else wanted it. (Kind of crazy when you think about it in those terms, huh?) Especially during peak travel times for families, such as summer months and winter holidays, the best destinations and resorts tend to fill quickly. Don’t leave your well-earned vacation to chance. …

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Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: #aircanadavacations, air canada vacations, family travel

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Lena Almeida

Toronto Blogger, Social Media Strategist for Listen to Lena Inc. Television & Radio Personality, Columnist and Speaker. Family Travel Expert. Star Wars Fanatic. Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion. Read More…

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Beaches Turks & Caicos: Your FAQs Answered!