Listen to Lena

Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

Lena

Easy, Natural and Versatile Dinners… #MadeLikeHomemade!

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Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

Last night, I made:

1. The most delicious enchiladas, like, ever…
2. Featuring savoury slow roasted turkey…
3. In less than 30 minutes…
4. And the entire family gobbled them up.

Think it’s an impossible task? Break out your grocery list app, honey, because I’m going to show you exactly how to do it – and I’m going to blow your mind, too. Here’s what you need to do.
1. Make your own enchilada sauce. First, it’s almost impossible to find it in mainstream grocery stores, and second, it only takes seven minutes from start to finish. Plus, if you love Mexican-inspired dishes, I promise you’ll already have all the ingredients on hand. …

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Spread Kindness. Prevent Bullying.

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As a mom of two young boys, I spend a lot of time having the same conversations over and over again.

“That noise/word/song/saying is inappropriate.”
“Stop fighting.”
“You need to respect his space and move back.”
“How can you be hungry again? I just fed you.”
“Stop fighting.”

I’m used to it. Heck, at this point, I could probably break up a conflict in my sleep. But at the beginning of this school year, another topic of conversation weaved its way into our daily lives: bullying.

“I have no friends,” my seven-year old lamented. “No one wants to play with me at recess.”
The thought of my little guy – or any child for that matter – sitting alone at recess… well, it just breaks my heart. Especially for Reid, who was a popular, friendly kid – I just couldn’t understand what had changed. …

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From Farm to Table: Simple Ways to Apple-y Goodness

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Would you be shocked if I told you Thanksgiving is next weekend?

Trust me, I’m just as surprised! Mother Nature has been throwing Ontarians for a loop lately, so it’s no wonder that the date creeped up on us. However, as soon as the weather starts to cool, I have no doubt we’ll suddenly be tuned into all things fall. And I love this season especially; the bountiful harvest inevitably reminds me of my special times at Chudleigh’s Entertainment Farm.
Have you visited the farm this season? You’ll want to pop down to their expansive orchard before the end of October. At the moment, Red Delicious and Northern Spy apples are ready for picking, while Honeycrisp apples are already picked and ready for purchase! …

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Too Cool for School! Two Thumbs Up for the Alcatel A50 Smartphone

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Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

In a previous post, I asked: “Does ‘super cool’ always have to come at a super steep cost?” Well, if you’ve been paying attention, you’ll know that the answer is a resounding no! Whether you’re purchasing a first phone for your child, or want an affordable smartphone that keeps up with you at work and play, the Alcatel A50 Smartphone is the one you’re looking for.
Offering a perfect balance of smartphone functionality powered by Android 7.0 Nougat, the Alcatel A50 includes the complete Alcatel SNAPBAK accessory system, including the LightUp, Sound and Power SNAPBAK covers. …

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Tales of a Spotty Minor Niner

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For most, grade nine is hard. For me, it was downright traumatic.

Okay, okay… obviously I survived, and looking back, I didn’t have it nearly as bad as some. But there’s no denying that it was painful experience – emotionally, socially and mentally. In fact, I’ve blocked most of it out… except at night, when I have that dreaded dream (nightmare?) that it’s the first day of school all over again. Shudder.
I know you’re thinking, what made is so bad, Lena? Ahh… settle in friends, let me count the ways.

1. I arrived from a relatively small elementary school; all the other feeder schools were at least twice (and sometimes three times) the size. I actually went through most of high school without ever crossing paths with kids I had grown up with for ten years. This meant that I had to make a new set of friends – an almost impossible feat when most of the kids in my class had already formed cliques with their elementary school buddies. …

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Fall Florals – I’m Ready in George!

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Dear Fall Season – I could not love you more.

From falling orange leaves to pumpkin spice lattes, to slouchy gray cardigans, to over-the-knee boots, you really rock my world.

This year, I’m ready to get flirty in florals.
Floral prints are my go-to look whenever I want to feel pretty without being overdone. They’re effortlessly romantic and lend just a bit of sweetness to any outfit. Whether you choose a colourful blouse or an artfully demure dress, there’s no wrong way to take on this season’s hottest trend. …

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Year Round Jumping FUN with Springfree Trampoline!

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Before I owned a Springfree trampoline, I had a few questions. (Actually, I had a lot of questions.)
Most centered around safety and size, but there was one question I really couldn’t find the answer to:

“Would the novelty wear out? Would my kids tire of the trampoline?”

Admittedly, there is no “one-size-fits-all” answer to this, because simply put, kids are different. However, I thought I’d take the time for a little Q&A session – the questions were posed by me before we owned a Springfree trampoline, and the answers are my conclusions after enjoying one for the last four months. If you are in the market for a trampoline this year or next, I hope you find it informative! …

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New School Year, New Kicks and a NEW Way to Shop for SKECHERS!

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If you’re a long-time follower of my blog, and you happen to pay more attention to detail than most, you’ll have picked up on one, indisputable, impossible-to-ignore truth –

My boys ALWAYS wear SKECHERS shoes.
They love the fresh designs and wide array of colours and styles; I love the durability and affordable prices. From S Lights to Skech-Train, SKECHERS GOrun to Nitrate, my boys have worn them all. …

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How Do You Whippet?

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Nostalgia. \nä-ˈstal-jə: the state of being homesick; a wistful or excessively sentimental yearning for return to or of some past period or irrecoverable condition.

I’ll never forget the first time I had a Whippet. I’m guessing my boys won’t forget the first time they had Whippet Sticks, either.
(A flaky macaroon in a thin stick? YES please! Reid can’t get enough Whippet Sticks Coconut.)

But first, let me take you back… WAY back…

I was in fifth or sixth grade, visiting with a friend at her house after school. We walked into her kitchen, greeted by hot chocolate and a selection of cookies.

My eyes zeroed in on the Whippet.

It was a lovely, chocolate-covered dome and I anticipated deliciousness inside. My friend and her mom both reached for one at the same moment; following suit, I gently lifted one from the plate. And just as I was about to bite into the delicate cookie… SMASH! …

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A Family Day at the Farm: Chudleigh’s Entertainment Farm

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Good, old fashioned family fun.

Sometimes, it seems hard to come by. My boys are at that age where electronics are king; they’ve developed irrational attachments to their tablets and sprout pincher-like claws anytime I try to pry them away. So, it’s my job as their mom to ensure they get the basics of childhood: fresh air, lots of exercise, and an understanding of how food gets from farm to table.

Luckily, there’s Chudleigh’s Entertainment Farm.
I have fond memories of visiting the farm as a young child, and it’s no wonder – for 50 years, Chudleigh’s Entertainment Farm in Halton Hills has been a tradition for generations of kids and kids-at-heart. Back in the 80’s, we had the opportunity to enjoy a hayride and pick our own apples. It was a great way to spend a few hours away from the classroom.

Today, however, there’s enough to do at Chudleigh’s to fill a whole day with happy memories! …

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Let’s Hang! Land of Lemurs at the Calgary Zoo

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Last month, I travelled to Calgary to hang with a conspiracy of lemurs. (What? You’ve never done that?) I watched them forage and frolic while being directly immersed in their habitat. Frankly, it was incredible.
I know a fair amount of my readers have spent the year discovering more of our beautiful country. With Canada 150 celebrations happening from coast to coast, it’s the perfect time to explore our home and native land. And if you have plans to visit Calgary this fall or next summer, I want you to include the Calgary Zoo in your plans. Here’s why. …

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Back to Routine: Get Your Sparkle On

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Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only. This post contains affiliate links.

We DID it, friends! We got the kids off to school in a sophisticated and orderly fashion.  There were no protests, no tears and definitely no tantrums as they headed out the door.

Oh, wait! That was a dream. It was actually a hot mess, as usual.

On the bright side? I had so much fun back-to-school shopping over the past few weeks. While I’m shopping for my boys, I also like to pick up some shiny new accessories for myself. It’s a great way to recharge, refocus and of course, buy a few gorgeous things because dammit, we deserve it. But I’m not into splurging; instead, I like to find designer dupes that will do the trick. And for the last month, I’ve found some pretty (and pretty darned affordable) gold “working girl’ items from Amazon.ca.
Why gold? Why not! It’s shiny, sparkly and lends a touch of sophistication to all of your tech and office needs. And even though many of these item are priced too-good-to-be-true, I’ve been testing them out for the past month and can attest that they’ve stood up to my frequent (and not so delicate) use. If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to take on the gold trend, here are a few must-have pieces! …

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Westin Weekends in YYC

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I went west (for the first time ever)… and I liked it!

Friends and followers are normally surprised to learn that I have yet to fully discover Canada’s west coast. A jet setter at heart, I’ve preferred to stick to more tropical destinations, always using a sandy beach as my go-to escape. However, if there’s a time to roam our beautiful land, this is the year to do it!

Canada’s 150th birthday has inspired me to see more of our country. Last month, I received an invitation to visit the Land of Lemurs at the Calgary Zoo. Knowing it would be an excellent learning opportunity for my boys, and, selfishly, a chance to visit Alberta for the first time, I enthusiastically accepted. I made a list of things I wanted to see and do, and four hours later, we were in the heart of cow town!
I feel like we accomplished so much in three days, mainly because Calgary seems to have everything in super close proximity. We rented a vehicle for a chance to do a little sightseeing in Banff and Lake Louise, but if you cabbed it straight from the airport to downtown Calgary, you’d also have easy access to a huge assortment of activities. Here’s what our itinerary looked like. …

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The Fun is Simply Spooktacular! Halloween at Disney Parks

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Trick-or-treating throughout the park, your favourite Disney characters on parade, a wickedly joyous “Villain Spelltacular” and to cap it off, bewitching fireworks under a pumpkin moon – it’s Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World Resort, of course!This year, the party runs for an unprecedented 32 nights – in fact, the spooktacular fun is happening right now. While I haven’t had the opportunity to experience Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party (or #MNSSHP as it’s hashtagged on social media) at Magic Kingdom in Orlando, I have had the ghouish pleasure of attending Mickey’s Halloween Party at Disneyland Resort in 2015. The entire family still talks about it to this day! …

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Reward Yourself: Offset the Cost of Back to School Shopping

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Years ago, if you told me that I’d have to budget for back to school shopping, I’d think you were crazy. I mean, really, how expensive can pencils and paper be?

Oh, right – that was before I considered clothing, shoes, laptops, lunchboxes, fidget-spinners-cubes-whatever and about a hundred other things that all add up. There’s no doubt about it: back to school shopping is expensive.

However, this year, I’m doing things a little bit differently: I’m still crossing everything off my list – while paying less money out of pocket than ever! – with the help of RBC Rewards. Do you collect RBC Rewards points? Now’s a great time to redeem them, especially since there are so many ways they can help offset the cost of back to school shopping.

1. Stay ahead of the rush. The mall is probably my least favourite place to venture just before summer holidays end. In addition to the crowds, I’m also more likely to overspend at the mall when confronted with multiple sales and promotions, beckoning me to make that impulse purchase.  This is why I love the RBC Rewards App. With products available from Best Buy, Apple, Herschel and more, I can redeem points for so many of my back to school essentials right from the palm of my hand. As a busy mom I like the convenience of being able to shop and track my points on the go.

2. Comparison shop ‘til you drop. With a wide variety of retailers available on one easy-to-navigate website, I can ensure I’m receiving the best value for my hard-earned rewards. RBC Rewards features more than 400 brands to shop from and gives me the opportunity to opt-in to earn bonus points from retailers like HBC and Apple on purchases I’d already be making for back to school! Because I’ve opted in to receive deals and promos, I always know when it’s the best time to shop. …

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FundScrip: A Better Way to Fundraise

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Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

Right now, you’re on one side of the fence. Either you’re part of a committee that makes decisions when it comes to fundraising for your school, team or church event… or you’re the person who buys the chocolates (because really, what else is there?) to help attain the committee’s goal.

Today, I’m here to tell you there’s a better way to raise funds.

Introducing FundScrip. FundScrip is a Canadian fundraising program in which your supporters pay for their shopping (groceries, gas, home and garden, entertainment, restaurants, and much more) with gift cards. Each purchase automatically includes a donation to your cause! FundScrip has helped Canadians raise over $18,000,000 for a wide variety of worthy causes.
There are many different ways you could go about using FundScrip to achieve your fundraising goals, but in a nutshell, all you need to do is encourage supporters of your campaign to pay for their everyday expenses and gifts with gift cards bought from FundScrip. Then…

1. Each purchase automatically includes a donation to the campaign
2. The supporter isn’t out of pocket, and
3. They shop where they would normally shop.

There are over 220 retailers to choose from, including popular national brands from categories such as pharmacy, home improvement, department stores, restaurants, clothing stores, travel and more. All of FundScrip’s gift cards come from the retailers themselves, so you can be certain they’ll be accepted when you use them with NO expiry and NO hassle. …

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This Summer, Keep Moving!

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Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

With two active boys under the age of 10, I don’t spend a lot of time putting my feet up.

In fact, on our last two vacations, both my husband and I met our daily steps goal before noon. “How is this possible?” I asked. “I’m spending more time walking around when I should be lying on a beach!”
But that’s life with kids; they keep us young (and perpetually exhausted) and when given a choice between sitting by the pool or hitting the nearest theme park, they don’t hesitate to grab their running shoes. My husband and I do our best to keep up, but sometimes body, joint or muscle pain can get in our way. That’s why we use Advil® 12 Hour. …

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Solve Weeknight Dinner Dilemmas with Great Value Pasta Sauce

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Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

A recent conversation with my husband went something like this:

“So Reid has soccer on Monday nights and Ryder has language therapy on Tuesdays. They both have swimming on Wednesday nights and on Thursdays, don’t forget Ryder has martial arts…”

Sounds like your family too? Weeknights are hectic, I know. In fact, I spend an inordinate amount of time fussing over what to serve for dinner, only to fall back on tried-and-true favourites that I know the boys will eat (preferably, but not always, without complaint). My standby is pasta; spaghetti, macaroni, penne, rotini, fusilli… pair it with a great-tasting pasta sauce and I know they’ll clean their plates.

But kids cannot live on pasta alone.

The good news? I’ve found three new recipes to add to my repertoire thanks to Great Value Pasta Sauce. I know what you’re thinking – more pasta? Nope! These affordable dishes incorporate the deliciousness and versatility of pasta sauce in inspiring new ways. Plus, the recipes are easy to follow and ready in just 20 minutes or less. They’re perfect for crazy weeknights when time (and patience!) is limited!

Easy, Affordable Recipe #1: Cheesy Chicken Nachos
Kids love nachos, so this one’s a no-brainer. However, when was the last time you made nachos with Alfredo sauce? (I just blew your mind, didn’t I?) It’s creamy and pairs perfectly with Mexican-inspired grilled chicken and crispy blue corn tortilla chips. …

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Outdoor Essentials, Because Bites Happen

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Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

I have two little guys who worship the outdoors.
Whether it’s a day at the beach, summer camp or a lazy evening in the backyard, it’s hard to convince my kids to spend any part of the day (or night!) indoors. In fact, they’ve both been begging me to have a “sleepover” on the trampoline overnight… I haven’t caved yet, but that’s only because I have no intention of sleeping outside to keep watch over them! …

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Back to School #ParentWins with Walmart Canada!

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It’s crunch time, moms.

With just a couple of weeks to go before the BIG DAY, chances are, you have places to go and people to outfit. (In many, many outfits….) So where can you find stylish, affordable clothing that can keep up with your kids and their fashion personas? Walmart Canada, of course!
Pictured Above: George Boys’ Graphic Shirts ($12.97), George Boys’ Skinny Fit Jeans ($11.97), Athletic Works Boys’ Smith Athletic Shoe (on Ryder, $24.97) and AND1 Boys’ Fantasy Basketball Shoes (on Reid, $29.97). …

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