Parents, it’s crunch time.
Back to school time can be both exciting and exhilarating. Supplies have been purchased, routines have been established and after a long, lazy summer, kiddos are ready to be reunited with their classmates.
But weekday mornings? Still crazy.
The ongoing struggle with my boys is ensuring they have a nutritious breakfast – preferably that they can make themselves – that’s ready in a pinch. Thank goodness for Evive Smoothies!
Evive, the original blender-free smoothie, takes just 30 seconds to make – simply pop the cubes in a bottle, add your favourite liquid (juice, milk or water) and shake. I find the smoothie cubes are best incorporated when steeped in liquid for 15-20 minutes, so combine the cubes and liquid, let the kids continue their morning routine, shake… and YUM! …
Here are five cool tips to create your own ice cream bar at home:
Enter 
Cheese, ham and egg goodness in a handheld breakfast bar – yes please! My husband, our resident breakfast chef, adapted the 
We decided to use the mix to make waffles, and since I just needed to add water, prep work was a breeze. Skipping the syrup, we instead dipped our waffles in natural colour candy melts for a flash of colour and birthday fun. Aren’t they just too cute for words? …
I know hamburgers are a family fave, and normally I wouldn’t try to mess with a good thing. However, I think I’ve found THE BEST way to enjoy your burger this summer – by swapping classic hamburger buns with 
Be still my heart! It’s no surprise that many Canadian families are rediscovering their love for home-cooked meals – and reveling in the bonding that comes with it – while we stay home. Since my boys now eagerly join me during meal prep, I’ve made it a priority to try nutritious recipes that keep them entertained and egg-cited about cooking! …
There comes a point in most children’s lives where they sincerely want to help out in the kitchen. (And let’s be honest: mini chefs are the best.) Whether it’s baking with mom or helping dad prepare breakfast in bed, the enthusiasm with which kids stretch their culinary expertise is downright precious.
The best part is, there’s something for everyone! Enjoy a glass of prosecco and a behind-the-scenes kitchen tour at the hottest restaurant near you or play golf with a PGA pro while staying at a world-renowned resort and spa. You can even skip the line at a popular theatre show or take a hands-on donut workshop! …
I’ve been focused on making healthier dietary choices, and I’d like to continue this pattern of “better for me” eating even during the holidays. Specifically, I’ve worked hard to reduce the amount of sugar and refined carbs that previously dominated my diet. Instead, I’ve been loading up on protein-rich foods that keep me fulfilled, satiated and not craving a cookie before bedtime. …
3. At some point in my mid-twenties, inspired by Chef Anna Olson’s hit television show, “Sugar,” I decided to supplement my Bachelor of Commerce with a Pastry Arts Diploma. I know, polar opposites! But I was lacking motivation in my 9-5 job and decided that pursuing outside interests would be a great way to reinstate passion in my life. When I read in a local newspaper that Anna had opened an artisanal boutique in St. Catharines, Ontario, I was one of the first to visit her in-store and purchase a signed copy of her newest cookbook. …
It’s a little ambitious to call this a “recipe” because it only includes six ingredients and can be assembled in a jiffy. In fact, the first time I made this fudge, it was with my girlfriend relaying instructions to me over the phone! Yes, it’s that simple! …
Therefore, when the 
The Breville Sous Chef 16 Peel & Dice is one of the most revolutionary machines I’ve ever had the pleasure of reviewing. It peels, dices, slices, mixes and chops in half the time of doing it by hand – and without any of the hassle. Its extra wide chute is designed for every shape of food, so you no longer need to chop your ingredients into smaller pieces before letting the appliance do the work. (I’ve always felt that pre-cutting foods completely defeats the purpose of using a food processor – wouldn’t you agree?) Aside from saving time and speeding up your meal preparation, the machine’s precise cut leads to even and consistent cooking and perfect textures. …
“My God!” my husband exclaimed, laughing. “You’ve turned into your dad!”
I recently attended a media day at Maple Leaf Foods headquarters. The audience? Moms and dads in the social space, who were open to learning about the sweeping changes in the iconic brand. …
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.
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. …
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. …