It’s the holiday season, which invariably means three things:
1) The boys are really, really excited. About everything. They’re excited about Christmas cookies and concerts, presents under the tree and stockings hung over the fireplace. There’s a real sense of urgency to usher in the all things festive, merry and bright.
2) I’m really, really busy. The holidays are my “crazy” season; I’ve got year-end deadlines to meet while finding time to bake cookies, volunteer my time, trim the tree and buy presents.
3) We both need a break. Amidst the hustle and bustle of the holidays, we often need to just sit down and recharge, if only for a short while.
This month, we’re satisfying our Season’s Cravings at McDonalds.
Now I *could* go straight to telling you all about the deliciousness of the Potato Rosti and Bacon Burger pictured above, but that’s only part of the narrative. You see, stopping into your local McDonald’s is no longer your typical “fast food” experience. …
Today, as much as I’d love to continue the rituals from years past, I realize my restraints on time. That’s why I look to Tetley Ayurvedic Balance teas; each tea addresses a common situation or need state related to one of the three doshas – Vata, Pitta, Kapha. …
“What are these?” I asked in wonder.
Stracciatella (egg drop soup) is high on my list of comfort foods because it has a little of everything I love: a garlicky soup base, bright green baby spinach, creamy eggs and salty Parmesan cheese. In fact, whenever I feel myself coming down with a cold, I always crave this soup with a dash of hot pepper sauce. However, working around the clock leaves little time to make comfort food from scratch, but I’ve found a few EGGcellent hacks to make it in no time.
They couldn’t be simpler to make and are chock-full of wholesome ingredients you likely already have in your refrigerator and pantry. Plus, Breton Sprouted Grains crackers contain 5g of sprouted whole grains per serving (sprouted grains include whole wheat flour, cracked rye, cracked wheat, buckwheat and quinoa). The crackers have no artificial colours or flavours, and both the Sea Salt and Caramelized Onion varieties are only 80-90 calories per serving. …
Most of all, I love scrolling through my Instagram feed, smiling at photos of children posing in a pumpkin patch, families picking apples and grandparents joining in for hay rides at a nearby farm. It reminds me that even as generations pass, the harvest is a time of togetherness.
Today, I’d like to say I follow her lead, but the truth is, I’m more willing to live on the edge. I don’t mind trying new meal ideas for guests, and if it doesn’t turn out the way I intended, there’s always wine in the cellar and a 
While Reid is an enthusiastic sous chef, his older brother, Ryder, is more reluctant to help out. He’s at that “awesome” age where things just aren’t cool enough for him. Plus, he has very specific, healthy preferences that aren’t a bad thing – not by any means – but we normally have to alter recipes to suit his tastes. Thankfully, the Ben’s Beginners recipes allow for simple customization, and in our case, we used ground turkey in place of ground beef, and opted for Uncle Ben’s 100% Natural Whole Grain Brown Rice. …
However, I know that this isn’t the norm; many parents aren’t teaching cooking skills because they lack the confidence to do so. In fact, less than half of Canadian parents feel highly skilled at creating a balanced meal, and even have trouble with the most common kitchen tasks, like seasoning, chopping and pan frying. At the same time, 98% of Canadian parents think it is important to cook with their children.
So, I did what every mom would do – I switched them in my son’s lunchbox without telling him. Ha ha.
Of course, one of my favourite things to do is cook with nature’s bounty, creating flavourful meals I know my family will love – while showcasing the best of the fall harvest. These Pear, Brie and Walnut Crostinis are a delicious way to pay homage to locally grown Bartlett pears (my favourite!) and couldn’t be simpler to make. I found convenient 5-lb packages at Walmart, in addition to all the other ingredients for this recipe! …
Last Friday I received the sweetest delivery – a chance to experience the delightful indulgence in advance of its release. The cake, which highlights a melange of La Rocca’s fan-favourites through the years, comes together brilliantly in one layered delicious dessert. …
Lately, we’ve been enjoying 
This savoury chili is one of my go-to meals throughout the school year for the following reasons:
Strength Conditioning. For your hands. Because come September, there WILL be forms to sign. Mountains and mountains of forms to sign. Last year, I briefly considered ordering a personalized stamp with my name and phone number, so I wouldn’t have to fill out my information 1,734 times.
The best part? You can enjoy them at home. It’s true! You’ll find the very same Juicy Jumbos at your local supermarket, so whether you’re throwing a game day party (see picture above! more on that later) or simply enjoying lunch with the family, Schneiders hot dogs and sausages are always universally loved. …
The dip has only five ingredients – Greek yogurt, Great Value Light Cream Cheese, crumbled feta cheese, Great Value Taco Seasoning Mix and chives. Mix them all together and try not to lick the bowl. It’s that addictive! …
Currently offered in the Toronto and Vancouver markets, using the AIR MILES Dining Discount Book is simple:
Of course, I’ve never been one to enjoy a cube of Havarti without fantasizing about its potential, so I’m happy to share a kicked-up version of cheese and crackers with my Warm Havarti Dip. …
Introducing