It’s no secret: Mornings are hectic. From the moment I hear the dreaded “5 more minutes!” until the boys are finally out the door, it’s a mad rush against the clock. This means that sometimes, one of my kids will go to school with mismatched socks, and more often, breakfast will be rushed (or in my husband’s case, skipped altogether).
We’re working on changing that. Using simple techniques to encourage a more seamless morning routine, the boys and I have been able to get more out of our time together before school. Curious? I thought you might be! I’ve partnered with Minute Maid to provide you with some easy tips and tricks to start out smart! …
Minute Maid
Because the First MINUTE of the Day should be a Nutritious One.
In Canada, one of every five children is at risk of starting the school day on an empty stomach due to a lack of access to nutritious food. That means that nearly one million Canadian children are at risk of getting nothing to eat before they go to school in the morning.
This is not only alarming, but also something that I feel truly requires our attention as parents, and as a society. As I urge my children to finish their breakfasts in the morning, I’m caught thinking about this statistic. I think about it when they turn up their nose at the food options I present, or leave the table without finishing their meal. I think about it after they’ve left for school, as I scrape food remnants from their plates and bowls into the garbage bin.
Sounds familiar, mamas? I know it does.
A generation ago, my own mother chastised my brother and me for skipping breakfast; she reminded us how lucky we were to have the opportunity to go to school on a full stomach. At the time, I placated her – just as my kids do now – scarfing down my meal to avoid a lecture.
Today, I realize that it’s about more than just food waste and rumbling tummies. I know there are real benefits to going to school nourished, including heightened concentration and learning potential. And, when you realize that 60% of learning happens before lunch, it becomes clear why breakfast is indeed the most important meal of the day.
In fact, according to Breakfast Club of Canada, when children get a balanced meal in a positive, stimulating environment, there are marked improvements in:
– Behaviour and concentration
– Academic performance
– Social skills, self-confidence and the ability to interact with peers and adults
– Overall interest in the subjects being taught
– Incidents of bullying…
Giveaway: $200 Minute Maid Prize
NOTE: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.
Earlier this week, I shared my views on childhood independence, and how it inspires individuality, confidence and competence.
(I also shared a kid-friendly recipe for Creamy Orange Fruit Dip, which is a big hit chez Lena!)
Now, we want to hear from you –
How do you encourage independence in your children? Please take our short survey, found in the contest form below, to share your views. To thank you for participating, one lucky reader who answers the survey in full will have a chance to win a Minute Maid Prize Pack.
The Minute Maid Prize Pack, valued at $200, features everything needed to help nurture independence – especially as kids settle into school mode! The prize pack includes: a pitcher and wooden mixing spoon, two Minute Maid aprons and chef’s hats to get into the role of head chef, a large mixing bowl, a kitchen accessories kit, and a food processor (to use with a parent!) to create Minute Maid’s scrumptious recipes. …
Independence.
“You’re so lucky”, sighs my sister-in-law, struggling to contain my 10-month old niece while she pulls away from her mother’s hold. “Your boys are past this stage; they’re so independent now. You have your life back.”
I reflect on her observation. Yes, we’ve come a long way. From diapers to bathroom independence, breastfeeding to watching them fetch their own snacks, my boys have achieved a certain level of autonomy that comes with the passage of time. And it is likely the main reason I know my family is complete; I revel in their independence, and am keenly aware that I no longer want to change diapers, burp babes or breastfeed.
Still, as excited as I am to have a small – but significant – piece of my life back, I fear that a child’s independence does not always arrive on mom’s terms, often sneaking up on us as we continue to cut grapes in half and check on sleeping children at night. It’s the day Ryder talked back to me, surprising me with his clever rebuttal and acute sense of injustice. It’s the pair of scissors that Reid reached for, not out of curiosity but because he wanted to strategically cut his art project in half. It’s the routine walk through the school playground without a backward glance as they both make their way to classes. The constant space between our lives that grows and grows until one day, I wait for a hurried weekend phone call, listening as they assure me they have clean clothes to wear and food to eat.
While some moms fear the emotional and physical distance that naturally comes with independence, I acknowledge that the trait is actually made up of several qualities, all of which I wish my sons to have. Independence inspires individuality, confidence and competence. It offers children the freedom and objectivity to make decisions and choices that they will undoubtedly learn from, which toughens their resolve and builds self-assurance. And after I allow them to make those choices, I’ll be there – offering support, love, and advice… but never “I told you so.”
My boys’ independence begins in the kitchen. With the start of the new school year, I have encouraged them to take a more active role in preparing their snacks and lunches. This means that they select their own pre-cut fruit from the fridge, portioning it out into their lunch boxes. Sandwiches are assembled together assembly-line style, with them adding the meat and fixins’ just before I close and cut the sandwiches. They are in charge of placing juice boxes in their lunch bag, with the understanding that a forgotten juice box means a trip to the water fountain at school. In short, this half-hour of meal preparation helps build the foundation for a day when they’ll prepare their own meals from start to finish… maybe even their entire family’s meals. …
The Curious Thing About Curiosity
Before I became a mother, I associated curiosity with many positive traits: growth, intellect, analysis and inquisition. To me, curiosity represented a willingness to learn, better oneself, and most importantly, be cognizant of the wonderful world around us. I admired those who challenged the status quo by becoming curious about things, people and places that matter.
Of course, after I had children, my interpretation of the word shifted just slightly.
Now, curiosity means sticky fingers and broken electronics. It means a glass figurine pulled from a top shelf; a centipede trapped under a bowl, a melted crayon found on white berber carpet. And that’s just scratching the surface. My home has been taken over by amateur scientists, hell bent on discovering who, what, when, where and WHY – sigh, always why. Does everything need a reason?
Yet as I type this, I realize how short-sighted I’ve been. I’ve let my petty frustrations mask the true joy of raising curious children. Because for every shattered glass figurine, there’s an appreciation for how fragile life can be. For every trapped insect, there’s respect for our living ecosystem. And for every melted crayon, there’s a lesson in science – namely, coloured wax + expensive carpet = mom furiously scrubbing with a bucketful of chemicals while muttering obscenities under her breath. Okay, so maybe there’s a lesson in science and linguistics.
Maybe it’s time I rethink my views on curiosity.
And now I’m smiling, because I’m thinking about the very first time Ryder tasted ice cream; a tiny lick off a tiny spoon, and instantly, his eyes became twice as large with sheer delight. I’m remembering Reid’s first bites of corn on the cob; holding the ear of corn at arm’s length, trying to decide what to do with it. I’m laughing at Ryder’s introduction to steak, where he chewed the fibrous meat for about 5 minutes before he pulled it out of his mouth and declared, “Beef is broken. Can’t eat.”
In fact, for little ones, I truly believe that curiosity begins in the kitchen – and a fun and delicious way to encourage kids to be curious is by involving them in preparing and tasting new flavours and textures. I’m pleased to once again partner with Minute Maid, who along with the Canadian Living Test Kitchen has created a new line of recipes that will spark creativity and help pave the way for future curious culinary exploration.
Today, I showed the boys how good greens can be with this delicious and simple Berry-Banana Green Smoothie.
1 can (250 mL) Minute Maid Frozen Smoothies Strawberry Banana
2 cups frozen mixed berries
1-3/4 cups milk
1 cup baby spinach leaves
Half avocado
In blender, combine Minute Maid Frozen Smoothies Strawberry Banana, mixed berries, milk, spinach and avocado; purée until smooth.
I am blessed; both my boys have pretty adventurous palettes, and rarely do I need to “hide” vegetables from them (ten times out of ten Ryder will eat the broccoli, Brussels sprouts or beans first). I sincerely hope they continue to be curious about the foods they eat, the things they do and the places they see… and if that sense of curiosity brings them to melted crayon territory, I’ll just remember to look back on this post, and chill out.
For more delicious recipes that are perfect for curious little individuals, visit Minute Maid.
Because Sharing is Caring: Be Generous
Generosity. What does it mean to you? Defined as “the habit of giving without expecting anything in return”, it can involve offering time, assets or talents to help someone in need. However, through the years, the word “generosity” has often been equated with charity as a virtue; that is, a generous person is someone who donates monetary aid. When one states, “He’s so generous!” it’s quite natural to immediately assume the tone of the statement somehow involves a generous donation, offering or financial contribution.
Yet generosity encompasses so, so much more, and Canadian parents are in overwhelming agreement that raising caring and generous children is one of their top priorities. Of course, one of the easiest ways to instill a behaviour in our children is simply to model it ourselves. A Minute Maid Moments poll conducted earlier this year showed that more than half of parents demonstrate generosity through spontaneous good deeds such as shoveling a neighbours’ driveway, holding the door for a stranger, or giving gifts to friends and family including homemade art and baked goods.
This is the true definition of generosity; giving a piece of your time and talents to make a difference.
The poll also shows that an overwhelmingly high number (83 per cent) of parents want their children to show generosity, including:
• Random acts of kindness, like writing friendly surprise notes for friends and family (77 per cent)
• Offering to help neighbours in simple ways, such as carrying groceries (67 per cent)
• Acknowledging their friends /family birthdays with gestures like a phone call or handwritten card (53 per cent)
• Making gifts for others, including baked treats and homemade crafts (43 per cent)
…
Celebrate Summer with Minute Maid!
Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.
For the longest time, I felt I couldn’t talk about summer without looking like a schmuck. I mean, clearly Mother Nature didn’t get the memo this year; it’s been chilly, dreary and downright depressing for most of May and June. However, summer is “officially” here and and it looks like even the weather joined the party; with temperatures in the high 30’s for Toronto this week, it’s gonna be sizzlin’ hot!
Of course, this year I’ll actually have a patio to lounge on, which excites me to no end. I am such a “drinks on the patio” kind of gal, and thankfully, I’m already armed with delicious, refreshing summer cocktail recipes from Minute Maid. If you didn’t catch my “Minute Maid: Six Ways to Celebrate Summer!” post, please do – you’ll find a wealth of amazing summer drinks to try, including a Tropical Citrus Granita, Peachy Sparkler, Summertime Sangria and more! (Mmm… sangria.)
Now it’s one thing to say “Let’s Celebrate Summer!” – and quite another to actually follow through with it. So, proving that we’re all about hot summer nights and cold fruity concoctions, I teamed up with Minute Maid and mixologist Nadine Hughes to host a #CelebrateSummer event in Toronto. I invited a handful of my favourite bloggers and social media influencers from the GTA for a very special Girls Night Out; we munched, we mingled, and we had a chance to sample some of Minute Maid’s favourite summer treats! And, we were introduced to Minute Maid Smoothies – an easy, affordable way to enjoy smoothies at home. Made with real fruit and no added sugar, they’re so easy to make: just pour into your blender, add ice, water and blend for the perfect smoothie every time. BONUS: each 250mL prepared cup contains two servings of fruit. Yum yum yum!
Minute Maid selected the perfect venue; the penthouse of the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Toronto. With an urban vibe and a fresh burst of colour, it set the mood for our summery event.
Of course, being greeted by Summertime Sangria went a long way to put us in a warm weather frame of mind – and if you’ve got a few Minute Maid punches in the freezer, and some fruit in your refrigerator – chances are, you can make some right now! We served virgin and alcoholic versions (and we all know which one I enjoyed… by the glassful). Also on hand: delicious, light and healthy canapés, and sweet cookies to complement our cocktail party….
Minute Maid: Six Ways to Celebrate Summer!
Friends, have NO doubt – SUMMER IS HERE!
And, the warmer temps have me craving deliciously cold cocktails and confections. After all, there’s no better way to celebrate summer than with a refreshing, fruity beverage – I can almost hear the patio calling me now! (“Leee-naaa!!!”)
To toast the beautiful season ahead, my good friends at Minute Maid have shared six of their most fabulous recipes for summer treats. The perfect complement for an outdoor party and a must-have for a Girls Night In, you’ll be the hostess-with-the mostess when you serve these fruity faves. Be sure to bookmark this post, and ENJOY!
BLACKBERRY SMASH PINK LEMONADE POPS
(16 pops with ¼ cup capacity molds)
3/4 cup fresh blackberries
1 can frozen Minute Maid Pink Lemonade Frozen concentrate
1 ¼ cups water
200mL – tetra Minute Maid Mixed Berry 100% juice
Place blackberries in large bowl and smash with wooden spoon. Add Minute Maid Pink Lemonade Frozen concentrate, water and mixed berry blend. Pour into popsicle molds leaving ½-cm room at top for expansion. Freeze until hard. (The blackberries will float to the top, so that when inverted, creates a beautiful blackberry base.)
Per serving (approx. 1/4 cup / 2 oz. per one pop): about 47 cal, 0 g pro, 0 g total fat (0 g sat. fat), 13 g carb (1 g dietary fibre, 11 g sugar), 0 mg chol, 4 mg sodium, 11 mg potassium. % RDI: 8% vit C, 1% folate.
PUCKER-UP GRANITA
(makes 6 servings)
Simple Syrup:
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup chopped fresh mint
1 can Minute Maid Lemonade Frozen concentrate, mixed with 3 cans water
1 can Minute Maid Limeade Frozen concentrate, mixed with 3 cans water
Mint leaves for garnish
Simple syrup: In a small pot over medium-high heat, stir together water and sugar and simmer until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat, stir in mint; cover and keep on the side. Meanwhile, pour Minute Maid Frozen Lemonade into large, shallow glass baking dish and place in freezer overnight.
Strain mint from simple syrup. Stir simple syrup into Minute Maid Limeade, pour into large, shallow glass baking dish and place in freezer overnight.
Using fork, scrape surface of each mixture creating an icy snow. Layer lemonade and limeade in glass with chopped mint. Garnish with mint leaves.
Adult Option: Pour 1 oz. rum over layers and let sit 2 minutes (to create a mojito!) Stir to mix.
Per approx. 1 2/3 cups (15 oz.) serving: about 271 cal, 0 g pro, 0 g total fat (0 g sat. fat), 72 g carb (0 g dietary fibre, 69 g sugar), 0mg chol, 19 mg sodium, 3 mg potassium. % RDI: 1% calcium…