A Little Something We All Need

Tonight as I was going through blogs on my Google Reader, I read a blog post from Feels Like Home. The title was The Family Fun Book (Free Download). I saw the words free download and I just had to click it to see what it was all about. Boy, am I glad I did! What a fantastic cookbook for the whole family!

The meals are quick enough that you can make a meal after work and have it on the table in 30 minutes. They are also easy enough that the kids can help (hence the name The Family Fun Book - no one ever said I was quick ;) ). Which is perfect for us right now, as DS12 has been following me around in the kitchen in his quest for learning to cook. I think with just a little guidance from me (on the sidelines) he could probably make several of these meals on his own. That will make for one happy young man! Also the meals are very budget friendly. No need to hit the fancy grocery stores for odd named ingredients with these meals.

Three absolute great reasons for you to head over to Feels Like Home and get your free copy today. Have some family fun in the kitchen tomorrow night! Maybe it'll inspire you to have the kids help cook one or two nights a week. Think about it, teach them now and in a short time you can be sitting relaxing while the kids cook for you. Sounds like a great idea to me! :)

A Little Something We All Need

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For My Soon To Be Teenaged Daughter

A few months ago I was using Stumble and came across a blog called Notes to self. The author Kyran, had written a post to the teenage daughter she would never have. That post brought tears to my eyes. It was a bunch of advice that I had wished someone had shared with me when I was a teen. Man, those teen years are rough. Now that I have a daughter (and sons) I want to try and make that road a little easier on them.

Today I'm going to share that post here, in hopes that I won't forget about it and I can share it with my girl in a couple of years.

Advice for a Teenage Daughter I Will Never Have

Even if you have just been shot with a tranquilizer dart for elephants, don't sleep in your makeup. Or contact lenses.

What separates a professional eyebrow arch from the amateurs is scissor-trimming. This is the least important item on this list, but It took me 38 years to find out, and I have to pass it onto somebody.

Wear the bikini every chance you can, and use the sunscreen.

Every year you can possibly delay having sex will ultimately make sex that much better. Think of it as the difference between spending every allowance on cheap shoes that don't last, or saving up for some really fabulous Jimmy Choos. Not that you have to go without even touching a pair of shoes in the meantime. Or marry your first pair of Jimmy Choos. Don't tell your mom I said that.

As long as you are in your teens, avoid dating anyone more than three years older than you. At your age, a romantic relationship with an older man is actually neither romantic or a relationship.

You look ugly when you gossip.

Throwing up drunk is not a good look for you.

Save this for later: the person you are now is not the way you behaved then.

Someday, a girl who is horrible to you now will request to be your Facebook friend. And though your cursor will linger a long and delicious moment above the "ignore" button, you will click on "accept" instead, and know that you have grown up.

Go to your prom. Wear the corsage. Stand under the arch. Get the pictures. Really.

Don't waste youth and resiliency. Have adventures. It will never be more appropriate for you to be inappropriate, and society will never be more forgiving. But avoid risks that will narrow your future. Skinny-dipping: yes. Filmed skinny-dipping: no.

Most importantly, hang around for womanhood. I promise, the best is yet to come.

Posted here with permission from Kyran from Notes To Self. Original content can be viewed here.

For My Soon To Be Teenaged Daughter

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A Baby Bash Giveaway

Two of a Kind,Working on a Full House is hosting a Baby Bash giveaway, if you haven't been over there you should check it out. She is giving away some really fabulous prizes. Some are for US only but others Canadians can enter as well. I almost hate to share them with you because it will lessen my chances of winning but why should I have all the fun?! :)

The giveaway I entered today is for the Crane humidifier. Go right now and take a look at them, I'll wait for you.... Aren't they the cutest things ever! I just love the penguin.

He's so cute!

Want to try to win one of your very own? Head over to Two of a Kind, Working on a Full House now, read the rules and start entering for your chance!

A Baby Bash Giveaway

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Menu Plan Monday, July 6 - 10

Good morning everyone! It's been a few weeks since I have participated in Menu Plan Monday. I was still planning meals, just hadn't been blogging them for you. I'm back now though and hopefully one of these days I can be more consistent with blogging. I keep trying. :)

Raw Vegan Menu {Monday - Saturday}

Breakfast - Green Smoothie

Lunch - Pink or Green Smoothie or Salad or mono-meal (I'm allowing options based on what I am craving, if I am wanting to chew or if I am short on time mono-meals are great).

Supper - Big salad & a portion of whatever I cooked, if I desire it.

Dessert - Almond milk & frozen fruit shake (if I am craving something sweet after supper).

I am thinking about starting to include some different raw meals and possibly include some recipes. If there is any interest in it. So, if you would like to see some raw recipes let me know! :)

Regular Cooked Menu {Monday - Friday}
With printable recipe cards (click pics to save & print) and links to original recipes.

I'm going to include breakfast & lunch plans this week as well. Since it's summer and the kids are home it really helps me to have some sort of plan for those. If you enjoy seeing the breakfast & lunch plan let me know and I'll continue to include them. :)

Also please note - I use organic, local ingredients when possible. Also the recipes usually call for all- purpose flour. I usually use a mix of 1/2 whole wheat & 1/2 white or just all whole wheat. Remember a recipe is just something to go by, feel free to change them up for health/your family's tastes.

Breakfast:

• Monday - Cereal
• Tuesday - Fresh fruit & cinnamon toast
• Wednesday - Strawberry cinnamon oatmeal
• Thursday - Waffles & fresh fruit
• Friday - Fresh fruit & yogurt

Lunch:

• Monday - Ham Sandwiches & side salad
• Tuesday - Quesadillas & homemade salsa
  
• Wednesday - Egg salad sandwiches w/carrot & celery sticks
• Thursday - Taco style lentils & rice
• Friday - Tuna salad sandwiches & raw veggies

Supper:

Monday - Ham & Cheese Quiche/Ham, Broccoli & Cheese Quiche

Tuesday - Classic Roast Chicken, Rice & Corn


Wednesday: Chicken Fried Rice

Thursday: Grilled Burgers on homemade buns, Potato Salad & Grilled Veggie Kabobs



Friday: Homemade Pizza & Salad


There you have this week's meal plan. Please let me know your thoughts. For more meal planning ideas & lots of links head over to Laura's at I'm an Organizing Junkie and at Chive Talkin.

Have a great week everyone!

Menu Plan Monday, July 6 - 10

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Giveaways, Giveaways & More Giveaways

I've been busy tonight. No not cooking, not cleaning...entering contests at Things Mom's Like! Have you been there? Oh my gosh, you have to go over to her site. She has the best giveaways over there. Not all of them Canadians can enter but the percentage that we can enter is really high. Defiantly worth going over and taking a look. There is something for everyone. She does reviews of products as well. So check out what she has tried out and see what she thinks before you go spend your hard earned cash.

Now to share with you all the giveaways I have entered tonight (please don't feel pressured to go enter though, I understand if you are too busy. ;))

First up is Rosie Bear Aunt LaLa's Log Giveaway. This is a fabulous and cute little organizer for new parents. Now I know E is already over a year, but I have all of his weights & heights recorded on a growth chart from the doctor. I could transfer them over. It has a spot for medications, last feedings & diapers (great for newborns when you need/want to keep track of that). You can check out all of the designs they offer for the log at the Rosie Bear website.

Next up, is a Nickelodeon DVD called The Wonder Pets "Ollie's Slumber Party" Giveaway. This show on Nick Jr is not only one of my children's favorites but also one of mine. I just love when they sing "The phone, the phone is ringing.." So cute! So if your kids are a fan of this show you should also put in an entry or two to win. Go read Things Mom's Like review of the video for more information about the program.

Another giveaway that is soo darling is the Lil' Miss Diva Dress Giveaway. These dresses are so cute! She is giving away 2 different ones. One for the little girls (sizes 3mon - 24 mon) that is a bloomer 2 peice dress. (A dress with a bloomer diaper cover). And a sweet dress for the bigger girls (2T to 12yrs). Go check out the giveaway to see the exact designs that are up for grabs and head over to Lil' Miss Diva too see what other things you can buy for your Lil' Diva.

This next giveaway is fantastic for all of us busy moms who want to be organized and on time to all of those appointments. It is the WhoMi How Do I Do It? Planner Pad for Busy Women Giveaway. This is something I can carry around with me to appointments and to school meetings and it isn't going to take up tons of room in my bag. The layout and the extra pockets for recipets and business cards are sure to help me stay organized (I would hope anyhow). It really looks fantastic. The WhoMi website has other products that look fantastic as well.

This one is another Nickelodeon DVD giveaway called Nick Jr. Ni Hao Kai Lan Great Trip To China. My daughter just loves the show Ni Hao Kai Lan. I don't let my kids watch a whole lot of tv (mostly because I hate the I wants that comes with seeing all the commercials), but we love a great DVD. And since this is something she loves I just couldn't resist entering. Check out what Things Mom's Like has to say about this DVD and then put in your entry.

My last and final entry for the night was for the Zumba® Fitness Total Body Transformation Collection Giveaway. This workout collection looks fantastic and fun! I went to the Zumba website to see if there were any classes locally and the closest one to me is over an hour away, so the DVD collection would be a fabulous win. They do offer classes worldwide though, so if you don't win definately check to see if there is a class near you. The classes sound very fun!

This is just a small sampling of the giveaways that Things Moms Like is offering. Even if one of these isn't something you would fancy go over to her site and see whatelse she is offering. I'm sure there is something that you will just have to try to win.

Good night & good luck!!

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Giveaways, Giveaways & More Giveaways

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Canadian Only Giveaway!

Two of a Kind, Working on a Full House is giving away a cloth swim diaper! The contest is open to Canadians only and I thought it only fair to share with any of my readers that might be Canadian. There aren't very many giveaways (especially baby products) that are aimed only at us. So here's your chance!

The Swimmi Reusable Swim Diaper is sold by New & Green Baby Co. They are based out of Vancouver. You must check out their website if you are a cloth diapering mommy. The have everything you can possibly imagine for cloth diapering.

Head over to Two of a Kind, Working on a Full House's website to read the full review of the Swimmi Reusable Swim Diaper and to enter for your chance to win!

Good Luck!

Canadian Only Giveaway!

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