O Canada

A few years ago a friend from the USA and I decided to mail each other a box of goodies - things you couldn't find in each other's own Country. It was probably one of the most fun things I've received in the mail to date. Here's what she had sent me:

I still haven't found any of these here in stores in Canada. Which sucks because this stuff was awesome. White chocolate reeses anyone? Those Symphony bars? My fave.

I find it really fun the things we can get in Canada but American's can't and have no clue what some of them are and  vise versa. Although I'm a bit jealous of some of the stuff available in the US.

When I brought up on twitter a few years ago that in Ontario we enjoy our milk in Bags. "A BAG?" People were so stunned. I posted about it on Instagram not long after and got the same reaction. I did some research and found out that the most common way to purchase milk in Central and Eastern Canada is in a bag.

MILK IN A BAG? SAY WHAAA?

Yes. Milk in a bag has 3 smallers bags within the bag of milk. All 3 bags of milk equal 4L of milk total. You can purchase jugs, and even cartons of milk. All different sizes but bags only come with 4L. 

We store the big bag of milk on the bottom shelf of our fridge and pull out the individaul bags as needed. We put them in our milk jugs and cut off the tip and use when needed. No, it doesn't go bad and we don't have to cover the cut in the bag. Pretty neat huh?

Other treats can you get in Canada but possibly not in the USA?

Well, there's a lot of things but here are the few I can think of my faves...

Chocolate Bars - Coffee Crisp, Crunchie, Crispy Crunch, Mint Aero just to name a few.

Chapman's Ice Cream

Ruffles All Dressed and Lays Ketchup Chips!

 

Kinder Surprise Eggs

 Poutine

Smarties

Have you gotten a treat from over the border and wish you could get it locally? SHARE in the comments below!

Birthday Season!

When May rolls around we all tend to get excited. Not just because the warmer weather is upon us but because in our house that means Birthday Season has arrived! All of our kids were born May - Oct. We have 1 in May, June, August, 2 in Sept and October. My hubby is in June and I'm in July. So not only do we have a lot of celebrating and fun going on, but we eat a lot of cake.  A LOT OF CAKE.

This year so far we've had 2 of the kids Birthday's and yesterday was my hubby's Birthday. 

My sister in law dropped this off for him yesterday as a wonderful surprise, and it was delicious.

Back in the beginning of June, June 6th was Jayden's 5th Birthday....

And of course, May 11th was little Jackson's 3rd Birthday... He's OBSESSED with Cars.

 

We are really lucky my sister in law does them for us. She does a great job too! They are really delicious. She was doing this for fun and to make a bit of cash but she's decided to just do it for friends and family for the time being, and we aren't complaining :)

I guess when planning our family we really didn't think due dates, or Birthday's through all that much. It's a lot having Birthday's back to back, but we do it and I don't see any of the kids complaining.

Jordan and Justin are a few days apart for Birthday's too. Jordan is September 7th and Justin is September 9th, and my Brother is the 10th. Kind of neat how that all worked out, and Jordan thinks its fabulous his little brother ALMOST came on his Birthday. He did want to share - He thought it would be really cool, even if the age gap was 10 years!

Did you plan for when your kids due dates would be and when they'd be born? Did you space them out or not worry about it like us?

#KFCBucketList Contest & Shutterfly Prize Pack Giveaway!

There are few things in life I crave but KFC is a big one! I don't eat it often because I try to make most of our meals nightly but this week we decided to take advantage of a gift card I got for KFC and I'm SO glad we did, it was DELICIOUS.

KFC has a Bucket List contest going on! Do YOU have a bucket list? Is there a dream destination you'd love to visit? A concert you are just DYING to see? Share with me below some of the things you'd add to your bucket list!

Summer can be busy, stressful and on the go for many families how about trying a KFC bucket or Combo to help ease the stress a little bit? Why not especially when there is an amazing contest going on too!

Before I go into all the details of this wonderful KFC Bucket List Contest I thought I would share my bucket list with you! How fun, right?

My Bucket List:

• - Visit 2 Countries besides my own
• - Visit my Mom's grave
• - Meet Nick Carter
• - See whales swimming in the ocean where they belong
• - Stay a week in Sunny California
• - Move to a big city
• - Climb a Mountain
• - Run a 5K
• - Play the slots in Vegas
• - Go on a REAL Hike
• - Go back to Montreal

My bucket list has been around for years and I can happily say a few have been crossed off now, because I've done them!

Here I am meeting Nick Carter after being a huge fan of the Backstreet Boys since I was ELEVEN years old! 

The easiest part of a bucket list is making it, the hardest is not only crossing them off but sitting and looking at it yearly and not crossing them off! It's time to make more of these happen, I'm on a mission! 

This summer there are plans for me to visit Montreal with the kids and I just signed up to be apart of a 5K in September! My mom's grave has been on the list since her passing in 2001. I have had plans many times to go every year, but I just haven't been able to yet. Emotionally I think I'm not ready yet.

Have you heard yet about the #KFCBucketList? Well, heres what you need to know!

KFC Has a Bucket List Contest going on from May 12 - June 15:

• With every purchase of any bucket or combo, you'll receive a game card that gives you a 1 in 3 chance of winning.

• Every bucket or combo ALSO has an instant peel and reveal food prize and PIN that you enter online to reveal your prize.

What are these prizes you ask? Well I'll tell you:

• - THREE grand prizes of $10,000 to bud your own dream vacation
• - FIVE $5,000 Earth to Echo Adventures
• - FIVE $10,000 Pepsi Dream Rooms
• - FORTY $300 Try That Prizes
• - Over THREE MILLLION Shutterfly Prizes
• - Over ONE MILLION Food Prizes

KFC Has a wonderful offer on a 12 piece bucket for only $14.99 - please visit bit.ly/1jWQwOc for the KFC Bucket List contest and information!

GIVEAWAY!

SHUTTERFLY PRIZEPACK GIVEAWAY RIGHT HERE ON SIX TIME MOMMY!

This giveaway is for Canadian's only (see post below US friends!)

WINNER WILL RECEIVE:

One Shutterfly Prizepack: Shutterfly calendar, 15 free cards and collage print.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

NOTE: You can apply across blogs participating, but may only win one time per household. Please allow 2-3 weeks after May 30th for shipping of prizes. GOOD LUCK! Giveaway ends 5/12 11:59p EST winner will be emailed by STM the day of 5/13! CANADA ONLY.

Disclosure: I am part of the KFC Bucket List Blogger Campaign and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Guest Blog: The Frustrations of a Picky Eater.

Let me start by saying my children for the most part are very good eaters. They usually eat all of their meals including fruits and vegetables. I have never been the mom to cook separate meals for my kids, they eat what we are eating and that is that.

The past 3-4 weeks my daughter who is 5 today has been a complete nightmare. Bringing home full lunches, only having a few bites at dinner and constantly complaining about what I make. I really am at a loss of what to do. Dinners have always been my least favourite time of day because she is such a slow eater. Since she is in full day school exhaustion can now be added to the mix. We are constantly having to remind her to stop talking and to take another bite. I don't know if that's normal but it's something we have to do or she will go on and on and not eat.

My son who is 22 months old is an amazing eater. He shovels food into his mouth like it's going out of style. I hate to compare the two of them, but I do find myself sometimes saying, "look at your brothers plate, he is done". Dinners almost always end up with my daughter in tears, facing a time out or my husband or myself raising our voices.

I want, no I NEED some solace at mealtime. I don't know when or if this will happen anytime soon, but it's getting to the point where I dread sitting down to eat. I don't know what has come over her all of a sudden and I wish I knew what to do to get her back on track.

In her lunch tomorrow she has her bagel, an assortment of fruit, water and a yogurt. There is no juice, and absolutely no junk! If this lunch comes home untouched I think I may cry.

I really hope this is just a phase that she snaps out of quickly. Of course I understand kids don't like everything us adults do and certain things definitely don't strike their taste buds. I just want her to be eating the way she was just a few short weeks ago.

If you have any experience with picky eaters, suggestions or tips please leave a comment. I am getting quite desperate. Thanks for reading and have a wonderful Wednesday!! Heidi <3

Guest Blog: Community Shared Agriculture/CSA

Hi everyone, it's Heidi on this wonderful Wednesday. For my guest blog today want to discuss...

Community Shared Agriculture Or CSA - is a system of growing and distributing organic produce that restores the link between the farmers and city dwellers.

What is a share? “A Share” is the term we use for the box of fresh, certified organic produce you will receive, weekly or biweekly.

Yesterday I signed up to take part in this wonderful opportunity. I have been looking into buying local organic produce this way for quite some time but never have for whatever reason. A few weeks back I received an email from the local farm who organizes and takes care of everything. I had completely forgotten abut the shares, so I was grateful for the email. After receiving  the email, I knew that this was definitely something to further investigate. Their website is very user friendly and provides so much useful information.

After discussing with my hubby and deciding if this was the financially practical way to go, we both said yes. It really is a great way to purchase amazingly fresh, local, organic produce. We are supporting our local farmers, while knowing exactly where our food is coming from. To me that is a great feeling. The fact that it is no more expensive then me going to the supermarket is the cherry on top.

Our first delivery is set to arrive next Tuesday. I cant wait to see what will be included. I know this is going to force us to cook with things that I would never even think to try let alone buy at the supermarket. It's definitely going to make us get more creative with our cooking, but that could be a good thing right? Since trying to eat more of a paleo diet we have incorporated way more vegetables into our lifestyle. I think we are going to love this.

"It’s about more than just vegetables. It’s about supporting your local economy and local farm families."

Thanks so much for reading. Heidi <3

Keep your eyes peeled on the blog, because Jeanine has a wonderful giveaway coming up from Boba!!!

Winter Sickness, AGAIN!

It's most definitely winter, not only outside but inside as well. I'm sick, again! This time instead of the flu I had a few weeks ago, I've got a horrible cold. It wouldn't be terribly bad except I now can't hear out of my right ear. That's never fun for anyone, at any given time.

3/6 kids also have the sniffles and are just feeling genuinely icky. What could be better than a big bowl of soup? What about home made Chicken Pot Pie soup?? Oh yes, I decided to make Skinny Taste's Chicken Pot Pie Soup the other night and it was amazing. It's the ultimate comfort food. It's creamy, loaded with veggies and big chunks of chicken.

 If you need some comfort food (who doesn't?) I highly suggest Skinny Tastes's Chicken Pot Pie Soup. My kid's even asked for seconds, and then wanted more the next day for lunch! It was really good, and easy to make! 

I've been doing my diet strictly for 5 days now, even though I started on the 1st (I didn't have a scale to start properly until 5 days ago!) and I have lost 8lbs in those 5 days. I feel amazing (minus this awful cold I'm battling) and I absolutely love how I'm eating now. I changed my diet 100% and I've started working out 20 minutes in the morning, and 20 minutes in the evening. Once the weather warms up I plan to go for runs, and jogs as well but right now that isn't an option in all the ice and freezing -35 temperatures we are having during the day right now.

Because of those awful temperatures we aren't getting out much, which can make a person go a little stir crazy. I've been keeping busy working, working out and making healthy, low cal snacks and treats for myself but I'd really love to go out for some walks, or perhaps a jog. I really can't wait for Spring to come. 

I have a wonderful review and giveaway coming up, have you ever heard of the Baby Shusher? Well, if you haven't you won't want to miss this. I will be reviewing one and giving one away. The baby shusher is a unique product that helps calmly soothe babies to sleep. Head on over to the website to have a little look! Stay tuned!

Guest Blog: The Wonderful World of Bento!

Hey everyone, it's Heidi here on another wonderful Wednesday.

I hope everyone is well during this crazy stressful time of year. Today I am going to talk about school lunches, in particular the Bento meal.

Bento is defined as a single-portion takeout or home-packed meal common in Japanese culture. A traditional bento holds rice, fish or meat, with pickled or cooked vegetables, usually in a box-shaped container.

It was around 6 months ago that I really got into this bento craze. I saw a ton of awesome pictures on instagram displaying these incredibly cute, compact healthy lunches. In even cuter bento boxes with all of these amazing accessories that go along with it. I had been struggling for sometime to get my 4 year old daughter to eat her lunch in a timely manner without a fight. Once I saw these I knew I had to try them. These would be my answer to getting her to eat healthy lunches while making it fun. I placed my first order in July to a wonderful Etsy shop in japan, "Bento A Day". I received my order within a week to Canada, which I was totally shocked about. Upon opening the package with my daughter I explained to her what these item were for and how they were going to make lunchtime fun.  We were both extremely excited and I couldn't wait to see if my plan was going to work. The next day I made our first bento lunches and boy was she in love.

I knew with My daughter starting school in September that these would ensure she would eat most of what was packed for her. Almost everyday her lunch is coming home empty, which makes me extremely happy. While at the school for meet the teacher the subject of lunch came up and my daughters teacher couldn't stop raving about how wonderful these bento lunches were. It made me feel extremely proud to hear some recognition that wasn't just from my DD.

If you have a picky eater or maybe just a child who is bored or the same old thing, you should definitely look into the world of bentoing. We have not missed a single school day of using these great boxes and accessories. She looks forward to opening her lunch everyday and finding out what we packed for her and how unique it looks.

As much as I despise the chore of making lunches I am so glad to make these bentos because she truly does enjoy them. I know one day not too far down the road she will be too "grown up" for them, so I will enjoy this while I can.

 

<3 Heidi