Regular Simple Syrup & Cherry Simple Syrup - It's really simple!

Simple Syrup. 
It's easy to make and can be store in the fridge in a container. 
One of it's best known uses is for lemonade but it is used in cocktails, mocktails, as well as many baking recipes. 
To make a basic simple syrup you will need equal parts sugar and water. - (your choice of sugar - if not using white sugar the colour and taste will differ) A good amount can be made with 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water. 


Put the sugar and water in a sauce pan over heat and stir often until the sugar and water are melted/mixed together. 

Remove from heat and let cool for a bit before putting into the container... 
It really is that simple.


Adding fruit to the mix is genius! 

Making a simple syrup with fruit is absolutely delicious and also has many uses! 

You will need equal parts of all ingredients.  
1 cup of sugar
1 cup of water 
1 cup of purees cherries
1 cup of whole cherries (pitted) 

Instructions: 
Heat all sugar, water, and pureed cherries together in whole cherries and cook until they are soft.
Pour mixture through a strainer (sieve) to remove all of the chunks and store in a container in the fridge. 

There are many uses for this cherry simple syrup - we tried it over ice cream and the kids loved it! 

Thicken it up and use it on pancakes, as a sauce, mixed in a vinaigrette dressing....there are so. many. options.. 

Use your imagination and pick your fruit..blueberry...strawberry...

Enjoy and thank me later! 



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The Edmonton Bike Swap - Saturday May 9th!

On Saturday May 9th the 4th annual bike swap is taking place at Northlands in Hall A here in Edmonton. All bikes have gone through basic tech check and prices can vary from $50 and upwards. 
**It is still not mentioned if this year they will have children's bikes**

Selling your bike(s)
Drop off time to sell your bike is 8:00am - 2:00pm. Keep in mind sellers have to pay a $15 rack fee per bike at the time of drop off (unless you are an AMA member and then you will save $5 per bike that you consign). 
More details for selling your bike are here. 

Buy a bike 
The sale is open 2:30pm-4:00pm. This a popular sale and people line up early to get first dips on some amazing bikes.  Make sure you bring cash or your debit with you. They do not accept credit!

Admission
Adults (Over 12 years of age)  $2
Children (12 years and younger) FREE 

Not in Edmonton? There are also bike swaps in Calgary & Red Deer happening soon too! Check out the details here.

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Parenting in a parking lot - the first stressful 2 to 3 kids moment.

This morning we passed several washrooms to which Carter swore up and down that he absolutely did not have to use the washroom. 

We were driving in the van and Carter shouts 
"I have to go. I have to go now. I am going to pee my pants" 

Normally I can say okay we will be home soon, but the urgency was evident.
I pulled into the first place I could, which was a McDonalds. I parked as close to the door, helped Carter out of the van walked him to the door and he ran to the bathroom. As luck would have it Sophie was also feeling rather feisty today and didn't want to leave the van - and now we have Finley too.. 

I panicked just tad. 

My son has gone to the bathroom in a public place all by himself for the first time. My daughter is having a fit and refuses to leave the van. I can not carry her and the baby. 

I was that mom who was literally in the middle of the parking lot running from the van to the door of McDonalds (where I could see the bathroom door) and back, keeping constant verbal contact with Sophie - who was now watching Garfield.

Me- "Sophie how are you doing, Sophie" 
Sophie- "Good mom"
Me- "How's Finley" 
Sophie- "His eyes are closed" 
Me- "I'm just watching for your brother, k Soph" 
Sophie- "Mmmm Hmmm" 

I am not sure how to prepare for this type of situation for the future but hopefully it doesn't include me running back and forth through a parking lot again. 



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DIY Ice Cream Sandwiches

Summer is coming and we are going to be trying lots of cool treats! One thing the kids love are ice cream sandwiches. 
I always like to try making stuff from scratch at least once and I was pleasantly surprised with how these turned out. 

Making the cookie 

Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees 

Mix 4 table spoons of butter, 1/4 cup coconut oil, and 1 cup coconut palm sugar in the mixer until it is smooth.
Add in 2 large eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 2 cups of flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt.

Once all mixed, lightly flour your rolling surface and roll out the dough and use a cookie cutter in the shape that you want your ice cream sandwiches to be made. 

You will need to do this several times to use all of your dough. During the process, the dough will begin to get dry - anytime that happens grease your fingers with a little coconut oil and work it into the dough - it will soften again! 

Cook in oven for 8 mins, once removed transfer to cooling rack immediately. 

Once the cookies have cooled
You need ice cream! Whether you make your own or use store bought you need to work with the ice cream quick. Working with melting ice cream is a complete messy nightmare... (we had a few casualties) 

You do not need to cover the whole cookie with ice cream - make sure you leave room around the edges. Add another cookie on top, wrap and put it in the freezer QUICK!! - I haven't quite mastered this yet.. 

I rolled some of mine in sprinkles and coloured coconut and they were delicious.. ours didn't last past 4 days - but if yoursdo they keep well in the freezer for a good 3 months! 



Do you have any ice cream sandwich hacks for working with the ice cream and making these sandwiches so you don't create a melty mess? 
Please share below! 



The recipe for the cookie part of the ice-cream sandwiches was adapted from Annie's Eats


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Finger Jello - a classic recipe from my mom's recipe box!

I recently had the chance to raid my moms recipe box. You know that grey box filled with recipe cards?? There are so many gems in there! 
One of the recipes that I came across was for finger Jello.  It's easy to make and kids love them. 

What you need
3 packages of Jello (or any generic brand) 
4 1/2 teaspoons of Gelatin 
Favorite cookie cutters
Cookie sheet/ cake pan

Directions
Boil water on stove for Jello
Dissolve Gelatin into 1 cup of warm water - put to the side
Empty Jello packet into a bowl
Add 3 cups of boiling water to Jello and mix
Add Gelatin mix to Jello
Pour onto pan and put it into the fridge to set (I left mine in the fridge for 5 hrs)
When the finger Jello is set use your favourite cookie cutters to cut out the Jello or you can cut it into cubes. 
**If you are using cookie cutter you will have the pieces around the cut outs left...we kept ours and mixed them with whipping cream for a fun desert**

I hope that these are as big of a hit for your little ones as they were for mine! 



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Volunteer Opportunities that you can do with your kids in Edmonton and surrounding areas.

As parents our goals are to help teach our children compassion, empathy, patience, amongst many other attributes and I believe that volunteering is one way to do so. One of my goals while on Maternity leave this time around is to volunteer with Carter, Sophie, and Finley. While are so many volunteer opportunities for me to participate in and quite a few that allow children of 12 to volunteer, opportunities that allow younger children are few and far between. 

Whether you have the ability to commit short term or something more consistent - there is something for everyone!
To get to the website for each place listed just click on the name and it will bring you to their website! 


Edmonton

Adopt a Block - Families with children of all ages are welcome to volunteer. Pick an area in your neighbourhood, a school, or a park to be responsible to clean from May to September. For more information call 780.944.5470

Capital Care - Volunteer with your little ones for the "Generation Mix" positions.  Visit with residents and see how much they enjoy having visits from you and of course your little ones! 

Fruits of Sherbrooke - Volunteer to help rescue (pick) fruit from homes in the City. This fruit is used in their delicious and well known preserves. Children of all ages are welcome to volunteer with a participating adult. Call Christina @ 780.244.0129 (No membership is required to be purchased in order to volunteer)

Edmonton Humane Society - Volunteer for the Parent and Me program. It is  preferred that children be of school age. 

Good Samaritan Society - Children 12 and over are allowed to volunteer independently, children under 12 can volunteer with a parent. There are various opportunities available. 


Sherwood Park

Pitch-In - Starts on May 8th with the Keep it Clean event. Pick an area in your community to help keep clean. For more information call 780.467.2211 or email recreation@strathcona.ca

Capital Care - Volunteer with your little ones for the "Generation Mix" positions. 
Visit with residents and see how much they enjoy having visits from you and of course your little ones! 

St. Albert

Partners in the Park - Starts on May 9th. Pick an area in your community to keep clean from April to October to  Contact Nicole Synowec at nsynowec@stalbert.ca or 780.459.1755 ext 3030. 

Capital Care - Volunteer with your little ones for the "Generation Mix" positions.  Visit with residents and see how much they enjoy having visits from you and of course your little ones! 


Other options for one time volunteer opportunities! 

• Contact your local community league to inquire about volunteer opportunities 
• Volunteer for Santa's Annoynmous
• Volunteer to help collect bottles for a bottle drive
• Register for a kids marathon and collect money for the cause 
• Help someone to mow their lawn or plant a garden. 

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My kids are obsessed with the FunToyzCollector

The other day the show that Carter & Sophie were watching on Netflix ended and somehow Sophie managed to navigate to YouTube.... all I could hear was some lady talking about Teletubbies. 

When I came down to see what was on - it was the FunToyzCollector. 

All this lady does is open up toys on camera. You don't even see her face.

It's called "unboxing".. 

Now all Carter and Sophie want to watch is this lady open up different character stacking cups, kinder eggs, and other small toys. They are obsessed.

Obviously they aren't alone because according to Google - this unknown lady made around 5 million dollars in 2014.. YES 5 million dollars opening up toys online...

Check out her most viewed YouTube video.. 

Regardless of how much I want to not watch this lady..it is still better than Caillou.. 

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3 classes in Edmonton that will help you keep fit and bring your sexy back! #exercise #prebaby #yegexercise

For me taking a class that encourages me to love my body and work with what I have, is a class that definitely makes me feel great! After recently having a baby this is something that is important for me to feel, because lets face it - post baby sometimes pretty much most of the time your body is just not where you want it to be! 

I have specifically been to a Burlesque Boom class as well as a class at Aradia Fitness and these are classes that I could do every day! As in they were fun - don't get me wrong they definitely kicked my ass too....

The majority of these places have options for a drop in class or to just take a 1 hour class to see if its something that you like (for a small fee). 

To get to the website for each place just click on the name and it will take to there!

Burlesque  
Burlesque Boom
Edmonton Burlesque Centre 
Desert Rose Dance Studios Inc. 

Pole Dancing 
Pole Junkies 
Aradia Fitness  

Belly Dancing  
Bedouin Beats
Desert Rose Dance Studios Inc.
School of Raq

Now who want to be my Booty & Body Shaper partner @ Aradia??!!!

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What to do with all that Easter chocolate!

Even though we didn't buy a lot of chocolate for the kids, they still received lots from other people...and there is A LOT!! And to be honest my will power is lacking these days.. 

I have the answer on what to do with the chocolate. It's fun, easy, and tasty!  

Chocolate bowls


What you need

Left over chocolate, balloons, and a double boiler (or a pot and bowl which works just as good - AND its what we used) 

You will also need a cookie sheet covered on wax or parchment paper to put the balloons on after dipping in chocolate!

Steps
Blow up your balloons to about 1/4 of their size. 
Boil water in the pot and place your bowl into the pot once the water is boiling.
Put chocolate into the bowl and stir until its melted and all smooth.
Remove from heat.

**Tip** Chocolate should be hot enough that it is melted but not so hot that you can't dip your finger in it. Otherwise the balloon will pop like this one. 
<<<<<------------------

Take the blown up balloon and roll the balloon in the chocolate coating the whole bottom with chocolate. 







Once all the balloons have been dipped let them cool on the baking sheet. You can put them in the fridge to cool faster. 

When deflating the balloon cut a small hole on the top. The goal is to have it deflate - NOT pop. 

Slowly pull the balloon from the chocolate bowl and it is ready to use for whatever dessert you desire. 

We put cut up banana's and greek yogurt with some sprinkles in ours, and it was DELICIOUS! 

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Wild Rapids Waterpark - Sylvan Lake #summer #wildrapids #BigMoo

Growing up we went to Sylvan lake a lot! A great deal my childhood memories are from this lake and all the fun we had here. 

If you are planning on going to the Wild Rapids Waterpark at Sylvan Lake this year, check out their 2 for 1 deal. Until May 31st you can purchase 2 general admission tickets for $35! That's a 50% savings. 

Sylvan lake is a mere 1.5 hours South of Edmonton, and it's a great place to go for a day trip. 

You can pack your lunch and eat outside the gates at their picnic tables or you can purchase lunch inside the park. Regardless save room for a treat at the The Big Moo Ice Cream Parlour because their ice cream is delicious! (visit their Facebook page to enter their contest to win 2 free ice cream sundaes of your choice - the winner is announce on April 11th) 



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Free bowling all summer for the kids! #yegbowling #freebowling #familyfun

My mom has been bowling in a league for a few years now. Both Carter and Sophie love going to visit when she is bowling. This most recent time Carter asked several million times when we could go bowling. If we could bowl right then and there. When could we go bowling... You get the point.... It was ALOT!! 

I was excited to learn that Kids Bowl Free is offering free bowling again this summer (2015).
Signing up is easy just go here and follow the easy steps!
Once you are signed up you pick your preferred bowling alley and the only thing that you need to bring money for is shoe rentals. 
(Most shoe rentals are $2-$3)
Each kid gets 2 free games a day! 

*Hint* If you want to bowl at more then one place you will need to register again with a different email address. 

Another great option is for $29.99 USD ($38 CDN) up to 4 family members can bowl 2 free games a day as well. (Shoe rental fee's still apply). 
This is fun budget friendly way to get out of the house, get some exercise, and spend time with friends and family! 

Don't forget to like Kids Bowl Free on Facebook and also follow them on Twitter! 

We signed up for the St.Albert bowling alley, maybe we will see you there! 

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I don't regret having a c-section and neither should you.

I have birthed 3 beautiful and healthy children. These births also happened to all be c-sections and all 3 occurred for different reasons. 

When I took Finely for his 2 week appointment recently, the doctor asked me how long I had laboured and I explained that is was a c-section. After that she asked me how I felt that is was a c-section. I of course told her the recovery sucks but that I was fine with it, and then asked why?? She proceeded to tell me about an increase of encounters with moms that really feel like they have been denied a proper birth, let down, jipped, some even depressed because if having a c-section. 

I also recently read about someone saying that people that have c-sections are taking the easy way out of birth. To anyone that says that, there is nothing easy about having your stomach cut open, various layers severed, not being able to lift anything heavier than your baby for 6 weeks ESPECIALLY if you have other children, repairing your abs (or lack of abs in my case ), nerve pain, parts of your stomach being numb for forever, heck even wiping your butt for the first little bit is challenging for awhile...and don't even get me started on the gong show of having to insert a suppository of pain medication. 

If you gave birth vaginally good for you! I know you had to endure painful contractions, the ring of fire (nope not a Johnny Cash reference), potential tears and stitches and everything else.

So here it is - I don't feel like I missed out on anything. I don't feel like my journey was any less important than the mom who didn't have a c-section. And truth be told isn't it the end result for everyone the same? We got pregnant to have children not to judge how the baby got here. And now that baby is here. 

We need to let personal choices be, not bash each other for something so personal, and at times uncontrollable, and we should celebrate the fact that we brought a new life into this world. Period. Mmmmmmkay? 

Delicious 4 ingredient fruit dip!

Today we are going for a playdate and we are bringing fruit & fruit dip that we made! 

This fruit dip is very easy to make and tastes delicious. It's the perfect dip for any occasion! 

Ingredients: 

• 1 container of Jett Puffed Marshmallow Creme 
• 1 package of cream cheese
• 1 cup strawberry yogurt 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

• Put all ingredients into a mixing bowl and mix together until it is blended together and smooth. 
• Put the dip into the fridge to set for at least 1 hour. 
• Serve with your favourite fruit. 

Enjoy

5 places that give YOU something FREE on YOUR birthday #happybirthday #free *another place added*

WHO CAN BEAT FREE??

One thing that I love is getting free stuff, especially free stuff for my birthday. In this post I have included my 5 favourite places that I signed up for. Some require you to get the free item on the day of your actual birthday and some give you a time frame to claim the item. Keep in mind you have to sign up for the programs to qualify! Also its important to remember that due to processing you should sign up 4-6 weeks before to ensure you get in on your free birthday gifts.

Go now, sign up, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY. 

Booster Juice
Sign up for Booster Nation and you will receive and email with a coupon for a free smoothie. 

David's Tea 
Sign up for the DavidTea Frequent Steeper Program. On your birthday go in tell them it's your birthday and you will receive a free cup of tea! 

Red Robin
Sign up here and Red Robin will send you an email with a coupon for a free burger.

Shoppers
Sign up here for a Shoppers Optimum Card and on your birthday you will receive an email for 8,000 Shoppers Optimum points! That's $10 worth of points! 

The Comic Strip (In Edmonton) 
Join the Birthday Club and you will receive a free ticket for a show. 
(Not valid on Saturdays or for special presentations) 

Moxies
With a purchase of a meal tell them it's your birthday (it actually has to be your birthday) and you get a free dessert. You can choose between chocolate brownie, mini cheese cakes, or a mini sticky toffee pudding.