Summer Feature: President's Choice - Healthy choices within your reach ! ( + Giveaway) 7/15 ( Open to Canada)

Blazing sun, high humidity - NOT fun!

When it feels like 35 deg C, I do not want to go anywhere near the stove. Since I am the only chef at home, I have to fix something quickly for dinner and get away from the stove. "Quick fixes" in food are not always healthy. And we stay away from fast food.

I usually do not walk down the frozen section aisle as I make fresh food. This summer I decided to take a peep to see if I can find something healthy so that I do not have to make an elaborate dinner on a hot summer day.

One brand had healthy choices at reasonable prices. I could just reach for them and not worry about all the fat that I would be feeding my family.

When you see "Blue Menu", you know it's a healthier choice. Here's why:

PC's Blue Menu makes eating less fat, less sodium, more fibre, and more Omega-3s plus other nutritional benefits, delicious.

Today the brand includes 400+ products, each of which have been developed with, and tested by, a registered dietician.

So, here's what we had for dinner:

PC Blue Menu Thick & Juicy Lean Beef Burgers

They are thick, juicy and very tasty. I did not feel like I ate a whole cup of butter! The burgers are thick even after cooking them. I pan fried them without adding any oil. I am sure they will taste so much better when cooked on a barbeque! Thumbs up to these Lean Beef Burgers!

I had some PC Meatballs in my freezer, so I picked up the PC Meatball Cooking Sauce.

It was slightly on the sweeter side but I hate spicy foods during summer, so it suits me. My family also liked it.

Here's the star of all foods - dessert! The one I tried is incredibly awesome - never tasted something like this before. It is the PC Blue Menu Swirl Smoothie Raspberry.

These are just 90 calories of cold, creamy, velvety smooth and low fat, luscious dessert bars made with real fruit purées and concentrated fruit juices. Great alternative to sugary pops! This swirl smoothie received a very warm welcome in my house that they melted on our tongues and disappeared quickly!

To know more about PC's signature dishes for this summer, visit President's Choice.

If you want to try these products, you might want to enter this giveaway.

President's Choice is offering one lucky Canadian Reader, the chance to win a $25 GC!

Visit www.LaptopLunches.com.

Back to School 2012 : One shoe, 3 great features. See Kai Run has them all ! ( + Giveaway) 7/25 ( US / CAN)

Without any doubt, children inspire the world in new and fresh ways. See Kai Run was born when a Seattle mom was inspired by her son when searching for a comfortable pair of shoes. Desperate for good quality shoes that would meet her son's need in fun styles, she went on to create the brand that is popular today for its " sophisticated styles that are suitable for outdoor play and still promotes the healthy development of little feet".

Did you spot the 3 features yet ?

Since its inception, See Kai Run has created shoes for every age starting from birth to toddlers. As they grew, the demand for the same quality shoes for older kids became a pressing need to design shoes for school-aged kids.Thus the exclusive " Kai " collection was added as another feather in their cap.

When I say that a child can grow in See Kai Run, this is what I mean.The same shoe, designed to fit the feet of different aged children. The customized design meets the growing needs of busy little feet. It is evident that See Kai Run products are made with the needs of little ones in mind.

As I was feasting on the adorable collection they had for little boys, I constantly had to remind myself not to get infatuated but to look for quality. But EVERYTHING was so damn good-looking AND made with high quality materials and excellent designs. Two-in-one! Every piece is designed with for looking stylish and comfortable play.

Comfortable padded collar
Adjustable hook and loop closures make shoes easy to get on and ensure a great fit
Breathable leather lining
Soft, but durable leather uppers
Cushioned insole
Sturdy, flexible sole is healthy for growing feet and built to last
Styling and construction tailored to older kids

We got the same Emmett Green shoes and they look exactly the same as pictured in the website.

Along with its top quality leather, padded soles, smart green color, stylish looks and the velcro straps the Emmett Green shoes is a top choice for my preschooler this back to school season !

From plush carpets to black roads, these shoes have been to places with us now ! I absolutely adore how they look and my son has no complaints on his comfort level while in these shoes.

Since the leather in soft, rough play can leave some scratches on the leather. But I wiped it off with some good quality shoe oil and it still looks good!

These Emmett Green Shoes can be purchased for $52.99. They are definitely worth the price and to me, there is no compromise on quality when it comes to shoes.

Now that I have shown you how much we love these shoes, I want you to see some more of their collection. They carry sandals, boots, shoes for special occasions and organic socks for children.

Aren't they gorgeous?!

It's time for See Kai Run to create the "Big Foot" collection for adults! I want one !!

Special thanks to See Kai Run for generously offering a giveaway for my readers.
Enter this giveaway to win a pair of shoes of your choice!

Hygiene meets fun. Thanks Orajel !

We often over look the preventive measures that can be taken to prevent cavities.

A recent article in The New York Times mentioned that there has been a sharp increase in young children with cavities ( six cavities being the minimum).

The best practice is to start good, regular oral hygiene habits at a young age. We all have heard this enough. Sometimes or most times, kids fight brushing routine. My son went through a season when he hated it and wanted nothing to do with it. I somehow managed to keep up with it by making up silly songs, brushing in front of a mirror, buying character themed toothpaste and so on. There was only so much I could do to make it a fun experience!

Orajel has merged the two concepts of good oral hygiene and fun to make brushing a more enjoyable task.

Here's the brand new product from Orajel:

New Orajel® Toddler MY WAY!™

New Orajel^® Toddler MY WAY!™ Girls Fluoride-Free Toothpaste is a great starting point for moms teaching their toddlers about dental care.

Fluoride-free and safe if swallowed .
Helps to remove plaque when brushing.
Promotes good oral hygiene at an early age.
Gluten-free, dairy-free and sodium lauryl sulfate-free.
Comes with over 100 stickers, including animals, sports, rock star and princess-themed designs, so kids can decorate their toothpaste their way
Has a customizable stand up tube that can be decorated any way your kids like
To be used by children 18 months to four years

As always read instructions on packaging before use to know what is best for your child!

Now available in retailers across Canada for $3.79

New Orajel® Kids My Way!™

This Anti-cavity Fluoride Toothpaste is a fun and exciting way to transition from fluoride-free to a fluoride toothpaste.

Great-tasting fruit flavour
Helps to strengthen and protect teeth from cavities.
Comes with over 100 stickers, including animals, sports, rock star and princess-themed designs, so kids
Can decorate their toothpaste their way
Letter stickers allows kids to add their name and personalize their toothpaste
Has a customizable stand up tube that can be decorated any way your kids like.
Children 4 years of age and older. Brush teeth thoroughly, preferably after each meal, or at least 2 times daily, or as directed by a health care practitioner
Children under six years of age using this product should only use a pea sized amount and be supervised to brush properly and to not swallow

Consumers are advised to read instructions on packaging before use.

Medicinal Ingredient: Fluoride 0.11% W/W (as Sodium Fluoride 0.243% W/W)

Now available in retailers across Canada. SRP: $5.49

The anti-cavity toothpaste is just what we needed ! Though there is no eating sweets in the evening in my house, sometimes I just can't get my son to brush. We were also sent a tooth brush holder where my son proudly hangs his tooth brush and he has his toothpaste decorated with his favorite stickers. He is happy to brush his teeth!

I am very satisfied with the toothpaste as it protects teeth from cavities. It is a great product to introduce to your children.

Disclosure: I received a sample for review purpose only. No monetary compensation was received. The above post reflects my personal opinion.

Summer Feature: Hapari Swimwear - Modest Swimwear for all ! ( + $85 gift card to be won!) 7/22 ( US / CAN)

Hapari swimwear has been making waves this summer ! With their stylish designs, bold patterns and awesome colors, Hapari swimwear has become the favorite of many women.

Consider the styles they offer for women with different tastes to suit their bodies.

The selections offered will appeal to women with different body types. Those who have a medium frame and want to be more modest with their swimwear can go for one of the above looks. Tankinis are a huge hit these days due to their versatility and they blend easily well with most solid colored bottoms.

Hapari Swimwear also offers plus size swimwear for women. They offer a wide variety of patterns and designs. You can be sure to find the one for you!

Here's my favorite little secret from Hapari...this feature? I love it the most and look forward to trying!

Hapari’s swimsuits are designed with body shaping secrets that flatter every figure. From our tummy taming Tummy Tuk and skirted bottoms to S.O.S. under wire tops, no matter your “problem” area, we have a solution that will help you feel great in your suit.

Hapari also specializes in mastectomy swimwear. If you are on the look for one, you can try the one from Hapari's Collection.

I have browsed through Hapari's website many times and it is one of the best places to find modest swimwear.

Special thanks to Hapari swimwear for for sponsoring a giveaway on my blog!

One lucky reader will have the chance to win a $85 gift card to shop at Hapari!

Mandatory entry:

Visit Hapari Swimwear's website and tell me which one is your favorite choice.It is mandatory that you leave a link to your favorite swimwear in the comments section.

Any entry that does not fulfill the mandatory entry will be disqualified.

From my previous review of Mohawk Rugs, I have grown to really like the brand. Our rug is still going strong even after much use.

Every summer, I like to "purge" my house and literally get rid of clothes and toys that have been outgrown. Unused things have to go - to the needy or be sold or leave it on the curb for someone. I love the feeling of having space and like to organize things so as to maximize use of space.

Be it any room, "colors" are a MUST for me. I like to keep it mild but will add some accent colors to give it some life. I bask in the uplifting feeling I get when I walk into a brightly colored room. I dream of a bright and colorful home - a true reflection of each of us who will live there!

So, after some thorough cleaning of our bedroom, All I could see was blank floors staring at me. I really felt this compelling feeling that convinced me that adding some hues would make it more warmer and brighter.

I knew what had to be done. I needed a nice and colorful area rug to do the magic.

Guess what I chose?

Mohawk Select Select Strata Road Blocks Contemporary Rug

I love the colors with a just a tinge of various shades of brown as it blends perfectly well with my wooden flooring. You can compare both the photos to see that Mohawk is true to its word AND picture!

Ta-daaah! My room got a complete make-over after a tiring day of cleaning and organizing.

I couldn't be more happier with the way my room turned out.

The best part is that this rug will match any decor as they are bold yet come with some warm, earth tones.

This machine made, nylon rug has a rustic look and comes with a non-slip base.

With a 0.4'' pile height, it gives ample cushioning with added soft-plush feeling.

Durability - I can vouch for it as I have another rug from Mohawk that I have been using for over 6 months now.

When hubby saw it, he said wanted it for his home office. This rug will get to visit all the rooms in our house and in more ways will continue add color and vibrance to the space.

Mohawk prides in being a quality rug manufacturer with all their rugs being manufactured in USA. Check out this wonderful video - "Still made in USA" that tells the story of how Mohawk continues to still make all their rugs in USA.

Mohawk specializes in a variety of rugs that can be used at home. You can find solid, classic and contemporary designs at Mohawk, that will suit everyone's taste and satisfy your need with a high quality product.

Mohawk Home Rainbow Multi 8 ft. x 10 ft. 3 Piece Rug Set

Ancient Kingdom Royalty Red Room Size Rugs

Mohawk Home Select Cambridge Capital Elements 5' 3" x 7' 10'' Rectangle Rug

You can find Mohawk Rugs at all of these retailers.

Mohawk Retailers

Thanks to Mohawk, one lucky reader will have the chance to win a rug of their choice valued under $150!

Back to School 2012 : Prepare for Preschool / Kindergarten with Play-Doh!

Play-Doh has been my favorite for a long time now...guess why? Because it keeps my son occupied for a long time ! Oh, the things you can create with Play-Doh....squeezes those creative juices out of a little brain as soon as the dough comes in contact with their fingers.

A new shape EACH time and other possibilities are only endless.

We have taken preschool preparation seriously and I make every effort to devote time to work with son to make it as interesting as possible. I want him to feel comfortable in Kindergarten, so we do a little work each day for a strong foundation starting with preschool.

I was thrilled to know about this particular product from Play-Doh which is not just for creating but also has an educational touch to it.

Here's what the package includes:

4 medium sized tubs with play-doh
Number stamps
Shapes
Scissors
A Tube

Though my son can identify all the alphabets, I knew we could do more with this package.So I laid out the first and only rule: Put the dough right back in the tub when you are done. It is no fun for him to clean up after playing! He agreed to follow the rule and I recognized his effort each time. Both of us were happy, in our own ways!

Then the fun began as I showed him how he can stamp numbers.

We learned to identify some two digit numbers to start with and then he went on to create some fun shapes.

He loved to mix the colors and play with them. I think this will be a great way to introduce children to numbers. Play-Doh also has some alphabet stamps. I will be getting them soon as my son seems to like it very much and we can "stamp" some words for a change instead of writing them.

Preparing for kindergarten or preschool can be fun and affordable with Play-Doh.

How do you prepare your toddler for preschool or kindergarten? Got any interesting ideas?

Disclosure: I received a sample for review purpose only. No monetary compensation was received. The above post reflects my personal opinion.

Let's talk toddler / preschooler nutrition : A Gerber Graduates review ( + win the Gerber Graduates “Go-Go-Go” Nutrition Prize Pack !) 7/15 ( Open to Canada)

"Preschooler nutrition" is a word that I Google often. Why? My top two reasons.

Am I feeding my child the right kind of food?
Am I the only one engaged in this nutrition battle with my preschooler ?

Since we introduced solids to my son, one thing was clear to us and my son. There will be absolutely NO bribes involved for eating. You eat because it is healthy and you need the nutrition to grow. Period. And we stuck with the explanation, all through. Thanks to our honest explanation in laying out the facts barely, my son can now look at the "nutrition facts" and talk to me about why a product is good or bad.

Getting kids to eat the right food that their body needs can be tough. But here are somethings that I learned. We've tested them and they work for us:

Lead by example - If you want your kids to eat broccoli, you eat them first and continue to eat it. Your children adopt your eating habits starting from very early in life.

Keep junk food OUT of the house - We never eat at the fast food joints and my son never has. He doesn't crave for it at home as he has not seen us stocking them up at home.

Offer the same food several times. They will eventually eat it. Resist the urge to cater to their every demand at the table.

Toddlers will make a mess - Do not make kids nervous at the table by putting too much importance on table manners. If they can focus on eating a balanced meal, they will develop well and will catch up with table manners.

Limit the time kids watch television - It has a direct impact on their appetite. Not only do they get obese but studies show that the ads filled with high sugar foods makes very young children crave for it more. An article I read recently mentioned this: "Television advertising, even if watched with the best explanations of commercial messages, does present a serious obstacle to your preschooler’s good nutrition"

We often cannot do it all right all the time and hence need healthy snacks, drinks and some nutritionally acceptable back-ups. Nutritional gaps are inevitable for toddlers as they tend to be picky. I know there are lot of options out there but educating my child on what is good and why it is unacceptable to buy foods soaked in oil and sugar is my responsibility.

One of my "trusted" brands of choice has been Gerber. I like the fact that they keep the health of their little clients in mind . To fill in some nutritional gaps, one product that I have tried and my son likes is the Toddler Drink from Gerber. It has a nice vanilla flavor and a creamy taste.

My son prefers it when I make it with water. Mixing it with milk makes it way too creamy and thick for him to drink. It tastes perfect when prepared with water.

While fresh fruits, yogurt, cheese and other healthy snacks are the best options, they are hard to take while on-the go. I love the lil crunchies and puffs that Gerber makes. They are great for little ones to pick up and they melt in the mouth.

We buy this a lot when my son gets sick as these snacks digest easily and they are also easy to swallow.No preservatives too! Always have a couple of puffs and lil crunchies in our car within an arm's reach.

I do see these snacks going in my preschooler's lunch box. He loves how easy they are to pick up and eat, without any mess.

Nothing beats a fresh, home cooked meal. But those days when you need other options, here's a little healthier option for your little toddler. Remember, this Gerber Graduates meal should not replace what you offer them at home due to their sodium content. But I do find Gerber Graduates meal a whole lot better than other ready-to-serve meal options for toddlers.

Conclusion, while we may try our best to offer the right kind of foods, there will be days when our kids will win and we loose. I can affirm that Gerber Graduates has some variety of choices even for the pickiest toddler and they have been a healthy source of nutrition for my child.

Gerber Canada wants to offer one lucky Canadian reader the chance to win this Gerber Graduates “Go-Go-Go” Nutrition Prize Pack worth approximately $90.

It contains Gerber Graduates Toddler Drink, the milk-based nutritional supplement made specifically for children one to three years old which contains essential vitamins and minerals that your child needs in just one glass. A selection of Gerber Graduates Puffs, Yogurt Melts, Lil’ Crunchies and 5 Grain Cereals are provided for busy families looking for nutritious options for on-the-go lifestyles.

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