Buy Coffee Canada

Did you know Canada.. there is a fantastic online resource for my fellow coffee lovers - Buy Coffee Canada!

Buy Coffee Canada has a huge range of products from coffee to K-Cups, Chai Tea to syrups and more. I love that we can get these products online at a great price from a Canadian company, we know that unfortunately that is not always the case.

I recently got a chance to try the Torani Sugar Free Syrup in Vanilla and a couple fun Chai packs are that great both hot and cold!

The Torani Syrup has been a huge hit around here, tasty in my coffee and I've been experimenting!

I'm a huge fan of Vanilla Coke, which unfortunately is NOT available in Canada (someone do something about this!!) but just add some Torani Syrup to a normal coke and it is delish!! Also been fantastic in hot chocolate, lattes, and iced coffee!! I love that even though it's a sugar free product there is no strange after taste you can sometimes get and none of the vanilla flavour is lost either.

Don't just think drinks though! This is perfect for adding to cookies, fudge and more.

I am so impressed with the quality of the syrup as well as the taste. It doesn't have that grainy texture I've dealt with from other syrups. Vanilla is far from the only flavour they sell - they have flavours including Brown Sugar Cinnamon, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Lime, Raspberry, Peanut Butter (!!) and more! Think of all the creations you could make with those flavours at your finger tips.

Head to Buy Coffee Canada and use code IKNOW54 to save 5% of your next order!!

We are also so excited to share a bottle of Torani Syrup with one of our readers! Enter below for your chance to win any bottle of your choice!!

Giveaway

Ready, Steady, Shoot

Did you know Canada.. From digital cameras to cell phones, technology has made it possible to shoot video using a wide variety of gadgets. Unfortunately, the result is often unwatchable video. That’s why professional cinematographer Roger Sherman has created Ready, Steady, Shoot, an upbeat, easy-to-follow book that will help you make home movies your friends and family will actually want to watch! Make better videos of your vacations, kids' sports, family events, and nights out with friends. This book teaches you basic techniques, including the easy learning system Sherman invented, called The 10 Shot Video, short exercises to shoot and learn from in just a few minutes. It will get you shooting great home video in no time. Available as in eBook too.

Author Roger Sherman is a producer, direction, cinematographer, and still photographer. His documentaries have been honoured with a Peabody Award, an Emmy Award, and two Academy Award Nominations. His photography has appeared in Town & Country, Budget Travel, Saveur and Newsweek.

Visit www.ReadySteadyShoot.com to learn more!

We are so excited to share a copy of this book with our readers as well. Perfect for those upcoming soccer games, days at the beach, first bike rides and more!

Giveaway

Dog, Cat, Bird, Hamster...

Did you know Canada.. according to the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association's Farley Foundation: Children who have pets are more likely to have high self-esteem!

Pet owners are also less likely to suffer from depression, remember, it's not just teens and adults that can suffer from depression, it can affect our children as well.

Mental Health Week is May 7 - 13 this year, CMHA's Mental Health Week is an annual national event that takes place during the first week in May to encourage people from all walks of life to learn, talk, reflect and engage with others on all issues relating to mental health. "Mental Health for All". Now is the time to plan on bringing focus to MHE is your community this May.

Do you have a pet in your house? What do you think about these results?

Canadian Toy Testing Council

Did you know Canada.. the Canadian Toy Testing Council puts out the TOY REPORT offering guidance on the best toys for children. The CTTC is a not-for profit organization run by volunteers in Ottawa.  For 60 years, the CTTC has been providing the reliable and unbiased annual Toy Report to help parents navigate toy store shelves with confidence.

WANTED: TOY TESTERS
The Canadian Toy Testing Council (CTTC) seeks toy testers to evaluate toys for the 2013 CTTC Toy Report. If you live in the Ottawa-Gatineau area and have kids aged 0 months – 16 years, we want to hear from you!

What’s Involved
Before the toy testing season begins, families attend a two-hour orientation session for an overview of the process. Then the fun begins! Families get toys to test in their home for eight week periods throughout spring and fall. At the end of the eight week testing period, parents complete a report that evaluates each toy based on design, function, safety, durability, battery consumption, and play value.

How Much Does it Cost?
The CTTC charges a $30 annual fee, which is used to support the program and administrative needs of the volunteer-run organization.

How to Sign Up
It’s easy! Just go to www.toy-testing.org and click “Joining the CTTC”. Download and complete an application form and submit it by mail or email (cttc@toy-testing.org).

Toy testing starts soon, so apply today!

Canadian Gardener's Guide

Did you know Canada.. our friends at DK Canada have done it again - they've published another gorgeous, well thought out, well LAID out and informative book directed at Canadians.

The Canadian Gardener's Guide is perfect for not only new gardener's but also those more experienced. With over 1,000 full-colour photos that illustrate every aspect of gardening from the growing site, to the plants needs, design and harvesting - they have you covered every step of the way.

I LOVE that is also includes a plant catalogue and an A-Z of common pests, diseases and disorders AND how to treat them.

It unfortunately isn't that often that a Canadian can find this kind of information only for us, and you're left guessing at how the information and maps will affect your location, but this book is just for us baby! With a Canadian hardiness zone map, how to take care of plants over the winter and more.

I am really enjoying the section on growing fruits and veggies, something we've tried in our garden the past couple years, I've learned some fantastic info all ready and can't wait to put it into practice in the backyard. We've got the garden all dug up, started a few seeds indoors already and will update you as the season progresses! Enter below for your chance to win a copy of Canadian Gardener's Guide from DK Canada!

Giveaway

Group of Five, Four Alive

Did you know Canada.. Toronto Representative Faniya has another fantastic event this week, find out where she is heading next..



This Thursday I am very excited to attend the first Group of Five, Four Alive art exhibition featuring works from Toronto artists, Paul Garbett, Richard Brightling, George Argyropoulos, Elizabeth Hardinge and deceased artist Vince De Vita. It is the exclusive opportunity to view the works of four Canadian contemporary artists who have collaborated with Vince De Vita to create the Group of Five, Four Alive.

Vince De Vita was a fine artist who worked in oil on panel during the 1930’s. He also commissioned many local artists, including some members of The Group of Seven, and painted a number of works for the Canadian Government promoting the attractions of Canada. And 70 years later Vince De Vita’s paintings were discovered and restored by Richard Brightling.

The Group will present their first art exhibition at the ARTA Gallery in Toronto’s Distillery District, featuring a variety of contemporary art styles in wood, wax, oil and oil on panel. I will report back to Did you know Canada? from this exclusive art event and share my views on Group of Five, Four Alive works of art.

Faniya
Teddy Out-Ready

Hallmark Press Pause

Did you know Canada.. we are very proud to be a member of the Hallmark Press Pause Panel. Hallmark thinks, and I agree, that we all need to take time, pause and appreciate the everyday moments. Those everyday moments can include a special thank you, or a thinking of you note, ways to connect to our friends, family and loved ones.

We've been checking out some Spring and Summer Hallmark products that are perfect for those moments together.

For Easter you simply have to check out the Squawkin' Egg Droppin' Hen - she dances and lays her colourful eggs and has my boys in fits of giggles all day long, we love it! We also love the fun cards, everyone appreciates the thoughtfulness of a hand written card, especially in this day and age of technology.

Nugget the Dog Story Buddy with Nugget's First Day of School Storybook has already become one of my guys best friend's. You can see Nugget heads to bed with him every night now while we read the story. I love that Nugget has some fun things to say, and has a really funny snore. ;-)

For Mother's Day Hallmark has these beautiful stationary towers that are perfect for Mom's desk or kitchen table, my Mom already snagged the pen off the one I got..haha..

Another really interesting new item for Mom is their Bloomin' Expressions, a with the push of a button the flower opens to reveal a message, how cool is that??

For Dad they have those amazing gear shaped picture frames, how perfect would that be on Dad's desk, or Grampa's or Uncle's.

An amazing line of products from Hallmark and only a few selections of what they have available now in store!

We are so excited to share an amazing giveaway from our readers as well - one lucky reader will win the Bloomin' Expressions!! Enter below for your chance to win!!

Giveaway

Green Works

Did you know Canada.. it's that time of year - Spring Cleaning!! I've tried many cleaning solutions over the years, for daily touch ups and big cleans. Unfortunately, many of them stink and are full of harsh chemicals. Ever since I had my boys I have been hypersensative about those type of products too. You never know what the heck kids are putting in their mouths, or licking (kids are gross) and I don't want any scary products in my house.

I was so excited for the opportunity to try the Green Works line of products, these products clean without harsh chemical fumes or residue. Green Works products are made with plant- and mineral-based cleaning ingredients, are not tested on animals and are acknowledged by the EPA’s Design for the Environment program!

I got to try there awesome line up of products including their all-purpose cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner, multi-surface cleaner, glass cleaner, bathroom cleaner, 2 dish liquids and cleaning wipes.

I have to say the toilet bowl cleaner has actually been one of my favs, I've never picked up that type of cleaner before, always going for those scrubbing brushes instead - which are not as easy to use or sanitary as you might think. With this shape of cleaner nothing has to touch the toliet bowl! You just shoot it around the side, let it sit and flush! Wow, what the heck have I been doing - too much work with stinky products! This cleaner just has a fresh clean scent and absolutely no trouble to use.

I also love the wipes, perfect for cleaning up quick spills and marks. Same with the all-purpose cleaner.

The glass cleaner works like a charm and no ammonia smell.

The bathroom cleaner has been fantastic, so many times when it's time to clean the bathroom we keep the kids downstairs, have to open all the windows and it feels like a deadly affair but not anymore.

The dish liquids have been great with light scents which I love, personally I don't want my dishes to smell like flowers or lavender, I don't really want them to smell like anything!

I am so happy to have been introduced to these products and honestly, I've been converted for life.

Have you tried them yet? There are some fabulous deals going on right now for the month of April..

Wal-mart has Special 2-pack offer (All--Purpose Cleaner and Dish Soap) exclusively at Wal-mart for a great price! An exclusive All-Purpose Cleaner refill only available at Wal-mart locations and on April 14/15 Weekend - In-store educational demos. Learn more about the naturally-derived Green Works products in-store at participating Wal-mart locations.

Sobeys has buy 2 Green Works products at Sobeys and receive 200 Sobeys Bonus points.

Green Works will be hosting a twitter contest at London Drugs where customers can tweet their favourite Green Works Product to #WinWithGreenWorks to a chance to win 1 of 5 $500 London Drugs gift cards!

We are also so excited to share an amazing prize with our readers - enter below for you chance to win the big line up of Green Works products! That includes their all-purpose cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner, multi-surface cleaner, glass cleaner, bathroom cleaner, 2 dish liquids and cleaning wipes!!

Giveaway

Babies”R”US Vendor Fair

On March 27 we headed to Baby“R”US Vendor Fair to learn about new products from top brands such as Baby Caché, Baby Trend, Britax, Evenflo, Fisher-Price, Graco , Kids II, Mamas & Papas, Maxi-Cosi, Medela and many others. Our media tour started with Karin McPherson, the Babies“R”Us Spokesperson, who walked us through the fair focusing on the season’s must-have items, new toys, designs and features. After that we had an opportunity to talk to vendors and my son Teddy even tested some of the items including toys, games, strollers, cars and bicycles.

So here are some of this season’s hottest items I am glad to share with you:

Peek Plus Internet Baby Monitor System from Summer Infant is the first plug & play baby internet monitor that does not require any software or fee and designed for a frustration free set-up, other features include 2.4 Ghz Digital Technology, in-home hand-held color video monitor, free app compatible with major Smartphones.

Mamas & Papas URBO stroller is a great urban solution for downtown moms. It is smooth, stylish, compact and lightweight (9kg). URBO is comfortable and easy to lead plus a set of available accessories makes it a versatile and stylish travel system.

Soothe TIME Snooze Swaddle supports baby’s head and back, keeps baby covered without loose blankets and provides arms-in or arms-out swaddling. It is such an amazing product; you and your baby are going to have a peaceful sleep every day.

Peg Pérego Siesta High Chair is multifunctional and ultra-compact; it can be used from birth as a recliner and as a high chair for feeding and playing. The removable tray also allows baby to sit with at the table. From the fair demo I want to add that this high chair is very flexible and easy to move around.

This trendy and stylish 3 in 1 Tricycle from smarTrike grows with a child. During first stages Tricycle has adjustable and detachable parent steering handle for full parent control. A padded seat provides a long back support. At 15 months the seat converts while parents still control the trike. At 24 months it becomes an independent trike so kiddos can pedal by themselves.

The New Moodd stroller from Quinny has a premium soft cushion seat that offers the exceptional comfort for a child. This stroller has multiple recline positions and a sleek canopy that hides away when not in use. Rear and forward-facing modes are available to use.

Roll & Pop Fire Truck from KIDS II for little firefighters: drop balls into the rear bucket for the popping fun. The truck moves with flashing lights while melodies and sounds play. When the truck stops, the balls pop out to start the fun again.

Love the soothing color of Baby Caché Nursery furniture, Montana 6 or 4 Drawer Dresser is a sturdy dresser with spacious drawers made of poplar wood and veneer. The Montana Lifetime Crib is a traditional crib with intricate details in a driftwood finish, also has 3 levels mattress support.

Fisher-Price Ocean Wonders Take Along Projector Soother with the Select-a-Show Soother functionality has three buttons on the front that include: one for classical music and lullabies, one for nature sounds and a mode selection button to choose between music only, projection only or music and projection. Three cards present a variety of projected images based in baby age.

If you have a baby or you are a Mom-To-Be I highly recommend to drop by your nearest Babies”R”US store to check these and many other amazing products.


Faniya
Teddy Out-Ready

Spring Cash Giveaway

Did you know Canada.. we are excited to share with your that This Lil Piglet and Tales of a Ranting Ginger, together with a group of fabulous Canadian bloggers are proud to present the Spring Cash Giveaway April 2nd 12:01 am EST- 9th midnight.



Enter to win $108 US cash via PayPal. Anyone with a PayPal account can enter to win this cash prize; open worldwide! Good luck!!

Giveaway