There is so much emphasis on the second Sunday in May, it’s no wonder most of the time it ends up in disappointment and dissatisfaction. Sort of like cramming a year’s worth of love into Valentine’s Day. But just like the opponents of Valentine’s Day claim that you should be making your feelings known year round instead of just on February 14th, I think we need to start thinking about Moms all year round too. Just think kids: Every day can be Mother’s Day!
But putting that responsibility on the people we mother, or the people whose children we mother, is probably only going to lead to more disappointment and frustration. That’s why this year I plan to Re-Matriate* Mother’s Day and make it my own…and make it last for 365 days.
There’s an old joke about a man who complains that his wife doesn’t do anything all day. One day he comes home to find his normally clean house in complete disarray, the kids are unusually messy, unclothed and unfed, and there’s nothing on or in the oven cooking for dinner. He says “What happened here today?” And she responds with “The nothing I do all day? I didn’t do it today.”
So I say every day of the year we find a little way to not do the things we normally do, and not just on Mother’s Day. Things like:
• Stop picking up the dirty socks of anyone over the age of six, found mostly under the couch. Just stop. The owner of the socks will eventually run out and have to go looking for them. You can simply point them in the right direction, should their sense of smell not be fully developed. Or, send them to the store to buy some new ones. Not your problem.
• Refrain from being the person who puts out toilet paper for everyone else to use. Don’t do it. Keep a stash in a bag you take into the bathroom with you every time you go, and see who/if/when the toilet roll gets refilled by anybody else. (Note: Sniff towels periodically – or maybe pay a toddler to do it for you)
• Stop buying beer for “the house” if you (and your friends) don’t drink beer. Does anyone else in the house take care of your tampon supply? It should be noted that this can be a risky manoeuver, however, as in desperate times (i.e. sports playoffs of any kind) , your chardonnay stash may begin to mysteriously deplete. Also, check the vanilla.
• If you are folding anyone else’s clothes, making anyone else’s bed or putting away anyone else’s towels…desist immediately. Don’t most of those people look like they rolled out of an unmade bed and threw on clothes they found on the ground anyway? And those towels? Just remember the toilet paper tip.
We seem to see Mother’s Day as a time to “take off” from doing these domestic duties, when the fact of the matter is, we can reward ourselves by doing a little bit of nothing, every day. Join me, won’t you?
*No, the word rematriate doesn’t exist. But it should. Am I’m taking that on.
Read Funny Mummy every month. Follow Kathy on Twitter @KathyBuckworth and visit www.kathybuckworth.com. Kathy’s 6th book “I Am So The Boss Of You” will be published by McClelland Books in Spring, 2013.
Candles are often an overlooked cause of poor indoor air quality and can affect our health. Paraffin candles are unfortunately the predominant ones on our shelves. Why? (argh!) Paraffin is very inexpensive – it’s basically the final byproduct in the petroleum refining chain…petroleum sludge, if you will. When paraffin candles are burned, they spew toxins and soot that is harmful to our health (think second-hand tobacco smoke). Many of these conventional candles also have wicks with metal cores that contain lead. Why would you want that in your birthday cake as everyone important to you gathers around with healthy wishes for the guest of honour? Instead, opt for safe birthday candlesso your birthday wishes stay just as pure as the air you breathe.
When we buy and burn chemical candles, we are harming ourselves and our world. When we make better choices and buy, for example, beeswax candles, we support beekeepers and bees, and, we help save the world. Pretty simple. Beeswax candles leave your air fresher and cleaner - they are a true air purifier and they are the only candle for those with chemical sensitivities or allergies. Also, make sure to select 100% pure beeswax like Orb Candles(candles can be labeled as beeswax candles even with only 10% beeswax and many are blended with cheap paraffin to cut costs). Orb Shabbat Candles can be used for holidays, or as classical tapers used for any occasion. They smell beautiful, they look beautiful, and they bring you and your family light, health and happiness.
Beeswax may be more expensive, but they have a much slower burn rate, so you’ll be able to use them over and over again.
Light, burn safely, blow out. And repeat often.
Celebrate happily and in good health, for you and the world.
Lisa Borden , owner of marketing firm, Borden Communications , offers a holistic approach to consciously marketing responsible brands and services. She encourages everyone to be their own expert by offering new perspectives, and helping them find the clarity to uncover simple solutions to daily challenges. She claims that she is not a coach, a consultant, or a concierge, but rather a strategic blend of all of these roles - working to increase efficiencies, revenue, health and happiness. As a consultant to small businesses, corporations, non-profit organizations, school groups and individuals as well as a dynamic campaign and brand ambassador and motivational speaker, her message is always clear. Every action and every dollar matters and has an impact - so we’d better take each step wisely. Together. Follow Lisa on twitter @LisaBorden.
This is one of my favourite times of the year.Everybody is starting to come outside and breathe in the fresh spring air.Thinking about the upcoming warm and sunny days brings with it feelings of optimism and delight.As we put away our hats, coats and gloves for next year… we bring out the sunscreen, swimsuits and towels! Going to the park, water play, playing hockey on the driveway, frequenting one of the neighbourhood’s ice cream (or frozen yogurt) parlours, these are some of my family’s favourite activities.
Below you will find a super fun spring-inspired craft that you can make with your kids and their friends.You will also uncover the recipe for my daughter Sabrina’s “Summer is here” breakfast parfait.
Paper Plate Flower Craft
The directions to make this paper plate flower are easy to follow and the result is a colourful flower representing the joys of both spring and summer.This creative project comes from one of my favourite arts and crafts websites http://www.enchantedlearning.com
You will need:
A pencil
Colorful construction paper
Scissors (depending on the young artist’s age, an adult’s help may be needed for the cutting steps)
A stapler
Glue
A paper plate
Pipe cleaner (one per flower)
Directions:
1.Using your pencil, trace a child’s hand on colorful construction paper, at least 18-20 times.
2.Cut out the hand tracings.
3.Staple a circle of handprint tracings (fingers pointing outwards) around the outside of the plate - the fingers are the flower’s petals.
4.Staple a second circle of handprint tracings (fingers pointing outwards) just inside the first circle.
5.Staple a third circle of handprint tracings at the center of the plate.
6.Cut out a small paper circle from the leftover construction paper (2” in diameter) and glue in the center of the flower.
7.Take a pipe cleaner and staple to the bottom of the flower – now you have a stem!
“Summer Is Here” breakfast parfait
Along with the beautiful weather comes the bountiful supply of fresh and exotic fruits that are often not available in the colder months.My daughter Sabrina loves her breakfast and this is the recipe for her favourite summer breakfast.She loves to mix up a variety of colourful fruits, with a few dollops of yogurt (sometimes more than one flavour) and then she tops it off with the crunchiest cereals she can find.
Ingredients:
1-2 cups fruit - blueberries, bananas, strawberries, pineapple, mango , kiwi, raspberries and blackberries
¼ - ½ cup yoghurt - vanilla, strawberry and/or blueberry.
3-4 Tbsp. cereal - any of your families favourite cereals will do…granola is a favourite of Sabrina’s
1-2 Tbsp. topping - dried apricots (cut in slivers with a pair of scissors), ground cinnamon, raisins and/or dried cranberries.
*Quantities vary, depending upon how hungry you are and which ingredients you favour.
How to make it:
1.Wash and dry the fruit you will be using. Cut the fruit up into bite-sized pieces.
2.Place the fruit at the bottom of a bowl and drizzle the yogurt of your choice over the fruit.
3.Cover the yoghurt with the cereal and toppings you are most partial to.
4.Grab a spoon and enjoy!
Sabrina enjoys taking her breakfast parfait out onto our deck and eating in the sunlight!
Take the time to head outdoors, breathe in the fresh spring-summer air
and spend some good old-fashioned quality time with your family
Shelley Sefton is a chef, recipe developer & creator of “Yummy in my Tummy” - classes for kids thatoffers them the opportunity toexperience exciting adventures in the kitchen – combining education, art,food and most important of all FUN! Contact: (905) 597-0672 or sdsefton@rogers.com.
As someone who has a LOT of cookbooks, people often ask me to describe my favourites. I am pleased to share my thoughts on Rebar: Modern Food Cookbook, written by Audrey Alsterburg and Wanda Urbanowicz, an invaluable vegetarian and baking resource.
Rebar: Modern Food Cookbook offers a wonderful collection of recipes to delight vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. The recipes are inventive and fresh simple ingredients with extraordinary results. Salads, soups, pastas, entrées, side dishes, desserts and more are covered.
Often cookbooks are unsuccessful in featuring excellent recipes for both savouries and sweets, but this one doesn’t disappoint. Every time I make the peanut butter squares with milk chocolate and oats I am asked for the recipe.
If you want a second opinon, this book is also the recepient of a Cuisine Canada Cookbook Award.
I think as a society, we’ve been underplaying the possible dangers from cell phones for too long. The entire industry is currently (and has been) hard at work, manipulating science to stave off being regulated and having to issue warnings.
Cell phones are even more dangerous for our kids – think of how much smaller they are and how much they absorb relative to us! Israel now requires WARNINGS on Cell Phones – you can read more about it, and lots more about the dangers on the Environmental Health Trust website.
And, the dangers are not limited to cell phones…it’s from our laptops, microwaves, iPads, and all Wi-Fi everywhere. There are precautions you can take while the industry tries to shield you from the truth rather than the radiation…and that’s what we all need to focus on for our families. Right now.
To minimize the risks and dangers for you and your kids, please start by:
Not letting your kids use your cell phone if at all possible.
Never attaching your cell phone to your body or carry it around in your pocket (even when it’s not in use, it emits radiation).
Using a case from Pong Research for your Blackberry, iPhone and iPad.
Using speakers or earphones to minimize your distance and exposure. I use the earphones from Thinksound as they are PVC free and have many other eco-factors.
Turning off your Wi-Fi at night if you have it in your home – you might be sleeping, but your devices are still emitting radiation.
Not working with your laptop, iPad or other devices on your body. Consider Belly Armor (designed for pregnancy, but great for kids too in my opinion).
Googling, reading and researching the studies that are out there – being informed is the best thing you can do to make the best decision for you and your family! You can also read my book The Alphabet of Avoidance, which includes information about the above, as well as examples of what to avoid for every letter of the alphabet, solutions and take-action recommendations for campaigns to join, websites to visits, and suggested product.
Please remember, precaution IS prevention.
Lisa Borden , owner of marketing firm, Borden Communications , offers a holistic approach to consciously marketing responsible brands and services. She encourages everyone to be their own expert by offering new perspectives, and helping them find the clarity to uncover simple solutions to daily challenges. She claims that she is not a coach, a consultant, or a concierge, but rather a strategic blend of all of these roles - working to increase efficiencies, revenue, health and happiness. As a consultant to small businesses, corporations, non-profit organizations, school groups and individuals as well as a dynamic campaign and brand ambassador and motivational speaker, her message is always clear. Every action and every dollar matters and has an impact - so we’d better take each step wisely. Together. Follow Lisa on twitter @LisaBorden.
We were referred to a great list of recommended tween books on Twitter in the last few days. It was from Candace, found at @seemummyjuggle. The list was inspired by her daughter, who is an avid reader. We are of course pleased to share the link she provided with you.
We have to thank our friend Debbie for helping to add sweetness to the tables of friends celebrating Passover, with her Chocolate Matzah Candy recipe. It is put quite simply, DELICIOUS. Of course, we are pleased to pass it on to you.
Ingredients:
1 cup sweet butter
1 cup light brown sugar
4 to 5 pieces of matzah
2 cups of chocolate chips
Method:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Melt the buttter in a non-stick pan. Add the sugar and stir until it has transformed into a light caramel. Once the butter and sugar have melted, spread the caramel over the matazah and bake in the oven for 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from the oven, and sprinkle the chocolate chips on top of the matazah. Spread the melted chocolate evenly. Once cooled, break into pieces and …
I am preparing a dessert for my gourmet club tonight themed ’secret ingredients’. Each of us will bring a part of the meal and enjoy it together. We have been meeting for over ten years, and for a long time it has been a gathering of friends, and the ‘gourmet’ part is optional. I could write more, but that is the subject of another blog post.
I found my dessert in the recipe section of the Sneaky Chef website. It suddenly occured to me that this would be a great link to pass on to anyone with picky eaters in their family. There is also an accompanying book series to go with it.
I have a news website to share with you that is dedicated to helping children understand current events. You can either direct kids to it, or refer to it yourself to help explain current events in terms kids will understand.
