Mother’s Day presents the perfect opportunity to show the women in your life how much you appreciate everything they are, and everything they do. We are delighted to bring you lovely gift ideas early, to avoid a last-minute rush. Mother’s Day is May 9.

Mother’s Memories That Can Last a Lifetime
 
Sponsored Listing
Drop In to Tija Ceramics Studio any Sunday in April and make mom something special to last forever. Whether it be a vase with your hand prints, a mug with a special message or a picture frame with your moments, we can help make a lasting impression.
 
Contact: 1-888-909-TIJA
or www.tijaceramicstudio.com/burlington.

 
Sentimental Gifts for Mom’s Day!
 
Sponsored Listing
Perfectly charming gift ideas for the Moms, (and Grandmas!) on your list! Charming Mommy features personalized sterling silver jewellery for every family member.  What better way to say “I love you” on Mother’s Day! Enter Code MOM10 for 10% off.
 
Contact: www.CharmingMommy.com.

 
Bring Mom to the Stratford Shakespeare Festival for FREE on Mother’s Day weekend!
 
Sponsored Listing
Purchase a ticket to Kiss Me, Kate on May 8 and/or 10 and receive a free adult ticket for Mom for that performance! Call our box office at 1-800-567-1600 and quote 32147 to save! For show details and information on our incredible season featuring 12 stunning productions, visit www.stratfordshakespearefestival.com.

Contact: 1-800-567-1600,
www.stratfordshakespearefestival.com.

 
Affordable, flexible live-in nannies available
 
Sponsored Listing:
De-stress your family life and consider a nanny for your family! Nannies provide quality childcare, light housekeeping & help with dinner. Nannies give you the flexibility to have some time for yourself. International Nannies & Homecare Ltd. has been placing nannies since 1996. Founder is a former overseas nanny with lots of knowledge in the industry.

Contact: 1.800.820.8308 or www.internationalnannies.com.

 
Glow Baby - Gifts for moms and moms-to-be
 
Sponsored Listing:
Glow Baby is dedicated to creating beautiful organizational tools for today’s busy parents at all stages of parenthood.  Award winning “Baby’s First Journal” and “Baby’s First Foods” are thoughtful gifts for moms-to-be or moms of newborns.  Glow Baby Notepads will help keep any mom organized!
 
Contact: www.glowbaby.ca, 416-519-3844
or info@glowbaby.ca.
 
 
Shut Up and Eat: Tales of Chicken, Children and Chardonnay
 
Sponsored Listing:
A no-holds-barred look at that most fraught of family institutions: mealtime! Experts claim that eating meals as a family prevents children from getting into trouble while simultaneously creating close-knit families - that is a lot to ask meatloaf!  This is a must-read book for any woman who’s ever wondered: What the hell am I cooking tonight?

Contact: www.chapters.indigo.ca.

 
The Groove Mamma Goes Gourmet
 
Sponsored Listing:
Written by Nadine Hughes, “The Groove Mamma Goes Gourmet - Easy Ways To Put The Fun Back Into Entertaining”, is part party planning, part menu and recipe planning, and part life coaching book all in one. Available for $7.99 at www.groovemamma.com.

Contact: www.groovemamma.com.

 
Give Mom a Hand with the NEW Slingsax Shoulder Shopper
 
Sponsored Listing:
Our new Slingsax hands-free shoulder shopping bag ($14) is lightweight, waterproof and folds down to 3 x 2. Adjustable straps, a roomy front pocket plus its made of recycled plastic bottles! Save 20% on any order through April 22*. Use code KIDSCANADA.
 
Contact: www.lavishandlime.com,
customerservice@lavishandlime.com, 604.922.2220
or toll free 1.877.216.LIME (5463) * Cannot be combined with another offer.  

 
The Babytime Show, International Centre

Sponsored Listing:
Visit the Babytime Show from April 30 to May 2, 2010, to shop, learn and have fun all within one place celebrating parenthood. Discover new and interesting parenting products, the latest gear, maternity clothing, parenting tools, places to go and services, expert led workshops and entertainment for toddlers. Click for a $2 admission coupon.

Contact: www.babytimeshows.ca.   

February has our thoughts turning to romance with the approach of Valentine’s Day.  This year picture yourself romantically holding hands across a beautifully prepared meal while the flicker of candles light up your loved one’s smile.  Can you see it?  No?  Could be the two kids crawling under the table and your exhaustion from preparing the meal alone blurring your vision!

For some, preparing a meal at home has all the romance of a crowded bus stop.  But it doesn’t need to be if you take a different approach and look at it as a way to spend quality time with your loved one.  One of you not a cook?  Don’t worry, there are always simple things to do in the kitchen such as boiling water, setting the table or opening the wine! 

To help create a romantic and fun atmosphere in the kitchen here are a few tips to help get you on your romantic journey.

• Banish the bright lights.  Dim the switch, choose the under the counter lights or light candles to help with the relaxed mood.
• Prepare a special drink to enjoy together while cooking.  My recipe for Sgroppino below is a perfect starter with fresh oysters.  Give the non-cook the task of keeping these flowing!
• Play a collection of your favourite and most memorable songs to reminisce about together.
• Feed the kids early and rent their favourite movie for them to watch; it should buy you a few hours at least! • Keep your menu simple and easy to prepare.  Cooking together should be fun and enjoyable, now is not the time to try complicated recipes.  Chicken Piccata and Creamy Brown Sugar Strawberries are simple yet delicious.

Sgroppino
Serves 2

Ingredients:
• 1 cup (250ml) of chilled Prosecco (or any sparkling wine)
• 2 tbsp chilled Vodka
• 1/3 cup frozen lemon sorbet (or gelato)
• ¼ tsp chopped fresh mint leaves
 
1. Pour the Prosecco and vodka into 2 champagne flutes dividing equally.
2. Spoon a scoop of the sorbet into each flute.
3. Top with fresh mint and serve immediately.

Freshly Shucked Oysters and Mignonette
Serves 2
Notes:   If you don’t want to shuck the oysters, pick shucked ones up from your local seafood store on your way home and keep them on a plate of ice in the back of your fridge until ready to eat.

Ingredients:
• 12 freshly shucked oysters on the half shell
• Lemon wedges, to serve
• 1 shallot, finely diced
• 125ml (1/2 cup) red wine vinegar

1. For the Mignonette sauce, stir the shallot and vinegar together in a small bowl.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.  (Note: the sauce can be prepared the night before and kept in the refrigerator to let the flavours infuse.)
2. Serve the oysters with the lemon wedges and the sauce for drizzling.  Enjoy these casually in the kitchen with the Sgroppino while you are preparing the main meal.

Chicken Piccata
Serves 2
Notes:  To butterfly a chicken breast, lay the breast on a cutting board.  Using the edge of a sharp knife parallel to the cutting board, begin cutting down the length of the side of the breast. Carefully slice the breast in half widthwise almost to the other edge. Keep that edge intact and open the breast along the “fold.”

Ingredients:
• 1 skinless, boneless chicken breast, butterflied and then cut in half
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• All-purpose flour, for dredging
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 65ml (¼ cup) fresh lemon juice
• 125ml (½ cup) chicken stock
• 2 tablespoons capers (from jar), brine rinsed off
• Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
1. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Place the flour on a plate and dredge chicken in flour and shake off excess.
2. In a large skillet over medium high heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter with 1 tablespoon olive oil. When butter and oil start to sizzle, add the chicken and cook for 3 minutes or until chicken is browned.  Turn chicken over and cook for 3 minutes.  Remove, transfer to plate, cover to keep warm. 
3. Into the same pan, add the lemon juice, stock and capers. Bring to boil, scraping up brown bits from the pan for extra flavor. Season to taste. Return the chicken to the pan and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove chicken to platter. Add remaining 1 tablespoon butter to sauce and whisk vigorously. Pour sauce over chicken and garnish with parsley.
4. Serve with rice, roasted potatoes, steamed vegetables or green salad.

Creamy Brown Sugar Strawberries
Serves 2

Ingredients:
• 12 large strawberries, cleaned with stem still attached
• 1 cup light sour cream
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• ½ cup brown sugar

1. In a small bowl, combine the sour cream and vanilla.
2. To serve, using the stems as handles, dip the strawberries in the sour cream and then into the brown sugar.  Enjoy! 

Nadine Hughes is the creator and owner of, The Cook’s Companion and The Menu Companion, through which she offers kitchen consultations, menu planning services as well as private cooking classes for adults and teens throughout Southern Ontario. She is also an award winning author.  Pick up a copy of her latest cookbook “The Groove Mamma Goes Gourmet – Easy Ways To Put The Fun Back Into Entertaining� (awarded Best Canadian Entertaining Cookbook at the 2009 Gourmand Cookbook Awards) for $7.98 at www.groovemamma.com

©Nadine Hughes 2010