Valentine’s Day is once a year, and not to be a mood killer, but don’t you think that we should be celebrating those we love everyday (and not just your “significant other”)? Not that I don’t give my kids all of the love and attention they need daily (ok, as a working mother of 3, I’m the first to admit that I live with guilt every minute about not giving them enough), but there’s no day more perfect to do something special as a family than on Valentine’s Day.
Taking a few extra moments to consider the activities we do together and the things we buy for one another will mean the world…to the world. Try one (or more) of the following 15 ideas:
1. Greetings of Love. Make cards for one another from what you have in your home…old magazines, scrap paper, how about that artwork brought home from school that you are not keeping? (seriously, if you have school aged-children, you will know that I’m not an evil mother…there is only so much space we have and so many things that we can classify as precious!). Or, of course, send your love via email.
2. Pack a Loveable Lunch. Whether you’re sending the kids off to school, or planning a picnic in the park, packing your healthy homemade meal in a safe (and irresistibly cute) lunch bag means less waste, and happy, smiling kids.
3. Build a Snowman. What better way to spend time with the family over this loveable holiday than to come together for some good ol’ fashioned team work? I bet you didn’t think a snowman could be local and organic did you?
4. Coco Loco. You can never go wrong with chocolate treats. Well, actually, you sort of can. Make sure to look for organic and fair-trade labels. When labeled “organic” you can be assured that your chocolate hasn’t been sprayed with synthetic ick. When labeled “Fairtrade”, it means that farmers were given a fair price for their cocoa. Here is the absolute best chocolate in the world – www.chocosoltraders.com – I could write an entire article on why it’s the best, but you’ll have to check out their website and try it for yourself.
5. Buy the whole bush! Most cut flowers are grown in South America, Africa and Southeast Asia and can be heavily sprayed with pesticides, fungicides and herbicides (with toxins that are banned in fields in Canada!). And we thought flowers were supposed to signify beauty and purity?! When buying flowers make sure to source local and organic ones, you’d be surprised to find out what’s growing in your own backyard. I love My Luscious Backyard’s organic selection. You can also go out with your family and buy a plant, a sprouting kit, or an indoor herb garden (organic, of course). You can have fun planting them as a family and it can be a reminder of something you did all together. However, if you aren’t blessed with a green thumb (mine is actually black), hire a farmer. They make it easy and fun to pick the freshest, most local and organic veggies and you can plan an entire meal around what’s growing right outside in your very own backyard.
6. Create a holiday cocktail. I’m referring to one the entire family can enjoy.Choose fresh, local, organic and colourful fruits and veggies and create a delicious smoothie or juice to enjoy. We have plenty of great drink ideas in our 2011 Drinking Guide. Get each family member to create their own “signature” drink (and have their own signature reusable glass straw too).
7. Screen something. Choose a delicious (and healthy) snack – here are some of my favourites - and cuddle up under a comfy organic throw to watch a movie as a family. Choose the latest release or go with old family footage.They can be great for laughs and good memories. (Combine this activity with #8 too!)
8. Pop it up. Pop local organic popcorn (our family favourite is http://www.naturesorganics.ca/. If you are curious why you shouldn’t ever eat microwave popcorn, then what you should be screening (see #7 above) is King Corn but maybe not with the kids!).
9. Experience it all. Experience something new or old together. Go to the museum or other attractions. Go mini-golfing or bowling. Get tickets to a concert or play. www.kidsaroundcanada.com is a good place to start looking. If you combine your outing with a meal, choose a restaurant with a local and sustainable menu. You cannot believe how many exist, are affordable and offer favourites like pizza or burgers if your kids are picky eaters…however, make it an opportunity to find a new food to love…something colourful perhaps?!
10. Dress up or dress down. Dress up your table and yourselves or, dress down and get down on the floor. Spread out a blanket and have an indoor picnic and prepare a local family dinner together. I know, this is a stretch for some to imagine, but trying to plan it (and stick to it) could become a fun project.
11. Light it up. While enjoying a special family meal (see #10 above), set a calm mood (what family doesn’t need more of that?) with 100% beeswax candles with cotton wicks. Rest assured knowing you’ll be dining without the black soot and fumes (think diesel exhaust while you eat and drink, ick) from standard paraffin, lead-wicked candles. Keep your indoor air clean, and your family-time moments pure!
12. Read a Good Book.Well I’m bias since I wrote the Alphabet of Avoidance but it’s a fun, inspiring, and perspective changing read that not only identifies what we should be avoiding in order to live healthier lives, but also includes simple (and not overbearing) solutions to immediately replace the “bad” with someone better, or even, nothing at all.As a family, you can read one page a day and make a simple change (or if you’re ambitious, you can read the entire short book in an hour!).
13. Have a pillow fight. As you’re tossing your pillows around (and resting your head on them at night) make sure your pillows are safe and are not made from synthetic materials.Your family could be sleeping on toluene, formaldehyde, and other nasty chems. As Annie Leonard from the Story of Stuff exclaims - there’s got to be a better way to stop your head from catching on fire while you sleep than dousing your pillow in flame retardants”.Although replacing your favourite worked-in pillow may seem challenging, swap it in for one that’s made from organic wool or organic rubber.It’s a better change for your loved ones.
14. Be playful. Play that doesn’t harm the earth, provides fun and games for the whole family, and learning a thing or two , is what family time is all about. Our family loves Anouk’s board games and puzzles.Each one is designed in Toronto with passion, and made with FSC certified paper and veggie based inks.
15. Take another shot. Take tons of digital pictures throughout the day (use as many cameras as your family has – no, not an encouragement to go out and buy more), and make a collage, an online album, a screensaver from it. There is nothing like my family’s smiling faces to brighten a moment.
However you decide to celebrate this day with those you love, make it memorable and get to the heart of the matter. Even when caught up in the hustle, bustle, routines and chaos on every other day, may your days together be full of fun, laughter, kindness and love…for your loved ones and our world.
Lisa Borden, owner of Borden Communications, takes a unique approach to holistically marketing eco-intelligent living and working. Some of her favourite titles (from a long list) include: Catalyst for Change, Enthusiastic Philanthropist, Inspiration Agent, Strategist + Catalyst, Mother of 3 and Wannabe Organic Farmer. You can follow her on twitter @LisaBorden or learn more about her and her business at www.bordencom.com.
They do say that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach and it seems this old adage holds true for even the youngest of men.My little man who is 5 years old proclaimed, “Mommy you must love me a lot to make this cake because it’s full of yummy!”The cake in question was an old recipe of my aunt’s for Chocolate Cake which for some reason that day, I decided to jazz up with raisins and dried cranberries for a bit of a twist.It’s now known as Yummy Love Cake in our house.What I like about this recipe is that usually I have all of the ingredients on hand so I can bring out the love whenever the occasion calls for it.I’m happy to spread a little chocolate love your way this month!Enjoy!
Yummy Love Cake
Serves 10-12
Preparation Time:10 minutes
Cooking Time:40 minutes
Notes:This cake freezes excellently.To do so, cool cake completely and do not glaze with chocolate ganache.Wrap cake tightly in plastic wrap and freeze.Defrost in the refrigerator overnight and glaze with chocolate ganache when ready to serve.
Ingredients:
1 cup raisins (or ½ cup raisins and ½ cup dried cranberries)
1 cup sugar
125g (9 tablespoons) unsalted butter, chopped
½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground cloves (or substitute ½ teaspoon allspice)
375ml (1 ½ cups) cold water
50g ( ½ cup) good quality cocoa powder, sifted
Pinch salt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
300g (2 cups) plain flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
Chocolate Ganache:
200g dark chocolate, chopped
150ml (2/3 cup) whipping cream
1.Preheat the oven to 180C/350F.Grease a deep bundt pan with soft butter.
2.Combine the raisins, sugar, butter, cinnamon, cloves, water, sifted cocoa and salt in a medium saucepan.Bring to a boil over medium heat and then lightly boil, uncovered, for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
3.Transfer mixture to a large bowl and cool.
4.When cool, stir in vanilla and then flour and baking soda.Stir until combined.Spread mixture into the prepared pan and bake for 35 minutes or until cooked through (a skewer inserted into middle of cake should come out clean).Transfer cake pan to a wire rack and allow to cool slightly.Turn cake out onto rack and cool completely.
5.For the Chocolate Ganache: Combine the chocolate and cream in a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water (make sure bowl does not touch water).Stir until chocolate is melted.Cool slightly and pour over cake.
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
For years, I’ve been a subscriber to the American magazine Family Fun. It’s been my reliable partner in crime throughout my kids’ childhood and it might become yours too during the coming Family Day, the Valentine’s Day fuss or the March Break.
In Family Fun, I’ve found a mom’s advice on how to visit an art museum with my young son (turning the visit into a fun “I spy” game to look for specific items on the paintings). I’ve learned how to create a super card game that caught a slice of our daily life (teaching my kids about the different things one needs to know to run a house).
I’ve had a blast at the expense of my kids by using fabulous tips for April’s Fool pranks (I normally buy milk bags but for the occasion, I put a milk pint on the table, in which I surreptitiously added blue food coloring. The look on my then 8-years-old son when he poured the milk into his bowl was totally worth the trouble!).
When I was involved with the School Council, we would often choose the theme for the school parties according to the best craft activities I found while browsing through my Family Fun copies.
Years ago, prior to the internet, the magazine’s main appeal already lied in the fact that they’d been able to get hundreds of creative parents to submit their great ideas to them. Now we can all access this amazing resource online for free.
Their crafts section is the best. You can search by age, type or even by material but the Holiday & Seasonal category is such a time saver. You won’t find a Family Day section in there since it’s an American website but Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, April Fool’s Day, Easter and Mother’s Day will all come handy in the coming months.
Just to get an idea of the spread of crafts they offer, check the bottle-cap tambourines in the Recyclable Crafts category under Crafts by Material, or the newspaper fashion show (if I still were a member of the School Council, I’d use that idea to complement a Literacy day event for the students!). As soon as we get some snow, even just a little, I think we should try their Beach Bum Snowman. It would definitely cheer up the whole neighbourhood.
Most pages are followed by a Show & Tell section where you get to see pictures of craft ideas submitted by families just like us. Very often, parents also submit photos of one of the Family Fun crafts they tried for themselves. I should send them my daughter’s picture of the bubble bather costume suggestion we used during our school’s Crazy Bubbles end-of-the-year party.
The crafts are just the tip of the iceberg. Their Playtime section offers hundreds of games suggestions for all occasions and contexts. Their Parties menu allows to search by theme or age and includes Themed Cupcakes and Party Printables categories. They even have a how-to video section for cakes and cupcakes for the bakery-challenged among us.
Tips • Crafts offered online are not there forever. You can subscribe to their magazine online (or through the magazine sales of your school if they have one of those fundraisers). Check their website at www.familyfun.com.
In her personal yet practical 480-page guidebook, author Nathalie Prezeau describes hundreds of outings in and around the GTA she tested with her family and friends over the past twelve years. The 4th edition is out! It includes a new chapter on things to do with the kids around the 69 subway stations in Toronto, as well as exciting city walks to play the tourist in Toronto. Available in the Travel Section of GTA bookstores as well as Mastermind Educational Toys stores and currently at Costco. Visit www.torontofunplaces.com to learn more.
With Valentine’s and Family Day just around the corner, you may not only be thinking of ways to say “I love you” to your partner, but to other members of your immediate family too.
Saying “I love you” is not nearly as meaningful if our actions don’t match our words. Showing love takes effort and intention. Combined, words and actions have a powerful effect. So, what are your plans for showing love this month?
Here are some suggestions for showing love all year round:
1. Disconnect from technology. Connect with each other. One way of doing this is to deposit your Blackberry, IPOD, DS and any other distracting electronic device in a bowl at your front door. Retrieve when you leave to go out again. Resist the urge to check emails and texts throughout the day, especially while in the company of others. Encourage family members to avoid screens of any sort for specific periods of the day. Giving your undivided attention to the people you love is worth more than money can buy.
2. Do the unexpected. Prepare a snack, make someone you love a cup of tea or breakfast in bed when they least expect it. Clear the dishes in the sink and put a load of laundry in the washer without being asked. Offer to drive your child or partner when he or she is anticipating taking the bus. Don’t wait for an occasion such as Valentine’s Day or a birthday to plan a special event or reserve a table at your favourite restaurant. Include a special “thinking of you” note in a lunch box. Sprinkle rose petals on your bed.
3. Make someone else happy. On occasion, going to see a movie of his choice, even though it’s last on your list, says “I love you.” The same is true for listening to rock music, when you’d rather listen to jazz, for example. Hopefully, this show of love will be reciprocated on another occasion.
4. Schedule family time. As opposed to having each family member off in his or her own corner of the house, doing his or her own thing all the time. Making time to sit together as a family over several meals during the week, taking time to play a board game or even watch a favourite television show together, creates a feeling of connectedness. Even though most children would never admit to it, they enjoy the feeling that coming together as family evokes. It’s these times that they will remember fondly when they are on their own.
5. Be playful. When life gets too serious, play hide and seek, wrestle on the floor or skip down the street, arms linked. We’re never too old to let our hair down and to get back in touch with our childlike selves. The times that I’ve gotten into play fighting and tickling matches with my kids are some of my most treasured moments – and it doesn’t have to stop, even between adults.
6. Say hello and goodbye. It’s easy, as you rush out the door in the morning to forget to say goodbye. Try to remember. Saying goodbye and offering good wishes for a great day ahead says that you care. When you come back home, take time to connect with your family members. Catch up on the news of the day. If you’re occupied when someone arrives home after some time away, finish what you are doing quickly or stop to enquire how that person is doing. These points of connection are vital.
7. Take care of one another. Massage aching feet, offer a hot water bottle or a blanket when someone you love is cold, run a bath with bubbles and make sure that your family eats nourishing food. These are some of the caring ways to say “I love you.”
8. Set clear limits for your children. Even though your children will say that they hate having a curfew and resent having to live by your rules, they inwardly know that the rules you have set are because you care. Asking them to return home at a reasonable time and to live with certain restrictions is your way of saying that you care enough to set clear, loving limits and that you love them enough to make sure that your rules are adhered to.
9. Work as a team. When each family member knows that they have a role to play at making sure that projects get completed, that routine runs smoothly at home, he or she feels an integral part of a family unit. When you sit down as a family to discuss an upcoming family vacation or a difficulty that the family is facing, and then ask for everyone’s input, you are showing that you love them enough to include them in your discussion and that you value their input.
10. Say “I love you” with conviction. Anyone can say “I love you” but said too often or recited as part of a perfunctory goodbye ritual, these words can sound empty. Instead, cup your partner’s face in your hands, look into his or her eyes and say “I love you” with expression and emotion. Hug your children tight (if they’ll let you) and whisper “I love you.” Said at the right time and not over used, these words, combined with acts of caring, will convey their intended special message.
Sara Dimerman is registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario and provides counselling to individuals, couples and families out of the Parent Education Resource Centre, which she established twenty years ago. Sara is a nationally recognized expert on parenting, and author of ‘Character Is the Key’ (Wiley & Sons, Canada, 2009) and ‘Am I a Normal Parent?’ (Hatherleigh Press, USA, 2008). She is regularly quoted in print and appears on radio and television across North America. For more information visit www.helpmesara.com.
The other day my daughter asked me how Valentine’s Day started. She’s in Grade 5 so starting to worry a little bit about the message she sends when she hands the boys (and the girls) in her class a Hannah Montana valentine which says something about making cool music together. So I explained that traditionally Valentine’s Day had been a day when male secret admirers gave their female crushes a card, rose, or small gift, and signed an anonymous note declaring their devotion and love. Eventually it became a greeting card company gold mine with everyone from boyfriends and girlfriends, husbands and wives, grandparents and grandchildren, students and teacher and kids-to-kids getting in on the action. It’s not an understatement to say as a result, it’s become a little less significant. Particularly once you get 32 of them, all addressed to “Classmate”. (And seriously, which one of you Moms started attaching nut-free chocolates and pink pencils to the cards – enough already!)
But it did start me thinking that while I do love my family, and my friends, and even the occasional sales clerk who convinces me I look good in those pants, that there are some inanimate objects I would like to issue Valentines to instead, this year.
• My crock pot. Seriously. Who else cooks dinner for me while I work, run kids to hockey and spend 10 or 60 minutes on Twitter?
• The inventors of pre-cooked bacon, bagged salad and frozen garlic bread. And the “flash-freeze” process.
• The clothing manufacturers who decided that a size 10 is all-of-a-sudden a size 4. Well will you look at that! I guess I can have that cheese plate after all.
• My beloved BlackBerry, Seamus. He’s the only one of my children who knows when to stop making so much noise (okay I can turn him off, granted), gives me information I can use (versus “I haven’t changed my underwear in three days”), and never drinks all my diet Pepsi, steals my chocolate or refuses to put his boots/protective covering on.
• The mirrors they seem to have in fitting rooms and hotels. I know you deploy the “skinny” mirror but it still counts. I carry that image in my head all day, even if others don’t. So there.
So this Valentine’s Day, do the right thing – help your child with their cards – it’s worth the price of social acceptance, but think about sending an anonymous one too - maybe to that fabulous new shoe that looks great and doesn’t hurt to wear. No taped-on chocolate required.
Kathy Buckworth’s latest book “Shut Up & Eat: Tales of Chicken, Children & Chardonnay” is now available for pre-order on amazon.ca and at Chapters Online. Look for the book in bookstores on March 21st. Visit www.kathybuckworth.com and follow Kathy on Twitter.
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
WRITTEN BY
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Most pages are followed by a Show & Tell section where you get to see pictures of craft ideas submitted by families just like us. Very often, parents also submit photos of one of the Family Fun crafts they tried for themselves. I should send them my daughter’s picture of the bubble bather costume suggestion we used during our school’s Crazy Bubbles end-of-the-year party.
WRITTEN BY
e that looks great and doesn’t hurt to wear. No taped-on chocolate required.