Canadian Giveaway Linky! 05/20

Did you know Canada.. We are so happy to once again bring you this weekly feature with our co-host Tales of a Ranting Ginger - Every Monday we are opening a weekly linky for giveaways open to Canadians. We appreciate everyone's interest and contributions!

Do you have a blog that is running a giveaway and it's open to Canadians?? Link up below!!

Visit here through out the week to find giveaways open to Canadians and get winning!! Good Luck!!

Canucks Rock: All Canadian Link Up! 05/18

Welcome to our weekly All Canadian Link Up!  This weekend and every weekend, Canucks Rock! with our All Canadian Link Up and Candid Canuck feature interview.  Brought to you by your hosts: Did you know Canada?, Tales of a Ranting Ginger and Maple Leaf Mommy!

This week's Candid Canuck is Bonnie from The Koala Bear Writer. Check out our interview with her..

Spring Into Gardening with DK Canada!

Did you know Canada..  with 5 year old boys we have hit a phase where they need to know EVERYTHING.  What everything is called, where it's come from, why it is the way it is.  Thankfully DK Canada has me covered for nature walks now when we are discovering the plant and tree live in bloom.  We have been bringing DK Canada's What's that Tree and What's that Flower with us so we can use the proper names for what we are seeing and learn more about them.

As always, DK Canada's books have the most beautiful pictures and I love that they use real photos, no drawings or sketches.  Everything is explained in easy to understand terms, information is not long and drawn out but given in quick facts.

In What's that Tree? we get information on tree form, growing locations, leaf appearance  sizes and even what a young tree might look like vs an old one.  This has been so much fun to read with the boys and learn plenty myself!  What a fantastic resource for future school projects too!

In What's that Flower? we learn about where flowers grow and why, sizing, colours, shapes, and seasons.  I wish my Grampa was still here for me to give him this book, as an avid gardener he would have loved to read this book end to end.  The boys have enjoyed viewing all the flowers and we even had to make a stop at the store to find some of our favourites to grow in our own garden!

Perfect books to enjoy as a family this spring and an amazing gift for the gardener in your life!  Visit DK Canada's Gardening Boutique to save 30% on all their amazing gardening book!

Target Canada's Entertaining Essentials for Victoria Day Weekend

Did you know Canada..  Target has you covered for entertaining this long weekend!  Whether heading to the cottage, camping or entertaining at home, see below to ensure all bases are covered for a stress-free and fun-filled family weekend.

Canadians love to entertain outdoors and take advantage of beautiful summer-like weather. Target has everything from Bublé to bistro sets to make entertaining a breeze this season:

• Plastic makes perfect – with kids running around in bare feet, plastic dishes and stemware make entertaining outside stress free. Target’s Threshold collection carries colourful dishes and serving trays to create a beautiful outdoor tabletop.
• Accessorize – gardens and greenery provide a beautiful backdrop for any occasion. Add to the outdoors with seasonal accessories including bright patio rugs, umbrellas and pillows.
• Ambiance – set the mood with outdoor lanterns and low background music (but remember, sound travels!)
• Food - check the grocery aisle for quick and easy appetizers to pop in the oven as guests arrive. Archer Farms’ Spanakopita and Lobster and Cheese bites are crowd pleasers – just make sure you have enough on hand for seconds!

Speaking of food, I made two tasty dishes that will be perfect for entertaining this May 2-4 weekend, whether at the cottage, campground or backyard, these can be enjoyed any time!

CHICKPEA & FETA DIP

What you need:

• 2 cans (15 ounces each) chickpeas (garbanzo beans), rinsed
• 2/3 cup crumbled feta cheese, divided
• 1/3 cup roasted red pepper strips, divided
• 1 clove garlic
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• TRISCUIT Crackers

Here’s how:

1. Process chickpeas, 1/2 cup cheese, 1/4 cup peppers and next 4 ingredients in food processor until smooth.

2. Spoon into serving bowl; top with remaining cheese and peppers.

3. Serve with crackers.

I halved the recipe and made it in my Magic Bullet, SO EASY!

- Serve with TRISCUIT Thin Crisps or Archer Farms Tortilla Chips

- Two kinds of crunch: serve dip with cut-up fresh vegetable dippers in addition to crackers

HONEY GRAHAM CRUNCH SMORES BARS

What you need:

• 3 Tbsp. butter
• 3 cups miniature marshmallows
• 4 cups Honey Graham Crunch cereal
• 1 1/2 cups Market Pantry miniature marshmallows
• 1 (11.5 oz.) bag milk chocolate chips

Here’s how:

1. Spray 8 or 9-inch square pan with cooking spray.

2. Melt butter in large saucepan over LOW heat; add 3 cups miniature marshmallows. Cook and stir until melted and smooth; remove from heat. Add cereal; mix until well coated.

3. Press firmly into prepared pan with the back of a buttered spoon or waxed paper. Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows in single layer over top.*

4. Heat chocolate chips in medium microwave-safe bowl on HIGH 1 minute; stir. Heat in additional 10 second increments until completely melted. Spread evenly over top of marshmallows. Let stand until chocolate is set.

- Makes 16 bars

- If desired, toast marshmallows by heating under broiler a few minutes until lightly browned. Then drizzle with chocolate.

- This recipe can easily be doubled and made in a 13x9-inch pan. (You will need to purchase 2 bags of miniature marshmallows.)

- Sprinkle over hot cereal.

- These make a great snack just served plain or mixed with dried fruit.

- Stir slightly crushed cereal into ice cream or frozen yogurt for a crunchy treat.

Both delish!  Even the kiddos liked both dishes and they were fun to serve with these cute napkins and tray from Target.  Enter below for your chance to win a $50 Target giftcard so our lucky winner can buy some entertaining essentials for the start of summer!!!

Giveaway

Put Spring in Your Skin with Cocoon Apothecary!

Did you know Canada..  it wasn't a bad winter here in South Western Ontario, but it's been a long one (frost warnings earlier this week for example!) and it is way past time to perk up my skin.  I was very excited to learn about the natural skincare line from Cocoon Apothecary.  I received their Ancient Mud Facial Mask and the Skin Care Starter Kit with cleanser, toner and cream.

Ancient Mud Facial Mask that contains Dead Sea mud, British Columbian and glacial marine clay infused with essential oils of rose and orange blossom.  This amazing mask mineralizes the skin, exfoliates, purifies pores and draws out all toxins.  I actually had a lot of fun trying the mud facial mask, I've never done one myself before.  Yes, there really is mud in that jar, but it smells wonderful! It was easy to smooth on, then I just let it dry and washed it off, easy peasy and actually really relaxing.

To continue your skin’s renewal, the Cocoon Apothecary Skin Care Starter Kit containing Petal Purity Cleanser, Rose Facial Toner, and Rosey Cheeks Facial Cream will take care of nourishing, restoring and maintaining your skin’s balance, giving it a healthy glow - which is exactly what we want this time of year right!  Again very easy to use and put on, smells wonderful.  I wouldn't say I have extremely sensitive skin, but I certainly can't use just anything, or I get red and itchy.  With the Cocoon Apothecary Skin Care Starter Kit I LOVED the feel of my skin.  Everything felt great and my skin felt conditioned, comfortable and smooth.

I also love that it's not a one time thing, there's enough product to have your own spa day at home all the time!  A great way to refresh and relax after a long week.

It's Jessica Burman who founded Cocoon Apothecary in 2004 in Kitchener, Ontario.  She wanted to create organic and eco-friendly skincare products that embrace the healing power of natural ingredients. Jessica’s background certification in aromatherapy and esthetics has given her the ability to create master formulations that embrace the healing and regenerative powers of rose, lavender and geranium essential oils that work together synergistically.  She meticulously prepares natural beauty creams that contain antioxidants, are vegan and gluten-free and free of petroleum and parabens.

All Cocoon Apothecary beauty creams have natural scents and don’t contain any synthetic fragrance often found in other beauty products.  Cocoon Apothecary’s natural beauty products are 100% biodegradable and are packaged in 100% recyclable amber glass bottles with plant-based labels. Cocoon Apothecary focuses on transparent corporate practices, educating customers on reading cosmetic labels and the importance of natural ingredients.

A great group of products and they would make a beautiful gift too!  Learn more at www.cocoonapothecary.com.

TD Canadian Children's Book Week - Bringing the Best to Canadian Kids #TDBookWeek

Did you know Canada..  TD Canadian Children's Book Week just finished up, when over 35 authors, illustrators and storytellers are touring across Canada and visiting schools, libraries and community centres to connect with young people, present their books and talk about thrills of reading and writing. This year’ theme is quite interesting - All the Bookshelf’s a Stage: Celebrating the Performing Arts.

Just before the launch of TD Canadian Children's Book Week we were lucky to attend meet-and-greet with Canadian authors and illustrators participating in this initiative at Drake Hotel in Toronto.  The event started with presentation from TD Bank Group highlighting the importance of supporting children’s literacy and bringing the best books and materials to Canadian kids. Then authors shared their exciting stories about meeting the families and children during TD Canadian Children's Book Week. For more than 35 years, TD Canadian Children's Book Week has been emphasizing the value of reading and introducing Canadian kids to their favourite authors, poets, storytellers and illustrators.  

I think kid’s books are pure magic that gives kids opportunities to follow the exciting adventures, become a character of the stories, imagine, travel, learn and unwrap their natural talents.

During that event we were also introduced to new web resources created at https://tdreads.com/ where parents, kids and teachers have an opportunity to look through book lists and find any interesting book based on child age, an author or an illustrator with short introduction.

For more information, please visit www.bookweek.ca/

Faniya

Teddy Out-Ready

TD Canadian Children's Book Week is organized by the Canadian Children's Book Centre, in partnership with the Storytellers of Canada/Conteurs du Canada and the generous support of sponsors.

Chicken Soup for the Soul - Angels Among Us

Did you know Canada..  I've been reading Chicken Soup for the Soul's Angels Among Us.  This newly released book features 101 Inspirational Stories of Miracles, Faith, and Answered Prayers.

I really enjoyed the Divine Messengers section, short stories about receiving a message or a sign from nature or a stranger, often the messages from nature bring news of a loved one passing.  I know many people that believe these to be true, and whether you do or not you can appreciate the peaceful-ness of knowing we are all connected.

The stories of Healing Touches were very powerful, often stories of those coming back from the brink of death, sometimes without explanation, nothing short of miraculous and so uplifting to read.

Celestial, otherworldly, heavenly. Whatever the term, sometimes there is no earthly explanation for what we experience, and a higher power is clearly at work. In this book of 101 inspirational stories, contributors share their personal angel experiences of faith, miracles, and answered prayers. You will be awed and inspired by these true personal stories from people, religious and non-religious, about angel guidance, miraculous intervention, and love from beyond.

This beautiful book would make a great gift for anyone, but especially those that can use a smile and a boost of faith.  Chicken Soup for the Soul books are laid out so nice in that you can pick it up even when you only have a few moments and read a story or two.

Great news for our readers, enter to you a copy for yourself!  Enter below for your chance to win Canada!

Giveaway

Government vs Private Auto Insurance #Canada #T2T

Did you know Canada..  I bet every time someone gets a new car at work or in the family the topic of auto insurance comes up and someone mentions that the government should operate the car insurance business.  I'd love to chat about this with you guys, what do you think?

Here's some straight up facts about Government vs Private Auto Insurance..

First of all, all insurance providers already run within a strict framework of provincial laws that are supervised by a number of government agencies, like rate review boards and both federal and provincial regulators.

The average cost to establish a government-run insurance company by province would be $300-$500 million - yikes!  Not only would there be these enormous start-up costs, but all government-run auto insurers in Canada have required taxpayer subsidies to bail them out.

With private auto insurance the rates reflect the true cost. Premiums in a competitive environment reflect the real cost of insuring a driver.

The government would offer static solutions for consumers, that would mean we lose out on multi-vehicle discounts and the like.

The private insurance industry in Canada employs almost 100,000 people, either directly or through its support of a broker workforce, that's big!

Insurance Bureau of Canada wants you to Get In the Know about Auto Insurance.  By the way, anyone ever try to tell you a red car costs more in insurance?  Well guess what, it has no impact on your car insurance premium - phew!  Visit their website to learn more about auto insurance, what it means for you, and be prepared with real facts for your next office chat.


Disclosure: Although this post has generously been sponsored by Insurance Bureau of Canada, the opinions and language are all my own, and in no way do they reflect Insurance Bureau of Canada.

Xyla® Xylitol Products Review - Eating Sweet Without Guilt

Did you know Canada..  How much do you know about Xyla® xylitol? It is interesting that I used it for almost two years.  But only recently did I have an opportunity to learn much more about its background and benefits. Xyla® 100% natural xylitol is a white crystalline granule that looks and tastes like sugar.  It is made from hardwood trees exclusively in North America, great to know that Xyla® xylitol has been approved by Health Canada and produced under the highest manufacturing standards.

When I was first introduced to xylitol by a family member, the explanation was simple it is sugar just produced differently and the final convincing point mentioned was that it is used by people with diabetes. I remember how my uncle suffered from diabetes and had to follow a strict diet a long time ago. Now my mom-in-law continues to call xylitol “Healthy Sugar” and there are many reasons why.  

“Xyla® is a healthy sugar alternative,” says Julie Reid, Director of Sales, Xylitol Canada.  “It has an enormous list of benefits and can be used everywhere sugar is used: in our coffee, jams, pies and cakes and has been used in Europe and many other countries for years.”  Xyla® has 40% less calories than sugar and 75% less carbohydrates, so it’s slowly metabolized.  I learned that xylitol has multiple benefits including maintaining hormonal balance, reducing hot flashes, symptoms of PMS and depression; it also inhibits harmful yeast and prevents osteoporosis and middle-ear infections. If you love sweets, you should definitely switch to Xyla® as it contributes significantly to oral health by preventing plaque and dental cavities.  

I use Xyla® xylitol (I buy a 1lb bag) mostly for preparing hot cereal in the morning. So when I received my gift box which included 2 lb. canister, box of 100 sachets and candies, I was impressed with the varieties of Xyla® xylitol products we have right now on the Canadian market: bags, canisters, box of 100 sachets (great for tea and coffee), Xyla® gum, mints, candy, chocolate, lollipops, jam and various condiments. For my review I started using sachets for my tea and coffee (and I drink quite a lot adding spoons of sugar).  What I first noticed was that I stopped having the after taste I usually have and did not feel any bloating after eating.  I gave grape candies to my family members, and they liked them so much especially when there are so many flavours to choose from: raspberry, watermelon, grape, licorice etc.

It is amazing to find out that celebrities who want to look good, stay in a shape and just be healthy also started switching to xylitol as a healthy sugar alternative, for example Laila Ali adds 1 tablespoon of her go-to sugar substitute, xylitol to her breakfast and fabulous Gwyneth Paltrow uses xylitol in her latest cookbook, It’s All Good (by the way I like her recipe Sweet potato & five-spice muffins).

In Canada Xyla® xylitol can be purchased online http://store.xylitolcanada.com/; at Whole Foods (Xyla® mints); London Drugs, Bulk Barn; Choices Market; and at http://www.xylitolcanada.com/store-listing/

For more information please check Xyla® xylitol web site: http://store.xylitolcanada.com/

Faniya

Teddy Out-Ready

Seventh Generation and cleaning green

Did you know Canada..  According to a recent survey, 93% of Canadians would choose green versions of household cleaning products (NMI 2012)!

Thankfully there are now products like those from Seventh Generation.  Seventh Generation is designed with the environment, and you and your family’s health in mind.  Seventh Generation’s impressive roster including diapers, plant-based cleaners for the kitchen, bathroom and laundry, and plant-based baby and personal care for the whole family.

I love their products for the bathroom, especially the toilet bowl clean, so many of them are so stinky and powerful, I had one that the kids refused to use the bathroom for ours afterwards it smells so chemically.  Using the Seventh Generation clean has been so much easier, it cleans well and doesn't leave stinky chemical smells behind.

You know we are all things baby here and have enjoyed trying their line up of baby products.  Their baby wipes are free of chlorine processing, fragrances & dyes, alcohol and they are hypoallergenic.  It's great to know you are taking the best care of your baby's skin as you can.  They are also soft and do the job as you expect.

They also have a nice baby wash series with shampoo, wash, bubble bath and lotion.  It includes a nice fresh and very light scent.  It contains no parabens, phthalates, or synthetic fragrances and is hypoallergenic.  Works great, no residue and we came out clean and sweet on the other end. :-)

Do you choose green products for your home?