Inspirational Monday

"This, the spirit of Christmas, that forever and ever endures. May it leave its richest blessing in the hearts of you and yours."

Author Unknown

Inspirational Monday

"By looking at the questions the kids are asking, we learn the scope of what needs to be done. "

Buffy Sainte-Marie

Countdown to Christmas Day 7!

Honestly, you can not have Christmas music and not play tribute to Frosty himself!  Of course it is the classic song I love.  Even the old animation is still a hit with kids.  With all the advancements of current cartoons, I know many think that cartoons of the past children will no longer enjoy!  That is so far from the truth!!  My girls love watching this movie and they had it playing at our dance studio the other day and I can say my children are not alone with loving this classic!

Countdown to Christmas Day 6!

This song is a favorite of my girls!  The love the beat and to them it reminds them of Dora so of course it has to be cool :-)  I have to admit though for myself all I know if the chorus of the song...no matter how old it is or how many times it plays I find myself still only knowing that one part.  I do not know about you, but for me it is an ear worm.  Once I hear it I can not get it out of my head! 

Countdown to Christmas Day 5!

Driving to work the other day I heard a station I was listening to talk about the new Christmas album for Michael Buble.  While they were talking about it, they also mentioned that it would be a great gift for their mothers....which would be the age of my mother.  Well, I guess I must have "old" taste as I love the sound of Michael Buble and love his Christmas music.  When I picture a Christmas from the books I read my children this song fits in well with those make believe stories.  I have never met anyone who roasted nuts or had singers that came to their house, but you have to agree Michael Buble makes you wish you had!

Countdown to Christmas Day 4!

I remember I was visiting my grandparents in Arizona one Christmas and it was the first time I had heard this song.  My grandparents were snow birds.  If your not familiar with the term it meant in the cold of the Canadian winters they escaped to the warmth of Phoenix.  I was about 5 years old and if it was not enough shock that I went from a city that had tons of snow to one that had none at all, just imagine when I heard this song.  As a small child I took this as an factual song.  I remember being worried Santa would run over my grandma as well.  Of course, now I know how much of a careful driver Santa is after this original incident. :-) The thing is now it is one of my favorite "fun" songs of the holiday season!  If making a list of my favorite Holiday songs this one is definitely one of them!

Countdown to Christmas Day 3!

I do not know about you, but for me Christmas isn't Christmas without a little Bing Crosby!!!  No matter if you grew up with a White Christmas or not Bing Crosby had you wishing for it.  I think for myself this song reminds me so much of my grandparents and reminds me truly about about the Holidays through the eyes of my youth.  Without a doubt the holiday season has became more commercialized, but just taking a moment to reflect back and with some good old holiday music you will definitely get your holiday cheer back if you have lost it!

Countdown to Christmas Day 2!

Without a doubt there is no denying that Mariah Carey has a beautiful voice.  It is even better when an artist with a beautiful voice and a beautiful song get paired up together.  This song is not a song that all artists can sing well.  Of course many artists do try, but if anything I find it just make the artists that do sing it well stand out even more.  Without a doubt this is truly one of my favourite Holiday songs!!

Tasty Tuesday!

Eating a rainbow of colours is an important part of daily eating.   Though I have to admit I love a variety of recipes and get bored easy if I eat a similar dish week after week.  However, with all the great range of fruits and vegetable and spices that can be added to your meals it shouldn't be often you have to cook a similar meal.  Plus if you have children the greater the variety of foods you cook the more your little ones get to try and experience as a child.  Remember to acquire a taste you have to eat an item  or more times so do not give up if they do not like it the first time! My girls LOVE rainbows just as much as they love shrimp so I decided to make them a rainbow stir fry!

   Rainbow Shrimp Stir fry

1 Yellow Onion

1 Red Pepper

1 Green Pepper

1 Yellow Pepper

1 Orange Pepper

1 tsp Coconut oil (or your preferred cooking oil)

2 cups precooked shrimp

Whole Grain Rice or noodles

Cut up the onion and add fry first in1/2 tsp of Coconut Oil. Fry for a few minutes and then add all of the cut up pepper that are in bite sized piece with the remaining 1/2 tsp of Coconut oil.  The Coconut oil will give a Coconut flavor to the sweet peppers.  Fry peppers until almost cooked and add the shrimp in with the stir fry. Cook them together for just enough time for the shrimp to heat thoroughly and the pepper are not soft.  As the food will continue to cook a bit once it is removed from the stove.  You want to ensure that the peppers are not too soggy in comparison to the shrimp as the textures are to compliment each-other.  Add to your desired choice of rice or noodles OR eat without any additional carbs!  This dish even tastes great on its own!

Enjoy!

Countdown to Christmas Bieber style!

In our home not only do we countdown to the holidays with our Advent calendars, but with my eldest having her birthday on December 1st she knows once its her birthday not long after is it Christmas.  Yes, I say not long after, but to my daughter it still seems like a really, really long time!  This year for her birthday as she is a super big Justin Bieber fan one of her gifts was his Christmas CD.  I have to admit I like it as well.  It is great that he sings new songs, but as well has taken some old classics and put a new twist on it.  Something that is catchy and modern!

I thought that since Christmas is less then 2 weeks away it would be fun to add some Holiday flare on the blog so until the big day I will be posting some of my favorite Christmas songs.  Today's is not what I would say an all time favorite, but I do like it and find myself walking around singing it.  It is definitely what I consider a fun holiday song and hey it does not hurt if it makes me feel younger..lol!

Inspirational Monday

"There's always something to suggest that you'll never be who you wanted to be. Your choice is to take it or keep on moving. "

Phylicia Rashad

Wordless Wednesday!

Whenever I see this picture it reminds me of The Secret Garden!

Tasty Tuesday!

Smoothies are a big hit in my house!  They are a hit with my entire family and it is a great way for everyone to have some fruit and other nutritious food in a drink form.  I do not know about you, but I am not great at making sure that I get the required about of fruit and vegetables in my daily diet.   This is what is great about smoothies.  You can ensure you do and best of all your making it yourself so you know what is in it!  My children love making these with me a well its a simple, almost mess free activity you can involve your children in.  Not to mention it is healthy for them!

Peanut Butter and Banana Smoothie

1 Tablespoon Peanut Butter (use nut free if you prefer)

1Whole Banana

2 cups low fat milk  (add more milk or water until you get your own desired consistency)

Add all of the above items into your blender and blend until smooth  If you find your smoothie is too think for you add more low fat milk and/or water until you have your preferred desired consistency. If you would like to sweeten it up a bit naturally feel free to add a pear in and have a bit more fruit. 

I usually will add the fruit before I add more liquid as pear has its own natural juice!  If you want it colder add some ice and blend again before serving!

Enjoy!

Inspirational Monday

"A person who knows how to laugh at himself will never ceased to be amused. "

Shirley MacLaine

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRINCESS!

Today we are wishing my eldest a very Happy 5TH birthday!   We hope all of your dreams come true and that you have a wonderful day and most importantly have fun being 5!