Dempster's Farmhouse bread

Did you know Canada..  we are a white bread family, yes, I said it!  I do often pick up rye for myself, but we don't really like brown.  So we know our white breads well, and I have to tell you, we just tried Dempster's Farmhouse bread and it is amazing!

We are already a Dempster's family so to speak, we had Dempster bagels for breakfast just this morning, that's always the bread in the kids lunches, etc..  but I'm so used to picking up our main staples the new Farmhouse bread had not caught my eye until now.

We love to support Canadian company Maple Leaf Foods at home, and I absolutely love that the Farmhouse bread is made with 100% Canadian wheat!  So soft and yummy, it has that unique homemade fresh taste that is unbelievable from grocery store shelf bread.  Available across Ontario and can be found in the bakery section at major grocers including Walmart, Metro, Sobeys, Food Basics, Freshco, and Price Chopper.

I think this would be perfect for French Toast, toast and peanut butter and best of all, yummy sandwiches which is just what we made.

Everyone grabbed their lunch meat and toppings and as you can see, we all dug in. :-)

So what's in your sandwich? Kids just had lunch meat, Hubby had lunch meat, lettuce and cheese, being pregnant I skipped the lunch meat, had lettuce, cheese, ranch dressing and a touch of salt and pepper.  A great way to please everyone and share a family meal.

We are so very happy to share a great giveaway with you as well!  Enter below for your chance to be 1 of 2 winners to each win 5 Free Product Coupons from Maple Leaf Foods to purchase any of their bread products.

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I am a member of the MLF Connects program. As part of my participation in this program I have received compensation, however all opinions in place and ideas on this blog are my own.

Healthy eating – healthy living with Lydia Knorr

Did you know Canada..  Toronto Representative Faniya has another great event to share with us..

Fall season is on its peak and we are slowly back to our routines. We also love fall for the holidays and seasonal foods, it offers. So this time of the year is very important to keep the right balance and eat healthy.

In October I was invited to meet Yoplait spokesperson and Lydia Knorr as well as other influencers to discuss family health and fall routines. It was like a round table discussion in elegant and cozy Moroco, located in Toronto downtown.  I like that everyone contributed to our conversation about family life as we all have kids and quite often we face same challenges like how to feed breakfast in the morning kids who just woke up and do not want to eat anything.  Or what serving sizes we should have for our kids as I cannot allow kids to eat all the nuts I have at home in just one sitting.

So I hope you will find these tips helpful as I found them for myself:

• * Eat your breakfast every day, this may sound familiar and simple but it is very important as after 7 hours of sleep your body needs some fuel, it is also the perfect opportunity to take milk products
• * Plan menu for a week, this helps you focus more of healthy choices for the upcoming week and plan accordingly instead of preparing whatever can be found in a fridge
• * Pack lunches the night before, also sounds so familiar but it is not only a healthy lunch prepared a night before it is also a good sleep and less stress in the morning
• * If your kid does not like veggies try to add some veggie sauces to pasta or meat or puree them
• * Look at the shopping labels (you know there are lots of info there), but here are three the most important ones: fibre (higher is better and cereals give the best choice), fats and sodium
• * Eat small and nutritious meals more often:  eat small meals throughout the day (every 3 to 4 hours) like fruits, pre-cut veggies, nuts and low fat yogurt

For more healthy tips, healthy and quick food ideas please take a look at Lydia Knorr’s web site: http://www.lydiaknorr.com/healthy-eating-tips.html
And finally happy and healthy eating is a very important part of our daily routine; let’s create an enjoyable experience for our families during holiday season.

Faniya
Teddy Out-Ready

Elephoto Photo Book

Did you know Canada..  I love taking pictures of my family, but I am terrible about printing them, which leads to me looking at them on my phone or laptop, but we don't get to enjoy them as a family, or share with others unless it's through social media.

Photo Books from Canadian company Elephoto.ca is an awesome way to create a gorgeous book of your favourite photos, something to leave on the coffee table or bookshelf so you can enjoy reliveing your memories as a family.  I'm always a little surprised my HOW MUCH the boys love to look at old photos and hear about those memories, they love to see themselves. :-)

What an amazing gift to give a family member this Holiday Season as well.  I know every Gramma, Grampa, Aunt, Uncle and more would love to receive a photo book full of family photos.  A thoughtful gift that looks beautiful, you can't get more personalized than this!

I made this fun Photo Book on Elephoto.ca - it's SO EASY to use Elephoto's website to create your book exactly how you want, with text if you want it, layout your pictures how you want, how many photos and pages you want, absolutely everything!

Easy enough for anyone to use, but looks completely professional at the same time, this is an awesome service.  I can't believe how fast the book was delivered after ordering either, it was amazing!


What a great gift for the Holiday Season, use code Dyknow15 to save 15% on Elephoto's site (valid until January 31, 2013)!  That's good not only for Photo Books, but also calendars, cards, posters and more.

Follow Elephoto on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news!

We have another surprise for our readers as well, enter below for your chance to win a $50 one-time use code on Elephoto (shipping not included), the winner can use it now to create a special piece for the Holidays, or save it until after Christmas to make a book or calendar using your favourite photos from all your Holiday events.  Enter below and Good Luck Canada!

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LAZER TAG 2 Blaster Battle Pack

Did you know Canada.. Well, I can honestly say that Hasbro Canada has you covered to make you (or Santa) look like a hero this Holiday Season.  My guys will be blasting each other, Dad and their Uncles with Hasbro's LAZER TAG 2 Blaster Battle Pack!

This is SO COOL!  Not only does the set come with two laser guns, with technology that works within the gun so you don't have to wear a chest piece like old laser games, AND, you can use an App to actually see the person you are shooting AND the laser!!

Oh man, this is just too cool!!!  My guys, and the rest of the guys in the family, are going to flip!

Use indoor or out, you can choose from the Basic Mission or App-Enhanced Mission! Battle in a Solo Campaign, Team Campaign or Multiplayer Battle.  There are so many ways to play!  Data display shows Takedown Count, Match Timer, Target Reticule, Radar Scanner, Current Weapon, Special Weapon Count, Special Armor Count, Ammo, Life Level and Shield Level.

Easy to get out of the package, set up and use, the only downside is the 12 batteries..haha.. Santa better stock up!  I can't get over the merge with technology, just download the App from the App store and you are ready!  Comes with a handy case for the phone to sit securely  so if they are borrowing your phone, you know it's safe (phew!).  Light weight, easy and comfortable for small and big hands to use, everyone in my family is enjoying this!

You have got to check out this one and all the cool stuff from Hasbro Canada for this Holiday Season, they absolutely know what kids want, this is going to be so much fun. :-)

Longaberger

Did you know Canada..  Longaberger is in Canada!

Longaberger sells a fun range of products that includes beautiful Flameware - known as the healthiest cookware for your family! Handcrafted with 100 percent natural, non-reactive ceramics, so your family tastes nothing but the food you’ve lovingly prepared.

They also have gorgeous baskets, pottery, home accessories, and I absolutely love their Holiday Collection.  Their drum basket sets would love so beautiful in every home, use for tree trimming, decorations, entertaining, the possibilities are endless!

I can think of so many gifts for family - My Mom would love their Wrought Iron Candle Holder, my brother-in-law would be king of the grill with this Flameware Pizza Stone, and I would love some of those baskets for me. :-)

Shop for Longaberger through consultant Amber Davis for great service today!  Be sure to follow her on Facebook as well for the latest deals!  Shop soon for Christmas orders, and be some of the first folks to receive Longaberger products in Canada!  Talk about a unique gift!

Petite Tuques Knitted Mittens

Did you know Canada..  you'll remember how much we loved the scarf we received from Petite Tuques, now we'd love to share their gorgeous knitted mittens with you!

Known as Twilight Mittens, Petite Tuques owner Lisa designed these mittens as similar ones seen on Bella during the truck accident scene in the Twilight movie.  Hand-knitted with peruvian highland wool yarn, featuring a horseshoe cable on front side and her original palm stitch on the palm side - these also match Petite Tuques Crochet Bella Hat.

Not only for Twilight fans, these would make a beautiful gift for anyone in your life.  With long cuffs these are perfect for the snowy Canadian winter Environment Canada is promising this year, not only useful but so stylish!

I received a pair and I absolutely love them, there is so much detail knitted into them, and they are SO cozy! I LOVE how long the sleeves are, and they don't feel so bulky that you would have trouble unlocking the door or something (a pet peeve of mine when wearing mitts).

Make sure to follow along with Petite Tuques on Twitter and Facebook, and order early!  Her products are hand knit just for you!

We are SO excited to know one of our readers will have warm hands this winter as well, because we are giving away a pair of these awesome hand knitted mittens!!  Enter below for your chance to win, and good luck!!

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2012 Holiday Gift Guide Available Today

Did you know Canada..  It's November 1st!!!  It's freezing outside and it's time to think about the Holidays!  We have our 2012 Holiday Gift Guide LIVE today!

Check out what products we think would be fabulous under the tree this year:  Did you know Canada's 2012 Holiday Gift Guide

Stay tuned today and all week for our reviews and some special giveaways!