I’m Going...ShesConnected Conference, Toronto! #SCCTO

After making connections with other bloggers over the summer via Twitter, Facebook and other online communities, I had started learning of blogging conferences going on all over North America.  They sounded so interesting, and seemed to be a lot of fun!  I love meeting new people – socializing is one of my favourite past times.  I then saw a few of my favourite blogs offering free tickets to the ShesConnected 2011 Conference in Toronto.

I had joined Shes Connected a few months prior and fell in love with the idea of this website – Connecting Brands with Digital Women.  Attending the ShesConnected Conference only seemed like a dream at the time.  This conference gives Brands direct access to digitally connected women (moms, bloggers and social media leaders).  With big brand names, discussion panels, and a list of impressive speakers, this conference is a bloggers dream!

And guess what?  I’M GOING!!!  Eeeeeeek!

The ShesConnected Conference takes place Thursday September 29 and Friday September 30 at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel in downtown Toronto.  The amazing group of Speakers, Sponsors and Advisors are sure to make the conference a huge success!

I’m definitely ready to meet some incredible people (have I mentioned that socializing is one of my favourite past times?), speak with brands that my family loves, and absorbing as much as I possibly can from the incredible list of speakers at the conference.  And I hope to come out of this a better blogger, a better consumer, and a better connected woman!

Thank you ShesConnected for this incredible opportunity.   And thank you Lena (http://www.listentolena.com/), my über blogger friend and ShesConnected Conference roomie for making this dream a reality!  I feel lucky and blessed to be included in this experience!

If you’re a blogger interested in social networking or a mom interested in connecting with other mom’s, bloggers and Brands, join Shes Connected and get started!  See you there J

1 Year Later...It's My Blogiversary!

HAPPY BLOGIVERSARY TO ME!

I can remember the day that I was hit with the blogging bug.  Aidan had just started SK, and I had been asked by many friends and co-workers for tips on how they could get their kids to eat healthy meals at school.  The wheels started turning, and I wrote my first post Pepperoni sticks may be harmed in the creation of this blog!.  With valuable input from my sister and sis-in-law (thanks for your support from the start, ladies!), I bravely clicked PUBLISH POST and held my breath.  Up until that point, I don't think I had ever felt so vulnerable in my entire life.  Yeah, I had spent the last 12 years typing e-mails and reports at work, and the last year writing children's stories at home.  But this was different.  This was me...

Here are some of the things that I've learned after a year of blogging:

• You can never edit your work too many times
• You have to let go any any fears of being judged or criticized on your writing
• Write from the heart
• If you don't have a true interest and passion in what you're writing about, the writing will never get done
• Ask for tips from seasoned bloggers - they'll give you the best and most honest advise
• Don't be shy, tell people about your blog! (I still have a very hard time doing this!)
• Join online communities that relate to your blog
• Don't be concerned with whom and how many people are reading
• Have fun with it!

I've had a lot of fun writing for the past year.  I love sharing meal tips, recipes and stories about my experiences with parenthood.  My boys inspire me every day, and I look forward to many years of writing ahead.

Thanks to all of you who take the time to read my blog, it means so much to me!  Looking forward to an exciting year ahead!

Seventh Generation Contest Winner!

Thank you to all who read my review of Seventh Generation products, and to those of you who entered my very first blog contest!  I love the comments left on my post and will definitely try them out myself!

After reviewing (and loving) these products, I am excited that someone else will have the chance to try them too!

The winner of a Seventh Gen Eco lunch bag containing coupons for FREE Seventh Generation Free & Clear Diapers, Free & Clear Baby Wipes and dish washing products is....

********** Craig **********



Big-A holding the name of the winner - he took this job very seriously :)

Congratulations Craig!  Please e-mail me with your full name, address and phone number no later than Monday September 19, 2011 and your prize from Seventh Generation will be on it's way!

Lunch - Mini Pita Pizzas

To prepare for back to school, I purchased a large bag of mini pitas.  During the first week of school, I found many different ways to use them for Big-A's lunch.  This past weekend, I was trying to think of a something quick & yummy to make for lunch and came up with Mini Pita Pizzas.  They were DELISH!!!

My little ninja spreading

tomato sauce on the pitas!

What a big boy!

I had the pitas, the mozarella cheese and homemade tomato sauce (previously frozen in ice cube trays - I will be sharing this recipe very soon!) on hand.  I pre-heated the oven, heated the sauce and grated the cheese.  Big-A spread the sauce on the pitas and sprinkled on cheese.  We baked them at 425 degrees F for about 10 minutes.  Once they cooled a bit, they were quickly devoured!  Two pita pizzas were a perfect size for a small meal, with raw veggies or fruit on the side.

My cheese ninja at work :)

Depending on your child's taste preference, add any other ingredients that they may like.  Sliced tomatoes, thinly sliced bell peppers or mushrooms would be ideal toppings.  Also consider changing the cheese for a different taste, or using pesto instead of tomato sauce.

Mini Pita Pizzas right out of the oven!

Mini Pita Pizzas can easily be packed for a school lunch.  For warm pizza, wrap a couple of pitas in foil and add a heat pack to the lunch container.  You can also send them cold, if your child enjoys cold pizza.  Served with veggie sticks or fresh fruit, you've got a perfect lunch for your little one.

And I promise you - you'll be making them for yourself too :)

 

 Big-A and I took no time at all to devour these Mini Pita Pizzas.  They were delicious, as you can see by Big-A's reaction! 

Seventh Generation - Product Review & Contest!

"In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations."

~From the Great Law of the Iroquois Confederacy

Being an environmentally conscious Canadian, I am constantly searching for the most effective 'green' or natural cleaning products to use in my home.  When the opportunity arose to test Seventh Generation products (courtesy of Mom Central Canada), I was instantly on board!  With two busy boys tearing up the house, my husband and I clean A LOT!  We also change a lot of diapers, and use a lot of baby wipes.  I was thrilled to find out that I would have the chance to test out these products as well!

I have used 'green' and natural dishwasher detergent in the past but it just hasn't measured up to the standard brand that we normally use.  I had a full load of dirty dishes ready to be washed and decided to give Seventh Generation Free & Clear Automatic Dishwasher Gel a try.

This convenient gel soap is fragrance-free, chlorine-free, phosphate-free and non-toxic.  Plant-Derived Enzyme Soil Removers and Water Softeners, along with Mineral Protection Agents work together to break up food residue, lift stains and protect dishes and dishwasher parts.  I was extremely impressed with the effectiveness of this dishwashing gel.  I didn't feel a film on any plastic items as I have with my previous dishwashing packs, and every single dish came out spotless.  This product now has a permanent spot in my kitchen!



I have used the same standard, brand-name disposable diapers with both of my boys and we have never had issues with absorbency or comfort.  I have thought in the past of using a 'green' diaper but they are so expensive that I couldn't justify buying them.  I used my free coupon to purchase a 26-pack of Seventh Generation Free & Clear 26 size 5 diapers, retailing at $14.99.  Not bad!  Seventh Generation Free & Clear Diapers are chlorine-free, fragrance-free, latex-free and hypoallergenic.  They also provide a premium fit and absorbency.  Even with this claim, I was skeptical.  But I put them to the test (well, Lil-J actually put them to the test!) and I was very happy with the result.  The actual diaper is very soft.  The diapers didn't leak or fall apart, even at their worst moments.  I would use these again, especially with Lil-J's extremely sensitive skin.

The Seventh Generation Free & Clear Baby Wipes were like any other that I've used in the past - they were soft with a mild scent.  They contain no alcohol, synthetic cleaners, dyes or fragrances, and material does not contain chlorine.  Like the diapers, they are also hypoallergenic.  They contain aloe extract, vitamin E, and other pant-derived ingredients.  They worked very well on Lil-J, as well as both boy's hands.  I wiped my hands with them and they didn't irritate my eczema which tells me that they would be very gentle on newborn baby bums too.  I was a happy customer again and would buy these in the future.





I had hoped to try out Seventh Generation Laundry Liquid, as well as Seventh Generation All-Purpose Cleaner...but that didn't happen.  After visiting three grocery store chains, I could not locate either product anywhere.  And the store locator on their website came up with no results.  I will hold onto my coupons and if I do manage to locate these items, I will share my results with another post.  I hope to have that chance in the near future!

Taking Care Of This World For My Children...

I learned the importance of being environmentally friendly from an early age, both at school and at home.  I've never tied myself to a tree in protest, but I believe that I have always showed respect to our beautiful planet Earth.  After having Big-A, my environmental consciousness quickly moved from outside the home to inside the home.  Along came phosphate-free dishwashing products, cleaners made with natural ingredients, and soaps/shampoos/laundry products made with the least amount of chemicals possible.

Our 'Green' Life...

As a family, we try to follow a 'green' lifestyle as much as possible.  We have rules about turning off lights in the house and limiting water use (turning off taps while brushing teeth, taking short showers).  We also recycle and compost our food waste, and I always take the time to explain why we do this to Big-A.  He knows to put food in the compost bin because the worms are waiting for their dinner!  We also try to buy local food as much as possible.  Ontario farms have so much to offer.  If I can buy apples picked at a farm around the corner, I know that I'm not only supporting a local farm, but I'm also decreasing the carbon footprint left by a non-local apple travelling across the country.

Along with providing effective and environmentally friendly products, Seventh Generation also has a list of charitable initiatives.  Follow this link http://ca.seventhgeneration.com/learn/topics/Corporate-Responsibility to read more.  And check in with me late in September for more details on the incredible Seventh Generation Diaper Donation program!

You can join the 7th Gen Nation as well!  As a Nation member, you'll have access to coupons, special offers and tips for green & healthy living.  You can join at http://ca.seventhgeneration.com/community.

YOUR CHANCE TO WIN!

*The following giveaway is open to Canadian residents only *

Seventh Generation is generously offering Kindergarten Confidential readers a chance to win a 100% organic cotton Seventh Gen Eco lunch bag as well as coupons for a FREE package of Seventh Generation Free & Clear Diapers, Free & Clear Baby Wipes and dish washing products!

For your chance to win this awesome prize, simply leave a comment on this post with your best tip on how to be more environmentally conscious.


For extra entries, you can do the following (make sure to leave a separate comment for each entry):

• Follow Kindergarten Confidential through Google Friend Connect
• Follow Kindergarten Confidential on Twitter (leave your twitter handle in your comment)
• Visit the Seventh Generation website and tell me what product you can't wait to try

This contest closes midnight Thursday September 15, 2011.
I will draw for a winner Friday September 16, 2011.
Good luck to all!

I am participating in the Seventh Generation program by Mom Central Canada.  I received compensation

as a thank you for my participation.  The opinions on this blog are my own.

Easing Back To School Stress!

Did the summer ever go by fast!  It seems like I was sitting at Big-A's SK grad ceremony just yesterday and I'm now preparing him for Grade 1!  Along with the new backpack, school supplies and new fall clothes comes school snacks and lunches!  Last year I had it easy, only having to plan for snacks, one per day.  This year I will be challenged with preparing a nut-free, delicious and healthy lunch, along with 2 snacks per day.  I'm lucky to have this blog as an index of ideas and recipes.  But I won't stop there - I'll be testing out even more recipes, trying out different foods (some foods just don't travel well) and searching for the healthiest store bought items that I can find.

The key to getting through the chaos of back-to-school is to be prepared.  This means filling my fridge and pantry with foods that will be in Big-A's lunch bag week after week.  Here is a basic list that I will follow and I will add to it as I move along.

Pantry:

• bread, mini pitas, flat bread, bagels
• whole grain crackers
• Treasure Mills School Safe cookies, cakes and brownies
• President's Choice or Quaker nut-free granola bars (check out my post Snack-Granola Bars for some interesting differences between the two brands)
• fruit cups, un-sweetened apple sauce cups and Sun Rype fruit snacks
• raisins, dried cranberries, dried blueberries (load up at Bulk Barn!)
• Food Should Taste Good chips - think low sodium, no preservatives and high in fibre (more on this brand later!)

Refrigerator

• assortment of fresh fruit and vegetables including cucumbers, carrots, cherry tomatoes, cauliflower, bananas, apples, nectarines, grapes (think a 'rainbow' of colours)
• plain greek-style yogurt (no added flavour, sugar, colouring, fillers) - add honey and fresh or frozen fruit
• Maple Leaf Natural Selections ham and turkey slices
• assortment of cheese including havarti/mozarella/white cheddar and Baby Bel
• un-sweetened jams and apple butter (nut-free toppings for bagels)
• hummus, plain or flavoured

Freezer

• homemade banana and blueberry muffins for a quick breakfast or pack for school snacktime
• homemade banana bread mini loaves
• homemade pancakes or waffles - simply pop in the toaster for an easy breakfast

Reference Canada's Food Guide to ensure that your little one is receiving the required nutrition to get them through the day.  You can order a free copy to hang in your pantry for easy use!

Keep lunches and snacks simple, and change them up through the week.  Keep your child's age in mind before preparing foods.  Air-popped popcorn is a fabulous school snack, but it is a choking hazard for young children.  Raw carrots are also a major choking hazard.  My post Snack - No Choke Carrot Sticks offers a solution for young children.  Yogurt is a great snack or lunch accompaniment, but it may be too messy for a 4-year old to eat at school.

I plan to sign Big-A up for the milk program at school.  Other than that, he will get a bottle of cold water in his backpack each day that he can refill if needed.  When choosing a water bottle for your little one, look for BPA-free and consider how easy it is to clean all of the parts.  You can read more about the importance of water, and some great water bottle brands in my post H2O Woes.

Although I plan to make most of Big-A's snacks and lunches from scratch, I know how busy weekday evenings are.  Working until 5pm, shovelling dinner down our throats, attempting a walk before bath time...we never stop!  If and when I chose to send him to school with store-bought items, I will make sure to read labels, research ingredients and make sure that the items are of the best quality and have a high nutritional value.

Last but not least, think of a creative way to let your child know that you're thinking of them while they're at school.  Small notes on Post-It's, heart-shaped sandwiches or even a Kinder® Surprise hidden in their backpack will put an instant smile on the face of any child.

Keep your pantry, refrigerator and fruit bowl full and make the school lunch crunch easier on everyone!

Baby And You on Facebook! 'Like' 'Like' 'Like'

Think of how often in a day you turn to social media to share or obtain information on raising your child.  Whether Tweeting, Facebooking, or following a Blog, many parents are using social media for answers to their questions and problems with child-rearing, or to share their favourite parenting moments or tips.  Moms are one of the Internet's most desirable and influential groups, and the brands that we all love are listening.

Loblaw Companies has stepped up to the plate with their Facebook page Baby and You.  It is a place to chat with other moms and dads about all things baby!  Proud parents can share their baby's most precious 'first', ask for advise, and post photos of their little ones.  Baby and You starts conversations between parents, shares incredible deals at Loblaw Co. stores, and provides exclusive store offers and coupons.

Speaking of exclusive offers...a little bird told me to watch out for Joe Fresh this month!  I'll make sure to share the details as soon as I can!

The Baby and You Facebook page also features two Canadian Mom Bloggers!  Click on the Mom Talk tab to meet Jody from Mommy Moment (dedicated to all things Mom) and click on the Baby Talk tab to meet Lisa from Growing Your Baby (dedicated to all things baby).  And take the time to visit their websites as well!

I am thrilled to be a part of the Baby and You program by Mom Central Canada, and I look forward to engaging in conversation with other parents on Facebook, as well as learning of new exclusive offers at Loblaw Co. stores.  Look out for posts by me and the other Canadian bloggers who will be chatting on the page each day by visting https://www.facebook.com/Baby.n.you and 'Liking' the page.  And don't be shy - start a conversation yourself and you just may learn something new!

I am participating in the Baby and You program by Mom Central Canada on behalf of Loblaw Companies.  I received compensation as a thank you for my participation.  The opinions on this blog are my own.