Meal Planning - January 1-6

As part of my resolutions for this year I am hoping to make meal times easier, healthier, and cheaper. I have tried using meal plans before, but this time I am going to try and be more organized and consistent about it. I'll share my meal plan trials and errors here on the blog in case anyone wants to follow along and use Pinterest to share ideas and recipes.

This week I am going to be following a meal plan from Martha Stewart's Every Day Food Magazine Grocery Bag. If you are interested in trying it too, you will need to get the February issue or download the digital version. You can also find archived menus and shopping lists online.

This week's menu is vegetarian and under 500 calories, which seems fitting for post holiday meals.


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Happy New Year's with Kids (originally published Dec 31, 2010)

My child is probably too young this year to understand that there is anything special about New Year's Eve; however I found some cute ideas online that I thought I would share with you to try with older children or save for years to come:

• Decorate for a New Year's Party (Be sure there are funny hats and noisemakers!)
• Have something fun for supper like make your own pizza's or order out for Chinese food.
• Dress up in party clothes
• Explain the concept of New Year's resolutions to your children. Ask them if there is anything they would like to accomplish in the next year.
• Pick a favourite movie and make it an annual New Year's movie tradition... like Wizard of Oz or a Harry Potter Marathon
• Lay out sleeping bags in the living room and have a 'slumber party'
• Make fancy  'fuzzy' drinks and serve in champagne glasses for a toast

I also saw a neat idea called "New Year's at Nine," a party designed so kids who can't (or shouldn't) stay up so late, don't miss the New Year's celebrations. It is an early evening party for adults and children to enjoy together with food, games, and a 'countdown' at nine o'clock instead of midnight. It sounded like a lot of fun. The people who do this party include outdoor activities like a marshmallow roast and hot chocolate and backyard fireworks, but I am sure everyone can come up with their own way to celebrate and make a party like this fun no matter if you are inside or out. I might try this for next year. It seems like it would be an awesome tradition to start with family and friends with young children.

Meet up?

Friday's forecast looks good for a Meet Up. If you are interested in coming out with your kids to Bannerman Park on Friday at 11:00 AM, let me know.

Christmas Eve Tortiere

I am making Tortiere for Christmas Eve. I use a recipe from the cookbook by the owners of the Kingston restaurant Chez Piggy. If you haven't had Tortiere it is sort of a meat pie and not unlike a Shepherd's pie. The Chez Piggy recipe uses a potato pastry. I don't always do that part. I serve it with mustards or chutneys.

This year we are going to drop off a few cards and gifts to friends and neighbours on Christmas eve and then after our son goes to bed, we'll have our annual viewing of "It's a Wonderful Life" while doing our last wrapping.


What do you do on Christmas eve?


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Christmas Break

Over the holidays I won't be posting on a daily basis. I will hopefully be enjoying some down time with my family. Things should get back to normal after January 3rd, 2012.
If you are interested in taking part in the Meet Up. I will be sending out an email and posting information on Facebook. Send me an email if you want to be included.

I wish you all happy holidays and a new year full of joy and laughter!

Do you send Christmas cards?

I don't care how cute or customizable they are, e-cards are not my thing. Besides, if people were really trading in paper cards for e-cards my inbox would be full and it is not. People just aren't giving cards at all. How Grinchy!

I send real Christmas cards in the real mail and I treasure every single one that I receive in return. I string them with ribbons across an archway between my dining room and kitchen and I put the often enclosed photos on the fridge or in an album. I use last year's to make gift tags for this year.

Though the number of cards I get each year seems to be dwindling as the older generations pass on, I hope my peers will take up the tradition and real Christmas cards will make a resurgence.

Do you still send cards? Do you think the number of Christmas cards is dwindling? Do you care?

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Starts with C

The Once a Month Mom Cookie Pinterest Board is as amazing and inspiring as it is overwhelming. As if you needed another cookie recipe this time of year.

Anyone thinking of joining Weight Watchers in January?

Inspirational Book Club

For our third book club book we've decided to do something seasonal: the season being that of New Year's Resolutions and needing inspiration and motivation to stick with those resolutions. I chose these based on research, having fun, not taking the theme too seriously, and ensuring some diversity. Even though the inspiration might not appeal directly to you, I have also chosen these for their broad appeal potential and good reviews. The voting will take place on the St. John's Kid Facebook page.

Inspiration for your diet resolution: In Defence of Food by Michael Pollan

Motivation for your exercise resolution: Once a Runner by John L Parker

Inspiration for your spirit and achieving your dreams: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Inspiration for improving your mind: A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson

If you aren't interested in any of them, that's okay, we'll have more books in the new year that will be more traditional. I won't be taking suggestions for other books for January as we want to make the selection quickly and in time to meet in the last week of January.

Snowflakes

These are beautiful and simple Christmas decorations and something older children could do while they wait impatiently for the man in red.


- Posted from my iPad

Christmas Meet Up

During the week between Christmas and New year's I am planning a get together for moms and their children who I met through the St. John's Kid Book Club. If you are interested in coming along with your kids, send me an email and I will send you an invite. This will be weather dependent of course and will take place at a playground in St. John's. Afterwards we might gather somewhere for hot chocolates, depending on the turn out.

Perspective

Last week I did some volunteer work with my office as a part of our Christmas activities. We helped out at the Single Parent's Association handing out items families needed for the holidays. The experience really put the season in perspective for me. I was reminded of how lucky my family is and how we can do a lot more for our community. I also realized that all those holiday TV specials about finding the real meaning of Christmas are right. As cliche as it is, we get caught up in the gifts and the decadence and forget about the real spirit of the holiday season.

So if you are looking for a meaningful Christmas experience for your family, I suggest you look for an opportunity to volunteer somewhere. If your children are old enough, and it is appropriate, bring them along. If it is anything like my experience, it will be as eye-opening as it is rewarding. And as I was reminded, you don't have to wait for Christmas to offer to help out in your community. Perhaps volunteering could be your New Year's Resolution.

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Christmas Book List created by You!

Here's a list of books suggested by readers on the Facebook Page :
Stick Man - Julia Donaldson
The Longest Christmas List Ever- Gregg Spiridellis
Children Around The World Celebrate by Christine Tangvald
Christmas Around the World by Mary Lankford

Some of these were available from Amazon.ca and some from Amazon.com ... I am sure you'll find these and many more at your local library. Feel free to send more suggestions along and add yours to the comments section!

I have also added a Christmas category to the St. John's Kid Amazon store (see the left side column) with lots of my favourite holiday books.

Mummers Festival and Parade

Here's all the info for tomorrow's 2011 Mummer's Parade . It's a little confusing because  if you Google mummer's festival, you might get the old page from 2010. 

Young Artists Classes

Inspire your child's artistic side with art classes at the Anna Templeton Centre. Registration is for classes starting in January...

Christmas Spirit

How amongst the hustle and bustle of Christmas, do you and your family remember the true meaning of the season? What is the true meaning for you, is it connected to religion, charity, family? I'd love to hear about the things you do to make Christmas about more than consumption. I think this person could have used a little holiday spirit boot camp. Seems that when you pack pepper spray for Christmas shopping, you have completely lost sight of what Christmas is about.

For my family, trying to take some time to be together is my priority. We live busy lives and some quiet time at home that doesn't involve doing housework or running errands will be the best gift for Christmas this year. I also buy a turkey for the CBC Turkey Drive each year and at work we will be doing some volunteer work for the Single Parents Association.  When my child gets older I hope we'll be able to incorporate some community volunteerism into our holiday plans that we can all do together.

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Cute lunch box idea

These 'Lunch Notes' are cute, but a DIY-er could do it for free. I think I feel a printable coming on...

Picky Eaters

I found this interesting web page with tips on handling picky eaters in your family and I thought I would share.
My kid seems to eat a much more diverse menu when he is at his childcare centre than when he is at home. For example at home he won't touch rice or potatoes, but at the childcare centre he'll even eat brown, long grain rice and potato salad... cold potatoes! I can't even get him to touch warm ones smothered with ketchup!  Do you find the same thing? Do you think it is us or do you think it is peer influence?

Reminder: Bannerman Park Christmas

All ages are invited to Bannerman Park on Sunday afternoon, Dec 11th from 3:30-5:30PM.

There will be hot chocolate, mulled apple juice, a short carol sing led by the Stella Burry Inclusion Choir, and some Christmas stories. As twilight comes we'll take a walk on the streets around the park to see the stained glass windows and Christmas Lights.

This is a chance to try out your mummer's costume as you get ready for the Mummer's Parade the following weekend.

If you wish, bring a food item for the Food Bank.

This event is organized by the Bannerman Park Foundation as part of the plans to rejuvenate the oldest public park in the province.

Ugly Stick Workshop

If you don't know what an Ugly Stick is then this is the workshop for you... or perhaps you wore out last years? There are lots of great activities and events leading up to the Mummers Parade.

Bella’s Tree

Sunday, December 11
2:30 pm
Bella’s Tree
Bella’s Tree written by local author Janet Russell and illustrated by Jirina Marton, is a book about a young girl and her struggle to find the perfect Christmas tree for her Nan. Actor and musician Jody Richardson brings the story to life with his own high-energy and slightly mischievous interpretation.
Tickets $5. Free for members.

Trimming the Tree or Decking the Halls

Sunday, December 11, 2-4 pm
Family Fun at the Rooms
Trimming the Tree or Decking the Halls
Join us as we create unique ornaments and decorations to celebrate the holidays. With a bit of imagination and a little sparkle, design your own tabletop arrangement, tree ornaments or greeting cards. Come and be creative!

ConfederationTree Lighting

December 8th is the Lighting of the Confederation Building Tree and the Parkway Lights. This might be a good night for your first Christmas Light Drive.

TIME: 6:00pm LOCATION: Confederation Building

  

Letter to Santa

Write a letter to Santa and you'll recieve a reply too! This is a great activity for a December afternoon.

Santa's Address is:

Santa Claus
North Pole
HoH oHo
CANADA

More Christmas Books

Here's a post from last year on some of our Christmas Books

I would love to collect a list of great Christmas Books and make it a printable sheet for taking to the Library or book store, so please leave the title of your favourites here in the comments section or on the Facebook page.


- Posted from my iPad

Christmas books!

December first is the day the box of Christmas books and movies are taken out of storage and brought in to heavy rotation for the month leading up to the big day.

Some of our favourites:
Books:
The Jolly Christmas Postman
Olivia Helps With Christmas

Letters from Father Christmas

DVD's:
 Merry Christmas Olivia

Franklin's Magic Christmas

Curious George Christmas

Apps:
There's also a great Night before Christmas App done by Loud Crow and they recently released a Charlie Brown Christmas App.

Toddler Tapas Ideas

My kid seems to have a negative association with the word supper. If I say, "Do you want supper?" he always says no. If 5 seconds later I ask him if he is hungry, he will answer yes. As much as I try to convince him that supper can refer to all his favourite food, he doesn't get it. So the other night when I made the mistake of using the 'S' word, I had to come up with an alternative plan for The Evening Meal formerly known as Supper. I decided to serve "Toddler Tapas," which is a fancy way of saying "a plate full of random items that I knew he couldn't resist, chopped in non-choky size pieces." It included Edamame, white cheddar cheese, green and red grapes, dried cranberries, and mini crackers. He didn't leave a crumb, there was no battle at the table, and the meal contained most of the food groups. Score one for mommy.

Do you have a meal time tricks and tips? I would love to hear about them.


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Too cute not to share

I am not crafty enough for this. But someone needs to make this hat. It is so awesome.

Pop up cards

Sunday, December 4th, from 2-4 pm
Family Fun at the Rooms: Pop-up Cards
Sending greeting cards has been a holiday tradition for generations. In this Family Fun program you can recycle old cards and tags into new meaningful Pop-up cards for that special someone this season.

Advent Calendar Ideas

If you are still scrambling to think of 24 advent items and activities, the Petit Cadeau  pretty much has advent calendars covered. I encourage you to check out her blog. I am doing a mix of activities, chocolate, small gifts, ornaments... What traditions do you do with your family to make the holidays memorable?

Festival of Lights

Celebrate the holiday season with festive lights and the sound of choirs. A local family will be selected to flip the switch to illuminate the lights surrounding the duck pond and main paths at dusk. Participants can enjoy
complimentary hot chocolate and cookies.
Location: Bowring Park at the Duck Pond
Date: December 3, 2011
Day: Saturday
Time: 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM


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