Reader recipe

A reader sent me this recipe to share. She is from Armenia. I thought I would share her email as I am always interested to hear about other countries, cultures and motherhood experiences. She writes...

"Glad you liked my recipes. I am originally from Yerevan, Armenia, where we started getting fruits imported all around the year only in recent years, so before that this kind of things would normally be the ones that would keep our vitamin supplies in balance all through the year. This one is an immune system booster with dried fruits, walnuts and honey. I just made one portion for ourselves and thought this might be usefull to other moms too. By the way it's my hubby's mom's recipe from the old days when he was a kid. It goes like this:

dried apricots 200 grams
black raisins 200 grams
dried prunes 200 grams (optional)
walnuts 200 grams
1 big lemon
liquid honey 200 grams

the first 4 ingrediends should be ground in meat grinder or minced by a knife, grind the lemon all with zest and flash, mix all well add the honey. store in airtight glass jar, in the fridge.

Recommended for everyone in the family (of course you should consider any allergies, and not for babies under 1 year because of the honey) but other then that, it's for everyone. Eat one tablespoon twice daily 30 - 45 minutes before meal. This is one thing people would normally do in my country in winter times when the immune system is weak. The prune in it makes it also usefull for digestive system. "


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Is your shampoo putting you at risk for Cancer?

I discovered Stephanie's blog Ecoblogical by accident one day and was impressed with her knowledge and research, so I asked her to do a guest post... she had so much useful information to share that we decided to post several things over the course of the next few weeks. I asked her to see if she could make some recommendations about safe soaps and shampoos for babies and children, You may recall that we had some interesting discussions on this topic on my Facebook page a while back. Anyway, I will let Stephanie's post speak for itself:

I’m sure most of you have heard about the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics report on Johnson and Johnson’s baby products. A recognized brand, recommended by Doctors and pediatricians, sold in every store and given to you at every baby shower turns out to contain cancer causing chemicals. This really was an eye opener for many. We cannot trust skin care companies who tell us their products are safe, hypoallergenic, all natural or even organic. Many products we use on a daily basis contain carcinogens, pesticides, reproductive toxins, and hormone disruptors that can harm you, your children and our ecosystems. 


You can make most products from ingredients you may already have at home in your pantry.

Here are 4 all natural ingredients that I use every day. These can be used on newborns, toddlers and adults with great advantages and no chemicals.

-Extra Virgin Olive oil
-Aloe Vera juice (has to be kept in fridge after opening)
-Coconut oil
-Coconut milk

Home-made products
Shampoo-Aloe Vera juice mixed with coconut milk
Conditioner-Aloe Vera juice
Detangler/softner-2:1 ratio-Aloe Vera juice and Olive oil or coconut oil (I love the smell of coconut oil) in a spray bottle
Body moisturizer-Coconut oil (Dr. Oz recommended)
Body and face wash-Olive oil (safe for infants)

Here are some more recipes for Adults or older kids:

Face wash-1/4 cup coconut oil, 1/8 olive oil, 1/8 cup Aloe Vera juice and 3 drops of Tea tree oil (Do not use TTO on children).

Shampoo-not tear free - (when you just don’t feel clean without bubbles)
1 cup water
1/4 cup liquid Castile soap (like Dr. Bronners) 
1 tsp vegetable glycerin
Vinegar detangler.
Apple cider vinegar
Water.
Put four tablespoons per 500mls water into an old spray bottle and shake before use. Optional: add essential oils for smell.


Honey conditioner
2 tablespoons virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon lemon juice.
Leave on as long as possible and don’t forget to shampoo out the oils.


My favorite online stores for 100% natural products
I have ordered from both sites. Their products do not contain any chemicals. These products can be used on infants and adults.

Fresh Organic Living

Andrea Johnson Earth Mama Angel Baby products

My favorite local store bought products

Even though the following recommendations are not rated 0 on the cosmetic database, they do not contain any of the Dirty Dozen chemicals-which I will discuss more in detail next week.  Sometimes you have to choose the lesser of two evils and these specific evils do not contain cancer causing chemicals.  They are also good for the environment.
Treehouse made by Nature Clean can be purchased at Sobeys and Dominion. Their shampoo, body wash and conditioners are rated as a 2 on the cosmetics database. / Treehouse/Nature Clean Bar Soap is rated 0






EcoKid hair and body wash can be purchased at Dominion. It is not listed on the cosmetic database.






Dr. Bronners magic Castile Liquid Soap can be purchased at Dominion. It can be put in a pump container to make hand soap or used as a body wash and even shampoo (Not tear-free). It has a rating of 1.






Please come back next week to read my post “Spotting the Chemicals”.

Who am I? I am a first time stay at home mom to a beautiful 2 year old girl. Living an organic and natural lifestyle is important to me. I am environmentally aware and I work hard to make the smallest carbon footprint I can by not contributing unnecessary damage to the Earth. It is my goal to inform others that it is never too late to make changes and help begin to restore our planets health - and leave our children and their children a healthier planet to live on.

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Earth Hour

Have your own black out party for Earth Hour! See last year's post on the fun and learning opportunities that turning the light off can bring.

Earth Hour is Saturday, March 31st at 8:30 PM

TED on Netflix

TED talks are on Netflix now! If you don’t know what these are, let me introduce you, because even if you are not as nerdy as I am, there is a TED talk for everyone.  TED is an annual conference that brings together amazing speakers on amazing topics. The presentations are filmed and are available for viewing online and now on Netflix. Most of the presentations are less than 20 minutes. The presenters are from all areas including science, math, economy, fashion, biology, and even gastronomy; I watched one with Jamie Oliver on the weekend. They are inspirational, funny, serious, startling and can even be life changing. Some of them would even be appropriate for children, like this one:

I strongly encourage you to spend some time with TED. But a warning, it can be addictive.


Oh, and guess what, someone is bringing a TEDX to St. John's. So... Yay!

Jokes on You!

This Sunday, April 1st at the Rooms from 2-4 PM Join in the fun of fools and make some great gags. From silly slime to funny disguises, you’ll be certain to leave laughing.

EASTER EGG HUNT part 2

ASSOCIATION OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS

NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR (AECENL)

Invites everyone to join in an EASTER EGG HUNT

FRIDAY APRIL 6^th, 2012

1:30 pm - 2:30 pm

PIPPY PARK (sliding hill)

Bring along your Easter baskets/buckets etc.

*** this event is open to the general public (not just for members) ***

    

Easter Egg Hunt

Easter is coming soon and while I resist turning Easter into another expensive and gift –laden holiday like Christmas, I still I want to make it fun and memorable. We try to do an Easter egg hunt, have a nice brunch and dinner and visit family.

I remember Easter fondly from my childhood, for me it wasn’t about the quantity of the chocolate, but it was about the colourful Easter basket, one special gift like a stuffed bunny, and finding shiny little eggs and bunnies hidden around our living room in clever places by my parents. So clever in fact, that you might get lucky and find one little lost egg behind a book on the bookshelf in June!

I also try to find one special thing for my son each year. Last year I searched high and low for a realistic looking stuffed bunny and after checking all the usual places I ended up finding one at Shoppers Drug Mart of all places. He loves it and still plays with it now.

This year I am looking for a foil wrapped chocolate Easter bunny to put in his basket. But not just any bunny.  There are lots of options at stores like Wal Mart, but none of them are quite what I want. There are lots of non-bunny options too. I don’t know if you saw the picture I posted on Facebook of the Chocolate Monster truck called “Grave Digger…” highly inappropriate for Easter if you ask me, but someone pointed out that bunnies and chicks don’t have much to do with Easter either. Anyway I digress…

I went on a little Easter hunt of my own on Sunday to try and find something that matched what I envisioned, I had no luck on the bunny front, but I did find some other great Easter ideas and treats that I thought I would share.

At Freak Lunch Box I found lots of great ideas for older kids who may be jaded about bunnies and chicks, for example; I bought my child’s cousins edible bugs and Pop Rocks. I also filled a bag with bulk gummy candy in sea creature shapes that I know my son will love. They had octopus, sharks, turtles, and fish.

Next door at Tval I found beautiful cupcake soaps that I bought as a token for my sisters in law, mother in law and teen niece. Tval did them up with ribbons for me and they are bright, pretty and very Spring –like.

At Home on Water I found lovely robin egg and bunny shaped soaps, a range of cute stuffed bunnies in every size and colour, and some specialty Easter chocolates. They also had pastel tea towels and some home décor items that were Easter-themed. I bought some of the tea towels for my own kitchen.

At the Newfoundland Chocolate Company there were locally made chocolate eggs and they did have beautiful chocolate bunnies that you can custom order, but they were a little too big for my purpose and too pricey for my budget. The largest was two feet tall and $100! Impressive, but it was a little too much chocolate for a 3 year old and a mommy with no will power. For the adults in your life there were gag chocolate bunnies named after politicians including Kathy, Danny and Joey. I sampled some truffles while I was there and bought some for my father in law. They were delicious.

If you have any Easter shopping tips I would love to hear them. I will post more about Easter in the days ahead…

Hava Java Play Date

The Hava Java Play Date is on again this weekend from 9 AM to 12 PM. It will continue every Sunday except for holidays and unforeseen events like (God forbid) snowstorms. Follow the Hava Java or St. John's Kid Facebook Page or Twitter accounts for updates: @havajavanl or @stjohnskid



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Good Gear: Toddler Bed

I have one of these Toddler beds for sale for $75 (used for one year) and like new.
Send me an email if you are interested.

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Facebook Discussion Topics

One of the entries for the Music Together Contest was an email full of great ideas and quandaries about parenting that seemed perfect for discussing and sharing. So that is what I am going to do. I am going to throw them up on facebook and let everyone have at 'er... All opinions and stories and questions are welcome. Watch for them and have your two cents worth!


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Birthday Call Out

One of the people who entered the Music Together Contest last week sent in this email as their entry:

"Having just gone through this with Max's 1st birthday, a blog entry on planning a birthday party would be great. I know you have some of this info on your blog but all in one place would be excellent! Like where to get party supplies (we just moved here 18 months ago and I kept trying to find a party supplies store - ended up at the dollar stores which had great stuff), where to get a cake, places to rent etc.

Love your blog!"

So here's the thing, under the category of 'Birthday' on this blog you will find lots of entries for birthday cake makers, rental spots, loot bag ideas etc... but I haven't added anything new in a while and I am wondering if there is anything new to add? The email specifically mentioned party supplies. I too have wound up at the dollar store for many things when I plan a party and I know of many fantastic web sites that have birthday printables and things you can order if you have that kind of time and budget, but is there a party supply store here? Has anyone used the Party rental place on Water Street?

This is a call out to followers of the blog for all things birthday... lets put this whole social media thing to good use! Comment, email or leave a comment on my facebook page.

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Sharkey's Easter Camps

In case you weren't on the mailing list : here's the link.


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Sports for all Seasons

This Sunday, March 25th from 2-4PM at the Rooms
Go Team Go! Score big smiles and have fun while you design and create sports memorabilia in honour of your favourite sport or team.

Suppermoms Menu

If you haven't been following my other meal planning blog, this is just a heads up that the new menu for this week has been posted, just in time for grocery day :) This week includes mostly non-meat options as I know many readers are vegetarians and like me, many are trying to make healthier dinner options. You can find the menu and shopping list here.


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Children's Spring Storytime

Registration for the Spring Storytime Sessions at the St. John's Libraries begins March 28, 2012 at 10:00 AM and it's free!
Register in person or by phone. There are programs for Children under 3, with families, and for preschoolers.

Marjorie Mews Library: 737-3020
A.C Hunter Library: 737-3953
Michael Donovan Library: 737-2621


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International Children's Book Day

Games Stories and More! At the A.C Hunter Children's Library. Dress up as your favourite book character and join the fun...
Saturday, March 31st, 2012
2-4 PM


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Reminder - Contest deadline

Don't forget to enter this contest before the deadline! You can win 10 weeks of music classes with Music Together.  The last day to enter is tomorrow. All you need to do is send me a kid - friendly activity, parenting tip, book, recipe, idea... anything I can share with others on the blog.

The Library

Last Saturday we took our 3 year old to the Library. D hasn't been in a long time. The last time we went he thought the whole raison d'être was to pull books off the shelves. He was too little then.

This time he was interested in looking at the books I showed him and we got a library card and he played on the kid-friendly computers. It was a great way to spend an hour. Being there reminded me of the exciting and almost overwhelming feeling of possibility that the library gave me as a child. Every book was an adventure in waiting and the images on the covers sparked my curiosity and imagination about what the pages beneath held in store. I was a HUGE reader. I practically read a Nancy Drew book a day when I was in grades 5 and 6. I also read enumerable fantasy novels, mysteries and my love of reading carried me through an English degree. My husband and I have made a concerted effort to read to our child and we hope he will have a life long love of books, even if technological advancements mean you read them via a chip in your head!

I think I have said this in a previous post: I don't want to wish my time away, but I cannot wait until my son is old enough to read 'chapter' books and we can start reading together and having family book clubs. I have seen the Harry Potter movies, but want to experience the books for the first time with my son. Being at the library made me excited for all the worlds and adventures and experiences my son has ahead of him through a love of books.




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Tellers on Trees

The A.C Hunter Library has a few activities coming up including a program for children called Teller's On Trees for World Storytelling Day
"Join us for an afternoon of storytelling to celebrate World Storytelling Day.  For families with children of all ages.  Children must be accompanied by an adult."
March 20th, at 4PM at the A.C Hunter Children's Library. For more info:
Call 737-3953




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Lesson learned (again)

I was reminded the other night that sometimes it easier when you engage rather than oppose your toddler / preschooler. He wanted to play, but I really had to get supper made. So I asked if he would like to help me. To sweeten the deal I said … “You can use a knife.”  Of course he couldn’t resist. Before you go all crazy about me letting my 3 year old use a knife, let me elaborate. I was making Pad Thai with tofu and it just so happens that you can cut firm tofu with a butter knife. I set him up with a knife, a cutting board and a block of tofu and let him cut slices. He was thrilled. So much so, that when he was done I told him the recipe called for a banana too (white lie). Then he wanted to do another job with a ‘different tool.’  I thought for a moment and then it came to me… the olive pitter. Now, Pad Thai doesn’t actually need bananas or olives, but if it helps give me time to get supper made a few olives won’t go astray. If you haven’t seen one of these nifty gadgets they are available at the Paderno store, have no sharp pointy parts and work on cherries too. My kid could pit olives all day, which is actually quite helpful for pizza and pasta dishes. So I gave him a bowl of olives and off he went. When he got bored of that I ran out of ideas. He wasn’t happy; he went to the kitchen gadget drawer looking for another ‘tool’ to use. I was able to dissuade him by putting supper on the table.

A couple of nights later I was in a similar predicament so I asked him if he wanted to help wash dishes. There were a number of items that wouldn’t fit in the dishwasher and again, he was thrilled to help. In fact, I had to pull more dishes out of the dishwasher when he ran out of things to wash.  I showed him how to use the detergent, scrub pots, turn on the water, check for a safe temperature, and rinse.

Helping me cook dinner and wash dishes will probably lose its novelty before he turns 6, but for now I will take full advantage of the learning opportunity it offers… for both of us.

Art Classes for Kids

Art classes for kids Ages 7-12 years at  St. Philip’s Anglican Church, 20 Coadys Rd. starting Saturday, March 10 for eight weeks (two-hour sessions). Cost is $265 per child. For further information call Sherry at 242-0320.

Irish Dancing

This Sunday,  March 11th at the Rooms from 2-4PMCome in for a dance lesson with local dancer Shawn Silver. Learn a quick step or two while enjoying an earful of traditional Irish music. Comfortable shoes are recommended.

Young Artist Classes

New Young Artist Classes are now available at the Anna Templeton Centre.

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Contest!

I am so excited, it has been a while since I ran a contest! Music Together has offered a great prize, get a GIFT CERTIFICATE for One Semester (10 weeks) of Music Together Classes for one child 0-4 years old, Rhythm Instrument and Sample Music Together CD. Approximate Value $140.00* If you win you just have to pay a $40 service fee. Pretty sweet deal for 10 week's of classes, better than a Groupon :)

So, if you want in on this prize you have to send me an email with an idea for a blog post... It can be an event, a recipe, a favourite book, a parenting tip... Anything that I can share with blog, Facebook, and Twitter Followers. email: stjohnstoddler at hotmail.com

The deadline is March 15th, 2012.

Small print:

All classes are taught at the Dance Academy on Airport Road, St. John’s.
Music Together is an internationally recognized music program for children from birth through four years, together with the adults who love them. Classes are mixed-age, so siblings can attend the same class together, and any number of adults may attend with a child. It’s all about the joy of family music! Come and make music with your child and find out how important ~ and how much fun ~ your role in your child’s music development can be.
No previous experience necessary!
Please call Stephanie Rockwood, Centre Director of Music Together St. John’s,
to redeem your Gift Certificate. Phone: 753-2424
*Gift Certificate does not include a Service Fee of $40.00. (This fee is payable at the first class.)
*New Family Registration Fee of $15.00 is waived for the holder of this Gift Certificate.
*Additional sibling rate is $110.00 per semester.



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Hava Java Play Dates

In case you were curious, the Play Dates have been well received. The first week there were about 20 people there, the second week there were over 40 and the third week was a little quieter, only a half dozen or so people (I attribute that to the sun coming out and everyone trying to make the most of it!). We will be holding these on an ongoing basis and would love to see people make it a part of their Sunday routines. If you aren’t familiar with Hava Java you can see the menu on the Facebook page. There are great breakfast sandwiches, muffins, cookies, bagels, freshly juiced OJ and of course great coffee. In the interest of full disclosure: my husband owns the joint, so hosting the play date there was an easy sell for me.

I have bought puzzles, books and games for ages 0-5 and we put a gate across the stairway so everyone is contained and safe and it is a laid back environment for families looking for somewhere to go with small children for a coffee and bite to eat. I encourage you to follow me and Hava Java on Twitter and Facebook as we’ll post updates there for storm closures and other things – For example there will be no Play Date on Easter Sunday.

Hope to see you there!

Easter Camps

There are a load of Easter Camps available this year, here are a few:

The Works

Cygnus

YMCA

Wonderbolt

March at the Fluvarium UPDATED

Here's a link to the new Kids Club Activity


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Playing Catch Up

I have lots of blogging to catch up on this week. Things are finally settling down enough for me to start posting more regularly again. I also have a contest I am hoping to post in the next day or so and if we get a snow day tomorrow that might put me ahead of the game!

Lots of posts to come in the next few days!


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Book Club

Looking at next Wednesday for the next Book Club for Wrecked Upon This Shore... How does that work for everyone? I will send an mail out shortly, but feel free to leave a comment!



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A Few Reminders

Physical Literacy at MUN gym is cancelled today, but the Hava Java Play Date is on tomorrow from 9AM to 12 Noon.

There's snow in the forecast for next week, I hope it is enough to make snow shoeing possible again before the winter is over. If you haven't tried it with your toddler yet, don't forget that Pippy Park and Bowering Park have inexpensive rental services.

There was some misinformation going around about the Geocentre having a family day tomorrow, it isn't, but it's an interesting place to go all the same.

oh - Suppermoms new menu and shopping list is now posted. :)

Book clubbers- I am thinking the week of March 12-16th for our next meeting.



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Fluvarium Kids March Program

There's a new Fluvarium Kids Program for March but the web site doesn't seem to be updated yet.

Wake Up! March 3rd to March 25th... I heard them talk about it on CBC Radio, so I guess the best thing is to call the Fluvarium for more info.

Fish Printing

This Sunday,  March 4th at the Rooms from 2-4PM Adventures Gyotaku is the Japanese folk art of making prints or rubbings from fish. Create your own Gyotaku while learning about some of the fish species that occupy our oceans and freshwater systems.