Cunard Embraces Solo Travellers

cruises, ROAM By July 25, 2014 Tags: , , , , , , , , , No Comments

Single Staterooms on CunardSingle staterooms are now available on Cunard Line cruises as Cunard embraces solo travellers with special amenities.

Cunard is recognizing the increasing popularity of solo travel, they are pleased to announce the addition of single staterooms on board Queen Elizabeth.  There will be eight outside staterooms and one inside, available for booking beginning with the 16 December 2014 sailing (voyage number Q422).

The addition of these staterooms is not the only thing being done by Cunard to cater to this growing audience.  Passengers travelling on their own can look forward to special activities organized by the ships’ social hostesses, including a welcome reception on embarkation day, coffee and cookies every sea day morning, and specially organized meeting points and excursions on port days.

Single ladies who enjoy dancing will love Queen Elizabeth’s Gentlemen Dance Hosts, who know all the formal ballroom dances and are available during evening balls held in the Queens Room.

These expansions are merely additions to Queen Elizabeth’s myriad of activities for all guests, including Cunard’s signature afternoon tea service, Cunard Insights speakers and enrichment programmes, world class retail shopping and fine dining, on board casino, spa, library and many more.

Single stateroom features include:

Ideal mid-ship location in close proximity to the social areas of the Empire Casino, the Royal Court Theater and the Queens Room
Single bed with generous width of over 47”
Large windows (outside staterooms only)

For more information about Queen Elizabeth or to book a voyage, contact your Travel Agent, call Cunard Line at 1-800-728-6273 or visit www.cunard.com.

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pesky summer stings

How to Prevent Pesky Summer Stings

FAM, health, kids By July 25, 2014 Tags: , , , , , , , , No Comments

We got these tips from Polysporin a while back, and with the bugs biting like crazy at the moment, we dug them all out for you! Kids will want their ow-ies dealt with quickly in order to take advantage of summers long days willed with play.  I was stung by a wasp a while back, so these tips are great for moms too! Here’s how we prevent pesky summer stings.

Summer Sting Prevention Tips

  • Dress in light-coloured clothing. Insects tend to be attracted to dark or floral-pattern clothing. Light colours also make it easier to spot ticks and get rid of them before they burrow into the skin.
  • Cover up when you are going out, especially during dawn and dusk. Tuck in clothing so that your skin isn’t exposed and wear a hat.
  • Apply an insect repellent or use mosquito nets. Kids feel like royalty when sleeping with a net around them.
  • Be cautious if you’re leaving sweet beverages or food outside, as this can attract bees.
  • If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to bites or stings, be sure to wear a medical alert bracelet and inform those around you about your allergy. Always have an epinephrine pen with you in case of emergency.

Have a great summer and good luck with potential bites!

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15 summer activities in nature

15 Summer Activities in Nature

FAM, kids By July 17, 2014 Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , No Comments

Summer is a perfect time to facilitate learning through entertainment.  Remember being a kid and looking in the encyclopedia when you found a mushroom or learned a bit about physics when your fishing rod broke? Let’s get outside this summer and see what nature will teach us!

15 Summer Activities in Nature

1. Go for a hike! It’s a great way to get some exercise and discover new species at the same time.

2. Build forts made of driftwood on the beach. The kids can learn about structures while having fun scouring the beach for the much needed piece of wood for the roof.

3. Go camping! Whether it be at a site or just the backyard, camping is a great way to get outside and learn about your surroundings.

4. Do some gardening! Get the kids involved and give them a small patch in the backyard to create their own mini garden. They can learn what different species need to survive and have fun choosing the plants for their garden at the same time.

5. Go on an outdoor scavenger hunt! Make a list of things to find, whether it be a pinecone, something yellow, or a leaf the size of your hand and get scavenging!

6. Go geocaching! Teach the kids some navigation skills as they hunt for treasure. You never know, there may be treasure waiting for you right around the corner!

7. Go for a family bike ride. On a trail or through the neighbourhood, biking is a great way to be active in nature.

8. Go berry picking! Everyone can do it and afterwards the family can learn how to make a delicious treat incorporating the berries.

9. Fly a kite! You can get crafty and make your own or you can by one at the store. Either way, kite flying is a great family activity.

10. Have a neighbourhood game of soccer! Get the whole neighbourhood involved and play this simple yet fun game in your front yard or the park. You will be teaching the kids about teamwork in a way that just seems like fun and games.

11. Decorate the sidewalk with chalk! The kids can unleash their creativity while enjoying the great outdoors.

12. Take out your camera and go outside for some outdoor photography. Get some shots of your favorite plants and animals to use in a scrapbook!

13. Scavenge the beach for shells and sea glass to use in an art project of the kid’s choosing. Their creativity will not be lost over the summer with projects like these.

14. Go kayaking or stand up paddle boarding! Get outside and breath in the ocean air! Perseverance is taught (especially if it’s your first time) and  the health benefits are endless!

15. Set up the sprinkler on those particularly hot summer day’s and watch the endless hours of enjoyment begin.

 

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Easy BBQ Coq au Vin

EAT, family meals By July 17, 2014 Tags: , , , , , , , , , , No Comments

Coq au vin bbqA favourite dish of mine from the time I was a small child, Coq au Vin has always been a labour of love. Asked to test the Clubhouse LaGrille Smokehouse Maple Marinade in a coq au vin recipe, I was elated!! Armed with bacon, chives, chicken and homemade stock, I was ready! And then I fell. And broke my wrist. Now the challenge was twofold – could I make a coq au vin that is not as labour-intensive as my age-old recipe? And could I manage it with only my dominant hand…

The answer to the second question became fairly apparent as my husband helped chop and lift my stunning Le Creuset pot to the stove. This recipe development experiment would be a family affair, and with my husband involved, it had to involve the grill! The recipe was adapted from the Clubhouse website, which allows you to print ideas in popular recipe book sizes using backgrounds you choose yourself. I was astonished at how simple and full of flavour the dish was, and I only added a few of my own ideas! It also had the added benefit of very easy clean-up facilitated by grilling the chicken on the BBQ.

All You Need for Easy BBQ Coq au Vin:

1 ½ lbs (750 g) chicken thighs
5 tbsp (75 mL) Club House La Grille Smokehouse Maple Rub Marinade, divided
2 slices bacon, chopped
1 cup (250 mL) each pearl onions and quartered mushrooms
1 cup (250 mL) no salt added diced tomatoes with juice
2 cups (500 mL) homemade Chicken Stock
1 cup (250 mL) red wine
2 tbsp (30 mL) Club House Rice Flour
2 tbsp chives
2 tbsp sage leaves
1 tbsp tomato paste

Easy BBQ Coq au Vin

All You Do for Easy BBQ Coq au Vin:

1. In a medium bowl, combine chicken thighs with 3 tbsp (45 mL) rub marinade and marinate for 30 minutes.
2. On a medium heat grill, cook chicken thighs on both sides for 7 minutes making sure to obtain good grill marks and making sure not to burn chicken.
3. In a medium saucepan on high heat, sauté bacon, pearl onions and mushrooms for 2 minutes. Add remaining rub marinade, tomatoes, chicken stock and grilled chicken thighs.
4. Combine red wine and rice flour along with some of the liquid from the pot to make a roux. This will help you avoid lumps in your sauce. Add it to the above mixture and stir well. Bring to a boil, cover, remove from heat and place into a preheated 375°F (190°C) oven. Cook for 30 minutes, or until internal temperature of chicken reaches 165°F (74°C). *You could also assemble all of the ingredients in a slow cooker after grilling the chicken.
5. Serve over your favorite pasta or rice.

In all, we had a wildly successful dinner with very easy cleanup. The only problem was that there were no leftovers….

What are some of your favourite things to make on the grill? Share your stories with me on Twitter using the hashtag #FlavourStory!

Easy Coq au Vin

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post made possible by Clubhouse La Grille. All images and opinions are our own.

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Protecting Dogs from Lyme Disease

Protecting Dogs from Ticks and Lyme Disease

FAM, pets By July 7, 2014 3 Comments

The Canadian family is getting a whole lot furrier with 95 % of Canadian dog owners considering their dogs’ part of their family unit. I certainly love mine! (And we also just adopted a kitten from the SPCA). With summer finally here, our precious dogs face a threat that most owners don’t know enough about – ticks and lyme disease. Only a third (30%) of dog owners protect their dogs from this serious but easily preventable illness. Pout.

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Gazpacho

EAT, family meals By July 3, 2014 Tags: , , , , , , No Comments

Gazpacho RecipeGazpacho is an incredibly healthy and refreshing summer soup. If you happen to own a Vitamix it is even simpler! (And will save you some time to make mouth-watering fresh bread).

4 cups tomato juice
1 onion
1 green bell pepper
1 cucumber, seeds removed
2 cups chopped tomatoes (better if skins are removed, canned tomatoes can substitute)
2 green onions
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried tarragon
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon sugar
salt and pepper to taste

Coarsely chop vegetables. Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor. Blend until well combined, but still a bit chunky. Chill at least two hours before serving.

 

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clothing your kids on any budget

Clothing your Kids on any Budget

FAM, kids By July 2, 2014 Tags: , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

Every parent knows the constant challenge of trying to clothe growing kids – especially as the seasons change.  You finally assemble a basic wardrobe, and suddenly the clothes are too hot or too cold.  Add style-conscious older kids to the mix, and clothing your kids on any budget can seem like an impossible task.

Here are 7 tips for keeping clothing costs down, while opening kids’ minds to a world of clothing possibilities:

Build a basic wardrobe: You don’t need a dozen of everything to make sure kids are covered.  Children shoot up so quickly that most outgrow the clothes long before they wear out.  A few well-made pairs of pants, a few tops, a hoodie or jacket, and you’re set.

Borrow expensive items: Resist buying items like suits, ties, formal shoes, leather belts, dress pants or formal dresses for events like weddings (they often get only one wearing anyway.) Find a family with children the same size, and ask to borrow the item for a day.  The photos will look just as sweet!

Organize a clothes-swap:  Many kids dread hand-me-down bags from their cousins or neighbors, as items are often the wrong size or not to their taste.  But four or five families together can come up with a few things for everyone.

Consider alterations: If you don’t sew, too-big clothing from clothes swaps or hand-me-down bags can be altered at your local dry-cleaners for a fraction of the price of buying the same item new.

Buy second-hand: Most of the children’s clothing in places like Value Village is nearly new, the selection is vast, and the price is a fraction of what you’d spend for retail.  Some stores give you a discount for donating your used clothing before you shop, bringing the cost down further.

Split the difference: Your child may be averse to wearing someone else’s cast-offs, so meet them halfway.  Perhaps you buy that new jacket they’ve been wanting elsewhere, in exchange for second-hand shopping for the rest.

Weave in the learning:  How many pounds of used clothes end up in landfill sites each year?  Do we really know who makes the clothes we buy at the shopping mall, and what conditions they work under?  Kids may be ready to consider second hand once they know (visit nochildforsale.ca to learn more).

Disclosure: This post was made possible through World Vision Canada’s #NoChildforSale campaign.

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Building the ‘Gratitude Muscle’ this Canada Day

charity, FAM By June 29, 2014 Tags: , , , , , , , No Comments

Nurturing Gratitude this Canada DayThere are concrete blessings for kids who learn to count their blessings, the Wall Street Journal recently reported.  In one study, high school students with high levels of gratitude reported having stronger marks, less depression and envy, and a more positive outlook than less grateful teens.

But gratitude is like a muscle – it needs regular exercise.  You have to use it regularly if you want to see the benefits.

Canada Day is a great opportunity to nurture gratitude in our teens and younger children. As we prepare to celebrate with parades, fireworks and barbecues, we can also explore with our kids the many reasons why it’s great to live in Canada.

Here are five suggestions for building gratitude muscle this Canada Day:

1)     Compare notes: Spend some time with a friend, acquaintance or neighbour who has immigrated to Canada.  Encourage your kids to ask questions about life elsewhere.  How is life different for kids here?

2)     Dollar a day: Brainstorm over a meal about how living on a dollar a day would look.  What would have to come off the dinner table to make the budget? What else would have had to go that day?

3)     Watch the news: Have each family member recall a news story that makes them feel grateful to live in Canada.  Share stories making the news, such as the war in Syria, or child slavery.

4)     Pick a kids’ issue: Look together at a web site exploring a challenge affecting young people, like www.nochildforsale.ca or www.child-soldiers.org. 

5)     Start a tradition: Make an online donation to an organization helping children overseas, as a symbol of your family’s gratitude for life in Canada.

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The Great Canadian Grille-Off

EAT, entertain By June 27, 2014 Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , No Comments

Great Canadian Grille-OffIt’s almost here!! Canada Day long weekend is as synonymous with outdoor grilling as Victoria Day is with the number 24. You have the grill, the apron and the tools that a certain someone received for Father’s Day, but now comes the hard part: recipes and spices. My son has taken to creating special dry rubs for ribs and marinades for beef, but at the age of eight he’s no match for the two celebrity chefs going head to head for a culinary Canada Day grilling dual! It’s The Great Canadian Grille-Off!

Throughout the summer, eight celebrity chefs from across Canada will compete in four culinary duels to determine the best barbecue recipes using Club House products. To celebrate this Canada Day long weekend, chefs Karen Barnaby and Trevor Bird will try their hand at recipes they have created using Club House products – namely La Grille Wild Whiskey Smoked BBQ Sauce and La Grille Vintage Smokehouse with Honey BBQ Sauce. So what will it be? Karen’s Easy BBQ Beans or Trevor’s Whole Roasted Duck?

Wild Whiskey Smoked Easy BBQ Beans by Karen Barnaby

UM: Why did you choose this dish?
KB: Baked beans are great with barbecued food. When the inspiration hits, I want beans that are quick and delicious. The recipe is fast and easy, and can be cooked outside on a BBQ burner. For the delicious part, La Grille Wild Whiskey BBQ Sauce provides that.

Karen Barnaby BBQ BeansPrep Time: 20 Minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes

Ingredients (Serves 4)

  • 2 15 oz (470 mL) cans white beans of your choice
  • 4 slices bacon, diced
  • 1 cup (250 mL) diced onion
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup (125 mL) Club House La Grille Wild Whiskey Smoked BBQ Sauce
  • 2 Tbsp (30 mL) light or dark brown sugar
  • 1 Tbsp (15 mL) tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup (125 mL) water
  • 1 tsp (5 mL) Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 tsp (2.5 mL) Club House chili powder
  • 1/4 tsp (1 mL) Club House ground cumin
  • Club House Sea Salt Grinder
  • Club House Black Peppercorn Grinder

Directions:

  1. Drain the beans and rinse under cold water. Set aside.
  2. In a pot, over medium high heat, cook the bacon until browned.
  3. Add the onions and garlic and cook until soft.
  4. Add Club House La Grille Wild Whiskey Smoked BBQ Sauce, brown sugar, tomato paste, water, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper.
  5. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer and add the beans.
  6. Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add a little water if the mixture looks too dry.
  7. Check the seasoning and serve 

Chef Trevor Bird makes a delicious Whole Roasted Duck with Vintage Smokehouse with honey BBQ sauce! Try it for your next backyard BBQ party!


Whole Roasted Duck with Vintage Smokehouse Honey BBQ Sauce       

 

UM: What makes this dish such a popular choice  at Fable Kitchen, your restaurant in Vancouver?
TB: At Fable we do a lot of family style cooking, and our whole duck is always a hit. With the long slow roast and heavy basting of the duck, it makes for a nice sticky glaze that will impress.
Whole Roasted Duck with Vintage Smokehouse Honey BBQ SauceYield: 4 portions
Prep time: 10 – 15 minutes
Cook time: 6 hours in oven

Ingredients:        

  • 1 Yarrow meadows/Brome Lake whole duck
  • 1 cup (250ml) Club House La Grille Vintage Smokehouse with Honey BBQ Sauce
  • 1/2 cup (125ml) Rice or wine vinegar
  • Club House Sea Salt Grinder
  • Club House Black Peppercorn Grinder

 

Procedure:                                                                                                               

1. Preheat oven to 250F, or 225F in a convection oven
2. Take your whole duck and wash the outside well, pat dry and season with salt and pepper
3. Mix the BBQ sauce and vinegar with a brush
4. Place the duck in the oven, after 3 hours of cooking, start to brush the duck with the BBQ sauce every 30 minutes
5. Check the duck after 5 hours. The leg should pull away from the body very easily like a confit.
6. If not ready, leave in the oven 1 more hour.
7. Serve on a platter with your favourite grilled products, roasted potatoes and a side of the Vintage Smokehouse with Honey BBQ sauce                                  

The whole bird falls apart so just grab some forks and dig in!

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Finding Summer Activities with Heart

FAM, health By June 24, 2014 Tags: , , , , , , No Comments

Summer Activities with HeartIf you’ve cared for kids during summer break, you know how those ten weeks can stretch out! But summer is also a wonderful time to learn with your kids, in ways that might not normally have time for.  Best of all: they can help someone (or something!) in need, and feel really great about it.

Here are five activities for all kinds of kids:

The entrepreneur: If your kids want to earn money, brainstorm for small business ideas. The classic lemonade stand still lures many a thirsty family en route from the park.  Perhaps a portion of the proceeds can be donated to a charity.  Have your children research at least three.

The environmentalist: Create a way-station for migrating monarch butterflies, whose populations are threatened due to loss of natural habitat on their routes.  Visit http://monarchwatch.org/waystations/ to learn what to plant in your backyard or a nearby abandoned lot.

The fundraiser: With FIFA World Cup on this summer, many will have soccer on the brain!  Perhaps your resident soccer nuts could invite friends to play ‘the world’s longest soccer game’ in the local park, to raise funds for sports equipment for underprivileged kids.

The friendly neighbor: Is there an elderly person in your neighborhood, or mom with a very small child?  Summer’s a great chance to walk across the road with some baking, to ask how your son or daughter could help.  It’s a great chance for your child to practice reading out loud over the summer.

The caring baker: Invest in a tin of fair trade cocoa, or bag of fair trade sugar, and learn a basic cupcake or brownie recipe. Wherever your child offers these treats (to neighbors in need or for sale at a lemonade stand) he or she could share what they’ve learned about child labour.  Visit nochildforsale.ca to learn more.

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