Canada Archives — Thrifty Mommas Tips

Canada Day Word Games Packet

Paula — Thu, 14 May 2026 06:44:00 +0000

You know by now that I love word games. Paper, printable, digital or apps: it’s all the same to me. And Canada Day is one of my favourite summer events, kicking off the summer season for many of us. So, combine Canada Day word games into a bundle or a packet and that is a recipe to share! Canada Day History Initially known as “Dominion Day,” Canada Day became Canada Day on October 27, 1982. The change reflected a growing sense of a distinct Canadian identity, separate from its colonial ties. Canada adopted the iconic maple leaf flag in 1965. Seventeen years later, the patriation of the Canadian Constitution took place (1982.) This event transferred the country’s highest law from British to Canadian authority. A Day of Festivities Across the country, Canada Day is a vibrant public holiday featuring a wide array of celebrations. Communities large and small host parades, concerts, festivals, and family-friendly activities. Barbecues and picnics are a common tradition, bringing together friends and families to enjoy the summer weather. Over the years we have caught numerous spectacular fireworks displays, a hallmark of the national celebration. Don’t miss my Canada Day Maze printable, a popular download here. Where to Go Most major city parks have a fireworks celebration. In London, Ontario, Canada Day often coincides with Sunfest, a multicultural celebration at Victoria Park downtown. In Ottawa, Parliament Hill in the nation’s capital holds thew official ceremony annually and it is well worth the trip. The event typically features musical performances by Canadian artists, speeches from dignitaries, and a ceremonial flag-raising. No matter where you live in the country, if you want a celebration, you can probably find one, but Ottawa’s celebrations are a highlight. I mean, if there’s one thing the nation’s capital does well, it is throwing a party. Culture, History and Reconciliation Of course, I’d be negligent if I didn’t note that Canada Day celebrations need to be tempered with this reality. We live on land stolen from people that were here before we were. Here are Some Ways to Educate Yourself Re: Reconciliation and How We Can Do Better Make time to read about the true history of the country. Attend a traditional pow wow and amplify indigenous voices. Read the 94 recommendations out of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Make your own commitment to doing better and acknowledging the painful truth about Canada’s history. Read books by indigenous peoples and learn. Interesting Facts About Canada’s National Day: Remember to check out my Free Printable Pinterest Board where I have some other popular word games. How to Use these Games: To Print these word games out this month, you can right click on any of the images above and save and print off of your computer. Please do not reprint on your own site without attribution. Or download the entire lot of word games here: The answer key is included at the end of the word games package so use that if you are stuck. No matter how you celebrate, I wish you a happy Canada Day!

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Online Prescription Refill Makes Managing Family Health Easier

Paula — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 17:03:40 +0000

This online prescription refill post has been sponsored by The Health Depot. I received compensation and my opinion is truthful. Prescriptions are the bane of my existence. Let me explain. Everyone here is on at least one prescription. My kids have anxiety disorder and FASD and ADHD and I have Crohn’s disease. I make no effort to hide our health care struggles and challenges. In fact, I talk about them often, because I know we are not alone and other parents need to know they are also not alone. Recently, I found a solution to a BIG health care pain point. Easy Solutions Give Me Time Back The Health Depot and The Health Depot Pharmacy saves me time, money and frustration with next day delivery, reminders that prescriptions are about to run out and the ability to add medical supplies, or health care items necessary to keep your family functioning. Their online prescription refill service is easy, cost efficient and it helps me to get a little more life back. So, I can also enjoy summer a little, while managing everyone’s health care needs at the same time. Why Has This Been So Hard Until Now? Managing our family health care seems like a full time job some weeks. And yet, there’s also that pesky full time job to deal with, as well as the usual parenting, plus advocacy and so much more. Right now, after months of pandemic, online school and social distancing, my kids are also clamouring to get outside, and explore safely within our bubble. We don’t want to miss summer entirely. Some days fitting everything in seems like an impossible task. A Typical Day Take today for instance. As I sit here on an extremely busy work day, I am staring down numerous deadlines, a car repair that needs to be handled stat, several emails I have to return, and a pitch that is due. On top of that, I am juggling pick up and drop off of my oldest girl, who is working this summer during a pandemic. And, of course, one of the kid’s prescriptions is due for refills again. Why Is Someone’s Prescription Always Out? Both of my girls have prescriptions they need daily to manage attention deficits, impulse control and anxiety. But sometimes we are too busy to see that they are almost out. By tomorrow my youngest will be out of the medication that helps her to function in the morning. How did this happen? Easy. I am busy and I have too many balls in the air, along with teenagers, who are still learning they need to LET MOM or Dad KNOW when their prescriptions are getting low. GROAN. Don’t get me wrong. I have a long relationship with our usual pharmacy and their staff are super. But, they are in my old neighbourhood and running back and forth once a week to pickup or drop off prescriptions is costly and exhausting. It easily takes an hour out of a day. Time is money when you are self employed. This is My Pain Point In the last few years, I have often stated out loud that I could really use an online prescription refill service. I have tweeted it and also simply shouted to anyone who would listen. Why isn’t there a simple option that sends us reminders that someone’s prescription is about to expire? Well, finally there is. When I heard about The Health Depot Pharmacy and their approach to simplifying the online prescription refill process, as well as the ordering and delivery part, I was extremely interested. The Health Depot Background Founded in 2019 by Andy Donald, The Health Depot Pharmacy was created to simplify the prescription experience. Offering a seamless approach to getting prescriptions filled, and online prescription refill, which keeps individuals safe, and healthy, The Health Depot Pharmacy eliminates the headache involved in driving back and forth to the pharmacy last minute. What About Service? Here’s what I found….The Health Depot provides free delivery, real-time access to customers’ medication through PharmaConnect, a low dispensing fee, and support with reminders when people are running low on a specific prescription. They offer a team of Pharmacist Specialists (Certified Respiratory & Diabetes Educators and Certified Geriatric Pharmacists) available to help and can personalize medications to the individual. On call pharmacists who are knowledgeable and professional are available all the time. I was extremely impressed with the customer service. AND, in addition to that, they also have an impressive online health care store. NEED I IMPRESS on you how useful that is right now in 2020, during a pandemic? So, How Did it Work? I wanted to test this out with one of the kid’s prescriptions. So I went on line and set up an account with The Health Depot, basically telling them where I live and how to reach me. Then I indicated that I would like to switch a prescription over. A pharmacist called me to confirm and I also got an email and it was switched. That’s right…they did all the work. When you have your prescription with The Health Depot you get an automatic refill notification either by text or email, so you never run out of medication. The Health Depot Pharmacy team also lets you know when you run out of refills and need to renew a prescription with your healthcare provider. Next Day Delivery Often in Ontario The next day, the prescription arrived on my doorstep with a shipment of personal health care products we needed. Allergy pills, Laxative, tampons, sunscreen, hand sanitizer, disposable surgical masks and more. DON’T Miss MY EXCLUSIVE $10 OFF DISCOUNT – > USE: THRIFTY10 discount code at checkout and save $10 off your first order! Link automatically gets you $10 off a minimum purchase of $50. One use per customer. Other Things to Know Low Dispensing Fee The Health Depot dispensing fee is $9.99, compared to $12.99 at many other pharmacies. The online health store, The Health Depot, carries staples and also some GREEN Product lines, like Green Beaver, OWN, Every Man Jack and f.e.t.e Bamboo toothbrushes. There’s also a home health care section – so if you need catheters, enteral feeding supplies, incontinence products, bath safety, post-op or ostomy supplies, they are also available here. Oh and for seniors, people with disabilities, or parents of kids with special needs, if you have something highly specific that you need, they can often order it for you. BONUS!! Shop online and have items delivered straight to your doorstep, with free delivery anywhere in Ontario when shipped with prescriptions, or on all orders of $50 or more. That part might seem like a small thing, but it’s not. For years, I have joked that I should have purchased stock in a pharmacy. We drove back and forth every night often for something – bandages, Tylenol, allergy pills. When the kids were small it was diapers and infant Motrin, now it’s Midol, pads, allergy pills and tampons. Online Prescription Refill Ends Our Prescription Chaos This is genuinely a great idea, long overdue. Everyone here has prescriptions, so it is a constant time drain for one of us to have to go drop off and pick up all the time. During the height of the pandemic I didn’t want to be anywhere near a physical pharmacy. The pharmacist and staff provided quick and personal service. In fact, I was blown away by that because I feel like we’ve come to expect a lower level of service sometimes when doing things online. The Health Depot Pharmacy team has proven that’s not the case. Getting A Bit of Freedom Back So, here’s to getting a bit more life back. This week, instead of wasting time racing around hunting down prescriptions, vitamins, sunscreen or allergy pills, we all visited a cat cafe in Stratford, and I took my daughter to the beach where she smiled so much she told me her face hurt. I haven’t seen that big a smile in about five months now.

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Living with Intention and Gratitude Even in Hard Times – Getting Spiritual in Durham Region

Paula — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 09:39:00 +0000

“Wake Up Every Morning with the Thought That Something Wonderful is About To Happen,” – Winston Porter Living with intention and gratitude is something I choose every day, even when the days are hard, when the silver lining is hidden so far back behind the clouds you doubt that you could ever find it. Here’s how a trip helped drive this new mindset. My visit to Durham Region was hosted by Central Counties Tourism, Durham Region and the Hive Bee and Bee through Toronto Bloggers’ Collective. Travel changes you in many ways. Sometimes it’s a relaxing, restorative, experience after a visit to the beach or a hike. Or perhaps, it’s a trip that draws you closer to family or friends. Plane, train or automobile? The mode of travel doesn’t matter. It might just be a quick drive, a weekend or a two-day trip in the middle of the winter. But, travel changes you if you let it and if you are open to experiencing that possibility. Getting Spiritual in Durham Region Months ago, if you’d have told me that I’d be having a spiritual travel experience in Durham Region, just an hour north of Toronto, I’d have nodded my head and most likely gone on my way without giving it another thought. Sure, I’d scoff under my breath. See, most days, I alternate between sarcastic skeptic and gullible dork. Occasionally, I fall for the silliest things, the tricks and pranks of my teenage girls for instance. I like to think that I keep an open mind while also maintaining a healthy dose of skeptic. If you can prove it with science, then I believe you. So, where does that leave spirituality? Somewhere in between the two actually. I know what I believe and I feel comfort believing that my Mom and my Uncle and Aunt who passed away a few short years ago now, are watching over all of us here in my home. Can I see that? No. Do I believe it? Absolutely. I am as far from a fanatic as possible. There are also many things that I cannot explain, too many in fact, for that to be simply shrugged off. Signs of something else at work. Nature has for me, become a space where I find all the evidence I need of spirituality. Being outside, skiing, hiking, walking – that’s my respite. My family’s respite too, actually. So, where am I going with this? Well, whether you are deeply spiritual or not, I think most of us agree that travel has a deeper impact and a deeper purpose than relaxation. It can be an adventure or an attempt at trying to build a new experience, or a challenge to create a stronger body. Perhaps, it is a means of keeping family close and building memories. Always, it is worth it. Rarely, have I met someone unchanged by their travels. Travel leaves your spirit changed for the better. In February, I took a short trip with a group of travel writers to Durham Region and I stopped everything for ice fishing on Lake Scugog, conscious eating, a smudge ceremony, forest bathing, art, and educational plant-based learning. We also did a brews cruise, shared a campfire, participated in a sharing circle and set intentions. The experience was facilitated by Elsii and Kevin at the Hive Centre and Durham Region as well as Central Counties Tourism, just an hour outside Toronto. Exploring Nature Nearby At the start of the two days, we each set intentions, talked about living with intention, and then went off to visit area breweries after a day spent ice fishing. We connected with nature on multiple levels over the two day visit. And then after a campfire we retired for an evening inside The Hive Bed and Breakfast. The next morning, after a healthy, organic breakfast of smoothies and locally sourced conscious meals, we took part in a spiritual circle and learned about the healing properties of plants and did artwork with natural materials while having our Mayan Calendar signs read. For your information I am a number 6 and a serpent in the Mayan calendar. Flow, time and space and ultimate stability are all adjectives that describe that sign. The serpent sign carries life force energy from earth through the physical body and up to the heavens. What is Forest Bathing? Shinrin-Yoku, or Forest Bathing, is a traditional Japanese practice of immersing oneself in nature by mindfully using all five senses. During the 1980s, Shinrin-Yoku surfaced in Japan as a pivotal part of preventive health care and healing in Japanese medicine. On the grounds of The Hive, with Kevin leading, we each explored the concept of forest bathing. With snow still on the ground and a babbling, trailing stream, we opened our senses to the sights, sounds and smells of the forest, slowly living with intention, moving purposefully, with gratitude close at hand. The experience was rejuvenating and relaxing and calm. Spending time immersed in nature is never a bad thing. Travel is My Respite, Our Respite as a Family I parent two kids with unique challenges. One has anxiety disorder and the other has FASD. We also have ADHD, a learning disability and Crohn’s Disease. In an average month, I find myself often putting out 🔥 fires, running through days, then weeks on end. Write faster. Advocate louder. Email that teacher. Update that IEP, fill the prescription. Argue with insurance. Doctor’s appointments. Parent teacher meetings. Team meetings. Specialists. Assessments. Therapists. Chase that invoice. Pay that bill. Repeat. Many days throughout the last decade I have dragged myself out of bed. Morning arrives as an insult when you are bone weary and dreading how everything is a battle. Was I living with intention? No. Sprinkled in throughout the days are moments of pure heart-stopping joy. But, sometimes it’s hard to see them when you are consumed by lists plodding through the fog or distracted by worry over the future. This is what I wrote and what I was thinking before Covid-19 struck and the world shut down. And then the word pandemic became as common in the daily news as the word breaking, or news, or lunch. The Hive My time at The Hive Centre and Bee and Bee in Leskard, Durham Region was brief, but also impactful. This space, owned by a husband and wife, who changed their careers after a dramatic health issue, is more than bricks and hardwood. Next door to the Hive Bee & Bee is The Hive Centre, a charming heritage church used for private events, retreats, gatherings, special occasions, conferences and groups. The Hive is located on an 18-acre nature reserve, with a stream and forest. Forest Bathing and Living with Intention Living with intention, forest bathing, goal setting, practicing gratitude all landed their mark, but would this be a trip that changed me? My Word of the Year this year was positivity and I decided to embrace being positive, and look for the silver lining in 2020. I was fully aware that this takes work. Sometimes you need to acknowledge the negative and move past it. That’s what I had been working on even before we did this Durham Region trip. So, I was already in the right frame of mind to receive what we learned and grow from it. Back at Home Ultimately, I made the choice to start living with intention and gratitude immediately after leaving The Hive and Durham Region. For me, it just felt like the right choice and a more positive way to start viewing life again. The right choice, the right message at the right time. I woke up in my own bed again that first day and the next and I made myself set intentions and reminded myself to express gratitude. Then the next day, I did the same thing and again. And by the ninth or tenth day it became a habit, at least until the Covid-19 pandemic. How Do You Find Gratitude in a Pandemic? Two to three weeks after leaving the region, the pandemic upended our travels, and our lives here, closing schools, cancelling kid’s sports and threatening lives. We went through the whole range of emotions. It was hard to find that footing again or recall why living with intention and gratitude mattered. So, how do you find gratitude and set intentions when you are living through a pandemic? Same as you did before actually. BUT, you remind yourself every single morning this is temporary and one day at a time. Occasionally, you force it, but setting intentions matters, even more now. What were my takeaways? 1. Start Each Day with Intention. Too often I wake up groaning: I’m exhausted. Here we go again. No more. 2. Define an Intention. Goal setting vs. list making. 3. Express Gratitude Physically. Wake up and give thanks for something. Thank you, water and thank you, sun.. Thank you for hot water and snow. Maybe right now that’s thank you for giving us another day. 4. Get Outdoors More Often. Of course, right now this might look different every week as the situation changes. BUT, try your best to get outside for a walk, while also remembering to follow the guidelines. Fitness and being outside are clearly tied to mental health. These simple things have made a dramatic impact already. So How Does Any of That Fit with Social Distancing Right Now? Living with intention and practicing gratitude, I have found, is like a muscle. You go to the gym four or five times a week, and your muscles remember as they stretch and grow. You have occasional setbacks, but you return and try once more. For the first two weeks of Covid-19, like many people, I questioned every morning what there was to be grateful for and how to set intentions. And yet every single morning I continued to do it again. I choose that for myself every day because it helps me to keep going, to define my day instead of letting the day, or the weather or the mood win. Even now, perhaps more than ever now, I am grateful for the time we spent there at The Hive in Durham Region.

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Happy Canada Day!

Paula — Sun, 23 Jun 2019 15:30:00 +0000

Happy Canada Day from my family to yours! This is one of my favourite Canada Day photos from years gone by. We love Canada Day here because, of course we are Canadian, and also my older daughter has a birthday the day right after Canada Day. So it is always a Happy Canada Day here! Wishing You the Happiest of Canada Days! Happy Canada Day and where did June go? June is such a crazy chaotic and fast month. To be truthful, it is not my favourite. While I genuinely adore the warmer weather, I do find that MANY kids don’t do well with the less structured days that June brings with the flip of the calendar pages. I mean June is field trips, class outings, warm weather but sometimes that change is so slow, as it has been this year. Way too much rain so far in my opinion. So Where Does That Leave Us? Well, I have written previously about my volatile relationship with June. But, July is entirely different from June. It is relaxed and happy long days spent at the beach or stretched out by the pool. July sometimes is all about attending local produce markets and summer sidewalk sales and just going with the flow. This photo above was taken on a Canada Day a few years ago when both of my little beans here were heading out to summer day camp at Original Kids. Flash forward and this year my oldest will be sharing Canada Day with a group of little people at a local city run day camp. She is working as a playground supervisor this year. My Happy Canada Day Resources for You! I have, over the last few years, collected and shared many Canada Day printables and word games. So here’s a bit of a recap for you. DON’T Miss my Canada Day Word Search or MY Canada Day Matching Game and then all the Canada Day facts you can imagine. Are you Canadian? Do you go big on Canada Day? Tell me all about your Canada Day celebrations!

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My Top 5 Travel Posts of the Year

Paula — Mon, 31 Dec 2018 11:49:53 +0000

Looking back at my travel stories 2018 helps me with inspiration. I hope it has the same effect on you. Travel Resolutions this time of year are strong with my network of family members and friends. There’s something about that blank slate again. Time to unleash those travel dreams and let them breathe a bit, so they take shape and become travel realities too. This is exactly what I’ve been thinking about this year and I have several ideas rattling around in my head and on my list. Where will I go? What will we do as a family, and will I be able to cross off any of those bucket list destinations after all? At the end of the year, I look back on the amazing adventures I have had, while also plotting some adventures ahead. Determining when and where to go is a challenge when you are a travel writer sometimes. You can have all the travel resolutions in the world but in reality when a trip comes up and a story idea materializes plans change. If, and when, you are offered a spot on a familiarization tour then you go. Best laid plans oft go awry, right? Some days, and years, the unplanned adventures are the best ones. Reflecting back on the last two years of travel here and what I have been able to accomplish, makes me feel positive about travel writing. There have been some incredible trips. A few travel stories are still being written right now actually. But this isn’t about that. This post is about the best read travel posts this year on Thrifty Mommas Tips. Here are my Top 5 Best Read Travel Posts for 2018 Maybe some of these will help you to make your travel resolutions this year. Keep in mind that some of these are travel posts that are not actually experiences we had in 2018. A few happened in 2017 and a few are travel related tips and resources posts. But these are the most well read travel stories 2018. A Saguenay Family Resort with Wolf Encounter. In May of this year I did a conference called WITS, Women in Travel Summit. After we finished the conference Aeryn Lynne, Margarita Ibbott and Vanessa Chiasson piled into a car and did a girlfriend’s getaway that took us to Tadoussac through Saguenay, and Quebec Maritime. This continues to be one of my favourite experiences of the past twelve months. Cruise Wreckers. Not only is this my best read travel post of all time, it is also my best pinned travel story of the last decade here. Cruise travel is one of my favourite ways to travel as a family and see the world. My post, Cruise Wreckers, is basically advice gleaned from all of our adventures on cruises. Read this one before you travel, because any one of these mistakes can lead to a gigantic cruise fail that becomes a cruise wrecker. You want to enjoy your family or romantic cruise. Trust me. Free Day Trips in Ontario. This one is extremely easy to do and it’s located in Bruce County, Ontario, a destination and cottage country area we have been visiting for decades. Bruce County is one of my favourite places to summer in Ontario. Here’s one you might not know about though. Did you know that Bruce County has free day trips and bus tours that are educational just like this one – Bruce County Power. Florida Hotspots. This post was actually a roundup of our favourite Florida destinations. Several of my favourite travel writers and Canadian travel bloggers chimed in to recount some of their most memorable visits to Florida. This is what they enjoy in Florida. Use it is a guide to planning Florida travel. Maybe one of these Florida trips will end up on your bucket list of travel resolutions this year. Bruce County Hiking. Wow, two Ontario based Bruce County experiences made my list. I am astonished by that and pleased too. So happy to see many Canadian travel experiences as my best read travel stories 2018. That means more travellers will read about and visit these destinations. In 2017, Payton and I were invited to Bruce County to explore the area. Here’s what we did and what we enjoyed most while there. Stay tuned for a 2018 travel roundup too. I know. I know. In fact I said this list was five well read travel experiences and stories. So why is there a number 6 here? Well, this travel tips post is another one that is extremely well searched and pinned too. Anniversary Trips That Rock. Where Will 2019 Take You? Don’t forget if you need help with your travel related business and social media marketing, I can help. That’s what I do at Thrifty Mom Media social media marketing. Contact inkscrblr@rogers.com for a quote or discovery call. [tweetthis]What were my best read travel posts this year? #travel #wanderlust[/tweetthis] Need a travel story covered? Want to pitch an idea? Contact me at the same email address above and I will get right back to you. Happy New Year and cheers to many adventures in 2019!!

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The History of Canada’s Pastry – The Origin of Butter Tarts

Paula — Mon, 21 May 2018 10:11:53 +0000

Butter tarts are delicious. They’re a national treasure. I could eat them all day. Seriously. I mean who couldn’t? Think about these little delicious Heavenly tarts. Butter tarts are amazing little snack sized tarts filled with a mixture of melted butter, brown sugar, egg, and sometimes walnuts or raisins. They are simply perfection. Butter tarts are a little bowl of Heaven that is, in my opinion, the best recipe to ever come out of a Canadian kitchen. Today, I honour the tastiest treat in the history of Canadian treats by telling you a bit about the origin of butter tarts. Of course I know you are totally wondering where this yummy treat came from. Butter Tarts – Why They’re the Most Canadian When you hear French Cuisine, you immediately know what that is. The same goes for Italian, Chinese, Indian, and Thai. They have a long, well established history of iconic ingredients and styles of cooking. You know what it is right away. That’s not always the case with Canadian cuisine. Canada, much like the United States, has a long, long history of colonizers and immigrants and indigenous people. When you combine all manner of immigration with such a wide variation in climate and ingredients, tracing specific Canadian foods can be challenging. Except for butter tarts. Origin of Butter Tarts The Collins English Dictionary describes butter tarts as one of the few pastries with a genuinely Canadian origin. It’s all ours. Butter tarts are small pastries with a filling generally consisting of butter, sugar, syrup, and egg which is filled into a flaky pastry and baked until achieving that classic semi-solid, crunchy top texture. SO good. The first published recipe of these tarts was published in 1900 in The Women’s Auxiliary of the Royal Victoria Hospital Cookbook. But they’re believed to be far older than that. Butter tarts are most likely the result of a time period between 1663 and 1673 when about 800 young women were sent to Quebec from France. Of course, they brought over their traditional recipes, but they would have had to tweak them according to the ingredients they had at hand. The most likely scenario is that the sugar pie, a simple, single-crust pie, is the precursor to the butter tarts that we know and love today. [tweetthis]What is the origin of butter tarts anyways? Find out more here. [/tweetthis] Butter Tarts – A National Treasure Butter tarts have become an icon of Canadian cuisine. This national treasure is beloved all across Canada, particularly in Ontario. In fact, you can find a year round, self guided butter tart tour. The tour, based in Kawarthas Northumberland includes over 50 bakeries, and it even features the Annual Butter Tart Taste-Off. There are dozens of bakeries in Northern Ontario too claiming to have the best Butter Tarts recipe ever. I happen to think these ones right here are the best butter tarts ever. The Origin of Butter Tarts Butter tarts are a true original. Of course they have a beginning that was basically a variation on another pastry. But they have evolved over the years to be recognized as one of the few truly Canadian dishes. If you haven’t tried butter tarts, you need to do it today! TODAY! They are so delicious, and they always make you feel like you’re experiencing a sweet little bite of Heaven. No doubt you won’t be thinking of the origin of butter tarts when eating them, but nonetheless I am happy to share – my thoughts and research I mean – not my butter tarts!! Here are 15 of the best butter tart recipes from my favourite food bloggers.

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This Sterling Silver Jewellery Tells a Story

Paula — Fri, 13 Apr 2018 12:26:19 +0000

Citrus Silver sterling silver jewellery tells a story about you. Isn’t that what you want your jewellery to do? When you choose a piece from Citrus Silver, you get a one of a kind sterling silver hand-stamped necklace, that captures your personality or personal philosophy. There’s something lovely and empowering about that. High quality pieces from this Canadian jewellery brand range from gorgeous wrap bracelets to fashionable necklaces and earrings too. I received the Citrus Silver sterling silver Fierce necklace last week and I haven’t take it off. It shows no sign of tarnishing, which to me speaks of the high quality product. If you know me at all then you are aware by now that I love jewellery. In fact I frequently share pieces that I love here. Sterling silver is my go to. Sterling silver jewellery is beautiful, durable, affordable and versatile. Citrus Silver has you covered for sterling silver pieces. This Canadian company has a unique creative approach. Their jewellery is all about defining yourself by a mantra, a philosophy or sentiment that brings you joy. Each and every beautiful piece of heirloom quality Citrus Silver jewellery tells a story and I love that idea. Every Piece of Citrus Silver Jewellery Tells a Story Citrus Silver concentrates on two things – sterling silver and telling a story. They focus on sterling silver because of its beauty and affordability, and this is one reason I love sterling silver as well. The other thing about silver is that it allows letter and numbers to leave a clear, deep impression on the surface that lasts forever. There are many gorgeous pieces available, or you can create your own featuring your children’s names. It was hard for me to choose between Fierce necklace, the Courage bracelet that Aeryn wrote about on Geek With Style, and Seek Adventure necklace that Ann wrote about over here on her blog, Kickass Living. Citrus Silver uses a hand stamped technique for the highest quality lettering and numbering, to deliver a very personal, customized piece that features clean, bold lines, unparalleled craftsmanship, and an attention to detail. Their pieces are the kind that you will love for a lifetime and that always keep that special memory or feeling close to your heart. Citrus Silver Tells My Story I love that this is a Canadian company and I buy from Canadian brands whenever possible. I chose a hand stamped necklace with the word “Fierce” on it to remind myself to always be fierce in whatever I do. In business and life, good things come to those who know their value, and in today’s world, it’s easy to forget just how valuable we are. With my “Fierce” necklace, I’ll always remember my worth! Fierce is a word that inspires confidence so that’s why I love this particular necklace. Tonight I wore it to a Group Active class and I nailed it. Maybe it was what I had for dinner and maybe it was just a good night. But I was FIERCE. Nailed that class. Let Citrus Silver Tell Your Story Citrus Silver brings the highest quality sterling silver jewellery to the marketplace and their pieces always come with a meaning. They are affordable, beautiful, inspiring and timeless. I love my necklace, and I think you’ll love any piece you get from them, as well. So check out Citrus Silver for yourself. Follow them on social channels too: Find Citrus Silver on Facebook and on Twitter too. The Citrus Silver owner has also agreed to sponsor a giveaway for one lucky reader. Enter now for a chance to win a $50 code to get your own piece. Canada only. I received product for consideration here. My opinion is all my own and it is also truthful. Entry-Form

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Five Big Things You Need to Know to Disclose Properly Now

Paula — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 10:18:44 +0000

Did you know Ad Standards updates took place recently? Are you an influencer, public relations person or a marketing professional? Then you need to know what that means for influencer marketing and business. Ad Standards is the standard for how to disclose properly if you’ve been paid, or compensated with goods, trips, or events. Basically any material connection must be disclosed. If you are an influencer working in Canada then you need to pay attention to these guidelines. Transparency and authenticity are important to anyone who advertises. Advertising should truthful, fair, and accurate. While many influencers already know how to disclose properly and are familiar with Canadian Ad Standards, some might be new and not aware. In fact social media changes so much that it is vital to keep up with changes. This information will help ensure that influencers disclose properly. Read more here on the updated influencer marketing standards. First of All What’s a Material Connection Any connection between an entity providing a product or service and an endorser, reviewer, influencer, or person making a representation that may affect the weight or credibility fo the representation, and includes: benefits and incentives, such as monetary or other compensation, free products with or without any conditions attached, discounts, contest and sweepstakes entries, and any employment relationship. Payments Payment is not just money. It can include free products as well. Influencer Someone who possesses greater than average potential to influence others. The people whom influencers affect are defined as a person or group of people who take action or change opinion/behavior as the result of exposure to information provided by an influencer. This includes blogs, social media sites, or other media publications. Youtubers, Instagrammers, Snapchatters all included. What You Need to Remember: The Biggest NEWS for Me as an Influencer working in this space for 9 years: BE super clear on video when there is a material connection to an object or brand. Make disclosure upfront and identifiable in videos, so viewers can see it immediately. (So on Youtube for instance include in the video, and/ or mention during the conversation. Youtube provides a disclosure box that you can tick when editing your video.) Be clear. Video is the biggest change in the last few years and Platforms like Snapchat, Youtube and Instagram have grown dramatically. BUT not everyone has kept up or noted the need to disclose properly on video. You must disclose on any and all video platforms as well as written platforms. Facebook Lives and Instagram lives also – use disclosure in the content. Snapchat – include a #ad notice on any snaps where money or product has been exchanged. Instagram Stories – Disclose clearly at the start of the story. You can disclose on each image in the story but it is not necessary. Do not hide disclosure – it must be clear. Use hashtag disclosure such as #ad or #sponsored. For example, #ad, should always be the first hashtag in any social media post. I am going to repeat this because it is important. Disclose along with every endorsement. Each sponsored post, video, or social media post should have a disclosure. Disclose independently of social media networks or channel-specific settings. For example, don’t rely on the Facebook Handshake. You cannot use #Playbrandambassador or #TravelsWithPaula – not clear enough – #ad or #sponsored. One More Thing: Blanket disclosures are NOT okay. You can’t slap a standard image on your sidebar and assume that’s okay. It’s not clear enough. Follow These Tips to Disclose Properly You should always disclose in the manner required by Canadian Ad Standards. I have written two different posts on this now. Please consult them if you are confused and check the Ad Standards book too. It will help ensure that your disclosures are correct.

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Getting a Car is Easy with Canada Drives

Paula — Wed, 03 Jan 2018 13:18:04 +0000

Getting a car can be challenging for anyone, but if you have less than perfect credit, it can be almost impossible. Until now. Sometimes things happen that negatively impact our credit. Whether it’s foolish decisions when we’re young, or circumstances beyond our control, we live and learn, but our credit sometimes suffers. Sometimes finance companies don’t understand or care about that. Canada Drives does. They make getting a car so much easier for everyone. Getting a Car with a Company That Understands Life Happens Canada Drives is a unique financing company. Founded in 2010, they’ve been helping consumers get access to all types of loans as well as offering credit building solutions. They’ve served over 1 million Canadians secure the financing that they need over the past 7 years. In fact they’re helped so many people that Facebook did a case study on the business and their process. They’re a business that cares about helping people whose credit isn’t the best and they’ve revolutionized how people can get auto financing in Canada. That means that for those Canadians out there who may have had trouble securing financing for a car, there’s hope. Recently I ran through the process of applying for a loan with Canada Drives to see how simple it is. Astonishingly, it’s super fast. In fact it’s possible to apply, get matched with a loan, and if a dealer is available in your area you could be on the lot test-driving in 24 hours. Car, van, truck, sports coupe? No matter what kind of vehicle you need, Canada Drives can help. With Canada Drives you can pick the type of vehicle that you want immediately during the loan application and then you will know precisely the amount of your payments. How Canada Drives Works Canada Drives helps make getting a car easier for those with less than perfect credit by accessing a vast network of dealers across Canada. Their dedicated team of customer service agents help connect car buyers with a network of over 350 automotive dealers across Canada offering a variety of makes and models, allowing consumers to find the vehicle they want at a price that they can afford. Getting a Car is Finally Easy with Canada Drives Canada Drives is committed to making getting a car easier for Canadians with less than perfect credit. Thanks to the company, getting a car is a reality for those who haven’t been able to get one before. They’re the trusted name in financing for people who need the most help with it. Check out Canada Drives if you need a vehicle soon. This post has been sponsored by Canada Drives which means I received compensation. My opinion is all my own and it is also truthful.

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The Food Basics I Want It All Winners May Surprise You

Paula — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 12:57:29 +0000

Food Basics I Want It All was a giveaway I first told you about back in June. The I Want It All event was set to coincide with the celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday. Customers had a chance to win 150% off their receipt to spend on that extra something that they all really want. As a special bonus, Facebook fans who answered the question “How would you Have it All?” on the Food Basics Facebook page would have their wishes fulfilled. Well, the Food Basics I Want It All event has closed, and winners have been announced. You will be as surprised as I was at the beautiful gifts these shoppers have won. Food Basics I Want It All Winners Of course, the event is a great way for Food Basics to help their customers have it all, but they also help their customers have it all every day. Food Basics, I think I told you a while ago, was a lifesaver for us when we first adopted our daughters. As you can imagine our income was drastically reduced when I was suddenly off work parenting the girls. As a single income family, we had to save money and be extremely careful with our spending. We shopped Food Basics all the time then because they had the best prices around. Saving on the small things helps families save up for the BIG things! Food Basics shoppers can shop smart in store AND their products are always fresh, in stock, and at a great price. I’m honoured to be able to share the I Want It All celebrations and bring you the winners of this amazing giveaway! Food Basics has really made this contest about celebrating loyal customers. This season I have loved seeing the stories of the customers who have won this contest. Do you remember when the contest started and I told you the most remarkable thing about this contest was the requests people made. They were so modest and touching. In fact, they were often needs not wants. Contest winners did not ask for the world. Instead they asked for simple things – a motorized wheelchair, a trip with a hardworking father, and rent payments to be able to worry less. The Gift of Freedom and Mobility Michelle Graham – Ottawa This is the one that touched me the most. People shouldn’t have to do without just because they have a disability. And yet, the cost of buying vital equipment to get and stay mobile sometimes means people with disabilities do without. Thanks to the Food Basics I Want It All contest, one winner Michelle said she’d have it all with a motorized wheelchair so she could have the freedom to go to the park with her kids during the summer. Food Basics got her a motorized wheelchair! The Gift of Family Jasmine Clover Waylett – North Bay Food Basics I Want It All gave it all to Jasmine by giving her a gift card to cover the costs of a trip for her father. She wanted to take her father on the trip of a lifetime because he’s the hardest worker she’s ever known and always puts his family ahead of himself. Having a Roof Over Your Head Marie Nicole – Windsor Marie Nicole said she’d have it all by being able to afford first and last month’s rent for an apartment to have more space as she welcomes a new baby to her family. The Food Basics I Want It All event gave Marie first and last month’s rent on the apartment as well as baby supplies for the new parents. Food Basics I Want It All Gave It All I am so glad to be a small part of the Food Basics I Want It All event. They did such amazing things for their winners, and the stories have been heartwarming. The Food Basics I Want It All celebrations may be over, but you can still have it all by shopping at Food Basics. Saving money matters to most working families. Food Basics can help you save. So head over to Food Basics and have it all. This content has been sponsored by Food Basics and as such I am compensated. My opinion is all my own and it is also truthful. And don’t forget to enter for a chance to win a $50 Gift Card from Food Basics now! Ontario only please. Entry-Form

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