Over the past couple of weeks, our family has been dealing with a series of head colds. Come to think of it, we may just be dealing with one never-ending cold. The good news is we seem to finally be coming out of it now. However, for a while there, I was feeling nothing like myself and wanted to do nothing more than sleep the congestion away.

Like most people, when I’m feeling under the weather, I crave comfort foods. Most often, I long for a thick and hearty chicken noodle soup. There is just something about it that warms me up and makes me feel cozy from the inside out.

A pot full of comforting goodness.

Ingredients:

4 cups of chicken broth
1/2 cup of butter
3 Tbsp. oil
3 cooked chicken breasts, diced
1 carrot, peeled and diced
2 stocks of celery, diced
1 onion, diced
3 tbsp parsley
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 tsp oregano
1 tsp thyme
3 cups Chickapea penne pasta
Salt and pepper to taste

In a large pot, heat oil and add carrots, celery and onions and saute until veggies are soft and onions are translucent.

Add garlic and saute for 1-2 minutes.

Add chicken broth, parsley, oregano, thyme, salt and pepper. Add in butter and stir until melted and well mixed.

Add diced chicken and parsley and simmer gently for 5-7 minutes.

Stir in pasta and simmer approximately 7 minutes, until pasta is cooked.

And just like that, you have a buttery, creamier version of a typical, everyday comfort food.

So delicious.

We’ve used dozens of gluten free pasta brands, but Chickapea Pasta has quickly become a favourite for our home. Made from organic chickpea and organic red lentil flour, this blend is packed with protein and fiber and full of essential nutrients: complex carbs, thiamine, folate, niacin, magnesium, B vitamins, iron, zinc and antioxidants. It truly takes the everyday staple of pasta and turns it into a superfood. It is also has no added sugar and is made in a nut-free facility.

We have been enjoying both the spirals and the penne, but now we have even more options with the addition of shells! Chickapea Pasta has changed their packaging to move into boxes and added a third shape to the product line.

The whole Chickapea line up!

Chickapea Pasta Giveaway!

To celebrate the launch of the new packaging and new shape, Chickapea is giving away and entire basket of delicious goodies. One lucky reader from each blog will receive a gift basket full of goodies, valued around $75. The contents of the gift basket are as follows:

• 1 box of Chickapea Spirals
• 1 box of Chickapea Penne
• 1 box of Chickapea Shells
• 1 bottle of Kiki Maple Sweet Water
• 1 container of Teatulia Chamomile Tea (30 bags)
• 1 bag (142g) of Neal Brothers Montreal Steak Spice Kettle Chips
• 1 jar of Neal Brothers Organic Roasted Garlic Pasta Sauce
• 1 package (225g) of Budding Nutrition Gut Busters
• 1 package of (84g) Rawnata Vanilla Saskatoon Flax Crackers

In addition to Chickapea Pasta products, other items were kindly donated by Neal Brothers, Avid Gourmet and LCG Foods.

Enter below!

.

The post Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup with Chickapea Pasta appeared first on Ideally speaking....

Disclaimer: I was gifted my Gold Pass and a PNP Promo Code to share with all my wonderful readers as compensation for this post. The views and opinions are my own. Honestly, this is one of my favourite services to review each year anyways. My love for PNP is real, guys. Very, very real

Take a personal tour of Santa’s workshop!

I created my first Portable North Pole video back in 2009! I was pregnant with Lilly and excited about all the future Christmas’ I would experience as a Mama. However, since I didn’t have a little one to watch the video yet, I created a personalized message from Santa to a good friend’s little guy and sent it to her via email. Like me, she loves this time of year, so I knew she would appreciate it. Sure enough, she messaged me later that night to say thank you and that watching her little guy get so excited for the message brought tears to her eyes.

Lilly, watching the elves and Santa deliver her 2014 personalized message. I can’t wait to see her face light up during this year’s video!

When 2010 rolled around, we created our first video for our little Lilly! She was 4 months old and it was certainly more for us than her, but the magic had officially begun in our household. We have never missed a year since and can honestly say it has always brought tears to our eyes as well. Magic truly is the word to describe the look on her face and the permanent smile lingering after.

This year will be the first year our son Cole is old enough to understand some of the Christmas magic. Santa will start with his signature, “Well hello there Colton!” I am so excited to show Cole his video because I know he will stare wide-eyed and mumble a toddler style “hiii” and wave back. I can’t wait to see the look on his face when Santa shows him the workshop and the reindeer.

About the Portable North Pole

If you’re not familiar with the Portable North Pole (PNP), they create the world’s most engaging, personalized Santa video messages. It gives you the ability to bring Santa Claus directly into your home via video message, complete with details and photos of your kids. It brings them such an in depth personalized video that truly comes across in a realistic way. I was blown away the first time I saw it and equally impressed with the way they have grown it since.

There are plenty of ways to share in the magic for free and the “elves” have been busy working to make PNP easier to use and extra personalized. There’s a new mobile version (compatible with Apple and Android devices) so you can carry the magic of Santa in your pocket, creating personalized video messages and calls on the go. PNP is also available now in English, French and Spanish!

The PNP website has plenty of Christmas stories to share with the kids you love …or funny video options for the adults you want to embarrass in your life. We may or may not have stuck the boss on the naughty list this year at my office and sent the video via email to the whole team….

PNP Supporting Children’s Hospitals

Learn more about the PNP Children’s Hospital Program.

In the true spirit of giving, the PNP team has pledged to donate 5% of all web sales to kids hospitals in the purchaser’s area. Each year, they donate to a total of 40 hospitals all over Canada, United States, France, UK, Australia and Ireland and have raised more than $150,000 so far!

This year, PNP will also be donating passes to the staff at each hospital, so they can create personalized videos for each of the children in their care. Such a loving and beautiful idea.

20% Off Portable North Pole (PNP) Promo Code:

PNP offers one FREE personalized video message, but there are a wide range of additional storylines, Christmas eve video, phone calls from Santa, and more to choose from. To access some of the additional goodies, there are a few different packages to choose from. All are reasonably priced. My personal pick is the Gold Pass, which gets you unlimited premium videos, unlimited phone calls, archived videos and HD downloads.

If you are thinking of any of these options, I can offer a little something off the top. Simply enter promo code BLG20PNP when you are at the checkout process.

Visit the Portable North Pole now and start a wonderful, family tradition.

Ideally speaking, your little ones will love their videos as much as mine did and the PNP can bring even more Christmas magic into your home too!

The post Personal Messages from Santa! PNP Promo Code! appeared first on Ideally speaking....

.

As parents, we have never had to question whether or not our little girl has a great sense of imagination. There’s nothing she loves more than dressing up and transporting herself to some sort of fantasy world, with a storyline that is all her own creation. So when Disney Junior said they wanted to send her a gift of a Sofia The First costume, I knew it would go over very well in our house.

I considered shooting an unboxing video, but then pictured in my mind how that might play out with my 5 year old and thought the better of it Maybe next time.

A box full of purple princess goodies.

Her first “unboxing” photo series. Excuse the blurry photos…they are a testament to her excitement ;)

As expected, Lily dove right into that box as if there was an actual princess in there. Clearly there was.

My little princess.

Lily has never quite been the typical girly girl. Sure, she loves princesses, but very much on her own terms. For instance, a couple years ago for Halloween, when she asked me to dress up as a princess because she wanted to be the fearsome dragon who captured me.

She has always marched to the beat of her own drum and played in a way that is uniquely her.

That fact is one of the reasons that I have always loved Disney Junior’s Sofia The First. It is such a great story in the sense that it encourages every little girl to dream big. It’s relatable because it tells the story of an average little girl becoming a princess. Lilly loves it for all the same reasons. Plus Sofia wears purple, her absolutely favourite colour.

Disney Junior Channel Returns to Canada!

Did you know that the Disney Junior Channel returned as of December 1? Believe me, we very much new in my house. Lilly starting seeing the commercials announcing the return a few months ago and has not let us forget it.There are a number of shows and characters she adores in the Disney Junior family.

…and I will admit that the 90s kid in me is more than a little excited for the new Lion King based series, The Lion Guard!

Simba has a second cub!

For the month of December, Disney Junior is presenting “Magical Holidays” featuring festive premieres and new episodes of Doc McStuffins, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Miles from Tomorrowland, Sheriff Callie’s Wild West, Sofia the First and more. To find your local channel, visit www.disneyjunior.ca

For great updates on shows, games and giveaways, also be sure to check out Disney Junior Channel on Facebook and YouTube:

Win an Amazon.ca Gift Card

The post The Return of Disney Junior Channel & Sofia The First! appeared first on Ideally speaking....

Now that we have been using them for a few weeks, I can confidently say that these have to be my favourite of all the Huggies diapers. First off, they are super cute. With bright polka dots and Micky and Friends designs, these very well might be the most fun looking and adorable diaper we have ever used.

So cute.

Little Man!

Secondly, the ultra-soft yet absorbent liner seems to be holding up to its reputation. We haven’t had a single leak since we have switched and Cole’s little baby bottom has been dry and free from any rashes, even after a long car ride. This is a major benefit for us, since this little man LOVES his water and is a bit of a heavy wetter by nature. It is great to have that confidence when we are travelling or out for a few hours.

So what is my absolute favourite feature of Huggies Little Movers Plus? I would have to say that it is definitely the double grip strips in the waistband. Cole is a big boy in terms of height, but he is still a little but tiny around the waist. I love that the double grip strips allow these diapers to have a snug, but very flexible fit that will move with him and stay in place. By holding the waistband together in two spots on each side, I also know that these diapers are more likely to stay in place, even when Cole is trying to break free and go streaking…his newest favourite way to get on the move…

Want to see for yourself just how much our little man likes to move?? Don’t worry, no streaking was filmed in the making of this short video

A video posted by Ideally speaking… (@cryswiltshire) on Aug 15, 2015 at 12:16pm PDT

Little Movers Plus in a Nutshell:

• Huggies’ most absorbent diaper† with ultra-softness
• New DryTouch Liner®
• Double Grip Strips for a comfy fit that lasts.
• Huggies Little Snugglers Plus and Huggies Little Movers Plus are
• Exclusively available at Costco in sizes 3-6!

†Except for Huggies® OverNites diapers

I mentioned in last month’s post that we used to buy our Huggies wherever we saw them on sale. However, with the lower cost and huge case size available exclusively at Costco, they really are a great deal at any time. I highly recommend stocking up the next time you have a Costco run and see for yourself how great Huggies Little Movers Plus would be to keep up with your little one.

Disclosure: I am part of the Huggies Ambassador Campaign with Influence Central and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

The post Our Favourite Feature of Huggies Little Movers Plus! appeared first on Ideally speaking....

See a box, must climb the box.

Up until now, we have used Huggies Little Snugglers and Little Snugglers Post. I have always loved that variety for how soft the diapers feel and how cozy and snug they fit my little ones. I have always trusted them to provide excellent absorbency with incredible softness.

While we really haven’t had any leaks with our diapers until now, the fit isn’t quite holding up to Cole anymore. With running, climbing, jumping, bending, more climbing, I found I was often finding his diapers bunching up around his legs. It left him more uncomfortable and therefore, needing to be changed more often.

Always. Into. Everything.

I wanted to switch to a diaper that would keep up with him and move the way he moves. I knew that Huggies Little Movers Plus would be the best choice. These diapers are made from Huggies most absorbent diaper (other than Huggies Overnights, which we also swear by) and still offer an ultra soft, dry to the touch liner. They are also made with a soft, breathable outer cover, making them great for preventing diaper rashes. The feature I really love is the Double Grip Strips, which hold the stretchy waist band together in two places.

Translation – these diapers will move with my mini man, keep him dry and be soft against his little bottom. A winning combination in my books.

We crawl through the toys. Going around them would take too much time…

We used to buy our Huggies wherever we saw them on sale, but with both Huggies Little Snugglers Plus and Little Movers Plus now exclusively available at Costco, we have found a deal that can’t be beat. The case sizes are huge, meaning we have to buy diapers less frequently. Both diapers come in sizes 1-6 and feature adorable Mickey and Friends designs.

Disclosure: I am part of the Huggies Ambassador Campaign with Influence Central and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

The post Getting on the Move With Huggies Little Movers Plus appeared first on Ideally speaking....

How the hell do we keep our kids’ damn mittens on?!

Adam putting Lilly’s mittens back on. Again.

I am overjoyed to spread the good news that the answer is finally here! Meet MittGrips! A innovative sleeve that works with any mitts or gloves to keep them in place and also keep the snow out. You simply slide these sleeves over any regular mittens before your child puts on their jacket. They hold the mitts in place and keep the snow out.

Easy as 1, 2, 3.

The idea for MittGrips was formed when inventor Roger Tremblay and his wife, Melissa, were spending more outdoor time chasing their daughter’s mittens, than they were actually playing. They tried out the same tired old solutions that we’ve all used with strings, clips, etc. However, none of those really seemed to solve the problem at hand. Pun intended.

To learn a bit more about them (and see adorable video of their super cute little lady) watch their Kickstarter video:

Roger and Melissa decided to launch MittGrips on Kickstarter in order to get the funding needed to place the first production order. Backers are rewarded with first access to the product in return for their contribution. If you are unfamiliar with how Kickstarter works, the project’s financial goal needs to be met or exceeded in order to succeed. In the event that the goal is not met by the end of the Kickstarter campaign, backers don’t pay their pledge. Without Kickstarter, MittGrips is unsure when they will actually be able to bring the product to market.

Our MittGrips Review

Today we got to try out MittGrips on our little ones. We received size small for Cole and a large for Lilly. When they first arrived, I thought they looked a little snug, but they went on quite well. If they were not a secure fit, they wouldn’t be doing their job

Cole’s little baby mittens didn’t have thumbs, but the MittGrips still did a fantastic job of keeping them in place. This was Cole’s first real time out in the snow, so he was wiggling around like a maniac.

Those mitts are not going anywhere!

I may not be a huge fan of the winter season, but I certainly have a new appreciation for it when watching my kids enjoy it.

My snow monkeys.

Watching Daddy & Lilly have a snowball fight!

Lilly absolutely loves the snow. She would spend all day outside if we let her. She was right into it and immediately started on pelting Daddy with snow balls. She then moved on to making a snowman with matching snowbaby…

She gets right into the snow!

I am pleased to report that MittGrips upheld their promise in spades. For the first time ever, neither of us had to put Lilly’s mitts back on. And her shirt sleeves were bone dry when we came back inside.

I absolutely love products like this. I’ve blogged before about the innovative items I have found at various events such as the BabyTime Show. There is something so inspiring to me, about parents who see a need for something, create an idea and run with it. No one understands the little struggles parents face everyday as much as fellow parents do. It is empowering to see them turn an idea into a reality and create a solution for other families.

If you want to help MittGrips succeed, please spread the word! Visit the Kickstarter page and share the campaign. To get your hands (Pun intended. Again.) on a pair before everyone else, back the project for as little as $10.

Giveaway

I am giving away an $25 Amazon gift card AND a pair of MittGrips made by Roger himself!

.

Ideally speaking, MittGrips will reach their goal and little ones will be wearing them all over the place next winter!

The post Giveaway: MittGrips help keep mittens on and snow out! appeared first on Ideally speaking....

www.portablenorthpole.com

Around this time five years ago, I was pregnant with Lilly and excitedly dreaming about what next years Christmas would be like when she was with us. While looking up Christmas goodies for kids, I happened upon an incredible service that made personalized video messages from Santa, called the Portable North Pole.

I quickly hopped onto my good friend (and most avid Christmas enthusiast I know) Melissa’s Facebook account and grabbed a pic of her little guy, Liam. I made the video and sent it to her via email. She messaged me later that night to say thank you and that watching Liam get so excited for the message brought tears to her eyes.

Watching the elves and Santa deliver her personalized message.

Since then, we have enjoyed that sweet moment in our own home each Christmas season. Since Lilly isn’t quite old enough to remember the videos from previous years, she doesn’t expect them yet. However I look forward to creating them each year. I’m honestly not sure which one of us gets the most excited

Love how her face lights up when Santa talks to her.

If you’re not familiar with the Portable North Pole (PNP), they create the world’s most engaging, personalized Santa video messages. It gives you the ability to bring Santa Claus directly into your home via video message, complete with details and photos of your kids. It brings them such an in depth personalized video that truly comes across in a realistic way. I was blown away the first time I saw it and equally impressed with the way they have grown it since.

You can take a look at the magical 2014 trailer below. It gives you a sneak peak of the story line available and quality of video you can expect.

There are plenty of ways to share in the magic for free and the “elves” have been busy working to make PNP easier to use and extra personalized. There’s a new mobile version (compatible with Apple and Android devices) so you can carry the magic of Santa in your pocket, creating personalized video messages and calls on the go.

In the true spirit of giving, the PNP team has pledged to donate 5% of all web sales to kids hospitals in the purchaser’s province. Last year they donated $US75,000 to charity and are hoping to well exceed that figure this season.

The PNP website now has plenty of Christmas stories to share with the kids you love …or funny video options for the adults you want to embarrass in your life Visit http://www.portablenorthpole.com and start a wonderful, family tradition.

Portable North Pole (PNP) Promo Code:

PNP offers one free personalized video message, but there are a wide range of additional story lines, Christmas eve video, phone calls from Santa, etc. You can shop a couple of the options a la cart, or purchase an unlimited pass. If you are thinking of any of these options, I can offer a little something off the top. Simply enter promo code BLG20BKP when you are at the checkout process.

Note – There are options to have your little one on the nice list, the naughty list, or have Santa say he’s not quite sure yet with the “Almost Nice” option. If you choose the “Almost Nice” option, Santa will tell your child to check back in closer to Christmas. So if you only want to make one free video, don’t select that option.

Ideally speaking, your little ones’ faces will light up as much as Lilly’s did and the PNP can bring even more Christmas magic into your home too!

The post Video Messages from Santa with the Portable North Pole. PNP Promo Code. appeared first on Ideally speaking....

Lilly’s e-Timeline from Locket.

If you haven’t done so yet, head over to iTunes and check out Locket for yourself. It’s free, easy to use and has a stunning design.

The Locket app is perfect for any family you have that may live a little further away. About six years ago my mom, stepdad, and little brother all decided to move out to PEI. While we’ve definitely always missed each other since the move, the distance became increasingly more difficult after I had children. I know it weighs heaviest on my mom, who just wants to stay up-to-date with all of the little developments of her grandkids.

Well it’s great to have social media, or even a LifeLocket etimeline to stay up-to-date with all the family developments, it’s also nice just to be able to walk into a room and enjoy those photo and video moments without having to sit at your computer.

My mom is definitely one of those Nanas who downloads every photo I post to Facebook and hoards them on her computer desktop. Unfortunately, she struggles a little bit when it comes to the tech know how for getting those photos printed, or putting them onto a digital frame. I was so excited to be able to share the NixPlay Locket Frame with her, so that she can see all the up-to-date photos of the kids, without any of the text stress that comes along with it.

The beautiful NixPlay Locket Frame.

The NixPlay Locket Frame connects seamlessly with my Timewyse Locket account. All my mom has to do is connect the frame to her WiFi. It is already synced to my account, so it will intuitively refresh itself for her every time I post a new photo or video.

The Locket Digital Frame is intuitive and you can sync up to 10 users on one account- perfect for family sharing anywhere in the world. For ultimate convenience, the Locket Digital frame also comes with a motion sensor that wakes up when you enter the room. So you will automatically see all the updated pics of the little loved ones in your life. The Locket Frame is available in three different sizes: 8”, 12” and 15” and can be found to purchase through the SHOP in the Locket app. Retail Prices range from $149.99-$280.99. The frames are currently on sale from $109.99-$219.99

Win a NixPlay Locket Frame!

Enter to win a NixPlay Locket Frame for yourself or someone you love. This frame makes the perfect gift!

Disclosure: I am part of the Timewyse Locket blogger program with Mom Central and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

The post Win a NixPlay Digital Photo Frame from Locket! appeared first on Ideally speaking....

For starters, there is the amazing VoxBox. While some platforms simply want you to talk about a product, Influenster works with brands to actually put products in your hands to try. They want your honest opinion and they know that trying a product out is an important part of that.

The very first Canadian VoxBox

Thanks to the selection of goodies I have received, I have uncovered new brands that I love.

Now, there is no real monetary compensation for your social involvement around a product. There is simply the product compensation and the opportunity to build up your resume as an influencer. With each VoxBox campaign, you can choose to do as little or as much as you like. There is a mandatory survey, which as a corporate marketer, I think is fantastic. It ensures the brand will receive real feedback, even if the influencer chooses not to share socially. From there, each campaign breaks into a number of smaller tasks. You can earn points for each one, such as sharing a photo on Instagram or tweeting about the product. How much you promote the product is really up to you.

Another difference about the Influenster platform compared to others is that it. is. addictive! You sign in to make one simple change and can find yourself playing around with the “Snaps” and “Badges” for hours. They have such an immense selection of topics and interests that you can never really be done building your profile.

My Influenster Dashboard

Likewise, the Influenster App is equally addictive. You can manage your entire Influenster profile, browse campaigns & products and use the tools they have installed to build your influence with sharing opinions and reviews right from your smartphone.

The beautiful browse screen of the Influenster mobile app.

If you haven’t check out Influenster yet, I highly recommend you do so. You really have nothing to lose and ideally speaking, tons of little goodies to gain.

The post Have you joined Influenster yet? appeared first on Ideally speaking....

Obviously the winter season brings on a much higher risk of skin irritation due to the temperature and dry air. In our home, we already do all of the tips below. I do take extra care with moisturizer and use one I know is as natural as possible. Same goes for the kids’ body washes and shampoos. Softness is a prime feature when selecting towels for my little ones, since I know that can have an impact on their skin as well.

Both of my kids LOVE bath time. So convincing them not to linger in the tub can be a bit tricky. Lilly has now started to ask for showers more often, but Cole is just getting started with loving the bath. I’ve never seen anyone make a splashy mess in the bathroom quite like that little guy! However, bath time is one of those activities that can be too much of a good thing. It’s all a balancing act to make sure they are cleaned without drying them out.

Disney Baby has put together a great list of tips to help keep your little ones smooth and moisturized for the harsh winter season.

*Don’t forget to check out the giveaway below!*

FIVE WAYS TO SOOTHE SENSITIVE SKIN

With wintry winds and arid air come some fairly familiar sights. As the seasons change, chapped lips, rough hands, itchy limbs and raw, red noses become more and more common. With their brand-new skin, babies are even more susceptible to sensitivities than their parents. Not only is a baby’s skin thin and delicate, but it produces fewer moisturizing oils than that of adults. To help protect your little one from the winter weather ahead, Disney Baby has put together five simple ways to lock in skin’s moisture.

When it comes to tub time, don’t dwell

For many babies, bath time is a lot of fun and it can be a great way to calm down before bed. But if your little one is prone to dry skin, try to keep baths short and sweet. Limit tub time to ten minutes or less, use warm water instead of hot, and don’t let your little one soak in suds.

In wintry months, more moisturizer is a must

Apply moisturizer every twelve hours, to make sure baby’s skin stays soft and smooth. This is particularly important after a bath. Take this time to rub some baby lotion or oil into your little one’s damp skin, and then tuck your tot into a cozy towel to lock that moisture in.

 If your house is dry, humidify

If you notice that your house is dry, try getting a cool-mist humidifier, like this cute Winnie the Pooh one, or adding a humidifier to your furnace. After all, moisture in the air adds moisture to the skin.

 Hydrate the inside, to hydrate the outside

Ensure that your little one has plenty to drink. Add a little extra formula to your baby’s bottles, or, if you’re still breastfeeding, try to do it more often. If your little ones are more than 6 months old, keep a learner cup on hand and make sure they are drinking plenty of water so they can replace the moisture that’s evaporating from their skin.

To avoid diaper rash, ditch diapers quickly

In the winter, the skin on your baby’s bottom is more vulnerable to irritants. To prevent diaper rash, change your little one’s diaper often and allow some diaper-free time to give baby’s bum some air. For added protection, use a diaper cream or petroleum jelly to protect your little one’s skin from friction.

Giveaway!

I have a fantastic prize pack of Disney Baby goodies to share with one lucky reader! The prize pack includes:

• A set of two swaddling blankets
• A superbib
• A splat mat
• organic Tigger plush toy

Disney Baby Goodies Giveaway!

Ideally speaking, all of our little ones will make it through this winter with the same baby soft, smooth skin we all love to snuggle.

The post Giveaway #DisneyBabyCA Tips: 5 Ways to Soothe Baby’s Skin in Winter appeared first on Ideally speaking....