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....

We are already seeing this love for the motion screen with our daughter, Lilly. Of course, this brings on the need for rules & careful monitoring.

Time spent in front of the TV is an ongoing current battle at our place. There is nothing more frustrating than Lilly crying over her show being turned off. Especially when she has a huge playroom full of toys and books.

We also have to be concerned over what she has access to. When watching a kid-friendly television station, it’s not a big deal. However, like many families now, we are all addicted to a specific video streaming app. My husband and I love being able to watch great movies and seasons of whatever gritty tv show we’re into. However, leaving that app open for Lilly can be risky.

Sure, I can set the app to a certain age category for her to browse through. However, since our 3 year old can work the tablet better than her father, it doesn’t take her long to get back to the main menu and choose from any video content she lays eyes on.

When I learned about Kidoodle.TV, it sounded perfect for us. Unlike other streaming services, Kidoodle.TV is designed ONLY with kids in mind. All of the content is kid friendly and is broken into age groups. You can lock down your child’s age group, so they only ever see what is appropriate for them. Further more, you can then go into the full list of titles and block any that you don’t want your child to watch.

For instance, if there is a particular whiny 4 year old…who’s name rhymes with bayou…you can axe him from the available list of choices. I was sold on that feature alone. For that exact reason. And that exact show.

Photo credit – Views from the Couch.

Another great feature of Kidoodle.TV is that we can set viewing time limits. This is is done in the Parents Room and is adjustable with a specific code. This has come in handy in recent weeks, since there have been times where I am holding a screaming newborn and can’t really get to the remote for the TV. Instead, the service gives her a “time is up” screen and that is all there is to it. Fight is over before it begins

With a great selection of shows and movies to choose from, there is a more than enough to give Lilly plenty of variety, but with all the control that I want to have as a parent.

A little more about Kidoodle.TV

• Kidoodle.TV is a safe, ad-free streaming video service that you can customize for your kids according to your, and their, preferences
• Make up to 5 custom kids’ profiles. Choose content based on your child’s age or on a show-by-show basis
• Time limits can be placed on viewing through the secure Parents Room, allowing families to balance the time spent on Kidoodle.TV with other important activities
• Watch Kidoodle.TV on the go – just need access to the Web
• Kidoodle.TV has safe, kids-only content, including retro content from your childhood like Jem and the Holograms and Inspector Gadget

Visit the Kidoodle.TV Facebook page for a chance to win one of 3 tablets and a 1 year subscription to the service!

Win a 1 year subscription to Kidoodle.TV right here!

I am also giving away a 1 year subscription to this amazing service to one lucky reader! Simply leave a comment below and let me know what feature of Kidoodle.TV you are most interested in. Contest ends at 10pm EST, April 20, 2014. Unfortunately, this giveaway is only open to Canadians, excluding Quebec. Winner will be notified via email.

Reader Discount!

Of course, there can only be one winner, but I do have a little something to offer everyone else as well. Kidoodle.TV is offering my readers a 25% off code for a year subscription to Kidoodle.TV! This coupon expires June 30, 2014. Our exclusive, custom discount code is MCC25.

Now, while My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic is Lilly’s ultimate favourite show, she did stumble upon Jem while exploring Kidoodle.TV. This completely made my day! Ideally speaking, I can entice her into a bit more of the old school cartoons, watch them with her and take a trip down memory lane myself

Disclosure: I am part of the Kidoodle.TV blogger program with Mom Central Canada 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 year subscription to Kidoodle.TV! appeared first on Ideally speaking....

It’s no secret that the Toronto BabyTime Show is one of my favourite parenting events to attend. I first attended in the Spring of 2010, when I was expecting Lilly and have headed back down (a 2 hour drive – totally worth it!) many times since.

This past fall, I took my family with me to the BabyTime Show for the first time. Lilly had a complete blast at all the fantastic interactive booths that vendors had set up. Unfortunately, with my hubby working next weekend, I will be leaving her at preschool. However, I will be heading down with my newborn son, Cole. I am very excited to be one of the many cute baby-wearing Mamas walking around the show floor

Lilly and Daddy having fun at Sony Canada booth at Fall 2013 BabyTime Show in Toronto.

Looking through the exhibitor list for the show, it is easy to see that you have the opportunity to connect with many major brands at this event. The BabyTime Show gives you a unique chance to really see, touch and try products for you and your family, as well as allow you to ask questions and get information directly from the brands.

One aspect of this experience that I love the most is finding great innovative products and meeting up and coming companies that you can support. In many cases, you can discover amazing and unique products that you would never find at a big box store, and they are created by fellow parents who saw a need and got creative. I truly love the chance to get to know and support these parenting entrepreneurs.

When I attended the show in the Fall, I was on the lookout for a few products specifically for pregnancy. Now that I am the proud owner of a shiny and adorable newborn, I am looking for some innovative baby gear and a few unique items that will be distinctly Cole’s, just as I did after Lilly was born. Many of the products I discovered for her are still ones I recommend to fellow new mamas now.

This gorgeous organic Sleep Bag from Wee Urban is one of the innovative must-haves I discovered at the Fall 2010 BabyTime Show, after Lilly was born.

At this year’s show, there are a few specific vendors and key new products that I have my eye on. Being a busy mom of two, I am looking for products that can make my life a little easier!

Bug In A Rug will be offering a very sweet Sleep Belt that is designed specifically for skin-to-skin support. My new little man definitely loves his time napping on Mama, so I love the idea of being able to hold him while still having my hands free.

Cub’s Quarters makes a very innovative product called QuickZip crib sheets. These sheets include a zipper base and top sheets that simply zip into place. While Cole is not yet sleeping in his crib, I can imagine how nice it would be to not have to lift a mattress to change sheets in the middle of the night…

Lil Bugs is a new company that has launched an adorable way to celebrate your baby’s first year. The offer monthly onsies that can be later stored into a keepsake box, complete with cards to capture all the milestones accomplished that month. This is one I am definitely excited to try out.

About the BabyTime Show

The 16th Annual Spring BabyTime Show – The Ultimate Event For Pregnancy, Birth, Baby and Toddler
Show, Learn and Have Fun all Within One Vibrant Place Celebrating Parenthood

• SHOP! TRY & BUY from over 250 Manufacturers, Retailers and Artisans.
• REGISTER for all your baby needs with Babies “R”Us.
• TALK TO THE EXPERTS behind your favourite brands and take advantage of great show specials.
• LEARN from Top Pregnancy and Parenting Experts. Click on the Speakers tab to read up on the experts.
• MEET AND GREET your favourite characters. This year, the show’s celebrity line up includes Dora, Wonder Pets, Guess with Jess, Olivia and Blue’s Clues.

Want to get in on the excitement and goodies for FREE? Enter to win 1 of 2 pairs of tickets I am giving away!

Increase your chances to WIN!
Head on over to visit Multi-testing Mommy and Little Miss Kate to enter to win Prize Packs and Tickets!

Disclosure: I am a media partner of the Toronto BabyTime Show and received tickets to attend the event. All opinions in this post & related marketing for the event are my own.

The post Innovative Finds at the BabyTime Show Toronto – Giveaway appeared first on Ideally speaking....

When Lilly was diagnosed with Celiacs Disease at age 2, I was very worried that some of her life experiences would be limited. It has been a learning curve to go to birthday parties, work with the preschool menu, etc. Would she really be able to ever go away to a summer camp, where we are not there to help her make the right choices with her food?

Needless to say, I was incredibly excited to learn that Rudi’s Gluten-Free Bakery™ wants to give children with Celiacs the same chance to go to camp as other kids. Rudi’s is offering 20 children (10 in Canada and 10 in the United States) the chance to spend a week at a summer camp where the food is completely gluten-free through their Happy Camper Scholarship. This is the first year this contest is offered in Canada and while Lilly is too young for camp just yet, it has me very excited for her future!

Winning Canadian kids can look forward to an experience at either the Rod McDaniel Celiac Kids Camp at Camp Kindle in Alberta where campers can take on the ropes course, go hiking, and try new sports, or the Camp Silly Yak at Brigadoon Village Camp in Nova Scotia where kids enjoy swimming, canoeing, hiking and the talent show contest.

Between February 18 – March 18, 2014, Canadian parents* with eligible children ages 8-17, can enter the Happy Camper contest by ‘liking’ Rudi’s Gluten-Free on Facebook and helping their child submit a 100-word statement on what makes him or her special. Winners will be notified by April 1, 2014, to allow them plenty of time to plan for the summer camp experience of a lifetime. So simple!

-Rudi’s Gluten-Free Camping Giveaway-

In addition to the camp scholarships, Rudi’s wants to encourage EVERYONE to enjoy the great outdoors this summer. They are giving away an incredible camping package valued at $250! Enter to win a tent and cooler, so that your family can enjoy nature in style!

Prize: LightSpeed Tent that sets up and tears down quickly, has a large front door and two side windows for ventilation, an extended awning for added protection, and more. Tent sleeps 6. You will also receive a cooler with two insulated compartments for both hot and cold storage, and is made with waterproof material.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
With opportunities like this from a great company like Rudis, it really is the ideal solution for Celiacs children like my daughter, to enjoy the same summer experiences as everyone else.

The post Gluten Free Summer Camp and Giveaway from Rudis Bakery! appeared first on Ideally speaking....

For her first birthday, I had gone with a pink and orange floral theme. I wanted something that was cute and fun, just like my little lady. As with most 1st birthdays, it was mainly just friends and family that attended, but we still had one heck of a full house. It was a great way to celebrate her first year.

You could definitely say that I went a little all out for the party. We had decorations all over the deck and back yard, games for the bigger kids and jammed packed goodie bags. We even went out and bought a pool…then subsequently drained our well and blew our pump. Good times. But it was all worth if for the incredible day of memories.

With our little man, Cole, due in just a few weeks, I already have visions of planning a little boy’s first birthday

Sears Family Vacation Contest

This month, Sears Canada is also celebrating a 1st birthday. February 2013, the incredible brands of Carter’s and OshKosh launched exclusively in Sears. To celebrate this anniversary, Sears is giving away a family trip for 4 to Orlando!

The prize includes:

• Trip and airfare to and from Orlando
• 4 days, 3 nights hotel accommodation
• Full-size car rental with unlimited mileage and loss damage waiver insurance
• Passes to Orlando attractions
• Dining passes.

To enter, simply visit the Sears Canada website.

$50 Sears Gift Card Giveaway!

As an added bit of celebration, I am giving away one $50 Sears gift card to one lucky reader! You could use this gift card to go on a shopping spree for your little ones…or maybe just for yourself

Giveaway Terms: You must be a resident of Canada, and apologies, but this giveaway excludes Quebec residents. You must be 18 years or older, and must not have won a gift card on any other #SearsMom blog. That being said, you can enter as many of the Sears giveaways as you like!

Ideally speaking, I would be able to enter the contest above as well and win a getaway. As I’m sure is the case for many of you, I am just about done with our good old Canadian winter!

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

The post Sears Gift Card Giveaway & Vacation Contest! appeared first on Ideally speaking....

Being pregnant with my second, I am now a pro at this pregnancy thing. So naturally, I had prenatal vitamins on the go when we started to try for baby #2.

Note – I have crazy brave friends who have 6 kids. I am no where near pro.

Are prenatal vitamins fun? Well no, not always. They can kind of resemble horse pills and can be a little tricky to get down when you are battling the early stages of pregnancy. With this pregnancy, I struggled far worse with morning sickness than I ever did with Lilly. The last thing I wanted to do was shove pills down my throat. However, I have still made sure to take my vitamins everyday. Why? Because it is what is best for me and my baby.

A bit about the benefits of Nestlé Materna

Whether a woman is planning to get pregnant soon, pregnant now or breastfeeding, Nestlé Materna prenatal / postnatal vitamins help nourish their body with folic acid to help prevent neural tube defects when taken daily prior to becoming pregnant and during early pregnancy. They also provide 22 other essential vitamins and minerals they and baby need through pregnancy and nursing.

Experts say that when starting your family planning, you should start taking prenatal vitamins right away. Ideally, you want to have them in your system 12 weeks prior to becoming pregnant. Learn more about why prenatal and postnatal vitamins are important for you and your baby.

Nestlé Materna Prize Pack Giveaway

To give expecting moms a head start, Nestlé has put together a prize pack themed as “pregnancy essentials”. It includes special treats to keep mom and baby healthy and happy at every stage. This gift basket is perfect to keep for yourself or would make a great gift for an expecting mom during the upcoming holiday season.

Pregnancy Essentials ($150 value)

• LeSport Sac Bag
• Bath & Body Works Super Rich Body Cream, Spa Size (Coconut & Shea Butter blend)
• Peppermint Tea
• Bath & Body Works Warm Vanilla Sugar Bubble Bath
• BellaBand
• Preggie Pop Drops, Sour Fruit Candy
• Two bottles of Nestle Materna

Enter the Giveaway!

Ideally speaking, I would be able to enter my own giveaway…the more I stare at that basket of pregnancy goodies, the more I want to get my hands on it! But I guess I will just leave for the rest of you to enter to win

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post for Nestlé Materna. I received special perks in exchange for sharing this information and running this giveaway. As always, the thoughts and opinions in this post are entirely my own.

The post Pregnancy Essentials: Materna Giveaway! appeared first on Ideally speaking....

I first attended the BabyTime Show when I was about 5 months pregnant with Lilly. I remember walking in and feeling immediately awe-struck and a little overwhelmed. I have been in corporate marketing for almost 10 years and have attended and/or exhibited at my fair share of trade and consumer shows. However, this was unlike anything I had seen before. There was hundreds of vendors, offering everything you could possibly need for your pregnancy and little one.

Baby Time Show, Spring 2010 – The first time I ever attended.
(photo: Baby Time Show Facebook Page)

I ventured in and got lost in the excitement of it all for the next 3 hours! I was a little exhausted by the end of it, but it was completely worth it. I walked out with a huge bag of goodies and a heap of new mama knowledge.

I have since headed back down for the show many times, but I am particularly excited to head down next weekend. This time, I am heading back down as a pregnant mama and I am bringing the family with me. I can’t wait to see Lilly’s face when she walks into that giant hall.

About the BabyTime Show

The 9th Annual Fall BabyTime Show – The Ultimate Event For Pregnancy, Birth, Baby and Toddler
Show, Learn and Have Fun all Within One Vibrant Place Celebrating Parenthood

• SHOP! TRY & BUY from over 250 Manufacturers, Retailers and Artisans.
• REGISTER for all your baby needs with Babies “R”Us.
• TALK TO THE EXPERTS behind your favourite brands and take advantage of great show specials.
• LEARN from Top Pregnancy and Parenting Experts.  Click on the Speakers tab to read up on the experts.
• MEET AND GREET your favourite characters. This year, the show welcomes Barney & Friends, Bob the Builder and Angelina Ballerina!

Want to get in on the excitement and goodies for FREE? Enter to win 1 of 6 pairs of tickets I am giving away!
<

I am also giving away two AMAZING prize packs!

Prize Pack 1 – courtesy of the Babies”R”Us

1x Tommee Tippee Prize Pack (over $50 value)
1x $50 Babies”R”Us Gift Card
2x Passes to the Baby Shower (note the shower is for new moms and expectant moms only. Guests will not be permitted)

Baby Shower information:
It’s a Baby Bump-A-Palooza! Babies“R”Us hosts Four Big Baby Showers at the Toronto Baby Time Show

Craving a bowl of ice cream and pickles? On Friday, November 8, Babies“R”Us is treating 400 hundred soon-to-be and new moms to a luxurious baby shower complete with massages, crave food stations and giveaways. ”R” Big Baby Showers will run every hour, starting at 11:00 a.m and concluding at 3:45 p.m Each shower will be attended by 100 new moms and pregnant women  with their baby bumps! New and expectant mothers can also check out the must-have gear for travelling with baby, top items for their baby registries, cool accessories for their nurseries, and take part in cool baby shower games such as a Biggest Bump contest.

When: Friday, November 8, 2013
11:00 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.
*Sessions to run every hour from 11:00 a.m.
Where: Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Room 201

PRIZE PACK 2:  courtesy of Kidomo

My Little Pony & Play-Doh Prize Pack! ($50 Retail Value)

Don’t Miss MY LITTLE PONY Live  at the Toronto BabyTime Show!
Friday, November 8, Saturday, November 9 & Sunday, November 10, 2013
Two Shows Daily – 11:30 am & 1:30 pm
Come early and visit the Play-Doh Play Centre!

I have to say, I am super excited about the My Little Pony shows at the Play-Doh Center! For anyone who is a regular on this blog, you know I have a 3 year old horse fanatic on my hands. You can guess that ponies fall well into that category obsession as well! She is going to lose her mind when she sees this

To enter for one of these incredible prize packs, simply leave a comment saying which one you would love to get your hands on. Deadline to enter is Wednesday, November 6th at 10:00pm EST. I will be selecting and contacting the winners on Thursday, November 7th. NOTE: Prize packs will be available for pick up at the show.

Now, this will be the first time my husband ever braves this show. I have dragged him to the odd local baby show up here before, but nothing nearly this size…

Ideally speaking, he is going to love it (or at least the goodies) as much as I do and I won’t lose him in the crowd!

Increase your chances to WIN!
Head on over to visit Multi-testing Mommy and Little Miss Kate to enter to win Prize Packs and Tickets!

Disclosure:  I am a media partner of the Toronto BabyTime Show and received tickets to attend the event.  All opinions in this post & related marketing for the event are my own.

The post Toronto BabyTime Show Tickets and Giveaway! appeared first on Ideally speaking....