I'm not kidding. In the past week, the following has taken place:
1- My microwave began to spark, shooting small flames into the cooking area and making the kind of short-circuit noises that should only be heard in bad sci-fi or horror films.
2- My husband accidentally turned on the element of the stove that the kettle was sitting on, burning almost all the way through the cord.
3- Did I mention that the kettle was plugged in at the time? No? It was plugged in to the plug on the stove, causing a mini explosion and making the plug unusable.
4- This was when my mother told me that bad things happen in threes. Perhaps she meant multiples of three, because then one night this week the wind was so crazy that it snapped the umbrella pole in our patio set in half. The pole was made of METAL. And it snapped in half. Sigh.
5- To add insult to injury, the coffee pot decided that it would rather steam the water than actually pass it through the filter and make me some coffee. Three tries later, it finally brewed me a proper cup of coffee, but I know it's just waiting for the right moment to make my life miserable again. I don't cope well without coffee.
Honestly, I could swear there's an eighties movie about household appliances turning on their owners. And while nothing has actively tried to KILL me yet, I do smell a bit of rebellion in the air. Perhaps I'll have to start rounding up the troublemakers and replacing them with some new recruits.
I'm looking at you, microwave.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Thursday, June 9, 2011
There's nothing like seeing how I waste my time in black and white
So I've been determined to use my time better lately, because, you know, I need to cram more things into my day- so I created a time chart to keep track of how I spend my time in half hour increments. The purpose of this little exercise is to identify how I can be more effective. It's like a medieval torture device, actually having to own up to all the ways I waste my time. Actually, the purpose of the exercise is not so much to find out how I waste my time, but rather to see if the way I'm spending my time is really the way I want to spend my time.
Here's an example of what I mean: Let's say, hypothetically of course, that I just feel that I have no time to fit in 3 twenty minute workouts a week for my jogging plan, but then I look at my schedule and see that I spend 3 hours watching a hockey game or 1 hour watching a TV show. What's the better use of my time? The answer doesn't have to be the workout (although it should be). The point of the exercise is to make a conscious choice about how I want to spend my time, and then to rearrange those things within my control to make that happen.
This has become important to me because there are a few dreams in my life I've been looking to make more time for, and I think that my fear of trying something new has led me to use the "I have no time" excuse to avoid dedicating time to them. The 5k goal is one of those things, because damn if the first week of that program didn't kill me. And I know that 3 or 4 years ago, it would have been a piece of cake.
The second dream is finishing my novel, which is pretty much done, I just keep avoiding going back and editing. In all fairness, my thesis kind of took over for a long time, but now that the first draft is in I can't exactly use that as an excuse anymore. Scheduling regular writing time is important to me, both for what I'm currently working on but also because I love to write and would like to start working on some other stories.
I also have some dreams for this blog, as well as a business idea I've been toying with but haven't really had (or made) the time to focus on.
Since I'm going back to work full-time in the fall, I'm going to have to have this time-priority thing under my belt if I don't want to give up on all these dreams. Between working and spending time with my family, I'll have less personal time, so I'll have to be more disciplined with the free time I actually have. Hence the chart.
So far, the biggest change I've made is getting up a half hour earlier. My long-term goal is to get up 60 minutes earlier than my family in order to write my blog posts in the morning before the day starts and perhaps get in some writing or a workout before having breakfast with my husband and son.
I'm sure there are some other places where my priorities are out of order. In the interests of opening up time for the things that really matter, the chart will be my new best friend for the next two weeks while I lay out all my time-sucking activities in black and white.
Like playoff hockey.
At least I can multi-task while the game is on.
Here's an example of what I mean: Let's say, hypothetically of course, that I just feel that I have no time to fit in 3 twenty minute workouts a week for my jogging plan, but then I look at my schedule and see that I spend 3 hours watching a hockey game or 1 hour watching a TV show. What's the better use of my time? The answer doesn't have to be the workout (although it should be). The point of the exercise is to make a conscious choice about how I want to spend my time, and then to rearrange those things within my control to make that happen.
This has become important to me because there are a few dreams in my life I've been looking to make more time for, and I think that my fear of trying something new has led me to use the "I have no time" excuse to avoid dedicating time to them. The 5k goal is one of those things, because damn if the first week of that program didn't kill me. And I know that 3 or 4 years ago, it would have been a piece of cake.
The second dream is finishing my novel, which is pretty much done, I just keep avoiding going back and editing. In all fairness, my thesis kind of took over for a long time, but now that the first draft is in I can't exactly use that as an excuse anymore. Scheduling regular writing time is important to me, both for what I'm currently working on but also because I love to write and would like to start working on some other stories.
I also have some dreams for this blog, as well as a business idea I've been toying with but haven't really had (or made) the time to focus on.
Since I'm going back to work full-time in the fall, I'm going to have to have this time-priority thing under my belt if I don't want to give up on all these dreams. Between working and spending time with my family, I'll have less personal time, so I'll have to be more disciplined with the free time I actually have. Hence the chart.
So far, the biggest change I've made is getting up a half hour earlier. My long-term goal is to get up 60 minutes earlier than my family in order to write my blog posts in the morning before the day starts and perhaps get in some writing or a workout before having breakfast with my husband and son.
I'm sure there are some other places where my priorities are out of order. In the interests of opening up time for the things that really matter, the chart will be my new best friend for the next two weeks while I lay out all my time-sucking activities in black and white.
Like playoff hockey.
At least I can multi-task while the game is on.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Wordless Wednesday
 |
| Relaxing after a tiring session of bouncy ball |
 |
| Hmmm....I wonder what mommy's shoes feel like? |
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Potty Training Continues
A while ago, I mentioned that we were going to begin potty training. We started, and things were going well.
Then we went on vacation for two weeks and kind of let it slide.
Then our son got contaminated with gluten at daycare and was out of commission for two weeks.
Finally, about a week and a half ago, we decided it was time to get serious about this. Our son is now 27 1/2 months, so we figured he was ready. We've already read him books, and he's been watching his cousin use the bathroom for a while now, so he understood the concept.
We opted for a toddler seat on the regular toilet rather than a potty. My mom bought us this cool dual toilet seat that has a regular sized seat and a flip down toddler seat all in one, so it's secure and always ready. Our approach was simple: put him in underwear, and explain to him that he now must go in the toilet, not his underwear. Then we made a point of placing him on the toilet at regular intervals at first, lengthening them as we realized he had great control.
So far, so good. He's had only a few accidents, although he isn't too thrilled about doing anything other than peeing on the toilet. He tends to wait until we put his diaper on for naps or bedtime, and then comes trotting out of his room to tell us he's dirty!
He's in underwear all day now though, and although he doesn't always tell us when he has to go, he is getting more consistent with that. He also wears underwear on the days he goes to daycare, and they tell us he averages about one accident per day. All in all, this is moving along better than I had expected. We have a cottage trip planned in July, I'm hoping the daytime training is pretty much done by then!
Then we went on vacation for two weeks and kind of let it slide.
Then our son got contaminated with gluten at daycare and was out of commission for two weeks.
Finally, about a week and a half ago, we decided it was time to get serious about this. Our son is now 27 1/2 months, so we figured he was ready. We've already read him books, and he's been watching his cousin use the bathroom for a while now, so he understood the concept.
We opted for a toddler seat on the regular toilet rather than a potty. My mom bought us this cool dual toilet seat that has a regular sized seat and a flip down toddler seat all in one, so it's secure and always ready. Our approach was simple: put him in underwear, and explain to him that he now must go in the toilet, not his underwear. Then we made a point of placing him on the toilet at regular intervals at first, lengthening them as we realized he had great control.
So far, so good. He's had only a few accidents, although he isn't too thrilled about doing anything other than peeing on the toilet. He tends to wait until we put his diaper on for naps or bedtime, and then comes trotting out of his room to tell us he's dirty!
He's in underwear all day now though, and although he doesn't always tell us when he has to go, he is getting more consistent with that. He also wears underwear on the days he goes to daycare, and they tell us he averages about one accident per day. All in all, this is moving along better than I had expected. We have a cottage trip planned in July, I'm hoping the daytime training is pretty much done by then!
Monday, June 6, 2011
My Love/Hate Relationship with Cilantro
Cilantro is one of those tricky herbs that people either seem to love or hate. I do both. When I met my husband, cilantro was not high on the list of flavours I enjoyed. In fact, I would often ask him to leave out the cilantro in dishes he prepared and let him add it to his own dish at the end. To me, it smelled and tasted like soap. Over time, thetaste has grown on me, to the point where sometimes I actually CRAVE dishes with cilantro. Now, when I'm craving cilantro, the smell and the flavour just remind me of a fresh summer day. Go figure.
This week has been one of those times when I've craved cilantro. Check out my menu plan: the soup, carrot and coriander salad, and ceviche all have cilantro as key ingredients, and the turkey chili got some cilantro as garnish as well.
What is cilantro and why is it sometimes called coriander? In my experience, cilantro is generally the term used to describe the leaves and coriander is used when referring to the seeds. Every part of the plant can be used, from the leaves to the roots and seeds. Cilantro looks a lot like parsley, but has a distinctive smell and a fresh taste. Or a soapy one, depending on who you ask!
What types of dishes are suited to cilantro? Many cuisines use different parts of the plant to achieve different flavours. It's a great way to cool down a spicy dish. Mexican and Latin American cuisine often uses fresh, chopped cilantro leaves as a garnish for soups after cooking or use the leaves to flavour salsas, guacamole or fish dishes. Often, where parsley can be used, cilantro can be substituted for a different take on a familiar recipe. Start with half the amount, and add from there.
In some Asian cuisines, the root of the plant is sometimes used as a part of a soup base to add some depth of flavour, and the leaves are added as garnish. Indian cuisine uses coriander seeds as a component of curry powder. In North American and some European traditions coriander seeds are used in pickling, sausages, and to add flavour to chili and soup. The flavour of coriander seeds is much different from the flavour of cilantro leaves, so if you don't like one, you still might like the other!
Growing, storing and using cilantro: Growing cilantro from seed, especially in a colder climate can be tricky. It's generally advised to start indoors first, and to never transplant it once in its permanent location. I've always found buying plants already started works well for me. Cilantro needs a bright, sunny spot and light soil to thrive. Unlike some other herbs, cilantro doesn't store well or freeze well, so I usually pick mine right when I want to use it. During the winter, I buy a bunch from the store and place the stems in a glass of water in the fridge or even on the counter. The leaves should be nice and green, and if you can find a bunch with the roots still attached they should last even longer.
Coriander seeds: the seeds can be harvested directly from the plant after flowering, and then dried for use. If buying, keep stored in an airtight container. Seeds can be used whole or ground depending on the dish.
Why would you bother to try it? Particularly in gluten free cooking, many condiments and sauces are off-limits. Using herbs such as cilantro to flavour foods is a nutritional, inexpensive way to condiment dishes without adding many calories or fat. Try using some crushed coriander seeds in a vegetable soup, or add some chopped fresh cilantro leaves instead. Unlike some herbs that tolerate heat well, the flavour of cilantro can be lost if added to hot dishes too early. It's best to add it closer to the end of cooking or to put some washed, torn leaves in a small bowl on the table to add as a garnish.
Although I've always loved coriander seeds, it took me a while to warm up to the flavour of the fresh leaves. The flavour can be strong, so I start with a little and more if needed. My husband would use the whole bunch at a time if let him! It's a nice variation on traditional parsley, and can bring a little bit of summer to any meal.
This week has been one of those times when I've craved cilantro. Check out my menu plan: the soup, carrot and coriander salad, and ceviche all have cilantro as key ingredients, and the turkey chili got some cilantro as garnish as well.
What is cilantro and why is it sometimes called coriander? In my experience, cilantro is generally the term used to describe the leaves and coriander is used when referring to the seeds. Every part of the plant can be used, from the leaves to the roots and seeds. Cilantro looks a lot like parsley, but has a distinctive smell and a fresh taste. Or a soapy one, depending on who you ask!
 |
| Coriander Leaves as Soup Garnish |
What types of dishes are suited to cilantro? Many cuisines use different parts of the plant to achieve different flavours. It's a great way to cool down a spicy dish. Mexican and Latin American cuisine often uses fresh, chopped cilantro leaves as a garnish for soups after cooking or use the leaves to flavour salsas, guacamole or fish dishes. Often, where parsley can be used, cilantro can be substituted for a different take on a familiar recipe. Start with half the amount, and add from there.
In some Asian cuisines, the root of the plant is sometimes used as a part of a soup base to add some depth of flavour, and the leaves are added as garnish. Indian cuisine uses coriander seeds as a component of curry powder. In North American and some European traditions coriander seeds are used in pickling, sausages, and to add flavour to chili and soup. The flavour of coriander seeds is much different from the flavour of cilantro leaves, so if you don't like one, you still might like the other!
Growing, storing and using cilantro: Growing cilantro from seed, especially in a colder climate can be tricky. It's generally advised to start indoors first, and to never transplant it once in its permanent location. I've always found buying plants already started works well for me. Cilantro needs a bright, sunny spot and light soil to thrive. Unlike some other herbs, cilantro doesn't store well or freeze well, so I usually pick mine right when I want to use it. During the winter, I buy a bunch from the store and place the stems in a glass of water in the fridge or even on the counter. The leaves should be nice and green, and if you can find a bunch with the roots still attached they should last even longer.
Coriander seeds: the seeds can be harvested directly from the plant after flowering, and then dried for use. If buying, keep stored in an airtight container. Seeds can be used whole or ground depending on the dish.
Why would you bother to try it? Particularly in gluten free cooking, many condiments and sauces are off-limits. Using herbs such as cilantro to flavour foods is a nutritional, inexpensive way to condiment dishes without adding many calories or fat. Try using some crushed coriander seeds in a vegetable soup, or add some chopped fresh cilantro leaves instead. Unlike some herbs that tolerate heat well, the flavour of cilantro can be lost if added to hot dishes too early. It's best to add it closer to the end of cooking or to put some washed, torn leaves in a small bowl on the table to add as a garnish.
Although I've always loved coriander seeds, it took me a while to warm up to the flavour of the fresh leaves. The flavour can be strong, so I start with a little and more if needed. My husband would use the whole bunch at a time if let him! It's a nice variation on traditional parsley, and can bring a little bit of summer to any meal.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Gluten Free Weekly Menu Plan
Monday: Vietnamese Chicken and Rice Noodle Soup & Carrot and Coriander Salad
Tuesday: Turkey Chili over Rice & Carrot Sticks on the Side
Wednesday: Tilapia Ceviche on a bed of lettuce with Gluten Free
Crackers & Steamed Veggies
Thursday: Rosemary Roasted Chicken Drumsticks, Garlic Butter
Mushrooms & Gluten Free Potato Latkes
Friday: Honey Garlic Ribs & Broccoli Salad & Spring Salad Mix
(This photo is of a similar meal. I'll make the ribs later in the week.)
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Garden Planning Update
A few months ago, I posted THIS review of the Groorganic garden planner, because I planned to grow some of my family's vegetables this summer in addition to a weekly produce delivery we'll be receiving beginning in two weeks. Most of the veggies have been planted, so I thought I'd provide a quick update of what I'm hoping to successfully grow this year:
-green beans
-green peas
-hot banana peppers, chili peppers and habanero peppers
-basil, parsley, rosemary, oregano, cilantro and chives
-leeks and green onions
-garlic (planted last fall)
-three varieties of tomatoes
-bok choy
-kale
-eggplants
-swiss chard (when the bok choy comes out)
-chamomile flowers for tea
We'll see how it goes. The garlic looks fantastic since I planted it last fall and it had all winter to establish roots. Last year was a really hot, dry summer, so my tomatoes were few and far between, but I'm hoping that this year will be better. There's potential for my garden to expand, but I tried to pick fairly simple things to grow- nothing that needs too much space or requires strong trellises to grow. Only the pear really climb, but they're so light it's easy to support them.
Looking out at my garden now, with all the rain, everything looks lush and green. Hopefully by the end of the summer, there will have been the right mixture of sun and rain to grow strong, delicious herbs and vegetables!
-green beans
-green peas
-hot banana peppers, chili peppers and habanero peppers
-basil, parsley, rosemary, oregano, cilantro and chives
-leeks and green onions
-garlic (planted last fall)
-three varieties of tomatoes
-bok choy
-kale
-eggplants
-swiss chard (when the bok choy comes out)
-chamomile flowers for tea
We'll see how it goes. The garlic looks fantastic since I planted it last fall and it had all winter to establish roots. Last year was a really hot, dry summer, so my tomatoes were few and far between, but I'm hoping that this year will be better. There's potential for my garden to expand, but I tried to pick fairly simple things to grow- nothing that needs too much space or requires strong trellises to grow. Only the pear really climb, but they're so light it's easy to support them.
Looking out at my garden now, with all the rain, everything looks lush and green. Hopefully by the end of the summer, there will have been the right mixture of sun and rain to grow strong, delicious herbs and vegetables!
Friday, June 3, 2011
I Have Good Neighbours
Sometimes my husband and I feel a bit like outsiders on our street. Our neighbourhood was built about 15 years ago, and most of the people on our road are the original owners. They moved in together, watched their kids grow up together, and developed some strong friendships over the years. My husband and I moved in almost two years ago, at the end of July, with a new baby in tow. We were in a very different place than most of our neighbours.
A few weeks later, we received an invitation to the annual street party that takes place on Labor Day weekend. We went, and it was a blast. Although we had only met a few people by then, our new arrival was announced to all present, and we were welcomed officially to our new home.
Over the past two years, we've come to learn just what makes our street so special. A family two doors over has almost completely clothed our son with their hand-me-downs over the last two years, on top of the toys and games they've passed down. Our next door neighbour who shares a front lawn with us takes it upon himself to mow that lawn almost every week. On several occasions we've awoken after a snow storm, headed outside to shovel the driveway and found that one of our several neighbours with a snow blower has already done it for us.
The guy across the street checked out our car for us when the check engine light came on over a holiday weekend and we couldn't find an open mechanic shop. Another neighbour helped us fix our stuck door handle after we mentioned it in passing.
My husband has been invited to play in the weekly basket-ball game the guys on the street have held at the local school for the past ten years, and the annual golf trip at the local course.
When our cat was hit by a car last fall, a neighbour moved him off the street and came over to see how she could help as I dissolved into a sobbing mess on my driveway.
And yesterday, my husband was stopped on the sidewalk by another neighbour who offered us a kids' picnic table that his children have grown out of, but that is still in great condition. He was going to throw it out when he thought of us. It's a little thing, I know, but it got me thinking.
We've been very fortunate to be surrounded by a street full of people who, for the most part, get along and like to share their time and resources with each other. Not everyone is best friends- there are definitely groups of people who are more friendly with each other than others, and being a large crescent, neighbours whom we've never even met. But overall, there is a friendly vibe to our street that I like, and that I hope continues for a long time.
The dynamic is almost old-fashioned: kids out on the street riding their bikes or playing street hockey while the parents hang out on someone's driveway to keep an eye on the proceedings; everyone pitching in for the annual street party; the neighbour who provides homemade apple cider to the parents on Halloween (seriously- it's fantastic). People say hello to each other as they pass by on the sidewalk.
This summer, I'm going to make an effort to repay some of that kindness back.
A few weeks later, we received an invitation to the annual street party that takes place on Labor Day weekend. We went, and it was a blast. Although we had only met a few people by then, our new arrival was announced to all present, and we were welcomed officially to our new home.
 |
| Waiting for dinner, annual street party |
 |
| Etienne "driving" the fire truck that stops by each year. |
Over the past two years, we've come to learn just what makes our street so special. A family two doors over has almost completely clothed our son with their hand-me-downs over the last two years, on top of the toys and games they've passed down. Our next door neighbour who shares a front lawn with us takes it upon himself to mow that lawn almost every week. On several occasions we've awoken after a snow storm, headed outside to shovel the driveway and found that one of our several neighbours with a snow blower has already done it for us.
The guy across the street checked out our car for us when the check engine light came on over a holiday weekend and we couldn't find an open mechanic shop. Another neighbour helped us fix our stuck door handle after we mentioned it in passing.
My husband has been invited to play in the weekly basket-ball game the guys on the street have held at the local school for the past ten years, and the annual golf trip at the local course.
When our cat was hit by a car last fall, a neighbour moved him off the street and came over to see how she could help as I dissolved into a sobbing mess on my driveway.
 |
| The last photo of Minuit, our cat. |
And yesterday, my husband was stopped on the sidewalk by another neighbour who offered us a kids' picnic table that his children have grown out of, but that is still in great condition. He was going to throw it out when he thought of us. It's a little thing, I know, but it got me thinking.
We've been very fortunate to be surrounded by a street full of people who, for the most part, get along and like to share their time and resources with each other. Not everyone is best friends- there are definitely groups of people who are more friendly with each other than others, and being a large crescent, neighbours whom we've never even met. But overall, there is a friendly vibe to our street that I like, and that I hope continues for a long time.
The dynamic is almost old-fashioned: kids out on the street riding their bikes or playing street hockey while the parents hang out on someone's driveway to keep an eye on the proceedings; everyone pitching in for the annual street party; the neighbour who provides homemade apple cider to the parents on Halloween (seriously- it's fantastic). People say hello to each other as they pass by on the sidewalk.
This summer, I'm going to make an effort to repay some of that kindness back.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Product Review: Oliver's Labels
A few weeks ago I received a sample package of labels from Oliver's Labels for review on my blog.
Product: Oliver's Labels offer a variety of labels for different uses, including shoe and clothing labels, bag tags, pantry and date labels, photo labels, wristbands, mini labels, and much, much more. When ordering my labels, I had a choice of designs, some geared to children and others to adults, and I could personalize the labels as well. I also liked that the labels can be ordered with a tracking number included, so that if an item is lost and then picked up by a stranger, the label instructs the person to go to the website and enter in the tracking code. I thought this idea was fantastic.
I received a sample pack of the most common labels, and I immediately put them to the test
 |
| Basic Label, Transportation Theme |
The labels have stayed strong through both dishwasher and hand washing,and they fit so snugly my mom asked me where I was able to find a cup with my son's name on it. She had to look twice before realizing it was in fact a sticker!
Gluten Free Connection: If you're wondering what personalized labels have to do with gluten and dairy free living, the answer is a lot, actually. Oliver's Labels have several designs that indicate prohibited food/allergies. Among several options are "NO GLUTEN" and "NO DAIRY" stickers. Additionally, there are safety/allergy alert wristbands which can be personalized with a child's medical condition or food allergy/restriction. I love this option for small children. Although there aren't too many places that my two year old goes without a parent, it only takes a second for someone to accidentally provide him with something containing gluten. At the very least I would hope that the bracelet would give someone pause before handing him food, and to double check to see if it's safe. Even amongst those who know about his restrictions, I don't expect people to be as vigilant about his food intake as I am. These bracelets help to remind people and to keep my son safe.
I ordered a combination of labels with my son's name on them and some no gluten labels. The no gluten ones went on the food containers sent to my son's daycare each day, and the regular ones went on clothing, shoes, and a few toys that he really just wanted to see with pretty stickers!
Website: The website is well organized and easy to navigate, as you can shop by products, designs or packages. There's even an option to create your own personalized package. Prices are reasonable, for example as of writing the site lists 17 wristbands for $11.99, and 100 mini labels for $19.99. Combination label packages start at $26.99.
VERDICT: I recommend this product with no reservations. All of the labels I've used (mini, shoe, regular, small clothing, etc.) have held up to a toddler's wear and tear, a dishwasher, and regular cycles through the washer and drier. Just as a final thought, I originally contacted customer service to inquire about the status of my order. I received a response back almost immediately, and my package was in my mailbox in less than a week. No emailing ten people, no insisting that I should have received it already, just a quick response email with a follow up when the product was mailed. That kind of service makes me happy.
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com created by WebBizIdeas.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts
(
Atom
)