Magical Flying Tinkerbell Fairies are Fluttery Fun for Everyone!‏

   

InfoMommy is giving away 1 Magical Flying Tinkerbell on Twitter and one on Facebook! Giveaway ends mid-February 2015, so enter now! Good luck!

I love unique things, and the Disney Magical Flying Tinkerbell Flutterbye Fairy is definitely that! At first glance, this toy is geared towards girls. We don't care at all if our sons want to play with girl toys and/or vice versa. But now that my oldest son is in school, he thinks that girl toys are gross.  When he first learned that I was acquiring this toy for review, he was excited! And we joked with him, teasing "I thought you said 'girl' toys were gross?!" His response? Whispering.... "It's ok Mom, I'll just hide it under my bed when someone comes over!" LOL After trying it out, I really don't think he's going to hide it under his bed when someone comes over. I seriously think he would get his friends in on the action as he love, love, loves her! So much so that we sometimes refer to her as his girlfriend and he blushes. 

The toy is cool! It's practically a doll helicopter! It literally lifts off of the base similar to what a chopper would do. She will fly and you can "help" her to move up and down and around by putting your hand underneath her feet. She can sense your hand underneath her, so you don't need to physically touch her. You just need to place your hand a couple of inches under her feet and she will go up! 

To see a detailed video on how the fairies work, simply click here: Instructional Video.

The instruction sheet indicates that this toy is for indoor use only, as she will sometimes get "stuck" on the ceiling. While she's not physically attached to the ceiling, her head will float along the ceiling, and you have to push the base to get her back down again to re-launch her. After seeing this, I can totally picture her flying away on the person using it if they were outdoors and respect that recommendation completely. If you think that seeing a child's helium filled balloon floating away is heartbreaking for them, imagine what it would be like to have their Flutterbye Fairy fly off into the universe! It would be catastrophic to say the least, so definitely keep this one inside! 

As with many toys on the market, I would recommend monitoring your child while they play with it, as it is designed for kids 5yrs+. The packaging also advises to keep long hair tied back and away from the toy. It would be very hard to get your hair caught in this thing, as you would know it's coming near you. But I supposed if there was a younger sibling around who didn't know to block her with their hands, then the slight risk might exist. My toddler was startled a bit by it initially, but once he realized that we were ok with it and enjoyed it, he was fine and enjoyed it too. Once again, just like with most toys, monitor your child playing with it.

Once you open up the package for the first time, simply place six (6) AA batteries inside the charging base, which looks like a royal pillow. Turn the base on and put the fairy on it. The initial charge takes approximately 5-10 minutes, and subsequent charges take about 30 minutes or so. When you first put her on the base, the light will be red in colour. This means that she is charging. When the light goes out, she is fully charged. 

When it is time to fly her, be sure to do so in a decent sized room, free of any breakables.  Most of the time, she flies up and down. But there were a few times that she flew a bit off centre and seemed like she was flying away from you across the room. This makes for a good laugh, but if you have knick knacks or other breakables and this happens, it could knock them over. If she flies into a wall or other surface, she will stop flying and fall to the ground, where you can simply pick up her and put her back on the base to fly again. To bring her down once she's up in the air, you can press the base one time to get her to come down slowly or press it twice to get her to drop immediately. 

The toy seems pretty sturdy, and though sometimes a wing can get knocked off when she falls to the ground, they are very easy to re-attach. Once you get the hang of her and how she operates, it becomes easier to manage her so that she doesn't come crashing to the ground. If one of her wings do fall off, simply put it back on as shown in the instruction video, and be sure that it's pointing down, not up into the air.  

In my experience, within the last 7 days of use, you can usually get approximately 30 minutes of flying time before you need to recharge her again. For the week, we flew her about 1-3 times daily, meaning we charged her once to three times per day. With that flying time, our original AA batteries lasted for approximately 6 days. The more your child plays with her, the quicker the batteries will drain. Note: The instructions advise not to use rechargeable batteries in this product, and the regular batteries required to operate the toy are NOT included. So be sure to buy some and include them with the toy!

Overall, we love this toy. We all get a kick out of it! It would be nice at this price point if it came with the first set of batteries. I hope that their future generation fairies will require less batteries, as they can get to be expensive. Plus, you might typically have 1 or 2 extras lying around sometimes, but it's harder to come up with 6 batteries for the base unless you are prepared for that. I'd love to see them come up with a typical boy version as well. A Transformer, Spiderman or Ninja Turtle one would pretty awesome too! 

These Magical Flying Fairies retail for approximately $40-$45 here in Canada. The Tinkerbell Fairy in particular is sold exclusively at Walmart, but you can find other styles of fairies at other department and toy stores. I noticed in this week's Walmart flyer, that the Tinkerbell Fairy is on sale for $33.77. If you are planning on snatching one up, get it while you can save over $10! 

Happy fluttering y'all!

***** These views are mine, and mine alone. As with anything, you are responsible for assessing whether this item and/or activity is safe and suitable for your specific needs. InfoMommy does not make any warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, and assumes no responsibility and/or liability for any actions taken as a result of this blog post.*****

The Wahl Home Barber Kit is Clipperiffic!‏

   

I'm always looking for ways to save money, and haircuts are one of them. Many people are not confident cutting their own child's hair. I was the same way, until I tried cutting my oldest son's hair with clippers out of necessity. He had to have stitches in his scalp as a preschooler, and had become scared of haircuts, no matter if the barber used scissors or clippers. So eventually I figured I would start doing it myself. At least that way I wouldn't have to pay $10-$20 for a haircut that had him fighting and screaming, and having everyone in the building staring at us while doing so! 

So the 1st time we tried it at home, I had gone out and purchased a relatively cheap clipper set. I also bought a dollar store stuffed giraffe that had fine longer hair on it and presented it to him in advance. I told him that he could "cut" some of the hair off the stuffed animal with the clippers every time we completed a haircut.  (Now I'm sure that that manufacturer probably just choked on their coffee, thinking that that's not good for the clipper blades, which would be right, but I had to do what I had to do at the time to help him get over his fears!) That did help to alleviate his anxiety about getting his hair cut and was a good motivator for him. 

The first few times I stuck to a regular buzz cut because I was scared to try anything else. But eventually I became more confident in using the clippers and started to experiment with the different sized guide combs. I got pretty good at creating a haircut with the different guides, and I was glad to be pocketing money instead of spending it at the barber. Eventually, even my husband trusted me enough to have me cut his hair too! 

I liked my old set of clippers but they were getting dull after about 3 years' use. So when I started looking around for a new set, I discovered the Wahl Signature Series Home Barber Kit. What caught my eye specifically about this product was the cordless touch-up trimmer. Most clipper sets come with the clippers and the smaller trimmer, but the Wahl Signature Series Home Barber Kit was the only one that I had come across in Walmart or other department stores that also included a mini trimmer in addition to the smaller trimmer.  I found the typical small clippers that come with most sets to be helpful for trimming and shaping around the collar area, but not so good for around the ears. Especially when it's a child's head you are working on. The mini-trimmer was something I had always wanted but had not been included in my original clipper set bought a few years back. It's essential for trimming around little ones' ears.

The Home Barber Kit contains a multi-cut clipper, a personal trimmer with a detail head and reciprocating head, a cordless touch-up trimmer and a soft storage case.  You also get 2 hair clips, barber & styling combs, a small mirror, a small spray bottle, a small cleaning brush, oil for the clipper blades, scissors, a cape, and instructions. There are also 12 guide combs. You will find sizes 1 through 8, along with the standard left ear and right ear tapers, an eyebrow trimmer comb and an ear trimmer comb. (Note: both small trimmers require AA batteries.) 

Once out of the package, you have to oil the blades on the clippers before their first use and after every couple of cuts. I set to start cutting my youngest one's hair and was impressed with how smooth it cut. Maybe I was used to cutting with an older set of clippers that had trimmed a stuffed giraffe's long hair a time or two, LOL, but I was happy with how smooth it cut. I then moved on to my oldest and then to my husband. I cut 3 heads of hair, one right after the other, and it worked great on all three types of hair.

This Home Barber Kit is sold exclusively at Walmart Canada and retails for $39.96. You can find a variety of other Wahl brand clipper styles and sets at stores like Canadian Tire, Sears, Personal Edge, Target Canada, London Drugs, etc... but I personally love this particular set! You cannot beat the value! You could get a maximum of about 3 haircuts at a barber, or get at least a year's worth of haircuts for the same cost. And you don't even need to leave the house! And if their self-sharpening, high carbon steel clipper blades, which claim to stay sharp longer, last for a few years, you're laughing with extra money in the bank! 

The only thing I would change about this clipper set, is to improve the quality of the mirror itself by making the mirror bigger in size and improving the clarity of its reflection. It would also be nice to have a barber brush included. 

I say give this clipper set a try! If you are not happy with it or have any concerns with it at all, please contact Wahl Canada at 1-866-787-9245 or email fbrown@wahlcanada.com. Happy clipping! 

***** These views are mine, and mine alone. As with anything, you are responsible for assessing whether this item and/or activity is safe and suitable for your specific needs. InfoMommy does not make any warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, and assumes no responsibility and/or liability for any actions taken as a result of this blog post.*****

Columbia Minx Boots Are Functional & Foxy!‏

   

I don't know about you, but finding good winter boots this year has been harder than finding a soul mate! Ok, maybe not that hard, but close enough! LOL I wanted to find winter boots that fit and felt like running shoes, but that were also waterproof and warm. Is that too much to ask? I have kids that are always eager to play in the snow, and I have to walk them to and from the bus stop each school day, so practicality and comfort are a must!

After visiting approximately a dozen stores, I finally found the boots I'd been looking for! I discovered the Columbia Minx™ Mid II Omni-Heat™ boot! Like dating, we often times bypass what was right in front of us all along. You see, most of the stores that I had visited carried my dream winter boots, but I misjudged and dismissed them based on their stylish look as not being practical. Boy was I wrong! When I eventually tried them on, I kicked myself for not giving them a chance at the 1st store I had seen them at. All that time and gas wasted driving from store to store when they were right there all along!

I had originally been looking for ones that had a rubber foot with fabric on the upper part. But after trying on pair after pair of those and various other styles and brands, I could not find one pair that fit snugly or comfortably to my liking.

As I've already said, they are stylish. They looked awesome both on the shelf and on my feet! As soon as I put them on, I knew they were the "one"! They actually felt like running shoes! I had also been looking for boots with laces so that I could adjust the tightness depending on what legwear I would be wearing and to keep the boots nice and secure on my feet. These boots addressed everything I'd been searching for. And they barely weigh anything!

Many boots that I looked at in my travels were heavy already and when you factor in trying to drudge through heavy, wet or deep snow, that's just going to add to the strain of maneuvering through it. The flexibility of the Minx Mid II is an added bonus. If the boot has relatively hard components while in the store at room temperature, then you know that it's going to become harder in colder temps. I love that they are flexible, leaving them malleable no matter how cold it is outside. This just adds to the comfort, and the faux fur trim on the collar and tongue make them really cozy. Their Omni-Grip™ non-marking traction rubber outsoles reduce the chance that you will slip in icy conditions.

Columbia's 2014 Minx Collection features their patented Omni-Heat Reflective Technology and 200g  insulation which are rated for -32C. This, along with their woven synthetic fabric, ensures that your feet will stay warm and dry. While I have not actually tried them in water or slush yet, I have faith that they will do what Columbia has claimed. To provide even more waterproof protection, you could spray them with water repellent which is available at most shoe stores. There are a number of waterproofing spray products on the market and they're typically inexpensive. 

The Columbia Women’s Minx™ Mid II Omni-Heat™ boots come in both a typical full boot style and a Shorty version. The regular boots come in grey, red, white, black & tan, and the Shorty boots come in red, brown, black and a tan print. Here in Canada, the full boots retail for approximately $140 and the Shorty boots for about $110. You can find them in many shoe stores and department stores that typically carry Columbia footwear. Some stores only carry certain colours, so call ahead if you have a specific version in mind. If you are a person who likes to wear thicker socks during the winter months, I would suggest going a 1/2 size larger to give you room. From what I saw, most stores appeared to sell only full sizes. If you require a 1/2 size, you might have better luck purchasing online.  They are also available in youth sizes!

Personally, I favour the full boots in grey. I want them to be deep enough to go out in the snow throughout the winter.  And from experience, I personally find that salt stains and dirt don't show up as much with the grey colour, keeping them looking newer longer. This is why I requested grey for my sample pair.

As a mom who wants and needs to maximize her ability to stay comfortably outside with her kids during winter activities, the Columbia Minx™ Mid II Omni-Heat™ boots are a product that I love! Not only are they comfortable and functional, they look awesome! If you're going to be out playing in the snow, you might as well look good doing it! :)

For a list of winter activities to do with your children this season, check out InfoMommy's 45 Indoor/Outdoor Winter Activities For Your & Your Kids!

To keep up to date with their other products, check out Columbia on Facebook and Twitter!

***** These views are mine, and mine alone. As with anything, you are responsible for assessing whether this item and/or activity is safe and suitable for your specific needs. InfoMommy does not make any warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, and assumes no responsibility and/or liability for any actions taken as a result of this blog post.*****

   

Dealing with School Lockdown Drill Anxiety‏

   

In this day and age, lockdown and hold & secure drills are a necessary evil. It makes my stomach churn to think of what the children, teachers, admin staff, parents, and the community in general went through in Newtown, CT, when Sandy Hook Elementary School came under fire back in December 2012.  The same goes for the 1999 Columbine High School massacre in Littleton, CO, and all the other situations similar to these.  My heart goes out to all of them, it's all just so senseless. 

As a mother whose oldest has recently entered the school system, lockdown and hold & secure drills are my new reality. And theirs! Fire drills and bus safety presentations are one thing, but lockdown practices are something that makes me feel uneasy. To think of something happening to my children, or to someone else's children is so hard to think about. These lockdown drills, as hard as they are to stomach & think about, are important. They are designed to keep everyone as safe as possible. To give the kids a chance to practice them, so that if, God forbid, the time came to put it in place for a real emergency, that they can do so as quickly and effectively as possible. 

Since the Columbine massacre back in 1999, many things have changed with regards to emergency preparedness regarding an armed person or other serious threat to safety within schools. Lockdown drills, as well as Hold & Secure are two of them. To clarify, here is the difference between Lockdown Status and a Hold & Secure Status:

Hold & Secure: This is initiated when situations require the school to have all external doors locked to ensure that the threat police are dealing with in the area does not enter the school. There is no threat to anyone inside the school, they just want to make sure that the threat does not enter the school.  Normal movement and activities go on inside the school while the external doors stay locked. 

Lockdowns:  These are when the external doors of the school are left unlocked as the threat is deemed to be immediately near or inside the school. All classroom and other internal doors are locked and the students and staff are contained inside the locked room that they are in, with all curtains/blinds closed with lights turned off. Students are instructed to shield themselves into a corner, underneath tables/desks, or in another area of the room that is deemed to be the safest that is away from windows & doors. They are also instructed to stay silent. Leaving the external doors open allows the threat to be able to leave the building. 

There is also Shelter In Place, but that is typically used when there is a hazardous environmental issue going on in proximity to the school and they want staff and students to stay inside until they rectify the issue. It is not related at all to a threat to life by an armed person.

These drills can cause anxiety and confusion in both parents and children. Schools do try and make it more of a "game" with the youngest children, but even for them if can be a frightening experience. 

Lockdown drills typically have the principal or other school administration making a brief announcement over the PA system ordering a lockdown. Staff corral the students and follow the lockdown procedures for their school, which is usually as described above. Once the announcement has been given, and the procedures initiated, a school administrator typically walks around the school and tries to "get in" the classroom by trying to open the door. They don't typically do anything overly frightening to "get in", it's usually a turn of the doorhandle to make sure the door is locked. This gives the kids a chance to practice what will hopefully never, ever happen. 

Even though the chance that this would ever happen at your child(ren)'s school is very slim, in this day & age, it is so very important to practice these drills. As a young child, I can remember being nervous and a bit anxious when it was time for the fire drills. I can't imagine what it would have been like to have to do a drill where we were gently told that a bad guy might be in the school and that we would have to hide from him. After all, aren't kids supposed to feel safe at school? For some kids, these are drills just like no other. They have been learning them since they started school. But for some, it's very stressful. Worrying about a spelling bee or a test can wrack a child's brain. But worrying about a gunman can be much worse, and it's best to try and reduce and combat their fear and anxieties, as well as your own, wherever possible. 

Here are some ways to prepare you and your child for lockdown practice and aid in reducing or eliminating the anxiety that can accompany this type of drill:

For Children:

• By explaining what will happen during a lockdown drill in an age appropriate way, they can go into it knowing what to expect. This can help alleviate their fear of the unknown. You don't have to get into specifics about a gunman, just use your common sense about how much and what your child specifically needs to know, and can handle.
• Remind them that they will probably never have to deal with this type of threat. You can use the example of fire drills. Even though we practice them, when was the last time there was a fire at a school?
• Most elementary schools are required to have locked exterior doors 24-7. Remind them that the school doors are locked and no one can get in without first being buzzed in by the receptionist.
• Kids pick up on things. Do your best to sound calm, cool, & collected when discussing this with your child. If you display even the slightest bit of anxiety or discomfort about this when talking to them, they might think that you are not confident about lockdown drills. And if you aren't confident, how can they be? Fake it, 'til you make it, even if you don't truly feel confident discussing it. Who would?
• Most elementary schools give advance notice when a lockdown drill is going to occur. If your school doesn't, ask them to start letting you know in advance. If you have an anxious child, or even if you don't, it helps to give them advance warning that it will take place.
• If they are nervous, ask them what specifically they are nervous about and address each of their concerns.
• If your child seems particularly nervous or anxious about the impending drill, be sure to let the teacher know so he/she can check in with them immediately afterwards and throughout the day. 
• Remind your child that even though they might feel scared and not know what to do, the teacher will direct them what to do and where to go. 
• Remind them that drills are just a chance to learn and practice how to react in certain emergency situations that will probably never happen. 
• If a child is scared that no one will know where they are in the school when this happens, you can let them know in an age appropriate way that police (most do) have pictures, blueprints and aerial shots of the school. This way, they know where every single room in the school is, and will check them to make sure everyone is safe. That police will come and find them, as they know where all the rooms are in the school, even closets. 
• Let your child know that the police might be there to make sure that it's all done correctly and to help kids learn on the day of the drill. Most schools will have police on site the day of their official drills. 
• Role play it at home before they do their drill, so they can experience the drill with the person who they feel safest with. You can even swap roles and allow your child to be the teacher and you, the student. Check with your school on what their drill procedures are so you can make sure they are the same as described in this post, and then act it out.
• After discussing their school day upon their return home, try and have something special planned to take their mind off their stressful day. 

For Parents:

• Know that you are not alone. Many parents, even seasoned ones, feel nervous and/or anxious about their child doing a lockdown drill. Even though we know they are a necessary evil, the thought of something happening at our child's school is not an easy pill to swallow. Even if the odds are minute that an active shooter incident would occur at their place of learning. 
• Reach out to fellow parents and/or friends to share your concerns and talk about them amongst each other for support. This can be done in person, or within online mom/parent communities. 
• If your child is taught in a portable, inquire with your school what their plan is for students and staff in portables that are not physically attached to the school. 
• If you have concerns that can't be dealt with by the support of friends or other parents, have a chat with school administration, your child's teacher or the principal about your specific fears. This can help put your mind at ease. 
• If you are finding that you and/or your child's fears or anxieties surrounding lockdown drills are not subsiding, or increase, seek professional help. You can do so by contacting the school to see if they have a social worker on staff who can speak to you, or who can point you in the right direction for resources in your community. If you do not feel comfortable contacting the school, call or visit www.211.ca here in Canada, or www.211US.org in the U.S. for free information and referral to counselling programs in your area. 

Books on The Subject: 

Lucy Practices a Lockdown - Gretchen Panicucci

Don't Laugh, Joe! - Keiko Kasza

Hang in there! Unfortunately, this is the new normal, and we will all get through it. Even though it is hard to believe, this will eventually become just another drill that our kids' schools do. As sad as that is! In the meantime, at least we are doing something that can help our kids be safe should this ever occur at your child(ren)'s school. And in that, we can find some comfort, as uncomfortable and strange as that may sound. 

***** These views are mine, and mine alone. As with anything, you are responsible for assessing whether this item and/or activity is safe and suitable for your specific needs. InfoMommy does not make any warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, and assumes no responsibility and/or liability for any actions taken as a result of this blog post.*****

   

45 Indoor/Outdoor Winter Activities For You & Your Kids!

    

I don't know about you, but pre-kids, I didn't mind occasionally hunkering down and hibernating during the winter. But now that I have kids, I've learned that it's best to keep them busy even if it's frigid outside! So here's a list of things to do together to make this winter fun and exciting, and help keep the cabin fever at bay!

Outdoor Activities:
1) Go ice skating.
2) Go tobogganing.
3) Go tubing.
4) Go cross country/downhill skiing.
5) Learn how to snowboard.
6) Learn how to curl.
7) Go snow shoeing.
8) Go ice fishing.
9) Go snowmobiling/skidooing.
10) Play outdoor hockey.
11) Feed chipmunks, squirrels and birds.
12) Plan a night to see the Northern Lights/Aurora Borealis.  
13) Build a snowman.
14) Build a snow fort.
15) Build a bonfire in a safe and appropriate outdoor space.
16) Roast hotdogs & marshmallows on the bonfire.
17) Build your own outdoor skating rink.
18) Make snow angels.
19) Take a hike! Literally! LOL
20) Decorate the snow/snowman with food coloring.
21) Check out local conservation areas/provincial parks for winter activities.

22) Try dog sledding.
23) Google winter carnivals in your area.
24) Check out local maple syrup festivals in late winter.
25) See if there's a winter farmer's market in your area.

Indoor Activities:
26) Have your kids research their ancestry.
27) Make homemade hot chocolate.
28) Check online for winter themed crafts.
29) Play a board game.
30) Put a puzzle together.
31) Play dress up and act out a play or favorite story.
32) Print off some online coloring pages of your child's favorite character.
33) Bake a special treat like cookies or banana bread.
34) Go online and research age appropriate magic tricks to try out.
35) Have a family dance party and/or dance competition.
36) Get tickets to an indoor sports event.

37) Get tickets to ride on your local Santa Train.

38) Make sock puppets then put on a puppet show.

39) Take an old box and shape and decorate it into a puppet theatre.
40) Check out local Chinese New Year festivities.
41) Visit local museums, especially those with children's activities.
42) Explore your local indoor playgrounds.
43) Teach your kids a new craft like knitting, painting, etc.
44) Take in a movie at the theatre, or plan a movie day at home.

45) Cut out old fashion paper snowflakes and paper dolls.

Enjoy your winter! :)

***** These views are mine, and mine alone. As with anything, you are responsible for assessing whether this item and/or activity is safe and suitable for your specific needs. InfoMommy does not make any warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, and assumes no responsibility and/or liability for any actions taken as a result of this blog post.*****

Kids' Circo® Flannel Sheets are Cozy!

   

I'll do just about anything to get my kids to sleep longer in the morning, especially on chilly nights when I myself would like to hibernate for just a few more hours! Is that really too much to ask? Apparently so! LOL

There are enough reasons for your kids to wake up early in the morning, and it shouldn't be because they are cold. I always put flannel sheets on my kids' beds, as well as on our own during winter months. It helps keep everyone warm, while allowing a lower temperature on the thermostat to save on energy costs. Not to mention they are just plain cozy! :)

I love a good deal and flannel sheets can be expensive. Target Canada has one of the best prices out there that I've seen on flannel sheet sets for kids, and their patterns are always adorable! Target's in-house Circo® brand, has been a favorite of mine for the last bunch of years, particularly when it comes to their children's bedding. I am a fan not only for their catchy designs, but also for the price points and quality.

This season, their Circo® flannel sheet sets come in a variety of patterns, from yetis throwing snowballs, to snowflakes to rabbits.  Each Circo® 100% cotton flannel sheet set comes with a flat sheet, and a deep pocketed fitted sheet with all around elastic to make sure it doesn't slip off the mattress. Also included are pillow cases which have double turn hems. The sheets and pillowcases are both machine washable and dryer-friendly using the gentle cycle.

Here in Canada, the Circo® Flannel Sheet Sets in Twin retail for $24.99, and in Full/Double for $29.99. Not only is this a great deal at full price, it's even better when they are on sale! So check your local Target flyer or stop in store, because it's time to get cozy! 

***** These views are mine, and mine alone. As with anything, you are responsible for assessing whether this item and/or activity is safe and suitable for your specific needs. InfoMommy does not make any warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, and assumes no responsibility and/or liability for any actions taken as a result of this blog post.*****

Rachael Ray's Bakeware Is Practical & Perky Like She Is!

   

I've been watching The Rachael Ray show for years and have always wanted to get my hands on her bakeware. I've been admiring those colourful casseroles and all those other items she has created for her personal cookware line for some time now. The colours are so cheery and the items are so sleek and trendy. 

I recently had the opportunity to try out a bunch of Rachael Ray's bakeware and her EVOO dispenser that are available to us here in Canada. Unfortunately, we Canadians don't have access to the multitude of colours she has available in her full cookware line in the U.S., but we do have Orange and Eggplant!  If you love the purple colour called "Eggplant", you can find the 9X13 Lasagna Lover baker and the Divided Dish in this great colour, in addition to Orange. All other items, (so far anyways), are available here only in the bright Orange hue. If you start getting excited looking at the Rachael Ray Store, hold back, because they do not ship to Canada. (Boohoo!)

I loved each and every one of the pieces that I got to try out! I love the colour! I love the shape! And I love the functionality of them all! Do I sound excited? If it didn't translate through all my exclamation marks, then let me tell you one more time - I loved them! Like many of her recipes, these items did not let me down!

First off, this bakeware is dishwasher, microwave, freezer and oven safe up to 500F/260C. The handles on them are great! Unlike many casserole dishes that have flat horizontal handles, these have raised handles that smoothly slope up from the main part of the dish. They are super easy to grab when using pot holders to take something out of the oven, thanks to the oversized holes on the handles. I find them easier to carry around than conventional casserole dishes. Full casserole dishes are often heavy, especially with the larger ones, so it's important to have a good grip on them when taking them out of the oven. I made a bunch of different things in these dishes, most which included cheese.  And we all know how cheese is notorious for becoming hard and sticking to casserole dishes, making elbow grease a necessity when cleaning!  While they are not classified as non-stick, I did find them be very easy to clean afterwards with very little scrubbing. Who doesn't love an easy to clean casserole dish?

To no surprise, the 9" X 13" Lasagna Lover is ideal for baking lasagna. In fact, it's great for practically any casserole. The way the dish slopes lower in the middle allows the heat to better circulate inside the dish, promoting better browning on top. I made my Grandmother's Hashbrown Casserole, and a batch of Rachael Ray's Que Pasta Mexican Mac & Cheese in it and it was perfect! The contrast of the purple dish against the browned top was beautiful! This dish retails for $59.99 and is available here in Canada at Walmart and at Target. If you want the Eggplant colour though, you'll have to get that at Target as Walmart is only carrying the Orange. 

The 2-Piece Bubble & Brown Oven Ovals are not named "Bubble & Brown" by coincidence! Like the Lasagna Lover, the slope of the dish in the center gets those casseroles bubbling hot and gets that cheese on top nice and brown! This 2-piece set nests nicely together, making them easier to store in the cupboard. It includes a medium 2-1/4 quart sized baker, as well as a small 1-1/4 quart baker. I love the shape of these dishes! They are perfect for practically any casserole, along with desserts like Apple Crisp,  Fruit Cobbler, and No-Bake Cherry Cheesecake!  Just be sure to modify your recipe to be certain it's the right amount for the dish you choose to make it in, as most recipes call for a 9X13 dish. These retail for $59.99 and are available at Target. 

The Casseroval is a 4-1/4 quart covered deep oval baker. Its extra wide handles are great for gripping this dish and comes in the colour Orange only here in Canada. This dish is great for large batches of pasta! While it's not made for use on the stovetop itself, it would great for reheating a big batch of chili or stew in the oven and even slow cooking a small roast on low in the oven. It retails for $49.95 and is available here at both Target and Walmart.

The 14" Divided Dish is great for entertaining, as well as everyday use. You can easily put 2 different types of vegetables on either side of the dish so that they don't touch - a sacrilege in some children's eyes! LOL Or one side macaroni salad and the other side potato salad. You could put tortilla chips on one side and salsa or a nacho dip on the other side.  There are so many uses for this dish! This one comes in Eggplant as well as the Orange and is available at Target. It retails for $49.99.

The 3 Quart Round Baker is a nice size to use for a large batch of pasta, or even for Chicken Pot Pie! Shepherd's Pie, Quiche Supreme or even a no-bake cheesecake would work and look great in this one too! It retails for $39.97 and is available here at Walmart.

Her 10oz Ramekins are handy for dips, sauces, condiments, or even single servings of pasta like lasagna. You could even use them for a small side of veggies for a single or 2-person family or make mini desserts in them. They would easily double as a very small mixing bowl when making small amounts of sauces or condiments. You will find them here in Canada in Orange only, and they retail for $6.97 each at Walmart.

And of course, these Rachael Ray items wouldn't be complete without her 24oz EVOO Bottle! In Canada, this oil cruet is available in Orange. It's a great tool for maximizing the life of your olive oil, and makes drizzling oil a cinch. It retails for $16.99 and is available here at Target and at Walmart.

These Rachael Ray items are practical & perky like her personality & the only thing I would change is to add lids that either come alongside the dishes or be available for purchase as an accessory. They can be a bit of a challenge to cover with tin foil when baking because of their unique design. Thankfully, casseroles don't typically require covering, so it's not that big of a deal. It's a very small price to pay for such a colourful, enjoyable product with a one-of-a-kind design! Wrapping them with foil just takes a bit of creativity.

For great recipes from Rachael Ray, I recommend her cookbook Look + Cook! This cookbook is great not only for delicious and easy recipes, but also for beginner cooks who aren't confident in the kitchen. Each recipe lays out step by step pictures, along with general instructions, making them fool-proof. You can find this cookbook at any bookstore or at your local library!

Using one of Rachael Ray's catchphrases, I give these products a huge "Yum-O!" (Which is also her non-profit organization!)  And one final word? Please, oh please, oh please, bring more colours and products to Canada, eh?! 


***** These views are mine, and mine alone. As with anything, you are responsible for assessing whether this item and/or activity is safe and suitable for your specific needs. InfoMommy does not make any warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, and assumes no responsibility and/or liability for any actions taken as a result of this blog post.*****

    

8 Ways My Kids Are Trying To Kill Me!

   

Have you ever been frustrated with your kids? Have you ever felt like they were wearing you down? Even if they weren't trying to do this on purpose, they were succeeding regardless of their intentions? 

Same goes for us! In fact, just this morning both of our kids were up at 4am! If it ain't one, then it's definitely the other, and we are both so tired!! We groaned this morning when being woken up by our one son asking if he could go downstairs to play. Really? What part of 4am did he think was play time?

Watch out everyone, they were born to get us! LOL 

Here are 8 signs that your children might be trying to kill you too!

1) Sleep Deprivation - It's not a coincidence that this one is listed first! It's the absolute worst way our kids are trying to torture us! Some wake up early, some won't go to bed, some wake up multiple times through the nights... You know what I'm talking about! Then you throw in some kids who have night terrors, screaming like mad only even they aren't awake  - just you!

2) Strategically Leaving Toys Around The House - There's nothing like stepping on a piece of Lego, or a dinky car (or for those of you with daughters, maybe it's a Barbie purse or other deadly accessory!) in the middle of the night when dealing with issue #1! Or when you turn the lights out and are heading upstairs to bed! It's like they are just waiting there at the top of the stairs... Waiting for you to curse or let out a blood curdling scream that wakes them up if they weren't already awake, all so they can giggle at you!

3) A Punch To The Crotch (A.K.A. Birth Control) - For those Dads out there, you know what I'm talking about! Little toddlers running around and clocking you right in the gonads. Not on purpose of course, as they can't control their impulses at that age. Or can they? Is it a secret conspiracy to make sure you don't reproduce any competition? Or are they just excited to see you? And if they have an older sibling, was it their idea? Conspiracy I tell ya!

4) Exposing Parents to Biohazardous Materials - Whether it's a sick kid who pukes on you, craps on you, or sneezes and coughs on you, they're out to get us! Have you ever seen a kid crap on you or throw up on you (or around you) at a convenient time? Nope! It's all a huge nasty surprise!

5) Causing Injury To Us While Picking Them Up - Have you ever seen someone ergonomically pick up their child? I haven't! I'm not so sure it's possible to pick them up the way you'd pick up a heavy box. Never mind a toddler who's throwing a tantrum and you have flailing limbs in your face! And Dads beware of those flailing feet! All I know is I've pulled more than one muscle in my back through the years of a being a parent and not only have I suffered pain, I've had to pay for a chiropractor to fix it!

6) Preventing Us From Eating Or Getting Nutrition - If I had a nickel for every time my meal has been interrupted by one of our kids, I'd be rich! Whether it's because they're done first, don't like what you made, whether they've just accidentally (or even worse - purposely!) spilled something all over the floor, spilled their drink, you forgot to put ketchup on the table, your baby needs to breastfeed, or one of the other multitude of reasons! Or that you are so tired, that you just want to shove down the 1st food item you see, regardless of its nutritional make-up.

7) Refusal To Let A Parent Sit Down - Have you ever been just about to plant your butt cheeks onto the couch to sit down and finally take a "break", only to be bombarded by your kids out of nowhere? I'm telling you, as soon as they see you start to sit down (or God forbid, lie down!) they're on to you!

8) Silence Is Not Golden - Contrary to what the song title from the 1960's implies, silence is NEVER golden! Not unless they are actually sleeping! Silence means they are up to something. Do not trust silence. I promise you, you will probably regret it if you ignore it!

If you can relate to any or all of these conspiratorial theories, then your kids might just be trying to kill you too! The crazy part is that I wouldn't have it any other way! (Although I might say so at 4am!) But once my eyes are fully open and my brain clears from the fog of extreme early morning wakings, I take them into my arms and celebrate the blessings that are my children.  Here's hoping that I will get some sleep again at some point in my life! Until then, it's all about survival mode and enjoying every moment of it! :)

***** These views are mine, and mine alone. As with anything, you are responsible for assessing whether this item and/or activity is safe and suitable for your specific needs. InfoMommy does not make any warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, and assumes no responsibility and/or liability for any actions taken as a result of this blog post.*****

    

Circulon Prime Skillets Are Skilled At Non-Stick!

   

Circulon, the pioneer of hard-anodized non-stick cookware, has been blazing trails in this market since it was first introduced in 1985.  Their Circulon Prime Collection is now available here in Canada! The Prime Collection features Circulon's Total Food Release System. Their patented hi-lo circular grooves guarantee non-stick performance. And they stand by their products so much that they have a lifetime guarantee! If for any reason you aren't happy with your item, they will replace it.

Their non-stick system allows for very little to no use of oils or fats while cooking. Circulon products featuring the Total non-stick system are three times more scratch resistant than other non-stick products of this type on the market. That means that your investment into these pieces translates into long lasting non-stick performance. Their gourmet non-stick cookware is actually the #1 best-selling brand in the world! And I love that you can actually use metal utensils with these non-stick cookware items!

I sampled the Circulon Prime skillets, and I have to say, I was impressed. I needed to fry up some chicken breasts to try out Rachael Ray's Cobbwich Sandwich recipe I recently saw on her show.  I pounded out a couple of boneless, skinless chicken breasts and drizzled them with a little bit of olive oil, and salt & pepper. The skillet was quick to heat up, and it browned and cooked the meat nicely. It never stuck at all, even when it wasn't fully ready to flip. I am confident that home cooks like me, would enjoy these skillets. Especially if you prefer cooking with very little fat and with metal gadgets.

Their Circulon Prime skillets are suitable for all cooktops, including induction stovetops. They are dishwasher safe and oven safe up to 400F/200C! I love this feature because you can sear a steak and then pop it into the oven to finish cooking. Something you can't do with many of the other non-stick pans that have plastic handles! They are PFOA, lead and cadmium free and their signature colour is a red exterior. The skillets come in a 7-1/2", 10" and 12" diameter. The 12" & 10" skillets are great for frying, sauteing or browning meats. I like the 7-1/2" skillet for frying up a couple of eggs or a small omelet. It's also the perfect size for a grilled cheese!

The full line consists of various cookware items, from an electric griddle to a stockpot that has a lid with a built in strainer/colander in it, to a full cookware set. The Circulon Prime line is available exclusively at Canadian Tire and ranges in price from $49.99 for the 7-1/2" skillet, to $499.99 for the 11-piece Cookset.  They are pricey, but if you're lucky, you can find these items on sale. Canadian Tire just had these items for 70% off! With the holidays coming up, keep an eye out in the flyers for great deals on these items. If all else fails, there's always Santa! ;)

It would be great if they expanded the line to offer a variety of colours. I was going to suggest adding a larger skillet to the mix but realized they have a 6-quart Covered Jumbo Cooker, which is great for larger batches. The handles on the skillets are thinner that I am used to using as I typically would use non-stick skillets with plastic handles. And I'm not used to having to be cognizant of hot handles during the cooking process either, so be wary the first couple of times you use them to be sure that you become familiar with managing the thinner metal handles that can become pretty warm after a prolonged period of cooking. Tips for dealing with this issue are: 1) Use the burner that is the closest in size to that of your skillet. 2) Make sure that you have your skillet perfectly centered on the burner. 3) Try to stick with low to medium heat if possible. 4) Always use pot holders or handle sleeves when handling the skillet while using it, or just after using when it may still be warm to the touch.

To promote this new line, Circulon Canada has a giveaway on right now until November 16, 2014. They are giving away various pieces from their Circulon Prime line, as well as a grand prize of a Foodie trip to Montreal! For more info on the giveaway, and to enter, please visit the Circulon Canada Facebook Page. Good luck & happy cooking!

***** These views are mine, and mine alone. As with anything, you are responsible for assessing whether this item and/or activity is safe and suitable for your specific needs. InfoMommy does not make any warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, and assumes no responsibility and/or liability for any actions taken as a result of this blog post.*****