HydraSense to the Rescue

Over the last week, I have been battling a house full of sick kids. It all started with me having a little tickle in my throat which led to a cold that I unfortunately shared with my youngest, Madison, who then shared it with her older sister, Samantha who then passed on the fun to my hubby. Between battling fevers, runny noses and sneezes I tried to get the courage and strength to help my little ones anyway possible. And then there it was, right in front of me.....HydraSense!

Children under two don’t have the ability to blow their nose, which means bacteria, viruses, pollen and dust build up in nasal mucus and stay trapped. This accumulation can cause complications such as sinusitis and problems with breathing. Children over two have the ability to blow their nose but not properly. 

 

HydraSense Ultra-Gentle Mist nasal spray gently cleanses tiny noses blocked by colds and allergies to help your baby breathe more easily. Made with isotonic 100% natural-source seawater, its salinity is perfectly balanced with the body.

 

Along with the HydraSense Ultra-Gentle Mist spray I use the aspirator to trap excess mucus. The aspirator allows you to see the amount of mucus being removed and safely decreases nasal secretions and noisy breathing. Truth be told, this whole process is not a pleasant experience for either one of my children and requires me to hold them down with all my strength to suction out the mucus. But it is totally worth the crazy effort when they are both able to breath clearly long enough to enjoy a bite to eat and a glass of juice or a bottle of milk.

 

If your little ones are battling the dreaded cold and haven't yet tried HydraSense go to your local drug store immediately and your child will reap the benefits of:

 

- Relief from nasal congestion

- Ability to enjoy a feeding

- Ability to improve the quality of sleep

- Reduction in the amount of medication needed.

 

SSMom

Bubble Guppies at Toys R Us!!!

If you have read any of my posts you know my girls are completely and utterly obsessed with the Bubble Guppies. Who could blame them they are super cute, lovable and engaging. Sadly, Bubble Guppies toys were no where to be found, except online, until now.

Last week we ventured into Toys R Us to let the girls get their toy fix. As we walked around the store, little colourful characters caught my attention. From afar, a little sign with a picture of Molly and Gil literally jumped out at me waving me over. I know, sounds a little much but when you could picture the excitement and pure joy on the faces of your little ones if they were surprised one morning to find their favourite TV personality in their house.....you would go leaps and bounds to make it happen.

Its true! Toys R U now carries plush toys, little figurines and the Bubble Guppies Rock and Roll Stage. The plush toys are only available in store while all other items can be purchased both online and in store. If you are looking for something for your Bubble Guppies fanatic, visit Toys R Us and pick up one of your very own Bubble Guppies.

SSMom

Easy and Quick Weeknight Meal

With all the hustle and bustle during the week, quick and easy meals are a necessity. For me, I like to create a menu for the week on Sunday. A menu eliminates the frustration of not knowing what to make each night as it has already been decided. On the menu this week is this yummy and healthy pasta dish compliments of Stefano Faita from In the Kitchen (weekdays at 3:30 on CBC). This is the perfect quick and easy weeknight meal.

Orecchiette with Sausage and Rapini

 

Ingredients
1 pound package orecchiette
3 tbsp. olive oil
2 shallots, sliced
4 Italian sausages, mild or hot, casing removed
1 head rapini, roughly chopped and blanched
Parmesan cheese, freshly grated or shaved, to taste
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Preparation

Bring large pot of water to a boil. Salt generously. Add pasta to boiling water and cook until al dente.

Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add shallots and cook until they start to soften, about 2 to 3 minutes.

Add sausage meat and fry until meat is golden brown, about 8 to 10 minutes. Add blanched rapini. Sauté until meat is cooked through and rapini is tender, about 3 to 5 minutes.

Add drained pasta to skillet and toss to combine. If needed, add a little of the pasta water, to loosen the mixture. Season with salt and pepper and finish with grated or shaved Parmesan cheese.

Enjoy!!
SSMom

For the Mom on the Go

Every once in a while I venture out into the real world with a mission to treat myself. Just a little something that will make me feel pretty again and give me that hint of colour that will make my complexion come to life and hide the lack of sleep I have been dealing with over the last 3 years. I know, alot to ask!! My big outing was to the local drug store a couple of weeks. I was looking for a little mommy pick me up for the mom on the go who is totally pressed for time. Every minute is precious with two little girls under the age of 3 demanding my attention at all times. And then I saw it, the Clinique Chubby Stick.

The Clinique Chubby Stick is a moisturizing tinted lip balm. Its easy to apply, compliments any complexion and never needs to be sharpened. Just swivel up to reveal more balm, apply and off you go with a hint of shine and tons of moisture.

Super functional, makes on-to-go application a cinch and comes in a rainbow of colours. The Clinique Chubby Stick is shaped like a big crayon so trying to find it in your diaper bag or purse is really easy. Big plus for me!!

I'm always looking for new things for my two little girls that I forget about myself. So this post is for all the mommies out there that need a little pick me up, who approach the baby or kid section first in a store and who need to go out and make a little purchase for themselves that will make them feel connected to the outside world. I know sounds a little crazy that the Clinique Chubby Stick could do all that, but sometimes its the little things in life that make the biggest impact.

SSMom

LEGOLAND Discovery Centre opens in Toronto

As a child I still have fond memories of going to the toy store and buying the latest and greatest LEGO set. I am going to be able to share in my enjoyment and love for LEGO'S with my little ones as the first LEGOLAND Discovery Centre is opening in Toronto at the Vaughan Mills Shopping Centre today. The first of its kind in Canada and the perfect place to take your little LEGO fans.

The LEGOLAND Discovery Centre is a mini amusement park featuring an interactive and educational two- to three-hour indoor experience geared to families with children aged three to 10. The centre, based on the popular LEGO brick, has a range of play areas including a 4D cinema where action is accompanied by wind, rain, lightning and snow, brick pool, classes from a master model builder, rides and special rooms for birthday parties and other celebrations. A Miniland exhibit featuring Toronto’s landmarks transformed into miniature replicas made from nearly 1.5 million LEGO bricks, with many moving parts, even the smallest spectator will feel like a giant! This is a wondrous place where kids will be able to play with — and parents buy — the blocks and accessories.

Canada will be the 21st country in which Merlin has attractions. The company has 90 attractions in 19 countries. This new attraction will be the ultimate destination for children who are in love with LEGO and parents who want to relive their youth.

For more information and to plan your visit check out their website. This is definitely somewhere where I will be taking my girls to discover the wonderful world of LEGO. You'll feel like you just jumped into the biggeset box of LEGO!!

SSMom

Stroller Ban in Toronto Doctor's Office

Six months ago when I took Madison to her pediatrician, I noticed a bunch of strollers parked outside of the office. As I got closer to the door, I noticed a note on the door. In bold cap letters the sign clearly indicated a new no-stroller policy whereby strollers were no longer allowed in the office.

Apparently our pediatrician is not the only one banning strollers from their office. The reason behind the no-stroller policy is to ensure there is space for young patients in the office to play, to keep patients from tripping and allow for additional space for seating.
Lack of space in doctors offices have always been a problem. When strollers are added to the equation it limits the amount of walking room and poses safety hazards for patients.

The question you have to ask yourself when faced with a no-stroller policy at your doctor's office is would you rather enter a waiting room full of strollers or enter a waiting room where there is room to walk and wait peacefully?

Before the no-stroller policy came into effect at our pediatrician, there would be a lineup of strollers and a swarm of confused and irate mommies and daddies trying to maneuver their way in, around and out of the office, it was complete chaos. Examination rooms are not large enough to accommodate strollers and therefore the waiting room was literally a parking lot for strollers. So for me, juggling both children was a better alternative than having to shuffle through the office with babies and stroller in tote!

Although society tries to accommodate people with young children they have to sympathize with others as well. After having my second child, I learned how to adapt to different situations which has made life easier for me and my little ones!

Let me know what you think about this issue, if we can even call it that??

　

SSMom





　

Toddler Superfoods to the Rescue!

Are you looking for nutrient packed foods that contains the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that are essential for the healthy growth and development of your child? Check out my list of kid and toddles superfoods!

Eggs
Eggs offer protein and vitamin D that helps the body absorb calcium. Eating protein at breakfast helps kids feel satisfied longer.



Oatmeal
Research shows, kids who eat oatmeal are able to better concentrate and pay attention. Fiber-rich whole grains digest slowly and provide kids with a steady stream of energy.

Milk
Protein and calcium in dairy products provide fuel for the brain and body. Protein helps build brain tissue, while milk's calcium keeps kids' bones and teeth strong.

Blueberries
Ranked among the healthiest fruits for years, research suggests those little blue yummy fruits protect against heart disease and diabetes, improve brain function, and may help reduce visceral "toxic" belly fat -- a fat that has been linked to obesity and metabolic syndrome.

Tomatoes
Many don't realize but tomatoes are actually healthy. They are loaded with lycopene -- a substance that protects against many cancers. Cooking tomatoes makes them healthier because the heat releases the lycopene.

Cabbage
With its mild flavor and crunch cabbage contain phytonutrients known to lower the risk for many types of cancer and improve digestion. It also helps clear harmful toxins by releasing enzymes to whisk them out.

Salmon
The king of heart-healthy omega-3 fats known to boost brain development, fend off depression, and have superb anti-inflammatory powers. Wild salmon is best, it is lower in mercury and higher in omega-3's.

Basil
Perfect for sauces, this herb is packed with antioxidants -- vitamins A, C, and K -- as well as iron, potassium, and calcium and can help improve digestion. It may even ease headaches.

Cinnamon
Not only known for its warm and comforting aroma, this spice can help regulate blood sugar and minimize mid-morning energy crashes.

Sweet potatoes
The more colourful the fruit or vegetable, the healthier it is. Chemicals called phytochemicals give fruits and vegetables their vibrant hues of green, orange, red and purple and are responsible for disease-fighting elements. Sweet potatoes are loaded with beta carotene, vitamin E, vitamin B6, potassium and iron.

SSMom