The SHOP.CA website is launching very very (VERY!) soon and I know they’re going to get flooded with eager Shoppers ready to finally say goodbye to annoying duty charges and crazy shipping prices!  I’m really eager to see what SHOP.CA (literally!) has in store for us.  The SHOP.CA Super Shoppers have been given a few hints and info about what’s going to be available but even we don’t know fully what’s going to be in stock so I’m just as excited as the rest of you to jump onto the site and Shop!

First stop?  Definitely the Garden section (you thought I was going to say Shoes or Bags, didn’t you?)  I need  a few things to jazz up my yard this summer so I’m eager to see what SHOP.CA has!  Of course, you know I”m going to check out Shoes and Bags next, and then on to Baby & Child…then Clothing…then…you get the picture.

I’m ready to SHOP, are you?

It occurred to me that I need to buy some flowers and get them planted (then lose interest by August 1st like I do every single year!)

I can’t wait to go to the farmer’s market and pick up fresh local produce!

In Canada we’re deprived of the freshest just-picked produce for most of the year so when it’s literally in our backyards (ok, other backyards, not mine) we really go nuts for it.  I have been guilty of over-buying at the farmer’s market a number of times because I’m just so excited and want more, more, more!

I picked up some fresh on-the-vine tomatoes from the grocery store this weekend – not as fresh as the farmer’s market would be but fresh enough that my husband commented on how the smell of them reminded him of the garden!  I decided to whip up a quick salsa using other veggies I had in my fridge.

Tomatoes, onions, celery, yellow pepper and jalapeno is all that’s needed to make a delicious, fresh, salsa for scooping with tortillas or as a topping for grilling recipes.  I used my handy dandy new Tupperware chopper to mix it all up, squeezed in some lime juice, and we were good to go!  Home made salsa typically lasts about 3 days in the fridge before the tomatoes get too watery – if you can keep it from being gobbled up that long!

Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Here are a few tips that resonated with me:

1. Don’t nest your dishes together, because doing so will stop the water from reaching the dishes.  Examples of nesting would be spoons er…spooning each other or a pot on top of a bowl.  I’m guilty of this with putting a smaller item underneath a bigger one – I always figured the water would make it’s way around to where it needed to be.

2. Hot water is best and most effective in dishwashers.  Dishwashers were made to perform optimally with hot water (makes sense to me, especially when you think about getting those dishes super clean and free of ick and germs.)

3. Here’s a good one – don’t store your detergent under the kitchen sink!  That’s the second most moist place in your house (aside from the bathroom) and moisture activates the cleaning detergent so by the time it reaches the dishwasher it could be ineffective.  Who knew?!  Our detergent has been in our pantry for a few months now (due to a little 1 year old managing to get into the cupboard under the sink) so I’m glad we’re already (though accidentally) on task with this one!

Hope you liked the tips.  Oh here’s another one you’ll love —> pre-rinsing is not necessary if you’re using a good quality detergent (like Finish Quantum of course!)  Want to try it out?  Here’s your chance to win your own!

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“Disclosure: I am part of the Finish Blogger Program by Mom Central. I received compensation as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog, as always, are my own.”

Friends, family, and often the husbands of friends who see the potential in their wives will ask me, “How do I do what you do?”

The answer isn’t simple, but I’m always happy to explain how I got started with blogging basics, and how my l’il website about being frugal while still maintaining your fabulous mommy style has evolved into the success that Feisty Frugal & Fabulous is today.

A successful mommy blog, review site, or online magazine (I chuckle at the adamant way with which some people insist their blog is categorized) doesn’t happen over night. It takes years, yes years, of work to get to the spot that those big name bloggers are at that we see quoted in articles and invited on press trips.

The best start you can give yourself is a solid foundation with a reputable web host, a catchy domain, and of course some great ideas for content.

Did you know Go Daddy cansaveyou time and money when you set up a website for your business, blog or family? The Web’s largest domain name and hosting provider makes it easy for anyone to get online with do-it-yourselfwebsite builders, Web hosting andmore. They’re a valuable resource and trusted partner for anyone who wants to build their online presence.

Interested in finally taking that leap and starting your own website? GoDaddy is giving away a 3 Year Unlimited 4GH Hosting plan! To enter, tell me what’s one thing most people don’t know about you?

Ready for mine?

I was a writer at a very young age. I got an electric typewriter for Christmas when I was 10 and set out to write novels. I’d then staple the pages together and write the titles on the front in calligraphy. Thankfully my outlet has changed since then – that typewriter correction ink was always a pain.

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This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Go Daddy. The opinions and text are all mine.

Canadians have a timeless love affair with their backyards and summer BBQs. So much so, that the arrival of warm weather is joyfully proclaimed the start of BBQ Season each year. We love marking special milestones, achievements, or just luxuriating in a casual gathering of friends and family, in our favourite outdoor spaces.

Saputo, Canada’s premier authentic Italian cheese maker since 1954, challenges Canadians to think beyond the BBQ basics, and invites amateur foodies across the country to enter the Saputo à la Carte Summer Contest. With a few simple clicks and an imaginative approach to pairing dishes, contest participants can create a delectable menu, and have a chance to win the ultimate $50,000 backyard makeover from Saputo.

Submit your own à la carte summer menu at saputoalacarte.ca for a chance to win!

Contest ends June 17, 2012 Find full details and enter the Saputo à la Carte Summer Contest at saputoalacarte.ca

PRIZES:
Grand Prize: $50,000 backyard makeover
Secondary Prizing: Ten winners will receive a year’s supply of Saputo cheese!

For some inspiration, check out this recipe featuring Saputo Mozzarellissima that makes my mouth water!

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Sounds delicious doesn’t it?  This is on my BBQ-to-do-list for this month for sure!  Feeling in the BBQ mood all of a sudden?  I can help you out with that!

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]]> http://feistyfrugalandfabulous.com/2012/05/grilled-stuffed-tomatoes/feed/ 62 http://feistyfrugalandfabulous.com/2012/05/walmarts-mom-of-the-year-award-and-info-on-the-amazing-mom-i-nominated/ http://feistyfrugalandfabulous.com/2012/05/walmarts-mom-of-the-year-award-and-info-on-the-amazing-mom-i-nominated/#comments Mon, 14 May 2012 03:07:00 +0000 Tenille ~ Feisty Frugal & Fabulous http://feistyfrugalandfabulous.com/?p=17324

When I learned about the incredible, and possibly life-changing, program that Walmart has just started here in Canada, I knew that I had to get involved in not only sharing this program with my Canadian readers, but also ensuring that someone dear to me was nominated so I could share with others how amazing and beautiful I think she is.

About the Mom of the Year Award

This year Walmart is launching the Mom of the Year Award to help celebrate and recognize the huge contribution moms make as role models and integral members of the family and community.  This award will become an annual program to celebrate all that Mom does and shine a light on what is important to her.

Nominations will be accepted Mother’s Day (May 13) through July 8, 2012 and can be submitted through www.momoftheyear.ca. They can come from daughters, sons, family members, friends, colleagues or community members.

Eight finalists will be selected and notified in mid-August and will be treated to an award celebration weekend in September. The Mom of the Year Award recipient will receive $10,000 for personal use and $100,000 to their cause or charity of choice. The remaining seven finalists will each receive $10,000 for personal use and $10,000 to their cause or charity of choice.

Isn’t that unbelievably awesome?! Here’s what I love about this program right from the start:

1) There’s more than one winner. With so many deserving Canadian moms out there, how do you narrow it down to just one? Mind you, narrowing it down to a total of 1 grand prize winner and 7 finalists will be extremely difficult too, I’m sure. This brings me to my second reason that I love the program;

2) All the moms will be reviewed by a panel of judges who will be responsible for choosing the 8 finalists. The 5 Mom Ambassadors in the selection committee will certainly have a huge task ahead of them. Unlike voting contests, I feel confident that the most deserving moms will win and that’s a huge thing for me.  Kudos to Walmart for the layout of this program!

Now, on to who I  nominated and why.  When thinking about the moms I know and who would be a candidate for this award, my friend Cheryl was the one and only name that came to mind.  While I have said in the past that I surround myself with successful, driven, women – none have the patience, dedication, and humor that my friend Cheryl posses.

Blogging at The Beautiful Side of Hectic, Cheryl has been open about the journey her family has been on since the premature birth of little miss Jillian in 2008.

Born at 30 weeks gestation (weighing 3lbs, 9oz) , it was clear that something was amiss at 6 months when Jillian started missing milestones.

Call it mommy intuition, but Cheryl says she just knew that Jillian needed more help than she was getting in the first year “let’s watch for those milestones and don’t stress too much if they’re missed” health care message (which, arguably is there to keep most of us from freaking out over small things.)  Says Cheryl in this blog post, “She was a happy baby, but part of me KNEW we were dealing with something more than just a stubborn baby.”

Since learning of Jillian’s diagnosis (spastic diplegia cerebral palsy, secondary to periventricular-leuokmalasia – in non-medical jargon, Jillian has Cerebral Palsy that has affected her legs), Cheryl has been sharing the ups (news of new appointments, new tests), the downs (like her post here on learning it was ok to grieve) and the outright celebrations on her blog with friends and strangers alike.

Aside from being her daughter’s biggest cheerleader, Cheryl is a patient and family advocate at Holland Bloorview in Toronto. Cheryl volunteers on several committees there – the electronic health records steering committee, documentation change team, and social media sub-committee. She speaks to new staff on why patient and family centered care is crucial and spearheaded a support group for outpatient parents.

I have known Cheryl for a few years now online and last month I had the opportunity to meet her in person.  Cheryl is just as genuine, funny, and open in person as she is online.

Oh, and you know that part about sharing the outright celebrations?  Take a look at this video taken about a year ago now of Jillian walking all by herself.  Listen for beautiful Jillian saying, “I’m doing it mom!!!”  MY heard swelled for Cheryl at that moment (and every time I’ve watched this video since!

Jillian’s doing it Cheryl.  But Cheryl, you are too.

Disclosure: I’m part of the Walmart program by Mom Central. I received compensation as a thank you for my participation. The opinions on this blog are my own. Mom of the Year Award: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY Internet access and valid email account required. Nominations open May 10, 2012 to July 8, 2012 for legal residents of Canada over the age of majority. Entrants cannot nominate themselves. One (1) grand prize available to be won consisting of $10,000 cash, a $100,000 donation by Wal-mart Canada Corp. to charity/cause and a trip to Toronto (ARV $22,000). Seven (7) runner-up prizes available to be won consisting of $10,000 cash, a $10,000 donation to charity/cause and a trip to Toronto (ARV $22,000). Charity/cause subject to verification and final approval by Wal-mart Canada Corp., at its sole discretion. Odds of winning depend on how the judging panel evaluates each entry according to the criteria. For Official Contest Rules and to nominate an entrant, visit [www.momoftheyear.ca].

Media and guests met with reps from Ford Canada who shared information on Ford’s eco-friendly options.  We were told about vehicles ranging from electric cars (we were invited take a fully electric Ford Focus out for a test drive!), F-150 Trucks with Eco-Boost engines, and Hybrids (the photo above is in front of a 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid, a pre-production model with only 6 others like it in the world!) among others.

The basic message here is that Ford vehicles give consumers the ability to be as eco-friendly as they wish to be.  You can choose what level you are comfortable with (taking things like fuel efficiency, environmentally friendly interior options and of course price into consideration) and find the perfect Ford vehicle for you and your family.

It was great to get out and take the vehicles for a spin with a professional driver in the passenger seat to explain the car’s performance and features to us (doesn’t Simon, beside me, look excited for our drive?!?  Poor Simon…)

 Here are some eco-driving tips from Ford:

1. Watch your speed -Aim for a constant speed.  Pumping the accelerator sends more fuel into the engine.  Using cruise control whenever possible on the highway helps maintain speeds and conserve fuel.

2. Accelerate and brake smoothly – Accelerating smoothly from a stop and baking softly conserves fuel.  Maintain a safe distance between vehicles and anticipate traffic conditions to allow for more time to brake and accelerate gradually.

3. No idling – Today’s engines don’t need a warm-up.  Start the car immediately and gently drive away.  Don’t leave your car idling.  Turn the engine off in non-traffic situations, such as at a bank drive-up window, when idling more than 30 seconds.

4. Check your tires – Keeping tires properly inflated can reduce the average amount of fuel use by 3 to 4 percent.  Under-inflated tires increase rolling resistance and reduce fuel economy.

5. Be kind to your vehicle – Proper engine tuneups keep vehicles running efficiently and keep the wheels aligned.  Wheels that are fighting each other waste fuel.  Replace air filters as recommended.

6. Travel light – Avoid piling luggage on the roof rack.  The added frontal area reduces aerodynamics and hurts fuel economy by up to 5 percent.  Remove excess weight from the vehicle.

7. Minimize use of climate controls – Use heating and air conditioning selectively to reduce the load on the engine.  Using the A/C less when temperatures are above 26 degrees can save 10 to 15 percent of fuel.

8. Close windows at high speeds – Don’t drive with the windows open unless the vehicle is traveling under 80 km/h.  Driving with the windows open at highway speeds increase aerodynamic drag on the vehicle and lowers fuel economy.

9. Choose the right oil – Use good quality oils with the viscosity grade recommended in the owner’s guide.  Ford recommends SAE SW-20 oil for most cars and trucks to provide the best fuel economy.

10. Consolidate trips – Plan ahead to consolidate trips.  This helps drivers bypass congested routes and leads to less idling.

Hallmark’s Recordable Artwork Canvas Artwork Kit gives little ones the opportunity to not only create a gorgeous masterpiece for mom or grandma, but also the chance to explain exactly what the picture is all about.  Equipped with a canvas panel, Crayola washable paints and a big imagination, kids can paint mom or grandma a masterpiece that is then inserted into a 9”x9” recordable frame.  My 4 year old is going to create her own art with dad for Mother’s Day (I’m not allowed to see or hear it until then).  I think it would also be just as adorable to see what a little 2 year old would draw and how they would explain it.  Precious!

The above is something I positively can’t wait to do with my son, Elijah, who is almost 8 year old.  Conversation Books are a beautiful way to carve out some one on one time with one of the kids, and save some precious conversations to look back on years from now.  So often I think to myself, “I need to write that down!” when Elijah gives me his 8-year-old opinion on something and now here’s the perfect opportunity to capture his words, his thoughts, and our special time together.  Mom & Me is just one of several Conversation Books (there’s also one called Grandma & Me, perfect for Mother’s Day as well!)

Both items are perfect for Mother’s Day gift giving or any day when you want some one-on-one time with the little people in your life.

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Disney Junior is celebrating all month long!  Here’s how:

Fans of A Bug’s Life will be excited to hear that they can watch A Bug’s Life on Disney Junior on Saturday May 26th at 6pm EST!

Disney Junior will also be showing special birthday themed episodes of all your favorite shows from May 1st to May 25th from 6pm – 7:30pm EST each night (4pm – 5:30pm for those of us in Saskatchewan!)

My kids love any excuse to party and my 4 year old is currently obsessed with who in the family has a birthday next and how that relates to how soon her birthday is coming, so this month’s theme on Disney Junior is certainly one she’s all over!

As a mommy of 3, it seems like we’ve just finished planning and celebrating one birthday when it’s time to start on another!

The baby of our family just turned 1 last month and my oldest turns 8 next month (we’re celebrating in a very special way that I’ll be sharing details about on the blog shortly!)

DisneyJunior.ca has just unveiled an awesome new section of their website to help you with your birthday party planning!

I’m really excited about this, since the Birthdays section at Disney Junior is full of printable birthday party invitations, coloring sheets and even how-to instructions on creating party favors and even this Imagination Movers themed birthday cake!

Currently in the Party Packs area of the Birthdays section at DisneyJunior.ca, you can find great ideas on hosting a party with the following themes: Imagination Movers, Jack and the Never Land Pirates (!!!), Special Agent Oso, Little Einsteins, Jungle Junction and of course Mickey Mouse Clubhouse!

Have fun browsing the new section at DisneyJunior.ca and of course celebrating birthdays all month long with Disney Junior.  I can’t wait for Elijah’s 8th birthday next month – it’s going to be amaaaaaaazing!!  More info coming soon!

“Disclosure:  I’m part of the Disney Junior Mom program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group.  The opinions on this blog, as always, are my own.”

BC SUN’s formulation incorporates UV filters and anti-oxidant Vitamin E to protect the hair against UV rays and free radicals, while the Amino Cell Rebuild technology repairs the damage deep inside the hair cell. Palm Oil completes the range by replenishing lost moisture to hair and infusing it with incredible shine with each application.

Today, most people would never consider exposing unprotected skin to the sun, it is important we treat unguarded hair the same way. The three BC Sun products are packaged in a beautiful beach bag, all for a suggested retail price of $39.95. Inside the beach bag consumers will receive:

BC SUN PROTECT HAIR & BODY SHAMPOO (250 mL): For daily cleansing of hair and body before and after sunbathing. The mild formulation nurses sun-stressed and sensitive hair. The hair is cleaned gently and moisturised. Damage caused by the sun, salt water and environmental factors is reduced while the antioxidant vitamin E neutralises free radicals. For shiny, healthy summer hair.

BC SUN PROTECT SPRAY CONDITIONER (200 mL): This spray conditioner is your perfect companion for the summer season, helping to protect your hair everyday as well as on the beach. It reduces the effect UV radiation has on hair while minimising damage caused by salt water, sand and environmental factors. The hair stays well-groomed and moisturised. For shiny hair with a sun-kissed look.

BC SUN PROTECT AFTER-SUN TREATMENT (200 mL): This deeply nurturing, protecting hair treatment was especially developed for the requirements of hair after a long day in the sun. It detangles and smoothes the hair while helping to repair effects of sun exposure. Tipp: Its innovative spray texture melts in the palm of your hand allowing the ingredients to enter into the hair more easily. For healthy, deeply nurtured hair full of brilliance and
vitality.

Schwarzkopf Professional products are available in select salons across Canada. Salons that specialize in BC hairtherapy offer a personal consultation to assess damage and prescribe the best treatment for hair.

I love these products (I received them last year for review when they were available) and was excited to hear they’re back in salons. Get your summer prep products ready – when picking up sunscreen, new flip flops and new sunglasses, don’t forget about picking up product for your hair too!

1 of my Canadian readers is going to win all 3 Schwarzkopf Professional BC SUN PROTECT products seen above inside a beach bag!

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