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Canada Dry Surprizes-Real Ginger, Real Taste, Real Surprises

May 24, 2013 / Common Cents Mom / One comment

*Disclosure:This post has been sponsored by Canada Day. As always though the opinions on this post are mine and mine alone.

In this house we have loved Canada Dry for a very long time so we were super excited to find the specially labeled cases of Canada Dry at the store this week. Have you heard about the Canada Day Real Surprises contest? Canada Dry is giving away over $200,000 in cash and prizes this summer. Purchase any Canada Dry participating product that is specially marked with “Delivering Real SurPrizes” and you could win.

We have loved the real ginger taste to Canada Dry since I was a little girl. I still remember my grandfather pouring me a glass on a hot summer day, so I can think of nothing better then our families addiction to Canada Dry bringing home a real surprise.

There are 21 Weekly Prizes up for grabs, including Orville Redenbacher’s^® cash bundles, Electrolux^® kitchen appliance packages, Aeroplan^® Miles and Sony^® home entertainment systems! Additionally, you’ll have a shot at winning^† one of nearly 10,000 Instant Prizes, including Canada Dry coupons, Orville Redenbacher’s^® popcorn andT-fal^® pressure cookers.

Sweet surprises right?

All you need to do is purchase any participating Canada Dry Product and enter the 12 digit PIN, found under the cap or inside the case of specially-marked products. Click on the shipping box for a chance to win^† an instant prize! If you win^† an instant prize, you will be asked to complete a fulfillment form and the prize will be sent to you. You will also be entered into the weekly prize draw.

If you find a code you can enter www.canadadry.ca or www.facebook.com/CanadaDry. What surprise would you want to find drinking that great real ginger, real taste? Make sure you enter your codes and if you win let me know what real surprise landed at your door.

PinExt Canada Dry Surprizes Real Ginger, Real Taste, Real Surprises

Save Money by Choosing an Off-Season Travel Destination

May 22, 2013 / Common Cents Mom / No comments

Imagine this: It’s August, and you’ve decided to take a last-minute trip to Acadia National Park in Maine. Unfortunately, so has everyone else. You can’t find a hotel room in Bar Harbor, and your day at Sand Beach is ruined because the oceanfront is jammed with tourists. All of the whale-watching trips are booked, and at area restaurants, wait times for that buttery steamed lobster you’ve been dreaming about are at least an hour long.

You’ve hit an exceptional vacation spot right in the middle of tourist season. You’re going to have to crowd in with a lot of people, and you’re going to pay premium rates for accommodations, food and attractions. Smart travelers save money and enjoy a more relaxing experience by taking in vacation destinations in the off-season. To get the best deals on last minute vacations that are available in the area that you want to visit, choose exceptional destinations when not so many tourists are around.

Spring

In spring, many college students head out for their spring break vacations. Areas with beaches may be crowded, so avoid the Caribbean or the Gulf Coast of the United States during spring. You should also avoid resorts near the equator, where warm temperatures tempt travelers who are weary of winter.

Some off-season ideas include for spring:

Vancouver. Enjoy outdoor sports including white-water rafting, kayaking, hiking and mountain biking. Also, enjoy the health-conscious eating choices and the chic, high-fashion boutiques that have earned the city the nickname, “North Hollywood.”
Grand Canyon. Avoid the summer crowds and visit the Grand Canyon during the spring. For camping and hiking, head for the North Rim, which will be virtually deserted at this time of year. Hit the tourist spots like Bright Angel Trail on the South Rim while crowds are thin.
Switzerland. Many tourists love to ski the Alps during winter, but off-season tourists can enjoy the vast network of hiking trails that become visible as the snow melts.

Summer

Summer is the season for beach-goers and lake sports. Many national parks in North America are also crowded during the summer. Try these destinations instead:

Caribbean Islands. Sure, these islands have beaches, but they are free of northerners seeking warm temperatures during the summer months. Since the climate is the same year-round, you’ll enjoy the same atmosphere at a lower price.
Telluride, Colo. Hit gorgeous ski spots like Telluride during the off-season to enjoy spectacular views. Kids will love the alpine slide and the chance to ride the ski lift without waiting in line.
Goa, India. Head to the state of Goa in India. You’ll get in on some rain and wind, but you can also enjoy a number of festivals that celebrate the earth’s fertility.

Autumn

Travelers love to go leaf peeping during the autumn months, so you’d be wise to steer clear of New England and other leaf lover destinations. Consider these off-season alternatives for fall:

Miami, Fla. Who’s afraid of hurricanes? Traveling during the Atlantic hurricane season can mean significant discounts on hotel rooms along the U.S. Gulf Coast. You may save as much as one-third off of many hotel and resort prices.
Galapagos Islands. The water is colder during autumn, but the breathtaking views and astonishing wildlife are just as visible for a lower price.
Iceland. Head north to Iceland in autumn to enjoy sea kayaking, golf and hiking. Because the krona has dropped in value compared to the euro, Icelandic vacations have significantly dropped in price.

Winter

Everyone wants to ski during the winter months, so expect to find crowds in Vermont, Colorado and other popular skiing destinations. Try these picks for a change of pace during the winter months:

New York City. Travelers come to The Big Apple less often in the winter, which gives you a better chance of scoring great Broadway tickets.
Berlin. Berlin hosts over 60 Christmas markets during December, including the largest market at Spandau Old Town. Enjoy roasted chestnuts, sizzling bratwurst, gingerbread and mulled wine.
Lhasa, Tibet. You’re going to experience cold temperatures in Lhasa. You’re also going to enjoy cloud-free and breathtaking views of the Himalayas. If you get cold, bathe in the Yangpachen Hot Springs.

About the Author: Gunther Forde never pays full price for a vacation. When he’s not working at his day job, he specialises in finding fantastic, little-known and reasonably priced destinations.

PinExt Save Money by Choosing an Off Season Travel Destination

Category: Frugal Tips /

Victoria Day Weekend Memories

May 20, 2013 / Common Cents Mom / 5 comments

It has been a pretty fabulous weekend for my daughter and I, it was filled with time together laughing, playing, creating and simply having a good time. That is what long weekends are for right? Our Victoria Day Weekend was a good time together.

Friday night we started visiting our old neighborhood in Scarborough as I needed new eye glasses and one of the best and cheapest places in Toronto is in Scarborough. We love the Eye Emporium..did you know you can get a complete set of glasses for $29. After that we visited one of our favorite Chinese food places.

Saturday we cleaned, did homework, laundry and I finally organized my closet while Rachel teased me about how much stuff I had in this one closet! We worked hard this Saturday, but we had a purpose.

SUNDAY was Play day! One thing in getting me and Rachel both healthier I have realized is the importance of play time. We need the down time and we need to enjoy life a bit, so we headed on out and hit Canada’s Wonderland. We again got seasons passes so this was our first trip for the season. If your family loves Amusement Parks as much as my teen, visit 3 times in the season and well you more then make up the price of a pass.

Today was a day for resting, and relaxing and getting ready for camp. My teen and her classmates are getting ready to spend the remainder of the week at camp.

How did you spend Victoria Day? What memories did you create this weekend?

Category: Family /

Misura Giveaway to Celebrate the End of School

May 12, 2013 / Common Cents Mom / 18 comments

It is that time of year again, another school year will soon be coming to a close. Here at our house we care preparing for the end of year camp that my teen will attend with her school, and all the other end of the year school activities. In the midst of doing this though we have been trying to get healthier and in doing so are choosing healthier snacks and cookies for our summer treats.

One of the treats we recently got to snacking on were Misura Pomegranate Biscuits. They were light and yummy and a healthy choice, which is always good right. They are imported from Italy which makes them better according to my teen after all, all the best foods come from Italy right?

Now here to celebrate the end of the school year I am giving away a Gift Basket filled with Misura goodness. Valued at $50

In the Basket

1 Misura apron
1 package of Misura No Sugar Added Oat biscuits This delicious low-fat yogurt shortbread helps kick-start your day or can boost your energy in the afternoon — without feeling tired later.
1 package of Misura No Sugar Added Cocoa biscuits Sweet and crispy, this low-fat shortbread contains hazelnuts, malt, and light cocoa. It is the ideal biscuit if you’re craving something sweet and still want to be mindful of your waistline.
1 package of Misura No Sugar Added Petit biscuits Thin and crunchy, this biscuit contains oat, wheat and malt flour. It is a great addition to a light breakfast or midday snack for kids.
1 package of Misura Whole Wheat Toast Tasty and crispy, this whole wheat toast contains 10 g of fiber per 100 g serving. It pairs perfectly with your favourite spread, and makes a great bread replacement any time of day.
1 package of Misura Six Cereal biscuits This biscuit contains the characteristic taste of cereal with 6.2% fiber per 100 g serving. It can be dipped in milk and used as part of a balanced breakfast, or taken on the go.
1 package of Misura No Sugar Added Pomegranate biscuits This biscuit strikes the right balance between sweet and crunchy. Infused with pomegranate, it is a great “better for you snack” for kids and adults alike.
1 package of Misura Whole Wheat pasta – penne rigate
1 package of Misura Whole Wheat pasta – fusilli
1 package of Misura Whole Wheat pasta – spaghettini
1 package of Misura Gluten Free pasta – spaghetti

A great way to start the summer right? To win fill out the form, and let me know what do you have planned for your summer?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Category: Reviews and Giveaways /

Mother’s Day and a Netflix Giveaway

May 10, 2013 / Common Cents Mom / 28 comments

How will you be spending your Mother’s Day? If you are anything like me you will wake up to breakfast made by your kids. For me my teen has made this a tradition, then it is time for whatever gift she has made that year, and then we spend the day together. What better way to spend the day together especially if it is rainy, but then with a great movie and a bowl of popcorn.

We love our Netflix for this. We have been using Netflix for over a year now and love watching movies together. It is great family time.

This year there is a great line up of movies on Netflix all with a mom theme:

Stepmom
Erin Brockovich
Monster-In-Law
Georgie Rule
Baby Mama
Motherhood
Mother’s Day
Little Women
Soccer Mom
Mr. Mom
Chocolat
Riding in Cars with Boys
Beautiful Lies
Peace, Love & Misunderstanding

We love Baby Mama, and well I love Monster-in-Law. Which one would you pick to watch?

Now I love my Netflix account so much I am glad that Netflix Canada is letting me give you one of my readers a one year subscription and a Roku 2 Streaming device.

Leave a comment and let me know what is your favorite movie with a strong mom.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Category: Reviews and Giveaways /

Twilight Tea at the Windsor Arms

May 10, 2013 / Common Cents Mom / 3 comments

This week my teen daughter and I took some time to spend it together by going to the Twilight Tea at The Windsor Arms Hotel. This fine 4 star hotel that housed the original TIFF is like stepping back in time in many ways. It truly is a bit of Toronto history which is one of the reasons I love it so.

Our tea started with choosing the perfect hat to wear as we enjoyed tea. There is a wonderful selection and the $5 you spend to wear one goes to Look Good Feel Better, a wonderful charity that helps those going through cancer look good and feel better.

Then it was time for tea. If you have never been to the tea room at the Windsor Arms you really do feel like you are stepping back in time with the white glove service and all. The decor the large mirror and chandelier all caught my eye.

Then it was time to choose our teas, there were so many loose teas to choose from so we finally chose Once Upon a Time and Cotillian. Each tea is served in a beautiful old tea pot.

After our Tea was served it was time for a wonderful menu of scones, sandwiches, and desserts.

My teen daughter loved the lemony scones with fresh strawberry preserves. There was also a selection of delectable sandwiches and then to top it all off a wonderful selection of deserts. My teen loved the chocolate with caramel and me well I loved the petit four with the raspberry on top. To top it all off as if we weren’t full enough there was raspberry sorbet. You could even have it with champagne.

For the two of us it was a delightful time together just ahead of Mother’s Day.

Category: Uncategorized /

Children’s Mental Health Week in Canada

May 5, 2013 / Common Cents Mom / 10 comments

Today starts Children’s Mental Health Week in Canada. Last year I wrote about the Canadian statics and the wait times. I even made an infographic to try and raise awareness. The Canadian statics scare me and to be honest they should scare any Canadian parent.

How does it impact youth?

It is estimated that 10-20% of Canadian youth are affected by a mental illness or disorder – the single most disabling group of disorders worldwide.
Today, approximately 5% of male youth and 12% of female youth, age 12 to 19, have experienced a major depressive episode.
The total number of 12-19 year olds in Canada at risk for developing depression is a staggering 3.2 million.
Once depression is recognized, help can make a difference for 80% of people who are affected, allowing them to get back to their regular activities.
Mental illness is increasingly threatening the lives of our children; with Canada’s youth suicide rate the third highest in the industrialized world.
Suicide is among the leading causes of death in 15-24 year old Canadians, second only to accidents; 4,000 people die prematurely each year by suicide.
Schizophrenia is youth’s greatest disabler as it strikes most often in the 16 to 30 year age group, affecting an estimated one person in 100.
Surpassed only by injuries, mental disorders in youth are ranked as the second highest hospital care expenditure in Canada.
In Canada, only 1 out of 5 children who need mental health services receives them.

If you read my blog, you know my daughter had to wait 2 months to get a much needed mental health bed. She has still been able to access supports in the community where wait times average over a year.

I am thankful in my daughter’s case I was able to go a private route to ensure care and support was received but many Canadian children never see this.

Wait times for children needing mental health care have not met mandated guidelines for years and no one has made it a priority.

Should a child who is in a mental health crisis have to wait for a hospital bed?

Should a child have to wait over a year for community mental health supports that are deemed needed for stable mental health? Wait lists for Section 23 school spots in Toronto average 1 school year, and wait lists for programs that offer community supports for teens average over 1 year.

Should a child not be able to attend school for months at a time because of mental health issues? and receive no school support.

There is much to be done. With both provincial and federal elections looming lets make the mental health of our kids an issue. If you think it is important let your elected officials know.

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Category: Opinion, Uncategorized /

What Does $100 Buy At Walmart Canada?

May 5, 2013 / Common Cents Mom / 6 comments

On Thursday May 2nd, Walmart Canada declared it the national day of savings for stores across Canada and they challenged a group of us bloggers from across Canada to see what we could buy for $100.

Well I shop quite regularly at Walmart as it is the store at the end of my street. Really it is my corner store.

So what was my challenge since I am job hunting I decided to get outfits I could wear for work and since I work in Social Media I need everything from a dress to casual pants and tops. I took part in the challenge at the Dufferin Mall Walmart.

As soon as I got to the store I noticed prices that are absolutely great for basics.

So I wandered through to the plus section were I was able to find everything I needed for a back to work wardrobe on a budget.

So what does a $100 buy a mom on a budget?

Bought were:

2 dresses one black and one blue $5 (clearance)and $16 = $21

2 pair of pants one black dressy pair and one grey and casual $25 and $5 = $30

2 t-shirts, one purple and one green = $16

1 pair of sandals = $29

= $96

Since I shop at Walmart frequently this was an easy challenge for me, infact since Thursday I updated my office for $40 with a new desk from Walmart for $36, and bought few things to update my kitchen for under $10 but more on them another day.

How would you spend $100 at Walmart and how far could you stretch yours?

* I did receive a $100 Gift Card from Walmart Canada to participate in the challenge but was not compensated any further and as always my opinions are my own.

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Category: Frugal Tips /

5 Mother’s Day Gift Ideas Under $25

May 1, 2013 / Common Cents Mom / 5 comments

Mother’s Day is just around the corner and many of us are wondering what to get for dear mom. Sometimes I think shopping for my mother has been one of the hardest things I have done after all you love her very much and she is that person who has done so much for you. But I learned a long time ago there is not a price tag attached to Mother’s Day and there is no amount of money that can be tied to a child’s love for their mom.

If you are out shopping for your mother I wanted to give you some frugal suggestions from brands that I love and adore. All of these can be found for $25 or less.

First some of you know I am Community Manager for BlowMeCool and well I love my mini-fan. If you have a mom who is menopausal and is getting hot flashes well this discreet little gift is one they might love. We have even come up with many uses for the fans besides the hot flash.How about cooling off something hot? For my readers I can even get you a discount. If you are ordering a fan use the code CCM30 to get 10% off so the fan then costs $17.95

Many moms are tea lovers like me as well, and well David’s Tea have a number of suggestions. I especially loved the retro cup for $9.50 and with a nice bag of tea you are still under the $25 figure. You can check out there selection of teas here.

Another thing I love is chocolate. What mom doesn’t love chocolate? I have loved Purdy’s chocolate for years now and well I went window shopping on their site and found a great deal in The Peacock Tin. You get a selections of dark and milk for $19.95

Can’t afford to give your mom a day at the spa but want her to indulge in the tub? Well we love Lush in our house. My daughter and I are both Lush addicted so it has always been on our lists of wants, and this year my daughter knows how much I love butterflies and well now Lush has a perfect one for the bath, the Madame Butterfly. It is rose petal and lemon scented two of my favorites for the spring and it lasts more then one bath. It lasts 6. By the way I noticed that Lush has a Pinterest contest going on right now.

Finally if you have a mom like mine who has everything, and well is an avid reader like mine well I would have to head to Chapters Indigo for a gift card, that way Mom can spend hours in one of her favorite places-the book store.

These are just some of the things we are loving this Mother’s Day on a budget of $25 or less. What would your picks be?

*This is not a sponsored post, just some ideas for Mother’s Day.

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Category: Reviews and Giveaways / Tags: Mother's Day, Mother's Day 2013, Mother's Day Gift Ideas

From Hospital Bed to Honor Roll

April 25, 2013 / Common Cents Mom / 8 comments

My Teen One Year Later!

Yesterday was a day of tears for me, but they were tears of absolute joy and gratitude. Even this morning I am so full of thanks. You see my dear teen has gone from being in a hospital bed after a mental health crisis, and a mental health diagnosis that she may have to live with throughout her life, to being an honor roll student with several friends, all in one year.

It has been a very difficult year especially at the beginning but I am so grateful for the incredible team we put together to get my daughter healthy. From friends who gave great advice and were rocks of support, to an employer who switched my hours as needed for hospital visits and often let me work from home so I could be with my daughter, to the medical team we put together for her. I want to say a very special Thank you to all who have been part of this path with us.

When you are addressing any kind of a health challenge I have learned one of the most important things you can do is get a great team behind you, supporting you and encouraging you along the way. Yes I can to be chief cheerleader, advocate, and coach but there are so many of you that were a blessed part of team Rachel. Thank you!

To my friends who kept me sane and healthy as I helped my daughter, thank you.

To the wonderful Jamie and Maria, her first teacher and EA on this journey Thank you.

To Ed Schild at the Regesh Center and Dr Michelle Marshall, Thank you.

To our online friends who often asked about my teen, who sent love and prayers, Thank you.

It has been a long year but I would do it all again in a heart beat, to get my teen to where she is a happy healthy honor roll student.

Most of all my daughter has been brave, fierce and amazing to watch on this journey. Today I just want to celebrate, and part of that is Thank you.