Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Ingredients:

•Pumpkin seeds

•Cooking spray, olive oil, or butter

•Optional: Salt, seasalt, garlic powder, onion powder, seasoned salt, or other seasoning of choice



Directions:

Rinse pumpkin seeds. Use your fingers to remove all the pulp. Drain pumpkin seeds and discard pulp. Spread out on a cookie sheet to dry overnight.



Preheat oven to 250 F. Line a baking sheet with non-stick foil.



Toss pumpkin seeds in olive oil, butter, or spray with cooking spray. Sprinkle with salt, garlic powder, onion powder, seasoned salt, cayenne pepper, or your choice of seasonings. Toss to coat.



Bake about 1 hour, tossing every 15 to 20  minutes

Pumpkin Pie

Ingredients:

1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin

1 (14 ounce) can  Sweetened Condensed Milk

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust

Directions:

1.Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Whisk pumpkin, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, spices and salt in medium bowl until smooth. Pour into crust. Bake 15 minutes.

2.Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F and continue baking 35 to 40 minutes or until knife inserted 1 inch from crust comes out clean. Cool. Garnish as desired. Store leftovers covered in refrigerator.

Halloween On A Budget

Being on a maternity budget has been and is very stressful but has also made me more imaginative, creative, inventive, resourceful, thrifty and just plain cheap!                                

Halloween seems to be more exciting and fun the more children we have. I am lucky to have had  all winter boys so the costumes can be passed on.  It hasn't been easy this year however to convince my 3 year old  he should be a monkey.                                                                                               

My 5 year old Alex wanted to be Mario last year. I searched everywhere and could not find a Mario costume. I bought a plain red cap, white winter gloves, and a set of adhesive mustaches at the dollar store. I spend just over 3 dollars. Alex and I cut out the "M" logo together out of scrap fabric and I hot glued it on the hat. To make sure everyone knew he was Mario, I down loaded the "Super Mario Bros"  music onto my ipod, attached it to mini speakers and put it in a small backpack (which came in handy to carry all that candy). The costume cost me under $4 and Alex was proud because he helped to make it and knew he would have a one of a kind costume.

Before I Was A Mom....

                                                  
                                                                                                                    Eric


Before I was a Mom,

I never tripped over toys

or knew words to a lullaby.

I didn't worry whether or not

my plants were poisonous.

I never thought about immunizations.

    Jack

Before I was a Mom,

I had never been puked on.

Pooped on.

Chewed on.

Peed on.

I had complete control of my mind

and my thoughts.

I slept all night.

                                                                                                                     Alex

Before I was a Mom,

I never held down a screaming child

so doctors could do tests.

Or give shots.

I never looked into teary eyes and cried.

I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.

I never sat up late hours at night

watching a baby sleep.

   Eric

Before I was a Mom,

I never held a sleeping baby just because

I didn't want to put him down.

I never felt my heart break into a million pieces

when I couldn't stop the hurt.

I never knew that something so small

could affect my life so much.

I never knew that I could love someone so much.

I never knew I would love being a Mom.

                                                                                              Alex

Before I was a Mom,

I didn't know the feeling of

having my heart outside my body.

I didn't know how special it could feel

to feed a hungry baby.

I didn't know that bond

between a mother and her child.

I didn't know that something so small

could make me feel so important and happy.

   Jack

Before I was a Mom,

I had never gotten up in the middle of the night

every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.

I had never known the warmth,

the joy,

the love,

the heartache,

the wonderment

or the satisfaction of being a Mom.

I didn't know I was capable of feeling

so much,  before I was a Mom.

Top Ten Favourite Kid Movies

.

My boys love watching movies. Here is their top 10 movie picks and their favourite movie scenes.

 

ALEX    

age: 5

Alex, what are your favourite 5 movies?

Toy Story, Toy Story 2, Peter Pan, The Bee Movie and G-Force.

Favourite moments

Alex what is your favourite part in the movie ?

Toy Story : 

" I loved when they escaped from Syd's house".

Toy Story 2 :

 " I loved the part when Woody and Jessy got off the plane".

Peter Pan :

"I loved when Peter Pan and Hook were fighting".

The Bee Movie : 

 "I loved when they land the plane".

G-Force :

" I loved when the mole was in the garbage truck".

 Dinosaurs:

"I loved when they were fighting the T-Rex".
Wall-E:
"I loved when Wall-E was chasing Eva".
Cars:
"I loved when Lightning McQueen and Sally went for a drive".
Mikey Mouse Christmas:
"I loved when Goofy was making a turkey".
Shrek:
" I loved when they were saving the princess".

ERIC

age: 3

Eric, what are your favourite 5

movies?

Dinosaurs, Wall-E, Cars, Mikey Mouse Christmas and Shrek".

Favourite moments

Eric what is your favourite part in the movie ?

Dinosaurs:
"When the meteor came from space".
Wall-E:
"When Eva came to Wall-E".
Cars:
" When Frank was chasing McQueen and Mater".
Mikey Mouse Christmas:
"When Mikey was going in the car with Donald".
Shrek:
" When the donkey said "Wait up Shrek"."
 Toy Story:
"When they were all in the back of the truck".
Toy Story 2:
"When they were stuck in the  box and then they came out"
Peter Pan:
"When they march in the woods"
The Bee Movie:
"When the bee went for a fly"
G-Force:
"I don't like G-Force"

My Top Favourite Baby Products

After having three babies, I went through many many baby products here are a few of my all-time favourites:

   HOTSLINGS

    http://www.hotslings.com/

I love my HOTSLING! I wish I had discovered this product with my first two babies. I bought the HOTSLING with my third baby who suffered with Infant Reflux and always wanted to be carried. I had a Snugli but that quickly caused neck pain. It was also very bulky. This product takes no more space than a receiving blanket. It looks fabulous and stylish. It is very comfortable to wear. Can be used for comfortable discrete breastfeeding. It is not adjustable and comes in many sizes therefore I don't recommend purchasing before the baby arrives. My baby Jack is happy and we both love the bonding.

              AVEENO BABY

AVEENO BABY daily Lotion  is the only moisturizer I use for my children.  It is fragrant free and is very gentle on my baby's sensitive eczema prone  skin. It contains natural colloidal oatmeal blended with rich emollients to soothe and moisturize your baby's delicate, dry skin protecting it from chapping, cracking and roughness due to dryness. I also love all the other products AVEENO BABY makes especially the diaper rash cream that quickly gets rid of a diaper rash usually with just one use. I've always trusted Johnson's & Johnson's for my family's skin I just find AVEENO much gentler.

              JOLLY JUMPER CUDDLE BAG

This product was a life saver. It was the only place my newborn baby would nap. It comes with a comfy Head Hugger.  I was able to easily move it from car seat to swing to his bouncy chair to stroller.  There was no need for a bulky snowsuit as the plush CUDDLE BAG was very warm. The Cuddle Bag with Head Hugger has been tested to Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard, and excelled in all tests (213.1), achieving the same level of safety as if there were nothing between the baby and the infant car seat. Making it safer that putting a baby in a car seat with bulky clothes or a snowsuit. I have washed this product many times and it has kept its softness and shape. I would say this great item is a must for winter babies.

         
          LANSINOH

 LANSINOH was my best friend during my breast feeding days. After trying AVENT and Johnson's & Johnson's breast pads, the LANSINOH breast pads were the softest most absorbent and thinnest ones I've tried. I liked how they were individually wrapped and the adhesive stayed put to my bra without ruining it.  When it came to cracked, sore and bleeding nipples LANSINOH LANOLIN was the best relief. Lansinoh Brand Lanolin is the only lanolin available that contains no preservatives or additives of any kind, so it does not have to be removed before breastfeeding. It also works great on  cracked and dry heels for mom.

BORN FREE FORMULA DISPENCER

A must for any formula fed baby on the go. I wish I had this with my first baby as carrying large formula cans was inconvenient and measuring when you're on the go was annoying. I tried pre measuring formula in zip-lock bags but that was messy. The BPA Free Born Free Formula Dispenser

holds formula for three 9 oz feeds. Flip top for one hand opening and pouring. Making a bottle when I'm out is now a breeze.


               MUNCHKIN FRESH FOOD FEEDER

Some babies like mine want to be independent very early and enjoy feeding themselves. Instead of fighting with your little one over the spoon, he can now feed himself without the risk of choking. This award-winning product allows your baby to enjoy lots of delicious foods. Simply put a piece of fruit, vegetables or meat into the mesh bag and snap shut. Your baby can chew, suck and enjoy all the whole food goodness and taste, with only the tiniest, digestible pieces coming through. I do wish this product was easier to clean. Food gets stuck in the mesh seams and is very difficult to clean but the joy on my baby's face because he can feed himself a banana or a sweet potato is well worth it. It is inexpensive though so it can be replaced often.

           CRANE PENGUIN COOL MIST HUMIDIFIER

The Crane Adorable Penguin 1 Gallon Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier is an adorable child friendly design with a whisper quiet operation that supports easy breathing and instant relief from year round heating and cooling. Equipped with an auto-off function when the water tank is empty, a variable humidity control and a removable water tank for easy carrying and filling.The Crane Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier offers refreshing air to dry rooms with up to 11 hours running time per tank filling. It has provided my sons relief from coughs and congestion and allowed them to breath easier especially through the night.

LEARNING CURVE BABY MASSAGING ACTION THEETER

A must have for any teething baby.  Gentle vibrations and multi-textures offer relief for first teeth. Easier for baby to hold than a cold teether.  Massaging effect relieves sore gums when baby bites on the bright star. It's powered by a small long-life battery that's sealed inside so it can be immersed in water for easy cleaning. It has a handle for an easy grip for baby and a rattle at the bottom to keep baby entertained. I'm so glad my best friend recommended this product because my baby loves it.

{ Most of these items can be purchased @ MY STORE at the top of the page}

Boycotting Philips AVENT

Six years ago when I was expecting my first child, I chose Philips AVENT for all my feeding needs. I got the breast pump, bottles, pacifiers, breast pads, sippy cups, bottle liners, breast shells and other feeding products. I was very happy with the brand.  I liked how most of the items were interchangeable and how easy it was to clean . I used the products for my first two boys.   AVENT was one of the most expensive brands at the time and I was sure it was because they were the best.  I learned the awful truth on the news about BPA product recalls and Philips AVENT was on the list. My two year old Eric was still using bottles and I immediately tossed them and replaced them with glass ones.

Bis-phenol A (BPA) is a chemical contained in polycarbonate plastic and some synthetic resins and pesticides.




BPA is a synthetic oestrogen, meaning it acts similarly to that hormone and can disrupt how the human body's hormonal systems work. It has been linked to reproductive cancers, diabetes and other hormone-related diseases. Some scientists believe BPA may also be linked to trends including:

- increased abnormal penis development in males
- earlier sexual development in females
- increases in developmental diseases such as ADHD and   autism
- increased child obesity
- decreased sperm count

- increased rates of breast and prostate cancer.

I was so upset when I heard about AVENT using plastics that were so unsafe for my children. Heating or cooling polycarbonate plastic to extreme temperatures speeds up its deterioration, so that more BPA ends up in the contents of the bottle or container. I sterilized all products for the first six months for the boys. I thought I was doing the best for my children to prevent germs and bacteria and boy was I wrong. 

AVENT did nothing when I had finally reached a human voice. No apology, no refund, not even a coupon was offered. I learned a few major stores (i.e. London Drugs, Toys R Us, Zellers) did recall BPA products and offered BPA free products in exchange, however the response was large and stopped the exchange within days. I didn't make it.  Trusting and supporting a company who cares so little about the babies who they put at risk was very disappointing to me. I vowed to NEVER USE PHILIPS AVENT products again!