Pack a Picnic, Pick a Pepper…it's in season

A lot of families planning to head out on a family a road trip. Along the way there is not a lot of choice for food.

It is great to have some food on hand or even pack a picnic of options.

A few ideas using all of our in season produce:

Curried Chicken Salad with Peaches. Switch it up and serve it on Romaine lettuce leaves, half a pepper or cucumber rounds.

With all the choice of fresh fruit, pack some straws and make fruit Kabobs. For a little sweetness add some sponge cake to the pattern.

If you have a chilled vessel, Peach Milkshakes are a favourite in our family.

Raw veggies served with hummus or a homeade herb dip is a good way to refuel.

All recipes are on Foodlandontario.ca

Be sure to pack wet wipes and a few road trip game ideas!

MITK Quick Tips

Stand out in a crowd. Use a bright coloured backpack. The bright colour allows you to be recongizable in a crowd.

Keep food cool. Pack a lunch bag cooler. A tip for keeping things cold is to freeze your juice boxes overnight and use them as ice packs the next day. It's a great treat at the end of a hot day to have a cold drink.

Pack it all in Checklist

Here is a great  little checklist to help you 'pack it all in'. There are so many places to go and people to see, be ready for anything.

Don’t forget:

 Sunscreen

• Hat
• Towels
• First Aid Kit
• Dry Bag
• Water Bottles (green option -  many water stations out there)
• Cool Scarf
• Rain Poncho
• Wet Wipes
• Umbrella (for both sun and rain)

Into the Night

• Flashlight
• Kleenex
• Sparkles
• Glow Bracelets (safety)

Need some time away from the crowds?

Pack some travel games and find a quiet spot. A travel game selection can be found at Scholars Choice

A few of my favorites are:

~Kanoodle

~ Yikers

~ Magnetic Checkers

~ Cards

 From my family to yours, have a safe and happy Canada Day! 

Father's Day Gifts for the Man who has Everything

As a mother and as a daughter, I have run the gamut on Father’s Day gift giving over the years.   From barbeque accessories, to clothing and ties, sports equipment, gadgets and fishing gear, I have seen it all and I have run out of ideas. 

This year, as I was spring cleaning, I noticed a few things tucked away on the top shelf of the closet.  My husband had tucked away a few of the school crafts, hand prints, photos and squiggly scripted homemade cards that the kids had given him over the years.   Absent were the gadgets and fancy neck ties.  There was not a trace of the store bought cards or fancy gift bags. 

I used to think it was really hard to buy something for the man who has everything, the I realized that we were missing the point. 

The point of Father’s Day is to thank a man for being a wonderful father or husband.  The best way to do that is to give a gift from the heart, one with meaning, one that will be appreciated and cherished, one that will be tucked away on a top shelf or sock drawer for years to come.

What Dad does not appreciate a sweet picture of his kids for his desk or side table.  Using a few props and craft supplies, create these cute keepsake pics.

Simple hand made crafts not only give you’re the opportunity spend time giggling and creating with your kids, these gifts are the ones Dad’s will cherish 

Still looking for the perfect gift?  How about the gift of time.  Make some memories with Dad today, enjoy Westfest, go to the movies, throw some balls around.  I love the ideas of participating together in a community event.   This run for Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation is a great day out for a good cause.  http://www.ottawacancer.ca/en/events/signature-events/ultimate-run-for-men's-cancers.aspx

Whatever gift you choose to give this Father’s Day, take time to enjoy all of the little thigns that make your family fabulous – including a fantastic Dad. 

Putting the Squeeze on Cancer: Great Canadian Standemonium Fundrasier for Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation

Kids take a stand by fundraising to support programs and research for cancers that impact children. 

THE COUNTDOWN IS ON to the Great Canadian Lemonade Standemonium, the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation’s fun fundraising campaign that lets kids help put the squeeze on cancer. 

Participation is easy, fun and open to everyone.  You just need to register your stand atwww.ottawacancer.ca/Lemonade.aspx and you are one your way.  Fundraising starts online where each child participant has their own personalized headquarters to track their progress and accept donations.  Funds raised support cancer programs and research into cancers that impact children. TAKE a stand against cancer, all you have to do is MAKE a stand. Get started today.

Make the Stand

The kids and I have turned our puppet theatre into an adorable and functional lemonade stand.  We have also created a mobile stand using our wagon.  Need more inspiration.  Check out some fun stands on my Lovely Lemonade Stands Pinterest board.  Here

 

• Paint and decorate with bright colours.
• Consider using chalkboard paint to make an instant sign on the stand.
• Paint large letters that stand out.  Remember, kids lettering and handwriting are really much cuter than adults. 
• Attach pinwheels, streamers, balloons or other moving decorations to draw attention. 

Spread the Word

Make sure that people hear about this June 21st event well before the date.  This will allow them to make time to drop by your stand that day or to make an advance donation. 

Be sure to let people know that you are raising money for the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation.

• Contact your local paper and give them the details.
• Create a flyer and deliver it to neighbours.
• Make a “Coming Soon” sign for your lawn. 
• Tell you teachers and school friends.
• Hang up posters in your neighbourhoood.
• Call your relatives near and far.
• Have Mom and Dad send an e-mail to their contacts.
• Get Mom or Dad to create a Facebook event for your stand.
• Include a link to your online stand with all of your advertisement

Stand Out to Attract Customers

We are hoping for great weather for our June 21st, Great Canadian Lemonade Standemonium, but we cannot rely on the sunshine alone to bring out customers.  We will have to make some noise to get their attention. 

• Use Ontario produce when you can and let customers know that your lemonade is fresh.  Display a basket of colourful lemons on your table to get attention.
• Make great signs.  Use large letters, arrows and eye catching colours. 
• Put out a bowl of water for dogs.  This will help to attract people who are just out walking their dogs. 
• Play music and get your groove on.  Dance, dance, dance.
• Offer baked goods or watermelon for sale at your table as well. 
• Bring out your pom poms and shout out a lemonade cheer.

Stay busy, keep it fun!

Stay busy between customers, it will make the day fly by and will attract people to the activity at your stand. 

• Make crafts - friendship pins, bracelets and keepsakes
• Chalk
• Skipping
• Cheering
• Hopscotch
• Jacks

Customer Service for 101 for Kids

 

Young entrepreneurs and community builders gain valuable experience by participating in the Great Canadian Lemonade Standemonium.  Principals of marketing and good customers service are essential to fundraising success.  

• Be polite and cheerful.
• Smile at your customers and thank them for stopping by, even if they don't buy anything.
• Give the customer your full attention when they arrive. 
• Engage the customer is small talk, “How is your day going?  Did you have a lemonade stand as a kid?”
• Upsell by suggesting baked goods.

We are so excited to participate in this event.  We are counting down the days.  Spread the word and tell your friends to get involved.  It's easy and fun. 

Grab a Coffee. Change a Life. Tim Horton's Camp Day

100% of all coffee sales today will give thousands of deserving children a once-in-a-lifetime experience

Your daily cup of coffee and a donation will make a world of difference to a child in your local community today. Tim Hortons Camp Day - the annual fundraiser that sends economically disadvantaged kids to camp - is back with the goal of sending even more kids to camp.

On Camp Day, Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake Shop restaurant owners generously donate all proceeds from coffee sales to the Tim Horton Children's Foundation (THCF), helping send kids on an unforgettable, fun-filled camping adventure to help inspire them for a better future. Last year alone, thanks to Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake Shop guests and through the efforts of more than 3,700 Tim Hortons restaurants, a record $11 million was raised in the United States and Canada. More than 15,000 kids were able to experience the life-changing impact of a Tim Horton Children's camp.

"The mission of Tim Horton Children's Foundation is to help break the cycle of poverty by giving economically disadvantaged children the skills and mindset to aspire for a brighter future," said Dave Newnham, vice president and executive director, Tim Horton Children's Foundation. "We've seen time and time again that once a child attends our camp, they return home with a more positive attitude and greater confidence about their future. Our goal is to see more of that with more children. And, Camp Day is our single-most important fundraiser to help make that happen."

With their purchase of coffee today, Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake Shop guests directly impact the children in their local communities who are able to take part in the experience of a lifetime. Guests can also help send even more kids to camp by donating in the following ways:

·        Text CAMP to 45678 to donate $5
·        Online at www.sendakidtocamp.com
·        Rent-a-Tent for a $1 donation in restaurant
·        Rent-a-Cabin for a $5 donation in restaurant

"The success of Camp Day, and ultimately the Tim Horton Children's Foundation, wouldn't be possible without our loyal guests and the generosity and dedication of Tim Hortons restaurant owners and team members," added Newnham.

Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake Shop restaurant owners work closely with local youth organizations and schools in their communities to identify those kids in their community who would most benefit from an experience at camp. Most often, this camp experience is the first time a child has travelled outside their town or city or has ever experienced camp. During their stay at a THCF camp, kids participate in a wide range of first-class programs and activities designed to build self-confidence, self-esteem and leadership skills. The powerful life experiences learned at THCF camps come at absolutely no cost to the kids and their families.

The Tim Horton Children's Foundation started in 1975 in Parry Sound, ON with just one camp and 200 kids. It now operates six year-round camps across North America and has served more than 180,000 kids through its innovative year-round programming. Children attend one of three types of programs offered, including a traditional summer camp (ages 9-12), a year-round camp serving schools and youth groups (ages 8-18) in the fall, winter and spring, and a five-level youth leadership program focused on building lifelong leadership skills (ages 13-18).