The Bump To Baby Show Spring 2018 *Free Family Friendly Event!

I can't believe May is almost here! That means it's time for the 5th annual Bump to Baby Show. This is personally my favourite baby show in the city, and the one that I'm always excited to take part in. The Wychwood Barns is such a beautiful venue, and the organizers do such an amazing job of bringing together the best local vendors for their marketplace (Of course I'm not biased at all). Most vendors offer amazing discounts and specials for the show, so it's worth the visit! Especially since admission for the whole family is FREE!!

In addition to amazing products, enjoy the family fun zone, face painting, music and dancing, swag bags, delicious food, an amazing raffle, and so much more. Plus a portion of the raffle proceeds will be donated to The Stop's Healthy Beginnings Program; a pre- and postnatal program for women and children that need support in our community. So make sure you grab a ticket!

This year I'm very excited to be partnering with The Big Carrot again for a talk and live food demo covering "Healthy Recipes for Starting Solids." Join me from 2-3 pm in the Play & Learn Area for this special event. You must Pre-Register for this talk *Please note that remaining space for this session is limited. So don't wait! 

Learn More & Pre-Register for the rest of the amazing talks and classes here. This year's lineup includes free prenatal yoga, a fun fam jam, a puppet show, a session on pelvic floor health, and talks on family nutrition & natural sunscreens. There's so much for the whole family to enjoy!

Hope to see you at the show on May 6th. Make sure to pop by my table or workshop to say hi!

- Care

Family Friendly Homemade Meatballs - Perfect Iron Rich Recipe for Starting Solids

Meatballs are a great option for a healthy family dinner and a perfect way to start incorporating iron rich meats into your baby's diet. They can be paired with a whole grain pasta, tomato sauce and veggies, or some roasted or steamed veggies for a quick dinner. I usually make a double batch with fresh ground beef, and freeze a bunch for future evenings when we need a fast healthy meal. 

Meatballs are great because they can be made out of a variety of types of ground meats, plus you can add finely chopped herbs and greens without most kids being bothered by them. The one thing my kids always complained about was the diced onion, so I recently started grating the onion and it has worked wonders. They never know it's in there, but the meatballs still get the onion flavour and moisture. #momwin

Family Friendly Meatball Recipe

Prep Time: 10 mins          Cooktime: 17-20 mins          Makes about 20 meatballs

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 lb lean ground beef (or alternative ground meat)

• 1 whole egg (or flax egg)

• 1/2 cup whole grain bread crumbs soaked in 3 tbs milk (I make them with the end of a loaf of bread in the vitamix)

• 1-2 garlic cloves mashed (depending on preference)

• 1/4 cup onion grated (small onion or ~1/3 large red onion)

• 2 Tbsp finely chopped fresh oregano

• 2 Tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley

• 2 Tbsp finely chopped fresh basil

• handful of spinach finely chopped *optional

• salt & pepper to taste

• 2 drops of tabasco sauce *optional

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Preheat Oven to 400°F

• Place all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and mix by hand until combined. Do not overwork meat.

• Scoop out 1 generous Tbsp at a time and roll into meatballs (you can always change the shape or size of these meatballs to suit your needs, just remember to adjust the baking time accordingly)

• *If your ground beef is fresh you can freeze raw meatballs for future use

• Bake meatballs on a rack over a baking pan for 17-20 mins. Turn once while baking.

• Remove from oven and serve immediately, or allow to cool and refrigerate or freeze

I absolutely love paring these iron rich meatballs with homemade vitamin C rich tomato sauce. I'll be sure to share my favourite sauce recipe soon. 

Don't hesitate to ask any questions below. Hope your family enjoys these as much as ours does. 

Care

5 Ingredient Overnight French Toast Casserole

I always love pre-made options for feeding my family, so over the holidays I set out to search for an overnight french toast casserole recipe. I was so excited to try out something new, but was shocked when I saw just how much sugar was included in most recipes. No judgement here, I love sugary homemade treats, but I don't want to make every breakfast a dessert. Plus, french toast is a breakfast that already typically gets doused in syrup by my kids, so I wanted it to be a tad healthier.  

When I couldn't find what I wanted I decided to adapt my french toast recipe to suit an overnight bake. It was so simple, and turned out better than I could have expected. The kids gobbled it up and begged for seconds. Plus, mom and dad loved it too. 

The best part is that it only takes 5 ingredients and a few minutes to make up the night before. Then you get to enjoy your morning with your family while the delicious smell of fresh baked french toast casserole wafts through your home. For a tired mama, it doesn't get much better.

Ingredients:

• 1 loaf of crusty bread cut into cubes (I used an Italian loaf this time, but plan on trying a whole grain variety next time.)

• 8 large eggs whisked

• 3 cups whole milk (or combo of milk and cream)

• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

• Grease large casserole dish with butter (approximately 9x13)

• Cut up crusty loaf into chunks and place in casserole dish *If bread is not stale leave it out in the dish for a while to dry out. It absorbs the custard better when dry.

• In a large bowl whisk eggs, milk, cinnamon & vanilla

• Pour custard mixture over bread

• Use a silicone flipper to gently rotate bread in pan so it all gets covered in custard

• Cover with Abeego or plastic wrap and refrigerate for a few hours or overnight

• When ready to bake preheat oven to 350 degrees and remove plastic wrap

• Use silicone flipper to rotate bread again and pat down into pan with flipper

• Place in oven and bake for 45 minutes rotating the pan half way through

• *optional* When timer is up, sprinkle top with 1 tsp granulated sugar and broil on low for 5 minutes.

• Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving.

For a special treat on New Years Day I served the casserole with fresh whipped cream, some delicious maple syrup and tons of berries and bananas. Plus a hearty helping of local bacon ;) For regular everyday eating try serving it with greek/coconut yogurt and fresh fruit. Plus you can sprinkle the top with some hemp hearts for a little extra boost.

You can also add fresh or frozen fruit to your french toast casserole before baking. Blueberries and diced apples are both delicious additions to this simple recipe.

Hope you and your family enjoy this as much as mine did. Please let me know if you make it. I would love to hear how it goes.

Care xo

Download My FREE Complete Family Camping List

We just returned from our annual backcountry camping trip, so I thought it was time I shared my complete packing list for camping with kids. A lot of friends and family are surprised that we can enjoy our time camping with 3 kids in tow, but it really is one of our favourite traditions. As I've said in previous posts about Camping with Kids (found here & here), preparation is key to your enjoyment. There is nothing worse than forgetting a vital piece of equipment that means you're left wet, or uncomfortable, or hungry. In an effort to make sure this doesn't happen to any family, I'm sharing my Complete Family Camping List.

Going camping the first time can feel a bit overwhelming due to the sheer amount of gear required. Don't forget you can save your budget by borrowing equipment from friends and family, buying gently used gear from neighbourhood buy and sells, or renting from places like Mountain Equipment Co-op. We registered for camping gear from MEC for our wedding, and have been using it for the last 7 years. It’s amazing to think how many memories these gifts have given our little family. 

I really hope this list makes you feel a little more prepared for camping with a young family, but remember nothing is perfect. You will be bug bitten, covered in grime and smelling less than peachy, but seeing the look on your little one's face when they catch their first crayfish, bite into a perfect s'more, go skinny dipping in a warm lake, or drift off to sleep in your arms watching the sun set, makes it all so worth it. There will probably be tears (for everyone), but trips like this build resiliency and help connect our kids to nature and the environment. For all of those who would prefer to glamp it up in a hotel or cottage instead, have fun! Whatever you do with your littles, know you're doing an awesome job.

CAMPING GEAR: 3 Day Family Trip

• Canoe, Paddles & PFDs (Can be rented at most parks and marinas)

• Collapsable Wagon (Great for hauling kids or gear to walk in sites, or over simple flat portages)

• Container for gear, clothes, toiletries & bedding (Large waterproof dry pacs are ideal or rubbermaid bins for car camping)

• Dry Food Storage (Barrel with Harness or Rubbermaid Bin for cap camping)

• Cooler (pre-freeze water bottles to save ice pack space in the cooler, and have cold clean drinking water)

• Tent, Vestibule & Footprint (or large tarp for underneath tent)

• Bug Shelter

• Sleeping Pad (We use 1 Family Sleeping Pad + 2 Regular Size Sleeping Pads, makes perfect size bed for our family)

• Large bed sheet (Or appropriate for your size mattress)

• Sleeping Bags (Since we sleep with the kids all together, we typically lay out a sheet on the sleeping pad and then use the sleeping bags on top as blankets)

• 2 Large Tarps (for rain shelter, covering gear at night etc)

• 2 Ropes (for tying tarp up to create a rain shelter, hanging food, towing a canoe, clothesline etc)

• 2 Bungee Cords (for attaching stuff to packs or keeping gear closed etc.)

• Lightweight Fold Up Chair for each person

• Booster Seat (lobster style is ideal for attaching to picnic tables)

• Headlamps/Flashlights (*Always check batteries and pack extra. Headlamps and handsfree options are ideal when you have to help small children. Lantern style are also handy)

• Plate, mug, bowl for each person

• Sippy Cups/Bottles for little ones

• Cutlery set for each person

• Lightweight Cutting Board (not a flimsy one)

• Flipper, Tongs, Mixing/Serving Spoon, Bottle Opener

• Sharp Knife x2 (I wrap them in the dish cloth and tea towel with an elastic around them and put them in a bag together before packing into the gear bag)

• Camping Stove with Gas Canisters (Even if you love to cook over the fire it's important to pack a stove in the case of rain, or a sudden fire ban)

• Pots & Pans

• French Coffee Press

• Ove Gloves (or oven mitts)

• Lake Eco Dish Soap (not for use in lake)

• Dish Cloth & Drying Cloth

• Duct Tape

• Tin Foil (for using on grill when cooking veggies etc)

• Paper Towels (In a large ziploc bag to avoid getting ruined from water)

• Ziploc baggies (a few large and small, very useful for keeping things dry if it's a wet trip, putting your map into, or putting leftovers away etc)

• 2 Green garbage bags + a few smaller Kitchen catcher garbage bags for collecting garbage around site and covering things to keep dry if needed.

• Matches/Lighters (Packed in a ziplock bag to keep dry. I typically pack an emergency lighter and matches in our 1st Aid Kit too)

• Pelican Case for valuables e.g. cell phones, car keys, permits, wallets

CAMPING TOILETRIES: 3 Day Family Trip

• Eco-friendly shampoo/body wash (for shower, no soaps are safe for lake use)

• Hair Brush

• Toilet Paper (2 rolls, in separate large ziploc bags to avoid water damage + backup)

• Portable Fold Up Potty (much easier than trekking to the outhouse in the dark)

• Sunscreen, Aftersun

• Bugspray, Afterbite, Bug Jacket, Tick Kit or Tick Remover

• Diapers

• Baby Wipes (for easy hand and face wipes etc)

• Swim towels (Turkish towels and travel towels pack well)

• 2 Face Cloths

• 1st Aid Kit *Get My Downloadable Complete Family First Aid Kit List!

OPTIONAL ITEMS: 3 Day Family Trip

• Baby Carrier (eg. mesh water sling, favourite regular use carrier *consider what carrier would be ideal if you need to rock/walk your little one to sleep in it, backpack style etc.)

• Hammock

• Solar Heated Camping Shower

• Binoculars

• Utility Knife

• Camera

• Cards/Dominos/Travel Backgammon

• Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

• Books

• Picnic Blanket

• Water Toys (Boats, Pails & Shovels)

• Rainy Day Activities *Check out some great ideas in Part 2 of Camping with Kids

CLOTHING: 3 Day Family Trip

• 2 Bathing Suits & UV Shirts (or full piece UV suits)

• 2 Pants

• 2 Shorts

• 3 T-Shirts

• 2 Long Sleeve Shirts

• 1 Sweatshirt

• 2 Socks

• 3 underwear

• Rain Coat & Pants (or full piece rain suit)

• Brimmed Quick Dry Sun Hat

• Sunglasses

• Wet Shoes (eg. Keens)

• Dry Shoes (eg. Running Shoes)

Hope this list helps you have a great time in the outdoors. Happy Camping!

Care

This post is not sponsored but I have linked some of our absolute favourite pieces of gear in case you're looking for some. *Please note that we backcountry camp for about 3 days eg. portage and paddle in site with no running water, no flush toilets, no electricity etc. If you're planning a less rugged trip, feel free to scale back and omit some of these items or pack in any bags or bins you have. You will need to add some items if you're planning a longer or more rugged trip. 

Have A Bump Or A Baby? Don't Miss The Bump To Baby Show 2017!

Spring is here and that means it's baby show season! With so many shows and so little time, it can be tough to decide which ones make the cut. If you want to skip the huge crowds, long line ups and over zealous vendors, you need to check out The Bump to Baby Show. This highly curated event held at the beautiful Wychwood Barns brings together the best vendors from around our city, all with a focus on helping parents make healthy choices for their families. Plus it's FREE!! You can't get much better than that.

In addition to an amazing marketplace (*Full List of 60 Marketplace Vendors) the show has expert speakers and fun family friendly events. I am so honoured to be one of the speakers at the show, alongside my amazing colleague Taya Griffin (Lactation Consultant) & Joy McCarthy of Joyous Health.

Attendees can check out a Prenatal Yoga Class with & She Moves (pre-registered event), a Family Yoga Class with Spynga, a fun Puppet Show with The Waldorf Academy, as well as a music class for kids ages 0-4 years with Music Together. Check out the Play & Learn page for full schedule, details and registration. 

The Bump to Baby Show is like no other in the city. So if you're expecting a little one, or have a young family, don't forget to add this amazing event to your calendar.

Hope to see you on May 7th between 10am and 4pm for the family friendly baby show you can't miss. 

Care