Sunday, May 12, 2013
Electrolux Canada's Ergorapido® Brushroll Clean 2-in-1 Vacuum is a Mama's Best Friend {Review & Giveaway}
There. I said it. Electrolux Canada's Ergorapido Brushroll Clean is a Mama's Best Friend. It's true. Well, maybe third best friend (my first two being Hubby and Little One)!
The one thing I absolutely hate about living in an old farm house is the fact that I am forever having to sweep and vacuum. I'm talking every day. To be honest, it's exhausting, annoying and who has time to lug a big 'ol vacuum around every day? I don't!
Dirt dragged into the house, dust from the gravel roads and lane...it's a full time job keeping this house clean and I am failing miserably. Seriously. It makes me want to cry.
I was recently given the opportunity to try out the Electrolux Ergorapido and I am in love.
I know what you're thinking:
- Sure. What's so great about a vacuum cleaner?
- Of course you're going to say you love it if you get to test it out for free and keep it.
First of all, it's not just a vacuum cleaner. "Extra cleaning power with no strings attached" - and, they really do mean no strings! The Ergorapido is cordless and it has Brushroll Clean Technology. What does this mean? This exclusive innovative feature removes tangled hair from your vacuum's brushroll and deposits it into the dust cup in seconds!
I also love the fact that it's bagless! One thing I am annoyed with is having to go to the store to buy replacement bags for a vacuum cleaner. With the Ergorapido, it's easy. Just press the buttons to release the compartment that has the dust cup inside it and dump out the mess into the garbage can. Easy peasy! Hooray for bagless cyclonic technology!
Because the Ergorapido is cordless, you don't have to worry about running out of your power cord or getting all tangled up in it. Initially, I was a bit worried about the fact that this is battery-run. From past experiences with battery-operated vacuums or appliances is that A) They run out of juice quickly and B) They don't have much power.
I am happy to report that this is not the case with the Ergorapido. It's also got a patented 180 degree swivel head that allows you to clean around and under anything. The docking station is also where you charge your vacuum. The docking station and vacuum itself are so compact that they can be kept in the corner of any room and be out of the way. I am thrilled that it doesn't take up too much space. If you've ever been in an old farmhouse, the one thing you'll notice is that there is NO storage space!
Another thing I love? It's so lightweight that even my 4 year old can use it with ease. She LOVES vacuuming with the Ergorapido. This makes me a very happy Mommy! She thinks it's so fun and says "it just glides!"
I had a super cute video of Little One vacuuming the living room for me. She even released the dust cup and emptied it all by herself. For some reason, I'm unable to upload the video though.
The Ergorapido is also a 2-in-1 lightweight stick vacuum and handheld vacuum, which is perfect for our house. We have no carpeting in our house, and it cleans our floors so well! This works really well on our stairs and wood and linoleum floors. Yes, linoleum. Early 1970s vintage to boot. Yes, that is going to change this year, as the patterns are absolutely dizzying. Honey, are you reading this?
Oh, as for question #2, I'd never give a product praise if I didn't love it and believe in it.
Do you want to check it out for yourself?
{ WIN IT }
To enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter form. Open to residents of Canada. Ends 12AM EST on 5/27
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure - I received the above product for review purposes. All the thoughts and opinions expressed on this blog are honest and my own.
Mother's Day
On Mother's Day, I usually give a huge shout out to my Mom for all the love and encouragement she has given us, as well as the sacrifices she has made for us. My Mom has a heart of gold and would do anything for her loved ones. She's also a little feisty and I can see a lot of her characteristics in my daughter.
I also give a big shout out to my amazing Grandmother every Mother's Day. She died last May and this is our first Mother's Day without her. So much of who I am is a large part of my grandparents' involvement with us and the values they instilled in their grandchildren. I miss my grandparents dearly.
This year, I want to reflect on what being a Mom means to me. I ended up writing my four year old daughter a letter.
Happy Mother's Day to all the amazing Moms out there!
What does being a Mom mean to you?
Friday, May 10, 2013
May is Love Your Lentils Month! PLUS a Twitter Party & Contest #LoveLentils
Have you heard about the Love Your Lentils Recipe Contest?
When I was at the Food Bloggers of Canada Conference last month, I had the chance to chat with the wonderful folks from @CdnLentils. I couldn't resist the heart shaped postcard that boasted the face of none other than one of my absolute favourite chefs! CHEF MICHAEL SMITH!!!
I am absolutely ga-ga over Chef Michael Smith! Even my 4 year old daughter knows who he is! She's been watching Chef at Home with me ever since she was a teeny tiny tot!
Lentils just so happen to be one of my family's favourite things to eat! I use lentils in soup, curries, stews, salads, pureed into a hummus-like dip, and in my baking. It's so versatile and so good for you!
Did you know that May us Love Your Lentils Month?
I took the plunge and submitted my Trinidadian Oxtail Lentil Stew recipe in hopes that I get selected to spend a day with Chef Michael Smith! If you've entered the contest, I'd love to see your amazing lentil recipes! Please share! Plus, I get to see what I'm up against! Just kidding!
Love Your Lentils Recipe Contest
Open to Canadians
PRIZES
Contest Entrants may have a chance winning one prize per entry, of which the prizes may include:
Grand Prize
There are three (3) grand prizes available. One (1) in the category of Bloggers, one (1) in the category of Home Cooks, and one (1) for the Voter. Any successful Voter will have to answer a skill testing question to win the grand prize.
Each Grand Prize Includes:
On Sunday, June 23, 2013, grand prize recipients and one guest will join Chef Michael Smith for a culinary adventure in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan where he will guide them through a Saskatchewan’s culinary adventure!
What’s Included:
- Flight/transportation for two (2) to Saskatoon for June 23, 2013
- 3 nights accommodation (June 21/22/23) at the luxurious Delta Bessborough
- $500 spending money for the trip
Second Prize
There are two (2) second place prizes available – one (1) in the category of Bloggers and one (1) in the category of Home Cooks.
Each Second Prize Includes: $500 giftcard to Amazon.ca
Third Prize
There are two (2) third place prizes available – one (1) in the category of Bloggers and one (1) in the category of Home Cooks.
Each Second Prize Includes: $200 giftcard to Amazon.ca
Winners will be notified via Email.
All prizes will be awarded by June 13, 2013. Prizes must be claimed by June 17, 2013 – no extensions will be permitted. Prizes must be accepted as awarded and cannot be exchanged, transferred or converted for cash. Prize does not include any fees, charges, taxes, gratuities, insurances, or personal expenses other than those costs/value or benefits described above.
Even more fun! To kick off the recipe contest, there will be a Love Your Lentils Twitter Party May 14th at 8:00 PM with Chef Michael Smith! I know, right?!
Check out the party and learn all about Lentils! Discover some delicious new recipes while you're at it. There will be some great prizes to win as well. Prizes include, cookbooks, cookware and starter kits.
Thursday, May 09, 2013
#4000Party Contest #4: MARKUS Music Prize Pack! {$60 Value}
To celebrate, my friend Lil Sugar (a.k.a. @LilSugarMag) and I are having a PARTY! To show how much we appreciate YOU, we will be giving away 1 product each day on Twitter for the next few days! Woot! Not on Twitter? Don't worry! We have you covered! All prizes will be announced on Facebook as well!
Just follow the link and enter for your chance to WIN!
SO MANY CHANCES TO WIN! SO MUCH FUN! TO GET STARTED, MAKE SURE YOU ARE FOLLOWING US!
On Twitter - @chancesmommy and @LilSugarMag Hashtag #4000Party
On Facebook - Life on Manitoulin and Lil-sugar.ca
**No R.S.V.P. necessary** Just join in on the fun and remember to enter daily (via Rafflecopter) to win the prize for that day! All entrants can only win once for the duration of the contest. Open to both US and Canadian residents.
Win this adorable package of music and DVD's from www.markusmusic.com !
1: "Sing Along With the Best of MARKUS" My new CD release with 14 of my most popular songs from my 9 CDs
2: Big & Small DVD "We're Big & Small" includes 5 episodes
3: Big & Small "Smallish Library" 5 small board books in one pack
4: Howie Plush doll from Almost Naked Animals
Retail value is $60 plus tax!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Wednesday, May 08, 2013
#WordlessWednesday ~ Smoked Salmon w/ Linky
Grampy is an avid fisherman and catches fish from the freshwater lakes and brings them home for supper. We got Grampy a smoker for his birthday. He and Little One have been having lots of fun with it!
Link up your Wordless Wednesday posts! We'd love to check them out!
#4000Party Contest #3: $25 CardSwap Credit! {2 Winners}
To celebrate, my friend Lil Sugar (a.k.a. @LilSugarMag) and I are having a PARTY! To show how much we appreciate YOU, we will be giving away 1 product each day on Twitter for the next few days! Woot! Not on Twitter? Don't worry! We have you covered! All prizes will be announced on Facebook as well!
Just follow the link and enter for your chance to WIN!
SO MANY CHANCES TO WIN! SO MUCH FUN! TO GET STARTED, MAKE SURE YOU ARE FOLLOWING US!
On Twitter - @chancesmommy and @LilSugarMag Hashtag #4000Party
On Facebook - Life on Manitoulin and Lil-sugar.ca
**No R.S.V.P. necessary** Just join in on the fun and remember to enter daily (via Rafflecopter) to win the prize for that day! All entrants can only win once for the duration of the contest. Open to both US and Canadian residents.
CardSwap allows you to buy the gift cards you want for every day
purchases, and sell the ones you don't for cash.
With every purchase or sale, you will earn SwapPoints.
Earn, collect, and then spend your SwapPointson an amazing range of gift
cards.
1,000 SWAPPOINTS = $10 GIFT CARD
CardSwap is rewarding Canadians with gift cards and cash back savings on
everyday purchases -- dining, shopping, grocery, and even gas. And
CardSwap is still Canada's #1 site to buy gift cards and sell gift cards.
You can buy gift cards and earn rewards redeemable for gift cards, or sell
us your unused gift cards for up to 92% of the face value in cash. As
Canada's #1 gift card exchange, we have created Canada's largest and
fastest growing market place for gift cards where you can buy gift cards,
sell gift cards, or donate gift cards to charity.
CardSwap allows you to get money that you can use any way you want for
your unused gift cards. Don't let those unwanted gift cards waste away in
your wallet or get lost in your sock drawer. Turn your Winners gift card,
Cineplex gift card, Lululemon gift card, and many more into cash today.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Tuesday, May 07, 2013
#4000Party Contest #2: WrapTraps {5 Winners}
My friend Lil Sugar and I have both recently met a HUGE (to us) milestone! Both of us have reached 4,000+ followers on Twitter! We both love Twitter and loveengaging with our tweeps!
To celebrate, my friend Lil Sugar (a.k.a. @LilSugarMag) and I are having a PARTY!
To show how much we appreciate YOU, we will be giving away 1 product each day on Twitter for the next few days!
Woot! Not on Twitter? Don't worry! We have you covered! All prizes will be announced on Facebook as well! Just follow the link and enter for your chance to WIN!
SO MANY CHANCES TO WIN! SO MUCH FUN! TO GET STARTED, MAKE SURE YOU ARE FOLLOWING US!
On Twitter - @chancesmommy and @LilSugarMag Hashtag #4000PartyOn Facebook - Life on Manitoulin and Lil-sugar.ca
**No R.S.V.P. necessary** Just join in on the fun and remember to enter daily (via Rafflecopter) to win the prize for that day! All entrants can only win once for the duration of the contest. Open to both US and Canadian residents.
#4000Party Contest #2: WrapTraps {5 Winners}
We love this mom-invented idea! A clip that prevents food from spilling
out of a wrap! Perfect for school lunches, eating on the go and picnics
too!
What's so great about wraptraps?
100% Canadian - designed, developed, manufactured and packaged
BPA and lead free
Specially designed so little hands can't open them
Gives you another menu choice.…no matter how young your kids are
They are fun!
Less food is wasted
Helps young kids be more independent
Kids love them…and so do adults!
A portion of on-line sales goes to Ronald McDonald House.
Visit www.wraptraps.ca
Monday, May 06, 2013
Avocado Recipes! Say Hello to @MissAvaCado #LuvMexAvocado
Creamy, buttery, smooth, tasty, delicious, and nutritious. I'm all about the avocado and I'm always looking for new and exciting avocado recipes.
Being married to a farmer, of course we grow a lot of our produce and I support buying local food. What we can grow on our own, we do and what we can buy locally, we do. This said, I absolutely love my guac and will eat it too.
Guacamole was one of Little One's favourite foods as a baby. Before she could really talk, she would say, "GA-KA-MO-YEE!!!" to which we knew was her way of asking, "May I please have some guacamole, Mom?"
Not only is the avocado delicious, but it's one of the best first foods for babies, a great brain booster, and fun finger food!
Want to know more about Avocados from Mexico? Check out their website here! Chat with them on Facebook and on Twitter too!
Disclosure - Though I have been compensated for this post, all the thoughts and opinions expressed on this blog are honest and my own.
Being married to a farmer, of course we grow a lot of our produce and I support buying local food. What we can grow on our own, we do and what we can buy locally, we do. This said, I absolutely love my guac and will eat it too.
Guacamole was one of Little One's favourite foods as a baby. Before she could really talk, she would say, "GA-KA-MO-YEE!!!" to which we knew was her way of asking, "May I please have some guacamole, Mom?"
Not only is the avocado delicious, but it's one of the best first foods for babies, a great brain booster, and fun finger food!
Avocado Recipes Your Family Will Love
I'm not the only one who loves avocado! My husband and daughter cannot resist a burger dressed up with avocado slices or a bowl of sweet coconut-avocado ice cream!
I was in need of a quick lunch, so I threw together a light meal with some ingredients we had from the night before. I diced up some cherry tomatoes, onion, yellow pepper, and the star ingredient - avocado, and added some lemon juice, cilantro, a few cracks of the pepper mill. I also tossed in some crab meat from our sushi night the night before. I never made anything with crab and avocado before, but all of the flavours married together so well. It made for a lovely, refreshing lunch. Above photo: Avocado Crab Salad on Ryvita Crackers.
I make a really delicious Coconut Avocado Smoothie, but saw this recipe on the Avocados from Mexico website. It's a Walnut Key Lime Pie Smoothie! Instead of 3/4 cup of cold water, I used 3/4 cup milk just because my 4 year old likes creamy, thick smoothies. The photo above is of mine and the one below is of Little One's. She says, "I don't like the texture or taste of walnuts."
Little does she know, I ground the 1/3 cup of walnut halves into the smoothie mixture!
I was also curious about the Chocolate-Avocado Cupcakes on the Avocados from Mexico website! I usually make a Chocolate-Zucchini Cake or Chocolate-Zucchini Brownies, but never Chocolate-Avocado anything!
The result? Moist, delicious cupcakes.
Avocado Recipes for everyone
What I love about avocados (apart from the flavour and nutritional value) is how versatile they are. I never used avocados in desserts (with the exception of my avocado ice cream and smoothies). It certainly never occurred to me to add avocados to my baking!
In our home, I use avocados in sandwiches (I love a good chicken, bacon, tomato, avocado, alfalfa sprout sandwich), in sushi (to be correct, it would be maki since sushi is made with raw seafood), in salads, and of course, guacamole!
Avocados would definitely be in my Top 5 favourite things to eat.
Disclosure - Though I have been compensated for this post, all the thoughts and opinions expressed on this blog are honest and my own.
#4000Party Contest #1: Butterfly Cupcake Kit - @MeMyselfUsInc
My friend Lil Sugar and I have both recently met a HUGE (to us) milestone! Both of us have reached 4,000+ followers on Twitter! We both love Twitter and love engaging with our tweeps!
To celebrate, my friend Lil Sugar (a.k.a. @LilSugarMag) and I are having a PARTY!
To show how much we appreciate YOU, we will be giving away 1 product each day on Twitter for the next few days!
Woot! Not on Twitter? Don't worry! We have you covered! All prizes will be announced on Facebook as well! Just follow the link and enter for your chance to WIN!
So many chances to win! So much fun! To get started, make sure you are following us!
On Twitter - @chancesmommy and @LilSugarMag Hashtag #4000PartyOn Facebook - Life on Manitoulin and Lil-sugar.ca
**No R.S.V.P. necessary** Just join in on the fun and remember to enter daily (via Rafflecopter) to win the prize for that day! All entrants can only win once for the duration of the contest. Open to both US and Canadian residents.
#4000Party Contest #1: Butterfly Cupcake Kit - @MeMyselfUsInc
Butterfly Cupcake Kit: Bring the garden to the kitchen this season with Butterfly-Shaped Cupcakes. Bake delicious cupcakes in cool silicone butterfly-shaped baking cups. Just mix, bake and decorate. Kit includes: 6 Silicone Butterfly Baking Cups, Vanilla Cupcake Mix, Vanilla Frosting Mix, Pink & Blue Icing Pen, Candies. SRP $24.95
Sunday, May 05, 2013
P&G Mother's Day Spa Giveaway! { $95 Value } #PGMom @PGInsider #spon
May is sort of bitter sweet for me. Especially this year.
In May of 2008, we discovered that we were pregnant with Little One. That was one of the happiest days of my life. It was also the 6 year anniversary of my Father-in-law's death.
May was always a happy time for me, because I got to spend Mother's Day with my grandmother and spoil her. She used to come visit us on the Island and I'd throw a big Mother's Day meal together with flowers for all the moms - My grandma, my mom, my mother-in-law, my aunt, and my sister-in-law. My my grandmother wasn't on the Island, I'd get to talk to her on the phone or go to Montreal for a Mother's Day brunch at my aunt's house to celebrate with my grandmother.
In May (end of April, actually) of last year, my then 3 year old daughter and I made the very long plane ride to the Philippines to be with my grandmother in her last days of life. She died in May.
Every time I catch the scent of Olay moisturizer (or any Olay product), I think of my grandmother. My grandmother swore by Olay products. It was her "brand". To be honest, it makes me happy and nostalgic, yet deeply saddened at the same time. It probably sounds really crazy that a product or brand can bring back memories and have such a powerful effect on a person, but it does.
My grandmother was always so glamorous. Her hair was always perfectly in place, and she routinely applied her Olay moisturizer and her signature red lipstick.
This May marks the one year anniversary of her death. I'm still weepy. The funny thing is that every month, P&G sends me a package in the mail and recently, there have been a lot of Olay products included in those parcels! It kind of makes me laugh, because it's almost as though my grandmother is reminding me that she's still around and living in our hearts and our memories.
I keep thinking of the fun times with my grandmother. She loved her Spa Days and getting her manicure and pedicure done!
Spa Days remind me of my grandmother. Being able to sit back, enjoy some pampering, and take care of yourself is so very important.
This is why it makes me happy to be able to give my readers a chance to enter a...
Enough about me walking down memory lane! Mother's Day has always been a time for us to pamper the mothers in our lives (including my grandmother)! What better way to do so than with a Spa Day? Here's what one lucky Life on Manitoulin reader will win:
I use all of the above products and am thrilled to be able to give this Mother's Day Spa package to one of my readers! Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
In May of 2008, we discovered that we were pregnant with Little One. That was one of the happiest days of my life. It was also the 6 year anniversary of my Father-in-law's death.
May was always a happy time for me, because I got to spend Mother's Day with my grandmother and spoil her. She used to come visit us on the Island and I'd throw a big Mother's Day meal together with flowers for all the moms - My grandma, my mom, my mother-in-law, my aunt, and my sister-in-law. My my grandmother wasn't on the Island, I'd get to talk to her on the phone or go to Montreal for a Mother's Day brunch at my aunt's house to celebrate with my grandmother.
In May (end of April, actually) of last year, my then 3 year old daughter and I made the very long plane ride to the Philippines to be with my grandmother in her last days of life. She died in May.
Every time I catch the scent of Olay moisturizer (or any Olay product), I think of my grandmother. My grandmother swore by Olay products. It was her "brand". To be honest, it makes me happy and nostalgic, yet deeply saddened at the same time. It probably sounds really crazy that a product or brand can bring back memories and have such a powerful effect on a person, but it does.
This May marks the one year anniversary of her death. I'm still weepy. The funny thing is that every month, P&G sends me a package in the mail and recently, there have been a lot of Olay products included in those parcels! It kind of makes me laugh, because it's almost as though my grandmother is reminding me that she's still around and living in our hearts and our memories.
I keep thinking of the fun times with my grandmother. She loved her Spa Days and getting her manicure and pedicure done!
Spa Days remind me of my grandmother. Being able to sit back, enjoy some pampering, and take care of yourself is so very important.
This is why it makes me happy to be able to give my readers a chance to enter a...
P&G Mother's Day Spa Giveaway!
Enough about me walking down memory lane! Mother's Day has always been a time for us to pamper the mothers in our lives (including my grandmother)! What better way to do so than with a Spa Day? Here's what one lucky Life on Manitoulin reader will win:
P&G is providing a Mother’s Day Spa bundle valued at $95*. The bundle includes:
- Febreze Vanilla & Moonlight Candle
- Pantene Repair & Protect Conditioner
- Pantene Repair & Protect Shampoo
- Pantene Overnight Miracle Repair Serum
- Pantene Stylers Hairspray Flexible Hold
- COVERGIRL Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Gloss Grapevine
- COVERGIRL LashBlast Clump Crusher Mascara
- Olay Massaging Bar Soap
- One Free Clairol Hair Colour Coupon
- COVERGIRL LipPerfection Jumbo Gloss Balm
I use all of the above products and am thrilled to be able to give this Mother's Day Spa package to one of my readers! Good luck!
TO ENTER:
Simply fill out the Rafflecopter form. Open to residents of Canada. Ends May 13, 2013 at 12AM EST.a Rafflecopter giveaway
DISCLAIMERS: Products may not be exactly as shown. I am a P&G Mom. As part of my affiliation with this group, I receive products and special access to P&G events and opportunities. The opinions on this blog are always my own, are never influenced by brand relationships, and are not paid unless otherwise stated (“sponsored post”).
By entering the contest, you agree that if you win your contact information will be shared with a P&G PR agency for the purpose of mailing your prize. This giveaway may appear on other blogs as part of the #PGmom program; however, to be fair, you can only win once per giveaway. If your name is chosen more than once, another winner will be selected.
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About the Blog Author
City girl moves to the country, falls in love, and marries a farmer. She tries to incorporate her city ways with her new country lifestyle and blogs to keep in touch with friends, family & students who live far, far away :) Can this city girl go country? Watch as she learns all sorts of exciting things about life on the farm and in a small rural community. *UPDATE* We are now parents! Our baby girl was born on Nov. 11, 2008 (at 28 weeks gestation- 12 weeks premature, but she's quite the trooper)!!!
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