November 2015 – Page 2 – Urban Suburban Mommy

caffeine

Posted on November 8, 2015 by urbansuburbanmommy Posted in The Struggle is Real .

We’re very different when it comes to caffeine, so let’s get into some coffee talk.

Suburban Mommy Michelle tells it:

The most important thing these days for me is caffeine (I know I should be drinking green tea). This of course is what gets me through the day. I am not an addict but if I don`t do my 2 cups a day, it is a struggle.

1. Starbucks

I love a good strong brew. My order: usually a Grande but sometimes a Vente Soy Cappuccino. A bit of cinnamon and chocolate sprinkled on top, and yes, 3 sugars. (I know, bad).

Starbucks gives me a really good pick me up.

2. Nescafe French Vanilla – Brewed at Home

Admittedly, every day I do drink my huge cup of coffee at home. My guilty pleasure is a cup of Nescafe French Vanilla with soy milk and a teaspoon of stevia. It’s not as strong as a Starbucks brew but provides a good jolt for at least the morning.

3. Aroma

My number one favourite place to get my caffeine injection is Aroma. Again, like at Starbucks, I usually order a large Soy Cappuccino with the cinnamon and sugar. I love, love, love the flavour and Aroma coffee keeps me going for the whole day.

Urban Mommy Elisa tells it:

I wish I’d never given up caffeine, life might be different now if I still had the little pick-me-up to get me through my day, but I don’t do caffeine. Truth is, I MISS IT!! I like mint tea well enough, and sometimes I’ll go for liquorice tea or even ginger lemon, but the truth is, I love coffee. I drink decaf. And I put up with my fair share of people asking why I even bother. But I love it.

1. Starbucks

I don’t know what’s wrong with me, but I have a hard time turning down a grande decaf latte. I love it with soy milk. Or just a plain old decaf Americano. I like my coffee black and unflavoured, unsweetened. Even when I drank coffee, I drank it black.

2. Decaf Nescafe

My love of decaf instant coffee horrifies people. I keep it in my desk drawer and there’s always a jar at home too. I find most places that serve decaf (except Starbucks) have burnt, stale, old disgusting decaf sitting on the burner, and it’s generally pretty pitiful, awful-tasting stuff. So I stick with instant. But not just any instant coffee. Nescafe is delicious. And when it’s warm, if you put Nescafe, water and ice in the blender or bullet (yes, I’m a huge fan of the Magic Bullet), it froths, like a fancy five dollar frappé.

3. Any indie shop

I try to go local when I can, so I’ll step into any local café and try their coffee. Because I drink my decaf black, if the bean isn’t good and the coffee isn’t fresh, there’s no forgiving. It’s really the acid test for how good a café really is. But the independents do try hard and I’ve seldom been disappointed.

We don’t have anyone to talk tea with you – so we’ll keep this post all coffee. We would love to hear about your own caffeine-inspired recommendations.

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Toy testers – boy approved!

Posted on November 4, 2015 by urbansuburbanmommy Posted in Mommy Approved .

I’m not your typical big box store shopper. I live downtown, I like to fancy myself the urbanite who shops local and can walk to the store within a few blocks for all of my needs. We have some pretty amazing local stores, including toy stores. But I’m also not anti-big box stores. Cheap stuff, en masse, has its appeal too. I have a car and I know how to use it when the need arises.

So my middle-of-the-road approach to life and commerce heard about Walmart Toy Testing this past summer. “A morning spent playing with new toys?” I said to myself, “What a great idea!”

We registered, and my boys were among the lucky 600 families chosen!

Now I don’t know if it appeals, but keep your eye out early July, that’s when Walmart puts out the call. In fact, Urban Suburban Mommy will bring you the announcement. I promise.

Meanwhile, my boys spent 2 hours playing with drones, NERF guns, LEGO, Monster High Dolls, blow-up toys, robot cats, art supplies, action figures, educational games and a few things that I would NEVER EVER EVER allow in my house.

I think that Walmart did it right. They really let the kids go to town. They had an app and wifi so that parents could easily rate and rank their kids’ experiences, likes, dislikes and opinions about pricing. Walmart has just released their Top 20 toys for the holidays, and I think they did a great job. These are kid-tested and kid-approved – by my kids!

I wouldn’t necessarily buy everything on Walmart’s Top 20 list, but I’m not offended. I never know what to buy other people’s children, but having seen them at play, I’d put some stock into picking off of the Top 20 list.

Unless you’ve got any better ideas? I’d love to hear your suggestions for this year’s hottest holiday gifts for kids – care to share?

Ah-Choo. I’m sick. Nobody cares.

Posted on November 4, 2015 by urbansuburbanmommy Posted in The Struggle is Real .

I’m getting sick.

My nose is running, my eyes are droopy, the tissues are tucked into my sleeve. Everyone keeps telling me to slow down and look after myself. Feel better, they say. Take some time for yourself, they say.

DON’T TELL ME – TELL MY FAMILY!

For some reason, these boys, the husband, nobody seems to realize that I’m not just sick, I’M SICK. They say the right things:

“Mommy, are you sick?”

“Mommy, can I get you a kleenex?”

“Honey, take it easy.”

But then the laundry piles up, the homework doesn’t magically get done, they still expect to eat, for the dishes to get washed and for karate class, swimming and playdates to ensue.

I feel like I’m living in some weird Twilight Zone where sick is all in my head. Well, actually, it is all in my head. Pardon my language, but if I get any more snotty, I’m going to have to withdraw my RRSPs and invest in Puffs. Thanks gawd for Puffs Plus with lotion. This was a genius invention. One word of advice: Do not skimp on the tissues. The lotion – it makes all the difference.

So mom marches on, Puffs in hand, and sleeve, as I decontaminate everything I touch because the only thing worse than having to survive motherhood with a nasty cold is having to live through the horrors of sick children or, dare I say it, the dreaded man cold!

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