Urban Suburban Mommy

Monthly Archives: May 2016

Finger-licking barbecued spareribs

Posted on by Posted in Delicious Dishes .

I know we just featured beef ribs last week, but it gave me a craving. So I made Michelle’s Miami Short Ribs for the fam on Thursday. And then they asked for more ribs. But the butcher was out of the beef ribs, so I picked up a rack of back ribs instead. Got home, got them boiling – but when it came time to sauce them and get grilling, I realized I had no sauce. That’s when I learned how to make this finger-licking quick and easy barbecue sauce.

Ribs are, like, the best food ever, according to my 7 year old.

shane eating ribs

What you need:

– 2 racks of pork back ribs – (we prefer back as they’re meatier, but side ribs are much cheaper, either will do

Sauce
– 3/4 cup ketchup
– pinch salt
– teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
– 1 heaping tablespoon brown sugar
– 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
– 2 cloves garlic – pressed
– 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
– few dashes of paprika
– 2 tablespoons vinegar (white or malt)

Optional: 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne or red chili flakes or teaspoon of habanero sauce or hot sauce for some zing

What you do:

Cut the racks of ribs down to a more manageable size – I like sections of 4-5 ribs. Throw them in a stock pot, cover with water and boil for 30 to 45 minutes. The longer you boil, the more fall-off-the-bone tender they’ll be.

While they’re boiling, grab your biggest bowl and mix all of the ingredients together. Stir and blend well until everything is a smooth liquidy paste.

When boiling is done, lift each portion out of the boiling water, give it a quick shake off, and then toss in the sauce. A wonderful Chef friend once told me the secret is to make sure that the sauce is added while the meat is still at its hottest. The pores are open and suck up all of the sauce for the best flavour, he explained.

I believe him.

A basting brush is always handy for getting the sauce into all of the nooks and crannies, in between bones and on the sides.

Fire up the barbecue. Once it’s hot, throw the ribs on medium flame – or high if you want to do this quickly and be very diligent about the barbecuing, otherwise you’ll burn everything.

Place the ribs bone-side down first so that the saucy, meaty side gets to soak up more sauce as the flames caramelize the sugars in the sauce. As the meat shows signs of cooking, flip each portion. You shouldn’t be seeing black – a bit is fine – but the sauce will have darkened. Brush an extra layer of sauce on. Repeat, flipping 2 to 3 times. The more layers of sauce that caramelize on, the better!

To serve, cut the racks into single ribs and let the crowd have at ’em.

10 Questions that will help you hire a babysitter

Posted on by Posted in 10 Questions With .

Every parent needs a night out – a night off! It’s hard to decide who to have watch your kids, and it may be an expense you’re not sure about, so Urban Suburban Mommy caught up with Martha Scully of Sitter.com – one of the largest online caregiver resources in North America – to ask all those questions about finding a sitter that you know you want to know but just can’t find the right person to ask.

1.  Do babysitters charge by the child – or is it a flat rate per hour, regardless?

Most babysitters charge an hourly rate.  Rates tend to change based on the experience of the babysitter.  A parent should always look for an experienced babysitter, if the child is an Infant/Toddler or has any type of special needs.  If there are 3 children or more in the family, an experienced babysitter should always be the choice.

2. Can you expect the babysitter to watch more than one family?  For example, if the kids have friends sleep over, or if the parents go out with other parents and expect the sitter to watch the kids of both families?

It would not be uncommon for a family to ask a babysitter to care for a friend’s children, too, while they go out.  The parent should definitely ask the sitter if this is okay first.  A few things with this: 1) The babysitter should be paid more when they are asked to do this.  2) The sitter should not be asked to do any other duties within the home like cleaning and the meal should already be prepared or take out – like pizza.

3. Should I hire a kid or an adult?

If you have a child under the age of three, it is highly recommended to hire an individual over 18 years old.  All babysitters should have emergency first aid training, regardless of age.

4. Are babies more expensive – and can parents expect the babysitter to change diapers or do feedings?

A parent should always have an experienced sitter for an infant. Experienced babysitters usually charge more. If a babysitter is hired to care for an infant, they should be expected to change diapers, feed, and provide a safe environment.

5. When should I cancel a babysitter if my kid is sick?

If your child is ill, it is always best to cancel the babysitter.  This is especially true when a child has an illness that maybe contagious, or may require additional medical care.

6. Can a babysitter give medication – from Tylenol if the kid feels unwell to prescription medicines left by the family to be administered?

It is not ideal that they do, but yes they can administer medicine.  The parent should give written and verbal direction on how to administer the medication. This is at the babysitter’s discretion – if they’re not comfortable doing so they have the right to refuse.

7. If the kids are asleep and the babysitter is there to watch TV and have snacks is it fair to pay the babysitter less for ‘just hanging out’? Do babysitters expect to be paid more if the kids are up and need to be engaged the whole time?

Usually the babysitter feels that her (his) time is her (his) time, so she (he) should be paid the same regardless if the child is sleeping or not. Some babysitters may expect to be paid more for very late hours (after midnight).

8. Is it okay to ask a babysitter to do light chores – dishes, light cleaning?

It is normal for a babysitter to: tidy areas she has been, unload a dishwasher, fold laundry, and other very light house keeping duties.  It would be unusual for a babysitter to do any heavy cleaning unless they had agreed to ahead of time.  This usually would require additional pay.

9. Do babysitters expect to be picked up and dropped off, or is that the babysitter’s responsibility?

Yes, if they are a younger babysitter the parents of the babysitter would expect that you provide a way for them to get home.

10. What should people ask of a new sitter in terms of experience, training, credentials, references?

A babysitter should be interviewed in person and asked a mix of questions related to experience with children, safety, and interest in the position.  Scenario based questions and answers allow the parent the ability to see if they have the common sense needed to care for children.

Urban Suburban Mommy adds:

Ultimately, you need to be comfortable and confident with the person who will be looking after your children. Word of mouth is always popular, and many people also look for a family friend, but agencies are also a great way to find a professional sitter. You can ask for credentials, and you can also ask to do background checks, ask to see qualifications like first aid and police clearance – yes, when it comes to looking after your children, you can dig as deep as will make you feel comfortable, within reason. You may also want to consider utilizing a nanny-cam for that added assurance. Remember, there’s a fine line between being careful and being neurotic – though as a parent, that’s your prerogative.

Establish the expected rate ahead of your first outing – we haven’t given any dollar figures because they vary from city to county and region to region, making expectations very different depending on your location. You may find that less experienced or younger sitters charge less, while the pros, like Registered Nurses and ECE-qualified sitters, charge more. You can simply ask whether they expect transportation or whether they’ll provide their own. It is customary to provide snacks and beverages, as well as meals if the time frame includes customary meal hours. It’s also customary to tip – usually an amount equivalent to half an hour.

Most importantly, find someone your children like. It will be easier for you to leave, comfortably, knowing your children are happy spending time with this person. Interview the person in your home if you can and see how they interact with your children.

And then go out! You deserve it!!!

martha - oct 2008 250

Martha Scully has worked in Child Care industry for over 20 years. She is the Sitter.com Child Care Expert for North America. To learn more please go to Sitter.com

Urban Suburban Daddy’s 10 tips to get your backyard space ready for entertaining

Posted on by Posted in DIY, Urban Suburban Daddy .

You can just smell summer in the air, and before you know – it’s here. It’s practically the end of May, it’s time to get your backyard/entertaining spaces ready.  Our Suburban Daddy has some great tips:

1. Power Wash

The snow and/or rain probably left some mud and dirt in your garden.  It’s time to freshen up your space by cleaning it up first with a little power washing.  It makes such a difference and can be done pretty quickly with a power washer like the one I have (I bought a Simoniz).  In addition to washing your deck and/or patio stones, give your outdoor table and chairs and good washing too.

2. Clean your barbecue and make sure it’s filled with propane

There are a few mid- to high-end brands out there. Weber is my go-to Weber Genesis S330

There are a few mid- to high-end brands out there. Weber is my go-to for grilling Weber Genesis S330

Now that your sleeves are all ready rolled up, make sure to give your bbq a good scrub. Remove the grills and scrub them down with a good sponge, soap and water.  You can use a scraper for any stuck-on guck. Once your barbecue is shining again, make sure to fill your propane tank.  Nothing is more embarrassing than firing up the grill for guests – only to find your tank is empty.

3. Wall planters brigthen your backyard with colour

Buy wall planters with annuals that are perfect for your outdoor space – check out whether it is shaded, partial sun or full sun, and buy accordingly. If you go to your local nursery, they will advise you on the best plants or flowers for your space. You can purchase flower boxes made of different materials such as plastic, resin or cedar that you can reuse every year.  Plant new arrangements of flowers. If you want to get handy about it and also save a bit of cash, you can build your own planters.

4. Reconfigure your patio furniture

Change up the way you place your patio furniture. Switch it up every year.  If you are going to buy new furniture, invest in pieces that can play double duty. You want both conversation areas as well as eating areas. Buy a sofa/chair and ottoman that could also be used as a table for outdoor eating. Get the comfy stuff, something you can really settle into after taking care of the yard work.

5. Light up the sky with solar power

We just bought two sets of 4 solar powered outdoor lights that we attached to the posts of our fence. They were about $30.00 from Costo per pack.  They are beautiful and are cost effective since they’re powered by the sun. They add ambience to our outdoor space.

6. Frame your space with an outdoor carpet

Outdoor carpets are available in so many different colours and patterns. You can place your patio furniture on the corners of your carpet to frame your space. The carpet will also add an element of coziness to your backyard.

7. Shoo those bugs away with citronella

Discovered this local artisan - Going Au Naturel - and her products are incredible. This citronella candle is exactly what a backyard get-together needs

Discovered this local artisan at a market – Au Naturel – the products are incredible. This citronella ecosoya Bug Be Gone candle is exactly what any backyard get-together needs

Use long Citronella candles or torches that you can bury in your grass to shoo those mosquitos away.  Or you can buy table top citronella candles that you can place on your outdoor table.

8. Build a firepit

If your space allows, build a fire pit or buy a contained fire pit or chiminea available at the local big box store. The fire pit will provide warmth and style at the same time.

9. Decorate

Choose a colour palette and theme.  What feeling are your trying to evoke? We are big fans of a peaceful space so our backyard yard is decorated with a big Buddha head and lanterns.

10. Your summer playlist

I’m a DJ – and while you may not have your own resident DJ, you can definitely set up your mixes and beats. Maybe it’s house music, maybe it’s classic rock or modern pop, invest in whatever moves you.

JBL.png

Assemble your summer playlist.  Invest in bluetooth wireless speakers like the JBL’s and play music from your phone or iPod.

Now pour yourself a cold one, sit back and relax.

 

 

 

 

10 Questions With dog expert Koryn Greenspan

Posted on by Posted in 10 Questions With .

Some people feel the family isn’t complete without a four-legged friend. Some people feel that pets are too much of an added commitment to take on while raising a family. Many are undecided and put up the good fight as their kids beg and plead for a dog, promising to do everything – while we know better. Urban Suburban Mommy caught up with Koryn Greenspan, CEO, handler and Walker of Urban Dog Walks to ask the questions you know you want to know about getting a dog.

summer udw

1. At what age do you feel kids are ready for a dog in the home?

I love seeing families with dogs as well as kids with dogs. When properly managed, raising children with dogs provides a deeper level of caring, instills earlier responsibility – and a whole other element of fun is mixed into daily life for the little ones, the dogs and for the parent. What parents need to remember is, children are still children. Just as they are not yet ready to care for themselves, they too are not yet ready for the responsibility of caring for a whole other being – like a dog. As long as responsibility and expectations are managed from the start, I’d say any age is really the best age to bring a dog into the home. Just keep in mind that, for the most part, you will be the dog’s caregiver, not your child.

2. Is a smaller dog easier to handle than a bigger dog?

Given the right environment and proper provision of any dog’s needs, all dogs are relatively easy to handle. The key is to finding the right dog for the right home and the right handler/family life. Small dogs have different needs from that of their larger contemporaries, however, that does not necessarily mean they are easier to handle. All dogs have different needs – I’ve met some very little dogs who have given their humans quite a run for their money 😉

3. How many walks per day does a dog need?

One of the greatest gifts you can give your dog is consistency; once you have a schedule for them I would suggest trying to stick to it as best you can. There are two basic types of walks that every dog requires in a day. ‘Business transactions’ so to speak, and leisure/exercise walks. Both are completely necessary every day. I’d say at a minimum 4 ‘Business Transactions’ and 2 others for an exercise, mind engaging walk or run. Both of these walks should be 45 mins to an hour minimum.

udw just dogs

4. Is it different for puppies from older or senior dogs – or is this best for all dogs When house training?

5. Every dog is different, every dog has different needs and every dog is at a different stage in their overall health and physical needs. With that being said, as a general rule of thumb:

Senior Dogs do have an advantage as, for the most part, they are house trained and can go 6+ hours without needing to be let out.

When effectively executed, house training for puppies can be accomplished in 3 – 7 days.

However, before 3 months, puppies do need regular supervision as well as as many opportunities to go outside as possible. Training starts the minute you bring them into their new home and the responsibility to provide consistency in scheduling, as well as house training expectations is for you to set and for them to follow. Set them up for success in all areas of their new life, especially in the area of house training. Remember, they WANT to go outside. Dogs are clean animals and respect the place where they sleep the most.

Ultimately, you know your dog best and will know what your dog’s needs are in order to ensure their happiness and wellbeing. As a general rule of thumb, at a minimum, 4 outs for ‘business transactions.’ Remember, 95% of “bad” dog behavior occurs when their needs are not being met.

6. Are there breeds that are better for families – more specifically young kids?

Labs, Golden Retrievers and Doodles are always a fam fave.

Each are incredibly loving, loyal & fun

7.  Crating – yes or no?

New puppy – Yes Crate!

Middle Aged Dog – Depends On How You Feel.

Senior Bear – Likely Not

The greatest gift you can give a puppy is a crate. Remember, dogs are innately pack animals that ‘den’. By giving your puppy a crate, you are giving it a home, a place, a spot and a den to call its own. If effectively managed, this will become one of their favorite places to be and can be an incredibly valuable tool while house training.

As your dog matures, you will fall into a groove. When this happens some people choose to use the crate some of the time (when they go out), most of the time (for sleeping purposes as well) and rarely if ever (the crate is left in the home just in case and for the comfort of the dog).

Then we have the Senior Dogs AKA ‘Beloved Beauties’. Rarely-to-n,ever is the crate used and by all means this is most definitely ok (unless the crate is still used on the daily which is a perfectly acceptable option).

With that being said, everybody takes on their puppy in their own way. If you find something that works then keep with it!

fall udw

8. How many dogs can you walk at one time – sometimes it looks like dog-walkers are about to get dragged away?

Oh, that’s hilarious!

Personally I can easily manage 10 dogs at one time, however, there are laws in place for professional Dog Walking Companies. Dog Walkers are legally aloud to walk a max of 6 dogs at a one time, a rule that I personally believe in. Myself and all Urban Dog Walks employees abide by this guideline.

As for being dragged away, nope, not on our watch!

I have created a unique walking technique that all of us at Urban Dog Walks employ when out on our walks. Basically all of our paws are attached to one harness and each has a different length of leash to walk with. UDW’s focus is structured, on leash walks with an emphasis on socialization, safety, exercise and fun. It is a true pack mentality that is created by walking in this way, and the dogs just love it.

9. Do you ever find incompatible dogs?

Just like people, not all dogs get along … and that’s ok!

Urban Dog Walks conducts meet and greets prior to all walks, and upon joining the UDW family. I like to get a sense of each of our clients personalities & what their needs are. The integrity & safety of each existing pack is always top of mind and if a personality conflict were to arise they are simply placed in a different group or transitioned into a different walking structure. Thankfully, there has never been an instance where a true conflict has occurred.

UDW does offer a Solo Walk option. Some dogs just prefer to be on their own.

10. Allergies being what they are – are there any really ‘hypoallergenic’ dogs?

Good news, hypoallergenic dogs do exist and are not unicorns!! Ready, Set, Doodle!

With regard to hypoallergenic dogs they are literally heaven sent. I know many an allergic human who snuggles up on the daily with their doodle and they could not be happier about it. Word to the wise, this breed does require regular grooming as their fur tends to matt extremely easily. I work with a dozen or so doodles and they are divine. Being hypoallergenic is the extra bonus – they are all just too sweet all of the time.

Koryn greenspanKoryn Greenspan is the CEO of Urban Dog Walks. Urban Dog Walks is an upscale, professional dog walking & dog care company she started as a passion project, and has boomed into a full dog care service providing business. Koryn is a forever pet lover, a previous professional dog walker as well as handler.

www.urbandogwalks.ca

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Top 5 things I swore I’d never do as a parent (And did immediately after becoming one)

Posted on by Posted in The Struggle is Real .

I’ll admit it – before kids I took a hard line on things I knew nothing about. I read a lot of books, I watched a lot of movies, I had everything figured out. I used words like “never” and “always” as though I had a finger on the pulse of something that other parents, throughout centuries of child-rearing, knew nothing about.

I was going to nail this parenting thing because I was an expert.

At being a complete jackhole.

As you read, know that you will never judge me as hard as I’ve judged myself. If I could go back in time and punch myself in the neck, believe me, I would. Here’s a list of the “nevers and always’” that just didn’t pan out for me.

I will never let my child meltdown in public

I used to glare at parents who “let” their kids act up in a grocery store or throw tantrums in a restaurant. I’d look with derision and think “Pfft, my kids will never do that.”

I invite you to insert laughter here.

I get it now. Those parents aren’t ignoring their kids, they’ve actually gone dead inside. There’s a point where the non-stop needing, wanting, asking, begging, yelling, maddening repetitionrepetitionrepetitionrepetition causes the psyche to collapse in on itself like a dying star. It happened to me once, at a birthday party with both kids and no help. I couldn’t do anything but drive erratically and ugly cry the whole way home.

I know now that you can’t control a child’s behaviour any more than you can control the weather. All you can do is control how you respond. At almost four years old, Nate is pretty awesome to hang out with. He would never have learned how to behave in public unless we actually took him outside. These days he rarely acts out, and when does reach critical mass, we leave. Period. I’ve left movies, live theatre, concerts, family functions, play dates, you name it, we’ve bailed on it. Restaurants work if we can keep him seated for longer than 10 minutes, which leads us to…

I will never let my child watch too much TV/play with my iPhone/Tablet/Technology

child iphone

Oh those poor, disengaged children. It’s so sad to see the breakdown of the family unit. See how that child just gazes at that tiny screen while his parents ignore him and eat hot food while enjoying adult conversation for five whole minutes without interruption or having to placate him with a duffel bag full of toys, books, crayons, crafts and a diorama of The Last Supper featuring characters from Sesame Street and a glow-in-the-dark Big Bird Jesus, all while engaging the restaurant in a rousing rendition of “Old MacDonald Had A Farm” (E-I-E-I-Oh-my-god-kill-me!) Evil technology! It’s not our first go-to, but I keep an arsenal of PJ Masks and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse episodes on my phone at all times.

I will always feed my child healthy food

When Nate was ready to start solids, I bought organic produce and grain-fed poultry. I steamed, chopped, pureed and roasted the healthiest combinations you could imagine. He ate almost none of it, because no one told him that effort = appreciation.

food freak out

His tastes have ebbed and flowed over the years, loving one food, then hating it in the time it takes me to buy a lot of it. His younger brother has a broader palate, and will gladly try anything you serve him, as long as it’s out of the garbage can after I’ve wiped it off the floor. As long as they’re putting on weight and not suffering from scurvy, I don’t give it a second thought.

I will never bribe my children

Yes you will. Often.

I’m all for parenting to achieve long-term goals, but once in a while, there is nothing wrong with immediate compliance, even if compliance looks like ice cream or a trip to Jungle Land.

My children will never sleep in our bed

child sleeping with mom

Replace “never” with “every night” and you would have our current sleeping arrangement. The first night I brought Nathan home, I put him in the co-sleeper beside the bed. We watched him scream himself purple for two and a half excruciating minutes before I picked him up and announced to my husband that I was never doing that again. Sleep training doesn’t work for us. It is an unholy nightmare and I’m done with it. My boys like sleeping with their mama. How much longer can I say that? How many nights did I lie awake, sobbing into my pillow while they wailed in their cribs? Who wins?

So there you have it. A crash course in how not to be a know-it-all super jerk. A lesson in empathy towards parents, those superheroes charged with caring for tiny, adorable despots. An elegy for a retired Judgey McJudgeyPants who learned never to say “never”.

The Tooth Fairy vs Teething

Posted on by Posted in The Struggle is Real .

Teething is no fun for anyone. The bub suffers and screams and squirms. There is drooling and rashes and fevers and erupting gums. Seriously, who thought of this? It’s barbaric.

 

I’m really not sure about anything working – from Amber necklaces to Ambesol, but the mush bags with frozen berries are a mess and a stain waiting to happen. The attack on the nipple is over the top and the fussiness and sleep regression suck for kids, parents, neighbours… everyone.

But the second time around, it’s so much more fun! I love the 5 and 6 year old wiggly teeth.

The big first tooth lost!

The big first tooth lost!

They’re so excited when they get a wiggler. I love it when they let me give it a little jiggle. They’re so excited when they lose one. We have the Tooth Fairy App in fact. It lets us call the Tooth Fairy to leave a message when there’s a wiggler so that she knows to expect a tooth collection soon – and then we call and leave another message when it’s ready to put under the pillow.

The Tooth Fairy, it would seem, should have those little enamel treasures trading on the open market based on what the going rate for lost teeth is these days. We’ve discussed it with friends, and it seems somewhere between $10-$20 for the first tooth and then $5-$10 for subsequent teeth. In fact, one of my sons coerced the Tooth Fairy into leaving him toys.

Before that could get too out of control we sat down with them and discussed what goal they could save for – LEGO. They want LEGO. With 20 teeth to lose at $5-$10 a tooth, they’ll be able to afford whatever they want!

Mamas, daddies – it gets better. Teething is short but painful, yes – but it will be over soon. The stress of trying to remember to keep a stash of $5 bills at home and then wake up in the middle of the night to sneak one under a pillow is nuts. I mean, I finally get to sleep through the night and then have to remember to do this. The time I forgot – just slept through the night – the look on his face in the morning when he realized that the Tooth Fairy forgot about him was just brutal. It’s like having to cover for Santa or the Easter Bunny – you just can’t mess with this magic, even though it messes with your sleep.

My mom used to take a little piece of fabric, fill it with coins and slide it under my pillow. She left the tooth there too. I would get a great little wad of coins and save my tooth in a box. I still have that little box of baby teeth. It’s pretty gross and I don’t ever dig it up to look at them. I just can’t bring myself to toss them, but yuck. I don’t want my kids’ teeth either. I put them in plastic baggies under their pillows and then leave them there when I drop off their fiver. I wonder what they’ve been doing with them – it’s kind of strange, but I actually just don’t want to know!

Have to admit, they look kind of funny – a mix of cute and weird – as their little faces stretch to accommodate the big new teeth, but it’s exciting. Good luck with the teething!

EDITED TO ADD:

Who knew? I just read this great article. Apparently, teeth area  great source of stem cells. Keep your little one’s teeth! I can’t imagine it’s exactly on a par with cord blood banking, but there is a definite benefit for stem cells. Read more here.

How to tackle those stubborn greys or embrace them with Erica Wearing

Posted on by Posted in The Best You .

There are some lucky ladies like myself who have to deal with stubborn grey hair.

Going to the salon every 3 weeks to get your roots done can be costly . To get you threw those next rough couple of weeks there are some great products that will mask those greys

Bumble & Bumble Dry Hair Posder

Bumble & Bumble Dry Hair Powder

This dry shampoo comes in four different shades.
There are also all different types of hair filler powders: hair chalk, hair sticks, hair mascara wands. All of these options could be found at drugstores or beauty supply stores

Some styling tips for masking the grey roots besides the cover ups 

Try an off centre deep side sweep part or if your feeling like trying a new look ask your stylist to cut a fringe . These two styling tips are great because you don’t have one solid part line that screams “Hi! Look at these grey hairs popping out the top of my head!” 😉

shag blunt asym

Now if there are mommies out there that want to keep the grey and grow out there natural hair colour, there are ways to do it without having to look like Pepé Le Pew . Please go to your hairstylist and have them work their magic by stripping out the colour, getting you to the lightest shade of blonde. Hey why not try platinum blonde – maybe you will want to be a blonde bombshell for a while 💁. This will help the whole process; just blend way better then grey roots with dark brown ends.

silver long

long blondeAs for the Daddies out there, there’s nothing more sexy to me ten salt and pepper hair on a man. I know, I know, it’s not fair that men look distinguished and sexy with salt and pepper hair and when us ladies have shades of grey poking out our heads it’s frowned upon. If you dads want a bit of color brought back into your hair please see a professional. I have seen way too many men walking the streets with glowing auburn hot roots with dark brown ends 😝 . That’s a big no no!

My handsome husband rocking the salt and pepper 😍

salt and pepper

 

erica and son - childrens hairErica H. Wearing has been a stylist for over 16 years and she absolutely loves what she does . “It’s a great feeling to help people feel and look their best when they leave my chair. I wouldn’t trade this for any other job in the world!”
Check out Erica at Ka!Boom Hair Salon 1129 West Pender Street, Vancouver B.C .
(604)681-6003

alissia marciano hairbyericaw

Food. The answer is food.

Posted on by Posted in Mommy Approved .

Know what the hardest part of parenthood seems to be for me?

Food.

It’s an ongoing frustration for me. There’s breakfast. There’s lunch. And then, before you know it, there’s dinner. And it’s not like it ends there. Noooo. They want snacks and desserts and on top of it all, you have to shop for it all, make sure it’s all coordinated, fresh, nutritious and delicious.

Right?

Well, that’s how it feels for me, anyways. I work full time. I find getting good, hot nutritious dinners on the table – meals the kids will eat – is a constant battle. It wasn’t quite as hard when I had just one babe, but once the second arrived I realized that I just might not be the master of the meal that I always thought I would be.

The best thing happened when I brought my second little one home – a friend sent a week of meals to me as a baby gift.

GoodFood delivery!

GoodFood delivery arrives in organized pre-measured packages sealed in a freezer type box.

It was the best gift ever. She lives 2,500 miles away and somehow discovered an amazing local chef (who, coincidentally, and unbeknownst to her, was also a good friend of mine) who provides meal delivery and uses only fresh, whole ingredients.

Dishes arrived in reusable containers with instructions for how to reheat, what to pair, possible combinations and a few little treats.

The week of meals probably saved my family from starvation.

Prepping a GoodFood meal

Prepping a GoodFood meal – Roast Pork & Crunchy Apple Salad with Braised Endive in Mustard Sauce

Don’t underestimate the power of food. And if you’re just not able to make it, there’s no shame in finding someone who can. There’s a reason why meal delivery services are cropping up – they’re an awesome alternative to restaurant delivery. Can’t eat pizza every night (sometimes I’m not sure why!) so having access to someone who can prep meals and bring them over is a beautiful thing.

GoodFood - heating it all up

GoodFood – heating it all up

GoodFood, a local meal delivery company, recently gave us a sampler care package. With a 4 year old and a 6 month old, Suburban Mom Michelle, gave it a try. It was tasty, and even better, it was easy!  The meals only took about 35 minutes to make and the service provided inspiration to get creative and healthy in the kitchen. Suburban Mommy Michelle says: My absolute favorite dish was the Lebanese-Style Meatballs over Bulgur and Crispy Green Beans. I am still dreaming about them.

It’s not a new idea, and we can’t be the only ones finding meals a huge effort, the likes of supper prep and meal services are cropping up all over. From Supperworks – where you go in, make meals as a group and have a week’s worth of decent dinner from a night’s efforts, to Chef’s Plate, feeding your family for you is a thriving industry! You can say pshaw to your mama’s slowcooker, these have made it even easier!

Grocery delivery. Food boxes. Meat packs. It’s all about getting you fed with some flavour and nutrition. And they do it with style, making you feel good about it too!

And if you’d like to save $25 and give GoodFood a try, use this link for your first order: makegoodfood.ca/urbansuburbanmommy.

GoodFood simmering on the stove

GoodFood simmering on the stove – Pork and Bean Stew with Winter Squash and Chopped Kale

 

Latin Meat Stew (Biste)

Posted on by Posted in Delicious Dishes, Domestic Goodness, Urban Suburban Mommy .

Estofado De Carne - stewing in potWho doesn’t love a great stew?  Even better when it is super easy, quick and delicious to make.  My sister-in-law taught me how to make Latin meat stew (otherwise known as Biste in Spanish) and of course when I make it, I score big points with the hubs.

If you feel like getting adventurous with your cooking by visiting a different culture in the kitchen – give this recipe you a try!  I promise you’ll love it.

Estofado De Carne – plated

What you need:

  • 4 large ripe tomatoes (Hot House are a good option), sliced and diced
  • 1 large onion, sliced and diced
  • 1 green pepper, sliced
  • A splash of olive oil
  • Salt, pepper and oregano to taste
  • Sazon Goya (Goya Seasoning) – you can find in Latin America grocery stores or in the international section of some supermarkets (I have made it without – so no stress if you can’t find it)
  • 3-4 packages of thin fry steak (the beauty of this dish is you can substitute the beef for sliced chicken breast or thigh if you like). The fry steak should be cut into small strips

Estofado De Carne - stewing meatWhat you do:

Heat a splash of olive oil in a large stock pot. Add the onions and let them sweat for a couple of minutes. Turn up the heat to medium. Now add the tomatoes and green peppers. Stir them around with a wooden spoon.  Add the cover to the pot and let the vegetables cook for about 5 minutes.  Remove the lid and stir periodically.  Reduce heat.  The tomatoes, onions and green peppers should cook down into liquid/sauce.  As this is happening, add your fry steak.  Mix around with a spoon so that the meat browns.  Add your salt, pepper, oregano and stir.  The add 2 packets of Sazon Goya and stir through.  The stew will turn a bright red.  Return the lid and let the stew simmer for about 10 minutes.

Serve the stew over our Foolproof Rice.  It is so tasty.  Feel free to add a little hot sauce to take the dish to a whole other level.  Of course, set some stew aside without hot sauce added so the kids can enjoy too!

The economics of kids – Break the bank

Posted on by Posted in The Struggle is Real .

sullyWhy is it that no one tells you how expensive child rearing is? I think the cold hard truth is purposely kept from the public so that we continue to have a kid – even more than one – without really thinking about the financial repercussions.

Wait for it – I am going to burst that bubble as a favor to all expectant, new parents or parents who forgot the first time (like me), how bloody expensive it is to “have” and “raise” children.

Here goes: You are not a young parent. You may have been able to have your child without any medical intervention, but the fact is, a lot of us ‘late maternal agers’ had to turn to fertility treatment and even IVF to conceive. $15,000 a go…  I know it is common for couples to try at least 3 to 4 times or more.  So let’s say before this kid is even on this earth you are already upwards of $15,000 to $60,000 in the hole (of course it is worth it, that’s just the price it costs).

Again before this kid makes an appearance on earth – there are so many things you need to invest in – like the latest and greatest car seats and strollers, bouncy chair, swings and clothes.

I definitely smartened up with the birth of my second.  Be wise about what you spend your money on. Buy baby gear on Kijiji or second hand shops. Kids grow so quickly, and fancy expensive outfits don’t get the wear they’re worth from a baby – even from 2 or 3. Unless there was a major diaper explosion, most of the clothing from the first year looks new even after they’ve worn it. And the fancy stroller – some can push you into the thousands.  Really. I’m going to say that maybe you got lucky with a fruitful baby shower but I promise, you probably will drop a thousand to several.

Now the kid has arrived. You buy a Breast pump – the good ones ain’t cheap. If breastfeeding isn’t working for you, you will have to buy formula.  Formula ranges from $20 on the very low end (sometimes you catch a sale) to well over $40 per can of powder.  Depending on your kid’s appetite, you will need to buy a can every 3 days to a week. So let’s say add another $150 to your monthly grocery bill for formula. If you choose the premix formula, triple that.

Infant-formula

Of course there are diapers and wipes.  Again diapers range but on average you are looking at about $40 for a jumbo pack of diapers. Newborns go through diapers a lot quicker than infants and toddlers, but as they get larger, there are less in a box so it all costs a fortune. Add another $40-$100 a month to your bill. Double that if you’re going organic. If you’re going cloth, the initial investment is a few hundred – but that spike in your hydro bill from the hot water sterilizations keeps the price tags pretty equivalent.

 

diaper babyLet’s do some incidentals now: creams, shampoos, pacifiers, a fancy shmancy video monitor so that you can watch your little precious sleep.  Your baby bill keeps rising.

Once your baby starts solids you’ll need to buy cereals, bibs, spoons, freezable containers, baby food (if you are not making your own – which can also add up).

But then there is my favorite instant road to bankruptcy: daycare.

Whether you choose to employ a nanny which can run you anywhere between $1,500-$2,500 a month or daycare $1,000-$1,800 a month, you may be working for nothing.

I remember the first year I received a tax slip from my son’s daycare it was $22,000.  I kept thinking to myself I could have sent my son to Harvard.

pile-of-money

The good news is, after the first couple years, your monthly spend on your children lessens.  But the cost of diapers and formula are replaced with after-school sports, weekend outings, birthday parties and the latest and greatest toys they absolutely cannot live without.

I am seeing a dim light at the end of the tunnel as my youngest son is about to turn one. For example, rather than paying $30 a can for formula, I can pay $4 for 3 bags of homo milk.  That equates to big savings.

I promise you, the purpose of this post is not to be Negative Nelly, but in turn to empower parents to plan before they have kids.  Put away a cushion. You can easily go bankrupt without properly planning.  I have been there done it. Twice. I am afraid.

Of course, my two little blessings are worth the stress of debt. But as my lesson and advice to you, you will be a happier parent with a little savings tucked away for child rearing.

Budget. Buy second hand. Save as much as you can. (time for me to listen to my own advice…). If you don’t have a mat leave with at least a small monthly cheque – like me – you will have to save even more, because trying to work at full capacity to bring home the bacon, and still have time to raise a wee one is nearly impossible. Raising two? That’s a full time job in itself.

Not only is parenting hard, it’s bloody expensive! But there’s no doubt about it, it’s absolutely a blessing and rewarding, and the only thing I’d change if I did it again would be to save a little more before.

Lime, raspberry & white chocolate drizzle cake

Posted on by Posted in Delicious Dishes .

LIME, RASPBERRY & WHITE CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE CAKE: Cut into hearty chunks and served with a dollop of thick cream or Greek yoghurt this is the best way to round off a lovely picnic lunch. You could use blueberries or blackberries instead of raspberries.

LIME, RASPBERRY & WHITE CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE CAKE:
Cut into hearty chunks and served with a dollop of thick cream or Greek yoghurt this is the best way to round off a lovely picnic lunch. You could use blueberries or blackberries instead of raspberries.

Cut this cake into hearty chunks and take it on a summer’s picnic or slice it in delicate fingers and nestle it amongst other dainty morsels on a fine china cake stand for afternoon tea. You can even serve it as a scrumptious dessert – straight from the oven, with clotted cream or crème fraîche. Aromatic limes with tangy raspberries and sweet velvety white chocolate… sheer bliss! I love making this cake in the summer with freshly picked raspberries, but you can make an equally delectable autumnal version by replacing the raspberries with blackberries.

 

What you need:

One 22cm (9 inch) square cake tin

FOR THE CAKE:

– 200g / 7oz raspberries (1½ cups)
– 225g / 8oz butter (2 sticks)
– 225g / 8oz golden caster sugar * (1 cup)
– 4 free-range eggs (UK medium / USA large) *
– 30g / 1oz ground almonds * (¼ cup)
– 2 limes, zest and juice
– 100g / 3½oz good quality white chocolate, broken into pieces (½ cup)
– 250g / 9oz plain flour * (2 cups)
– 10ml / 2 tsp baking powder

FOR THE LIME SYRUP:

– 85g / 3oz granulated sugar (6 Tbsp)
– Juice of 2 limes
– 45ml / 3 Tbsp boiling water
– 2.5ml / ½ tsp vanilla extract *
– Zest of 1 lime

What you do:

Makes 12 hearty portions (and many more delicate ones)

  1. Before you start, spread the raspberries on a baking sheet and freeze them for about 30 minutes. (If you mix them into the cake batter without freezing them first, they break up and the cake turns bright pink!)
  1. Preheat the oven to 160ºC / 320ºF.
  1. Line the base and sides of the cake tin with baking parchment.
  1. Cream the butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy. Beat the eggs lightly and add them to the creamed mixture in several batches, mixing well between each addition.
  1. Add the ground almonds. Grate the lime zest directly into the mixture and then add the juice and fold in the white chocolate chunks.
  1. Sift the flour and baking powder into the bowl and mix. Lastly, add the raspberries, taking care not to break them up.
  1. Spoon the mixture into the cake tin. Bake for 35 – 40 minutes, until the cake is firm to the touch and golden in colour. You can also test it with a skewer to be sure it is cooked through.
  1. While the cake is baking, make the lime syrup: Combine all the ingredients except the zest in a small heavy-based pan, stir well to dissolve the sugar and then boil for 3 minutes, until it becomes ‘syrupy’.
  1. As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, prick the surface with a fine skewer. Sprinkle the lime zest onto the cake and spoon the syrup over it.
  1. Leave the cake to cool completely and absorb all the syrup before removing it from the tin.
  1. This cake is perfect as is, but you can decorate it with a drizzle of melted white chocolate or with fresh raspberries and a dusting of icing sugar.

Enjoy the picnic! If you’re craving more royal recipes, there are 100 more delicious dishes created by Robb, in her new cookbook: The Royal Touch: Simply Stunning Home Cooking From A Royal Chef. And if you’d like your very own copy, ACC Art Books is offering Urban Suburban Mommy’s readers a 35% discount, just use promo code: ROYAL to save on your order!

7/5/15 Carolyn Robb and daughters Mandy (youngest and ..... pics David Poole mobile 00447530348498

Carolyn Robb was Personal Chef to TRH Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince William and Prince Harry for ten years.