This recipe has been around for as long as I can remember. Just about everyone I know has some version of the super popular, Hello Dolly Squares (aka Magic Bars). I have no idea where the name of these squares originated. However, in my active mind, I imagine this scenario: Fifty, sixty, seventy or one hundred years ago someone created these squares. She (yes...c'mon, it had to be a woman who created these delicious layers of yumminess!) had no name for them, they were just a layering of … [Read more...]
Top 5 Tips for Preventing the Spread of Influenza
December 12, 2018 by · 107 Comments
We’re now well into the fall of the year, in fact, where I live it actually looks and feels more like winter! Although we still try to get out in the fresh air as often as possible, unfortunately, we’re not outside as much as we are in the warmer months. Consequently, this is the time of the year when many of us are spending our days in enclosed spaces, such as classrooms, shopping malls and office buildings which makes us more susceptible to becoming sick with influenza and then bringing … [Read more...]
How to Make Peanut Butter Balls
December 10, 2018 by · 16 Comments
For as long as I can remember, Peanut Butter Balls have been a Christmas tradition in our home. We always make them, often a double or triple batch. Christmas just wouldn't seem the same without them. Back when I was first married, every December, I would spend hours pouring over recipe books and magazines in search of the perfect holiday treats. Then, my mom and I would get together a couple of days before Christmas for an epic, daylong baking session. By the end of the day, we would be very … [Read more...]
Confetti Squares ~ Recipe
December 5, 2018 by · 29 Comments
A good friend of mine used to make these squares often and I have always liked them. She gave me her recipe and I would often make them when my kids were younger. Coloured marshmallows + butterscotch chips + peanut butter = happy kids! They are definitely not difficult to make. Just a little melting of butter, peanut butter, and the chips, then letting the mixture cool a bit. Stir in marshmallows, put them in a pan, toss in the fridge and you are done! I let the butters/chip mixture … [Read more...]
How to Make Nanaimo Bars {Recipe}
December 3, 2018 by · 6 Comments
For those of you unfamiliar with Nanaimo Bars, you don't know what you are missing! These little cubes of deliciousness are a no-bake square with a Canadian origin and named after the west coast city of Nanaimo, British Columbia. Every self-respecting Canadian baker has a recipe for these amazing squares in their repertoire! They consist of a chocolate crumb-based layer topped by a layer of custard flavoured butter icing and then the entire works is slathered with melted chocolate. How … [Read more...]
Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread Cookies
November 27, 2018 by · 15 Comments
For as long as I can remember, Shortbread Cookies have been a Christmas tradition in our home. Back when I was first married, every December, I would spend hours pouring over recipe books and magazines in search of the perfect holiday treats. Then, my mom and I would get together a couple of days before Christmas for an epic, daylong baking session. By the end of the day, we would be very tired; but it was well worth it because we would each have tins full of cookies, squares, and other … [Read more...]
6 ESSENTIALS TO PACK FOR EVERY VACATION
November 21, 2018 by · 6 Comments
This post is sponsored by Bayer. To make sure these products are right for you, always read and follow the label. Is it just me, or are winters becoming worse every year? Lately, it has certainly felt that way. We have already had a couple snowstorms with record-breaking low temperatures and it’s still November! This weather is starting to remind me of a recent winter we had here in Eastern Canada. It was a couple of years ago now and it was EPIC! From mid-January until the end of March we … [Read more...]
Coconut Macaroons
November 16, 2018 by · 4 Comments
Coconut Macaroons I can barely believe it is the middle of December. It just feels like a few days ago we were sitting out on our deck...the same deck that is now covered in snow! Leisurely reading on the deck has been replaced with frantic shopping, cleaning, and baking! While we are trying to somewhat “cut back” on the madness, we still want to celebrate Christmas and make it fun and memorable. One of the areas I have decided to pare down is baking as I don’t think we will be … [Read more...]
8 Tips for Entertaining at Home {w/Recipe}
November 14, 2018 by · 198 Comments
Disclosure: This post is sponsored in partnership with Canadian Turkey. As always, all opinions are our own. Well...it's official! We had our first snowfall of the season a few days ago, so I guess I can no longer ignore that winter is indeed on its way. Although I will miss the warmer weather there is something very comforting and cozy about cold winter days. It's time for ice skating, warm fires, tobogganing and my favourite part, making hearty, healthy and delicious dinners for family and … [Read more...]
Winter Tips & Free Gas Giveaway with Desjardins Insurance
November 8, 2018 by · Leave a Comment
Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by Desjardins Insurance. As always, all opinions are my own. Is it just me, or are our winters becoming worse every year? Lately, it certainly has felt that way. It was just a couple of years ago, that here in Eastern Canada, we had a winter of epic proportions. From mid-January until the end of March, here in southern New Brunswick, we received more than 17 feet of snow. Yes, you read that correctly, 17 FEET! Like most of you, even with all … [Read more...]
Type 2 Diabetes, One is Too Many
November 7, 2018 by ·
Do you know someone who has type 2 diabetes? I’m fairly confident your answer will be yes. I realize this because, like many of you, I know several people with this disease. Maybe it’s your mom or dad, or an aunt or uncle or it could be your brother, sister or best friend. What I do know for certain is this; when it comes to type 2 diabetes, even one is too many. Why is it One is Too Many? One is too many because approximately one in two Canadians with type 2 diabetes will die … [Read more...]
