Dairy and egg-free soy nog! No way! Over the past couple weeks I have been experimenting with various soy nog recipes. We've tried banana as a thickening agent (too much banana flavour). We've tried tofu (too gritty no matter how much it's blended). Then we tried making it with a coconut milk. BINGO! I finally concocted a soy nog recipe that my whole family loves.
 

http://thedeliberatemom.blogspot.com/2011/11/dairy-free-christmas-soy-nog.html

Adults often shy away from enjoying the outdoors when the temperatures drop. I would like to encourage you to dress head-to-toe in your winter gear (that's right, even snow pants) and get outdoors this winter! Here's a list of things you can do outdoors with your children once the snow starts to cover the ground.

http://thedeliberatemom.blogspot.com/2011/11/winter-activities-for-children.html

We are less than a month away from Christmas. As we enter this season of giving and receiving. I would like to encourage you to take a moment and think about what's important in your life. Think about this world and all who have and those who have not.

http://thedeliberatemom.blogspot.com/2011/11/before-we-enter-holiday-season.html

I associate a variety of spices with Christmas... cinnamon, nutmeg, and of course, ginger. All of these are smells of Christmas. This dairy-free recipe is a great one. Delicious vegan ginger snaps!

http://thedeliberatemom.blogspot.com/2011/11/dairy-free-christmas-ginger-snaps.html

Inspired by SouleMama

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember....

http://thedeliberatemom.blogspot.com/2011/11/this-moment_25.html

LET'S BUY HANDMADE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!!

(I posted this article on my website yesterday, and thought I'd share it with all my Canadian Mom friends - please share on Facebook and twitter) (read full article)

This holiday season, I am trying to buy as many gifts as possible from local and independent handmade artists. So I was thinking, why would someone buy handmade?  Here are my Top 5 reasons why I will buy handmade this holiday season.

1. SUPPORT - Buying handmade shows your support for local handmade artists. Most of us (including artists) are struggling with the economy the way it is, and by purchasing handmade gifts you may help a struggling artists pay for life’s necessities. I would much rather buy a handmade gift rather than a supporting the big-box stores.

2. UNIQUE - Handmade artists make one-of-a-kind gifts, something truly unique. Just the other day I was wearing a necklace from a local artist, I got so many compliments, and people asking "Where did you find that?"

3. QUALITY - Handmade artists pride themselves in providing quality with every item that they sell. For example, if I make a card and it's not perfect, I often discard the piece and start again. Another example is a handmade knitted hat that I recently purchased, you can feel the quality. Many handmade artists will ensure that every stitch, clasp or whatever is perfect. When I buy handmade I know I am getting a quality piece of work.

4. CUSTOM - I have purchased so many customizes pieces over the years. How many time have you been shopping and seen the perfect item and though "if only it was in another colour". When you buy handmade it's as simple as 'can you make this in pink!".

5. ECONOMICAL - Buying handmade is affordable (which I know is surprising to many). I would much rather spend $20 on a piece of jewellery that will last many years, then $5 on a piece that will tarnish or break in months.

So before you buy something that is in mass production, stop and think. So with the holidays right around the corner, and all the rush and fuss, don't forget about the little "gal" or "guy", the shops that are owned by local small business owners. There are so many reasons to shop handmade, I hope I have opened your eyes to just a few.

I have a great list of over 150 quality handmade artists and artists on our website. Everything (art, baby, toys, body, candles, clothing, décor, jewellery, glass, pottery, fabric, food, knitting, paper goods, stain glass, wood and more).  Shop handmade with our vendors ...

I hope you will take a little time this holiday season and support handmade.

~ Jacqueline

(read full article)

I like crafts but I LOVE Christmas crafts. That's why when I found this super cute owl ornament on Pinterest, I knew I just had to make them! The instructions are posted on Juicy Bits and are really easy to follow....

http://thedeliberatemom.blogspot.com/2011/11/christmas-owls.html

My daughter is anaphylactic to dairy. She is also allergic to eggs and peanuts. Obviously, special occasions such as Christmas can be challenging with all the delicious cream, butter and dairy-filled treats floating around!

This year, I decided to challenge myself to concoct some dairy-free recipes so that my daughter can partake in the Christmas goodies as well! Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing our recipe feats with you. So please, curl up by the fireplace (or light a candle), pour yourself a dairy-free beverage and join us on our journey of creating a dairy-free Christmas.

http://thedeliberatemom.blogspot.com/2011/11/dairy-free-christmas-chocolate-crinkle.html

Inspired by SouleMama

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember....

http://thedeliberatemom.blogspot.com/2011/11/this-moment_18.html