Burgers and Grilling tips

Cooking on the grill during summer is one anticipated activity we all wait for.  Grilling correctly will help us enjoy our summer BBQs.

Here are five tips from Chef Tom Filippou, President's choice cooking school.

1. Get equipped with the right tools such as long handled steel brush to clean the grill, tongs for flipping, basting brush, spray water bottle to dampen hot flames.

2.  To get perfect grilling marks generously oil the grill before cooking.  Use a clean rag soaked with cooking oil or piece of beef.

3.  To keep the meat juicy add salt right before putting the meat on the grill.

4.  Use a meat thermometer to check if the meat is cooked without cutting.

5.  Don't prick or pierce while grilling.  Use tongs to flip this will maintain natural juices and tenderness.

For this burger

I used store bought burgers and buns

mayonnaise and mustard to apply on the buns

salad leaves

tomatoes

onion

cucumber cut into thin slices

peri-peri sauce

hot sauce

chillie sauce

Assemble and enjoy.

President's Choice BBQTown party

There is an online contest that asks Canadians to band together to nominate their community for a chance to win a BBQTown party for their community.

One Canadian community will win fantastic food for up to 5000 people, a performance by Hedley a recording group and $25000 will be donated on behalf the community to PC Children's Charity to support local nutrition program.  The community will also get to set a new World Record for most hamburgers assembled in one hour.  Here are the nominations.  Check out your local Loblaws for a variety of PC BBQ products.

All rights reserved on photographs and written content Createwithmom © 2012. Please Ask First

Alvin and the chipmunks: Chipwrecked a family entertainer

Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked is available on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital download on March 27th.

The story is about Alvin the chipmunk, his friends and the chipettes on a trip in a luxury cruise ship. The chipmunks are looking to have fun and they try to find excitement by turning the cruise liner into their own personal playground. While having fun the chipmunks accidently fall into the ocean. Their managers, Dave and Ian also accidentally fall in the water. The chipmunks end up in a remote island and the managers get to the same island and are looking for the chipmunks. The chipmunks try to find ways to survive on their own for the first time.

The music, storyline, images are a lot of fun for the whole family. There are lots of special features including a colouring chipmunk app on the blu-ray. Children and adults will enjoy this hilarious action filled comedy. This G rated movie would be a good one for the upcoming long weekend.

Here are some cute e-cards (click on the image to make it big).

Some postcards click on the image to make it big and send it to family and friends.

These fun activity sheet will be enjoyed by children.

There is also a pin it and win it contest on pinterest to win the combo pack.

Here is an entertaining craft idea for your mini-'munks.

To make this paper crowns you will need...

construction paper

scissors

crayons or markers

stickers

stapler

tape

Cut a long strip of paper that will be at least 5" longer than the child's head. It could be any preferred size for the width. Decorate with crayons/ markers and stickers. Measure the paper around the child's head and overlap the extra part and staple it, then cover the staple pins with tape for safety.

All rights reserved on photographs and written content Createwithmom © 2012. Please Ask First

Sharpie fabric paint

Sharpie® has launched a new product Stained by Sharpie, which is a marker to paint on fabric.

It is a brush tip with fabric ink that creates thick and thin lines. Ink is AP-certified and non-toxic. The paint doesn't fade on most fabric when washed on a normal wash cycle. It is suggested for best results the clothes stained by the markers should be hang to dry. There are eight vibrant colours sold individually and in packs of 4 and 8.

They could have added 2 more colours white and brown :)

Here is a design I painted on my daughter's shirt. All I had to do is keep a pad of paper under the shirt, so it doesn't stain the back of the shirt and paint on it. There was no need to iron or do any other step after painting. It was so easy that we are planning on colouring more fabric.

It makes it so much easier to personalize fabric items with these markers i.e. sending things to school and trips.

So get a hold of these cool Stained by Sharpie markers, and express yourself by turning your everyday items to something special anytime anywhere.

In April Sharpie and MuchMusic will team up to inspire and showcase Canadian Sharpie creations.

To win a prize pack $50 worth of products from Sharpie® please leave a comment on this post and tell me what would you do with these markers. The giveaway is open for everyone in Canada and ends on March 15th.

Please follow Createwithmom on google friends, twitter and Facebook to know about more reviews, giveaways and contests.

Updated : The winner is flowerchild

All rights reserved on photographs, opinion of the written content Createwithmom © 2012. Please Ask First

Stained vase craft and Kinder® contest to win $500

The Family day long weekend and the March break is just around the corner. I am planning on spending some quality time during the day with the children making crafts and food. I am also looking forward to relax, stay close to home and visit local attractions like the Ontario Science Centre :)