My Little Pony: Equestria Girls Three Movie Gift Set and Toys

Looking for fun gifts to give My Little Pony fans, then you will love giving this Three Movie My Little Pony: Equestria Girls Gift Set. Children will enjoy joining Twilight Sparkle and her Canterlot High friends in these three animated adventures of My Little Pony: Equestria Girls: Friendship Games, Rainbow Rocks, and Equestria Girls. This gift set holds the three movies, and comes in a lenticular cover that features a transforming Twilight Sparkle. 

Learning All About Chocolates from Bonnie Gordon College

Update: Bonnie Gordon College is now closed

I recently attended a media event at Bonnie Gordon College and learned a lot about chocolates.  After the event, I think I understand the difference of the wide range of chocolates that are available.  The College uses the exquisite Cacao Barry chocolate couvertures, which has a minimum of 31% cocoa butter that makes it to be higher quality product. 

Learning about Cacao Barry definitely makes us talk about chocolates in a whole new way. The location of the cocoa plantation, how the beans are chosen and the climatic conditions results in the different variation of chocolates and taste.

For example:

• Alto el sol from Peru is an aromatic, fruity and acidic chocolate.
• Oropucce from Trinidad has a strong cocoa flavour, slight fruity, flowery and winy taste.
• Madirofolo from Madagascar has a balanced, fruity, acidic and slight bitter finish.
• The chocolate from Tanzania is my favourite as it is subtle, spicy, fruity and acidulous taste. This chocolate has 75% cocoa in it.
• Chocolates from Ghana have 40.5% cocoa with a sweet milk flavour.

Cacao Barry has existed since 1842, and they cultivate cocoa beans in limited quantities from different countries without mixing them.  Cacao Barry offers Kosher certified, rare and refined flavours of cocoa through their chocolates.  Their chocolates would be fabulous in all chocolate desserts i.e. pralines, moulding, coating, pastry, biscuits, mousse, decorating, sauce, ice cream and more.  

The higher quantity of cocoa butter in the chocolates makes it fabulous to melt, mould and dip to create a beautiful thin shell that looks neat.  The non-couverture chocolates like chocolate chips keep their shape when baked and not very good to melt or work with. We can find Cacao Barry products sold at Vanilla Food, Golda's Kitchen, Baker Haven and in many other locations.

  

We were shown three different methods of tempering chocolates by the instructors at Bonnie Gordon College. Tempering the chocolate is important so it will set well when we work with it.  Check the mini video I took when the instructor at Bonnie Gordon College demonstrated this cool method of tempering chocolates.

Tempering chocolates in the microwave is an easier method of tempering by gently melting the chocolates in the microwave till it reaches 32C by placing it for 1 minute, 

then another 1 minute, 

then 30 seconds 

and in 10 seconds segments.  

We have to mix it after removing from the microwave each time.

Here is the link to the Chocolate Bonbons (alcohol free) recipe I learned at Bonnie Gordon College.  If you want to learn about a variety of ways to temper chocolates and to make hand dipped truffles and bonbons, Bonnie Gordon College will be offering day classes on March 23rd and 24th.

Bonnie Gordon College is run by Bonnie Gordon, an internationally respected cake designer.  Bonnie's approach to cakes are as a form of art and her curriculum emphasizes artisanal education that encourages students to try their own creativity.  This approach attracts many students and has created successful businesses such as We bake in heels and Cupcake Girl who started their Cake design education from Bonnie.  Bonnie in her program encourages and emphasizes the use of best, high quality and natural products.  The college offers a variety of programs such as

• The Confectionary Diploma Programme is a 16 week program that is offered throughout the year in a full time basis so students can learn the entire cake design process from scratch.  

• The Designer Cakes Certificate Programme is a full time hands on class that explores all the skills and techniques needed to create custom designed cakes.

• Bakery Essentials Certificate Programme is offered full and part time to teach baking and pastry art i.e. cakes, cupcakes, cookies, breads, quick breads, filling and ganaches.
• They also have a variety of other classes for hobbyists and home bakers.

 

670 Caledonia Road
Unit 100 M6E4V9
Toronto, Ontario
416-440-0330

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Fresh from the Field Riverdale farm event

Did you know 60% of Ontario's younger generation is unaware of where their food comes from?  As a reason, Farmers Feed Cities has taken initiative to educate people about farms.  My family and I were invited to Riverdale farm to learn about farm life, visit the farm animals, to play interactive games and to speak with farmers.

Green Living show 2012 experience

We learned about eco-friendly products and ways we can to be part of sustainable living at the Green Living Show, which will be held at the Direct Energy Centre CNE from April 13th till April 15th.

At the show, we got to know about free services such as getting rid of our garbage in an environmentally friendly way. For example, using TerraCycle. Once, we sign up and tell which type of the waste we like to get rid of, we can start collecting and then send it to TerraCycle using their free shipping UPS slip. The materials that are collected will be used to create new products. TerraCycle operates all over the world. Recycle your electronics is a service that helps us get rid of office and home electronic products. Orange drop can be used to safely dispose our hazardous waste free of charge. Household hazardous wastes should not be thrown in the garbage or down the drain. We can take it to municipal HHW depot collection event or take the paint and batteries to a retail drop-off location. Put your postal code on the side bar and search for the collection depots. 

There were other companies that offer eco-friendly options and ways we can make our home greener, for example using rain barrels, solar powered panels, roofing, green windows, water systems, and more. They had a variety of gardening products and tips. There were many products related to fashion, beauty and clothing which were made using natural organic material such as pure cotton and bamboo. The show had companies and business that taught about healthy living by adding yoga and exercise to our daily routine. The electronic cars on display looked really cool.

There were lots of things related to bio-diversity such as plants, seeds, flowers, planting with Rona and Rouge park and magazines that has tips on how we can be part of cultivating a green city.

We spent a lot of time at the Eco-zone which had lots of hand-on children friendly things to do. They had reptiles to touch. There were lots of playhouses and toys built with cardboard. Children mixed clay, soil and wildflower seeds and made seed balls to plant. I found out that there was corn-based glue from Elmer's. The ROM had organized a booth where we learned about some creatures found in the oceans in Canada.

We made cool fish using paper plates. The paper plate fish were made using...

paper plates

googly eyes

glue

markers

yarn to hang

Cut a triangle shape on one sides of the paper plate for the mouth. Staple this triangle piece on the opposite side, horizontally from where the cut was made for the tail.

Glue the googly eyes and decorate the fish. Punch a hole to hang the fish using yarn.

There were lots of organic and healthy food to taste. They had mushroom growing kits at the Organic Garage so we can try our hand at growing our own oyster mushrooms at home.

I was happy to see familiar products such as Green toys, Kicking horse coffee, Organic Meadow, Three Farmers Camelina oil, TIFF, Rough park, ROM, WWF, and RONA. 

Organic and eco-friendly products have so many benefits to all of us, however they aren't very accessible. My hope is that it would become wide spread so people would be able to purchase these regularly for a reasonable price. Although, paying the extra cash makes us reluctant to take a step towards eco-friendly options, at the Green Living Show we felt that the long term cost would be less and the impact on the environment would also be less when we use eco-friendly products.

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TIFF Kids digiPlaySpace

TIFF Kids International Film Festival is a fabulous experience targeted for children age 3 to 13, although I think everyone will love this.

This year TIFF is introducing a hands-on experience with their new digiPlaySpace, where children and adults can immerse themselves to learn and love new technology.

We spent a fabulous time going through all the cool stations at the digiPlaySpace. It is a wonderful learning opportunity; a good place for families, camps and schools to take children. We will learn new media skills that are playful and interactive, which will encourage creativity.

A little bit of information on some installations:

My children had lots of fun exploring the Vinci tablets. The sturdy handle makes it easy for young children to hold. As parents, we don't have to worry about accidental drops to the tablet. The tablet has a camera and easy to use touch screen and buttons, loaded with storybooks and fun activities.

The Funky Forest is a beautiful display with colourful images. Children learn about the eco-system as they create images of trees with their body, play with the moving virtual water flow and try to touch the bugs and butterflies on the screen.

Adventures in sound, by Aesthetec studio is pretty cool. We have to sing/talk into the can, record our voice and then use the light brush to make unique colourful canvas paint. It is unique because the colour and texture depends on the pitch of the voice.

Sandde 3D drawing is a lovely way to experience 3D drawing and have a feel for how 3D movies are made. There is no need for pencil and paper as children use a device to draw in the air and see designs floating through their 3D glasses. I took the Sandde image on the picture below through the 3D glasses.

The green screen will take us to so many places and experience through a virtual world. It will teach how images for movie animation scenes are made.

There are magic mirrors that will make our image twist, turn and blend.

Room racers up to 4 virtual cars can go around any item we find. We can make our own racetrack by placing real life objects and create obstacles for the cars to drive around. These obstacles can be changed while the race is on to trap the cars. The augmented reality race car game is operated with video game controllers.

TIFF Kids Appcade has lots of educational apps to play with using the new tablets and mobile devices.

Micro-Makers zone is in a separate room. In this station we can explore and learn how robots are made, 3D prints where we can see our 3D models come to life and change real objects to 3D models through 3D scanning.

They had some cool solar powered toys that moved with flashlights.

There were hands-on sections to learn about creative circuitry to make small projects. This area has small parts which are not suitable for young children. Children over the age of 9 and up will benefit from this section.

We like that everything at the digiPlaySpace is made sturdy and strong keeping children's use in mind, so we can play without worrying about things breaking or damaging. The staff at TIFF was friendly and helpful in answering questions. There are fabulous movies at the TIFF Film Festival until April 22nd. The Summer Camps sessions at TIFF is held from July 3rd to August 31st for campers aged 8 to 17.

digiPlaySpace is located at TIFF Bell Lightbox on 350 King street West, do check out this benefiting experience learn and have fun.

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Disney Dare to Dream comes true

My children have been talking about going to watch Disney on Ice for several weeks before we went :) and we were excited to be at the show on the opening night. The doors to the event at the Rogers centre opened at 6 pm and the program cheerfully started at 7 pm. The show started with the story of Princess Tiana from Princess and the frog. It was a little distractive with people coming in late and trying to find their seats especially since the seats at Rogers Center are small.

The story of Princess Tiana was my least favourite part of the show.  My children were enjoying it, although I am not sure how much of the story they followed because it was a while ago that we watched this Disney movie.  It would have been nice to have watched Aladdin or something else instead of Princess and the frog :)

Cinderella was the second story of the show, which we all enjoyed. The familiar story of Cinderella was well presented. We enjoyed watching the beautiful horse carriage and the colourful ball. There was a little break for the ice to be cleaned and for us to stretch our legs, use the washroom and get some snacks. The prices of almost everything that was sold at the show was $12; despite the price almost everyone there including us :) got a souvenir.

After the break was Tangled, this was our favourite Disney on Ice Dare to Dream performance.  I think you would agree with me :) It was vibrant, beautifully presented with lots of lovely special effects such as the lantern. The skating and acrobatic moves were remarkable. Tangled was the first movie my son watched at the theatre and both my children have watched it many times. This Disney story is one of our favourite so I could see that my children were excited when they were watching.  It was cute when Maximus the horse in skates appeared :) The costumes were very creative.

The finale was grand indeed.  We met all the Disney couples beautifully dressed in shimmering white clothing.  My daughter was super excited, she was telling the names of all the couples. The presence of Goofy, Donald, Mickey and Minnie as hosts were a lovely idea because they gave the opening remarks of each part of the show. Mickey and Minnie were also on the shiny ice floor. Disney on Ice Dare to dream is a fabulous show, which was a little over 2 hours with the break.

Glad I got the opportunity to see the show with my family and to host the giveaway for another family in Toronto to attend the show.  Here are some words of appreciation from the winner, Sadaf and her family... "The Disney On Ice show was mesmerizing." 

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Movies: Previews, activities and upcoming giveaways

Tooth Fairy 2 is coming to Blu-ray and DVD today, March 6th.

Check out this cute activity sheet, the children will enjoy this (click on the image to make it big and print).

Here are 5 top film fairies :) ...

Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream (1999)

Fairy Godmother in Shrek 2 (2004)

Tinker Bell in Hook (1991)

Crysta in FernGully: The last rainforest (1992)

Mandy in Ella Enchanted (2004)

The Descendants is coming to DVD and Blu-ray Disc combo pack on March 13th. The story is based on Kaui Hart Hemmings novel. The movie is directed by Alexander Payne and has been nominated for 5 Academy Awards and the winner of the Best Adapted Screenplay. 

The author Kaui Hart Hemmings will have a chat on GoodReads on March 13th, and you would be able to win DVD/book bundles.

The Blu-ray combo pack and DVD will be available on March 20th.

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Springfest ticket giveaway

3rd annual Toronto Springfest will be at the Downsview park on March 12, 13 and 14.

If you want to win $50 worth of tickets for 2 children (admission and unlimited ride bracelets) and 2 adults (admission to the event) leave a comment with your email on this post by March 8th.

It is at 40 Carl Hall Road

10 a.m. to 5 p.m

Free parking

Lots of attractions, shows and indoor rides for children age 2 to 10.

Midway rides, inflatable jumping castles, slides, fun game zone, pre school play area, interactive games and prizes for all ages.

They will also have venders, characters, face painting, video arcade, food, drinks and lots more.

Live theatre shows will start at 10:30 and 2:30.

See you there.

Updated The giveaway winner is Sadaf.

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