Blog Roll – Page 18 – Canadian Dad

Best Holiday Gifts From Best Buy! {Plus Giveaway!}

December 14, 2015/547 Comments/in Giveaways, Reviews/Giveaways, THE BLOG/by Chris Read

It should come as no surprise that Best Buy is first place I visit when I start to put together my wish list for Christmas each year. Between the video games, headphones and cameras, I could spend an entire day in one of their stores and never get bored. Knowing how much time I spend there, Best Buy has asked me to share my wish list with all of you and to find out what gifts you are drooling over this holiday season! So, here is my super amazing, ultra fantastical Christmas Wish List!

Call of Duty: Black Ops III

I have been playing and loving the Call of Duty series since the very first edition. In fact, I used to be the guy with the bluetooth earpiece that would be playing against other folks online and trash talking like there is no tomorrow! Unfortunately my skills have been in decline over the last few releases but I still love the campaign portion of the game and always leave it set to super easy!

Here is the link to Call of Duty: Black Ops III!!

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Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 Instant Camera Kit

We had the opportunity to play around with one of these cameras last summer and my children loved that the pictures came out right after they took them. In the age of digital, this blast from the past has grabbed my children’s attention and made its way onto their lists!

Check out the Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 Instant Camera Kit for yourself!
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GoPro HERO4 Waterproof HD Sports & Helmet Camera

A GoPro has been at the top of my list ever since I had the opportunity to see what it could do about a year ago. I can’t stop thinking about how cool it will be to attach it to my daughter’s bike or my son’s hockey helmet to get a glimpse of what life looks like through their eyes.

Here is the link for more information on the GoPro HERO4 and other GoPro products!
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Guitar Hero Live Bundle

Guitar Hero used to be one of my favourite games, so I was sad when they decided to take a little break. It’s more than just smashing on a guitar for a few minutes at a time because we like to involve the whole family with multiple guitars and singing along with all the songs. Furthermore, the song selection is out of this world!

Don’t believe me? Check it out for yourself over at Best Buy’s website!
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Disney Frozen Karaoke Machine with Lights

For those days where don’t feel like playing a guitar but also want to sing the entire soundtrack to Disney’s Frozen, there is this awesome Frozen themed karaoke machine that my daughter flipped out about upon entering Best Buy.

Ummm, what are you waiting for?? Go get this Frozen Karaoke Machine right now!
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Power Wheels Disney Frozen Jeep Wrangler

While we are on the subject of both my daughter freaking out and Disney’s Frozen movie, I present to you something I would like to buy for her solely for the fact that I am jealous this wasn’t around when I was a kid. I’m sure if we put this under the tree on Christmas Day she would give me a ride, right??

I’m not going to lie, the Power Wheels Disney Frozen Jeep Wrangler isn’t cheap but think of the smiles and the new level of parental coolness!!
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Star Wars Darth Vader Cool Wall Toaster

Was this on my list before I went to Best Buy? The truth is no, it was not. Does that mean I can’t want to add a little bit more awesome into my life, especially on the heels of one of the biggest movie releases of all time? I think not! I’m not sure what else I can say about this product other than STAR WARS TOAST!!

Don’t pretend you don’t want a Star Wars Darth Vader Toaster in your life!
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Misfit Shine Fitness Tracker

This was the toughest decision on my list because I knew I wanted a fitness tracker but there are so many different brands out there all claiming to do the same thing. After reading reviews, comparing prices and experience one of them for myself, I think the Misfit Shine delivers the most bang for your buck and actually looks pretty stylish!

You can check out the Misfit Shine Fitness Tracker and other fitness trackers over at the Best Buy website or in store.
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Sphero BB-8 App-Enabled Droid

A couple things about the Sphero BB-8 App-Enabled Droid. One, I want this for me and not for my children. I make no apologies for this. Two, I don’t want it just because it is the hottest toy of the year. It is the hottest toy of the year because so many grown men and women want it. So, people who are reading this, if you feel like sending me one of these, I am not going to complain…

Just look at this beautiful Sphero BB-8 Droid and tell me you don’t want it roaming around your home at all times!
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Giveaway!

I could truly run this list for another 50 items but these are the ones at the very top and things I thought you all would enjoy. To get you started on your way to some great gifts from Best Buy Canada, I am giving away a $200 Best Buy gift card! Giveaway is open to residents of Canada, excluding Quebec and will be emailed to the winner once confirmed. Good Luck!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I was compensated for my participation in the #BestGiftsBestBuy programs and used that money to buy my daughter the Frozen Karaoke Machine!

Celebrate The Minions Blu-ray/DVD Release In Style! {Giveaway}

December 4, 2015/87 Comments/in Giveaways, Reviews/Giveaways, THE BLOG/by Chris Read

As huge fans of the Despicable Me franchise, to say that my family was excited for the solo Minions movie would be a huge understatement. My kids spent weeks speaking in unintelligible Minions voices (think banana, banana) to the point where I thought I was going to have to take a course to learn a new language. Luckily this was just a phase and the kids have since returned to speaking English and the occasional French. As you can see from the pictures above, they were all in on Minions and have been anxiously awaiting their opportunity to see the movie again on Blu-ray/DVD.

Lucky for them, their wait ends on December 8th when the Minions Blu-ray and DVD hits store shelves everywhere in Canada! I want to say that I’ll be able to wait to give it to them in their Christmas stockings but we all know I’ll cave on the 8th and pop it in the first night! The Blu-ray Combo Pack and Digital HD also come with three all-new mini-movies which my kids are going to flip over. Just to get your kids a little more excited, here’s the first of the 3 mini movies included with the Combo Pack!

In case you haven’t seen Minions yet, here is a brief synopsis of the movie:

Since the dawn of time, Minions have served (and accidentally eliminated) history’s most despicable villains. After their latest explosive mistake leaves them without an evil leader, the Minions fall into a deep depression. With the tribe on the brink of collapse, three unlikely heroes–Kevin, Stuart, and Bob—embark on a journey to find a new big boss. When their quest leads them to their next potential master, Scarlet Overkill (Academy Award® winner Sandra Bullock), our three heroes must face their biggest challenge yet: saving all of Minionkind…from annihilation! The film is packed with many celebrity cameos including: Jon Hamm (Herb Overkill), Michael Keaton (Walter Nelson), Allison Janney (Madge Nelson) and Steve Coogan (Professor Flux) and is a must-see this Christmas season.

Giveaway

In case that wasn’t excitement enough for you, I have 5 Minions Prize Packs to giveaway! Each prize pack includes the Minions Blu-ray/DVD combo pack, Minions beanies, Sticker sheets and Luggage tags. The giveaway is open to residents of Canada, excluding Quebec. Good Luck and don’t forget to pick up your copy of the Minions Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack on December 8th!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. For any Minions out there reading this “djhdgsajhdg jhgsajhdg kjdhgsjdgaweiyur jfhgf gjfuyt”.

Rice Krispies #TreatsForToys Giveaway!

December 3, 2015/76 Comments/in Giveaways, Reviews/Giveaways, THE BLOG/by Chris Read

We all love Rice Krispies squares, right? That’s what I thought! I have been fortunate enough to work with Kellogg’s on their Rice Krispies #TreatsForToys initiative for a couple years now and have loved every minute of it. The concept is simple, you and your kids make a toy out of Rice Krispies treats, share it on the Treats For Toys website or on social media with the #TreatsForToys hashtag and Kellogg’s will give $20 to the Salvation Army so they can buy a real toy for a child in need.

My favourite part of the campaign so far has been the ability to involve my kids in every aspect of it. Making Rice Krispies treats doesn’t require any baking so the kids have been in the kitchen with me every step of the way and my son even helped choose and design our latest creation of the baseball and bat shown above. Once I explained to the kids that each one of our creations were going to help buy toys for less fortunate children, my kids didn’t want to stop making them. As my daughter so eloquently put it, “Let’s make one million toys!”. These are important lessons that the kids will carry with them as they grow and I love that we are having fun as a family while learning them.

If you’re looking for a fun way to give back this holiday season, I highly recommend involving your kids and sharing your own Rice Krispies creations with the world. If you need a little inspiration for your creations, you can always visit the Rice Krispies website and head to the Treats For Toys tab for some examples. It’s as easy as Make, Share, Give and you even get some sweet treats out of the deal!

Giveaway

To get you started with your creations, I am giving away a Treats For Toys Prize Pack which includes everything you’ll need to get going. This giveaway is open to residents of Canada, excluding Quebec.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I was compensated for my participation in this program.

When I Grow Up I Want To Be…

December 2, 2015/92 Comments/in Giveaways, Reviews/Giveaways, THE BLOG, The Daddy Files/by Chris Read

Each year before the kids go off to their first day of school, we take the same picture of them out front of the house, as parents do. We ask them what they think they want to be when they grow up and we write it on the sign and snap the picture. The first couple years we got the standard responses of policewoman, doctor or firefighter, which are excellent choices by the way, but we noticed this past year that the kids are really starting to give the question some thought.

Instead of doctor, our daughter has narrowed down her field of choice to veterinarian, which, judging by the way she takes care of her stuffed animals, is an excellent choice. My son, on the other hand, has bounced between policeman and firefighter the last couple years but this year he too narrowed his choice down to working in forensics, just like daddy, as he put it.

While I realize there is a very good chance that my children will not work in these fields, I’m excited that they are already thinking about what it is they would like to do in the future. I spent a lot of time focusing on sports as a kid and then flaked out in high school, despite my parents encouragement to strive for more. So as I sit here still wondering what I want to do with the rest of my life, I’m hopeful that my kids will continue to dream big and not let anything get in their way. At their young ages there is truly nothing they can’t accomplish and I can’t wait to see what they do with their lives.

I mean, who knows, my daughter might still change her mind back to skateboarding princess, which would be absolutely rad! Plus, if she ever stumbles for career ideas, she can look no further than the Barbie collection she plays with almost every single day. Fun fact: Barbie has had over 155 different careers in her lifetime and although that makes her sound like a terrible employee, I can assure you it’s just because she never ever ages…

Giveaway

To celebrate the new Barbie “You Can Be Anything” campaign, I am giving away a very cool Barbie Prize Pack to one luck reader. Just enter as many options as you would like on the Rafflecopter form below and I’ll select a winner on the weekend! Giveaway is open to residents of Canada, excluding Quebec, and includes the Barbie™ Careers Eye Doctor Playset and two Barbie™ Fashionista dolls. Good Luck!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post, however I do think skateboard princess is the coolest job you could ever hope for!

Canadian Dad’s 2015 Holiday Gift Guide ~ Kids Edition!

November 26, 2015/3 Comments/in Reviews, Reviews/Giveaways, THE BLOG/by Chris Read

Welcome to the 2015 edition of the Canadian Dad Holiday Gift Guide! This guide is all things that my kids have put on their Christmas lists and I’m excited to share them with you! Please take a look at what’s hot in their eyes this year and feel free to leave your child’s wish list in the comments section. Happy Holidays!!

Furreal Friends Daisy Plays-With-Me Kitty

My daughter is obsessed with Hasbro’s Furreal Friends at the moment. She walks her Furreal dog more than most people walk real dogs and I’m guessing the Daisy Plays With Me Kitty will be no different.

You can grab your very own Furreal Friend by visiting Toys R Us!

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Playmation Marvel Avengers Starter Pack

It would be a lie to say that I am not as excited as my son is about Disney’s Playmation. This is the closest we will ever get to becoming actual superheroes and that’s more than good for us! Power Activators bring missions to life with over 20 different enemies so you can fight along side your favourite Avengers!

For more information on the Playmation Marvel Avengers Starter Pack, visit Hasbro’s Website!
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LEGO Creator Toy & Grocery Shop

LEGO just feels like a childhood rite of passage, doesn’t it? Both of my kids spend hours creating the most amazing things and take special pride in the creations they come up with in their own heads. That said, it’s always nice to start with a fresh set and my daughter has asked us for this LEGO Creator Toy & Grocery Shop so her LEGO Friends have somewhere to buy food…
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LEGO Ninjago Ronin R.E.X.

Back to LEGO for a minute, my son and his friends love LEGO Ninjago so much that they’ve even started to play it outside with the actual LEGO. They each pretend to be a character and run around the yard completing missions. My son’s favourite character, Kai, is a part of this very cool LEGO Ninjago Ronin R.E.X. set he has asked for this Christmas.
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Maplelea Sparkling Ice Taryn

My daughter’s Maplelea doll, Taryn, may just be her favourite thing on the planet right now. She brings it everywhere she goes and treats it as if it is her own child, which is really fun to watch. This year she has asked us for some new outfits and seeing as how she is just learning to skate, we got her the Sparkling Ice outfit, which comes with the dress, tights, scrunchie, skates, skating bag and more. She is seriously going to flip out when she opens it!

Visit Maplelea’s Website for more information
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My Amazing Penpal

This one is one of the more unique things you will find this year and my kids have loved it so far! Your kids get a new package every month and it leads them on adventures through various countries where they’ll learn about its traditions, foods, animals and much more! My kids also love the online games available with their memberships.

Visit the My Amazing Penpal Website for details!
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Monster High 17 Inch Tall Freak Du Chic Gooliope Jellington

Where was Monster High when I was a kid? This is my daughter’s newest love and I can’t say I’m upset about it. Just look at Goolliope Jellington for instance. She is a circus orphan that oozes, literally, chic! The best part is that my daughter lets me be more creative with Monster High than she does with her less undead doll collections…

Check out the entire collection over on Mattel’s Website!
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Kidizoom Action Cam

Probably the gift I am most excited to give my kids this year is the Kidizoom Action Cam from Vtech. My kids love making videos and while my old digital camera has been great for them, this action cam is going to open so many possibilities for them and I can’t wait to see what they come up with. Just picture seeing what your kid sees while playing hockey or even just playing outside with their friends. It’s going to be a blast!

For more info on the Kidizoom Action Cam visit the Vtech Canada Website
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New PLAYMOBIL NHL Hockey Theme

We are officially a hockey crazy house so anytime I can get my hands on NHL licensed toys that will actually get played with, I jump at the chance. Playmobil’s new hockey themed arena lets my son imagine that he is in the NHL and winning the Stanley Cup as the Montreal Canadiens! What? It’s going to happen eventually! Anyway, this promises to provide hours and hours of hockey fun!

Check out the Playmobil Website for products, colouring sheets and online games!
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Sphero Darkside Ollie

If you haven’t seen a Sphero toy in action yet you should go check it out right now. These tiny machines are controlled by you on your smartphone or tablet and have a ton of tricks that you can make them do. I like to call toys like these “friend-makers” because all the kids will gather around when your child plays with Ollie.

For more info and demo videos, check out the Sphero Website
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Skylanders SuperChargers Starter Pack

We’ve been huge Skylanders fans in this house since before Skylanders was cool! Adding vehicles into the mix has brought the game to a new level for my son and he hasn’t stopped playing it since getting it for his birthday. Now if only someone could explain to me how Kaos keeps getting away…

Check out the Skylanders SuperChargers Website for more info!

That’s it for this year’s edition of the holiday gift guide! Please feel free to share in the comments what your kids are asking for this year. It never hurts to have a few more ideas under your cap!

Disclosure: I received a few of the items in this gift guide but all items included are things my children have actually asked for this year.

5 Ways To Avoid Getting The Flu This Season (Plus A Giveaway!)

November 24, 2015/251 Comments/in Giveaways, Reviews/Giveaways, THE BLOG/by Chris Read

It’s cold and flu season, Hooray!!!! Nobody likes to be sick and no one likes to miss out on everything the holidays have to bring, so I have put together a quick list of things that you can do to avoid getting the flu this year. You’re welcome!

1. Follow Your Children Around With Disinfectant Wipes

That’s right, as long as you never let your child get dirty or touch anything, they can’t possibly get sick! The key is to follow them around with a package of disinfectant wipes (available at Shoppers Drug Mart) and clean their hands and face at every turn. It’s important to use the wipes even if they haven’t touched anything as there are still particles in the air that could cling to their hands and face!

2. Cover Your Mouth When You Sneeze

This lesson is one of the hardest for kids to wrap their heads around. In their minds, the proper way to sneeze is the exact moment when mom or dad are sitting next to them and least expecting it. In rare cases the sneeze will happen while you are playing airplane with their nose directly above your open mouth. When this happens, the best way to proceed is to gently land the plane and immediately hop in the shower for 3 hours.

3. Don’t Reuse Tissues!!!

I still have nightmares about watching my grandmother pull that dirty old tissue out of her pocket to use on my face and nose. Seriously though, how expensive is facial tissue that we even consider reusing it multiple times, let alone licking it first?! Think of the germs that are being spread with each use!! You know what? The thought of this is so gross that I actually need a moment to collect myself before moving on to the next item…

4. Wear a Medical Mask At All Times

This one is obvious and should be followed by everyone. With so many germs floating around out there, this is the only surefire way to keep from accidentally ingesting them. Worried about looking silly? Don’t! All you have to do is either find masks with cool images, like mine, or decorate them yourselves and voila! Welcome to Coolville!

5. Visit Shoppers Drug Mart And Get Your Flu Shot!

The easiest way to avoid getting the flu and ensuring that you don’t miss out this holiday season is to visit your local Shoppers Drug Mart and getting the flu shot. I mean, c’mon, who wants to walk around with a Mickey Mouse medical mask on all the time, am I right? What are you still reading this for? Scoop up your family, head to your local Shoppers Drug Mart and protect yourself against this year’s flu. Actually, wait and enter my giveaway first, THEN go get your flu shot!

Cold & Flu Prize Pack Giveaway!

Because you are all so amazing, I am going to be giving away a Cold & Flu Prize Pack which includes a $100 gift card from Shoppers Drug Mart! This should get you through any sniffles you may come across during flu season and prevent you from having to reuse tissues… This giveaway is open to residents of Canada, excluding Quebec.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I was compensated for my participation in the #SDMFluFighters program but truly am haunted by the image of my grandmother reusing tissues.

37 Things I’ve Learned In 37 Years

November 17, 2015/1 Comment/in THE BLOG, The Daddy Files/by Chris Read

1. Talking about religion and politics on the internet is almost the same as screaming at a brick wall.

2. Being nice to people simply for the sake of being nice will pay far more dividends than being nice with alterior motives.

3. “I’ll do it later” actually means “I will forget to do this”. This is especially a problem when you suddenly need the one suit you own and find it crumpled in the laundry hamper.

4. Haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate. You know what to do.

5. Kindness can defuse a bad situation more often than anger. This I learned from the late Rev. Rick Marples who coached some of the roughest hockey teams I’ve ever been a part of and did so with a smile.

6. Karaoke is cool no matter what anyone else says.

7. Music isn’t just background noise. Music has carried me through some very dark times and made great times even greater.

8. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. No, I didn’t invent this saying and it is a worn out cliché but even the best of us get burned occasionally.

9. In business, saying no can often lead to an even bigger yes.

10. Exercising is hard when you try to catch up for years of inactivity. Don’t believe me? Here’s my story that I shared with GoodLife Fitness and I’m still struggling along.

11. You are never too old to wear a Halloween costume.

12. There is always room for personal growth. Mistakes happen. Learn and move on.

13. I can’t be bothered to tie a pair of shoes. Thank goodness for slip-ons!

14. The ability to say “I’m sorry” when you are wrong is not a weakness.

15. Take time to stop and appreciate moments as they happen, even if that moment is as simple as taking in a breath of fresh morning air.

16. I wish I had learned how to do things like change a tire, build a deck and do basic handyman tasks. You can only ask for so many favours before you start feeling bad about yourself.

17. Always ask for customer retention when trying to renegotiate your cable, internet and phone plans. I have saved hours of waiting on hold with this one.

18. Don’t bottle up your emotions, especially when it comes to grief. Acting tough only works for so long before your mind catches on.

19. Don’t be the angry parent at a children’s sporting event. You look ridiculous and your child will end up being the one who pays for your actions. No, seriously, don’t be this person. It’s bad enough that all parents have to take an hour long course on respect in sport because of you.

20. Having children is a great way to justify buying the toys you never got to play with as a child.

21. Do things you are afraid of doing. It will make you less afraid of everything else.

22. At a sporting event or concert, use the valet parking every now and then. It’s a little bit more expensive but it makes you feel like a VIP at the event.

23. Smile. A lot.

24. There isn’t a much better feeling than watching your child excel at something and seeing the pride in their faces as they do.

25. “I’ll sleep when I’m dead” is a silly concept. Being tired stinks. Get some sleep, man!

26. The “Ain’t Nobody Got Time for Dat” video is one of the funniest things on YouTube.

27. It is possible to love and hate snow at the exact same time.

28. Debt can crush your soul. If you really don’t need that shiny new thing, leave it on the shelf. Also, start saving some money right now!

29. Cabbage and lettuce are not the same thing. Only one of them tastes good in a Caesar salad. Yes, this is something I learned the hard way. No, my family hasn’t let me forget it.

30. If you think you smell gas in your house, call someone in immediately because you probably have a gas leak. Do not procrastinate for hours until you drive yourself mad and call the gas company at 2am.

31. I could watch Netflix for 4 hours a day and still never run out of things to watch on Netflix.

32. If your child asks you to hold onto a rock because it is special to them, you hold that rock until the day they ask for it back. That day could be twenty years later but they WILL ask for it back!

33. Failing at something doesn’t make you a failure, it simply gives you the knowledge to get it right the next time.

34. Making even a small difference in the world is still making a difference in the world. Volunteer your time, donate food or money, pay for someone’s coffee, anything that does something good for someone else and you will be making the world a better place.

35. Dance like no one is watching, even if they are definitely watching.

36. Say “I Love You” to the people you love. It sounds simple but we often take it for granted.

37. Everyone has an opinion on how you should dress, behave, raise your kids and feel but in the end yours is the only opinion that matters when it comes to you.

Movember + NHL + VISA Checkout = More Money For The Cause

November 13, 2015/1 Comment/in THE BLOG/by Chris Read

As you all know, the Movember movement is one that is close to my heart and something that I genuinely enjoy raising money for each year. This year I had the special opportunity to team up with the NHL, Movember and VISA Checkout to promote some great new tools that make the Movember season a lot more fun!

Throughout the month of November the NHL has added some very cool MoBro Tools to the Movember website. First you get to choose your NHL star from names like Duncan Keith, James Van Riemsdyk, Jonathan Bernier and Patrice Bergeron, and then you can select from creating a meme, video or voice message where the NHL star will promote your Mo! I was hooked from the moment I created my Duncan Keith Mo Commercial. Yes, he called me an awesome dude, and yes, I ate it up!

Further to the awesome MoBro Tools that are now available, if you use the VISA Checkout option when making your donation, VISA will donate an extra $10 to Movember! You don’t even need a VISA card to do this as it also accepts Mastercard and just note that you will be charged an extra 0.30 but it’s worth it for the extra $10! If that wasn’t enough, every time you donate using Visa Checkout you’re eligible to win a trip for 4 to the 2016 NHL Winter Classic in Boston!

Well, what are you waiting for? If you feel inclined to give, please visit my Movember page and I will be grateful for whatever amount you can spare. If you just want to go have some fun and make NHL commercials, you can head to the MoBro Tools page to do that and don’t forget to share with your friends!

#BeRemarkable And Join The World Diabetes Day Thunderclap!

November 8, 2015/65 Comments/in THE BLOG/by Chris Read

What makes someone remarkable? Is it the ability to overcome adversity? Carrying a positive attitude even in the toughest situations? Raising more that three children? Seriously, how do those parents do it?? In an effort to help promote World Diabetes Day and Bayer Diabetes Care’s #BeRemarkable campaign, I was asked to talk about a remarkable Canadian and how they have inspired me.

The problem with that task is that there are so many remarkable people who have inspired me in various ways that I didn’t know who to choose. There’s my wonderful wife, who has effortlessly taken care of our children and our home for the last few years while also going back to school to complete her Early Childhood Education program. She is only a few steps away from the finish line and I couldn’t be prouder of her.

There are so many others who have inspired me from Hannah Alper and Drew Dudley to Chris Hadfield, Molly Burke and most importantly my own mom and dad. Everywhere you turn there are remarkable people, yourself included, who aren’t waiting around for their turn to be great but who are making it happen each and every day.

The following video features real Canadians with diabetes like Pan Am Games 400m Hurdler Gregory MacNeill, Mixed Martial Artist Dessi Zaharieva, bi-athlete Bruce Kelly, gospel musician David Seale, elite level boxer JD Firth, power lifter Alex Naccarato and many more. These remarkable role models hope to inspire the diabetes community and help more people realize their own remarkable potential.

Giveaway

That’s right, a little surprise for you! We want to get the word out to as many people as possible for World Diabetes Day this November 14th, so to help inspire you to join the Bayer #BeRemarkable Thunderclap scheduled for that day, I am giving away a Fitbit Flex to one lucky reader.

For those of you who are new to the term, a Thunderclap schedules social media updates to be posted simultaneously across accounts for maximum impact. It is a very cool sight and only takes a minute to sign up for. Thank you for your support of this very worthy cause!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I was compensated for my participation in this program.

Kellogg’s Rice Krispies #TreatsForToys Is Back!

November 3, 2015/0 Comments/in THE BLOG/by Chris Read

As a blogger I occasionally get the opportunity to do some good with my platform. I am especially grateful to once again have been asked to take part in the Treats for Toys program from Kellogg’s, which benefits the Salvation Army. This campaign has a little bit of something for everyone with the big payoff being that the money raised will help purchase gifts for children in need.

For me, this is an opportunity to not only flex my baking muscles, which are sorely neglected, but also to teach my children about giving back. For the kids, well, on top of the important lessons involved they also get to play with their food and not get in trouble for it.

Before we get to our first Treats for Toys creation I just wanted to give a quick plug for the Salvation Army because I actually spend a lot of time at our local shop. I’m not sure if you’ve ever donated or visited a Salvation Army location but the hard work that goes into making them a success is second to none. My local branch has a really cool auction section set up where they run monthly auctions on items that are deemed to be on the more valuable side. I have won old toys, sports cards and more from these auctions and love that the money is also going to do some good.

The Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Treats for Toys campaign is easy to do, just follow these steps:

1) First, choose your favourite variety of Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal to use as the base and add some snap, crackle and pop to your creation:
• For a limited time, Holiday Rice Krispies cereal adds a burst of festive colour to your toy-shaped treat;
• Rice Krispies Original cereal is the classic choice for traditionalists;
• Rice Krispies with Vanilla Flavour adds a hint of sweetness to the original wholesomeness of rice;
• Rice Krispies Multi-Grain Shapes boosts the fun factor with whole grain, funky shapes and no artificial flavours or colours; and
• Rice Krispies Brown Rice Gluten-Free cereal is made with whole grain brown rice.

2) Create your toy-shaped treat using one of five Kellogg’s Rice Krispies recipes available on RiceKrispies.ca or design your own!

3) Take a picture of your treat and upload the photo to RiceKrispies.ca. You can also share your work of art on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram using #TreatsforToys.

4) For every photo received on the website, Kellogg’s Rice Krispies will donate $20 to The Salvation Army to buy a real toy for a child in need.

As you can see from the above cover photo, my son took the first crack at creating a treat and decided to go with a very life like replica of PK Subban of the Montreal Canadiens. We’ll be coming up with a few more wacky creations throughout the campaign and I hope you will join in the fun as well!

Disclosure: I was compensated for my participation in this program and also made a donation to my local Salvation Army.