 Spread some love No way rosé! Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and we’re looking forward to telling our loved ones just how much they mean to us. Sure we do this on a daily basis, but we think there’s something nice about having a day that’s a little extra special. Especially when it includes a delicious meal. And wine. And a little chocolate never hurt anybody either. Just sayin’. Meal prep Possibly one of the best feelings in the world is coming home and realizing dinner is already planned and the prep work has already been done. It doesn’t always happen, but getting ahead of the game so we know what’s coming up during the week has been extremely satisfying. We’ve shared a few recipes in the past on the blog and many of our favourites are great make-ahead, freezer-friendly options. Check out our roasted tomato soup and broccoli cheddar egg muffins for a little inspiration! Tackling the reading list We always make a mental note of books we really want to read, but finding the time to actually sit down and get through a chapter can sometimes be a serious challenge. (Any other mamas with us on this one?) We’re making a conscious effort to carve out some time to sit down with a hot (not lukewarm) cup of coffee, some cozy reading socks (because Indigo says), and a good book. Becoming by Michelle Obama is at the top of our list right now and we can’t wait to get into it. Wish us luck!  Purging with our minis If you’ve checked out our Instagram stories, then you know we’ve become slightly obsessed with purging. And while it’s been great for us, it’s also a great idea to go through your littles one’s things and see what should stay and what could go. It could be a battle at first, but once they get the hang of it, they may enjoy the process and feel amazing knowing some of their items will go to someone who really needs them. Giving our homes some love Now that we’ve cut down on the clutter, we’re showing a little love to our homes with a few minor (and major) renovations. From a new mudroom and updated nursery décor, to a total overhaul on a master bathroom, we’re so excited to share the transformations!  Morning stretch
Namaste in bed no more! Lindsay recently started getting back into a short morning yoga routine at home and it has made such a difference. Twenty minutes has been the max and it certainly doesn’t happen on the daily, but it’s been nice to get in a few sun salutations before starting the day. What’s on your checklist this month? xo Jacqueline and Lindsay
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 We love overnight oats. They are super healthy, delicious and filling. And they are not just for adults! Our toddlers love this recipe. Serve this for breakfast or lunch and feel good knowing your children are getting the nutrients they need!
Makes 2-3 servings ' Ingredients 1 cup rolled oats 1 Love Child fruit pouch (our littles ones love apples or pears) 1/2 cup full fat Greek yogurt (plain or vanilla) 1/2 cup full fat milk 1 tbs cinnamon Directions Place all ingredients into a bowl. Stir to combine. Place in an airtight glass bowl and leave in fridge overnight. Serve cold. It's that simple! If you have quick and healthy meal ideas for toddlers, please share! xo ***Love Child gives us free products. All opinions we express are real and our own.  We are always on the hunt for meal ideas that our toddlers will love as much as we do and this recipe is a total win in our homes! Egg muffins are easy to make and healthy too! They are also versatile so you can make a different kind every week!
Makes 6 servings Ingredients 5 extra large eggs 2T milk 1/4 C broccoli florets, chopped Small handful of grated cheddar cheese (or more if you love cheese!) Pinch of salt and pepper Directions Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 1. Whisk eggs and milk in a medium-sized bowl. 2. Stir in broccoli, cheddar cheese, salt and pepper. 3. Mix all ingredients until well combined. 4. Pour mixture into muffin tins (3/4 full). 5. Bake for 20 minutes. 6. Let stand for five minutes. You can easily mix things up by substituting the broccoli and cheese for different ingredients like tomatoes and feta, sweet potato and spinach, or bacon and Monterey Jack cheese. Happy cooking, loves! Hands up if you're completely obsessed with Tidying Up with Marie Kondo on Netflix. As soon as we watched the first episode, we immediately went on a major purge throughout our homes. So it's no surprise that this month's checklist is all about de-cluttering, getting organized and planning ahead. Check out what we'll be up to this month!  Book winter getaways now If you haven't booked your winter escapes, now's the time to nail down travel plans. We're still reminiscing about last year's family getaways and we can't wait for our next adventure with our little ones. Un-deck the halls It’s time to say so long to the Christmas décor for another year. Pack things away as neatly as possible in bins and boxes and make sure everything is labeled so it's easy to find next Christmas.  Clean out bathroom cabinets and countertops Lotions, scrubs and balms have all found homes in our bathroom cabinets and we’re ready to get organized. If you haven’t used that vanilla hazelnut body scrub for over a year, then chances are you won’t use it this year either. Not all beauty products list expiry dates, so use your judgment and toss products that are collecting dust. We love using baskets to keep products more contained and organized. Unsubscribe from e-mail lists you never open We always say we're going to cut down on retail e-mail subscriptions and we never do. So this month is the month to make it happen! Organize photos We take A LOT of pics of our little ones and during the holidays that number is multiplied by 10. To avoid getting lost in the fray, we’ve embraced the lost art of printing photos. It takes little time to do, is extremely inexpensive (Shutterfly will print your 4x6 prints for free!) and means you’ll always have a keepsake of those matching family pyjamas. We love flipping through photo albums and our absolute favourites are framed and displayed throughout our homes.   Organize the playroom We’ve discovered it takes about 10 seconds for our home to become engulfed in kid’s toys. To avoid a full-on toddler stuff takeover, use storage bins, cubbies and pint-size lockers for storage. We've already started removing items our little ones have either grown out of or just have no interest in playing with anymore. Cut down on kitchen clutter Real talk: There's something extremely satisfying about an organized spice cabinet. Spend some time in the kitchen and get organized. If there are ingredients you haven't opened and know you won't use, pack them up and make a donation to your local food bank. Cutting down on the clutter in the kitchen will make meal prep so much more enjoyable.  Treat yo' self
Every month should include some much-deserved self-care. It can be as simple as a cup of coffee and a good book sans interruptions, or a full-on spa day. Just do something for you! Happy New Year! xo Jacqueline and Lindsay  It wouldn't be Christmas without eggnog. We make this recipe every year - often multiple times, and it is always a hit! Why not mix things up and bring eggnog to your next holiday potluck. Or, whip up this recipe on Christmas Day for an indulgent treat you and your family are sure to enjoy. Serves 6 4 cups milk 1 cup heavy cream (chilled) 1 cup sugar 12 large egg yolks 1 tsp vanilla 1/4 tsp cinnamon 1/2 cup rum (optional) Fresh grated nutmeg Directions Whisk milk and sugar together in a medium pot on medium heat until sugar dissolves. Using a large bowl, whisk egg yolks. Continue whisking while pouring the hot sugar and milk into eggs. Place mixture back in pot and cook on medium-low heat for 20 -25 minutes. Stir often and do not let mixture bubble. Strain into a bowl and add rum and cream. Add cinnamon. Allow eggnog to cool. Top chilled beverage with nutmeg. 'Tis the season! Enjoy loves! xo We can't believe we're a month out from Christmas! This year feels even more special because we'll be experiencing every moment through the eyes of our little ones (who were just a few months old last Christmas!). Because of our hectic schedules, we like to try to plan ahead as much as possible, and in our opinion, every good plan starts with a checklist. This week we visited CTV Morning Live to talk about "hassle-free holidays." While we mentioned a few tips during our segment, today we're sharing our full week-by-week checklist leading up to the big day!  Week One
Week Two
  Week Three
Week Four
 What to-dos are on your holiday checklist? We'd love to know how you stay organized during this busy time of year!
xo Jacqueline & Lindsay  We love seasonal decor. It keeps our homes from feeling dated and every changing season gives us the perfect excuse to shop for fresh finds. We're especially obsessed with all things Christmas and are pumped to share Lindsay's dining room decor for Christmas 2018. Check out the before and after pics below and let us know what you think of the changes! The mantle When I discovered the cutest faux grass pots at IKEA this summer, I filled my cart and went to town on our fireplace mantle. I said a (temporary) farewell to the grass for winter and opted for a classic green and red colour palette with pops of silver in the stocking holders. (How cute are those reindeer from HomeSense?!). The red berry garland was the perfect finishing touch to add warmth and tie everything together.   The bar area Our motto when it comes to home improvements: shiplap is always a good idea. We absolutely LOVED the wallpaper in the bar area, but when it came to decor we felt it overpowered most accessories in the space and we wanted to be able to play with more colour. So in came the white shiplap. It's a crisp and clean look and also perfect for our Christmas display. When we first started dreaming up this space we wanted it to feel like a modern Christmas village. The camper and silos were perfect for our desired look and then we went from there. We stuck with the red and green theme and it's the perfect pop against the shiplap.     What do you have planned for your Christmas decor this year? We're always on the hunt for inspiration!
xo Jacqueline & Lindsay  I work outside the home and mornings are precious to me. I love that little bit of time I have to spend with my son before I leave for work. Like most people, I really don’t like feeling rushed in the morning. It sets the wrong tone for the day. So, in order to have a smooth morning, I take care of a lot of tasks at night. See my nighttime routine here. I hit the ground running when I wake up. The moment my feet hit the floor, I am focused on accomplishing whatever I need to before my son wakes up. I quickly get dressed for the day and do a quick five-minute face. I’d like to tell you that I shed the mom look when I go to work by styling my hair, but that just isn’t the case. My hair is usually in a low pony. And thank God for dry shampoo. Amiright? Next, I’m off to the kitchen. I put my lunch (usually a big salad) and snacks (often apples, crackers, or nuts) in my bag and pack up my breast pump. I pump throughout the day so it’s crucial that I pack everything I need. (See our post on pumping at work here.) Around this time, my baby usually wakes up and we share my favourite part of the morning. I love how snuggly he is when he wakes up. I rock him in my nursing chair in his nursery and then get him dressed for the day.  Next, we’re off to the kitchen for breakfast. My son loves peanut butter on toast or yogourt and berries. He also likes pancakes or eggs. It’s such a win for me that he is eating eggs. He would not touch them for months and then one day he decided he liked them! This makes breakfast far easier because my husband and I usually have eggs on toast for breakfast as well. Once breakfast is over, I sweep under the highchair. If I have time, I make the bed and do one quick look in the mirror to make sure I am not covered in my son’s breakfast. If I haven’t put the dishes away the night before, my husband or I will unload the dishwasher and wash any other dirty dishes by hand.  After lots of kisses, I’m out the door with a large coffee in hand!
What works for you on a busy morning? Any tips to share?  We can’t believe it’s November already. This month we’re determined to get ahead of the game and do a little planning, a little goal-setting and most definitely a little shopping. Check out what tops our to-do list for November. Meal plan Real talk: We always have the best intentions when it comes to meal planning, but we tend to fall off of that wagon weekly. Despite the fact that we make our list and buy our ingredients, life gets in the way and that slowcooker ain’t gonna set itself. So this month we’re once again adding it to our list, but believe us, there are days when a pre-cooked roast chicken and a simple spinach salad make an appearance. Bottom line: make that list, but don’t worry if the Monday to Friday game plan hits a snag. (Side note: If you're looking for a quick and oh-so-delicious bite, we're sharing details of the yummy dish featured in the above pic at the end of this post, courtesy of Chef Craig Flinn.  Remembrance Day November 11 is Remembrance Day in Canada. Take a moment to reflect, honour and remember those who fought for our freedom. Set goals This sounds simple but it makes such a difference in the outcome of your day, month or year. We can be so hard on ourselves to get stuff done in a 24-hour span. Once we started setting small goals, we relieved some of that pressure. Get your winter reading list going The thought of a cold night, cozy socks, a weighted blanket, a mug of coffee (read wine) and a new book gives us all of the feels. Lindsay just started reading Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis and by the fifth page she was already on her second pack of 3-in-1 cleansing cloths. What books are on your list? We’d love suggestions!  Bring on the layers The Ruck sisters tend to run cold, so you better believe we pack on all of the layers once the temperature drops. How’s that winter coat from last year? Are your boots still made for walking or ready to be retired? Check out what works and what needs an update. Holiday plans We know it’s only the beginning of November, but December is just around the corner and it’ll be time to deck the halls before you know it. What’s on the menu this holiday season? How’s your gift-wrapping supplies? Know what you’ll be giving loved ones this year? And what about that must-do family Christmas card? Throw on those holiday sweaters, toss some tinsel around and say cheese to get your orders in on time! What’s on your checklist this month? Happy November! Mushrooms on Toast (simple and ridiculously delicious) Ingredients Extra-virgin olive oil Sliced bread Clove of garlic Mix of chanterelle, shiitake and sliced portobello mushrooms Few pats of butter Salt & pepper Handful of finely chopped chives Handful of finely chopped parsley Balsamic vinegar Parmesan cheese Poached egg Directions 1, Brush the sliced bread with olive oil and fry in a frying pan on medium heat. 2. Rub one side of the bread with a clove of crushed garlic. 3. Remove the bread from the pan and add the mixed mushrooms into the hot pan. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. 4. Add a tablespoon of water and a pat of butter to glaze the mushrooms. Add chives and parsley to the pan and mix well. 5. Place the glazed mushrooms on top of the fried bread. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and sprinkle parmesan cheese on top. 6. Top with a poached egg. Enjoy!   If you’ve checked out our Insta stories in the past, you’ll know we’ve got a serious love for pancakes. Jacqueline whips up a stack almost every weekend for her family. And Lindsay conveniently pops in for a friendly visit almost every weekend. (Family is so important, after all!) This past weekend we made a Saturday tradition a little more special by hosting a pancake brunch. Check out the details below and see some of our favourite pancake toppers. The recipe We went with Magnolia Table’s “The Best-Ever Fluffy Pancakes.” There are a few reasons why choosing this particular recipe is a no-brainer. First, “best-ever” is in the title, so that’s a promising start. Second, they’re buttermilk pancakes, which means extra fluffy and oh-so delicious. The key to this pancake recipe is letting the batter sit for 20 to 30 minutes to guarantee serious floating-like-a-cloud fluffiness. Once the batter’s in the pan, wait for tiny bubbles to form on the top and that’s how you know they’re ready to flip. Each pancake shouldn't take much more than two minutes per side.  If you’re making pancakes the star of your gathering, you might as well kick it up a notch and offer guests a few options for filling and topping their flapjacks. Here’s a few of our delicious go-tos. The fillings These can be sprinkled on top of the uncooked pancake batter as soon as it hits the pan. Chocolate chips Fresh blueberries Coconut Grated apples Lemon zest Orange zest The toppings Maple syrup Fresh berries Brown sugar Ricotta and figs Lemon syrup Jam and clotted cream  Hungry yet? What tasty toppings make your pancakes complete?
xo Jacqueline & Lindsay |
AuthorJacqueline and Lindsay are sisters and new moms living on the East Coast of Canada. |
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