Author Archives: Laura Snow

22Nov 2013

The Best of Land and Sea with Royal Caribbean and Universal Orlando!

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Our family had never been on a cruise before, so, we were very excited when Royal Caribbean International invited us to go on a cruise, on the Freedom of the Seas! The trip would highlight the new joint program between Universal Orlando Resort and Royal Caribbean International, where you can experience the best of both Land and Sea. We spent an amazing two days at the Universal Orlando Resort, where we stayed at the Loews Royal Pacific Resort, a tropical paradise. You can read my review on our time at Universal Orlando HERE.

The Sea part of our vacation was spent on the, newly enhanced, Freedom of the Seas cruise ship. It was so much bigger than we imagined! The Freedom of the Seas can hold up to 4,375 guests and 1360 international crew members. If you stood the Freedom of the Seas upright, on its bow, it would be taller than the Eiffel Tower! We were amazed at how quickly we boarded the ship, and found our cabin. The organization of the boarding experience was excellent. We had the pleasure of sharing our journey, at sea, with the High Seas Rally Bikers. These pirates made our cruise very interesting, and one even dressed up like Santa! Our children were so excited about the H2O zone, with brightly coloured sculptures spraying water, a wave pool and swimming pool with a waterfall. (Lower left image)

Freedom of the Seas Collage Web Read More →

16Nov 2013

Universal Orlando Resort

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Our family was recently invited to test out the new vacation package offered between Universal Orlando Resort and Royal Caribbean International. The package puts together a few days on land at Universal Orlando in one of their four on site hotels and a cruise on a Royal Caribbean Ship. There are many options available to choose from.

We started our vacation at the breathtaking Loews Royal Pacific Resort Hotel at Universal Orlando. As soon as you walk into the lobby you are transported to the tropical South Pacific. There is a beautiful open atrium at the center of the lobby featuring waterfalls, stone statues and lush greenery.

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The entire property makes you feel relaxed with its tropical decor. My favourite part of the Royal Pacific Hotel was the lagoon style pool area. Read More →

31Oct 2013

Royal Caribbean and Universal Orlando Adventure

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We are leaving tomorrow on a new adventure. We are going to Universal Orlando Resort and on a Royal Caribbean Cruise on the Freedom of the Seas. You can now book a land and sea vacation, like this, through Royal Caribbean, to experience both a cruise and Universal Orlando.

In Orlando we will be staying at the Loews Royal Pacific Resort, on site, at Universal Orlando Resort. The hotel looks beautiful!

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We were just at Universal’s Islands of Adventure park at Christmas last year, however, our children have never been to Universal Studios. They are very excited to try the Despicable Me Minion Mayhem ride! Read More →

29Oct 2013

Jeni Made It Giveaway!

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If you are going on vacation or having a party anytime soon, especially if you’re going to Walt Disney World or Universal Studios, you should go check out Jeni Made It  t-shirt designs. I recently found Jeni Made It designs on facebook. She makes unique personalized t-shirts for your vacation, family reunion or birthday party. I bought some t-shirts from Jeni for our upcoming Dreamworks cruise on Royal Caribbean. Aren’t they adorable?

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27Oct 2013

Banana Rice Custard made with USA Rice

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I don’t bake very often anymore. I really just don’t have the time, between working full-time, and blogging part-time. So when I do want to whip up something homemade, I’m looking for something fast, easy and delicious. Today I made the Banana Rice Custard Recipe I found on the USA Rice Federation Website.

Did you know that nearly 65% of all rice consumed in Canada is grown in the United States? There are thousands of rice varieties. I chose to make this recipe with Brown Rice which is an excellent source of: Thiamine, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Phosphorus, Zinc, and Magnesium.

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When I cook rice I almost always take the easy way and use the microwave. Here’s how easy it is to cook rice in the microwave: Read More →

20Oct 2013

My One Month Check In on the Total Fat Loss System

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Last Saturday was my one month check in on the Total Fat Loss System with Journey to Wellness. I weighed and measured myself and did a fitness test. I have lost 6 pounds, 2 inches on my waist and my energy levels have increased dramatically.

 

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15Oct 2013

Wordless Wednesday – Fall Fun!

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Fall Fun Collage 1

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15Oct 2013

What They Won’t Tell You about Being a Special Needs Parent

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What They Won’t Tell You about Being a Special Needs Parent – shared from:

Real Women Drive Stick

A little bit of everything. A whole lot of something.

Imagine yourself sitting in front of a doctor, being told the percentage of negative risk to your child’s future medical health (children if you have multiples). Terminology floats around your head as you try to put it into perspective. Diagnosis, disability, death, you’re told about these with varying degrees of sensitivity to your feelings.
You might come to a decision at the time, or you may wait until consulting any number of family and friends. In some cases, the decision is made for you, and that can provide an unspoken relief alongside the grief.
Most likely, at that moment, the doctors won’t tell you that not only do you risk the unknown life of your child, but also the existing relationships within which you find yourself. It is unrealistic to expect anyone to know exactly how they will be as a parent before a child is born. Parents of premature children cannot imagine what they will be like as parents, particularly when they don’t know *how* different their child will be (or not). Divorce among the parents of premature babies and children with disabilities or “special needs” is not uncommon.
10Oct 2013

An Interview with Glen Canning – A Rae of Light

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Just over six months ago I heard about Rehtaeh Parsons for the first time.  I was moved greatly by the story of her life. If you haven’t heard her story; Rehtaeh Parsons was raped at a party by four boys and then bullied relentlessly for 18 months until she took her own life on April 17, 2013, at the age of 17.

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REHTAEH PARSONS WAS MY DAUGHTER is one of the first articles I read after hearing about Rehtaeh for the first time. It is written by her father, Glen Canning. I found myself unable to stop the tears from falling down my face as I sat in my chair at work. The article still brings me to tears today, and I can’t even begin to imagine how Glen Canning wrote it, only 3 days after his daughter was pronounced brain-dead and did not regain consciousness. I have two daughters. I had no idea how far bullying could go until I heard Rehtaeh’s story. Read More →

27Sep 2013

Finding my Bliss with Karina Dresses!

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It’s amazing to me that in less than a week I will be hopping on an airplane, for the first time in many, many years, alone! I’m off to my first blogging conference, BlissDom Canada.  I love to travel with a capital L, so I am very excited, but nervous, at the same time. One thing I was worried about was whether or not I would have to go buy a whole new wardrobe for the conference and travelling.

The conference organizers have been amazing at making everyone feel comfortable, during the weeks leading up to the conference. They made it clear that buying a new wardrobe wasn’t necessary, but I still wanted to make a good first impression!

Luckily, I found Karina Dresses.

As soon as I looked at their website I was smitten. I was thrilled when they choose to partner with me and offer me dress to review. Read More →

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