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Meals made easy

by Tamara McKee

Parents make their own choices for their kids when it comes to nutrition but here are some new options, exclusive to Sobey's, IGA and Pricechopper stores, which are sure to put a smile on their faces.
These days many kids' foods are laced with high glucose fructose (corn syrup). High sugar and high sodium are linked to many childhood diseases.

These are three favourites:

1. Breekie Bites - Whole wheat, cinnamon mini waffles
2. Alpha Bites - Alphabet mashed potato letters
3. Fruit Pic Mix - Dried fruit mix in raisin, berry, apple

It's nice to read the ingredient list and not see any artificial flavours, chemicals or preservatives.

Disney and Sobey's have combined forces to make meals easier and healthier for kids. The new Compliments Junior line includes more than 100 new products, of which 75 per cent bear the Health Check symbol. As with anything, check the ingredients.

posted 10.12.07

Gifts the family will love

Top gifts for teens

Not too sure what to buy those hard-to-shop for teens or tweens this holiday? Sears Canada has put together a list of cool gift ideas that are guaranteed hits!

GIFTS FOR TEEN GIRLS:
Personalized Name Plate Pendant
- Is she a little fashionista? Then she'll love the Sarah Jessica Parker inspired name plate necklace. It's foolproof for any outfit! This trendy yellow-gold necklace allows for a name with three to 10 letters.

Celebrity Fragrance - She'll love a new fragrance from her favourite celebrity. Choose from: Britney Spears' Fantasy; Jennifer Lopez's Live Luxe or Glow After Dark; Kimora Lee Simmons' Baby Phat Goddess; or Gwen Stefani's L.A.M.B.

Professional Ceramic Cordless Hair Straightener Girls love the look of shiney, sleek hair and a hair straightener is probably on most girls wish lists! This season Sears offers a ceramic cordless straightener that can be taken anywhere, anytime with 3/4" wide straightening plates, a convenient round handle and a travel storage heat shield.

GIFTS FOR TEEN BOYS:
NHL Coordinates
Do hockey fanatics wear anything other than NHL inspired fashions? This Christmas get him an NHL T-shirt, pullover or a jersey from one of his favourite Canadian teams. NHL gear starts at $25.

Nintendo Wii or PS2/PS3 Games and Accessories Teen boys love their vide games! Get him a great new accessory for his console, or the game he's been asking for.

GIFTS FOR BOTH:
iPOD & Accessories
Teen boys and girls alike are obsessed with the iPOD craze. The 80 GB iPOD with video stores and plays 20,000 songs, plays many hours of video, holds thousands of photos and more. It has a large 2 1/2" 320 x 240 pixel colour display, and the 'search' function can be done by name.

TOSHIBA Satellite Laptop Computer - See their face light up when they open a brand new laptop computer. The Toshiba Satellite computer comes with an Intel Pentium dual core processor, Microsoft Windows Vista Home, built-in DVD Super-multi Double layer disc drive, data/fax modem, and bilingual Canadian keyboard.

Samsung S730 Digital Camera - Let them capture the moment with a great new digital camera like the Samsung S730. This great 7.2 megapixel camera comes with 2.5" LCD screen, 3X and 5X optical zoom, auto-flash, and comes in 4 trendy colours: black, red, pink and silvertone.

GIFTS FOR KIDS:
Sears has the hottest toys this holiday as tested by youngsters themselves. They are educational and fun, and best of all they won't empty your wallet.

GIFTS FOR GIRLS:
What little girl doesn't love to dress up? The Fairytale Dreams Dress-Up trunk has 28 beautiful pieces that will transform her into a princess.
Get your special girl a Barbie's Island Princess Luciana or Rosella doll this holiday. Each doll sings her own special signature song.
The Bratz Babyz Deluxe Travel System is a favourite among girls that love to play house. The shop-n-drive four-piece set comes with a deluxe stroller, car seat, 2-in-1 chair and musical doll centre.
Little girls love to save special memories. The Bratz Fashion Scrapbook Kit comes with stickers, special paper, sparkles and more

GIFTS FOR BOYS:
Little boys will turn heads when they ride around the neighbourhood in their new Go Diego Go trike, with big foot pedals, rugged tires and pretend clicking ignition key.
Who said dinosaurs were extinct? The Fisher-Price Motorized T-Rex will get young paleontologists roaring, with realistic head motions and sound effects. Boys control the dino's movements with an easy-to-use forward and reverse button.
The Fisher-Price Little People Zoom Around Garage is ready to entertain with its multi-level twists and turns. Boys will love zooming through the garage with their passenger car and two little people for pretend play.
Villains beware, as little boys put on the Transformers Voice-Changing Helmet and become combat warriors. New at Sears, this helmet provides youngsters with everything they need to look and sound like a real transformer.

GIFTS FOR BOTH:
The Leapster learning series teaches the way boys and girls love to play! Youngsters can play action-packed games while learning, reading and creating works of art!
Kids will love their very own Learning Laptop Computer, with fun activities based on math, language and logic! Choose from popular Disney Power Princess or Spider-Man, available in English or French.
Water and imagination is all it takes with the Aqua Dots Kit! Kids add water to make aqua dots magically fuse together. Each kit comes with templates youngsters can use, or they can create their own.

TOP 10 CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS FOR HER
Does Holiday shopping for women in your life become increasingly difficult each passing year? Whether you are shopping for your mother, wife, daughter, sister or friend, Sears has the perfect Christmas gift solution for all the women in your life.
Is she a fitness guru? Then Roots yoga fashions are just right for her! They're stylish and easily go from the gym to the street. Or, get her the Free Spirit Yoga Mat or Yoga Tote to help her keep her exercise gear together. Have a larger budget? Why not get her what she's always wanted, a Free Spirit elliptical bike, with 8 pre-set programs and 1 manual program that allows her to diversify her work-out program. Affordable at $400, and available only at Sears.
A touch of cashmere gives the Jessica Cotton-Cashmere Knit Sweater a softness she'll love. Available in two great styles, v-neck or turtleneck, and a variety of colours.
Pamper your special lady this holiday with the new Homedics Full Body Heated Massage Mat. This great mat comes with 10 individual motors and various heat and vibration settings to allow her to program her massage just the way she likes it.
Let her wrap herself in luxury with the Whole Home 'Cuddle Soft' Robe. She'll feel like she's at the spa at home. This white, soft robe has a belt and two front-pockets and is machine washable.
She'll love the look and feel of richness and sophistication when she opens her present and finds a lavish pair of Jessica satin pyjamas. Choose from many great styles including: a 2-piece pyjama set, chemise, or a tailored nightshirt. All are available in a variety of rich hues, as well as plus sizes.
Allow her to capture all of the wonderful moments this holiday with a great digital camera. Choose from a number of trusted brands including Sony, Canon, Fuji, Samsung and more. Make her feel confident and glamorous this holiday and get her a wonderful new fragrance like Sarah Jessica Parker's new scent 'Covet'. Covet is an ultra-feminine fragrance designed beautifully both from its sensual blend of fragrance notes to its stunning bottle.
Still having trouble picking the perfect gift? Get her a gift card, and let her select her own great gift.

posted 10.12.07