Despite the fact I’m familiar with many of the cutting-edge social media technologies, I am often hesitant to adopt them because I’m already too busy with blogging, Twitter, Facebook and my iPhone.

However, my latest obsession Pinterest.com has surpassed them all.

And believe me, that’s really saying something.

I’ve gone from being a bored cook to being constantly inspired to try the onslaught of new, fabulous recipes. The endless barrage of crafts and styles motivate me to action and I am completely addicted to the holiday section where I have found a collection of the most innovative, creative and delicious offerings on the Web that are updated every second.

But, I’m getting ahead of myself here. If you’re CLICK HERE TO READ ON AT MILEHIGHMAMAS.COM

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog

With the holidays upon us, I realize questioning the excessive amount of toys our children have is not the most timely topic.

Or maybe there is no better time to talk about it.

When I first became a mom, I purchased toys with the same vengeance as a bull set loose in a China shop. If it looked fun, I bought it. I had every imaginable contraption available–swings, bouncers, word games, dress-up clothes, a play kitchen with all the fixins and so much more.

My children’s interests have evolved over the past six years and I recently had a good, hard look around my cluttered house, particularly the toy chest in my family room–the source of most of our household messes.

I HAD HAD ENOUGH! CLICK TO READ ON AT MILEHIGHMAMAS.COM

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog

If the world seems unusually peaceful and quiet today, it is because I’ve lost my voice.

Because I somehow manage to get sick 99 percent of the time I travel.

Details of our Dominican Republic trip are forthcoming but this pic I took pretty much sums it up.
Also, I don’t ever do giveaways on my personal blog but I just have to share a killer one we’re doing at Mile High Mamas. I teamed up with Windex to celebrate their 75th anniversary and we’re giving away oodles of Windex products, a video camera, $50 gift card and a photo album. Go here to enter!

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog

A couple of weeks ago, I had the most killer mom’s afternoon out with some of my fellow Mile High Mamas: we were transformed into ’50s pin-up girls by Iman Woods!

I’m talking about our hilarious, empowering and FUN experience at Mile High Mamas so be sure to check out the behind-the-scenes action.

No lie: the stylist SEWED victory rolls into my hair.

And if you’re in Denver: GO.

For details, go here.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog

Jamie and I have been watching September 11th features on television all week. It has been a sobering reminder of all that happened to change our world. It’s amazing how someone like me who didn’t know anyone who died and who isn’t even American could still feel personally impacted.

I was working as an event manager at Deseret Book’s corporate offices in Salt Lake City on September 11, 2001. I’d heard about the first attack before going to work and by the time I arrived, people were glued to the televisions in the ZCMI Center’s Food Court. I still remember how surreal it felt to watch it unfold, like you had front-row seats in a horror movie that didn’t end when the lights came back on.

When I was in New York City last summer, I went to Ground Zero. There wasn’t much to see and I guess that’s the point. The site was under reconstruction but one photo I snapped of the many efforts to rebuild still resonates today.

Maybe it’s the optimist in me but I sincerely do not believe the world is inherently bad. Watching the many inspiring stories to come out of the dust testify to that. Last week, the Washington Post interviewed some of the world’s most influential religious leaders about faith in a post-attack world.

“It seems that much of the post-9/11 renewal of faith has waned in the years that have followed,” writes Thomas Monson, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “It should not require tragedy for us to remember God.”

Rabbi David Wolpe writes, “Faith can be turned to evil when people believe that God’s word is made as small as a resentful heart. Faith can be as large as the sky and healing as a lover’s touch when we understand that God wishes goodness.”

“Two of the victims who died in the airplanes that crashed into the twin towers were coming to see me,” writes Deepak Chopra. “Looking back, I feel now the way I did back then, 10 years ago. Catastrophes are not a form of divine punishment, a test from God, evidence of sin, or secret messages from beyond. They are part of our divided world, and such a world reflects our divided self.”

T.D. Jakes writes that the lessons of 9/11 are hidden in plain sight. Among them: “We’ve neglected to comprehend that there is more that unites than separates us.”

To see all the essays, be sure to go here.

And remember.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog

There are many things I loved about my 18-month mission to France and Switzerland but rendering service at the various food banks was one of my favorites. For the entire week surrounding Christmas when I lived in Bienne, Switzerland, we did nothing but service projects that included helping serve dinner on Christmas Eve to homeless people at a shelter.

It was the best Christmas I have ever had.

When I was in Chalon-sur-Saone, France, we volunteered once a week at the local food pantry where I came alive as we entertained and brought a glimpse of joy to its patrons. My missionary companion and I were even interviewed by the local newspaper.

Just don’t ask me what I said. I didn’t understand the complicated words en francais they quoted me as saying.

I guess you could say helping the hungry and homeless is a passion, but one that has been lost since I had children. A few years ago, I volunteered to serve Thanksgiving dinner at the Denver Rescue mission with my kids but they were too young. Same goes for the Food Bank of the Rockies–I learned last week during a tour sponsored by ConAgra Foods that kids need to be 14 years and older.

But I also discovered my kiddos don’t have to wait that long to help. Forty-two percent of those served by the Food Bank of the Rockies are children under 18 years old and this statistic hit Haddie hard.

Ways for Kids to Get Involved:

– Hold a Food Drive in your area.

– Check out this Kung Food Fighters Activity Book.

– Donate a week’s worth of allowance!

– Kids in the Kitchen; Help your parents prepare a meal.

– Have a conversation with your parents about Hunger in Colorado.

– Learn about our Programs for Kids through the Food Bank of the Rockies.

You also have until the end of May to help fight child hunger with ConAgra Foods. When you purchase one of their brands (Banquet, Chef Boyardee, Healthy Choice, Fresh Mixers, Kid Cuisine, Marie Callender’s and Peter Pan), enter the eight-digit purchase code at www.childhungerendshere.com and they will donate one meal to Feeding America–up to 2.5 million meals.

Or make a financial contribution by texting “FEEDKIDS” to 50555 to make a $10 donation directly to Feeding America through June 30, 2011. Feeding America is currently on the ground helping communities impacted by the tornadoes in the South by helping with food, water and household necessities.

To find a food bank in your area, go to Feeding America’s Web site.

Disclaimer: I am participating in a campaign to help end child hunger through ConAgra Foods. All recommendations are my own.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog

It’s the return of the Big, Ugly Cry.

Never heard of it?

Walk away now

-or-

relive the horror at MileHighMamas.com today.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog

I get invitations to participate in a fair number of blogging campaigns but I turn most of them down because, while worthwhile, they’re just not something I’m passionate about.

ConAgra Foods’ Child Hunger Ends Here campaign is different.

I live in a relatively affluent area so I was surprised to learn about the large number of my daughter’s classmates who qualify for free or reduced lunches. Then I was dismayed at these statistics from the U.S. Department of Agriculture: 17.2 million American children struggle with hunger (that is 1 in 4). In Colorado, 13% of children live in poverty.

I would expect statistics like this elsewhere but certainly not in my own backyard.

That is why ConAgra’s campaign to fight hunger resonated with me. They are partnering with Feeding America and are issuing a call-to-action that is as simple as buying the foods you already love at the grocery store. Here’s how you can help:

Go Grocery Shopping

From March through May 2011, ConAgra Foods will embark on its largest branded initiative to fight child hunger in the United States. Consumers can purchase select ConAgra Foods brands and, when they enter their code online, the company will donate one meal to Feeding America – up to 2.5 million meals this during the time period. Visit www.childhungerendshere.com and enter the eight-digit purchase code found on specially-marked packages. Participating brands include: Banquet, Chef Boyardee, Healthy Choice, Fresh Mixers, Kid Cuisine, Marie Callender’s and Peter Pan. Every code entered is another meal that ConAgra Foods will enable Feeding America to secure through local food banks. Codes on specially-marked packages can be redeemed through August 2011.

Text to Donate

Consumers can make a financial contribution to Feeding America through a mobile giving campaign. Simply text “FEEDKIDS” to 50555 to make a $10 donation directly to Feeding America through June 30, 2011.

Spread the Word

Individuals can get more information on the child hunger issue by following ConAgra Foods on Facebook and Twitter. When you become a fan at facebook.com/ConAgraFoods, you can see how your donations are making a difference and share your own photos and stories. You can also follow the issue and get the latest information at twitter.com/ConAgraFoods. The Twitter hashtag is #ChildHungerEndsHere.

Over the next few months, I’ll be heading over to the local food bank and posting about simple yet worthwhile things we can all do to help child hunger. Please join me in helping this wonderful cause in whatever way you can!

Disclaimer: I am participating in a campaign to help end child hunger through ConAgra Foods. All recommendations are my own and

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog

So, I’m sick. Again. For anyone keeping track, this is the third time in just five weeks which has to be some kind of record for even me.

Rather than whine and complain about the state of affairs in 2011 (make no mistake it has sucked), go on over to MileHighMamas.com to see the controversy I’m tackling today about Hiroshima Mom.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog

It’s an oldie but a goody. Today at MileHighMamas.com, I’m talking about my least memorable Valentine’s Day ever.

Because sometimes cupid needs a lot of help.

Photo: Blogamole

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog