It is a holiday tradition for the girls and I to go on our annual perfect tree hunt. We have several trees that go up. Most ones I bought here at The Shopping Channel, but we also have to find and cut the perfect tree that becomes the kids tree.

My beautiful artifical ones went up in early Novemember. They have my colour-matching decorations on them and one even spins in the window. In mid-December  I borrow a truck and we bundle up and go north to a tree farm. There we jump on the hay wagon that treks us out to the bush. We spend about an hour roaming and searching the rows of trees and usually end up way at the far corners of the farm to find our perfect tree. I saw it down and we load it onto the tobbagan to pull it back to the pick up spot. Then we go for tobbagan rides, hot chocolate and sit by the fire. It gets put up with all the decorations they make and have collected over the years.

We will also bake cookies and Im looking forward to a new tradition we are starting this year with the “Elf On The Shelf” . I cant wait to see where that little elf will turn up each day!

Happy Holidays to everyone out there may you feel as blessed as I do with loved ones around.

Renee
TV Host

What an honour to be involved in last night’s Make a Difference Telethon in support of the Canadian Cancer Society. I always love my job, but doing the event last night was a treat. Knowing what we were doing made it such a feel-good show.

Richard, Susan and myself all hosted the two-hour event and we had a great time doing it. There was laughter and some fun when we joked about how the guys always get to go on the “Meet the Host” lunch & tour. I guess I can’t argue ladies as wouldn’t we all love to have lunch with Norm or Richard. I made Richard pump up while we showcased the AeroPilates machine. A little hot for him in that suit but he worked it well.

We also had some touching moments when two cancer survivors Kathy Anderson and Treva Thompson — both Cancer survivors — modelled handbags and shared their stories. We are so grateful to all those who donated their time, products and energy in making this great event happen. We would also like to thank you, the viewers, who shopped and bid on all the wonderful items. Together We can Make a Difference In The Fight Against Cancer.

Bless you all & hope you enjoy the photos below from the event,

Renee

Kathy Anderson, myself & Treva Thompson

Me with the lovely Marianthe Mesboursis who presented HP & Clickfree

Richard and I had a great time hosting the event together with Susan …

… even when I forced him to test-drive our Aeropilates machine. Poor guy!

Don’t miss The Shopping Channel’s Mother’s Day Weekend. A must-watch three day celebration filled with unbelievable offers, new arrivals from your favourites & more! All with Mom in mind.

Would you like fries with that? TV Hosts Renee Torrington, Greta Culliford & Tanya Yanaky served up smiles & lunch earlier today at the McDonald’s restaurant around the corner from The Shopping Channel. Renee filled customer orders, while Tanya & Greta handed out balloons — all in support of McHappy Day and local children’s charities.

A restaurant patron was kind enough to take Renee’s camcorder in hand and catch some of the action:

Leading up to our Mother’s Day Weekend (May 8 to 10), I asked some of our TV Host Moms to share their thoughts about what the big day means to them. We’d love to hear your thoughts as well. Feel free to share your special Mom memories by clicking on the Comments link below.

As we get older, I realize more and more how fast the years go by. As my mother took such good care of me growing up, I know there will be a time where it will my turn to take care of her. And with the good memories I have of growing up, I only pray that my children have warm memories too. Mother’s Day is a time of reflection. Of being grateful for the good times we have shared.

My kids are 25 and 23 and are planning to leave the nest soon and as they plan, I want them to always remember I am here for them. For my mother and my children, and to my grandmother who has passed on, my life is so much more fulfilling thanks to them.

Wishing all Moms a special day,
Carol

Being a good mom is the thing in life I am most proud of. I have three beautiful daughters and they keep me going even in the worst of times. Simple things they do can bring you such joy.

This is my first Mother’s Day being a single mom. I hope I am setting a good example for my daughters and showing them that their mother is strong and, no matter what, will always be there for them. They, above anything else, are the loves of my life. I plan to spend the day with them and eat whatever weird concoction they bring me for breakfast in bed. I’ll have Gravol standing by.

Happy Mother’s Day to you,
Renee

As part of our Spring Home Week event, Renee and Greta put into use two of the many items we’re showcasing this week.

Take a tour of two of Renee’s bedrooms, where she gives both of them an easy makeover with our Today’s Showstopper - our 7-Piece Comforter Set in two beautiful, fresh styles. This is an incredible opportunity buy, only $77.96 for either the double, queen or king size:

Greta sits down with us in her kitchen to chat about a product that’s near and dear to heart - the Jack La Lanne Power Juicer. Watch for her very favourite juicing recipe:

 
See what else is in store for you during the last couple of days of Spring Home Week at theShoppingChannel.com

As part of The Shopping Channel’s Spring Home Week event, TV Hosts Greta Culliford and Renee Torrington give us a tour of the very favourite rooms in their own homes. Many of you have been staying in touch with Greta here in our Blog, so I’m sure you’ll all be very happy to see how well she is doing!

Wow what a difference great olive oil makes in taste! I tried our certified organic olive oil  and balsamic vineger this week on salad and as a dip for bread. I was very surprised at the quality and taste difference. The purity of the product enhanced all my foods and did so with a healthy fat.

I’m still up about 5-7 pounds, even after eating better so this week, so I am going to try the Grapefruit Apple Cider Vineger Diet to help me out. I need to get rid of my sweet cravings! After the holidays and eating so many treats I’m still craving with that sweet tooth all the time.

I’m also thinking of doing a cleanse. I have done them in the past and found it kick starts my metabolism.

I did have to make birthday cake this week for my daughter but, luckily, one of her ultimate favourites is Angle Food Cake and 7-minute frosting. All lower in fat. So I cheated and made the cake from a box but the frosting is just egg whites, sugar water and corn syrup. It tastes amazing and looks so great. (See my quick recipe below).

I have to say I also needed to get myself in gear and back to working out. I’m watching Denises tips and following her lead. Thanks Denise!

I’m still trying new lunch ideas. This week I tried rolling up tortilas and making wraps for the kids. They seemed to like them and I could put different stuff in each kids. You can also heat them up and make breakfast buritos with them (my friend Darlene sent me a recipe).

Here is my 7-minute frosting recipe:

- 1 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 egg whites
- 2 tablespoons corn syrup
- 1/3 cup water

Mix on a double boiler for about 7 minutes (I wasn’t kidding!) It will be white and fluffy when done. Add vanilla or lemon for extra flavour. Yummy.

Keep those recipe & cooking ideas coming! Click on the Comments link below.

 
Tune in or shop online during our Live Better Event. New & innovative products to help you keep your resolution to live a healthier life.

First I want to thank Joyce Ball from Midland, Ontario for the yummy chicken stew with dumplings recipe. The kids loved it. I also have had the smoothie Michael suggested for breakfast a few times. It is great to take in the car on route with me. So much better than skipping a meal!

I decided to make some things for lunches ahead of time this week. I made up a huge potato salad we had as a side dish one night for dinner and then the kids loved it so much they took it for lunch two days this week. I also did up a tomato, cucumber & red pepper salad with balsamic vinegar, olive oil and feta cheese. That was also good for lunches. I’m trying to make sure my kids are getting at least a serving of fruit and veggies with their lunches every day.

I have been experimenting with some of our great cookware to make different breakfast foods. Toad in a hole was a hit. To help out I taught my two oldest kids a meal they can prepare each. My 9 year old is very proud that she can make pancakes from a mix and we have fun with what we put in them — different fruit on weekdays and I let them do chocolate chips as a treat on weekends.

My 12 year old has mastered the grill cheese sandwich. All supervised of course. Orlena gave me a starter for Amish bread and my 6 year old made that with me and we added some yummy dried fruit. I also made homemade soup twice in the last two weeks. Every time I roast a chicken I use the leftovers to prepare a stock so I don’t have to buy it.

Here is the potato salad recipe I never share but is always a hit. Keep it to yourself.

1) Using a pressure cooker I steam the potatoes:
- 1 bag mini white
- 1 bag mini red
- 2 sweet potatoes peeled and cubed large size pieces

2) In a bowl I mix the cooked potatoes with 1 jar of Renee’s Gourmet Light Caesar Salad Dressing. I grate parmesan cheese and add crumbled bacon. It can be served hot or cold.

It is not necessarily “low fat” but it is lightened up and the addition of the sweet potatoes makes for a healthy lunch that I know my kids will eat.

Please suggest more tips and recipes. I love trying new things! Click on the Comments link below.

 
Tune in or shop online during our Live Better Event. New & innovative products to help you keep your resolution to live a healthier life.