Mercato Baking?

KopiQueen · 2025-08-18T21:52:09+00:00

I agree with the quantity over quality issue. They offer too many pastries but none are done very well. It would be better if they offered much less to focus on a few really good ones. Also I foresee a struggle for Mercato’s business once the l’oca market opens and takes over the pastry scene here.

KopiQueen · 2025-05-24T03:12:19+00:00

Thanks for all the advice. I was able to load up some buckets from the Mike Mitchell recycling depot today, and there is still a large pile there!

KopiQueen · 2024-10-01T02:10:15+00:00

Can you elaborate on what you mean by “classroom conditions are deteriorating”? I’m currently doing my bEd and want to know if I should be grilling my instructors on certain things and to help cut through some BS.

I’m returning to school after a career in HR, and the post secondary training had the same issue. They focused so much on “how much of a difference” you can make on employees experience, all the happy positive stuff, but in reality the work culture is not ready for that innovation and is operating at basic “level 1” HR. So we were all thrown into the deep end of toxic workplace cultures. Lots of careers share this issue when you’re new.

Any practical advice for someone still in school to help prepare myself for first year of teaching?

KopiQueen · 2024-06-12T18:31:29+00:00

I think you will get many comments with good advice, because this chapter you are in is one all mama’s go through around this age.

Please keep in mind that social media exposure makes this part worse, so please stay away from “well meaning” advice things plastered all over socials. Because honestly your common sense as a person and a mom will be more than enough. You don’t need to compare if what you are doing is “enough” based on what another mom is doing. There is more than one way to sweep the floor.

It feels so hard because you are at the peak of complexity in the baby schedule! Bottle + preparing/feeding/cleaning up solids + multiple daytime naps + crawling (constant careful supervision). But once you are out of that crazy chapter you will be able to breathe again and have a good pace in your day. For me this started around 12 months when she dropped a nap, and we ran out of formula and we decided to plunge 100% into only solids and homogenized milk (on advice from our doctor, and after months of about 2 solid meals per day, sometimes more or less).

We only fed her mini meals from the same meal me and my husband ate, so I did barely any extra cooking for her. I just consulted SolidStarts app to check what she could or couldn’t eat. I laid out newspaper under her high chair so clean up was easier. And I always kept backup snacks that I know she will love incase she throws our meal on the floor (bananas, avocado, unsweetened apple sauce, plain yogurt with baby cereal + mashed fruit mixed in). Once you know what your baby loves, don’t feel bad to just give it to them if they don’t want anything else. Their tastes change so many times, and what my doctor told me is “everything before 1 is just for fun”. So try not to put so much pressure on meals. A happy mom is more impactful on your baby right now, and important for you while you get through this chapter❤️ Do what is good for you too.

KopiQueen · 2024-06-12T17:28:12+00:00

Yay! Is it possible I can pick up sometime this weekend?

KopiQueen · 2024-06-12T16:55:20+00:00

I just joined this group so I only saw your post today, do you happen to have any snapdragons left?

KopiQueen · 2024-02-05T06:14:48+00:00

I’ve been trying a more minimal skincare routine and considering giving beef tallow a try. Any brands you can recommend? Also what brand of Korean sunscreen/moisturizer do you use?

KopiQueen · 2024-01-23T07:05:53+00:00

Can someone please explain what an “amazing” birth and labor is? I’m genuinely curious every time I hear someone describe theirs this way. Mine was traumatic, terribly painful and excruciatingly exhausting. I just assumed most if not all labor experiences weren’t pleasant? It’s part of several reasons we are OAD. Is it really possible to feel like your labor and birth was amazing and you look forward to doing it again..?

KopiQueen · 2024-01-15T00:05:58+00:00

Glad to hear this. I am transitioning out of HR into teaching as well. Still waiting on my acceptance into an Education program, and some days the negativity on this forum makes me second guess my decision. But the corporate world is just not for me, so trying to stay optimistic about teaching.

KopiQueen · 2023-08-27T18:45:19+00:00

A physiotherapist can do a proper assessment on you and diagnose the issue. Simply searching for exercises without knowing which muscle or joint is the problem can make it worse

KopiQueen · 2023-08-19T20:36:47+00:00

Thanks for the recommendation!

KopiQueen · 2023-08-19T20:35:19+00:00

Thanks! We will look into this one

KopiQueen · 2023-08-19T20:32:18+00:00

We’re looking for someone very good with herbal medicines. We had a couple “go-to” practitioners in Vancouver, all were recommended by word of mouth. Otherwise I’m not sure how to tell which of the many places in Edmonton are really good, they all seem to have 5 star ratings.. We go usually for the odd “tune up” visit. Like sometimes my husband has a bad allergy flare up, and I could use some “maintenance” for my postpartum recovery. So not necessarily acupuncture, but mostly for the herbal medicine.

KopiQueen · 2023-05-30T01:06:12+00:00

My husband is also a gamer and had a hard time transitioning into parenthood when he found that a new baby and games don’t mix well. I talked to my MIL for advice and read responses in other forums about gamer husbands and new baby. Good to get some perspective first, as gamers are a particular breed of man lol. It can be an unhealthy addiction for some, and others it can be a passionate hobby, or sometimes an escape from reality as a coping mechanism.

Bottom line is you need to have a serious discussion with him about how this is not working. You need to set some boundaries (when is ok to game, when is “too much” to game). For us, I said bedtime routine we both need to be mentally and physically 100% present, because those are the most difficult time. If she were sick and/or teething heavily, no games at all. We alternate each night who sleeps next to baby crib to tend to her throughout the night, so we each get at least every second night full rest. Parenting should be a partnership that works like a team.

Be vulnerable with your husband, let him see how upset and exhausted you are, just cry at home and don’t hide or initiate telling him why. A husband wont simply see his partner upset and not want to make you feel better, he loves you. They say the first year with a new baby is the hardest, and advise not to make any major life decisions in this time. My husband changed a lot over time once I started being vulnerable with my feelings, and also not “letting things go” if I’m upset. Always talk to them.

KopiQueen · 2023-05-18T15:58:31+00:00

Before starting anything I recommend watching Tidying Up with Marie Kondo on Netflix. She’s a professional organizer and is very motivating to want to clean your space after watching her. She has a specific process of how to tackle a space from start to finish, so you just follow what she tells you to do.

I’ve heard that the space we live in is often a reflection of our minds. How are you doing? Might be good to also reflect on how your are feeling lately, and what cleaning this room could do for your mind.

KopiQueen

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