Browsing Articles Written by

Jill Amery

Jill Amery is a mom of 2 small boys and the Publisher of UrbanMommies, a stylish digital lifestyle magazine filled with fitness, style, health, recipes and savvy mom advice to help you through pregnancy, birth, and raising your kids.

50 Years: The Ford Mustang Convertible

auto, GEAR By July 30, 2013 Tags: , , , , , , , , , , No Comments

It was my tenth wedding anniversary and I was fully surprised as I got whisked off to Los Angeles.  The tenth seems to carry more weight than it used to.  We were upgraded and treated like royalty everywhere we went and it began with the car rental agency.  Noting the special occasion we were given a Ford Mustang convertible.  And I happened to have a scarf to tie around my head a la Grace Kelly. (But of course).

The Ford Mustang

The Ford Mustang has always held allure for me.  Rugged and manly yet powerful with crisp lines, it produces a visceral reaction.  I have to stop writing auto reviews.  They always sound racy to me. (But to be fair you should read their slogans).  Even as an automatic the car is easy to handle and the turning radius was impressive in tiny LA parking garages.  Delivering up to 662 HP (V8 Manual Supercharged), I can’t think of a better vehicle in which to see the southern California coast.  No longer intimidated by the sunroof, it was fully automated with 2 manual levers that were easily operated.

I happened to be attending the Ford Trends Conference in Detroit for the 50th anniversary of the Mustang.  Unlike the image in my mind of the vehicle of 50 years ago (my close friend was given one by his dad), I was taken with the modern design and extras.  Trends discussed at the conference about environmental responsibility, technology and the notion of cars making life easier for their drivers were evident in the vehicle.  The SYNC® with MyFord Touch® systems allow you to use the RCA connectors to plug in all kinds of video players such as gaming consoles and iPods. You can even turn your smartphone into a wireless router, so your passengers — big and small — can surf the Web! Hold me back – I’m trying to unplug this summer.

It’s in the Detailing

The steering wheel was stitched beautifully through leather and ergonomic to the hands.  The square detailing on the dash juxtaposed against the curves of the outside shell made for a ying-yang experience.  Our music blared clearly from huge speakers and as we drove through Malibu and Hollywood I played with the dials styled like old-school radio accessories.  I may have been singing a bit too.. Capitol Records, are you listening?  More a ‘date-night’ vehicle, there were of course carseat latches but you’d be hard-pressed to fit a third person between two carseats.  That, of course, isn’t the purpose of this machine.  As a date vehicle for fair weather?  Perfect.

See also:

Ford Fusion

Ford Edge

Share:
family trip to Belize

20 Tips for a Family Trip to Belize

International, ROAM By July 30, 2013 Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , 2 Comments

San Pedro, on the island of Ambergris Caye, Belize (Madonna’s ‘Isla Bonita’) is stunningly gorgeous with epic snorkelling and perfectly spiced food.  No wonder this was where the Material Girl longed to be.  I travelled in March with my family and the kids were given a rare look at a country whose scenic beauty rivals it’s poverty.

The pride exuded by the islanders was life-altering.  I watched a woman and her son shovel seaweed into wheelbarrows on her day off.  The houses in the poor community of San Mateo are mostly nestled in water and the seaweed is dumped into the pools in hopes of eventually producing earth.  We watched men wrestle goats onto a golf cart as the animals wouldn’t cross a bridge on foot.  We saw unprotected ruins in the wilderness where there are still artifacts lying around.  Iguanas, crocodiles, BBQ to die for and several encounters with sea life made the two week jaunt the memory of a lifetime for the whole family.  The trip begins with a flight from the mainland on Tropic Air over turquoise water and islands that dot the ocean.  It’s almost as if someone has written calligraphy using tiny islands.

20 Tips for a Family Trip to Ambergris Caye, Belize.

1.  Wahoo’s is a must to witness the Tuesday night chicken drop.  You bet on a number and sprinkle lots of feed on the desired area of a square board covered in numbers.  If the chicken defecates on your number, you win.  Endless giggles from the kids.  You can also purchase T-Shirts that say ‘Chicken Security’.

2.  Check out Coco Locos on Monday for the cribbage tournament and every night for bocce on the beach overlooking the ocean.  Marlon became the most popular bartender on the island for the splash of grenadine he swirled on the kids’ pina coladas.

3.  Bring school supplies from home to the Holy Cross Anglican School.  There is a list of needed items on their website and the kids are eternally grateful.  The students will teach your kids some pretty cool games during recess.

4.  Buy wood carvings on the road and make sure they are wrapped well for the trip home. Fins of the beautifully carved sharks tend to break.

5.  As the only sports bar, Feliz is a hoot and has the most gorgeous candy-coloured stools.  Ask to play the dice game.

6.  Fidos has great burgers and if you’re lucky you will catch some local dancers practicing on the beach.

7.  Head to Wild Mangos early for lunch if you want a seat.  Save me some armadillo eggs.  I went back over 4 times to devour them.

8.  Brunch at Estel’s is fab, and the whole restaurant has sand on the floor for barefoot enjoyment.  The town playground is also next door so you can sip a Belkin while watching your kids play.

9.  If you’re a McDonald’s fan, the Road Kill Cafe has managed to duplicate the taste of the famous burgers – using mostly organic and free range beef I might add.  (As a McDonald’s All-Access Mom I saw the natural beef and burger processes with my own eyes and giggled to see the taste replicated with Belizian organic ingredients).  Karaoke on Thursdays is a blast.

10.  Crazy Canucks is the place to be on Sunday, if only to witness the weekly horseshoe tournament.  You’ll want the boneless wings.  Locals will scamper up trees for you and bring you fresh coconuts.  They will also make you a helmet out of a coconut shell.  Crazy Canucks is right.

11.  The Hol Chan Marine Reserve and shark/ray alley are must-dos.  You pay a fee as you enter the reserve by boat and the reef is so shallow that the fish life is the best I have ever seen.  My son saw sharks, turtles and a 7-foot moray eel in the first 4 minutes of his first foray into snorkelling!

12.  Rent a golf cart – it’s so fun!

13.  Have your kids play with locals in the park at the town square.  You’ll be shocked at how language and economics make no difference in the games.

14.  Belize Zoo/Western Belize: This trip usually begins with a flight on Tropic Air to the municipal airport, where you connect with a shuttle bus which takes you on the Western Highway for a visit to the wonderful Belize Zoo, maybe a quick peep at Belmopan, Belize’s mini-capital, lunch and perhaps a tour of Xunantunich, a Classic Period Maya site.

15.  Altun Ha Ruins: You go by boat across to the mangrove cut, where you transfer to a van to visit this Maya site, which dates back some 2,000 years, on the Old Northern Highway. There is an abundance of wildlife, such as monkeys… for the more leisurely who would rather see the jungle, cool off, enjoy swinging like Jane and Tarzan, and perhaps get mood mud treatments and lunch at Maruba Spa.

16.  Caye Caulker: A day trip to Ambergris Caye’s “little brother” island can be done by air or boat. If the latter, the trip is usually packaged with a snorkeling tour. One of the best trips to Caulker is on the Winnie Estelle, a classic island trader. Several catamarans also do this trip.

17.  Lazy Croc BBQ is a north of the bridge must.  Eat your BBQ as you watch the crocodiles swim in the lagoon.  The cuisine is authentic and the atmosphere totally relaxed.  Just keep your feet out of the water..

18.  The Palapa Bar is a two floor palapa attached to the mainland by a long dock.  Tied-up innertubes are serviced by a bucket that is sent to you filled with Belkin, and kids are able to draw all over the furniture, floors and walls with sharpies.

19.  The sand is extraordinary for castle building.  But beware – the tide will rise and you may have some disappointed kids the next day.

20.  Finally?  Hop on a catamaran and ask the crew to jump in and make you fresh conch cevice straight from the ocean.

Share:
cruising to Alaska on the Disney Wonder

10 Tips for Cruising to Alaska on the Disney Wonder

cruises, Disney, ROAM By July 29, 2013 Tags: , , , , , , , , 3 Comments

You know you feel special when a cruise line picks your hometown as a departure port.  We luckily got to tour the Disney Wonder prior to her first Vancouver – Alaska sailing.  The ship, like the Disney Fantasy was elegant, filled with mystique and the first class service Disney always provides.  Here are our top 10 favourite tips when heading to Alaska on the Disney Wonder.

Continue Reading
Share:

My Dishcloth’s Ugly Secrets

FAM, health, LIVE, wash By July 29, 2013 Tags: , , , , , No Comments

As I mentioned in our Kitchen Tips article, I was part of a paper towel scientific experiment.  I used a brand new dishcloth in my kitchen over three days and sent it to a lab for testing.  I will never use a dishcloth again.  I can hardly even bear to keep the results email in my inbox.  Typically hard on myself as a Mom and woman, the results make me feel like quite the ogre.

Continue Reading
Share:

Vision problems could mean learning problems for children

FAM, kids By July 23, 2013 Tags: , , , , , , 1 Comment

Make sure an eye exam is on your child’s back-to-school checklist. If vision problems remain untreated, kids who are packed with potential may lag behind in learning and become withdrawn, warns the B.C. Association of Optometrists. That’s why it’s important to include an eye exam on your back-to-school checklist, says B.C. Optometrist Dr. Antoinette Dumalo.

Continue Reading
Share:

Windsor Arms Hotel Toronto

Canada, ROAM By July 15, 2013 Tags: , , , , 2 Comments

I’m a sucker for older, stunning architecture. So as a student at the University of Toronto I would frequent Theatrebooks on St. Thomas St. and gaze longingly at Yorkville’s Windsor Arms Hotel. Later in life I would hang at the bar, hoping to gain nuggets of advice for career and stock market speculation. It’s that kind of place. But the artists, thinkers and socialites can’t be excluded. Not in a second. (The bar features original works by Charles Pachter).

This month I stayed at the hotel for the first time, and though they knew nothing of UrbanMommies Travel or my intention to do a story, they upgraded me. They said they just liked my name. Every room in the hotel includes a musical instrument – harp, guitar… and they have never had a noise complaint due to the music. On opening the door to the room I heard classical music playing on wired-in speakers throughout. It was so peaceful it made me need to have a bath.  Comfortable beds? I had to ask the housekeeping staff where they source their pillows.

There is a trendy tea room by the gorgeous Living Room Bar and I was so excited to see a rack adorned with vintage hats.  Patrons may ‘rent’ a hat for $10 and the proceeds go towards Dress for Success.  Brilliant.

A pet friendly space (under 35lbs), this will be one of the most opulent, elegant and luxurious stays you will ever have.  And you may learn a thing or two about music.  Because you’re not going to want to leave your room, even for the great Bloor St. shopping nearby.

The Windsor Arms Hotel

Share:

Chantal Kreviazuk and Walmart's Mom Of The Year

grow, LIVE, nourish By July 12, 2013 Tags: , , , , No Comments

Chantal KreviazukShe sat lightly on the sofa of the Shangri-La hotel and embraced me early as I entered. From the beginning it felt as if I was hanging out with a best friend. We talked of shoes, child rearing, philanthropy and music. I was astounded at Chantal Kreviazuk’s poise, her passion for knowledge and the way she broke into song to illustrate a point using favourite lyrics.

Walmart introduced the Mom of the Year award last year to celebrate moms as both role models and integral members of the community, and gives Canadians an opportunity to say thank you for everything moms do every day.  “We’re thrilled to bring the Mom of the Year Award back for a second year,” said Emma Fox, chief marketing officer for Walmart Canada.  Judges include notable comedian, actress and radio host, Sophie Prégent, the 2012 Mom of the Year, Katie Schulz, editor-in-chief of Walmart Live Better magazine, Sandra Martin, Emma Fox and Ms. Kreviasuk review the entries.

One of the most important jobs on the planet does not come with a paycheque, but Canadians have a salary in mind. According to a recent survey conducted by Leger Marketing on behalf of Walmart Canada, Canadians would pay their mom an average annual salary of $161,287 for all of her hard work.  Asking about how she will begin to choose the finalists, Chantal paused and admitted that mothers are so exceptional that it would be difficult.  “I think that the good the amazing mom today to honor would be that woman who has life experience, has overcome some things but she still has strength and resilience.”

When I searched the #momoftheyear hashtag on twitter I was disheartened to see that moms across the globe use it in a disparaging way.  They forget to bring diapers on an outing and they ridicule themselves.  I asked Chantal about this trend.  She has noticed that women in general are very critical of themselves.  “Canadians are very different than Americans in that we have this bizarre thing in our particular cultural nature whereby we diminish our successes and dwell on our mistakes.  Americans don’t do that – Americans are very proud and they tend to want to celebrate their success.  I think also as mothers we make a mistake and it defines us.  We have so much power as as a parent – we really need to define ourselves by the greatness, not the errors.”  

Not only has Chantal Kreviazuk been influenced by Raine Maida of Our Lady Peace (her eyes light up every time he’s mentioned) but her mother-in-law has played a huge part in how Chantal has carved her style as a mother of 3 boys.  She is “very graceful and elegant in her style of coping and resilience – the older generation just gets up and keeps going with that classic beauty”.  Travel and philanthropy keep her busy but she is highly attentive to ensuring constant communication with her kids. “I’m really frightened of the idea of raising children to be too certain.”  She admits her mistakes to the kids and takes time to answer questions.  Remembering when she attended an event for a hospital foundation and the kids asked a ton of questions, she used it as an “organic opportunity to tell them why and who benefits from the charity and what it’s like for a child that you know is born three months early”.  Highly involved in building schools in the third world and the charity War Child, Chantal continually exposes her kids to the notion that their circumstance is not reflective of the human condition.  “Currency is many things.  It’s not just money and I really believe that a value system for all those currencies is what creates a great human being because we are more than just you know money mongers and it’s not just living to work.”

An electric and intelligent woman, Chantal spoke about her passion for science and how our brains work.  She always framed her thoughts from a mother’s point of view and it was clear that research and career exist to make life better for her family and the world around her.  Yeah – beautiful, talented, incredibly smart and does some light neuroscience reading in her free time.

She focused our discussion on modeling for our kids – and why moms who are condescending towards themselves are not doing their kids a service.   Modelling is vital (and scary) in parenting, and I personally believe that corporations and can help us model well for our children.  That Walmart is celebrating moms who model beautifully for their kids is a great step.  All I know is after spending quality time with Chantal, she can model what a woman should be for my kids anytime!

New this year to the Mom of the Year contest is public voting, where Canadians will have the chance to review the top 20 candidates and vote for one mom they want to see become one of the eight finalists. Each finalist will receive $10,000 to spend on themselves and the remaining seven will receive $10,000 for the charity or cause of their choice. The Mom of the Year award recipient will receive $100,000 for the charity or cause of her choice. 

The Mom of the Year finalists will be flown to Toronto for a day of pampering and an awards gala on October 6, 2013. Nominations for the Mom of the Year Award close on June 16 and My Finalist public voting will begin on July 4 through August 1. The eight finalists will be notified around August 6. To participate in the program and support Canadian moms, visit www.momoftheyear.ca.

Share:

Girly Lemonade Stands

EAT, entertain, LIVE, nourish By July 3, 2013 Tags: , , , , , , , , No Comments

What kid doesn’t want to set up on the front lawn with ice-cold lemonade and a cash box?  Not only to pass the time and teach them some math skills, you can up the ante a bit by encouraging them to donate the proceeds to a charitable organization.  Make a day of it with girly lemonade stands that help fellow women attain their basic rights in third world countries.

Small actions can drive big change.  Plan Canada’s ‘Because I am a Girl’ initiative is helping to inspire youth to turn lemons into Pink LemonAid by hosting LemonAid fundraisers in their communities. 

The girl issue is real, and it’s affecting girls and women around the world – but what is it? Girls in the poorest regions of the world are among the most disadvantaged people on the planet. They are more likely to live in poverty, more likely to be denied access to education, and more likely to be malnourished, simply because they are young and female.

And yet, studies show that when you invest in girls, the whole world benefits. If a girl has enough to eat, a safe environment, and an education, she’ll work to raise the standard of living for herself, her family and her community. And in time, she can even strengthen the economy of her entire country.

Did you know?

  • 70% of the one billion people living in extreme poverty are women and girls.
  • Girls are 3x more likely to be malnourished than boys.
  • Globally, 66 million girls do not attend primary or secondary school.

There is an urgent need to stand up for the rights of millions of girls. In the poorest regions of the world, girls face double discrimination and unique barriers to survival and development, simply because they are young and female.

But when girls attain their basic human rights, they will:

  • Be 6x less likely to be married as children
  • Have 2.2 fewer yet healthier children
  • Increase their contributions to household income by 18%

Pink LemonAid Kits full of helpful tips, educational materials and instructions on hosting can be downloaded online here. Moms can review the materials with their children and educate them on the importance of helping out girls from around the world who are less fortunate.

Share:

Online Terms Every Parent Should Know

apps, FAM, GEAR, kids By July 2, 2013 Tags: , , , , , , 1 Comment

Our children are growing up in a digital world with technology right at their fingertips. They’re spending more and more time on the web — so teaching them to be safe and responsible online is critical.  During the summer when there is less structure for our children is a critical time to address online safety.  We’ve discovered a list of online terms every parent should know to get your conversations started.

As part of the discussion to educate parents, teachers and children about being responsible and safe online, NBCUniversal’s “The More You Know” Learning Series — in collaboration with NBC News — has unveiled Growing Up Online, a free, interactive eBook on digital literacy and Internet safety.  Even the most experienced Internet user might have a few questions about all the technical language used in the online world. What exactly is a cache? What is your digital footprint?

Here’s a list of commonly used terms:

APP or application, is a software program typically used on a smartphone or mobile device. Apps may feel new, but the phrase “software application” has been around for over thirty years.

Instagram a free photo-sharing and social networking site on which people can take pictures and then share them with other members of the Instagram community.

Social Games games played online in which multiple players in different locations can play together or against one another. These players may or may not know one another online.

Social Networking Sites websites, such as Facebook or Twitter, on which people can share information and photos and play games together.

MMORPG a massive, multiplayer, online role-playing game. “World of Warcraft” is one of the most famous examples.

Digital Footprint the record, or footprint of everywhere you’ve gone online. This may include your visits to a web page or chat room, emails and uploaded videos. Some of this material may be publicly available to anyone searching for it and can be used in ways you might not want it to be.

Cache is a way your computer stores information, from either your own hard disk or online, so that it can be accessed more quickly. There is a record of your computer’s cache, and you can delete items from it if they link to objectionable sites. A related term, browser history, refers to a list of all the sites you’ve visited online in a certain time frame. Each browser lists these differently.

The more you know about how the online world works, the easier it will be to talk with your kids and that’s the best way to keep them safe.

(Adapted from the eBook, Growing Up Online by NBC Universal and NBC News).

To download a free copy of Growing Up Online and learn about digital safety and internet security, visit http://www.themoreyouknow.com/ebooks/ and start a conversation with your kids.

Share:

An Antidote for Lego Addiction: Renting and Returning Lego

GEAR, toys By July 2, 2013 Tags: , , , No Comments

As a mom whose children had a slight addition to Lego, I know how difficult it can be to stick to a toy budget when your child covets a certain set.  Or ten. Worse still, they assemble it in a day (ok maybe not the Deathstar) and soonafter, the new items get played with and broken.  We’ve just discovered Pleygo, a Netflix-like rental service for Lego sets.

Pleygo is a new service which provides kids and adults unlimited access to the world of Lego at a minimal cost.  By renting and returning Lego sets, parents save money and kids continue to be excited and long for the new set that comes in the mail.  Life skills such as creativity, fine-motor and sequencing are enhanced and I’m willing to bet that my summer tech-timeout challenge will be a tad easier once I subscribe! There are plans for Unlimited Lego sets for 3, 6 or even 12 months.  

Share: