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.

Dressing Your Boys

GEAR, style By July 30, 2012 Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , 5 Comments

Some boys will only wear ‘Athletic Clothing’.  Stripes, logos, numbers.  Hmmm.  Not always a stylish choice for boyswear.  Why not have a rule, shall we, that sports clothes are for, well, playing sports, and cool, cute, hip clothes are for going out in public without a ball/racquet/bat in hand.  I’ve never understood the hockey jersey thing (especially for grown men and women.)  Why would you wear a boxy jersey bearing a professional hockey player’s name on the back?  Your own name, ok…  Same opinion for little boys’ sporting attire.  If you earned it by playing a season of T-Ball, sure.  But to put Walmart’s logo and year of inception on his back because you think your kid looks athletic?  No.

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peanut basil pesto

Peanut Basil Pesto

EAT, family meals By July 29, 2012 Tags: , , , , , No Comments

This peanut basil pesto is terrific on pasta or meat and super simple to make.  Your kids can join in the fun of blending the ingredients.  (Don’t forget the chef hats!)

Ingredients:

½ cup peanuts, toasted
3 garlic cloves, chopped
4 cups packed basil leaves
⅓ cup olive oil
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Place cooled toasted peanuts and garlic in a food processor. Pulse until coarsely ground. Don’t pulse too much or you’ll have peanut butter. Add basil leaves and pulse until combined and finely chopped and a puree begins to form.

2. With machine running, slowly drizzle in oil until combined. Add 2 tbsp (25 mL) more oil if you would like pesto a bit saucier. Turn into a bowl and stir in Parmesan, salt and pepper to taste. Delicious as a pasta sauce or a sandwich or pizza spread. Makes about 1 cup (250 mL).

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morning sickness remedies

Morning Sickness Remedies

FAM, pregnancy By July 28, 2012 Tags: , , , , , , 2 Comments

If you are not one of the lucky few who feels great during the first trimester, read on.  As hormones shift in early pregnancy, morning sickness, nausea and vomiting can wreak havoc on daily life.  For morning sickness rememedies you may have tried preggo pops, tums and dry crackers, but there are a few other options as well.  Motherisk is run through Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children and provides excellent support for pregnancy and parenting.  The phenomenal Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy (NVP) forum is great.

Here are some morning sickness remedy tips:

  1. Ice cold drinks can calm the stomach.
  2. Complex carbohydrates are best.
  3. Eat every 2 hours.
  4. Limit straight milk.
  5. Talk to a health provider about Diclectin, a drug that can help.
  6. Ginger settles the stomach.
  7. Freezing Gatorade in ice cube trays can help keep you hydrated and replace electrolytes.
  8. Grab an essential oil that calms you (grapefruit is amazing).
  9. You can try this old home remedy: 1T pure apple cider vinegar, 8oz. filtered water, and 1T pure honey
  10. Take some Vitamin B6
  11. Sea Bands can help by using acupressure on the inside of the wrist
  12. Licorice (tea or candy) has been said to help greatly

And if that doesn’t work, go buy yourself a comfy Juicy tracksuit, get a massage and get some firefighters to fan you with palm leaves.  It’s worth a try.

Motherisk Nausea Hotline:  1-800-436-8477

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Workout Song Playlist

fitness, GEAR By July 27, 2012 Tags: , , 1 Comment

UrbanMommies loves music.  But when it comes to cardio, Wynton Marsalis and Beethoven just don’t cut it.  When workouts become a larger part of our lives, our music might need to be tweaked.  Our 3 Fitness finalists have some suggestions that have kept them melting the fat.  Feel free to add your fav workout songs below.

PRESENTING…. The UrbanMommies Workout Playlist

  1. Piece of Me  (Britney Spears)
  2. One Night Only (Dreamgirls Soundtrack)
  3. Hey Ya (Outkast)
  4. Hot ‘N Cold (Katy Perry)
  5. Behind these Hazel Eyes (Kelly Clarkson)
  6. I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) (The Proclaimers)
  7. Mamma Mia (Soundtrack)
  8. Bust a Move (Glee Cast Version)
  9. Marmalade (Christina Aguilera)
  10. Walk Away (Kelly Clarkson)
  11. My First Love (Craig David)
  12. Dangerous (Elijah Kelly)
  13. I’m a Slave for You (Britney Spears)
  14. Crack the Shutters (Snow Patrol)
  15. I’m a Be  (Black Eyed Peas)
  16. Please Don’t Stop the Music  (Rhianna)
  17. Gold Digger (Kayne West)
  18. When Love Takes Over  (David Guetta)
  19. Single ladies  (Beyonce)
  20. Papa was a Rolling Stone (George Michael)
  21. In Da Club (50cent)
  22. Thunderstruck (AC/DC)
  23. Anything by Pink
  24. Single Ladies (Beyonce)
  25. She Wolf  (Shakira)
  26. Poker Face  (Lady Gaga)

    Available at iTunes.

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Sandproof snacks for the beach

Healthy Sandproof Snack Ideas for the Beach

EAT, snacks By July 26, 2012 Tags: , , , , , , No Comments

We’ve all been there.  Our intentions were amazing, we remembered the ice packs, lotion and pail.  And then the snacks got ‘invaded’ by sand. Or the sandwiches got soggy.  Yuck.  Here are a few of our sand and sog-proof healthy snack ideas to help keep the kids happy and full while they enjoy the beach.  We like things that don’t require a plate and cutlery – ‘hand snacks’. Here are our top Sandproof Healthy Snack Ideas for the Beach.

1.  Hummus with carrot sticks, pita chips
2.  Peanut butter and celery (or apples)
3.  Make your own trail mix: our favorites include almonds, raisins, chocolate chips, sunflower seeds, Goldfish crackers, dry cereal
4.  Veggie & fruit kabobs-skewer some cucumber, broccoli with strawberries, peach slices, etc.
5.  Our homemade granola bars
6.  Yogurt tubes
7.  Frozen grapes – a great way to ward off dehydration
8.  Popcorn
9.  Burritos: stuff your favorite tortillas with beans (canned or homemade) add some salsa, cheese, and maybe some scrambled eggs
10.  Cheese cubes
11.  Dried edamame
12.  Hard boiled eggs
13.  Homemade muffins
14.  Hot Corn on the Cob: Cut off one end (husks still on) and microwave for 4 minutes on high.  Wrap in tinfoil.15.  Quinoa Turkey Meatballs
16.  Pre-cut carrot sticks
17.  Frozen jumbo shrimp and a bottle of seafood cocktail for dipping
18.  Frozen bottles of water to keep everything cold – drink as they thaw
19.  Mini-bagel sandwiches so they don’t get soggy
20.  Pretzels!

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Jewish Baby Names

baby, FAM By July 26, 2012 Tags: , , No Comments

There is an ancient Jewish saying that ‘with each child, the world begins anew’.  Jewish mysticism regards an individual’s name as connected to their essential self.  Boys are given their Jewish or Hebrew name as part of the Bris Ceremony.   The name given may be Hebrew, Yiddish or a combination of both.   Choosing a Hebrew name for a baby is a serious responsibility as it charts a course for the body and soul of the individual and may well determine his or her future.  No pressure, though.

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choosing baby names

Where Do You Begin When Choosing a Baby Name?

baby, FAM By July 25, 2012 Tags: , , , , 2 Comments

Baby Names. Unique or Traditional? Family Name or Celebrity? Religious? What if it rhymes with a bad word…? The stress of choosing a name for your baby can be harder to deal with than worrying about whether to ask for an epidural. Will your family be insulted if you don’t include one of their names? What if you choose cousin Alan’s name instead of your father’s? How many times have you considered having a third child just to make sure every side of the family is appeased in the name game? Relax. This is your baby.

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What’s in my bag? Ann Gallery

beauty, GEAR, style By July 18, 2012 Tags: , , , No Comments

We spoke to PR Pro Ann Gallery and convinced her to ‘spill’ the contents of her stunning Goyard monogrammed purse.  She’s lucky my initials are different or I would have nabbed it.

1.  The cult hair care line Black 15 in 1 recently launched travel sizes of its amazing Twice a Week Shampoo and Conditioner and Miracle Hair Treatment – I keep the 3 Oz hair treatment spray in my purse so things don’t get too out of control on drizzly Vancouver days.

2.  My bag by Goyard.

3. Shortly after we met, my husband Ian gave me a lovely Shamrock Charm in honour of my Irish roots (or was it my feisty red-headed nature?!).  The charm lives on my key chain for good luck.

4.  I can’t get enough of Steaz sparkling green tea, especially the Raspberry and Lemon Lime flavours.  So refreshing!

5.  I’m addicted to CND Shellac manicures and keeping Solar Oil in my purse and using it regularly on my nails and cuticles maintains my mani for even longer than the promised 14 days!

6.  I keep in my purse a quick, fun and portable game like Spot it! to help kill time with my 10 and 11 year old sons between appointments, practices and playdates.

7.  I’m a lip gloss junkie and the sparklier the better! On a recent trip to Japan I picked up RMK’s Gloss Lips N in Holographic Orange and now it’s a staple in my purse.  I also snapped up RMK’s 15th Anniversary Cheek Palette – it makes me smile every time I open the case and it gives me a sun-kissed glow.

8.  Like most people, practically every photo we have is on an electronic device but I always keep a hard copy of this picture in my purse.  I love my boys even when they’ve been away at camp and haven’t bathed for two weeks!

9.  Between visiting family in Toronto and Montreal and a very busy travel schedule for work, it feels like I spend half my life on a plane!  I now just keep in my purse a merino wool Bliss Wrap by Icebreaker – it’s perfect for travelling as it’s chic, cozy and versatile and looks good with everything from jeans to my new favourite summer maxi dress.

 

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Top Unique Baby Names

Top Unique Baby Names

baby, FAM By July 18, 2012 Tags: , 7 Comments

If you are looking for a unique name for your baby, or you want a truly symbolic name, you need to know the top choices for the baby names that parents are selecting for their kids. Each name has a meaning, an origin this is the name that the child will be living with for the rest of his or her life. Give them the right name! Here is a list of the top 100 baby names for either girls and boys so that you can make your choices about which name you should go for (or which popular ones to avoid!).

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