When I entered the lobby at the Fairmont Pacific Rim it was like walking into an opulent modern palace. The walls and Floors are draped with Carerra marble and custom millwork. The glass chandeliers hang above a bar and lounge that I would love to be seen in. I was directed to the elevators. It was only 5 floors up to heaven…oops I mean the Willow Stream Spa.
SunRun Fun: I had always desired to run the sun run but life seemed to get in the way. First shift work jobs then, basketball belly followed by bottle refusing babies kept me from my goal. So when M was born I was determined to make a change. Long before I typed my best excuse for not working out on the Urbanmommies website I signed up for this years SunRun training program. Nike supplied the shoes, Fitness On the Go enabled me with no excuse cross training and I supplied the will power and enthusiasm.
Of course, UrbanMommies is the quintessential online Mommy magazine in Canada, but we know that, well, you don’t always have internet (or your spouse sometimes gets peeved with the laptop-in-bed thing). There are some great parenting magazines / publications out there, and each has something different to offer. Paper magazines are fun – so we thought we’d share our favourites:
Their slogan? “Bras fit for Breastfeeding” We agree. These fabulous nursing bras don’t stretch, fit well, and the one-handed-clasp-release is quite well facilitated. Bravado Designs‘ products are worn and loved by moms worldwide, including celebrity moms like Angelina Jolie, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jennifer Garner and Jessica Alba. Started by two moms (one is a lactation consultant), their website is also a wealth of breastfeeding info. Oh, and they only use real moms in their photographs, because they “don’t think they need models to make breastfeeding beautiful”. It’s a like. www.bravadodesigns.com
Just don’t do it if you can help it. If you are traveling internationally with kids, don’t choose a route via the US which will require a border crossing. Trust us. Even if you just pop through the States en route back to Canada, you will probably be subjected to a multi-hour wait in one of their hubs, where children, babies and visibly pregnant women are made to wait in a Homeland Security immigration line with hundreds of other able-bodied adults. No water, no chairs, no assistance. I became so irate after my 1 and 3 year old were at risk for dehydration, diaper rash was setting in, and our rancid yogurts were the only grub around (security confiscated my ice packs) that I had to cause a stink.
Have you noticed that ‘momming’ is not only big business, but it has gained an increasing amount of sex appeal and glamour in the past decade? Gone are the frumpy Moo Moos and demure floral prints in XL sizes that we were once expected to wear. Enter the Yummy Mummy. While some find this term derogatory, we have a very positive image of this fabulous woman. Pregnancy is a time of change and can ground you firmly to your past and future. Your body is beautiful as it grows. You are special. And you deserve to feel sexy and gorgeous. Our Yummy Mummy Tips:
“Should we bring the car seat?” It’s a top question asked by traveling parents. It seems like such a hassle – the pile of luggage is already so giant once you’ve figured out what to pack for baby. For me, in a word, the answer is yes. A lot depends on your destination and the type of trip you’ll be taking. Most countries (Canada included) don’t require infants or small children to be in a car seat in the back of a taxi, but just because it’s not against the law, do you really want to take the risk?
Pencil Me In: Every Body has its flaw. All my life I have felt my thighs were my downfall. Overdeveloped and cellulite ridden, pants would be tight in the thighs and loose in the waist. Skirts had to be A-line to disguise the bulge in my figure. Years of dancing had left my legs strong but left me with unwanted width.
According to a new Ipsos Reid poll, our kids are still not getting enough fruit. Diet and nutrition are so crucial for our children. As Jessica Seinfeld promotes, if they don’t like it.. well, then hide it. Or at least get creative. Mott’s Fruitsations and Korey Kealey, food specialist and mom-of-three, have teamed up to provide five easy tips for Canadian families to eat more fruit that are fun, simple and exciting. Here are some tips to get your kids to eat more fruit.
You might as well double this recipe because it’s going to disappear! Fabulous in a wrap the next day, topping to a vermicelli salad or simply on their own, these kabobs are fast and phenomenal with the apple sauce marinade allowing the kabobs to caramelize under the broiler. The Mott’s Fruitsations Thai Peanut Dipping Sauce is equally easy to make and has that flavour every family member will love. Extend the sauce with chicken broth to make a sensational dressing for a noodle salad.