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The 2013 Honda Accord Unveiling in Santa Barbara

auto, GEAR, ROAM, USA By October 9, 2012 Tags: , , , , , , No Comments

At the 2013 Honda Accord Unveiling in Santa Barbara, I realized that I am really not an auto writer.  I know.  Our readers have known that for ages.  But as I was grilled on social media by die-hard car journalists from the LA Times and highly technical publications, I realized that as a mom, my perspective is very unique and valid.  I admit, though, that I dropped a few comments like “What is torque again?” (With a valleygirl accent and a hair twirl) just to get their shocked reactions.  Snicker.

As a mom I look for vehicles with style and family-friendliness.  The 2013 Accord comes in a plug-in hybrid, coupe or sedan versions.  I drove them all, and also the manual transmission model.   Wow.  These things purred.  Peppy, spirited and fun to drive, I think I may have to take a look at investing in Honda stock.  Here’s what I loved about the new Accord.

Honda Link 2013 Accord1.  Honda Link.  I could go on and on.  Honda Link is a cloud-based system that connects you (safely) to the web.  Voice recognition, text messaging, audiobooks, digital music content, hand-picked radio stations, restaurant searches and Facebook audio feeds without having to mess with your mobile phone… perfect for kids and passengers.  You really shouldn’t tweet and drive, BTW.  And Honda is so safe they won’t even let you set up your Bluetooth or wireless texting sync when the car is moving.

2.  The plug-in hybrid.  Talk about quiet.  And fast.  It reminded me of driving my husband’s Jaguar.  Seriously.  (Except I kept forgetting the car was on and trying to restart).  When it comes to recharging, Honda says the Accord plug-in can get a full recharge in an hour from a 240-volt charger.

3.  Quiet.  The interior is so quiet that you have to blast music so you don’t lull off to sleep.  Great for babies.  There are lots of reasons for the lack of interior noise – one is that the dashboard is only one piece so not as much wind gets in.  The engine is coated in a sound-deafening shield-thingy too.

4.  Similarly, there is little drag.  The ‘sideburns’ of the car and exterior styling make it look fabulously sporty, but also improve the performance.  The coupe is sportiest of all, of course, and offers parents with teens going off to University enough room in the back for visits home while helping them combat the empty-nest state with a huge amount of cool factor.

Accord 2013 LED Lights5.  I can honestly say that I have never driven a car with a more responsive steering system.  It made me a little dizzy, as I like to ‘bop to the music’ and tend to ‘steer’ to the beat.   Another reason the auto writers were gaping at me. (And I was the only one driving in stilettos, of course).

6.  Holy trunk room.  We were joking that you could fit a couple of bodies in there.  The trunk was easy to close with one hand if you had groceries, an infant or multiple Vuitton sachels in the other.

7.  Lots of attention was paid to details such as where the stitching on the steering wheel falls as you grip it.  The luxury-lover in me was pretty happy with the design elements.

Lane Watch Honda8.  The side mirrors could be on the space shuttle they are so technical.  Not that a shuttle has side mirrors, but whatever..  To eliminate blind spots, Honda has developed a camera called LaneWatch™ that ‘sees’ into the next lane.  The image flashes onto your 8 inch dashboard LCD screen so you are never blind.  They’ve kind of fixed every frustration about driving, allowing you to have confidence in your ability and thereby be a safer driver.  Pretty smart.  If only Honda could make my hair look good when I don’t blowdry.  And make all of the mirrors in the world make me look skinny.  Ok.  I digress.

9.  There is an option to turn the Accord’s Lane Departure Warning sensor on or off.  Once I figured it out, I was really impressed.  And realized that I’m not a very good driver. Driving along I couldn’t figure out what was beeping at me.  Every time I got too close to a line on either side without putting on my indicator signal, I thought there were birds in the car.  Back to driving school for me. (Or maybe fewer riveting conversations with my drive partner Tanya Gordon).

10.  The forward collision warning was incredible.  And there is also a turbo-break thing that happens.  When the car senses you breaking suddenly, it will put even more force into the brakes, ensuring you stop on a dime.  (Which was incredibly fortunate when a distracted mom pulled over in a dangerous spot on the side of a  vineyard road and her toddler ran into the street.)  My heart is still racing.

11.  Talking to the car was a blast.  “XM Channel 72” and the sounds of Broadway filled the vehicle.  Better still – it only recognizes one voice at a time so my kids wouldn’t be able to change the tunes to the Disney Channel every five minutes!

Technical Stuff:

The 2.4-liter, 185 horsepower four-cylinder engine is rated at 27 MPG in city driving and 36 on the highway.  For the V-6 engine, the highway rating is 34 MPG and city rating is 21 MPG.  Pretty great – especially for a vehicle that handles beautifully and can go from zero to 60 MPH in a quick 5.6 seconds (Motor Trend).

Our take?  Honda enthusiasts, Moms, kids and tech-lovers will snap it up.  Fast.  And we’d certainly want it as a push present.

Honda Accord

 

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Playing Favourites

grow, LIVE By September 27, 2012 Tags: , , , , , , No Comments

The news channels and blogosphere are exploding with hostile reactions to a Canadian Dad blogger’s comments on Babble about having a favourite child.  With two sons ages 2 and 5, he admits in writing and in the public sphere that though he loves both sons, he likes the older boy better.  Our society loves a chance to weigh in on parenting choices, and this discussion is pretty juicy.

“I admit it, my oldest son is my favorite because he can do more things.  To me, he’s more fun.  I don’t love either of my sons any more than the other, but I do like them differently. I’d be willing to bet you’re the same.”

That the revelation has gone viral suggests that the issue is close to the hearts of many parents.  The backlash the blogger has received is not always mature or appropriate (as can happen when people hide behind a keyboard) but a chord has definitely been struck.

Many dads find the baby stage more challenging and less fun than the older years and I respect those who admit to this.  I would suggest, though, that moms feel this way as well.  Raising a baby is tough.  It’s work.  It’s not always fun for the moms either – babies throw food on the floor, refuse to sleep, hit you in the face, sport leaky diapers and pick the lock on the knife drawer.  But you have to embrace every stage in order to grow the bonds that are being created.

I am sure part of the ire is due to the blunt writing and challenges put forth by the author to his audience.  But would the parenting world be reacting and truly considering the question if it were more passive or humourous?  I’m not sure.

I wrote an article about over-sharing in social media and the public space.  I cautioned that the disclosures of bloggers, tweeters and facebook-junkies will exist in perpetuity and that as parents we have a responsibility to protect the reputations and psychological states of our children.  They will one day be applying for university and will probably start Googling themselves once they can spell.  There is a fine line, and it is currently undefined.  I was initially reacting to flippant sharing that may one day be embarrassing or misconstrued.  Reading the comments and reactions to this article, though, I hope that the author has a broader plan up his sleeve.  If discussion on the topic can remain constructive and healthy, perhaps society will become a better place.  And as a parent who also happens to be a journalist, this blogger will have to handle his younger son’s reaction to his Dad’s revelation when he is more mature.

Though I would not choose to reveal this type of personal information in a public forum, I appreciate that the author has encouraged conversation.  He has inspired thought and people are evaluating their own positions on the matter.   I may have sleep trained differently than my neighbour.  I may have chosen to make organic baby food when time allowed.  But that worked for my family.  The type of honesty espoused by the author is a choice that he has made as a parent.  Though it wouldn’t work for me, who am I to judge other parents?  (Well – not the ones who abide by the law anyway).  Walking a mile in someone’s shoes may be cliche, but we are all different.  We come from different backgrounds and have different values.  That is the beauty of our society.  I am sure Judy Garland was judged for introducing Liza Minnelli to show business, but maybe the world is a better place for the art that was created and the millions of people made happy.

So let’s have a good healthy discussion, but keep the barbs and venom out of the playing field.  We’re all in this together as parents, and we should build on each others’ experiences so that we can raise amazing kids.

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Keeping Healthy as a Mom while Balancing Work and Life

LIVE, nourish By September 21, 2012 Tags: , , , , , , , , No Comments

Twins?  I wish.  I’ve always been likened to Kristen Davis, and once a guy on the street asked me out by saying that I looked like ‘Sex and the City’s’ Charlotte.  He struck out, however, as I would rather have been told that I was a spectacular actor like ‘Sex and the City’s’ Kristen Davis.  I had the opportunity to meet the new mother and icon on Friday, August 3rd,  when she attended the launch event for Zarbee’s new all natural extra strength line of cough products for adults and children 12 and up at The Kimberly Hotel.  The luncheon focused on keeping healthy as a mom while balancing work and life.

Hosted by Liz Gumbinner of Mom 101 and Cool Mom Picks, the event celebrated individuals that are an inspiration to their families and communities and I was lucky to have been interviewed by fellow Canadian Janice Croze of 5 Minutes For Mom. We spoke of work/life balance and the challenges of making healthy choices for our children.

On the question of balance, I shared that the word seems like a moving target.  Not only does it seem unattainable, but the concept puts too much pressure on mothers.  It’s like a constant benchmark imposed by society and we are always falling short.  Surely that’s not healthy.  Some days we’ll be with our families for a disproportionate amount of time, baking bread and playing blocks.  (Ok maybe just the block part).  Other days we’ll spend a long day at the office.  Are either of these choices wrong if ‘balance’ isn’t struck on a daily or hourly basis?  I don’t think so.  I think that moms need to be kinder to themselves and look at balance from a more macro perspective.

Asked about health, I laughed.  Feeling like ‘Mom of the Century’, I admitted that my kids play in a ton of dirt outside and I don’t really keep my house very clean.  Shhh.  Hopefully that’s why they are rarely ill!  I tend to get sick a bit more than they do.

I have used Zarbees products in the past – especially because they are available at Shoppers Drug Mart in Canada.  I have also ‘borrowed’ the kids’ medicines when I have been ill, as I prefer the natural choices, and, well, I have found that they actually work. Miraculously using dark honeys, zinc and vitamins,  Zarbee’s is drug, alcohol, dye and gluten free.

Having just closed her Broadway run of The Best Man, Kristen expertly managed her motherhood and career while keeping everyone healthy.  You can’t really call in sick on Broadway!  Here are her Healthy Tips for New Moms:

  • Eat Right: 
Prepare healthy meals and snacks (like brown rice) when you have a few minutes so you can throw it in the refrigerator and have something healthy on hand when you get the chance to eat.
  • Go Natural:
 Rely on natural products you can trust, especially when you get sick.  You can’t be at your best when you feel terrible!  I love Zarbee’s because it’s an all natural product that helps with coughs and allergies without making me drowsy.
  • Make Time for Yourself: It is hectic being a mom so try to carve out some “me” time during the day – even just a minute to breathe and assess what you need so you can be at your best for your baby.

Disclosure: UrbanMommies was hosted for lunch and received samples of Zarbees products for review.

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The 2013 Chevy Malibu hits the Cabot Trail

auto, GEAR By September 19, 2012 Tags: , , , , , , No Comments

I grew up in Halifax, Nova Scotia and am embarrassed that I’d never been to Cape Breton.  I have been yearning to drive the Cabot Trail.  My chance finally came when the 2013 Chevy Malibu hits the Cabot Trail with spectacular September weather, lobsters and whales.

Those of you who follow my auto stories know that I’m not too technical.  I know what a Mom needs, what it means to be family-friendly, and how important style is to exhausted parents who always considered themselves cool.  I’ve never even written about gas mileage.  You do what you have to do as a Mom.  Space, sightlines, safety and cargo seem to trump everything else.  So I was SHOCKED that not only did this 4-cyllindar peppy Malibu have what it took to be a family vehicle, but I drove around the entire Cabot Trail (501 kilometers) on just under ¾ of a tank.  Wow.  For the people who understand these things, it gets 8.1 L/100km city 5.3 L/100km hwy.

I tend to have fun on these trips.  I’ll save you from stories about Celtic step dancing, lobster cracking and singing with the fiddler… and will go straight to off-roading.

Drive Partner: Let’s take the quick route to the Normaway Inn in the Margaree River.

Me: Hmmm. Looking at the map, I think we can bypass the paved road and get there even faster if we follow this one-lane dirt path.  There’s a fork somewhere that we have to find though….unless it is grown over.

Drive Partner: OK but if we get murdered/lost it’s your fault.  I wonder if Onstar can track us here.  (it could)

40 minutes later, after picking apples out the window of the car while giggling incessantly, we realized that it wasn’t much shorter.  But we gave the car quite the run! I can honestly say that the shocks are great after going over potholes and puddles the size of apple barrels.  You should have seen the caked-on dirt when we arrived.  Now that’s driving!  And we took the road less traveled. Walt would be proud.

What I liked about the 2013 Malibu:

  1. The touch screen allowed you to select options, sync your phone, change the XM station and was very easy to use.  Unfortunately there was no twitter on the screen.  (With a lack of Rogers cellular service in northern Cape Breton, all of us social media geeks could not text, phone or use the MiFi units in the cars.  It was amusing to see us slowly crumble as the stress of ‘going dark’ set in.  I admit – I was the worst of all of us and met many a bed and breakfast owner as I begged for wifi passwords.)
  2. So thank GOODNESS for OnStar Hands Free Calling.  Because it is phone via satellite, it had our backs.  In a humourous way, we all kept ducking out to ‘sit in the car’ so that we could call our children.  The owner at Cheticamp’s great Horseback riding excursion – Little Pond Stables – screamed “One of your Malibu’s is ringing!!”
  3. The Driver’s window touch feature allowed for straight up and down with one push or pull– convienient at drive-thrus and toll booths.
  4. A button on the trunk allows it to open by pushing from the outside if car is unlocked.
  5. James Bond alert.  There’s a hiding spot and sync feature for your phone in the dash – right behind the flip-up Mylink screen.
  6. The remote start on the key fob would be great on the cold winter days. This feature is standard on 1LT and up.
  7.  It’s super roomy (ie you can breastfeed easily in the front or back seat).
  8. The rear backup camera is standard – even on the base models.  My own car only beeps when I get close to something while reversing and I was so used to the beep I almost crashed while forgetting to look at the rearview camera.  Laugh.  Blush.  Just kidding.  The rear camera is available in the Power Convenience or Entertainment Packages on the 1LT, 2LT and LTZ models.
  9. USB connectivity allows you to upload a favourite photo onto the screen – perfect for a family road trip.
  10.  The sunroof was quiet when opened and didn’t distract the driver as some noisy sunroofs do.
  11. There are 10 standard airbags.
  12. There are blockers in the grille and specially shaped side mirrors to help reduce drag.  Unless you’re on a one-lane dirt road, in which case you probably won’t notice. Both Malibu Eco models have aerodynamic shutters that open and close depending on the speed of the vehicle for aerodynamic reasons.
  13.  The LTZ offers a lane departure warning and forward collision alert that are available in the Advanced Safety Package.  Oh.  That’s what those beeps were for.  Usually these features only exist on much higher-end vehicles.
  14. The Cabot Trail isn’t the easiest drive.  If you’re not completely distracted by the beauty, way too full from the poutine covered in chesse/gravy/onions/peas/ground beef, or staring at the piles of empty roadside lobster traps, you are jigging down hills with windy curves and hairpin turns.  And here’s me forgetting my Grace Kelly hair scarf.  But I do know that the Malibu hugs the road.  Tight.

The All-New Chevy Malibu

Disclosure: UrbanMommies was hosted on a drive trip through the Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia.  As always, our opinions are our own.

Other Chevrolet Articles:

Orlando
Spark

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Disneyland Just got Happier

Disney, ROAM By August 29, 2012 Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , 2 Comments

I had never been to Walt’s first theme park.  ‘The Happiest Place on Earth’ is certainly a fitting name, and with the addition of Cars Land and extra attractions in Disney California Adventure Park, my family was continuously grinning.  It is absolutely certain that Disneyland just got happier.  Much smaller than Disney World, the original California location was intimate and incredibly accessible.  Popping back to the room for nap time was easy and using my park-hopper pass to make the best of each day was a breeze.

Downtown Disney was smack dab in the middle of everything and featured amazing shopping, food and evening childcare.  On one side of the Downtown section there are the 2 parks (Disney California Adventure and Disneyland Park) and on the other, the Disneyland Hotel, with incredible waterslides, character meals and beds that [had a headboard that had fireworks carved within that lit up and played music] as the kids drifted off to sleep.  No buses were needed to get around, and the shopping and dining options were as plentiful as princesses.

Downtown Disney

I spent many a meal at Catal wine bar.  Not only did it have great food, and an amazing patio, but it was super kid-friendly.  (Plus it was right beside Sephora, which aided in my Lightening McQueen-inspired manicure.)  When my feet got a bit tired, I grabbed some shoes at Sanuk, I watched the Stanley Cup final at the ESPN Sports Bar and saw the handmade signature quilts within the House of Blues.  (With all of these great places you can skip the parks for a day or two!)  One of my favourite spots was Wonderground Gallery, which featured reasonably-priced Disney-inspired original works by up-and-coming artists.

Tip: The Downtown Disney District parking lot is conveniently located and offers free parking for up to 3 hours — or up to 5 hours of free parking with validation from participating locations.

When the kids needed some down time, the Lego Imagination Centre was the place to be.  With giant Lego sculptures and a kid’s (and parent…) play area, we were able to transition beautifully from the excitement of the parks to some quiet time.

Disneyland Park

Divided into Frontierland, Adventureland, Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, Main Street USA, New Orleans Square, Critter Country and Mickey’s Toontown, the iconic and original park remains the stuff of dreams.  Just like in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, no alcohol is served at this park, which places a huge focus on the family experience and holds true to Walt Disney’s original vision.

As a huge fan of New Orleans, the authenticity of the buildings, food and rides in New Orleans Square kept me going back to this park again and again.  I just wish I could have played some jazz with the bands or strolled across the square in a Mardi-gras gown.  In green silk.  Because I’m kind of odd like that.  (Note to self: apply to be a Disney cast member).

Must Dos:

1.  Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique (which is also available out at sea on the the Disney Fantasy).  Have your little princess get styled, coiffed and sparkled by the beauty experts in this popular Fantasyland salon.  And if you’ve brought a little pirate with you?  There is a hairstyle package for boys too.

2.  The Mad Hatter’s Teacups: “Again! Again!’ Was all my 4 year old would say.

3.  Star Tours: with 60 possible scenarios, you become a passenger on a space flight piloted by C3PO.  Different landing sites include Coruscant and Naboo.  You are chased by stormtroopers, spoken to by Yoda and some scenarios even include a pod race.  Yes.  I did it at least 7 times with my boys and we had a new story every time.

4.  Jedi Training: Kids are picked from the audience, unlike Disney World where you get there early and sign up.  Different than Disney World, however, the young Jedis fight against both Darth Maul and Darth Vader.  My kids were enthralled just to watch!

5.  Space Mountain continues to be one of my favourite attractions, and unlike Disney World, where riders sit alone, this Space Mountain allowed for 2 people side by side, which made my son much more comfortable.

6.  The fireworks above Sleeping Beauty Castle brought me to happy tears.   Even with small children, they shouldn’t be missed.  And keep your eyes peeled for Tinkerbell and Dumbo, who fly in at a special time.  Depending on the age of your kids, I would recommend a stroller in case sleep comes calling.  (You can rent a double or singe at the entrance gates).

7.  Jungle Cruise: This 7-minute Jungle Cruise was one of the opening day attractions when Disneyland Park opened in July, 1955.  The animals you see along this trek of water engage the whole family.

Disney California Adventure Park

Being in town for the grand re-opening of the park was an honour and will be a lifelong memory.  The day of the opening, the line snaked all the way through Downtown Disney as customer service experts entertained the buzzing crowd.  I have never seen such excitement.  Broadcasters interviewed the public and a huge TV screen gave people hints of what was to come.  Not only was this the first day that Cars Land was open to the public, but California Adventure Park had been revamped and upgraded with the addition of Buena Vista Street – a re-enactment of the Los Angeles Walt Disney would have discovered when he arrived in 1923.  Carthay Circle is a bustling focal point with a 1920’s-30’s vibe, where talented Disney cast members perform swing and tap numbers.  The Red Car Trolley carries passengers from the gate to the Circle, and newspapers are distributed as fast as your kids ask to grab penny candy at the Five and Dime.

Must Dos:

1.  Everything in Cars Land.  Wow.  And go early to grab a Disney Fastpass for the Radiator Springs Racers!

2.  Soarin’ over California: The sensation of hang gliding over different parts of the state but you’re actually sitting, as smells are pumped into the room to correspond with the imagery.  Hint: take off your shoes – it’s even better with bare feet.

3.  California Screamer: this classic rollercoaster takes you for a loop.  And make sure you smile as you come to the end so you can grab the photo of yourself at the Disney Photopass kiosk at the exit.

4.  Goofy’s Sky School: I was fine on the Screamer, but this ride (geared for smaller kids) scared me!  It was a gas, as you ride in a buggy over 4 levels of railings, twisting, turning and going down slopes.  A must.

5.  Silly Symphony Swings: The boys couldn’t stop grinning as we ventured on this old-fashioned carnival-style swing ride.  It also gave me a chance to explain centrifugal force, which they fully ignored.

6.  The Tower of Terror: Pretty scary as you drop several stories, but you may save some money on food if you lose your appetite like I did.

7.  The Pixar Play Parade is incredible and even the clumsiest of readers will feel like dancing!  A great venue to watch is right outside the Tower of Terror.  You can get great photos of the familiar Pixar characters dancing and on elaborate floats.

8.  World of Color: This nighttime water spectacular incorporates water, color, fire and light.  With more than 1,000 jets of water forming incredible shapes in time to the music, kids are mesmerized.  Hint: (Pre-order a World of Color picnic with reserved viewing).

I felt as if I could go to Disneyland once a week.  Actually maybe I should just move to California!  I’m hooked, and I haven’t stopped swing dancing or saying Ka-Chow since my return.  And when you go? (Insert Tow Mater voice)… You’ll be happier than a tornado in a trailer park.  I couldn’t resist.

Disneyland Resort

Disclosure: UrbanMommies was hosted for the grand re-opening of Disney’s California Adventure Park.  As always, our opinions are our own.

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Healthy School Lunch Ideas

EAT, lunches By August 28, 2012 Tags: , , , , , , No Comments

This year we have illustrious plans.  Lunches will be made the night before, they will include fun, healthy options, and ‘litterless‘ will be a huge goal.  Ok, even if we only bat one for three, here are a few tips that may make coming up with healthy school lunch ideas a bit easier.

1.    Substitute avocado or hummus for mayo – avocado serves as a healthy fat source plus provides a creamy spread for sandwiches.

2.  Use your slow cooker overnight to have healthy hot thermos food ready and waiting in the morning.  Hot lunches are a treat in the winter.  (Or you could just reheat leftovers).  Our Slow Cooker Pinterest Board is a great source for recipes.

3.    Pep up your plain old PB&J with almond butter and fresh fruit slices –fresh fruit means natural sugars.  Check with the school if ‘peanut-free’ also means ‘almond-free’.  Stores like Whole Foods have great peanut butter alternatives.

4.    Margaret Ng, Health and Wellness Manager, at Pacific Blue Cross recommends always using whole grain breads or tortillas – wraps are a fun change of pace especially when they are packed with veggies.  And when you’re not around to hear the kids complain, we bet they’ll forgo the white bread – especially after a busy morning of school.

5.    Swap processed chips and snacks for healthier homemade options like trail mix with dried fruits and nuts, homemade fruit roll-ups or granola balls.

6.  Keep it petite: Little people enjoy little portions so they can snack through the day.  Out: the double-decker hero sandwich.  In: A stylish Bento box filled with flavours and colours.

7. Play with their food.  It needn’t take a ton of extra time to cut their sandwiches with cookie cutters or insert raisin eyes into a celery/cream cheese caterpillar.  If you want more fun ideas we are always updating our school lunch Pinterest board.

8.  Add fun with finger foods: Experiment with nutritious dips and spreads for veggies and crackers. Alternatively, boil an egg they can peel themselves.

9.  Consult your kid: There is no better way to ensure they eat their lunch than by getting their buy-in. Find out what their favourite snacks are and shop accordingly.  If they are older, give them an assignment at the grocery store to find 5 healthy options they will want to take in their lunch and send them down the aisles.  (Make sure you get veto-power though).

Good Luck and Happy Lunch-making!

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back to school

The Back to School Shopping Guide

GEAR, tech By August 20, 2012 Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 5 Comments

We all know that the end of August brings an obsession with things ‘wooly’ and the exciting task of acquiring school supplies and clothing for the kids.  Parents scour busy stores overflowing with pencils in order to outfit their children for back to school.  Not to worry!  The back to school shopping guide features lots of stylish goodies that can be found online.  In hopes you used a bit of the summer to de-clutter and inventory what you already have, you can fill the holes in your kids’ back to school shopping list with a few of our picks.  We’ve shopped around to find the best supplies, gadgets and funky fashions for your little collegiates.

Back to School Supplies

1.  The Spencer Stainless Steel Bento Box Container: Crafted of stainless steel with a spacious bottom compartment, an interior tray for separating snacks and a snug plastic lid, this is sure to be a winner.  Just make sure you check our our healthy snack ideas when you fill it!  $59   Available at www.potterybarnkids.com

2. Text Bands.  Now kids only have to bump fists in order to pass notes.  The text bands allow the message to appear on a friend’s wrist with a light bump.  You can type up to 10 characters and each band can hold up to 24 messages at once. (Turning the band off will delete all messages).  Now that’s a heck of an improvement from note passing.  Hallmark.com

3.  ABC Sigg Water Bottles are BPA and phthalate free. You can recyclable them at the end of their lifetime, and the nonporous interior lining in the bottles ensures that it remains taste and odor neutral.  Know what that means?  You can put grape juice in it (or something stronger for Mom) on the weekend and send it to school with milk on Monday. www.mysigg.com

4.  Fun, Fictional Flash Drives –  From The Simpsons, Family Guy, and Looney Tunes to skateboard USBs, students can transport files with their favourite characters.  Unfortunately, they do not come with your very own Princess Leah hologram.  You’ll have to hit the rides at Disneyland for that. www.staples.ca

5.  The Madbox from Land’s End is the coolest lunchbox we’ve seen in a while.  Five kids from Madison, WI set out to build a better lunchbox and Land’s End liked their idea so much – they produced it!  It comes with an adjustable ice pack that focuses the cold to the food that needs to stay cold and leaves room temperature food alone.  No more soggy crackers.  www.landsend.com

6.  Who doesn’t love labels?   Mabels Labels has a cool new Tween pack that is sure to delight your kids.  They’ve also got a rock-sold back-to-school pack and even preschool shoe labels.  www.mabelslabels.com

7.  New for the fall, the Native ‘Jimmy’.  From the makes of our favourite summer show comes the Jimmy, just in time for fall.  These durable and funky boots will look great with this season’s signature trench for kids.  www.shop.nativeshoes.com

8.  The Lunchkin reusable sandwich bag.  In Hermes orange, or course.  Wait.  That’s for me.  Well, if you want uber-cute, they’re available in crabs, sailboats, soccer balls and school apples too.  And they’re great for the environment.  And cool.  Need we say more?  www.raspberrykids.com

9.  Any flower-lover would eat every bite out out of this adorable PVC-free grab-and-go lunch purse.  But be careful.  Unless you snag a couple you may have a fight on your hands, as we guarantee you’ll want one too!  I think I may grab one and use it for a funky back tie clutch…  www.lavishandlime.com

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back to school picks for mom

Back to School Picks for Mom

GEAR, style By August 20, 2012 Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , No Comments

The end of August marks a special time.  (And not only because the fall fashion issues are so thick).  With the little ones returning back to school for a new year and a fresh start, Moms can’t forget that they deserve a bit of a refresher too.  You get them to school.  You’re the activity chauffeur and playdate secretary.  School lunch chef, homework enforcer.  We know that’s just a few of your duties.  Here are a few of our Back to School Picks for the moms out there.

Back to School Picks for Mom

1.  Shoes: Gentle Souls, (a Kenneth Cole brand) are comfortable, practical and stylish.  And if you like science, their technology is based on displaceable solids comprised of – deerskin lining, NASA developed memory foam called PORON, flax seeds pillows &  rubber soles. Bottom line, they are so comfortable!  www.gentlesouls.com

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Teaching Kids the Art of Fishing

LIVE, play By August 15, 2012 Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , No Comments

Have you ever thought about teaching your kids the art of fishing? Of course there’s the romance of little Huckleberry Finns sitting on a dock with a string and a stick.  And then there’s the possibility of catching dinner.  And teaching kids that all food doesn’t necessarily come from a supermarket.  But the photos you’ll get?  Priceless.

We spent a week this summer in the New York Finger Lakes swimming, casting and paddling.  But the best memories were on the dock.  When ‘Uncle Brad’ gave a fishing rod and tackle to my eldest son, the eyes lit up and hours were spent learning about sinkers, hooks and worms.  Taking them all out and organizing.  Sleeping with them.  Uncle Brad is quite the accomplished fisherman, and I convinced him to share his tips for teaching kids the art of fishing.

1.  Rule #1: Size does not matter.  Any fish is a good fish.  And catching one and handing them the rod can get them ‘hooked’ for life.
2.  Start the teaching of casting using foam fish and a foam hook.  When attached to a line, the foam hook can be used to retrieve the floating fish form in the water.
3.  A kid’s rod  is shorter with an internal reel and button.  (Bait casting reel as opposed to a spinning reel).  Shakespeare makes great ones for boys and girls and they are readily available at Target and Walmart.  (You can even get Disney, Star Wars, Spiderman and princess themes).
4.  A dock on a calm lake from 6-8am is usually the best time to nab the critters.
5.  Use pliers to flatten the barbs on your hooks.  It’s nicer for the fish.
6.  Always remove hooks from the lines when you are done so as not to invite any injuries.
7.  Make the kids look around prior to casting.  My son caught a 5-foot-eleven man named ‘Uncle Brad’.
8.  Encouraging the kids to drop the fish back into the water will excite them.  (And then you don’t have to touch them).
9.  Live worms are an easy and plentiful bait.
10.  Try to teach about the species of fish as you catch.
11.  Patience can be a challenge for kids.  But having quiet conversations as you set your lines can form the best memories and bonds between parent and child.
12.  Make sure at least one adult isn’t squeamish about baiting the hooks or taking fish off the line.
13.  Rod and reel are not necessary.  A string tied to a bamboo pole with a hook works just fine.
14.  Fish under a certain number of pounds must be tossed back.  Check in the jurisdiction you are in.  And keeping anything as a pet is just a bad idea.
15.  Hats, sunscreen, fishing license, water, band-aids and snacks should never be far away.

Next step?  Tying their own flies and mastering the art of planking a salmon.  Oh – and never make the mistake of asking first if they caught anything.  As a good friend once said, “I’m going fishing.  Not fish-catching.”

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helpful tips for working moms

Time Management Tips for Working Moms

FAM, self By August 1, 2012 Tags: , , , , No Comments

In today’s world, everyone is busy.  People always seem to be rushing from one activity to the next and trying to do several things at once in an effort to save time.  Working mothers understand “busy”- they’re basically working two full time jobs, and it’s no wonder why working mothers often find it difficult to balance everything in a neat and organized fashion!

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