Family Health, Wellness and Advocacy - Thrifty Mommas Tips

Fall Footwear Guide to Keep Moving

Paula — Fri, 23 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000

The fall season has never been my favourite but most of you know that by now. However, every fall the brazen red leaves, the trees spinning a gradient of greens, golds and oranges in one lovely package and the chilly temperatures bring me a little bit more joy. Maybe we mellow with age? Maybe I am just learning to find the joy everywhere because life is simply happier that way. No matter the season, I am determined to keep moving and I know many of you are too which is why I am sharing my Fall Footwear guide with all of you. Moving is crucial for my mental health and obviously physical health too. Good footwear supports both of these aspects of my life. ALLSWIFIT ActiveBreeze 2.0 Women’s Sneakers This fall I have been on the move a lot. I have been doing a good deal of social media through my business Thrifty Mom Media Fractional Marketing for some new local clients and I have been canvassing alongside a former colleague from 25 years ago. I mean honestly who says LinkedIn doesn’t work? Not me. So, I needed reliable and comfortable shoes. Some of these options are super affordable so I had to share this Fall Footwear Guide with you. I received product for consideration on Thrifty Mommas Tips. My opinion is all my own and affiliate links are also included as a service to readers who like to shop efficiently like me. The ALLSWIFIT ActiveBreeze 2.0 Women’s Sneakers combine an APMA-accepted arch-support footbed with a hands-free slip-on design, making them an effortless choice for active commutes, long walking days, and volunteer shifts. LOVE how easy these are to slip on and they are crazy comfortable. Hands-free slip on design is not just for people over 45, we have a slip on pair of hiking shoes that Payton loves too. These are all typically easy to find on Amazon. So check them out there too. Fall Style Guide: How to Wear Them Styling the ALLSWIFIT ActiveBreeze 2.0 Women’s The cool navy colour is a dream for autumn wardrobe layering: Fall Walking Shoes For Men The Cushionix Stride Comfort Mesh Sneakers in Black, First Impressions & Full Wear Test (photo above) Finding a sneaker that strikes the perfect balance between all-day support, breathability, and everyday style is a feat sometimes. We’ve put these through their paces to see if they truly live up to the hype for daily wear and extended walking. Let’s just start by saying these are crazy comfortable like many of the Nortiv 8 sneakers we have had here in the past year. Here is my honest breakdown of how the Cushionix Stride holds up out of the box and on the pavement. Design, Materials & First Impressions Right out of the box, the first thing you notice about the Cushionix Stride is how lightweight it feels. The upper is constructed from a flexible, high-density mesh designed to maximize airflow—a crucial feature if you’re prone to warm feet during long walks or traveling. The aesthetic is clean, minimalist, and functional. The versatile black is easy to style with virtually anything: activewear, leggings, dark denim, or comfortable travel outfits. It’s a classic, low-profile design that doesn’t look overly bulky despite offering generous cushioning underfoot. Don’t forget to Pin for Later Hiking Boots for Fall My kiddo has had some great hiking boots over the years and has a whole lot of trouble relinquishing well loved pairs. These are now a treasured part of their regular wardrobe though. So that tells you something.”They are so comfortable, Mom.” That is huge praise. Also, totally has worn them almost exclusively for a week now, hiking and walking around town. Any boots or shoes that keep my young adults moving are solid options in my books. Styling the NORTIV 8 Tactical Boots (Black) The sleek black utility design adds an instant touch of rugged edge to functional fall outfits: They have a zipper on each of the side of the boot in addition to the laces so that makes them easy on and off or alternatively lace them up to make them fit a narrower foot. If You Like to Stay Busy in the Fall If like me you are on the go a lot and really need something comfortable to slip into or go hiking in, then these are all solid options. Volunteering or running out the door to capture content? My Nortiv 8 ALLSWIFIT ActiveBreeze 2.0 Women’s Sneakers, well let’s just say I could definitely use a pair of these in every single shade. They are crazy comfortable. No rubbing, blisters or discomfort. And the Nortiv 8 Tactical Boots are versatile and sturdy and more than worth the money.

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Holiday Gift Guide: The Ultimate Slipper Edit

Paula — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 18:00:00 +0000

When the temperature drops, a chill hits the air and you just want to hang out indoors with a cup of tea, it’s time for house shoes aka comfortable slippers. Nothing says holiday comfort quite like sliding into a fresh pair of ultra-cozy slippers. Whether you are shopping for a secret Santa, updating your own winter lounge setup, or looking for that crowd-pleasing gift under the tree, warm footwear is a guaranteed hit. My Favourite Slipper Picks Here are two standout pairs that deliver exceptional style, warmth, and total relaxation this season. This is the first post in my Holiday Gift Guide for 2026. Happy Holidays and Happy Shopping! Trendy & Playful If you are looking for a gift that combines cozy comfort with a fun, festive pop of colour, these Dream Pairs Fuzzy Slippers are an absolute winner. That’s why I am including them in my ultimate slipper edit. Dream Pairs Fuzzy Slippers with Pink Trim We got our first pair of Dream Pairs slippers late last fall and we loved them so much that I bought a pair for my daughter for Christmas. We both wear ours all the time. Dream Pairs as a brand is affordable and comfortable. The brand also carries a wide range of super cute boots, runners, sandals and more. If you are looking for fashionable options at a good price and have no huge foot pain, back or hip issues the brand is perfect for you. The Supportive Everyday Essential For the person on your list who needs real, lasting foot support—or anyone who spends long hours standing, cooking, or working from home—the KURU Loft 2 in Sand is the ultimate upgrade. KURU Loft 2 in Sand KURU Footwear makes so many great shoes and boots and they focus on eliminating foot pain. I have the KURU sandals, Noah has some gorgeous hiking boots (KURU Quest 2) and Jim has some running shoes that are ultra supportive. This brand is a massive winner in our books. Post contains affiliate links as a service to readers. Product purchased via qualifying links may mean a small commission for me at no extra fee for readers. These are both gorgeous Christmas gift options and I’d be more than happy to find these under my tree. Which Pair Should You Pick? Happy Holidays! This is the first of a series of Christmas gift guide posts. Interested in placing a product in the guide this year? Connect with me: Paula – inkscrblr@rogers.com. Gift Guide content features a mix of gifted products and compensated posts. In received product for consideration here. My opinion is all my own.

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Cleaner Teeth and Ranvoo’s Technology Changing Oral Care

Paula — Mon, 05 Oct 2026 18:00:00 +0000

My teeth have literally never felt cleaner than they do this week. And cleaner teeth? Well, that’s a big win for me actually. I have been very self conscious of my teeth for years. As a child for a while we didn’t have dental care and then we suddenly did as my Mom transitioned back to teaching after being home raising us. Oh she supplied for years and worked also when we were little and then my parents got divorced and frankly she needed stability as did we. So, full time teaching and health and dental care came and we were the lucky beneficiaries of some exceptional health benefits. But my teeth were a bit crooked. I had an overbite and my gums were not good. Then I had some health issues growing up and cavities were typical despite the amount that I brushed. I drank a lot of coffee in university and afterwards just to stay up studying or working and frankly that stained my teeth. Cleaner teeth have always been something I wanted but rarely had. Until now. Electric toothbrushes have followed the same basic formula for decades: high-frequency motor vibration paired with nylon bristles to scrub away plaque. While effective, the aggressive mechanical scrubbing can leave people with sensitive gums, recession, or enamel wear feeling uncomfortable. Ranvoo’s Technology takes a different approach with its AirJet™ series (most notably the flagship AirJet X5), replacing harsh physical scrubbing with fluid dynamics to clear hard-to-reach spaces without damaging soft tissue. You know that cleaner teeth feeling when you glide your tongue over your teeth after a dentist appointment and think to yourself, wow! That’s the feeling I get with my new Ranvoo. Tailored Cleaning Modes Rather than simply changing timer durations, each of the four modes adjusts liquid flow rates, oscillation angles, and motor frequencies. I use soft mode most often but also like the whitening mode. Who Is It For? Key Features Listen, battery life was a concern for me at first but I am 100% not at all worried about this after seeing it in action. Battery life as below is up to 2 months. Uh, wish my iPhone had a battery that lasted that long. Post may contain affiliate links as a service to readers. Purchases made via qualifying links may mean a small commission for me. I received product for consideration here. My opinion is my own and it is always truthful. My Take Highly recommend this toothbrush. It is doing incredible work on my teeth. They feel so much cleaner than they usually do and a healthy smile equals confidence so that’s beneficial for so many reasons. When I first got this I made kale chips. They are so easy and we love them but unless you are on a different planet you know what kale does to your teeth. It’s crazy to smile in the mirror and see that your teeth are peppered with green chunks that make you look like a Halloween character. So, I specifically started using this toothbrush on my kale teeth and was blown away. Don’t sweat the little bits in your teeth anymore. They are no match for Ranvoo AirJet X5. Facts RANVOO laboratory testing shows 99.96% bacterial removal, with supporting data and methodology available if someone wished to review. Aside – I am a sucker for clever packaging and this is CRAZY good. On another level, even reminding me of APPLE product packaging. Somewhat luxurious. Where to Buy You can find it online through the RANVOO Official Store or order it directly from Amazon here Ranvoo AirJet.

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How to Handle FASD and Running

Paula — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 20:58:20 +0000

From the moment my youngest child started moving, they were a runner. The kid ran everywhere. in fact, we used to joke that this child ran before they walked, which was pretty accurate and slightly comical, until they started running away. For them, FASD, Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, and running went hand in hand. What is Elopement? Elopement is basically when kids with some neurological conditions leave or run away from wherever they currently are. That can be school, home, the mall, the park or any other spot. For some reason their fight or flight reaction is activated and flight kicks in and they run away. That’s basically synonymous with FASD (fetal alcohol spectrum disorder). Fasd and runners or FASD and running are a common combination. The flight sense is heightened and any perceived threat could activate it. Now, couple that with a complete lack of impulse control and it made for lot of terrifying moments as a parent. FYI, you will also find this same behaviour sometimes in seniors with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. My youngest went through this stage for years in elementary school. Our FASD and Running Experience Once they left school entirely for a couple of hours. I had been out with my Mom helping her buy a few things at the local Sears Outlet store. My mom had Alzheimer’s disease in the last few years of her life and that meant she needed some support in the community as well. Luckily I was available to help her. Not so luckily that day though, I had to race my Mom back to her retirement home while I sped over to the school to ask school administration why they had not had a closer eye on my child. Running away is not an uncommon scenario for kids with neurological differences. Thankfully, this has actually stopped. To this day I’m not sure why or how it stopped. But it did. This behaviour started when my youngest child was little actually and then it stopped for years because they were always supervised act school and at home. Medication for ADHD and impulse control helped too. Then this began again around 12 years old. It lasted until about 15. Does it Ever Stop? Now my youth with FASD is a young adult. Around 15 years old the running away stopped. Why? Well,I think three things worked here for us: anger therapy. I finally found a therapist who talked to them weekly and we started with a youth group for kids with FASD ( huge impact for my teen with FASD). Recently my kiddo said knowing that a friend, who I will call Tammy (not her real name) also gets it and understands FASD is everything. “We are best friends. Nobody else gets it.” Our Old Routine Before that though, we followed them every time. It was dead exhausting. Once I called police and they were amazing here. They sent two female police officers who calmed everyone down and I think it actually shocked the heck out of my kiddo. They were kind and said to my 15 year old at that time “you simply can’t do this. It’s not safe for anyone.” I don’t think the words mattered so much as the shock that I’d called the police. Anyways, I’m so sorry. If you have a runner, that experience is hellish. If you are in this situation then I hope that you find help soon. Here’s what we did to help cope with the FASD and running. The Elopement Plan FASD and Runners go hand in hand often due to the lack of impulse control and also the anger, the inability to regulate emotions and control situations. Knowing what to do before it happens goes a long way towards managing the situation. Good Luck and reach out if you have any questions.

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What to Do if Your Child Needs Glasses

Paula — Fri, 24 May 2024 01:39:28 +0000

Though today’s modern digital age has its perks, it’s also posing unprecedented risks to our eyesight. On average, Canadians spend 3.2 hours a day looking at screens. During this time, they blink less, reducing moisture and causing dry eye syndrome. Though this is easily fixed by using artificial tears, taking screen breaks, and blinking more, the impacts of device use are more apparent among kids than adults. Looking at gadgets up close forces the eye to accommodate close-up vision, elongating the eyeballs and causing myopia (nearsightedness). Eyesight Changes Kids usually adjust to eyesight changes and may not tell you about them, so you might not know immediately. However, you can look for signs like them squinting, following words with a finger when reading, rubbing their eyes, or holding something too close to see it. All these things indicate your child may need glasses. If you’ve observed these symptoms and are wondering what to do next, here’s what you can do. Explain What’s Going On Your child should understand what’s happening with their eyes. If you’ve noticed the above symptoms, take them aside, ask about any pain or discomfort they’re experiencing, and link those symptoms to eye issues. Tell them how refractive errors like myopia occur in age appropriate language. Emphasize that vision changes can worsen, and treating them will eliminate symptoms like headaches. Along the way, answer their questions. Making time to explain what’s going on will demystify vision issues, make them less scary, and empower your child to take the initiative when it comes to eye health. They’re more likely to be on board for things like eye exams and wearing eyeglasses, which will make it easier for you to safeguard their vision. Get Their Eyes Checked Once your child is in the right headspace to get an official diagnosis, consult an optometrist. Booking a comprehensive test outside those provided in school can more effectively detect vision issues so you can treat them early. These should be easy to access: in Ontario, for example, eye exams are free for those aged 19 and under with an OHIP card. Give your kid agency by ensuring they’re comfortable with the professional you visit. If they’re diagnosed with an eye issue, they will most likely be asked to wear prescription glasses. Encourage them to take charge of their health by asking the optometrist questions about this after the exam. That will help them better understand their eye health, what’s at stake, and why wearing glasses is crucial to address any issues. Buy the Glasses When selecting your kid’s specs, make sure they fit comfortably and are made of durable frame and lens materials like polycarbonate. They’re also more likely to wear a pair they love, so let them choose what they want to wear. For example, they can nab eyewear similar to those worn by their favourite celebrities or fictional characters. If they like pop culture icons like Tom Cruise and Harry Potter, have them look at Ray-Ban’s kid’s catalog. It includes eyeglasses like the Round Double Bridge Kids and the kid’s version of the popular Aviators, which can emulate those worn by their heroes. They can also opt for pairs with fun and colorful designs by turning to brands like Ocean Pacific. Its collections boast funky, flexible frames, with models like the OP 843 and 844 coming in fun shades like blueberry and grape. Give Them Support Even if you equip them with all the knowledge and aids they need, your child or children may still have a hard time adjusting to glasses. You’ll thus want to support them as much as you can. One thing you can do is shower praise. Tell them how good their new glasses look on them or point out things they can see that they wouldn’t have noticed without vision correction. This positive aspect of parenting can help them build healthier habits, like wearing eyeglasses more often. You can also model good behaviour by wearing glasses yourself if you don’t already. Kids often mimic their parents’ behavior, and this step can help normalize wearing specs and make their adjustment period easier. Finally, be open to their concerns. If they still experience things like headaches a couple of weeks after getting new specs, they may have the wrong prescription and might need another exam to update it. More Kids Experiencing Vision Issues More kids are experiencing vision issues, and yours may be among them. If your child needs glasses, the above tips can prevent their eye conditions from progressing over time—helping them maintain their eyesight into adulthood.

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4 Easy Ways to Save Money on Your Next Pair of Contact Lenses

Paula — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 01:31:57 +0000

While eyeglasses are more common as a corrective tool, many individuals opt for contact lenses for multiple reasons. One of the most prominent is how they provide more natural vision from all angles, as they sit right on the eyeballs. Aside from this, contacts have the advantage of being without frames, which means they don’t block the peripheral vision, and they are less likely to be affected by surroundings. This means they’re not as prone to falling out, and they’re not at risk of smudging or fogging up. Given the above, contact lenses are an essential expense for many people who rely on them for clear, unencumbered vision. More specifically, a Global Newswire post states over 125 million people worldwide use contact lenses regularly. Nevertheless, the cost of contact lenses can add up over time, making it important to find ways to save money on this necessary purchase without sacrificing quality or comfort. By making several considerations and smart choices, it is possible to reduce the overall cost of contact lenses. As such, below are some ways to save money on your next contact lenses. Order Contacts Online One way to save a considerable amount of money on contact lenses is by ordering online. Online retailers often offer lower prices than physical stores since they do not have the same overhead costs, such as rent, utilities, and staff salaries. Ordering contact lenses online also eliminates the need to travel, which ultimately reduces both the time and money you shell out. Furthermore, buying online allows individuals to compare prices and products from a variety of retailers easily. With a few taps on a device, consumers can easily find, compare, and buy contact lenses online without the need to make trips to multiple physical stores. Clearly is one such reputable online store that carries many different types of lenses, such as the Acuvue Oasys disposable lenses, which also come specialised for users with astigmatism. They also regularly offer 5% to 20% off discounts and during events such as Black Friday. This level of convenience and accessibility will not only lead to significant savings but can also help consumers make more informed decisions regarding their purchases. Buy in Bulk For contact lens wearers who prefer disposable lenses or “dailies,” one of the best ways to save money is to buy multiple boxes of contact lenses at once. While this may seem expensive upfront, it can actually save you a lot of money in the long run. This is because shops tend to give larger discounts to those who buy contact lenses in bulk due to various reasons such as reduction in waste, packaging costs, and transport miles. By purchasing a six-month or one-year supply of lenses, you can take advantage of bulk pricing and rebates, as there is likely to be a cost reduction per box or an overall purchase discount. Providers like Contacts Direct offer up to $100 off on annual supplies of many brands, such as Dailies Total 1, which can also be bought as specialised multifocal lenses. Additionally, some retailers offer free shipping for bulk orders and orders that reach a certain minimum amount, further increasing the potential for savings. Observe Proper Maintenance On the other hand, for those who use reusable lenses, proper maintenance, including correct sanitation and storage, is crucial both for saving money and for your eye health. Most reusable lenses can last for up to one year. However, improper handling of contact lenses can lead to faster degradation and potential contamination. Lens contamination can cause infections like bacterial pink eye, which can lead to serious eye damage. One of the most critical aspects of maintenance is choosing a suitable lens solution. It is essential to use solutions from pharmacies or those recommended by your ophthalmologist and to ensure that they are not expired. Some of the most popular today are OPTI-FREE and CooperVision. Additionally, the lens case should be regularly cleaned. The process of cleaning should be done after every use by rinsing the case with the solution and leaving it to air dry. On top of this, it is recommended to replace the lens case every three months to prevent bacteria build-up. Overall, proper maintenance of reusable lenses will result in lower risk and less frequent replacement, ultimately saving a lot of money. Understand Your Insurance Selecting the best type of insurance is another way to save on contact lenses. Insurance coverage varies widely depending on the provider and specific plan. Some may have more comprehensive coverage for eye care and provide better benefits for corrective eyewear compared to others, which is why it is essential for individuals to review their insurance plans carefully. Some of the ways in which insurance plans help save money on contact lenses include covering costs for comprehensive eye exams. Through this, individuals can better ensure the health of their vision and avoid constantly changing their prescriptions. In addition to this, insurance can also help offset the cost of corrective eyewear, including contact lenses themselves. Many coverage plans make a noticeable difference and can be extra beneficial for those who need more expensive specialised lenses, such as toric lenses for astigmatism or multifocal lenses for presbyopia.

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Take the 30-Day Mindfulness Challenge Now!

Paula — Mon, 01 Feb 2021 11:26:00 +0000

Time for a mindfulness challenge! No better time than the present. At least, that’s my current philosophy. So, some of you probably know that mindfulness here is an ongoing battle. Or, should I say has been an ongoing issue. Ironically, or curiously, I think that I have actually achieved more mindfulness during the pandemic than ever before. My Previous Experience One year I made mindfulness my word of the year and it was the worst word of the year experience that I had ever had. That’s right. I have successfully chosen a word of the year for many years but could not make that one work. My mind wandered too much to remain mindful. Did it Take a Lockdown? Maybe, it took a lockdown and a pandemic to make mindfulness possible for me. Whatever the cause, I am now better at recognizing the moments and being present here, for the most part. This past 11 months have often been about maintaining good mental health, because we have been assaulted daily with remote learning and the stress of trying to figure out how to pay the bills and maintain a business while also supporting two teens with mental health challenges and anxiety disorder. Mindfulness for me is about self care and maintaining good mental and physical health routines. Because I am loving challenges this year, I am sharing this 30-day mindfulness challenge. Join me this month, Heart Health Awareness Month to take charge of your mental and physical health. This year I promise to take a few moments every day to stop, inhale, pause and change my thinking so that I am mindful. I’ll change my inner dialogue daily. I’ve already started. I stopped and practiced mindfulness. Last year I succeeded in adding gratitude to my daily, well sometimes weekly practice and routine. When I wake up, I set intentions and I strive to show gratitude in some way. Oddly, a trip to The Hive in Durham in February 2020 helped me to solidify that as part of my day. Quite simply, I now tell myself: I am here right now, alive. My family loves and supports me. I have a wonderful husband and I love what I do. And, when it comes to gratitude I wake up and remind myself another day is a gift, and the smallest of things that we take for granted are worth celebrating. Download my Mindfulness Challenge Here – > If you liked this one, then you might consider checking this 30-day health and wellness challenge out too. And finally, the 30-day decluttering challenge!

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My 2021 Word of the Year, Finally

Paula — Sun, 31 Jan 2021 18:47:55 +0000

“I took a deep breath and listened to the old bray of my heart: I am, I am, I am.” ~ Sylvia Plath Sylvia knew. Post may contain affiliate links as a service to readers. I receive a small commission from purchases made via qualifying links. Words This year, it has taken me exactly a month to find my 2021 word of the year. Why? Well, I wasn’t convinced I’d bother to choose a word of the year. Wasn’t it a ridiculous assumption to make that a year would bend to meet the shape of a word. I mean after 2020, haven’t we all seen that life is nothing if not unpredictable? And yet the concept kept working away at the back of my brain. Should I have a word? Should I ditch my tradition or start a new one? Pros and Cons In the past, I have found that choosing a word of the year has given me a goal to work towards. One year – the year that I choose mindfulness, my word was not a success. Mindfulness turned out to be a much harder state to achieve than I had originally anticipated. However, the years I chose health and reach and growth were all successful years. Is it risky to choose a word every year and commit to a resolution or a focus? Sure, absolutely it is and sometimes you fail, but at least you tried. A Year Like No Other Although I have in fact chosen a word of the year ever since 2014, this year was not like the others. Last year, I chose a word and I have looked back on it a few times and thought why did I bother? Burt, I am sure that many people were precisely in the same boat in 2020. Recently, I was hunting for quotes to caption an Instagram post and I found this one above from Sylvia Plath about breath and breathing. While Plath was an author known for going mad and writing an exceptionally gorgeous memoir about it, I thought it summed up my 2021 word of the year philosophy. Aren’t we all feeling a little bit off kilter, off-balance under water some days right now? I know I am still. FYI – this is my yoga mat. I’ve used several and this is my favourite because it is thicker than the usual yoga mats. Buy one here – > Gaiam Yoga Mat 6 MM. Lockdown Life Wasn’t the world supposed to magically be healed and promising in 2021? And yet, numbers are erratic, stay at a home Amber Alert messages gave many of us a start in Ontario recently and mental health issues are growing as the days mount. So many days we all struggle. We are trying to ignore the huge wrench that has been thrown in ski season. I refuse to give up and I am holding out hope for even a couple of ski days at some point WHEN numbers go down. But, if you know me at all then you know I yoga. I boot camp and group fit, pilates, Centergy and walk. So for now while all of that is chaos and cancelled I breathe through the yoga. My 2019 word of the year was REACH. The Breath Challenge Every morning so far of this year, I’ve been doing a 30-day Breath challenge with Yoga with Adrienne and I am nearing the end of that fitness challenge. Yoga with Adrienne and Yoga with Kassandra as well as Blogilates are favourites of mine. In fact, I shared my favourite online fitness classes here a few months ago. Why I Move When we adopted our younger daughter, a child who would eventually be diagnosed with FASD (fetal alcohol spectrum disorder) I started doing yoga for me, for self care. So, it has become a staple and a consistent part of my life. When Covid hit and gyms closed the first time, I pivoted to online workout instructors and classes. Ironically, or perhaps insightfully, my 2020 word of the year was clarity and positivity. I’d be a huge liar if I said that I didn’t struggle with staying positive during a pandemic. In fact, I felt flat out overwhelmed and overly sad and maybe even depressed as trips were cancelled one by one and then school closed down. Of course 2020 year was hard, but there are also things that I am proud of from our pandemic year. How To Approach Each New Year? What do you believe in or measure every year? Is there a moment at the start of the year where you say to yourself: This year I resolve to read more? Or This Year I Will Drink More Water? Keep Moving This gets me moving forward towards the challenges of the day. Breath and breathing. Just a week ago I got an Apple Watch. It is my first smart watch and it is life changing. The fitness apps are rocking my world and I love that it prompts me occasionally to stand or move or breathe. So, this week it hit me that’s my 2021 word of the year – breath and breathe. For some odd reason breath and breathing and control of breath during yoga has always been hard for me. The 2021 30-day challenge with Adrienne has helped me to recognize and breathe with purpose during exercise sessions, so I will keep working on that. Word of the Year or Resolution? Whatever your thing – Word of the Year, Vision Board, Resolution – when the intention is about self improvement and even sometimes making the world a better place, then I am all about that. I wish you success, love and strength in this year ahead. What I Can Control Right now, I might not control much but I can control this. Breath and breathing. Just this week it hit me that this is my 2021 word of the year – my goal and my mantra: breath, breathe. Just breathe.

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Five Chronic Illness Lessons I Have Learned.

Paula — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 11:08:00 +0000

Lately I have been thinking a lot about how having a childhood illness shaped me, as a person, as a teen and an adult. I’ve asked myself often what, if any chronic illness lessons, I got out of that experience. Some of you know I have Crohn’s disease, an inflammatory bowel disease, also now thought to be an autoimmune disease, without a known cause or cure. I was diagnosed at 14 after a period of months when pounds melted off my frame faster than you can even imagine. My abdomen hurt all of the time, as in so much cramping that I thought I would pass out. Sometimes I still get that pain, which comes out of nowhere and blindsides me. Crohn’s Disease Symptoms There were more symptoms of course, like chronic diarrhea, bloody stools and vomiting. Weight loss, exhaustion. Inability to eat. Anemia, cramps and more. There is nothing pretty about Crohn’s disease, not that any disease is pretty, but bowel disease can be particularly gross. The year of my diagnosis I spent a zillion hours in bathrooms all over Guelph, Toronto, Collingwood and Wasaga Beach. Then I spent weeks in and out of hospitals and emergency rooms. Here’s How Crohn’s disease Changed Me Listen, having Crohn’s sucks. There’s no need to mince words. Missing weeks of school and being in hospital a dozen times in your teens is not fun. Nor is it a path anyone would choose on purpose. There’s nothing redeeming about having your body opened up over ten times to remove bits, like large sections of gut, repeatedly. Also, it feels awful missing out on life when you are too sick to be out of hospital or out working. Missing school and being in hospital for birthdays, Christmases and other holidays is a hard pill to swallow. Relearning Reconfiguring all the systems so that you can walk and eat and function again outside a hospital. Relearning how to do everything and stopping and starting school, or jobs over and over, sucks, period. Society has a lot more to do in order to build equality and support for people with disabilities. But I think that’s another post entirely. It is dead exhausting and it hurts, both physically and mentally. But at the same time, now two decades after all of the surgeries and diagnosis, I have enough distance from that initial round of brutal treatment and surgery to recognize how this changed me dramatically as a human. Five Chronic Illness Lessons Resilience Having Crohn’s oddly shaped me into a resilient person. How did it do that? How did having a chronic incurable illness make me resilient? In a nutshell, I know I am a survivor. Listen, when your abdomen has been opened up and parts removed and you are expected to stand the next day and walk around the room so your body begins to heal, or you need to resume eating after your gut has been attacking you internally for months, and you do it, you know you have got this. Acute flares of Crohn’s followed by long hospital stays and seemingly barbaric treatments, simply showed me I was resilient. Maybe that was the lesson. Bright Side Somehow, I still always look for the bright side. If I didn’t, I’d wallow in self pity and pain far too many days. So, there is a bright side, in my opinion, to this story. But here’s the thing. Lately, when I pause to reflect on how that experience shaped my life I think well there was some good that came out of that pain and this horrible digestive disease. And there’s typically always a positive. You might need to dig for it, but it’s there. I’m an Advocate I didn’t have a voice for years in the health care system as a child. Instead, I blindly accepted what doctors told me. Now, I know the questions to ask and how to ask them. In fact, I found my voice late in my journey. While I’d love to tell you it was some big internal aha moment, it was actually a new young surgeon who spoke to me as an equal in my mid to late 20s and engaged me as a patient. That simple approach pulled me out of the passive state. Sometimes it makes me nuts thinking how many doctors and surgeons were completely ableist and patronizing prior to that one experience. By the way, he still practices here in London Ontario. His patients are blessed to have him. The Lesson The chronic illness lesson there was speak up, educate yourself on your condition or illness and ask the right questions. Don’t be afraid to seek second opinions and ask about the medication side effects. As so many people on TikTok say: You ARE THE MAIN CHARACTER. Adoption I adopted my children and likely wouldn’t have otherwise. Had I not struggled with a chronic illness, pain and Crohn’s disease, I probably never would have sought out domestic adoption as the means to becoming a parent. True story. Adoption is such a rewarding way to start a family, but it is also often not the standard or first choice. The love I have for my family is immense and overwhelming and I would never ever change my family. My kids are amazing and they teach me new facts and skills every single day. The adoption community I have found is such an incredibly supportive and diverse resourceful group of parents. So very grateful that my path led us here. I wrote about Parenting and Crohn’s disease for CBC Parents in early 2020. Read that post here – > https://www.cbc.ca/parents/learning/view/im-a-parent-with-crohns-disease-heres-how-thats-worked-out-for-me Strength This could be related to optimism and resilience, but it is a lesson that I hold close. I know I am strong. There’s little else that matters really. Like, for instance, I can do hard things. Physically, I know I am capable of doing the heavy emotional lifting even in times of crisis and that I will get through whatever comes my way. Life is All About Learning Every person, every experience, is a lesson or a gift. While it might not seem like it at the time and it’s often excruciatingly hard to fight your way through the dark times, having a childhood illness can sometimes just show you who you are. That’s a huge gift, especially when so many others spend lifetimes trying to explore that very concept.

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30 Day Health and Wellness Challenge and Printable

Paula — Wed, 23 Dec 2020 19:29:40 +0000

Well here we go again! Lockdown threatens to disrupt any progress on my fitness routine. But hopefully not for long. That’s why I am sharing this 30-day health and wellness challenge. Make a Commitment to Health & Wellness I have done my best to maintain a health and wellness schedule for years now. It’s part of my life and I need that as a parent and as someone who has chronic pain and Crohn’s disease. Working out to maintain health and wellness is not an option for me. So, from the start of the pandemic to today, I have been seizing all of the opportunities to get fit. Getting and Staying Fit in a Pandemic We have been walking almost every day in all sorts of weather. The kids, in between lockdowns, have been doing martial arts. I have been going to the YMCA again several times a week because I need that. For me, working out and staying fit is not an option. While I am constantly trying to convey that to my kids and my family, it’s not always easy. For us, mental health is inextricably tied to physical health. But for teens it often takes a whole lot of convincing and cajoling. There’s always room for improvement. Everyone Loves a Challenge This time of year everyone loves a challenge and during the new year so many of us are typically all about getting back to the gym. But, wait, there’s a lockdown, so how on earth can you stay fit even when everything is closed and the gyms are not open? Well, walking isn’t ruled out and neither are the virtual workouts that you did during the first lockdown. The first lockdown. Can you imagine that we even are saying these words? Anyways, this 30 day fitness, health and wellness challenge can work well especially right now because you don’t need a lot of tools or extras. Heck you don’t even need a gym to do this exercise in. This 30-day health and wellness challenge probably works best if you launch it at the start of a month. But, if you aren’t quite as literal as I am at times then start any old time. I am ready to go now and will happily do this with anyone here. What I Love About This Challenge… Anyone anywhere can do this easily outside and at home. You don’t need much space or much time. The workouts revolve around a combination of walks, squats, meditation and even rest days. That’s right, rest days. In fact, I find I often do better at challenges and workouts when there are rest days built in on occasion. How to Get This Printable Health and Wellness Challenge This is a super simple download. Just click on the link below and print it out for future reference. Do you have any fitness plans or have you consistently been working out at home throughout the entire pandemic? Hit or miss? No worries. It’s all good. Just take care of yourself and be kind. These days, it seems increasingly hard for people to give themselves grace. This is the kind of thing that works for me, which is not to say that it will absolutely be the BEE’s Knees for you. I aim to help by occasionally sharing tools like this for you all to use and share with your families. Don’t Miss These Much Love and Stay Well! Do return and leave a comment if you use this!

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