• active family travel - Health - Travel

    Tracking the White Rhinoceros – A Safari Adventure in Zambia

    December 6, 2016 - By 

    Even now, our safari adventure in Zambia seems surreal. Moments ago, we met a truck full of Zambian security employees armed with guns inside a reserve and sanctuary. Now the group of us walk single file on foot behind an armed escort tracking a white rhinoceros. This field, this sanctuary, is silent but for the sound of us walking and the occasional comment from our leader. Stick together, never run, follow instructions and you will be okay. Sun Setting The sun begins a slow surrender into the horizon, casting an incredible glow on this safari adventure. It is our last night in Zambia. We…

  • ontario_fertility_program
    family - Health - infertility

    The Ontario Fertility Program – Jacquie’s Story #IVF4ON

    December 5, 2016 - By 

     This month marks the first anniversary of The Ontario Fertility Program. The highly anticipated program has increased access to fertility treatment for many in Ontario who previously couldn’t afford the cost of assisted reproductive therapy. The Ontario Fertility Program has helped about 5,000 patients. It has given hope to many infertility patients, closure to some, and it has made family a reality for thousands like Jacquie. More than 50 clinics in the province offer the Ontario Fertility Program for patients who qualify. You must have a valid Ontario health card and be under 43 to access the program. Patients who…

  • jubilee_ministries
    active family travel - family - Health - Travel

    Jubilee Ministries, Lusaka #TTOT #vaccineswork

    November 28, 2016 - By 

    I have learned many tricks to keep from crying. But none of them work in this community in Western Lusaka, Africa. On an October day when still jet lagged we meet three Zambians changing Lusaka one heart at a time. Making an impact by ministering to the needs of Zambians in a community that sits on the outskirts of Lusaka. This is a neighbourhood devastated by AIDS and HIV. And this is the story that breaks my heart the most during our stay in Zambia.   It’s our first day here and we have travelled all over Lusaka, Zambia. We started…

  • tetley_ayurvedic_teas
    Food - Giveaways - Health

    Ayurvedic Teas from Tetley – #TetleyFindYourBalance #Giveaway

    November 25, 2016 - By 

    Ayurvedic teas from Tetley satisfy my tea cravings while helping to balance mind and body. It’s the only thing I love as much as coffee. If I’m being honest, I might even love it more. These Ayurvedic teas from Tetley are a great addition to my tea routine and collection, because I can enjoy them and at the same time help holistically improve my health. In short, I feel good about drinking tea.   Ayurvedic Teas – Based in 5,000 Year Old Wisdom Ayurveda is a 5,000 year old system of holistic knowledge which teaches that balancing the mind, body, and spirit…

  • baby_brain_app
    family - Health - parenting - Technology

    Nuryl Baby Brain App Using Smart Music

    November 24, 2016 - By 

    Have you heard of Nuryl app? Perhaps you should pay attention to this new baby brain app. Smart music equals a smart baby. It’s true. Science has shown that children who engage in musical activities do better in school across the board, especially in math. That same connection between music and better learning holds true for babies as well. That’s why Rick Beato, classically trained musician and former professor, developed Nuryl app. It’s a music app designed to boost baby’s cognitive development. So smart music really does qual a smart baby. When my daughters were very small I read a lot…

  • holiday_preparations
    family - Health

    Holiday Preparations That Save Money

    November 23, 2016 - By 

    The holidays are fast approaching and for many that can be overwhelming and also extremely expensive. I am a thrifty shopper and I plan ahead. Holiday Preparations Now can save me stress later. So I have been buying sale items throughout the year and putting them away. That works for me. Even now, it’s not too late to start saving. This season, if you prepare now, you will feel less of the pinch and stress later on. There are many ways to lessen the financial load and get your family ready now.  Holiday Preparations that Save Money: Make Your Own…

  • twiga_fitness_leggings
    family - Health

    Personalized Twiga Fitness Leggings

    November 18, 2016 - By 

    Twiga fitness leggings are my new favourite. Let me tell you why. I spend a decent amount of time at the gym. Some weeks not as much as I wish, and other weeks exactly the right amount for me. I need proper gear when I am at the gym doing centergy, or weights, or pilates, or group fit. For the summer I have shorts I love that are moisture wicking and work beautifully for me. In the winter I have warm full length yoga pants that are also my office wear some days. It’s the in between times where I…

  • Health - Travel

    Under Five Day at Simonga Clinic in Zambia

    November 14, 2016 - By 

    About an hour outside Livingstone, sits Simonga Clinic, the first of several clinics we will visit while in Zambia. Simonga clinic is busy already with under five day. Babies breastfeed while toddlers play with each other tugging on clothing, and scoping visitors out warily. A tiny girl in pink tries to drag Mom’s purse across the concrete floor to show a friend. She bursts into tears when Mom lifts the bag out of reach. Another toddler wanders over to the immunologist in our group and he waves repeatedly engaging, until she holds out her hand for a high five. Then he is suddenly…

  • shot@Life
    family - Health - Travel

    Every Child Deserves a Shot at Life -Vaccines Work

    November 8, 2016 - By 

    Every child should have a Shot at Life. All children have a right to health. But, in developing countries around the world many families face overwhelming obstacles to accessing life-saving vaccines. Shot@Life is an organization that helps and advocates for funding to deliver lifesaving vaccines to those in need. I visited Zambia as part of a fellowship with Shot at Life through the UN Foundation recently. It was an  amazing experience. Over the next few weeks I will share posts about that trip and the many clinics and aid organizations we visited. Yesterday I shared my first post about Preparing for…

  • zambia_fellowship
    Health - Travel

    Zambia Fellowship – Preparing For The Journey #VaccinesWork #travel

    November 7, 2016 - By 

    I’m sitting in a travel clinic getting a typhoid shot and a prescription for anti-malarial pills. Today this is what work looks like as I prepare to visit Zambia in October. It’s a Tuesday morning and I am talking typhoid, Twinrix, safety precautions, Canadian embassies and Malaria. Not my average day in the office. A few weeks ago I learned that I was one of the lucky journalists who received a Fellowship with the UN Foundation and an advocacy group called Shot@Life. Together with 2 other bloggers and a doctor with a regular column in a US newspaper, I will travel…