• family - FASD - Health - parenting

    5 Brain Facts You Might Not Know #YOTB

    5 Brain Facts You Might not Know Did you know the human brain is still largely not understood? Scientists know the basics of how it works and what the different lobes do, but that knowledge is a drop in the bucket compared to the ocean of what they don’t know. Did you know it’s the Year of the Brain? [tweetthis]DYK it’s the Year of the Brain? #health[/tweetthis] The brain is a fascinating topic matter and a new frontier where scientists and systems need to concentrate more research and health policy initiatives in future. From FASD (fetal alcohol spectrum disorder to…

  • family - Health

    Boost Your Metabolism in 4 Easy Steps

    Everyone wants to lose weight and feel healthier. There are many ways to do that, but all roads start with knowing how to boost your metabolism. It’s easier than you think. All you need to do is change a few things, and you’ll be able to boost your metabolism for better health and better weight.  4 Tips to Boost Your Metabolism The problem that a lot of us have with losing and maintaining our weight is a sluggish metabolism. Once I hit 40 my metabolism hit a wall. It’s even harder now to maintain and lose weight. Plus there’s all…

  • family - Health - infertility - parenting

    MLA Rick Fraser on the Calgary Marathon and Why Infertility Patients and IVF Funding Alberta Captured His Heart #abhc4ivf #abpoli

    Generations of Hope is a group of amazing, passionate, volunteers and infertility patients who are driven and talented and inspiring. They believe an accessible health care system also includes infertility treatment and funding for in vitro fertilization. They are smart and motivated and they work hard to help people understand why infertility patients and IVF funding Alberta matters. Together they champion better lives for infertility patients, and they envision a better future for their province. This weekend members will be running in the Calgary Marathon to raise funds and awareness to help others needing in vitro fertilization to build healthy families.…

  • Health - parenting

    Juvenile Arthritis – What it Is and What it Does #health

      This is the ankle that started it all for us. One of our daughters has had a limp for months and we’ve taken her to the doctor several times. We’ve determined nothing is broken or sprained. So we went to the hospital and had tests run last month. Numerous X-Rays showed nothing broken at all. But she limps and it isn’t getting better. So we are now moving on to more tests. Juvenile arthritis is one diagnosis specialists are looking at. This month we return to see if high doses of anti-inflammatory medicine have made a difference. This is…

  • family - Health - parenting

    10 Sensory Play Ideas with Gelatin

    My kids are a curious combination of sensory seeking and sensory avoiding. That’s not uncommon for children with sensory processing difficulties. My older daughter avoids anything that feels scratchy. My younger daughter seeks out deep pressure often and also avoids any fabrics that are not soft and comfortable. Both have some sensory issues. I have written about that often here. Remember this post about 5 easy and free sensory play activities for kids with sensory processing disorder. [tweetthis]Five Easy and Free activities for kids who love sensory play https://www.thriftymommastips.com/easy-and-free-sensory-play-activities-for-kids/[/tweetthis] Both of my girls indulge in and seek out messy play.…

  • adoption and tweens - family - Health - parenting - Parenting

    Adoption and End of School Year – Buckle Up, It’s Going to Be a Bumpy Ride #adoption

    OH MAN! I have been sitting on this one for a bit so it’s likely to all come out in a big incoherent mess. But here it is. Life as an adoptee, or an adoptive parent at the end of the school year can be a mess of conflicting emotions. I get it. I do. It is hard and sloppy and somehow this is usually where I find my zen because when the kids come completely unhinged I shove aside most things and retreat to inner calm with purpose because they require it. I am not quite there yet this…

  • family - Health - parenting

    Play ON with Playtex Sport Combo Packs – Preparing Your daughter for Her Period #PlayOnContest #PlayOnCa

    At our house the activity rarely stops. I have sporty girls. This week my youngest will compete at a track and field meet, swim at swimming lessons, ride her horse at Sari therapy riding program, mentor little ninjas at martial arts and then she will spar, and do her own martial arts lessons. And she will run her little heart out playing with kids in our neighbourhood. And that’s just my one daughter, 11. My older daughter, 13, does most of that, with exception of the therapeutic horseback riding and she acts and sings and dances with a local theatre…

  • family - Food - Health - parenting

    20 Must Try Homemade Salad Dressings

    Homemade salad dressings can be tastier and healthier for you and your family. Here are some of the best homemade salad dressing recipes I have found. There’s no better time than the spring and summer to start making some of these. With farmer’s markets opening this month you can easily find the fresh vegetables and natural herbs close to home. Due to high blood pressure readings that came back three times in a row late last year I have tried hard to revamp my diet and lifestyle. First thing to go out the window entirely was salt. Happy to say…

  • active family travel - family - Health - parenting - Travel

    Affordable Ontario Family Vacations at Carefree RV Camping Resort #YourCarefreeSummer #livincarefree

    Summer is here and the living is easy. Or soon to be easy, right? With a bit of planning, you can have a great family vacation this summer that the kids will remember for years to come. And right now you can easily save 20 % on RV Camping in Ontario at Carefree RV Resorts. The summer months are super short. Right now, as I am booking my kid’s day camps and overnight camp too I am extremely aware of how fast the time will fly. Even with the extra week off school this year, summer vacations in Ontario are…

  • family - Health - parenting - Technology

    Raising Savvy, Digital Kids Also Means Teaching Responsible E-cycling #Ecycle

    This post is part of the YummyMummyClub.ca and Ontario Electronic Stewardship #Ecycle sponsored program. I received compensation as a thank you for my participation. This post reflects my personal opinion about the information provided by the sponsors. My kids are growing up to be savvy little digital consumers. In fact, you could call us gadget girls and I think we’d all be okay with that. We love our technology and in fact, the newer the better. My consulting business relies on the theory that the fastest electronics are the best electronics. As a blogger, I am also often sent gadgets to…