HOME GROWN
Interview with
Annette Lecroix
Entrepreneur , Optimist, Survivor
April 2012 - Issue #8
Volume 2
Parenting in the North
HG
All Things That Grow% Photography( By Kayleigh May
2 www.allthingsthatgrow.smugmug.com
E-Mail: dececco.km@gmail.com
W E N
Watch Baby Grow Plan
$200.00
Includes: 4 one hour photo sessions with one 8x10 print from each session, and an 8x8 storyboard print.. Session 1 - three months old Session 2 - six months old Session 3 - nine months old Session 4 - one year old.
All additional prints sold separately Offer does not include newborn sessions. Limited time offer. Payment must be made in full.
All Things That Grow% Photography( By Kayleigh May
Inside: ZEN ZONE
Pg 11
Energy/ Emotional Balance
Attached Mama
Pg 12-13
Are your kids growing up to fast?
Top Ten
Pg 16-17
Ways to cope with lack of sleep
Love & Learning
Pg 16-17
Sign Baby Sign
Bellies&Babies
Pg 23-25
Introducing Solids
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Interview With
Annette Lacroix Natures Recipes
Pg 28-30
Pg 29
BUBBLES!
Nature’s Children
Pg 32-33
Taking your kids camping.
Double Check !
Pg 36-37
Before heading out into the summer weather
Living Green:
Pg 38-41
Natural Spring Cleaning
We Like To Move! Fun and Exercise Wrapped into One
The Great Cloth Diaper Change
KIDZ KORNER Mothers Day Breakfast
Pg 42
Pg 44-45
Pg 43
Fuzzi Bunz For eco-friendly babies and their families
Bum Genius Charlie Banana Bummis Grovia
Did you just say that 3.4 million tons of use d disposable diapers are sent to lan dfills every year???!!! Go od thing I use cloth diapers!
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136 Claimpost Trail 705.264.0232 www.sweetface.ca
Editors Notes Mothers Day
It seems in the last few days, Spring may have sprung, finally! We at homegrown are always working hard to bring you articles that you can relate to. Please feel free to send in your own works of writing, or photos of you and your family. As a Photographer, spring is one of my favorite times of the year, I love taking photographs of blooming flowers, ducks at out camp, and the growing nature that surrounds us all. Hope to hear from you all. Enjoy reading this months issue.
Kayleigh May, As a Photographer, Mother, Wife, and the Editor of Homegrown- Parenting in the North. Kayleigh has many hobbies that include sewing, writing, photography and running after her two young boys.
Kayleigh May Editor in Chief : Kayleigh May De Cecco Editor: Chantal Warren
Writers Top Ten - Christine South Christine.homegrown@gmail.com Lady of the House - Julie-Anne Mauno Julieanne.homegrown@gmail.com Living Green - Chantal Warren Chantal.homegrown@gmail.com Attached Mama - Sarah Blackwell sblackwell@cogeco.ca
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Love And Learning - Tessa Morrissette Tessa.homegrown@gmail.com Sew Simply -Pamela Pilon pamelapilon.homegrown@gmail.com Bellies and Babies - Kayleigh May De Cecco Kayleighmay.homegrown@gmail.com
Interested in writing? Here at Home Grown we are always looking for Writers. If you have an interesting topic that you think would benefit the magazine please e-mail either Kayleigh May or Chantal and we will be happy to review your idea.
Meet This Months Writers Chantal is an eco-conscious entrepreneur who splits her time between being a mom
to two and operating a natural baby boutique in the City of Timmins. Her desires to live a more natural life have provided her the knowledge, experience and contacts to
reduce her family’s carbon footprint on the planet.
Chantal Warren Editor
Sara Kendall is a freelance writer and mother of two young daughters. Being a mom is the most challenging and at the same time, the most wonderful path I have yet taken in my life.
Sara Kendall
Christine South is a married mother of four beautiful children, She is a qualified teacher and works occasionally with the NCDSB in Timmins. She spends most of her time with he family enjoying the roller coaster ride of being a mother. Her husband works out of town as a mechanic 4
Christine South
weeks at a time so she holds down the fort at home, juggling a 9 year old, a 5 year old a 2 year old, as well as a newborn. If there is one thing this lady is good at, it is multi-tasking
Sarah Blackwell, M.H.S., B.A. (CYC) is a Parenting Consultant who lives in North Bay with her partner and 3 children. Sarah is a trained facilitator of the Make the Connection parenting class series and offers parenting classes, support circles, and individual parent coaching based on an approach to parenting that empowers both children and parents. Sarah is an activist, child advocate, homeschooling mother, breastfeeding advocate, knitter and yogi.
Sarah Blackwell
Tessa is the mother of two beautiful young boys, a 3 year old and a 3 month old. She has a background in Early Childhood Education, and Child Development. with a speciality for children with special needs. Her greatest joy is raising her sons and spending time with her family. She looks forward to the many rewards and challenges her family brings to her life.
Tessa Morrissette
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Should have used a bib.
Available online and at Sweet Face
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ď ˇZEN
ZONEď ”
Meditations by: Natalie Rocheleau
Energy/ Emotional Balance In need of a quick Energy/Emotional balance? Try This! Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing) Benefits: Calming effect of the nervous system, balances energy/emotional levels, soothes anxiety and stress, balances the right and left brain hemisphere and promotes clear thinking; better focus. Level: All levels, beginner to intermediate practice only for about 5 rounds and as you practice regularly you can work up to 10 rounds. -bring your right hand infront of your face, curl our index and middle finger toward your palm, place your thumb next to your right nostril and your ring and/or your pinky finger next to your left nostril. -take a few deep breaths through both nostrils -close your right nostril with your thumb -Inhale through your left nostril -Exhale through your left nostril -close your left nostril with your ring and/or pinky finger -Inhale through your right nostril -Exhale through your right nostril -close your right nostril with your ring and/or pinky finger and now continue alternating for 5 rounds.
Attached Mama
Are Todays Children Growing Up To Fast? By Sarah A. Blackwell, M.H.S., B.A. (CYC) Are your Children Good? Are Today’s Children growing up too fast? As parents it is our job to ensure our children are safe, and if something bad happens to them we often feel the guilt that comes from not listening to our gut instinct in the first place. These are hard life lessons to learn for both the parents and the children. Some people may argue that children must experience these downfalls in life in order to build their confidence and self-esteem when it comes to becoming independent human beings. But, how much freedom and independence is too much? Where do you draw the line when it comes to allowing your children freedom? Are there any standards to go by? Unfortunately, all of these decisions are at the discretion of each parent. What if the damage was more than a scraped knee? What if promoting independence too early resulted in a damage relationship between the parent and the child? This article will reveal the secret that Dr. Gordon Neufeld shares in his book Hold onto Your Kids that will keep your children respecting you, even through the teen years. Dr. Gordon Neufeld discusses in his book Hold onto Your Kids that parents are losing their power to parent in today’s peer based social scene. Even children as young as grade two are battling their parents on a daily basis, and parents are responding in ways that surprise themselves, with anger and rage. So why is this happening? Why do today’s young population seem to have less respect for parents and other adults? Is it because they are growing up too fast? Dr. Neufeld suggests that this behaviour change is due to a few factors; one is the lack of parenting power, and the other is due to what he refers to as peer orientation. Dr. Neufeld’s believes that in order to fulfill the roll of being a parent, one must have power, but in today’s society many parents lack power. He relates this power to a responsibility that a parent has to their children. A responsibility that sometimes leads parents grasping at straws, trying to find the answer on how to deal with negative/rebellious behaviour. Many
parents may misinterpret their children’s negative behaviour, and give them more independence, or give out rewards and bribes with the aim of trying to regain some power they feel they have lost. Parents are confused by sudden changes in their children’s behaviour, and especially when their friends are around. Have you noticed changes in your child’s behaviour when their friends are present? Do young people really want more independence? Dr. Neufeld proposes that the power to parent is slipping away from most parents in a generation where it seems children are more disobedient. This could pose risks to not only the relationships between parents and children, but also risks to how children are treated. For example, a few months ago there was a YouTube video of a father responding to his teenage daughters Facebook post. The father responded in a way that caused much upheaval around the world, from child advocates and even police.
Attached Mama
However, something that seemed so small to a teenage girl, was brought to the attention of the entire world through the actions of her father; and to some outsiders his reaction seemed aggressive and violent, and yet others found it an appropriate parenting response. This is one example of how one parent’s lack of power escalated in an attempt to regain that power that he felt was taken by his daughter. I am sure there are more stories like this one that don’t make it to a YouTube video. So why does it seem like today’s youth are more disobedient or disrespectful? This really isn’t a secret, but is something that Dr. Neufeld very thoroughly explains in his book. As parents, if we no longer have the power to command our children’s attention, elicit cooperation, receive good intentions and respect, then we have lost power, and without power we don’t have much in terms of teaching positive behaviour, so all that is left is bribery and coercion (p. 49). A practice that is not consistent with an attachment parenting philosophy that so many of my friends and clients aim to practice. Many parents are left confused with what to do with their child that was once so obedient and respectful. So what is the secret? Well, the secret lies in the very fact that your children have depended on you to provide love, food, warmth, attention and nurturance since they were born. However, as your child grows they still require this dependency, but sometimes it is replaced by other people; teachers, coaches, but mostly friends. When a young person starts to seek his/her friends out for an attachment relationship that is replaced by the parents, it is known
as peer orientation. As children grow, if they feel the attachment relationship with the parent is lacking, they will look elsewhere for that dependency. That dependency is a human need to make their way in the world, to seek out guidance and direction, support and approval and for a sense of belonging. So really, the answer lies within the relationship and attachment that you choose to maintain with your child as they get older. Are you doing everything you can to maintain a close attachment to your child as they get older? Western culture focuses on children becoming independent; take a look at the ‘normal’ sleeping arrangement for a baby to sleep in his/her own room in a crib alone, or the very fact that we now have full day Kindergarten for 4-year-olds and high school now ends for most 17 year olds. These are just a few social examples of how parents are pressured to conform to societies ideas of independence for young people. So the power to parent lies in the very fact that it is the parent the child depends on for guidance, support and attention, and not others. It is very difficult to parent a child who relies on someone else to meet their psychological and emotional needs. The power to parent lies in the responsibility you have to have your children for their lifetime and the mere fact that they continue to look to you to answer their needs. Nefeuld, Gordon, Dr. Hold on to Your Kids: Why parents need to matter more than peers. Ballantine Books, New York: 2006.
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TOP TEN
By Christine South
Ways to Cope with Lack of Sleep 10. Fresh Air – Need a quick pick me up?Open a window or step outside for a few minutes. Getting some fresh air is an instant way to feel more awake and get you ready to tackle your day! 9. Exercise – Whether it be Zumba, treadmill or a quick stroll around the block, increasing your heart rate is a great way to build energy and get motivated, the earlier in the day the better! 8. Coffee/Cold beverage – A cup of coffee in the morning is an easy way to fight off the sleepies, that is if you are okay with caffeine. If not, try ice cold water or apple juice for that early morning lift. 7. Music – Who doesn’t love good music!? Keep the tunes close by and when you feel your eyes starting to droop, press
that play button and watch your body come alive! Of course, the faster the beat, the more energy you will feel. 6. Meditation – This is a helpful before bed routine that can help you get a good night sleep (that is, if baby allows) and if practiced on a regular basis for about 20 minutes before bed, can help you fall into a deeper sleep faster, boost your immune system and is a great way to rid the body of stress while you are sleeping. 5. Water – Nothing like a splash of cold water on your face to scream “WAKE UP”! Grab a cool face cloth and give yourself a quick wipe down for a quick energy boost. If you can take a full shower and just at the end, have a cool water rinse. Amazing how awake you feel after that!
4. Quiet Mental Media – This is also a great before bed tip to help you get better quality sleep (sometimes it’s quality, not quantity): turn off the television, radio and put the books away. If meditation is not your thing, try lying in bed and going over all of the things in your life that you are grateful for. This will not only calm you, but allow you to enter into sleep very peacefully. 3. Vitamins/Diet – It is a good idea for most people to be on a multivitamin to supplement their diet. Make sure that you are eating mostly quality food and getting enough exercise. Herbal supplements, such as Green Tea, Gingko Biloba and Biotin, are a few options you can take to help with daily energy. Always check with your health advisor as to what the best options are for you.
2. Routine – Great for children, also great for adults! Setting a bedtime and wakeup time (and sticking to it) is important to the body’s sleep-wake cycle. It may take some getting used to, but good habits are key to feeling less tired during the day. 1. Positivity – This may sound silly, but go to bed knowing and believing that you will have the best sleep of your life. Staying positive will definitely help you to sleep better and feel more energy during the day. Also, knowing that whatever is disrupting your sleep will not last forever will help too! A positive attitude will help you through any situation!
If you didn’t think there were any organic farmers in Timmins?
Think again.
We stand behind locally grown, pesticide free, zero chemical fertilizers, non-GMO, hormone free, anti-biotic free, pasture raised, fair trade and ecologically sustainable practices. A food (r)evolution is happening here. Get on board! To get the who, what, when and where on your local farmers visit our website...
www.tasteoftimmins.com
Our babies are growing strong (thanks to our farm’s fertile organic soil)!
And we are pleased to be able to now offer this miracle of life to you! This year we will begin selling a variety of seedlings in June through Pizalles Gardens. If you’re a burgeoning or seasoned gardener & are looking to switch to organic practices these 100% organic seedlings are
a perfect start! For more details or to reserve your seedling order contact us. You can also visit our website to learn more about our farm and our ecologically sustainable practices.
Fresh. Local. Organic. www.naturallypurefarm.com
Love & Learning Sign Baby Sign
Tessa Morrissette
Our babies begin to communicate before a single
in their environments. These babies can easily
word is ever spoken. They enter the world with an
communicate their wants, needs, thoughts and
innate ability to gesture, whether it’s searching for
feelings and feel secure that those needs will be
mothers breast when they are ready to nurse, those
met.
sweet little smiles, or a wave and pointing at objects. Quickly, our babes learn that these
So where do you start and when? The earlier the
movements get their needs met from a parent or
better when it comes to introducing sign language
loved one.
to your baby. The sooner you begin using sign it will become second nature for you and will
Baby sign language takes this instinctive ability to
increase your baby’s exposure as well. Parents
the next level and opens up a whole new world
learn to sign to their babies and babies learn to
between baby and parent. There are countless
sign to their parents. The best way to start is by
benefits to using sign language with our babies.
introducing signs for selected nouns and verbs that
They will be able to express their basic wants and
are relevant to your baby. In my home we started
needs and as a result reduce the amount of
with the signs for “more” and “eat”. It’s important
frustration that so many babies experience when
that while making the sign you say the word aloud.
trying to communicate. This may mean fewer
This way, baby can make the connection between
meltdowns for your growing child and less
the spoken word and the sign. My son quickly
guessing games for you while trying to figure out
picked up these basic signs and I found myself
what they need or what they are feeling.
better able to meet his needs. I am fairly certain that my son was also an early verbal speaker
There is also an opportunity to spend more time
because so much of his language had been
with our babies bonding and focusing our full
reinforced with the use of basic signs.
attention on them. When reading stories and playing games there is more focus on repetition of
Signing allows the parent to gain insights into what
the words in order to reinforce the sign and taking
baby is thinking and feeling; and it gives baby a
longer to get through an activity.
way to communicate her wants and needs. The connection that occurs is, quite literally, beyond
Another advantage is that signing babies tend to have high self-esteem and a great sense of security
words.
Love & Learning
Activity idea from my home to yours: I set up activities where I knew my son would want me to repeat something for example; a silly sound, game, or song. When the activity was done I said “do you want MORE?” while pairing it with the sign. I also used ‘hand over hand’ to help him make the sign and eventually he picked it up and he would sign “MORE” independently.
http://www.peaktopeaklearning.com/blog/?p=174
Save water. No matter how little or how much, every drop saved makes a difference in the conservation of this natural resource. Contrary to popular belief, water is not an unlimited supply. Only about 1% of the water on earth is actually useable, so let’s do what we can to conserve it.
Keep fruits and veggies fresh, longer Recycle. This may FridgeSmarts! be an obvious one, but if you are not doing it yet, start. If you have been with
recycling religiously for years now, see if you can take it up a notch. Are there small things that you have been throwing out that can be recycled? Check out your community’s recycling program to see where you can increase your efforts.
Save your power. Turn it off; everything, the lights, the tv, the computer. Turn out all the power for the day and watch the money savings add up while you reduce your carbon footprint. Walk somewhere. Hang up the car keys and put those new runners to use. You will benefit in more ways than you realize. Not only are you saving the planet by driving less, but you are saving money on fuel, gaining health benefits from the exercise and boosting your spirits by enjoying the fresh outdoor air. Donate. Donating items to community organizations or second hand stores gives a second life to items not being used by your family. It reduces the amount of natural resources used to make new items to replace the ones that end up in the landfills. Eat something organically produced. Eating organically grown food is better for both your health as well as the planet’s. You will be ingesting fewer to no chemicals by eating organically. Consider the packaging. Before purchasing anything, consider the packaging that the item comes in. Is the box filled with foam, plastic, cardboard? Is there an alternative that uses less packaging? Your strongest voice to retailers is your spending dollar. Every time you spend money, you are casting a vote for what you support. Support companies that use fewer natural resources to package their goods. Trade in your cleaner. Trade in just 1 chemical-laden home cleaner for a natural or green alternative. Check out this month’s Green Spring Cleaning article for natural recipes to try. Reuse. Find a new use for things that you would ordinarily throw out. Try using a cardboard box to store Christmas decorations instead or tossing it only to go out and purchase a plastic one from a big box store.
TUPPERWARE
Share your knowledge. Help someone initiate a new green habit. Teach someone, anyone, about the benefits of living a greener life. Be it your kids, friends, coworkers. Some people
Lifetime Warranty - BPA Free - Dishwasher & Microwave Safe Shipping for only $3.95 across Canada - Order Anytime - online or by phone/email Contact Jenita Naylor, Tupperware Consultant 705-642-3205 www.my.tupperware.ca/jenita jenita@my.tupperware.ca Facebook - Near North TW (in-stock and sales items)
Bellies & Babies Introducing Solids
By: Kayleigh May
Baby Food can be bought at the grocery store for up to 1.00 a jar. However you can make your own baby food for as little as *.10 a feeding Contrary to what most believe, pediatricians are now acknowledging that baby’s first food should be a single vegetable or low sugar fruit, such as Avocado, sweet potato, or butternut squash. This is because these foods contain Vitamins, minerals and fats essential to a growing babies needs, and they are easy for baby to digest. Is Baby Ready? How do you know if your baby is ready to take those first few bites? Baby is 4-6 months old. Loss of tongue thrust motion. This is what helps prevent baby from choking before he/she is 4 months old. Ability to let you know by turning head that he/she is full from the meal. Does he/she turn his/her head away from the bottle or breast when full? Hold head unassisted. Waking in the middle of the night more than usual. Please be aware that there is a growth spurt between 3-4 months of age, and baby will wake up often at that point too. Introducing Solids It is recommended that you wait until baby is 6 months of age, Until then babies digestive systems are unable to digest food properly. Ideally babies should have nothing but breast milk for the first 6 months of life. It is important to introduce one food at a time, and continue with that food for 3-4 days before introducing a second food. This will help detect any allergies that baby may have. Feed baby its first meals after baby wakes up, not before baby goes to bed. This way if baby has an allergic reaction to the food then you will be right there to see and react. Stay calm, and happy. If baby refuses to take the food or does not react the way you expected don’t worry, put it away and try again another time. Home Grown- Parenting in the North
23
Bellies&Babies
It is recommended that babies not be started on solids until 6 months of age, however some babies seem to be ready at 4 months. CEREALS Rice and oatmeal are the least allergenic of the cereals, try making your own by grinding up the rice/oats in a blender, magic bullet, or food processor. You do not have to start with cereal though, try avocado or sweet potato instead. Rice cereal may cause constipation. FRUITS Avocado and banana’s are great introductory foods and never need to be cooked. After baby is 8 months, he/she can handle most raw fruit. VEGGIES Veggies should always be cooked up until baby is 12 months old. Make sure that veggies are nice and soft so that baby does not choke. PROTEIN Always cook meat through. Do not give baby any meat or fish that is rare or uncooked. Delay the introductory of meat for babies. Chicken, Turkey and Tofu can be introduced after 6 months. DAIRY Don’t replace breast milk or formula until after 12 months of age babies need dairy. Cows milk should not be introduced until 12 months of age, when introducing cows milk be sure to use homogenized milk not skim or 2%. There are other alternatives to cows milk, Goats milk is the closest to human breast milk and is easier on babies digestive system. Do not remove milk from babies diet, you can introduce a lower percent milk at 2 years of age.
BABY FOOD
Baby food recipes. 6 month+ Avocado
This is a GREAT first food to introduce. Baby will not eat lots of avocado, use the excess in a salad. Vitamins: A, C, Niacin, Folate Minerals: Potassium, Phosphorus, Iron, Magnesium, Calcium 1. Cut avocado in half, lengthwise around the pit. 2. Slice into segments, then scoop out the meat. 3. Mash with fork. 4. To make thinner add breast milk. 5. Feed to baby.
Constipated baby? Remember the four P’s Pears, Peaches Prunes, Plums, as well as Apricots, Spinach and Peas. They all contain high fiber. Remember to give baby lots to hydrate, breast milk, or water. Baby’s got the poops? Remember the BRAT diet. The BRAT diet helps relieve diarrhea by firming up stools. Banana’s Rice Apple Sauce Toast
“It is important to always consult your baby's pediatrician when baby has had diarrhea for 2 days(or longer) and his or her skin does not "spring-back" when gently pushed. The inability of the skin to "spring-back" suggests baby may be suffering from dehydration.” http://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/baby_diarrhea_foods.htm Find Northern Doulas on Facebook
Home Grown - Parenting in the North
FACEBOOK 25
Childbirth Resources S
E
Q
U
O
I
A
C
L
U
B
Other
Movies The Business of Being Born Gentle Birth Choices Websites Books
Husband-Coached Childbirth - Robert A. Bradley, MD Natural Childbirth the Bradley® Way Susan McCutcheon Active Birth The New Approach to Giving Birth Naturally - Janet Balaskas Your Best Birth- Rikki Lake and Abby Epstein Gentle Birth Choices - Barbara Harper R.N. Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth - Ina May Gaskin Silent Knife - Nancy Wainer Cohen
www.inamay.com http://www.mybestbirth.com http://spinningbabies.com/ http://www.givingbirthnaturally.com/ http://www.choicesinchildbirth.org/ choices/birth/labor www.powertopush.ca Local Doulas
Kayleigh De Ceccodececco.km@gmail.com Julie-Anne Mauno ramoredoula@yahoo.ca Karine Hayes doula.info@miracleinserenity.com
Bailey Kasner kasner.bailey@yahoo.com Sherri-Pearce Matthewsbirthservices@gmail.com
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•
ICAN
•
The Unnecesarean
•
I had a VBAC in Canada
• •
Your Birth Coach Dr. Nancy Birth Source Inc.
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Interview With:
Annette Lacroix Entrepreneur, Optimist, Survivor
Name: Annette Lacroix Birth Place: Oshawa, Ontario Family: Husband, Mike, Sons: Nicholas and Christian. Spa Pup: Ginger, 2 years old. And I am proud of them each and every day. Home Town: Timmins Ontario
Why stay in the North? I love the north; the nature, the small community. It’s nice to be able to walk down the street and say hi to people you know. Also, my whole family is here, as well as my husband’s, and family is very important to us. What is your favorite thing about living here? Everything is so close; I would never want to commute. I like the calm lifestyle. We have a cottage and it is our sanctuary. It is a great town to run a business in. It was great during my illness, so many people stepped up to help us, we really found out who our true friends were. Work: You are a business owner here in Timmins, what is it and what do you do? It’s a Day Spa, I’m an Esthetician, and I love making people feel good. We never take enough time for ourselves. Why did you decide to get into esthetics? It is my passion. After being ill with fibromyalgia, I decided to get back into the [esthetics] business. When being diagnosed, I was told that I would be in a wheel chair within 6 months, so I opened the spa to help me fight. And I am still fighting. You open your doors to co-op students, why is this important to you? We need to show young individuals that there is hope. Sometimes, going the extra mile can change someone’s life. And it is so great to teach and
mentor them. I love to teach them values and morals. You recently hosted a spa day for several mothers in town, can you expand on what that entailed? Pamper Day was a committee I was part of 10 years ago. People never thank mothers enough for the hard work they do, a lot of mothers have no self esteem. It is important to recognize that a mother’s job is one of the most important jobs in the world, it is rewarding and devastating, it can make you happy and sad at the same time. You know you are a true mom when you can conquer anything. The mothers that were part of the Pamper Day are mothers of special needs children, and their job is 10x harder. Having a special needs child can be hard on a family. They spend a lot of time in hospitals. Why is this important to you? It is my way of thanking them, when they feel good I feel good, it means I’ve done my job.
Life: What word would you say best describes you? Why? Energizer; I very seldom stop, having had fibromyalgia and cancer I feel if I stop.... I stop. Every day is a gift and I can’t get enough of each day. You have faced adversity when dealing with your health, how do you overcome these obstacles? Stay positive help others, always see the light at the end of the tunnel, always be grateful for each day. Did you wish to share some of the health struggles and treatments you’ve undergone? Fibromyalgia, Breast cancer and ovarian cancer. I had radiation and surgery to treat it and, throughout all of this, I was able to be a mom, manage my spa, keep a good attitude, and help other survivors. You have been able to remain positive throughout, what keeps your spirits up and keeps you motivated? My shop, my family, and the will to survive. And remembering that each day is a gift. When you are having a rough day and you think that there is no hope, the one thing that made me decide to open my own shop was the book The Secret. Buy the book, it is the best gift you can give yourself. Believe in dreams, for years I wanted my own shop.
You partook in a video for the Timmins District Hospital fundraiser, what was it for? To make professionals, like doctors and nurses, realize that every treatment that they do they are saving lives. By donating to the fund, other [regular] people make a difference too. What advice do you have for others who have been diagnosed with cancer? Never give up. Fight for your life each day, always be positive. Cancer is 80% attitude and 20% treatment. I strongly believe in that! Other: If you could meet any person, past or present, who would it be and why? Celine Dion; because I find her music is an inspiration to the world, she is so positive. And she cherishes family life. Who inspires you? My Husband. Why? because throughout all obstacles he has been at my side and never gave up. Have you read any good books lately that you’d recommend? The power, the second book from the secret. Closing thought: EACH DAY IS A GIFT. A mother/wife’s job can be hard, but it is the most rewarding job in the world.
N
atures Recipes Bubbles!
How many times have you witnessed this: you hand your little one a fresh, full bottle of bubbles to promptly watch them gleefully dump the entire thing out without so much as dipping their wand in it once. Here is a quick, microwave-friendly recipe to keep the bubbles popping this summer no matter how many spills and dumps. is recipe makes great, solid long lasting bubbles.
Bubbles: • 2 1/2 cups water • 1/2 cup light corn syrup • 1/2 cup dish soap. 1. Mix water and corn syrup in a bowl together and microwave four minutes. 2. Gently mix in the dish soap. 3. Allow to cool. 4. Blow bubbles. Recipe from http://la-lashomedaycare.blogspot.ca/2011/06/diy-bubblesrefill-container.html
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Nature’s Children By
Sahaja Freed
It’s been an obvious and longstanding tradition for some of those living in Northern communities to spend a portion, if not the majority of their free time during the summer months living at “the camp”. Since the experience is is so natural and integral to many of us with many of its benefits integrating themselves into our everyday lives that they go, for the most part, unsaid. Growing up as a child, camping quickly became an adapted lifestyle I matured to respect, appreciate and hold of highest value. My three children, it would have seemed, acquired the same adaptive ability that I had as a child. However, after much reflection on my camping experiences with children, my own and others included, it has become apparent to me that given a positive opportunity to experience living in the wilderness any child will not only open themselves to the experience, but thrive from it. My wife Christa and I decided four years ago to introduce our three children to the camping experience at the ages of 5, 6, and 10. The premise of the first trip was to feel out whether or not our children would be open to such an opportunity. The trip consisted of one (albeit) large tent, basic/obvious survival supplies,
simple cooking tools, an overabundance of nutritious Gluten Free food and a week’s time spent at Ivanhoe Provincial Park. It was quickly determined that all five of us displayed an obvious appreciation for the time we were experiencing together that up until that trip would have been foreign to our family unit. With such a positive dynamic in play it was naturally decided to extend the trip to a total of 14 marvelous days. The trips became more and more frequent, followed by the upgrade to a small thirteen foot camper, eventually upgrading to something more accommodating for family our size and finally, the decision to camp seasonally two years ago. Now leading into our third year of seasonal camping and four years of camping as a family unit in total, I’ve been blessed with numerous opportunities to bare witness to the enrichment of my children’s character. This has also given me the opportunity to reflect on how my similar childhood experiences have contributed to (in what I believe to be positive) attributes of my adult perception of and my role in the realities I find myself in. However, times have changed dramatically since my experiences nearly thirty years ago, and as such camping offers today’s children
Nature’s Children By Sahaja Freed
unique opportunities in a technological, isolating and detached world. It should be stressed that I stand well beyond the position of “pro-technology” by most people’s standards I’m sure but feel that it has its time and unique purpose in all our lives, including (or especially) in the lives of children. As such, I find myself engaged in a conscious perpetual effort to monitor mange as well as facilitate my children’s use and exposure to the ever growing technological availabilities. More often than not, it is usually met with strong resistance, as I’m sure most parents who’ve been in similar situations can agree, the likes of which can occasionally resemble a drug intervention of someone who has spent a lifetime addicted to crack. There is, thankfully, an avenue available that easily enables the introduction of balance. It has been clearly understood since the earlier days of our camping trips that most technologies stay at home. At first, one could easily assume that this course of action would induce knee jerk reactions in the children to resent “going camping”. Being aware of the potential for such a reaction, we felt equipped to deal with the situation accordingly as it arose armed with our foresight. However the contrary has proven itself to be true in our experience. I believe that this unforeseen acceptance to the suggestion that we all willingly leave any unnecessary technological gadgets behind is due to a child’s inherent ability to be stimulated by anything engaging even when it is not virtual. As well as their underlying desire to be physically active, the warmth they feel from a shared experience, the awe experienced by discoveries made while exploring the wilderness, amongst countless other realities available to them while camping. The opportunity simply necessitates offering.
I should stress that regardless of our minimal electricity usage while camping, a TV/DVD player has been introduced to the campsite over the last year or so. With its introduction came the accepted reservation that it is to be utilized primarily for occasions where one of us experiences illness or injury and requires down time. Or downtime is warranted due to an overly exhaustive day and burn out mode calls for movie time in the evening. Needless to say, it barely gets any attention. Even rainy days are usually spent trekking trails or shore lines while sporting rubber boots and other appropriate attire armed with the necessary tools needed in locating and possibly capturing the multitude of fascinating critters one only sees during rainy periods. Heck! Many rainy days have seen us at the beach enjoying twenty five degree weather swimming to our heart’s desire. Rainy days or not, when children are allowed to submerse themselves full heartedly into Nature’s environment without any technological distractions (or better put, availability), their addiction to gadgetry is easily curbed and the resulting contributions the experience lends to them is priceless. Examples of the many benefits that camping offers to the development of a child could fill volumes. Not to mention those of which I’ve yet to discover or realize. But the only way to truly learn and share from the camping experience is to pack up the car, load up the kids and haul them off to their first weekend of camping. And rest assured that the time spent camping is eternal, as those moments get to be relived endlessly through the tales enthusiastically told by your children. Stories that feed on all the fond memories your children will have acquired and engraved into their being for countless years to come. Mother Nature awaits her visiting children.
(705)531-YOGA (705)465- 5432
Class Schedule Beginners Classes - Mondays Wednesdays and Fridays Parent & Baby Yoga Classes - Mondays and Thursdays at 10am Prenatal Yoga - Thursdays at 6pm and Sundays at 7pm Vinyasa/Flow - Wednesdays at 5:30 Kids Yoga (7-11) - $80 for 8 weeks
46 Pine Street S. Suite 3 Timmins, ON. P4N 2J8
northern_lotus@yahoo.ca www.northernlotusyoga.ca
Double Check ! By: Chantal Warren
As the weather warms, make sure that you start thinking about how you will ensure a safe and fun summer for your kids. Here are some items that you’ll want to double check before heading out to enjoy all that summer has to offer.
Double Check ! Sun Safety. Lather it on, play, repeat. Make sure you use sun screen when heading outside and don’t forget to reapply it after going in the water or working up a sweat. Sun burns are the leading cause of skin cancer. Ensure that your sun screen protects against both UVA and UVB rays and that it’s a high enough SPF, minimum of 30 for children, although 45 or 60 are better. Beat the Bugs. Make sure you protect against the bite. Most people reach for chemical laden repellants, however, there are some more natural methods to beat the bite: wear long sleeves and pants during peak bug times (dawn & dusk), invest in a bug jacket, try natural repellants that contain neem oil, citronella, eucalyptus and/or tea tree oil. Prevent Dehydration. Kids easily become dehydrated, especially when outdoors enjoying the hot weather. Make sure hydration in the form of water or other nonsugary drinks are available throughout the day. Safe Food. Take your food outside and enjoy a summer picnic, but be aware of food temperatures. Summer salads containing mayonnaise and raw meats should be kept cool on ice to prevent food poisoning. Firework Precautions. Children should never be allowed to play with fireworks, it goes without saying, but adults should also be cautious when using them. Follow instructions carefully and don’t use fireworks during drought periods to prevent the potential for fires.
Campfire Awareness. Be sure to use precaution when enjoying campfires when little ones are around. Kids are quick to inspect this interesting night time light display. Also ensure that fires are properly extinguished. If you are linked with starting a forest fire, you can face fines and have to pay for any property damages the fire causes. Don't Forget Helmets. It’s easy to overlook safety equipment when little ones are enjoying their scooters and tricycles for the first time. Little ones need helmets for trikes as much as older kids need them while skateboarding or rollerblading. Be Water Wise. Teach children early to respect water and not to horseplay on pool decks. Even older kids need the reminder. Also, water wings are not life jackets. Ensure proper safety equipment is worn according to your child’s skill level. And as always, never leave children unattended, even for a minute. Avoid Trampoline Danger. This fun activity is one of the most common sources of broken bones during summer play. Ensure kids play safely by taking turns and not having more than one person jumping at the same time. Children should be 4 years or older before being allowed to use a full size trampoline; little bones are still forming and break easily. Glorious Gardens. Curious kids love helping with yardwork. Be sure to provide them the opportunity to help with tasks appropriate for their age while maintaining proper supervision.
Sporting A Hazelwood Necklace
Living Green:
Chantal Warren
Teething, Amber Vs Hazelwood Necklaces Teething. It’s a painful reality of every child’s life. As parents, it’s something that we dread from the day baby makes his or her way home from the hospital. We do our best to try and sooth baby with all kinds of lotions, medications,
homeopathy, old wives tales, whatever works, we are willing to try. I’ve outlines two of the more natural ways to help your little one through this painful and inevitable life event.
Living Green: Teething, Amber Vs Hazelwood Necklaces Before getting into the hows and whys about amber and hazelwood teething necklaces, I want to discuss safety. No child should be left unattended with a necklace on. It is not recommended to start wearing teething necklaces before 3 months and babies of this age should be monitored when wearing them. Necklaces should be removed at nap and bedtime or during periods where you cannot see your child (ie long car trips). By the age of 9 months, your child can keep their necklace on full time however, every child is different, so ensure you are comfortable that your child will not play or pull at it if unsupervised. Additionally, most teething necklaces are made with safety in mind and will break if pressure is put on them. Alternatively, you can look at getting baby bracelets or anklets instead of necklaces.
the child should be reduced as well. That being said, you will be happy to learn that both amber and hazelwood help with reducing acidity levels in the body, both young and old. This form of treatment assists by reducing the cause of the pain rather than masking the pain already being experienced.
In order to effectively deal with the pain associated with teething, it is important to understand what causes the pain in the first place. Acidity in the body is a major component of the pain associated with a child's teething period. Taking this into consideration, if you can somehow reduce or remove the acid from the body, then the amount of pain experienced by
Many parents are learning about the benefits of these two natural pain relievers, but which one is the best? There really is no right answer. Both assist in dealing with the pain associated with teething, but they do it in two very different ways. Here’s the breakdown of how they work and the benefits that they each boast.
Amber vs. Hazelwood
Amber Amber is a resin that, when worn against the skin, releases a natural element called “succinite� into to bloodstream via the skin. This element is naturally found in the body and is used to calm and sooth babies by reducing the acidity in the body in a natural way. Wearing amber against the skin is a traditional European remedy for teething that has been used for centuries. Only amber found in the Baltic region has succinite in it. It is a natural analgesic and has antiinflammatory properties that help calm and soothe little ones. Amber is a fossilized resin, which warms against the skin, releasing its therapeutic properties safely and naturally. By wearing the necklace every day, you will notice it helps reduce painful swollen gums, redness in the cheeks, diaper rashes, drooling and fevers associated with teething. Amber requires very little care to maintain. Necklaces do not need to be removed to bathe or shower. If the necklace becomes dirty, you can wash it with a mild soap. Adults can also reap the benefits that amber offers. Baltic amber has natural pain killing properties, is a natural
energizer and accelerates the natural healing process without the use of drugs. It is great for headaches, can treat discomfort associated with throat, ear and stomach irritations and also can help to reduce symptoms associated with fevers and colds. You might also be interested to learn that amber is often worn to help with pain and swelling associated with arthritis. Most people report an overall sense of wellbeing from wearing their necklace on a regular basis.
Living Green
Hazelwood Hazelwood works in a completely different way than amber. It also is worn against the skin and is used to reduce the amount of acid in the body, however, it works by drawing it out through the skin and locking it away in its beads. Hazelwood was first used by aboriginals to ease teething pain. Hazelwood beads are made from the branches of hazelnut trees. Most of the beads used to make necklaces are harvested right here in Canada, where hazelwood trees grow indigenously. Hazelwood is an alkaline wood, as such, it has the ability to absorb and neutralize excess acid through direct skin contact. What about allergies? Those who suffer from nut allergies need not worry, as hazelwood beads are made from the wood and not the nut of the tree, where most allergies stem. Hazelwood requires a little attention to maintain its healing abilities. The most important thing to note is that hazelwood necklaces need to be replaced every so often. Once they have absorbed their maximum amount of acid, the inside of the bead will turn black and will stop working. You will know that it needs to be replaced as the symptoms will slowly start to come back. How often you will need to
replace them depends on how much acid your body produces. Some people can wear a necklace for 6 months before needing a new one; others can only wear them for 2 months. Necklaces should be removed before going into pools or other places where they may come into contact with chemicals. You do not need to clean them; actually, doing so may cause them to become less absorbent. And yes, you guess it, adults can benefit by wearing hazelwood as well. By wearing the necklace regularly, it can help with acid caused ailments such as indigestion, nausea, headaches, heart burn and arthritis. Hazelwood is also regularly used to deal with skin irritations such as rashes and eczema. If you are afflicted with any of these ailments, hazelwood may be a natural way to help relieve the symptoms. There it is, the ‘not-so-technical’ whys and hows about natural teethers. But are you still unsure which to choose, here’s my experience: I’ve found that amber is the better choice for babies who tend to drool excessively while teething. Hazelwood is an amazing choice for babes who are afflicted with sensitive skin. So, now that you know the difference and the benefits of each, you should be able to make a decision on which natural teething remedy will be the best for your little one.
We Like To Move! Fun and Exercise Wrapped into One Sara Kendall Kids need exercise. Children’s activities, dominated by computers, music and gaming devices, are becoming increasingly sedentary. The rise in childhood obesity is disturbing. In just one generation, the rate has tripled. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), obesity affects the lives of 17% of children and adolescents aged 2 to 19 years in the U.S. The CDE goes further to recommend a daily dose of 60 minutes of aerobic activity to improve a kid’s overall health and fitness. There are many underlying reasons, but simply put, children are eating more calories than their level of physical activity can use. These 6 fun activities are great ways to get your kids’ hearts pumping, muscles moving and bodies working up a sweat. These aren’t just for your children, lace up your sneakers and join your kids. You can get a work out too! Animal Moves Gallop like a horse, run like a tiger and hop like a kangaroo. Call out an animal name and everyone mimics its well-known action. Let everyone take a turn of calling out animals names. Who knows where this could lead! Younger kids love acting out their favorite animal. For older kids, incorporate this fun game into a lull in the action during a round of soccer kicks or playing catch. Balloon Volleyball Kids of all ages love balloons. Blow up a balloon for every kid. Begin by everyone keeping their balloon in the air. Challenge your kids to see who can keep it afloat the longest without it hitting the ground. Change it up and have a balloon volleyball game. Divide out a court by stretching out a jump rope to make two sides. Players alternate serves, play until one player reaches the score of 21, the winning score in volleyball game. Family Made Obstacle Course Everything you need to make an obstacle course is sitting in your garage right now. Pull out all the sporting equipment and the empty cardboard boxes piled up in the corner. Set up stations by placing a jump rope in a zigzag pattern, next lay a set of hula hoops, and a series of cardboard boxes to leap over. Encourage your kids to get creative, and come up with fun ways to jump and run over found objects in your garage. Competitive Fun Who can walk backwards the farthest? Who can hop ten yards on one leg the fastest? How long can you dribble a basketball? The possibilities are unlimited. Challenging one another can spark a competitor’s spirit.
Chart It A highly competitive game can backfire for some families. If the range of kids’ ages is too far apart, the younger child could potentially be the one to always finish last. Pull out the stop watch and make a chart. Have your kids compete against themselves. Time how many jumping jacks your kid can do in a minute or how many times they can jump rope in a minute? Encourage them to beat their personal best. It will help them strive to become stronger and faster. Throw a Dance Party Athletic skills are not required at this party. Crank up the music and just move to the beat. Everyone has a move or two to show off. Even, air guitar counts! Play freeze dance. One person controls the music’s sound by hitting the pause button. When the music stops, so does the dancing. Keep the music paused until everyone has stopped dancing and is holding their last dance position. Turn back on the music, and repeat until the end of the song. Give everyone a turn at controlling the music. It will give everyone a moment to catch their breath and watch the fun. Be a part of bringing up a healthier generation. Active kids are healthier kids. Developing a fitness routine early in life will lay the groundwork for a lifetime of good physical health. Make exercising fun and get your kids’ feet moving!
KIDZ KORNER
Mothers Day Breakfast in Bed
Every mother loves to wake up to her family, They are her pride and joy. Moms do so much throughout the year. This Mothers Day, make mom a special breakfast in bed. Step 1 Get a nice dinner napkin, Roll it up and place it nicely on the tray. Step 2 Flower, Buy moms favorite flower and place it on the tray with the napkin, If there are flowers out in the garden you can go and cut one from there. Step 3 Coffee, Tea or Juice. - Give mom her favorite thing to drink for breakfast. Make sure to pour the coffee/tea last so that it is still hot when it gets to mom. Put ice in the juice so it is nice and cool when it gets to mom. Step 4 Food: Cereal, Toast, Eggs, Pancakes, or French Toast. Cereal: Put cereal in a bowl and milk in a cup for mom to pour in later. If you pour the milk in now it will make the cereal soggy. Toast: Butter right away if mom likes it buttered so the butter melts right in. Eggs/ Pancakes/ French toast. Get an Adult to help. Step 5 A Nice Card: Make your own Mothers Day Card. Mom loves homemade best.
Where you part of the Record?
The Great Cloth Diaper Change 2012 A Guinness World Record was broken here in Timmins and around the world this past month. In a campaign to help raise awareness of the use of cloth diapers as a more natural, economical and earth-friendly diapering choice, mothers, fathers, grandparents and caregivers across the world joined forces and changed over 6200 diapers, and counting. (The final result is not in) The event is called the Great Cloth Diaper Change and it took place in over 300 locations in 16 different countries. Participants locally were hosted at Little Lamb by Sweet Face at an event that boasted 30 participating cloth-cuties. 40 prizes donated by local and global businesses.
the largest single-use products contributing to landfills. For every record breaking baby who participated in this year’s event, the same number in tonnes of garbage will be saved from landfills. And this is nasty, toxic, nondecomposing for more than 300 years garbage. Chemicals regularly found in disposable diapers are carcinogenic and are known to cause cancer. This is one of the leading reasons parents are now choosing cloth diapers to swaddle their babies. The other most commonly cited reason for parents to choose cloth over disposable is the costsavings; a savings of over $1200 during the first 2 years of your child’s life.
During the minute or so length of the event, approximately 60,000 disposable diapers made their way in the garbage across Canada and the USA. Disposable diapers are one of
Congratulations to all who took part locally! Your one small change is making a difference.
Our Treasure Box Of Links www.inamay.com http://www.mybestbirth.com http://spinningbabies.com/ http://www.givingbirthnaturally.com/ http://www.choicesinchildbirth.org/
http://www.preschoollearningonline.com/preschoolkidsongs.html
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/easy-stuffing/detail.aspx
http://www.dinnertool.com/article?id=654 http://southernfood.about.com/od/sweetpotatodess/r/bl1109d.htm www.divinedinnerparty.com http://www.marthastewart.com www.familyfun.go.com
http://www.nheri.org/Latest/Homeschooling-Across-America-Academic-Achievement-and-Demographic-characteristics.html
All Things That Grow% Photography( By Kayleigh May
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