priceless • take one!
Spring 2011
Hypnobirthing: Change the Way You Birth “Mom, I’m Bored!” -Importance of Free Play
cover photo: www.adriankidsphotography.ca
Food Color Additives - What you need to know
Recipes you’ll love!
buddies kids boutique style, quality and service ...since 2003
Photography West
Buddies is a designer boutique for children from birth to age 10. Our store is filled with clothing, shoes and special gifts that are as unique as the child in your life. We’re inspired to shop the markets from London to New York to bring you a one of a kind experience. You’ll love our new lines...Blu, Hartstrings, One Kid and more... It’s worth the trip to Tutt Street. Come visit us at 2 - 3045 Tutt Street Square, Kelowna, BC 250.763.2837 Store hours Monday - Saturday 10-5 or by appt.
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Raspberry Kids has lots new “in store” for 2011!
More Brands, Better Selection, Baby & Me has 4000sf of the best gear, clothing, and gifts for Mom, Baby, and Kids up to 5 years old. With the best selection of strollers from Valco Baby, Britax, Uppa Baby, Bob, Bugaboo, Orbit Baby, Maxi Cosi, Phil & Teds, Stokke, and I’coo. You are sure to
Mention this ad for a Free Gift *with any purchase ($24 value)
Across from London Drugs 1969 Harvey Avenue Kelowna, BC 250-717-0556
www.babyandme.ca
contents
SPRING 2011 priceless • take one!
Spring 2011
articles
5 6 10 14 17 19 23 27 30
columns
Editor’s Note Giveaways Recipes You’ll Love Ask the Expert Featured Parent: Candus Hunter Michelle Collie: Have You Filled a Bucket? Stuff We Love Resource Directory Snap Happy
Next issue: Summer 2011... Watch for it early June!
Hypnobirthing: Change the Way You BIrth “Mom, I’m Bored!” -Importance of Free Play Food Color Additives - What you need to know
cover photo: www.adriankidsphotography.ca
HypnoBirthing: Change the Way You Birth Do Moms Have it Easier than Dads? “Mom, I’m bored!” Food Color Additives in Our Food Summer Camps Listing Today I Ate A Rainbow Goes to Hollywood!
8 12 15 21 24 31
volume 3, issue 1
Recipes you’ll love!
cover photo: Adrian Kids Photography www.adriankidsphotography.ca E. info@adriankidsphotography.ca P. 250.863.0176
Editorial Photography: Aviva Photo Studios Contributors: Angie Bricker, Michelle Collie, Don Blevens, Shelby Entner, Michale Hartte, Candus Hunter, Christy Phillips
Editor & Publisher Colleen Bezeau Advertising Inquiries: advertise@okanaganchild.com General Inquiries: info@okanaganchild.com www.okanaganchild.com 1.888.373.5566 Okanagan Child is published four times per year by Bellhop Media Inc. Circulation: 15,000. Please note that this magazine is solely funded through the support of our advertisers and sponsors. Please support our advertisers! Opinions expressed in this publication may not necessarily reflect those of the Publisher. All contents copyrighted ©. No part of this publication may be reprinted, quoted, copied or reproduced without the express written permission of the Publisher. To share your feedback, please send an e-mail to info@okanaganchild.com. To submit a local event, please complete the form on our website at www.okanaganchild.com
truecuddles
A TRULY GOOD DEAL. UNTIL IT’S GONE. Each week, we bring you one baby or toddler product, in limited quantity, at up to 75% off retail!
www.truecuddles.ca Spring 2011 l 4
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editor’s note
T
he arrival of a new year typically brings resolutions for most of us. Even if we don’t specifically identify a plan, goal, or hope for the year, we typically feel the turning of the calendar and at least consider what might lie ahead in the year to come. Like many others, I have always found New Years Resolutions to be a disappointment. When I found out about Gretchen Rubin’s book, The Happiness Project, however, I started to consider ‘resolutions’ in a new light. Now, I’m not much for the relentless pursuit of happiness, believing too much focus merely renders it elusive. But I do believe there are little things we can do each day, little adjustments we can make, that don’t require a lot of effort but give us substantial return. The best part about Gretchen’s approach is that she breaks down each month into a theme, and then each week there is a specific focus related to that theme. If you’re not into reading, you needn’t worry: this year on OkanaganChild.com we’re posting her ultrabrief videos once per week. In literally a few minutes, you can consider little adjustments that you can make to your life. The best part? It’s concrete and doesn’t require any kind of substantive time investment. I also like the way you can take what resonates with you and leave the rest. So some weeks you might really connect with
the message, and other weeks not so much. But that’s OK - in the process you learn a little bit about yourself as well. So this year, we highly recommend you join us on the website and check out the video series. Or, pick up the book as it’s a great read. Spring is on the horizon and we have lots of great editorial for you in this issue! You’ll notice as well a superb range of businesses and services in the ads. . .the Okanagan has so much to offer so be sure to take note so you can experience your community fully. Have a wonderful Spring!
Okanagan Connecting Inspired Moms Moms across Canada are connecting with each other through momcafé through meetings, seminars and internet based communications tools. Momcafe Okanagan provides a forum to connect and inspire women. Okanagan moms can now too enjoy good conversation, lattés, and on-site childcare while listening to inspirational speakers!
www.momcafenetwork.com www.okanaganchild.com
Spring 2011 l
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Giveaways over $150 value!!
2 prizes! glow baby Glow Baby is dedicated to providing unique and user-friendly scheduling tools for today’s busy parents. Glow Baby products are all about helping parents save time and reduce the stress of the day to day. Glow Baby Journals, Calendars and Lists help parents keep track of daily activities such as; feeding, sleeping, diapering, bathing, first foods by type, meal planning, family activities, general to do lists for daily tasks, groceries etc. All Glow Baby products are designed with both function and fashion in mind. www.glowbaby.ca
It’s the best, most fun art prize ever!
Prize 1: Glow Baby Gift Basket which includes a copy of Baby’s First Journal, Baby’s First Foods and one of each Babysitter Notes, Medicine Pad, Shopping List Pad, To Do List.
Win $150 worth of professional-quality art supplies from 4Cats Arts Studios!
Prize 2: A set of notepads which include Babysitter Notes, Medicine Pad, Shopping List Pad, To Do List Entry Deadline: May 18, 2011 Entry Location: Visit www.okanaganchild.com, select ‘giveaways’
R:
HOW TO ENTE
Head on over to c hild.com www.okanagan iveaways’ link & click on the ‘G bar. in the top menu ils there You’ll find deta earn including how to extra entries! Spring 2011 l 6
Prize includes: • Three 4Cats paintbrushes • 4Cats mini paint jars • Artist Palette • Easel • Two 11x14 canvas boards • 4Cats Craft Sculpey the Bird Polymer Clay Kit. Contains six blocks of polymer clay plus clay tool. • Four 4Cats Print Art Books: Andy Warhol, Vincent van Gogh, Tom Thomson and Michelangelo • 4Cats 100% cotton bag, emblazoned with the 4Cats “Soup Can” logo • $20 Gift Certificate for 4Cats Arts Studio • Copy of 4Cats Magazine Winter • Two 100% cotton 4Cats t-shirts Entry Deadline: May 18, 2011 Entry Location: Visit www.okanaganchild.com, select ‘giveaways’
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Organic and Natural Products For Your Beautiful Beginnings
Let our experienced moms help you sort out what is best for your precious beginnings. Join us for workshops on natural birthing options, diapering, baby wearing and sleep challenges. Like us on facebook for details!
1331 Ellis Street Kelowna, BC 250.860.0307 866.763.7214 Shop Online! www.naturalbellyandbaby.com
C-H-I-E-N [ʃjɛ]̃ n.m. étym. fin XIe du latin canis
LE SEUL vrai programme d’enseignement francophone en C.-B. D
epuis sa création en 1995, le Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique offre des programmes et des services éducatifs valorisant le plein épanouissement et l’identité culturelle des apprenantes et apprenants francophones de la province. Le conseil compte aujourd’hui plus de 4,500 élèves, 38 écoles et dessert une centaine de communautés réparties dans l’ensemble de la province. Pour obtenir plus d’information, communiquez avec le CSF : LE CONSEIL SCOLAIRE FRANCOPHONE DE LA COLOMBIE-BRITANNIQUE 180-10200 Shellbridge Way, Richmond, (C.-B.) V6X 2W7 604-214-2600 ou 1-888-715-2200 | info@csf.bc.ca
www.csf.bc.ca www.okanaganchild.com
Spring 2011 l
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health
HypnoBirthing:
When You Change the Way You View Birth, the Way You Birth Will Change by Christy Phillips
H
ave you ever wondered why in Westernized cultures pain and drama is an accompaniment to birth, whereas in some other cultures women birth with ease? Have you ever wondered why the human body, so perfectly designed, seems flawed when it comes to procreation, yet animals in nature are blessed with smooth easy births instead? What is wrong with birthing today? The answer to these questions is fear, or lack thereof. For first-time parents especially, the process of childbirth is a complete unknown. When something is unfamiliar, it can make us feel uneasy and uncertain of what to expect; the unknown often comes with fear. However, there are increasing support options available to families nowadays for the birthing experience, including HypnoBirthing, which combines the benefits of deep relaxation and self-hypnosis with knowledge of natural birth.
About HypnoBirthing
HypnoBirthing provides parents with the education to plan and direct the course of pregnancy and birth, allowing parents can take responsibility for creating a positive birth experience. The approach encourages families to make conscious birth choices by knowing their birth preferences and communicating their wishes early to be sure they have the full support of their careprovider. They are encouraged to ask questions and to be active participants in any decision-making regarding interventions or procedures that may be suggested during the course of their labour and birth. No matter what turn their birthing may take, when they can remain calm and relaxed, parents can feel that they are still in control of their birthing and ultimately have a more positive birth experience. – awake and alert - but in a totally relaxed state of mind and body.
Hysterical and fear-inducing scenes we see portrayed in movies and in some “Birth Preparation” classes and books reinforce the pain concept with talk of interventions, medications, complications and surgery. By contrast, HypnoBirthing parents are empowered with knowledge and information and see what normal, natural birthing can be like in the absence of fear. Many parents who are attracted to HypnoBirthing’s remarkably simple and relaxed approach have already embraced the concept of normal, natural birth as their choice. First-time parents come looking for a way to allay first-time fears and prepare the best they can for something they’ve never experienced. And just as often, it is the second-, or third-time parents are looking for ways to “do things differently this time.” They all realize they only get one chance at a birth.
What HypnoBirthing Involves
Learning deep relaxation and self-hypnosis techniques allows parents to reprogram their thinking surrounding birth. Parents are encouraged to put all fears aside and focus on the calm gentle birth that they desire. When they believe it is possible, it can happen. In the absence of fear, and by achieving the deep level of relaxation where endorphins are released and multiply exponentially. HypnoBirthing moms are able to relax their minds, muscles, let go and open, creating the opportunity to birth gently and comfortably. On the other hand, when we have fear, or the expectation of pain, our body’s physiological reaction to these thoughts is to secrete the stress hormone Catecholamine, causing our Sympathetic Nervous System, part of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) in our brains, to react with the self-preserving Fight, Flight, or Freeze response. Blood is quickly redirected away from the ‘non-essential
Looking for safe baby products? • Botanically based and vegan certified • Free of petrolatum, mineral oil, sls, phthalates Call for your complimentary ABC sample today. Karen Gilkyson Independent Arbonne Consultant Executive Regional Vice President
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This advertisement has been produced by Arbonne Independent Consultants, and is not official material prepared by or provided by Arbonne.
Spring 2011 l 8
www.okanaganchild.com
• Emphasis is on progressions rather than levels • Small classes of 4 students • Proven methods with higher student success for survival’ functions of the body, such as the digestive system and the uterus, and heads to the arms and legs for Fight or Flight, for survival. When this happens during labour and a mom’s ANS reacts to labour as a perceived threat or emergency, not only are these stress hormones blocking the endorphins normally released during labour when mom is relaxed, (which are 400 times more powerful for pain-relief and relaxation than morphine), but the layers of muscles in the uterus become deprived of the blood and oxygen they require to function properly. The result is the mom encounters exactly what she was expecting: pain. When blood is re-directed away from the tummy area, the baby is also deprived of the blood and oxygen he requires, which may result in the baby showing signs of stress as well. Or in many cases, just as mom’s digestive functions would become arrested, her labour may shut down or ‘freeze.’ This type of scenario plays out all too often, so much so that the resulting augmentations, inductions, interventions and surgical births have become the new ‘normal.’ Eliminating the Fear—Tension—Pain Syndrome is so important in facilitating a calm birthing experience.
Pre-Natal Bonding
In addition to relaxation, HypnoBirthing also places emphasis on pre-natal bonding and pre-birth parenting, as evidence shows that pre-born and newborn babies are aware, sensitive and feeling human beings who are participants in pregnancy and birth. Parents should do all that they can to be sure their baby’s emotional development, his sense of well-being and his esteem as a loved being. The HypnoBirthing philosophy believes this may be fostered through caring and consistent interactions, such as not exposing the baby to yelling or other loud and disturbing noises, but rather speaking to in gentle tones and playing soft music.
HypnoBirthing is for Everyone
Although HypnoBirthing was designed especially for the 95 percent of families whose pregnancies fall into the normal, low- or no-risk categories, HypnoBirthing is also very beneficial to someone with special circumstances or who must have a C-section. By learning relaxation, calm breathing, and anxiety-reducing fear release techniques, and about birthing preferences, family bonding, www.okanaganchild.com
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and more, HypnoBirthing gives parents a toolkit to manage their experience and achieve birth fulfillment. Ultimately, it provides parents with a means to welcome their babies in a safer, easier, more comfortable fashion-- whether the goal is an amazing water birth at home, or making plans for an equally satisfying in-hospital experience. Christy Phillips is a Certified HypnoBirthing Childbirth Educator and lives in Kelowna with her two young and adorable “HypnoBoys” and her witty and charming husband. Join her Facebook page Born To Birth HypnoBirthing, or call 250-448-9008 for more information. Christy also holds a BA in Communication and is a Parent Educator with The Bridge Youth and Family Services. Spring 2011 l
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Recipes You’ll
LOVE
M
aking your own snack bars are so easy!!! It takes only about 15 minutes AND you get to pick your flavour! Use them as a quick ‘n healthy, grab and go snack for you and your children. They also take any chocolate craving away while providing your body with good nutrition.
Tasty Variation: Cover bars in coconut flakes, slow cooking oats or flavoured protein powder. Stir in some chewy gogi berries or organic raisins. Add in chunks of raw cacao.
Protein Snack Bars
Get your veggies in with muffins! Great as lunch additions or even quick breakfast items. Soaking flour is particularly important for better digestion. Soaking also has the added benefit of reducing gluten levels.
Yield: 2 5-inch bars Ingredients: • ½ cup ground flax seeds, chia seeds or sesame seeds or any previously soaked nuts. • 5 tbsp cacao powder, raw • 3 tbsp carob powder • ½ cup wheat germ (optional) • 2 tbsp flavoured protein powder (berry, orange, or vanilla taste best) • touch of celtic or himalayan salt • ⅓ cup unpasteurized honey, maple syrup or palm (coconut) sugar • ¾ cup nut or seed butter (try raw pumpkin seed, raw almond, macadamia nut and cashew, hemp seed butter, organic peanut butter or combination) Directions: Add all ingredients in food processor. You will probably need to add some filtered water for a desired consistency. Form into flat bars. Best served immediately. Refrigerate the remaining snack bars (they keep for about 5 days). Dr
“Good Morning Sunshine” Muffins Yield: 18 large muffins Ingredients for soaking: • 4 cups spelt or kamut • 3 cup plain yogurt Dry Ingredients: • 1 cup slow cooking oats • 2 tbsp pumpkin seed or vanilla brown rice protein powder • 2 tsp himalayan salt • 1 tsp baking soda • 1 cup total sweetener: your choice of any of these - palm sugar (coconut sugar), organic maple syrup or unpasteurized honey • 1 cup flax seeds or chia seeds, ground • ½ cup of raisins
Outstanding and compassionate care
Welcome to a different kind of medical clinic.
Dr. Chris Spooner ND
Dr. Shelby Entner ND
250.275.1672 VERNON, BC
Spring 2011 l 10
• Natural Family Medicine • Women and Children’s Health • Allergy Testing • Natural treatments for asthma, eczema, digestion & learning/behavioural disorders
www.oknaturalmedicine.com www.okanaganchild.com
For 75 years, the Okanagan Regional Library has been your most economical, sustainable, and relevant source for information and entertainment. Join us throughout 2011 for FREE special anniversary celebrations, contests, programs and more. Visit www.orl.bc.ca to find out more. If you’re heading to the Lower Mainland don’t leave without checking out yoyomama, your one stop source for what’s happening and where to go. They’ll keep you in the know!
Wet Ingredients: • 1 cup vegetables of your choice: best suited are; butternut squash (previously baked with skins removed), zucchini (sliced), carrots (grated), sweet potato or yams (previously baked with skins on). • ½ cup butter, melted • 1 tsp vanilla extract • 5 large eggs Directions: Mix flour with plain yogurt, place in a glass bowl and leave in a warm place for 12 to 24 hours (counter top works best). In a shallow glass pan, prepare squash, sweet potato or yams for baking by preheating oven to 350 ° F. With squash, chop squash in half, remove all seeds and bake for about 1 hr. Let cool then remove skins. If baking sweet potato or yams, simply slice in ¼ inch pieces, cover with a little grape seed oil and Himalayan salt, toss and bake for about 45 minutes. Note: zucchini or carrots do not need to be previously cooked. Next, mix all dry ingredients into a large mixing bowl and set aside. www.okanaganchild.com
In a food processor or blender, combine all wet ingredients together until smooth. If using zucchini or carrots as your veggie choice, stir in at the end and do not blend. Fold in soaked flour mixture and combine. Next, pour this combination into the bowl of dry ingredients and mix. Preheat oven to 350 ° F. Spoon, about ¼ cup of the mixture into each muffin cup. Bake in the oven for 60 minutes, until well-risen and golden on top. Take the muffins out of the pan and let them cool on a wire rack. Serve topped with butter (lots!). If you like this recipe, check out Michale Hartte’s BASc (Nutr), NNCP new book, The fit n healthy plan – The nutritional diet & lifestyle plan made easy! Found online at www.fitnhealthynutrition.com
Spring 2011 l 11
photo credit: www.avivaphotostudios.com
Do Moms have it Easier than Dads? by Don Blevens
S
ince becoming a dad, my perspectives sure have changed. The first wakeup call came when I realized just how much work Mom does. I went into fatherhood thinking that I had the hard job and Mom had it easy hanging out with Baby all day. Woe is me, having to drive all the way to work and then answer to “The Boss.” Of course, having a new baby screaming at you because she’s hungry or needs to be changed isn’t all that different. Mom’s “boss” screams and yells at her all day when she doesn’t react immediately. If you think about it, no government would allow us to work in the conditions mom works in. At least when we are at work, we get to have scheduled breaks and may even take time to chat at the water cooler. If Mom has time to stand around for a few minutes and chat or even sit down for a moment with nobody to answer to, more than likely she is taking that time to fold the laundry or make more baby food. Of course there are many benefits to having mom stay at home to raise the kids, but rarely are her needs taken into consideration. I never took into consideration that Mom would do anything for a half an hour to herself (including drive to work). Time to read a book or relax in a hot bath has been replaced with cleaning up the tornado that is left behind when Baby goes down for a nap. I realize now how big a role Dad can have to help Mom be at her best. My opinions have changed significantly from the birth of my first two daughters, Danielle age 12, and Mikayla age 10, to my youngest two daughters, Keira age 33 months, and Zoe 11 months. I guess that also is something that has come with age. I have learned a few things about fatherhood that didn’t come in the handbook. Kids revel in routines. They thrive when they know
Spring 2011 l 12
what to expect. I have started routines with my girls that give Mom more time and get me into the Dad role more. One of my favorites is reading books to my girls every night before bed. We travel to new worlds together and I have fun giving each character a different accent. Reading 50-100 pages a night isn’t uncommon, and I wouldn’t change it for the world. Consider taking the little one for a walk in the evening after work or taking over bath time each night. You could also take the kids to a weekly activity, like swimming lessons. Would it be ok to start up a Dad’s Play Group? Something to think about… For now, I will be thankful for the time I have and understanding of the time Mom doesn’t have. Mother’s Day comes around once a year and we should go out of our way on that day, but more importantly let’s start a few new routines that make things easier for Mom and get us more involved with our kids. As a final thought, let’s stop calling it babysitting and call it what it really is – being Dad. Don Blevens is the owner of Baby & Me. You can send comments or questions to him at info@babyandme.ca.
Sandra
www.okanaganchild.com
The Second Annual Okanagan Baby Fair Saturday, April 2nd, 2011 10am - 5pm Sunday, April 3rd, 2011, 10am -4pm Okanagan College Learning Centre KLO Rd., Kelowna
What you will experience: • Over 30,000 square feet of Baby Bliss • Babies in Bloom Photo Contest • Tidy Tushees Diaper Derby Media Kit • Door Prizes • Indoor Play Area
Admission only
$5
k it o ut Co me chec both! one day or
Take your kids to see Bobs & LoLo LIVE in Kelowna at Babies in Bloom! The BC-based award-winning duo enchant kids and delight parents.
www.BabiesInBloom.net
Ask the Expert
Have Questions? We’ve got answers.
I’ve had my baby but now I am trying to get back What can I do to ensure easy breastfeeding? in shape. Can you please recommend some exercises to help with toning? Breastfeeding is a great way to give your child the nutrients they After the excitement of pregnancy and delivery comes the challenge of getting back into shape! The best way to tone up is by combining cardiovascular and strength training exercises. After adequate rest and recovery, and your Doctors approval, join a group such as strollersize, a boot camp or a ball and band class which will combine both cardio and strength training. This will maximize your time and results with the added benefit of meeting new people! If the gym is not an option, there are plenty of exercises you can do at home (with little or no equipment) to increase your heart rate and strengthen and tone your muscles. Use large, multi joint movements such as step ups, squats and lunges to tone your legs and increase your heart rate. Push ups, dips and a variety of core exercises will tone your stomach and strengthen both your low back and upper body. Proper form is imperative for injury prevention and maximization of results so consider hiring a Certified Trainer to help you out. Cailla Patterson Patterson Coaching and Personal Training SLEEPING BABIES
SLEEPING BABIES ARE HAPPYBABIES BABIES... SLEEPING ARE HAPPY BABIES... SLEEPING BABIES HAPPY BABIES... ifARE your infant or toddler isn't getting the HAPPY BABIES... ifARE your infant orsleep toddler they need, help is available. ifisn't yourgetting infant or thetoddler sleep isn't getting the sleep they need, help available. infant oristoddler if your they need, help is child available. isn't getting the sleep sleep isn’t getting the they need, need, help help is is available. available.
Call Pam Nease 250 Call575 Pam6988 Nease Call Pam Nease 250 575 6988 250 6988 Call575 Pam Nease private consultations. group seminars. practical solutions. 250 575 6988 private consultations. group seminars. practical solutions. www.sleepsense.net/kelowna private consultations. group seminars. practical solutions. www.sleepsense.net/kelowna private consultations. group seminars. practical solutions. www.sleepsense.net/kelowna www.sleepsense.net/kelowna Spring 2011 l 14
need during their early stages of development. The Canadian Pediatric Society recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months. Producing breastmilk and making it available involves the brain’s pituitary gland, nervous system, lymphatic system, and local muscles. Lactation is not an isolated function. The health of other systems that seem unrelated can affect and be affected by lactation and breastfeeding. Recent research has found that stress hormones and depression rates are lower in breastfeeding mothers compared to women who are not breastfeeding. One way to improve your ability to provide breastmilk is to manage your stress levels. Don’t hesitate to accept help from friends and family after the baby arrives - it’s a huge adjustment and that extra support goes a long way. A key component to successful breastfeeding is to relieve tense muscles in the shoulders, chest, and upper back. Most people tend to carry their stress behind the shoulder joints, above the shoulder blade and towards the base of the neck. To relieve this tension, have someone thumb over this area applying light pressure. To encourage the lymphatic flow, apply light finger pressure along your ribs just below each breast, starting at the center where your upper abdomen and chest meet, and work your way to your sides just below your armpit. Deep breathing can not only ensure problem-free breastfeeding, but also can also encourage the recovery of your body. This can be done while breastfeeding: get settled in a comfortable position with good posture; with each slow breath, inflate and deflate your lower abdomen below your bellybutton; as you do this you can just imagine the natural hormone oxytocin flowing through you. Your uterus and abdominal ligaments reestablish their strength, you heart rate and blood pressure slow down, and your mood lightens as you fall in love with the little one you’re caring for so well. It can take time to get the hang of breastfeeding. If you’re struggling, remember there are lots of great resources out there to offer guidance and support. Katrina Ao Registered Acupuncturist www.whitehousewellness.com www.okanaganchild.com
My child has an ear infection. What do I do? Ear infections or otitis media is the number one reason for visits to the pediatrician. The causes may include bacterial or viral infection, mechanical obstruction, nutritional deficiency and food sensitivity or allergy. We primarily see this condition between 3 months to 3 years of age and can be a reoccurring condition in some children. Typical symptoms in young infants include fretting and frequent rubbing of their ears. Older children may complain of deafness, popping noises, and a dull, throbbing earache. All children may be more irritable and have difficulty sleeping, there may be a slight fever and even nausea and vomiting may be present. When I see a child with a suspected ear infection a through history and physical exam is done. Natural treatment is extremely effective in treating this condition. Some topical treatments include 1-2 drops of Mullein oil or Traumeel Ear drops into the ear which will provide immediate relief. To help fight, drain and clear the condition I always suggest having the mother (if lactating) or the child to eliminate all dairy product and simple sugars. Probiotics are helpful as well as lymphatic cream or natural poultices in combination with lymphatic message and hydrotherapy. Homeopathics, herbs and supplements such as zinc, vitamin C, vitamin E, fish oils may also be prescribed depending on the child’s presentation. Each child is unique and the best success in treating ear infections,
Do you have a question!? Send it to us at info@okanaganchild.com and it may appear right here!
Want to be an ‘Expert’? Are you an ‘expert’? Calling all doulas/midwives, optometrists, dentists, chinese medicine specialists & more! Join us and help answer readers’ questions. Send us an e-mail at info@okanaganchild.com and let us know you’d like to contribute! particularly when they are chronic and reoccurring, is seeking professional advice from a naturopath who can devise an individualized protocol for your child. Dr. Audrey Wolter Naturopathic Physician www.ohpkelowna.com
Poor reading is frustrating, embarrassing and very correctable. Reading is the most important skill your child will ever learn. Poor reading can hurt your child’s grades and self-esteem. That’s why we find the method that works best for your child and teach in a way that makes sense to him or her. • We administer a Sylvan Skills Assessment® to identify your child’s strengths and weaknesses. • We develop a tailor-made reading program to meet your child’s exact needs and goals. • Sylvan’s highly trained experts take the time to understand how your child learns. • Our highly personalized approach builds the skills, habits and attitudes your child needs for lifelong success.
Kelowna 250.861.1255 Vernon 250.549.2443 www.sylvanbc.ca
Special Offer!
$100 OFF
Sylvan Skills Assessment® Plus a FREE Consultation with a Sylvan Expert Assessment must be booked by March 15, 2011. Some restrictions apply. Not valid with any other offer. Valid at participating locations.
Reading, Math, Writing, Study Skills, Test-taking, College/University Prep and more! www.okanaganchild.com
Spring 2011 l 15
“Mom, I’m bored!” by Angie Bricker
“M
om, I’m bored!” If those words coming from your children frustrate you as a parent, you and I think alike. My response – much to the disgruntlement and disgust of my kids – is “Go read a book!” There is a guilty little nagging voice in my head telling me that I should be providing them with entertainment, but upon further reflection, no. My experiences as a child when left on my own to figure out what to do with “down time” have left me the most amazing and creative memories of time well spent. The gift of just “being in the moment” is one that is the domain of children for the most part, because as adults we are so busy with multiple “must do’s” on our plates that we have no time to be bored (otherwise known as “nothing to do.”)
Baby toys over the past 20 years have become more sophisticated not to mention louder and require parents to have a veritable arsenal of batteries handy for each and every one of them. Department stores became full of uber-colourful neon baby entertainment items, and each generation of toy seems to be in competition with its predecessor for gizmos and noise options. Remember the song by Peter Paul and Mary – “It went zoom when it moved and zip when it stopped and whirred when it stood still? I never knew just what it was and I guess I never will.” Hmmmm. . . The original Exersaucer, for example, a functional place to interact with baby as an alternative to a Jolly Jumper, was not good enough until it became a miniature version of Disneyland. Whew!
One of the activities I loved the most, at around 5 or 6 years of age, was to play “fairies.” No dolls or store-bought props, just a shallow creek thick with trees that formed a canopy over it, making it a magical and secret hideout for little girls with active imaginations. I pictured myself with translucent wings and pretty purple and pink filmy garments, flying here and there with other fairies like all fairies should. No doubt these ideas were ignited by the enchanting fairy tales I read and re-read, complete with illustrations (remember the “read a book” thing?)!
Well meaning as parents that we are, we “bought in” for all these bells and whistles for the babies. Advertising for toys for babies and toddlers encouraged us to believe that it was somehow our job to provied entertainment for baby during all waking hours! Perhaps we lost sight of the fact that this baby is a brand new human being that will not need to be visually and auditorily amused every waking minute. In fact, this very stimulation could possibly create a future environment that blunts the imagination of the child, perhaps contributing to the dreaded “boredom.”
Another activity that I remember as being a “boredom day” rescue is building a “caterpillar house.” All I needed was a box, some dirt or clay, water, foliage, doll furniture and caterpillars! I think Mom was relieved that I did this outdoors. I know the caterpillars really enjoyed the Barbie swing! After all, caterpillars get bored, too.
The very finest toys for babies are simple and electronic free. Preferably not plastic; wood or fabric works well for a variety of play things for babies and toddlers. It is best when the toys are openended, allowing the child the opportunity to decide how it is played with and perhaps “what it is!”
Indoor “boredom days” activities were centered around arts and crafts. Paint, plain paper, glue, ribbons, buttons - whatever was handy. My mother was very good at leaving artistic decisions up to me. I think a wonderful gift to give your child is the ability and confidence to go forward with a project without the assistance and interference of instructions. They do come in handy for certain projects, but children do not need to be inhibited artistically by “how to” manuals for their art projects.
Toy ideas to help your child learn and grow their imaginations: • Blocks • Wooden Train Sets • Puppets • Play Clothing • Boxes • Paper • Natural Art Supplies • Modeling Dough
Spring 2011 l 16
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Why is 4Cats called 4Cats? When Pablo Picasso was a young artist in Spain, he and his artist friends would meet at the 4Cats Cafe to discuss and create art.
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At 4Cats Arts studio, that’s What we do! We talk about art and create masterpieces!
4Cats is a professional art studio for artists ages 2 to 15! We learn about famous artists and use professional art materials to create masterpieces in the style and spirit of those artists! Visit us online at 4cats.com! Located at 9-3818 Gordon Drive in Kelowna. West Kelowna opening soon!
Unbiased reviews of Canadian products and businesses Great giveaways Exclusive discount codes for readers
www.glimpse-reviews.blogspot.com • • • • • • • • • • • •
Marbles (for the older kids) Balls Play food Stacking Toys Matching Games Soft Dolls Paper Dolls Doll Houses and Furniture (wooden if possible) Wooden Rattles Natural Rubber Teething or Bath toys Treehouses Caterpillars...
Angie Bricker, owner if Natural Belly and Baby, mom of three and former Early Childhood Educator. The opinions expressed are not based on surveys or science, but observation and experience. www.okanaganchild.com
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photo credit: Adrian Kids Photography
Candus Hunter -Mommy to Harrison A bit about myself...
I am a 37 year old first time mom, married to my husband Courtney for 3 ½ years. We have two adorable dogs, Einstein and Newton who are still adjusting to the new member of our family but have learned to post themselves below the highchair at mealtimes for a tasty treat. I have lived in Kelowna since I was 11 years old and can’t really see myself anywhere else. I am close to my family and love that most of them live here in town so that Harrison has cousins close in age he can play with. I enjoy cooking, gardening and even canning believe it or not! I am also a tried and true Harry Potter and Twilight fan (Team Edward). My guilty pleasure is getting to watch Dexter on Sunday nights. I work full time in an office but am lucky enough to be done by 3pm every day which allows me ample time to adventure with my little man.
My journey to becoming a parent...
I waited a long time to be a mom and it wasn’t always easy. Years ago my husband and I suffered an early miscarriage and I’m sure it made me more determined to have a child. I would have loved to have started my family when I was younger but it just never worked out. My sister and I even tried to time her second baby and my first together so that they would be the same age but she beat me by a year! I don’t remember ever giving up hope that it would happen Spring 2011 l 18
and we never resorted to any measures other than watching the dates on the calendar but I was getting to the point where I was ready to make an appointment with my doctor. Lucky for us, it just finally happened after nearly 2 years of trying. I said that first day, when we found out, that I didn’t want to know the sex of our baby ahead of time but that my gut feeling was that we were having a boy (obviously I had a 50% chance of being right or wrong) and I was right! After a grueling 36 hours of labor, a week earlier than predicted, Harrison arrived in November. It was love at first sight.
How I’m different since becoming a mom...
Wow, good question. It may sound trite but I truly believe now that my life has a purpose, that I’m a lot less selfish. It used to be really easy to come home from work, throw on some comfy clothes and lounge around all night if I felt like it but now, that is the last thing I think of. I rush home every day to pick Harrison up from daycare so that we can play. My single most important goal every day is to hear him laugh, see him smile, steal a hug and a kiss. Although they sound like small goals, they are the most important ones I’ve ever had. I remember the first time I made him laugh…I called my sister Ginny, bawling, to tell her that I felt like a hero. I had made my son laugh for the very first time and I was a rock star! Nothing beats that. www.okanaganchild.com
My must-have baby product...
Johnson’s Baby Lotion!! My mom used it on us and I use it every night after bath time on Harrison. It keeps him soft and smelling delicious!
I never leave home without...
Snacks and a toy to keep him amused!! I have been saved many a time from a meltdown if I’m late getting home for mealtime by a good snack (crackers or fruit) and a fun toy to distract him.
Hopes, Dreams and Goals...
I feel like my own hopes, dreams and goals have changed so drastically in the last 14 months. I used to be unclear on exactly what I wanted other than a comfortable life and now I focus on my son and where and who I want to be as he grows up. I want him to always be proud of his parents and always want to come home. I want to be healthy so that I’m around when he has his own children. I want to be successful so that I can support him in whatever he wants to do but also so that when he grows up and moves out, I will still be satisfied with my life. As a family we want to be able to travel the world and teach him about different cultures and ways of life.
Come see us so you can get out & enjoy Spring ! 4407 29th Street Vernon, BC 250.549.1221
On staying home versus going back to work....
I’ve been so lucky in this regard. Although I would much rather stay home and play on the floor all day or go for hours long adventure walks with Harrison and his cousins, I have had to return to work. Fortunately, my husband and I are both finished by 3pm every day so we have the whole evening with Harrison before bedtime. We have found him an incredible daycare that he loves to go to and his cousins are occasionally there with him. We actually started taking him there once a week when he was about 3 months old to give me a day off and to get him used to other people. I think that was one of the smartest things we could have done as the adjustment for him to going there full time has been smooth and easy and we haven’t had any real issues. I’ve been back at work 2 months now and I don’t think he has ever really missed me. The first time he turned to his daycare lady instead of me to sooth his feelings, it physically hurt me but I have to remind myself to be thankful that
www.chickenlittle.ca he is in such a good place. Adjusting to going back to the office for me was more difficult. I miss Harrison daily and have had to get used to all new operating systems at work. Whereas before I could plan to take all day to make a meal or do the laundry, now I have to try to schedule it around playtime with Harrison. My house, as a result, is not always perfectly clean but I’ve learned that it just doesn’t matter.
Favorite ways to relax and enjoy self time...
Although is seems a bit of a lost art, I love canning. I make pickles and jams and can local fruit and I love to do it. Baking, cooking, planning menus is a favorite past time that relaxes me and gives me great pleasure when I see other people enjoying the final result. I also love to read a good book or watch a good movie. I get to do all of these things still but now I have to plan them ahead of time or wait until Harrison is sleeping.
The best parenting advice I ever received...
photo credit: Adrian Kids Photography www.okanaganchild.com
It’s a bit of a tie actually. I think the most important was how vital it is to establish a set sleeping and eating schedule for Harrison. We wouldn’t function properly without it. However, the best advice, and the one I would pass on would be that it is okay to break that schedule sometimes. For instance, I like to have Harrison in bed at 8pm and feed him only healthy snacks but if he goes to Grandma’s house, bedtime is not so important and Sugar Crisp is a fun snack. You have to be able to relax those rules every now and then or you become a bit too controlling, I think. ....continued on page 26 Spring 2011 l 19
Have You Filled a Bucket? by Michelle Collie
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“Parents need to fill a child’s bucket of self-esteem so high that the rest of the world can’t poke enough holes to drain it dry.” - Alvin Price
t can be astounding at how easy it is for someone else to chip away at a person’s self-esteem. For our kids who come into this world so innocent and free of perceptions and prejudices, it sure doesn’t take long for some of them to learn that their words and actions have the power to hurt. Schools, parents and the media have been doing a good job of portraying the school yard bully as the bad guy and encouraging kids to be positive with their peers. But, inevitably, your child will come home in tears because of something someone else may have said to them or done. Sometimes it is innocent. And there are always two (or more) sides to every story and event, but their perception of what happened and the hurt they are feeling is still very real. When your child does encounter a bully or a mean spirited child, it breaks your heart. It also leaves you wondering what exactly you can do to arm your child with the tools to keep their self-esteem intact. Or, if you have discovered that your child has hurt someone else’s feelings, whether intentionally or not, it can be time to remind them about the importance of treating others well. A kid-sized book with a life-sized message is Have You Filled a Bucket Today?: A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids. Essentially, the message is that each of us has a bucket and when we say something or do something mean to someone else we take away from their bucket and when someone does something mean to us, it takes away from our own buckets. Likewise, when you do something nice for someone it fills their bucket but it also fills yours too. This book has come in handy in my house and we have had plenty of discussions concerning our own buckets and our friends’ buckets. You can often hear me asking my kids if by their own actions and words, they are a being bucket filler or a bucket dipper. It is also an easy way for them to discuss things that have happened to them or their friends. Without having to label someone else (or themselves) with a big label such as ‘bully’ they can conceptualize what happened by talking about the figurative bucket. Spring 2011 l 20
“It’s your heart” my daughter proudly said after our first read of the book. Your heart, your self-esteem, your self-worth... it’s all important and a bucket full of all these things is always a great thing. Have You Filled a Bucket Today? has a great message that is easy for kids to understand. It promotes bucket filling and family discussion. My hope is that with positive messages such as the one from Have You Filled a Bucket? and all of the anti-bullying messages being taught, that physical, verbal and online bullying will not be as prevalent with our younger kids’ generations as they become tweens and teenagers. But, just in case boys still turn to their fists and girls still turn to their words (and vice versa), there are a few other books that can help us along the way. Queen Bees and Wannabes: Helping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boyfriends, and the New Realities of Girl World, by Rosalind Wiseman is a great read, regardless of your daughters’ age. While it is geared to parents of tweens and teens, the message is clear at any age. It is an inside look into the world of girls and how they behave based on their position within the pack. Especially useful is the section on technology. Wiseman also wrote Queen Bee Moms and Kingpin Dads: Dealing with the Difficult Parents in Your Child’s Life. This informative read takes a look at how parents play a role in their children’s lives and drama. Wiseman lays out a variety of parenting labels and it is useful to find how you fit in with the various types of parents she describes. By understanding how you deal with situations, conflicts and people it can help you better parent your child when they are in the depths of their own conflicts. Barry MacDonald’s Boy Smarts: Mentoring Boys for Success at School is a great book for parents of boys. It takes a look at the various ways boys are different than girls. They learn differently, they resolve conflicts differently and they need to be taught and parented differently. It is thought provoking and optimistic and gives readers the tools to help boys thrive in the twenty-first century. www.okanaganchild.com
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Mention this ad & save $50 on a weekday party! Whether you are a parent to a boy or girl, we all want our children to succeed and to be the best person they can be, without losing pieces of their personality and self-esteem along the way. It is up to us, as our children’s parents, to encourage their personality strengths and to also teach them to respect and encourage the personalities of their peers. At some point, we all encounter a bully. Today, bullies are not just the stereotypical sandwich and snack stealer on the playground. www.okanaganchild.com
They use hurtful words and technology to chip away at people’s self-esteem. Sometimes they don’t even know they are doing it, but often they know exactly what they are doing and their full intent is hurtful. If we all take the time to fill children’s buckets with positive words, encouragement and love, we can work together to try and build a barrier against bullying. Michelle Collie is a wife, mom, freelance writer and child chauffeur who lives in West Kelowna, B.C. Spring 2011 l
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Mommy, Why is My Tongue Blue? Food Colour Additives in Our Food by Shelby Entner
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emember when you’d get finish a bowl of Froot Loops and the milk would be blue? Where did that colour come from? And are we all going to regret slurping up that milk?
What are food colour additives? A food additive is defined as “any substance not normally consumed as a food in itself and not normally used as a characteristic ingredient of food, whether or not it has nutritive value”. Hmm, that definition doesn’t tell you a lot except that it isn’t usually found in nature. There are many types of food additives: preservatives, sweeteners, firming agents, anti-caking agents, etc. Colour additives are categorized as either dyes or lakes. Dyes dissolve in water and are manufactured as powders, granules, liquids or other special-purpose forms. They can be used in beverages, dry mixes, baked goods, dairy products, jams, pudding, pie filling, yogurt, popsicles, pet foods and a variety of other products. Lakes are the water-insoluble form of the dye. Lakes are more stable than dyes and are ideal for colouring products containing fats and oils, or items without enough moisture to dissolve dyes. Typical uses include coated tablets, cake and donut mixes, cheese, margarine, candy and chewing gums.
Where do food colours come from? Humans have long known that certain plants, animals, and minerals will stain surfaces such as fabric, skin, wood, and food. Naturally occurring pigments in these plants and minerals — or the chemical reactions that can occur (e.g. when things go green with the oxidization of copper) — create the colours. With the advent of industrial processing, many food dyes were originally synthesized from coal tar, a carcinogen. Now they tend to be petroleum (oil) based. Spring 2011 l 22
Why do manufacturers use food colour additives? Manufacturers use colour additives to cover up an absence of natural colour (e.g. in margarine), offset colour loss due to light/air/ temperature exposure, and give the product “added value.” What you should know about food colour additives The most widely used dyes are Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 – accounting for 90% of all dyes used. They contain carcinogens and may cause allergic reactions. Each year, about 15 million pounds of synthetic dyes go into the U.S. food supply (well, the “processed” U.S. food supply). What are the problems with food colour additives? There are some potential problems with food dyes, specifically: • Carcinogenicity – leading to cancer development • Genotoxicity – leading to mutations or damaging chromosomes • Neurotoxicity – leading to the damage of nerve tissue While some studies show that certain dyes aren’t themselves strong carcinogens, there may be a synergistic effect. Thus, various food dyes in a single processed food could lead to more potent cancer risk. There are still nine food dyes permitted by the FDA. According to the FDA, these nine dyes don’t have enough evidence to warrant a ban. FD&C Green No. 3 – may promote cancer in animals and isn’t used very often in the North American food supply. FD&C Red Nos. 3 and 40 – Red 40 is one of the most common food and might promote tumours in animals. Red no. 3 has been around since 1907. You know those maraschino cherries in your Shirley Temple? Those have been coloured with Red no. 3. Red no. www.okanaganchild.com
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3 is an animal carcinogen and is genotoxic. FD&C Yellow Nos. 5 (tartrazine) and 6 – these dyes have connections to hypersensitivity reactions. The chemical structure is very similar to benzoate and salicylate (the active ingredient in aspirin). Yellow no. 5 seems to be mutagenic (aka mutation-causing; DNAdamaging) in animals and might also have random contaminants. Yellow no. 6 might also include contaminants, but doesn’t appear to promote cancer. Orange B –. This is only permitted for use in sausage casings. Animal studies show potential problems with the spleen, lymphatic system and kidneys when exposed to orange B. The FDA wanted to ban this in 1978, but never followed through because most food companies stopped using it. Citrus Red No. 2 – often added to orange peels. Enough of this stuff is produced each year to colour 2 billion oranges. It seems to promote cancer and tumors in animals.
So, “natural” is OK, right? Well, that depends. Some “natural” food additives are likely just fine. In the case of dehydrated beets, for instance, it’s probably not a big deal. • •
• •
With beta-carotene, the worst that’ll probably happen is you turning orange from over-consumption. Turmeric comes from the ginger family of plants, and may have anti-inflammatory properties, although there’s probably not enough of it in your yellow mustard to make that mustard a health food. Other “natural” food additives might be more problematic. For example: Cochineal extract or carmine is a red dye made from crushed cochineal beetle. It’s now listed on the ingredient label as co-
www.okanaganchild.com
•
•
•
•
chineal extract or carmine (before 2009 it didn’t need to be). 70,000 beetles may be killed to produce one pound of this red dye. Caramel colour – this makes cola brown and beer gold. Caramel colour is the most commonly consumed food colouring ingredient in the world. It’s produced by heating carbohydrates (like fructose, dextrose, or invert sugar) with a foodgrade acid (like sulfuric, phosphoric, or citric) to break the sugar bonds. Think of caramel colour as burnt sugar. Negative health consequences of caramel colour are unlikely as long as someone doesn’t consume loads of it. Titanium dioxide, which makes things white (such as your soymilk), has recently been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as an IARC Group 2B carcinogen — “possibly carcinogenic to humans”. Aluminum, used as an additive in a variety of foods such as cake decorating materials, canned seafood (including caviar), and relish, might cause adverse effects related to reproduction, neurological behaviour and neurological development. In Canada, food colour additives are regulated by Health Canada, which is currently considering legislation that will require manufacturers to list which colours they use… instead of just saying “colour.”
Why are food colour additives important? If you eat processed food, you likely eat food colour additives. Many experts have raised health concerns about food colour additives. Food additives and children The European Union (EU) requires that food colour additives must have a warning label when added to food, since they may cause adverse effects on activity and attention in children. You’ll currently find the following warning on the label: Spring 2011 l 23
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250.768.5884 | fun@greenbay.bc.ca greenbay.bc.ca Ages: Grade 1-10; also offer family camps Location: West Kelowna, BC
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250.767.2354 | maplesprings@shaw.ca maplesprings.ca Ages: 5-16 years Location: Peachland, BC 250.832.8383 | register@Mackenziecamp.com mackenziecamp.com Ages: 7-16 years Location: Armstrong, BC 250.717.0033 | info@silverlakekidscamp.com silverlakekidscamp.com Ages: 7-16 years Location: Peachland, BC 250.835.4596 | info@sunnybrae.ca sunnybrae.ca Ages: 8-18 years Location: Tappen, BC
BC Wide (sampling) Camp Qwanoes
888.997.9266 | info@qwanoes.ca qwanoes.ca Ages: 8-18 years Location: Vancouver Island, BC
Camp Summit
866.550.1118 | info@campsummit.ca campsummit.ca Ages: 7-17 years Location: Squamish, BC
Horne Lake Cavern and Teepees Adventure Camp 250.703.6051 | info@hornelake.com hornelake.com Ages: 9-14 years Location: Near Qualicum Bay on Vancouver Island, BC
Sasamat Outdoor Centre
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YMCA
604.939.9622 | camps@vanymca.org vanymca.org/camps Ages: 6-17 years Spring 2011 l 25
FEATURED PARENT CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19...
Always in my fridge...
Home canned pears and cherries. Harrison and Courtney both love them as snacks and I know exactly what is in them.
How I make time for myself...
This is actually a team effort. Harrison is only 14 months and still loves to be entertained so if he is awake, and I want time for myself, Courtney and I have to coordinate that. He is good about letting me go to a movie or just locking myself in the bathroom for a long bath and taking on the parenting duties. A saving grace is also having my family nearby. My mom and dad are always happy to have their grandson over so we will drop Harrison off for a sleepover and have date night.
Favorite websites/blogs to frequent...
I actually get quite a kick out of Facebook. I don’t actually ever post much myself and am a bit anal about never posting pictures of Harrison but it is fun to read other people’s struggles with their toddlers. When I am frustrated because I can’t keep my son from climbing in the kitchen drawer, I go to Facebook and there is invariably always someone else with a bigger problem. A guilty pleasure is also People.com – I’m a sucker for Hollywood gossip.
The most important lesson I’ve learned...
Always trust your instincts! As a first time parent, I was a bit unsteady and unsure but I learned early on that my instincts would be a valuable tool. At only four days old, for reasons still unknown today, Harrison became dangerously dehydrated. All newborns sleep a lot and some parents may have thought that was what was happening but when I tried to feed him, I couldn’t get him to wake up long enough to eat. I tried a bath, I tried stripping him naked and letting him get a chill and he just wanted to sleep. This is when instinct kicked in and I called the Nurse’s Hotline. They advised me FOOD ADDITIVES CONTINUED Dr FROM PAGE 23 ... “May have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children” In the U.K., almost 30% of kids under 11 years old have experienced problems with consuming food additives. Still, food colour additives don’t seem to provoke as many complications as other additives (e.g., aspartame, monosodium glutamate, etc.). Researchers have speculated on behavioural problems related to food colouring ingestion since the 1970s. A 2004 meta-analysis concluded that artificial dyes influence children’s behaviour, and two studies funded by the British government found that mixtures of dyes (along with the preservative sodium benzoate) unfavorably influence the behaviour of kids. In the U.K. the same food products we have in the U.S. are coloured with different additives. For example, orange pop in the U.S. is made with Red 40 and Yellow 6. The same company uses pumpkin and carrot extract in the U.K. due to the regulations. Kellogg’s Nutrigrain bars are coloured with Red 40, Yellow 6 and Blue 1 in Spring 2011 l 26
to take him to Emergency so we loaded him up in his car seat and off we went. Courtney started asking me to check his breathing and color and when his hands felt cold to the touch told me to call 911. This was his instinct kicking in and he was also right. We met the ambulance on the highway and they rushed me and Harrison to emergency. I have never been as frightened as I was watching them poke him with needles with little or no response. I should tell you that three hours earlier he had been fine – alert, hungry and bright eyed. To make a very long story short, we spent four days in the pediatric ward of KGH. Every single day they would poke him full of needles, draw blood and at one point they even did a spinal tap and an ultrasound of his head. They catheterized him as well and throughout all of this, we never left his side. Every time they stuck him with a needle, he would clutch his tiny fist around my finger and stare at me while he screamed. It was heartbreaking watching this little 7 lb baby go through such torture. By the time they let us go home, with no answers as to why he had been so sick, his little hands and arms were black and blue with bruises from all the needles. Thankfully, he is a happy healthy boy today and we have never had a repeat of that but if my husband and I had not trusted our instincts that night, we wouldn’t be answering these questions today.
What I want most for my son...
Truly, the thing I want most for Harrison is to always feel loved, always feel wanted and secure. I want to see him succeed at whatever he decides to do (and right now I’m sure it would be along the lines of stuntman) and I want him to one day experience and understand how much being a parent changes you and defines you.
the U.S. In the U.K., the same product is coloured with beets and paprika extract.
Summary and Recommendations While a few food colour additives may not show direct evidence of causing health problems, many do. Further, food colour additives are unlikely to promote health and longevity (but hey, you never know). So – why bother consuming them at all? If you buy a processed food, check the ingredients. When you check the ingredients, if you see any of the following words, set it down and back away slowly: • Artificial colour • Green, orange, red, violet, blue, or yellow followed by a number • Caramel colour Many thanks to Ryan Andrews, B.A, M.A, Dietician for the majority of this article’s content. Dr. Shelby Entner. Okanagan Natural Medicine, www.oknaturalmedicine.com. www.okanaganchild.com
Resource Directory Attractions & Recreation Big White & Silver Star www.silverstar.com www.bigwhite.com City of Kelowna - Recreation www.kelowna.ca City of Kelowna, Recreation and Cultural Services offers programs and activities for individuals of all ages and abilities in neighbourhoods throughout Kelowna, including swimming, dance, karate, sports, Mom & Baby programs and more. Crystal Mountain Resort www.crystalresort.com Davison Orchards www.davisonorchards.ca 3111 Davison Rd. Open Daily May 1 - October 31st. Davison Orchards is a three generation farm which grows 70 acres of fresh produce, offers Orchard tours, and has many great activates for children including farm animals and the New “Crazy Cow Kids Corral” play area. Fresh baking, specialty foods, country gifts, & so much more! Kelowna Art Gallery www.kelownaartgallery.com
Visitors to Kelowna can explore provocative and varied exhibitions of art in the spacious facility located in the heart of Kelowna’s Cultural District. Serving the Central Okanagan Valley with a variety of exhibitions, the Gallery also offers a wide selection of public programs for all ages. We Teach Swimming Private Kelowna swim academy for all ages from cradle to career. www.weteachswimming.ca 250.470.7496 See ad on page 9. YMCA-YWCA of the Central Okanagan www.ymca-ywca.com The YMCA-YWCA is a trusted charity committed to building strong kids, strong families, and strong communities. The Y proudly operates the Kelowna Family Y, the H20 Adventure and Fitness Centre, 3 out of school care centres, a childcare and preschool, and the Y Career Contact Centre for Youth. Breastfeeding Clinics / Support La Leche League www.lllc.ca Kelowna, BC: First Wednesday of the Month, 7pm, 630 Cadder Avenue (The Parent Place)
Do you want to be the FEATURED PARENT? We love all parents:
New parents, seasoned ones, step-parents, single parents, parents of multiples, grandparents.
What it involves:
Share your experience in a conversational style written interview. Receive a mini photo shoot in Kelowna courtesy of Adrian Kids Photography
How to apply:
Send us an e-mail at info@okanaganchild.com and tell us a bit about yourself and why you’d like to be featured! www.okanaganchild.com
Check out local cuties on Page 30 in our
Snap Happy section!
Penticton, BC: Third Tuesday of the Month, 10am, Penticton Health Unit Vernon, BC: First Tuesday of the Month, 10am, Vernon Alliance Church, 2601 43rd Avenue
Childcare Resource & Referral
Rutland Health Centre Breastfeeding Centre 155 Gray Rd , Kelowna, BC 250.980.4822
Penticton Child Care Resource & Referral 330 Ellis St., Penticton, BC 250.492.2926
Child Care - preschools, daycares, nannies
Vernon Child Care Resource & Referral 3300- 37th Avenue, Vernon, BC 250.542.3121
Nannysitters www.nannysitters.ca Kelowna’s premier nanny and babysitter agency. Specializing in providing thoroughly-screened local childcare professionals. Nannysitters is fully licensed, bonded and insured. See ad on page 8. North Okanagan Childcare Society www.noccs.ca Okanagan Montessori www.okmontessori.com We provide a prepared environment where children are guided through activities by trained Montessori teachers. Children learn as they experiment with and actively participate in activities. See ad on page 12. Summerland Montessori School www.summerlandmontessori.com The Summerland Montessori School incorporates Montessori philosophy and current best teaching practices to create our unique school character.
Kelowna Child Care Resource & Referral 1890 Ambrosi Rd, Kelowna, BC 250.763.3536
Chiropractic Care Burtch Chiropractic, Dr. Wayne Terai 250.860.4518 229-1634 Harvey Avenue, Kelowna BC Dr. Wayne Terai is a Doctor of Chiropractic practicing in Kelowna for over 15 years, helping Okanagan families be well without the use of drugs and surgery. Diaper Service Booty Boutique www.bootyboutique.ca 1.888.594.5204 We offer eco-friendly diapering solutions for the modern family along with a Try Before you Buy program! See ad on page 5. Tidy Tushees Diaper Service info@tidytushees.ca www.tidytushees.ca We help families with all their natural parenting needs including cloth diapering. Whether you choose to let us do the dirty work for you, you need help troubleshooting your system or you are on the hunt for products, we are here Spring 2011 l 27
Resource Directory to help! Doulas Doula Services Association, BC 604.515.5588 www.bcdoulas.org Education 4CATS Art Studio In Kelowna; West Kelowna location opening soon! www.4cats.com Aberdeen Hall www.aberdeenhall.com Aberdeen Hall is an independent, nondenominational university preparatory school for boys and girls from preschool to senior grades. We offer a safe and balanced learning environment, individual attention and specialized instruction to enable your child’s to reach his or her full potential. CSF Schools www.csf.bc.ca The Couseil scolaire francophone de la C.-B. offers French language public education across the province. It has schools in Kelowna and Penticton and elsewhere in the province. See ad on page 7. Sylvan Learning Reading . Writing . Math School success is a phone call away! Kelowna 250.861.1255 Vernon 250.549.2443 www.sylvanbc.ca See ad on page 15. Employment Vitality Now www.vitalitynow.wisehomebiz.com We need enthusiastic people wanting to increase family income. Many of us earn $50,000 a year or more working part time from home. Training provided. Must be coachable and willing to learn. See ad page 9. Events Babies in Bloom Baby Fair April 2-3, 2011 the second annual okanagan baby fair will featured 30,000 square feet of baby bliss and bobs & lolo. www.babiesinbloom.net See ad on page 13. Fat Cat Children’s Festival www.fatcatfestival.ca June 11-12, 2011 See ad on page 21. Rotary International Children’s Festival
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May 26-28, 2011 www.okchildrensfest.org See ad on page 17. Fashion for Moms Arbonne International www.kgilkyson.myarbonne.ca gilkyson.karen@gmail.com Arbonne’s products are botanically based. Arbonne’s Baby Skin care is free of parabens, sls, mineral oil, dyes, fragrance and phthalates. It will make your baby very happy to have Arbonne!! Call for your complimentary ABC Baby Care sample today. See ad on page 8. Haute Mama www.hautemama.ca Haute Mama is the upscale boutique for pregnant women who love clothes. Visit our online shop at www.hautemama.ca to see our beautiful collections from around the world. Finances Canadian Scholarship Trust Plan, Beverly O’Reilly www.cst.org . 250.498.6234 beverly.o’reilly@cstresp.com We’re RESP Specialists. Our goal is to make sure your education savings are there when your child goes to school. A non-profit company, started in 1960, we are celebrating our 50th anniversary this year. Freedom 55 Financial To find out more about how we can provide permanent insurance and provide for your child’s future, give us a call today at 250.763.1114 Chantal Diaz: ext. 233 Daniel Bussiere: ext. 256 Health & Wellness Okanagan Natural Medicine www.oknaturalmedicine.com Dr. Shelby Entner and Dr. Chris Spooner offer natural family medicine, allergy testing, herbal medicine, nutrition, homeopathy, laser therapy, hormone health, prolotherapy, iv medicine and vitamin injections. See ad on page 10. Today I Ate A Rainbow www.todayiatearainbow.com Today I Ate a RainbowTM is a chart that makes eating a rainbow of healthy fruits and vegetables FUN for kids! This handson tool makes it easy for parents to set up healthy eating habits. See ad on page 23.
Lawyers Gordon and Company 102 - 1433 St. Paul Street, Kelowna, BC 250.860.9997 With over 30 years of professional experience, Gordon and Company offer an extensive range of serices including all types of litigation, family law, wills/estate disputes and personal injury. See ad on page 29. Midwives Midwives Asscoation of BC 604.736.5976 www.bcmidwives.com Music Music for Young Children www.myc.com Celebrating its 30th anniversary, Music for Young Children has been among the world’s leading music-learning systems. The hour-long classes include rhythm ensembles, singing, ear-training, sight-reading, note-reading, theory and composing techniques. OnLine Parenting Sites Kelowna New Parent www.kelownanewparent.com Kelowna New Parent is Kelowna’s best resource for all things baby! Check out information on activities, play groups, dining, daycares and much more. Mother of a Deal Deal hunting made easy! www.motherofadeal.com True Cuddles Each week we bring you one baby or toddler product, in limited quantity, at up to 75% off retail! www.truecuddles.ca See ad on page 4. Yoyomama Stay in the know about fabulous products and services, plus great event details for the lower mainland. www.yoyomama.ca See ad on page 11. Parent & Tot Storytimes The Okanagan Regional Library www.orl.bc.ca The ORL is your most economical, sustainable and relevant source for information and entertainment in the BC Southern Interior. Visit us at one of our 29 branches or at www.orl.bc.ca See ad on page 11. Party & Event Services Par-T-Perfect
www.par-t-perfect.com Your complete Children’s PARTY & EVENT Service! Whether it’s a birthday for 8, a corporate gathering or festival for thousands...if kids are involved, let us do it for you! See ad on page 21. Photography & Portraits Adrian Kids Photography www.adriankidsphotography.ca info@adriankidsphotography.ca Kelowna photographers Jon + Jenny bring their fresh and creative style to kids portrait sessions. Visit them online or give them a call to book your kids session. See ad on inside front cover. Aviva Photo Studios www.avivaphotostudios.com We are Mike & Elizabeth Soergel and together we are Aviva Studios. We’re passionate about what we do and we believe that the experience is just as important as the images themselves. Rhea Taylor Photography www.rheataylorphotography.com Children and Family Portrait Photographer. Capture your precious smiles and love with Rhea Taylor Photography. Public Health Services/Nurses Kelowna Health Unit 1340 Ellis Street 250.868.7700 Penticton Health Unit 740 Carmi Avenue 250.770.3434 Rutland Health Unit 155 Gray Road 250.980.4825 Summerland Health Unit 12815 Atkinson Road 250.404.8050 West Kelowna Health Unit 160 – 2300 Carrington Road 250.980.5150 Vernon Health Unit 1440 – 14th Avenue 250.549.5700 Retail Angel Babies Kids Shoppe 375 Main St., Penticton, BC 250.493.8823 Calling mamas-to-be, parents and grandparents! With a great mix of consignment (maternity & kids) and new clothing, products & gear, Angel Babies is a must visit for young families. See ad on page 24. www.okanaganchild.com
Baby & Me www.babyandme.ca 1969 Harvey Ave., Kelowna, BC (across from London Drugs) 250.717.0556 I like to call it “4000sf of the best stuff for baby and mom.” The owners, Don & Nicole, handpick each and every item for its safety, value, style, and parent-tested practicality. The knowledageble staff is available to help guide parents in the right direction. Free gift wrap and gift registry. See ad opposite inside front cover and on back cover. Bitsy Bird www.bitsybird.com Bitsy Bird creates beautiful gifts that are sure to impress at any baby shower.Our themed diaper cakes, washcloth cupcakes and tutus make memorable gifts that are charming and practical. See ad on page 5. Bo Peep Boutique www.bo-peep.ca Bo Peep Boutique stocks fashioable and great quality clothes for children aged 0 -13. They also carry lots of fun toys, books and accessories for moms and babies. Buddies Kids Boutique www.buddieskidsboutique.com buddieskids@gmail.com Children’s boutique offering clothing, shoes and special gifts from 0-10. Buddies has been a unique place to shop for children since 2003. See ad on inside front cover. Chicken Little 4407 - 29th Street, Vernon BC www.chickenlittle.ca Chicken Little is a great place to shop for your kids, grandkids, family and friends. For shopping 24 hrs/day, visit us online at www.chickenlittle.ca See ad on page 19. Felt Fantasia www.feltfantasia.com Felt Fantasia provides creative wall designs for children’s rooms. These fun decorations will tell any story on a lucky kid’s wall. Shop online at www. feltfantasia.com Lalabee Bathworks www.lalabeebathworks.com Organic skincare for Mommy and Baby. Lalabee Mommy covers the three stages of pregnancy all organically! Our organic Bottom Balm is a fantastic cream that really works on diaper rash.
www.okanaganchild.com
Little Baby Hugz Mom and Baby Necessities! www.littlebabyhugz.ca 250.963.9214 info@littlebabyhugz.ca See ad on page 23. Mountain Baby www.mountainbaby.com Serving young children and families for over 15 years, we offer outstanding products that encourage families to be fit, to be in nature, and to be together in every season. See ad on page 10.
JOSEPH R. GORDON B.A., LL.B
FRANCES JOY BULLICK
B.S.W., B.JURIS., LL.B, LL.M.
Barristers, Solicitors, Notaries Public
OVER 30 YEARS OF PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE • ALL TYPES OF LITIGATION • CRIMINAL DEFENCE
My Lil Package www.mylilpackage.com A unique selection of hard to find products for mom, dad and baby. See ad on page 9. Natural Belly and Baby 1331 Ellis St., Kelowna, BC 250.860.0307 . 1.866.763.7214 www.naturalbellyandbaby.com Offers customers a unique opportunity to select from not only the latest and most highly respected brands for moms and babies, but also introduces many yet unknown locally produced products destined to be appreciated. See ad on page 7. Raspberry Kids www.raspberrykids.com Raspberry Kids is an online lifestyle store that features fresh, healthy & fun products for the little ones in your life. We cater to savvy expectant parents, moms, dads and gift givers. See ad on inside front cover. The Shrunks Inflatable, portable toddler beds and much more! www.theshrunks.com Usborne Books - Karen McGrath karen.mcgrath@shaw.ca www.usborne.ca/titles Guaranteed to be your children’s favorite books! Interactive, award-winning titles including fiction, art, science, puzzle and flap books! Host a home show or become a consultant today! Sleep Sleep Sense www.sleeptsense.net/kelowna Give you and your family the gift of a good night’s sleep with the Okanagan’s only licensed & local Sleep SenseTM Consultant. Call Pam at 250.575.6988 or visit www.sleepsense.net/kelowna See ad on page 14.
• FAMILY LAW • PERSONAL INJURY • REAL ESTATE DISPUTES • TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS & TICKETS
W
WILLS & ESTATE DISPUTES hen the Virtual School Society• (VSS) launched its “Cyber Safe with Steve Dotto” initiative targeting parents, it believed that the best way to combat internet danger was to find a way to get stuT. 250.860.9997 dents, teachers, parents and the community all working together. It seems to have found a great champion for a significant part of the F. 250.860.9937 student-focused component in Vernon Secondary School’s media and social studiesSt. teacher, Sawka. 102 - 1433 PaulMike Street, Kelowna BC V1Y 2E4 Support Services Aboriginal Infant Development Program 442 Leon Ave , Kelowna, BC 250.763.4905 ACHIEVE BC Toll Free: 1.800.514.0554 Website: www.AchieveBC.ca Advice on prenatal care, nutrition and developmental guides. Parenting tips and information on stimulating your child’s mind and body through reading and play. Learn more about the services offered through the Government of British Columbia by calling the toll free number or visiting the website. Association for the Benefit of Children with Disabilities 250.763.4663 BC 24- HOUR Nurse Line Call: 8-1-1 Website: www.bchealthguide.com BC Nurseline gives you 24 hour, 7 day toll-free access to registered nursed specially trained to provide confidential help on the telephone. Available to answer medical enquiries free of charge - carecard required
BC Council for Families 204-2590 Granville St , Vancouver, BC 1.800.663.5638 The BC Council for Families works to help create healthy families in a healthy society. Our goal is to empower families. We provide educational resources on topics such as parenting, childhood development, parent-teen relationships, work-life balance, suicide awareness and more. BC Lions Society for Children with Disabilities 250.763.0899 Big Brothers and Sisters - Okanagan 151 Commercial Dr , Kelowna, BC www.bigs.bc.ca Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Okanagan provides children and youth ages 7 - 12 (‘Littles’) with volunteer adult mentors (‘Bigs’) who provide a positive influence in their lives.
Watch for ourWelcome nextWagon issue...
1.866.856.8442 www.welcomewagon.ca It’s time to call your Welcome Wagon representative. She will bring new congratulations and gifts for the new baby and family. See ad page 21.
Spring 2011
arriving this February
Spring 2011 l 29
Snap Happy
Share . . . Smile
TS! SHARE YOUR SHO s to Upload your picture at our photo gallery d.com www.okanaganc hil nu under the ‘Kids’ me e in and we’ll share som every print issue!
OR...
post your photos on our facebook wall! www.facebook.com/OkanaganChild
Spring 2011 l 30
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Today I Ate A Rainbow Goes to Hollywood!
K
ia Robertson is a Kelowna-based mom who is the creator of Today I Ate A Rainbow. Her charts which help make eating fruits and veggies fun have become so popular she recently received the honor of an invitation to the pre-Golden Globes Boom Boom Room. Kia kindly offered to share her thoughts on what it was like to hang out with famous folks...
My favorite thing about getting the opportunity to talk to celebrity parents was that I found out that they are just like the rest of us...they want their kids to eat healthy and be happy! They were so interested in our rainbow kit because they found the concept so helpful. It was exciting to see their response to the kit...we’ve even heard back from a couple of them already saying how much their kids are enjoying their rainbow kit!
Jewel was there which was a great surprise! For someone of her celebrity status, I was surprised at how quite and demure she was, she almost seemed shy and maybe a bit overwhelmed at all the crazy attention she was getting.
Nancy O’Dell: VERY nice, had her hubby and daughter Ashby with her. She loved our Today I Ate A Rainbow kit!! Hannah was giving out rainbow ribbon wands to the kids and she and Ashby had fun playing with them together. Nancy looked gorgeous, very fit body, and she seemed to be having a lot of fun at the event with her daughter.
Constance Marie: What an amazingly nice celeb!!! And her face is seriously gorgeous...she looks amazing up close and in person.
Hannah gave her the rainbow speech and she loved the idea and the fact that a seven year old was telling her about it! She was giving Hannah pointers on getting the right lighting on their faces for their pic together. So awesome!
James Van Der Beek: He was hilarious; the event space had three rooms and from what I saw he mostly just stayed in the middle of the room with the sleeping baby in her buggy and his wife went around and got all the gifts! She is a tiny red head who looked like a cute little pixie or fairy! I’ve never seen pics of her before. We decided to go talk to him; he was gracious (and thought it was funny that we are big fans of his Funny Or Die videos!
Rhea Wahlberg: Absolutely stunning!!!! She was there with her kids (4). Hannah gave them all rainbow ribbons and once again was the one to chat about our rainbow kits with Rhea. Rhea hardly wore any makeup and still looked gorgeous (not fair!). We watched her the next night on tv at the Golden Globes with her hubby Mark Wahlberg and Hannah was so excited to see her on there! She doesn’t look like she’s had 4 kids at all...she doesn’t even look like she’s had 1 kid for that matter! She was very nice and her kids were cute!
Nicole Sullivan: I am a big fan of hers...I think she’s hilarious! She came with her two little boys who were super cute. She was RE-
ALLY sweet and loved the idea of our kit. She spent a long time chatting with us which was really nice because there were so many other tables to get to at this event!
Teaching Excellence
More Brands, Better Selection, The Best Service
Gift Registry doesn’t have to be hard. Our Product Experts will walk through our 4000sf store, answering all your questions and making sure you register for the products that are right for you.
Registries by appointment or walk-ins welcome Mention this ad for a Free Gift *when you register ($49 value)
Across from London Drugs 1969 Harvey Avenue Kelowna, BC 250-717-0556
www.babyandme.ca