A Mililtary Family’s Dinner Plan. Sarah Smiley on whereparentstalk.com

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Mon May 06 23:27:22 PDT 2013

Lianne Castelino of whereparentstalk.com speaks to Sarah Smiley, mother of three and author of the book, ‘Dinner with the Smileys’.  Upon learning of her husband’s deployment to Africa for a year, Smiley and her sons decided to invite a guest once a week to dinner, to   compensate for the loneliness of not having Dustin Smiley at the dinner table.  The unique idea led to the family having a range of guests at their dinner table from teachers and musicians to Olympic gold medallists.  The sense of community and shared experiences the family enjoyed are chronicled in the book, released May 2013.

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U.S. Panel Recommends Depression Screening for Expectant and Postpartum Women

by Cara Scholl @ Where Parents Talk

Wed Jan 27 11:51:06 PST 2016

Pregnant and postpartum populations should be screened for signs of depression, according to a study by an influential U.S. panel. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) updated its 2009 findings on depression screening for adults to include, for the first time, expectant and postnatal women. The panel also recommended treatment and follow-up plans post-delivery. “The Community Preventive Services Task Force recommends collaborative care for the management of depressive disorders based on strong evidence of effectiveness in improving depression symptoms, adherence to treatment, response to treatment, and remission and recovery from depression” read the report published in The Journal of the American Medical Association in reference to the study’s findings of all adults. “This collaboration is designed to improve the routine screening and diagnosis of depressive disorders, as well as the management of diagnosed depression.” The study recommends Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) as a form of treatment for pregnant or breastfeeding women because of the potential harms to a fetus or newborn from certain pharmaceutical drugs. According to the findings, the risk of harms associated with CBT treatment in postpartum and pregnant women is “small to none.” Other medical associations, including The American Academy of Pediatrics and The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend depression screening at least once during the perinatal period. RELATED LINKS: Part 1: Understanding Postpartum Depression Part 2: A Snapshot into Life with Postpartum Depression

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Triple Lemon Cupcakes

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Tue Mar 31 20:05:09 PDT 2015

Triple Lemon Cupcakes – We admit it! These super lemon-y, moist cupcakes aren’t really for the kids – enjoy! – Plain Organic Yogurt, Sugar, Egg, Canola Oil, Lemon Zest, Pure Vanilla Extract, Unbleached Flour, Baking Powder, Salt, Sugar (Icing sugar), Lemon Juice (freshly squeezed), Sugar, – In a large bowl whisk the eggs, sugar, yogurt, lemon zest, oil and vanilla. In a separate bowl combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Combine the 2 mixtures and scrape into 12 greased and floured muffin tins. Bake at 350 for 15-18 minutes until a tester comes out clean. Allow cupcakes to cool in pan for 10 minutes. Make the glaze: combine the 1/4 cup lemon juice and 1/4 cup sugar in a saucepan. Stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Take cupcakes out of tins, poke a few holes in each with bamboo skewer and spoon glaze over top. make the icing: combine the icing sugar with 2-3 tbsp lemon juice and spread on top of each cupcake. Triple Lemon Cupcakes We admit it! These super lemon-y, moist cupcakes aren't really for the kids - enjoy! Servings Prep Time 12cupcakes 20minutes Cook Time 15-20 minutes Servings Prep Time 12cupcakes 20minutes Cook Time 15-20 minutes Ingredients 1cup Plain Organic Yogurt 1cup Sugar 3 Egg 1/2cup Canola Oil 2 Lemon Zest 1/2tsp Pure Vanilla Extract 1 1/2cup Unbleached Flour 2tsp Baking Powder 1/2tsp Salt 3/4cup SugarIcing sugar 7tbsp Lemon Juicefreshly squeezed 1/4cup Sugar Recipe Notes In a large bowl whisk the eggs, sugar, yogurt, lemon zest, oil and vanilla. In a separate bowl combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Combine the 2 mixtures and scrape into 12 greased and floured muffin tins. Bake at 350 for 15-18 minutes until a tester comes out clean. Allow cupcakes to cool in pan for 10 minutes. Make the glaze: combine the 1/4 cup lemon juice and 1/4 cup sugar in a saucepan. Stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Take cupcakes out of tins, poke a few holes in each with bamboo skewer and spoon glaze over top. make the icing: combine the icing sugar with 2-3 tbsp lemon juice and spread on top of each cupcake.

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No App for That! A Parent’s Guide to Explaining Simpler Times

by Cara Scholl @ Where Parents Talk

Tue Feb 09 08:26:24 PST 2016

From online shopping to on-demand video, our lifestyles have evolved drastically over the last couple decades from simple pleasures to instant gratification and handheld convenience. As a new mom, I often find myself wondering how I’ll ever explain life pre-iPhone to my children; it sounds borderline unconscionable even as I type! I rely on technology as much as the next person, but I’m still nostalgic for a simpler time before social media governed our lives and things weren’t handed to us on a smartphone silver platter. Below are just some examples of the bygone era we adults once enjoyed, I wish you luck as you try and describe them to your kids! Libraries Who remembers the Dewey Decimal System? If you answered yes – congratulations! You’re old. Believe it or not, kids, there was a time when ‘Googling It’ wasn’t an option and these ancient edifices known as Libraries housed all the available research on a particular subject. Mind-blowing, I know! Video Rental Just for the fun of it, try explaining to your child how you once left the comfort of your couch to rent a movie, only to realize that your first choice was out of stock and you had to settle for second best. Report back on their dumbfounded look as they come to terms with a world before Netflix. Home Phones “What do you mean there was only one phone line for the entire house and everyone shared it?” I can practically hear the horror in your teenager’s voice as you explain this wildly outrageous concept. Snail Mail Back in the day, people used actual paper to send notes back and forth in a process that also involved walking to a mailbox. Mail that was sent it off on a Wednesday usually arrived circa the following Friday. Your kids are probably Snapchatting their friends right now about how prehistoric and strange you are. Milk Delivery They’ll flip out when they hear there was such a thing as home delivery by someone other than Amazon.com! Cameras Once upon a time, there was completely separate device used to take photos that you couldn’t also use to call your best friend and play Angry Birds. Inside this gadget was something called film, a sheet of plastic with a finite number of images that had to be developed and printed in a process that took about a week; is their mind blown yet? Wait until they find out there was no Instagram! For all the conveniences of technology, I’m grateful to have been raised in an era before anyone uttered the phrase “there’s an app for that.” I maintain there’s nothing more gratifying than getting a piece of handwritten mail and no replacement for a photo you can put in a frame. We can’t stop the world from moving forward, but every so often we can take a (humorous) look back on what once was and bring our kids in on the far-fetched tale of a much simpler time. RELATED LINKS:

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Avoiding Unwanted Travelling Guests

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Wed Mar 13 04:04:27 PDT 2013

Dawn Mucci, CEO Lice Squad Canada Head lice have three peak seasons, the March Break being one of them.  With many people traveling, children going into other care settings or just enjoying time with family and friends, head lice can become an unwanted guest during your holiday.  If you want to avoid getting head lice in your family while travelling there are some easy things that you can do.  The following steps will help. Educate your kids first.  After all they are the ones who are most likely to get head lice.  Kids gathering in large numbers pose a higher risk for lice transmission.  Show them what head lice look like, how they can get it and what to do if they think they have it. The most important thing you need to know about preventing head lice during travel is to avoid head to head or hair to item contact.  Try to keep your hair up and away from others.  Never share hats, combs, towels, and other hair items.  Keep in mind that you may also get head lice from car seats, bus, plane and train head rest.  Check them first before you rest your head down.  There are products on the market and sprays that will leave a scent on the hair or surface but these are not 100% effective.  They do help but must not be completely relied on. Regular head lice checks are very important because if you catch lice early they are easier to get rid of.  Take a peak once a week.  It helps to avoid a sever infestation down the road that may spread to others.  It makes common sense if you have kids in the home to build a regular head check into your family’s weekly hygiene practice.  Key times to check your children are before going back into school or daycare after any major school break or trip away. Check-A-Head and avoid the spread. Finally, don’t be afraid to report head lice if you have a case of it in your family. Tell the school, camp, day care or other families that you have been in contact with so that they too can check and treat if necessary.  If you don’t do this the lice may continue to go around and around, and eventually you may get it back once you have done all of the hard work to dealt with it. For more information check out The Facts of Lice or get a Free Head Lice Help Kit at www.licesquad.com or email help@licesquad.com Video extra:  How to detect and get rid of lice

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When Your Kids Make You Proud

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Mon Sep 22 17:20:09 PDT 2014

Deborah Lowther It is important to me to raise active kids and I do more than lead by example. It is my goal to see them happy and active and enjoy all the benefits being active affords them well into their adult lives.  They do not participate at a competitive level in anything, but they do a bit of everything – my kids ski, skate, dance, gymnastics, play soccer, make the school volleyball team, take swim lessons, and bike everywhere they can – and they run.  Our family has been running races together – for fun – for about 5 years and theough this my kids have learned the value of setting goals, practicing a bit, and challenging themselves to run a bit faster or a bit longer at their next race. They continue to surprise me. I may practice with them and teach them what I know about running distance, but the love of the challenge and achieving the goals is all theirs.  They each have a growing collection of finish line medals and are so incredibly proud of themselves every time they run a familiar distance in a faster time than the race before.  Especially after today. Today all 3 of my kids – age 8, 10, 12 – were excited to run a race they have watched me do every September.  The Island Girl Half Marathon on Toronto Island is one of my favorites and my husband and kids come to cheer me on – it is a family affair even if only one of us is running. This year they were determined to run the Island Girl 5km run while I ran the half marathon. But the forecast was rain. We weren’t going to drive to the Toronto Island ferry if it was raining but we did – thinking the rain would stop. And it did – for a few minutes just before the race started.  But as the racers gathered at the starting line the rain came down hard. When the gun went off to start the race, the skies opened and it RAINED HARDER. My 3 kids took off. IN THE RAIN. The POURING RAIN. On their own. No one to pace them or make sure they got water. We usually run events as a family with my husband and I splitting the run – one of us stays with the faster kid and one with the slower kid while the middle runner is on her own knowing we are in front and back.  Today they were on their own and it was raining. I asked them at the start line if they were sure they wanted to run – they didn’t have to. Rain is not that enjoyable to run in; soggy socks, rain in your face and dripping off the brim of your hat. But they wanted to run. I imagined the youngest sad after 2km of being alone and cold in the rain, I was certain my 10 year old would be afraid of the impending thunder (not her favourite) and I thought perhaps

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Momsense: Baby massages can help your infant digest and sleep

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Mon Oct 15 05:38:31 PDT 2012

Andrea Howick & Lianne Castelino The art of massage isn’t just for injured athletes or stress-filled office workers.  Babies can benefit too. It seems like an oxymoron … infant massage. How could these creatures – swaddled, nurtured, shielded from the cruelties of the world in every way – possibly be in need of massages?We adults use massage to melt away the stresses of the day – meeting deadlines, paying bills, juggling all facets of our busy lives. Or to deeply penetrate and relieve taxed muscles, from elite athletes to weekend warriors.But babies? It may seem surprising, but an infant’s developing nervous system can benefit greatly from a skilled massage as he learns to cope with our big, cold and noisy world.As any new parent will tell you, an infant’s life is far from peaceful. There are the digestive pains. The inability to soothe oneself to sleep. Learning to breastfeed. Even teething pains eventually. The general benefits of baby massage comprise four main areas: relief from pain and minor upsets; interaction with parents and the environment, thus supporting bonding and attachment; relaxation for deeper and longer sleep; stimulation, especially for the nervous system, to grow and manage itself. Jill Vyse has been working with families and their babies since 1991 at her Ottawa studio (infantmassage.ca). She has found two major reasons why parents should give infant massage a try: to aid digestion and sleep. “Serious gas, constipation, colic and improved sleep are the reasons I hear again and again,” says Jill. With regard to digestion, massage stimulates a particular nerve to release a digestive hormone. This in turn improves baby’s digestion and makes bowel movements easier. As for improving sleep, as with adults, massage helps baby relax. The strokes that parents learn in baby massage classes stimulate the infant’s central nervous system in a way that enables the baby to self-calm more easily. Baby massage differs from adult massage in that parents do massage with the baby and not to the baby. As you will notice at a baby massage class, your baby is on her back, so there is eye contact and communication between you and your child. “It’s so rewarding to start to learn your baby’s cues in such a fun way,” says Jill. As moms who have tried baby massage, we can tell you, as with most things that benefit your baby, you’ll soon feel much better as well. Tips for massaging your baby Follow your baby’s cues. She has a large vocabulary in her body language and in the sounds she makes. Talk to your baby. Communicating through words, and the tone of your voice develops your baby’s listening skills. And, of course, smile! Stay encouraged. Even when your baby is not “attuned to interact and massage” at this particular time, try again later that day, or another day. Create the right atmosphere. You need a warm area and a calm surrounding. Have a baby-friendly oil at hand. Ask permission. Making small circles around the head or

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Macaroni & Cheese

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Sat Apr 04 23:30:45 PDT 2015

Macaroni & Cheese – – Oil, Whole Wheat Flour, Milk, Chicken Stock (chicken or vegetable stock), Cheddar Cheese (grated cheese such as mild cheddar), Macaroni (cooked pasta (elbow macaroni, alphabet pasta)), – Heat oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add flour and cook 2 minutes. Gradually pour in milk and stock, and simmer until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes. (You may have to remove from heat.) Gently stir in grated cheese. Pour sauce over the cooked pasta. Macaroni & Cheese Servings Prep Time 4-6servings 10minutes Cook Time 10minutes Servings Prep Time 4-6servings 10minutes Cook Time 10minutes Ingredients 2tbsp Oil 2tbsp Whole Wheat Flour 1/2cup Milk 1/2cup Chicken Stockchicken or vegetable stock 1cup Cheddar Cheesegrated cheese such as mild cheddar 2cup Macaronicooked pasta (elbow macaroni, alphabet pasta) Recipe Notes Heat oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add flour and cook 2 minutes. Gradually pour in milk and stock, and simmer until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes. (You may have to remove from heat.) Gently stir in grated cheese. Pour sauce over the cooked pasta.

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How the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) disability benefit can help you

by Akiva Medjuck @ Where Parents Talk

Thu Oct 08 16:54:39 PDT 2015

If you are a disabled person in Canada, there are many resources available to you at both the provincial and the federal level. If you suddenly find yourself unable to work due to a long-term or permanent disability, you could be eligible to access the pension you have been paying into throughout your working life. If you have been employed, your CPP contributions have been deducted from your paycheques. If you are self-employed, your contribution is included in the taxes you pay – either way, it’s based on your income, so the longer you’ve been in the work force, the higher it’s going to be. The basic federal disability benefit is $453.52, and is a fixed amount for all recipients. Your CPP contributions are what will make up the difference in what they will pay you. The total amount you will receive will be somewhere between the minimum of $841.95 and a maximum of $1212.90. If the disabled applicant has a dependent child, the child may be eligible to receive an additional monthly amount of $228.66. Apply for the CPP disability benefit as soon as you know that a disability is of issue. The date your application is received will be the date your benefits are prorated to, so it is definitely advantageous to apply as soon as possible. The requirements state that you must be under sixty-five years of age, and you must meet the definition of a ‘severe and prolonged’ or terminal medical condition. Conditions that would apply under these circumstances are: Late stage cancers Cancer that has a terminal prognosis Severe head injuries Any mental or physical disabilities that prevent you from working in any significant capacity In defining ‘prolonged’, at least for the purposes of this program, it will be determined that the disability is expected to last indefinitely, or for an extended period of not less than one year, or is likely to result in the eventual death of the applicant. Your doctor must complete the medical portion of the application, which will be assessed by the program’s adjudicators, who will consider several factors when reviewing your condition. These factors include: The nature of your medical condition as well as the severity The impact of your condition on your ability to work The impact of treatment on your ability to work Your long-term prognosis Age, work history, education and other personal details that may be a factor Your income, productivity and your overall work performance The adjudicators are qualified health care professionals, including nurses who have extensive knowledge in CPP legislation, and are supported by physicians and specialists who provide expert advice on complex medical issues. Some other things to note about the CPP Disability benefit program: You may still be eligible to receive benefits even if you are already receiving disability benefits from another source, insurance or otherwise. The amount may be adjusted for this reason, but it does not disqualify you You must be under the age of 65 and not yet receiving

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A Take-away on World Autism Awareness Day

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Tue Apr 02 03:55:08 PDT 2013

by Lianne Castelino www.whereparentstalk.com Just over six months ago, the Canadian government passed a Bill to officially recognize today, April 2, as World Autism Awareness Day in Canada.  In 2007, the United Nationsl General Assembly made a similar declaration. So if you see buildings lit up in blue or symbols like a puzzle piece prominently displayed today, you will know why. People from all walks of life are joining forces today to open minds and hearts. To create a greater understanding of a condition that new statistics show will affect 1 in 50 children.   Hollywood celebrities, professional athletes, politicians and people you don't know, your next door neighbour and millions of others around the world are among those affected by autism.   While the debate rages on about causes of this condition, and as scientists and research groups work feverishly to pinpoint an accurate reason why — millions of parents, families and children soldier on. I was privileged to get a raw glimpse into the life of a family coping with autism recently during an interview with Bruce McIntosh, a father of an autistic 13-year-old boy.  What a typical day is like, what support he and his wife and daughter require, how intelligent and witty his son Cliff is, the personal, financial, emotional and social burdens that the family has had to persevere through while seeking support, how they are desperately trying to have a crisis centre developed for families like them, and how they hope and pray the government listens to their pleas. It is a sobering, heart-wrenching account of what it is like to live with autism. There are many things I hope for today and every day on this subject, but one in particular:  that at the same time that World Autism Awareness Day increases understanding, that it first and foremost crush judgement. Judging a child who may not be communicative.  Judging a parent of a child who may not be communicative.  How dare we.           Listen to their stories, read about their lives, lend a hand of support, open your mind to understanding their reality.  Dispel the myths and rumours, crush your need to judge when you haven't walked in their shoes. These families have strength beyond most of our understanding. They are advocates for their children.  They need all our support. Period. VIDEO:Coping with Autism – A Dad's Journey, Part 1Coping with Autism – A Dad's Journey, Part 2

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If You Eat Healthy, Does Your Family Need To Take a Multi Vitamin?

by Deb Lowther @ Where Parents Talk

Fri Apr 19 11:22:12 PDT 2013

There is no question that the best source from which to get your vitamins and minerals is by eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, dairy, grains, protein and omega 3 rich fish.  The fact is many families are on the go and busy and quite often the side of vegetables is not served at the drive thru and the only fruit you may get your kids to eat is a glass of orange juice. Whether or not to take a multivitamin, or any vitamin, depends on a number of factors.  If you eat a well balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, fatty fish, dairy, eggs, grains and meat and alternatives then it is likely you don’t need an additional source of vitamins. If you are lactose intolerant, your kids are picky eaters, there are food allergies in your family or you are eating on the run more nights than you are sitting at the kitchen table, then there may be health benefits to taking vitamins. Key Vitamins This list shows the key nutrients that should be a part of your families diet to maintain optimal health.  If you know you are not getting these vitamins on a regular basis, then looking for a multivitamin that includes this alphabet on its ingredient list may be a good option for your family. Vitamin A for eyes, skin and immune system found in mango, sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach, and grapefruit. Vitamin B for energy and creating red blood cells found in peas, spinach, sweet potatoes, avocado, bananas and mango. Vitamin C for growth and tissue repair and stronger immune system from oranges, red peppers, broccoli, grapefruit and strawberries. Vitamin D for strong bones, teeth as well as nerves, muscle and immune systems found in eggs, dairy, chicken, beef and fortified juice and cereals. Vitamin E is an antioxidant important to boost your immune system and fight viruses and is found in spinach, blackberries, kiwi and raspberries. Omega 3s –  Protect against heart disease, reduces symptoms of hypertension, depression, attention deficit disorder (ADHD), dementia, joint pain and boosts immune system.  Found in fatty fish such as mackerel, sardines, salmon and in some fortified eggs and juice. Fiber – in addition to preventing constipation it helps lower blood cholesterol, controls blood sugar levels and may also help prevent and treat a variety of diseases and conditions, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity. Good amounts of fibre is found in peas, apples, pears, grains, barely, and beans. If you have healthy fruit and vegetable eaters but they don’t like fish, then perhaps just an Omega 3 supplement is what is right for your family.   Talk to your family doctor to determine if you or your kids need to take a multi vitamin.  They will review your typical weekly meal plan to determine what nutrients may be lacking and then look to increase those foods in your diet, or consider a supplement. Remember, it’s the nutrients we need and not artificial colouring, flavours or sweeteners. Read the label carefully for the medicinal and non-medicinal ingredients and choose one that is

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Study: Parents Use Facebook More than Non-Parents

by Cara Scholl @ Where Parents Talk

Thu Jan 21 05:51:37 PST 2016

Parents access Facebook on their mobile devices 1.3 times more often than their childless counterparts, according to a recent multinational study. Facebook IQ, the social network’s consumer research arm, surveyed more than 8000 parents aged 25 to 65 across eight international markets to gather its findings. “Having a child changes everything, including parents’ relationship with their mobile phone,” wrote Facebook IQ in an online post. “Moms’ and dads’ mobile phones have become their lifeline to managing schedules, keeping tabs on teens and sharing their kids’ key milestones.” The research also found that parents are using Facebook mobile to become better consumers, leveraging the site to gather opinions and reviews before making new purchases. That trend is particularly true for parents aged 18-34 who, according the study, are 30% more likely than older parents to consult their mobile devices before buying something new. “With their attachment to mobile and to technology in general, parents today have greater access to more information and opinions on everything from breastfeeding to education, allowing them to validate, reinforce or question their perspectives and actions,” the post reads, adding that 83% of those surveyed said they have greater access to information than their parents did. The study also reveals that as parents become increasingly informed, so do their kids. More than half of those surveyed say their children have more influence on household purchases than they did growing up.

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Maturity Matters When Explaining Tragedy to Kids

by Cara Scholl @ Where Parents Talk

Tue Jun 14 05:34:27 PDT 2016

By: Cara Scholl Developmental maturity matters more than age when deciding how to explain tragic world events to children says a leading child psychiatrist. According to Dr. Gail Beck, Director of Youth Outpatient Psychiatry at The Royal in Ottawa, parents should tailor their approach to their child’s unique cognitive needs understanding that coping mechanisms differ from one child to the next, even within the same family. “You can have some 10 year-olds who can understand more than some 14 year-olds and that’s not unusual or even abnormal,” Beck says. “The rule of thumb is that the parent has to be prepared to answer whatever questions a child brings to them and be prepared to have to explain that.” Beck says children who are at a stage of development where they take thing very literally are particularly vulnerable to upsetting news because they might conclude that an incident – like the recent mass shooting in Orlando – is imminent in their own life. Sunday’s shooting rampage in Central Florida claimed the lives of nearly 50 LGBT club goers when a lone gunman – apparently motivated by extremist ideology – fired into the crowd.  The massacre is classified as the deadliest shooting on U.S. soil and the country’s second deadliest attack since 9/11. One of the bright spots to emerge in the aftermath of the tragedy has been the outpouring of support  both locally and from LGBT and non-LGBT communities worldwide.  On Monday, Orlando’s OneBlood blood bank tweeted that the response has been “incredible” adding the center is booking donation appointments two-weeks out. We are asking all donors to make an appt. Please be aware we are booking up to 2 weeks out. https://t.co/4bf6aA1lMS pic.twitter.com/DzzfWaDwjq — OneBlood (@my1blood) June 13, 2016 Beck says emphasizing positive actions or storylines – like the lineup of blood donors in Orlando or the scenes of thousands who gathered in vigils around the world – is another effective strategy in helping children cope with distressing news. “Those positive outreaches, those offers to help, they show us that in every terrible thing that happens there are people who are good and there is still good in the world.”

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Kids and Vegetables / The Importance of Play / Kids and Headaches

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Mon May 04 19:36:24 PDT 2015

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When a Bully Runs for President

by Cara Scholl @ Where Parents Talk

Tue Feb 16 08:14:47 PST 2016

Watching American politics has become a spectator sport of late. Billionaire real estate mogul and wannabe ruler-of-the-free-world Donald Trump makes the presidential race virtually impossible to ignore with his provocative proposals to ‘Make America Great Again.” But it’s not his platform or policy ideas that have garnered all the attention over the last eight months; Trump’s behaviour – both online and on the stump – has grabbed its fair share of headlines too. He repeatedly belittles his fellow candidates, often denigrating them as “losers” and “liars” if they dare challenge him. His most consistent target of the race has been Jeb Bush, who Trump often mocks as being “low energy” on the campaign trail. Trump’s wrath, while largely directed at his opponents, isn’t limited to politicians. Media personalities and Hollywood types have also been dragged into the mud as the subject of Trump’s now infamous and incoherent Twitter rants. He’s elevated the 140-character insult to an art form, targeting anyone who isn’t a sycophant or supporter of his brash and impetuous style. Trump’s boorish behavior could be dismissed as a sideshow if he wasn’t currently on track to win the Republican nomination for President of the United States – AKA leader of the free world, AKA most powerful person on the planet. What does it say to our kids when a man of his stature, demeans his way to the top? How do we tell them that bullying gets you nowhere when the U.S. is poised to elect a master intimidator to the nation’s highest office? Regardless of their political stripe, democratic heads-of-state should represent a certain set of ideals to the electorate, including: strength, seriousness, humility and self-control. Policies and agendas change with the tide, but no voting public should ever have to question their leader’s ability to treat others with dignity and respect. I am not excusing every other candidate on the campaign trail as being a model citizen, but Trump operates on a different level. Electing him would signal to our kids – many too young to notice now – that the best way to succeed in life is not through diplomatic means, but through insults directed at anyone who stands in your way. Any recent efforts aimed at counteracting cyberbullying could be undone nine-months from now if the U.S. validates Trump – the ultimate cyberbully – with a win this November. Impressionable minds the world over will live with the consequences of this upcoming election; my hope is there will be someone in the White House that the next generation can look up to as an example of the kind of person we want them to be. RELATED LINKS: Politics and Parenting A Person of Principle

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Food Notes for January 8, 2018

by Sharon @ Only Here for the Food

Mon Jan 08 22:03:40 PST 2018

I can’t believe it’s already a week into the New Year! I was able to have a nice (albeit short) break over the holidays – I hope you were able to have the same rejuvenating time away! Lots to catch up on though: The Italian Centre is hosting a dinner showcasing XIX Nineteen’s Chef Andrew […]

Week 3 Recap: Prioritizing Portion Size!

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Fri Mar 18 12:29:14 PDT 2016

By: Corey Etherington Another successful week on our journey to healthy living! This week we focused on portion control, something that’s been a challenge for us in the past as I tend to serve larger-than-necessary helpings that often lead to overeating. Our goal for the last seven days was to pay close attention to how much we were eating, to listen to our bodies and to walk away from the table feeling satisfied – not sick. By applying the other lessons we’ve learned to date, including meal-planning and cooking with quality ingredients, we were able to prepare reasonable sized portions that were both healthy and delicious – and the slow-cooker only made an appearance once! Here is what Week 3 looked like in our house: Monday: Slow Cooker Asian Beef with Brown Rice Ross & Corey’s Rating: Delicious!! Prep is insanely fast and easy and comes with a fun ginger peeling trick. Edie’s Rating: Delicious!! Edie absolutely loved this dish. She even asked for it again on Tuesday night. Corey’s Tip 1: The recipe says to cook for 3.5 hours but there isn’t a lot of liquid in this recipe so I decided to only cook it for 3 hours. Turns out that was a good decision as any longer and the meat would’ve been really dry. But… every slow cooker is different so just like Amanda told us to learn about our oven, learn about your slow cooker too. Dietitian Tip: Cut the amount of brown rice by half and try making this dish with cauliflower rice to increase your daily vegetable intake. Dietitian Tip: Add a green veggie like kale and serve the beef on top to add an extra crunch to the mix. Kale is a great source of Beta Carotene and C which are both antioxidants! Tuesday: Skillet/Oven Chicken Burgers with Greek Salad Ross & Corey’s Rating: WE LOVE BURGERS! Edie’s Rating: More! More! More! Corey’s Tip 1: I made a few modifications to the recipe, including: using ground turkey instead of chicken, eliminating cumin (personal taste) and barbequing the burgers for that delicious, charred quality. Lesson here – make whatever easy modifications you need to in order to ensure the family is eating a balanced, healthy homemade meal. Corey’s Tip 2: Greek salad dressing is a staple in our house. I never put the salt in and I cut the sugar in half. I also use the optional oregano. LINK: http://www.food.com/recipe/greek-salad-dressing-57642?nl=email_share Dietitian Tip: Corey is absolutely right! Modify recipes and replace herbs and spices that you’re not fond of with ones you love.   Experimentation is key! Wednesday: Buddha Bowl Ross & Corey’s Rating: Maybe we should go vegetarian?! This was so delicious! Edie’s Rating: Edie tried this on Thursday night but only ate some sweet potato dipped in the tahini sauce. She liked it but was more interested in leftover turkey burgers. Corey’s Tip 1: Mix-up the flavours according to your preference. This dish will work with any vegetable you have in the fridge and

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A Parent’s Role in Bullying-Part 1 – Barbara Coloroso

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Fri May 24 01:38:45 PDT 2013

Lianne Castelino of www.whereparentstalk.com speaks to Barbara Coloroso, mother of 3, grandmother, international best-selling author of 5 books including, “Kids are Worth It”, about the role of a parent in bullying.

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Keeping Up in the Era of Social Media

by Cara Scholl @ Where Parents Talk

Tue Jan 19 06:55:31 PST 2016

In the height of our beautiful fall weather, I suggested to my husband that we spend a Saturday afternoon apple picking with our daughter at a nearby orchard. His telltale groan suggested he’d rather do anything other than pick apples with a few hundred people. When I finally relented, he asked me a straightforward question. “Do you really want to go apple picking or do you only want to go because you see everyone on Facebook doing it?” I immediately resented the insinuation, but couldn’t outright deny my intention to post a family photo of us to social media. So it got me thinking, did I really want to go apple picking or did I want to go #ApplePicking? See the difference? Our lives are so saturated with status updates and insta-photos, it’s to the point we know what our high-school classmate ate for breakfast on his honeymoon. It’s hard to keep up! The seduction of a ‘like’ or friendly comment on social media makes it difficult to resist sharing details of our lives, and in this case, a trip to the orchard with my one-year old would’ve surely garnered a digital thumbs-up. I had to admit, eventually, that I’d succumbed to the digital version of “keeping up with the Joneses” and that a large part of me wanted to go apple picking because it seemed like the timely thing to do according to my Facebook wall. I’m no expert on how to avoid this moving forward; all I know is that experience was a revealing one and taught me to evaluate decisions, big or small, in the absence of their alluring hashtag potential. Who knows, maybe next year the mood will strike and we’ll decide to go apple picking after all. I might just leave the phone at home.

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One Question That Needs To Be Asked About Mental Health

by Lianne Castelino @ Where Parents Talk

Sat Feb 03 07:05:16 PST 2018

Mental illness, mental wellness, mental health — whatever your preferred reference — is increasingly on society’s radar. (And, yes, the subject in general is less taboo. We’re talking about it more, which in turn leads to it seeming more prevalent.) Health-care professionals, governments, academia, socially-responsible corporations, social service institutions — have heard the alarm being sounded and are scrambling to do their part to address this veritable “epidemic.” Research, education, increased support service offerings, budgets and fundraising are all areas of intense focus when it comes to addressing the onslaught of mental illness — be that in the young or old. And as this machine moves forward, there appears to be one question that isn’t grabbing the attention it likely deserves. What is the root cause of this incredibly sharp increase in mental illness? There certainly must be many people studying the question from a clinical perspective and lay people who have endured the clutches of mental illness who have their own reasons for why it happened to them, their spouse, partners, or children. And there certainly are those individuals for whom mental illness was borne from a clear medical diagnosis. But the core questions remain — where is it coming from? Why seemingly all of a sudden? What is at the heart of the issue? Mental illness is most certainly not a new construct or concept. Why so prevalent now? One of the most striking things about this subject matter is how far this serious issue has evolved in a relatively short period of time. As a young journalist in the mid-90s and 2000s, my colleagues and I were NEVER allowed to use the ‘S’ word. Even if the police, the fire department, the family, yourself — even if the entire world knew that the cause of a death was suicide — reporters were never permitted to utter the word in their script, stories, voice-overs — in anything. It was an unwritten but well-understood rule. There are parts of me that wish this was still the case, truthfully. In the era of ‘everything being out there’, of 13 Reasons Why, of citizen journalism, infotainment and sensationalized pseudo-journalism, unfiltered and raw social media — the ‘S’ word is no longer sacred. It’s in your face and mine. Pinning down the root cause or causes of mental health is/are pivotal. It/they will ultimately enable a more proactive, deliberate approach to addressing the issue, rather than what we seem to be living now — scrambling in reaction — once the damage is already done. Some of the potential root causes of mental illness — from anxiety, panic and eating disorders to depression, addiction, etc., — that are NOT diagnosed as a clinical medical, deserve our attention. As a keen observer, concerned citizen, colleague, friend and mother, I have my own theories on what some of these root causes may be: 1. Questionable parenting. Parents need more help and support now more than ever. And that has been case in the last 10-15 years. Yet,

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What's the Crisis?

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Fri Mar 08 06:52:07 PST 2013

by Lianne Castelino, whereparentstalk.com Had the pleasure of interviewing one of Canada's leading thinkers on the issue of childhood obesity.  Dr. Mark Tremblay is Director of Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research at CHEO (Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario) in Ottawa.   We'd first spoken several years ago when the 'c' word was not being used to describe the situation.  That word, that journalists know to be wary of, is now the adjective of choice when referring to childhood obesity.  Yes, it is a full-blown crisis in this country. We used to point to our American neighbours with judgmental little fingers when it came to the obesity epidemic.  Why are their portion sizes so large, why are they not active, why do they make such poor nutrition choices — stereotypes that now Canadians, and a new generation of young Canadians also find themselves mired in, with no quick-fix solution on the horizon. This is not brain surgery, rocket science or reinventing of any wheel.  But apparently we seem to think so. I have written on this issue many times over the years and have shared some of the experiments I've done in my own neighbourhood and community to address it, but as I look at the stats — which are getting significantly worse —- I cannot help but zero in on one aspect of this debate that is getting generally overlooked and yet (in my opinion) lies at the very heart of the matter. In 2006, my business partner Andrea Howick and I produced a DVD called 'Yummy In My Tummy' — 45 minutes of golden information (recipes, nutritional advice, tips from medical experts) designed to educate and empower parents to set a foundation of healthy eating habits in their children.  It featured the past-President of the Canadian Paediatric Society, Dr. Denis Leduc, and one of Canada's foremost nutritional experts, Louise Lambert-Lagace — whose books remain the bible for parents from several generations. As my mom told me when I was pregant with my first child (almost 16 years ago), “children are born with no habits, whatever habits they develop are the ones we create for them.”  Sooooo true.  The 'we' here is us 'parents'. The goal of “Yummy In My TUmmy” was to give parents a simple, trusted and easy-to-use tool to refer to when they are about to begin feeding their children solid foods.  THIS IS SO IMPERATIVE.  It is somewhere around the 5-6 month mark that regular visits to the pediatrician with your baby are no longer required, however, I would argue it is at this time that you need your pediatrician the most — when you are about to begin feeding your baby real food. Let's face it, prior to entering the world of solid foods, most first-time parents are likely hanging on, eating whatever is in sight for their own dinner, not terribly fussed about preparing a balanced healthy meal (in many cases).  The transition from eating as a couple to eating as a family

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Parenting to Win

by Lianne Castelino @ Where Parents Talk

Tue May 14 04:13:10 PDT 2013

As we look high and low for consistent signs of spring, our three offspring are well-entrenched in summer sports activities, namely, baseball, softball, soccer and ball hockey.  They love it, we love them loving it.  It’s all good.  Mercifully, our boys are on the same soccer and baseball teams and are able to transport themselves when required, so the schedule is very manageable. What is increasingly unmanageable though is the behavior that after all these years of participating in, watching my kids play and hearing about my friends’ kids experiences is — parental behavior.  Questionable, largely unethical, disrespectful words, thoughts and actions carried out by (thankfully) a minority of individuals, who are increasingly growing in number, ever so slowly. You may have met some of them.  They stack teams, yell comments, usually don’t lift a finger to volunteer as a coach, assistant coach, vociferously question calls, coaching decisions, bend the rules left, right and centre, slyly encourage cheating, winning at all cost, or they run everything and control teams, games, outcomes, standings and the like from their lofty perch. Tons o’ fun. Our family has watched this behavior at various venues and against a litany of backdrops/arenas/fields for years.  We usually don’t say anything and watch these people derail themselves.  But still, to this day it still amazes me. When adults display an overt need to WIN vicariously through their children no matter the circumstances, something must be said.  They are fashioning children who will likely do the same.  Great — a whole new generation of cheaters awaits. Note to them:  get over yourselves, it is only a game, remember your age, and finally, if you can’t do any of these, STAY HOME. The problem with saying nothing, as I have said to my kids on occasion, is that inaction, inevitably supports this cheating behavior.  By the same token, saying something, anything pits a RATIONAL mind against an IRRATIONAL one. Who do you think will ‘win’ that debate? In our family, we joke about it.  Not ideal, but you’ve gotta laugh to keep your sanity. Fortunately, for whatever reason, my kids have always landed on teams with fair and sane coaches.  We tell them to accept whatever team they are on and whomever their teammates are, even though most other teams feature stacked lineups built for minor sports supremacy.  We tend to repeat to them the refrain — ‘you get what you get and you don’t get upset’.  None of these factors ever seems to bother them.  Even the few times they have the option to choose friends/teammates to play with, they elect to choose one with the belief that selecting more than one is not fair to everyone else.  I don’t know where this all comes from, but we support it wholeheartedly. Apart from the infantile behavior of these ‘over-zealously competitive parents’, the people I feel bad for most are their children.  They will likely grow up to expect their mom or dad to gallop in on a white

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Starting Solid Foods – Tips from Experts

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Thu Mar 26 21:44:45 PDT 2015

Your baby is ready to start eating real food. Where do you start? Learn from the experts in this excerpt from the award-winning Yummy In My Tummy DVD.

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Northlands Food Lab: Lemon Cheese

by Sharon @ Only Here for the Food

Thu Jan 18 16:07:06 PST 2018

Northlands’ Food Lab workshops at FarmFair International (an agricultural showcase which runs every November) are one of the best hands-on cooking class deals in Edmonton. They’re free with the price of FarmFair admission, which is just $5! I only signed up for one this year, but one could easily sign up for multiple workshops to […]

Week 3: Prioritize Portions!

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Mon Mar 14 16:33:49 PDT 2016

By: Amanda Lapidus, RD, BSc Today we enter week three of Nutrition Month and the theme of this week is to Prioritize Portions. In my work as a private practice dietitian many of my clients are familiar with what portion sizes are but struggle with how to feel satisfied once they’ve completed those portion sizes. Portion control is far more complicated than just knowing how much we are supposed to eat, it depends a great deal on satiation and satiety. According to Merriam-Webster satiety is to fully satisfy a need or desire (1). Satiation is when the desire is met and this happens you have started eating. If we are not satiated, we will continue to eat until we reach that point. That leads me to question, what helps satisfy this need or desire, so that we can prioritize our portions and avoid eating too much? After a lot of research and distilling it all down here are some important things to consider when looking to manage your portions. NUTRIENT CONTENT Eat your protein but don’t go overboard Tip: At each meal try to fill about 1/3rd of your plate with a protein-rich item like meat/poultry, fish/seafood or eggs. Fiber Fiber bulks up your food without bulking up your calories meaning you get more food without adding more calories. Tip: Increase you fiber intake slowly to avoid gas, bloating, constipation and/or diarrhea and make sure you are drinking plenty of fluids to avoid constipation. Sources: Whole Fruit and Vegetables Legumes: Lentils and beans Nuts and Seeds Whole grains Tip: Fill half your plate with non-starchy vegetables at meal time, Ex. Leafy green vegetables, broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, rapini, gai lan or mixed peppers Tip: Add beans or lentils to your soups, stews and casseroles as a source of fibre and protein and a break from animal protein Tip: Roast chickpeas or steam edamame as an easy, high fibre snack Tip: Add a tablespoons of slivered almonds, sesame seeds or pine nuts to your salad or yogurt Tip: Grab a handful of raw unsalted almonds as a snack NON-NUTRIENT CONTRIBUTORS How we view our food before we even take our first bite has an important affect on its satiating power. Believe it or not a study published this year in the Journal of Consumer Marketing has shown that all of those #foodgrams are on to something. APPEARANCE The mere act of taking photos of your food and taking the time to make it look beautiful actually makes it taste better and affects our appetite.  Have you ever been browsing Instagram, Pinterest or Food52 only to find your mouth watering? Tip: Take the time to set your table and plate your food. Tip: Think about the combinations of foods your making. Are you using different colours? Varied textures? Vibrant colours? TEXTURE The texture of the food plays a role in in our appetite by way of expectations and time commitment. The amount of time required to chew a meal slows the consumption

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Fuel for School!

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Thu Sep 01 16:35:15 PDT 2016

By: Melinda Lamarche We now find ourselves at the end of the summer holidays and the start of the school routine is upon us.  It is at this time of year that many parents are scratching their heads thinking about how to keep up with packing lunches and looking for ideas and inspiration to keep things interesting in the lunchbox. With working parents and extracurricular activities, kids are spending a lot of time outside of the home during the school week and are in need of nourishing foods to keep them going all day long.  Keeping kids well nourished not only gives them an edge in the classroom but also gives them the energy they need to keep up with school and after school fun. Where to start Breakfast is great for filling bellies and providing much needed nutrients after a long fast over night.   Plenty of research shows that breakfast is also key in promoting healthy development and contributing to children’s concentration and learning abilities in the classroom.  Skipping breakfast makes it hard for kids to stay focused and concentrate throughout the morning as they wait for lunch. Start the day off with a nutritious breakfast that is not only delicious but also helps keep kids sharp and ready for learning. As for any meal, aim to include three of the four food groups to ensure that nutritional requirements are met. If possible, prepare breakfast the night before to make the morning routine even quicker, set the table or have things ready to take breakfast to go. Some great breakfast ideas include the following: Oatmeal made with milk or milk alternative, sliced bananas and berries Whole grain homemade muffin (make large batches and freeze individually wrapped for easy, on the go breakfasts) fresh fruit and a hard-boiled egg Fruit and yogurt smoothie with a homemade breakfast cookie Going the distance Snacking is essential in helping kids meet their nutritional requirements.  Kids have smaller tummies than adults so they are unable to eat a lot at meal times, therefore snacks are essential for meeting their needs and giving them energy boosts throughout the day.  Snacks are meant to be smaller than meals, that means we should be aiming for two of the four food groups at each snack.  Try combining a source of carbohydrates with protein to not only provide energy but to also to keep small bellies feeling full until the next meal. Some quick, easy and kid friendly snacks are: Whole grain crackers with cheese Fruit salad and yogurt or cottage cheese Homemade muffin and dried fruit and mixed seeds Vegetables and pita triangles with dip (i.e. hummus or tzatziki) English muffin pizza with your little ones favourite toppings Yogurt with homemade granola or whole grain cereal and raisins Getting over the midday slump Lunch is the main event.  As with any meal, lunch should include 3 of the 4 food groups.  Some parents find it tricky to include so much variety in the lunch bag every day,

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The Credit Challenge in Parenting

by Lianne Castelino @ Where Parents Talk

Mon Apr 08 06:47:08 PDT 2013

Seeking credit limits one’s potential for greatness.  There I said it.  Now let us discuss. Over the years, I have been often awestruck at the lengths people will go to — to seek, solicit, garner, confirm, take and get credit for things they have done. There is not a soul on the planet who does not appreciate recognition or a reward for a job well done, however, there should be credit limits.  Positive reinforcement is a wonderful thing, but let’s not get carried away. As a television journalist, I have seen and heard things over time that usually make me think or say aloud — ‘Let’s be realistic now.  He or she is not saving lives here.”  This of course referring to someone who thinks they have done something phenomenally brilliant and need to have their ego stroked to the enth degree for something that is truthfully just ‘part of the job’ or ‘a basic function of being an awake and alert human’. I’ve worked with on-air people over time who would slide into a depression or get downright upset if they were not recognized at the grocery store or anywhere else for that matter.  This attitude stemming from a Parents, in my opinion, are the farmers holding on to these powerful seeds.  Depending on how they are sown, credit craziness can and often does ensue. wicked blend of ego and insecurity.  Again, though, the desire for credit or recognition is what often fuels them, rather than the desire to ‘do the right thing’. During the course of my recent interview with international best-selling author, mother, grandmother, speaker and noted parenting expert Barbara Coloroso, she said something that really struck me.  “Stroke the deed, not the kid.”  I had never heard it put so succinctly before.  I thought to myself, ‘need to write a blog about that.’  And here we are. Giving a child a reward for making their bed, as an example, is a behaviour that a parent should question.  Ask yourself why does Johnny need a gift for something that is a basic responsibility. Stroke the deed, not the kid. By validating the kid, not the deed, you end up (in my opinion) creating teeny tiny monsters who end up growing into bigger monsters — some of whom you may be working or worse, some of whom may be your boss.  Over time, and it will likely happen quickly, a child will carry out tasks only to be rewarded, or worse, they will only focus on those tasks where he/she thinks a reward awaits. Adults who are credit-hungry and credit-seekers are usually the worst leaders, but of course, don’ know it cause they are too darn busy fuelling up on getting credit.  For many, the desire to get recognition again and again, thwarts true greatness and limits their potential — because they are too focused on ‘getting their ego stroked’. I have dealt with legions of adults who fall into this category.  I can spot them a mile away.

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Teach Kids The Values London Victim Christine Archibald Lived By

by Lianne Castelino @ Where Parents Talk

Sat Feb 03 06:38:19 PST 2018

The story of Christine Archibald’s final moments are wrenching, plain and simple. Not ONLY because she is Canadian. But because of the way she died. How she chose to spend her short life. And the tangible way her family wants everyone to remember her. Christine Archibald. (Photo: Twitter) The 30-year-old from B.C. died in her fiance’s arms — struck down by a careening van on the London Bridge — presumably the work of terrorists. Chrissy, as she was commonly known, was a social worker, caring for the homeless and people with addictions. Compassionate and empathetic. Two words that appear repeatedly in quotes about her. Two traits that are so lacking in the world today. Two important characteristics that parents should be teaching and modelling to their children — for their own lives and for the communities in which they live. In the midst of unimaginable shock and pain, Chrissy’s family released a statement whose message should move us and be seared into our psyche as individuals and as a society that continues to reel from brazen acts of outright hatred and the wanton disregard for human life. “She had room in her heart for everyone and believed strongly that every person was to be valued and respected.” – Archibald family statement A society that is increasingly focused on individual pursuits and less on the common good: A society that is increasingly focused on individual pursuits and less on the common good: “She had room in her heart for everyone and believed strongly that every person was to be valued and respected,” the statement said. “She would have had no understanding of the callous cruelty that caused her death.” The family asked that people honour her memory by making the community a better place. “Volunteer your time and labour or donate to a homeless shelter,” the statement said. “Tell them Chrissy sent you.” Value. Respect. Community. Volunteer. Time. Labour. Donate. These are all important principles that children need to be exposed to from a young age, that should come automatically as they get older, because it is part of the fibre of their being. That’s because their parents — who are their first, most important and life-long teachers — have taught them these important lessons. At the same time, parents should be seeking these very values and striving to embody them in their children.   Why parent from the sidelines? Too many parents in 2017 are on the sidelines, in my opinion. Pointing their fingers, judging others, offering their opinion when it is not requested, worried about what other parents might think. Letting devices, nannies, televisions, social media and others play a key role in raising their children — rather than rolling up their own sleeves and doing the hard work that is raising empathetic, compassionate, humble, respectful children. Yes, that’s right, it is HARD work, so if you are planning to have children and want to raise solid human beings, get ready to work for it. Just like professional athletes spend countless

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Politics and Parenting

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Wed Apr 17 03:58:56 PDT 2013

by Lianne Castelino www.whereparentstalk.com So we have elected a new leader for one of the three main political parties in Canada.  Just days ago, a young, well-educated, bilingual, married, doting father of two, with a more-than-solid political pedigree being the son of a former Prime Minister whose name is still heard today when the concepts of leadership, charisma, political alliances and personal liaisons are discussed. Here's wishing you the best, Justin Trudeau. Genetics notwithstanding, he has inherited a party that has been sputtering for years now, looking up at the throne it once occupied for so long, with extra helpings of confusion and wonder.  The idea of a new body part — fresh-faced, confident, brimming with energy, only minimally jaded (or so it appears), a father of two young children, an engaged wife and a varied background of experience — should equal some sort of hope.  Should. For too long now and not unlike many professional sports leagues — let's take the NHL as an example —- the recyling of well-used, almost listless coaches or 'political leaders' has more of less spread the same tired ideas and allegiances to an increasingly disengaged, apathetic electorate.  In short, old dogs, old tricks, got the t-shirt. Thanks for coming out. I do commed anyone who wilfully runs for political office. It is a thankless job, that steals time away from so many other aspects of life – family and fun — being two that come to mind.  Which brings me to a suggestion I have for political leaders in 2013, and those aspiring to take up the mantle in the not-too-distant future. Think of politics like parenting.  Even if you don't have children, hopefully you have had parents. Most parents learn at some point or another that a negative approach to child-rearing will not work.  Scolding too often, less-than-positive reinforcement, a dictatorship mentality, strained communications.  Some parents only learn this harsh lesson too late — after their child has left or just before he/she wants to have limited contact with their family.  Yet, these tactics are most political leaders of today, by and large, employ — rooted in negativity. A collaborative approach to parenting, politics or anyting for that matter feeds hope, inspires new ideas, promotes an environment in which sharing and exchanging the best ideas are welcome and encouraged.  What a concept. They say it takes a village to raise a child.  Yes, an overused adage, but boy does it ever apply.  I think it also takes a village to raise a leader and certainly one employed in government office. Why not work together, pool all the best of the 'brilliant' ideas each party brings to the table and work together towards the singular goal — which they all swear up and down is the same — XXX in the best interest of whatever country you live in — in this case Canadians.  If all these platforms are so darn revolutionary — handpick the best and move the country's agenda forward, rather

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Beyond Winning: Smart Parenting in a Toxic Sports Environment

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Wed Nov 20 16:28:46 PST 2013

Lianne Castelino of whereparentstalk.com speaks to author Luis Fernando Llosa about his new book “Beyond Winning:  Smart Parenting in a Toxic Sports Environment”.

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The perfect BLEND

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Sun May 03 21:57:54 PDT 2015

For many Canadian families, multiculturalism starts at home with a mix of winter traditions and celebrations. first!” He soon eased up and now even enjoys helping with the tree. Jennifer Kolari is a Toronto-based family therapist and the founder of Connected Parenting, an approach that teaches parents the techniques therapists use to change undesirable behaviours. “I think it’s beautiful to be blended,” says Jennifer. In fact in her own household that combines Judaism and Christianity, they joke that they celebrate “Chrismukkah”! To read more click more

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Following One Family’s Journey to Healthier Living

by Cara Scholl @ Where Parents Talk

Tue Feb 23 12:01:32 PST 2016

This March, Dietitians of Canada is inviting Canadians to make small improvements to their daily diet in celebration of Nutrition Month. The theme for the 2016 campaign is Take a 100 Meal Journey, signifying the roughly 100 meals Canadians eat over a 31-day period. WhereParentsTalk.com is proud to announce our participation in this worthwhile effort by tracking one family’s mission to eat healthier meals at home. We will update on their journey every week along with expert feedback on the concrete steps they are taking towards achieving their goal. The campaign officially kicks off Tuesday with its Pledge Your Change launch. “We are on a mission to help Canadians across the country take a small step toward better health this Nutrition Month,” said Emily Mardell, a Dietitians of Canada spokesperson in an online news release. ”Too many changes at once can be overwhelming, which is one reason people give up. Instead, we want Canadians to pick one change and practise it over 100 meals.” Corey and Ross Etherington are tackling the Nutrition Month challenge head-on. With busy work schedules, a baby on the way and a toddler in daycare, Corey says it’s time to put healthy eating back on the front burner. “I like to think we eat well now but the truth is our take-out bills and cereal dinners prove me wrong,” she said. “I want to make a change. Life is about to get even more hectic and I want us all to be as healthy as we can from the inside out before the next chapter begins and I know that nutrition plays a huge role in this. If I don’t start now, I fear I never will!” Documenting the Etherington family’s journey throughout the month will be Amanda Lapidus, a Toronto-based dietitian and founder of SimplyNutrition.ca, a consulting firm specializing in individual and family nutrition. Amanda will record the family’s progress week-to-week and give her professional analysis on everything from nutritional content to portion size. To ensure a comprehensive approach towards healthier eating, Dietitians of Canada has outlined five topics for participants to adhere to each week. The Etherington family will use these themes as a road-map throughout the month to guide them along the way. Week 1: Get Ready! “Choose your change. Think about your eating habits. Where can you make a positive, easy change?” Week 2: Quality Counts “When it comes to food choices, quality counts. Nourishing foods promote health and can help you feel your best. Take small steps to bump up the quality of your meals and snacks.” Week 3: Prioritize Portion Size! “When it comes to healthy eating, how much you eat can be just as important as what you eat. Eating portions that are too big can lead to overeating and weight gain.” Week 4: Try Something New! “Think healthy eating is bland? No way! Healthy eating tastes great! Keep it interesting: get creative with cooking strategies, experiment with new foods and flavours and refresh your recipes.” Week 5: Make

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Transitioning your Baby’s Milk Source. Olympian Isabelle Charest on whereparentstalk.com

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Tue Apr 02 23:02:29 PDT 2013

Lianne Castelino of www.whereparentstalk.com speaks to Isabelle Charest, mom of 2, three-time Olympian and nutritionist about transitioning a baby from breastmilk or formula to store-bought milk and solid foods.

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Recognizing Your Baby’s Hunger Cues

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Thu Mar 26 21:46:19 PDT 2015

How to know when your baby is hungry and when he or she is full could help prevent childhood obesity. Learn more from this Yummy In My Tummy DVD excerpt.

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Week 4: Tips and Tricks for Trying Something New!

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Mon Mar 21 11:14:19 PDT 2016

By: Amanda Lapidus, RD, BSc The theme for nutrition month this week is Try Something New! So I’m encouraging all of you to join the journey and try something different. Here are a few kitchen hacks to test out this week: Monday  Become a Garlic Guru Q: Love using fresh garlic but hate that it takes so long to peel? A: Microwave the head of garlic for about 20 seconds and the peels will slip right off. Q: Can’t stand that your hands smell like garlic all day? A: Try rubbing your hands on your stainless steel sink.  The stainless steel molecules  bind to the garlic molecules getting rid of that pesky smell.  Isn’t science cool!? Tuesday Cooking Gingerly:  Chop fresh ginger into one-inch pieces and freeze them for use at a later time! A microplane grater (like the one below from William Sonoma) is ideal for adding finely-grated ginger flavour to some of your favourite dishes! How to Peel Ginger: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9zgXSdnPGI Wednesday Skinning a Tomato: Make an X on the bottom of your tomatoes Throw them into a pot of boiling water for 1 minute Take the tomatoes out with a slotted spoon and put them into a bowl of cold water or an ice bath. Lift them directly back out, peel back the skin with a knife or your fingers. The skin will slip off like a charm.  Thursday Trim the Fat! Have you ever noticed a thin layer of oil on the top of a soup or stew? If you drop a couple of ice cubes into a soup, stew or casserole, you’ll see easy to scoop globs of fat form. This is because the fat will begin to congeal in the colder areas. Friday Don’t Boil Over! Ever walk away from the stove only to hear the sizzle of water boiling over on to the burner? Place a wooden spoon across the pot or pan of boiling water and it stops it from boiling over. Problem solved! Saturday Freeze-in the Freshness! Use ice cube trays to save fresh herbs, sauces and stocks to use for future meals. Just pop them out and reheat as part of your next meal. This cuts down on waste and helps save money too! Sunday A Juicy Tip! I love when a recipe calls for lemon or lime juice but some lemons and limes are a little more difficult to juice. The trick? Pop them in the microwave for a few seconds to make juicing them much easier. I hope you find these tips both fun and useful in your journey to eating healthier meals at home! For more expert advice on healthy eating, contact: Amanda Lapidus, RD, BSc.Registered Dietitian, Simply Nutrition416-805-2584, amanda@simplynutrition.ca, simplynutrition.ca    RELATED LINKS: Week 3 Recap: Prioritizing Portion Size Week 3: Prioritize Portions Week 2 Recap: Quality Counts! Week 1 Recap: Meal Plan Your Way to Success! Stocking-Up On Nutrition Month Essentials! Following One Family’s Journey to Healthier Eating 5 Ways to Teach Kids About Nutrition Reading Nutrition

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Alberta Restaurants Make the Cut

by Rheannon Green @ Alberta Culinary Tourism Alliance

Mon Oct 23 12:08:33 PDT 2017

4 Alberta restaurants make Canada’s Best New Restaurants for 2017 Albertans have seen a huge shift in our culinary landscape over the past decade, and...

Avocado Dip & Veggies

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Tue Mar 31 21:02:26 PDT 2015

Avocado Dip & Veggies – – Avocado, Salt, Lemon Juice, Baby Carrots (Blanched in boiling water for 5 minutes), Broccoli Florets (Blanched in boiling water for 5 minutes), – With a fork, mash avocados with salt and lemon. Serve with veggies. Avocado Dip & Veggies Servings Prep Time 3-4servings 5minutes Cook Time 5minutes Servings Prep Time 3-4servings 5minutes Cook Time 5minutes Ingredients 1 Avocado 1/4tsp Salt 1tsp Lemon Juice 1/2cup Baby CarrotsBlanched in boiling water for 5 minutes 1/2cup Broccoli FloretsBlanched in boiling water for 5 minutes Recipe Notes With a fork, mash avocados with salt and lemon. Serve with veggies.

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Food Notes for January 15, 2018

by Sharon @ Only Here for the Food

Mon Jan 15 21:38:54 PST 2018

A reminder that Chinatown Dining Week kicks off January 20 and runs until January 28, 2018. 5 restaurants are offering 2-course menus for just $15. Prairie Noodle Shop is hosting a Taste Alberta dinner on January 21, 2018 featuring local ingredients. Tickets are $70 plus tax. The first Dining with Friends event of the year, […]

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Are you looking for great “how to” parenting DVDs? Meet Lianne Castelino of Where Parents Talk

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Sun May 03 22:13:07 PDT 2015

Can you tell us a bit about the Where Parents Talk story? Our company was started when each of us realized that there were no quality visual resources for new and expectant parents available.  That was in 2000 when web video did not exist and DVDs were just becoming popular.  As new and young moms ourselves, we decided to put our thirst for parenting knowledge alongside our professional background as television journalists to produce how-to parenting DVDs, focused on sharing simple nuggets of information in small digestible morsels to support parents with the many challenges and joys of parenthood.  What are some exciting new developments for Where Parents Talk? Our portfolio continues to grow, just like our kids! In addition to our how-to parenting DVDs and website, we have a parenting TV show, a monthly column in ParentsCanada magazine and are working on a national parenting radio program.

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Salmon cakes

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Sat Apr 04 22:21:03 PDT 2015

Salmon cakes – – Salmon (cooked fresh), Potatoes, Breadcrumbs, Soy Sauce, Lemon Juice, Egg (lightly beaten), Vegetable Oil, – Discard the bones carefully. In a large bowl, combine salmon, mashed potato, . cup bread crumbs, onion, lemon juice and soy sauce. Stir in egg. Shape into 6-8 patties. Coat each patty in bread crumbs. In non-stick skillet heat oil, add patties and cook 4 minutes per side. Transfer patties to baking sheet and place in oven preheated to 350°F (175°C). Bake 10 minutes more. Makes 6-8 patties. Salmon cakes Servings Prep Time 6-8patties 20minutes Cook Time 20minutes Servings Prep Time 6-8patties 20minutes Cook Time 20minutes Ingredients 1cup Salmoncooked fresh 1/2cup Potatoes 3/4cup Breadcrumbs 1tbsp Soy Sauce 1tbsp Lemon Juice 1 Egglightly beaten 1tbsp Vegetable Oil Recipe Notes Discard the bones carefully. In a large bowl, combine salmon, mashed potato, . cup bread crumbs, onion, lemon juice and soy sauce. Stir in egg. Shape into 6-8 patties. Coat each patty in bread crumbs. In non-stick skillet heat oil, add patties and cook 4 minutes per side. Transfer patties to baking sheet and place in oven preheated to 350°F (175°C). Bake 10 minutes more. Makes 6-8 patties.

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The Perfect Puree

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Thu Mar 26 21:46:58 PDT 2015

Learn how simple it is to prepare fresh, natural foods for your baby. Watch this excerpt from the award-winning “Yummy In My Tummy” DVD to start your toddler on a lifetime of healthy eating habits.

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Keeping the Faith

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Mon Mar 11 10:04:20 PDT 2013

by Lianne Castelino  www.whereparentstalk.com I was thinking in the shower this morning — as I often find this the best place to reflect — about the fascinating process that will have millions on the edge of their seats over the next who knows how long? As the world awaits which colour of smoke may emerge from the conclave room of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican (set to begin tomorrow), arguably soon-to-become the most famous chimney in the world, 115 Cardinals will gather to elect a new Pope for the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics. It brings up the question of faith, children and parenting.  A most intriguing topic, indeed. My husband and I happen to be Catholic, and we are trying to raise our three children in their faith.  It has not always been easy.  We lived, for many years, in a city with some of the most stunning churches in the world — churches which are being closed with alarming speed, where mass was attended by a handful of people, where priests struggled to keep the faith about their faith in the face of declining interest and ‘enrollment’ — the product of both history and shifting perspectives. We now attend church in a different city.  The parish is most vibrant and engaged and our family tries to be involved in different ways in the church community. Whether you are devoutly religious, a person seeking or questioning their faith, an atheist or someone in between, I think parents, regardless of religious background, should expose their children to the idea of faith, the concept of a higher being, something more important than ourselves.  Exposure is everything. It may be positive and meaningful, or it may be negative but at the very least it will likely be thought-provoking, as it should for a child. It is also something intensely personal that should not be influenced by someone else.  How can anyone else know how I feel about my faith.  The same should apply to parents and their children. I have, many times over the years, questioned my faith.  The most famous example being a childhood memory that I remember vividly. I remember asking my parents, ‘why are people so holy for one hour during mass on Sunday mornings, and then lose patience and almost try to run each other over in the parking lot, as soon as they exit mass’?  Talk about a tricky one for any parent to answer without sweating first What I realized is that worrying about what everyone is doing is really not important. We are ultimately responsible for our own behaviour.  Church parking lot impatience included. Over time, I have had the privilege of meeting people from many different faiths, families with dual faiths who have chosen to raise their children in both religions. I always come away thinking — what a richly rewarding experience for these families and children. They are being given such a precious gift of exposure, of opening their mind to something bigger

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Craft Beverage Trail named finalist for Travel Alberta Alto Award

by Rheannon Green @ Alberta Culinary Tourism Alliance

Wed Oct 11 14:21:42 PDT 2017

Sippin’ Alberta finalist for Alto Marketing Excellence Award – Under $10,000 The Alto Marketing Excellence Award recognizes creative marketing campaigns that encourage travel to, and...

Back-to-school for parents – Workplace re-integration.

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Mon Sep 22 13:15:21 PDT 2014

Lianne Castelino of whereparentstalk.com speaks to Marija Pavkovic-Tovissi, CEO of MaKami College about tips and advice for parents looking to re-integrate into the workforce after staying home with their children.

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Politics and Parenting

by Lianne Castelino @ Where Parents Talk

Wed Apr 17 03:59:09 PDT 2013

So we have elected a new leader for one of the three main political parties in Canada.  Just days ago, a young, well-educated, bilingual, married, doting father of two, with a more-than-solid political pedigree being the son of a former Prime Minister whose name is still heard today when the concepts of leadership, charisma, political alliances and personal liaisons are discussed. Here’s wishing you the best, Justin Trudeau. Genetics notwithstanding, he has inherited a party that has been sputtering for years now, looking up at the throne it once occupied for so long, with extra helpings of confusion and wonder.  The idea of a new body part — fresh-faced, confident, brimming with energy, only minimally jaded (or so it appears), a father of two young children, an engaged wife and a varied background of experience — should equal some sort of hope.  Should. For too long now and not unlike many professional sports leagues — let’s take the NHL as an example —- the recyling of well-used, almost listless coaches or ‘political leaders’ has more of less spread the same tired ideas and allegiances to an increasingly disengaged, apathetic electorate.  In short, old dogs, old tricks, got the t-shirt. Thanks for coming out. I do commed anyone who wilfully runs for political office. It is a thankless job, that steals time away from so many other aspects of life – family and fun — being two that come to mind. Which brings me to a suggestion I have for political leaders in 2013, and those aspiring to take up the mantle in the not-too-distant future. Think of politics like parenting.  Even if you don’t have children, hopefully you have had parents. Most parents learn at some point or another that a negative approach to child-rearing will not work.  Scolding too often, less-than-positive reinforcement, a dictatorship mentality, strained communications.  Some parents only learn this harsh lesson too late — after their child has left or just before he/she wants to have limited contact with their family.  Yet, these tactics are most political leaders of today, by and large, employ — rooted in negativity. A collaborative approach to parenting, politics or anyting for that matter feeds hope, inspires new ideas, promotes an environment in which sharing and exchanging the best ideas are welcome and encouraged.  What a concept. They say it takes a village to raise a child.  Yes, an overused adage, but boy does it ever apply.  I think it also takes a village to raise a leader and certainly one employed in government office. Why not work together, pool all the best of the ‘brilliant’ ideas each party brings to the table and work together towards the singular goal — which they all swear up and down is the same — XXX in the best interest of whatever country you live in — in this case Canadians.  If all these platforms are so darn revolutionary — handpick the best and move the country’s agenda forward, rather than sideways and usually

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Oven Crunch Fish n’ Chips

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Tue Mar 31 20:36:13 PDT 2015

Oven Crunch Fish n’ Chips – Yummy, without the fat of deep frying! – Potatoes (Use large, baking potatoes, even the ones wrapped in foil are good), Vegetable Oil, Salt, Pepper, Halibut (or Haddock fillets (1 lb/500 g total)), Corn Flake Crumbs (or Breadcrumbs), All-purpose Flour, Italian Herb (seasoning), Lemon Zest, Egg, Milk, – Scrub potatoes or peel potatoes (only you know how fussy your gang is, grownups love the skin on); cut into wedges. Toss with oil and 1/4 tsp (1 mL) each of the salt and pepper; place on large, foil-lined baking pan. Bake in at 400 for 30 minutes. Turn and bake for 10 minutes longer or until crisp and golden outside and tender inside; remove from oven For a dipping sauce, mix equal amounts low-fat mayo and sweet relish for a homemade, kid-friendly tartar sauce. Oven Crunch Fish n' Chips Yummy, without the fat of deep frying! Servings Prep Time 4-5servings 15minutes Cook Time 40minutes Servings Prep Time 4-5servings 15minutes Cook Time 40minutes Ingredients 3ps PotatoesUse large, baking potatoes, even the ones wrapped in foil are good 2tbsp Vegetable Oil 3/4tsp Salt 3/4tsp Pepper 4ps Halibutor Haddock fillets (1 lb/500 g total) 3cup Corn Flake Crumbsor Breadcrumbs 1/4cup All-purpose Flour 1tsp Italian Herbseasoning 1tsp Lemon Zest 1ps Egg 1tbsp Milk Recipe Notes Scrub potatoes or peel potatoes (only you know how fussy your gang is, grownups love the skin on); cut into wedges. Toss with oil and 1/4 tsp (1 mL) each of the salt and pepper; place on large, foil-lined baking pan. Bake in at 400 for 30 minutes. Turn and bake for 10 minutes longer or until crisp and golden outside and tender inside; remove from oven For a dipping sauce, mix equal amounts low-fat mayo and sweet relish for a homemade, kid-friendly tartar sauce.

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Sleep and your Baby’s First Check-up Tips

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Thu Mar 26 21:47:43 PDT 2015

Newborn Sleeping Tips, Crib Preparation, SIDS and Your Baby’s first check-up are all covered in this excerpt from the award-winning DVD, “Bringing Baby Home” from Where Parents Talk.com.

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‘The Slow Fix’ and Parenting with Carl Honore on WhereParentsTalk.com

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Thu Feb 28 15:48:34 PST 2013

Lianne Castelino of WhereParentsTalk.com speaks to Carl Honore, award-winning author, journalist and speaker about his new book, ‘The Slow Fix’ and how it relates to parenting.

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5 Easy Tips for Streamlining Life with a Newborn

by Cara Scholl @ Where Parents Talk

Mon Jan 25 05:53:01 PST 2016

Whether you like it or not, giving birth exposes you to a myriad of tips and a mountain of advice courtesy of your fellow parents. From breastfeeding to sleep habits and everything in between, it seems everyone is an expert when it comes to surviving those postpartum days. I found myself on the receiving end of many mommy pro-tips when I was pregnant and have to admit that some came in pretty handy (others not so much…others not at all). In my experience, the best advice was rooted in pragmatism rather than platitude, meaning anything in the vain of “Sleep when the baby sleeps” was pretty much useless. It’s in that spirit of practicality and sensible support, that I give you my 5 easy tips for streamlining life with a newborn: Family room essentials: Keep a duplicate stash of necessities (i.e. diapers, wipes, etc.) in the family room to keep from running to the nursery every time the baby needs a change. Save Space: To prevent the bottomless pile of outgrown newborn attire from overtaking your house, invest in some vacuum bags that shrink when the air is sucked out, a real space saver! Dim those lights: Installing a dimmer switch in the nursery will avoid the need to turn on jarring overhead lights or bright table lamps for those overnight feedings. Pump-it: Baby shampoo, hand-sanitizer and anything of the sort should be in a pump bottle providing for convenient one-handed dispensing when you’re holding onto a squirmy infant. Hassle-free hydration: In case you haven’t discovered it already, breastfeeding can be extremely dehydrating. To avoid feeling parched in the middle of the night, keep a water bottle in the baby’s room and refill it after every use so it’s ready to go. Having a newborn can be an uphill challenge at times, testing a parent’s patience and endurance beyond their wildest imagination. It is comforting in those early days to be able to draw on the wisdom and experience of the parenting community to smooth the way for all the amazing moments ahead; trust me, there are too many to count. RELATED LINKS: Things I Never Thought I’d Miss About Having a Newborn Practical Tips for Flying with a Baby RELATED VIDEO: Diapering Newborns and Crying  

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Very Veggie Minestrone

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Sat Apr 04 23:06:32 PDT 2015

Very Veggie Minestrone – – Olive Oil, Onion (chopped), Carrots (chopped), Celery (chopped), Tomatoes (crushed), Chicken Stock (homemade or low-sodium prepared), Macaroni (cooked soup pasta or macaroni), Broccoli Florets, Red Kidney Beans (red kidney beans, rinsed and drained), – Heat oil over medium heat in a large saucepan. Add onions and sauté for 5 minutes. Add the rest of the vegetables except broccoli, along with the stock and tomatoes. Simmer 25 minutes till all veggies are tender. Add the broccoli and simmer another 10 minutes. Add the beans and pasta, heat through, and serve. Makes 4 cups of soup. Very Veggie Minestrone Servings Prep Time 4cup 10minutes Cook Time 30minutes Servings Prep Time 4cup 10minutes Cook Time 30minutes Ingredients 1tsp Olive Oil 1/4cup Onionchopped 65gram Carrotschopped 1stalk Celerychopped 1cup Tomatoescrushed 2 1/2cup Chicken Stockhomemade or low-sodium prepared 1/2cup Macaronicooked soup pasta or macaroni 1/2cup Broccoli Florets 1can Red Kidney Beansred kidney beans, rinsed and drained Recipe Notes Heat oil over medium heat in a large saucepan. Add onions and sauté for 5 minutes. Add the rest of the vegetables except broccoli, along with the stock and tomatoes. Simmer 25 minutes till all veggies are tender. Add the broccoli and simmer another 10 minutes. Add the beans and pasta, heat through, and serve. Makes 4 cups of soup.

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Diapering Newborns and Crying

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Thu Mar 26 21:44:06 PDT 2015

Tips on diapering newborns and baby boys and baby girls and how to cope with crying.

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5 New Years Resolutions You Should Make for 2015

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Thu Dec 18 08:43:06 PST 2014

By @Deb_Lowther It will soon be the start of a New Year and time to get those New Years Resolutions formulated.  Some say they are a waste of time, but why not create a new you? Why not make healthy changes? Why not set some new goals for yourself? Why not make 2015 the year you get to the gym, start eating kale and get 7 hours of sleep.  You deserve to be the best you that you can be.  Let the planning begin. The first step to making healthy changes is to make a commitment to healthy changes! Setting new goals is fantastic.  We are never too old to improve or to learn something new.  A new year is a fresh start to make some great improvements. Visualize and be mindful of the change you want to make and take small steps to achieve and create new habits. So go ahead

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What is RDSP and what you should know about it

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Mon Jul 14 13:07:15 PDT 2014

The steady increase in the number of the accounts opened in the seven years after the introduction of the Registered Disability Savings Plans (RDSP) in 2008, shows the potentials that these plans possess in making a difference for Canadians facing grave financial obstacles. As at the end of March 2014, over 78,000 accounts had been opened by Canadians out of an estimated 550,000 eligible Canadians. The current number of accounts represents only 14% of those eligible. It’s usually a surprise to disabled people when they find they can get thousands of dollars even when they don’t make any form of contributions to their own plans, one recurring comment that all advocates hear is that “there must be a catch.” What is an RDSP? RDSP are assisted savings plans created particularly to give financial security to those with disability. It is similar to RESP, Registered Education Savings Plan, in that until withdrawal of funds, the growth inside the plan is allowed to grow sheltered from tax. Federal grants and savings bonds further boost contributions providing on a yearly basis, depending on income, up to $4,500 per year, up to a lifetime limit of $90,000. Who is eligible? Disabled adults can set up plans for themselves while parents or guardians of disabled children can set up plans for them, the applicants must meet 3 basic conditions to be eligible for an RSDP account. Applicant must be a Canadian resident with a social insurance number (SIN), eligible for the disability tax credit (DTC), ensuring that plans only get set up for those with a severe and ongoing physical or mental impairment and under the age of 60 as at the time of making the contributions. Only one RDSP account can be setup per person. How do they work? Once the RSDP account is set up for a beneficiary, provided the plan holder gives a written consent, anyone can make contributions to the plan. The rules allow the plan holder to strategically plan contributions in order to optimize matching government bonds and grants. The government provides grant up to $3,500 yearly depending on how much is contributed and family income. A bond of up to $1,000 is added yearly for lower-income Canadians with RDSP, by the federal government. This money has to remain in the plan for a minimum of 10 years. There’s a lifetime contribution limit of $200,000 aside bonds and grants, though, there are no annual limits on the amount that can be put into the plan. Dec 31 is the deadline for contribution each year. A tax-free rollover of company pension plan money, RRSP or RRIF to an RDSP can be arranged by parents or grandparents of a disabled child or grandchild when parent or grandparent dies. What are the criteria for grants and bonds? In one year, an RDSP can receive a total of $3,500 in CDSGs (Canada Disability Savings Grants) and over a lifetime of the RDSP’s beneficiary, a maximum total of $70,000. For an $87,123 net income family

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Q&A: Naturopathic Medicine and Children’s Health

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Fri Jun 03 05:24:38 PDT 2016

Please Note: The below Q&A is for informational purposes only and shouldn’t be considered a substitute for seeking advice from a healthcare practitioner regarding your child’s unique health needs. WhereParentsTalk.com spoke with Dr. Jessica Burke Browman, a licensed and board certified Naturopathic Doctor based in Toronto, about the practice of Naturopathic Medicine as it relates to children’s health. Can you provide a brief overview and explanation of Naturopathic medicine? Naturopathic medicine is a distinct primary health care system combining modern scientific knowledge with traditional and natural forms of medicine. Built on a patient-centred approach it emphasizes prevention, treatment, and optimal health through the use of therapeutic methods and substances that support the body’s natural ability to heal and help the patient achieve sustainable health and wellness.The naturopathic philosophy is to stimulate the healing power of the body and treat the underlying cause of disease. There is also a strong focus disease prevention and health promotion. Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) are able to work with each patient or family to create a health plan that is tailored to your specific needs. Naturopathic Doctors will work with your other healthcare providers to ensure a collaborative and complementary approach to your health. In addition to diet and lifestyle changes, natural therapies including botanical medicine, clinical nutrition, hydrotherapy, traditional Chinese medicine/acupuncture, may also be used during treatments. In Ontario, NDs are regulated under the Regulated Health Professions Act and are regulated by the College of Naturopaths of Ontario (CONO). What type of pediatric health issues can be treated by Naturopathic medicine? NDs are primary healthcare practitioners in Ontario, and can treat the same conditions as a family doctors, including  both acute and chronic health conditions. Some common pediatric health concerns may include skin conditions (i.e. eczema, psoriasis), immune response (i.e. frequent colds, ear infections), dietary or food issues, digestive concerns, and basic preventative health measures. How do parents know if Naturopathic medicine is the right course of treatment for their child? Many parents want to make sure they are making the best choices for their child’s health. Whether parents are seeking alternative options or are looking to complement existing health care measures, naturopathic medicine can play a role in all treatment plans. Parents typically bring their children in for three primary reasons; they are seeking health promotion and disease prevention strategies, their child has symptoms that cannot be addressed by another health care provider, or their child has been diagnosed with a disease or disorder and parents are looking to combine conventional and naturopathic treatments with the aim of minimizing side effects to drugs, surgery or conventional treatments. At what age can a child first visit a Naturopathic Doctor? Naturopathic Doctors are qualified to see children of all ages. From newborns struggling with feeding issues to children scraping knees, and teenagers dealing with hormonal changes, NDs can play a vital role at any stage of your child’s life. When might a parent want to consult a Naturopath or alternative courses of treatment for their child’s

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Reflections on Parenting – Cassie Campbell-Pascall on WhereParentsTalk.com

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Mon Oct 29 03:49:40 PDT 2012

Lianne Castelino of WhereParentsTalk.com speaks to Cassie Campbell-Pascall, mom of one, Hockey Night in Canada (HNIC) commentator and former captain of Canada’s National Women’s hockey team about life as a parent, balancing work and family and tips for new parents.

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Fostering Healthy Role Models

by Cara Scholl @ Where Parents Talk

Fri Aug 12 07:23:05 PDT 2016

Elite athletes can serve as healthy role models for today’s youth but it is important for parents to balance the image of a successful sports hero with the realities of life behind the scenes to help put a human face on Olympic-sized success. According to Dr. Gail Beck, Director of Youth Outpatient Psychiatry at The Royal in Ottawa, children will learn the most from role models who they can relate to and have demonstrated hard work to achieve their goals. Beck said many of the athlete profiles that appear during Olympic coverage do a good job of illustrating the commitment and effort that goes into becoming a world-class competitor in addition to highlighting the community of supporters – from parents to coaches – who make invaluable contributions along the way. “You’ll see these athletes engaged in practices of their sport, talking to their coaches, you cannot see those and make any mistake about how hard they have to work to achieve their goals,” She said. “This isn’t luck.” In addition to underscoring how hard their role-models have worked to become successful, Beck stresses the importance of reminding kids that everyone – however powerful or prominent in their field – is subject to human frailties. Beck references examples like Ben Johnson, Canada’s decorated Olympic sprinters whose gold medal was rescinded as a result of steroid use, to illustrate how balancing a child’s admiration with the realities of life will help prevent disillusionment and confusion if someone they look up to does something wrong. “A 10 or 11 year old is very likely to idolize a sports figure thinking everything this person does is perfect, so if that sports person happens to fall from grace, there can be this huge disappointment,” Beck said.  “It’s important to always balance the good of the person with the fact that everybody has had to overcome some challenges.” Many Olympic athletes, like cyclist and speed skater Clara Hughes, have used their platforms for good, going on to become advocates for worthwhile causes like mental health awareness.  Beck said it’s a valuable lesson for children to see their heroes making contributions outside of their field and using their talents and fame to make a larger difference in the world.

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Family Fun: Take it Outside

by Deb Lowther @ Where Parents Talk

Tue Oct 14 10:21:50 PDT 2014

The temperature drops and so does your families enthusiasm to spend all day outside, but it shouldn’t!  Fall and Winter provide some of the best opportunities for having fun outdoors. Invest in warm boots, all weather pants and a flashy hat and get outside together to enjoy some of these fun family adventures. 10 Ideas to Take Your Family Outside Hiking I guarantee there are hidden gems within a 45 minute drive that are just begging to be explored.  Water falls, tucked away lakes, rolling hills and trails leading through gorgeous forests. Get out there and enjoy.  Google hiking trails around you, check out local ski hills that might be open for Fall rides on the chair lifts, have groomed cross country ski trails or follow that path into the forest near your house just to see where it leads. Geocaching A great outdoor experience for the whole family, Geocaching is catching on! The sport of using GSP coordinates from your smartphone to find hidden treasures and log books is happening all over the world and right in your own backyard.  A simple download of the Geocaching app and you only need to hit one button that says Find Nearby Geocaches and you are off. It will lead you by compass and distance markers right to the area where you need to start looking in bushes, under logs and hanging from tree branches for the hidden cache. When you find it there will be a log book to sign and maybe a treasure to take, as long as your replace it with a new treasure for someone else.  Check out www.geocaching.com for more information. Corn Maze So many local farms are getting in on the Corn Maze craze! Some are elaborate with 20 km of intricate design that families can explore and answer skill testing questions as they go.  Others are easy fun mazes that kids can run in and out of for hours.  Google corn mazes in your area and support local farmers by checking them out. Bike Path/Toboggan Rides If the snow hasn’t fallen yet, get those bikes and helmets out and strap on the training wheels. Most cities now boast bike paths that are even riding terrain for the newest cyclists in your family. Bike riding on new paths lead to new adventures and if you plan your journey right, you may even end up at an ice cream or hot chocolate shop!  If the paths are full of snow grab a long toboggan and pull the kids along. When you tire, as the kids to give you a ride! Horseback Riding If you have older kids, why not look for a local horse stable that offers Trail Rides.  Many have staff on hand that will walk along side riders as young as 3 and have horses that are gentle with beginner riders. Many are also open all winter long regardless of snow. Archery How good is your aim? Think outside the fruit farm and look for Conservation areas or Harvest Festivals nearby that offer archery or log cutting. Visit a Pioneer Village Wonder what they do at a Pioneer Village? Go check it out. You might just learn how to make sausages or see demonstrations on candle dipping, historic cooking, apple

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Childhood Obesity with Dr. Mark Tremblay. WhereParentsTalk.com

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Fri Mar 08 04:18:15 PST 2013

Lianne Castelino of whereparentstalk.com speaks to Dr. Mark Tremblay about the leading factors contributing to childhood obesity and about the role of parents in this growing epidemic.

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In search of Fruits and Veggies

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Sun May 03 21:19:36 PDT 2015

We know how much kids are supposed to get each day, but in many cases, it’s easier said than done. Show us a parent who brags their kid will eat everything, and we’ll show you a parent who is, well, not 100% acquainted with the truth. The reality is all children go through a variety of eating phases over time. Whether it’s the growth spurt of an infant, the assertion of independence of a toddler or the insatiable appetite of a teenager, our kids’ young growing bodies and minds can wreak havoc with mom’s menu planning. We’ve both had our struggles with one or more of our children at different times. One of the most baffling and frustrating challenges as a parent can be having a good eater who suddenly switches her eating habits for no apparent reason. To read more click here

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Mothering in Midlife – An Interview with Cyma Shapiro

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Thu Mar 28 04:05:03 PDT 2013

Lianne Castelino Cyma Shapiro is a 55-year-old mother of an 8 and 10-year-old and step-mother of a 28 and 30-year-old.  1-What are some common characteristics of midlife moms? First and foremost would be the incredible amount of dedication, perseverance, conviction, willpower,determination and intention that we've used just to become mothers – in many ways against all odds. Very few of us simply became pregnant or easily adopted a child. And, nearly all of us employed huge amounts of money, time and energy to get here. Secondly, we're often coming into this new journey during times of enormous personal (hormonal) changes. That factor, alone, separates us from our younger “sisters.” Some of us are not only “Baby Boomers,” but we're also the “Sandwich Generation” – that is, nearly all of us have aging parents, or our parents are no longer with us – a loss of both emotional support and familial strength for ourselves and for our children. Lastly, many of us also have two generations of children. While our middle-aged counterparts are often celebrating the fruits of an empty nest or a possible “reinvention” in midlife, for most midlife mothers, our children are our reinvention! 2-Tell us about your art gallery show, NURTURE: Stories of New Midlife Mothers. The first show of its kind, now traveling North America, NURTURE is intended to: dispel myths, create a dialogue regarding this burgeoning group, redefine women in middle age and provide role models for women choosing motherhood over 40. The show is comprised of both dramatic black and white photos of 25 out of 58 women from across the country and their families, combined with the pared-down narrative text (hundreds of hours of discussions). My journey from support group to show is long and winding! My original desire was just to create a community of mothers over 40. Nearly five years ago, I formed a support group in my area for new mothers over 40, but quickly realized that none of the women felt simpatico with each other. Searching for answers to both my own sense of isolation and confusion over our mothering life-choices in midlife, I decided to network across the country interviewing women who had also chosen new midlife motherhood. The end result, originally intended as a book, became the show. The women subjects range in age from 41-63, represent every possible family unit and have come to motherhood in seven differing ways:  IVF, natural childbirth, surrogacy, adoption, fostering, guardianship and blending stepfamilies. Some of the women subjects are “pioneers” – that is, the first women in our country to employ: surrogates, IVF, etc. Although my intention was to convey their truthful, poignant, and often painful stories of love and loss, the end result, en masse, is actually a testament to the power of love, the creation of family and the desire to just be a mother. 3- What made you decide to start your blog? As a journalist, my inclination was to add my own writings and the writings of others to this body of work. Our Midlife Mother mission

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Fall Foods Your Family Should Try

by Deb Lowther @ Where Parents Talk

Wed Nov 12 05:10:12 PST 2014

Fall is a great time to explore the fruits and vegetable aisles at the grocery store or farmers market; so many varieties of squashes and colourful root vegetables await discovery.  Not to mention the cooler days mean the perfect opportunity to add Fall veggies to soups, stews, slow cookers and roasting pans. Use the bounty of Fall produce to introduce your family to new flavours and teach them the difference between a parsnip and a rutabaga.  You never know, there just might be a new vegetables in there that they like (who knew my 11 year old daughter liked turnip!). If there are no takers for the brussel sprouts not to worry, you can still add some of these great Fall Foods into the dishes the kids already like with these meal ideas. Squash So many squashes to choose from: green ones, yellow ones, round ones, long ones and so many different flavours.  Try them all.  Spaghetti squash is scooped out with a fork after it is cooked and creates spaghetti like strands, hence its name.  Butternut and acorn squash are the more traditional orange squash full of beta carotene. Meals Ideas: Top spaghetti squash with a your favorite spaghetti sauce and you have an alternative to noodle night.  Cook, puree and add squash to soups with roasted garlic or this macaroni and cheese recipe – kids will love it! Apples We go apple picking every Fall but this year I did something a little extra.  I purchased 8 different varieties of apples and the whole family did a taste test at the kitchen table of all the apple varieties and guess what? After 9 years of eating Gala apples we all found a new favorite

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Part 1: Why Pulses are the Family-Friendly Food of 2016

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Fri Feb 19 06:14:39 PST 2016

The United Nations has declared 2016 The International Year of Pulses. So, what exactly does that mean? What is a pulse? Pulses are edible seeds that grow within a pod. Well-known examples of pulses include beans, peas, lentils and chickpeas. The UN has chosen to spotlight these crops because of the great benefits they provide for human health and the environment. Another added benefit is that pulses are very inexpensive which is notable in this time of rising food prices. Pulses are staple foods in many countries around the world.   However, here at home, these foods do not reach our plates as often as recommended despite the fact that Canada is one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of beans, peas, lentils and chickpeas. Pulses and Human Health The nutritional benefits of pulses are impossible to ignore. They are great sources of protein, and slow release carbohydrates as well as both insoluble and soluble fibre and a host of vitamins and minerals. Some recent research also shows that pulses are full of antioxidants that help to reduce the risk of some chronic diseases such as heart disease, Type 2 Diabetes and some cancers. In terms of protein content, pulses such as beans, lentils, peas and chickpeas are strong competitors for their meat and fish counterparts. Just one cup of lentils provides 18 grams of protein which is equivalent to that found in 2.5 to 3 ounces of meat. Pulses also contain a similar mineral profile as animal proteins because they are high in both iron and zinc. The fibre content found in these foods is responsible for the positive effects they have on blood sugar control and cholesterol levels. Soluble fibre in particular is known to promote better control of blood sugar helping to both prevent and manage diabetes. This type of fibre also contributes to the lowering of cholesterol levels which is key in lowering the risk of heart disease. Another great benefit of the high fibre content in these foods is promoting bowel regularity, fullness and appetite control. Pulses and your food budget In addition to being nutritional powerhouses, pulses have the added bonus of being extremely light on the wallet. Popular protein sources such as meat and fish tend to be more expensive, so including protein-rich substitutes like beans, peas, lentils and chickpeas can reduce your food budget without diminishing your diet. Some cuts of meat can be as expensive as $7.99 per pound. Dried or canned beans, peas, lentils and chickpeas however are often much less expensive, averaging only $1 – $1.50 per can to $1.50-$2 for a 1lb bag. A 1lb bag of beans is equivalent to 3-4 cans of beans, meaning one bag can provide a number of meals for you and your family. Pulses and the Environment Another reason why the UN has declared this year, the year of Pulses is due to their environmental benefits. Pulses are nitrogen fixing crops which means they do not require nitrogen fertilizers to grow. Manufacturing

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A Parent’s Role in Bullying – Part 2. Barbara Coloroso on whereparentstalk.com

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Sun Apr 21 00:22:03 PDT 2013

Lianne Castelino of www.whereparentstalk.com speaks to Barbara Coloroso, mother of 3, grandmother, international best-selling author of 5 books including, “Kids are Worth It”, about the role of a parent in bullying. &nbsp;Part 2 of 2.

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The Challenge of Taking a Stand

by Lianne Castelino @ Where Parents Talk

Wed Feb 03 08:16:25 PST 2016

Teaching a child how to advocate for themselves is one of the most important tools a parent can provide their youth, tween, pre-teen, teen or adult offspring. There is absolutely NO debate here, in my opinion. Understanding why this is integral is also important. Showing them how this is done is a vastly different story. One things is for certain: the uses and usefulness of these tools are limitless. With a solid understanding of right versus wrong, followed by the ability to think independently and make thoughtful decisions, the next natural step becomes advocating for oneself — on that all-important parent check-list of life lessons and wisdom to impart. Let’s take the Jian Ghomeshi trial currently underway, involving a coveted, former CBC radio host, on trial for sexual assault. How courageous do you suspect those victims had to be to come forward? How much time, thought and fortitude do you think they needed to even decide to come forward, advocate for themselves — in the face of all forms of painful, targeted, likely harsh scrutiny from a variety of sources. IT TAKES COURAGE. In the same vein, a child who is bullied at school, a student who may be the victim of some kind of wrongdoing (from assault to physical, racial or some other form discrimination) — a child who endures some injustice that clearly contravenes the law, school policy, basic respect and kindness — what do you tell that child about how to red flag their situation? It’s very easy to say ‘talk to someone’. That is just so hard to do. The key, I believe, is who you talk to. Having enough respect, trust and faith that whoever that child approaches will act, and act rationally to address the issue, to move it forward, to seek a solution. Therein lies the greatest challenge. Finding THAT person. Workplace bullying and harassment policies take up tons of bandwidth of the human resources staff in companies these days — big and small enterprieses. But when an employee experiences this, confides in a colleague, investigates and discovers others feeling the wrath of similar behaviour, then thinks about what approach to follow to red flag the behaviour — what should they be told? What should this employee be advised if they don’t have an avenue to seek objective counsel, within that company? What should they be told if they don’t trust any of their senior leadership enough to approach them with the situation? What if the HR department resources are highly politicized and would leave the employee feeling more like the perpetrator than the victim. Suddenly, you have someone who wants to advocate for themselves but cannot. Failure of the entire system. Point scored for the perpetrator and the enablers. Sweeping serious situations as described above under the rug— whether at home, at school or at work —- simply creates more enablers and less accountability. And guess what, print and online media — the world we live in — are FULL OF STORIES

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A whole new world

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Wed Mar 06 04:04:04 PST 2013

by Lianne Castelino www.whereparentstalk.com In the three final months before our second son says goodbye to the school he has known for five years and heads off to high school, I have given more and more thought to this question.  Coincidentally, it is also a topic that seems to be coming up quite frequently among parents I know. It ties into the umbrella theme of helping our 13-year-old son prepare a 'strategy' for himself that will support him in not only learning and growing but thriving in his new environment — you remember that place of many classes, a slew of teachers, schedules, peer pressure, competing deadlines, mature and immature thoughts, hormone overload, demanding demands.  Remember? Having the experience of our oldest son, who has been in high school for two years, we have learned many a lesson. While helpful, both boys are vastly different from each other — night and day. However, the basic principles remain the same.  The main tenet by which my husband and I have shaped our parenting style on is — 'don't do for your kids what they can do for themselves' — a concept that borders on militancy by today's standards. Not always a popular nor easy approach to follow through on, but one that has worked for us. In high school, everything goes up several notches.  The responsiblity, workload, expectations, demands. The parenting approach should also reflect this new world, in my opinion.  Parenting a child succeed is probably easier than watching him or her fail.  I say probably because getting a child to reach his or her potential can be an exhausting task, allbeit worth the effort.  It's the failure though, the adversity, the bitter disappointment through which true lessons are learned. In a world of instant gratification, instant results, heightened competition, increased exposure to everything, more access to knowledge —- letting a child be accountable for their actions, learning from missed deadlines, a sub-par effort, less than 100% motivation — is a challenge for parents, but in the end, dare I say, worth it. I could and would never be the parent who calls my child's teacher to negotiate marks, to have them re-take a test, to babysit their homework — not in elementary, high school or university. It has never been our style, nor will it ever be.  Tough? Yes.  Necessary? Absolutely.  They have to learn.   Many parents these days don't want to say no to their kids, don't want to let their kids fail, don't wish their kids to ever experience frustration or disappointment. Which parent willingly would? But, if it happens, let it, let them learn from it and grow. IF NOT, we are going to produce young adults who won't be able to navigate adversity, adults who will want to be rescued, who will let failure ruin rather than enrich them. As a prominent athlete recently said in a profile I watched, 'losers find excuses, winners find solutions'.  So darn true.   Building resilience in a

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ALLT om dramat mellan Joakim Lundell och Ben Mitkus!

by Admin @ YouNews Sverige

Tue Jul 25 06:00:39 PDT 2017

Det stormar minst sagt om Ben Mitkus efter att han i sin senaste video gick ut och berättade att någon kollega på kollega på YouTube, som också håller på med musik, försöker förstöra och sabotera hans musik-karriär. I och med att Ben valde att inte gå ut med några namn i videon på vem personen

Inlägget ALLT om dramat mellan Joakim Lundell och Ben Mitkus! dök först upp på YouNews Sverige.

Ontario Minister: Let the Kids Play!

by Cara Scholl @ Where Parents Talk

Mon Jul 11 08:34:03 PDT 2016

Ontario’s Minister of Children and Youth Services has penned an open letter to Toronto’s City Council making his case for why the city’s current street hockey ban should be lifted.  Council is expected to debate the issue later this week. Michael Coteau says Ontario’s capital city can lead the way for other places around the province to encourage outdoor play. “Road hockey bans are commonplace in municipalities across Ontario and I am hoping your council will show leadership by making it clear that children can and should play safely on neighbourhood streets,” he said.  “A vote to overturn the prohibition and let kids play will challenge other municipalities to abolish similar road hockey bans in their own communities.” In his letter, Coteau, a father to two young daughters and MPP for Toronto’s Don Valley East constituency, stressed the many upsides of physical activity that go beyond on the obvious health and wellness benefits.  He said life skills such as communication, patience, perseverance and teamwork go hand-in-hand with an active lifestyle. Tomorrow at Toronto City Council, I hope all councillors will agree: we need to #letthekidsplay pic.twitter.com/wsA6Z8BxsH — Michael Coteau (@coteau) July 11, 2016 At paramount issue in this debate is the safety risk posed to children who are playing in the street. Council will also weigh the potential hazard for motorists as well as possible interference with city maintenance.  A city staff report recommends keeping the ban in place for those reasons. “Transportation Services believes that the “Status Quo” option represents the best balance of competing needs. Recognizing that street hockey, basketball, and other sports activities do occur on public roadways, there are legitimate safety and liability concerns with permitting this activity,” the report states. Coteau says he’s taken safety under consideration in his proposal and believes there are ways to encourage physical activity while also ensuring the well-being of children across the city. “The obvious issue at hand is the safety of our children, and I agree that our kids need to be safe, but there has to be a better way than denying them of their right to play,” he said.  “That’s why I am urging all City Councillors to think carefully about this debate.” RELATED POSTS: Play On Terrible Report Card Summer Fun  

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WhereParentsTalk.com on The Lynne Russell Show on NewsTalk 1010

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Mon May 04 20:36:32 PDT 2015

Lianne Castelino of WhereParentsTalk.com is interviewed live, in-studio on The Lynne Russell Show on NewsTalk 1010 on June 5, 2010. Lynne and Lianne talk about how to keep the kids occupied in the summer, cost-effective summer fun, parenting tips and advice, working in a male-dominated field so much more! A former anchor on CNN Headlines News, Lynne hosts a weekly show, Saturdays from 1-3pm on NewsTalk 1010. Learn more about Lynne: http://www.newstalk1010.com/shows/1001529  

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Youth Mental Illness – Pt. 1: Lessons learned from a mother’s loss

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Mon Oct 20 23:50:55 PDT 2014

Lianne Castelino of whereparentstalk.com speaks to Janet Osborne, who lost her 18-year-old son to suicide in 2011 — about youth mental illness and what support system is available to parents with children (pre-teens, tweens and teens) suffering with mental health challenges.

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Spiralize Your Way to Healthier Home Cooking!

by Cara Scholl @ Where Parents Talk

Fri Jan 22 07:58:25 PST 2016

Like practically everyone else on the planet, I committed to eating healthier in 2016 as part of my New Year’s resolution. I’ve made this pledge in the past, but this is the first year I have a child whose diet also depends on my dietary choices, so I’m more determined than ever to stick with it. During the course of my healthy-eating research to find nutritious, delicious and somewhat simple ideas, I stumbled upon a recipe for zucchini noodles or zoodles that looked incredibly tasty and well within my skillset as a novice chef. The next day, I purchased a spiralizer (a handheld and inexpensive tool for turning vegetables into pasta-like ribbons) and before I knew it, I was making Pasta Bolognese and Pesto linguine using fresh zucchini in place of pre-packaged noodles. Talk about a time saver! Because you don’t have to boil any pasta, you save yourself the preparation time in addition to the extra dishes. Simply spiralize your zucchini (I used two large zucchinis to feed my family of three) and mix the noodles into your sauce long enough for them to absorb the flavor. I know what you’re thinking, ‘there’s no way spiralized zucchini noodles taste as good or as filling as a hearty bowl of spaghetti.’ Wrong! It is just as satisfying and because you’re saving so many empty calories on the pasta, you can load up on healthy stuff like meat sauce, cheese and even a slice or two of (whole grain) garlic bread. Once you get into it, you’ll realize the list of fruits and vegetables you can spiralize is long and the possibilities are endless. Not only is it a healthy and fun way to incorporate vegetables into your family’s diet, it’s an excellent time-saver and leaves more room for everyone to focus on the important things, like…dessert! RELATED LINKS: ARTICLES: 5 Ways to Teach Kids About Nutrition Routines for Healthy Learning VIDEO ARCHIVES:    

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Mom of four and CEO shares her top sleep tips for babies

by Lianne Castelino @ Where Parents Talk

Sat May 07 18:33:22 PDT 2016

Lianne Castelino of whereparentstalk.com interviews Raegan Moya-Jones, mother of 4 and CEO of aden + anais, a company that produces muslin baby swaddling blankets as well as a baby clothing line, and whose celebrity clients include Prince George and Blue Ivy — about her top 3 sleep tips for children.   Related links: How to swaddle a baby

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Those Competitive Juices

by Lianne Castelino @ Where Parents Talk

Thu Apr 25 04:10:58 PDT 2013

 The more experiences I accumulate (code for: ‘the older I get’!), the more this concept is evidenced to me.  The concept?  There are primarily two types of people in the world — those who compete with others and those who compete with themselves.  There are many who exhibit bits of both, however, one approach to competition usually dominates in those individuals.  Nothing wrong with competition whatsoever, provided it is fair and healthy. What I have learned is regardless of what competition camp you fall into, one side really does not understand the others’ view.  I happen to be part of the ‘competing with myself group’.  Time and again, in every aspect of my life — especially in parenting — I have been stunned and amazed by people I have met from the ‘competing with others camp’ who just don’t understand those of us in the ‘competing with ourselves/myself’ group.  What a loss. I’ve observed that by and large, the individuals who relish competing with others, end up sowing the seeds for ‘keeping up with the Joneses’ in their children. The world we live in is already rife with competition.  Most of it unhealthy and unfair.  Do we really need to be feeding the beast by raising children from embryo to adult who spend more of their time concerned with what everyone else is doing rather than themselves? Stop and think about it. These seeds are sown in the smallest and biggest of ways. Smallish example.  Your kid begs you for the latest gadget.  You may ask, “why do you need it”. He or she presents a litany of arguments but one will definitely be — “because Bobby or Katie has one”.  Guilt consumes your brain.  Perhaps a little competitive fire fuels that guilt and the next thing you know you trot down to the gadget store to buy your 9-year-old a Blackberry.  Ridiculous when you read it, however, it happens all the time. My husband and I have been that parent. Our approach to the question ‘so and so has one’ has always been “we don’t really care what Bobby or Katie have, you are our child and we are concerned about you.”  Depending on the age of the offspring, you may have to deal with a minor tantrum, the silent treatment, some kind of rebuttle, but they come back down to earth and resume normal behaviour. If parents today spent more time worrying about what is going on under their roof and less time worrying about the Joneses’ possessions and the Joneses’ kids possessions — you would likely get more parents who would be more present in their own children’s lives. If we celebrate each others’ successes rather than use them as a lightning rod for competition, our kids may actually understand the idea that what you have is really not important at the end of the day.  What is important is who you are and how each of us treats each other.  

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Scorching Weather Calls for Summer Safety Refresh

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Sat May 28 05:24:26 PDT 2016

Prolonged exposure to sun and heat can be very harmful to babies and young children.  It is important – especially at this time of year – for parents to refresh themselves on best-practices for keeping kids safe over the summer. In 2015, the Government of Canada posted a comprehensive checklist of strategies and tips to guide parents through the year’s warmest months; please see below or refer to the Government of Canada website for more information. Summer Safety Tips Babies Infants should be kept out of direct sunlight to prevent skin damage and dehydration. Never leave children in a parked vehicle. Keep babies consistently hydrated Consult your baby’s healthcare provider before applying sunscreen to a baby younger than six months                 Kids Consult daily UV index readings to plan outdoor activities. Rays are strongest between 11am-4pm which is typically the hottest time of day. Extra protection is needed during these hours. Children should wear a rimmed sun hat, breathable clothing, sunglasses and sunscreen when playing outdoors. Never leave children in a parked vehicle Keep kids consistently hydrated with cool liquids Sunscreen should be regularly reapplied especially after swimming. Extra attention should be paid to areas of the body that are most exposed (face, lips, ears, neck, shoulders, back, knees and tops of the feet) Following these tips will help protect vulnerable young children from the dangers of sun and heat exposure.  Though this checklist is thorough, it is only intended as a guide and shouldn’t be considered a substitute for doing your own research or consulting a trusted healthcare provider. Stay safe and enjoy our beautiful Canadian summer! FOR MORE SUN SAFETY TIPS VISIT THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA! http://www.healthycanadians.gc.ca/healthy-living-vie-saine/environment-environnement/sun-soleil/tips-parent-conseils-eng.php RELATED LINKS: SUMMER HEALTH TIPS SUMMER FUN ALL SUMMERED OUT TAKING THE FAMILY ON THE ROAD  

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Get ready for 9 days of fun!

by Rheannon Green @ Alberta Culinary Tourism Alliance

Wed Oct 11 15:02:06 PDT 2017

Alberta Beer Week: October 20-28, 2017 Get your drink on!  Celebrate Alberta Beer Week across the province with a variety of exciting events to satisfy...

Quick and Easy Recipes for Working Moms

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Fri Nov 30 05:31:30 PST 2012

Ken Myers, Guest Contributor Being a working mom, it is often hard to come home and prepare a meal that everyone will love and one that will not wear you out. I have been using Pinterest for a while now and have found many recipes through this site. My family is very impressed with the new recipes so far and I have gotten rave reviews. I have mostly been sticking to casseroles as they are less time consuming to put together and then you can just throw them in the oven which gives me a little more time to do other things or just relax. Here are a few of the recipes you may want to try: Meatball Sandwich Casserole (http://pearls-handcuffs-happyhour.blogspot.com/search/label/casserole?updated-max=2010-03-25T20%3A31%3A00-07%3A00&max-results=20)

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Fruit Smoothie

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Sat Apr 04 23:51:24 PDT 2015

Fruit Smoothie – – Banana, Tofu (smooth silken tofu), Pure Vanilla Extract, – Put all ingredients in the blender and puree till smooth. Babies love to sip this from a cup or straw! Variation: Strawberry-Yogurt Smoothie – 12 months and up Replace tofu with 1/4 cup (60 ml) plain yogurt Add 1/2 cup (125 ml) rinsed, hulled and sliced strawberries Fruit Smoothie Servings Prep Time 4servings 5minutes Cook Time 2minutes Servings Prep Time 4servings 5minutes Cook Time 2minutes Ingredients 1 Banana 1/4cup Tofusmooth silken tofu 1/4tsp Pure Vanilla Extract Recipe Notes Put all ingredients in the blender and puree till smooth. Babies love to sip this from a cup or straw! Variation: Strawberry-Yogurt Smoothie - 12 months and up Replace tofu with 1/4 cup (60 ml) plain yogurt Add 1/2 cup (125 ml) rinsed, hulled and sliced strawberries

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In Defence of Daycare

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Mon Jun 20 05:47:13 PDT 2016

It seems we can’t go more than a few days without hearing a daycare-related horror story. From incidents of disturbing neglect to overcrowding, the daycare industry as a whole has come under serious fire in recent years. As a result of some of this negative press and my own preconceived notions, I really grappled with the prospect of enrolling my daughter in a daycare program when she turned a year old.  I downright resisted it for a while. In my mind, daycare wasn’t a place with a lot of rhyme or reason. I pictured dropping off my child in carpeted room with a few toys and basic supervision where she’d largely be left to her own devices for the duration of the day.  In short, I was expecting little more than a glorified and rather expensive babysitting service. I’m happy to report I was wrong. In the months since our daughter began attending daycare, I’ve noticed such positive developments in her growth and demeanor.  Beyond the obvious displays of maturity – from learning to eat with a spoon to expanding her vocabulary and learning to put her toys away – it’s been a joy to see her evolve socially into a tiny person with a life of her own. So much thought and care goes into the daycare’s daily curriculum, from indoor sensory activities to physical outdoor play, she is constantly stimulated by new and challenging activities to exercise her body and mind. Suffice it to say that seeing her thrive in her new environment has completely changed my perspective on what daycare’s all about.  The care and attention she receives coupled with the top notch programming has turned that “glorified babysitting” stereotype I once believed right on its head. At this point, I’d even be willing to say that choosing to go the daycare route was one of the best parenting decisions we’ve ever made. I realize my family’s experience isn’t universal and that plenty of daycares across Canada are the focus of justifiable anxiety, concern and in some cases – legal trouble.  We are extremely fortunate with our daycare experience thus far and it isn’t lost on me that many people in the system are not so lucky. The point of this post is simply to shed light on the other side of the issue and reassure any of the non-believers out there (I used to be one of them!) that beyond the disturbing headlines we so often read, are the many wonderful upsides of sending your child to daycare. RELATED LINKS: Tips for Choosing Childcare or Daycare Private School vs. Public School 6 Options to Make Private School Affordable

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Week 2: Ingredients Key to Healthy Meals

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Fri Mar 11 13:08:41 PST 2016

By: Corey Etherington Quality definitely does count. The fresher the ingredients, the better the taste and the more my family eats! But – spending quality time spent with family also counts so I’m working on finding the balance between grocery shopping, working full time, and taking care of a toddler, I know it can be done! Week 2 has been a great reminder of how important it is to be organized – I can’t even begin to tell you the degree to which a meal plan – as we discussed last week – simplifies weekday cooking! Here is what I can say about our meals this week: Monday: Slow Cooker Pot Roast Ross & Corey’s Rating: Really tasty! A hearty meal full of flavor. Edie’s Rating: This is Edie’s absolute favourite meal ever! I’ve actually made it a few times and she seems to love it more and more each time. She is a big fan of beef so this is a no-brainer for us and definitely something we will make again. Corey’s Tip 1: Chopping all the veggies the night before makes this dish really easy to prepare. Throw it all in the best appliance ever – the slow cooker – and walk away! Corey’s Tip 2: I’ve made this with stewing beef and it is just as good. Dietitian Tip 1: This dish has a great combination of vitamins and minerals. Beef is one of many great sources of iron and it is nicely complimented by the vitamin C in the potatoes, which helps our body absorb the iron. Dietitian Tip 2: For parents with younger kids who are just starting out on solids having your little ones suck or gnaw on the beef can often be enough to get them the iron need – it’s in the juices! Dietitian Tip 3: When buying pre-made seasoning mixtures such as; steak seasoning be sure to read the ingredients and look for ones without added salt and MSG. Making your own mixtures at combinations and keeping them in plastic bags is a surefire way to know exactly what goes into your spice mixtures. Tuesday: Fresh Tomato Soup & Tahini Lemon Kale Salad Ross & Corey’s Rating: Why did I ever use tomatoes from a can?!! This tomato soup recipe is so easy and so delicious. Plus, you will learn a really fun way to peel tomatoes – my mind was blown! The Kale Salad was delicious too. We LOVED the salad dressing. I might’ve forgotten to put the quinoa until we were almost done eating but regardless, it was delicious. Edie’s Rating: Edie looked in the bowl and said “cereal” and then cried… her dreams of cereal for dinner were shattered in that moment. Corey’s Tip 1: Remember all of the ingredients – I forgot to buy basil which would’ve been a nice addition to the soup and I forgot to put the quinoa in the salad. Corey’s Tip 2: Add some extra vegetables to the salad. I added an

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Baby Box Program Arrives in Ontario

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Mon Aug 29 11:57:35 PDT 2016

Inspired by Finland’s longstanding tradition of providing a safe sleep environment for infants to new parents, the Baby Box Company is now providing a certified Baby Box to expectant mothers and fathers across Ontario free of charge for those who register and complete the online form. The Baby Boxes are usable up until six-months of age and arrive complete with mattress, waterproof cover and cotton sheet.  In addition to the bassinette-style sleep space, the box includes a kit full of baby products from diapers to body wash, breast pads to teething toys. “Approximately 80% of parents who receive a Baby Box use it as a primary safe sleep space for their infant, up to about six months of age,” said Jennifer Clary, CEO of The Baby Box Co. in an online statement. “A Baby Box program can have a real and measurable impact on both the health and well-being of Ontario’s infants, and the confidence of Ontario’s new parents.” According to the website, parents who are expecting a child between August 1, 2016 and August 1, 2017 are eligible to sign up for the program. The company is expecting upwards of 145, 000 Baby Boxes to be delivered annually in Ontario through hospitals and various community agencies. Baby Boxes will be rolling out in provinces across Canada later this year.  

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Teaching a Baby Sign Language. Sara Bingham on whereparentstalk.com

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Tue Mar 26 00:08:32 PDT 2013

Lianne Castelino of whereparentstalk.com speaks to Sara Bingham, mother of 2 and founder of WeeHands about the merits of teaching a baby how to sign.

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Great Expectations

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Thu May 09 04:05:30 PDT 2013

by Lianne Castelino www.whereparentstalk.com Several years ago now, I learned a term within a business setting, taught by a consultant who was brought in to educate us on a bunch of different things. He was good, his message most interesting.  I took several things away from it.  One of them was one of the 'golden rules' in business, but you could easily argue in life and most certainly in parenting. Under promise. Over deliver. Succinct, powerful, logical and rational. And absolutely bang on. Lately, and perhaps there is a correlation between the nuttiness of life these days, the speed at which we all seem to be moving, whether by choice or necessity, I have experienced a litany of people, situations, circumstances where people are NOT doing what they say they are going to do. I personally have a 3-strike rule.  People get three chances to screw up in my book (weighed by the level of the screw up), before I start to write them off and spend less time, energy or anything else on them. But when it comes to bigger, more official people in positions of power who are merely paying lip service, saying they will 'get back to you by…', 'call you on this date', 'follow up with you tomorrow at 4pm', etc., etc., and then turn around and DO NOT DO what they say they are going to do, I slowly become irate. Why commit yourself to such specifics, if you likely have absolutely no intention of fulfilling it?  Or if you know you aren't going to be able to fulfill the promise, for goodness sake let that person who is expecting the promise to be delivered — KNOW ABOUT IT. Have we become so ignorant as a society, do we lack empathy to such a degree that we need to behave like this? We are always telling our kids —- 'do what you say you are going to do'.  If that is to clean your room, take out the garbage, whatever.  Don't tell us what you think we want to hear, and then under-deliver.  That is irritating. For people who set their personal bars high (which I do), under promising and over-delivering can be a frightful and foreign concept.  I have come to learn that is it more a lifeline and a reality check.   It makes far more sense to set a realistic bar, deliver on it, then incrementally lift that bar higher as you move forward. No different in parenting.  Just when you think your kids are not paying attention, they remember what you said in frustration last Saturday when you promised to buy ice cream or a toy or whatever — when your offspring finally settled down or did their chores, etc. There is nothing more aggravating than over promising and under delivering.  It shows a blatant lack of respect, in my view for everyone involved.  It seems to be sport these with people aided and assisted by technology — hiding behind technology

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Reading Labels at the Supermarket. WhereParentsTalk.com

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Mon Apr 15 09:56:01 PDT 2013

http://whereparentstalk.comDietitian Kim Arrey explains to Andrea Howick how to read cereal nutrition labels in the supermarket.

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Lessons from La Loche

by Lianne Castelino @ Where Parents Talk

Mon Jan 25 06:40:52 PST 2016

So the media has descended swiftly on the devastated community of La Loche, Saskatchewan, in typical fashion, to recount a horrific tale involving a boy with a gun, a killing spree, reeling families, a shell-shocked community.  All of which equal Canada’s worst school shooting. Why are we the least bit surprised? And why are we pointing to bullying as a cause?  Bullying may indeed be found to be a contributing factor — that remains to be seen. This is a story about hopelessness.  Plain and simple.  It has played out before and sadly will again unless leaders in this country actually execute a meaningful plan of action centred around how we treat First Nations in this country.  Stop talking. Start doing.  The conditions are appalling. That should be what shocks us. Having visited a few reserves over the years as a journalist — none of them in remote parts of Canada, mind you — I can tell you about the decrepit conditions (lack of clean running water, overcrowded homes,  overpriced fresh produce — the list is long).  It all adds up to a lack of hope.  The face of hopelessness is something you NEVER forget. We ONLY hear about these ‘third-world conditions’ when fatality strikes —- suicide, a murder , deaths — bigger story if these are alcohol-induced.  That’s the SAD reality.  So what happens in between these headline-grabbing events?  What are we doing to give so many of these children, adults, parents, grandparents and families living in squalor — HOPE? The employment rate in La Loche hovers somewhere around 20%.  That’s the percentage of this community with a job.  Just imagine. I’ve known many people over the years who have visited remote First Nations communities, including my husband, and literally stand there in disbelief as they tell you what they saw and experienced.  How can this be possible in Canada is usually a sentiment expressed at one point. Surely there are some positive stories mixed in with the overwhelming negative, but the bottom line is we NEVER seem to deal with the root cause (a lack of hope caused by lack of basic resources), only the symptoms (suicide, murder, death). The money past governments’ have allegedly freed up never seem to land directly where it’s needed in these communities — why is that?  Out of sight, out of mind? I have long believed — and even put together and presented a proposal a few years ago to one of Canada’s main broadcasters — that the media has almost as important a role to play as government in writing a new story for the founding fathers of this country. If and when a plan is crafted to improve conditions on these reserves, if and when the money begins to flow from the government — the media can play an integral, objective role in ensuring accountability and transparency — rather than just dispatching dwindling resources to do the SAME SAD STORY again and again — in a different place.

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Let Them Eat Halloween Candy! Unsupervised?

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Sun Oct 28 18:12:26 PDT 2012

In April of 2008, New York Sun columnist Lenore Skenazy let her then 9-year old son ride the subway home alone from Bloomingdales in Manhattan. She left him with a map, a Metrocard for the subway, $20 and some change to use a pay phone – remember those? not a cell phone, a PAY phone, in case he needed to call home. She then wrote about his adventure and launched her website www.freerangekids.com. She was subsequently dubbed “America’s Worst Mom” by some..while others so appreciated the child-rearing that reminded them of their own, less restrictive upbringings. Now Skenazy has a new mission: to get parents to ease up on Halloween paranoia. She lets her kids eat their Halloween candy without prior inspection. Do you? Here is the link to her blog post about it. Following is the web TV interview Where Parents Talks’ Lianne Castelino did with her in 2011. WhereParentsTalk: Why do you think today’s parents have become The Worried Generation? Lenore Skenazy: Parents today are fed a very steady diet of hysteria-producing stories in the media, the latest being about a baby who was kidnapped 23 years ago. And CNN had a segment yesterday on how to prevent your child from being kidnapped for the next 23 years. That kind of thing, the leap from  a very very rare weird thing to this is happening all over it’s something you have to be concerned about and ‘Moms never go to the bathroom when you have a baby because the minute you’re in there uh somebody’s going to run into the room and steal the baby.’ I mean that’s what they were really warning you about. As if that’s a likely thing to happen when it happened once, in the United States, last year one time, 4 million babies born, is why we are hysterical. We’re told if we’re not hysterical something is wrong with us, we don’t care enough WPT:  So how do we go about not falling into the trap then of helicopter parenting? LS:  Well I think what I found most valuable is it’s very hard to say ‘don’t be afraid’ because we’re all afraid of something. I happen to be deathly afraid of cars. But there are – sometimes I will put my kids in a car, despite my fear, because I really have to get somewhere.  It’s more important to me than to just give into the fears. Well it turns out that there are some things that are really important for our kids that we’re missing out on because we’re so afraid that we keep them inside or we constantly supervise them even as they get old enough to do things on their own . It turns out for instance that free play is incredibly valuable to all mammals. And we are the only ones who are preventing it from happening. We take them say to a supervised little league game or soccer team or I guess you’re in Canada, a hockey team,

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Schooled for success

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Sun May 03 21:45:02 PDT 2015

The first day of school can be stressful for both you and your child. Ease the pressure by doing your homework before the big day. Next is negotiating the back-to-school supply list. As tempting as it may be to stock up on school supplies the minute they hit store shelves, it’s important to wait until your child receives their supply list from the teacher. Teachers can be very specific about the colours of the binders and the quantity of 2HB lead pencils each child must have. However, Carolyn does recommend you start checking items off the school supply list the minute you receive it, as stores can sell out of popular items at the beginning of the school year. And before you know it, exams will be right around the corner! To read more click here

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Part 2: Incorporating Pulses Into Your Family’s Diet

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Mon Feb 22 08:02:56 PST 2016

In Part 1 of our series, we introduced you to Pulses and explained why the United Nations has chosen to spotlight them in 2016 for their nutritional and environmental benefits. Now in Part 2, we unveil some family-friendly tips for incorporating pulses into your daily diet. We hope you choose to make these powerhouse foods part of your next great meal! How to prepare dry beans Buying bags of dried beans is both an economical and healthy way to introduce more beans into your daily meals. Although canned beans are convenient, you may be surprised to find out that cooking dry beans at home can be just as easy and they freeze well for later use. To prepare dried beans at home, follow these guidelines from Pulse Canada: Long, cold soak, overnight Place 1 cup of dried beans in a bowl and cover with 3 cups of water, place in the refrigerator to soak for 12 hours Rinse, add fresh water and boll gently until tender Quick soak Bring 1 cup of pulses and 3 cups of water to a boil. Boil gently for 2 minutes Remove from heat, cover and let stand for 1 hour Microwave Combine 1 cup of pulses and 3 cups of water in a microwave bowl Cover and microwave on high for 10 -15 minutes, let stand for 1 hour How to include more pulses in your diet Now that you know just how healthy beans, peas, lentils and chickpeas are, take on the challenge and be creative with these ingredients in your kitchen. Here are a few ideas for including more pulses in your meals and snacks: Add pureed beans and lentils to baked goods such as cookies, muffins and brownies Add cooked beans, lentils or chickpeas to green and grain salads for a boost of protein and fibre Add cooked kidney beans, Romano beans or lentils to tomato sauces for protein boost to your pasta dishes Toss a variety of beans, peas, lentils and chickpeas into soups instead of a grain such as rice or noodles Try a bean dip such as hummus for snacks in between meals. Serve with cut up veggies or whole wheat pita Replace ½ of the meat in chili recipes with beans or experiment with vegetarian chili recipe including a variety of beans Add black beans to your tacos or burritos instead of or in addition to lean ground meats Make recipes gluten free by using bean flours in place of regular wheat flour Beans, peas, lentils and chickpeas make great purees for babies first foods. Puree and serve on their own or added to other foods such a grains or vegetable Worried about gas and bloating?? Everyone knows that pulses such as beans, peas, lentils and chickpeas can sometimes lead to gas and bloating which can be both uncomfortable and embarrassing. To reduce gas and bloating try the following tips from Pulse Canada to prevent these foods from being a musical fruit: Change the soaking water 1-2

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Savvy Snacks for Summer Road Trips!

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Tue Jun 07 06:36:23 PDT 2016

By: Melinda Lamarche Summer is here and it’s time to hit the road!  Whether exploring new places or rediscovering old favourites, family road trips can be loads of fun and a chance to create lifelong memories. To keep everyone’s spirits up throughout the journey, it’s a good idea to pack some delicious snacks to keep little tummies happy during those long stretches of highway.  Not only do homemade snacks save time and money along the way, they are also your best bet in terms of offering your family a healthy and satisfying nibble. Below are some tips and tricks to keep you and your family well-fed while on the road, here’s to a happy (and healthy) journey! SNACKING BASICS Choose snacks those that contain a source of carbohydrate for energy and some protein to keep you feeling fuller longer, examples include: yogurt and fruit, cheese and crackers, nuts and dried fruit. Before you hit the road, invest in a small cooler and ice packs. Look for reusable containers like mason jars and don’t forget to stock the napkins, wet wipes and utensils. SNACK IDEAS Yogurt, berry and granola parfait Layer plain yogurt, berries and granola in a mason jar, sprinkle with cinnamon and a squirt of honey before sealing the lid Hummus, veggies and bread sticks Spoon a few tablespoons of your favourite storebought or homemade hummus into the bottom of a mason jar, place cut up vegetables in the hummus and place the lid on top. Serve with whole grain breadsticks or crackers on the side Fruity tortilla roll ups Mix softened cream cheese with a little bit of cinnamon, vanilla extract and maple syrup, spread on a whole grain tortilla. Place a mix of cut up fruit and berries on top of cream cheese, roll up and cut into 1” circles Homemade mini muffins and fruit Make a batch of your families favourite muffins, be sure to use whole wheat flour and keep the amount of sugar low, sneak in some mashed bananas or applesauce to hike up the nutritional value, for some fun stir in some nuts or dried fruit and chocolate chips, bake in a mini muffin tin to get more and keep portions snack sized. Roasted chickpeas and cut up veggies Rinse and drain a can of chickpeas, place on a parchment lined backing sheet. Sprinkle with 1 tbsp of olive oil, roast in a 400degrees for 30minutes, stirring occasionally, then sprinkle with your favourite flavours, try cumin, garlic powder and thyme. Of course, you can’t go wrong with the tried and true snacks, think cheese and crackers, fruit and nuts and granola bars. When buying crackers look for those that are low in fat, containing less than 5g of fat per serving, low in salt and containing at least 2-4g of fibre per serving. Choose unsalted and dry roasted nuts. Granola bars can be tricky, they are one of those foods with a health halo, meaning they are often marketed as being healthier than

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Exploring Our Backyard: 29th Annual Great White North Pumpkin Weigh-Off and Fair

by Sharon @ Only Here for the Food

Sun Jan 07 22:12:31 PST 2018

Back in October (apologies for the tardiness of this post!), Mack and I checked off another item off of our local bucket list – to take in the Great White North Pumpkin Weigh-Off & Fair in Smoky Lake, Alberta. The 29th iteration took place the first weekend in October, meaning the event will celebrate its […]

Six disabled people who were absolutely extraordinary

by Akiva Medjuck @ Where Parents Talk

Thu Oct 15 14:00:27 PDT 2015

October is both Learning Disabilities Awareness Month and an ADHD Awareness Month.  According to Statistics Canada, more than half (59.8%) of all the children with disabilities in this country have a learning disability, 3.2% of all Canadian children have a learning disability – that’s roughly one child in every class. Many a time kids with Learning Disability or ADHD are discounted by the teachers and educators, and not much is expected of them. That’s why i decided to put together this list of disabled individuals who were absolutely extraordinary. Terry Fox: A true Canadian icon, Winnipeg native Terry Fox is synonymous with determination and courage. After having lost a leg to cancer, he set out on a cross-country marathon to raise awareness and funds for cancer research. He was forced to quit 143 days into his run, and soon after lost his battle, he stands today as a pillar of hope and determination that all Canadians can look up to. Helen Keller: Though blind and deaf, Helen Keller went on to become an activist, author and lecturer, due in no small part to the efforts of her teacher, Annie Sullivan. Ms. Sullivan taught her how to communicate during a time when such profound disabilities were seen to be insurmountable. She founded the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) in 1920, and traveled to over thirty-nine countries during her life, making friends with such notables as Charlie Chaplin, Graham Bell and Mark Twain. Stephen Hawking: a British Theoretical Physicist, Stephen Hawking developed a form of ALS, motor neuron disease, at the age of twenty one. Doctors gave him a prognosis of two to three years, but he has gone on to marry twice, father three children, write a bestselling book (A Brief History of Time), and has won several awards. He is recognized as one of the most intelligent men on the planet, even though as of 2009 he is completely paralyzed. Ludwig Van Beethoven: It is common knowledge that Beethoven was hearing impaired. In his day, this alone would have been enough to discredit his work, but he went on to become one of the most revered and respected composers in all of He began losing his hearing in his twenties, but composed some of his greatest works when he was for all intents and purposes, completely deaf. Vincent Van Gogh: The Dutch Painter suffered from severe mental illness and depression, which worsened over time. His story did not unfold nor end well; though he was a prolific artist and painter, and some of his paintings are the most valuable in the art world today, one selling for $82.5 million. He sold no more than two works (out of more than nine hundred to his credit) prior to his death, spent some time in a psychiatric hospital, and at the age of thirty-seven he shot himself in the chest. Frida Kahlo: Afflicted by polio when she was just a child, Frida also suffered with spinal bifida, which likely affected her spine and leg development. She became a

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Behind Every Entitled Kid Is An Enabling Parent

by Lianne Castelino @ Where Parents Talk

Wed Jan 04 07:20:10 PST 2017

(originally appeared in Huff Post Parents in May 2016) They seem to be sprouting all around us. Multiplying, it would appear, like rabbits. Defying age, culture, socio-economic status, demographic criteria, etc. And as we watch — often in disbelief, frustration or just plain anger — we wonder where in the world they come from and how in the world they do what they do with a straight face, without much apparent conscience and usually little respect or regard for those around them. There is no deep thinking, forensic analysis or other investigative technique required to determine what creates, causes or contributes to an entitled individual. Rock stars, politicians and professional athletes, among others, have handlers. Entitled individuals have enablers. Period, end of story. Take any example you wish — from the collapse of Wall Street and ensuing financial crisis of 2008 and beyond, to the Jian Ghomeshi case, a bully in the schoolyard, a parent who rules by fear, a less-than-competent colleague who somehow scales the corporate ladder — it’s a long and varied list. You can safely bet there is one common denominator. They don’t act alone. Their actions are not isolated. They move, sometimes stealthily, because they are allowed to do so. The path ahead of them is often clear or cleared by someone else. Their enablers clear it for them — whether these enablers realize that IS what they’re doing, are proactively participating or are merely reacting on the sidelines through inaction. Entitled individuals can bob and weave their way through life deftly in large part because those of us around them allow it to happen. We enable that action. We are all guilty of enabling in one form or another — however, small or large that enablement. It is rather gobsmacking when you see all the hallmarks of entitled creature-creation in parenting. You know the one. A lovely, normal, hardworking mother or father trying to do the right thing for their child/children. And then they’ll do completely irrational things like: debate marks with their kid’s teacher, call their child’s university professor to see about bumping up grades, corner their kid’s sports coach about more playing time (assuming the coach is irrationally not playing them) and otherwise make excuses for, dive in to save, defend without just cause — their child. There is a difference between advocating for a child with reason and appropriate rationale, and leaping in to save them when things don’t go their way. The latter is effectively sowing the seeds of entitlement. One of the most difficult things to do as a parent is to stand by and watch your child undergo some form of adversity. But ask yourself the zillion dollar question — how else will they ever learn? Like the old saying goes, and it is so true: “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” Yes it does. Likely never fun to go through, but necessary. Necessary to learn from, to appreciate the lesson learned and to understand the journey and

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“Bad Moms” Defy All Parenting Rules in Irreverent New Movie Trailer

by Cara Scholl @ Where Parents Talk

Wed May 04 06:38:53 PDT 2016

Tired of the Mommy Wars and the pressure to be perfect? This movie is probably for you! Written by the duo behind the “Hangover,” “Bad Moms” stars Mila Kunis as an overworked mom of two who is struggling to juggle the many – and often unreasonable – demands of parenthood. Kunis’ eventually reaches her breaking point at a PTA meeting when the queen of the perky moms, depicted by Christina Applegate, outlines no less than 14 dietary restrictions for the school’s upcoming bake sale. “I’m so tired of trying to be this perfect mom, I’m done” she says to Applegate’s obvious confusion. Two other moms played by Kristen Bell and Kathryn Hahn join Kunis in solidarity to ditch the rules of perfect parenting and the rest is history. See the hilarious trailer below as the “Bad Moms” crew goes wild all over town, including – gasp – showing up at the bake sale with store-bought donut holes. The horror!

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What to tell the kids about Santa?

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Fri Dec 21 10:17:10 PST 2012

Someone last week described in minute detail the lengths she and her husband go to to keep Santa alive for their three boys. They have enlisted the help of the now popular Elf on the Shelf, an interactive hide-and-seek game where magical elf figures are placed in a different spot each morning after they’ve flown home to the North Pole at night to report back on who’s been naughty or nice in the household. It’s a charming idea that has garnered a sizeable following. But for these two working parents, every night, the entire month of December, they must remember the Elf. Where was he today? Where will he be in the morning when we wake up? Add this to Christmas shopping, baking, gift-wrapping, card-sending, family-hosting…you get the idea. Despite their best efforts, the middle child, the family’s 6-year old, was beginning to have his doubts about Santa. Mom said he would be punished if he stopped believing or breathed a word of his thoughts to his brothers. No gifts for him. Really? Punishing a child for his thoughts about Santa Claus? Every parent has been through this. Especially if there is a sizeable age gap between the kids in the family.  Most older siblings are only too happy to play along once they understand. The truth is, Santa is as much for parents as he is for children, right? My kids believe in Santa = they are young and innocent, and look up at me with saucer eyes, believing and obeying everything ” or most ” of what I say. They stop believing = they are older, beginning to question the world around them ” and who do they question, or defy, more than anyone: mom and dad. It is a coming of age. Up until now most milestones have been physical..learning to walk, run, ride a bike. Even success at school in the early grades, doesn’t require any questioning of authority. In our busy, hard and sometimes cold world, we have learned as adults that a belief in some kind of magic can help soften the edges. And as parents we can easily get caught up in the magic of the season, seeing those young eyes light up on Christmas morning. But the real magic is in helping our children make the leap to the other side, and finding the true meaning of Christmas.

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Coping with Autism – A Dad’s Journey. Part 1

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Mon Apr 01 23:28:05 PDT 2013

Lianne Castelino of www.whereparentstalk.com speaks to Bruce McIntosh, a father of two, including a teenage son with autism, about his family’s journey from the diagnosis, more than a decade ago til today when the family is seeking government help to create crisis centres for teens with autism.

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Consumer mentality and the family

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Tue Jan 29 18:11:46 PST 2013

Dr. Maha Broum, Guest Contributor, Author, “Parenting Under Stress” If you go into any child’s room today you will find it hoarded with toys. Parents buy their children too many toys for a number of reasons: Guilt, as parents feel guilty for not spending time or giving needed attention to their children. Advertisers take advantage of parental guilt as a source for sales. Competitiveness and keeping up with the Joneses. Parents will buy any toy for their children because “all other kids have it. How can I not buy it for my kid? He might feel isolated of the other kids”. Perfectionism and unrealistic expectations. Some parents think they can have it all, and that they can give everything to their children. Psychologists believe that too many toys does not allow for the full development of children’s imagination.  They prohibit the full exploration of a toy, and causes children to be superficial. But before parents control buying toys for their kids, they need to control their own consumption. Think, how many things you buy that you do not need? How many shirts you have? Pairs of shoes? Cars? Parents are caught in a vicious circle of work-buy-work-buy encouraged by advertisements that transfers any want to a need. In industrial countries like USA and Canada, the government encourages this cycle for more income and sales tax. Parents find it extremely hard to stop their consumer habits, not only because media set new values and create needs, but also because of a psychological need to impress others with symbols of higher social class. Consumerism and material possessions divert the individual from the true meaning of happiness and the value of relationships, and keeps people further from achieving self actualization. Brand names do not have a value in themselves, but they are social signals that some people use to identify themselves and find like-minded people. Many parents use their children as status symbols by dressing them in brand clothing and enrolling them in ‘classy’ activities like music and foreign languages. Adult children of such parents grow up feeling entitled to what they have and do not develop readiness for hard work. Consumer mentality makes us feel insecure with low self worth, even the most affluent of us.  The more we have, the more we need. We find that excessive seeking-wealth nations suffer of higher rates of mental disorders. They deal with artificial needs and place high value on money, possessions, looks and fame instead of connecting and sustaining meaningful relationships. To avoid the trap of consumerism we need to know who we are, what we value and what creative activities fulfill us, and value relationships. Dr. Maha Broum, author of ‘Parenting under Stress’ works as a parent/student guidance counselor in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. Visit the book’s website at: www.parentingunderstress.com; follow its page on Facebook: Facebook.com/parenting under stress; follow us on Twitter: Parenting Stress. Watch WhereParentsTalk video interview with Dr. Maha Broum

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Work-Family Balance with Olympian Jessica Zelinka on whereparentstalk.com

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Tue Jan 15 23:31:02 PST 2013

Lianne Castelino of whereparentstalk.com speaks to Jessica Zelinka, mom and Canadian Olympic track and field athlete about balancing career and parenthood.

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“Meanest Mom Ever” Trashes Ice-Cream to Teach Her Kids a Hard Lesson on Manners

by Cara Scholl @ Where Parents Talk

Thu Apr 21 08:33:23 PDT 2016

A U.S. reality TV star is garnering online attention and praise for her tough-love approach to parenting. Jaime Primak Sullivan, star of Bravo’s Jersey Belle, was appalled by her kids’ dismissive treatment of a Dairy Queen employee when the family was out for ice-cream this past weekend.   Not one of them said “thank you” to the young lady behind the counter or to their mom for purchasing the treat. In an online post that has since gone viral, Sullivan explained how she calmly counted to 10, gave herself a silent pep-talk, then collected each of the desserts and threw them in the garbage while her children  looked on in confusion and horror. Once everyone settled down, Sullivan says she explained to them the importance of treating people with respect and to really “look them in the eye and say thank you.”  At ages eight, seven and five, she says her kids are too old to overlook the importance of basic manners in everyday life. The reaction to Sullivan’s post has been overwhelmingly positive with many posters praising her tough-love approach to parenting and sharing similar experiences from their own lives.  The post has been shared 44, 000 times on Facebook and has drawn more than 350,000 ‘likes’ in just four days. In a subsequent video blog on her Facebook page, Sullivan says she viewed the Dairy Queen experience as a “teachable moment” and that a more measured response would not have yielded the kind of long-term impact she’s was looking for. “I would like them to treat people with basic human decency, perhaps more than basic – forever,” Sullivan said. “Because if I die tomorrow, I’m leaving you with my three children, so I would like for the world to be better because they’re in it.” RELATED LINKS: Are Manners Passe? Teaching Civility & Manners Service with a Smile Keeping Up in the in Era of Social Media No App for That! A Parent’s Guide to Explaining Simpler Times    

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Kids & Seasonal Allergies with Dr. M.J Francoeur

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Wed May 29 23:45:59 PDT 2013

Lianne Castelino of whereparentstalk.com speaks to Dr. M-J Francoeur, pediatric allergist about the causes, symptoms and treatments for seasonal allergies in children and adults.

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Week One Recap: Meal Plan Your Way to Success!

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Fri Mar 04 09:22:10 PST 2016

WhereParentsTalk.com is proud to announce our participation in Nutrition Month by tracking one family’s mission to eat healthier meals at home. We will update on their journey every week along with expert feedback on the concrete steps they are taking towards achieving their goal. I cook out of necessity, not because I enjoy it. I find it time consuming and messy – and I’m not confident in my skills in the kitchen. Don’t get me wrong, I can follow a recipe but they never seem to come out looking Instagram worthy, which leads me to believe that I’m just not a great cook. I thought that the 100 Meal Challenge would be a great opportunity to work on boosting my confidence in the kitchen and to ensure my family was well fed all month long (and beyond!). Week one has been great and being organized early on made meals a no-brainer. Registered Dietitian, Amanda Lapidus, came over to discuss my family’s medical concerns, allergies, likes and dislikes and came up with a meal plan tailored to our needs. She showed me how to use the meal plan to guide my grocery shopping, which helped me avoid buying unnecessary items at the grocery store (translation: cookies and chips). I made healthier choices and only spent money on necessities, which meant a lot less waste and the gratification of seeing everything in my fridge turn in to meals. DIETITIAN TIP: Make a weekly meal plan whether cooking for one person or a large family. Meal planning is essential! BENEFITS OF MEAL PLANNING Saves Money Avoid impulse purchases Meal plan around supermarket specials Less money spent on restaurant food Using ingredients in multiple recipes to avoid food waste Save time Less visits to the grocery store because you buy all of your groceries for the week in one visit Can cook large batches to freeze for later dates or to eat multiple days in a week Improves efficiency Meal plan serves as a reminder on what to pre-chop to make cooking on busier days easier Improves overall nutrition by planning overall balanced meals and variety throughout the week Nutrition Month officially started on Tuesday, so it’s been a short week but here is what I can say about the meals so far: Tuesday: Lemon Chicken Stew (Recipe: Here) Ross & Corey’s Rating: Delicious, fast, easy and flavourful. Edie’s Rating: This was dinner for Edie on Wednesday night and Edie was not a big fan, opted for kidney beans and cheese. Sometimes moms just have to go with the flow! Corey’s Tip 1: We love lemon so I added a bit more than the recipe called for. Corey’s Tip 2: Chopping everything Monday night once Edie was asleep made making dinner Tuesday night much easier. Dietitian Tip: Use low sodium chicken broth and add salt to taste but go light with the shaker. Wednesday: Slow Cooker Taco Chili Ross & Corey’s Rating: Easy and flavourful – toss the ingredients in, push a button and

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“Parenting Under Stress” – Dr. Maha Broum on WhereParentsTalk.com

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Tue Jan 29 14:04:54 PST 2013

Lianne Castelino of whereparentstalk.com speaks to Dr. Maha Broum, mom of 2, an educator for more than 30 years and author of “Parenting Under Stress”, a new book borne from her own personal experience handing stress-related issues within her family. &nbsp;

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Family-Friendly Summer Treats!

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Thu Aug 04 06:13:54 PDT 2016

Lazy summer days wouldn’t be complete with our favourite warm-weather treats, but this summer, consider mixing up your family’s snacking routine with a variety of delicious – yet nutritious – bites. Contrary to popular belief, nutritious foods don’t have to be a total yawn fest.  There are several ways to put a fun and delicious spin on healthy alternatives, see below for some inspirational ideas! Summer Salsa! Turn melon, strawberries and pineapple into a colourful salsa and serve it up with whole grain pita triangles sprinkled with cinnamon. Savvy Skewers! Layer a variety of fruit and berries onto a skewer with a dip of plain Greek yogurt spiked with honey, cinnamon and a dash of vanilla. T Popsicle Fun! Think of your favourite flavour combinations and freeze them in popsicle moulds or blend up a frozen banana with honey and a few tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder and you have instant chocolate banana ice cream. Delicious Dippin’! Kids love to dip, offer cut up vegetables along side a protein packed new spin on hummus by blending together edamame, tahini, roasted garlic and lemon juice, it’ll also taste great with some whole grain crackers. Hungry yet? Mixing in some nutritious alternatives will give your family that burst of energy they need to enjoy the rest of summer to its fullest! Enjoy! Melinda Lamarche has been working as a Registered Dietitian for more than 10 years.  After completing her dietetic internship at the University Health Network in 2005 she went on to complete a Masters degree in Public Health Nutrition at the University of Toronto.  Melinda has experience working with Toronto Public Health and various Family Health Teams in the Toronto area.  Melinda recently completed a Culinary program and is using her new skills to prepare yummy and healthy dishes for her husband, daughter and new baby. RELATED LINKS Your Nutritional Guide to a Summer Full of Freshness Delight Your Senses with Our Summer Produce Guide Buy Local to Add “Spring” to Your Diet! Why Pulses are the Family-Friendly Food of 2016 Incorporating Pulses Into Your Family’s Diet Fall Foods Your Family Should Try Real Food: Feeding Your Children Right

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Banana Muffins

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Sat Apr 04 21:16:50 PDT 2015

Banana Muffins Servings Prep Time 1dozen 15minutes Cook Time 20minutes Servings Prep Time 1dozen 15minutes Cook Time 20minutes Ingredients 1 1/2cup Unbleached Flour 2tsp Baking Powder 1tsp Baking Soda 1/2tsp Salt 1/2tsp Cinnamon 1cup Bananamashed 1/4cup Sugar 2tbsp Milk 1tsp Pure Vanilla Extract 1/3cup Vegetable Oil 1 Egg Recipe Notes Blend all dry ingredients together in a large bowl or measuring cup. Mix the mashed banana, sugar, milk, vanilla, oil and egg. Combine the two mixtures until just moistened – don’t overmix. Using 2 spoons, drop into 12 lightly greased muffin tins. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 18 to 20 minutes. Makes 1 dozen muffins. Variation: Blueberry Banana Muffins Add 1/2 cup (125 ml) fresh or frozen blueberries just before baking. (If using frozen, toss blueberries lightly in flour before adding.) Variation: Whole Wheat Banana Muffins Substitute half or all of the flour with whole wheat flour.

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Summer Health Tips

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Mon May 04 20:43:38 PDT 2015

Dr Benjamin Burko, our resident pediatrician, assistant professor of pediatrics at McGillUniversity and Medical Director of the Tiny Tots Medical Centre talks about Summer Prevention! Everything you need to know to keep your kids safe outdoors this summer – from West Nilevirus, to swimmer’s ear and avoiding food poisoning, Dr Burko has easy tips and practical advice for parents.

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Escaping the Cotton Wool Cage

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Fri Jun 07 05:56:35 PDT 2013

Emily Buchanan, Guest Contributor According to the media, everything is in crisis. From education to parenting to the institution of childhood, it’s hard to avoid the statistical evidence that tells us we’re all doomed.  Studies say that parents are paranoid and overtly protective. They say that parents don’t let their children play outside, that they wrap them in cotton wool and that modern parenting is ruining children’s brains . Parents are also to blame for self-esteem issues, bad grades and just about anything that negatively affects a child’s life. And then there’s childhood, which we are led to believe is also in crisis. Children are unhappy, world weary and burdened by the need to be good at everything. They are addicted to gadgets, they never eat their vegetables and they don’t know what an owl is. The impact of crisis parenting is made all the more critical by the fact that childhood is – by all accounts – over. So how can you possibly be a good parent if the very foundation of childhood has already been destroyed? According to Professor Mary-Jane Kehi this is a “construct led by media hysteria and compounded by a loss of confidence amongst parents.” In other words, the media is putting parents under a lot of pressure. This has created a cycle that relentlessly promotes aspirational parenting but never rewards anyone for achieving it. And yet, how can you support the assumption that childhood is not what it used to be? It’s impossible to measure the true impact modern parenting has on the individual child. Is it not more than likely that most children are totally oblivious to the anxiety that surrounds their every hiccup? Is their quality of life not vastly superior to any other time in history? This moral panic isn’t coming from children; they haven’t got the foggiest clue that childhood is anything other than what it should be. It’s important to remember that the institution of childhood (and, in turn, the surveillance of parenthood) is a relatively new concept. Before the turn of the century, children were adults in miniature. They worked as often and as hard as the rest, their innocence was not protected and their education was not essential. So how, in little over one hundred years, have we become over-wrought with this anxiety? As with most things in contemporary culture, it’s the internet’s fault. “Hypermedia” has been created by the inconceivable rise of the net, increasing everyone’s exposure to advertising, news and communication. This, in turn, gives rise to virtual and viral anxiety. After all, it’s never been easier to share your ideas and your concerns with the rest of the world and this inevitably feeds the fear-mongering mill of the media. Despite the fact we’ve placed children on a pedestal of purity, this position is constantly being compromised by 24-hour rolling news. From child trafficking to kidnapping to the recent glut of scandals in the UK, breaking news has created a culture of crisis that has deteriorated

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Nutrition Month Featured Recipe: Fish Taco Bowl

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Sat Apr 02 10:52:40 PDT 2016

Servings: 4 Ingredients For the Slaw ¼ cup Grapeseed oil ¼ cup water ½ cup chopped green onions ½ cup cilantro leaves (optional) 1-2 cloves garlic ½ teaspoon salt 2 limes juiced ½ cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream 3-4 cups shredded purple and green cabbage For the Fish Taco Bowls 1 cup quinoa 1 lb cod or other white fish ½ cup brown rice flour or whole wheat flour (can use white all purpose flour if that’s what you have) 2 teaspoons chili powder 1 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons olive oil avocado, salsa, lime wedges and shredded mozzarella cheese for serving INSTRUCTIONS SLAW: Blend the oil, water, green onions, cilantro (if using), garlic, salt and lime juice in a blender or food processor until chopped/chunky. Add the sour cream and pulse again until just combined (you don’t want it totally smooth more like an herby creamy sauce). Toss the sauce with the cabbage and Let it sit in the fridge while you prepare the other ingredients.  QUINOA: Prepare the quinoa according to package directions.  FISH: Pat the cod dry with paper towels and cut into bite-sized pieces. Combine the flour, spices, and salt in a shallow dish. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Dredge each piece of fish in the flour and add it to the hot pan, frying for a few minutes on each side. When the fish is golden brown, remove from pan and sprinkle with the salt.  SERVING: Plate each dish with a scoop of quinoa, a few pieces of fish, a scoop of lime cabbage slaw, and avocado, salsa, grated cheese or any other toppings you like. Serve with lime wedges Inspired by: http://pinchofyum.com/spicy-fish-taco-bowls-with-cilantro-lime-slaw

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Scrambled Tofu

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Thu Mar 26 21:45:27 PDT 2015

Looking for a wonderful, healthy allternative to eggs? Tofu is chock full or protein, absorbs all kinds of flavours easily and is incredibly versatile. This easy recipe will wow your taste buds.

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Summer Fun

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Mon Jul 22 05:52:37 PDT 2013

by Rachel Thomas, Guest Contributor I always loved having my kids home from school. I loved spending time with them and thinking of fun things to do. We live in an area that is pretty much hot and humid almost all year around so in the summer it is just hotter than usual. We have had to come up with some pretty creative ways to stay cool because we do not have a built in swimming pool at our house. We did purchase an above the ground pool which all the kids had a great time in. Along with the pool we would play in the sprinkler and play games with water balloons. The kids used to like to play a form of baseball with the water balloons, one would pitch and one would bat and both would end up getting wet if they made a hit! That was the fun of it. Or the water balloon toss where you toss it back and forth moving farther and farther apart until someone misses and get soaked or it breaks in their hands. Water guns are another way to play with water and have some fun. The bigger the better and the more they got wet. When it gets hot these are great ways to have a good time. Just make sure you have a lot of towels on hand; with a warm bath afterwards you should have children ready to sleep! Most kids love to camp and this is another great summer activity depending on where you live of course. In our neck of the woods it is often too hot to camp in the summer so we usually camp in the spring or fall here. If you live in more moderate climates that get cool at night or in the evenings then camping is ideal. Especially if you camp near a lake where you can drop a line and catch a fish or jump in the cool lake for a swim. Hiking, biking, eating out of doors, and seeing all kinds of wildlife up close can be a blast for children. It can be a real treat for kids that are used to the city life but roasting marshmallows over a campfire or making smores is fun for all. Taking full on vacations can be fun but for those of us who cannot take long vacations day trips can be a great time for the whole family. My mom used to babysit my kids while I worked and would often take the kids on a day trip to places within an hour or two of home every week. They would visit museums, the zoo, water falls, lakes, and do things like fish, rock climb, hike, bird watch, pick wild berries, and on and on. Most of us live within a couple hours of interesting activities and we do not even know it. There are no mountains per se in our area but there are several nice hilly locations. My

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How to get your kids to read more

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Sat Jan 12 04:42:29 PST 2013

Lianne Castelino It’s a common plea heard by many parents these days – “my son/daughter doesn’t read enough”. Goodness knows I’ve said it plenty of times! With all the electronic paraphernalia taking over our lives, reading often seems like a lost art. Fear not, here are some great tips to create your own little book worm: 1- Turn off the tv. (Even just 20 few minutes a day makes a huge difference) 2- Designate a time (eg. after dinner) as quiet time. Every member of the family should get a book and read. A child tends to copy what they see their parents doing. If they see you reading, chances are they will too. Read aloud to younger children in a separate quiet spot. 3- Get older children to read to younger siblings as part of their responsibilities. 4- Let your kids “EARN” gaming time by reading first. Eg. 20 minutes of reading = 20 minutes of gaming 5- Visit the public library at least once a week. Stay a while and explore. 6- Create a family reading club. Discuss books after completing them. For every book read – offer a compensation or reward. To earn the reward, ensure that each book is accompanied by a one paragraph summary. (You need to ensure they are actually reading and that they understand what they are reading). 7- Make 20 minutes of reading a day a family staple. 8- Don’t be picky about what your child reads. A newspaper, novel, the comics, horror stories, the Bible – as long as they are reading. 9- For fussy or new readers – try audio books. These also work well for long car trips. 10- Build a family library of everyone’s favorite books. With a 12, 10 and 5 year-old, activities, sports, music and every other thing jam-packed into our schedule, it is challenging to incorporate reading daily, but like so many other facets of parenting – I’ve learned it’s about creating a habit. Once you start, it’s builds steam, becomes a priority and then before you know it – a habit is formed! The importance of reading cannot be overstated. Reading bedtime stories to your child is just the beginning of an important lifelong journey and an important habit they will cherish!

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Scrambled Tofu

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Thu Mar 26 20:26:54 PDT 2015

Looking for a wonderful, healthy allternative to eggs? Tofu is chock full or protein, absorbs all kinds of flavours easily and is incredibly versatile. This easy recipe will wow your taste buds and your family’s too! Mash tofu in a bowl. Then add your next three ingredients and mix well. Pour oil into a skillet over medium-high heat. Add ingredients from bowl and cook 5 minutes or until warm throughout and light yellow in color.

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Nutrition Month Featured Recipe: Slow Cooker Asian Beef

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Sat Apr 02 10:01:48 PDT 2016

Serves: 6 servings Cook Time: 3 hours Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes Ingredients 2 pounds flank steak, trim excess fat and slice into one-inch pieces (against the grain), you can also buy packages of beef cut in “stir fry” strips 1 tablespoon all purpose flour 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce 1 tablespoon grated ginger* 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar or rice vinegar 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil 2 cups brown rice or quinoa, cooked Shredded carrots, red cabbage, julienne cucumbers and chopped green onions for serving HEALTHY ALTERNATIVE! Instead of using brown rice or quinoa try making cauliflower rice or combining half quinoa or brown rice with half cauliflower rice. HEALTHY ADDITION!  Add kale or a leaf of your choice on top of the rice for an added green!  Instructions Add flour and beef to a large resealable plastic bag (e.g. Ziploc) and shake to combine until flour equally coats beef. Put beef in slow cooker In a medium blow, whisk together soy sauce, ginger, honey/maple syrup, vinegar, garlic and oil. Pour over beef. Cover and cook on high for 3.5 hours. Once done turn slow cooker off and let rest for 30 minutes. Serve immediately with rice (or quinoa) and top with carrots, cabbage, cucumbers and green onions. Top with additional sauce and sesame seeds if desired. Adapted from http://momtomomnutrition.com/food-and-recipes/slow-cooker-asian-beef/ *Kitchen Hack: Peeling ginger with a teaspoon is a lot easier and less wasteful than using a knife. Cut the amount of ginger you need. Hold the ginger in one hand and use the tip of your spoon to scrape off your peel. The peel is very thin and you should find that it comes off easily. HELPFUL LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9zgXSdnPGI  

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The PP effect

by Lianne Castelino @ Where Parents Talk

Fri Mar 11 06:49:51 PST 2016

Shhh. Listen closely. Do you hear the eye-rolling?  If it’s not audible to you, then hooray. Keep doing what you’re doing. Twenty-four hours later, the love-in between Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and US President Barack Obama continues. A toasty reception, glittering dinner, downright sizzling interaction and tons of media coverage generously heaped with — wait for it — positive statements and sentiments. There it is, that P-word. The one that gives many fits. Positive. And what in the world is so wrong with it, I’ve always wondered. Positive politics. Positive parenting. What could be negative about positive anything?  But the naysayers loom, of that you can be sure. You are what you attract and you attract what you are.  Take a look around. Such a true sentiment. Several years ago now, I made a conscious decision to politely walk away from negative energy. The younger, vibrant version of myself would have worked tirelessly to get to the bottom of why an individual was negative. The older, grizzled version of myself simply does not have the energy, time or desire. The naysayers can fend for themselves, I declared to myself a few decades ago. When I meet negative people, I spew positivity…if it kills me.  And it ain’t easy.  Exactly like parenting. What’s fascinating and disturbing to me is most negative people don’t know why they are in such a grey-black-dark state. Then there are those who I am convinced choose that mindset and revel in it. The same people who try to attract new recruits and often succeed. Having worked in television newsrooms for the better part of 20 years, both as a full-time employee and freelancer, I can count on two hands the number of positive people I’ve met.  We’re talking about finding brightness and energy within a stressful, competitive, constantly-changing, deadline-driven environment where largely negative human dramas are unfolding before your eyes and your responsibility is to tell that story. It’s not sunshine and daisies.  Yet, the positive people I’ve known from this environment over the years remain consistent in their action and mindset — fending off that tidal wave of negative energy deftly, swiftly and with every fibre of their being. It ain’t easy.  After all, ‘if it bleeds, it leads’, still holds true in media. I continue to hope for that to change. For parents, there is no greater challenge than to be positive with understanding your child’s behaviour, disciplining them or staying the course on punishment. Positive parenting requires patience, forethought, patience, example-setting and um, PATIENCE.  I fail at this more than I succeed, without question, but I never stop trying. I did not vote for the Liberals and Justin Trudeau, primarily because I was not crystal clear on his platform. My voting choice had nothing to do with personality and everything to do with pure politics — vision, plan of action, ability to inspire confidence in others and most importantly execution of the plan. Since his historic election victory, I have become increasingly

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Practical Tips for Flying with a Baby

by Cara Scholl @ Where Parents Talk

Wed Jan 20 11:47:06 PST 2016

Being from the West but living in the East, I have spent a lot of time on airplanes with my one-year old en route to visit family. The experience of flying with her has evolved from her first trip at three-months to her most recent flight at 13-months.  In some ways it’s become much easier (no more nursing) and in some ways, it’s become a lot more challenging. Nonetheless, flying is a reality of life for many of us, so I dedicate this post to all the parents taking to the air with their little ones. These are my tried and tested tips for saving your sanity in the friendly skies, I hope they work for you too! 0-6 Months Diaper Bag Prioritizing: When organizing your diaper bag for the trip, picture yourself confined in a tight space with a baby on your lap. Knowing your lack of room to move, which items do you require easiest access to during the flight? For example: I know that a nursing cover-up and pacifier were among my most essential tools, so I was sure to pack them last so I could fish them out with ease. Baby Attire: This tip of mine applies to older infants too. I always dress my daughter in a sleeper when flying. Not only is it warm, the fact it’s a one-piece means fewer accessories (i.e. socks) to retrieve from the floor when they’re inevitably kicked off. Hassle-Free Hydration: I recommend traveling with a reusable water bottle that has a spout. This way, you don’t have to fight with plastic cups and airplane trays in order to quench your mid-air thirst, you can simply drink from your bottle and tuck it away under the seat in front of you. 6-12+ Months Toys with Tethers or Clips: Let’s remember how much babies love throwing things on the ground. If you want to spare yourself a flight spent picking up projectiles, consider packing toys that you can attach to an armrest or seat-belt. Way better! Snacks, Snacks and More Snacks: If your child is anything like my child, nothing holds their attention more than food.  Therefore, I never board a flight without a hearty stash of snacks. Through trial and error, I’ve found the best treats are ones that can be doled out individually. They hold their attention and last much, much longer than a pouch of puree (although I bring those too). Aisle Seating: I would recommend this at all stages of infant air-travel, but especially for a baby of crawling/walking age. My child, like yours perhaps, is averse to staying in one place or position for too long, so being able to get up out of my seat and bounce her or walk her along the aisle is essential. Plus, easy bathroom access goes without saying. My most important tip when flying is simple: BE POLITE. Understand that your fellow flyers are looking for a relaxing trip themselves, so going out of your way to display some

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The art of massage isn’t just for injured athletes or stress-filled office workers. Babies can benefit too.

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Sun May 03 21:37:04 PDT 2015

Tips for massaging your baby Follow your baby’s cues. She has a large vocabulary in her body language and in the sounds she makes. Talk to your baby. Communicating through words, and the tone of your voice develops your baby’s listening skills. And, of course, smile! Stay encouraged. Even when your baby is not “attuned to interact and massage” at this particular time, try again later that day, or another day. Create the right atmosphere. You need a warm area and a calm surrounding. Have a baby-friendly oil at hand. Ask permission. Making small circles around the head or a suitable touch, warm up a little oil in your palms. You can say something like, “Hi Sweetie, are you ready for a massage?” To read more click here

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Attempting to Understand the Flint Water Crisis

by Cara Scholl @ Where Parents Talk

Wed Mar 09 06:55:10 PST 2016

The seventh U.S. Democratic Debate was broadcast from Flint, Mich, Sunday night to spotlight the city’s ongoing health emergency. Residents of Flint have been living with a lead-contaminated water supply since 2014 because of a decision to divert the city’s water source to the Flint River in an effort to conserve money. Both Hillary Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders addressed the issue head-on, calling at once for the state’s Republican Senator to resign over his mishandling of the crisis. “I know the state of Michigan has a rainy day fund for emergencies, what is more important than the health and well-being of the people, particularly children?” Clinton asked. “It is raining lead in Flint, and the state is derelict in not coming forward with the money that is required.” Though the candidates were both pointed in their criticism, the most impactful moment of the debate was when Mikki Wade, a public housing program manager and mother of two, described her experience living without access to clean water. “The water has impacted our lives in such a way that living comfortably in our home isn’t the same anymore,” she said. “The constant drives to pick up water just so my children can wash their hair, to wash our fruits and vegetables, and to brush our teeth is incredibly difficult. Once the pipes are replaced, I’m not so sure I would be comfortable ever drinking the water.” After the debate, I started thinking about my daily routine and how it would be affected by poisoned water I couldn’t drink or touch. Below is an average account of my daily dependence on water and if it looks anything close to yours, it might provide some food for thought: Brush my teeth Wash my face Brush daughter’s teeth Rinse morning bottle Refill daughter’s water bottle for breakfast Mix daughter’s oatmeal with water Wash fruit for breakfast Rinse towel to wipe down daughter’s high chair Make coffee for myself Wash fruit/veggies for lunch Refill daughter’s water bottle for afternoon Wash vegetables for dinner Boil rice/potatoes/pasta for dinner Drink water with dinner Refill daughter’s water bottle for dinner Rinse towel to wiped down high chair and dinner table Rinse dishes Run dishwasher Rinse evening bottle Bathe daughter Brush daughter’s teeth Fill daughter’s humidifier Shower Brush my teeth I do not pretend to understand what the residents of Flint are going through in this moment or what they’ve been forced to endure for nearly two years. Watching Sunday’s debate simply put into perspective how much I take for granted having access to clean water and how difficult it would be to live without it. I hope the brave people of Flint receive the justice they deserve and that all those whose health has been impacted – from infants to the elderly – make a swift and complete recovery.    

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Things I Never Thought I’d Miss about Having a Newborn

by Cara Scholl @ Where Parents Talk

Tue Jan 19 06:50:23 PST 2016

Having a newborn is tough; there are no two ways about it. It’s a life-altering adjustment that you can’t fully prepare for beforehand and the feeling of being overwhelmed is almost constant. At one point or another, we all felt driven to our wits end by the demands of having someone rely on us 24/7 and we silently (or not so silently) prayed for the newborn stage to be over. So you can imagine my surprise, when, as I turned the page on my daughter’s first year, I found myself reflecting on those harrowing first months with a sense of nostalgia. Maybe it’s the rose-colored glasses that go hand-in-hand with a full night’s sleep, but nonetheless, there are things I definitely miss about having a newborn. Here are just some of them: “Enjoy this time, it goes by so quickly”: As I wandered from shopping mall to grocery store looking like a zombie from the planet NeverGonnaSleepAgain, the last thing I wanted to hear were a bunch of clichés about cherishing this special time. Now, I begrudgingly accept that everyone was right as I realize how fleeting those few months really were. My swollen…everything: Remember barely being able to sit down? How about the two engorged volcanoes on your chest threatening to erupt any minute? It felt like torture at the time, but looking back, those aches and pains were battle scars and a constant reminder of the tiny life that depended solely on you for survival. Lack of Routine: Think about it. When in your later life will you ever be exempt from conforming to a schedule? In a warped way, having a newborn is like the loophole of adulthood, you’re basically encouraged to sleep in the middle of the day. Um, awesome? The bucket car-seat: I used to curse that thing left and right! It was cumbersome and awkward to carry; I remember threatening to chuck it out the window at least twice. But now that it’s cold out, it would be SO nice to be able to fasten our daughter into the bucket indoors rather than pile her into a freezing cold car and attempt to secure her with frozen fingers. Middle of the night feedings: There were nights I recall feeling like I was the only person awake in the entire world. The exhaustion felt relentless, like someone was forcing my eyes open with toothpicks. In retrospect, those overnights spent rocking my daughter back to sleep rank highly among the most special times of my life. Pumping: Just kidding. Nothing to miss about that. So you see, to everything there is a silver-lining and the newborn stage is no exception. It may take six-months and a trip to the day spa to realize it, but those challenging early days – and all the crap that goes with them – are unique and so incredibly rewarding that you might occasionally find yourself wishing for them back. Cara Scholl lives in Toronto with her husband and 13-month old daughter. 

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Buy Local to Add “Spring” to Your Diet!

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Thu May 12 06:05:37 PDT 2016

By: Melinda Lamarche It’s finally over!  The strange winter we’ve had has finally said goodbye and we are now enjoying beautiful spring days.  The beginning of spring also means that local produce will soon be finding its way into grocery stores and popping up at Farmers Markets around the city. Eating fresh and local foods is not only a delicious way to enjoy fruits and vegetables, it also has a positive impact on health, the environment and the local economy as outlined below: HEALTH: Buying local means fewer steps between the field and the table reducing the number of opportunities for contamination that can lead to food poisoning. In-season produce tends to have higher nutrition values than their out-of-season counterparts because they’re served up at peak ripeness. ENVIRONMENT: Buying foods grown close to home decreases the distance between the farm and our tables, therefore reducing our carbon footprint. ECONOMY: Buying local produce contributes to the local economy by supporting local farmers and growers. The growing season is short in most parts of Canada due to cold and long winters but spring and summer weather allows local growers to grow delicious produce for us to enjoy.  Eating locally also means enjoying fruit and vegetables while they are in season.  During the spring and summer months we see the available produce change based on what is growing on trees and in fields at the time. May marks the start of locally grown produce being available and is when we start seeing farmers markets re-opening across the city.  Here is your guide to what is in season this month! We start off with only a few seasonal foods being available at this time but the list will grow longer as we get closer to and throughout the summer months. Rhubarb Rhubarb season starts in May.  These long ruby red stalks are known for adding a tart yet delicious flavour to desserts and other dishes and are often paired with strawberries, pears or apples to add sweetness.  Rhubarb contains calcium, which plays a role in maintaining bone health, vitamin C and potassium, which helps to lower blood pressure. Buying Rhubarb Look for stalks that are bright red and that have full and fresh looking leaves. Storing Rhubarb Discard leaves as they are poisonous.  You may have to peel rhubarb to remove fibrous strings, wrap stalks in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator.  Rhubarb can also be frozen.   Asparagus Local asparagus is such a treat! It is much more flavourful than its out-of-season counterparts which travel to us from Mexico and Peru in the off season months.   Local asparagus is available in May and the start of June. Asparagus is full of vitamins and minerals that are essential for health including vitamin A which is helpful for immune function, vision and reproductive health.  Asparagus also contains vitamin C which is an antioxidant which helps to fight against chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes; it also promotes tissue growth and repair.

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Personen som SABOTERAR för Ben är…

by Admin @ YouNews Sverige

Mon Jul 24 13:24:59 PDT 2017

I Ben Mitkus senaste video berättar han om hur en kollega på YouTube, som också håller på med musik, försöker förstöra och sabotera hans musik-karriär. Han väljer att inte gå ut med några namn överhuvudtaget  eftersom han inte tror att det skulle bidra till något gott men efter lite snabb research är det ganska enkelt

Inlägget Personen som SABOTERAR för Ben är… dök först upp på YouNews Sverige.

Walking in their Shoes

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Tue Mar 26 03:36:52 PDT 2013

by Lianne Castelino  www.whereparentstalk.com Not everyone is so deeply committed to sharing their story to help others.  To reveal intensely private information about family dynamics , personal relationships and interactions to help make life easier for someone else — that too, complete strangers. Not everyone is so open to sharing their pain, their challenges as a parent with someone they have never met.  I was only so privileged to have had this special experience yesterday, with Bruce McIntosh, husband and father of two. Bruce  is no ordinary husband and father.  For a man who will tell you that every aspect of life changed when the diagnosis came 11 years ago, Bruce was extraordinarily candid about that which has brought him lots of joy and plenty of pain —- his 13-year-old autistic son. As he recounted the often harrowing details of life with son Cliff, from the happy, funny moments of joy his first child has brought to the family, to the times that Cliff has made Bruce and his wife Linda fearful, one thing was clear —- the incredible love this father has for his son. Even when his son, who is in the throes of puberty, recently used his strength to overpower his father, after assaulting his mother, during a more serious ‘meltdown’– Bruce speaks lovingly of the young boy who taught himself how to read, who is sharp as a whip, but whose communication skills are devoured by the condition which at times lead to the need for crisis intervention, including the police. The McIntosh family has been coping with Cliff’s autism for 10 years now, and increasingly feel they are not able to cope with the 24-7 hour care and monitoring that Cliff needs.  They are asking the provincial government to create a crisis centre to help autistic children like Cliff get the help they need, from professionals who have expertise in treating children with autism. One in 88 children will be diagnosed with autism. That is until today.  A new U.S. study shows that number is now one in 50 children will be diagnosed autism. As experts weigh in on the causes and treatment protocols, parents like Bruce and his wife Linda suffer, silently.  Siblings like Cliffs’ sister, Clara, are forced to understand. Parents like Cliff’s parents are made to endure such things as being rejected by hospitals when their son needs help, needing extra help in their house to care for Cliff, taking on unforeseen expenses (medications, staffing, etc.), to give their child(ren) some semblance of normalcy, endure the biting pain of isolation, rejection from friends and family, even medical professionals who simply DO NOT UNDERSTAND, people who judge, assume and show little concern for truly understanding the reasons why children with autism do things differently. Through all of these harrowing life changes and situations, Bruce loves his son.  That has never and will never change. What must change and hopefully is changing ever so slowly is society’s view of children with autism, as well as our understanding

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HAPPY campers

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Sun May 03 21:40:44 PDT 2015

Nothing says summer like a night in a tent and a meal cooked by a campfire. Here’s how to introduce your family to camping. Camping may be more affordable than many other vacations, but there are more reasons to try it than saving money. Many families – parents and kids alike – find camping allows them to spend unique, quality time together. Just ask Goldie Silverman. The Seattle grandmother still regularly hikes, backpacks and camps with her entire extended family. She wrote her first book on the subject, Backpacking with Babies and Small Children, in 1975. To read more click here

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My New Mantra

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Tue Apr 09 03:57:10 PDT 2013

by Lianne Castelino www.whereparentstalk.com I never know what will move me to write a blog.  The inspiration comes from anywhere and everywhere.  And it's amazing how much of this random inspiration relates to parenting! Walking by the dishboard this morning, I noticed a new water-bottle lying there.  Black with white lettering.  Hardly revolutionary.  Then I read the words.  It's a bottle from Bauer, and underneath the brand name the words, 'OWN THE MOMENT'. Notwithstanding how much I adored the 2010 Olympics motto that Canada adopted (also a program) called, “Own the Podium”, this other ownership tag line really struck a chord with me. OWN THE MOMENT.  So relevant.  As someone who strives everyday to really live in the moment (infinitely easier said than done with the litany of distractions that steal our attention), I could relate to the inherent meaning behind these words.  As someone who continually strives to raise their own personal bar, I could relate.  As a parent who tries to get our three offspring to gently raise their own personal bars every day, this tag line is brilliant and absolutely relevant. In short, I see OWN THE MOMENT as an ongoing personal challenge. Don't get me wrong, we are not trying to raise Olympians here, but if each of us is not trying to be better in some way every time out, than what is the point really?  By owning it, you have staked your vested interest in whatever that IT is.  That's what is so great about it, especially from a parenting point of view. Perhaps I have a penchat from brilliant three-word tag lines spewed out by the genius marketing minds behind global brands.  'JUST DO IT' is my other favourite tag line, from NIKE of course.  As someone who is all about execution, this one is me in a nutshell. I now have a guiding force mantra, OWN THE MOMENT, aka, 'carpe diem' or 'Seize the Day' (from among other things, 'Dead Poets' Society' my all-time favourite movie). Gotta go now, to do just that!    

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by judi online @ Kommentarer till YouNews Sverige

Mon Feb 12 22:13:36 PST 2018

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Saving grace

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Sun May 03 21:06:20 PDT 2015

Do you spend too much time chasing your tail? These organizational tips will help you save time and stress. Does this sound familiar? “Mom, where’s my sock/guitar/soccer ball?” or “I have three lunches to make and the school bus will be here in five minutes!” With the school year underway, now is the perfect time to bring some order into your home and keep needless stress-producers at bay. What’s the biggest time waster and stress producer? For us, it’s looking for stuff. Stuff we need and stuff our kids need. Right now. For advice on how to stay on top of the gear and paperwork of parenting, we turned to professional organizer Kerri Lewin of Clutterbug.ca, a company that provides organizing solutions for every area of the home or office by helping families establish systems that can reduce stress and save time. To read more click here

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Picnic Chicken Pinwheels

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Mon Mar 30 19:36:25 PDT 2015

This recipe is a bit labour-intensive up front. But once it’s made, it’s great cold in a picnic basket, or as a leftover dinner on a hot night. Yes, it’s got spinach in it…maybe a way to get your kids to eat it? Picnic Chicken Pinwheels – – tightly packed fresh spinach leaves, ricotta cheese, parsley (chopped fresh flat-leaf ), Egg (large), Parmesan cheese (freshly grated), Salt, Pepper, nutmeg (of grated ), garlic (mashed clove), chicken breasts (boneless, skinless, pounded flat), all-purpose flour, breadcrumbs, olive oil, Ketchup or store-bought (or homemade!), pine nuts (toasted pine nuts (optional)), – Make the filling: Bring 1/2-inch of water to a boil in a wide pot. Add the spinach and cook until it just wilts, about 1 minute. Drain the spinach well. let it cool. Use your hands to squeeze any water from the spinach and then set on a cutting board. Coarsely chop the spinach and then set in a medium bowl. Add the ricotta, the 1 egg, parsley, Parmesan cheese, garlic, salt, pepper and nutmeg, and optional pine nuts. Combine. Stuff the chicken: Place an equal amount of the ricotta filling in the centre of each breast that has been pounded flat. Fold 2 sides of each breast partially over the filling and then tightly roll it up to seal the filling inside. Place the flour, lightly-beaten eggs, and breadcrumbs on separate plates. Then dip chicken in: flour, eggs, crumbs. Place the oil in a large skillet set over medium, to medium-high heat. When hot, add the chicken, lightly brown on all sides, and then set on a foil-lined baking sheet, seam-side down. Bake the chicken 30-40 minutes, at 375 For until cooked through. Allow chicken to cool, before serving. Slice in disks, and serve with ketchup or tomato pasta sauce for dipping. Picnic Chicken Pinwheels Servings Prep Time 4servings 45minutes Cook Time 40minutes Servings Prep Time 4servings 45minutes Cook Time 40minutes Ingredients 4cups Spinach Leaves 1cup Ricotta Cheese 2tbsp Parsleychopped fresh flat-leaf 3 Egglarge 1/4cup Parmesan Cheesefreshly grated 1pinch Salt 1pinch Pepper 1pinch Nutmegof grated 1clove Garlicmashed clove 2pounds Chicken Breastsboneless, skinless, pounded flat 1/2cup All-purpose Flour 1cup Breadcrumbs 4tbsp Olive Oil 1 Ketchup 1cup Pine Nutstoasted pine nuts (optional) Recipe Notes Make the filling: Bring 1/2-inch of water to a boil in a wide pot. Add the spinach and cook until it just wilts, about 1 minute. Drain the spinach well. let it cool. Use your hands to squeeze any water from the spinach and then set on a cutting board. Coarsely chop the spinach and then set in a medium bowl. Add the ricotta, the 1 egg, parsley, Parmesan cheese, garlic, salt, pepper and nutmeg, and optional pine nuts. Combine. Stuff the chicken: Place an equal amount of the ricotta filling in the centre of each breast that has been pounded flat. Fold 2 sides of each breast partially over the filling and then tightly roll it up to seal the filling inside. Place the flour, lightly-beaten eggs, and breadcrumbs

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Show Your Fruits and Vegetables Some Love this Valentine’s Day

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Wed Feb 10 06:11:15 PST 2016

Parents the world over are notorious for encouraging their families to eat their greens, the benefits of which seem very well known at this point; but what about the other colours of the rainbow in the produce family? Brightly coloured fruits and vegetables often give us clues about their nutritional value. Although some colourless foods (think: cauliflower and mushrooms) have many health benefits, the colour is what often makes fruits and vegetables such nutritional powerhouses.   The pigment in these foods is created by various phytochemicals, such as antioxidants like lycopene and anthocyanins and may be helpful in preventing chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes. With Valentine’s Day only days, it seems pink and red is all around! So in keeping with the spirit of February 14th, we have chosen to feature some fruits and veggies that are as tasty and nutritious, as they are festive! Check them out below! Strawberries Strawberries are full of heart healthy nutrients including folate, vitamin C and potassium, a key nutrient in improving blood pressure. They also contain a variety of phytochemicals which have anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and cardio- protective properties. Raspberries Raspberries have been found to be one of the top 50 foods containing the most antioxidants per serving. Raspberries contain antioxidants called anthocyanins and lutein, promoting both cancer prevention and eye health. Like strawberries, these tiny berries also pack a punch when it comes to vitamins and minerals as they are full of vitamin C, folate and potassium. Cherries Cherries also contain anthocyanins, vitamin A, C and potassium all while providing quite a bit of fibre per serving. Watermelon Watermelon is often underestimated considering its high water content. Watermelon is 90% water but it is still chock full of nutrients. This refreshing melon contains lycopene, which has been linked to prevention of prostate and other cancers. Pomegranate Having gained much popularity in recent years, pomegranate arils (seeds) and juice are thought to be full of antioxidants and polyphenols which have been shown to be cardio-protective and cancer fighting. This fruit is also high in potassium, vitamin C, niacin and fibre. Cranberries Cranberries are well known for their action in preventing urinary tract infections. This is due to their tannin content which helps to prevent bacteria from attaching to cells. Pink grapefruit This tart citrus contains vitamin C and lycopene and has been linked to the reduced risk of prostate, lung and stomach cancers. Beets Earthy beets are a great choice to add to your dinner plate, not only are they colourful and lend an earthy note to any dish, beets are full of antioxidants with cancer fighting and anti inflammatory action. Beets are also high in fibre, folate and vitamin K. But the good news doesn’t stop there; beets contain betaine, which is considered to have anti-aging properties by protecting cells from damage. Red peppers Red peppers are very similar to their other bell pepper counterparts but are left on the plant to ripen longer. Red peppers have more vitamin C

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Yahoo CEO's decisions highlight broader parenting question

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Mon Mar 04 04:55:53 PST 2013

by Lianne Castelino www.whereparentstalk.com So Yahoo Inc.'s CEO Marissa Mayer is in the line of fire again.  First fingers pointed, tempers flared and accusations swirled around the youngest person to run a Fortune 500 company last September, when she became a mom and only took two weeks maternity leave.  She had her reasons. Who is anyone else to judge?   Now, the 37-year-old she has pulled the plug on Yahoo employees working from home.  No more telecommuting for the more than 11-thousand men and women who work for the company. Again, the woman who earns upwards of $115 million over 5 years has her reasons.  While I politely disagree with both decisions, I am not walking in her shoes. I don't see the world through her lense.  I have my opinion and that's it. Both issues bring up a topic that has both amazed and appalled me since I became a parent almost 16 years ago:  How lightning quick parents are to judge other parents.  Whether it is their parenting style, their decision-making, how they raise their children, I have seen this destructive judgmental style time and again. One of the areas where it is most apparent, in my opinion, is where it concerns stay-at-home-parents.  Somehow, there is an unwritten rule that stay-at-home moms and dads have given up, thrown in the career towel, can't find a job, resigned themselves to baking cupcakes and shuttling kids to playdates. There is apparently another unwritten rule that parents who work are abandoning their children, throwing them to the wolves (the system — school, society, whatever). These are also parents who apparently don't like to bake cupcakes, volunteer at school or organize playdates. If parents can pursue the goal of supporting each other, sharing lessons learned, harnessing the power of knowledge and education they have acquired as individuals and from other parents — we would all be in a much better place.  Expend energy empowering each other and not bringing each other down. Marissa Mayer has her reasons.  Every leader, visionary, someone running a company or a household has to make tough decisions and difficult choices and live with the consequences — good, bad or ugly.  Who are we to judge? By worrying less about what the Jones' are doing as parents, and focusing on what is going on in our own homes, we might all be in a better place. It takes a village to raise a child.  It worked for our parents.  The village may have changed, but the premise remains true. Related article: http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorialopinion/2013/03/04/ceo_marissa_m…    

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Baby Led Weaning: An Introduction

by Cara Scholl @ Where Parents Talk

Wed Feb 03 07:25:20 PST 2016

Introducing solid foods into your infant’s diet can be a source of trepidation for parents. It seems health guidelines for what you should feed babies and when you should start are constantly changing, creating a feeling of confusion and even fear around the process. One philosophy of introducing solids stands in contrast to other theories because it encourages novice eaters to self- feed rather than be fed by a parent or caregiver. This technique has become known as Baby Led Weaning (BLW), a term coined by UK healthcare professional Gill Rapley. We spoke with Toronto-based dietitian and Baby Led Weaning consultant Amanda Lapidus who explained the basic tenets of this method and addressed some common misconceptions. 1. What is Baby Led Weaning? Baby Led Weaning is an alternative method for introducing complementary foods to infants where the infants actually feed themselves, meaning they self-feed as opposed to being spoon-fed by a caregiver. 2. Please describe some of the research behind Baby Led Weaning? In terms of the gold-standard of research (a double-blind, randomized control study) there hasn’t been any but I don’t think that type of research is possible or necessary for this. Observational evidence suggests Baby Led Weaning encourages improved eating patterns and can lead to healthier body weights because babies were able to self-moderate. They were also seeing in observational studies that babies were developing better chewing skills, better dexterity and better hand-eye coordination. 3. Will we see that type of “gold standard” research next? I think randomized studies will be done which is what most of the studies have suggested in terms of future research in this area. 4. At what age are babies typically ready to feed themselves? I recommend 6 months with Baby Led Weaning, which goes along with World Health Organization recommendations. The reason is at six months, babies have the developmental skills to get food into their mouths and should be able to sit upright. 5. Some parents are worried about the possibility of choking? Is this a concern? The risk of choking goes along with feeding regardless of whether you practice Baby Led Weaning or you feed with purees. The risk is more related to what you’re feeding your child. If you’re feeding them foods that are choking hazards, then they will be at an increased risk. With Baby Led Weaning, as long as you’re offering them safe foods they’re not at an increased risk. Their gums are strong enough to chew soft food. There is some observational evidence that you’re actually decreasing a baby’s risk of choking as you’re working with their gag reflex to improve their ability to handle foods. When you’re pureeing food, they’re just learning to swallow as opposed to manipulating the food on their own. When they put the food in their mouths, they might gag a little but gagging is good. Gagging is a safety mechanism to prevent choking. It’s a retching movement that actually pushes food away from their airway. It’s mostly just scary for

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Three Cheers for Crying Babies in New Airline Ad

by Cara Scholl @ Where Parents Talk

Thu May 05 12:01:19 PDT 2016

A new ad by U.S. airline JetBlue is putting a positive spin on flying with babies, a scenario often dreaded by fellow passengers. The campaign titled “Fly Babies” was released just ahead of Mother’s Day and features a handful of moms discussing their pre-flight apprehensions about traveling with a young child. “I don’t want to be that lady with the baby who’s screaming for four hours,” said one woman. “I think the worst thing that could happen on this flight is that he’ll get overtired which causes a lot of screaming and people definitely give you some dirty looks,” added another. In an innovative and unexpected twist later in the video, a flight attendant takes the microphone to announce that for the first time, a crying baby on-board an airplane will actually be a “good thing.” She then announces that for each infant outburst, passengers will be awarded 25% off their next flight, meaning four consecutive cries will yield a free trip. It is a weird and wonderful sight from that point on to see the plane full of passengers cheer every time they hear a tiny tantrum. The video then ends with a nudge to future passengers,  “Next time, smile at a baby for crying out loud.” See the emotional ad here:    

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Kids Talk – the ABC’s of Cancer: Have you heard about cancer? (Part 1)

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Sat Feb 01 09:51:29 PST 2014

Kids hear about cancer. We all do. Experts say it’s important to talk about it. In this first part of our World Cancer Day video series, ‘Kids Talk- the ABC’s of Cancer’, we ask kids, “Have you heard about cancer? If so, how?” Don’t miss their answers. Plus, Dr. Mary Gospodarowicz, Medical Director, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, tells us why it’s important to talk about cancer.

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The Learning Curve

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Fri Mar 22 07:32:38 PDT 2013

by Lianne Castelino www.whereparentstalk.com Okay.  I admit it.  I have an absolutely insatiable appetite for…..learning.  Since forever. Likely always.  I can't help myself, I am interested in all kinds of things, some of them diametrically opposed, others not normal for females!   Luckily I chose a career that nurtures and feeds this beast.  As someone once told me, journalists have a front row seat in the classroom of life.  How brilliant and absolutely true, I thought.  That is me.   Against this backdrop, it should come as little surprise that there is one thing that steams…wait, two things that steam me about learning new things, the world at large and parenting.  Number one:  people (young and old) who ever utter the words, “I am bored”.  And two:  people (old and young) who say, “I don't know” about something.   It used to be you'd go to the library, or crack open your shiny new set of encylopedias to figure out the answer to things you didn't know.  Now you can hang upside down in your pyjamas and google it. My point here is that there is no reason why people, especially children, cannot self-educate, when the need arises.  It is not complicated, and yet every day I see people who rather claim the 'I have no idea' card than get up and find an answer on their own.  Personal example.  My daughter, who recently turned nine, has been assigned several projects this year involving different types of technology. Many things I had never heard of, some things I am vaguely familiar with.  So when she came home the other day and announced that she wanted to try doing her latest project as a PowerPoint, I thought hmmm…this is an opportunity for both of us to learn.  For whatever reason, I have never had to do complicated PowerPoint presentations.  Anyhow, I told her how to Google it.  She was mesmerized and tickled pink that she could figure this out herself.  She was so enthralled that she ended up voluntarily doing a March Break diary on PowerPoint and loving every minute of it.  Once I showed her that she could google it, I left and let her figure it out.  When I came back 30 minutes later she could not wait to teach me what she learned. And then I was mesmerized!  The feeling of empowerment that it gave her was priceless.  While I realize I may one day live to regret telling her, 'you can google anything' — for now it served an important purpose.   Anyhow, it is an interesting lesson for parents and children alike.  In a world where self-education has never been more prominent or easier, it is important for all of us to do it, find a solution and execute on it. You can teach an old dog new tricks, and you can also teach a new dog old tricks — think independently, seek an answer and don't be intimidated by what you don't know.    

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Alberta food and drink gift ideas for the foodie in your life

by Rheannon Green @ Alberta Culinary Tourism Alliance

Fri Dec 01 14:53:34 PST 2017

Give the gift of great food and drink this holiday season! Looking for some great ideas for the foodie on your list or to enhance...

Caught Between a Rock and a Far Away Place

by Cara Scholl @ Where Parents Talk

Mon Apr 18 05:23:20 PDT 2016

I moved away from my childhood home when I was 18-years old and have lived no less than a four-hour flight from my family ever since. As a student and single woman, the distance didn’t bother me.  I could book a trip with a couple days’ notice and be back in town for quick visit to see my parents and grandparents. I often remarked that the second my plane touched down, I could breathe a sigh of relief.  In every way that mattered, home was where my heart was. Now as a mom with a 17-month old in tow, traveling across the country isn’t the easy trip it once was and last-minute plans are a thing of the past.  The time between my visits is growing longer and it weighs heavy on my heart that my return trips are but once or twice a year. As someone who’s always been close to family, it’s especially tough that I don’t get back nearly as often as I’d like.  It’s difficult to reconcile that my grandparents have only met their great-granddaughter a couple times because I know the joy it would bring them to see her grow-up.   Yet the distance between here and there means my stopovers will always be seldom and brief. I don’t regret the choice I made to move away from home in the latter years of my adolescence because it set me on a path to meeting my husband and having our beautiful daughter.  It also laid the foundation for my chosen career and the many invaluable experiences I’ve had along the way. Still, every time I return ‘home’ to the city where I grew-up, I feel a pang of sadness that it’s never for very long.  It seems strange to be living out of a suitcase in the place all your precious childhood memories were made. And as I religiously comb through my old keepsakes and reminisce about the long lost days of elementary school and summer camp, I can’t help but feel torn between old and new and the feeling my heart will always be caught between a rock and a far away place. RELATED LINKS: Practical Tips for Flying with a Baby U.S. Panel Recommends Depression Screening for Expectant and Postpartum Women The Secret to Work-Life Balance as a Parent

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Explaining Breaking News

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Tue Apr 16 03:05:38 PDT 2013

by Lianne Castelino www.whereparentstalk.com There are some things that children should not have to know, depending on their age.  I guess that's where the term age-appropriate comes from and there is a reason why it exists. It seems recently, again, there has been a spate of news stories that fall directly into this category. The Boston Marathon bombings have now rocketed to the top of that list. I first heard about it on Twitter.  A tweet from a parent writing something that ended “I am sick to my stomach” #Boston. By the time my 15-year-old arrived home from school yesterday at 4pm, the story was firmly entrenched in most of our psyches.  Driving him to his ball hockey game an hour and a half later, he turns and says to me, “did you hear about what happened in Boston”.  Our journalistic genes notwithstanding,  he is an avid news and current events follower and so of course I should have remembered that he would have known all about this horrific event. I kept listening and weakly offered, “what have you heard?” He rhymed off a slew of facts and information about the bombings, described some of the video of 'flying limbs' he had seen online and then said, “boy do we ever live in a sick world.” How would I respond? What could I say to a young boy in the throes of being a young man that would help him wrap his head around this unspeakable tragedy.  That would somehow make me sound like I understood these bombings as well.  I put on my best parenting hat and replied.  “I want you to remember something very important.  Goodness will always prevail in this world, despite the evil that may exist.  That is why it is so important how we treat each other.  'Doing the right thing', there was even a movie by that name, I think.  Remember that.  It starts with how we treat each other. Always strive to do the right thing, even when that may seem difficult.” He listened intently, clearly perturbed by the state of humanity, and nodded. My response to him came out of me in a split second.  I have no idea what a 'crisis expert' would respond.  I answered what came naturally to me, based on my understanding of my son.  Period.  When my 13-year-old got into the car, the conversation briefly returned to Boston.  He said to his older brother, “I thought I heard something about it, but mommy took the laptop away.”  Yes, I did.  It was my instinct.  Why did he need to know about it.  My naive self forgot again that he can and will get the full gruesome details sooner rather than later.  But at that moment yesterday, I didn't think he needed to know about it.  Nor did my 9-year-old daughter.  Parenting fail?  Perhaps.  Age-appropriate information?  Absolutely not.  Gut instinct?  Definitely.   All three will undoubtedly hear about it in school today. The morning paper, which will be

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ParentBooks.ca

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Sun Apr 05 19:22:27 PDT 2015

This Canadian 2004 production is a wonderful, reassuring and empowering guide for new parents. With 60 minutes of hints, tips and demonstrations from medical experts and childcare specialists plus answers to frequently asked questions, Bringing Baby Home includes: Getting to Know Your Baby Understanding Baby’s Language Helping Baby Sleep Better Bathing Newborns Recognizing Baby’s Hunger Signals Breastfeeding Infant Massage Changing Relationships Bringing Baby Home can be ordered online.

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More Questions Than Answers

by Cara Scholl @ Where Parents Talk

Fri Jul 15 07:25:26 PDT 2016

Reading about a child’s death is gut-wrenching as a parent.  The solidarity you feel with other mothers and fathers makes it virtually impossible not to weep for their loss and question your faith in the world. You can’t help but imagine your own family experiencing such tragedy and reeling from the unthinkable heartbreak of losing a child.  You find it hard to look your own children in the eye because the very thought of going through what five-year old Taliyah Marsman’s family is going through in this moment is too unbearable to comprehend. You feel helpless to protect your loved ones and though you try and tell yourself the world is filled with more good people than bad, you can’t help the sense of uncomfortable suspicion that washes over you every time a stranger crosses your path. What is a parent to do when it feels like the world has turned upside down?  How do you move from one day to the next without feeling abandoned in a sea of more bad news than good? I wish I had answers, but in this moment only questions. Rest in Peace Taliyah Marsman and Sara Baillie.  May you find lasting comfort in the arms of each other. RELATED POSTS: Maturity Matters When Explaining Tragedy to Kids    

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The Balancing Act

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Tue Mar 12 04:03:04 PDT 2013

by Lianne Castelino www.whereparentstalk.com It is a question that people ask with seemingly greater frequency with each passing day.  I have done countless stories, interviews and had many a chat about it with everyone from celebrities to stay-at-home parents over the years and the answers are as varied as the backgrounds of the people who provide them. One constant is that most people I've spoken to say a balance between family and career is a pipe dream, truly not attainable. They have presented solid arguments as to why, but I politely beg to differ. Let me begin by clarifying that striving for work-life balance is like exercising — it is something that needs to be done daily in order to be attained over the long-term while being maintained in the short-term.  It is not a one-off, unless of course, you win the lottery! A long time again, when I first became a parent, I quickly became aware of a not-too-often-talked about reality, one that I share with anyone who will listen — 'children need you more as they get older'.  What?  You heard me.  It is a most foreign concept to the new parent, but I firmly believe it to be true.  Now, this is to say that parents should virtually disappear while their kids are young, but the needs of a baby or toddler are vastly different from a tween, teen and beyond. With that discovery in place (almost 16 years ago now), I set out to figure out a strategy that would nourish balance between my young family and my career.  Both important to me, both so new, fresh and exciting. My strategy has not changed a bit in the ensuing decade and a half — two more children, a business and job — later. I realized back then and since that having a laser-like focus on my priorities was the key. Family first, period.  Contributing to the family economy, second. Taking time to enjoy the journey (though inextricably linked to 1 and 2 for me anyway) came third.  This sequence of priorities has never shifted or changed in ranking. What it has done is simplify so many other things because I never have to question what my priorities are. Along the way, sticking to these priorities has meant passing up job opportunities or promotions (which would have required too much travel, demand too much time, etc).  It has meant slight, subtle changes in my career path. It has meant living comfortably rather than extravagantly, fewer exotic vacations and the list goes on. But what I've gained or been able to attain is so much more valuable — eating dinner with my family every night, being present in my husband and children's lives on a daily basis, growing together rather than figuring things out in silos.  I wouldn't trade any of it. Like anything worth something in life, it has not always been a silky smooth road.  Being an entrepreneur has its constant array of challenges. Working in

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JUMP Math Feature

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Mon Sep 22 13:28:39 PDT 2014

Lianne Castelino of www.whereparentstalk.com speaks to the founder of Jump Math and parents about how to help kids who struggle with math in school and about the programs’ incredible success. &nbsp;The highly-acclaimed program stands for Junior Undiscovered Math Prodigy.

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There’s No Time Like the Present When You’re a Parent

by Lianne Castelino @ Where Parents Talk

Fri Jul 08 06:16:22 PDT 2016

No one revels in the art of taking smart shortcuts more than yours truly. You know the one that leads from point A to D with expedience and without sacrificing quality. It’s a thrilling thing! And when you master it, there is no turning back. The sheer delight in increased efficiency, timely turnarounds and NOT wasting time is, “in short” — phenomenal! The convenience industry which characterizes much of society today includes a fulsome range of neat businesses and “hard-to-live-without” services running the gamut. From healthy daily meal preparation with delivery to your door, to grocery shopping online and the endless variety of cleaning services, personal trainers, landscaping artists — the list goes on and on. Then there are the veritably endless apps that can conveniently keep you honest with food intake and weight loss, sleep trackers and the enabling gifts of all kinds to magically appear at the front door of family and friends marking a special occasion — and within swipe or click or tap range, or flashing from a wearable device. It’s truly head-spinning material. Which brings me to a newly discovered convenience, one that may very revolutionize an entire industry: buying a car — from loan to purchase — entirely ONLINE. Honestly, I found the concept truly amazing. Making one of the largest purchases one has to make in their life, using the click, tap, swipe method. Whoa! It all got me thinking, as I watched my 16-year-old son climb into the gleaming taupe-coloured Driver’s Education car, with the instructor in the passenger seat, poised to begin the lesson. The convenience industry has definitely enabled efficiency to a large extent which means in theory we should be able to spend more time doing more of what we love and hopefully less time, doing the opposite. That should presumably give us more time to chase those creative pursuits, do more of what brings up happiness, free up time to spend on what matters — family, friends, fitness, faith, to-do lists before they become bucket lists on a time limit, etc. For parents, being able to tap into some of what makes up the convenience industry — hopefully the free or less-costly things — should mean freeing up time to spend that ever-elusive “quality” time with our children, spouses and partners. But does it? Or do we somehow resist the benefits of the convenience industry and fill up that newly gained time with more stuff — that “stuff” that renders us all busy, ALL.THE. TIME. The B word that forms the common refrain to questions like: How’ve you been? How is life treating you? What have you been up to? Time management is an ongoing odyssey for many of us, but for parents, it must be mastered quickly and on an ongoing basis as a matter of pure survival. Working parents understand this best. No time to waste. The clock is ticking. Drop-offs, pick-ups, schedules, nap time, calendars, activities, snack, meal and potty time, and of course timeouts.

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How to buy your kids shoes that will actually fit..and last!

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Mon Oct 22 08:13:24 PDT 2012

It’s a yearly event that cannot be avoided. The trip to the shoe store for a fresh new pair of shoes for the school year. Whether your school requires a certain type of shoe or you just want your tyke to be comfortable, there’s a lot to consider when shoe-shopping. That’s where Totidem comes in. The store is new to Montreal, but has been designing and manufacturing shoes since 1924. Here are some things to consider when selecting shoes: Both of your child’s feet should be measured. Often hurried staff at other stores will only measure one foot. Both should be measured because often one foot isslightly bigger than the other. You should select the larger of the 2 sizes. You should be able to easily slide one finger at the back of the shoe. This will allow the kids not to outgrow them too fast. At Totidem, their measuring tool factors this in to ensure shoes will fit. Take into account not only the size, but also the shape of your child’s foot. Thewidth, the height of the arch and the size all come into play when trying onshoes. At Totidem, there is a shoe for every size and shape of shoe, as well asevery taste!

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“Dads Don’t Babysit” Campaign Takes On Parenting Sterotypes

by Cara Scholl @ Where Parents Talk

Fri Apr 29 06:52:26 PDT 2016

An advocacy group representing fathers who are their family’s primary caregivers is in the spotlight this week for its “Dads Don’t Babysit” campaign. The grassroots project went viral on social media after a Reddit user wearing a “Dads Don’t Babysit (It’s Called “Parenting”)” t-shirt posted his picture on the site under the heading “Important Message From a Dad to Society.” Since being posted, the photo has generated more than 3000 comments, including from men who say they can identify with the stereotype often imposed on them when they look after their kids. “It hurt really bad when I was a new, stay-at-home, dad and people would say or ask about me babysitting,” one user wrote. “My wife’s job had 70% travel and she’s going back to school for her masters, and we were in a new city with no family and only a couple friends, so I was “on” 24/7. The organization behind the t-shirt is the National At-Home Dad Network, a non-profit group that seeks to “empower fathers and champion a culture that recognizes them as capable and competent parents.” You can see the photo of the t-shirt below: RELATED LINKS: CBC Host Mark Kelley Talks About Fatherhood Keeping Up in the in Era of Social Media No App for That! A Parent’s Guide to Explaining Simpler Times            

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Week Two: Quality Counts!

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Mon Mar 07 13:43:12 PST 2016

This week’s theme for Nutrition Month is Quality Counts, so that’s where we’ll be focusing our attention on the next leg of our 100 Meal Journey. When it comes to meal-planning and home-cooking, quality of ingredients is incredibly important because it requires a lot less preparation and manipulation to turn fresh and healthy groceries into a delicious meal. Here are my best tips for ensuring quality in your everyday cooking! BUY SEASONAL, BUY LOCAL! Buying seasonal and local produce is your best bet for eating fresh, high-quality food. I advise my clients to purchase a vacuum sealer and freeze in the freshness to get long term use out of their fruits and vegetables. Local products are also usually less expensive and as a bonus, you can support your local farmers and fisherman while you’re at it! GET TO KNOW YOUR FOOD (AND THE PEOPLE WHO SUPPLY IT!) Whenever possible, get to know your local food suppliers so you know exactly what you’re getting. If that’s unrealistic, do your best to shop at grocers who are purchasing from local farmers and whose stores are curated with the products, their customers and the environment in mind. MAKE SENSE OF THOSE TRICKY LABELS! When shopping for the week, it’s important to understand the meaning behind all those labels and what to look for when making your purchases. The options can be overwhelming, from Organic to Non-GMO, antibiotic-free to hormone-free. Here’s a primer on what those terms actually mean and how they’re regulated in Canada: Organic What does it mean for food? No synthetic (man-made) pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers ,but can use approved “natural” pesticides Do not contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs), antibiotics and growth hormones Do not use irradiation or ionizing radiation Higher price point than non-Organic (conventional) foods Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) What does it mean for food? Health Canada categorizes genetically modified foods as a novel food and defines genetic modification as changing “The heritable traits of a plant, animal or microorganism by means of intentional manipulation.” What’s the purpose? To lower price points Enhance nutritional value Improve environmental durability Growth Hormones What does it mean for food? Used predominately in beef cattle to help produce leaner beef at a decreased cost Not approved for use in dairy cows, poultry or pork Antibiotics What does it mean for food? Promotes growth in animals (beef, dairy cattle, chicken, laying hens, turkey, pork, fish, sprayed on fruit, honeybees) Used to prevent, manage ,and treat sick animals Prevent disease in fruit crops Used heavily on large commercial farms with high animal populations living in close quarters (translation: living in close quarters means when one animal gets sick there is an increased risk for all of the animals to get sick) There are pros and cons to each of these designations and in some cases, the line is pretty blurry. For example, I don’t yet feel there is strong enough evidence to support that GMOs, antibiotics and growth hormones are harmful, but I am not

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The Ultimate Oatmeal Cookie

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Tue Mar 31 17:27:07 PDT 2015

The Ultimate Oatmeal Cookie – Crispy or chewy? Chocolate chips or raisins? Large-flake or quick oats? It seems with oatmeal cookies, everyone has an opinion. a secret ingredient makes these a great chewy version. – Unbleached Flour, Baking Soda, Cinnamon, Unsalted Butter, Shortening, Brown Sugar, Egg, Plain Yogurt (or Applesauce), Pure Vanilla Extract, Large-flake Rolled Oats, Raisins (or Chocolate Chips), – Preheat oven to 350F. Mix dry ingredients together and set aside. Cream the shortening, butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time. Add in the yogurt or applesauce and vanilla. Blend in the oats and flour mixture. Finally, stir in raisins or chips. OR you can divide the batter then add half the amount to each half. Drop by small tablespoon onto cookie sheets and bake 11 minutes approx. Don’t let them brown! Cool and serve The Ultimate Oatmeal Cookie Crispy or chewy? Chocolate chips or raisins? Large-flake or quick oats? It seems with oatmeal cookies, everyone has an opinion. a secret ingredient makes these a great chewy version. Servings Prep Time 6dozen cookies 20minutes Cook Time 11minutes Servings Prep Time 6dozen cookies 20minutes Cook Time 11minutes Ingredients 2 1/4cups Unbleached Flour 1tsp Baking Soda 1tsp Cinnamon 6tbsp Unsalted Butter 1/2cup Shortening 2,25cup Brown Sugar 2 Egg 1/2cup Plain Yogurtor Applesauce 2tsp Pure Vanilla Extract 3cup Large-flake Rolled Oats 1cup Raisinsor Chocolate Chips Recipe Notes Preheat oven to 350F. Mix dry ingredients together and set aside. Cream the shortening, butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time. Add in the yogurt or applesauce and vanilla. Blend in the oats and flour mixture. Finally, stir in raisins or chips. OR you can divide the batter then add half the amount to each half. Drop by small tablespoon onto cookie sheets and bake 11 minutes approx. Don't let them brown! Cool and serve

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Calling all Alberta chefs! Grow the Alberta food scene

by Rheannon Green @ Alberta Culinary Tourism Alliance

Fri Dec 22 10:40:14 PST 2017

Chef networking and industry meetings – early 2018 The Alberta Culinary Tourism Alliance invites you to join us for a networking and information session  about...

Poached Fresh Fish

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Thu Mar 26 20:54:06 PDT 2015

Get your kids wild about seafood with this scrumptious but simple fish recipe. Pour 1/4 cup (60 ml) milk into your skillet and gently heat. Add the onion and simmer until soft, then add your fish fillet. Cover and simmer 5-10 minutes. The fish should be opaque and flaky. Remove from heat and mash, or flake fish with fork. To store, separate into small containers and spoon your milk and onions over top. This also freezes nicely.

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The Heart Amidst the Heartbreak

by Cara Scholl @ Where Parents Talk

Mon May 09 06:12:23 PDT 2016

As a born and raised Albertan, I feel emotionally struck by the images emerging out of my home province this past week.  The scenes of burned-out neighbourhoods – in a region already reeling from a slumping economy – are incredibly disheartening. Amidst the wreckage, however, there has been an unprecedented outpouring of support from across the country which has added a desperately needed sense of optimism and hope for better days ahead.  As of Monday morning, the Red Cross is reporting that a staggering $54 million has been raised to help the people of Fort McMurray. It makes me so proud as an Albertan, as a Canadian and especially as a parent to see the country’s generosity on full display. At a time when television airwaves are flooded with derisive soundbites from unnamed American politicians, it fills my heart with so much joy to see examples of unbridled kindness from coast to coast in our great country. My favourite illustrations of Canadian compassion from this past week are those involving children.  From an ice-cream stand in Nova Scotia to a car wash in Niagara Falls, kids across the nation are helping turn tragedy into a teachable moment of caring for all of us. A quick Twitter search yields some amazing examples of philanthropic efforts initiated by kids, parents and teachers to help Fort McMurray rebuild, see below: This family drove 6 hrs from Coaldale, AB with 600 flowers. Mother wanted make to evacuees smile. #ymmfire #yeg pic.twitter.com/9vofzcH69m — Travis McEwan (@TravisMcEwanCBC) May 8, 2016 If you are in #YEG, T is raising $ for the #RedCross. #donations come with a free #lemonade! #ymmfire #ymm #yeghelps pic.twitter.com/tfTO3RsNYl — C Paige Bozarth (@CherylBozarth) May 7, 2016 Yrs of kids selling ice cream = Westlock Elem donating $10,000 to #ymm Red Cross. https://t.co/V0utMdCdQR #phrd7 pic.twitter.com/5p8KHonvsx — Suzanne Lundrigan (@newalberta) May 7, 2016 What an amazing shift in perspective for the thousands of people directly impacted by the flames and the millions more watching from home, to see a story of unimaginable loss become a story of unprecedented support, generosity and hope. Congratulations to everyone who has donated their time and money to helping the people of Fort McMurray, especially the many kids across Canada who have shown tremendous heart amidst the heartbreak. RELATED LINKS: “Meanest Mom Ever” Teaches Kids a Hard Lesson on Manners The Magic Words A Family’s Strength

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Week 5: Make it Stick!

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Thu Mar 31 16:11:32 PDT 2016

By: Corey Etherington Nutrition Month has come and gone but our healthy eating journey is just beginning! I have learned so much over this past month and my goal moving forward is exactly what Dietitians of Canada has set out for all of the participants – to Make it Stick! This past month gave me confidence in the kitchen that I didn’t know was possible. I overcame my own fears and self-doubt and realized that I actually CAN cook. That is a great accomplishment but the biggest feat by far was that I managed to successfully feed my family something fresh, new and tasty almost every night. Prior to this challenge, I was feeding my toddler Edie in her high-chair while hurriedly trying to prepare something for Ross and I to eat once Edie was asleep. Being able to eat together over the last few weeks was awesome and Edie absolutely loved it. She looked forward to it and ate so much more than before. Eating as a family definitely made a difference for her and I know I want to keep that up! I plan on taking all that I’ve learned and applying these healthy new habits moving forward. Below are just some of my favourite nutrition tips: Create weekly meal plans Write a detailed grocery list and stick to it! Buy quality ingredients including more local ingredients whenever possible Ensure I am cooking enough for next-day leftovers! Continue to try new things and new cooking techniques Amanda showed me that cooking at home is possible even with a busy lifestyle. Her guidance and encouragement really helped and I’m so thankful for the nudge she gave me to participate in the 100 Meal Journey. Working with a dietitian doesn’t have to be something we save for when there’s a health problem. I hope you have enjoyed following along and I hope you too can Make it Stick! For more expert advice on healthy eating, contact: Amanda Lapidus, RD, BSc.Registered Dietitian, Simply Nutrition 416-805-2584, amanda@simplynutrition.ca, www.simplynutrition.ca RELATED LINKS: Week 4: Tips and Tricks for Trying Something New! Week 3 Recap: Prioritizing Portion Size Week 3: Prioritize Portions Week 2 Recap: Quality Counts! Week 1 Recap: Meal Plan Your Way to Success! Stocking-Up On Nutrition Month Essentials! Following One Family’s Journey to Healthier Eating

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More Practice, Less Preach: Let’s End the Online Judgment

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Tue Apr 26 07:00:11 PDT 2016

Who knew date night could be so controversial? Model Chrissy Teigen found herself embroiled in an internet controversy this past weekend when online photos surfaced of her and husband John Legend enjoying a (gasp!) night out without their newborn daughter Luna. Detractors immediately took to social media to slam the star for leaving her baby at home less than two-weeks after giving birth, calling the outing “disgraceful” and questioning her dedication to motherhood. “I’m not saying new parents have to be tied to their babies 24/7 but I find it hard to understand how any new mother can tear themselves away from a much longed for baby at nine days old for the sake of a night out,” wrote one Facebook commenter in response to a Daily Mail article. Unwilling to take the criticism lying down, Teigen – a prolific social media user – faced her haters Sunday morning, posting: “I went to dinner. People are pissed. Good Morning!” I went to dinner. People are pissed. Good morning! pic.twitter.com/oQ54mtet8c — christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) April 24, 2016 Teigen’s Twitter and Instagram pages have since been flooded with supportive comments telling her to turn a blind eye to the cowardly critics. “Of course you have the right to go on a date,” wrote one Instagram user. “It is even a MUST for a healthy, well-balanced family. Let these bitter b**ches talk. Luna has one hell of a mamma. May you raise her as fierce as you.” Teigen is a public figure so it’s natural to assume she’s caught-up in controversy and judgment simply because of her fame.  Unfortunately, the hostility extends well beyond Hollywood to the greater parenting community illustrated by the nearly 1-million search results for the term “Mommy Wars” on Google. Furthermore, a 2013 poll conducted by Quester and commissioned by Parents magazine found that 63 percent of U.S. mothers believe that so-called “mommy wars” exist, yet less than half those respondents recognize that behaviour within their own social circle.  The study was unable to elaborate on the reason for the drop, but it’s safe to assume the anonymity of social media has at least something to do with it. With the challenges of work-life balance still facing many 21st-century mothers, why is the parenting community so quick to turn on itself? How much further along could we be as a community without all the friendly-fire? It should be noted that while the internet can be a catty cesspool of mom-on-mom hostility, it can also be a source of solidarity and support if you look hard enough. Hashtags like #momlife and #dadlife aggregate thousands of encouraging and often hilarious posts that perfectly capture what it means to be a parent in this day and age. Still, as Teigen’s experience demonstrated this past weekend, there is a plethora of anonymous negativity and online judgment to go around, which begs the question: Wouldn’t we all be better off if we spent more time practicing good parenting and a little less time preaching

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In the Aftermath

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Sun Apr 21 05:28:33 PDT 2013

by Lianne Castelino, www.whereparentstalk.com I am questioning, wondering and in a word, struggling.  It is now a week since terror ripped through a running race, paralyzed a city and disturbed the world.  The dead have been buried. The injured recover slowly. The loved ones mourn forever. The alleged perpetrators have been captured. Neighbourhoods are left reeling try to piece together the events and now the aftermath of the Boston Marathon explosions.   There is so much, so so much that is wrog with what happened last week in Boston, apart of course from the obvious.   Just when I thought the worst was over, I turned the TV on (which I never do at an early hour) last Friday morning, only to see a play-by-play description of a city in lockdown and the police pursuit of two and then one alleged suspect. I had turned the TV on to check the weather — which I also never do. However given the erratic winter/spring we've endured, I have no idea what to wear any more. I understand all the justifications for why tv stations and other media felt compelled to place reporters' in (potential) harms way with sirens, flashing lights and and then eerie quiet behind them.  I saw one of my former colleagues, herself a young parent, right in the middle of the madness, and thought to myself — yikes…brave. Just because you can justify something, DOES NOT make it right.  Goodness knows there are more spinmasters on the planet now than ever who can sell anyone on just about anything, if you give them the chance. What hit home for me was a discussion that began in the car on Friday evening as I was driving home with five other people from a musical, no less.  Among those in the car, were a 13, 11 and 9-year-old.  Each had just expressed how much they enjoyed the show we had just seen — music, dancing, a great story line — a wonderful evening so far.   Then, the topic turned to Boston.  I can't remember how it happened, cause I sure as heck would not be the one to start it. I listened.  I did not say much.  My stomach began to turn as I heard from each of these young people, some of whom belong to me, others who did not, about what they knew about Boston — the latest.  They knew TOO MUCH in my opinion, for their age. I am a traditionalist, always have been, always will be.  Kids of a certain age just DO NOT need to know about terrorism, limbs flying, a teenager being pursued by every level of law enforcement, why an 8-year-old boy was killed and his family decimated by a series of explosions during a running event. But here I was, listening to what these little people in our van were sharing.   I asked if they had talked about in school much that day.  The answer was 'not really'.  Still they knew

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Nutrition Month Featured Recipe: Shrimp and Kale over Cauliflower Mash

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Sat Apr 02 10:31:48 PDT 2016

Servings: 4 Ingredients For the Cauliflower Mash 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 1 head cauliflower, cut into small florets (about 6 cups) 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 cup milk 3 cups reduced sodium vegetable or chicken broth 1 14-ounce can white beans, rinsed and drained ½ cup cornmeal ½ cup partly skimmed shredded mozzarella For the Kale 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 1 package kalettes, if you can find them Or 3 cups chopped kale 3 cloves garlic, minced For the Shrimp 1 lb. shrimp ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon onion powder ½ teaspoon paprika ½ teaspoon ground black pepper 1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt INSTRUCTIONS For the cauliflower Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot. Add the cauliflower and garlic. Sauté for a minute or two, until the garlic is fragrant. Add the milk and 2 cups broth. Simmer for 10 minutes or until soft. Add the while beans and mash roughly with the back of a large wooden spoon or a potato masher. Stir in the cornmeal (the mixture will start to thicken). Adjust the consistency by adding the last cup of broth to the consistency you want. Stir in the cheese and season to taste. For the kale: Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium low heat. Add the greens and garlic and sauté until softened. If using kalettes, add a little water at the end to sort of steam them to finish them off. Remove kale and wipe out pan with a paper towel. For the shrimp: Using the same skillet as you used for the kale heat it over medium heat. In a small bowl mix the extra virgin olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt and pepper together. Place shrimp into a medium bowl and pour oil and spice mixture over shrimp mixing to coat shrimp. Add shrimp to the skillet and cook the shrimp for ~1 minutes per side (pink and cooked through) Serve the shrimp and kale over the cauliflower mash! Inspired by http://pinchofyum.com/spicy-shrimp-cauliflower-mash-roasted-kale

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Smoked Lentil Hummus with Canola Rosemary Flatbread Crisps

by Rheannon Green @ Alberta Culinary Tourism Alliance

Tue Nov 21 14:14:50 PST 2017

Smoked Lentil Hummus & Canola Rosemary Flatbread Crisps By Chef Wandy Ly of WinSport, Calgary AB Ingredients Smoked lentil hummus 2 cups Lightly smoked lentils,...

5 Ways to Teach Kids About Nutrition

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Thu Nov 06 17:23:18 PST 2014

By @Deb_Lowther Feeding kids can be a game of hide and seek or hit and miss. Some foods are an instant hit and easy to get kids to eat while others you have to hide or sneak into a sauce.  Teaching kids young about nutrition won’t solve the green vegetable debate with your toddler, but it will help them to grow up understanding the importance of eating a variety of foods and being healthy. Teaching kids about nutrition is an important as teaching them to read and write and having them understanding the benefits of eating well early on will encourage a healthy relationship with food. Start Young As soon as you start introducing solids, talk to your child during meal times about what food they are eating and why it is good for them. Tell them that carrots are orange and good for their eyes, that avocado is yummy and green, that bananas give them energy and pears have lots of fibre. Show them a fun way to keep track of eating fruits and vegetables by challenging them to eat something from all the colours of a rainbow! Explain Why When they come with you to the grocery store and reach for the Fruity-O’s cereal explain why you prefer the low sugar, whole grain cereal without the artificial food dyes and offer to buy the Fruity-O’s for making necklaces or to glue onto art projects. It’s important to explain why you are not going to buy ‘real’ fruit squishers and prefer they have a bowl of real strawberries instead. Read labels, introduce them to ingredient lists and show them the unhealthy side to many packaged foods. Healthy Food First Set a rule early on that is it always ‘healthy food first. Instead of saying “NO dessert if you don’t finish dinner,” tell the kids to have a healthy dinner first, then dessert. When you are out, encourage them to fill up on healthy food choices first before hitting the candy machine, dessert table or snack bar. Say yes to requests for treats, but qualify it with the ‘healthy first’ rule.  It leaves the kids feeling like they are not being denied a treat and parents are still able to enforce the importance of healthy choices. Teach Food Groups You don’t have to go into the entire Health Canada food pyramid and serving sizes but a simple fun exercise of cutting out different foods from a grocery store flyer can go a long way to helping kids understand that eating a variety of foods is key.  At meal time discuss what is a protein, a grain, dairy, fruit or vegetable and have the kids determine if ityou are eating a balanced meal. Make It Taste Good I have 3 normal kids who hate cooked spinach, think zucchini is gross and have vowed to never eat cauliflower for the rest of their lives. I also have 3 kids that eat zucchini, spinach and cauliflower weekly because I make it taste good.

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Delight Your Senses With Our Summer Produce Guide!

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Wed Jun 01 05:39:16 PDT 2016

By: Melinda Lamarche While the weather has been on the upswing for a while now, the official start to summer is just around the corner! School is winding down and friends and family are coming out of hibernation to spend quality time together, often over a meal or two (or three!) To get you ready for this season of entertaining, we present our June produce guide featuring a bevy of popular fruits and vegetables to delight your summer senses! This month the best finds will be cherries, strawberries, cucumbers and green peas.  There is truly nothing better than enjoying these seasonal goodies at the peak of their freshness!  These foods are not only delicious but offer great nutrition profiles, be creative and think of ways to make these foods the star of your family’s next meal! Strawberries Is there anything more quintessential to summer than picking and eating local strawberries?  Strawberries are available all year round at the grocery store, however we all know the flavour just doesn’t compare to the berries we can get locally this time of year. Local strawberries tend to be smaller, but sweeter and with much more flavor than those we can buy at other times of year from other countries.  Strawberries are a great snack, quick and easy to prepare and eat and also full of nutrition.  Strawberries contain folate, Vitamin C, potassium, fibre and phytochemicals.  This nutritional profile makes strawberries strong contenders in fighting against heart disease, cancer, and high blood pressure all while helping to promote and maintain gut health with its fibre content. Buying Look for berries that are firm and plump with no white or yellow blemishes.  If packaged into pints or plastic containers look for one that is loosely packed with no moisture developing between the berries.  Strawberries are highly perishable and even the smallest amount of moisture will make those berries develop mould in no time. Storing Do not wash strawberries in advance, wash only when you are ready to eat or use them in a recipe.  Store them in a covered container or resealable bag. Cherries Cherries are great when picked locally; not only is their vibrant colour beautiful to behold but they are tasty and healthy to boot!  Cherries come in many varieties ranging from very sweet to very tart.  They also come in different colours from a bright blood red to a yellowish pink hue. Regardless of the type of cherry you favour, they are all a nutritious and delicious. Cherries are high in soluble fibre, meaning that they are great for gut health but also help to lower cholesterol levels by binding with cholesterol in the body and helping to excrete it. Cherries are also high in vitamin A, C and potassium.  Their vitamin C content makes them a great antioxidant which can play a role in decreasing the risk of developing chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Buying Look for cherries that are plump and firm with shiny exterior and bring

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Is the Disability Tax Credit right for you?

by Akiva Medjuck @ Where Parents Talk

Sun Sep 27 12:52:33 PDT 2015

For those who live with disabilities every day, the Canadian Disability Tax Credit is something to consider. Available to disabled persons as well as supporting family members and full time caregivers, it can be very helpful in offsetting the often-prohibitive costs of daily care. Rather than a regular monthly payment, such as would be received through OSDB or the Canada Pension Plan, this credit is applied against income tax, and when first approved for can be received as a lump sum payment that covers up to ten years retroactively. The credit amounts to approximately $1165 per year, with an additional supplement of $680 for those under the age of eighteen. It differs from other provincial and federal tax credits commonly filed with a return in that it must be applied for prior to filing, and cannot be claimed until it has been approved by the CRA. Statistically, almost ninety percent of eligible applications are approved, and most candidates will receive their decision within eight weeks. Offered to those whose disabilities are expected to last or has lasted twelve months or more, the Disability Tax Credit applies to those with physical and/or mental disabilities that have resulted in a marked and severe loss of the ability to perform normal, daily functions such as walking and talking, or for those with severe visual or hearing impairment. Disabilities that fall into this category could include the following chronic pain disorders paraplegia quadriplegic paralysis hearing loss debilitating mental disorders etc… In short any condition that gets in the way of performing simple daily tasks such as dressing or feeding oneself, taking medications or using the toilet may qualify. The degree of impairment is considered as well, and is defined as either markedly restricted or significantly restricted. In the case of ‘marked’ restriction, it is assumed that an inordinate amount of time is required to perform basic daily living activities at least ninety percent of the time, or that the disabled person cannot perform these tasks on their own. ‘Significant’ restriction implies that the applicant may not quite meet the definition of ‘marked restriction’ but is still substantially restricted most of the time. The application form contains a self-assessment quiz that can help determine which category the applicant falls into, and should be completed by anyone who is considering applying for benefits under this program. But one thing you should keep in mind, even if you feel that you might not qualify, you should consider approaching one of the companies from the Association of Canadian Disability Benefit Professionals, National Benefit Authority the Company I founded, is the original founding member of this Association. The application is in two parts, and it is necessary for a qualified physician to complete and sign the medical portion. Though the process may seem daunting, it is well worth the effort for those suffering with long-term issues. In fact, it is a requirement for certain other disability benefits, including the RDSP (registered disability savings plans), Canada Disability Savings Grants and

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Nutrition Month Featured Recipe: Lemon Chicken Stew

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Fri Mar 04 08:52:31 PST 2016

Ingredients 3 tbsp grapeseed oil or olive oil 1 pound skinless and boneless chicken breast cut into 1-inch pieces kosher salt to taste freshly ground pepper to taste 3 tbsp all purpose flour 1 onion diced 4 carrots sliced 2 stalks celery 1 leek thinly sliced 3 cloves garlic minced 5 cups reduced sodium chicken broth 1 cup water Juice of Lemon 3/4 cup uncooked orzo or quinoa 2 tbsp fresh tarragon or dill or parsley chopped Instructions In a large stockpot, heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium high heat. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper to taste and dredge in the all purpose flour. Shake off any excess flourand then add chicken to the stock pot. Cook chicken until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes; set chicken on a plate aside. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to the stockpot. Add the onion, carrots and celery to the stockpot and cook over medium heat for 3-4 minutes. Add the sliced leek and garlic and cook for about 2 minutes and season with salt and pepper. Add the chicken stock and water and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally for about 20 minutes. Add the orzo (or quinoa), return the chicken to the stockpot, cover and simmer for about 10 minutes or until orzo (or quinoa) is tender. Stir in the lemon juice, season with salt and pepper and sprinkle with tarragon (or dill or parsley). Serve immediately. Adapted from http://www.foodiecrush.com/lemon-chicken-stew/     Lemon Chicken Stew – – – Lemon Chicken Stew CourseMain Dish Servings Prep Time 6-8people 20minutes Cook Time 20minutes Servings Prep Time 6-8people 20minutes Cook Time 20minutes

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Playground Politics a Bad Example for Kids

by Cara Scholl @ Where Parents Talk

Thu May 19 19:17:59 PDT 2016

Will the real grownups please stand up? It seems everywhere you look these days politicians are behaving badly, throwing Twitter fits, or in Wednesday’s case – actual fits – in the halls of government power. In an unprecedented move ahead of a controversial vote to limit debate on the government’s assisted dying bill, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau charged across the House of Commons and grabbed a Conservative MP on the arm while unintentionally elbowing a female NDP MP in the process. A commotion immediately ensued, resulting in NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair screaming “you’re pathetic” at Trudeau when Trudeau returned a second time to the other side of the aisle. So much for those “Sunny Ways” huh? Trudeau apologized almost immediately for the incident but that didn’t prevent the tsunami of opposition anger and media attention brought on by the melee. He also spent a good part of Thursday trying to make amends to little avail. By now, many of us are desensitized to brash political tactics thanks in large part to an unnamed American politician and his penchant for insults and inflammatory statements. But here in Canada, we pride ourselves on a higher standard of discourse, even to the point of being a bit smug about it compared to our Southern neighbours. Until now that is. In a previous post regarding the U.S. presidential race, I asked how we’ll one day explain to our children that bullying is wrong when America is poised to elect a master intimidator to the nation’s highest office. “Electing him would signal to our kids – many too young to notice now – that the best way to succeed in life is not through diplomatic means, but through insults directed at anyone who stands in your way,” I wrote at the time. Are we headed down a similar path with our own politicians? Will Canada’s elected officials be relegated to the long list of deviant celebrities acting as poor examples to the public? Seeing yesterday’s events unfold, I truly hope Canada isn’t on a pathway to bullying politics. Our kids need and deserve role models in office who emulate the behaviour we as parents try so hard to instil in them everyday of their lives. C’mon politicians, it’s time to behave like grownups because right now our children are behaving better than you. RELATED LINKS: When a Bully Runs for President Politics and Parenting

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Perfectionism, Laundry and Parenting

by Lianne Castelino @ Where Parents Talk

Sat Mar 15 08:02:26 PDT 2014

It has been a long while since I’ve had time to blog or had a blog in me, but this morning, while folding laundry I became inspired. Anyone who truly knows me, even a little, knows I am a rabid perfectionist. Can’t help it, it’s part horoscope (Virgo) and plain old DNA. A cross I must bear, and I do quite happily. In short, I like things to look, smell, feel, taste GOOD! Let me clarify that I am not a lunatic perfectionist, just one who has a high personal bar and thus always tries to reach it and then nudge it upwards, slightly. Where this ties into laundry and my family is quite simple. I was thinking about how far my perfectionist journey has come in the land of parenting. Teaching our kids how to fold laundry, case and point. I hearken back to my mothers’ words when our first was a toddler — “you have to teach them how to make their bed,” she said, “but don’t worry about how it’s made at the start, just that IT IS made.” But how could I live with an untidily made bed. In the beginning I showed him a few times and wondered why he didn’t seem to fully get it. Looking back on it now, it really wasn’t all that bad for a four-year-old. Enter fresh laundry. The day we sat down and explained how to fold it. T-shirts and socks proved to be the stumbling blocks here and years later still tend to be challenges from time to time, but I’ve learned to let go. It’s now how they fold it, it is that they fold it — the voice in my head said. This is not to say that quality doesn’t matter, quite the contrary. It absolutely does, but so too does positive reinforcement that should eventually lead to improvement over time of a skill or habit in a child. I have most definitely explained that poorly-folded laundry that enters a drawer will exit that drawer like it has lived inside the mouth of a cow for a few hours or been trampled on by pigs. And yes, those comments are usually met with some form of shoulder-shrugging, low-level eye-rolling or flailing hands up in the air. I long ceased using that example and observed as the amazing happened. They eventually did care, and took care and perhaps heard our words in their little ears while folding — whatever — it was and is all good. So, perfectionism. I feel it is a fairly noble pursuit within reason and with limits. Try to be the best you can be at whatever you attempt. Nothing wrong with that in my view. None of us is perfect, nor has that ever been my motivation. At the same time, there is nothing inherently wrong with pushing one’s own personal bar — as long as it doesn’t impede yourself or anyone else in the process. I do feel that increasingly we

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The 5 Stages of Assembling a Toy Kitchen

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Tue Apr 19 12:11:36 PDT 2016

There is nothing like seeing your child explore a new toy for the first time, especially ones with sensory or educational value like a play kitchen.  Unfortunately for the less handy among us, the assembly process can be downright daunting and it may feel like your child will outgrow the toy before you’re done building it. Just for fun, we’ve highlighted the 5 stages of assembling a toy kitchen.  Can you identify? Shock & Denial You’ve opened the giant cardboard box and have dumped its contents onto your living room floor. You now find yourself surrounded with 70 unique parts and a 25-page instruction manual complete with illustrations and symbols that resemble hieroglyphics etched into the wall of a pyramid.  Panic and dismay wash over you like a thick fog. Pain & Guilt You’ve sliced open your hand using the Allen key and your lower back is experiencing intense spasms and shooting pain.  The thought of quitting has crossed your mind 12 times a minute since you started but you won’t give up because depriving your child of the chance to cook fake food using her fake kitchenware is plain unacceptable. Anger & Bargaining Logically you know that fighting with the kitchen won’t get you anywhere, but your frustration is at a boiling point and you can’t take it anymore.  After crumpling the instruction manual in protest, you return to the half-finished kitchen and beg it for mercy in exchange for keeping your cool. Reflection & Loneliness It’s been four hours and you’re only half-finished.  The world seems bleak and meaningless and you’re wondering if you’ll ever breathe fresh air again. Acceptance and Hope The kitchen is done but there are a handful of miscellaneous parts leftover and you’re pretty sure they aren’t spares.  Still, you take a step back and applaud your perseverance in the face of unspeakable odds. Parenting win!      

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Citrus Yogurt Sauce

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Thu Mar 26 20:00:05 PDT 2015

Citrus yogurt sauce recipe. For full recipe see our recipe section,

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Brown Rice and Lentils

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Sat Apr 04 22:47:30 PDT 2015

Brown Rice and Lentils – – Lentils (dry), Brown Rice, Olive Oil, Water, – Rinse lentils and discard any debris. Place lentils in a saucepan with water. Simmer for 20 minutes. Add the rice and cook another 30 minutes, until tender and all water is absorbed. Serve with a scoop of plain, full fat yogurt. Makes 2 cups (500 ml) rice and lentils. Brown Rice and Lentils Servings Prep Time 2cups 10minutes Cook Time 50minutes Servings Prep Time 2cups 10minutes Cook Time 50minutes Ingredients 1cup Lentilsdry 1cup Brown Rice 1tbsp Olive Oil 8cup Water Recipe Notes Rinse lentils and discard any debris. Place lentils in a saucepan with water. Simmer for 20 minutes. Add the rice and cook another 30 minutes, until tender and all water is absorbed. Serve with a scoop of plain, full fat yogurt. Makes 2 cups (500 ml) rice and lentils.

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Dietitians of Canada

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Sun Apr 05 19:19:38 PDT 2015

This is an excellent, informative DVD about feeding your baby from four to twelve months of life. The range of the contents is vast and the DVD goes into detail about many of the possible questions new parents would ask about allergies, food intolerances, and making homemade baby foods. There is an adequate amount of depth in the contents, but not an overwhelming amount of information for new parents. This resource is designed for new parents interested in learning more about what to expect with regards to eating for their new baby from 6 to 12 months of age. It is an easy to follow resource as there are sections highlighted for what to expect when feeding begins with babies. At the end of each section, the main points are highlighted and reviewed, which is quite helpful in reminding the audience what was taught throughout that section. The author has not introduced new material, however has introduced a well-organized, concise report of feeding your baby. The author explains cues on when babies are ready to eat, how to make homemade foods for babies, when to start different food groups and textures, and also gives a variety of options for parents when preparing foods for their baby (such as vegetarian options). There is also a paediatrician who is interviewed throughout the DVD and he addresses many important issues that parents bring to his attention such as constipation, food allergies, anemia, and the importance of vitamin D for babies. The content is very accurate and would be a useful resource for all new parents.

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Stocking-Up on Nutrition Month Essentials!

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Tue Mar 01 08:15:58 PST 2016

WhereParentsTalk.com is proud to announce our participation in Nutrition Month by tracking one family’s mission to eat healthier meals at home. We will update on their journey every week along with expert feedback on the concrete steps they are taking towards achieving their goal. When I was first approached to work with Corey and her husband Ross on their 100 Meal Journey as part of Nutrition month this year, I knew the first place we needed to meet was the Etherington house. Ross and Corey, both work full time, Edie, their toddler is in daycare, and in April they will welcome baby number two. Life is already busy for the Etherington’s and it is about to become even more hectic! My best recommendation for busy individuals and families is to create proper meal plans. When looking to cook more, it is important to make sure you are well prepared with a well-stocked kitchen; this goes hand in hand with creating meal plans. Cooking something new can be quite the task when your pantry and fridge aren’t stocked properly! This is something I notice very regularly when I go into my clients’ personal kitchens to help them with creating meal plans. It is much easier to cook a meal when all you have to do is go into your cupboard or fridge for 75% of the ingredients. Corey and Ross happen to have a pretty well stocked kitchen, so when I went looking through their fridge, freezer and pantry, they had the majority of things on my Kitchen Essentials list. Not only does this list include food items, but kitchen tools are equally as important. I myself recently purchased all new knives (translation: 3 knives, that’s all you need!) and chopping my ingredients has become way less of a chore. Anything to make a task that seems daunting easier is completely worth it. See below for a breakdown of all the kitchen essentials you need to put yourself on the pathway to healthy eating! Kitchen Tool Essentials 1 Sauté pan with a lid 1 Dutch oven 1-2 Sheet pans (aka cookie sheets) 1 9 x 13’ baking pan 3 Knives 1 Multipurpose “Chef’s” knife chose an 8” knife “the work horse” or most versatile knife in the kitchen Paring knife chose a 4” knife for my kitchen Serrated or Bread Knife 3 Mixing bowls (Large, Medium, Small) 1 Colander 1-2 cutting boards 1 set of measuring cups 1 set of measuring spoons 1 set of tongs 1 Wood spoon 1 Whisk 1 Spatula 1 Can opener 1 Meat thermometer Kitchen towels 1 Potholders/Kitchen gloves 1 Loaf pan 1 Casserole Dish 1 Box grater 1 medium pot with lid 1 muffin tin 1 soup ladle 1 Vacuum Sealer > This makes defrosting frozen meat and fish a 5-10 minute task prevents freezer burn. FOOD ESSENTIALS In the Pantry Canned diced tomatoes Low sodium chicken stock Oils Neutral oil such as Grapeseed oil or Sunflower oil Sesame oil Extra virgin olive oil for

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Week 4 Recap: Trying Something New!

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Fri Mar 25 16:45:32 PDT 2016

By: Corey Etherington Wow, Nutrition Month is flying by! This week’s theme of trying something new was not one I was super excited for, especially considering I’m nine months pregnant.  It took a little persuading and a lot of motivation but I’m proud to say I made it through with the added bonus of learning some great new recipes, here’s how the week went: Monday: Shrimp & Kale over Cauliflower Mash Ross & Corey’s Rating: So tasty! And so easy! Edie’s Rating: Yummmm! Edie loved this meal. I don’t generally cook with kale because I find it’s either or over or undercooked depending on the day, but with this simple recipe, it came out perfectly.  As for the cauliflower mash, where have you been all my life? It was so good and also so easy. Corey’s Tip 1: One head of cauliflower makes a lot of mash. If you don’t plan on using it again the next day you can probably use half the cauliflower and have enough for dinner and a bit left for lunch the next day. Dietitian Tip: Corey is right one head of cauliflower gets you a great deal of bang for your buck.  Cauliflower can last up to 10-12 months in the freezer.  Chop the cauliflower or “rice” it, use what you need for dinner and place the rest in a plastic freezer bag.  One mess for more than one meal! Tuesday: Slow Cooker Lentil Soup & Marinated Skirt Steak Ross & Corey’s Rating: Soup – Flavorful and delicious! Steak – I had to make a few modifications and it ended up being not as flavorful as I had hoped. Edie’s Rating: I LOVE STEAK! Corey’s Tip 1: The slow-cooker is always a good idea! This soup is full of vegetables and tastes amazing. I didn’t have ‘herbs de provence’ and even though it was on my grocery list I forgot to buy it. A quick Google search and a dive into my spice rack was all I needed to create something similar. Corey’s Tip 2: I recommend skirt steak, as called for by the recipe, as opposed to another cut of meat.  We had flank steak on-hand and it didn’t come out quite as flavourful as we’d hoped. Dietitian Tip:  Getting to know how to substitute cuts of meat can be very useful, but don’t be shy: ask the butcher at the grocery store what they recommend as a substitute.  Wednesday: Fish Taco Bowl Ross & Corey’s Rating: Insanely delicious!! Edie’s Rating: Edie ate fish!! Edie ate fish!! I sometimes find fish to be a challenge in the kitchen, but this recipe gave me a huge confidence boost because it came out so well! Corey’s Tip 1: Cut the spice down a bit if you think your kids will eat it. I used 1.5 tsp of chili powder and it had some kick to it. Edie still ate it but I probably could’ve done 1 tsp and it would’ve been just as good. Dietitian

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The secret to work-life balance as a parent

by Lianne Castelino @ Where Parents Talk

Fri Jan 22 07:27:42 PST 2016

The hotly-contested topic of work-life balance continues to fascinate me, in part because I’m likely one of the few out there who thinks IT IS POSSIBLE.  I speak from experience and over the last decade or so have discussed the topic with various newsmakers (see video interviews below) to learn about how they do it. Getting a glimpse recently into the life of Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Katherine McKenna, on this very topic is incredibly refreshing quite honestly, and LONG OVERDUE. I’ve always believed work-life balance is possible with ONE important caveat. You have to be able to prioritize, and maintain a rigorous focus on those priorities. For Minister McKenna, shutting down at 5:30 pm every day to spend the next 3 hours or so at home is a priority. Heaven or earth likely cannot be moved to change that sacred time. Having worked shifts, weekends, stat holidays, evenings,  in the competitive, often-all-consuming world of television news and then sports for more than a decade — while having , growing and raising a family — was ONLY possible because of priorities my husband and I had outlined and to which we continue to maintain a razor-like focus. One of our priorities has always been and continues to be — to eat dinner together as a family. Despite those ever-changing shifts, my husbands’ previous work travels (almost a month in Australia when I was 8 ¾ months pregnant with our second instantly comes to mind!) —- we can count, probably on two hands the number of times we have NOT been able to eat dinner together, wtih our three children.  A priority.   Immovable from the daily calendar. A happy side-benefit of this particular priority for us has been the growing body of evidence that points to the importance of family mealtimes on the nutritional, emotional, psycho-social and other aspects of a child’s life.  We can attest to this and we have never had it any other way. Prioritizing often means saying yes to a few things and saying NO to many others. And you have to be at peace with that.  Not always easy for any of us, but the reward — while sometimes hard to see initially — is so well worth it. Yes, your career may have to take a different course, you may have to turn down opportunities, it’s possible you’ll likely have to reinvent yourself several times — that’s what staying the course of priorities will entail. In a world with a ton of white noise, the opportunity to get pulled in a million directions, to lose yourself, to completely forget what is inherently and ultimately important, setting and maintaining priorities — in my opinion — is the driver for establishing work-life balance. In 2016, there are, thankfully, a few more companies who also now believe that a ‘happy employee is a productive employee’.  Telecommuting, part-time/freelance work, job sharing, technology have enabled many people to attain some kind of balance in their lives.  So much

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Simplicity Parenting with Kim John Payne on WhereParentsTalk.com

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Mon Oct 15 01:52:04 PDT 2012

Lianne Castelino of whereparentstalk.com speaks to Kim John Payne, father of two, author of “Simplicity Parenting”, educator, speaker and counsellor about the premise of simplicity parenting and the growing movement towards it.

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What Families Can Learn From Muhammad Ali

by Lianne Castelino @ Where Parents Talk

Thu Jun 09 16:46:18 PDT 2016

The worldwide eulogizing of arguably the greatest personality of the 20th Century has been simply riveting to observe, on so many levels and for so many reasons. Each of us should make time, regardless of age or interest, and take in a little bit of the more-than-full life lived with passion, purpose and principle that Muhammad Ali led. And the heavy, weighty legacy he leaves behind. What struck me about the self-professed ‘greatest of all time’, or #GOAT as one of my kids reminded me is something I hope that my children will embody in their own lives: Muhammad Ali was his own man. Love him or hate him, question him or applaud him — he did his own thing. That ‘own thing’ was usually rooted in a commitment to doing the right thing — and often against definite, daunting odds. Doing the right thing for him was a mirror reflection of his personal beliefs, hewn from his upbringing and environment. After all, we are all ultimately products of how we were raised and the environment we are exposed to — are we not? His unwavering principle is something to marvel at. Principle supported by action. He didn’t just talk the talk (which in itself he was highly-skilled it and evidenced in a litany of piercing quotes). He backed it up with action — which was usually followed by some degree of conviction and courage — cause being your own man is usually a road riddled with potholes, even in the best of times. Just think about the pockmarked backdrop that defined Ali’s formative years: racial strife and social injustice (the plight of ‘colored’ people in the United States at that time), political unrest (the Vietnam War for which Ali refused to be conscripted) — all this and much more as the fire ignited in the 12-year-old boy who set out to be the architect of his own destiny, emerging as a confident, outspoken boxer of ‘colour’ whose drive, diligence and desire propelled him to international fame, glory and controversy. Muhammad Ali had many reasons to throw in the towel (something he rarely if ever did in the boxing ring) — in his life. Instead he persevered to pursue his beliefs, seemingly never swayed by anything or anyone but his strong sense of self and his personal convictions. That is something to be admired. And definitely something to emulate. And in my opinion, sadly, a dying breed. Today, doing the right thing, is also widely tested but in different ways. Measured against opinion from our family, friends, classmates, social media, the internet, what the Joneses are doing — it’s a robust, often influential list. It is easy to get sidetracked and even sideswiped. Staying the course is not a matter of course. The tide of ‘peer pressure’ ebbs, flows and usually devours those who hesitate. At the end of the day, the only real measure of any consequence should be doing the right thing. Easier said then done. As a

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Why We Need to Ask Why

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Mon Dec 17 20:32:01 PST 2012

by Lianne Castelino www.whereparentstalk.com There will never be an answer to WHY? Not one answer that will justify the heinous act, not one answer that could possibly satisfy any one on the planet struggling to understand what would propel a 20-year-old boy to spray bullets through the bodies of helpless young children, gathered in a place where safety should never be questioned. For more than two days now, I have dragged myself around with my soul carved right out of me — thinking about the horror those children and teachers faced, about the terrifying reality 20 parents faced when arriving at Sandy Hook elementary to discover their child would not be going home with them.  What is happening? What makes a parent enjoy guns so much that they take their kids to a shooting range with them?   What propels a mother to keep guns in the house, with children in the same space? What makes a school principal and school psychologist risk their lives, then lose their lives to save their children? What kind of altercation sets of a 20-year-old to commit mass murder of the most innocent of victims? What signs were there if any that went unheeded — to get Adam Lanza the help he clearly needed? What sets people off to that degree? Why do lawmakers NOT get it.  Guns KILL.  People with guns can become KILLERS. How many more lives will it take to convey this message? Twenty young lives snuffed out so callously, inexplicably, so savagely — what will those sweet, precious lives be worth in the end?   At the very heart of this story is a less 'sexy' symptom or potential cause of this mass killing – the breakdown of the family. From what is known, the killer did not react well to his parents' divorce. His parents lived in different cities. His brother did not live with him. While none of this can be directly traced to Adam Lanza's actions, it certainly contributed to the person he was who then decided to commit this unspeakable act. When are we going to start prioritizing family again, giving parents the tools to succeed in their role as parents, empowering mothers and fathers with the critical responsibility of raising happy, healthy children.  Maybe Nancy Lanza was a model mother.  Perhaps Paul Lanza was a fabulous father. But their marriage failed, their family was broken and their youngest son driven to shatter the lives of 27 families and to send chills through the lives of many others. We need to ask why, then we need to roll up our sleeves and fix it, because it hasn't always been like this and it does NOT have to continue.            

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When kids outgrow their toys

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Sun May 03 21:50:30 PDT 2015

Sometimes they need a little help letting go. How many times has your mom or mother-in-law uttered the words, “We didn’t have half this amount of gear when I had my babies!” It certainly does seem that babies come with lots of stuff. Fast forward a few years and you’re in the thick of the toy-acquiring phase of your child’s life. Rarely does an event go by that isn’t accompanied by a new toy or trinket. But what comes in eventually must – or should – go out. As with their clothing, children outgrow toys. It might, however, seem easier to get your child to part with a too-small T-shirt than a toy that might still hold some allure. To read more click here

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5 important points to consider when purchasing life insurance

by Oleksandr Bomshteyn @ Where Parents Talk

Mon Jun 15 20:07:47 PDT 2015

The decision to purchase life insurance could be the single most important choice you make with regard to your financial security. The peace of mind that comes from knowing that your needs will be taken care of throughout the duration of your life is priceless, and being able to leave something behind for your loved ones assures that they will be cared for in your absence. Of even greater importance is making sure you are purchasing the right type of insurance, and that your policy covers your needs. Here are some important points to consider: Why are you purchasing life insurance? Most are hoping to assure the financial security of loved ones, or looking for coverage to fulfill debt obligation and costs associated with final arrangements and estate costs. Additionally, life insurance is often required when negotiating a mortgage, or as part of a business partnership agreement. All of these factors will contribute to how your policy is structured. How much life insurance coverage do you need? Know how much is enough to provide for your family in case the unthinkable occurs. Tax considerations, outstanding debt, mortgages, estate costs, and the level of income you want to leave to your loved ones should all be taken into account. Your financial advisor can help you to break down and identify your needs over the long term. How much can you afford? Life insurance requires that you renew on an annual basis, and is generally paid monthly. Average budget for life insurance ranges from five to ten percent of ones annual income, but depending on what type of coverage is chosen, premiums can change dramatically, especially at the end of term. Plan to have a little financial cushion to allow for premium changes over time. What type of life insurance is right for you? Term or permanent life insurance are the two main types. The purpose of term life insurance is for support in the short-term, and premiums increase as you age. Permanent life insurance provides lifetime coverage and can include additional benefits. The premiums for permanent coverage do not increase over time, and so may be more affordable in the long run. There are also hybrid plans that combine aspects of both term and permanent life insurance. Need more flexibility? Insurance riders serve to customize your policy, providing coverage that is specific to your individual needs. Riders can provide the insured with a Plan B to assure peace of mind in case of unforeseen events. Examples of common riders are waiver of premium, which covers your payments in the event you are unable to work due to a critical injury, or guaranteed insurability, which allows the insured to purchase additional insurance at a later date, without being obliged to undergo further medical. Other riders include critical illness, accidental death, child protection, return of premium, and accelerated death. There is no cookie-cutter answer to what the ‘right policy’ is, as needs differ greatly from person to person, and it is never too

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Carrot Puree

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Sat Apr 04 23:45:08 PDT 2015

Carrot Puree Servings Prep Time 10-12frozen cubes 10minutes Cook Time 20minutes Servings Prep Time 10-12frozen cubes 10minutes Cook Time 20minutes Ingredients 2 Carrots 1cup Waterplus more for pureeing Recipe Notes Peel and roughly chop carrots. Place in a saucepan with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer for 20 minutes, until carrots are tender. Discard cooking water because of the possible nitrate content. Puree carrots in a blender using fresh water. Place in ice cube tray and freeze if desired. Variation: Broccoli Puree 1 head broccoli – florets only. Steam broccoli over a steamer until tender, about 15 minutes. Place florets in blender and puree until smooth, adding up to 1/2 cup (125 ml) water. Makes 12 frozen cubes.

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Your Nutritional Guide to a Summer Full of Freshness!

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Mon Jun 27 06:01:05 PDT 2016

By: Melinda Lamarche July and August are right around the corner and with these hot summer months comes another list of local fresh produce available for the picking.  The produce popping up in July and August are very similar so we’ve decided to combine them in one comprehensive guide. Although you can find many of these fruits and vegetables year-round in the grocery store, it’s a special treat to enjoy these foods when they are available from local farmers; their fresh flavour can’t be beat!  Check out what’s available this summer and find ways to sneak these foods into your grocery bags and onto your family’s table! Apricots These light orange, fuzzy fruits are available in late July and August.  They are full of beta carotene an antioxidant common in orange produce.  Apricots also contain lots of vitamin C and lycopene, both with antioxidant power that help to reduce the risk of various chronic diseases.  Lycopene in particular has been linked to reduced risk of prostate, colorectal, breast, lung and stomach cancers. Apricots are also full of potassium, known to help lower blood pressure and of course, like many other fruits and veggies, these little fruits also contain fibre, helping with GI and heart health. Buying Look for apricots without any bruises or blemishes.  Make sure there are no browning soft spots as these spots will develop mold in no time. Storage You can ripen apricots in a paper bag and once they’re ripe, transfer them to the refrigerator. Keep apricots in a plastic bag or container to keep them fresh a little longer Peaches   In late July and early August we start to see baskets of peaches on grocery store shelves and at farmers markets.  Nothing beats the taste of an in-season, locally grown peach.  Peaches are great on the nutrition front containing lots of fibre, potassium, vitamin C, beta carotene and two other antioxidants called lutein and zeaxanthin.  Both of these antioxidants have been found to play a role in eye health by preventing macular degeneration. Buying Choose peaches that are plump and firm with no soft spots, bruises or blemishes.  Tan or brown circles on a peach are a sign of spoilage and like apricots, you will quickly see mold develop on these spots. Storage Firm peaches will ripen at room temperature in a few days, once ripe, refrigerate to prevent spoilage Plums Plums are also available during these very warm summer months.  Plums are great sources of Vitamin C, beta carotene and the B vitamin riboflavin.  This B vitamin helps the body convert carbohydrates into a source of energy. Beta carotene and vitamin C have antioxidant power helping to reduce the risk of cellular damage that can lead to chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Plums are also known to have high fibre content, especially when they are dried and referred to as prunes. Buying Plums come in a variety of colours from yellow, to red to a dark purple. Choose firm

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Ohio Police Post Heartbreaking Photo to Drive Home a Point

by Cara Scholl @ Where Parents Talk

Sat Sep 10 09:57:06 PDT 2016

The City of East Liverpool, Ohio was in the spotlight this week after its police department made the controversial decision to post a photo of an overdosed couple in the front seat of a van with a four-year old child in the backseat. The photo garnered international attention because pictures of minors are normally blurred out in such instances to protect their identities, but the police department chose to make an exception in this case to drive home a point on the perils of drug abuse. “We are well aware that some may be offended by these images and for that we are truly sorry, but it is time that the non drug using public sees what we are now dealing with on a daily basis” the city’s Facebook post read. The heartbreaking photos, which were posted with a ‘graphic content’ warning, were taken during a traffic stop earlier in the week and show two incapacitated adults in the front seat with the young child sitting behind them. “We feel it necessary to show the other side of this horrible drug. We feel we need to be a voice for the children caught up in this horrible mess,” the post continued. “This child can’t speak for himself but we are hopeful his story can convince another user to think twice about injecting this poison while having a child in their custody.” According to reports, the male driver pleaded guilty to operating a vehicle and endangering a child.  The woman in the photo – the child’s mother – reportedly pleaded not guilty to endangering a child, public intoxication and disorderly conduct.  She is expected to appear in a pre-trial hearing on September 15. What do you think of the police department’s decision to release the un-doctored photos on social media? Were they warranted in their decision?

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Six Adult Lessons I Learned as a Young Dancer

by Cara Scholl @ Where Parents Talk

Fri Feb 05 08:30:31 PST 2016

I was four the first time I danced in front of an audience. Dressed head-to-toe as a penguin waiter in our studio’s adaptation of Mary Poppins, I did my best attempt of a tap-dancing waddle while carrying an invisible tray around the stage. I remember feeling so proud because I was singled out for a mini-solo during that performance; a sequence in which I danced up to Mary and Bert and offered them both an invisible drink from my platter. From that point on, I was hooked, in-love with all aspects of dance from choreography to creative movement, costumes to classical music. I danced for the next 14 years straight, with each subsequent year becoming increasingly more intensive with competitions, recitals and graded exams. My schedule often meant going to the studio immediately after school and missing social gatherings on the weekend to attend class or an out of town festival. I didn’t realize it at the time, but now, more than 15 years since my amateur dance career ended, I credit it with being one of the most positive influences on my adult life. Here’s why: Healthy Sense of Competition I began competing in local and provincial festivals from the time I was eight years old until I stopped dancing at 18. I’ll never forget standing before the adjudicators as they critiqued our numbers and the feeling of anticipation as they doled out gold, silver and bronze on-by-one. Competition is a reality of adult life and whether it’s contending for a spot in university or a new job, it’s valuable to have a healthy perspective on rivalry and the risks and rewards of putting yourself out there. Sportsmanship Competing was not always synonymous with winning, not even close. In retrospect, learning to lose gracefully – particularly in solo competition when I couldn’t slink into the background of my fellow group members – was the most instrumental skill dancing taught me. At this point, we’re all aware of life’s unexpected twists, turns and occasional disappointments and learning to deal with defeat early on was an invaluable lesson in humility and sportsmanship. Body Confidence Was I ever going to be a prima ballerina? Definitely not. I was too tall with too-prominent an hourglass figure to ever make it into a professional company; nevermind that I lacked the turnout and enviable arch of a professional dancer. Did lacking the ideal “body type” ever once stop me from donning a tutu or set of pointe shoes and dancing my heart out? Not event once. On the contrary, I participated in at least three competitions a year for more than a decade, dancing at least five separate numbers in each one. For her part, my teacher was careful to never make any comments about our weight; even during those pressure-filled days before competition or a ballet exam, her critiques were limited to our classroom work and never, ever about our outward appearance. In a world that often expects women to conform to a ‘perfect’

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Fare Choice

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Thu Apr 11 03:51:52 PDT 2013

by Lianne Castelino www.whereparentstalk.com I was recently privileged to be invited to a food photography workshop, which was organized in tandem with a taste-testing session for a line of new healthy menu options at one of Canada's leading quick service restaurants.   As we speak, Wendy's Restaurants of Canada is rolling out flat-bread sandwiches, made with artisan breads, grilled and filled with lighter, more nutritional fare. It certainly is great to see another chain broadening their menu choices for the increasingly discerning customer palate.   The sandwiches I sampled were flavourful, aesthetically pleasing and most filling. I commend Wendy's and other restaurants in their category for evolving their menus and for displaying a keen interest in following customer trends and accepting customer feedback. At the end of the day, their mainstay is burgers and fries and they are not compelled to offer anything more. Hamburgers will always sell. Nothing wrong with having one from their grill or your backyard barbecue from time to time, despite what the nutritional zealots may say.  My opinion only. It brings up a rather hot-button parenting topic — moderation and limits. Many nutritional militants (and I respect their stance, though don't always agree with the all or nothing approach) will argue that this category of restaurants should either cease to exist or reduce their bread and butter offerrings (burgers and fries) to an after-thought.  I have never understood this.  People can eat what they want.  The key, in my opinion, is to teach a baby, then a child to understand moderation and limits. I don't know a soul who does not enjoy a burger once in a while, including my vegetarian friends who feast on the non-meat variety. Absolutely nothing wrong with it, provided it is made as advertised — with pure ingredients. However, if that particular food is consumed too frequently or incessantly, problems will occur.  Too much broccoli is not good for you either. Moderation. Limits. I am not defending fast-food chains (which is a term we are hearing less these days), I am defending exposure to healthy food and ultimately choice. As one of the producers of an award-winning DVD on healthy eating for babies and toddlers and the author of a book on the same subject, I consider myself to have an educated opinion on the subject.  A child should be exposed to healthy foods from their very first bite.  I'm talking about a majority of natural ingredients, freshly prepared, not pre-packaged.  If this occurs consistenly, over time, you will have likely raised a person who is mindful about what they eat. Nothing is wrong with the occasional pre-packaged meal, restaurant visit or the like.  Banning it completely is a mistake and that's where the nutritional zealots need to perhaps revise some of their approach. Consistent exposure. Moderation. Limits.  The key ingredients in fare choice.    

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5 Reasons I’m Choosing to Love Winter

by Cara Scholl @ Where Parents Talk

Mon Feb 01 11:49:43 PST 2016

There are times when the wind is howling and the snow is whipping across your face, that it is easy to curse living in a winter climate. Being a new parent, I have often found myself wondering just how much easier it would be if I didn’t have to wrestle my daughter into a snowsuit before leaving the house or strap her into the car-seat with a handful of frozen fingers. Then there are days like today, when the sun is shining and there’s only a slight nip in the air, that I can reflect on all that I love about living in a city that experiences four distinct seasons, including – yes – winter. Here are just a few: Snowy Sports: Whether it’s hitting the slopes or taking in an outdoor game of shinny, there’s something so nostalgic and wonderful about frolicking outside in the winter chill – especially with kids. Can you think of anything more fun than climbing aboard a toboggan and sailing down a hill of packed snow? Nope! Hot Bevvys: When you’re done enjoying the outdoors, fix yourself a cup of warm cocoa and warm-up from the inside out. A steaming hot beverage just isn’t the same when your fingers and toes aren’t mid-thaw. Winter Fashion: During the dog-days of summer, my mind inevitably wanders to thoughts of scarves, boots and the deep hues that characterize winter fashion. Sandals, swimsuits and maxi-dresses just can’t compare. Comforts of Home: Nothing makes me appreciate a Saturday night spent indoors more than a Canadian winter. Give me a pair of warm socks and a movie and I am one happy Canuck. The Spring Thaw: Is there any more optimistic feeling than the one you have during those early days of spring? It’s magical to watch as sidewalks fill-in and a hibernating city comes back to life, ahhhh! Winter doesn’t have to be a source of dread all year-round; it can actually be quite beautiful in its own right. I hope you take time to enjoy it because in the time it takes to spell F-R-O-Z-E-N, spring will be here!   RELATED LINKS: The Perfect BLEND Family Fun: Take it Outside

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Meatballs

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Sat Apr 04 21:54:54 PDT 2015

Meatballs Servings Prep Time 2dozen 10minutes Cook Time 20minutes Servings Prep Time 2dozen 10minutes Cook Time 20minutes Ingredients 1clove Garlic 1 Onion 1/2cup Parsley 1/2cup Parmesan Cheese 1 Egglightly beaten 1/2cup Breadcrumbs 1/2tsp Salt 1/2tsp Pepper 12ounces Ground Veal 16ounces Ground Beef 2-3tbsp Unbleached Flour 2-3tbsp Olive Oil Recipe Notes Finely grate the garlic and onion. Place in a large bowl with the rest of the ingredients. Blend well (you may have to use your hands) Shape into 2-3 inch meatballs. Place the flour on a plate and coat each meatball. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry meatballs on all sides. If meatballs are still pink inside, finish cooking in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes. To serve, cut in quarters or crumble, depending on baby’s age. Makes 2 dozen 2-3 inch meatballs.

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How to throw a birthday party without losing your mind

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Sun May 03 21:14:25 PDT 2015

From the simple days of pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey to lavish car-racing and princess “spa” themes, kids’ birthday parties have swelled to become fodder for reality television. Perhaps because of these tough economic times, or a desire to trim the excess, parents seem to be reverting back to the homespun birthday parties of our youth. Personally, we are happy to scale back. Not only does it mean less pressure and less expense for us, it means putting everything in perspective for our kids. Do they really need to be king or queen for a day? It can be hard to come back down to earth after. To read more click here

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Policing the Internet

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Thu May 02 03:47:02 PDT 2013

by Lianne Castelino www.whereparentstalk.com Had the most intriguing chat with a business acquaintance a few days ago.  He is not married, and doesn't have children.  But at one point the conversation turned to parenting.  He brought it up. I listened intently, agreeing and shaking my head in affirmation (inside my head of course), so as not to appear overzealous about what was perplexing this person and why I agreed so completely with his stance. Whether parents want to admit it or not, and frankly it doesn't really matter what age your child is, the innappropriate content that exists online and the ease of access to it is, in a word, frightening. Firewalls, restrictive software, YouTube disclaimers, scoldings and warnings only get so far.  The question that this gentleman and I (many times especially in recent years) are asking — why is porn not being policed on the net?  In a world where homemade bombs, terrorist plots, jihadist training, murderous plans and schemes, cyberbulling seem to preoccupy the waking moments of many of us, it seems that butt naked men and women performing unspeakable acts have eluded our attention.  It is most definitely time to shed light on this growing concern. As the parent of two teen boys and a nine-year-old girl, this topic is on my radar.  Not because I have had to address it in my household so far (goodness help us if and when that time comes), but because it is part of the reality of parenting in 2013.  Period.  If you do not come to grips with the p-word, it just may put you in a vice grip and have you flailing helplessly. Regardless of your opinion on the existence of porn in the world at large, children of any age SHOULD NOT have access to it.   Add that to the idea that children these days seem to know too much from a young age, then add to that the idea that they seem to mature at a rapid rate, throw in the reality that girls seem to mature at a more accelerated rate than boys and you suddenly have a pretty potent mix.  Once you throw in unrestricted access to porn on the internet — CRINGE, we all should cringe. I don't pretend to know the answer but whatever that answer is has to be quite stern and sweeping in nature.  No exceptions. This is serious stuff.  It deserves our undivided attention.  Especially because kids, by and large, learn much by modelling behaviour they see.  What is scary is when they feel the need to model behaviour that they likely do NOT understand. Enough said.  

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What Your Body Needs while Breastfeeding

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Thu Mar 26 21:49:06 PDT 2015

How many extra calories do you really need while breastfeeding? Knowing how to nourish yourself while breastfeeding is important for both mother and baby. WhereParentTalk.com’s Andrea Howick gets some key tips from Dietitian Jacquie Demers. Learn more about breastfeeding in the DVD Bringing Baby Home. Shot on locations at www.bellesmamans.ca.

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Empowering Youth. Jeffrey and Michael Eisen on WhereParentsTalk.com

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Tue Oct 09 13:57:18 PDT 2012

Lianne Castelino of whereparentstalk.com speaks to Jeffrey and Michael Eisen about their new book entitled, “Empowering Youth: &nbsp;A Father and Son’s Journey to Conscious Living”, and tips for parents and children on improving communication and respect.

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Toronto Families

by Where Parents Talk @ Where Parents Talk

Sun Apr 05 19:23:54 PDT 2015

Andrea Howick and Lianne Castelio sure know how to appeal to the mothers of newborns. That’s the target audience of their highly informative video Bringing Baby Home. Maybe it’s because these mompreneurs have five children between them. They saw a need for a video that addressed the multitude of concerns mothers have about their newborns. The video tackles the most common questions, touching on everything from breastfeeding to the umbilical cord to sleep patterns, colds, fever, colic and vaccinations. Health care professionals led by Dr. Denis Leduc of the Canadian Paediatric Society provide the core information. Also available in French.

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