Increase Your Upper Body Strength & Your Confidence At Aradia Fitness In Oakville

The 2014 momstown Oakville Fit Mama Challenge is now in its third week and going strong.  We ended our second week with a pole dancing, floor and chair cabaret workout session with Aradia Fitness in Oakville. Out of most mom's comfort zone?  Maybe, but we had a terrific response to this workout and were so happy that so many of our challenge participants wanted to give this fantastic workout a try.  Aradia Fitness was so welcoming to your group, even having some snacks and drinks out for us to enjoy!

Right off the bat I can tell you that there are many things you don't know about pole dancing fitness.  It's not easy, that's for sure.  It's also not sleazy or shady, awkward or embarrassing.  And let's be honest, once you become a mom, the part of you that may once have been a silver pleather pant wearing lady (yup, those would be my pants I am talking about!) gets pushed to the back and doesn't often come out.  But why not? 

I can tell you that ALL the moms who did our Aradia class loved feeling like a woman that night and shedding the mom identity for some time focused on themselves.  Aradia Fitness Oakville owner Jane has a fantastic story to tell about just this type of thing - read her story here.  

So what did we do for our workout?  We all got a chance to try a beginner pole dancing class as well as a rock bottom class (targets butt, abs & legs!) and some chair cabaret.  The studio offers registered classes but also has drop in classes as well, you can view all the class descriptions here.  Classes at Aradia Fitness in Oakville are a fantastic way to build upper body strength, tone and tighten and boost your confidence in yourself.  If one of your New Year's resolution was to try something new this year, I can tell you that this is it! Every woman should try a class at least once.

Read what some of our mamas has to say about their Aradia Fitness experience:

"Really found it fun....surprised myself :) Would go again!"

"LOVED IT!"

"I loved it too. The chair dancing was my fave. Such a great space and I love that you can just do drop in classes with no pre registration!"

Make sure to visit Aradia Fitness Oakville's website and Facebook Page to find out more about their classes and workshops offered.

2014 Fit Mamas Challenge!

Registration Fee* Includes:

• Option to participate in 8 Fitness Classes
• Tracking of initial and final weight and measurements
• Nutritional Support
• Access to an online network of moms completing the challenge, where you can discuss progress, get advice and share ideas

Opportunity to WIN CASH prizes for the top two winners and other prizes to help motivate and encourage along the way!

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*Registration fee is $20 for momstown Oakville members, $25 for non members.

Workouts with our fitness sponsors include:

Christmas Is Feeling Very Christmas-y This Year

At first I couldn't but my finger on it, but for some reason, Christmas is just feeling more Christmas-y to me this year.  I am enjoying the season more, looking forward to celebrating with family and friends and love watching my kids get more and more excited as we get closer to Christmas morning.  So what's different this year I had to wonder?  Here is the list I came up with:

• No more sleepless nights
• No more diapers (pull ups at night don't count)
• No more pureed food, high chairs, bottles or breastfeeding
• No more pulling ornaments off the tree (well, mostly no more)
• No more tears at the sight of Santa

Almost one year old.  Don't be fooled...he lost it the minute this photo ended! We got very lucky!

Don't get me wrong, this is not to say that I have not enjoyed the past four Christmases since my son and then my daughter were born but I'll be honest, I'm enjoying it all a lot more this year! As my kids get older, their enjoyment of the holidays fuels my enjoyment to an exponential level.  And while a baby is adorably cute in a Santa suit or a reindeer onesie, they still wake you up in the middle of the night making Christmas morning foggy!  Both my kids 'get' (and believe in) Santa this year.  They love the snow and want to play in it as opposed to just being bundled up in a snowsuit and not being able to move (see picture below).

Doesn't she look thrilled to be bundled up?

I look back on the pictures of my kids on both of their first Christmases with fond memories and I love the ornaments we have added to the tree over the years that have their pictures as babies but I am so looking forward to this Christmas and the ones to come.  So my words of wisdom (unsolicited, I know) to those mamas who are still in the 'foggy years' (to me that means at least one kid under two, mamas that have multiple kids under 3 or 4 years of age, etc) is to enjoy the season the best you can but don't feel bad if it doesn't seem all that Christmas-y.  It will come!

5 Tips To Avoid Burnout This Holiday Season

Deck the halls! I love the holiday season; it’s a time for festivities, family and fun. As a mom I am so looking forward to making this a memorable Christmas for my kids, but not at the expense of my health. Here are my Dr. Mom tips to avoid the usual burnout this holiday season.

1. Keeping a regular sleep routine. Nothing says restoration and health like a regular sleep routine. Go to bed at the same time every night, the earlier the better. Remember to also sleep in complete darkness and away from all your tech gadgets  to ensure good quality sleep, or as good as possible - I too have a 5 month old at home!

2. Starting your day with lemon water. With all the indulgences the holidays bring, why not start your day by stimulating your liver with lemon water, a gentle and tasty liver stimulant that helps you detox toxins. Don’t forget to stay hydrated throughout the day!

3. Avoiding stimulants like coffee. I know, I know not a popular tip for the sleep deprived parents out there, but hear me out. Stimulants can negatively impact adrenal function and make us feel more fatigued. When I was child free, moms challenged me to see if I would still think this was sound advice after having children. Well, two children later and I can honestly say I function much more efficiently without coffee. Want to try a healthier alternative? Try a matcha latte or chaga mushroom tea - these are both energizing and adrenal supportive. 

4. Eating Protein at breakfast. Through my clinical experience, it is clear that most do not eat enough protein for breakfast. It is an optimal way to stabilize blood sugar right from the start which helps to balance our cortisol levels (our stress hormone) and prevents a yo-yo blood sugar affect for the rest of the day. Stabilizing your blood sugar is one of the best ways to remain energized and prevent over indulging in holiday treats – helping prevent  unwanted weight gain. My favourite, and one of the easiest ways to get protein in the morning? Smoothies, of course! Check out my website for my favorite smoothie recipes.

5. Move your body. This would be the worst time to drop your regular exercise routine, so donʼt let holiday commitments get in the way of something that does your body good. Make the time for exercise. Donʼt have a regular workout routine? Now is a great time to start. If getting to a gym doesn't fit in your agenda, then just get moving with your kids, walk around a mall, do a quick home workout when you wake for the day. Moving makes every cell in your body happy.

Already feeling burnt out before the holidays even begin? I can help! Naturopathic doctors are equipped with natural interventions such as botanical herbs, nutrition assistance, acupuncture, lifestyle advice and more to restore health and get you feeling optimal. We are your experts in treating and preventing exhaustion, naturally. I’m here to help you make this a terrific holiday season for you and your family.

Happy holidays!

*This is a guest post by Dr. Michelle Peris.  Visit www.drmomnd.ca to learn more and follow me on Twitter at @DrMomND and on Facebook for recipes and tips. 

Where Can You Visit With Santa In Oakville?

Lots of places!  Read below for details on where you can find Santa in Oakville and surrounding areas.

RioCan Oakville Place
Free Photos and Videos with Santa
November 29 to December 24

Tuesday to Friday:  10am - 8pm
Saturday:  10am - 6pm
Sunday:  11am - 5pm
Monday, December 23:  10am - 8pm
Christmas Eve:  Reservations Required

South Oakville Centre
Saturday's & Sunday's - 12pm to 4pm
Daily from December 16 - December 30th - 12 to 4pm
Santa reads stories every half hour

Burlington Mall
December 1st to 23rd
MON to SAT 10am to 8pm, SUN 10am to 6pm
Click here for photo prices

Mapleview Centre in Burlington
Now until Dec 15:  Fri - 10am to 8pm, Sat - 10am to 6pm, Sun - 10am to 5pm
Dec 16 to the 23: Monday to Saturday - 10am to 8pm, Sun - 10am to 5pm

Oakville Small Business Spotlight - Kula Yoga Studio

As we celebrate Small Business Week , I’m please to share the contribution of Kula Yoga Studio, which is celebrating their 10th anniversary this December of offering Yoga instruction to Oakville.  Kula opened its doors in 2003 with the first Hot Yoga Studio west of Toronto.  Founded by Studio Director, Colin Matthews, Kula has become a celebrated Yoga studio recognized for outstanding teachers, innovative programs and workshops, and an inviting community that fosters health and well-being.

In celebration of their 10th anniversary, here are 10 exceptional ways Kula has supported Yoga practice in Oakville:

Community:  Kula is clearly a safe and caring space for students of all ages and walks of life to roll out a mat and practice.  Kula, means ‘community’ in Sanskrit, and this studio is evidently a welcoming and thriving community of Yoga practice.

Inspired Yoga Teachers:  Kula teachers come from different lineages of Yoga study, offering specialization in various forms of Yoga practice.  However, they all unanimously share a commitment to life-long personal study and a desire to support students experience a healthy, empowered and evolving practice.

Diversity of Yoga Classes:  Kula offers over 60 classes per week in both a heated and non-heated studio space.  There’s a class for everyone from beginners to advance practitioners!

Family Practice: One look at the class schedule, and you can see family needs are taken into account! Kula offers weekly pre-natal classes, as well as mom and baby class series. There are Yoga classes scheduled for mom and dad while Little Yogis (ages 5-9) and Young Yogis (ages 10+) practice as well. Starting Monday November 19th at 1:30pm we will be adding a new class to the Kula schedule, Mom and Baby Yoga. Enjoy all the benefits of yoga in a class designed to connect you with your baby.

Inclusive:  Kula makes a conscious effort to ensure Yoga is accessible.  They offer several $8 classes on their schedule, as well as $5 community classes taught by a recent graduate from Kula’s Teacher Training Program, and a weekly Karma class in which proceeds are donated to charity.

Green Studio Space: The creation of a healthy practice space and an intention to minimize the operating foot print is evident in the following ways at Kula: cork studio floors, radiant heating, non-toxic cleaning products, VOC-free paint, mason jars instead of plastic water bottles, alkaline water filtration system, low-flow toilets, Solar Water heater, and LED lighting. Learn more by clicking here.

Sunday Nights at Kula:  A vibrant community conversation led by Colin Matthews about life and how to live a purpose-filled life.  Think, taking your Yoga practice off the mat and into the world!

Yoga Teacher Training: Kula has an impressive faculty of teachers working together to support budding Yoga teachers, and dedicated students through their Advanced Study and Yoga Teacher Training Curriculum. Kula offers a 200-Hour and 500-Hour certification, as well as a specialized certification in Pre and Post Natal teaching.

Energy Exchange Program (EE): Kula’s EE program invites yoga students to work at the studio in exchange for unlimited classes. The inspiration for this program was to foster community involvement and to offer alternative forms of currency.

Students:  Kula Director, Colin Matthews says the tremendous sincerity from students to study and apply their practice of Yoga in their life both on and off the mat is the greatest celebration of all after 10-years!

Kula has convinced me to try my first hot yoga class!  Check out their class schedule by clicking here. 

Oakville Small Business Spotlight - Dr. Michelle Peris, Naturopath

Dr. Michelle Peris chose to become a naturopathic doctor (ND) when she experienced how much better she felt after making changes for a healthier lifestyle.  She wanted to inspire others to do and feel the same. Becoming a mom further strengthened her passion to help families searching for a natural approach to raising their family and provide prevention-focused health care.  Dr. Peris really believes we were meant to live very happy and healthy lives and her passion is helping others achieve that.  Did you know that most benefit plans cover naturopathic appointments?

Dr. Michell Peris, ND

It is very easy to see Michelle's passion when chatting with her about her business or about helping a patient trying to solve a health issue.  We asked her a few questions about what she loves about her work; take a minute to read and learn more about Dr. Peris.

What do you love about running a small business?

I am very grateful to have a career that doesn’t feel like work. I truly enjoy working with my patients.  I often feel inspired by others’ successes. It fuels me to strive to work harder and be better both professionally and personally.  I am also appreciative of my ability to schedule my work hours around what works best for my family. Being able to practice what I preach with an aim for work life balance while not compromising my health or wellness is an integral part of my vision for a happy and purposeful life. 

What to do you love about running your business in Oakville?

I have been practicing in Oakville for five years and I see residents of Oakville as very receptive to integrative health care and eager to incorporate a naturopathic doctor into their health care team.  My goal is to inspire patients to live healthfully and empower them to be active participants in their health care. The people of Oakville have been very receptive to this.  

What do you want Oakville families to know about your business?

I am an ND with a clinical focus in woman’s health and pediatrics.  I want to support moms by helping them take care of themselves. As moms, often our priorities shift  from self care to care for our children thus our health tends to suffer.  I want to help moms find that balance.  I very much enjoy working with children and families finding creative ways for the family to function more healthfully. 

Children respond so well to natural interventions and there is no better time to incorporate a preventative health care approach then in childhood.  I want to empower families to thrive and not merely survive with simple nutrition and lifestyle changes.  I feel inspired to share a message of healthy living and I want to empower as many families as possible.  I can help you take the next step in living more healthfully.

momstown Oakville is fortunate to have Dr. Peris come and speak at our mom & baby group, our members always have a great things to say about her visits!  Please contact Dr. Michelle Peris, ND at the Oakville Massage & Wellness Clinic to make an appointment and make sure you visit her blog for lots of healthy living tips for parents with young families!

2013 Halloween Events for Oakville Moms And Kids

Halloween is such a creative holiday with so many ideas for crafts, costumes and spooky snacks!  We're lucky that Oakville moms and kids have the opportunity to celebrate with so many local Halloween events! Have you marked your calendar with these fun events?  I'm sure you'll see some of our momstown Oakville moms and kids there!

Little Rascals Indoor Playground Hotel Transylvania Halloween Party
Saturday, October 19, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Come get your key and stay awhile at the Hotel Transylvania. Explore Hotel rooms with spooky surprises. Visit Franenkstein's home away from home or Dracula s crypt suite. DANCE the night away in the hotel banquet hall. Prizes and treats, juice provided. Order pizza for the family through Little Rascals. All ages, family event, $25 plus HST per family or $15 plus HST for one child/one parent.

Halloween Spooktacular at the Halton County Radial Railway
Saturday, October 19 & Saturday, October 26, 6:30 PM-10:00 PM
All ages event! Walk through the haunted car barn and travel in the old, creaky streetcars along the mainline and enjoy some hot apple cider & scary snacks. If you’re a Halloween fan this is definitely a spooky experience not to be missed! Costumes encouraged. Reservations not required. Tickets sold at the door.

Spooktacular Halloween at Mountsberg Conservation Area
Oct 19 & 20 and 26 & 27th, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Start your Halloween festivities early at Mountsberg Conservation Area's Spooktacular Halloween. This event is free with park admission and features plenty of hauntingly good fun for everyone: Pumpkin Patch, Toddler pumpkin maze, Haunted PlayBarn, Pumpkin Scavenger Hunt, Kids crafts, Harvest games and Bison rides.

Family Great Pumpkin Carving/Decorating Contest with the Oakville Public Library
Saturday, October 26, 2013 from 1:00-4:00pm
Attention all Families! Take some time and choose, decorate and carve a pumpkin for our Great Pumpkin carving contest! Bring it to the Central Branch for judging! Prizes awarded in various “spooktacular” categories. This is a free event.

Halloween at the Oakville Museum
Sunday, October 27, 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Join us at the Oakville Museum for our annual family friendly Halloween event. Come in costume and experience a historical Raggedy Ann story time, hunt through the house counting pumpkins, and make your own Halloween scarecrow craft! Crafts, games, popcorn, prizes = FUN! $5 per person.

Tiny Tots on Parade, Downtown Oakville
October 31st, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
With our friendly witch, cuddly friends and Oakville Fire truck display, not to mention all the tasty treats, it's a day you don't want to miss! Please come in costume and bring a bag for all of your treats!

Glama Gal's Little Goblins Halloween Bash
Thursday October 31st, 10:00am-11:30am OR 1pm-2:30pm
This jam packed event for Little Goblins 5 and under includes making a halloween mask, a monster mash mini dance party, create your own mummy cupcake, snack station, candy buffet and more!  $20 per child and $5 per parent.  Tickets need to be purchased in advance, reserve your tickets here or call (905)842-4257.

5 Halton Thanksgiving Weekend Family Activity Ideas

Whether you are roasting a turkey this weekend or enjoying Thanksgiving dinner at a family member or friend's house, there are lots of other fun family activities to do this long weekend.

Cute Craft Idea - Turkey Trivets!

Check out a Fall Fair
Rockton World's Fair is a big deal full weekend fall fair just down the highway. The schedule looks packed and fun for all ages!

Apple & Pumpkin Picking
Chudleigh's and Frootogo are fabulous places to visit for apples. Momstown Oakville has picked pumpkins at Parkside Farms in Waterdown too.

Harvest Celebration
Check out the Springridge's Harvest Festival for a great day of family fun

Take a Hike
Our Halton conservation areas supply endless fun, beautiful trials for hiking or biking and discovering!

Get Crafty 
Of course, momstown will always encourage you to pull out the craft supplies - we have oodles of craft activities for Thanksgiving, Fall or even Halloween!

LifeClass in Oakville: Passion, Purpose & Possibilities

For more info on the LifeClass Starting in Burlington on September 18th or Oakville on October 8th, visit www.lifeclass.ca Our momstown team has a chance to experience the incredible coaching of Jen Bodenham - we highly recommend this insightful program!

Top 5 Gardening Tips for Summer from Oakville's Heart's Content Gardens

Oakville's Heart's Content Gardens was featured on HGTV in the Summer of 2012. Owner, Lindsay McFadden, has a unique personal touch makes her stand out among other landscapers. She asks her clients the right questions and combines their ideas with her extensive knowledge and expertise to design gardens that fit their life.  She then hand picks and personally guarantees all of her plants to ensure those gardens stand the test of time.  Lindsay is a mom of two children and happens to be a momstown Oakville member!  I don't have much of a gardening flair but loved reading the weekly tips Lindsay gives on her Facebook page so I asked her to share some of her wisdom in a blog post.

Top 5 Gardening Tips For Summer

1. If you want a blooming garden all season go to the nursery every few weeks and buy a few things in bloom that catch your eye. This is a sure way to have colour through the season and makes gardening a fun adventure.

2. Buy annual flowers that haven't bloomed yet. Everyone goes for the ones with huge flowers right away but it is a sign that they are getting root bound often. Look for healthy leaves and remember to fertilize with 20-20-20 once a month.

3. Read the labels. Trees and shrubs are nice and small like puppies at the nursery and can throw the best gardeners off. Plants grow so make sure you plan to keep them trimmed if you want them in smaller spaces or plant them in an area that will suit them at maturity.

4. To have a "green thumb" all you need are the right plants for the right space and water. I have found the best trick is a sprinkler system set to 15 minutes every other day. Rain sensors are key! It is way better to water often with smaller amounts than blast the gardens when everything is wilting for hours. We've all done it!

5. If you look out your kitchen window into someone's living room you need to plant a tree. Look for the spots where you need that little bit of privacy. Choose trees with smaller canopies for along fence lines or move trees like maples forward and get some shade. Trees grow quickly so again read the labels!

Need some help with your landscaping and gardens?  Visit www.heartscontentgardens.ca or follow Lindsay on Facebook for weekly tips. Heart's Content Gardens serves clients in Oakville, Burlington, Mississauga, Milton and Toronto.

Canada Day Events and Fireworks for Oakville Families

Oakville is ready to celebrate Canada Day 2013 in a big way! Oakville families are very lucky as we have a terrific, family fun filled, FREE Canada Day celebration in Bronte Harbour hosted by the Bronte BIA which includes fireworks, live music and lots of kids activities.

Oakville's Canada Day Festival at Bronte Harbour's Heritage Waterfront Park has activities going on from 11:30am to 10:30pm which include bouncy castles, live bands, local vendors and a beer & garden. And of course, the day would not be complete without fireworks! The show is set to start at 10:00pm and you can listen to a montage of music on 102.9 K-Lite FM who will be doing a LIVE simulcast.

There will be very limited parking available in the area, so please make use of other means. Click here for information on public transit, shuttle buses and riding your bike.

There are also lots of festivities happening in the areas surrounding Oakville:
Burlington Activities
Hamilton Activities
Mississauga Activities

To get your kids in the spirit (although I'm sure celebrating a birthday is not a hard sell!), we've got lots of crafty ways to help celebrate.

Canada Day Flag Rocks
DIY Canada Day Footprint & Handprint Shirts For Babies & Kids
Canada Day Mini Flags

Need some recipes? These are quick and easy, which is key if you are hosting guests.

Canada Day Snacks for Kids
Red & White Cookies
Pesto Bruchetta & Bocconcini Grilled French Stick

Have a wonderful long weekend. Happy 146th Birthday Canada!

Tips For Keeping Your Kids Active And Entertained Over The Summer

With summer quickly approaching and school almost over, you’re probably looking for ways to keep your kids active and entertained this summer. If you’re lucky enough to be able to stay home with your kids over the summer months, make sure to plan a couple activities each week that are different and will keep your children engaged and away from the television. 

• Take a bike ride to a park a fair distance from home, bring and lunch and make a day of it. Pick up a friend or two on the way and create a cycling caravan! 
• You could also walk through the park and bring a book on wildlife so you can learn about the animals and plants you see. 
• The Peel/Halton region also has a multitude of conservation areas where you can go for an easy walk or a challenging hike, take advantage of the nice weather and see what’s in your backyard.

For those of you who are unable to stay home with your kids over the summer, or even for those who can, but are looking for a more structured program to keep your kids active, the Sports Training Academy is a great way to keep kids active over the summer. They offer 5 daily and weekly sport camps for children ages 2-13 including: multi-sport, hockey, golf, junior academy and gymnastics. All of their camps are a wonderful way to teach your kids new sports, keep them active and have fun this summer!

Synthetic Ice Surface

Trampoline/Tumbling Track

The Sports Training Academy prides itself on developing well-rounded athletes. The 25,000 sq ft indoor multi-sport facility comprises of a synthetic ice rink/skating treadmills, driving range/golf simulators/putting green, turfed field, fitness zone and gymnastics studio which allows athletes of all ages and stages to try their hand at a variety of sports. With everything you need under one roof, the Sports Training Academy is a one-stop shop for all of your children’s sport training needs. One child can be in the gymnastics studio learning a new tumbling routine, while another can be on the ice learning a wrist shot, or on the field perfecting their soccer dribbling skills. 

Many of the programs offered at the Sports Training Academy also focus on multi-sport instruction. The after school program, Junior Academy and the Summer/PA/Winter break camps all allow child athletes to test their skills at many sports each day. At the end of the day, it is their goal that a child will go home with a desire to learn more about a new sport, or tell mom and dad how they were finally able to hit a baseball without a tee!

At the Sports Training Academy, all accomplishments are recognized and the positive reinforcement from coaches and trainers steer athletes in the direction of success. The coaches are all trained in their fields (including university or national level athletes) and each department is run by individuals who also have extensive experience competing in each sport, as well as many degrees related to their department. Coaches and teammates work together to develop the best all-round athletes.

Check out their website for more pictures and information on how to register for their programs.

Top Local Father's Day Gift Ideas For Oakville Dads

Father's Day is just around the corner!  Wondering what the perfect gift might be for the Dad's in your life this year?  Oakville businesses have lots of Father's Day gift ideas to choose from and you can surely find something from one of these amazing local retailers.

My husband bouncing my now 4 year old son on the yoga ball to
calm him when he was just a few weeks old

Springridge Farms
Need a gift for a foodie Dad?  Springridge Farms has delicious sauces, marinades, relishes, tapinades and salsas made from Ontario produce.  So many options that are perfect for BBQ season!

Cameron Brewing Company
This Oakville brewery has a Father's Day BBQ and also a retail brewery store where you can buy some of their signature Cream Ale, Auburn Ale or Dark 266.

HAND & STONE Massage and Facial Spa
Treat Dad to an unforgettable, pampering and luxuriously relaxing spa treatment! Our signature Hot Stone and Relaxation massages truly offer therapeutic benefits.

Family Golf & Learning Centre
A gift certificate for baskets of golf balls and golf lessons are a perfect gift for Dad!

Lots of options for new clothes for Dad from Burrows Clothiers or Blazers for Men

Gears Bike Shop
From recreational to competitive cyclists, they've got tons of great gift ideas.  Mention this blog and receive 20% off a men's regular priced jersey!

The Green Bean
Located in the Towne Square in downtown Oakville, they've got lots of coffee beans to choose from for the Dad that savours and covets his morning coffee.

Cupid's Gourmet Bakery
Satisfy Dad's sweet tooth with some cupcakes or a pie (a favourite in our house is the S'Mores Pie)

Encore Cinemas - Buy Dad A Film Card!
Film Cards are reusable, rechargeable magnetic stripe cards which can be purchased and recharged online. Available in any amount (minimum $10 for initial purchase), these cards are redeemable at Encore Cinemas for both admission and concession bar. And once you’ve received your Encore Card, you can avoid the queues by topping it up with additional funds online or in person anytime.

The Wingery
Consistently awarded for having the best wings in town, The Wingery offers more than 20 different flavours of wings and complimentary side dishes like wedge fries, coleslaw and more.

Don't forget a card!  Here is an adorable hand made card that the kids can make to top off one of these perfect gift ideas.

Happy Father's Day!

Barbara Coloroso Visits And Educates Oakville Parents

Last week I went to hear parenting expert Barbara Coloroso speak.  This is the second time I have been to hear one of her lectures and I was equally impressed this time as I was the last.  Speaking specifically to her book 'The Bully, The Bullied and The Bystander', she spent two hours addressing the current state of society our kids are growing up in, the impact of social media on bullying and providing concrete and helpful examples on how to raise strong, respectful and independent children.

I took many notes during the lecture, but some of the key tips I walked away with were:

• Teach your kids to do good because doing good is good to do, not because they will get a reward
• If your kids have mobile devices, they should only be able to charge them in your room overnight.  A high percentage of sexting and cyber bullying occurs in the late hours of the evening.  Kids are also loosing sleep by staying up on social media sites or playing online video games.
• Conflict is inevitable, violence is not.  Teach your kids how to deal with conflict so it does not escalate to violence.
• Teach your kids that their words have to pass through three gates.  Are the words true?  Are they necessary?  Are they kind?
• If your child is being bullied online, here is what they should do - stop the interaction, copy the comments, block the bully from their account, tell a person they trust
• Websites that can help parents navigate the internet and social media world are Wiredsafety.org, commonsense.org and netlingo.com

A final message she left us with was to try and get kids to care deeply, share generously and help willingly. These practices would decrease the society of mean our kids are currently growing up with and would hopefully help reduce the number of awful bullying stories we seem to hear on a weekly basis.

Oakville seems to get a fair number of really great parenting workshops and I look forward to attending more in the future.  Being a parent leaves you with so much to think about.  Even if you don't agree with everything said by a parenting expert, I find it helpful to hear other points of view and to take the time to focus on what your parenting values and beliefs are so you can reflect on how things are going and what things you may like to change.

Do you have a favourite parenting expert you use as your 'go to'?

March Break Family Activities for Oakville Moms

March Break is a great opportunity to spend some quality together time with your family.  There is lots of options for Oakville moms and their families to have some fun in the Halton Region or the Greater Toronto Area.  Whether you are looking for outdoor fun or a new adventure, these options have something for all Oakville families to consider.  And of course, momstown Oakville has plenty going on this week too!

March Break Ideas for Oakville Families

1. It's Maple Syrup Time at the Halton Conservation Area
Choose from two locations to enjoy some tasty pancakes and about how maple syrup is made

2. Bronte Creek Maple Syrup Festival

3. Royal Botanical Gardens Dinosaur Exhibit
Live Animal Shows Daily During March Break!

4. Go Skating!  Click here for public skating locations and times in Oakville during March Break

5. Head to the Ontario Science Centre.  They have a whole floor dedicated to kids (best for kids 15 months up to 6 years).  Click here for their March schedule

6. The Toronto Zoo is having daily promotions throughout March Break

7. Visit ROM for their Passport Around The World exhibit

8. Visit the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory for their BugFeast: Sweet Treats! exhibit.  That's right, it's time to eat some tasty insects!

9. Hit the local slopes!  Glen Eden offers rentals and lessons and has tubing Friday through Sundays.

10. Get Busy Indoors -  Crack open that board game you haven’t had time to play together yet, plan a puzzlepalooza afternoon, get baking and try a new muffin recipe or pull out the craft supplies and cut, glue and draw until little hearts are content.

11. Think Green! - Plan a St Patrick's Party together! Decorate the house green, bake some Irish soda bread and Guinness stew, create shamrock craft decor and invite the neighbours over for some board games and green kool-aid!

12.  Hang out at your local library!  There are always things to do but the Oakville Public Library has also got some special March Break programs going on.

13.  Take the kids to a performance at the Oakville Centre for Performing Arts!  Tales from the Garden is a show for kids 5-10 years and there are 4 performance times over March Break.

And if you find yourself itching to take just a bit more of a getaway, there is no better place for a family to have some winter fun than at Fern Resort in Orillia.  Here are 10 reasons why your family will love it!

Whatever you choose to do, have a great time creating some family memories and enjoy a break.

Valentine's Day Deals In Oakville

I've been loving all the fun deals that have been popping up over the last few days from local Oakville businesses in order to help Oakville moms and families celebrate Valentine's Day.  Do you have a favourite Oakville spot to get something special for Valentine's Day?

While my family isn't doing anything big for the occasion, I do love finding a few small ways to show those I love that I appreciate them.  When I got a flyer in the mail from Palma Pasta for heart shaped ravioli I knew I had to order some for our Valentine's Day dinner.  The plan is to give the kids a simple dinner and then have a quiet dinner alone with my husband once the kids are in bed.  The heart shaped ravioli will be perfect!

I also wanted to get a sweet treat to share after dinner and love the items that Cupid's Gourmet Bakery has for Valentine's Day.  Will also pick up something special for my kids - they will love the heart shaped treats! Cupid's is located in the Upper Oakville Shopping Centre and there are actually lots of shops in the plaza where you could find Valentine's Day gifts.

Cupid's Bakery

Am debating treating myself to a Valentine's Day treat too.  I love spa time and Fully Alive Wellness is offering some great massage packages in honour of our love holiday and momstown Oakville favourite, Silvery Blue Butterfly has also got some great special this month.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Tips For Making Positive Changes In The New Year

I'm not going to lie.  I'm feeling a bit of pressure when it comes to my first blog post of 2013!  My brain is being flooded with ideas for new year's resolutions, 2013 bucket lists, getting organized check lists...and the truth is I haven't quite narrowed down any concrete lists just quite yet.  I am working on it though and so I offer up to you the same resources that I have been consulting and reading so that I can make my own top notch plan for 2013.

How to create a stress management plan

A website to help you create a bucket list

A Family inspired bucket list

9 Happiness Strategies

Live Like You Give A Damn

Setting Realistic Resolutions For The New Year

So for those of you who are like me and need to settle into 2013 first before making a self-improvement/to-do list/bucket list/grandiose plans and ideas list, I hope you find some of the information above helpful.  It's been 2 days of living in 2013 and I like the way it feels so far.  I think 2013 and I will get along just fine.

Make Healthier Choices in 2013 with Balance Point Health Centre in Oakville

 Healthy Choices – Feeling Great, in Body, Mind and Spirit

Course taught by Dr. Jennifer Kaster, ND. and Linda Ljucovic, RHN.

Objective: Gain the knowledge to make healthy choices that are right for you and that last a lifetime.
If you feel tired, moody, overweight, demotivated, or just don’t feel as well as you think you should, this program may be for you. This program is about making small, incremental changes or tweaks to your diet and lifestyle that will lead you on the road to improved health and vitality.

Together we will cook, move, learn, eat, shop and be inspired!

By the end of the session you will:

• Have the knowledge to make healthy changes that will become part of your lifestyle
• Set and accomplish goals
• Explore and shop for new foods and learn how to turn them into healthy meals your family will love (healthy recipes)
• Understand and reduce cravings
• Increase energy and well being
• Feel better in your body and a little lighter!
• Explore different forms of movement that support the physical body

Cost: $420.00 for 12 weeks (=$35 a class)

Timing: Every other week from Jan 10-Jun 13, 2013. 7:30-9:00 pm

Program Schedule…

1. Getting Started: Weight Loss for Life / Yoga & the breath
2. Principles of Healthy Eating / Walk
3. Health Store Tour / Yoga
4. Food and Energy / Nordic Walking
5. Cravings: Sugar Addiction / Yoga
6. Nurturing the Self / Adrenal Fatigue / Upper Body toning
7. Intuition & Digestion / Meditation
8. Food and Mood / Lower Body Toning
9. Diets – a dirty word / Yoga
10. Healthy on the Go / Anywhere Intensity Training
11. Desires and Self Expression / Yoga
12. Taking it to the next level / Celebration

Personal Health Assessment Included

Please call the office at 289-291-0254 to secure your spot as space is limited.  Visit our website for more information on Balance Point Health Centre.

Leading Canadian Event and Media Company Heads to Fern Resort for Fall 2012 National Conference

Orillia got a little bit bigger this past weekend as 25+ team members from momstown, the leading Canadian event and media company that connects and supports local moms, headed to Fern Resort for our Fall National conference.  As the momstown Oakville owner, I was lucky enough to be a part of this amazing weekend.  Huge thanks to Honda Canada for sending us up to Fern Resort in style - we got the chance to test out the Pilot, CRV and the Accord.  Everyone loved the smooth rides and I know it was a sad day when they had to be given back!  We were also spoiled with swag bags that included books and a few other goodies from Scholastic Canada and a box of Nestle's Black Magic chocolates - immediate hits will all of the conference attendees!

I am pretty familiar with the Orillia area (I grew up in northern Ontario) but had never been to Fern Resort.  I can honestly say that my first visit will definitely not be my last.  What an amazing, family oriented place! Their core brand really comes down to  genuinely wanting your family to have a wonderful vacation.  They have thought of everything in terms of keeping the kids busy (motorized jeep day, crafts, zip line, ropes course, beach front and even a special teen hangout cabin) and provide a wonderful balance between family time and giving mom and dad a chance to relax while the kids are happily entertained by their amazing staff.

Fern Resort main building and the beautiful view from right outside my cabin

Huge kids area!

What else sets them apart?  They get to know your family by name and after a day or two know what kind of juice your kids like at breakfast.  Amazing.  Kids cry when they leave this place!  We all enjoyed getting to know such an awesome Ontario family vacation destination. In addition to all the wonderful things they do for families, they are also a perfect conference location.  From team building bonfires to lots of space for team meals and nice, bright rooms for us to meet in, it was a wonderful place to spend three days. Huge thank you to Fern Resort and their amazing staff!

Three days?  What did we do up there for three days you may wonder?  Well, each day was jam packed with planning sessions for 2013 and brainstorming sessions on how to make our company even better.  We talked strategy, marketing and branding, social media, team collaboration and so much more.  And of course at the heart of it all is figuring out how to give local moms the best opportunities to connect and feel supported.

momstown is a National event and media company and so its only twice a year that we are all in the same space together and sharing all of our successes and supporting each other to up our game again and again.  This is one amazing team.  Before I left of the conference, I wrote about the passion, purpose and power that comes from this group and I believe it even more now than ever before.  We are so ready to achieve our goals for 2013 and we've set the targets high!  But I know we can do it.  And I know that I have the support of more than 20 other business women which is an incredible resource and we are lucky to have each other.

So many great conversation over dinner - the food was delicious!

Our next conference will be in May 2013 and I am already counting down the days.  Until then, I am so excited to start putting my plans for 2013 into place.  I feel so lucky to have found rewarding, meaningful work that helps my community and allows flexibility for me as a mother of two young children.  I searched for something like this for a long time and found it, plus about a thousand other amazing things, with momstown.

Wondering how you can join our awesome team?  Click here for information.