momstown Oakville moms and kids visit the Oakville Farmers Market

momstown Oakville loves getting kids involved in cooking and preparing food.  This month we added a special Junior Chef event that included a trip to the Oakville Farmers Market where kids could be active participants in picking out fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables.

Some of the momstown Oakville crew ready to shop!

The Oakville Farmers Market is open on Thursdays from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM (last day is October 10th) and on Saturdays from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM (last day is October 26th) at Oakville Place in the parking lot in front of Sears.  Our momstown Oakville group met at the market to do some shopping and then headed back to a members house who lived close by to enjoy a tasty snack of Farmers Market finds.

Shopping cart all loaded up with fresh fruit and vegetables

Yummy local blueberries

Homemade salsa anyone?

Cucumbers, zucchini, lettuce, potatoes - lots to choose from

It was great to see the kids excited to be at the market and to shop and participate in the food choices. Thanks to the Oakville Farmers Market for giving the momstown Oakville group a few pints of strawberries to enjoy!

Snacking on beans, peas and blueberries

 I know we'll be back again soon.  I'm looking forward to getting some Firestone peaches which should be coming in August, love making peach cobbler!

And We're Out Of The Baby Phase?!

I had a lovely Mother's Day weekend complete with a pedicure, a delicious breakfast, a spin class and some adorable hand made gifts from my kids.  This was my fourth Mother's Day and as I reflected on motherhood in general, I was left with the realization that we seem to be all of a sudden out of the baby phase?!

I know its not really 'all of a sudden', my youngest is two and it did take two years for her to get there of course, but lately my baby days seem to be far behind me.  I just bought the sheets that will go on my daughter's big girl bed and we will soon be moving the crib out into the garage and trying to figure out what to do with it.  I will be sad when we move it out, but am also really happy - we finally feel like we're not in crisis mode all the time!  I use the word 'crisis' with humour - we were never really in crisis.  But the sleepless nights, the nap time/feeding time routines are behind us, in fact, most of the time I don't even take a diaper bag out with me anymore as the list of what we need to leave the house has gotten a lot smaller.  Both kids can drink from cups, sit in regular chairs and eat regular foods, etc.

No more diaper bag!

We are also having a lot of fun!  Babies are cute, don't get me wrong, but kids are fun!  I love playing games with them, watching their creativity and their interests develop.  I love seeing them develop real friendships, ask questions and be curious about the world around them.  There are also a lot more things that we can do together, which I love.

And there there is the perk of feeling a bit more like myself.  While my kids are always on my mind and by no means self sufficient yet (when does that happen?  8 or 10 years old?) I do feel like I can focus a bit more on me and things that I used to have more time for.

I will miss my babies being babies (although getting a new niece at the end of July will satisfy my need for baby sweetness) but am also looking forward to a great summer!  Last summer we seemed to be divided a lot as my daughter was still having two naps so my husband was out and about with my son and I stayed close to home with her.  This summer, we are ready to explore all kinds of adventures as a family and I can't wait!

A few safety tips for summer time fun!

*This is a guest blog post from Dr. Michelle Peris, Naturopath. Dr. Michelle has a special interest in women’s and pediatric health care, including perinatal care.*

Summer has arrived and what a beautiful summer it has been so far! There are so many great things about the summertime, such as: being outdoors, BBQs, splash pads and the sun. Here are some tips on having a wonderful summer, naturally!

1) Coconut water: Nature’s perfect electrolyte! On extra hot days or prolonged adventures outside, you will likely be getting your sweat on, so you need to ensure that you are replenishing the lost electrolytes. There are so many electrolyte / sport drinks available, but often times, they are unnecessarily high in refined sugar and artificial food colourings. A great way to prevent sunstroke from developing is to ensure you are replenishing your electrolytes, especially while playing sports outside.

2) Natural Vitamin D: It is becoming very prevalent, especially in our northern location, to supplement vitamin D to prevent deficiencies. But when the sun is shining we should take advantage of getting our daily dose naturally! So how much is too much? Depending on your pigmentation, the amount of direct sunlight you require will vary. If very fair, you likely only need a few minutes. Medium to dark skin requires anywhere from 15-20 minutes of sun daily or longer without sunscreen.

3) Sun protection: My favorite natural sunscreens are by Substance, Weleda and Green Beaver. Don’t forget that a big hat or clothing provides adequate protection from the sun.

4) Bug off: Citronella candles and essential oil are very effective at keeping mosquitoes away. Keep them stocked for your cottage or backyard and keep some essential oils on hand for when you go to the park or go camping. Lemon scent is also a natural bug repellant so keeping boiled lemon water nearby can be helpful. Another great way to protect yourself from those mighty little pests is by using screened tents around your picnic table and on your patio.

5) Cooling foods: What better way to beat the heat than by eating foods that help you feel cool internally. Just like when you crave a hot soup in the winter, nothing is more refreshing then something chilly in the summertime. This style of seasonal eating ensures your body stays in balance according to Traditional Chinese Medicine. My favorite cool foods are watermelon, salads, sprouts, cucumbers, apples, lemons & limes.

Now, get outside and play!