Sun. Sand. So. Much. Food. Just got back from a ten-day stay at Club Med Sandpiper Bay for our family vacation. It's our second time at this resort. We actually discovered Club Med last year and spent the Christmas holidays there playing, swinging (not that kind), and basking in the sunshine.
Now that we've experienced close to one month over the last two years in total as guests of Club Med, I feel qualified to share my thoughts on this family resort.
Imagine you're feeling the Florida sun beating down on you as a warm breeze tickles your skin while you watch this short video review.
One thing I failed to mention in this video is actually the big reason why we loved our stay so much. It's all about the relationships. Almost everyone on the Club Med staff was friendly, and made it a priority to create an emotional connection with the guests. And then there are the guests. We thought it would be a largely American clientele, but were happily surprised to see a large European contingent staying at the resort. Both our kids and my husband and I made friends with people from the UK, France, Germany, and Switzerland.
Yes, there's a lot to do to keep you busy at Club Med, and way too much to eat. But at the end of the day a vacation is about making memories. And that's what keeps us coming back.
This time, we when decided to make Club Med our all-inclusive winter vacation again, there was a special twist. We had so much fun last year, my husband convinced Club Med to run a music program at the Sandpiper Bay Resort using his League of Rock program. And they agreed! Every day over the holidays, guests had the choice of taking drum or ukelele lessons on the beach for an hour. It really hit the right note!
This was an amazing vacation in more ways than one for us! We hope to be back next year!
Make the most of your vacation to a sunny destination by planning ahead. Don’t miss these other articles that will help you and your family have the holiday you deserve.
One of the many scary and confusing things about dealing with severe allergies is that it can present differently each time. When you think of an allergic reaction, most of us picture hives and itchy skin, right? At least I did when my daughter was diagnosed eight years ago. But there are other symptoms of a SEVERE allergic reaction that can be way harder to recognize.
It's true that some anaphylactic reactions include hives and itching, but there are so many other serious symptoms that indicate we could be in for big allergy trouble. In order for me to know if my daughter is having an anaphylactic reaction, here are the symptoms I have to look for:
*Any delay in recognizing the symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can result in a fatal outcome.
Here's the problem. On their own, many of these symptoms don't appear to be life-threatening. While a reaction may initially seem to be minor, the severity can suddenly increase and become life-threatening. But you never really know what you're in for. This is what makes it terrifying when trying to react appropriately. Also, no two reactions are necessarily the same. One time my daughter may start vomiting because she has ingested an allergen, another time she gets a few hives on her face. How am I supposed to react properly when you never know exactly what you're dealing with?
The first thought that races through my mind when my daughter tells me she doesn't feel well is, "Oh My God! What does this mean? Is she coming down with the flu or is she having a reaction to something she ate?"
For the next little while we watch to see if there are any symptoms specific to having an anaphylactic reaction. If we see some symptoms which MAY indicate a reaction, that's when we start panicking and wonder, "WHEN DO WE ADMINISTER AN EPIPEN?"
I met up with well-known allergist Dr. Susan Waserman, the President of the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, at a roundtable about allergies, and asked her opinion as to when to administer an EpiPen.
She recommends that when it doubt, use an EpiPen! In the event of an allergic emergency, every second counts. I need to always have easy access to an EpiPen and be sure to use it at the first signs of an allergic reaction.
A few other interesting pieces of information I've picked at the Allergy Roundtable:
I will do whatever I have to in order to keep my daughter safe. If you have kids or know someone with severe allergies, I know you feel the same way too.
Severe allergies are on the rise in Canada.
This is proudly sponsored by EpiPen®.
EpiPen.ca
The opinions expressed in this post are the opinions of the individual author and may not reflect the opinions of Pfizer Canada, the Canadian distributor of EpiPen. Pfizer Canada reviews all material to ensure medical accuracy of statements.
EpiPen® and EpiPen® Jr (epinephrine) Auto-Injectors are indicated for the emergency treatment of anaphylactic reactions in patients who are determined to be at increased risk for anaphylaxis, including individuals with a history of anaphylactic reactions. Selection of the appropriate dosage strength is determined according to patient body weight.
EpiPen® and EpiPen® Jr Auto-Injectors are designed as emergency supportive therapy only. They are not a replacement for subsequent medical or hospital care. After administration, patients should seek medical attention immediately or go to the emergency room. For the next 48 hours, patients must stay within close proximity to a healthcare facility or where they can call 911. To ensure this product is right for you, always read and follow the label. Please consult the Consumer Information leaflet in your product package for complete dosage and administration instructions.
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