With the rise of childhood obesity and the growing popularity of screen time with younger and younger kids, it's no wonder there's a national concern about kids' activity level and overall health.
Fewer kids are walking to school, black top and indoor recess are stealing what precious few active moments kids have during the school day, rising costs of organized sports and the loss of old fashioned free play seems to have created a generation of kids just sitting around.
When the kids are little, a trip to the local park is enough of a family adventure (and surprisingly a lot of the tips below still apply). But as the kids get older, you can venture out on bigger trips and take some risks. Like canoeing to a camp site, going where there is no cell service or electricity, and convincing the kids that a 5 day hiking trip is going to be FUN.
Getting your kids to be active is easy if you have an unlimited budget and they are interested in being signed up for every sport going. Soccer, football, dance, gymnastics, basketball, hockey, swimming are all fabulous sports for kids and teach many important skills, but there is more to being active than paying for organized sports.
Signing them up for endless activities is not only expensive, but may also be teaching kids that the only time you are active is when you have organized sports to attend.
Like to set goals and wish you could challenge yourself with a 5km walk/run or a bike ride for charity but too nervous to sign up for a race? Have a group (running friends, walking group, hockey team, book club) that would love to do something fun and collect a finisher's medal but no way you can all get to a start line? Want to get the kids motivated to reach a goal? Have a school or neighbourhood club that is looking for an event you can do together? Then a Virtual Race may be for you!
Your kids are running between tap class and swimming lessons and hockey practice and karate. They have to deliver the newspaper, go to Girl Guides for 2 hours, are asking for rock climbing lessons, and to join the school volleyball team. Your kids are active and busy, and you love it. You wouldn’t have it any other way. But young kids, tweens, and teens are maturing at an alarming rate, and active kids who are involved in many hours of sports each week need to ensure they are receiving proper nutrition to perform and recover.
It’s the start of a new year, a clean slate and a fresh start. It is January and there is no better time than today – right now – to make some small adjustments and create simple new healthy morning habits that you can maintain all year long.
Weekday evenings are crazy when 3 kids are going in 3 different directions and everyone needs to get fed including the dog. I hear many parents saying the same thing. We may not be busy with toddlers and potty training anymore, but when your kids start getting interested in dance, gymnastics, soccer, or hockey, we turn into a fast food cook and after school chauffeur.
On a perfect summer day, the beach is always calling. When the weather man gets the forecast right, our family can’t wait to hit the road and explore a new beach close to home. If you live anywhere in the GTA, you are super close to the greatest beaches in Ontario's Southwest!
There are very few activities our family won’t try at least once. If it looks remotely dirty, crazy, or messy, you can be sure the kids want to sign up.
We recently completed our first Colour Me Rad 5KM and not only did we love it, we are certain you will too!
So what are all these colour runs about and do you actually need to be a runner to have fun at one?
My kids are lucky in that they seem to escape most viruses going around. Their general health has always been good and I'd like to think it's because we are such an active family - we ski in the winter, they participate in summer run clubs and triathlons, and I'm always sneaking spinach into their brownies. I'm thankful for their health and I try to ensure they remain that way with regular dentist and doctor check ups, and by staying on top of any changes in their health as they get older.
Kids love going away to camp - the outdoor freedom, the lake, the canoes, the cabins, the bugs, campfire songs, tie dye, and their parents making them lunch.
Wait . . . what?
Since when do your parents get to make your lunch at Summer Camp?
Have you always wanted your kids to get the Summer camp experience but they are not quite ready for sleep away camp . . . or maybe YOU are not ready for them to go to sleep away camp?
Like many moms, the way I show my family and friends I care is through meals and the healthy (delicious!) treats I make. I have a couple of super easy, yummy recipes that I regularly prepare to surprise and delight the people who matter to me. So, in the spirit of kindness, I'm going to share the recipes for my famous DIY Instant Apple Oatmeal Packs and my Apple Cinnamon Granola Bars with you below.
For many, Mother's Day is enjoying a large family brunch with Grandma followed by a couch coma for the rest of the day, but with Spring in full bloom, Mother's Day is the perfect day to take it outside!
Springtime is the perfect time to stock up on fresh sidewalk chalk, bright coloured skipping ropes, new soccer balls and lawn darts. My husband likes to say "You need the right tools for the job" and, in this case, if you want to inspire kids to get active outside, providing a few fun incentives is a great way to get them started.
Who doesn’t love treasure hunting? I was totally intrigued when I first heard about Geocaching. The prospect of hidden gems right outside my front door, just hiding in the bushes, was so cool. I wanted to go find them all so I grabbed the kids and we started exploring. Turns out, geocaching is super easy, kids of all ages love it, the whole family can get involved, and it doesn’t cost a thing.
The first rule of getting kids active in the winter is investing in great winter boots and snow pants for the whole family because YOU are going to play outside too! Winter offers a whole new playground and kids shouldn’t be the only ones having fun.
Nothing beats getting sweaty with your other half. . . no, I’m not talking about THAT . . . the other sweaty - at the gym!
Why not switch up date night and trade the candle lit dinner for a little hot yoga or muscle building weight lifting for a date at the gym? You just might end up turning the sexy on after all.
Do you ever notice how some families seem to be everywhere? Swimming one minute, hiking the next? The kids are skating and then they are skiing. It’s like they have super powers. How do these families do it?
You know the saying . . . "If something seems too good to be true, it probably is"? Well, these nut-free no-bake chocolate power balls taste too good to be healthy, but the list of ingredients proves they are. Dates, rolled oats, cocoa powder and soy-based WOW butter for a little nutty flavour is all they require.
Dog's Ecstatic Reunion With Family Member Is Beyond What You Could Imagine
