tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6883528092483171432024-02-19T19:27:30.626-05:00One Moms Journey Raising Healthy KidsDeb Lowtherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16020875046166358825noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688352809248317143.post-29475157122654012402014-04-22T14:22:00.001-04:002014-04-22T14:22:20.859-04:00New Website!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<h2>
<b>Follow all my latest articles on raising active kids and find great new recipe and snack ideas on my new website at:</b></h2>
<h2>
<b> <a href="http://www.raisinghealthykids.co/">www.raisinghealthykids.co</a>. </b></h2>
Deb Lowtherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16020875046166358825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688352809248317143.post-72209932773580141592012-03-24T21:14:00.002-04:002012-03-24T21:14:16.895-04:00Hibernating all Winter? Not a Chance!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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I surprised myself when I noticed that I have not posted a blog
here since December!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where did I
go? Hibernation maybe? Actually it was the exact opposite!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My husband, the kids and I were so busy
this winter OUTSIDE that I didn’t spend much time at my computer writing! </div>
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How does one stay busy outside all winter with kids allergic
to cold and snowsuits when there is no snow to be found outside, and there is a
TV and cozy fire calling from inside? You make a family decision to get out
there everyday! And boy did we ever!</div>
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We are a family that has always made a point of skiing for
3-4 days each winter, but this year we took the plunge and committed to a
membership at a ski club that would have kids in lessons every Saturday and
Sunday morning and Mom & Dad in snowsuits no matter what the temps or wind
chill for 3 months straight!</div>
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Every weekend this family spent at the ski hills, wither
skiing down them or hiking up them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We were out in the gorgeous sunshine, howling wind, blinding snow, -20 temperatures and +10 skiing in our t-shirts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And everyone
loved it!</div>
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During the week I committed to a girlfriend that we would
work out OUTSIDE every Tuesday & Thursday morning on our bikes, in hiking
boots or in running shoes, in the trails or on the country roads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.adultgummies.com/news_article_name/friends-in-fitness.aspx" target="_blank">As our journey began</a>, we agreed to take it week by week and see what the weather threw
at us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily, Mother Nature took
the winter off and we saw very little snow in our City so managed to bike ride
in the trails almost every week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Switching it up to ride lakeside <a href="http://www.adultgummies.com/news_article_name/wind-at-your-back.aspx" target="_blank">in the crazy wind</a>, or hike when a new
snowfall did (rarely) happen and a couple times we were forced to do indoor
workouts at the gym.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We worked out
faithfully all winter, so proud to find out <a href="http://www.adultgummies.com/news_article_name/what-are-you-made-of.aspx" target="_blank">what we were really made of</a> and we continue to meet twice a week as the weather gets
warmer and the workouts get easier!!</div>
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Ski season has officially ended, so you will see more
frequent posts from me as I shift back to running and getting the kids out on their bikes while sitting outdoors with my computer & continue writing about staying
active all year long!</div>
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How did you get through the winter?</div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />Deb Lowtherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16020875046166358825noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688352809248317143.post-14546982279259080722011-12-17T17:12:00.000-05:002011-12-17T17:12:43.182-05:00Family Hike<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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You make the announcement on a sunny Saturday morning,
“Let’s go for a Family Hike!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
support pours in immediately, ‘do we have to’, ‘it’s cold out there’, ‘how long
will we be gone?’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kids!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Thankfully I get to play my Mom card and today I have
decided we are going on a Family Hike so that is what we shall do!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Coats, hats, mitts, boots, splash pants on
and the whole family is in the car for the 5 minute drive to the trails.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know they will love this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘How long is the drive?’, ‘where are we
going?’,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘why do we have to go?’, 'are we there yet?'<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are really looking
forward to this.</div>
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Funny thing is, they have a blast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The day is gorgeous and surprise, surprise, Mom is right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A Family Hike is just what we all
needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The trail was a new one
for us and the kids loved exploring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We found ice on the path into the trails, a bridge across a small creek,
boulders to climb, a ladder to get up a huge embankment, a stump to sit on, a log to climb on and
sunlight bouncing off the snow at the top of our climb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The kids collected sticks, threw
makeshift snowballs, chased each other, chased us, climbed, slid and
laughed.</div>
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Sometimes, you need to nudge everyone out of the house to get some exercise in the crisp winter air but I'm pretty confident once you let them loose on the trails, they will be happy they were so eager to go! I say when it comes to Family Hikes, Mom knows best. Get outside and have some fun.</div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Deb Lowtherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16020875046166358825noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688352809248317143.post-53630326481533636392011-12-09T19:49:00.001-05:002011-12-10T10:53:07.098-05:00The Ultimate Family Photo! If your kids are like mine, they cringed when I announce we are going for family photo's. Sometimes I am convinced they sabotage the session on purpose thinking I'll cancel it, when in reality it just makes the <i>fun</i> go on for much longer than anyone likes! <br />
<br />
I am a huge fan of family photo's. We take them at Christmas, in the Summer, in the Fall, at birthdays, on the ski slopes, at the beach, at the park. . . you get the idea. My kids roll their eyes, grumble under their breath and eventually smile pretty for gorgeous memories I am positive they will thank me for one day! <br />
<br />
However, at our most recent photo shoot, I did not need to beg smiles out of them. They were all over the family photo shoot when I told them their props would included climbing ropes, our warehouse, ski's, pretty dance costume and a goofy expression!<br />
<br />
You see, you have not had an ultimate family photo until you have met <a href="http://jvlphoto.com/pixelpost/index.php?showimage=940" target="_blank">Justin Van Leeuwen</a>! I was introduced to Justins work via another very unique family photo of <a href="http://jvlphoto.com/pixelpost/index.php?showimage=934" target="_blank">Julie Coles family of 8</a>. Thinking my family wasn't large enough to qualify (only 5) I starting chatting with Justin on Facebook and Twitter. I was in the market for not just any family photo, but one that showed the real us. No pretty clothes and cute matching shoes, no studio, no fake smiles. The criteria was: it had to show our family, our personalities, our business and tell our story.<br />
<br />
Justin was the perfect photographer for the job. It began innocently with me sending Justin photos of our business space, links to our websites, blog post about our family, and a few shots of the kids to help him get to know us. Then <a href="http://www.mabelhood.com/index.php/author/julie-cole" target="_blank">Julie Cole</a> visited our office and sent a silly tweet about how great a photo would be of the kids climbing the racks of <a href="http://www.iron-kids.com/" target="_blank">IronKids</a> & <a href="http://www.adultgummies.com/" target="_blank">Adult Essentials</a> Gummy Vitamins in our back warehouse. Justin's light bulbs started firing and The Lowther Race to the Finish photo was born.<br />
<br />
It took only 6 hours of shooting which included 2 hours of arranging vitamins, 1 hour of wardrobe changes, 30 minutes of suspending one child by ropes and harness, 20 minutes of fan blowing, 1 finish line, 1 bike, 1 pair of running shoes, 1 pair of ski's, 1 pair of skates, 1 fork lift, 1 amazing assistant and a few hundred photos.<br />
<br />
I hope you love our new family photo as much as we do. I don't think it needs explanation. It is us. Our family, our business, our story, our passions, our fun side. <br />
<br />
Here are my photos of shooting day. Below is the amazing finish product. What do you think?<br />
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For the photographers own summary of our amazing day, visit <a href="http://jvlphoto.com/pixelpost/" target="_blank">jvlphoto.com</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnKBuZb3KNVAMnA7UlPMGhhut4VzFVltx1BIHVfKvuDpglFs38UfXzGT8vUK-MPRHzpL_cwj9Zr0I778-hyhg8S-_71t_BjKVg3qLijJX_nQVTapblNkMLNK99HbhSCn0gvqviKXT3NYKw/s1600/LowtherFamily-Marathon-rev2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnKBuZb3KNVAMnA7UlPMGhhut4VzFVltx1BIHVfKvuDpglFs38UfXzGT8vUK-MPRHzpL_cwj9Zr0I778-hyhg8S-_71t_BjKVg3qLijJX_nQVTapblNkMLNK99HbhSCn0gvqviKXT3NYKw/s400/LowtherFamily-Marathon-rev2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Family 2011</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><b>For more on our family business, visit our <a href="http://www.iron-kids.com/events-and-media.aspx" target="_blank">Iron-Kids </a>website.</b></span><br />
<span id="goog_1039269515"></span><span id="goog_1039269516"></span>Deb Lowtherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16020875046166358825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688352809248317143.post-24939192295723042332011-12-07T14:02:00.001-05:002011-12-07T14:25:52.800-05:00Kids & Colds<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxjavJEw8ygbLb7jtoOfks61HpRwBoyilpiupmkQ7P-gMjT5s8uy14IBlH_TNPgQgFgtk2XTmmKqoVlzfx-TKoVlko3DQGAkhENCu41HLI5I1VEKPrzdw0cTU6vnPIr2naAJIysGzSELn/s1600/IMG_4974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxjavJEw8ygbLb7jtoOfks61HpRwBoyilpiupmkQ7P-gMjT5s8uy14IBlH_TNPgQgFgtk2XTmmKqoVlzfx-TKoVlko3DQGAkhENCu41HLI5I1VEKPrzdw0cTU6vnPIr2naAJIysGzSELn/s200/IMG_4974.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eat your Veggies & Stay Healthy!</td></tr>
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Do your kids get colds? Mine really only get maybe one cold a winter. I like to think it is because we try our best to stay healthy and take our vitamins!! Wrote a blog about keep germs at bay that has been shared on other websites, so thought I would post it here! Please feel free to leave comments for any other tips you have!</div>
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Kids and colds seem to go hand-in-hand this time of the year
. . . but they don’t have to!</div>
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It’s true, germs are everywhere, and your kids will be at
school, daycare or playgroups with coughing, sneezing and runny nosed children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can’t avoid the germs, but you can
protect yourself and your kids by picking up a few healthy habits at your house
this winter!</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Eat plenty of fruits
& veggies.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is best to
get your vitamin C from eating an orange so your body can benefit from the many
other nutrients an orange has to offer! Experiment with your kids and new
fruits and vegetables;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>see if they
can eat a rainbow of colours every day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Cut into fun shapes, put on a stick and dip into yogurt, try broiled
grapefruit or bbq’d pineapple. Freeze some grapes or a banana dipped in a
little chocolate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add pureed squash
to thicken that chili or spaghetti sauce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Make fruits and vegetables part of every meal.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Eat yoghurt.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has good bacteria that helps your
immune system resist colds!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add to
a morning shake, put a few spoonfuls on the kids cereal, use as a dip for
bananas, melon or apples before bedtime.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Drink lots.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Water is best, or 100% juice, to flush
out the bad and keep you well hydrated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Dilute juice with water for same great taste and less sugar!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make your own fun flavours of water by
adding lemon, or frozen melon, strawberries and grapes! Add orange, pineapple,
passion fruit and cranberry juice together in a fancy glass for a fun treat the
kids will love.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Wash everything!</b> Doorknobs,
light switches, telephones and remote controls all share your families’ germs!
Wash kids hands and faces, even when not dirty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get into the habit of washing up after school, before meals
and even before bed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Get outside.</b> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know its cold, but bundle up and go
out anyways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So much fun can be
had outside in the winter –go for a hike or a bike ride if you are short on
snow or build a hill in your front yard and toboggan with the kids if you have
too much!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While you are at it, open
the windows occasionally to bring some of that fresh air inside during winter months
to rid your house of any lurking air born virus. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Get some exercise.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did you know exercise that gets your
heart pumping and oxygen flowing actually increases your body’s ability to ward
off cold germs?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Get some sleep.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Getting the proper amount of rest give
your body the energy it needs to fight off the cold and flu virus.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And <b>Take your Vitamins.</b>
Always good to fill in any gaps from your diet with a range of vitamins.
Multi, Omega, Vitamin D, B12, and Calcium are all vital to a healthy
immune system, make sure you are getting enough!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The best defense against any illness is always a
strong immune system. A healthy diet rich in protein, grains and all
the vitamins your body needs, plus some regular fresh air, exercise, plenty of
fluids and rest is sure to keep your family feeling good this winter!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Deb Lowtherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16020875046166358825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688352809248317143.post-43739823195876241332011-10-14T13:17:00.007-04:002011-10-14T14:00:49.714-04:00Fitting it in!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifLBr9pBWRCVe0SNG_sKpJmz44Rsts8q-dcv4hu66Zn0otjmwI-IYbNB0WZ6ExRmB91MUDEUdhjmYA-qIZdgNB_8tblhR-VEbKIypYlfgwVDj3w_QB34MBMxE1WY5lHrsUDhvlhSarDRh3/s1600/IMG_2240.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifLBr9pBWRCVe0SNG_sKpJmz44Rsts8q-dcv4hu66Zn0otjmwI-IYbNB0WZ6ExRmB91MUDEUdhjmYA-qIZdgNB_8tblhR-VEbKIypYlfgwVDj3w_QB34MBMxE1WY5lHrsUDhvlhSarDRh3/s200/IMG_2240.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663406242657856450" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I was lucky, I was raised in an active family and as result, I have always understood the importance of a healthy lifestyle. It has always been important, but it hasn't always been easy. In University I had other priorities, after my knee surgery it wasn't possible, for 6 months while pregnant and recovering from baby #1’s c-section it wasn't advised . . .then baby #2, then there was baby #3!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> It has</span> been a struggle to find time to get out running through the years, but I kept at it, started over many times, and now I am a proud Mom with healthy active kids!</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I have the same busy life all moms do with kids, a husband who travels and a work from home office with a great view, but no child care!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Getting out my front door without kids is very tricky. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Over the years I have gotten quite creative!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will run to my child’s soccer game while the rest of the family goes in the van,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> when</span> I drop a kid at a birthday party I run around the neighbourhood until I can pick her up again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>On days I used to work in an office, I would run on my lunch hour and then sit at my desk a little sweaty all afternoon!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Any alone time I saw in my schedule, I put on my running shoes! My husband & I hire a babysitter for an hour so we can bike or run together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My running happens because it has always been my priority. I find as moms with long to do lists, we tend to put the workout at the bottom. We have to make our health a priority to find windows of time in our busy days. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Three of my proudest achievements after the birth of my 3 children, is crossing a ½ marathon finish line with my husband and each of our daughters in a jogging stroller when they were just 8 months old!!</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">We signed up for the Virginia Beach Rock N Roll ½ Marathon happening 7 hours away and just 8 months after the birth of our first daughter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I did whatever I had to to get in those runs. I started with the run/walk with her in the jogging stroller for 3km and once I could run 3km without stopping, I added 5 minutes every weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Within a few months I was running 2hrs and ready to try my first ½ marathon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Race day was n</span>ot the funnest 2 1/2 hrs in the rain, but we did it and my baby has a finish line photo and medal on display in our house.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">12 months later I had my 2<sup>nd</sup> baby girl and my elaborate training program started again!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This time it was a bit trickier to fit in runs as I was not a double stroller kind of girl!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Eight months later my husband and I crossed the finish line at the Ottawa ½ marathon<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> and s</span>he too has a finish line photo and medal hanging in our house.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Then we had baby #3 . . when the heck would I ever run again?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> W</span>e committed to the Quebec ½ marathon just 8 months after her birth. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I got up early, I ran in the cold, I ran when I was tired and I ran when I would have rather sat and had breakfast with my family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I took my babies to the local YMCA and put them in programs and babysitting so I could run on a treadmill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We crossed that finish line in our best time yet with our 3<sup>rd</sup> daughter and she too has a medal and finish line photo.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I proudly display my babies photos and medals and talk to them often about how great they were in those races.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I want my daughters to see the rewards of setting a goal and following through and to understand that it takes dedication and effort. My kids are 5, 7 and 9 and have already done their <a href="http://kidsgummymum.blogspot.com/2011/07/my-first-triathlon-at-43.html">first triathlon</a> and two <a href="http://kidsgummymum.blogspot.com/2011/06/sprint-to-finish.html">family 5km runs</a> . . . we are a truly an active family!</p> <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3NRFDC369Y1f0tlDFY3LrFHDGF9j4B-7-rky69nZMoW2RWR_z1Lkkg8w7CghNPacarl0XX38L-qqpSVhutRwokz_PQ4Iwwm1_F_URhi8deicaNHqcRWcNXKMwElsV-48DXbxhZugxSMgU/s200/DSC_0404.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663405090613851442" style="text-align: justify; float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px; " /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">It is a priority to be a healthy mom, a healthy role model for my girls and to raise healthy kids . . . I am committed to it, even if it means I have to run to swimming lessons! </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">How do you fit in exercise?</p> <!--EndFragment-->Deb Lowtherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16020875046166358825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688352809248317143.post-36872084641548732102011-10-14T09:56:00.003-04:002011-10-14T10:07:52.904-04:00Choosing to stay home . . .<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBVxyYsQ_2qEh8L9ZBp3rYGdPalOoLcOh3BZ2pqu_fy2-9k3fnKr5N3OspaGB6WQU89dlERdZrsFnXctPWEYS-EjxHPYd0TsjK429XVoh5W09Fs7wPUkqyulFIf07VQT2ba5vTx4fACMKg/s1600/IMG_4162.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBVxyYsQ_2qEh8L9ZBp3rYGdPalOoLcOh3BZ2pqu_fy2-9k3fnKr5N3OspaGB6WQU89dlERdZrsFnXctPWEYS-EjxHPYd0TsjK429XVoh5W09Fs7wPUkqyulFIf07VQT2ba5vTx4fACMKg/s200/IMG_4162.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663347388363750882" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-bottom: 12pt; "><span style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;">Long before I was a Mom or had even met my husband, I had decided that I wanted to be at home with my kids. I am not sure why. It was always just something that was important to me. I didn’t have any idea how I would afford to stay home or if I would even enjoy it, I just knew I would.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-bottom: 12pt; "><span style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;">In my 20’s I was a hard working professional with a full on career. I had an office, a steady pay cheque, worked tons of overtime, I loved what I did, and I was good at it. In my 30’s I became a mom and although I knew I would be staying home, I didn’t stop working. My full time job became 20-30 hours a week of contract work. I was a busy stay at home working mom of 1 and in less that 2 years became a crazy stay at home working mom of 2. Breastfeeding a baby during conference calls and tickling a toddler playing under my desk became the norm of my day!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-bottom: 12pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><span>When my 3rd </span><span>daughter was born I knew I was done working for a while. I was a mom of 3 kids under 3 at home with not only no daycare, but also a travelling husband and my main source of help, my mom, now busy caring for my ailing father. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-bottom: 12pt; "><span style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;">My world was made up of kids, feedings, snacks, diaper changes, doctors appointments, chemo with my Dad, groceries, play dates and cleaning up after play dates. It was everything I wanted and more than I could handle all at the same time. Occasionally I could be found in a corner in tears, pretty sure I couldn’t do it one more day. Convinced that my girls would be better off having fun with other kids in a child care center then watch me unsuccessfully deal with the over whelming responsibility of catering to their needs each day. I have no idea how I made it through those first 2 years of being a mom to 3 small children. I leaned on friends and consoled myself that tomorrow would be better. Staying at home was not exactly as I had envisioned it, but it was still my choice.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-bottom: 12pt; "><span style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;">I took 3 kids to all my doctors appointments, all their doctor appointment, all our dentist appointments, all kids activities; everywhere I needed to go, 3 kids had to come with me. I taught my children that we were a team and we travelled as a team and listening to mom was always required. I taught them how to sit still at the doctors, hold on to the stroller in parking lots and be patient at the grocery store. I have changed more than one diaper on my lap, I can make lunch with a baby in one arm, a toddler around my leg and a 3 year old crying because Barney is not magically appearing on TV. I have pulled the car over to feed kids, I have almost forgotten to pick up kids, and have been home for every second of the joy and struggles with kids. It wasn’t always pretty, but it did get easier as we all grew up together! I even had time to start working from home again, carving out a little time for mom with kids still running around the house!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-bottom: 12pt; "><span style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;">My kids may have seen me at my worst, but I have seen them at their best. They have enjoyed more free time at home, more special days with mom, and I was there for all their naptime stories and potty training attempts. I had time to teach all 3 of my girls how to swim, how to skate, how to ski, how to bake, how to read, and how to put on lip gloss. Being home allowed me those opportunities and as the first day of Grade1 approaches for my last “baby”, I am so sad to see them all off in school full time now . . .but also so happy that I was able to enjoy time with them at home all these years.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;">When you choose to stay home . . . you choose a lot more hours of kids tears, of whining, of arguing, of cleaning, of constant companions for every errand and maybe a few more hours of smiles, of laughs, of memories, and snuggles. It wasn’t always an easy 10 years at home, but it was the right choice for me and I wouldn't trade any of it. What has choosing to be home meant to you?</span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Deb Lowtherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16020875046166358825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688352809248317143.post-11677175285638629182011-09-04T12:33:00.004-04:002011-09-05T18:08:01.159-04:00I Will Miss Them . . .<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-j5DhdOcpPKtsoGmOFurbkdURFmfs6L8TFlz8kn6nq8HSNVIp4dcJ02xSj9fVW0r3YVVYB8m_NGrrn2piXK8tiIDIhiGOmZzvxhm1pogm3DXRuSgR_bC4EheXW0xHCCm8eytrpqTUor3/s1600/photo.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-j5DhdOcpPKtsoGmOFurbkdURFmfs6L8TFlz8kn6nq8HSNVIp4dcJ02xSj9fVW0r3YVVYB8m_NGrrn2piXK8tiIDIhiGOmZzvxhm1pogm3DXRuSgR_bC4EheXW0xHCCm8eytrpqTUor3/s200/photo.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648995630776864546" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">This September I become a stay at home working mom with no one left at home once the school bell rings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>After 3 children and almost 10 years of daily doting on kids while attempting to maintain a career (and my sense of humour), I will be home alone every day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My baby is entering Grade 1 and I will miss them . . . .</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I will miss getting them drinks, snacks, lunch, Kleenex and more snacks every 14 seconds, then cleaning up the mess that is made from the drinks, snacks, and lunch every 14 seconds. I will miss referring their arguments, tripping over the million toys that end up in the family room, flushing the toilet 17 times, changing the TV station and putting in a new DVD.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will miss answering their never ending questions, buckling and un buckling many seatbelts, hiding in the closet while on conference calls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will miss packing bags of snacks & activities to go anywhere for 5 minutes, being home on time for nap time, lunch time, activity time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will miss potty training, sleep training, nose blowing and constant interruptions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will miss the noise, the complaining, the whining, the asking, the crying and miss hearing “mom” 87 times everyday.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">But most of all, I will miss holding their hands when we go to the doctors office or down the street to pick up the mail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’ll miss chatting with them in the shopping cart and teaching them about different fruits and vegetables at the grocery store. I’ll miss laughing with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’ll miss the company when I go to meetings and business events during the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’ll miss reading them stories and getting hugs before mid day naps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’ll miss the conversations about their friends and teachers at the lunch table. I’ll miss the mid afternoon bike rides to the park, the mommy days at the pool, the ice rink, dance class or the library. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’ll miss the playdates and my mom friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’ll miss having someone at home with me and I will miss hearing ‘mom’ 87 times each day.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">As each one has entered Grade 1, I am proud of the young girls they have become and thankful I was able to be home with them for their first 5 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But now as my 3<sup>rd</sup> (and final) baby enters Grade 1, I have the full range of emotions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I am excited for them to be growing up, for them to be together in the “big kid playground” at school . . . I know they will take care of each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I am happy for me, that I will have time for the gym during the day and to be able to work on my business during work hours! I am grateful for the quantity of time I have had with my kids over the years and optimistic for the quality time ahead after school! But I am also sad . . . sad that this house will now be quiet during the day, sad that a big part of me will be missing and sad that the years of being at home with kids is now over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I have loved being home with you girls . . . have fun, grow, explore, learn . . . and come home after school everyday and tell me all about it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>Yes, I will miss them . . . </p> <!--EndFragment-->Deb Lowtherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16020875046166358825noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688352809248317143.post-1395828542562486652011-08-26T08:13:00.006-04:002011-08-26T08:34:08.060-04:00Healthy Back to School Routine!
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhow9gfiMBFWAxhfqN-ZEtaqijzei4dpbJMVb6YKOJhY0LSBpPkT1RVLt4cs1HAg6nsLsdFcufj_t1obR4HVcRGFbj-Iuym2FsrPCrRr5TvZVdoNPtO6FFpQzOd2Aez7rRk1wiMYr_5jg7B/s1600/photo.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhow9gfiMBFWAxhfqN-ZEtaqijzei4dpbJMVb6YKOJhY0LSBpPkT1RVLt4cs1HAg6nsLsdFcufj_t1obR4HVcRGFbj-Iuym2FsrPCrRr5TvZVdoNPtO6FFpQzOd2Aez7rRk1wiMYr_5jg7B/s200/photo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645139412397583778" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">Forget January, September is when everything starts anew when you have school aged children! I figure I have survived 1065 school mornings so far and every September I vow that this is the year I am going to achieve the perfect back to school morning!</div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We all dream of smooth, calm morning routines where everyone walks out the door for school dressed, fed, brushed and on time, but the reality is most mornings are a scramble, throwing lunches together, searching for permission forms, breaking up arguments, and running late causing the kids to eat breakfast in the car!</div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This year, we are following our <b>‘6 Rule’s for School‘</b> to ensure we get off to a healthy start!</div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Routine. </b>Kids thrive on routine and parent can relish in it. Bedtime should be as consistent as wake up time. When everyone arrives home from school, everything from homework to permission forms to library books goes in one place and things like hats, mittens, jackets are hung up in their place. Nothing goes astray and no one can use the “I couldn’t find it” excuse!</div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9SJ0iHFQd3L3LKFcnjHQlTKJ4sRtYv-vik-DBJhelHkOSakz2Jzqdr1Vlur6uyVh1Xh5FQyu0NIdBMWQwgJfgQyQVRA1F9qHxyZhEy5LtJ4b7BVVC1KOsoEr98zOzK0pNJjmHj5UsNJj/s200/DSC_0009.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645140310170834034" style="text-align: justify;float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px; " /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Reach.</b> Put everything in reach so the kids can help out. A low</div><div style="text-align: justify;">pantry shelf can hold small cereal containers, bowls, spoons and cups sobreakfast can be handled on their own by children as young as three.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Responsibilities.</b> Share them! Kids love to help! They can handle picking out clothes, emptying the dishwasher, packing up their backpacks, taking their vitamins, setting out the lunch containers and filling water bottles.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Reminders.</b> Get some poster board, colourful markers and talk with the kids about what needs to get done each morning: get dressed, brush hair, brush teeth, homework/library books, vitamins, pack backpack, empty dishwasher, etc. Then post this list of reminders on the hall closet door. When kids are not sure what to do next, they know where to look to make sure they have completed everything. Add in stickers or a check list for the really young ones so they feel like they are accomplishing something.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Recipe.</b> Make a commitment to yourself and your kids that this year you will strive to make at least one homemade snack. Get the kids to help. A double batch of oatmeal applesauce cookies and a loaf of whole wheat banana bread take just an hour to make and will get you through at least two weeks of school snacks. Store in the freezer cut up and ready to pack in lunch containers on school mornings.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Relax.</b> Every new routine will take a bit of tweaking, but if each family member is given a role and works toward the same goal, your morning routine will quickly become second nature. And if you still show up late to school one morning and forget to brush hair, it’s OK, math class will still happen and tomorrow is another chance to try it again!</div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">What re your back to school morning routine tricks that help you avoid the mad dash out the door?</div>Deb Lowtherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16020875046166358825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688352809248317143.post-33942742589832434362011-07-19T15:50:00.007-04:002011-07-19T16:44:09.205-04:00My First Triathlon . . .at 43!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirzkZa_TxJtBl1nviOfC3m7emV6zx1fPqIarVUsPJJVpwTId_-5LyZk9R2ymUB7awp74pST58S_dmZx5grDVhsymDZwNxvhAdZUooZ_6U8WdkycFwzo_s4XaJoGp8zcMizqPoo5Vk7Sxh7/s1600/IMG_0197.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: justify;float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirzkZa_TxJtBl1nviOfC3m7emV6zx1fPqIarVUsPJJVpwTId_-5LyZk9R2ymUB7awp74pST58S_dmZx5grDVhsymDZwNxvhAdZUooZ_6U8WdkycFwzo_s4XaJoGp8zcMizqPoo5Vk7Sxh7/s200/IMG_0197.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631156243569516834" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">I’ve have been active all my life. I got a bike when I was 3 and it was my mode of transportation before I could drive. I took swimming lessons forever and was a lifeguard throughout High School and University. I grew up in an active family and I’ve been running since I was 10. After the birth of all 3 of my babies, my husband and I ran a ½ marathon in a different city with baby in the jogging stroller when they were only 8 months old. It seems only natural that I would eventually do a triathlon . . . but I never had! Last spring my husband and I trained for and did our first sprint duathlon – run 2km, biking 20km and run another 5km . . .and now it was time to move up to a triathlon – a swim, then bike, then run.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We trained the weekend before to practice the transitions. Running in your bathing suit is not always comfortable and there is a talent to setting out your towel, your socks, and shoes beside your bike. Then there is remembering that your shirt fits better if you put it on BEFORE your bike helmet. . . something that warrants mentioning! The swim was easy . . .we are naturals here. The bike was easy too, but remembering that this is a race and not a joy ride ups the pressure just a bit. Then the run. The legs feel funny! We carry on with minimal complaining, this is just too much fun to stop! After we are done we reviewed what was harder than we thought and what was the fun part . . .everyone agreed, it was a bit of a challenge!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The day before race day was orientation . . . always a good idea to know where you are going beforehand as race day can be a bit blurry with so many people around and cones all over the course. We studied the maps, we drove the bike course, we scoped out the pool and we reviewed the running route. We were ready!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">With the training under our belt, we woke up early on the big day! The sun was shining and the first race was at 8:30am . . .bikes had to be in transition area by 8. We picked a prime position and got our numbers written on our arms & legs with MARKERS! How fun, we are never allowed to write on ourselves with markers!!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The excitement mounts as we run into friend after friend who is there to do their first triathlon too!! We can’t wait for the first wave to start!! And then it was time. Our 5 year old was up first. . . . yup, my first triathlon was actually for my kids!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><img style="text-align: justify;float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAS8LN2UAeSiZN2xBOUa78nyAoTmrneY9HhKQ6f7rZy90S-e_Bu7b3MMxEgXSUb6q2daylq8hqcReJ5IXz4Ko5pDEUUDcXIk2EhGwq8vRDvrJF0VNBH3dJAi3e0I_x5WodPEhMGpV1X3Ns/s200/DSC_0356.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631155232709978850" /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Helping them prepare, taking a zillion pictures, encouraging them from the sidelines and setting them up for a lifetime of loving individual sports . . . that was our role that day. It took me 43 years to get this close to a triathlon and I learned, that for my husband and I, it was an honour to be the parents on the sidelines rather than the athletes in the race this time.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">All three kids were so excited. They didn’t know they were supposed to be nervous . . .this was all brand new to them but they approached it like pros. My 5 year old flew through the course with me by her side. Proud as punch she climbed out of the pool and sat on her bike with wet shorts and raced faster than I could keep up running beside her. Then took off for the run before we even saw where the volunteers had taken her bike!!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Our 7 and 9 year old daughters could barely contain themselves as they had to wait before their age group was up. They were eager to do their longer race on their own they said! The happiness and excitement in these three kids that day was contagious. The determination in the transition area to do up those shoe laces and buckle that helmet and the smiles as they raced by us on their bikes will forever be remembered. But what I cherish the most is the looks of pure joy on their faces as they emerged from the transition area for the run to the finish line.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">At 43, I can finally say “I have done my first triathlon.” It’s not important that it was my kids that crossed the finish line. Our family did this one together.</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLVOz1Ukig4OMvQux-_gDy_pdhmJIrMy-iOjwt9tSr0X2LbCuVqtPJBPUDAKW7G17WWSBg1djuMQecCsFAUBT3svw0NxSfFrlDVL-jBV4VWR_HhYCC-ae3CDEeRfUctwyI2POKV3IV4ueU/s200/DSC_0405.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631160334378083426" /><div><br /></div></div>Deb Lowtherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16020875046166358825noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688352809248317143.post-60330129002816325852011-07-11T17:40:00.005-04:002011-07-11T18:19:27.784-04:00The Memory Moments<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXxZNH3eu70_h2Ikp-jZ-0Eq-1vdTRFAOWXguXMNJ9TQpF36igI1ZqE2tEab60_myZiodNUd9EWG8u-_dnlPAazNZMnwBnMZa5kbsH0XswnjPou-NyNI_6oyJf0lmvsBOOr2czy9Wlnjp/s1600/photo.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXxZNH3eu70_h2Ikp-jZ-0Eq-1vdTRFAOWXguXMNJ9TQpF36igI1ZqE2tEab60_myZiodNUd9EWG8u-_dnlPAazNZMnwBnMZa5kbsH0XswnjPou-NyNI_6oyJf0lmvsBOOr2czy9Wlnjp/s320/photo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628221748102161490" /></a><br />Can you imagine anything more amazing for a child than to be out at sunset, canoes in the distance, jumping into a lake with her family and friends close by cheering her on? This is the oldest of my 3 daughters and this photo just makes me so proud, as her mom, to be able to give her these childhood memories. Even if it is just a second i<span><span></span></span>n her life, this photo captures the beauty of life, the joy of the moment and the wonderful experiences that are out there for our children.<div><br /><div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">That is a lot for one photo to say, I know. But my kids are like everyone else's; they hate cleaning their rooms, emptying the dishwasher, sitting still in the car for 2 hours to get to the lake, sitting still while we pack, hanging around while we finish dishes so they can go to the lake. They whine, they complain, they are impatient. But they are so fortunate. They get to go jump in the lake. At sunset. With canoes going by and their family by their side.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The next time they complain about chores, I will show them this photo. The next time I complain about laundry or packing a family of 5 to go away, I will remind myself of this photo.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Life is amazing, simply because my kids get to jump into the lake, at sunset, if they want to.</div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">What moments do you cherish, knowing your children will remember them for always?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Deb Lowtherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16020875046166358825noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688352809248317143.post-82404739962041090552011-06-24T14:51:00.006-04:002011-06-24T15:22:09.621-04:00Great Canadian Blog Bash<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKc86O4A08mmkmsti9GNC4OqyVFzFug6YGyEAaUyqmvcEb2-OgxjE0ldk59MrhEL51xspts0MMRQSszIhHipUpp4UmpfMMJjbcCGgdrf-8YPaBIg1wAUTwNhtgSsPyDvxO3xn21Wy5n02/s1600/blog+bash.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 54px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKc86O4A08mmkmsti9GNC4OqyVFzFug6YGyEAaUyqmvcEb2-OgxjE0ldk59MrhEL51xspts0MMRQSszIhHipUpp4UmpfMMJjbcCGgdrf-8YPaBIg1wAUTwNhtgSsPyDvxO3xn21Wy5n02/s200/blog+bash.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621867084457683762" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 39, 157); line-height: 35px; font-family:'Crafty Girls';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">In the spirit of Canada Day & to support the amazing Canadian Bloggers, won't you join us for the Great Canadian Blog Bash? </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 39, 157); line-height: 35px; font-family:'times new roman';font-size:large;">I love writing about Raising Healthy my Kids and so many bloggers have been very supportive of helping us spread the word about our all natural </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 39, 157); line-height: 35px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">IronKids Gummy Vitamins! </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 39, 157); line-height: 35px; font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">We have an exciting summer planned of camping, hiking and kids fun runs that I'll be sure to be writing about!!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 39, 157); line-height: 35px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Have a read around my previous posts and then go Blog hoping! </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 39, 157); line-height: 35px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><a href="http://whisperedinspirations.com/">Take a tour around some of the other amazing blogs listed here</a>! </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 39, 157); line-height: 35px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Many are running contests with fabulous prizes. Check out </span><a href="http://www.nugglemama.ca/2011/06/welcome-to-great-canadian-blog-bash.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Nugglemama's Handful </span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> & </span><a href="http://www.talesofarantingginger.com/search/label/TGCBB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Tales of a Ranting Ginger</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> to get you started. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 39, 157); line-height: 35px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">There might be IronKids vitamins to win there!!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 39, 157); line-height: 35px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Happy Reading!!</span></span></span></div>Deb Lowtherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16020875046166358825noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688352809248317143.post-38541038597068910052011-06-21T14:06:00.016-04:002011-06-22T11:48:07.827-04:00Our Weekend Getaway . . .in the backyard!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxA_rosg9LHbvVsM_me_JXijgPDivYfJ4ZN86_oHmERA85r5pMZVcJI-pacC7eRnk4hN2k7j2vrfPEHjiBu4GsJN9oWHPgi4huhDOmtLm3wTTC5cPtiu4Ob8HljfUTbUtloDNnG7pOyn5r/s1600/DSC_0300.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxA_rosg9LHbvVsM_me_JXijgPDivYfJ4ZN86_oHmERA85r5pMZVcJI-pacC7eRnk4hN2k7j2vrfPEHjiBu4GsJN9oWHPgi4huhDOmtLm3wTTC5cPtiu4Ob8HljfUTbUtloDNnG7pOyn5r/s200/DSC_0300.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621066267435489010" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">A look ahead on the calendar and there was an entire weekend with no plans and the weather forecast was warm and sunny . . . it was the perfect set up for a weekend getaway!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We announced to the kids that it was going to be a family weekend and they excitedly ran upstairs and packed their stuff. Minutes later Tinkerbelle, Cinderella and Mickey Mouse suitcases bounced down the stairs filled with all their favorite possessions ready to go. They were off!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Our 3 kids ran out the back door, suitcases in tow, jumped into the tent . . . and unpacked! Our weekend getaway was to our own backyard!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">You may be thinking, what kind of getaway is that? Well, if you plan it right, it can be the best getaway! And by <i><b>plan</b></i>, I mean don't make any! That was the hardest part. For 2 days we did not go anywhere in the car. No groceries, no playdates, no visitors, and not even a trip downtown to visit our local music festival that we love. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We were determined to stay together, close to home and do all those things we never seem to have time for! And if you know us, that meant getting out and being active with our kids . . .from home!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><img style="text-align: justify;float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiaLmE8uWWZtajZVSgu9RMXnQU7-vfBj0Dfi1g5Bk3EBMocInaVTaDCfolPTEej5fTwUsW5TeXo-b8IhM_T4iM3Xt7VtUUCiGla3nTMvQ3qBYfes9TOMXQD9O-Av5uGUJpK9VMvapa71XK/s200/photo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620750764207649794" /><div style="text-align: justify;"> <img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOyM-T5N4q_iaAKtwK8xwy7Me57hghl59zyZk75T4-IN2ITWjNhT1A9TBE_yAJSGyIZnFjyGBkcKLGvKoRE5jalSnbZTs-IiDPsemHfd0xlS9TeRX7AV2ilDCD-jvw2RIhrTAb8g3ghOJ/s200/photo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621064132204374706" /> <img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilIQfUQgYME7pvrnHuF-EuHNL_arK4OBkbMC1AI7NHXPgFYYcmibed_uAFEzbf9gEKa3FMmDDdB-pQVvig3Pn-Q8qTPpkfZPJoQ5hjWeZjay-ESjjeYy9vEFLU1aNzTAjE4yhJjOk20Vim/s200/photo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621064964416379490" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">We got on our bikes and did a couple loops of the neighbourhood and even did a lap around the park in our running shoes! Then we floated the rest of the day away in the pool. We set up the tent, kids decided who was sleeping where, they got all their bedding and far too many stuffed animals and played in the tent while Dad and I read under the gazebo. We fired up the bbq when hungry and brought out the frozen drinks and popsicles when thirsty.</div><div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZFsimz8i0z0KHXsHizcdk49t9zyqX_nRiLbxYUEIlr0o7klnk_0fA2ofxrTI0fEGbuBIL_L2XqF6mVN4lvgTdm8h2SPGr03q8waR8W0MuhHg5mOuQMFspgNG5xTm7S2JVZPkXmxCog55I/s200/photo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620754045616661250" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">When it got dark we sat around our fire pit and roasted marshmallows before retiring to the tent with popcorn and a movie on our computer!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We all fell asleep in the tent watching the stars above in our own backyard . . . it was pure family vacation bliss.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The next morning happened to be Fathers Day and the kids couldn't wait to put on their "our dad rocks" shirts and get their homemade gifts for Dad to open in the tent. After our traditional waffle breakfast we all hopped on our bikes again and rode to the park with our tennis racquets. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We finally had time to play tennis as a family and even spent time swinging on the swings after we got tired of chasing tennis balls.</div><div><img style="text-align: justify;float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCPzomW85Rt7pUNChfxyQdxQOxaRTnd4QZ9hHqzYl3qmBOtQDaVMy-cY4FbYsMaS5YzGpJRKxH1v90mLeIaGEHD4webh6q9s8YjjGfCCad-qjng3K1e9yzmyckrX8lbOwesMJuN-PyT76x/s200/photo.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620744785941243170" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It was a perfect weekend because this busy family of 5 decided to not be so busy. No one ran errands, no one needed chauffeuring to birthday parties, no one had anywhere to go. Our cars stayed parked, our laundry stayed dirty, our grass stayed long, our phone went unanswered. We had coffee outside, cocktails in the pool, and popcorn in the tent . . . and the 5 of us hung out together.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It was definitely the one of our best family getaways . . and we will be booking that camp site again really soon!!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Have you tried a weekend getaway at home? Would love to hear about it!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Deb Lowtherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16020875046166358825noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688352809248317143.post-63952679899178611842011-06-15T13:31:00.008-04:002011-06-15T14:36:34.246-04:00Sprint to the Finish!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXnH3M3j_VJQLKqxBp9seJFilcgrR45OoxauUNj_HMP9mNllG_4NpYPQUbjjOUlozm_WsKuXFthIIklhfOnT1Psr-nSp6pa54xLL1AhrxBEyL_SZUAwFVymcV-j201aystxZMV9yHn_U7i/s1600/photo.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXnH3M3j_VJQLKqxBp9seJFilcgrR45OoxauUNj_HMP9mNllG_4NpYPQUbjjOUlozm_WsKuXFthIIklhfOnT1Psr-nSp6pa54xLL1AhrxBEyL_SZUAwFVymcV-j201aystxZMV9yHn_U7i/s200/photo.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618510659835428466" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">I am not ashamed to admit that both my kids beat me across the finish line at our very first 5 km Moon in June race last weekend!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I trained with my two older daughters for weeks ahead of time (see blog post on that <a href="http://bit.ly/keg2UI">here!</a>), I taught them how to pace, to stretch, to drink water, and we bonded so much preparing for this race. Race day comes, and because it was a night run (meant for older kids & adults not 7 & 9 year olds!), we had the girls take a nap in the afternoon and filled them with pasta at lunch. They were ready to run!</div><img style="text-align: justify;float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzLlZcdzlZlWgKt73RN6EKY7v1PMRdP_WMmNnJquLmfR6VGRFlKa85md9USAHl2T5zbQhxs7A_QcqmLH_zHczT40yfcPpv43EelHW6Jz2u5XuTx3wh4FohkU4fJepYra-ikzotFJdx4Z4e/s200/P1030534.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618511280106169666" /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Our 5 year old did her 1km run with Dad . . she loves that run!! Her little legs were non stop! Medal and freeze in hand, she settled in to watch her two older sisters run the 5km with me.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">My older kids were barely visible among the 790 tall adult runners ready for the 5km challenge! They were never once intimidated by the people, the distance or the time of day. They were so excited when that starting gun went off at 9:15pm . . yes, it was a late one and yes, we would be doing our first 5km race together in the dark! The race was on!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After the pack thinned a little, the kids were thrilled to literally "run into" their school Vice Principle, Music teacher and Kindergarten teacher . . .each was impressed that the other was out running a 5k!! The kids and I chatted as we ran along on the road, they loved the encouragement from the other runners as they passed us by, loved the police officers directing traffic at the turning points and couldn't believe the kids and well wishers on the front lawns as we ran through sub divisions. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">They saw the km route markers and the negotiations started . . ."we will run until we see 2km and them we will have a rest and walk . . . I think."</div><img style="text-align: justify;float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE-Tu3qFBplQMq_LNeJ7PII-KxLGLSxbFv5FiFgusbA-EH3x_Bg0cLlqPv8OBX3G5vxG3G5mv9bzzDaRhV_CDHdRIl2LAHnEzmyZkLQhqTTSig0t9RICTJRXtXVqXC19vHa2FtatJis5hf/s200/photo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618512104045076610" /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Turns out they passed the 2km mark and the 2.5km mark and experienced their first water station at 3km and after a brief sip of water, kept running. We made it all the way to the 4km sign before we stopped for a photo op and a walk to drink some water.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Be now they knew the finish line wasn't far and were eager to get back to running. After I finished texting their Dad to tell him we were coming in (yes I can text & run!), we headed for the end. They got more excited as they got closer and begged me to let them start running faster. I held them back til I knew we were close enough and no one would get hurt or too tired to finish.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Well, when I said "OK go for it" . . .they were GONE! I honestly could not catch my 9 year old as she sprinted across that finish line. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Proud does not even begin to describe how they feel about themselves! They experienced what setting a goal, working towards a goal and accomplishing a goal feels like. They talk about it almost everyday. I know they are reliving those moments in their head and how it felt to cross that finish line. They cannot wait until next year.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As for me? I am going to make sure I have a head start next time before the sprinting starts!!</div>Deb Lowtherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16020875046166358825noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688352809248317143.post-24738844475952885912011-06-13T14:46:00.011-04:002011-06-13T22:26:03.694-04:00Perfect Fathers Day gift . . for MOM!<img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT22S3W6K1iW6M-coOS3GBTSKjmKaSuuDsrVpbpnZdxAsCpUtDizXltE1Yhyphenhyphen1EM9zJy00ADYuBRyuTRmsGVbdBPGABb1ZYauXOt8XlCCOlgb35-2aAIrQ4lUuYnXPf-6bUk1V5nAhflNPL/s200/DSC_0112.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617890013771493010" /><span><span><br /></span></span><div><span><span>I have the perfect Father's Day gift . . .every mom should run out now and get one of these for their kids Dad!</span></span><div><br /></div><div><b>This perfect gift gives back every weekend, to ME!</b><div><br /></div><div>I sleep in (LATE) every Saturday morning. Daddy HAS to get up. The kids beg for him to get up. The kids never let him skip a weekend, this is serious 'Daddy is the best ever and we love him soooo much' !! All the makings of the PERFECT Fathers Day Gift!! So what is it . . . </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTnXr_EGkZbcR0xD7rIPO6ocx_sAOxu6HcVsUE3OtWog0PoYDY8e3Ga_FHBoxDJqKGBITogJ7NsUYBK7920WAkoOkt5SDf73jVBpdqutO9pAczFESQF5ySaI2ATtCSyKqODbIMQ32VbkbW/s200/DSC_0115.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617882845634568146" /></div><div>THE perfect gift for this Fathers Day is a Waffle Maker. Seriously!</div><br /><div>We bought Dad at our house one about 2 years ago for Father's Day and every single weekend & and every single birthday slumber party morning has been a waffle morning. He makes huge batches and freezes them so the kids have ready made pop-in-the-toaster breakfast before school.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's brilliant !!</div></div><div><br /></div><div>I get out of weekend breakfast AND school morning breakfast!! Kids can self serve from freezer to toaster and they LOVE Daddy's waffles.</div><div><br /></div><div>He's even come up with his own "healthy" waffle recipe so the kids get some good stuff with their weekend waffle! (yes I know there are sprinkles on that whip cream above . . . but its <i>real</i> whip cream!)</div><div><br /></div><div>So think about YOU this Father's Day!! Your kids will love you for it !!</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Dad's Healthier "let mommy sleep" Waffles</i></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Dry Ingredients</span></span><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNDwD_07bR0MfmBGmz0BxoijFN3mzI9BQNzDLZwyqSPr011VIoTA_uGSgMc895P6zaRVF5keQrsPMwjnvxxFasDzywqA8aDPo14FSUNyzevAKsXG-p3Ft-AahuhEBvA-zhwO7sMyy7XPHv/s200/IMG_0515.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617891473969056786" /><div style=" ;font-family:'Lucida Grande';font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">2 cups whole wheat flour</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">6 tsp baking powder</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">1/2 tsp salt</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">2 tbsp sugar</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Wet Ingredients<br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">2 cups Milk</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">8 tbsps Extra Virgin Olive oil</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">2 tsp vanilla extract</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">4 eggs seperated yolks from white. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">1-2 mashed Bananas & handful of chocolate chips (see blog about choc chips <a href="http://bit.ly/g10S3G">here!</a>)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Add first four ingredients to bowl and mix.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Add milk, olive oil, egg yolks and Vanilla Extract and mix. Add to dry ingredients and mix. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Add in mushed bananas and a sprinkle of chocolate chips</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Beat Egg whites until white and fluffy. Then fold egg whites into batter.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Pour batter in to Waffle iron and cook for approximately 8 minutes. Makes approximately 15 waffles depending on size of waffle iron.</span></div></div><div><br /></div></div></div></div>Deb Lowtherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16020875046166358825noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688352809248317143.post-62175705582486202362011-06-01T14:35:00.003-04:002011-06-01T14:54:04.330-04:00Would you let your kids skip school for this?<div>I let my kids skip school yesterday afternoon. No one was sick. No one had an appointment. And no one was more excited to get out of school at 1pm then my 3 kids! </div><div><br /></div><div>It’s been a crappy Spring around here . . . sunshine only out for small windows of time and then clouds roll in and we have rain for days and days. Everything is soggy all the time. We've given up hoping for Spring and <a href="http://kidsgummymum.blogspot.com/2011/05/making-memories.html">hike in the rain</a>, bike in the clouds and just cross our fingers that Summer sunshine will be here one day. </div><div><br /></div><div>That day came yesterday . . . it was HOT! Topping out near 40 degrees with the humidex! The sun brought along a clear blue sky and no wind. We were NOT letting this day go by uncelebrated! The days following were going to be sunny but not nearly as HOT! So I wrote notes to the teachers and picked up my kids at their lunch break and took them home . . . . to swim.</div><div><br /></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibfsGcugACu9UtE40qgOEapJJgaB9R6ajJtuLs8K6F_YBArXV1RYo5QoxpKRaQ8iUNcOYVE7295Ns0cwpQDAErNt4z7Gh3qzjSD9sn3BLjLZdKZZSPg_X43I_8r5CkroDbTrdgWQOFkDxC/s200/photo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613324553681576690" /><div>Yup. Swim. </div><div><br /></div><div>We had our first in ground pool put in last Fall, the pool opened on Halloween weekend. We swam on Halloween in the cold and then closed it for winter. We were first in line to open our pool in May. And we have swam again in the cold, in the clouds, the wind and even in the rain. I hadn’t gone in yet . . despite us heating the pool, the air is always cold and shivering is not my idea of fun in a pool.</div><div><br /></div><div>So when the weather promised sunshine and high humidity, the pool party planning began. </div><div><br /></div><div>My kids have each missed maybe 1 day of school for illness all year, their grades are awesome, they had no special activity or test that afternoon and for all their hard work all school year long they expect nor do they usually receive, and treats. This day was a treat. This day is what we’ve been waiting for since last September and this day was going to be enjoyed.</div><div><br /></div><div>Yesterday we slowed down and we lived that day to its fullest. My kids will always remember the fun they had swimming with Mom & Dad on a school afternoon and how wonderful that sun felt and how warm that water was and how good those popsicles tasted.</div><div><br /></div><div>I’m hoping I have taught my kids to embrace the good opportunities in life, that it's OK to take time out for something special, to have fun and to live in the moment. Life is too short, and yesterday was just too perfect.</div><div><br /></div><div>Would you let your kids skip school for this?</div><div><br /></div>Deb Lowtherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16020875046166358825noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688352809248317143.post-7961617260172452532011-05-29T14:26:00.008-04:002011-05-29T14:43:17.208-04:00Fun Run to the Finish Line!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik5fjg-kHcWtRymE6xi8BZ18m7wZS9OGgY8MDcvThVhZdFIz1HPtSUCGGDd4bc7cBrwVias5SDqwnMfwZBwjsj6-OKDkHFacZORwM4QXyWkN1nBVj1W8TTa1tVl76Ga2WzA5A2LPkI2dk_/s1600/photo.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik5fjg-kHcWtRymE6xi8BZ18m7wZS9OGgY8MDcvThVhZdFIz1HPtSUCGGDd4bc7cBrwVias5SDqwnMfwZBwjsj6-OKDkHFacZORwM4QXyWkN1nBVj1W8TTa1tVl76Ga2WzA5A2LPkI2dk_/s200/photo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612208485121195570" /></a>Since they were weeks old my kids have been running!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It’s my form of exercise, my me time and my required ‘must do’ if I want to fit in to last years pair of jeans!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So soon after birth, my babies were put into jogging strollers and off we went.<div><div><br /></div><div><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When each of my 3 girls were 8 months old, my husband and I completed a ½ marathon <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>WITH our newest addition in the jogger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They each have their own finish line photos and medals proudly displayed in our hallway. Medal bearing babies!!</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2-NC_l700g3A_7RuOu-HbFdYZg82wS_XpBn9suPcim44PMb2_vNoCBCnVuwXnAxI9_HoJxsDrOFn3KUvIA3ftaKJyaAxtoD5W86dkiUDJxmoG38zN-GSFjjo_3Q8qnXF5gPeYWj-iuGs/s200/photo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612207906033388882" /><p class="MsoNormal">Now that they are 5,7 and 9 and way too heavy to push in jogging strollers, I usually get a babysitter so we can fit in our weekly runs . . .but last year decided to enter the family in the 1km Fun run at the Moon in June sponsored by our IronKids Gummy Vitamins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My parents took my brother and I on family runs when we were about my kids ages and we both run now as adults.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I was hopeful if we started them young,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they would enjoy it and it would help them stay healthy and active as adults.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Their first 1km fun run was a big success and the older two excitedly committed to running More next year and entering the 5km run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Well here we are at next year, and I asked them at Easter if they were serious about running 5km and indeed they were.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal">I recognize that 5km is a little far to ‘just run’ without a little practicing and a little education on running safe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So for the past 6 weeks I have been taking them out on 2 runs a week for 35 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We run the first half with no stops and then negotiate all the way back how far we will run before we stop to walk and have some water!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They have done awesome and some unexpected perks have come out this training!</p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">First, they have never complained or once said they didn’t want to go. They are excited to get out there even after a full day of school or looming rain showers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Second,</span> we talk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We have 35 minutes to just talk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I teach them a little bit about setting a pace, not taking off from the starting line, drinking enough water, the importance of tying your shoes properly (7 year old learned that one the hard way) and about school, friends, summer plans, homework, music. .everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When its done I high five them and tell them how proud they should be of themselves for finishing, and we learn about stretching and talk some more about how great it feels to exercise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Our first 5km race is next Saturday and I can’t wait to see how they do when we run with hundreds of other people and their Dad and little sister watching from the sidelines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I can’t wait to cross that finish line . . . this time with my kids running beside me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Do you run or do other sports as an adult?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Did this love come from your own parents? </span>Will you encourage your kids to stay active?</p> <!--EndFragment--> </div></div>Deb Lowtherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16020875046166358825noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688352809248317143.post-60436224379221332902011-05-28T16:16:00.005-04:002011-05-28T16:33:49.314-04:00Making Memories<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJuuso7f9eoOmorOCA_jeWy3F7wSQauhY1-ZBt5GmpUBZWoXjcCYpPzTDp2lA_xTebFONodh106Hk8HldxgDMnWBKVIj5BudkI-lqE4s_N0CHy-mijEeoZ-ksvM_c8OZfy8HdJidflqyS/s1600/photo.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 155px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJuuso7f9eoOmorOCA_jeWy3F7wSQauhY1-ZBt5GmpUBZWoXjcCYpPzTDp2lA_xTebFONodh106Hk8HldxgDMnWBKVIj5BudkI-lqE4s_N0CHy-mijEeoZ-ksvM_c8OZfy8HdJidflqyS/s200/photo.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611866102051010930" /></a><p class="MsoNormal">At 6:30 this morning when the alarm clock went off I could see the fog out my bedroom window. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I knew it had rained over night, I knew the trails we were about to hike would be full of mud and the rocks we were going to climb over would be slippery and wet. I knew I was going to have to drag the kids out of bed early on a Saturday, I knew my 5 year old would be too tired to hike the whole way, I knew my husband still really wasn’t feeling well, I knew we were about to get wet and muddy <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>. . . and I knew my friends and their families were waiting for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">So up we all got, put on our splash pants and rain boots, packed our muffins and extra water, ignored the fog and the rain and we met our friends at 8am for a 3 hour hike in the trails.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Eight adults, 11 kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We slide, we sloshed, we jumped mud puddles and waded through new mini lakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Every small breeze sent a shower down on us as the weeks of rain fell off the leaves high above.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Kids ran ahead, kids fell behind, kids fell over!</p><div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-m_WKFR0uZQ88_kenKZFHCHdGsJD40iBEKBshjkZe5QEoZ0F2v2cS8yIhXmvNGm6tSOOop3-BNCNKULQMX9RF8aODtQqKD_LmadwDkKP00K-4VKvC2WJsCiJsK1wNza0JtvaDoLPRTcuj/s200/photo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611864879756089250" /><div><br /></div><div>We saw mushrooms and mud, chipmunks and birds, </div><div>worms and water . . . everywhere!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>One thing we didn’t </div><div>see, was the view.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Hiking the escarpment here you get </div><div>treated with breathtaking views . . . all we saw was fog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></div><div><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>But we walked, we talked, we laughed and a few little </div><div>ones whined, but overall we made a great morning out </div><div>of an otherwise soggy day.</div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">When I looked outside at 6:30am, I didn’t feel like getting out there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I had lots of reasons to stay in bed. But I knew there were memories to be made out there. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Things to experience out there. Fun to be had out there. </p><p class="MsoNormal">Many times my motivation for all the work I know its going to take to get somewhere, is the memories that are going to be made on the way there and once we get there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My kids are going to remember hiking in the mud and looking out over the cliffs at the fog and they are going to remember the friends we were with and the family time we had . . . even if they complained the ENTIRE hike back. . . I know they will remember this morning!</p> <img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgINtCam1hPZY2U4Q_77e3AQaQwEPFLmlJi29hdHudN46riHN2U0J4TeYoFQHuWco4ak2v6pPUwAKNNVq_mx8EuXVrD0wpcVcb8CsuZnm0V8i6RJWZCoTMTHNvoWL9hCUEuKHR-M8uGsWln/s200/photo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611865645926468114" /><p class="MsoNormal">Despite the weather, the time, the fog and the excuses; getting outside and living your day is guaranteed to make some memories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Hope you enjoyed your day today!</p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div></div>Deb Lowtherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16020875046166358825noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688352809248317143.post-75034764936056638842011-05-18T15:04:00.003-04:002011-05-18T15:09:52.984-04:00Wordless Wednesday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIwCRR7xdlwtKJoyop55iA7DLYer_bgP6FIH-2BUIO_dBEMSnBB6hDofis2ksagpa0u6tsMyrDuYkod7NsVt7LCy9r-8AyejEWa0qD5geW9ImeBVpboMOUBZhbaBkLuq3WgWvD89aRWbz_/s1600/4+Amy+%2526+her+cat.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 154px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIwCRR7xdlwtKJoyop55iA7DLYer_bgP6FIH-2BUIO_dBEMSnBB6hDofis2ksagpa0u6tsMyrDuYkod7NsVt7LCy9r-8AyejEWa0qD5geW9ImeBVpboMOUBZhbaBkLuq3WgWvD89aRWbz_/s200/4+Amy+%2526+her+cat.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608134627359796930" /></a>A photo that captures everything. Words not required. <div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>This cat is not ours. </div><div><br /></div><div>They are meeting for the first time.</div>Deb Lowtherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16020875046166358825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688352809248317143.post-80980631651848295672011-04-21T17:02:00.009-04:002011-04-21T21:55:36.197-04:00Healthy Easter Memories!<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXxtolgxecc7etw-dpRHc1BvK53b5AsNzew0NSBUKb_aMGuC61h2POTw0pVY5L11W5AXnlHwyKXBrHsmIjJu98kTYOuW-5vWhYoBSWfLj6J9n8B5Y502wZW-wSYPrTiW8V9XlYGykLZ90s/s1600/photo.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: justify;float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXxtolgxecc7etw-dpRHc1BvK53b5AsNzew0NSBUKb_aMGuC61h2POTw0pVY5L11W5AXnlHwyKXBrHsmIjJu98kTYOuW-5vWhYoBSWfLj6J9n8B5Y502wZW-wSYPrTiW8V9XlYGykLZ90s/s200/photo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598210527825378818" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">I will admit, I am a big fan of a certain chocolate that's only out at Easter, I love the pastel coloured candies, a solid waxy chocolate Easter bunny must be present (although I have no interest in eating it!) and there would be no Easter morning without jelly beans! Not sounding so healthy so far!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As much as I go candy crazy at Easter and it's true, I do focus more on healthy memories than the healthy breakfast, but I do try to balance it a little. I fill them up with a healthy Easter Brunch and 'add <a href="http://www.todayiatearainbow.com/">extra rainbows</a>' as one friends says! They get scrambled eggs with cauliflower, fruit kebobs and muffins made with flax, whole wheat, and bran. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The fun side of Easter however, I go full out!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><img style="text-align: justify;float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4rt3CpnjuoWg67Gq9I6_aQDDHTWxkvHJ3_Ls94CVRObU5cFIIgXV4JrddKsDTzUEifNFHWyKEZFprJ9Rbjap1fIuPQo2ix6Wg0YKwhip5Kf9D1KuR8018d_ZsPYW2YWUXdDchW5Krfnq4/s200/photo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598208936291746658" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">With 3 kids I quickly learned that the oldest was going to get all the goods unless I found a way to evenly divide the hunt. Those plastic coloured Easter eggs can be filled with stickers & pennies instead of jelly beans and as long as you assigned colours to each child, you control how many each kid finds! I spend a long night counting and sorting and then place a green & yellow egg in oldest child's 'collection' basket - she knows those are her colours - and place the basket at the foot of her bed. If she finds a pink egg on her way downstairs, she leaves it there and moves on . . pink and blue are her youngest sisters colours. Works every year and even allows me to hide the oldest daughters eggs in harder and higher locations!! And hide we do - eggs everywhere, trails of jelly beans from their room to their Easter baskets and even a hunt throughout the backyard . ..with the same eggs they found in the house, just secretly recycled and re hidden out back!</div><div><img style="text-align: justify;float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 100px; height: 100px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBOkFoXTLc8ZQcGRCAhX_RDWS9-JZlj8dbYT8HiXaZ1L84ItL2wxsgj_4yM_QJnO-amp2VPsoXhcTD01q4PtU8SHD8_x11z8SYVL9_NhOHQnQvNYzL1Q5oI_kbbWrifvm2dBClgGU4QuuF/s200/cat+print.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598156417352301554" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">My favorite tradition has to be the paw print. I've had a kitty paw stamp forever and each Easter eve, as the kids sleep, I sneak in and place a paw print on their cheeks and on the back of their hand. The don't notice until someone tells them the next day . . . or now that they expect it, they run to the mirror to see when they wake up!!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><img style="text-align: justify;float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjySHXOxuAEG0WZuln1CArX_c5SrN7CoaG-lp-FHhMhqqxjbQ4-z6_zoioZDIvqEapGdZHxtsJLFnl2ClZ_NzGs9hObmpSRHbcjQr7OwwTUhgpA2AIWUWPk80QGNyMDLfFz1X709Ud3mUw5/s200/photo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598211195264874306" /><div style="text-align: justify;">Our last tradition is another fun one for the kids, aside from the usual colouring of eggs, we also grab fallen tree branches from outside, sometimes spray paint them white and hang the tiniest of decorative egg's on them with some we've coloured . . . our Easter egg tree is out earlier and earlier every year as the kids can't wait to decorate it!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Perhaps what surprises me most every year, is not how much the kids indulge in the candy palooza that goes on here at Easter, but how quickly they loose interest in the chocolate and the jelly beans after Easter! I leave the candy out for all to see and sure the first couple of days they ask for something every 10 minutes . . . but as the days go on, they forget and within weeks the gummies have hardened, the chocolate's disappeared to moms freezer stash and the jelly beans are a distant memory!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We like to have fun with food and it seems like around here it's the anticipation, the hunt and the memories that leave us with the sugar high! Enjoy your Easter everyone, stay healthy and be sure to sneak in a few sugar coated memories . . .we'd loved to hear about them!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Deb Lowtherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16020875046166358825noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688352809248317143.post-56958136444206657552011-04-19T14:44:00.002-04:002011-04-19T15:07:53.385-04:00Easter Bunnies Last Hop!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbkfmWOL-jh45eCt1tMHKOuWk1ZsWpIlOQj97dn6L4QfSKtfV6iGUaExY47pcMkZmMXjmNFPY0_3HdalMrQjKSdt0Pl7-FAgyiWDmQ8DJ-vkIkTJ1GFa_iSop7lW1iQDVJz-fKpKwxJ8ar/s1600/P1010126.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 126px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbkfmWOL-jh45eCt1tMHKOuWk1ZsWpIlOQj97dn6L4QfSKtfV6iGUaExY47pcMkZmMXjmNFPY0_3HdalMrQjKSdt0Pl7-FAgyiWDmQ8DJ-vkIkTJ1GFa_iSop7lW1iQDVJz-fKpKwxJ8ar/s200/P1010126.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597367713477431410" /></a><div>It happened in an instant, I had no more than a 2 second warning but I saw it coming . . .for those 2 seconds you could see me in super slow motion shouting “Nooooo” and reaching out to cover my kids' ears. Right there, hands in our popcorn bowl, giggling at a silly movie, right before my very eyes, the Easter Bunny vanished. I couldn’t prevent it, I couldn’t take it back, I couldn’t explain it away. I couldn’t lie to my 9 year old anymore. It’s been a big couple of months for her. The tooth fairy had recently had her last flight and there were tears and a pinky promise to not tell her sisters . . . <a href="http://kidsgummymum.blogspot.com/2011/01/pinky-promise.html">I blogged about it</a>. I was holding out hope for the Easter Bunny, at least until after Easter.</div><div><br /></div><div>The evening started out like many other family nights. Our kids school does a monthly movie night and we all wear our pj’s, take pillows, blankets and loads of quarters for the .50 cent bowls of popcorn. We lay on the gym floor for an hour and a half and watch a movie with 150 of our closest school friends (yes I am an awesome mom!) while volunteer parents run the show. Tonight’s movie was Mega Minds . . . a futuristic cartoon battle of good vs. evil where good gets the girl in the end – who knew the Easer Bunny would bite the dust! Evil guy was taunting the girl who believed against all odds (you know the story) that good would prevail and Evil guy uttered the words . . .”Oh, and you probably still believe in the Tooth Fairy and the . . . . (noooooooo don’t say it!! where is the remote? mute the volume . . .noooooo) . . . EASTER BUNNY.”</div><div><br /></div><div>My 9 year olds head swung around so fast to glare at me, I thought she might just shout out her obvious question for the whole gym to hear. I ignored the glare, secretly squeezed my husband’s hand and hoped she would forget what she had just heard . . . but I knew in my heart the Easter Bunny was done. The movie ended 30 minutes later, and the second those lights went on that head swung around again, “Mommy, is the Easter Bunny real AND DON’T LIE TO ME.” </div><div><br /></div><div>I told her we could talk at home to avoid bursting the fairytale for the other 149 kids in the gym and get distance from her younger sisters listening ears. We had another talk similar to the tooth fairy talk (its mom, I do it to make fun happy memories for you, I promise I will hide chocolate for you when you are 76 and, the best part . .now that YOU are in the Easter Bunny club you can help mom hide eggs for your sisters!! insert over exaggerated happy mom face). She had another cry, and she slowly raised her pinky to once again bear the burden of a pinky promise to not tell her sisters.</div><div><br /></div><div>Why would a movie geared to children sell out the Easter Bunny? My other two kids are 7 and 5 and neither of them noticed a thing cause they still firmly believe, but my daughter was wavering as kids do around the age of 8 & 9. She couldn’t have been the only one who’s dreams of big furry 6 foot tall Easter Bunny hoping through our house hiding jelly beans were dashed because of that movie? Maybe these movies could carry a warning . . .”PG – Some scenes may crush young girls belief in Easter Bunnies!” I would have at least waited until after Easter to let her watch it.</div><div><br /></div><div>She's cool with it now and excited to "know" as we prepare for Easter this weekend, but still . .this wasn't how I envisioned the Easter Bunny going down! How did your kids figure it out?</div><div><br /></div>Deb Lowtherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16020875046166358825noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688352809248317143.post-16842365519662274132011-04-10T22:00:00.003-04:002011-04-10T23:44:25.936-04:00Ketchup IS a food group!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0rty51ZyoLRxOCBC1XEslmjZHj2R6IThJzj4VMrd7gziGHkZC6jkjplc2RG-Ig5EKmYTOj4oBAbMFQrzs8T_snD8PVNTtreR6Cn651E3sdb-2TpsC5GSKIoWV3t9lUjcl6uptO5zsCfO2/s1600/IMG_1672.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0rty51ZyoLRxOCBC1XEslmjZHj2R6IThJzj4VMrd7gziGHkZC6jkjplc2RG-Ig5EKmYTOj4oBAbMFQrzs8T_snD8PVNTtreR6Cn651E3sdb-2TpsC5GSKIoWV3t9lUjcl6uptO5zsCfO2/s200/IMG_1672.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594140291524541234" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">This is a typical dinner plate for my youngest daughter. She will eat just about ANYTHING as long as she has ketchup for it. Of course things like home made macaroni & cheese, french fries and grilled cheese were invented for ketchup. It's the foods you wouldn't expect to get a coating of the red stuff; chicken, steak, fish, asparagus, noodles. Most would say its kinda gross, but as parents, we pick our battles. This one I am willing to concede!!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Its important to me that my kids eat what I call <i>real</i> food. We buy chicken breasts from a farm and bake or BBQ them, no coating, no frying, no camouflaging. We serve our kids halibut, sole and salmon in its natural state . . no sticks, no unknown parts of fish, no breading. They enjoy the nice cuts of steak we have, I share the quinoa, brown rice and barely with them. They are expected to eat at least 1 piece of the vegetable we are having that they don't really don't enjoy - usually asparagus - and also the vegetables they do enjoy.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In exchange for this, I happily put the ketchup on the table every night and buy the king size bottles on a regular basis. My 5 year old can eat anything with enough ketchup on it. My mom says the sugar is bad . . . but isn't a little sugar OK if she is eating halibut and asparagus?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I did a little research on ketchup - its main ingredients are tomatoes, vinegar, sugar and seasonings - sounds pretty good so far! Turns out it gets better. Ketchup is a great source of lycopene, an antioxidant which may help prevent some forms of cancer! This is particularly true of the organic brands of ketchup, which have three times as much lycopene. Also, ketchup, much like other cooked tomato foods, yields higher levels of lycopene per serving because cooking makes lycopene in tomatoes more bio-available! It's looking a lot like a win-win situation to me!! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I say look for brands that use sugar and do not contain high fructose corn syrup, watch your sodium content and then embrace ketchup as a new food group. I am hoping she will grow out of the ketchup covering eventually and enjoy the flavour of the food on its own. But in the meantime, look at all the healthy benefits that come in and under a dollop of ketchup!!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">What do you think? Do you let your kids cover up healthy food with condiments?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Deb Lowtherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16020875046166358825noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688352809248317143.post-62736400644156053772011-04-07T18:30:00.004-04:002011-04-07T18:52:47.311-04:00Walking Home . . .ALONE!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0R64As1_KvjJTXAGIkFSHm2KRVIN2CL6Y8BEmlJqnguM4fQTogAAJj_Gt4Z_ltJUmQ07CdxsTLex181oecUNFbV8cbiezOS55zg5Bjk7PIlmHfOPIzTTkMRunHwCzPOZ-Uhf3WKrm3XUx/s1600/photo.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0R64As1_KvjJTXAGIkFSHm2KRVIN2CL6Y8BEmlJqnguM4fQTogAAJj_Gt4Z_ltJUmQ07CdxsTLex181oecUNFbV8cbiezOS55zg5Bjk7PIlmHfOPIzTTkMRunHwCzPOZ-Uhf3WKrm3XUx/s200/photo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592974882230572306" /></a> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I love that I get to take my kids to school everyday and I can be there to pick them up after school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When they were little I would carry or push one, pull one on a bike and the oldest would walk. Now on nice days we walk through the forest looking for squirrels and flowers instead of taking the long sidewalk home. On cold days we all pile in the van and we battle car seats & snowsuits, seat belts and winter gloves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Over the years it has gotten more fun on the warm days as we walk and stop to catch fish in the creek and easier now on the winter days as the kids can all buckle into their boosters on their own.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p>Isn’t it great when the kids get older?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You breathe, you can think, you sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You get that secure feeling of . . ahhhh . . .I made it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>And then one day your oldest will announce, “I’m walking home . . . .<i>ALONE.</i>”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>Ha Ha Ha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Good one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In my head I'm saying “oh no you're not!” but to her I just smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> She has done this before, u</span>sually by the time we get to the van, she jumps in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But today her determination was stronger, she kept saying it, “I mean it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’m walking” and looking at me . . . challenging me to stop her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She walked faster, to show me she was serious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She passed our van parked at the side of the road and kept walking.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p>My middle daughter contemplated walking with her, but jumped in the van as she passed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My youngest cried, thinking her sister was gone from our family forever.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p>I still didn’t say anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Part of me was super proud of my 9 year old for her independence and wanting to forge out on her own, she still cries often in new situations so this new found bravery looks good on her!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Part of me was super scared that I was already facing the fact that my little girl wanted to grow up and forge out on her own!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There is no way I want her walking that long stretch of open road on her own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It’s not as safe out there for young girls walking alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Her sisters are too young to protect her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She’s not ready yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’m not ready yet!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But today I didn’t stop her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I couldn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She was so insistent. She was so proud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She was walking home . . . .<i>ALONE</i>.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p>So I did what any awesome mom would do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I got in the van with my other 2 children and we drove home doing 3km an hour staying right behind my little girl and shouting encouragements out the window as she walked home . . . <i>ALONE!!</i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p>When did your kids walk home alone from school for the first time?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Would you have done anything differently?</p> <!--EndFragment-->Deb Lowtherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16020875046166358825noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688352809248317143.post-66546833635617327172011-04-01T10:28:00.003-04:002011-04-01T10:57:26.077-04:00It's an Ultimate Blog Party!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh2uwq0ATJCQ65sERdDkUxjrndKCCPlood2OQPLlIFWjCgpzlCXsGF92SPmU-2H9HjHT6FPTKVkEeufrvDXkyzP1ktGZBTsiyGVeMpEZr13zXZHXOWTFEdjbQUuly2WMSDR9btAc6q22UM/s1600/blog+party.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 54px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh2uwq0ATJCQ65sERdDkUxjrndKCCPlood2OQPLlIFWjCgpzlCXsGF92SPmU-2H9HjHT6FPTKVkEeufrvDXkyzP1ktGZBTsiyGVeMpEZr13zXZHXOWTFEdjbQUuly2WMSDR9btAc6q22UM/s200/blog+party.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590622526972824306" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.5minutesformom.com/34651/ultimate-blog-party-2011/">Welcome to 5Minutes for Mom 2011 Ultimate Blog Party</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> What a great way to meet more moms and bloggers that share our passion for Raising Healthy Kids! I look forward to reading your awesome blogs this week and I hope you will take some time to look around mine. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm an active trail running mom of 3 blonde girls and wife of one smart husband. He makes <a href="http://www.iron-kids.com">IronKids Gummy Vitamins</a> to give kids the extra nutrition they need and I blog, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/kidsgummymum">tweet</a> and post on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/IronKids.Health">Facebook</a> easy ways to keep our kids active and healthy through playing and helping in the kitchen!! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We invite everyone to contribute to our <a href="http://www.iron-kids.com">website</a> and blogs . . have a look around and I hope you'll share your tips and tricks for raising <i>your</i> healthy kids!! </div>Deb Lowtherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16020875046166358825noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688352809248317143.post-1064006096575805792011-03-30T12:18:00.006-04:002011-03-30T15:00:14.631-04:00Is an Apple a Grain?<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizV0-IDAMTec8wag_PDgyzQkc09d_gKgUxRHahF7Bv7iu881qsOvS1h95WzEGSFlfUDI45ThqEPL7vp6WYTx9g_7iLT8JeamIHX0b_EKh-P-yhayrXJm4cJ-nCdN_blhyphenhyphencpneFLfZJ7xIj/s1600/apple+screen+shot.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span><span></span></span><img style="text-align: justify;float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 200px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizV0-IDAMTec8wag_PDgyzQkc09d_gKgUxRHahF7Bv7iu881qsOvS1h95WzEGSFlfUDI45ThqEPL7vp6WYTx9g_7iLT8JeamIHX0b_EKh-P-yhayrXJm4cJ-nCdN_blhyphenhyphencpneFLfZJ7xIj/s200/apple+screen+shot.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589946473874996210" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">Do your kids know if an apple is a grain?</div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Should they?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As parents, we have so many things to teach our children, and for me, teaching them as much as I can about the food we <i>choose</i> to eat is very important. From the age of 3 or 4 I discuss with them what I put in their lunches and why. Soon enough they will be the ones choosing what to pack and eat for lunch and if I don't give them the information they need, how can I expect them to make healthy decisions?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">They see their friends with packaged snacks at school and they get those treats at soccer games and birthday parties when they are being handed out, but I use every opportunity I can to talk to them about making healthy choices. In the grocery store we look at labels - recently we've been checking out the sugar content of everything. We compare sugar in milk to that in juice and then look at a can of soda . .they get it when they can see it themselves. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Canada's Food Guide is a good teaching tool, but kids will may learn more at</div><img style="text-align: justify;float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5WMmpejnR98e07_MXMcTHcELmNoNrB2irulxnWb3nWLNNGMfGDQEH4EpoVA1GyxuIyiDzwaQAInbG1yngSMRtTADeBpXU2SHxuBZOB72zbEB26fS6QN3oMH1lMBE46QEQ6XASD-N0mxlq/s200/photo.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589947196884042482" /><div style="text-align: justify;">the dinner table and from cutting apart weekly grocery store flyers, or helping pack their own lunch! All great places to start to talk about the food you are eating. My 5 year old came home from Kindergarten with some great work she had done in art. Gluing pictures of food from the flyers into its proper food group!! How fun! And what a great way to teach them that we need to eat foods from all the food groups . . . and wait . . candy isn't a food group??</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">My kids understand that we eat 'brown' bread and whole wheat pasta's because it is better for us . . even though that starchy white stuff might taste good I explain why we <i>choose</i> not to eat it. They know that at each meal we should try to eat something from all the food groups and sometimes we take turns at dinner to see who can name the food groups on our plates. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">From all these conversations, they are learning what Protein, Fruits, Vegetables, Diary and Grains are. They know these are the 'healthy' foods. They are also normal kids that would rather have ice cream and jelly beans for dinner so we do make 'treat' food a part of our day too. . .but the kids are learning to <i>choose</i> healthy food first!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It takes more than a glass of milk and gummy vitamins to raise healthy kids! Do you talk about the food you make with your kids and what the food groups are? Do you think understanding this now will help them as teens and as adults?</div></div>Deb Lowtherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16020875046166358825noreply@blogger.com10