I’ve taken on a significant battle — I have launched an assault on the salt in my diet. Our bodies need some sodium, but excess sodium raises your blood pressure, which can result in heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease. Admittedly, I prefer the studies that say salt is not bad for you, but they are strongly in the minority. …
Like-minded and unlike-minded can connect at ChangeCamp
When I was first asked if I knew about Change-Camp, admittedly, I thought it was a reality television show. Then, when I was told it was a nationwide grassroots movement encouraging us to “design a future based on transparency, civic engagement and democratic empowerment,” I still thought it could make good television, at least on the CPAC channel. According to …
We owe it to ourselves and our children to stop rushing to relax
Ah, summery weather is finally here, and minds wander to beaches and camping and getting closer to nature. Unfortunately, there is the hurried and often harried packing up, travelling, and setup to conquer first. While I appreciate the rush to get to that special place for family quality time, the irony is evident in the insanity we put our kids …
How do you thank your mom for everything she’s done for you?
I didn’t buy my mother a Mother’s Day present this year and I’m not sure I’ll buy one ever again. It’s not that I don’t appreciate her; quite the contrary. It’s just that since I’ve had children and am in the process of raising them, I can’t think of an appropriate gift to send her anymore. I used to buy …
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Balancing your energy may be one part of personal spring cleaning
I ‘m renovating and spring cleaning, but not only my house. I’m taking care of some personal housekeeping as well. Instead of hammering in nails and painting a room, I shaped and painted my toe nails. Instead of buying storage totes, I bought a new shirt. Instead of mudding walls, I did a Black Sea mud facial. Instead of new …
The F Word doesn’t just mean feminist, it also means fairness
Please don’t use the “f” word. I may be a feminist, but I don’t want the label. I grew up in the 1970s, when I was told I could have it all. I wouldn’t be “limited” to being a mom, a nurse or a teacher. I could be a doctor or an astronaut, and have a family. I played the …
When did our to-dos take over our lives? I’ll add that question to my list
Some days I feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day or enough days in a week, to get everything done and make everyone happy. Lately, there isn’t even enough room on my note page to itemize all the to-dos on my list. When did we get so busy? Is it the plight of the working mom, trying to …
Ontario government needs to follow through on its promises
The Ontario Throne speech presented last week has me thinking a lot, but my worry is that not as much thought went into it. I put on my cynic’s cap and found a few choice excerpts: “We carved our province out of a harsh northern land.” And then “we” promptly moved south and forgot about the North. “They began to …
Forces beyond our control are at work when we lose a baby tooth
My daughter has a loose tooth. It amuses and revolts both her and me at the same time. As I watch her grappling with the wiggly tooth, I can’t help but think of the teeth I’ve cut along the way (literally and metaphorically). As a girl, I knew that if I didn’t brush my teeth and ate too much sugar, …
We should celebrate Family Day weekly, not annually: bring back Sundays
Family Day is a great idea, but too bad it doesn’t occur more often. We truly need to focus on our families more and spend less time at work or thinking about work or buying stuff. Imagine one day, monthly or weekly, when we focus on the important things: when no one works, when no shopping errands have to/can be …