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A brand new year is just around the corner, and with a new year comes a new list of goals and resolutions that people make. It's a good time for starting over or trying something new.

But do people still follow resolutions? One of the most common that I see is to 'lose weight' or 'eat better'. Both are difficult to accomplish without some planning and support.

Personally, I decided to make a list of goals for myself this year (one of them includes learning how to cook rack of lamb!) and will try to accomplish those goals. 

One of my biggest goals is to be better at managing my time. Because really, my time is no longer my own - it primarily belongs to my children and their schedules. Finding a balance between them and the things I need to accomplish can be difficult, but I will work on it. I think I already am off to a good start - I now have a More Time Moms Family Organizer for the wall! It includes a monthly calendar with large spaces for writing and stickers to flag really important days (like show and tell which I really can't forget!)

There are a lot of great calendar options out there, including this one from Wyman publishing for your office:

I know that many people have a Blackberry to help them keep track of their time, I don't yet and I know some people are old fashioned and prefer to write notes done. For those of us who need to carry a small planner around in our purse or car, I like the prettiness of this small monthly planner:

Sometimes I not only need to remember dates but websites, thoughts, ideas or milestones with the kids. To do that, I have note pads lying all over the house, but mostly these notes are on scrap pieces of paper or sticky notes.  What I really need are pretty, neat looking notebooks like these ones from Ecojot:

Are you making any resolutions this year?  And better yet, do you think you can follow them?  How are you ensuring you keep yourself on track?

Image sources: BuyCanadianFirst.ca, Wyman Publishing

Stress!! I am certain every Canadian Mom has had their moments with this common foe. As moms, we run our homes, juggle work, school schedules, extra curricular activities and obligations. For me, stress usually builds up when my time is short; everything piles up and time for the more important, as well as wonderful things, becomes short at hand. I know we often don’t have enough time but one thing that I have learned is that running on empty is inefficient and usually means that I get less done. Here are five tips for the fabulous mom to slow down and de-stress.

1. Break a sweat. I made all sorts of excuses not to join a fitness class until I saw the results my friends were having. What I ended up gaining was a better attitude, a physical release for stress and tons of energy! The lost inches became secondary to how awesome I was feeling and I discovered I did have at least two hours a week to spare. You don’t have to join a fitness class. Buy Canadian First member Stott Pilates  has videos and equipment for your home gym.

2. Be grateful. Sometimes, being bogged down with what feels like the neverending to-do list, clouds your view of what’s around you. Buy Canadian First member Ecojot has these lovely mini 3x4 inch journals to jot a few things down that you are grateful for each day. Things like gigantic thanks for the morning hugs from your family or something small like a butterfly landing on your arm. You may even be thankful for your ritual morning coffee or tea. Whatever you are grateful for, write it down and you will feel the weight lift off of you.

3. Laugh often. Find the people who bring joy into your life and keep them close. Play and be goofy with your kids, as much as you can (as they grow up and then move away to go to university). Get your best friends together and enjoy each other even if it’s only a few times a year.

4. Do something you love. We each have our own hobbies and activities that we adore. For me and the kids, it is a trip to the zoo. We are looking forward to seeing the international polar bear conservation centre  on our next visit. We also love pulling out the craft supplies and creating to our hearts delight. I also adore listening to music and Buy Canadian first member Indigo Books and Music has a great selection of Canadian music. As you know, I have another favourite Canadian music site and that is CBC Radio 3 .

5. My very last tip, and maybe the most important stress removal tool is Sleep! No matter what, sleep will help you focus, lose or maintain weight and de-stress. Check out Buy Canadian First Members Essentia , Simmons and Dream Designs  for a wonderful selection of Canadian-made mattresses.  

What are your best stress reducing tips? 

image credit: Stott Pilates, Ecojot, Chapters Indigo 

School is nearly done and Summer vacation is around the corner for Manitoba residents. I have to admit that I have it pretty easy, as my children attend the daycare centre year round, where I am employed, and I am also in charge of the Summer programming. So, we should have a lovely Summer with lots of activities, art and science projects, too. Some single parents are left shuffling their kids from day camps to time spent with relatives. While the camps and weeks at Nana's house are awesome, the costs and juggling of time can feel overwhelming. In the end, it is still Summer ... yes, we may have the same grind as we do the rest of the year, but the weather is beautiful, your kids have free time and life is fleeting. Here are some tips to make some great Summer memories.

Make a Summer calendar. I know you have to work a nine to five, pick up the kids, make dinner and prepare for the next day but make a Summer calendar anyway. Add a couple of extra outings throughout the week; like a family evening walk, a trip to the library, time at the park,  a night at the movies (either at a cinema, projected on the side of the house, or snuggled in your living room). Check out your community newspapers for upcoming events that may be free of charge or of little cost. You are more likely to keep and prepare for these events if you mark them down.

Keep your meals simple. Summer-time seems to be a time where light meals seem to be more appealing than heavy ones and frankly, who wants to spend all that time in a hot kitchen? Take a walk to your local market for some fresh veggies and baked bread then home again to get Buy Canadian First member True North Salmon  products on the barbeque. Here are some great twenty minute meal ideas that are on the lighter side from Canadian Living Magazine online.

Create a do-it-by-yourself list. Sometimes we need a little time to take care of things around the house. This type of list gives children the choice of available activities they can do by themselves, reducing conflict and boredom. Some possible activities are painting and drawing, watching a movie, reading a book, drawing on the sidewalk or blowing bubbles on the front lawn.

I know it's not easy juggling time and there never seems to be enough of it, ever. This Summer, after a whole term of school and homework, I know there is the time after a long day at work. If that means I have to catch up on a little house work later, so be it!  

As a single parent, what are some of your tips and tricks for Summer break?

Image credits: True North Salmon, Andrea Willowcat 

May is always a nice month in Canada. Trees and bulbs are blooming, while we shed extra layers of clothing and dream of the summer ahead. And of course, May is the time to celebrate Mom in a special way with Mother’s Day!

We all know Moms are special. Personally, I never realized just how special my Mom was until I became a Mom myself. Being a Mom is an all-encompassing experience, one filled with both joy & pain, pride & disappointment, happiness & frustration. And of course, many sleepless nights. On this subject, I never forgot something funny my friend Tina’s Mom told me when I was pregnant: “I have not had a good night’s sleep since my children were born!”... and they were all adults! I laughed at the time, but I can sort of understand what she meant. The worry and concern are constant. Sorry, Mom...;-)

So if anyone deserves to be spoiled at least once a year, it is surely Mom! With the help of some awesome Canadian companies, we have put together a prize-pack filled with very special Canadian-made gifts fit for a Mother. What’s in it, you ask? A whole lot of awesomeness!

1) Gorgeous SIMS jewelry set made in Alberta. Includes Crystal Cluster Attachable Pendant, Plus Matching Earrings and 18" Sterling Silver Filled Necklace. (value: over $65)

(Warning: Attachable Pendants SIMS Style are addicting as they clip to any necklace, and come in every colour to modernize any necklace in a flick)

2) Treat Mom to a well-deserved youth-restoring lift with AgeOff Face & Body Nutrition and Ageoff Wrinkle-Reduction Serum, made in Ontario by Nuvocare. Mom will look radiant AND feel great! (value: $100)

3)  Whispy Raspberry classic handbag, made in Nova Scotia by the lovely ladies of Michique. Mom will no longer be able to go anywhere without someone commenting on how gorgeous your handbag is! Trust me, I know from experience! (value: $ 284)

4) A really sweet treat from New Brunswick' famous Ganong chocolate confectioners. An assortment of chocolates and candy, not necessarily what you see below, but guaranteed to please Mom! (value: $ 50)

5) "Give your Mom something she hasn't had since you came along... A good night's sleep!" These words are from the ladies at Ontario's enVy Pillow, the anti-aging/wellness pillow. A patented ergonomic pillow designed to keep the side and back sleeper in perfect spine and airway alignment off their face.(value: $200)

Check out this hilarious "Sorry Mom" video to find out why every Mom deserves a Good Night's Sleep!

6) Pamper Mom with all-natural skincare products made with love (and fresh goat's milk!) in PEI by The Great Canadian Soap Company. An assortment of sweet-smelling luxurious scrubs, balms, creams and soaps. Yummy! (value: over $ 60)

 7) Nothing beats a new fragrance for Spring! A Canadian classic made by Fragrance Dutal in Quebec: Kimono by Simon Chang. A beautiful gift set containg an Eau de Toilette, body lotion and shower/bath gel. Pampering at it's very best! (value: $ 104)

 8) An last but definitely not least: natural health products made in B.C. by Enzed Nutricorp. How awesome does this sound: Relax-Eze (soothing & calming formula), NITE-Eze (sleep inducing formula) and Anthocin, an immune-boosting formula to keep Mom healthy. (value: $ 100)

Total value: over $ 950.00 !!!

To enter the giveaway, do as many of the 3 following things as possible, as they each count for one entry. The more the merrier (and luckier)!

• Leave us a comment below telling us what you love the most about your Mom (Comments are moderated, so don't panic if your comment doesn't show up right away!);

• Follow us on Twitter and mention the following: @BuyCndianFirst loves Moms #madeincanada;

• Like us on Facebook.

The giveaway ends on Saturday, May 12th at 5:00 PM ET. We will pick one name at random from all entries and the winner will be announced on Mother's Day, Sunday May 13th.

Good luck!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. CONGRATS TO OUR WINNER: BRAD, FROM GUELPH, ON.

Images courtesy of Buy Canadian First members, as listed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manga launched his first game, All Canadian Trivia, while still at university! After playing another well-known trivia game and realizing he knew more about the United States than he did about his own country, he wanted to play a trivia game with a Canadian focus. When he couldn’t find one, he created All Canadian Trivia. That game went on to become a Canadian best-seller (more than 100,000 copies sold) and spawned Junior, French and Millennium editions, a Supplemental Question set, and the 10th Anniversary Edition.

 

In 2002, Manga created the first games in the Professor Noggin’s Made-in-Canada card game series. This popular series now numbers 34 games, which have won many major awards, receiving honors from the likes of the Parent’s Choice Foundation, the National Association for Gifted Children and Scholastic Instructor Magazine.

During the day I play with a bunch of noisy, boisterous wondernuts; some are almost as tall as a meter stick. They are all adorable and moody, honest and tough as nails but made of custard none the less, and frankly I wouldn`t have it any other way. Working at a daycare has been both gruelling and rewarding. Watching the kids grow, celebrating their victories and seeing them off as they go into kindergarten, truly has been a blessing. My two youngest  children attend the daycare centre so I am both a parent and an educator there. It`s not always easy but I adore being able to be with them all day and not miss any good stuff while at work. I have been very fortunate.

Prior to working at the centre, I could never imagine how early childhood educators (ECE) did it! I see the same look in parents' eyes when they drop off their child at a room full of children. The look in their eyes seems to say "Wow, better you than me", as they make a hasty escape. Yes, we have our hands full, yes, we are busy, yes, it is often organised chaos and yes, it's a whole lot of fun. Caring for your children is a privilege but there are a few things us ECE's would love every parent to know.  These tips will make both our day and your child's day run a lot smoother.

1. Label everything! When 16 kids come in from outside, they take off their boots, coats, mittens and scarves all at once and everything ends up scattered all over the place. The older kids know what their things look like and promptly put them away. This is not always the case with the little kids or the new ones who are not familiar with their belongings or the routine. Labeling helps us educators save time and prevents items from getting lost and it also helps children learn how to recognize their names. A permanent marker is a convenient, quick solution for the job. Another option is from Canadian company, Lovable Labels,  who make labelling colourful and easy with a fabulous collection of labels, stickers, tags and more. Your daycare provider will thank you.

 

2. Have the proper attire for the season. We go outside, everyday, even in the rain and often in the Winter. The proper gear is so very important. Summer requires hats, sunscreen and bug spray. Please do not send your child with flip-flops or sandals. Their outside shoes should be a good 'runner'. The Fall calls for light mittens, a hat, a sweater and a Fall coat. In the Winter, layers are key, so please make sure your child has a cozy sweater to wear under her Winter coat. Other must haves items are ski-pants, boots, waterproof mittens, a toque, extra mittens and scarf. The Winter to Spring transition, for me, is the worst. It is freezing in the morning and warm in the afternoon, it snows and rains and you can never quite tell what will happen. Keep a raincoat and boots, like these adorable duckies  from Buy Canadian First member Rallye's Footwear, at the centre so that we are always prepared for play despite what Mother Nature has in store. If your child does not have these items with her, it may mean she will have to remain indoors while her peers play outside.

3. A change of clothes. Include a change of underwear, socks and shoes, as well as tops and bottoms. One never knows when a spill, sickness or accident will happen.

4. Pack healthy snacks and lunches. Daycare and preschool are not places for candy, sugar filled treats, pop drinks and junk foods; they will probably not be served even if they are in the lunch box. If your centre doesn`t provide a meal program, fill your child`s lunch box with choices from all food groups. Fresh fruits are preferred to canned ones. Avoid bringing any food that may contain peanuts and tree nuts. A healthy lunch will prevent sugar spikes and crashes, helping your child have the best day possible. Of course, lunches packed in adorable bags help too, like the Delish lunch bag by Buy Canadian First member Blue Celery. I wouldn't mind one of these myself.

5. Call when late or when you are not coming. We are expecting you and hope you are safe when you aren`t there. Calling us eases our minds and helps us better plan the rest of the day.

It is important that child care workers and families work together so that the best things can happen for the kids!! Are you an ECE? What do you wish parents would do? Parents, what would you like to see from your ECE?

PhotoCredit : Lovable Lables site,  Rallye Footwear and Blue Celery

If you have not read the first instalment of this series (stocking stuffers for kids), please read it here before you continue...

Basically, I thought it would be fun to look for Canadian-made stocking stuffers at Dollarama... Buying Canadian on a budget? Yes, it can be done! Here are some fun things for Mom to find in her stocking on Christmas morning:

Clockwise from the top:

1) Premium cotton pads to remove make-up, made in Canada: $ 1.00
2) Natural Concepts oatmeal body wash, made in Ontario by Apollo Health & Beauty Care: $ 1.00
3) Acrylic knitting yarn, made in Canada by Promofil: $ 1.00
4) Refreshing body mist, made in Quebec by Delon Labs: $ 1.00
5) Bath oil pearls, made in Quebec by Wizmet Int'l: $ 1.25
6) Goats milk soap, made in Quebec by Prima Goat Farms: $ 1.00
7) Cutex nail polish remover, made in Quebec by Delon Labs: $ 1.00

Total cost (before taxes): $ 7.25

Add a hand-made craft for Mom and you know she'll be over the moon!

Stay tuned: tomorrow is Dad's turn!

Image courtesy of Isabelle Remy