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News

Positive Parenting Helps Kids With Gloomy Disposition, New Study

October 5, 2011

Nature versus nurture?

Kids who have a “gloomy” personality gene can end up with more sunnier outlooks when they are parented in a positive manner.

Even if children have an unhappy disposition caused by lower serotonin levels in the brain, positive parenting can help tremendously.

A new study on nearly 1,900 children aged 9 through 15 with a gene variation predisposing them to lower serotonin levels in the brain, which can lead to a more negative disposition, suggests the youths were more likely to maintain happier emotions when exposed to positive parenting.

“Genetically susceptible” children who experienced unsupportive parenting showed fewer positive emotions in the three independent experiments comprising the study.

Study author Benjamin L. Hankin, an associate professor of clinical child and developmental cognitive neuroscience psychology at the University of Denver, used a great analogy to describe it in simpler terms.

“A weed will grow anywhere,” Hankin said, “but if you’re an orchid, you’re probably more reactive and responsive to your environment. If you have a really negative, punishing environment, you’re probably not going to grow up to be a beautiful orchid.”

Most people have no idea whether their genes predispose their children toward lower brain serotonin levels, but children who seem chronically moody are likely to be affected.

Regardless of genetics, every child can benefit from warm, supportive and positive parenting.

The study is published online Oct. 4 in the journal Translational Psychiatry.

Entertainment

Top 5 Thanksgiving Movies To Watch With The Family

October 4, 2011

by Shannon Lintott

Thanksgiving is coming and another tradition of family, feasts and fun is almost here! After eating all the turkey, potatoes, stuffing and dessert you can muster why not relax in front of your television with the family and enjoy one of these favourite Thanksgiving films:

Winnie the Pooh: Season of Giving

Possibly the cutest thing you can put on your screen this movie, like Charlie Brown, is a great family favourite for all ages. Join the cuddly creatures as they come together to enjoy the tradition.

Charlie Brown’s Thanksgiving

Every holiday needs some Charlie Brown and all the Peanuts and this television special is just the thing to gather ‘round the television with the family and help digest all that turkey. Also, it’s short and sweet and great for the little ones.

Pocahontas

While this isn’t technically a Thanksgiving movie it does touch on what thanksgiving is all about. This classic story of nature and love is a great, timeless film that will help the family gather around and appreciate what we get from the earth and what we should be giving back. Also, the animals are cute.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Want something with more laughs and for a slightly older crowd than this classic and amazing comedy is just for you. So start working off that stuffing with chuckles as you get a some what different look at what this holiday is all about.

thanksgiving movies — Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Home for the Holidays

Maybe less PG and all ages friendly but with it being only a little more ‘risky’ for the family it still has so much to enjoy. If Robert Downey Jr. as a hilarious gay man isn’t enough to win you over than the absolute ridiculousness of some of the scenes will convince you. Once again, start working off all those mashed potatoes and get some ab workouts.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Shannon Lintott works in production at a professional theatre company in Toronto. A recent graduate of the Ryerson Performance Production BFA program, she spends her free time exploring the internet, taking photographs, reading or writing on one of her numerous and addictive websites. The majority of her time is spent watching movies and reviewing them on her movie review blog I Like (good) Movies. Follow Shannon on Twitter.

Food

Local Harvest: Canyon Creek and TAG Vodka Celebrate Ontario’s Best

October 3, 2011

Canyon Creek Restaurants and TAG Vodka are teaming up to Celebrate Ontario’s Best during Local Harvest now until October 31.

Local Harvest features Ontario’s Best producers who are bringing seasonal, local ingredients to guests for the third consecutive season at Canyon Creek Restaurants.

The menu features 7 new items paired with Tag No. 5 Vodka from Oakville, Niagara’s House Wine Co. and Muskoka Harvest Ale.

The Black Forest Martini features Oakville’s TAG No.5 Vodka, Niagara Sour Cherry juice, chocolate liqueur, and decadent chocolate pearls…. sounds heavenly!

The 7 menu features are:

Harvest Mushroom Soup

Ontario Chicken Wings

King Cole Smoked Duck Salad

Wellington County Flat Iron

Grilled Ontario Pork Chop

Wheatley Ontario Pickerel

Pumpkin Creme Brulee

Download the menu here:

TAG Vodka is made by Maverick Distillery in Oakville, Ontario.

Enjoy a dinner at Canyon Creek and help support Ontario’s producers!

Bon Appetit!

Featured

Best Halloween Costumes of Celebrities 2011 (Photos)

October 2, 2011

It’s October which means Halloween is just around the corner!

What are the top trends for Halloween costumes this year?

The obvious classics will never go out of style… zombies, witches, vampires and ghosts. Skeletons, princesses, superheros and pirates.

But what are the best Halloween costumes of 2011? Or best Halloween costumes of celebrities 2011?

Take a look at the list that we’ve compiled – some are fabulous aaaand some are questionable!

Jack Sparrow

Johnny Depp, er I mean Pirates of the Caribbean, is still a hot trend!

Lady Gaga

Now who would dare wear this, other than Gaga herself? Perhaps a crazed fan?

DJ Lance Rock

Dress up as your kids’ fave DJ – Lance Rock from Yo Gabba Gabba. You gotta be daring dad to wear an orange jumpsuit, and not the prisoner kind.

Prince William

Now all you need is your princess on your arm… your wife will love you for that (score some extra points, if you know what I mean!)

Charlie Sheen

Can you believe this mask and shirt is actually licensed stuff by Sheen himself? #winning

Katy Perry

Ummm… Who the heck would wear this cupcake California girl non-outfit?!? I mean, seriously!

Your own babies!

Except that you’d be NOT very cute – at all.

Dog the Bounty Hunter

If you even know what that show is…

Dorothy of Oz

“There’s no place like home.”

Harry Potter

Harry Potter is still a popular character and a pretty simple costume to make yourself if you wanted to save the cash in buying it.

Kim Kardashian

You don’t even have to buy a costume; just wear a short dress and stuff your backside

Iron Man

Your kids will think you’re the coolest superhero.

Stewie

Dress up as Stewie Griffin of Family Guy – only your adult friends will get it.

???

Um, sperm? Really???

Jackie O

Dress up like the first lady – a classic look.

Featured

Tired of Social Media? How To Enjoy It Again

October 1, 2011

Last time, I wrote about how social media and Twitter particularly has changed the way we lived, and changed over recent time. This post is about Social Media Fatigue.

Is it just me or has being online all the time and being connected become overwhelming and exhausting?

It’s not a myth – a recent study shows that too much time online can physically change your brain. Yes, your brain can be actually altered; they’ve coined a new term called “popcorn brain” in fact.

Oh no, my Klout dropped. So and so isn’t following me back. Is it already Follow Friday? forgot to thank so and so for the RT. The self-inflicted pressure!

With the introduction of Google+, the reaction seems to be… “whoa!” Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr, Instagram, Stumbleupon, Tumblr, Pinterest… now there is a new social media platform to use?

How can we keep up with it all?

Breaaaaathe. No one is pressuring us on how to use social media – we are putting the pressure on ourselves!

Sure finding out breaking stories on Twitter before anyone is cool and a huge adrenaline rush. Having your fave celebrity tweet you back will put a smile on your face for the rest of the week. And yes it’s nice to know that your elementary school friend went apple picking with her family this past weekend.

But in the end, does it really matter? Will you really miss out on Friday late night tweets if you decide to unplug and watch a movie?

You know you’re addicted to social media when you feel like you’re missing out on something if you’re not online all the time. Red flag – you fret when your Klout score drops because you took a day off.

Let’s go back to the time before Twitter, before Facebook, when it came naturally to pick up the phone and call somebody. Now it almost seems like extra effort to pick up the phone rather than send a simple email or text.

We’ve become so accustomed to social media that now we’re almost lost without it. Have we become gluttons? We’ve got too much of a good thing now. And it’s making us exhausted.

So how can we deal with social media fatigue? Here are some tips:

1. Go offline from time to time. Just turn off the computer – you can do it!

2. Call a friend. Online relationships are amazing – don’t get me wrong. But going offline to enjoy real life is absolutely necessary.

3. Meet up for coffee with said friend. Imagine that?

4. If you must, plan a Tweet-up with your online friends but don’t tweet during the event – simply enjoy their company.

5. Next time you’re at an event, put your phone AWAY. Focus on engaging with those people in real life; they deserve your undivided attention.

6. Take a day off from tweeting, the evening, the weekend – whatever works for you.

7. Retrain your mind to stop worrying about keeping up with all the tweets and your Klout score. Tell yourself “does it really matter?”

8. Engage with those people you want to engage with – don’t feel pressured to have to respond to every person, tweet or RT.

9. If you truly need a social media addiction rescue team, consider cutting down the time spent on one social media platform; ie. limit your Facebook time to twice a week.

10. When you’re working, CLOSE Twitter, Facebook and all the other windows that are distracting you. FOCUS on the task at hand.

11. Don’t check your email, tweets etc. every time a new one pops up; wait and check them all together later. You’ll save time and it’ll help with your “popcorn brain”.

12. Make social media fun again! It’s there for you to use whenever, however YOU desire. The only pressure you’re feeling is the one put on by you yourself!

Note: I am in the process of taking my own advice 🙂

Motherhood

Women’s Leadership Luncheon Featuring Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty

September 30, 2011

I had the honour of being invited to Women’s Leadership Luncheon featuring Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario on September 26, 2011 at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto.

Catalyst Canada and Deborah Gillis, Senior Vice President, Membership & Global Operations, hosted the luncheon featuring a discussion on women’s leadership and advancement in Canada.

Gillis gave her wonderful opening remarks and then introduced The Premier, calling him the champion for women.

Under McGuinty’s leadership, 30% of cabinet is women and they handle 80% of the provincial budget.

“We have a record 42 women candidates out of 107. We have never been closer, he said. “We are stronger because we have more women at the table.”

McGuinty spoke about his own family, sharing the story about his own grandmother who ended up being a single mom.

As for his own mom, he had nothing but praise to give. “My mom is my hero. She raised 10 kids, two dogs…she’s a retired nurse.”

dalton mcguinty — Meeting the Premier of Ontario, Dalton McGuinty

McGuinty’s humour wasn’t left at the door.

“Growing up with 12 kids, I never slept alone until I was married,” he said.

Women are the heart of strong families so the Liberal’s focus is on health care and education. Some of the points McGuinty made during his talk:

Education:

Ontario has one of best supporting school systems. Full-day kindergarten will be available in all schools by 2014. After school programs for children aged 6-12 would be implemented. Other programs including childhood obesity and healthy snacks would be introduced. For low to middle income families, university tuition costs would be reduced by 30 per cent.

Healthcare:

Ontario now has the shortest surgical wait times in Canada. With our aging population, the Liberals want reintroduce house calls, healthy house renovation credits and allow family care leave up to eight weeks.

It was a fabulous speech and being in a room with 500 amazing women was such an honour.

Full disclosure: I am not endorsing any political party but I wanted to write about about the luncheon.

Books & Music

My Name Is Not Alexander by Jennifer Fosberry Book Review

September 28, 2011

“Good Morning Alexander,” the father said. “It’s time for breakfast, and then let’s play ball.”

“My name is not Alexander!” said the little boy.

“Then who is sleeping in my son’s bed?” asked the father.

“I am Theodore, one of the greatest, grandest presidents who ever was!” “Well Theodore, park yourself here and save your energy for today’s game.”

So begins the day for Alexander, an imaginative little boy who explores the innovative men who influenced and shaped our world.
My Name is Not Alexander by Jennifer Fosberry is a wonderful way to introduce children to some influential men in history.

Through his imaginative journey, Alexander discovers how great men become heroes. The picture book also sends a message that our parents are heroes too.

In the book, the little boy “Alexander” decides that he isn’t “Alexander”. Instead throughout the day he is Theodore Roosevelt, Thomas Edison, Chief Joseph, Fred Astaire, Jackie Robinson, and “Daddy”.

Alexander learns how these remarkable men changed the world and encouraged him to find the hero within himself.

A must read for your son, along with My Name is Not Isabella for your daughter!

Available at Chapters and Amazon.

My Name Is Not Alexander by Jennifer Fosberry, Illustrated by Mike Litwin, Sourcebooks

Motherhood

Wordless Wednesday: Picking Apples

September 28, 2011

apple orchard — Pickin' apples Photo:amotherworld

Big Kids

The First Time I Did Something For the Last Time

September 28, 2011

by Danielle Christopher

The rain is pounding on the roof so hard I thought it is going to cave in. I then realize it is my heart thumping in my chest at full warp speed. I know it’s time to say good bye.

I feel myself go breathless as I tell my youngest daughter’s support worker and teachers that it’s time. They already had their first free play time and circle. All the other moms have left, but me.

All the prep and speech exercises have led to this first time I leave her at preschool. Every consultant on her team has said it needs to be the time. With a fast exhale, I grab my coat and purse and tell my precious bonus daughter good-bye.

“Go have fun”, I say. Her worker is behind her to guide her to another activity. My daughter’s cries slip past the doorway as I close the classroom door.

As I walk around the corner out of sight, I can still feel my daughter’s cries loud in my heart. I lean against the school wall and let the tears go as the rain bounces off the grey sidewalk. I feel so weird, like I am missing a body part. Doubt riddles my brain wondering if this really is the right thing for her. Is this pushing her too hard?

My hands will not stop shaking. I text my husband to let him know I did this hard task. I didn’t dare phone him because I knew I would break into a shower of tears.

The rain stops briefly. I realize I can’t hear my girl crying. I creep low, back around the corner to peer in the window. I know it will be trouble if she sees me.

I spy her. She is smushing paint brushes at the art table. Her support worker is right behind her. My daughter’s face is clear of any tear drama she may have had on my leaving. I already knew she will be ok. This proves it.

I walk to the car chanting- left, right, left, right, left, right. I feel so discombobulated as I walk, alone. I am solo for the first time since becoming a mom five years ago.

It is the first time for sending my youngest to school, and the last time I will ever take my child to school for the first time. I am blessed with two daughters. A peace washes over me like a warm sunbeam.

Either of my girls may not remember their tears when I left them at school. I will never forget the first time I stop worrying as a mom for a moment and become excited for them to experience new things. Even if it’s without me, I will be there to collect them both and hear about their days.

Danielle Christopher is a stay-at-home mom of two daughters, ages one and three. She blogs for The Momoir Project and writes book reviews for Women’s Post. Her teen story is in the collection “Parent/Teen Stories: Without Judgement”. She lives with her husband of seventeen years and her girls in Langley, B.C.. Follow her on Twitter.

lifestyle

Keeping Our Kids Active: The Heart and Stroke Foundation’s Healthy Candidates

September 26, 2011

by Sarah Carmichael

When I was a kid, I played outside. Rain or shine, I was outside with my brother, my friends, or quietly swinging alone in the park. I walked out the door and found something to do. I played in the woods. I picked up snakes and worms and toads and grubs. I climbed trees and up onto big boulders. I was active and my play was unstructured. I created it.

At five, I walked to Kindergarten with my big brother and the other neighbourhood kids. The older kids looked out for the younger ones. I had two recesses and a lunch hour, all of which were spent outside. In the playground, I ran around with my friends, climbed the monkey bars, and enjoyed the rise and fall of the teeter-totter. In the winter, we’d jump on a crazy carpet and slide down the hill behind the portables.

I had an active childhood full of opportunities for informal outdoor play – at my school and in all the communities in which I lived. Aside from the boundaries my parents set, the only real barriers to my play were traffic and natural elements.

I want that for my kids. I want to open the door and say “Go! Play!” I want them to have the opportunities I enjoyed. I know they are growing up in a different time and a different place, but I want them to play. Outside. I want them to discover the world around them and assess the risk within it.

It’s not as easy to do that these days because there are a host of barriers in place, including bylaws prohibiting street hockey, and mega schools that require long bus rides.

Recently, The Heart and Stroke Foundation launched their Healthy Candidates campaign, which asks candidates in this Ontario election to commit to investing in better health. The campaign, which focuses on Childhood Obesity and Tobacco Control, makes a number of policy recommendations that hit close to home.

Healthy Candidates addresses the issues of mixed land use, bylaws restricting informal play, access to safe active transportation, and opportunities for physical activity in schools. Let’s raise a generation of active kids and give them the opportunity to choose health.

Challenge the candidates in your riding to “Go Healthy” by visiting healthycandidates.ca. There, you can also find the policy recommendations for food and tobacco control. Find Healthy Candidates on Facebook and Twitter.

Sarah Carmichael is a mother of a three year old and a four month old. She works as a consultant and is currently working on The Heart and Stroke Foundation’s Healthy Candidate social media campaign. She also blogs at sarahcasm.ca