Here are a dozen easy Food Guide tips to make your daily eating pattern healthier:

1. Vegetables and fruit are nature’s fast food… just wash and go
2. Pressed for time? Buy packages of pre-bagged vegetables such as baby carrots, leafy greens or green beans that can be quickly tossed in a salad, stir-fry or casserole.
3. Go natural: avoid adding butter and sauces to cooked vegetables. Use herbs, spices, flavoured vinegar or lemon juice instead of salt to enhance the taste. When you serve veggies raw, try a low-fat yogurt dip.
4. Grain products – especially whole grains – are low in fat and high in fibre. But check the ingredients: brown bread isn’t necessarily made with whole grain.
5. Whole grain isn’t just for bread. Try whole grain pasta or couscous, brown or wild rice, barley and quinoa.
6. Have whole wheat toast or bagels instead of croissants, doughnuts or pastries.
7. Make skim, 1% or 2% your milk choice and select cheeses and yogurt with lower fat content. Be sure to check the label – some low-fat yogurts are high in sugar.
8. If milk is not for you, drink soy beverage fortified with calcium and vitamin D.
9. Incorporate milk or fortified soy beverage when preparing scrambled eggs, hot cereal, quiches, casseroles and soups.
10. While meat provides protein and other important nutrients, you don’t need to eat a lot to meet nutrition needs. Select lean cuts, trim the fat and prepare meat in ways that require little or no added fat.
11. Try meat alternatives such as beans, lentils and tofu – they’re high in protein and fibre, and are low in fat.
12. Eat at least two Food Guide servings of fish each week. Choose fish such as char, herring, mackerel, salmon, sardines, and trout. (Health Canada provides advice for limiting exposure to mercury from certain types of fish. Refer to the Health Canada website for the latest information.)

Click here to download Mr. Zucchini and Milky colouring page!

Watch the Video here!

For more information visit Health Canada’s Food Guide website at www.health.gc.ca/foodguide

With the warm weather comes the overwhelming desire to get outside and into the sunshine. Before you tear the kids away from their televisions and video games and urge them out into the fresh air, though, you’ll want to make sure that the backyard is the safe haven for fun and games that it’s supposed to be.

These 12 tips can help you eliminate common backyard hazards so that your family can enjoy the beautiful weather without fear of injury.

1. Kid-Proof Your Swing Set – As soon as the weather allows, your little ones will make a beeline for that swing set in the backyard. Before you let them go to town, make sure that it’s in good shape and is safe for them to play on by giving it a thorough inspection. Any protruding bolts or nails should be repaired and the ground should be covered with a shock-absorbing material and any rusty equipment needs to be replaced.
2. Put a Locked Cover on Your Spa – Hot tubs are a wonderful way to relax, but they can be very dangerous for small children. To make sure that a curious youngster isn’t able to gain access to your spa, invest in a locking cover that you keep in place at all times the spa isn’t being used.
3. Consider Ditching the Trampoline – The American Academy of Pediatrics’ position on trampolines is very clear: don’t let kids near them. There are things you can do to make a trampoline marginally safer, but nothing will take away from the fact that the contraptions are inherently dangerous.
4. Fence in Your Pool – If the backyard houses a swimming pool, springing for a fence that’s at least five feet tall and impossible to climb is a smart move. Even if you don’t have children of your own, swimming pools can be irresistibly alluring to little ones that could meet a tragic fate if they tumble into the pool and there’s no one around to rescue them.
5. Invest in Rescue Equipment – Just as you’ll want to make sure that your swimming pool has a kid-proof fence around it, you’ll also want to invest in a few life preservers and other emergency equipment to ensure that you’re always prepared should the unthinkable happen.
6. Double-Check the Placement of Your Grill – When your grill isn’t being used during the winter months, it’s not uncommon for it to be moved or shifted to the side a bit. Before you fire it up for the first celebratory barbecue of the season, though, you’ll want to make sure that it’s clear of any low-hanging branches or structures that could go up in flames if the grill gets out of control.
7. Look for Poisonous Plants – There are a variety of attractive and hardy plants that present a deadly risk to kids and pets, so you’ll need to brush up on the plant life your landscaping design is harboring. Make sure that none of them are poisonous and that any questionable specimens are removed.
8. Clear Away Debris – Winter winds, storms and snow can create a pile of debris on your lawn, and each piece can present a tripping hazard for kids and adults alike. Before letting the kids and pets loose for a jaunt in the sunshine, give the property a good once-over that includes the clearing away of last season’s debris.
9. Eliminate Standing Water – Mosquitoes can breed in shockingly small pools of stagnant water and can carry a variety of diseases that cause very real health complications. Make sure that birdbaths and other standing-water features are changed regularly, and that stagnant water sources are eliminated as mosquito breeding grounds.
10. Inspect Your Deck – Your deck will need a coat of water sealant and protectant on a regular basis, but the harsh elements of winter can still damage even a treated deck. Make sure that there are no splinters, cracks or protruding nails that can injure bare feet before the shoeless season begins.
11. Scout for Infestations – Wasps’ and bees’ nests are no laughing matter. Make sure that you eliminate any sources of potential infestation, especially if a member of the family suffers from insect sting allergies.
12. Put Away the Power Tools – It’s easy to leave a piece of equipment lying out when you’re taking a short break from spring repairs and cleaning, but those power tools can be more dangerous than the hazards you’re using them to repair. Make sure that you never leave tools unattended, especially if there are children on the property.

 Here are the reasons that we think your family should sign up:

• 1. The 21 days of experiments are fun, interactive and easy
• 2. We need to get our kids into the kitchen and helping with meal preparation to give them a strong understanding of food & nutrition
• 3. The more involved kids are in the prep, the more likely they are to actually try (and like!) the food when it is served
• 4. The experiments even include a shopping list (some items even have coupons!) – which is so handy!
• 5.  You have a chance to win a $1,000 Sobey’s Gift Card or four bikes with helmets from Canadian Tire! (value approximately $1,500)

Firstly – what is the 5&1 Experiment? Watch the Video Here:

Healthy U is an initiative of the Government of Alberta that supports and encourages Albertans to lead healthier lifestyles by providing information and resources on healthy eating and active living.

In 2012, the Healthy U campaign encouraged parents and caregivers of children 0-5 to be Health Champions for their kids. The Healthy U Jr. Chef app was developed to provide parents with simple, convenient recipes and a meal planner; and kids with interactive games to help teach them basic food preparation skills. In 2013, Healthy U continues its work to support families with the 5&1 Experiment.  The experiment teaches children 6-12 the importance of getting at least five servings of vegetables and fruit and at least one hour of physical activity each day. How? By helping them discover for themselves just how fun and easy healthy eating and active living can be.

With the 5&1 Experiment, your kids will develop new healthy habits by tasting new nutritious foods and discovering fun new ways to exercise.

Why Participate in the Healthy U 5&1 Experiment?

Kids 6-12 need at least five servings of vegetables and fruit and at least one hour of physical activity each day. Developing these healthy habits will help your kids improve their fitness and self-confidence, maintain a healthy weight and do better in school.

Kids love science experiments and the idea that an unexpected reaction can lead to a fun new discovery. The 5&1 Experiment is comprised of 42 online experiments that make healthy food and activity cool things for kids to discover. You and your kids can complete two fun, easy experiments a day over 21 days (the length of time that can help you develop a new habit) or if you’d prefer, you can pick and choose experiments to try on your own schedule. It’s very flexible.

Many of the 5&1 experiments take only 15 minutes. Adding them to your routine will help your kids reach their daily recommendations for healthy eating and physical activity. Every bit counts. So sign up today! Not only is signing up great for your families health – you can also win some amazing prizes!  All you need to do is sign up online to participate in the Healthy U 5&1 Experiment, and you will be automatically entered for a chance to win a $1,000 Sobey’s Gift Card or four bikes with helmets from Canadian Tire (value approximately $1,500). View the contest rules here.

How to Participate in the Healthy U 5&1 Experiment

Parents and caregivers of young children are an important ingredient in the Healthy U 5&1 Experiment. All 42 experiments were developed to be simple and low cost, but depending on the age of your children and the nature of the experiment, may still require your supervision. Some experiments, for example, require that food be chopped or the use of the oven or stovetop. Other experiments require your kids to “buddy up” and explore their neighbourhood. Review each experiment and see where you have a role to play, either as supervisor, participant or supporter.

Learn more. Download a sample experiment kit.

Check out the 5&1 Shopping and Supply Lists – some items are even attached to coupons!

Week 1 Shopping List

Week 2 Shopping List

Week 3 Shopping List

Sign Up Now!

Healthy U Sponsors

Useful Resources

Healthy U – Healthy Eating

http://healthyalberta.com/healthyeating.htm

Healthy U – Active Living

http://healthyalberta.com/activeliving.htm

Healthy U – Resources

http://healthyalberta.com/resources-for-everyone.htm

Canada’s Food Guide – Basic Facts

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/food-guide-aliment/basics-base/index-eng.php

Canadian Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines Handbook

http://www.csep.ca/english/view.asp?x=804

Get more information about Healthy U:

If you have comments or questions about Healthy U, our classroom learning materials, or our campaigns and initiatives, please email us at healthy.u@gov.ab.ca

Newborn Care

Helping Parents Care for Their Newborn

Becoming a parent is an exciting moment in your life, but it also a hectic one. There are so many questions to answer that entire sections of bookstores are dedicated to the demystification of pregnancy and early childhood; still, it’s not always easy to understand every aspect of parenting a newborn. Your baby’s first well child visit is a great opportunity to ask her pediatrician all of the questions that have been plaguing you, and to get a personal response instead of impersonal information printed in a book. These are ten of the questions that you should ask your pediatrician at your baby’s first checkup, along with any others that may be plaguing you.

1. “How Can We Reduce the Risk of SIDS?” – Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is relatively rare, but it’s a heartbreaking situation that you should be well-informed about in order to mitigate the risk. Speaking with your pediatrician about the best practices and accepted methods of doing so is essential to her health, and something that should be addressed as early as possible.
2. “What Should I Know About Umbilical Cord Care?” – That little stump left over from your child’s umbilical cord can be a confusing thing to deal with, and your pediatrician can help you to understand it more thoroughly. While the labor and delivery nurses will almost always give you a crash course in umbilical cord care before you leave the hospital, it’s easy to lose track of those tips in the onslaught of advice and information you’re given. Approaching the subject with your pediatrician can make it a bit less confusing.
3. “Is Our Feeding Routine an Effective One?” – Whether you’re breastfeeding or you opted for formula, you’ll need to keep track of your feeding times, the duration of each session and how much your child takes at every feeding so that you can ask your pediatrician for verification that your routine is working out properly.
4. “Can You Recommend a Lactation Consultant?” – Breastfeeding is recommended by the World Health Organization as the exclusive source of nutrition for your child’s first year of life, but that doesn’t mean that it’s always easy. Because your pediatrician is focused on the care of your child more than the care of her parents, it’s wise to ask for a lactation consultant recommendation if you’re having difficulty breastfeeding.
5. “Should I Wake My Baby For Feedings?” – Even in the earliest days of your child’s life, you want her to sleep as much as possible so you can get a bit of rest as well. Still, it’s difficult to know whether or not you should wake her for a scheduled feeding. Your pediatrician can give you answers to questions related to sleeping and feeding, helping you to make an informed decision.
6. “How Many Diapers Should We Be Using?” – There’s a reason why the hospital staff kept track of your newborn’s diaper changes: they can be a valuable source of information. Quizzing your baby’s doctor about the expected frequency of diaper changes can help you both determine whether or not everything is progressing as expected.
7. “When Should We Give Her a Bath?” – When your child gets older, she’ll discover a talent for getting filthy that defies imagination. During early infancy, however, it’s not always clear when she needs a bath. Rather than bathing her too frequently and running the risk of drying out or irritating delicate skin, you may want to discuss the matter with her doctor.
8. “Can You Explain Your Recommended Immunization Schedule?” – Some parents opt to forgo immunization altogether, but vaccination is one of the most reliable ways to prevent the spread of infectious disease and lower your child’s risk of contracting dangerous illnesses. Discussing the matter with your pediatrician at length is recommended before you decide to skip them altogether.
9. “Do You Provide On-Call Care, and Is Your Practice Reachable After Hours?” – There will be times in your baby’s life that she’s sick enough to require care after hours, but not so sick that a trip to the emergency room is justified. For this very reason, most pediatricians offer after-hours services and on-call care, and you’ll need to know how to obtain that help when it’s needed.
10. “What Will Happen If You’re Not Available?” – Doctors and nurses go on vacation just like anyone else, and they also deal with personal emergencies that can remove them from the office. In larger pediatric practices, you will probably be seen by another doctor within the practice if an appointment or illness happens when your regular pediatrician is unavailable. Being prepared for this situation in advance can make it less stressful for you, and may provide you with the opportunity to meet the other pediatricians within the practice as a formality.

Making a list of questions for your pediatrician, including these and any others you may have, can help to keep you on track during the appointment so that nothing is forgotten. Don’t hesitate to pursue information you don’t have; a good pediatrician will never make you feel rushed or like a burden for taking up his time with parenting questions.

We have teamed up with London Drugs  and after scouring their huge collection of awesome appliances, we have chosen to give away the Big Boss Grill Set.  It was hard to choose just one item that I thought most moms would appreciate as London Drugs has tons of awesome items that can all be ordered through their website.  Some may view London Drugs as more of a pharmacy, but they carry everything under the sun! Computers, electronics, appliances, home and lifestyle items and even health and wellness.  If you want to make things easy on the people you mother in your life, send them to www.londondrugs.com with a wish list!

Entering our contest is easy – simply tell us in the comments section below one thing you want most this Mother’s Day.  Contest closes on Sunday, May 12 and the randomly selected winner will be contacted and announced on May 13. Contest is open to CANADIAN residents only.  Good luck!

More about the Big Boss Grill Set Prize – $50 value!

Make breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert all with one unit.

The Big Boss Grill is the amazing countertop cooker that goes from grill to griddle to waffle iron to sandwich maker quickly and easily. It comes with 6 sets of non-stick interchangeable cooking plates (grill, griddle, waffle, sandwich, donut and omelette plates) that snap in and out effortlessly. Dual cooking surface cooks both sides evenly at once so you save time. Removable plates are dishwasher safe.

• Removable cooking plates for quick clean-up
• Grills food on both sides at the same time
• Non-stick cooking plates for low fat meals
• Compact for easy storage
• Cuts cooking time in half

About London Drugs
Founded in 1945, B.C.-based London Drugs has 77 stores in more than 35 major markets throughout British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba including its online store www.londondrugs.com. London Drugs offers consumers a range of products from digital cameras and cosmetics to computers and televisions. Renowned for its creative approach to retailing, the company employs more than 7,500 people with pharmacy and health care services being the heart of its business. Committed to innovation and superior customer service, London Drugs has established itself as a reputable and caring company and continues to position itself for future growth and development.

Follow them on twitter at www.twitter.com/londondrugs

A few of my Directors saw that I had been talking on twitter about the Boiron products and it right away started a conversation on one of our internal forums.  Some of our mom-Directors were concerned about effectiveness, safety and natural health product regulations.  Being the well-informed ladies they are – we had information about Belladonna, clinical trials and more posted back and forth.  I love that these women are so involved and informed when it comes to dosing and medications.

I was familiar with Boiron’s childrens products which include a full line of medicines specifically forumulated for infants and children.

Camilia – Teething

Quietude – Restlessness (ie – nightmares, sleeplessness, night wakings)

Coryzalia – Our go to for colds in our family

Stodal – Wet & dry coughs

Oscillococcinum – Flu

Sabalia – Allergies

Some other great products that were included in my care package were new to me-

Cicadermine – Skin and Nasal Irritations

Dapis – Insect Bites & Hives (this is now in my travel medicine bag!)

Arnicare Sport (Cramps, aches and muscular fatigue)

Arnicare Cream (Muscle & joint pain, pumps and bruises)

Cocculine (motion sickness, nausea – another one for the travel bag!)

My favorite products by far are the Camilia for teething and the Coryzalia for colds.  They come in these small little vials that make dosing easy; especially for a fussy teething baby or a middle of the night dose.  They are sterile, unbreakable and dye, sugar and alcohol free.  It is also important to note that it is Benzocaine free which can be found in other teething products.  As a mom, we just want to take away any discomfort or sickness from our kids; homeopathic remedies are a great option to make little ones feel better!

~Carol; Mommy Connections President

Learn more about Boiron and all of their homeopathic products at www.boiron.com.  You can also find them on facebook at www.facebook.com/boironCDN

*We were asked to be part of this campaign by ParentsCanada

There is no question that the best source from which to get your vitamins and minerals is by eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, dairy, grains, protein and omega 3 rich fish.  The fact is many families are on the go and busy and quite often the side of vegetables is not served at the drive thru and the only fruit you may get your kids to eat is a glass of orange juice.

Whether or not to take a multi vitamin, or any vitamin, depends on a number of factors.  If you eat a well balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, fatty fish, dairy, eggs, grains and meat and alternatives then it is likely you don’t need an additional source of vitamins.

If you are lactose intolerant, your kids are picky eaters, there are food allergies in your family or you are eating on the run more nights than you are sitting at the kitchen table, then there may be health benefits to taking vitamins.

Key Vitamins

This list shows the key nutrients that should be a part of your families diet to maintain optimal health.  If you know you are not getting these vitamins on a regular basis, then looking for a multi vitamin that includes this alphabet on its ingredient list may be a good option for your family.

1. Vitamin A for eyes, skin and immune system found in mango, sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach, and grapefruit.
2. Vitamin B for energy and creating red blood cells found in peas, spinach, sweet potatoes, avocado, bananas and mango.
3. Vitamin C for growth and tissue repair and stronger immune system from oranges, red peppers, broccoli, grapefruit and strawberries.
4. Vitamin D for strong bones, teeth as well as nerves, muscle and immune systems found in eggs, dairy, chicken, beef and fortified juice and cereals.
5. Vitamin E is an antioxidant important to boost your immune system and fight viruses and is found in spinach, blackberries, kiwi and raspberries.
6. Omega 3s -  Protect against heart disease, reduces symptoms of hypertension, depression, attention deficit disorder (ADHD), dementia, joint pain and boosts immune system.  Found in fatty fish such as mackerel, sardines, salmon and in some fortified eggs and juice.
7. Fiber - in addition to preventing constipation it helps lower blood cholesterol, controls blood sugar levels and may also help prevent and treat a variety of diseases and conditions, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity. Good amounts of fibre is found in peas, apples, pears, grains, barely, and beans.

If you have healthy fruit and vegetable eaters but they don’t like fish, then perhaps just an Omega 3 supplement is what is right for your family.   Talk to your family doctor to determine if you or your kids need to take a multi vitamin.  They will review your typical weekly meal plan to determine what nutrients may be lacking and then look to increase those foods in your diet, or consider a supplement.

Remember, it’s the nutrients we need and not artificial colouring, flavours or sweeteners. Read the label carefully for the medicinal and non-medicinal ingredients and choose one that is specially formulated to meet your needs.

Good nutrition for all ages starts with serving a wide variety of whole, fresh foods as much as possible. A good multivitamin acts like a back up plan and is a great way to enhance a balanced, healthy diet – not replace it.  Including a daily multivitamin alongside fruits and vegetables will help to ensure your family gets all of the vitamins they need to be healthy and active!

BIO: Deb Lowther is a mother of 3 young daughters who, when not running after the kids, is running in the trails! She blogs on dozens of websites about Raising Healthy Kids and ensures her own have fun while eating healthy & staying active.  To read more articles and see her favorite recipes starring squash and spinach that she promises even your kids will love, visit her websites www.iron-kids.com  &  www.adultgummies.com  or visit her on Twitter @KidsGummyMum or Facebook at IronKids.Health and Adult Essentials.

While the soft, silky skin of all children tends to be a bit more sensitive than that of their adult counterparts, some kids’ skin is so sensitive that caring for it can feel like a full-time job. Kids have thinner, more delicate skin that’s more prone to irritation and even skin infections, so it’s important to make sure that you’re taking every possible precaution to protect them from discomfort or pain. These ten tips can help you to minimize the number of reactions your child has to environmental factors, and to increase her comfort level.

1. Switch Her Laundry Detergent – If your child’s sensitive skin is becoming more uncomfortable or sensitivity is a relatively new issue, you should immediately replace your laundry detergent with one that’s free from fragrances, dyes and other additives. These chemicals can be very irritating to a child’s skin, and may be the root of a problem that’s just beginning to surface.
2. Wash All New Clothing and Bedding – Kids with sensitive skin may experience flare-ups if they wear new clothing or use new bedding that hasn’t yet been washed. Many textiles are coated in chemicals that retard wrinkling and creasing that will disperse with the first washing. Until then, they lurk on the surface of those fabrics and cause your child pain. No matter how excited she is about a new outfit or new sheets, make sure that she understands why you have to wash new things before she can sue them.
3. Read the Labels of Toiletries – The best shampoos, soaps and lotions to use on children with sensitive skin contain no fragrances or dyes. Before you invest in a new product, even one that claims to be designed for sensitive skin, check for any hint of scents or coloring that could be problematic for your sensitive child.
4. Do Patch Tests for New Products – When you’re looking for a body wash or lotion that won’t ravage your little one’s sensitive skin, you may introduce a new product with each bath after the previous one fails the test. One way to keep the irritation to a minimum is to do a patch test with new products, applying them to a small area of skin and waiting to see if there’s a reaction. If the product doesn’t agree with your little one’s skin, at least the irritation is confined to a small area, rather than spread over her entire body.
5. Keep Skin Moisturized – Dry skin feels tighter and is more uncomfortable. Once you’ve found a moisturizer that doesn’t cause your child’s skin to react negatively, be sure that you apply it liberally. This is especially important in the cold winter months, when dry heat and harsh winds can wreak havoc on everyone’s skin.
6. Lower Bath Temperature – You don’t want to bathe a child in hot water to begin with, but it’s especially important to lower the temperature for particularly sensitive youngsters. Hot water strips the skin of surface oils, leaving it drier and more prone to irritation.
7. Invest in a Humidifier – Dry air can be a major problem for kids with sensitive skin, especially if that dryness increases sensitivity and discomfort. Investing in a humidifier will introduce moisture into the air of your home, making it less harsh on your child’s sensitive skin.
8. Don’t Forget the Sunscreen – Sunburns are no fun for anybody, but they’re especially painful for little ones with extraordinarily sensitive skin. Make sure that you never send your child outdoors without a liberal coating of sunscreen.
9. Limit Exposure to Household Chemicals – Some of the most common household substances, including scented fabric sprays and aerosol air fresheners can contain chemicals that irritate your child’s skin. Make sure that her exposure to these chemicals is limited, and that she never manages to spray them directly on her skin.
10. Know Your Child’s Triggers – Every child is different, and will have different triggers that set off a sensitive skin flare-up. Figuring out your child’s triggers may require a lot of observation over a lengthy period of time, but will make it easier to avoid those triggers in the future.

In cases of severely sensitive skin, it’s wise to work with your pediatrician or even a dermatologist to find the best possible solutions for your little one’s skin. She may need prescription-strength treatments and the supervision of a physician in order to properly manage the sensitivity and minimize flare-ups.

I was asked to take the 2013 Ford C-Max for a week.  The first thing I noticed was how quiet the car is.  The C-Max is a hybrid and has a push button start, so as soon as you put your foot on the brake and push the button, the car is ready to drive, without the normal starting sound of a noisy engine turning over.  This hybrid uses a li-ion battery pack which is recharged when the gasoline engine is in operation.  The dash gives you information on when the car is charging and when it is consuming, which is very handy if you are trying to drive in the most environmentally friendly and efficient way possible.  Ford calls this their SmartGauge with EcoGuide.   Even the braking system (known as regenerative braking) helps charge the battery by recapturing more than 95% of the breaking energy normally lost.   The C-Max was designed to achieve better fuel economy than the Toyota Prius V!   Imagine – at 4L/100km, you would only go through 20L of gas on a 500km road trip!

As with all the new Ford’s their MyFord Touch SYNC system is superior.  I find it the easiest on the market to get your smart phone connected.  Within 2 minutes of receiving the car, my phone was synced and ready to receive calls, listen to music and even voice activate calling.

The cabin is very roomy for such a compact vehicle.  I really liked the layout of the dash and instrument cluster.  As someone who always has a water bottle in my cup holder, the gear shifter is in a great place; slightly angled on the dash, just under the climate control, rather than being between the driver and passenger seats taking up room.  The touch screen enables the driver to easily manage the climate, entertainment, phone and navigation.  If you are thinking about buying this vehicle for a younger driver (read – teenager!) it has a cool safety option that mutes the stereo until seat belts are buckled.  Such a great concept!

If you have struggled with vehicles that have major blind spots, this vehicle goes above and beyond to fix that.  The windows wrap around the entire car and also cover most of the roof.  There are even small corner windows between the driver and passenger window and the windshield and the back seat windows and the hatch window.  Where blind spots normally exist in other vehicles, this car offers another small window for exceptional visibility and safety.  The back seat had plenty of room for 2 car seats with ample leg room.  The car seats were a breeze to install.  The headrest just had to be removed and the the seats were installed within a few minutes.

The options on this vehicle totaled $4200, which included the MyFord Touch handsfree, premium audio and NAV, power lift gate, back up camera, keyless entry, park assist, metallic paint, block heater and panoramic sunroof.  I already mentioned the SYNC above and everyone is familiar with the usual power lift gates, back up camera and keyless entry.  What you might not know about Ford are two really cool options including Active Park Assist and the hands-free lift gate.

Active Park Assist is a really amazing technology.  I was first able to try it out on a Focus Challenge weekend in Vancouver.  The car is able to use an ultrasonic based sensing system to locate a suitable parallel parking space, calculate the trajectory and then steer and position the wheel.  All the driver needs to do is listen to the cues from the car that include putting your foot on the break and putting the car into reverse and slowing letting off the break while the car parallel parks itself!  This is a really great feature for downtown dwellers or workers who are constantly parallel parking.  This is a really unique Ford technology.  I first saw the Hands-free liftgate system when I was at the LA Auto Show with Ford.  One of their chief engineers actually demonstrated how it worked.  As a mom that generally has her hands full with groceries and kid’s stuff, this is such a mom-friendly option.  It allows you to use a simple kicking motion under the rear bumper and the trunk will open without getting out the keys or hitting the trunk button on the hatch.  The technology also deciphers the difference between say a foot and a ball rolling under the car or even a cat or dog when the car is unlocked.  It should only work with an actual foot motioning a kick.  Such a great idea!  I can see this being a very handy grocery store feature!

Speaking of the trunk, the hatchback trunk was definitely small and only fit my stroller and nothing else.  So, if you are someone who is lugging groceries for a medium to large sizes family or you always need a stroller in the back, this car might not work for you

.

Lastly, I want to mention the performance.  There was surprisingly responsive acceleration in the C-Max.  The last hybrid I reviewed (Lincoln’s  MKZ) had some serious lag.  The C-Max had the same zip you would expect from the Focus or Fiesta and easily accelerated when necessary.

This vehicle has a base price of $30,199 with $4200 in options.  At $34,399, it is definitely a very affordable vehicle, especially when you consider the extremely low fuel consumption and what drivers would save the pump.  Overall, I would definitely recommend this car if you are looking for a small hatchback with lots interior room and great featu

res.

It’s understandable when parents are leery of preschool. Perhaps they simply want to keep their child(ren) at home as there are many benefits to keeping preschool-aged children as close as possible to their parents. On the other hand, preschools offer children a wealth of educational benefits that carry forward much later in life.

In addition, as Canadians realize the huge learning potential of their very young children, early childhood education and care programs are in demand as never before.

“Parents and the public have realized that little kids are not a blank slate when they get to kindergarten,” says Martha Friendly, co-ordinator for the Childcare Resource and Research Unit, Centre for Urban and Community Studies, at the University of Toronto. An early childhood development program “is the foundation for lifelong learning,” she says.

“We cannot afford to postpone investing in children until they become adults, nor can we wait until they reach school age – a time when it may be too late to intervene,” note Dr. J. Fraser Mustard and Hon. Margaret Norrie McCain in their paper The Early Years: Three Years Later, a follow-up to a report for former Ontario premier Mike Harris on preschool education.

Across the country, just over 500,000 registered preschool spots exist for the more than 2 million children aged 5 and younger, 1.5 million with working mothers. Yet Canada has no national early learning strategy.

There is some history of recognizing the need; “infant centres” were established for needy families in the 19th century and Canadian kids first had access to kindergarten in 1870.

Today, early childhood education and care is in great demand with double-income families or single working parents, and large numbers of immigrants who want to integrate their little ones. As well, there is a growing acceptance that preschoolers benefit from a learning environment.

Some parents look to private preschool programs to fill the gap, and Friendly says opting for an independent school is more about the child, and less about appearances.

“Canadians are less obsessed with getting ahead, for instance having their 5-year-olds taking tests to get into the right public schools, so they can go to the proper high school, and then on to Princeton or Harvard,” Friendly says. “Canadian parents want a good quality of care and development, not the opportunity to make the “right” connection or network into the right school.”

Even the dividing line between the concepts of “education” and “care” has blurred as educators recognize and promote the development of the whole child. In some cases, kindergarten is considered early childhood education.

Booking their unborn child a spot in a respected daycare was a priority for Yogini and Altaf Walli. The couple enrolled their child in McMurrich Sprouts Day Care at McMurrich Jr. Public School in Toronto – where Altaf works as a teacher – when Yogini was seven months pregnant. “My friends have all been through this and really encouraged me to be pro-active and find a place early,” she said.

Maureen Myers, executive director at Sprouts, says she has 300 names on her waiting list for early childhood care and development that focuses on learning by play. “We don’t sit down and teach by rote or repetition but the ideas and concepts of letter recognition, language, math and sciences are learned by very hands-on activities,” Myers says.

As for her waiting list, Myers says “it’s the biggest wait list I’ve heard of. I’ve been in this field for 25 years and the demand has always exceeded what has been available. “Right now the demand is the greatest it’s ever been. The majority of families have two parents working – and it’s the norm. Governments haven’t quite recognized that.”

What to look for in a preschool

Martha Friendly of the University of Toronto says parents should take the following into account when searching for an early childhood program:

1. Make sure the school or centre is provincially registered and adheres to all standards.
2. Staff should be trained in early childhood education, and there should be three staff for every 10 children up to 18 months, two for every 10 toddlers, and one for every eight children in preschool classes. “Staff ratios and qualifications are one of the main factors connected to quality,” Friendly says.
3. The environment should be inviting, with a well-maintained, safe outside play area, nutritious snacks and well-prepared meals.
4. Check the hygiene practices for children still in diapers.
5. Visit the school or centre and look for children involved in activities that are interesting and not too rigid. “It should not be a free-wandering but also not a too-structured curriculum,” Friendly says.
6. Look for “play-based, developmentally appropriate programs. To find out what these are, go to a couple of really good childcare centres and watch what they do,” Friendly says.

Read more from this article on the Our Kids website here: http://www.ourkids.net/school/article.php?id=22

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