urbansuburbanmommy – Page 3 – Urban Suburban Mommy

Tips on overcoming picky eaters from leading kids nutritionist Aviva Allen

Posted on April 7, 2016 by urbansuburbanmommy Posted in The Struggle is Real .

How many of us parents can say that our children are picky eaters. Some of us may even say that we have also picky spouses to tend with when trying to meal plan and prepare healthy meals. We sat down with kids nutritionist Aviva Allen who has some great tips to share about easy meal prep, making good food choices for your family as well as overcoming objections from the little ones.

1. Can every child be inspired to be a good eater?

I think that every child can be inspired to become a better eater. It is important to allow your child to explore new foods at their own pace. We can continue to expose them to foods that we eat and when they are ready, they will try them and eventually learn to like them too.

2. How do you convert a picky eater into a good or better eater?

The goal is not to convert them. Eating is a learned behavior and as parents, we are their best teachers and need to lead by example. That being said, if you are dealing with a picky eater, getting to the root of why your child eats the way that they do is key in terms of figuring out how best to help them. Sometimes it can be as simple as removing pressure when it comes to feeding, changing the mealtime structure/routine or making the food more visually appealing. Other times it involves addressing some oral-motor, sensory or nutritional concerns first before any other strategies will be effective.

3. Are all prepared foods or boxed foods bad?

Not necessarily. It is important to read ingredients and not just look at the nutritional panel and to limit processed foods which are often high in sodium and refined sugar. We definitely want to focus on fresh, whole, unprocessed foods, but you can also find some nutritious foods that come in packages which can be helpful time-savers.

4. How do you help parents who are working late and/or have limited time to prepare healthy meals?

Try using a Crockpot or cooking in large batches to freeze some for a future meal. Plan meals in advance and do as much prep work as you can the night before. There are also lots of produce delivery and healthy meal prep services available that may be an option, depending on your budget.

5. When kids ask for a treat (hoping for cookies etc.) – what do you suggest as a healthy alternative?

Fresh fruit can be offered, but homemade cookies or muffins made with healthy ingredients can be a good option. Remember that you are in charge of when food is being served and what is on the menu. Just because the kids are asking for a “treat” doesn’t mean you need to oblige.

Aviva Allen is one of Toronto’s leading Kids’ Nutritionists specializing in helping parents deal with their picky eaters. After obtaining certification from The Canadian School of Natural Nutrition, Aviva went on to graduate from the Natural Gourmet Institute for Health and Culinary Arts in New York City; a health-supportive chef training program with an emphasis on cooking with whole, unprocessed foods. Aviva has also received specialty pediatric training that has allowed her to support parents of children who are extremely picky and/or resistant eaters. www.avivaallen.com

@AvivaAllen @kidsnutritionist

Chicken Zucchini Poppers

Posted on April 5, 2016 by urbansuburbanmommy Posted in Delicious Dishes .

We love when Nicole cooks. It always looks as good as it tastes with this fabulous photographer, and we think the things she tries out are just amazing. She’s creative in the kitchen and we’d love to take a page out of this mama’s book! If you liked her Beet Chip Massacre and her Baked Butternut Zig Zag Blackbean Taquitos, you’re going to loooooove the Chicken Zucchini Poppers! But let her tell you herself:

If you’re like me, you TRY to get your kids to eat as many fruits and vegetables as possible. Now I admit, my kids are actually pretty good about this however I do know some who are not. I am ALL about packing in anything extra that I can though, because well it certainly can not hurt right? When a recipe also works out so that making extra and freezing it for nights that are hectic (hello, baseball season is upon us – between practices, games and my daughter’s ballet classes I am all for quick and easy dinners).

I have even crazy things like lightly sautéing freshly chopped spinach and tossing that in too. Like I said, I am all for tossing veggies in where ever I can! This is totally a Pinterest find (Adapted from http://www.onelovelylife.com/chicken-zucchini-poppers-gf-df/) that I actually made, and daresay improved upon if for no other reason then I sort of combined it with another recipe I have for sausage balls.

To make ahead for those crazy nights I double the recipe.

What you need:

-1lb Chicken breast
-2 medium zucchinis (grated, peel on)
-2-3 green onions sliced or 1 small onion finely diced
-1-3 tbls Taco seasoning (this is to taste, or you can use just about any seasoning that is a favorite in your family)
-1 clove minced garlic or 1tbs garlic powder
-4oz ricotta cheese (or you can use cream cheese)

Optional: Toss in a tablespoon or so of Milled flaxseed not only does it work well to help “bind” but it’s full of healthy nutrients kids and adults need!

What you do:

Preheat your oven to 400°. Mix the ingredients all together, scoop into meatballs and place onto greased pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.

Depending on the seasonings you use – kiddos of all ages can dip these into ketchup, salsa, sour cream (my daughter’s choice, regardless of seasoning), guacamole or even barbecue sauce. Really you can take this in any direction you want!

To freeze and reheat: cool and place in a Ziploc bag and toss in the freezer. Depending on your microwave, I typically heat 4 at a time for roughly 1:30.

Mamas and menopause

Posted on April 1, 2016 by urbansuburbanmommy Posted in The Struggle is Real .

Menopause.

I know, right? We spend most of our lives trying not to have babies, we finally get around to having them around 40, and then – like we need to be kicked when we’re down – bam! Menopause hits.

I Don’t Have Hot Flashes

When you have the ‘late maternal age’ babies – 40 is the new baby after all – whether you like it or not, it means menopause is right around the corner. Dr. Nicholas Sieveking, a Board Certified Stanford University Plastic Surgeon with Fellowship Training in Anti-Aging and Functional Medicine, spoke with Urban Suburban Mommy about some of the startling facts that come with “The Change” that we late blooming mamas don’t really think much about. Hot flashes? It’s not just the heat from chasing a toddler. Mood swings? Not just sleep deprivation. We’re being bombarded with hormones while we’re focussed on babies and it’s no surprise we often find ourselves wondering if we’re quite up to all of this. We are, it’s just that we’ve chosen to have babies on the brink of menopause, and the more we understand it, accept it and embrace it, the easier the transition will be.

Sieveking understands that “Menopause can surely be a crazy time in a woman’s life. Not only does it signal the fact that she can no longer procreate, she will most likely suffer from some symptoms; physical, mental or both. As the body is depleted of estrogen, bones lose calcium and become more brittle which can lead to osteoporosis, hormonal fluctuations prompt hot flashes and night sweats and vaginal dryness can become a problem.

“And of course, as with anything, there are myths floating around about menopause from when it will hit to the best way to combat its symptoms. Here’s are some things I hear from patients which serve as a relatable rundown to help women navigate their way through what can be, a very confusing time.”

1. I just had my last baby 4 years ago! I’m only 40! How can I be perimenopausal?

While it’s been largely believed that menopause begins at 50, this just isn’t true. The average age to begin menopause tends to be 52, but women can actually begin anywhere from their 30’s to 60’s. Perimenopause, the shift leading up to menopause, can begin anywhere from a few months until a year before actual menopause starts. Symptoms include – but aren’t limited to – night sweats, trouble sleeping through the night, shorter or irregular periods, crashing fatigue, sore muscles, dizziness, changes in nails and hair.

It’s important for women to keep a health log of any changes they notice in their bodies after age 35 and mention them to their doctors during checkups.

Hot Flash Body Mist

2. I’m not menopausal! I haven’t even had one hot flash.

Hot flashes and menopause seem to go hand in hand. But they are not always the first sign.

While most women experience hot flashes not every woman does, so if they aren’t aware of the other emotional or mental changes they may solely focus on the physical changes.

The start of menopause can also be signalled by anxiety, depression, fuzzy or unclear thinking with inability to focus, low libido, forgetfulness, short temperedness or irritability. Pay attention to how you are feeling day to day. The more attuned you are to your body the sooner you’ll flag any changes.

3. Weight gain comes with the territory. Nothing I can do will change that.

As estrogen is depleted, the body may experience hormonal imbalance. The body often responds by trying to protect itself and a main way of doing that is storing fat. But women don’t have to gain weight without a fight. Some ways to keep a well-maintained weight are:

Look for high-fiber foods. They can help with constipation, which is often associated with menopause because lack of estrogen can decrease bowel activity.
Eat plenty of calcium and vitamin D-rich foods, like low-fat dairy products, green leafy vegetables, beans and fish. They help to keep bones strong.
Give soy a try. Soy contains estrogen. While the jury is still out on whether soy can actually help, it can’t hurt. Add it to your diet for a month or so and see if it has any effect. Drink 1-2 cups of soy milk or eat a cup of edamame on a daily basis.
Women need 1,000 – 1,500 mg daily of calcium and 800 units of vitamin D daily. It’s very hard to get that much through food alone. Supplements are very helpful.
In addition to helping battle the bulge, walking, jogging and strength training can help stimulate bone growth and increase bone density. Balancing exercises can help with strength and will make you less likely to fall. Falling during and after menopause increases chances of breaking a bone.

4. I can handle my liquor; besides, red wine is good for me.

Understand that during the onset of, and stages of menopause, the body will not experience alcohol and caffeine as it always has.

Alcohol, especially red wine, can trigger hot flashes. It can also diminish calcium absorption and inhibit live enzymes that activate vitamin D. Caffeine increases calcium excretion and reduces how much of it the body can absorb. Both alcohol and caffeine are dehydrating stimulants that can make night sweats even worse.

(Urban Mommy Elisa adds: How utterly unfair is that? Coffee AND wine?!)

Menopause Wine Charms

5. I yelled at the dog and then I cried about it for an hour.

Changes in progesterone and estrogen levels may cause mood swings. Things seem to set you off. You may feel rage, then sadness. Drops in progesterone may cause increased irritability and moodiness.

Also, don’t underestimate the power of what menopause really means. With childrearing days behind them, many women begin to think about the rest of their lives. No doubt, these thoughts can trigger feelings of anxiety and depression.

6. I got my period when I was 16 so I won’t be menopausal until later.

An older age at first period doesn’t automatically mean a later start to menopause. Actually, the opposite tends to be true. If a girl gets her period on the later side, she may begin menopause on the earlier side. However, predicting the age a woman will begin menopause is difficult. Pay attention to your body. After age 40 you’ll notice more and more changes and symptoms of menopause.

The process of menopause is a part of a woman’s life. Work closely with your doctor to create a plan that combines healthy foods, exercises, stress management and a commitment to enjoying life to its fullest. There is so much to look forward to. Having a positive outlook is the key to looking your best regardless of age and stage.

One Hot Mama

Dr. Nicholas Sieveking is a board certified plastic surgeon who completed his training in General Surgery and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Stanford University. After Stanford, he received additional fellowship training in Aesthetic Surgery in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, Brazil. In addition to his plastic surgery board certification, Dr. Sieveking is also board certified with advanced fellowship training in Anti-Aging and Functional Medicine. This double board certification enables Dr. Sieveking to be the most complete anti-aging surgeon and physician to treat his patients age-related needs, from the inside to the outside.

sievekingplasticsurgery.com

@NickSievekingMD

Sieveking Plastic Surgery

Day dates

Posted on March 30, 2016 by urbansuburbanmommy Posted in Mommy Approved .

Urban Daddy and I have a thing – we do day dates.

I’m a 9-to-5er, while he’s got odd and ever-changing hours because he works in the film industry. We don’t get a lot of evenings together, and when we do, they’re focussed around the kids.

But while they’re in school, and we’re paying for daycare anyways – it’s the perfect time for a date!

Whether it’s just a quick lunch or an afternoon off of work, we do day dates to perfection. He’s actually a very romantic and creative sort of guy, so there’s often something unexpected.

Remember how fun playing hookie was – when you used to skip class and hit the mall – day dates are that kind of fun; ditching the afternoon and just hanging out. It’s nice just to hang.

I think as parents, we forget that we need to be a couple because we’re so focussed on being someone’s mom and dad. But the relationship needs to be nurtured just the same, and day dates are our way!

If you need some inspiration for a day date, here’s some of our favourites:

The pool. Most public pools have adult swim, we pick one with a whirlpool and sauna – and an outdoor one in the summer.

The beach. Grab a big blanket and board games.

Lunch. Either a quick meet-up at the restaurant downstairs from my office, or a picnic basket and big blanket at the park down the street. Short and sweet!

The spa. A couples massage and some tea while wandering around in a robe and taking a steam. It’s relaxing and indulgent.

Shopping. Costco is really, really fun when it’s not completely packed with weekenders and kids that would rather be anywhere else. IKEA too. Even grocery shopping can make for a great day date.

The pound. We got our second cat, the little white fluffy snowshoe my son lovingly named Captain Coconut, on a day date three years ago on my hubby’s birthday. Two weeks ago we narrowly escaped adopting a dog – a half shepherd/half husky girl named Mika. I think one more pound date and we’ll have a new family member.

A movie. Sometimes there’s something really worth seeing on the big screen. Although I hate paying a sitter so I can sit in the dark and not talk to my husband, afternoon movies are a whole different thing. It’s most definitely hiding away and playing hookie!

Errands. Sometimes there’s a lot of running around to do. It’s better in twos – especially because parking downtown is both expensive and annoying, and with a partner in crime, you have someone to stay with the car while you run in, and someone to sing with when a good one comes on the radio.

Wandering. The park. The neighbourhood. The area around my office. It’s not where you go, it’s who you’re with.

Home. The place all to ourselves. ‘Nuff said.

Seared tuna steaks

Posted on March 29, 2016 by urbansuburbanmommy Posted in Delicious Dishes .

We barbecue everything, and we barbecue all year long – whether it’s snowing, raining or the sun is shining. There’s nothing like the flavour of something hot off the grill. We have a great barbecue, I bought it for my husband from the boys for Father’s Day the year we moved into this house. I even assembled it for him. But the fact is, I like using it just as much as he does – and I’ve got quite the knack for cooking with fire. The kids will eat anything off of the grill.

Anything.

One of the simplest, fastest dishes I make on the grill is Seared Tuna Steaks. I first tried this dish in Jaco Beach in Costa Rica about 16 years ago, and have since had it in a few restaurants, but my version is my fave. Just 2, maybe 3 ingredients, this takes all of 20 minutes from marinade to table.

What you need:

– Tuna steaks (one per person)
– Soy sauce
– wasabi or hosreradish dijon mustard (optional)

What you do:

Get a baking dish that is big enough to put all of the tuna steaks flat into the bottom of the dish, in a single layer. Pour a quarter inch of soy into the dish. Turn barbecue on high while they marinate. Flip the tuna steaks over and let other side marinate until the barbecue is nice and hot.

Cooking is fast work and a little finicky. You need to cook each steak for 1 to 2 minutes per side, plus the edges. Put them down and close the lid. After a minute turn them to create cross-hatch marks. Flip and do the same on the other side. After both sides are cooked, turn one side down to low. Put the finished steaks on the upper shelf on the low heat side while you use tongs to hold the tuna steak up so that you can sear it around the edges. Do this for all steaks. outsides will be cooked and meaty looking, but when you cut into the steaks, they should look cooked about a centimetre or two around the outside, but completely pink through the middle. It’s so deliciously tender with the rare centre.

Kozlik’s Horseradish Dijon

Serve it hot – these cook quickly. Or serve them cooled. You can serve the tuna steaks whole, or slice them into thin strips, almost like half-cooked sashimi. The flavour is amazing on its own, or you can serve it with a side of wasabi soy: Mix wasabi with soy in a small bowl or ramekin. The amount of wasabi depends on how much heat you like. For a different kind of a kick, serve with horseradish dijon. I’m addicted to Kozlik’s Horseradish Dijon, but you can mix your own (or order one – it’s worth it!! Their other flavours, like curried dijon or lime and honey dijon are pretty mouthwatering too, a good pairing for Tuna Steaks.)

10 Questions with a sleep consultant

Posted on March 28, 2016 by urbansuburbanmommy Posted in 10 Questions With .

Exhaustion is any parent’s number one problem. Getting up with baby, being woken multiple times a night by poor sleepers – if they don’t sleep, we don’t sleep! But how do you get the kids to get a full night’s sleep so that you can get yourself some decent shut-eye too? Urban Suburban Mommy caught up with Camille Gemmell, WeeSleep Certified Infant Toddler Sleep Consultant, to ask the questions you know you want to know about sleep training.

1. At what age can you start sleep coaching a child? Is there an age at which it’s too late to sleep train?

It is best to teach your child healthy sleep habits when the parent is ready to. We work with newborns to work on sleep “shaping” skills to start great habits right from day 1, however, most of our clients hire us after the 4 month mark. And we have seen babies sleep 10 to 12 hours straight a night at 4 months, provided they are a healthy weight! We work with babies and toddlers of all ages, it’s never too late to change sleep habits.

2. Are bad sleep habits habitual? Is it a cycle that has to be broken?

Sleep habits can be habitual, or maybe something that started and couldn’t be stopped. New moms and dads are not taught these skills when they are preparing for their little one’s arrival, or they could be on their second or third child and they have completely different needs. When a plan is implemented and followed, any habits can be changed and is personalized for the baby and the family.

3. How long does it take to sleep train a child?

It depends. Every child is different. And every program, book, website has different advice. When WeeSleep works with families, your child will be sleeping through the night and falling asleep on their own for naps and nighttime within 10 days.

4. What should parents expect when sleep coaching and what do they have to commit to?

Committing to the process, working with their consultant and following the plan. We ask clients to clear their schedule for 10 days while they work with us so they are not thrown off or confusing their baby with social events or scheduling and routines that are not conducive to healthy sleep.

5. How do you manage more than one child waking up? Or an older child who wakes up their younger sibling? (this is one of my sleep issues)

All situations are different, and many factors can come into play:
Do they have separate rooms?
What is the age gap?
What do the nighttime routines look like for each child and how do they fall asleep?

We work with families that have more than 1 child all the time. There are ways to honour say, a youngest child’s sleep while the also looking after the older child’s scheduling needs, activities, events, school drives etc.

And if you have 2 children who need sleep help, we can sort both of the separate habits out so the whole family gets healthy sleep!

6. What if I child becomes ill – do you have to retrain?

If your child becomes ill and they have learned to sleep, they should be able to get through illness without reverting back to old sleep habits. We teach our clients how to keep things on track when their baby is ill, all while giving them the cuddles and the attention they require during that time.

7. What are the 3 biggest problems that you see when trying to help families with sleep?

Parents have no routines in place for naps or bedtime – or both
Baby depends on something for sleep – rocking or feeding for example
Scheduling is not where it should be at

8. Most parents think that sleep coaching involves the “Cry it Out” method. Do you use this method, and is this true?

Our methods are gentle, and as loving as possible to get your child to fall asleep on their own. Every child is going to protest. There is NO way around it. However, when the protesting is managed properly and in a gentle, loving way, it will go away quickly. We educate our clients on why things are happening, and help guide you so your baby is always comfortable – and you as well! One of the biggest gifts you can give your child is the ability to fall asleep on their own, and this will last a lifetime.

9. Can every child sleep through the night, or are there some children that are just hardwired not to sleep well?

Every child can sleep through the night at a certain age and weight, and if they are healthy. When a child is set up for sleep success and parents are consistent and help guide their child properly, then absolutely they can rock a full night sleep! Everybody requires sleep and nobody is hardwired not to need sleep.

10. What do you say to parents who accept the fact that they do not sleep?

Everyone has different beliefs on what they should or should not do when it comes to sleep. It is 100% a personal choice.

Camille Gemmell is a mom whose life changed once she’d given her own child the gift of sleep – it’s why she chose to become a Sleep Consultant. She is passionate about helping others about get the sleep we need for our health, body and mind. As a Certified Infant Toddler Sleep Consultant she provides parents with the tools and support they need to get their little one napping during the day and sleeping through the night so that they gain more “awake” time to enjoy every moment with their little one and keep them healthy and happy!

www.weesleep.ca

WeeSleepGTA

Mommy’s night out

Posted on March 24, 2016 by urbansuburbanmommy Posted in Mommy Approved .

I have to admit, one of the things I truly miss is sleeping in on a Saturday morning – especially after a late Friday night out. I go out with my friends occasionally – the hubby too, when I can get a sitter, but when I want to go home at a semi-sensible hour I can’t help but feel a bit lame. I can hear my former self laughing at my mom-self.

And my friends are all “But you have a babysitter!”

But damn, 6am comes early, especially when you go to sleep at 2am! And I don’t have a morning babysitter. And when they suggest shots, it makes me leave even earlier. The only thing worse than 4 hours of sleep, is 4 hours of sleep and a hangover.

photo: linmtheu

The truth is, though, mama needs a night out once in a while. It keeps her sane.

Urban Suburban Daddy has his boys nights. They usually involve sports – football, hockey, UFC. It’s mostly sitting around with the guys. The funny thing is – as my Suburban partner in crime pointed out – mommy asks if she can go out, but with daddy, it’s always an announcement. “I’ve got plans, I’m going out.”

My husband encourages me to have a night out. I’ve realized, it’s me that turns it into a question.

But what do you do when you go out?

Drinking isn’t the fun stuff it used to be. Dancing? Not without the drinking. Board games? Movies? Coffee? Tea? Gossip and giggles? I actually went axe throwing a few weeks back with a group of friends and it was insanely fun!

But one can only go axe throwing so often.

Axe throwing is a lot like darts – but bigger. It’s actually insanely fun.

I’d settle for a quiet place to sit and veg out for a few hours.

Now going out with the hubby – same but different. He’s not a big drinker, so no bars. I refuse to pay a babysitter so that we can sit in the dark for two hours and not talk, so no movies. Concerts, shows and sporting events can get extremely expensive, very quickly, so dinner ends up being the big night out.

House parties. That’s my favourite thing to do. I love to get together with friends, far away from all the young, childless people that want to drink and dance the night away without a concern in the world for being woken up by a 5 year old with a bad dream or a 7 year old that wants pancakes at 6 am!

Friday nights used to be a whole different thing.

The 200 word milestone

Posted on March 23, 2016 by urbansuburbanmommy Posted in The Struggle is Real .

Working in a school makes me more aware of things to watch in my son. We have speech therapists that work for the school board. One day I asked one of the therapists about when (my 16 month old at the time) would stop saying “A-wound and a-wound and a-wound” and start saying around. I know that Rs are tough for kids. My own brother had a few rounds of speech therapy for his Rs.

She confirmed that Rs are in fact a hard letter for kids to pronounce. Then we got chatting about milestones for babies. And then it happened.

She let me know that by the age of 2, that toddlers are supposed to have 200 words.

200! Yes, that final zero is intended.

Up until a few years ago, the milestone was 50 words at the age of 2. So of course in my mad panic to confirm that my child would reach (or better yet surpass) this goal, I sat down with my husband that night and we started the list of words that we knew our son was saying.

And we were at 21. Just 21! YIKES! We both flew into crazy parent mode, and sat down to determine the path that we would take to reach the milestone of 200 words.

We read every day to him. We have all of the fun books that help kids to identify images with simple words. We are the people that get the NIP screenings and meet the milestones month ahead (when possible)….so we are not sure how we are so behind with this word business.

As I write this blog, Tyson is now 18.5 months. Our current word tally exceeds just over 70 words. So we have just over 5 months to learn over 130 words. WHOA! I am told from friends that this is no big deal, and that one day Tyson will be firing out several new words every day. But for now, it does seem stressful. Although achievable, it does seem daunting. However, the fact that it used to be 50, and we’ve already exceeded that word count, I think that we can breath a small sigh of relief. BUT the countdown for 130 words is on.

Keep your fingers crossed for us!

Krista Holmes, KH Mgmt, became a mother in the summer of 2014. She works behind-the-scenes in the Canadian music industry, designs several social media campaigns and manages special events. Her love for motherhood & music can be found on her blog, mommylovesmusic.wordpress.com.

@KHmgmt

Barbecued ginger salmon

Posted on March 22, 2016 by urbansuburbanmommy Posted in Delicious Dishes .

My boys love fish. Actually, if I ask my 7 year old what he wants for dinner, he’ll usually say “sea creatures.” I think he’s secretly holding out for blowfish, but he’ll try any type of seafood, and he’s open to most any flavours when it comes to fish. I was at the market and they had the most beautiful bright pink organic Irish salmon – I had to grab a few fillets for dinner.

Needless to say, my boy was thrilled. He insisted on cutting the lemon.

I wasn’t sure how I wanted to prepare it when I was at the market. Dill. Blood orange juice. Lime and lemongrass. Honey and soy – salmon is so versatile. But when I got home I had a ginger craving, and my kids love ginger. (My husband, not so much. Actually, he’s not into fish at all. I picked up a thick, juicy rib steak for him when I was at the market.)

What you need:

-salmon fillets
-salt
-cracked pepper
-powdered ginger
-fresh lemon, sliced into thin circles
-2-3 tablespoons melted butter

(and a rib steak for the husband, prepared like this)

What you do:

Brush a light coat of melted butter over the fillets (you can also use olive oil). Salt and pepper them to taste. Dust them with ginger. I use a fair bit, we love the strong flavour of ginger, but if you want to go mild, it’s great as a hint of ginger too.

Heat the barbecue. Drop the temperature to medium and put the fillets on, skin side down. Layer lemons on top of the fish. Close the lid and grill 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets. Flip so that the fillet is sitting skin side up, but atop the lemon slices for another 5 to 10 minutes. My fillets were very thick so I went closer to 10. The lemons will char but the fish will stay juicy and tender. Fish should be very flakey, cooked through.

This one is great with sauteed mushrooms, French green beans or a zesty vinaigrette salad. If you’ve got leftovers, ginger salmon is great cold, tossed with greens.

Enjoy!

Let’s get cruising

Posted on March 21, 2016 by urbansuburbanmommy Posted in Bon Voyage .

I have to admit I have had this negative thing about “cruises” in my head. I’ll get sea sick, I feel stranded, my kids will go stir crazy. You get the picture. But so many of our friends have had absolutely delightful experiences while cruising with their families. In fact, many of them swear by it and are frequent cruisers.

After watching some of the Disney cruise ship commercials, I am definitely intrigued – and perhaps could be swayed. I thought it would be best to talk to an expert about this travel option. I spoke with Cynthia Joaquin, franchise owner/manager of Expedia CruiseShipCenters about the benefits and highlights of taking a cruise with the family.

1. Why are cruises a great option for travel for families?

Cruises offer something for everyone. The kids can access great activities (rock climbing, kids clubs, slides, etc) and parents can use the gym, spa, adults only areas. You will never be bored and the food and facilities are fantastic!

2. What are your top 3 recommended destinations for families and why?

It depends on if we are looking at a cruise of land destination. For cruises, the Caribbean is a great first-time cruise. It gets you enjoying the ship, has a few ports to stop at and you don’t feel rushed. For land, Punta Cana has been very popular. There are great resorts for families that include water parks. Mayan Riviera is always a popular one as well, they have great highly reviewed hotels and many with great kids clubs, which helps the parents have a relaxing time.

3. How are cruises different from land only trips, and what are the benefits?

The entertainment, food and activities on a ship can’t be beat. And you also get to stop at different places where you can also enjoy some great beach time. It really gives you the best of both worlds. You also get to see different places while your hotel follows you along. With a land vacation you are tied to one resort. You don’t have the variety of food at many of the resorts and if you are not a huge beach person (like myself) you can get very bored very quickly. To me as long as my kids are happy then I am happy. I find that happens easier while on a cruise ship that is geared towards children.

4. What do you say to families who have never tried cruising (like myself)?

You have to try it. Once you try it it’s very hard to go back to a land vacation. It truly is an amazing vacation experience if you are on the right ship. And that is part of my job – to speak with my clients, figure out their likes and dislikes, what they want out of their vacation and then put them on the best ship and itinerary that will give them an unforgettable experience. I haven’t had an unhappy cruise client yet.

Cynthia Joaquin is a franchise owner/manager of Expedia CruiseShipCenters which is a global leader in the marketing and sales of cruise vacations. Expedia CruiseShipCenters also provides resort and other land vacation options, including air, car, hotel and travel insurance. Allowing the company to serve all travel needs.

www.cruiseshipcenters.com/CynthiaJoaquin

ECSCWoodbridge

Pre & post natal fitness tips with Trisha Enriquez

Posted on March 18, 2016 by urbansuburbanmommy Posted in The Best You .

We sat down with fellow mom and certified Pre and Post Natal Fitness Specialist Trisha Enriquez to talk about health, wellness and feeling great!

Photography by: Leon Chai

1. Tell us the main differences between pre and post natal fitness?

By definition, prenatal fitness would be activity you would do before the birth of your child and postnatal would be exercise after the baby is born. With that said, I believe it is important to be active and fit during your pregnancy to assist in an optimal recovery after the baby is welcomed into this world!

2. Many women are hesitant to work out while pregnant – what is your take as a fitness specialist?

It is always important to speak with your physician before doing any activity. Most cases, if you were exercising prior to pregnancy you can continue to do so at a lower intensity. Keep in mind, the supine (laying on your back) position should generally be avoided when exercising during pregnancy. Of course, if you feel any pain or discomfort during activity, always stop immediately and contact your doctor if pain persists.

3. What is core rehabilitation and why do you specialize in it?

It is important to ‘restore your core’ after having a baby and not jump right back into your regular activities. I’m certified with Bellies Inc. and believe that their training method is ideal and optimal for the postpartum woman.

4. How important is pelvic floor health?

Every woman should see a pelvic floor physiotherapist. It is always recommended to get a detailed internal assessment prior to any activity. Your pelvic floor physiotherapist can give you a professional opinion on what activity you can and cannot do.

5. Is it harder to “claim your tummy” back after you have had more than one child?

Not necessarily. Every body is different and every mother will respond differently to exercise and eating. It is important for every mother to take their time and ease back into working out. Always remember, progress happens over time and not overnight.

6. Tell us how your virtual coaching works?

The customized coaching program starts with a questionnaire and is followed by a detailed phone consultation where all the information is discussed prior to designing a mother’s personalized plan. The program is provided via email, but the virtual coaching relationship is a two-way street where clients can let me know when something isn’t working and if anything needs to be changed. The plans are meant to be flexible and make sense for every individual’s personal lifestyle. Ultimately, my job is to ensure mommies are doing their job well, so I try my best to motivate and keep them on track.

The 30-day challenge is a standardized meal plan (supported by yummy recipes) and an easy-to-follow home workout routine – it’s an awesome way for any mother to kick start their fitness journey. The next 30-day challenge launches April 1^st, so if you’re interested, click here.

Trisha Enriquez is a Toronto native with over 15 years experience in the health and fitness industry. She is a certified Nutrition and Weight-Loss Coach and a certified Pre and Post Natal Fitness Specialist who makes losing weight for mommies not only doable, but fun! Trisha is also an official Bellies Inc. trainer which allows her to be more specialized in core rehabilitation, pelvic floor health, and diastasis recti. Trisha is becoming more and more known for the development of her “No Tummy Mommy” programs that mothers all across the country continue to seek her virtual coaching to help get into the best shape of their lives after having a baby!

As a Human Biology graduate from the University of Toronto, Trisha has a strong scientific foundation of the human anatomy and physiology. Furthermore, she carries years of experience working for some of North America’s largest sports supplement companies, where she managed the branding and marketing for various female weight-loss products. Trisha has also written articles published in some of the most popular health magazines on store shelves today, including Fitness Magazine, Oxygen, Fitness Rx, and Muscle & Fitness Hers.

notummymommy

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