"Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic depression, is a mental illness that brings severe high and low moods and changes in sleep, energy, thinking, and behaviour." <-- well that's the definition found on www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/mental-health-bipolar-disorder . Well today? It's low..it's sluggish.. I was categorized originally with PTSD after an extremely volatile, abusive relationship ended about 15 years ago. Prior to that, I had one relationship in high school that was both the best thing that happened to me and the worst. It ended with severe bullying in school; so I basically ended school traumatized, then started the next major relationship of my life almost 2 years later already shell-shocked, granted with several interesting stops along the way and stupid nights with girl friends. FUN nights too. Since then I have had the normal "20-something" life of going out partying, in bars, at raves, and getting into things that the former "Highschool Jen" would only dream of. In a nutshell: severe. manic. episodes. drugs, lots of booze, lots of crying and lots of "I don't f'ing care!" Most of that changed about 11 years ago when I went out to talk some sense into a girl friend and met HIM. Yes we had our highs and lows, as every relationship (he himself coming off of a traumatic situation, refusing relationships) but somehow I cracked through that shell. Three years in? Another HE arrived. Our son. Being pregnant, I couldn't take my meds. There has been numerous research since then stating that in "severe" circumstances medication CAN be continued during pregnancy - with precaution. I wasn't able to take it. It was too much of a risk that I refused to take. I was off my meds, he (since then he doesn't remember this at all) was very angry that I ended up pregnant, so the highs and lows became EXTREME highs and EXTREME lows for me. I was either out spending money I didn't have (prepping for a baby), or in the bedroom or bathroom always crying. I racked up debt. Which (by the way) has since been paid off. Thank GOD! I'm on new medication, been on new medication since I had an accident on the job in January 2013. I broke my arm so badly that I have had reconstructive surgery on it, and unable to return to where I worked prior (funny thing, I was so incredibly unhappy at this job that I had plans to quit about 2-3 weeks after that very day..then the accident happened.. they say things happen for a reason. NO KIDDING!). The medication, if I take it too late in the evening will make me INCREDIBLY "sluggish" the following day ALL day. When I don't take it (or prior to being given the prescription for it) my days become "fast forward" where nothing is fast enough, but I don't dare tell him (he doesn't want to understand what's wrong with me, which causes issues). It's been a hell of a ride, but at least I'm finally out of the place I hate, trying to find a career I enjoy, out of debt, and happy. And that's where I've been these last few months. I thought I'd explain because I find WAY too many people claim to have a mental illness to get out of stupid stuff they've done. It seems like it's the "explanation du jour". You turn on Tori Spellings new "documentary" Tru Tori, and THAT'S the "explanation" that her husband Dean McDermott is using for his behaviour. Wrong. People using that term as a cop-out makes those TRULY suffering angry. I have it. Apparently it ran in the bloodline generations back. And I'm owning up to it, admitting it, dealing with it. Surviving it. No cop-outs.

Light Bulb Baking: A History of the Easy-Bake Oven, By Todd Coopee --- REVIEW

In 1963 most of the toys on the market were geared to boys. So when the EASY BAKE OVEN came to light (so to speak), it quickly became popular. Who knew that the wattage of a lightbulb would generate enough heat to "cook" food. The original retail price was $15.95 and it was powered by 2 100watt light bulbs, available in yellow and turquoise. One year later, to "support" the increase in interest, Kenner developed The Easy-Pop Corn Popper. It was one of the first attempts to widen the appeal, which sold for $3.98 This book by Todd Coopee was sent to me a few months ago and is it ever an interesting read! Infact, learning that in 2013, there were 30 million ovens and 150 million mix refills sold! The end of the book includes a "Recipe Box" full of yummy treats to make in your own oven. I've had one in my house, bought used several years ago. The oven was in fact a gift to my "hubby". I learned years ago that he had one growing up and LOVED it. His mother says it was one of his favorite toys..I must say that this is the cutest book and a must read for toy enthusiasts young and old.

This video has gone VIRAL..had to share..Hilarious SWA Flight attendant

I was looking at the blog post from last August about Weddings just now thinking how lucky I am.

That blog post was written 5 years ago, and my relationship has surmounted the 10 YEAR milestone (inching to 11). I have this goof of a son who makes me laugh every day. We have watched the relationships of friends of ours meet new levels in life: divorce, marriage, remarriage, new children, suddenly single.. Granted I have been out of work for over a year now since a workplace accident last year. A job that I am no longer able to do that added a permanent "disability" to my life. I am not broken hearted though. I no longer work for someone that has made her life a miserable set of scruples. So now the job search begins..something new is on the horizon.

Bayshore Relaunch!

What a way to mark itself by doing it on the main level of its new 5 level parking garage!

Curious shoppers were probably wondering what was happening in the tented off area, where glimpses of pink and purple lights flashed and the music was spinning!

Inside was food, drinks, lots! of people who arrived through "invitation only" to preview the new look.

Mingling among the guests were: Max Keeping, Alex Munter, The Ottawa Citizens Julie Beun, Janet Wilson, Rogers Televisions' Lois Lee, Bayshores' Marketing Director Angie Russell, as well as many of the "bosses" of Bayshore Shopping Center.

The unveil date is October 17th, and it looks amazing.
New stores, new food court, tons more parking.

I'm one excited mom.

Opening night #ofw_live - Avenir-20130914-0902.mp4

Rage Against The Dying, Becky Masterman - review

A "can't put this book down" thriller.

Rage was awesome.

Once I started it, I wanted to delay finishing it quickly.

Starting off in a climactic way then flashing back to how it led up to that moment...then it takes a whole new turn.

Just as you think you've figured it out, the end makes you want to turn back to see where the turn was.

Awesome. A must read.

Thank you
Penguin Books
Rachel Geertsema
@penguincanada

Local Radio Yummy Mommy -- originally posted on: http://www.ottawamommyclub.com

One hot and yummy local radio mommy!

Trending Ginger Mom | April 25, 2013 | 0 Comments

Consuelo Bernardi (or Connie B. as some of you may know her as from Majic100) is one busy mom. Being a mom, then add in being a radio jock in the evenings and weekends and of course her blogging (“The Bsides” for The Yummy Mummy Club), her days are always full.

In an average day, when asked what an “average” day consists of the following:

--kids wakeup, coffee, breakfast, dressed, showprep, etc...weekends? family functions, quality family time with kids and hubby (the one and only Stuntman Stu), sports, work..life never stops!

But as far as her career goes, she was lucky. Starting her career in her second year at Algonquin College’s Radio Broadcasting program, at CHEZ 106 here in Ottawa doing the overnights shift, she worked her way up the ranks. She was given amazing opportunities and even made her own. Once she became a mom, she never went back to work after her maternity leave, finding the schedule to insane for a new mom, especially seeing her husband had crazy work hours and schedule as well. After 6 years and 2 kids, she received an amazing opportunity to write for Erica Ehm’s Yummy Mummy Club – a music blog called
the Bsides, and jumped at it. Then “the perfect job” opening came along, allowing her to stay at home with her kids during the week and working weekends on Majic 100. Which is the “perfect balance”.

5 Questions I got to ask her, which the only way to correctly prove how awesome she is, is to post them:

1) With your kids being older, do you find it trying at times to balance both?

–Older kids means more activities. But it also means that they can play independently and not need me 24-7. It just means planning everything out and knowing the schedule weeks ahead of time. Lots of planning – did I mention that?

2) Who is your support system with both you and Stu always on the go?

–We rely on my parents and sister for babysitting but we finally found two amazing

babysitters that my kids love. They should have a day dedicated to babysitters. They are
amazing. I can’t imagine my life without them.

3) What do you do in your free time? What are your splurges?

–Listen to music. I am a slave to my iPod, iTunes, Soundcloud and Grooveshark. I love reading. Watching movies (but that happens rarely but I do watch ‘The Notebook’ every time it’s on TV. Hello Ryan Gosling. Perfection!) My splurges? Spring/Summery dresses and shoes. I love my shoes.

(AND BOY SHE LOVES HER SHOES!!)

4) Name 5 MUST HAVE items in your purse right now

–(my wallet and car keys don’t count because they are a given)

1. Rimmel lipgloss ‘Eastend Snob’ (the colour is my all time fave),

2. my iPhone/iPod

3. Revolution Organics all-over body balm

4. Polysporin Poly-To-Go First Aid Spray

5. My ‘Material Girl’ 80s retro sunglasses – a steal at $14.99 at The Bay)

and finally

5) Your favorite beauty products:

–Hair: Davines Alchemic Shampoo for red & Davines Alchemic Conditioner for red.

–Lipstick: Rimmel lipgloss. Any colour. Lasts forever and not tacky.

–Eyes: Rimmel Glam Eyes Liquid Liner. Cover Girl Simply Ageless Eye Concealer. Sally
Hanson Natural Beauty: The Storm Eye Palette.

–Makeup: I mix it up between Mitsura and Almay Smart Shade liquid make up. Sally
Hanson Natural Beauty Rosy Sheerest Cream Blush. Dalton Mirage Blending Powder.

–Nails: Sally Hanson Snappy Sorbet. Sally Hanson Lively Lilac. Revlon Quick Dry in
Stormy.

–Skin: Glysomed Face Moisturizer, Neutrogena Ageless Intensives Tone Correcting

Concentrated Serum. Kiss My Face Jojoba & Mont Facial Scrub. CyberDerm AM Hydrating Whip. 100% pure jojoba oil (amazing as a toner). Nip + Fab Facial Scrub Fix. AND Suncreen always!

–Perfume: I have two faves: CK Shock and Beckham Signature

If she had a week or two to herself, without kids, what would she do with her time? “Travel and go check out new and up and coming bands. Cross off some of my concert bucket lists artists/bands. NYC. Los Angeles and Nashville. Throw in room service, shoe shopping and a few visits at a spa and hair salon and I would be in heaven.”

Even with her seemingly “rock star” life, she lives a semi-”normal” life in the ‘burbs without any regret, telling me: “I love the radio and music business. I can’t imagine doing anything else.”

This woman is probably one of the coolest and nicest people out there. I met her years ago in college and have run into her at Yummy Mummy events (as well as online) and every time, the most sincere person, she is exactly what you hear over your radio.. With AMAZING shoes!

Originally posted Jun 4, 2012, 4:40 PM by Jennifer Buttler on the old Ottawa Mommy Club website.

Chance of a Lifetime...originally posted on: http://www.ottawamommyclub.com

The Chance of a Lifetime for a mom that NEVER gets out!

Trending Ginger Mom | April 25, 2013 | 0 Comments

On May 19th, 2012, I had the opportunity (and have to say THRILL) to see Tyler Hilton perform an amazing acoustic show at Cafe Dekcuf, headlining his first show in Ottawa, where an overwhelming demand decided a second show was in order the following night, an “All Ages” evening for the younger fans who were unable to get into the Saturday show at Mavericks just downstairs.

 Tyler and me!

A lot of you may be trying to figure out who Tyler Hilton is and why his name sounds familiar, you may recognize him from the CW Network’s One Tree Hill, which has recently wrapped up its series (after nine seasons) earlier this month.

He played Chris Keller, an arrogant musician who first arrived in the 2004-2007 seasons. He set out to cause as much trouble as he could and continually referring to himself in the third person. He returned for the final season, where he was still arrogant at times and still referred to himself in the third person, but this time around there was more to him: he ran a record label, got to sing more, did some action scenes (which he very much enjoyed), and earned quite a few laughs, and even helped out another character deal with domestic abuse.

Since wrapping the series, he (Tyler, not Chris) has set out on an international tour with stops all over the United States and a few stops in eastern Canada, and more added, it seems, every other day, after which, he’ll be heading to Europe as the summer progresses. I had the opportunity to speak with Tyler before the show.

Growing up in a musical family, his parents were completely behind their son setting off to Nashville to embark on a career in music. Along the way snagging roles in movies including a part in the movie ‘Walk the Line’ playing a young Elvis Presley and playing a drug dealer named Murphy Bevins in ‘Charlie Bartlett’.

Since his first albums in 2000 and 2004, which focussed more on romantic themes, his latest album Forget The Storm seems darker, edgier but more fun and personal. He spent five years working on this album, much of the time spent in Wilmington North Carolina, while filming One Tree Hill.

Hilton has also recently started his own label, Hooptie Tune Records. He said that he enjoys having the freedom to write his own material, without having someone else telling him what direction he should be going. He finds a lot of new talent over popular social media websites Facebook (where he has a fan page, of course), Twitter ( @tylerhilton ) and YouTube (which hosts all of his latest material).

Tyler and Dion Roy, his manager.

Tyler and Dion Roy

In face, Hooptie Tune and Tyler were quite busy before coming back for One Tree Hill’s final season. When asked if series Creator Mark Schwahn knew about his record label, he wasn’t quite sure, but being able to draw from his real life experiences to fill the role allowed him to have a whole lot of fun along the way.

When asked about his girlfriend of almost five years, Megan

Park, whom he met while filming Charlie Bartlett, he said it’s been amazing having someone who is so at ease at the idea that there is going to be long distance to the relationship, though they try to see each other as much as possible in between. She happens to also be from Lindsay, Ontario, Canada!

Tyler plans to remain in the music industry for a long time, so he is focussed on remaining healthy and to avoid burnout. Does he still want to still act? He’s open to anything, from comedy to action, whatever he happens to land in the meantime would be fun.

I have to say, Tyler Hilton has to be the most down to earth nicest guy I have met. I walked in there nervous to meet him (I was let down meeting another “celebrity” years ago), but as soon as I shook his hand, yes the nerves were still there, but he’s the kind of guy that you want to hang out with.

Tyler Hilton’s “Forget the Storm” is available in stores and for download on iTunes.  http://www.tylerhilton.com

Special thanks to the following people for making this amazing night happen:

- Haley Melikian, Emblum Music in Calabasas California

- Dion Roy, Singer/Songwriter and Tour Manager, based out of New York City @dionroy

on Twitter- Tyler Hilton, Singer/Songwriter/Actor @tylerhilton on Twitter tylerhilton.com

Originally posted May 26, 2012, 4:40 PM by Jennifer Buttler on he old Ottawa Mommy Club website

Bully - review

The opportunity to review the movie Bully presented itself last week. I put it off, due to apprehension. Not because I wasn't sure about the move, but because the topic itself presented longstanding issues with me.

I was thrown into lockers, called names, attacked, chased home, shoved into corners/walls, yelled at, belittled, told I was ugly, mentally tortured, among other things growing up. Continually. Until I left high school.

I was bullied.

This is a hard film not to watch without your kids with you. If your kid(s) thinks it's funny to pick on their sibling(s), mouth off, thinks detention is funny? Then your kid needs to see this film. If you get phone calls from teachers or other parents about your child's behavior? Then your child needs to watch this film. If your child hates school, and its a struggle getting them to go? (Yet they refuse to talk to you about it?) Then your child needs to watch this film.
Wrapped into about 90 minutes, the films shows real life vignettes of life. From 2 families dealing with the aftermath of their children having being bullied, then resorting to suicide. Another has a daughter, having recently come out of the closet, dealing with being bullied. Yet another family that has no idea how bad their son is being bullied. Or the little girl serving time in a juvenile detention center after pulling a gun on her bus.

Every part of it is important to watch. For someone like myself, who was treated like dirt in every school I attended while growing up? This film made me want to scream at my television at the sheer ignorance of the school principal who thinks shaking hands is the resolution to these scenarios.

A must watch for every family.

For another point of view and review check out http://ottawamommyclub.ca/everything-starts-with-one/

http://www.thebullyproject.com/

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0059XTUJU/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0059XTUJU&linkCode=as2&tag=bully0b-20

Ivivva at Bayshore

I know, I know.. it's been 2 months since I have last posted. Between a hectic holiday work schedule, family functions and recuperation, it's been busy.

Just before the holidays I had written about a store opening up here in Nepean, and through contacts, I managed to get an "exclusive" from the Head Office of Ivivva Clothing (Lululemon's sister store) http://www.ivivva.com/ and the wonderful opportunity of several clothing items sent to preview and check out!

I gave these items to a family member who adores all of them, and thanks profusely!

First item: Routine Pant III A reversible pant (how handy!), bootcut pant with hidden pocket in the waistband.

Second item: Routine Jacket (Though the one received was grey with hot pink accent) has thumb holes. (Incredibly handy when keeping the sleeves from riding up under coats or in movement.)

Thirdly: Hooked on Beats Sweatpant Finally a pant that you can wear UNDER other pants (for warmth), or wear alone and be incredibly comfortably soft.

Finally: Run or Racket Tank -- though not able to find at the moment, their tanks resist sweat and dry out very fast. Said to be "lightweight, quick drying and anti-stink", their tanks live up to their word! You are both comfortable and fashionable.

As a final word, I must say.. These clothes are as cute as the "big sister" (Lululemon brand) is. You definately do not feel cheaped out and the prices are amazingly priced. If you ever get the chance to try out these pieces, you can find them online or in store.

Thank you so much for Ivivva. This is a store and line you simply must check out.

Sometimes it can be a rare occurrence for a potential artist to touch two major recording artists at once. Chris Mann was able to do so.

He was a finalist on NBC's "The Voice," and got the attention of both Christina Aguilera and Cee Lo, and scored two songs on the iTunes Top 10 Singles Chart when the series ended.

He released his Christmas EP on October 9th and his full length debut album this passed October 30th, and I got a chance to listen to it. Wow. He said early on that he was influenced by such artists as Pavarotti, Robbie Williams and Sinatra, and with his smooth voice, he takes a fresh turn remaking songs we all know into his own version. He does an amazing job.

With songs including: "I Need You Now", "Always On My Mind" and "Ave Maria" he even does a duet with Aguilera called "The Blowers Daughter" and does an amazing job with amazing range.

I know once you have listened to the album "Roads", you will not be disappointed.

You can pick up his album by download on iTunes and Amazon.com.

This is a review post from One2One Network. I was provided with a copy of the album and I am eligible for a prize drawing. All opinions stated are my own.

Ivivvva Clothing -- Pop Up store now at Bayshore until January!

After getting an email from Bayshore Shopping Center in Ottawa's west-end, I had to check out the new store that has just opened up.

Ivivva Clothing is not the "little sister" to Lululemon, but instead it is the go-to place for girls. Girls who are too small to fit into other brands of sporting outfits (whether for Skating, Dancing, Athletics, or "just because").

They fit for their bodies (minus the curves that most girls have not completely developed yet. And should their "shape" change? Ivivva offers the same service that Lulu does -- they hem, mend and size clothing! Did you grow an inch? Not a problem!

The fun thing about these clothes are the "perks" that are designed with some of them. The hoodie with the hole in the back for your ponytail to poke through. The coats/hoodies with the inserts in the sleeve for you to keep your hands warm. The colors available also add to the cuteness to these items!

Another great feature in the store is the calendar. They plan in the coming week or two to have in store events for your girls, whether it be a yoga class (on weekend mornings), dance class, design events (where you can help design future clothes!).

Hours are the normal "store hours", but make sure to check it out soon! Store closes in January.

Happy shopping!

Victims of bullies ALWAYS remember #nomorebullies

After hearing all the stories in the news about young women committing suicide after being bullied for weeks/months/years, I had to sit back and ponder.. I was bullied. I was bullied for years. 

I had a childhood that was normal. I had a normal upbringing with my parents (now married for over 35 years). I moved around a lot, why? My dad was transferred with his job a lot (non-military). Don't get me wrong, I loved moving around - to see the things I've seen. From Toronto to Regina to California then here. 

One problem. I have never had a long term friend that's lasted since childhood. I have reconnected with old friends, and people I knew in school on Facebook (though most of them are pretty ignorant, or play ignorant, as though they had no idea it was that bad for me). But I moved around every couple of years until I settled in Ottawa for the last 25 years. Every time I moved to a new place I was ridiculed about my hair color (red), about my height (I was generally one of the tallest girl in my classes), where I lived prior ("you're not as hot as California girls, because California girls are actually good looking.."), the fact I wouldn't conform to the cliques, and my body shape, etcetera. I hated growing up. 

How bad did it get? Bad. Am I over reacting? No.

I was chased home by two girls wielding hockey sticks. I was crank called nightly. I was shoved into lockers. I had stuff written on my locker. I didn't have a boyfriend until I was 17, did it last long? Well lets just say I feel like I was used.

Bullying is something that never seems to go away. Girls (and boys -- such as Jaime Hubley) alike go to school every day and have to deal with other kids who feel this need, due to their insecurities, to be cruel, rude and vicious with others. It is WRONG. I fail to understand how it's gotten to the point that kids feel the need to "fix" their life by committing suicide. With how much I was tormented, it NEVER came to that point where I felt as though I needed to end my life, change schools yes, nothing drastic though. But, it seems, that life has gotten crueler and kids have turned into bigger bullies. Yet another example that parents who were probably bullies have had their own kids who are probably growing up thinking that it's okay to be mean. Wrong. So wrong.

Why do parents turn a blind eye to their kids behavior? Why do parents of problem children think it is okay for their kids to be this way? 

As a former kid who was bullied my answer may not be an isolated response. If the parent was cruel and insensitive to other kids, then chances are they will raise a kid who is just as rude, if not ruder.

Bullies from childhood seem to think that how they behave towards others has zero effect on the victim's future. Well they're wrong. If it hasn't affected the victim during the process of being bullied, then it definitely affects their future. I, in fact am still affected today. I still feel like the awkward kid/teen of yesterday. Will I be accepted? Will they in fact 'like me'? One thing for sure. I am not standing by. On the other hand if their kids ended up bullied, they will probably end up playing the "my poor kid" card.

One thing for sure. I am not standing by if my son comes home in tears because of one of you "bullies" out there. (And in some cases, some of these former bullies are still bullies -- to their employees in some cases.)

New possibilities ! VITAMINS!

A little while ago I came across these amazing vitamins. And let me tell you, I'd rather have tasty vitamins rather than the ones out there that have caused me heartburn!

Adult Essentials! In the coming weeks I will be blogging about them.. there is also Iron Kids (same company), which my son LOVES!

In the meantime, Deb Lowther, from ADULT GUMMIES, will be sending me her most recent articles for your enjoyment and knowledge. Her most recent one, below.

Until next time...  :)

Are We Raising Unhealthy Kids? How Parents Can Turn this Trend Around -- Deb Lowther

CONTRIBUTED BY: Deborah Lowther
Social Media Customer Connections
Visit us online at www.iron-kids.com
Facebook at IronKids.Health
Twitter @KidsGummyMum
Our newest products Adult Essentials Gummy Vitamins for Adults!! www.adultgummies.com Facebook at AdultEssentials
Twitter @AdultEssentials


We hear it on the news and read about it in the newspaper, the obesity rate in kids is growing, leaving them at risk for serious health problems now and as adults. As parents, it raises a lot of concerns. How can we turn this alarming trend around? How do we raise healthy kids? It’s proven that parents who are committed to their own healthy, active lifestyle raise healthy, active kids. Our own family participates in multiple sports – from my husband who swims and cycles to myself who runs and goes to the gym to our kids who dance, ski and do triathlons. It’s an integral part of our lifestyle as a family.
So what’s the difference between our family and all these other families whose kids are at risk? What are we doing differently than other families? The difference is commitment and effort. . . . from the parents.

Commitment to Staying Active

It takes a commitment to staying active, and effort to teach kids to ride bikes, play hockey, swim, do gymnastics. It takes effort to make the time for them to play or practice, to drive them, to organize games, to get outdoors with them and have active play dates. It also takes parents modeling an active lifestyle.

Parents need to plan active family time, not just family time. Go for a skate, a bike ride, a jog, a hike as a family. Be active yourself. Active parents have a better chance of raising active kids and active families are healthy families.

Commitment to Healthier Foods

It's about more than just taking vitamins, it takes a commitment to eating healthy and an effort to make your kids healthy snacks. Starting with stocking the fridge with healthy fruits and passing up the convenient processed foods at the grocery store. I know we are all busy and it’s so tempting when it’s right there to just skip the effort this one time. It takes two second to purchase the pre-made cereal and marshmallow snacks at the store and 10 minutes to make them at home. Is the extra 8 minutes worth your kids eating the artificial chemicals and dyes found in most of these packaged snacks?

It’s one thing to see all these brightly coloured convenient snacks with familiar cartoon characters begging children’s attention on grocery store shelves, its another to see a child after child with a lunch box completely full of processed food. Today, kids are going to school with lunches made entirely of prepackaged convenience foods. Too often their lunches consist of a cello bag of chips, a plastic tube of yogurt, a packaged soft cookies, a wrapped tray of meat, cheese and crackers and a can of soda. Most of these children are too young to have packed that lunch on their own or to be responsible for making their own healthy choices. As parents it takes our commitment to not buy so many packaged foods and to take the time every couple of weeks to make healthy snack choices that can be stored in the freezer and popped in lunch boxes on school mornings. Parents have the opportunity to teach their children about healthy food choices and healthy activity choices. Show your kids that exercise, staying active, eating fruits, vegetables and homemade foods is a commitment to a healthy lifestyle that your family is willing to make. We have so much opportunity to teach them healthy habits that will last a lifetime. As parents, we certainly do influence what our children eat and how they stay active when they are young. Are you raising healthy kids?

BIO: Deb Lowther is a mother of 3 young daughters who, when not running after the kids, is running in the trails! She blogs about Raising Healthy Kids and ensures her own have fun while eating healthy & staying active. You can visit her websites to learn more www.iron-kids.com & www.adultgummies.com ">

#SCCTO -- Home from the Shes Connected Conference in Toronto!

... Exhausted from a rich learning experience. Though if you ask me?, the first day wasn't nearly as enriching as the second day. The same weekend was Blissdom in Toronto. And the womens conference.. mmm firefighters..

The photo above is thanks to Lyne Proulx from The Ottawa Mommy Club . In this picture is also my new friend (and roommate on the weekend, Sandy Allen from http://zwap.com/ .

What a fun weekend! And what a ton of information given to us! My mind is, though tired, already racing with what I need and want to do now with this site!

October's been a wild ride!

With all the blogs that I have done in the last few months for WHAT'S HOT HOT MOMMY at The Ottawa Mommy Club's website, I've got to say how much fun it is..

Between interviewing CTV's Kimothy Walker to MAJIC 100's Connie B I have also been able to try out the neatest products. Including:  George's Cream, Nip+Fab's amazing line out of Europe (available at Shoppers Drug Mart), and upcoming blogs on Palmers, Adult Essentials Gummy Vitamins, and many others!

On top of this, the parents house is sold (they move next month -- STILL not happy about that!), my son's been sick for the last 2 weeks, and been overworked and underpaid..

Off to #SCCTO ! (Shes Connected 2012 in Toronto)

Where have I been? Well...

A few months ago I came across this awesome local blog called The Ottawa Mommy Club.

http://www.ottawamommyclub.ca

They were more than willing to actually go the extra mile and take a chance on things I had to say (unlike other blogs I wrote for where they were completely unavailable to talk to, meet up with..besides the fact that I felt inferior).. and so the re-obsession to writing began again! I felt invigorated and like what I had to say MEANT something again.

On the site my blog is entitled: What's HOT Hot Mommy

I cover; product reviews, I interview local "celebrity" mommy's, musicians.. next I will be covering; vitamins, the Nip+Fab skincare line, and a few other surprises up my sleeves!

...Until then...

2012!? it's been HOW long since I've posted on here??

Well I'm trying to remember how to archive the older stuff and I'm trying to figure out how to bring what I've been writing for The Ottawa Mommy Club into this site..

Stay tuned! Lots of surprises! :)