April/May 2013

Play Therapy: Tellingthestoryofachild’s internalworldthroughplay

Inspiring Kids:Adaptive

Sports

Photography & Autism

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Baby Guide2013-2014

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5

Mornings.Ugh.

Mornings. They happen every day. Every. Single. Day.We get up. Eat. Brush teeth. Get dressed. Do hair. Put on shoes. Jacket. And go out to the car.

Each morning these things must happen before I make the trek across town to get to my daughter’s school.

So why is it that every day my children act like it’s a surprise that these things must get done?!

I openly admit that I am not a morning person and fear that I never will be. I’m more of a ‘just-give-me-one-more-minute-in-bed’ kind of person!

Unfortunately, my youngest takes after me. She’s a grumpy little muffin in the morning.

But my oldest is just like her dad: sunshine and roses the second she gets up. Yet somehow this excitement for the day ahead does not translate into actually getting ready!

Each morning I give her step-by-step instructions. Eat breakfast. Get dressed. Brush teeth.

I can’t just say, “get dressed when you’re finished your breakfast” because she’ll forget step 2 by the time she finishes step 1!

One morning I handed my ‘big girl’ her school clothes on the way to the breakfast table. Fifteen minutes later she’s dancing around in her pjs. When I asked why she wasn’t dressed, she said, “I didn’t know the clothes were mine!!!!” Ugh.

While this is going on, I’m usually chasing after my little monster who is screaming about one thing or another and adamantly refusing to have her teeth brushed. The chase usually ends with an on-the-floor tantrum and some wrestling maneuvers.

When both of my girls are finally ready to go, the battle for the middle of the door begins. Yes, they actually fight over who gets to stand in the middle of the door!

But I simply don’t have time to mediate the Great Battle of the Door because I’m frantically trying to make myself somewhat presentable for school drop-off.

By the time we leave, I’m exhausted and teetering on downright cranky. If we’re lucky, my oldest has a backpack, lunch, and looks adorable...and we’re on time! My youngest, on the other hand, is probably still in her jammies and mismatched shoes (I am just grateful she put them on herself) and I am thankful for my new favourite ‘fashion’ accessory: a hat!

So, am I alone here? Do you dread school day mornings? And if mornings are blissful at your house, please share your secret!

-- Courtney Charlton, editor

To share your ideas and comments, contact us at info@kamloopsmomma.com or find us on Facebook!

LetterfromaKamloopsMomma

OntheCover:“Charlie is such a treasure and I

learn from him everyday...every-body should get to experience the Charlie smile,” says Charlie’s mom. Sara, the owner of Life Unfolding Photography, beautifully captured the 6 year old autistic boy’s smile for all to see.

Sara does it all and does it all well. From specialized birth pho-tography to boudoir and the less

than perfect toddlers. She believes that your pho-tographer should always be evolving and most importantly your session should be a truly fun experience that leaves your and your kids feeling beautiful. www.lifeunfolding.ca

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Kamloops Momma is the fun, reliable publication connecting local families to each other and to our community. We provide information about regional events, resources and businesses, as well as articles intended to inspire, enlighten and empower parents and caregivers.As a local resource, we want our community to get involved. We encourage

and accept submissions from any person, business, or organization sharing our goal to strengthen our parenting community.

Kamloops Momma is published every 2 months and available for free at businesses and resource centres throughout our region. Read-

ers can also download the magazine online and subscribe to have it delivered right to their door.

Kamloops Momma MagazinePublished by Courtney Charlton, editorContact: info@kamloopsmomma.com 778.472.0020Disclaimer: The publisher will not be responsible for errors or omissions. The opinions and views expressed herein are those of the contributors/writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of the publisher. All rights reserved. No written or illustrated part of this magazine may be reproduced, except brief quotations in articles or reviews, without permission from the editor and individual authors.

www.kamloopsmomma.com

7 PlayTherapyTelling the story of a child’s internal world through play

8 TheNextWaveofInsuranceCritical illness insurance

9 AdaptiveSportsInspiring kids

10 TeaIt’s not just for grown-ups

11 ADayintheLifeA mom’s perspective

12 EliminationCommunicationHow to have a diaper-free baby

14 PhotographyandAutismLife Unfolding

18 TheWellnessofOurThoughtsChanging our life, one thought at a time

21 ShannonLiburdMommy’s Wellness Challenge Champion

25 Today’sBackPainMassage therapy

26 KidsintheKitchenFavourite family recipes from Kamloops MommasBode, 2

Anaka, Scarlett, and

Evan

13BirthdayPartyDirectory22 DearAunty28 CommunityResourceDirectory

16 ThingsWeLove

24 NotesfromaBohoMomma

30 CommunityEventsCalendar

Resources:

Abby and Lizzie

Emaline, 3 months

Susannah, 5

A Look Inside Kamloops Momma...

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At times, children experience very difficult things; such as the death of a loved one, a traumatizing event, or the divorce of their parents. Fortunately, children can be

resilient, bounce back from adversity and carry on in difficult circumstances but some are able to do so more fully than oth-ers. Children experience stress, emotional pain, anger and sadness much in the same way as adults but because of their developmental levels they are unable to put their feelings into words. Strong emotions can be confusing to a young person.

The way caregivers often notice that a child is struggling

emotionally is through aspects of their behavior. Every child is different but they may become more angry, defiant, or unhap-py. You are unlikely to hear a five-year-old state “I am angry and confused about my parents divorcing!” but you are likely to see a child that seems unwilling to follow your rules and can turn on a tazmanian devil style tantrum when she’s asked to brush her teeth. Other children may respond to difficulty by withdrawing from life and relationships. They could appear sad, lethargic and spend more time alone.

Well known play therapy author and researcher Gary Lan-dreth stated that “play is the language of children and the toys are their words.” Play is never simply play; it is meaningful. Children use play to process their experience, explore emo-tions and practice real-life situations.

Some people ask me, what is the difference between play and play therapy? When an adult experiences negative emo-tion they often internally reflect on the situation and process it using thought and then make decisions about how to deal with the circumstance. This is comparable to what a child experi-encing difficulty is doing while he plays. At other times, an adult talks to another person, perhaps a friend, family member, or counsellor, about their experience and emotions. This could be compared to a child attending play therapy. Children are telling the story of their internal world through their play and the therapist is trained to work using that symbolic language of play. Adults can find relief just from verbalizing their story and so children find relief from telling their story in a different way.

There are many different styles of play therapy. I use a non-directive style based on the theories of Dr. Gary Landreth

of Child Centred Play Therapy and of Marie Jose Dhaese of Holistic Expressive Play Therapy. In this style the child leads, chooses the activity, and is accepted completely. The focus remains on the child themselves and no specific attention is given to the child’s life circumstances, difficult behaviour or problems. The therapist remains present, relates to the child with an unconditional positive regard, and builds a safe, trust-ing, permissive relationship. Sessions are held in a space that is created to add to the feeling of safety with a collection of specially selected toys and activities that contribute to healing.

As the relationship grows and the child becomes used to the environment the child can emotionally relax, or let their guard down, and begin to freely play. The therapist uses words to reflect what the child is doing in an effort to build the child’s feelings of self-efficacy, strength-en their self-confidence, put words to their experiences, and amplify aspects of their play and their self. As the process

continues the child may begin to ‘play out’ the parts of their in-ner world that are troubling and need attention. The therapist will be with the child, continue to reflect, and also contribute to the play in order to better facilitate healing. The child may be able to feel more settled about things that have occurred and be able to release them or move on. They can transform their emotional struggles in such a way that it no longer intrudes on their daily life contributing to behavior and experiences that cause challenge for the child and likely their family, daycare, and schools.

For more information or to discuss whether your child and family could benefit from play therapy please contact me at 250-318-0652.

By Rachel Pasemko

Play Therapy:Tellingthestoryofachild’sinternalworldthroughplay

“Children experience stress, emotional pain, anger and sadness much in the same way as adults but because of their developmental levels they are unable to put their feelings into words.”

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How often have we been told of the importance of buy-ing life insurance to protect loved ones should we die prematurely? To many that’s good advice. But now we are

being told by insurance companies and financial advisors to buy insurance in case we keep living.

It’s called critical illness insurance (CII) and as you might have guessed, selling this relatively new plan is proving to be no less of a challenge than selling life insurance at the begin-ning of the century.

What exactly is critical illness insurance? It’s an insurance plan that can help CII policyholders who are diagnosed with any one of the covered serious illnesses. People who find out they have a critical illness will need money for a host of diffi-culties and necessities that might arise, such as special medical treatment, renovating their home for wheelchair access, help around their home, even paying down debt or taking a much-needed vacation.

There is a simple explanation. Consider it protection for the living, because you don’t need to die in order to collect the benefit.

CriticalIllnessInsuranceHere’s how CII works. You buy a policy worth, let’s say,

$100,000. You pay a monthly premium, just like life insurance. Then tragedy strikes. After various humbling tests, doctors tell you that you’re suffering from one of several serious illnesses

that are covered by critical illness insurance. You’ve paid your premiums and kept your policy in force, so you’re entitled to make a claim to receive the $100,000 cash benefit.

Most insurance companies offering CII have basic plans cov-ering cancer, heart attack, stroke, and coronary artery bypass surgery. All CII policies should include those four core diseas-es and illnesses, which have the highest incidence rates.

More extensive plans offer additional coverage for: Alzheim-er’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, kidney failure, major organ transplant, blindness, deafness, Multiple Sclerosis, ALS (amyo-trophic lateral sclerosis, also called Lou Gehrig’s disease) or other motor neuron diseases, occupational HIV (human immu-nodeficiency virus), coma, benign brain tumour, paralysis, loss of limbs, and severe burns.

SoberingStatisticsThe grim reality is that critical illness is more common than

you may think:• The average age of people who make claims on their criti-

cal illness insurance policies is 49 (Munich Reinsurance Com-pany, 2005).

• 44% of men and 39 % of women will develop some form of cancer in their lifetimes (Canadian Cancer Society, 2002).

AProductwithaPurposeA good example of where CII may become increasingly im-

portant is in the area of heart attacks. Eighty per cent of heart attack patients survive when they’re admitted to hospital, but only 45 will be able to return to work (Heart and Stroke Foun-dation, 2007). If a person suffers a heart attack, it’s potentially devastating not only to the person, but also to that person’s family because of its serious impact on income and savings. Simply put, their finances will be stretched if they can’t return to work.

Could it happen to you? People are more likely to have a critical illness by age 75 than they are to suffer a premature death. The focus should be on recovery, not worrying about your financial situation.

One way to ease that worry is to invest in insurance created for that specific purpose. With CII, you can alleviate some of the financial concerns and concentrate on getting better.

The first step you should take if you’re interested in finding out more about CII is talking to an insurance advisor. Your advi-sor can explain the covered conditions and illnesses, and tell you how the plan works and how much your premium will be.

The plan is motivated by a desire to help people. Everybody has stories about close family, friends, or associates who could have used the benefit this insurance provides.

This plan addresses an obvious need. Critical illness insur-ance makes good common sense. It’s insurance for the living.

Provided by Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada.

TheNextWaveofInsurance

“Critical illness insurance makes good common sense. It’s insurance for the living.”

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InspiringKids:

Adapt i ve Spo r t s

Cow bells ring alongside the race way at Sun Peaks. Those of us who

spend our winter on the hill call it a blue bird day; there’s not a cloud in the sky.Families and friends line the side of the course cheering on inspiring athletes and coaches.

Stop. Watch these athletes. Turn to look at the faces of those who have gathered to cheer them on. Grins are split-ting with pride and more than one face has a tear running down it.

This is Adaptive Sports at Sun Peaks.

These are not the fast-est racers on the mountain. Though the blind skier runs the course with his guide at a speed that leaves you taking a step back, laughing loudly so his joy is felt by everyone. Weston doesn’t ski the course at all. He travels along the line of spectators stopping to give and receive high fives, steal-ing pieces of hearts with ev-ery hand he reaches out to.

My child is the snowboard-er. It’s not her perfect toe edge that makes my eyes well up. It’s the patience it took her coach, Katlyn, to get her there. Like so many of these stu-dents, Mikayla’s body forces her to take ten steps for every one of yours. Her body can be a source of great frustration. She lives on the edge of stress and mastering a difficult skill easily pushes her to tears.

Jacob’s Dad is watching something unfold he never thought would happen. He knows, someday, that will be himself skiing with his son. A simple thing most of us never consider the impossibility of.

Join us for dinner as we celebrate the end of a suc-cessful season. Feel the pride. Though they will insist oth-erwise, the coaches are not regular people. Every parent in the room recognizes what the coaches do not; that they are extraordinary in their pa-tience, kindness and generos-ity. The coaches have opened themselves to our families in a way most people can’t.

Applaud six year old Ry-der as he commandeers the microphone to tell how many towers and chairs are on each lift. His love for skiing may only be overshadowed by his love of counting. The room falls silent as the tiniest girl with Cerebral Palsy takes sup-ported steps. This will be the first time most of the people in the room have witnessed her do this. The emotion on the faces of those who have worked closest with her is as moving as the steps them-selves.

Move your eyes to a beauti-ful woman who was once also a tiny girl living with CP. Now she is 24 years old and about to participate in The Canadian Adaptive Sports Festival. It feels like victory for every person there.

This is Adaptive Sports at Sun Peaks. A program of volunteer coaches trained to coach those who don’t listen to the word ‘can’t.’

Do you know an inspiring kid? Nominate them at contest@kamloopsmomma.com. The winner will be featured in the next issue, have a photo shoot with Life Unfolding Photography, and win a $50 Gift Certificate for Tumbleweed Toys!

Do you know an inspiring kid? We want to hear about them! Nominate them at contest@kamloopsmomma.com or on our Facebook page. We will feature one child in our next issue. They will receive a photo shoot with Life Unfolding Photography and a $50 Gift Card for Tumbleweed Toys. Deadline for entry is April 20, 2013.

Photos: Life Unfolding Photography

By Sara Schreiner

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By Teresa & Kevie Thompson

When I hear someone say “would you like a cup of tea?” I imagine a wonderful steaming hot cup of my favorite herbal, caffeinated or otherwise. For many of us, tea is

a nice way to relax or take a moment to ourselves.... Who am I kidding? Drinking a hot cup of tea seems like a luxury now that I have young children. So many mornings I finally have a chance to take a sip of my tea only to find it cold. I either re-heat it, pour it out, or save it for the kids. My children enjoy tea warm, cold and even frozen as an alternative to juice.

The main kinds of tea that are safe and healthy for children to drink are Fruit Tisane, some Herbal Infusion and African Rooibos.

Herbal Infusion is a multitude of flowering plants, fruits and spices. Fruit Tisane is mainly fruit with a few herbs added. They are soothing, refreshing and naturally caffeine-free.

African Rooibos tea is also know as “ Red Bush” tea since it turns a bright mahogany color once it is dried and ready for making tea. It is 100% natural with no colorants or preserva-tives. Rooibos is high in antioxidants and it also contains iron, potassium, calcium, copper zinc, magnesium, fluoride, man-ganese and sodium. With all of these properties it is clear how Rooibos tea can boost our immune systems and help keep our children healthy.

Rooibos is said to have a very calming affect on hyperac-tive children as well as infants with colic and stomach cramps. It has very low levels of tannins. Tannin is a natural agent in tea that competes with iron absorption, therefore Rooibos is a good choice for younger children who are still building up there iron stores.

If your children do not like to drink warm tea there are a few different ways to use tea so they can absorb the health ben-efits. Both Rooibos and Tisane teas make an excellent juice/pop replacement. Brew up a jug of your favorite flavour such as Casablanca Rooibos (orange & vanilla) or Paradiso Peach Tisane, let it cool and if you like a sweeter taste add a bit of your favorite sweetener like honey or agave syrup. Using this same recipe the iced tea can be poured into a popsicle mold and frozen to be enjoyed on a hot summer day.

A few less obvious uses for Rooibos are a tincture for rashes such as diaper rash, eczema and even acne. To do this simply brew one cup of natural Rooibos tea. Let it cool and using ei-ther a spritzer bottle or a cotton pad dab or spray the tea on the affected areas then have the person drink the remaining tea. They will receive the benefit both internally and exter-nally.

Tea is deliciously healing and can be enjoyed at any age.

Tea:It’s not just for

grown-ups!

RedLeopardOrganicRooibosIcedTea(courtesyofChrisMare)

8 cups water9 Rooibos tea bags (9 tbsp tea leaves)¼ cup honey1 cup apple juice1 stick cinnamon½ cup sugar

Place all the ingredients, except the apple juice, into a saucepan and bring to a boil. Strain the Rooibos mixture into a jug. Add the apple juice and mix well. Place in the refrigerator until cold and enjoy!

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A shower, getting dressed in the morning, having a coffee while it is still warm, a full nights sleep, going

to the bathroom uninterrupted. These are the small luxuries that once were mine. Now my “luxuries” consist of drinking sips of coffee reheated a hundred times, being greeted with a wet diaper instead of a messy one, a sunny day with prom-ises of happy children squealing on the trampoline. There are days I feel like I am riding a roller coaster and I just can’t get it to stop for a minute. It keeps going ‘round and ‘round until I swear I’m go-

ing to be sick! Screaming kids, whining toddlers, crying babies, meowing cats, messy house, teaching school, sewing projects, making meals. You remember lamb chop sing along? It’s the SONG THAT DOESN’T END!!!!!!

Motivation… you remember that word, don’t you? If you are a mother stuck in the early years, you are a pendulum slowly swinging back and forth. One minute you are in love with the mispronounced words, sloppy kisses, and first wobbly steps. But you will invariably be plagued by moments of sheer exhaustion with the whining, lack of sleep, messy house, and a dinner hour that keeps coming back to haunt you every night!

Life with four kids was fantastic while the fourth was an adorable little potato who sat there smiling at me from her swing or square blanket on the floor. But now that my littlest monkey is crawling, nay walking, my days are not so simple. A 4 and 5 year old that I teach school, bouncing from one to the other as grace-fully as I can. A 3 year old that is desper-ate for independence and frustrated when he needs help. And a 1 year old that toddles around the house getting into absolutely everything and destroying ev-

erything in her path. That’s right people, I have four, and I homeschool, and I run a home based business, and I cook and clean. “Wow, you’re busy” just doesn’t quite cut it anymore. I feel like busy came and went about 6 months ago. With the start of school I don’t think I have stopped running. The bags under my eyes have become a permanent feature, the yawn-ing is giving me lines I swear, and trying to organize the lives of 5 other people has left my brain a little foggy.

Around Christmas I realized that with the daily monotony and all-consuming

pace of my life, I had fallen to the sidelines. A husband who needed me, a house that need-ed my attention, and 4 children to take care of… there was simply no time

for myself. So I decided that I could be defeated or I could take charge and do something about it. I mean, if I was going to be running around for everyone else, why not run around for myself too!?!?!? So I started up a home based business with my friend and sister-in-law. I dedi-cated a room in my house to ME and I put a lock on the door. In this, my sanctuary, I promptly bestowed a beautiful sew-ing machine and bolts full of fabric. And ever since then, I have found a peace and contentment with the stage of my life. Yes, I live in sweatpants and my hair is haphazard. Yes, I run non-stop trying to keep everyone happy. But at 7:00, once everyone is asleep peacefully in their beds, the night is mine! I make myself a tea, I crank the music, and I sew. Creat-ing anything my imagination can think up, using fabrics I dream about at night, designing patterns and being inspired. It is this new venture that has kept me sane, and fills me with excitement for each new day. Baby blankets, bibs, diaper clutches, nursing covers… all the things that an-noyed me for their “flaws” I was able to re-design with my sister-in-law. We got to-gether and talked on the phone for hours, trying to create something that would

not only be functional but beautiful at the same time! Tired of having to “look” like a mom, we wanted to look like women, who happened to be mothers!

And so, if you happen to be in the same stage of life: with kids keeping you busy, chores that never end, sweatpants that are well worn and wild hair… there is hope! For me, it was finding a creative outlet. A way to express myself and be heard; to complete something. For you it may be something different, something that is uniquely yours. But I urge you to take charge! Don’t accept this stage, revise it. And it will give you the passion to wake up each morning, excited for what the day might bring.

“But you will invariably be plagued by moments of sheer exhaustion with the whining, lack of sleep, messy house, and a dinner hour that keeps coming back to haunt you every night!”

Photo: Jessica Schlamp Photography

A Day in the Life...A Mom’s Perspective

By Rebecca Spooner

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EliminationCommunication:Howtohaveadiaper-freebaby

By Alissa Bjorn

Ever wonder what mothers around the world do where dia-pers are not common or even available? Have you ever wondered what our great great grandmothers did when

they couldn’t run to the nearest store? The answer is often Elim-ination Communication, also known as Diaper Free, Natural Infant Hygiene or ECing.

Elimination Communication is the process of communicating with your baby about their poop and pee needs, teaching them to use the potty rather than training them to use a diaper. From rash free bums and savings both environmental and financial, to the pure joy of communicating with your baby, ECing is a challenging, rewarding and greatly satisfying adventure.

For most moms this concept sounds crazy, but give me a minute to explain. The term Diaper Free Baby refers to the goal rather than the entire journey. Many ECing moms still use cloth

or disposable diapers as backup, but choose not to rely on them completely. Instead, ECers give their babies the oppor-tunity to eliminate away from themselves and to control their bodily functions.

To EC we rely on four main cues to help us to potty our ba-bies. First is timing. Have you ever noticed that your little one pees within minutes of waking up, or always poops at the same time in the afternoon? The easiest way to begin is to be aware of your child’s elimination routine and to give your baby the chance to go directly into a potty or a bowl. Even once a day begins to teach your child that it is proper to eliminate away from themselves!

The second way we communicate with our babies is through cue noises. When Sophia was 3 weeks old I would hold her with a cloth under her bum and I started saying “psss peepee” or “grunt/poops” every time she went. A week later I held her over a bowl and made our pee cueing sound and to my sur-prise she peed right into the bowl. I have never looked back!

The third cue we rely on is intuition! I don’t know how many times I have thought to myself, she needs to potty, but then delay until it is too late. The days I listen to my instinct are the days we are the most successful.

The fourth cue we use is signs from our babies. The extra big fart and grunt indicating a big poop is on its way, or the distant gaze in her eyes before a pee are common indicators. We find that often the “no apparent reason” fuss means, I gotta go!

Our EC journey has been an adventure. I am glad that we do not have a carpeted house and will admit to getting peed and pooped on more than the average mom. However, I love the way Sophia smiles at me when I have listened to her and provided for her needs. I love the giggles, smiles and bond-ing time we have as she sits on her potty. I love the way my husband has been able to recognize cues and participate in ECing. I love that I have never had to deal with diaper rash and was able to dress her in clean cotton underwear when she had issues with yeast. I love calculating the savings of both dollars and landfill space.

At 17 months ECing is easier than ever. She regularly asks to go and I know when to prompt her. Recently she has even started taking herself to the potty on her own! We catch most pees and I can’t remember the last time I cleaned up a poopy diaper. Yes, there are ups and downs and challenges but just like motherhood I would do it again in a heartbeat!

For more information, I highly recommend getting connect-ed online. The Facebook group Diaper Free Baby has been invaluable to me!

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Nominate a mom to WIN a ylang ylang massage and facial at Kamloops Medical Aesthetics and Day Spa

and the ultimate momma gift bundle from Bunches n’ Bundles.

TO ENTER: Nominate the deserving momma on the Kamloops Momma Facebook page

or email contest@kamloopsmomma.com

Do you know a mommawho deserves something special

this Mother’s Day?

Photo: Beth McBride

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Charlie and Ryder are six year old boys: energetic and full of personality. Ryder loves to ski and if you’ve locked yourself out of your iPhone? Give it to Ryder, he’ll have

it working again in no time. Charlie has a magnetic smile that will engage you from the moment you meet. If his smile doesn’t draw you in his effusive “Hello!” most certainly will.

Having fun is more important to me than achieving the per-fect posed family portrait with everyone looking at the camera and perfect smiles on their faces. I let kids lead my sessions.

Letting kids lead takes away all false pretense’s allowing families to engage naturally - capturing moments that are real.

Many families living with autism feel like capturing their entire family in one frame is impossible. They have images of their family in parts but until they find a photographer who understands and celebrates what makes their children unique they are often unable to capture images so many families take for granted.

Kids living with autism have trouble communicating with the world around them but this doesn’t mean that they are less in-telligent. These kids beat to their own drums and when I meet these kids where they are comfortable, rather than where I think they should meet me, I discover that what is unique about them is amazing. Autism insists that kids be themselves. We could all take a lesson from that.

Like every child, all kids with autism are different. They have abilities and things that are special about them. Finding out what they love helps. Ryder loves numbers. Knowing this about

Ryder helped me connect with him. I didn’t force him to look at the camera...he was naturally interested in counting what I held in my other hand.

Charlie loves his garden and by allowing Charlie to lead we were able to capture some amazing moments in which Charlie is truly engaged with me, and through me, the camera.

When I struggle to engage a child I often show them the im-ages on my screen. Every child I have met is quickly interested when shown images of themselves. This can work especially well when working with kids with autism.

Even a non-verbal child or one who doesn’t respond to his own name has something that he loves. Photographing kids living with autism requires truly listening to the families and letting go of expectations. I am lucky if my subject looks at my camera and I know trying to force them to will likely result in losing the child’s interest all together. Instead I focus on cap-turing the family engaging with each other naturally. It doesn’t matter if everyone is looking at the camera, it only matters that they are together, engaged with one another.

Photographing kids rarely goes as planned and sessions with families living with autism are no exception. Photographing these unique and inspiring families is about accepting these amazing kids as they are. Sometimes this means being a quiet, passive observer or it means running through the garden after Charlie as he calls my name over and over.

Either way, Charlie and Ryder inspire me to continue beating to my own drum too.

By Sara Schreiner, Life Unfolding Photography

Advertising Feature

LifeUnfolding:Photography & Autism

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16

Things We Love... {Health & Wellness}

Starbucks Cold CupWhy do we love it? It’s common knowledge that drinking lots of water is a key to health, but drinking the recommended 8 cups a day can be really chal-lenging. Well, the 700ml Starbucks cold cup could

change your life - it seriously changed ours! We don’t really know what it is, but ‘The Cup,’ as we affection-ately call it, makes drinking 8 cups of water a breeze. Maybe its the straw or the perfect size for carrying by hand or in a vehicle or the measurements on the side

that remind us how much we’ve drank. Whatever it is, this cup WORKS! Of course, you can fill it with

your favourite Starbucks beverage too! (Like of fav: a Cool Lime Refresher. Yum.)

Eye Pillow by HalfmoonWhy do we love it?

At the end of a day, or when you need a mommy time-out, these funky eye pillows will soothe your tired eyes, relax your face, and help you find your ‘happy place!’ They are filled with flax seed (so don’t heat them!) and available in calming lavender or unscented. And the pillows aren’t just for adults: they can help kids relax and take focus away from the busy outer world too.

The Yoga Loft, 201-409 Seymour St

Grounded Kids Yoga Why do we love it? This class is a truly magical place where kids come to experience the benefits of yoga, learn about their connec-tion with nature and the universe and have a ton of fun doing it! Marcia Wilson, instructor, incorporates concrete visuals a wonderful thematic structure to reinforce learning and really help children connect to the poses and concepts of yoga.

Students leave with many new skills including an increased mind-body awareness and unique tools to help them with things like relaxation,controlling emotions, and self-healing. Exploring fundamentals like the different chakras and breath is really key and so empowering for these little ones.

For those children who want to extend their yoga learning, a Kids Yoga Club is available wiith different skill levels to master. Eventually, they will have the opportunity lead a children’s class- such an amazing experience at such a young age!

The Yoga Loft, www.youryogaloft.com

ZumbaWhy do we love it?

We’ll admit it it: sometimes exer-cising isn’t fun. Zumba, however, definitely is! It’s an aerobic dance class - aka “fitness party” - that’s

become a worldwide phenomenon. The class combines Latin rhythms

with top 40 music, easy-to-follow choreography, and high-energy fun! It’ll make you smile, laugh,

and sweat. No dance experi-ence is necessary.

Academy of Dance, www.theacademyofdance.ca

Do you make or sell something that you think we’ll love? Contact us at

info@kamloopsmomma.com for more information on how your product could

be featured here!

Pilates ClassWhy do we love it? Pilates is often referred to as ‘intelligent exercise,’ so I was a little nervous to try my first class. But my nerves were unwar-ranted: I was so impressed by how inviting the space, instructor, and regulars were.

Pilates is an integrated movement system that targets deeper, smaller mus-cles, especially your core. The mat class consisted of a series of movements, many of which I struggled with at first, that need to be done right so the correct muscles are isolated. But the positions are gentle and nothing should ever hurt (except your muscles the next day!).

The instructor, Christine, was great helping everyone get into their position and push hard to complete the move-ments. The small class sizes makes the individual attention possible.

I left exhilarated and already a lit-tle sore because I worked muscles I didn’t even know existed! I truly loved my experience and have already made plans to return!The Pilates Tree, www.thepilatestree.com

17

Massage & Facial

Why do we love it? I’ve had a few massages in my life, but most were to alleviate existing pain. So when I was invited to enjoy a relaxing massage and facial, I jumped at the chance.

I realized once I settled into the beautiful, clean and peaceful room that I wasn’t actually sure how to shut my brain off. How would I be able to stop think-ing about the things I should be doing right now instead of getting pampered? Karen made it easy! She made me feel comfortable with soft music and gentle touch.

By the time we moved into the facial I completely embraced the warmth and soothing that it brought. With products using essential oils and natural botanicals, it left my face feeling fresh and rejuve-nated. One of the highlights was the arm and hand massage I received during the facial. I had never realized how much stress being at my computer and typing on my phone is on my body. I highly recommend taking the time out for yourself and indulging in some ‘thought free’ time. Kamloops Medical Aesthetics & Bodywork,754 Seymour St.

Lil Monkey’s Treehouse Why do we love it?

It’s been a while since people started to buzz about a new indoor play place opening in Kamloops. To say excitement for its opening was mounting is a serious understatement! Well, it’s finally here...and it’s great!

The play place is designed for ages 0-10. It’s a multi-story jungle gym with tunnels, climbing appara-tuses, a dark winding slide, 3 smaller bumpy slides, heavy bag obstacles, a bridge and, of course, a treehouse!

There are smaller slides for the little ones, a craft area, and a machine that projects interactive games, like soccer, onto the floor digitally. It even has coffee for the momma’s, healthy snacks and wraps, and some treats too.

Our kids absolutely loved it! They left with bright red faces from playing so hard (and one left kicking and screaming because she didn’t want to go!).Lil Monkey’s Treehouse, 701-1801 Princeton HWY

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WARning: The nexT line mAy cAuse you

To sTop ReAding This ARTicle. Keep going Though, iT

geTs beTTeR.Eating well, exercising, finding balance

of home and work responsibilities, creat-ing healthy home and work relationships, living our passions…yes, all of these contribute to our health and wellness. I’m guessing, though, that just reading that line has triggered at least a bit of over-whelm and self-doubt.

For many, that line may well have awak-ened the cranky self-deprecating part of the mind that is quick to remind you of how you’ve failed in the past and that you’ve got nerve to even think you’ll ever reach a level of health and wellness that’s going to make any difference.

She (or he or it) is such a bag, that part of us, standing there, arms crossed, eyes rolled upwards, nagging… and in the process convincing you that you are the only person in the world who has such a cranky miserable companion as her.

We could call this part of us the Queen of Stay Stuck or the Goddess of Give Up or the Master of Mediocre. Or we could take away the power of this part of our thoughts, so that she is less inclined to stop us in our tracks of good intentions.

But how do we stop this train wreck of thoughts that seems to have been a part of us forever?

1. Acknowledge the thoughts that insist on beating you up. If you are human, they exist. Hiding them behind attempted pos-itive thinking or accepting them as truth, which are the usual two ways to deal with them, isn’t going to take away their power to control your choices. Simply acknowl-

edge they exist and know that they are normal.

2. Find a way to consciously notice when those thoughts are playing havoc. One way is to create a character like the Queen of Stay Stuck I’ve painted a picture of, or a sneaky animal, or a conniving ma-gician, and when you notice the belittling thoughts, attach the character to them. The creative mind loves games like this and the creative mind is the one that will get you past the disempowering naysayer of thoughts.

3. Now the fun begins. When your cranky character acts up, you get to choose how to deal with her. You might think blowing her up would be nice, but that would set you up for failure when you’ve thought you’ve dealt with her, but she keeps sneaking back. Treating her with compassion, like you might treat a misbehaving child, is key.

Remember, she’s been a part of you for a while now, and she likely originated sometime way back with the intention of protecting you… she’s just gotten a little out of hand. So, you can send her to her room to think about her way of thinking. You could tell her you hear her but she might want to change her tune because she’s losing her influence the way she is now. Or you can simply say, “Watch this. I like this way of thinking more” and then practice the thoughts that will work well for you.

But what are the thoughts that work well for you? Again, it’s time to be creative. You are a unique individual, with unique experiences that inform your thoughts, and you have your very own unique set of passions and motivators. There isn’t a book or an expert in the world that can tell you exactly what thoughts to think, but there are interesting ways to explore what will work best for you.

Think(andact)‘asif.’ Example1:If you are concerned about your weight, practice thinking as if you

are a person who has never had an is-sue with their weight. As you go about your day, just ask yourself, “What would a slimmer person think?” For starts, just be curious. You might notice they are not too concerned about whether they eat a chocolate bar or not. They aren’t worried about getting that last bite before they insist they will deprive themselves of chocolate for the rest of their lives.

Once you play with this for a few days, you’ll start to notice thoughts that could work for you. Next, bring out the actor in you by “acting as if.” As you go about your day, act as if you are a slim person. Lift your head, walk like you feel good about your body, and enjoy your food like you imagine a slimmer person would. Give yourself the Oscar, even for what seems like the tiniest change. Spending a few minutes walking like you love your body is worthy.

I’ve shared this example because this is exactly the technique that shifted me many years ago from forever trying to lose weight, (which included a spell of anorexia) to one that had me feeling peaceful about eating and, almost mi-raculously, helped me maintain a decent weight without worrying about what I ate.

Example2:You’ve always wanted to write… poetry, a book, a blog post, or an article… but you never get to it. Think and act ‘as if.’ Ask yourself ‘What would a writer think?” Perhaps an interaction in the day, or a random combination of words in their thoughts might trigger writing ideas. And next, “What would a writer do?” They’d probably write. Even if they weren’t sure what they were going to write. Be gentle with yourself and make the “act” part do-able. Five minutes of writing with permission to ‘write crappy stuff’ is a great way to get started. It’s also a great way to trick that naysaying self into not even noticing what you are up to and therefore staying out of your way.

Example3: Perhaps you have a relation-ship with a co-worker or family member

TheWellnessofOurThoughts:How to change your life, one thought at a time

By Janet Whitehead

19

that isn’t ideal. Think and act as if it is a reasonable relationship. (Think-ing ‘ideal’ relationship might be pushing it for starts.) Give yourself permission to simply play with this, and notice if the ‘think as if’ thoughts reveal a better way to manage the relationship.

In your search for ways to achieve better health and wellness, notice your thoughts as you weigh out op-tions. If all of your friends are raving about the running group they’ve formed and you think you should join, but every cell in your body screams “aaagghhh, I hate running, I’ve never liked running” then toss the ‘should run’ thought out with the garbage. If there isn’t any part of you that can imagine it being fun, you probably won’t ever join the group, anyway. No point carrying the ‘should run’ thought around with you. But if you see an ad for a belly dancing class, and you get a little smirk on your face thinking how sexy and fun that might be, take a minute to call and register.

When you think about it, you haven’t always ‘failed’ at better health and wellness. One of the best techniques for finding what works

for you is to ask yourself, “What worked in the past?” Think of a time where you were successful at reach-ing a goal and notice the thoughts and actions that did work. Capture them like the treasures they are and work with them.

Of course, we can’t let those disempowering thoughts have all the fun, with their own character and ways to be dealt with. It’s even more important, once you know the thoughts that work for you, to cele-brate them. Give them a grand char-acter – the Priestess of All Things Possible, the Guides of Great, or the Lead Singer of the ‘I’m Rockin’ It’ Band are all great options. Each time you notice the thoughts that do work for you, add that character, smile and know that your creative thinking really is getting you to where you really want to be.

Janet L. Whitehead is a Professional Life Coach, and joyful facilitator of ‘Muses for Mommies’ – a course for moms to live inspired lives with less guilt and more fun. www.musingsand-mud.com

“There isn’t a book or an expert in the world that can tell you exactly what thoughts to think, but there are interesting ways to explore what will work best for you.”

21

After 6 weeks of fitness classes, weekly personal home work, physical assessments and

tons of laughs, I had to make the tough choice...with 42 hard-working Mommy’s waiting to hear the news.

The process for this challenge is basic but very focused on results based on physical,mental and spiritual wellness. As I stood before the group with all the kids running around playing and enjoying their time together, I spoke of the com-miTmenT that Shannon had made not only to the challenge but to HERSELF first.

She chose to come to each class and work at 110% during her workout, showing sTRengTh that I believe she was unaware that she had in her. As I concluded, I had to recognize that smile that was on her face each and every day, not dread, but true happiness. I would again like to congratulate Shannon; she showed me that real change is possible when you GIVE YOURSELF permission to enjoy working out!

here’s what shannon had to say..About winning:This time I made working out and

getting to know the other mommy’s (who are all so supportive and amaz-ing) my priority so that I could reach my ultimate goal a new healthier me!

So I went to every class 5 days a week and I pushed myself for the whole hour with a smile on my face because I truly was having fun and enjoying myself!

The first words that come to mind when I think of that day is HAPPY, Proud, and I just couldn’t stop smiling!!!!

About her photo shoot with Kath-leen Ferguson:

My experience with Kate was amaz-ing. She is a very genuine person who was born to do what she does! Kathleen made me feel so comfortable. I felt like I had known her for years! I am sure I am not alone like most women I don’t re-ally like having my photo taken but she made it fun and easy by directing and posing me the entire time. When I reach my goal of a new healthier smaller me I will definitely be getting Kathleen to do another photo shoot!

Shannon Liburd:Mommy’s Wellness Challenge

C H A M P I O N

Advertising Feature

By Sabrina Sinclair

Check out our website for more information on our next

Mommy’s Wellness Challenge!

www.kamloopsfitbydesign.com(250) 819-0822

sinclairs1@shaw.ca

Photos: Kathleen Ferguson Photographywww.kathleenfergusonphotography.ca

Make-up: Evie Beautywww.eviebeauty.com

22

AlAlright. I’m not going to lie. For the most part, January and February have

sucked the big lemon over at Aunty’s House. Between my four year old son’s unexpectedly-

extended RCD (rotten-chemotherapy-drug) course (complete with extra-bonus hospital admission!), my husband’s two back surgeries, and my horrible, never-ending viral flu misery culminating in a cracked rib from coughing, I’d unreservedly state that Aunty’s house has had easier winters. However, back in November my BFF and I booked a 4-night vacation in Dis-neyland to surprise the kids with at Christmas, and we were absolutely thrilled to escape to The Happiest Place on Earth for a few days in late February (broken rib and extra month of che-mo be darned!). What follows are random tips from a couple of regular ol’ Kamloops Mommas on how to save money and have more fun at the parks. We have lots more to share, so feel free to corner us at Safeway or CCRR and ask us more! Special thanks to “The Unofficial Guide: Disneyland 2013” (available at any bookstore for about $20) for helping us with advance logis-tical planning, to James at the Flight Centre for staying late after work and shopping around to get us the best deals for our trip, and of course, to my BFF and fellow kidney-kid-momma Kecia Turunen for her love, support, spirit, energy, enthusiasm and help writing this article. Talk about a beautiful person inside and out. Anyhoo...Read on for your fellow Kamloops Mommas’ Tips for... Disneyland!

StayataDisneylandHotel.I know. They’re more expensive. But honestly, if you have

a good travel agent (Thanks, James!), not *that* much more, and...here’s the big deal...are you ready?...You get in to the parks an hour before the general population does every day. Yep. Magic Hour every day. Seriously: the Magic Hour was unbelievable. We walked in an hour early and went on all the super duper amazing rides (sometimes three times!!!) without any waiting. Just walked on, rode, walked around, rode again. Rides like: Space Mountain and Star Tours. Biggies! Now, not every area is open early, but some really awesome ones are. And let’s face it: The kids are going to be up at the crack of dawn with excitement anyway, so you may as well be at the park! Other bonuses: The pools are amazing, the rooms are fantastic, there’s a little movie area in every hotel showing non-stop Disney classics for the kids, you have access to a nighttime babysitting, “Pinocchio’s Workshop” kid’s camp, and you’re only a hop, skip, and a downtown-Disney walk away from the parks. We stayed at Paradise Pier, the cheapest of the three hotels, which, incidentally has the largest rooms of the three Disney properties (two adults and three kids were completely comfortable in a standard room). Note: If you want a room with a view of the fireworks, there’s an additional charge. Kamloops mommas’ tips: Don’t bother. There’s usually an excellent view from your hotel’s rooftop terrace/pool area, and we could even see the “World of Colour” from our hotel’s common area. Also, remember the parks open later on weekdays than they do on weekends. When we were there, Magic Hour stared at 7am on Saturday/Sunday, but 9am Monday-Friday!

Leaveanyonewhohatescrowds/walking/liningupathome.

This trip was a NCH (no cranky husbands) excursion. Two mommas, three kids aged 4-6, two strollers, good sneakers, lots of caffeine, and no frowns. We walked about 10 hours a day, we high-speed-crowd-manoeuvred at peak times, we sat down (read: sought out beer, carbs and shade) when we were exhausted, and we fed the kids when they started to get the sugar-low crazies. It was awesome, in part because we didn’t force our husbands, who hate crowds/line ups/singing tiki rooms, to come. I kid you not, mommas: This is not the time to force someone into a vacation they/you know they’ll hate. If your partner cringes at the thought of lining up for 20 minutes to spend 2 minutes on a Peter Pan adventure, don’t force him to go or you’ll regret it, I promise. Instead, round up your best crazy-energy-pal and her similar-aged kidlet, and go together!

Bringawaterbottle.We picked ours up at an end of season clearance sale for

under $3 for each child. Bathrooms are plentiful throughout the park, immaculate, well-stocked, and there’s almost always a water fountain nearby to fill up those bottles. When we went at the end of February, the weather was over 20 degrees with nary a cloud in the sky, so the water bottles came in very handy. Momma’s tip: The water tasted very chlorinated, so bring a few “crystal lights” or something similar if you’re not a fan of chlorine. Bottles of water at the park go for about $4 US, so it’s way more economical to bring a refillable bottle from home. Tea at the park is almost exclusively of the “orange pekoe” variety, so if you’re an herbal tea fan, bring your own. Also, if you like cream in your coffee, get ready to switch to coffeemate for the week, as that’s pretty much all that’s offered.

Bringtherightshoes.One of our kidlets was 42 inches, exactly. Like, not a hair

more or less. Make sure you measure your child in their shoes before you go to be *sure* they’re the right height for the rides they want to get on. If they’re a hair too short, try on shoes until they’re exactly the magic height. 42 inches will get adventurous little ones on almost every ride (Indiana Jones and California Screamin’ excluded), so to avoid mondo disappointment, make sure they measure up before you go (and be prepared for multiple re-measurings at particularly scary rides, like Tower of Terror and Space Mountain). Wearing good-soled sneakers rather than flip flops may mean the difference between your four year old’s Best! Day! Ever! and, well, the opposite. Momma’s tip: If height isn’t an issue, always go with comfort. This is not the time to break in new shoes. Good quality hiking shoes were what we went with, with sandals for the pool and evenings. That being said, blisters still happened, as did a sore ankle. Add a tensor bandage and a few really good Band-Aids to your backpack before going to the park.

Shopathome.I picked up four new t-shirts for each child for about $7 each

before we left home (one per child/day). At Disneyland, almost the exact same shirts would have gone for about $25 each. Your child will want Disney themed merchandise, I guarantee it. Nobody knows how to sell stuff to kids the way Disney does,

Dear Aunty...Answering questions about you and your child’s health

23

Doyouhaveaquestionfor‘Aunty’Erin?Contactheratcdnnurse1995@yahoo.ca.

so be prepared and shop before you go. It’s also cool to know that dressing like a princess is pretty special. Little girls are greeted as the princess they’re dressed up as wherever they go within the park (“Good morning, Princess Ariel. Please step into the car and push down on your lap bar...”), and again, it’s a good idea to bring costumes from home, as they run for about $65 at the park for a simple dress. Also consider bringing a poncho for each member of the family. Momma’s tip: We picked up kids’ plastic ponchos for 93 cents from Walmart. They kept the kids dry (and our purses dry!) on the water rides and were easily stuffed into a backpack. The cheapest poncho we could find at the park was $7.50. We also paid the $17 per child to have their faces painted. Sooooooo not worth it. All three kids smudged their facepaint into oblivion within minutes, and it was washed off at the end of the day anyway. A way better way to spend the $17 was at the little food stands for fresh pineapple and giant pickles, which the kids got a huge kick out of!

AddacharacterbreakfasttoyourDisneypackage.

For about $60 for the family we had breakfast at Goofy’s Kitchen one morning. Goofy’s Kitchen is an all-you-can-eat buffet at the Disneyland Hotel, complete with items such as peanut butter and jelly pizza, made-to-order omelettes, and a wide variety of other breakfast/brunch/dessert items. Here, we met half a dozen or so Disney characters (including Chip, Dale, Sleeping Beauty, Br’er Fox, Goofy and Pluto) and the kids were able to have their pictures taken with the characters, hug them, and even chat with them for a bit. At the park, lineups are often at least half an hour to meet the characters. Momma’s tip: It’s worth the extra few dollars to eat at one of the Disney Hotels’ buffets. The kids can get pictures and autographs with their favourite characters, and you can fill up on a good meal. Each buffet has a different theme: If you have a gaggle of princess-obsessed kidlets, Ariel’s grotto might be the option for you. Read up on all your options before you decide, and book in advance. We also brought a handful of small Ziploc bags with us, and packed up the kids’ leftover fruit, croissants, and muffins with us for snacking throughout the day.

Bringorrentastroller,evenforolderkids.Our kids are competitive swimmers, gymnasts and bmx-

ers, but with all the walking at Disneyland, even they were dragging their butts by lunch. A stroller is an excellent way to keep the whining to a minimum. Even if your child is older and you’d never consider a stroller at home, get one here. Momma’s tip: There are no double strollers for rent at Disneyland. The single strollers are “jogging”-style strollers and excellent for one child, but really difficult to manoeuvre if you illegally try to pile both your children in at the same time (the way I did at the end of the day). If you are travelling alone with two kids, consider borrowing a double stroller from a friend before you go. If you choose to rent a single stroller at Disney, note that strollers are not allowed outside of Disney (that is, you can’t bring it into your hotel, even a Disney hotel), so you may be piggybacking your kids back “home” at the end of the day.

Forgetsomething?CheckouttheRainforestCafe.

We LOVED the Rainforest Cafe in Downtown Disney. Like, loved-loved. The food was good, the prices were reasonable, the portions were big enough that two adults could split one appie and one entree and be full and happy, the bar menu is big and beautiful, and the scenery is pretty much un-beatable as far as kids and restaurants go. Dinner is by far the busiest

time at the restaurant, with the biggest rush between 5 and 8pm. Momma’s tip: If you don’t have a reservation, consider the bar area. We waited less than 10 minutes for a table for 5, the full menu is on offer, and we sat right under one of the giant fish tanks (which the kids loved). Stuffies/souveniers/clothing is also really reasonable here: Yoga pants and shorts were $9.99 each (the shorts were a perfect bathing suit substitute, since I forgot mine at home), stuffies were under $5 and necklaces were about 2/$10. The staff was awesome, and the kids loved the thunderstorm, which happens about every 20 minutes.

Otherhelpfultidbits:Read up on the Fast-Pass system at Disney (totally worth

taking advantage of if the stand-by line is longer than about 25 minutes), what rides are closed (we missed out on a previous favourite because of maintenance), and if you have a really little one or a sensitive older one, pay close attention to the scare factor for rides—even those without height restrictions (Pinocchio and Snow White have some pretty nasty bad guys, and the rides play those up). Also check with your airline regarding luggage (Air Canada charges for each piece of luggage, and each piece can only be a maximum of 50 pounds). We found coin laundry was super convenient at our hotel, and reasonably priced, so you may only need to pack for a couple of days and then plan to do a quick wash. It’s also worth getting a note from your physician for any medication you are travelling with, and carrying it in your carry-on bag (not that we’re suggesting Air Canada loses luggage or anything...). I was also asked by Customs to produce my notarized letter from my husband saying that he was aware of my travels to the US with the children without him. A few things that we couldn’t have lived without from our first aid kit: Band-Aids, tensor bandages, Auralgan (numbs ear infections, but was also super handy to apply to my daughter’s infected earring hole, which popped up the second day of our trip), Advil and Tylenol (kids and grown-ups), and all prescribed medications. It’s also worth noting that medical insurance for travel to the US is ALWAYS a good idea. I was able to get medical insurance through BCAA for my son, despite his pre-existing medical condition, for about $30.

Most importantly, remember to bring your camera, your patience, and your sense of humour. Go for it. It’ll be great, and you’ll be talking about it for years to come.

24

Notes from a Boho Momma

Happy spring mommas!As I write this, I’m sitting on a plane on my way back from NYC trying to mentally prepare myself

for life back at home with my kiddos, and hoping my mother is still alive.

I’ve really missed my kids, but I know the honeymoon phase will last about 5 hours and then I’ll be wistfully reminiscing about New York alone with my husband (heck, even this plane ride seems like a date!). We had so much fun exploring the city on foot, taking the subway, getting a tattoo in Brooklyn (yep, I did), stalking celebrities in bakeries and the streets of Greenwich Village and, of course, eating.

You know how cupcakes have been the trend in the foodie world for awhile now? Well, I’m happy to report that donuts are the new black, er…cupcake! I fell off my grain-free wagon whilst in New York, but there are plenty of gluten and grain free recipes for me to try at home. We sampled donut flavours such as lavender and coconut, limon cello, PB & J and apricot filled gooey goodness.

I will share a donut recipe with you that I’m excited to try at home when I get back. I think I’ll try some lemon and anise varieties along with a clove infused pineapple jelly inspired by a food tour we took in the Lower East Side. I hope you have fun with this and let me know what combinations you come up with!

Basic Gluten / Grain Free Donut Recipe1/2 cup Coconut flour1/2 tsp Baking soda

1/8 tsp Salt1 Whole egg2 Egg whites

2 tbs maple syrup or honey2 tbs Unsweetened applesauce

1/2 cup milk or milk substitute of choice1/4 cup baking stevia OR 1/2 cup sweetener

of choice that measures like sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Wipe donut pan with coconut oil. In a medium size bowl, mix together the dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, mix together the wet ingredients. Combine the wet ingredients with the dry and mix until batter is smooth and free of lumps. Divide batter evenly between the 6 donut molds. Bake for 20-25 minutes until toothpick comes out clean. Then get creative with glazes and toppings!

Amanda Barker is a herbalist, doula, CBE, and owner of Ovio Organico skin care and Boho Birth.

abarker54@gmail.com.

By Amanda Barker

{ }

25

Common lifestyles in North America have changed in the last century. Human evolution has

never encountered such a rapid change. Currently, we go to sleep too late, we exercise less, and we spend countless hours sitting in front of the television and computer screens. We also rely on

machines to perform many of our tasks at work and at home. The information age has made us quite lazy, but hopefully with more information available, we will be well informed about taking care of our own bodies.

Second to the common cold, back pain is the most common physical ailment seen at the family doctor’s office. Causes for back pain range from heightened stress

levels to muscle pulls and strains; pains in our back keep us from doing the simplest of daily tasks. Whatever the source of your back pain may be, Therapeutic Massage is a safe and effective treatment to help you get you “back” in motion.

Our spine works all day, taking on the stress of our work and play. Standing,

bending, sitting and sleeping -- our backs support and protect us. The back (or spinal column) is made of 24 moveable bones called vertebrae. Between each vertebra is a pad called a disc. These discs function like shock absorbers for the spine. The vertebrae and discs are supported by ligaments and muscles that keep the back properly aligned. When any of these parts become diseased,

strained, or injured back pain can occur.Benjamin Franklin’s proverb makes

sense - “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

Massage therapists are specially trained to assess the cause of back pain and to provide a treatment plan that best suits your individual condition. Using a variety of deep tissue massage techniques, joint mobilization, relaxation training, hydrotherapy, and self-care exercises, your back will steadily return to its well-deserved pain-free, mobile state. You’ll be able to tie your shoes, lift your children (or your friends’ children), and carry the groceries without suffering in pain.

James McGettigan is a Registered Massage Therapist providing massage therapy, injury rehabilitation and prevention, and corrective taping at Kamloops Active Health. James is accepting new patients and can be reached for an appointment at 250-372-8856, info@kamloopsactivehealth.ca, or visit www.kamloopsactivehealth.ca for more information.

Today’sBackPain

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

~ Benjamin Franklin

By James McGettigan, RMT

26

Kids in the Kitchen:

Favourite Family Recipes from Kamloops Mommas

HomemadeTortillaShells~fromJenniferRipel

2 cups flour1.5 tsp baking powder1 tsp salt 2 tsp vegetable oil3/4 cup warm water

Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in one bowl. Combine vegetable oil and water in another bowl. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir with a fork. Once it’s mixed it will look stringy (not like dough). Put it on a wood cutting board or counter and knead the dough with your palms for about 5 minutes until the dough is soft.

Place the dough into a bowl and cover with a damp cloth for 10 minutes. Next, break apart the dough into small ball shapes and place on a cookie sheet.

Heat up your best skillet or pan (cast-iron is pre-ferred) to medium.

Roll out each ball as flat as you possibly can (or use a tortilla press!). Paper-thin is best.

Dust each tortilla with flour and stack. Do not cook and roll at the same time because they cook really fast.

Cook one at a time on a skillet. When you notice little bumps forming on the top of the tortilla, flip it (approximately 30 seconds a side).

Add your favourite fillings to make wraps, burritos, tacos, and chimichangas!

World’sBestBBQChickenThighs~fromErinPerks

4 cloves garlic1 tsp pepper2 tsp sugar 2 tsp tumeric2 tsp parprika1 tsp curry powder1 Tbsp chopped cilantro1 Tbsp oil1 kg chicken thighscoconut milk (for basting)

Combine all ingredients in a large ziploc bag. Seal the bag and spread the paste onto all the chicken thighs. Grill chicken for about six minutes per side on BBQ, basting with coconut milk.

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Cauliflowerfortheveggie-aversechild~fromErinVieira

1 head of cauliflower 3 Tbsp oil1 tsp cumin1 tsp coriander2 tsp curry powder

Preheat oven to 350º. Chop cauliflower into bite size pieces. Toss florets with oil and spices. For the spice-averse, use coarse salt and pep-per. Place in a 8 x 11 baking dish and roast for 45 minutes.

2IngredientCookies(pluswhatevergoodiesyouwanttoadd!)~fromAllisonPeters

2 large ripe bananas1 cup oats

Preheat oven to 350º. Mash bananas and oats together. Add in any other mix-ins you want (nuts, almond but-ter, cinnamon, cocoa, chocolate chips). Scoop mixture onto a greased cookie sheet. Cook for 15 minutes.

ChildrenAgedFiveandUnderareatGreaterRiskforFoodborneIllnesses

As a parent, you probably know a lot about the important role that safe food handling plays in keeping your children healthy. But did you know that children aged five and under are at particularly high-risk of becoming ill if they eat con-taminated food?

Children aged five and under are at an increased risk for complications if food poisoning occurs. This is because their immune systems are still developing and they are unable to fight off infection as effectively as adults can. Young children also produce less of the stomach acid that kills harmful bacte-ria, which makes it easier for them to get sick.

Health Canada’s downloadable brochure Safe Food Han-dling for Children Ages 5 and Under offers valuable informa-tion and advice for parents and caregivers such as the follow-ing:

* Symptoms of foodborne illness can vary from mild stom-ach ache, vomiting, diarrhea and fever/chills to extremely severe illness requiring hospitalization. Foodborne illness in young children can also lead to dehydration as their bodies are smaller and they can lose a high percentage of body fluid very quickly.

* Young children exposed to certain strains of the bacteria E. coli can develop a type of kidney failure and blood disor-der that can be fatal. Cooking ground beef (such as hamburg-ers) to 71°C is essential in order to prevent this.

* Always wash your hands with warm, soapy water before and while preparing food. Be sure to wash young children’s hands as well before they sit down to eat.

* Do not give honey to a baby under one year of age. It can cause a serious type of food poisoning called infant botulism. The bacteria Clostridium botulinum commonly exists in na-ture, but if an infant consumes honey contaminated with it, the spores may grow and produce toxins causing paralysis. Healthy children over one year of age can safely eat honey because the risk subsides. Health Canada has identified children aged five and under as one of the four groups of people at greater risk for foodborne illness. The other three groups are adults aged 60 and over, pregnant women and people with a weakened immune system.

The way we store, handle and prepare food at home or in a childcare setting plays a critical role in keeping our families healthy. Parents and caregivers will find valuable information, advice and tips on the website at www.healthycanadians.gc.ca/foodsafety.

You can also order your copy of the guide Safe Food Han-dling for Children Aged Five and Under on the website, or by calling toll-free, 1-800-O-Canada.

* Provided by the Public Health Agency of CanadaDo you have a favourite family recipe to share?

Email us at info@kamloopsmomma.com

and it could be in our next issue!

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CommunityResourceDirectory

Activities & Events lil monkey’s TreehousePlay and Discovery Centre701-1801 Princeton HWY250.377.PLAY www.lilmonkeystreehouse.com

Kamloopsparents.com Famiily market April 13, 9-1Calvary Community Church1205 Rogers Wayelizabeth@kamloopsparents.com

youth Fundraiser garage saleJune 1, 250.374.2888Calvary Community Church1205 Rogers Way

Childcare and Preschool Kamloops child development society Safe and inclusive child care and early learning programswww.cdckamloops.com 250.376.2233

River city gymnastics Gymnastics and mutli-sport facility 778.471.5767 www.rivercitygymnastics.ca

Children’s Retail lizzie bits baby co.Cloth diapers, unique children’s items, high quality children’s consignment205-450 Lansdowne 250.374.8706 www.lizziebaby.ca

mulberry bushGently Loved Consignment & New Items1304 Battle St. 250.374.2501 www3.telus.net/mulberrybush

Tumbleweed Toys Safe, Sustainable & Inspired toys, games, puzzles and more. Sahali Mall250.372.3500 www.TumbleweedToys.ca

Construction oswell construction ltd.He could do it..but wouldn’t it be nicer to spend the weekend with you and the kids? 250.819.1979oswellconstruction@gmail.com

Family Resources big brothers big sisters 821 Seymour St 250.374.6134

child care subsidy programAssistance with day care costs 1.888.338.6622

interior community services250.554.3134

ministry of children & Family services 250.371.3600

parent helpline 1.888.603.9100

Food and Beverage nature’s Fare marketsOrganic and Natural Foods Grocer5-1350 Summit Drive 250.314.9560www.naturesfare.com

papa’s candy shopThe sweetest little place...in Sahali Center Mall. Old fashioned candy, custom candy buffets, gift wrapping, and full service candy shop Sahali Mall 259.377.0986papascandyshop@telus.net

specifically TeaLoose leaf tea and tea accessories. 925-C Laval Crescent (Corner of The Wine Shoppe)www.specificallytea.ca250.851.0604

Health & Wellness Fit by designFamily Friendly Fitness250.819.0822 www.kamloopsfitbydesign.com

Kamloops Active healthChiropractic. Rehabilitation. Massage.865 Seymour St. 250.372.8856www.kamloopsactivehealth.ca

Kix for chixLadies non-competitive kickboxing for EVERY woman!250.819.4121 www.kix4chixkamloops.ca3 - 953 Laval Crescent

lighthouse child & Family TherapySpecializiing in play and expressive therapy for childrenRachel Pasemko 250.318.0652rachel@lighthousechildandfamilythera-py.com

musings and mud coaching studioWorkshops, workbooks, personal coach-ing with a creative twist.Janet L. Whitehead, certified professional coach janet@musingsandmud.com250.376.8402 www.musingsandmud.com

The pilates TreeNew clients can enjoy our unlimited monthly mat package for only $99!101-409 Seymour St. 250.320.BODY (2639)info@thepilatestree.com

yoga loftYoga for You. Yoga for Your Family. Your Yoga Community. 201- 409 Seymour Street250.828.6206 250.319.8583info@youryogaloft.com www.youryogaloft.com

Home-basedSalesandServicesbunches ‘n bundlesCustom gift packages for all occasions featuring items from small local compa-nies 250.318.5368 bunchesandbundles@gmail.com

discovery Toys, Alison gregoryDiscovery Toys Team Leader250.851.2270 aligregory@telus.netdiscoverytoys.com/aligregory

mcsewJane McMillan, Seamstress & Knitter.Specializing in sleepsacks, infant acces-sories, knitted/felted accessories and alterations. Tel: 250.828.2309 Mobile: 250.319.8808 McKnit@hotmail.com

MusicKamloops symphony music schoolGroup classes and private instruction for all ages and levels. 250.372.5000 Station Plaza #3-510 Lorne St.

MedicalServicesbc nurse line 1.866.215.4700

Royal inland hospital 250.374.5111

Walk-in clinics:Northshore Treatment Centre 700 Tranquille Rd 250.554.4265

Summit Medical Clinic5 - 1380 Summit Drive 250.374.9800

Kamloops Urgent Care Clinic #4 - 910 Columbia Street 250-371-4905

OnlineResourcesAccess KamloopsA regularly updated directory connect-ing people with a variety of not-for-profit resources. www.accesskamloops.org

Kamloopsparents.comThe online resource to all things family-friendly in Kamloops. www.kamloopsparents.comelizabeth@kamloopsparents.com

makechildrenFirst.caMap of Family & Breastfeeding-friendly businesses in Kamloops 250.554.3134www.makechildrenfirst.ca

Parent-ChildGroupsAttachment parenting2/month - days and locations vary 250-376-4723

Family Tree drop-in Mon and Wed 9-4 283 West Victoria St. 250.377.6890

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healthy beginnings Tues 9:45-11:45 / Thurs 10:30-12:30Interior Indian Friendship Society2355 Parkcrest Ave. 250.554.3134

Kamloops connexions Fri 9:30-11:30, 700 Hugh Allen DriveS.W. Community Church 250.828.1114 coffee-connexions@hotmail.com

Kamloops Wiggles and giggles Adoption playgroup Monthly, Deanna, jones_A@telus.net

next steps Fri, 1-2:20, Kamloops Public Health Unit519 Columbia St. 250.851.7300

strongstart programs (during school year)

BumblebeesMon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, 8:30-11:30 Wed, 12-2:30 Arthur Hatton Elem.315 Chestnut Ave., 250.376.7217

Dragon Flies Mon-Fri, 8:30-11:30 Marion Schilling Elem., 2200 Park Dr.250.376.2027

Eagles’ Nest Mon-Fri, 8:45-11:15South Sahali Elem., 1585 Summit Dr. 250.374.2451

ymcA child interactive centreMon-Fri 9-12 Southwest Y/CCRRUnit E, 1420 Hugh Allan Dr250-372-7791

PrenatalandPostpartumCarebirth matters - Jodi AndersonDoula and Childbirth Educatorbirthmatters.doula.prenatal@gmail.com250.372.3733 250.819.2099

boho birthDoula services & prenatal educationAmanda Barker 250.376.8331bohobirth@gmail.com

breastfeeding centreDrop in breastfeeding info and helpKamloops Health Unit 519 Columbia St 250.851.7300 Mon 1- 4, Thurs 9 - 12

cbWellness.compregnacy programs*Aqua Prenatal * Watsu * Prenatal Journey * Pregnant PausesFree Consultation ph: 250 374 7383

mighty oak midwifery Personal, professional, woman-centered maternity care. 250.377.8611 www.mightyoakmidwifery.ca

Tiny blessings prenatal Prenatal education focusing on late preg-nancy, labor & delivery, breastfeeding, & newborn care. 250-819-0510www.tinyblessingsprenatal.com

Welcome to the babyhood Your resource for child passenger safety and cloth diaper education.Jennifer Harbaruk 250.572.1717www.welcometothebabyhood.com

Photographycaptured memories photographywww.captured-memories.cahrsayers@gmail.com 250.320.6558

life unfolding photography Photography for all your little wild thingsMoms with Camera’s facilitatorwww.lifeunfolding.ca

milk & honey photographyLisa DiGesomilkandhoney@mail.comwww.milkandhoneyphotography.ca

RealEstateandInvestmentsKaren lanoue Canadian Scholarship TrustBoost your post-secondary education savings by $7200 karen.lanoue@cstresp.com 250.573.2299

Ken Featherstone, Realtor Royal LePage Westwin RealtyPersonal Real Estate Corp. 250.374.1461 kenfeathetone@royallepage.ca250.828.7829

yamilka ZienowiczBrighter solutions to protect your plansSun Life Financial250.374.5308 ext. 208www.sunlife.ca/yamilka.zienowicz

SummerCamps4cats Arts studioThe Best, Most Fun Art Studio EverRegister now for summer camps778.471.6335 kamloops@4cats.com4cats.com/kamloops

Academy of danceDance, crafts, and outings for ages 3-8 July 23-27 250.314.9974www.theacademyofdance.ca

boys and girls club of Kamloops Recreational Summer Day campsJuly 8 - August 30, Ages 5-12www.bgckamloops.com

eureka! Week long science summer campsAges 7-14, July 2 - Aug 23www.tru.ca/eureka 250.371.5534www.factionskatepark.comwww.swimkamloops.com

Kamloops Therapeutic Riding Assoc.Summer Horse CampRiding lessons, horse care, safety, and maintenance. July 15-19/ July 22-26250.554.3811 ktrainstructor@gmail.comwww.ktrahome.ca

River city gymnastics Keep your kids moving all day with gym-nastics, sports, games, outings, and crafts. 778.471.5767 www.rivercitygymnastics.ca

CommunityResourceDirectory

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CommunityEventsCalendarpresentedby:

April 1: Easter Eggs-Citement BC Wildlife Park. 9:30-4:00pm. April 1-13: Fiddler on the Roof Sagebrush Theatre. Mon, Tues (7:30pm) Wed-Sat (8:00pm) April 2/May 7: mom’s morning out Mighty Oak Midwifery, 11am – 1pm (free) April 2(Cont): big little science centre Tues-Sat 10-4pm ($6/adult, $3/child 6-15yrs, $15/family)April 2(Cont): Mother Goose Program North Kamloops Library Tuesdays 6:15-7:15pm (free)April 3(Cont): Tiny Tunes Kamloops Library Mondays and Wednesdays 10:15-10:45am (free)April 3(Cont): Rock-a-Bye-Baby North Kamloops Library Wednesdays 10:15-10:45am (free)April 3(Cont): Story Dog Program Kamloops Library Wednesdays 3:00-4:00pm (free)April 4(Cont): Mother Goose Kamloops Library Thursdays10:30-11:30am (free)April 4(Cont): Storytime Kamloops Library Thursdays 1:30-2:00pm (free)April 4(Cont): After School Club North Kamloops Library Thursdays 3:00-4: (free)

April 4: BY4Y Workshop – Creative Cartography Kamloops Art Gallery, 4-6:00pm. 250.377.2405April 4 (Cont): shambhala meditation Thurs 7:00pm, 433b Lansdowne St. kamloopsshambhala.org 250.376.4224 April 5(Cont): Connexions Southwest Community Church, Fridays 9:30-11:30am April 5(Cont): Storytime Kamloops Library Fridays 10:15-10:45am (free)April 5(Cont): Family Storytime North Kamloops Library Fridays 10:15-10:45 (free)April 6(Cont): Saturday Lego Club North Kamloops Library Saturdays 1:00-2:00pm (free)April 6/May 4: Home Depot Kids Building Workshop Home Depot, 10-12am, freeApril 6-7: Jam Can Curling Bonspiel Kamloops Curling Club 250.828.3500 ($10/child)April 6: Visions Farmers Market Sahali Centre Mall. 10-2:30pm April 6(Cont): chapters craft and storytime Saturdays 11-12pm (free)April 6: Magnetism Show BIG Little Science Centre 11:00am & 1:30pm

April 6: Seasonal Craft Club Kamloops Library 2:00-3:30pm (free)April 6: Scrap-In Michaels 3-9:00pm, $5April 6: Fiddler on the Roof Sagebrush Theatre.“Pay-what-you-can” Matinee.April 7(Cont): Family Storytime Kamloops Library Sundays 1:00-1:30pm (free)April 8(Cont): Tiny Tunes North Kamloops Library Mondays 10:15-10:45am (free)April 10: Rotary Club Family Dinner NorKam High School. 250.574.0474April 13: KamloopsParents.com Family Market Calvary Community Church 9-1:00pm. $2 April 13: Annual Wolfpack Women’s Benefit Soccer Coaching Clinic for Boys and Girls Hillside StadiumApril 13: Air Pressure Show BIG Little Science Centre 11:00 & 1:30pm ($6/adult, $3/child 6-15yrs, $15/family)April 13: LEGO Club Kamloops Library 2:00-3:30pm (free)April 20: Kamloops Farmers’ Market 200 Block of St Paul Saturdays, 8-noon April 20: Great Cloth Diaper Change Southwest Community Church 10-3pm dabsanddots@gmail.comApril 20: Visions Farmers Market Sahali Centre Mall. 10-2:30pm April 20: Light & Colour Show BIG Little Science Centre 11:00 & 1:30pm ($6/adult, $3/child 6-15yrs, $15/family)April 27: Static Show BIG Little Science Centre 11:00 & 1:30pm ($6/adult, $3/child 6-15yrs, $15/family)April 27: Spring Fling Skate Brock Arena 11am-1pm (Free)

April 27: Dim Swim Canada Games Aquatic Centre 6-9:00pmApril 28: Kamloops Daily News Boogie the Bridge www.dailynewsboogie.comMay 1: Kamloops Farmers’ Market 200 Block of St Paul Wednesdays, 8-noonMay 1(Cont): Story Dog Program Kamloops Library Wednesdays 3:00-4:00pm May 4-5: Westsyde’s Absolute Amazing Race race.westsyde.infoMay 4(Cont): Saturday Lego Club North Kamloops Library Saturdays 1-2:00pm (free)May 4: LEGO Club Kamloops Library 2:00-3:30pm (free)May 5: Annual Community Garage Sale in Juniper Ridge 10am-4pm May 5: Kamloops Spring Sprint Triathlon Westsyde Pool www.trytri.org/springsprint.htmMay 16-18: Downtown Spring Arts Festival 250.372.3242May 17-20: Kamloops Youth Soccer Association Tournament Various fields around Kamloops www.kysa.netMay 25: 7th Annual Kamloops Bike Rodeo Interior Savings Centre Parking Lot 10am-2pm Free, Registration required. Contact 250.828.3500May 25: Dim Swim Canada Games Aquatic Centre 6-9:00pm June 1: Race for Kids McArthur Island Youth Clubwww.raceforkids.ca June 1: Youth Fundraiser Garage Sale Calvary Community Church, 1205 Rogers Way June 1, 250.374.2888

Haveanevent?Tellusaboutitandwe’llputitinourCommunityEventsCalendarforFREE!info@kamloopsmomma.comFindusonFacebook!

Visitwww.KamloopsParents.comforacomplete,up-to-datecalendaroffamily-friendlyevents!

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