Now that we’ve settled into January, it’s time to put a bow on 2021 with a goals report card. I’m not a fan of new year’s resolutions. Let’s face it—vague, overly-ambitious declarations made at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve are unlikely to have sticking power. I prefer to take some time at the beginning of the year to reflect before locking in my 2022 goals.
Say NO to Black Friday and YES to Buy Nothing Day
Are you ready for the silly season to kick into high gear? This Friday is Black Friday—a day best known for retail mayhem across the United States. It’s also Buy Nothing Day—an opportunity to rethink out-of-control consumerism. In today’s post I’ll look at the origins of Buy Nothing Day, and seven ways you can celebrate it instead of heading to the malls.
7 things we can learn from Indigenous wisdom
On Canada Day, I reflected on the horrific findings on Canada’s residential school sites. Many of our world’s issues come from a lack of understanding, so I signed up for a course on Coursera to learn more about our Indigenous people. The Indigenous Canada course gave me a perspective on Canadian history that I didn’t learn in school. The biggest takeaway was that Indigenous wisdom and way of life is something we should respect and value.
Waterloo Region trails to explore this summer
Only 4 more sleeps until the official arrival of summer! Definitely something to celebrate, even though 2021 will be another summer of staying close to home. Looking on the bright side, this gives us a chance to explore some spots in our own area. With that in mind, I’ve made a list of Waterloo Region trails I’d like to explore over the summer months.
Top 10 parenting tips you need to know
It’s official! I survived! We recently celebrated our youngest daughter’s 18th birthday so I can proudly say I am now the mom of two young adults. As I paused to reflect on the last 21 years, I made a list of my top 10 parenting tips to share with you.
If you’re just starting your family, I hope these little nuggets of wisdom will be valuable. If you’re embarking on the teenage years, just know that everything will be okay.
International Women’s Day – Choose to Challenge
It’s International Women’s Day – a day to celebrate the achievement of women and take action for equality. Over 100 years after the first International Women’s Day, how are we really doing when it comes to equality for women?
The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is Choose to Challenge. In this post, I’ve got some sobering statistics on the status of women in Canada and around the world. I hope after reading, you’ll realize we all need to Choose to Challenge every day. The future of our daughters depends on it.
5 ways to get a head start on spring gardening
Despite Wiarton Willie’s Groundhog Day prediction of an early spring, it’s unlikely we’ll see any real spring weather for at least a couple of months here in Ontario. That doesn’t mean we can’t get a head start on spring gardening.
If, like me, you’re anxious to shake the winter doldrums and look ahead to green grass and warmer days, here are 5 things you can do now to get ready for spring.
Farewell 2020 – A look back on the year that wasn’t
Welcome to 2021. Happy New Year! 2020 was definitely a bizarre and challenging year that many of us will be happy to see the back of. Before we jump headlong into 2021, let’s say “farewell 2020” with a look back on the year that was – or maybe the year that wasn’t is a better way of looking at it.
12 things I love about tea
Put the kettle on love! Growing up in England, I often heard that expression in our house. But I didn’t appreciate the true value of that cuppa until I was an adult. There are many things I love about tea, including surprising health benefits. For today, I’ll stick to sharing my top 12 list.
7 essential elements of a well-rounded life
When you’re at a social gathering and you meet someone new, the first question they will usually ask is “What do you do?” Today’s post considers why who you are is more important than what you do for a living. Read on to learn the dangers of letting our jobs define us and 7 essential elements of a well-rounded life. Plus, some ideas on conversation starters you can try at your next party or gathering.