Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Setting Your Fitness Goals – CIBC’s Run for the Cure



The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation’s  CIBC Run for the Cure  is held this year on October 6th, 2013! The Mississauga Run is located on the University of Toronto Campus in Mississauga (UTM).  The  momstown Mississauga Team is made up of a variety of women with different experiences, backgrounds and fitness goals.

Reasons to run for the cure may vary, raising money for breast cancer research or memorializing a loved one but we also all want to make healthy lifestyle choices and promote regular breast cancer screening among women. Setting fitness goals is an important first step in making a positive lifestyle change. 

How do you set your fitness goals, do you think about how many pounds you want to lose, what size clothing you would like to be wearing or do you consider what you would like to be able to DO physically (like running the whole 5k in under 30 minutes)?

For me this year has presented many tough challenges and I’ve had a hard time putting myself first. By committing to run the race, I have had to fit in time for my own fitness goals. My personal motivation has been to be able to run the entire 5K and to fit into a certain size of clothing. While many things have gotten in the way this year, by committing to The CIBC Run for the Cure it has kept me making short term fitness goals that have helped me from going astray on my long term plans. 

On the days where I do not have the motivation to run I have been riding my bike with my kids or swimming at the local pool. Both offer great cardio opportunity and are easier on the joints than running.  I know for me that finding activities that I can fit easily into my busy lifestyle raising my family will be the key to achieving my long term fitness goals. 

A little reward never hurts either so planning a special shopping trip for when I fit into that smaller size of clothing has kept me on the right track. Day to day, it’s nice to reward yourself for the runs you have accomplished when you really didn’t want to go by making time to watch a special TV show, having a glass of wine or getting out for a Girls Night Out. 


You can find out about making healthier lifestyle choices and finding new activities to keep you motivated at the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation’s  new website One NewThing.  Joining a local group like momstown.ca where you can try new things with others in the same stage of life with a young or growing family, can also help provide you with support and motivation.  

Join our team (or find one near you) by signing up at the CIBC Run for the Cure website today. 


 

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Mississauga Mom to Mom Sale - October 5th!

momstown Mississauga moms will be selling their gently used baby and kids items in our first ever Mom to Mom sale  on October 5th at 9:30am. 

Find deals on everything from gently used strollers, baby equipment, gently used kids clothing and maternity wear, toys, books and more! Lots of goodies available.  

Need to clean out your home and declutter? This is the perfect chance! Limited number of vendor spaces still available.  

Not a member of momstown Mississauga? That's ok, tables are available for a slightly higher fee. 

Email info(dot)mississauga(at)momstown(dot)ca for all the details.  

Limited number of business spots available as well!


DATE: Saturday October 5th, 2013


LOCATION: Streetsville United Church


274 Queen St S  Mississauga, ON L5M 1L8


TIME: 9am - 12pm

$1 Suggested donation for Admission 
Proceeds will go to our momstown Mississauga Team's Run for the Cure



Monday, September 2, 2013

Road Safety for Back to School

As thousands of Mississauga families prepare for Back to School and get back into the routine of walking, biking, driving or waiting at bus stop to get to and from school. It seems there is a yearly tragedy. 



One of my biggest pet peeves as a parent is the driver who stops and waives a child across the street. They are being nice, and thoughtful right? Well no, actually this driver is potentially exposing that child to grave danger. 

We teach our children to stop and look both ways to make sure the road is safe before we cross the street for a reason! Drivers who stop in the middle of the road to wave a child across are creating confusion and exposing the kids to real danger. 

Children are small, and as they run across the street they can be missed by drivers on the other side of the road who don't see them coming. 

Kids often don't also know the importance of making eye contact with a driver, so later on when they see a car stopped (maybe another parent is letting their own child out of the car and isn't looking) the child may assume its safe to run across the street - to a tragic consequence. 

Let's all be safe on the roads and do our part by teaching and following proper road safety rules!  Have a safe first week back to school! 





Join us at the Telling Tales Festival - September 15, 2013

momstown Mississauga Supports the Telling Tales Festival along with our other momstown Chapters from across the GTA. You can find us there crafting W's from our Alphabet Play Program. 


Mark the Date: Sunday, September 15th, 2013 
for the Telling Tales Festival! 


 As you pass through the Westfield Heritage Village "Gates of Time", you will be delighted to discover a world that existed before the internet and video/computer games… Here life can be simple, and stories come alive! Storytellers will hold crowds spellbound in the Native Village.

Preschoolers especially will find a world of things to do in our Large Meadow: Musicians, puppet shows, “learning through play”, crafts and much more. Plan to visit the Telling Tales Giant Book Swap and Shop Tent, a place to bring your slightly worn children's books, donate them to literacy and, if you choose, purchase second hand titles for just loonies and toonies.

Find out more information here:  www.TellingTales.org

PLUS! don't forget to like them on Facebook to participate in contests happening from now until the Festival!


You could win a My Little Pony Equestria Girls 2-pack of dolls with accessories PLUS the Equestria Girls movie on DVD

Enter to Win  My Little Pony Equestria Girls Doll 2 –Pack PLUS DVD!



Twilight Sparkle and Sunset Shimmer dolls will be true friends for all your Equestria Girls adventures! Twilight Sparkle’s smart style matches her flair for finding every answer, but Sunset Shimmer's striking sense of fashion steals a lot of attention. Which one will win the "magical" Fall Formal Princess crown? That's up to you!

My Little Pony Equestria Girls movie on DVD August 6th at major retailers across Canada.
Keep checking the My Little Pony Equestria Girls website for upcoming information and fun activities.

Enter by leaving a comment on this blog, tell us who is the My Little Pony Fan in your life! 



By entering this Contest, you acknowledge that you have read, understood and accept the terms and conditions below.

No purchase necessary. Contest closes September 30th, 2013 at 11:59pm EST. Open to residents of Canada (excluding Quebec), who are of legal age. Limit one submitted entry per person/email address. Odds of winning depend on the total number of eligible entries received online by the contest closing date.  One winner will be chosen randomly and contacted by October 10th, 2013.  Winner will not be able to select specific doll characters.


 © 2013 Hasbro. MY LITTLE PONY Equestria Girls is a registered trade-marks of Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Enter to Win Tickets to see Dora the Explorer Live: Search for the City of Lost Toys



Families across Canada can finally rejoice! Koba Entertainment is proud to bring audiences its newest theatrical production starring the adventurous little explorer, Dora!


Dora is embarking on her most important mission yet in Nickelodeon’s Dora the Explorer Live! Search for the City of Lost Toys. Dora has lost her teddy bear, and the search is on to find him. With help from the audience, Boots, Map, Backpack, Diego and more, Dora uses her directional, counting, musical and language skills to successfully pass through the Number Pyramid and the Mixed-up Jungle to reach the City of Lost Toys. But watch out! You never know what that sneaky fox Swiper might be up to along the way!

Leave a comment below telling us who is the biggest Dora fan in your home for your chance to WIN!  Please note: Tickets already have date and time determined. 

Do you love entering fun contests? momstown.ca is holding 20 contests this August to celebrate the company's 6th Birthday! Enter on our contest site for more chances to win Dora Tickets! 



Thursday, August 1, 2013

5 Reasons to Love a Family All-Inclusive Weekend at Fern Resort

Busy schedules, sports games on the weekend and crazy work routines means that our family has to get creative each summer to find a little time to get away.  We love to find vacation spots close to home, so that we don't waste time in the car (the kids always say they like to drive as long as it takes to watch one DVD)!  We've tried renting a cottage (way too much work) and visiting Muskoka, Niagara and even Blue Mountain for a summer weekend away, but we really lucked out this summer with Fern Resort!

Our family just returned from a weekend getaway at Fern Resort and we can't believe all that we did with only two days away and an hour from home!  What a perfect all-inclusive way to celebrate the summer and spend some much needed family time.


1.  Fern is All-Inclusive:  
When you are looking to budget your summer vacation, think all-inclusive, just as you would on an island getaway!  Booking hotel rooms on a discounted site might save you money on the accommodations, but just add in all meals, activities for the whole family and entertainment and it can really get out of control!  Never having to open your wallet is a great feeling when you're away.  Fern Resort provides all the essentials to create a busy and active family adventure; meals, accommodations, child care, entertainment, shows, water sports, adventure sports, golf, sporting equipment, mini golf, bike, child care (did we mention that already?) and more!

2.  Try Something New:  
Always wanted to try golf?  Fern will let you borrow some clubs so you can hit their 5 hole course!  You can play each day with no added green fees!  Haven't played tennis since you were a teenager?  No problem, grab a racquet from the sports club and hit the court!  Take out a cool quad bike through the trails, fish from morning to night, run around on top of the lake in the Zorb bubble, try a zipline, hit the mini golf course or try a kayak or peddleboat with the kids- all included with your stay at Fern.  Came to relax (I hear ya), sit by one of the 3 pools and watch the kids splash around while certified life guards keep watch.  My boys LOVED the diving board competitions while I loved the lounge chairs!  Something for everyone!





3.  Meals for Everyone:  
What an awesome break for mom when you go to Fern!  Kids can be independent at the kid's buffet and choose exactly what they want to eat!  No arguments at meal time!  Four course a la carte meals (no buffets for grown ups!) every day.  Have an allergy, or dietary restriction?  Fern is so accommodating when it comes to allergy, gluten-free or low fat diets. Craving their peanut butter or apple pie?  My husband and the boys found out that they might even keep some in the back for special requests!


4.  Kids Feel like Grown Ups:
With the kids programs for toddlers to teens, all the littlest visitors will have something to do!  Visit the play village while mom and dad lounge by the pool or have a romantic dinner, try the ropes courses with your buddies or even play a family round of mini golf- the kids will love feeling independent as they follow their own schedule!  Fern has thought of everything!


5.  Incredible Entertainment for the Whole Family:
Each night, Fern has a special guest or show;  Magicians, Hypnotists, Staff Bands, Lip Sync contests, dance parties, animal shows and more.  The best part is that guest (including the kids) get to participate and get on stage! Whether you sit on your chair with a drink and some popcorn or brave it up on stage, you will be sure to laugh and be amazed each night!  If shows are your thing, just head over to Mary Lou's for some billiards, nightly Bingo (with prizes),  ping pong or video games.  Our boys felt like they were in a pub and loved every second!


It's not to late to make your own family memories!  There are still weekends left in the summer, so check Fern Resort's website for special offers to get away this summer and enjoy an incredible family vacation close to home!