Canadian Women in Time-Crunch Crisis
Recently, a report released by the Canadian Index of Wellbeing revealed that 20% of Canadians are experiencing the highest “time crunch” levels ever, and women are feeling the strain more acutely than men (Toronto Star, June 15, 2010). To the rescue comes Joanne Lalonde Hayes, creator of the hugely successful More Time Moms Family Organizer (now in its fifteenth year, with over 250,000 copies sold annually). Joanne has turned her prodigious organizational talents to creating a completely new and indispensable resource for time-stressed moms – More Time Moms Family Meals: Easy meal plans to help you keep your children healthy ($24.95; Publication Date: August 18, 2010).
This new cookbook will do for mealtimes what the Family Organizer does for family time, and it comes amidst growing concern about the food our kids are eating. Childhood obesity is reaching epidemic proportions in Canada, according to the Ontario Medical Association (National Post, June 24, 2010). Active Healthy Kids Canada Report 2010, the most comprehensive annual assessment of child and youth physical activity in Canada, states that “data from two regional studies shows that 15.2% of 2-5-year-olds are overweight and 6.3% are obese.” (Active Healthy Kids Canada is a charitable organization that advocates the importance of physical activity for children and youth.) Perhaps not surprisingly, given these statistics, a recent study at the University of Calgary that examined prepared baby and toddler foods available on supermarket shelves found that “of 186 different products, 63% [had] high level of sodium or too many calories from sugar.” (parentcentral.ca, June 28, 2010)
More Time Moms Family Meals helps moms to meet the hurdles of combating childhood obesity and ensure that kids are well nourished. The recipes and snacks feature food prepared from scratch, with fresh, wholesome ingredients. The menus adhere to the principles and food group servings of Canada’s Food Guide, with plenty of variety and much to please even the pickiest of eaters. A nutritional analysis for each of the six weekly menus ensures healthy meal planning, with a list of resources, including Health Canada’s website, www.hc-sc.gc.ca, where moms can get nutritional information and download Canada’s Food Guide.
Six full weeks of complete and unique daily menus and recipes, time-saving strategies, and downloadable grocery lists are available from www.moretimemoms.com, or as free Apps for smart phones available from App stores. Advance copies are available on the website.
Here we are! Christmas……Christmas…..Christmas……. I can honestly say is one of my favourite times of the year. It’s not the gifts, it’s not even the actual day, it’s the whole season. It’s the get-togethers, the music, the yummy baking and hot apple cider. For some of us, it’s the snow and the decorations for others it’s the escape down south. The smell of the turkey and the anticipation of the stuffed tummy coma right after in front of the fireplace with no guilt what so ever is part of what makes Christmas a fun time of year. We don’t count calories because we don’t care after all it’s the holidays..
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