Do you "brown bag" it?

I recently came across this article and it got me thinking....
Brown-bagging it is better
Students who eat lunches made at home and eschew school cafeteria food are less likely to suffer from obesity, says a University of Alberta researcher. Paul Veugelers, co-author of the study published September 13 in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, found that children who eat regularly and eat home-cooked food with their families are on the road toward developing healthy habits. Research found that students who buy lunch at school are 47 per cent more likely to have weight problems than students who bring lunch from home, and students who regularly eat their meals in front of the TV run the risk of becoming overweight. The study surveyed 4,000 Nova Scotia students.



I wonder how true this is for adults too. I almost always bring my lunch from home. I take care to make lunch for both hubby and I each night before bed in order to have it ready to go in the am. Neither of us are obese (although I could stand to lose about 15 pounds) I have noticed many over weight people in my office, they are often eating lunch from the food court. Are they just not inclined, uninspired or don't want to pack a lunch? Is it too hard or time consuming to make something to take with? I guess if it were up to hubby he would be buying lunch daily but I do know he would probably try to get the healthiest alternative... Why would some people choose to buy an unhealthy lunch rather than make something at home and bring it to work with them? Just the time it takes to go to the food court or local restaurant, order lunch and eat it, plus the added costs of eating out everyday is a major deterrent for me! I guess if you look at it from another stand point- i could be called the "lazy" one- i don't want to get off my butt and run downstairs, out the door and over to the mall to buy my meal during my 30 minute lunch break- i prefer to relax at my desk or outside on a bench on a nice day and enjoy my "picnic" :)

Missing the Mark

In today's environmentally aware society it absolutely baffles me how many people still don't understand the importance of reducing our consumption. I constantly notice people ordering coffee to go in toss away, non-recyclable cups(which i am guilty of too but have reduced doing considerably since getting my reusable, thermal coffee cup), taking numerous bags from various shops while shopping (when each bag might only contain a single item each) or using paper plates on a regular basis because it is "easier"

Today while browsing my local Joe section of the Super Centre I tried on and went to purchase one item. At the cash the clerk rung in my item, and was about to put in a plastic bag when I said "Oh, I don't need a bag, I have my own" Her reply was "let me put in the plastic bag, then you can put it in your bag" I looked at her and said "what would be the point then, I'm trying to reduce plastic bag consumption" I was not surprised by the clerks' response to my own bag as I have had quite a few retail clerks ask me if I'm sure I don't want a bag. WTF??? If i have said I don't like extra bags then I mean it!! What would be the point of carrying my own bag in order to fill it with a plastic bag...argh!!

The Super Centre has been running a line of commercials recently stating that they are trying to reduce the number of plastic bags that end up in land fills by a billion this year. This clerk should probably be made aware of this ad compaign. She should also be made aware of the need to use less plastic bags and to preserve our beautiful earth a little longer. Considering this store sells their own line of reusable grocery bags I was a little dumbfounded by her ignorance. Perhaps I should write a letter to the head office notifying them of the incident!

On a serious note...

On the anniversary of 9/11 my thoughts are of course on that day in history which changed everyones lives forever but they are also on events a little closer to home. Today my husband called me as I was leaving work to let me know his school was in lockdown. As a student had been stabbed. Later we would find out he had been stabbed to death. He would be late picking me up.
My worst fears were coming true as hubby left a very good school in an afluent neighborhood to teach at a school run by the school board. A school in a much less "prestigious" neighborhood where the students had more to worry about than whether or not their parents were going to buy them a sedan or an SUV for their graduation. Many students at this Scarborough school seem to come from poor families, a majority of which appear to come from single parent homes. These kids worry about whether or not they are going to live to see the next day, if the gangs will bother them or if they will get knocked off in a drive by shooting. What has happened to childhood? Kids today just don't seem to get it. They think life is only the here and now , they don't think about their futures. Small insignificant details are mistake for life altering, life shattering events and taken so seriously. What could this young 16 year old boy habe done to his old school mate to warrant being stabbed, left to bleed to death in the parking lot of his high school? I can't imagine that this grudge held against him was worth his life.
His poor mother!
What has happened to Toronto the good? Our once safe, beautiful city has been run down by violence, poverty and in my opinion severe over-population. A city where I once felt safe sitting on my porch or taking an evening walk alone is no longer a place I want to live or raise my children. With each passing violent act reported on the news, i'm sure there are several that have not been reported, this leaves me with a sense of fear. I feel like packing it up and just moving to the country side! The multi-culturalism that once made this city feel world class seems to have divided it in so many ways. So many rivals fighting to occupy the same space. Why can't we all just get along.

adventures in hair dressing...

Who ever said suburban life was boring never took a trip to my local mall for a haircut! Over the weekend I decided that a new do and some retail therapy was in order. I hit the mall first thing Saturday morning, sans baby or hubby!
The hair cut is pretty good, the color a lot darker than I had expected and is still taking some getting used to but I do like it a lot. Got some cute tops too.
The surprise was the little mouse running around the salon. Next door to the hair dresser is PJ's pet store...apparently they have a big problem with rodents getting free and taking shelter in the salon. The little white mouse was quite cute and didn't look dirty or disgusting- i didn't have a problem with it being there but the elderly ladies who come in weekly weren't fond of the little mouse. Appently the back room is filled with runaway grasshoppers and crickets too!!!
Lucky they are moving

Help my hair!!!!

I am desperate for a new hairstyle. My current style is just so blah!!! I am bored and in need of something new, fun, stylish yet manageable as I have very little time to fiddle with it in the morning.



I have been admiring the "Victoria Beckham" but think it may require frequent touch ups as it is quite short in the back. My other idea is a layered bob, shorter in the back and longer in the front, coming down in angular sweeps around my face...Trying to find pics to post of what I am trying to describe....
This was my last hair cut, which was nice for about a day or two but is now scraggly and unkempt (the nice styles lasted about a day or two ARGH!!!)



Any suggestions ladies???? I like these...but am open to ideas :)

Grammar drama...

I was never concerned much with proper use of grammar until I began teaching it after university. The difference in correct format and usage of words was never something I ever really thought about. Now I am a really grammar nut. I can't stand when I see incorrect usage or when I hear people speaking and using fowl uses of the English language.
A few of the written offences that really blow my fuse are:

using their/there incorrectly....come on that is such an easy one to get right!!!
our/are
to/too/two
were/where (these aren't even pronounced that same)
Some of the spoken errors I hate hearing:
Yous (as in yous people)
ain't (there ain't such a word...the word is there isn't)
I didn't hear nothing yet...should be I haven't heard ANYTHING yet (ARGH!!!)
we's (as in we-more than two)

And the thing that really nags at me is typos...i don't always correct them all but I usually at least try to do a quick edit and read over before submitting.Some of my colleagues have no problem sending email enquiries ridden with errors and it just grates on my nerves.Don't even get me started on spelling mistakes!!!! ..that's just me :)

times are a changin'

I have never enjoyed change much. I kept the same part-time job for 18 years, from the time I was in grade 9 until I was pregnant with my little bambino. That job saw me through many phases of my life...i litterally grew up in that store. I have been in my current permanent position for 5 years now and can't imagine going anywhere any time soon. I have had the same car for 10 years now and have even lived in the same neighborhood my entire life....
BUT one change I really enjoy is the change of seasons. Once the weather starts to cool down and autumn is in the air, followed by winter I get excited at the idea that new things are on their way. I look forward to the fall colors embracing our trees, the crisp cool air and the sweaters I get to bundle up in to take the chill off.

Do you enjoy change? what changes do you look forward to?

For a good laugh...

rent BLADES OF GLORY

Hubby came home Friday evening from his weekly excursion to Blockbuster with Blades of Glory. I had been avoiding this movie as I really thought it looked kind of stupid, mindless and downright trashy. I was pleasantly surprised. This spoof on the world of figure skating had both me and hubby in stitches laughing so hard. I'm not entirely sure I would have found BOG sooo funny if I had been more awake but being exhausted, and in need of a good laugh allowed me to enjoy almost every moment of this comedy.
BOG stars Will Ferrell who proves to have a diverse acting ability in this flick. Newcomer Jon Heder (of Napolean Dynamite fame) does an outstanding job as well.

The Story Chaz Michael Michaels (Will Ferrell) and Jimmy McElroy (Jon Heder) are two fierce competitors in the world of Figure Skating. They often compete for the gold medal in competition in the singles' male category. Chaz is a belligerent sex addict who competes 'solo' and has no coach and no family. He grew up on the streets of Detroit and he got out of a life of crime to skate. Jimmy was adopted by a billionaire when he was a young skater and his whole life has been dedicated practicing and winning skating tournaments. Jimmy is very effeminate- nothing like womanizer and chief competitor Michaels. The two compete at what the producers (one which is Ben Stiller by the way) dub the Olympics without using the actual name. They share the gold medal and get into a horrible fist fight on the podium. The Figure Skating Association bans both of them for life. Jimmy is disowned by his father and Chaz ends up skating in some children's show, getting drunk and feeling worthless. One day, one of Jimmy's stalkerish fans goes to see him at his new place of employment where he stocks shelves and sells skates. He informs him of a loophole where skaters can actually still skate if they are banned for life, but they must skate under a different category. Events unfold and Jimmy's old coach (Craig T. Nelson) comes up with the idea to form the world's first ever male/male team. Jimmy and Chaz must put aside their differences and learn to be a team. They are challenged along the way by their new chief opponents, Stranz Van Waldenberg (Will Arnett) and Fairchild Van Waldenberg (Amy Poehler). They stop at nothing to try to ensure that Chaz and Jimmy don't compete, including using their sister Katie (Jenna Fischer) to do their dirty work. The goal is for Chaz and Jimmy to overcome all odds and win the final 'world competition' in Montreal, Canada

The Peoples Princess

It hard to believe it has been 10 years passed since Diana Princess of Whales was killed so tragically. I will always remember the day Diana died. It was a warm sunny day in Korea where I was living at the time. I called my girlfried to find out what was up for that day and she immediately told me the news of Diana's death. I just couldn't believe it.

Her poor boys (well not poor in monetary sense of the word but to lose a mother is horrible no matter who you are or how rich your family is) I felt for them. They had worshipped their mother and adored them.

Harry's eulogy was spoken so eloquently and passionately it brought tears to my eyes. I can only hope that my son will remember me that way when I die...
Eulogy for Diana
The text of Prince Harry’s eulogy for his mother, delivered Friday at a memorial service in London:
William and I can separate life into two parts. There were those years when we were blessed with the physical presence beside us of both our mother and father.
And then there are the 10 years since our mother’s death. When she was alive, we completely took for granted her unrivaled love of life, laughter, fun and folly. She was our guardian, friend and protector.
She never once allowed her unfaltering love for us to go unspoken or undemonstrated.
She will always be remembered for her amazing public work. But behind the media glare, to us, just two loving children, she was quite simply the best mother in the world.
We would say that, wouldn’t we.
But we miss her. She kissed us last thing at night. Her beaming smile greeted us from school. She laughed hysterically and uncontrollably when sharing something silly she might have said or done that day. She encouraged us when we were nervous or unsure.
She — like our father — was determined to provide us with a stable and secure childhood.
To lose a parent so suddenly at such a young age, as others have experienced, is indescribably shocking and sad. It was an event which changed our lives forever, as it must have done for everyone who lost someone that night.
But what is far more important to us now, and into the future, is that we remember our mother as she would have wished to be remembered as she was: fun-loving, generous, down-to-earth, entirely genuine.
We both think of her every day.
We speak about her and laugh together at all the memories.
Put simply, she made us, and so many other people, happy. May this be the way that she is remembered.

wonderful time of year

I love late summer...aside from the glorious weather (with the exception of this strange weather we're having now of course) the shopping is so abundant. Loads of amazing sales and deals to be had!!! Yesterday I decided to be a great, wonderful, awesome wife AND do a little (well A LOT) of shopping for hubby. I went to GAP and got him a savvy red, pinstrip button down for %50 off!!! It just looks so sharp!
Then off to MEXX I went...I never usually venture into this store but the huge sales signs in the window lured me in. Everything was on sale and then an additional %25 off that!! I got hubs a striped black shirt, a sauve blue dress shirt and 2 stylin' t-shirts!
He was so impressed with my purchases he told me I can shop for him anytime!!!

Today it's shopping the sales racks for me!!! Wish me luck!!

update on my newest toy...

well i was quite dissapointed with my CHI purchase. It stopped working after 2 days so i shipped it back to the seller and it is being replaced with a new one. I really hope this doesn't happen again as the savings I incurred by purchasing it online will have been eaten up with return shipping costs!! ARGH....i did a little research and noticed that quite a number of people who have purchased the CHI online received duds like i did!!! strange-don't ya think??? perhaps this kind of purchase is best done at a reputable retailer at retail prices just for consumer protection!!!

my newest toy...

I have less time than ever to get ready in the mornings so i have taken to showering before bed and just straightening my hair in the morning. This saves me a good 30 minutes as a 10 minute shower and 20 minutes blow drying my hair are unavoidable.
I asked around, read some reviews, checked out prices and decided to try my luck at getting this CHI on ebay. My first 3 or 4 attempts at bidding failed as i was outbid by an average of $2!!! SOO I finally managed to start bidding about 2 minutes before the auction ended and won!!!
So far I am not ecstatic about the CHI. I tried it before bed and got reasonable results. I used it again in the morning and the results were a little better. I just don't see how this thing could straighten really curly hair or if it does work to do this it would take a really long time! I thought, given the great reviews of this CHI, that I would have stick straight smooth hair in just moments- i didn't! I had to pull my hair through peice by peice about 2-3 times before it was straight enough for my liking. It took me way longer to achieve the look I wanted than i had expected. Perhaps my expectations were just too unrealistic...
I'll try using more and see if I just need to get the hang of it or if it really isn't just as good as my old Conair flat iron...

mamma does know best!!!

When I was a teenager I honestly believed my mom didn't know a thing. I swore up and down that she was just too old to know anything about how young people acted. I fought with her on many issues, always insisting I knew the truth/real answer. It was not until i reached some form of maturity that i realized how much mom really knows!!

Mom used to tell me over and over again that I needed to watch my behaviour and actions because everything I did had a direct impact on either myself or my family. I thought she was nuts! Now I realize just how true her words were. She said "everyone knows everyone" and that your behaviour will follow you. Boy was she right. With the Facebook Phenomenon I can see how many people know each other. Nothing can be kept a secret these days!! AND it is so easy to find out information on people with just a few clicks of the mouse...i was able to find some personal information of a few people, just based on their status comments on facebook!!(as an example of how careful you have to be!!!)

Mom used to tell me to wear a hat because it was cold...i would never wear a hat in the winter-it just wasn't cool...now i would never go out without one on a cold day!!
and of course there are the times when she would say "take an umbrella" and sure enough it would rain!!!
Moms are a lot smarter than teens give them credit for...and now that i'm a mom i can say IT's True!!!

a few fashion mistakes more than a few people make

photo taken from www.cartoonstock.com

I am not a fashion goddess, nor do I pretend to be BUT I do feel that i have a decent sense of style and I know what looks good, what is appropriate and what definitely looks bad.
Lately I have been noticing fashion more often than I had in past, this could be for a variety of reasons but mostly i think it's due to the fact that I'll be returning to the work force really soon and will need to get dressed in more than just sweats and t-shirts.

These are some things I have noticed which really bother me...

1) wearing clothes that show your bra. Bras are meant for under your shirt and really shouldn't be exposed. If you need to wear a bra under a tank top or with a spaghetti strap dress, wear a strapless bra PLEASE!!!
2) wearing running shoes for things other than running. These shoes are just plain ugly unless they are at the gym or being worn for the purpose they were intended.
3) showing way too much cleavage. This is a BIG no no for me. I hate having to avert my eyes away from other woman's breasts(and it's really hard not to stare ). Please cover up the girls. If you have to wear a lower cut top than please put a tank top or camisole under your shirt so your girls aren't hanging out!! Night club wear is excluded...
4) wearing pants that show your underwear. The style of lower rise pants seems to be dying down a bit-thank g-d- but for a while there it was nearly impossible to go a day without spying the top of women's panties. i don't need to know if you are a thong, brief or tanga wearer (although it is interesting to see if your underwear choice matches your personality type)
5) message t-shirts. They used to be cute- back in the early 90's and also on teenagers. Grown women shouldn't wear them (unless they are home cleaning the house or in the garden)
6) short shorts on anyone other than an Olympic runner...they are usually just plain wrong and everyone really doesn't need to see all that they reveal- shorts that are riding up between your legs when you're walking just can't be comfortable.
7) a pregnant belly hanging out under a tight t-shirt. I know Rachel on friends made this trend popular a few years ago but not all trends look right Do they???
8) wearing trends just because they are trends- doesn't mean they look good!

Throwback Thursday #3

I have less than one hour left to get this TT post in!! Sooooo me to leave it to the last minute but i do have good reason...i fell asleep shortly after putting the little guy to bed, fully clothed, full makeup and all!! Now i'm awake but only long enough to write a post...it's hard to find pics to share of the good old days. Those photos are all tucked away in albums and not on my computer for easy access so i'm going to share a pic or two of my little guys from last year when he was just born...oh what a year it's been!! I"m back to work on Tuesday and this chapter of SAHM will have come to an end

help us win...

I took the little guy to have our picture taken the other day for a photo contest. Please vote for us here. It would be so nice to win something right before returning to work!!!
Ours is picture # 6.

Thanks so much!!!

Throwback Thursday #2

I love this photo. I don't really remember it being taken but I just adore how my dad looks so proud of his little monkeys. He is just glowing and happy in this photo. I must have been about 3 years old and my brother looks about 5 or 6 months here, unfortunately the picture isn't dated. It is hard to imagine that my dad was ever this young or this thin! and he had so much hair !!! I remember always brushing his hair into a pony tail on the top of his head. It was very funny!!

my attempt at curly...

have gone out the window. I'm a little dissappointed as I purchase rather expensive frizz control serum a while ago at Trade Secrets. The sales woman there promised me gorgeous wavey, frizz free hair after applying the Bed Head Control Freak to my normally slightly wavey hair. It didn't really do much before my hair was cut and I thought perhaps my hair was just too long and lacking any shape for the product to work. So this morning I attempted to do the curly thing. The stylist told me to apply an anti frizz product-which i did- and then put in some gel-which i did...the results are absolutely disgusting and I am going to go wet and dry my hair with a blow dryer as soon as i'm done this post!!

NOTE- i attempted my hair at 9am...it is now about 11:30 and these pics were taken just after 11...my hair was/is STILL wet and nowhere near dry- i can't wait any longer to dry it as if i had actually needed to be somewhere this look just wouldn't cut it!

any suggestions on how to get the look i want if i ever attempt to go curly again...

New hair new me!!

Life is all about choices and making decisions. I had a choice to make today that kind of sucked at the time but turned out well in the end. My finances have been a little tight lately due to the end of my maternity leave and hubby being in school for a whole year with no income. I was in desperate need of a hair cut, but I was also supposed to meet some friends for lunch. It was either the hair cut or lunch but definitely not both! I opted for the hair cut as lunch would have been nice but not really worth the dough and my hair well...i have finally found a stylist i like and who seemed to actually listen PLUS no surprises regarding price PLUS he didn't try to sell me on coloring my hair (which could use a touch up but i'm well aware of that fact). I would recommend Mattia at L'Attitudes for a great cut.


Here are some before and after pics:

farewell till next time

My husband has two younger sisters. Each has one kid. The middle sister lives in Zurich and was recently here for her annual visit. It is kind of sad that we will probably only see our nephew once a year for the next few years as i don't foresee travelling to Switzerland often and they have very demanding jobs as it is difficult for them to get away for long periods of time.
While they were here all the cousins had a great time. Here are some photos.
First from our day visiting them up at the cottage they rented

Our trip to the zoo

The family (well minus my brother and his wife unfortunately) was all together to celebrate the boys' first birthday!!!