Doris Badir PHEc

There was a nice article brought to my attention about a PHEc who passed away recently.  The Globe and Mail did a feature obituary on Doris Badir called Expert on Home, Family Issues; Doris Badir redefined woman's role.

Have a read to see the impact a woman can have when you give her an education. Absolutely brilliant.

Schools Out For The Summer; Now What?

Exams are completed, graduations are coming to an end, and your children are now piling home for the summer. For nine months the home was yours, now your offspring and co. are invading your premises. It is a transition that comes every year, some parents dread it and are like the father in the Staples back-to-school commercial from years ago: ‘It is the most wonderful time of the year!’ Also, your children, who are used to having their planners filled from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., now have eight hours at their disposal and they aren’t 100 per cent sure of how to invest that time. School is out, now what do we do? All of us: children, students and parents need ideas.


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Read the rest on Notes on Parenting.

StarPhoenix:Storm brewing over gender issues

I have debated writing about this "gender-less" child Storm, but haven't figured out a way to say it.  Until today, when I came across this column, Storm Brewing Over Gender Issues in the Saskatoon Star Phoenix.

I just think it's funny that it got classified under "technology".

No Transition To Fatherhood Course in 2011

I have noticed that my Transition to Fatherhood class posts have been getting serious attention.  I also have received phone calls.

So I must say again that I am not offering a Transition to Fatherhood course this year, 2011, for reasons stated in a previous post.

I do regret not being able to assist those who are seeking help.  Here are some helpful resources:

• Check out the Positive Parenting Program
• Consider reading The Everything Father-To-Be survival guide
• Talk to friends who have recently had children
• Talk to family who have had kids

It's always important and helpful to look to your support system while having a child (like your family and friends).

Farm to School Manitoba

To all Partners, Advisors, Schools, Teachers, Parents, Family, Friends and Others with an interest in the Farm to School Healthy Choice Fundraiser,

My name is Lindsey Mazur, Executive Coordinator of the Farm to School Manitoba Healthy Choice Fundraiser (FSMHCF). For those of you who have not heard of the FSMHCF, it is an exciting, new fundraising program available to all schools in Manitoba, K-12, using Manitoba grown Vegetables. It will held from September to December 14, 2011. It is a partnership between the Manitoba Association of Home Economists, Peak of the Market and the Government of Manitoba.

With FSMHCF schools will have a fundraiser with great profits and the opportunity to:

• get fresh, local vegetables at or below supermarket prices
• offer healthy food choices & support school nutrition policies
• support local producers
• connect the fundraiser to classroom resources available at www.farmtoschoolmanitoba.ca
• try new recipes with Manitoba vegetables available at www.peakmarket.com/recipes

I invite you to read the attached document where you will find out more about the FSMHCFand an easy step-by-step guide of how to run the fundraiser. Please also visit the website at www.farmtoschoolmanitoba.ca. (For enrolling visit www.farmtoschoolmanitoba.ca/enroll.)

Finally, please feel free to forward this email far and wide to parents, teachers and schools or any others who may be interested in promoting this great opportunity. If you have any questions or comments, please email me at info@farmtoschoolmanitoba.ca or call me at

(204) 885-0718 or toll free at 1-866-261-0707.

Thank you in advance for your support.

Happy fundraising!

Sincerely,

Lindsey Mazur, PHEc, RD

We're failing our most vulnerable

I found this article, We're Failing Our Most Vulnerable in the National Post today.  I felt it took a different spin compared to my blog post on Failing our Children.

While I agree with her last statement in this case:

The people and agencies who failed the youngsters have learned bugger all. Why are they still charged with protecting children when the guy in the trailer or apartment next door is better at it?

I do disagree that the fault is primarily the government, ministers and workers.  I do believe more responsibility falls on the families, if not the parents, than the uncles, aunts, grandparents, who usually when their sibling or child succumbs to addiction and can't raise the child rarely does anyone step up to the plate.

Nonetheless, it is an interesting read.

Happy Canada Day!!!

Happy Birthday Canada!  This is the one day that happens every year where Canadians become very patriotic.  I love it.  We have a wonderful nation where we can live, play, work and grow together.

In celebration of Canada Day, I recommend you take this Canada Quiz from the National Post. The best Canada test I found among the papers I read/subscribe to (Which are many, I have a digital subscription to The Province, Edmonton Journal, StarPhoenix and the National Post all under one subscription, thanks Canada.com.  But I also keep tabs on the Winnipeg Free Press, Toronto Star, Globe & Mail, New York Times, Deseret Morning News, and the Battleford's News Optimist among many other small market papers.... just to name a few).  So when I say it is the best Canada Test I found, I mean it.

Also, to celebrate Canada Day, I have to share my favourite moment of someone singing O! Canada.  It was during the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics.  Chandra Crawford had just won a gold medal in her event, and when it came time to raise the flags, she BELTED out the National Anthem.  It is beautiful.  I admire her for her work and passion, so much so that I tried to get my daughters name to have Chandra in it.  But alas, it didn't happen. But watch this:



Happy Canada Day!