Canadian content

Dec

2018

Holiday Gift Guide Round-Up

All links have been shared with permission from the authors.

UPDATE: Great news! I’ve updated this post with new links for the 2018 Gift Guide Season!

If you’re anything like me, you just realized Christmas is less than a week away. I feel like it really snuck up on me this year. Maybe it is because school goes right until the 22nd, maybe because of the complete lack of snow. Maybe, I’m just not really feeling it this year. Regardless of the reason I, or even you, seemed to let the month of December slip right past you don’t worry; I am here to help. I have compiled a list of some of the best Gift Guide to help you with any last minute gift shopping that you have to do. Find some incredible gift ideas, and show some love to some fellow Canadian Bloggers.

While you’re here looking for gift suggestions, check out my review of the Jord Watch.

Nov

2018

How To Spend A day At Marmot Basin As A New Snowboarder

I remember the first time I ever tried snowboarding. I was 16 years old and indestructible. Well more or less. It took me probably an hour just to stand up. The next day I was so sore I could hardly move. Regardless, I loved it. I went a handful of times over the next couple of years, and only once to Marmot Basin . Then, when B and I got together, the babies came and I had little to no free time. Still, do to be completely honest. So I wasn’t able to hit the hill for years. Probably 7 or 8.

When L and Big H were gifted snowboarding lessons from their aunt and uncle last Christmas I was so excited. I was finally going to get back to the hill. But this time, I was going to take lessons myself.

B and I booked lessons at Jaspers Marmot Basin at the same time the boys took theirs. We booked the two-hour group lesson for beginners. Even though I had snowboarded before, it had been so long since I had gone, and B had never even tried it.

Included with the lesson was a Full Day Rental, Lower Mountain Lift Ticket, and of course the 2-hour lesson on the bunny hill. You can upgrade to include the full lift ticket if you want, but realistically it probably isn’t necessary for a beginner. – The kid’s lessons included their rentals, lift tickets, lessons, lunch, and time in childcare as well. –

The website suggests arriving an hour beforehand to get your rentals. I suggest longer. We were there an hour and a half before and were a few minutes late for our lessons. Weekdays are, most likely, less busy than the weekends.

When the lessons started, we had about 8 more people in our group and our instructor, Christian. Dispute the large group he was able to devote time to each student and help them as needed.

He went through the basic steps of standing up. Toe edge and heel edge, and switching between the two. Practising each thing a few times between adding in the next step. When you reached the bottom of the little hill you took the magic carpet back up to the top and started all over again

By the end of the two hours, my husband was done. Exhausted. Not at all surprising. So, we headed up to have a bite to eat where we met up with my brother and sister-in-law (who had injured herself on the hill). Her and B stayed there for the rest of the day.

Now, I have an irrational fear of chair lifts, which makes for a great time on the chairlift. So my brother fed me some liquid courage before dragging me to Eagle Express Quad Chairlift.

After the panicking inducing departure from the lift, we followed the Sleepy Hollow run down to Old Road back to the chalet. It took me about 2 hours and ALL of my energy.

At that point, we grabbed the kids and headed back to our hotel in Jasper for the night.

I have been to a couple of different ski hills over the years, but Marmot Basin my favourite to date. Next time I return I plan on doing lessons again, to increase my skills and maybe learn something new before heading up that dreaded lift up the mountain.

Do you have a favourite ski hill in your area?

Sep

2018

Why Tunnel Mountain is the Best First Summit

I’ve always wanted to summit a mountain. To get the unapparelled views of the surrounding for the very top. When we planned a trip to Kananaskis last summer I immediately set out to find a good hike for us to do. When looking at neighbouring Banff, I stumbled on the Tunnel Mountain Hike, and it was a no-brainer. Hike in the beautiful Rockies, and summit my first mountain.

Tunnel Mountain is Banff’s smallest summit, located right in town. After doing some research I was promised a relatively easy hike. 4.3 km (up and down) with a gain of 300m of elevation. My hiking experience at the time was pretty limited, and my summit experience was absolutely zilch, so this sounded like something right up my alley. The promise of 360° views of the townsite, and surrounding peaks sounded like just the motivation I would need to get the top.

There are two parking areas. One offers quite a number of stalls and there is a short walk up to the second. This parking area, where we parked, only has about 6 stalls and in early August they are in high demand. The earlier you go the better off you’ll be. not just for parking, but for heat and business of the trail as well.

The Hike

The trail is wide and well-maintained with switchbacks the lead you up the mountainside, leaving the vertical gain very manageable. You walk easily through the trees and towards the top of the mountain, with plenty of gorgeous area with photo ops of the surrounding landscapes. While there is switchback there are points on the trail where the grade is still substantial, you are still climbing a mountain.

At one point we reached an area and I was sure that we were at the top, also we were not, and a kind lady told me we had just a little further so we ventured on.

When we got to the top there was no doubt, the signage made it clear. there is a wide open area perfect for picnics, although I hear there is a grassy meadow a little further down the trail I didn’t know about at the time. The views of the townsite below and surrounding mountains and river are spectacular. Exactly what I needed after the hike up the mountain. After a quick water and snack break, we headed back down the way we came. Providing the same useful information to people, “you’re almost there!”

The trail is very popular, so if you’re looking to be alone you may want to find another. It is a great first summit and easy hike for both children and dogs. For my first summit, it inspired me to add more to the list, both for us to do solo, as well as family friendly.

Tunnel Mountain Trail Information

Elevation Gain: 300 meters (948 feet)
Time: 2 to 3 hours round trip
Distance: 4.3 km (2.7 miles) round-trip
This trail is very popular and can get crowded in the summer and early fall months. Beat the crowds by hiking early in the morning or in the late afternoon.

Tunnel Mountain Trailhead

Lower Trailhead: In downtown Banff, from the southern end of Banff Ave., turn east on Buffalo St. (turns into Wolverine) to St. Julien Rd. Continue until parking lot on your left where a sign marks the trailhead.

Upper Trailhead: Continue past the Banff Centre. The trailhead is on the opposite side of the road from the Tunnel Mountain viewpoint parking area. This parking area is small as mentioned but shortens the hike to 3.6km.

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Mar

2018

March Goals – Goal Reset

If you read my last post you know that February was kind of a right off for me. I didn’t do a whole lot, and I certainly didn’t get a lot accomplished. Between repeat migraines and a cold that just wouldn’t go away, I spent a lot of the month doing as little as possible. While I didn’t get everything accomplished I had hoped to when I set my February goals, I won’t let that discourage me for the rest of the year. March brings spring and with spring brings new beginnings. Goals need to be constantly adjusted and reevaluated. Not accomplishing them in the time frame I set out to do a goal in does not mean failure, it means adjustment. This is why my February Goals have now become my March Goals.

If you’re looking for fitness goals, they can be found here.

Let’s look into last months goals

Read a book

After successfully meeting Januarys goal of reading a book, I hoped to continue it and I stated Malcolm Gladwell’s book, Outliers. I didn’t quite finish it yet but I hope to get to get it done this week.

My February goal was to Stop Procrastinating.

Clearly, that didn’t work out, but upon reflection, I realize that it wasn’t entirely realistic. I can not make such a drastic complete life change overnight. So For March, I am adjusting this a little. Okay, a lot.

In March I will stop procrastinating my writing. I will get all my posts for the month written and posted on time. Seems easy enough, but you haven’t seen my schedule. So far I am succeeding so here is to hoping that I can keep up my momentum for the rest of the month.

That’s it for my March goals. Have you set yours for the month yet? If so what are they? What do you think of my goals for the month?

Jan

2018

Sometimes I Struggle #BellLetsTalk A Look into an Anxious Mind

Sometimes I struggle to get out of bed in the morning. Not because I didn’t get enough sleep, but because I can’t bear to think about what the day might bring.

Sometimes I struggle with getting dressed. Not because I am in pain, but because I can’t be bothered to care.

Sometimes I struggle with being a mom. Not because I don’t love my kids, but because being a parent is HARD.

Sometimes I struggle with driving my son to school. Not because I don’t want him to go to school, but because I am sure I will get into a car accident.

Sometimes I struggle with grocery shopping. Not because we don’t have the money, but because there are too many people at the store.

Sometimes I struggle with being a good housekeeper. Not because I don’t want a clean house, but because there is not enough time in the day.

Sometimes I struggle with being active. Not because I am lazy, but because I just can’t be bothered.

Sometimes I struggle with being a good friend. Not because I don’t want to see my friends, but because I don’t want to see anyone.

Sometimes I struggle with driving my son to nursery school. Not because he shouldn’t go, but because I might have to interact with people.

Sometimes I struggle with taking my baby for his checkups. Not because I think he doesn’t need them, but because they might ask me how I am.

Sometimes I struggle with being a good wife. Not because I don’t love my husband, but because I am already so frustrated with the rest of the day.

Sometimes I struggle with cooking dinner. Not because I’m not hungry, but because the kids probably won’t eat it anyways.

Sometimes I struggle with going to sleep. Not because I am not tired, but because the weight of the day plagues me.

Sometimes I get out of bed, get dressed, drive my son to school, do the grocery shopping, play with my kids, clean my house, work out, visit with my friends, take my son to nursery school, take my baby to his checkups, great my husband with a kiss, cook dinner, and have an early bedtime.

But sometimes I struggle.

January 31, 2018, is Bell Lets Talk day. For every applicable text, mobile and long distance call, tweet using #BellLetsTalk, Bell Let’s Talk Day video view on social media, use of the Bell Let’s Talk Facebook frame or Snapchat filter, Bell will donate 5¢ to Canadian mental health initiatives. Let’s work together to create a stigma-free Canada! But more than just today let us work towards a world where it is easier to talk every day. If you or someone you know needs help, please get it.

On January 25, 2017, Bell raised more than $6.1 Million Dollars in support of Mental Health Awareness.

This post originaly was written In January 2017.

FAMILIES

FOR HIM/HER

MORE SPECIFIC

EVERYONE ELSE

The Hike

Tunnel Mountain Trail Information

Tunnel Mountain Trailhead

If you’re looking for fitness goals, they can be found here.

Read a book

But sometimes I struggle.