Please Vote For Care For Community Organizer Of The Year At MomsTo MomFest!

This summer marks 6 years running my business. Community is a huge part of why I love the work I do. So I was incredibly honoured to be nominated in 2 categories (Momboss & Community Organizer) for the MomFest Gala Awards this fall.

I’ve now been named a finalist for Community Organizer Of The Year, and would love to ask for your support in voting for me.

Living in West Toronto for the last 6 years raising my family, connecting with so many local families, and offering support to our community, has been incredibly fulfilling. I love hosting my Free local programs. Over the years they have included my West End Breastfeeding Cafe, West End Walking Group, Community Babywearing Drop-In (Next: Sept 18th), Monthly New Mom Project Donation Collections (Next: Sept 17th), Bloor West Moms Group Online Meetup, Movies for Mommies Screenings (Next: Aug 28th), and so much more. It’s been wonderful to collaborate with other local businesses to create events and safe spaces for families to meet, connect and thrive.

Just to be clear, I think all moms, and all parents, deserve an award! Cause this gig is not easy ;) But I would love it if you could take a minute to cast a vote for me. Voting is open until August 26th and daily voting is allowed. I appreciate your support so much.

Huge thanks to everyone who has come out to my events over the last 6 years. Wishing everyone a wonderful final few weeks of summer.

- Care

Thule Sleek 2019: My 4 Fav Features + Full Stroller Review - In Partnership With Love Me Do Baby & Maternity

For city families, strollers are often like an extra vehicle. They accompany us on everything from tedious weekday errands to fun family weekend adventures. They need to be able to stand up to some serious wear-and-tear, and adapt over time to suit our family’s growing needs. After 4 kids and 8 years with our initial stroller, we were in desperate need of a replacement. When searching for a new one I had a few key things I wasn’t willing to compromise on.

1. Great sun protection with a large extendable canopy

2. Narrower than our previous stroller (I’ve had issues with old buildings, small shops, and TTC vehicles)

3. Large basket for storage

4. The options for a skateboard attachment for our preschooler to ride on (The Thule Sleek happens to have full double stroller capabilities, and the option for a bassinet, car seat adapter etc, but our family doesn’t need those accessories at this stage in the game.)

When Love Me Do Baby & Maternity reached out about a partnership to do a full review of the 2019 Thule Sleek Stroller I jumped at the chance. This stroller is not only beautiful, but checks all of the boxes I needed. Watch my full Thule Sleek Stroller Review to learn all about this incredible stroller, including 4 of my personal favourite features, and why it’s a perfect fit for city families.

Don’t forget that if you join Love Me Do Baby & Maternity’s Love Point Loyalty Program you can start earning points to put toward future purchases. Win Win!

- Care

*This is a sponsored post which means I was provided compensation and/or products/services for this post. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. I only partner with companies, services and institutions that I genuinely love and want to recommend.

Save On Essentials With Love Me Do Baby & Maternity's NEW Love Points Loyalty Program + Get 150 BONUS POINTS!!

Shopping for a new baby, and keeping up with our little one’s ever changing needs, can be an expensive endeavour for parents. So it’s always nice to find ways to save a little money along the way, while not compromising on quality or service. One of my all time favourite local & online baby boutiques, Love Me Do Baby & Maternity, is doing just this. The owner Linda, and her amazing team, always offer the most incredible customer service experience (eg. they have the sweetest spot to rest & play, offer Complimentary Professional Car Seat Installation with car seat purchase, and host tons of In-store events), and now they’ve introduced a NEW Love Points Loyalty Program, that earns you points toward future purchases!* In the world of parenting it really doesn’t get much better than free stuff.

The best part is that they made it so simple. All you need to do is create a customer profile with your name and email address (profile can be made in-store, or you can Register Online by clicking the “check rewards” tab). Once you’re all set up, there are a whole bunch of simple ways you can start to earn points to redeem at the store. You’ll even get special stuff like birthday points! As a very special perk Enter Code SHOPWITHCARE at checkout to recieve 50 Bonus Points! Plus if you share a photo of your purchase on Instagram and tag With Care & Love Me Do Baby & Maternity you’ll receive an additional 100 Bonus Points!!

Since so many of us live in small spaces it’s all about quality over quantity, and finding the perfect product to suit your needs. I always appreciate that Love Me Do keeps their inventory and their “Registry Essentials” list to just that, quality essentials! They understand parenting and living in a city. They don’t want to add to your stress by breaking your budget or weighing you down with unnecessary stuff. Make sure to head over to Love Me Do online and set up your profile so you can start earning points today! You can thank me when you earn your first free purchase ;)

- Care

*Some Conditions & Restrictions Apply. Full Details

*This is a sponsored post which means I was provided compensation and/or products/services for this post. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. I only partner with companies, services and institutions that I genuinely love and want to recommend.

3 Summer Safety Essentials For Families - In Partnership with the St. Joseph’s Health Centre Foundation (Video)

Summer is here! Time for outdoor adventures, endless fun, and a few extra scrapes & bruises ;) While summer is undoubtedly the most exciting season, it’s also one that requires some special safety considerations for our little ones. As a CPR & Safety Educator I love supporting parents to learn about family safety, so needless to say I am thrilled to partner with the St. Joseph’s Health Centre Foundation to bring you 3 Summer Safety Essentials For Families.

Watch this video to learn about preventing overheating and dehydration in our little ones (so important in our hot summer weather!), learn proper helmet safety for the whole family, and find out how to keep our kids safe on the playground. Parents are often shocked to hear about one of the most common, and preventable, causes of leg fractures in toddlers on the playground. This is a must watch for all parents!

I hope these tips help keep you and your family safe this summer season, but please know that when accidents happen, or your little one needs a check-up from a friendly neighbourhood doctor, the St. Joe’s Just For Kids Clinic is right here in our West End community ready to help. It’s Toronto’s first, and only, Paediatric walk-in clinic in a hospital setting. The warm friendly decor and design of the clinic, along with the interactive games and play area, make children feel comfortable and safe while they wait to meet with the paediatric health care team. If you’ve never accessed the incredible services that St. Joe’s has to offer, make sure to check it out. Follow @stjoestoronto on Social Media (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter) to learn more about the health care services available to you and your family. Plus learn more about how you can help the hospital and foundation, so they can keep their promise to continue to provide the families in our community with the best health care possible.

Have a Happy & Safe Summer!

- Care

Read More about Keeping Our Kiddos Safe In Summer - Preventing, Recognizing & Treating Overheating & Dehydration

In This Video:

St. Joseph’s Health Centre Foundation | St. Joe’s Just For Kids Clinic | Klean Kanteen water bottle: MEC | Contego water bottle: Costco | Coral Canasta Tote bag: La Patria | Walleroo Victoria Fedora: MEC | Thinkbaby SPF 50 Sunscreen: Well.ca | Substance Sun Stick: Well.ca | Green Beaver SPF 15 Lipbalm: Well.ca | Alba Botanicals Kid’s Spray Sunscreen: Well.ca | Giro Bike Helmets: Batemans Bicycle Company | Linen Ring Sling: Potter & Pehar | Kid’s sunglasses: Baby Banz | UppaBaby Vista Stroller: Love Me Do Baby & Maternity | Picnic Blanket: June Home Supply | Booster Seat: Fisher Price | Ora Outdoor Sectional Sofa: Article | Globber Scooter: Mastermind Toys | Haro Kid’s Bike: Batemans Bicycle Company

*Please note: The information in this video is meant to help you learn about summer safety. The information provided does not constitute individual advice or consultation and should not be used as such. The information provided is not intended to override your health care providers recommendations for your individual child.

*This is a sponsored post which means I was provided compensation and/or products/services for this post. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. I only partner with companies, services and institutions that I genuinely love and want to recommend.

Register for NEW Live Online Starting Solids Workshops + Greek Yogurt Snowball Recipe for BLW *VIDEO

I’m very excited to announce that I’ve listened to your requests and added a LIVE Online Starting Solids Workshop to my offerings. Check out all of the upcoming dates on my calendar and grab your spot now! Just like my in-person classes, these online sessions will have very limited spaces available. So you’ll still be able to engage with the class content, enjoy live food demos, and ask all of your questions.

Speaking of questions, I get tons about how to feed soft liquid textures like greek yogurt when focusing on self-feeding (vs spoon-feeding). Watch this video to get one of my all time favourite healthy recipes for self-feeding greek yogurt, Snowballs! My little guy Fred has been scarfing these down on the regular. The best part is that the recipe only takes minutes to make, uses 4-5 simple healthy ingredients, and can be switched up to work with what you have at home. You don’t want to miss this one! Watch this video and don’t forget to subscribe to my channel to see more of our adventures in starting solids.

Enjoy!

- Care

In This Video:

ezpz Tiny Spoon from Hip Mommies | Bumkins sleeved bib | Stokke Tripp Trapp High Chair

*Please note: The information in this video is meant to help you learn about starting solids. All babies are different and this is just one example of safe feeding. The information provided does not constitute individual advice or consultation and should not be used as such. The information provided is not intended to override your health care providers recommendations for your individual baby.

*If you need more help please register for one of my upcoming Starting Solids Workshops or contact me if you want to arrange a private session. If your needs go beyond what I can help you with, I am more than happy to provide you with a referral to an excellent paediatric dietician

*Health Canada Nutrition for Healthy Term Infants: Recommendations from Six to 24 Months (includes recommendation for self feeding)

How to Feed Banana: Baby-Led Weaning - 6 Months Old *VIDEO

I’m so excited to post my first video in a long series of starting solids resources that I will be sharing in the coming months. Over the last 6 years teaching parents about Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) I have realized that more online support is needed. I can’t wait to offer more of my favourite tips and tricks, so you can feel confident feeding your baby safely.

In this quick video you’ll learn how to prepare banana for baby. Including tips for dealing with slippery textures, how to make sure our baby is safe during meal time, and my favourite product for BLW food scraps. You don’t want to miss this one. Watch this video and don’t forget to subscribe to my channel to see more of our adventures in starting solids.

If you need more help please register for one of my upcoming Starting Solids Workshops or contact me if you want to arrange a private session. If your needs go beyond what I can help you with, I am more than happy to provide you with a referral to an excellent paediatric dietician.

- Care

*Please note: The information in this video is meant to help you learn about starting solids. All babies are different and this is just one example of safe feeding. The information provided does not constitute individual advice or consultation and should not be used as such. The information provided is not intended to override your health care providers recommendations for your individual baby.

*Health Canada Nutrition for Healthy Term Infants: Recommendations from Six to 24 Months (includes recommendation for self feeding)

5 Essential Food Hacks for Baby-Led Weaning at The Bump To Baby Show 2019 - Register Now!

I’m so excited to be taking part in The Bump To Baby Show again this June 2nd at the Wychwood barns. This show is always jam packed with an amazing line up of vendors, entertainment, food, and fun for the whole family. Plus the best playground ever for kids! It’s hands down my favourite show to take part in every year.

Once again I will be offering a special live demo with amazing team from  The Big Carrot. This year I’m talking about “5 Essential Food Hacks for Baby Led Weaning.” Register Now to learn how to make your life as a parent a whole lot easier, keep your baby safe, get tons of amazing Baby-led weaning recipes, and ask any questions you have. Plus you can Enter for a chance to WIN a pass to one of my upcoming Starting Solids Workshops + More! This FREE session is perfect for any parents with babies age 0-12 months.

To plan your visit to the show check out the Play + Learn page to find out more and Register for all of the amazing sessions being offered, including my live demo at 2pm. Plus check out the Marketplace to learn more about the incredible line up of vendors you’ll get to see.

If you make it to the show, please pop by and say “Hi” at my table, or register for a spot at my session. Space is limited, so don’t wait! “5 Essential Food Hacks for Baby Led Weaning”

- Care

Starting Solids & Baby Led Weaning Basics with Motherhood Uncorked

A few weeks ago (during the most epic snowstorm of the season!) I sat down with Cortney, mother and creator of Motherhood Uncorked, to talk all things Starting Solids. We had such a great time covering all the basics including: when to start, how to start, what baby led weaning/feeding really is, food allergies, and how to feed your baby safely. This is a must watch for all of the parents out there who aren’t feeling confident about starting solids. I know how scary this transition can be, and always love to be able to offer some support and advice for parents. Watch Video

Starting Solids: The 1st Year (BLW + Purees) *Virtual Workshop

Quantity:

Register

If you’re needing more help and support please Register for one of my upcoming Starting Solids Workshops, or reach out (care@with-care.ca). My 2 hour workshop is jam packed and always leaves parents feeling so much more confident in their approach to starting solids and progressing through textures with their baby. Workshop covers:

• Purpose of Mealtimes

• Signs of Readiness

• 1st Foods & Foods to Avoid

• Updated Allergy Evidence & Guidelines

• Spoon Feeding & Baby Led Feeding

• Choking vs Gagging *How & when to safely intervene

• Food Progression & Motor Development in the 1st Year

• Meeting Nutritional Requirements & Healthy Recipes for Baby

• Cooking & Preparing Food for Your Baby

• Real Food Demos, so you can feel confident preparing and serving food at home

Space is extremely limited in each session to allow for individual questions, so don’t wait to Register!

You can also check out my Starting Solids videos on YouTube. More to come very soon!

Feel free to ask any questions below and don’t forget to check out this video.

- Care

*Please note: The information in this video is meant to help you learn about starting solids. The information provided does not constitute individual advice or consultation and should not be used as such. The information provided is not intended to override your health care providers recommendations for your individual baby.