Winnipeg Free Press

This was a busy week to say the least. My husband was preparing for a major exam, I reviewed 9 fringe plays in 3 days and like always my kids were in need of more attention than there are actual minutes of the day.

I’m sure it’s not necessary to get into all the reasons why (because we’ve all been here one time or another) but let’s just say, nutrition was on the backburner this week and convenience food became, well, a convenience.

Now, I don’t normally feed my kids 3 square meals a day that come out of a square box, but when time gets a little thin around here, some sort of box picturing that adorable Pillsbury Doughboy inevitably gets cracked open…more than once.

So today as I was crushing various colourful sized boxes in my recycling bin I was enormously guilt stricken and made a trip to the grocery store to stock my refrigerator with the original fast foods (fruits, vegetables and whole grains).

Well, as I was unpacking my purchases into our refrigerator (without kids running around because they were thankfully running around my parents’ house instead), I turned the television on and caught an episode of CBC’s Marketplace (which I’ve never seen before but I enjoyed so much that I might just be a fan now).

The topic was foods receiving the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s Health Check stamp of approval (we’ve all seen the check mark on those “healthy” bags of French fries).

The episode, that originally aired back in January, shows host, Wendy Mesley, grilling a representative from the Heart and Stroke Foundation on how healthy these “healthy” convenience foods really are.

Turns out companies pay to be evaluated and receive this stamp of approval.  Shocker.  And I probably don’t have to tell you the reaction of customers when they were told this interesting fact.

Anyways, to avoid rehashing the entire episode and to make a long story short, here it is.  If it’s in a can, jar, box or plastic bag, it’s never, ever going to be as healthy as what the picture of the real food displayed on the can, jar, box or plastic bag would be if we actually had the time to purchase, peel and boil it with no added sodium, colour or preservatives.

So there you have it.  Another very informative observation I’m sure.  But if you do happen to be in a freezer aisle kind of mood, there are obviously some choices that are better than others and as long as it’s not a lifestyle choice to only dine out of packages, sometimes, we should be allowed to have our Hagen Daaz and eat it too.

Oh, and if you’re interested in viewing the Marketplace episode that aired today or seeing how some of the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s Health Check foods measure up to a couple of American health check programs, click here.  

I just got off of one, a highway that is, on my way home from cottage country.  And like all long distance driving, this one led to a philosophical discussion about life.

And because today happened to be a return trip, let’s just say our drive over was entitled “Life” and our trip back was entitled “Life: Repeating what we said on the way over here.”

And since I was the one in the driver’s seat, and the one perked up on a venti double shot espresso, I naturally felt the need to lead the predictable discussion about the meaning of life.  And because I’m also very good at reading signs when they’re staring me right in the face, there was no need for anyone to tell me how very annoying my metaphorical stories about journeys, wrong turns and coming home can really be on the open road.

Oh well.  Today I was big sister to my younger brother, who is five years my junior.  My unsolicited sisterly advice consisted of things I really do hold near and dear to my heart, even if they sound cheesy on the highway, and included stories about finding a soul mate, raising children and oops, what did that sign say?  Right…making plenty of mistakes along the way.

Perhaps it’s the educator in me, but I tend to embrace mistakes.  They make us all human.  They keep us humble and they never let us forget the importance of getting back on that road again.

And while my kids are too young for these profound topics and tend to use my charged automobile talk radio shows as a backdrop for their snoring, I hope to one day have this conversation with them.  I’m sure it will be messy and won’t make sense; I’m sure they’ll pretend what I’m telling them is lame and I hope they fully understand how wonderful they will always be to me no matter what road they decide to take in life.

We’ve always had Fort Knox quality security around here. Alarm systems, baby gates, child proof knobs, door chains, various locks for cupboards, fences, furnace rooms, you name it, we’ve got it. And it’s not so much that we’re trying to keep anyone out as much as we’re trying to keep a couple of mischievous little people in.

MacGyver (my four year old son) and his trusty assistant (my one year old daughter) could pull a Houdini act under the watchful eye of even the most highly trained grandparent or babysitter. It’s petrifying to say the least and I wouldn’t be exagerrating if I said that I never, ever feel like I can let my guard down around them.

Oh, and did I mention we have a pool? You can imagine the safety guidelines that I have around a tub of running water let alone a vat of chlorine charged liquid 4 toddlers deep. Let’s just say that lifejackets are worn inside and outside of our house all summer long.

And even with the tightest of security, I’ve chased a barefoot MacGyver running out the front door to his friend’s house, dived into the deep end of our pool in my jeans, and on more than one occasion found my kids in a cheerleader pyramid trying to get my car keys from on top of the fridge.

Which brings me to my dilemma. Since we moved into this house last summer, I have been left without an office. I mainly type in bathrooms (because I can lock the door), and at the kitchen table after the magic duo fall asleep (like I’m doing tonight). Problem is, my things (mainly one very recently purchased laptop computer) are always left out and about where my kids feel it appropriate to pretend they are me and pound away at the keyboard relentlessly until keys fall off or, most recently, my hard drive decided to take a breather from the abuse.

So tonight, I’m on my husband’s computer. But I’m not broken (like my highly sensitive technical equipment), but rather looking forward to this upcoming week when I will officially turn an unused spare bedroom into a room of my very own. Yesterday, my husband installed my new key-lock to the sanctuary. Today, I finalized delivery and assembly of a new office set. This week, I will hopefully not have to type in a bathroom, shield my computer from sticky fingers or wait for nightfall to get some work done.

Will I still have to sing The Wheels on The Bus to a captive audience while I get changed, brush my teeth, shave my legs or go to the bathroom…well we can’t have everything now can we.

We’re about half way done our major home renovation project that began around this time last year.  Some days have been trying to say the least and I’ve been close to throwing in the towel more than once.  If you’ve undergone any renovations in your home lately you probably can relate.  If you’ve recently moved homes, with little ones in tow, and undergone a major house renovation, you might even be a kindred spirit.

Tonight I put a second coat of paint on our entry way door.  It’s the second time I’ve changed the colour since we moved here last summer.  It would be an understatement to say that I have a habit of second guessing my design choices and that I get bored easily. 

As an added point, I was also never very good at multiple choice questions in school, and I’m finding that my real life equivalent lately are those paint cards found at our neighbourhood hardware store where I’ve become a regular this year.  It seems like all of my spare time (which everyone knows I have so much of these days) is spent researching small DIY projects that even I can do.

“I’m cancelling HGTV,” said my husband when he came home from work the other day and found a pile of river rock sitting in our driveway being raked about by a team of shirtless yard boys. 

Let’s just say my enthusiasm for home decor is not exactly contagious. 

I guess it’s because we’re planning to stay a while that I’ve become so thoroughly engrossed in turning this house we’ve bought into a home.  When my kids are tucked in bed at night, I often wonder how they will like growing up in their home.  Will it really matter to them what colour the front door is, or which cabinets I finally choose for our kitchen? 

While I’m not sure how my carefully considered design choices will affect my family in the long run, I do know this.  A fresh arrangement of flowers, a spruced up entrance way and some river rock in the backyard is only a backdrop for the beautiful summer I’m planning on spending with my husband and kids, who I would never wish to change in any way, shape or form even if they don’t always agree with my choice of paint colours.

So I have my runners.  The nice gentlemen that assisted me at the mall the other day had a good look at me and explained that my feet lack an adequate arch (i.e. are not meant for running) and therefore I was encouraged to purchase a special kind of shoe that adds arch support where needed and prevents my knees from rolling inward. Yup. All very positive stuff so far.

I also consulted the Couch to 5 K website and saw that my first run consists of a 10 minute warm up walk and 60 seconds of jogging followed by 90 minutes of walking for a total of 20 minutes.  This I think I can do and have made plans to run away from my husband and kids after bath and beds tomorrow evening.

I have workout wear (want to look like I know what I’m doing), some very nifty looking sneakers and socks that promise to pull sweat away from my foot (but that I can’t wash with softener or they will clog and I might as well have bought cotton).

In a nutshell I think I’m ready.

“Do you want my itunes?” my husband asks tonight.

“No. I’m looking forward to hearing the outdoors,” I reply.

“That’ll get old,” he retorts.

We’ll just have to wait and see, won’t we… 

As promised in my Parents and the City column today, here is the list of quality summer day camps for kids that were featured in the Free Press this week and last.  If you would like to add a camp to this list, please do so by clicking the comment bar below and I will do my best to update the list regularly.  Feel free to use my camp summaries as a guide when writing your own. Happy summer planning everyone!

Cooking Camp for Kids, The Food Studio, 3200 Roblin Blvd.
If your tweens have posters of Jamie Oliver in their room and offer to drain the spaghetti and set the table at dinner time, this is the place for them! Kids will learn how to whip up simple meals, the importance of kitchen safety, table manners and more in this fun and highly interactive environment featuring live food demonstrations and plenty of hands-on activities. Appropriate for ages 8 – 11; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; July 14 – 18, July 28 – August 1, August 11 – 15; $200 per week; For more information, phone 793-3774 or log onto www.foodstudio.net.

Children’s Technology Workshop “icamp”, Balmoral Hall School, 630 Westminster Ave.
Kids will learn to tell their story through the use of technology in this hands-on camp that teaches the ins and outs of designing video games, building Lego robots and creating animated movies. Appropriate for ages 6 – 13; full days (9 a.m. – 4 p.m.) or half days (9 a.m. – 12 p.m. or 1 – 4 p.m.); July 7 – 11, July 14 – 18, July 21 – 25, July 28 – August 1, August 11 – 15, August 18 – 22; $395 per week for full days and $220 per week for half days; For more information, phone 294-1536 or log onto www.ctworkshop.net. 

Fort WhyteAlive, 1961 McCreary Rd.
The very best in outdoor adventure activities await your nature loving kids at one of Canada’s foremost environmental education centres. Programs include paddling, sailing, and swimming. Appropriate for ages 4 – 13; full days (9 a.m. – 4 p.m.) or half days (9 a.m. – 12 p.m. or 1 – 4 p.m.); weekly camps run throughout July & August; costs range from $55 - $195 per week. For more information, phone 989-8364 or log onto www.fortwhyte.org.

Kindermusik Discovery,3412 Roblin Blvd.
This dynamic musical enrichment program offers children an opportunity to explore their musical roots, make friends and enjoy crafts, movement activities and theme related snacks. Appropriate for ages 3 ½ - 7; 9 – 11:30 a.m.; July 14 – 18 (age 3 ½ - 5), July 21 – 25 (age 5 – 7), August 11 – 15 (age 3 ½ - 5), August 18 – 22 (age 5 – 7); $179 per week (includes CD and instrument); For more information, phone 452-1222 or log onto www.kindermusikdiscovery.com.  

Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site, 5925 Hwy 9, St. Andrews
Drop in with your kids every Wednesday for Children’s Day and experience what it was like to live at the fort during its fur trade heyday. Kids sign contracts to perform jobs like churning butter and hauling firewood and play a number of fur trade era games. Appropriate for ages 5 – 14, however younger children are welcome. This is not a drop-off camp. Children must be supervised by a parent; 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; July & August; $3.90 per child. For more information, phone 785-6091 or log onto www.pc.gc.ca/garry.  

Manitoba Children’s Museum, 45 Forks Market Road
Kids full of energy will adore this adventurous camp filled with creative learning opportunities including field trips, exclusive use of the museum’s galleries and daily physical activity. Appropriate for ages 6 – 12; 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (early drop off after 8:15 a.m. and late pick up until 5 p.m.); July 7 – August 29; $140 (non-members) and $125.00 (members) per week. For more information, phone 924-4000 or log onto www.childrensmuseum.com

Manitoba Conservatory of Music & Arts, 105 – 211 Bannatyne Ave
Little maestros will be at home at this musical camp filled with arts & crafts, acting and dancing. Appropriate for ages 4 – 12; 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. (4 – 6 year olds) and 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (7 – 12 year olds); July 7 – August 1; costs range from $85 - $165 for a one week camp. For more information, phone 943-6090 or log onto www.mcma.ca. 

Manitoba Museum, 190 Rupert Ave.
Silly Science, Animation and Space are just some of the fun themes explored at this interactive camp for inquiring minds. Appropriate for ages 6 – 12; 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; June 30 – August 29; costs range from $88 - $140 per week. For more information, phone 988-0626 or log onto www.manitobamuseum.ca.

Manitoba Theatre for Young People, 2 Forks Market Rd.
Your budding thespians will love this energetic camp that explores exciting themes like pirates, wizards, safari and superheroes. Children will collaborate with others and perform for family and friends. Appropriate for ages 5 – 12; full days (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) or half days (9 a.m. to 12 p.m.); July 7 – August 29; $180 - $210 per week for full days and $130 - $150 per week for half days; For more information, phone 947-0394 or log onto www.mtyp.ca.

Mini U, University of Manitoba
In its 30^th year of providing quality summer programs for kids, the University of Manitoba once again offers an unbeatable array of camps. With over 50 classes to choose from in the areas of sport and special interest, it’s unlikely your kids won’t find what they’re looking for at this mega stop. Choices include everything from field hockey to hip hop to CSI science. Appropriate for ages 4 – 16; 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.; weekly camps run throughout July and August; costs range from $150 - $350 per week. For more information, phone. 474-7864 or log onto www.umanitoba.ca/faculties/kinrec/bsal/miniu/.

Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre, 1 Snow Goose Bay (at Hwy 220)
Kids will breathe easy at this environmentally conscious camp catering to children who enjoy nature and fun themes like Marsh Superheroes and Face your Fears. Appropriate for ages 5 – 13; 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.; weekly camps run throughout July and August; $140 per week, $120 for members; For more information, phone 467-3300 or log onto www.oakhammockmarsh.ca.

Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, 380 Graham Ave.
This dance intensive that runs through the school’s recreational division is for young dancers looking to advance their skills in a fun and encouraging environment. Classes offered in Ballet, Pointe, Jazz and more. Appropriate for ages 9 – 18; 9 a.m. – 3:15 or 3:45 p.m.; August 3 – 20; $875 or $2500 (tuition and residence). For more information, phone 957-3467 or log onto www.rwbschool.com. 

SPELL IT OUT! Youth Writing Camp, Manitoba Writers’ Guild, 206 – 100 Arthur St.
Teens, who enjoy writing poetry and fiction, will have an opportunity to explore creative language and learn more about careers in writing all while having fun and meeting other young people with a similar love for words. Appropriate for ages 12 – 15; 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.; July 28 – August 1; $250 for the week (includes lunch and snacks each day plus a one year Guild membership); For more information, phone 942-6134 or log onto www.mbwriter.mb.ca.

Springers Gymnastics Club, 4246 Ridgewood Ave.
Movers and shakers are definitely welcome at this 13,000 square foot facility that features a huge in-ground foam pit, trampoline and a power tumbling strip. Kids will have lots of energy burning fun while watching high performance gymnasts train at the same time. Appropriate for ages 5 – 12; full days ( 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.) or half days (9 a.m. – 12 p.m.); July 7 – August 29; $170 per week (full day), $90 per week (half day); for more information, phone 832-1954 or log onto www.springers.ca.

Winnipeg Art Gallery, 300 Memorial Boulevard
There will be lots of opportunities for your Picassos in the making to experiment in this hands-on camp for creative kids. Appropriate for ages 5 – 15; 10 – 11:30 a.m., 1 – 2 p.m. or 1 – 3 p.m.; August 11 – 22; costs range from $83 - $142 for a two week camp. For more information, phone 789-1766 or log onto www.wag.mb.ca.

Winnipeg Humane Society, 45 Hurst Way
Kids will learn pet care, safety and the responsibilities of pet ownership at the Paws for Adventure Day Camp. Appropriate for ages 7 – 13; 8:15 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.; single day and weeklong camps offered throughout July and August; $28 per day and $125 per week. For more information, phone 982-8811 or log onto www.winnipeghumanesociety.ca.

YMCA – YWCA of Winnipeg, 4 Locations City Wide
High energy kids will love this physically active camp featuring cooperative games, excursions, inflatable slides & bouncers, daily swimming and gym time. Appropriate for ages 3 – 15; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (with free extended day care option from 7:30 – 9 a.m. and 5 – 5:30 p.m.); July 7 – August 29; costs range from $60 - $175 for one and two week camps. For more information, log onto www.ywinnipeg.ca.

Zoo Camp, Assiniboine Park Zoo

Your animal lovers will adore this unique opportunity to see animals up close and participate in exciting games, zoo tours, eco projects and crafts. Themes include Feline Frenzy, Bug-o-Rama and Fin-tastic Fish. Appropriate for ages 6 – 12; 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.; July 2 – August 29; $150 per week, $125 for members; For more information, phone 982-0664 or log onto www.zoosociety.com.