Modern Mama is mom-focused events involving fashion, lifestyle and parenting – all with baby in tow. Nannies will be on hand to assist Mom during the event. Enjoy the best of Vancouver Westside and surrounding areas with your baby! All events are small, private and led by an expert, since 2008.
connie [at] modernmama.ca or angie [at] modernmama.ca
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For lunch on Monday I had nearly nothing in the house ready to eat. Thankfully, I’d seen this recipe in Food & Wine Magazine the evening before and I did have eggs and broccoli in the house. So, this became lunch for my son and I and we both loved it. The broccoli is cooked with garlic for added flavour and the sprinkling of parmesan cheese makes it delicious. And, it’s all done in one pan so clean up is easy.
The recipe below makes a big frittata, for 4-6 people. I halved the recipe and used a smaller pan with no trouble. With a piece of whole-grain toast, this makes a great lunch!
Broccoli Frittata
From Food & Wine Magazine and Marc Murphy
Ingredients
1 garlic clove, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 1/2 cups broccoli florets
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional- omit if you’re worried about spice)
Salt (optional)
Black Pepper
8 large eggs
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (1 1/2 ounces)
Our friends at Movies 4 Mommies are hosting their very first date night! On February 27th, bring your partner along for a nice evening movie out with your baby.
The movie will be Sherklock Holmes 2 (eye candy and action, a perfect date night pick!), doors open at 6pm, movie starts at 7pm. Come early and take part in a free family photo shoot.
Modern Mama will be there to meet and greet you before the movie – we look forward to seeing many of you out there.
Price is $10, which includes popcorn and a drink. Fab deal for an easy, baby-friendly night out.
See the poster below or visit the Movies 4 Mommies facebook site for all the details!
Modern Mama is looking forward to hosting local authors and experts in baby nutrition next Thursday, Feb 23 for our Essential Series Seminar on Healthy Foods First for baby.
Introducing foods to your baby can be an overwhelming experience – I was always worried about allergies, choking, and if my son was getting too much or too little of something. And of course there’s the issue of trying to avoid “picky eater” syndrome.
Chantel is a nurse and Ali is a dietician and they were unhappy with the information being provided to the public on baby nutrition, so they did something about it and wrote Good Food Baby and Good Food Toddler. At our seminar, Chantel and Ali will discuss the latest recommendations on Vitamin D and Iron, and open up the floor to everything related to baby feeding. It’s a great chance to speak with experts in this field in a relaxed setting.
New pricing in effect for our Essential Series too! $20 for members and $25 for non-members (a $10 savings).
More details about our seminar and speakers are below. REGISTER TODAY.
Essential Series: Healthy Foods First
Thursday, Feb 23, 10:15am-noon
Cactus Club, 1530 W. Broadway (near Granville)
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Our Essential Series is a collection of breakfast events for new moms. We cover many topics, all with expert speakers to provide the most up-to-date and relevant content for moms. Each event will be held with a light breakfast and nannies are available so that you can bring toddler along and still enjoy your morning for mama.
This event is on baby and toddler nutrition. Authors of Good Food Baby and Good Food Toddler, Ali J. Chernoff and Chantel Canessa will cover general baby nutrition and give you the most up to date recommendations on vitamin D and iron. And, we’ll save lots of time for your questions on feeding babies and toddlers. Ali is a dietician and Chantel is nurse – both have an expert background on nutrition for your baby.
Good Food Baby and Good Food Toddler will be available at the event at a special price of $22 ($10 off). $1 from each book sale will go towards the BC Centre of Ability.
Mamas will be treated to refreshments and a light breakfast from the Cactus Club kitchen. The restaurant is closed in the mornings, but they’re opening their doors just for us!
About the Books:
Good Food Baby - event promo price $22 (reg. $32)
We have found that new mothers and fathers have frequent questions on how to feed their babies. As a result, we have created Good Food Baby book for parents, which simplifies some basic tips on the following: breastfeeding, formula 101, how to introduce solids, how to make baby food, how to read a food label and how to deal with food allergies. This book also has a chapter towards babies with down syndrome. Therefore, we are giving back to the community; a dollar of each book sold will be donated to the BC Centre of Ability. This is an ideal book for new parents and it makes a great baby gift.
Good Food Toddler - event promo price $22 (reg $28)
Good Food Toddler features healthy recipes, great ideas for menu planning, snacks and dining out options. It also offers tips on many common situations, such as dealing with picky eaters or planning a party for tots with food allergies. Provided by two healthcare professionals, this book is an ideal guide for parents to teach their toddlers appropriate portion sizes and more.
Topics covered in Good Food Toddler include:
Feeding stages
Feeding tips for the transition ages from baby to toddler
Proper portion sizes
Fluids
Vitamin D
Iron
Salt
Tips for coping with a picky eater
Constipation tips
Food allergies
Celiac disease
Menu planning + recipes
Food safety tips
How to read food labels
How to plan a party + recipes
Dining out tips
Travelling tips
Speaker Bios:
Ali J. Chernoff is a Registered Dietitian and Nutrition consultant who is one of the 11% of BC Dietitians operating a private practice.
Since 1993, Ali has been involved in numerous activities related to the field of nutrition, including dietitian services at many schools and sporting events and family counseling. She currently offers food tours that focus on shopping for families, diabetes education, and food label interpretation.
She has been showcased in a variety of media formats including: CTV news, Breakfast Television, Chowtime, First Talk and the Shopping Bags, Chatelaine, Today’s Parent, the Vancouver Sun, the Province, Ottawa Citizen and the Vancouver Courier, as well as News 1130, the Rutherford Show, and Evolution 107.9.
In the fall of 2009, Ali became an Aunt. She helped her brother and sister-in-law develop a meal plan while she was pregnant and gave them tips for making baby food. They are now comfortable preparing meals for their son. Ali is confident her nephew will develop healthy eating habits that he will carry into adulthood.
Chantel Canessa has her Masters in Nursing and is involved with community programs that help improve the health and well being of individuals. She predominately works with children and is aware of the battles parents face trying to get their children to eat healthfully. Healthy eating and its benefits to one’s long term health is what she focuses on for her clients.
Homemade healthy nutritious foods were plentiful in the household in which she grew up and are still what one finds in her kitchen today. She believes healthy eating for children starts in their home environment and that they learn by example.
Now that she is a new parent, it is very important to her to build a healthy foundation by providing nutritious homemade meals and snacks for her family.
Mmm, sweet roasted butternut squash, sharp monterey jack cheese, and pasta shells – a delicious combination from Tyler Florence’s baby cook book, Start Fresh!
I made this last week and it’s a big favourite for my son and husband. And it’s so much easier to make than traditional mac and cheese that it will be a go-to for a quick dinner. Butternut squash is full of beta-carotene and vitamin A, a powerhouse veggie.
You can do this recipe in stages too. I roasted my butternut squash the day before I made this recipe as I had some time on my hands. Then I whizzed it all together the next day and dinner was ready in a snap. I served this with some steamed spinach and apples for my 15-month old and a big tossed salad for my husband and I. I always give my son a few salad leaves too, so he knows he can start eating salad anytime. He usually licks the dressing off and hands the rest back to me. A work in progress.
Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
Very slightly adapted from Tyler Florence’s book, Start Fresh
1 medium (1 to 11⁄2 pounds) butternut squash, halved lengthwise, seeds removed
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper
12 ounces small pasta shells (or any pasta you like)
1⁄2 cup whole milk
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
2. Place the squash, cut-side up, on a baking sheet. Drizzle with the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake until tender when pierced with a fork, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove the squash from the oven and allow to cool for 5 or 10 minutes. Leave the oven on and reduce the temperature to 350 degrees.
3. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions, or tender. Drain the pasta and return to the pot, off the heat.
4. When the squash is cool enough to handle, use a spoon to scoop the flesh into a food processor. Add the milk and puree until smooth. (*If you don’t have a food processor, you could probably use the blender. Just do the puree in batches) Add the squash puree to the pasta and fold together with a rubber spatula until combined. Grease a 9-inch square or round baking dish. Spread the pasta mixture evenly in the dish and top with the cheese. Bake until the cheese is melted and the top is golden and bubbly, 5 to 7 minutes. (*If you prepared the squash the day before, I would bake for about 20-30 minutes) Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
One of my best friends is expecting her first child in April – SO exciting!
She’s been going through the registry process lately, so I thought I’d share snippets of our conservations in case you are also a new mom looking for some general guidance on what to buy. I’m not an “expert,” but I am a mom that tests a lot of baby gear, so I hope my experience will be helpful for others. If you have additional tips and suggestions, please comment below!
When buying a stroller, here are a few things to consider:
- Size. Can you easily maneuver it through small stores and aisles? The stroller isn’t too wide or big?
- Can you push it with one hand? You will be doing a lot of one-handed pushing while on your cell phone or sipping a drink.
- Is there room for growth if you have a second baby? Many strollers have functionality to add a second seat for these scenarios.
- Is it a smooth ride and smooth drive? Does it feel nice to push? You are pushing it, so make sure you like it. For baby, though they like bumps and shaking, I like to make sure they are supported and it’s a smooth feeling ride. Especially if they are sleeping!
- Does your car seat clip in/out of it?
- Is it easy to fold up and put in the car? Some strollers are a paid to fold up, which makes it a pain for you!
- How heavy is the stroller? Can you pick it up easily? Can you pick it up with one hand? There will be occasions when you need to do this.
- How’s the storage? Is there a nice basket that you can easily access? If you’re shopping with the stroller, this is critical!
- What kind of tires does the stroller have? Some strollers have tire tubes and you can have a “flat tire” on your stroller. I chose a stroller with different tires as this would be a huge pain for me!
After lots and lots of research, I ended up choosing the Uppa Baby Vista, which I love. But, a stroller is such a personal choice, so consider these questions and more importantly, test drive as many strollers are you can!
Photo from Uppa Baby website.
I still remember, I was about 8 and a half months pregnant and feeling pretty good about myself as I’d read every pregnancy book I could think of. Then I realized…wait a minute, what about when the baby actually ARRIVES? What do I do? Strangely, I didn’t even think about this! I’d read about a serene pregnancy, supplies to get for the baby, nursery must-haves, but actual baby care…the pregnancy books didn’t really cover. Oops.
So, I set forth finding as many books to read as possible. All were useful, but a few really stood out. Here are some favourites:
1. The Baby Book, W. Sears & M. Sears – This was the most recommended book to me and has remained a great reference as my little boy has grown. A friend who recommended the book has an 8 year old and she still wants to keep the book – it was that useful to her. To read this book is to learn and appreciate the attachment parenting approach. There are lots of facets to attachment parenting that are over my head, but a key component is the encouragement to hold your baby in a sling as much as possible in the early days to create a solid attachment between parent and child. The book also covers off baby care basics, development guides, an excellent first aid chapter, play ideas, and much more. While I did not subscribe to everything this book recommended, I definitely used many of the ideas and the authors have this reassuring way of making you feel better when you’re feeling down, out, and frustrated in the early days of raising your baby.
2. Eat, Sleep & Poop: A Common Sense Guide to Your Baby’s First Year, S.Cohen – As the title indicates, this is a super practical guide to the first year of your baby’s life from a pediatrician. The advice is practical and supportive, and it gets right down to the nitty gritty details, which I like. I personally didn’t want a 5 page lead-up on how my emotions were post-baby. I wanted to know how to bathe my baby, or understand why my baby had a this mark on on him and when it was going away. This is a quick and useful read and you’ll refer back to it over and over.
3. Be Prepared: A Practical Handbook for New Dads, G. Greenberg – I was recommended this book by the lovely authors of Rookie Mom, and it was awesome! A lot of books understandably focus a lot on breastfeeding, and that can sometimes scare dads away as they naturally can’t relate. This book is written with a dad in mind with practical tips and a touch of humour. I bought it as a gift for a friend who’s expecting and found myself wishing I had it for my baby’s first year. Fun ideas like “how to baby-proof a hotel room in 5 minutes” to baby care basics are all covered.
4. Super Baby: 12 Ways to Give Your Child a Head Start in the First 3 Years, J. Berman – this is probably my favourite book on the list. It is less about baby care and more about how to develop a healthy, happy, thriving child. There are chapters covering the benefits of baby massage, sign language, how to introduce a second language, as well as the effects of TV on baby’s development, toy recommendations, book recommendations, and an excellent (though slightly terrifying) chapter on how to “green” your house for baby. I refer to this book over and over. This book combined with Brain Rules for Baby (below) convinced me to limit my child’s exposure television for his first three years.
5. Brain Rules for Baby, J. Medina – This book includes a chapter about the baby’s development while pregnant, so it’s an easy read while you’re pregnant as well. I received this book as a gift and enjoyed it immensely, particularly around the authors ideas on play and how brain development in babies works. It’s written in a readable and approachable way. His final chapter/appendix is all practical tips to put his theories into practice and a great reference. The author, John Medina also has a series of videos on iTunes U, so you can alternatively watch these podcasts.
…and a small 6th mention for The Survival Guide for Rookie Moms. I only came across this book last year when I was promoting our Modern Bump Brunch, but I picked up a few copies for Christmas gifts and took a peruse through it. A down to earth, well-written guide for the first time mom. I was happy to gift it to my pregnant friends as I know it’ll be valuable for them!
If you have any favourite baby books, I’d would love to hear about them! I am now onto toddler books. The next books on my reading list are The Mother of all Toddler Books by Ann Douglas, The emotional life of a toddler, and Parenting from the Inside-Out. Will report back on toddler books in the future.
It’s our Beauty Basics at Sephora event Vancouver!
We love this event, and we’re ecstatic to be bringing it to Vancouver! (we’ve been offering this event in Edmonton for the past four years!)
The experts at Sephora are trained professionals, they’re not kidding around at the beauty superstore – everyone here knows the goods, the products, the techniques.
This Modern Mama event is seminar-style, covering beauty basics for moms – from tired to fabulous in five minutes or less (lots of tips, tricks and product information from the Sephora expert staff) and then we’ll hear from Yummy Mummy Makeover‘s Joyce Lau who’ll reveal how discovering the colour choices that suit our skin tone can benefit us and our overall look.
This all happens while the store is closed to the public and we get the beauty gurus all to ourselves.
Coffee & pastries are included. Everyone goes home with a goody bag stuffed with Sephora samples!
This event is introductory priced at just $6 as it’s our debut Vancouver beauty event! Join us on February 19, 9am-11am at Sephora Pacific Centre. (Membership Perks Card holders and Perks Card Partners come FREE, although registration is still required)
As an avid cook, planning a menu of food and groceries for the week is great fun, so I thought I’d share my plan for the week plus a feature recipe. Please do share your own tips and tricks for your weekly menu planning too – I know people are always looking for new ideas and inspiration!
Breakfast
- Big pot of steel cut oats cooked Sunday night and in the fridge all week for quick reheating in the morning
- Apple & walnut puree for stirring into yogurt or oats (or by the big spoonful, as my 14-month old ate it today!)
- Banana Wheatgerm Muffins for grab and go breakfasts (I add blueberries & ground flaxseed, and skip the banana garnish on top)
- Lots of fresh fruit (finger food for my son or turned into a smoothie by my husband)
Lunch
- For my husband, it’s dinner leftovers. For my toddler, it’s dinner leftovers plus steamed veg and fruit, or an omelet, or already prepped food from our freezer.
Dinner ~ I am currently reading the lovely cookbook Super Natural Cooking by Heidi Swanson, so some recipes are extra healthy this week!
Monday: Baked pasta with ham, broccoli, and a cauliflower cheese sauce. Tastes great and the cauliflower cheese sauce makes this lighter and healthier than you’d think. See feature recipe below.
Tuesday: Rustic vegetable and polenta soup, fresh bread, salad
Wednesday: Millet fried “rice” with tofu, ginger, soy (from Super Natural Cooking)
Thursday: Salmon & green beans with a dollop of pesto, all baked in a foil package, served over quinoa
Friday: Barley “Risotto” with lemon zest and spinach (from Super Natural Cooking)
Feature Recipe: Baked Pasta and Broccoli with Ham and Cheesy-Creamy Cauliflower Sauce
Adapted from recipe in Martha Stewart Living, February 2012 issue
And here’s a great play by play by Our Best Bites
Ingredients
Extra-virgin olive oil
1 small head cauliflower, cored and chopped (about 3 cups)
6 garlic cloves, chopped
4 medium shallots or 1 onion, chopped
Kosher salt and fresh cracked black pepper
4 teaspoons all-purpose flour
4 cups milk (any kind. Recipe calls for skim, but I used a combo of 1% and 3.8%)
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
6 ounces grated Pecorino cheese, grated (2 cups)
1 pound whole wheat pasta shells (or shape of your choice. I used 1/2 whole wheat and 1/2 white rotini)
1/4 pound smoked ham, chopped
1 medium bunch broccoli, trimmed and cut into florets
1/2 cup bread crumbs or panko (Japanese bread crumbs)- whole wheat preferably
Instructions:
Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add cauliflower, garlic, shallots, and 1/2 teaspoon salt; cook until softened but not brown, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Sprinkle with flour; stir to coat well and let cook for a minute.
Add milk and bring to a boil. Reduce heat; gently simmer until cauliflower is very soft, about 15 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes. Transfer all to a blender, and puree with nutmeg and half the pecorino until smooth, creating your cauliflower cheese sauce. Blend in batches if necessary – don’t overfill your blender. An immersion blender also works great.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions (or to al dente). Add broccoli for the last 2 minutes of cooking the pasta. Drain pasta & broccoli, return to pot, and add ham and cauliflower sauce; tossing to combine. Transfer to a 13×9 baking dish (or whatever fits all the pasta).
Toss remaining pecorino with breadcrumbs and a drizzle of olive oil (a couple teaspoons should do it). Sprinkle over the pasta and place in oven. Bake until bubbling and topping is brown and crispy, 30-35 minutes. Let sit for a few minutes and serve.
Happy eating! Next week I’ll give a timeline of when I do things, how I prep food, etc.
And, we’re planning an event on baby nutrition on Feb. 23rd! Details will be posted shortly.
This week’s 5 things Friday is a guest post from fellow mama Isa Szeto.
I first met Isa and her adorable son at a mommy/toddler group at the Pacific Spirit Health Office. Like many of us, she’s a working mama trying to fit everything in. Fitness is very important to her and she graciously offered to write about the best places she’s found to workout with childcare available. I’ve also added a couple options after her write-up to give you an even 5 options.
Hot (and Sweaty) Mama
by Isa Szeto
Plenty of options for new Moms to get their sweat on and get fit again
As a new Mom of a 15 month old boy, one of the biggest changes in my routine was the challenge of how to stay as active as I was before I had a child. The sponteneity that I had before (like taking off for an afternoon bike ride with friends or a run in the rain) suddenly was not possible with a newborn if my husband was at work or unavailable due to travel. But after doing some research, I discovered there are lots of great options in Vancouver for new Moms to keep fit.
While some Moms keep fit while walking with their babies in strollers or doing fitness classes together with their babies, I sought facilities that had quality childminding, so that I could have a hard workout and a precious one or two hours of “me” time, while my toddler was safe and enjoying some new toys and playmates and change of scenery from home.
So here are some fitness places in Vancouver that have childminding onsite. A healthy, reduced-stress Mom is a happy Mom! (Please note, you must stay in each facility for the childminding staff to reach you in case of emergency. Rarely happens but just in case! )
Richmond Oval
My personal favourite place to work out, maybe because Apolo Ohno skated there during the 2010 Winter Olympics! Their fitness centre is 23,000 sq. ft. of the world’s best strength and cardio equipment. More than 50 fitness classes every week to choose from, so you can do a hard spin class, yoga, interval training, guided weight lifting, on top of using their indoor 2 km running track, free weights, climbing wall or hitting the stairmaster and watching TV from their 200 channels. Plus there are basketball and volleyball courts and an ice rink. Large spacious change rooms with the “tall” lockers (but you can use the stubby “half” height lockers, too) with no need for coins to lock them up. Free covered parking for members. (This means a lot when it’s pouring outside and you’re struggling with a infant/toddler and all his or her stuff.)
The childminding area has one wall of windows so there is plenty of natural light, plus it feels bigger than it is. A large variety of toys plus a climbing area in one corner, plus a crafts table and pint-sized toilet facilities for the little ones. The staff in childminding are very professional and caring.
The childminding hours are the best – most morning and evenings so you’ve got the flexibility to hit up the gym when it suits your busy schedule!
Childminding hours:
Monday – Friday: 9AM – 1PM
Monday – Thursday: 5PM – 8PM
Saturday: 9AM – 12PM
Cost: $4/hour
Other details: $2 for 1/2 hour; 10 hour and 100 hour punch cards with reduced rates available at Guest Services
More info:
www.richmondoval.ca
Dunbar Community Center
Gym equipment, drop-in fitness classes and drop-in spin classes await you. Or you can skip the workout and just enjoy some sauna and whirlpool time and enjoy a hour or two of relaxation. Woman, you deserve it!
Large sauna: You could invite 10 of your BFF’s and you’d still have room to spare in their large sauna. More than likely, though, you’ll have the entire sauna all to yourself to enjoy the heat and quiet time.
Whirlpool: Hot bubbling action to release the tension away.
The childminding area has plenty of toys, plus exersaucers for pre-mobile babies.
Childminding hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:45AM – 12PM
Cost: $6/hour
Other details: 10 hour punch cards with reduced rates available at the front desk
More info:
www.dunbarcentre.ca
Hillcrest Centre
Hillcrest Centre was the Olympic Curling venue during the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics. Following The 2010 Games, the facility was converted to a legacy facility that currently houses a new community centre, ice rink, aquatic centre, preschool, library and curling rink.
Inside you’ll find a wide range of activities for health and fitness: a state-of-the-art 3,500 sq. ft. fitness centre, drop-in spin classes, leisure pool with water toys, sprays, jets, water cannons and lazy river, an outdoor pool open in the summer with sprays and bubble jets, a 70 person hot tub, plus Family and Adult change rooms, including 4 accessible showers, 10 accessible toilets, 2 accessible change cubicles, 8 universal shower cubicles.
Childminding hours:
Monday – Friday 9AM – 11AM
Cost: $7.50/2 hours
Other details: Maximum 2 infants and 8 kids at one time. First come first served
More info:
www.hillcrestcentre.ca/
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Thank you Isa for doing the research for all us mamas! The childminding hours and background are so useful so we can perfectly plan our workouts between naps, snacks, etc.
And, as mentioned, a couple more options if you want baby with you:
Fit 4 Two Classes, available around the Lower Mainland. These are primarily for moms with pre-mobile babies. The instructors are excellent and it’s a nice way to meet other mamas in your neighborhood.
Barefit and Pregnant Classes on W. Broadway @ Alma – join Susie for a workout while your kids of all ages play amongst the exercising mamas. If your little one is a bit fussy during your workout, Susie is right there to pick them up and comfort them, giving you a bit of relief while she puts you through the paces.
And, Modern Mama’s next Essential Series Topic is on Post-Natal Fitness and getting your body back, inside and out. Melanie Osmack from Fit 4 Two and Kim Vopni from Fitness Doula will be on hand to talk fitness strategies, core strength, and answer all your questions. Plus, they’re bringing some excellent prizes with them! REGISTER.
Happy New Year everyone!
We’ve been busy planning a diverse range of events for all you modern mamas. Here are details on our January and early February upcoming events. We also have spa, beauty, and additional essential series events in the works – stay tuned for details!
Mama Needs a Babysitter - January 18th, 7-9pm, Nesting Kids Junior Home Store, 2126 W 41st Ave.
We have part-time and occassional sitters from the West-side that are ready to meet you! Join us for an evening to come mix and mingle with other moms and babysitters from Vancouver’s West side. We provide wine and sweets, all the sitter’s information and encourage everyone to meet & chat in a casual environment. Plus? Shopping! Nesting Kids is offering an exclusive shopping discount for the evening as well. All sitters are over 17 years of age, can provide their own transportation (public transit included) and have experience.
Cost: $40 ($35 members). Dads are welcome too. Nanny service is not available for this event, but we understand you’re trying to find a sitter, so your brood is still welcome to tag along!
REGISTER
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Essential Series: Post-Natal Fitness and Pelvic Floor Wellness – January 24, 10am-11:30am, Cactus Club, 1530 W. Broadway (near Granville)
Our Essential Series is a collection of breakfast events for new moms. We cover many topics, all with expert speakers to provide the most up-to-date and relevant content for moms. Each event will be held with a light breakfast and nannies are available so that you can bring toddler along and still enjoy your morning for mama.
A chance to meet and mingle with some other mamas, get out of the house for the morning and learn something new!
This event is on post-natal fitness and core strength. Melanie Hall from Fit 4 Two and Kim Vopni from Fitness Doula will speak about how your body changes post-pregnancy and how you can safely regain your core strength and get your body back.
Mamas will be treated to refreshments and a light breakfast from the Cactus Club kitchen. The restaurant is closed in the mornings, but they’re opening their doors just for us!
Cost: $35 ($30 for members)
REGISTER
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Mini-Mixer – Playgroup Formation Event – January 26, 10am-12pm, Kerrisdale Community Centre (West Blvd & 42nd Ave W. Vancouver), Room 221
Looking to find that special group of moms to get together with regularly? Did you just move into a new community? Maybe you would like to meet other mature moms? Perhaps you’re now a mom of two or three?
Whatever your circumstance, the goal of the Mini-Mixer is to introduce you to a playgroup of your very own and get you started on regular get togethers!
At this event, we create groups for you, set up some ice-breakers to help everyone get comfortable, help you determine the best day and time for your playgroup to continue to meet up, create suggestions and direction to keep the group going and then send you off on your own!
You’ll receive the Modern Mama Guide to your Playgroup booklet, contact information for the mamas in your group and fun social morning out!
Bonus fun: we’ll have a sample music & movement class with Budding Beethovens, so be sure to bring your babe to join in the fun! Budding Beethovens music classes is for 0-5yr olds, and can help them improve in math, science, language & social skills too!
Cost: $15 ($10 for members)
REGISTER
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Infant & Child CPR -February 8, 10am-12pm, Vancouver Unitarian Church, 949 W. 49th Ave (@Oak), Vancouver .
Do you know what to do if your infant or child is choking? Not breathing? Maybe you have your First Aid certification from years ago and need a refresher? Knowing the basics in an emergency can save a life.
This 90 minute workshop is led by an instructor from First Aid Hero. Our instructor will cover infant (0-12mths) and child CPR, choking and prevention. First Aid Hero is a Red Cross certified partner.
Childcare room with Modern Mama nannies for up to two children up to age 6 ($10). Infants are welcome to stay with Mom during the workshop at no cost if you prefer.
Cost: $45 ($35 for members) or $60 for a couple.
