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Edmonton

In Uncategorized on
March 18, 2019

#MomCrushMonday – Contributor Rachelle

WAHM/D, SAHM/D, Work out of the home or other?

Both a Stay at Home mom and an entrepreneur mom running my business called Momentum Health & Wellness.

# of Kids? Ages?

I have 3 daughters: 6 year old and 4 year old twins! I’m not sure who’s going to need a holiday when they are teenagers … my husband or myself!

What movie makes you cry?

The Notebook makes me cry every time!

Tell us about a mom/dad who inspires you?

My mom inspired me.

She passed away from a brain tumour when I was 7 years old. I don’t have a lot of memories of her, but what I do remember is that she was a strong, kind and loving lady who fought till the bitter end for her life and still made time for her 5 children despite having cancer.  So on the days where I feel like I’m failing or struggling, I think of her strength and realize life is too short to worry about the small things and to live each day to its fullest.

What’s the fondest memory you have of your life as a mom/dad so far? The biggest challenge?

My fondest memory of being a mom so far is watching my daughters grow. Watching them learn new skills, observing how they solve a problem on their own and listening to their giggles when they play a new game they made up!

My greatest challenge being a mom so far is parenting 3 children differently. No one warns you about this when you decide to have more than 1 child!!

Would you rather be able to see 10 minutes into your own future or 10 minutes into the future of anyone but yourself? Why?

I wouldn’t see 10 minutes into the future of myself or anyone else.  I am trying to be more present with my life and live for right now, in this moment, and appreciate all the little things around me.

You and your oldest child switch bodies for an hour. What do they do? What do you do?

If my oldest daughter (6 year old) and I would switch bodies for an hour, she would make herself a hot chocolate with all the marshmallows she could fit in the cup, drive my vehicle to the nearest 7-11 and buy herself a slurpee, then she would would pick her own show to watch in my bedroom. (She was pretty happy to answer that question!

I would colour a picture, ask for a snack and take a nap!

 

Rachelle Howse is a mom to 3 young girls and owner of Momentum Health and Wellness in Edmonton, Alberta. She has a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and over 12 years of experience in the fitness industry working as a Certified Exercise Physiologist and Pre & Post Natal Fitness Specialist. She started her company to inspire and educate others about fitness and wellness. Her goal is to create a community of prenatal and postnatal women who support one another through their health and wellness journey as well as educating families on the importance of creating a healthy environment at home and being a positive role model for their children. 

Visit Rachelle atwww.momentumhealthandwellness.ca, reach out to her at rachelle@momentumhealthandwellness.ca, and follow her on Facebook or Instagram for motivation and inspiration!

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In Parenting, Uncategorized on
March 3, 2019

Parenting Hack: Water and Bubbles Solve Everything

I remember my Mom saying that no matter what kind of melt down the kids are having, water solves everything. In my 10 years of parenting (I know it’s not much yet but give me a bit of street cred. I’ve so far survived sleepless nights, potty training, teething, first days of school, and homework frustrations.) I have found this to be true.

If a child is grumpy give them bubbles or stick them in water. It is a no fail trick in our house.

It can be a lot of water such as a lake when we’re camping, a pool day, or a walk by the river. It can be a little bit of water like a bathtub, playing in the sink and “washing” all their toy cars, or running through a sprinkler.

No matter what the water is; a bit of water will help distract and calm anyone. It is where we have had our best conversations, it tires them out making bedtimes easier and more relaxing and there is just something tranquil and calming about being near it. It allows for quiet.

And then there are the bubbles.

Enough said. You don’t even need actual bubbles to calm down a child. You can just try to say it together. I promise after trying three times you will both be giggling again.

If you actually have bubbles on hand blowing the bubbles is a great way to take deep breaths. This is especially useful if you have younger kids. Trying to explain to them deep breaths is hard but if you tell a three year old to blow bubbles, chances are they will happily do it.

We’re always looking for more Parenting Hacks. What works for your family? Let us know OR become an Alberta Mama contributor here.

 

Box Social Event Planning

Deanne Ferguson is the owner of Box Social Event Planning. When she is not planning fun, family, friendly events she is finding the yummiest food for the Edmonton Home and Garden Show Food Stage. She loves her #cocktailsMonday dates with her husband and chasing around her two boys. You can find her at @DeanneFerguson on Instagram and @BoxSocialYEG on Twitter

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In Edmonton, Events, Explore, Random Thoughts on
February 22, 2019

Alberta Mamas SkirtsAFire Artist Spotlight – Writer Michelle Todd {+Giveaway}

As I prepare to perform Deep Fried Curried Perogies at SkirtsAfire Festival this March, I think of the person who made me a mother.

My first born. This beautiful, tall, lean, long physique, gorgeous smile, thoughtful, patient, gooby sense of humour, mini-man. And promptly burst into tears. It has been such a surprisingly long road, it’s not over, but man!

Suddenly he’s 16 and adulthood is around the corner. For him! I can barely believe that I’m no longer the “young adult”. I still can’t exhale. I’m still scared. When he was first born, to the oft asked “How is he? How is motherhood?” I would reply, “Still alive,” not because he had any history of disease, but because it was my new mantra and let’s be honest, many an African violet and bamboo plant have expired in my care. And now I had a human?!?!

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In Contests, Edmonton, Explore, Lifestyle, Recipe on
February 20, 2019

The What’s for Dinner Nightmare (+ Simply Supper Giveaway!)

Meal prepping with Simply Supper

It’s 4pm, you are trying to get all the things from your to do list done in the last hour of the “work day” while shuttling children back and forth to sports and playdates. Then, you get the call, “what’s for dinner tonight?”. Ahhhhh! This is the thing nightmares are made of. Planning dinner every. single. night. Who else is with me on feeling the burden of this chore?

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In Events, Lifestyle, Random Thoughts on
February 15, 2019

Alberta Mamas SkirtsAFire Festival Focus Artist – Renee McLachlan{+Giveaway}

I remember my Mom picking me up from school and on the way home she would sing her heart out to Whitney Houston, Bonnie Rait, or Etta James.

I remember listening to her practicing for gigs in the basement, her voice would fill the house. I remember watching her play shows and perform in musicals, she was and is captivating.

I was simultaneously drawn to singing and annoyed by it. I was in absolute awe of her but a part of me wanted to rebel which I imagine a lot of people can relate to. You look up to your parents but you want to find your own path in the world.

My Mom gave me a guitar when I was a teenager. She started playing when she was 12 years old – it was everything to her and she wanted the same for me. I opened the gift and was disappointed. That was not what I wanted so I ended up selling it to my little cousin. Most likely I spent the money on clothes at the mall. Ugh. I cringe at this memory.

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In Lifestyle, Recipe on
February 10, 2019

Banana Oat Breakfast Cookies

You’ll look like the cool mom when you serve cookies for breakfast. Just don’t tell the kids they are actually really healthy! The best part about these banana oat breakfast cookies? There are only two steps, one bowl and one spoon needed, AND they freeze really well. It’s basically the unicorn of healthy cookies.

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In Charity Spotlight, From the Editors, Lifestyle, Random Thoughts on
February 6, 2019

Charity Spotlight: Weehelp Foundation

Welcome to a new feature on AlbertaMamas.com! Collectively, one of our big passions is giving back, and we know many of our readers feel the same. So, we’ve created the Charity Spotlight, a place where we will be posting information about Alberta based charities and how to get involved! Up this month, the Edmonton based Weehelp Foundation.

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In Edmonton, Health, Style, Working Mama on
January 26, 2019

SkirtsAfire Festival is coming to YEG!

SkirtsAfire Festival in Edmonton is self-described as “diverse and daring”. When you visit the festival be prepared to be immersed in powerful, beautiful, engaging performances, exhibits and workshops in Theatre, Poetry, Spoken Word, Design, Art, Dance, Cabaret, Music, Comedy, Yoga, and more.

We have taken in their 2017 & 2018 MainStage Productions. In 2018, The Romeo Initiative, written by Trina Davies was half romantic comedy, half spy thriller, and all entertainment.

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In Calgary, Edmonton, Parenting on
January 20, 2019

Ten Things to do on Girls Night Out

Girls Night

You know those real pants in the back of your closet? The ones without elastic waistbands or baby puke on them? Yes those ones shoved way back there between nursing bras and hoodies. They have been calling your name for months, screaming for a night out where you don’t have to cut up someone’s food before you can eat your own. A night where you can be out with your girlfriends for a while and just relax. A night where you don’t have to worry about bedtime routines. A night out with your girlfriends.

But what should you do with this free time?

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