FYI: Daylight Savings Time has changed this year!

Daylight Saving Time has changed effective this year, 2007!

The Spring forward time change has gone from the first Sunday in April to the second Sunday in March. The fall back time change has changed from the last Sunday in october to the first Sunday in November.

Here is a list of Daylight Saving Times for the next few years:

2007:
March 11
November 4

2008:
March 9
November 2

2009:
March 8
November 1

2010:
March 14
November 7

Feel free to visit here for more information.

New Canada's Daily Food Guide

Health Canada has come out with a new publication of Canada's Daily Food Guide.

On the website, you can:

- order a copy of the new Food Guide
- create your own personal Food Guide using an interactive tool
- get tips for how to use the Food Guide
-gain access to the Canada's Physical Activity Guide

This new Food Guide, in our opinion, is much more user friendly and easier to achieve.

Check it out and be healthy!

Health Canada advises women & children to limit their consumption of canned albacore tuna

In more food news....Health Canada is expanding its consumption advice related to mercury in fish to include advice for specific groups on eating canned albacore tuna.

While Health Canada has a standard for mercury in fish that is among the most stringent in the world, occasionally some fish products may exceed this standard and therefore Health Canada has provided consumption advice for some groups. Today we are updating this advice. However, Canadians can rest assured that there is no reason to stop eating canned tuna.

Data collected by both Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency over several years have shown that levels of mercury in most canned tuna are well below Health Canada's standard. Levels in canned albacore tuna are higher than levels in other types of canned tuna, but are generally below the standard as well. Health Canada's standards for mercury in fish and consumption advice are based on overall dietary exposures; occasional consumption in excess of the recommended amount will not put the average consumer at risk.

As a precaution, Health Canada is providing the following advice.

• Women who are or who may become pregnant, or who are breastfeeding can eat up to four Food Guide Servings of canned albacore tuna each week. One Food Guide Serving is 75g, 2 ½ oz, 125 mL, or ½ cup.
• Children between one and four years old can eat up to one Food Guide Serving of albacore tuna each week.
• Children between five and eleven years old can eat up to two Food Guide Servings of albacore tuna each week.

It is important to note that canned albacore tuna is not the same as canned light tuna. Canned light tuna contains other species of tuna such as skipjack, yellowfin, and tongol, which are relatively low in mercury. Canned light tuna also tends to be lower in cost relative to albacore tuna. Based on lower mercury levels, Health Canada does not consider it necessary to offer any consumption advice specific to canned light tuna.

Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide recommends at least two Food Guide Servings of 75 grams (½ cup) each week of fish. Choose fish such as char, herring, mackerel, salmon, sardines and trout.

Health Canada, in collaboration with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, will continue to monitor the levels of mercury in fish available for sale in Canada and will inform Canadians about any changes to its advice related to fish consumption and mercury.

More information is available at:

Health Canada's Mercury Information page.

It's Your Health on Mercury and Human Health.

Baby Food Recall

This US Baby Food Recall, extends to Canada, as there are many locations where you can buy and we know a lot of cross-border shopping mommies!

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is closely following an announcement by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about certain jars of Earth's Best Organic 2 Apple Peach Barley Wholesome Breakfast baby food. There is a risk that this product is contaminated with Clostridium botulinum. Toxins produced by this bacteria may cause botulism, a life-threatening illness.

The U.S. FDA has confirmed that there were no direct retail sales to Canadian consumers of the recalled product. However, this product has been available through internet sales. The CFIA is warning the public not to consume the product.

There have been no known illnesses reported in Canada or the U.S. linked to this product.

For more information on the affected product involved, consumers and industry can read the U.S. FDA press release at http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01566.html.

Toy Recall:Fisher-Price 'Laugh and learn' Bunny

'Laugh and learn' bunnies pose choking hazardFisher-Price has recalled more than 28,000 "laugh and learn" bunny toys sold in Canada because the pompom noses could come off and pose a choking hazard to small children.

There have been no injuries reported to date.

The 25-centimetre bunnies are yellow with one green and one orange ear, and have a three-dimensional pink pompom nose.

The recall includes about 1.2 million bunnies worldwide, but the company said it sold about 21,000 English bunnies (models K0468 and K5862) and 7,568 French bunnies (model K2965) in Canada.

The bunnies were sold across the country from May to December for about $20 each.

The company is offering buyers a $20 voucher if they have one of the problem bunnies.

Owners can contact Fisher-Price toll free at 1-866-447-5003 for information.

A Whole Bunch of Fun

Don't miss the event for families in Toronto and surrounding area this February 24.The Bunch Family Salon is an afternoon of fun for the family from 0-12 years.
Here's the 411 on the fun. It's a jampacked afternoon of fun!

TSO Percussion Petting Zoo
It's a room full of drums. Need we say more? The Petting Zoo is curated by TSO lead timpanist David Kent. AGE RANGE : 0 and up

Play with Props
The Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People opens up their props collection to Bunch Families! AGE RANGE : 0 and up

Royal Conservatory of Music
Guerilla OperaAn undercover opera singer patrols the Salon, breaking into song when you least expect it. AGE RANGE : 0 and up

AGOArt Studio
Join the AGO in the beautiful Salon Atelier where kids and parents can strike a pose to paint portraits of one another! AGE RANGE : 0 and up for subjects 2 and up for artists

Wee Welcome
Baby SalonA comfy library with club chairs for nursing, a change table and playmats. AGE RANGE : 0 and up

National Film Board
Animation Station Make your own cartoons! NFB pros conduct this hands-on animation workshop where kids and parents can create storyboards, clay characters and even short animated films. AGE RANGE: 3 and up

Lectures By Kids
hosted by Trampoline Hall's Misha Glouberman Finally, a chance for kids to lecture grown-ups! Kids deliver prepared talks on a topic of their choice, followed by a Q&A. There are three rounds of Lectures at the Salon. The third is an open mic where any kid (or even an adult) can get up and hold forth. Lectures by Kids is mediated by Misha Glouberman of Trampoline Hall.AGE RANGE : 6 and up for participants All ages audience


More Info:
WHEN: Saturday, February 24th, from 1-4 PM.
WHERE: The Arts and Letters Club, 14 Elm Street.
WHO: Kids aged 0-12 and their adult counterparts.
TICKETS: Tickets are $15 for grown-ups and $10 for kids if purchased in advance (plus a $1 service fee per tickets).
Tickets at the door are $19 for grown-ups and $12 for kids. Admission is free for babies two-and-under.LINKS:To purchase tickets click here.

Enter to Win a Pair of Baby Legs

So, if you haven't heard already -- we love our Baby Legs! And we want you to win a pair! Sign up for our e-Newsletter by the end of February and we'll enter you into our Baby Legs draw. Thanks to the great online baby boutique, Buggy Boo Baby for supplying the pair

Baby Legs
Rating: Rating: 4 1/2 Rubber Duckies( out of 5)

As Seen In: American Baby, Mothering, Pregnancy and Newborn, and Parents magazines as well as Oprah and all over the web!

Review: I was a little skeptical when I heard about the latest craze for babies and toddlers for Fall/Winter 2006 -- but all that changed when my pair of Baby Legs arrived. Having a boy, I haven't used them as a fashion accessory, a la Fame or Flashdance, but these are so functional for that part of leg between the boot and the snow pant. I'll be placing another order for a more funky pair for him soon!!You can keep your baby legs warm and toasty, while being stylish and so cute.

We ordered ours in black, from Buggy Boo Baby, but they have a great selection of fun and cool designs for your little fashionistas.

More uses for BabyLegs include:

• Make diaper changes a breeze
  

• Protect soft knees from harsh surfaces
  

• Keep legs (and arms) warm year round
  

• Provide light weight sun protection
  

• Make EC'n & potty training easier
  

• Jazz up any dance class
  

• Make a fun fashion statement with styles for every occasion
  

Snowed In and Freezing....

It is SOOO cold outside and the GTA is about to get hit with a snow storm tonight, making it long day inside with your little ones. Here are some fun ideas to help keep you all sane!!

• have a bath! get some bubbles and let your toddler have fun in the tub. Make lots of bubbles, and bring in some interesting new household items for play -- a turkey baster, different sized containers, and measuring spoons are always a hit.
  
• dance party! Turn on your child's favourite music (or yours!!) and let loose. Be silly together!
  
• get online! There are some fun sites and games for Toddlers, including games on Fisher Price and Seames Street Workshop.
• Finger Paint! Messy, but fun!! Check out our craft corner on York Region Baby for some ideas.
• Get Cooking! Toddlers LOVE to help , give them easy (and safe) tasks in the kitchen, like mixing, stiring and washing.
• Puppet Show - make some puppets with old sock or brown lunch bags and have a puppet show!

Email us with more on how you keep busy inside!

CONSUMER ADVISORY - CONSUMERS CAUTIONED TO INSPECT POWDERED INFANT FORMULA CANS

OTTAWA, February 9, 2007 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Mead Johnson Nutritionals are advising the public that some cans of Mead Johnson powdered infant formula found at a single Zellers store in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan have been tampered with.
A total of two suspect cans have been reported at that store. The cans were found to have puncture holes which were concealed by the label.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product.

Consumers using powdered infant formula products should look under the label to inspect the cans for signs of tampering.

CFIA is conducting an investigation of the suspected tampering and the case is being referred to the police.

For more information, consumers and industry can call one of the following numbers:

CFIA at 1-800-442-2342 / TTY 1-800-465-7735 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday to Friday)

Mead Johnson at 1-800-361-6323 (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time this Saturday and Sunday) Regular Weekday Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern time.

For information on receiving recalls by e-mail, or for other food safety facts, visit our web site at www.inspection.gc.ca.

Mother Hen expands in Ontario - Organic and Natural Baby Food

When our little guy was starting to eat solid foods last year, we used Mother Hen along with making our own.

It was convenient (and yummy), but it was also hard to find here in York Region, but we are happy to let you know that Mother Hen has announced that their new line of Ecocert-certified, organic and natural baby foods will debut in Ontario this month. To be available at many grocery stores and Shoppers Drug Mart locations across the province.

There is also a great variety of choice as there is over 25 food purees and meals, ranging from traditional favourites to more exotic flavours such as mango puree or Sunny Fruit sauce with mango, bananas and pineapple. All Mother Hen products are free of added sugar, salt, starch or preservatives.


Mother Hen’s fruit, vegetable and meat products are available in packages of six (each serving is 59ml) and retail for a recommended price of $5.49. The Mother Hen meals are available in packages of four (each meal is 118ml) and retail for a recommended price of $7.99.

Once Upon a Child (OUAC) Newmarket's NEW Location

Just an FYI that Once Upon a Child in Newmarket has moved into it's new location.

You can find them at 130 Davis Drive, in the Prenatal Plus Pregnancy & Parenting Centre.

It's a bright and airy space, with lots of room for new and used products. When I stopped into today, they let me know that they are now looking for Spring items!! Here is a link to selling to Once Upon A Child -- and look for a special prize from there that I bought for our readers!! I'll announce how to enter a little contest soon!

Happy Shoppping (and selling!)

$30 Million Dollars for Heart

As a family who is deeply touched by heart disease, specifically Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in both adults and children we are excited to announce that today that the SickKids Foundation today announced the largest gift in the history of The Hospital for Sick Children and the largest philanthropic investment in children's cardiac medicine and research in North America.

Arthur and Sonia Labatt pledged an historic $30 million to SickKids with $25 million establishing The Labatt Family Heart Centre and a $5 million endowment that furthers their support of the Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre.

Named in honour of its founding supporters, The Labatt Family Heart Centre will provide state-of-the-art care to children with congenital heart disease, the most common birth defect and leading cause of birth-defect related deaths worldwide. The Centre will play a key role in educating the next leaders of cardiac care delivery in Canada and around the world, and research programs will focus on both congenital heart disease and the early origins of adult onset heart disease. "

Arthur Labatt co-founded Trimark Financial Corporation, now AIM Trimark Investments, one of Canada's largest mutual fund companies. He was elected to Fellowship of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario in March 1997. Highlights of his volunteer activities include directorships at SickKids Foundation, Parkinson Foundation of Canada, Canadian Opera Company, Young People's Theatre, Toronto French School and the African Medical and Research Foundation. In October 2004, Mr. Labatt was installed as Chancellor of the University of Western Ontario, a position he continues to hold today. For his outstanding business and community leadership, Mr. Labatt was named an Officer of the Order of Canada in July 1996.

Dr. Sonia Labatt is an Associate Faculty Member at the Centre for Environment at the University of Toronto. Both her teaching and research focus on issues of corporate environmental management. Dr. Labatt's volunteer activities included directorships at the National Ballet of Canada and the Wellesley Hospital Foundation. She also was a director of the Art Gallery of Ontario and co-chaired Havergal College's 'Fund for Tomorrow' campaign. Currently, Dr. Labatt is a director of World Wildlife Fund Canada, sits on the Dean's Advisory Board, Faculty of Arts and Science, University of Toronto and is a member of the Board of Trustees at SickKids.

We're helping to "Raise The Barre"

It may be freezing outside, but on February 22, it's gonna be hot in Toronto!!

We are happy to have had the opportunity to donate a big basket of baby goodies to the silent auction for Canada’s National Ballet School for the Raise the Barre – Havana Heat.

This year's Raise the Barre will be a Cuban-flavoured fundraising event hosted by NBS graduate and former National Ballet of Canada principal dancer Veronica Tennant, on Thursday, February 22, 2007 at the Academy of Spherical Arts, 38 Hanna Avenue.

For the winter-weary, this second annual Raise the Barre event offers a variety of intriguing activities. Card sharks can test their skill – and luck – at the Texas Hold ‘em poker tournament. Wine connoisseurs can indulge in a wine tasting seminar hosted by a professional sommelier.

The silent and art auctions will give guests the chance to bid on an assortment of luxurious lifestyle items and gift packages as well as a selection of contemporary art sure to suit all tastes, budgets and living spaces.

For more information Visit.
Raise the Barre – Havana Heat will be held at the Academy of Spherical Arts, 38 Hanna Avenue. Tickets are $95 or $150 for the Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament buy-in (includes admission) and can be purchased in advance by calling 416.954.3780, ext. 2105 or by email rtb@nbs-enb.ca

Cha Cha Cha with Salsa Babies

We are having so much fun in our Salsa Tots class from Salsa Babies -- and will write more on that later! (and will hopefully have some pictures!)

I wanted to share with all the new moms and mommies-to-be some video, so you can get an idea about what Salsa Babies is all about.

For those of you who don't know, it's a great way for moms to get into shape, while having fun and dancing with their baby! So check out the video and see how much fun Salsa Babies is. For a fun activity for mom and baby in York Region check out Salsa Babies and see why moms are raving about the fun they have and how great Amy is!! Happy Salsa Dancing!!

Check out the video of Salsa Babies, as featured on York Region Living!

A Must Read Book for all Moms and Moms-to-be

Breaking the Good Mom Myth: Every Mom's Modern Guide to Getting Past Perfection, Regaining Sanity, and Raising Great Kids

I was so excited when I found this book by Alyson Schäfer in my stocking! (Thanks Santa!)
I've already read the book once from cover to cover and have started reading it again -- this time with sticky notes and a pencil!
I've caught Alyson's show on Rogers from time to time and from what I've seen it's a great show, with advice and help for parents. Alyson is also the resident parenting expert on the CBC's "The Gill Deacon Show" on CBC.

In Breaking the Good Mom Myth, Alyson tackles 8 myths about today's modern 'good' mother, including, the myths that "Self-Care is Selfish", "My marriage Can Wait" and my favourite, "Good Mothers Make Life Fun and Entertaining".
This is an engaging book, set to help new moms, as well as old pros and I recommend this great (Canadian) book and am going to file on my bookshelf under "U" for useful!

* Please note: If you click and buy through amazon, we do recieve a small comission.

Biting?

So, today my little guy bit another child for the first (and hopefully last time). It was totally mortifying and I felt so bad for the little one and the mom. There was no skin broken, but still -- not good! We handled it by a time out, and apology to the little girl.

And when they left a big talk to the toddler by mommy and daddy.

Here are some no-bite solutions...

Great Advice from Elizabeth Pantley
Love at First Bite
Tips from BabyCentre

Hot Baby Product

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TAGGIES blankets, toys and books are "the" hottest baby products around!





Have you ever noticed how fascinated babies & toddlers are by the tags on their toys or blankets? TAGGIES are lovable, soothing fleece blankets, toys and books that have beautiful vibrant tags around the edging offering your little one wonderful opportunities for fun, sensory development and fine motor skill development.

This elite brand of baby products is only available at select authorized retailers! Shop on line today at www.trendybabyproducts.com to purchase TAGGIES for your special little one before stock runs out!

The Stay at Home Mother

We were happy to introduce Kelley Scarsbrook aka The Stay at Home Mother in January to the York Region Baby team.

Kelley writes a syndicated column called "Mom at Home" for Black Press in White Rock, BC. She is also owner of "Yes You Can Be a Stay at Home Mom Consulting Services" which provides inspirational workshops and consulting services for women looking to become Stay at Home Moms. You can visit Kelley's website at http://www.thestayathomemother.com/ to sign up for monthly tips and upcoming workshops.

Take a peek at her inspring articles at York Region Baby.

Do you have Character?

If you know someone who is making a difference in our local community of York Region, then check out the Character Community Awards! Do you know someone who has demonstrated positive character attributes in their home, school, work or community? Why not nominate them for a Character Community Award? These first annual awards are looking for people in our community who make York Region a better place. Fore more information visit - http://www.charactercommunity.com/

Enter to win a pair of BabyLegs

Subscribe to our e-Newsletter by February 28th 2007 and you'll be entered to win a pair of BabyLegs, the fabulous leg warmers for babies and toddlers! Also, read our review of BabyLegs and find out why we gave the. 4.5 out of five rubber duckies!!

Our e-Newsletter readers enjoy special, exclusive contests and discounts. As well we provide news and information about the world of parenting. Our e-Newsletter is sent out once a month and see what moms are saying:

"I look forward to getting my newsltter from York Region Baby each month. It is great to see and read about the the events that are happening in and around us for babies. "

and

"Thanks for doing such a great job informing parents in York Region. And thank you for helping me research information about prental yoga. It was so great of you to take the time to help me find a place to do yoga!"