Welcome to the Neighbourhood West End Mamas!

Photo Credit Jade Beall Photography

I'm so excited to welcome West End Mamas to our Bloor West Neighbourhood! This total wellness centre for motherhood was created by Sarah Mickeler, a neighbourhood mom and incredibly skilled Chiropractor. After almost 15 years of working with clients solely on fertility, pregnancy and postnatal issues, Sarah decided to create a space that focuses on supporting the whole journey of motherhood. 

West End Mamas officially opened their doors today, and will provide a wide variety of Wellness Services including: Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy, Registered Massage Therapy, Acupuncture, Lactation & Breastfeeding Support, Psychotherapy & Counselling, Naturopathic Medicine, Nutrition Services, Doula Services, and Parenting Coaching. You can find out more details about their Fertility, Pregnancy & Postpartum services online.

In addition to this incredible line up of services, West End Mamas will be hosting amazing educational workshops, wellness classes and community meetups in their bright studio space. I'm very honoured to be working with West End Mamas and offering some of my programs including: Infant/Family CPR & Safety Workshops, Starting Solids Workshops, Parent Prep Classes, FREE Babywearing Meetups, and FREE Breastfeeding Cafes. Space is extremely limited for these programs, so please don't wait to Register. 

As a Midwife and neighbourhood Mom of 3, I firmly believe that we need more spaces like this for hopeful, expectant and new families. Bringing together skilled clinicians and amazing educators means that families don't have to travel around this huge city to find the services, education and support they need. When I began Fifty-Seven I imagined it as a space like this, but my business took me in a different direction. I soon decided to focus on my own personal offerings via teaching, consulting, writing and speaking, but was always sad that there wasn't a space like this for my clients, friends, family and neighbours. Needless to say I am very happy that Sarah has come in to fill this huge void in our community. I know that West End Mamas will be a incredible source of support for local families.

Check out West End Mamas gorgeous website to learn more, and drop by some time to see their beautiful space in the heart of Bloor West (2477 Bloor St W, 2nd Floor). If you have any questions about services or programs offered please don't hesitate to Contact West End Mamas.

- Care 

Giving To Charity Never Smelled So Sweet: Great Wolf Lodge + Ronald McDonald House Charities

Every year as the holidays approach I try to think of some ways that our family can give back. We are so fortunate and privileged, and it's essential that our children grow up knowing that. Throughout the year we try to instil a sense of gratitude in our kids and actively help in our community where we can, but the holidays are a great time to reinforce this giving mentality. Whether it's small local initiatives or larger charitable organizations, we always pick a few to support. I often include these giving activities in our Christmas Countdown Calendar, interspersed with little gifts, treats and holiday family events.

So on December 1st I was very excited for the kids to open their calendar. Ben (who is an excellent reader) peeled open the envelope and as he read the card his eyes lit up and huge smile came across his face. The card said "We're taking a family trip to Great Wolf Lodge!!! While we're there we will be dining in a real gingerbread house, and making a donation to the Ronald McDonald House Charities to help families with sick children." Ben had heard myths of Great Wolf Lodge from friends and family, and desperately wanted to go, so this was huge for him. I don't think the kids fully understood the life size gingerbread house part, and honestly I think they thought I was lying to them, but they seemed very excited and curious to see it. Penny, on the other hand just wanted to eat the envelope ;)

When we arrived we were all in awe. The gingerbread house was absolutely gorgeous and the kids were mesmerized by it. Made with over 1200 eggs, 666 lbs of flour, 5 lbs of ginger powder and 40 Litres of Molasses (just to name a few ingredients), plus 165 lbs of candy, it's an impressive structure. The house takes over 700 hours to plan and make, and baking begins each year in September. Inside the house there is a working fireplace and a train running around the top of it. Plus the smell...oh the smell, it's absolutely incredible. It's like sitting in Christmas. The only issue was that Lucy wanted to eat the whole thing!

If you're headed to Great Wolf Lodge for their Snowland Event this holiday season I highly recommend checking out the 10th annual Gingerbread house. By giving a $20 donation to Ronald McDonald House Charities, families can reserve this special table for a meal during their stay. It books up fast, so be sure to contact the resort in advance, or reserve online, because virtually every kid wants to eat in it once they see it. Our kids wanted to eat EVERY meal in it! 

I feel so fortunate to have 3 healthy children, but I know that their health can change at any time and I never want to take that for granted. Having a critically or chronically ill child is one of every parent's worst nightmares. Ronald McDonald House Charities provide incredible support for families with ill children around the world. Most of us have heard of their "home away from home" housing for families with hospitalized children, but I was totally unaware of the other amazing initiatives they have. These initiatives include: Mobile Medical Care in remote areas around the world, Family Rooms in hospitals to provide a safe and quiet space for families to rest, Grants for non-profit organizations that work in children's health, and Educational Scholarships. Donations from the Great Wolf Lodge Gingerbread event go to 3 local Ronald McDonald houses in Toronto, Hamilton & London Ontario, so you will be supporting local families when you donate. 

I'm so happy that we were able to do our little part to help out this year. A trip to Great Wolf Lodge was the icing on the cake...or should I say gingerbread house ;) 

- Carolyn 

*This was a sponsored trip, but all opinions are 100% my own. Although I wasn't asked to write more about our stay at Great Wolf Lodge, I'll definitely be sharing some tips for anyone planning a trip in a future post. Stay tuned!

**If you're not headed to Great Wof Lodge this season, but would still like to make a donation to local Ronald McDonald Houses, please follow the link.

The Bump To Baby Show - FREE Community Event

There's a NEW Baby Show in town! Check out The Bump to Baby Show, a FREE Community Event happening next Tuesday May 26th from 4pm-9pm at the beautiful Wychwood Barns. 

This show is perfect for expecting parents, new parents and young families who are looking for a little help going natural. The lineup includes incredible wellness practitioners, services & products all geared toward helping young families live healthy lives. I am so honoured to be part of this event and am looking forward to meeting lots of new people and seeing some familiar faces. 

Check out The Bump to Baby Event Page for a full list of vendors and to see some of the amazing swag & prizes that will be featured at the event. Plus, did we forget to mention it's FREE! 

See you on Tuesday!

- Care