Bonnie

Aurora, Ontario

Bonnie is a registered nurse who provides health living assessments, tips and support to local at-risk youth at The Shop in Newmarket. She and her husband along with two kids and two guinea pigs have been Aurora residents for 16 years. They keep busy with piano lessons, library and Town of Aurora programs and their church.

Kathleen:

What does a healthy and holistic lifestyle look like to you?

Bonnie:

For us, a healthy and holistic lifestyle is about aiming for balance. First, we try hard to protect family down time by reducing the number of commitments we have each week. This gives us windows to do things like eat dinner together, have a family game night, read, chat and pray together at bedtime and then get a good night's sleep - and hopefully be less stressed and sick as a result! Alongside that, we do our best to follow Canada's Food Guide, spend time being active outside and get together with family or friends.

Kathleen:

What are some of your family's favourite activities to enjoy together?

Bonnie:

Our family enjoys hiking, bike riding, swimming, skiing, watching movies together and exploring new places - from checking out the different parks and playgrounds in Aurora to walking around Niagara Falls or Quebec City!

Kathleen:

Would you describe Aurora as an active community? Why or why not?

Bonnie:

Aurora and York Region have invested significantly to make parks, trails, facilities, recreation and sport opportunities available to people with differing income and ability levels. Many private options also exist here. I think a majority of families get their kids involved in programs, but I wonder if the parents have time to be active as well? When we allow time to take care of ourselves too, we have better energy and good humour to take care of our children! If we model a healthy, balanced lifestyle for our kids, they are more likely to grow into and adopt one as well.

Kathleen:

What are some ways you encourage your kids to stay active?

Bonnie:

It was a tough choice to make, but we rearranged our current career paths so one parent can be home with our kids before and after school. This allows for walking/biking to and from school and playing with friends outside after school. We also arrange for our kids to try something new once each year "just for fun", like PlayBall, martial arts, dance, acting, tennis, rock climbing and scootering at the skate park. We also set aside a few hours each weekend for active time together hiking in Sheppard's Bush and checking out Nature Play Pop-Up, cycling to the Aurora Farmer's Market, going to the beach, building a snow fort, sledding or skating. Our kids are more likely to "get out there" if we lead the way and go with them!

Kathleen:

What are some ideas for getting nutrition foods into your kids' meals and snacks?

Bonnie:

We've taught our children they need something from all four food groups throughout their day, and we try to prepare our meals accordingly. We choose fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables, whole grains, lower-fat dairy products, leaner meats, and unprocessed or "Blue Menu" (healthier) items as much as possible. We drink water or milk, pack our lunches each day and have most of our meals at home. It takes some time, but this also saves money and avoids the higher salt, fat and sugar in a lot foods prepared elsewhere. Certainly, we have our "go-to" meals that our kids are more likely to eat, and we have been known to bribe them to finish their healthy food so they can have a small dessert afterwards...! But as we keep offering healthy options (even if they are not always a hit), it helps our kids to eventually broaden their palate and experience a variety of tasty foods. Our son also enjoyed taking a Town of Aurora "Junior Chef" class and we try to involve our kids in aspects of meal preparation when possible - they are more likely to try what they helped to make! Finally, myself and other parents worked with Lester B. Pearson Public School, Public Health, and the Healthy Kids Community Challenge to start a healthy snack program and host a Family Fitness Night. By making healthy and active options easy to choose at home, school and in the community, we give our children the gift of health and well-being!