Browsing Tag:

women

In Edmonton, Events, Health, Style

SkirtsAfire #YEG – SAVE THE DATE

 SkirtsAfire Festival in Edmonton is self-described as “diverse, inclusive and daring”, guaranteeing there’s something for everyone at their 10th anniversary festival, running March 3-13 in Old Strathcona. With the ever-changing pandemic climate we’re all navigating, there is one thing for certain – SkirtsAfire will offer 10 days of engaging and entertaining performances and experiences!

We have taken in their MainStage Productions since 2017 as well as Opening Night Parties, and of course, the fantastic SkirtsAfire Skirt Design Competition. Featuring the work of women and non-binary folks in the arts in Edmonton – MARCH 3-13, 2022.  Check out SkirtsAfire, experiencing theatre, visual art, design, music, comedy, and more.

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In Parenting, Random Thoughts, Working Mama

This Is 40 Patina

I will be 40 this year.

I’ve have heard that some people have a “scary” age. One that they just don’t look forward to and I always thought mine was 40, but now that I’m here – not so much.

In my 20’s I was crazy.

Farm girl gone to the big city, that first taste of freedom and ALL the mistakes. I had no idea who I was, what I wanted to be and absolutely no self esteem. I hung out with the wrong people, and dated the wrong guys, but really, came out on the other side smarter for all of it. I think of these years as my “test drive”

In my 30’s, I was better?

Gone was most of the crazy, I was married for a bit by then, had my kids and life just kinda went on. I started to come into my worth. My friend circle got smaller, but much more valuable. Towards the end of this decade here, I can honestly say I like myself more than I have my whole life.

I work with the younger generation and I hear them lamenting about turning 23, or 27 or whatever it is and I just keep telling them that they’re coming up on the best years of their lives. I tell them, believe in yourself, love yourself, be kind to yourself, life keeps going and really we just get more awesome.

The way I look at it is, I’m a Classic.

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In Edmonton, Events, Parenting, Random Thoughts

Get To Know The Know Tribe Edmonton

We have had the absolute pleasure of working with The Know Tribe Edmonton and had the opportunity to showcase Alberta Mamas alongside many other amazing lady run businesses in Edmonton in The Know Book. 

The reason we love everything about this endeavor is that it’s really all about women supporting women. Marina, Renata and Stephanie (Know Ambassadors) are women helping other women get out there and be seen. Not just creating connections within the group but with The Know Book, exposure that can be touched, felt and picked up by people all over the city.

The Book:

It’s a vetted guide that highlights dynamic women that are often under-the-radar, behind-the-scenes, and are busy perfecting their craft. It is a diverse collection of women from all walks of life, industries, ages, and backgrounds.

The Tribe

It’s a casual place where high-level, like-minded women come together to create and foster relationships. There are absolutely no mean girls allowed. We are a sisterhood.

The events that you can take part in are incredibly fun. One of the best parts is being in a group and realizing you are meeting people you follow on social, and admire, IRL. Connecting, inspiring and learning from each other.

You can even see what others have said about being part of the Tribe on YouTube!

Get In The Know 😉

There’s an event coming up that you can attend to really see what it’s all about.

October 17 at the Creative Hive! Check out the Eventbrite for all the details.

‘YOU CAN ALWAYS TELL WHO THE STRONG WOMEN ARE. THEY ARE THE ONES BUILDING ONE ANOTHER UP RATHER THAN TEARING EACH ANOTHER DOWN.’

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In Events, Lifestyle, Random Thoughts

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 Health, Lifestyle

Women’s Heart Health: Under-Diagnosed & Under-Treated

Women’s Heart Health Under-Diagnosed & Under-Treated.

It’s Heart Month and The Heart and Stroke have released their annual report and it’s not looking good for women! Women’s heart conditions are under-diagnosed & under-treated.  Why is that? Well, several reasons, but a main factor is that a heart attack in a woman looks and presents itself different than a heart attack in a man. Compound that will 2/3 of the research of heart health have been done on men, we’ve got a recipe for disaster.

There are some shocking facts from the Heart and Stroke Foundation report;

  • Heart disease is the leading cause of premature death for women in Canada (dying before reaching their expected lifespan).
  • Early heart attack signs were missed in 78% of women.
  • Every 20 minutes a woman in Canada dies from heart disease.
  • Five times as many women die from heart disease as breast cancer.
  • Two-thirds of heart disease clinical research focuses on men.
  • Women who have a heart attack are more likely to die or suffer a second heart attack compared to men.

 

 

If that wasn’t enough if you had pre-eclampsia  during pregnancy, “…research shows that a woman who develops pre-eclampsia is at double the risk of developing heart disease later in life.” It really does just get so much more FUN!

So knowing this information, what do we do? We have to advocate for ourselves and learn the signs of a cardiac event. Firstly, know the unique factors that can cause heart disease in women. Secondly, know what to look for if you’re having a  heart attack. The signs of a heart attack in women are not the ones you see on TV. It’s not the clutching of the chest and falling down, in fact, you could be having a heart attack and collapsing on the floor. You can walk and work while having a heart attack. Here are the signs from the Heart and Stroke Report:

  • Chest discomfort Pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain, burning or heaviness
  • Sweating
  • Upper body discomfort in the neck, jaw, shoulder, arms, back
  • Nausea
  • Shortness of breath
  • Light-headedness

Are you completely terrified? If so, that’s probably a good thing, because as moms and women we put ourselves last, and sometimes we need a kick in the pants to remember that we need to look after ourselves too. If we know the signs and the symptoms we can advocate for ourselves. We can be the Dr. Miranda Bailey in the ER telling the other Dr.’s that we know what we’re talking about and NO it’s not stress or indigestion (yes, I just watched that Greys Anatomy episode and damn it was so good and the timing was perfect!). Give them your best Dr. Bailey stare down and be the Dr. Bailey that you need in your life (all hail Miranda Bailey).

via GIPHY

 

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In Health, Lifestyle, Random Thoughts

A Thank-You to the Brave Women of 2017

By Jill Szaroz

In 2017, a lot of us saw many well-known celebrities fall from grace for allegations of sexual misconduct.

Victims were finally heard. Wrongs weren’t made right, of course, but accountability finally started to happen.

I am a mother of 2 beautiful little girls, a 5 year old and a 2 year old. And although this subject is far too mature for me to broach with them at their current ages, I will be able to look back and tell my 10 & 12 year old that 2017 was a pivotal year of change for women. We have set a domino effect in place. It all started with one brave soul, and spread to hundreds in a matter of months. Hundreds of victims who were silenced for years came forward, and spoke their truth. And millions upon millions have listened, and stood behind them.

It is my hope that this domino effect will continue. Instead of having victims be silenced for 20 plus years, I hope women follow the lead of all of the brave souls of 2017 and find their voice as soon as an awful situation like this happens to them, heaven forbid, in their own personal lives. Because although it is always a dream to live in a problem-free world, the reality is the likelihood of living in a world where sexual assault is no more is next to impossible. What is possible, however, what this year has made possible, is for victims to speak their truth. No longer are women being complacent to these crimes, or worse, speaking their truth and being victim-shamed.  They are being lifted up by women and men alike. Their voices being heard, and their power being returned to them.

Raising two girls can be scary in a man power-driven world. My daughters have such an innocent quality about them that I can’t even bear to imagine the day that words such as “rape” or “molestation” or “abuse” enter their vocabulary. But these are the truths of our world, and it will make me so much prouder as a mother and a woman to be able to provide my daughters with so many examples of times women were victimized, but stood up for what they believed in and in exchange were honoured for that bravery. The single most powerful thing 2017 has taught us all as women is that we can no longer be silenced. We have a voice, and the power to deliver the truth. We have known for decades that women will change the face of our world, and I think we will all look back at 2017 as a pivotal year for our progression.

And I, for one, cannot wait to share that with my daughters.

To all you women out there braving the storm, thank you. The current and future mother in me thanks you from the bottom of my heart for paving the way for my own two girls’ to never feel that silence is the answer.

Jill is a self-employed mum who lives in Morinville, Alberta, with her 2 busy but beautiful daughters, McKenna (5) & Emilia (2.5), her husband Matthew, their 3-legged dog Shiloh, budgie Harry, and fish named Blue-Blue.

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In Lifestyle, Parenting, Random Thoughts

The Mommy Tribe is Born in Alberta

By Ericka Rau

My daughter was born December 4, 2015 and after a couple months of being a new Mommy, I felt like I needed to get out of the house and make some mommy friends. I did everything… library programs, mommy and baby exercise classes, stroller walks, play dates… I was signed up for every mommy group on Facebook! I met lots of mommies and my daughter was having a blast with all her new, little friends… but I wasn’t feeling a connection to anyone. I would attend all these groups but I would never feel like I was really making friends. Almost 6 months after my daughter was born, I decided to start my own Facebook group. I called it The Mommy Tribe. My group was specifically for any mommies who wanted to support one another, not just attending events a couple times a week but who really wanted to create a community where we could be there for one another and get to know each other’s families.

In September 2016, our family relocated from Calgary to Edmonton. We knew no one in Edmonton. I knew I had to bring the Mommy Tribe here! Fast forward 9 months later and we have almost 70 families in our tribe! The Mommy Tribe isn’t just for mommies, it’s about the whole family contributing to the vision and the success of the tribe, it’s  a network of support, friendship and about building community relationships, it’s a village of like-minded people who want to create fun, unique and amazing experiences for their families and have their little ones grow up together. We want the best for each other and we show up for one another. All the families in the tribe have the opportunity to plan events that work for them and their families, that fit their schedule and they are encouraged to think outside the box. Some events the tribe hosts include:

Brunch ‘in Babies – Families meet up once a month for brunch at various breakfast hot spots.
Daddy Needs Some “Male Bonding Time” – Paintball, car shows, golf, and hiking.
Mommy Needs Some “Me Time” – Pedicures, coffee dates and movie nights.
A to Z Drinks & Dessert – A family will plan and host dessert. Guests bring drinks. The theme is drinks and dessert that start with the same letter.
Crappy Dinner Parties – A family will plan and host a simple supper during the week. No extra planning required. Guests show up, they bring nothing, they eat and enjoy each other’s company and they leave when they need to.
Sunday Snack Sample Sessions – Teaching Mommies how to shop for the best-priced ingredients, prepare simple snacks for the week following easy recipes.
Local Business Fridays – The Mommy Tribe ❤‘s to support LOCAL. All local businesses are invited to promote on our FB page every Friday.Most of our tribe families have heard about the tribe through word of mouth, a lot of the mommies have met through other mommy groups, at library programs and various family events in Edmonton.

The Mommy Tribe started as a support group for all mommies but has now become like an extended family.
Ericka Rau is the creator of The Mommy Tribe, SAHMama, Nature L❤VER!
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1772800932996769/
Hometown: Castlegar, B.C. but she currently resides in Edmonton with her husband Jeff, daughter Sia and dog, Tango. In June 2016 , the first Mommy Tribe started in Calgary, AB.  September 2016, the second Mommy Tribe was created in Edmonton, AB. 
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