Nature Valley

Rediscovering Nature: Embracing Canadian Winter

January 24, 2016 By Lena

I’m not an outdoors person; I don’t pretend to be and I don’t apologize for being elements-averse. After all, why camp in the woods when you can, I don’t know, be served breakfast in a hotel bed? Why paddle through a lake when you can lounge on a pontoon? And *why* spend a minute – never mind hours – outdoors in Canadian winter, skiing down a mountain as the wind whips past your face?
DSC_2067a Because my kids want to. And as we rediscover nature, we’re discovering a love for the outdoors.

For the past six months, encouraged by Nature Valley and their #RediscoverNature campaign, we’ve been doing our best to get outdoors. From a trip to Niagara Falls to a recent weekend in Mont Tremblant, we are embracing the elements and getting reacquainted with Mother Nature. …

On Being a Spectator and Rediscovering Nature

September 28, 2015 By Lena

It’s occurred to me that the older I get, the more content I am to simply be a spectator.

Don’t get me wrong: I never pictured myself as the soccer mom or camping enthusiast. Truth is, I’m kind of allergic to anything that isn’t labelled 4-star (it’s a real illness, I checked – it’s call “snobism”). However, I’ve noticed more and more, on the rare times we are outdoors as a family, I tend to hold back. I’d rather watch the action unfold than be part of it myself. And, having two energetic, boisterous boys… that means I’m often on the outside looking in.

This is not a post declaring that I’ve changed my ways.

Because I haven’t. Although we’ve had so much fun crossing items off our Rediscover Nature Summer Bucket List, I can’t say that I immersed myself in the activities much beyond being present for them. However, something did occur to me on #RediscoverNature Day; the realization that my boys HATE being a spectator. Being on the sidelines is a punishment; they always want to be part of the game, in the middle of the action. Whatever the activity, they need to be involved. And when it’s time for a time out, it’s not always pretty.

I captioned this photo, “He hates being a spectator.” It was taken during a hike in our local park on September 20th – #RediscoverNature Day.
When will it happen? When will they decide that they’d rather be tethered to their electronic devices than playing a game of freeze tag in the park? I’m not naive; I know the day will soon come. But it’s my duty to cultivate my boys’ love for the outdoors, and ensure they remain part of the action for as long as possible. Because statistically speaking, less than 10% of kids today are spending time in nature. …

Explore the Beauty of the Outdoors: Rediscover Nature Day

September 11, 2015 By Lena

Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

This morning, I did something I swore I would never do: I checked the long-term forecast.

I know, I know – it’s not exactly a high crime to peek at the anticipated probability of precipitation. However, I’ve learned that I often schedule my life around the weather (“We can’t go to the park, it might rain!” or “I wish I could make it, but the humidity is too high next Tuesday”), so I’ve cautioned myself to ignore what the meteorologist is forecasting and simply GET OUTSIDE.

It’s been working for me. Earlier this summer, you’ll remember that I published a bucket list of family-oriented outdoor activities. Near the top of the list: a visit to Niagara Falls, as the boys are at an age where they can appreciate this wonder of the world, and I couldn’t think of a better connection to nature than feeling the cool mist of the falls on a hot summer day. We had so much fun, and can’t wait to return next year!
In fact, we crossed four other items off our Rediscover Nature Summer Bucket List, including picnicking by the lake, glamping in our backyard, riding our bikes in my childhood neighbourhood and spending a weekend in cottage country. We just missed fruit picking, but there’s always the opportunity to visit apple orchards in Fall! …

It’s Time to Rediscover Nature

July 11, 2015 By Lena

Our relationship to nature is changing.

This past Thursday, I posted a Throwback Thursday on Instagram, featuring short shorts, shiny black hair and of course, jelly slippers. (Go on, take a look.) Reactions from friends and followers ranged from my obvious fashionista prowess to comments about the colour of my skin.

You’re so tanned! Wow, you were dark! Look at how different you looked!

Yes, I was much darker as a child than I am now. But before you chalk it up to some Beyoncé-esque skin bleaching, the truth is, as a child, I spent every waking summertime moment outside. (Also, sunscreen – what was that?)

Riding my bike. Hiking down trails. Playing at the park. Skipping in the school playground. And oh, our front porch – I spent hours sitting there, chatting with my neighbours and friends. We were only inspired to come inside after one (or four) reminders from our parents, and even then, it was difficult to simply open the screen door and leave the outdoors behind.

My boys, although bona fide nature lovers, have a decidedly different connection to the outdoors.
Sure, they love to be outside, and the neighbourhood park ranks high on their list of favourite places. But they also love to watch the television, and videos on the tablet. And they adore video games, especially the handheld variety. And Reid, at only 5-years old, is content to plug into his iPod with child-appropriate headphones, cancelling out the world around him. With technology at their fingertips, it’s easy to forget about what’s important, like being outside and enjoying nature. In fact, with each passing generation, children seem to be playing less and less outside.

We are now at a tipping point where our connection to nature could be lost for good. …