In this episode I share how I have been able to do more and to find more time for me and my family to get outside.

I mention the online Freelance Summit from last summer where I learned about different tools and strategies to help freelancers and business owners. To find out more about this year's summit DM me "freelance summit" on Facebook or Instagram.

To learn more about time management specialist Megan Sumrell's TOP Bootcamp from July 8-12, 2024, and to get the link to register check out https://forestmum.com/topbootcamp2024/

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In this episode, I walk you through what forest bathing is and what it isn't. I share some studies that describe several different benefits to your health and well-being. I look at some risks you may encounter and how you can reduce them, as well as where you can go to find forested or treed areas no matter where you live.

If you're looking for more details regarding how to protect yourselves against ticks or bears check out Episode 5 - Spring Dangers & What To Do About Them.

Articles mentioned in this episode:

• Forest Bathing in Psychology Today
• Can forest therapy enhance health and well-being? in Harvard Health Publishing
• Insect repellents - Canadian Paediatric Society
• Parks Canada
• Ontario Parks

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Looking for easy ways to get outside away from screens? Get your own copy of My 5 Easy Activities to Engage Kids in the Natural World.

Did you experience the total solar eclipe on Monday 8 April 2024?

In this episode, I discuss the different types of solar eclipses and what this week's total ecipse was like for me and my family.

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Need more ideas to get outside? Check out my 5 Easy Activities to Engage Kids in the Natural World.

In this episode, I look at the origins of easter eggs and the easter bunny. I consider the reasons we often choose to use plastic eggs as decorations and for easter egg hunts and their environmental impacts.

I suggest several reusable and/or biodegradable alternatives and how we can use them to help us have a fun and tasty Easter celebration while reducing our impacts on the environment.

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Find out about three outdoor risks that you may encounter in the spring and what to do if you encounter them. You will also learn how to reduce your risk and play safe in the outdoors.

If you would like more information about Spring Water Safety, the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority Spring Water Awareness Program has some helpful resources.

Find out more about bear safety:

• Be Bear Wise and prevent bear encounters (Ontario, Black Bears)

• Parks Canada Bears and People brochure (Western Canada, includes Grizzly Bears)

For more about ticks and Lyme Disease and other tickborne illnesses

• Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit

• Tick-borne diseases (Ontario Government)

• Lyme disease: Symptoms and treatment (Public Health Agency of Canada)

It's sugaring time!

In this episode we take a look at maple syrup. How it's made, the cultural context for the indigenous peoples who discovered it, and the annual ritual of visiting a sugarbush for many of us who have the privilege to live in maple syrup country.

A trip to a sugarbush is great way to get outside with the family and connect with the land. Plus you get to eat some yummy maple syrup at the end of your visit!

Find a producer near you:

• Ontario
• Quebec

In this episode I discuss how to create SMARTER goals to help you live a more sustainable life in 2024. I show you how to make achievable goals and break them down into steps and include them in your schedule to help you reach them.

I recommend the TOP Program from Megan Sumrell if you need help with planning and organising.

Share you goals and your actions with me on Instagram @forest_mum

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In this episode we bring you 5 things to get kids into nature during the holidays to help you keep them busy and away from screens until they go back to school.

Mentioned in this episode

• Making pinecone birdfeeders in Holiday Decorating for the Birds
• allaboutbirds.org
• Project FeederWatch Canada
• Project Feederwatch