The Balancing Act | urbanmoms.ca

Making a Gingerbread House

By Amreen on December 11, 2012 11:33 PM | 1 Comment

Tis' the season of shortbread and gingerbread houses. I don't know about you, but my biggest challenge with making the house is getting it to actually stick together! My friend Russell made this video to help out parents at our school in preparation for a fundraiser. I thought I'd pass it along as a valuable holiday resource. Happy baking and decorating!... More »

French Immersion: The Pros and Cons

By Amreen on November 12, 2012 2:02 PM | 4 Comments

In the summer, I took my kids to a French bakery for their favourite croissant and pain au chocolate. My son ordered in French, and the girl at cash was charmed. This is his fifth year in French Immersion at a Toronto public school, and his language skills are increasingly strong. I am pleased about that, but I also have other concerns.I was a French Immersion student years ago in New Brunswick. Our program of study, however, started in Grade 7. As a result, we already had a good foundation in the English language. Our English writing, spelling and grammar... More »

Opening Ceremonies

By Amreen on July 28, 2012 3:15 PM | 4 Comments

I'm a sucker for anything literary, and Boyle didn't disappoint: Shakespeare, Blake, J.M. Barrie, J.K. Rowling making a rare public appearance. The ceremony was ripe with rich literary and cultural references - focusing on the profound imprint Britain has made in those areas. The backdrop of the Industrial Revolution served as an edgy contrast to the music, light and organized chaos of the event. With OMD, the Pet Shop Boys and the Sex Pistols in the background, I was over the moon. More »

Book Review: Waiting for the Monsoon by Threes Anna

By Amreen on July 16, 2012 5:18 AM | 4 Comments

For me, summer reading has a particularly sweeter taste. There's something decadent about curling up with a good book on a lollagazing summer afternoon, with the hot sun blazing in the distance. In a hammock, or curled up inside, it's all good. More »

Summer Learning?

By Amreen on July 10, 2012 4:27 PM | 5 Comments

This week we're in Calgary with the grandparents, and it's gorgeous here. In past summers, I've brought workbooks and math sheets to Calgary. To be honest, those workbooks always remained unopened. This year, I'm trying some other methods to stimulate summer learning. More »

The Table Today

By Amreen on May 11, 2012 1:53 PM | 4 Comments

One of my favourite childhood memories is our family dinners at home. My mom was an excellent cook, and dinner was always something delicious to look forward to. More »

A Show, A Song, A Memory

By Amreen on May 6, 2012 3:48 AM | 7 Comments

Last week's show had some moments. Especially the last part of the show, where Hannah and her roommate dance in her room to this song. That scene reminded me so much of my old apartment, my old roommates - coming home and telling each other everything. More »

From Dora to Hulk

By Amreen on May 3, 2012 3:17 AM | 1 Comment

My husband and I were trying to figure out the appeal of Hulk, especially in contrast to her other TV preferences (pretty, fuzzy or princessy). We both decided that it was Hulk's incredible transformative abilities: in our house, my Baby is the smallest, the weakest and often subject to the decisions of her older brother and sister. Perhaps, she admires Bruce Banner's ability to transcend his own weakness and face his foes with incredible strength and power? More »

Running into a new decade

By Amreen on April 28, 2012 6:17 PM | 7 Comments

With the milestone birthday, I paused to reflect on the past, the present and the future. Time is flying and there are still so many things I want to do. The reality sunk in that I better start doing them. With that zest and enthusiasm for things not previously attempted, I signed for a 10K run this month. More »

March Break: Staycation

By Amreen on March 31, 2012 7:55 PM

We were around for March Break and had the best time hanging out in the city. I loved the respite from our tyrranical routine; leisurely mornings with late breakfasts were the norm, and we did lots of visiting with family and friends. The tropical weather only added to our frolic, with hours upon hours spent outside in the sun.We ate silly foods like sprinkle-covered banana pancakes, and we dressed like our favourite movie characters. See below for my Girl's interpretation Blue, from the kid flick Rio.I loved the down time with my kids - something we don't get enough of.... More »

The Joy of Reading Together: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

By Amreen on March 11, 2012 10:27 PM | 3 Comments

Without my usual screaming, teeth are brushed, pyjamas worn and homework is done in a jiffy. These days, it's all about the Potter. We try and finish our nightly duties quickly so we can climb into my son's bed and devour the tales of wizards, goblins, ghosts and magical mishaps. Not only is it lovely to have this cozy time with my kids, but it's so much fun to discover something new and wonderful together. So much of our time is spent running to activities, and doing homework that it can be easy to forget the joy of each other's company. More »

Foto Friday: Room with a View

By Amreen on March 2, 2012 6:48 PM

I'm in Calgary this week. I brought the kids out see their grandparents. Calgary is sunny and cold. We spend lots of time in the condo, admiring this view:... More »

Book Review: Room by Emma Donoghue

By Amreen on February 23, 2012 6:59 PM | 1 Comment

I saw this book around for a while before I picked it up. From what I'd heard, it seemed almost too much to bear - a child forced to live in one room for his whole life, unable to go outside or have any contact with the world. Finally, after hearing such rave reviews, I decided to give it a shot I'm glad I did. Author (and London, Ontario native) Emma Donoghue, has infused this seemingly tragic story with such warmth and innocence that I couldn't put it down. I'm not going to give away how the pair end up... More »

Field Trip: A French Film Festival

By Amreen on February 22, 2012 7:16 PM | 2 Comments

Last week I volunteered on a field trip with my older daughter's class. She's in Grade 2, French Immersion, and the field trip was to attend Cinefranco, a French film festival at a downtown Toronto cinema. First of all, how cool is that? The only field trips I remember are to a salmon fishery, a museum and snowshoeing. Not that those trips aren't awesome in their own way - they totally are - but a French film festival is more my kind of thing!To get downtown, we took the subway with 63 kids and loads of teachers and parent volunteers.... More »

Great Book: The Paris Wife

By Amreen on February 10, 2012 2:39 PM | 7 Comments

It happened to me with The Paris Wife by Paula McLain. I was transported to Paris in the 1920's when Picasso walked the streets with a canvas in progress; F. Scott Fitzgerald and Hemingway shared drinks at a nearby cafe, and Coco Chanel dressed elegant Parisiennes in black sheaths with pearls. More »

Bland is Boring

By Amreen on February 5, 2012 5:30 PM | 2 Comments

Instead of feeding our kids processed and packaged foods, why not introduce them to something that has a fantastic nutrient composition, sans additives. It doesn't require a huge adjustment if your family already eats rice. Just slowly start replacing rice with Quinoa, maybe every 3rd time you make rice. Making it taste good? Now that's your job! More »

Fun Spring Fashion!

By Amreen on February 2, 2012 2:52 PM | 4 Comments

In all the greyness, spring fashion is the light at the end of my tunnel. By February, I seriously need a dose of colourful fun in my wardrobe. Pretty dresses in shades of coral, turquoise and creamy white coquettishly tell me not to give up: Soon there will be flowers, sun and green leaves. I love bright colours, shift dresses and British bohemian aesthetics. Victoria Beckham has brought his all together in her new ready-to-wear collection for Spring 2012. Check it out here!... More »

Farewell to an Old Friend

By Amreen on January 29, 2012 12:55 AM | 3 Comments

So many mornings of my life have entailed going into that room and scooping a delicious angelic bundle, swaddled meticulously, into my arms. Then, as they grew older, my days began with an active toddler holding the railing and yelling to get out. More »

Beads and More Beads

By Amreen on January 27, 2012 3:48 AM | 2 Comments

I took out some crafty stuff and we got busy. Beads were the weapons of choice against Boredom and they were indeed successful in engaging the Girl. I also ended up with a pretty cool necklace! More »

Spicy Food to Warm you Up!

By Amreen on January 23, 2012 2:51 AM | 4 Comments

Delicious, fragrant, homemade Indian food is a great way to introduce colourful, flavourful nutrition into your homes. If you don't already have these key spice ingredients, I recommend you buy them More »

India - Part 2

By Amreen on January 17, 2012 3:28 AM | 7 Comments

As I mentioned, we had not one but two family weddings within one week. It was beautiful madness. My cousin Faheem wed beautiful Moina in an elegant ceremony at home. The ceremony was incredibly moving and intimate. The home was resplendent in fresh flowers, the scent of attar and so much love.My favourite part of the wedding was a decorative swing that had been set up in the backyard to seat the newlyweds. The decorators drenched it with orchids and jasmine, and it was seriously the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. One thing I can't get over at Indian... More »

India - Part I

By Amreen on January 15, 2012 6:12 PM | 1 Comment

The wedding events were explosions of colour and fresh flowers, against the backdrop of silk, brocades and chiffons. The clothes were to die for and I couldn't get enough of people-watching at the functions. More »

Super Easy Sugar Cookies for the Non-Baker

By Amreen on December 12, 2011 6:39 PM | 3 Comments

I'm not much of a baker, but every holiday season I whip up some simple sugar cookies that can be cut into holiday shapes and decorated with the kids. I've sampled a number of recipes but this one from Canadian Living is by far the best and the easiest, with no weird or hard-to-find ingredients. Best thing about them is that they take 10 minutes in the oven, another 10 minutes to cool and they're all ready to decorate.3/4 cup (175 mL) butter, softened1 cup (250 mL) granulated sugar1 egg1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla2-1/2 cups (625 mL) all purpose flour1/2 tsp (2 mL) baking powder1 pinch saltLine rimless baking sheets with parchment paper or grease; set aside. In large... More »

Channelling Martha

By Amreen on November 10, 2011 4:32 PM | 3 Comments

My son came home last week with assignment called "Structure". It required him to make something, from scratch, using raw materials. The teacher also wanted to see the design, the plan and the resources. As you can imagine, I was nervous.I'm not crafty and I'm not very good at building anything. I turned to the web and found all the resources to be overwhelming and too hard - Google is great and all, but sometimes it's all too much.That is, however, until I came upon the Martha Stewart website. I've used the site in the past for recipes, but had... More »

The Unmentionable

By Amreen on October 24, 2011 7:43 PM | 12 Comments

I got the call last week.The call that every parent dreads, yet expects at least once in your kids' school years. I answered the phone and our sweet school administrative officer says, "Hi Amreen. Can you come get the kids? They have lice."Ick. Gross. Yuck. Yuck. Yuck. Immediately, I start mentally defending my parenting skills:"My kids are so clean, how could this happen?""Our house is clean, the kids bathe regularly, I wash their hair myself!!!" Outrage, disbelief, and throw in some disgust for good measure.But, seriously speaking, lice is the second most communicable "illness" in school-age children after the common... More »

Feeling Fall-ish

By Amreen on October 6, 2011 5:54 PM | 4 Comments

Last weekend, I took my girls out for a nature walk. We wandered through our neighbourhood, and picked an assortment of brilliantly coloured leaves. The variety of foliage was amazing, and we were very, very pleased with our found treasures. More »

We Day

By Amreen on September 27, 2011 6:55 PM | 8 Comments

When I read about this event in today's Globe and Mail, I was immediately riveted. I try to expose my kids to a lot - I feel that's part of my job. We run around playing sports, learning music, learning how to practice our religion. This attempt to produce well-rounded, fulfilled human beings is arduous, complex. More »

Making Lunches: A Primer

By Amreen on September 20, 2011 6:41 PM | 2 Comments

It's now my third year of making lunches, and I only now feel like I'm getting the hand of doing it successfully. I've been through the disappointment many times: I spend time and efforts planning and implementing creative and nutritious lunches, only to have them return pristine and untouched. More »

What a Difference a Year Makes

By Amreen on September 8, 2011 6:04 PM | 7 Comments

This time, last year, I was a panicky basket case. I had just started my new career in teaching at a local college, teaching courses in law, on a part-time basis, to future paralegals and law clerks. Everything was so new - the place, the people, the courses, the routine. I hadn't worked outside the home in over 3 years, and I felt rusty and nervous about my abilities to take on this new role with vigor.This September, it's different. I'm still nervous about meeting my new students and communicating effectively with them. But, a lot of stuff is much... More »

Not ready

By Amreen on September 6, 2011 3:31 AM | 14 Comments

Here I am again. Making lunches, taking out clothes for tomorrow, cleaning backpacks. Summer came and went in flash. We settled into an easy routine of sleep-ins, late breakfasts, pj's till noon, and lazy afternoons in the yard or park. The last few weeks of August I kept my kids close with no big plans; I wanted to savour their closeness knowing that this time would come.I love the fall, with its cool breezes and return to routine. But, I'm not ready to part with summer, or with my kids. I feel like they've already grown and changed over these... More »

Eid Mubarak!

By Amreen on September 1, 2011 12:10 AM | 6 Comments

Yesterday marked the end of 30 days of fasting. The month felt long while I was fasting, but now seems like it went by very fast. I definitely feel a cleanse physically and mentally, and my appetite has shrunk (I'm hoping to keep that going as long as I can...). Every year, I promise myself that I will maintain the heightened spirituality in the home that is cultivated during Ramadan. I'm doing the same this year with my fingers crossed.We marked our celebration yesterday with prayers held at the Metro Toronto Convention Center (see picture above from the event, from... More »

Ramadan Reflections

By Amreen on August 16, 2011 9:59 AM | 5 Comments

It's 5 am and I'm awake. I just finished my early breakfast before sunrise. I've been having slow-cooked oatmeal to sustain me on these long fasts. With some brown sugar, raisins and walnuts for protein. As Ramadan creeps into the summer months (the Muslim calendar goes back 10 days each year), the fasts are now close to 16 hours. Keeping the fast is very challenging.It's already the middle of the month, and our bodies have somewhat adjusted to the new regime. My favourite time of day is Iftaar, when we break the fast. Not because we get to eat, but... More »

3 Great Books: Summer Reading Frenzy!

By Amreen on August 7, 2011 3:07 PM | 10 Comments

In July we had a flood in the house, and as a result, our TV was out for several weeks. Guess what happened? I read. And read and read and read. I dove into books with a relish and abandon that hasn't been there for a long time. Around the same time, I discovered reading on my Ipad, with a larger font size and backlight that is truly heavenly. I've been lucky to have found some great reads (with help from my Book Club!); books that are substantial but engaging beyond belief - perfect for lollagagging summer afternoons when my... More »

Broody Hen Designs: Perfect Gift for Baby!

By Amreen on July 27, 2011 1:34 PM | 2 Comments

Two of my close friends just had new babies, and I wanted to get them something special. They live in Calgary, so it had to be something easily packable and not too big. My usual go-to for years, for new babies, has been Baby Gap, which I love. A new baby to buy for is usually a great excuse to go in there and admire all the gorgeous tiny outfits that are so precious and delicate.But, last month I did a huge purge of my kids' old clothes and toys. The transient nature of this phase of life became oh-so-apparent.... More »

Stampede Lowdown: Mini Donuts and More

By Amreen on July 20, 2011 12:03 AM | 1 Comment

We just came back from an action-packed visit to Calgary. The trip was good. It's quite exhausting travelling with three kids, but always worth it in the end. We had great quality time with family, caught up good friends, and experienced Calgary at its most festive.The Stampede was on in full force during our stay. We took the kids to the Midway to enjoy the rides. We sampled the infamous Mini-Donuts, which, I must say, just might be THE BEST THING EVER. They must be eaten fresh, and I strongly recommend only buying a few. Because once they are in... More »

Pancakes and Cowboys

By Amreen on July 9, 2011 3:40 PM | 10 Comments

In Calgary, the Stampede is present in every child's cowboy hat, in every restaurant menu, and in every bale of hay decorating the street corners. More »

Easy Summer Dish: Chick Pea Salad Extraordinaire (Chana Chaat)

By Amreen on July 4, 2011 2:52 PM | 5 Comments

This chick pea salad was a staple in my house growing up. My mom used to whip it up as a brilliant side dish to whatever she was making and now I find myself doing the same. Not only is it savoury and delicious (let me know if you agree!) but it's also packed with protein, fibre and vitamin C. More »

Day 1

By Amreen on July 2, 2011 4:55 AM | 7 Comments

Yesterday was the first day of summer holidays. We kicked off the season with a day trip to Centre Island. It's one of my favourite things to do in Toronto. We did it all: the rides, the wading pool, the beach, the train. We came home sandy, sunny and satiated. I LOVED having my kids with me the whole day and not having to drop or pick up anyone anywhere. I know some of our summer days will be fun, and some will just be. But I'm looking forward to a change in routine and some time to chill with my... More »

IIFA 2011: Stars, Fashion, Mobs and More!

By Amreen on June 28, 2011 1:23 PM | 4 Comments

Last Saturday night, I attended the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards! I was blown away by the enthusiasm with which the city embraced India's glittering stars, and by the grand scale of the event. The show was long and could have used some serious editing. That being said, there was an electricity in the air that kept me away till 2am, and some great moments in the show that made it all worth it! More »

Happy Father's Day!

By Amreen on June 19, 2011 5:12 PM | 8 Comments

Happy Father's day to all the great dads out there, especially to my dad, my brother, my father-in-law and my darling husband, who is the cuddliest dad around!... More »

Nicholas Hoult Grew Up Fast

By Amreen on June 17, 2011 5:00 PM | 5 Comments

Ever have a moment when it feels like time is racing by....madly? I just found out that Marcus, the delightful boy (see pic below), who melted my heart in About a Boy (my favourite Hugh Grant movie with a killer soundtrack by Badly Drawn Boy), is actually this actor, Nicholas Hoult! He wowed me in A Single Man (Tom Ford's gorgeous film starring Colin Firth), and I'm dying to see him again in X Men: First Class! ... More »

Indian Film Awards Come to Canada!!

By Amreen on June 11, 2011 3:13 PM

This year, Indian cinema and its glittering stars are coming to Toronto: The International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) celebrations will take place here from June 23-25. It's sort of like the Golden Globes of India, except more glamorous, colourful and musical. The awards show has been described as the "grandest celebration of Indian cinema abroad" and is expected to welcome 40,000 visitors to the GTA. Simultaneously, 600 million viewers are expected to tune in to the broadcast around the world. More »

The Midwife of Venice: Review and Giveaway

By Amreen on June 1, 2011 10:02 AM | 79 Comments

I devoured this novel like a savoury Italian feast - the writing is captivating and the story so rich, you won't be able to put it down. Tell me about the last great book you read, and you'll be entered to win a copy of The Midwife of Venice, autographed by Roberta Rich! More »

How can I make my Girl Love Sports?

By Amreen on May 25, 2011 9:15 AM | 7 Comments

We put her in the local soccer league last summer, and she went to most games. While on the field, she did everything but actually play soccer - she picked dandelions, sang, danced, and chatted with a couple of other like-minded girls. It didn't really bother me; at least she was outside in the fresh air, and participating in a team. More »

Confessions of a Not-So-Green Thumb

By Amreen on May 18, 2011 6:15 PM | 9 Comments

Every year, I go through the motions of buying some containers and baskets and slowly watching them die over the course of the summer. I want so desperately to contribute to the leafy beauty of our cul de sac's gardens, but I am so clearly lacking. One of these days, I should enlist some help, but where do we even begin? More »

Wedding Mania

By Amreen on May 4, 2011 7:10 PM | 8 Comments

A week prior to The Wedding, my friend's sister got married in Montreal. She passed along the video and I was blown away. The video, set to great music, simultaneously conveys the love between the couple, and the richness and celebration of South Asian weddings. More »

Pokemon: Just another phase?

By Amreen on April 27, 2011 2:31 PM

In a flash, the new "thing" was Pokémon. Fueled by the Nintendo DSI games like Pokémon Gold, Pearl, Black and White, the Boy plunged in, reading Pokémon books and watching how-to videos on YouTube. Now, The Boy chats to his friend on the phone about whether or not a Pokémon has evolved, or what's going on in the "gym" - the place where Pokémon trainers train their Pokémons. Don't ask me how I know this. More »

Bollywood Babes

By Amreen on April 18, 2011 1:31 AM | 8 Comments

Every Friday night my girls join their friends (ranging in ages 3 to 8) for an hour of jumping, twisting and sashaying to Bollywood's hottest tunes. It's seriously one the cutest things I have ever seen. Their super instructor, Nirmala, has a way of connecting with them and even getting my naughty 3-year old to focus. Amazing! More »

The Company of Women

By Amreen on April 12, 2011 4:54 PM | 5 Comments

The most satisfying aspect of my job has been the camaraderie within the faculty. There's an amazing group of teachers here, and it's mostly women. From day one, I was welcomed into the lunch room and made to feel a part of a fabulous community. There's always coffee, great conversation and an incredible sounding board to address a crisis with a student, a marking challenge or an issue with one of my own kids. My colleagues are all mothers and grandmothers. More »

Hockey Mom despite Myself

By Amreen on April 5, 2011 4:46 PM | 8 Comments

My Boy is now an avid sports lover in his own right; not only does he love watching sports but he loves playing them, especially soccer and hockey. Lately, I've been concerned that my disinterest in sports has been distancing me from my son. Sports is such a big part of his life, and I really can't fake my lack of interest. My husband keeps telling me that I have to cultivate more of a sports-awareness, if not for him, then for the Boy. I'm trying, but it's hard to be something I'm not. That is, until recently. More »

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