Healthy Families BC
Finding time, money, motivation, and energy to get some exercise into daily life has been a struggle for many Canadians. It’s definitely a critical part of a healthy lifestyle for British Colombians, so luckily there is a fantastic new resource called Healthy Families BC.
A variety of resources on eating healthy, fitness, and all aspects of family health can be found on the website. Given that the internet can be somewhat daunting with the huge volume of information, this online resource from the province of British Columbia provides a one-stop-shop for resources and information for households to focus on living healthy. One key point of the program is that it is intended to build an entire network and online community via social media. Through the use of blogs, Facebook, Twitter, Healthy Families BC purports to build a strong network of information and resources, and to connect it back to the user. A variety of things including nutritionists; blogs, pregnancy and parenting information, cancer care and support, healthy recipes and more can all be found on the one site.
To celebrate the launch of Healthy Families BC, we (Hummingbird604 in partnership with Healthy Families BC) are giving away a $250 gift card to Mountain Equipment Co-op to help families equip their healthy lifestyles. Here are just a few ideas for some healthy, active things to do around Vancouver with gear from MEC:
-Camping (with kids)
-Climbing: In a Gym, or Outdoors.
-Hiking: Paths, trails, or up mountains.
-Paddling
-Cycling
-Seasonal sports: snow-sports in the winter, water-sports in the summer.
The benefits of these activities integrated into an all-round active routine are enormous. Not only could any number of these activities help with fitness, but it also creates a chance for families to take active weekend getaways, afternoons exploring greater Vancouver, or even just spending a few extra hours together.
EDITOR’S NOTE:
To enter the giveaway all you need to do is tell us what’s your favorite (healthy) family activity? Growing up (me, Raul) I was raised to exercise with my family so we played basketball together (I’m one of five boys), and we played tennis together. We camped together. Even though my Mom wasn’t that keen on camping, she always came with us. So, tell me – what’s your favorite family activity?
I’ll include 2 entries if, in addition to commenting you also post the following on Twitter:
Shared favorite family healthy activity w/ @hummingbird604 & @HealthyFamilyBC 2 enter 2 win a $250 @MEC card http://is.gd/1zvKhw Yours is?
I’ll draw a random winner from all entries on September 1st, 2011 at 2pm. Good luck everyone! Make sure to check Healthy Families BC, it looks like a really interesting resource.
Related posts:
My family love going camping and walking the trails around the lakes. We have so many beautiful parks to get out and get active in,
My family loves tennis and basketball! We also love hiking the trails in the parks and around the lakes in BC.
When I was a kid, my dad had a canoe and we loved to go out canoeing! Currently, however, I’d say my favourite healthy family activity would be hiking – a good chance to both do some physical activity and have a chance to talk! The last time my sister, her partner & my niece were here in Vancouver, we did the Grouse Grind! (And my niece was only 5 years old at the time!)
My family loves to go for long walks or bicycle rides to enjoy nature.
Bike rides, playgrounds, and camping keep us active!
Hiking has been a favourite staple of my family for years
Camping & Hiking
I love the outdoors and Vancouver is the perfect place to experience and take advantage of them. I’ve recently, re-discovered the joy of camping, I love to kayak (it’s time for a new one… wink, wink), hike and hit up the beaches with my pup.
We love going for bike rides and the free public swim at the local community centre!
Hiking is always a fun activity for the family. The kids might complain, but they’re stuck for the long haul as they have no other choice but to tough it out!
Fun times!
We always went hiking around Cleveland Dam in North Van. Thanks for the entry!
My family and I like to stroll around our neighbourhood after dinners. There is a nice park where we can get connected with nature. Or we would take a walk in malls after dinners.
Walking & tennis
Riding bikes, walking, camping
We love skiing in the winter and swimming or biking in the summer.
We love cycling, and that gift certificate would be awesome for equipping our newest family member with a trailer & helmet so he can join us!
Rollerblading around the seawall is always great fun (except in the winter). In the winter, snowshoeing on Cypress gets my vote.
Going for a walk around a beautiful lake.
always loved family camping trips, and hiking the local mountains of BC. Manning Park is a must.
Walking, basketball, badminton, biking.
walking, basketball, badminton, and biking
My favourite (healthy) family activities are walking, hiking, bike riding, and badminton!
I love hiking with my family.
Hiking with my husband and dog is my favorite weekend activity. There are so many beautiful and accessible trails in the Vancouver area!
Walking one of the many metro Vancouver trails, i.e. Mundy Park, Deer Lake Park, Barnett Marine Park pathway to name just a few!
Our favorite activity in the winter was skiing, both downhill and cross country. In the summer a lot of time was spent at the various lakes and beaches in the area of NE Alberta we grew up in.
I always loved swimming in the ocean. My Dad and my Grandma were both strong swimmers and they inspired me.
When I was young, my family would go cross-country skiing in the winter. My mom even made the family matching sweaters to keep us warm while we were out.
Our whole family loves geocaching! It combines going outside and seeing new places with hiking, biking, and treasure hunting!
When i was a kid… played community sports – Soccer, baseball etc.
Swimming was good too though we never really got far in that lol
My family loves a good game of disc golf …
We love to swim and ski together.
We love to go camping and forest or beach exploring!!
Our favorite family activity is to go on a hike. Living on the North Shore, there are a bevy of trails from 1-3 hours that we can choose from depending on our mood. Our child is 20 months and loves being in the Ergo although by the end of the hike he is usually walking, naming rocks and puddles, and pointing at birds and squirrels. I love that we can do this minutes from our home and yet still be a short walk from restaurants, shops and other amenities.
hiking and backcountry camping!
Hiking, because even the family dog could come along! It was something that all of us enjoyed doing (and still do) every summer.
Cycling and hiking around the lower mainland and the Southern Gulf Islands.
Going for a bicycle ride in the neighbourhood is our fave.
Growing up hiking was the one thing my non-athletic family would do together. Hiking is a fave, still, with my bf
As a family, we would go swimming
We love love loveeee camping during long weekends!
No tv, no cellphone, no internet. Just us. Great bonding time together! 
Hiking on Burnaby Mountain with the fam, and of course the dog!
walking and swimming in the summers. skating in the winters.
Rollerblading around Stanley Park with my dad and my sister!
My mom used to (and still does when we are together) force us lazy kids outside. We would hike to the beach, explore beach-combing and kid-friendly rock climbing, build a fire and roast hot dogs and then camp at the beach, all tired out from a full day of fun.
Cycling in Whistler!
Hiking in the North Shore mountain trails is my favorite activity.
We have always enjoyed hiking, especially since BC has so many beautiful sights to see. We have been all over, vancouver island, lower mainland and the interior. Great Blog!!
Definitely hiking – it’s endlessly variable.
We love hiking into the wilderness for an overnight camping trip, complete with our favourite four-legged friend who brings along his own pack. In the winter we strap on snowshoes and enjoy a hot apple cider after climbing to the top of Seymour or Cypress!
Among other things our family loves all the summer activities at the lake – swimming, wakeboarding, beach volleyball, golf & hiking.
Walking is my favourite healthy family activity. Anyone can do it.
My favourite family activity is playing badminton every saturday with them!
Swimming is our favorite family activity, even the dog joins in!
biking around our house, or going swimming at a pool near our house
I love going for long walks with my family and our dog – esp. around Burnaby and Deer Lake.
I love walking, it’s a great stress reliever!
Hey Raul, Thanks for hosting this giveaway!
Love to walk, jog and cycle the seawall, snowshoe at Cypress in the winter and lately we tried stand up paddle boarding and that’s our new favourite thing to do! The more gear we have the more options we have, so we would love to win! 
Our family loves walking, cycling and soccerrrrrrrrrrr…. Walking is something that we can do anywhere we travel to. Soccer makes us get out of the house and it has also encouraged a couple of our neighbors to join us at the park for a game of soccer. Now that the kids are getting older, I am introducing to one of my favorite sports Volleyball; my husband doesn’t like volleyball but he comes along with us to the park to be supportive and to set up the net
Favourite healthy family activity is walking as everyone can participate in this.
Swimming
“Hiking” – which in my family was more like walking around a beautiful lake. But no complaints here.
Growing up, I played basketball with my dad and brother. We also went on long walks. My dad signed me and my brother up for Kung Fu lessons.
Family activity was always hiking and camping. Mom loves going to the National Parks in the states.
Growing up we always had to help with the veggie garden. As a kid you think of it as labour but now as an adult I can see the benefits of gardening. Both as exercise and a way of sustainable living. Now I’m trying to keep my own garden going
Growing up, my family would play badminton at community centers every sunday morning. it was the best way to get our exercise because court rentals were cheap and other families (just like us) were also playing.
Congratulations to our winner, Justin Liew! This contest is now closed. Thank you to everyone who entered, great ideas!