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.
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!