London Bump, Baby & Toddler Expo!

London Ontario mamas, papas, and mamas/papas-to-be: I am going to tell you where you need to be the first weekend in November!

Our city is hosting an awesome event for all parents called the London Bump, Baby & Toddler Expo.

WHEN Saturday November 2nd and Sunday November 3rd, 2013. From 10am to 4pm. (P.S. If you attend on Saturday you can get in FREE on Sunday!)

WHERE The Western Fair on Dundas St., inside the Progress building. There’s tons of free parking available. (Hint: while you’re in the area stop in to THE ROOTCELLAR, one of my very favourite spots for juice, smoothies, espresso-drinks and healthy food.)

WHAT
An amazing show featuring over 70 mom-to-mom tables, tons of local businesses, and access to all the latest awesome baby/toddler products. Exhibitors include Bellies2Babies, La Leche League London and the Children’s Museum. There are also prizes to be won! Did I mention you may be able to sample new stuff or buy things at special rates? Literally, from barely conceived to heading to Kindergarden, if you've got kids this weekend is for you.

HOW MUCH
It costs $7 to get in, but if you pay on Saturday you can get in FREE on Sunday. You only have to pay for those ages 12 and up, so bring your littles free of charge. The building is great for strollers. Proceeds will benefit the Children's Hospital. To get a $2 coupon for the Expo, ask one of the exhibitors – list on the website – or join the newsletter. (If you join the newsletter you can get entered for contests, get up to date information about exhibitors and get coupons that work at the Expo.)

But wait...

I am proud to be giving away TWO FREE TICKETS to the Expo. You can enter the giveaway below just by commenting and liking the My Idea of Happiness page on Facebook!

Giveaway ends October 30th. London-residents, or available to pick up prize in London- only. 

OTHER AWESOME FEATURES

• Bullfrog-powered. How cool is this: the entire show is run by 100% green electricity. Check out bullfrogpower.com to see how they use generators to inject clean, renewable electricity onto the grid to match the amount that the event will use. It’s amazing for the environment and contributes to a healthier environment for your family.
• SWAG bags. If you’re one of the first 150 people to show up, Saturday OR Sunday, you’ll receive a swag bag full of awesome free stuff. Worth showing up early for!
• Diaper change stations. For me, this is the mark of a good event. There will be a station full of wipes, change pads, sanitizer, and even pails to discard dirty diapers. This is provided by the Canadian Scholarship Trust-Plan. AND a Breastfeeding Area that’s nice and quiet (and private if you need it) to sit down – thank you – and nurse your little, or big, one. It’s also stocked with things you need including nursing pillows. Thank you, Middlesex Health Unit! AND a Stroller Testing Zone. If you’re looking to buy but have only seen online reviews and would like to take one for a spin, it’s the best way to know if it’s the right one for you. (London Honda is also showcasing some of their new vehicles if you want to peek at those too. I know some moms and dads are in need of a new car to fit their growing family. Worth a look.)

If you want more information, or to stay up to date, you can check out their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LondonBabyExpo

Enter the giveaway here:
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Birth & Beyond Conference 2013 (London, Ontario)

It's official: Alla Vallejo and I will be speaking at this year's Birth and Beyond Conference. What exciting news.

And as if my mind reading skills are as sharp as my current block of parmesan (seriously, ouch) here are my answers to your questions.

What is the Birth and Beyond Conference?

It is a weekend-long extravaganza of everything that is related to babies - from conception to infanthood. Pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding - you've got it.

The conference brings together leading experts in these fields including ONE OF MY PERSONAL HEROES, Ina May Gaskin. I shutter to type this because mere words on a page cannot do her justice. She is the world's most famous midwife. She basically brought natural childbirth back to America. She single-handedly brought me the peace and confidence to give birth naturally through her wise words, amazing experiences and positive outlook. I've read all of her books and every piece of literature (in print and online) that relates to her in any way. I am a major Gaskin fan-girl. 

The conference will welcome midwives, doctors, doulas, nurses, lactation consultants, and anyone with an interest in birth and breastfeeding, and offers a variety of talks, workshops, and social events.

It takes place at the London Convention Centre from November 6 - 9th, 2013. 

Who is Alla Vallejo?

I will start by saying: another one of my PERSONAL HEROES. (Okay, is it getting old? I'm being completely serious - she is!) Alla graduated from the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition in 2007, about two years before I met her. We worked at a health food store together and pretty much instantly knew we'd be friends and colleagues in some capacity for life. After her schooling in nutrition she attended the Institute of Natural Health Technologies in Oakville, Ontario to become certified as a BIE practitioner which means she can test for and help alleviate the symptoms of intolerances (not just food either!)

Alla is incredibly knowledgeable and is a perfect person to geek out with. We have enjoyed countless hours of spotting literary devices, deciphering medical terminology using root words and laughing at math and science jokes. But what sets her apart from all the rest is her winning personality. I have never, and will never, meet a person who did not instantly fall in love with Alla Vallejo. She can make you laugh, make you feel comfortable and make you feel important. I cherish her for all three.

While Alla and I no longer work at the health food store together we do offer nutrition education talks at various times and locations. In fact, if you would like to book us for up to 90 minutes in the London area you can email me. amyjoyharrison.com

If you don't get a chance to attend this conference, I highly recommend that you still make a point to talk with Alla. She can help you with not only food intolerance but environmental and much more. She helped me identify that I was sensitive to cardamom, soy and peppermint (yeah, my morning tea lattes were not going well.) After one session with her, my problems were gone. I also discovered that my body hates white sugar, but rather than have a treatment for that I've just tried to reduce my intake. Not easy!

What will you be speaking on?

We will be speaking on pregnancy and breast feeding nutrition, with some content on nutrition post-birth for non-breast feeding mothers, nutrition for conception, and even nutrition during labour. We hope to dispel myths (We once gave an entire nutrition education talk called "TOP MYTHS: DEBUNKED!" - it was so much fun.) and we hope to give some very valuable information about what affect your diet during pregnancy and breast feeding can have on your little one's future allergies/intolerances/sensitives.


How can I get tickets?

Tickets are available here: http://birthandbeyondconference.ca/content/pricing-and-registration

We hope to see you there!