We’re celebrating real-life SweetMamas! Whether she’s a famous face or the mom in your playgroup, check back weekly to discover her Sweetest Things, as well as her tips on raising them fabulous.
Karen Humphrey
sweetmamas we love canada
(Aug.20.10)
SweetMama We Love: Karen Humphrey
Hometown: Sunshine Coast, BC
Mom to: Jake, 14. ("The resident computer geek who plans to be the next Bill Gates.")
Also known as: Food Revolution-ary (she's one of a select few people Jamie Oliver follows on Twitter), creator and blogger of Notes From the Cookie Jar.
We've been smitten with Karen since we read about her commitment to Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution in the Globe and Mail. We asked her to tell us how to start our own revolution, which she happily did back in May. But still puzzled as to how she does it all, we decided to dig deeper.
SM: Tell us a bit about your blog?
Notes From the Cookie Jar was started on a whim one night in April 2006. I have written ever since I could hold a pencil, and when I discovered that I could blog, I was immediately hooked. Recipes From the Cookie Jar originally was a place to store my recipes so my step-daughter in Calgary had access to them, but soon became a food blog in its own right.
SM: What’s your secret to raising them fabulous?
Talk, talk, talk. We're a very open and honest family that spends a lot of time just hanging out together. Every Sunday is "family day", where we all go out for a hike. I'm a SAHM in the summers, so Jake and I go mountain biking or on day trips together.
SM: What’s been your biggest challenge in balancing motherhood and the other parts of yourself (work, me-time, touring, etc.)?
Time. I never have enough time to do everything I need or want to do. Besides blogging I also have two jobs outside the home; as a special education paraprofessional for the local school district, and at a local toy shop once a week.
SM: Knowing what you know now, what’s the one thing you wish you could tell all new moms or moms-to-be?
You know your child best. There are lots of parenting "experts" out there, but if your gut is telling you something, listen to it. A mother's instinct is a lot more accurate, I think, than any panel of experts. You have to do what works for you and your child.
SM: What’s your one easy trick for getting kids to eat healthier?
If it's their (and your) weakness, then don't buy it. I make a lot of homemade snacks and fill up the fridge with fruits and veggies for when the munchies strike. If Jake has to actually walk to the corner store and use his allowance to buy a bag of chips, he's far less likely to actually do it.
What is the one item you can’t live without for yourself?
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My Kitchenaid stand mixer. I've had it for 10 years, and it has been the most used small appliance in my kitchen. That baby turns out cookie dough and bread dough like nobody's business. I just have a basic one, but I love it!
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What is the one item you can’t live without for your children?
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Jake's HP Pavillion laptop. He has dyspraxia, a motor disability, and the laptop allows him to do all his school work quickly and efficiently. Before the laptop, I had to scribe everything for him and it was very difficult.
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Are you a SweetMama we could love? Want to nominate a SweetMama you know? Email us at SMWL@sweetspot.ca