How to Choose Your New Community: The New Home Dilemma

When you decided to build a new home, the next question is obvious: where will we build? In cities all over Canada, new developments are cropping up every day. So how do you choose which neighbourhood is right for you and your lifestyle? There are several factors to take into consideration: from walking paths to shopping centres, here’s how you can make your decision an easy one.

Be flexible. New developments are everywhere these days and professionals and families alike are rushing to secure lots. But before you sign on the dotted line, ask yourself what the traffic situation is like and how long your commute will actually be. If your new development has been squeezed into a suburb, the traffic situation and transit situation may already be a dire one. Consider moving a bit further away to a hamlet or smaller city that has access to a freeway. Your commute may be shorter than if you were in the city.

Does the neighbourhood have the perks you are looking for? If you love jogging, cycling and outdoor activities, purchase real estate in a neighbourhood that encourages this type of lifestyle. Ask about walking paths and nearby parks. If you have a family and there are no playgrounds nearby, inquire about whether or not one is scheduled to be put in. Driving 20 minutes to the nearest park isn’t much fun.

Are the amenities nearby the ones that will benefit you the most? If you aren’t willing to drive for half an hour to get to the nearest supermarket, don’t look in areas that aren’t self-sufficient. Make sure the schools, shopping centres, restaurants and movie theatres are close-by if that’s important to you or your family. Some families choose new houses in areas with nary a school in sight, forgetting that rush hour traffic can be a beast when you’re trying to drop the kids off at a school that’s in a different area.

Is the area “under construction”? Make sure when you look for your home that you are fully aware of any future developments, construction or planned area redevelopment. 

Choose the home that suits your life. If you are a single executive with no plans to start a family in the immediate future, you may not want to purchase a home in a family area. Family-oriented neighbourhoods can be a bit louder, especially in the summer when the windows are open. If you seek solitude, check out “professional” or “executive” neighbourhoods for the best fit.

Lilly Gordon is a freelance writer and web publisher. She is currently researching real estate in Leduc Alberta.

Help Me Get My Kids Outside: New Homes and New Communities Pave the Way

If you’re a parent, you know how hard it can be to convince your kids that playing outdoors is much more fun that the game system, television or plethora of toys you have stashed in every corner of the house. It’s tempting to give up – how bad can being lazy be anyway…? After all, they’re just kids!

Parents, wake up! Recent studies show that children in North America spend an average of 2-4 hours PER DAY watching TV and playing video games. This has led to a staggering 20% of children (estimated) between the ages of 6-20 years that are classified as obese. These kids are 70% more likely to become obese adults and on the path to diabetes, cardiovascular problems, high cholesterol, cancer and many more ugly health situations.

So what can we do about this fixable situation? Newer real estate communities are being built with ponds, tons of green space, new parks, cycling paths – you name it, they’ve got it! Turn of the TVs, stop buying the junk and get those kids outside!

Here are Top 10 tools and tricks to help your kids take more of an interest in the outdoors:

1. Look to the play center! If you have enough room in your yard for even a basic play center, build one! They are a fantastic investment; kids love to swing, slide and climb. If you can’t afford one, find out where the local parks are and make frequent visits. Local playgrounds are great for activity, fresh air and meeting new friends.
2. Hunt for Treasure. Hidden treasure is a huge draw for younger kids. Why not plan a scavenger hunt with simple items like spotted bugs and dead twigs, or garden gnomes? Give them a list and a pencil and let them go exploring around the neighbourhood.
3. Pick a sport. Even if you live in a colder climate, there are great outdoor sport options available in most communities. Some great outdoor sports include:BasketballBaseballHockey (ice hockey, street hockey)SkatingSkiingSoccerAll of these sports can be done in a backyard or community park too so you don’t necessarily have to join a team.
4. Build a Castle. A sand castle that is… or an ice castle. Kids love building and they appreciate the gift of a shovel, bucket and helping hand more than you can imagine.
5. Give them Freedom. Camps are a great way for kids to experience the outdoors with their peers. There are sleep-over, day and half-day camps available.  If you can’t afford to enroll them, a tent, some blankets and some s’mores are a fabulous option too.
6. Seasonal Activities and accessories. Buy little items that are seasonally appropriate and let them have fun. Water guns, bubbles, butterfly nets, shovels, buckets and diggers are always surefire hits.
7. Teach them to ride. Bikes, scooters and skateboards are still the ultimate in outdoor toys. I’ve never met a kid who didn’t like to feel the wind in his or her hair. (Just make sure to include the proper safety accessories and rules.)
8.  Have backyard “parties”. Call some other parents and arrange once-a-week play parties during the warmer weather months. Send the kids outside in the yard, send out some beverages and snacks, and let them scream around the yard for an hour (or two).
9. Family Time. Remember, kids learn from example so get outside with your kids. Picnics, Frisbees and jump ropes are still fun if you can harness your inner child. Plus, you get some much needed family bonding time too.
10. Be the Boss! The best tool you have in your parenting arsenal for getting them outside? Tell them to go! It may sound pushy, but it’s not a foreign concept. Limit TV time, put away the iPhones and laptops (you too) point them in the direction of the door.

We don’t have to let our kids succumb to a completely reversible health situation. With a little encouragement and some fun and exciting suggestions, the kids will be happy, healthy and smiling with every leap, tumble and goal.

Lilly Gordon is a freelance web writer and publisher. She is currently researching active lifestyles for kids, new communities and Real Estate in Leduc, Alberta.

5 Steps to Energy Management at Work: Start Saving Money Today!

With the energy prices soaring and the carbon emissions getting worse every day, citizens are trying to take a more proactive stance on cutting back on their environmental footprints. Businesses are following suit and in the new millennium, “going green” has become a hot topic. With new and improved energy saving devices and tactics, there is no excuse for any company not be reducing their output and putting energy management strategies to work for them.

1.       Create a Utility Management Strategy. Prepare a document or email that lists all of the ways to save power and circulate it via email. Better yet, have a staff meeting and get employee input into the strategy. Try to make it a team effort. If you set a “savings goal” for year-end, you could even put the money towards new energy efficient computers or office machinery.

2.       Switch Off at Night. This is a simple, quick and easy way to save power. It’s a no-brainer, but yet some offices continue to have signs, fluorescent lights and computers eating energy all night long. Great ways to remind employees are small and tasteful signs above light switches and an e-memo for computers, printers, etc. Be sure to clear the nightly power shut-downs with your IT department first.

3.       Make Some Changes. If you have any outdated light bulbs, change them to fluorescent bulbs, or halogen. When replacing computers, monitors, printers, choose energy saving appliances. Also, replacing overhead lighting with skylights and area lighting will certainly broaden your electricity savings as well.

4.       Hands Off the Thermostat. Install programmable thermostats for the offices and encourage employees to dress for the office temperature. Be sure to keep the temperature lower at night and a degree or two higher during the day. Decreasing your regular office temperature by even 1-2 degrees everyday will not only save quite a bit on the utility bills, but also reduce your company’s carbon emissions.

5.       Encourage Employees to Walk. Using the stairs instead of elevators, car-pooling and using public transit will not only reduce your company’s carbon footprint, it will also encourage healthy lifestyles and a way for employees to take incorporate energy management into their personal lives as well.

By following the 5 steps above, your company can reduce its carbon footprint working as a team and start to pass on some money and earth-saving energy management techniques.

Lilly Gordon is a freelance writer and web publisher. She is currently researching Power Consultants and energy saving techniques.

5 Steps to Shaping Up for the Big Day: Say “I Do” to Your Personal Trainer

It’s not a secret that most women want to look the most fabulous they’ve EVER looked on their wedding day. Hairstylists are enlisted, make-up artists, tailors… But what about the bod? We all know exercise is the key to health; it’s also the key to a killer silhouette on your big day. And don’t forget the honeymoon – if you’re headed to a tropical destination, you’ll be eyeing the bikini you’ve always wanted to wear (and sexy, barely-there lingerie too.) So how do you get the inches to disappear and the toned arms you want to show off in your dress? Say “goodbye” to crash diets and "hello" to personal trainers. Following these 5 steps will get you the figure you’re dying to show off.

1. Say “I Do” to a Personal Trainer. When you’re planning that wedding budget, make sure a personal trainer is on your list. You may think that working out on your own is the most effective plan, but many people lose motivation on their own. A fantastic fitness centre will not only provide you with a professional trainer that can work around your hectic schedule, it will also provide you with fitness evaluations, and nutritional consultations to make sure you know good food from bad and help you look divine on your day.
2. Make H2O Your BFF. Not only does water keep you hydrated and refreshed, it also keeps your hair, skin, nails and insides in good working order and looking sensational. Make sure to get 6-8 8oz. glass a day (4 big drinking glasses full) and not only will you be glowing on the outside, you’ll also be able to keep up with your workouts.
3. Ditch the Crash Dieting. Slimming down and shaping up for the nuptials should never include crash or fad diets. Chugging maple syrup or cabbage soup is not going to benefit that body in the long run. The goal is the wedding day but why not use a sustainable eating plan provided by a reputable fitness centre professional. Try eating small meals 4-5 times per day (and one snack) and make sure you’re choosing food that fuels your form, instead of comfort foods. Weight loss depends on revving up your metabolism with consistent healthy food, not slowing it down with an empty belly.
4. Start Cheating Before the Wedding! Allow yourself a cheat day once a week. It’s no fun if you can’t have a slice of pizza or a glass of wine (or two) at the end of your long and over-planned week. Make sure you don’t overdo and monitor your portions, but make sure you allow yourself a little bit of indulgence. You are after all, the bride!
5. Relax and Enjoy the Ride. Being super-stressed can lead to excess cortisol production in your body, which leads to heightened fat storage. In layman’s terms this means: the more stressed you are, the more fat you keep! The more calm you are, the faster your body will let go of its cozy padding. Deep breathing for even 1-2 minutes per day, or a nightly bubble bath can truly soothe the savage bride.

Your groom and your guests will be stunned when they see a glowing healthy woman floating down the aisle on the biggest day of her life. Most of all you’ll reap the benefits of dedication and healthy choices and be one happy bride.

Lilly Gordon is a freelance writer and web publisher. She is currently researching Edmonton Personal Trainers and healthy lifestyle choices.