Outdoor challenge

When we first moved back to Toronto, we lived in a rather small shoebox. Coming from the New York City area, we thought Toronto would offer more spacious condo units; but alas they didn’t.

Although we had lived in five different units beforehand, we were fooled into thinking we could easily and comfortably live in less than 700 sq. ft. apartment. We thought this even though we had never lived in anything smaller than 750 sq. ft. when we were childless, let alone trying to make do with a toddler and all of her stuff and a baby on the way and all that comes with a newborn.

We were all feeling the pinch of our tight quarters, but none more than Queen B. Usually mild mannered, Queen B would fall on the floor in full on tantrum if she was denied a walk outdoors. Needless to say, we were outside a lot.

Even today, while living in a more spacious house, Queen B and Miss E beg for the outdoors on a regular basis. There are days we spend countless hours roaming outdoors, but there many days when I find it just too darn hard to feed them their daily doses of Vitamin D and fresh air.

So, I’ve signed up the family for the 30x30 Nature Challenge. An idea sprouting from the David Suzuki Foundation, it challenges Canadians to commit to spending 30 minutes in nature each day for 30 days, starting on May 1, 2013.

I’m sure there’ll be days when getting in enough green time will be a challenge in itself, but that's the point right. The hope is that it'll do our minds and bodies will, plus, it's a good excuse to squeeze in some more family time.

I'll let you know how it goes, or you can join in on the fun, too. Need convincing, check out these facts: