LuAna's Bookshelf: Buy a Book & Support a School Today!

What is LuAna's Bookshelf?

Hi, I'm Heidi-Marie

I travel the world with my little backpack and find poor schools in desperate ​need of funding. 

Together with children in schools from all over the world, we create a children story book 

to sell and raise money for their school.

Every bug, every tree, every cloud was drawn by a different child all within the same school, 

each illustration contains drawings by multiple Children. No two books are the same. 

​

Each book contains special elements relating to the specific country it was created in and 

each book is printed in English with the language of the children printed just below, allowing 

your child to see the many languages of this wold.

By being a part of the creation of these books, the children feel that they are in control of their future. They have helped raise money for their own education!

​

LuAna's Bookshelf is dedicated to supporting schools and education of as many children in the globe as possible!

There is something about being in a school and working with children that comes so natural to me, it makes me feel centered and peaceful. I have always ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​wanted to ‘help’ children in some way but I didn’t know where or how.

I found the first school when I was on an all-inclusive vacation in Dominican Republic in May of 2015. I had met and started chatting with a local, who was selling jewelry on my resort. While we were talking, he told me about his work building homes and schools with the missionaries that come down from other countries. I expressed such an interest that he offered to take me to see some of these places.

When I visited the school and saw the condition it was in compared to our schools here in Canada, my heart was so overwhelmed with love that I became determined to try and raise money for them. I told the director of that school that I would do whatever I could when I returned to Canada.

I know I have found my path, my purpose in life.  I have never felt so right about something in my life. My compassion for these schools and these children is beyond words.  I decided I wanted to make this work my life. 

Connect with LuAna's Bookshelf

SHOP

SHOP

YouTube

Facebook

Contact

Instagram

Linkedin

Google+

BUY a Book

Patti Friday: Reporting from inside 'The Art Dept.' at the international 'Embassy of Ideas'

6 tips for packing a well-balanced school lunch

One of every parent's worst back-to-school nightmares is their kids coming home with half-eaten or completely untouched lunch bags. It's frustrating for parents who take time each day to pack a nutritious meal for their child, but this is a battle that can be overcome.

“Kids can be picky about everything, from the way food is presented to them to the type of food they're presented with,” explains Sébastien Bergeron of Dairy Farmers of Canada. “For concerned parents, peace of mind can come with letting kids choose foods that they're excited to try and that are good for their overall health and well-being.”

Here are a few practical steps to help get even the pickiest of kids back on track and eating their school lunches this year.

1. Involve kids in lunchtime planning. Give them options to choose from so they feel in control. Offer a few choices for each part of their lunch, like chopped veggies and fruits with healthy dips; proteins like sliced meats, cheese or hard-boiled eggs; and high-fibre carbohydrates for longer lasting energy.

2. Take it a step further and have kids help prepare their lunch. Even kindergarteners can start with easy tasks like washing fruits and veggies. Kids get a sense of pride from helping out with their lunch prep, and are more likely to eat it if they know what's in it.

3. Invest in good thermal containers and bottles to ensure kid's food and drinks remain hot or cold, or even separated from each other the way that they like. Don't forget to check that they can open the containers and bags easily.

4. Make a snack-inspired lunch. Many kids would prefer to graze throughout the day. Consider creative “finger foods” that are easy and fun to eat. Think of it as a bento box lunch, and pack items like cheese and crackers, veggies and dip, fruit and a granola bar. For drinks, Canadian milk is free of antibiotic residues and artificial bovine growth hormone, helping parents feel good about this choice for their children.

5. For younger children, create a reward system for when they do finish their lunches. For example, give them a sticker and once they've collected a week's worth they get a special treat.

6. Make food experimentation fun for kids. Take them grocery shopping and let them pick one new item a week to try out. Try sampling different Canadian cheeses and pick one that kids like and have chosen for themselves.

Find more tips and information at www.qualitymilk.ca.

www.newscanada.com

Patti Friday: Lifestyle Editor | Photographer | Wellness Community Member | Reporting from inside 'The Art Dept.' at the international 'Embassy of Ideas'