e publ ish
er
fr
of
o
Y m
th
d
d
free
d
featuring... Origami Yoda! Healthy Eats for the Family A Summer Fashion Spread Cool Events for All Ages Meet Gabe Morales Kids’ Health Projects & MORE!!!
July•August 2014 Page 1 July•August 2014
Issue Two July•August 2014 publisher & owner Joey Coakley Beck jbeck@beckmediagroup.com editorial director Hayleigh Worgan hworgan@beckmediagroup.com contributing writers Jeremy Holmes Jessica Osborne Heather Quintana Hayleigh Worgan account executives Cory Dorathy cdorathy@beckmediagroup.com Beth Deel bdeel@beckmediagroup.com Amber Weaver aweaver@beckmediagroup.com advertising inquiries advertising@beckmediagroup.com poppyseed@beckmediagroup.com (540) 904-6800
thank you! We want to extend our sincere appreciation to the readers and advertisers who have helped make Poppyseed such a huge success! Our hearts are overflowing from the support you have given us in the publication, at events and via social media. For those of you who are opening our publication for the first time, welcome to the cool, bimonthly urban guide for families in Central and Southwest Virginia! We are also grateful to our writers. In this issue, they offer excellent advice for monitoring your child’s sugar intake, letting them play independently and saving money on family expenses. You will also learn more about two role models from different walks of life who are inspiring creativity in children of all ages. Our July/August issue is full of fun events, products and crafts that will keep you busy and having fun all summer! Check out our gear page for information on safe nail polishes for your children and a fantastic giveaway for one lucky reader. Remember to visit www.poppyseedfamily.com for additional articles between issues. Like us on Facebook for updates and giveaways that you will not want to miss. And, once again, thank you for being part of the Poppyseed Family!
LLC 806 Wasena Avenue, Suite 101 Roanoke, VA 24015 540.904.6800 fax 540.904.6803 www.poppyseedfamily.com Poppyseed Magazine is the property of Beck Media Group LLC. It is a free publication printed bimonthly and is distributed throughout Southwest and Central Virginia and beyond. The concept and design of Poppyseed Magazine, as well as the design, advertisements, art, photos and editorial content is property of Beck Media Group LLC and may not be copied or reprinted without written permission from the publisher. ©2014 Beck Media Group LLC All Rights Reserved. PRINTED IN THE USA
Cover photo by Toad’ly Kids Photography!! More inside... www.poppyseedfamily.com
poppyseed_mag
poppyseedmag
poppyseed
Page 3 July•August 2014
Finding Your Inner Artist Tom Angleberger encourages children to be creative in his Origami Yoda series As I write this, my origami Yoda smiles up at me—reminding me of the inspirational day I spent in the company of Tom Angleberger. If you have not picked up a copy of his Origami Yoda series, you are missing out on something spectacular. This is especially true for children in Southwest and Central Virginia. After a visit to Stewartsville Elementary, Angleberger knew that many of his character’s adventures would take place there. Local readers will recognize several locations that they visit. Stewartsville Elementary, located just outside Vinton, is renamed McQuarrie Middle School in the series. The story line follows a group of children as they navigate through academics, trying to fit in with their classmates, and many of the other problems that middle school students face as they transition from elementary school to high school. Dwight, Origami Yoda’s creator, shows readers that it is ok to be different. Page 5 July•August 2014
The newest book!! Coming in August
In fact, during a brief hiatus at Tippet Academy, his friends remind him that his weirdness is actually his greatest strength. You do not have to be a Star Wars fan to enjoy these books. Together, Dwight and his friends often join forces to help good prevail in their school. However, their journey is never an easy one. They are faced with adults and fellow students who do not understand their good intentions. Angleberger knows exactly how to communicate with this age group—conveying the emotions and humor of middle school students in such a way that his readers can easily relate to the characters. Origami Yoda books have made the small town of Vinton popular all over the world. Fans follow the adventures of the McQuarrie Middle School students in Germany, England and Canada. Angleberger has discovered that, despite cultural differences, many children can relate to the main characters and understand most of the references. He laughs and says, “I did have to explain what Cheetos were in England.” So, how does Angleberger come up with new adventures for his characters? When he isn’t gathering research in their “stomping grounds,” he spends hours walking the Huckleberry Trail in Blacksburg, organizing his thoughts and gathering inspiration from his adventures. Afterwards, he returns to his office to write. The library is one of his stops along the trail, and he will write there when it is more convenient. He also enjoys breaking out his laptop and/or sketchbook on his back porch. In these quiet moments, he can help his characters plan their next adventure. Page 6 July•August 2014
He encourages his fans to express their creativity, and many of them are inspired by origami Yoda. For example, after several inquiries about a future Origami Yoda film, a group of talented kids took it upon themselves to create YouTube “movies” of the books in the Origami Yoda series. You can find these on his website, under the descriptions of each book. “I enjoy inspiring my readers to get in touch with the creative part of themselves. My books are about interaction—they can read about their character and then create one of their own once the story is finished,” explains Angleberger. Fans can also send in their origami designs to his website, and a web team works to keep the site updated with the most recent creations. Each one is very impressive, and they are not limited to Star Wars characters. They range from puppets inspired by Lord of the Rings to a creation that looks a lot like Angleberger himself! Additional artwork can be posted to the site as well, and it is amazing to see the creative world that he has created for children to talk to one another and share their ideas. Angleberger’s most recent novel, Emperor Pickletine Rides the Bus, will be available in August. The final piece of the Origami Yoda series, it joins Tommy and his friends as they take a field trip to Washington, DC. Although Principal Rabbski says the field trip will be an “origami-free zone,” Dwight finds a way to create his own personal Yoda. The question is, will Yoda be able to defeat Harvey’s pickle of darkness? This will be the most exciting and craziest Origami Yoda adventure yet. You don’t want to miss it! For more information on Tom Angleberger, or to submit your origami creation, visit www.origamiyoda.com.
Make your own Origami Yoda!
Page 7 July•August 2014
Reduce the Sugar in Your Child’s Diet
Written by Heather Quintana
We all want our kids to eat nutritious food, but sometimes it’s not as easy as it should be. One of the most important things about proper nutrition is to learn to read the ingredients list on packages of food. Processed foods are loaded with sugars and chemicals that fog up our brains, make our bodies feel tired, give us cravings for more sugar, cause weight gain and over time put us at risk for heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Did you know the average American consumes more than 42 teaspoons of added sugar every day? That is about seven times more than our bodies can handle. The American Heart Association recommends limiting consumption of added sugars to no more than six teaspoons (24 grams) a day for women and nine teaspoons (36 grams) a day for men. And of course, even fewer for growing girls and boys. As parents, we try to make the best choices that our budgets can handle—but if we’re not paying close attention, we may be stocking our cabinets and fridges with foods that are not so good for us. Added sugars are in some of the most surprising places—including foods we think are healthy. Consider the amount of sugar in a serving size of foods we typically think are better choices: Yoplait original 99% fat free yogurt (31g), Mott’s apple sauce cups (23 g), Nutri-grain cereal bar (12 g), Quaker oatmeal squares cereal (12 g) and Newman’s own tomato basil spaghetti sauce (12 g). In one quick snack or meal, we could easily hit our sugar quota for the day. A healthful diet includes more ‘real’ food and fewer processed foods. ‘Real’ foods are fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, whole grains and lean proteins. If you’re not in the habit of buying and eating ‘real’ food, the idea can be daunting. At first, you may think it’s more expensive. But, over time, you can begin to switch out some of those sugary processed foods with real foods. Most ‘real foods’ cost less per pound than processed foods. The key to getting your kids to try new foods and like them is to get them involved in the kitchen! Most kids, as young as kindergarten, can cut banana coins with a butter knife and spread a little peanut butter on them. Be patient—they might be a little messier than if you did it—but the more your kids practice, the better they will get. They will cook (and like) real food in no time!
• • • • •
Five ‘Real Food’ Kid Friendly Snacks:
Happy Healthy Cooks tm
Perfect Popcorn Yield: 2 quarts
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons canola or grape seed oil 1/3 cup organic popcorn kernels (from Natural foods store)
Directions:
You will need a 3 quart covered saucepan. Heat the oil in the saucepan on medium high heat. Put 3-4 popcorn kernels in the oil and cover the pot. When the kernels pop, add the rest of the popcorn kernels in an even layer. Cover, remove from heat and count 30 seconds (count down with the kids!). Return to the heat and gently shake the pan (keep the lid slightly ajar to allow steam to escape for crisper popcorn). When the popping slows down to a few seconds between pops, it’s done! Great toppings include: Spanish smoked paprika, nutritional yeast, cayenne pepper, chili pepper, curry powder, cumin or grated parmesan cheese.
Banana bites (bananas cut into coins with a dollop of peanut butter on each) Homemade hummus & carrots Sliced apples with almond butter Homemade popcorn (made on the stove) Heather Millar Quintana is a Certified Health Coach and Director of Happy Veggie wrap (spread whole grain wrap w/ refried beans, Healthy Cooks in Roanoke, a program that turns kids and their families on to healthful whole foods because their lives depend on it. At any given time, top with carrots, cucumbers, peppers, lettuce & roll)!
Page 8 July•August 2014
you’ll likely find Heather cooking, teaching, mountain biking, relaxing by the water, or busy raising two happy healthy funny sweet boys.
Page 9 July•August 2014
Back to School Survival Change is tough, but we believe in you! Elementary School The big day has arrived! Pre-K and Kindergarten are the first tiny steps down the road of independence. Some children run to the bus with their backpack bouncing happily on their little backs—never once looking back to see if you are still there. Others will cry like you are leaving them forever. No matter what initial reaction your child has to their first day, remember that this is not the first time their Kindergarten teacher has witnessed an unhappy child. They know how to get their minds off of your absence, and soon they will eagerly anticipate returning to school. Meet with their teacher before the first day to help calm both your nerves and the nerves of your child.
Middle School Your child is beginning to search for ways to be independent, but there are certain areas in which they still need your guidance. It is very important to remain active in the academic portion of their lives. Students with parents who are involved in their education have shown higher rates for academic success. So get to know your child’s teachers, volunteer to chaperone events, stay up to date on assignments and upcoming tests and, most importantly, talk to your child about their school day. Asking something simple like, “How do you think you did on the science test?” will open the door for them to be honest and get help if they need it.
High School Involvement in your child’s academic life is still very important in high school. Meet their teachers. Stay up to date on what they are learning. This is also a good time to focus on teaching them to plan ahead and use a student planner to remind themselves of projects and upcoming tests. Set aside one-two hours each night for “homework time.” If they do not have homework, take time to review what they learned during the day with them. Showing interest in what they have learned will encourage communication beyond the realm of Facebook and Twitter.
College Although these years will be some of the best years of your child’s life, it is important to address subjects like debt, relationships, health and time management. Open discussions in which you treat them like an adult will encourage them to seek your advice in the future. For daughters heading off to college, we love College 101: A Girl’s Guide to Freshman Year by Julie Zeilinger. A current sophomore at Barnard College, Julie has been named one of Newsweek’s “150 Women Who Shake the World.” Check our Facebook page this
month for a chance to win your own copy! Page 10 July•August 2014
Family Gear Fun, safe and uplifting products for the whole family
Piggy Paint was started by a mom, Melanie Hurley, who wanted to eliminate the chemicals found in regular nail polish. One day, while painting her nails over a foam plate, her daughter dropped a glob of the solvent-based polish onto the plate. A short time later, the paint began to bubble and “ate” through the plate. From that day on, she realized that any flammable substance that could eat through foam was unacceptable for her children’s fingernails. She decided to create her own nail polish, and Piggy Paint was born. Their water-based polish is specially formulated from natural ingredients, and does not contain the harsh, smelly chemicals that eat through foam (they actually tested it!). You can find Piggy Paint at Toad’ly Kids in Roanoke, across from Towers Mall.
Stay tuned to our Facebook page for a giveaway featuring three Piggy Paint Toe-Tally Fancy nail polishes, a polish remover and one pack of 3D nail art stickers from our friends at Toad’ly Kids!
Hopscotch Nail Polish began when Ginny Cardenas, mom and founder of Lila Natural Cosmetics, took a closer look at the chemical cocktail of ingredients in her daughters’ nail polish. Determined to create a natural and safe alternative to conventional nail polish, she teamed up with a chemist to develop revolutionary water-based lacquers in fun, vibrant colors and soy-based polish remover. Together, they created Hopscotch Kids—a truly toxin-free nail polish without solvents, phthalates, gluten, fragrances and parabens. They also make an adult version called Scotch Naturals! These nail polishes will allow you and your children to achieve a long-lasting and healthy manicure at home in many on-trend shades. Visit www.hopscotchkids.com for more information. Page 11 July•August 2014
Outdoor fun
creative play turns ordinary into extraordinary
Fashions FROM Toad’ly Kids Photography by Toad’ly Kids Photography
Page 15 July•August 2014
Page 14 July•August 2014
Be sure to check www.poppyseedfamily.com for creative play ideas from this photoshoot during July and August.
3
Sandra’s seen a leprechaun, Eddie touched a troll, Laurie danced with witches once, Charlie found some goblins gold. Donald heard a mermaid sing, Susy spied an elf,
But all the magic I have known I’ve had to make myself. - Shel Silverstein,
“Magic” from Where the Sidewalk Ends
Fashions FROM Toad’ly Kids Photography by Toad’ly Kids Photography
Page 15 July•August 2014
Page 16 July•August 2014
Fashions FROM Toad’ly Kids Photography by Toad’ly Kids Photography
Their First Adventure Alone: Encouraging independence, one small step at a time Written by Jeremy Holmes When I was in third grade I hunted mountain lions in the creek behind Riverview Elementary School. That year, our class studied a unit on identifying common animals of Southern California by their tracks. A friend and I became convinced that the dog prints that lined the muddy bank of the stream actually belonged to at least one, possibly an entire pride, of cougars. Over several weeks we mounted a number of expeditions into the swampy area beyond the school’s playground, a stretch of reeds and tall grass bordering a narrow trickle of a creek. The stream collected in a murky pool in a dark, tree-shrouded corner of the hilly lot that was probably some kind of retention pond, but which in my memory remains a shadowy bayou. The threat of alligators only made our hunt for the great cats all the more thrilling.
We never found the mountain lions. Or the alligators. Or, truth be told, the dogs that were actually leaving the tracks. But that summer was the first I remember setting off into the woods and streams near my home without the direct oversight of my parents, with only a National Parks Service poster of animal tracks in my hand and an adventure in my head. Jeremy Holmes is Program Director for RIDE Solutions in Roanoke. He is an advocate for families getting out of their cars and getting to know their neighborhoods by walking, biking, and taking the bus together.
That was a foundational experience for me – who I am is tied,fundamentally, to how big the world was that summer, and how I was allowed to muscle my way through it on my own. My daughter just finished third grade, and I realize, with a kind of regret, that she has never hunted a mountain lion on her own. It’s no secret that modern parents are inundated with messages telling us to be afraid of the world and to shield our children from independent exploration of it. Programs like Free Range Kids and similar efforts try to educate us on the benefits of unstructured, self-guided, adventurous play outdoors, but it seems to me that there is a more compelling, more personal reason for us to encourage our kids to be explorers: Who doesn’t reminisce about wandering the undergrowth, urban or natural, of our childhood, limited only by a curfew and our own sense of right and wrong? Many of us are the parents we are only because, as children, we had experiences that we are now denying our own children. Our desire for our daughters and sons to be brave comes from our own successful brushes with danger (imagined or otherwise) in the shadowy swamps of our childhood. As parents, our fundamental measure of success is whether our kids are better people than we are. At the least, then, they need to exult in the same freedoms that we did, to weather the same risks, to indulge in the same adventures. That’s why this summer, Penelope will track her first great cat – or stalk a buffalo, perhaps, or ride a moose, or tame a unicorn. I won’t be there to see it happen, but I can’t wait for her to tell me about it when she comes home.
Page 17 Page 17 July•August 2014 July•August 2014
The Fiscal Family Can you afford a baby? Adjust your spending habits, and a child may not be as expensive as you thought
Written by Jessica Osborne
Having a baby doesn’t have to be expensive. When I was pregnant, my aunt advised, “All you really need is a crib, a car seat, a stroller, and a soft rug for him to roll around on.” I took that to heart and didn’t buy into all the fancy wipe warmers, expensive clothes and toys. It wasn’t hard for me to adapt to this lifestyle. My husband and I have always been more on the frugal side. It’s more important to us to have savings and investments than fancy clothes or the newest stroller. Our motto has been that we don’t buy things unless we need them. Recently, at J. Crew, a salesperson walked up to us and said, “We have some great outfits for the little guy.” I thought, “If I rarely buy J.Crew for myself, then there is no way that I’m buying it for Sawyer.” Because of this side of my personality, I have yet to spend over $300 dollars on toys or clothes for Sawyer. In addition to my frugality, I often remind myself that spending all that money is pointless because he outgrows things within a few months and he’s rarely interested in toys. However, there are a few items that parents of a growing baby cannot do without. For those, I recommend the following:
1. Goodwill, Consignment Sales & Craigslist. In our area there are great
consignment sales for parents and children. There are great savings to be found in gently used (or sometimes never used) items. For books, we go to Goodwill. They have a great selection of barely used children’s books for $1 each. We also go to the library about once every two weeks. I pick out two books for Sawyer and we read them consistently before bed. Craigslist is another great source for low cost (sometimes free!) finds for the whole family.
2. Furniture Double Duty. We did splurge on our crib, but we made sure to get one from Amazon that converted into a toddler bed and then a full bed. That way, it can follow Sawyer throughout his childhood and teenage years.
3. Diapers & Wipes in Bulk. You can save a lot of money by buying diapers and wipes in bulk via Amazon. For $54 you can buy over 200 diapers.
4. Friends as Sitters. We have a playpen set up in our guest bedroom. Some nights we use it to accommodate the sleeping babies of our friends so they can go out to eat. It’s easy, free and we switch off whenever we can. Please share any additional tips you have for saving money on your family’s expenses with us on our Facebook page!
Page 18 July•August 2014
Jessica is married to her husband, Zach and is mom to her son, Sawyer and pup, Sadie. She is an educator in Southwest Virginia and started her blog, Just Rainbows & Butterflies in 2010 after her husband was severely injured in Afghanistan. She used it to document all the good and beautiful things that were happening instead of focusing on the bad. Today the blog is about their adventures and all the things they love.
LewisGale Pediatrician Answers Summertime Safety Questions Moriah Krason, M.D., FAAP LewisGale Physicians
My teenagers are active in summer sports. How can we prevent dehydration and heat illnesses? Make sure your kids take a full water bottle to every practice, conditioning session or competition. For active kids and young teens, encourage at least 10 gulps of water every twenty minutes. For teens, 20 gulps of water every twenty minutes are required to maintain proper hydration. Ensure that your teen’s coaches know the signs and symptoms of dehydration and heat illnesses, and that they establish mandatory water breaks. Signs of dehydration and heat illness include muscle cramping, dizziness, nausea and fainting. If you suspect heat illness, move the child to a cool shady spot and have them lie down, provide cold water, and elevate the legs above the level of the heart. If you are concerned about heat stroke, the most severe of heat illnesses, immediately call 911, and soak the child in cold water. At what age can my child use a lawn mower to help with yard work? Generally, children around 12 years old have the strength, coordination and maturity to use a walk-behind lawn mower. Children over 16 can be taught to use a riding mower. It is vital that you teach your child how to not only use the lawn mover, but to check the mower and yard for possible dangers before starting to mow. Always ensure proper protective equipment and closed toe shoes are worn when mowing, including safety goggles and hearing protection. Remember that it takes some practice and guidance to use a lawn mower safely. My daughter is reluctant to play outside. However, she LOVES her friend’s trampoline. I want her to be active, and I plan on purchasing a trampoline for our yard. How can I keep her safe? I applaud efforts to encourage kids to be active. However, trampolines are an increasing cause of injuries in children age 6-14 year old. Injuries range from broken bones, cuts, sprains and strains, to concussions and other head injuries. Adult supervision, safety netting and other safety features do not prevent many injuries associated with trampoline use. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that trampolines NEVER be used at home. Trampolines should only be used in supervised training programs for gymnastics or other competitive sports under the direction of a professional trained in trampoline safety. To contact Dr. Krason, call 540-772-3580. To locate another pediatrician near you, call Consult-A-Nurse® 24/7 at 877-2HCA-DOCS (877-242-2362).
I know that my son rides his bike without his helmet. Now his younger sister is refusing to wear one. Is it safe to just let her ride around the driveway without it? It is time to establish this non-negotiable rule for bikes, scooters, skateboards, in-line skates and other riding toys in and around your home—No helmet, no riding. Bike helmets reduce the risk of severe brain injury if your child is in an accident by 88 percent. Take the lead and be an example, make sure you always wear a helmet. Ensure that the helmet sits on the top of the head, does not obstruct vision, cannot rock back and forth or side to side on the head, and remains buckled.
Page 19 July•August 2014
Page 20 July•August 2014
GABRIEL MORALES
MUSIC IN THE AIR: a young musician is an inspiration for every child with a dream Written By Hayleigh Worgan
Born in September of 1998, Gabriel Morales is a talented young guitar player with fans of all ages and musical preferences. He grew up with a variety of music around his house, and his inspiration derived, in part, from that. His father introduced the sound of the acoustic guitar to him at an early age. Morales began his musical journey by learning to play the violin. It wasn’t long before he discovered that his true passion was the guitar. “One day, my dad noticed that the violin began screeching,” he recalls. “He asked why and I told him that it was because I wanted to play guitar like he did. He said I could, but I had to be better than him.” Morales is homeschooled, and the schedule allows him to practice at longer intervals once his school work is complete. He spends anywhere from three to six hours a day in music
studies. Because of his persistence, people are beginning to notice this talented teenager. Through his work in the Jefferson Center’s Music Lab, he has been able to meet and work with award winning artists like Michael League of Snarky Puppy. They won a Grammy this year for an album to which Morales contributed. Overall, the music lab has been a real factor in a lot of his experiences, and he recommends it as a great center for young people who are interested in music. Additionally, he encourages them to pursue their hobby despite any early setbacks or failures. “A lot of people call me a guitar prodigy. I’m very flattered by that statement, but it’s not like that. From the start my parents put an emphasis on hard work and practice. Don’t go in with the expectation that you are going to be famous the next day,” Morales advises, “Work hard, and pursue music
because you really love it.” Morales spends a lot of time studying and performing with other musicians. As a result, his sound is constantly evolving. Someday, he would like to perform his music all over the world, and maybe produce and do film scoring. For now, the fifteen-year-old is beginning to think about college, considering schools like Berkley, Manhattan School of Music, University of North Texas and Juliard. He is also planning performances in our area. You can see Gabriel Morales perform on July 17th at the Taubman Museum. Admission is free. He will also be part of the lineup at FloydFest this year, performing two sets and co hosting a workshop with Quinn Sullivan on July 27. Visit www.gabemoralesmusic.com for more information. Page 21 July•August 2014
FAMILY FUN
What do to this Summer?
July 12 July 23-27 July 26 August 1-10 Page 22 July•August 2014
Join Roanoke’s favorite local restaurants and food trucks for the first annual Big Lick Burger Fest. From 12 pm to 6 pm, enjoy their signature burgers and specialty creations at Wells Fargo Plaza in Downtown Roanoke. Guests are invited to enjoy live music, games, giveaways, and more! General admission for the Big Lick Burger Fest will be $5.00 per ticket, which includes a souvenir burger cup. Children ages 12 and under are free. For more information, visit www.biglickentertainment.com. Floyd Fest is not just a place for adults. This is an event for the entire family! Just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, an 80-acre field will come alive to showcase the talent of many fantastic musicians. In addition to great music and food, there are plenty of activities for children. There will be open mics, yoga classes, unicycle and stilt workshops, hikes and more—all geared towards kids! Go to www.floydfest.com for more details and a list of musicians who will play at the event. We will see you there! If your child loves trucks, planes, or race cars you will not want to miss the Touch a Truck event at Green Hill Park. This free event will give them the opportunity to see, touch, interact with, and climb on hundreds of cool vehicles including fire trucks, helicopters, tractors, motorcycles, snow plows, monster trucks and more! Additional activities include water-spray areas, fireman’s foam, face painting, balloon sculptures, a petting zoo, costumed characters,and food vendors. Visit www.roanokecountyparks.com for more information. Take a break from the summer heat, and visit Mill Mountain Theatre to see the Young Performers production of The Wizard of Oz. Featuring children in grades K-12 onstage and backstage, this experience allows youth to be part of live theatre. Join Scarecrow, Tin Man, the Lion, and all of your favorite characters as Dorothy and Toto find their way back to Kansas. For show times and additional information, visit www.millmountain.org.
Page 23 July•August 2014