Poppyseed Sept/Oct 2014

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September•October 2014

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Cool 4 School Fashions • Healthy Eats • Kids’ Health • Super Rad Projects...

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& MORE!!!

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publisher & owner Joey Coakley Beck jbeck@beckmediagroup.com

contributors Jeremy Holmes, Decca Knight, LewisGale Regional Health System, Heather Quintana, Toad’ly Kids Photography, Hayleigh Worgan account executives Cory Dorathy advertise@beckmediagroup.com Beth Deel bdeel@beckmediagroup.com advertising inquiries advertise@beckmediagroup.com poppyseed@beckmediagroup.com (540) 904-6800

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Photo by Toad’ly Kids Photography

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editorial director Hayleigh Worgan hworgan@beckmediagroup.com

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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

Issue Three September•October 2014

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School

School buses. Car pools. Homework. Summer is over and the chaos of scheduling after school activities, planning well balanced meals for your family and helping your child readjust to their school schedule has arrived. Fortunately, we have some wonderful advice from our staff to make things a little easier. In this issue, you will find great products for your entire family, tips to live a healthier lifestyle and fun activities to look forward to on the weekends.

Once again, we want to thank both our readers and our advertisers for their continued support. We hope you enjoy reading this issue as much as we enjoyed creating it!

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Cookies, Cakes & Crafts Checking the mail becomes fun again!

With the amount of companies that deliver door-to-door each month, it is a challenge to choose the best deal for your investment and something your child will love. Fortunately, we have discovered two monthly subscription services that will provide learning opportunities and excitement for your child. Here are our two new favorites:

Foodstirs began as the solution of a working mom who wanted to spend more time with her children in the kitchen. She quickly realized that the experience not only created invaluable memories but also helped her children develop their imaginations, counting, measuring and motor skills. Each shipment includes a recipe, quality dry ingredients, specialty cooking and craft tools and fun food fact cards. The recipes are less than eight steps and are accompanied by a skill sheet that helps you track what your child has learned. You can choose between a variety of packages for your little chef-in-training! They offer themed kits, which are perfect for Page 5 September•October 2014

Food Stirs

play dates and birthday parties, and kits that are part of a series that allow your child to earn the title of “Culinarian” or “The Sous Chef.” Visit foodstirs.com for more information and to choose the perfect kit for your family!

The Happy Trunk

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The Happy Trunk is a family of parents, educators, and crafters bringing to life experiences, craft and science projects that they enjoy completing with their own children. Their hands-on activities inspire and encourage creativity. They offer kits for two different age groups, 3-7 and 8-11, ensuring that your child will have the opportunity to learn from this unique gift. Happy Trunks for the younger age group include 2-3 themed projects. Those for the older age group include two projects—one craft and one geared towards scientific exploration. Give the gift of creative play!

Go to thehappytrunk.com for more details and to place your order today.

These are just two of the many subscription services out there that can inspire creativity and provide great activities for you and your family each month. For additional craft-based subscriptions, try Kiwi Crate or Babba Box. Both offer activities, crafts and projects that will help your child use their imagination. If you are not ready to commit to a monthly subscription service, but still want to spend time creating projects and recipes with your child, visit our Pinterest page for loads of ideas!

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The Gift of Health Small dietary changes can greatly improve your child’s life Written by Heather Quintana

The whistle blows at the end of the game and the young players come running to the sidelines after the teams high five each other in a “good game” lineup. Bags of Cheetos, fruit-flavored gummies, cookies, and bottles of Gatorade serve as rewards for the game just played.

At the risk of sounding out of touch and oldfashioned, when I was a kid playing soccer, we refueled, rehydrated, recovered, and celebrated with a cooler of water, paper cups and bags filled with sliced oranges. No added sugars, no dyes, no chemicals, no allergens. Just a little real food and cool water to help us come down from 45 minutes of intense play. We stuck the entire wedge of fruit in our mouths and showed off our orange rind teeth. And we were happy. Or bummed about a missed shot or save.

In school, we had no expectation of a sugary treat to help us learn our addition facts. We had two recesses every day. And we all went outside unless it was below 20 degrees.

Or windy. Or looked like it might rain. We walked to the bus stop in the morning. And there was no national crisis with overweight kids and astonishing levels of Type 2 diabetes (and pre-diabetes), ADD, ADHD and chronic sleep deprivation.

Loading our kids with chemicals and sugars messes with their body chemistry and taxes their pancreas. A diet filled with sugars, processed foods and beverages compromises our digestive system, endocrine system, our hearts, minds and Page 8 September•October 2014

moods. Our bodies begin to crave sugar as if it is a drug. And it is hard to come off it.

As parents, we’re at the helm. We make the choices about most of the foods our kids eat until they have money and transportation. We can fill their bellies with real foods—fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans and some whole grains. But it takes effort.

And commitment. And experimentation. And tenacity. And team spirit.

One way to start is to set a goal for each family member to be sure to eat five servings of fruits and/or vegetables every day.

Make a chart (or go to www.HappyHealthyCooks.org to print one out) and post it on your fridge to keep track. Step two: Motivate your family to agree to no snacking for two hours before dinner is served—unless it’s cut up vegetables, those are always unlimited.

We devote our lives to giving our children everything they need to grow into happy successful adults, but there is no substitute for health. Setting them up for the life-long practice of taking care of their bodies is one of the greatest gifts you can give your children.

Check out our Poppyseed’s Pinterest page for more healthy snack ideas!

Heather Millar Quintana is a Certified Health Coach and Director of Happy 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, you’ll likely find Heather cooking, teaching, mountain biking, relaxing by the water, or busy raising two happy healthy funny sweet boys.

family finds Psst. Keep an eye on our Facebook page where we’ll be giving these away!!

Franny Katzenback, a young girl recovering from polio in Pittsburgh in 1952, reads and falls in love with the brand-new book Charlotte’s Web. Her loneliness and boredom inspire her to start a friendship with an eloquent flee named Fleabrain, who lives on her dog’s tail. Fleabrain Loves Franny by Joanne Rocklin is a touching and funny story that also offers a take on social justice—highlighting the struggle that children in wheelchairs faced before the Americans with Disabilities Act. Page 11 September•October 2014

family finds

Goody Good Stuff is an all natural, meat free alternative to traditional gummy gelatin based sweets. They are also GMO, soy, egg, nut, dairy, alcohol, gluten and fat free! Because these treats do not contain allergens, they can be shared without reservation at parties and in your child’s classroom, with athletes looking for an energy boost, and young and old consumers interested in following Halal, Kosher, Vegetarian or Vegan diets. Choose from a variety of sour and regular flavors at www.goodygoodstuff.com.

Little Me Tea was created by a mom in search of healthy juice box options for her daughter. She created a tea and juice blend in her home without caffeine or added sugars. The drink was also gluten free and vegan. The first and only USDA organic RTD tea for kids, it is sweetened only with fruit and veggie juices. For more information, visit www.littlemetea.com.

Psst. Keep an eye on our Facebook page where we’ll be giving these away!!

Carry your child’s favorite toys or overnight essentials in an awesome backpack from Lug Backpacks! This is a purchase that will last for many years to come and can also be used to carry the things they need for school.

Check out the many styles they have to offer for kids, teenagers and adults at www.luglife.com.

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Invite fairies into your home with your child’s very own Little Fairy Door! The fairies, who only come out at night, are sometimes known to exchange notes and gifts with well behaved children. They are helpful both in inspiring imaginative play and guiding children through difficult stages like potty training, moving and sleeping through the night! Visit www.littlefairydoor.com to order one for your child!

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Be kind.

Be creative.

Most importantly, be you.

Fashions from Toad’ly Kids Photos by Toad’ly Kids Photography

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“You have brains in your head.

You have feet in your shoes...

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...You can steer yourself any direction you choose.”

Oh the Places You’ll Go

Fashions from Toad’ly Kids Photos by Toad’ly Kids Photography

by Dr. Seuss

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Fashions from Toad’ly Kids Photos by Toad’ly Kids Photography

WALKING TO SCHOOL changing your routine could improve your family’s health Written by Jeremy Holmes

Penelope Holmes

A few years ago, there was a big push in Virginia’s General Assembly to legislate more time for physical activity in the state’s schools, adding 20 minutes of required physical education a day. Proponents knew getting children more active would both improve their physical health and make them more able to focus and ready to learn. Opponents were concerned, fairly, about taking instructional time out of the school day and the increased cost of physical education instructors. Ultimately, the legislation was voted down.

After the measure in the General Assembly failed I did some quick math. Twenty minutes of physical activity a day is not much – in fact, for a lot of kids, that’s the equivalent of walking to and from school each day.

Yet – stand outside most any elementary or junior high school in the Roanoke Valley and you’ll likely see rows of cars coiled around the school grounds like a serpent, idling as they wait to drop their kids off at the front door. The streets immediately around the school are clogged with school traffic and early morning commuters, trying to maneuver around each other on narrow roads.

We know there is a growing obesity crisis facing America’s children. We know that kids are spending more and more time in front of the television, the computer screen, or on their smartphone rather than outside. We know these trends are not good for our kids’ education or their future.

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.

And we know that it doesn’t take much to reverse this trend – maybe as little as walking to and from school.

Now, there are a lot of reasons that kids aren’t walking to school. Not every neighborhood provides safe accommodations. Parents’ schedules may not allow the little bit of extra time it takes to walk rather than drive. There can be real challenges to walking with your kids each day rather than driving, but I’d suggest that at least some of those are more old habits than real barriers. For example, it may feel quicker to drive your kids to school, but given how long I see parents idling along the block before they drop their kids off at the school door, that time spent waiting could easily have been spent walking.

Penelope and I have walked to school together almost every day since her first day of kindergarten. That walk to school – short as it is – is an opportunity to transition from one world to the next, to spend a last few minutes talking before we each have to take on our responsibilities for the rest of the day. No matter how harried we might be getting out the front door, the walk forces us to slow down a bit and enjoy the moment.

Every new school year is an opportunity to learn – for parents and for kids. This year, consider walking to school with your child, even if you begin by trying it one day each week. It might just become the best part of your day.

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LewisGale Pediatrician Gives Back-to-School Advice for Parents John Bouldin, M.D., FAAP LewisGale Physicians

Every fall, the start of school seems to catch my family by surprise, what can we do to be better prepared?

Here a few general suggestions: 1)Start adjusting bedtimes now. The first week of school can come as a rude awakening for many kids, often literally. Take into account how much sleep your child typically needs and then start gradually shifting bedtime and wake time to get him/her used to getting up earlier.

2)Address problems from last school year.

Review the previous school year (calendars, report cards, and notes may help). Were there problems that could have been avoided with better planning? Will better communication and less procrastination help this year? Discuss these questions with the kids.

3)Start weaning screen time early. Start decreasing the time spent watching TV, playing video games, and non-academic computer time. Also discuss and determine what the policy will be regarding electronics during the school year.

4)Tour new environments ahead of time. Unfamiliar surroundings can cause anyone anxiety.

From preschool to college, at least one third of students will be spending their days somewhere different from last year. Allow your child to be as comfortable with his/her surroundings as possible.

5)Review potential healthcare needs. Are your children’s immunizations up to date? What records and/or forms are his/her school requesting? Are there any medications to be refilled?

Know what will be needed and contact your doctor’s office early.

To contact Dr. Bouldin, call 540-772-3580. To locate another pediatrician near you, call Consult-A-Nurse® 24/7 at 877-2HCA-DOCS (877-242-2362).

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Parent-In-Training How to Play with Your Child

Written by Decca Knight

When talking with parents, I often ask how they play with their child. Answers usually include watching TV, playing video games and practicing sports. But this isn’t play; this is simply existing “beside” your child.

Do you remember how we used to play? Yes, I know that I sound like an annoying old lady reminiscing about those nostalgic years. We used to play clapping games, build forts in the woods, roll down grassy hills, and create villages out of Lincoln Logs and blocks. We role-played, brainstormed creative fantasylands, and stared into each other’s eyes until someone blinked. Such interactions strengthened not only our creative minds, but also our relationships. They fostered an authentic connection with those around us.

Such play, however, is often difficult for parents. There are various reasons for this. First off, we have to relinquish control to our children. We have to allow them to create and lead the play. This means that if they want to build a precarious block tower—and then knock it down with abandon—we let them. If they want us to play house with them and the refrigerator is in the bedroom, we don’t correct them. If they want us to stomp through the mud in the river bottom with them, we tamper our

anxiety about ruining our clothes. Think about the joy you would have felt as a child if an adult had played with you in this way, allowing you to reach the bounds of your joy and imagination. But as adults, we often “get in the way” of our children, because of our own judgment and discomfort.

Another reason that parents struggle in playing with their children is that adults tend to make everything educational.

Yes, we all want our child to be the next Einstein, but they spend enough time at school learning and studying. When they are not in school, they should be allowed to engage in free play. If a child is out in the woods collecting acorns, we shouldn’t turn it into a game of addition and subtraction. If a child is lying in the grass, looking at cloud shapes, we shouldn’t try to identify the various types of cloud formations. If a child is engaged in creating a nature journal, we shouldn’t scold them for misspellings. We shouldn’t suck the joy out of playing; we just need to let our children “be.”

So, when playing with your child, step back. Allow them to drive the play, create the stories, get dirty, and exist in the bliss that is childhood. We all know that this time is fleeting, so allow your child to bask in its wonders.

Decca Knight is a wife, mother, counselor, and parenting educator. In an effort to further help kids and parents, Decca began studying a variety of parenting philosophies. She teaches classes, consults with other “Parents-in-training,” and runs Blue Ridge Parenting and Consulting LLC. For more information about parenting classes and consultation visit Decca’s website www.blueridgeparenting.com

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October 17-19

Family Fun

What to do?

Where to go?

October 26

Looking for a fun Halloween event for the whole family?

Check out the Halloween Kidfest at The Jacksonville Center for the Arts in Floyd on October 26. This free event, for parents and kids, will take place from 1 pm to 4 pm. Dress up and participate in their costume contest, collect candy, paint a pumpkin and enjoy ghoulish goodies. Ferrum College will also provide a themed educational craft for those in attendance. For more information, visit www.jacksonvillecenter.org.

The Roanoke GO Outside Festival is the perfect event for your whole family to enjoy! From October 17-19, those in attendance will have the opportunity to take part in activities that encourage healthy, outdoor recreation. By combining everything that outdoor enthusiasts love—camping, music, gear, races and demos with a beautiful outdoor setting—GO Fest is a celebration of everything outdoors.

Bring your children and your family dog (on a leash, of course) for a weekend that you won’t soon forget! The festival provides a “Muddy Squirrel Kid Zone” complete with a bouncy house, climbing wall, inflatable hamster balls, cardboard cave building and hula hooping! The best part? ALL of these activities are free—including a zip line! There are also plenty of opportunities for your child to learn something new by participating in guided hikes, a yoga intro, making their own survival bracelet and watching a fire building demo.

Your family will also love all of the local food choices offered throughout the weekend, including some of our favorites: the Rock & Roll Diner, the Noke Truck, and Sweet Donkey Coffee!

Sign your family up for the Superhero Fun Run/Walk taking place on Saturday morning! Proceeds will benefit homeless families in the Roanoke Valley—and, come on, who doesn’t enjoy being a superhero for a day?

Visit www.roanokegofest.com for more information on all of the fun activities your family can enjoy at GO Fest this year. We will see you there!

make this...................................

A little Halloween fun for the whole family!

Spider Candy Holder

Hang this cute spider candy holder on your doorknob and fill it with treats for your family, neighbors and friends! If you want to avoid giving out candy, you can fill it with pencils, erasers, temporary tattoos and fun plastic spider rings.

9” paper plate 4 black chenille stems Three 36”-long pieces of green yarn Black, white and light green acrylic paint 3” x 5” piece of orange construction paper Black marker White craft glue Scissors Large wiggle eyes Paint paper plate with black paint and let dry. Fold paper plate in half and cut along the crease.

Pipe glue along the rounded edges of the two pieces of plate. Stick the plates together. Unpainted sides should be facing each other. Do not glue the cut sides; this is the opening of your plate pocket.

Cut chenille stems in half. Set aside two Page 22 September•October 2014

of them. Bend the ends of the remaining chenille stems, about 1” at each end. Bend one to the left and the other to the right. For the remaining two chenille stems, bend one end about 1” and the other end about 2”.

Place plate pocket in front of you, with the open end at the top. Glue three chenille legs on the

left underside and the other three on the right. Take the remaining two stems and glue the 2” bend under the plate about 1/3 of the way down from the left, and 1/3 of the way down on the right. Allow to dry.

Glue craft eyes on the body.

Paint a wiggly smile on the front of the plate using green paint.

Write “Happy Halloween!” on the orange construction paper with black marker. Glue the paper underneath the spider’s “hands” so that it appears that it is holding the sign.

To make the handle, line all three pieces of yarn up together and tie one end in a knot. Braid the strands together and knot at the other end.

Open the pocket and pipe some glue into the creases. Press the ends of the yarn handle inside and let dry.

Fill with candy or other treats and hang.