2019 November - Family Fun in Omaha

November 2019 Feature Articles

Cycling Is A Great Way To Get From A to B, Here’s What You Need to Know To Do It Safely

Tangier Feztival of Trees

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Page 15

How To Build An Uplifting Gratitude Habit In Your Home

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Page 20 A Full Menu for Fun-Filled Holiday Festivities

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November 2019 FamilyFunInOmaha DIGITAL ISSUE

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Family Fun In Omaha’s Holiday Gift Guide Verve Culture- Molcajete with Tortilla Basket The molcajete is a centuryold mortar and pestle used by Mexican cooks.

Its rough surface is made entirely of volcanic stone, ideal for grinding and releasing flavorful oils from vegetables and spices.

Like cast-iron, your molcajete can go in the oven, retain heat for an hour, and it picks up flavors over time, continually enhancing the foods you’re working with. Perfect for salsa, guac, queso, mole, and more. For more information, visit https://verveculture. com.

make people smile.

They are a great novelty gift for all the unique people in your life and your foodie friends!

Sukeno socks are much more than their playful folded up appearance - they look just as great on your feet! For more information, visit https:// www.sukenosocks.com

Butcher Box ButcherBox delivers 100% grassfed beef, free range o r g a n i c Enchantmints - Whimsy and chicken and Goodness for Children heritage Enchantmints breed pork directly to your door. Think products are full of us as the neighborhood butcher for of beauty, whimsy, modern America. Here at ButcherBox, we and goodness. work tirelessly to connect families with the You’ll find nary a foods they want to eat by establishing a pirate or superhero friendly neighborhood butcher, always here. Each piece open, online. Choosing the cuts for each begins with allButcherBox is a labor of love. We want original watercolor you to discover new cuts, and explore the art, specifically created with children’s endless possibilities in the world of meat. To well-being in mind. When you choose get you started, we select a well-balanced Enchantmints, you know you are bringing assortment of easy-to-cook items, like all good things into your little one’s life. Our chicken breasts, and more interesting cuts, products nurture the imagination, creativity, like the Denver steak. In addition, you can gentleness, kindness, enthusiasm, and a always pick from a range of 12 add-ons to love of nature. For more information, visit spice up your box! For more information, https://enchantmints.com. visit https://www.butcherbox.com.

Sukeno Socks Looking for a funky, memorable, one of a kind gift that makes you go “WOW”?

Sukeno socks look delicious, but aren’t to be eaten -- they’re actually socks! Sukeno is dedicated to making quality products that November 2019 FamilyFunInOmaha DIGITAL ISSUE

Busy Beauty- Showerless Travel Kit The worst is when you get to your destination, only to open your bag to find that all of your beauty products have spilled open and covered your bag in a pleasant concoction of product. But you can avoid

this heartache with the Showerless Travel Kit; it’s hard-shelled exterior will protect your products from the hazards of travel.

For more information, visit https://busybeauty. com.

Magical Castle Bed Tent

by Lakeshore Learning Now kids can rule the kingdom—from the comfort of their own castle play tent! Our royal tent features 2 roomy “drawbridge” doors that roll up so children can easily crawl in from either side…plus 4 mesh windows to peek through. Use it as a bed tent with a twin mattress up to 12” thick—or without a mattress as a stand-alone fort! Castle play tent measures 75”w x 38”d x 52”h. Assembly required.

For more information, visit https://www. lakeshorelearning.com/products/dramatic-play/ dress-up-role-play/magical-castle-bed-tent/s/ EE134.

Global Grub- DIY Ravioli Kit Make your own Italian masterpiece, starting with the perfect pasta dough made from 00 flour.

Then, transform the dough into delicious gourmet pillows filled with porcini mushrooms and ricotta that’ll be sure to impress! Kit includes: 00 Flour, Dried Porcini Mushrooms, Truffle

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Family Fun In Omaha’s Holiday Gift Guide Big Feet Pajamas Our pajama company manufactures footed pajamas and lounge wear in over 60 fun and fashionable colors and Cades and Birch patterns, our adult This adorable rustic men’s, women’s box is the perfect and children’s solution for family footed pajamas time! Simply place and sleepwear your family phones are offered in four fabrics: 100% cotton and gadgets inside the flannel, 100% cotton jersey knit, ultra-soft box and Presto! -- No coral velvet plush and micro-polar anti-pill more distracted dinner fleece and hoodie jumpsuits in a very warm time, study time, or family game nights. and comfy cotton poly blend. For more Each box is handcrafted from domestic information, visit https://www.bigfeetpjs.com.

US pine wood, and measures 12” x 5” by 5” tall, and features a 1” diameter hole in Prints by Katarina- Funny Teacher Mug the back to put through charging cables. This funny coffee mug is a perfect gift for Finished in your choice of stain color. This C h r i s t m a s , box is engraved only with the “Unplug” b i r t h d a y , design as shown, and you can personalize V a l e n t i n e ’ s all text underneath! For more information, day, Father’s visit https://www.cadesandbirch.com. day, Mother’s day, farewell, Tinkering Labs: The Electric Motors r e t i r e m e n t Catalyst party or Toys with step-byany other step instructions occasion, you aren’t always the are celebrating. Your friend, co-worker most kid-friendly. or loved one, that started working, is Tinkering Labs working or was working as a teacher will kits give them a be surely very thrilled over this mug for a way to build stuff teacher. This funny gift will bring a lot of without having to laughter to the receiver every time she worry about getting it “right.” The Tinkering or he will pour a coffee or tea. For more Labs kits provide STEM-based challenges information, visit https://www.etsy.com/ to get kids out of a rigid, model-building listing/659434369/teacher-trump-funny-giftmindset, and into open-ended play. For teacher?ga_search_query=teacher&ref=shop_ example, they can “make a machine that items_search_6&frs=1 can scramble an egg,” or “build a creature with spinning arms.” Great for girls and Crafty Maker Store- Sushi Rolls Candle boys ages 8 and up. For more information, Making Kit visit tinkeringlabs.com Create your own Japanese decor with the Oil (a jar for your pantry!), Ravioli Stamp, Cooking Instructions, Shopping Guide, Drink Pairing Suggestions.

For more information, visit https://globalgrub.com/ products/diy-ravioli-kit.

help of your kids with this Sushi Candle Making Kit. This fake food craft making experience includes all of the candle supplies that you need to make sushi candles! You’ll be going “banzai” over the awesome and fun sushi rolls that this beeswax candle making supplies kit. For more information, visit https://www. etsy.com/listing/253822211/sushi-rolls-candlemaking-kit-candle?campaign_label=convo_ notifications&utm_source=transactional&utm_ campaign=convo_notifications_010170_106 83759063_0_0&utm_medium=email&utm_ content=&email_sent=1569509827&euid=3L_ e3FP3jbdVg4STLlG1LjIukQYC&eaid=880317 786&x_eaid=ffb120c467 Joseph Joseph Twin brothers Richard and Antony Joseph founded Joseph Joseph in 2003, combining their respective experience in product design and business.

Specializing in contemporary kitchenware, Joseph Joseph is now internationally recognized for producing some of the most stylish and technically innovative products available, and has become one of the fastest growing companies in the worldwide homewares market.

Their unique ability to match form and function has earned them global recognition for their multi-award-winning designs. For more information, visit https://www.josephjoseph.com.

Society6 Society6 is home to hundreds of thousands of artists from around the globe, uploading

Family Fun In Omaha’s Holiday Gift Guide and selling their original works as 30+ premium consumer goods from Art Prints to Throw Blankets.

They create, we produce and fulfill, and every purchase pays an artist. Pictured: Cutting boards are now a unique way to make a creative statement. We’re upping the wow factor of this kitchen essential— with designs from artists all over the world.

For more information, visit https://society6.com.

hair. Coupled with amla oil, which is used in Ayurvedic medicine to stimulate the hair follicle and encourage growth, these nourishing ingredients provide a perfect environment for long and healthy hair.

This is a plus for curly and kinky hair types, which tend to be more prone to mechanical and manipulation damage. For more information, visit https://unwrappedlife. com.

for the giver as well as the recipient, that they both can enjoy their part in impacting families through sharing unique jewelry that speaks and breathes meaning,” founder Sabine Schoepke. For more information, visit http://shinylittleblessings.com

Reginald’s Homemade We craft Reginald’s Homemade using only the finest natural ingredients—and very few of them. Starting with a lovable legume that carries a proud history: The Virginia peanut. (We Goverre think it’s the greatest Conventional wine glasses can easily spill known to mankind.)

Just Play Pound Puppies or break unless in a very controlled setting, Deliciously roasted, These classic pound puppies are looking and Ready to Drink of course. Then we for a loving home! They need someone (RTD) options are add a smidge of oil. to adopt them and extremely limited Just enough. And love them and have in selection and we’re done. That is, unless, you want to take been waiting for quality. In today’s your adventure to peanut butter Nirvana someone Like You market, a portable, just a bit farther to places like Apple Sin, to choose them as glass wine glass Nana Honey, Hazelnut Amaretto, or White your very own pet! with a lid did not Chocolate Macadamia. Here, you’ll find They are easy to take exist until now! only real fruit and natural extracts. No care of - just give GOVERRE is the solution. It’s a glass, added salt. No preservatives. Ever. For them a little love stemless wine glass with a silicone sleeve more information, visit and lots of hugs! If you take them home, and a drink through lid. Pour half of your www.reginaldshomemade.com. they will love you very much. Each pound favorite bottle of wine into your GOVERRE. puppy includes a sticker sheet, name tag Seal the lid. Pack in your bag, open and In Favor Of- Charles Farris Tin Candle and adoption Certificate so you can write enjoy. For more information, visit https:// Using only the finest essential oils and in the name you choose for your new pet! goverre.com/. traditional For more information, visit candle making https://justplayproducts.com.

Shiny Little Blessings techniques from Every piece is custom made to order and the Victorian era, Unwrapped LifeThe Hydrator tells an intimate story of love, loss, and Charles Farris is Shampoo/Conditioner compassion. Spreading the only candle Sometimes you need a little hydration, handcrafted love one company in the sometimes you need a lot! With colloidal piece of jewelry at a time.

United Kingdom oatmeal and amla oil, the Hydrator works “We design jewelry that with a royal seal. And if Her Majesty the to treat scalp ailments, including dryness, speaks from the heart.

Queen approves, so do we. Candles arrive eczema, psoriasis, and rashes; and we all And hopefully we’ve in a rugged tin container ideal for traveling. know that a healthy scalp makes for healthy created an experience 45 hour burn time. Contains 10.5 ounces.

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Family Fun In Omaha’s Holiday Gift Guide Hand poured in the United Kingdom. For Ulla Labs more information, visit https://infavorof. Ulla - a smart hydration reminder that com. makes your water bottle smart, reminds you to fill up and Cartoon Portrait glows to keep you Is your little girl dreaming of becoming hydrated! Founded a real Fairytale Princess? Let us make her in 2015, Ulla Labs dream come true is the design brains by presenting her behind Ulla, a smart a beautiful digital and engaging portrait of her being contemporary a Princess! Artist wellness tool that will draw a custom helps people live Princess Portrait in a healthier life. fairytale style from Headaches, fatigue, obesity and weak your photo. Please immune systems were just some of the send a quality photo or several photos via issues we wanted to address when we Etsy site below. If you want several people began working to create something new to be drawn, please make the order for – a unique product that would respond each character. You will receive a digital to real health and lifestyle concerns that file with a cartoon portrait. For more affect everyone. For more information, information, visit https://www.etsy.com/shop/ visit https://www.ulla.io.

CartoonPortrait?ref=l2-about-shopname.

Chocolate Pizza Company Snap Dinos by Lakeshore Learning The Chocolate Pizza Company story is These prehistoric builders fit together with about more than unique, delicious and a snap—perfect for open-ended building i m p r e s s i v e and imaginative play! Kids use the color- g o u r m e t coded snapchocolate t o g e t h e r that has been heads, legs, handcrafted, tails and more in America, to create for nearly 5 different 30 years. It’s dinosaurs— about a young or mix and match for one-of-a-kind man’s vision creatures. You get 38 wooden builders; to transform a small-town chocolate largest measures 4” in length. For shop into America’s premier maker of more information, visit https://www. gourmet chocolate specialties so unique lakeshorelearning.com/products/blocks- they’re trademarked. Ryan Novak lost his manipulatives/building-sets/snap-dinos/s/ mom when he was 9 years-old. At 15, he PP924 walked into Chocolate Pizza Company and landed his first job as a dishwasher.

Six years later, in 2010, he was the owner.

For more information, visit https://www. chocolatepizza.com/.

Anova Precision Cooker Nano The Anova Precision® Cooker Nano makes it easy to achieve restaurant-quality cooking results at home. The Anova Precision® Cooker Nano connects to your phone with Bluetooth, so you can cook amazing meals with the touch of a button and monitor progress from another room. Check out the Anova Culinary App for recipes and guides to get you inspired in the kitchen.

Cook like a pro with the Anova Precision® Cooker Nano. For more information, visit https://anovaculinary.com/nano/.

Wild Spirit Fragrances Our fragrances are made in the spirited USA and are designed to be combined.

Layer, mix, and match to create a new personalized scent that embodies s e a s o n , occasion, personality, or your current mood.

You decide how you want to reinvent your scent with your own unique signature scent that embodies your Wild Spirit. For more information, visit https://www.wildspiritfragrances.com Sleep Envie: Jaxon Dog Bed Pamper your dog with the Jaxon Dog

Family Fun In Omaha’s Holiday Gift Guide Bed. Our small to extra-large breed dog beds are made from responsive foam with a removable a n d washable cover that feels soft and supportive. It’s the best for all your furry little friends. For more information, visit https://sleepenvie.com/products/jaxondog-bed.

Food Huggers We design tools that make sustainable habits easy, fun and convenient. Our mission is to reduce food waste and replace single use & disposable p l a s t i c products.

Our inspiration is delicious fresh food and our goal is to help people reduce waste at home. Our first and namesake product, Food Huggers® ensure that fruits and vegetables are kept fresh long enough for them to be enjoyed instead of tossed in the trash. For more information, visit https://foodhuggers.com/ pages/about-us.

Orose Silk The raw materials of Orose silk products are selected from 100% pure and natural mulberry silk. The growth environment for silkworms does not allow any pollution, so mulberry silk is a kind of natural, pollutionfree and green raw materials. At the same time, the natural mulberry silk contains 18 kinds of amino acid which have highly November 2019 FamilyFunInOmaha DIGITAL ISSUE

nutritional values for human body, and it is soft and closefitting, warm breathable with the characteristics of antibacterial, m o i s t u r e absorption and antistatic properties. So it is an excellent raw material for high-grade silk products. For more information, visit https://www.orosesilk.com/us/.

Global Grub Meal Kits DIY global cooking kits with authentic recipes + specialized ingredients.

Add your own fresh items to make it yours!

DIY Ravioli Kit- Make your own Italian masterpiece, starting with the perfect pasta dough made from 00 flour. Then, transform the dough into delicious gourmet pillows filled with porcini mushrooms and ricotta that’ll be sure to impress! For more information, visit https://globalgrub.com.

Tiki Tee Toss Deluxe with Telescoping pole Bring this classic Island hook-and-ring game home and enjoy endless fun while testing your skills. Great fun for all ages. Crafted from 100% Bamboo, big up the environment & post indoors or out. Get hooked up in a few minutes, all hardware and easy

setup instructions included. For more information, visit https://playtikitoss.com.

Swag Brewery Swag Brewery was founded in early 2012 by two Minnesotaborn, beero b s e s s e d recent college graduates who decided they’d rather drink with “the man” than work for him. Their goal is to design and produce that help beer, wine, and whiskey lovers squeeze their passions into every corner of their lives. Pictured: You enjoy unique things. You like bold flavors. You may even enjoy a beer now and again. We made this for you. Use it sparingly... or generously!

Each 3-Pack includes these Beer-Infused Hot Sauces: 1x Asian Sriracha- 1x Garlic Serrano- 1x Roasty Chipotle. For more information, visit https://www.swagbrewery. com.

Wax Buffalo Pure Soy Candle Company This Lincoln, Ne based company offers Americanmade, pure soy wax candles for your enjoyment and relaxation! Our high quality essential & fragrance oils are also sure to add the perfect aroma to your setting. Scent can take you to any place and time in your memory. We here at Wax Buffalo get that. We use the finest ingredients and the best quality materials to bring you back to those special places that you hold dear, while also enjoying living in the now. For more information,

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Family Fun In Omaha’s Holiday Gift Guide visit https://waxbuffalo.com.

Napa Soap Company After researching the therapeutic benefits of a byproduct of the local wine industry, coldpressed grape seed oil, founder Sheila Rockwood decided to use this wonderful i n g r e d i e n t throughout her line.

After nearly two years developing the right combination of essential oils and natural ingredients, she started to sell her Napa Soap Company products to select locations in the Napa Valley area. Napa Soap is hand made in very limited quantities-less than 50 bars at a time. For more information, visit http:// www.napasoap.com/default.asp.

Birthdate Candles Combining the fields of astrology, tarot, and numerology, we’ve crafted 365 beautiful candles — one for every birthday. Each candle has a personalized, detailed character reading made just for you, and a fragrance created by master perfumers. For more information, visit http://birthdatecandles.com

expertise with massage by adding therapeutic heat.

Why massage?

Massage eases muscle pain and stiffness and improves tissue flexibility.

And why heat? Heat promotes healing, relaxation, and range of motion. Visit http:// gomoji.com

dreamy scents are inspired by nature and travel, and the aesthetic is minimalist yet impossibly chic. We use 100% soy wax derived from American-grown soy beans for an eco-friendly, clean burn and lead-free cotton core wicks primed with vegetable based wax. Our candles are preservative and petroleum-free, cruelty-free and 100% vegan. For more information, visit https:// brooklyncandlestudio.com.

Holy Smoke Olive Oil Holy Smoke Smoked Olive Oil, is a foodlover’s dream. A rich, buttery extra virgin olive oil with a pepper finish that has a savory smoke that ties it all together. Their slogan is “It’s like liquid bacon that’s good for you!” and for good reason. Extra virgin olive oil has long been known to have a myriad of beneficial properties like lowering LDL-cholesterol and is a natural antiinflammatory, but with the addition of hickory smoke, it can be used in many dishes to create a “meaty” flavor without any animal products. For more information, visit https://holysmokeoliveoil.com.

MB Greene High quality essential bags made with 100% cotton and finished with a waxed coating. Simply wipe clean with a damp cloth and enjoy. A turquoise zipper and logo tag brand each bag in the collection.

All bags can be monogrammed to add a personal touch. The interior of each bag is lined with clear vinyl for easy clean up. The jewelry clutch is a “must have” for home or on the go! See the entire collection at mbgreene.com

Brooklyn Candle Studio An independent candle design and GoMoji.com manufacturing studio Moji’s mission is helping people of all ages based out of Brooklyn, stay active and pain free. That’s why we’ve New York, their small created an array of innovative, best-in- team handcrafts class patented massagers, rollers, wraps, candles with a blend and other premium recovery products. of soy wax, essential MojiHeat supplements Moji’s proven oils, and phthalate-free perfume oils. The

Savino Savino is an easy-touse wine preservation system that allows you to enjoy your favorite wine anytime without waiting for a special occasion. Savino preserves and keeps your wine fresh for up to a week so you can enjoy Tuesday’s wine on Saturday. Unlike other wine preservation solutions on the market, Savino creates a new, elegant environment designed to preserve and serve wine. Savino centers its experience on a product that is effective, elegant and easy-to-use. For more information, visit http://www.savinowine.com

Family Fun In Omaha’s Holiday Gift Guide

Wanderwide Adventure Art Transform your memories into a beautiful piece of art. Each Wanderwide product is designed to stylishly commemorate the many adventures life has in store for you. It’s your adventures, as art. Every one of these 30 stadiums is more than simply a place to enjoy a ball game. Each impressive structure is overflowing with history and memories of the players, teams and fans that have made baseball America’s pastime. Now you can display and track the ballparks you’ve visited in a sophisticated way with this beautiful screen print and included stamp and ink pad. For more information, visit https://wanderwide.co.

Urban Leaf- CULINARY CLASSICS – BOTTLE GARDEN KIT We make growing food at home fun, easy and accessible.

Let us show you how to turn your window sill into lowmaintenance urban garden.

Urban Leaf helps you turn your window sill into an easycare edible garden. One day we hope to reinvent the food system, but for now we’re focused on bringing a little bit of edible greenery into your life.

For more information, visit https://www. geturbanleaf.com.

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Walton Wood Farm Lip Balm Trio- Three of our best-selling, 100% natural, vegetarian lip balms. Taste so good, you’ll want to eat thembut don’t! Pucker up and save them for those kissers.

For more information, visit https://www.waltonwoodfarm.com.

14 Hands 14 Hands wines are inspired by the unbridled spirit of eastern Washington’s wild horses.

Measuring a scant 14 hands high, these tenacious horses have become living symbols of the pioneer spirit of the American West.

The vast landscape that has lured and sustained the determined for generations also requires a strong and determined grapevine. Our 14 Hands vines revel in Washington’s worldclass terroir, producing the fruit from which we handcraft big, fruit-forward reds and crisp, juicy whites that honor the legend of the region. For more information, visit https://www.14hands.com.

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Cycling Is A Great Way To Get From A to B, Here’s What You Need to Know To Do It Safely

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ith climate change being on the minds of many, finding alternative modes of travel and leaving the car at home is a great first step. People of all ages and stages of life, from parents with kids to older adults, are recognizing that cycling makes a great green option: it’s environmentally friendly and it’s good for your health and wellbeing!

At least, it’s healthy, as long as you ride safely. The roadways and travel routes are still focused on moving cars, not bikes, so traffic congestion and bad driving habits can blend to make the riding challenging, if not outright dangerous.

Here are a few ways to stay safe when riding your bike: Check Your Gear and the Weather Before You Head Out Is your bike seat at the right height? Are the tires properly inflated? Make sure that your gear is in good order before you head out on the road! Do a regular check of your brake lines and make sure that all the bolts are tight and safe.

Beyond your bike, you need to make sure you’re equipped for the weather. Do yourself a favor and check the forecast before you head out: a little spitting rain is no big deal but a full blown snow storm? It might be better to leave the two wheels at home! Riding gloves in colder weather are a great way to ensure that you don’t lose control or find yourself having trouble braking because of cold fingers. Rain jackets, splash pants and the right shoes that won’t slip off the pedals are all important pieces of equipment.

Plan Your Route Look for roads with bike lanes or areas with bike paths, so that you can get to your destination with less interactions with cars and more communing with nature! You can also avoid roads that are under construction, not paved or otherwise in hazardous conditions. There’s nothing like a series of huge potholes to put a dent in your ride!

Always Protect Your Head Laws vary from state to state about the requirement November 2019 FamilyFunInOmaha DIGITAL ISSUE

to wear a helmet, but you shouldn’t need a law to tell you that your head is vulnerable to injury, in the event of an accident. Even a minor tumble can cause damage, so no matter how old you are, always wear a helmet.

Make Sure You Are Visible to Other Vehicles Headlights, a flashing tail light and bright, reflective clothing are all great ideas. These days, you can take your wearable safety items to the next level with a digital IoT and app smart backpack, from RoadwareZ. With integrated digital LED lighting that alerts drivers that you are turning, breaking or stopping, you no longer need to rely on the hope that drivers know what your hand signals mean! In fact, there’s a good chance that they don’t remember them from driving school!

RoadwareZ is first and only blue tooth enabled cycling backpack that knows where you are going with hands-free automatic directional signaling, including manual and voice control. The app takes riders through the safest routes and allows you to share your route with others. Other features include GPS navigation, automated emergency notification system to a list of preprogrammed contacts, a microphone for hands free activation and Bluetooth connectivity to your phone.

Available at RoadwareZ. com.

any road hazards up ahead.

Follow the Law and Ride Predictably A car outweighs you by a ton and a half or more, so while an accident with one might not be your fault, you could definitely be on the losing end in terms of injuries. With that in mind, you need to ride defensively, observing all traffic laws. Check your local and state laws online, so you can be sure of what you can and can’t do.

Be predictable and in control as you ride, so that a driver doesn’t have to wonder what you’re going to do next. Be ready to yield, even if you technically have the right of way. Controlling your speed will help you with that! If you need to carry items with you, a backpack—like the RoadwareZ models—or

riding panniers are a good way to make sure that you keep your hands on the handlebars!

Cycling is good for your health and the environment, so be safe out there and get to your destination without a scratch!

Ride In Pairs, or More!

There is safety in numbers, particularly if you want to be visible to cars and to make sure that they give you the space you need on the shared roadways.

If you ride in pairs, you’re more likely to be seen and if anything does happen, you won’t be on your own.

You can also be alert to let one another know about

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How To Build An Uplifting Gratitude Habit In Your Home By: Sandi Schwartz

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ratitude is one of the most important ways for us to get a happiness boost, providing us with so many wonderful psychological, physical, and interpersonal benefits. It improves our health, reduces stress, and helps us focus on the positive. Stepping back and being thankful for what we have gives us energy, inspires us, and transforms us. It also helps us realize that life is truly a gift.

Learning how to be grateful is definitely something that we should pass on to our kids. If you can get them into the habit of expressing gratitude from an early age, it is likely to have a positive effect in the long run.

Here are some ways to build a gratitude habit in your home.

Gratitude Journals One of the most popular and effective ways to express gratitude stories is through journaling. It encourages our kids to acknowledge the positive moments in their day, no matter how insignificant they may seem. Whether it is a smile from a stranger, a good grade on a test, a gift from a relative, or an awe-inspiring sunset, they will begin to feel calmer and more joyful by appreciating these experiences. Our children can greatly benefit from keeping a gratitude journal, but it’s important that we keep it fun for them such as with multimedia ideas like blogs and videos.

gratitude at bedtime, such as The Thankful Book by Todd Parr and My Grateful Book by Diana Smith.

Spontaneous Moments Finally, try finding gratitude moments with your children throughout the day. A great time is during the car ride to and from school or when you are waiting in line at a store or in the doctor’s office. Connect with your children by asking them what happened during their day what they are grateful for. Make gratitude part of your children’s after school routine.

Add some fun and interest by asking your kids to use the alphabet, colors, shapes, or other categories to guide what that are thankful for.

For example, ask them to find one thing they are grateful for based on the colors of the rainbow: the delicious red apple they had during lunch, the bright blue sky, and the beautiful purple flower blooming in front of your house. Next, spark their appreciation for nature by taking them to awe-inspiring places like gardens, the beach, parks, and hiking and camping spots. And just when your day seems stressful and out of control, take a gratitude break to calm everyone down and to gain a new, more uplifting perspective.

Thanksgiving Dinner Every Night Just because Thanksgiving is in November doesn’t mean we can’t incorporate Thanksgiving traditions year-round as we sit down together at the dinner table. Enjoy your time with your family and encourage your children to tell you all about their day and the things to be grateful for. Ask them to remember to thank siblings and other family members.

Some families find it helpful to put together a gratitude jar to collect their thankful statements all year, and then they can go through everything they wrote each year on Thanksgiving.

Bedtime Routine The most important stress buster that I added to my life was introducing a gratitude prayer with my children every night as part of their bedtime routine. We go around the room and each say one thing we are thankful for that day and one thing we hope for in the future. It is such a special time we share together, and has become a key part of our lives. I love this practice because it gives me a chance to think about gratitude everyday, even if I don’t always say everything I am thinking out loud for my children to hear. And when you do it with your children, they hold you accountable. My children love it so much that they now need to say thank you before they can fall asleep. You can also read books about November 2019 FamilyFunInOmaha DIGITAL ISSUE

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Tangier Feztival of Trees: A Thanksgiving Week Tradition A Winter Wonderland Where You Can Win The Christmas Trees and All the Decorations

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ou’ve probably been to holiday events The Bland Cares Foundation donated a where you can walk around and look at “Movie Night” tree, which included a 55” decorations.

4K Smart TV with Roku, two bean bag chairs, $25 Fandango gift card, $60 Netflix But what if — instead of just looking at the gift card, popcorn machine, two comfy Christmas trees, you could win one to take blankets, fluffy socks, and treats — candy, home? And what if you got not only the hot chocolate, and popcorn. The tree and fully decorated Christmas tree, but the gifts were valued at $630. gifts that go along with the tree? Gifts like toys, televisions, gift cards, sporting good Tangier members also sponsor trees. The tickets, and food, depending on the tree Keystone Kops Unit tree, with an “I Want theme.

It All” theme, offered more than $2,000 in gifts, including a 32” television, $150 The Tangier Feztival of Trees, held Nov. Omaha Steaks gift card, $100 Brewsky’s 23-30 (excluding Thanksgiving day) at the gift card, $50 Visa gift card, Amazon Fire Tangier Shrine Center, located just south Stick, legos, Sharper Image remote control of 84th and Center, offers the opportunity car, Fingerling toys, Marcus movie tickets, to view the winter wonderland of trees and a Husker blanket, and Mickey and Minnie a chance to win one of the 60+ Christmas Mouse standups, among other toys and trees being displayed. Each tree is valued gifts. at a minimum of $500 — and most are worth much more.

Attendees can also visit the Snowflake Cafe and enjoy delicious sandwiches, salads, The trees are donated by Omaha-area and baked goods, including large, warm businesses as well as by Tangier Shrine cinnamon and pecan rolls, pies, and more Clubs and Units. The tree sponsor than 10,000 homemade sugar cookies. determines the theme of the tree. Tree New this year is the “Magic Donut.” themes have included the Huskers, Marvel superheroes, the Nightmare Santa is also on hand to listen to Christmas Before Christmas, trains, dinosaurs, and wish lists. Mrs. Claus has made sure barbequing. Not all trees are traditional he’s available at the Feztival of Trees on “trees” — last year, one “tree” was a chicken weekend days. (The specific hours Santa coop, and the winner received chickens will be on site are listed on the Feztival of the following spring to populate the coop. Trees website, TangierShrine.com/Santa.)

In 2018, one of the “trees” was a full size children’s playhouse.

Get your kids — and yourself — in the holiday spirit by visiting the Tangier Shrine One example of a tree is the “Family Fun 2019 Feztival of Trees.

Night” tree donated by Great Western Bank. Gifts included with the tree included Hours are: a Nintendo Switch, Monopoly Cheaters Saturday, Nov. 23 – 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Edition board game, Trouble board game, Sunday, Nov. 24 – Noon to 6 p.m. poker set, Marcus Theatres gift card, Monday, Nov. 25 – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. popcorn and candy, three restaurant gift Tuesday, Nov. 26 – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. cards, jumbo playing cards, and foam dice. Wednesday, Nov. 27 – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The value of the tree and gifts was $850.

Thursday, Nov. 28 – Closed for Thanksgiving Friday, Nov. 29 – 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

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Saturday, Nov. 30 – 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Admission to the Feztival of Trees is $2 per person. Kids 12 and under get in free. You can purchase raffle tickets for $1 each and put a raffle ticket in for each tree — or trees — you want to win. The trees will be raffled off on Saturday, Nov. 30 and tree winners can pick up their tree and gifts on Sunday, Dec. 1. Cash and debit and credit cards are accepted for admission fees and raffle ticket purchases.

The Tangier Shrine Center is located at 2324 S. 84 Street, just south of 84th and Center. Parking is free.

For more information about the Feztival of Trees, or to purchase admission tickets online, visit TangierShrine.com.

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Atharv Anand Manayamkath Matías Reyes-Torres

7 Reasons Why Thanksgiving with Teenagers Rocks

By Katy M. Clark

Thanksgiving is a holiday that gets better as the kids get older. Sure, those turkey drawings traced around pudgy preschoolers’ hands were sweet.

So was hearing my elementary schooler talk about the first Thanksgiving at Plymouth Rock. And watching the little ones dine at the kids’ table at Grandma’s house was adorable, too.

But Thanksgiving with my kids now that they are teenagers? It rocks. Here are 7 reasons why.

1) Teens sleep in Gone are the days of 5:30 am wakeups to watch Caillou or play Candyland. I can sleep in on Thanksgiving or, if I want to get up early to start cooking, I can get up when I’m ready—and not because someone is poking me in the eyeball.

2) They care about the menu and like the food My kids want to know if the stuffing is sweet or savory and whether I’m serving that green bean casserole they liked so much last year. Not only are they interested in the Thanksgiving menu, they’re interested in eating everything we’re having. This is in stark contrast to the Thanksgiving when my son was four and ate nothing but brown sugar. Now he eats everything on his plate, even

items that touch each other!

3) Teens can help out and clean up Yup, the big kids can be trusted to put Grandma’s lace tablecloth on straight. They can handle the crystal and china with care, light the candles without setting the house on fire, and fold the napkins with sophistication. My teens can also clear the table and do the dishes now. Sure, my kids were able to wash the dishes when they were younger, but they also fumbled my wedding china and dinged the gravy boat unless I supervised.

4) The conversation is more meaningful Celebrating Thanksgiving with teens means I can have meaningful conversations about gratitude.

It was cute when they were little and gave thanks for SpongeBob and their goldfish, but now it’s amazing to hear them voice appreciation for relationships, health, faith, and the freedom of our country.

5) I can nap again!

The only nap I have to worry about this year is my own. While I indulge in some post-turkey shut-eye, I don’t have to worry that my kids are running into the street or licking the electrical outlets. Heck, they might even join me on the other end of the couch.

6) Teens can stay up late and put themselves to bed Now that my kids are older, we can watch a movie after dinner and stay up as late as we want. It’s 10 pm? Bring it, Home Alone! I don’t have to worry about running a bath, washing hair, reading stories, or doing any of the other steps that made up their bedtime routines when they were little.

Going to bed on Thanksgiving means saying, “Goodnight, I love you!” no matter who falls asleep first. (Okay, it’s me.)

7) It’s a low-key, stress-free holiday Thanksgiving with teens is relaxed. It’s not Christmas, with its intense build-up and piles of gifts. And it’s not Halloween, with drama over who is too old, or too cool, to go trick-or-treating. It’s Thanksgiving, which means I get to spend the day with the family I love, eating good food, and being grateful for it all.

This year as we gather to give thanks, I’m grateful to be celebrating Thanksgiving with teenagers. It doesn’t get any better than that.

Katy M. Clark is a writer who embraces her imperfections as a mom on her blog, Experienced Bad Mom. This piece originally appeared on Your Teen website.

10 Ways to Encourage Thankfulness Year-Round

By Amy McClure

On Thanksgiving day, it’s easy to talk about the blessings in our lives. Surrounded by family at a table full of comforting foods, it’s pretty natural to recognize the gifts in our lives. But what happens after the designated day of thanks ends? Do we continue to count our blessings, or ask our children to notice the goodness in their lives? Instilling gratitude in our families is a year-round practice that cannot be regulated to one day, rather it is an attitude we must first adopt as parents, and then encourage our children to do the same.

1. Model gratitude For better or worse, children absorb our attitudes and imitate our behavior. Are you grateful for what you have? Or are you always complaining about your things, whining about your circumstance or fixated on the next new phone upgrade? Children will catch on to what we value. So ask yourself, what do I value and do my actions reflect that?

2. Use language of thanks It’s easy to get caught up in speech patterns that reinforce negativity, but a few small changes can shift our focus into a positive lens. The sentence starter “I’m thankful for…” is a great way to start a conversation after an outing, or even as a way to praise a child.

Instead of just saying “good job listening” try saying “I’m thankful you listened.” Let a vocabulary of thanks infiltrate your speech; you may be surprised how it changes your children’s attitude, and your own!

3. Dinner conversation Asking your child “How was your day?” is a quick way to a one-word answer. Asking “What was the best part of your day?” opens up a conversation where children are forced to reflect on their day in a positive way. Have them reciprocate the question by asking another family member so that dinner, or a car ride home, turns into a conversation about the good things that happened that day. Soon everyone, including you, is forced into the habit of daily gratitude.

4. Write thank you notes Growing up, my Mom made me write thank you notes, and as much as I disliked doing it November 2019 FamilyFunInOmaha DIGITAL ISSUE

at times, I am grateful she instilled that habit in me. Any time someone gives a gift, or does something nice, children should see you writing thank you notes and participate as best they can, even if it means drawing a picture or signing their name. Old-fashioned, hand-written thank you notes are not out of date, rather the practice of sending a card is even more meaningful in the age of texts and phone calls. Let your children pick out stationary for thank you notes and sit down and do them together. Rather than making it a chore, try to help them see thank-yous as a valuable life-long habit.

5. Keep a Gratitude Journal or Blessing Jar As simple as it may sound, ending the day by writing down 10 things you are thankful for is a great practice to adapt. Imagine if you spend a year keeping a daily gratitude log. You’d have over 3,000 blessings all written in one place!

This one is easier to start with little kids, even if it means drawing a picture of something they feel thankful for, or writing blessings on post-its. Have them hang their pictures in their room, or post a bunch of sticky-notes on a wall of blessings. Having a physical reminder of thanks is helpful in keeping gratitude on the forefront of your family’s mind.

Some families put together a Blessing Jar to collect notes of what they are thankful for all year. Then, each year on Thanksgiving, they read through everything they wrote!

6. Replace “Gimme” with “Thank you” Some days it seems like my kids ask for a million things, and I get so tired of the whining.

Countering a request with a thankful statement is a good way to help children’s mindset. For example, a child asks for a stuffed animal from the gift shop in the zoo. You say, “No, but I’m so thankful that we got to come to the zoo today, I really enjoyed seeing the bears. Which part of the day are your most thankful for?”

The distraction helps, but it’s also important to instill gratefulness for the outing itself.

of things they think someone else could use.

Bring your children with you to the donation site so they can participate in the process as much as they can.

8. Adopt a family at Christmas With Christmas approaching, see how your family can get involved in helping out a family in need. It may mean picking out a toy for a local giving tree or adopting an entire family.

To counteract the “I wants” at Christmas, talk about ways that you can help those who start their sentences with “I need.”

9. Step back from consumerism as entertainment I have found myself going to the store just to get out of the house…but then I get bombarded with requests from my children to buy things.

Try to find activities for your children that are not just about accumulating things. When they need new shoes, you need to go take them shoe shopping, but going shopping every weekend as a form of entertainment sends the message that what we have isn’t enough.

10. Focus on experiences, not things Perhaps you feel overwhelmed around holidays with the influx of toys in your home, and even more overwhelmed with the way your children start to act in the wake of more things.

Try asking for experiences instead of physical things from relatives. I bet a membership to a local museum will get used a lot more than a fad toy, and teaching your children that time with loved-ones is more valuable than a toy is priceless.

In a culture of consumerism, it’s hard to raise children who are content with what they have. A large part of instilling gratitude in our children starts with us changing our own attitudes. Start noticing goodness on a daily basis, and share that with your child. They will pick up your attitude and hopefully begin to imitate gratitude that extends beyond a single day of eating turkey.

7. Give away toys Get your children involved in decluttering!

Especially around Birthdays and Christmas, have them go through their toys and get rid

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A Full Menu for Fun-Filled Holiday Festivities (Family Features) When holiday gatherings turn into all-day events, having meals ready from morning to night becomes an important part of seasonal hosting. Starting with breakfast through the main course followed by a savory dessert, a full day of celebration calls for a variety of dishes.

To help keep your crowd fueled for a wide range of activities, consider these recipes for Hot Cocoa Pancakes to get your morning started, Browned Butter Smashed Potatoes with Butternut Squash to pair with a holiday ham and Black Forest Cake to end the festivities on a high note.

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 cups Aunt Jemima Original Complete or Buttermilk Complete

Pancake & Waffle Mix 1/4 cup water marshmallow spread (optional) chocolate syrup (optional) Aunt Jemima Syrup (optional) Heat skillet over medium-low heat or electric griddle to 375 F.

Begin the Holiday with a Family Breakfast

In microwave-safe bowl, mix cocoa powder, sugar, milk and vanilla until well combined. Heat in microwave 30 seconds, or until warm. Stir again to ensure mixture is combined.

With so many activities scheduled and places to be during the holidays, starting the morning with a filling breakfast can help set your family on the path to enjoyable moments with loved ones.

Combine cocoa mixture, pancake mix and water. Stir until large lumps disappear (do not beat or overmix). If batter is too thick, add additional 1-2 tablespoons water.

These Hot Cocoa Pancakes require little time in the kitchen, leaving you more time to spend with the family before hitting the road or working on decorations for seasonal gatherings. Made with Aunt Jemima pancake mix, containing no artificial coloring or flavors, this recipe makes it simple to put breakfast on the table quickly while still achieving a meal full of flavor.

Pour slightly less than 1/4 cup batter onto lightly greased skillet or griddle.

Cook 90 seconds, or until bubbles appear on surface. Turn and cook additional 30 seconds. Repeat with remaining batter.

Find more holiday recipe inspiration at Culinary.net.

Top pancakes with marshmallow spread and drizzle chocolate syrup, or top with syrup.

Visit auntjemima.com for more family-friendly recipes.

Party-Perfect Potatoes Browned Butter Smashed Potatoes with Butternut Squash Prep time: 25 minutes Cook time: 15 minutes Almost every holiday meal calls for side dishes to complement the main course, and as one of the most versatile base ingredients available, potatoes often provide home chefs with a multitude of options.

Served mashed, fried, scalloped, sliced, diced, boiled, roasted or just about any style in-between, potatoes are ideal for matching with the centerpiece of your family meal.

These Browned Butter Smashed Potatoes with Butternut Squash call for Wisconsin yellow-flesh potatoes to achieve a dense, creamy texture with their just-buttered appearance.

Hot Cocoa Pancakes Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 2 minutes per pancake Yield: 12 pancakes (3 per serving) 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar 1 cup 2% or non-fat milk

Find more dishes for your holiday gatherings at eatwisconsinpotatoes.com.

1 pound (3 medium) Wisconsin yellow-flesh potatoes, cut into 3/4-inch chunks 1 small butternut squash (about 1 pound), peeled, seeded and cut into 1-inch chunks

water 1 teaspoon salt, plus additional, to taste, divided 3 tablespoons butter, divided 8-10 fresh (2-3-inch) sage leaves, stacked and cut into 1/4-inch strips 1/2 cup 1% milk freshly ground black pepper, to taste In 3-quart saucepan, cover potatoes and squash with water; add 1 teaspoon salt.

Bring to boil over high heat; reduce heat, cover and cook until tender, 12-15 minutes.

In small saucepan over medium heat, mix 2 tablespoons butter and sage.

Tilting pan and watching closely, cook about 3 minutes, until butter foams and begins to brown; keep warm.

Thoroughly drain potatoes and squash, return to pan and shake 1-2 minutes over low heat. Using hand masher, roughly mash to create chunky mixture.

Over low heat, gently mix in remaining butter and milk.

Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Spoon into serving bowl and drizzle with brown butter and sage.

Serve Up a Savory Sweet No holiday gathering is complete without dessert, and you can take your sweets to the next level with this rich, creamy Black Forest Cake recipe.

Tart cherries and whipped cream are combined with Domino Golden Sugar - a less processed option which is made from pure cane sugar and works cup-for-cup just like white sugar, but with a golden color and distinct hint of molasses flavor - for a contrasting profile to put a spin on a seasonal classic.

Find more holiday dessert ideas at dominosugar.com.

Black Forest Cake Servings: 8 Cherry Filling: 1/2 1

cup Domino Golden Sugar tablespoon cornstarch

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1/2 2 2

cup water or unsweetened cherry juice cups fresh or frozen pitted tart (Montmorency) cherries tablespoons cherry brandy (optional)

Cake: 1 2/3 2/3 1 1/2 1 1/2 1 1/2 2 1 1 1/2

cups all-purpose flour cup cocoa powder teaspoons baking soda teaspoon salt cup butter, softened cups Domino Golden Sugar eggs teaspoon vanilla cups buttermilk

Stabilized Whipped Cream: 1 2 2 2

teaspoon unflavored gelatin tablespoons cold water cups (1 pint) heavy whipping cream tablespoons Domino Golden Sugar chocolate curls or shavings, for garnish (optional)

To make cherry filling: In medium saucepot, whisk sugar and cornstarch with water or juice then bring to boil over medium heat. Stir in cherries and cherry brandy, if desired, and boil 2-3 minutes, stirring, until sauce is thick and translucent. Drain cherries from sauce and set both aside.

To make cake layers: Heat oven to 350 F. Line bottoms of three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper. Grease and flour bottoms and sides.

In medium bowl, sift flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt.

In mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar 2 minutes on medium speed. Add eggs and vanilla; beat 1 minute. Stir in flour mixture and buttermilk.

Pour batter evenly among cake pans and bake 20-22 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Cool and remove layers from pans.

To make stabilized whipped cream: In small pan or microwaveable bowl, combine gelatin and cold water; allow gelatin to bloom. Heat until gelatin melts and dissolves; set aside.

In chilled bowl, whip cream with chilled beaters until soft peaks form. Add sugar and gelatin; beat until stiff.

Prick tops of two bottom layers with fork and brush cherry filling over layers.

Sandwich bottom layers with a 1/4-inch-thick spread of stabilized whipped cream. Sandwich second and top layer with same whipped cream. Spread remaining whipped cream over top layer and sides.

Garnish with shaved chocolate, if desired, and decorate with any remaining whipped cream.

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Now Playing!

Raise the curtain and light the lights!

The Rose Theater welcomes you to the 70th season of children’s theater in Omaha!

By Karen Zacarias. Music by Deborah Wicks La Puma. Adapted from the book by Gail Carson Levine.

Oct 25 - Nov 10, 2019

Fridays at 7 pm · Saturdays at 2 pm & 5 pm · Sundays at 2 pm

TICKETS: $20 Rose Members receive FREE tickets

SSES, KNIGHTS & FAIRIES! CALLING ALL PRINCES & PRINCEening night, Friday, Oct. 25, Wear your favorite costume on op se mainstage! for a Halloween parade on The Ro

Coming Soon:

Get your tickets today!

Nov 29 - Dec 22

Jan 31 - Feb 16

2001 Farnam Street · Omaha, NE 68102

WWW.ROSETHEATER. ORG