What About My Picky Eater?

By Molly Hietapelto, Development Director of School Engagement, American Heart Association Palm Beach County

Something - Research has shown it sometimes takes eleven tries for a child to decide if they like a new food. So, keep serving broccoli – and even allow a child to touch it or play with it to learn about how it might feel in their mouth. Always request that they take one bite.

No Clean Plate Club - Help kids focus on eating until they are full rather than finishing every last bite on their plate. Sometimes adults forget that small children have small bellies; a good rule to remember is: one tablespoon of food per age of the child for each dish (about 2 or 3 dishes). So a three-year-old child should receive three tablespoons each of peas, noodles and chicken.

Shop and Cook with the Kids - Kids are more likely to taste a dish if they helped plan or prepare it. Letting kids choose veggies in the supermarket produce section or even in the frozen food aisle will empower them. Involve them with age-appropriate tasks such as in stirring, chopping or measuring ingredients; this will allow them to contribute to a project in which they are proud to share and eat!

Serve Smart Snacks - One of the very best ways to get kids accustomed to eating fruits and veggies is to serve them when they are really hungry at snack time. Veggies and hummus are a simple way to nourish children for play or homework – but not overfill their bellies so they aren’t hungry for a wholesome dinner.

In addition to these tips, the American Heart Association has a wide variety of kid-friendly recipes and nutrition tips which can be found on www.heart.org/kids. But, the resources don’t stop there. Schools that participate in the American Heart Association’s Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge program, gain access to valuable tools to help teach kids how to be healthy. Ask your kids if their school participates in these programs and if not, visit heart.org/khc to get them signed up.

Specializing

Specializing

Michael J. Roseff, DMD, LLC

DMD,

BY AMY BERGMAN

As I sit here on the official "First Day of Spring" to write this Spring Cleaning article, the irony is not lost on me that we live in a place with no real spring. And while the weather this time of year is milder and less humid than a hot day in July, it is decidedly not that different from the rest of the year. Being a native Floridian gives me the advantage of understanding what "Spring in South Florida" really looks and feels like and what we need to do at this time of year to tidy up and do a spring cleaning (of sorts). So, this month I offer six things you can do to tidy up for Spring in South Florida.

Give Some Love to Your Air Conditioning Unit. Our air-conditioning units typically run all year long, but Spring is a great time to replace your filters before the even hotter and more humid weather returns. While you are at it, set a reminder on your calendar to do this frequently, every month if you have someone with allergies at home or pets, or less often if not, check your manufacturer's guidelines. Also, when was the last time you had you're A/C unit serviced or had regular maintenance? If you need help remembering, April is a great time to schedule one BEFORE you have a system meltdown.

Reorganize Your Car - By now, you may have taken out some of the key essentials in your car that you will need in South Florida as we transition to Spring and Summer. Let's reload and tidy up a bit. After getting your vehicle cleaned or doing it yourself, here are a few things to add back in: an umbrella (no one here actually wears a raincoat), a pair of waterproof flip-flops or sandals for when you don't want to ruin your shoes in the rain, a windshield shade to keep the inside of your car cool when parked, some towels to dry off with in case you get soaked, and some insect repellent and sunscreen to apply to the backs of your hands and other places because #skincare.

Outgrown Kids Clothes & Shoes - Even though we don't have a specific change of seasons that requires seasonal clothing, this is still a great time to get rid of outgrown clothes and shoes for your kids, especially swimsuits and shorts, and t-shirts. If you've got a younger sibling at home who could later wear some of these clothes, you can put some of the outgrown clothes into storage, but otherwise, bring clothes that don't fit out of your kids' drawers and closets to allow room for the stuff that does fit. Make a shopping list of what you need to purchase to get the kids through the next 3-6 months.

Reorganize One or More Utility Drawers (aka junk drawers) - We've all got one drawer that becomes a catch-all for tiny items. Let's clean one out now. Once you empty out your drawer, vacuum the inside and wipe out any dust and crumbs. Toss or relocate any items you no longer need or that don't belong there. Everything else goes back, but this time in an organized manner. Repurpose old small boxes or containers or purchase drawer dividers and inserts to store cords, stamps, and other odds and ends. A nonslip liner would help keep everything in place.

Empty, Organize, and Clean Travel Bags, Work Totes & Purses - It's also a great time to organize our on-the-go bags. Whether you carry a briefcase, backpack, tote, or purse, here are the steps to follow:

• Take everything out, toss trash, and organize items by category.

• Sort smaller items, like pens and clips or lipsticks, into little pouches or purse organizers before you put them back inside.

• Wipe down the exterior with a disinfecting wipe if the purse is made with durable, waterresistant material.

Clean the Garage before Hurricane Season- If you still need to tackle a trouble spot in your garage (or the whole thing) by now, do it! Post-April is no time to try to reorganize your garage in South

Florida. Hurricane season begins June1st, and wouldn't it be nice to be able to pull your car (or two) in for protection and safety. Set up a garage sale to get rid of unwanted items and to make some cash. Sell items online or donate things (there's always someone in need). Let this be your wake-up call. Break it down into sections; if it is too daunting, ask a neighbor for help and, in turn, help them. Hire a professional organizer If you want help.

While Spring may be just a word on the calendar for most of here, it is still a great time of year to tidy up and get ready for the months ahead.

Amyzing Spaces provides a professional organization for your home & office! Amy Bergman, a native Floridan, has always had a passion for organizing & simplifying things in life. She would love to help you make your space Amyzing!!! Check out her website at www.amyzingspaces.com, and you will see how she works with her clients to organize spaces in their homes & offices, creating systems that work for them so they can achieve more calm in their space and be even more productive & efficient with their time. You can also follow her on Facebook & Instagram. She posts excellent organizational tips and resources there as well.

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Sebastian

Easter on the Farm - Laporte Farms - April 8 10 AM to 3 PM. Come join the fun to meet the Easter Bunny and Chicken Little. Arts and crafts, gem mining, corn bin, Home Depot Workshop, train rides, mechanical bull, egg hunt starts at noon. $2 donation per person. 7700 129th Street, Sebastian.

Capt. Hiram’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt April 910 AM. Thousands of easter eggs across the property along with The Easter Bunny himself! This event is open to kids ages 2-8! Come meet The Easter Bunny and have some Sunday Brunch right after! 1580 US -1 Sebastian.

Vero Beach

10th Annual Vero Beach Spring Art & Craft Expo

APRIL 22-23- SAT 10 AM to 5 PM & SUN 10 AM to 4 PM. 110 Booths of Creativity & Inspiration By Artists & Crafters From All Over Florida and Beyond. FREE Admission & Parking, Food, Adult Beverages, Live Music. Indian River County Fairgrounds 7955 58th Ave. Vero Beach.

McKee Botanical Garden

Mushroom People – Children’s Workshop - April 22 - 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM . Ardi and Joan are back with another exciting clay workshop for children! Participants will create mushroom people by modeling clay using pulling, pinching, and carving techniques. All materials provided. Ages 5+, Children must be accompanied by an adult. $5 each. McKee Botanical Garden 350 US Hwy 1 Vero Beach.

Ft. Pierce

Family Fun Fair - April 15 10 AM - 1 PM. The Early Learning Coalition of St. Lucie County has scheduled our signature Family Fun Fair at Havert L. Fenn Center April 15, 2023. This event brings families together to enjoy interactive children's activities, provides community information from over 30 community agencies, and entertains audiences with local talent. All activities are free and in previous years over 500 adults and children attended Havert L. Fenn Center, 2000 Virginia Ave.

Port. St. Lucie

Glow Easter Egg Hunt - Urban Air April 7

4 PM - 8:00 PM Platinum park access for all ages, Glow themed egg hunt for kids 11 and under by the following age group:, 6 and under: 6:00 PM, 7 and Up: 7:00 PM, One slice of pizza, Visit with the Easter Bunny. You must buy tickets online before the event. 9020S US HWY One.

EASTER EGG HUNT and Shop April 8 1:00 PM -

7:00 PM - Music, Petting Zoo, Family Picture with the Easter Bunny, Easter Egg Hunt (bring your own baskets), Face Painting,Bounce House, Food Trucks, Vendors, Music, and more!! St Lucie Mets Convention Center at Baron Real Estate,8555 Commerce Centre Dr, Port St. Lucie.

Come out and hunt 18,000 eggs at the City’s annual Eggstravaganza! The event is free but Parks & Recreation encourages families to arrive early as the eggs go quickly! There will be candy and thousands of eggs spread over four baseball fields, which will be designed for specific age groups: 3 years and younger (parents may accompany); 4-5 year olds; 6-7 year olds; and 8-10 year olds. The Easter Bunny will attend, so parents, bring a basket to collect all the goodies! Whispering Pines Park, 800 SW Darwin Blvd. City of PSL Eggstravaganza Festivities begin PROMPTLY at 9 a.m. April 8

Burgers, Blues & Brews - April 15 3PM - 9PM Come enjoy a variety of burgers, cold brews and the nations #1 Blues Brothers Tribute Act, The Jake & Elwood Blues Revue. This event is free to the public, located at Tradition Square.

Jensen Beach

April 8 - Easter Parade at The Children's Museum of the Treasure Coast Cookie decorating, cute spring crafts, and a visit from the Easter Bunny! The Easter Parade will start at 11:30 am. Bring your decorated stroller or wagon and wear your best Easter Bonnet! There will be prizes for the top 3

Easter Bonnets! This event is FREE with general admission.

April 8 - Sand and Sea Easter Market 4pm - 8pm

Enjoy a night of food, treats, shopping & more! Free to the public. Photo ops, crafts & more. 3291 NE Indian River Dr.

Hobe Sound

Hobe Sound Farmers Market - Saturdays and Sundays from 9 AM - 2 PM, check their website/ Facebook for weekly updates and vendor lineup. Hobesoundfarmersmarket.com Located on a real working farm. All natural health, beauty and home products. Spices, sauces and baked goods. Unique gifts, petting zoo and live music. Bring your family, but leave your pets at home. 1425 Southeast Bridge Road , Hobe Sound.

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