Tasty Treats

TASTYTREATS

Hearty, Wholesome Winter Meals

(Family Features)

Seeking comfort from the cold in the form of a wholesome meal is a perfect way to cap off a day with loved ones. During the winter months when brisk temperatures chill you to the bone, warming up with hearty dishes at the family table can bring everyone together.

This family dinner is made possible with tasty pecans, which are among the lowest in carbs and highest in fiber compared to other tree nuts, helping you stay fuller longer. As a nutrient-dense powerhouse, they have 3 grams of plant-based protein and 3 grams of fiber per 1-ounce serving with 12 grams of “good” monounsaturated fat and only 2 grams of saturated fat. Essential nutrients like thiamin, zinc, copper and manganese—a mineral that’s essential for metabolism and bone health—mean you can feel good about serving pecan-infused dishes to your loved ones. Visit AmericanPecan.com to find more winter weeknight recipe inspiration.

Pecan-Crusted Pork Tenderloin

Total time: 35 minutes Servings: 6 Ingredients: 1 pork tenderloin (about 1 1/2 lbs.)

Salt to taste

Pepper to taste 1/2 c. brown sugar, divided 2 T. soy sauce, divided 2 t. minced garlic 1/2 c. pecan pieces 1/4 c. pineapple juice 2 T. Dijon mustard Instructions:

Preheat oven to 400 F and lightly grease large baking dish. Season pork tenderloin with salt and pepper to taste; set aside.

In small bowl, stir 1/4 c. brown sugar, 1 T. soy sauce and minced garlic. Spread mixture over pork.

Press pecan pieces into brown sugar mixture on pork. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes.

In medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine remaining brown sugar, remaining soy sauce, pineapple juice and Dijon mustard. Bring mixture to boil; reduce to simmer for 3-5 minutes then remove from heat.

Slice pork, spoon sauce over top and serve.

Mac and Cheese with Pecan Breadcrumbs

Total time: 50 minutes Servings: 6 Ingredients: 8 oz. cavatappi pasta 1 T. butter 1 block (8 oz.) cheddar cheese 1/2 c. raw pecan pieces 15 oz. part-skim ricotta cheese 4 T. sour cream 1 t. salt 1/4 t. ground pepper 1 large egg, lightly beaten Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375 F.

In salted boiling water, cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain, reserving 1/2 c. pasta cooking water. Return pasta to pot and stir in butter.

Using box grater, shred cheddar cheese.

Using food processor, process 1/4 c. shredded cheese with pecans to coarse breadcrumb consistency.

Add remaining cheddar cheese, ricotta, sour cream, salt and pepper to warm pasta. Stir until thoroughly combined. Add egg; stir. Add reserved pasta water to loosen mixture; stir until smooth.

Pour into buttered 9-inch square or round casserole dish and top evenly with pecan topping.

Bake 30 minutes.

Get Active with Snow & Ice Sports

Kansas City’s Outdoor Ice-Skating Rinks:

The season for the outdoor rinks is typically November through February or March. Please call for hours for each location.

Our Favorite Outdoor Ice Rinks Crown Center Ice Terrace 2425 Grand

Blvd., Kansas City, MO, 816.274.8411. The Ice Terrace season will run through March 13. Enjoy public skating daily. Two “Learn to Skate” sessions will be held on Sunday mornings; advance registration is required. Group rates and private parties are available. Admission is $8 per person, plus $4 skate rental, or purchase a Season Pass for $90. For more details on the Ice Terrace schedule and policies, visit CrownCenter.com/IceTerrace.

The Rink at Zona Rosa 8731 N. Stoddard Ave., Kansas City, MO, 816.208.3690. The Rink at Zona Rosa is open daily through February for public ice-skating, pond hockey, special events and more. Enjoy shopping from local and national retailers, an eclectic mix of restaurant options and ice-skating under the lights at Zona Rosa. Skate session pass admission: $11; children 3 and under are free. Skate rental: $4 (or bring your own skates!). After-school session pass (3:00-5:00) admission: $9; skate rental: $4. An 11-visit pass and bring your own skates: $110; when you include rental skates, it’s $150. For hours and information visit ZonaRosa.com.

Additional Outdoor Rinks:

Summit Ice 120 NE Chipman Rd., Lee’s Summit, 816.249.2600. Enjoy skating, pond hockey, curling, broomball and iceskating lessons at this facility.

Linden Square Ice Rink 602 NE 70th St., Gladstone, 816.423.4200. Children 4 and under skate free at this affordable local rink.

Ice Rink at Bois D’Arc Park in Lenexa, West 88th Terrace. This rink is only open when temps are cold enough for the ice to be solid. The rink is open during daytime hours and is free to use, but you must bring your own skates.

The Ice at Park Place 11549 Ash St., Leawood, 913.663.2070. Kansas City’s Indoor Ice-Skating Rinks Open Year-Round:

Independence Community Ice Rink

19100 E. Valley View Pkwy., Independence, 816.795.7577

Kansas City Ice Center and Pavilion

19900 Johnson Dr., Shawnee, 913.441.3033

Line Creek Community Center Ice

Rink 5940 NW Waukomis Dr., Kansas City, MO, 816.513.0760

More Winter Sports:

Head to Weston, MO, for skiing and snowboarding at Snow Creek Ski Resort (816.640.2200). In early winter, the facility offers snow skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing and lessons for beginners. The most daring experience at Snow Creek is tubing at Tornado Alley. Slide down a 700-foot-long slope and then jump onto a special conveyor carpet “twister” for a ride back up!

If you’re more into spectator sports, catch an ice hockey game in Independence as you cheer for the Kansas City Mavericks (816.252.7825).

Every parent wants a child prepared to navigate the ups and downs that life brings once they live and work away from home. At Oakhill Day School, we believe that the foundation of learning and success begins early. When children are toddlers, they are just learning about the world around them, curious and free. As they mature, that curiosity evolves into creativity and inquisitiveness that sets the scene for a lifetime of learning.

Oakhill Day School’s Early Childhood division focuses on life skills and interpersonal skills while introducing our youngest students to foundational academics. In Lower School, the real fun begins. Students develop the foundation for reading, writing, math, and science and start formalized art, music, foreign language, and innovation lab, where they begin coding and problem solving using design theory. Oakhill gives Intermediate students independence and guidance as they enter their pre-teen years. These students gain the tools to self-regulate and develop consistency and routine in their study habits. Middle School students are becoming young adults and are leaders amongst their peers while preparing for the academic demands of high school. Oakhill’s high school program, PRIME, is studentcentered. No two PRIME students have the same schedule, and they focus on what drives their interests as they prepare for college and beyond.

Oakhill offers students Pretoddler (18-months) through 12th-grade a small classroom learning environment where dedicated faculty work to meet each student where they are and provide essential social and emotional support for the entire family.

How do we prepare the whole child? We meet our students where they are!

Our small class sizes allow Oakhill teachers to know their students personally and are adaptable in how they teach. Because we understand that no two students learn the same, we treat each student as the individuals they are and know that success may not look the same for everyone.

Maintain consistency!

We work hard to maintain student schedules, classes, extra-curricular and athletic offerings. We offer courses like Art, Foreign Language, Innovation Lab, and Music. These are not extra but part of every student’s regular school day. Support the whole family!

We offer the support of on-site wellness and academic counselors for families and students who need a little extra reassurance. Our goal is for each student to be the best version of themselves. Student success is our #1 priority!

Balance is how we lead our students to success. Oakhill students work hard, and we provide a fun and safe environment to play hard! We understand that today’s students are busy with outside activities and families need time together, so we make sure that our students are resilient and able to take on whatever life throws at them.

the moment your child is born, he is learning! His eyes open, and he learns, “Wow, it’s brighter out here!” Then a baby learns to use his voice with a cry and then that Mommy’s arms and Daddy’s chest are the warmest, most perfect places to snuggle. Next, he learns that milk, either from a bottle or breast, is better than Heaven. Each sensation is brand new!

Unlocking your child’s learning potential happens naturally. Little ones innately absorb information through being in your home, in your kitchen, in your bathtub playing with floatie toys and in your bed while you read, sing and snuggle. They are sponges!

We all know children learn in different ways depending on their personality. My son liked playing with blocks and Legos and loved Harry Potter! He played every sport—baseball, football, basketball, soccer—and kept his mind occupied that way. His coaches at every age increased his learning potential. It helped that his father took him to MU games, and they watched every game on tv! He is now a safety inspector, overseeing buildings being built!

My daughter began listening to music, dancing, painting her room and singing. The Sound of Music, Annie, Alice in Wonderland—she learned every word and even acted as Alice in a play in high school, and in Annie at Starlight! All because I got her a little radio with cd player when she was young. And sang along with her and took her to plays. She now sings in her church

As naturally as this learning occurs, the key is to encourage your child when you see his or her aptitude for something. Another key is to create a stable home environment. Children’s abilities blossom when they experience a stress-free, happy and stable environment at home. Make sure you and your spouse maintain a cheerful disposition and settle your differences away from your child’s eyes and ears. Let your child have lots of unstructured time to indulge in her hobbies. Invite her friends over, or even allow her to simply stare out of the window, engaged in deep thought. All these act as stress busters and creativity boosters.

Keep lines of communication open wide! Not only will it help unlock your child connect with you, but also help him purge his emotional energy and formulate and express ideas. Ongoing conversations also provide you the opportunity to ask open-ended questions and your child’s better understand what is going on in your child’s mind. Remember learning potential while talking to your child to speak slowly and use vocabulary he can understand. Another key to unlocking learning is reading. Even with computers and their influence, nothing is better than holding a book in your hand. Begin the process of encouraging your child to develop an interest in reading early on. Try to spend at least half an hour every day reading together. You can read to your little one and, as your little one learns, take turns. Make reading fun and engaging by asking questions, eliciting your child’s opinion or engaging in a conversation about something that you have just read. Every child is unique, has a unique brain, thinks differently and, therefore, learns differently. As parents, we need to learn to let life happen and be alert to ways to guide our children’s growth and learning. If you try to put a round peg into a square hole, you know it won’t go right. The same is true of children. New ways are not bad ways. Scan books and podcasts from other parents who have been through what you are going through. Your child is destined to be an individual who loves life, finds his or her purpose and makes you proud. Sometimes, it causes sleepless nights, but as children grow, so do you. Judy Goppert lives in Lee’s Summit. She enjoys drawing on her personal experiences to write about the nuances of everything wonderful about life. Sources: ParentCircle.com, TurboLearner.com