Tasty Treats

GIVE QUICK AND EASY MEALS A FUN SPIN

(Family Features)

Work, school, extracurricular activities, social events and more can make the winter months feel frantic, and it can often seem like you’re running out of time. This seasonal time crunch makes it even more difficult to answer the age-old, mealtime question kids are always asking: “What are we having?”

To help solve that daily meal dilemma and discover family-pleasing recipes that take 35 minutes or less, the RAGÚ Meal Wheel lets the entire family take an active role in choosing what’s on the menu. Simply ask one of your kids to click the “spin” button to find delicious, quick-and-easy recipes like Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo with Fettuccine and Mini Turkey Sloppy Joes.

To find more quick and mouthwatering recipes to feed your family during the chilly winter months, visit RAGU.com/meal-wheel.

CHICKEN AND BROCCOLI ALFREDO WITH FETTUCCINE

Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 15 minutes Servings: 4

1 T. butter 1 1/2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips 1 jar RAGÚ Classic Alfredo Sauce 1 pkg. (12 oz.) frozen broccoli florets, thawed 1 pkg. (12 oz.) fettuccine pasta Grated Parmesan cheese, for topping (optional)

In large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter. Cook chicken, in batches if necessary, stirring occasionally, until chicken is thoroughly cooked. Remove chicken and set aside.

In same skillet, add sauce and broccoli; stir. Bring to boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until broccoli is heated through, about 5 minutes. Stir in chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until cooked through, about 2 minutes.

In separate pan, cook fettuccine according to package instructions.

Serve chicken, broccoli and sauce over hot fettuccine and sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top, if desired.

MINI TURKEY SLOPPY JOES

Recipe courtesy of “Honey and Birch” on behalf of RAGÚ Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes Servings: 4

1 t. extra-virgin olive oil 1 c. diced onion 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 lb. ground turkey 1 c. finely diced carrots 1 med. green pepper, diced 1 med. red pepper, diced 1 jar RAGÚ Simply Chunky Marinara Sauce 1 T. Worcestershire sauce 1 t. ground mustard 1/2 t. kosher salt 1/2 t. black pepper 4 mini buns

In large skillet over medium heat, heat extra-virgin olive oil. When hot, add onion and garlic; sauté until onion is translucent.

Add ground turkey. Break up meat and stir frequently until browned. Add carrots, green pepper and red pepper. Cook 5 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.

Add marinara sauce, Worcestershire sauce, ground mustard, salt and pepper. Stir and bring to boil. Reduce heat to simmer and partially cover pan. Cook 10 minutes.

Serve on mini buns.

JANUARY KC TRIVIA

FUN GUIDE

1Of the four species of penguin at the Kansas City Zoo, which is the smallest as a full-grown adult? A) Gentoo B) Humboldt C) King D) Rockhopper

2What is average snowfall in KC in January? A) 2.5 inches B) 6.3 inches C) 4.1 inches D) 1.6 inches

3Kansas was admitted to the Union as the 34th state on Jan. 29 of what year? A) 1861 B) 1850 C) 1903 D) 1863

4Jan. 4 is National Spaghetti Day. Jasper’s has been KC’s favorite spot for spaghetti since ___? A) 1954 B) 1970 C) 1965 D) 1982 5 How many bowls of cereal are consumed by the average American annually? A) 200 B) 100 C) 75 D) 150

6What is America’s favorite soup? A) Broccoli cheddar B) Potato C) Chili D) Chicken noodle

7What is the location of Kansas City’s “Suicide Hill” sledding hill? A) 57th & Grand B) 63rd & Troost C) 56th & Brookside D) 51st & Wornall

8The second Wednesday in January is National Take the Stairs Day. The Liberty Memorial Tower has a 217-foothigh, open-air observation deck. To reach the top of the tower, guests ride an elevator and then climb how many steps? A) 22 B) 45 C) 18 D) 30

B) 45

8

C) 56th & Brookside

7

D) Chicken noodle

6

B) 100

5

A) 1954

4

A) 1861

3

C) 4.1 inches

2

D) Rockhopper is smallest, with an average adult size of 41-46 cm and 5-6 pounds.

1

THREE FAVORITE SOUP SPOTS

A warm bowl of soup on a cold day is a perfect winter meal! Treat your family to a delicious steaming bowl from Kansas City’s own eateries where local chefs know how to create tasty, filling and nutritious soups for every palate!

Tip: Most of the restaurants to the right change their soup offerings frequently, with new choices appearing on their menus throughout the week.

HAPPY GILLIS

549 Gillis St., Kansas City, MO 816.471.3663, HappyGillis.com

Happy Gillis, in Old Columbus Park, was founded by Todd Schulte who started his culinary career in the soup business. His expertise at creating delicious recipes with healthy, all-natural ingredients makes Happy Gillis an absolute must on a KC soup tour.

• Most Popular Soups: White bean soup and tomato soup are both super popular among reviewers. Truly, though, at Happy Gillis, where the soup changes seasonally, you can’t go wrong with any choice! • Great for Kids Because … Happy Gillis is committed to using all-natural, healthy ingredients, and they offer a super fun vintage atmosphere with white paper and crayons on the tables.

BEST REGARDS BAKERY & CAFÉ

6759 W. 119th St., Overland Park 913.782.1505, MakeThemSmile.com

At Best Regards Bakery & Café, everything is made from scratch. In addition to great soups, the grilled cheese is something that has everyone talking. • Most Popular Soups: It’s hard to choose a favorite, but the San Marzano tomato basil soup and oven roasted potato soup are two that top the list.

• Great for Kids Because … BRB&C uses healthy ingredients and the finest products they can find.

They use no corn syrup, no preservatives, no artificial flavors and as little salt and sugar as possible.

BIG BISCUIT

Big Biscuit offers numerous locations across the metro. The restaurant started in Independence in 2000, adding three more locations over the years. They live up to their “big” name with famously large portions. The neighborhood diner offers homestyle cooking and friendly service in a cozy atmosphere. • Most Popular Soups: Potato soup and pinto bean soup.

• Great for Kids Because … The Big Biscuit offers a terrific family atmosphere where guests of all ages will find something on the menu to enjoy, whether it is soup and a sandwich or breakfast all day long.

7

FAVORITE INDOOR ATTRACTIONS WHEN IT’S COLD OUTSIDE

Sea Life Kansas City

KidScape at the Johnson County

Museum (JoCoMuseum.org) is a whimsical, hands-on, child-sized city. Children time travel to different periods and communities from the region’s past. They enjoy pretend play as they work on the farm, perform at the theater or puppet show, teach in the school, deliver the mail, care for patients at the hospital and fry up some burgers at the diner. This exhibit is a favorite for early education.

Legoland Discovery Center

(LegolandDiscoveryCenter.com). Legoland Discovery Center is Kansas City’s ultimate indoor Lego playground! The Train Station Adventure is where children climb, slide, jump and roll around train obstacles. Lego 4D cinema features exciting Lego movies with additional wind, rain and snow effects to really bring the film to life, and Duplo Village lets little ones build a colorful Duplo flower for the garden or wiggle and slide around the cottage and play with the special big, soft bricks.

National World War I Museum and

Memorial (TheWorldWar.org) is not only a Kansas City landmark, but also an American landmark. The museum tells the story of the Great War through interactive displays, thought-provoking films and eyewitness testimonies. The museum houses one of the largest collections of WWI artifacts in the world. With family guides and handson exhibits, the museum is an educational attraction for all ages.

RoKC Olathe (ClimbKC.com). This indoor rock wall climbing facility features 35- to 50-foot walls for all skill levels from beginner to expert, 15-foot bouldering walls, fitness equipment available for ages 14 and up, cardio equipment, elliptical equipment, Jacob’s Ladders and facilities for advanced climbing training (for those with a year of experience). RoKC features three types of climbing walls: lead, top rope and auto belay. The attraction is great for single-day visits (purchase a day pass or multiple visit punch card), memberships and parties.

FUN GUIDE

Lenexa Rec Center (Lenexa.com/reccenter) is the perfect place to bring the family on a cold day. The indoor pool includes water slides and a toddler play area. Spending the day at the pool is perfect for when you need to get the kids active! In addition, they have many family-friendly events throughout the year. They offer affordable memberships as well as day passes and punch cards.

Sea Life Kansas City (VisitSeaLife.com). Sea Life Aquarium transports guests into an amazing underwater world with up-close views of more than 5,000 sea creatures! Walk through the 180-degree underwater tunnel, come face to fin with sharks and rescued sea turtles and explore more than 12 breathtaking exhibits. Stingray Bay, Sea Turtle Rescue Center and Doodle Reef, an interactive exhibit where kids design their own fish, are favorites.

Urban Air Trampoline Park

(UrbanAirTrampolinePark.com) is one of our favorite places to play! Offering much more than trampolines, this is a great place to spend a day! Urban Air serves up a generous helping of frenetic fun with attractions like Kidzone and Urban Air Warrior Course. The Sky Rider is an amazing indoor ride where passengers zip across the park in a harness. The ropes course, climbing walls, virtual reality games and tunnel play areas are all great additions to the classic trampoline attractions.

Tip: Save on admissions with a membership package. Choose from several levels, including a meal-included option.

BOREDOM

BUSTERS FOR WINTRY DAYS

You and your crew wish you could kick Old Man Winter to the curb. Cold and gloomy days have been a mainstay of the forecast for the past month, cabin fever is alive and well, and everyone is bored. Don’t fret! Here at KC Parent, we’ve got you covered with things to do here, there and everywhere in between.

OUTDOORS

There’s an old Scandinavian sentiment that says, “There’s no such thing as bad weather. Just unsuitable clothing.” As a people that experience substantially harsher winters, they might be on to something. Too often, outdoor play is disregarded because of all the cons—cold, soggy clothes, numb fingers, all the work it requires to bundle vs. the amount of time actually spent outside. I get it! But with appropriate gear and a fresh resolve, there are a lot of pros to playing in the cold. First of all, it’s refreshing. Running through snow is certainly a great workout, and, as my third-born likes to point out, all the bugs are dead! (Not surprisingly, winter is his favorite season for outdoor play.) It’s also a great sensory experience. Thankfully, there’s a ton of ways to play outside when it’s frigid. Here are some snow day favorites: n Head for the hills. Sledding hills, that is. Sled optional! Consider making a sled out of disassembled cardboard boxes or a yoga mat. Check out KCparent.com for the 411 on best sledding hills near you.

n Build a snow fort with snow furniture (beds, couch, TV, etc.) and, when the sun goes down, enjoy with a camping lamp or flashlight.

n Why build a snowman when you can build a snow family? Have each family member build a snow version of themselves. Remember to snap a photo of your crew next to their flurried doppelganger!

n Make snow ice cream! Shovel fresh, untouched snow and bring it indoors. Simply add sugar, milk of your choice (dairy, almond or coconut) and vanilla extract. Enjoy!

No snow? No problem! Consider these cold, snowless favorites:

n Blow bubbles. In warm weather they pop, but in cold weather they freeze! Enjoy a new experience with a familiar favorite activity. n Go for a nature walk. Bundle up and hit a local trail, nature center or botanical garden such as Overland Park Botanical Garden. Research paw prints and scat and then be on the hunt to discover what other little critters took a nature walk in the same spot earlier. Or spice things up by going geocaching or doing a nighttime walk with glowsticks and flashlights.

n Install a bird feeder or make homemade bird treats like peanut butter and birdseed rolled on pinecones. Simply hang them from a tree and enjoy watching birds feast. Using a bird identification guide, keep a journal and document which feathery friends come calling.

n Build a fort. No snow? No problem! Fort building is a quintessential part of childhood, and winter is a perfect time to perfect the craft. With twigs and branches in abundance, kids can easily build a lean-to or A-frame and then fill the walls with leaves and pine needles. Your biggest limitations will be daylight and imagination!

n Hit an outdoor ice-skating rink. Check out KCParent.com to find the closest one near you.

n Go tubing or skiing at Snow Creek. With more than 60 snow making machines pumping over 3,000 gallons of water per minute, Snow Creek can have 100% snow coverage within 72 hours, so long as temperatures stay at or below freezing. They’ll have snow even if you don’t!

n Enjoy the firepit. I’d argue there’s never a bad time to enjoy a crackling fire but it’s hard to beat blazing heat on a frigid day. Break out the lawn chairs, blankets, a serving tray, roasting sticks, a Thermos full of hot cocoa and something to cook over the open fire (hot dogs, popcorn or smores, anyone?). Don’t have a firepit of your own? Check out a park, such as Black Hoof in Lenexa, that offers firepits to be enjoyed by the public.

INDOORS

n Have a snow day indoors. Shovel snow into the bathtub and let little ones enjoy all the cold stuff with mittens and bath toys—no polar plunge, of course, just play tub-side. When the fun is done, there are no soggy clothes to contend with, and the snow just melts down the drain. n Get physical! Throw a dance party, streaming toe-tapping favorites like the “Macarena,” “Chicken Dance” or “Cha Cha Slide” (“Baby Shark” optional!). Build a homemade American Ninja Warrior course with couch cushions, pillows and bean bags. Stream a workout like Group Hiit. Install indoor play equipment like a doorframe swing set. Or throw an indoor snow ball fight using wool dryer balls or white socks as substitute snow.

n Get your game on. Develop a family game night or day and enjoy learning a new game or partaking in a familiar favorite. Snow days are perfect for committing to a long-lasting strategy game or the ongoing act of putting together an epic jigsaw puzzle.

n Make story stones and kindness rocks. Make up epic stories using the story stones and then go on a mission to leave a little sunshine at local stores, parking lots, parks and trails by leaving kindness rocks for future passersby. n Learn how to do handicrafts. View YouTube tutorials and try your hand at making potholders on a loom, knitting a scarf or crocheting a blanket.

n Adopt an extended family member or even local friend as a pen pal and connect through writing old-fashioned snail mail. Dress it up and make it more fun with custom stamps, stationery and return address labels!

FUN GUIDE

Lauren Greenlee is a freelance writing boymom hailing from Olathe who tolerates winter. She can be found playing board games (and mostly losing to her highly strategic teenagers!), trying her hand at new skills like making sourdough and, of course, dreaming of warmer weather!

WINTER BLUES

WAYS TO NOURISH YOUR SPIRIT

Welcome to 2023, where winter is still dark, cold and dreary! But we are going to focus on embracing this season with hygge. We are also going to connect with all our senses to get the most out of winter instead of letting winter get the best of us.

First of all, let’s define this buzzword. Hygge (pronounced like who-ga) means an overall quality of coziness, comfortableness and contentment and is one of the things Danish culture is best known for. In 2021, I read the book The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well by Meik Wiking, and he wrote, “Hygge is about making the most of what we have in abundance: the everyday.” Doesn’t that sound lovely? Now, this can seem easier to achieve during the festive months leading up to the holiday season, but now we need to refocus our hygge attention to the new year and the months of winter we have left.

So let’s turn to our senses. It may seem childish, but sometimes that’s the wisest thing we can do. Keep things simple and get back to the basics of what helps spark joy in our lives. Let’s begin with sight. If you close your eyes and imagine a cozy, happy place, what does it look like? Perhaps keeping some white twinkle lights up for the winter months would keep the darkness of winter at bay. Maybe adding some other lamps around the house or

Taste is a fun one that you can look forward to each day—from hot coffee, baked oatmeal, warm curry, vegetable beef stew, crackly fresh bread or warm cookies.

lighting a candle in the room you are in would help. The low light of lamps instead of overhead lighting can notch up the cozy factor. Speaking of light, making sure to soak up some sunlight whenever possible can be a huge help. When that’s not an option during those long stretches of gloom, try investing in a Happy Light to help lessen the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Maybe a room reset would please your sight lines. Remove clutter, rearrange your furniture or tackle a small project that can help you feel focused and accomplished when it’s completed. A visual project could be painting a room a fresh color or framing some favorite photos to display so you can see those you love as you move about your home. Other visually pleasing things include reading some favorite or new books or watching some comforting or new shows.

Let’s move on to smell. Candles and scents have come a long way with their variety, so head to your local gift shop or box store to find a non-holiday winter candle that you can enjoy until winter begins to thaw. Check out Homesick.com for some inspiration. Other smells of winter may include fresh brewed coffee, chai or hot tea, hearty stews and soups, homemade bread or even citrus. Bath salts and oils for a nice warm bath could be soothing as well. Even though it’s cold, taking a walk outdoors can conjure up some wintery smells too.

Taste is a fun one that you can look forward to each day—from hot coffee, baked oatmeal, warm curry, vegetable beef stew, crackly fresh bread or warm cookies. During the holidays, we may tend to make our traditional meals, snacks and treats, but maybe you’ve had your eye on some other recipes you’d like to try during the colder months. Try scrolling Pinterest for some inspiration or checking out a few new cookbooks from the library to try some new recipes. Having something to look forward to making and consuming can be helpful when darkness falls early in the evening.

Touch is an easy way to connect to the hygge lifestyle. Bring out those favorite cozy blankets, embrace those flannels and hoodies, and change into your soft pajamas to signal the end of the day. Keep those flannel sheets on your bed, warm yourself with a cup of hot cocoa, use some quality lotion while you watch a show or before bed. Take some time to sit with a pet to enjoy their soft fur for a few minutes.

As for sounds, maybe you could actually use some more quiet in your life after the hustle and bustle and having kids around at all times during the holidays. Try some ambient noise such as ASMR or brown or pink noise. Did you know there was pink noise?! Or maybe you would like to find more opportunities to listen to music to lift your mood. I like to revisit some favorite playlists (’90’s country always puts a smile on my face) but I also like to find some fresh music that gets me excited to listen to something new. I primarily work from home, so I enjoy listening to a variety of podcasts and audiobooks to keep me company throughout the day. (You can follow my Bookstagram @stephanielovesbooks if you’d like some inspiration.) Ask around for some new podcast recommendations because listeners love to share about their favorites. I love The Popcast, Armchair Expert, The Office Ladies, Currently Reading Podcast, What Should I Read Next?, For the Love, The Lazy Genius Podcast and Sorta Awesome. They release on different days, which gives you something to look forward to throughout the week. When my kids are home, sometimes I can listen with one AirPod in, or I save them to listen to while I make dinner, clean the house, do laundry or go for a walk. Other sounds to pay attention to are your sweet kiddos’ belly laughs, listening to old videos of their tiny voices (and recording more for next year), and the stillness after a heavy snow.

Beyond our senses, movement is a great way to counteract winter blues—whether it’s trying a few free trials at various gyms to see what you like best, making a commitment to attend Burn Bootcamp in Overland Park for six weeks with a friend, doing virtual WERQ Dance Fitness classes in your basement or bundling up to take your dog for a walk to knock movement and sunshine out in one go. Moving our bodies produces feel-good endorphins that can help alleviate stress, increase focus on the task at hand, boost confidence and is good for your overall health. Other ways you can help elevate your mood include talking to someone about how you’re feeling, journaling, doing something kind for someone else or volunteering at an organization, or doing something that recenters you and makes you feel most like yourself. For me, I need to make sure I find time to read each day and I start to feel off if I haven’t had enough time to do that during the week.

Finally, look ahead to better days. Plan things to look forward to, from weekly date nights and family themed movie nights, to upcoming trips and vacations, birthdays and the next year’s holidays. Maybe you start an annual tradition that you take a short getaway somewhere warm each February so you have something to look forward to.

According to NorthKansasCityHospital. org, “The winter blues is clinically known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Although it affects 15 million people each year, there’s good news. The condition is treatable.” If you’ve tried several tactics and don’t find that they are helping, please seek help from your medical provider to see whether medication or therapy may be an option for you. You’re definitely not alone, and spring will reappear!

FUN GUIDE

Stephanie Loux is the mother of Layla, 12, Mason, 10, and Slade, 7, and relies on sunshine, exercise, reading and podcasts to get her through those long winter months.

Winter Nature Walks

These are a few favorite ways to experience nature in the winter.

By Kristina Light

Before Your Winter Nature Walk

Your time outdoors will be more fun if you’re prepared. Consider the amount of time you expect to spend outdoors and prepare accordingly. If you’re taking a 15- to 30-minute walk in the neighborhood, a water bottle and basic winter layers will do. If you’re planning a longer nature walk or hike, you might want to bring snacks and really layer up. Some preparation tips:

Make Trail Mix: My girls love a trail mix bag. I set out favorite ingredients, and they make their own bag of goodies. Granola, mini pretzels, cereal, nuts, dried fruits, coconut, sesame seeds and even some sweet treats (limited) make a tasty snack to take along.

Design Your Own Scavenger Hunt: Let each member of

the family contribute to a hunt list suggesting three to five things you should try to find on your walk. These can include animal prints, squirrels, birds, particular trees, pinecones, feathers, rocks, a creek, pond, nest and shapes in clouds. Let your kids brainstorm for other ideas.

Bundle Up: I purchase inexpensive packs of hand warmers at the local box store and keep them in my van for our winter adventures. For longer walks, I have my kids wear layers, including cuddle duds (think modern long underwear under jeans) and their coats, hats and gloves. We always bring water bottles—remember sunglasses, too.

Pack a First Aid Kit: I keep a complete kit in my van and a small kit to take in a backpack with basic bandages and such. For tips on building a family first aid kit, visit RedCross.org.

Where to Go

Some of our favorites include:

Shawnee Mission Park (JCPRD.com). The park features a 120-acre lake, mountain bike trails, hiking trails and paved nature trails. It is ideal for short walks or long hikes.

Blue Springs Lake (MakeYourDayHere.com). This park is home to a 720-acre lake. Their most scenic trails are the Lake Vista Trail, a 5-mile scenic loop around the lake with bridges, hills and woods.

Watkins Mill State Park (MoStateParks.com). The trail around the 100-acre lake is paved and ideal for walking or biking. The park is also home to an antebellum historic home and woolen mill you may tour.

Ernie Miller Nature Center (JCPRD.com). Visits to the nature center are always fun for children who enjoy seeing the animals and exploring the hands-on exhibits. There are numerous trails to enjoy around the nature center, through the woods and near the creek. You can easily choose shorter or longer routes according to your time.

Cave Spring Nature Center (CaveSpring.org). The trails around the 39-acre park are known for the cave, the old hedge trees and the ruins of old pioneer shelters where you’ll find multiple chimneys, the only surviving landmarks of former homes.