august 2015 | volume 4 | issue 8
momtomomnwi.com | like us on facebook
letter from the editor
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family health
tradewinds child care
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ask the doctor
heat-related injuries in sports & hydration
mom to mom feature
a letter to my daughter... mom you should know: michelle wietbrock clothing kids for less gabriel’s horn, homeless shelter
mom to mom education
forest ridge academy - unique school
mom to mom eats
mindy’s menu - summertime sweets
trina’s picks
let’s bring back june 29, 1999
community calendar
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Dr. Sandee Clark Nichole Odijk DeMario Mindy Gear Judy Miller Amber Neace Brooke Recktenwall Trina Bobrowski
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PUBLISHER/MANAGING EDITOR Stephanie Vega Edwards Stephanie@momtomomnwi.com SALES TEAM Eva Williams Nichole Odijk DeMario Patricia Simms Rea Robinson
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ADVERTISING & SUBMISSIONS Mom to Mom NWI LLC PO Box 1212 Valparaiso IN 46383 219-973-5138 LAYOUT DESIGN Mark Halliar designs.by.mark@gmail.com COVER & TABLE OF CONTENTS PHOTOGRAPHY Amanda Rose Photography PRINTING Home Mountain Printing 3602 Enterprise Ave. Valparaiso, IN 46383
Mom to Mom NWI is a monthly publication by Mom to Mom NWI LLC. All rights reserved. Production without permission is strictly prohibited. All photographs & articles submitted become the sole property of Mom to Mom NWI Magazine. ©2015 Mom to Mom NWI LLC
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letter from the editor stephanie vega edwards
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As I was recently packing up for a less than 72 hour trip with my two girlfriends and our kiddos, I realized this adventure we were about to embark on was going to start long before I pulled out of the driveway! Normally, when I go out of town for more than 24 hours with the kids I have my husband in tow. We are a great team when we travel. I gather and pack all the bags; he loads and unloads the car – it’s fabulous! I knew this trip would be different – I’d have him to load me up but I was going to have to actually unload the van when I got to my destination! We joked that I couldn’t do it without him and then suddenly I panicked watching him load the car that maybe I couldn’t. That’s because he was loading up our rooftop cargo carrier and I instantly realized I had no idea how that thing worked. So there I was, in the dark getting a lesson from my husband on how to open and close it. It didn’t seem too tricky – first crisis averted. Just as we were loading the last item in the car I stopped dead in my tracks. I was going to have lesson number two - the dreaded pack and play. I’m almost embarrassed to admit this, but nine years, three kids and I NEVER learned how to set up the darn thing!! I swear, sometimes we get so used to the rolls we play we never learn things of importance!! As my husband unzipped the bag and whipped it together in two seconds flat I pondered as to why I was leaving the state without him. Instead of thinking about all the ways I wouldn’t be able to do this without him, I sucked it up and tried the pack and play myself. SUCCESS!! I promise you I’ve tried before and failed at setting it up – I must have channeled some girl power to get it! Collapsing it was another story – here’s hoping one of us gals can figure that out when we reach our destination!! As we locked up the van and headed inside, I felt good knowing I’d be able to do the things my husband usually does. Well, almost everything. The biggest obstacle of all hit me like a brick wall – I was going to have to watch all three children myself for three days straight. How in the world would I handle that??
Stephanie
mtm feature judy m. miller
a letter to my daughter about her quest to drive
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Dear Sweetheart,
, Now the real education begins ne! do ll We s. or col ing fly h n wit cidents portion of driver’s educatio icle in motion. You see car ac veh a of eel wh You’ve passed the classroom the ind beh nding of what it means to be and with it the true understa th for U. S. teens. are the leading cause of dea e, the lives of lti-task at all times. Your lif mu y fel sa st mu u Yo . les ru fely. n knowing the s depends on you driving sa eet str the on There’s more to driving tha d an es icl veh d the lives of those in other passengers in your car, an u learn to estimate e and experience will help yo Tim . eel wh the ind beh e enc thing time and experi is priority number one - no y fet sa ur Yo s. Safe driving develops from rd za ha us p you to recognize dangero dangerous situations and hel trumps this! ive. revoking your privilege to dr us in ult res l wil m the ing eak irs too. - these are not negotiable! Br ur passengers must wear the yo of All lt. Now let’s talk about the rules tbe sea ur yo ar eck before you is a privilege. Always we u transport them. Double ch yo ile wh And that is the point. Driving lity ibi ns po res t ur y, your siblings are yo e broken this law, you will no u’v yo d fin we if , ver we Your friends and, eventuall Ho . the law a vehicle ive. Yes, “click-it or ticket” is led due to being ejected from kil re we o wh put the car into reverse or dr s end fri of s nt. I can share a few storie t belts. drive again. It’s that importa car accident did not wear sea in led kil ns tee of % 50 to se upon impact. Clo a p sign, or stuck in traffic at sto ht, lig p sto a at e ar u yo es if k time and you are driving, this includ will be driving. You also lac u yo r ca the Never use your phone while in gy olo hn tec eck updates. voice-activated Bluetooth parking lot to talk, text, or ch lit llwe standstill. You do not have a o int or ad ro the Pull off to the side of experience behind the wheel . tbelt, and mirrors, putting on your sea ur yo ing eck ch e or bef ent es more likely put it in the glove compartm u know that girls are two tim yo d Di . Silence your cell phone and on cti tra dis a is e es. ite social . Your iPhon having an accident by 23 tim of turning on the car. You’re qu ces an ch u yo ses rea inc driving? Texting to use their cell phones while s. 3,023 to have accidents than adult ely lik re mo es tim r fou e ar that over 80% e not safe drivers. Teens m were driving. That means the of You are a teenager . Teens ar 350 er ov 11, 20 in s ent d 18 died in car accid teens between the ages of 13 an . of the deaths were passengers your try not freak out when I am l wil I . ive dr to rn lea u yo to refrain from you need me to be while fidence. I will breathe and try con I will be the driving coach ld bui u yo p hel ’t esn do u repeatedly almost kes you tense and passenger. I realize this ma ke rookie errors, like when yo ma u yo en wh ak bre ry ee-point ina ing my imag while attempting to make thr ain ag d an r, gripping my armrest or pump ca new my rk pa y attempting to parallel ran into the curb the other da turns. habits, proving on my poor driving im am I s. bit ha ng ivi dr or po l adopt my good as well as Statistics state that you wil s. as well as reinforcing your as your dad, understand that by ted or pp su ly ful e ar ich , wh h my expectations and rules fety. As you possibly feel upset wit dear, brings it all back to sa my t, tha d An re. mo y tel ini e you inf proud of you as I am I lov Mom
ADDITIONAL THINGS PARENTS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT TEEN DRIVERS Teens have accidents because of their inexperience, not because they take more risks. Teens simply do not have enough behind-the-wheel experience to react to situations. Share with your teen that experience teaches him or her how to adjust to driving at night, in inclement weather, in varying traffic flows, and in hazards. Teens often drive too fast for conditions, such as snow, rain when roads can be slick and visibility is reduced. Teens may weave in and out of perceived “slow” traffic. Talk to your teen driver about speeding and while it might be thrilling, it is dangerous and illegal. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety 16 and 17-year-old drivers are close to three times more likely to be involved in fatal car crashes at night than during the day. 16% of fatalities involving 15 to 19-year-olds occur between 9p.m. and
midnight, where fatigue is a factor. The accident risk for young drivers remains high and does not drop significantly until age 25. As a parent you can reinforce good driving habits and identify areas your young driver needs to hone by modeling good driving habits and riding with your son or daughter as their passenger. Peer passengers and siblings are one of the biggest distractions for teen drivers. One teen passenger increases the risk of a deadly accident by 44%, two doubles the risk, while three of more teen passengers triples the risk. Riding siblings are also an issue, because they know how to distract their brother or sister. Parents should know who’s driving, how long have they had their license, where are they going, the intended route, and to check in with you when arrive and leave their destinations. The NSC recommends that your newly minted teen driver not have any young passengers for the first six months. - mtm
Judy M. Miller savors time with her kids. She is a Certified Gottman Educator and the author of What To Expect From Your Adopted Tween and Writing to Heal Adoption Grief: Making Connections & Moving Forward.
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mtm family health
tradewinds child care emphasizes early education
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All of a child’s early experiences are educational. According to the Academy of Pediatrics, young people develop in the context of their families, caregivers and community. When care is consistent, emotionally supportive and appropriate to the child’s age, development and temperament, there is a positive affect on both children and their families. Meet two-year old London. Like so many others in Northwest Indiana, her parents Ryan, a freelance lighting consultant who often receives last minute assignments for work onsite in Chicago, and Leah, a full-time nurse practitioner in private practice, knew early on that they would need to find a quality child care facility they could trust with their new born baby. “I’m typically an anxious person,” London’s mother Leah said. “It was really important for me to make the right decision so my child would be safe, well cared for and learn while we were at work. TradeWinds has definitely exceeded my expectations.” Having previously worked at TradeWinds Child Care for two years while she was in nursing school, Leah certainly had high expectations. “Leah and I were dating back then so I also had some experience with the facility and staff,” London’s father Ryan explained. “When we were having those conversations about child care before London was even born, we definitely talked about other options and even looked into a few. But, when it came down to making a final decision, there really wasn’t another contender. We knew the program and were comfortable with the people at TradeWinds.” While not everyone who comes to TradeWinds for child care has the same “behind the scenes” knowledge that helped make it an easy choice for London and her family, tours are always available by appointment to meet the staff and see the freshly remodeled space within TradeWinds’ new centrally-located Merrillville facility. “The move to Merrillville definitely made it more convenient for us over the last year,” Leah added. “But, the fact that we just purchased a home in Miller won’t change our commitment to TradeWinds. In fact, we are expecting another baby later this year and plan to enroll him or her as well.” “There’s no doubt that London has progressed developmentally by leaps and bounds at TradeWinds,” Ryan
said. “Recently, her grandmother, who retired after 38 years as a local educator, has been spending more time with her, and she notices all the things London knows – socially and academically. TradeWinds has been a big part of that.” “The people there, the experience and the social aspect are wonderful for her,” Leah added. “We want our daughter – and our future child – to grow up understanding that everyone in the world is not just like them. TradeWinds is a good environment for everyone.” Based on the individual needs of each child, early learning programs like TradeWinds result in enhanced brain growth and overall development which, among other things, lead to greater success in school due to better math and language skills, cognition, social skills, interpersonal relationships and self-regulation as reported by Head Start, a partner organization through the office of the Administration for Children and Families Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge (ECLKC) in the US Department of Health & Human Services. TradeWinds is located at 3198 E 83rd Place in Merrillville. For more information, go to their website, www. tradwindsnwi.org or call 219.945.0100. - mtm
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mtm feature nichole odijk demario
mom you should know: michelle wietbrock
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Michelle Wietbrock, originally of Lowell, Ind., took up sewing when she stayed home with her first child nearly four years ago. What originally began as a new hobby and passion soon blossomed into the inspiration for a business. Wietbrock launched Coverz, LLC located in West Lafayette this summer shortly after her second child was born. Her online store sells handmade bedding for infants and children including fitted sheets, pillow cases and cuddle blankets large enough to function as a comforter. A portion of each purchase benefits various children’s charities to help them buy blankets and bedding. “This business is really the combination of many things I love. Creatively, I love designing each bedroom décor…the charity portion of my business comes from my passion for people and giving. While studying International Relations [at Purdue Calumet] and then working in child welfare here in Indiana, I know the stress nonprofits face daily to make ends meet… if I can help cover the cost of bedding and bring kids a soft place to rest their head at night, then my goal has been met,” she says. She focuses on using the highest quality, machine washable fabrics with artistic designs. She also made it a priority to find what she deemed the softest materials for her “cuddle blankets,” which are lined with machine washable soft satin all from U.S. companies. Another important element she says she’s incorporated into her business is that it transitions from baby to toddler. “I’ve been there! Your baby has grown and all of a sudden that décor just seems a bit young,” Wietbrock says. “As your child transitions to a toddler bed and start to take on their own personality you want to be able to make the room function without a complete redo.” Prior to officially opening Coverz, the mother of two says she had been creating custom nursery sets for friends. She applied their desire for unique colors and fabrics and something that didn’t scream baby to her business plan. As an added
value, for every fabric she finds, she posts a collage with coordinating bedroom items that can be found online. “This takes the guess work out of decorating and gives each customer control of the design instead of having to purchase a ‘big box’ nursery set with items you may never use…Hello, those thick comforters you can’t use anyway,” she details. She says it can be difficult finding the balance between owning her own business and everyday life, “Balance is tough. When you think of a scale where one side is up and the other side is weighted down, rarely do they ever even out. You just have to be aware of what side you’re weighing down and what side may need your attention. You can’t do everything all the time, so make the things you do spend your time on count.” Another bit of advice for hopeful business owners that she also hopes her sons take away from their entrepreneur mom, “Learn to dream big and just try. I put off opening the business for who knows how long before it happened. Baby #2 also threw a wrench in those plans. But you can never fail if you try. You are always learning, always growing. Just because you may not know how to do something, I have only been sewing a few years, doesn’t mean you can’t learn or find out how. Someone always knows how, you just have to ask.” She adds, “I never imagined making children’s items as a business as it seems this profession has found me more than I found it. I pour and ponder over fabrics and design accessories until it is something I know parent and kids will love.” Wietbrock says she is always taking recommendations on what charities should benefit from her sales; both local and international charities are welcome. She will add two new designs to her current collections, “The Pirouette” and “Viking Sea” this fall. See their ad in the pages of this month’s Mom to Mom, NWI. More information: coverz.us | Instagram: my_coverz | Twitter: @mycoverz or info@coverz.us - mtm
momtomomnwi.com | august 2015 | page 13
mtm: ask the doc dr. sandee clark
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heat-related injuries in sports and how education and hydration matter
In recent years, more reports of heat-related illnesses and serious injuries, such as death have surfaced when practicing or playing in very warm environments. More often people who are experiencing these illnesses are younger athletes, not adults because of improper recognition of the injury initially by their coaches and staff. Below are the 4 major heat-related illnesses involved in sports participation and what you can do should you see someone exhibiting symptoms:
HEAT EXHAUSTION This is a form of shock characterized by hypovolemia which is salt depletion as a result of excessive sweating and water depletion out of the body. The person will exhibit weakness, muscle cramps and nausea. Heat exhaustion differs from heat stroke because you are sweating. Treatment is the same as for muscle cramps; keep cool and in a dry place, gradual fluid uptake, rest and remove from the sport or activity.
HEAT CRAMPS This is a form of a muscle spasm due to excessive sweating and a lack of sodium loss - not potassium in the body. If you should experience this you should first rest then increase fluids like Gatorade or electrolyte drinks. Next you want to gently stretch the affected area and get to a cool, dry place. It is important to rest until you show signs of improvement.
HEAT STROKE This is a serious medical emergency where the core body temperature is above 104 degrees; the heart slows its ability to pump blood effectively and you stop sweating. It is characterized by changes to the mental status. Heat stroke tends to occur in elderly people, younger children, and people with chronic diseases such as cardiac disease, Diabetes and cardiopulmonary diseases. This is a 911 emergency.
HEAT SYNCOPE OR FAINTING This is a loss of consciousness from when someone collapses due to excessive sweating and increased dilation of blood vessels within the body. Since blood tends to pool in the extremities you should elevate the limbs involved, rest and cool down then drink water or electrolyte drinks slowly to help circulate the pooled blood.
Early recognition and proper education to parents, coaches, and players prevent serious heat-related illnesses from occurring. It is critical to ensure that proper heat adaptation occurs over a period of 10-14 days to avoid these illnesses from coming on. Also, educating your athletes on proper hydration in warm climates is necessary to help them train and/or play properly. It is recommended to drink water mostly but electrolyte drinks can be helpful too so they can compete at their best. - mtm
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mtm: education provided by forest ridge academy
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unique school quite unlike any other
Forest Ridge Academy is a unique school quite unlike any other. Children that have a passion for learning and welcome a stimulating, challenging curriculum will thrive in this environment. At Forest Ridge Academy, learning is fun and students are considered as individuals, not just a number. Students in preschool through eighth grade experience a love of learning on a daily basis in a loving and nurturing environment. A small school creates an atmosphere where a teacher can make a deep connection with a child and guide him or her outside of himself or herself to become something more. Hugs are given as often as homework. Forest Ridge Academy was founded in 1982 and is located at 7300 Forest Ridge Drive in Schererville. Their
student body represents 34 different nationalities, with students traveling to and from the school from 23 different zip codes and four counties. Their teachers have an average of 18 years of teaching experience. Technology is embedded throughout the school curriculum. All students collaborate, compete, create and communicate in a global setting. Students learn coding and utilize specific programs for project creation and presentations. They meet students from other states and nations to study cultures, gain geographic knowledge, and to debate world topics. The Apple platform is introduced at the preschool level and carries through fourth grade. In fifth grade, students participate in a one to one laptop program using the Windows platform that serves them
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throughout the rest of their years at Forest Ridge Academy. Forest Ridge strives to prepare ALL students for the 21st century. Continuing to focus on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics), robotics and coding became a major focus in their programs this year. Using their coding skills and science backgrounds, students program robots, create currents, problem solve and discover new ways to make things work. The technology program offers students the opportunity to observe, think critically, interpret, appreciate precision and scale, and communicate from the perspective of a scientist, visual artist, mathematician, computer scientist, performance artist, and an engineer. It is essential that students are exposed to the field of computer science, as it is foundational in transforming how students think about the world. Service to others is a major component of the Forest Ridge Academy curriculum. Service projects have a powerful impact on young people. It is a dynamic process where a student’s personal and social growth is tightly interwoven into their academic development, fostering empathy, leadership and personal responsibility. Forest Ridge Academy partners with local, state, national and international organizations to foster “Learning Beyond Me.” A highlight of their service learning program is Project Day, which takes the place of holiday parties. From making greeting cards for veterans and fleece blankets for a local orphanage, to preparing trail snack mix for a homeless shelter, their student body models philanthropic values at an early age that will carry them into adulthood. Forest Ridge Academy also empowers students to become advocates for the environment. Children learn how to improve the school, their homes, and the community around them. The school takes part in multiple national recycling programs throughout the year, using friendly competition to increase excitement and participation. Forest Ridge Academy ranks number one in the state of Indiana and in the top ten in the nation for recycling efforts. Their goal is to create a more conscious effort to care for the environment. FRA encourages students to value mathematics in a differentiating classroom setting where a passion for learning is enhanced through a safe, nurturing environment. Students are placed according to ability level and have opportunities for advancement. “Step-Up Math” provides students with the opportunity to move up one or even two grade levels in mathematics. The curriculum integrates higher order skills of critical thinking, collaboration, and problem solving. Students are provided with opportunities to reason mathematically, problem solve cross curricular,
and apply math using real-life situations in their community and globally. Technology is incorporated throughout the curriculum to investigate, analyze, communicate, and verify findings. Their ultimate goal is to cultivate a love of math in every child. Forest Ridge Academy teaches two world languages, Spanish and Sign Language, to all students in preschool through eighth grade. Research shows that early-start world language learning enhances language and communication skills and increases creativity in problem-solving. Students become comfortable interacting in another language and develop an appreciation of diverse cultures. Their Spanish program focuses on acquiring listening, speaking, reading and writing skills, leading to future fluency. FRA also provides woodworking classes to all students. Students learn how to develop a wood project from start to finish. They create an idea, develop a plan, sketch drawings, and finalize the project. Woodworking enhances the skills of spatial visualization required for geometry, trigonometry and algebra, helping students to prepare for careers in engineering, architecture and science. STEAM activities used in woodworking classes include Maker Space and the use of a 3D printer. In Maker Space, students can pick and choose materials from the Art and Woodshop rooms and create projects by themselves or in collaboration with others. Maker Spaces give students the opportunity to nurture their creativity, elaborate, refine and evaluate their own ideas and the ideas of others. This space is designed to spark the hearts and minds of students, enhance critical thinking skills and communication. FRA is purchasing a 3D Printer for student use within the woodworking shop. Students will have opportunities to further develop creativity and gain experience and abilities that will prepare them for the future. With approximately two hundred students and projected increases, FRA is developing on an expansion project. The addition of a middle school wing will encompass eight new classrooms and a common area for small and large group collaboration within the school and with schools across the nation and world. Although you will gather much insight by visiting our website at www.fra.edu, nothing can replace an actual visit to our school where you can observe classrooms and lessons in session, and witness first-hand the enthusiastic students and teachers that thrive in our school’s environment. Tours can be scheduled by contacting their Director of Admissions, Ms. Thespena Panos at 219.756.7300x35 or email tpanos@fra.edu. - mtm
mtm: feature kimberly blaker
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clothing kids for less - today’s
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The end of the summer season marks the excitement of backto-school shopping for kids—and back-to-school shopping battles for many parents. Because fashion is an important part of a child’s self-image, a new wardrobe often comes at a high cost. But with advance planning, your kids can still get their look at a price you can afford. OUT WITH THE OLD? Keep costs down by making the most of your child’s current wardrobe. Eliminate outgrown or outdated articles, and save basic or classic pieces that still fit. Inspect these pieces and replace missing buttons, mend seams, patch tears, and remove stains. If shoes still fit, increase their life by replacing worn heals, broken eyelets, and dingy shoelaces. Then freshen them with a good shoe cleaner and brightener or polish. Style is important, so create new fashionable outfits by pairing an old basic shirt with a new pair of jeans and stylish belt. Or mix a pair of old but good jeans with a shirt in one of this falls new colors. Determine what garments have something to match and which are incomplete, then carry a list of needs when you shop.
SECONDHAND SAVVY Today, families in all income brackets are reaping the benefits of secondhand shopping. Depending on your child’s age and personality, you may need to alleviate her fears and objections. Be sure your child understands no one will know the clothing is secondhand unless he discloses it. Also, point out the savings could result in a bigger, and possibly better, wardrobe. When you shop secondhand, keep the following in mind: • Inspect clothing thoroughly for stains, tears, broken zippers and snaps, frayed pant cuffs, and other damage. • Check for body odor and mildew smells that are unlikely to wash out. • Try on clothing before taking it home since it may not be returnable. Secondhand clothing can be found at garage sales, thrift stores, consignment and resale shops, and even online. Prices vary, so explore all the options in your area. Children’s shirts typically range between $2 and $10 and jeans between $4 and $15 depending on size, condition, label, and the particular store. A no-cost option is to form a back-to-school swap with several friends and neighbors. Each person should label the boxes of
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fashion at an affordable price clothing according to size. Then get together for the exchange, and watch your child’s new wardrobe grow. CLOTHES THAT LAST Make your kid’s new wardrobe last by following these tips: • Pay attention to washing instructions, especially for teen girls’ clothing. Some fabrics will shrink beyond recognition if not laundered correctly. • Boys are especially hard on knees. Give pants extra wear by sewing a fun patch on each knee (after you make sure your child is okay with it). • Unless shopping for the less-choosy younger set, have your kids approve all purchases. Otherwise, the duds will hang in the back of their closet. • Purchase articles such as rain gear or dress shoes that will get seldom use one-half to a full size larger to get through an extra season. Regularly worn shoes should fit properly, though, for the sake of your child’s feet. When selecting rain gear in this manner, choose a style that will not cause your child to trip or obstruct her view.
SCOUTING FOR DEALS AND OTHER RETAIL TIPS Start by changing old thinking patterns. The mark of the new school year is not always the most practical time to replenish your child’s wardrobe. If he didn’t hit a growth spurt over the summer, wait until winter to shop after last year’s clothing is fully outgrown. The best back-to-school prices are found a couple of weeks later or beyond into the new school year. Since the beginning of the school year is often too warm for the new fall wardrobe, your child’s summer clothing along with a couple of last year’s pieces should suffice until the best sales hit. Before you shop, go over your list and explain the budget to your child. If designer label battles start, offer your kid the option to pay the difference above what has been budgeted for that particular item. Avoid buying clothing sets, and instead select versatile pieces. Look through flyers that come in the weekend newspaper - learn what’s on sale, and compare store prices before heading out. - mtm
mindy’s menu mindy gear
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While planning a picnic with friends, we were all discussing our favorite desserts. It ended up being quite a list. I think we covered everything from cakes and cookies to pies and trifles. How can you pick just a few desserts to serve? We were finally able to narrow it down to a few selections and wanted to share our two favorites. Coconut Cream Pie with a graham cracker crust was a must. The cool, creamy custard was delicious with the graham cracker crust and topped with fresh whipping cream. Our second dessert was a much requested apple pie. I prefer to cook a sugar-cinnamon sauce to pour over a lattice crust. Traditionally the ingredients are added to the apples, but this makes a much better filling for the pie. I have included a pie crust recipe as well. Don’t stress over the crust and just buy a refrigerator crust.
CLASSIC APPLE PIE CRUST INGREDIENTS
CRUST DIRECTIONS
1 cup unsalted butter or shortening
Mix butter/shortening, flour and salt together with a fork or pastry blender. Add only as much water needed to hold the crust together. Mix with fork. Form into 2 equal size dough balls. Wrap and refrigerate 30 minutes. Remove and roll on a floured surface. It is recommended to roll about 1” over the size needed. Then you can trim the crust nicely to fit the pan.
3 cups unbleached flour 1 tsp salt Approximately 1 cup ice cold water
FILLING INGREDIENTS
FILLING DIRECTIONS
8 Granny Smith apples (or your favorite pie apples), peeled, cored and chopped
¼ cup water
1-2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp cinnamon ½ cup unsalted butter 3 Tbsp flour
½ cup granulated sugar ½ cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla Pinch of sea salt
Preheat oven to 425°. Melt butter in saucepan. Whisk in flour until slightly thickened. Add water and both sugars. Bring to boil. Reduce heat and allow to simmer about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add 2 tsp cinnamon, vanilla and salt. Toss chopped apples with the lemon juice and 1 tsp cinnamon. Add chopped apples to pie crust and add lattice top (I sometimes use cookie cutters to add a little design to top crust. Just make sure there are openings in the crust for the sauce to pour through.) Gently pour sauce over crust, making sure you get it into the openings. It will make a hot, sticky mess otherwise. Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes. Turn oven down to 350° and continue baking 35-45 minutes or until apples are tender. Consider placing a baking sheet under the pie as sometimes it will boil over during baking. Also, if your crust is browning too quickly, cover edges with foil.
COCONUT CREAM PIE WITH GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST CRUST INGREDIENTS
2 cups graham cracker crumbs ¼ cup brown sugar | ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
DIRECTIONS Combine crumbs and brown sugar thoroughly in a 9” pie plate. Pour the melted butter over crumbs and mix. Press crust into bottom and up sides of pie plate. Preheat oven to 350°. Bake crust about 8 minutes or until golden brown.
FILLING INGREDIENTS 6 5 2 1
Tbsp granulated sugar | ¼ tsp salt | 3 Tbsp cornstarch large egg yolks, beaten | 2 cups half and half ½ Tbsp unsalted butter, at room temp | 1 tsp pure vanilla extract tsp coconut extract | 1 cup sweetened flaked coconut
FILLING DIRECTIONS In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, salt and cornstarch. In separate bowl, whisk the egg yolk slowly adding half and half until well mixed. Whisk the egg mixture into the dry ingredients. Place pan over medium to low heat, whisking mixture constantly until thickens (pudding like consistency). Remove from heat, adding vanilla and coconut extract, butter and coconut flakes. Cover and allow to cool for 30 minutes (until it reaches room temp). Once cooled, spread the filling evenly in a pre-baked pie crust. Spread or pipe whipped cream over filling. Sprinkle with additional coconut, if desired. Leave at room temperature if using soon. If you aren’t using for a period of time, cover and refrigerate.
HOMEMADE WHIPPED CREAM
Many desserts are better with whipped cream. I prefer to make my own instead of purchasing from the store. It’s very easy and much better!
INGREDIENTS 2 cups heavy whipping cream | ¼ sugar (granulated or powdered) 1 tsp vanilla
DIRECTIONS Using a stand or hand-held mixer, whisk the whipping cream until it begins to thicken. Pause mixer and sprinkle sugar and vanilla into whipping cream. Continue whipping until soft peaks form. Store in refrigerator until ready to use.
mtm feature nichole odijk demario
gabriel’s horn h
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This past spring Mom to Mom, NWI hosted its first Sip and Shop event in an effort to further its presence in the community. This was taken a step further by allowing attendees to donate to the event’s beneficiary non-profit Gabriel’s Horn Homeless Shelter.
Horn provides additional services such as case management, transportation, financial management, art and nutrition classes. Executive Director Mignon Kennedy says women come to the shelter for a variety of reasons, most
Gabriel’s Horn, located at 792 McCool Road in Valparaiso, Ind., provides a refuge for homeless women and their children by establishing and maintaining a facility, which provides them a safe, temporary shelter and outreach services. In its mission, the organization also states, “We will empower women by giving them the tools to become self sufficient through collaboration with our community, education and counseling.” The organization first opened in 2003 after community leaders recognized a local need. They can assist five families up to 14 individuals at a time. Each family is given their own room with a key where they have a refrigerator and storage space. The living room, kitchen and computer space is common. Clients are able to stay up to six months, depending on need. During their stay they are required to apply for alternative affordable housing if they are eligible. Along with aiding in their housing needs, Gabriel’s
often after they’ve exhausted all other options. “We see the working poor; people that are living life by a thread end up at our doorstep after one little unanticipated problem,” Kennedy says. “…Who are the working poor? They’re working two jobs or more, scrambling to get as many hours as they can. They still can’t make ends meet for themselves and their families. They struggle to survive day to day.” The Director says what was most eye opening to her after coming to Gabriel’s Horn five years ago from a career in social services was how much homelessness doesn’t fit a stereotype, “They look just like you and me…this has been a life changing job for me. I’ve realized the daily struggles people have. I never understood the depth of that before.” She says the most difficult and heart wrenching aspect of her job is seeing the children suffering from the circumstances they are currently surrounded by. “I try to give them lots of compliments and encour-
mom to mom nwi | august 2015 | page 22
homeless shelter agement to instill positive images in themselves so they realize they have value, and they should follow their dreams and work hard to reach their dreams.� She urges the community to continue to work to make successes possible for a child brought up in poverty. Along with the encouragement for other organizations and groups to support the futures of the children of their clients, she asks they consider supporting Gabriel’s Horn through donations of much needed supplies, financial support and their time. They currently and regularly need household supplies such as toilet paper, paper towel, dish soap, disinfectant wipes, blankets and pillows. Their volunteer opportunities include assistance at their various fundraisers throughout the year, yard work and cleaning. To learn more about the organization or contact them directly contact 219.364.8018 or call gabrielshelter.org. - mtm
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mtm: trina’s picks trina bobrowski
Let’s – Bring – Back by Lesley M. M. Blume
Summer vacation is coming to an end and soon our children will be back in school. Over the past few months, lots of memories were made. It’s the nostalgia of just making memories that gave inspiration for this review. The past has always held a special place in my heart - how people lived, what they wore and the customs of a time long ago. I was extremely excited when I stumbled upon this book, Let’s-Bring-Back! A refreshing read, formatted in an alphabetical list of things raging from driving gloves to milk baths. Have you ever wondered where the phrase “Mind your own beeswax” came from, or what exactly is Ambrosia? This book has defined, described and delivered hundreds of customs, people, places and things that are rarely used in today’s society. As you flip through the pages you will discover many historical tidbits that you may incorporate in your every day lives, such as home delivered milk, or vanity tables. Also included in this encyclopedia are splendid arrays of vintage recipes. Blume has put together a fantastic collection of everything we are missing in our crazy and hectic modern world. Let’s – Bring – Back has been charmingly delivered in a beautifully embossed cover. The inside has been gorgeously pro-
duced with jadeite green illustrations and black silhouettes and a light blue ribbon has been added to mark your favorite pages. After completing Blume’s whimsical appreciation, start your own list of forgotten nostalgia. What would you include? What would these inclusions say about you? Would they say you are inclined to bring it back? You might be surprised at how much this fun read may impact your outlook on modern day living. - mtm
mtm: trina’s picks trina bobrowski
Book Review of David Wiesner’s June 29, 1999
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With the start of school just a few weeks away, children across the region are filled with mixed emotions. Whether you child is anxious or excited, one way to spark their interest on a new school year could be as simple as diving into a new book. I suggest a wonderful story about a girl and her amazing science project. June 29, 1999 is such a fun take on school science projects, it will having your children begging to start one of their own. The story starts in Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey in the year of 1999. Holly Evans has been planning for months to launch vegetable seedlings into the sky. She plans on studying the effects of extraterrestrial conditions on vegetables. June 29th, a hiker stumbles upon enormous turnips in the Rocky Mountains! All over the country giant vegetables are floating down from the sky. Holly is thrilled her experiment has worked, except she noticed arugula covering Ashtabula. Holly is puzzled. Arugula is not part of her experiment. If these aren’t Holly’s vegetables, than whose are they? David Wiesner’s story is so fun and imaginative your family will be talking about it for days - your older children might even want to try this experiment themselves. Every page contains wonderful illustrations of the massive vegetables and how people use them for more that just eating. This book is a definite keeper and one that can be shared with all generations as well. - mtm
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community calendar
CHESTERTON ART FAIR August 1 to August 2 from 10:00am - 5:00pm The Chesterton Art Fair features juried art with more than 100 artists from 15 states. The fair features a children’s booth, music and a public art project. The Art Fair is at Hawthorne Park, located at 405 Waverly Road. For more information, call (219) 926-4711. SOUTH SHORE SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL Sunday, August 2 at 5:00pm The Town of Schererville is proud to present a summer concert with the Northwest Indiana Symphony. Join us at Redar Park, located at 1722 S Park Avenue, for a great evening of music. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets or picnic baskets for this unforgettable event. WINGS OF FREEDOM TOUR 2015 Monday, August 3 to Wednesday, August 5 The Collings Foundation’s WWII B-17 Flying Fortress, B-24 Liberator, B-25 Mitchell and P-51 Mustang will be visiting Valparaiso, IN at the Porter County Regional Airport. Tours through the aircraft will be available for $12 for Adults, $6 for Children and Free for WWII Veterans. Half hour flights on the B-17 & B-24 are $450 per person and $400 per person on the B-25. P-51 flights are $2200 for a half hour and $3200 for a full hour. A portion of your flight donation is tax-deductible! Flights take place before and after tour times. Tour times are subject to change due to flight schedule. Other activities will include Food & Beverages from EAA 104, Honor Flight Chicago and a Classic Car Show. Come on out and help us “Keep’em Flying!”
LAKE COUNTY FAIR Friday, August 7 to Sunday, August 16 Way back in 1852, the Lake County Agricultural Society started the fair as a way to showcase the achievements of agriculture in the county. Back then, it was a way for the people of the county to gather for some good fun and a little competition. Agriculture is our theme, but there is so much more...we have a huge carnival, great entertainment, exciting grandstand shows, graceful horse shows, farm animals, a free fireworks show, free petting zoo, contests for kids and adults and lots of great food. We also feature the projects from the local Lake County 4-H Club Members. These projects range from cattle to sewing, and electric to rocketry. The 4-H building is full of these projects so you can see what the youth of Lake County can do. Let’s not overlook the adults in the county. Our Family Arts and Crafts Building is brimming with exhibits from the talents in the county. In addition, there are exhibits from the gardeners in the Flower Show Building and the Agriculture Building, along with the outdoorsman exhibits in the Conservation Building.
DYER CORN FEST Friday, August 7 to Saturday, August 8 Join Dyer in celebrating Dyer’s Corn Roast. The roast is two days with an added beer garden to the bands, food, kids fun and crafters. The Corn Fest is at Northgate Park. For more information, call (219) 8641458.
Do you have an event you’d like to add to our community calendar? Send an email to Stephanie@momtomomnwi.com by the 15 of the month. mom to mom nwi | august 2015 | page 32
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MORE THAN SMORES Friday, August 7 at 7:00pm Help us celebrate National Smores Day! We’ll start by learning a little about the history and our camping culture of this delicious treat! We’ll then have a full smorgasbord of different smores variations as well as marshmallow games for everyone to try. Kid under 12, please bring a parent. The activities take place at the Wilson Shelter at the Indiana Dunes State Park. PINTS IN THE PARK Saturday, August 8 from 4:00pm - 8:00pm Come to Wicker Park, located at 8554 Indianapolis Blvd in Highland, and sample more than 100 craft beers. For more information on this event, call (219) 923.3830. FAMILY FISHING TIME Sunday, August 9 at 9:00am Learn some basic fishing skills and drop a line in the Marquette Park Lagoon. Equipment will be provided or you can bring your own. Children under the age of 18 do not need a fishing license. This program will begin at 9:00 am and last for 3 hours. GLOW: ART AFTER DARK AT TALTREE ARBORETUM AND GARDENS Thursday, August 13 through Saturday, August 15 Visit Taltree Arboretum for the first GLOW: Art after Dark. Glow-in-thedark performances and interactive exhibits, night hikes, art and craft fair, stargazing, food & drink are all part of the festivities. LED apparel and accessories will be for sale in the gift shop. Join staff as they call in the owls during night hikes through the prairie and woodlands and discover what insects are attracted by light at The Dynamic Moth exhibit on the prairie.
ST. JOHN CORN ROAST Friday, August 14 from 4:00pm – 8:00pm Join the St. John Chamber of Commerce at the Community Outpatient Centre for their annual corn roast. They will have entertainment, games and lots of vendors. The Corn Roast is located at 9660 Wicker Avenue. SERENITY SPRINGS BACK YARD BASH Saturday, August 15 from 4:00pm - 9:00pm Nestled on 85 private wooded acres, join us for a relaxing “grown up” getaway in the country. Stroll over to our clubhouse and enjoy a summer evening of food, music and fun at our Back Yard Bash, our summer grill buffet dinner, and later retire to your cozy cabin. The cost for this event is $375 per couple. Serenity Springs is located at 5888 N. US Highway 35 in LaPorte. For more information, call (219) 861-0000. HOBART LAKEFRONT FESTIVAL Thursday, August 20 to Sunday, August 23 This four-day event features live entertainment, an arts and crafts area, food vendors and a beer garden. The Lakefront Festival also hosts the Hobart Chamber of Commerce Pig Roast and Hobart Community Foundation’s Dam Duck Race on Sunday afternoon. KOUTS PORK FEST Saturday, August 22 from 8:00am – 8:00pm Since 1978, people have been coming to the Kouts Pork Fest to enjoy a pork chop dinner and homemade crafts. The Kouts Pork Fest’s first event of the day will be the 5K Walk/Run. Other activities include the sale of arts, crafts, and food by approximately 100 vendors, an hour-long parade and a kiddie tractor pull. The entertainment stage features line dancers, square dancers, singers and bands.