september 2015 | volume 4 | issue 9
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Ready for everything you are & aren’t expecting Each pregnancy is different. To truly be prepared for everything, we have a team of specialists at Community Hospital who are ready with the experience to handle anything confidently and compassionately. That is exactly how we became one of the leading facilities in NW Indiana for maternal and newborn care – delivering more babies each year than any other hospital in our local area. Our in-house specialists are available 24/7 and our modern facility is newly built with comfort and safety in mind for one purpose – to be ready for everything you and your baby need.
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SAVE THE DATE! Club Bellaboo
Thursdays 9/10-10/1 10:15-11 AM “Grown up & Me” class perfect for walkers – 4 year olds.
Call today to sign up!
Bellaboo’s Superhero Superfun Birthday Party Saturday 9/19
Black Cat’s Meow Tix on Sale Monday 9/14 Glow Wild! on Thursday
Pack your cape & mask to come
October 29th at this kids’
celebrate Bellaboo’s Birthday!
costume party, and
Superhero Training * Wall SMASH* Birthday Bash!
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Play: 2800 Colorado St. Lake Station, IN + Visit: www.mybellaboos.com + Call: 219.963.2070
letter from the editor
5
ask the doctor
balancing hormones
14
mom to mom feature
back to school pics getting organized for the school year positive discipline equals positive behavior national grandparents day mom you should know: lavita cotton-alford
mom to mom education
montessori children’s schoolhouse
mom to mom eats
mindy’s menu - pastas
trina’s picks
monsters of class 7 the astronaut wives club
fun & games
coloring page contest
mom to mom health
12 20 26 28
Sales Team Eva Williams Nichole Odijk DeMario Patricia Simms Rea Robinson Contributing Writers Dr. Sandee Clark Nichole Odijk DeMario Mindy Gear Judy Miller Amber Neace Brooke Recktenwall Trina Bobrowski
Advertising & Submissions Mom to Mom NWI LLC 103 E. Indiana Ave | Suite B Valparaiso IN 46383 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
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food allergies & school
community calendar
6 8 16 22 24
PUBLISHER/Managing Editor Stephanie Vega Edwards Stephanie@momtomomnwi.com
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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
T
The start of another school year always brings about new beginnings. For some, it’s a new school in a new town, for others a transition from preschool to elementary school, elementary to middle school, or even the big move to high school. No matter what new beginning your family faces, it’s always brought on with mixed emotions to no END. But the END I’m referring to is Excitement, Nervousness and Determination. In our household there was a lot of those mixed emotions going on, but not with my two oldest. Sam and Alex are now first and third graders so they are pretty much pros at this school thing and were counting down the days of summer to go back! Nope – in the Edwards household it was this momma facing the new beginnings and my littlest Dani. The reason why? Well, after nearly a decade of working from home this mompreneur was taking her business out of the house and hunkering down in a new office! That’s right – Mom to Mom has planted roots in downtown Valparaiso!! Talk about having mixed emotions to no END!! The excitement of finally having my own office with my publication was exhilarating and a sense of true accomplishment. The nervousness I felt for making it so official and real was scary. But the determination I had to make my story a success far outweighed anything else!! With this new beginning for myself, it would give my 2-year old a new beginning as well! Dani has been to a few babysitters over time but never actually got dropped off to daycare. I have been so fortunate this past decade to have a husband that has made it so I can follow my dreams and pursue my passions, all while being home to raise our kids. I know this new beginning will be great for both of us, and she is already liking her “new school”. I’m so excited to share this new beginning with you and I’d love to hear about your new beginning. Email me at stephanie@momtomomnwi. com and let me know all about your beginning. I’ll share some of the responses in our next issue. Take Care,
Stephanie
Nurturing children since 1967
Child care for children of all abilities
S
ince our children’s program was first established in the 1960s to assist people who couldn’t find a place for children with disabilities, it is not widely known that everyone is welcome. “We understand that it can be a difficult and stressful task for all parents to find reliable, quality child care,” TradeWinds Director of Programs Lisa Previs explains. “Along with a meaningful learning and social experience for all children, our program promotes inclusion, celebrates differences and encourages teamwork.” Staffed by degreed teachers, trained teachers’ assistants and a full-time onsite nurse for added peace of mind, TradeWinds Child Care is open from 6:30am to 6pm weekdays (with the exception of holidays).
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Welcome Back to School!
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Mitchell & Mason
Moran nwi
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mtm: feature judy m. miller
five tips for organizing a smooth school year
S
School has started for most kids. If you are like me you
for me because it signals “priority”—such as keeping an
may have discovered that, although you had the best of
eye on my child’s performance in a certain subject he
intentions, you fell behind as soon as the hustle bustle of
finds challenging or writing a check for school pictures.
the new school year began.
As far as the type of master calendar, I prefer a large
Don’t become frustrated, overwhelmed, or throw in the
“Mom” calendar, one which I can add my kids’ names
towel yet. Instead, follow these organizational tips that
to. Their names appear when I flip to the coming month.
have worked for me and other parents year after year.
Even in the era of electronic tools and apps I prefer the physical. The master calendar is a great visual for help-
Create Command Central
ing kids understand and appreciate the dynamics of pull-
In our home, Command Central is in the kitchen. We
ing together as a family to make things run as smoothly
congregate here for breakfasts and dinners so this space
as possible. Kids can view their school project due dates
works for us. Our Command Central consists of a master
and exam dates; doctor, dentist, and orthodontist ap-
calendar, a file box with folders, and several drawers
pointments; social events, like sleepovers; extracurricu-
of school supplies. The file box contains a file for each
lar activities, like sporting events; and school breaks.
child and a file for me.
The colored markers are kept in a pencil holder close
I staple lined paper to the front of each folder. The lined
to the master calendar, duct-taped and marked “MC”
paper is for important dates and reminders. These are
in permanent black marker so that they are returned to
checked off when they are completed. The folders also
Command Central if inadvertently taken.
hold “Back to School” night information, such as class lists and rules; permission slips for study trips; exams;
Go Through Last Year’s Leftovers
quizzes; artwork; and other correspondence from teach-
Consider the supplies that can be reused/recycled,
ers—some handwritten and others printed off from the
donated, or disposed of. What supplies do you have?
computer.
What is the condition of last year’s leftovers? Are your
I go through each folder at the end of the term, adding
glue sticks dried out? What are you out of? Have the dry
the no-longer-needed paperwork to our recyclables. I
erase markers gone AWOL? What do you need? Make
hold onto any artwork until the end of the school year
a shopping list. Replenish.
and make a decision, with the help of my child, on what
Organize the supplies in the drawers so that they can be
to keep and add to his or her keepsake bin.
easily found. Consider buying dividers that fit into the Command Central drawers to separate extra pens, note-
Revolve Around a Master Calendar
book paper, notebooks, folders, binders, binder divid-
I like being able to add the entire school year’s import-
ers, sheet covers, note cards, highlighters, pens, pencils,
ant dates for school and extracurricular commitments as
colored pencils, crayons, glue, erasers, rulers, dry erase
soon as they are available. This helps immensely with
markers, permanent markers, sticky notes, paper clips,
planning and avoiding scheduling conflicts.
rubber bands, and more.
Each of my kiddos is assigned a color for the master calendar. The color matches their file folder. Red is reserved
mom to mom nwi | september 2015 | page 8
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Olivia
Reagan
Sienna Sam Riley Riley TJ
Thomas Taylor
Sydney
Tyler
Vanessa
Turner
Dedicate Space for a Homework Station
If my kids forget something, and they often do, it is typ-
We had a dedicated homework area close to the kitchen
grab it easily because of the organization. Confusion
until our kids were old enough to do their homework in-
and stress are reduced.
dependently. While preparing dinner I encouraged my
Weekends are when I do laundry. I also make meals
kids to focus on and complete their homework until they
plans, with the enthusiastic input from my kids. We take
could do it without my cheerleading. Now they all do
a look at the week ahead so that we can visualize and
their homework at their desks in their rooms.
talk about it. Some weeks are busier than others. We
Go over Internet safety with your child, and check in
go over the organizational tools and tweak them where
regularly. Many kids are expected to be online for home-
we need to.
ically in the vicinity of Command Central. And they can
work and research. Resources via the Internet are wonderfully accessible, but hazards lurk everywhere. The
Remember the benefits of being organized while you
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires that sites col-
are in the process of implementing and honing your or-
lecting information from children ages 13 and younger
ganizational tools:
comply with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Read more about how COPPA is designed to protect children at www.copa.com.
Your kids learn time is finite. |School becomes a priority.
|You take control over your family’s schedules.
Prepare the Night Before and Take Advantage of Weekends
|You have a place to find the information and paperwork you need, easily.
My kids are sleepy heads. They race against the clock every morning as they eek out the last minutes of sleep.
|You save money because you are not duplicating supplies.
They arrive at the breakfast table half asleep. To combat
|You make efficient use of your dedicated space.
this, my kids shower and lay their clothes out the night before. They also ready their backpacks and sports
|Your kids learn the much needed life skill of organization.
bags the night before, along with their shoes and jackets, if necessary. What do they pack? Homework, fully
Organization is key in helping you minimize or alleviate
charged laptops, clean and empty water bottles, snacks
the stress of keeping up with your child’s chaotic sched-
and fruit, and the needed and clean athletic gear.
ule of schoolwork and extracurricular activities. You will discover these tips to be even more helpful if you have more than one child. - mtm
Judy M. Miller is a freelance writer living in the Midwest and a mom to four children who have decent organizational skills. She is the author of What To Expect From Your Adopted Tween and Writing to Heal Adoption Grief: Making Connections & Moving Forward.
mom to mom nwi | september 2015 | page 10
mtm education article provided by: MCS in Hammond
M
montessori children’s schoolhouse
Montessori Children’s Schoolhouse in Hammond was among the first Montessori schools to be fully accredited by the American Montessori Society in 1990. The school is the only accredited Montessori school in northwest Indiana. Programs for toddlers and early childhood students as well as elementary students in kindergarten through eighth grade are offered. A before and after school program is also available. The present enrollment is over 170 students from Hammond and surrounding communities in Indiana and Illinois. The Montessori Method is designed to prepare the student with academic skills and learning strategies needed to become lifelong learners. The philosophy emphasizes numerous learner outcomes that are evident in various degrees at each program level. These outcomes include independence, self-confidence, self-direction, time management skills, social responsibility with an understanding of the necessity to live harmoniously with people of different cultures, backgrounds, and religious beliefs, and learn how to integrate new concepts, analyze
data, and think critically. Kathleen Hill, principal/administrator of Montessori Children’s Schoolhouse in Hammond, invites you to visit the classrooms and observe the students at work in their communities.
See-
ing will enable you to truly believe in the Montessori Method of education!
The school is located at 5935 Hohman
Avenue in Hammond, Indiana. Contact the school office at 219.932.5666 or visit our website mcshammond.com for additional information. - mtm
mtm: ask the doc dr. sandee clark
H
balancing hormones can be easier than we think
Hormones play an integral part in our daily lives whether we are male or female, young or old. The balance of our hormones can be thrown off in a number of ways. And when they are not in control, your well-being and appearance can pay the price. Hormone levels are in a constant state of flux. However, there are definite “high” and “low” thresholds and a span that is considered normal. When hormones become imbalanced, patients can expect to experience things like fatigue, hair loss, memory problems, mood swings, depression, low libido, hot flashes, restless legs and more. Chiropractic care to balance hormones Many people find it surprising how Chiropractors can help regulate hormones. Chiropractors offer drug-free, non-surgical hormone restoration techniques. They involve correcting spinal subluxations, making helpful dietary changes and offering exercises that help a person control the changes with hormonal imbalances.
Too much Cortisol? | Rapid weight gain mainly in the face, chest and abdomen contrasted with slender arms and legs
Too little Cortisol? | Fatigue
| High blood pressure
| Weight loss
| Osteoporosis
| Muscle weakness
| Skin changes (i.e., bruises and purple stretch marks)
| Mood changes
| Dizziness (especially upon standing)
| Darkening of regions of the skin
| Muscle weakness | Mood swings which show as anxiety, depression or irritability | Increased thirst and frequency of urination
Since an alarming portion of the population is deficient in one or more nutrients, it’s no surprise our health suffers. There are many healthy eating plans that include eliminating and detoxification to rid the body
Spinal Subluxation When the spine is subluxated or misaligned, it puts pressure on those nerves involved. This pressure decreases the nerves ability to communicate with the rest of the body. Therefore, the brain doesn’t receive the messages it needs in order to regulate the body, or it may receive inaccurate messages. When the brain does not receive accurate messages it cannot communicate correctly with the rest of the body, and in the case of hormones, the Endocrine System which controls our hormones, cannot function properly. Once the spinal subluxation is corrected the body can then send and receive accurate messages therefore have a properly working nervous system.
of excess hormones such as cortisol and estrogen. Simply find the right plan that works for you. It will requires some research and flexibility on your part since your body will go through some major withdrawal affects but the end result will be a happy and healthier you.
Exercise Many hormonal imbalances are causes by weight management issues. It’s a fact: exercise helps reduce stress. During perimenopause, a lot of women suffer from stress hormones which become out of balance, in addition to estrogen and progesterone imbalance. Exercise is an excellent way to reduce stress and help balance your stress hormones, lift your spirits, and elevate your mood.
Diet A healthy, well balanced diet is an important part of balancing hormones. Coristol, which is the steroid hormone known as glucocorticoid, made in the cortex of the adrenal glands, controls the body’s sugar levels and regulates our metabolism, acts as an anti-inflammatory, influences memory formation and immune response and has a very important role in helping the body respond to stress.
If you exercise outside, the exposure to sunlight also helps to reset your body’s circadian rhythms, which in turn, affects sleep cycles, healthy hormone release, and other important body functions. For many women vigorous walking for a minimum of 30-minutes per day is all you need to feel more positive, energized, and able to sleep well in the evening. Will exercise fix all of your hormonal symptoms? It will not. But, it will help you cope better and bring some balance to your life.-mtm
Dr. Clark is a whole family practitioner specializing in Pediatrics, Pregnancy and Special Needs kids. A Palmer graduate, Clark offers traditional hands-on chiropractic care together with acupuncture and massage. mom to mom nwi | september 2015 | page 14
mtm feature kimberly blaker
nwi
mom to mom nwi | september 2015 | page 16
positive discipline equals positive behavior
F
Finding healthy, effective approaches to gaining children’s
tem, or one of its variations, can be used from about the age
cooperation and improving their behavior isn’t always easy.
of three on into the preteen years, depending on your child’s
The tried and true methods often turn out to be tried and tem-
level of maturity.
porary at best, especially for children with behavior problems stemming from attention deficit disorder or other behavior dis-
Getting started
orders.
Make a list of the behaviors you’d like to work on with your
One approach that works well is a token system. With this
child including positive behaviors you’d like your child to im-
method, children earn tokens for a variety of good behaviors
prove on, such as using good table manners or putting dirty
and lose tokens for misbehavior. Then they purchase rewards
clothes in the hamper. If your child is five or older, also make
or privileges with the tokens they’ve accumulated.
a separate list of problem behaviors you’d like to reduce, such as name calling or hitting.
Benefits of the token system
For children under five, the token system should be used only
The token system has a number of advantages over other forms
for reinforcing positive behavior. The frustration caused by
of discipline and behavior management plans. First, it can be
losing tokens for poor behavior will not be helpful to the pre-
carried out any time and any place. Children often act up in
schooler. That said, when a preschooler misbehaves, you can
stores or public places, leaving parents with few options for im-
simply tell your child she will not be receiving any tokens as a
mediately settling the problem. But with the token system, you
result of the bad behavior.
and your child will carry a supply of tokens everywhere you
Next, go through each list and prioritize, and choose only four
go. Before you head out, remind your child that good behavior
or five behaviors to work on at a time. Once your child has
will be rewarded and that inappropriate behavior will result in
improved on a certain behavior, remove it from the list and
immediate loss of tokens.
add a new one.
The second advantage is the token system teaches children
Next determine how many tokens to reward your child or to
how to save, budget, and plan expenditures because tokens
confiscate for specific behaviors. Your list might look similar to
are used similarly to money.
the one below. Keep in mind the number of tokens assigned
Next, this system prevents inappropriate or useless measures
to a particular behavior should fit the severity or difficulty of
that parents often utilize in the heat of the moment. The token
the behavior relative to the other behaviors on which you are
system makes empty threats a thing of the past, and because
working.
your child is aware of the consequences and your ability to administer them immediately, he’s less likely to act up.
Hang up Book Bag & Jacket. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Earn 3 tokens
Fourth, the token system is a positive approach by eliminating
Eat Supper Without Complaining . . . . . . . . . . Earn 2 tokens
criticism, yelling, arguing, and other unhealthy and ineffective
Saying Please and Thank You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Earn 1 token
ways parents often get caught up in dealing with problem be-
Completing Homework . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Earn 6 tokens
havior.
Hitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lose 5 tokens
Finally, the token system can be altered regularly to keep kids’
Tattling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lose 2 token
interest and thereby increase its effectiveness. The token sys-
Fun rewards for gaining your child’s cooperation: a trip to the ice cream parlor
favorite fast food
an hour of TV
a DVD or video game rental
playing a board game with Mom or Dad
a packet of colorful modeling clay
collector cards
a new book
bowling or roller skating
gel pen
a pass to stay up late
a treat from the ice cream truck
a trip to the park
a friend overnight
favorite meal for dinner
You should also try to estimate the number of tokens your child
big. Small children require frequent opportunities to purchase
is likely to earn and lose in a week. Your child should be able
rewards to maintain their interest.
to earn enough tokens to pay for problem behaviors. It’s not
Poker chips make good tokens. For older children assign differ-
a good idea for your child to go into debt. If this becomes a
ent point values to each color.
problem, adjust the distribution of tokens accordingly.
Finally, when handing out tokens, always verbally praise your child. Say you’re proud of his actions or appreciate her
You’ll also need to choose rewards your child can purchase
thoughtfulness. When your child is no longer earning tokens for
with the tokens. Determine what will be most enticing to your
the behavior, continued use of praise will reinforce it.
child. While a trip to rent a DVD might be a real winner with some kids, others won’t be fazed by it.
Variations
As you plan the rewards, include privileges your child asks for
If your child struggles to complete schoolwork and turn in as-
or does regularly and would be devastating to your child if the
signments, use the token system for this alone. Ask your child’s
privilege were lost. Those rewards will be the strongest moti-
teacher to send home a daily report of what your child has
vators. To make such rewards effective, you’ll need to place
completed and turned in, then reward your child’s efforts. Use
limits on those privileges unless they have been earned and
grade rewards only if your child is capable of achieving high
purchased by your child.
marks without too much difficulty.
Be sure to set guidelines with your child for rewards that re-
As your child approaches the teen years, tokens may be per-
quire your time or attention. If your child wants to buy a trip
ceived as childish. If your preteen still struggles behaviorally
to the apple orchard, require a two-day notice. While for a
and with completing tasks, offer a checkbook ledger for tally-
board game you might agree you’ll play within four hours of
ing points instead. When points are earned, have your child fill
a request.
in the ledger with the specific behavior or task and the number
Set a variety of values to the rewards so your child has the op-
of points earned. Then immediately initial to show you’ve ap-
tion to either make frequent purchases or to save for something
proved the points.
mom to mom nwi | september 2015 | page 18
mindy’s menu mindy gear
A
nwi
As September arrives, I can definitely declare that summer is over. I can easily say this because not only am I packing away the cute summer clothes, I am also packing too many things into each day. Why does summer have to be so short? I want back my lazy, carefree days where our toughest decision is the pool or beach! Too quickly we have jumped back into school (oh how I’ve missed homework), practice schedules, meets, games and the other hundred things that we need to do. Trying to find time to cook in be-
Sausage Kale Pasta
This pasta was delicious. I used a box of rigatoni noodles and spicy Italian sausage. You can substitute whatever type of noodle you prefer and also lighten up the sausage by using Italian turkey sausage
Ingredients
1 pound pasta (rigatoni, fettucine, or whatever you have on hand) 1 pound spicy Italian sausage (or chicken) 2 cloves garlic, minced or finely chopped 1 cup chicken stock 1 cup heavy cream
tween all that driving here and there is a challenge! I have recently found some pasta recipes that are extremely quick and easy. They are one dish meals that should please even the pickiest eaters. You can easily customize each recipe to fit your family’s preferences. I have tried them using various types of pasta including one with tortellini. It was delicious! Include some chopped vegetables such as peppers, mushrooms, zucchini or broccoli to make a complete one dish meal. Each of these delicious recipes takes about 30 minutes!
instead or even grilled chicken. Need it even faster: use a package of pre-cooked grilled chicken strips or a rotisserie chicken. Broccoli can also be substituted for the kale.
Directions Cook pasta according to package (a little al dente would be preferred). Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook sausage and garlic over medium-low heat until browned (about 7 minutes). Add cup chicken stock and cream. Simmer about 5-7 minutes until sauce reduces by about half. Add the chopped kale and stir a couple of minutes. You want the kale slightly wilted. Toss with warm pasta and sprinkle with ½ cup grated parmesan cheese.
1 large bunch kale, trimmed and chopped ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese mom to mom nwi | september 2015 | page 20
Pasta with Creamy Tomato Sauce This is a delicious sauce that works well with anything! When making spaghetti, I usually purchase an unseasoned can of tomato sauce instead of the premade name brand spaghetti sauces. My family just prefers a simply seasoned sauce. If you prefer a particular brand of spaghetti sauce, it will work just as well. Just remember to adjust the seasoning if you are using a ready-to-go sauce instead of one with no seasonings.
Ingredients 1 cup broth
Directions
(I’ve used chicken or vegetable, depending on what I had at the time)
2 cloves garlic, minced or finely chopped
Cook pasta according to package. Meanwhile,
2 cups tomato sauce
1 medium onion, sliced
utes. Remove sausage from pan and add gar-
½ cup heavy cream
1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
lic, onion and peppers. Sauté about 1 minute.
Seasonings
1 pound pasta or package of tortellini (18 ounce pkg), cooked al dente according to package
(basil, garlic, oregano, salt/pepper)
1 pound Italian sausage or ground beef
Garlic Breadsticks
Pasta isn’t complete without a warm, chewy breadstick. Should you find yourself with a few extra minutes, these are so yummy!
in large saucepan, brown sausage, 5-7 min-
Return sausage to pan along with broth, tomato sauce, cream, seasonings, and cooked pasta. Stir, and check seasoning, adjusting as necessary. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
Dough Ingredients
Topping Ingredients
4 ½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
½ tsp kosher salt
1 pkg active dry yeast
2 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened
Directions Melt butter. In separate container, mix salt and garlic powder. Breadstick dough: Place ¼ cup warm water in the bowl of mixer, sprinkle in the yeast and set aside until foamy (about 5 minutes). Add flour, butter, sugar, salt and 1 ¼ cups warm water. Mix with the paddle attachment until slightly sticky dough forms. Knead: Turn dough out onto a floured surface and knead about 3 minutes or until very smooth and soft. Roll into a 2 foot long log and cut into 16 1 ½” long piece. Knead each piece and shape into a 7” long breadstick. Arrange 2” apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover with a cloth, let rise in a warm spot until almost doubled (about 45 minutes). Preheat oven to 400°. Make the topping and brush breadstick using about ½ the melted butter. Sprinkle with half the salt/garlic. Bake 12-15 minutes or until lightly golden brown. Brush the remainder of the butter over warm breadsticks, then sprinkle with remainder of salt/garlic. Serve warm.
2 Tbsp sugar 1 Tbsp fine salt
3 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
¼ garlic powder
mtm: feature stephanie edwards
I
national grandparents day
In 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed into law National
To honor grandparents in our region, we asked our Facebook
Grandparents Day. It was determined that this holiday would
fans to send us pictures of their kiddos with their grandma and
fall the first Sunday of September following Labor Day. Since
grandpa - nana and papa. Here’s what we received.
then, families across the country have been celebrating this
HAPPY GRANDPARENTS DAY!! - mtm
special day with various activities and celebrations.
Fun Facts about National Grandparents Day Official Song: “A Song for Grandma and Grandpa”, by Johnny Prill | Official Flower: “Forget-me-not”
nwi
mtm feature nichole odijk demario
mom you should know: lavita cotton-alford
E
Eight years ago, Lavita Cotton-Alford gave birth to a healthy
her friends. Even though I talk to her daily and the looks and
baby girl named Nevaeh. It was love at first sight. Despite be-
smiles she gives are priceless, I still would love her to say mom.
ing awestruck with her bundle of joy maternal instincts coupled
When I see a child her age running and playing, yelling can
with her knowledge from her position as a pediatric medical
make me tear up. If I hear her laugh out loud it’s a treat…She
assistant kicked in when Nevaeh had not started to crawl or
has taught me so much without saying a word.”
walk. By 12 months, the milestones Nevaeh had met began
When her daughter received her diagnosis, Cotton-Alford says
to deteriorate. It would be another year before Cotton-Alford
she threw herself into “overdrive” and wanted to learn and
had an answer as to what was happening to her child – Rett
do everything she could to better her daughter’s quality of life
Syndrome.
all the while knowing Rett Syndrome has no cure. This includ-
Rettsyndrome.org (a non-profit corporation registered as the
ed physical, developmental, speech, occupational and equine
International Rett Syndrome Foundation) describes the syn-
therapies. Nevaeh also participated in the National History
drome as a unique postnatal neurological disorder caused by
Study for Rett Syndrome at Rush University.
mutations on the X chromosome that is recognized in infancy
Cotton-Alford hasn’t shifted from overdrive gear, just set her
and seen almost always in girls. It strikes all racial and ethnic
sights on additional ways to help her daughter. Her latest focus
groups and occurs worldwide in 1 of every 10,000 female
is on her family’s need for a wheelchair accessible van. Her
births. It has been misdiagnosed as autism, cerebral palsy or
current vehicle requires her to pick Nevaeh up out of her wheel-
non-specific development delay.
Rett
Syndrome
causes problems in brain function that are responsible for cognitive, sensory,
chair and strap her into
“When I look at my daughter I see a little girl who just happens to have Rett Syndrome.”
her car seat then breakdown her wheel chair and strategically place the parts in the back of
emotional, motor and au-
the vehicle. Once they
tonomic function causing learning, speech, sensory sensations,
arrive to their destination she has to reassemble the chair and
mood, movement, breathing, cardiac function, chewing, swal-
pick her up once again repeating the process when they leave.
lowing and digestion impairments.
“This is done rain, snow or sunshine. A wheelchair accessible
Cotton-Alford says raising a child with Rett Syndrome gave her
van would alleviate me having to pick her up as much which
a new meaning of normal from frequent doctor appointments,
has caused me to start having back spasms frequently. I fear I
regular emergency room visits requiring an overnight bag to
may drop her if a spasm occurs while I’m transferring her…the
be on the ready, carrying a bag with medicine and feeding
van would be for her safety and mine. I want to stay healthy so
supplies everywhere, the physical elements of lifting an eight-
I can continue to care for her and give her the care that she so
year-old pale in comparison to witnessing the daily battles her
deserves,” she explains.
daughter faces. Nevaeh is non-verbal and experiences daily
A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to raise the neces-
seizures, has limited use of her hands, scoliosis which will re-
sary funds to purchase the van, which can cost upwards of
quire surgery in the future and a feeding tube.
$40,000. Details may be found at gofundme.com/nevaeh06
“It’s an emotional rollercoaster as well as a physical one. I often
or by searching Wheelchair Van for Nevaeh.
look at my daughter in amazement and just think to myself how
While Cotton-Alford says coping is an everyday process where
strong she is to endure all that she goes through…she is truly
some days are better than others. She encourages families fac-
my hero,” the mother of three of Merrillville, Ind. says.
ing similar struggles to cherish everyday no matter how good
She adds, “What I dislike most about Rett Syndrome is the
or bad they are.
absence of her voice. To know I don’t know what my daughter
She says, “When I look at my daughter I see a little girl who just
sounds like is heartbreaking. To think about all the girl talks we
happens to have Rett Syndrome.” - mtm
won’t get to have. No dating, no proms, no hanging out with
mtm: trina’s picks trina bobrowski
Book Review of Michael Ratnett’s
Monsters of Class 7
N
Now that school has started, our children our busy telling us about their days and describing all the different kinds of characters they share their classroom with. I know growing up there was always that one class that was just awful; their poor teacher would just be a complete mess by the end of each school day. This month’s book will not only remind parents and children a like about those rambunctious students, it also helps reinforce how one should behave in a classroom setting. What is a nice teacher like Miss Bramble doing with a class full of monsters? Her class had every bad manner imaginable: from wiping their noses on their sleeves to never saying please or thank you. Actually, Miss Bramble wouldn’t miss a single student if they were carried off by aliens. This year Miss Bramble has a new student, Princess Priscilla. Princess Priscilla was simply delightful and well mannered. Miss Bramble wanted to show the Princess how much she liked her, so she planned a special day out. They went to the beach, sailed on a ship, froze in the Arctic but Princess Priscilla always said the same thing, “I’ve done this before.” Finally Miss Bramble took the class to Mars; surely the Princess has never been there! Little did the teacher know Princess Priscilla was very familiar with this mysterious planet. Michael Ratnett’s book MONSTERS of Class 7 takes you on a wild and crazy journey around the world and then some. The illustrations by June Goulding are so detailed, every single inch of every page is packed full of amazing scenes. You can definitely have fun picking out your favorite students doing crazy things. This story will definitely teach your children what not to do in their classrooms, because you never know what the consequences could be. - mtm
With school officially in full swing, we thought we’d bring back a
will choose our favorite, and the winner will receive 4 passes to
favorite amongst our littlest of fans – the coloring page!! This month
Bellaboo’s Children’s Play and Discovery Center. The deadline to
we are sticking with the back to school theme and asking our little
get your artwork to us is Wednesday, September 30. The winner
artists age 3-9 to color this picture and mail it to us at Mom to
will be announced on our Facebook page – GOOD LUCK!!!!
Mom, NWI 103 E. Indiana Avenue, Valparaiso, IN 46383. We
Child’s Name Age Address City State Zip Parent Phone Number
Email Address
mtm: trina’s picks trina bobrowski
Book Review of Lily Koppel’s
The Astronaut Wives Club
N
Now that Mad Men is over I was looking for a new television series with the same vintage charm and amazing wardrobe. I heard about a show called The Astronaut Wives Club, set in the 1960’s. After watching a few minutes of the program I was hooked, my next step was joining the fan Facebook page, so I could get even more details about the show. As I was scrolling through the comments of a photo, someone wrote about how lovely the couple looked but little did they know what would happened to them a few years later. After reading that I had to know, so I immediately ordered my copy of the book and couldn’t put it down. Lily Koppel has first hand accounts of what life was like during the first ever rocket launches into space, but not by the astronauts; she spoke to their wives. I found their stories fascinating; Lily Koppel does an amazing job of capturing this little place in time and making it come alive in your mind. The story begins April 1959, NASA announced the Mercury Seven America’s first group of astronauts and their wives became instant celebrities. The wives had come from different backgrounds but all had one thing in common, they led a life of constant worry and wondering if their husbands would be coming home. Astronaut Alan Shepard was the first of the Mercury Seven to go into space, following this incredible event in American history, wife Louise was taken to the White House to have dinner with the President and first lady Jackie Kennedy. Many of the wives would meet Jackie amongst other celebrities such as: Truman Capote, Bob Hope and Regis Philbin to name a few. Not everything was so wonderful and glamorous for these ladies: infidelity and loss were constantly at the forefront of their lives. Eventually NASA formed several more groups of astronauts: Gemini, Apollo and the Original Nineteen. Many of these families lived together in custom built homes just for the astronauts, which led to the formation of The Astronaut Wives Club, in which they looked to each other for comfort, strength and the ability to survive a tumultuous existence in front of America. Lily Koppel’s book also includes photos of the ladies, from the original Time Life magazine cover to the wives at home during launch times. She also listed each individual wife, a small synopsis of her character and which group her husband was in. This is such a wonderful read, I had no idea what they men and women went through to begin America’s space program, when one thinks of early space exploration Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin come to mind. These seven amazing men and even more amazing women braved that new frontier together and some are still having meetings and reminiscing today. - mtm
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food allergies & school
When Scarlet Spain began her doctoral degree three years ago she turned to her own life for inspiration for her doctorate project. Her daughter Lilly (then 5-years-old) had spent nearly her entire life with life threatening allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish and unbaked eggs. Spain, a DNP, CNS and FNPBC developed a best practices management of food allergies in schools. “I was shocked and completely devastated and in some denial after Lilly’s diagnosis. Food allergies are so frightening because reactions can be quick and extremely severe,” Spain of Valparaiso, Ind. and a mother of two says. “I identified a need for education in childcare/schools as Lilly was growing up and starting to venture out to places where I couldn’t always be with her to keep her safe.” The non-profit organization Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) reports food allergies affect 1 in every 13 children (under 18-years-old) in the United States. That equates to two affected children in every classroom. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports food allergies among children increased by approximately 50 percent between 1997 and 2011. There is no clear reason why this is occurring and no cure. The most common foods that account for 90 percent of all allergic reactions include milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish and shellfish. In Spain’s research she was astonished to learn the number of children with diagnosed food allergies who will experience a reaction while at school. It further emphasized her desire to focus on education of caregivers, teachers, school staff, etc. Her doctoral work developed a best practice policy to keep children with food allergies safe in school. The policy can be adjusted to any setting where a child with food allergies would be present. Spain stresses children with food allergies should always have an emergency care plan, oral antihistamine and two epinephrine auto-injectors at easy access. The responsible adult should be competent in recognizing signs and symptoms of food allergy reactions and administration of the epinephrine auto-injector. School staff and everyone who cares for a child with allergies should be made aware of the emergency care plan and know how and when to administer the epinephrine auto-injector. It should be kept in a safe place in very close proximity to the child as a lapse in time of administration with anaphylaxis (a severe, potentially life threatening allergic reaction) could lead to death. “I can honestly say that even as a nurse practitioner I was not aware of the severity of food allergies until I dealt with it first hand. With food allergies, even “just a bite” or cross contamination when foods are next to or prepared by the offending food can be deadly,” she says.
While the best practices policy she created helps to create a safe environment for a child with allergies, Spain says there is also awareness needed for the emotional elements of such a diagnosis. “It has been tough. Every day that she [Lilly] gets older I feel better about sending her out into the world. Evidence shows that the psychosocial effects of food allergies can be difficult on the child and the food allergic child may even experience bullying
CDC Symptoms of Food Allergy in Children Symptoms Communicated by Children with Food Allergies4 It feels like something is poking my tongue My tongue (or mouth) is tingling (or burning) My tongue (or mouth) itches My tongue feels like there is hair on it My mouth feels funny There’s a frog in my throat; there’s something stuck in my throat My tongue feels full (or heavy) My lips feel tight It feels like there are bugs in there (to describe itchy ears) It (my throat) feels thick It feels like a bump is on the back of my tongue (throat)
related to their allergies,” Spain says. Spain details her daughter has been lucky to be part of a great school where she has not been subjected to bullying. However, she has not been invited to birthday parties because parents were concerned about managing her allergies. For parents learning to navigate raising a child with food allergies, Spain says education and a willingness to advocate are key. For those that do not have children with allergies who may be in a position to support a parent who does, Spain suggests patience and understanding. “It has been completely heartwarming to see the amount of support our family has had related to Lilly’s diagnosis. Most importantly, inclusion in ‘normal’ activities that school children are involved in. Usually with a few minor adjustments, this can be made possible and Lilly can enjoy activities safely,” she says. For parents or caregivers struggling to deal with food allergies, general questions regarding management in food allergies or parties interested in implementing a food allergies best practices policy, Spain may be reached at scarletspainfnp@gmail. com. - mtm
community calendar
nwi
TASTE OF DUNELAND Saturday, September 5 from 11:00am-11:00pm Come out for a day of family fun at the annual Taste of Duneland at Thomas Centennial Park. Kids can enjoy a variety of games and activities and adults can enjoy the beer and wine garden, live band, and karaoke. There will food booths from restaurants and non-profits located in the area. For more information, go to www.DuneBig.com TRAILBLAZING: A DUNES AFFAIR Saturday, September 12 starting at 6:00pm Dunes Learning Center will celebrate excellence in environmental education with an evening of fiery fun featuring the presentation of the 2015 Green Apple Award. This year’s honoree is noted American environmentalist, Indiana dunes champion and Dunes Learning Center co-founder, Lee Botts. The gala evening begins with two hours of mixing and mingling fueled by cocktails, scrumptious hors d’oeuvres, live music by local favorites, Chris and Lou, and a silent auction offering one-of-a-kind items and experiences. The award presentation will kick off with a short film and feature VIP presenters and a few surprises. All event proceeds support Dunes Learning Center programs, inspiring curiosity and a love of learning. Trailblazing: A Dunes Affair will be held at the Spa Special Events Center in Porter. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $100 per person. Tables of eight are available for $700. For tickets and sponsorship information, visit DunesLearningCenter.org.
MOMMY’S HAVEN 2ND ANNUAL BENEFIT Sunday, September 13 from 10:00am-4:00pm Mommy’s Haven, the future maternity home in Lake County for pregnant women in need, will host their 2nd annual benefit at the Industrial Building at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Crown Point. This event will feature a car show, raffles, food vendors, live music, bounce houses and worship service by Faith Bible Church. A portion of the benefits proceeds will go to Royal Family Kids Camp. The mission of Mommy’s Haven is to empower and equip pregnant women seeking parenting options by providing physical, emotional and spiritual support during and after pregnancy. For more information, go to www.mommyshaven.org or call 219.552.4819. POLISH HERITAGE FESTIVAL Sunday, September 13 Come out for the Polish Heritage Festival at International Friendship Gardens is Michigan City. This fun-filled event includes a performance by the “Wesoly Lud” Polish folk dancers, music by the “EZ Tones” polka band, a beer garden, cultural displays, pisanki demonstration, raffles and vendors and much more. For more information, call 219.464.1369.
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.
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