South Jersey MOM Nov-Dec 2018 by South Jersey MOM

NOV/DEC

5 Healthy HOLIDAY SNACKS KIDS WILL LOVE

2018

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FUN THINGS TO DO IN

MULLICA HILL THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

THE POWER OF

PRESCHOOL

Get a Great

HOLIDAY PHOTO See page 5

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

• Everyday Challenges with Diabetes • Meet the Real Estate Experts

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EDITOR

Photo credit JCPenney Portrait Studios

he November/December issue is devoted to the holiday season. I can’t wait to bake my way through “Raise the Bar” (page 18) and connect with my inner naughty Mrs. Santa by surprising my husband with At-Home Date Night Guide for Busy, Tired Couples (page 8). There’s even greater rewards giving to those in need during the holiday season. One organization, American Diabetes Association (page 10) is making a difference. Did you

know that Diabetes causes more deaths than breast cancer and AIDS combined? You can honor a friend or a loved one this holiday with a donation in their name that will lead to a cure and provide support to others living with diabetes. You can find great breastfeeding tips, Notes From a Real Mom (page 16) with advice that breastfeeding is an opportunity to bond and to be close to your infant uninterrupted. This month grab your cup of hot chocolate and be sure to head over to Mullica Hill to see the beautiful holiday lights and learn more about the town in the article on page 12. Local blogger and history enthusiast, Barbara Wilchensky, shares tips on visiting places right here in South Jersey to create a fun-filled day for your family. Make plenty of memories this holiday and be sure to count your blessings.✲

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Your friend & fellow MOM,

Karen Ognibene, Executive Editor karen@superiorgx.com

Avery is three years old and has 4 older siblings. She loves dressing up, playing with baby dolls and going to the park. “Going to Aunt Alicia’s” is her favorite thing to do. Her favorite colors are pink and purple. She has a dog, Freckles, who is her best bud.

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South Jersey MOM

Nov/Dec 2018 CEO/Publisher Christopher Ognibene • (609) 670-1794 chris@superiorgx.com Executive Editor Karen Ognibene • (609) 230-6280 karen@superiorgx.com Marketing & Business Development Specialist Michelle Scianni • (856) 986-9606 michelle@superiorgx.com For General Advertising Inquiries Marissa Josephick • (856) 537-7089 ocrazyjane@gmail.com Production Manager Lisa Celfo lisasjmom@gmail.com Editorial Assistant Julia Ognibene Cover Photographer Ron Farina Photography www.southjerseymom.com

Created by Markations Adam Nichols • (215) 825-7499

CANDY CANE WINTER HOLIDAY TREATS Here’s a whimsical winter tree craft to make with your children this holiday season! Use it as an ornament for a Christmas tree, give it as a small homemade present, or make a bunch for holiday dinner table decorations. You’ll need the following to make these little trees: • Candy canes • Green crepe streamers • Pom-poms • Mini peanut butter cups • Craft glue

Superior Graphics Print Management LLC publishes South Jersey MOM™ monthly and distributes it throughout the region. The publication is available free of charge at select locations. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is not permitted without the authorization of the publisher. Superior Graphics Print Management, LLC, Publisher of South Jersey MOM P.O. BOX 268 • Wenonah, NJ 08090 Main: (609) 670-1794 Fax: (856) 210-1524 All materials and services provided in this magazine are for informational or educational purposes only

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Break the top curved part off the candy cane, making a straight stick. Fold a couple feet of green crepe streamers in half. Then make cuts along the entire length, being careful not to cut all the way through the folded crepe. Take the “fringed” green crepe and wrap it around the candy cane piece so that it looks like a pine tree, gluing to hold in place. At the top of the candy cane piece and the green crepe, glue on a craft pom-pom. To finish the craft, stick the other end of the candy cane into a peanut butter cup. Louisa Kopp is a South Jersey mom and writer. Follow her blog at www.icecreamoffpaperplates.com for party and craft ideas, recipes, and humorous parenting stories.

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MAGAZINE

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When you feed your relationship, your children reap the benefits!

AT-HOME DATE NIGHT GUIDE FOR BUSY, TIRED COUPLES

et’s face it, parenting leaves little room for couple time. Date night requires time, energy and money, right? Not necessarily. With a little creativity (and I mean little), you can find ways to intimately connect and share fun adult experiences together. Your relationship, like your children, deserves your attention. To jump start your dates, here is a list of 15 date night ideas. Some of these dates simply add something extra special to the “standard”, while others require a little advanced planning. To avoid babysitting costs, these dates can be implemented after the kids go to sleep! ◗ Friday

Night Champagne and Popcorn: On Friday nights at 8:00, my retired in-laws would drink champagne, eat popcorn and watch TV in bed. So simple. ◗ No Tech Tuesday: One of my couple clients said they love the space this provides midweek…an opportunity to turn off technology and turn on conversation. ◗ Food/Wine Tasting: Choose 3-4 varieties of cheese/fruit paired with wine and indulge in the sensory experience. ◗ Sunday Spa Night: Soak in the tub together and talk before the week gets hectic…bubbles required! ◗ Saturday Night Comedy: Laughter is bonding! Watch a stand-up comedy hour, a comedy roast and/or a marathon of your favorite funny shows. ◗ Picnic At-Home: Throw a blanket on the floor, some special treats and beverages – if you have a fireplace, even better. ◗ Plan Your Next Vacation: …And then book it! It doesn’t have to be lavish – a long weekend, an overnight, with or without kids, up to you. Just do it. 8 | Nov/Dec 2018

By Carolynn Aristone, MSW, LCSW ◗ Ice

Cream Sunday Night: Not just for kids, be sure to include all the super yummy, gooey fixin’s! If you prefer healthy, create a yogurt parfait! ◗ Double Date Night: Have another couple over but keep it simple. Play games, share food, enjoy adult conversation. ◗ Foot Massage: Include a warm foot soak first, followed by massage oils. Take turns on different nights, one partner Friday, the other on Saturday. ◗ Poker Night: Play real poker! Include fun snacks, music and beverages. ◗ Music Night – Music playlists are not just for teens! Spend an evening making playlists together for your music library. ◗ Dark Chocolate/Glass of wine: Consume these while lounging in bed together. Super fun and super sexy! ◗ Restaurant At Home: We recently ordered in, put candles on the table and played sexy jazz music. Better than a restaurant! ◗ His/Her Choice Night – Bring mystery to your date night. One of you gets to be in charge for the evening – anything goes! Couples develop an intimacy deficit when they solely focus on the kids and forget to feed their own relationship. Intimacy does not require a lot of time or money, simply the conscious intention and plan to connect. When you feed your relationship, your children reap the benefits! Carolynn Aristone, MSW, LCSW is the CEO of The Center for Intimate Relationships. For more information, visit www.myintimaterelationship.com.

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THE REALITY OF

TYPE 1 DIABETES

By Lisa Figueiredo

iabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Center for Disease Control. Over 40,000 people are diagnosed with Type I Diabetes each year in the United States. According to the American Diabetes Association, (ADA), About 208,000 Americans under age 20 are estimated to have diagnosed diabetes. In 2008 through 2009, the annual incidence of diagnosed diabetes in youth was estimated at 18,436 children with Type 1 Diabetes. Type 1 Diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, and was previously known as juvenile Diabetes. Only 5% of people with diabetes have this form of the disease. In Type 1 Diabetes, the body does not produce insulin. The body breaks down the sugars and starches you eat into a simple sugar called glucose, which it uses for energy. Insulin is a hormone that the body needs to get glucose from the bloodstream into the cells of the body. For moms of diabetic children the statistic are a reality they struggle with on a daily basis in their everyday lives. For one South Jersey mom, Elise Cooney, the day begins much like other parents waking her 7-year old daughter up for school. Only she wakes her daughter up while checking her sugar and asking her what she wants for breakfast. She uses a Dexcom, a machine that helps monitor and track glucose levels to calibrate her sugar, a process she does 2-3 times a day. After doing that she carefully measures the foods by carbohydrate count, a process she has down to a science. Sometimes her daughter complains half way through her meal that she’s full, or her stomach hurts. Now, she has to account for the lost carbs, a tedious process. “That is the hard part, trying to coax a child to eat when she doesn’t want to eat anymore, or giving her juice or milk to make up for the carbs that she was already dosed for,” said Cooney. In the hustle and bustle of a morning rush, Cooney then carefully measures food for her daughter’s lunch so that the school nurse will know how many carbohydrates her daughter is eating. Her daughter then chooses from list of carefully carb counted items what she wants to eat for lunch. The nurse checks her blood sugar three times throughout the day and if necessary when she feels it is high or low. With the multitude of activities today’s busy children participate in, soccer, art, clubs, music, maintaining blood sugar is a constant struggle. “You always have to constantly wonder if her blood sugar is going to go low. Or even if it doesn’t go low now, she has delayed lows later in the evening, usually for my daughter it is around 9-11pm at night, right after 10 | Nov/Dec 2018

she has fallen asleep and we are trying to wake her up from being low, which is extremely hard, said Cooney. SYMPTOMS Recognizing the symptoms of Type I Diabetes can be crucial in the treatment and care of the patient. Symptoms that may occur suddenly can include: • Extreme thirst • Frequent urination/bed wetting • Drowsiness or lethargy • Increased appetite • Sudden weight loss • Sudden vision changes • Sugar in the urine • Fruity, sweet or wine-like odor on breath • Heavy or labored breathing • Stupor or unconsciousness • Support/Advise For Cooney the strong support of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) has given her strength and support to better cope with the disease. As a mother of a diabetic child, Cooney’s advice to other mothers is to, “Take it one day at a time. It’s important to find other parents in the area that have children with diabetes, it has been therapeutic talking to other mothers about our children with diabetes, and they truly “get it”. We have gotten involved with JDRF, we did our first walk during Lauren’s birthday weekend in Wildwood this year. We’ve met a lot of great people through JDRF,” she said. Get the Dexcom for your child. It has already saved Lauren’s life once, when she dropped so low and wouldn’t have known since it wasn’t a time that we’d normally check her and she was already asleep for the night so she couldn’t tell us that she felt low. And sometimes Lauren doesn’t feel her lows, so it has alerted us when she was low during the day as well. Treatment aims at maintaining normal blood sugar levels through regular monitoring, insulin therapy, diet, and exercise. With the help of insulin therapy and other treatments, even young children can learn to manage their condition and live long, healthy lives.

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Tree in the winter. Additionally, the stretch of road along Main Street is also home to many festivals and war reenactments throughout the year, making it a family-fun destination. With miles of farmland throughout Mullica Hill, it is no wonder you can find numerous orchards and farms providing yearround family-fun. At Mood’s Farm Market, from spring to fall, there is always a fruit or vegetable in season for you to pick on your own and delicious snacks to purchase. Creamy Acres is another popular location offering year-round entertainment with barnyard walks and hayrides, and the Night of Lights Country Christmas in December. Hill Creek Farm is also a local farm offering year-round fun, including an enormous fire pit for chilly evenings, a café and bakery, a playground, and even Barrel Train Rides for the kids! Many of the locations offer great party packages for an extra special birthday. Even the local winery in Mullica Hill has festivals that include entertainment for both adults and kids!

MULLICA HILL:

Antiques to Agriculture

By Barbara Wilchensky

ullica Hill is an area in Gloucester Country that encompasses Harrison, South Harrison, and Elk Townships. The area, named after the Mullica family from Finland, was founded in the very early 1700’s. The English and Quakers moved to the area establishing plantations along Raccoon Creek, a 22.6-mile tributary of the Delaware River. Agriculture was and still is a significant part of the community. It was not until after the Revolutionary War, however, that the area began to flourish, fueled primarily by the development of the gristmill, which partially still stands today. For an extended period of time, iron and wool production were essential to the livelihood of the town. Continuing to grow after the Civil War, new residents began to build Victorian style homes. Many of these beautiful homes, restored to their original luster, are visible

12 | Nov/Dec 2018

along Main Street. Several are now home to a variety of lovely shops, including antiques, as the area is a popular destination for antique enthusiasts. In 1991, Mullica Hill earned its place on the National Historic Registry and the Old Town Hall, erected in 1871, currently houses the Mullica Hill Museum. Old Town Hall is located along Main Street and is the center for many town activities including the Annual Ghost Walk and the Lighting of the

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Mullica Hill is a unique area that has much to do for all ages. Whether you choose to browse the many antique stores, reminiscing about days from the past or you opt for an outdoor adventure that may lead to baking at the end of the day, Mullica Hill is the place to do it. Mark a day on your calendar, perhaps for the annual Mullica Hill Lights on Main with the traditional lighting of the town tree, and take the family for a visit. You will most likely find yourself making a few more trips as there is so much to see and do! www.southjerseymom.com

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PRESCHOOL IS THE MOST IMPORTANT GRADE IN SCHOOL BY CHERYL LYNNE POTTER

For many children, preschool is the start of the foundation to learning that will help them succeed later on in elementary school and throughout their school career

or young children, preschool is very important. In fact, some experts say preschool is the most important grade a child could ever attend. The reason why is simple. Preschool is a child’s first exposure to structured learning. For many children, preschool is the start of the foundation to learning that will help them succeed later on in elementary school and throughout their school career. Preschool gives youngsters, according to the website Parents.com, a “chance to play with other children, to work in groups, to take turns, to hear conversations. All these experiences set them up with social skills that they’re going to use for the rest of their lives.” Children who go to high quality preschools, according to the website, are more than ready for kindergarten. “They have richer vocabularies. They have stronger social skills. They know how to work within a group.” They even have, according to the website, stronger math skills and pre-reading skills. “Everything is primed and ready for the learning to happen when they get to kindergarten.” However, this is not news to South Jersey Grand mom, Kathy Nichols. Her granddaughter, Kendal, first attended, what she calls a pre preschool program at the age of 2. She’s now a student at a Pre-K program in Glassboro. “We wanted Kendal to gain independence. We wanted her to be challenged intellectually - a place that would teach her letters, words, math concepts, etc.,” said Nichols. She also wanted Kendal to be “challenged socially,” as well as, have “a love of learning.” It’s important, said Nichols, to have children well prepared to enter kindergarten. “An early 14 | Nov/Dec 2018

education program will teach children routines, respect for authority and others, socialization skills and academics.” Preschool also gives children, experts say, an opportunity for growth in a structured setting. It teaches youngsters, they say, how to share, follow instruction, take turns and even how to raise their hand when they want to ask a question in class. Preschool also teaches children how to compromise, be respectful of others and how to solve problems. Youngsters discover in preschool, what they are capable of and how to do some things for themselves without the help of mommy and daddy. Most importantly, preschool helps to prepare children academically for kindergarten, which has over the years become more academically rigorous. Yet, for many parents, the question still exists, what should they look for in finding that ideal high quality preschool program for their kids? One answer, experts say, is to look for a staff that understands how young children learn and develop. The staff should also know how to organize their space, time and activities to be in sync with their student’s social, emotional, physical and cognitive abilities.They should also know how to make their students feel safe and secure. High quality programs, experts say, know how to nurture that warm relationship with their students, as we as with their parents. Overall, a good quality preschool helps to build upon the knowledge, skills and confidence needed for children to do well in kindergarten and as they continue to learn later on in life.

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Breastfeeding: Notes From a Real Mom By Brie Latini • If you can, invest in a few good nursing bras and tanks. I tried to be cheap and buy the inexpensive ones. It did not turn our well. Quality pieces will last the duration of your breastfeeding experience and can even be passed on to another mom after! • When you have a newborn, everyone wants to help! If you are lucky enough to be surrounded by friends and family who can offer an extra set of hands, take them up on it! As a nursing mother, all of the feeding will be in your hands (…and boobs). Take your breaks when you can get them. • Enjoy the time with your baby while you are nursing. It is an opportunity to bond and to be close to your infant uninterrupted. • That said, sometimes it can be a little lonely to spend time with someone who doesn’t speak. You will spend a lot of time nursing, and a lot of time bonding. It’s okay to use some of the time to catch up on your DVR’ed episodes of “Scandal” or read a book.

hen we found out I was pregnant with my son, I knew immediately that we would choose breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, and widely considered the “best” feeding choice for infants and toddlers. There would be a minimal amount of bottles to fill, wash, and pack. As long as my body cooperated, we would never run out, eliminating the need for a late-night run to the store for formula. Happily, we were able to nurse successfully, but it was a tough start while we both tried to figure out what we were doing! During that time, I reached out to anyone I could for advice, and found that the most useful information came from other nursing mothers. Here’s a list of the ten best tips I received: • Watch out for flailing baby hands because if one of those flying fists of death happens to get a grip on your milky bits, it will bring 16 | Nov/Dec 2018

tears to your eyes! Try looking online for nursing or teething jewelry, which can help keep the hands of your little one occupied while you nurse. • If you plan of going back to work and do not want to wear your little one, speak with your employer before you go out on maternity leave. Make sure there are clear expectations concerning how often you will need a break to pump, if there is a place to store your collected breast milk, and if there is a clean, comfortable, private place to pump. “The Milk Memos” by Cate Colburn-Smith and Andrea Serrette is a fantastic read for any working, breastfeeding mama! • Speaking of pumping, if you plan on utilizing a breast pump, do some research. If you only plan on pumping occasionally, you may not need the same heavy-duty pump as someone who will pump several times a day. Read reviews, ask other nursing mothers, and choose a pump based on your needs. This may not be the trendiest or most expensive pump.

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• While you are still in the hospital, utilize the services of a lactation consultant, and ask for a list of support services to use when you are home. Consider joining the La Leche League, an organization that promotes breast feeding and offers support to nursing mothers. • Be sure to take care of yourself. Keeping another human alive with your body is serious work. Do your best to eat well, stay hydrated, and be rested. • My last bit of advice is the most importanttry to stay relaxed! While I was pregnant, I stressed myself out, worrying that breast feeding might not work out. I was very lucky- after a few days, my son and I took to nursing like champs. But, had it not worked out, I would have been upset. It can be so easy to lose your mind trying to be a “perfect” mother, but is a mother who nurses better than a mother who formula feeds? Nope. Feeding your baby in a manner that works for you and leaves your baby full and healthy is the most important thing. There are any number of great choice to make when it comes to raising your children. Pick the ones that work and go! www.southjerseymom.com

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recipe corner

Raise the BAR This Holiday Season

ave the calorie packed holiday cookies for a special treat and eat the grab-and-go granola bar snack instead. Individually wrap and store in the frig to keep your waistline this holiday season. Here are some of South Jersey Mom’s staff favorites. Prep Your Pan. Preheat oven to 325° F. Line 9-by-13-inch baking pan with parchment paper; don’t worry about the paper overhanging the pan edges. Lightly coat with cooking spray. Mix the Dry Stuff. Combine 3 cups of old-fashioned rolled oats, 1 cup crispy brown rice cereal and ¼ teaspoon salt with the ingredients of one of the yummy flavors (to the right) in a large bowl. Hold It Together. Add in 2/3 cup brown rice syrup or light corn syrup, ½ cup nut butter, seed butter or pumpkin puree in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 25 seconds (or heat in saucepan for 1 minute) Add to the dry ingredients and stir until evenly combined. Firmly press into the pan with a spatula. Bake’Em Up. Chose to make chewy or crunchy. For chewier bars, bake until barely starting to color around the edges and still soft in the middle about 20 to 25 minutes. For crunchier bars, bake until golden brown around the edges and firm in the middle, 30 to 35 minutes. Cool in pan for 10 minutes. Using the overhang parchment, lift the bars out of the pan onto cutting board. Cut into bars and let cool without moving for about 30 minutes. Separate and enjoy!

18 | Nov/Dec 2018

APRICOT-SUNFLOWER • 1 cup dried apricots • ½ cup pepitas • ½ cup sunflower seeds • ½ cup sunbutter • 1 tsp. ground cinnamon CHERRY-CHOCOLATE CHIP • 1 cup dried cherries • ½ cup almonds • ½ cup chocolate chips • ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut • ½ cup almond butter • 1 tsp. vanilla

BANANA-PEANUT • 1 cup dried bananas • ½ cup peanuts • ½ cup almonds • 1 tsp. ground ginger PUMPKIN SPICE • ½ cup pumpkin puree • ½ cup pepitas • ½ tsp. cinnamon • ½ tsp. ginger • ¼ tsp. nutmeg • ¼ tsp. cloves

BLUEBERRY-CASHEW • 1 cup dried blueberries • ½ cup cashews • ½ cup flaxseed • ½ cup cashew butter • 1 tsp. vanilla

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We begin each day with a positive approach to learning.

Private Special Education … Sometimes, it starts with a twinkle in the eye. Just a little spark of curiosity that soon blossoms into a journey of discovery, learning and achievement. That’s because at our private special education schools, we see beyond a child’s disability, and awaken the joy and creative expression within. Our schools are welcoming places where students feel at home and are able to enjoy a rich and rewarding social life. Our students feel cherished, well cared for and respected for a very good reason—it is part of our mission and our commitment. Students at our special education schools experience a school day as it should be—filled with discovery, achievement, learning and friendship. Here, they have people they know they can count on—outstanding teachers, therapists, counselors, psychologists and job coaches who constantly encourage and support them.

an Option You Should Know About! With individualized attention, on-site therapies and vocational training, our schools deliver unparalleled services for students with special needs. Our New Jersey Department of Education certified special education teachers, licensed therapists and counselors provide expert, advanced instruction and support … along with plenty of smiles.

These unique services are provided at NO COST for families. Find out if private special education is the right fit for your child. Our staff can help answer your questions. To find out more about what programs may be right for your child, call us at 1-800-697-8555 or visit SpecialEducationSchools.org

www.southjerseymom.com

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