Mid Valley MOM | June/July 2020

real local moms

since 2005

Mid Valley | June / July 2020

COVER MOM

SUMMER FUN

A FRUIT AND A VEGETABLE

KORI SARRETT

ON A BUDGET

WATERMELON

We’re here …

… for your child’s health.

Your family’s health and well-being are top priorities, for you and for us. As our communities meet the challenges of COVID-19, well-child checkups and vaccinations are as important as ever.

When you make an appointment you can be assured that many safety measures are in place, including telehealth appointments, pre-appointment health screenings, physical distancing, face coverings requirement and strict cleaning and disinfecting.

Need a new health care provider? Call 800-863-5241.

samhealth.org 2 mommag.com

It’s what‘s

Summer Fun On A Budget

20

Meet the MOM experts ... 4

inside that counts

Backyard Chickens

22

Watermelon

28

They know what they’re

Cover MOM: Kori Sarrett........................10

Should you get

talking about

This mom gets real

backyard chickens?

Because I said so............... 5

Summer Fun on a budget......................20

Watermelon......................28

A message from MOM

Let’s Talk Health................. 7 Your health questions

Backyard Chickens.........22

A fruit and a vegetable

Low-cost ways for you and your crew to get outside

answered by Samaritian Health Services

More ways to love your MOM mommag.com

facebook.com/ lovemommag

Cover MOM

10

Photos by Emily Hall Photography

info@mommag.com We love hearing from you. Email us with feedback, story ideas or nominations.

Advertise today Want to get the word out about your business?

Contact Linda Blair at linda@mommag.com mommag.com 3

meet the

experts

[They know what they’re talking about]

Natural.

Style.

Natural Choices with Emily Stimac, page 9

About Home Style with Heather Van Eyk, page 25

Health.

Say Cheese.

Focus.

Let’s Talk Health with Samaritan Health Services, page 7

Say Cheese with Dr. Wade Haslam, page 15

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother

Learn.

Smile.

Partners in Education with Carla Towery, page 17

Something to Smile About with Dr. Jay Vaikuntam, page 31

would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”

“

– Fred Rogers.

4 mommag.com

Focus on MOM with Carli Lancaster, O.D., page 27

Thrive.

Go Out and Play with Karen Swanger, page 19

EDITOR'S NOTE

Because I said so!

Published by GO Creative, LLC 263 29th Avenue SW Albany, OR 97322 Editor-in-Chief Managing Director Audrey Meier DeKam audrey@mommag.com Mid-Valley & Lane County Business Development Manager Linda Blair linda@mommag.com 541-231-7250 Salem Advertising Representative Kim Leighty kim.leighty@mommag.com 503-510-9036 Tri-Cities Business Development Manager Kim Harvey kim@mommag.com 509-460-6526 Designer Sean Carver

MOM MagazineTM is produced by GO Creative, LLC. © 2020 All rights reserved. Any reproduction, in whole or part, without written permission of the publisher, is prohibited.

Information in the magazine is provided for general information purposes only with the understanding that none of the content constitutes professional advice.

Opinions expressed by the writers or advertisers are not necessarily the opinions o f the magazine or the publisher. Inclusion in the magazine does not constitute endorsement of information, products or services.

What a wild parenting journey it’s been, eh?

I

don’t think there’s a mom out there who hasn’t felt put through the ringer these past few months as we rode the waves of our new socially distant lifestyles. However the COVID-19 pandemic has touched your lives, I’m wishing you sanity and peace. And if you broke down and screamed like a howler monkey at some point during it all, you weren’t the only one...hopefully it wasn’t caught on your kid’s video distance learning session.

In the middle of the chaos, some good things happened, too. For me, it was becoming the editor-in-chief of MOM Magazine. I’ve been a fan of this publication since it began because it seemed to understand me, as a local mom, as it was geared to where I live, work and raise my children. It is with pride that I follow the footsteps of the editors before me, as this really is a brilliant little magazine for moms.

A little about me: I live in Albany, Oregon, with my husband, Kevin, and our two boys, Elijah, age 13, and Powell, age 11.

We have a big goofy golden retriever, Murphy, and a cat, Tomato. Our life on a cul-de-sac is filled with foam bullets, bikes, balls and scooters strewn about outside, and too much video gaming on the inside (even the husband is a gamer).

Life with boys is all new to me because I grew up with two older sisters. The boy moms out there warned me it would be a lot of fights, farts and video games, and they were right!

We have an unusual summer ahead of us.

Some of your family’s typical activities and escapes might be off the table, which means we’ll have to get creative. Follow us on Facebook for ideas and insights, and let us know what you’re doing with your kids this summer. As the saying goes, this too shall pass — maybe like a kidney stone, but it will pass.

Stay healthy.

Why? Because I said so!

Audrey Meier DeKam Editor-in-Chief

mommag.com 5

[ Momism #39: Look

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Let’s talk health

Let’s talk health

Have a question you forgot to discuss at the doctor’s office or are too embarrassed to ask? The experts at Samaritan Health Services are here to help.

™

I’m getting ready to have my first child.

How often will I need to bring her in for check-ups?

QA

Coronavirus has brought a new appreciation for enjoying time on my back patio. Do you have any tips on how to enjoy the sun while limiting skin damage?

Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB radiation.

O PROTECT your skin and reduce your chances of cancer, follow these simple tips when you are exposed to the sun.

Limit the amount of time you are in the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

T

Reapply sunscreen every two hours.

Wear a hat and sunglasses with 100% UV absorption.

— Joshua Schirripa, PA-C, Samaritan Lebanon Health Center

Use at least SPF30 sunscreen every day, even if it is cloudy.

Brought to you by:

T

HE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS has developed a schedule for well-child care, which recommends a total of 12 well-child visits at regular intervals from birth through age 3, with annual checkups thereafter.

These visits keep your child up to date with vaccinations, track their growth and development, and provide an opportunity to discuss milestones, social behaviors and childhood learning with your pediatrician.

— Amy Starr, MD, Mid-Valley Children’s Clinic, Albany

Schedule of well-child visits The first week visit (3 to 5 days old)

15 months old

1 month old 2 months old

2 years old (24 months)

4 months old

3 years old

6 months old

Once a year thereafter

9 months old

18 months old

12 months old Call Samaritan Health Services Find a Doctor line at 800-863-5241 to find a provider who is right for you.

mommag.com 7

[ Momism #70:

Did you comb your hair?

ering f f o w No alth Telehe ts tmen n i o p p a ay

d

call to

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Now accepting adult clients with Samaritan Health Plans, Pacific Source, Moda and Regence BCBS 8 mommag.com

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541 368-3152 centerfordevelopinghope.com

]

Nothing says summer like a slice of sweet, juicy watermelon. You’ll find a wide variety of fresh, local, organic watermelon all summer at the Co-op, where local growers bring us red and yellow fleshed varieties, with or without seeds, in sizes that vary from a solo snack to ones that could feed a picnic. Fresh picked watermelons make us want to celebrate—join our watermelon party with these easy and fun recipes!

Watermelon Cake: Cut water-

melon in half, crosswise. Stand each half on its cut side. Cut away rind on remaining sides, leaving yourself with two cylinders, one slightly smaller than the other. Stack the melon cylinders on a plate, putting the larger one on the bottom. Now

Come to the First Alternative Natural Foods Co-op for all of your grocery needs. It’s the natural choice.

decorate the cake with grapes, kiwi slices, oranges, apples, strawberries, and anything else tasty. Use toothpicks as needed to hold fruit in place.

Agua Fresca: While it’s not the

sort of cake you need a drink to wash down, we’ve still got one for you. In a blender, combine 4 cups cubed watermelon (seedless, and the riper the better), 1.5 cups water, 1 tablespoon sugar, and 2 teaspoons of freshly squeezed lime juice. Mix at high speed until smooth. Pour the mixture through a mesh strainer into a large pitcher and stir in another 1.5 cups water.

Refrigerate until cold and serve over ice. For extra freshness, garnish with a sprig of mint.

Two locations in Corvallis 1007 SE 3rd • 541-753-3115 2855 NW Grant • 541-452-3115 Open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily www.firstalt.coop

Emily Stimac of First Alternative Co-op and her children.

Philomath Montessori School Serving Corvallis & Philomath since 1984

Now Enrolling for Fall 2020 Offering a small school atmosphere for children 2 ½ - 6

1123 Main St. Philomath • 541-929-2672 • philomathmontessori.org

“The child is both a hope and a promise for mankind.”

-Maria Montessori

mommag.com 9

KORI SARRETT

Cover MOM Kori Sarrett took an unexpected path to motherhood, but wouldn’t have it any other way.

With husband Chris, two tweens, two dogs and 20-year-old cat, she’s practicing how to not fret over the little things...and maybe even take up skateboarding.

Cover story photos by: Emily Hall Photography

10 10 mommag.com

Family comes first.

All families are unique. Tell us about yours. Chris and I have been married for 16 years. We officially adopted Junior and Karlee on Oct. 28, 2015 after being their guardians for a little more than five years. We have my grumpy old dog Murphy and our sweet little black dog Claire, who we got for the kids so they had a dog that liked them. We also share the house with our 20-yearold cat, Morgan, who I rescued when I was in college from under a house. She’s a sweet old lady who thinks Karlee is the best person she’s ever met.

When did you know you wanted to be a mom? Funny story: I didn’t know I wanted to be one. We hadn’t

planned on kids being a part of our future. My younger sister had struggled with addiction all of her adult life, and when Junior and Karlee were little it became very clear to the family that the kids needed to be out of her care. My mom stepped in to take care of them. Mom was in her early sixties, and my older two sisters and I quickly saw that caring for two toddlers was exhausting for her and she needed help.

We came up with what I jokingly called joint custody: we had “the littles” for three days a week and mom had them for four. After about six months of that, we started considering taking over full time. My wonderful in-laws sat us down and said, okay what are you afraid of? And we very honestly said, we aren’t sure we’ll be any good at it. It makes me tear up to think about my

The Family Cover MOM Kori Sarrett with husband Chris Sarrett, Network Manager, and children: Junior Melson, age 13, and Karlee Melson, age 12 Community/ hometown: Albany Profession: CPA

father-in-law’s reaction. He looked at us, “You wouldn’t be in this position if you weren’t going to be good at it.

And you won’t always be perfect, but we are here for you and we will be here for you, always.” Their words were so kind, and they had such faith in us, we decided we could do it.

At that point, both birth parents gave us guardianship, not easily, but with urging from my parents they thought about what was best for the kids. Fast forward five years and we started the adoption process, which included six court hearings and lots of anxious nights, but in the end we got to adopt. I never thought this would be our path...we love our little family.

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Now tell us about one of your most humbling mom moments? Overall, I’m very independent (some might say stubborn) and being a mom has taught me that I definitely can’t do it all by myself, and that asking for help won’t kill me. In fact, asking for help is the most important thing I can do.

At first, it was very humbling to ask for help where we needed it (hello, two toddlers in diapers!). Friends threw us a “toddler shower,” and my coworkers, Chris’s family, and my family and friends all attended and they were so generous and so kind. My in-laws showed up just about every weekend from Eastern Oregon, to help us with all those diapers.

No one works harder than mom.

We know that being a mom is a full-time job. Tell us about your work or volunteerism outside of the home.

I am a partner in the accounting firm Accuity, LLC in downtown Albany. I love being an accountant. I have always said that I want to make the world a better place with my work, and for a long time I felt that accounting didn’t do that. But as I have gotten to sit with clients, and help them, I’ve realized that numbers and taxes are scary and unfamiliar territory for a lot of people. And by helping them with it, I am making their world better.

I am also on the board of ABC House and serve as their treasurer. Their mission is to help families and children through the most difficult of experiences and traumas.

Tell us about a recent achievement you’re proud of, or a personal passion or talent. I’ve learned to mountain bike! It’s so hard, but I love it.

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When was the last time you failed? What did you learn? I crashed hard on the first mountain bike trip, because I was too rigid and trying to make my bike go one way instead of letting it do what it’s made to do (go down the hill). It was an eye-opening experience to understand I don’t need to fret over every little thing, if I just relax and roll with it. The bike will do its job, and I will have a lot more fun.

Do you have a goal you’d like to accomplish within the next five years? I have wanted to do an Olympic length triathlon for a while. I’ve done a few sprint ones and love them. The Olympic distance is a tad bit intimidating but I know it would be amazing to accomplish it.

QUICK QUESTIONS FOR MOM Tea or Coffee?

Coffee

Morning or Night?

Night. I hate mornings.

Summer or Winter?

Summer

Fly or Drive?

Drive

Dog or Cat?

Dog

Beer or Wine?

If mom’s not happy, nobody’s happy.

Tell us about your community/upbringing growing up.

How did it shape the mother you are today? I grew up in a family with four girls (read plenty of drama). My parents were always there for us, getting us to sports/ dance/school activities whenever we needed.

What is special about where you grew up? I grew up about eight miles out of town, and now I realize how lucky we were to have all that wide open space. We had an endless amount of space to play and roam. Our backyard would get a gigantic puddle in the middle of it when it rained hard. We would ride our bikes through it, and pretend it was a slip and slide.

Wine

Bath or Shower?

Shower

Math or English?

Math

Sweet or Savory?

Savory unless it’s pie, then always pie

Hugs or Kisses?

Hugs

Ice cream or Chocolate?

Ice cream

Early or Late?

On-time. I don’t like being the first one anywhere.

“I was taught that when people are unkind, it’s because they are unhappy or hurting. The best thing you can do is be nice to them.”

What do you think is the most important life skill or value your parents taught you? To be kind. I was a pretty awkward kid — frizzy hair, tall, gap in my teeth — and when I was little kids weren’t nice. I was taught that when people are unkind, it’s because they are unhappy or hurting. The best thing you can do is be nice to them. When you are a kid, that’s not the advice you want to hear, and it’s not what you want to do when someone is mean. But they were so right. You run into unkind people your whole life and the best way to approach it is with kindness.

Which good habit do you wish you started earlier?

Sleeping enough.

When did you realize you were no longer a child?

I went to school at Eastern Oregon University in La Grande. When we got to town to move me into my apartment my freshman year, my mom took me to the grocery store to buy staples (flour, sugar, oil, spices) and for the first time I realized that I wasn’t a kid anymore and that I was going to be responsible for taking care of myself!

What are three words your kids would use to describe you? (I asked them!) Loving, joyful, smart

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If you could instantly have one new skill (i.e. foreign language, musical talent, eyes in the back of your head, etc.), what would it be? I would love to learn how to skateboard.

What’s in your mom purse right now? No, seriously, empty it out. I LOVE my purse. It’s sparkly and happy and it makes me smile. It was a gift from the hubby.

What is your greatest extravagance?

I own a lot of beautiful purses. A lot. I love them.

MOM’S FAVORITE… …family game: Yahtzee …words to live by: Be brave, and even if you’re not, fake it — no one can tell the difference …place to hide and find some peace & quiet: Our bedroom has an armchair that the dogs and I can snuggle in and hide from the world. …binge-worthy TV or podcast: Currently on Downton Abbey season 4 and loving it.

If you could turn any activity into an Olympic sport, in which event would you win a gold medal?

Overthinking.

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Listen to mom.

Who and what has influenced the mother you are today? My parents, my in-laws, my older sister who is an amazing mom, and my faith.

What advice would you give your younger mom self - what do you wish you knew then that you know now? To chill out. I used to be very rigid on schedule, sugar intake, and the “right” things to do with the kids.

The better approach is yes, a schedule is good, but doesn’t need to be absolute. Sugar is ok in moderation and you probably have bigger battles to fight. If you just be yourself, they will have fun with you. It’s not about making the right experiences, it’s about learning to navigate real life.

What message would you like to share with other moms? Remember to tell it like it is. 2020 has been a year of firsts for a lot of us: first pandemic, first home school, first working from home. It will live in our memories — make sure to give yourself grace when you look back. And plan to have all the fun when we can safely again.

?

Waxing poetic If you have a child with braces, you’ve likely been given packets of dental wax during your child’s orthodontic journey. What is this stuff, exactly?

Dental wax is made of non-toxic and medical grade ingredients, so while it’s safe to consume, you don’t want to intentionally eat it. It wears off over time, as saliva slowly washes it away.

Dental wax has many uses. For a child with new braces, it can help with any initial discomfort. Only a tiny amount is needed: a small pea-sized amount, rolled between clean fingers, warms and softens it. It works best when

teeth are clean and dabbed dry with a cotton swab or gauze square. The wax ball then can be pressed directly over a bracket, forming a cushion.

Dental wax also helps when braces or retainers have sharp edges, new or loose brackets, or poking wires. If your child plays a horn instrument, like a trumpet, they might find wax makes playing a lot more comfortable.

This smile is brought to you by:

WADE L. HASLAM, DMD, PC 2657 NW Rolling Green Drive, Corvallis | 541.757.2440 valleyvieworthodontics.com

Dr. Haslam is a Board-Certified Specialist in Orthodontics.

mommag.com 15

Frontline workers for keeping us safe!

With gratitude and appreciation from all of us at

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It’s perfect, honey!

“Slow down, you move too fast. You gotlives, to make morning last...” we see what we the don’t have.

When we look in the mirror, we see Have you ever noticed that we love our children’s artwork,

T

our flaws instead of the blessings. Can we take a step back? Can we no matter how purple the sky or red the grass they’ve drawn?

HOSE SONG LYRICS from the 60’s remember sweet times, maybe walking accept those few extra pounds, or scuffed shoes, or not-so-new We don’t expect it to be perfect, yet we find joy in it anyway. suggested people needed to take with your family, building inside forts, car—even with its occasional rattles—and allow ourselves to time to enjoy life. eating at the dining table (instead of in We find joy in their imperfection, yet we often expect no less than experience satisfaction with what wecar have andthe who we are?

Peacecrafts, the or on couch) making perfection from ourselves or our spouse. When we reflect While on ourthese past few months have with ourselves liberates us to beor our ownother, “best.”“slow” things. many been trying, filled with unknowns and worries, it has also been a time Consider a list of the Today’s the day.

Giveofyourself a break frommaking the expectation of slow, forced slow perfection down. There things andare say, “I’m okay.” special things from this season of we’ll look back on from quarantine and quarantine. Spend some time talking It’s called Give yourself some laugh, like toilet paperGRACE. hoarding and abouttoday! them with your kiddos, so that shaggy hair. There are things we will they, too, remember the positives. remember with frustration, like closed “Looking for fun and feelin’ groovy…” businesses and services.

Hopefully you brought to you by Those lyrics have new meaning. Look are also able to look back and for your fun!

Brought to you by:

Carla Towery is a Santiam Christian Schools Kindergarten teacher, www.santiamchristian.org Santiam Christian Schools 541-745-5524 x243 Santiam Christian Schools www.santiamchristian.org 541-745-5524 x 243

82%

What can MOM do for you?

Carla Towery is a Kindergarten teacher, Santiam Christian Schools

Moms make 82% of household purchasing decisions. Reach your customers with MOM Magazine.

Contact Linda Blair today at linda@mommag.com or 541-231-7250 to secure your ad space.

New

Family Discounts for 2020-21 Discounts in Kindergarten and 1st Grade

4 mommag.com

mommag.com 17

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Activity is practice Activity is practice for felxibility for flexibility

lexibility, both mental and physical, is one of the most important skills we cultivate in our lexibility, both mental andcan physical, is one of children. mentally us to the most Being important skillsflexible we canallows cultivate in work throughBeing challenges, sharpen our focusus and our children. mentally flexible allows find creative solutions.

Physical flexibility gives to work through challenges, sharpen our focus us and find better coordination, health.gives us creative solutions. posture Physicaland flexibility

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coordination, posturetheir andskills health.

At better Kidspirit, our staff showed of flexibility this spring by filming classes from their homes, At Kidspirit, our staff showed their skills demonstrating of flexibility thethis ability to be in both from body their and mind.

It’s part of spring by flexible filming classes homes, thedemonstrating many skills your child can learn through our activities the ability to be flexible in both body andand camps. mind. It’s part of the many skills your child can

learn through our camps.

Visit OSUKidspirit onactivities YouTube and for our Gymnastics at Home series, made for ages 2-12.

There are four levels, based Visit OSUKidspirit on YouTube for our Gymnastics at on skillHome and age.

All made lessons be 2-12. done There in a small series, forcan ages are space, four indoors outdoors. levels,orbased on skill and age. All lessons can be done in a small space, indoors or outdoors.

Brought to you by:

Karen Swanger is the Director of OSU KidSpirit Oregon 4-H Youth Programs

In-person and online summer camps!

In-person camps are based on guidelines to keep all Summer camp info campers and staff safe, with rigorous attention to health

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expand your reach 541.926.3000 oregonwebpress.com

magazines • inserts • newspapers • postcards • catalogs • maps • calendars mommag.com 19

Summer fun on a

budget T

he summer of 2020 is new territory for all of us, as we learn how to safely live and travel with health restrictions in place. But summer is still on, and as moms we’re great at finding and inventing joy for our kids. It’s been a stressful spring for them, too, so it’s time to find the fun.

We’ve compiled some of our favorite, low-cost ways for you and your crew to get outside. Here’s to a cheerful, bright summer for all of us.

20 mommag.com

splash the day away.

Tweens will want to up the Kids of all ages will enjoy ante, with water balloon the thrill of meals around a fights and squirt guns more campfire or looking for likely their style. For an fish in nearby epic water balloon streams. Camping fight, prefill the If campgrounds is also a superb balloons and aren’t open this way to unplug put them in a summer, pitch a from screen kiddie pool of tent in your own time, which water until backyard. many families they’re ready for have had enough launching, of these days. If as this prevents campgrounds are open this premature popping. summer, check your state and county park’s reservation and permit requireNo matter if you call them ments. Different campcrayfish, crawdads, or grounds have different crawfish, finding and amenities. Some of them are catching these bright red surprisingly appointed, with crustaceans can be showers and small stores. surprisingly fun. Shallow, If campgrounds aren’t open freshwater areas are good this summer, pitch a tent in family spots for this activity, your own backyard. The with your best chances in novelty of it impresses most coastal rivers and streams. kids, and it requires zero Bring small and mediumpacking. This memory-maksized nets, as well as ing experience is great to buckets for everyone. do at least once. (Plus, if Crawdads can pinch, so after a few hours you’re leave catching them by ready for your real bed, it hand to those who are awaits you just a few steps more experienced. Take away.) them home in a cooler of water, to later boil, clean and eat. Be sure to check Many day-use areas with the state’s fish and throughout the Northwest wildlife regulations for offer scenic places to set up license requirements and a family-style picnic. You catch limits. can get elaborate with many fancy picnic menus on Pinterest to guide you. Or, pack a few snacks and In addition to sun drinks, and get to-go sub protection, pack water sandwiches. Some families sandals or old shoes with get pizza and call it good; rubber soles for everyone, no judgement here.

Berry picking

Water fun

Grow your garden

Camping

Tip:

Crawdadding

Picnics

Tip:

Small kids are easy to please: get out a sprinkler, and they are delighted to

which will help protect feet from the rocky bottoms of streams and rivers.

This is a relaxing outing that can yield lots of fresh, local fruit at the end of the day. Go early to avoid the heat and BYOB: bring your own buckets. Note that some U-pick farms are cash only.

Outdoor movie night

and broccoli. They’ll be ready for harvest in late summer or early fall. Kids enjoy planting and watching things grow. And they might just be more apt to eat them if they have a hand in growing, tending and harvesting.

Giant bubbles

Assemble the lawn chairs, Making these monstrous hang a sheet on the side of bubbles doesn’t take much. the house and roll a Most recipes call for family favorite liquid dish soap movie. Except, and water with uh, how exactly Don’t forget either corn does one to apply bug syrup or glycerin project the repellent before added in. Old movie? If you starting the tennis or sports can afford it, movie. rackets, with portable projectors netting removed, are sold through can double as wands. Or retailers such as Target, make your own with a few Walmart and Amazon. dowels and cotton rope.

Renting is another option: call a local party store or audio-visual rental business Summer meteor showers in your area. Chill the are a sight to behold. You’ll drinks, butter the popcorn, want to get away from city and enjoy. lights to best view them.

Looking for constellations is another celestial activity.

Use rope to create a tic tac Use a mobile app such as toe grid, and get the kids Star Chart to identify stars, involved in cutting out and planets and constellations. decorating Xs and Os. You can use cardboard, painted rocks, old lids, etc. Another fun one is cornhole, with sets available at many retailers or as a DIY project if you have the skills. After dark fun can be had with glow sticks: add some to empty water bottles and make circular rings out of others. Ta da! You have glow-in-dark ring toss.

Tip:

Stargazing

Outdoor games

It’s not too late to start. In June and July, you can still plant bush beans, carrots mommag.com 21

Before you It’s been the jump on the rage to get a feathery trend, few egg-laying you’ll want to chickens in do some your backyard. research. For starters, check with your town’s rules, your HOA, city ordinances, etc. Many communities limit the number of chickens, if they are allowed at all; roosters are often considered bird non grata because they crow — and your neighbors might not be so keen on Foghorn Leghorn’s early morning noise.

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Also consider:

SHOULD YOU GET BACKYARD CHICKENS?

Space: chickens need room to

roam, and they need to be moved around. If left in one spot, the ground will likely turn hard and bare. Everybody loves chicken... including foxes, raccoons and other predators so you’ll need a secure coop.

Care and feeding: the baby chicks that arrive each year at local farm supply stores sure are cute, but they grow up fast.

Before you know it, you’ll have lovely hens scratching for bugs in your backyard. They’ll still need chicken feed, so factor that in.

Your pets: the family dog

might be too interested in the new arrivals. Some dogs might learn to peacefully coexist while others will never give up the chase. If you want healthy, unstressed birds, it’s best to keep Fido away.

Choose the right breed:

there are hundreds of types of chickens. Older kids will enjoy researching which ones are right for your family. Consider size, egg production, and personalities.

Your kids: are they old

enough to help? Young children will enjoy throwing feed and watching the chickens’ entertaining movements. Older kids can collect eggs, clean the coop, refresh water sources and so on. Make sure everyone is washing their hands properly after caring for and handling live poultry.

Find a chicken mentor:

your neighbor, friend, or helpful farm store worker can help you learn the craft of keeping chickens. You might want to [warning: dad joke ahead] pluck their brains for advice.

Dr. Chad Schanilec

EVERYONE DESERVES A BRILLIANT SMILE. ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS When it comes to your teeth, getting top-notch care is vital to successful treatment. Oregon Valley Orthodontics is proud to be a leading provider of orthodontic care in our community, with more than 5,500 treatments completed.

CORVALLIS | 541-758-8500

1857 NW Kings Boulevard, Corvallis, OR

ALBANY | 541-967-8541

155 N Hickory Street, Albany, OR

oregonvalleyorthodontics.com

mommag.com 23

Get outside!

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS STAYED WITH US. We are continuing to serve our community in new ways as we all go through this together.

Child Care for Essential Workers • Online Fitness Classes Wellness Check-ins and Grocery Deliveries to those in need

We are excited to introduce

VIRTUAL

N

EW

For more information, or to help support your Y, call us at 541-926-4488

RECREATION CENTER

Welcome!

Albany Parks & Recreation Department is committed to providing ways for you and your family to stay active and entertained during these unprecedented times.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more fun activities and events. Tag us in your posts and use the hashtag #albanyactive to share how you are staying active at home!

Join us online at cityofalbany.net/parks/virtualreccenter @albanyparksandrec 24 mommag.com

@albanyparksandrecreation

Summer 2020 We’ve gone virtual!

Our summer 2020 edition of activate! is going to look a little different. We will be making weekly updates to our programs & classes, bookmark this page so you don’t miss out on the fun.

Come see what we are up to… because summer isn’t canceled, it’s just going to look a little different!

Please visit us at cityofalbany.net/parks/activate

Check back often for updated programs & events

]

STAY SAFE AND STAY HEALTHY

[ Momism #139:

Home took on a new meaning for us in 2020 A few tips to make it calm and enjoyable.

E

ach of us experienced the stay-at-home order in a variety of ways, but the one universal truth is that our enjoyment of home is part of who we are. Here are some tips for how I maximize the enjoyment of my space:

comforting about knowing where my journal sits for when I want to return to it.

Third, I keep things where they are used.

Knowing where the sun rises and sets helps me to choose the best place to sip my morning coffee, read a book, or have a glass of wine. One way to take care of yourself and honor your space is to move your favorite chair by a window that receives the best light.

Admittedly, I’m not much of a neat freak and prefer my house to look like I live in it. I also hate searching for and retrieving things. I leave my yoga mat and block right where I use them. I hang colanders on the wall and leave recipe books out on the counter. Having items where they are useful, rather than tucked in a closet or drawer, is just a reminder that home is to be lived in.

Second, I give purpose to place.

Fourth, I create flexibility in my furnishings.

First, I look at the sun cycle.

A large home isn’t necessary to be intentional about how a space is shaped. A small table or plant stand can create a cozy corner for journaling, reading or even just making a grocery list.

There is something very

Rather than have a variety of different throw pillows for every room, I choose items that could coordinate in multiple rooms.

My furnishings are diverse but chosen with the idea that they could migrate to another room

of the house and bring years more of delight. A refresh on my home can be as simple as moving a table runner, pillow or throw blanket to another space.

In fact, there is a side table that has spent time in every room of the house.

Brought to you by:

541-738-2806 | nwdesignhouse.com Heather Van Eyk is a mother of two; Principal Designer at NW Design House & owner of Budget Blinds located next to Starbucks in North Albany.

mommag.com 25

[ Momism #64: Wash

your hands.

Christina Miller, MD

541 704 7304

Raising strong families through personalized care.

At Willamette Valley Pediatrics we believe that healthcare is personal.

“We are all in this together” Summer safety tips: Sunscreen on anytime kids are outside, and don’t forget to reapply often.

Helmets secured on heads when riding bikes, scooters, skateboards or skates.

Dr. Christina Miller takes the time to develop relationships with her patients and their families in order to care for their “whole” health.

You and your child’s health are our priority.

We know that health concerns are stressful for moms. We offer same day appointments and can work with your busy schedule. We schedule sports physicals with minimal wait time, because we know that an active child is a healthy child.

Life jackets on all kids when in a boat or on docks.

Dr. Miller knows that children are a blessing.

That is why she comes alongside you and your child to help them become their best self.

An adult watching kids playing in or around water at all times.

To learn more contact us at 541-704-7304 or www.willamettevalleypediatrics.com

Drink lots of water throughout the day.

Christina Miller, MD

Dr. Miller strives to provide so much more than just a doctor’s “visit”.

Located in Albany 1123 Hill Street SE, Suite B. Albany

willamettevalleypediatrics.com 541 704 7304 26 mommag.com

]

Eye care in the time of coronavirus It seems like everything has changed recently, including how we care for our eyes. Properly washing our hands and not touching our faces is key in preventing the spread of coronavirus. A few other considerations when it comes to your eyes:

Carli Lancaster, O.D.

eyecareassociates.net Albany Willetta St SW (541) 926-5848 Albany Custom Eyes (541) 928-2020 NW Corvallis Office (541) 752-4622 Downtown Corvallis Office (541) 757-1120 Lebanon Office (541) 451-5808

Is it safe to wear contact lenses?

Consider switching to glasses for a while as doing so decreases the amount of times you need to touch your eyes.

Do glasses offer eye protection?

Somewhat. Glasses can shield your eyes from respiratory droplets, but they don’t offer protection from the

sides, top and bottom. If you’re caring for an infected person, safety goggles are a better defense.

What should I do about prescription eye medication? If your insurance allows it, ask for a 3-month supply of medication so you can stay stocked up.

It turns out I rub my eyes...a lot.

How do I stop? It’s a hard habit to break, but crucial to lowering risk.

Use a tissue instead of your fingers.

If you have dry eyes, consider using moisturizing drops.

Source: American Academy of Ophthalmology Brought to you by:

BE YOUR CHILD'S HERO Child abuse is 100% preventable.

ABC House offers free trainings to educate you about abuse so you can take action when you see it. Let us help you take the first step to end child abuse.

Learn more about the comprehensive assessment and support services we provide and how we are working to break the cycle of child abuse and neglect. www.abchouse.org PO Box 68 | Albany, OR 97321 | 541-926-2203 | Abuse Hotline: 1-855-503-SAFE (7233) mommag.com 27

Watermelon

a fruit and a vegetable

It’s been debated for years whether watermelons are considered fruit or vegetable. The complicated yet short answer here is yes to both. However you want to classify it, this light summer favorite is versatile, going from a sorbet to the charcuterie board, or into a fresh salsa.

Pickled watermelon rind Wait, you can eat the rind? It’s true. Rinds can be sliced into stir-fry for a delightful crunch or pickled, as in this recipe below.

INGREDIENTS:

3-4 pounds watermelon rind 2

cups apple cider vinegar

1

cup water

¾

cup sugar

⅓

cup candied ginger, minced

1

tablespoon salt

1

teaspoon Aleppo red pepper flakes (possible substitutes: hot paprika or cayenne)

1

teaspoon allspice berries

1ea. star anise pod DIRECTIONS:

Remove all of the watermelon’s green peel, and slice off most of the flesh, leaving about ¼ to ½ inch of watermelon flesh. Cut the rind into 1-inch cubes.

Bring the apple cider vinegar, water, sugar, ginger, salt and spices to a boil over medium-high heat in a medium 2-quart saucepan. Hold the boil for 60 seconds then carefully add the watermelon.

Return to a boil and turn off the heat.

Move the pickles to a 2-quart jar using a canning funnel and ladle. Pour on as much of the pickling juice as possible. Loosely place the lid on the jar and leave at room temperature until cool.

Once cool, tighten the lid and refrigerate. Consume within a month. These pickles must be refrigerated.

28 mommag.com

Melon Salad This sweet and savory salad is perfect for a sunny summer day's lunch.

Ingredients:

• 1 small-medium local melon (cantaloupe, watermelon, etc.)

• ½ lb fresh mozzarella • Fresh basil or mint • Prosciutto (optional) • Juice of 2 limes • 4 Tbsp. olive oil • Salt and pepper

Directions: Cut melon into 2 cups

Watermelon Berry Popsicles

Look, mom, I picked the best one!

No popsicle molds? No problem: use muffin tins, old yogurt containers or ice cube trays. Skip the added berries if that’s not your thing. These frozen treats hit the spot on a hot afternoon.

It seems like everybody has a special trick for picking the ripest watermelon. Some swear by the old thumping method where you knock on it and listen for a dull, muffled sound. Others feel the firmness level near the blossom end. According to watermelon.org, choosing a good one is as simple as Look, Lift and Turn.

INGREDIENTS:

6

cups watermelon

1

cup blueberries

1

cup raspberries

3

tablespoons honey

DIRECTIONS:

Add watermelon, ½ cup of blueberries, ½ cup of raspberries, and honey to a blender. Blend until smooth. Press through a fine mesh strainer to remove pulp and seeds.

Fill popsicle molds ¾ full with liquid.

Add whole blueberries and raspberries to each mold. Insert sticks and freeze for at least 4 hours or until completely frozen.

Thanks to the National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB) for these recipes and tips. Visit watermelon.org for more information.

of bite sized slices, or use a melonballer to make small melon balls. If using large balls of fresh mozarella, cut into 1/2" cubes. Cut basil or mint leaves into ribbons, or roughly chop.

Combine ingredients in large bowl, adding prosciutto if desired. In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice and olive oil, drizzle over salad and mix thouroughly. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve at room temperature.

• Look for a firm watermelon with no dents or bruises.

• Lift it: it should have a good heft for its size.

• Turn it over and check for a creamy yellow spot from where it was on the ground.

North Corvallis 2855 NW Grant Ave South Corvallis 1007 SE Third St Open daily 7am-10pm @firstaltcoop

www.firstalt.coop

[ Momism #58:

Did you clean your room?

Start them young.

Watch them grow.

Join us for an upcoming Little Sprouts Class!

Each month Garland Nursery hosts Little Sprouts, a hands-on, make-and-take kids class on gardening. Visit our website for the schedule and more details.

Registration required.

Upcoming Classes

Carnivorous Plants Sat., June 13th – 11 a.m., $10 per child Air Plant Dream Catcher Sat., July 1th – 11 a.m., $8 per child

Also join us for:

ART & WINE

New Corvallis location now open

in the Garden at Garland Nursery

JOIN US July 25 & 26 • 10AM - 4PM OVER 40 ARTISTS plus LOCAL WINES

5470 NE Hwy 20, Corvallis , OR 97330 (541) 753-6601

GarlandNursery.com

30 mommag.com

]

Summertime snacking W

E’RE ALL LOOKING forward to barbecues, picnics and pool parties which means it’s time to consider the right snacks and drinks to help keep your child’s teeth healthy and cavity-free.

even raisins. Whenever possible, rinse your child’s mouth with water after snacking and meals.

The key is moderation; a little indulgence now and then is totally fine. Eat healthy, be healthy and have a fun, happy summer! Dr. Jay Vaikuntam

If possible, choose whole fruits instead of fruit cups and pouches.

These provide a sweet treat without added artificial sugars and preservatives. Nothing like a good ol’ glass of H2O to quench the thirst compared to sports drinks or sodas, which can be loaded with cavity-causing ingredients.

Brought to you by:

Chips and sticky snacks can get stuck in your child’s teeth and cause cavities. Limit sticky foods like gummy candy, jelly beans and

pediatricdentistoregon.com 155 NW Hickory St # A, Albany, OR 97321 (541) 928-1509

Corvallis Sewing Brigade has delivered over 19,000 masks since March 21st, 2020 To help us make masks, gowns, shields or other PPE go to CorvallisSewingBrigade.org/volunteer To order a free mask, go to BentonCounty.Recovers.org, click on “I have a need”. Fill out the form. Most orders filled within 24-48 hours sewingbrigademomad.indd 1

mommag.com 5/4/20 3:3031 PM

263 29th Avenue SW | Albany, OR 97322 541-926-0353 | 541-926-1515 fax

www.mommag.com | info@mommag.com

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