Spring is here‌ Let’s get moving! Page 6
Hiking in the KMC, Pages 12-13
April 10, 2020 | Volume 44, Number 14
Your
#StayHome
Guide
Dog-friendly hiking in the KMC, Pages 14-15
How to keep from going cuckoo while cooped up with your kids, Page 21
Read the KA online at KaiserslauternAmerican.com
Kaiserslautern American
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Your #StayHome Guide This special edition of the Kaiserslautern American has been put together to give you ideas and inspire you, to get you through the #StayHome period.
These times call for innovative ideas to keep from going stir-crazy at home. Take some time from your busy home office and home schooling schedules to enjoy life as a
family. These days, it may seem like we’re returning to a more minimalist time: no contact with friends with social distancing and constant talk of corona virus hanging over our heads. However, it doesn’t all have to be doom and gloom. There can be
April 10, 2020
lots of positive aspects to our current situation, including increased family time. Now, that too can be a challenge, but it’s well worth it if you work together as a family, strengthening your bonds. Take the time to talk together, play, go for walks in the local forest, go for a
picnic, dig out that arts and crafts project that you never had time for, try new recipes … there really is so much room for growth these days. All it takes is looking at our lives from a different perspective. If you want to make a change, now is the time to reinvent yourself.
Table of contents
Spring into garden season........................................................10
Easter-themed desserts for everyone..........................................3
Dog-friendly hiking in the KMC.................................................14
Springtime Crafts —
Quiche — Picnic Superstar........................................................16
What to do once you’ve dyed all the eggs.......................................4
Prepare your vehicle for warmer weather.................................18
Spring is here… Let’s get moving!.............................................6
We’re in this thing together:
It’s time for spring cleaning!.......................................................7
how to start co-parenting better.................................................20
Fight back against sugar —
How to keep from going cuckoo
Tips to help overcome the cycle of excessive sweets.........................8
while cooped up with your kids................................................21
The wrong fit.............................................................................9
Home cinema highlights..........................................................22
Photo by Rido/Shutterstock.com
Hiking in the KMC....................................................................12
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Easter-themed desserts for everyone No bake butterscotch and peanut butter bird’s nest cookies
by Azure Hall contributing writer ter and in Germany a plentiful Eas Easter is just around the corner in s ipe rec ee thr are ets is a must. Here te buffet with a selection of swe olu abs are y The ily. your whole fam which you can easily involve . ons rno afte lazy ing dur ight to share eye-catchers and will be a del
Ingredients: • • • •
¾ cup butterscotch chips ½ cup smooth peanut butter 2 cups chow mein noodles, crushed ¼ cup chocolate eggs
Preparation:
1. Melt the butterscotch candy chips and peanut butter over low heat in a wide saucepan. Stir continuously until the combination is melted. Pour the butterscotch and peanut butter mixture into a large bowl. Add the chow mein noodles and stir to combine. 2. Scoop mixture into a muffin tin and allow the “nests” to cool for 10 minutes. Carefully remove “nests” from the tray. Place candy eggs into nests and serve.
Photo by alisafarov / Shutterstock.com
Photo by Anastasia_Panait / Shutterstock.com
Carrot patch cupcakes Ingredients:
For the cupcakes: • 1 package Pillsbury™ Moist Supreme® Chocolate Premium Cake Mix • ½ cup (1 stick) butter, room temperature • 1 cup sour cream* • ¼ cup milk • 3 eggs • 20 chocolate cream-filled sandwich cookies For the frosting: • 1 package Pillsbury™ Creamy Supreme® Chocolate Frosting For the carrots: • 24 strawberries, washed and dried • 2 teaspoons coconut oil • 1 pound bag orange candy melts • Fresh mint for sprouts (optional garnish)
Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line two standard muffin pans and set aside. Begin by mixing up the cupcake batter, either by hand or in an electric mixer, adding all ingredients, one at a time, until combined with the cake mix. Pour
batter into the cupcake tins. Bake the cupcakes for 18-20 minutes at 350 F. While the cupcakes are cooling, prepare your candy covered strawberry “carrots” and the dirt. Crush the chocolate sandwich cookies, removing the cream center and discarding. 2. Melt a bag of orange candy melts with a small amount of coconut oil. Whisk until smooth. Dip strawberries into the mixture and swirl to remove any excess chocolate. Set on a piece of parchment or wax paper to dry and harden. 3. While the strawberries are setting, cut a hole in the center of the cupcakes, roughly the size of a quarter, going down about ¾-inch deep. Using a butter knife, frost the area around the hole, then sprinkle the cookie crumb “dirt” on top. Place a strawberry “carrot” in the center of each cupcake, surrounded by “dirt.” Use sprigs of mint for foliage, if desired, and serve. If you don’t have time to make strawberry carrots, you can buy marzipan carrots (pictured) for cake decorating on the economy.
Photo by Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock.com
Easter fruit pizza Ingredients:
For the cookie: • 2 packages Pillsbury Cookie dough For the frosting: • 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature • ½ cup firm strawberry jam, at room temperature • 1-1½ cups powdered sugar To assemble: • 8 cups assorted fresh fruit, washed and sliced • ¼ cup apricot jelly or other clear, lightcolored jelly • 1 tablespoon water
Preparation:
1. Shape cookie dough into ball shape. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate. When the dough is firm, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Cover a large baking sheet with parchment paper or wax paper. Roll out the
cookie dough between two sheets of paper until it is a large egg shape, about ½-inch thick. 2. Place cookie crust on a baking sheet, and bake it at 350 F for 15-19 minutes. Crust should be a light golden color, puffed and set in the middle. Let it cool completely until it is at room temperature. Set aside. The cookie crust can be baked several days in advance. 3. Beat the cream cheese using an electrical or hand mixer until it is smooth and free of lumps. Add the strawberry jam and 1 cup of powdered sugar, and mix combination fully. Taste and add sugar if needed. 4. Spread the frosting mixture in a thin, even layer over the surface of the cookie. Layer the fresh fruit over the frosting, creating desired pattern. 5. In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine the jelly and water, and microwave for 30 seconds. Stir them together until the jelly is fluid and smooth, like a thin gel. Using a brush, smooth the jelly mixture over the entirety of the fruit. This adds shine and prevents the fruit from wilting. Cut the “pizza” into slices and enjoy!
Kaiserslautern American
April 10, 2020 Photo by Floral Deco / Shutterstock.com
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Springtime Crafts
What to do once you’ve dyed all the eggs by Azure Hall contributing writer The Easter holiday means a break from home schooling. Rather than give them over to the television, spend this break being creative with the little ones. These spring-themed crafts are fun for the whole family and will help you bond and reconnect at the same time.
Egg Carton Flowers
This craft is the perfect way to use empty egg cartons. Simply cut, paint, and glue for a lovely floral craft. Supplies:
• acrylic paint or water color paint • cardboard egg carton • sturdy straw, paper or plastic • pom poms • scissors • glue • paint brush
Instructions: 1. First you will cut out a block of four containers from the egg carton. Trim neatly around the edges to add a rounder shape for the petals of the flower. 2. Squirt small amounts of acrylic paint, in various colors, onto a paper plate for the kids to paint their flowers. Any colors will do, but pastels are recommended. 3. After the paint flowers have dried, attach a straw “stem” by gluing one on the back. Sturdy straws are recommended in order to hold up the flower. Using a flimsier material, like a pipe cleaner could bend under the weight. 4. For the last step, choose a colored pom pom and glue that to the center of the painted egg carton. Prepare many flowers to create a bouquet. Via iheartartsandcrafts.com
with your chily to spend quality time wa at gre a are fts cra d while improving Arts an m special time with you fro fit ne be ll wi s kid ur dren. Yo ile being creative. Once ng their imaginations wh usi d an lls ski tor mo ir the it so the whole family r project, stand or hang you have completed you ones’ achievements. can marvel at your little
Stained Glass Kites
Flying kites is a great way to spend a windy afternoon. If the weather isn’t cooperating with you, try making one of these paper kites to decorate your windows instead. Supplies:
• sheets of black construction paper • ½-inch strips of black construction paper • scrap pieces of
black construction paper (from cutting out the kites) • assorted colors of tissue paper – you can cut it into squares or let your kids tear pieces • clear contact paper • yarn or ribbon • colored construction paper scraps
Instructions: 1. Cut a kite shape from black construction paper, saving the scraps. Next, cut out the center of the kite, leaving about a 1-inch frame. 2. Tape a piece of clear contact paper, sticky side up, on the table. Stick your kite onto the paper, frame-side down and create a design with black paper strips or shapes. You could do traditional cross-shape strips, or create a unique pattern for the back of your kite. 3. Cut or tear colored tissue paper into small pieces. Cover the kite in colorful paper. When the kite has been completely covered with tissue paper, seal over the top of it with another piece of clear contact paper. For best results, stick the cover sheet to one end of the kite and slowly press it down over the tissue paper, smoothing out any bumps. 4. Cut off extra pieces around the kite and attach a ribbon or yarn “tail” with glue or tape. Cut bow shapes out of construction paper and glue along the tail to create bows. Set aside to dry completely. 5. Mount kites on a window to see the sun shine through the colors. Via makeandtakes.com
Popsicle Stick Picket Fence
This craft is easy, inexpensive, and fun for all ages. With only five supplies, it is a quick activity to get those creative juices flowing. Supplies:
• popsicle sticks • glue • white acrylic paint • paint brush • various spring-themed stickers or other embellishments
Instructions: 1. Begin by gluing your popsicle sticks together to create the fence base of the craft. Remember to leave a small space between the popsicle sticks, so that it has the look of a picket fence. Use four sticks vertically and place two sticks diagonally to create your fences. Set your fences aside to dry completely. 2. Once they have dried, paint the fences completely white. Allow paint to dry. Finish by attaching stickers, glitter, and any other decorations that you choose. Via gluedtomycraftsblog.com
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April 10, 2020
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April 10, 2020
Spring is here… Let’s get moving! by Katie F. Boltuch contributing writer Tell me if this sounds familiar: “My bathing suit is telling me, ‘Get off the couch and get yourself in that gym.’ But my sweatpants are like, ‘Come on in, there’s plenty of room!’” The winter months can be some of the most difficult to find motivation. We naturally want to hibernate, stay warm, drink Gluhwein, enjoy the crackling fire, and use every excuse in the book to stay on the couch. Be honest, which one of these sounded like you this winter: “It’s too cold,” “It’s dark and rainy,” “But these sweatpants are so comfy!” “But I have so much catching up to do on Netflix,” or “It’s so warm under these blankets”? Waking up every morning to darkness can be a bit depressing and definitely ruin any chance to make good on those New Year’s resolutions. Don’t worry, you are not alone. A 2014 study by the University of Scranton suggests only 8 percent of people actually achieve their New Year’s goals. Luckily, daylight saving time gives us more daylight and temperatures are on the rise. Spring is a season for new beginnings, and that’s not just for blooming flowers. You can have a new beginning too! If you’re still struggling and those sweatpants still feel “oh so good,” the following tips can get you back on track and keep you motivated. Be realistic. Let’s be serious. No one is expecting you to get up on Monday morning and run 10 miles or
lift heavy weights. You shouldn’t expect that either. One of the biggest reasons people trade in sweating at the gym for sweating in front of the fireplace is because they go too hard too soon. If you haven’t been doing anything at all, make it a priority to simply get yourself moving. Once you’re off the couch, you can move on to the next tip. Set specific goals. We’ve all heard the statement “failure to plan is planning to fail.” But have you ever heard “begin with the end in mind”? Now is the time to decide what kind of results you want. Do you want to lose weight, or are you simply interested in getting more active? Do you want to get out of the house a few times a week, or do you want to try a new activity such as yoga or spinning? Knowing what you want to get out of your efforts for a lifestyle change can make a world of difference. It’s not enough to just say “I want to lose weight.” Setting specific, realistic goals will motivate you and create a path to success. For example, “I want to exercise 3 days a week for 30 minutes” is a specific and realistic goal. Knowledge is power. There’s a reason for the small print on TV and in magazines telling you to consult your doctor before making any major changes to your diet or exercise routine. Knowledge is power, and that definitely applies to changing your lifestyle. Moving more and eating less junk food is a great start, but how do you know you’re actually on the right path? If you’re planning to start walking, do your research. You may need to replace those
sneakers that have been sitting in your closet. How often should you exercise if you want to lose weight? What should you eat to feel better and have energy? If you’re planning to cut out certain foods from your diet, such as red meat, or want to try a new diet, vegetarian, vegan, etc., learn what you need to be aware of and what kind of effects it will have on your body. Schedule, time manage and plan. A 2015 Harvard Business School study revealed that people who make goals are 10 times more successful than those without goals. The study recommended smaller, well-organized milestones can make everything less overwhelming. Whether you want to use a calendar as a guide or a notebook to keep track of your progress, use tools to stay on track. As long as you’re making goals, let’s talk about your plan to reach these goals. Many people feel like they need a personal trainer to get results. While personal trainers can be effective, they can also be costly and are not always the kind of motivation we’re looking for. If you’d rather not go that route or that’s not what your goals entail, there are plenty of other ways to plan for success. If your goal is to get outside more, schedule time to walk the dog or go for a walk with your spouse or children. If you want to try a new class at the gym, figure out where it fits into your schedule. What if you look at your schedule and feel like you don’t have a moment to spare? Get creative! Use the last 15 minutes of your lunch break to take a quick walk. Park the car far away from the door at the office
or take the stairs instead of the elevator. Bring your family. Recruit your partner and/or children to get active with you. A 2013 study from ExerciseFriends. com showed that finding a partner to hold you accountable for your activity raises success rates to over 95 percent. Do yourself a favor: grab your partner and/or children and get started. Even if neither of you are ready to go running or lift weights, you can go for a walk, ride a bike or learn a new sport. This is also possible in times of social distancing. Follow the security rules, keep your distance and nothing can keep you from working out together in the outdoors. Have fun! Changes in lifestyle and habit can be daunting, especially if you dread anything or everything that has to do with exercise or the gym. If you’re buying new shoes, get ones you love. Make a killer playlist to listen to while you’re doing whatever activity you choose. Buy a fun printed T-shirt — my favorite: “Shh, don’t tell anybody but I’m training to be Batman” — to make you smile. When you’re having fun, you’re more likely to stick to your goals. Make good choices. Food is your friend. That’s right, I said it. But as much as we might love to scarf down pizza every night, set a goal to try something new. Start small. Pick one night a week when you’re not only going to eat a healthy meal but also make something new so you actually see what ingredients go into your food. Too often people assume that if
they want to change their lifestyle they must restrict their favorite foods. This is absolutely not true. Much like making a plan, educating yourself about food is just as important. My husband and I say to each other, “Abs are made in the kitchen.” While neither of us have sixpack abs, we repeat this mantra to each other when we know we’re making poor food choices. Although we don’t restrict our diets — everything in moderation is ok and I don’t want to live in a world without nachos — this little saying helps us choose a healthier option for a snack or meal because we know we’ll feel better. When you eat healthier, you feel healthier. Give yourself a chance and stay positive. You may be familiar with the 21-day rule, which is that it takes a minimum of 21 days to form a new habit, but it turns out it could take a bit longer. A 2014 study published by the European Journal of Social Psychology examined the habits of 96 people over a 12-week period. Results show it can take about two months before a new behavior becomes automatic. What this means is that you have to be patient and forgiving. If you do go to the gym, remember why you’re there: for you, your health and your well-being. Don’t compare yourself to anyone. Everyone has to start somewhere. Remember, you are going to have days where you just don’t want to do anything. You are going to have setbacks. If you miss out one day, make sure you get back into it the next. Above all, stay positive! Don’t get discouraged because you can’t do it all, all the time, all at once. Life happens. Be flexible and be proud you are doing something to improve your health!
Photo by Dirima/Shutterstock.com
Kaiserslautern American
April 10, 2020
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It’s time for spring cleaning! by Megan Finley Contributing writer
1
Photo by FotoDuets/Shuttersto.com
Declutter and organize. Everything should have a place in your home. If something does not have a place or you cannot find one, ask yourself, “Do I need this?” Your home and your mind will be much less cluttered with organized spaces. Sort items by their function. Decide where they are most useful, and where they should be stored. If an item really does not serve a purpose, consider donating it to a charitable organization. While organizing, do not fill closets, drawers, shelves or bins to their maximum capacity. Leave some extra space. Extra space keeps areas looking neat and clean and also allows room for something new in the future.
Photo by Prostock-studio/Shuttersto.com
It’s April. The flowers are blooming, the birds are singing, and our homes are screaming for a good cleaning. Spring cleaning is an opportunity to freshen up our homes, weed out all the clutter, and get a fresh start for the new season. These tips will make cleaning your spaces a snap and much easier to maintain throughout the year.
2
Let it go. We all hold on to things we think we may wear again one day or something we may claim has sentimental value. Ask yourself, “Have I worn this item in the last year? Do I love it? Would I re-buy this item if I were to donate it? Will I miss it if I get rid of it?” If the answer is no, then get rid of it. Do not be afraid to part with the evening gown you wore 12 years ago or the kitchen items you have never used. Chances are, if you have owned it for a while and have not used it, you are not going to ever use it. Why hang on to something someone else could really use or need? Use this same concept when purchasing new items, and ask yourself if you need it or can live without it. You will find yourself with less clutter and more money in your pocket!
3
Scrub top to bottom, room to room. Now that you have organized your spaces, you can scrub them clean! Work top to bottom, from the ceilings and light fixtures to the hanging pictures, walls and windows and finally the baseboards and floor. Wipe down every surface, including the ones you typically skip over. Windows can be the toughest to clean. Use a microfiber cloth with a water and vinegar solution to ensure your windows are streak free.
4
Freshen up your textiles. Take down your window treatments, pull off the couch slip cover, and grab your pillow shams and throw blankets. It’s time to wash them all. These are items in your home that are used daily, but you likely never think to clean them. It might be a long process, but it will be worth it!
5
Don’t forget your fridge and freezer. One of the easiest ways to add a sense of order to chaos in the home is a clean refrigerator and freezer. Toss all the food, condiments and drinks that have been in there too long, including the long-lasting frozen foods. Remove all remaining items and give it a good wipe down. Defrost the freezer to get rid of any built-up frost.
6
Maintain. It is inevitable that you will acquire new things, and they will be added to your decluttered spaces. Keep evaluating your areas for things you no longer use or need. If they are items you do not need then donate or sell them. Minimizing your spaces will help maintain your efforts from spring cleaning the whole year through. Remember, a decluttered home is a decluttered mind.
Kaiserslautern American
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April 10, 2020
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Fight back against sugar
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Tips to help overcome the cycle of excessive sweets
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Sweetening your coffee. Are you a coffee drinker? Do you make your cup a bit more tasty by adding artificial sweeteners? If so, start fighting your sugar addiction here. These artificial sweeteners can cause you to crave sugar the rest of the day. They also cause your brain to crave more calories throughout the day, which could result in weight gain. Furthermore, artificial sweeteners can actually change the way your body metabolizes sugar. In a nutshell, skip the
I find it extremely difficult to resist sugar when I am dehydrated. One of the most important parts of overcoming sugar addiction is staying hydrated. You may think your body is craving food and sugar, when in fact it is really dehydrated. Drinking green tea is also a great way to counteract a sugar craving. Eat real food. Keep your diet loaded with nutritious foods. Keep plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, nuts and eggs on hand and ready to eat. You should always eat a carbohydrate and a protein together or a fat and a protein together. Never eat fats and carbohydrates
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Water, water, water.
together. Eating this way will better regulate blood sugar, increase satiety, and promote better bodily absorption of nutrients. The bottom line: eating healthy, nutritious foods reduces sugar cravings. Find an alternative. Deal with sugar cravings by taking a walk, having a cup of tea, drinking a glass of water, having a handful of nuts, or eating a piece of fruit. Fill that sugar void by finding an alternative that works best for you. There is plenty of mind and body satisfaction in overcoming sugar addiction. If you fall off the wagon, climb back on.
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Before moving to Germany, I avoided sugar and refined carbohydrates like the plague. But now that I am living here, I find it hard to refuse all the amazing breads, pastries and carbohydrate-loaded wonderfulness that Germany has to offer. I have realized that sugar truly is an addiction. While I realize sugar is not the best substance to eat all day long, it is a hard cycle to break. Studies have actually shown that intense sweetness can have a greater neurological reward than narcotics. Withdrawal from sugar can sometimes cause the same neurological symptoms as withdrawal from nicotine, morphine, and alcohol. Many of us have used sugar as a reward for ourselves and children. It is convenient and readily available. Sugar is a mainstay in our holiday and birthday celebrations. So how is it possible to break free of the sugar addiction? Here are some tips I have discovered during my own battle against sugar.
artificial sweeteners starting first thing in the morning with that initial cup of Joe.
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by Megan Finley contributing writer
Kaiserslautern American
April 10, 2020
The wrong fit
Photo by Q15/Shutterstock.com
by Dr. Krystal White contributing writer I work out in the mornings, eyes popping open like newly christened jam jars. My routine involves driving to the gym in the dark, hyping up on coffee, pinpointing goals of how far I am going to run, bike or row that day and what pace I am going to take. Everything is neatly planned out in my brain. On one particular morning, in fact, the run was ordinary. The time was typical. The routine unnoteworthy. Everything unfolded as it was meant to unfold — I ran, I chatted, I showered. With 15 minutes until I needed to report to work, the world was just right. I was alive and awake and engaged and nourished. I was fueled to take on whatever wrench life had for me. That’s what exercise can do; it can make you feel like a mechanic trained to handle
life’s heavy tools. And then, I put on my pants. Rather, I tried to put on my pants. Another gym rat was chatting with me about the coolness of the weather when she stopped midsentence, witnessing my struggle. She refrained from saying anything before hurrying out of the room to give me privacy. I had managed to get both legs in (I have always plunged both feet in no matter what the action) but my pants were stuck at a half-thigh level.. Yank up? Yank down? Not knowing what course to take, I sat down with my pants neither on, nor off. A familiar woman walked into the room, greeted me by name, and we tossed a few exchanges back and forth before she skipped off to her elliptical trainer, oblivious to my personal crisis. My heart rebroke, and I was breaking up with it. Wrong fits, whether in clothes,
jobs or in relationships, feel nothing short of failure. Strange how a pair of pants can incriminate one’s discipline. Was it the cheesecake? That (or those) second glass(es) of wine? My habit of scooping walnuts straight from the bag? Our trip to Spain? Despite the fact that only a few seconds elapsed, my mind clicked through a dozen or so culprits of my lack of resolve. I had let myself down, and sure enough, my thighs raged their usual revenge. And then, a rally in my logical war occurred. But I exercised! I watched my carbs! I said no! I have turned away, like, a million office cupcakes! I have not touched fast food in years! No matter what my argument, the evidence was clear: the pants were not going on. Denial was clearly not an option, so deflection was weaponized: I momentarily blamed my laundry skills. I quickly questioned whether the new organic detergent I recently purchased had side effects that caused my pants to shrink a size — as if it was a little overeager to reduce waste. Still, they had to come off, and the sweaty jogged-through yoga pants had to come on. I had a patient scheduled in 15 minutes and no spare outfit. Here’s the thing: I was/am addicted to doing well. I had graduated from Harvard, scaled the Great Wall of China, donated my hair to Locks of Love, harvested mussels in Brittany, France, drank the world’s best beer with a former monk and survived the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. And here I was, hunched into the corner of the locker room, paralyzed by the evidence of failure. Of course, I laughed about the scene when confessing it to others that same day. I made jokes, I deflected, I “coped well,” I carried on. I even forgot about it. Then I ate a salad for lunch. I had become too big. I had become too large. But underneath those fears was the bigger one: I will live a life that does not fit me. The wrong fit often makes us doubtful, restricted, anxious. With wrong fits, we take unexpected changes in our lives as indictments of our own personal failures. Or, we start to twist the normal pains of developing, aging and changing into a disorder. The wrong fit is not about failure at all. It’s about learning. It’s about
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Page 9 growth. It’s about change. But we often choose self struggle, recrimination and loathing instead of grace. In these days of self hatred, of doubts in ourselves, our wrong fits distract us from a core truth: We are capable of finding our right fits. We can choose to work hard and also choose softness and ease. The choice of less resistance often takes as much effort and challenge as the hard path. It involves training our attention to what truly feels good and the people and places and
activities that make us feel OK. Instead of squeezing myself into a tizzy of insecurity, I could accept comfort and relaxation — in the form of yoga pants. I am thanking God for spandex. Author’s profile: Dr. White is a pediatric psychologist at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center and the developmental health consultant for Europe Regional Medical Command. She specializes in healthy habits across the lifespan and evaluating developmental disorders.
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Kaiserslautern American
Spring into garden season by Nicole Karsch-Meibom Contributing writer It’s time to get your garden ready for the best season of the year. To revamp your garden, make a plan of what can be achieved realistically this summer. Get informed about how to improve the quality of your lawn, which seeds or fertilizers to use and how to treat your plants. Collect as many ideas as possible, and consider carefully which plans are suitable for your own garden. Design your future garden with an online garden planner such as https://www.gardena.com/int/ garden-life/garden-planner/. Depending on the size of your
landscape, optical tricks can make your property look bigger. By using the right color and texture of the plants, you can create an impression of distance. That is a technique the Japanese have perfected — just think of how bonsai miniaturized plants alter the perspective. Because springtime is quickly approaching, now is the time to look thoroughly at your greenery. Which shrub has made it through the winter and which has turned unsightly? Before uprooting, though, thoroughly review all information available about that plant. Some species appear to be gone but aren’t at all, like the withered looking branches of a grapevine. Some plants, such as lavender or butterfly bush-
es, just need to be cut back in order to bloom again properly. Ornamental grasses should be reduced to a few inches above the ground as soon as possible, whereas flowers like Iris or Epimedium call for trimming of the foliage. Cutting too much or at the wrong time can cause great damage, so take the time to read and study properly beforehand. If you need help with some gardening basics, stop by your local gardening store, such as Landfuxx in Weilerbach to get expert advice on your gardening and plant questions. Herr Göttel at Landfuxx is happy to help with any botanical advice.
April 10, 2020
As for the queen of flowers, there is a whole science to it. In 2006, Britain voted the rose to be the most favorite flower in England. So, in order to take good care of your roses, check out https://www. bhg.com/gardening/flowers/roses/ ultimate-rose-care-guide/. Spring is the time for supporting new growth and working on the soil. So, covering all your flower beds with bark mulch is the best thing to do right now. It maintains the humidity, keeps the weeds low and feeds the soil after the winter. The cover should be at least 10 centimeters thick. Mulch can be purchased at Landfuxx too starting at €5.99 for 70 liters. Calculate 50 to 100 liters of mulch
for one square meter. To prepare the soil, it has to be broken up properly. Dig it up to aerate and loosen the ground. Adding fertilizers or compost depends on the needs of the plants. Lastly, don’t forget to think about your garden furniture. If the wood has turned gray, it will need thorough grinding before repainting or oiling. However, huge furniture stores often offer garden equipment at low prices, so this might even be cheaper than refurbishing the old stuff. And after putting all that effort into your plants, don’t you deserve a new lounge chair to enjoy your green oasis? Have a great summer! Photo by goffkein.pro/Shutterstock.com
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Huge selection of pet food Did you know that Landfuxx Weilerbach also offers a huge selection of pet foods? You can get a large variety of food for cats, dogs, rodents and horses. They also stock foods for farm animals such as chickens and sheep. With the recent warm winter, mites can become an issue for your animals. Landfuxx also stocks products to combat diseases and keep your animals healthy.
April 10, 2020
Kaiserslautern American
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Kaiserslautern American
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by Amie LaSalvia and Azure Hall contributing writers Follow your military leadership guidance with regard to COVID-19 travel restrictions.
Spring is a great time of the year! Flowers begin to blossom, the weather gets warmer, the evenings are longer to enjoy, and so much more. With winter officially behind us, now is a great opportunity to spend time with your family and have some great fun outdoors, while keeping fit. Hitting the trails There are so many beautiful trails around the KMC that you and your family are able to enjoy. What could be better than taking an afternoon stroll or spending a day hiking in the clean spring air, surrounded by the refreshing outdoors? There are more than 90 parking areas that lead to trails covering over 2,200 kilometers of breathtaking scenery. • Devils Tour, Otterbach This wonderful trail offers 15 kilometers of some heavenly views that won’t disappoint. While exploring this trail, you will find everything from wild romantic creek valleys to steep rises and a breathtaking view over Palatinate mountains that everyone will love. • Sculpture Trail, Kaiserslautern In the midst of beautiful nature and wildlife in the Palatinate forest, you can encounter man-made sculptures fashioned from sandstone, wood or metal. Some of these weird and magnificent pieces of art blend into the landscape while others present an exciting contrast to nature. There are over 30 works of art that you are can admire while hiking through idyllic scenery. • Mill Trail, Landstuhl The Mill Trail is one that
many families and hikers love. It starts in Landstuhl and passes 13 mills as it winds south through the adventurous valleys of the Stuhlbach and Wallhalb creeks. This trail stretches for 23 kilometers and passes two must-see destinations that invite you to stop in for a visit. The first is Nanstein castle, where you can pause and enjoy the marvelous view of the town of Landstuhl. The second is the Rosselmuehle, where the water still turns the huge mill wheel. • Ring Mauer This hike takes you from the Vogelweh Housing development into the woods, leading you to the remains of an ancient Roman fort called Ring Mauer. To begin this trail, park within the Vogelweh Housing area, but be sure not to park within designated residential spots. Trail time is roughly two hours each way, or four hours round trip. The trail is roughly 12 kilometers long and the route has sections that are both paved and unpaved. • Frankenstein Castle There are two Frankenstein castles in Germany, but this is the one closest to Ramstein – approximately one hour away. There is a designated parking lot at the base of the hill that provides access to the hiking trail. While it is unknown exactly which of the castles inspired the writing of Mary Shelley’s famous novel, it is known that the author spent time in many parts of Germany, especially along the Rhein River. These ruins are accessible via a short hike up the side of the mountain, roughly fifteen to twenty minutes each way. There are picnic areas nearby and a number of geological formations in the surrounding area. This hike is perfect for someone looking to get a little fresh air without devoting much time to a hike.
• Wolfstein The destination for this hike is located a short distance away from Kaiserslautern, about a thirty-minute drive, in the village of Wolfstein. This quiet village offers a number of public parking lots within walking distance of the trail. It is the first stage of the much longer Pfaelzer Hoehenweg, and includes a small portion of the 100-kilometer-long trail. This hike is just under 12 kilometers long, looping around the town and making it a perfect hike for a day trip. The hike ends with a spectacular view of two separate castle ruins. • The Palatinate Forest Trail Any portion of this 143-kilometer-long trail would make for an excellent hike. The trail offers views of spectacular crags, deep valleys, undisturbed countryside and verdant forests. There are a number of parking areas, depending on what entry spot you choose. Along the way, you can normally stop at the house of sustainability, Haus der Nachhaltigkeit, in Johanniskreuz, to learn more about preserving nature and the surrounding area. Currently, this exhibition space is closed. However, if you decide to take this hike later in the year, check to see if it is open. The Drachenfels Ruins and the Berwartstein Castle, Germany’s only remaining currently occupied castle, are both along this route. The trail is broken into nine stages, any of which can be hiked individually or as a longer multistage hike. When participating in any physical activity, hiking included, safety and preparation are of the utmost importance. Bring plenty of water and plan for weather changes. Know where you are going by doing a little research in advance and carry a charged cellphone just in case.
April 10, 2020
Kaiserslautern American
April 10, 2020
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Kaiserslautern American
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April 10, 2020
Dog-friendly hiking in the KMC by Ronnie Juhans contributing writer Follow your military leadership guidance with regard to COVID-19 travel restrictions.
If you are new to the KMC and have your dog(s) with you, depending on where you live you may not have a chance to let your dog run loose, or know great places in the surrounding area to do so. Living in an apartment downtown or on-base/post housing sometimes restricts you to a quick daily walk with your dog before and after work or on weekends. Don’t let this prevent you from getting out and trying something new and exciting while spending quality time with your dog as well as the entire family. There are hundreds of kilometers of trails to trek with your dog that either start where you live or are just a short drive away. In this article, I want to focus on Nordic
Walking trails where you can take the pup with you, and let you to get back in shape for outdoor terrain after spending a lot of time either sitting by the fire or using indoor equipment. The trails also have stops offering food and beverages and water for your dog, just in case you run out along the way. Although most of the restaurants and snack shops are currently closed, remember where they are for future hikes. The Pfaelzer Bergland Nordic Walking trails are posted with signs at the start points with information including routes, distance, difficulty level and points of interest, including rest stops offering snacks. They all have three or four main routes. These trails surround the KMC, Baumholder and Sembach, are just a short distance away, and are dog-friendly. Nature Fitness Park Waldmohr routes include the Hoehenweg, a 8.2 km-long, partlypaved trail; Glanaue, a 8 km-long
trail; and the family-fiendly 10.7 km-long Mohrmuehlweg, half of which is paved. They interconnect and have varied terrain with a medium difficulty rating. Nature Fitness Park Ombachsee routes include the Ohmbachsee Tour, a 4.4 km-long tour with an easy difficulty rating; the 6.6 km-long Ziegelberg Tour, with mostly paved trails; and the Loewenberg Tour, a 9.7 km-long trail, both with medium difficulty ratings. Nature Fitness Park Baumholder has a 4.6 kmlong easy-rated route called Am Bruderbach. This trail can be a bit more of a challenge during early spring due to very slippery terrain. Also around Baumholder are the 8.1 km-long Foersterrunde, 11.9 km-long Muehlenweg, and 12.4 km-long Zum Wildfrauenloch. All three have medium ratings, however, since most of the trails are not paved, they can be very slippery in early spring.
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April 10, 2020 Nature Fitness Park Burg Lichtenberg also has three routes. Kleine Burgtour is the shortest of the three routes with a mostly paved 5 km distance; Grosse Burgtour is a 9 km tour on mostly paved underground, and the Roemertour takes you just a bit further with a length of 11.4 km. This is one of my favorite parks because they are all near Lichtenberg Castle. The castle offers various small museums and a restaurant, making it a perfect stop, once the economy runs normally again. All routes have a medium rating. What makes all of these trails great it that they are Rundwege, “round trails,” which have the same start and finish point, and have directional signs on trees or wooden posts so you can turn around and find your way back to the car easily if necessary. The views are amazing and the trails are well maintained. During spring expect trails that are damp, sometimes muddy and slippery because of tree roots and the remains of leaves and moss from the fall. Depending on the elevation there can still be snow and ice in certain areas. Be prepared by checking weather conditions before you leave and letting others know where you
are going. Ensure your safety by wearing sturdy water-resistant footwear, dressing in layers, and having a backpack with extra supplies such as water, food, snacks for everyone including the pup, first aid kit, and a phone for emergencies. While taking your dog along, make sure to keep a few things in mind when it comes to the dos and don’ts of dog etiquette. Everywhere I go there are German hikers with dogs, and dogs are allowed to run off the trail to do their business, mark their territory on a tree, or just romp around and have fun. However, when another hiker (with or without a dog) approaches, the dog is called back to its owner’s side until you pass by. This is done for your and the dog’s safety and also applies to oncoming cyclists. Ensure you always bring a leash while hiking. If you are not sure how your dog will respond to seeing strangers or your verbal commands, leash your dog in advance to avoid a bad situation. Also, be sure to lead them off the trail to relieve themselves when necessary to prevent fellow hikers from having to navigate around, or accidentally end up with shoes and poles that need
Page 15 a little extra clean up at the end of the day. Cleaning up after your dog is a common courtesy ensuring we all end our day on a good note. Cleaning up after them is especially important if your hike takes you through a public park, playground, or resting areas. Local community offices have gloves and bags that are free of charge, and in many areas, they are supplied for free in dispensers along the way with signs attached. The German Department of Public Order and local community administration offices have a danger prevention ordinance outlining your responsibilities while walking your dogs in different areas. This ordinance states that the owners must keep their dogs on a leash while walking them on public streets, and in housing areas. In all other areas such as hiking trails and through the forest, dogs must be automatically put on a leash or otherwise controlled when other people approach. Violators may be punished with fines up to several thousands of dollars depending on the circumstance. They can also face paying medical bills and property damage costs due to an
out of control dog. It is also important to know that if you plan on taking your dog out for a walk that requires car travel, Germany’s law requires dogs in cars should be safely secured in either a kennel or other restraining devices such as a seatbelt or safety net. This not only protects your dog but prevents unexpected driver distractions that could result in traffic accidents. You can obtain hiking maps from the tourist offices all over the KMC including the Window to Rheinland-Pfalz information kiosk located in the KMCC Mall, once they are open again. Alternatively, search for a route online at www.outdooractive.com Author’s Profile: Ron Juhans has spent many years traveling around the world guiding and teaching outdoor adventure skills in the United States, Europe, and Asia while being on active duty for over 21 years in the Army. As a youth counselor, he planned and led over 150 weeklong adventure camps for Outdoor Recreation and Youth Programs in the KMC area which received numerous accolades and articles in the Kaiserslautern American, and Stars And Stripes.
Kaiserslautern American
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April 10, 2020
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Quiche is loved by many people all over the world. There are so many varieties and combinations of this delicious French tart, far beyond the traditional quiche Lorraine, which includes bacon and cheese. Quiche can be enjoyed warm or cold, can be prepared in advance, can simply be adjusted to all tastes and can easily be transported, making it a picnic superstar. And, let’s face it, you will rock that picnic if your sandwich-expecting family is blown away by this delicious pastry dish. Below, you will find a basic recipe for the pastry and the filling. Play around with taste combinations to find your favorite quiche. Ingredients Pastry • 1 1/2 cups flour • 1 egg • 1 stick of butter • 1 teaspoon salt Method: Place flour and salt in a bowl, cut butter into pieces and
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add, then add the egg and knead until well combined. Roll out the pastry into a 10-inch round dish. Important Tips: Butter should be cold, right out of the fridge. Add a tablespoon of cold water if you think the pastry isn’t coming together. Let the dough rest in the fridge while you prepare the other ingredients before rolling out. Filling • 3 eggs • 3/4 cup heavy cream • Salt, pepper and nutmeg to taste Method: Beat together until
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Combinations Goat Cheese, roasted eggplant and cherry tomatoes • 1 small eggplant, cut into slices and roast in the oven on both sides until golden brown at about 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 minutes on each side • 3.5 ounces goat cheese, cut into small chunks • 7 ounces cherry tomatoes, cut in half Method: Place eggplant onto the pastry, pour over filling, drop goat cheese chunks throughout, place cherry tomatoes on top. Salmon and spinach • 10 ounces smoked salmon, cut into strips • 10 ounces fresh baby spinach Method: Mix salmon and spinach into basic filling, pour into pastry shell Lorraine • 7 ounces bacon, cut into strips and fry in pan until desired crispness • 1/2 to 1 cup of grated cheese. Use your preferred cheese and vary the amount depending on how cheesy you like it. Try Gruyère cheese for a distinct flavor.
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April 10, 2020
Kaiserslautern American
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Kaiserslautern American
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April 10, 2020
Prepare your vehicle for warmer weather
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by Thomas Warner contributing writer Spring is here, which of course means spring cleaning. But spring cleaning is not, and should not be, limited to your home. When winter came around, you prepared your car for the colder
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weather. Now that warmer weather is right around the corner, it’s time again to get your car ready for the change. For example, your winter tires, those used specifically for driving in snow and mud, should be replaced. Spring and summer require tires that are made of harder rubber. Many vehicle owners have two sets of tires, and they either hire someone to change them out or do it themselves. But changing tires is not as simple a task as it may seem and should be just one of many facets to consider when preparing your vehicles for the transition from winter weather to the spring and summer seasons. Auto skills centers operated by military bases around the KMC offer tools, hydraulic lifts and expertise from qualified employees to help make the experience a positive one. With regard to tires, it is responsible thinking for vehicle owners to at least broach the subject of tread wear. Most people with knowledge of auto repair and maintenance are in agreement that braking is the main saboteur of tire tread.
If a vehicle’s tires have low tread, there could be criminal charges brought when that person is involved, at fault or not, in a collision or event that is injurious to another person. Vehicle owners should conduct a full inspection of lighting, including turn signals, brake lights, high and low beam bulbs, and head and tail lights. These inspections are easy for individuals to do themselves and should be completed at least four to five times a year. Air conditioning got more use last summer than was normal for this region, and the somewhat light winter we’ve had this year could be an indication of more high temperatures in the coming months. To prepare for this, the entire air conditioning and heating mechanism should be checked for deficiencies. If needed, vehicles can receive air conditioning recharges with new Freon or other chemical mixtures added. Also, auto coolant or antifreeze will drain from a vehicle faster if the air conditioner is running more, so all of the various fluids should be checked and topped off or refilled at this time of year.
Kaiserslautern American
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Photo by LeManna/Shutterstock.com
April 10, 2020
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With the safety of military members always at the forefront of ownership and operation of personal owned vehicles, German police and U.S. military vehicular patrol units make it their business to routinely check that tires, rims and other areas of the vehicle meet the proper specifications. U.S. drivers in Germany should
be aware that cars, trucks and vans here are accustomed to being driven at high speeds and most are manufactured to handle it. Domestic vehicles from the U.S., however, are often not manufactured with these European variables in mind, and they in turn take a beating from drivers who push them past their usual limits. In short, know your car and
know its limits. Each season’s turn is an opportunity to do a complete checkup and perform routine maintenance as well as to make any changes to your vehicle that will enhance its performance. The best drivers will often prove to be the smartest drivers, and smart drivers take the time to make sure their car is up-to-date and well maintained.
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Kaiserslautern American
April 10, 2020
We’re in this thing together: how to start co-parenting better by Dr. Krystal White contributing writer Parenting decisions can be big (when to start toilet training) or small (should he get another cookie?). No doubt about it, some decisions are easy and some are very tough. Parents make thousands of decisions about the daily lives of their children. In how many activities should children be enrolled? How do you handle temper tantrums? Food refusal? Where does our child sleep? Often, parents agree on these decisions, and other times they do not. Co-parenting is the term used to describe the negotiation process and team execution of: 1. an overall parent philosophy 2. who does each daily task 3. how you solve problems (feared, perceived and actual) Co-parents may live together or in different homes. How people co-parent significantly influences a child's emotions and behaviors. Research shows that children with healthy co-parents (divorced, never married or married) tend to show better control of their attention and behavior. Studies suggest that children with healthy co-parents have better long-term outcomes; later in life, they were people who were rated as getting along with others,
doing well in school and feeling good about themselves. Children who were not doing as well lived in households with fewer satisfied spouses and fewer effective parents. Unhappy marriages and unsupportive co-parenting go hand in hand, according to this research. Unsupportive co-parenting resulted in children who didn’t feel good about themselves or who don’t get along well with others. A closer look at these families revealed that husbands and wives who were not getting along often allowed their marital problems to interfere with their effectiveness as a parenting team. The research suggests that if married, co-parents must work on their marriage first before tackling parenting problems. The goal of co-parenting is for the child to observe their parents as partners rather than enemies — something all parents want no matter if they remain romantically together or not. After examining and working through marital issues, or deciding to end the romantic adult relationship, parents can devote their focus and energy on being a better team. Parents can start to be better co-parents by establishing an annual meeting to address their children's specific needs for that year. Our culture has many annual
celebrations or deadlines, and coparents should pick one date and stick with it over the long term. This annual meeting is not a time to review past arguments or conflicts — it should only address goals and the parenting plan for the year. Parents should prepare their responses to the following questions individually, and then review as a co-parenting team at this annual meeting: • What is our intended goal for our children? • What do we want them to develop this year? • What are the most important skills for them to build? • What is my individual role (as a mom versus as a dad) and concrete responsibilities (these will shift with each “season” of life)? • What resources do we need to achieve these goals? Co-parents should set up a regular time to talk together, ranging from once a week to once a month, about any issues or possible disagreements. It’s best to have a specific meeting time rather than talk about disagreements in the “heat of the moment.” During actual problems, emotions, rather than logic, are most likely influencing the way you talk to one another. A scheduled time may not be fun or
convenient, but it’s important. A good place to start is to think of the three most important arguments you have about raising your children. Write down each one and why it matters to your child’s long term development. If one parent wants to execute a course of action (e.g., to wean, to stop piano lessons or soccer enrollment, or change discipline techniques), identify what impact the decision would have on your child in 10 years, five years, one year, one month, one week and one day. This may help guide the team’s decision. If the argument is about the fairness of the parenting workload or the division of labor, negotiation may need to occur. Many co-parents who have these talks decide that although changes in co-parenting duties can’t be made, talking about them helps. Many co-parents want clear recognition for doing his or her job and not a change in roles. Co-parents have options when they aren’t on the same page: 1. Consider wether the disagreement is about ensuring your child’s positive health and development and not about the dynamic between each other. If it is the latter, work to heal or change the emotional reaction
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you have between you. Put the co-parenting concerns on the “back burner.” 2. Write out a list of pros and cons for each parent’s argument. The next step forward may look easier using a data sheet. 3. Choose to let one person make the decision for the team, even if one is not in total agreement with the outcome. 4. Seek consultation from a trusted source or the advice of a professional. Often, brief co-parenting advice from these sources helps co-parents be more creative and less conflictual regarding these decisions. Co-parenting can be the most difficult job a person can choose. It does not come naturally, and it takes a lot of practice and support to be good at it (just like with most careers). When parents seek social resources in a church, unit and medical community, both they and their children’s health improve. Author’s Profile: Dr. White is a pediatric psychologist at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center and the developmental health consultant for Europe Regional Medical Command. She specializes in healthy habits across the lifespan and evaluating developmental disorders.
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April 10, 2020
How to keep from going cuckoo while cooped up with your kids by Lisa Helenius contributing writer You’re stuck inside. Your kids are stuck in there with you. Your palm is stuck on your forehead. • Schedules. Kids need predictability and structure. Even if your family’s daily routine seems “obvious”, it probably doesn’t feel that way to your kid. Post your daily schedule for everyone to see. If your child is very young, use pictures. For example, Wake-up, Use Bathroom, Eat Breakfast, Change clothes, Brush teeth, Virtual School, etc. • Choices. Feeling a small sense of control can keep tempers at bay. Give your child choices, even if they are two things you want (e.g. “should I make green beans or carrots for our dinner vegetable”). Let your child have full control of simple choiceslike picking out his/her own clothes for the day or choosing the family board game. • Check Lists. Another way to help your child feel control is to give him/her little lists to check off and small built-in breaks or rewards: e.g. Do 5
math problems, then do 25 jumping jacks, then do 5 math problems, then run up and down the stairs 3 times, etc. • Limit Screen Time. Yeah, yeah. That’s easier said than done. A good place to start is a “first/ then” plan with screen time. For example, first doing an activity that involves interaction and engagement (like playing Uno or Hide and
Seek), then playing a video game. Or, first read a book for 30 minutes, then watch a favorite show. Rememberturn all screens off at least 30 minutes before bedtime (longer if possible), to prevent sleep disruptions. • Sensory Play. Kids desperately need to explore with all of their senses. It’s hard to do this inside, but you can
try some of these ideas: fill a plastic bin with dry beans and rice and hide little toys inside; hide coins in play dough and have your child dig them out; smear shaving cream on the table top and have your child draw pictures with his/her index finger; make a fort out of blankets; pull the cushions off the couch and play “crashing” games; have one child sit
in a blanket and have a sibling pull him on a slippery floor; have one child sit in a laundry basket and the other child push him around to find toys (or just have your child push the laundry basket around for clean-up time). • Chores. Make a chore chart, so that your child can earn screen time or other rewards. A separate chart for each child gives them a sense of ownership. • Movement. School aged children need breaks from their school work. www.GoNoodle. com has some great exercises. Spend as much time outdoors as is humanly possible. Make after dinner family walks part of your routine. • Mindfulness. Kids need to feel a sense of calm. There are some great Apps out there to help kids with mindfulness. Two that we recommend are “Calm” and “Breathe, Think, Do with Sesame”. Author’s profile: Lisa is a practicing occupational therapist with over 20 years of experience. She currently is a partner at Growing Up Therapy. See https:// growinguptherapy.com for more information.
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HOME CINEMA HIGHLIGHTS
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classics! These are just a few — Now’s the time to stream or rent some of the all-timfore availabil ity.
Part 3
Check your streaming service
ACTION, SCI-FI
COMEDY, DRAMA
Poster by Warner Bros.
WESTERN
Poster by Universal Pictures
The Matrix (1999)
Crooklyn (1994)
Neo believes that Morpheus, an elusive figure considered to be the most dangerous man alive, can answer his question — what is the Matrix? Neo is contacted by Trinity, a beautiful stranger who leads him into an underworld where he meets Morpheus. Cast: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss Director: Lana Wachowski, Lilly Wachowski
Spike Lee’s vibrant semi-autobiographical portrait of a school teacher, her stubborn jazz musician husband and their five kids living in Brooklyn in 1973. Cast: Alfre Woodard, Delroy Lindo, David Patrick Kelly Director: Spike Lee ACTION, ADVENTURE, COMEDY
ADVENTURE, SCI-FI
ACTION, CRIME
Poster by Produzioni Europee Associate
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)
ACTION, THRILLER
Poster by Warner Bros.
Poster by 20th Century Fox
Lethal Weapon (1987)
Die Hard (1988)
During the Civil War, a mysterious stranger, Joe, and a Mexican outlaw, Tuco, form an uneasy partnership — Joe turns in the bandit for the reward money, then rescues him just as he is being hanged. When Joe’s shot at the noose goes awry during one escapade, a furious Tuco tries to have him murdered. Cast: Clint Eastwood, Lee van Cleef Director: Sergio Leone
Following the death of his wife, Martin Riggs becomes reckless and suicidal. When he is reassigned and partnered with Roger Murtaugh, Riggs immediately clashes with the older officer. Together they uncover a massive drug-trafficking ring. As they encounter increasingly dangerous situations, Riggs and Murtaugh begin to form a bond. Cast: Mel Gibson, Danny Glover Director: Richard Donner
New York City policeman John McClane is visiting his estranged wife and two daughters on Christmas Eve. He joins her at a holiday party in the headquarters of the Japanese-owned business she works for. But the festivities are interrupted by a group of terrorists who take over the exclusive high-rise, and everyone in it. Cast: Bruce Willis, Bonnie Bedelia, Alan Rickman Director: John McTiernan
ADVENTURE, COMEDY, FAMILY
ACTION, ADVENTURE, SCI-FI
ANIMATION, ADVENTURE, COMEDY
Poster by 20th Century Fox
The Jewel of the Nile (1985) Poster by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) After discovering a mysterious artifact buried beneath the Lunar surface, mankind sets off on a quest to find its origins with help from intelligent supercomputer H.A.L. 9000. Stars: Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood, William Sylvester, Daniel Richter Director: Stanley Kubrick
Novelist Joan Wilder is living with adventurer boyfriend Jack Colton on his yacht. But she leaves when the head of a North African nation asks her to visit his country and write about him. Jack intends to go on a pleasure cruise to Greece, but changes plans when he learns that Joan is a pawn in Omar’s quest to polish his image and gain greater power. Cast: Kathleen Turner, Michael Douglas Director: Lewis Teague
Poster by Buena Vista Distribution
Poster by Buena Vista Pictures
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989)
Tron (1982)
When kids sneak into inventor Wayne Szalinski’s upstairs lab to retrieve an errant baseball, his experimental shrink ray miniaturizes them. The four children, now 1/4-inch tall, must survive the journey back to the house through a yard where sprinklers bring treacherous storms and garden-variety ants stampede like elephants. Cast: Rick Moranis, Marcia Strassman Director: Joe Johnston
When computer engineer Kevin Flynn finds out that an executive at his company has been stealing his work, he tries to hack into the system. However, Flynn is transported into the digital world, where he has to face off against Dillinger’s computerized likeness, Sark, and the imposing Master Control Program. Cast: Jeff Bridges, Bruce Boxleitner Director: Steven Lisberger
Poster by Buena Vista Pictures
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) Private eye Valiant gets hired by cartoon producer Maroon to investigate an adultery scandal involving Jessica Rabbit, the sultry wife of Maroon’s biggest star, Roger Rabbit. But when Jessica’s alleged paramour and the owner of Toontown, is found murdered, the villainous Judge Doom vows to catch and destroy Roger. Cast: Bob Hoskins, Christopher Lloyd Directors: Robert Zemeckis, Richard Williams
Ramstein
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April 10, 2020
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