SAVVY | October 2017

THE LIFESTYLE MANUAL FOR THE MODERN MOM

OCTOBER 2017 · THESAVVYMOMS.COM

A MOM PASSES ON HER LOVE OF HUNTING MEET THE JOHNSON WOMEN (AND DUDE!) ON PAGE 32!

Gun

Safety HAPPY HAUNTING!

HALLOWEEN TREATS, CRAFTS & COSTUMES

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OCTOBER 2017 | THESAVVYMOMS.COM

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THESAVVYMOMS.COM | OCTOBER 2017

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OCTOBER 2017 MODERN MOM 12 MAMA SAID WHAT’S TO LOVE ABOUT AGING?

14 MIND, BODY & SOUL TEAR UP TO FIGHT BREAST CANCER

16 SAVVY STYLE LUXE LEATHER

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SAVVY FAMILY 18 BUTTERNUT SQUASH LASAGNA A SEASONAL, HEALTHY CROWD-PLEASER

26 HAPPY HAUNTING

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HALLOWEEN PARTY CRAFTS, COSTUMES, DECOR, FOOD AND MORE!

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32 BONDING IN THE BLIND JILL GADBERRY JOHNSON PASSES ON A JOY OF HUNTING TO HER DAUGHTERS

36 GET KIDS ON TARGET WITH GUN SAFETY THERE ARE STEPS PARENTS SHOULD TAKE BEFORE KIDS ARE READY FOR HUNTING SEASON

IN EVERY ISSUE 6 EDITOR’S NOTE 10 NEWS & NOTES CALENDAR, CRAFTS & MORE!

38 MOM APPROVED JENNIFER MARTINEZ BELT

26 ON THE COVER: JILL GADBERRY JOHNSON WITH HER DAUGHTERS REBECCA WEBBER AND CHARLOTTE JOHNSON. PHOTOGRAPHY BY LILY DARRAGH.

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OCTOBER 2017 | THESAVVYMOMS.COM

Sports Invest in Kids Early to Build Trust and Injuries Communication don’t take

up when something is wrong. And that, he said, starts long before there is a problem, by investing enough time to let your child know you care about their happiness and well-being as well as knowing their highs and lows.

Weekends Off

Children and teens today experience largely the same ups and downs of previous generations, with some notable differences. New technology, social media and easy access to opiates and other prescription medications have all contributed to depression, addiction and the impact of suicide.

“Parents should know their children better than anyone else,” he said. “Consistently, the more parents engage with their children through conversation, participation, affection and the like, the more they become aware of changes with their behaviors.”

can help families day or night. I would always encourage a parent to never assume they have all the answers and make contact with our Intake Department to seek help.”

“Sometimes inpatient treatment is necessary to stabilize the patient, but there are other resources available as well. A good intake department will explain the risks of not receiving treatment, offer the right level of care based on symptoms and provide options and where to find them.”

The BridgeWay, the first free-

“Don’t be afraid to ask them about their feelings. standing behavioral healthcare Don’t hesitate to know their friends and their system in Arkansas, is the largest whereabouts. Don’t forget to visit with their and most expansive behavioral teachers about their performance and behaviors at school.

And do not ignore signs that your child healthcare provider in the state.

“The most important thing to remember is that could be depressed, even if you don’t believe they Programs are as effective— while speaking about suicide is a tough subject, Saturday Morning Sports Injuryhe Clinic thebe.” most specialized sports medicine outcomes and could it does not mean it should be ignored,” said – get have consistently shown orthopedic care in the state for your developing athlete.

“Parents were teenagers once too. We remember as much as a 12-point improvement Determining that a problem exists, while being smarter and more ‘in touch’ than our in depression cases—as they are important, is just the first step on the road to a parents probably Sometimes sportsrecognized. injuries happen at the most happier, inconvenient times, life. especially during more productive Often families in the big varied, and include art expression, meet. So you need a clinic that’s flexible. That’scrisis whyhave we’re onexposure Saturdays treating littleopen previous to therapy or “Remembering that our own children are the yoga and pet therapy. fractures, strains Arkansas wetolove otherBecause behavioralat health servicesChildren’s, and find it hard same, wedislocations, can find ways tosprains, have logical and and more. know where start. bending over backwards to take of your athlete.

Notoappointment or referral necessary.

“We continue to grow in our programs to serve poignant discussions with them aboutcare important our neighbors and friends in the state,” Miller subjects like addiction, social pressures and us who work in behavioral health said. “But more importantly than that, we take suicide.” September 2 – November 11, 9 AM –“All Saturdays, 11ofAM understand that there are questions about where the issues facing our children seriously and know • Located in the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Orthopedic Clinic archildrens.org to turn and what to do,” Miller said. “At The Miller said being direct starts with building the how to keep them safe if they are ever faced with BridgeWay, we operate 24/7, 365 days a year and kind of emotional capital that entitles you to speak depression, addiction or thoughts of suicide.”

Parents have an obligation to face such issues as suicide head-on, according to Jason Miller, CEO of The BridgeWay.

Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death overall in Arkansas.

It’s true.

That over twice as many people die by suicide in Arkansas annually than from homicide.

Also true.

On average, one person dies by suicide every 15 hours in our state.

Yet suicide is preventable.

Based on the most recent 2015 data from the CDC

Join us as we walk to prevent suicide.

Be the VOICE to

#STOPSUICIDE

When: Sunday, November 5, 2017 Check-in at 12 noon Walk at 2:15 PM Where: Dickey-Stephens Park Register: ARWALK.org

THESAVVYMOMS.COM | OCTOBER 2017

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HAUNTING & HUNTING Something about Halloween has always appealed to me. It’s the one time of year that it’s encouraged to explore our darker sides with well-planned costumes, scary movies, haunted houses, ghoulish decorations and terrifying treats. I even get a thrill every time I open the door for a trick-or-treater and see their delight when they find me dressed up, too! Nothing makes me more proud than overhearing my stepdaughter say, “Oh, Amy and I are BIG Halloween people.”

In mid-September we start hauling out our bins of decorations, which was right in time to create a Halloween party scene on page 26. Find some inspiration for your own ghoulish get together with party games, snacks, drinks, a playlist, costumes from Party City and more!

For many Arkansans, fall also signals another annual celebration—hunting season!

Generations of hunters across the state get together and disappear into the woods for days of bonding, swapping stories, honing hunting skills and more. Inevitably, kids want to get in on the action, and parents wonder what age is appropriate to start teaching gun safety and education. On page 36, we talk with an instructor about how and when to begin introducing future hunters to the sport and how to do it safely.

Jill Gadberry Johnson never thought of hunting as a “man’s sport,” and neither do her daughters. These Little Rock female hunters share about their love of the sport, admiration of their mom and the peace they find in nature, on page 34.

Whether you’re haunting or hunting with your kids this month, we hope you’ll play it safe, have fun, and make some lasting fall memories together!

GRAHAM'S BACON COSTUME WAS VERY POPULAR WITH OUR TRICK-OR-TREAT GANG!

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OCTOBER 2017 | THESAVVYMOMS.COM

Amy Gordy Editor, Savvy @SavvyAR

HOLIDAY SHOPPING

EVENT O F TH E S E A S O N

Shop a variety of merchants, including Christmas decor, clothing, jewelry, food, and gifts for all those on Santa's Nice List!

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JINGLE & MINGLE / $30 per ticket

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Friday, November 10 | 6 to 9 p.m.

COOKIE DECORATING WITH SANTA $10 per child, parents free presented by the Toggery Saturday, November 11 | 9 a.m. to noon

GENERAL SHOPPING HOURS $10 one day pass / $20 three day pass

Presenting Sponsor

HOLIDAY HOUSE PROUDLY SUPPORTS JUNIOR LEAGUE OF LITTLE ROCK COMMUNITY PROJECTS

Annually 14,000 people attend Holiday House which has collectively raised over $5 million to support these projects: Boosters and Big Rigs, Little Readers Rock, Stuff the Bus, LYFE, Kota and Nightingales.

Have A Howling Ghoul Time!

Thursday, November 9 | 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Friday, November 10 | 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Saturday, November 11 | 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

PURCHASE TICKETS AT JLLR.ORG/HOLIDAY-HOUSE

ENJOY A SAFE AND FUN HALLOWEEN THURS., OCT. 26 • 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM

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TRICK-OR-TREATING • FUN AND GAMES 22nd Annual

pick up a game card for prize drawings!

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT LITTLEROCK.COM

LOCATIONS: ■ Arkansas Arts Center

■ Central Arkansas Nature Center ■ Historic Arkansas Museum ■ Little Rock Visitor Center at Historic Curran Hall ■ MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History (Wildwood Park for the Arts on-site partner) ■ Mosaic Templars Cultural Center (Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site on-site partner) ■ Museum of Discovery (Central Arkansas Library System on-site partner) ■ North Little Rock Heritage Center (Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum on-site partner) ■ Old State House Museum (Arkansas Secretary of State on-site partner) SPONSORED BY: Hosted by The Greater Little Rock Museums & Cultural Attractions Consortium THESAVVYMOMS.COM | OCTOBER 2017

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• OCCUPATIONAL • SPEECH-LANGUAGE • DEVELOPMENTAL • PHYSICAL THERAPY • APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS (ABA) • MENTAL HEALTH / COUNSELING • Autism Diagnostic & Treatment Center, REACH Serving children & families across central Arkansas #501-481-8930 artherapyoutreach.com PUBLISHER BLAKE HANNAHS | blake@arktimes.com EDITOR AMY GORDY | amy@arktimes.com

501-315-4414

CREATIVE DIRECTOR MANDY KEENER | mandy@arktimes.com ART DIRECTOR KATIE HASSELL | katie@arktimes.com EDITOR AT LARGE REBEKAH LAWRENCE | rebekah@arktimes.com SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE LESA THOMAS | lesa@arktimes.com

Visit our website for information on services, upcoming events, and access to our resources!

Kidsourcetherapy.com Services We Provide: •First Connections Early Intervention •Therapy Evaluations •Speech/Language Therapy •Occupational Therapy •Physical Therapy

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ADVERTISING TRAFFIC MANAGER ROLAND R. GLADDEN | roland@arktimes.com ADVERTISING COORDINATOR LARISSA GUDINO | larissa@arktimes.com GRAPHIC DESIGNERS MIKE SPAIN | JASON HO PRODUCTION MANAGER | CONTROLLER WELDON WILSON IT DIRECTOR ROBERT CURFMAN ACCOUNTS PAYABLE/OFFICE MANAGER KELLY JONES BILLING/COLLECTIONS LINDA PHILLIPS CIRCULATION DIRECTOR ANITRA HICKMAN

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM! BE THE FIRST TO FIND OUT ABOUT GIVEAWAYS & CONTESTS @SAVVYAR 8

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FIND US ON

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contributors

For over 30 years, e BridgeWay has been caring for Arkansans of all ages. Now, e BridgeWay offers Senior Care to adults, 55 and older, struggling with mental health concerns. In honor of those who raised us, we provide the following: • New, state-of-the-art facility • 24-hour nursing care • Medication management and physician care • Discharge and aercare planning • Neuropsychological testing • Safe, serene environment in central Arkansas

KERRY GUICE is a food blogger and photographer living in Little Rock with her husband, two kids and their dog. When she’s not sharing her latest meal on Instagram, Kerry is planning her family’s next Arkansas adventure or crafting with her creative tots.

Angela E. Thomas is a proud University of Arkansas at Little Rock graduate and a member of its Alumni Board. For 11 years, she served Central Arkansas as editor for a locally owned magazine.

Thomas is founder and owner of the greeting card company GODsent Greetings.

Here we treat each patient with dignity and care that may bring hope, help and healing to those seeking a sense of wellness.

If you or a loved one is experiencing difficulties, it is important to find out if a serious problem exists.

To schedule a confidential, no-cost assessment, call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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DWAIN HEBDA is a writer and editor living in Little Rock. He and his wife, Darlene, are the parents of four grown children. The emptynesters spend their time traveling, working out and spoiling their two dogs.

Lily Darragh is a photographer in Little Rock. She studied photography at Parsons the New School of Design in New York. Currently working out of a photography studio in downtown Little Rock, Lily loves to shoot people and places unique to Arkansas.

THESAVVYMOMS.COM | OCTOBER 2017

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news & notes

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October

Enjoy your favorite tunes from the “Harry Potter” film series, as performed by the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra at Robinson Center. Composed by the legendary John Williams, the music brings the magic to life, and audience members are invited to dress in costume as a favorite character. arkansassymphony.org.

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Gather the ladies for a fun night of games, dessert, beverages and shopping at Big Rock Fun Park! The park is hosting Ladies Night Out from 7 to 9 p.m., where moms get the party room all to themselves. Tickets include a three-activity wristband and a memorable evening with the girls! bigrockfunpark.com.

All ages will enjoy a new carnival at the Arkansas State Fair along with the PRCA Rodeo, live music, livestock show, food, fun and more! arkansasstatefair.com.

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Indulge in a day of cornbread, music, kids’ activities and more at The Arkansas Cornbread Festival. This event on South Main Street in SoMa celebrates Southern culture and heritage through food, art and music.

Sample cornbread, as teams compete for cash prizes and cornbread glory. arkansascornbreadfestival.com.

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Kavanaugh Boulevard will be blocked, from the promenade area to Spruce Street, on Oct. 14 for Harvestfest, Hillcrest’s annual fall celebration, with food trucks, art sellers, clothing, local music and more, running from morning until night. harvestfest.us.

Run to find a cure for breast cancer in The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, which winds through downtown Little Rock. Run for yourself, to support a survivor, or to honor a loved one’s memory. komenarkansas.org.

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Coming Up!

This Halloween festival at the Little Rock Zoo is wildly spooky! Boot at the Zoo is back and filled with lots fun including trick-or-treating in a safe environment, arts and crafts, tons of lights and decorations, carousel rides, face painting, carnival rides, a haunted house, hay maze and more! littlerockzoo.com.

WIN PJ MASKS TICKETS

26-29

Bundle up to witness this beautiful, innovative performance on ice at Verizon Arena. “Cirque du Soleil Crystal” is a state-of-theart production that combines outstanding skating and sliding, remarkable aesthetics and acrobatic feats that defy the imagination. cirquedusoleil.com/crystal.

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Arkansas is believed to be where cheese dip began, so where better to settle on a world champion than in Arkansas? Look for plenty of cheese dip samples from professional and amateur competitors, live music and more, from noon to 3 p.m. at The World Cheese Dip Championship at the Clinton Presidential Center. Kids 10 and under are free! centralarkansastickets.com.

These super cartoon characters come to life at Robinson Center on Nov. 6. “PJ Masks Live!” is a super live show featuring the heroic trio from the television series.

Watch Catboy, Owlette and Gekko as they try to save the day from sneaky villains! robinsoncentersecondact.com. Celebrity Attractions is giving away four tickets to one lucky Savvy reader this month! Watch Savvy’s Facebook page for more details!

PARTY CITY GIVEAWAY

Get your Halloween decorations or costumes on-point with a $100 gift certificate to Party City! This shop has everything you need to plan your next get together. Follow Savvy on Facebook and watch for details on the giveaway!

FACEBOOK.COM/SAVVYARKANSAS

THESAVVYMOMS.COM | OCTOBER 2017

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mama said...

WHAT'S TO LOVE ABOUT AGING?

I

turn 40 this month. In fact, by the time you’ve picked up this October issue of Savvy, I’ll have rounded the final corner of youth and left my thirties in the dust.

Maybe you’ve already been here. Maybe you’re approaching the same milestone. Or maybe 40 is so far away you can’t even imagine such an unjustified horror. Wherever you are in life, one thing’s certain: You’re aging, too, whether you agreed to it or not.

Some people choose to fight the aging process tooth and nail—or maybe that’s Botox and peel. Some welcome it with open arms.

Most of us, I’m guessing, fall somewhere in the middle.

Forty didn’t sneak up on me. I knew it was coming. I’ve been planning a little party and working toward loving myself and all of the fun, quirky things my body is doing. I’ve even stopped coloring my hair, and I have to tell you this natural ombre is so liberating.

Roots? Nope; supposed to look like that! As a bonus, I can spend the money I’ve saved on a trip to see that Chihuly exhibit at Crystal Bridges before it closes in November.

How strange it is that accepting ourselves and appreciating a natural and beautiful process takes work. When I turned 30, I made an offhand comment about the physical signs of aging—of course, now I’d kill for that level of collagen. Anyway, a friend responded with something I’ll never forget, something that took all I’d ever considered about maturing and turned it on its head. It was so simple. She made no judgements; gave no explanations. Just two words: “Look deeper.”

The more I thought about her directive, the more I realized she was right. I was only seeing the superficial aspects of aging—what I considered the disadvantages. I didn’t value personal growth or knowledge. I didn’t appreciate the confidence and emotional strength that comes with growing older…but I wanted to. And the funny thing that happened along the way was the more I began to

value those things, the harder I worked to make them so. Don’t get me wrong, I’m aware of my many shortcomings. But now, when I think of growing older, I add the good to the bad and it goes down better. Like a smoothie, banana and strawberry help get past the kale.

At this stage of life—which, according to the US Census and Merriam-Webster is five years shy of middle-aged—we know who we are. We’re probably well into careers and family. We know our talents, and our limitations. At 40, unrealized dreams may either spur us into action or allow for absolution.

What’s to love about being 40? A lot, actually.

Women in their forties know themselves. We’ve tested the limits and know what we’ll put up with—and what we won’t stand for.

We’ve gained confidence. This is not to be confused with set in our ways. No, we’re confident because we know what we want and we go for it.

We appreciate life a little more. At this point, we’ve been through a few challenges and have hopefully come out the other side stronger, more determined. We appreciate what we’ve worked to have.

We have a better understanding of the world and the people around us, and our place in it.

We’ve learned to let go of toxic relationships. Don’t you wish you could tell your younger self to do this so much sooner?

We’re looking lovelier. Okay, so, maybe we’ve lost a bit of elasticity. But truly, some of the most beautiful women I know— inside and out—are well past 40.

We’ve stopped trying to please everyone. It’s not possible, and we’re old enough to know better. I’m sure I missed some. As gray continues to multiply and gravity wins the war against perk, there is so much beauty to behold in ourselves if we’ll just look deeper.

LOVE MY NATURAL OMBRE!

Jen Holman is determined to be a voice of reason amongst reality TV and momjudgment-gone-wild. Her newest novel (as yet unpublished) won the 2017 Rosemary award for excellence in young adult fiction. She lives in Little Rock with her husband and three (im)perfect children.

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mind, body & soul

TEAR UP TO FIGHT BREAST CANCER GROUNDBREAKING RESEARCH IN ARKANSAS WILL SOON ALLOW DOCTORS TO SCREEN MORE ACCURATELY FOR CANCER

BY TESTING TEARS

I

BY ANGELA E. THOMAS

t’s said that eyes are windows to the soul. A new research project will soon use tears as windows to the body, specifically to the lymphatic system.

Anna Daily is chief scientist on “The Melody Project,” the working name for a study being conducted at Ascendant Dx in Springdale, in which researchers are identifying the protein biomarkers associated with breast cancer.

“Proteins are present in the body all of the time.

When a person has cancer, the amount of proteins varies or changes—some increase, others decrease,” Daily explained. “Allergies are a good example. When a person has an allergic reaction, the body ‘sees’ the foreign object or allergen, for instance, pollen, and increases the antibodies, a type of protein that binds to the allergen, and tells the body’s immune system to fight the allergen. These proteins are always present, but they increase to help the body rid itself of the allergen.”

Dr. V. Suzanne Klimberg discovered the pattern of breast cancer proteins in tears and has conducted a number of studies involving tears, ovarian cancer and colon cancer. She serves as medical director for Ascendant Dx and is co-inventor of the company’s first product, MelodyDx™. Klimberg is also well known for her breast cancer research, including Spit for the Cure, a project involving the analysis of saliva samples.

So, why study tears? Daily explained, “Tears are a filtered product of blood. Tear ducts are fairly close to the lymph system, so there’s a lot of exchange between blood and tears. Blood is made up of a number of cell types and proteins; however, tears are cleaner. Thus, it’s easier to see the proteins within it. Also, tears are relatively easy to collect.”

The ultimate goal, Daily said, is to develop a screening test to determine if a woman has breast abnormalities by testing her tears.

“In the United States, only 40 to 60 percent of women get tested via mammography. If this becomes a screening option, it’s likely more women will be tested and earlier. This is key, as the best way to defeat breast cancer is to catch it early,” Daily said. “And for the 40 to 50 percent of women who have dense breast tissue, which makes cancer harder to detect, this could make a difference. It could be an option for standard screening methods.”

Ultimately, the researchers would like to develop an over-the-counter test that can determine if a woman has breast abnormalities by testing her tears. Daily said they are a couple of years away from completing the project. She pointed out that they must adhere to FDA regulations.

Thus far, they have collected data related to three proteins that differentiate women who have breast abnormalities from those who don’t. They also have to consider “sensitivity.”

Two factors determine accuracy are sensitivity and specificity. Sensitivity is the probability that a “yes” result is a true yes, and specificity is the probability that a “no” is a true no.

“Our test has a sensitivity of 86 percent and a specificity of 84 percent,” Daily said. “Mammograms have a sensitivity of 60 percent and a specificity of 75 percent.” These numbers change when a woman’s breasts are more dense, she said, and with mammography sensitivity can be as low as 20 percent.

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MOBILE MAMMOGRAPHY

“Arkansas has four mobile mammography units that serve those who live in the counties without fixed machines,” McBryde said. The units receive funds from the affiliate, and some of those funds are raised during this month’s Komen Arkansas Race for the Cure, which will be held Oct. 14. For more information, log on to komenarkansas.org.

For information about the mobile mammography units, call: Baxter Regional in Mountain Home, (800) 485-1745 St. Bernard in Jonesboro, (870) 207-8007 CHI St. Vincent in Hot Springs, (501) 622-2174 University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, (800) 259-8794

Daily said, “If you’re developing a test for breast cancer, your specificity goal is 100 percent, or as close to it as possible. If you give a ‘no,’ but it’s a ‘yes’ the results are detrimental.”

“When studying cancer, you want to be sure what you present to the public is accurate,” Dailey said. Still, she’s excited about the research.

“Everyone knows someone who has or has had breast cancer.

My grandmother is a breast cancer survivor,” she said. The test, when available, will be a true game changer.

Indeed, 26 of Arkansas’s 75 counties don’t have fixed mammography service. “And the women who live in these counties are among those who need it most,” said Sherrye McBryde, executive director of the Arkansas Affiliate, Susan G. Komen. “These counties tend to be impoverished, and the residents are at greater risk of poor health and diseases like cancer.”

Daily said, “This test could make the screening process happen earlier, which could in turn encourage more women to be screened.”

Helping with this groundbreaking project in Arkansas is a bonus for Daily. “I was born and raised in Arkansas and obtained my PhD here. The opportunity to work on something so revolutionary is an opportunity I never thought I’d have.”

THESAVVYMOMS.COM | OCTOBER 2017

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savvy style

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LUXE LEATHER

As temperatures fall, it’s time to pull out those timeless wardrobe essentials. Good leather pieces will last through the years and never go out of style. Add some genuine (or faux) flair with a few leather goods found locally.

1. Take it for a night out or a casual Sunday brunch! This suede clutch shines with a gold zipper, detachable gold chain strap and tassel. Available at Simply Dixie, simplydixie.com.

2. Keep your thoughts and to-do lists handy in this leather-bound journal by Sugarboo & Co. The unlined pages are covered in leather, stamped with an inspirational quote and held in place with a rubber band. Available at Box Turtle, shopboxturtle.com.

3. Slip on this simple, leather, bolo-inspired necklace by local designer Amy Maddox. It’s an understated, lengthy piece highlighted with a curvy copper accent. Available at Box Turtle, shopboxturtle.com.

4. These beaded drop earrings have a sweet, organic appeal. Strips of leather, blush-toned glass beads and brass accents come together to create a neutral palette perfect for year-round wear. Available at Box Turtle, shopboxturtle.com.

5. This gorgeous bag is built to last a lifetime. Made locally by Dower, it’s hand-cut, hand-stitched, and made with a combination of Horween leather and olive bridle from Wickett and Craig. Available at dower.co.

6. This suede baseball cap by C.C. is perfect for lazy weekends and early morning soccer games. Just grab it and go to add a touch of style to your casualwear. Available at Simply Dixie, simplydixie.com.

16 OCTOBER 2017 | THESAVVYMOMS.COM

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good eats good eats

Butternut Squash Lasagna THIS SEASONAL GOURD IS FILLING, COMFORTING, HEALTHY AND VERSATILE! USE IT TO CREATE THIS COOL-SEASON LASAGNA AS A TASTY, LIGHTER ALTERNATIVE. STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY KERRY GUICE

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all has arrived! I know, I know, it actually started in September, but here in Arkansas it stays too warm to break out the boots and pumpkin spice lattes until October, when the leaves start changing and the air starts to smell like autumn. One of my favorite seasonal veggies this time of year is butternut squash (it’s what fills the void in my heart when the last of the summer tomatoes are gone). I can chop it up, roast it and throw it in my salad; I can make a low-fat creamy soup that’s perfect for a cool rainy day; I can slice the bulb, take the seeds out and fry an egg in the middle for a unique “egg-in-a-hole”; or I can slice it into “noodles” to make this low-carb, gluten-free lasagna that will impress friends and family!

I’ve been avoiding wheat for six months now, after finding out that my body doesn’t like it, so this is one of my favorite dishes to make. It’s a meal everyone will love, so I don’t feel like a high-maintenance eater who’s just trying to push my diet onto my carb/pasta/gluten-loving friends and family! I call that a win/win.

When slicing butternut squash, be so very careful! Use your best sharp knife and slice slowly, paying attention to where your fingers are. This squash has tough skin, and can cause a dull knife or peeler to slip rather easily (trust me on this one)! This meal would definitely not be a good first time to teach your kids knife skills. Instead, it would be a great time to teach your kids “try new things” skills!

I add mushrooms to this recipe, and sometimes I add sun-dried tomatoes. Feel free to leave the mushrooms out, or swap the spinach for kale. Even though I call this “lasagna,” it’s certainly “casserole” enough to make a perfect addition to any upcoming holiday dinner gathering!

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THESAVVYMOMS.COM | OCTOBER 2017

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Butternut Squash Lasagna 1 3-lb. butternut squash (look for one with a large neck) Pinch salt and pepper Coconut oil cooking spray (or olive oil) 1 lb. Italian sausage ½ cup chopped onion 2-3 garlic cloves ½ teaspoon each of fresh sage, thyme, rosemary and oregano, chopped 2 cups packed fresh spinach leaves (or kale) 1 cup sliced mushrooms ⅔ cup chicken stock 1 cup whole milk ½ cup cream cheese 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese ½ cup Parmesan cheese Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a sheet pan with cooking spray (I use coconut oil). Carefully cut the butternut squash where the neck meets the bulb (save the bulb to use in a different recipe—don’t waste it!). Peel the skin off the squash with a very sharp knife by holding it flat on the cutting board (perpendicular to the board), and slicing the peel off. When peeled, lay it long-ways on the cutting board, making sure that it’s stable on a flat side. Carefully cut it long-ways into ¼- to ½-inch slices, so it resembles lasagna noodles. You’ll need about nine slices. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and lay on baking sheet. Spray top with a little more cooking spray, and bake in preheated oven at 375 degrees for 15 minutes, just until the squash bends (like a lasagna noodle). Keep oven on for the lasagna.

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While the squash is cooking, brown Italian sausage, onions, garlic, mushrooms and herbs in a medium to large pot (I prefer cast iron) on medium-high heat. When sausage is browned, reduce heat to mediumlow and add the spinach (or kale), cream cheese, chicken stock, 1½ cups of the shredded cheeses (reserve ½ cup for the top) and the milk (add milk last). Stir to combine on medium-low until cheeses are melted and smooth and sauce is thickened.

In an 8-inch square baking dish, ladle about one cup of the Italian sausage mixture into the bottom of the pan, followed by a layer of the butternut squash “noodles.” Repeat layers until you use up all the squash, with the top layer being the Italian sausage mixture. Top with the remaining ½ cup shredded cheese, place baking dish on a larger baking sheet lined with foil to prevent oven spills, and bake uncovered in 375-degree oven for 45 minutes, until cheese is browned and bubbly on top. Let cool at least 15 minutes or so for easier slicing (sauce will thicken as it cools).

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26 OCTOBER 2017 | THESAVVYMOMS.COM

HAPPY HAU NTING!

HALLOWEEN IS A TIME FOR TRICKS, TREATS AND PARTIES! WHETHER YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A SAFE ALTERNATIVE TO TRICK-OR-TREATING OR ARE JUST IN A WICKED PARTY SPIRIT, A HALLOWEEN PARTY IS SOMETHING KIDS AND ADULTS WILL LOVE. BY AMY GORDY PHOTOGRAPHY BY LILY DARRAGH

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ll you need are a few spooky decorations, festive treats and drinks, games to keep the little ghouls occupied and tunes to set the mood. Strongly encourage guests to come in costume (it’s more fun when everyone participates, even the grown ups!) and offer a little incentive with a Best Costume trophy like the one we picked up at Party City!

Part of the fun of a Halloween party is in the planning! From decorations to finding the right costume, there are so many fun choices to be made. Costumes are always fun to DIY, but if you are in a time crunch or that elaborate Iron Man costume is just outside of your crafting skill-set, then head to Party City and choose from the hundreds of ready-made costumes. Most come with everything you need, but kids love to accessorize, so help them get excited about their carefully chosen outfit with a few little extras to really bring it all together. If your kids are the competitive types throw in a Best Costume trophy and let the kids vote. Make it more fun and create a few subcategories (funniest, scariest, sweetest, best adult costume) and let everyone vote so nobody feels left out.

Decorations can be fun and colorful, or spooky for a slightly older crowd. For little ones, think orange and purple, polka dots, witches, pumpkins—leave the skeletons and fake blood on the shelf!

Streamers, banners and creative lighting are small additions that can make a big impact; throw in a fog machine and you’ve got the party of the year! Don’t forget to set the mood with a spine-chilling playlist, and feel free to start a game of freeze-dance! Here are a few of our favorite Halloween tunes:

“MONSTER MASH”

“I'M IN LOVE WITH A MONSTER”

“THRILLER”

“I PUT A SPELL ON YOU”

“GHOSTBUSTERS”

“HOWLIN' FOR YOU”

“THIS IS HALLOWEEN”

“BAD MOON RISING”

“I WANT CANDY”

“WEREWOLVES OF LONDON”

“SUGAR, SUGAR”

“SHE WOLF “

BOBBY "BORIS" PICKETT & THE CRYPT-KICKERS

MICHAEL JACKSON

RAY PARKER JR.

FROM "THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS"

BOW WOW WOW

THE ARCHIES

FIFTH HARMONY

SCREAMIN' JAY HAWKINS

THE BLACK KEYS

CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL

WARREN ZEVON

SHAKIRA

THESAVVYMOMS.COM | OCTOBER 2017

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NERDY SPRITE After all that spooking, your guests will need a little refreshment! With a house full of little sprites running wild, you’ll need easy treats that won’t have you tied up with hosting duties all night. Halloween is all about the candy, and this Nerdy Sprite cocktail is an easy crowd-pleaser.

Just fill some cups with big, chunky ice and some sanitized, spooky party favors like vampire teeth, snakes or plastic eyeballs. Then drop in a handful of Nerds and a festive paper straw.

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(ABOVE) CANDY IS A MUST AT A HALLOWEEN PARTY! USE IT AS PRIZES FOR GAMES, OR JUST SET IT OUT IN A DISH LIKE THIS FUN SPIDER WEB BOWL FROM PARTY CITY, AND LET EVERYONE INDULGE THEIR SWEET TOOTH! (FACING PAGE, BOTTOM FROM LEFT) IKE GORDY LURKS IN THE SHADOWS WEARING THE SUPER CREEPY SOUL TAKER COSTUME, LILLA GORDY CLUTCHES HER BEST COSTUME TROPHY, DRESSED IN MARVEL’S AMERICAN DREAM OUTFIT, AND KATHARINE BROWE-OLSON IS TERRIFYING IN A PROM CORPSE COSTUME, ALL FROM PARTY CITY.

THESAVVYMOMS.COM | OCTOBER 2017

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CARAMEL CANDY APPLE BAR

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE TOPPINGS WITH THIS EASY CARAMEL APPLE BAR. KIDS WILL LOVE BEING IN CONTROL OF THEIR SNACKS AND THE APPLES MAKE IT AN ALMOST HEALTHY TREAT, RIGHT? BAG OF APPLES SKEWERS CARAMEL TOPPING AN ASSORTMENT OF NUTS, CANDY, CRUSHED COOKIES AND MORE Grab a bag of apples and chop them up in easyto-eat slices. Set out a container of skewers, or ditch the skewers if the party-goers are too young, and just make it finger-food! Pour the caramel topping into a deep container so the apples are dunk-able.

Arrange containers of fun toppings, and let the kids create their own tasty treats!

*TIP: TO KEEP APPLES FROM BROWNING QUICKLY,

TRY SOAKING FRESHLY CUT SLICES IN A SOLUTION OF 1/2 TEASPOON SALT PER 1 CUP OF COLD WATER FOR 5 MINUTES. RINSE THEM THOROUGHLY AFTER THE SOAKING TO GET RID OF THE SALTY TASTE.

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GAME TIME!

WHEN YOUR GUESTS HAVE FINISHED THEIR TREATS AND ADMIRED ALL THE COSTUMES, FILL THE TIME WITH SOME EASY, DIY GAMES! YOU CAN MAKE THESE WITH YOUR KIDS BEFORE THE SHINDIG, AND THEY’LL LOVE TAKING OVER THE HOSTING DUTIES TO SHOW OFF THEIR HARD WORK.

PUMPKIN POP 40 9-INCH ORANGE BALLOONS LARGE CORKBOARD GREEN CONSTRUCTION PAPER THUMBTACKS DARTS You’ll want to assemble this game (recommended for ages 7 and up) the day of the party so the balloons are nice and full when the darts start flying. Blow up the balloons and secure them on the corkboard with thumbtacks in the shape of a pumpkin. Cut a green stem and tack it up top, then find a nice spot (outside, unless you want your hardwoods to look like Swiss cheese) and line the kids. An adult should be the dart keeper at all times and hand them to players one at a time to prevent any mishaps. With adult supervision, this game is a huge hit—especially if you throw in some prizes.

MONSTER CAN TOPPLE RINSED TIN CANS ACRYLIC PAINT GOOGLY EYES TOILET PAPER A SOFT BALL OR BEAN BAG Let your kids get creative when making their own monster cans for a fun bean bag toss game! Grab some paint, googly eyes, glitter, feathers and anything else from the craft bin and let their imaginations get kooky. Build a pyramid of monster cans and let the kids take turns trying to topple them over!

THESAVVYMOMS.COM | OCTOBER 2017

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JILL GADBERRY JOHNSON PASSES ON A JOY OF HUNTING TO HER DAUGHTERS

BY DWAIN HEBDA PHOTOGRAPHY BY LILY DARRAGH

(From left) Rebecca Webber, Charlotte Johnson, Jill Johnson and Dude love the thrill of the hunt.

THESAVVYMOMS.COM | OCTOBER 2017

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(Clockwise from top left) Rebecca with her haul; Jill, Charlotte and Charles trout fishing in Wyoming; Jill with her brothers and father, Jay, Jim and Adam. Samantha on a fishing trip.

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In the blind, my mom is equal parts huntress and audience,” Rebecca said. “I have always admired her ability to sit in wonder and intentionally appreciate the beauty of nature from a duck blind.

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any a memoir has been penned about children being introduced to the wonders of the hunting wilderness by a father or grandfather. Especially in Arkansas, multiplegeneration hunting parties are the stuff of family legend and a legacy that survives the changing times.

Jill Gadberry Johnson knows that feeling well and not just from watching distance. From a young age, the social media manager learned the art of duck hunting at the knee of her father and grandfather and has continued that proud lineage through her three daughters.

“I grew up duck hunting and fishing with my dad and his dad, my two brothers and even my mom on occasion,” she said. “Though none of my close friends hunted, we had family friends who hunted with their girls, so I don’t remember thinking it was unusual for girls to hunt. My parents both expected that I could do anything I wanted to do,” Johnson said.

The Arkansas outdoors permeated every phase of Johnson’s life from water-skiing Bull Shoals Lake to hunting and fishing on Flag Lake near Gillett. As girlhood gave way to high school, she asked for, and received, a shotgun for her 15th birthday. Her love of hunting even attracted her husband, Charles.

“One day during [high school] football practice, Charles overheard my then-boyfriend talking about an upcoming duck hunt with me and my family,” she said. “Being a hunter himself, Charles told my boyfriend that if we ever broke up he was going to ask me out. We recently celebrated our 30th anniversary, and I still love hunting with him.”

Given the Johnsons’ mutual love of the outdoors, it’s no surprise that the couple’s three daughters would be practically raised on the water or in the blind.

As they’ve grown, each has developed her own specialty in the outdoors.

“Our youngest, Charlotte, is a sixth grader at Pinnacle View Middle School. She also really enjoys archery,” Johnson said. “Our middle daughter, Samantha, is a senior at UCA studying elementary education. She hunts on occasion but really prefers fishing instead.”

“Our oldest, Rebecca Webber, really enjoys hunting. Several years ago,

Rebecca asked for a shotgun for Christmas. My husband gave her his gun, which had been in the family for several generations.”

Hunting was more than mere recreation. Among other life lessons, Johnson said the girls learned self-confidence and respect for the environment along the way. Rebecca, now herself married to a hunter, recalled such lessons as meaningful, even to a sleepy 10-year-old.

“The first time I remember going hunting with my mom, it was a cold Christmastime hunt,” she said. “I remember sitting in the dark, squished up against my mom and shivering in my damp waders. I was just starting to wonder why I had agreed to come out and sit still in such a wet, cold place when my mom nudged me and pointed at the horizon line on the water where orange sunlight was just beginning to blossom.”

“It was then that I saw the ‘V’ of ducks pass over the blind. The light on the horizon reflected off the water below. As my mom pointed them out to me, I remember that mischievous look in her eye, like she was sharing a wonderful secret, and she was,” Rebecca said.

The hunting legacy continues to this day as, at least once per season, the extended clan gathers at the family acreage outside the famed Bayou Meto Wildlife Management Area, home to some of the finest duck hunting on the planet. There, old hunts are relived and new memories are made in the frosty dawn.

“I don’t love getting up early, but it is always worth the effort once we get there,” Johnson said. “As we arrive and begin to gather our gear by the light of the stars, I love the sound of voices discussing wind direction, water levels and decoy placement, the sound of the boat or four wheeler motor, and even the whine of our dog as he anticipates what is coming.”

“In the blind, my mom is equal parts huntress and audience,” Rebecca said. “I have always admired her ability to sit in wonder and intentionally appreciate the beauty of nature from a duck blind. She doesn’t feel the need to take every shot she can because she isn’t there for the sport of hunting, but as a respectful participant in the nature of life.”

THESAVVYMOMS.COM | OCTOBER 2017

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GET KIDS ON-TARGET WITH GUN SAFETY FOR MANY ARKANSAS FAMILIES HUNTING IS A RITE OF PASSAGE, BUT THERE ARE STEPS PARENTS SHOULD TAKE TO BE SURE KIDS ARE READY TO HEAD INTO THE WOODS. BY DEWAIN HEBDA

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he second amendment to the Constitution of the United States guarantees Americans the right to bear arms. The impending duck and deer hunting seasons guarantee that those guns will soon be taken out of safes and cabinets and into the field all over Arkansas for the annual rites of fall.

Gun safety advocates and hunter education experts say all responsible gun owners should pay extra attention when those firearms share a home with children, from safe storage to seeing to youngsters’ proper training with firearms.

“No parent would hand over the keys to a car if they weren’t certain their child could drive responsibly,” said Anna Grayson, who coordinates shooting events and classes at Delta Resort in McGehee. “No parent would throw their child off a high diving board if they couldn’t swim.

Taking a son or daughter hunting or shooting for the first time should not be the first exposure to gun safety.”

Grayson, a lifelong hunter and longtime educator, grew up in Wabbaseka and learned to handle firearms in stages. She said moving youngsters up the firearms ladder is one good way to help them learn and adapt.

“I grew up duck hunting and deer hunting with my dad and target shooting,” she said. “He started me with a BB gun and shooting at paper plates or cans. Then we went up from there.”

“I have a friend who believes that their children have to start at the bottom. Like, you kill a squirrel, then you kill a rabbit. Then maybe we’ll let you go duck hunting. Then maybe deer hunting. You have to earn it and appreciate it.”

Grayson said one of the most common questions she gets is when the

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best time is to start a youngster in shooting sports. She said with the range of BB guns and youth model rifles, it’s not so much about physical readiness as it is about maturity sufficient to appreciate that guns must be treated with respect.

“If they express some interest in it, that’s a good time to start teaching them gun safety,” she said. “Probably not shoot it right off the bat, but a good task is to take it apart and clean it. Learning the parts of it and what they do takes some of the mystery out of it.”

About the time the child is a teenager with an interest in hunting, they should attend hunter education provided by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Not only will they learn proper firearm safety and hunting etiquette in the field, but completion is required for purchase of a hunting license.

“The hunter education program is mandatory for anyone born on or after January 1, 1969,” said Joe Huggins, AGFC education coordinator, who noted the course can be taken in person or online. “Those individuals must successfully complete a hunter education course in order to hunt.”

“Anybody can take the course, and there is not an age requirement on it. The course itself is based on about a sixth-grade reading level, so we recommend that students be at least 12 years of age just to understand some of the terminology and have the experience when they get in there.”

Another AGFC-sponsored activity that reinforces safety and proper handling of firearms is the Arkansas Youth Shooting Sports Program, a competitive trapshooting activity that has enjoyed significant growth in recent years.

“We’ve grown to the point where we have four regional competitions,” Huggins said. “The top 16 teams out of each region advance to state competition.”

Understanding gun safety isn’t just a priority for those who shoot clay targets or look to bring down a duck. Nationally, nearly 300 children age 17 and under gain access to a gun and unintentionally shoot themselves or someone else each year. Nearly 500 more die by suicide with a gun. These statistics underline the critical importance of properly securing firearms.

“Since 2015, we’ve been doing a campaign called Be SMART for kids, which is our gun safety initiative,” said Kat Hills with the Arkansas chapter of Mothers Demand Action, a gun violence prevention group. “It follows the same guidelines as the American Academy of Pediatrics. We say that the safest way to store a weapon is locked and unloaded and stored separately from ammunition.”

Hills said parents’ responsibility doesn’t end with their own firearms, either. Asking a friend’s parents how they store their weapons—and refusing to let a child play in a home with unsecured weapons—may come off as awkward, but is essential to keeping children safe.

“You spend all this time, from the minute your kids are born, worrying about what we’re feeding them and what they’re eating and and how they’re sleeping and these other safety issues,” Hills said.

“This is a safety issue, a public health issue, and as a parent, you need to do something about this, as awkward as it sometimes is.”

RESOURCES: Moms Demand Action momsdemandaction.org facebook.com/MomsDemandActionAR Arkansas Game and Fish Commission agfc.com askAGFC@agfc.ar.gov 800-364-4263

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SMART stands for: • Secure guns in homes and vehicles • Model responsible behavior • Ask about unsecured guns in other homes • Recognize the risks of teen suicide • Tell your peers to be SMART besmartforkids.org

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